Good Brother, Bad Brother: The Story of Edwin Booth and John Wilkes Booth- Nonfiction Biography

I was automatically attracted to this title, by James Giblin, because I recognized the name John Wilkes Booth. John and his brother Edwin were sons of the actor Junnius Booth. While Edwin spent his time fixing and working on his acting crafts, to be like his father, John was making a bad name for the Booth family. Edwin supported the north in the war, while John supported the south. The story even goes into detail of John's plans to kidnap and capture Lincoln. There are many photographs of the time as well.
I definately recommend this story for 7th and 8th grade readers learning about Lincoln. It was neat to see the relevance and real things going on in the criminals mind and life.

Voyages Through Time: The Beginning- Nonfiction Information

Voyages Through Time: The Beginning by Peter Ackroyd is a perfect book to explain the begining of earth (scientifically) to grades 7 and up. It starts with the Big Bang theory, and goes to talking about how humans got to earth. There are many scientific and technical terms used, but is easy to understand because of the layout. Though it is almost strictly scientific, the other theories of life are briefly mentioned. I feel like that is the only thing that could cause controversy with the book. There could be parents that want their children to believe in the religious way of the beginning of life, and some that strictly do believe in the scientific beginning of life.
The illustrations are amazing. I felt like I was looking at real, clean and good quality photos. The dinosaur on the cover really scared me!

Deep Song: The Dance Story of Martha Graham- Nonfiction Biography

The biography of Martha Graham, by Ernestine Stodelle, has touched me in many ways. I really look up to her as a dancer, performer, and creator of modern dance. This biography is the best thing I have read in a VERY long time. There is photography in the book of Martha, her family, her performances, and her works on stage throughout the whole book. It talks about the tasks and things she went through when she was younger and trying to figure out what she wanted to do in life. It takes the reader through her fathers death and other tragedies. It shows how she came from the bottom, and definitely rose to the top! I loved it!
I am not a nonfiction reader, and feel that it is VERY important that when assignming a nonfiction assignment, especially when a biography is involved, the student should be able to chose something that they are interested in. I definitely recommend this book for jr. high students, IF they are interested in the performing arts. I do not think anyone or everyone would love this book as much as I did.

Secrets of the Sphinx- Nonfiction Informational

Secrets of the Sphinx by James Giblin is very interesting. With illustrations by Bagram Ibatoulline, the cover caught my attention right away. The big picture on the cover of the Egyptian craftsmanship is beautiful. I also noticed that Scholastic sponsors this book. This is just a quick read book that gives secrets of the amazing creations in Egypt. It also touches on Egyptian religion. Giblin talks about what conditions the architectures face now due to all of the tourism and pollution. I did not know anything about any of the information given in the book before reading it. Giblin traces the clues and things left behind to explain the things like the pyramids. I definitely recommend this be used in any classrooms between the grades of 4 and 7.

Penny From Heaven- Historical Fiction

Penny From Heaven by Jennifer Holm is and historical fiction story about a confused daughter and the 1950 post war feeling. Penny's father died a mysterious death, and no one will fill Penny in on it. She lives with her mother, and grandparents. Her grandparents are more of a bother than they are a help. She also has a huge extended family, with a cousin that she gets along with very well. When her mom starts dating the milkman, Penny gets very bitter. She does not want to give him a chance into her family, and does not like the situation at all. But when things finally turn around, Penny finds out the answers to her questions, and a lot more. Turns out, that her fathers death reveals many secrets and bad things of the country.
This is an intense, quick read book. There is always a bit of suspense that makes the reader want to keep reading. The reader gets extremely close to Penny and her feelings about different things going on. I felt for Penny. I really wanted to know everything she wanted to know. I thought she was being selfish when it came to her mother dating, but then again, I have never been in that sort of situation. Students that are in this situation can really relate to her, and maybe this will help them cope, and/or see that they are not alone. But also, it does have a lot of history in and out throughout the whole story. It is a little bit opinion provoke, though, I feel. But if it is used in the classroom, I think it would be best in grades 5-8.

The Lotus Seed- Historical Fiction

The Lotus Seed by Sherry Garlad and illustrated by Tatsuro Kiuchi is about a Vietnamese family. A young Vietnamese girl takes a lotus seed from the emperor of her homeland before she is forced to leave. She saves that during her journey to America. She is pleased when she is greated by the bright lights of America. Her husband is forced to leave and be in the army. During this time, she plants the lotus seed. When she grows old and has grandchildren, they see the lotus plant, and she explains the story of the seed and her emperor. She gives a seed to each grandchild, and they keep it and plant it to remember the story of their grandmother.
This was a fictitious way to explain the bombing of Vietnam. We see it from a young girls point of view. The importance of this seed, and eventually a plant is extremely important to her, and it reminds her of where and what she came from.
The illustrations in this book were huge, and colorful. They were amazing and extremely descriptive. I got an extremely good and realistic look at the Vietnamese culture with just reading this book, than I ever have before.

