Novels in Verse, Fantasy, Sports, SciFi 7/11

Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai. Harper, 2011.  In this award winning novel, a young girl named Ha is forced to flee to the United States from Vietnam in the late 1970s. After her father goes missing years prior to the start of the novel, Ha and her family must survive on their own. They settle in Alabama and  adjust to the different culture. Told entirely in verse, the author is able to capture the struggles many refugees face when coming to America. Concepts addressed included, war, immigrations, assimilation and family. Most appropriate for upper elementary students in 5^th -6^th grade.

Jeremy Thatcher Dragon Hatcher. By Bruce Coville  Pocket Books, 1991. Jeremy is a junior high school student who wants to be an artist. He is bullied in school and is not treated fairly by his art teacher. After school he stumbles into a magic shop, and the owner Mr. Elivies decides to sell him a magic ball for twenty-five cents. Jeremy later finds out the ball is a dragon egg and that he must care for the newly hatched baby dragon. He names the dragon Tiament and they bond. With the help of his friend Mary Lou and a librarian named Miss Priest, Jeremy is able to uncover information about caring for dragons. When Tiament grows older, Jeremy must return her to Mr. Elivies' shop where she eventually must return to her own universe. Even though Jeremy is sad by this, he still is able to communicate with her through his senses and  his mind. This is a great book that can be used with junior high school students as in introduction into more advanced fantasy novels.   

  Love of the Game by John Coy. Feiwel and Friends, 2011. Jackson and his friends Diego, Gig, and Isaac have just started middle school. They are all avid sports fans who hope to play sports during the school year. Unfortunately, 6^th graders are not allowed to try out for the school team but are able to play for the community team.  The boys are excited to play football except for Diego who wants to play soccer. Told primarily from Jackson’s point of view, the readers are able to see firsthand the events that shape young adolescence lives during a very challenging time period. Divorce, bullying, crushes, deployment are just a handful of the various topics discussed in the work. Best for 6^th-8^th graders. 

The Cat Who Wished to Be a Man by Lloyd Alexander. Yearling, 1992. Lionel is Magister Stepanus’ cat and wants to become a human. They live in magical Dunstan Forest.  Magister Stepanus is very hesitant to turn Lionel into a human believing that they are all immoral beings.  After finally convincing his master to transform him, Lionel ventures off into the corrupt town of Brightford where he encounters an evil police officer named Swaggart and a mayor named Pursewig. Not only do they try to take advantage of the entire community, they also disrespect Miss. Gillian the town innkeeper whom Lionel befriends. Along the way Lionel meets Dr. Tudbelly in intelligent doctor who uses an armamentarium of potions to help defeat the corrupt officials. In his innocent way, Lionel and his friends are able to expose the corruption and free the townspeople from the evil. This can be used as tool to expose children to the negative and positive aspects human behavior. Great for students in 3^rd-5^th grade.

The Teachers from the Black Lagoon by Mike Thaler. Scholastic, 1989. In this collection of short stories,  a young boy dreads the first day of  school and meeting his new teachers. In the story The Gym Teacher from the Black Lagoon, the boy hears a series of rumors describing the gym teacher as a monster who makes the students complete absurd tasks like running laps around the world and lifting heavy cars. In the end he meets the real teacher who is a very nice, normal person. This is a very amusing collection of stories for children in 3^rd -5^th grade.   

Sports Shorts by Joseph Bruchac, David Lubar, Marilyn Singer, Terry Trueman, Dorian Cirrone, Tanya West, Alexandra Siy, Jamie McEwan. 2005. In this anthology of various sports prose, the authors convey stories that can be appealing to all different types of non-traditional athletics such as the underdogs.  This collection is optimal for students in junior high school.

