Tutto Va Benne

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Granny Torrelli Makes Soup

Sharon Creech

published by Harper Collins 2003

Summary: "With the help of her wise old grandmother, twelve-year-old Rosie manages to work out some problems in her relationship with her best friend, Bailey, the boy next door."

The layout of the book with two separate sections and different chapters allows the reader to consider each story separately. Many children will relate to having problems with friends, jealousy, and having someone who helps make everything all better. The book is very well written and tells a great story full of Italian phrases and genuine charm.

Wood Carvings and Release from a Cage

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The Tiger Rising
Kate DiCamillo
published by Candlewick Press, 2001

Summary: "Rob, who passes the time in his rural Florida community by wood carving, is drawn by his spunky but angry friend Sistine into a plan to free a caged tiger."

This beautifully written book shares a compelling story of two children experiencing loss. Students may relate to this feeling of loss or to the feeling of being picked on by other students. I literally laughed and gasped aloud throughout the story as I got to know each of the distinctive characters. Family and friendship are themes throughout the book. Some of the elements of loss may be a little touchy for younger students.

"of the humming and the thrumming of her purr"

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title quote from page 112

Hate That Cat
Sharon Creech
Published by HarperCollins, 2008

Summary: "Jack is studying poetry again in school, and he continues to write poems reflecting his understanding of famous poems and how they relate to his life."

This book was another creative insight into the mind of a student learning poetry and dealing with meta-cognition. Learning about the character, his family, and his environment through his own poetry allows for a different perspective. I personally am more of a fan of cats than dogs and was surprised that this well-written and poetic book gave me a new outlook on cats and pets in general. Teachers could use this to teach different elements of poetry, such as onomatopoeia and alliteration. In addition, students can learn about other poems through this book or create their own journal of poetry.

What an Imaginative Dog!

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The Adventures of Polo

by Regis Faller

published by Roaring Brook Press, 2002

Summary: "Polo the dog sets out from his home and enjoys many adventures, including sailing his boat on top of a whale, roasting hot dogs over a volcano, and taking a ride in a spaceship built from a mushroom."

Strengths: This book by a French author presents an imaginative story of a dog who travels to many interesting places. I like how Polo meets a variety of characters along the way who all return at the end of the book as he is reading a book called "Polo". All of the little things that Polo does, such as cooking hot dogs over lava and making his boat into a plane are all things that children could imagine doing. The pictures are bright and fun!


Concerns: I have no concerns about this book, as long as it is read by an appropriate age group. Older children may become bored of the book since it has many random elements.


Classroom Use/Other Comments: Teachers could use this book to introduce wordless books. Older students could write their own story to go along with the pictures. Ages 3 to 8 would enjoy reading this book.

A Glamorously Guilty Mouse

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Lily's Purple Plastic Purse

by Kevin Henkes

published by Greenwillow Books, NY, 1996

Summary: "Lilly loves everything about school, especially her teacher, but when he asks her to wait a while before showing her new purse, she does something for which she is very sorry later."

Strengths: This fun fantasy about a great mouse teacher and his biggest fan, Lilly. Lilly's character is very strong and fun from her red boots with a star to her vibrant dresses.
I like that the pictures do not take up the whole page and that a series of pictures show her action. I also like the dialogue that takes place in the pictures and the way that the text is in a variety of places. The book has very funny parts and really shows different emotions.

Concerns: I have no concerns about this book as long as it is read by an appropriate audience.


Classroom Use/Other Comments: Children aged 4-8 would enjoy the book. Teachers could read the book to discuss apologizing, guilt, and other feelings.

Sea-like Celadon

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A Single Shard

by Linda Sue Park

published by Yearling, 2001

Summary: "An orphan boy in a twelfth-century Korean potters' village... lives with Crane-man under a bridge, barely surviving on scraps of food. All of that changes when Tree-ear sees master potter Min making his beautiful pottery."


Strengths: This beautifully written book tells a lot about Korean culture and life in Korea in the twelfth-century. The friendship and bond between Crane-man and Tree-ear is apparent through their conversations and discussions of meaningful messages, such as taking things one step at a time. The messages of the problems with pride and the benefits of facing challenges is seen. The journey of Tree-ear as he works for Min and learns about making pots is also very fascinating. Tree-ear is a good character to whom readers can relate because of his optimistic and curious nature.


Concerns: The treatment of Tree-ear and Crane-man before Tree-ear begins working for Min may be a concern to some readers. The presence of death in the novel is also a concern.


Classroom Use/Other Comments: This book is appropriate for ages 10 and up. Children would enjoy reading this on their own and teachers might read it to children in grades 4 and up. Teachers could use this book to examine Korean culture or the time period in which this book took place. The author's note at the end of this book provides a lot of useful information and the interview with the author is also very informative and interesting.

Watch Out for That NIMH Van

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Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH

by Robert C. O'Brien

published by Aladdin Paperbacks, 1971

Summary: "Mrs. Frisby, a widowed mouse with four small children must move her family to their summer quarters immediately, or face almost certain death. Fortunately, she encounters the rats of NIMH, an extraordinary breed of highly intelligent creatures, who come up with a brilliant solution to her dilemma."

