Chapter Book no. 8: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe



The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
by C.S. Lewis

Genre: Fiction
Subgenre: Fantasy, Magic

Published July 1, 1994 by Harper Collins
Awards: ALA Notable Children's Book

Themes: Good and evil, fantasy, adventure, danger, war

Primary Characters: Peter, Susan, Lucy, Edmund, Aslan (the Great Lion), the evil White Witch
Secondary Characters: Mr. Tumnus (the Faun), other magical creatures in Narnia, the childrens' reclusive uncle

This exciting story begins when four English children (sent to live with their less-than-friendly uncle during World War II) accidentally stumble upon a secret world called Narnia while playing a game of hide-and-seek. Lucy, the youngest (and the first one to find Narnia), befriends a Faun in an enchanted forest. The two become friends, and Lucy's siblings soon arrive. They learn that there is currently a war going on in Narnia, as well. The White Witch is casting her evil spells over all the land and her victims anxiously await the return of Aslan, the Great Lion. This book would be good for literature circles, sure to be a hit with students in the upper-elementary grades (due to the complexity of its content).

Chapter Book no. 7: The Road to Balinor



The Road to Balinor
written by Mary Stanton

Genre: Fantasy/Magic
Subgenre: Adventure

Themes: Adventure, mystery, suspense, friendships, loyalty, destiny, magic, battle between good and evil, responsibility

Primary Characters: Princess Arianna (Ari); her unicorn, Chase; a unicorn named Atalanta
Secondary Characters: Dr. Bohnes (Ari's nurse and Chase's vet), Lincoln (Ari's collie), a spoiled girl named Lori, Ann and Frank (Ari's foster parents)

Published May 1, 1999 by Scholastic
Awards: To my knowledge, this book has not won any awards; however, it appears Mary Stanton has won awards for some of her other works.

I first read this book as an upper-elementary student, and I immediately fell in love with the series and all its characters. As a child I read these books time and time again, never tiring of their adventurous plots. I would use this book in a literature circle. It would best be assigned to readers who express an appreciation for animals and/or adventure when filling out a reading interest inventory. These stories make for great "short-reads" for adults who are looking for a folkloric action-adventure tale with a modern twist! I've recovered the entire series from a box in my attic and am re-reading them currently as a treat. I'm happy to find that I enjoy them now as much as I ever did as an elementary school student! =)

Chapter Book no. 6: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone



Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Written by J.K. Rowling
Illustrations by Mary GrandPre

Genre: Modern Fantasy
Subgenre: Unusual Characters and Strange Situations (indeed!)

Themes: Friendship, coming of age, battles between good and evil, mystery, suspense

Primary Characters: Harry Potter, Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger
Secondary Characters: numerous! Rubeus Hagrid; Albus Dumbledore; Vernon, Petunia, and Dudley Dursley; Minerva McGonagoll, Severus Snape, Harry's other teachers and classmates and various persons in the wizarding community of England

Awards: New York Times Bestseller for 79 consecutive weeks

Published on September 8, 1999 by Scholastic

The Harry Potter series is one of my absolute favorites to read! Their status in the literary world needs no explanation. I would use this book for a whole class of upper elementary grade students, or as light read-aloud material for middle elementary graders. I first began reading them in the fourth grade and was captivated from beginning to end with Harry and his friends. Their adventures would undoubtedly make for a great read that any elementary student of the appropriate comprehension age for them would enjoy and remember for a very long time. A good time to read this novel might be after a class has read a novel that is of a more realistic nature; a "flight of fancy" with Harry and co. would be a nice escape for readers who have just come off a more serious topic.

