Gooney Bird Greene

This story inspired me to teach writing! I also would love to read this book to my class to get their creativity juices flowing. I loved the characters in the book. I had a visual of student's whom Gooney Bird reminded me of. Her stories about coming from China, directing an orchestra and the flying carpet were funny and very clever. I especially liked how she used the word "suddenly".

Critique: This is a great realistic fiction early chapter book because it presents a storyline that is believable and relatable to children. Gooney is not a real person, but she is a very believable character that shares many stories to her classmates about her life. Readers are engaged to the storyline and can connect easily.
In this book, Gooney is a dynamic and round character. She experiences many changes throughout the book, and she is the main character. She is the character that the reader knows most about because of the elaborate stories she tells and through the many descriptions about her personality.

Media:

I enjoyed reading this book. This was the first time that i read this book and think that its a good book for young girls to read. The book is about Gooney Bird Greene who moved in now is going to a new school. She is an second grades and is full of stories. The kids fall in love with her and can't wait to listen to her stories during stories. She is the center of attention and class clown. After she doesn't have anymore stories to tell she tell the other children to come with their own.

Personal reaction
I enjoyed reading this book. I think that this is a good book for young girls that are in the secoond grade.
When reading the book I almost felt like I was actually in the classroom.

Extension ideas
1. Have the students going into a circle and have them share a story about themselves.
2. Have the students draw their own story and then tell everybody about it.

Hard to believe that this came from the person who wrote The Giver. A great read for many reasons: details on how a real classroom may appears, a unique look at “special” kids that I’ve witnessed in so many class groups, well –developed characters that kids will recognize as real. ( )

I never thought so much could be taught in a chapter book for children. Lowry does a wonderful job teaching literary elements through telling a story about a girl telling stories. I really enjoyed how the students kept interrupting, a problem synonymous with second graders.