Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang

1. Author: Mordecai Richler
2. Title: Jacob Two-Two Meets the Hooded Fang
3. Illustrator: Alfred A. Knopf
4. Genre: Fiction
5. Subgenre: Chapter Book
6. Theme: The power of imagination
7. Primary Characters: Jacob Two-two, Hooded Fang, Shapiro, O'Toole, Louis Loser
8. Secondary Characters: Emma, Marfa, Daniel, Noah, Jacob's parents, Justice Rough, Mr. Cooper, Mr. Fox
9. Award/Date: None/1975
10. Publisher: Random House, Inc.
11. Summary: Jacob Two-two is the youngest child of five siblings. He often has to say things twice just to be heard. After his father finally sends him on an errand, he goes to the store and asks Mr. Cooper something, but he says it twice. After Mr. Cooper asks police facetiously to arrest him, Jacob runs off. All of a sudden, he is in a prison. The rest of the book follows Jacob and his adventures on trying to escape from the Hooded Fang.
12. How used: The book has a mysterious element to it. It uses a lot of clues to help children figure out what is going to happen. When in the end you find out he had been asleep the whole time, you remember that it talks about Jacob rubbing his eyes after he had ran out of the store and sat down. Children can put their reading skills to the test and see if they can catch all of the clues in this story.

The Boy Who Saved Baseball

1. Author: John H. Ritter
2. Title: The Boy Who Saved Baseball
3. Illustrator: John H. Ritter
4. Genre: Fiction
5. Subgenre: Baseball
6. Theme: Through hard work and inspiration, anything is possible.
7. Primary Characters: Tom Gallagher, Cruz de la Cruz, Maria, Dante Del Gato, Doc
8. Secondary Characters: Clifford, Mr. Gallagher, Mrs. Gallagher, Rachel, Ramon, Cody, Wil, Frankie, Graydog, Mr. LaRue, the Mayor
9. Award/Year: None/2005
10. Publisher: Puffin Books
11. Summary: The story begins with a man named Doc agreeing to enter into a land deal with the developers. Unfortunately, this happens to be the very land with the baseball field that Tom Gallagher and the whole community love so much. The deal is that if Tom's team wins, then the town keeps the baseball field and land. However, if the town loses, then the developers will be allowed to take over the land, which means there will be no more baseball field. The story follows the struggles of the team, which is not very good in the beginning, and their journey to trying to get better by getting a famous baseball player to coach them.
12. How used: First of all, this story would be a great book to get boys more interested in literature because it involves sports. Secondly, this story uses a lot of foreshadowing, which is an element of reading that helps to build a person's analytical skills. This story would be great to analyze for elements of literature as well as to analyze for entertainment.

The Courage Seed

1. Author: Jean Richardson
2. Title: The Courage Seed
3. Illustrator: Pat Finney
4. Genre: Realistic Fiction
5. Subgenre: Cultures
6. Theme: We all have courage within us if we simply believe in ourselves.
7. Primary Characters: Mary, Aunt Betsy, Night Singer
8. Secondary Characters: Mary's parents, Mrs. Lasater
9. Award/Date: None/1993
10. Publisher: Eakin Press
11. Summary: A young girl, Mary, loses her parents because of a car accident. She is forced to move in with her Aunt Betsy. While struggling with losing her parents, she also struggles with the idea of going to school with people who probably wouldn't accept her. With her grandfather's previous advice and finally giving things a shot, she discovers the children there are from other places around the world and are from different cultures.
12. How used: This story can teach children to give things a chance. We all have a little courage in us if we just simply try to find it. Mary not only discovers it is ok to be herself, but she opens herself up to other cultures, like what our students will need to learn as well.

An Innocent Soldier

1. Author: Josef Holub
2. Title: An Innocent Soldier
3. Illustrator: None
4. Genre: Fiction
5. Subgenre: War
6. Theme: Friendship can pull you through anything.
7. Primary Characters: Adam, Konrad
8. Secondary Characters: The farmer, the farmer's wife, French marshal, Sergeant
9. Award/Date: Batchelder/2002
10. Publisher: Scholastic
11. Summary: Adam is a sixteen-year old boy who was working on a farm. One day, the farmer wakes him up and takes him downtown with him. To Adam's surprise, the farmer has passed Adam off to take Georg's, the farmer's son, place. Despite a terrible start with a sergeant that mistreats him, Lieutenant Konrad, 17, takes Adam as his assistant. Despite their class/rank differences, the story follows their growth into friends and their struggles and triumphs of the french/russian war.
12. How used: This story can teach children the disadvantages of war and the need for friendship. The story is necessarily about a happy topic, but the author uses humor to lighten the mood. Since this is for an older age group, it can teach the children about different styles of authors' writings.

