Wall

Title:  Wall 

Author/Illustrator: Tom Clohosy Cole/Tom Clohosy Cole 

APA Citation: Cole, T. C. (2014). Wall. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press. 

Lexile Score: AD480L- Recommended adult read to child (Ages 4-8) 

Target Audience: Although the suggested age range was 4-8, I believe that one of the images and the concept behind the building of the wall would be better for ages 8 and up.  With a good plot line and historical accuracy, I believe it would be a great book to inspire critical thinking of a variety of topics. 

Summary: This story depicted the tragedy of one family's struggle with being separated by the Berlin Wall.  With his father stuck on one side, and his family trapped on the other, the boy in the story took action into his own hands and risked his life digging a hole to the other side.  When he was finished, he led his family to the hole, and was even able to convince a guard to let them pass. 

Evaluation:

	4	3	2	1
Theme/Moral	The theme/moral of the story was worthwhile and provided a non-biased message for the reader.	Theme of the story was worthwhile but portrayed a somewhat biased message for the reader.	Theme of the story was somewhat worthwhile, but portrayed a biased message for the reader.	Theme/moral of the story was not worthwhile and portrayed a biased message for the reader.
Characterization	Characters in the story were relatable and did not portray typical stereotypes.	Characters in the story were relatable but some characteristics portrayed typical stereotypes.	Characters in the story were somewhat relatable, however portrayed characteristics  typical of stereotypes.	Characters in the story were relatable and portrayed characteristics  typical of stereotypes.
Illustrations	Illustrations in the story were relatable and did not portray typical stereotypes.	Illustrations in the story were relatable but some characteristics portrayed typical stereotypes.	Illustrations in the story were somewhat relatable, however portrayed characteristics  typical of stereotypes.	Illustrations in the story were not relatable and portrayed characteristics  typical of stereotypes.
Multicultural Aspects	Story provided accurate representations of  several cultures.	Story provided accurate representations of more than one culture.	Story provided accurate representation of only one culture.	Story did not provide accurate representations of  the culture discussed.
Historical Value	The story's historical references were accurate and did not convey a biased opinion of the event depicted.	The story's historical references were accurate, did not convey some biased opinion of the event depicted.	The story's historical references were somewhat accurate, and did convey a biased opinion of the event depicted.	The story's historical references were not accurate, and conveyed a biased opinion of the event depicted.
Self and Social Identities	This book positively counteracts stereotypical messages based on gender, color, economic status, family structure, and/or abilities.	This book attempts to counteracts stereotypical messages based on gender, color, economic status, family structure, and/or abilities.	This book does not reinforce stereotypical messages based on gender, color, economic status, family structure, and/or abilities.	This book reinforces stereotypical messages based on gender, color, economic status, family structure, and/or abilities.
Language	This book did not contain any "loaded" words, and used alternatives to generic terms.	This book did not contain any "loaded" words, but did use some generic terms.	This book did not contain "loaded" words, however, consistently used generic terms.	This book did contain "loaded words, and consistently used generic terms.
Overall Rating	I would use this book in my future classroom and recommend it to other teachers.	I would try to use this book in my future classroom and might recommend it to other teachers.	If the occasion arose, I might read this book, but probably would not recommend it.	I would not use or recommend this book.

Overall Score: 26/32 

Literary Elements: Use of quotations within a text, use of various sentence beginnings, story structure, and ellipses 

Social Justice Elements:  Strong family bond, determination, overcoming obstacles, othering 

Sample Lesson:  If I were to do a lesson on this book, I would definitely tie it to the history of Germany and the building of the Berlin Wall.  Depending on the age group, I might have the students research this topic and compose a report based on their findings.