Junie B. First Grader At Last!- Realistic Fiction

We all know Barbara Parks character, Junie B. Jones, as a funny, outspoken Kindergartener. A new series was started for her first grade year. This book shows Junie B.'s fears of going to first grade, and how she adjusts. Not only does she have to find a new seat on the bus, a new best friend, and a new seat in the classroom, she comes across something else that is a life changing event. Junie B. is told she needs to get glasses. Glasses? For Junie B.?! That doesn't fit her style. But her new best friend helps her through it, and helps her realize that they are cool, and will help her a lot!
I think it is extremely important to use this book, especially in the beginning of the first grade classroom. There are many activities that can be incorporated with this book. Junie B. has a first grade journal. The students will see how nice and important it is to have a journal. She gets to get all of her frustrations and fears out on that paper. They also see how she doesn't always spell everything right, but thats okay in a personal journal. The most important and nice thing about this book, is that most of the students are familiar with her, and they see that they are not the only ones making new friends and having fears in a new classroom. The pictures are like any other Junie B. Jones books. They are not on every page, and the color is only on the cover. They are kind of just pencil drawings, but always detailed and to the point. Junie B. is also looking a little older as a first grader! I recommend this book for 1st and 2nd grade.

The Adventures of Captain Underpants- Modern Fantasy

The Adventures of Captain Underpants is the first of the Captain Underpants series written by Dav Pilkey. George and Harold basically hypmotize their mean principal to believe he is Captain Underpants. They go on missions to catch robbers, and fling underwear of Dr. Diaper. This hole book is crazy, silly, and just entertaining. Some may feel like Captain Underpants is too silly to be used as children's literature in a classroom, and I agree. It should not be used as a book to be read throughout the whole class, or assigned reading, but should not be banned from the children. They should have to choice to read it. It is a good piece of Modern Fantasy, because we all know that a real Captain Underpants is a little ridiculous.
There are many different characters in this book that could be discussed in a small group circle or something. But I feel, again, that this should be used as a choice reading, and not assigned, anywhere from grades 3-5.

The Jay and the Peacock- Traditional Literature

The Jay and the Peacock, and Aesop Fable, is about a Jay who thinks he can fool Peacocks. He noticed one day that feathers often fall off of peacocks. He took those feathers and wrapped them around his own tail. This way, he was able to hang out with the peacocks. However, the peacocks soon discovered what was going on, and pecked at him until he left. When he returned to the other Jays, they had seen him doing this from a distance and told him, "It is not only fine feathers that make fine birds."
I think the message in this fable is important to show just because one may dress up or try to act like someone or something does not automatically mean they will be associated and the same as them. However, I'm not quite sure why the Jay choose peacocks. I think this message could be portrayed in a different way.

The Cat in the Hat- General Storybook

The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss is a classic. This crazy cat comes into a young boy and girls room on a rainy day, and lets them have fun. The cat is kind of mischievous and makes a mess in the room! He brought Thing One and Thing Two with him to help him perform tricks and things to keep the children entertained and allowing them to have fun! He feels guilty about the mess, however, and cleans up and disappears right before the mother returns.
I feel like deep down we all want a cat in the hat to visit us sometimes. It is a fun, light hearted story that gives us hope for a rainy day. It brings out the child in everyone when reading this book, whether it gives us some imagination back, or reminds us of our childhood reading this book, or sitting in our rooms super bored. The illustrations are amazing, and a little crazy. I do not thing the cat in the hat would mean the same, or have the same affect if he didn't look exactly as he does! Even Things One and Two are the perfect looking characters for the part. I love how there is a lot of random color and just simple drawings.

So You Want to Be President- Lit Based Lesson Plan

So You Want to Be President by Judith St. George is an amazing informational picture book about the presidents jobs. Its big and descriptive illustrations are eye catching enough to want to learn about the presidents. It goes through and explains jobs and advantages of being the president in a fun, and sort of cool way. It also talks about the different variety of presidents.
I learned a lot of different things about presidents thanks to this book. It was interesting and easy to pay attention. I would recommend this book anywhere from 1-5 grade. There are many activities for all ages that could be done with this book.