Mama Played Baseball by David Adler. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2003.  In this illustrated picture book, a young girl named Amy watches her mother play baseball in an all women’s baseball league during World War Two while her father is stationed overseas. Amy attends her mother’s baseball games and watches them in awe. She helps her mother practice by playing catch together on the front lawn. She also documents her mother’s accomplishments in drawings. Eventually, Amy father returns home after the war and she is able to express her pride and admiration about her mother to her father.  This a great picture book that can help young students in elementary school learn about the bravery and determination of female athletes.

The Little Gentleman by Philippa Pearce. Greenwillow Books, 2004. When Mr. Franklin breaks his leg, he recruits his housekeeper’s granddaughter to assist him. Bet is told to read aloud in the forest.  While doing this, she meets a talking mole whom she befriends. Both Bet and the Mole embark on an open and honest relationship discussing many sensitive topics about life. This is a touching account of one child’s adventure with a magic mole. This book is appropriate for students in 4^th -7^th grade.    

Chick Lit, Gay.Lesbian, Fractured Fairytales

The Mother-Daughter Book Club by Heather Vogel. Simon and Shuster, 2007.  Emma, Jess, Megan and Cassidy are four sixth grade students from Concord, Massachusetts with very distinct personalities.  When their mothers decide to formulate a book club featuring the classic work of Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, the girls are forced to evaluate themselves and their own friendships, as well as the ones they have with their own mothers. Over the course of a school year, the daughters learn a series of lessons and discover that many aspects of their lives are very similar to Alcott and her famous characters.  This is a wonderful book for young adult readers from sixth to eighth grade. Concepts addressed included bullying, friendship and loyalty.  

The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things. By Carolyn Mackler.  Candlewick Press, 2003. Virginia is a fifteen year old girl who is a bit overweight and has low self-esteem. She is insecure and feels as if she is the black sheep of her “perfect” family. She especially feels inadequate in the eyes of her mother whom constantly critiques Virginia’s body.  Virginia’s life drastically changes when her older brother gets expelled from college. She embarks on an emotional journey of self reflection and self-discovery to find out who she is as an individual. I would definitely recommend this award winning young adult novel to junior high school and high school students. Relevant issues such as date rape, dieting, body issues, depression, cliques, death and romantic relationships are addressed and are all extremely relatable.

Get It While it’s Hot Or Not. By Valerie Hobbs. Orchard Books, 1996. In this young adult novel, Megan, Kit, Mia and Elaine have been friends since eighth grade and pledge to remain that way forever.  Now as juniors in high school, their friendship is tested when Kit gets pregnant. The other girls under Megan’s leadership devise a plan to care for Kit.  As a school journalist as well, Megan decides to expose the issue of teen sexuality in her high school environment. Along the way, she encounters various roadblocks that prevent her from addressing the issue. Megan must accept the consequences of her behavior when she decides to defy school policy and express her views. This book is most appropriate for high school students due to issues of teen pregnancy, AIDs and sexuality.

Anna and the French Kiss. By Stephanie Perkins.  Dutton, 2010. For her senior year of high school, Anna’s father decides to send his daughter to an American boarding school in Paris. There, she meets Etienne St. Claire a fellow student of French, English and American heritage. As their friendship develops into a romantic one over the course of the school year, confusion and miscommunication occur.  This is a great read for high school students. The historical and cultural references are extremely helpful in understanding premise of the story.  Sexuality and language are addressed causing the book to be a bit inappropriate for students younger than eighth grade.    

Along for the Ride by Sarah Desson. Viking, 2009. After graduating from high school at the top of her class, Auden decides to spend the summer with her father and his pregnant wife in a small seaside town.   After living most of her life with her structured scholarly mother, Auden embarks on a journey to reevaluate her life and discover interest outside of the classroom. In Colby, Auden works at her sweet stepmother’s clothing boutique and meets a group of coworkers whom she befriends. She also meets a boy named Eli who helps her to break out of her shell. Auden discovers some dark aspects about Eli’s past and tries to support him as well. This is a great book for high school students, it address issues of female friendships, mother-daughter relationships, death and loss.  

