Picture Book #26

Title:  Jazzy Miz Mozetta

Author: Brenda C. Roberts

Illustrator: Frank Morrison

Genre: Fiction

Sub genre: Picture Book

Characters: Miz Mozetta, Mister Brown, Miz Lou Lillie,

Themes: Dancing, African Americans, Jazz

Publishing Date: 2004

Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux

Summary: Miz Mozetta is something alright. She is a lady who loves music and loves to dance! She loves jazz in particular. One day her and her friends went out dancing. They danced the night away until she had holes in her shoes.

I would use this book along with an English lesson on dialogue. This book is all dialogue between Mizz Mozetta and her friends. I would also have students act out the parts and talk just like her. That would be great to explain how dialogue works.

Picture Book #25

Title:  A Symphony of Whales

Author: Steve Schuch

Illustrator: Peter Sylvada

Genre: Fiction

Sub genre: Picture Book

Characters: Glashka

Themes: Whales, Winter, Kindness, Music

Publishing Date: 1999

Publisher: Harcourt Brace & Company

Summary:  Glashka lived in a village which was visited by a whale named Narna. One day Glashka went out to sled with the dogs and, and they headed straight for the bay. When she got there, she spotted tons of Beluga whales. They were trapped under the ice. The village chipped away at the ice to allow the whales to breathe one at a time. They try to save them until the Icebreaker can reach them. They whole village worked to feed the whales with their own food that was stored up for the winter. A ship came and tried to lead the whales out by playing a recording of other whales singing. It didn’t work. They tried all kinds of music to see if they would follow. Finally they find one that works and lead them away from the bay and ice.

I would use this book for entertainment in the classroom. This would be a good book to read before doing a lesson on Beluga whales. The book will get the children interested in learning about the whales. I would then ask the students if they would like to sponsor a whale to keep it from extinction. The class will raise money to support the whales.

Picture book #24

Title:  A Band of Angels

Author:  Deborah hopkinson

Illustrator: Raul Colon

Genre: Historical Fiction

Sub genre: Picture book

Characters: Aunt Beth, Grandma Ella,

Themes: music, Black history, Passion, Freedom, Slavery

Publishing Date: 1999

Publisher: Antheneum Books for Young Readers

Summary:  Aunt Beth tells a story about Grandma Ella. She was fourteen in the Civil War and trying to find a way to Nashville to go to school. The only thing she took with her was a small trunk the size of a small pie box. Ella did everything she could to get money to get an education. Ella was a singer and a good one. The Chorus she was in traveled up North to sing to raise money to save the school. Many times the singers were turned down because they were black. They even tried singing white songs. Ella and her band sing their last song about slavery, and the audience loved it. They said that they sounded like a band of angels. The band is now called the Jubilee Singers. The little girl decides she want to graduate and be a Jubilee Singer just like her grandma.

I would use this book to supplement the study of Black History. It would be a great way to show how blacks were treated after slavery ended and the confidence they had in themselves to succeed.

Picture Book #23

Title: Sweet Clara and the Freedom Quilt

Author: Deborah Hopkinson

Illustrator: Jmaes Ransome

Genre: Fiction

Sub genre: picture book

publishing date: 1993

publisher: Scholastic Inc.

Summary:  Clara is seperated from her mother while working on a plantation. She is a seamstress who just so happens to like to quilt. One day her aunt tells her about the route to freedom, the Underground Railroad. Clara gets so excited she decides to make a secret quilt with a hidden map to the land of freedom.

I would use this book in the classroom to introduce the underground railroad with a history unit. At the end of the lesson the students will draw their own map to get to freedom with iron on transfer crayons. I will then iron them onto a quilt I make with large white squares that will have all the students' maps on them. The quilt will go for display in the hallway.

Picture Book #22

Title: A Walk in the Deciduous Forrest

Author: Rebecca L. Johnson

Illustrator: Phyllis V. Saroff

Genre: Science Non Fiction

Sub genre: picture book

Themes: nature, science

Publishing Date: 2001

Publisher: Carolrhoda Books

Summary: This book will leap you into the world of the deciduous forrest. It tell you what plants, animals, and weather is all accounted for in this terrain. Readers can enjoy the various pictures and drawings of animals and anture scenes. This book is filled with facts about the deciduous forrest and all it's inhabitants.

I would use this book to supplement a science lesson on the different types of forrests. This will give students an idea of what aspects make this forrest different from another one.



