King Puck

This fantasy picture book told the story of a goat named Finny and his lonely owner Seamus. They lived together in the mountains of Ireland all by themselves. At night, Seamus would read Finny the stories of Finn MacCool. Finny loved hearing this story and hoped that one day he would be wise like Finn MacCool too. Seamus grew tired of the books but he grew more tired of being alone and having no one to talk to. The fairies that lived close by cast a spell on Finny and he was able to talk to the next morning! This made Seamus and Finny very happy. But the fairies were not done with their surprise. The fairies invited Seamus and Finny to the King Puck Festival. This festival crowned the best goat to be king for the day. When they got to Killorglin, the judges were not impressed by Finny. He was just an ordinary looking goat. Desperate for a second chance, Finny asked the judges for a second chance so he could recite the tale of Finn MacCool. The judges were shocked when Finny opened his mouth and he talked. After he recited the tale, the judges awarded Finny with being king for the day. When they asked Finny what he wanted as king, he wished for new books from the library each week. In the end, everyone lived happily ever after.

I really enjoyed this picture book. First of all, I love how this story is culturally diverse. It takes place in Ireland and reflects on one of their most important festivals of all year. Doing some research, I was surprised to read all about the King Puck Festival. This would be a great story to read around St. Patrick’s Day and also a great book to explain their culture. Another point that I love from the story explains the importance of books and knowledge that is learned from them. Finny appreciated that books made you wiser. I would use this book for a student who may be struggling to find a reason or a point of why he or she needs to learn how to read. Lastly, I think the moral of the story is also something that needs to be taught to students. Finny might have looked like an ordinary goat and been nothing too special on the outside, but he had a talent that no one else had: he could talk. This is important to teach students because they should not judge someone just because of what they look like on the outside. It is an important lesson for students to learn and this book is a great way to explain this life lesson. This picture book will definitely be in my classroom library and one I use for lessons in the future. 

King Puck

Author: Michael Garland

Year Published: 2007

Baby Brains and RoboMom

This picture book told the story of Baby Brains who is the smartest baby in the universe. He was unlike other babies who just cried and slept. Baby Brains was very clever and enjoyed working on a computer, doing chemistry experiments, and especially designing new inventions. He created a fully motorized stroller and a cradle that rocked itself. Baby Brains realized that his parents were still very tired. So he created RoboMom! RoboMom started to do everything from ironing to tucking Baby Brains into bed. But then RoboMom began to stop working. It started to mess up what it was doing. RoboMom even washed Baby Brains in the kitchen sink and hung him outside on a line to dry. Baby Brains was very sad and screamed for his mom. RoboMom began to smoke and then it exploded! Baby Brains and his parents started to work together around the house. They all liked this very much but Baby Brains decided that they could use a little help, so he created a smaller RoboMom 2.

This science fiction picture book could be used in the classroom to have students create their own thoughts about technology. I would love to do a writing activity were the students will write about things that they do not like doing, for example homework. Then I would like to see them write about what they would create so they wouldn’t have to do homework anymore. The students would have to draw or make a model of their creation. This book could help to lead students to do research about new technology that is being created to help around the house. I also would want to hear students opinions about technology and if they really want robots to do things for them. It would be interesting for them to reflect on what they think that will do to our world in the future. I think this book would be a great addition to a classroom library and really could be used to generate students' thoughts about what our future world will look like. 

Baby Brains and RoboMom

Author: Simon James

Year Published: 2007

Baloney (Henry P.)

This science fiction picture book tells the story of a little alien named Henry P. Baloney. Henry was late to class and was given the punishment of lifelong detention unless he could come up with a very good and believable excuse. Henry began telling the story of how he lost his pencil and was on his way to school in a truck but he got stuck in the middle of a rocket launch pad. He got stuck in a rocket and tried to use the controllers to bring him to school but instead he ended up on the wrong planet. Henry almost got eaten on the new planet so he used calculations and diagrams to change their minds. He got crowned king of the planet! But instead of saying thank you, Henry accidentally called them “doofbrain.” They planned on sending Henry back to school in a flying saucer, but they wanted to destroy both of them. So Henry used his trusty pencil and erased the door lock and fell out of the flying saucer. He almost splattered on the ground when he realized that falling bodies obey the law of gravity. Henry did not know the law of gravity so he decided it was time to come to school. Miss Bugscuffle, Henry’s teacher, was annoyed and told Henry that his story was unbelievable. But Henry lucked out because the assignment of the day was to write a tale tall. Henry told Miss Bugscuffle that he would write his assignment but he had lost his pencil again.