Strengths: This very interesting book of science fiction was entertaining, well-written, and captivating. The reader wants to continue reading to find out what will happen to Mrs. Frisby and her children. The very distinct characters have fun personalities that the reader gets to know very well. The sense of adventure and scheming makes this book a fun read. Importance of family, wisdom, and friendship are demonstrated throughout the book. The connection between the rats, mice, and humans adds an interesting twist that explains their intelligence and adds another level to the book.


Concerns: I wonder if children will be able to relate well to this book since Mrs. Frisby as the main character is older. I think that most children would be able to relate to her because she is an animal character. The ending of the book is not as conclusive as I would prefer, but leaves the ending up to the reader's imagination. The death of some of the rats may be a concern for some students.


Classroom Use/Other Comments: This book would be appropriate for ages 8-12. This would be an excellent book to read aloud to a class or for students to read individually. Teachers could use this book to examine plot because of the interesting and straightforward plot.

Quite A Character

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Stonewall

by Jean Fritz

with drawings by Stephen Gammell

published by Puffin, 1979

Summary: "A biography of the brilliant Southern general who gained the nickname Stonewall by his stand at Bull Run during the Civil War."

Strengths: I was not sure how I would feel about reading a book about a Confederate soldier. However, this book was very well written and presents Tom Jackson, later to be nicknamed "Stonewall" as an interesting and quirky character with an interesting life. A lot of the information is provided through contact between Tom and his sister, Laura, or his wife, Anna, as well as narration on the details of his life. Students reading this book will be interested to find out what happens next to Tom because of the descriptive way that the book is written. His oddities, such as following the same routine everyday at the exact same time, may be humorous to readers, but his behavior connected very well with some of the information I have learned recently in a psychology course. The setting of the book is also excellent for students to relate to if they live in Virginia or in areas in which Stonewall travels. The story of the Civil War is explained in an easy-to-understand manner and Stonewall's religious reason for supporting slavery provides a lot of insight into his character. Readers also learn a lot about other important people in the Civil War. How Tom approaches the challenges in his life will provide inspiration to readers.

Concerns: This book is about a war hero, so it may be considered violent for some children. However, the violence is not portrayed in a very morose way. There are some swear words in the book.

Classroom Use/Other Comments: This book would be appropriate for children aged 9-12. Teachers could have students read this during a unit on the Civil War or students could use this to do a project on a significant person in the Civil War.

A Tale of the Meaning of Love

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The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

by Kate DiCamillo

illustrated by Bagram Ibatulline

published by Candlewick Press, 2006

Summary: "Edward Tulane, a cold-hearted and proud toy rabbit, loves only himself until he is separated from the little girl who adores him and travels across the country, acquiring new owners and listening to their hopes, dreams, and histories."

Strengths: This beautifully, but simply written story tells an interesting tale with a wonderful message of the power of love. Children may be able to relate to both Edward, the rabbit, and Abilene, the girl who loves him. The simple pictures at the beginning of each chapter provide a clue to what will happen in the chapter. I also like the various full pages of color illustrations throughout the book. The dialogue and thoughts of the characters show some humor and show how Edward learns a lot from listening to the stories of the people he meets. I like that the book is wider than most books and that the text is very spaced out. The plot and how Edward moves from place to place keeps the story fast paced and keeps the reader's attention. I especially love the last chapter of the book and the coda.

Concerns: Edward learns about the lives of the people whom he meets, some of whom have very sad stories, such as death, homelessness, and abuse.


Classroom Use/Other Comments: Children aged 8 and up would enjoy this book. Teachers could begin with a picture walk to predict what will happen in the book. The simple text would allow upper elementary readers to read this by themselves and the book would also be excellent read aloud. Teachers could use this as an introduction to the journey of characters. A lot of interesting vocabulary is used in the book, so it can be used as a tool to expand vocabulary, with words such as "conquering (p. 61)" or "callused (p. 61)". In addition, as the number of days Edward is in each location is told, a math lesson could be incorporated in addition to discover how many days, weeks, months, and years have passed.

A Field Guide on Witches

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The Witches

by Roald Dahl

illustrated by Quentin Blake

published by Puffin Books, 1983

Summary: "Read this story and you'll find out all you need to know......the most gruesome, grotesque gang of witches imaginable!"

Strengths: I love pretty much all books by Roald Dahl, but The Witches was one of my favorite books as a child. As I re-read my worn-from-love copy of this great story, I remembered why I liked it so much. I like the introduction stating that the book is not a fairy tale, which really gets readers into the mindset of believing the funny and interesting young narrator, to whom young readers can relate with his curious nature. The story has a lot of humor with imaginative characters and an interesting storyline. I like the simple sketches that are placed throughout the book that complement the text, but also like that the text is descriptive enough that you can picture what is occurring.


Concerns: Some readers may be concerned with the content of witches itself if they have certain religious beliefs. In addition, the ideas presented in this book may be scary to children if they do not understand that the book is a fantasy.


Classroom Use/Other Comments: This book is great for children aged 8 and up. The book would be a great addition to a classroom library for individual reading or for a discussion on fiction. When looking for a picture of this book on amazon.com, I found that many of Dahl's books, including The Witches, have been converted into plays for children to perform. This would be a great way to work on fluency and presentation in the classroom.

Now I Know!

