Book List

PICTURE BOOKS:

Fiesta Babies

Grandma’s Gift

The Lion and the Mouse

The Polar Express

Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type

Before John Jazz Was a Giant

Snowflake Bentley

Owl Moon

A Light in the Attic

Chalk

It’s a Book

Pinkalicious

Interrupting Chicken

CHAPTER BOOKS:

One Crazy Summer

The Hunger Games

Twilight

Holes

Sarah, Plain and Tall

Charlotte’s Web

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

Bridge to Terabithia

The Chocolate War

The Giver

To Kill a Mockingbird

What Happened to Goodbye

Skinnybones

Mockingbird

Dying to Meet you: 43 Old Cemetery Road

Shiloh

Shiloh

Shiloh is a Bluebonnet Award winner.

I read this book when I was in middle school and really enjoyed reading it again. I remember feeling the same anger toward Judd Travers back then as I did this time. I love that Marty gets to keep Shiloh in the end. I know that I, along with any other pet owner can relate to Marty and what he feels for Shiloh. I have this book in my classroom library, and my students enjoy reading it as well!

Naylor, P.R. (1991). Shiloh. New York: Atheneum.

Dying to Meet You: 43 Old Cemetery Road

Dying to Meet You: 43 Old Cemetery Road is a Bluebonnet Award winner.

I really enjoyed this book and the simple message it delivers of the importance of friendship and being true to those who are true to you.  I liked that it is written in a non-traditional format and think that this would appeal to reluctant young readers. I remember ghost hunting (in some of the spooky old houses I grew up near) when I was little, and although I never found one, I’d like to think they would have been as friendly as Olive! J

Klise, K. (2009). Dying to meet you: 43 old cemetery road. New York, NY: Sandpiper.

Interrupting Chicken

Interrupting Chicken is on the Notable Books for Children List.

This is an adorable tale! I loved that the little chicken couldn’t help but to save the day for the characters in Papa’s stories. I think kids will like the alternate endings for the stories they know as much as I did. I like the variation in the illustrations throughout the story and think it adds ease to following the storyline.

Stein, D. (2010). Interrupting chicken. Sommerville, MA: Candlewick Press.

Mockingbird

Mockingbird is on the Notable Books for Children List.

This book was unbelievable and is one I will never forget. As a teacher I have encountered students that have different struggles, but no amount of professional reading or training could prepare me for the depth of emotion that ran through me while reading this book. I know that it cannot be put in to words exactly, but this text took my breath away.  I remember growing up in a school environment where those that were “different” were secluded in their own room and kept away from the other students.  It has taken a long time for mainstreaming to get where it is today… I cannot wait to share this book with others and help more of the world grasp what those living with Asperger’s deal with daily.  

Erskine, K. (2010). Mockingbird. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc.

Pinkalicious

Pinkalicious is a New York Times bestseller.

Personal Reaction:

I love this book. It is so light-hearted and fun to read, I couldn’t help but to giggle at the thought of turning pink from head to toe. When I was little I would get on kicks where I would only eat one thing for weeks at a time and it drove my mom crazy! I remember more than once hearing “You’re going to turn in to a noodle!” (or pizza, chips, fruit… whatever my food of the week was). I love sharing this story with my niece, who begs me to read it every time we are together.

Kann, V. (2006). Pinkalicious. New York,NY: HarperCollins.

Skinnybones

Skinnybones is a  Bluebonnet winner.

Personal Reaction:

What kid can’t relate to feeling out of place or unliked at some point in their life? This is a great read for children to relate to or for adults to understand how their child or student may be feeling.  Life was generally pretty easy for me growing up, but even I went through an awkward stage where I didn’t know where I belonged and felt alone. I’m glad the story ends in a more upbeat tone than the rest of the story, so that the reader is left with a good feeling inside.

Park, B. (1982). Skinnybones. New York, NY: Yearling.

What Happened to Goodbye

What Happened to Goodbye is a New York Times bestseller.

Everyone, especially myself, loves a happy ending! I have never heard of this book before this assignment, but am glad to have discovered it. I thought it was going to be sad and depressing to read, but it really is a great story. Luckliy I grew up with the “storybook family” (a mom and dad that have been married for ever and a brother to love and fight with J)but many of my friends did not. I think this book would be great for many children today to read with the common occurrence of split families—many with issues very similar to the family in the book.

Dessen, S. (2011). What Happened to Goodbye. New York, NY: Viking.