Roald Dahl’s Revolting Rhymes by Roald Dahl and illustrated by Quentin Blake.  Alfred A. Knopf, 1982.  In this anthology, Dahl expresses his unique talents by creating his own versions of fairytales. In these versions, the traditional characters are intertwined together to create dark, gory alternative characters that deviate greatly from the more recognizable ones that we are all familiar with.   For example, Little Red Riding Hoods shots the Wolf with a pistol and uses his remains for a coat. The cartoonish style illustrations convey a dark and eeriness.  Very creative adaptations for older children in the upper elementary grades.

The Stinky Cheese Man by Jon Sciezka. Illustrated by Lane Smith.  Viking, 2002.  In Jon Sciezk’s humorous collection of fairytales, the reader is able to experience a different take on the traditional genre. Such collections include, “The Princess and the Bowling Ball”, “The Really Ugly Ducking” and “Jack’s Bean Problem.” The illustrations are very unique and abstract looking, the work is definitely recommended for younger readers in 2nd-4th grade.

Absolutely, Positively Not By David Larochelle. Scholastic, 2005. Steven DeNarski is a sixteen year old boy from Minnesota who is coming to terms with her sexuality. He is able to eventually accept the fact that he is a homosexual with the help of his friends, family and a support group. This is a very useful book for students in junior high and high school as a teaching tool for used for teaching tolerance and acceptance.    

Graphic Novels 6/27

Gettysburg: the Graphic Novel   written and illustrated by C. M Butzer.  Harper and Collins, 2009. This black and white graphic novel details the historic Battle of Gettysburg in 1863 and the devastating ramifications of such an event to our Nation’s history. Through the use of detailed visuals and text, the readers are taken on a journey to learn the circumstances of such a battle. Abraham Lincoln’s leadership and compassion is also chronicled as well.  Through his speech, Lincoln was able to commemorate the lives of those who where lost by preserving their legacy. This compelling historical work is very moving and the illustrations are expressive and dynamic. Great for sixth to eighth graders.

Smile written and illustrated by Raina Tegemeier. Scholastic, 2010. When racing to her front door after girl scouts one night, Raina falls on her face and loses her two front teeth. In this colorful autobiographical graphic novel, the author is able to convey the difficult dental and orthodontic drama   that a junior high school student endured while at the same time attempting to navigate the trials   of adolescent life. This is a very relatable account of a young girls experience that many readers can sympathize with, myself included.  This graphic novel is recommended to young adult readers in upper elementary to junior high school.

The Night Bookmobile by Audrey Niffenegger. Jonathan Cape, 2010.  This adult graphic novel follows a woman named Alexandra who encounters a mysterious traveling bookmobile containing every book she has ever read throughout her lifetime.   She is only able to locate the truck driven by its librarian Mr. Openshaw at certain times.  After learning this fact, Alexandra strives to expand her collection by reading and absorbing as much information as possible. Over the course of years, her need to reunite with the bookmobile becomes an obsession that consumes her world. I found this book to be very touching however at the same time to be very sad. The illustrations are very expressive, especially the ones that detail the character’s facial expressions.  This is an adult level graphic novel and I would suggest it for high school students in grades 10-12.  

Mercury written and illustrated by Hope Larson. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2010. Josey Fraser and her family live in French Hill Nova Scotia in 1859. A stranger named Asa Curry convinces the family that he can help them locate gold on their land. Unfortunately, this endeavor creates difficulties for Josey and her parents.  In 2009, Tara Fraser a modern Fraser relative is trying to accept life after a devastating fire leaves her house destroyed. While coming to terms with such devastation, she must adjust to these changes. When doing so, she uncovers some very interesting secrets about her ancestor’s lives. The black and white illustrations and very detailed however, it is a bit confusing to continuously refer back to the pages from the various time periods.  Young adult readers in 7^th -12^th  grade would like this book.

