Song of Be
Publication Information
Author:  Beake, Lesley	Illustrator:
Title:  Song of Be	Date:  1995
Publisher:  Penguin	City:  New York
ISBN, paperback:	ISBN, hardback:  0-14-037498-1
Recommended audience:
ABE/ABLE:   Yes	ESOL:
Family:	Young Adult:   Yes
Picture:
General Information:
Book Type(s):    fiction
HSE Descriptor(s):    social studies
Summary:
When Be was a child, she and her mother left their people--the Namibian Bushmen--to work on a white man's plantation. Spending time with her grandfather helps her forget how much she misses others. With Namibia on the verge of freedom, Be finds the courage to take a stand for her people.
Teaching Ideas:
This is a genuinely good read--two OLRC reviews didn't want the story to end. The characters are well drawn and authentic, so character study is a possibility. Teachers might want to invite comparison of Be's culture with our culture in terms of family, work, government, daily life, etc. Be's growing understanding of her past and present circumstances would also be a good focus. Teachers could use this book to introduce the literary convention of flashback. www.africa.com
Keywords: select any link below for a list of resources which also have that keyword
Social Studies > anthropology > cultures Emotions-Personal Issues > personal issues > individual > coming-of-age Family > grandparents > grandfathers Geography > locations > continents/regions > Africa Hardships > persecution Communities > rural Literature and Language > figurative language > flashbacks

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