Picture Book #19

Title:  The Babe & I

Author:  David A. Adler

Illustrator: Terry Widener

Genre:  Youth Fiction 

Subgenre:  Historical/Realistic Fiction 

Themes:  The Great Depression in the U.S. during the 1930's, money making projects, Babe Ruth, baseball, family loyalty, fathers and sons, teamwork, unemployment 

Primary and Secondary Characters: a boy (main character), his father and mother, his friend Jacob, Mrs. Johnson and Babe Ruth

Awards:  Golden Kite Honor Book, Jefferson Cup Honor Book

Date of Publication:  1999

Publishing Company:  Voyager Books, Harcourt, Inc.

Summary:

Just a boy living in New York City, he is dealing with the Depression just as much as anyone else.  For his birthday, his dad gives him a whopping ten cents.  Terribly disappointed, he tags along with his friend Jacob to go and spend it.  The boys noticed a woman selling apples for five cents a piece on the sidewalk, and decided to buy themselves apples from the birthday money.  As they both turn the corner, the boy notices that his father is selling apples too.  Surprised, the boy feels bad that his dad is having to work this dreadful job.  But, his friend Jacob invites him to tag-along with his newspaper selling.  Going just to see what it's all about, he realizes that he too, can sell newspapers.  He helps his friend Jacob sell many newspapers when they go close to Yankee stadium.  Jacob tells him to pitch the latest Yankee baseball news to customers and they will buy newspapers like they're going out of style.  And was Jacob right!  As him and Jacob sell newspapers one day, a man buys a newspaper for five dollars, which was way over the asking price.  Jacob excitedly runs towards the boy and tells him that Babe Ruth just bought a newspaper from him!  From there on, the boy is a huge Yankee's fan.  And as for his newspaper business, he contributes Babe Ruth for his newspaper success.  He was now able to become a team with his dad so they could both make enough money to support their family.  They were both getting through the hard times, but now, they were together.

How it will be used in the classroom:
I really enjoy how historical fiction books can be read in the classroom to help teach reality in the past. This is a great example of that and this can show students in grades 1-4 that girls and boys their age in the 1930's were living completely different lives at a different time in history.  This would be a great book to show them how differently their lives could be if they lived during that time in history.

Chapter Book #8 - Coretta Scott King Award

Title:  The First Part Last

Author:  Angela Johnson

Illustrator: Jacket photograph by: John Healy

Genre:  Youth Fiction 

Subgenre:  Realistic Fiction 

Themes:  teenage pregnancy, teenage fathers, relationship between a father and daughter, raising a child, city life, pregnancy disorders

Primary and Secondary Characters: Bobby, Feather, Nia, K-Boy, J.L., Frank, Mary, Mr. and Mrs. Wilkens, Paul and the neighbors 

Awards:  Coretta Scott King Award Winner 2004, Michael L. Printz Award 2004

Date of Publication:  2003

Publishing Company:  Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers

Summary:

Bobby is amazed that he can call himself a daddy.  When Feather arrives, she changes everything, but for the better, or Bobby hopes.  Bobby and his girlfriend Nia are shocked that they are pregnant, but agree that they are not ready to be parents at the age of 16.  So, they decide to put the baby up for adoption once she's born, or at least that was the plan.  However, things did not go according to plan as they never seem to do.  Nia suffers Eclampsia (though you don't find out what really happens to her until the end of the book) and Bobby can't seem to give up his little girl that resembles so much of her mother.  Knowing the task will be tough, Bobby struggles to balance friends, school and raising Feather.  His parents are there for his support but believe in the "tough love" approach which Bobby knows that they are not going to do everything for him.  But, his connection and relationship with Feather overpowers any hard times that Bobby faces, and realizes that he is the happiest when it's just them two.  Bobby's brother Paul lives in Heaven, Ohio and encourages Bobby to make that a place for him to raise Feather.  As Bobby realizes, Heaven, Ohio would actually be a better place to raise Feather instead of Brooklyn, NY.  So, saying his final goodbyes to Nia (who is in a vegetative state at a hospital) and his family and friends, Bobby travels to Heaven, OH to raise Feather.  Bobby hopes that this place is only a small piece of what heaven really is like.

