Once Upon An Alphabet

Jeffers, O. (2014).  Once upon an alphabet.  New York:  Philomel Books.

In this uniquely over-sized picture books, there are stories for each letter of the alphabet.   It is different than other alphabet books, because each letter has a 4 page mini story.  The letter "A" tells about an astronaut.  My favorite story is "L" which is titled "The Lumberjack's Light,"  He has been hit by lightning so many times, he makes his own light.  Readers of all ages will like the alliteration and pictures of this alphabet book.

Love That Dog

Creech, S.  (2001).  Love that dog  New York:  HarperCollins.

Jack's class is learning about poetry and he is resistant at first because he is a boy and thinks he doesn't understand poetry.  In this free verse and diary entry format book, Jack starts sharing his poems with his teacher and then his class. At first he will share his poems only if they are anonymous, but he gains his confidence and becomes an accomplished poet. His love of poetry motivates him to write to poet, Walter Dean Myers and invite him to be a guest author at his school.

            I would introduce Love That Dog by introducing my students to my two dogs, Sherman a schnauzer and Miley a poodle.  Students will like to have a quick discussion about dogs.  Also, students interested or learning about poetry will want to read this book.  This would be a perfect book to share during April’s poetry month because it is simple and most children love dogs. Some students will be attracted because it is a quick read.  Other books written by Sharon Creech are Hate That Cat, Heartbeat, and The Castle Corona.   Hate That Cat continues the story of Jack and his continued poetry writing in Room 204.  Heartbeat is similarly written in free verse poetry with a story line that would appeal to many girls.  The Castle Corona is very different from the others because it is a protracted fairy tale.  

Lesson Plans:
http://www.sharoncreech.com/pdfs/LoveDogHateCat_TG.pdf

brown girl dreaming

Woodson, J. (2014).  Brown girl dreaming.  New York:  Penguin.

Jacqueline Woodson in poetry tells us her story of growing up in this book.  She tells us of her parents divorce and how her grandparents took care of her and her siblings in the South.  She describes what it means to be a Jehovah's Witness child. The story is rich in family values and culture.  During her move to New York, she met her best friend Maria.

            Brown Girl Dreaming is a great book to introduce during a biography book talk.  This autobiography will appeal to girls, African American students, poetry buffs, and kids wanting to become writers.  Our school celebrates Black History Month and the principal announces a famous African American on the morning announcements.  Jacqueline Woodson would be a great author to highlight and the students would be eager to check out this Newbery Honor Book.  Her other books include Locomotion, Miracle’s Boys, The House You Pass on the Way. Locomotion is similar to Brown Girl Dreaming since it uses free verse poetry to tell a story.  The story, not an autobiography, tells of Lonnie who is an orphan and is living in a foster home.  Similar to Brown Girl Dreaming, there is loss and always a sense of hope in Locomotion.  Miracle’s Boys and The House You Pass on the Way are for middle school students and are multicultural novels.  Though these books are for older readers and are not poetry, Woodson continues to tell stories of African American children growing up with huge struggles and a focus on the importance of family.  

El Deafo

Bell, C. (2014). El deafo.  New York: Abrams.

In this graphic novel, Cece loses her hearing after having meningitis when she was four years old.  This story tells the struggles of her having to have a hearing aid she calls the Phonic Ear.  She tells the difficulty of lip reading, not being like other kids, and not wanting to learn sign language.  Cece imagines herself as a superhero named El Deafo the Listener for All.  This story is about wanting a friend who will accept her with her differences.

Book Trailer:
https://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=mcafee&type=C211US1264D20160210&p=book+trailers+for+el+deafo

Cece Bell was able to create this graphic novel El Deafo, a Newbery Honor Book, from her own struggles with being a deaf child. I would sell this book to students who are studying memoirs and graphic novel buffs.  I would also connect to readers who have read books about being different like Wonder and Out of My Mind. Other books by Cece Bell are I Yam A Donkey!, Sock Monkey Rides Again, and Itty Bitty.  She illustrated the other books as well, but they are children’s picture books.  In her picture books, Bell uses speech bubbles which is similar to the style of a graphic novel.

Crenshaw

Applegate, K. (2015).  Crenshaw.  New York:  Feiwel & Friends.

Jackson's family is in a financial crisis when his imaginary friend who is a cat named Crenshaw appears to him.  Jackson's dad is sick, they are selling their furniture at a garage sale, and have just days to pay their overdue rent.  Crenshaw helps Jackson deal with his feelings and encourages him to talk about his feeling with the people his life.

The theme is love and family is the most important thing in life.  After Jackson’s family loses most of their possessions and their apartments, there is hope.  Jackson needed his imaginary cat friend Crenshaw because he wasn’t able to communicate with his parents about their financial hardships and his feelings about the possibility of being homeless once again.  Once Crenshaw gave Jackson the power of telling the truth, Jackson’s family was able to communicate and be honest.  With the dad getting a new job and the prospect of a small garage apartment to live, the family has hope.  They know that love and family is what is important. 

