Blogs I'm Reading..

If you check out the left hand side of my page, you can see some of the blogs I'm currently following! Usually I just like to read what their thoughts are, but sometimes I'll leave some comments.. here are a few I've been responding to recently..

http://collectingchildrensbooks.blogspot.com/2009/02/brunch-for-superbowl-sunday.html

http://inkrethink.blogspot.com/2009/03/buzz-worthy-books-and-newbery.html

http://poetryforchildren.blogspot.com/2009/03/magic-and-luck-for-friday-13th.html

http://educ311msb.blogspot.com/2009/02/traditional-literature.html?showComment=1237139100000#c3862443030584637830

Sci Fi/Fantasy # 5

(Fantasy)
Author: Jessica Day George
Title: Dragon Slippers
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children’s Books Date: 2007

Age level: Elementary (3-4) Upper (5-6)

Summary:
Creel’s family was very poor, and needed some way to make money. Her Aunt decided that she would feed Creel to a dragon in hopes that a noble Prince would try and rescue her, and then they would be married. It turns out that Creel is not a damsel in distress, but in charge of her own fate. She talks her way out of being eaten by the dragon, but now she must save her town from the dragon wars…

Strengths:
This is a great story of empowerment for women. Creel does not ever rely on the men who try and save her, although she accepts help from them when she needs it. Throughout the story she is portrayed as a brave, intelligent girl. She also has the gift of being able to talk to dragons and help them see her way. The story is very entertaining, and keeps you guessing. The language is simple enough for younger elementary (3-4) but the storyline is appropriate all the way to upper elementary. It is a truly entertaining book.

Concerns:
I wish the book had a few pictures to illustrate some of the action. There is so much that happens that I feel there is the potential to have great pictures accompanying some of the scenes.

Classroom use/Other comments:
This would be a great book for free reading time, or for a child to use for a book report. It is entertaining and definitely a great fantasy read.

Biographies/Informational Books # 5

Author: Russell Freedman
Title: Who Was First? Discovering the Americas
Publisher: Clarion Books Date: 2007

Age level: Elementary (3-4)

Summary:
Most people believe that Columbus was the first to arrive in the Americas. That is what we are taught throughout our whole childhood, but was he really the first? What about China, and what about Leif Erickson? Or maybe there were indigenous people who lived here.. This is the story of them all, and who really discovered America.

Strengths:
This book is a great read for elementary school children. It takes a lot of historical information and turns it into a readable book for children. The information is presented in a fun manner, and accompanied by various artworks. The pictures really help break up the text and make the book more exciting. The new approach on the topic is also something children would be interested in, and the book does a great job of explaining the different theories.

Concerns:
Like all informational books, a few sections of the book are bogged down with facts. The overload of information is inevitable in a book like this, and although they usually do a good job at breaking up the tedious parts, sometimes there is a bit too much information.

Classroom use/Other comments:
This is a great addition to a history class period about America. It can be used in a variety of ways, and can really help the children understand. It can be a read aloud, or independent read, or useful in a group project.

Graphic Novel # 5

Author: Aaron Shepard
Title: Master Man: A Tall Tale of Nigeria
Publisher: Harper Collins Date: 2001

Age level: Primary (K-2)

Summary:
Shadusa once thought he was the strongest man in the world, and decided he wanted to be called Master Man. His wife warned him that one day he may meet someone who was stronger, but he did not listen. Shadusa hears of another man who calls himself “Master Man” and vows to go challenge him. When he gets there, however, things change. Maybe Shadusa isn’t the strongest man in the world…

Strengths:
For a graphic novel, this book is very entertaining. It starts off like a simple story, then resembles the tale of Jack and the Beanstalk, and then finishes off with a twist and an explanation for the noise of thunder. It is a very compelling story which would keep many children occupied. There is great detail used in the pictures, and the illustrations really help tell the story. The twist at the end keeps the book interesting, and would most likely prompt a discussion between children who read this book. It is very well done.

Concerns:
The text jumps all over the page, and often times I read it out-of-order. Another thing that bothered me was the fact that one of the women in the book has so many muscles she looks like a man, but the other woman does not. There seems to be a discrepancy when it comes to drawing the different characters, and although these two should be very similarly built, they are not. It just looks a little strange.

Classroom use/Other comments:
This is a great book to read during a folk tale unit, to illustrate how stories from other cultures get passed down and what type of folklore has come out of them. The teacher could talk about the representation of thunder in this book, and have the students come up with their own ideas and creative stories of what the noise of thunder

Graphic Novel # 4

Author: Mark Crilley
Title: Akiko and the Intergalactic Zoo
Publisher: Dell Yearling Date: 2002

Age level: Elementary (3-4)

Summary:
Akiko and all her friends are headed off on a new adventure. This time they are going to the Intergalactic Zoo! What starts out as a normal vacation quickly turns into a scary nightmare. The zookeeper wants to keep Akiko, will she find a way to escape?

Strengths:
Crilley tells the story through the point of view of an upper elementary school girl, and he nails it. The language is great for children and something they can really relate to because it is how they talk and think (mostly). The cast of characters are all unique and quite entertaining. The way everything plays out flows really well and it is a real page turner, especially for the science fiction lovers.

Concerns:
For a graphic novel, it has far too few pictures. It is a great storyline, but it could use a lot more help in the illustration department.

Classroom use/Other comments:
This is a good example of a creative story, and the teacher could use it as an introductory to creative writing. As a starting point, she could have them write an alternate ending, or an additional scene.

Graphic Novel # 3

Author: Scott Morse
Title: Magic Pickle
Publisher: Scholastic Inc Date: 2008

Age level: Primary (K-2) Elementary (3-4)

Summary:
What happens when a science experience goes wrong and produce is accidentally turned into good and evil? Magic pickles happen! Weapon Kosher has been awaken and is trying to round out the bad vegetables before they cause trouble in the city. In the process he makes friends with a young girl, Jo Jo, who has her own problems with a bully at school. Maybe they can help each other at the same time…

Strengths:
The storyline of this book is priceless. It is well thought out and definitely something children would love. The girl is really sassy and the pickle tries to be somewhat of an gentleman. The story weaves together nicely and everything is explained really well. The illustrations in this book are very well done and greatly enhance the story. It is a truly entertaining graphic novel which uses a lot of play-on-words and pokes fun at stereotypes.