Oregon Trail: The Road to Destiny. A Graphic Novel by Frank Young and David Lasky. Saquatch Books, 2011.  Set in 1848, The Weston Family, parents Mr. and Mrs. Weston and their children Rebecca and Charlie move from Baltimore to Oregon in search of a simpler life.  After packing up their belongings in a covered wagon, the family embarks on a journey across a very intense and dangerous trail through what is now the Midwest region of the United States.  Their journey is an extremely difficult one resulting in illness and death. The black and white illustrations were very animated and the text sizes are clear for easy reading.  This is would be a great book to use when coinciding with Social Studies units. Great for students in 3^rd to 6^th grade.

The Demon of River Heights (Nancy Drew: Girl Detective Graphic Novels #1.  By Stefan Petrucha, illustrations by Sho Murase. Papercutz, 2005. Based in the popular series by Caroline Keene, Nancy Drew embarks on a challenging case to locate two filmmakers who go missing in the woods. Along the way, Nancy and her friends Bess and George have a run-in with a dangerous bear, and encounter a corrupt businessman who is in search of gold in an abandoned coalmine.  This very adventurous storyline leaves one asking for more. As a fan of the original series, I must say it was a bit difficult to adjust to the story in a graphic novel format because of the modern illustrations and unconventional illustrations. However, I do understand that this format of storytelling would be very appealing to younger readers who are now being introduced to the series. Elementary students and junior high school students may relate to the themes addressed.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: A Graphic Novel. By F. Scott Fitzgerald. Adapted by Nunzio DeFlippis and Christina Weir. Illustrated by Kevin Cornell. Quirk Books, 2008.   In 1860, a very unique individual named Benjamin Button is born.  Benjamin comes into the world as an elderly male who instead of growing old, grows young with age. In the first stages of his life, Benjamin develops from an elderly adult to a middle aged man while trying to attempt a normal life.  As Benjamin’s age progresses, his appearance becomes more youthful. In the second half of his life he grows into a young adult, a teenager, a child and eventually into an infant and passes on. Light pastel illustrations are appropriate for this graphic novel, in that they symbolize Benjamin’s life that fades away.  I would recommend this graphic novel to junior high students.

The Legend of Hong Kil Dong: The Robin Hood of Korea by Ann Sibley O’Brian, Charlesbridge Publishing, 2006. Hong Kil Dong was born the illegitimate child of an affluent Korean aristocrat and his servant. Shunned by the household, Hong Kil Dong grows up believing that he will not amount to much. After spending time with a group of kindhearted monks, he learns powerful skills such as martial-arts and magic. After returning to his home, Hong Kil Dong tries to utilize his skills for the betterment of his community by defending the weak and those who are unable to defend themselves against corrupt governments. The beautiful and authentic artwork truly conveys the Korean emphasize on detail and culture. This is a wonderful book for 2^nd-3^rd graders.

Historical Fiction, Nonfiction Narratives and Biographies

The Orphans of Normandy: A true story of World War Two by Nancy Amis. Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2003. This illustrated picture book   chronicles a group of French little girls who must flee their orphanage after the invasion of Normandy.  The young girls were required to walk over one hundred and fifty miles to a safer location.  Each illustration details their journey. The drawings emphasize the kindest they received from strangers as well as the difficulties they experienced on their way to safety. The drawings and French translations are so touching and moving. Students in third to  sixth  grade would enjoy this book.

 

A Weekend with Renoir by Rosabianca Skira-Venturi.  Rizzoili International Publications. Inc,1990. Told from the perspective of Renoir, the world renowned impressionist painter helps the reader gain a sense of what it would be like to work alongside him during the most successful time of his career. The illustrations in this biography are a mix of both Renior’s classics paintings photographs, illustrations and drawings from others of the time period so that the reader can learn what it was like to understand his influences and lifestyle.