How it will be used in the classroom:
This was such a powerful book and I think I read the book in about 2 hours because I was so wrapped up in it!  I would love for students to read this book that are in high school to realize what the reality of having a child at 16 is really like.  It's not a fairy tale with a happy ever after ending and I think it's great for students to notice that raising a child is not easy.  I feel that students would really be able to connect with this book, as I am sure they know someone or have heard of someone their age living exactly what Bobby went through.

Chapter Book #7

Title:  Echo

Author:  Kate Morgenroth

Illustrator: Daniel Roode

Genre:  Youth Fiction 

Subgenre:  Realistic Fiction 

Themes:  coping with a loss of a family member, adolescence, family catastrophes, high school relationships, peer pressure, illusions, deja vu, post traumatic stress disorder, death

Primary and Secondary Characters: Justin, Mark, Justin's parents, Billy, Ricky, Tim, Megan, Zack, Daniel, Mr. Franks, Dr. Ryden and the school bus driver

Awards:  Edgar-Award Nominated Author

Date of Publication:  2007

Publishing Company:  Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers

Summary:

Justin is just an ordinary fifteen year old who is always getting into minor arguments with his brother, Mark.  But one day, it's taken too far and Mark threatens to "kill the kid" and Justin does nothing to keep Mark from pulling the trigger on himself.  Justin then blames himself for his brother's death and does not handle it well.  Becoming an outcast in school, Justin gets into trouble and bullies up on his old friends.  Justin has this "voice" in his head that almost acts as a conscience.  Justin relives a single day at school over and over just to realize that he is not handling his brother's death in a healthy manner.  In reality, he is undergoing a hypnosis with his psychiatrist, Dr. Ryden.  For the final day that is relived, Justin overdoses on his mother's pills and is kept in a hospital and finally wakes up to realize that he's been in Dr. Ryden's room the entire time he is reliving his stories.  Dr. Ryden is helping Justin to relive his "troubled" days in order to get through the stress of losing his brother.  Justin finally realizes that he's not to blame for his brother's death, but also knows that he is never going to be the same person again.  He plans on getting his act together and plans to become more involved within family life.  His parents feel remorse with him and together they get through the tragedy of their unfortunate loss.

How it will be used in the classroom:
This psychological thriller novel could help students that have lost a sibling relate to this story line.  The recommended ages for this book are 13-18 due to some graphic language and violence.  This book also keeps students engaged on what reality could be like for other students that are in high school.  This could be a great opportunity for students to be able to free write their views on this book within a journal or diary.

Poem Book #2

Title:  Love That Dog

Author:  Sharon Creech

Illustrator (Cover Artist): William Steig

Genre:  Youth Fiction 

Subgenre:  Realistic/Poetic Fiction 

Themes:  classroom involvement, free writing in a journal, relationship with your dog, looking up to someone, getting excited to meet someone

Primary and Secondary Characters: Jack, Miss Stretchberry, Sky (the yellow dog), Mr. Walter Dean Meyers

Awards:  Volunteer State Book Award 2003-2004 (Tennessee), 53rd Annual Christopher Award Winner

Date of Publication:  2001

Publishing Company:  Scholastic, Inc.

Summary:

Love That Dog by Sharon Creech is a novel expressing the views of Jack, a boy that is not so fond of writing poetry.  This book is written in free verse and is told from a diary point of view.  Jack writes in his journal of what he thinks about writing poems and expresses how he feels personally about that topic.  One entry discusses his yellow dog, Sky.  Sky is a dog that Jack used to have and he makes lots of references of what him and Sky did together.  He even wrote a concrete poem describing what his dog looked like and his characteristics.  Jack also furthers his interest within poems and reads a poem by Mr. Walter Dean Meyers.  The poem that he is interested in is called, Love That Boy.  Jack uses this poem to relate what he liked so much about his late dog, Sky.  Jack eventually wishes to write Mr. Meyers a letter and has the teacher send it off to him.  As Jack un-patiently awaits for a response to his letter, he writes more poems that builds up his anxiety of receiving a response.  Finally, he gets the honor to actually meet Mr. Meyers, with Mr. Meyers visiting not only his school, but his class in particular.  Jack is completely overjoyed and writes Mr. Meyers a thank-you poem.