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Don't Know Much About Thomas Jefferson

by Kenneth C. Davis

published by HarperCollins, 2005

Summary: Questions about the personal and political life of Thomas Jefferson are answered and explored in this book.

Strengths: I read another book about Thomas Jefferson to compare it with the other nonfiction book with more of a picture book feel about Thomas Jefferson by Cheryl Harness. The books are both excellent resources in different ways. This book has a lot of interesting information that may not be found in normal informational books about Thomas Jefferson. The question and answer format provides an interesting way for students to learn information. The book provides definitions to words that may not be understood by students, a timeline, and an index allows a way for students to look up specific information. Information about the general life of people during Jefferson’s time is also written, so readers can learn how Jefferson was a product of his time. The pictures, diagrams, and maps are simple because the focus is on the information.

Concerns: Some of the information may be inappropriate for younger ages, such as the fact that two of Jefferson’s siblings died young. Students learn Jefferson’s hypocrisy of having slaves and writing that “All men are created equal.” The topic of religion is also discussed, which may be against some parents’ beliefs.

Classroom Use: For younger ages, teachers can find specific questions that would interest students and discuss them in class. This book would be excellent to research the accomplishments and life of Thomas Jefferson when learning about great American citizens. Many interesting facts are found in this book. Children aged 9 and up would enjoy this book.

Traveling with Lions

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LionBoy: The Chase

Book Two in the LionBoy Trilogy

by Zizou Corder

published by Dial Books, NY, 2004

Summary: "After saving the lions from evil Maccomo, Charlie, a boy with the ability to speak the language of cats, goes to Venice to search for his parents and solve the mystery of their kidnapping with help from Bulgarian King Boris."

Strengths: After reading the first book in the Lion Boy trilogy, I had to continue reading, not only because the reader is left on a cliffhanger, but because the books are written so well that I wanted to keep reading. I like that the book is placed in the future, but that a lot of the environment will be familiar to the reader, such as cell phones. It is interesting to consider how some things will change in the future, such as the removal of cars. Charlie travels to a variety of interesting places, which the reader learns a lot about. While reading this book, I could picture Paris, Venice, the Alps, and Morocco from travelling myself in these locations and from the beautiful descriptions by the authors. I love the maps and diagrams in the book, which allow the reader to clarify what is happening in the text. The use of science in this book through Charlie's parents is interesting and applicable to readers, especially those with asthma or allergies. The text was very descriptive and the plot was believable and interesting. I am glad that this book did not leave you on as much of a cliffhanger as the first in the series, but am still excited to read the third book when I get a chance.

Concerns: Some readers may be wary of the idea of the parents and Charlie being kidnapped. I think that the book moved a little slow in the middle before the lions and Charlie escaped from the doge, but that the rest of the book had an excellent pace.

Classroom Use/Other Comments: This science fantasy book could be used by teachers of upper elementary grades as a read aloud book or as an independent reading book in middle school. Ages 8 and up would enjoy the story. Teachers can use the book to introduce different areas of the world and discuss maps.

Looking to the Future

I read and commented about a great blog today about two children's books introducing a variety of fun and interesting jobs. One book involved poetry and the other was a nonfiction book.

Full of Life (Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness)

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Thomas Jefferson
By Cheryl Harness
Published by National Geographic Society, D.C., 2004

Summary: “Harness combines lively narrative and vibrant illustrations to bring this extraordinary Founding Father to life.”


Strengths: This book has beautiful, detailed illustrations that provide a lot of insight into Jefferson’s life. The text has interesting information about the life and trials of Thomas Jefferson, but the illustrations really captivate the reader. The maps and illustrations of locations, such as Independence Hall, show a lot of information that is useful.


Concerns: This book is lengthy for a picture book, but the pictures make the text move along quickly. The text includes a lot of details that children may not find interesting or may not be appropriate depending on the age of the reader, such as the death of many of Jefferson’s children and wife.


Classroom Use/Other Comments: In a unit about Thomas Jefferson, teachers can read a bit of this book each day to students or select important information to read to students. Students can skim through these pages and look at the illustrations to learn more about Thomas Jefferson’s life. Older students would be able to read this book to learn about Thomas Jefferson. This book would be appropriate for ages 8 and up.

Thank Your Teachers!

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Thank You, Mr. Falker
by Patricia Polacco
published by Philamel Books, NY, 1998

Summary: At first Trisha loves school, but her difficulty learning to read makes her feel dumb, until in the fifth grade, a new teacher helps her understand and overcome her problem.

Strengths: This book is based on a true story of the author's childhood. I like the realistic and beautiful illustrations in which you can really see the emotions in the characters' faces. Readers can relate to Trisha as she is made fun of by other students. Children also learn about learning disorders and the feelings students may have if they are left out.

Concerns: Older children and adults may understand the deeper meaning of this book better than younger children who may approach this book because of the beautiful illustrations. Younger children may not understand the use of italics and the connection between the author and the story. Some parents may be concerned with the issue of the grandparents passing away.

Classroom Use/Other Comments: This book would be good for children in grades three and up. This would be a good book to read aloud and to discuss bullying or acceptance.

The Trip of A Lifetime

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The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963

by Christopher Paul Curtis

published by Delacorte Press, 1995

Summary: "The ordinary interactions and everyday routines of the Watsons, an African American family living in Flint, Michigan, are drastically changed after they go to visit Grandma in Alabama in the summer of 1963."

