Lies My Teacher Told Me

~ Janet Dawson ~ 4 Comments

Lies My Teacher Told Me: A Graphic Adaptation by James W. Loewen, adapted and illustrated by Nate Powell (The New Press, 272 pages, grades 9-12). James W. Loewen’s 1995 book (updated in 2007 and 2018) examined twelve high school American history textbooks and how they present the history of the United States. His conclusions are fascinating, showing how the narrative presents a patriotic view of steady progress over time, with Americans defending freedom and democracy around the world. Racism, genocides, corporate greed, and government secrecy are pretty much excluded from this version of history. He also investigated how and why textbooks are written like this, which turns out to be in large part because the committees that adopt the books for their states demand it. Loewen concludes by emphasizing the importance of telling the truth to students, presenting American history in a way that makes them think critically about events from the past and how they shape the future, in order to help them become active and engaged citizens.

I’ve heard of this book but never read it, and I am grateful for Nate Powell’s amazing graphic adaptation (Powell worked with John Lewis to create his March trilogy). I found it compelling reading, with so much of the history relevant to today’s current events at home and abroad. I can usually zip through graphic novels in a few days, but this took me quite a bit longer, with text-heavy pages and lots of fascinating ideas to consider. There were times that I wish I knew more about the topics being discussed, and many readers will want to consult the original work to get a fuller picture.

Oh! 2 books about H2O

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Water: Discovering the Precious Resource All Around Us by Olga Fadeeva, translated from Russian by Lena Traer (Eerdman’s Books for Young Readers, 56 pages, grades 2-5). Each spread in this book asks a question about water, covering a wide range of topics from weather to oceans to pollution. How much water is there on Earth? How do rivers form? How are seas and oceans different? How powerful is water? Each question is answered with a few straightforward, engaging paragraphs and illustrated with acrylics that emphasize the blues and browns of water. This is a fun book to browse and would make an excellent addition to any elementary unit on water, although there was a sad lack of additional resources at the end.

Dive! The Story of Breathing Underwater by Chris Gall (Roaring Brook Press, 48 pages, grades 1-5). As we learned in the first book, two-thirds of the Earth is covered in water, so it’s only natural that humans would seek out ways to explore the oceans. Beginning with the ancient Greeks who used hollow reeds that allowed them to breathe while harvesting undersea sponges, Chris Gall moves on to diving bells, the bathysphere, the Aqua-Lung, and robot-controlled submersibles. He also explains what happens when humans travel deep into the ocean, and the catastrophic effects returning to the surface too quickly can have. The narrative is told through a lens of problem-solving, as various inventors sought to overcome obstacles to allow divers to go deeper and explore longer. There’s more information at the end about the oceans, how to become a diver, and the author’s personal experience with diving, as well as a glossary and additional resources. Although this has the look of a picture book and is recommended by some reviewers for kids as young as 4, there’s a lot of somewhat technical information that would most likely be more interesting for older readers.

A couple of holiday books

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Ramadan Kareem by M. O. Yuksel, illustrated by Hatem Aly (HarperCollins, 40 pages, ages 4-8). Kids around the world celebrate Ramadan from the sighting of the crescent moon that marks the beginning to the next crescent a month later that signals that it’s time for the Eid celebration. In between, some of them fast for the first time, give money and food to neighbors, enjoy feasts before sunrise and after sunset, and attend mosque to pray and study the Qur’an. Eid means family gatherings, feasting, and gift giving, as the kids look forward to celebrating Ramadan again next year. Includes additional information, as well as a glossary and a list of three resources.

This book is packed with information, as well as colorful illustrations by Hatem Aly, for whom I’ve had a soft spot since The Inquisitor’s Tale. One fun feature is that 13 flags are hidden in the pictures, showing where in the world that celebration is taking place, although I wish this had been introduced at the beginning of the book instead of the end. I also wish I had seen this book in time for Ramadan this year, but file it away as one to purchase for 2025.

