How We Are Smart

Have you ever compared yourself to others? Perhaps you’ve wondered, “Why is he good at sports and I’m not?” or “Why is she such a great ballet dancer and I’m not?”

How we are Smart will have young readers realizing how people can be smart in different ways.

The book starts off with a letter from Nikola-Lisa and Qualls, asking the reader to think about all the people they know. “Are some really good at sports? Do others excel in art? Can some play musical instruments well?” Then they introduce readers to the eight basic ways people can be smart: body, logic, music, nature, people, picture, self, and word smart.

Then Nikola-Lisa and Qualls go on to highlight twelve fascinating people who come from many different backgrounds, and whose gifts range from physics to ballet to politics. Each person is given a full-page spread that includes a quote, short bio, illustration, and a poem that wraps up each person’s accomplishments. After each poem, Nikola-Lisa asks, “Are you smart like them?”

The back of the book gets young readers thinking about multiple intelligences and how there are different ways to express each intelligence. It includes activities, so readers can learn more about the people in the book and discover new and exciting things about themselves. This book is a gem in that it teaches the importance of self-expression, how everyone has something different to offer, and how everyone is unique. What a wonderful message to send in a world that’s so competitive.

Additional Information:
Author: W. Nikola-Lisa
Illustrator: Sean Qualls
Reading level: Ages 9-12
Hardcover: 32 pages
Publisher: Lee & Low Books (May 1, 2006)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1584302542
ISBN-13: 978-1584302544
Source of book: Publisher

Nonfiction Monday takes place at various wonderful blogs throughout the Kidlitosphere! Today, you can check out the Roundup at the Books Together blog. If you’d like to see the schedule for Nonfiction Monday, please visit Anastasia Suen’s Picture Book of the Day.

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