Picture Book 8 When Sophie Gets Angry - Really, Really Angry...

 

When Sophie Gets Angry - Really, Really Angry...  Written and Illustrated by Molly Bang

Genre: Picture Book   Sub-genre: Fiction
Theme: Dealing with our emotions (specifically, anger)

Published March 1, 1999 by Blue Sky Press

Awards: Caldecott Honor, Jane Addams Honor Award and the Arbuthnot Award

Characters

Primary: Sophie

Secondary: Sophie's sister, mother, and father



          In the beginning of this vibrant children's picture book, a little girl named Sophie is interrupted by her sister as she plays with a toy gorilla. When she refuses to relinquish the toy to Sister, her mother chastises her for not sharing. In a small scuffle, she trips over another toy that is laying nearby. This incident sparks a temper tantrum, after which Sophie runs from inside her home to the woods and her favorite beech tree outside. As she runs, Sophie cries and fumes. When she reaches the top of the tree, she calms down as "The wide world comforts her". She climbs back down and returns to her house, feeling better after having worked through her torment of emotions.

         This story was so touching! As human beings, we all experience emotional ups and downs and may even feel out of control of our feelings at times. This book would be an invaluable tool for teaching young students that the emotions they feel are okay to experience, because everyone gets angry sometimes. The lesson Sophie teaches us by getting away from the situation that angers her so that she may calm down after some "quiet time" is priceless. I would use this book to teach my students about coping with their feelings, and to show them that getting upset with someone over an incident like this is not the end of the world.

Picture Book 7 Pocket Poems

 

Pocket Poems , anthology compiled/edited by Bobbi Katz and illustrated by Marilyn Hafner

Genre: Poetry   Sub-genre: Picture book
Theme: I think Bobbi Katz's purpose in compiling this collection of poetic works was to foster in young learners (and adults!) an appreciation for poems and the joy they can bring to our everyday lives.

Published March 8, 2004 by Dutton Juvenile

Awards: Parents' Magazine Best Book of 2004

Characters: Various young boys and girls, their pets/friends/teachers/etc.

                In this anthology of children's poems, editor Bobbi Katz provides young students with wonderful works of poetry to be enjoyed in an everyday setting (whether in the classroom or out). In her author's note, Katz explains that all the poems she selected for this volume are brief enough to be memorized for fun if the book's young readers feel compelled to do so. Topics featured in Pocket Poems are school, friends, pets, children, and everyday life. The poems are light, humorous, witty, and thoroughly enjoyable!

               I would use this book in a classroom of younger elementary school students as a means of introducing them to the poetic genre. The lighthearted, recitable nature of these poems would be a great way to get learners engaged and enthused about reading poetry. Depending on the grade level being taught, some of the poems could be read aloud by the class in unison, and memorizing one or two of the pieces from the book (perhaps with the help of a parent or guardian) could be a fun class enrichment project.

Chapter Book 4 Bridge to Terabithia

 

Bridge to Terabithia, by Katherine Paterson

Published October 21, 1977 by Harper Collins

Genre: Fiction   Sub-Genre: Young-adult
Themes: Coming-of-age, imagination, relationships, family, economic disadvantage

 Awards:

Janusz Korczak Medal (Poland) 1981
Silver Pencil Award (Netherlands) 1981
Newbery Medal 1978
ALA Notable Children's Books 1977
School Library Journal Best Book of 1977
Lewis Carroll Shelf Award, 1978
Le Grand Prix des Jeunes Lecturs (France), 1986
1986 Colorado Blue Spruce Young Adult Book Award

Characters
Primary: Jesse (Jess) Aarons, Leslie Burke
Secondary: Jess's mother and father, and four sisters (Ellie, Brenda, Joyce Anne, and May Belle), Leslie's mother and father (Judy and Bill), their fifth-grade teacher Mrs. Meyers, their music teacher Ms. Edmunds, a school bully named Janice Avery, various other school children, a puppy (P.T., or "Prince Terrien")

                         This novel follows a ten year old boy named Jess Aarons as he befriends a girl his age (Leslie Burke) when she moves into a house across the field from his own. Hesitant at first to associate with the "odd" girl, Jess eventually overcomes his self-consciousness, not caring what anyone at school might say about this friendship. The two of them begin to spend time together every day and soon discover a somewhat hidden place to play outside, across a creek from the property they both live on. They name their newfound imaginary "magic kingdom" Terabithia. The story is told from the third person, but we mainly see everything that happens from Jess's perspective. Leslie teaches him to really open his mind to new ideas, "think outside the box", and be more creative (not surprisingly, Jess's parents scoff at Leslie and her family, regarding them as "hippies"). Jess's life is complicated by his home situation. The Aaronses don't have much money, and around the middle of the book Jess's father is laid off from his job. His mother is cold and impatient, and his sisters are a pain for Jess to deal with (with the exception of the second youngest, May Belle). Spending time in Terabithia is Jess's means of escape from his unsatisfactory home life, and as the story passes he and Leslie become closer and he, more grateful for his time spent with her and the puppy he gives her for Christmas. One day, tragedy strikes and Jess is left without his best, and perhaps, only friend in the entire world. He finds solace, though, in realizing what a difference Leslie has made in his life and comfort in the fact that he knows he will never forget her.This is a truly touching, wonderful example of a classic coming-of-age story that I have enjoyed the privilege of re-reading for this assignment.
**My first reading of Bridge to Terabithia was in the sixth grade, as part of a literature circle.

