Book Title: Kami and the Yaks
Author(s): Andrea Stenn Stryer
Illustrator/Photographer/Artist: Bert Dodson
Publisher: Bay Otter Press
Copyright Date: 2007
Genre: Contemporary realistic fiction picturebook
Brief Annotation: Kami is a deaf Sherpa boy who lives in the Himalayas where his family earns their living as mountain guides. Early one morning as his brother and father are getting ready for a trip, they realize their yaks are missing. Kami sets off to search for the yaks, determined to find them before a big storm hits. When he finally finds the four yaks, Kami discovers that the littlest one has caught its leg between two rocks. Kami rushes down the mountain to find help, and when he gets to his father and brother, he frantically acts the message out, although at first Kami’s father does not understand what he is trying to communicate and tries to punish Kami. After his brother interprets the message, they follow Kami up to rescue the yaks before Kami proudly leads them all back home.
Your Rating (1-5) and why: 5—This is a great story about a courageous and resourceful young boy who saves his family’s yaks despite his father’s assumption that he couldn’t help. It’s an inspiring tale with a universal message of determination and overcoming obstacles. The watercolor illustrations are amazingly well-done and enhance the story line by providing a strong sense of imagery that captures (I would imagine) the beautiful terrain of the Himalayas perfectly.
Readers who will like this book: Children with a disability will relate to and be inspired by Kami; children who like learning about other places and cultures; teachers looking for a book to read aloud that deals with a character who has a physical disability but who perseveres and believes in himself even when others don't
Question to ask about this book before a read aloud: Have you ever had to act courageously for the benefit of your family? How did your family respond to your actions?
Optional, but noted as extra effort:
1. Interest Level: K—3 (School Library Journal)
2. Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 4.2 (PermaBound Books)
3. List awards: ALA Schneider Family Book Award
So here's a little peek into how I decided to dip in and out of the blog posts: I look at the list of titles on the right hand side of the page and choose books that I know and absolutely LOVE (to see what the blogger thought) or I pick a title that's unfamiliar to me. The funny thing is, I can usually predict when I've selected a title that you've blogged about because you often choose books with multicultural themes. This book is a perfect example: I saw the title and said to myself, "I'll be Teah blogged about this book", and this time, I was right! You should be proud of the fact that you have a reputation for choosing books that will guarantee your classroom library will reflect people, situations, places from around the world. Diverse literature, as we've discussed, is the hallmark of an inclusive, respectful book collection.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I also love your summaries because they're so thorough. This story sounds wonderful, and I plan to add it to my collection for 2 reasons: First of all, because it's message is important, and second of all, because I'm trying to build a textset around Himalayan culture. One book that anchors my collection is called The Top of the World and its a nonfiction title about climbing Everest.
I'm also thinking the story would be a good complement to Tikki Tikki Tembo--I think you read this, right? Obviously the connection is more light-hearted, but connecting books for different reasons is an interesting way to promote critical thinking.