Jackson is a sensitive and thoughtful fifth grader.  He has an imaginary friend who is a cat named Crenshaw.  Crenshaw is  there to help Jackson to deal with the possibility of Jackson being homeless.  Jackson tries to protect his little sister from knowing about how close his family is from being evicted. He takes care of her by reading her favorite book Lyle.   He and his sister are often hungry.  Jackson has a good friend who he walks dogs with.  He doesn’t let his friend Marisol know about being hungry or how much trouble his family is in.  It is hard for Jackson because he doesn’t want to tell the truth about his feelings to anyone not even himself. He is sad that he has to sell all of the things out of his bedroom.  Instead of running away, Jackson bravely tells his parents how angry he is feeling about their financial situation.  He feels relieved to know that his parents will start being honest with him.  Luckily, his family has a new start in a small apartment and Jackson could be thankful and hopeful. 

Book Trailer:

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=crenshaw+book+trailer

Skulduggery Pleasant

Landry, D. (2007).  Skulduggery pleasant. New York:  Harper Collins.

Stephanie's uncle, a famous author, left her his house and assets.  She quickly learns that his death might be murder and his acquaintance Skulduggery Pleasant comes to her rescue.  Stephanie learns of the Underworld and wants to find the Scepter and take down Serpine.  She goes to battle alongside Skulduggery Pleasant to discover what her uncle died protecting.

The theme of Skulduggery Pleasant is good overcomes evil.  Stephanie is a  twelve year old girl who is introduced into the ghost world when her uncle is killed over the scepter that he has protected.  She is determined to find his killer and to get back the scepter.  She becomes unlikely friends with Skulduggery Pleasant.  This duo represent the “good”.  They fighting the evil Serpine who will destroy anyone and everything in his path.  Stephanie and Skulduggery Pleasant defeat Serpine and  good prevails.

The character of Stephanie begins as a twelve year old girl who is mourning the death of her favorite uncle.  She has just inherited his house and assets.   Stephanie quickly learns to fight for her life when someone tries to kill her the first night she is in the house.  She becomes friends with Skulduggery Pleasant and wants to work with him to solve her uncle’s murder.  Stephanie does not get scared away when ghosts try to kill her.  She is eager to learn magic.  She wants to learn how to make fire with her hand.  She changes her name to Valkyrie Cain.  This brave girl defeats Serpine and retrieves the scepter. 

Book Trailer:

https://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=mcafee&type=C211US1264D20160210&p=skulduggery+pleasant+book+trailer

Comics Squad

Holm, J. (2014).  Comics squad:  recess!  New York:  Random House.

This graphic novel is an anthology of stories from favorite authors that write Babymouse, Squish, and Lunch Lady.  There are eight funny stories that reader will enjoy.  Stories include Daryl trying to get into a secret ninja club, Betty fighting the pizza monster, and cupcakes playing "freeze tag."

The style of Comics Squad is what makes it funny and so popular.  This is an anthology of stories, but the style is the same.  In “Betty and the Perilous Pizza Day,”  Jarrett J. Krosoczka, the author of the Lunch Lady books, has dialogue that captures the readers right away as Betty and the Lunch lady are talking on a headset.  There is a machine called “Pizzatron 2000” and Betty has weapons like a “trash can shield” and a “rolling pin baton” to fight a pizza monster.  Readers will connect that there could not be lunch that day if Betty doesn’t win.  The sound effects of “floop,” “bwuagh,” “whoop,” and “growr” add to the excitement of the story. 

The setting of Comics Squad is a school. In “Book ‘Em, Dog Man,” the characters teach about the importance of reading so the school setting is important.  “The Magic Acorn” occurs on the school playground when squirrels are counting acorns.  The squirrels discover a UFO and aliens.  When the recess bell rings, the squirrels and the aliens both must return to class.  In “Babymouse,”  she has fantastical problems that keep her from having recess.  Therefore, the setting is crucial to the storyline.  Readers of Comics Squad  will like the school setting because  it is one they can relate to since they are all in elementary school. 

Writing lesson:  TLW write a superhero comic strip.

http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/00-2/lp2289.shtml


Book Trailer:

http://www.randomhousekids.com/videos/uitrmugraea-comics-squad-recess-book-trailer

Rapunzel's Revenge

Hale, S.  (2008).  Rapunzel's revenge.  New York:  Bloomsbury.

In this graphic novel, Rapunzel discovers that Gothel is not her mother and her real mother is working in the mines.  Gothel holds Rapunzel prisoner in the top of a hollowed tree.  When Rapunzel finally escapes, she meets a man named Jack and they go on many adventures together.  The only thing that Rapunzel wants to do is to go back home to fight Gothel and to save her real mother.

