* Thank You Mr. Falker Patricia Polacco
This is an excellent read. It is about a young girl who wants to learn to read but never really gets the hang of it. She is always reading below level and hates to read out loud due to her inability to read. She gets made fun for this and begins to hate school and not participate to her potential, until Mr. Falker comes to teach at the school. He is a very passionate teacher and soon realizes that this young girl can not read. He immidately sets up afterschool sessions with him and a female teacher and sets to teaching this young lady to read. She soon has the ability to read and is in love with reading and school finally, and she owes it all to that very special teacher, Mr. Falker. Patricia Polacco says this is a semi true story because that little girl was her and that teacher was Mr. Falker. This is very relatable and a great and encouraging read. It is great for any age group. It is recommended for 2nd grade and above, when reading really comes president and these struggles may start for students.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
*The Three Pigs David Weisner
This is an absolutely fabulous traditional read. It starts out with the traditional three pigs story and soon develops into an exciting and fun new twist on the traditional tale. Instead of the three pigs getting their houses blown down and the mean old wolf getting them, the pigs take the story into their own hands {hoofs!} and change there history. They change themselves into other traditional tales and change the endings and bring those characters to life as well. It is a terrific and fun read, as well as the amazing illustrations, which help to add to the charm of this childrens literature! You could use this with any age group and each child would love it and find it fantastic. It is funny, charming and laugh out loud! 1st grade through 5th grade would benefit from reading this.
This is an absolutely fabulous traditional read. It starts out with the traditional three pigs story and soon develops into an exciting and fun new twist on the traditional tale. Instead of the three pigs getting their houses blown down and the mean old wolf getting them, the pigs take the story into their own hands {hoofs!} and change there history. They change themselves into other traditional tales and change the endings and bring those characters to life as well. It is a terrific and fun read, as well as the amazing illustrations, which help to add to the charm of this childrens literature! You could use this with any age group and each child would love it and find it fantastic. It is funny, charming and laugh out loud! 1st grade through 5th grade would benefit from reading this.
BlackBeard's Last Fight Eric Kimmel
This is a very gory, detailed historical fiction. It is about the pirate BlackBeard and his last fight before he was killed. It begins with a young man named Jeremy Hobbs, he begins to fight with the British on their ship in search of BlackBeard and his mean pirate comrades. Lieutenant Maynard is in charge of this operation and sets out on the open sea to find BlackBeard and stop him from looting and killing many of the trading ships on the sea. Each memeber of Maynard's troops take guard duty late at night and wait for BlackBeard's ship to pass. Soon their worst nightmare occurs and they are face to face with BlackBeard and his deadly crew. There are fist fights, cannon shootings, and the death of BlackBeard from none other than little Jeremy Hobbs. BlackBeard is killed and Hobbs will have the story of how he killed BlackBeard and became a hero for the rest of his life. This is a great read, but suited for older children only. There is beheadings in this book, many fights with cannons and swords and death and dispair. 4th grade and up would enjoy this action book and it would be great to use during history when discussing the British trade and even about the sea during social studies.
This is a very gory, detailed historical fiction. It is about the pirate BlackBeard and his last fight before he was killed. It begins with a young man named Jeremy Hobbs, he begins to fight with the British on their ship in search of BlackBeard and his mean pirate comrades. Lieutenant Maynard is in charge of this operation and sets out on the open sea to find BlackBeard and stop him from looting and killing many of the trading ships on the sea. Each memeber of Maynard's troops take guard duty late at night and wait for BlackBeard's ship to pass. Soon their worst nightmare occurs and they are face to face with BlackBeard and his deadly crew. There are fist fights, cannon shootings, and the death of BlackBeard from none other than little Jeremy Hobbs. BlackBeard is killed and Hobbs will have the story of how he killed BlackBeard and became a hero for the rest of his life. This is a great read, but suited for older children only. There is beheadings in this book, many fights with cannons and swords and death and dispair. 4th grade and up would enjoy this action book and it would be great to use during history when discussing the British trade and even about the sea during social studies.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
The Garden of Abdul Gasazi Chris Vanallsburg
This is a terrific read. It is about a young boy named Alan who hates dogs, and his aunt brings her dog to visit and expects Alan to watch it. As he walks the dog they stumble onto Abdul Gasazi's garden where it is posted no dogs allowed. Fritz the dog takes off into the garden and Alan must chase after it. They run into Abdul Gasazi- a retire magician- and he tells Alan to take Fritz and go before he turns him into a duck. Alan tries and Fritz can not be handled and Gasazi turns Fritz into a duck, and Alan must go home and tell his aunt what has happened. He gets there and is so upset with what has happened and tells his aunt, who says Abdul is lying and a trickster and Fritz is there and must have found his way home. Alan is relieved until he sees his hat in Fritz mouth, the same hat he stole as a duck. It is a great read and very fantasy like because it deals with magic and morphing into other animals. It is an easy read and young children everywhere will love it! It has myth, magic and humor. Its great for 1st-5th grade and has amazing illustrations. This is another one of my author study books and Chris Vanallsburg has the most magnificent stories and each has a twisted ending that is surprising and satisfying.
This is a terrific read. It is about a young boy named Alan who hates dogs, and his aunt brings her dog to visit and expects Alan to watch it. As he walks the dog they stumble onto Abdul Gasazi's garden where it is posted no dogs allowed. Fritz the dog takes off into the garden and Alan must chase after it. They run into Abdul Gasazi- a retire magician- and he tells Alan to take Fritz and go before he turns him into a duck. Alan tries and Fritz can not be handled and Gasazi turns Fritz into a duck, and Alan must go home and tell his aunt what has happened. He gets there and is so upset with what has happened and tells his aunt, who says Abdul is lying and a trickster and Fritz is there and must have found his way home. Alan is relieved until he sees his hat in Fritz mouth, the same hat he stole as a duck. It is a great read and very fantasy like because it deals with magic and morphing into other animals. It is an easy read and young children everywhere will love it! It has myth, magic and humor. Its great for 1st-5th grade and has amazing illustrations. This is another one of my author study books and Chris Vanallsburg has the most magnificent stories and each has a twisted ending that is surprising and satisfying.