Chapter Book #14

Title: Diary of  Wimpy Kid



Author: Jeff Kinney

Genre: Fiction

Sub genre: Chapter book

Theme: Bullying, friendship

Characters: Greg Heffley

Publication Date: 2007

Publishing Company: Amulet Books

 

Summary: A student Gregg Heffley writes a diary of events that happen to him during middle school. This book is very popular among middle school and elementary school readers. It even has illustrations to keep readers interested. Gregg's friend is becoming popular, and he thinks that he can hang out with them. The friendship is interesting that's for sure.

 

I would use this book to show students how illustrations can go with your writing. I would have students write a story about their school experiences and draw illustrations for every page of writing. The books would then be bound together as a class diary and read to the class as a story.

Chapter Book #13

Title: One Crazy Summer

Author: Rita Williams-Garcia

Genre: fiction

Sub genre: chapter book

Theme: Abandonment, family, racism, the Black Panthers

Characters: Delphine,her sisters, Vonetta, and Fern

Awards: Coretta Scott King

Publication Date: 2010

Publishing Company: Harper Collins

 

Summary: Delphine is an eleven year old girl who is the now mother of her two younger sisters. Their father still takes care of them, but the younger ones can't even remember their mother. The girls' father put them on a plane across the country to live with their mother for the summer. The girls dream of all the things they will be doing with their mother. They soon come to find out that their mother is not what they were expecting to be.

 

I would use this book during black history month. There are many historical references, and it would be a great reference to learn about black history.

Chapter Book #12

Title: The Next-Door Dogs

Author: Colby Rodowsky

Illustrator: Amy June Bates

Genre: fiction

Sub genre: Chapter Book

Theme: Overcoming Fears, dogs

Characters: Sara Bake

Publication Date: 2005

Publishing Company:  Farrar, Straus and Giroux

A brave girl named Sarah is not so brave anymore when she is around dogs. She doesn't like dogs at all. Ms. Harrington moves in next door. She has two very large dogs. This is a nightmare for Sarah. Srah tries her hardest to avoid the dogs, but it just isn't possible forever. She now has to face her fear.

 

I would use this in the classroom to address fears that students have. I will start the discussion by reading the book, then I will get students to explain their fear and why they are scared of it. The class will then raise their hand if they have the same fears too.

 

 

. Sarah tries to avoid her dogs, but one day the time comes where she has to face her fear. Any student would be able to relate to Sarah because most everyone of them more than likely has a fear that they are unable to overcome.

Chapter book #11 Robert F. Sibert Winner #1

Title: Surviving Hitler

Author: Andrea Warren

Genre: Historical Non Fiction

Sub Genre: Chapter Book

Awards: Robert F. Sibert Winner

Publishing Date: 2002

Publisher: Harper Collins

Summary:  Jack is a 12 year old boy who is living in a concentration camp in Poland. He was a Jew, but he didn’t know much about his religion. Jack and his family hid from Hitler for three years before they found them and put him in a concentration camp. He lived through terrible living conditions and terrible food. Jack manages to help others along the way and make new friendships during the hardships. He was let out of the camp at the age of 18. He decided to move to the US to start a new life.

I would use this book along with a history lesson that teaches about the Holocaust. This will give students an idea of what concentration camps were really like. The book will make students appreciate history and our country because we never had to go through that.

Chapter Book #10 Newberry Winner #3

Title: The Giver

Author: Lois Lowry

Genre: Fiction

Sub Genre: Chapter Book

Characters: Jonas, the Giver

Awards: Newberry Winner

Publishing Date:1993

Publisher: Bantam Books

Summary: Jonas is living in the year 2065 in a futuristic society. There is no prejudice, and everyone is very respectful towards one another. When  he turns twelve, he is given a job to do. He is now considered an adult. Jonas doesn’t know it, but he is the only one who can see in color. He is very different from everyone else. He has pale eyes and skin while everyone else has dark eyes. When he goes to his ceremony to receive his job, he is given the task of the Receiver of Memory. He is the only one who can remember pain, war, and other things that happened in the past because someone has to remember those things so they don’t happen again. Jonas receives these memories from the Giver. He experiences many memories that are both good and bad.

I would have the students get in groups and discuss what jobs they would have for their society if they were chosen just like the ones in this book. They would have to explain how they all work together and why they chose them. This will get the students thinking critically about the story and using their imagination.



Chapter Book #9 Newberry Winner #2

Title:  Shiloh

Author:  Phyllis Naylor

Genre: Fiction

Sub Genre: Chapter Book

Characters:Marty, Judd, Shiloh

Awards: Newberry winner

Publishing Date: 1991

Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Summary: Shiloh is about a young boy and an abused dog. Marty find his neighbor’s dog  who is abused and hides him. He tells many lies to be able to keep it a secret, and he names him Shiloh. Marty finds his neighbor shooting a deer out of season which is the perfect reason to get the dog back after he was caught. Marty doesn’t have enough money to buy Shilho, so he does numerous chores to get him back. Marty is stuck between two choices: lie and keep Shiloh or give him back and let the owner keep abusing him.

