Monday, February 20, 2012
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Picture Book 4
Title: Leftover Lily
Illustrator:
Genre: Fiction
Sub genre:
Theme: Friendship, Life Lessons
Primary and Secondary Characters: Lily, Daisy, and LaVon
Award(s) date of publication: 1999
Publishing Company: Random House
Brief Summary:Lily, Daisy, and LaVon are all best friends. One day, Lily pushes Daisy, but it's an accident. Daisy is the bossy one out of the group, and she won't let LaVon talk to Lily. Lily becomes left out and decides to do something about it. She makes new friends and becomes the bossy one and learns that it's not so great.
Used in the Classroom: I think this would be a great book to just have in the classroom. I don't really think I would read it to the entire class because it really would just appeal to the girls. For teaching a lesson and finding a book that students will be able to relate to, this is a great option.
Illustrator:
Genre: Fiction
Sub genre:
Theme: Friendship, Life Lessons
Primary and Secondary Characters: Lily, Daisy, and LaVon
Award(s) date of publication: 1999
Publishing Company: Random House
Brief Summary:Lily, Daisy, and LaVon are all best friends. One day, Lily pushes Daisy, but it's an accident. Daisy is the bossy one out of the group, and she won't let LaVon talk to Lily. Lily becomes left out and decides to do something about it. She makes new friends and becomes the bossy one and learns that it's not so great.
Used in the Classroom: I think this would be a great book to just have in the classroom. I don't really think I would read it to the entire class because it really would just appeal to the girls. For teaching a lesson and finding a book that students will be able to relate to, this is a great option.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Picture Book 3
Title:What Jamie Saw
Illustrator:
Genre:Science Fiction
Sub genre: Fantasy
Theme: Coping mechanisms, strength, family
Primary and Secondary Characters: Jamie
Award(s) date of publication: Newberry Award Winner 1995
Publishing Company: Random House
Brief Summary: Jamie has a baby sister, a mom, and a stepfather. One night, Jamie wakes up and sees his step dad throw his baby sister. His mom catches her, and they immediately move away. Jamie and his mom find different ways to cope with what has happened. Jamie discovers a love for magic, while his mom finds comfort in a support group.
Used in the Classroom: At first, I thought this would be a great book for fifth graders, but then I didn't think I would feel comfortable introducing this book. It is important to be aware of things like what the book explains, so I would use this book when talking to other teachers. I may include the book in the classroom depending on the students. It may help some. It's kind of a sensitive topic, so I don't know, but it is really well written and may be more appropriate for older students.
Illustrator:
Genre:Science Fiction
Sub genre: Fantasy
Theme: Coping mechanisms, strength, family
Primary and Secondary Characters: Jamie
Award(s) date of publication: Newberry Award Winner 1995
Publishing Company: Random House
Brief Summary: Jamie has a baby sister, a mom, and a stepfather. One night, Jamie wakes up and sees his step dad throw his baby sister. His mom catches her, and they immediately move away. Jamie and his mom find different ways to cope with what has happened. Jamie discovers a love for magic, while his mom finds comfort in a support group.
Used in the Classroom: At first, I thought this would be a great book for fifth graders, but then I didn't think I would feel comfortable introducing this book. It is important to be aware of things like what the book explains, so I would use this book when talking to other teachers. I may include the book in the classroom depending on the students. It may help some. It's kind of a sensitive topic, so I don't know, but it is really well written and may be more appropriate for older students.
Chapter Book 2
Title: Yolanda's Genius
Illustrator: None
Genre:Chapter Book
Sub genre:
Theme: Family, Strength, Gifted children/Prodigies
Primary and Secondary Characters:Yolanda, Andrew
Award(s) date of publication: Caldecott, 1997
Publishing Company:Simon and Schuster
Brief Summary: This story takes place in Chicago where Yolanda lives. She has a little brother named Andrew who has some disabilities. He doesn't speak, but he can play music. Throughout the story, Yolanda faces several challenges. She is big for her age, and she gets reminded of that fact in the story. Both her and her brother struggle, but they also have gifts. Yolanda is extremely intelligent, and Andrew can play the harmonica although he doesn't talk much or read. One day, Yolanda looks up the word "genius" in the dictionary and decides that that is the perfect word for her younger brother. Something terrible happens, and Yolanda's goal is to inspire her younger brother to love music again.
How this book could be used in a classroom setting: This is not a "warm and fuzzy" book, but I think it would be good for students to read. I think they would be really interested in it just because of the challenges the two face and how they deal with it. The book has to be read in order to find out how Yolanda gets her brother to love music again...if she is able to at all. This book would also be great to show students that though they might struggle with imperfections, they have something they are good at. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, but it's about focusing on what we do have opposed to what we don't. I also think this book is great because it shows the importance of family. I love Yolanda's Genius, and I give it an 11!
Illustrator: None
Genre:Chapter Book
Sub genre:
Theme: Family, Strength, Gifted children/Prodigies
Primary and Secondary Characters:Yolanda, Andrew
Award(s) date of publication: Caldecott, 1997
Publishing Company:Simon and Schuster
Brief Summary: This story takes place in Chicago where Yolanda lives. She has a little brother named Andrew who has some disabilities. He doesn't speak, but he can play music. Throughout the story, Yolanda faces several challenges. She is big for her age, and she gets reminded of that fact in the story. Both her and her brother struggle, but they also have gifts. Yolanda is extremely intelligent, and Andrew can play the harmonica although he doesn't talk much or read. One day, Yolanda looks up the word "genius" in the dictionary and decides that that is the perfect word for her younger brother. Something terrible happens, and Yolanda's goal is to inspire her younger brother to love music again.