Just a Dream Chris VanAllsburg
This is a great fantasy story about Walter who does not like to recycle. He throws his garbage down and thinks that the girl down the street who plants a tree for her birthday is a dork, until one night he has a dream that the world is full of garbage and can not exist the way it is supposed to. He dreams there are no streets or houses and is all a garbage dump, and when he wakes he decides to change his ways and goes and picks up trash and he too decides to plant a tree for his birthday, and he marries that young girl who started the whole thing and tells his grandchildren about that tree when they get older. This is a great fantasy story because it is realistic in nature but has futuristic tendencies in having flying cars, and the possibility of a garbage filled future if things do not change. It also has amazing illustrations done by Chris Vanallsburg, which he is known for. It is great for any age group, but is especially great for 1st-4th because it has a moral obligation and also has great content and is interesting.
This is a great fantasy story about Walter who does not like to recycle. He throws his garbage down and thinks that the girl down the street who plants a tree for her birthday is a dork, until one night he has a dream that the world is full of garbage and can not exist the way it is supposed to. He dreams there are no streets or houses and is all a garbage dump, and when he wakes he decides to change his ways and goes and picks up trash and he too decides to plant a tree for his birthday, and he marries that young girl who started the whole thing and tells his grandchildren about that tree when they get older. This is a great fantasy story because it is realistic in nature but has futuristic tendencies in having flying cars, and the possibility of a garbage filled future if things do not change. It also has amazing illustrations done by Chris Vanallsburg, which he is known for. It is great for any age group, but is especially great for 1st-4th because it has a moral obligation and also has great content and is interesting.
*Under the quilt of night Deborah Hopskinson
This is a great story of a quest for freedom. It is about slaves who are seeking their freedom and do so through the night, and as a sign for participants in the underground railroad the signal is color quilts on the line that signal if the house is friendly for hiding slaves and helping them seek their freedom. In this particiular story there are slaves who seek freedom and run during the night and sleep in the bushes during the day, and head out and see a house with quilts out that have colors they do not reconize. They soon find that the house is friendly and they seek refuge and food there, and soon continue on their quest for freedom. It is an easy read and has very easy to understand content and easy language for learning about the underground railroad and slavery. It is suited for 1st grade and above and has beautiful illustrations to back up the content.
This is a great story of a quest for freedom. It is about slaves who are seeking their freedom and do so through the night, and as a sign for participants in the underground railroad the signal is color quilts on the line that signal if the house is friendly for hiding slaves and helping them seek their freedom. In this particiular story there are slaves who seek freedom and run during the night and sleep in the bushes during the day, and head out and see a house with quilts out that have colors they do not reconize. They soon find that the house is friendly and they seek refuge and food there, and soon continue on their quest for freedom. It is an easy read and has very easy to understand content and easy language for learning about the underground railroad and slavery. It is suited for 1st grade and above and has beautiful illustrations to back up the content.
* Liberty Street Candice Ransom
This is about a young slave girl named Kezia and her mom who are slaves on a small farm in virginia. They soon find out that Missus Grace is going to sell Kezia to pay off her husbands debt. Mama decides that she must buy her freedom and saves up her silver, and decides they must sneak Kezia to freedom in Canada. They begin to research the underground railroad in there little town and soon find out that Ms. Eulalie is a free slave who will teach Kezia how to read and write. They soon plan out how they will get her and others to freedom, through the night. Kezia and the others plan is planned out and soon they are running in the dead of night to a hidden boat that will take them to Canada, but Kezia's mother can not go. She stays behind and will buy her freedom properly. Kezia gets away and wishes for her mama, but she feels they will be together again soon. It is a great read for younger kids who are learning about slavery and the underground railroad. It is very encouraging that slaves learn to read and write through the underground railroad and are able to get freedom and do something once they get out of the slave rein. This is perfect for 1st grade and above.
This is about a young slave girl named Kezia and her mom who are slaves on a small farm in virginia. They soon find out that Missus Grace is going to sell Kezia to pay off her husbands debt. Mama decides that she must buy her freedom and saves up her silver, and decides they must sneak Kezia to freedom in Canada. They begin to research the underground railroad in there little town and soon find out that Ms. Eulalie is a free slave who will teach Kezia how to read and write. They soon plan out how they will get her and others to freedom, through the night. Kezia and the others plan is planned out and soon they are running in the dead of night to a hidden boat that will take them to Canada, but Kezia's mother can not go. She stays behind and will buy her freedom properly. Kezia gets away and wishes for her mama, but she feels they will be together again soon. It is a great read for younger kids who are learning about slavery and the underground railroad. It is very encouraging that slaves learn to read and write through the underground railroad and are able to get freedom and do something once they get out of the slave rein. This is perfect for 1st grade and above.
* Henry's Freedom Box Ellen Levine
This is an excellent story about a slave named Henry who works his hands to the bone on a tobacco plantation and gets seperated from his wife and children because they are sold to pay off debts. He decides he must get to Philadelphia and freedom, and to find his family again. He creates an ingenius plan with a local doctor who is an abolishinst and helps heal his hurt, worn down fingers. He needs to miss work so he pours acid on his hands that will enable them useless on the tobacco plantation, and he decides to mail himself in a box to Philadelphia. He gets mailed from the help of his doctor, and soon has freedom. It is a great read and makes you happy to know he got away to freedom. This is great for any history lesson on slavery and the underground railroad and abolishinists. It is best for younger children who understand a little about slavery, because there is not too much sad and upsetting content. 2nd grade and up will be able to handle this story and learning of slavery in a less harsh and traumatizing way.
