Chapter Book #3 - Newbery Medal

Title:  The Giver

Author:  Lois Lowry

Illustrator:   Lois Lowry

Genre:  Juvenile  Fiction

Subgenre:  Science Fiction and Science Fantasy

Themes: communities, living in black and white, supernatural powers, family life, adolescence, exploring the beyond, age

Primary and Secondary Characters:  Jonas, The Giver, Jonas's family (Mother, Father and Lily), Asher, Gabriel, Fiona, the community people, the Elders

Awards:  1994 Newbery Medal Winner

Date of Publication: 1993

Publishing Company:  Houghton Mifflin Company

Summary:

Jonas is just a young Eleven when he is chosen to become the next "Receiver or Memory."  Not knowing what his chosen job assignment meant, he was terrified.  The community in which Jonas lived in could be considered a "pleasantville," in which everything and everyone was perfect.  Very seldom did anyone get into trouble, and everyone used proper grammar and respected each other.  Everyone's feelings and emotions were controlled by a pill, but everyone could feel compassionate for their families and jobs.  Instead of dying, people were "released."  Their community was small yet big enough and everyone had a job.  Children had names but were mostly categorized by their ages (Sevens, Eights, Tens, etc.) until they reached Twelve.  After Twelve, you were chosen for your job assignment within the community and you were then trained until you became sufficient enough to work on your own.  Well, this was now Jonas's time.  He had gotten his new job and was scared to know what would become of him.  He went to his workplace and met The Giver.  This was who Jonas was replacing.  The Giver would transfer memories, good and bad, to Jonas that included snow, warmth, love and warfare.  Overwhelmed by these new memories, Jonas questions the being of his own community and becomes to view it as hypocritical.  He decides to flee the community with the help of The Giver and journeys through the night.  He takes Gabriel along, a One that he grew close to whom his family raised in their dwelling.  Together they escape what little they had known and discover "elsewhere" after a challenged journey.

How it will be used in the classroom:
This would be an incredible book for students in either 5th or 6th grade to read.  This book requires so much imagination, and best of all, it makes you think.  I would love to read this book in my classroom if I taught 5th or 6th grade because I truly think that the students would engage in the story line.  It would be a great opportunity for students to share what type of community they would like to live in if they could.  Or, to be given such an honorable job like The Giver, and to know what memories they'd like to share with someone.

Picture Book #7 - Caldecott Medal

Title:  The Three Pigs

Author:  David Wiesner

Illustrator:  David Wiesner

Genre:  Children's Fiction 

Subgenre:  Early Reader Animal Fantasy

Themes: classic story books, the three little pigs story, building friendships, facing your enemy, exploring stories

Primary and Secondary Characters:  the three little pigs, the wolf, the cat and the fiddle, the dragon

Awards:  2002 Caldecott Medal Winner 

Date of Publication: 2001 

Publishing Company:  Clarion Books

Summary:

This funny and adventurous book explores how a story really should be read.  From the classic story of "The Three Little Pigs," this book begins that exact same way.  Only, there's a fun twist to it.  Instead, the three pigs realize they can jump out of the story and escape the mean wolf.  They then adventure to living inside other stories that include the "Hey Diddle Diddle" nursery rhymes and a story about a dragon.  Now all these characters are together and they see what other stories exist.  They are all amazed that there are so many other stories!  The pigs then find their own story and decide to go back home to teach that wolf a lesson.  The pigs invite the cat and the fiddle and the dragon to join them.  They all go back inside "The Three Little Pigs" story, but when the wolf says he's going to blow the house down, the dragon peeks his head out the door and scares the wolf away.  The story ends with them all cozied around a big pot of soup and of course, like the classics say, "they all lived happily ever after."

How it will be used in the classroom:
This book gives me a great idea that could be used from grades 1-3.  It would be great to read this story, but then have the students choose a story that they would like to change the ending of.  This would give the students the opportunity to use their creativity to see what their imagination consists of.  But, this would be a great reading opportunity for students in grades K-2 also.

