. Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. For example, one excerpt: 'I'd seen the papers and heard Holly's mom and dad taking about the boy who got killed for playing with a toy gun. Will speak to young peoples insecurities and fears while recognizing their courage in facing them, and [Woodsons] craft as a weaver of words and imagery is evident on every page. resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss thenovel. When I read about ICE agents tearing toddlers from the breasts of their mothers and putting them into detention camps, in an effort by the president to negotiate a better deal on immigration reform, I am deeply disturbed, as Im sure you are. Is it easier or harder to connect with kids your age with so many different ways to connect on social media? Haley is bi-racial being raised by her white uncle, and serves as the storys narrator. Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson Harbor Me provides an excellent example of safe, trust-filled group discussion. Tiago speaks Spanish and struggles to speak in English, and he faces the threat of deportation despite being an American citizen. . This story, told with exquisite language and clarity of narrative, is both heartbreaking and hopeful. Copyright 1999 - 2023 GradeSaver LLC. We'd love to hear what you think. will review the submission and either publish your submission or providefeedback. It's refreshing to see kids who actually talk rather than tweet, text, and Snapchat their feelings. To remember him, they listen to poetry written by Estebans father that Esteban recited into Haley's voice recorder. Quack! Esteban is worried for his father and about what will happen to the rest of his family. Haley is the reliable and highly reflective narrator of Harbor Me. . Esteban's story resonates with Haley because her own father is in prison a few hours away. Original Inhabitants: In the book, we learn that the Lenape Tribe lived in New York before European settlers arrived. They dub the place the ARTT (A Room to Talk) room. Why can't books teach lessons without an agenda of the author?! "Harbor Me Summary". everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of Harbor Me. At first, the kids thought the whole idea was strange. It celebrates the importance of allowing young people -- fifth-graders in this case -- a safe space in which to share their stories. With alternatingly simple, realistic language and flashes of lyrical romanticism . This Study Guide consists of approximately 76pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more - You can help us out by revising, improving and updating But, many other white boys are permitted to do the same with any fear. Woodson tells stories torn from headlines but personalizes them with poetry and memories, blunting their trauma with understanding and love. Tiago is sad that people make him feel ashamed that he loves to speak Spanish, the beautiful language he speaks at home with his family. Tiago is a boy from Puerto Rico and frustrated by some of the ways he and his family have been treated American, but not American enough. . . They can share their personal life experiences for the last one hour of the school day each Friday in the room without any supervision and interference. Do these news stories seems more relevant to you after reading the book? If you put six 5th/6th graders in an otherwise empty classroom at 2:00p.m. Instead, she wants to hold onto the words and stories because they provide balm and insight. She lives with his uncle in her family home. These notes were contributed by members of the GradeSaver community. All rights reserved. Three tall eighth-graders who glared at Ashton but walked backward, away from the six of us. . Ashton, who is white, shares his new awareness of race as well as how hes being bullied. We are thankful for their contributions and encourage you to make yourown. How do the other kids react when Haley shares her story? Esteban and his family have been deported to their native country. Why not try your hand at knitting, too? As the kids open up and find shelter in one another, they find strength, support, love, and hope as well. For Hispanic. Always remember, when you are with your people, you are home.. How can America speak with moral authority, when our government behaves in this fashion? Poetry: Poetry is a big part of Estebans narrative. Esteban reveals that his father, an undocumented immigrant from the Dominican Republic, has been apprehended by ICE. Chapter-by-chapter summaries and multiple sections of expert analysis, The ultimate resource for assignments, engaging lessons, and lively book discussions. His father writes him poetry, which Esteban translates into English to share with his friends. Esteban is of Dominican origin and is trying to cope with his father's detention, who does not possess American citizenship. Her father was put in prison after being convicted of vehicular homicide. Woodsons skills as poet and master storyteller shine brightly here as she economically uses language to express emotion and delve into the hearts of her characters. See our. Hoodoo - outside. Holly is close to Haley. Here, six Brooklyn middle school students are afforded one hour each Friday to talk amongst themselves no adults present. After you claim a section youll have 24 hours to send in a draft. Harbor Me. Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners. How does Tiago describe the difference between his mom inside their home and outside their home? What makes a family? Holly wrestles with being treated as an equal with her friends as she is somewhat elevated out of racial difficulties because her family is financially well-off. It is the collection of stories of fears, experiences of previous life, and the lessons learned by five friends of Brooklyn school. This story, told with exquisite language and clarity of narrative, is both heartbreaking and hopeful. 