Jesse Owens: Fastest Man Alive by Carole Boston Weatherford. Walker PublishingCompany, Inc. 2007. This illustrated biography chronicles the struggles of Jesse Owens, an African American runner from the United States who competes in the 1938 Berlin Olympics during the time of Hitler’s influence in Germany.  Jesse not only wins a gold medal by defeating a German athlete, he was able to dispel Hitler’ philosophies that the German Aryan race was superior to any other. This is an inspirational story about a Southern African American man who lived his life struggling racism in America and was able to scatter stereotypes on a world stage by proudly representing his country. This is a great book appropriate for students in fourth to sixth  grade.

Marie Curie by Leonard Everett Fisher. MacMillian Publishing Company, 1994.  This illustrated biography documents the  life and accomplishments of Madame Curie from her early life in Poland to her days as a gifted scientist. In the biography, the reader is able to learn about her years as the first female student at the Sorbonne, and his discoveries of the elements polonium and radium.  She received many awards for her accomplishments including the Nobel Peace Prize with her husband Pierre Curie. This is a wonderful book for junior high school and upper elementary students.  The dark black and white illustrations provide an eerie dynamic. 

My Brother Martin by Christine King Farris. Simon and Schuster, 2003.  Christine King, the older sister of Dr. Marin Luther King Jr. reflects on her childhood days  with her brother  the man  would eventually grow up to become the famous civil rights leader. She addresses the fun and loving elements of their relationship as well as the struggles they both experienced growing up in a very segregated community in Atlanta.  Written in a very gentle tone, this book would be used for younger students who can learn about the  concepts of racism, family and goal setting. 

 

One Yellow Daffodil by David Adler. Voyager Books, Harcourt Inc, 1995. Morris Kaplan is a florist as well as a Holocaust survivor.  He lives alone and has difficulty forgetting the most horrific time period of his life. Two very kind young customers named Illana and Jonathan invite Morris to spend Hanukah  with them and their family, a tradition that he has  failed to celebrate since his childhood in Poland. After experiencing such an outpour of kindness from these children and their parents, Morris is able to gradually embrace the holiday in a new way.  This is a compelling story for fifth to sixth grade students. The illustrations are vibrant especially those of the flowers which are symbolic representations of strength and hope. Morris explains that while a prisoner at Auschwitz, he found a yellow daffodil in the middle of such misery and has viewed it as a representation of life in a world of despair. This is compelling and touching story about love, kindness and understanding.  

Taking Walls by Margy Burns Knight Tilbury House, Publishers, 1992. This illustrated work take readers on an informational tour of the various notable walls throughout the world. Such examples include the Great Wall of China, The Western War in Jerusalem, The Vietnam Memorial and the Berlin Wall. Each example has its own history and story. The author notes that regardless of each walls unique culture, they all serve a purpose to represent a larger unified human culture. By doing so, one can learn to grow and appreciate the distinct histories of the world. The great illustrations help to capture the essence of the authors vision. Students in fifth to  sixth grade would greatly benefit from this book. 

Brother Eagle, Sister Sky: A Message from Chief Seattle. Illustrations by Susan Jeffers. Scholastic, 1991.  In his address to the United States government, Chief Seattle   leader of one of the Northwest Indian Nations eloquently describes the importance of nature and a respect for the land and environment that we all inhabit. After European settlers overtake most of the land that once belonged to the Choctaw, Cherokee, Navaho, Iroquois and Sioux populations, Chief Seattle emphasized this idea to European settlers who more often than not have difficulty understanding this philosophy. Wonderful illustrations to a moving book can help students in second and third grade.

Multicultural Perspectives, Street Lit, Coretta Scott King and Pura Belpre Awards

Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan. Scholastic, 2000. Esperanza Ortaga is a young teenager girl who is the daughter of an affluent rancher in Aguascsalientes, Mexico during the Great Depression. She is the pride and joy of her parent’s life and is adored by her family and cherished servants.  Esperanza’s life of privilege and elegance comes to a tragic end after her beloved father is murdered leaving Esperanza and her mother with the harrowing decision to leave Mexico permanently.    Along with her mother and their trusted servants, they immigrate to Southern California to work as migrant day laborers. During this trying process, Esperanza must come to terms with her past life, while adjusting to the challenges of her new  adult responsibilities under extreme circumstances. Winner of the 2002 Pura Belpe Award for Narrative. This is a wonderful young adult novel that explores the themes of prejudice, immigration, bravery, workers rights, family loyalty and trust.  Best for 4^th to 6^th grade.