Heather Has Two Mommies- Banned Book

Heather Has Two Mommies by Leslea Newman has been challenged on many different accounts. The book starts out by explaining there are two friends, Jane and Kate, and they suddenly find out they are in love with each other. They then want to have a baby, and have to figure out which woman would hold the baby. After they decided, they had a baby girl named Heather. Heather doesn't realize her family life is different until she goes to a pre-school like setting, and all of the children have to talk about their families. They discuss their fathers jobs, and being very upset, Heather realizes and announces, "I don't have a daddy." Then, she realizes she is not alone, and some kids have two daddies, some two daddies and one mommy, some a mom and a sister, and so on.
The book was banned mostly due to the fact that people did not want the "homosexual" lifestyle to be put onto their children. The book was meant to show that there are many different kinds of families. That is fine, except for the part that talks about wombs, sperm, and egg. That part was challenged the most, and ended up being taken out of the book. I feel with this part out of the book, that it is fine to use in the classroom to show different types of families. But with it, I would not recommend it at all.

Cam Jansen and the School Play Mystery- Realistic Fiction

Cam Jansen by David A. Adler and illustrated by Susanna Natti is a series of stories that could all be seen as realistic fiction. She is just an elementary student, and her and her friend like to solve mysteries and are little detectives. The mystery that goes on starts with a school play about honest Abe. Ironically, someone steals money. Someone steals money during a play about Honest Abe. Cam wants to figure out who did it because she was in charge of keeping the money safe. The twist to the story, is Cam is nicknamed Cam because of her picture like "click" memory. Can she use her memory to figure out who stole the money?
I really liked this story because I feel like it is an easy one to incorporate into many classrooms. It can be used while teaching about Abe Lincoln, or telling the truth. It can also be turned into a mystery game. I think it would be a fun and interactive book to use in grades 1-3.

The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig- Traditional Literature

The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig by Eugene Trivizas is the biggest twist on the Three Little Pigs I have read about. It was the same story as the three little pigs, but with the pigs as wolves, and the wolf as a big. I found myself having to re read the pages, because I am so used to saying the three little pigs were building the houses, and the wolf came to bother them. It is funny to me how hard it is and how engraved the story of the three little bigs is engraved in our heads. It is so engraved, that I can't even just read a story straight through without getting a little confused! I really liked the pictures because they were humorous and descriptive. The color was kind of light, and I usually like bright and vibrant colors in stories, but I liked these because they seemed light hearted and fun. I think any age, as long as they know the story of the three little pigs, will enjoy and appreciate this story.

The Sports and Pastimes of American Boys- Nonfiction Informational

The Sports and Pastimes of American Boys by Henry Chadwick is just a big childrens book full of pastimes for boys. There are things like tug of war, thumb wars, and hundreds of other little explanations of things boys do. There are more things that I have never heard of, tan things that I have. There are even paragraph explanations of walking, running, and jogging. There are pictures of different field layouts and game layouts. There are also pictures of what looks like old styled children playing things.
This book is very cool, and even though it is kind of 'old' styled, I was interested, and I think children for years would still love to look at it and find new games that they have never heard of. They are divided and seperated into things like "athletic games'' "board games" and things like that, and I just wish that there were a table of contexts or something that separates those things for the reader. It was hard to find a certain thing, and I had to go through the whole book to find them. That would be the only thing I would want to change about this book.

Higglety Pigglety Pop!: Or There Must Be More To Life- Illustration Study

Higglety Pigglety Pop!: Or There Must Be More To Life was written and illustrated by Maurice Sednak. I love how he writes and illustrates all of his books. These illustrations, however, are a little different in my point of view than the other ones I have seen. The illustrations are older and dustier, and just seem more boring than the rest of his books I have seen. I feel like the rest of his books are in color, and this one is the black and white television show. However, my favorite part of his illustrations is how, especially in the covers it is important, that there is the main picture the reader is supposed to notice, but still a detailed background. The background isn't just there, and can be looked at as long and as much as the main picture. I love that about his illustrations. This book can be used in the primary classrooms, I feel.