How it will be used in the classroom:
I feel that this book is a great opportunity for my students to be able to express themselves and know that they too, can have a journal and/or diary that they can escape in and write as much as they want, whenever they want.  Students can take from this too, that there are different ways in free writing and this helps give a visualization of what free writing is.  It's a great way to get children engaged with free writing for their own therapy.  I would recommend this book for students in grades 3-5.

Picture Book #18

Title:  Science Verse

Author:  Jon Scieszka

Illustrator: Lane Smith

Genre:  Youth Fiction 

Subgenre:  Modern Fantasy/Poetic Fiction 

Themes:  Science, science terminology, learning in a classroom, 

Primary and Secondary Characters: the boy (main character), Mr. Newton, the students

Awards:  Picture Book prize in the 2005 Golden Duck Awards

Date of Publication:  2004

Publishing Company:  Viking/Penguin Group

Summary:

This funny and poetic picture book discusses a boy in his science class who is told by his teacher that there is poetry of science in everything.  So, after he hears that, he can hear the poetry of science in everything!  The author also pokes fun at famous poems such as "The Raven" and "Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star."  The author discusses scientific topics such as metamorphosis, evolution, the water cycle, dinosaurs, and the food chain.  The author makes a funny note as to why also, scientists don't write nursery rhymes. 

How it will be used in the classroom:
This book is a great way to get students excited about learning science!  The topics covered in this book however are probably geared to students that are in 4th or 5th grade.  But, this would be a great way to get them interested in the science topics and hopefully it could be used as a reference to help them learn science too!

Chapter Book #6

Title:  Mr. Putter and Tabby Fly the Plane

Author:  Cynthia Rylant

Illustrator: Arthur Howard

Genre:  Youth Fiction 

Subgenre:  Beginners Chapter Book 

Themes:  pet relatioinships, toys, toy stores, making new relationships, hobbies

Primary and Secondary Characters: Mr. Putter, Tabby, the boy, the children

Awards:  Ohloana Award for Children's Literature - Author Award

Date of Publication:  1997

Publishing Company:  Harcourt Brace & Company

Summary:

Mr. Putter is excited to visit the toy store.  He always brings along his cat, Tabby.  As Mr. Putter plays with all the toys in the store, Tabby is frightened by all the sounds the toys make.  Mr. Putter enjoys toy planes the most and comes across a unique one.  The plane is white and red with stripes and has a remote control that comes with it.  Mr. Putter is so excited to finally get a plane that he could fly himself!  As Mr. Putter and Tabby try to fly the plane, the plane won't start.  They try and try and try to fix it, but it seems as if the plane is broken.  Mr. Putter tried one more time, and suddenly, the plane took off.  Children nearby Mr. Putter and Tabby were very impressed with the plane that was flying.  A boy in particular that Mr. Putter noticed, reminded him of himself when he was a boy.  He decided that he was too old to keep the plane and he gave it to the little boy the next day.  And sometimes, when Mr. Putter and Tabby went for walks, they would notice a red and white striped plane flying nearby.

How it will be used in the classroom:
This is a great beginners chapter book for students within the grades of 2nd or 3rd. This book is filled with great vocabulary words and could be centered around a great unit plan.  This would be a great opportunity for students to be able to begin reading longer books than what they are used to.  But, it's a great book with many interests that the children will want to read.

Chapter Book #5 - Mildred L. Batchelder Award

Title:  Run, Boy, Run

Author:  Uri Orlev, Translated by Hillel Halkin

Illustrator: Photograph by Kim Patrizzi

Genre:  Juvenile Fiction 

Subgenre:  Realistic Fiction and based on true events

Themes:  Judaism, the Holocaust, Jewish ghettos, traveling, survival

Primary and Secondary Characters: Srulik Frydman (who later renamed himself Jurek Santiak), Riva Frydman, Hersh Frydman, Jurek's brothers and sisters, Yankel, The German soldiers, Marisza, Azor, Marina, Grzegorz, Clara, Sasha, Christina, The Kowalski's, Tadek, Pani Rappaport, Pani Staniak

Awards:  Mildred L. Batchelder Award 2004

Date of Publication:  2003

Publishing Company:  Houghton Mifflin Co.