Book Trailer:
https://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=mcafee&type=C211US1264D20160210&p=rapunzels+revenge+book+trailer

The theme of Rapunzel’s Revenge is that love conquers evil.  The evil Gothel took Rapunzel away from her mother and made Rapunzel’s mother work in the mines.  Poor Rapunzel goes through most of her childhood without knowing her true mother.  Then, when Rapunzel confronts Gothel with the truth she holds Rapunzel prisoner in a hollowed tree in the middle of the forest. On the other hand, Rapunzel uses love to try to save her mother from the mines.  On her journey she works with Jack to rescue a missing girl, save a family from coyotes, and protects a covered wagon from outlaws.  While they are doing acts of good, Rapunzel and Jack fall in love.  In the end, Rapunzel has her real mom and her husband Jack while Gothel is destroyed.  True love prevails in the end.

Rapunzel’s character changes from a naïve little girl to a woman who can take down a magic castle covered in vines protected by an evil woman with bodyguards.  At the beginning, readers feel sorry for her that she doesn’t know that she has been taken away from her mother and she is locked away in a tree.  She seems gullible when she meets outlaw Jack and gets in trouble for stealing horses.  However, Rapunzel quickly becomes more self-assured and powerful. She changes her clothes so she looks like a cowgirl and she uses her long braid as a rope to fight coyotes. She fights a sea serpent to help the fisherman.  All of her battles, prepared her for her biggest fight which was to take down Gothel so she could free her mother.  Rapunzel turned into a warrior that every reader could cheer for and the end was a happy one.  


Book Alikes according to Scholastic:

1.The Case of the Green Guinea Pig

Jack Gets a Clue , Book # 3

by Nancy Krulik, illustrated by Gary LaCoste

2. Flight of the Genie

Droon, Secrets of Droon , Book # 21

by Tony Abbott, illustrated by David Merrell

3. The Fortress of the Treasure Queen

Droon, Secrets of Droon , Book # 23

by Tony Abbott, illustrated by David Merrell

The Graveyard Book

Gaiman, N. (2008).  The graveyard book.  New York:  Harper Collins.

A young boy's family is murdered in the middle of the night by a man named Jack.  The boy wanders into a graveyard and the residents of the Graveyard name him Nobody and call him Bod for short.  Mr. and Mrs. Owen become his parents and he has a guardian who feeds and cares for him.  He goes on many adventures not realizing that Jack is still wanting to kill him. 

Neil Gaiman in The Graveyard Book uses precise language to describe every action in the book so perfectly.  Gaiman’s style is a joy to his readers.  The beginning of the book quickly captures the readers as he describes the man Jack who goes into Bod’s house and kills his mom, dad, and sibling.  On the night Bod went to safety in the graveyard and his familand the author uses good detail to allow the story to be believable. y was murdered, “The knife had done almost everything it was brought to that house to do, and both the blade and the handle were wet.”  The author’s style is distinct for the characters that Bod meets in the graveyard that are from many different time periods. The conversations between Silas, Miss Lupescu, Scarlett, and Bod are all so unique

The setting of the Graveyard Book is obviously a graveyard.  What is unusual is that this is where an orphaned boy named Bod, short for Nobody, is raised by the residents of the graveyard.  When he wanders into the graveyard after his parents are murdered, the people of the graveyard give him “Freedom of the Graveyard.”  He is able to do things that other humans can’t like see in the dark.  Since Bod is so inquisitive this is where he learns to read using the headstones to look for letters and words.  When other kids his ages are learning to ride a bike, Bod is trying to learn how to fade, slide, and dreamwalk.  He knows the history of the Romans, but he doesn’t understand the dangers that face him outside of the graveyard.  

Neil Gaiman speaking at a commencement and reading the Graveyard Book:
http://www.webenglishteacher.com/gaiman.html

Rodeo Red

Perkins, M. (2015).  Rodeo red. New York:  Peachtree Publishers.

Big sister, Rodeo Red, has a favorite stuffed puppy named Rusty.  Everything is perfect until her baby brother, Sideswiping Slim, is born.  Her little brother takes her puppy and she gets put in timeout.  Then, when she gets a new stuffed animal in the mail Rodeo Red knows how to make this problem go away forever with a simple trade.

Rodeo Lesson Plans:

https://ethemes.missouri.edu/themes/1977?locale=en

Wonderstruck

Selznick, B. (2007).Wonderstruck.  New York:  Scholastic.

Ben's mother passed away and he is living with his aunt and uncle.  After being hit by lightning, he runs away to find the father he has never met in the city.  Ben's search ends in a museum. His story crosses the story of Rose who is a little girl following an actress.  The stories are separated by fifty years, but they come together as Ben discovers the identity of his father.

