Lindsey's Library » arwork http://www.lindseyslibrary.com Lindsey's Library is here to delight young adult literature readers of all ages as well as act as a tool for parents that is easy to navigate with reviews that are quick and easy to read but contain all of the relevant information for prospective readers. Thu, 20 Oct 2011 23:37:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 The Blacker the Berry http://www.lindseyslibrary.com/2009/08/the-blacker-the-berry/ http://www.lindseyslibrary.com/2009/08/the-blacker-the-berry/#comments Sat, 22 Aug 2009 19:59:47 +0000 lindsey http://www.lindseyslibrary.com/?p=1180
Overall Rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars
The Blacker the Berry
Joyce Carol Thomas, Artist: Floyd Cooper
Amistad, 2008
Poetry
ISBN: 0060253754
32 Pages
ALA Notable Children’s Books. Middle Readers
Coretta Scott King Award (Illustrator)
Coretta Scott King Honor (Author)

Synopsis

Written and beautifully illustrated for a younger audience, likely grades 1-4, this book seeks to broaden the worldview of American children that it is necessary to see a wider range of representation in skin tone for African Americans than simply light or dark. There are many variations given ethnic background and heritage, and Thomas’s poetry, along with Cooper’s art shows this by utilizing the common phrase, “The blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice,” by comparing the color of skin tone to various berries that can be found throughout the wild.

Critique

This was a fun book to read, not just because of the simple but educational poetry, but also because the artwork is engaging. It must have taken Cooper a long time to paint them because of their photo-realistic quality. It’s also a great book for young African American children to read in order to see the differences in their culture and why some of their own kin may look completely different than they do. I especially liked the line where a girl claims to be “cranberry red” from her father’s Irish heritage. I recommend it to learning readers from ages 3 – 8. 

Rating Rubric

Enjoyable Read: 5 out of 5 stars

Poetic Originality: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Thought-Provoking: 4 out of 5 stars

Language: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Asthetics: 5 out of 5 stars

Depth In Narrative: 5 out of 5 stars

Poetic Voice: 4 out of 5 stars

Social Commentary: 5 out of 5 stars

Layers/Complexity: 3 out of 5 stars

Classroom Text: 5 out of 5 stars

Overall Rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars

For the Classroom

This is a great book for in the classroom reading, especially in earlier grades. The artwork and the poetry make for an excellent combination that kids are sure to love.

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