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.

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.

"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.

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.

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.