Book Trailer:
http://www.scholastic.com/wonderstruck/?esp=KIDS/ib/20131209//nav/ba/wonderstruck

Wonderstruck can be intimidating to readers by its many pages.  I would first make the connection to Hugo Cabret.  Many of our students have read that book or seen the movie.  I think that once you have read one of Brian Selznick’s books and are amazed with his illustrations, one can’t wait to read another.  For the child that does not know Hugo Cabret, I would start with the illustrations or show a book trailer so that many will be eager to read this 2011 Booklist Editors’ Choice:  Books for Youth.  Also, many students want to read historical fiction so this might be a perfect fit. Other books by Brian Selznick are Hugo Cabret, The Boy of a Thousand Faces, and The Houdini Box.  Hugo Cabret and Wonderstruck are similar as the illustrations tell a majority of the story and Selznick keeps the mystery going until the very end.    Selznick’s first children’s book, The Houdini Box is a historical fiction book about Harry Houdini. The Boy with a Thousand Faces is different because it has a ghoulish content.  It is important to remember that Brian Selznick is the author and illustrator of all the books, so his illustrations are easily recognizable to readers.  

Gregor the Overlander

Collins, S.  (2004).  Gregor the overlander. New York:  Scholastic.

Gregor and his little sister Boots fall through a grate in their laundry room and land in Regalia, the Underland.  The Underland is filled with giant cockroaches, rats, flying bats, and giant spiders.  Gregor learns that the rats are holding his missing father hostage and he is part of the Prophecy of Gray and it is up to him to lead a quest to save his father and the Underland.

Book Trailer:
https://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=AwrSbgnLNOdWKlQA3_lXNyoA;_ylc=X1MDMjc2NjY3OQRfcgMyBGZyA21jYWZlZQRncHJpZAM2bW5RbVl3QVMuYVVhTnBTYTRkQXZBBG5fcnNsdAMwBG5fc3VnZwMxMARvcmlnaW4Dc2VhcmNoLnlhaG9vLmNvbQRwb3MDMARwcXN0cgMEcHFzdHJsAwRxc3RybAMzNARxdWVyeQNncmVnb3IgdGhlIG92ZXJsYW5kZXIgYm9vayB0cmFpbGVyBHRfc3RtcAMxNDU3OTkzMDk2?p=gregor+the+overlander+book+trailer&fr2=sb-top-search&fr=mcafee&type=C211US1264D20160210

The setting is an important part in this fantasy story.  The setting is in Regalia, the Underworld.  Gregor and his little sister Boots fall into this world and meet giant roaches and spiders, a flying golden bat carrying Queen Luxa, and rats with six inch incisors that are holding his father prisoner.  Gregor learns that in the Underworld he has to take a bath or his scent will be known by all the varmints and he will quickly be killed.  The people in Regalia are pale with violet eyes.  When Gregor agrees to go on the quest to find his father and to save the Underworld, he intelligently chooses to take a headlight.  The Underworld is dark and that makes the rats have a clear advantage over Gregor.  

The plot in Gregor the Overlander involves Gregor on a quest for the Prophecy of Gray which will save the Underland.  Gregor has a more personal goal which is to save his father from the rats so he and his sister Boots can return back home.  Gregor has read the prophecy and is unsure of what it means, but his determination leads the group forward through many scary encounters.  They fight rats, hunger, and illness along the way.  They finally find his father and realize there is a traitor among the group.  Gregor discovers the truth behind the prophecy and is able to free his father and is able to return to the king as a hero.  More importantly, his whole family is able to be reunited in New York. 

Meet the Dullards

Pennypacker, S. (2015).  Meet the Dullards.  New York: Balzer +Bray.

Mr. and Mrs. Dullard are boring and want their children to be boring too.  They move to a new town so they can keep their family boring.  They do not like their welcoming neighbor with an applesauce cake.  They paint a room in their new house boring beige and watch the paint dry.  Unfortunately, for Mr. and Mrs. Dullard their children are not meant to lead a boring life and they sneak outside.

Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!

Schlitz, L.  (2007).  Good masters! sweet ladies!  Massachusetts:  Candlewick Press.

This is a collection of short one person plays for children between the ages 10-15.  The stories are about children who live in a manor in England in the year of 1255.  The plays tell of the hardships during these times.  These families have to suffer hunger and there is begging in the streets.

This unique book consists of short plays for twenty-three characters written for children ages ten to fifteen years old.  The setting is a manor in England in 1255.    Almost every play is a monologue so the book can be performed by children or can be used as a read aloud.  The plays teach about the people living in an English manor. The theme of the plays are survival.  In the Middle Ages, there were many poor people.  The plays discuss people being hungry and begging for food.  People are angry about being short changed by the miller.  Some people tried to run away.  If you could run away for one year, you could start a new life.  Hugo tells the story of killing a boar.  He was lucky to kill the boar because if he killed the boar he would get the kidneys, but if he failed he would be beaten.  Stories liked this shows the harshness these children faced.  There was a three-field system.  In Will’s play, we learn that the lord is not always just when giving out land.  The farmer would have to walk a long distance between the fields and the lord would always choose the best land for himself. One might think the doctor would be honorable, but this is not the case as we see in Thomas’s play.  Thomas says to make patients pay when they are ill, because they won’t pay when they are well.  There are a few stories of kindness in the book that show hope.  One is the story of Jacob Ben Salomon and Petronella.  This story shows kindness and playfulness between a Christian and a Jew which during this time is unheard of.  People today are still seeking religious freedom so hopefully this may be encouraging to readers and may seek them to learn more about Jews in Medieval Society.  In Jack’s play, Jack is always made fun of because of his lack of intelligence.  One day he shows kindness to a boy who was beaten.  The boy returns the favor by never calling him names.  This story shows the importance of kindness.  Historical fiction readers may be encouraged to put on a play or to learn more about how to survive the Middle Ages.

