Overview and Outcomes:

Through the course of this Writing Root, children will be mirroring the Suitcase Project completed by Amara in the book.  Children will need a box (a shoebox would be suitable) to collect items.  The project is timed with children moving on to secondary school and is aimed at helping them understand themselves and answer the question, What makes you, you? Planned opportunities include letters, diaries, memory maps, recipe instructions, leaflets, poems and a biography.  Alongside the sequence of learning, children could be set homework to gather additional items such as quotes, photos, interviews, recipes, music lyrics and maps that are meaningful to them. There is a helpful list at the back of the book that may provide inspiration.

Synopsis of Text:

All Amara wants for her birthday is to visit her father's family in New York City - Harlem. She can't wait to finally meet her Grandpa Earl and cousins in person, and to stay in the brownstone where her father grew up. Maybe this will help her understand her family - and herself - in a new way. But New York City is not exactly what Amara thought it would be. It's noisy, crowded, confusing, and her cousins can be mean. Plus her father is too busy working to spend time with her and too angry to fix his relationship with Grandpa Earl. Amara can't help wondering, even if she does discover more about where she came from, will it help her know where she belongs?

Text Rationale:

This rich and inspiring novel provides the context for children to navigate their own personal journey of discovery, mirroring the experiences of the main character as she strives to understand her roots. Presented as a transition sequence of learning, it will help children explore the unique qualities that make them who they are as they move on to secondary school. Significant links are made to black history through exploration of key figures from Harlem and the story is told from the perspective of a powerful female protagonist.

Links and Themes:

Transition, suitcase, project, roots, poetry, America, USA, Harlem

Date written: January 2020