Chapter Book no. 5: The Schwa Was Here



The Schwa Was Here
Author: Neal Shusterman
Illustrator: n/a

Genre: Realistic Fiction
Subgenre: Fiction (although the book's characters are believable, some of its events are more fictious than realistic)
Themes: Coming-of-age, fitting in, blending in, families, change, emotions (such as grief and fear), humor

Primary Characters: Anthony "Antsy" Bonano, Calvin Schwa
Secondary Characters: Antsy's friends Howie and Ira, his parents, his brother Frank and sister Christina, Mr. Crawley (a neighborhood recluse), Mr. Crawley's granddaughter Lexie, the Night Butcher at a nearby grocery store, Calvin's father

Published March 2, 2006 by Puffin

Awards: 2005 Boston Globe/Horn Book Award for Fiction
2007/2008 California Young Reader Medal Award - winner
2005 American Library Association – “Best Book”
2005 American Library Association – “Notable Book”
2006 International Reading Association – “Young Adult Choice” Award List
2007 Georgia Peach Award List
2008 Illinois Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Book Award List
2007/2008 Indiana Young Hoosier Award List
2007 Oklahoma Sequoyah Award List
2007/2008 Nebraska Golden Sower Award List
2007 Rhode Island Teen Book Award
2005 Missouri Children’s Choice Award List
2007/2008 New Mexico Land of Enchantment Award List
2005/2006 Texas Lonestar Award
2006 Kentucky Bluegrass Book Award List
2006 Utah Beehive Award List
2006 Pennsylvania Young Readers Award List
2006 Tennessee Volunteer State Award List
2005/2006 Vermont Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children’s Book Award List
2006 California Readers: California Collection Award
2006 New York Public Library Best Book for Teens.
2010-2011 New Hampshire Isinglass Teen Reads Award List

I LOVED THIS BOOK!!!  It's both incredibly hilarious and incredibly touching; I'm not exaggerating when I say that I laughed and cried as I read it. Calvin Schwa is a middle school student who feels invisible; and indeed, experiments performed by Anthony and his friends would appear to prove that he could be right! Anthony and "The Schwa" (as Calvin comes to be called) become close friends when they get into trouble together over a dare. Their punishment is to walk "Old Man Crawley" 's fourteen Afghans (cleverly named after the seven deadly sins and the seven virtues--literally, there's a dog named Charity, one named Gluttony, and so on!). As the book progresses we see both of them beginning to "grow up" before our very eyes, getting into arguments about everything from girls to their families. I really can't say enough good things about this book, and I'm having to restrain myself from writing EVERYTHING about it and giving away the ending! (I will say, though, that it's very bittersweet and I kind of saw it coming.) I would use this book in an upper-elementary grade classroom; I wouldn't limit it to only one literature circle, but rather would read it aloud to my entire class so that we could all enjoy it together. =) This is my new Favorite Book So Far that I've read for this class!! If you're looking for a good kids' book read, PICK THIS ONE! It's wonderful!

Picture Book 16: A Ball for Daisy



A Ball for Daisy
by Chris Rashcka

Genre: Picture Book
Subgenre: Wordless

Themes: Things that mean a lot to us (e.g. a special toy, like Daisy's beloved ball), loss, renewed optimism

Primary Character: Daisy
Secondary Characters: Daisy's owner (implied), other dogs

Awards: Winner of the Caldecott Medal 2012
Published May 10, 2011 by Schwartz & Wade

The pictures in this book tell the story of a dog (named Daisy) and her favorite toy (a ball). She loves playing with it day after day, but one day it gets destroyed by a bigger dog. She is disappointed (naturally), but the book has a happy ending! Because it is wordless, I would use this book to do a picture walk with young students, encouraging them to use their verbal and communication skills. The ideal grade level for an activity and purpose such as this would probably be kindergarten (in a recent placement in a kindergarten class I noted that the teacher used a significant amount of instruction time on communicating, use of complete sentences when speaking and writing, etc.).