Summary:

Srulik is just an eight year old boy who is desperately trying to keep from the Germans.  Srulik and his mother are placed into a Jewish ghetto and somehow, Srulik escapes and his mother disappears.  Srulik is forced to live on his own and wanders from place to place with a group of boys.  As they soon get caught by the forester, Srulik finds himself all alone.  He learns how to live in the wild forest and stays with random families, jumping from house to house to keep from getting caught by the Germans.  One woman he stays with advisees him to change his name so people won't think that he's Jewish.  He is then named Jurek Staniak.  Jurek later stays with a family whom he works for as a herdsman.  While working, Jurek somehow gets his arm stuck in a machine and is forced to amputate his arm.  Now being one-armed, Jurek learns how to adapt and balance with his disability.  He finally comes across a decent family to stay with but is forced to leave because the Germans are invading many houses to look for Jews.  Jurek travels to another village to keep from his identity being revealed.  The last family he stays with, the Kowalski's, has  a son about Jurek's age and they get along very well.  Tadek and Jurek go to Sunday school together, where Jurek learns all about becoming Christian.  Jurek and Tadek get confirmed and Jurek feels as if he is betraying his Jewish faith.  But, as the war is closing in, Jurek is taken by a group of men promising him a brighter future.  Jurek finds himself surrounded by other Jewish orphans who went through the same events that he did.  He meets Pani Rappaport who takes him back to Blonie, his hometown.  Jurek finds out that his mother, father and brother Duvid have died, but his sister Fayge is alive.  Jurek is taken by Pani Rappaport to say his goodbyes to the Kowalski's and Jurek begins a new life with his sister Fayge in Israel.

How it will be used in the classroom:
I would be extremely honored to have this book in my classroom.  This book is geared more towards children of the ages of 10-13.  I would love for my students to read this book to see what life was like for Jewish children close to their age during World War II.  This would be a great eye opener for them to realize how precious life really is.  This would also teach them a great deal of history and who was all involved during the war.  This book has such great power to impact my students and I hope to be able to read it in the classroom.

Picture Book #17

Title:  So Happy!

Author:  Kevin Henkes

Illustrator: Anita Lobel

Genre:  Children's Fiction 

Subgenre:  Early Reader Fantasy Fiction

Themes:  mother and son relationship, rabbits, plants, mother nature

Primary and Secondary Characters: a rabbit, a magic seed, a little boy and his mother, 

Awards:  None

Date of Publication:  2005

Publishing Company:  Greenwillow Books

Summary:

As a magical seed was planted, it was not able to grow due to no rain.  Meanwhile, a rabbit ventured off and got lost.  All the while, there was a little boy who was extremely bored and didn't know what to do.  So all at the same time, the seed could not grow, the rabbit was lost, and the boy was bored.  But, the rain soon came and the boy got excited that it was raining and now the seed could grow.  After the rain, the creek has expanded and the seed continued to grow.  The boy had an idea to build a bridge over the creek.  The rabbit was still scared as he was on the wrong side of the creek.  As the boy began to build his bridge, the seed continued growing and the rabbit continued to be scared.  Within a next few days, the seed became a bud and started to emerge from mother Earth.  The seed had grown into a beautiful flower and the boy had finished his bridge.  The rabbit then darted across the bridge into his thicket and reunited with his family.  When the sun set, the flower was gone and the rabbit was sound asleep.  What had happened to the flower?  The boy had taken it home to his mother, whom he made "so happy!"

How it will be used in the classroom:
I would like to use this book as showing diversity.  This has a setting that could show how Indian Americans lived.  I think it would be relatable to children since the story involves a little boy.  I also like the nature within this book and I think it would be a great way of showing how plants grow in stages.  