Picture Book #6 - Caldecott Medal

Title:  A Ball For Daisy

Author:  Chris Raschka

Illustrator:   Chris Raschka 

Genre:  Children's Fiction 

Subgenre:  Early Reader Wordless Picture Book

Themes: dogs and their toys, relationship with a dog and their owner, dogs personalities, friendship and dogs, how dogs mingle with other dogs, stories without words

Primary and Secondary Characters:  Daisy, Daisy's owner, brown dog, brown dog's owner, the red and blue balls

Awards:  2012 Caldecott Medal Winner 

Date of Publication: 2011 

Publishing Company:  Schwartz & Wade Books

Summary:

This wordless picture book tells a fascinating story about Daisy and her toy ball.  Together they play, sleep and take walks.  It's not until one day that Daisy and her owner (and the red ball) go for a walk and meet up with another dog.  Daisy and the other dog are playing with the red ball until the brown dog pops the red ball.  Daisy is devastated and hangs her head down in sadness as her and her owner walk home.  Daisy is extremely sad and sleeps.  The next day, they venture out for another walk and meet up with the same dog and owner.  That owner had brought a new ball for the dogs to play with, only this time, the ball was blue.  The dogs play together with the ball and some how keep from popping it again.  As their play-date is over, Daisy is allowed to take the blue ball home.  She seems excited and as soon as they get home, Daisy snuggles up to a nice nap with her new ball.

How it will be used in the classroom:
This is such a fun book for students in pre-school that are learning to get interested in books.  This is a great beginners guide to getting kids engaged with books as they are the ones that can tell the story!  This could also be turned into an older student's activity by making them write their own version of the story by using just the pictures from the book.  I would love to have this book a part of my classroom!

Chapter Book #2 - Orbis Pictus Award

Title:  Safari Beneath the Sea: The Wonder World of the North Pacific Coast

Author:  Diane Swanson

Illustrator:   Photographs by the Royal British Columbia Museum

Genre:  Non-Fiction Juvenile Literature

Subgenre:  Informational Book

Themes: sea life, the Pacific Ocean, aquamarine habitats, sea creatures and their surroundings, sea life personalities, sea plants, sea mammals, barrier reefs

Primary and Secondary Characters:  The sea life of the North Pacific Coast

Awards:  Orbis Pictus Award 1995

Date of Publication: 1994

Publishing Company:  Whitecap Books

Summary:

This creative and informational chapter book explores the coast of the North Pacific and inspects the sea creatures that live there.  The first chapter discusses why the sea life is so vast in the northern parts of the Pacific Ocean.  Accrediting the water's rich nutrients and calm waters, the sea life there is able to thrive.  At the end of each chapter, the author gives fun facts and statistics that apply to the topics in that chapter.  Chapter two is filled with beautiful pictures of plant life within this oceanic area and describes what type of animals rely on this plant life.  Plants serve as an important factor within the ocean ecosystem.  Chapter three investigates the "spineless superstars," who include such animals as the octopus, the jellyfish, the vast amount of different sea stars, scallops, and sea anemones.  The fourth chapter describes the various types of fish that live within the coast and how they dwell in their surroundings.  This chapter also includes a quick look at sharks!  The last and final chapter gets personal with the sea mammals.  The whales, dolphins, sea otters and sea lions have fun personalities as they are fun to watch from the shore.  These animals seem to enjoy the entertainment and attention!

How it will be used in the classroom:
This is a really great book to introduce sea animals and their habitats to students.  Many children like to explore the ocean and this is a great research topic for third to even sixth graders.  This book could be used as an incredible resource and informational book if that's what they enjoy reading.  The statistics and facts within this book is also a great way for children to learn about the ocean and its many characteristics!