Picture Book 15: Lilly's Big Day



Lilly's Big Day
Written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes

Genre: Picture Book
Subgenre: Picture Storybook

Themes: Hopefulness, frustration, jealousy, relationships, confidence

Primary characters: Lilly, her teacher Mr. Slinger, her parents
Secondary characters: Ms. Shotwell (the school nurse), Ginger (Mr. Slinger's neice), a saleswoman, Lilly's Granny

Published on March 28, 2006 by Greenwillow Books
Awards:

School Library Journal Best Book Charlotte Zolotow Award Honor Book

ALA Notable Children’s Book ALA Booklist Editors’ Choice

This book tells the story of Lilly being positive she will be included in her teacher's wedding-as a flower girl-and being disappointed in the actual outcome of the wedding plans! =( I would use this book in a classroom of younger elementary-grade students, to convey the point that as much as we might hope for something, that's not a guarantee that it will work out that way. Although we wish them the best, children have to learn to cope with disappointment at some point or another. I think the story of Lilly's expectations of being a flower girl not being realized would be a good, "soft" way to begin introducing such a concept to young children. Also, it conveys a valuable lesson in being happy for others and not only thinking of ourselves (sometimes a difficult concept for "little guys"!). The story's lighthearted and humorous nature makes for an adorable read!



Picture Book 14: See the Ocean



See the Ocean
written by Estelle Condra, illustrated by Linda Crockett-Blassingame

Genre: Picture Book
Subgenre: Picture Storybook

Themes: Diversity, challenges, appreciating nature

Primary Character: Nellie
Secondary Characters: Nellie's brothers, her parents

Published Nov. 1, 2002 by Eager Minds Press
Awards: Winner of the American Bookseller Pick of the Lists in 1994

This book tells the story of a little girl named Nellie who goes to the beach with her family. Nellie is blind, and her brothers make the remark that they don't know how she is going to enjoy going to beach, as she "can't even see". Nellie points out to them that although she doesn't have the sense of sight, her other senses allow her to "see" the world in a different way than most ordinary people. See the Ocean is moving and heart-warming; I got it for my mother for Christmas a few years ago, and we both love it. =) I would use this book in any early-elementary grade classroom (particularly an inclusion envioronment) as part of a lesson on diversity and acceptance.

Picture Book 13: Dolley Madison: First Lady (Spirit of America: Our People)

Dolley Madison: First Lady (Spirit of America: Our People)
by Cynthia Fitterer Klingel, Robert B. Noyed
Genre: Historical Literature
Subgenre: Biography
Themes: The life and times of Dolley Madison, wife of the fourth president of the United States of America

Primary character: Dolley Madison
Secondary characters: Dolley's first husband, her two children, James Madison, George & Martha Washington, British soldiers, the house servants

Published August 2002 by Child's World
Awards: According to my research, this book has not received any awards.

I enjoyed reading this simple, easy-to-understand account of Dolley Madison's life and accomplishments. Particularly emphasized is her reputation as a gracious hostess, and her heroic efforts in saving many artifacts from the presedential palace when British soldiers attempted to destroy the home. I would use this book in a class of middle-elementary grade students; it would be ideal for young readers to use in writing a report on a historical figure or as a supplementary part of a unit of study on past U.S. presidents!

Picture Book 12: Can't You Make Them Behave, King George?



Can't You Make Them Behave, King George?
by Jean Fritz
Illustrated by Margot Tomes

Genre: Picture Book
Subgenre: Historical Fiction, Biography
Themes: Destiny, monarchy, government, family, leadership, history, humor

Primary Character: King George III
Secondary Characters: King George's wife (Charlotte), his many children, his advisors and staff (particularly Lord Talbot), the American colonists

Published on Sept. 9, 1996 by Puffin 
Awards: School Library Journal Best Book of the Year award, IRA/CBC Children's Choice Book award

This humorous and witty account of the life and times of King George III was a highly enjoyable read! I would most likely use it with upper elementary-grade students because of its length (mainly) and slight complexity of subject matter. The book depicts King George as an awkward young boy who assumes the throne in his twenties after his father and grandfather die. His focus is on being a good king; he tries to be mannerly and run the castle efficiently. His main goal is to tame the rambunctious colonists across the ocean. I have read articles on this book that point out that Jean Fritz inserts a good amount of realism by making the Revolution out to be less than prominent in the minds of King George and his subjects; this was apparently true of the time, due to the Revolution taking place approximately 3000 miles from England. George and Charlotte's wedding and coronation was my favorite part of the book, because of all the hilarious mishaps by Lord Talbot! This would be a good book to read with older elementary students to give them a brief lesson in well-known history, but from a lighthearted, unbiased perspective that doesn't make George out to be some kind of tyrant. An excellent book! I loved it!