Kira, Kira

1. Author: Cynthia Kodohata
2. Title:Kira-Kira
3. Illustrator: None
4. Genre: Fiction/Family
5. Subgenre: Japanese-American culture
6. Theme: There is always hope in every tragedy.
7. Primary Characters: Katie, Lynn, Sammy, Mr and Mrs. Takeshima (parents)
8. Secondary Characters: Uncle Katsuhisa
9. Award/Date: Newbery/2004
10. Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
11. Summary: Katie is a young japanese-american child who idolizes her sister Lynn. The story follows her through the moving from Iowa to Georgia, through losing her best friend/her sister Lynn, and through her finding a way to help her family see that their is still a light despite losing Lynn.
12. How Used: The story is a terrific book to teach children about other cultures and loss. The mother is often irritated at Katie because she doesn't use the word Kira-Kira correctly, which is Japanese for glittery/shiny. It shows the cultural problems between the parents who have strong japanese values and their children who seem to show more american culture than japanese. As for the loss, loss is a terrible part of life. This can be an inspirational story to children who lose someone close to them.

Keeping the Night Watch

1. Author: Hope Anita Smith
2. Title: Keeping the Night Watch
3. Illustrator: E.B. Lewis Holt
4. Genre: Family/Chapter Book
5. Subgenre: Abandonment/ Poetry
6. Theme: With time, things will get better.
7. Primary Characters: C.J., Byron, Father, the little sister, mother, grandmother
8. Secondary Characters: Maya, Preacher
9. Award/Year: Coretta Scott King/ 2008
10. Publisher: Henry Holt and Company
11. Summary: C.J. is a teenager who is struggling to deal with the return of his father who had left his family. This chapter book is actually made up of several poems that tells the struggles of the three children to cope with the father returning. Although the younger children act more happy to have their father home, you see signs of their concern that the father may leave again.
12. How used: Today, so many children are experiencing broken homes. One parent homes are extremely common. This book can help children to see that it's ok to be upset when a parent leaves or even returns, but you just have to make sure that you learn to mature with the situation. It also shows children how poetry can express a story and feelings.

Stranger in the Woods

1. Author: Carl R. Sams II and Jean Stoick
2. Title: Stranger in the Woods
3. Illustrator: Not stated
4. Genre: Fiction
5. Subgenre: Children/Snowmen
6. Theme: Love of animals
7. Primary Characters: The animals
8. Secondary Characters: The children
9. Award/Date: None/2000
10. Publisher: Carl R. Sams II Photography
11. Summary: Many animals in the forest are coming together trying to discover who is the stranger in the forest. After finally getting the courage to check out the stranger, they find a snowman with seeds and vegetables to feed the animals. It turns out to be a snowman that some children built to help feed the animals during the cold winter months.
12. How Used: So many children love to read about animals! Children also tend to love playing in the snow. This story takes elements that are often entertaining to children and puts them together. This story also personifies the animals, which could help the children see an example of personification. It also uses onomatopeia and alliteration when the animals speak.

The Keeping Quilt

1. Author: Patricia Polacco
2. Title: The Keeping Quilt
3. Illustrator: Not Stated
4. Genre: Fiction
5. Subgenre: Family history
6. Theme: One thing can glue generations together.
7. Primary Characters: Anna, Patricia
8. Secondary Characters: Carle, Sasha, George, Mary Ellen
9. Award/Date: None/1988
10. Publisher: Simon and Schuster
11. Summary: A Russian girl, Anna, decides to move to the United States in New York City. While here as a young girl, she decides to take a dress and her babushka and create a quilt with the other women from her family and neighbors. This quilt passes from Anna, to Carle, to Mary Ellen, and finally to the author, Patricia. The story follows how this quilt helped bring comfort to each family member and follows the changes that are seen as time passes.
12. How Used: This story can help children to see the importance of family heirlooms, especially to people from other countries. It can reveal how some of the simplest things can help people cope with no longer being in their home countries. This is a great book to expose children to other cultures.

The Pumpkin Runner

1. Author: Marsha Diane Arnold
2. Title: The Pumpkin Runner
3. Illustrator: Brad Sneed
4. Genre: Realistic Fiction
5. Subgenre: Individuality
6. Theme: You can do anything you set your mind to.
7. Primary Characters: Joshua Summerhayes, Yellow Dog, Aunt Millie
8. Secondary Characters: Rancher Waudley, Damien Dodgerelle
9. Award/Date: None/1998
10. Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers
11. Summary: Joshua is a farmer who owns tons of acres with these amazing pumpkins. He runs everywhere he goes. When he heards the sheep, he doesn't use a jeep or a horse. He runs with his dog, Yellow Dog. Later, he discovers that there is a race in town. He decides to join it, despite people thinking there is no way he could run that long. With his perseverance and support from Aunt Millie, Rancher Waudley, Yellow Dog, and the pumpkins, he is able to win and beat Damien Dodgerelle.
12. How Used: This story can be used to teach children that if you believe you can do something, then do it. So many people in life will tell you that you can't do it. You'll just simply have to prove them wrong. This story was actually based on a true story, so it can also expose children to non-fiction/realistic fiction writing that is entertaining.

