Book Review: "This is Your Time" by Ruby Bridges

“This Is Your Time” by Ruby Bridges is a good book for all ages.

“This Is Your Time” by Ruby Bridges is a good book for all ages.

I think Ruby Bridges is brave because when she was 6 years old she was chosen to be the first Black child to go to an all-white school. While she was excited to go to a nice school and make friends, she was greeted by a crowd of shouting people who were angry that someone Black was going to the school. They threatened her but the government had sent marshals to protect her. Ruby and her teacher were the only ones in the school. They became good friends. I found this book very touching. I think it’s good for all ages. • LETTIE W.

Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his legacy are honored every year on the third Monday of January. (Photo by Flip Schulke / Corbis)

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his legacy are honored every year on the third Monday of January. (Photo by Flip Schulke / Corbis)

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was a great person. Martin believed in equality for people of all colors.

Back then Black and white people were separated. White people had amazing things such as great books, great playgrounds, great houses. But Black people got the opposite.

Martin noticed this. He wanted to make a change. He made speeches and led peaceful protests. His most famous speech was called “I Have a Dream,” which talked about how Martin wanted Blacks and whites to be equal.

Martin was a great man, but sadly was shot on April 4, 1968. We honor him on the third Monday of January. • MAXIMUS R.

Book Review: "Stamped" by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi

“Stamped” is a YA remix of Dr. Ibram X. Kendi's “Stamped from the Beginning.”

“Stamped” is a YA remix of Dr. Ibram X. Kendi's “Stamped from the Beginning.”

Racism. A word we use for an unfair system that treats white people better than Black, brown, and indigenous people. A problem in society that cannot be sugarcoated. We can’t ignore it. And we can’t become antiracists without knowing about racism. Racism can be found in many forms, some so discreet we don’t notice.

We avoid learning about things for different reasons. Bringing up past stories can be reliving them. Other times we’re uncomfortable because we don’t know a lot about it. Maybe that’s because we’ll never have to face it. But it’s always right to learn about it. And not just learn about it, but learn about it so we’re getting truth, we’re getting evidence, and we’re not looking away from facts. Honestly, we want to think of now. Because now defines tomorrow. But how can we define now if we don’t know about then? Then, or the past, has many lessons in it. The power of now depends on then, because then warns, reminds, and speaks to us. 

Now, you many wonder, “How can I define now when I don't know much about history?” What we need is a history book that doesn’t dodge the errors, mistakes, and horrors of history. Well, don’t worry. There are plenty of books out there that are written clearly and with truth. One of them is “Stamped.”

“Stamped” is a remix of Dr. Ibram X. Kendi’s “Stamped from the Beginning,” written by Jason Reynolds. A not history history book is the perfect description for it. “Stamped,” a book about racism’s effects on society from six hundred years ago to the present, captures the intensity of then’s weight on now’s shoulders, without missing a detail. We realize things that we didn’t realize before. There will be plenty of “ohs” as you flip through the pages of “Stamped.” This genius piece is the root, perhaps one of the sources of truth and evidence when learning about history. We go into depth about the lives of historical figures such as Angela Davis and even ones that we’ve never heard of like Cotton Mather. We learn about people who chose to be racism’s shadow while others became part of antiracist movements. “Stamped” teaches us that when there’s oppression, there’s resistance. It’s up to us to decide who we want to become in the world. 

All in all, “Stamped” is a really powerful history book like no other. It gives us the opportunity to explore the gripping world as it was and as it is. I definitely recommend it for ages 9 to 12, as it appeals to a young adult crowd. It will appeal to many crowds, but especially our crowd, young people, with every young person in it having a mind. These minds will be used to decide their own future, make change, and define now. • ZAIYDE C.

Book Review: "March" by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin with Illustrations by Nate Powell

The cover of the first book in the “March” graphic-novel trilogy

The cover of the first book in the “March” graphic-novel trilogy

Even though these three books in this series are geared toward older kids and grown-ups, I really enjoyed reading the “March” books with my mom. They are about late Congressman John Lewis when he was younger in the 1960s. He and the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) fought nonviolently for civil rights. The “March” books are a good way to learn about the past and how it relates to now.

This series is in graphic-novel form, written by Lewis and Andrew Aydin with illustrations by Nate Powell.

EXTRA: A good introduction to Lewis is a picture book called “Preaching to the Chickens: The Story of Young John Lewis.” Other places to learn about Lewis are “John Lewis: Good Trouble” (a documentary movie released in 2020) and “John Lewis - Get in the Way” (a documentary on PBS).

I encourage you to learn about Lewis with your grown-ups. • KEYLANA C.

Extra! Extra! Read All About "Ivanhoe Vogue"!

The debut cover of “Ivanhoe Vogue” (Courtesy of Henrietta H. and Marlo E.)

The debut cover of “Ivanhoe Vogue” (Courtesy of Henrietta H. and Marlo E.)

Ivanhoe students have made their own magazine—“Ivanhoe Vogue”!

Led by fifth graders Henrietta H. and Marlo E., the online magazine features class updates from student representatives, comedy, interviews with teachers, artwork, and articles about fashion, animals, and more. The first issue is out now, and more editions are planned. If you’d like to submit something, please email Andrew.Skomra@lausd.net.

As Henrietta and Marlo wrote in their intro letter, “We noticed a lot of students are stressed out being at home all the time. This magazine is a way to help students out, have fun, and still share topics on our minds.

