This Newberry Medal winner is about a boy, Jess, and girl, Leslie, who after first being competitors become close friends. Leslie teaches Jess about imagination and creativity and they create their own fantasy world. Jess’s world is turned upside down when he losses his best friend. Over time, Jess recovers and is able to carry on and keep the memory of his friend alive.
I saw the movie before reading the book and it mad me sad to see a young person having to struggle with such a great loss. The book (as always) is much better than the movie. I really enjoyed reading about the fantasy world and it reminded me of when I was a child making up my own fantasy worlds.
As a classroom activity, I would discuss losing someone close like a relative or friend and the grieving process. We could also talk about our own fantasy worlds and describe the minutest details of them.
I saw the movie before reading the book and it mad me sad to see a young person having to struggle with such a great loss. The book (as always) is much better than the movie. I really enjoyed reading about the fantasy world and it reminded me of when I was a child making up my own fantasy worlds.
As a classroom activity, I would discuss losing someone close like a relative or friend and the grieving process. We could also talk about our own fantasy worlds and describe the minutest details of them.
This multicultural book is about food and recipes from Mexico. This book includes simple recipes that children can do with their parents. Facts about the regions where different meals come from are included. The book also has a pronunciation key to help young readers with the big words.
I read this book because my children are half Mexican. I wanted them to know more about their heritage and the foods from their ancestral home. In addition, I thought that the recipes were meals that they would enjoy making at home.
As a classroom activity, I would ask my students what nationalities they are from and what some of the ethnic foods they eat are. We could put those meals into our own multicultural cookbook.
I read this book because my children are half Mexican. I wanted them to know more about their heritage and the foods from their ancestral home. In addition, I thought that the recipes were meals that they would enjoy making at home.
As a classroom activity, I would ask my students what nationalities they are from and what some of the ethnic foods they eat are. We could put those meals into our own multicultural cookbook.
This multicultural book is about food and recipes from China. This book includes simple recipes that children can do with their parents. Facts about the regions where different meals come from are included. The book also has a pronunciation key to help young readers with the big words.
I read this book because my children are always asking me to take them to the Chinese Buffet to eat. I wanted them to know more about where the food they are eating comes from. In addition, I thought that the recipes were meals that they would enjoy eating at home.
As a classroom activity, I would ask my students what recipes they would like to add to the book and then would make our own recipe books to take home.
I read this book because my children are always asking me to take them to the Chinese Buffet to eat. I wanted them to know more about where the food they are eating comes from. In addition, I thought that the recipes were meals that they would enjoy eating at home.
As a classroom activity, I would ask my students what recipes they would like to add to the book and then would make our own recipe books to take home.
This biography starts with Elizabeth living a life of luxury in Bristol, England. After her family moved to America they were involved with the anti-slavery movement. She was accepted to medical school in 1847, and she was a pioneer in preventive medicine.
I read this book because I have three daughters (5, 8, & 11), and I wanted them to know that they can be anything they want to be when they grow up. This book also shows how a family can go from riches to rags and still be a strong family and survive.
As a classroom activity, I would have my class identify other women who were the first in their filed. I would also ask all of my students what they want to be when they grow up regardless of their gender.
I read this book because I have three daughters (5, 8, & 11), and I wanted them to know that they can be anything they want to be when they grow up. This book also shows how a family can go from riches to rags and still be a strong family and survive.
As a classroom activity, I would have my class identify other women who were the first in their filed. I would also ask all of my students what they want to be when they grow up regardless of their gender.
In this Newberry Medal Winner, an eleven-year-old boy befriends an abused dog. The boy keeps the dog a secret from everyone until the dog is attacked by another dog. Since the dog is not his, he has to work out a deal with the abusive owner so that he can keep the dog.
This book made me cry. I felt so sad for both the boy and the dog. Here is a boy that lives in the country, can shoot a .22 caliber rifle, but does not even shoot animals for food. Then there is the dog that is just looking for someone to love him. The book really makes you take a hard look at the values of right and wrong, and standing up for someone who can do it for himself or herself.
As a classroom activity, I would discuss what it means to my students to be honest what they would do in a similar situation. I would ask them if there is a difference between an animal and a person being mistreated.
This book made me cry. I felt so sad for both the boy and the dog. Here is a boy that lives in the country, can shoot a .22 caliber rifle, but does not even shoot animals for food. Then there is the dog that is just looking for someone to love him. The book really makes you take a hard look at the values of right and wrong, and standing up for someone who can do it for himself or herself.
As a classroom activity, I would discuss what it means to my students to be honest what they would do in a similar situation. I would ask them if there is a difference between an animal and a person being mistreated.
