Celebrating the memory of a victim of the terrorist attacks on 9-11, the Brooke Jackman Foundation has launched its first annual summer reading list. Below, we’ve listed all the books selected by the foundation’s advisory committee.
The committee includes actor Alec Baldwin, actress Jamie Lee Curtis, Reading Rainbow show creator Dr. Twila C. Liggett, literacy expert Dr. Gay Su Pinnell, and children’s authors Stephanie Calmenson and Katie Davis.
Here’s more from the release: “Each selected two of their favorite books – a favorite from their childhood and a second book that has become more relevant in their adulthood – and added an anecdotal line about their selections … The 12 books selected by the committee convey invaluable lessons about hope, loyalty and individuality.”
What would you have picked for this list? This GalleyCat contributor would have chosen The Witches by Roald Dahl & illustrated by Quentin Blake and The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.
ALEC BALDWIN
The Five Chinese Brothers by Claire Huchet Bishop: “I have loved this book since my childhood because of the big family and all the brothers, which is a parallel to my family. The heroic and clever ways the brothers save the one brother from an unfair judge make a great lesson about loyalty and family.”
The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton: “This book displays change and progression, but the house – saved from destitution and transported to a hillside full of flowers and trees – remains a symbol of hope, personifying the joy and love of life.”
JAMIE LEE CURTIS
Go Dog, Go by P.D. Eastman: “Great, simple examples of opposites and then the greatest comedy non sequitur, “Do you like my hat?”, in history.”
James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl & illustrated by Quentin Blake: “I love this book when I was young. I still remember reading it and looking at the wonderful illustrations.”
DR. TWILA C. LIGGETT
The Tin Forest by Helen Ward: “I love the inspiration and imagination of the lead character’s (the old man) dreams of a forest that he fashions out of the ‘found material’ which then magically turn into a beautiful forest filled with animals, plants and sunshine. This is a very special picture book with beautiful illustrations plus a message of hope and the importance of dreaming and transforming the environment.”
Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters by John Steptoe: “Mufaro has two beautiful daughters – one is kind and considerate; the other is selfish and spoiled. In a variation on the Cinderella story, both daughters vie to be chosen as the King’s bride. The book is beautifully illustrated, and the story teaches about the history, culture and geography of the African nation of Zimbabwe.”