Yasmin’s Hammer
Ann Malaspina, Author
Doug Ghayka, Illustrator
Lee & Low Books, Inc., Fiction, 2010
Suitable for ages: 5-11
Themes: Child Labor, Educating Girls, Bangladesh, Family Life, Hope
Opening: “Before the sun climbs into the sky I jump into Abba’s rented rickshaw, my hammer in one hand and my sister, Mita, by my side.”
Synopsis: Yasmin and her family move from their rural village by the sea after a cyclone destroys their home and their Abba’s rice fields. They settle in Dhaka, Bangladesh, a crowded and noisy city, where her family begins a new life. Yasmin and her sister, Mita, must work daily as brick chippers to help support the family. Her father peddles a rickshaw and her mother works as a maid in a rich man’s house. Yasmin dreams of going to school and receiving an education. This determined girl, works harder and faster than the others and earns extra taka coins. Yasmin has a plan to improve the life of her family and follow her dreams.
Why I like this book: Ann Malaspina lets Yasmin narrate this inspiring story. It is an important look at how crucial education is to a child living in a third world country. Yasmin is a very strong and passionate character with dreams to inspire her. Doug Ghayka’s colorful oil paintings give the reader a feeling of the sites, sounds and smells of the busy streets of Dhaka and capture the family’s struggle to survive. This is an excellent book for school libraries. You may visit Ann Malaspina at her website. She wrote this story after visiting South Asia and learning about the 218 million children in Bangladesh who must work.
Resources: Make sure you check out the backmatter at the end of the book as it gives important information about Bangladesh, cyclones, the economy, child labor and special links to important websites. There is also a glossary. Talking about child labor and education are engaging subjects for young minds. There is so much they take for granted.
Today is the UN International Day of the Girl Child. It is a day “to recognize girls’ rights and the unique challenges girls face around the world. For its second observance, this year’s Day will focus on “Innovating for Girls’ Education”. Check out the highlighted UN page to find ways to participate and make a difference in locally or globally. You may also want to look at websites focusing on the education of girls: Girl Rising, The Girl Effect and the Girl’s Education Collaborative
Every Friday, authors and KidLit bloggers post a favorite picture book. To see a complete listing of all the Perfect Picture Books with resources, please visit author Susanna Leonard Hill’s Perfect Picture Books.
Children's Books Heal 
Thanks for sharing such a unique book premise. Yes, American kids need to know how valued education is in other parts of the world.
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American kids really need to know how education is valued in other parts of the world. Hopefully, Malala will bring this home in and even greater with her determination and efforts to make her voice heard. So wanted her to win the Nobel Peace award today.
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I completely agree with Tina’s comment above. Great review!
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Thank you, I’m glad you liked the book I shared. And, I agree with Tina too.
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Great selection for today, Pat. Also it is super to see a book set in a country many children know little about. I have spent days among the brick chippers in Madagascar.
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Joanna, I was thrilled to find a book about Bangladesh. Haven’t reviewed one in that area. I’m sure you’ve seen a lot of child labor in your travels.
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What a great book to share! I love stories – true or nearly true – that illustrate life in other parts of the world. They expand our horizons and make us appreciate the things we take for granted: being able to go to school instead of work; food on the table – even having a table to put food on… Thanks!
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I am pleased you enjoyed my selection for today! We all need to expand our horizons in the world and not take things for granted.
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Excellent post Ms Tilton! This looks like a fine book with a thought provoking message. Thanks!
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Thank you Rhythm! It does have a strong message and one you could easily share in a classroom and get kids thinking.
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My sixth grade teacher had us attempt to squat as long as we could, one way to get the feel of what life is like for others. Sounds like a really greta book for the classroom.
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You had a smart sixth grade teacher. That’s no easy task. She certainly got her message across, because you still remember. It is a good book for kids who take education for granted.
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Great choice of book. Life around the world can be so different from our own, in ways both good and bad.
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Yes, I agree. We have so much to learn from each other. Social media is certainly breaking down barriers and making us realize our differences. As human beings were not all so different with our wants for our children and families.
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here,here! Great message in this book. Thanks, Pat. I agree whole heartedly with what Sue and Tina both said. The world is not such a big place, but oh there is so much to learn.