This was a very cute, action-packed story. I think students would love the story. Throughout the book, Henry uses many different Earth languages to tell his story. There is a decoder or glossary in the back of the book with the twenty words used from other languages. What is interesting is that these words are kind of close to the English language. For example, school is referred to as szkola throughout the story or razzo which means rocket. As a future teacher, I would first read the story using the words in the other language. I would want my students to pick up that there were words that were not English in the book. Then I would read it again allowing the students to guess what they though the words were. They could use the pictures to try to guess what the words are. Lastly, I would read the story again to them using the English words. This would open my students’ eyes to the fact that there are other languages in the world. I would want to do a lesson where we could locate where in the world these languages are spoken. I also could use this book to explain to my students what a tall tale is. They could write their own tall tales of why they might have been late for school or why they didn't do their homework. I also think the way the pictures were illustrated throughout the story was very unique. It reminds me of a cartoon in a way. This book explains perfectly what a science fiction picture book is all about. I will definitely be using this book in my classroom one day. 

Baloney (Henry P.)

Author: Jon Scieszka

Illustrations by: Lane Smith

Year Published: 2005

Wonder

This novel told the story of a young boy named August who was born with a facial deformity. August has never been to school before because of how sick he has been. But now, since his health has been good, August’s parents think it is time for him to start school. August gets accepted into Beecher Prep and the book tells the story of the high points and low points throughout fifth grade for August. It discusses the kindness of some of the people at August’s school and the cruelty of others. In the beginning of the school year, things are rough for August. Many students stay away from him and constantly stare. They even started a game called the Plague where if August bumped into them, they had only thirty seconds to wash themselves. Jack and Summer befriend August, but at times their friendships falter. Julian, a bully, constantly picks on August and even starts a war in the fifth grade between the boys. Roles are reversed when the fifth graders go to a retreat for three days. August is attacked by seventh graders from another school and Jack and other fifth graders team up to defeat them. They protected August and everyone begins to have a new respect for him. August completes the fifth grade and even wins the Henry Ward Beecher medal that honors students who have greatness in them. He wanted everyone to get to see the real him and have people look past the way he looked. August accomplished this and truly was a wonder.

What an incredible story! I truly feel in love with August’s character and became immersed in his story. In my opinion, what makes this such an awesome story is because it is so realistic. The characters and the plot are all things that happen in children’s everyday lives. The novel includes different parts that tell the story from different points of view. It includes August’s, his friends, Via (his sister), and her boyfriend’s perspectives. This was very interesting because the feelings that were portrayed through the different perspectives were feelings that children would have if they were in the exact positions as these characters were. Another reason why I feel that students love this book is because it is so relevant to schools today. A lot of schools are mainstreaming students with disabilities and students who are not life everyone else. It gives students perspective on what it would feel like to be that child who is different from the rest. The story also makes children think. What type of person would you be if you were at a school with a child like August? Would you be Summer, the girl who sat down with him the first day of school at lunch? Would you be Julian, the bully, who tried to make August’s life even more miserable? When I am a teacher, this book will be one that I will read aloud to my students during the first weeks of school. There are many valuable lessons that can be learned from this book. The last thing that I really cherished from the book was the Mr. Browne’s Precepts. This is something that I would love to continue and use in my own classroom. It gives the students some food for thought. I also would want my students to write me during the summer with their postcard precepts like the students in the story did as well. Truly, a wonderful story and one that will be displayed and used in my classroom very often. 