Mother Teresa: Her Mission to Serve God by Caring for the Poor (People Who Have Helped the World) by Charlotte Gray
This short biography of Mother Teresa begins with her humble childhood in Albania and follows her as she becomes a nun. While performing her duties she felt convinced that God had a new mission for her. She set out to help the poor in India where she worked. She broke the normal rules that nuns before followed, and created her own order, The Missionaries of Charity. The book includes many pictures and quotes from Mother Teresa and people that she touched during her life.
This moving book made me reflect on my own life. Reading about how one woman set out to help those less fortunate made me feel guilty that I do not do more to help those in my own community that are less fortunate than me.
As a classroom activity, I would ask my students what they could do to make their community a better place. Then I would challenge them go out and do it.
This moving book made me reflect on my own life. Reading about how one woman set out to help those less fortunate made me feel guilty that I do not do more to help those in my own community that are less fortunate than me.
As a classroom activity, I would ask my students what they could do to make their community a better place. Then I would challenge them go out and do it.
Historical Fiction – The book replaces prisons, dungeons, and jails with “time outs”. Many famous historical figures were given “time outs’ for their misdeeds. Some people were given “time outs” for standing up for what is right.
I got this book to show my daughters what can happen when they do not behave properly. I was also able to point out that just because they get a “time out” it is not the end of the world, as they know it. I had to stop often to explain who some of the people were.
As a classroom activity, I would use this book when teaching my students about discipline. We would also talk about other historical figure not included in the book. I would also have the students make a book depicting the time outs they get for misbehaving.
I got this book to show my daughters what can happen when they do not behave properly. I was also able to point out that just because they get a “time out” it is not the end of the world, as they know it. I had to stop often to explain who some of the people were.
As a classroom activity, I would use this book when teaching my students about discipline. We would also talk about other historical figure not included in the book. I would also have the students make a book depicting the time outs they get for misbehaving.
Historical Fiction – The book starts with a young Bill trying to be hired as a Pony Express Rider. After being hired, he has many adventures including being chased by Indians, wolves, and outlaws. Bill writes letters to his mother, never telling her about the dangerous parts of his job.
This is my second time reading about the Pony Express, the first time I was in the fifth grade (I am 37 now). I still find it fascinating how the mail was delivered, even though the Pony Express last only eighteen moths. The book was entertaining to read because it mixed the real dangers of the time with humorous ways of dealing with them.
In a classroom, I would have my students make a timeline of how mail has been delivered over the years. I would also have them compare how email today is like the telegraph that helped put an end to the Pony Express.
This is my second time reading about the Pony Express, the first time I was in the fifth grade (I am 37 now). I still find it fascinating how the mail was delivered, even though the Pony Express last only eighteen moths. The book was entertaining to read because it mixed the real dangers of the time with humorous ways of dealing with them.
In a classroom, I would have my students make a timeline of how mail has been delivered over the years. I would also have them compare how email today is like the telegraph that helped put an end to the Pony Express.
Informational – This book is like a mini encyclopedia of Oklahoma. The book is laid out in alphabetical order, and on each page is a picture representing a part of Oklahoma history. Both famous Oklahomans and historical events are covered. The book has sections written more for early readers and sections for older readers.
As a non-native to Oklahoman, I found this book to be both entertaining and informative. I did not know that Mickey Mantle was an Oklahoman before reading this book. The book reminded me of sad times from our nation’s history, like the Trail of Tears and the Oklahoma City Bombing.
For a classroom activity, I would have the students create their own state book using the same format. We would list other things about our state not covered in the book. At the back of the book is a quiz that the students could do to show how well they know about their state.
As a non-native to Oklahoman, I found this book to be both entertaining and informative. I did not know that Mickey Mantle was an Oklahoman before reading this book. The book reminded me of sad times from our nation’s history, like the Trail of Tears and the Oklahoma City Bombing.
For a classroom activity, I would have the students create their own state book using the same format. We would list other things about our state not covered in the book. At the back of the book is a quiz that the students could do to show how well they know about their state.
Informational – The book starts out by laying down the foundations of Texas and San Antonio before the building of the Spanish Mission. The book explains how the area known as Texas was fought over by the French, Spanish, Mexican, and Ultimately the United States. The book also gives details of the uses of the Spanish Mission after Texas became a state and how the Alamo has become a symbol for independence to the people of Texas.
I visited the Alamo for the first time Labor Day weekend 2008. It was a moving experience and led me to read this book for my assignment. I used the trip and the book to tell my daughters, who are of Mexican decent, about the Alamo and why it is an important historical landmark. I like how the book used pictures along with illustrations to show how much the Alamo has changed over the years.