Juneteenth Is by Natasha Tripplett, illustrated by Daniel J. O’Brien (Chronicle Books, 40 pages, ages 4-8). A young girl shows readers how her family celebrates Juneteenth. The day starts with a parade, then continues to a big extended family gathering for a feast that features red food and drink. Grandparents remind everyone that red represents the color of suffering and give a quick synopsis of the history of the day, “the history lesson not taught in school.” At the end of the day, the family gathers for a photo, and the girl reminds readers, “Juneteenth is for all of us. We are America.” Includes information and resources on the significance of red in the celebration of Juneteenth.

Another beautifully illustrated book that serves as an excellent introduction to Juneteenth for younger readers. It’s a good mix of family fun and remembrance of the reasons for observing the day. Although the information about the significance of red is interesting, I would have liked more about the history of the holiday.

Mythology

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The Monster and the Maze (Monkey King and the World of Myths) by Maple Lam (G. P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, 240 pages, grades 3-7). Sun Wukong, or the Monkey King, comes to life in a graphic tale combining Chinese and Greek mythologies. Bold, confident and fearless, the Monkey King sneaks into heaven where he confronts the gods with his request to become one of them. Although he’s a lowly beast, he’s told his wish will be considered if he can go on a quest to slay a monster. Sun Wukong ends up in Crete, on a quest to destroy the legendary Minotaur. When he finds the monster, tough, he learns that he’s not evil and is suffering at the hands of his father, King Aegeus. The Monkey King discovers the problem–an evil spirit has possessed Aegeus–and is able to convince the king to release the spirit and return to his kindly ways, making an impassioned case for beasts and monsters in the process. Sun Wukong’s work may be done in Crete, but it looks like there will be more adventures for him ahead. The two mythologies are woven together seamlessly, making a fun and extremely engaging story. Includes additional information about the mythical characters and an author’s note.

Amazing Immortals: A Guide to Gods and Goddesses Around the World by Dinah Williams (Harry N. Abrams, 208 pages, grades 4-8). Arranged by categories of power (creation, weather, tricksters, etc.), this collection of myths focuses on cultures other than the familiar Greek and Roman ones. Each two-page spread contains a brief retelling of the myth, along with gorgeous color art, created by 17 different artists. The left-hand margin contains information about the country (or region), culture, and era of each myth, which is unfortunately small enough that it took some diligent searching for me to discover. Each myth includes a fun fact or a tie-in to modern times, like Marvel movies or Rick Riordan books. The back matter includes information about the author and artists, as well as an index, a list for further reading, and an extensive bibliography, making this a great starting place for more research. It’s an amazing and visually appealing resource for upper elementary and middle school mythology fans.

A trio of musical picture books

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The Boy Who Said Wow by Todd Boss, illustrated by Rashin Kheiriyeh (Beach Lane Books, 40 pages, ages 4-8). Ronan is a boy who rarely speaks, and when Grandfather proposes a trip to the symphony, his parents are a bit skeptical. But Grandfather persists, and the two of them drive to the concert hall and find their seats. The lights go down, the music begins, and Ronan is swept away. In the moment of silence when the music ends, Ronan opens his mouth, and utters a loud, “Wow!” The audience laughs and claps, both for the orchestra and for Ronan. An author’s note shares that the story is based on an actual event that happened at Boston’s Symphony Hall in 2019. The illustrations look more like the 1950’s than 2019, but it’s a fun and interesting story with a sympathetic nonverbal main character.

Nothing: John Cage and 4′ 33″ by Nicholas Day, illustrated by Chris Raschka (Neal Porter Books, 40 pages, grades 1-5). The story opens with a 1952 performance at the Maverick Concert Hall in Woodstock, NY, where a pianist named David Tudor sits down at a piano and proceeds to do nothing for just over four and a half minutes. The word “nothing” is repeated a few times as the audience sits and wonders what is happening. The narrative then goes back 40 years to the birth of John Cage, a boy with unusually large ears and a penchant for inventing. Of all his radical compositions, his 4′ 33″ may be both the most unusual and the best-known. He wanted people to listen in the absence of sound to create their own music from what they heard around them. There’s an extensive author’s note, along with photos and a bibliography at the end.