27 terms. Amazing Childrens Books by Arab and Arab American Authors, The Books Alexis Patterson Is Loving Right Now, Browse All Our Lists, Essays, and Interviews. We think it will be a catalyst for discussion, thinking, and empathy. By collecting the stories of her friends Esteban, Amari, Tiago, Ashton, and Holly, Haley begins to deepen her awareness of the complexities, fears, flaws, and strengths that mark each person's story. The characters ring true as they discuss issues both personal and global. This story, told with exquisite language and clarity of narrative, is both heartbreaking and hopeful. Haley is the reliable and highly reflective narrator of Harbor Me.Her thoughts, feelings, and impressions guide the novel's plot development. Read the picture book, Ode to an Onion: Pablo Neruda and His Muse. The Question and Answer section for Harbor Me is a great No swearing, but an allusion to it in the term "the H word"; an eighth grader flips off a group of students. For instance, Esteban is afraid for his family after his dad was picked up and detained by ICE. They're trained in creating high-quality parenting advice based on best practices in child development. Haley is the protagonist and narrator of the novel Harbor Me. Haley is the memory keeper in the group. Welcome to the latest installment of Brightlys Book Club for Kids, where we provide you with engaging books and book-inspired activities that young readers can enjoy together. 55 terms. Common Sense Media Reviewers Through the voices of these six characters--Haley, Holly, Esteban, Amari, Tiago, and Ashton--HARBOR ME immerses young readers in peer discussions of issues that, sadly, far too many of our children face on a daily basis. | Middle Grade (10 and up) This study guide contains the following sections: This detailed literature summary also contains Quotes and a Free Quiz on After school that day, Amari, Esteban, and Tiago escort Ashton to stop the bullies from attacking him. Holly is Black and Haleys best friend. Melissa Taylor, MA, is a teacher, mama, and writer from Colorado. . Showing how Americas political and social issues affect children on a daily basis, this novel will leave an indelible mark on readers minds.Publishers Weekly, starred review* Woodson delivers a powerful tale of community and mutual growth. What does Neruda learn from an onion? And together, they can grow braver and more ready for the rest of their lives.--from the publisher, 192 pages 978-0399252525 Ages 10 and up, Jacqueline Woodson is the 2018-2019 National Ambassador for Young People's Literature. Knit: You may have noticed that Holly often knits during their Friday afternoon discussions. One day their teacher, Ms. Laverne, took them to the former art room and explained that for the remainder of the year this was their special space to just talk every Friday afternoon for the last hour of the school day. Draw a picture to represent one of the messages in this story. And it gives too. She is not alone. Find the area where you live right now. What are some of the differences? . Ms. Laverne has just closed the door and left Haley, Holly, Amari, Ashton, Tiago and Esteban alone in Room 501. An extraordinary and timely piece of writing." She describes her own situation at home with her uncle and father and tells the reader what is happening at school with the other five kids who spend time in the ARTT room. (pg 38) Red 1.Characterize Esteban. And frequently heartbreaking. This is a timely and beautifully written story that should be on library shelves everywhere.School Library Journal, starred review* In her first middle-grade novel since her 2014 National Book Award winner, Brown Girl Dreaming, National Ambassador for Young Peoples Literature Jacqueline Woodson deftly alchemizes a sixth-grade classroom into an affecting metaphor for racial, political and socioeconomic challengesenhanced by the transformative power of storytelling: what matter[ed] most is that we were heard. . Did you know you can flag iffy content? Friendship can help kids experiencing hardship. Harbor Me Summary & Study Guide includes comprehensive information and analysis to The book deals with immigration and class issues, police brutality, driving under the influence, parent death, trust, and breaking down walls between people of different backgrounds to find common understanding and experience. It all starts when six kids have to meet for a weekly chatby themselves, with no adults to listen in. However, she longs for more details and personal connections. At one point Amari remarks on Haleys tape-recordings: Its like youre trying to remember us. It sounds simple, but Amaris observation is profoundly true. 7 pages at 400 words per page) He mentions that Amari asked him if he was albino when they first met because of Ashtons pale skin. What did you learn from Tiagos story about Perrito? Their stories bring them together to are about each other. Dedication: For Lena and Alana, who harbor so many And for my family, who harbors me First Line: We think they took my papi. help you understand the book. That nobody know where they took him. The novel is a frame narrative that features narrator Haley Anderson, a sixth-grade student in a Brooklyn school. Sets with similar terms. He misses his Papi, who is being detained in Florida for possible deportation to the Dominican Republic. His father writes his own poetry, but he also mentions other poets such as Pablo Neruda. | Middle Grade (10 and up) He also expresses frustration about racism and fears that he will be racially profiled or even attacked by police. As the kids share their stories, they find comfort in being heard. How does he express this in a poem? In the book Harbor me, where do all of the characters live? The Spains were a married couple, Jennifer and Patrick, with three-year-old son Jack and six-year-old daughter Emma. My daughter was assigned Harbor Me in her 5th grade class and I read this book to help understand what she was reading and be able to answer the questions she was asking. By submitting my email, I acknowledge that I have read and agree to Penguin Random House's Privacy Policy and Terms of Use and understand that Penguin Random House collects certain categories of personal information for the purposes listed in that policy, discloses, sells, or shares certain personal information and retains personal information in accordance with the policy. This kind of emotional trauma could eventually lead to health problems, such as heart disease and substance abuse disorders., -- Washington Post, America is better than this: What a doctor saw in a Texas shelter for migrant children, by Kristine Phillips, June 16, 2018, All has seemed lost before only to give way, after decades of gloom, to light. 