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.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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