For a classroom activity, I would ask my students what freedom and independence means to them. I would also ask them what they would do to protect their freedom and independence.
I visited the Alamo for the first time Labor Day weekend 2008. It was a moving experience and led me to read this book for my assignment. I used the trip and the book to tell my daughters, who are of Mexican decent, about the Alamo and why it is an important historical landmark. I like how the book used pictures along with illustrations to show how much the Alamo has changed over the years.
For a classroom activity, I would ask my students what freedom and independence means to them. I would also ask them what they would do to protect their freedom and independence.
Modern Fantasy - This story is about the Once-ler who used truffula trees to make thneeds. To the Once-ler business was more important than the effects of his business on the environment. After all of the trees were cut down, there was nothing left, all of the animals were gone and the air was polluted. The fate of the environment rests in the last remaining truffula tree seed.
I remember seeing the movie before ever reading the book. As a child, I did not see the underlying message about saving the environment. As with all Dr. Seuss’s books, the illustrations are awesome. I also enjoyed reading the made-up words and how easy they rolled off the tongue.
In a classroom I would discuss how this book relates to the world we live in today, and what it means to “go green.” We would also talk about endangered species and their roles in the environment.
I remember seeing the movie before ever reading the book. As a child, I did not see the underlying message about saving the environment. As with all Dr. Seuss’s books, the illustrations are awesome. I also enjoyed reading the made-up words and how easy they rolled off the tongue.
In a classroom I would discuss how this book relates to the world we live in today, and what it means to “go green.” We would also talk about endangered species and their roles in the environment.
Modern Fantasy – This story is about a lazy bird that convinces an elephant (Horton) to sit on her egg so she can have a break. He sat on the egg through many hardships. When the egg hatched after 51 weeks the bird decided she wanted to take responsibility for it. The bird was surprised to find that the baby was not exactly what she expected.
I enjoyed reading this story to my children. They laughed at the sight of an elephant in a tree sitting on an egg. This is not a good story to read a t bedtime because it gets my children too worked up. I like the positive message about being faithful and sticking to something no matter how long it takes or how hard it is. In the end, good things will happen when you do.
For a classroom activity, I would discuss what it means to be faithful and not to break promises. I would also have them draw pictures of what would happen if one animal hatched another’s egg, like what happened in the story.
I enjoyed reading this story to my children. They laughed at the sight of an elephant in a tree sitting on an egg. This is not a good story to read a t bedtime because it gets my children too worked up. I like the positive message about being faithful and sticking to something no matter how long it takes or how hard it is. In the end, good things will happen when you do.
For a classroom activity, I would discuss what it means to be faithful and not to break promises. I would also have them draw pictures of what would happen if one animal hatched another’s egg, like what happened in the story.
Contemporary Realistic Fiction – In this story, Arthur gets money from the tooth fairy. Arthur’s sister becomes obsessed with getting money from the tooth fairy like her brother. She hatches a plan to get the money by tricking the tooth fairy. Arthur helps his sister get her wish without telling her.
When my oldest daughter lost her first tooth, I told her about the tooth fairy. I asked her how much money she thought her tooth was worth to the tooth fairy and she said eight dollars. I had to laugh because she did not have any concept of money and what it is used for, and because I was lucky to get a quarter when I was a kid. She got a dollar.
For a classroom activity, I would ask my students if they believe in the tooth fairy, and if they have ever gotten money for a tooth. I would also have them draw a picture of the tooth fairy coming into their rooms to get the teeth and leaving money.
When my oldest daughter lost her first tooth, I told her about the tooth fairy. I asked her how much money she thought her tooth was worth to the tooth fairy and she said eight dollars. I had to laugh because she did not have any concept of money and what it is used for, and because I was lucky to get a quarter when I was a kid. She got a dollar.
For a classroom activity, I would ask my students if they believe in the tooth fairy, and if they have ever gotten money for a tooth. I would also have them draw a picture of the tooth fairy coming into their rooms to get the teeth and leaving money.
Contemporary Realistic Fiction – In this story Arthur learned to read in school and now reads everywhere. Arthur challenges his little sister to read ten words and he will buy her an ice cream if she does it. In the end, Arthur’s sister proves that she is better than he is at reading.
I have two daughters, ages eight and five. For practice, I have the older one read to the younger one. This book made me wonder what my youngest will do when she can start reading and tells her older sister that she can do it by herself.
As a classroom activity, I would ask my students if they have older or younger siblings and who reads to whom.