I would use this in the classroom to expand the students’ critical thinking skills. I would ask the students the question of “What would you do if you were in Marty’s position? Why?” Students will get in cooperative learning groups and discuss their reasoning.

Picture Book #21

Title:  Nobody Likes Me!

Author:  Raoul Krischanitz

Illustrator: Raoul Krischanitz

Genre: Fiction

Sub genre: Picture book

Publishing Date: 1999

Publisher: North-South Books

Summary:  Buddy is a new dog in town. He asks other animals that don’t like dogs if they will play with him. He gets a lot of rude answers and bad looks. Some even ran away! A fox sees Buddy crying and offers to go with him to ask why no one likes him. Buddy finds out that he can make friends, and he wasn’t what they thought he was.

I would use this book to introduce the term stereotyping to young students. This book shows how the animals think that he is going to hurt them just because he is a dog. This isn’t true because they are reading a book by its cover. This will make students aware that it is not okay to stereotype other students.

Picture Book #20

Title:  Elizabeth and Larry

Author:  Marilyn Sadler

Illustrator: Roger Bollen

Genre: Fiction

Sub genre: Picture book

Publishing Date: 1990

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Summary:  Elizabeth and Larry are old friends. Elizabeth is in her old age of 62. Their friendship was started by accident when Elizabeth was sent a box of oranges and Larry was in the box. Larry is an alligator. Larry and Elizabeth do everything together. When Larry looks in the mirror one day he realizes he doesn’t look like Elizabeth and that he looks like the other alligators in the zoo. Larry loves to clean so much he sometimes pours dirt on the floor just so he can clean it up! When Larry decides to leave her and move, Elizabeth gets very sad. People try to give her a cat to make her happy, but it does not work. Elizabeth needs Larry.

I would use this book in the classroom before a writing assignment. I would read the book to the students and have them write a story about themselves and their best friend. Each student will then present it to the class and say how they can compare themselves to Elizabeth and Larry.

Picture Book #19

Title:  Feathers for Lunch

Author:  Lois Ehlert

Illustrator: Lois Ehlert

Genre: Fiction

Sub genre: Picture book

Publishing Date: 1990

Publisher: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich Publishers

Summary:  The door is left open and the cat gets out. He can’t help himself but to a tasty treat. The cat encounters twelve birds on his journey through the backyard. Every time he tries to get a bird all he gets is feathers from lunch.

I would use this book between lessons to interest the students and keep them on task. Young children have a small attention span, so this book would be great to read on the reading rug between lessons.

Picture Book #18

Title:  First the Egg

Author:  Laura Vaccaro Seeger

Illustrator: Laura Vaccaro Seeger

Genre: Fiction

Sub genre: Picture book

Awards: Caldecott Award

Publishing Date: 2007

Publisher: Roaring Brook Press

Summary:  What’s first, the chicken or the egg? This book explains what comes from an egg. What do other things come from? This book tells you what come from the tadpole, the seed, the word, and the paint. The book end in saying first the chicken, then the egg!

This book is great to read to any class to get them thinking. Which one comes first, the chicken or the egg? I would use this to get my students attention at the beginning of the day. They can work in groups to discuss which one they think came first. It is a great way to enhance critical thinking.

Picture Book #17

Title:  The Keeping Quilt

Author:  Patricia Polacco

Illustrator: Patricia Polacco

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Sub genre: Picture book

Awards: Sydney Taylor Book Award

Publishing Date: 1988

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Summary:  Anna is a little girl from Russia who moved to America as a child. As she grew older, her dress didn’t quite fit anymore, so she decided to take her dress, Uncle Vladimir’s shirt, Aunt Havalah’s nightdress, and an apron to make a quilt. The quilt will remind them all of back home in Russia. Anna helped the neighbors and her family supplied with needles and thread as they made the quilt. The story tells of all travels and wonderful memories the new quilt has passing down from generation to generation, ending with the generation of the story teller.

I would use this book in my classroom to teach students about culture and the importance of heirlooms. I would have each of the students being in something that has been passed down to them or something that is special to them to share with the class. I would bring into class a quilt that was passed down in my family and tell the students about its history. This will make the book seem more real.

Picture Book #16

Title: Momma Zooms

Author:  Jane Cowen-Fletcher

Genre: Fiction

Sub genre: Picture book

Themes: Family, Disability, Imagination

Publishing Date: 1992

Publisher: Scholastic Inc.

