Hope Was Here by Joan Bauer
Book Genre: fiction
Publishing Info: Penguin Putnam Books, 186 pgs.
Awards or honors received: Newberry Honor Book
Summary: This book is about a girl who changed her name from Tulip to Hope, because her real mother did not want the responsibility of raising a child. She moves in with her Aunt Addie who lives in New York until one day she finds out that they have to move to Wisconsin because Addie had to get a new job. Throughout the book Hope and Addie have to learn to believe in themselves and to never give up. They face many struggles throughout their life but in the end they always had faith and overcame whatever obstacles they were faced with. When they get to Wisconsin they both get jobs working at the Welcome Stairways Diner. They meet a special man named GT Stoop that helps the girls out and becomes an important man in their lives. GT has lukemeia, which hurts his chances when he decides to run for major. Addie ends up falling in love with GT and Hope meets a young man named Braveman that she falls for and ends up going off to college with at the end of the book. I think the author shoud write a sequel that follows Hope's life to the next level.
Personal rating and reason for rating: Good book for middle school aged (especially girls)
Reading level: 5.3
Interest level: 5th-8th grade
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study (reading and writing across the curriculum): It would be neat to read this book around election time and hold a mock election, since that is a topic that is covered in the book. Also incorporating a math lesson dealing with menus, since the majority of the story takes place in a resturant. The students could design their menu and name their entree's then describe them and add prices. The students could figure out how much the bill would be and then add tax and tip.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: Couple of curse words throughout that book, some slang words that may be difficult for the students to pronounce
Showing posts with label Fiction. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fiction. Show all posts
Monday, June 22, 2009
The Kissing Hand by Audry Penn
Book Genre: Fiction
Publisher Information: Scholastic Inc., 26 pages
Award: None
Summary: Chester is a Raccoon who is afraid to go to school. He doesn't wan to leave his his mom and his home.. His mom convinces him to go by giving him a kissing hand. She kisses the palm of his hand, and tells him he can hold her kiss in his hand all night at school. This made Chester feel better and safer while he was at school
Book Level: 2.7
Interest Level: k-2
Personal Rating: **** Great. This is a really good book. The pictures are fun and it shows awesome emotion, children can relate to feelings that Chester feels towards his mother.
Possible uses of text in integrated units of study: Great for the first day of school in early grades. Students can write a story about a time they were scared, or a time they were sad.
Possible problems or difficulties: None
A Bad case of Stripes by David Shannon
Book Genre: Fiction
Publishing Info: Scholastic Inc. 32 pages
Awards or honors received: none
Summary: This story is about Camilla, who loves lima beans, but does not ever eat them because she doesn't want her friends to make fun of her. Camilla wakes up one morning covered in stripes! Her stripes change colors with just the suggestion from friends. After many attempts to cure her, a lady finally tells her that the cure is just lima beans! Camilla learns an important lesson that she needs to be herself, no matter what other people think.
Personal rating and reason for rating: ***** Great. A great story, children love it! I love the illustrations and the lesson that camilla learns in the end. So many children need to learn to be themselves, no matter what other people say or how other people act.
Reading level: 3.5
Interest level: K-2
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study (reading and writing across the curriculum): Can teach a science lesson about seeds using lima beans. Put the lima beans in plastic bags, and discuss what kind of things plans need to grow. In a math unit it can be used to teach patterns, as student color the girls face with different types of patterns.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: None
Sunday, June 21, 2009
Sylvester and the Magic Pebble by William Steig
Book Genre: Fiction
Publishing Info: Aladdin, 32 pages
Awards or honors received: The Caldacott Medal
Summary: This is a story about a donkey named Sylvester, who loved to collect pebbles. One day he found an awesome pebble, that seemed to be a magic stone. After playing with it for a while, he saw a lion, and in order to save himself from him, he wished that he would be a rock. When he turned into a rock, he couldn't get his stone back to wish to be back into a donkey. His family was sad because they thought he had gone missing. A long time past, and his mother and father went on a picnic and his mother sat on salvester, saw the pebble and thought of him. She set the pebble down and he was able to wish himself back to himself.
Personal rating and reason for rating: ***** Great. Very good story, illustrations are beautiful and I love how the author portrays emotion with all the characters.
Reading level: 4.0
Interest level: K-4
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study (reading and writing across the curriculum): This is another great book to discuss fantasy and reality, or fiction and non-fiction. This book would be a great way to teach emotion and feelings, either how authors and illustrators show them in different ways, or use the books to show how they can show feelings in their own writing and illustrations
Potential Problems or Difficulties: This book would be mostly just a read aloud in younger grades, but a great story and lesson.
Be careful what you wish for!
Publishing Info: Aladdin, 32 pages
Awards or honors received: The Caldacott Medal
Summary: This is a story about a donkey named Sylvester, who loved to collect pebbles. One day he found an awesome pebble, that seemed to be a magic stone. After playing with it for a while, he saw a lion, and in order to save himself from him, he wished that he would be a rock. When he turned into a rock, he couldn't get his stone back to wish to be back into a donkey. His family was sad because they thought he had gone missing. A long time past, and his mother and father went on a picnic and his mother sat on salvester, saw the pebble and thought of him. She set the pebble down and he was able to wish himself back to himself.
Personal rating and reason for rating: ***** Great. Very good story, illustrations are beautiful and I love how the author portrays emotion with all the characters.
Reading level: 4.0
Interest level: K-4
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study (reading and writing across the curriculum): This is another great book to discuss fantasy and reality, or fiction and non-fiction. This book would be a great way to teach emotion and feelings, either how authors and illustrators show them in different ways, or use the books to show how they can show feelings in their own writing and illustrations
Potential Problems or Difficulties: This book would be mostly just a read aloud in younger grades, but a great story and lesson.
Be careful what you wish for!
The Black Pearl by Scott O'Dell
Book Genre: Fiction
Publishing Info: Yearling (Random House, Inc.) 100 pages
Awards or Honors: Newbery Honor Book
Summary: Ramon, the son of a pearl dealer, begins to help his father in his pearl shop. After learning about selling pearls, Ramon wants to learn to go diving for the oysters with the other men that work for his father. When Ramon's father leaves on business, and Ramon decides it is time to learn how to dive for oysters. A Native American that works with his father agrees to teach Ramon to learn to dive, making sure to stress to him that if he doesn't respect the waters, the Manta Diablo (a giant manta ray) will come for him. Ramon learns to dive, then decides to go out on his own. He finds the largest pearl that has ever been found, the Pearl of Heaven, and finds out that the Manta Diablo is more than just a myth the Native American was telling him. Ramon goes on an adventure trying to get the pearl back to the Manta Diablo before any of the other pearl dealers can steal it from him
Personal rating and reason for rating: ****Great. This book was full of adventure while still teaching an important lesson. It is short enough that even students who do not like to read chapter books can feel successful at reading a novel. Scott O'Dell does a great job at keeping the reader engaged in the story and making it hard to put the book down.