Picture Book 11: Officer Buckle and Gloria



Officer Buckle and Gloria
Written and Illustrated by Peggy Rathmann
Genre: Picture Book
Sub-genre: Picture Storybook
Themes: Teamwork, jobs, embarrassment, encouragement, humor!!

Primary Characters: Officer Buckle, his police dog Gloria
Secondary Characters: School children (particularly a little girl named Claire), the school principle, other police officers

Published on September 28, 1995 by Putnam Juvenile
Awards: Caldecott Medal, 1996

This book is simply ADORABLE!! When we read it in class, and later as I read it aloud with the little girl I babysit, I couldn't help but laugh out loud! Officer Buckle's trying times at work teach us that we all go through a rough patch from time to time, but the important thing is to believe in yourself and keep trying your best. Gloria's presence in the story makes for a light-hearted and terribly funny addition to the story of Officer Buckle's career in law enforcement. I would use this book in a class of early to middle elementary school grades, perhaps even just for a bit of "comic relief" after a long day. =)



Picture Book 10: The Good Little Bad Little Pig



The Good Little Bad Little Pig
by Margaret Wise Brown
Illustrated by Dan Yaccarino

Genre: Picture Book
Subgenre: Picture Storybook
Themes: Pets, family, responsibility, learning, behavior

Primary Characters: Peter, his pet Pig
Secondary Characters: Peter's mother and father, a police officer, a motorist

Published on Sept. 2, 2002 by Hyperion  (originally published in 1939 as part of a collection)
Awards: Through my research I could not find any awards for this book, although both its author and illustrator have won multiple awards for other works of theirs.

This book tells the sweet story of a little boy named Peter who decides he wants a pet pig. His parents are hesitant to let him get one, especially since he insists it must be a "good little bad little pig"! Peter's point turns out to be that no one is completely good or completely bad; his pig tries her best to behave, but sometimes gets into mischief. This would be a fun, lighthearted book to read with younger children because it reminds us that everyone is human, no one is perfect, and trying your best is all anyone can really ask of you. The last page of the story reiterates that though she was no "angel", Peter's pig brought him much joy and was the best pet he ever had.

Picture Book 9: Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal



Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal: A Worldwide Retelling of Cinderella
Author: Paul Fleischman
Illustrator: Julie Paschkis
Genre: Picture Book; Traditional Literature; Variant
Sub-Genre: Folk Tale, Fairy Tale, Magic
Themes: Family, tragedy, royalty, subservience, happy ending

Primary Characters: Cinderella; her "helpers" (Cinderella's Fairy Godmother and various other takes on this character who appears during her hour of need)
Secondary Characters: Stepmother and stepsisters who are cruel to Cinderella

Published Sept. 4, 2007 by Henry Holt & Co.
Awards: This book is a Junior Library Guild Selection, and won the 2008 Bank Street "Best Children's Book of the Year".

This book is DELIGHTFUL! The illustrations are amazing, all extremely detailed and displaying a unique style that brings to life the different cultures contained within the pages. It ties together several different versions of the classic Cinderella story, telling the tale as it would be told in foreign countries such as Ireland, Zimbabwe, and Mexico (to name just a few of the many). I would use this book as part of a unit on classic traditional literature, or one on diversity. Its depictions of all the different cultures from around the world would be invaluable for children to see, as this will foster an appreciation for diversity and a basic familiarity with cultures in countries foreign to our own. Also, if there is a child in my class who happens to be from one of the countries shown in the book, this would be a great springboard for him or her to share some aspects of their native culture with our class!