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Hair for Mama
It’s family picture time for the Carters, but Mama does not want to be in the photo this year. All of her beautiful hair is gone because of chemotherapy treatments for her cancer, and she doesn’t want to be remembered without hair. Eight-year-old Marcus knows that the picture won’t be the same without Mama, so he comes up with a plan to find her some hair and make her better. Even though the plan doesn’t work in quite the way Marcus expects, he comes to understand that “hair is nice to have, but not as nice as me having Mama and Mama having me.” This is a story for every family dealing with a serious illness. It is told with a touch of gentle humor in a style that children will readily understand, and the warm and inviting illustrations will bring comfort and hope to young and old alike.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published May 10, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
April 25, 2008
MUST-READ. It speaks about cancer in a way that is accessible to children, and is one of the sweetest books I've read in a while.
February 18, 2012
Hair For My Mama is a heartwarming story written by Kelly A. Tinkham and illustrated by Amy June Bates. This realistic fiction picture book is the story of eight-year-old Marcus as he attempts to find hair for his mother after her cancer treatments cause her to loose it. Each year Marcus’ family takes a portrait in October with the changing colors of nature as the backdrop. Eight year olds take comfort and security in routines and traditions. Marcus feels the unsettling affects of his mother’s illness when she doesn’t want to be in the picture. With the innocence of a young child, Marcus thinks if he gives his own hair to her she will get better (or at least feel well enough to be in the picture). “But without hair, you won’t get better! Who will be my mama if you go away?” All ends well for Marcus and his family when months later we discover her cancer is in remission.
Tinkham’s first person narrative captures the emotions from the point of view of a young child when she writes, “Inside my heart felt tighter than the knots Papa made when he tied my shoes.” What young child could not relate to that? We learn from the back cover that Tinkham is a cancer survivor and the idea for this book came out of her own experience with her children while going through cancer treatments. She writes with the authenticity that only first hand experience can bring. Thankfully, like Marcus’ mother she also had a happy ending. Bates’ blue and brown watercolor illustrations work well with Tinkham’s words to set the mood of pain and angst as the family experience this life-changing event.
Well-written realistic fiction provides an opportunity for people experiencing the same situation to see their lives mirrored in literature. It offers validation and comfort in the words that let them know they are not alone. For young children it is an opportunity for dialogue on a subject that might be too difficult to discuss otherwise. Novelist suggests an age range of Pre-kindergarten to 3rd grade and a Lexile reading level of 530. I can see this text being read aloud in a classroom setting where one of the students is going through the same situation. A discussion about what that child needs in the way of comfort can be discussed. Perhaps that child just simply needs understanding that they are going through a rough time in their life. Sometimes children simply do not want to discuss their feelings and the classroom might serve as a place where they can forget. I also see this text being used by social workers and parents to open up a dialogue into what children are thinking and felling. It should be noted that while this story worked out well, not all cancer situations do. Therefore, when choosing the appropriate text one should consider it’s content.
Tinkham’s first person narrative captures the emotions from the point of view of a young child when she writes, “Inside my heart felt tighter than the knots Papa made when he tied my shoes.” What young child could not relate to that? We learn from the back cover that Tinkham is a cancer survivor and the idea for this book came out of her own experience with her children while going through cancer treatments. She writes with the authenticity that only first hand experience can bring. Thankfully, like Marcus’ mother she also had a happy ending. Bates’ blue and brown watercolor illustrations work well with Tinkham’s words to set the mood of pain and angst as the family experience this life-changing event.
Well-written realistic fiction provides an opportunity for people experiencing the same situation to see their lives mirrored in literature. It offers validation and comfort in the words that let them know they are not alone. For young children it is an opportunity for dialogue on a subject that might be too difficult to discuss otherwise. Novelist suggests an age range of Pre-kindergarten to 3rd grade and a Lexile reading level of 530. I can see this text being read aloud in a classroom setting where one of the students is going through the same situation. A discussion about what that child needs in the way of comfort can be discussed. Perhaps that child just simply needs understanding that they are going through a rough time in their life. Sometimes children simply do not want to discuss their feelings and the classroom might serve as a place where they can forget. I also see this text being used by social workers and parents to open up a dialogue into what children are thinking and felling. It should be noted that while this story worked out well, not all cancer situations do. Therefore, when choosing the appropriate text one should consider it’s content.