Strengths: This book involves many emotions, as the characters add humor and the story has sad elements. Through this story, you learn a lot about the time period and the effects of racism. The themes of friendship, family, bullying, and acceptance provide important messages. This book is extremely well written.

Concerns: This book involves violence, racial slurs, and swearing.

Classroom Use/Other Comments: This story would be an excellent book to discuss the Civil Rights Movement. Children aged 10 and up would enjoy this book.

Touching the Hand of Lincoln

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Pink and Say

by Patricia Polacco

published by Philomel Books, 1994, NY

Summary: "Say Curtis describes his meeting with Pinkus Aylee, a black soldier during the Civil War and their capture of Southern Troops."

Strengths: Students can identify with the characters because of their young age, their dreams, and their friendship. I love the illustrations with beautiful strokes and lines. There is an excellent message of helping others and of history. I also like the connection that the author has with the story in the book.

Concerns: This book needs to be read to or by age appropriate students. There are many sad elements, including death and children having to carry a gun. There is also a religious element in the book, which some parents may not want their children learning.

Classroom Use/Other Concerns: This book is excellent for developing vocabulary, such as the word marauder. Teachers can include this book in lessons on the Civil War and slavery. This book is appropriate for ages 9 and up.

"It's the Rule"

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Rules

by Cynthia Lord

published by Scholastic Press, 2006

Summary: "Frustrated at life with an autistic brother, twelve-year-old Catherine longs for a normal existence but her world is further complicated by a friendship with a young paraplegic."

Strengths: This is a fun and interesting story that provides a mirror for students who have autism or students who have a sibling with autism and a window for all students. The themes of acceptance, family, diversity, and friendship are very significant and meaningful in this book. I really like the journey and progress that the main character, Catherine, makes as she meets a new friend. I also really like the incorporation of art and Frog and Toad quotes by Arnold Lobel.

Concerns: Students may need an introduction to autism and disabilities before reading this book.

Classroom Use/Other Comments: This book would be appropriate for children aged 9 and up. Children can learn about acceptance, diversity, friendship, and family through this book that could be read aloud to students or read for fun. In a class, students can create their own rules. This book provides excellent opportunities to practice reading comprehension strategies, such as predicting and comparing.

Extra! Extra!

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The Landry News

by Andrew Clements

illustrations by Brian Selznick

published by Aladdin Paperbacks, 1999

Summary: "A fifth grader starts a newspaper with an editorial that prompts her burnt-out classroom teacher to really begin teaching again, but he is later threatened with disciplinary action as a result."

Strengths: This book provides another chance for one of Clement's fifth grade student characters to make a change in their environment. I like that the book involves issues that will interest students. The format of the book with chapter headings and pictures with captions is an excellent way for this book to be written because it is like a newspaper.

Concerns: I have no major concerns with this book as long as it is read by students of an appropriate age. Even the issue of divorce is approached in a meaningful, but uncontroversial way.

Classroom Use/Other Comments: This book would be an excellent introduction to a newspaper unit. Students can create their own newspaper, like the students in this class. Teachers can also include a unit on freedom of speech while reading this book. Before reading the book, students can do a chapter heading walk to predict what will happen in the book. Students aged 9 and up will be able to relate to the characters in this book.

A Journey Through Feelings

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Walk Two Moons

by Sharon Creech

published by HarperCollins, 1994

Summary: "After her mother leaves home suddenly, thirteen-year-old Sal and her grandparents take a car trip retracing her mother's route. Along the way, Sal recounts the story of her friend Phoebe, whose mother also left."

Strengths: The story that Sal tells to her grandparents on their journey intertwines the past and present as Sal progresses in coping with her mother's death and departure. Sal's grandparents are very fun characters that make the story adventurous and humorous. The themes of family, love, death, friendship, and accusations provide a beautiful story of a journey.


Concerns: The concepts of death, underage driving, nudity, and swearing may be a concern for younger students.


Classroom Use/Other Comments: This book would be an interesting way to examine characters and journeys of characters. This story also brings up many different ideas to which some students may be able to relate. Children ages 9 and up would enjoy this book.

True Bravery

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Number the Stars

by Lois Lowry

published by Dell Publishing, NY, 1989

Summary: A story of bravery, friendship, and family in Denmark during World War II.

Strengths: This very moving novel provides insight into the life of Danish citizens when the Nazis invaded. Readers can relate to the young girl, Annemarie, as she learns more about the problems Ellen, her friend who is Jewish, faces. The story is written in a captivating way that makes the reader want to continue reading. Re-reading this book after a visit to Denmark and Sweden provided me with a different perspective on the landscape as Lowry exquisitely describes it. Lowry provides insight into a lesser-known region affected by the Holocaust and shares stories of the courageous and compassionate people.

Concerns: The story has a sad overtone, as should any book taking place in the Holocaust.


Classroom Use/Other Comments: Children aged 10 and up can relate to the characters in this book. This book would be an excellent tie-in to a social studies unit on the Holocaust.

Breathtaking Unsung Heroes

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We Are The Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball

Words and Paintings by Kadir Nelson

Published by Jump at the Sun/Hyperion Books for Children, NY, 2008

Summary: "The story of Negro League baseball is the story of gifted athletes and determined owners; of racial discrimination and international sportsmanship; of fortunes won and lost; of triumphs and defeats on and off the field."