The Watsons go to Birmingham-1963

Curtis, C. (1995).  The watsons go to birmingham-1963. New York: Yearling.

The Watsons are an African American family in the 1960's.  The oldest son is causing trouble so they decide to take him from their home in Michigan to Birmingham, Alabama to stay with grandma.  The car ride in their Brown Bomber is quite a road trip.  When the family gets to Alabama, they are faced with a black church bombing in grandma's neighborhood.

Kenny Watsons’ family is considered weird by their neighbors, but his mother and father love all their children, want to teach them right from wrong, and want to keep them safe. The story takes place in the 1960’s during the Civil Rights movement.  Young readers might not relate to that, but they will be drawn in by the funny family drama.  They will love when Byron’s lips gets frozen to the car.  Readers will laugh at Momma for making the kids wear so many winter coats that they looked like zombies. Then, the family takes a road trip in their Brown Bomber all the way from Michigan to Birmingham, Alabama so the oldest son can get straightened out and go live with grandma for the summer.  This is the first time we see the discrimination in the south.  The Watsons are afraid to stop driving because there was no guarantee they could get a place to spend the night or a place to eat since they were African Americans.  They get to grandma’s house in Birmingham safely.  The family enjoys time together even though they have to get used to the heat.    Then, one Sunday morning, the divide between black and white comes to the Watsons’ doorstep.  There is a bombing at a neighborhood church.  Kenny thinks that his sister is a victim of the bombing, but she is not.  In the bombing, four girls died and two girls were seriously injured.  After the bombing, the Watsons returned to Michigan. Kenny felt powerless on that day of the bombing.  This historical fiction book may encourage readers to find out more about the Civil Rights Movement and to find strength on Kenny’s behalf on what they can do today to fight for equality.  

Lesson Plans:
http://www.webenglishteacher.com/watsons-go-to-birmingham-1963-lesson-plans.html

Bridge to Terabithia

This is a beautiful story of the friendship between Jess and Leslie.  They come from very different backgrounds, but they quickly become friends.  Jess and Leslie create a castle in the woods and name it Terabithia.  They go to this magical place after school and the weekends with their dog Prince Terrien.  Then, one day there is a terrible accident and nothing will ever be the same again.

The setting is Lark Creek where Leslie and Jess made their own kingdom just for their own imagination.  This was a place they could go after school and talk, read, and draw.  They took their puppy here and they pretended to be King and Queen.  Unfortunately, this is the place where Leslie’s accident happened.

Jess is a sensitive character who changed throughout the story.  At first, he wanted to be the fasted runner, but Leslie changed that goal.  Then, he became friends with Leslie which was different since she was a girl.  He opened up to her about his drawing.  Leslie taught him about different family life styles.  When Leslie’s accident happened, he had to take that strength to help his sister. 

Discussion Questions from Scholastic:

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/bridge-terabithia-discussion-guide

Timmy Failure

Pastis, S. (2013).  Timmy failure mistakes were made.  New York:  Candlewick Press.

Timmy Failure and his polar bear Total run an investigation agency.  The cartoon illustrations make the story funny since the drawings are supposed to be drawn by Timmy.  Timmy does not like school since it takes away time from his job as CEO of his detective agency.  He complains about his best friend Rollo because he studies too much.  The best story line is his enemy Corrina Corrina who has a competing detective agency.

Timmy Failure is an unforgettable character.  He is the CEO of a detective agency.  He does all his own drawings for the book.  Timmy changes throughout the book.  He starts out living in a house and for financial reasons they have to go live in an apartment.  Timmy goes from almost repeating his current grade level to getting a good report card when a new teacher arrives.  His polar bear Total has to go live at the zoo.  He does continue to fight his enemy Corrina Corrina.

The style of the book is unique because it is told from a first-person point of view.  It has a large font.  The drawings look like cartoons.  The book is funny because Timmy is always trying to solve a case, but he is very bad at it.  He is so bad at school that it is funny.  Even his name Timmy Failure is funny.  

Book trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ch6eXUoe-RY

Information about book and author from Scholastic:
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/contributor/stephan-pastis

Orbiting Jupiter

Schmidt,G. (2015).  Orbiting jupiter.  New York:  Clarion Books.