Concerns:
The only real concern is that the pickle does not really look that much like a pickle…

Classroom use/Other comments:
This is just a fun book to have around the classroom for children to read when they have free time. It can also be used to talk about safety when conducting science experiments.

Graphic Novel # 2

Author: Shaun Tan
Title: The Arrival
Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Date: 2006

Age level: Elementary (3-4) Upper (5-6)

Summary:
In this wordless graphic novel, you follow the story of a man and his life in a strange new place. Follow his encounters with new people and his new life, waiting for the arrival.

Strengths:
The details of these pictures are so good, even the slight change of color in one of them can signify so much. The pictures really tell a great story. It is a story for anyone from third grade and up, because there is so much you can interpret from it. It can be a simple story, yet it can be made into much, much more. The way that all the elements work together in the book is great and leaves room for so much interpretation- it could be linked to history or to the future. It is very well done.

Concerns:
Most of the story flows from picture to picture, but sometimes there is a jump. You can’t tell if something is happening in the present or if it is a flashback, so it can be a little confusing.

Classroom use/Other comments:
It would be great to have children write their own text to go along with the story. Have them each create their own scenarios of what is happening in the pictures.

Graphic Novel # 1

Author: Satoshi Kitamura
Title: Comic Adventures of Boots
Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux Date: 2002

Age level: PreK Primary (K-2)

Summary:
Follow Boots on three different adventures with his friends in this funny graphic novel!

Strengths:
The illustrations in this book are great. They are really put together and capture the emotions of Boots and all his friends. The stories are simple and the topics are great for young children. Having three separate short stories breaks it up and makes it a perfect length for the younger children. Not to mention, the stories are highly entertaining.

Concerns:
I have no concerns with this book! It is great for young elementary school children.

Classroom use/Other comments:
This is a good book to show how it is important to illustrate your stories and encourage children to do so with their own. It is also a good book to let children read during free time because the short stories allow them enough time to finish.

Biographies/Informational Book # 4

Author: James Haskins
Title: Bayard Rustin
Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children Date: 1997

Age level: Elementary (3-4) Upper (5-6)

Summary:
This is the biography of Bayard Rustin. It follows his life and details his involvement in the Civil Rights Movement. Not only in his organizing of the March on Washington, but also his work with other great leaders of the time.

Strengths:
This book is a great example of a well written biography for upper elementary school children. It includes enough simple facts and dates to give an accurate background of Rustin, but does not overpower the book with them. Instead, it goes into detail about other important issues and explains what sort of bias and hatred Rustin had to endure for being a gay African American and leader of the March on Washington. The language used is age appropriate and the situations are put into a context that children can understand.

Concerns:
There are some pictures in the center of the book, but only a few. There are probably a lot more out there that could have been interspersed throughout the book. It would help break it out and help kids keep reading.

Classroom use/Other comments:
This is a great book to use when talking about how everyone matters and that behind-the-scenes help often plays a large role in everything. Rustin was not that well known, but he certainly had an influential role, and the teacher can incorporate this into a lesson. It is also a great book to use when talking about the Civil Rights Movement and important leaders.

Biographies/Informational Books # 3

Author: Mirjam Pressler
Title: Anne Frank: A Hidden Life
Publisher: Dutton’s Children’s Books Date: 1999

Age level: Elementary (3-4) Upper (5-6)

Summary:
This book takes a more in depth look at the diary of Anne Frank. It analyzes some of the lesser known diary entries and talks about the people who were present in her life at the time. It takes a more in depth look at everything that happened, and the smaller details.

Strengths:
This is an excellent addition to Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl. It adds in depth analysis that a lot of students would not normally think about. It explains complicated details in a simple way for children to learn from it. There are some great photographs in the middle of the book which really help show who Anne Frank is, and who all the people in her life are. The combination of diary entries and paraphrasing of the diary provide a lot of change in the story and keep it interesting.

Concerns:
This should not be read just by itself, because it is a little dry sometimes. There is a lot of information that is dissected, and it does not always hold the readers attention.

Classroom use/Other comments:
This is a great supplement to other books about Anne Frank, and a great book to use to teach students how to analyze.

Sci Fi/Fantasy # 4

(Fantasy)
Author: Beverly Cleary
Title: The Mouse and the Motorcycle
Publisher: Avon Books Date: 1965

Age level: Elementary (3-4)

Summary:
Keith and his parents have stopped at an old hotel in California where they will be staying for a few days. A curious mouse lives in the knothole in Keith’s room, and while the family is away he tries to ride Keith’s toy motorcycle. The bike and the mouse, named Ralph, both fall off the desk into the wastepaper basket, where Ralph is sure the end is near. When Keith returns he finds Ralph and befriends him. As the story unfolds, Ralph is destined to many adventures with and without the motorcycle. Is he really ready for that type of responsibility?

Strengths:
This book combines adventure and interaction with animals- two things children love. It is a really entertaining book that is simple to read. There are a lot of concepts that are easy to relate to in this book, and children will learn from it. There are some really great themes throughout the book as well.

Concerns:
At some points, the book drags slightly. It seems that some of the ideas are drawn out too far, and take too long to get through. That may be due in part to my age, I’m sure a young child would not notice.

Classroom use/Other comments:
This is a great book to have in a reading corner, or to allow the students to read during free time. They could create a very interesting book report from it. It could also be used if there is a class pet somewhere in the school (that is a mouse) and to talk about what it would be like if these things could actually happen.

Biographies/Informational Book # 2

Author: Judith St. George
Title: So You Want to Be President?
Publisher: Philomel Books Date: 2000

Age level: Primary (K-2) Elementary (3-4)

Summary:
This is a book all about the first 42 presidents of the United States. It talks about how they were similar, how they were different, and what it takes to be president.