Strengths: The combination of beautiful, realistic pictures and interesting, informative text, this book provides an excellent introduction to a topic that is not well-known. The statement on the cover describing the pictures as "oil paintings- breathtaking in their perspectives, rich in emotion, and created with understanding and affection for these lost heroes of our national game." The word breathtaking really describes these illustrations full of action and emotion. I like that the book takes you through the story of these athletes and includes an index. I also like that the chapter headings are titled innings and that a quote is written under each chapter heading. The text is fast-paced and captivates the reader.

Concerns: This book is rather lengthy, but if the reader is interested in the topic, the fast-paced text and illustrations will allow him or her to stay interested.

Classroom Use/Other Comments: This book can be used as a resource for students interested in baseball, as well as an excellent book for investigating segregation. Students can select chapters to read, look at the pictures, or look in the index for specific information. Ages 8 and up would enjoy reading this book.

I read and commented about this book on a blog with a mock Coretta Scott King Award.

Everyone Needs a Friend

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Owen & Mzee: The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship

told by Isabella Hatkoff, Craig Hatkoff, and Dr. Paula Kahumbu

photographs by Peter Greste

Summary: A "true story of two great friends: a baby hippo named Owen and a 130-year-old giant tortoise named Mzee".

Strengths: This book is fairly easy to read as a nonfiction book. The photographs match the text well and provide insight into the reality of the story. The book has an inspirational message involving friendship, animals, and the effects of natural disasters.

Concerns: The book has some sad elements, such as the hippo losing his family.

Classroom Use/Other Comments: Children aged 7 and up will enjoy reading this book to learn more about animals and the effects of natural disasters.

This Little Light of Mine...

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Let it Shine

by Ashley Bryan

published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, NY, 2007

Summary: Illustrated versions of three well-known hymns.

Strengths: The amazing illustrations in this book are extremely colorful and intricate. The words go well with the pictures and the illustrations provide an interesting context for these classic songs. I like that the music of the songs are shown at the end of the book.

Concerns: The concept of religion is present throughout the book, although the book does depict a variety of places of worship on one of the pages.

Classroom Use/Other Comments: Older children can be introduced to the concept of "Spirituals" through this book. Art classes can learn a lot from the designs and cut outs used in this book. Ages 3 and up would enjoy this colorful book!

Life Depicted Through Poetry

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Here's a Little Poem: A Very First Book of Poetry

collected by Jane Yolen and Andrew Fusek Peters

illustrated by Polly Dunbar

published by Candlewick Press, MA, 2007

Summary: "Here's a Little Poem gathers poems from various parts of the English-speaking world, including Great Britain, the Caribbean, Australia, and the U.S."

Strengths: This excellent collection of sweet and funny poems are depicted in beautiful illustrations. I like the diverse characters and the fun interpretations of poems about everyday topics.

Concerns: The bedtime poems may be more appropriate for parents to read to children before bed than for school.

Classroom Use/Other Comments: Children aged 3 and up will enjoy these poems. Students can select a poem to improve fluency and learn about language.

A Sporty Take on a Classic

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Jabberwocky

Poem by Lewis Carroll

Reimagined and illustrated by Christopher Myers

Published by Jump at the Sun/Hyperion Books for Children, NY, 2007

Summary: An interpretation of Lewis Carroll's Jabberwocky taking place on a basketball court.

Strengths: This fabulous interpretation of Jabberwocky has an interesting basis described in a note by the Myers. I think that the font and highlighting of certain words is excellent for this interpretation. The pictures are bright and exciting and bring the story to life in a way in which students can relate.

Concerns: If students are not introduced to this story and the concept of nonsense words, they may be very confused. I was also concerned by one of the illustrations that had a person with multiple arms, which made this realistic interpretation less realistic.

Classroom Use/ Other Comments: The students can read the poem without these illustrations, make their own interpretations, and then read this poem. Students could also read this book first and then look at the poem by itself without pictures to make it more clear. This book is an excellent introduction to nonsense words used in poetry. Children aged 8 and up would enjoy this interpretation and younger children may enjoy being read the book.

Trick or Triqui

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Grandmother's Nursery Rhymes: Las Nanas de Abuelita

by Nelly Palacio Jaramillo

illustrated by Elivia

published by Henry Holt and Company, NY, 1994

Summary: "A collection of traditional South American nursery rhymes in both Spanish and English."


Strengths: These fun poems with flowing pictures provide insight into South American culture. Some of the poems provide explanations of their origins. The poems are also very diverse in length and type.

Concerns: Some of the poems involved figuring out an object or letter, which were at times somewhat confusing.


Classroom Use/ Other Comments: Children aged 3 and up would enjoy these poems. Children in elementary school can use these poems to improve fluency. Students who speak Spanish as their first language will be able to read the Spanish version of the poems and have a mirror to their experiences. Older students who are learning Spanish can use these poems to enrich their learning.

Simple Pleasures

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Sky Sweeper

by Phillis Gershator

pictures by Holly Meade

published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux, NY, 2007

Summary: "Despite criticism for his lack of 'accomplishments,' Takeboki finds contentment sweeping the flower blossoms and raking the sand and gravel in the monks' temple garden. Includes a note on the art and beauty of Japanese gardens."

