Programming Spotlight: Dance Africa 2024

image from BAM's website

We were thrilled to have recently hosted the returning teaching artist Jayson P. Smith  from Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM). Jayson conducted a pre-theater dance workshop with an exceptionally engaged group of students who spent a special hour in the library as it was filled with the joy of movement and dance.  The students were preparing for a trip the following week to BAM’s annual Dance Africa performance.  You can read a bit about the tradition here.--Jessica Fenster-Sparber

The Crime Book: Big Ideas Simply Explained By DK

Would  you like to know about some of the biggest crimes ever committed? What about the most heinous? The most outlandish?

 If your answer is yes, then The Crime Book is for you! From bandits to political assassinations, The Crime Book covers all the who, what, when, where, how and why. 

Bite size information is given to the reader along with pictures, diagrams and other  graphics to help understand the crime and its impact on the world. Written at a middle school level, the book is accessible and interesting to all. Anyone with interests in history and crime should pick up The Crime Book! --Claudio Leon

DK. Crime Book. New York: DK PUBLISHING, 2021. Print

Hoop Kings 2: New Royalty by Charles R. Smith Jr.

When a new student recently told me  I should ”get a poetry book about LeBron James” I knew I’d found the perfect reader for Charles R. Smith Jr.’s Hoop Kings. All the copies of Hoop Kings copies were checked out from my site’s library but  I was happy to discover  that author Smith had published a sequel back in 2021 in the midst of the pandemic.

 Hoop Kings 2: New Royalty  is an appealingly  slim volume that includes  a poem entitled “Royalty” about none other than LeBron James.

Similar in style to the first  Hoop Kings, the bold graphic design of this sequel, the large size of the font, and the brevity,  specificity,  and rhythms of the ten or so poems are made entirely accessible to developing readers. 

The  backmatter includes poem notes and short paragraphs by the poet fleshing out a bit of his poetic process, thoughts, struggles and goals for each poem, a perfect snippet to help new, young poets think about their art.  Highly recommended for older emerging and developing readers who love basketball.  --Jessica Fenster-Sparber

Smith J., Charles R.  Hoop Kings 2: New Royalty.  Somerville: Candlewick Press, 2021.

Click here for a teaching guide from the publisher.  Contains a few ideas for content area applications in Social Studies, Math, and Art in addition to ELA/Writing.

Who Was the Greatest? Muhammad Ali by Gabe Soria, illustrated by Chris Brunner with colors by Rico Renzi

For comics fans who can’t get enough of Muhammad Ali, I highly recommend this short, punchy biography.  It’s a mix of comics narrated by Ali’s friend,  photographer, and biographer Howard Bingham.  Pages alternate between gorgeously coloured panels and non-fiction paragraphs about Joe Frazier, the Philipines, and professional boxing.  The actual fight is nearly wordless and thus perfect for discussions of sequences, storytelling, layout and perspective.  This book will be of interest to students of all ages and accessible to our younger readers, as well as a good fit for older ones looking for a short read.--Jessica Fenster-Sparber

Dragon Ball by Akira Toriyama

 

Before the sequel Dragon Ball Z  was Dragon Ball where  we follow the adventures of Goku, a boy with a taill, who loves to do nothing but eat and hunt.  That is until he meets Bulma who is seeking the Dragon Balls. 

Together the pair go in search of the magical spheres that can summon a great magical dragon who can grant a single wish. Goku and Bulma’s adventure leads them through some dangerous and at times comical situations when  every Dragon Ball they gather reveals a bit more of Goku’s true identity and power. --Claudio Leon

Toriyama, Akira. Dragon Ball. San Francisco: VIZ Media, 2003. Print.

Dragon Ball Z by Akira Toriyama

It’s been a long time coming but  Akira Toryama has brought manga and anime into the world spotlight! In Dragon Ball Z  Goku has settled down on planet Earth and started a family,  although never in his wildest dreams would the Saiyan warrior have thought this would be his life!   But it all comes crashing down as his elder brother Raditz arrives on Earth  ready to conquer it. 

