Kid’s Book Club Reviews: Holes

The Castro Valley Parent/Child Book Club

 We’ve read more than 12 books now with our parent/child book club at the Castro Valley Library.  Everyone has their favorite, and we wanted to share our thoughts on some of the books with you.  Most of the books are recommended for children from 3^rd grade and over.

Holes by Louis Sachar

Holes is the story of a good kid with bad luck, in fact, Stanley’s entire family has bad luck.  After landing himself in boot camp, Stanley learns a lot about himself, his family and friendship.  Holes won the 1999 Newbery Medal, the National Book Award, and the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award. 

 Book Review

 Holes is an exciting adventure story of a boy in boot camp. His name is Stanley Yelnats, and he is accused for something he did not do. Out in the blistering hot weather, the boys are forced to dig huge holes. Stanley gets a nickname, as well as the other boys. Stanley is tired of the work and sets off on a journey with a kid nicknamed “Zero”. You should read the book first, not the movie. The movie is not at all like the book.  Holes is a continuing story of a boy and how his life changed.  By Grace, 4^th grader.

I’d rate Holes 5 out of 5 stars. I liked it because the different parts of the story came back to one point and made everything clear and understandable in the end. The author was very clever and creative. The book was also unpredictable and surprised me sometimes. It was touching and had a life lesson.  By Shaeli, 6th grader

The Castro Valley Library Parent/Child Book Club meets the 3rd Tuesday of the month @ 7pm.   Our current grade level is 4th-7th grade.  We are currently reading Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool.

Black History Alive! : A Free Concert with Storyteller Kirk Waller

From Henry Box Brown to John Henry and his mighty hammer, Kirk Waller brings Black History to life! Through storytelling, music, mime and singing, you will be entertained, enlightened and most of all, inspired! Don’t miss this one of a kind, one-time only experience!

WHO: Families with children ages 6 and older

WHAT: Kirk Waller Storytelling Concert

WHEN: Saturday, February 4 at 3 p.m.

WHERE: Dublin Library, 200 Civic Plaza, Dublin

This program is funded by the Friends of the Dublin Library.

 

Be sure to check out these books celebrating African American History:

Heart and soul : the story of America and African Americans / words and paintings by Kadir Nelson Kadir Nelson, one of this generation’s most accomplished, award-winning artists, has created an epic yet intimate introduction to the history of America and African Americans, from colonial days through the civil rights movement. Written in the voice of an “Everywoman,” an unnamed narrator whose forebears came to this country on slave ships and who lived to cast her vote for the first African American president, heart and soul touches on some of the great transformative events and small victories of that history. This inspiring book demonstrates that in gaining their freedom and equal rights, African Americans helped our country achieve its promise of liberty and justice—the true heart and soul of our nation. (Publisher summary)

Our children can soar : a celebration of Rosa, Barack, and the pioneers of change by Michelle Cook Rosa sat so Martin could march. Martin marched so Barack could run. Barack ran so Our children can soar. This is the seed of a unique picture book that is part historical, part poetry, and entirely inspirational. It takes the reader through the cumulative story of the US Civil Rights Movement, expanding the popular slogan beyond these three heroes to include more key players in the struggle for equality. Spare prose and vivid imagery make this a truly moving and accessible picture book to be savored by readers of all ages. (Publisher summary)

These hands by Margaret H. Mason Joseph’s grandpa could do almost anything with his hands. He could play the piano, throw a curveball, and tie a triple bowline knot in three seconds flat. But in the 1950s and 60s, he could not bake bread at the Wonder Bread factory. Factory bosses said white people would not want to eat bread touched by the hands of the African Americans who worked there. In this powerful intergenerational story, Joseph learns that people joined their hands together to fight discrimination so that one day, their hands—Joseph’s hands—could do anything at all in this whole wide world. (Publisher summary)

Bound for the North Star: True Stories of Fugitive Slaves by Dennis Brindell Fradin The stories of slaves who fled the South in search of freedom are some of the most riveting in American history. The fugitives usually left at night, with little or no food or money and only the light of the North Star to guide them. Gathered here are twelve stirring stories of escape, including those of Henry “Box” Brown, Ellen and William Craft, and Harriet Tubman, along with less well known but equally compelling accounts of Mary Prince, Eliza Harris, Margaret Garner, John Anderson, Solomon Northrup, and others. Accompanied by striking archival prints and photographs, these thought-provoking narratives vividly depict the horrors of slavery and the high value of freedom, and are a testimony to the tenacity of the human spirit. (Publisher summary)