Jack and his family have a foster boy living with them named Joseph.  Joseph is a troubled boy who is in eighth grade and has a baby girl named Jupiter.  Joseph was in love with Jupiter's mother and wants to find Jupiter.  Jack and his family provide Joseph with a dependable family life including milking cows.  Joseph finds trouble for Jack including getting kicked off the bus, falling through ice, and getting into a fight.  Readers will keep rooting for Joseph and when one is most hopeful  the unthinkable happens.

The setting of a farm in Maine is important because foster child Joseph needs a structured place and family to take care of him.  Joseph needs the routine of milking cows every morning and every night. He needs hard work and to have fun like cutting down a Christmas tree.  He needs a brother like Jack to have his back.

The plot is very original and grabs the reader right away with the idea that Joseph is in eighth grade and has a baby named Jupiter and he tried to kill his teacher.  The events leading to finding Jupiter and having Joseph stay with the foster family are very hopeful. The bond that forms between Joseph and Jack is strong.  The ending takes the reader by surprise. 

Book Trailer/conversation with author
https://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=AwrTHRKiOedWvzUAXi9XNyoA;_ylc=X1MDMjc2NjY3OQRfcgMyBGZyA21jYWZlZQRncHJpZANBV2R6MkNLT1NxS1B4MDVaY2M4OEtBBG5fcnNsdAMwBG5fc3VnZwM0BG9yaWdpbgNzZWFyY2gueWFob28uY29tBHBvcwMwBHBxc3RyAwRwcXN0cmwDBHFzdHJsAzI5BHF1ZXJ5A29yYml0aW5nIGp1cGl0ZXIgYm9vayB0cmFpbGVyBHRfc3RtcAMxNDU3OTk0MjQx?p=orbiting+jupiter+book+trailer&fr2=sb-top-search&fr=mcafee&type=C211US1264D20160210

George

Gino, A.  (2015)  George.  New York:  Scholastic.

George is a fourth grade boy who feels like a girl.  George's class is doing a play for Charlotte's Web and George wants to play Charlotte so everyone can see him like a girl.  George and his best friend Kelly practice for the play, but his teacher won't let him have a girl part.  George finally confides to Kelly about how he feels like a girl.  So, the day of the play, George and Kelly, come up with a surprise plan on how he can have a perfect part in the play!  This story is about gender roles, friendship, and acceptance.

The character of George changes throughout the book.  He wants everyone to know he feels like a girl.   In the beginning of the book he sneaks girl magazines into his room.  Later, the readers see him practicing the role of Charlotte for the school play.  George feels like if he is a girl in a play, then everyone will see him as a girl.  He finally reveals his feelings to his best friend.  Then, he tells his mom and he becomes Charlotte in the school play.  There is a huge transformation in George’s confidence.

The setting of the school is crucial to this story because it allows a place for George to tell others that he feels that he is a girl.  The play was a platform for him to shine as Charlotte.  His best friend Kelly and the principal were very accepting of George being a girl.

Interview with Alex Gino:
http://www.slj.com/2015/09/interviews/alex-gino-on-debut-novel-george-and-the-importance-of-transgender-voices-in-the-kid-lit-world/#_

Crossover

Alexander, K.  (2014).  Crossover.  New York:  Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.

Josh Bell and his twin brother Jordan love basketball.  This story written in rhyme and rhythm, tells a
story of the two boys and their famous basketball player father. Their mom is a principal of the school and they are expected to keep up their grades while they are all stars on their school basketball team.  Their relationship changes when a girlfriend comes between them and what happens when a father faces a major health crisis. Everyone will become wrapped up in this story, whether or not they are basketball fans.

The style of this book is rhythm and beat.  The story is written like a rap, so readers want to read more and it goes perfectly with the twin boys playing basketball. The character’s names go with the style. Josh is called Filthy and his twin brother Jordan is called JB.  The girlfriend’s name is Sweet Tea.  The story is told from Josh’s point of view.

The theme of the story is the importance of family.  The twin boys learn not to let a girlfriend get in between them.  Then, when dad is gone, the boys know that family and loyalty is most important. 

Book Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=modPFEyuBYg

Dear Mr. Henshaw

Cleary, B. (1983).  Dear mr. henshaw. New York:  Morrow Junior Books.

Leigh's parents are recently divorced and he is in 4th grade.  Ever since he was in second grade, Mr. Henshaw was his favorite author.  He has written letters back and forth to Mr. Henshaw for school reports.  Then, he decides he needs to start writing a diary to keep track of his life and feelings.  Instead of writing "Dear Diary", he writes to "Dear Pretend Mr. Henshaw".  Many kids will relate to having a dad away, money struggles, and the feeling of not belonging.  Readers will root for Leigh as he makes his lunch box alarm and when he enters a writing contest.