This is an excellent story about a slave named Henry who works his hands to the bone on a tobacco plantation and gets seperated from his wife and children because they are sold to pay off debts. He decides he must get to Philadelphia and freedom, and to find his family again. He creates an ingenius plan with a local doctor who is an abolishinst and helps heal his hurt, worn down fingers. He needs to miss work so he pours acid on his hands that will enable them useless on the tobacco plantation, and he decides to mail himself in a box to Philadelphia. He gets mailed from the help of his doctor, and soon has freedom. It is a great read and makes you happy to know he got away to freedom. This is great for any history lesson on slavery and the underground railroad and abolishinists. It is best for younger children who understand a little about slavery, because there is not too much sad and upsetting content. 2nd grade and up will be able to handle this story and learning of slavery in a less harsh and traumatizing way.
* A Good Night For Freedom Barbara Morrow
This is a great historical fiction novel about finding freedom in a time of slavery and the underground railroad. This story begins when a young Hallie is told to take butter to a sick neighbor, and on the way home runs into men on horses. They are searching for two young black slaves who have escaped and ask young Hallie if she has seen them. She has not and sends them on their way. She soon finds out these two girls are hiding out at the house she took butter to and feels a moral obligation. She is worried about knowing that these girls are hiding, but also is worried about why the girls are running away. She tells her neighbor she saw the girls and they tell her to keep quiet because the men who own them are bad men. Her father has always told her not to meddle in others business, but she can not help but feel guilty for knowing those girls are hiding. She returns to that house and comes face to face with the slave escapees. She begins talking to them and soon finds out how they were getting sold and seperated from eachother and their mama and can not bear to work anymore. Hallie gets confronted by those men on horses again and she tells them she has seen the girls and sends the men through the woods, when those girls are safely hiding in a hidden room in the neighbors house. She wants those girls to see their mother again and have a great life. She feels accomplished for helping and knows her morals are in the right place, even though she lied. This story is great for older kids who can comprehend what a guilty conscience is and moral obligations. It is best for 4th grade and up that understand when a lie is okay and when it is not okay, and the content of slavery.
This is a great historical fiction novel about finding freedom in a time of slavery and the underground railroad. This story begins when a young Hallie is told to take butter to a sick neighbor, and on the way home runs into men on horses. They are searching for two young black slaves who have escaped and ask young Hallie if she has seen them. She has not and sends them on their way. She soon finds out these two girls are hiding out at the house she took butter to and feels a moral obligation. She is worried about knowing that these girls are hiding, but also is worried about why the girls are running away. She tells her neighbor she saw the girls and they tell her to keep quiet because the men who own them are bad men. Her father has always told her not to meddle in others business, but she can not help but feel guilty for knowing those girls are hiding. She returns to that house and comes face to face with the slave escapees. She begins talking to them and soon finds out how they were getting sold and seperated from eachother and their mama and can not bear to work anymore. Hallie gets confronted by those men on horses again and she tells them she has seen the girls and sends the men through the woods, when those girls are safely hiding in a hidden room in the neighbors house. She wants those girls to see their mother again and have a great life. She feels accomplished for helping and knows her morals are in the right place, even though she lied. This story is great for older kids who can comprehend what a guilty conscience is and moral obligations. It is best for 4th grade and up that understand when a lie is okay and when it is not okay, and the content of slavery.
* Ain't Nobody a stranger to me Ann Grifalconi
This is a historical fiction novel about slaves and their quest for freedom. It begins with a young girl named Honey who is with her grandfather, and he is telling her about how he got his freedom from slavery and is now able to own his own applefarm and numerous apple trees. He says how he and his young wife and child decide to run away before they are split up and sent away. One night they take off during the night and travel for a long time, and decide to slip into a barn for some sleep. The next morning they hear a man rusitng in the barn and are afraid they are going to get caught and sent back! They are very quiet... but then the new baby is hungry and begins to cry. The white man hears this and begins to look for grandpa and his wife and child, and soon finds them, They are freightened but it turns out this white man is an abolishinist and wants to feed and help them get their freedom. It was their lucky day and soon get help getting their freedom, and grandpa knew he wanted to plant apple trees and have land. It is a great read and is great for lessons during the slave era and underground railroad. It can be used for any age group, but 1st grade and above would benefit from the illustrations and easy reading content.
This is a historical fiction novel about slaves and their quest for freedom. It begins with a young girl named Honey who is with her grandfather, and he is telling her about how he got his freedom from slavery and is now able to own his own applefarm and numerous apple trees. He says how he and his young wife and child decide to run away before they are split up and sent away. One night they take off during the night and travel for a long time, and decide to slip into a barn for some sleep. The next morning they hear a man rusitng in the barn and are afraid they are going to get caught and sent back! They are very quiet... but then the new baby is hungry and begins to cry. The white man hears this and begins to look for grandpa and his wife and child, and soon finds them, They are freightened but it turns out this white man is an abolishinist and wants to feed and help them get their freedom. It was their lucky day and soon get help getting their freedom, and grandpa knew he wanted to plant apple trees and have land. It is a great read and is great for lessons during the slave era and underground railroad. It can be used for any age group, but 1st grade and above would benefit from the illustrations and easy reading content.
An Outlaw's Thanksgiving Emily Arnold McCully
This is a historical fiction read because it is set during the the time of Butch Cassidy and all of his crimes. It begins with a young Clara and her mother who are traveling home to have thanksgiving with their father. During their travels there is inclement weather and they have to go spend the night in an unfamiliar town. Mama is very proper and does not want to intrude, but the towns people are very welcoming and seem to be well off. During the hospitatlity Clara recognizes one of the rich farm owners, from a wanted poster she had seen. It's Butch Cassidy! She decides not to tell her mother because she would just faint from freight. She tells Butch she saw him on a wanted poster and he explains that he is doing the right thing and that she should keep the secret of where he is hiding out because he is helping the poor with all those robberies. Clara decides not to ruin her mothers Thanksgiving, and decides she will tell her father when they return home from their travels. This is an easy reader and can be used for any age group when discussing the historical western time. It has great illustrations and can be used for the young age groups, and can be used during history lessons as entertainment. 1st grade and above would enjoy this historical fiction read.