How this book could be used in a classroom setting: This is not a "warm and fuzzy" book, but I think it would be good for students to read. I think they would be really interested in it just because of the challenges the two face and how they deal with it. The book has to be read in order to find out how Yolanda gets her brother to love music again...if she is able to at all. This book would also be great to show students that though they might struggle with imperfections, they have something they are good at. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, but it's about focusing on what we do have opposed to what we don't. I also think this book is great because it shows the importance of family. I love Yolanda's Genius, and I give it an 11!
Chapter Book 1
Title: Horn for Louis
Illustrator: James Bernadin
Genre: Chapter Book
Sub genre:
Theme: Goals, Dreams, Challenges, Perseverance
Primary and Secondary Characters: Louis, Alex, and King Oliver
Award(s) date of publication: 2005
Publishing Company: Random House
Brief Summary: This story is about a young boy who enjoys playing the trumpet. Louis and his family are poor. Louis has a tin horn that isn't great, but he is still very thankful for it. One day, he hopes to be as good as King Oliver. Louis continues to play his tin horn until it breaks. Although it didn't sound great, he was progressing and learning to play the instrument very well. He goes by a pawn shop and sees that a trumpet is on sale; however, it is too expensive for him. The owner decides to help him out after hearing him play, but it is still too expensive. Eventually, Louis is able to play for King Oliver. He shakes his hand and King Oliver tells him that he sounds good at playing the trumpet.
How this book would be used in a classroom setting: I think this should be used by all of the students to read independently. I think it would be a good idea to form a book club talk with the class or smaller groups so that everyone has the chance to participate. I also think students could write a book report on it. It's a fun book to read, and I think the students would enjoy reading it.
Illustrator: James Bernadin
Genre: Chapter Book
Sub genre:
Theme: Goals, Dreams, Challenges, Perseverance
Primary and Secondary Characters: Louis, Alex, and King Oliver
Award(s) date of publication: 2005
Publishing Company: Random House
Brief Summary: This story is about a young boy who enjoys playing the trumpet. Louis and his family are poor. Louis has a tin horn that isn't great, but he is still very thankful for it. One day, he hopes to be as good as King Oliver. Louis continues to play his tin horn until it breaks. Although it didn't sound great, he was progressing and learning to play the instrument very well. He goes by a pawn shop and sees that a trumpet is on sale; however, it is too expensive for him. The owner decides to help him out after hearing him play, but it is still too expensive. Eventually, Louis is able to play for King Oliver. He shakes his hand and King Oliver tells him that he sounds good at playing the trumpet.
How this book would be used in a classroom setting: I think this should be used by all of the students to read independently. I think it would be a good idea to form a book club talk with the class or smaller groups so that everyone has the chance to participate. I also think students could write a book report on it. It's a fun book to read, and I think the students would enjoy reading it.
Picture Book 8
Title: Arrow to the Sun
Illustrator: Gerald McDermott
Genre: Picture Book
Sub genre:
Theme: Culture
Primary and Secondary Characters: The Pueblo Boy and the Sun Lord
Award(s) date of publication:Caldecott Award Winner 1974
Publishing Company: Penguin Group
Brief Summary: The Sun Lord shoots an arrow to a lady on earth so that she will have a sun. Once the boy is older, he is not like any of the other boys because he doesn't know who is father is. Throughout the story, he is searching for his father. One day a very wise man tells him that his father is in the sun. The wise man turns the boy into an arrow and shoots him to the sun. The boy confronts the Sun Lord, but he does not believe that he is his son. The boy is told that he must complete so many trials to prove himself. Once the boy passes the Lightning challenge, the Sun Lord believes him and he is told to go back to earth and show the world his light. The boy comes back now with beautiful colors and everyone celebrates his return with the dance of life.
How it would be used in a classroom setting: I think students would like this book because of all of the bright colors. The story is simple but complex at the same time. There are not very many words, but the idea is very different from our own. I think this would give the students something to think about. Also, because the book is a Pueblo Indian tale, I think this would be great when covering certain architecture or cultures. I also think the book could be a great foundation for an art project focusing on the Peublo Indians.
Illustrator: Gerald McDermott
Genre: Picture Book
Sub genre:
Theme: Culture
Primary and Secondary Characters: The Pueblo Boy and the Sun Lord
Award(s) date of publication:Caldecott Award Winner 1974
Publishing Company: Penguin Group
Brief Summary: The Sun Lord shoots an arrow to a lady on earth so that she will have a sun. Once the boy is older, he is not like any of the other boys because he doesn't know who is father is. Throughout the story, he is searching for his father. One day a very wise man tells him that his father is in the sun. The wise man turns the boy into an arrow and shoots him to the sun. The boy confronts the Sun Lord, but he does not believe that he is his son. The boy is told that he must complete so many trials to prove himself. Once the boy passes the Lightning challenge, the Sun Lord believes him and he is told to go back to earth and show the world his light. The boy comes back now with beautiful colors and everyone celebrates his return with the dance of life.
How it would be used in a classroom setting: I think students would like this book because of all of the bright colors. The story is simple but complex at the same time. There are not very many words, but the idea is very different from our own. I think this would give the students something to think about. Also, because the book is a Pueblo Indian tale, I think this would be great when covering certain architecture or cultures. I also think the book could be a great foundation for an art project focusing on the Peublo Indians.
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