I have two daughters, ages eight and five. For practice, I have the older one read to the younger one. This book made me wonder what my youngest will do when she can start reading and tells her older sister that she can do it by herself.
As a classroom activity, I would ask my students if they have older or younger siblings and who reads to whom.
Poetry - This book of poetry is meant to be read aloud by two people. The theme of the book is insects. The book brings to life insects that we don’t usually think abut on a regular basis.
I liked reading this book with my wife. It took us a couple of practice runs to get it right. My favorite poem is “Book Lice.” While the title sound yucky it is actually a nice little romance between two book lice with different “taste” in books, but love each other none the less.
For a classroom extension I would have the students team up and practice a poem from the book and then present it to the class. Afterwards I would have the teams make their own poem using the same style and present it to the class.
I liked reading this book with my wife. It took us a couple of practice runs to get it right. My favorite poem is “Book Lice.” While the title sound yucky it is actually a nice little romance between two book lice with different “taste” in books, but love each other none the less.
For a classroom extension I would have the students team up and practice a poem from the book and then present it to the class. Afterwards I would have the teams make their own poem using the same style and present it to the class.
Poetry - This book is a collection of sixteen bedtime poems. The poems are centered on barnyard animals and their activities. The illustrations are bright and as wacky as the poems.
I am not a big poetry fan, but this book made me laugh out loud. I liked the mix of long and short poems. I also enjoyed how the personalities of the animals came through in both the writings and the pictures.
For a classroom extension I would have the students select their favorite farm animals and make a poem of their own about the animal. We could also use zoo animals to make poems. We could take the poems and make our own book complete with illustrations.
I am not a big poetry fan, but this book made me laugh out loud. I liked the mix of long and short poems. I also enjoyed how the personalities of the animals came through in both the writings and the pictures.
For a classroom extension I would have the students select their favorite farm animals and make a poem of their own about the animal. We could also use zoo animals to make poems. We could take the poems and make our own book complete with illustrations.
Traditional Fantasy - The story is a retelling of the classic by the brothers Grimm. Elisabeth is given a cloak with a hood from her grandma who loves here dearly. Elisabeth wears it everywhere and thus receives the nickname “little red riding hood.” While walking through the woods to deliver some things to her grandma she is confronted by a wolf who tricks her into leaving the path to grandma’s house. The wolf beats Elisabeth to grandma’s house and takes her place and then eats Elisabeth when she arrives. Elisabeth and her grandma are rescued by a huntsman.
This story is timeless and I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve read it to my daughters. I tried to explain to them the moral of not talking to strangers and to listening to your parents instructions. This version made me laugh, because Elisabeth is seen sitting in front of her house reading the same book I am holding. I guess she wasn’t really paying attention to what she was reading.
For a classroom extension, after reading the story, I would ask my students what they learned from the story. We would discuss the values of listening to our parents. I would also ask the students what their most favorite item of clothing is and we would come up with nicknames for them and their outfits.
This story is timeless and I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve read it to my daughters. I tried to explain to them the moral of not talking to strangers and to listening to your parents instructions. This version made me laugh, because Elisabeth is seen sitting in front of her house reading the same book I am holding. I guess she wasn’t really paying attention to what she was reading.
For a classroom extension, after reading the story, I would ask my students what they learned from the story. We would discuss the values of listening to our parents. I would also ask the students what their most favorite item of clothing is and we would come up with nicknames for them and their outfits.
Caldecott Medal - It is Christmas Eve and a young boy boards a train bound for the North Pole. The train arrives at the North Pole where all the elves are waiting for Santa to give the first gift Christmas to one of the children from the train. The boy received the gift from Santa which I later discovered was lost. On Christmas morning the boy opens a gift and finds it to be the gift he lost, a bell from Santa’s sleigh.
This is my first time reading this book though I’d seen the move for the first time last year. The pictures really brought the book to life for me. I could feel the sadness of all the children when they discovered the gift was lost. I especially enjoyed the idea that as long as you believe in something not to let others change your mind.
As a classroom extension I would ask my students if they celebrate Christmas or another holiday where they get gifts. I would them ask them to share with me what the one thing they would ask for if they were the boy in the story. We could also talk about what it means to believe in something even when others do not share the same belief.
This is my first time reading this book though I’d seen the move for the first time last year. The pictures really brought the book to life for me. I could feel the sadness of all the children when they discovered the gift was lost. I especially enjoyed the idea that as long as you believe in something not to let others change your mind.