Summary: Momma zooms her son everywhere. She is in a wheelchair, and the son doesn't think one thing of it. He uses it in a good way. He calls her wheelchair the zoom machine. Both of the parents join in on all his imagination and fun he has while sitting in his momma's lap. They zoom and zoom and zoom everywhere they go. His favorite one is when his momma zooms his to bed and that's when his momma can just be his momma.

This book would be great to address people with disabilities and how they are the same as the students. This book will even make the students want to zoom in a wheelchair themselves. After the book is read, students can discuss how they would feel and challenges they may face if they were in a wheelchair. Students can then come up with ways of how they would overcome those challenges. The ideas will be collected and the students will then get to ride in their own wheelchair and try to overcome those obstacles. This will help students be more accepting of people with physical handicaps.

Picture Book #15

Title:  No, No Charlie Rascal!

Author: Lorna Kent

Genre: Fiction

Sub genre: Picture books

Theme: Naughtiness, Cats, Unruliness

Publishing date: 1988

Publisher: Penguin Group

Summary: Charlie Rascal is a naughty cat. Charlie tries getting fish out of the fishbowl, eating grandma's pie, and he even slept in the dryer!Charlie is making a mess for everyone in the house. Charlie sure is a little rascal. He stirs up everyone in the town and even has the fire department trying to get him down. 

This book would be great in the classroom for readers who are beginning to read on their own. It would be great for independent reading or even in class time for enjoyment. As you read the pages, the students can guess what Charlie is going to get into next!

Picture Book #14

Title:  Brown Rabbit's Shape Book

Author:  Alan Baker

Genre: Fiction

Sub Genre: Picture book

Theme: Shapes, Colors

Publishing date: 1994

Publisher:  Kingfisher Books

Summary:  Brown rabbit receives a package in the mail. It has a rectangle card and square box. Rabbit opens the box and it has balloons in it. The rabbit starts blowing up the balloons and recall the color of each balloon along the way. In the end the rabbit falls asleep in the box.

This book would be great for preschool and early kindergarteners. This book could supplement a lesson about descriptive words. This books is filled with words on each page that describe the picture. This will make connections visually to the students.

Picture Book #13

Title:  Puppies, Puppies Everywhere!

Author:  Peggy Schaefer

Genre:  Non-fiction

Sub genre: Picture book

Theme: Puppies, Happiness

Publishing date:  2005

Publisher:  Ideals Publications

Summary: The book starts out with a quote by Gene Hill "Whoever said you can't buy happiness forgot about little puppies." This quote is a great start to this wonderful picture book. The pictures of the puppies make you want to say "aw" or pick one up off the page. These real-life photos of the cute little ones will capture your heart. The book talks about how many puppies there are, what color they could be, what kind they are, and what they can do.

Summary: I would use this book for independent reading with preschoolers and kindergarteners. You could have a bring a pet to class day. This could be their real pet or a stuffed animal. This will make students excited to read and accomplish reading this book all by themselves. You can also supplement this lesson with drawing of a picture of their pet and telling the class about it before they bring it in with describing words.

Picture Book #12

Title: Chicka Chicka ABC

Author:  Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault

Illustrator:  Lois Ehlert

Genre:  Fiction

Sub genre:  Picture book

Theme: Alphabet

Publishing date: 1989

Publisher: Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing Division

Summary:  The ABC's are all on their way to the top of the tree. The letters talk to eachother on their way up on their journey to the top. This cute little book is a chant that any child can sing along with or without the book because it is so catchy! In the end, all the alphabet is in the tree and it starts to fall to a big Chicka Chicka BOOM BOOM!

This book would be great in the classroom for beginning kindergarteners or preschoolers that are beginning to learn their ABC's, mastering them, or learning to read. Students can connect their ABC's to reading words. 

Chapter Book #8

Title: Chasing Vermeer

Author: Blue Balliet

Illustrator: Brett Helquist

Genre: Fiction

Sub genre: Mystery

Theme:  Adventure, Mystery, Teamwork

Characters: Petra, Calder, Mr. Hussey, Mrs. Sharpe, thief

Summary:  Petra and Calder find themselves solving a mystery as sixth-graders. A mysterious letter is sent to three people and begs them not to tell. The two kids live in Hyde Park, Chicago. Their teacher, Mr. Hussey, teaches them about art which intrigues Petra who questions him. The book tells of the two students solving the mystery piece by piece by solving puzzles with pentiminoes. The book has many pictures, maps, and puzzles that readers can enjoy while trying to figure out the mystery themselves while reading. A thief has stolen one of Vermeer's paintings, and a letter from him has appeared in the newspaper telling them that he has the original A Lady Writing painting, and he will not give it back until they tell him which paintings were originally painted by Vermeer and not a fake. Mrs. Sharpe and Mrs. Hussey are both involved in receiving the letters, so Petra and Calder go to them to investigate. The thief is found dead and was asked to steal the painting and sell it for sixty million dollars.