Picture Book #5 - Caldecott Medal

Title:  Grandfather's Journey
Author:  Allen Say
Illustrator:  Allen Say
Genre:  Fiction
Subgenre:  Early Reader Multicultural Realistic Fiction
Themes: family oriented, relationship with your grandfather, tourism, Japanese traditions, voyages, being homesick, impact of a war
Primary and Secondary Characters: grandfather, grandmother, grandfather's daughter (the young woman), the young woman's husband, the young woman and her husband's son, people of the village
Awards:  1994 Caldecott Medal Winner
Date of Publication: 1993
Publishing Company:  Houghton Mifflin Company

Summary:
This adventurous story unfolds the life a boy's grandfather who is from Japan.  His grandfather wanted to travel the world and went many places.  Such places as Europe, North America, deserts, endless farm fields, mountains, industrial cities, and traveled to his favorite place, San Francisco, California.  His grandfather eventually became homesick and went back to Japan.  After getting married, his grandfather and his bride moved to San Francisco and had a baby girl.  But in San Francisco his grandfather became homesick again and they returned back to Japan.  Once being back in Japan, grandfather's daughter met and married a man from a city near their village.  She then bore a son who became close with his grandfather.  His grandfather told him many stories about his travels as a young man and exclusively told him about San Francisco, California and how he planned on going back one day.  After the impact of war that broke out in Japan, grandfather wasn't able to travel back to California.  Sadly, grandfather never saw California again.  As the young boy grew, he found himself leaving his village in Japan and moved to San Francisco, California.  But being there, the boy come to know the homesickness that his grandfather had told him of.  Funny how they were both able to feel the same emotions!
How it will be used in the classroom:
This is a great book for grades 3-5 since there are many activities that the students could engage in from this book.  This book is a great example of showing diversity and they could write their own story as an immigrant or could even learn about Japan and its history.  Although this is an easy read, the thought process of comprehending this story is aimed more for third and fifth grade classrooms.  The students might be able to relate to this story as many students are coming from different parts of the world.

Chapter Book #1 - Newbery Medal

Title:  From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

Author:  E.L. Konigsburg

Illustrator:  E.L. Konisburg, Jacket Photography by Barry David Marcus

Genre:  Juvenile Fiction

Subgenre:  Realistic Mystery Fiction Novel

Themes: Mystery, running away, museums, brothers and sisters, New York, art work, becoming responsible

Primary and Secondary Characters: Claudia Kincaid, Jamie Kincaid, the workers in the museum, Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, "the angel," Mr. Saxonberg, Sheldon

Awards:  Newbery Medal Winner 1968

Date of Publication: 1967

Publishing Company:  Atheneum Books For Young Readers

Summary:

Twelve year old Claudia decides it would be a great idea and adventure to run away form home.  She chooses to bring along her younger brother, Jamie, who is nine.  Claudia chooses the Metropolitan Museum of Art as their choice of "a get-away."  As they grow accustom to living on their own and becoming responsible with their spending, Claudia and Jamie discover a work of art that intrigues them.  "The Angel" is a masterpiece that is under investigation to determine whether or not Michelangelo is the real artist.  Claudia  is becoming attached to prove the authenticity, and the mystery heightens as they investigate on their own.  Their sources lead them to visit the original owner of the sculpture "Angel" who is Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler.  Once they discover the truth through Mrs. Frankweiler's mix-up files, the secret is revealed that Michelangelo is indeed the real artist.  The only promise that the children made with Mrs. Frankweiler was to allow her to take them home if they got to discover the truth about "Angel."  Claudia and Jamie end their journey and discover a secret that only they know!

How it will be used in the classroom:

Considering the reading level in this book, I think this would be a very enjoyable read for a fifth or sixth grader.  I think they would be able to relate to these characters who are dealing with their "maturity" and handling siblings.  There is a lot of great vocabulary words within this book that would expand their speaking skills.  This is a great book for students to use their imagination and live in a world that would be fun to experience!