Picture Book #16

Title:  Pictures from Our Vacation

Author:  Lynne Rae Perkins

Illustrator: Lynn Rae Perkins

Genre:  Children's Fiction 

Subgenre:  Youth Realistic Fiction

Themes:  vacations, family reunions, family relationships, photography, photo albums, adventures, maps

Primary and Secondary Characters: little girl, her brother, mother, father, grandparents, cousins and Aunt Charlotte

Awards:  ALA Notable Children's Book

Date of Publication:  2007

Publishing Company:  Greenwillow Books

Summary:

A family is getting ready to go on a vacation and the mother hands her two children cameras.  They are excited that they will be able to scrap book their pictures from the vacation.  Their vacation spot is their grandparent's farm that feels "so far away."  Once they arrive, their father is reminded of all his childhood memories.  The children are excited to play and begin their vacation.  They play badminton, but it begins to rain.  Much to their dismay, they are forced to be cooped up in their grandparent's house.  They use their creativity and draw, play cards and read.  They agree that it's not feeling like a vacation.  Once the rain passes, their mother suggests that they all go swimming.  Excitedly, the children get dressed and they adventure out to go swimming.  Their father remembers a short cut, but they can't find the lake to swim at.  After searching up and down, they finally arrive at the lake.  They go on the dock to get ready to cannonball into the water, when suddenly, it begins to rain again.  They are so tired of rain!  However, the next day, the rain passes and ironically, it's a beautiful sunny day!  A family reunion was scheduled for that day, and the children cherish their time with their cousins.  The next day, it's time for them to go back home.  Looking back at the pictures the little girl and brother took, there weren't too many that told a story about their vacation.  Instead, they both agree that the best memories are kept in their minds!

How it will be used in the classroom:
This would be a great book to break the ice with on the first day of school.  I think it opens the door to discussing what everyone did the summer before school started.  It would also be great to tie this into a journal writing entry.  The students could write in their journals about their summer vacation or their favorite vacation.  I would like to use this book for grades 2-4.

Picture Book #15

Title:  Ducks Don't Wear Socks

Author:  John Nedwidek

Illustrator:  Lee White

Genre:  Children's Fantasy Fiction 

Subgenre:  Early Reader Animal Fantasy

Themes:  friendship, getting out of your shell, humor, playing dress-up

Primary and Secondary Characters: Emily, Duck, the people of the town

Awards:  Building Block Nominee 2009

Date of Publication:  2008

Publishing Company:  Penguin Group

Summary:

Emily was a serious little girl.  She hardly smiled and always stayed on task.  Duck, on the other hand, was silly and was far from being serious.  Emily would correct Duck when she'd see him and would tell him, "ducks don't wear socks!"  Duck would fire back and tell her why he was wearing them.  That would be the case for other situations - Emily would correct Duck, and Duck would give a reason as to why he was wearing it.  One day, Emily saw Duck wearing boots while working in a garden.  He had gotten into trouble because he wasn't supposed to be on the fields.  Emily couldn't help but smile and found Duck funny.  She also saw Duck wearing underwear while sailing a boat and Emily thought it was hilarious!  Emily had come up with an idea to do something funny too, and the next day she saw Duck, Duck was the one who was saying to Emily, "What are you wearing?"  Emily, in fact, was wearing a duck costume.  Duck liked that she had chosen a duck and together, they laughed (well, actually, Duck quacked!).

How it will be used in the classroom:
This would be a great book for students ages 4-6.  I think children would be able to appreciate the humor that Duck puts off.  It would be great for them to also think of something else that Duck could wear and draw a picture of him!

Picture Book #14

Title:  Once upon a time, the End (asleep in 60 seconds)

Author:  Geoffrey Kloske

Illustrator:  Barry Blitt

Genre:  Children's Fantasy Fiction 

Subgenre:  Early Reader Traditional Literature/Folktales and Legends

Themes:  traditional folktales, trying to be put to sleep, being read a story before bed

Primary and Secondary Characters: characters in traditional tales, a son and his father

Awards:  Gold Award Winner by the National Parenting Publications Awards, Virginia Readers' Choice Award Master List

Date of Publication:  2005

Publishing Company:  An Anne Schwartz Book/Atheneum Books For Young Readers

Summary:

This fun book features a twist on classic folktales that we all know too well.  This semi-poetic book's purpose is to be able to put children to sleep, and in a record time of 60 seconds!  A father is trying to desperately put his son to sleep, who is constantly asking for "just one more story."  His father then speed reads through classics (that have been altered to be shorter) such as "chicken little," "small girl, red hood," "sleeping beauty," and last but not least, "hickory, dickory dock."  Each tale ends with it's own personal saying of "go to bed."  Finally, (as the father wishes) his son falls asleep as he reads the classic line, "and they all lived..."  The funny catch to it though is that not only did the boy fall asleep, but the father passed out too!

