Annotated Bibliography- Magazine Articles

Brown, B. (2017, December). Removing the veil. Junior Scholastic, 6-7.

Reading level: Grades 6-8

Theme: Oppression. 

Summary: Stemming from a new, proposed law in Quebec that would restrict Muslims from wearing veils in public, Brown examines cultural identity and religious freedom while giving a guide to Muslim veils. The controversy is between safeguarding cultural values and biased views. Although America is not perfect, there is greater acceptance of religious freedom than other counties, but the usually accepting Canada may go back on its promise for fairness. The guide describes the burqa, niqab, abaya, chador, and hijab. 

Brown, B. (2018, February). The Civil Rights hero you've never heard of. Junior Scholastic, 18-21.

Reading level: Grades 6-8

Theme: Oppression. 

Summary: Brown chronicles the story of Elizabeth Jennings, an African-American woman who was thrown off a bus at the age of 27 in 1854. In segregated New York, after Jennings refused the conductor's orders to get off a streetcar that white passengers were riding, she was forced off, but won a lawsuit against the company. The conflict brought to light segregation in the city and advanced race relations. A prequel to Rosa Parks in the South a century later, Jennings' story is often forgotten or overlooked in the grand scheme of the Civil Rights movement. 

Smith, P. (2018, March). The battle over the paddle. Junior Scholastic, 10-11.

Reading level: Grades 6-8

Theme: Oppression. 

Summary: Smith examines the debate of whether corporal punishment in schools is an effective tool or a form of abuse. Physical punishment is legal in 22 states and affected over 110,000 students during the 2013-14 school year. The Supreme Court ruled in 1977 that physical discipline at school does not fall under the Eighth Amendment of "cruel and unusual punishment." Although some states are still considering enacting laws to do away with it, in places like Mississsippi, two teachers have held a student down while a third uses a paddle to the back of the student's legs because something inappropriate was said by the student. In some states, like North Carolina, students can choose a paddling instead of suspensions with parents permission.

Zissou, R. (2018, March). Who betrayed Anne Frank? Junior Scholastic, 16-19.

Reading level: Grades 6-8

Theme: Oppression. 

Summary: Zissou summarizes Anne Frank's tragically short life and the rise of Hitler and the Nazis through anti-Semitism. A timeline is provided of the events leading up to and during the Holocaust. Aside from delving into the details of Anne Frank's hiding, and the death at the camps, Zissou and others still question who was it that outed Anne Frank and her family? 

Zissou, R. (2017, December). Modern-day slavery. Junior Scholastic, 14-17.

Reading level: Grades 6-8

Theme: Oppression. 

Summary: This article sheds light on slavery in the present-day world. Zissou discusses human trafficking that results in forced labor in supply chains. Between workers in Bangladesh, to workers forced to put in 17-hour days in Ghana, to kids picking cotton in Uzbekistan, slavery in today's world is a major issue. Even though it is illegal in most countries, it doesn't stop companies, lawbreakers or even the government from using slavery. Demanding change, raising awareness, and showing support to wipe out slavery and work for change are also discussed.