Remember by: Toni Morrison

I think this book is very interesting and the first line of the book really draws readers in. It states, "This book is about you." It is a very powerful way of showing that readers need to remember what happened in the past and why segregation was a horrible thing that happened to our country. I really like that this book had minimal text and the story was told mostly through the pictures. The photos were all very real. Because the text is in first person, the reader really feels like they are the person going through the story line. I think this book would be good to use for an older elementary audience but the words do explain everything very simply.

Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom by: Carole Boston Weatherford, Illustrated by: Kadir Nelson

Right off the bat, readers will fall in love with this book because of its amazing illustrations. I believe Kadir Nelson's pictures display such a powerful and strong support to the text. The text itself is very interesting because it is somewhat lyrical and readers feel as if God is really speaking in the book. I like the way the text is depicted in the book and how the words of God are bigger and sometimes do not follow a straight line. They stand out to show how important his words were to Harriet. You get the sense that this is the only thing that really is keeping her going...faith. I really like this book and think it explains Harriet Tubman's spiritual journey towards freedom very well to children.

In Buisness with Mallory by: Laurie Friedman

Another great Mallory series book, In Business with Mallory, explains the hardships of choosing between what is right and what is wrong. Like many other kids, wanting something so bad can be a very big issue. Mallory and her best Mary Ann want nothing more than the Perfect Purse that has 12 changeable covers and a butterfly pin. But as expected, mom says no.... Mallory has a mission and that is to buy that purse. Mallory discovers many ways she can raise money but when she gets to the store, there is a big problem. Mallory only has enough money for the purse, but she promised her mom that she would get her brother Max a birthday present. Readers need to see and find out if Mallory chooses the purse or a present for Max. This book is excellent because similarly when you are young there is always that one thing that you just have to have, and you will find anyway to get it.

Happy Birthday Mallory! by: Laurie Friedman

Happy Birthday Mallory is the 2nd book that I have read in the series. Now after reading two, I appreciate that you do not need to read the books in order because they are easy to catch onto and understand all of the characters. I believe this book is great because I can see a lot of young girls relating to the birthday problems that Mallory went through. This year, Mallory is turning 9 and in her mind, that means that she should celebrate the entire month. Mallory comes up with a list of things she thinks needs to be done that month in honor of her birthday. Readers will love the problems that she faces. I could not put this book down and my favorite part is when Mallory tries to "fix" her hair for a new 9-year-old hair style. As you can probably imagine, all of Mallory's big plans, along with a new hairstyle, does not exactly turn out... This book is very humorous and full of surprises!

Red, White, and True Blue Mallory by: Laurie Friedman

This is the first Mallory book that I have read in the series and I absolutely love it! I love the way Laurie Friedman has developed the story line around real situations that are very likely to occur to any third grade girl. When I read this book, I personally kept thinking about my grade school trip to Washington, D.C. and how it was very similar to the book. I really like how Friedman sets the story up like a journal with many pictures to add detail. Readers can really feel like they are the journal that Mallory is constantly writing in. This book is great because not only does it have a typical grade school story line, but it also has many facts and information about all the places Mallory visits while in Washington, D.C. I have to say that I read many new things while reading! Overall, the book is great and appealing to all readers!

Leon's Story by: Leon Walter Tillage

Leon's Story is a great and powerful book about a young African-American boy who struggles with one of the hardest times in American History. The civil rights movement controlled how African-Americans lived at this time and made life miserable. Leon and his family convey a strong composure and their family bonds fight for what is right. I very much enjoyed this book and loved how it was written in the point of view of a young boy and it feels like he really is talking and telling you this story. This book is very good to share in classroom because it gives good historical background about this time period and the struggles that African-Americans had to face. The characters in this book are very strong individuals.