The ‘Ivanhoe Vogue’ is a space to share. It’s an interactive space to show other students what you are interested in and what you have been up to. Enjoy!” • STUDENT COUNCIL

Spread a Smile over Winter Break

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Want something to do over winter break? Think of some creative ways to spread a smile in our community, then post your ideas and examples in a video: https://padlet.com/andrewskomra1/spreadasmile

Some examples:

• Give someone a happy note.

• Tell a joke to cheer someone up.

• Draw funny comic strips.

• Make a surprise card for someone.

Let’s do this! • STUDENT COUNCIL

‘Sup with the Christmas Tree?

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Before Christianity, many people believed that trees and greenery that were lush throughout the year would keep away spirits and illness.

In the Northern Hemisphere, the day with the least amount of daylight lands on December 21 or December 22. This occasion is named the winter solstice. In ancient times, people believed the sun itself was a god and the reason winter arrived was because the sun had gotten ill or exhausted. The solstice was a day when the ancient people celebrated the start of the sun god’s health.

For the ancient Egyptians, Ra was the sun god. During the solstice, the ancient Egyptians decorated their homes with green palm leaves, which meant victory of life against death. Ancient Romans announced the day with a brilliant feast called Saturnalia, which came out of respect for Saturn, the god of agriculture (yes, that’s also a planet). They also decorated temples with evergreen branches. Druids in ancient Britain and France also used evergreens as decoration.


Germany, a country in central Europe, is believed to have started the tradition of the Christmas tree. This tradition developed in the 1500s, a time when orthodox Christians garnished trees and brought them into their homes. Martin Luther (does he sound familiar?) was a Protestant reformer of the 16th century. As a reformer, or someone who works to improve things, he was inspired by the glister of stars beaming down on the evergreens to add candles to the branches of his family’s Christmas tree. 

Now, you’re really wondering, “How on earth did Christmas trees make their arrival in the U.S.?”

Christmas trees were unusual in 19th century America. One of the first recorded occurrences was during the 1830s, when a Christmas tree was publicized in Pennsylvania by German settlers. However, Christmas trees had made their appearances in German households long before that, despite it being quite an eccentric tradition in American society. 


According to the New England Puritans, who lived way before the 1800s, Christmas was a sacred time. Not surprisingly, the Puritans took their faith seriously. William Bradford was the second governor of the Puritans, and decided that he would try hard to punish all who mock the observance of Christmas. In 1659, a crazy law from the General Court of Massachusetts was laid down, stating that there should be no displaying of decorations until the day of December 25—and those who disobeyed were fined. That law was removed once German and Irish immigrants began to arrive. 

Trees became fashionable when England’s Queen Victoria was drawn with her husband, Prince Albert, standing by a Christmas tree with their family. Victoria was a popular queen, which meant she influenced the rest of the nation.

A drawing of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert with their children in front of a Christmas tree

A drawing of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert with their children in front of a Christmas tree

In the end, this spread to America. By the 1890s, Christmas ornaments were rushing into America from Germany, and the legacy of the tree grew. Europeans at the time preferred small trees, around four feet tall. Americans favored floor-to-ceiling trees. Trees would traditionally shine with candles. But with the discovery of electricity, Christmas lights eventually became the standard.

Now Christmas trees appear in many households during winter. The National Christmas Tree Association reports there are close to 350 million trees growing on Christmas tree farms in the U.S. Around 25 to 30 million real Christmas trees are sold every year. • ZAIYDE C.

What Channukah Means to Me and My Family

Channukah “feels like a big, warm hug,” Mirko T. says. (Photos courtesy of Mirko T.)

Channukah “feels like a big, warm hug,” Mirko T. says. (Photos courtesy of Mirko T.)

Hannukah, which can be spelled Channukah and many different ways, is meaningful to me and my family. To me, it means spending time with family and friends. To me, it means enjoying being together. Channukah is a beautiful and great holiday. 

To me, Channukah is …

• family 

• playing dreidel 

• lighting the candles on the menorah 

• the excitement of opening presents

• saying the blessings over the candles 

• singing songs 

• the yummy taste of gelt (chocolate coins) 

• the crispy edges of delicious latkes (potato pancakes) 

• the sweet jelly filling of sufganiyot (jelly donuts)

• sharing this holiday with friends
.

Sweets shaped like dreidel and other designs

Sweets shaped like dreidel and other designs

Sometimes we have friends who aren’t Jewish come celebrate Hannukah with us. I like that they celebrate with us even though they have a different religion and celebrate their own holidays. I like that they get to enjoy Hannukah and share my traditions. 

Because Hannukah is in the winter, you get to be cozy inside, sometimes drinking hot chocolate and having gelt while you play dreidel. This holiday feels like a big, warm hug. • MIRKO T.

Lighting the candles on the menorah is just one part of Channukah that is meaningful to Mirko.

Lighting the candles on the menorah is just one part of Channukah that is meaningful to Mirko.

Spreading Cheer to the Elderly via a Card Drive

Ivanhoe student Zainab S. brings cards to Country Villa Los Feliz Nursing Center. (Photo courtesy of Zainab S.)

Ivanhoe student Zainab S. brings cards to Country Villa Los Feliz Nursing Center. (Photo courtesy of Zainab S.)

The Community Committee loves to spread cheer to all. One of our projects was delivering cards to our wonderful elderly neighbors at a local nursing home. We figured that they must be going through a tough time right now away from their loved ones, so we decided to add some sunshine and happiness to their day by collecting cards and drawings. With the help of so many Ivanhoe students, we collected 54 cards! Over Thanksgiving break, we dropped them off at Country Villa Los Feliz Nursing Center, just across the street from Ivanhoe. We were greeted by kind staff, who later passed out the cards to the elderly folks. We’re sure it made them smile! • ZAINAB S.