Firefly Fred

1. Author: Todd Porter
2. Title: Firefly Fred
3. Illustrator: Brian Patenaude
4. Genre: Fiction
5. Subgenre: Friendship
6. Theme: We have to meet in the middle to have a good friendship.
7. Primary characters: Fred and the fireflies
8. Secondary Characters: None
9. Award/Date: None/2004
10. Publisher: Mayhaven
11. Summary: I love this book! It tells a story about an older man named Fred. He sits on his porch watching the fireflies dancing in the sky. One day, they invite him to join them in their secret place, but he cannot fly. He cries at first, but then he decides to build wings to fly with them. Then, when he gets there, he realizes that he cannot fit. The fireflies work together to create a bigger door so he can join them.
12. How Used: First of all, this story can show the importance of give and take in a friendship. If you are always giving, or if you are always taking, the friendships cannot work. Secondly, it shows personification. Fireflies cannot talk, but the story creates a fantasy world where they can.

Ballet for Martha: Making Appalachian Spring

1. Author: Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan
2. Title: Ballet for Martha: Making Appalachian Spring
3. Illustrator: Brian Floca
4. Genre: Non-fiction; picture book
5. Subgenre: Ballet/Play
6. Theme: Every artform can work together against all odds and create something beautiful.
7. Primary Characters: Martha Graham, Isamu Noguchi, Aaron Copeland
8. Secondary Characters: Other dancers and instrumentalists.
9. Award/Date: Orbis Pictus/2010
10. Publisher: Roaring Book Press
11. Summary: This story simply follows the journey of Graham, Noguchi, and Copeland in creating the play/musical "Making Appalachian Spring." It discusses how they meet, how they decide to create the musical, and how the fall and rise to success.
12. How Used: This story shows the importance of art. Sadly, artistic programs are being eliminated more and more because of lack of funds. Many schools consider it less important than others, which I believe is false. For students a teacher may have that feel like they want to pursue the arts, this book could help serve as inspiration.

The City of Dragons

1. Author: Laurence Yep
2. Title: The City of Dragons
3. Illustrator: Jean and Mou-Sien Tseng
4. Genre: Fiction/Fantasy
5. Subgenre: Prejudices
6. Theme: You shouldn't judge someone by how they look.
7. Primary Characters: Boy, giants, dragons
8. Secondary Characters: Parents, villagers, elders
9. Award/Date: None/1995
10. Publisher: Scholastic
11. Summary: A young boy is shunned by his village and even his family because of the way his face looks. The story follows him as he decides to run away from home so his family doesn't have to miss out on festivals because of his face. He meets giants that accept him as brave and take him to the land of dragons. He manages to find friends, save all kinds of people, and even teach his village that you shouldn't judge a person by the way he looks.
12. How Used: Technically, you could use this story to teach children that they shouldn't shun people because they do not look what many would call pretty or handsome. I didn't really care for this book very much, however, because it seemed to go a little overboard. I didn't like how they presented the story of a boy who was considered ugly. The ending, despite being "a happy ending" still seemed somewhat negative. The vibe of this book was just strange.

The Invisible Princess

1. Author: Faith Ringgold
2. Title: The Invisible Princess
3. Illustrator: Not stated
4. Genre: Fiction/Fantasy Picture
5. Subgenre: Slavery
6. Theme: Over time, love conquers all and changes the heart.
7. Primary Characters: Mama and Papa Love, Captain Pepper, Patience, Invisible Princess
8. Secondary Characters: Great Lady of Peace, Prince of Night, Terrible the Storm King
9. Award/Date: None/1999
10. Publisher: Crown Publishers
11. Summary: The story starts off talking about a beloved slave couple named Mama and Papa Love. They both worked for a man named Captain Pepper. Although they were safe from being split from one another, they were terrified to have a child because they knew he or she could be sold. Still, they discovered that Mama Love was pregnant. After discovering that Captain Pepper had plans to sell the baby, Mama Love asked the Great Lady of Peace and Prince of Night to please protect her baby. This baby became the invisible Princess. The story will follow the slaves' journies on this farm, Patience's (the daughter of Captain Pepper) friendship with the Invisible Princess, and the change of Heart of Captain Pepper.
12. How Used: This story helps to expose young children to the truths of slavery without overloading them with the harsh details. It is important for children to understand history, but this story helps to add a fantasy twist to historical truths that occurred many years ago. I would use this to reveal a few facts of slavery without completely overloading them with harsh facts at such a young age.

Where Is Grandpa?

1. Author: T. A. Barron
2. Title: Where is Grandpa?
3. Illustrator: Chris K. Soentpiet
4. Genre: Fiction/Picture
5. Subgenre: Death
6. Theme: Learning to cope with death.
7. Primary Characters: Grandpa, little boy
8. Secondary Characters: Dad, Mom, Sister, Brother
9. Award/Date: None/2000
10. Publisher: Philomel Books
11. Summary: This story is somewhat a depressing book. It begins where the little boy talks about all of the great things that he and his grandfather do together. They even have a special treehouse that they would sit in together and look out into the mountains. The story then reveals that his grandfather has just passed away. The story, though brief, takes the reader through his, as well as his family's, journey to coping with the loss of the grandfather.
12. How Used: Although this may be a difficult topic to discuss for many, a teacher could use this book to show children that this happens to many people throughout life. This book could be used to help them see how another family copes with such a difficult thing. It could also teach children how literature can be a way to tell of your own personal experiences to help you talk about it and heal better.