Strengths:
This book does a great job at breaking down complex concepts for elementary school children. It talks a lot about the different attributes of the presidents and different things that happened to them in terms easy enough for a young child to understand. When bad things happened, the author made sure to turn it around by making it into somewhat of a joke (with help of the great illustrations) and reassuring the reader that things are still okay. At first glance, it does not seem like it would be that exciting of a book, but I loved reading it and could not put it down! There is so much to see on each page and so many facts to learn. At the end there is even an appendix which gives a little biographical information on each president. It really is a terrific book.

Concerns:
My only concern with this book is that it is slightly outdated. There needs to be some additions made to the book to make it more accurate!

Classroom use/Other comments:
This book is perfect to use when introducing the different presidents of the United States and talking about roles of government. It would be wonderful to use during any history lesson of any of the presidents- even if you just pick out the pages that that specific president is on.

Biographies/Informational Book # 1

Author: Ann Morris
Title: Families
Publisher: Harper Collins Date: 2000

Age level: PreK Primary (K-2)

Summary:
This book is a description of all different types of families- big and small, together and apart, etc. It talks about all the things families have in common and how at the end of the day it is all about love.

Strengths:
One thing I like about this book is the variety of pictures that are used to illustrate families. It is very multicultural, and at the end of the book there is an index that describes where every family in the book is from and what is going on in the picture. There is also a map which helps children identify where these different countries are. It is simple and to the point, and teaches children about different lifestyles than their own.

Concerns:
The book is slightly boring. There are no fun fonts, or backgrounds. It is simple writing with real photographs of real families. The idea is a good one, but it needs something to spice it up.

Classroom use/Other comments:
This is a great book to teach children all about different types of families and how everyone is different. However, it needs to be a read aloud and a quick one at that. Students are likely to lose interest if this book is dragged out.

Sci Fi/Fantasy # 3

(Science Fiction)
Author: Jonathan Etra and Stephanie Spinner
Title: Aliens for Lunch
Publisher: Random House Date: 1991

Age level: Elementary (3-4)

Summary:
Richard and his friend Henry are enjoying a nice quiet day when all of a sudden out of their popcorn comes a little alien named Aric. Aric needs their help to save earth from the attack of the aliens from planet Threll- and worse, the end of dessert! Can Richard and Henry save the day?
Strengths:
This book does a great job trying to convince children that vegetables serve a purpose in life and that they are better than desserts are. The evil aliens can be defeated by the mere glimpse of a celery stick! However, the book is very compelling and would keep any third grader interested in extra terrestrials very riveted. The names and illustrations are very silly, something that children love.

Concerns:
As far as plot goes, this storyline is pretty simple. There are no extra twists or turns that would surprise a child. It seems very straightforward and almost too short.

Classroom use/Other comments:
This book is good for independent reading and perhaps a good book report!

Sci Fi/Fantasy # 2

(Fantasy)
Author: Faith Ringgold
Title: Aunt Harriet’s Underground Railroad in the Sky
Publisher: Crown Publishers Inc Date: 1992

Age level: Primary (K-2) Elementary (3-4)

Summary:
Cassie and her brother BeBe are flying in the sky when they encounter a mysterious train. BeBe hops onto the train and Cassie is left crying for him. She meets Harriet Tubman who transports her back to the time of slavery and helps her escape from the south to be with her brother again.

Strengths:
This story is rich in history and does a great job of still being exciting. It gives facts without being boring, yet also has a fantastical nature to it. The illustrations match the story perfectly and often show things that the text may not explicitly spell out. They are so colorful and thought out, without being too overwhelming. The story keeps you wanting more and always looking to turn the next page. It truly is a terrific book that all teachers should share with their classes.

Concerns:
The only concern I have with this book is how it jumps from place to place and often times seems to skip over some details. It is a picture book however, so it has to leave some things out. I am just afraid it could confuse some of the younger children.

Classroom use/Other comments:
This book would be a great lead in to a history class on slavery. It is also a great beginning to a lesson on Harriet Tubman and other brave people of her time. At the back of the book there is a history of Harriet Tubman and the real Underground Railroad, which could be easily incorporated into a lesson!

Sci Fi/ Fantasy # 1

(Science Fiction)
Author: Brian Pinkney
Title: Cosmo and the Robot
Publisher: Greenwillow Books Date: 2000

Age level: Primary (K-2)

Summary:
Cosmo lives on Mars with the rest of his family, including his big sister Jewel and his robot friend, Rex. One day Rex breaks and Cosmo is very sad. He thinks life on Mars is lame. Then one day his parents give him a new Solar System Utility Belt which may come in handy on his next adventure…

Strengths:
This book shows an African American family living in space and working on scientific experiments, which is something we do not read about a lot. It brings a new take on space life and living on other planets. The story is relatable to any child who has an older sibling that pushes them around. There is a lot of scientific language used in this book, but it is worked into the rest of the story well. The illustrations are really colorful and really get the emotion that is present in the story.

Concerns:
Some of the scientific language in this book may not be easily understandable for a young child. They will definitely have to read it with a buddy or a teacher.

Classroom use/Other comments:
This would be a great book to use in science when talking about the planets and space. The students would really enjoy listening to this and then learning about Mars and the other planets.

Realistic Fiction # 5

Author: Eve Bunting
Title: Fly Away Home
Publisher: Clarion Books Date: 1991

Age level: Primary (K-2) Elementary (3-4)

Summary:
This is a story of a little boy, Andrew, and his dad who are homeless. They live in an airport. It is the story of how they get by from day to day and what Andrew hopes will happen someday.

Strengths:
The story is very well written and can serve as a window into another type of life. A lot of children would not be familiar with this type of situation and it does a good job of explaining how they live. It is very realistic and shows a true survival story. It keeps the reader’s interest the entire time.

