Read Aloud Project: March Books | March 30, 2021

Here is a recap of books read this March as a part of the Read Aloud Project

The Read Aloud Project was created by Priscilla Weddle and Marie Benner-Rhoades to provide homeschooling resources in peace and justice during the pandemic. For February, the project celebrated Black History Month by reading books about the achievements of Black Americans along with books written by Black authors. If you are interested in recording a video for the project, please email us at [email protected]. Here are the books that were read for the project in

Sulwe by Lupita Nyong

Summary: Sulwe just wants to be beautiful and bright, like her mother and sister. Then a magical journey in the night sky opens her eyes and changes everything. In this stunning debut picture book, actress Lupita Nyong’o creates a whimsical and heartwarming story to inspire children to see their own unique beauty.

Reflective question: What did you learn from this story?

Gloria's Voice by Aura Lewis

Summary: Gloria's Voice is a fantastic introduction to an influential person - Gloria Steinem. Beginning with Gloria's childhood and her relationship with her mother, this book follows Gloria through young adulthood, traveling, and eventually the launch of Ms. during a time when women's voices were not a welcome addition to the collective discourse.

Reflective question: Do you have a woman in your life that inspires you or you look up to? What did you think about the quote in the beginning of the book?

Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13 by Helaine Becker

Summary: From Katherine's early beginnings as a gifted student to her heroic accomplishments as a prominent mathematician at NASA, Counting on Katherine is the story of a groundbreaking American woman who not only calculated the course of moon landings but, in turn, saved lives and made enormous contributions to history

Reflective question: what did you learn from this story?

Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré

Summary: When she came to America in 1921, Pura carried the cuentos folklóricos of her Puerto Rican homeland. Finding a new home at the New York Public Library as a bilingual assistant, she turned her popular stories into libros and spread story seeds across the land. Today, these seeds have grown into a lush landscape as generations of children and cuentistas continue to share her stories and celebrate Pura’s legacy.

Reflective question: what did you learn from this story?

The Golden Rule by Ilene Cooper

Summary: A grandfather explains to his grandson that the Golden Rule means you "treat people the way you would like to be treated. It's golden because it's so valuable, and a way of living your life that's so simple, it shines." And though it may be a simple rule, it isn't easy to follow.

Reflective question: What did you learn from this story? How would you feel if others treat you the way you treat them?