                           I would use Bridge to Terabithia in literature circles in a classroom of my own, or perhaps as the cornerstone of a literary unit in which the entire class would read the book. The discussions within small circles or with the class as a whole would undoubtedly be in-depth and most interesting. This would require proper facilitation, so as a teacher I would put great effort into preparing for such discussions. A story like this one should be taught thoroughly, with great care and precision, because its message of coming into one's own is an invaluable one for children who are around this age. I would most likely present this book to sixth graders only; students who are any younger could potentially become upset by the story's dramatic turn or "miss" some of the deeper concepts that make the book so special.

Chapter Book 3 The Ghost of Poplar Point

 

The Ghost of Poplar Point

Written by Cynthia DeFelice

Genre: Juvenile Fiction  Sub-genre: Mystery

Published on August 21, 2007 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Awards: Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Award
Themes: Standing up for what you believe in, preserving history, determination and perseverance

Characters

Primary: Allie Nichols and her best friend, Dub Whitwell

Secondary: Michael (Allie's brother), Allie's mother and father, Uncle Hal (the uncle of a friend), Ms. Lunsford (director of the town pageant), Janelle (a girl Allie and Dub's age who has just moved to town), Mr. & Mrs. Kavanaugh (Janelle's parents and antagonists of Allie and Dub), Karen (the school bully, another antagonist), various friends of Allie and Dub's from school

                 In this book for older elementary students, Allie Nichols and Dub Whitwell set about solving the mystery surrounding the presence of a ghost that seems to be haunting Allie. As the two investigate, it becomes clear that the ghost is that of a young Seneca Indian girl whose people used to live at nearby Poplar Point. The two suspect that the girl's spirit is upset because of a hotel development backed by the newly-arrived Kavanaugh family, set to take place on the Senecas' sacred land. Allie and Dub's efforts to investigate are complicated by the fact that the ghost of the girl does not speak English, but rather an Indian language. Further thwarting their plans is the bullying nature of Janelle's father, Mr. Kavanaugh, and of Karen, a bully from school who consistently threatens to expose Allie and Dub's secret plan to stop the development of the hotel.

                I think students in the fourth or fifth grades would really enjoy reading this mystery novel by Cynthia DeFelice. A book like this one would be great for use in a book club or literature circle, in which the students reading it could make inferences about the characters and plot turns all while enjoying a well-written mystery. The relationships between most of the characters in the book are good examples for kids who are around Allie and Dub's age (e.g., that of Allie and little brother Michael, who are always looking out for one another, and that of Allie and Dub, who are best friends and make a great team).

Picture Book 6 The Big Snow

 

The Big Snow , Written and Illustrated by Berta and Elmer Hader

Genre: Picture Book     Sub-genre: Realistic Fiction
Published 1948 by Macmillon Publishers; appears to be currently published under Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers 

Awarded the Caldecott Medal 1949

Theme: Nature; specifically, the survival of wild animals in the wintertime

Characters: The animals living in the woods; Mr. and Mrs. Hader

                      In this richly illustrated book by Berta and Elmer Hader, we see a variety of wild animals going about their daily "routines" of gathering food, leaving for the south in the cold months, hibernating, and "socializing" amongst each other in their habitats. The charming, simple story of a harsh snow that comes to the wooded area near the Hader's house ends with the elderly couple coming outside to leave food (breadcrumbs, etc.) for the wild animals to find. The animals are grateful because the thick snow on the ground had made it difficult for them to find their own food.

                    Although old, this story would be useful in an elementary classroom for teaching science lessons to young students about the coping and survival mechanisms of animals in the wild, and the hardships that they can sometimes face because of the weather. It would also be a good tool for teaching about migration, hibernation, and the food-storing habits of many common woodland animals. Using this book, I could integrate literature into a science lesson about animals.

Picture Book 5 Golem

 

Golem , Written and Illustrated by David Wisniewski

Published October 18, 1996 by Clarion Books, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Company

Genre: Picture Book    Sub-Genre: Fiction

Awarded the 1997 Caldecott Medal.