Concerns:
This book almost has to be for the older elementary school children because of the subject matter of the story. A lot of young children would not understand what it is like to be homeless or may not be able to grasp the concept. It is a book that does not have a happy ending, which may bother some young children. Also, the pictures are not that warm and inviting, but are meant to look like the harsh reality is. I know this is the point, but it may bother some younger children.

Classroom use/Other comments:
As said before, this is a good story to use as a window into other types of living. It would be a good introduction to teaching children the differences in lifestyles and how everyone is different.

Realistic Fiction # 4

Author: Janet S. Wong
Title: Apple Pie 4th of July
Publisher: Harcourt, Inc Date: 2002

Age level: Primary (K-2)

Summary:
A little Chinese girl is distressed at the fact that her parents keep their store open on the fourth of July in America. No Americans want Chinese food on the fourth of July, do they?

Strengths:
The illustrations in this book show all different kinds of cultural backgrounds, which I really like. It shows the fact that Americans come from all different backgrounds and are all different yet they can all enjoy the same things- in this case, Chinese food! The contrast between the pages with a lot of white space and the full color pages in this book really add to it. It has a great moral of the story and really teaches children.

Concerns:
One concern I have with this book is that the main character gets really sad towards the middle of the book because she fears all hope is lost. In the end she is happy, but it seems for a little while that no good can come out of this book..

Classroom use/Other comments:
This is a great book to use when explaining the fourth of July. It is also a great book to use to talk about Americans and how everyone is different.

Realistic Fiction # 3

Author: Sara Pennypacker
Title: The Talented Clementine
Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children Date: 2007

Age level: Primary (K-2) Elementary (3-4)

Summary:
There is going to be a talent show in which the third and fourth graders will all participate. Clementine does not think she has any talents and is not sure she will find one in time! Follow as the story unfolds her special talent.

Strengths:
This is a great book for a child who is trying to find themselves. Pennypacker does a great job of capturing the spirit of a young child who just does not think they are good at anything and turning it into something positive. There is a little bit of something everyone can relate to in this book. The language used is very appropriate for this age level and the dialogue between Clementine and Margaret is great – very realistic. I really like the use of the word ‘empathetic’ and how after it was introduced it kept being used throughout the story because it was a new word that Clementine had learned.

Concerns:
The parents in this book do not seem to be as helpful or as involved as much as in real life. I know this is a characteristic of realistic fiction, but sometimes the book goes to far as to make it seem like the parents do not even care. It just seems that there could have been a better balance. Also, I do not believe most parents would take their child out shopping if they smelled like beer (even if it was from the situation in the story)!

Classroom use/Other comments:
This could be a great book to read when students are getting ready to showcase their talents, or are going to have to write an about me report. It gives them a lot of examples to choose from and a lot of things to think about that could apply to themselves.

Realistic Fiction # 2

Author: Judy Moody: was in a mood. Not a good mood. A bad mood.
Title: Megan McDonald
Publisher: Candlewick Press Date: 2000

Age level: Elementary (3-4)

Summary:
Judy Moody is starting her first day of third grade and she could not be unhappier. The story follows her through her first month of school, where she constantly tries to get rid of her bad mood, but does not think her life is anything special. At the end of the month and her language arts project, Judy will turn out different than anyone imagined.

Strengths:
The language in this book is phenomenal. McDonald writes just like a third grader would think and write if she were to write it herself. It makes it really easy for a child to relate to it. Also I like the use of some pages as just pictures, which serve as a break up in the book and give the child something to look forward to. The storyline is simple and to the point and there are issues that most children have to deal with in their lives. By the end of the book there are some brilliant themes to be taken away from the reading, and hopefully that will teach children great things.

Concerns:
Some may argue that there is no real point to this book, that Judy’s mood fluctuates throughout the book and nothing really happens. However, this book was made for light reading and not to tell an adventure story. Also, the book does not always give an accurate account of real life situations and things seem to come a little too easily to Judy.

Classroom use/Other comments:
In this book the students have to make About Me Collages, which is something the teacher could have her students do after they finish reading the book. It will show them how they can creatively think of ways to make these collages and where they can get their ideas from.

Realistic Fiction # 1

Author: Andrew Clements
Title: Frindle
Publisher: Aladdin Paperbacks Date: 1996

Age level: Elementary (3-4)

Summary:
This is a story of an intelligent boy named Nick who always has crazy ideas. His latest idea leads him to try and create a new word for pen. His word is frindle. The story follows the events that unfold after he puts his plan into action.

Strengths:
This is a great story which will encourage children to open up their minds and use their imaginations. I love the end of the book and all it has to offer children. The message in this book is so powerful and really lets children know that if they put their minds to it, they can do anything. There is a great mix of vocabulary mixed into the story to help children increase their written knowledge. The story is told from an accurate point of view of a fifth grader and is really something children can relate to. The pictures that are interspersed throughout the book also add something special to it. I love it!

Concerns:
I do not really have any issues with this book. I think that it may, in some points, be a little too far fetched and that it makes it seem like all of the events came easy to Nick. However, I think if a child really gets an idea from this they will see the hard work it takes to make change, and that if they were to re-read the book they would understand better.

Classroom use/Other comments:
Something a teacher could do after the students read this book is have them come up with their own clever idea (or word) and talk about everything they would have to do to implant it. Have them create a plan to make change in their school.

Poetry Book # 5

Author: Woody Guthrie
Title: This Land is Your Land
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company Date: 1998

Age level: PreK Primary (K-2)

Summary:
This is the written form of the song “This Land is Your Land.” It encompasses all the lyrics into a poetic form written page by page.

Strengths:
This book pays excellent attention to detail with each verse and really does a great job of illustrating them. No picture is ever repeated, even with the chorus, which makes it a great learning experience for the children, seeing all the different depictions of the land. However, the background and layouts of the pages make it clear which parts are chorus and which are new verses. The setup of the book is excellent. At the end there is a pull out page which shows the whole United States, and it is a great way for children to learn. There is so much detail in this book it is amazing.