Reading Level: The book says 5.2, AR says 5.4
Interest Level: upper elementary
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study:
Math: Many of the measurements are given in non-standard units. Students can learn about leagues, fathoms, and other units of measure mentioned in the book and how they compare to US customary units and metric units.
Social Studies: The story is set in a seaside village in Baja California. Students can learn about the differences in the culture of the people in the story and their own cultures. They can extend this study by learning about their family's ancestors and completing a family culture project.
Science: The story focuses a lot on the Manta Diablo and other manta rays. There are many different versions of what the Manta Diablo looks like and how it behaves. Students can use the internet to research manta rays and find out which statements about a manta ray could be true and which are false.
Potential Problems: None.
Publishing Info: Yearling (Random House, Inc.) 100 pages
Awards or Honors: Newbery Honor Book
Summary: Ramon, the son of a pearl dealer, begins to help his father in his pearl shop. After learning about selling pearls, Ramon wants to learn to go diving for the oysters with the other men that work for his father. When Ramon's father leaves on business, and Ramon decides it is time to learn how to dive for oysters. A Native American that works with his father agrees to teach Ramon to learn to dive, making sure to stress to him that if he doesn't respect the waters, the Manta Diablo (a giant manta ray) will come for him. Ramon learns to dive, then decides to go out on his own. He finds the largest pearl that has ever been found, the Pearl of Heaven, and finds out that the Manta Diablo is more than just a myth the Native American was telling him. Ramon goes on an adventure trying to get the pearl back to the Manta Diablo before any of the other pearl dealers can steal it from him
Personal rating and reason for rating: ****Great. This book was full of adventure while still teaching an important lesson. It is short enough that even students who do not like to read chapter books can feel successful at reading a novel. Scott O'Dell does a great job at keeping the reader engaged in the story and making it hard to put the book down.
Reading Level: The book says 5.2, AR says 5.4
Interest Level: upper elementary
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study:
Math: Many of the measurements are given in non-standard units. Students can learn about leagues, fathoms, and other units of measure mentioned in the book and how they compare to US customary units and metric units.
Social Studies: The story is set in a seaside village in Baja California. Students can learn about the differences in the culture of the people in the story and their own cultures. They can extend this study by learning about their family's ancestors and completing a family culture project.
Science: The story focuses a lot on the Manta Diablo and other manta rays. There are many different versions of what the Manta Diablo looks like and how it behaves. Students can use the internet to research manta rays and find out which statements about a manta ray could be true and which are false.
Potential Problems: None.
Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type by Doreen Cronin
Book Genre: Fiction
Publishing Info: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, 32 pages
Awards or honors received: Caldacot Honor Book
Summary: This book is a book about Farmer Brown and his typing cows. His cows has learned how to type on the typewriter, and they start writing him notes asking for things to make them more comfortable. When they didn't get the blankets they asked for, they went on strike, not giving out any milk. They asked for blankets for the hens also, and when they didn't get those blankets the hens refused to give eggs. This went on until they decided to exchange their typewriter for some blankets.
Personal rating and reason for rating: ***** Great. This book is really fun. Young children think it is hilarious, and it is a really fun story to read aloud. Many children at the end of first grade can read it themselves, and below level first graders have been read it many times they can read it from memory and gain confidence.
Reading level: 2.3
Interest level: k-3
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study (reading and writing across the curriculum): This is a great book to intoduce or reinforce the difference between fiction and non-fiction. It includes many things that animals wouldn't do, and would not need. For a social studies lesson, students can come up with many things in their own words that they think is unfair, and they could write a letter to someone asking to change it.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: None
(P.S I thought this was a really nice website, with great activities http://www.teachingheart.net/clickclackmoo.html )
Publishing Info: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, 32 pages
Awards or honors received: Caldacot Honor Book
Summary: This book is a book about Farmer Brown and his typing cows. His cows has learned how to type on the typewriter, and they start writing him notes asking for things to make them more comfortable. When they didn't get the blankets they asked for, they went on strike, not giving out any milk. They asked for blankets for the hens also, and when they didn't get those blankets the hens refused to give eggs. This went on until they decided to exchange their typewriter for some blankets.
Personal rating and reason for rating: ***** Great. This book is really fun. Young children think it is hilarious, and it is a really fun story to read aloud. Many children at the end of first grade can read it themselves, and below level first graders have been read it many times they can read it from memory and gain confidence.
Reading level: 2.3
Interest level: k-3
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study (reading and writing across the curriculum): This is a great book to intoduce or reinforce the difference between fiction and non-fiction. It includes many things that animals wouldn't do, and would not need. For a social studies lesson, students can come up with many things in their own words that they think is unfair, and they could write a letter to someone asking to change it.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: None
(P.S I thought this was a really nice website, with great activities http://www.teachingheart.net/clickclackmoo.html )
Friday, June 19, 2009
From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg
Book Genre: Fiction
Publishing Info: Dell Publishing Company. 159 pages.
Awards or honors received: Newberry Award Winner
Summary: Tired of her routine middle class life and feeling unappreciated as the oldest of four children and the only girl, Claudia Kincaid decides to run away from home. Prefering comfort to nature, she chooses to hide in the Metroplitan Museum of Art and takes one of her younger brothers, Jaime, with her. While hiding in the muesum, the children must stay out of sight of museum guards, learn to take care of themselves, and even investigate whether a mysterious statute had been carved by Michaelangelo. Ultimately the statue leads them to Mrs. Frankweiler (who narrates the story as a letter to her lawyer Saxonberg.). Claudia's quest to learn the truth about the statue provides for her a sense of purpose that she had lacked and leads to Mrs. Frankweiler learning the truth about Claudia and Jaime (that they are Saxonberg's grandchildren).
Personal rating and reason for rating: Good. Interesting, creative story. Characters are realistic and children can relate to the feelings of being overlooked, unappreciated, and the longing for adventure.
Reading level: AR reading level 4.7. Fry reading level grade 7.
Interest level: 3-6
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study:
Students could explore the ideas of familial loyalty, longing for adventure. Students could write about these topics as well as write newspaper articles describing the children's disappearance and/or the mystery of the angel statue. Students could do creative writing describing their own fantasic plan of running away "to" somewhere or could do persuasive writing focused on lobbying a parent for an increased allowance.
In other subject areas, students could take a virtual tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art or could study about the work of Michaelangelo or could do a more in depth study of the Renaissance.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: Vocabulary may be difficult for younger students.
Book Genre: Fiction
Publishing Info: Dell Publishing Company. 159 pages.
