Rules

Rules by Cynthia Lord is a Newberry Honor book. Catherine, a 12 year old girl, who has a younger brother named David who is autistic. Not only does she have to deal with a younger brother, who are usually embarrassing, but his disability seems to make things worst for her. she feels like she always comes in second with her parents because David requires so much attention. She create a set of "rules" that she wants David to follow to make this easier for her. What is unique about this book that each chapter is titled by a rule that Catherine sets for David. Catherine hopes to make friends with a new girl next door, but is worried that David will ruin that. With the help of another friend, Jason, who is a paraplegic and doesn't talk, Catherine begins to realize that there is much more to her brother than she thought. It's a heartwarming book, told from the side of Catherine. The love she has for her brother is sincere, but troubling at times. A good read, especially for anyone who has a family member with a disability. Patience plays a big role in this type of situation.

Lord, Cynthia (2006). Rules. New York: Scholastic.

Hoot

Hoot is about a boy named Roy Eberhardt, who along with two other friends, want to protect the miniature owls that live at the site where a popular restaurant wants to set up shop. Roy is sort of an outcast. He doesn't have many friends and is the new kid in town. This story takes place in Coconut Grove, Florida. He soon has a bully pushing him around, Dana Matherson, but because of an encounter on a bus with Dana, that is how the story begins to unfold. Roy, along with Beatrice and her step brother Mullet, soon realize that they have to save the miniature owls , which are endangered, that are living in the construction area of the future pancake house. The three of them do their best to reveal that the construction company does know that owls are burrowing on the construction site. In the end, the dishonesty of the construction company is exposed. Mullet is sent to a detention center, but runs away and Roy does not know where he is. This is an excellent book to read in a 4th or 5th grade class. You can use it to integrate science into your lessons.



Hiaasen, Carl (2002). Hoot. New York: Knopf Books.

When You Reach Me

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was a page turner. When You Reach Me,written by Rebecca Stead, has very realistic characters. Miranda and Sal are good friends and when Miranda receives mysterious letters, things start to happen. Sal and Miranda grow apart for a while, but in the end the mysterious man, who they think is crazy saves a life and all changes. This is a great read for a middle school student, although I have had 5th graders check it out from my school library.

Stead, Rebecca (2009). When You Reach Me. New York: Wendy Lamb Books.

Twilight

I am not a "series" reader, but when the insanity of The Twilight series came out I jumped on the bandwagon. Shame on me! I also don't like stories about vampires, but I feel in LOVE with Edward. I am an Edward fan. Shame on me again! The story started a little slow for me and it took me awhile to like it, but by the middle of the book I loved it. It's obvious that it's Edward who will win Bellas's heart in the end, but Jacob is needed to stir up some interesting trouble. I have yet to read the fourth book, but from the first three that I have read, Twilight is my favorite. The book had plenty of action that was easy to visualize because the Meyers did an amazing job of describing it. The chemistry she created between Bella and Edward was sizzling. I love how Edwards family just loves Bella, well almost everyone, and how secure she feels around Edward.

Dork Diaries: Tales from a NOT-SO-Popular Party Girl

I was first introduced to this cartoonish book at ALA. I was able to get a couple of copies "free" from the publishing company. Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Popular Party Girl by Rachel Renee Russell is similar to Diary of a Wimpy Kid, but from a girl's point of view. My students are on a waiting list to check out this book from my classroom library. Even the boys want to read it! it's a diary by 14 year old Nikki J. Maxwell who, because of her father's job (bug exterminator), has been awarded a scholarship to a fancy private middle school. Just like many teenagers, she keeps a diary where she vents about her parent, friends, not-so friends and her crush. Her diary includes illustrations of black and white sketches, which are funny and imaginative. Although a lot of the journal is about Nikki complains about her mean friends and embarrassing parents, I felt she was not-so perfect herself. She is a little mean and a bit of an instigator, but in the end it seems she gets her wish by maybe being Brandon's crush too. Over all it is a funny book and and an easy read.

Russell, Rachel Renee (2010). Dork Diaries: Tales from a NOT-SO-Popular Party Girl. New York: Simon and Schuster.