Concerns:
My issue with this book is that in the corners of the pages with the chorus, there are other words written down to some other song. At first I had no idea what it was, but then I realized they were putting facts about the author’s life and favorite songs in there. I think it is too much for the book to handle when there is already so much detail in the pictures. It was a little overwhelming.


Classroom use/Other comments:
This is a great way for the students to learn the song, “This Land is Your Land” and improve their reading skills at the same time. It is definitely an independent reading book because there is so much detail to take in.

Poetry Book # 4

Author: Jane Yollen and Andrew Fusek Peters
Title: Here’s a Little Poem: A Very First Book of Poetry
Publisher: Candlewick Press Date: 2007

Age level: PreK Primary (K-2)

Summary:
This is a book filled with over 60 poems for young children. It is broken down into four different categories that relate to children’s lives and filled with wonderful poems that they can relate to.

Strengths:
This book is perfect for a young child who is just learning to read. The poems use simple language and are geared towards young children. They involve ideas and situations that most children have dealt with and talk about things that are familiar to them. The text pops off the page and is really varied. The background colors on each page are different and apply themselves to the individual poem on that page. Also, the illustrations are wonderful and depict small children and life around them in a beautiful way.

Concerns:
I really have no concerns with this book. It accomplishes everything it is trying to accomplish, and it does it well.

Classroom use/Other comments:
This book can be used in early elementary classrooms to help children learn how to read. It can also be used to teach them about love and friendship, and the fun things in life. It is a great read aloud for children as well, because the pictures are so brilliant.

Poetry Book # 3

Author: Shel Silverstein
Title: Where the Sidewalk Ends
Publisher: Harper Collins Date: 1974

Age level: Primary (K-2) Elementary (3-4)

Summary:
Similar to Prelutsky’s New Kid on the Block, this book of poetry is filled with ridiculously imaginative poems that will make their way into children’s hearts.

Strengths:
This poetry book is filled with such a variety of poems – from long to short, rhyming to non rhyming, silly to serious, gross to plain, and so much more. There is something for everyone in here, including poems that children can relate to. The poems are all over the page, and the way the text is written really stands out. Some of the poems rely on a crazy placement of the text, and Silverstein really captures that. He uses simple words and simple ideas to create wonderful poems that keep everyone’s attention.

Concerns:
My only concern with this book is that there is a lack of color pictures. The black and white illustrations are nice, but children really love color pictures. Other than that, Silverstein really nails what children like to read about, and portrays it in such a way that everyone can love it.

Classroom use/Other comments:
This is a great book that has captured the hearts of many (including my whole family) and can be a great tool in the classroom. Whether there is a copy hanging around for free time, or the teacher reads some poems aloud in lag time, or she uses some poems to teach children about the art of poetry. There are many uses for this fantastic book.

Poetry Book # 2

Author: Jack Prelutsky
Title: The New Kid on the Block
Publisher: Greenwillow Books Date: 1984

Age level: Primary (K-2) Elementary (3-4)

Summary:
This is a great book of poems (one of my childhood favorites) which encompasses all things fantastical and silly, while still having some realistic ideas in there too.

Strengths:
One of the things I like about this book is the variety of topics Prelutsky addresses. There are so many poems and ideas to choose from, that the reader can pick whatever they are in the mood for. There are also poems that have varied text size and fonts, which make them really pop off the page. The illustrations are funny and go along with the imaginative quality of the poems. There is something for everyone in this book of poetry, which makes it a really versatile book.

Concerns:
I really have no concerns with this book. Prelutsky knows his audience and what they like. The only suggestion I can think of would be to include a few more realistic poems that the children can learn from.

Classroom use/Other comments:
This is a great book to have around the classroom that children can read when they have free time. A quick activity could involve the children illustrating a poem that the teacher reads aloud. This is a timeless poetry book that will be around for a while.

Poetry Book # 1

Author: Eloise Greenfield & Jan Spivey Gilchrist
Title: Night on Neighborhood Street
Publisher: Dial Books Date: 1991

Age level: PreK Primary (K-2)

Summary:
This is a book of poems that revolve around Neighborhood Street. They include poems about many of the African American children and parents that live on the street, and about the street itself.

Strengths:
The poems in this book are great for young children to relate to. Many of the situations in the book are scenarios that children could have found themselves in, or will find themselves in, in the future. The pictures are colorful and warm, inviting the reader to stay on the page for a while after they have already finished reading the poem. Everything is light and easy, a great read – and a quick one too!

Concerns:
My only concern about this book is that there should be more poems. It is a picture book however, so it makes sense to have so few. The book is designed so well that there would easily be more added and it would still be read!

Classroom use/Other comments:
This book is great for teaching about simple poems, and showing them to the class. It is a great book for read aloud or individual reading because the pictures are so wonderful. It can teach the students a lot.

Traditional Literature # 5

Author: Charles Perrault (Translated by John Bierhorst)
Title: The Glass Slipper
Publisher: Four Winds Press Date: 1981

Age level: Primary (K-2) Elementary (3-4)

Summary:
This is a collection of French Fairy Tales that have been told throughout the ages. It includes such classics as “Cinderella”, “Little Red Riding Hood”, and “The Sleeping Beauty”.

Strengths:
The stories in this book are wonderfully imaginative and excellently described. The details in these fairy tales really make the stories. They are simply entertaining and can catch any child’s interest. Some are familiar, while some are not so familiar, which is a great way to intertwine them and get children to read. The language is simple and easy to understand.

Concerns:
Some of the stories have slightly different endings than what children hear now, or see in the movies, so they may be confused. Some even have more disturbing endings. For instance, at the end of Little Red Ridinghood, Red is eaten by the wolf! There is nothing too graphic about it, but it may upset some children. The other concern I have with this book are the illustrations. They do not do the stories any justice and are very plain compared to the elegance of the stories.

Classroom use/Other comments:
These are excellent fairy tales to share with the class whenever there is free time. They are also good stories to have the children write alternate endings to. Perhaps another use could be comparing and contrasting some of these stories to the movies they have seen of them.