This is a historical fiction read because it is set during the the time of Butch Cassidy and all of his crimes. It begins with a young Clara and her mother who are traveling home to have thanksgiving with their father. During their travels there is inclement weather and they have to go spend the night in an unfamiliar town. Mama is very proper and does not want to intrude, but the towns people are very welcoming and seem to be well off. During the hospitatlity Clara recognizes one of the rich farm owners, from a wanted poster she had seen. It's Butch Cassidy! She decides not to tell her mother because she would just faint from freight. She tells Butch she saw him on a wanted poster and he explains that he is doing the right thing and that she should keep the secret of where he is hiding out because he is helping the poor with all those robberies. Clara decides not to ruin her mothers Thanksgiving, and decides she will tell her father when they return home from their travels. This is an easy reader and can be used for any age group when discussing the historical western time. It has great illustrations and can be used for the young age groups, and can be used during history lessons as entertainment. 1st grade and above would enjoy this historical fiction read.
Terrible Storm Carol Hurst
This is a great story! It is about a terrible storm, and it is told from a grandfather's point of view during the storm. It starts with two old men sitting on the front porch watching the snow fall. The recall where they where during the terrible storm of the century, and each has a completely different view of that storm. One was with their family on the farm, and the other was at the general store. The man on the farm had to dig out at least 10 feet of snow, while the other had to shovel a path from the general store in order to get home. It is hilarious to see the illustrations and see how the snow keeps piling up. There are the stereotypes of the old cliche of grandparents telling how they had to walk 10 miles to get somewhere, and also that old men sit on the porch discussing the weather all day long. This story is great for young children, 1st grade and up will find this story entertaining. It is realistic fiction because everyone can relate to how a snowstorm can be terrible, and can imagine their grandparents sitting on the porch discussing the weather. It is an easy read and has funny, entertaining content.
This is a great story! It is about a terrible storm, and it is told from a grandfather's point of view during the storm. It starts with two old men sitting on the front porch watching the snow fall. The recall where they where during the terrible storm of the century, and each has a completely different view of that storm. One was with their family on the farm, and the other was at the general store. The man on the farm had to dig out at least 10 feet of snow, while the other had to shovel a path from the general store in order to get home. It is hilarious to see the illustrations and see how the snow keeps piling up. There are the stereotypes of the old cliche of grandparents telling how they had to walk 10 miles to get somewhere, and also that old men sit on the porch discussing the weather all day long. This story is great for young children, 1st grade and up will find this story entertaining. It is realistic fiction because everyone can relate to how a snowstorm can be terrible, and can imagine their grandparents sitting on the porch discussing the weather. It is an easy read and has funny, entertaining content.
* Owl Moon Jane Yolen
This is a great read. It is about a young boy who is finally able to go owling with his father, an indication that he is mature enough to go. During his travel it is cold, and dark and has to follow quickly to keep up. Once they get to the designated spot, the father gives out a hoot and calls for an owl. The owl returns the call and shows itself. The young boy is thrilled and so is the father. Soon they head back, and they know their relationship will forever be different. The son knows that his father looks at him no longer as a young child, but as a mature kid. The sons affection for the father changes as well, because now he has done something special with him and will forever remember. The illustrations in this are gorgeous, the snow looks as if it is real and you can just feel the coldness of the night, and the darkness engulfing you. It is a great read for kids of all ages, but is especially nice for young children who are about to reach that age of knowing and maturity, of coming of age. 2nd grade and older are best suited for this excellent read. The content is not hard to understand but it might bring up questions from the younger children.
This is a great read. It is about a young boy who is finally able to go owling with his father, an indication that he is mature enough to go. During his travel it is cold, and dark and has to follow quickly to keep up. Once they get to the designated spot, the father gives out a hoot and calls for an owl. The owl returns the call and shows itself. The young boy is thrilled and so is the father. Soon they head back, and they know their relationship will forever be different. The son knows that his father looks at him no longer as a young child, but as a mature kid. The sons affection for the father changes as well, because now he has done something special with him and will forever remember. The illustrations in this are gorgeous, the snow looks as if it is real and you can just feel the coldness of the night, and the darkness engulfing you. It is a great read for kids of all ages, but is especially nice for young children who are about to reach that age of knowing and maturity, of coming of age. 2nd grade and older are best suited for this excellent read. The content is not hard to understand but it might bring up questions from the younger children.
* The View From Saturday E.L. Konigsburg
This is an excellent realistic fiction novel about coming of age for four very different middle school young adults, who all join the quiz bowl team with the encouragement of a very special teacher. Mrs. Olinski is a teacher who is left parapeligic who comes back to school to teach. In her class are 4 very different students. Nadia who is in the middle of divorcing parents, Noah who spent the summer with his grandfather, Julian who has just moved into a bed and breakfast, and Ethan who lives on a farm and has a very different family. They come together and compliment eachother nicely, and over tea become "The Souls." These 6th graders soon take the quiz bowl world by storm and win the acedmic bowl, which is un heard of because this group is younger than everyone else on the teams they compete against. This is a great story of coming of age and learning to be comfortable in your identity. It is easily relateable because some of the kids are bullied by the big mean kids in the school, and others are sensative and are learning to cope with it. This story is best for 5th grade and up do to the content of the story, love, understanding and identity. It is also a novel and can be long, with some mature content.
This is an excellent realistic fiction novel about coming of age for four very different middle school young adults, who all join the quiz bowl team with the encouragement of a very special teacher. Mrs. Olinski is a teacher who is left parapeligic who comes back to school to teach. In her class are 4 very different students. Nadia who is in the middle of divorcing parents, Noah who spent the summer with his grandfather, Julian who has just moved into a bed and breakfast, and Ethan who lives on a farm and has a very different family. They come together and compliment eachother nicely, and over tea become "The Souls." These 6th graders soon take the quiz bowl world by storm and win the acedmic bowl, which is un heard of because this group is younger than everyone else on the teams they compete against. This is a great story of coming of age and learning to be comfortable in your identity. It is easily relateable because some of the kids are bullied by the big mean kids in the school, and others are sensative and are learning to cope with it. This story is best for 5th grade and up do to the content of the story, love, understanding and identity. It is also a novel and can be long, with some mature content.