It's a Book

It's a Book is a New York Times bestseller.

Personal Reaction:

How adorable! I loved the book and will definitely share it with my school family and my home family! Kids that are growing up today are so plugged in and sometimes forget that books have just as much importance as the internet, computers, and all of their other technology.  I did not expect such a simple yet important meaning to be revealed.

Smith, L. (2010). It's a book. New York: Roaring Brook.

Chalk

Chalk is on the Notable Books for Children's List.

No words are needed in this fun tale experienced through the illustrations! It grabs your imagination and draws you in to the story as you experience the childrens’ day. It made me feel like a kid again as I remembered all of the wild things I used to dream up and create in mine and my friends “worlds.”  J   I will definitely be adding this book to my classroom collection.

Thomson, B. (2010). Chalk . New York: Marshall Cavendish Children.

To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird is on the 100 Most Challenged Book List.

Personal Reaction:

I remember reading this book when I was in elementary (probably before I should have!) and enjoyed reading it again. I by no means grasped all of the issues and adult content addressed in this text as a child and it was almost like reading a new book this time around! I remember understanding the racism theme when I was young, but just on a surface level. I can see while this book is challenged, but as with The Chocolate War, I believe each reader will only grasp what their minds are ready for, even if the book is above their personal maturity level. Growing up in the south, the racism portrayed hit very close to home with the realistic relation to how things actually used to be.

Lee, H. (1960). To kill a mockingbird. Philadelphia: Lippincott.

The Giver

The Giver is on the 100 Most Challenged Book List.

Personal Reaction:

I can see why this book is challenged, but I really enjoyed it, along with most of Lowry’s works.  Originally, I didn’t  like that it leaves you “hanging” or wondering at the end, but what would our world be without a little mystery and things left up to our own imagination! This book does have some things in it that are questionable for age (maturity) appropriateness, but I believe each reader will only grasp what their minds are ready for.

Lowry, L. (1993). The giver. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

The Chocolate War

The Chocolate War is on the 100 Most Challenged Book List.

Personal Reaction:

It is very easy to see why this book is challenged! I was somewhat disturbed by the cruelty displayed not only by the “mean boys” but also Brother Leon,  who should be the adult role model in this story.  I grew up Catholic and was educated in both public and Catholic schools, so this story did have a great personal effect on me. Of course nothing like that ever happened within my church or school, but it is chilling to read something like this tied so closely to the values I was raised immersed  in.

Cormier, R. (1974). The chocolate war: a novel. New York: Pantheon Books.

A Light in the Attic

A Light in the Attic is on  the 100 Most Challenged Book List.

Personal Reaction:

I love this book and it is one of the my most memorable reads from when I was young. I haven’t picked it up since I was in middle school and it was fun to read again! I think it is ridiculous that a collection of such entertaining and light-hearted poems is “challenged.” The collection is not meant to be taken literally, and is written for enjoyment and laughter.

Silverstein, S. (1981). A light in the attic. New York: HarperCollins Publishers.

Owl Moon

Owl Moon is a  Texas Bluebonnet winner.

Personal Reaction:

I love this book and always start out the school year reading it to my students. (Our mascot is the Owl!) The illustrations are lovely and very eye pleasing. They add to the story as you experience the excursions and the little girl’s excitement. This book always brings back memories of time spent with my dad and grandpa at our deer camp. I can remember the feelings of anticipation and enthusiasm I felt waiting to go exploring for undiscovered things with them.

Yolen, J. (1987). Owl moon . New York: Philomel Books.

Fiesta Babies

Fiesta Babies was written by Carmen Tafolla and is a Pura Belpre nominee.

Tafolla, C. & Cordova, A. (2010). Fiesta babies. Berkeley, CA: Tricycle Press

This is a bright and cheerful book introducing Latino traditions and celebrations. In the book the babies and their families celebrate Fiesta activities; piñatas, marching on parade, singing mariachi songs, dancing, and taking a siesta. There are Spanish words sprinkled throughout the story, introducing not only the culture but the language as well.

Illustrations:

The illustrations are bright and lively. They set a tone of festivity that complements the theme of the happy “Fiesta babies.”

Grandma's Gift

Grandma's Gift  was written by Eric Velasquez and is a 2011 Pura Belpre award winner.

Velasquez, E. (2010). Grandma's Gift. New York, NY: Walker Publishing Company.