I would use this book for independent reading during reading time in class. Each student will read a chapter on their own and get into literature circles afterward to enhance their comprehension of the reading. This will get students thinking critically about the reading. The book being a mystery is great for the classroom because it will build suspense and interest the students between lessons.

Chapter Book # 7 Coretta Scott King #2

Title: Elijah of Buxton

Author:  Christopher Paul Curtis

Genre: Historical Fiction

Sub genre: Chapter Book

Themes: Hope

Characters: Elijah, Fredrick Douglas, Bob Majilica, Mr. Leroy, Cooter, Mrs. Holton, Emma Collins, Preacher

Awards: Coretta Scott King, Newberry Honor

Publishing Date: 2007

Publisher: Scholastic Press

 

Summary:  The book is set in 1860 when Elijah Freeman is eleven years old. His is forced to be "grown up" with his parents and other freed slaves in the Buxton Settlement in Canada. He hears about slavery from members of his community who were once slaves and recall stories from the past. Elijah fortunately was born free, so he has no idea the true meaning of being a slave. Elijah learns not to trust everyone when Mr. Leroy trusts the wrong person to help his family and ends up getting money stolen from him. Elijah is now the youngest conductor in the underground railroad in which he helps transport a baby girl to freedom. Elijah makes a journey back to the United States to have Mr. Leroy's family out of slavery to give back to Mr. Leroy for telling him that it was okay to trust him. Elijah is their only hope.

I would use this book to address slavery in the 1800s. This could supplement a lesson on the slave trade and the underground railroad. I would ask the students their thoughts about the underground railroad and what they think it really means. I would also ask why it is called the underground railroad if it is indeed not underground. This would get the students using critical thinking skills and engaged in history.

 

 

 

 

Chapter Book #6 Newberry #1

Title:  The Higher Power of Lucky

Author:  Susan Patron

Illustrator:  Matt Phelan

Genre:  Fiction

Sub genre:  Chapter Book

Theme:  Runaway children, Fear

Characters: Lucky Trimble, Short Sammy, Lucky's dog, Brigitte, Lincoln, Miles, and Dot

Awards: Newberry

Publishing Date: 2006
Publisher: Atheneum Books

Summary:  Lucky is a ten year old who can't wait another day to runaway from her hometown, Hard Pan, California, which has a population of 43. Lucky fears that her legal guardians plan to abandon her to return to France. Lucky wants to be a scientist and has a wild imagination that aspires to seek the "higher power" that will bring stability to her life. All she wants is to have a stable home that is exciting, not in the small town that has very little people in it. Lucky finds listening to Short Sammy through a hole in the wall at the wind chime museum who talks about how hard he has fallen rock-bottom. She likes listening to the conversations because the people in the alcoholic meetings end by saying that they have met the higher power when they hit rock-bottom. Lucky wants to find her higher power.

I would use this book for independent reading, or use it for a class reading. Each student will read part of the book aloud. This will address feelings of a runaway child. The students will be get in a literature circle in groups of five and discuss the book. The students will discuss the feelings of the child and what they would do if they were in her shoes.

Picture Book #11 Orbis Pictus #1

Title: The Secret World of Walter Anderson

 Author: Hester Bess
Illustrator: E.B. Lewis
Genre: Non-Fiction
Subgenre: Biography
Theme: Determination, art, passion, and nature
Characters: Walter Anderson, his wife
Awards: 2010 Orbis Pictus Winner
Publishing Date: 2009
Publisher: Random House Publishing

Summary: Walter Anderson is a famous artist who ventures out to find the perfect moments to capture in nature. He is a painter as well who rows in his boat to Horn Island to create the most wonderful paintings of the nature around him. He kept his room locked, and when he passed away his wife found all his paintings from his days when he would visit Horn Island.

I would use this book to engage students in creativity and art. This book can teach students how art takes patience and determination with a passion. Students can learn to appreciate the beauty of nature. I would have students write a poem about something in nature that they find out at recess. The class would sit outside and paint the scene that they found their item from to teach them how to appreciate nature and be creative.