* A Year Down Yonder Richard Peck
This is realistic fiction. This is a fantastic story about a young girl during the depression in chicago. She is sent to live with her grandmother in the south because her family can not afford to keep her and are forced to move into a small one bedroom apartment. The young woman moves in with her very unique grandmothe, and has to become accustomed to life in a small town in the south. She begins school and does not have very nice clothes, and her clothes are different because she is from a big city, not like the others in her class. She begins a crush on this boy, who a very popular girl has a crush on too. She invites him over to help her with her math and duriing his visit a snake falls from the attic and scares the daylights out of him and he takes off home. She thinks she is never going to see him again and will die from embaressment. Soon after he is going to go away to college and he comes calling on her again and asks if she will wait for him. She goes back to Chicago to be with her family, and during the summer she goes back to her grandmothers farm to marry that boy and start her life in that same little town she dreaded. This is such a great story of finding something great during a time of duress. This is a great read for young adults who are independent readers and enjoy a love story. 5th grade up through 12th grade could all enjoy this story equally, while getting different things out of it.
This is realistic fiction. This is a fantastic story about a young girl during the depression in chicago. She is sent to live with her grandmother in the south because her family can not afford to keep her and are forced to move into a small one bedroom apartment. The young woman moves in with her very unique grandmothe, and has to become accustomed to life in a small town in the south. She begins school and does not have very nice clothes, and her clothes are different because she is from a big city, not like the others in her class. She begins a crush on this boy, who a very popular girl has a crush on too. She invites him over to help her with her math and duriing his visit a snake falls from the attic and scares the daylights out of him and he takes off home. She thinks she is never going to see him again and will die from embaressment. Soon after he is going to go away to college and he comes calling on her again and asks if she will wait for him. She goes back to Chicago to be with her family, and during the summer she goes back to her grandmothers farm to marry that boy and start her life in that same little town she dreaded. This is such a great story of finding something great during a time of duress. This is a great read for young adults who are independent readers and enjoy a love story. 5th grade up through 12th grade could all enjoy this story equally, while getting different things out of it.
* The Harmonica Tony Johnston
This is an absolutely amazing story of a Jewish family in Nazi, Poland. This is a heart wrenching story about a young family in Poland during the Nazi invasion. This young boy receives a harmonica as a gift from his poor, coal mining father right before the family is captured by the Nazi's and taken to a concentration camp. The boy uses his harmonica as a way to express his grief of being seperated from his parents and potentially losing them forever. A guard over hears the boy playing the beautiful music his father taught him to play and has the boy play for him nightly. As a reward the guard throws the boy scraps of bread and demands that he keeps playing. The boy goes back to his cell, feeling guilty that he is being fed while everyone else is straving and being worked to death. As he returns to his cell, another prisoner tells the boy thank you, thank you for playing the beautiful music and giving us all something to enjoy. This story is very heart wrenching, and includes amazing illustrations. These gorgeous illustrations start out light and airy, when talking about his family and his happiness, and get darker as each forelorn event is occurring. As he talks about his years in the concentration camp it begins to get dark, until it is almost completely black and difficult to see. This story is best suited for older school aged children, 5th grade and up due to the difficult subject matter of Nazis and Jewish concentration camps, the death and dispair would be too much for younger children to handle.
This is an absolutely amazing story of a Jewish family in Nazi, Poland. This is a heart wrenching story about a young family in Poland during the Nazi invasion. This young boy receives a harmonica as a gift from his poor, coal mining father right before the family is captured by the Nazi's and taken to a concentration camp. The boy uses his harmonica as a way to express his grief of being seperated from his parents and potentially losing them forever. A guard over hears the boy playing the beautiful music his father taught him to play and has the boy play for him nightly. As a reward the guard throws the boy scraps of bread and demands that he keeps playing. The boy goes back to his cell, feeling guilty that he is being fed while everyone else is straving and being worked to death. As he returns to his cell, another prisoner tells the boy thank you, thank you for playing the beautiful music and giving us all something to enjoy. This story is very heart wrenching, and includes amazing illustrations. These gorgeous illustrations start out light and airy, when talking about his family and his happiness, and get darker as each forelorn event is occurring. As he talks about his years in the concentration camp it begins to get dark, until it is almost completely black and difficult to see. This story is best suited for older school aged children, 5th grade and up due to the difficult subject matter of Nazis and Jewish concentration camps, the death and dispair would be too much for younger children to handle.
*Chicken Little Rebecca and Ed Emberly
Chicken Little is another variation of the traditional tale of Henny Penny. This is about a young chicken who gets hit in the head and believes that the sky is falling and that he must tell the king. On his journey he runs into Turkey Lurkey, Lucy Goosey, and the mean awful Foxy Loxy, who wants to eat the gang. Foxy Loxy tricks Chicken Little, Turkey Lurkey, and Lucy Goosey into taking a short cut, which leads right to his lair. He is luring them there in order to eat them. They follow Foxy not thinking it is a trap, and he eats them, except for Chicken Little who gets away, and forgets to tell the king the sky is falling. This story is great for all children of all ages, and the illustrations in the book are geared toward young children, so first grade and up is ideal.
Chicken Little is another variation of the traditional tale of Henny Penny. This is about a young chicken who gets hit in the head and believes that the sky is falling and that he must tell the king. On his journey he runs into Turkey Lurkey, Lucy Goosey, and the mean awful Foxy Loxy, who wants to eat the gang. Foxy Loxy tricks Chicken Little, Turkey Lurkey, and Lucy Goosey into taking a short cut, which leads right to his lair. He is luring them there in order to eat them. They follow Foxy not thinking it is a trap, and he eats them, except for Chicken Little who gets away, and forgets to tell the king the sky is falling. This story is great for all children of all ages, and the illustrations in the book are geared toward young children, so first grade and up is ideal.
