Schneider Family and Honor Books

The Deaf Musicians

Written by: Pete Seeger and Paul Dubois Jacobs

Illustrated by: R. Gregory Christie

Seeger, P. & Jacobs, P. D.(2006). The deaf musicians. New York:G.P. Putnams’s Sons.

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Recommended grades: Pre-K – 5th grade

Awards: 2007 Schneider Family Award Winner

Summary: This book follows a pianist who has to leave his band because he becomes deaf and cannot hear the notes. When he goes to a deaf school to learn sign language, he meets another musician and they decide to form a band.

Personal Reflection: This book is great to teach acceptance of others differences. I would like to read this book and lead a discussion with the class about how everyone is different but they are all talented in their own way. I would also use this book to teach onomatopoeia, sound words. I do a writing workshop lesson on onomatopoeia. I like how these words are written in different writing, color and seem to be moving across the page.

Recommendation: I would highly recommend this book for library purchase, because its theme of acceptance is universal.

Becoming Naomi Leon

Written by: Pam Munoz Ryan

Ryan, P. (2004). Becoming Naomi Leon. New York: Scholastic Press

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Recommended grades: 6th – 8th grades

Awards: ALA Notable Books for Children 2005, ALA Schneider Award, Pura Belpre Honor Book 2005

Summary: In this coming-of-age story, Naomi Soledad Leon Outlaw discovers her family in the most difficult circumstances. All of her life, Naomi has had to live with a unusual name, hand-made clothing, and a problem feeling like she didn’t fit in; but when her mother shows up after abandoning her and her brother, Naomi’s whole world changes. With help from Gram, Naomi tracks down her father to keep her abusive mother away from her.

Personal Reflection: This book is an important book for children to read, but because of its realistic depiction of a broken home it is not for elementary aged readers. However, for those students that are in middle school, this would be a great read. At my school, many of my students come from broken homes and some have already been through instances of abuse and abandonment. When these students are ready, I can see how reading a book like this could help bridge the gaps in their lives.

Recommendation: I would not recommend this book for elementary schools, but I would highly recommend this book for library purchase in middle schools because its theme is universal and significant as children age and develop into teens and adults.