October 25, 2009
Summary-
Hair for Mama is a picture book for kindergarten to 3rd graders. It is a story about an 8-year-old names Marcus and his family. Every October they take a family picture. He says that hair is important to his family. For the picture his brother and father wear their hair natural, his sister likes little braids, he gets a fade cut, and his mother swoops her braids together like a beautiful black crown.
Marcus’s mother tells him that she has Cancer. She takes medicine to make her feel better (chemotherapy), but it makes her hair fall out too. Now that she doesn’t have hair, she doesn’t want to be in the picture. Marcus decides to have the barber shave his head so he can give it to his mama. Unfortunately, the barber sweeps the hair up before Marcus knows it. He gets upset, talks to his father and mother, and comes to the realization that hair is nice to have, but his family was much more important.
Response-
When I found out that this story was based from a true story, it made it so much more meaningful to me. I also enjoyed that it was written from an 8-year-old’s perspective. The author doesn’t give that many details about Cancer, chemotherapy, or the possibility of death. These subjects are lightly insinuated, but a younger child without any background knowledge would not dwell on them. This book would be a great introduction to Cancer without giving too many upsetting details to younger readers. The illustrations in this book were wonderful. A nonreader would be able to understand the emotions in this book just by looking at the pictures.
Hair for Mama is a picture book for kindergarten to 3rd graders. It is a story about an 8-year-old names Marcus and his family. Every October they take a family picture. He says that hair is important to his family. For the picture his brother and father wear their hair natural, his sister likes little braids, he gets a fade cut, and his mother swoops her braids together like a beautiful black crown.
Marcus’s mother tells him that she has Cancer. She takes medicine to make her feel better (chemotherapy), but it makes her hair fall out too. Now that she doesn’t have hair, she doesn’t want to be in the picture. Marcus decides to have the barber shave his head so he can give it to his mama. Unfortunately, the barber sweeps the hair up before Marcus knows it. He gets upset, talks to his father and mother, and comes to the realization that hair is nice to have, but his family was much more important.
Response-
When I found out that this story was based from a true story, it made it so much more meaningful to me. I also enjoyed that it was written from an 8-year-old’s perspective. The author doesn’t give that many details about Cancer, chemotherapy, or the possibility of death. These subjects are lightly insinuated, but a younger child without any background knowledge would not dwell on them. This book would be a great introduction to Cancer without giving too many upsetting details to younger readers. The illustrations in this book were wonderful. A nonreader would be able to understand the emotions in this book just by looking at the pictures.
July 7, 2017
Hair for Mama is a heartstrings-tugging picture book on its own, but when you discover it comes from a true story, it grows all the more special and important. It is the story of a young boy who watches his mother lose her hair during chemotherapy and does all he can to give her back hair (and by extension, her health). But of course, it doesn't turn out as he planned--and that's okay because he learns what is most important of all.
September 28, 2013
This book just about made me cry. It takes a special kind of child to be as selfless as this child was and, you don't come across that very often. I absolutely loved it and, the illustrations were beautiful as well. This book is definitely at the top of my list of great books.
September 13, 2019
This book was a heart-warming story that talks about a difficult time that some families go through.
April 13, 2018
Text-to-World Connection: Compassion and support
This book is for helping students understand how to be supportive when they have a family member, friend or someone they know is going through Cancer. I loved how innocent the storyline was of the young son's actions for wanting to help his mother. His actions were a great example of how to be supportive of a loved one. Explain to the students that the length the main character went through to show his mother love was a great act of love. However, they do not have to go to that extreme. All they need to take out of the story is to show that kind of love would be enough. This book opens the window for dialogue about Cancer, and how it is not just happening to certain people. That it is a disease that affects everyone in the world, even children their age. Additionally, have a dialogue about how being there for someone helps the person go through their illness. Share with them the importance of getting their yearly medical example also they can be ambassadors of health for their family and remind them as well to get annual checkups.
