Josias, Hold the Book
Written by Jennifer Riesmeyer Elvgren
Illustrated by Nicole Tadgell
Boyds Mills Press, March 2006
ISBN: 1-59078-318-2, $15.95
Every morning, Josias is hard at work in his family's garden under the hot Haitian sun. On the way to school, his friend Chrislove passes the garden and always asks, “When will you hold the book?” With his garden failing, Josias has no time to learn how to read and write. There may not be enough food for his family. Soon, Josias realizes a book might hold the solution to his problem.
Reviews
“Elvgren effectively portrays the dilemma faced by a majority of small agrarian families in an impoverished and predominantly illiterate rural society. Elvgren presents a positive look at a struggling part of the world.” – Kirkus Reviews
“U.S. readers will get insight into a different culture, where poverty holds people back and schooling is a privilege--one that can make all the difference.” – Booklist
“Elvgren has crafted a matter-of-fact snapshot of rural Haitian life.” – School Library Journal
“The story conveys the importance of schooling, with the hint of a brighter tomorrow.” –Children's Literature
"Elvgren's delightful story about a boy's discovery of the power of literacy is matched by Tadgell's beautiful sun-washed color illustrations." – Language Arts
Honors
o A 2007 recipient of the Americas Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature at the Library of Congress, Washington, D.C., October 6, 2007
o A 2007 recipient of the Growing Good Kids Excellence in Children's Literature Award
o Named to the Bank Street College of Education's Best Children's Books of the Year 2007 list
o Named to the Read Across America 2007 list – Multicultural Books Every Child Should Know – The California School Library Association
o Named to South Carolina Reads 2007, 100 Suggested Titles for Elementary School Students
o Named to Maine's A Capital Read 2007 children's list
o Accepted into the national Multicultural Children's Book Festival held at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., November 4, 2006
o Named to the 2006 and 2007 Top Five by Concept List in the Child Schooling and Work category by Rutgers University's Project on Economics and Children
o Named to Great Recent Books for Reading Aloud 2006 list by Read Aloud Nebraska
o Named to the Children's Hour Second Grade Notable Books 2006 List
o Named to Eastern Washington University's Excellent 2006 Choices of Trade Books for Grades K-9
GET A FREE JOSIAS COLORING ACTIVITY PAGE FROM NICOLE TADGELL!
To Order
www.amazon.com
www.bn.com
www.boydsmillspress.com
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