This is only the tip of the iceberg as we learn that more Saiyan warriors,  led by an evil emperor,  are on their way to Earth.  Now Goku must gather up the strongest warriors to defend his new home and family. 

Anyone who is already a manga fan,  or anyone wanting to know where to start should pick up and read Dragon Ball Z! --Claudio Leon

Toriyama, Akira. Dragon Ball Z. San Francisco: VIZ Media, 2011. Print.

Safe Passage by G. Neri and David Brame

G. Neri, the acclaimed author of the graphic novel Yummy has crafted another unputdown-able graphic novel in black and white.   Set in  Chicago,  Safe Passage tells the story of 15 year-old Darius who recently lost his mother to gun violence.

Darius and his younger half-sister Cissy are being raised by Darius’ step- father who is struggling with unemployment and the threat of eviction after the loss of his wife.  Their stepfather is determined to keep his kids on a “safe path” through school, despite the ever-present threat of gang violence in the neighborhood.

At school Darius just wants to get through the day, but his friend Booger has flashy dreams about grabbing the chance to make a cool half-million.   Cissy however is not going to let Darius out of her sight.  And so the adventure begins.

Readers who have asked for another one just like Yummy will find that Safe Passage is at least twice as long,   but readers  who hunger for more and have the stamina to read 200 pages will not be disappointed.  In keeping things realer than real, and in bringing the hard truths of Chicago gangland to the page, Neri’s storytelling skills are on display. Highly recommended for all readers craving realistic, urban  stories.--Jessica Fenster-Sparber

Neri, G. and David Brame.  Safe Passage.  New York: Lee and Low, 2024.  Print.

Programming Spotlight: Playwriting with the New Victory Theater

 

The talented and charismatic Marisol Rosa-Shapiro and Hassiem Muhammad recently returned to Passages Academy’s Belmont site to reprise their mini-residency centered on playwriting and Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin in the Sun in collaboration with Mrs. Ernyey, Belmont’s English Language Arts teacher.  The  artists taught students from Abbott and St. John’s groups about the elements of playwriting and engaged students in creative writing activities that culminated in student-written dialogues performed in our school library today.  Students worked earnestly and had so much fun when it came time to perform!--Jessica Fenster-Sparber

America Redux: Visual Stories from Our Dynamic History by Ariel Aberg-Riger

Visual stories?  Yes, please!  However this book starts with a written four page preface and an opening chapter on the history of the United Daughters of the Confederacy,  and thus is unlikely to draw in the average Passages student reader.   But that’s a shame because some will want to get to Aberg-Riger’s last chapter, “We The People” which begins with a quote from June Jordan, devotes four pages to the Young Lords, and then makes connections to other marginalized groups who came together to speak up for their needs in the face of discrimination, and ends with a quote from Iris Morales.  

Educators and confident readers may wish to dip into America Redux’s jumble of 21 chapters to whet students’ curiosity on the history of colt guns and their rise to prominence in the US, the AIDS crisis, and America’s involvement with eugenics and forced sterilization.  

Full color collage and a handwritten style font will appeal to some visual learners who find a way in,  although that style may be a barrier for some readers with dyslexia.

Educators and book group facilitators can download a publisher-supplied educator's guide by shea wesley martin here.  --Jessica Fenster-Sparber

All You Need Is Kill by Ryosuke Takeuchi

It’s all hands on deck when an alien civilization invades Earth. But with little training new recruits are like lambs to the slaughter. That is until Keiji dies and finds himself being reborn on the eve before his first battle. As Keiji tries to end the war he realizes there may be others like him. Will ending the war end the cycle? Are others in the loop Keiji’s  allies or his enemies?  Manga fans are sure to enjoy this action packed single volume read.--Claudio Leon

Takeuchi, Ryoske. All You Need Is Kill. San Francisco: VIZ Media, 2014. Print

Everyday Gratitude: Inspiration for Living Life as a Gift edited by Saoirse McClory, Kristi Nelson, and Margaret Wakeley

Often library patrons ask for a book of “inspiration” or “positivity” or “philosophy ” or “life.”   For them Everyday Gratitude may be the perfect choice.    Appealingly small and colorful, each page contains a short quote intended to inspire gratitude and attributed to its source.  Sources range from contemporary figures like the Dalai Lama, Angela Davis, and Julia Alvarez, to older sages like Zora Neale Hurston, Khalil Gibran, and ancients like Confucius and Lao Tzu.  