Traditional Literature # 4

Author: Julius Lester
Title: The Tales of Uncle Remus
Publisher: Dial Books Date: 1987

Age level: Elementary (3-4)

Summary:
This is a collection of African American folk tales presented in one succinct story. It follows the life and tales of Brer Rabbit and all of his friends- mainly his encounters with Brer Fox. It is a series of short tales interwoven into one entertaining story.

Strengths:
This book does a great job of catching children’s attention with a series of exciting and funny adventures. There are so many great tricks and endings to these stories that it is sure to keep their interest. The chapters (which are individual stories) are kept relatively short and are easy to read. Even if you have not read them all straight through, they would still be simple to understand and entertaining. There are some great lessons to be learned in these folk tales and some are really things children can relate to. Another great thing about this book is the personification of animals and how they come alive in a way most stories cannot accomplish.

Concerns:
Some of the language in this book relates to the old slave language of the 1800’s and may be slightly confusing for children. At most it is only a few words here and there, usually names, which may confuse them. As long as the teacher clarifies it, there should not be a problem. Also, there are many 10-20 pictures interspersed throughout the book, which I do not really like. It should have them more often if they are going to include them.

Classroom use/Other comments:
These are great little stories to read aloud to the class when there is lag time between classes and specials. They are also great stories to have the students illustrate! An idea that may be good for older students is to have them create their own story about Brer Rabbit and Brer Fox.

Traditional Literature # 3

Author: (Translator) Erik Haugaard
Title: Hans Andersen: His Class Fairy Tales
Publisher: Doubleday and Company Inc Date: 1974

Age level: Elementary (3-4) Upper (5-6)

Summary:
This is a collection of 18 of Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fairy tales. Some of the more famous ones include “The Little Mermaid”, “The Ugly Duckling”, and “The Princess and the Pea”.

Strengths:
This is a book filled with some classic fairy tales which children love to read. It allows them to access them all at once, and enjoy reading. The stories are great to get imagination flowing, yet also teach children morals and the difference between good and evil. Most of the stories have great themes which make it all the better for the students to read. The illustrations that are interspersed throughout the text are great, and really depict some crazy scenes in the stories.

Concerns:
I wish that there were a few more pictures in this book, but I guess that is hard to do with a collection of stories. It gets the point across with very little pictures, which is something that usually captures students’ attention. These stories are great, however, and there is little to complain about. One small detail may be the old language that is used sometimes and may be unfamiliar to young children.

Classroom use/Other comments:
This is a great read aloud book for a class- whether for fun or for teaching purposes. The stories usually have some underlying theme which teaches children about morals, and would be a great way to get them thinking about situations where they need to use their better judgment. Also, it may be a good idea to have students write their own versions of some of the fairy tales, after reading a sampling to the class.

Traditional Literature # 2

Author: Niki Daly
Title: Pretty Salma
Publisher: Clarion Books Date: 2006

Age level: Primary (K-2)

Summary:
This is the story of Little Red Riding Hood told from an African point of view. The characters and details have been changed, but the theme remains the same. The story is about Salma going to the market for her grandma, but meeting a dog along the way to tricks her. The dog tries to trick Grandma as well, but Salma has a plan.

Strengths:
The pictures in this book are absolutely fantastic. The use of the white space and the contrast between using the whole page, or splitting it into four parts is perfectly put together. The language is simple, yet it incorporates some African words that a student would be able to decipher. The storyline is similar to Little Red Riding Hood and a child would definitely be able to see the connections. The text is always placed at a different spot on the page, and seems to go along with the action of the book- which is really effective. Also, there are a lot of lead-ins (…) to get the reader onto the next page. It is really engaging!

Concerns:
My only real concern with this book is that some of the children may be disturbed that a dog can be bad. Or they may be upset at the emaciated pictures of the dog. As long as they realize it is only a story, then it is fine. The book is really well put together and I do not really have any other concerns.

Classroom use/Other comments:
This is a great book to use in the traditional literature unit, to show the contrast between different cultures. It is both a great read aloud, and an individual reader. This would be a great book to have the students write responses to, or to have them create their own “Little Red Riding Hood” stories, after they hear Salma’s story.

Picture Book # 5

Author: Margaret Musgrove
Title: Ashanti to Zulu: African Traditions
Publisher: The Dial Press Date: 1976

Age level: Primary (K-2)

Summary:
This is an alphabet book which also details different African tribes and their traditions.

Strengths:
The pictures in this book really depict what each letter is saying. It is a great idea to teach children about African traditions by using the alphabet and telling them a little bit each tribe’s culture. There is a map in the back of the book which shows where every tribe mention actually resides in Africa, which is really helpful. Most of the descriptions encompass what the children’s role in the village is, which makes it easier to relate to.


Concerns:
This is not an easy read for a child who is first learning the alphabet. In fact, it is aimed at a much older audience, as more of a social studies lesson. There are a lot of large words used in each description, which would be hard for young children to understand. There are also a lot of unfamiliar words, which would cause the child to struggle through the reading.


Classroom use/Other comments:
This is definitely a read aloud book for younger children, as opposed to an individual read. It can be used to teach students about Africa and some of the traditions the people there have. It is a great way to teach diversity.

Historical Fiction # 5

Author: Sook Nyul Choi
Title: The Year of Impossible Goodbyes
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Date: 1991

Age level: Elementary (3-4) Upper (5-6)

Summary:
This is a story of a little girl who lived in North Korea during WWII and the beginning of the Korean War. It tells the struggles her family went through with the Japanese during WWII and all the hardships dealt to them. Finally, when the war ends they believe freedom will come again, but the Russians invade and seize control. The little girl and her brother try to escape to South Korea, but a lot of obstacles stand in their way.

Strengths:
The book uses fairly simple language which is great for upper elementary students to understand, yet also throws in some new vocabulary. It also adds some Korean and Japanese words, which strengthens their idea of other cultures. It is filled with traditions and historical information on Korea, which is great for the children to learn. The story is told from the point of view of a young girl, which makes it easily relatable for elementary school students. The story itself can be pretty upsetting and demoralizing, but it is good for the students to learn the history of another country.