2201 West Broad Street, Suite 206 Richmond, VA 23220. Not affiliated with Harvard College. What you willand won'tfind in this book. New York: Nancy Paulsen - Penguin Random House, 2018. There, in the room they soon dub the ARTT Room (short for A Room to Talk), they discover its safe to talk about whats bothering themeverything from Estebans fathers deportation and Haleys fathers incarceration to Amaris fears of racial profiling and Ashtons adjustment to his changing family fortunes. While Im not sure many 5th graders would pick it up on their own, I did like the overall message of this book which I believe was regardless of race or economic status, everyone has their own struggles and life story that makes them unique but that also connects them together. Buy, Aug 28, 2018 Holly and Haley are very close friends. In HARBOR ME, through the eyes of Haley, a motherless and father-imprisoned young biracial woman, we come to know the lives and thoughts of six young students who have been assigned to a 5th/6th grade special needs classroom. Page Count: 192. Shows the reality behind the headlines as it delves into the lives of students affected by police brutality, immigration enforcement, parent incarceration, and a family going through a job loss. Print Word PDF This section contains 2,597 words (approx. His father has been deported, providing a through-line to the novel. Book Scavenger. Tiago takes a turn at one ARTT meeting to tell his own story. Jacqueline Woodson is the 2018-2019 National Ambassador for Young Peoples LiteratureJacqueline Woodsons first middle-grade novel since National Book Award winner Brown Girl Dreaming celebrates the healing that can occur when a group of students share their stories.It all starts when six kids have to meet for a weekly chatby themselves, with no adults to listen in. How does the way the characters in the book feel about the issues and incidents they're dealing with compare with the way the media portrays such issues? They met while they were both pregnent at a Lamaze class. . So, his father has been arrested by immigration officials and placed in a detention center in Florida. By Terreece Clarke, Harbor Me by Jacqueline Woodson is a novel written for a middle grade audience but overflowing with valuable lessons for readers of any age. For the sake of these children, and for the sake of our countrys future, we need to find our better angels right now. Have you read this book? | ISBN 9780399252525 GradeSaver, 1 February 2022 Web. After Easter break, the group learns that Esteban and his family have been deported to the Dominican Republic. As the school year nears its end, Haley finally musters the courage to tell her own story about her father's incarceration and her mother's death. Haley narrates her experiences at home with her uncle and school with her five friends in ARTT. Then the Dutch settlers came and chased them from their homes. He is a quiet person/shy but scared, because he is sad about his . Amari is a young Black boy facing The Talk from his father who counsels him not to play with toy guns at the park. She used to record her thoughts and took the recorder to the ARTT room. Estebans story provides the narrative arc of the novel. Brooklyn. If your child is reading it for school, and you don't have a say, I'd recommend taking the opportunity to discuss the topics in the book to teach your child that not everything they read is true, and that they'll often have to do their own research and form their own opinions. One involves the six children in a school classroom where they are allowed to freely discuss with one another without the keen eyes of their. The book is effectively told in two separate storylines. A group of boys is notorious for bullying weaker students, and the trend is getting out of hand. Esteban is the son of immigrants from the Dominican Republic. Esteban shares his worry over his father who was taken by immigration officials and placed in a detention center. As the novel comes to a close, Haley comes to understand that forgiveness is one of many ways to provide a harbor for someone as she learns to forgive her father and welcome him back into her life. She loves (in no Four Developmental Signs Your Child Is Ready for Potty Training, Moo! According to her uncle, Haley's mother died when her father accidentally crashed their car. Do you think Esteban and his Papi see the world like this, too? Empathy and acceptance are born along with the understanding that we all need to harbor each other. Buy, Apr 21, 2020 | ISBN 9780525515142 | Middle Grade (10 and up), Aug 28, 2018 | ISBN 9780399252525 | Middle Grade (10 and up), Aug 28, 2018 | ISBN 9780525515135 | Middle Grade (10 and up), Aug 28, 2018 | ISBN 9780525639107 | Middle Grade (10 and up), Aug 28, 2018 | ISBN 9780525637929 | Middle Grade (10 and up). After you claim a section youll have 24 hours to send in a draft. Tiago has his story of discrimination at different times in life. Mayday by Karen Harrington. . Given the space and time and freedom of the ARTT Room, they listen to each other and create bonds that support each member with understanding and love. Common Sense Media reviewers include writers, editors, and child development experts. These six tweens have been fortuitously blessed with a wise and innovative teacher, Ms. Laverne. Amari, Esteban, Tiago, Ashton, Holly, and Haley Shondell McGrath (the narrator) are students with special learning needs in a Brooklyn school. And go from well-read to best read with book recs, deals and more in your inbox every week. Major Themes: Immigration, race, forgiveness, bullying, identity, friendship, and family. With a full cast, including Woodson herself as the teacher, the characters and story have an immediacy rare in audiobook narrations. Parents should be prepared to discuss the government's enforcement of immigration laws, anti-immigration sentiment, police brutality, and "the talk" often given to black boys about the police, parental loss, isolation, and peer counseling.