 

Black and White by Paul Volponi. Speak, 2005. Marcus, an African American and Eddie an Italian American are two best friends growing up together in Queens, New York. Both boys are gifted senior athletes at Long Island City High School who are enjoying the benefits of this special  time of life. After a series of reckless nights, poor judgment and the use of gun, Eddie and Marcus must re-evaluate their actions and their future choices. Both boys are forced to face the consequences of their mistakes in a challenging and often unfair way. Black and White is an extremely well-written novel that addresses the mistakes that can alter a young person’s life in a blink of an eye. I would definitely recommend this work especially when discussing issues of character education, positive decision making skills and redemption. Would be most beneficial for 9^th-12^th graders.

Ghetto Cowboy by G. Neri. Candlewick Press, 2011.  Cole’s mother is distraught by his behavior such as skipping school, and failing classes.  As a last resort, she decides that living with his father in North Philadelphia would be in Cole’s best interest. After arriving, Cole learns that his father Harper is a skilled horseman and cowboy who manages a local stable with real, live horses in the inner city section of the city. Cole sees first-hand the struggles that his father and the other African American cowboys endure by trying to preserve their way of life in the most impoverished conditions. Through intense hard-work, determination and skill, Harper helps Cole learn to appreciate these unique joys very uncommon amongst urban communities. By helping Harper foster this long-standing tradition, Cole is able to develop a stronger sense of self by caring for the horses and appreciating the community as a whole. A very motivating story about the unspoken bonds one can share between parents and children and the bonds between humans and animals. I would use this book to exemplify tolerance for all traditions and cultures. Most appropriate for 4th to 6th graders.

We Are The Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball by Kadir Nelson. Hyperion, 2008. This beautifully illustrated book describes the historical details of the African American Baseball League which took place in the 1920 to the 1940s which included not only African Americans but Hispanics and Indians as well. Each chapter discusses various aspects of the Negro League culture such as its background history and the popular transformative athletes who shaped it such as Jackie Robinson who was the first African American to succeed in the major leagues. The amazing detailed paintings by Kadir Nelson capture the essence of the figures in such a life-like ways that look like photographs. This is a very comprehensive work that can be used for older students due to the large amount of historical details.  2009 Coretta Scott King Award for Author and Illustrator.

Heart and Soul: The Story of Americans and African Americans by Kadir Nelson. Balzar and Bray Harperteen, 2011. Kadir Nelson uses his wonderful talent of storytelling and illustration to detail the history of the African American experience from the perspective on an elderly African American woman. The book chronicles the historic events that have shaped African Americans in the United States dating back to the Revolutionary War and the framing of the Constitution. As the book progresses, the alluring illustrations depict their struggles and triumphs through the 18^th, 19th, 20^th and 21^st centuries. The information and narratives from the Civil War, Reinstruction, The Civil Rights Movement with  Dr. Martin Luther King’s “ I Have A Dream Speech”  on the Mall in Washington D.C are extremely vivid  powerful and detailed. I would use this book in various increments because the chapters are so powerful and comprehensive which I believe  cannot be absorbed in one read through. Appropriate for junior high and high school students. 2012 Coretta Scott King Award for Author and Illustrator.

Newberry, Honor and Printz Award Winners

The Summer of Swans by Betsy Byars.  Viking Press, 1970. A wonderfully moving story and Newberry Award Winning young adult novel about an adolescent girl named Sara who is faced with the challenge of searching for her mentally disabled brother Charlie who wanders  away from his home to search for a group of  uninhabited swans. This touching story conveys the love the characters have for each other and the importance of family, loyalty and trust when it is needed the most. The various black and white illustrations enhance the quality of the story. Perfect for 2^nd to 3^rd graders.

 Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli. Scholastic, 1990. In this Newberry Award Winner, we learn  about an unconventional  orphan name Jeffery Magee. After running away from the guardianship of his loveless aunt and uncle, Jeffery is forced to live on his own. He is given the nickname “Maniac” because of his unique abilities. He makes his way to Two Mills, Pa a racially divided town. There he befriends a cast of characters including Amanda Beale a girl who takes him under his wing and Mar Bars, Maniac’s rival who eventually helps him in the end. This novel enables students to understand the concepts of racism, a  sense of belonging and friendship. Students in 6^th-7^th grade would benefit immensely from this book.

 Homesick: My Own Story by Jean Fritz. G.P Putnam’s Sons, 1982. In this National Book Award and Newberry Honor Award winning book, Jean is a young girl born and raised in China with her missionary parents in the 1920s.  She is excited about her anticipated move to the  United States where she will meet her grandparents and other relatives for the first time. During this time period, Jean and her parents experience the upheaval of living in a country as foreigners on the verge of the  Communist Revolution. This is an outstanding novel based on personal firsthand accounts about one woman’s childhood experience.  A great read for Social Studies lessons for 4^th-6^th grade students.

 How I Live Now by Meg Rosoff. Wendy Lamb,2004. This Printz Award winning book is a very comprehensive young adult novel about Daisy, a fifteen year olds’ experience when she is forced to move from New York to England to live with her Aunt and long lost cousins. Soon after her arrival, an international war breaks out in England forcing the children to fend for themselves and survive the destruction. There are adult concepts addressed in this novel  including violence, mental health and inappropriate family relationships. Junior high and high school students are the target audience.  

  Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary. Harper Trophy, 1983. A young boy named Leigh corresponds with his favorite author.  As seen through a series of poignant letters, the reader discovers the challenges this child faces growing up with a single mother working to make ends meet and an unreliable father who is often a disappointment.  This poignant story is truly a touching one where the reader is able to understand his challenges as a young boy trying to navigate the beginning stages of adolescence  under turbulent  circumstances. I would definitely recommend this chapter book for children in 3^rd to 6^th grade.  Newberry Award Winner.

  Ramona and Her Mother by Beverly Clearly. Harper Trophy, 1979.  Ramona is an eight year old child who lives with her parents and older sister.  Ramona is a spunky girl living a very typical life in the suburbs.  She often feels unappreciated and inferior by her parents, especially her mother. By trying to gain her mother’s attention. Ramona engages in many typical childhood antics such as clogging the bathroom sink with toothpaste and wearing her pajamas to school. In the end she does learn that her mother’s love is unconditional. A classic tool that can be used with 1^st-3^rd grade students. National Book Award Winner.

Award/classic books

A Ball for Daisy by Chris Raschka published by Schwartz and Wade Books in 2011 is the 2012 wordless Caldecott Award winning book that follows Daisy the dog. Daisy is very content  on playing with her red ball. She chases it, sleeps with it, and is distraught when it is ruined. She is comforted when she is given a new blue ball.  This very sentimental and creative story can be open to interpretation   It can be used when addressing issues of self-expression for children in kindergarten to second grade. Wonderful detailed illustrations truly help the reader understand the plot and setting.



Grandfather’s Journey by Allen Say. This 1994 Caldecott winner published by Houghton Miffin Company in 1993 chronicles the narrator’s grandfather as he travels from his small village in Japan to the United States. In the U.S, he meets new and exciting individuals from all backgrounds. After a period of time, he returns home to Japan to raise his family. Years later, his grandson decides to do the same thing. Great multi-generational story about the feelings a person experiences when immigrating to a new country. A great read-aloud tool as well as one that can be used for Social Studies units.  Most appropriate for second and third graders.