One activity to do with the students is to have them create get well cards for children at the local children's cancer or any terminal illness hospital. Also, have them write a letter to their family explaining why they should get annual checkups and the importance of showing kindness to those who are going through these types of illness.
This book is for helping students understand how to be supportive when they have a family member, friend or someone they know is going through Cancer. I loved how innocent the storyline was of the young son's actions for wanting to help his mother. His actions were a great example of how to be supportive of a loved one. Explain to the students that the length the main character went through to show his mother love was a great act of love. However, they do not have to go to that extreme. All they need to take out of the story is to show that kind of love would be enough. This book opens the window for dialogue about Cancer, and how it is not just happening to certain people. That it is a disease that affects everyone in the world, even children their age. Additionally, have a dialogue about how being there for someone helps the person go through their illness. Share with them the importance of getting their yearly medical example also they can be ambassadors of health for their family and remind them as well to get annual checkups.
One activity to do with the students is to have them create get well cards for children at the local children's cancer or any terminal illness hospital. Also, have them write a letter to their family explaining why they should get annual checkups and the importance of showing kindness to those who are going through these types of illness.
October 30, 2016
This book is a wonderful realistic fiction story that briefly discusses what a child might go through when his or her mother has cancer. This story is about a 7 year old child named Marcus that takes pictures with his family each fall. They buy new clothes and get their hair done in order to take beautiful pictures. When Marcus' mom finds out that she has cancer, she starts chemotherapy. With the treatment, Mama's hair falls out and she is very weak. Marcus starts thinking of ideas to help Mama feel more confident since she doesn't have any hair. He soon finds out that giving Mama hair again won't help her get better and patiently waits for his mom to get well.
I read this to my group of second grade students and many of them could relate to having someone in their family that has battled cancer. We were able to have various discussions about what cancer is, how it affects the people who have it and what is currently going on to help those who have this disease. We had to break this story into two days. After the first day students couldn't wait to hear what happened between Marcus, Mama and the family. I would definitely recommend this book to open up a discussion about cancer with students or children in a family at home.
Content, descriptive language and a great life lesson makes this book a WOW book!
I read this to my group of second grade students and many of them could relate to having someone in their family that has battled cancer. We were able to have various discussions about what cancer is, how it affects the people who have it and what is currently going on to help those who have this disease. We had to break this story into two days. After the first day students couldn't wait to hear what happened between Marcus, Mama and the family. I would definitely recommend this book to open up a discussion about cancer with students or children in a family at home.
Content, descriptive language and a great life lesson makes this book a WOW book!
February 21, 2010
Approximate Interest Level/Reading Level: Elementary
Format: Picture Book
Awards: Notable Social Studies Trade Books (2008)
Inspired by a conversation with her children about her chemotherapy and her son’s offer to give her his hair after hers fell out, author Kelly Tinkman weaves an earnest story about an 8 year old boy who actually does cut off all of his hair to give to his disheartened mother who no longer wants to participate in their annual family photo. A mishap at the barber shop thwarts his good intentions, but his devotion and persistence awakens her weary heart.
This book has the potential to provide comfort for children who have a loved one dealing with cancer and assist in creating a fundamental understanding of the debilitating effects of having a very serious illness as well as the side effects of undergoing chemotherapy.
Format: Picture Book
Awards: Notable Social Studies Trade Books (2008)
Inspired by a conversation with her children about her chemotherapy and her son’s offer to give her his hair after hers fell out, author Kelly Tinkman weaves an earnest story about an 8 year old boy who actually does cut off all of his hair to give to his disheartened mother who no longer wants to participate in their annual family photo. A mishap at the barber shop thwarts his good intentions, but his devotion and persistence awakens her weary heart.
This book has the potential to provide comfort for children who have a loved one dealing with cancer and assist in creating a fundamental understanding of the debilitating effects of having a very serious illness as well as the side effects of undergoing chemotherapy.