The Night Kitchen- Illustration Study

The Night Kitchen written and illustrated by Maurice Sednak is another book illustrated in his crazy point of view. Just in the cover, we see the main character flying above the city, but we can still completely notice the background, which is of the same importance as the main thing. I can easily see the shops he is flying above and all of the different buildings. The sort of thing int he cover follows along in the rest of the book. We see the boy, and everything in the background is what we really should be looking at. It is important as well. It is very crazy though, too. I'm not sure about all of the pictures of the little boy's bare bottom. I was teaching a bone lesson one day, and the students giggled and said "EW!" when i turned the skeleton around to show the backbone. There wasn't even a 'butt' exposed then, and I feel like if this book was used in the classroom, the students would quit listening to the story, even if you explained why he was bare and naked. They would just be focusing on the fact that there is the back and side of a naked young boy being read to them. I think I would even hear some giggles in the college classroom.

Where the Wild Things Are- Illustrator Study

Where the Wild Things Are was written and illustrated by Maurice Sendak. I feel like this is the story that made him such an amazing and famous illustrator. The pictures, to me, and kind of dusty and dark looking, but that does not make them unclear. His imagination comes straight out onto the paper. They are extremely detailed, and easy to read. I can tell that the Wild Things are supposed to be a bigger size than a normal human. I also like how even on the cover, we can see the Wild Thing is big in perspective to trees and things, and how I can clearly see the man in the boat behind him. The background and not main part of the picture is even easy to read. The emotions of the Wild Things are clear as well. I definitely recommend this book for any age (as long as the young ones know the Wild Things are NOT real).

A Long Way From Chicago

I felt a real connection with A Long Way From Chicago by Richard Peck. Joey and his sister go visit their Grandma. They live in Chicago, and she lives in, well, not Chicago. She lives in a small town in Illinois. In fact, I feel like it was my hometown!
I liked how the story took place over many different summers, and we got to see Joey and Mary Alice grow and grow. I feel like they respected their Grandma more as they got older, and really started to understand how see what a great person she was, not only to her grandchildren. She always tried to help people out, which was extremely hard in a country town during the Great Depression. The Grandma really teaches the two all about life. She is around for many stepping stones, including true love. Then Joey ends up going into the Armed Forces, and I feel like it is because of everything Grandma taught him. And when she waves to him on the train when he goes through her town, I just smiled and teared up to myself.
This book can teach children from grades 3-7 about many different and important things. Obviously, the Great Depression can be seen from a families point of view with this story. Also, everything that Grandma taught them can be taught to the children reading this story, or can at least get a different point of view of these important factors.

The Watsons Go to Birmingham

The Watsons Go to Birmingham by Christopher Paul Curtis was an easy way to get into the head of an African American family during the 60s. This family was an innocent, nice family, that had normal family problems, but had to deal with other ones, too. The two oldest children fight over silly things. like most siblings. The older brother's friend likes to get involved too. I loved that it was told from Kenny's point of view, because it was even easier to see how they felt. The little funny family fights were a great way to introduce the book, and made the reader automatically see what the Watsons were like. But then again, they were an African American family in the 60s, and not all things were fun and games. Curtis did an amazing job of illustrating the bombing of the church for us. I feel like anyone that reads this story sees them all and all the situations almost similar in all of our heads. I really felt for the Watsons, and teared up many times.
As much as I do not like to preach, and just want to teach, I feel like using the Watson's in your classroom from ages 5th-8th grade will get students to realize how hard it was for them, and understand how, just STUPID racism is, and even giving harsh judgements and teasing to any type of people. I recommend this book 100%.

The Lost Princess of Oz- Modern Fantasy

The Lost of Princess Oz by L. Frank Baum got me deeper into the Wizard of Oz. The Wizard of Oz has ALWAYS been my favorite, and this story made me feel like I knew some secrets of Oz. In this book, Dorothy is known as the Princess of Oz. When she awakes one morning to go see her friends of Oz, she realizes a lot of things are different, and wrong. Ozma is not in her bed to start off. Then we get a glimpse of Glinda’s real world. The reader finds out Glinda lives in a palace in Quadaling Country. When she awakes in her Country, she realizes her magic books are all gone! Her and Dorothy both contact the Wizard, and they put a search out for the missing Ozma and the missing magic. There was also a theft in Winkie Country. Dorothy and the Wizard must solve this crime.
This book is full of fun fantasy. They must jump over mary go rounds, use giants as their slaves, and they also meet up with Scarecrow and Tinman! I feel like I know deep secrets and things of Oz that I have always wanted to know! I found it interesting too, that when I was looking for fantasy, there were many different play offs of the Wizard of Oz. It is such a great story, and such a great story to build off of. I would recommend this story for students to read on their own after about fourth grade, if these things interests them. I liked it, probably only because I love the Wizard of Oz. If I didn’t, I feel like I would lose interest very quickly. The illustrations aren’t full of color like Oz, which makes me disappointed, because I think Oz, and I think color! They are just detailed small illustrations of like faces and things, and just look like sketches.