The Princess Knight

1. Author: Cornelia Funke
2. Title: The Princess Knight
3. Illustrator: Kerstin Meyer
4. Genre: Fiction/Picture Book
5. Subgenre: Spirited Triumph
6. Theme: With determination, you can do anything.
7. Primary Characters: King Wilfred, Violetta, three brothers
8. Secondary Characters: Queen Violetta, Emma
9. Award/Date: None/2001
10. Publisher: The Chicken House
11. Summary: The story begins with the mother's death while giving birth to Princess Violetta. Since she doesn't have a mother to raise her like a lady, her father raises her the exact same way as he did the three older brothers. The story follows Violetta's struggles and triumphs while trying to not only follow her brothers' footsteps, but excel past them.
12. How Used: This story could be used to show children that things are not always simply just for boys or just for girls. The story shows how Violetta, despite being a girl, is able to excel as a knight. This story could teach children that every person may have to learn differently and at their own pace, but that doesn't make them less of a person than others.

Tommy's Treasure

1. Author: R. Grey Armstrong
2. Title: Tommys Treasure
3. Illustrator: Liz Dodson
4. Genre: Fiction/Picture Book
5. Subgenre: Children's Mystery
6. Theme: A child wants to be noticed
7. Primary Character: Tommy
8. Secondary Character: friend, girl, firefighter, painter, police officer, mom, dad
9. Award/Date: None/1990
10. Publisher: Shortland Publications Limited
11. Summary: The young boy, Tommy, walks around town with his treasure closed up in his hands. After many people asking him what it is he reveals to his mom that it is a "magic spell" that makes people noticed him. I found this book to be absolutely adorable! So many kids will do silly small things to get themselves noticed. I thought this little boy was very clever.
12. How Used: I could see this story being used purely for entertainment. It is short, but charming. It could, however, be used as an early mystery book. A teacher could keep the children involved by asking them after he meets every person what they think is in Tommy's hand. It could help to promote analytical skills at an early age.

Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night

Author: Joyce Sidman

Title: Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night

Illustrator: Rick Allen

Genre: Poetry

Subgenre: Picture Book/Informative

Theme: Nighttime is merely the beginning for some creatures.

Primary Characters: Raccoon, Snail, Moth, Beetle, Dark Emperor

Secondary Characters: None

Award/Date: Newbery Honor/2010

Publisher: Houghton Milton Books

Summary: This story's title says it all. Each poem is centered around night and the creatures within it. On the left page, there is a poem about the particular animal or insect the poet has selected. On the right page, there are details about the noctural creature and how it lives in the night.

How used: One use for this book is to teach students about poetry. This book is filled with multiple poems that say many different things that could be analyzed. This book could also be used to teach children about the science of nature. Many children tend to see day as awake time and night as sleeping time. However, this book will teach them that for some creatures, nighttime is when things have just begun. Since the book gives detailed scientific information on each page, this book would be great to use for Science.

Mama Does the Mambo

Author: Katherine Leiner

Title: Mama Does the Mambo

Illustrator: Edel Rodriguez

Genre: Fiction/Picture

Subgenre: Dancing/Culture

Theme: Even when life is tough, don't give up on what you love.

Primary Characters: Mama, Papa, Sofia, Eduardo

Secondary Characters: Marina, Mirna, Dori, Rosa

Award/Date: None/2001

Publisher: Hyperion

Summary: The story starts off revealing the loss of Sofia's Papa. It tells of how her mother hasn't danced since she lost her husband. Sofia talks about how much she misses watching her parents dance and watching her mother dance while doing chores. As time continues, everyone realizes that Mama needs a dance partner, but her then boyfriend Eduardo is a terrible dancer. In the end, Sofia dances with her mother and puts a smile back on her mom's face and her own.

How used: This story can teach about two things: Culture and dealing with loss. First of all, this story's pictures revealed this family as a latin family, so it shows the different types of dances as well as foods that may be fond in the latin culture. Secondly, the story addresses how a family must deal with the loss of the father. Children sadly are faced with this everyday, so this can give a tiny glimpse for other children into the lives of people experiencing loss.

Hello, Goodbye Window

Author: Norton Juster

Title: Hello, Goodbye Window

Illustrator: Chris Raschka

Genre: Fiction/Picture Book

Subgenre: Family

Theme: Treasuring the little traditions like a window

Primary Characters: Nanna, Poppy, Little Girl

Secondary Characters: Mommy and Daddy

Award/Date: None/2005

Publisher: Hyperion Books

Summary: This little girl goes on and on about how important this one particular window is at her grandparents house. It is where she sees them when she first comes over. It is where her grandfather yells hello world, or goodnight world. It is where she sees reflections of themselves. It is where she sees her grandparents as she leaves and says goodbye. It is a cute story about the little things a child seems to appreciate.

