The Misfits

The Misfits by James Howe is about a group of friends who don't fit in. It shows in a very realistic story the social struggles students go through during their middle school years. I think each of the characters in the story is very well developed and I like the awkwardness and differences to each character. I also like that one of the main characters in the story is a gay boy. I think being gay in middle school is a very difficult thing to address, but shows the reader the support systems that are available to gay students. The group of friends has just realized in the story that they are the minority even though none of them are of different races. They are the dweebs and nerds that are hated on and made to feel unaccepted socially. I think this would be a great story to read to teach students about diversity and respect at such a hard time in their life. I am really enjoying the misfits so far.

How Babies are Made

How Babies are Made by Andrew Schepp is a story about reproduction. I strongly disliked this story. It starts off with the reproduction of plants and moves on to animals and then humans as if the author is easing a child into the idea of human reproduction. The illustrations are cartoons, but still very graphic, showing animals in sexual positions, but when it comes to humans, they place the man and woman under the covers leaving the reader curious and giving them nothing to imagine. It is pushing appropriateness and is done very poorly. I would never suggest or use this book with children.

Uncle What-is-it is Coming to Visit

Uncle What-is-it is Coming to Visit by Michael Wilhoite is a book about two children who are awaiting the arrival of their gay uncle. They have never been introduced to the word gay and have no idea what it means. When they are walking one day, they get caught up and end up asking two bullies what gay means. They learn from these two bullies the most exaggerated versions of gay men (with fruit hats, and leather pants), only to find out their uncle is very normal in their eyes. He is someone they really look up to, and learn to accept and understand that it's okay for gay men to also enjoy wearing extravagant clothing. It is surprising in the story how the words "fag" and "queer" are used as insults in the text which could be the introduction of those words to young children. I wish at the end of the story they had address the inappropriateness of those words because they wrapped up the story very well otherwise. Overall, I liked this story and the illustrations were colorful and fun.

Hair in Funny Places

Hair in Funny Places by Babette Cole is a book that teaches readers about puberty. I disliked this book. There was way too much information being thrown at the young audience. I agree that children should be able to have reading material to help them learn about puberty, but I would not recommend this book. It thoroughly described every aspect of both genders puberty patterns, but in a very nonchalant manner. I think that books, especially in targeted at such a young audience, should be directed to one gender or the other. I did not like the way this book described or depicted the writing in the illustrations.

In Our Mothers' House

In Our Mothers' House by Patricia Polacco is a story about two children who live with their lesbian mothers. They are both adopted and the child who narrates the story sees nothing wrong with having two mothers. The conflict in the story is a neighbor who will not allow her children to associate with the family. I like books that challenge children's thinking. I both like and dislike this book for the same reason. The story is very nonchalant. Everything, except for this one neighbor is perfect, the children don't think twice about how their mother's are not like traditional parents which is a great thing, but also I don't think it is very realistic. I would image that the child would have more conflict than this book lets on. Despite that, I like that the gay mother's stress respect and caring to everyone in society and don't concentrate on gay people specifically, but society as a whole. Overall, I liked this book.

Smoky Night

Smoky Night by Eve Bunting is a thought provoking book about society and how we treat one another. The first thing I noticed when reading this book was the illustrations. They are an interesting collage of images that depict the story being told. I liked that the story was realistic. It described the violence that can sometimes be hidden from children. It was a real life situation with a beautiful outcome. The violence, although horrible, brought together a community that was initially split by races. I really liked this book and I think that children could handle it. I think it would challenge their minds and make them think about the world, race, and how we treat one another.