Yasmin's Hammer

Written by Ann Malaspina and illustrated by Doug Ghayka. Malaspina writes historical nonfiction and multicultural literature for both children and young adults. She is a New Jersey native, where she lives with her family and is vocal proponent for the importance of literature. Ghayka grew up in Upstate New York, and graduated from the Rochester Institute of Technology with his degree in illustration. Today, he lives and works as a freelance artist in Savannah, Georgia.

Link to Picture for Yasmin's Hammer

Genre: Multicultural                                                              

Themes: Literacy/diversity 

Age: 6+

Summary: Yasmin and her sister work in the brickyards of Dhaka, Bangladesh. The stoy opens with the two riding in a rickshaw to thebrickyard and seeing th ecity on their way there. in order to make money to keep their family fed and the roof of their family's house repaired. Yasmin dreams of being able to read, and the opportunities it would open for her.        

Pre-Reading Activity:  Bring in a hammer and have the students each have a turn holding it.  Give them a chance to feel the weight.  If possible to establish a safe setting for them to swing the hammer offer them that opportunity   This should give them a small idea of the work the girl in this story has to do. 

Post-Reading Activity: Have student take on the role of Yasmin.  Do a free write journal entry or write a letter from Yasmin's perspective.  Write about what their living arrangements would be like, and how you would feel if you had to work so hard instead of going to school.  

Reflection: This is a moving story about the disparities that children have to face all around the world.  It is moving how hard a poor child and family would have to work and preserver just to purchase a book to read, and to be able to afford going to school instead of working.  This is a great story to read to children to help give them perspective on how fortunate their lives really are.