On the Block: Stories of Home

 

My Thoughts:

Written by various YA and middle level writers, these short stories, tied together with the voices and foods and smells of mostly immigrant families will pull readers in, one story at a time. As readers, each story starts with the apartment number and then moves on to another floor, another apartment number, another family, another story. However, at the end, and especially at the potluck, it was so nice to see the families coming together. This was just a joyful book. It is a perfect summer read. It will also work as a chapter a day book for middle level readers. 

The appeal for middle level male and female readers is that the kids "on the block" sound like them. They have similar issues, and similar interests. It is a feel good book on diverse families, diverse cultures and using kindness as the answer to racism and hatred.  In a world full of misunderstanding and fear toward people that are "different," this book shows us compassion and appreciation for the power of difference in making this country a better place. 

This is a 5-star, buy this and use it in your classroom kind of book for upper elementary and middle school readers. 

From the Publisher:

2 Families. 12 Cultures. 1 Building.

Welcome to the Entrada, home to these everyday Americans, including

• the new kid on the block, who is both homesick and curious
• a Popsicle-bridge builder, a ghost hunter, and a lion dancer
• their families, friends, and neighbors from all around the world!

Published in partnership with We Need Diverse Books, this anthology features award-winning authors Tracey Baptiste, David Bowles, Adrianna Cuevas, Sayantani DasGupta, Debbi Michiko Florence, Adam Gidwitz, Erin Entrada Kelly, Minh Lê, Ellen Oh, Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich, Andrea Wang, and Jasmine Warga. These inspiring stories celebrate family, friendship, culture, and American immigrant life today.

Publication Information:

Editor: Ellen Oh

Authors: various (see above)

Publisher: Crown Books for Young Readers (Oct 22, 2024)

Hardcover: 208 pages

ISBN 13: 978-0593648445

Grade level: 3-7