Amelia Earhart:the legend of the lost Aviator.By Shelley Tanaka Illustrations by David Craig.ISBN978-08-1097095-3.Orbis Pictus Award Winner.Ages 8-12
This book focuses on Amelia's life instead of her disappearance. It does acknowledging the various theories and evidence that has arisen since 1937. The biography of Amelia Earhart is a celebration of her achievements and the inspiration she gave to boys and girls around the world. This book is one that is sure to intrigue young readers interested in tales of adventure. Included are numerous photographs of Amelia Earhart are complemented by David Craig's rich artwork that re-imagines several scenes from her life.
This book would be a great resource for young children who are learning to write biography's. With the beautiful art work to draw them in and the mystery of Amelia's disappearance to keep them reading it is a great way to introduce biography's to young readers.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
How Many Baby Pandas
How Many Baby Pandas.By Sandra Markle.ISBN978-0-80-279783-4.NCTE Orbis Pictus Award.Ages4-11
This beautiful Picture essay book is a great way to introduce the subject of endangered species to young children. The photographs really draw in the reader and will keep the attention of little readers. Using simple math as well as counting to tell the story of 16 pandas living in captivity this truly is a useful nonfiction book for younger children. It is also filled with facts about pandas who live in the wild as well as captivity to interest older readers who want to know about pandas. Readers of many different levels can read and enjoy passages in this book. For example on one page it will ask, "How many baby pandas are taking a nap. 3 Three" and on the opposite page the text is more in-depth and gives more information about them.
This is a great book that can be used in a wide range of classroom activities and grade levels.
This beautiful Picture essay book is a great way to introduce the subject of endangered species to young children. The photographs really draw in the reader and will keep the attention of little readers. Using simple math as well as counting to tell the story of 16 pandas living in captivity this truly is a useful nonfiction book for younger children. It is also filled with facts about pandas who live in the wild as well as captivity to interest older readers who want to know about pandas. Readers of many different levels can read and enjoy passages in this book. For example on one page it will ask, "How many baby pandas are taking a nap. 3 Three" and on the opposite page the text is more in-depth and gives more information about them.
This is a great book that can be used in a wide range of classroom activities and grade levels.
Scorpions
Scorpions.By Walter Dean Myers.ISBN978-0-06-440623-9.Newbery Honor.Ages 11-14
Scorpions deals with the friendship and loyalty of two twelve-year-old boys, one black and one Puerto Rican.Neither lives with his father. Jamal lives with his mother and sister, and Tito lives with his grandmother in an inner-city neighborhood filled with violence, gangs, poverty, and drugs. Both boys are put into a dangerous situation that will change their lives forever.
This book centers around one event and how Jamal must make the decision to do what is right or what he has always known. The Scorpions are a gun-toting Harlem gang, and Jamal is about to become tragically involved with them. Pushed by the bully, Dwayne, to fight, and problems with the principle Jamal has a difficult time staying in school. His home life is not much better, with his mother working all the time to try to earn money for an appeal for Jamal's older brother, Randy, who is in jail. Randy wants Jamal to take his place as the Scorpions leader until he is free, but the other gang members, especially Angel and Indian, don't like the idea. Only Mack thinks Jamal should be the leader, and it is Mack who gets Jamal a gun. Jamal wants to do the right thing and earn the money to free his brother by working, but he is afraid to go against the Scorpions. He longs to get rid of the gun, but part of him just can't bring himself to do it. As things heat up within the gang, it reaches new level when Mack kills Angel and Indian is thrown in jail. Jamal eventually pulls free of the gang's bad influence, but only through the narrowest of escapes.
Scorpions deals with a range of material The main one is the loss of innocence. It also deals with problems young people face in inner city living. Death and of course it also deals with different family Dynamics and how no family is exactly alike . This book is important because it allows teachers to bring to the classroom difficult topics.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
The Great Gilly Hopkins
The Great Gilly Hopkins. ISBN978-0-06-440201-9By Katherine Paterson.Newbery Honor. Ages 11-14
The Great Gilly Hopkins is the Story of a girl named Galadriel "Gilly" Hopkins. At age 11 she has spent her life being bounced from one foster home to another. Gilly is a very independent and bright girl who throughout the story uses her intelligence to her benefit. When Gilly is placed in the Trotter household, the reader can sense that this place will be different for Ms. Trotter does not waver or respond to Gilly's poor actions. Ms. Trotter's only real response is ever love towards Gilly. She also continues to hold on to the idea the her birth mother Courtney Rutherford Hopkins will one day return to bring her home. She receives a postcard from her mother saying that she hoped that Gilly would one day be able to join her in California. This postcard has a return address. Gilly sees this as a way to find her mother all she needs is the money to get to California. First however she writes to Courtney telling about the horrible place she was living in and begging her to send money so she can go to California. When Gilly does not here from her mother she plots to get the money by stealing it from the neighbor Mr. Randolph, who is also apart of the Trotter extended family. When caught Gilly is faced with the reality that her mother will probably never come from her.