How used: Symbolism is a difficult subject to be taught, but I believe this book could be a great way to begin this lesson. The window may physically be something that the little girl sees everything from, but in reality, it is so much more to her than that. I could use this to show the students how the window represents something that is constant and happy in her life.

Under the Lemon Moon

Author: Edith Hope Fine

Title: Under the Lemon Moon

Illustrator: Rene King Moreno

Genre: Fiction/Picture

Subgenre: Forgiveness/Generosity

Theme: Giving and sharing is better than keeping everything.

Primary Characters: Rosalinda, night man, abuela, La Anciana

Secondary Characters: Mom and Dad, Senor Rodolfo, Blanca, Esmeralda

Award/Date: None/1999

Publisher: Lee & Low Books

Summary: The book begins with Rosalinda, a young girl, discovering a man stealing all of the lemons from her favorite lemon tree. It absolutely breaks her heart to see the lemon tree so desolate and broken, so she searches for a way to mend it. The story follows her path of doing this while finding forgiveness for the thief and generosity for all.

How used: Generosity and forgiveness are two important things in life that need to be taught to all. Both of these lessons are seen in this book, and therefore, could be great influences for students. This book also shows examples of onomatopeia and personification. The personification is seen when she describes the le mon tree as sick and sad, and onomatopeia is simply seen in the way she describes certain sounds.

In the Small, Small Pond

Author: Denise Fleming

Title: In the Small, Small Pond

Illustrator: Unknown

Genre: Fiction/Picture

Subgenre: Pond Animals

Theme: The pond is filled with multiple lives that depend on each other.

Primary Characters/Secondary Characters: Tadpoles, geese, horseflies, turtles, heron, minnow, whiligig, swallow, crawdad, duck, raccoon, muskrat.

Award/Date: None/1993

Publisher: Henry Holt and Company

Summary: This story merely tells about the lives around the pond. It reveals how multiple types of creatures are influenced by this pond and the life inside of it. It is short, sweet, and to the point.

How used: Alliteration, assonance, and rhyming are three literary devices use within this story. It is important to start familiarizing students with these things early. You do not have to drill it into their heads that those particular things are called the specific literary terms, but it is important that they are at least introduced to the ideas to help them further in later readings.

I love Saturdays y Domingos

Author: Alma Flor Ada

Title: I Love Saturdays y Domingos

Illustrator: Elivia Savadier

Genre: Picture/Fiction

Subgenre: Mexican-American Families

Theme: Children should make the most out of their families' backgrounds.

Primary Characters: Little girl, Grandma/Grandpa, Abuelito/Abuelita

Secondary Characters: Taffy, Conelo

Award/Date: None/2002

Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Summary: A little girl loves saturdays and sunday, or domingos. She spends one day with her grandparents that are simply from America. On Sundays, she goes to her other grandparents' house. They, however, are hispanic. The little girl shows how she enjoys both her typical American family as well as her hispanic family.

How used: This story is great to show cultural diversity. Students would get to see a few words in Spanish and learn more about a child who experiences both worlds. In today's society, more and more hispanic culture is entering into our lives, so it is important to help introduce this culture to our students.

What Do You Do With a Tail Like This?

Author: Steve Jenkins and Robin Page

Title: What Do You Do With a Tail Like This?

Illustrator: Unknown

Genre: Picture Book/ Informative

Subgenre: Sense Organs

Theme: Every sense serves a special purpose for every animal.

Primary Characters: No Actual Characters

Secondary Characters: No Actual Characters

Award/Date: None/2003

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company

Summary: This book simply asks the question how would different animals use their ears? How would different animals use their eyes? How would different animals use their tails? It makes children think of how multiple animals may use the same sensory organ for different purposes.

How used: This book would be great to teach young children about senses and the body of animals. It can show children how animals differ from not only us, but from one another. Similarly, it can show how the animals are similar.

Good As Goldie

Author: Margie Palatini

Title: Good as Goldie

Illustrator: Margie Palatini

Genre: Picture Book/ Fiction

Subgenre: Sibling Rivalry

Theme: Siblings will have their problems, but something always brings them together.

Primary Characters: Goldie

Secondary Characters: Nicholas

Award/Date: None/2000

Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children

Summary: This story was simply from a little girl telling people how she was so much bigger than her little brother. In reality, she wasn't doing things much differently from him. He was actually seen imitating her quite often. In the end, she states how there is one thing he does really well like her, and it shows them getting along.

How used: This story could be used to help children with siblings. A teacher could show their kids that it is normal to have siblings that feel this way or even for your student to feel this way. It could be used to simply remind them that they probably do have more things in common than they think.

An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic in 1793

Author: Jim Murphy

Title: An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793

Illustrator: None

Genre: Non-fiction

Subgenre: History/Chapter Book

Theme: Despite large tragedies that could have been prevented by people listening, history still tends to repeat itself.

