"Everyone saw Clayton leave the school with his mother. Some had even laughed at him and teased him about the whipping he had coming.Clayton Byrd Goes Underground is Clayton's journey through the blues. Rita Williams-Garcia infuses this story of family grief, anger, and reconciliation with the bluesy notes of Clayton's harmonica, the smooth sounds of Cool Papa Byrd and his group, the Bluesmen, and a ragtag band of hip-hop street performers who ply their trade in New York's subway system. No slow-starter here—Clayton Byrd Goes Underground grabs the reader from the pickup note.
Clayton wasn't worried about a whipping. His mother wasn't the whipping kind. She'd take away his treasures first, the things he loved, and the things he loved to do. But she didn't believe in whipping. She did, however, believe in scolding.
Clayton's mother scolded from the time they left the school to the time she drove home to the time they got in the house. Even when she wasn't out-and-out scolding, she spoke in scolding tones, In you-know-betters, what's-gotten-into-yous. She said over and over, 'Your grandfather's passing is no excuse for this behavior.'
Clayton remained silent through the scolding. He couldn't tell her what was wrong even if he wanted to. He didn't understand it all himself. Even if he could tell her, she would only blame Cool Papa, and Clayton was tired of her being angry at the person he loved the most. He said nothing.'
A few days ago I suggested a possible holiday gift for the youth services librarian on your list. Today I have a suggestion for a child - especially if you know a curious child who is a reluctant reader. Of course, this book would be a great purchase for any school or public library, too. *"J.K. Rowling considered calling the final Harry Potter book Harry Potter and the Elder Wand."
"BIG, packed with gorgeous photos and illustrations and guaranteed to keep kids occupied for hours and hours, Bet You Didn’t Know is the perfect holiday gift for the fact-lover or for your kid’s favorite teacher’s classroom. Did you know that the first stop signs were black and white? Or that a litter of kittens is called a kindle? Or that butterflies can see more colors than humans can? Based on a favorite department in Nat Geo Kids magazine, this book is overflowing with fascinating facts, silly stats, and catchy little knowledge nuggets in all kinds of cool categories, from astronomy and sea creatures to revolutions and breakfast. Special features include Extreme Weirdness, Strange Places, Wacky World, and more."
As we read disturbing news accounts of dying manatees , environmental disasters caused by toxic waste, and ocean pollution on the scale of ...
