Sylvester and the Magic Pebble By: William Steig

Book Genre: Modern Fantasy/Fiction


Publishing Info: Simon & Schuster, Inc. and 42 pages

Awards or honors received: The Caldecott Medal


Summary: This story is about a horse family. The main character of the story is Sylvester. He loved to collect pebbles of all shapes and colors. One day he found a magic pebble and he made wishes on it and they came true. Sylvester wished he was a rock and he was for along time. His family searched and searched for him. They finally found him when they took a picnic and placed the magic pebble on the rock they were eating off of and Sylvester wish he was himself again.
Personal rating and reason for rating: *** Good – I like this book. I read it to my first grades and they love it. I feel that it's a good book because it shows different feeling. I not found a lot of books that are sad that are appropriate for students.

Reading level: 4.0


Interest level: K-4 (Lower Grades)

Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study (reading and writing across the curriculum): Language Arts – This book could be used in a unit of study on feelings. This book could be used to help spark writing activities such as writing a creative stories on animals.
Math – Students could graph different feelings they have throughout the day then the class could tally the entire classes feelings.
Science – Students could study different animal families. They could discuss how animals and humans are alike and different.
Social Studies – Students could discuss how animal and human communities are alike and different. Discuss family with students like things they like to do with their families.


Potential Problems or Difficulties: I think a potential problem would be the feelings aspect of the story. I think that students could feel too sad when hearing the story. Every thing else I believe is fine.