* Rumplestiltskin Paul Zelinsky
Rumplestiltskin is a traditional tale, it is a fairytale. The story begins as an old poor man tells the king that his daughter can turn silken string into spun gold, and the king believes the old man. He takes the daughter to his castle in his kingdom and gives her string to spin into gold. She cries and is overwhelmed, because she can not spin string into gold. Then this little man appears and says that he can spin it into gold but he must get something in return. She offers her jewelry and the little man agrees and by morning has spun the string into gold. The following day the king comes and sees that the string has been spun into gold and takes her to another room filled with even more to be spun into gold. He then tells her that if it is not spun into gold by morning he will have her killed. She begins to cry, and that same little man returns. He asks what she will give him to spin the string into gold, but she has nothing left. He then tells her that he will spin the silk into gold if she promises to give up her first born son to him. She does so believing that she will never see the little man again, and also that she will not have a first born son for a long time to come. The king comes and sees that the silk has been turned into gold and instead of killing the young woman he promises marriage to the prince. They are married soon after and soon have a baby son. The little man returns and wants the child. He then says that if she can find out his name then he will forget the dowry of the first born son, and the woman sends one of her servants to follow the little man into the forest. The servant hears the little man chanting his name and saying that the woman will never figure it out and soon he will have a son to teach. The servant quickly returns to tell of the news that the little man's name is "Rumplstiltskin." The following morning the little man returns to collect the newborn and the woman plays name games. She purposely says the wrong name until he is ready to take the son, and then she says or is your name.... RUMPLESTILTSKIN.. and the little man screams NOOO and takes off out the window and the woman is able to keep her secret and her precious bundle of joy. This story is a classic fairytale retold. This story is best suited for older children do to the difficult language and the story line of possibly being killed due to inability to perform a task, and also giving up a child in return for a favor.
Rumplestiltskin is a traditional tale, it is a fairytale. The story begins as an old poor man tells the king that his daughter can turn silken string into spun gold, and the king believes the old man. He takes the daughter to his castle in his kingdom and gives her string to spin into gold. She cries and is overwhelmed, because she can not spin string into gold. Then this little man appears and says that he can spin it into gold but he must get something in return. She offers her jewelry and the little man agrees and by morning has spun the string into gold. The following day the king comes and sees that the string has been spun into gold and takes her to another room filled with even more to be spun into gold. He then tells her that if it is not spun into gold by morning he will have her killed. She begins to cry, and that same little man returns. He asks what she will give him to spin the string into gold, but she has nothing left. He then tells her that he will spin the silk into gold if she promises to give up her first born son to him. She does so believing that she will never see the little man again, and also that she will not have a first born son for a long time to come. The king comes and sees that the silk has been turned into gold and instead of killing the young woman he promises marriage to the prince. They are married soon after and soon have a baby son. The little man returns and wants the child. He then says that if she can find out his name then he will forget the dowry of the first born son, and the woman sends one of her servants to follow the little man into the forest. The servant hears the little man chanting his name and saying that the woman will never figure it out and soon he will have a son to teach. The servant quickly returns to tell of the news that the little man's name is "Rumplstiltskin." The following morning the little man returns to collect the newborn and the woman plays name games. She purposely says the wrong name until he is ready to take the son, and then she says or is your name.... RUMPLESTILTSKIN.. and the little man screams NOOO and takes off out the window and the woman is able to keep her secret and her precious bundle of joy. This story is a classic fairytale retold. This story is best suited for older children do to the difficult language and the story line of possibly being killed due to inability to perform a task, and also giving up a child in return for a favor.
* Something Beautiful Sharon Dennis Wyeth
Something Beautiful is a great read! It is a contemporary realistic fiction book because it is fiction, but is relatable and something that could happen. Something Beautiful is about a young black girl who lives in an apartment in a bad neighborhood. She learns the word beautiful in school and begins to search for her something beautiful in life. She asks her aunt what is beautiful and she says her baby carl. She asks the local farmer market owner and he says it his apples. She asks friends in the neighborhood and they all tell her various toys, and finally she heads back home in efforts to find her something beautiful. She approaches her apartment building and notices that someone has written the word DIE in red on the door to her apartment. She goes upstairs and grabs a bucket and soap and decides to clean up her home. She scrubs it off, picks up all the glass shards from garbage and broken bottles and decides that her home can be, and is beautiful. She hopes to start a garden to care for, and when her mama comes home she asks her what her something beautiful is, and her mama tells her its her, and gives her a hug. This is a very heart warming story and is relatable and realistic. It is great for any age group, it is an easy read, but there may be some content that could upset younger children. There are some images that may be hard for a younger child to understand. There is a dipiction of a homeless woman living in a box. There is also the issue of why someone would write DIE on someone's door.
Something Beautiful is a great read! It is a contemporary realistic fiction book because it is fiction, but is relatable and something that could happen. Something Beautiful is about a young black girl who lives in an apartment in a bad neighborhood. She learns the word beautiful in school and begins to search for her something beautiful in life. She asks her aunt what is beautiful and she says her baby carl. She asks the local farmer market owner and he says it his apples. She asks friends in the neighborhood and they all tell her various toys, and finally she heads back home in efforts to find her something beautiful. She approaches her apartment building and notices that someone has written the word DIE in red on the door to her apartment. She goes upstairs and grabs a bucket and soap and decides to clean up her home. She scrubs it off, picks up all the glass shards from garbage and broken bottles and decides that her home can be, and is beautiful. She hopes to start a garden to care for, and when her mama comes home she asks her what her something beautiful is, and her mama tells her its her, and gives her a hug. This is a very heart warming story and is relatable and realistic. It is great for any age group, it is an easy read, but there may be some content that could upset younger children. There are some images that may be hard for a younger child to understand. There is a dipiction of a homeless woman living in a box. There is also the issue of why someone would write DIE on someone's door.