Primary Characters/Secondary Characters: There is a multitude of characters that play an equal part, but a few of them would include Benjamin Rush, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Mayor Clarkson, and Governor Mifflin. Other characters were people who died from the plague, politicians, and medical staff.

Award/Date: Sibert Medal/2003

Publisher: Clarion Books

Summary: This story follows the epidemic of yellow fever in 1793 in Philadelphia. It tells how the yellow fever simply began as a small fever that seemed insignificant. Unimportant people were dying from it, so it wasn't seen as much of a deal. Over time, however, dozens of people begin dying everyday from the epidemic, but some still won't believe that it is the yellow fever. Throughout the book, it teaches you of historical events that surrounded this fatal time and how so many lives were drastically affected, and yet, at the same time, everything will remain the same.

How used: This story is a non-fictional book that tells about the breakout of the yellow fever in America. It is a great book to use to teach your students about a historical event. It can be a great tool because it helps tie people to the statistics, therefore making it more real to each person. This can also give your students a more in depth study of something that many history books merely brush over.

Day of Tears

Author: Julius Lester

Title: Day of Tears: A Novel of Dialogue

Illustrator: None

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Subgenre: Chapter Book/Slavery

Theme: Your actions will always have consequences, both good and bad, so make you actions wisely.

Primary Characters: Emma, Joe, Pierce Butler, Sarah Butler, Frances Butler, Will, Mattie

Secondary Characters: Sampson, Charles, Winnie, Mr. Henry, Ms. Butler, Mrs. Henfield

Award/Date: Coretta Scott King/2005

Publisher: Hyperion Books

Summary: The story is a book of dialogue that involves the thoughts of multiple characters. It centers itself around one main character, a slave named Emma. She works on the Butler plantation, which, up until this moment, was a wonderful place to be for a slave. After Pierce Butler, the plantation owner, gambles away his money, he has to sell off many of his slaves to repay his debts, including Emma. He broke his promise to her, her parents, and his daughter Sarah, all of which loved her very much. The story continues to follow her thoughts as well as some of the other characters and how they are affected by each event that occurs. It is a story of slavery that can easily move you to tears.

How used: This story can be used for the purpose of history. Although most of these people were not necessarily real, the author took stories from events in history as well as the actual Butler family, who really were like they were described in the book, and created this wonderful novel. It's a great way to illustrate to students how slavery affected not only the lives of the slaves, but also the lives of the people who owned them. It a great way to illustrate multiple view points.

Ella Enchanted

Author: Gail Carson Levine

Title: Ella Enchanted

Illustrator: None

Genre: Fantasy/Fairy Tale

Subgenre: Chapter Book

Theme: You can overcome anything if you simply believe in yourself.

Primary Characters: Ella, Hattie, Prince Charmont, Olive, Lucinda, Mandy

Secondary Characters: Lady Eleanor, The King and Queen, Arieda, Dame Olga, Ella's Father, Ogres, Elves, Giants

Award/Date: Newbery/1997

Publisher: HarperCollins

Summary: Ella, after losing her mother, is faced with many challenges. Aside from the gift Lucinda gave her to obey EVERY order given to her, her father is very difficult for her to deal with, and he even decides to send her off to finishing school. At the same time, she meets Prince Charmont for the first time at her mother's funeral, but when she is forced to go to finishing school she temporarily loses touch with him. After many trials with her new mother, Dame Olga, and her two new stepsisters, Olive and Hattie (especially after they learn she is obedient), she goes throughout the story finding love, friendship, and a strength that she never realized that she had.

How used: I would use this story to teach children about fantasy books. They would be able to see how realistic life events are woven with obviously unrealistic things. It would illustrate a whole new world of creativity and life. It would be fantastic for older elementary students and middle school students for both the lessons and simply for the enjoyable plot.

Holes

Author: Louis Sachar

Title: Holes

Illustrator: None

Genre: Mystery/ Chapter Book

Subgenre: Adventure

Theme: A person is not defined by their family; they are defined by their own actions.

Primary Characters: Stanley Yelnats, Zero, Kate Barlow, Sam, Charles

Secondary Characters: X-ray, Squid, Magnet, Armpit, Zigzag, Stanley's parents and grandfather,
Mr. Sir, Mr. Pendanski, Warden

Award/Date: Newbery/1998

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Summary: The story follows the many misfortunes of Stanley Yelnats. After ending up at a "camp" for troubled boys for something he didn't do, he ends up getting caught up in a mystery that has been around since the time of Kate Barlow and Sam, two star-crossed lovers. This book is filled with mystery and suspense!

How used: I would use this book in class to teach my students about foreshadowing, symbolism, and critical thinking. This book constantly has you guessing what is going to happen next, which is why I would use it for critical thinking and foreshadowing. The book often gives hints, but sometimes you have to look for them. As for symbolism, the lipstick tube, for example, represents Kissing Kate Barlow.