Eric, the main character, must spend his Christmas holiday with his grandmother in El Barrio, a part of the city. Eric has an assignment that take shim to the MET, where he discovers a love for art. Eric’s parents join them for Christmas Eve dinner, and his grandma gives him a sketchbook and colored pencils to aide in his journey toward becoming an artist.

Illustrations:
The illustrations in this book are realistic and well planned. Colors are vibrant and pull your eyes in to study the pictures as you read. You receive a great portrayal of different lifestyles and cultures.

The Lion and the Mouse

The Lion and the Mouse was written by Jerry Pinkey and won a Caldecott Medal in 2010.

Pinkney, J. (2010). The Lion and the Mouse. New York: Little Brown Co.

Exposition:

The main characters are a tiny field mouse and an arrogant lion that live in Africa.

Conflict:

The tiny mouse has many predators and wants to survive, but knows he must especially watch out for the lion.

Rising Action:
The lion catches the mouse under his paw, but decides to let it go. The mouse promises to help the lion in the future.

Climax:

The lion is cought in a hunter’s trap and cannot free himself.

Falling Action:

The field mouse finds the lion trapped and chews the through the rope.,

 Resolution:

The mouse frees the lion, following through on his earlier promise to help the lion for not eating him.

Illustrations:

The illustrations are very well drawn and sequenced to help the struggling reader understand the story. Students enjoy watching the story unfold through the pictures as well as the text. I love this book and the lesson it teaches. It is very simple to use in a lesson with lower grade levels, and they understand the moral of the story.

THe Polar Express

The Polar Express was written by Chris Van Allsburg. It is a Caldecott Winner, and has now been turned into a movie. I use this book and film in my classroom every year in December! :)

Van Allsburg, C. (1985). The Polar Express . Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

Exposition:
The story takes place on Christmas Eve and is primarily on the Polar Express train, followed by arriving at the North Pole.

Conflict:
A little boy is told by a friend that there is no Santa Clause; he vows to prove the friend wrong by waiting up for Santa.

Rising Action:
A train arrives and the boy boards. He rides the Polar Express to the North Pole with other chosen children.

Climax:
Santa give s the boy the first gift of Christmas; the gift is a bell. When he reaches in his pocket to show the other children, he discovers that it is missing.

Falling Action:
the boy returns home and opens gifts on Christmas morning. His sister Sarah finds one last gift for him beneath the tree, that none of the family put there.

Resolution:
The boy opens the gift and it is the bell Santa gave him. Only those who believe in Santa can hear the bell ring, so some think it is broken.

Illustrations:
The illustrations in this book are breathtaking. They are very detailed and rich in color. Children will love poring over the pages of this book do take in all that the illustrations offer.

Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type

Cronin, D. (2000). Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type. New York: Simon & Schuster Books.

Click, Clack, Moo: Cows that Type was written by Doreen Cronin. It is a hilarious book that is one of my favorites, and won the Caldecott award in 2001.

Exposition:
The story is set on a farm, with the characters being the typing Cows, Farmer Brown, and other farm animals.

Conflict:

The cows on the farm have a typewriter and write Farmer Brown letters of demands (that he must meet) if he wants them to keep producing milk for him.

Rising Action:
Farmer Brown Refuses and the other animals begin to make demands and stop producing also.

Climax:

Farmer Brown demands that the animals begin producing again and the animals propose a truce—production for electric blankets.

Falling Action:
Duck, the “mediator,” takes the message to Farmer Brown who agrees to the deal.

Resolution:

Duck decides to keep the typewriter (after the cows give it up) and writes a letter demanding a diving board for the pond. The last page shows a duck diving into the pond, alluding to the thought that Farmer Brown agreed to the demand.

Illustrations:
The illustrations are bright and enjoyable to view while reading. The reader can watch the story unfold primarily through illustrations, even if they cannot read the text.

One Crazy Summer

One Crazy Summer was written by Rita Williams-Garcia and won the Coretta Scott King award.

Williams-Garcia, R. (2010). One Crazy Summer. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers, Inc

Exposition:

Set in the summer of 1968,  Delphine, Fern, and Vonetta are sent to Oakland, CA to stay with their mother (Cecile); the same mother that deserted them years ago.

Conflict:

Cecile wants nothing to do with the girls and sends them to a Black Panther summer camp.

Rising Action:

The girls learn about the Panthers, participate in the education provided and contribute to the movement in small ways.