It's a Book

It's a Book is currently on the New York Times best seller book list. I am lucky enough to have a signed copy of the book that I got at ALA this past summer in Washington, D.C. Lane Smith uses the characters of a monkey, donkey and mouse to capture a cute scenario of a techno savvy donkey asking a book loving monkey what is he holding - which the donkey is holding a book. The donkey asks a series of questions, like ""Can it text?", Tweet?, Wi-Fi?". In the end the answer is, "It's a book, jackass." I read this book as a focus to my 5th grade reading class. Instead of saying "jackass", I used the word "donkey". My students liked the book because they related to how technology is taking over reading. The majority of my students, when polled, said they turn on a DSi or computer before opening their book to read. Below is a scanned pucture of my signed book.

Smith, Jane (2010). It's a Book. New York: Roaring Brook Press.

Owen

From the author of Chester's Way, Kevin Henkes tells a cute story about a mouse named Owen who doesn't go anywhere or do anything without his yellow, fuzzy, baby blanket. His blanket even has a name - Fuzzy. A noisy neighbor, Mrs. Tweezers, gives Owen's parents advise about how to ween Owen from his blanket before kindergarten starts, but to no avail nothing works. His mother soon has an idea to sew handkerchiefs out of Owen's blanket so he can still have a little piece of comfort with him. Many children go through this type of separation with a blanket or toy. My daughter, who is now 14, still has a baby blanket that she had as an infant. I can no longer wash it because it will disappear if I do. She refuses to part with it and as of now still is on her bed. This was a book that I shared with her and we both laughed. Henkes illustrations are bright and beautifully done. The use of the bright watercolor illustrations bring the story to life.
It is a perfect book to read to kindergartners on their first day of school. Owen is a Caldecott Honor book.


Henkes, Kevin (1993). Owen. New York: Greenwillow Books.

Everything on a Waffle

Everything on a Waffle is just that - you eat everything on a waffle! This story is based in a Canadian town where Primrose Squarp loves a little restaurant called The Girl on the Red Swing. At this restaurant anything you order you eat on a waffle, but you can also order waffles. The owner, Kate Bowzer, decides to teach her to cook. Things don't always go with out a hitch, but Ms. Bowzer doesn't mind. I like that about her. The plot in the story is that Primrose parents are missing at sea and she is hopeful that her parents are alive. She is being raised by her Uncle Jack, but he does not have time to pay attention to her. This makes Primrose feel left out. She has a babysitter, Miss Perfidy, who doesn't like children. Primrose feels no one understands her, not at home or at school. Sometimes she goes over to the dock hoping her parents will arrive one day. It has humor and shows the side of a little girl who doesn't want to lose hope. This book is a Newberry Honor Book.

Horvath, Polly (2001. Everything on a Waffle. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

Claudette Colvin: Twice Towards Justice

Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice written by Phillips Hoose has won numerous awards. It is a Newberry Honor Book, a Robert F. Sibert Honor Book, and won a National Book Award. It was also a finalist in the Excellence in Young Adult Nonfiction through YALSA at ALA. Awards well deserved. This chapter book gives insite to the fight a 15 year old girl had when she refused to give up her seat to a white person on a bus. Although she was arrested for it, she received little publicity for it becaus the community felt that no one would listen to her side of the story because she was a little girl. That same year Rosa Parks did the same thing and so started the Civil Rights Movement. Claudette suffered through her teenage years, but she still contributed to the Montgomery bus boycott started by the Rosa Parks Movement. The author tells Claudette's story in his book which give a lot of insight to the Civil Rights Movement. The book includes a lot of facts about segregation, the bus boycotts and the Civil Rights Movement itself. The book includes copies of newspaper clippings and black and white photos. Rosa Parks is most known for the bus boycott, but Claudette Colvin was the catalyst to the movement. I meet Mr. Hoose and Mrs. Colvin at ALA this summer. Below is a scanned copy of my autographed book. I was honored to have meet them, and they both took the time to talk a little with me.

