The Secret Seder

The story of a young Jewish boy, this book is set in a time when being a Jew meant death or imprisonment. This is a story of hope. Jacques and his father travel to take part in the Seder, a Passover meal. When recitiing the four questions, the older men begin to add answers to the questions that deal with the present trials they were facing. The story explains what the Seder is well enough that a non-Jewish person can begin to understand its importance in the Jewish culture. This is an important book for Brooklyn because of the different cultures that merge here. We need to be cognizant of each culture.
http://www.doreenrappaport.com/b_seder.html Rappaport, D. and McCully, E. (2005) The Secret Seder. Hyperion Books: New York

Martin's Big Words

In Martin's Big Words, Rappaport uses her voice alongside Martin Luther King, Jr.'s to tell the story of Dr. King's life. The book spans Dr. King's life from young boy through the time of his death leaving us with hope that his "big words" still live on.

Rappaport, D. and Collier, B. (2001) Martin's Big Words. New York: HarperCollins.

John's Secret Dreams: The Life of John Lennon

Illustrations created using collage and water colors are visually appealing. Music lyrics and quotes are interspersed with free-verse poetry to tell the story of John Lennon's life. The book ends with a timeline of important dates in this musician's life. An interesting way to include 20th century history into a music class or social studies lesson. Teachers could bring music to entice students' interests of a controversial time in the world's history.

Rappaport, D. (2004). John's Secret Dreams. New York City, Hyperion Books for Children