Book post: Son of a Gun

Book cover from Eerdmans

De Graaf, A. (2012). Son of a gun. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers.

*Winner of a 2013 Batchelder Honor*

Nopi and Lucky are a sister and brother who lived through war in Liberia. They had to experience things as child soldiers that children should never have to know about. Nopi is 10 and Lucky is 8 when war enters their lives, and they try hard to escape it for years. Unfortunately, child soldiers are common in many places around the world, and de Graaf has written this story, based on interviews of Liberian children she met post-war, primarily to teach children what this kind of life can be like. The narrative addresses children in the Western world, and has a section at the end devoted to facts about Liberia. It is a great teaching tool for children to see another world view from the perspective of other children. While the book centers on war, the author is careful not to make the scenes too graphic for her audience; she focuses on the emotions of the characters and their love for their family.

Book review: Dave the Potter

Book cover from Bryan Collier

Hill, L.C. (2010). Dave the potter: Artist, poet, slave. New York, NY: Little, Brown, and Company.

*Winner of the 2011 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award (Bryan Collier)*

Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave is a wonderful historical account of Dave, a slave who was an unlikely artisan.  Most slaves were not allowed to do skilled labor, so Dave's work is that much more impressive. Written in verse, the book takes the reader through the process of Dave’s work, showcasing his strength, attention to detail, and devotion to his work. The poem compares our modern-day perspective—“To us/it is just dirt”—to Dave’s—“But to Dave/it was clay.” This gives the reader a stronger insight into how important his work was to him.  He had a vision in his art that he was able to share with the world. Pottery is a practical art, but Dave even inscribed his with short poems that he wrote. Bryan Collier’s watercolor and collage illustrations are created in natural colors, and the detail of each scene is breathtaking. I often felt like I was looking at a photograph until I looked closer at the collaged pictures. 

There are many important things to be learned from this book.  Lovers of history and lovers of art will both love the story it tells. It is a great discussion starter about American slavery, and a way to learn about the life of a slave. It is also an introduction into earlier methods of making pottery. Yet another draw is studying the simple poetic lines that Dave added to his work. Dave the Potter is a must read for everyone.

Recommended Grade Level: 3-5

Recommendation: Recommended