Seven miles to freedom : the Robert Smalls story by Janet Halfmann This biography tells the story of Robert Smalls who, during the Civil War, commandeered the Confederate ship Planter to carry his family and twelve other slaves to freedom, and went on to become a United States Congressman working toward African American advancement. (Publisher summary)

Ain’t nothing but a man : my quest to find the real John Henry by Scott Reynolds Nelson with Marc Aronson Who was the real John Henry? The story of this legendary African-American figure has come down to us in so many songs, stories, and plays, that the facts are often lost. Historian Scott Nelson brings John Henry alive for young readers in his personal quest for the true story of the man behind the myth. Nelson presents the famous folk song as a mystery to be unraveled, identifying the embedded clues within the lyrics, which he examines to uncover many surprising truths. He investigates the legend and reveals the real John Henry in this beautifully illustrated book. (Publisher summary)

Extraordinary people of the Harlem Renaissance by P. Stephen Hardy and Sheila Jackson Hardy This inspiring book looks at the many artists, photographers, choreographers, musicians, composers, poets, writers, and other creative people who made Harlem such an amazing place in the 1920s and 1930s. (Publisher summary)

Miles to go for freedom : segregation & civil rights in the Jim Crow years by Linda Barrett Osborne Told through unforgettable first-person accounts, photographs, and other primary sources, this book is an overview of racial segregation and early civil rights efforts in the United States from the 1890s to 1954, a period known as the Jim Crow years. Multiple perspectives are examined as the book looks at the impact of legal segregation and discrimination on the day-to-day life of black and white Americans across the country. (Publisher summary)

Child of the civil rights movement by by Paula Young Shelton Paula Young Shelton, daughter of Civil Rights activist Andrew Young, brings a child’s unique perspective to an important chapter in America’s history. Paula grew up in the deep south, in a world where whites had and blacks did not. With an activist father and a community of leaders surrounding her, including Uncle Martin (Martin Luther King), Paula watched and listened to the struggles, eventually joining with her family—and thousands of others—in the historic march from Selma to Montgomery. Poignant, moving, and hopeful, this is an intimate look at the birth of the Civil Rights Movement. (Publisher summary)

And save time to explore the many fascinating images and online exhbits from the Library of Congress.

Winter Holidays–New Year’s Day

Another widely celebrated winter holiday is the New Year’s Day.

Regardless of countries and cultures, New Year is one of the most universally celebrated festivities around the world.  It falls on January 1 of the Gregorian calendar and is the day that marks the beginning of a new calendar year.

In many countries, New Year celebrations include partying with family and friends, launching fireworks, counting down on New Year’s Eve, and making New Year Resolutions.  The most commonly sung song for English-speakers on New Year’s Eve is “Auld Lang Syne”.  It literally translates as “old long since” and means “times gone by.”  After the countdown, friends and family gather and sing it together.  The song asks whether old friends and times will be forgotten and promises to remember people of the past with fondness.

Auld Lang Syne

Besides the common celebrations, some countries also have their own special traditions.  Here are some interesting ones:

In the United States, the most famous tradition is the dropping of the New Year Ball in Times Square, New York City at 11:59 p.m.  An estimated one million people gather in Time Square to watch the Ball make its one-minute decent, arriving exactly at midnight.  Another American tradition is the “Rose Bowl” football game proceded by the Tournament of Rose Parade in Pasadena, California.

• For details about Time Square countdown celebration, go to the Time Square Alliance website: http://www.timessquarenyc.org
• For details about the Rose Parade, check out http://www.tournamentofroses.com/
• If your family is not planning a trip out of town, you may want to go to one of these local New Year’s Eve celebrations here in the San Fransico Bay Area: http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/feature?section=news&id=6572465

In Spain, their New Year’s ritual is to eat twelve grapes at midnight to secure twelve happy months in the coming year.

In Scotland, birthplace of the traditional New Year’s song “Alud Lang Syne”, one of the interesting traditions is called “first-footing”.  Shortly after midnight on New Year’s Eve, neighbors bring along a gift of coal for the fire or shortbread when then visit each other and give New Year wishes.  It is considered very lucky if you get a tall, dark and handsome man to enter your house first.

In Philippines, the most significant traditions is the midnight mass or media noche.  Firecrackers also have a big role in celebrating the New Year.  Skies are lit with all sorts of firecrackers which signifies prosperity and happiness all through the year.

In the Netherlands, the Dutch would burn bonfires of Christmas trees on the street and launch fireworks.  The fires are to get rid of the old and welcome the new.

In Lebanon, gifts are exchanged, homes are embellished, families and friends are gathered.  Once the time strikes at twelve midnight, people greet each other and celebrate it with music and feasts.