The Adventures of the Fox- Traditional Literature

The Adventures of the Fox, by Marcos Yauri Montero, is a traditional literature children’s book, that is all in Spanish. When I first choose it, I thought maybe there would be English translations, but there wasn’t. That made me like it even more. I felt like I was really reading a traditional literature piece from the Spanish culture. I understand most Spanish, but for some things that I didn’t get were easily understood because the pictures were amazing, and DEFINITELY descriptive.
The Adventures of the Fox was made up of seven different stories. There were two adventures of the fox with a rat, an adventure of the fox with a rooster, a bear, a falcon, a condor, and a singing rabbit. It usually started off with the fox intimidating and trying to trick whatever animal the adventure was about, and it always got turned around. I’m assuming there is a joke and well known thing with foxes in the Spanish culture. I found it very interesting. The pictures are colorful, detailed, and extremely descriptive.

The Battle of the Monkey and the Crab- Traditional Literature

The Battle of the Monkey and the Crab is a Japanese Fairy Tale. At first the Monkey and the Crab are friends and try to help each other plant a seed. Something goes wrong, and they end up going to war with each other! That’s right, they got all of their monkey friends together, and crab friends together, and go to war with each other. Then a big rice thing tries to make peace, and brings a bee along with it. Then the bee gets mad, and adds to the war.
My history facts are terrible. They are so terrible, that its kind of embarrassing. However, I can obviously tell that this book is representing a war. However, it was hard for me to understand, especially with all of the Japanese objects ’helping’ out too. Even in the beginning, the Crab and Monkey are trying to do things with this seed, and I really did not understand. I think if I became more educated about the Japanese culture, it would be easier for me to teach this book. It was hard for me to follow. However, I really liked getting to read a Japanese fairy tale. The pictures weren’t amazing, they were a little different. But they could be like that, because that’s what Japanese pictures look like. They were kind of detailed but not much color. Again, I would recommend to teach this book in any classroom for traditional literature, if you were a little more educated than me on Japanese culture.

The Cinderella Series: Dick Whittington- Traditional Literature

Dick Whittington is apart of the Cinderella by the Fredrick Warne Company. Dick was a poor boy who moved to London to change his life. He was put with a family that was not nice to him, and made him miserable. One day, Dick found a cat. He felt sorry for the hungry little kitten, he took it upon himself to find and catch food for her. Dick ends up being able to eat with the King and Queen, and when rats come and invade the dinner, the cat saves the day!
This story was a little strange, but I really like how it was set up. There was one page with most of the beginning and set up with the story. Then followed a few pages with huge pictures on it. I was confused because the begning of the story just talked about Dick and finding the kitten. However, the pictures went on to show him catching food, the king and queen, and the cat chasing away and eating all of the rats. Then the last few pages finish the story. It was and “ohhhh” moment for me, because I understood the pictures then. I really liked that I got a kind of prediction before I read the rest of the story. And the pictures were amazing. They were kind of old styled, but very detailed. I felt like I was in that time period! This book could be in classroom when teaching about traditional literature.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar- Interactive Book

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle is a book that almost anyone my age can remember from their childhood. The hungry caterpillar eats one fruit on Monday, two fruits on Tuesday, three fruits on Wednesday, and so on. He then eats a ton of junk food Saturday, turns into a cocoon, and then gets created into a butterfly. The wooden pages are very cool to work with, especially with the fruits. The reader can flip the fruits over, and all of the food have holes in them, like the caterpillar ate through them.
The illustrations are VERY colorful and eye catching. They are big and clear. The illustrations make the book, I feel. This book can be used anywhere from PreK through 1st grade.

Iggie's House- Author Study

Iggie's House by Judy Blume was the first Blume book I had ever read as a child. I remember not being disappointed then, and can relate to the same feeling now.
Winnie is upset because is best friend, Iggie, lived next door, and him and his family moved. When she found out the next family moving in had three children, she was so excited, and excited to greet them! She was about the only one, however. It was the first African American family to move into the neighborhood. Winnie does not understand why her neighbors are being so negative and rude about the new arrival. In fact, a woman in her neighborhood does everything in her power to make sure the African American neighbors do not feel welcome. She wants them to leave.
This story will introduce children to racism, if they haven't been already. This story is taking place shortly after the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr., and is an easy way to visualize a normal day in a racist neighborhood. I remember reading this when I was young, and just getting so upset at how normal people were being treated.
After re-reading all of the books I chose to do in my Author Study, I realized how much of an honest voice Judy Blume has. It is honest, straight to the point, but still very engaging. She can relate any topic and issue to the minds of an adolscnet, therefore, is easier for them to read and connect to. I recommend all of the books I mentioned for 5th grade through jr. high.