Awards or honors received: Newberry Award Winner
Summary: Tired of her routine middle class life and feeling unappreciated as the oldest of four children and the only girl, Claudia Kincaid decides to run away from home. Prefering comfort to nature, she chooses to hide in the Metroplitan Museum of Art and takes one of her younger brothers, Jaime, with her. While hiding in the muesum, the children must stay out of sight of museum guards, learn to take care of themselves, and even investigate whether a mysterious statute had been carved by Michaelangelo. Ultimately the statue leads them to Mrs. Frankweiler (who narrates the story as a letter to her lawyer Saxonberg.). Claudia's quest to learn the truth about the statue provides for her a sense of purpose that she had lacked and leads to Mrs. Frankweiler learning the truth about Claudia and Jaime (that they are Saxonberg's grandchildren).
Personal rating and reason for rating: Good. Interesting, creative story. Characters are realistic and children can relate to the feelings of being overlooked, unappreciated, and the longing for adventure.
Reading level: AR reading level 4.7. Fry reading level grade 7.
Interest level: 3-6
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study:
Students could explore the ideas of familial loyalty, longing for adventure. Students could write about these topics as well as write newspaper articles describing the children's disappearance and/or the mystery of the angel statue. Students could do creative writing describing their own fantasic plan of running away "to" somewhere or could do persuasive writing focused on lobbying a parent for an increased allowance.
In other subject areas, students could take a virtual tour of the Metropolitan Museum of Art or could study about the work of Michaelangelo or could do a more in depth study of the Renaissance.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: Vocabulary may be difficult for younger students.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Kindness is Cooler, Mrs. Ruler by Margery Cuyler
Book Genre: fiction
Publishing Info: Simon and Schuster, 50 pages
Awards or honors received: N/A
Summary: At the beginning of the story the students in Mrs. Ruler’s class stuck inside because it had been raining all week. The students began to misbehave and treat each other badly. So Mrs. Ruler kept 5 of the students to speak to them about kindness. She told them they each needed to perform 5 acts of kindness and share what they did at show and tell. The next day at show and tell some of the kids couldn’t wait to share their acts of kindness with the rest of the class. The whole class was excited and they decided to design a class project where everyone would participate. Everyday the class shared their kindness acts. Everyone was excited except for one little boy , David, who couldn’t think of anything to do. The class continued to share their random acts and wrote them down. Everyday they would count their acts of kindness. One day the class gerbils go out of the cage and everyone panicked. David ran around the room collecting the gerbils and his act was added to the kindness wall.
Personal rating and reason for rating: **** This is a cute book with a great theme, and the teacher speaks in rhymes. Students will love it and get ideas for random acts of kindness.
Reading level: 3.7
Interest level: K-5
Possible uses of the text: Social Studies - have your class participate in random acts of kindness. Read the book and discuss examples of how to be kind. Then have the students/teacher/parents write each act of kindness and display. Try for 100 acts of kindness. Expand your kindness to the school by picking up trash on the playground, bringing the principal a snack, holding the door open for other classes, etc. Get your community involved by collecting toys to give away, collecting food to donate to a food shelter, makes cards for a senior center, etc.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: none
Publishing Info: Simon and Schuster, 50 pages
Awards or honors received: N/A
Summary: At the beginning of the story the students in Mrs. Ruler’s class stuck inside because it had been raining all week. The students began to misbehave and treat each other badly. So Mrs. Ruler kept 5 of the students to speak to them about kindness. She told them they each needed to perform 5 acts of kindness and share what they did at show and tell. The next day at show and tell some of the kids couldn’t wait to share their acts of kindness with the rest of the class. The whole class was excited and they decided to design a class project where everyone would participate. Everyday the class shared their kindness acts. Everyone was excited except for one little boy , David, who couldn’t think of anything to do. The class continued to share their random acts and wrote them down. Everyday they would count their acts of kindness. One day the class gerbils go out of the cage and everyone panicked. David ran around the room collecting the gerbils and his act was added to the kindness wall.
Personal rating and reason for rating: **** This is a cute book with a great theme, and the teacher speaks in rhymes. Students will love it and get ideas for random acts of kindness.
Reading level: 3.7
Interest level: K-5
Possible uses of the text: Social Studies - have your class participate in random acts of kindness. Read the book and discuss examples of how to be kind. Then have the students/teacher/parents write each act of kindness and display. Try for 100 acts of kindness. Expand your kindness to the school by picking up trash on the playground, bringing the principal a snack, holding the door open for other classes, etc. Get your community involved by collecting toys to give away, collecting food to donate to a food shelter, makes cards for a senior center, etc.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: none
Monday, June 15, 2009
Did You See Chip? by Wong Herbert Yee
Book Genre: Fiction
Publishing Info: Scholastic Inc, 24 pages
Awards or honors received: None
Summary: Kim is a little girl who is lonely because she has no friends in her new city. Her dog runs away and as her and her dad chase down her dog, Chip, she meets all kinds of new friends who help her find her dog.
Personal rating and reason for rating: **** Good. A fun story, children love it and it is fun to have them read on their own in second grade.
Reading level: 1.2
Interest level: k-2Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study (reading and writing across the curriculum): This book is a fun book to use as a readers theater. A lot of characters and dialogue. This is also a good book to use to read as a read aloud or shared reading while teaching students to write using quotation marks. One good activity would be for students to choose a scene, and draw their own pictures using speech bubbles instead of quotation marks to show what the characters are saying.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: I don’t see any problems or difficulties.
Publishing Info: Scholastic Inc, 24 pages
Awards or honors received: None
Summary: Kim is a little girl who is lonely because she has no friends in her new city. Her dog runs away and as her and her dad chase down her dog, Chip, she meets all kinds of new friends who help her find her dog.
Personal rating and reason for rating: **** Good. A fun story, children love it and it is fun to have them read on their own in second grade.
Reading level: 1.2
Interest level: k-2Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study (reading and writing across the curriculum): This book is a fun book to use as a readers theater. A lot of characters and dialogue. This is also a good book to use to read as a read aloud or shared reading while teaching students to write using quotation marks. One good activity would be for students to choose a scene, and draw their own pictures using speech bubbles instead of quotation marks to show what the characters are saying.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: I don’t see any problems or difficulties.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
I Just Forgot by Mercer Mayer
Book Genre: Fiction
Publishing Info.: Golden Books Publishing Company, Inc., 24 pages
Awards or Honors Received: N/A
Summary: This story is about Little Critter and a day full of things he forgets to do, and things that he says he does not forget to do but does not want to do. Little Critter is a bit mischievous and does not always remember to feed the pet right away, pick up his toys right away, or turn his bathwater off right away. Although he is very forgetful, Little Critter never forgets his bedtime story with mom or to give her a kiss goodnight.