Hoose, Phillip (2009). Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

Mirette on a High Wire

Mirette on a High Wire by Emily Arnold McCully was a 1993 Caldecott winner. It is a story about a little girl, Mirette, who along with the "Great Bellini" conquer their fear. She and her mother run a boarding house where Mirette meets interesting people. When she meets the Great Bellini and discovers what he does, she soon becomes fascinated with high wire walking and is eager to learn the skill. Mirette convinces Bellini to teach her how to walk on a high wire. When Bellini is asked to perform, he needs the help of Mirette to finish the task. Together they entertain the crowd and become a show for the public. McCully's water color pictures in the book are amazing and eye catching. The colors are well blended together and there is lots of details in the pictures.

McCull, Emily Arnold (1992). Mirette on a High Wire. New York: Putman.

Sylverster and the Magic Pebble

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble won the 1970 Caldecott Metal. This is a cute story about "be careful what you wish for." Sylvester is a donkey who collects pebbles of all shapes and sizes. One day he find a pebble that will grant him anything he wishes. He mistakenly wishes himself to be a rock so he doesn't have to encounter a mean lion. But soon realizes that he made a huge mistake, and can no longer hold the pebble, which he needs to turn himself back into a donkey. His parents frantically look for him and desperately miss him. One day, while his parents are out having a picnic, his mother places the wishing pebble on Sylvester (the rock) and Sylvester is able to wish himself back to being a donkey. The illustrations of the animals are brightly portrayed with human characteristics. I love using this type of literature in my lesson's. The book also has emotion, which is excellent to teach character traits, feeling and motivation. Steig is both the author and illustrator of this heart warming children's book.

Steig, William (1970). Sylvester and the Magic Pebble. New York: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.

Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears

Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears by Verna Aardema, and illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillion, is a 1976 Caldecott winner. This African folktale teaches a lesson about lying and it's consequences. It takes place in the forest and it starts with a mosquito telling a lie to an iguana. Due to the actions the iguana took after the mosquito told him the lie, a series of events unfold. The story explains why people swat at mosquitoes and why they are considered a pest. The illustrations in this book are amazing. It is full of brightly colored pictures that capture the interest of any reader. The illustrations have an excellent African representation.The white lining of the colorful pictures are eye catching. You can easily follow the illustrations with the text in the book. I have used this book to teach sequence of events. It's an age appropriate book for a 4th or 5th grade class.

Aardema, Verna (1975). Why Mosquitos Buzz in People's Ear. New York. Puffin/Dial.

Sounder

Sounder is the 1970 Newberry Medal winner. Sounder is the loyal dog of a young boy, who because of his fathers actions, the boy is now having to work even harder to help support his family. The family is very poor and the boy's father is a sharecropper, who can't support his family. Sounder accompanies the boys father each night as they go hunting, but always come out empty handed. Tired of their circumstances the father steals a hog and when arrested the boy is left to support his family. In the ordeal Sounder is shot and runs away. The boy visits his father one day, but the visit did not go well. His father asks him never to return. The father is then moved to work around the country with the prison system and the boy frantically searches for his father. Sounder returns one day, but never the same. The boy's life changes when a teacher takes him under his wing. In exchange for teaching the boy to read, the boy works for the teacher. His mother understands that the Lord has a plan for him. In the end his father returns because he is hurt from an explosion, and although the family is happy to have him home things are never the same. The father and Sounder die in the end, but the boy's future seems to be better for the family. The author give no names of the family members, only the dog Sounder. I thought that was unique in the story. It's a bit of a sad story but I felt that there was hope for the family through the boys future.

Armstrong, William H. (1969). Sounder. New York: Harper Collins.

Judy Moody Predicts the Future

Judy Moody Predicts the Future is the 4th book in Megan McDonald's Judy Moody series. This was the first book of hers that I had read and now I plan to start with book one. Judy Moody is silly and full of energy. In this book Judy eats 7 bowls of cereal to uncover the prize of all prizes - a mood ring! At first she is unhappy because her mood ring never changes color. It stays black for a while, but soon begins to change colors. She believes it has ESP powers and she starts to predict why certain things are happening. She gives herself the name Madame M. Her predictions don't go as planned, but because some do come true her friends and brother begin to think that she does have ESP. This is a funny series and you can't help but fall in love with Judy and her crazy ideas.