In Japan, the New Year is the most important holiday and a symbol of renewal.  Among the traditions, I think the most interesting one is the 108 strikes of the gongs at the Buddhist temples.  It is a symbol to expel 108 types of human weakness.

In India, people hold festive parties in all kinds of places wearing vivid new dresses.  The thought behind the gathering is to say good-bye to the old year and greet the new one.

In Greece, the New Year’s day is also the “St. Basil” festival.  One of the traditional food Vassilopitta (or St. Basil’s cake) will have a gold coin baked inside it.  Whoever eats a cake with the coin inside will be especially lucky during the coming year.

Saying “Happy New Year” in other languages

Want to try saying the New Year greetings in other languages to impress your friends?   Follow this link to a list 35 differnt ways to say “Happy New Year”: http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0923039.html

Happy New Year!—in internationl languages
~~Presented by our friends from Centerville Library~~

Kwanzaa

Another of the winter holidays celebrated in December is Kwanzaa (December 26th-January 1st). Dr. Maulana Karenga created Kwanzaa in 1966 as a way to bring the African-American community together. Kwanzaa celebrates African-American heritage and means “first fruits” in the Swahili language.

Kwanzaa celebrates seven principles of African heritage. Each day of celebration is dedicated to one of the principles. Watch the video below to learn about the seven principles and watch the lighting of candles.

Families celebrate Kwanzaa by decorating their homes with African art, Kente cloth and fresh fruit. To see a family  celebrate Kwanzaa in their home take a look at this video:

Music and dancing are a big part of Kwanzaa celebrations. The video below highlights African dancing.

Check out these websites below for Kwanzaa crafts and activities:

http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/kwanzaa_for_kids.htm

http://holidays.kaboose.com/kwanzaa/

http://www.dltk-holidays.com/kwanzaa/index.htm

http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/kwanzaa-crafts.htm

Christmas – Fun Videos!

Here are a few fun Christmas videos for you to enjoy!

Christmas Around the World

Christmas is one of the major holidays celebrated in the month of December. It is celebrated by billions of people around the world. Christmas was traditionally a Christian holiday to commemorate the birth of Jesus  in Bethlehem and is celebrated on December 25^th. In modern times Christmas is celebrated by people of both Christian and non-Christian religions. Many people celebrate Christmas by exchanging Christmas cards, decorating their homes with lights and Christmas trees, listening to Christmas carols, going to church or community events and having a special dinner and gift exchange with family and friends. Watch the video below to see more about Christmas traditions.

If you want to learn about Christmas traditions in other countries take a look at this website: http://www.santas.net/aroundtheworld.htm

If you want to wish someone a Merry Christmas in another language here is what you would say:

French: Joyeux Noël

German: Froehliche Weihnachten

Hawaiian: Mele Kalikimaka

Hindi: Bada Din Mubarak Ho

Italian: Buon Natale

Japanese: Kurisumasu Omedeto

Korean: Sung Tan Chuk Ha

Russian: Srozhdestovm Kristovim

Spanish: Feliz Navidad

Tagalog: Maligayang Pasko

Thai: Suksun Wan Christmas

Vietnamese: Chuc Mung Giang Sinh

Watch the video below to hear people give a Christmas greeting in their language.

One of the highlights for Children during Christmastime is the arrival of Santa Claus! Every year on Christmas Eve, Santa Claus leaves his toy workshop at the North Pole and sets off to travel around the world in his sleigh pulled by his flying reindeer. Children who have been good all year get to look forward to Santa Claus coming to their homes on Christmas Eve to leave presents for them underneath their decorated Christmas trees.

Did you know that Santa Claus has different names depending on which country you are in? Here are some of the different names for Santa and the countries of origin:

Brazil: Papai Noel

China: Shengdan Laoren

England: Father Christmas

France: Pere Noel

Germany: Saint Nikolaus

Holland: De Kerstman

India: Santa Claus, Baba

Italy: Babbo Natale

Japan: Hoteiosho

Netherlands: Sinter Klaas

Russia: Ded Moroz

Spain: El Nino Jesus

The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) tracks Santa’s trip around the world each year. You can go to the following website to see a recap from last year and a countdown to Christmas Eve this year. Be sure to check it out this Christmas Eve to track Santa’s trip around the world!

http://www.noradsanta.org/en/

Check out the websites below for fun Christmas crafts and activities:

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/christmas/

http://crafts.kaboose.com/holidays/christmas/christmas-crafts.html

http://familyfun.go.com/christmas/christmas-gifts-cards-decorations/

Winter Holidays

There are many holidays celebrated around the world in the month of December. When you hear about festive holiday lights it could be in reference to decorated Christmas trees, candles on a Menorah, or the candlelight of Kwanzaa. It’s a special time of year when families, friends and communities come together to celebrate winter festivities and religious or cultural traditions.

