Walking to School - Eve Bunting

A Story from Northern Ireland
Illustrator: Michael Dooling
For: School-age kids
Published: Sept, 2008
Rating: 5
Read: Jan. 3, 2009
Endpapers: Deep Turquoise

I've grown up knowing about, but not understanding, the hate between Protestants and Catholics in Northern Ireland. Supposedly in 2007 some sort of peace agreement was begun. It seems there are always the few who relish the idea of this sort of friction, and do their best to keep it going. That appears to be Uncle Frank in this story.

Allison, a young Catholic girl in Belfast, Northern Ireland, must walk through a Protestant neighborhood to get to school. But the streets are lined with spitting, booing, yelling Protestants who make it really hard for the procession of Catholics to make their way. Allison hates it. On the second day someone pulls at her jacket and a button comes off. It rolls into the crowd and a Protestant girl her own age grabs for it. Allison thinks that the girl wants to triumphantly keep it, but she steps out into the street to hand it back. Allison then turns back and passes her lucky marble to the girl. The story ends:

I stare out of the window. What is she talking about? I don't feel like a hero. All I know is, I met a Protestant girl who was nice. She said she hated this fighting, and so do I. I think we could be friends, if we had the chance. I know we would.
If the grownups would let us.

There's an AUTHOR'S NOTE that gives a little more information.

The illustrations are oil on canvas, and very realistic. No white. Lovely writing, Eve Bunting can always be counted on to do it right! The illustrations are perfect for her story. This quote comes from the blurb about her on the back flap: "As a Protestant living in Ireland during "the Troubles," Eve Bunting saw prejudice from both religious groups. She say sthis story could have just as easily been about a Protestant child walking through a Catholic area ---"

A Taste of Colored Water - Matt Faulkner

Perfect for: Kids, Particularly Older Ones
Pub: 2008
Rating: Loved it
Read: Sept. 13, 2008
Endpapers: Both different - the front is an illustration of entering Eden and the back is an illustration of leaving Eden (quite impressive) A+

"Daddy, what color does a person have to be to get a taste of colored water?" Jelly questions at the end of this book.

Welcome to the "Heart of Dixie" in the early 60s. Jelly and LuLu have never been to the "big city" before, but after they hear from Abbey Finch that there's a fountain there with "colored" water, they know they have to go see for themselves. They do. They find it, up on the hill by City Hall with a big sign over it proclaiming COLORED WATER. Meanwhile, as we can see from the illustrations, there's lots goin' on in town. Protesters are marching and singing "We Shall Overcome." Policemen and firemen face off with the marchers as newsmen take photos. Lulu and Jelly watch from the bubbler, where they get nothing but clear water. No lovely fruity-tasting greens or pinks or yellows. And then the fire hoses are turned on and people are knocked over by its force!

Whenever I open a picture book and see illustrated endpapers I already know I'm going to like the book. This was a good one. There are no explanations in the text, just the story. Wonderful vocabulary, a southerny drawl that helps establish the setting, and illustrations that complete enhance the storytelling, becoming part of the story itself. I really want to read this to my middle-schoolers to get their reaction.

I also personally enjoyed Matt Faulkner's AFTERWORD which ends: "It's my wish that we take strength from the courageous ones who came before us and learn to question oppression, racism, segregation - all forms of intolerance - and begin to promote compassion for all."