How it will be used in the classroom:
If I had students in pre-k or even children in a daycare that were required to take naps, this would be a great story to read them to sleep!  But, for students that were in grades 2-4, it would be fun for them to make a classic tale and change it the way the author has.  They could put their own twists on stories, along with using their creativity to make up a new one!

Picture Book #13

Title:  Hardworking Puppies

Author:  Lynn Reiser

Illustrator:  Lynn Reiser

Genre:  Children's Fiction 

Subgenre:  Early Reader Animal Fantasy/Informational Picture Book

Themes:  dogs, counting, dog's jobs, the importance of dogs

Primary and Secondary Characters: all ten hardworking dogs and their ten job masters

Awards:  Part of "Best Picture Books of 2006," by Horn Book Fanfare

Date of Publication:  2006

Publishing Company:  Harcourt Books

Summary:

This is a great counting picture book that tells the story of ten hardworking puppies.  These puppies want jobs and they can't wait!  A firefighter comes along and seeks a hardworking puppy.  A puppy is picked, and now there are only nine puppies left.  Each day, a new person comes a seeks a puppy for a hardworking job.  Every time someone gets a puppy for a job, one is subtracted.  But, now there's only one puppy left!  The last puppy becomes an expert pet and is very happy.  But, after all the puppies have done their work at their jobs, they are ready to relax.  Each dog has been needed for important jobs but now that their work is done, they all play!

How it will be used in the classroom:
This is a great way to introduce subtraction to students and of course, makes it fun!  It is also a great way to see how important dogs can be within working important jobs.  The book gives a great outline for what jobs need dogs to enhance their work abilities.  Some examples include guard dogs, assistance dogs and water-rescue dogs.  I think it would be great for students aged 4-7 to see how some jobs wouldn't be the same if it weren't for dogs!

Picture Book #12

Title:  My Big Brother

Author:  Miriam Cohen

Illustrator:  Ronald Himler

Genre:  Children's Fiction 

Subgenre:  Early Reader Realistic Fiction

Themes:  family, big brothers, little brothers, military life, family struggles

Primary and Secondary Characters:  big brother, little brother, the youngest brother, and mama

Awards:  South Carolina Picture Book Award Nominee 2007

Date of Publication:  2005

Publishing Company:  Star Bright Books

Summary:

This book describes a strong relationship between a little boy and his big brother.  He loves to do everything his big brother does.  They play basketball together, play the guitar together, and read.  One of their favorite pastimes is to work on big brother's car.  The boys, the youngest,  the middle boy, and the oldest, along with their mama go to church every Sunday.  The oldest brother always tells mama how beautiful she looks.  When they come back to eat lunch, the oldest brother always tells mama how delicious the food is.  One day, the older brother tells the family that he is joining the army.  Everyone is sad, but sends him off.  The older brother makes sure before he leaves, that his younger brother will take care of their youngest brother.  He agrees to take care of him, and realizes that he is the big brother now.  So, after his big brother leaves, he does the same activities with his younger brother that he used to do with his older brother.  They play basketball, keep their brother's car clean and even tell mama how beautiful she looks for church.  The young boy misses his big brother so bad and always looks at his picture.  He decides he's ready for him to be home for good.  

How it will be used in the classroom:
This would be a great book to have for those students who have experienced someone in their family leaving to the military.  This would be a great book to read around Veteran's Day, to remember those who deal with loved ones being gone and of course to honor those who serve.  I think it would also be great for students to see how important it is to be respectful of your younger or older brother.  