The idea of this silent piece is fascinating and thought-provoking, stretching the boundaries of what can be considered music, and the subject is brought to life by Chris Raschka’s illustrations. The back matter seems more geared for older readers, and the concepts introduced may be a bit over the heads of the intended audience. Also, John Cage’s ears are described in a way that makes them sound freakishly large, but when I saw photos of him that seemed like an unnecessary exaggeration.

Piper Chen Sings by Philippa Soo and Maris Pasquale Doran, illustrated by Qin Leng (Random House Studio, 40 pages, ages 4-8). Piper loves to sing whenever she can, whether it’s joining the birds outside her bedroom window or performing for her stuffed animals. At school, she loves chorus, and when the teacher asks her to sing a solo in the spring concert, Piper offers an unequivocal “Yes!” But when it comes time to practice the solo, Piper gets stage fright and can’t do it. At home, she’s sad, no longer singing, until her grandmother Nai Nai has a talk with her, explaining that scary experiences can produce butterflies in the stomach, but so can exciting ones. Nai Nai is a pianist, and she tells Piper that the butterflies before a recital always settled once she started to play. Piper decides she will do the solo, and on the night of the concert, she welcomes the butterflies and feels them settle as she starts to sing. A lovely story by the Grammy-winning Hamilton actress that will show kids the importance of recognizing that fear and excitement often feel the same.

A unicorn boy and an ant girl

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Unicorn Boy by Dave Ryan (First Second, 208 pages, grades 3-7). Brian leads a pretty ordinary life until the day a unicorn horn sprouts from his head. He tries to ignore, remove, or hide the horn, but there’s no getting around the fact that it’s there to say…and did I mention that the horn sings? A talking muffin turns out to be a cursed wizard who offers some help, and Brian’s best friend Avery is always a source of support, that is, until Avery is kidnapped by evil shadow creatures. Before long, Brian learns that his unicorn horn gives him superpowers, leading him on a quest to rescue Avery. There’s plenty of adventure along the way, and Avery discovers their own superpowers. The two friends look forward to additional adventures, as, no doubt, will the reader.

Ant Story by Jay Hosler (HarperAlley, 160 pages, grades 3-7). Rubi is a cartoon ant living in a colony of regular ants. She tells the other ants stories and talks to herself nonstop, but never gets to have a real conversation until she meets Miranda. At first Miranda seems to be a talking ant, but eventually they learn that she is a phorid, a parasitic insect who lays its eggs inside of ants’ heads, eventually destroying them. Despite their adversarial natures, the two become friends, and Rubi takes Miranda on a tour of the ant world, filled with dangers, adventures, and narrow escapes. The two fly off together on the last page (thanks to Miranda’s newly developed wings), hoping for a “happily ever after” life together.

Both of these are fun graphic novels that are sure to find an enthusiastic audience. As he did in The Way of the Hive, Jay Hosler brings entomology to life, portraying ants through exciting stories and a certain amount of gross-out factor that is sure to be appreciated. As for Unicorn Boy, I was literally laughing out loud all the way through, and I’m sure kids will be eagerly anticipating a sequel.

Caldecott contenders?

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Ahoy! by Sophie Blackall (Anne Schwartz Books, 48 pages, ages 4-8). As a parent gets ready to vacuum, a child is ready to set sail. “What are you playing?” asks the parent. “I’m not playing!” is the response. “Why are you shouting?” “Because there’s a storm coming!” Before long, the parent, despite protests of too much to do, is drawn into the game. Readers will enjoy watching everyday objects transform into part of the seascape then change back again when the two sailors are interrupted by an important adult phone call. There’s a storm, a shipwreck, and a daring rescue at sea that takes them to a lighthouse. Another adult appears at the lighthouse door with the question, “What are you two playing?” The answer (in unison): “We’re not playing!!” And the game continues.

Would I read it to a class? Probably, I think they would enjoy all the details from the illustrations and it’s a fun tale about using your imagination that could potentially be extended into some writing. Caldecott contender? I would never count Sophie Blackall out, but although the illustrations are amazing (of course), I don’t think it’s one of her strongest.