January 28, 2012
This book touched my heart. My cousins daughter died of cancer at a young age, she didn't enjoy being around "healthy" kids because they would make fun of her because she didn't have hair; because of that it really upsets me when children are... Intolerant? Scared of? people without hair. I really love this book because it can help children understand that it's ok, and that sadly, sometimes, people can't help it. The story is very touching and I think all parents/carers should read this to their children. I certainly will.
September 7, 2007
This heartwarming story is perfectly complimented by the gorgeously cozy illustrations.
April 13, 2008
Bawled right in the middle of the youth department with this one.
March 23, 2009
Show-me reader 2010-2011.
Oh so-sweet book about a boy whose mother loses her hair with chemo.
Oh so-sweet book about a boy whose mother loses her hair with chemo.
October 21, 2010
This book brought tears to my eyes as the spirit of the family and uneasiness of discussing cancer come together when a family copes with their mother having cancer. Every October, the Carters have their picture taken outside with the fall colors being the beautiful backdrop of their family portrait. This year, Mama will not have any hair because the chemotherapy has left her bald. Mama has been feeling sick lately and doesn’t want her picture taken without hair. Eight-year-old Marcus tries desperately to think of a way to give Mama hair for the picture. They go to the mall and help Mama try on wigs from Halloween costumes, but Mama doesn’t look good in any of them. Finally, the day before the family picture will be taken, Marcus goes to the barber to get his hair cut. He decides to get his head shaved so he can give his hair to his mother. He stared too long in the mirror after his cut that he suddenly realized his hair was gone! Mr. Dorr already swept up all the hair and threw it in the garbage! Marcus began to cry as his father picked him up from the barber. When Marcus and his father came home, Mr. Carter asked Marcus to tell his mother what he tried to do for her that day. Marcus nervously told the story. “She didn’t say a word. Her lips were squeezed tight, and her eyes glistened like cups of water ready to spill”. Marcus was upset because he wanted to know who his mama would be if she went away. Mama assured Marcus that she will always be with him in his heart. Three months later, the Carter family learned that Mrs. Carter was free of cancer and would be done with her treatments in six weeks. Mr. Carter announced that they will begin a new family tradition – family pictures in May!
This is a wonderful book to read to children to assure them that they will always be loved, even if someone close to them is sick. I would read this book to a child whose parent was sick, to help them through their difficult time. I may also read this book to the entire class to teach about sympathy and how sometimes people get sick. It is also a good book for older students because it is not overwhelming and will put a family at ease, at least for a short time. The text is simple but allows the reader to feel empathy for the Carter family and understand the difficult situation that they must endure. The illustrations are a combination of watercolor and fine pencil lines. They are intended by the illustrator to “capture the emotions and fears in a way that was honest but without despair”. Any June Bates does a phenomenal job of portraying the love of the family with the true emotions of having a sick family member through her detailed illustrations and calm colors. Offering a student an array of books to help discuss a topic as difficult as cancer would be helpful, especially if the topic directly relates to the student’s life. This is an inspiring book that will have you thinking about the importance of your family and how you would feel if you found out one of them was sick.
This is a wonderful book to read to children to assure them that they will always be loved, even if someone close to them is sick. I would read this book to a child whose parent was sick, to help them through their difficult time. I may also read this book to the entire class to teach about sympathy and how sometimes people get sick. It is also a good book for older students because it is not overwhelming and will put a family at ease, at least for a short time. The text is simple but allows the reader to feel empathy for the Carter family and understand the difficult situation that they must endure. The illustrations are a combination of watercolor and fine pencil lines. They are intended by the illustrator to “capture the emotions and fears in a way that was honest but without despair”. Any June Bates does a phenomenal job of portraying the love of the family with the true emotions of having a sick family member through her detailed illustrations and calm colors. Offering a student an array of books to help discuss a topic as difficult as cancer would be helpful, especially if the topic directly relates to the student’s life. This is an inspiring book that will have you thinking about the importance of your family and how you would feel if you found out one of them was sick.
