REVIEWS
Every now and then something special comes along that reignites a certain love of books in a teacher. You’re thrilled. You can’t imagine that you’ve made it so long without this exact book to share. For me, We Move Together is that book. I encourage you to explore it and its im- portant themes. We Move Together examines challenging con-
WE MOVE TOGETHER By Kelly Fritsch and Anne McGuire, Illustrated by Eduardo Trejos AK Press, 2021 24 pages, $16 ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ Reviewed by Martha Brown
cepts using warm language and engaging images. Readers can see a caring and diverse community, grappling with issues of accessibility and able- ism, coming together to problem-solve. Te story showcases disability theory and community with authenticity and artistry, and with fun – there is even a cat hiding on each page! It must have been difficult to get the tone right
for this book, yet authors Kelly Fritsch and Anne McGuire have nailed it. Tere is room for joy, care, concern, frustration and collaboration; for coming together and for disagreement; for col- laborative problem-solving and knowing when you might need a break. Te authors do not shy away from bigger
themes of disability justice: interdependence, community and activism. Temes of water, nour- ishment and the environment also figure in the book, with each page offering an opportunity for discussion. Even the recent debate about plastic
Te Undercover Book List is the story of Grade 7 students Jane and Tyson, who foster an unlikely friendship through an anonymous book club. As their paths move closer, both discover their abili- ties to overcome obstacles and be self-reliant. Tyson has a reputation for being a kid who
doesn’t behave. When getting a book from the library at the secretary’s request, he notices Jane leaving a note in a book on the shelf. Upon snooping in the book, he reads the note and starts anonymously writing notes back to Jane. Tey give each other book recommendations through these secret notes, which is the begin- ning of the undercover book club. Jane runs a school club called the Kid Lit
THE UNDERCOVER BOOK LIST By Colleen Nelson Pajama Press, 2021 224 pages, $21.95 ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ Reviewed by Rebecca Ryan
Quiz Team – a competitive group in which stu- dents answer book trivia questions. Since her best friend Sienna moved away, the team needs another member to go to an upcoming competi- tion, and Tyson volunteers. Although the odds are against him, with the support of his new friends, Tyson perseveres and rises above the stereotypes that have been bestowed upon him. All of the topics covered in this novel can be lessons incorporated into your classroom (per-
drinking straws and accessibility is included, with authenticity and without conclusion. Te book is a suitable read-aloud for Primary
and Junior grades, with links to social science (heritage and identity, people and environments: local community). Its subject matter is also ap- propriate for broaching important conversa- tions with Intermediate grades. Te glossary and other useful addenda provide more in-depth language around various themes (e.g., ableism, disability arts and culture, accessibility), and introduce different activists, artists and groups that students can explore further to develop an understanding of text features connected to the Language curriculum. A helpful website accompanies the book, fea-
turing additional resources and a teacher guide that includes lessons and prompts to help educa- tors in planning and facilitating. Tere are links to watch the book with captions or in ASL, as the creators show their commitment to accessibility. Educators need not feel intimidated about taking on the conversation of disability justice with the tools provided. I cannot recommend this book enough. If I could give it more than five stars, I would!
Martha Brown is a member of the Ottawa-Carleton Teacher Local.
severance, friendship, antibullying, etc.). You could even have your own version of a Kid Lit Quiz. Publisher Pajama Press has created a read- ing guide for teachers that includes applicable overall and specific curriculum expectations. Tese include (but aren’t limited to) reading, oral communication and media literacy. Tere’s also a guide to help foster discussions about the book, as well as questions that students can answer in whole-group or small-group discussions, or on their own in reading response journals. Tis is a great story to read with your class,
not only because of the numerous curriculum connections that can be made, but also because of the connection that the students can make to the experiences of Jane, Tyson and the second- ary characters. Told in the alternating voices of Jane and Tyson, this novel is suitable for stu- dents in grades 4 to 8 as either a read-aloud or small-group, student-led reading.
Rebecca Ryan is a member of the Greater Essex County Occasional Teacher Local.
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