The House Before Falling Into the Sea by Ann Suk Wang, illustrated by Hanna Cha (Dial Books, 40 pages, grades 1-4). Kyung lives with her parents in a house near the sea in Busan, Korea. One day some strangers appear at the door, and Kyung’s parents welcome them as guests. Each day, more and more guests arrive. It’s fun when she makes a new friend, frustrating when she has to share and do extra chores, and scary when sirens sound and everyone has to hide underground. Kyung hears one of the guests tell her father that their house is the last before falling into the sea. When she asks what that means, he explains that if her parents didn’t let them into their house, the soldiers would have chased them into the sea. This makes the hardships easier, and the last page shows two older women holding hands in a modern Korean city, their friendship having endured through the years. The author’s and illustrator’s notes share stories of a mother and grandmother who lived through this time in Korea in the 1950’s.

Would I read it to a class? Not without giving a lot of historical context first. It’s a fascinating story, but one that might be appreciated more by older elementary kids. Caldecott contender? I certainly think so. Hanna Cha won a Caldecott Honor in January for The Truth About Dragons.

All That Grows by Jack Wong (Groundwood Books, 32 pages, ages 4-8). A boy explores neighborhood plants with his knowledgeable sister, who points out various fruits and flowers before getting to work in her own garden. The boy tries to help with weeding, but telling the plants from the weeds is confusing. Sometimes even the weeds are edible, like dandelion greens and the cooked fiddleheads from the market that the family eats for dinner last night. The next day, the boy discovers a plant in the garden that his sister can’t identify, and they make a plan to research it later on.

Would I read it to a class? I loved the illustrations, with their close-up and aerial perspectives, but the sister felt like an annoying walking botany textbook, and I don’t think kids would be all that interested in the facts she shares. Caldecott contender? Unfortunately, from a Caldecott perspective, Jack Wong lives in Canada.

Two books with two points of view

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Listen to This by Jennifer Blecher (Greenwillow Books, 224 pages, grades 4-7). Lily is feeling left out when her two best friends, Maddie and Sasha, make the elite soccer team and don’t have as much time for her anymore. Maddie’s recently confided in Lily that she has a crush on a girl she met at summer camp, and Sasha is hiding a secret of her own. Meanwhile, Will mostly finds his best friend Gavin annoying, but not as annoying as constantly being the main topic of the parenting podcast his dad started after his mom died. In the middle of everyone’s business is mean girl Sienna, who’s sure Lily and Will have crushes on each other and is determined to get them going to the upcoming dance together. In alternating chapters, Lily and Will experience disappointments, betrayals, and the exciting hopefulness of discovering someone who really gets you.

This quiet story of two likeable introverts presents middle school dynamics realistically in a manner that reminded me of some of Rebecca Stead’s books. There aren’t a lot of romance stories for upper elementary or early middle school readers, and this one perfectly fills that niche.

Olivetti by Allie Millington (Feiwel and Friends, 256 pages, grades 4-7). Shy 12-year-old Ernest and typewriter Olivetti take turns narrating this story of the Brindle family, who, the reader slowly learns, has recently endured some tough times. When Ernest’s mother Beatrice mysteriously disappears, it’s up to Ernest and Olivetti to figure out what’s happened to her. Olivetti holds many of the memories that Beatrice has spent hours typing on him, and he decides to break the typewriter code of silence by revealing himself to Ernest. Unfortunately, the last thing Beatrice did before vanishing was to take Olivetti to a pawn shop, so Ernest also has to figure out a way to get the typewriter home again. The pawn shop owner’s daughter proves helpful, and Ernest finds himself wanting her to be a friend, but also unsure of trusting anyone.

The story’s pacing is excellent, as Ernest and Olivetti slowly reveal what has happened to the family with flashbacks of memories and small details that are slipped into the narrative. The end felt a little bit over the top emotionally, but also completely satisfying even though there are some grave questions remaining ahead for the family.

Three books about immigration

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Finding Home: Words from Kids Seeking Sanctuary by Gwen Agna and Shelley Rotner, photographed by Shelley Rotner (Clarion Books, 32 pages, ages 4-8). Children and their families from around the world come to the United States seeking sanctuary from war, famine, natural disasters, and other dangers. Many of the photos have cartoon bubbles with kids describing in their own words how they felt when they had to leave their countries, what they miss, and the difficulties and joys in their new homes. There’s additional narrative at the end about how some of the families got to the United States, as well as resources for kids, adults, and parents, caregivers, and educators about how to make families feel welcome.