Poem Book #1

Title:  Little Dog Poems
Author:  Kristine O'Connell George
Illustrator:  June Otani
Genre:  Narrative Poetry
Subgenre:  Early Reader Non-Fiction Children's Poems
Themes: dogs, personalities of dogs, companionship of an animal, daily activities and pets
Primary and Secondary Characters: Little Dog, little girl

Awards:  American Library Association Notable Book for 2000

Date of Publication: 1999
Publishing Company:  Clarion Books

Summary:
This "pawfect" poetry book is filled with over 30 short poems that include what "Little Dog" does throughout his day.  Starting with getting up in the morning and how "his cold wet nose is better than an alarm clock," shows the true companionship  between this dog and his owner (a little girl).  Each poem has a main title such as "Mail Delivery, Coming Home and Bath" that all tell the tale of how "Little Dog" reacts in those situations.  Of course, just like any other dog, he likes to enjoy the simple things in life.  This personal poem book makes you feel close to your pet, as it is a very relatable book that makes you smile as you remember the memories that you have too, also gone through.
How it will be used in the classroom:
Poems are especially beneficial to have within a classroom because they can introduce rhythm, recall nursery songs, and it improves the creativity of imagination through the words a poem has.  Poems really make students pay attention and improves their listening skills.  Poems are also normally short and interactive with songs which makes them fun and enjoyable to engage in.  Poems are great for pre-k through high school so it just depends on what level of poetry that you want to share within the classroom.

Picture Book #4 - Caldecott Medal

Title:  A Sick Day for Amos McGee
Author:  Philip C. Stead
Illustrator:  Erin E. Stead
Genre:  Fiction
Subgenre:  Early Reader Animal Fantasy
Themes: animals, zoos, being sick, friendship and loyalty
Primary and Secondary Characters: Amos McGee, the elephant, the tortoise, the penguin, the rhinoceros, and the owl
Awards:  2011 Caldecott Medal Winner
Date of Publication: May 2010
Publishing Company:  Neal Porter Books/Roaring Brook Press, an imprint of Macmillian Children's Publishing Group

Summary:
What an adorable book that makes you want to be sick for the first time, that is, if you have friends like Amos McGee!  Amos is a zookeeper that works with all kinds of animals that include an elephant, a tortoise, a penguin, a rhino and an owl.  These animals are very used to having Amos around their daily schedules and they play games, read books or race.  It's not until one day that Amos gets sick and is unable to attend work.  Instead, he stays home and tries to feel better.  But, the animals at the zoo notice the absence of Amos and realize that they can't play without him.  So, they decide to visit him and altogether they take the bus and travel to Amos's house.  To his surprise, Amos is excited to see that the animals care so much for him and invites them in even though he is still under the weather.  Amos, still feeling sick, tries his best to play all the games, read all the books and race the best he can.  At the end of the day, Amos gets sleepy and lays down to sleep; but not alone, as he has all his animal friends from the zoo fall asleep with him.
How it will be used in the classroom:
This easy reader book would be extremely beneficial for a first grade or kindergarten environment.  There aren't too many words per page which makes it a great starting book for many younger children from the ages 4-6.  It is such a great recommendation to read with the class if someone isn't feeling well or if the class is learning about animals.  This is such a fun book that students will definitely enjoy reading for fun as well!

Picture Book #3

Title:  Grumpy Cat
Author:  Britta Teckentrup
Illustrator:  Britta Teckentrup
Genre:  Fiction
Subgenre:  Early Reader Animal Fantasy
Themes: grumpiness, cats, friendship, socializing, emotions and feelings, compassion and finding happiness.
Primary and Secondary Characters: Cat, Kitten, and other cats in the neighborhood
Awards:  A winner of the 2008 2x2 Children's Reading List by the Texas Library Association
Date of Publication: 2008
Publishing Company:  Boxer Books

Summary:
Cat was lonely and lived all alone.  All he wanted was to play with all the other cats in the neighborhood, but they all thought he was grumpy.  It wasn't until one night that a bad rainstorm hit and Cat (being grumpy like always) was getting even more grumpy.  But, little did Cat know, that was going to be the night that would change him forever.  Standing there in between Cat's paws, there stood Kitten, who was also alone and was in need of shelter from the storm.  However, Cat did not like her company and walked away.  But, Kitten followed close behind everywhere Cat went.  Kitten was trying to be friendly towards Cat, but since Cat was grumpy, he still wanted to be left alone.  To attempt to get rid of Kitten forever, Cat climbed a tree hoping that Kitten wouldn't be able to follow.  Kitten felt courageous and instead followed Cat up the tree.  But, Kitten suddenly slipped on a thin tree branch and as quick as can be, Cat unconsciously saved her.  Cat then realized that he adored the company that Kitten brought him.  He then began taking care of Kitten by feeding her and providing for her.  Cat had finally made a true friend!