Theme: Supernatural fantasy, Jewish legend, religious persecution

Characters

Primary: Rabbi Loew, Golem

Secondary: The Rabbi's two students; the leader of Prague who is responsible for the persecution of the Jews there

                        In this picture-book take on a Hebrew legend, Rabbi Loew creates a "monster" of sorts out of clay. The creature's name is Golem, the Hebrew word for "shapeless man". The story is set in Prague, a city in the Czech Republic. There, the Jewish population is being accused of mixing the blood of Christian children with flour and water to make matzo (this accusation was known as the Blood Lie, and it took place in the sixteenth century in the Jewish ghettos of Prague). To combat the persecution of his people, Rabbi Loew creates Golem to fight back. As readers, we develop sympathy for Golem because he appreciates the life given him by the Rabbi very much but is saddened when he learns that once the persecution has stopped he must be destroyed because he will no longer be needed. 

                         Reading this book to elementary school students will be a good way to incorporate some diversity of history in the classroom. Learning about old Hebrew legends will help broaden their historical perspective. Also, exposure to different types of religions is crucial to building tolerance for and acceptance of diversity in our society. I would use it in a class of middle elementary grade students rather than younger students, due to the story's and illustrations' potentially "dark" nature.

**The illustrations, made entirely of torn paper, are fantastic and beautiful! It's very clear why this book won a Caldecott Honor Medal. = )

Picture Book 4 All of Me!

   

All of Me!  Written and illustrated by Molly Bang

Genre: Picture Book       Sub-genre: Realism

Published Sept. 1, 2009 by The Blue Sky Press (an Imprint of Scholastic)

Awards: Although Molly Bang is a noted Caldecott-winning illustrator, this particular title does not appear to have been awarded the Caldecott. 

Theme: Appreciation of self

Characters: The primary character in this book is a small boy; he is accompanied by a cat.

                

                       This adorable picture book by Molly Bang (who is quickly becoming one of my favorite children's authors!) is narrated throught the eyes of a young child who is expressing how grateful he is for his physical body and how well it functions. He begins with his feet and moves all the way up to his heart, praising each part of himself as he goes. (For example, he mentions his hands and how they help him grip, throw, pat, hold, and hug.) The book was designed as a children's "book of thanks", to be written from a non-religious perspective, that is meant to help young children appreciate their bodies and their abilities. I would use this book in my classroom with emphasis on just that: appreciation for our health and physical well-being, and for what a magnificent machine the human body really is.

**A similar title that I found while looking for the specs of this book is Marvelous Me , by Lisa Bullard.



Picture Book 3 Smoky Night

 

Smoky Night , written by Eve Bunting and illustrated by David Diaz

Genre: Picture Book

Sub-genre: Realistic Fiction

Published on March 31, 1994 by Harcourt Brace & Company
Themes: Neighbors, overcoming differences, family, diversity

Awards:

-1995 Caldecott Award -ALA Notable
-School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
-Parent's Choice Award winner  

Characters

Primary: The main character in this story is a little boy. Another primary character is his mother.

Secondary: The boy's neighbors in his apartment building, his cat Jasmine, a neighbor's cat, a fireman

                          This heart-wrenching picture book is based on the real-life L.A. riots. The story is told from the perspective of a young boy, whose apartment building is set on fire one night by looters and robbers moving throughout the city. He and his mother must escape the blaze in a hurry but he is reluctant to go because at the time of their evacuation he cannot find his beloved pet, a cat named Jasmine. As they move down the halls and stairs to get out, they encounter their fellow tenants. A bond is formed between all the bulding's residents as they look out for one another during their escape, and find shelter nearby.

                          Smoky Night would be great to use in a classroom of younger elementary school students. I would use the book to emphasize the point that it's important to be a kind, caring neighbor and to at least try your best to be friends with those that might be different than you and yours. The book would also provide a bit of background knowledge on the L.A. riots that took place in 1992.

Picture Book 2 Magic Thinks Big

 

Magic Thinks Big, written and illustrated by Elisha Cooper

Genre: Picture book     Sub-genre: Fiction

Published March 30, 2004 by Greenwillow Books

Awards: "Texas 2x2 Reading List" (Formal recommendation of children's books by the state of Texas)

Themes: Imagination, ambition

Characters

Primary: Magic, the cat

Secondary: Magic's owners, his animal and human friends of far away (implied)

                           This humorous and charming picture book tells a story of a cat named Magic. He places himself in the door of his house, where he can look outside and fantasize about what it would be like to leave home and go on great adventures. We "follow" Magic as he daydreams of visiting an island, befriending bears and sailors, having fish and pies for dinner, etc.