In addition to each quote the reader will find a question or two offering more reflection for readers to ponder. 

Unfortunately the irregularity of size and shape of the lettering for the quotes may be a hindrance to some students with reading challenges.  Nevertheless the small size and brevity of the text on each page makes it worthwhile for inclusion in collections,  and note the sewn-in ribbon book mark.  Backmatter includes acknowledgements and source credits.  

This slim volume may offer classes and bookclubs much material for rich discussion and debate around these seemingly simple, profound quotes. --Jessica Fenster-Sparber

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

As her final high school project Pippa Fits decides to solve the cold case of Andie Bell’s murder.  But unknowingly Pippa embarks on a trail of secrets that reveal not just the identity of Andie's killer,  but the person who Andie really was. With all the twists and turns of a good who-done-it,  A Good Girl's Guide to Murder keeps its readers guessing who the killer is as it reveals Andie’s double life. Those who read When or One of Us is Lying should feel right at home here. --Claudio Leon

Click here to see a trailer for the book along with some discussion questions designed for book clubs at Underlined.

Jackson, Holly. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder. New York: Random House, 2019. Print.

Strange Fruit Volume II: More Uncelebrated Narratives from Black History by Joel Christian Gill

This beautiful sequel to Strange Fruit Volume I will be welcomed by readers eager to glimpse more historical heroes presented in author Joel Christian Gill’s wonderful graphic style.  Using a palette of rich earth tones, Gill introduces the reader to African Americans born in the 19th century,  both familiar and unknown.  Each comic feels complete but also whets our appetite for further learning.  We can only hope Gil gives us Volume  III.

Librarians may wish to use any of the eight chapters as a jumping off point for inquiry.  Social studies teachers may wish to use some  chapters to supplement instructional texts.  

ELA teachers may engage students in the study of expository narrative structures in graphic shorts,   or examine the epistle that provides the text for the opening chapter.  This particular use of a primary source for content would make for a perfect introduction or companion to a rich conversation about reparations to African Americans specifically, and to the idea of  reparations in general.  Art teachers may wish to utilize Strange Fruit in collaboration to examine sequential art and its power to bring biography and history to life.  

Highly recommended.  Educators will want to pay attention to the visual symbolism Gil employs to represent hateful speech.   Back matter includes extra kernels of knowledge for each biography, a bibliography, an author-illustrator bio, and brief acknowledgements.--Jessica Fenster-Sparber

Gill, Joel Christian.  Strange Fruit Volume II: More Uncelebrated Narratives from Black History.  Golden: Fulcrum Publishing, 2018.  Print.

Samurai Rising: The Epic Life Story of Minamoto Yoshitsune By Pamela S. Turner

This story of the life of Minamoto Yoshitsune is one many fiction writers might aspire to create. At a young age Yoshitsune witnessed the murder of his father and brothers, survived exile, and rose to become one of the most powerful Japanese military strategists. 

Later he was betrayed by his own family, bringing an end to his meteoric rise and his life. Although a biography,  the book reads like an action novel following Yoshitsune through his life and the many battles he fought.   And throughout the book readers will also find tips on strategic thinking that can be applied not only on the battlefield but in everyday life. 

Students who like The Art of War and action books are never disappointed by this action- packed biography!--Claudio Leon

Turner, Pamela. Samurai Rising. Watertown: Charlesbridge, 2016. Print

Programming Spotlight: The New Victory Theater and Phare Circus

“Hey!  Hup!  Hup!  Hup!”  were the directions one of the students gave the rest of our group of teachers, students, and staff when taking the reins from Hassiem Muhammad and Marisol Rosa-Shapiro, two visiting teaching artists.  It was during a Phare Circus pre-theater workshop that the two visitors facilitated last week  in Belmont’s little library.  

