Frank Cottrell Boyce was born in 1959 and is a British novelist. He has worked with movie director Michael Witerbottom and wrote the Millions (which became a movie), as well the sequel to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Most recently, he has caught the attention of many as the writer of the opening ceremony for the 2012 Summer Olympics.
Frank Boyce is also the author of The Unforgotten Coat, a fantastic novel, so short it could be called a novella, about a Mongolian family who have come to England. Two brothers, Chingis and Nergui, say they are being chased by a demon and must always stick together. They befriend a girl at their new school, Julie (the narrator), and she becomes their Good Guide, leading them through the ins and outs of school life. Hanging out with the two brothers leads Julie to research Mongolian culture, but eventually she realizes how little she really knows. This is a story with great twists and wonderfully outspoken characters.
Children's books to accompany The Unforgotten Coat:
Fly Away Home by Eve Bunting
A Shelter in Our Car by Monica Gunning
Everything You Need to Know About Living in a Shelter by Julie Parker
Voices from the Field: Children of Migrant Farm Workers Tell Their Stories by S. Beth Atkins
Landed by Milly Lee
Discussion questions:
Much of the resources from this post come directly from Casey Ince and her presentation called "Homelessness, Immigration, and Refugees in Children's Literature."
Organizations:
Hear Us
Frank Boyce is also the author of The Unforgotten Coat, a fantastic novel, so short it could be called a novella, about a Mongolian family who have come to England. Two brothers, Chingis and Nergui, say they are being chased by a demon and must always stick together. They befriend a girl at their new school, Julie (the narrator), and she becomes their Good Guide, leading them through the ins and outs of school life. Hanging out with the two brothers leads Julie to research Mongolian culture, but eventually she realizes how little she really knows. This is a story with great twists and wonderfully outspoken characters.
Children's books to accompany The Unforgotten Coat:
Fly Away Home by Eve Bunting
A Shelter in Our Car by Monica Gunning
Everything You Need to Know About Living in a Shelter by Julie Parker
Voices from the Field: Children of Migrant Farm Workers Tell Their Stories by S. Beth Atkins
Landed by Milly Lee
Discussion questions:
- How would a child react to this book?
- How could you use it to compare a historical vs. "current" point of view?
- What is gained from the photos/illustrations?
- Could you use this book to combat stereotypes?
- How would you use this in a classroom/program setting?
- How does Landed fit with immigration stories and stereotypes today?
- How do you feel about the way A Shelter in Our Car relates homelessness and immigrationz? What is it teaching? What isn't it teaching? How does the author's note help?
Much of the resources from this post come directly from Casey Ince and her presentation called "Homelessness, Immigration, and Refugees in Children's Literature."
Organizations:
Hear Us
Hear Us is a unique, effective national nonprofit organization dedicated to giving voice and visibility to homeless children and youth. One of the missions of the organization is to produce poignant films and books that are used by educators, social service personnel and other audiences to call attention to the invisible crisis of millions of families with children and young people who struggle without a place to call home.
BRYCS provides national technical assistance to organizations serving refugees and immigrants so that all newcomer children and youth can reach their potential. They strive to increase information-sharing and collaboration among refugee-serving and mainstream agencies at the local, state, regional, and national levels resulting in a more coordinated and effective service system for refugee children and youth The also facilitate knowledge building and dissemination for the field of refugee child welfare, building an institutionalized memory for years to come.
Other books of interest:
A Family of Five or Six Written by Pat Van Doren and illustrated by Wanda Platt
Homelessness happens in many ways-Michael and his family landed in a tent following a powerful storm. Family separation, struggles of "camping" without prospects of going home, and difficulties of doing school work at a picnic table are just some of the authentic experiences of this family. What makes Family even more realistic may be found inside. Young students from Carrollwood Day School in Tampa, FL provided artwork and collaborated on the story, sharing valuable insights from their 5th and 6th grade perspective. (Ages 5+)
Where Can I Build My Volcano? by Pat Van Doren and illustrated by Wanda Platt
Young Susan and her mom end up homeless the way so many families do—losing their humble home, grasping onto a friend or family member to stay with, sleeping in a car, then turning to the dreaded shelter. Day-to-day ordeals unfold for Susan both in school and at the shelter. Her world reflects the reality of so many young kids in similar situations—coping with the anxiety of not having a home of their own.(Ages 5+)
The Can Man by Laura E. Williams and illustrated by Craig Orback
After watching a homeless man collect empty soft drink cans for the redemption money, a young boy decides to collect cans himself to earn money for a skateboard until he has a change of heart. (Age 6+)
Rich: A Dyamonde Daniel Book by Nikki Grimes and illustrated by R. Gregory Christie
Free is excited about a local poetry contest because of its cash prize, but when he and Dyamonde befriend a classmate who is homeless and living in a shelter, they rethink what it means to be rich or poor. (Ages 6-9)
At the Sound of the Beep by Marilyn Sachs
Mathew and Mathilda Green run away to San Francisco and take refuge in Golden Gate Park. But no one is safe in this haven for the homeless, because someone is murdering the people who call it home. And unknowingly, Mathew and Mathilda are being drawn into the world of the killer. (Ages 8-12)
It's Our World, Too! Young People Who Are Making a Difference: How They Do It - How You Can, Too! by Phillip M. Hoose
Containing more than a dozen accounts of children who have worked for everything from racial equality to world peace, this book demonstrates how youth have fought for what's right, then offers ideas about how to get involved. (Ages 10+)
We are Americans : Voices of the Immigrant Experience by Dorothy and Thomas Hoobler
A history of immigration to America, from speculation about the earliest immigrants to the present day.Personal stories, writings, and anecdotes appear in sidebars throughout and excellent-quality, black-and-white archival photos and reproductions highlight the text. (Ages 10+)
Additional Booklists and Resources:
A list of 30 children’s books that relate to refugees and immigrants from a child’s point of view. Booklist includes a summary of each book and target reading level.
Online activities and resources designed to help students be aware and better understand the issues surrounding immigrants and refugees.
A list of books, resources and curriculum about homelessness and related topics. All of the children’s books are identified by reading level and give a short summary of the book
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