Picture Book # 11

Title:  Ella Sets the Stage

Author:  Carmela & Steven D'Amico

Illustrator:  Carmela & Steven D'Amico

Genre:  Children's Fiction 

Subgenre:  Early Reader Animal Fantasy

Themes:  elephants, school classroom, school talent show, interaction with your classmates, talents, acting

Primary and Secondary Characters:  Ella, Miss Bell, Tiki (a monkey), Lola, Belinda, Ella's mother, Daisy, Mrs. Sowenso, Frankie, Ada & Ida (twins), Victor, and Theodore

Awards:  2006 National Parenting Publications Gold Award

Date of Publication:  2006

Publishing Company:  Arthur A. Levine Books

Summary:

Ella is getting excited about the upcoming talent show that was just announced!  She is eager to get ready but cannot seem to think of a talent that she could perform.  Her friends have already found what their talents are that include magic, ballet, singing and jump roping.  However, Ella is determined to find a talent of her own.  She searches for a talent and finds herself banging on pots and pans and realizes that's not a talent, but instead a "racket," as her mother put it.  She gives up and her mother describes many things that she's good at - baking, and making people happy.  But that doesn't satisfy Ella.  So, instead of performing, Ella decides to join the talent show committee.  Ella is such a help within the committee and even helps put together the talent show program and the winning medals.  Once the talent show starts, catastrophes occur and it's Ella to the rescue!  After the show, the winners are revealed and but there is also another award...and it goes to Ella!  Ella received an award for all her hard work within making the talent show happen!  Ella found out then soon, that she had a talent after all!

How it will be used in the classroom:
What a fun book this would be for students with an upcoming talent show!  This would be a fun book to read and then soon after have a miniature talent show within the classroom!  Students would love to be able to show off their talents, and for those who are having trouble will also have a job, just the same as Ella had!  This would be great for students grades 1-3.

Picture Book #10

Title:  The Black Book of Colors

Author:  Menena Cottin 

Illustrator:  Rosana Faria

Genre:  Children's Fiction 

Subgenre:  Early Reader Braille Picture Book

Themes:  Braille, colors, feeling texture of pictures, the Braille alphabet

Primary and Secondary Characters:   the colors yellow, red, brown, blue, white, green, black and a rainbow, and the sun

Awards:  2007 Bologna Ragazzi New Horizons Award, 

Date of Publication:  2006

Publishing Company:  Groundwood Books/House of Anansi Press

Summary:

This is truly an amazing book!  The entire book is in Braille (also with words that can be read) and has texturized pictures to help portray the color that is being read.  The colors are introduced and are recognized by an object that is that color.  For instance, yellow is the first color introduced and says, "yellow tastes like mustard, but is as soft as a baby chick's feathers," and the illustration is the texturized feel of feathers floating throughout the page. It is really cool to try and feel before you read the next page if you can guess what object is being drawn.  This book brings a whole new perspective on how you see colors!  The book finishes with the entire Braille alphabet.  

How it will be used in the classroom:
This would be a great book to read when discussing disabilities children could have.  It would be a great activity to have the children learn the Braille alphabet and have them write something in Braille.  This book would truly help children appreciate their sense of sight!

Picture Book #9

Title:  Roller Coaster

Author:  Marla Frazee

Illustrator:  Marla Frazee

Genre:  Children's Fiction 

Subgenre:  Early Reader Realistic Adventure

Themes:  theme parks, waiting in line for a ride, riding a roller coaster, being excited and nervous at the same time!

Primary and Secondary Characters:  the people waiting in line, the little girl and her father, and the other ten people that rode the roller coaster

Awards:  "Excellence and Exuberance in a Picture Book," Award in 2004 by Children's Literature Council 

Date of Publication:  2003

Publishing Company:  Harcourt Books

Summary:

This adventurous picture book takes you through a roller coaster ride!  The story opens with showing a long line of people who are waiting in line to ride the incredible roller coaster.  For anyone that has rode a roller coaster, they know that waiting in line is half the fun, as it is as much fun to watch the people in line too!  As a little girls turn comes near, she is measured to ensure that she is tall enough.  Only making it by a couple of inches, she is allowed to ride and proceeds to take the first seat.  (As anyone knows, the front seat gives the most thrill!)  The "clickity, clackity" of the roller coaster going up to the top gives the girl a nervous reaction.  As the roller coaster plunges downward, the little girl isn't able to open her eyes.  The roller coaster speeds in circles and even goes upside down!  It seems that the roller coaster is done in a flash and the little girl looks pleased with her ride.  However, there are other passengers that are holding their stomachs and others that look scared.  But, for the little girl, she is ready to ride it again!