Everything on a Waffle

1. Author: Polly Horvath
2. Title: Everything on a Waffle
3. Illustrator: Not listed
4. Genre: Fiction
5. Subgenre: Chapter Book - Family
6. Theme: No matter if everyone else is against it, never give up hope.
7. Characters: Primrose, Miss Perfidy, Uncle Jack, Miss Honeycut, Evie, and Burt
8. Awards/Date: Newbery Honors/2002
9. Publisher: Scholastic
10. Summary: This book is a chapter book that tells the story of Primrose. After her parents go missing, everyone believes they are dead. She, however, does not. Still, she is forced to move on. She goes from home to home as person after person either runs out of money or gives up on her. Every chapter follows every trial and tribulation she has to go through while trying to still keep hope that her parents are alive. This story is probably more appropriate for older grades, like 6th-8th. This story can be great to use to illustrate how emotional attachment can be put into the story with simple words.

A Tiger Cub Grows Up

1. Author: Joan Hewett
2. Title: A Tiger Cub Grows Up
3. Illustrator/Photographer: Richard Hewett
4. Genre: Informative (Picture)
5. Subgenre: Animals
6. Theme: Caring for a Tiger/ A Tiger Growing Up
7. Characters: Primary - Tara the cub; Secondary - Mary and Lynn - Feeders and caretakers
8. Awards/Date: None/2004
9. Publisher: Carolrhoda Books
10. Summary: This story simply tells the story of Tara, a bengal cub. She is a tiger kept in captive and is being raised in the beginning by Mary. Mary simply nurses her until she is ready for normal food. Once she reaches a certain age, she is sent to Lynn, who is someone that will teach Tara how to be a normal tiger. This story would be fantastic for children because they will get to enjoy reading about an animal while still learning important facts about a particular type of animal. This would be a good book to let children read on their own free time.

Perk Up Your Ears

1. Author: Vicki Cobb
2. Title: Perk Up Your Ears
3. Illustrator: Cynthia C. Lewis
4. Genre: Senses (Auditory)
5. Subgenre: Chapter Book/ Informational
6. Theme: There's more to sound than you could imagine.
7. Characters: None
8. Awards/Date: None/2001
9. Publisher: Millbrook Press
10. Summary: This story is very informative. It teaches you not only how using your hearing can be beneficial, but it also teaches you the scientific aspects of the mechanics of hearing as well, such as the structure of the ear and how each structure within it works. Overall, this book could be used to illustrate one of the five senses and even tie in the scientific aspects of hearing. The illustrations are also fantastic for the more visual learners.

Let it Shine

1. Author: Ashley Bryan
2. Title: Let It Shine
3. Illustrator: Not listed
4. Genre: Spiritual (Picture)
5. Subgenre: Poetic/Songs
6. Theme: Using spiritual songs can help uplift you.
7. Characters: None
8. Award/Date: Coretta Scott King/2007
9. Publisher: Atheneum
10. Summary: This book had a list of poetry that has actually been turned into spiritual songs. Let it Shine and Oh When the Saints... are two songs that are found in this book. This book can be useful in class if you use it wisely. Unfortunately, so many people are extremely touchy about using anything spiritual, so you may have to be careful. However, to people who are spiritual, this book can be used to uplift them.

Olivia

1. Author: Ian Falconer
2. Title: Olivia
3. Illustrator: Ian Falconer
4. Genre: Fiction (Picture)
5. Subgenre: Behavior
6. Theme: A child should be him/herself; they will still be loved even when they do things incorrectly.
7. Characters: Primary - Olivia Secondary - None
8. Award/Date: Caldecott/2000
9. Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Reader
10. Summary: This story is simply all of the things a little girl, which is a pig, does throughout her day. Sometimes she seems to get on her parents nerves a little bit, but she dresses and acts true to herself. This story can show kids that it is ok to be themselves. Dare to be different.

The Bowlegged Rooster

1. Author: Joyce Carol Thomas
2. Title: The Bowlegged Rooster
3. Illustrator: Holly Berry
4. Genre: Fiction (Animals)
5. Subgenre: Chapter Book/ Family and Friends
6. Theme: No matter how different we are, we can all still be a family.
7. Characters: Primary - Papa Rooster, Mama Hen, Baby Rooster, Crow, Buzzard; Secondary - Grandpa & Grandma Goose, Mrs. Crow, Bullfrogs, Mrs. Buzzard, The Robins
8. Award/Date: None/2000
9. Publisher: Harper Collins
10. Summary: The story begins with Papa Rooster and Mama Hen awaiting the arrival of their baby. Unlike all the other eggs, their egg is dancing and hopping around, much like the father did. The story basically revolves around them and their close-knit relationship with other types of birds, like crows, robins, buzzards, and geese. This book offers so much to children. It teaches that different families can come together as one unit. It also shows examples of the following literary devices: onomatopeia, alliteration, and allusion. Finally, the book also teaches people to accept themselves because they were made that way for a reason.

