Book+Review

Book Review TCH 347 Social Studies Methods Children’s Book Review Shayne Whitten 10/21/11

__Introduction of the Book__: __Title__: “Mr. Lincoln’s Way” __Author/Illustrator__: Patricia Polacco __Publisher__: Penguin Putnum Books for Young Readers __Copyright Date__: 2001

"Mr. Lincoln's Way" is the story of a bully that overcomes his prejudice when an African American principal invites him to help attract birds to the school atrium.
 * What is the book about?**

The related subject areas would be social studies and science. The main character, Eugene, lives in the inner city. Many of the students that I will teach may not be familiar with the demographics and lifestyles of the city. Eugene and Mr. Lincoln construct and maintain an atrium. There are many birds and plants mentioned in the book. A few of the possible content concepts are educating children on topics such as racism and prejudice, while devising a way to put a stop to discrimination in your classroom and school. “Mean Gene,” as they call him, is a bully who is very close minded. This book is rich in vocabulary. The following words can be found and discussed:
 * What are the related subject areas, content concepts or vocabulary found in the book?**

Discrimination: Unfair treatment of one person or group, usually because of prejudice about race, ethnic group, age group, religion, or gender.
 * Race:** An arbitrary classification of modern humans based on any or a combination of various physical characteristics, as skin color, facial form, or eye shape; a group of people of common ancestry.
 * Racism:** 1. Prejudice or animosity against people who belong to other races; 2. The belief that people of different races have different qualities and abilities, and that some races are inherently superior or inferior.
 * Prejudice:** An unfounded hatred, fear, or mistrust of a person or group, especially one of a particular religion, ethnicity, nationality, or social status.
 * Bias:** An attitude that always favors one way of feeling or acting over any other; prejudice.
 * Stereotype:** An idea that many people have about a thing or a group that may often be untrue or only partly true.

5.2.3.A: Identify personal rights and responsibilities. 5.2.3.B: Identify the sources of conflict and disagreement and different ways conflict can be resolved. 5.2.3.C: Identify leadership and public service opportunities in the school, community, state, and nation. 5.2.3.D: Describe how citizens participate in school and community activities.
 * What NCSS themes and Pennsylvania social studies standards does it cover?**

I would read this book to students in grades three to five. Although the story is written lightly and is an easy read, the concepts are a little deeper than a kindergartener could grasp.
 * Which grade level is it appropriate for?**

I could make a list of birds on the board: blue jays, cardinals, mallards, sparrows, nut hatchers, etc. My students could make a charts, table, or graph, and discuss the differences and similarities of the birds. We could discuss the habitats of the birds, where they can be found, migration patterns, etc. The same could be done with the plants found in the atrium. My students could make a list and discuss racial and discrimination events in history. We could form a timeline. We could discuss people that were influential in civil rights history: Dr. King, Rosa Parks, even President Obama. We could discuss a question such as, “Even though our country has made great efforts to defeat discrimination, do you think it still exists in this country?
 * What is your suggested method to use this book in the classroom?**