Concerns:
Sometimes the book has too graphic of depictions of some of the hardships that the family endures in Korea. It may be a little much for some of the younger children to take, and a little hard for them to comprehend. It is something the teacher would really have to talk about with the students, and some parents may be opposed to the harsh reality the children in the story face. Also, when trying to explain some concepts, the book is a little vague, and I struggled to understand what it was trying to say. I think the goal was to make it from the point of view of the girl, and she did not always know what was going on. However, this can be slightly confusing for a reader and may cause them to lose interest.


Classroom use/Other comments:
This is a great book to use in a history class when talking about the impact of WWII on other countries or even the Korean War. This book could even be used to explain a background of Korea itself, and what children there had to deal with for many years.

Traditional Literature # 1

Author: Paul Zelinsky
Title: Rumpelstiltskin
Publisher: E. P. Dutton Date: 1986

Age level: Primary (K-2)

Summary:
A strange little man helps the Miller’s daughter spin straw into gold for the King in exchange for her firstborn child. After the Miller’s daughter is married to the King she doesn’t want to give up her child, and the strange man gives her three days to guess his name, otherwise she will have to give up the child.

Strengths:
There is a great use of contrast of white space and detailed pictures. It really emphasizes the story and keeps the reader intrigued. The storyline is so precise in all the pictures that it could easily be told with fewer words, which is great to see in a picture book. The storyline is intriguing, and it has a charm to it that most children would love. At the end of the book there is an additional section which talks about the origin of the story and how it has evolved. This is great to tie into teaching children about folklore.

Concerns:
Some of the concepts in the book may be a little out there for children to understand, and a little too fantastical. At the same time, it is traditional literature so it is supposed to be like that. I don’t see too many problems with the book, I really enjoyed it and think it would be great for a young class.

Classroom use/Other comments:
This is a great read aloud book, or just a book to read for fun. It can also be used to introduce folklore and this type of literature because of the extra information at the end of the book. It would also be a great book to teach children about picture walks, and predicting what will happen in a story by looking at the pictures first before reading.

Historical Fiction #4

Author: Patricia Reilly Giff
Title: Nory Ryan’s Song
Publisher: Delacorte Press Date: 2000

Age level: Elementary (3-4) Upper (5-6)

Summary:
This is a story based off of true accounts of the Irish potato famine. It follows the path of a little girls survival in this desperate time, and everything that happens to her family. It tells how the potatoes spoiled and then all that happened afterwards that led to millions of people starving in Ireland. Some of them were lucky enough to get away to America, but it took a long time.

Strengths:
This book does a great job of incorporating Irish terminology into the story. At the beginning of the book is has a glossary so that reader knows exactly what everything means. The story itself is so compelling that any reader would find it hard to put down. The main character is really loveable and has a great sense of survival about her. All of these components lead to a truly inspirational story.

Concerns:
The story itself seems to go really quickly, and at some points seems almost unbelievable. This is probably because it is hard to understand what the Irish went through during the famine, and what seems impossible to us really could have happened to them. My biggest concern with the book was that it gets a little confusing sometimes because new events are not always explained, but rather thrown in and explained later. This is fine for an experienced reader, but may be a little confusing for an emergent reader.

Classroom use/Other comments:
This would be a great book to use when studying heritage and/or history. It really portrays the terribleness of the Irish potato famine and all that the people went through. It is a great story to tell of the importance of food and family. It is a great story for easy reading, or to tell history.

Historical Fiction # 3

Author: Barry Denenberg
Title: So Far From Home: The Diary of Mary Driscoll, an Irish Mill Girl (Dear America Series)
Publisher: Scholastic Inc. Date: 1997

Age level: Elementary (3-4)

Summary:
Being part of the Dear America series, this book acts as a diary of a young girl. It follows her travels from Ireland to America and all the hardships she faces. It details the horrible conditions on the voyage across the Atlantic, and the still horrible conditions when they finally reach land. It talks of all the sadness she faces and all the tragedies that strike the people around her. She ends up fairly lucky and ends up receiving a job in a textile mill. She makes friends with one of the girls who works there and she learns a lot about the hardships in America. The diary is her outlet for dealing with everything she goes through.

Strengths:
This is a great book for children to see a kid’s point of view of immigration. It incorporates all the important things that happened, and also added details that make it easy for a child to understand. The language that the author writes in is representative of the Irish culture and is very well done. The diary format of the book allows for easy flow and the ability for someone to read just a few pages at a time.

Concerns:
Even though the language adds to the story, it may be a little confusing for young children to understand all the terminology. The storyline of the book is very good, but it ends rather abruptly and then finishes with an epilogue. I did not like the ending spot and even though the epilogue summed up the loose ends, it was still very strange.

Classroom use/Other comments:
This is a great book to use to teach children about immigration. At the end of the book there is also an appendix which gives background information about early America. This would be a great history lesson for the students, and a great way to tie in a writing assessment.

Picture Book # 4

Author: Emily Gravett
Title: Orange Pear Apple Bear
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers Date: 2005

Age level: PreK Primary (K-2)

Summary:
This is a classic picture book which just plays on the meaning of the title- or four simple words. It repeats the words multiple times and illustrates their different use every time. There is no definite storyline.

Strengths:
The book does a good job of rotating the words and having matching illustrations of their new order and meaning. There are some great pictures and it is a great book for young readers to learn what apples, oranges, pears, and bears are.

Concerns:
The repetition limits the book into a certain category of really young readers, and does not challenge others. Some of the ideas that are put together of “pear bears” and other such things are a little silly and may not be the best choice for certain readers. The ending also seems a little sudden and strange for younger children. The book is okay but it is not one of my first picks.

Classroom use/Other comments:
It would be a great book to use when teaching reading and/or writing. It gives them plenty of practice with the same words. It is also a nice easy book to read for fun.

