Annotated Bibliography

Books for Kids – grades K-6

Hunger and Poverty

Atkin, S. Beth.  Voices From the Field: Children of Migrant Farmworkers Tell Their Stories.  Boston: Little, Brown, and Company, 1993.

            Combines interviews with children of migrant farmer families with photographs and original poetry.  A beautiful portrayal of the struggles this population faces, as well as those of many recent immigrants and minority groups in the United States.  Grades 3-6

Berck, Judith, forward by Robert Coles.  No Place to Be: Voices of Homeless Children.  Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1992.

            An excellent overview of the issues of poverty and homelessness, particularly as they affect children.  Includes excerpts from interviews with homeless children, poems, and photos.  Grades 3-6

Cooper, Melrose, illustrated by Nneka Bennett.  Gettin’ Through Thursday.  New York: Lee and Low Books, 1998.

For André and his family, it’s always a struggle to get through the week until Mom gets her paycheck on Friday.  When he makes the honor roll at school on Thursday, though, his family has an extra special celebration.  Grades K-2.

DiSalvo-Ryan, DyAnne.  Uncle Willie and the Soup Kitchen.  New York: Mulberry Paperback Book, 1991.

            A young boy learns about hunger and poverty in his community by volunteering with his Uncle Willie at the local soup kitchen.  A useful introduction to the emergency food network and other local efforts to fight hunger. Grades K-2

Fox, Paula.  Monkey Island.  New York: Orchard Books, 1991.

One boy’s adventures living in a park for several months after his mom abandoned him at the shelter in which they had been staying.  An adventure story with a positive ending emphasizing that anyone could face circumstances causing homelessness.  Grades 3-6

Hazen, Barbara Shook, illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman.  Tight Times.  New York: The Viking Press, 1979.

            A young boy struggles with the frustration of wanting a dog when his father has lost his job.  May be used to stimulate discussion about circumstances that cause people to go hungry.  Grades K-2

Howard, Tracy Apple, and Sage Howard.  Kids Ending Hunger: What Can We Do? A Get-Into-Action Book for Kids and Their Parents and Teachers.  Kansas City: Andrews and McMeel, 1992.

            An excellent book that uses stories, cartoons, and activities to teach kids about global and domestic hunger.  A section entitled “50 Things Kids Can Do to End Hunger” and an extensive resource guide provide the tools kids and their teachers need to get involved.  Grades 3 and up

Hubbard, Jim.  Lives Turned Upside Down: Homeless Children in Their Own Words and Photographs.  New York: Simon & Schuster, 1996.

            Jim Hubbard is founder of Shooting Back, a program that gives at-risk youth the chance to document their own lives through photography. Combining interviews with homeless children, and with their own photographs, the book personalizes the issue of homelessness and testifies to the spirit and resilience of young people.  Grades 3-6

Mathis, Sharon Bell.  Sidewalk Story.  New York: Viking Press, 1971.

            Lilly Etta is upset when her friend’s family is evicted from their apartment and no one seems to care.  Her determination to make someone pay attention brings about an extraordinary outcome.  This book demonstrates the difference that one committed person can make.  Grades 3-5

McCourt, Lisa, illustrated by Tim Ladwig.  Chicken Soup for Little Souls: The Braids Girl.   Deerfield Beach: Health Communications, 1998.

Izzy meets the Braids Girl when she volunteers with her grandpa at a shelter. The Braids Girl really wants not Izzy’s old clothes, but her friendship. The story  illustrates our common need for love and companionship regardless of age, race, gender, or social standing.  Grades K-2

McGovern, Ann, illustrated by Marni Backer.  The Lady in the Box.  New York: Turtle Books, 1997.

A storybook about two young children who notice a homeless woman in their neighborhood and are inspired to help by volunteering at a local soup kitchen.  Grades K-2.

Rosen, Michael J., editor.  Home: A Collaboration of Thirty Distinguished Authors and Illustrators of Children’s Books to Aid the Homeless.  New York: HarperCollins Publishers, 1992.

            In this fun and colorful volume, thirty authors and illustrators of children’s books reflect on the meaning of home.  Proceeds from the sale of this book go to benefit Share Our Strength, a national non-profit organization working to end hunger in the United States and around the world.  Grades K-6

Tolan, Stephanie S., illustrated by Susan Avishai.  Sophie and the Sidewalk Man.  New York: Four Winds Press, 1992.

            Sophie is saving all of her money to buy the teddy bear she desperately wants from the toy store.  When she notices a homeless man sitting on the sidewalk, however, she realizes that sharing is a lot more important.  Grades 3-6

Versfeld, Ruth.  Why Are People Hungry?. New York: Gloucester Press, 1988.

            This book introduces the concept of chronic hunger and reasons why people are hungry  world wide.  Touches on issues of colonialism, natural disasters, the global economy, foreign aid, joblessness, and the high cost of living.  Grades K-6

Wolf, Bernard.  Homeless.  New York: Orchard Books, 1995.