Chapter Book #5 Mildred L. Batchelder #1

Title: A Time of Miracles

Author:  Anne-Laure Bondoux

Genre:  Fiction

Sub-Genre: Chapter Book

Theme:  War and Survival

Characters: Blaise Fortune, Gloria, Sergi, Abdelmalik, Stambek, Hoop Earring, Dr. Leonidze

Awards: Mildred L. Batchelder

Publishing Date: 2010

Publisher:  Delacorte Press

Summary:  Blaise Fortune tells his story dating back to as early as he can remember which is in 1992 when he lived in a refugee complex with other families. He was born on December 28, 1985 on the French side of the English Channel. The book is set in the early 1990s. Blaise and the woman who cares for him have a five-year journey across the Caucasus and Europe. They go through hardships together and many encounters with other refugees in search for a better life.

I would use this book for independent reading. It will interest students by putting them in a real-life situation, so they can put themselves in their shoes as a refugee.

Picture Book Book #10 Coretta Scott King #1

Title:  Dave the Potter

Author:  Laban Carrick Hill

Illustrator: Bryan Collier

Genre: Historical Fiction

Sub genre: Biography

Theme:  Slavery, African American Culture

Characters: Dave

Awards: Coretta Scott King, Caldecott Honor

Publishing Date: 2010

Publisher:  Little, Brown & Company

 

Summary: Dave is an African American slave who works hard all day and escapes to his pottery wheel at the end of the day. Dave uses his creative mind to escape from reality in what little free time he has. His specialty was making pots, and he used them for many things. Dave has confidence in his work which you can see by the detail that the book has when it describes his love for pottery. 

 

This book would be good for a supplement to black history month. It is a great supplement to a history lesson about slavery to give the students a real-life application of what they are learning in history. This will get students engaged in learning and interest them in the unit.

Picture Book #9 Caldecott #3

Title:  What do You do with a Tail Like This?

Author:  Steve Jenkins

Illustrator:  Robin Page

Genre:Non-fiction

Sub Genre: Informational Book

Theme: Animal science and nature

Characters: Many animals

Awards: Caldecott Honor

Publishing Date:  2003

Publishing Company:  Houghton Mifflin Company

Summary:  The book gives information about different animals and what they can do with their noses, ears, tails, eyes, mouths, and feet. It shows the reader how they all use these things in very different ways. In the back of the book you can read more about all the animals as well as full pictures of each one. 

I would use this book to supplement a science unit to get the students excited about the lesson. I would also address different types of art because of the pictures made out of colorful cut and torn paper. I could supplement the book by allowing the students to pick and animal and make it out of cut or torn colored paper and write things that the animals do that is unique. Each student could present it to the class.

Chapter Book #4

Title:  Anne of Green Gables

Author:  L. M. Montgomery and Condensed by Margaret DeKeyser

Illustrator:  Jerry Dillingham

Genre:  Realistic Fiction

Sub Genre:  Chapter Book

Primary and Secondary Characters:  

Ann, Marilla, Matthew, Mrs. Alexander Spencer, The Hammonds, Diana Barry, Gilbert Blythe

Publishing Date: 2011

Publisher: Dalmatian Press

Summary:  Anne is an orphan from Nova Scotia. Marilla and Matthew decide to adopt an orphan boy to work on their farm and something went wrong because they sent Anne instead. Anne is a very imaginative and bright young lady who sees herself as interesting looking. At first, Marilla insists that Anne must go back to the orphanage, but then she decides a few days later that she may stay. Anne gets made fun of for her long, red hair which makes Anne have a hatred for the boy immediately. She also makes a new best friend here at her new school named Diana Barry. Toward the end Anne gets a scholarship to go to school to get a teaching license, and she gets it in one year instead of two. Marilla becomes widowed and Anne decide to stay home with her to help her out. Gilbert goes to teach at a different school, so Anne can take his place. Their friendship now gets closer and Anne is able to go to Green Gables during the week and help Marilla.

I would use this book in my classroom for independent reading time. It would be a good book for young readers because it has a lot of full page pictures in it, yet it is still clearly a chapter book. 

Chapter Book #3

Title:  Alice's Adventures in Wonderland

Author:  Lewis Carroll and Condensed by Debbie Guthery

Illustrator:  Jason Alexander

Genre: Fiction

Sub Genre:  Chapter Book

Primary and secondary characters: 

Alice, Cheshire Cat, the Hatter, the White Rabbit, the Duchess, and the Evil Queen

Publishing Date: 2011

Publisher:  Dalmatian Publishing Group

Summary:  This is a story of a bored little girl who is looking for an adventure. She sees a rabbit looking at his watch saying he is going to be late, so she follows him and falls down the rabbit hole which takes her to a wonderland of talking animals and an evil queen. She meets characters such as the Cheshire Cat, the Hatter, Dormouse, The White Rabbit, the Duchess, and the evil queen. In the end,  she comes to find out that she had been sleeping under a tree, and it was just a dream. 