Picture Book # 3

Author: Margaret Wise Brown
Title: Goodnight Moon
Publisher: Harper Collins Date: 1947

Age level: PreK Primary (K-2)

Summary:
This is a classic picture book dedicated to saying goodnight to all the things in a little bunny’s room. It first introduces all the different things in the room, and then says goodnight to all of them. It is a simple bedtime story.

Strengths:
The book plays upon the emotions of a young child and all the things they think of before they go to sleep. It has great contrast with the bright pages of the room, and then the black and white pages of single pictures. The storyline is very easy for a child to relate to. It has a great series of rhyming words and good repetition to help the children recognize what is happening.

Concerns:
Even though the book seems to utilize a specific pattern, it sometimes strays and could be slightly confusing for children. Other than that, I do not find anything bad about the book.

Classroom use/Other comments:
This would be a great book to use before naptime in pre-k or kindergarten. It would also be a good book to use for fun for the students and to give them a chance to talk about what they do before they go to bed- or maybe incorporate it into their own writing assignment or project.

Picture Book # 2

Author: Eric Carle
Title: The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Publisher: Philomel Books Date: 1969 & 1987

Age level: PreK Primary (K-2)

Summary:
This is a book about the life cycle of a caterpillar. It follows the caterpillar from birth until it grows into a butterfly. It details the things that the caterpillar eats and how it makes a cocoon. Then it hatches into a butterfly.

Strengths:
This is a great visual book, and a great tool for counting. It goes through what the caterpillar eats on each day of the week, and is the type of picture book where the pages lead onto the next and the children get really excited flipping them. It does a great job of showing the stages of a caterpillar’s life in a way that children can understand. The pictures are bright and fun and really go with the text.

Concerns:
I don’t really have any concerns with this book, I think it is a great book for children at any age. It is informative and fun, and accomplishes everything it is meant to do.

Classroom use/Other comments:
This book can be used in a variety of ways. It can be used in science, to learn about caterpillars and butterflies. It can also be used to help children learn to count, and the days of the week. It is also just a fun story that children can listen to at the beginning or end of the day when they need a break. It is one of my favorite books!

Historical Fiction #2

Author: Ellen Levine
Title: Henry’s Freedom Box
Publisher: Scholastic Press Date: 2007

Age level: Elementary (3-4)

Summary:
This is a story of a slave named Henry who went through a lot of hardships in his life. First, he was sold away from his mother and his first master. He was lucky to be married to a girl that he loved, and had children, but then they were sold away from him. He leads a very unhappy life until he decides to try and escape by being mailed in a box to the North. He has some help from friends yet goes through a long, hard journey in the box. In the end, he winds up being free in Pennsylvania.

Strengths:
This book shares a compelling story about a slave’s journey for freedom, and teaches kids a lot along the way. It has great illustrations to go with the story that really show the hardships that this man went through. The storyline is put in terms simple enough for young children to understand, yet still shows a deeper meaning. It would be a great book for children to read for fun, and learn something at the same time. It was very well done.

Concerns:
The time span of the book passes very quickly, and may be a little hard to understand. However, that is my point of view, but children may read it differently. Sometimes the story jumps around, but it usually works. The other issue I had was that sometimes I found myself almost missing some of the text because it is always in a different spot and sometimes blends in with the background colors on the page.

Classroom use/Other comments:
This would be a great book to use in a social studies class, especially when studying American history and the slave era. There are multiple creative projects a teacher could come up with to have the students do afterwards (create own escape ideas, research underground railroad, diary entries, etc). It is definitely a great book for the classroom that will teach kids history without them even realizing.

Picture Book #1

Author: Mo Willems
Title: Don’t Let the Pigeon Stay Up Late!
Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children Date: 2006

Age level: PreK Primary (K-2)

Summary:
A pigeon is trying to convince the reader that they need to let him stay up late. He comes up with all sorts of activities and ideas to try and distract you and to let him stay awake. He is really sleepy though and ends up falling asleep at the end.

Strengths:
The illustrations of the pigeon go perfectly with the things he says. His expressions are fantastic and really keep the book entertaining. There are a lot of creative ideas in this book and it would be really appealing to young readers who can relate to wanting to stay up late as well. The variation on page spreads and speech bubbles is great. Overall the book is really entertaining and engaging- any young child would love it!

Concerns:
I don’t really have any concerns about this book, I really enjoyed it.

Classroom use/Other comments:
This is a great book to read to children for fun, and to just keep them entertained in the classroom. It would be awesome read the series of the Pigeon books and let the kids become accustomed to them.

Historical Fiction #1

Author: Patricia Polacco
Title: Pink and Say
Publisher: Philomel Books Date: 1994

Age level: Elementary (3-4)

Summary:

A white Union soldier named Say is injured in the Civil War, and a black Union soldier, Pink, finds him and carries him home to care for him. They are both boys the age of 15, and Pink’s mother cares for them while they are staying. Pink and Say talk about slavery and decide they have to go back to the war, to keep Pink’s mom out of danger. The day they are to leave, Pink’s mom tells them to be brave, but then Marauders come and shoot Pink’s mom. They bury her and vow to be brave as they set out, but they are captured by Confederate soldiers. They are brought to a prison camp and separated. Eventually Say is released, but Pink was killed in the camp.

Strengths:

This story has been passed down from generation to generation from Say himself. It is a great story of friendship, and tells a lot about the horrible ways of war. At the same time, it shows how things change and how the civil war was necessary with all the hatred present in the United States. It is a great educational book, and it tells how children were involved in the war too. It would help kids be able to relate, and to learn about the different time people lived in then. The illustrations greatly enhance the story, and there is a lot of great vocabulary. There is also a great usage of different dialects.

Concerns:

This story is based on a real life account, which talks about two deaths. For younger grades it could be pretty upsetting. Also, the dialect could be a little confusing (but it adds so much to the story!) so the teacher should make sure to go over that beforehand. Otherwise this is a great book, full of life and history.

Classroom use/Other comments:

This is definitely something to be used in conjunction with a history class- specifically a civil war unit. The teacher has a lot of options and ways to use this book in the classroom.