                           Magic Thinks Big would be a fun choice for light read-aloud time in a younger elementary grade classroom (kindergarten would probably be ideal for this particular title). I would use Magic's story to inspire my young students to be creative and imaginitive, in hopes that although they may not be in a position to leave their houses at any time they please they will not let this stop them from "dreaming big".  = )

Chapter Book 2 A Bear Named Trouble

 

A Bear Named Trouble, written by Marion Dane Bauer. Published on May 9, 2006 by Random House Books.

Nominated for the Nutmeg Book Award & the Louisiana Young Reader's Choice Award

Genre: Realistic Fiction   Sub-Genre: Realism (based on a true story)

Characters

Primary: Jonathan, his sister Rhonda, their father, a goose at the zoo (Mama Goose), a wild young bear (Trouble)

Secondary: Jonathan's mother, the zoo's gatekeeper, the bus driver

                               This book is based almost entirely on a real incident; only the main character, a young boy named Jonathan, and his family have been invented for the purpose of writing the book. (Bauer heard the story of Trouble and felt compelled to write it as a novel; she felt that recounting the events through the eyes of a young person like "Jonathan" would be most appealing to young readers, whom the book was designed for.) The story of Trouble is narrated from his and Jonathan's perspective. When Trouble's mother will no longer take care of him, the adolescent bear wanders to a town in Alaska where Jonathan and his father, a zookeeper, live. Trouble is eventually given his name because of the damage he does to the zoo's bear enclosure as he tries to get closer to another bear that already lives there. Jonathan and his father are given depth of character when we learn that Jonathan's mother and sister have not yet moved to Alaska from the family's old home in Minnesota; the two miss the rest of their family very much.

                              A Bear Named Trouble would be good for use in a literature circle or book club, perhaps for middle elementary grade students such as those in the fourth or fifth grades. I would likely assign this novel to students who cited a preference for books about animals and nature in a reading interest inventory. The story is simple yet touching, and explaining to students that Trouble was a real bear and his adventures at the zoo really happened would certainly add an element of interest and excitement.

Chapter Book 1 Bud, Not Buddy

 

Bud, Not Buddy  Written by Christopher Paul Curtis. Published September 2, 1999 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers.
Genre: Fiction    Sub-Genre: Historical fiction
Themes: Family, survival, adventure, mystery, quest for truth, friendship, humor, music

Awards:

Newberry Medal

Coretta Scott King Award

                           This is a wonderful book!! It tells the story of Bud, a ten-year-old orphan in Flint, Michigan in the 1930s. The first chapter opens as Bud is moved from his current residence, an unsavory group home, into a foster home that turns out to be even worse. Mistreated by his new guardians, he escapes their confinement his first night at their house. From this point on, Bud is "on the run", sleeping outside the homeless mission, taking cover by day in the town library, and more or less getting by on the kindness of strangers. At one point he even ends up in a "Hooverville" shantytown as he attempts to board a train out west with a fellow escapee of the home (another young boy, this one nicknamed Bugs). We learn bit by bit that Bud is driven by his desire to locate his long-lost father; in a battered suitcase that holds all his possessions he carries evidence of his father's whereabouts. This evidence consists mainly of a couple of worn flyers left him by his deceased mother. As the story unfolds and Bud ends up in the town where his father allegedly resides, we are able to piece together the truth of his family history. Both humorous and heart-wrenching, the book has a very satisfying ending and does not disappoing in any way!
                           I would not hesitate to use Bud, Not Buddy for a literature circle book. It may be best suited to students in the fifth and sixth grades, because of the difficulty level of concepts presented. It's a wonderful example, too, of historical fiction because it paints a picture of life during the Great Depression and the 1930s in general. I believe any young student could relate to this; I myself was slightly skeptical about whether or not I could "get into" a book about a young African-American boy, but was quite surprised at the empathy I formed with Bud and his plight as I read! An excellent piece of work. = )

Picture Book 1 Kitten's First Full Moon

Kitten's First Full Moon, a picture book written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes. Published March 2, 2004 by Greenwillow Books.
Genre: Picture book    Sub-genre: Fiction
Themes: Perseverance, desire, frustration


Awards for this book include:

Publishers Weekly Best Book New York Times Best Illustrated Book Caldecott Medal

School Library Journal Best Book New York Public Library's "One Hundred Titles for Reading and Sharing" ALA Notable Children’s Book

Characters:
Kitten  = )  
her owners (implied)

                      In this book, a young kitten spies a full moon one night and (never having seen a moon so full and round before) mistakes it for a big bowl of milk in the sky! As she tries and tries to get close enough to lap up the milk, she finds herself in many a scuffle. Finally, she sadly returns home. There, on the porch, she finally finds a bowl of milk she can reach!  This would be a good picture book to read to a younger elementary grade class, for light read-aloud time. As we read along and finished the story I could emphasize the fact that although she failed to reach the coveted bowl of milk many times, Kitten wouldn't give up and always tried her hardest. Simple moral lessons like these make for a good fortification to a young child's school day.