How it will be used in the classroom:
This would be a fun book to read to my students when it gets close to fair time, or even when a festival is coming up.  This book would really get students excited and would be a great opportunity for them to write about their first experience on a roller coaster.  It would also be a fun activity to have them draw their own design of a roller coaster.  

Picture Book #8

Title:  Lemons Are Not Red

Author:  Laura Vaccaro Seeger

Illustrator:  Laura Vaccaro Seeger

Genre:  Children's Fiction 

Subgenre:  Early Reader Modern Fantasy

Themes:  identifying colors, animals, fruits, objects, bed time story

Primary and Secondary Characters:  lemons, apples, carrots, eggplant, flamingo, elephant, reindeer, snowmen, grass, sky, the moon and night

Awards:  American Library Association Notable Children's Book 2005  

Date of Publication:  2004

Publishing Company:  A Neal Porter Book/Roaring Book Press

Summary:

This color-crazed book adventures a world of what certain objects would be like if they were a different color.  But, the author makes sure that you know what color that object really is!  For instance, lemons are not red, they are yellow, and the author shows a lemon that is red, but then quickly corrects herself and shows a lemon that is the correct color, yellow.  There are many other objects that are discolored in this book and it's funny to see what a purple carrot looks like!  The books ends with a cute quote, "the night is black...good night!"  So this really makes for a great bed time book!

How it will be used in the classroom:
This would be a great book to have in a classroom for pre-k or kindergarten.  The children would love to be able to see what a red lemon looks like, or what a gray flamingo is!  This is also a great way for them to continue to recognize colors and how they are spelled.  This could make for a fun activity for them to make different objects turn different colors and then correct them by coloring them the right color!

Chapter Book #4 - Newbery Medal

Title:  The View from Saturday

Author:  E.L. Konigsburg

Illustrator:   E.L. Konigsburg

Genre:  Youth Fiction

Subgenre:  Realistic Fiction

Themes: classmates, relationships with your teacher, friendship, academic groups, family, bullies, sixth grade classroom setting, learning and being challenged, making new friends

Primary and Secondary Characters: Mrs. Eva Marie Olinski, Noah Gershom, Noah's grandparents, Nadia Diamondstein, Ginger (Nadia's dog), Grandpa Izzy Diamondstein, Margaret Draper (Grandpa Izzy's new wife), Allen Diamonstein (Nadia's father), Ethan Potter (Margaret Draper is his grandmother), Julian Singh, Mr. Singh (Julian's dad)

Awards:  1997 Newbery Medal Winner

Date of Publication: 1996

Publishing Company:  Thorndike Press

Summary:

This is a fun book that can get children excited about joining academic groups within their schools.  All four students, Noah, Nadia, Ethan and Julian are all classmates within Mrs. Olinski's sixth grade class.  She is a paraplegic who they grow close to.  However, at the beginning of the school year, these students weren't good friends.  This book is told from each child's perspective and shows how they all eventually interrelate with each other.  Noah, who by funny chance, becomes Nadia's grandfather's best man in his wedding.  But then Nadia tells her story about spending the summer with her grandpa and his new wife, Margaret Draper.  Margaret is also Ethan's grandma.  Ethan later joins his grandma and comes to meet Nadia and her grandfather.  But, Nadia doesn't find out till later that Ethan will be in her classroom.  Then, the book finishes with Julian, who is a new student and is presumed as "weird" since he wears different clothing and has an English accent.  He moves into an antique house that has long been in Epiphany, NY, where they all live.  His father plans on restoring the house and making it into a bed and breakfast hotel.  They all soon learn they are all in the same class and all because of one brave move by Julian, they all become friends.  They later call themselves "The Souls," which would be their group name in their sixth grade competition.  They win the competition and go on to beat the eighth grade too!  They find themselves in the finals and everyone questions their abilities.  But, with a winning answer, they beat the returning champion team and win the Academic Bowl!  Not only do The Souls accredit their teacher Mrs. Olinski, they accredit their friendship that won them a championship!

How it will be used in the classroom:
This would be a great book to have in the classroom around state testing time.  The students would like to relate to these characters and how they overcome major obstacles.  This book would be mostly geared to fifth or sixth grade, given the material that is used within this book.  I really think students could get into this book and would hopefully encourage them to interact within academic groups.