While she is working to pay Ms. Trotter back the money she stole something happens she realizes that the Trotter home might be the home and family she has always wanted. However it might be to late because as the flu takes over the home Gilly's grandmother appears to claim her and she is forced to leave the Trotter home. In the end Gilly realizes that what we imagaine and what is reality are rarely the same. Because in the end her mother never wanted to come get her and she will forever live with her grandmother and she must live with the fact that her actions are the reason she can not return to the home she always longed for.
The Great Gilly Hopkins is a wonderful book to show students the development of character. Also it is a way to show what we think is and what is are two different things.
The Great Gilly Hopkins is the Story of a girl named Galadriel "Gilly" Hopkins. At age 11 she has spent her life being bounced from one foster home to another. Gilly is a very independent and bright girl who throughout the story uses her intelligence to her benefit. When Gilly is placed in the Trotter household, the reader can sense that this place will be different for Ms. Trotter does not waver or respond to Gilly's poor actions. Ms. Trotter's only real response is ever love towards Gilly. She also continues to hold on to the idea the her birth mother Courtney Rutherford Hopkins will one day return to bring her home. She receives a postcard from her mother saying that she hoped that Gilly would one day be able to join her in California. This postcard has a return address. Gilly sees this as a way to find her mother all she needs is the money to get to California. First however she writes to Courtney telling about the horrible place she was living in and begging her to send money so she can go to California. When Gilly does not here from her mother she plots to get the money by stealing it from the neighbor Mr. Randolph, who is also apart of the Trotter extended family. When caught Gilly is faced with the reality that her mother will probably never come from her.
While she is working to pay Ms. Trotter back the money she stole something happens she realizes that the Trotter home might be the home and family she has always wanted. However it might be to late because as the flu takes over the home Gilly's grandmother appears to claim her and she is forced to leave the Trotter home. In the end Gilly realizes that what we imagaine and what is reality are rarely the same. Because in the end her mother never wanted to come get her and she will forever live with her grandmother and she must live with the fact that her actions are the reason she can not return to the home she always longed for.
The Great Gilly Hopkins is a wonderful book to show students the development of character. Also it is a way to show what we think is and what is are two different things.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Fox in a Trap
Fox in a Trap.ISBN0-89919-473-7.by Jane Resh Thomas, Drawings by Troy Howell.Ages 8-11
Fox in a Trap is a book that even if we have never farmed or hunted many of us can relate to. For many we want to escape what we have always known for something new and "exciting". Through this book Daniel discovers that sometimes new and exciting things are not what we imagaine them to be. His Uncle Pete travels constantly, writing, hunting, fishingand Daniel begs him to go trapping. But he is sickened by the baiting of the trap with dead kittens, suffocating the trapped fox to spare the pelt and finding the chewed-off leg of a fox that escaped. Daniel must also face the knowledge that his relationship with his father and uncle will forever be diffrent.Howell's pencil drawings enhance the dramatic tension created by the text. It was looking at snap shot photagrapghy that was a perfect match to the writting.
A true coming of age story this book would be an excellent fiction to use to show students that life may not be as glamerous as we think it will be. Also I want to note that for me I find it hard to find books for young boys to truly enjoy and I feel this is one as Many of Jane's books are that young boys will love to read.
Fox in a Trap is a book that even if we have never farmed or hunted many of us can relate to. For many we want to escape what we have always known for something new and "exciting". Through this book Daniel discovers that sometimes new and exciting things are not what we imagaine them to be. His Uncle Pete travels constantly, writing, hunting, fishingand Daniel begs him to go trapping. But he is sickened by the baiting of the trap with dead kittens, suffocating the trapped fox to spare the pelt and finding the chewed-off leg of a fox that escaped. Daniel must also face the knowledge that his relationship with his father and uncle will forever be diffrent.Howell's pencil drawings enhance the dramatic tension created by the text. It was looking at snap shot photagrapghy that was a perfect match to the writting.
A true coming of age story this book would be an excellent fiction to use to show students that life may not be as glamerous as we think it will be. Also I want to note that for me I find it hard to find books for young boys to truly enjoy and I feel this is one as Many of Jane's books are that young boys will love to read.
