Author/Illustrator: Jeanette WinterPlot Summary: Based on a July 27, 2003 news report from the New York Times, a librarian in Basra, Iraq attempts to save the Central Library's collection before it is destroyed by the effects of war.
Comments: A simple, but powerful story of one person's small attempt to do something to make a small difference. Introduces another side affect of war on the average person and society.
Extensions:
1. These lesson plans come from a great website - Teachable Moment: Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility. They use this book which is for younger children as well as the title listed below for older students. Click here for more information.
2. This is a broader lesson plan teaching about the Arab culture. This book is included as one of several book selections. Click here for more detailed information.
3. In general, for fourth or fifth grade and up, this book could be used as a basis for further exploration on different aspects of the war in Iraq or the Arab culture in general.
Themes/keywords: Baker, Alia Muhammad, Librarians - Iraq -Basrah, Libraries --Destruction and pillage - Iraq, Iraq War, 2003
Age/Reading Level: Grades 3 - 6; ATOS - 3.2; Follett - 3.8; Lexile - 640
Standards:
ELA4W2 The student demonstrates competence in a variety of genres.
ELA5R1 The student demonstrates comprehension and shows evidence of a warranted and responsible explanation of a variety of literary and informational texts.
ELA5W3 The student uses research and technology to support writing.
Publisher's Info: Harcourt, Inc. San Diego, California. 2005
ISBN-13: 978-0-15-205445-8
ISBN-10: 0-15-205445-6
Awards/Review Sources:
Wilson's Children 10/01/06 | School Library Journal starred 01/01/05 |
| Notable/Best Books (A.L.A.) 01/01/06 | Publishers Weekly 12/29/04 |
| Booklist 12/01/04 | Horn Book 10/01/05 |
| Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books 02/01/05 | Kirkus Review 12/15/04 |
Genre/Dewey: 020
Websites:
An interview with the author, Jeanette Winter. Click here for more information.
Notes for Booktalk:
1. Another book on the same subject - Alia's Mission: Saving the Books of Iraq by Mark Alan Stamaty (Alfred A. Knopf, 2004.
2. Show the location of Basra and other major cities in Iraq on a map and/or globe.
Vocabulary:
Comments