Are You There God? It's Me Margaret- Author Study

Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume was yet another book recommended to me by my mother. And I guess she has some good taste.
When reading it again I feel like Judy Blume just kept this diary in her jr high years, and just later published. She related to this age so well. All of the problems that a young female teen goes through, or thinks about, are addressed in this book. Not only is she a sixth grader, she is a sixth grader that just moved to the suburbs, and has to go to a new school. Margaret is so happy because she finds a best friend right away, who fills her in on everything. They have some rules, though. One of them includes wearing a bra. Margaret ends up not only wanting her first bra, her first kiss, and to start and understand this whole period thing, she wants to figure out her religion. Her dad is Jewish and mother Christian. She does have normal conversations with God, however. She asks him things like if she will dance with the boy she thinks is cute at the dance.
This book will hit home with any teen girl. Maybe in your jr. high classroom, you could have different "suggested" sections, like suggested books for boys, and suggested books for girls. I don't think it can be read as a class, because boys may not totally understand! But, it should be recommended.

Blubber- Author Study

My mom really got me into Judy Blume when I was a kid. I remembered her telling me that Blubber was one of her favorites, and I read it. I remembered reading it, and really liking it, so why not go back to one of my favorite authors as a child for my author study.
When I re-read Blubber, I had forgotten a lot, and defiantley seen it in a different point of view now that I am a lot older. It is about bullying, and though I always knew bullying is TERRIBLE, i saw different things as terrible, like how the adults were reacting to it.
The main bully of the group narrates the book. That gives it a totally different perspective. They made Linda say, "I am Blubber, the smelly whale of class 206" before she did anything. Before she entered the class, got a drink, and even got on the bus. The bully says she feels she could make her do anything, and wanted to see how far they could push her.
Not only is there bullying going on in this book, parents made comments like, "Someday, you all will laugh about this." WHAT?! Did they really think that would help?
While being told by the bully, this book makes you hate her and her group, and feel for Linda. Tears were brought to my eyes a couple times, especially when I found out the teacher knows about what is going on the whole time. What also bothers me, is that the bullies never really get punished. But, is that not a real situation? 9 times out of 10 the bullies do get away with things.
While begin written in the 1970s, this book still holds true today. Read it with your 5th graders!

Junie B. Jones and Some Sneaky Peeky Spying- Series Study

Do you have sneaky feet? Does your nose not whistle when you breathe? Can you be real quiet? Then you could definitely be a sneaky peeky spy! But be careful, because it gets Junie B. into trouble!
Junie B. finds out that she can be so quiet and sneaky, and feels that she makes an amazing spy. But then she wants to find out information about her teacher, Mrs. After spying on her, she thinks that she saw her committ a crime! What does she do? She can't tell, because then everyone would know she was spying. But when she told her best friend her secret, she told Junie that keeping such a secret will make her head explode. She can't let that happen!
Junie B. is a great way to keep humor in the classroom, while always teaching an underlying message. Whether it be not spying, not lying, and especially leaving your teacher's private life a lone, there are many lessons to be learned when Junie B. is spying. This book is great anywhere in the grades K-3.

Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus- Series Study

Like many first rides on the bus, Junie B. does not like the environment. Her window will not go down, and it makes it hotter and hotter. There are too many kids yelling, and that makes Mr. Woo the bus driver yell. Not only is it loud, hott, and smelly, someone gets a footprint on Junie B.'s velvet skirt! How dare they!
She is already still a little uncomfortable with her new Kindergarten environment, and riding the bus just does not help the situation at all! Junie B. Jones is an amazing series to introduce to your primary classes. She uses childish vocabulary, like the word "meanies", that we know is not correct, but can still definitely relate to. Though there are 80 pages, it is a very quick read, especially when being read aloud to the class. A couple chapters a day will keep the students waiting for story time. I would recommend using this book at the beginning of the year, even if it isn't kindergarten. Every year we always get some of those scary, nervous feelings about going back to school, and getting back on the bus!

