Crow Boy

Author/Illustrator: Taro Yashima
Genre: Multicultural
Awards: None
Grade Level: 2nd-4th

This book is about a young Japanese boy named Chibi who sticks to himself in school. He is really shy and others make fun of him because of it. He spends his pass time staring at the ceiling, at his desk, and the clock until it is time to leave school everyday. No matter what, Chibi would always be at school day after day. A new teacher showed  up in sixthg rade and took interest in the knowledge and abilities that Chibi had. He encouraged him and became his friend. During the talent show one day Chibi got up and performed crow calls. The students were taken back by his performance and pictures the tiny village from past the mountains that he came. The new teacher explained that Chibi learned those calls on his long walk he made to school everyday. Everyone felt terrible for misjudging Chibi. From that day forward he became known as the crow boy.

This book is aimed for students from 2nd to 4th grade. The sentences are simple and straight forward. This book shows us some of the customs of the Japanese culture. Everything from what they wear, what their houses are like, their language, and food. I would use this book to teach students that everyone comes from a different background. We do not know why some people are how they are, but we should be willing to learn.