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March 23, 2017This book tells the story of a boy and his family. The boy talks about how important family pictures are to his family. This family has an obsession with their African American hair. The family loves their kinks and curls. Unfortunately a couple months before the family's picture day, the boy's mother found out she had cancer. The mother decided to go through chemotherapy, which took away her long beautiful hair. This event changed everything in the boy's life. Picture day would not be the same without the mother's hair. The mother was not very confident after losing her hair, which made her not want to participate in picture day. The boy tried to find different ways his mother could have hair again, so she can participate in their family pictures. Finally, the boy came up with this crazy idea, that he should cut off all of his hair to give to his mother. That idea ended up being a failure. The boy went home bald and felt ugly. Together, him and his mother had to learn self love and confidence. By the end of the book, the mother and son did not let their hair define them. This book could be very interesting to children. Children can have family members going through chemotherapy, and can relate to this story. This book also shows a problem and solution. The problem in this story would be the boy and his mother letting their hair define them. The solution would be learning self love. The illustrations were very detailed in this book. It gave me a clear picture of what was going on. The characters in this book represent the African American culture. Some of the terms used in the book relate to African American community. Especially the book's description of hair.
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October 31, 2018Hair For Mama is a heartbreaking dramatic story. This book talks about a really deep issue that hundreds of families in the world deal with. Marcus learns that his mother has been diagnosed with cancer just before they were supposed to take their annual family pictures together. His mother, feeling overwhelmingly sick and tired, declares that she will not be participating in family pictures due to the fact that she lost all of her hair while taking chemotherapy. Marcus, feeling helpless, decides that he will find his Mama some hair so that she will feel pretty for pictures. I would not recommend reading this book to small children, but I think 3rd grade and up would be an appropriate audience. The plot of Hair For Mama is incredibly dynamic and includes multiple moving pieces. Due to this, I believe that children would have numerous questions about what cancer is and how it can affect a family so deeply. The illustrations are very simple but display the struggle that the characters are going through in a way that children could relate to. The characters experience a lot of emotions but they are not hard for children to understand. Just like most of the books in my text set there is no diversity reflected in the characters. Mama is the only one that is battling cancer. However, this book tells a beautiful story of the strong bond between family members and I would definitely recommend this book to anyone that comes across it.
March 22, 2011
The Carter family takes a family picture every year in October. Each year Mama pays special attention to the families clothing and hair for this special event. But this year is different because Mama has cancer and has lost her hair due to her treatments. Eight-year Marcus vows to get his mother hair before the photo.
Wow, what a tough book to read. Had to fight back tears as I read it. This is a very difficult topic but one I know a lot of children face. My own children were witness to my mother’s battle against breast cancer (she was victorious) and they just learned that their P.E. teacher was diagnosed. I would definitely recommend this book to a child with questions about cancer. Really, I don’t think it’s a bad idea for any child to read because, unfortunately, all kids will be touched by it at some point in their lives. Whether it is a teacher, parent, sibling, friend, friend’s parent, etc. However, I think it’s a good idea to have an adult read it with them because they will have questions and concerns. Highly Recommended.
Wow, what a tough book to read. Had to fight back tears as I read it. This is a very difficult topic but one I know a lot of children face. My own children were witness to my mother’s battle against breast cancer (she was victorious) and they just learned that their P.E. teacher was diagnosed. I would definitely recommend this book to a child with questions about cancer. Really, I don’t think it’s a bad idea for any child to read because, unfortunately, all kids will be touched by it at some point in their lives. Whether it is a teacher, parent, sibling, friend, friend’s parent, etc. However, I think it’s a good idea to have an adult read it with them because they will have questions and concerns. Highly Recommended.
May 30, 2012
It's family picture time for the Carters, but Mama does not want to be in the photo this year. All of her beautiful hair is gone because of chemotherapy treatments for her cancer, and she doesn't want to be remembered without hair. Eight-year-old Marcus knows that the picture won't be the same without Mama, so he comes up with a plan to find her some hair and make her better. Even though the plan doesn't work in quite the way Marcus expects, he comes to understand that "hair is nice to have, but not as nice as me having Mama and Mama having me." This is a story for every family dealing with a serious illness. It is told with a touch of gentle humor in a style that children will readily understand, and the warm and inviting illustrations will bring comfort and hope to young and old alike.