Personal Rating and Reason for Rating: ***Good. This cute Little Critter and his mischievous ways will appeal to young ones. Although he does not intend to get in trouble, he forgets to do things during the day, and that gets him in trouble. His crazy antics and the funny illustrations are sure to get the attention of young readers.
Reading Level: 2.7
Interest Level: K-2
Possible Uses of the Text in Integrated Units of Study (Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum): This story would be a great way to teach recall of events and sequence of events. Teachers could use various graphic organizers to record this information with students. Writing could also be integrated by students writing about a time that they forgot to do something or chores that they have to do at home. To incorporate art, students could draw or paint a picture about something that they have forgotten to do.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: I do not see any problems or difficulties with this book.
Publishing Info.: Golden Books Publishing Company, Inc., 24 pages
Awards or Honors Received: N/A
Summary: This story is about Little Critter and a day full of things he forgets to do, and things that he says he does not forget to do but does not want to do. Little Critter is a bit mischievous and does not always remember to feed the pet right away, pick up his toys right away, or turn his bathwater off right away. Although he is very forgetful, Little Critter never forgets his bedtime story with mom or to give her a kiss goodnight.
Personal Rating and Reason for Rating: ***Good. This cute Little Critter and his mischievous ways will appeal to young ones. Although he does not intend to get in trouble, he forgets to do things during the day, and that gets him in trouble. His crazy antics and the funny illustrations are sure to get the attention of young readers.
Reading Level: 2.7
Interest Level: K-2
Possible Uses of the Text in Integrated Units of Study (Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum): This story would be a great way to teach recall of events and sequence of events. Teachers could use various graphic organizers to record this information with students. Writing could also be integrated by students writing about a time that they forgot to do something or chores that they have to do at home. To incorporate art, students could draw or paint a picture about something that they have forgotten to do.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: I do not see any problems or difficulties with this book.
The Rain Came Down by David Shannon
Book Genre: Fiction
Publishing Info.: Scholastic Inc., 32 pages
Awards or Honors Received: The Golden Kite Award for Picture Book Illustration
Summary: This is a story about some animals and several people in a town who are arguing and shouting at one another because the rain is ruining their plans. When one person acts out in anger, it affects another person, and then another person. However, when the rain stops and the sun comes out, everyone is happy again and the story recaps and shows how each character's attitude improves when the weather improves.
Personal Rating and Reason for Rating: ****Great! This story has very vivid and funny illustrations that would appeal to young readers. It also teaches how we affect other people when we have a bad attitude about things that we cannot control.
Reading Level: 1.8
Interest Level: K-2
Possible Uses of the Text in Integrated Units of Study (Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum): This book would be a great one to use when working on retell and sequencing with students. A word web could be used to list characters and events in the story. This story would also be a good one to use if the focus was on problem-solution. Writing could also be integrated by students writing about something positive that they like to do on a rainy day. After writing, the teacher could write the various rainy day activities on the board and the class could do a graph to figure out their favorite rainy day activity.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: I do not see any problems or difficulties with this book.
Publishing Info.: Scholastic Inc., 32 pages
Awards or Honors Received: The Golden Kite Award for Picture Book Illustration
Summary: This is a story about some animals and several people in a town who are arguing and shouting at one another because the rain is ruining their plans. When one person acts out in anger, it affects another person, and then another person. However, when the rain stops and the sun comes out, everyone is happy again and the story recaps and shows how each character's attitude improves when the weather improves.
Personal Rating and Reason for Rating: ****Great! This story has very vivid and funny illustrations that would appeal to young readers. It also teaches how we affect other people when we have a bad attitude about things that we cannot control.
Reading Level: 1.8
Interest Level: K-2
Possible Uses of the Text in Integrated Units of Study (Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum): This book would be a great one to use when working on retell and sequencing with students. A word web could be used to list characters and events in the story. This story would also be a good one to use if the focus was on problem-solution. Writing could also be integrated by students writing about something positive that they like to do on a rainy day. After writing, the teacher could write the various rainy day activities on the board and the class could do a graph to figure out their favorite rainy day activity.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: I do not see any problems or difficulties with this book.
Moon Boy by Barbara Brenner
Book Genre: Fiction
Publishing Info: Byron Preiss, 32 pages
Awards or honors received: None
Summary: This is a book about a little boy and the fantasy that he had one night when he couldn't sleep about a boy that came from the moon. When he couldn't sleep he played with this moon boy and let him keep him company. When the moon boy was set free the boy was able to fall asleep.
Personal rating and reason for rating: *** Good. This book is very strange to me, but my children seem to love it. It is a good read aloud early in the year for first graders, and later in the year they can read it themselves.
Reading level: 1.7
Interest level: k-3
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study (reading and writing across the curriculum): This is a great book to show how authors discribe childrens imaginations. Using it in a writing lesson to show the skill, before asking the children to write about an imaginative prompt, like a dream or a daydream they have had.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: This book is just a little strange, and it is not too clear if the boy is dreaming this or daydreaming. But my first graders seemed to love it!
Jumanji By Chris Van Allsburg
Book Genre: Fiction
Publishing Info: Houghton Mifflin and 27 pages
Awards or honors received: The Caldecott Medal
Summary: This book is about a jungle adventure board game that becomes a real life game for Judy and Peter, who are the main characters. The game is not over until one player reaches the golden city. During the game Judy and Peter encounters lions, monkeys, rhinoceros, snakes, and many more animals. After Judy reaches the golden city she yelled “Jumanji” and the game was over and all the animals and messed up house were gone and cleaned up.
Personal rating and reason for rating: *** Great! I enjoyed reading this book. I love animals and this is a great adventure that involves animals. I think that students will enjoy listening and reading this story. I have not read it to my students yet, but when I do I feel that they will enjoy it. I think this book will help students that don’t really like to read, but may need some encouragement.
Reading level: 3.9
Interest level: I would say K-4
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study (reading and writing across the curriculum): A wonderful activity to do with your students would be a dialogue response journal. This book could be read for fun before school lets out and for homework have the students write or if they are younger have them draw their interpretation of the story. The next day the teacher can respond to the journal entry. For math the students could graph their favorite animal from the story.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: I don’t see any at this time.
Publishing Info: Houghton Mifflin and 27 pages
Awards or honors received: The Caldecott Medal
Summary: This book is about a jungle adventure board game that becomes a real life game for Judy and Peter, who are the main characters. The game is not over until one player reaches the golden city. During the game Judy and Peter encounters lions, monkeys, rhinoceros, snakes, and many more animals. After Judy reaches the golden city she yelled “Jumanji” and the game was over and all the animals and messed up house were gone and cleaned up.
