Giant Steps to Change the World

     

     Giant Steps to Change the World written by Spike Lee and Tonya Lewis Lee and illustrated by Sean Qualls is an inspiring book for children to read.   The illustrations and text complement each other within the book.  Giant Steps to Change the World is a contemporary realistic fiction book that will encourage its readers.  This book is about is about eleven individuals who achieved their dreams or goals.  Most of the people in the book accomplished something that made a difference to the society and world.  Other individuals accomplished a personal goal that others may look upon and be inspired or encourage to not give up.  This book give great examples of what each person has done and explain the difference it made.  

      This would be a great book to share with students during the beginning of the school year.  Giants Steps to Change the World is written in an uplifting manner to educate and encourage its readers.  This book draws attention to students in third through sixth grade.  The  book can be read alone or in groups so that a student can read a description of a character.  This can challenge the students by having them figure out who each of the individuals are.  Some of the people who took a step within the book are Langston Hughes, President Barack Obama, Einstein and Mother Theresa.  

     Giant Steps to Change the World explains to its readers that there will be difficult days that will include trials and struggles.  There will also be haters and doubters that will cross your path, but it will be  important to stand your ground and accomplish your dream.  This book also shares the inside look of fear with its readers.  There is "fear of failure, fear of success, fear of being different fear or being the same".   

     According to page 235 of Literature and the Child, it states that contemporary realistic fiction the "characters are credible and non-stereotypical The intended age group can understand the plot structure and the story amplifies characteristics of excellence in narrative fiction.  Also the structure should support character development and plot".  Giant Steps to Change the World adhered to those requirements within the story.  

     The illustrations in Giant Steps to Change the World are unique and inspiring as the text. The photo below through Sean Qualls' illustrations provide a great example of his work.   

The lines of his drawings range from thin to thick.  Qualls' illustration are done with acrylic gouache, pencil and collage.  The images are bold and the color he uses bring out the strengths within the illustrations.  With the mixture of collage and drawing, the picture have a different feel and a powerful message to assist in the message of the book. I like how the text is wavy and does not go in a straight line from left to right.  It fits right in with the illustrations.

     I like this book because it is encouraging and inspiring.   The illustrations are complementing to the text and story line.  I especially  like the artwork because it includes a variety of techniques.  My favorite part of the story is the end when the the author ask the question, "Now it's your turn.  Everyone is waiting.  What's your next step going to be?"



     There are many motivational activities you can do with your students.  One activity I would do, would have some students pretend to be a character in the book and have the other classmates guess who they are.  Another activity would be to have the students research a person they admire or look up to.  With the gathered information they would create a job resume for the person and share with the class.  Another suggestion would be to have the students write and talk about what they can do to make a different in their school or community.


My readers response questions:

1.  Why do you think the author wrote the book?  Explain why.

2.  For each character in the story, what do you think is the reason they took the step they did?  What do you think thing would be like if they did not take the steps they took?

3.  What are some "nouns" that describe the characters actions?  (Examples:  Courage and strength)


References:

Galda, L., Cullinan, B.E., & Sipe, L.R. (2011).  Literature and the Child.  (7th ed., pp. 12, 24).  Belmont:  Wadsworth Pub Co.

Lee, Spike & Lee, L.,Tonya. (2011).  Giant Steps to Change the World. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division.