New Shoes (historical fiction)

New Shoes

By: Susan Lynn Meyer

Tthe story is about a girl, Ella Mae, who went to a shoe store to get new shoes. When she walked into the store, another girl walked in after her. Instead of being waited on first, the girl who walked in after her was aited on, because of the color of her skin. When it was finally Ella Mae's turn to "try on" shoes she was not allowed to, she had to draw her feet size on paper, and was given shoes. She was upset by what happened, and her and her firend Charlotte did chores for little money and outgrown shoes. They opened their own store in a barn, that anyone who walked through the doors could try on shoes.

This book was published in 2015, and is considered historical fiction. It would also fall under multiculturalism based on the ethnicity depicted. As the textbook states "historical fiction can help children discover their own place in the history of their world; it can give them a sense of historical importance in their own lives (Lee, 2010)."I feel this book does just that for African American children. This book shows historical events, that of segregation, and gives a story of a girl that is believable, who could have existed. According to the book, historical fictions" setting affects plot and charcter authenticty.(Lee, 2010)" The setting of this book definitely affects the plot and character. The time period of when the story takes place, when segregation was prevelant in America, is why the character in the book is treated so different.

The textbook describes historical fiction as one that "tells stories of the set in the past; it portrays events that...possible could have occured ( Lee, 2010)." The illustrations in the book look like acrylics, the colors are vivid and use representational, because they use "literal , realistic depictions of characters, objects, and events. They are beautiful and add to the overall feel of the book. There is a page tha depicts the girls preparing there store, the image shows the girls grit, determination for fairness, and fierce attitude to succeed! The cover page is full with teh image. The title and author are placed within the frame, almost hidden by the beautiful artwork that shos the two girls looking into the shoe shop.

This book relates to Saint Leo's core Value of respect, because that is what this girl wanted...respect. She went out, and made a shop of her own to show that repsect to others. People came to their shop because they were treated as equals, they were treated with respect.

My first idea for classroom activities is a writing promt on how they would feel if the same thing that happened to Ella Mae happened to them. The next activity would have the stduents make an ad for Ella Mae and Charolette's show store, they will give the where (the setting) the owners (the characters) the reason for the store opening or the background story (the plot), and a catch phrase (the theme).

Resources

Lee Galda, B. E.Cullinan, and L Sipe(2010). Literature and the Child. 7th Ed. Belmont: Wadworth. Cenage

Meyer, Susan L. (2015). New Shoes. Holiday House, Inc. New York.