*Papa Gatto Ruth Sanderson
Papa Gatto is a traditional tale, an Italian fairytale. Papa Gatto is about a father cat who recently has 8 kittens with his wife, but during the birth mama cat dies, leaving Papa Gatto a widow with kittens. He puts an ad to find a nanny to care for his kittens while he is away, and a stepsister responds. She is an evil girl who does not want to care for the kittens but rather steal the riches from Papa Gatto. There is another sister who is good, and she comes over and takes care of the kittens by feeding and loving on them, and Papa Gatto believes that the other evil sister is truly doing the good work, but he soon finds out that Sophia, the evil stepsister is neglecting his kittens and stealing his jewels and riches. He scratches her face in fury and sends her on her way. The handsome prince comes by to see Papa Gatto and his precious kittens, and Papa Gatto says he has the perfect bride for him. They go to see the good sister, but Sophia pretends that she is the good sister and the evil step mother and Sophia hide the good sister and place a black veil over Sophia's face to cover the scratches, she then proceeds to pretend to be the good sister. The kittens do not go to her, and Papa Gatto pulls the veil off to see the scratches he has placed on the evil Sophia. The kittens run outside and reveal the good sister. She is happy to see them and loves on them and the prince falls in love with her for her good heart. This is traditional tale because it has a talking cat, is a fable, and has a prince and princess who live happily ever after. This story is great for older children since the mama cat does die during child birth and it might be too sensitive material to introduce to a younger crowd.
Papa Gatto is a traditional tale, an Italian fairytale. Papa Gatto is about a father cat who recently has 8 kittens with his wife, but during the birth mama cat dies, leaving Papa Gatto a widow with kittens. He puts an ad to find a nanny to care for his kittens while he is away, and a stepsister responds. She is an evil girl who does not want to care for the kittens but rather steal the riches from Papa Gatto. There is another sister who is good, and she comes over and takes care of the kittens by feeding and loving on them, and Papa Gatto believes that the other evil sister is truly doing the good work, but he soon finds out that Sophia, the evil stepsister is neglecting his kittens and stealing his jewels and riches. He scratches her face in fury and sends her on her way. The handsome prince comes by to see Papa Gatto and his precious kittens, and Papa Gatto says he has the perfect bride for him. They go to see the good sister, but Sophia pretends that she is the good sister and the evil step mother and Sophia hide the good sister and place a black veil over Sophia's face to cover the scratches, she then proceeds to pretend to be the good sister. The kittens do not go to her, and Papa Gatto pulls the veil off to see the scratches he has placed on the evil Sophia. The kittens run outside and reveal the good sister. She is happy to see them and loves on them and the prince falls in love with her for her good heart. This is traditional tale because it has a talking cat, is a fable, and has a prince and princess who live happily ever after. This story is great for older children since the mama cat does die during child birth and it might be too sensitive material to introduce to a younger crowd.
Wednesday, February 8, 2012
* Henny Penny by Jane Wattenburg 2000
This is a traditional story because it is a classic folk tale. It is an easy reader and is intended for younger children k-3rd grade.
This is a remake of the classic tale of Henny Penny, who gets hit in the head with an acorn and believes that the sky is falling. She decides she must worn the king, and takes off to go tell him. On her way she runs into many different characters whom want to also go worn the king that the sky is falling. These include Turkey Lurkey, Cocky Locky, Gander Lander, and the mean Foxy Loxy, who only wants to get the goose and her friends into his lair to eat them. He says there is a short cut and sends them right through his home and traps them and begins to eat all of them. Henny Penny gets away and runs home, where she lays her egg and forgets all about telling the king the sky is falling.
This story has great illustrations, uses mixed media and is a remake of the classic childrens story of Henny Penny. I do believe that this story is sad and may hurt the children because Foxy Loxy eats many of the characters.
genre: traditional
year: 2000
level: easy reader k-3
This is a traditional story because it is a classic folk tale. It is an easy reader and is intended for younger children k-3rd grade.
This is a remake of the classic tale of Henny Penny, who gets hit in the head with an acorn and believes that the sky is falling. She decides she must worn the king, and takes off to go tell him. On her way she runs into many different characters whom want to also go worn the king that the sky is falling. These include Turkey Lurkey, Cocky Locky, Gander Lander, and the mean Foxy Loxy, who only wants to get the goose and her friends into his lair to eat them. He says there is a short cut and sends them right through his home and traps them and begins to eat all of them. Henny Penny gets away and runs home, where she lays her egg and forgets all about telling the king the sky is falling.
This story has great illustrations, uses mixed media and is a remake of the classic childrens story of Henny Penny. I do believe that this story is sad and may hurt the children because Foxy Loxy eats many of the characters.
genre: traditional
year: 2000
level: easy reader k-3
* A weave of words by Robert D. San Souci * 1998
This story is a traditional title because it is a folktale/fairytale. It is better for older aged children. 4th grade and above because of the content inside of the story. There is beasts, death, and love which is too much for younger children to understand and could frighten or even traumatize a small child. This story is about Prince Vachagan who is looking for a wife. He sees Anait and knows he wants to marry her, a commoner who is a weaver's daughter. In order for him to marry Anait, Prince Vachagan must learn to weave, read and write. Anait and her father says that even though he may be king someday, he must have a trade to fall back on if something every goes awry. He learns to read write and weave and marries Anait. His parents pass away, and he takes over. There is a serious problem in the east and must leave his beautiful bride and go see what the problem is since none of his soldiers are returning with news. He discovers the cause, a three headed ogre monster who is arresting and killing any man who does not have a specialized trait. He captures the King Vachagan, and the King tells him that he does have a craft, he can weave. He tells the Ogre to allow him to weave a beautiful rug and to send it to the king and queen and tell them its worth 100 gold coins. Inside he weaves a special message to his queen and the ogre sends one of his men to take the weave to the queen. She receives the message, has the ogres man killed and rallies up her own army and goes to save her king from the ogre. She slays the ogre herself because he does not believe a woman could ever take him down, and uses her craft to trap and slay him. This story has a lot different components. There is love, death and monsters. It has great illustrations, and is best suited for an older audience do to the monster and possibility of death scenes.