Kira-KIra
Kira-Kira.ISBN978-689-85640-2.Written by Cynthia Kadohata.The Newbery Medal. Ages 11-15
Kira-Kira is a story about two sisters and the bond they share. It takes place during the late 1950s and early 1960s. Though she lives in a harsh time, she is oblivious to everything around her except the security of her family's love. That cocoon of love is slowly shattered, however, beginning with a move that takes her family from the familiar cornfields of Iowa to Georgia. In this different environment Katie begins to understand the difficulties of the time. She is also stuck with another harsh reality when her sister becomes ill and eventually dies.
At the beginning of the story, Lynn taught Katie the word Kira-Kira and she uses it to describe everything meaning "glittering". At the end of the book as the family is trying to recover from all that has occurred Katie's parents attempt to cheer the family up by taking them all on a wonderful, beautiful vacation. Katie recommends California because that is where Lynn would have wanted to go; California is where the sea she loved is and it is where Lynn wanted to live when she got older. The family arrives and while Katie walked on the beach, she could hear Lynn's voice in the waves: "Kira-Kira, Kira-Kira" For me this is where Katie comes full circle with the phrase and understands the importance of seeing beauty in everything.
Another excellent book to help humanize historical events.
Kira-Kira is a story about two sisters and the bond they share. It takes place during the late 1950s and early 1960s. Though she lives in a harsh time, she is oblivious to everything around her except the security of her family's love. That cocoon of love is slowly shattered, however, beginning with a move that takes her family from the familiar cornfields of Iowa to Georgia. In this different environment Katie begins to understand the difficulties of the time. She is also stuck with another harsh reality when her sister becomes ill and eventually dies.
At the beginning of the story, Lynn taught Katie the word Kira-Kira and she uses it to describe everything meaning "glittering". At the end of the book as the family is trying to recover from all that has occurred Katie's parents attempt to cheer the family up by taking them all on a wonderful, beautiful vacation. Katie recommends California because that is where Lynn would have wanted to go; California is where the sea she loved is and it is where Lynn wanted to live when she got older. The family arrives and while Katie walked on the beach, she could hear Lynn's voice in the waves: "Kira-Kira, Kira-Kira" For me this is where Katie comes full circle with the phrase and understands the importance of seeing beauty in everything.
Another excellent book to help humanize historical events.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Number The Stars
Number The Stars.ISBN978-0-440-40327-2.By Lois Lowry.Ages 11-15
Number the Stars is told from the point of view of ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen. The story is set in the city of Copenhagen, Denmark in September 1943, the third year of the Nazi occupation of Denmark. Annemarie tell how she became part of the resistence and helped families escape from the Nazis. The reader truly understands the importence of everyones part in the resisence when Annemarie must take an important package to her uncle before they can leave. On the way to the boat, soldiers with dogs stop her. They search her basket and discover the package. But when they rip it open it contains only a handkerchief, and they let her go. Annemarie makes it to the boat in time, to Henrik's evident relief. BeAfter dinner, Uncle Henrik takes Annemarie to learn how to milk the cow. They talk about the events of the day. He explains that he hid his passengers in the bottom of the boat, and the handkerchief was essential because it kept the Germans' dogs from smelling the human cargo. Uncle Henrik praises Annemarie for her bravery and reassures her that Ellen who is Annemarie's best friend is safe and they will meet again someday.Because this story is told from a child's point of view Students will find it easier to identify with the main character.
Number the starr is an excellent historical fiction book to use when discussing the events of WWII. It is a way students can relate and get into discussions about a very difficult topic.
Number the Stars is told from the point of view of ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen. The story is set in the city of Copenhagen, Denmark in September 1943, the third year of the Nazi occupation of Denmark. Annemarie tell how she became part of the resistence and helped families escape from the Nazis. The reader truly understands the importence of everyones part in the resisence when Annemarie must take an important package to her uncle before they can leave. On the way to the boat, soldiers with dogs stop her. They search her basket and discover the package. But when they rip it open it contains only a handkerchief, and they let her go. Annemarie makes it to the boat in time, to Henrik's evident relief. BeAfter dinner, Uncle Henrik takes Annemarie to learn how to milk the cow. They talk about the events of the day. He explains that he hid his passengers in the bottom of the boat, and the handkerchief was essential because it kept the Germans' dogs from smelling the human cargo. Uncle Henrik praises Annemarie for her bravery and reassures her that Ellen who is Annemarie's best friend is safe and they will meet again someday.Because this story is told from a child's point of view Students will find it easier to identify with the main character.
Number the starr is an excellent historical fiction book to use when discussing the events of WWII. It is a way students can relate and get into discussions about a very difficult topic.
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