Strengths: Readers discover the message of finding pleasure in simple things and insight into Japanese culture through the beautiful illustrations and repetitive text. I really liked the double page spreads of how Takeboki takes care of the garden during the four seasons. The importance of nature is seen in the intricate Japanese garden.

Concerns: Some parents may be concerned if teachers introduce this book to young students because of the book's element of religion.

Classroom Use/Other Comments: This book would be appropriate for ages 5 and up. Teachers can use this as an introduction to the Japanese culture or just as an interesting book to read aloud. If children live in New York, they could visit the Brooklyn Botanist Garden that is described in this book and compare it's garden with the Japanese garden in this book.

Peaceful Night in the City

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At Night

by Jonathan Bean

published by Farrar, Straus, and Giroux, NY, 2007

Summary: "A sleepless city girl imagines what it would be like to get away from snoring family members and curl up alone with one's thoughts in the cool night air under wide-open skies."

Strengths: The calming pictures and peaceful tone in the easy-to-read text provides readers with a fun read. Readers can relate to not being able to fall asleep. This can provide an insight to life in the city.

Concerns: Older children may find this book not extremely interesting, but I have no concerns if this is read by children for whom it is intended.

Classroom Use/Other Comments: This book would be good for children aged 3-6. Older children can try to read this book on their own, but younger children would enjoy hearing the story.

Laughing with Moxy

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Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little

by Peggy Gifford

photographs by Valorie Fisher

published by Yearling, NY, 2008

Summary: "With summer coming to an end, about-to-be-fourth-grader Moxy Maxwell does a hundred different things to avoid reading her assigned summer reading book."

Strengths: This hilarious book is full of charismatic characters with funny photographs. The chapter headings relate to the text excellently and add humor. Students can definitely relate to not enjoying summer reading and procrastination. The story also makes divorce and children's interest in the future commonplace ideas. Finally, I really enjoyed the funny scenes, like the dog pulling up the mom's garden, as well as the final scene of the book.

Concerns: Parents may be concerned that their children will learn to follow Moxy's bossy and procrastinating attitude.

Classroom Use/Other Comments: Teachers can introduce this book with a walk through the pictures and chapter headings. This story would be an excellent kick off for reading Stuart Little. Students can build their own lists of possible career paths. Children aged 7 and up would enjoy this fascinating piece of realistic fiction.

Love This Book

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Love That Dog

by Sharon Creech

published by HarperCollins, NY, 2001

Summary: "A young student, who comes to love poetry through a personal understanding of what different famous poems mean to him, surprises himself by writing his own inspired poem."

Strengths: Readers can relate to the narrator in this book through his discussion of school, teachers, poetry, his family, and his dog. The lyrical style of the text and the introduction to poetry styles captivates the reader while providing an instructional context. I like the way in which the narrator is speaking to his teacher throughout the book and students can definitely relate to the way her reacts to her assignments and suggestions for sharing his poetry. I was once again captivated by Sharon Creech's style and imagination.

Concerns: This book may confuse readers at first if they are not prepared for the poetic style. There are some very sad moments in the book, as well.

Classroom use/Other comments: This book would be excellent for grades 3 and up. Teachers can introduce the poems used in this book as they read the novel to the class or students can create their own poems like those of the narrator. Finally, students can create their own journal by writing through poetry, which seems to be how this book is formatted.

Underpraised Heroes

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Windflyers

by Angela Johnson

illustrated by Loren Long

published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, NY, 2007

Summary: The Tuskegee Airmen are introduced through the stories of a boy's great-great-uncle who loved to fly.

Strengths: This book has beautiful illustrations, especially of the sky and clouds, which is where the main focus of the book is. The story is fun and is not too straightforward, while sharing an important part of history. Children can relate to the story because it is told by a child. The uncle's passion for flying and his sacrifice for our country is clearly depicted.

Concerns: The story had some sad moments, such as when the reader discovers that not all of the Airmen made it home. However, it is written in such a way that this may not affect young readers. Readers may also be slightly confused that the narrator introduces the main character as his great-great-uncle, but later he just calls him just "Uncle".

Classroom Use/Other Comments: This story could be an introduction to war and to African Americans in the war effort. In addition, this book would be a fun way to introduce a writing prompt in which students can share a story from their own family. Children aged 5 and up would enjoy this book.

True Bravery

picture from amazon.com Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad

by Ellen Levine

illustrated by Kadir Nelson

published by Scholastic, NY, 2007

Summary: This book tells the true story of Henry "Box" Brown as he takes a heroic journey from slavery.

Strengths: Beautiful illustrations taken from a variety of perspectives with excellent texture connect with the easy to read text to tell this fascinating story. This book creates many emotions and makes the reader relate and empathize with Henry. I was brought to tears of sadness when Henry's family was sold and tears of happiness when he reached freedom. I like that the story shows how Henry grew and changed throughout his life.

Concerns: The topic of this story may be upsetting for younger children, especially when Henry's family is sold. I also want to know what happens after Henry becomes free!

Classroom Use/ Other Comments: This book could be used as an introduction to slavery and the Underground Railroad. Ages 7 and up would enjoy reading this book or having it read to them.

A Girl's Best Friend...