Leigh is the main character in Dear Mr. Henshaw. Readers are able to see Leigh’s difficulties of being a child of divorced parents and his feelings of being an outcast at school as we read his journal entries titled “Dear Mr. Pretend Henshaw.”  Leigh feels let down that his truck driver dad does not phone or come see him very often.  He shows determination when someone at school keeps stealing his lunch and he builds a burglar alarm for his lunch box. Leigh changes from a beginner writer who is unsure of how to write his favorite author to winning an Honorable Mention in a writing contest at the end of the book.

The plot is relevant to children in elementary school.  The story deals with divorce and a boy missing his dad.  Readers will like how Leigh deals with the problem of someone stealing his lunch.  The story wraps up nicely with Leigh entering a writing contest and his dad coming for a visit.  

Lesson plan from Scholastic:
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/dear-mr-henshaw-teaching-plan

Hitler Youth

Bartoletti, S. (2005).  Hitler youth.  NY:  Scholastic.

This book tells about the youth that followed Hitler and the Nazi Party.  These young people were enticed by talk of hope and adventure.  There were seven million boys and girls that belonged to this group.   Hitler counted on these young people to carry out his vision.  The photographs help tell the story of books being burned, Jewish-owned businesses being shut down by the Nazis, and the horrors of the concentration camps.    

The author, Susan Bartoletti, uses many photographs from the time period of Hitler Youth, 1933-1945.  These black and white photographs and their captions help the reader understand the content.  The reader will feel true sadness when seeing pictures of the horrors of this time period.  Bartoletti does a nice job at the beginning of a book by introducing the readers to the people in the book by including a picture and a short biography of the person.  There is a table of contents, foreword, epilogue, timeline of the Hitler Youth, Author’s Note, About the Photographs, Quote Sources, Bibliography,  Acknowledgments, and Index. 

Book trailser:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cQzIQQcsXcE

Information on book and author, interview with author:
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/hitler-youth#cart/cleanup

We Are The Ship

Nelson, K.  (2008).  We are the ship.  NY:  Hyperion.

The Story Of Negro League Baseball  accounts the story of baseball played when African Americans were not allowed to play in Major League baseball.  It was a time of segregation in America.  These players loved baseball so much they were willing to play for little pay, travel all day on an old bus, and be treated unfairly compared to the white baseball players.  Kadir Nelson's story and paintings bring great life to this story of Hank Aaron, Satchel Paige, and Josh Gibson.  This is a great read for all baseball lovers!

Kadir Nelson tells the story of the Negro League Baseball through a narrator as a collective voice.  The accounts of these African American baseball players as they ride across the country on a bus, get minimal pay, and are victims of segregation are accurate.  Nelson worked on this subject for eight years.  He interviewed baseball heroes like Jackie Robinson and Hank Aaron. Nelson used many books, documentaries, and films to write this book and make it as accurate as possible.

Lesson Plans-Grade 5:
http://greatminds.net/maps/documents/SLP_05_1.pdf

Book Trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYPxMhZMoVk

How They Croaked

Bragg, G. (2011).  How they croaked:  The awful ends of the awfully famous.  NY:  Walker.
If you want to know how the famous have died, this is the book for you!  This book details how nineteen famous people ranging from King Tut to Albert Einstein have died.  There are fun facts such as "What to Do With Old Mummies"  and "Some Famous Last Words" The black and white illustrations of each deceased person are funny.

How They Croaked has a great organization that all readers will enjoy.  There is a table of contents and an index.  The author has included information about the dead person and put it on a headstone at the top of each chapter.  At the end of each chapter, there is an easy to read chart relating to the subject of the dead person.  For example, at the end of the King Tut chapter, there is a list of things to do with mummy eyes. The author also puts cool facts in a shaded box marked with a skull and cross bones.  This organization helps the reader understand how these famous people died.


Information from Scholastic about book and author:
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/how-they-croaked#cart/cleanup

Balloons Over Broadway

Sweet, M.  (2011).  Balloons over Broadway:  The true story of the puppeteer of Macy's parade.  NY: Houghton.

Tony Sarg, originally maker of marionettes, is the reason why we have been enjoying balloons in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade for more than eighty years.  Tony made his first marionette when he was six years old.  As an adult, he went to work for Macy's with his dancing marionettes in their store windows.  Then, they gave him his biggest project of all:  marionettes for a parade.  Tony turned his marionettes into balloons and the rest is history!

Balloons Over Broadway tells the story of how Tony Sarg turned his marionettes into the balloons for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.  The book’s colorful pictures will draw in readers to this informational book.  It begins with a black and white photograph of Sarg so the readers know that the book is about a real person despite the fun drawings. The illustrations switch from being full page, to being five to a page (like being glued on), to being vertical, and to going across two pages. Some of the text looks like letters cut out of a magazine.   The best part is the back page which is the original advertisement from the 1933 New York Times.  All of this makes up a wonderful design that captivates its readers! 

Lesson Plans:

http://islma.org/pdf/2014MonarchAwardMasterList/Balloons_over_Broadway.pdf

It's Perfectly Normal

Harris, R. (2014).  It's perfectly normal:  Changing bodies, growing up, sex, and sexual health. Boston, MA:  Candlewick Press.