McDonald, Megan (2003). Judy Moody Predicts the Future. New York: Candlewick.

The Lion and the Mouse

The Lion and the Mouse by Jerry Pinkney is all about illustrations. This beautifully illustrated book tells a story about a mouse and a lion without text. A picture version to retell the famous Aesop story. The pictures come to life and are detailed to perfection. He uses panels in his art work and the illustrations are done in water color and pencil color. No words, other than some sounds, are need to retell this children's favorite tale. I had the honor of meeting him at ALA. Below is a picture I took of him along with a picture my friend Lucy took. I stood in line for quite some time to get this autograph, but it was well worth it. This might be the only book I have with no text, yet it was still a beautiful read. Explain that.

Pinkney, Jerry (2009). The Lion and the Mouse. New York: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

One Fine Day

Winner of the 1992 Caldacott, One Fine Day is about a fox who drinks the old lady's milk and she cuts off his tail. He goes through a series of tasks he has to accomplish in order to get his tail sewn back on. He meets a cow to ask for the milk, the cow ask for some grass, the fox then asks the fieldfor some grass. This barganing continues throughout the book and in the end, after completeing many task, a miller finally gives him the grain he needs to begin his trading. In the end, the old woman keeps her end of the deal and after receiving her milf she sews the fox's tail back. The illustrations in this picture book are bright and realistic. The illustration of the miller, old woman, maiden, peddler and the animals are well drawn and true to life. They look like they were drawn with pencil color or some type of charcoal. This an excellend book to teach order of events.



Hogrogian, Nonny (1971). One Fne Day. New York: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Esperanza Rising

Esperanza Rising has won a Pura Belpre Award. The author, Pam Munoz Ryan, captures the life of Esperanza in this cultural book. Esperanza is a little girl who grew up in Mexico in the 1920's on Rancho de las Rosas. It is a vineyard that her family owns and works. It takes place at a time when Mexico is recovering from the revolution that happened 10 years earlier. Esperanza's birthday happens at a time when there is a celebration, but on her 13th birthday her father is murdered. Everything seems to go down hill from there. To escape ruthless uncles her family moves to California to work and Esperanza no longer feels special. She was use to being treated like a princess and having servants do things for her. Now Esperanza has to help her family regain back some stability. The ideas and thoughts of Esperanza are genuine and heart warming, as well as heartbreaking at times. The author did an excellent job of bringing the emotions across in this book. It is one of my favorites and a popular read in my class. Our 4th grade teachers read it in their class, but when they come to my class I still have lots of children check it out from my classroom library.

Munoz, Pam (2000). Esperanza Rising. New York: Scholastic Publishing.

Junie B., First Grader Boss of Lunch

I love Junie B! My girls, now teenagers, LOVED reading these books. I think we almost have all the collection. In the summer, as I helped them clean their room, I found this collection and wanted to bring them all to my classroom library. But my girls would not part with them. They haven't even read them in a long while, but they still wanted to keep them. Junie B is a rumbustious first grader who has her own theories on everything. In Boss of Lunch, Junie B. becomes a "helper" in the school cafeteria. Junie B love Mrs. Guzman, the cafeteria lady and she allows Junie B. to help out in the kitchen if she follows the cafeteria rules. Junie B. soon becomes the "boss" of the napkins and sponges and any thing else she can think of. Junie B. losses friends, but in the end is save by Mrs. Guzman and cookies. The book has dialogue and vocabulary suited for first and second graders. Barbara Park, the author knows exactly how children at that age speak.

Park, Barbara (2002). Junie B, First Grader Boss of Lunch. New York: Random House.

