Show Way by Jacqueline Woodson

When I scrolled through the list of award-winning books, I noticed Jacqueline Woodson's name appear multiple times. I have been a fan of her work for a while, but I have not gotten around to reading all of them. One of my favorite books I like to use in my classroom is Each Kindness. I think it helps students understand the power of their actions and how to treat everyone with respect. This book has won the Coretta Scott King Award and the Jane Addams Peace Award. Like all of Woodson's books, it sends a strong message of hope and change. It is now on my daughter's bookshelf in her nursery and I hope it also teaches her how to be kind to everyone because you may not get a second chance to.

Jacqueline Woodson is also the author of Show Way. This book won a Newbery Honor Medal, and I loved having the opportunity to read it this week. I wish I would have known about this book sooner! It is the perfect book to integrate with social studies topics like ancestry and heritage. What fascinates me about this story is that it is based on the author's life. She said that after her grandmother died and she became a mother herself, she wanted a way to hold on to all of the incredible history of the family. The term "show way" is a quilt that once served as a secret map for freedom-seeking slaves. All of the women in the family story were quilters, artists, and advocates of change. Not only is the story historical and informative about this period in history, but it is deeply personal to the author. It tells the story of the strong women that came before Woodson and the traditions that have been passed down through the generations. Although this book was a more serious read than Each Kindness, it still sends a powerful message. This story is a great way to remember the past but also celebrate possibilities for the future.  

One of my favorite things about Woodson's writing is how she writes in verse and utilizes repetition. This line was read over and over again and was powerful to read: "Loved that baby up so. Yes, they loved that baby up." Woodson also uses metaphors in a lot of her books and that is definitely the case here with the "show ways" or quilts. Each quilt represents the belief that there is a road to a better place and the stories behind it live on with each generation it gets passed through. I would love to use this book in my classroom and have students bring in their own family artifacts or an object that has shaped their lives. 

If you get the chance to snatch up either of these titles, I would highly recommend Woodson's work. Strong writing. Powerful message.