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These Hands (2011)

by Margaret H. Mason(Favorite Author)

4.19 of 5 Votes: 5

ISBN

0547215665 (ISBN13: 9780547215662)

languge

English

genre

Historical Fiction

publisher

HMH Books for Young Readers

review 1: These Hands is written from the perspective of a Grandfather talking to his Grandson. The Grandfather lists several things that his hands had done over the years, such as play piano, shuffle cards, and take an active part in the Civil Rights movement. The point that the Grandfather is trying to teach his Grandson is that if his hands did so much, then there is no limit to what his Grandson's hands can do.I love the constant metaphor throughout the book of, these hands changed history. It is a great book to read not only to African-American children, but every child because it shows that something as little as your own two hands, have the power to make an impact on a massive scale. The book is full of beautiful illustrations that tell most of the story. It is very light on... more words which I feel works for this particular story. The illustrations do a fantastic job of showing the bond between Grandfather and Grandson and how the Grandfather marked his place in history. It is a great motivational story to read to children that will get them thinking on the things that they can do.
review 2: Date: September 30th, 2014Author: Margaret H. Mason; Illustrated by Floyd CooperTitle: These HandsPlot: Margaret H. Mason's powerful picture story-book tells the story of a Grandfather and Grandson spending time with each other playing the piano, playing ball and tying shoes. The book also tells the story of African-American workers not allowed to work with bread-dough at the Wonder Bread Company. Setting: No setting is addressedCharacters: Grandfather and GrandsonPoint-of-View: First-Person Theme: Justice, Equality Style: Informational; Poetry-based; History (Historical)Copyright: 2010Notes: This book really was cool. Parts of the book reminded me of the picture-book "Molasses Man" because of the interaction between the grandfather and grandson. I wasn't expecting the twist in the book. The twist I am specifically talking about is the events that had taken place in the Wonder Bread Company. However, that unexpected twist of the story made me enjoy it more because the book added actual events that may have occurred (mistreatment of employees because of the color their skin). The author's note at the end of the book goes into more detail about other companies hiring African-Americans to be janitors, truck loaders, and fix machines, but not to actually work with the bread dough because customers wouldn't eat bread that came from the hands of an African-American hand. I would use a book like this for Black History Month or to discuss labor and work that was given to people based on their culture and skin color. A must read and must have in my library. less

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