As a classroom extension I would ask my students if they celebrate Christmas or another holiday where they get gifts. I would them ask them to share with me what the one thing they would ask for if they were the boy in the story. We could also talk about what it means to believe in something even when others do not share the same belief.
Traditional Fantasy - This is a story about revenge and war. The Greeks and the Trojans went to war against each other after the wife of King Sparta of Greece runs away with the son of the king of Troy. After ten years of fighting the Greeks appear to abandon the fight leaving behind a giant statue of a horse. The Trojans believing the horse to be a good omen bring it into their city. That night the Greeks poured out of the belly of the horse to attack the Trojans and win the war.
As I child I read my dad’s books of the “classics” and this was one of the stories I read. I was fascinated by the fact that two countries would go to war because one man was wronged by another man, and that thousands of people would die. I also learned a lesson about being patient and not rushing things. After all it took the Greeks ten years to win the war.
As a classroom extension I would have my students recreate the story by drawing a before, during, and after, storyboard of the events that took place in the story. I would also have the students discuss the value of being patient and the consequences of taking a “gift horse” or something for free.
As I child I read my dad’s books of the “classics” and this was one of the stories I read. I was fascinated by the fact that two countries would go to war because one man was wronged by another man, and that thousands of people would die. I also learned a lesson about being patient and not rushing things. After all it took the Greeks ten years to win the war.
As a classroom extension I would have my students recreate the story by drawing a before, during, and after, storyboard of the events that took place in the story. I would also have the students discuss the value of being patient and the consequences of taking a “gift horse” or something for free.
Picture Book - In this story baby bunnies venture out of their den for the first time. When outside the den it begins to rain and the bunnies have to get back to their den. While waiting for the rain to stop the bunnies are joined by many other animals in their den.
I read this book to my daughter’s Pre-K class on a day that was going to rain. The children were all too excited about the rain and what would happen to the bunnies. The book is full of large bright pictures and the children were able to point out the other animals that joined the bunnies in their den.
For a Classroom extension I would have the students discuss other things that are not “waterproof” and should not be left out in the rain. I would also ask to the students to tell me what they do when it is raining.
I read this book to my daughter’s Pre-K class on a day that was going to rain. The children were all too excited about the rain and what would happen to the bunnies. The book is full of large bright pictures and the children were able to point out the other animals that joined the bunnies in their den.
For a Classroom extension I would have the students discuss other things that are not “waterproof” and should not be left out in the rain. I would also ask to the students to tell me what they do when it is raining.
Picture Book - This story is about a boy and a girl in kindergarten who do not want to share. Their teacher tells them that in kindergarten we share everything. In the end they learn to share, but not in a way the teacher expects them to.
The illustrations really brought this book to life for me. Every picture with the teacher has dancing like a ballerina surrounded by birds, flowers, and ribbons. I can just image her words coming out as songs (she is so bubbly!). It also reminded me of my own children and how I have to be careful with the way I give instructions to them.
In a classroom, after reading this story I would have my students tell me about other things not in the book that we would share. Then we would discuss the things that are not ok to share, like toothbrushes and underwear.
The illustrations really brought this book to life for me. Every picture with the teacher has dancing like a ballerina surrounded by birds, flowers, and ribbons. I can just image her words coming out as songs (she is so bubbly!). It also reminded me of my own children and how I have to be careful with the way I give instructions to them.
In a classroom, after reading this story I would have my students tell me about other things not in the book that we would share. Then we would discuss the things that are not ok to share, like toothbrushes and underwear.
Caldecott Medal - This story is about boy named Max. Max causes much mischief at home and gets sent to bed without any supper. While in his room he uses his imagination to create a world where he gets to be king of the Wild Things. Now Max gets to send the wild things to bed without any supper. When he returns to his room he finds that his supper is waiting for him and it is still hot.
This is one of the first books I can ever remember owning as a child. When I found out that I was going to be a father I knew that I had to have this book for my child. In spite of the fact that this book was originally published in 1963, I believe it to be a timeless classic. And I can’t wait to see if the upcoming movie can do it the justice it deserves.
As Teacher, after reading this story to my class I would have them create their own monsters on paper plates to use as masks, and then we would create our own mischief. I would then discuss ways that we deal with our anger when we are punished.
This is one of the first books I can ever remember owning as a child. When I found out that I was going to be a father I knew that I had to have this book for my child. In spite of the fact that this book was originally published in 1963, I believe it to be a timeless classic. And I can’t wait to see if the upcoming movie can do it the justice it deserves.
As Teacher, after reading this story to my class I would have them create their own monsters on paper plates to use as masks, and then we would create our own mischief. I would then discuss ways that we deal with our anger when we are punished.