Junie B. Jones is a Party Animal- Series Study

Junie B. Jones is the perfect choice for a series study. In JBJ is a party animal, Junie B. gets a little jealous of her best friend, Lucielle's, Grandma. Her Grandma has a really nice car, a really nice house, and Junie B. makes it possible and schedules a sleepover over at the house. She finds out quick that 'the grass isn't always greener on the other side.' In fact, in some of her boredom, she makes a mess of things, and even breaks things. She gets so excited and happy to go back to her own nanna's house, so she can drink out of plastic cups and not worry about breaking things.
The black and white illustrations are perfect for the Junie B. books. They are not on every page, and the reading is about at a 2nd grade level. So there is just enough illustrations to keep us into the stories, and help us get our pictures in mind of the story. Kindergarten's should be read the book, and it can still be read up until 3rd grade.

The Skin I'm In- Multicultural

The Skin I'm In by Sharon G. Flake is the book I choose for my older Multicultural selection. This story is about a young, African American girl name Maleeka. Maleeka felt everyone just saw her as a "skinny, poor, black" young woman. When Caleb finds something else in her, it gave her hope and something to want to go to school for. He would write her notes and letters, and even walk her to class. But once this younger boy started to make fun of her, she loses that. He first starts by telling her she is too black, when he is African American himself. He then finds out the her mom does not know about Caleb, and he takes it upon himself to tell her mom. This results in her losing her relationship. She felt like that is all she had, and now looks for something else. That something else she finds is a gang. She feels the gang gives her self protection and comfort. And then the gang sees how far they can push her.
This book just makes the reader for so sorry for the girl, and I just wanted to shout to her NOT to do some things. It goes on for awhile getting from bad, to worse. And it is so scary to think that these sort of things really do happen, especially knowing that they start from ignorant children just being rude and mean. I recommend this book definately at the junior high level, because of all of the drama that goes on at that age, and I feel like it was get them all back down to earth, and see the result of some of the things they do.

Twenty-One Balloons- Newberry Winner

The Twenty-One Balloons by Wiiliam Pene du Bois won the Newberry Award in 1948. This was a nice book to get the reader to escape and enter a new world. Sherman is a retired school teacher, who was last seen in San Fransisco before his trip around the world. It turned out that he escaped in a giant balloon. He went over the Pacific Ocean, and ended up on an island and came upon a diamond mine. In this mine, twenty families were there living off of the number twenty. Each family was given a letter of the first twenty in the alphabet, and created a restaurant off of it. Each of their months were twenty days as well.
This book enters a huge fantasy land. There are, of course, problems on the island that the reader comes across. Some people love the wealth and secret found, and some are worried. When looking at the cover of the book, I would have never thought of the fantasy that would be a result of me reading it. The main illustrations seemed older and kind of tattered, therefore, the contents were a huge surprise to me. I really enjoyed it, and recommend it for anyone 4th-7th grade.

Old Bird- Historical Fiction

Old Bird by Irene Morck is based on a true story. Bird is a mare that the father in the story bought. The children use him to ride back and forth to school. Can you imagine that! However, this horse go far beyond a ride to school. She is seen as too old to work on the farm, and she understands that. Not only does she understand she is being told she can not work on the farm because of age, she does not like that idea. Some how she gets her feelings out to the boys, and when Papa tries selling her, they persuade him to let her work.
This is a nice story of a friendship between an animal and humans. I also feel like the animal is real in this story, and she brings the two brothers together. I do not understand, however, how it is completely based off of a true story, or what exact are. parts It could just be how work is done on the farm. If so, that is fine, because it is good for the intended audiences of 2-4 grade to understand that is how things were. I believe they will be amazed, as I was, to find they would ride horses to and from places.

The Patchwork Quilt- Corretta Scott King Illustrator 1986

The Patchwork Quilt by Valerie Flournoy was the Coretta Scott King Illustrator winner in 1986. This is a story with many different things to be discussed. I first loved it because the Grandma makes a quilt using old tshirts and Halloween costumes. My aunt made me a quilt of my high school t shirts and I love it!
While being based on an African American family, any culture can relate to this story. It is all about family and there is the issue of a death in the family. The family deals with this death in a healthy, and sort of positive way. The illustrations are great, as well. They are detailed and interested. I feel this book could be used starting in 2nd grade.

Her Stories- Corretta Scott King Author 1996

Her Stories, by Virginia Hamilton, was the Coretta Scott King author winner of 1996. Her Stories is known as a celebrations of African Americans strength and dreams. There are African American folktales and fairy tales. There are many different characters presented in this book. Cat Woman and a New Orleans vampire, for example.
Though it was hard to follow, and completely understand, I loved this collection. I feel a little more educated of other cultures fears and hopes, while tying them into my own. There are some serious tales in here, but a lot of funny and light hearted. I tried to relate to many things in this book. Not only can I do this through the words and stories of the book, but the illustrations have many other ways of telling stories and showing how others live. In just the cover we can see an African American girl working outside with a huge hat on to cover the sun. That is just one of many amazing illustrations.