genre: traditional
year: 1998
level: 4th grade and above
This story is a traditional title because it is a folktale/fairytale. It is better for older aged children. 4th grade and above because of the content inside of the story. There is beasts, death, and love which is too much for younger children to understand and could frighten or even traumatize a small child. This story is about Prince Vachagan who is looking for a wife. He sees Anait and knows he wants to marry her, a commoner who is a weaver's daughter. In order for him to marry Anait, Prince Vachagan must learn to weave, read and write. Anait and her father says that even though he may be king someday, he must have a trade to fall back on if something every goes awry. He learns to read write and weave and marries Anait. His parents pass away, and he takes over. There is a serious problem in the east and must leave his beautiful bride and go see what the problem is since none of his soldiers are returning with news. He discovers the cause, a three headed ogre monster who is arresting and killing any man who does not have a specialized trait. He captures the King Vachagan, and the King tells him that he does have a craft, he can weave. He tells the Ogre to allow him to weave a beautiful rug and to send it to the king and queen and tell them its worth 100 gold coins. Inside he weaves a special message to his queen and the ogre sends one of his men to take the weave to the queen. She receives the message, has the ogres man killed and rallies up her own army and goes to save her king from the ogre. She slays the ogre herself because he does not believe a woman could ever take him down, and uses her craft to trap and slay him. This story has a lot different components. There is love, death and monsters. It has great illustrations, and is best suited for an older audience do to the monster and possibility of death scenes.
genre: traditional
year: 1998
level: 4th grade and above
* Slop! A welsh folktale by Margaret Read MacDonald *
This is a fantastic traditional title because it is a folktale that is welsh in origins. This story is about an old couple who have very little money. After the old wife is done making their dinner of vegetables, she puts the waste into a compost pile and has her husband go out the front door and toss the compost bucket over the stone wall near their home. He does this daily until one day a small little voice kindly asks him not too. The man can not see him, but can hear him. This was a very small little man who lived on the other side of the stone wall in a tiny little cottage with a tiny little wife. He complains to the old man that he is having his house flooded with compost and he and his wife have to clean out their flooded food home. The old man goes back to his wife and tells her about the little man, little wife and little cottage. Him and his wife believe that the only way to keep from flooding the little cottage with compost is to put a back door in the house so they can throw the waste in the back, however they have very little money. The wife confesses that she has saved a little and that it would be nice to put a back door in. They do this and every time they open the backdoor and throw the waste back there the little people in the cottage toss a gold coin into the old couple. There is a lesson hidden in this folktale about how to treat people the way you want to be treated, and also be good to thy neighbor. This story is best suited for older children, 4th grade and beyond. It is a very long story with many words and a lot of information that would be too difficult to explain to the younger aged children, and there is a lesson and theme in the end and an older school age would understand.
genre: traditional
year: 1997
level: 4th and above
* this book was from the website.*
This is a fantastic traditional title because it is a folktale that is welsh in origins. This story is about an old couple who have very little money. After the old wife is done making their dinner of vegetables, she puts the waste into a compost pile and has her husband go out the front door and toss the compost bucket over the stone wall near their home. He does this daily until one day a small little voice kindly asks him not too. The man can not see him, but can hear him. This was a very small little man who lived on the other side of the stone wall in a tiny little cottage with a tiny little wife. He complains to the old man that he is having his house flooded with compost and he and his wife have to clean out their flooded food home. The old man goes back to his wife and tells her about the little man, little wife and little cottage. Him and his wife believe that the only way to keep from flooding the little cottage with compost is to put a back door in the house so they can throw the waste in the back, however they have very little money. The wife confesses that she has saved a little and that it would be nice to put a back door in. They do this and every time they open the backdoor and throw the waste back there the little people in the cottage toss a gold coin into the old couple. There is a lesson hidden in this folktale about how to treat people the way you want to be treated, and also be good to thy neighbor. This story is best suited for older children, 4th grade and beyond. It is a very long story with many words and a lot of information that would be too difficult to explain to the younger aged children, and there is a lesson and theme in the end and an older school age would understand.
genre: traditional
year: 1997
level: 4th and above
* this book was from the website.*
* My Sister's Rusty Bike by Jim Aylesworth*
This is a great children's book. This is considered to be a traditional book because it tells the story of a little boy who imagines that he is on his sisters rusty bike, he travels all around the United States. During his travels he encounters many different and unique people from these states and sees how people all over live. This story is great for kindergartners all the way up to the third grade. This story includes brightly illustrated pictures of each state he visits and all of the people he encounters. The most intricate illustration is of Miss Pat. She loves her purple cats, and as she pets them they purr loudly for her. This book is great for the use of imagination. It also is easily identifiable for most students, because riding their bike is always fun and a great adventure, and finally this book is great to introduce and teach the names of the states in the United States and location.
genre: traditional
year: 1996
level: k-3
* jim aylesworth was an author mentioned many times on the website
This is a great children's book. This is considered to be a traditional book because it tells the story of a little boy who imagines that he is on his sisters rusty bike, he travels all around the United States. During his travels he encounters many different and unique people from these states and sees how people all over live. This story is great for kindergartners all the way up to the third grade. This story includes brightly illustrated pictures of each state he visits and all of the people he encounters. The most intricate illustration is of Miss Pat. She loves her purple cats, and as she pets them they purr loudly for her. This book is great for the use of imagination. It also is easily identifiable for most students, because riding their bike is always fun and a great adventure, and finally this book is great to introduce and teach the names of the states in the United States and location.
genre: traditional
year: 1996
level: k-3
* jim aylesworth was an author mentioned many times on the website
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