Sue Ann Martin
and Pamela Gates

DR. PAMELA S. GATES
Pamela Gates is a Professor of English and the Dean of the College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences at Central Michigan University.  She holds a Ph.D. in Teacher Education--Curriculum, Teaching, & Educational Policy with cognates in Children’s & Young Adult Literature and English Education. Her dissertation focused on the use of multicultural literature in sixth grade classrooms to address and examine issues of racism and prejudice and was the origin for one of her books.  Her research and teaching for the past two decades has focused specifically on literature for Children and Young Adults.  In addition to a dozen articles, her list of publications includes two co-authored books, Fantasy Literature for Children & Young Adults ( Scarecrow Press, 2003) and Cultural Journeys: Multicultural Literature for Children & Young Adults (Scarecrow Press, 2006).  She is currently working on two books which include a biography and the second edition of Cultural Journeys.  She strongly believes in and is committed to the power of good literature to develop young readers and critical thinkers who will be the next generation of parents, teachers, and committed global citizens.

It takes twenty-one days to travel across the sea and when Fu Lee hears the voice that shouts. “I see land!” he remembers his grandmother’s advice not to trust anyone and with that, he tosses his coaching book into the sea.  Once they land in San Francisco, the men and boys are separated from the women and girls and are given medical exams.  Any who are sick, are returned to China, while those who are healthy are moved into dormitories to await their turn for interviews.  Weeks later, Fu Lee is interrogated and while a part of him want to fail the interview and return to China, he does not.  Instead, he does his best and in doing so, makes his grandparents proud.  
This story is one that will  teach us about some of the struggles many immigrants have faced to come to this country.  It’s also a reminder to the rich diversity that makes the United States of America unique in the world.
While this is a poignant story, Wilson Ong enriched it by providing a stunning backdrop of artwork that will cause you to linger over each illustration.
Paper Son, written by Helen Foster James and Virginia Shin-Mui Loh and Illustrated by Wilson Ong is an important piece of historical fiction and is appropriate for ages 6 to 10.
This is Pamela Gates for the Children’s Bookshelf. Paper Son,
James, Helen Foster and Virginia Shin-Mui Loh.  Paper Son.  Illustrated by Wilson Ong. Ann Arbor, MI: Sleeping Bear Press, 2013.

Discussion Questions for Paper Son

 Quoting from the text, “After only about a year, Mr. Alvienne wanted to put Adele and Fred in a show. He dressed them up as a bride and groom, and they tap- danced on top of a pair of wooden wedding cakes built especially for them. The cakes had flashing lights, and bells that they played with their hands and feet.” The Wedding Cake act was very popular and led the young dancers to big time vaudeville. They played the circuit, toured one city after another and were schooled by their mother.
By the time Adele turned thirteen, however, she was much taller than ten-year-old Fred. The act no longer worked and they retired from the stage for two years. After several failed attempts to make a comeback  they sought out a new teacher and a new act. Adele was the still the star but Fred had begun to take on the role of making sure the dances were perfect and developing new routines.

In 1917 the dancing duo left vaudeville for even greater success on Broadway and in London. Eventually, however, Adele wanted to settle down and get married. At the age of thirty-five she retired and Fred left for Hollywood where he found new exciting partners such as Ginger Rodgers and continued his amazing dancing career in musical film.

The story is told in an engaging style with lots of delightful details and lively descriptions. The illustrations are energized with the kinetic swirls and twirls of performance. The picture of Fred and Adele on the front cover sets the happy tone and the tapping shoes on the back cover keep the time.

FOOTWORK: The Story of Fred and Adele Astaire is written by Roxane Orgill and illustrated by Stephane Jorisch and is ideal for children ages 6-10(Candlewick Press, 2013).  This is Sue Ann Martin for THE CHILDREN’S   BOOKSHELF.

Discussion Questions for Footwork