Indian Shoes by: Cynthia Smith (multicultural)

This story follows the relationship of Ray Halfmoon and his grandfather through various heartwarming and humorous events. This realistic fiction story describes common experiences of any current young boy living in the city. The grandfather conveys his love and generosity towards Ray Halfmoon as he is always there to lend a helping hand.

The two characters in this book are of Seminole-Cherokee heritage. Most books portraying experiences of Native Americans focus on the traditional aspects of Indian culture. This book is a nice alternative because the context and setting is current and relatable. The grandfather frequently interjects throughout the story, giving the reader information about Native American culture.

If you are trying to ensure to incorporate books that portray different cultural experiences, I think this book is fantastic choice. It gives authentic details of indian tradition and in addition, it allows readers to understand that "multicultural" really is not anything too foreign or different that we cannot relate.

This is a great book for an emerging independent reader because it includes illustrations to complement the text. While the book maintains a central theme, the six short stories allow it to be read in small portions. I would use this book as a read-aloud when there is spare time in class. For example, if there is a transition period where there is a lapse of time, I would use this book as a read-aloud. Since the chapters are only about ten pages in length (pictures and large text), this is a realistic possibility. It is also a great choice for recreational read-aloud literature because the plot is lighthearted and comical. This will keep students interested and engaged.