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Yes, I was delighted to find this book Diane. Knew you’d appreciate it. Yes, there is so much to learn and do. Have you sponsored any more parties for Big Brother Mouse? I know you long to go back there.
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This sounds a lot to me like what the Breaker Boys had to do in the coal mines here in Pennsylvania. I always feel sad when I read about Child Labor. This is an important story for all kids to learn – especially that it still happens right now!
On a different subject (Bangladesh) – I reviewed a cute PB called Anisha’s Adventures in Bangladesh a while ago. It taught me about the country and culture. It’s a good one for young kids just to learn about the country. 🙂
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Glad you could relate to it Erik. I didn’t know about the “breaker boys” and we have coal mines in southern Ohio. Yes, I feel sad about child labor too. That’s why I admire young people like Malala who is standing up for girl’s rights and the Canadian boy who took up the cause to fight child labor in the middle east after heard about the Pakistani boy who tried to free kids from the carpet mills. There are a lot of conscious kids out there — just like what you’re doing for Renn. It’s work that comes from the heart. Anisha’s Adventures in Bangladesh sounds like a good book.
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Thank you for the nice words. It feels right to be doing something! I guess because of the area I grew up in, we learned a lot about child labor in the coal mines. There is a good historical fiction book called “The Breaker Boys” by Pat Hughes that talks about it (it is set in and around Hazelton PA) – I recommend it if you are interested. 🙂
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Wow, this sounds like such an excellent and needed book, Pat. And it reminded me of what Malala has said about education (what a force for good she is in our world). Thank you for making us aware of this book.
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Thank you Beth. It was an excellent book and very appropriate for today. I tried to carry the theme of educating girls in my reviews this week. Also liked that the story was in Bangladesh!
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Oh, I have to find this book! We had very good friends live in Dhaka for a few years as missionaries. We studied a good deal about the country that first year in homeschool. My kids will enjoy this one.
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It’s in the library. It would be a wonderful book to share with your kids, especially with your friends living in Bangladesh.
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Another good story that shows the value of education, and shares an unfamiliar culture. Sure to make everyone appreciate what we have. Thanks for this, Patricia!
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Thank you Jarm. I tried to focus my MG and PB reviews this week on the need to educate girls, and share different cultures at the same time.
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A perfect book for UN International Day of the Girl Child.
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Thank you. I thought the book was a great representation of how girls want to attend school!
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Pat, we are studying natural disasters as part of Jr. FIRST LEGO League. You mention a cyclone. This might be a good book to bring in.
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Yes, the book does address cyclones in the first few pages as the reason for the move and shows illustrations of before and after — briefly. But the focus is on child labor and little girl who wants to go to school. Rocco’s book is about the blackout in NYC and could be used for a disaster. There is a huge cyclone hitting India right now.
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I did see the news about India. And I’ll check on Rocco’s book. I was also thinking of “MAMA” about the tsunami in Indonesia that separated the hippo from its mom.
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Yes, I know there are books about the tusnami but don’t know the grade level. Great timing so you can have the kids watch the news, if appropriate.
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This look perfect in many ways.
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It was a great book to share yesterday!
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This sounds like an excellent choice, and so appropriate for the UN theme. I agree. Visiting a “third world country” opened my eyes to a new way of looking at life. I’m looking forward to all the back-matter you mentioned. Thanks.
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I tried to find books that related to the theme of educating girls in third world countries. I also review MG/YA novels on Mondays, and you might check A Girl Called Problem and Sylvia and Aki. I added additional links to information.
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Thanks for sharing this title. Glad to see there are books out there like this.
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Yes, I agree Darshana. As you know, school is a privilege in so many countries — something first world children don’t understand.
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Heart-wrenching story, Pat…perfect choice for International Day of the Girl…or any day! Thanks for sharing it…we need more books like this one to raise awareness of these issues. Exposing our children to stories like this one will help them gain a better understanding of the world and a greater appreciation of all that they have. 🙂 Great review!
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Thank you Vivian. I am glad that you see the importance of a book like this for kids. There are number of books out there.
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This book sounds fantastic, Pat, and an excellent choice for International Day of the Girl! Thanks so much for adding it to our list!
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It is an excellent book for our list. Kids need to see how important going to school is for kids less fortunate.
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