Melena's Jubilee

by Zetta Elliott

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Pub Date Nov 08 2016 | Archive Date Sep 30 2016

Description

At breakfast she learns she has been given a “fresh start,” and she decides to celebrate by doing things differently for the rest of the day. Melena chooses not to fight with her brother, and shares the money she has rather than demanding to be repaid by a less fortunate friend. This story introduces children to the concept of jubilee, which stresses the important principles of debt relief, generosity, and forgiveness. Aaron Boyd’s mixed-media illustrations are as bright and vivid as a sun-washed day. Fountas & Pinnell Level M

Advance Praise

"This cheerful meditation on starting over features a character that's hard not to love." - Kirkus Reviews
"Elliott (Bird) weaves a contemplative and thought-provoking story of new beginnings as a brown-skinned girl named Melena wakes up 'with a song in my heart.'...Befitting the sense of grace that Melena clings to, Boyd’s (Luigi and the Barefoot Races) vibrant mixed-media images evoke the heft and poise of stained glass windows, whether showing Melena and her elders picking garden vegetables or the girl and her friends perched on the jungle gym, gazing at swirling clouds. An extensive author’s note delves into the historical concept of jubilee and ties the book’s messages to grassroots activism, social justice, and community self-improvement." - Publishers Weekly

Available Editions

EDITION	Other Format
ISBN	9780884484431
PRICE	$16.95 (USD)

Additional Information

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Featured Reviews

Librarian 356790

This is a great reminder to children of the joys that kindness, generosity, and grace can bring to you. Instead of forcing her way through the day, Melena considers others first and treats the day as a fresh start, putting all her problems from yesterday behind her.

Recommended for one-on-one reading with older pre-readers, or for independent reading for young readers. The seven tips to your own Fresh Start Day are a nice addition, as is the author's note on the significance of the concept of jubilee in African-American history and the importance of debt relief to struggling peoples and nations.

This may not serve as a great read-aloud book to groups -- maybe to elementary age groups of children, but not younger. It is very text-heavy, but the illustrations are beautiful and the story will hold the attention of older readers in a group.