Me Jane by Patrick McDonnell.  Little Brown and Company, 2011. This 2012 Caldecott Honor Book tells the story of a little girl named Jane. Jane loves animals especially her chimp Jubilee. Together the go on many adventures where they observe the wonders of nature. Jane dreams of living in Africa when she is a grown up so that she can work and care for animals. Eventually she accomplishes this dream and becomes the renowned anthropologist Jane Goodall. This wonderful work can be used for introductory science lessons. K-3 grade.

Joseph Had a Little Overcoat by Simms Raback.  Penguin Group, 1999.  In this very creative 2000 Caldecott winning book, Joseph starts out with a large overcoat and overtime it gets altered and becomes a jacket, scarf, and handkerchief and so on, until it eventually is dwindled to nothing. The moral of the story…you can make something out of nothing. The interactive cut-outs are wonderful visuals that can be used to enhance the story. Great for read aloud activities for first and second graders.

The Lorax by Dr Seuss. Random House, 1971. The “Once-ler" describes to a young boy the reasoning as to why his community is so polluted and depressed. The Once-ler states the  community was once a prosperous place containing beautiful vegetation, most specifically, truffula trees. The truffula trees were  protected by the “Lorax” who warns the Once-ler to respect his beloved trees but to no success. This moving Dr. Seuss classic examines the ramifications of one’s behavior and actions. Important issues addressed can be use in a variety of thought provoking activities for younger as well as older elementary school students.

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. Harper Collins,1964 tells the story of the special relationship between a boy and his favorite tree.  The tree is very happy to give the boy anything that she is physically capable of giving him. Throughout  the book, the reader can see the boy develop at  various intervals  of his life and witnesses the  common desires  that affect a person at those common stages. Over those years the (boy, man, older man, senior citizen man) forces the tree to completely deplete her resources until they are both left with absolutely nothing at all. The wonderful writing and simplistic illustrations are used to help the reader gain a sense of compassion for the tree and her deep love for the boy. A classic work of literature for kindergarten to third graders.

Gershon’s Monster: A Story for the Jewish New Year. Retold by Eric A. Kimmel. Scholastic,2000.  An ALSC’s Notable Children’s Book for 2001. Gershon is a selfish man who shows little remorse for his bad behavior and actions. Every year at Rosh Hossanah, he throws his past bad deeds into the ocean in the hopes that they will go away and never bother him again. Unfortunately, these actions fester and develop into one big monster near his  children who are playing by the ocean. In order to protect them, he  acknowledges his past behaviors and pleads with the monster for forgiveness. All is forgiven.  This work is perfect for holiday lessons that can teach students about morals and appropriate behavior. Great for students in  4th- 6th grade.

Hope Was Here by Jane Bauer. G.P Putnam’s Sons, 2000. This heartfelt story is a wonderful example of finding yourself and your belonging. Abandoned by her mother as a baby, sixteen year old Hope is raised by her Aunt Addie who is a talented chef and works in diner style restaurants.  The two are constantly moving from city to city where Hope has been brought-up busting tables to eventually working as a waitress herself. When Addie gets a job as a cook  at the Welcome Stairways diner in Malhoney, Wisconsin, Hope is a bit apprehensive and unhappy about the move from Brooklyn.  Upon arriving to Malhoney, the two develop a deep bond between the owner of the Welcome Stairways diner G.T Stoop who is diagnosed with leukemia.  G.T is a kind and caring individual who decides to run for mayor against a corrupt incumbent.  Hope becomes involved in G.T's campaign for justice in the community and along the way develops meaningful and life changing relationships with members of her new world.  Through this process, not only does Hope find the meaning of her own self worth, she uncovers the true meaning of love and loyalty in the most unexpected places. This wonderful young adult novel was recognized by the ALSC Notable Book Award in 2001. The issues addressed are appropriate for upper elementary students, as well as for middle and high school students. Serious issues including abandonment, corruption, developmental delays, illness and death are addressed.