Subjects
Cancer -- Juvenile fiction.
Hair -- Juvenile fiction
Mothers and sons -- Juvenile fiction.
Photographs -- Juvenile fiction.
Picture books for children
Subjects
Cancer -- Juvenile fiction.
Hair -- Juvenile fiction
Mothers and sons -- Juvenile fiction.
Photographs -- Juvenile fiction.
Picture books for children
March 17, 2010
I would recommend this book for ages 4 through 10. This is a very said story about the Carters who are getting ready for their family photo. Mama doesn't want to be in the photo because she has undergone chemotherapy treatments for her cancer. Her son, Marcus cannot accept the fact that she won't be in the picture; therefore, he wants to get her a wig to wear in the picture. His plan doesn't really work, but he is satisfied in just having his mama around. This is a story for every family dealing with a serious illness. The pictures really make this book amazing! They are light just like the little bit of humor used by the author. I couldn't help but feel bad at the end - I really wanted Marcus' mama to have a wig for the picture and for her own self-esteem. I would have the students change the ending a little bit to create various stories.
October 1, 2013
If you don’t want to get a lump in your throat and tears in your eyes, then I suggest you not read Hair For Mama. Marcus is eight years old, and his family, the Carter’s always gets a family picture taken in October, though this October would be different. It would be different because this year Mama would not have hair in the picture. Throughout the whole book right from the start, Marcus talks about his Mama having cancer. He wants to find hair for his Mama. This book is a great book to read if one of your family members has been diagnosed with cancer, or to read to your students so you can talk about cancer. I believe this book is age appropriate for K-3 grade. The author does a great job discussing a topic that is heavy. I would highly recommend this book to teachers to read to their students and to parents who want to discuss cancer with their children.
February 7, 2017
This is a touching and realistic book about a family's experience with cancer and chemotherapy. It touches on many of the emotions, fears, unknowns and changes that come with a family member having cancer, yet isn't overwhelming. It strikes a good balance of the positive and negative emotions experienced by the family and portrays the realities of how, during a serious illness, life goes on and remains somewhat normal and yet it isn't normal at all. I appreciated how the author showed that the mother was bothered by losing her hair - not all books show cancer patients struggling with the losses that come with illness. It was sensitive and lovely, but real and at times a bit heart-wrenching. This may be a good choice for a child who has or will have a family member going through cancer treatment. The author based this story on her own experience of going through cancer and chemotherapy.
October 25, 2009
This picture book tells the story of Marcus and his family when their Mother gets cancer and ends up losing her hair. Marcus is aghast when he discovers that Mama might decide to stay out of the yearly family photo, and he searches for a solution. It doesn't turn out quite how he had expected. I liked this book for the theme of caring about others--so many times people resort to platitudes like "It doesn't matter how you look, it's what's inside that counts." But a lot of kids notice how concerned grownups are with their looks. Marcus knows his Mama likes to look nice, and that he can help her feel better by helping her feel good about how she looks. I'd recommend this book for ages 5-9.
October 27, 2009
The Carters are getting ready to take their family picture, but Mama does not want to be in the picture because she does not have any hair. Mama lost all of her hair during all of her chemotherapy treatments and she doesn't want people to remember her without any hair. Marcus, her eight year old son, thinks that it will not be a family photo if Mama is not in the picture. Marcus decides to think of a plan to try and get Mama in the picture with some hair. Even though the plan doesn't work in quite the way Marcus expects, he learns a very important lesson. He learns that it is nice to have hair, but more importantly, it is nice to have one another. This is a great story that can be used to understand how to deal with a serious illness.
October 17, 2013
This story is personally appealing to myself because I lost my best friend of 14 years to cancer just 9 months ago, and I'm 20 years old now. Cancer is a very difficult concept for anyone, let alone children in the pre-operational stage of development, to grasp and cope with. Although it is such a deep and, often times, depressing topic, Tinkham approached it appropriately for the younger audience because of his use a comical relief in the right moment and the right amount. The main theme from this book that can actually be used for anyone of any age dealing with this nightmare is, as Tinkham beautifully stated, "...hair is nice to have, but not as nice as me having Mama and Mama having me."