Wonder

Author: R.J. Palacio

Year Published: 2012

Bluebird

This was a sad wordless book that told an incredible story about a lonely little boy, a bluebird, and the true friendship that they had. It tells the story of a sad boy who does not fit in at school. The book shows pictures of the little boy being made fun of and picked on by the other kids. In the first couple of pages, the little blue bird follows the little boy and watches all this unfold. The little bird begins to follow the little boy but this time doing little things to make sure that the boy knows he is there. They begin to hang out together, walking the streets, sharing a cookie, and even playing together. The little boy and blue bird buy a small boat that the blue bird sits atop of. This draws attention to the little boy and the other children at the pond begin to be nice to him. But suddenly, the little boy and the bird run into the mean kids from school. They started to try to grab the little boy’s boat and the one goes to throw a stick at the little boy. The blue bird flies himself in front of the stick, saving the little boy. The blue bird is tragically killed. All of a sudden, a multitude of different colored birds swarm around the little boy and grab a part of him and they begin to fly. They fly higher and higher until they reach the clouds. Then the little boy lets go of the blue bird and he flies away into the clouds.

I was so surprised by this book. I never thought a wordless book could have such a powerful message portrayed through the images and evoke so many emotions. I would definitely use this book for older elementary students. Teachers could use this book to discuss friendship and what that means. This book discusses a very hard topic to talk about with students: death. I do not think I would have this book lying around in my library, to be honest. It does bring up a lot of hard topics to discuss with students and it is also a very sad book. Educationally, teachers can use this book to discuss how illustrations can tell a story. Throughout the book, when the little boy is happy the pictures are lighter. When the little boy is sad and lonely, the pictures are very dark. I also would want to teach my students about how the way images are set up can be important to understanding literature. I would want to teach them words like motifs, demand, offer, and how placements of characters make a difference in the way a story is read. This is truly an outstanding wordless book- just not one that I may keep out for my students to be able to read anytime. 

Bluebird 

Author: Bob Staake

Year Published: 2013

Flotsam

The book starts out with a picture of a boy playing in the sand and water on a beach with a shovel. This picture is even before the title page! As you turn a few pages, you will see the same little boy’s eye looking at a hermit crab through a magnifying glass. This wordless book goes on to illustrate this little boy’s day at the beach. He was having a typical day when he found an underwater camera that was washed ashore. The boy got the filmed developed to see pictures of the underwater sea but with a twist. The first picture was of red fish, but one was a wind-up/robot fish. Another was of sea turtles with shells on their back that were home to little green aliens. But then the pictures took a new twist. The pictures turned to pictures of other boys and girls who had found the camera and took pictures of themselves holding the photos. As he looked at the pictures more closely, each picture was made up children from a long time ago on the beach. It even included the boy who must have lost his underwater camera. The little boy takes a picture of himself with the camera and throws it back to sea. The audience gets to see the journey the camera takes until it gently floats onto another beach where a little child is sitting.

I really liked this wordless book. The pictures and the illustrations were beyond beautiful and interesting. Even the front cover makes the reader have to look at twice. In the middle of the eye of the fish on the cover of the book, you can see the underwater camera. At first glance, it looks like just the eye of the fish but if you look at it closely, it is the camera taking a picture of the eye of the fish. As a future teacher, I like how there is a picture before the title page. It is a great cue for students to be able to stop and think about what is going to happen in this book. I really enjoyed how the pictures were not traditionally pictures of fish, turtles, octopuses, and seahorses. There is a twist on all of the pictures and they all include so much detail. But what I really appreciated from the book was the pictures of the other children that had found the underwater camera and taken pictures. It showed children of all backgrounds and from all places. The book was very specific on the diversity of the children who had found the camera to show how far the camera had traveled. It showed what children from other places looked like and what kind of clothes they wore.  My most favorite part was how the pictures were made up of other pictures of children on the beach a long, long time ago. We can tell that because the pictures turned from color to black and white. Overall, this book was very creative. The images and illustrations would be great for students to have to study and explain what is going on. It also could provide them with a writing topic. Lastly, I would love to challenge my own students to all create a picture like the one of the red fish with the wind-up/robot fish. It will get their imaginations going and give them an opportunity to be creative. 

Flotsam

Author: David Wiesner

Year Published: 2006

The Secret Box

This wordless picture book was very interesting and will get students to stop and think. It tells the story of a boy putting something in one of the floorboards of a house. Then it shows many years pass and what happens to the house and the city. One day three boys find the loose floorboard the box with all the secrets in it. There are old pictures, a map, a postcard, ripped tickets, and a coin in the secret box. The boys run away from the house for a little to go on an adventure, following the map they found. They find the secret passage and run together through it. It leads to where the postcard was from- an amusement park called Seahorse Pier right on the beach. The boys follow this mysterious boy that had hidden the secret box up the building that is the entrance for the Pier. They find that when they get to the top that there are other kids there reading, eating, and hanging out. It then fast forwards to the future when two other kids find the same map and pictures. They too go looking for an adventure. 