Personal rating and reason for rating: *** Great! I enjoyed reading this book. I love animals and this is a great adventure that involves animals. I think that students will enjoy listening and reading this story. I have not read it to my students yet, but when I do I feel that they will enjoy it. I think this book will help students that don’t really like to read, but may need some encouragement.
Reading level: 3.9
Interest level: I would say K-4
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study (reading and writing across the curriculum): A wonderful activity to do with your students would be a dialogue response journal. This book could be read for fun before school lets out and for homework have the students write or if they are younger have them draw their interpretation of the story. The next day the teacher can respond to the journal entry. For math the students could graph their favorite animal from the story.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: I don’t see any at this time.
Friday, June 12, 2009
More Spaghetti, I Say by Rita Gelman
Book Genre: Fiction
Publishing Info: Scholastic Inc, 32 pages
Awards or honors received: None
Summary: This is a funny book about a monkey named Minnie who really likes to eat spaghetti. She is too busy to play with Freddy.
Personal rating and reason for rating: **** Good. This is a good story for young readers who are ready to read on their own. It is a catchy book with rhyming words, and many young students think it is very funny.
Reading level: 1.2
Interest level: k-2
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study (reading and writing across the curriculum): This is a good story to work with young readers on predicting text based on rhyming words.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: I do not see any problems or difficulties with this text.
Publishing Info: Scholastic Inc, 32 pages
Awards or honors received: None
Summary: This is a funny book about a monkey named Minnie who really likes to eat spaghetti. She is too busy to play with Freddy.
Personal rating and reason for rating: **** Good. This is a good story for young readers who are ready to read on their own. It is a catchy book with rhyming words, and many young students think it is very funny.
Reading level: 1.2
Interest level: k-2
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study (reading and writing across the curriculum): This is a good story to work with young readers on predicting text based on rhyming words.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: I do not see any problems or difficulties with this text.
A Big Fat Enormous Lie by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat
Book Genre: Fiction
Publishing Info: Scholastic Inc, 32 pages
Awards or honors received: None
Summary: This book is about a child who told a lie to his father about eating a jar of cookies. The child feels very bad about this lie. The lie is represented in the photographs by a large green monster, the boy continues to tell the lie to go away, but no matter how hard he tries the lie stays with him. The child finally tells him mom and dad about the lie, and the monster (or lie) gets smaller and smaller until it is no longer with him. The child feels better now.
Personal rating and reason for rating: **** Good. A good story with a good lesson.
Reading level: 1.7
Interest level: k-2
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study (reading and writing across the curriculum): Use while teaching about the importance of telling the truth. Also, can be used to teach about the importance of looking at pictures while reading a story. Reading this story without paying attention to the pictures would not give the same amount of comprehension.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: Young may have trouble understanding what the monster in the picture represents something that the boy feels inside.
Publishing Info: Scholastic Inc, 32 pages
Awards or honors received: None
Summary: This book is about a child who told a lie to his father about eating a jar of cookies. The child feels very bad about this lie. The lie is represented in the photographs by a large green monster, the boy continues to tell the lie to go away, but no matter how hard he tries the lie stays with him. The child finally tells him mom and dad about the lie, and the monster (or lie) gets smaller and smaller until it is no longer with him. The child feels better now.
Personal rating and reason for rating: **** Good. A good story with a good lesson.
Reading level: 1.7
Interest level: k-2
Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study (reading and writing across the curriculum): Use while teaching about the importance of telling the truth. Also, can be used to teach about the importance of looking at pictures while reading a story. Reading this story without paying attention to the pictures would not give the same amount of comprehension.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: Young may have trouble understanding what the monster in the picture represents something that the boy feels inside.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Alfie the Apostrophe by Moira Rose Donohue
Book Genre: fiction
Publishing Info: Scholastic, 29 pages
Awards or honors received: N/A
Summary: This story is about an apostrophe named Alfie. Alfie was a young apostrophe who went to school with other punctuation marks. The annual punctuation-mark talent show was the next day. Alfie was worried that he didn’t have any talent. He practiced in his bedroom but couldn’t get his magic tricks to work correctly. The next day at school everyone was excited to perform in the talent show. The question marks went first and they told riddles and jokes that made everyone laugh. Then the exclamation points cheered in their cheerleading outfits. Alfie began to get more worried. The parentheses worked with the commas and quotation marks to perform a jump rope routine, but they all got tangled up. Last went a group of periods and hyphens. They performed in Morse code. The director was about to end the show when Alfie raised his hand to present his magic tricks. First Alfie pulled out the words can and not. He covered them with a scarf and said the magic words. When he lifted the scarf, two letters had disappeared and the contraction can’t appeared. He did the same thing changing will and not into won’t. Then for his final act he performed his “possessive” trick. The crowd went wild and Alfie was very happy to be an apostrophe.
Personal rating and reason for rating: *** This was a nice story with pictures of the different types of punctuation marks as characters. Students will see the marks as you are reading about the usage of each one.
Reading level: 3.2
Interest level: 1-4
Possible uses of the text: Literacy: This story would be a good lead-in for introducing contractions. Have student’s create “magic tricks” by changing two words into a contraction. Then they can be the detective to find which of the letters went missing. Make this activity into a game. Practice making contractions and reverse it, so the contraction becomes the two words. Re-read story when you teach about possessive nouns. Have students create a list of things that belong to them and write it with the apostrophe (Linda’s book). Students can then illustrate their belongings.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: this story might be a little difficult for the younger children, teacher will have to explain a lot as she reads.
Publishing Info: Scholastic, 29 pages
Awards or honors received: N/A
Summary: This story is about an apostrophe named Alfie. Alfie was a young apostrophe who went to school with other punctuation marks. The annual punctuation-mark talent show was the next day. Alfie was worried that he didn’t have any talent. He practiced in his bedroom but couldn’t get his magic tricks to work correctly. The next day at school everyone was excited to perform in the talent show. The question marks went first and they told riddles and jokes that made everyone laugh. Then the exclamation points cheered in their cheerleading outfits. Alfie began to get more worried. The parentheses worked with the commas and quotation marks to perform a jump rope routine, but they all got tangled up. Last went a group of periods and hyphens. They performed in Morse code. The director was about to end the show when Alfie raised his hand to present his magic tricks. First Alfie pulled out the words can and not. He covered them with a scarf and said the magic words. When he lifted the scarf, two letters had disappeared and the contraction can’t appeared. He did the same thing changing will and not into won’t. Then for his final act he performed his “possessive” trick. The crowd went wild and Alfie was very happy to be an apostrophe.
Personal rating and reason for rating: *** This was a nice story with pictures of the different types of punctuation marks as characters. Students will see the marks as you are reading about the usage of each one.