This book has some personal connections to me, because: 1. the author and photographer live near me, and I have met Shelley Rotner, 2. my Quaker meeting is part of a Circle of Care for one of the families in this book, and 3. my school in Springfield has three classes of refugee kids who have missed at least two years of school due to their circumstances. This book is at just the right level for helping kids (and adults) understand what these families have gone through and to help make them welcome in the U.S.

The Circuit: Graphic Novel by Francisco Jiménez, illustrated by Celia Jacobs (Clarion Books, 240 pages, grades 4-8). Francisco Jiménez’s memoir has been adapted as a graphic novel, telling the story of Francisco as a child, moving with his family from Mexico to California, where they became migrant workers, traveling from one farm to the next to pick cotton, strawberries, grapes, and other crops. Francisco loves to learn, but school is sandwiched between jobs, and his story is a series of losses, as he befriends kids he’ll never see again and loses his precious journal in a fire. There’s enough humor and joy to prevent the story from getting too bleak, and the story feels somewhat timeless, although I think it takes place in the 1940’s. The heart stopping cliffhanger on the last few pages will leave readers like me fervently hoping that more of Jiménez’s books will be published in graphic format.

Lost & Found: Based on a True Story by Mei Yu (Union Square Kids, 128 pages, grades 2-5). Mei Yu recounts her memories of moving from China to Canada at a young age (probably six or seven). With English words in a green font, readers can see how few words she understands at school and the scary situations that ensue: using the wrong bathroom, thinking kids are laughing at her, losing her beloved sketchbook. Mei eventually uses the sketchbook to create a collection of English words, and before long, she is able to communicate and begin to make friends. An author’s note gives more information about her experience, as well as a simple glossary of Chinese words. There’s a funny bonus story about how Mei got her beloved toy cat, who appears real to her, a la Calvin and Hobbes.

It’s a pretty simple story, but the difficulties of immigration are presented in a way that beginning readers will be able to understand, and everyone is sure to love the manga-style artwork.

Science Friday

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One Day This Tree Will Fall by Leslie Bernard Booth, illustrated by Stephanie Fizer Coleman (Margaret K. McElderry Books, 40 pages, grades K-4). “Wounded, worn, twisted, torn. One day this tree will fall and this story will end. Won’t it?” To learn the answer to this question posed on page 1, the narrative goes back to the beginning when a seed survives its journey to become a seedling. Its story could have ended before it began, and it could have also been ended by wind, ice, drought, and fire. But the tree survives, becoming a home to many creatures. Eventually, the tree does fall, but even when it’s lying on the forest floor, it provides food and homes to animals. Finally, it becomes part of the soil that supports a new tree seed. Includes additional information about trees and the interactions between trees and people, as well as a glossary and selected sources.

This Book Is Full of Holes: From Underground to Outer Space and Everywhere In Between by Nora Nickum, illustrated by Robert Meganck (Peachtree, 40 pages, grades 1-4). Maybe you haven’t thought a lot about holes, but you’ll start to notice them after reading this book. Whether tiny (a bleed hole in an airplane window) or enormous (the Bingham Canyon Mine in Utah), forming slowly (potholes) or quickly (sinkholes), mysterious (a wormhole) or annoyingly familiar (a hole in your sock), holes generally have interesting stories, many of which are told here. The last few pages cover English idioms that use the word hole (loophole, pigeonhole, a square peg in a round hole) and describe one last hole that’s not really a hole–a black hole. Includes a list for further reading.

Here are two STEM related titles for elementary readers to enjoy. This Book Is Full of Holes has a more unique premise, but I think I’d be less likely to use it as a read-aloud than the beautifully illustrated One Day This Tree Will Fall, which tells a fascinating story in a way that’s simple enough for kindergarteners and first graders to understand. This Book Is Full of Holes is a bit text-heavier and may lend itself better to reading on one’s own.