How it will be used in the classroom:
I really liked how this story ends with the cat not feeling left out.  I think that is important for student's to know that they can find a friend in someone they didn't expect to find it in.  So, I really like the moral that this story had to offer.  This would be a great book for grades K-2 especially within reading comprehension and the level of reading the book is.

Picture Book #2

Title:  Who Made This Cake?
Author:  Chihiro Nakagawa
Illustrator:  Junji Koyose
Genre:  Fiction
Subgenre:  Early Reader Modern Fantasy
Themes:  Construction, workers building, cake ingredients, baking, teamwork, birthdays, celebrating with family
Primary and Secondary Characters: lots of miniature workers, mom, dad, and boy
Awards:   2008 Horn Book Fanfare
Date of Publication: 2008
Publishing Company:  Front Street (Boyds Mills Press)

Summary:
A mother is needing to order a birthday cake, and quick!  She calls the little workers and they take on the task.  All the little workers then put on their hard hats and get to work.  They get their reinforcements - a bulldozer and several other construction trucks.  Once their trucks are in place, they begin adding all the cake ingredients into a giant mixing bowl that is about ten times as big as they are.  They use all the construction trucks to their advantage and use them to mix all the ingredients together.  Once the cake batter is mixed, it is poured into the pan and is baked in a giant oven.  The cake is then decorated with all the workers using their construction vehicles and is topped with delicious strawberries!  The little workers are finished with their task and the cake is finalized with a topper that reads, "Happy Birthday."  The mom then carries out the cake from the kitchen (as if she made the cake) and celebrates her sons birthday.

How it will be used in the classroom:
This is a very easy read as it only has a few words on each page.  This is a great read for a kindergartener, especially if it is their birthday!  I think this would be a fun book to read to my students (if I taught Pre-K or K) on their birthdays.  It would also be a great book for children to start to read on their own within the classroom.

Picture Book #1

Title:  That New Animal
Author:  Emily Jenkins
Illustrator:  Pierre Pratt
Genre:  Realistic Fiction
Subgenre:  Early Reader picture book
Themes:  Major changes within family life, pets and their feelings, empathy, compassion and loyalty, and coping with change.
Primary and Secondary Characters: FudgeFudge, Marshmallow, "that new animal (a baby)," mom, dad, and grandpa.
Awards:   Boston Globe - Horn Book Award
Date of Publication: March 2005
Publishing Company:  Frances Foster Books

Summary:
This book is very involved with realistic matters that occur in families.  This book discusses (from a dog's point of view which makes the book humorous) how FudgeFudge and Marshmallow view "that new animal" which is a newborn baby that was brought home just recently.  Of course, these dogs don't take it very well that they aren't getting the attention anymore.  Instead, "that new animal" has overtaken what it seems like everything!  "That new animal" smells different, takes up their spot on the couch, and most importantly, keeps their masters from playing with them.  FudgeFudge and Marshmallow try to gain the attention back from their masters, but instead, they get in trouble.  They just want "that new animal" to go away!  But, one day, grandpa comes over and wants to hold "that new animal."  FudgeFudge and Marshmallow don't like this so they bark and bark until grandpa goes away.  They find themselves becoming protective of "that new animal."  As "that new animal" slowly starts to grow up, they notice they are fetching the stick again, and they're being called "Da" which means dog.  In the end, FudgeFudge and Marshmallow come to realize that "that new animal" isn't too bad after all.

How it would be used within the classroom: 
Since this is considered an early reader's book, I could incorporate this book into my classroom by keeping it handy for those students who have a lower reading level.  This book was recommended for children ages 3-6, so that shows what age level would be beneficial to read this book.  However, it is a great story and has a theme that many children could relate to.  It could be just a fun book to have around the classroom that could engage students within their interests.