Reading level: 3.2
Interest level: 1-4
Possible uses of the text: Literacy: This story would be a good lead-in for introducing contractions. Have student’s create “magic tricks” by changing two words into a contraction. Then they can be the detective to find which of the letters went missing. Make this activity into a game. Practice making contractions and reverse it, so the contraction becomes the two words. Re-read story when you teach about possessive nouns. Have students create a list of things that belong to them and write it with the apostrophe (Linda’s book). Students can then illustrate their belongings.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: this story might be a little difficult for the younger children, teacher will have to explain a lot as she reads.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
The Frog Prince Continued by: Jon Scieszka
Book Genre: Fiction, Folklore, Fairy Tale
Publishing Info: Puffin Books (32 pages)
Awards or Honors:
Summary: This is a hilarious spin off of The Frog Prince. Where it ends, this story begins. Surprisingly the Princess and the Frog Prince do NOT live happily ever after. He whines because the Princess won't go outside and down to the pond any longer. She complains because he sticks his tongue out, jumps on the furniture, croaks in his sleep, and has lily pads in his pockets. Sad and wishing for a real happily ever after, the Frog Prince runs off into the forest in search of a witch to turn him back into a frog. He happens upon several witches: Malificent (Sleeping Beauty), Grimhilda (Snow White), and Gretchen (Hansel and Gretel). Each time he runs off in fear because they do not want to help, just harm him. He eventually happens upon Fairy Godmother (Cinderella). She agrees to help him, but ends up turning him into a carriage. He spends the rest of the evening scared and longing to be back in his castle with his Princess. He realizes that he was happily ever after and didn't know it. As fate would have it, and just as in Cinderella, at the stroke of midnight the Frog Prince turns back into himself. Once he is himself, the Frog Prince runs back through the forest to his castle. When he arrives the Princess bombards him with questions about where he has been because she has been worried. The Frog Prince is so happy to be home he quickly gives her a kiss. And wouldn't you know, they both turn into frogs and live happily ever after! Or do they?
Personal Rating & Reason: ****Great! I love it! It was so comical and had cute ties into other fairy tales. I also liked the illustrations. Each illustration really made the story come to life. For example, when she is complaining about sticking his tongue out, you can see him trying to catch a dragonfly on the wallpaper with his tongue. Plus, Grimhilda is inside a room labeled "Fairest" reading Hague (a witch magazine) getting her hair done. Funny!
Reading Level: K-3 (3.6 AR)
Reading Interest: ages 4-8 years
Possible Uses: I would use this book in many ways.
Art: You could help the children make a frog from paper plates, construction paper, and google eyes. You could also have them make puppets out of construction paper and paper bags. Make masks out of paper plates and string/crafts sticks.
Writing/Arts: This would be a GREAT book to do a readers theatre with. As as class you could transfer the book to a play. Giving students parts - Frog Prince, Princess, each witch (3), Fairy Godmother, Narrator, and of course costume designers. I wouldn't to too much with costumes. Maybe just paper plate masks held up by craft sticks. Each student would have a task in order to bring it all together in the end. Finally I would invite administration or other classes in for a final performance.
Science: At this time I would lead the children into a discussion about the life cycle of a frog. We could do Flow Maps of the cycle and then write about it. Another idea would be to bring in some tadpoles and watch them grow into frogs. Have the children chart the tadpole/frog progress and keep journals about the progressions.
Potential Problems: The only problem, well not problem, but side note is that the humor is very satirical and a little over younger children's understanding. To fully "get" the humor students would need to be 3rd grade and up.
Publishing Info: Puffin Books (32 pages)
Awards or Honors:
Summary: This is a hilarious spin off of The Frog Prince. Where it ends, this story begins. Surprisingly the Princess and the Frog Prince do NOT live happily ever after. He whines because the Princess won't go outside and down to the pond any longer. She complains because he sticks his tongue out, jumps on the furniture, croaks in his sleep, and has lily pads in his pockets. Sad and wishing for a real happily ever after, the Frog Prince runs off into the forest in search of a witch to turn him back into a frog. He happens upon several witches: Malificent (Sleeping Beauty), Grimhilda (Snow White), and Gretchen (Hansel and Gretel). Each time he runs off in fear because they do not want to help, just harm him. He eventually happens upon Fairy Godmother (Cinderella). She agrees to help him, but ends up turning him into a carriage. He spends the rest of the evening scared and longing to be back in his castle with his Princess. He realizes that he was happily ever after and didn't know it. As fate would have it, and just as in Cinderella, at the stroke of midnight the Frog Prince turns back into himself. Once he is himself, the Frog Prince runs back through the forest to his castle. When he arrives the Princess bombards him with questions about where he has been because she has been worried. The Frog Prince is so happy to be home he quickly gives her a kiss. And wouldn't you know, they both turn into frogs and live happily ever after! Or do they?
Personal Rating & Reason: ****Great! I love it! It was so comical and had cute ties into other fairy tales. I also liked the illustrations. Each illustration really made the story come to life. For example, when she is complaining about sticking his tongue out, you can see him trying to catch a dragonfly on the wallpaper with his tongue. Plus, Grimhilda is inside a room labeled "Fairest" reading Hague (a witch magazine) getting her hair done. Funny!
Reading Level: K-3 (3.6 AR)
Reading Interest: ages 4-8 years
Possible Uses: I would use this book in many ways.
Art: You could help the children make a frog from paper plates, construction paper, and google eyes. You could also have them make puppets out of construction paper and paper bags. Make masks out of paper plates and string/crafts sticks.
Writing/Arts: This would be a GREAT book to do a readers theatre with. As as class you could transfer the book to a play. Giving students parts - Frog Prince, Princess, each witch (3), Fairy Godmother, Narrator, and of course costume designers. I wouldn't to too much with costumes. Maybe just paper plate masks held up by craft sticks. Each student would have a task in order to bring it all together in the end. Finally I would invite administration or other classes in for a final performance.
Science: At this time I would lead the children into a discussion about the life cycle of a frog. We could do Flow Maps of the cycle and then write about it. Another idea would be to bring in some tadpoles and watch them grow into frogs. Have the children chart the tadpole/frog progress and keep journals about the progressions.
Potential Problems: The only problem, well not problem, but side note is that the humor is very satirical and a little over younger children's understanding. To fully "get" the humor students would need to be 3rd grade and up.