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Fred Stays with Me!

by Nancy Coffelt

illustrated by Tricia Tusa

published by Little, Brown and Company, NY, 2007

Summary: "A child describes how she lives sometimes with her mother and sometimes with her father, but her dog is her constant companion."

Strengths: This simple book with earth-toned illustrations has a message of constancy through divorce. Children learn how parents can work with their kids to problem solve or compromise if there is a situation. This is an excellent introduction to divorce and may provide a mirror to children with parents going through a divorce.

Concerns: I think that the font used in this book would make it difficult for children to read by themselves. The letter, k, for example looks like the cursive letter k.

Classroom Use/ Other Comments: This book is an excellent book to read aloud to children aged 4 and up. Students may be able to make self to text connections through the narrator's love of her dog and through her experience with divorce.

A Buzzing Outlook on Bees

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clan Apis

by Jay Hosler, Ph.D.

published by Active Synapse, OH, 2000

Summary: The life of bees is examined with humor and science in a graphic novel context.

Strengths: I began reading this book hesitantly because it looked like common comic books, which are book in a genre I do not tend to enjoy. Fortunately, this book surprised and captivated me! I was wary that the pictures had no color, but began to realize that color would make the pictures too busy. The characters were all very funny and the book added a lot of humor and characterization to science. Readers learn about metamorphosis, different insects, prey, and camouflage, as well as the message of individualism and trying new things. This book also provides information about the author that will be comforting to children with allergies to bees.

Concerns: Some parents may be concerned with the way the book starts with the relation to the creation of Earth, but teachers can have students begin reading the book after that part if it is a problem. There are some large words that students will need to look up in the dictionary and some of the jokes will not be understood by students unless they have background information on the topic. Finally, the aspect of death is present in the novel.

Classroom Use/ Other Comments: This book would be great for children 10 and up. Teachers can use this in lessons on metamorphosis and insects. There are neat ways for students to remember things about bees, such as the word "pupa", through the witty statements of different characters. Information at the end provides In addition, teachers could teach a lesson on math based on pages 94 and 95 about the shape and size of the combs. Finally, teachers can incorporate dance into instruction through this book based on the dance the bee describes.

No Need For Words!

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You Can't Take a Balloon Into The Metropolitan Museum

by Jacqueline Preiss Weitzman and Robin Preiss Glasser

published by Dial Books for Young Readers, NY, 1998

Summary: "In this wordless story a young girl and her grandmother view works inside The Metropolitan Museum of Art, while the balloon she has been forced to leave outside floats around New York City causing a series of mishaps that mirror scenes in the museum's artworks."

Strengths: This beautifully illustrated, wordless picture book in comic format captivates readers of all ages. The important characters and pieces of art are brought to the readers' attention with color, while the background illulstrations are black and white. The connection between art and life are exquisitely portrayed through the traveling balloon and the art that the girl sees in the museum. Children reading the book may relate if they have been to the museum or the different places in New York.

Concerns: My only, very minimal, concern is that some aspects of the background, such as the plants, are illustrated in color, while other equally important elements are black and white. Although this is not a huge criticism, it does take away the consistency in the illustrations.

Classroom Use/Other Comments: This would be a fun book to have in any elementary school classroom for children aged 5 and up. Teachers could have students learn more about the different art pieces portrayed in the book. Children could also select a piece of art and create their own representation of it in today's society. Because this is a book without words, students could practice story telling and writing by writing their own text. Finally, if a class is close enough to this museum to visit, teachers could use this book as a basis for a field trip to the museum or zoo.

Flashlights Work Wonders!

picture from amazon.com (different language)

Scary Godmother

by Jill Thompson

published by Sirius Entertainment, NJ, 1997

Summary: "While trick-or-treating on Halloween night, Hannah Marie meets her ScaryGodmother and a host of creepy creatures."

Strengths: I liked the fun costumes and pictures that are combined with easy to read text. Children would be able to relate to both Hannah as the younger child who gets to be the hero and to the older children who either help or pick on Hannah. The characters are very funny and the comic book feel makes the story quick and easy to follow. Children who are scared of different elements of Halloween will find comfort in this fun story.

Concerns: Some parents may not approve of teaching about or emphasizing Halloween in school. In addition, I thought that it was sometimes difficult to see who was speaking based on the word bubbles. Finally, I thought it was a little strange that part of the book was very scientific with information about bats, but other parts were very imaginative with made-up monsters.

Classroom Use/Other Comments: If there is no problem with Halloween celebrations in your class or school, teachers can read this to their class as part of a science lesson on bats and bones. Through the book, a lot of information is given about bats and the skeleton sings the bone song, which is a fun way to add music to the lesson. Children ages 7 and up would identify with the older kids not being patient of the younger girl or with the younger child trying to be brave.

How To Get Out of Chores

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Meanwhile...

by Jules Feiffer

published by Harper Collins, 1997

Summary: A comic book lover escapes into adventures using the word meanwhile.

Strengths: Interesting, colorful, and dynamic illustrations combine with a very funny story to create a captivating piece with a comic-book feel. I find it interesting that the same motion of line depicting swords and bullet fire are used to depict the mother's yelling. This is a great book in which children can escape and use their imagination. Children will get very excited about what will happen next and can predict ways in which Raymond can write "meanwhile".