Climax:

Their mother is arrested and neighbors take the girls under their wing.

Falling Action:

The girls participate in a rally right before going home and Fern discovers and reveals a snitch in the organization.

Resolution:

It is time for the girls to head home and they realize that Cecile is not such a horrible person, just not cut out to be a good mother.

Literary Qualities:

Full of unexpected insights, One Crazy Summer is a great read! The girls learn things beyond their years like coming to the realizations that not all adults are “grown up” and their mother isn’t so bad, just not cut out to be a mother.

The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games is a science fiction novel written by Suzanne Collins; it is the first book in a trilogy.

Collins, S. (2008). Hunger Games. New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc.

Exposition:
The story is set in a futuristic nation known as Panem. The main characters are Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark. They are both participating in the Hunger Games in District 12, the area in which they live.

 Conflict:

A boy and a girl from each district are chose every year to participate in the Hunger Games, where the participants must fight to the death until only one remains (survives).

Rising Action:
At the start of the games, 11 of the 24 contestants are killed.  Peeta and Katniss are able to survive even as the death count climbs.

Climax:

The rules are changed and it is announced that 2 contestants from the same district can compete as a team. Katniss searches for Peeta and finds him wounded.

Falling Action:
Katniss must nurse Peeta back to health so they can continue the game. They win as a team, but then the game officials change their mind about two people being able to win.

Resolution:

They both decide they should eat poison berries so that they do not have to kill each other, and it declared that there are two winners of the Hunger Games.

Literary Qualities:

The imagery in this text is unbelievable as she carries your through the games and pulls you into the world described. Symbolism is prominent in its similarity of the Hunger Games to reality television and others hurt and anguish as entertainment.

Twilight

Twilight was written by Stephanie Meyer and is part of a four book saga.

Meyer, S. (2005). Twilight. New York: Little Brown and Company.

Exposition:

The story unfolds in  current day Forks, Washington. Bella Swan has just moved there to live with her father. The two main male characters are Jacob and Edward Cullen. Some others included in the book are James (a bad vampire), Bella’s father, and the Cullen family.

Conflict:

Bella discovers that Edward enthralls her, but he is a vampire. Jacob is very jealous of Bella’s budding relationship with Edward.

Rising Action:

Edward swears he will protect Bella (from himself and other vamps) even though he is a vampire. They are too in love to stay away from each other, which angers Jacob.

Climax:

One of the ruthless vampires, James, tricks  Bella into coming to “save” her mother. James tries to kill Bella, but she is saved by the Cullen family, who kill James.

Falling Action:

Edward tries to convince Bella that she will be safer away from him, but they cannot bear to be apart. They continue their forbidden love.

Resolution:

They return to Forks and attend prom like a normal high school couple. Bella expresses that she wants to become a vampire, but Edward refuses to let this happen.

Literary Qualities:

There is a vast amount of imagery used when describing beauty of the vampires and the love between Edward and Bella.  Mood is the most important theme addressed in the text; taking you from drama, to horror, and romance within a few pages.

Holes

Holes is a John Newberry award winner, written by Louis Sachar.

Sachar, L. (1998). Holes. New York: Dell Yearling.

Exposition:

Stanley Yelnats, who is followed by bad luck and a family curse, is sent to Camp Green Lake.

Conflict:

Stanley is convicted of a crime he did not commit and sentenced to time at Camp Green Lake, a juvenile detention center in Texas digging holes for the warden.

Rising Action:

Stanley digs the holes as he is told to do while making friends with some of the other boys. He realizes that the digging is not just punishment, and warden is looking for something.

Climax:

Stanley escapes to rescue another boy, Zero, and they both come close to dying. The rescue breaks the Yelnats family curse and the boys discover the treasure that the warden has been searching for. The warden finds them right as they discover the treasure.

Falling Action:
Stanley’s attorney arrives to declare his innocence and rescues him and Zero from the warden. Stanley’s name in on the suitcase treasure, so it is claimed as rightfully his.

Resolution:

The suitcase turns out to belong to Stanley’s great-grandfather. It is full of valuable items that Stanley has rightful claim to. The juvenile detention center is shut down.

Literary Qualities:

Irony is very prevalent in Holes; the characters overlapping and all being interrelated and intertwined histories. There is also a tone of understatement, with the reader experiencing Stanley’s story and attempting to solve the “mystery” as they read.