“At the Edge: Daring Acts in Desperate Times”

Empathy is largely a learned attribute. Our personal experiences are probably the most formative part of the development of empathy — the kindness, loving care and support we receive at home, school and through friendships.

We can also learn a lot of empathetic behaviors from reading books that describe good deeds as well as stories that describe what it’s like to be the victim of cruel, unjust behavior.

Today’s reviewed books reflect these kinds of stories. Anything we can do to expose children to books (and our own good example) that help develop empathy is both sorely needed and time well spent.

Books to Borrow

The following book is available at many public libraries.

“Goin’ Someplace Special” by Patricia C. McKissack, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney, Atheneum, 36 pages; read aloud: age 4 to 5 and older; read yourself: age 8 and older.In a 1950s southern town, an African-American girl, Tricia Ann, lives with her grandmother, Mama Frances. One day, Tricia Ann wants to go to Someplace Special by herself. Her grandmother hesitates, but finally relents, telling Tricia Ann, “And no matter what, hold your head up and act like you belong to somebody.”On her journey, Tricia Ann encounters stinging signs of prejudice everywhere. Then, in front of a beautiful hotel, she is swept up in a crowd of people who are there to see a famous celebrity. Suddenly, Tricia Ann is inside the hotel, and it is quickly and loudly made clear she wasn’t allowed to be there.Being cast out of the hotel, Tricia Ann heads for the sanctuary of the Mission Church ruins. There, she meets the kind and gentle Blooming Mary who listens to Tricia Ann’s story and encourages her hear her granny’s words. As Tricia Ann listened, she heard her grandmother’s steady voice, telling her, “You are somebody, a human being — no better, no worse than anybody else in this world … don’t study on quittin’, just keep walking straight ahead — and you’ll make it.”And that’s just what Tricia Ann did. Finally, Tricia Ann arrived at Someplace Special. She looked up and read the message chiseled in stone across the front of the building: PUBLIC LIBRARY: ALL ARE WELCOME.Based on the true events in author Patricia C. McKissack’s young life, this powerful story should be required reading.Librarian’s Choice

Library: Mars Public Library, 107 Grand Ave., Mars

Library Director: Mary Jo Simons

Choices this week: “Welcome to Molly’s World, 1944” by Catherine Gourley;

“Wiggle” by Doreen Cronin;

“Who is Melvin Bubble?” by Nick BruelBooks to BuyThe following books are available at favorite bookstores.

“At the Edge: Daring Acts in Desperate Times” by Larry Verstraete, various photo credits, Scholastic, 2010, 179 pages, $6.99 paperback; read aloud: age 7 to 8 and older; read yourself: age 10 and older.Through 36 incredible true accounts, readers learn of heroic acts of people who didn’t necessarily consider themselves brave or heroic. Yet, these people faced overwhelming situations, and their choices show great courage, strength of character and ultimately a constitution that exudes compassion and empathy.At once riveting, historical and inspiring, this selection is certain to cause readers to think and deepen their sense of empathy.

“Alexander Hamilton: The Outsider” by Jean Fritz, illustrated by Ian Schoenherr, G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2011, 132 pages, $16.99 hardcover; read aloud: age 8 to 9 and older; read yourself: age 10 to 11 and older.Award-winning biographer Jean Fritz delivers an intriguing account of one of America’s founding fathers, Alexander Hamilton.Having always felt like an outsider, Hamilton left the British West Indies and arrived in New York just before the Revolutionary War. He fought relentlessly for the cause of the American Patriots, and became an invaluable aide to General Washington. Later, Hamilton’s intellect, loyalty, and honor placed him in decisive, influential roles that helped form our new nation.Loaded with historical information that reads like an adventure story, this selection is outstanding in every way.Nationally syndicated, Kendal Rautzhan writes and lectures on children’s literature. She can be reached at www.greatestbooksforkids.com