Hurty Feelings

1. Author: Helen Lester
2. Title: Hurty Feelings
3. Illustrator: Lynn Munsinger
4. Genre: Fiction (Picture)
5. Subgenre: Emotions/Behavior
6. Theme: People do not always say nice things with a negative motive.
7. Characters: Primary - Fragility Secondary - Elephant, other hippos
8. Award/Date: None/2004
9. Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company
10. Summary: Fragility is a hippo who is well known for being tough physically, but she's extremely sensitive emotionally. People say nice things, but she always takes it the wrong way. However, after she encounters an elephant trying to eat a soccer goal, she learns not act in a silly manner like the elephant, and she simply accepts any compliments. This story can teach children not to look into every little word people say. Some children can be suspicious of a person's motive for saying something nice. Children need to learn that you need to not only be considerate of others' feelings, but also to be understanding of their actions. Just simply learn to accept compliments with a smile and say thank you.

Nobody Likes Me

1. Author: Raoul Krischanitz
2. Title: Nobody Likes Me
3. Illustrator: Unknown
4. Genre: Fiction (Picture)
5. Subgenre: Friendship
6. Theme: Don't always assume the worst; things aren't always as they seem.
7. Characters: Primary - Buddy Secondary - Fox, Mouse, Sheep, Dog, Cats, Rabbits
8. Awards/Date: None/1999
9. Publisher: North-South Books
10. Summary: This story starts with Buddy, a dog, walking through trying to find a friend, but he keeps thinking no one likes him. When he starts crying, a fox convinces him to walk with him and ask them why they didn't like him. He discovers they all were simply afraid of him. In the end, they all become friends, eat cake, and play. Children are so often terrified to be rejected that the smallest thing a person may do will scare them. What they don't realize is that maybe that person was just having a bad day. This story can teach children that things are not always as they seem. Keep your head held high and simply try.

Great Balloon Race: A Geography Adventure

1. Author: Amy Axelrod
2. Title: Great Balloon Race: A Geography Adventure
3. Illustrator: Tim Bowers
4. Genre: Fiction (Picture)
5. Subgenre: Balloon Racing/Adventure
6. Theme: Taking risks can have great rewards
7. Characters: Primary = Issac, Molly, Jake (No secondary characters)
8. Award/Date: No Award/2000
9. Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
10. Summary: Jake, Issac, and Molly are news reporters that decide to go to Texas to cover a balloon racing event. When they get there, Molly surprises the boys by telling them they'll be part of the race while recording. Although scared at first, Issac managers to grab the ring and win them the race while still reporting. This book is excellent for students! First of all, it has adventure! Most kids love adventure stories. Secondly, the characters are actually dogs, and many students love animals; therefore, many of them will be more drawn to it. Finally, at the end of the book, it asks geography-related questions that will help promote learning. Although all of those things are important, I think the best thing is that this story teaches a child that everyone gets scared sometimes, but taking risks can be extremely rewarding like it was for Issac.

The House in the Night

1. Author: Susan Marie Swanson
2. Title: The House in the Night
3. Illustrator: Beth Krommes
4. Genre: Poetry/Fiction (Picture Book)
5. Subgenre: None
6. Theme: Everything happens in a cycle
7. Characters: Primary = Narrator (No Secondary)
8. Awards/Year: Caldecott Medal/2008
9. Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company
10. Summary: Honestly, I didn't care for this story. It is difficult to summarize because it seems to have little substance. I would only recommend this story for the illustrations.

All the World

1. Author: Liz Garton Scanlon
2. Title: All the World
3. Illustrator: Marla Frazee
4. Genre: Poetry (Picture)
5. Subgenre: None
6. Theme: Everyone in the world is connected by the little things in life.
7. Primary Character: Narrator ( No secondary)
8. Award/Year: Caldecott Honor/2009
9. Publisher: Beach Lane Books
10. Summary: This book actually turned out to be poetry. It talks about how all over the world, people are brought together by things like the sand, playing, and families. This book would be great to teach students that no matter how diverse our cultures may be, we all are still people with similar cares and dreams in life.

The Cat Who Got Carried Away

1. Author = Allan Ahlberg
2. Title = The Cat Who Got Carried Away
3. Illustrator = Katharine McEwen
4. Genre = Fiction Chapter Book
5. Subgenre = Family Life/Mystery
6. Theme = Everything is connected in someway.
7. Characters(Primary) = Gus, Gloria, Horace, Mr. & Mrs. Gaskitt
8. Characters(Secondary) = Mrs. Fritter, Mr. Cruncher, Gary Gaskitt, Sid and Honest Joe
9. Award/Date Published = No Award/2003
10. Publishing Company = Candlewick Press
11. Summary: This is a wonderful chapter book that tells the story of the Gaskitt Family. While Gus and Gloria are having to run at school, their cat, Horace, and many other animals are going missing. This story makes you question who is stealing the animals, why is Mrs. Gaskitt always in bed, and where did the animals go.
12. How would I use? This is a great book to teach children to sharpen their analytical skills. Throughout the book, the child is given hints to guess what is going to happen. This book could help them learn to read with a mind more keen to detail.

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