There by tackling basic juggling challenges our group developed a deeper appreciation for the teamwork and precision required to successfully juggle plates,  balls,  and rice-filled balloons.  With the aim of preparing us to learn from and enjoy the New Victory’s presentation of the Phare Circus performance at Stage 42,  our two talented workshop leaders engaged everyone in hands-on circus activities and developed the participants’ schema around rice and Cambodia.  

The following day Physical Education teacher Mr. Bent and myself led a school trip bringing the same groups to the theater where we all oohed and aahed over the performers’  dazzling circus feats.--Jessica Fenster-Sparber

Programming Spotlight: Field trip to the Jay-Z exhibit at BPL

photo credits: Jamila Abdulrashid

During September & October 2023, students from Bronx Hope took a trip to visit the Jay-Z Exhibition at the Brooklyn Public Library. On display were various artifacts from the career of the legendary rapper including magazine covers & Grammy Awards. In addition, for a limited time only, any New Yorker with membership to the Brooklyn Public Library can obtain any of the limited-edition Jay-Z library cards.  Click here to see them all.--Jamila Abdulrashid

NYPL's College and Careers Pathways at Passages Academy--Belmont

Would you like to have $1000 to spend toward your postsecondary plans?  Would you be willing to complete 30 library programs and a portfolio of documents to prepare yourself for your postsecondary journey?  Passages students at Belmont learned about the opportunities offered by the New York Public Library’s College and Careers Program last month from the manager of the program itself, Katrina Ortega. 

The “magic money” program, aka ICCAAN, is just one of many ways the public libraries offer support to teens as they consider their options after secondary school.  We can’t thank Katrina enough for personally visiting with all of our students inside Belmont’s school library, building bridges, and signing students and staff up for library cards. --Jessica Fenster-Sparber

Huda F Are You? by Huda Fahmy

This fictionalized memoir  begins  with a confrontation between Huda and her mother who is holding up a mediocre report card and demanding to know where Huda keeps her drugs.

After grabbing the reader’s attention in media res, the story rewinds back to Huda’s move with her mother and four sisters to Dearborn, Michigan.  There the sisters attend  public school for the first time with other hijab-wearing Muslim girls.  

With a heaping dose of self-deprecating humor, this story of an American Muslim teen is highly accessible to fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Raina Telgemeier graphic format memoirs and offers a humorous perspective on one girl’s effort  to fit in and find herself. --Jessica Fenster-Sparber

You can find a seven-page educator's guide, including discussion questions and extension activities from the publisher here.

The Waiting Place: When Home is Lost and a New One is Not Yet Found by Dina Nayeri

This picture-book brings the reader into the world of a Greek refugee camp populated by children from Iran and Afghanistan living in repurposed shipping containers.  The author effectively anthropomorphizes the camp as she writes,   “The Waiting Place doesn’t mind.  It wants more children and mothers and fathers.  It doesn’t want you to visit the nearby lake… to learn your new language, or to work, or build, or learn.” 

The Waiting Place invites the reader to investigate refugee crises past and present.  

Back matter includes a lengthy afterword by the Iranian American author who is a refugee herself, as well as a helpful glossary.

This is an excellent picture book for older readers and a jumping-off point for conversations and explorations of purgatories, asylum, undocumented persons, migration and, immigration,   and may pair well with When Stars are Scattered.  Teachers and facilitators may find engagement materials here, including a six page discussion guide from the publisher.--Jessica Fenster-Sparber

Welcome Back!

 Welcome back to an exciting new school year!  The Passages Academy Library team is ready to provide innovative and social-emotional based student programming for our court-involved students.  As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month we'll explore the life of Frida Kahlo and how in the early 20th century she managed her social-emotional well-being by using self-portraits or art therapy to alleviate and/or mitigate her daily pain.  Self-care in any form is vital.  Stay tuned . . . great literacy is on the horizon!--Jamila Abdulrashid