Concerns: Younger children may not understand the changes that occur with the word "meanwhile". Parents may be concerned with the violence portrayed in space, in the West, and on a pirate ship. (Parents also might be concerned that their children will write "meanwhile" on the walls where they can't see it!)

Classroom Use: This book would be great for children aged 7 and up. Teachers can use it as a way to introduce transition words. Children can also imagine their own story and write their own similar book.

A Calming Collection

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'Til All the Stars Have Fallen

selected by David Booth

illustrated by Kady MacDonald Denton

published by the Penguin Group, England, 1989

Summary: A collection of poems about a variety of subjects for children.

Strengths: The diverse selection and beautiful illustrations create a excellent selection of poems to share with children. A wide variety of poems written in different styles are presented. Some of the poems are in different shapes and some include repetition. This provides an introduction to these styles for students and there is a wide selection of poems from which to choose. The illustrations are wistful and the combination of black and white illustrations with colored illustrations add to the fun and calming nature of the book. The students can relate to many of these poems.

Concerns: Some of the poems seem randomly assorted. For example, in the section titled "In Silent Snow", there is a poem about mosquitoes. However, in the introduction, Mr. Booth said that his poems were organized in a unique way. Some children may consider the pictures abstract because they are not like picture book pictures complimenting the text.

Classroom Use/Other Comments: Teachers can use these poems in the classroom by sharing them with students. My practicum teacher has been giving her class a poem a day as part of fluency practice. She reads the poem as they read along and then the whole class reads chorally. They look at different aspects of the poem. Teachers can have students pick a poem from this book and present it to the class or illustrate it. Children can also read this book for fun. Ages 8 and up.

Swirl and Whirl Away a Bad Day

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Mrs. Biddlebox

by Linda Smith

illustrated by Marla Frazee

published by Harper Collins, 2002

Summary: " With baking magic, Mrs. Biddlebox uses fog, dirt, sky, and other ingredients of a rotten day to transform it into a sweet cake."

Strengths: The dynamic illustrations and rhyming text make this book a memorable tale sure to change any bad day into a day full of laughter. Younger children will enjoy finding Mrs. Biddlebox's duck that is along for the adventure. The imagery and delightful pictures make this story a fun read. Children can imagine following Mrs. Biddlebox's actions in order to improve their own bad days.

Concerns: Students may not understand at first what exactly is being baked. Readers will need their imagination hats on!

Classroom Use/Other Comments: This book would be a great book to read aloud and to discuss rhyme. Only the second and fourth lines have an end rhyme, which is something that students can discuss. Children aged 4 and up would enjoy listening to the book and older students would be able to read this book on their own. This book could be a good introduction to imagery and figurative language. Children can write their own story about making something into a cake without using tangible, normal ingredients.

Annie in Action

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heartbeat

by Sharon Creech

published by Harpers Collins, NY, 2004

Summary: "Twelve year old Annie ponders the many rhythms of life the year that her mother becomes pregnant, her grandfather begins faltering, and her best friend (and running partner) becomes distant."

Strengths: I love the rhythm used in this book that definitely portrays the feeling of running and of a heart beating. The way this book is written makes it very unique and very catchy. The imagery used in Annie's class assignment of depicting an apple over time is very symbolic and adds a lot to the book. Students who have aging grandparents and students who will soon have a baby sibling can definitely relate to the main character. The relationship between Max and Annie as they run and help each other adds another interesting story line. I really like that this book encourages one to stay true to oneself, just as Annie stayed true to herself by not running on a team. (I also enjoyed that I could relate to the character through my name and passion for running!)

Concerns: Elementary school aged students may have difficulties relating to this book. The main character is 12 years old, so middle school aged students would probably really enjoy this book. Students need to be prepared to read this book in a different way because it is written as poetry. Without preparation, students may be very confused.

Classroom Use/Other Comments: Ages 9 and up. Teachers can use this book in the classroom to introduce footnotes through the parts of the book about learning footnotes. Students could read this book for fun or as a way to learn about use of poetry in books.

Relax in the Meadow

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Butterfly Eyes and Other Secrets of the Meadow

written by Joyce Sidman

illustrated by Beth Krommes

published by Houghton Mifflin Company, Boston, 2006

Summary: The meadow is explored in the form of poetry and illustrations.

Strengths: The scratchboard illustrations in this book are intricate and unique designs that depict the meadow very well. I really like that the layout of the book gives children the opportunity to guess which animal is being described and that the layout of each poem is different. The illustrations also provide clues to the reader. Some of the poems, like those about the snake and the toad, are in the shapes of the animals, which adds a very fun twist. A few of the animals in the book may be unknown to students, so these poems and pictures are excellent ways of learning more about nature.

Concerns: Children may be confused reading this on their own without guidance of pronunciation and how to guess the animals. They may not want to read the information about the elements of the meadow and may just stick to reading the poems.

Classroom Use/Other Comments: This book is an excellent tool in the classroom. Not only does it provide excellent examples of poetry, but it has information about animals and other elements of a meadow. The poetry also gives children an opportunity to guess which animal the poem is describing. Teachers can add art to lessons by learning more about the technique of scratchboard illustrations, which many students may enjoy. The book also includes a glossary, so that children can learn scientific terms and practice looking up words that they do not know. (Ages 8 and up)