The Desert is My Mother/ El Desierto es Mi Madre- Multicultural

This book used easy and primary words. The left page was in English, and the right page was repeated in Spanish. It was just about a young girl, and her relations to nature. It talked about many things in nature, and how they made her feel. I am really into Spanish as well as multi-lingual classrooms. If I wasn't, however, I do not think I would have enjoyed this book. It was kind of bland and boring to me. I do not usually relate things to nature, so I felt like things were being repeated over and over. But, like I stated before, I love having Spanish translations in books.

Dear Mr. Henshaw- Newbery Winner

Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary first entered my life when I was in fourth grade. I did not have any idea what it was about when I first read it. In fact, I just recognized the author and picked it up to get some Accelerated Reader points. However, I ended up loving the book.
The best thing about the book, is that we are basically reading this young boys journal/letters. We can see exactly how he feels, and most students enjoy reading things like that. There is also a tragedy talked about in this book, that a lot of children have to go through. Luckily for me, I have never had to experience a divorce, however, it has always been my biggest fear. Before I went to bed every night when I was younger, I would ask my parents if they were going to get a divorce, just to make sure they weren't. They never gave me a reason to believe that they would, but I never wanted to have to think about it. So seeing this young boy have to go through this trauma, really made me feel bad for him.
I feel like many, MANY students will enjoy and be able to relate to this book. I think it will give students hope and realize that they are not alone. Maybe even let them write their own letters in class someday, so they can get out their own feelings about something bothering them.

A Pocketful of Poems- Poem Anthology

A Pocketful of Poems is a childrens picture book full of poems written by Nikki Grimes. There are many different kinds of poems in this book. Also, each poem is about a different, sometimes random topic. Each word or topic title has a free verse poem and haiku poem to accompany it. Each subject is something we can all relate to, like just a household object.
The poetry is good in this book, however, it is the illustrations that made me want to turn the page. The illustrations are absolutely AMAZING. Javaka Steptoe has a different way of looking at things. It seems like all of the pictures are just many different shapes put together. The colors are very bold. I would recommend showing the pictures if not the poems.

Every Season- One Poem Picture Book

Every Season is a single poem picture book that is about all four seasons. Each Season has its own little story and pictures, so it is hard to tell if it is a single poem book or not. However, when it is about to change seasons, it says "And then comes......" and leaving the "..." before you turn the page is what makes me think it is one, long, single poem.
I enjoyed this single poem book. There really is not explanation needed. It is just a poem book that has poems about each season that all connect to each other. I feel like it could be used in any Elementary classroom. It could be used in the primary grades for the seasonal references, and then in the later grades to pick apart the poem characteristics.

Oh No! Where are My Pants? And Other Disaster Poems- Poem Collection

This poetry anthology will get anyone into poetry! It is full of humor and little disasters that a lot of children can relate to. For example, the first poem I was read to out of this book was about a little boy who was eating an apple. In the middle of the apple, he sees a work without a head. The audience puts two and two together, and we think the poor young boy ate the worm! Each mini disaster involves young children. One boy gets asked by a girl he has a crush on, to dance. He is dancing and explaining how everything is perfect, and then he looks down and sees he is not wearing pants! Even though it is not the funniest poem in the whole book, it is the most clever to use as the title. It grabbed my attention right away!
I would recommend this book for ANY classroom. Younger students can read it and high school students may find a love for poetry they never had. This definitely opened my eyes to poetry, and I am a Sophomore in high school. The pictures are big and colorful, and perfect for a read a loud.

Shrek- Book To Movie

"Shrek is a book?'' I found out "Shrek" bye Wilian Steig just at the public library. Not only was I surprised, but so were my fellow classmates. We had no idea that "Shrek" was a picture book. Though getting the main point across, the book is different than the movie. The movie added a lot more details. In the book, Shrek is more scary, and is kind of proud of how he makes other creatures cringe, and flowers die. In the movie, he seems more nice when we get to know him. Also in the book, Shrek meets a witch that tells him he will meet a talking donkey and a very ugly princess. In the movie, he accidentally meets the donkey, and has a purpose for meeting the princess. We also do not know that she is ugly, because she does not change until every night. The only reason I really liked this book, is because I was surprised to find it, and I tried relating it to the movie, which was much better.