I thought this book was interesting. I feel that students, especially the boys would enjoy it. It includes a lot of diversity that is shown through the pictures, helping to build a multicultural and diverse classroom. This book is good for students because it allows them to use their imagination and lets them be the interpreter of the story. Teachers could use this book to explain how places change over time. In the book, it shows how the same city grew and changed. The book also hit on the fact that the place may change what it looks like, but children still enjoy adventure. I could have my own students on day look on the inside cover and tell me what they think the inside cover is telling us about the book. I would ask them what they see and what they think it all means. Lastly, I would want my own students to create their own secret boxes. They could put important items in their box that represents themselves. This could lead the students to do some sort of a time capsule project as a class together. Students would include items from the class that represent who they are and things that they are learning. This would be a fun activity to do in the beginning of the year. At the end of the year, the students could open the time capsule to remember what they put in and see if they would add anything else. This was a fun book that students would enjoy and really put their imagination to work. 

The Secret Box

Author: Barbara Lehman 

Year Published: 2011

The One and Only Ivan

Having heard about this novel, I had high expectations for it. What I did not expect was falling in love with it as much as I have. It told the story of a silverback gorilla named Ivan who was in captivity for twenty-seven years. He lived at a mall in a tiny domain with an older elephant named Stella. The story goes on to explain their lives at this mall where people would come and see “The One and Only Ivan” and Stella. Stella could do tricks and stand up on her hind legs. Ivan could draw so his drawings were sold in the gift shop. The elephant Stella began to not feel so well. Her leg became infected. Mack, the owner, realizing that Stella was showing her age went out and bought a new baby elephant named Ruby. She was a tiny, curious thing who constantly asked Ivan questions. Before Stella passed away, she made Ivan promise her that he would save Ruby and get her out of the “cage” that they both lived in. Ivan promised her and devised a plan on how he can get Ruby to a safer place. After much thinking, Ivan decided that he would save Ruby though his artwork. He began to paint multiple sheets of paper with a picture of Ruby in a big open space at the zoo with the letters “H O M E” spelt across the top. Julia, the little girl whose father cleaned their domains, was an artist like Ivan. She figured out that Ivan’s pictures were trying to say something. Julia convinced her dad to post Ivan’s pictures to the billboard to raise awareness of the cruelty going on at their mall and to help Ruby find a safer place to live. Thanks to Julia, crowds began to protest the mall and soon they were shut down. Ruby and Ivan were taken away to the zoo where they both were released slowly into their new homes where other gorillas and elephants were. Ivan had saved Ruby and kept his promise to Stella.

The One and Only Ivan is a John Newbery Award winning book and may I say the novel very much deserved the award. I have so many different ideas of how this book could be used in the classroom. First of all, I think all students would really enjoy this book. It is fairly easy, humorous, sad, and very engaging. Students would really enjoy the perspective this book takes on. It talks through Ivan’s characters- his thoughts, feelings, hopes, and dreams. The audience becomes extremely attached to Ivan’s character and it is one of those books you cannot put down. As a future teacher, I would want to use this book to talk about points of view and narration. Students could do research on other animals and they can write stories that explain their points of view. I also would want to use this book to explain captivity to the students. In the back of the book, it explains how this is a based off of a true story. The “real” Ivan lives at Zoo Atlanta and paints pictures as well. He signs his pictures with a thumbprint. I would want my students to do research on the real Ivan and see what they can find out about his story. This will be a novel that is in my classroom and I hope that my future students enjoy it as much as I did. 

The One and Only Ivan

Author: Katherine Applegate

Illustrations: Patricia Castelao

Year Published: 2011

The Ride: The Legend of Betsy Dowdy

The setting is December 8, 1775 in Currituck, North Carolina and the people of North Carolina wanted freedom from England’s rule. This only led to worse laws and the people were punished. Betsy Dowdy was a sixteen year old girl who knew that war was approaching. She found out that the redcoats were coming to her city to take their supplies and the only way to get protection was to go to a camp that was fifty miles away. But no one wanted to go on this ride because it was way too long and too dangerous. Betsy knew that the soldiers had to be stopped so she decided that she would wear breeches and she would ride her horse, Bess, to make the journey. They were riding for freedom. As they began their dangerous journey, they travel through scary forest and Betsy falls off a Bess multiple times. She makes it to the camp and tells them that the redcoats were coming. They sent the militia to Currituck and Betsy and Bess saved the town. This victory, thanks to Betsy and Bess, proved that the British could be defeated.