            A collection of photographs illustrating one boy’s experience living in a homeless shelter.  A positive, dignified portrayal that raises many of the issues related to poverty and homelessness.  Grades K-6

Food and Nutrition

Ancona, George.  Bananas: From Manolo to Margie.  New York: Clarion Books, 1982.

A picture book that traces the path of a banana from Manolo’s village in Honduras to the street vendor’s stand in New York City where Margie and her mom are shopping.  Provides a good illustration of where the food we eat originates. Grades K-2

Burns, Marilyn, illustrated by Sandy Clifford.  Good For Me!: All About Food in 32 Bites.  Boston: Little Brown and Company, 1978.

            An excellent introduction to good nutrition for kids of all ages, using games and cartoons.  Includes sections on the food production system, the history and origin of various foods, and foods from around the world.  Grades 4 and up

Kalman, Bobby, and Susan Hughes.  The Food We Eat.  Toronto: Crabtree Publishing Company, 1986.

            A colorful book that introduces issues of nutrition, the food system, and foods from various cultures.  Provides stories and discussion questions to accompany the illustrations.  Grades K-2

Rosen, Michael J., editor and illustrator.  Food Fight: Poets Join the Fight Against Hunger With Poems to Favorite Foods.  San Diego: Harcourt Brace & Company, 1996.

This volume is a compilation of wonderful poems about food, written by 33 children’s book authors and illustrated by editor Michael J. Rosen. Grades K-6.

Rosen, Michael J., editor.  The Greatest Table: A Banquet to Fight Against Hunger.  San Diego: Harcourt Brace & Company, 1994.

            “The greatest table isn’t set inside a single home—oh no, it spans the continents, and no one eats alone…”  A twelve-foot long accordion book featuring the work of 16 guest artists on the theme of food and eating together. Grades K-6

Solheim, James, illustrated by Eric Brace.  It’s Disgusting and We Ate It: True Food Facts From Around the World and Throughout History.  New York: Scholastic Inc, 1998.

A unique book about all of the weird things that people eat that is fun and informative for people of all ages!  Can be used to initiate a discussion about the history of food as well as its cultural significance throughout the world.  Grades K and up

Books for grades 7-12

Brown, Larry J. & Pizer, H.F. (1987) Living Hungry in America. MacMillian:NY.

Ehrenreich, Barbara. (2001). Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America.

Henry Holt & Co.:NY

        Investigative report on the status of people trying to live on low wages in service jobs. The author goes undercover to work a number of jobs and live the life of a working poor person.

Folbre, Nancy. (1995). The New Field Guide To The U.S. Economy. The New Press: NY 

Source for statistical information using political cartoon, graphs, charts, and easily understood descriptions of what is happening currently to the economy.  Excellent for visual learners, or those with math phobia.

Grisham, John. (1998). The Street Lawyer. Doubleday: NY.

A popular writer’s view of a homeless shelter.

Hatkoff, Amy & Klopp, Karen. (1993). How To Save The Children. NY:Simon & Schuster.

Karnes, Frances & Bean, Suzanne. (1993) Girls and Young Women Leading the Way. Free Spirit.  

Poppendieck, Janet. (1998). Sweet Charity? Emergency Food and the End of      Entitlement. Viking: NY.

            Sociological view of the evolution of emergency food programs across the U.S. from 1970’s. Creates argument that reliance on voluntary charity relief efforts removes the burden of support from the government. High school.

Shirk, M., Bennett, N., and Aber, L.(ed) (1999). Lives On The Line American Families     

Struggle To Make Ends Meet. Westview Press: Boulder, CO.

            Examination of the difficulties families living in or at poverty level have in different parts of the U.S. Told in the words of the family members with information on their specific monthly budget concerns.

Videos for Kids

(Videos available on loan from Church World Service, 1-800-297-1516, ext. 338)

Charlie Cheddar’s Choice (13 min)

A friendly mouse, Charlie, introduces youngsters to some basic facts about hunger and some responses.  Charlie has a series of dreams that prompt him to read, think, and take action.

Helping the Homeless: One Boy’s Crusade (6 min)

The inspiring story of eight year-old Jerry Evans, who took it upon himself to help raise money for a local homeless shelter that was in danger of closing for lack of funds.  Illustrates the difference one young person can make when she/he decides to take a stand against hunger and homelessness. 

Shooting Back: Photography By Homeless Children (30 min)

            Homeless and “at-risk” young people in Washington, DC, take part in

photography workshops that give them an opportunity to shoot back.  A look at life in the shelters through the eyes of children.

Time Out (15 min)

Tuning out of class and into global discovery, three middle school students see beyond their own world—to children in Latin America, the health and water situations in parts of West Africa, and the realities of refugee life in Southern Asia.

Videos about hunger awareness and community service are also available from The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts.  Contact the Community Service Coordinator at (413) 247-9738.

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