This book is about a boy in Haiti named Josias. In the beginning of the book, he is mainly concerned with why his bean plant won't grow. His friends ask him every day, sometimes twice a day, why he doesn't go to school with them, to which he replies, "I have no use for reading and writing when there is a garden to water." One day, his friend brings home a book for him about gardening, and Josias finally begins to understand the importance of learning. Without school, he would not be able to read and would not be able to gain knowledge from this book about the subject he is interested in. By the end of the book, Josias and his parents have decided that he would attend school.
Uses: I would use this to show one of the different perspectives held about school by children in other countries. It is a very hands-on and personal way to learn about another culture.
Medium: watercolor

I absolutely loved reading Josias, Hold the Book. I loved this book because it utilizes figurative language and has great characterization. Right from the start of the book is examples of figurative language. On the first page the author says, “He wiped the sweat from his brow as the Haitian sun climbed higher in the sky.” This use of personification allows the reader to create a mental image in his or her head of the setting and where this story takes place. I love that it sets the tone for the rest of the story. I also enjoyed the characterization of Josias. I think he is a great example of a hard worker. Josias is depicted as dedicated and respectful of his family. He will do whatever it takes to help them grow their beans and fulfill his responsibilities. He says, “Nothing is growing. I must think of something else.” I love his dedication and I think it sets a good example for the reader. The main theme I took from this book is that determination and hard work will get you through anything. By utilizing books and resources, you can accomplish more than you thought possible. ( )

I enjoyed this book for many reasons. Firstly, I liked the language of this book because it portrayed the culture and setting of the characters in the book. For example, the author used the term “hold the book” instead of “go to school” in order to portray the language that would be used in Haiti. Secondly, I enjoyed the character development of Josias in the book. For instance, Josias does not want to go to school at the beginning, but then he realizes that he will learn to farm better at school and decides to “hold the book.” I think that this expresses great growth in Josias, and I like that he was able to learn more as the book progressed. The big idea of this story is that school can teach you about anything and can help you in ways you never imagined. ( )

A lovely story about the importance of education to a child in Haiti who's trying to figure out how he can best help support his family. The story avoids sentimentality and achieves power through focusing on how one child solved a problem. The author’s note at the end provides context. ( )