The Biggest Pumpkin Ever by Steven Kroll
Book Genre: Fiction
Publishing Info.: Scholastic Inc., 32 pages
Awards or Honors Received: N/A
Summary: This story is about two mice, Clayton the house mouse, and Desmond the field mouse. Both mice picked out the same pumpkin and decided to make it grow. However, the two mice did not know about each other. Clayton wanted to use the pumpkin for the town's pumpkin contest, and Desmond wanted to use the pumpkin to carve as a jack-o-lantern for Halloween. During the day, Clayton would water and fertilize the pumpkin and his mother suggested using sugar water. During the night, Desmond would water and fertilize the pumpkin and his brother suggested using sugar water. The pumpkin grew to be huge, but one night there was going to be an early frost, and both mice feared that it would harm their pumpkin. Both mice decided to go and cover the pumpkin with a blanket, and for the first time, they met and found out that the other had been taking care of the pumpkin too. They made a deal that Desmond would help get the huge pumpkin to the town contest and that Clayton would allow the pumpkin to be carved for Halloween. The pumpkin did end up winning first prize, and on Halloween night the jack-o-lantern's face glowed brightly for everyone to see.
Personal Rating and Reason for Rating: ****Great! Although this book was published over 20 years ago, the illustrations are bright and I think that young children would find this book entertaining. I think it is neat how the two mice do not know about one another through the entire story, but when they finally do meet, they decide to share the pumpkin and help one another out.
Reading Level: 3.3
Interest Level: K-2
Possible Uses of the Text in Integrated Units of Study: This would be a great book to use during a science unit on pumpkins. This book somewhat shows the life cycle of a pumpkin by telling how it goes from green to orange. This book could also tie in Halloween. Many Halloween books are questionable because they talk about witches and ghosts, which some parents find offensive. This book does not contain any kind of offensive material. This book could also be used to talk about sharing and working together to help others.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: I do not see any problems or difficulties with this book.
Publishing Info.: Scholastic Inc., 32 pages
Awards or Honors Received: N/A
Summary: This story is about two mice, Clayton the house mouse, and Desmond the field mouse. Both mice picked out the same pumpkin and decided to make it grow. However, the two mice did not know about each other. Clayton wanted to use the pumpkin for the town's pumpkin contest, and Desmond wanted to use the pumpkin to carve as a jack-o-lantern for Halloween. During the day, Clayton would water and fertilize the pumpkin and his mother suggested using sugar water. During the night, Desmond would water and fertilize the pumpkin and his brother suggested using sugar water. The pumpkin grew to be huge, but one night there was going to be an early frost, and both mice feared that it would harm their pumpkin. Both mice decided to go and cover the pumpkin with a blanket, and for the first time, they met and found out that the other had been taking care of the pumpkin too. They made a deal that Desmond would help get the huge pumpkin to the town contest and that Clayton would allow the pumpkin to be carved for Halloween. The pumpkin did end up winning first prize, and on Halloween night the jack-o-lantern's face glowed brightly for everyone to see.
Personal Rating and Reason for Rating: ****Great! Although this book was published over 20 years ago, the illustrations are bright and I think that young children would find this book entertaining. I think it is neat how the two mice do not know about one another through the entire story, but when they finally do meet, they decide to share the pumpkin and help one another out.
Reading Level: 3.3
Interest Level: K-2
Possible Uses of the Text in Integrated Units of Study: This would be a great book to use during a science unit on pumpkins. This book somewhat shows the life cycle of a pumpkin by telling how it goes from green to orange. This book could also tie in Halloween. Many Halloween books are questionable because they talk about witches and ghosts, which some parents find offensive. This book does not contain any kind of offensive material. This book could also be used to talk about sharing and working together to help others.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: I do not see any problems or difficulties with this book.
The Velveteen Rabbit or How Toys Become Real by: Margery Williams
Book Genre: Fiction
Publishing Info: Courage Books (40 pages)
Awards or Honors: IRA/CBC Children's Choice Award
Summary: The story begins at Christmas and a young boy receives a velveteen rabbit in his stocking. He loves Rabbit and plays with it for a couple of hours, until his relatives come for dinner and bring other presents. The rabbit is forgotten and ends up living in the toy cupboard with all the other toys. Rabbit is shy and doesn't make many friends among the toys. His only friend is Skin Horse, an old thread bare worn horse toy that belonged to the Boy's Uncle. Skin Horse is kind and friendly to Rabbit. He teaches Rabbit what it is to be Real and how the nursery room magic can make him become Real. One day Nana, the person who rules the nursery, is putting the Boy to bed and he wants a toy to sleep with. In haste, she grabs the first toy she finds, Rabbit. At first Rabbit doesn't like sleeping with the Boy because he gets mashed, poked, squashed, and rolled on. However, he comes to love being close with the Boy. The Boy and Rabbit become inseparable. They play, eat, and sleep together. Rabbit is slowly becoming very worn from all the love that the Boy gives him. He thinks that he is becoming Real just like Skin Horse had said. However, Rabbit meets some real rabbits outside one day and finds out that he is not Real, he is still a toy. Then one day the Boy becomes very sick with Scarlet Fever. Rabbit stays faithfully by his side and he eventually gets better. The doctor comes by for a final check-up visit and instructs Nana to burn all the toys and linens that the Boy has been in contact with. She does as she is told and places the linens, old picture books, and Rabbit in a sack to be burned. That night as Rabbit is lying in the night air, lonely and shivering, he becomes very sad. As he thinks of his time with the Boy a tear slowly slides off his nose and onto the ground. Suddenly a flower begins to grow from the tear and the Nursery Magic Fairy appears. She takes Rabbit into the woods and makes him really Real. He lives in the woods with all the other rabbits in Rabbitland for the rest of his life.
Personal Rating & Reason: **** Great! This is an awesome, touching story! I was in tears when Rabbit was tossed out to be burned. And again when he actually got to become real. I would recommend this story to any classroom, Kindergarten through college. It has such a warm loving story of wanting to be loved and accepted. There are many life lessons to be learned during this excellent read.
Reading Level: K-3 (3.6 AR)
Reading Interest: ages 4-8 years
Possible Uses: There are several uses for this book across the curriculum.
Art: You could have the children make a sock toy with socks, sawdust/news paper/ cotton stuffing and markers. Plus, you could have the children use construction paper and brats to create some paper movable rabbits.
Science: This book could be used as an introduction into what makes something alive. Then you could teach about the heart, brain, muscles, etc. Here you could do a group project telling why Rabbit was not alive "Real".
Another activity would be to use demonstrations. I would bring in my pet rabbit Chocolate for the class to see. Possibly have a stuffed rabbit and Chocolate together in Circle Time. Have the children list alike vs. different or have them chart teal vs. toy.
Writing: You could have the children draw and write about their favorite stuffed toy. Or you could have the children create their own story of a time when their favorite toy became Real. You could have the children write an extended ending. For example, at the end of the story Rabbit and Boy see each other again and the Boy thinks he looks a lot like his old stuffed toy. Here you could have the children extend the story and possibly have them play together, talk with one another, or the Boy catches Rabbit and takes him home as a real pet. The endings are infinite!
Potential Problems: None at this time.
