New shoes is a heartwarming and informative text that takes the reader on a whirlwind adventure.  Francis, the main character of the story, a shoe maker, needs to collect tiger grass to make a pair of shoes for a special customer. Francis, along side Rhoda a colorful bird, head into the South American forest to collect their supplies. Along the way they encounter amazing animals, tricky situations, and learn a lot about themselves too. They find out their friend Nigel is in trouble and it is up to them to save him. Francis uses creativity and art to create the perfect "pair of shoes" or a transportation device for his special client, the famous Miss Manatee. This book, designed as a graphic novel, includes amazing illustrations and dialogue between the characters that bring them to life. The text includes many authentic native animals, the native language, and a genuine portrayal of the environment. The story takes place in Guyana. The author herself, Sara Varon, has traveled there many times and include images of the village in the back of the book to allow the reader to see the authenticity and feel truly apart of the story.

​

Stargazing, is also a graphic novel that follows two unlikely friends on their heartwarming story and the heavy life events they must overcome together. Christine and Moon form a strong bond over their culture, shared interests, and their determination to preform together at the school talent show. Moon is a free spirited young girl who has had a tough life. Moon claims she sees messages and people in the stars. This bring comfort to her. Christine, polar opposite, finds Moon refreshing and interesting. After an altercation at their classmates birthday party Moon and Christine get into a fight. Those bad feelings go away when Moon is diagnosed with a brain tumor. Christine knows she must step up and be the friend Moon needs so desperately. After using the talent show to raise money for Moons medical bills the two are better friends then ever. This story written by Jen Wang incorporates much of her childhood and is based off her experience having a brain tumor as a young child. The book contains authentic Chinese meals, the language, and names of the Chinese culture. The illustrations are creative and reflect the moods represented throughout the story. 

​

Texts presented as graphic novels offer so much to the reader and as a teacher. Graphic novels offer a new perspective on reading for students who might struggle to get through a lengthy chapter book. The text features alone in graphic novels are part of the reading experience and take time to comprehend as the reader. These features add so much to the story and bring It to life right before the readers eyes. The sound "effects", facial expressions, and thought bubbles add a whole other level to the text. I loved reading these books and find them as great opportunities to get students excited about reading and a way to teach about cultures in an authentic way. 

​

​

These texts have similar themes that can work together to teach about critical issues that students might experience. Both books show pairs of unlikely friends that overcome hard times together and grow together. In New Shoes, Francis and Rhoda who started as village acquaintances, go into unfamiliar territory surrounded by unfamiliar animals and become best pals. They each teach one another about patience, bravery, and how they can count on each other. In Stargazing, Christine is apprehensive about Moon at first but after getting to know each other they become so close and overcome so much together. These stories can teach students so much about not judging a book by its cover when It comes to creating friendships. We can never assume things about people and the most unlikely people can surprise us. It is crucial to open your students eyes to making connections and expanding their community with people they might not have been open to before. 

​

Using this critical issue as the teaching point, being open minded as the goal, and these texts as the foundation of the lesson there are many ways to implement this into the classroom. After reading the texts with the class we will take time to reflect. Reflect on the characters, what they go through together, and the friendships that form in the most unlikely of circumstances. After taking a deep dive into the characters and what the students admire about them, what reminds them of themselves, and which character they might want to know more about to talk to in person, the class can write a letter to the characters. In these letters they can ask them questions, talk about how far they have come with the friends they have made in the texts, and what they have learned from their story. After writing their letters we can take time to take a step back and look at our roles in our community and the friends we are and strive to be. As mentioned in Chapter 7 from Reading to Make a Difference, it's so important to have these conversations with your students and encourage making these connections. 

​

​

​

​

​