Once again, I would use this book for upper elementary students and if I were to teach in North Carolina. This would be a great historical fiction picture book to use while teaching the Revolutionary War. This story would be great for students to analyze the fact and fiction in the book. I would want them to research Elizabeth City, North Carolina because the Daughters of the American Revolution named their chapter after Betsy Dowdy. This story represents the spirit of freedom. My students could come up with their own story of freedom. Teachers could also explain what legends are by using this book. I also want to explain how Betsy broke the cultural rules by wearing breeches. In that time period, women were not allowed to wear pants. Students could do research on the clothing that they people wore during that time period. Lastly, I could use this book to gather students’ interest and hopefully plan a field trip for them to see a museum that included artifacts from the Revolutionary War. 

The Ride: The Legend of Betsy Dowdy

Author: Kitty Griffin

Illustrator: Majorie Priceman

Year Published: 2010

The Christmas Tugboat

This was a book that has become a favorite of mine. It tells the story of a little girl whose dad is a New York harbor tugboat captain. Every year she goes on a special trip with her family up the Hudson River to get the Christmas tree for Rockefeller Center in New York City. The story explains how she helps her dad start the engine and does chores around the tugboat. It includes facts about tugboats and how fast- or should I say slow- they go. She explains what she sees as they go on their special trip together. They arrive at Stony Point where they pick up the massive tree, the huge ornaments, and the decorations that go back to New York City. Once they dock for the night, her mom sings her the barge song and in the morning when she awakes they are already headed back to the city. As they get closer, they receive police escort and there are crowds on boats watching and waving to them. Her dad even lets her take over the wheel and steer for a little! When they finally dock, a man gives her a pine cone from the tree as a souvenir. She plans on one day planting the seeds and then she too will have her own New York City Christmas tree in her backyard.

Having experienced Christmas in New York City, I would have so much to share with my students. I would want to tell them of my own experience and how I went with my parents, my sister, and my grandpa. I would bring pictures for my students to be able to look at of me right by the huge Christmas tree. This story is an unique story to read as it gets closer to Christmas time. It does not really focus so much on the holiday but more on the preparations and what it is like to be on a tugboat. For diversity, I would want to discuss other different holidays that are celebrated around Christmas time as well. For an activity, I would want my students to write a story about how they prepare for a holiday. They could also do research on tug boats and other means of transportation. Also, I could tie in a lesson about New York City and Rockefeller Center. I could show them the news and make it a very real life lesson for them. This book really came close to my heart and I definitely want to use it in my classroom one day. 

The Christmas Tugboat

Author: George Matteson & Adele Ursone

Illustrations: James E. Ransome

Year Published: 2012

Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creek: A Tall, Thin Tale (Introducing His Forgotten Frontier Friend)

This historical fiction picture book introduces the audience to Abe Lincoln’s friend Benjamin Austin Gollaher- Austin for short- in a very creative and captivating way. It tells the story of their friendship and how Austin saved Abe Lincoln’s life. Abe and Austin loved to go outside and play with each other. One day, Abe and Austin went to the river and they decide to try and cross it. Austin goes first and walks over the tree. Abe goes next but then falls into the water. This is where the book and the story becomes very creative. The author talks to the audience and the illustrator throughout the book. She explains how Abe and Austin would not have been foolish and walked over the tree to cross the river. Deborah, the author, changes the story and explains how Abe and Austin would have crawled across the river on the tree. Austin, again makes it safely across, and Abe falls into the rushing water. The author yells at the illustrator to make the river less “noisy” and how he needs to make sure that Austin is paying attention to Abe. Austin saves Abe from the river. The story fast forwards and explains how Lincoln and his family moved away shortly after but how there are documentations that Abe refers to Austin in a quote. Lastly, the story explains the moral of the story- that what we do matters even if we do not end up in history books. Austin saved Abe’s life and if it wasn’t for Austin doing that Abe may never have done what he did. That leaves us having no idea where we would be in our country today.