This book covers everything about sex you need to discuss with your child about puberty, reproduction, birth control, pregnancy, STDS, and more.  The pictures are very detailed but are in comic form so nobody should be too embarrassed. Its easy to read so kids will be able to understand the important information.

Nic Bishop, author and photographer, of Spiders, has created a fascinating book about many different kinds of spiders and their amazing skills.  Bishop traveled to the rain forests of French Guiana and Costa Rica to find spiders.  Also, to insure accuracy, he has kept spiders at his house so he could watch egg laying and molting.  Because Bishop is willing to travel and take great lengths to photograph his subjects, the readers can be assured that the information is accurate.  

Rosa

Giovanni, N. (2005).  Rosa.  NY: Holt.

This informational book about the civil rights leader Rosa Parks is one that has not been told before.  We meet Rosa at her kitchen table on that deciding day when she would not give up her seat to a white man on the bus.  This story tells how a well-respected seamstress, Rosa Parks, and her twenty-five women supporters belonging to the Women's Political Council led the charge to change for equality.

Rosa is a beautifully written book about Rosa Parks.  It gives insight into what her day was like before she refused to give up her seat to a white man on the bus.  One can see Giovanni’s passion as she describes Rosa as a woman.  Rosa Parks was a well-respected seamstress, cared for her family, and that night she was planning a nice meatloaf dinner.  Bryan Collier’s illustrations are a perfect complement for Giovanni’s beautifully written story of Parks leading the country in wanting equality.

Lesson Plans:

http://www.learningtogive.org/units/heroes-and-their-impact/rosa-parks

Primates

Ottaviani, J. (2013). Primates. NY:  FirstSecond.

The graphic novel gives an account into the lives of three women scientists: Jane Goodall, Dian fossey, and Birute Galdikas.  The fieldwork of these three women is described as Dian saves gorillas, Birute studies orangutans, and Goodall researches chimpanzees. The details of the research, the excitement of new discovery, and the passion of these women for primates is shown in comic form

Jim Ottaviani has created a biography about three women scientists Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Birute Galdikas that all children will want to read.  The graphic novel format makes the reading appealing to a large group of readers.  This story is divided into three sections for each woman as they study chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans.  The pictures are colorful and the text is fun and informational.

Lesson Plans:

http://www.neprimateconservancy.org/k-4-unit-1---lesson-2.html

Me...Jane

McDonnell, P.  (2011).  Me...jane.  NY:  Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

This is the story of Dr. Jane Goodall as a little girl.  When Jane was a little girl she loved had a stuffed chimpanzee, she loved nature, and she was curious about the world around her.  Jane dreamed of growing up and going to Africa.  Jane's dream came true.  Now, Jane Goodall wants others to live their dreams and help others.  She facilitates this with her organization called Roots and Shoots.  This is a must read, inspirational book for all.

This is an inspiring story of Jane Goodall as a little girl.  It tells of he stuffed chimp, her love of nature, and her dream of going to Africa.  The style of the book is charming and the pictures are simple and inviting.  At the end, we see a photo of Jane Goodall and learn that Jane’s dream did come true.  

Activities:

http://www.hachettebookgroup.com/features/patrickmcdonnell/activities.html

Spiders

Bishop, N. (2007).  Spiders. NY: Scholastic.

Author and photographer, Nic Bishop, has created an amazing book amazing informational book about spiders.  Readers will enjoy reading from cover to cover or reading the highlighted text.  Bishop teaches his readers about some unusual spiders such as a Goliath bird eating tarantula and a huntsman spider.  The photographs are as educational and as fun as the text!

Nic Bishop, author and photographer, of Spiders, has created a fascinating book about many different kinds of spiders and their amazing skills.  Bishop traveled to the rain forests of French Guiana and Costa Rica to find spiders.  Also, to insure accuracy, he has kept spiders at his house so he could watch egg laying and molting.  Because Bishop is willing to travel and take great lengths to photograph his subjects, the readers can be assured that the information is accurate. 

Lesson Plans:
http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/interview-with-the-spider.shtml 

The Paperbag Princess

Munsch, R.  (2012).  The paperbag princess.  NY:  Annick Press.

Princess Elizabeth and Princess Ronald were to marry when a fire-breathing dragon took Ronald away.  Elizabeth dressed in a paper bag went to find her prince.  She followed the dragon's fiery trail.  When she found the dragon, she tricked the dragon until he was too tired to breathe fire at her.  When she went to rescue Ronald, he looked at her paper bag dress and dirty hair, he did not want to marry her anymore.  She learned an important lesson:  It is what is on the inside that counts!

The theme of The Paper Bag Princess is that it matters what kind of person you are, not what you look like or what clothes you wear.

Lesson Plans:

http://www.education.com/lesson-plan/the-paper-bag-princess/