God Bless.
God Bless.
November 19, 2017
Realistic fiction. 2007. I think this book would be great to recommend to a child who knows someone or has a family member that is going through cancer treatments. This would not be a book I'd want to read to a class because it can be a very sensitive subject for some students. The meaning of the story is what I love most, which is that the most important thing anyone can do for someone who needs treatment, is to be there for them and love them. The main character, Marcus, does just that and tries to do even a little more.
February 20, 2020
Marcus' mama had cancer and lost all her hair. It would soon be time for their annual family photo to be taken, but mama didn't want to be remembered with no hair. Marcus figured out a way he thought he could help.
This is a tender and beautifully illustrated story inspired by the author's experience.
This is a tender and beautifully illustrated story inspired by the author's experience.
August 3, 2010
I think this is a sensitive book to share with young people in your life who make be experiencing cancer indirectly -- through family or another loved one. While I believe wrapping it in a nice bow doesn't always work, this book handles it with hope. I suggest you pick up a copy.
January 21, 2018
This is a sweet story that gives a child's perspective of what cancer is.
November 20, 2019
My favorite part is how when he learns about his mother's cancer his immediate concern is how he will help her with her hair. Will use it in teaching for free time
November 20, 2012
Reading Level: 530Lexile
Interest Level: K-3rd grade
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Main Characters: Marcus
Setting: Home and community around that spans from August to October
Point of View: Marcus
This story is about a boy Marcus who is faced with a dilemma. Marcus mother has cancer and each year they take family photos in the Fall for Christmas. Unfortunately, this year Marcus’ mother has no hair due to the chemotherapy treatments she is undergoing. Marcus hates to see his mother so unhappy and sick so he thinks of a way to get him mother some hair. He decides to go the barber shop and shave his head. With all the hair that is shaved, he plans to give it to his mother. But when the barber throws all his hair in the garbage, all Marcus can do is cry. In the end, Marcus is so sad to let his mother down because he couldn’t get her any hair. Marcus mother explains that she doesn’t need hair when she has such a thoughtful son. This is a story about a family’s response to a serious disease.
I am actually using this story in a 1st grade classroom with a theme of Treasures. I connected this read aloud to my students to show that we can treasure different things for different reasons. I explained how I connected this story to my own life by sharing with my students that my own mother had cancer. I treasure my hair because I grow my hair very long just to cut it all off and donate it to patients who have lost their hair to chemotherapy treatment. I felt this is a realistic situation for many students and this could also be a great way to connect to students who may deal with illness in their family.
Interest Level: K-3rd grade
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Main Characters: Marcus
Setting: Home and community around that spans from August to October
Point of View: Marcus
This story is about a boy Marcus who is faced with a dilemma. Marcus mother has cancer and each year they take family photos in the Fall for Christmas. Unfortunately, this year Marcus’ mother has no hair due to the chemotherapy treatments she is undergoing. Marcus hates to see his mother so unhappy and sick so he thinks of a way to get him mother some hair. He decides to go the barber shop and shave his head. With all the hair that is shaved, he plans to give it to his mother. But when the barber throws all his hair in the garbage, all Marcus can do is cry. In the end, Marcus is so sad to let his mother down because he couldn’t get her any hair. Marcus mother explains that she doesn’t need hair when she has such a thoughtful son. This is a story about a family’s response to a serious disease.
I am actually using this story in a 1st grade classroom with a theme of Treasures. I connected this read aloud to my students to show that we can treasure different things for different reasons. I explained how I connected this story to my own life by sharing with my students that my own mother had cancer. I treasure my hair because I grow my hair very long just to cut it all off and donate it to patients who have lost their hair to chemotherapy treatment. I felt this is a realistic situation for many students and this could also be a great way to connect to students who may deal with illness in their family.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews