A HISTORICAL FICTION TALE WITH
A CHERRY ON TOP
Crown Books for Young Readers
(pub. 5.7.2024)
40 pages
Ages 4 - 8
Author: Traci Huahn
Illustrator: Michelle Jing Chan
Character: Mamie Tape
Overview:
" Mamie’s mom always reminded her a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. So when Mamie wanted to go to school, even though Chinese children weren’t allowed, she took her first step and showed up anyway. When she was turned away at the schoolhouse door, she and her parents took another step: they sued the San Francisco school board…and won! Their case Tape v. Hurley made its way up to the California Supreme Court, which ruled that children of Chinese heritage had the right to a free public school education. But even then, Mamie’s fight wasn’t over.
Mamie Tape Fights to go to School is the story of one young changemaker’s brave steps on the long journey to end school segregation in California. It began with a single step.."
Tantalizing taste:
"The school board announced they were opening a separate school for Chinese children. Again.
My lawyers explained I won the right to go to school, but the school board still had the right to keep Chinese children segregated. I'd have to go to that school.
Across town.
Above a grocery store.
With no play yard.
There were no more steps...
Papa shouted words I'd never heard.
Mamma vowed never to send me there.
Later, I thought about all those years Chinese children couldn't go to school at all.
Because of the steps I'd taken, there was now one public school where we were welcome. This time, no one could shut it down.
I reminded Mamma, A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Maybe the journey wasn't over, and this was just one small step in the right direction. I told her and Papa I still wanted to go to school...
I was the first pupil to step through the door."
And something more: The author, Traci Huahn, shared in the Author's Steps: "This book is historical fiction. Some details, including the dialogue, are imagined, but all the steps that Mamie and those before her took to fight to go to school, and all the ways others tried to stop them are true...
My research for this book was also a journey of sorts. My first step was learning about Tape v. Hurley. I paged through original legal documents; read books, journals, and government reports; pored over historic photos; and read dozens of newspaper articles chronicling Mamie's case. I interviewed several of Mamie's living relatives and listened to a recorded interview with Mamie at age ninety-six... I visited [the sites mentioned in the book]. Each step of the way, I grew more inspired to tell Mamie's story."
Minerva Hoyt Establishes
Joshua Tree National Park
A TRUE TALE WITH
A CHERRY ON TOP
Calkins Creek
(Astra Books for Young Readers)
(pub. 3.5.2024)
40 pages
Ages 7 -10
Author: Lori Alexander
Illustrator: Jenn Ely
Character: Minerva Hoyt
Overview:
" Long before she became known as the Cactus Queen, Minerva Hamilton Hoyt found solace in the unexpected beauty of the Mojave Desert in California. She loved the jackrabbits and coyotes, the prickly cacti, and especially the weird, spiky Joshua trees.
However, in the 1920s, hardly anyone else felt the same way. The desert was being thoughtlessly destroyed by anyone and everyone. Minerva knew she needed to bring attention to the problem. With the help of her gardening club, taxidermists, and friends, she took the desert east and put its plants and animals on display. The displays were a hit, but Minerva needed to do much more: she wanted to have the desert recognized as a national park.
Although she met with President Franklin D. Roosevelt and won him over, Minerva still had to persuade politicians, scientists, teachers, and others to support her cause. And, it worked! Minerva’s efforts led to what came to be known as Joshua Tree National Park in California, and saved hundreds of thousands of plants and animals. Now, the millions of people who visit each year have learned to love the desert, just as Minerva did.."
Tantalizing taste:
"Wide and wondrous, it was unlike anything Minerva had seen before.
Joshua trees dotted the desert in every direction. Straight. Twisty. Short. Tall. These strange plants grew nowhere else on Earth.
Minerva found herself visiting the desert more often, especially after the death of her husband in 1918.
She nestled inside her sleeping bag atop the sandy soil. The wind whistled through the Joshua trees. Bright constellations swirled overhead.
' I stood and looked. Everything was peaceful, and it rested me.'"
And something more: The author, Lori Alexander, shared in the Author's Note: "Learning about Minerva's mission was both inspiring and humbling. Her passion benefited not only the desert plants and animals but all of us who enjoy visiting this unique region. Vandalism, urban development, and the effects of climate change prove the fight is not over.
In 2020, a group of environmentalists raised their voices and wrote to the government - just like Minerva! They asked that Joshua trees be placed on the California Endangered Species list. The state agreed to temporarily protect all Joshua trees while a team further reviews the case."
The Story of Indigenous Marathon Champion
Lorena Ramirez
A TRUE TALE WITH
A CHERRY ON TOP
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
(Simon Kids)
(pub. 6.11.2024)
40 pages
Ages 4 - 8
Author: Belen Medina
Illustrator: Natalia Rojas Castro
Character: Lorena Ramirez
Overview:
" Experience a sixty-mile run with Indigenous athlete Lorena Ramírez [from Mexico]. She runs in the traditional clothes of the Rarámuri, 'the light-footed people,' to show that her people and their way of life are alive and thriving—outpacing runners in modern, high-tech gear and capturing the world’s attention. Lorena’s career as an athlete is an inspiring real-life example of the power of perseverance that will encourage young readers to follow their own dreams."
Tantalizing taste:
"Quiet as a deer.
Quick as a rabbit.
Graceful as a gazelle.
She thinks of the finish line,
of her family,
and of her community,
not of giving up.
Fifty miles she runs."
And something more: In the About Lorena section at the back of the book, the author, Belen Medina writes: "Life is not easy for the Rarámuri, Lorena and her family must walk or run for hours through the canyon to buy food and supplies. This is one way she built her endurance. She also built up her stamina by herding the family's goats and cows, as well as play a Rarámuri running game where players kick a ball across miles...
Many of the Rarámuri, including Lorena, help their families make a living by winning races ...
Lorena's persistence is what I find most inspiring about her. Whether she wins or loses a race, she stays determined and never compromises who she is."