I would use this book for entertainment of the students and independent reading.

Chapter Book #2

Title:  Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm

Author:  Kate Douglas Wiggin and Condensed by Louise Colln

Illustrator: Ruth Palmer

Genre: Fiction

Sub Genre: Chapter Book
Primary and Secondary Characters:
Rebecca, Aunt Miranda, Lorenzo Randall, Aurelia Randall, Hannah,
the Cobbs, aunt Jane, Emma Perkins, Mr. Aladdin, Miss Maxwell

Publication Date: 2011

Publisher: Dalmatian Press

Summary: The story starts with Rebecca's journey to Riverboro. She is going to live with her two aunts, Miranda and Jane. She is the second oldest of seven children. Since her father died, she is going to live with her aunts to get a better life. She loves to write little poems and songs to entertain her brothers and sisters. She is the one who named their farm Sunnybrook. Her aunts weren't too thrilled to see that she was the one to come and live with them, so they taught her how to sew and cook. They wanted her to be a proper young lady. Throughout the book she grows into a young lady and ends up having to go back home to take care of her mother back home because she fell ill.

I would use this book to reach the hearts of students and interest them in reading. It would be a good book for independent reading time.

Chapter Book #1

Title:  Oliver Twist

Author:  Charles Dickens & Condensed by W.T. Robinson

Illustrator:  Martin Hargreaves

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Sub Genre: Chapter Book
Primary and Secondary Characters:
Oliver, Mr. Sowerberry, Mrs. Corney, Charlotte, Jack Dawkins,
Fagin, Charley Bates, Bill Sikes, Toby Crackit, Monks, Mrs. Maylie,
Rose Maylie, Noah Claypole

Date Published:  2011

Publisher:  Dalmation Press

Summary:  This book is a shortened version of the original Oliver Twist geared towards younger readers. Oliver is a workhouse orphan who is mistreated. he runs away to London to have a better life, at least he had hoped. His chance at a better life lies in the hands of thieves and a man who follows his every move. He chases thieves and tries to figure out the mystery of handkerchiefs and jewels.  This frightens Oliver, but he knows that he has to figure out the mystery. Oliver finally meets Mr. Brownlow who loved him very much and gave him books to study each day to learn how to live a better life. 

I would use this book to interest the students since he is a young boy. Many students will be able to relate to him.

Picture Book #8 Caldecott #2

Title:  Red Sings from Treetops

Author:  Joyce Sidman

Illustrator:  Pamela Zagarenski

Genre: Fiction
Sub genre: Poetry
Theme: Seasons can be described with color
Primary and secondary characters: A child and a puppy 
Awards:
2010 Caldecott Honor Award
Claudia Lewis Poetry Award
Minnesota Book Award
Cybilis Poetry Award
Horn Book Fanfare
Bulletin Editor's Choice
CCBC Choices 2010
New York Public Library's "100 Titles for  Reading and Sharing"
ABC "Indie" Best Book
Junior Library Quild Selection
Publication Date: 2009
Publisher:  Houghton Mifflin Books for Children

Summary:  This book begins by going through all the colors of spring through little poems that describe all things in nature in the spring. The rain even tastes green! White describes the thunderstorms. There are many examples of onomatopoeia which enhances the descriptions. Each color is personified into different things you see in the spring. For example, when it talks about the sun, it melts everything it touches. The seasons change throughout the book, and it describes them all. Finally, it describes the color red which is a little red bird in the treetop to end the book.

I would use this book to teach students about personification and poetry. This is a great way for students to relate something in their world to the skills being learned.

Picture Book #7 Poetry #1

Title:  Blast Off! Poems About Space

Author:  Lee Bennett Hopkins

Illustrator: Melissa Sweet

Genre:  Nonfiction

Subgenre:  Poetry

Publishing Date:  1995

Publisher:  Harper Collins Publishers

Summary:  This book is composed of many poems that are selected by Lee Hopkins abut the many wonders of space. it talks about the planets, stars, other life, comets, and the moon. There is even a letter written to the moon from all of us below. It also talks about astronauts and the unknown in outer space.

I would use this book to supplement a science lesson in the classroom to teach students about space. There is even a poem that would be great for students to memorize to learn all the names of the planets. It would be a great addition to a science lesson for any elementary grade level.