Publishing Info: Courage Books (40 pages)
Awards or Honors: IRA/CBC Children's Choice Award
Summary: The story begins at Christmas and a young boy receives a velveteen rabbit in his stocking. He loves Rabbit and plays with it for a couple of hours, until his relatives come for dinner and bring other presents. The rabbit is forgotten and ends up living in the toy cupboard with all the other toys. Rabbit is shy and doesn't make many friends among the toys. His only friend is Skin Horse, an old thread bare worn horse toy that belonged to the Boy's Uncle. Skin Horse is kind and friendly to Rabbit. He teaches Rabbit what it is to be Real and how the nursery room magic can make him become Real. One day Nana, the person who rules the nursery, is putting the Boy to bed and he wants a toy to sleep with. In haste, she grabs the first toy she finds, Rabbit. At first Rabbit doesn't like sleeping with the Boy because he gets mashed, poked, squashed, and rolled on. However, he comes to love being close with the Boy. The Boy and Rabbit become inseparable. They play, eat, and sleep together. Rabbit is slowly becoming very worn from all the love that the Boy gives him. He thinks that he is becoming Real just like Skin Horse had said. However, Rabbit meets some real rabbits outside one day and finds out that he is not Real, he is still a toy. Then one day the Boy becomes very sick with Scarlet Fever. Rabbit stays faithfully by his side and he eventually gets better. The doctor comes by for a final check-up visit and instructs Nana to burn all the toys and linens that the Boy has been in contact with. She does as she is told and places the linens, old picture books, and Rabbit in a sack to be burned. That night as Rabbit is lying in the night air, lonely and shivering, he becomes very sad. As he thinks of his time with the Boy a tear slowly slides off his nose and onto the ground. Suddenly a flower begins to grow from the tear and the Nursery Magic Fairy appears. She takes Rabbit into the woods and makes him really Real. He lives in the woods with all the other rabbits in Rabbitland for the rest of his life.
Personal Rating & Reason: **** Great! This is an awesome, touching story! I was in tears when Rabbit was tossed out to be burned. And again when he actually got to become real. I would recommend this story to any classroom, Kindergarten through college. It has such a warm loving story of wanting to be loved and accepted. There are many life lessons to be learned during this excellent read.
Reading Level: K-3 (3.6 AR)
Reading Interest: ages 4-8 years
Possible Uses: There are several uses for this book across the curriculum.
Art: You could have the children make a sock toy with socks, sawdust/news paper/ cotton stuffing and markers. Plus, you could have the children use construction paper and brats to create some paper movable rabbits.
Science: This book could be used as an introduction into what makes something alive. Then you could teach about the heart, brain, muscles, etc. Here you could do a group project telling why Rabbit was not alive "Real".
Another activity would be to use demonstrations. I would bring in my pet rabbit Chocolate for the class to see. Possibly have a stuffed rabbit and Chocolate together in Circle Time. Have the children list alike vs. different or have them chart teal vs. toy.
Writing: You could have the children draw and write about their favorite stuffed toy. Or you could have the children create their own story of a time when their favorite toy became Real. You could have the children write an extended ending. For example, at the end of the story Rabbit and Boy see each other again and the Boy thinks he looks a lot like his old stuffed toy. Here you could have the children extend the story and possibly have them play together, talk with one another, or the Boy catches Rabbit and takes him home as a real pet. The endings are infinite!
Potential Problems: None at this time.
Just for You! by Christine Leeson
Book Genre: Fiction
Publishing Info: Scholastic Inc., 32 pages
Awards or Honors Received: N/A
Summary: This book is about four mice who want to give their mother the best gift for her birthday. They had a vase at the beginning of the story, but when they were getting ready to wrap it, the vase got broken. The four mice went in search for the perfect birthday gift. They found several items, such as strawberries, feathers, and a flower, but all of these items already belonged to other animal friends. The mice seen something fluttering in the sky but became very sad when they realized it was only a piece of paper. However, one of the mice had an idea. They borrowed some of the strawberries, some of the feathers, and pollen from the flower to make their mother a picture for her birthday. The story ended with their mother saying this was the best birthday present ever. The mice were very proud of themselves.
Personal Rating and Reason for Rating: ***Good. This is a cute story that young children can relate to. The mice were in search of the perfect present, and young children also do this when they are trying to find a present for someone. I also like how the story focused on the mice not taking things that did not belong to them just so their mother could have the perfect present. Instead, they had to be creative and make something for their mother. This story showed how sometimes we have to really think and try hard to solve our problems.
Reading Level: 2.9
Interest Level: K-2
Possible Uses of the Text in Integrated Units of Study (Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum): This book could be used during a unit on friends. This would be a great story to point out how we treat others and that we do not take things that are not ours. Social studies could be incoporated by discussing the social skills in this book and how the mice treated their friends. This book could also be used to discuss how sometimes we get disappointed, but that we have to keep trying. Writing could be incorporated by having the students think about a time when they were disappointed and write about what they did to solve their problem. This story could also incorporate literary elements, such as retell, sequence of events, main characters, and plot.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: I see no problems with this book.
Publishing Info: Scholastic Inc., 32 pages
Awards or Honors Received: N/A
Summary: This book is about four mice who want to give their mother the best gift for her birthday. They had a vase at the beginning of the story, but when they were getting ready to wrap it, the vase got broken. The four mice went in search for the perfect birthday gift. They found several items, such as strawberries, feathers, and a flower, but all of these items already belonged to other animal friends. The mice seen something fluttering in the sky but became very sad when they realized it was only a piece of paper. However, one of the mice had an idea. They borrowed some of the strawberries, some of the feathers, and pollen from the flower to make their mother a picture for her birthday. The story ended with their mother saying this was the best birthday present ever. The mice were very proud of themselves.
Personal Rating and Reason for Rating: ***Good. This is a cute story that young children can relate to. The mice were in search of the perfect present, and young children also do this when they are trying to find a present for someone. I also like how the story focused on the mice not taking things that did not belong to them just so their mother could have the perfect present. Instead, they had to be creative and make something for their mother. This story showed how sometimes we have to really think and try hard to solve our problems.
Reading Level: 2.9
Interest Level: K-2
Possible Uses of the Text in Integrated Units of Study (Reading and Writing Across the Curriculum): This book could be used during a unit on friends. This would be a great story to point out how we treat others and that we do not take things that are not ours. Social studies could be incoporated by discussing the social skills in this book and how the mice treated their friends. This book could also be used to discuss how sometimes we get disappointed, but that we have to keep trying. Writing could be incorporated by having the students think about a time when they were disappointed and write about what they did to solve their problem. This story could also incorporate literary elements, such as retell, sequence of events, main characters, and plot.
Potential Problems or Difficulties: I see no problems with this book.
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