Thursday, March 26, 2009

Crow Boy by: Taro Yashima (Multicultural Literature)

Crow Boy by Taro Yashima is a multicultural children's book set in a Japanese village school. This story is about a tiny boy that all the students call "Chibi," which translates to "tiny boy." All the students in the school make fun of Chibi and isolate him from the rest of the class. Although Chibi has no friends, he makes his way to school every morning, rain or shine, from his house far away in the mountains. Chibi does this for five long years, never complaining. During his sixth grade year, Chibi enters the talent show. All the students are shocked to see him. Chibi's performance is an immitation of crow voices. When the crowd is amazed, the teacher explains on his long journey to school everyday he listens to the crows. The crowd begins to cry and gives him the name "crow boy." This book is a very inspiring story about a boy who is isolated all through school, yet never gives up or misses a single day. This story could be used in the classroom in many different ways. It's morals about bullying and having courage could be great lessons for student's. It also includes many Japanese cultural words and symbols. I enjoyed this great book and its inspiring message.

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