Picture Book #6

Title:  Olivia and the Missing Toy

Author:  Ian Falconer

Illustrator:  Ian Falconer

Genre: Fiction

Subgenre: Fantasy

Publishing Date:  2003

Publishing Company:  Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing

Summary:  Olivia is a little pig who plays soccer in a big, ugly, green shirt. She wants to look different from the rest of the team, so she asks her mother to make her a red shirt to replace her green one. Her mother makes her red shirt, and Olivia had just lost her toy. She acts as if it is the end of the world because that is her favorite toy. She need her toy now! She looked everywhere. As Olivia yells while finding her toy, the text get bigger and bigger on the page. Olivia finds her toy, and she gets upset. Soon enough, she can't stay mad forever.

I would use this story to read to the class for reading time in the younger grades. This is a great book for young kids. We could even do an activity where they color their own shirt, so they can be different from the rest of the team.

Picture Book #5

Title:  Giant and the Bean Stalk

Author:  Diane Stanley

Illustrator:  Diane Stanley

Genre: Fiction

Subgenre:  Folk Talk

Publishing Date:  2004

Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers

Summary:  Otto was a giant with razor sharp teeth and beady, little eyes. He was enormous like any other giant. He was caring and polite which is unlike any other giant. His parents let him have a pet, and he chose a hen over a dragon! A little human man came to the land of the giants and stole Otto's hen. Otto climbs down the beanstalk because this is an emergency. Otto goes on a big adventure to find his hen. Otto surprisingly made being fierce go out of style for the giants. 

I would use this in my classroom to teach about folk tales and how they change with each story teller. This version includes different nursery rhymes that you can catch throughout the story. 

Picture Book #4 Caldecott #1

Title:  The Hello, Goodbye Window

Author: Norton Juster

Illustrator:  Chris Raschka

Genre: Fiction

Theme:  

Primary Characters: Girl

Secondary Characters: Nanna and Poppy

Date of publication: 2005

Publishing Company:  Hyperion Books for Children

Summary:  The "hello, goodbye window" is in the kitchen. Many things happen at this window. She sometimes  makes faces in the window when visiting. She does all the things every other kid does when someone is inside a house and they pass through the window. She does anything from pressing her face to it and saying hello and goodbye. She recalls all the times she has with her grandparents. They all involve the window in one way or another.

I would use this book in a classroom for story time. I would read behind a big cut out of a window. This would enhance the students' imagination. This book will allow students to relate to the book which will engage them in story time.

Picture Book #3

Title: Where is Grandpa

Author: T.A. Barron

Illustrator:  Chris K. Soentpiet

Genre:  Fiction

Theme:  Love and remembrance through death

Primary characters: Boy, Grandpa

Secondary Characters: Mom, Dad, Sister, and Brother

Date of publication:  2000

Publishing Company:  Philomel Books

Summary: A boy recalls memories he has with his grandpa. One day his grandpa dies and the whole family reminisces his death. The family recalls good times they had with grandpa. This still doesn't get the boy to talk very much until his dad tells him that he went to heaven and heaven is everywhere. The boy then smiled and realized he is everywhere.

I would use this book in the classroom for the readers' enjoyment. I don't know how I could use this in a lesson, but it would be great for young readers.

Picture Book #2

Title: Alice the Fairy

Author and Illustrator: David Shannon

Genre:Fiction

Theme: With imagination you can be anything

Primary characters: Alice

Secondary Characters: Mom (the Duchess) and Dad

Publishing date:  2004

Publishing Company:  Scholastic Inc.

Alice is a "temporary fairy." She thinks she can do magic such as making the cookies her mom made for her dad into hers. Alice uses her imagination in everything she does to prove that she can do magic like a temporary fairy. She says that you have to be a permanent fairy to do some magic.  By tapping her wand on the light switch, she can disappear. By waving her wand in the water, she can draw pictures in the water. Alice wants to be a permanent fairy. 

I would use this book for reading time to kindergarten through second graders because all little girls can relate to this story. This is a book that girls would be interested in, and it also has a fair amount of words for this age group.

Picture Book #1

Title: David Gets in Trouble

Author and Illustrator:  David Shannon

Genre:  Fiction

Sub Genre:  Contemporary Realistic 

Theme:  Making excuses gets you in trouble

Primary character:  David

Secondary character: Mom

Date of publication: 2002

Publishing company: Scholastic

David is a mischievous child who makes excuses for everything. He always says it is not his fault. When he trips on a skateboard, he says he didn't mean to do it. He even forgot to put on his pants before he walked to school. He does anything from making funny faces in school pictures to saying that his dog ate his homework. David like most children makes excuses, so he doesn't get in trouble.

I would read this book to kindergarten students for enjoyment. It is a wonderful book, and the things that David does make me laugh. It is mostly pictures and very little words. This is great for beginning readers like kindergartners.