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The Magic School Bus: The Wild Whale Watch

Who doesn't want to ride in a magic school bus to experience science adventures? That's what you get if you are a student in Ms. Frixzzle's class. In this "whale of a tale adventure" the students travel in a sub-bus, in the ocean, and experience the wonderful world of whales. This book is one of many books in a series of The Magic School Bus. The chapter book gives plenty of dialogue between the students and the teacher, but with many facts in the book. My son loves these books and always remembers the facts he reads. I have them in my classroom library and the students love to check them out. I can't keep them on the shelf.

Moore, Eva (2000). The Magic School Bus: The Wild Whale Watch. New York: Scholastics.

Twister on Tuesday: Magic Tree House #23

Author Mary Pope Osborne bring another adventure for Jack and Annie to experience in Twister on Tuesday. The brother and sister team travel to the pioneer times in this book of a popular series. In each adventure they have a job to do that a Camelot librarian, Morgan le Fay, assigns to them. In this book they have to find "something to learn." They travel in a magic tree house that begins to spin around and take them on their adventure. Jack and Annie experience how school was during pioneer times, in a one-room school, with a young teacher. When the siblings say their goodbyes to their new friends and teacher, they soon realize that a twister is heading their way. In a book of facts that they carry on their adventures they learn about the storm cellar and where they were located. Fearing that the students and teacher do not know where the storm cellar is they return to help them to safety. The Magic Tree House series teaches children's about all sorts of facts while making it interesting with the adventures the siblings encounter.

Osborne, Mary Pope (2001). Twister on Tuesdayy: Magic Tree House #23. New York: Random House.

Bridge to Terabithia

A Newberry Medal winner, Bridge to Terabithia is one of my favorite books. I read it each year in my GT 5th grade reading class and I cry each time Leslie dies. Katherine Paterson does an excellent job of bringing the friendship of Jess and Leslie to life. Jess is looking forward to being the best runner in the 5tb the grade, but is out runned by the new girl in the class - Leslie Burke. Her family has moved in next to Jess's family and they soon become the best of friends. They begin to have imaginary adventures in a nearby forest. They travel to a special place and the only way to get there is to cross a creek by swinging on a rope. Their special place is called Terabithia. The story takes a turn for the worst when Leslie ventures off on her own to Terabithia, and has an accident. Her death causes much pain for Jess, but he learns to channel his emotions by continuing the Terabithia adventure with his sister. The author does a remarkable job of paining the picture of Terabithia through words.

Paterson, Katherine (1977). Bridge to Terabithia. New York: Harper Collins.

Lon Po Po: A Red-Riding Hood Story From China

Lon Po Po won the Caldecott Medal in 1990. The author, Ed Young, recreates a Chinese spin to a favorite children's fair tale - Little Red Riding Hood. In this version, a wolf has a deceiving plan to eat three sisters who have been left alone by their mother, who is off to visit the children's grandmother. The wolf pretends to be the children's grandmother and they let the wolf into their home. The eldest child, Shang, discovers that a wolf has been trying to deceive them. She has a plan to lure him outside and after several attempts the children kill the wolf by beating him at his own game. Ed Young is not only the author, but also the illustrator. The pictures are vivid and seem to be done in either charcoal or watercolor. The illustrations are in panels in the pages of the picture book, which makes it unique. This is an excellent book to use with Little Red Riding Hood to teach a compare and contrast lesson.

Young, Ed (1989). Lon Po Po. New York: Philomel Books.

Officer Buckle and Gloria

Officer Buckle and Gloria won the Caldecott Medal in 1996. It is a cute book about how Officer Buckle tries his best everyday to give his safety tips to the students at Napville School. Although the students could really care less about the safety tips, thay are soon amazed by them when Officer Buckle takes along a companion, a dog named Gloria. Little does Officer Buckle know that Gloria is actually the star of his speeches. When he finally realizes that the audience is actually excited about Gloria's tricks he decides not to give his speeches. The school sends for Gloria, but eventually they realizes that the school needs the partnership of Gloria and Officer Buckle to bring across the message of safety. The book has great illustrations. The illustrations are colorful and bright. The characters are well drawn and look like someone you have seen before. I think Officer Buckle looks like one of our teachers.


Rathmann, Peggy (1995).Officer Buckle and Gloria. New York: Putman.