The first celebration we will take a look at is Hanukkah (Chanukah), the Jewish festival of lights. Hanukkah celebrations start on the 25^th day of the Jewish month of Kislev and lasts for eight days and nights. This year Hanukkah will be celebrated from December 20^th to 28^th. Hanukkah commemorates the Maccabean revolt against the Greek pagans and the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem in the second century BCE. The Hanukkah story says that the Maccabees rededicated the Temple by lighting the eternal lamp. They found enough oil to last for only one night, but a miracle happened and the oil lasted for eight nights. This is why the holiday lasts for eight nights and why people light a menorah for Hanukkah. A Menorah is a candelabrum that holds nine candles. The candle usually positioned in the center is called the Shamash. The Shamash is lit first and each night of celebration it is used to light one of the remaining eight candles until all are lit. Watch the video below to learn how to light the Menorah.

The Dreidel is a four sided spinning top and is a game played by children during Hanukkah. Each side of the Dreidel has a Hebrew letter that directs the game play. Children take turns spinning the top and the Hebrew letters direct them to either take or give gelt (gold coins or candy). Watch below to see how the Dreidel is played.

Here are some websites with Hanukkah crafts you can create at home:

http://www.dltk-kids.com/world/jewish/hanukah.htm

http://www.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/hanukkah/

http://crafts.kaboose.com/holidays/chanukah/

Holidays in December

Ever wonder how many holidays are in December? 

I did a little searching and found this list:

Entire Month of December:

- Hi Neighbor Month

- National Stress Free Family Holiday Month

- Read a New Book Month

- Safe Toy & Gift Month

- Universal Human Rights Month

- Safe Toy & Gift Month

December 1

- Eat a red apple day

- National Pie Day

- Rosa Park’s Day

- World AIDS Day

December 2

- National Fritters Day

December 3

- International Day of the Disabled Person

- National Roof-Over-Your-Head Day

December 4

- National Cookie Day

- Wear Brown Shoes Day

 

December 5

- Walter Elias (Walt) Disney’s Birthday

December 6

- Mitten Tree Day

- St. Nicholas Day

December 7

- National Cotton Candy Day

- Pearl Harbor Day

December 8

- National Brownie Day

December 9

- First Christmas Seals Issued

December 10

- Emily Dickinson’s Birthday

- Human Rights Day

- Nobel Peace Prize Awarded

December 11

- UNICEF Anniversary

December 12

- Poinsettia Day

December 13

- National Cocoa Day

December 14

- South Pole Discovered

December 16

- Boston Tea Party Anniversary

- Las Posadas

- Ludwig Von Beethoven’s Birthday

- National Chocolate Covered Anything Day

December 17

- National Maple Syrup Day

- Underdog Day

- Wright Brother’s Day

December 18

- Wear a Plunger on Your Head Day

December 19

- Oatmeal Muffin Day

December 20

- Games Day

December 21

- First Day of Winter

- Hannukkah Begins at Sunset

- Humbug Day

- Look at the Bright Side Day

- National Flashlight Day

December 23

- Roots Day

December 24

- National Egg Nog Day

December 25

- Christmas

- National Pumpkin Pie Day

December 26

- Boxing Day

- Kwanzaa Begins

- National Wineries Day

December 27

- Visit the Zoo Day

December 28

- Card Playing Day

- National Chocolate Day

December 31

- New Year’s Eve

Today is ….

Today is the first day of December!  Thanksgiving is over, and school has started again, for another few weeks.  Soon there will be holidays again.  Do you like crafts?  Check out these books for ideas:

Hanukkah crafts / Karen E. Bledsoe

Christmas crafts / Fay Robinson

The best holiday crafts ever! / by Kathy Ross ; art by Sharon Lane Holm

Kwanzaa karamu : cooking and crafts for a Kwanzaa feast / April A. Brady ; illustrations by Barbara Knutson ; photographs by Robert L. and Diane Wolfe ; additional recipes by Cheryl Davidson Kaufman … [et al.]

Halloween Humor

Why didn’t the skeleton dance at the party?                  

He had no body to dance with.

Why did the skeleton go disco dancing?      

To see a boogy man.

What instrument do skeletons play?

Trom-BONE

Why did the skeleton cross the road? 

To go to the body shop.

Why didn’t the skeleton cross the road?

He had no guts!!!  Ha-Ha!

What’s a skeleton’s favorite song? 

Bad to the Bone.