First of all, I would use this book for upper elementary grades. They would truly appreciate all that the book has to offer. The book has very big, colorful font and the illustrations are spectacular. In some of the illustrations, you can see his hand and his paintbrush finishing the image. I think students would really appreciate the conversation between the author, the students, and the illustrator. The author talks aloud during the story about her writing process and the events going on in the story. She asks the audience rhetorical questions and says things that make anyone who reads the story stop and think. This book would be a great way to tie in a lesson explaining the roles of the author, illustrator, and the audience. The book is also very funny. The author jokes with the illustrator and makes the story very intriguing. There are points in the story where the illustrator includes captions in the actual images. I would want my students to create a short story were they too can use some of the creative ideas done throughout the book. As a future teacher, I would want to use this book when discussing Abe Lincoln’s life and slavery. I would want my students to be able to sort what is fact and fiction about this book. For example, I would love to see if any of them could find out any information about Austin. Was he a real person? Did Abe Lincoln every say something about him when he was older? This book also allows for teachers to discuss the moral of stories. The moral of this story brings up a good point that everyone makes a difference in the world. I think the way it is explained could really hit home with the students. I definitely think this is a story that will have to be read twice, maybe even three times, so students can really pick up the details and enjoy the book completely. But this is a historical fiction picture book that will be used in my classroom! 

Abe Lincoln Crosses a Creek: A Tall, Thin Tale (Introducing His Forgotten Frontier Friend)

Author: Deborah Hopkinson

Illustrations: John Hendrix

Year Published: 2008

Me...Jane

I fell in love with this historical fiction picture book! The story is about a little girl named Jane and her stuff chimpanzee named Jubilee. On the title page, we see an actual photo of a blonde headed girl and her stuff monkey that it nearly the same size as her. The book followed Jane’s life as a child: playing outside, learning about animals, climbing trees, studying plants, etc. Throughout the book, there are illustration and examples Jane’s notebook where she would write down all the information that she would find out about animals. Jane loved to read. She would climb to her favorite tree, which she named Beech, and sit there with Jubilee and read about Tarzan and another girl named Jane who lived in the jungles of Africa. Jane wanted to live in Africa one day too. She dreamed of this life were she could help the animals there. Every night, Jane would go to bed after tucking Jubilee into bed and pray that she would end up in Africa. Finally one day she did. On the last and final page of the story, there is a picture of Jane all grown up with a real baby chimpanzee.

This book really was a cute story and there are so many ways that I can incorporate it into my own classroom. In the back of the book, there is an explanation from the article about the real Jane Goodall. She even wrote a letter to the audience explaining that children can make a difference in the world- no matter how small they may be. They just have to have a dream, like she did. She also encourages children to make a difference in their environments- even if that means picking up a piece of trash. Teachers could use this book to promote recycling and keeping our Earth healthy and clean. It really is an inspirational book for students and I feel would get their imaginative juices flowing. The students can connect to Jane and her dream, maybe helping them to create their own. I like how the story allowed spots for students to be able to predict what was going to happen next. The actual picture of Jane and her stuffed monkey gave the students an opportunity to predict who that was a picture of. It provoked a lot of open-ended questions that really would make the students think. The book was also very cleverly written. It flowed beautifully. I also really enjoyed how there were items in the book that came from Jane herself. The illustrations on the left side of the pages throughout the book, were her actual drawings. The notebook page with all the animal information was also taken from Jane’s notes from when she was younger. This story could inspire the students to do more research about Jane Goodall, animals, and Africa. But most importantly this story is a great way to get students to think about what they want to do when they grow up and how they can accomplish their own dreams one day. 

Me...Jane

Author: Patrick McDonnell

Year Published: 2011

Chains

I absolutely loved this novel! The historical fiction tells the life of a young girl named Isabel. It takes place from the years 1776-1777, when the United States was in the process of trying to become liberated from the King. In the beginning of the novel, Isabel and her little sister Ruth are supposed to be freed as slaves because their master had passed away. Instead they are bought and become slaves to a terrible and miserable couple. They are sent to New York and their life is changed instantly. Isabel and Ruth work day in and day out for the Locktons, a Loyalist family. Isabel meets a slave named Curzon who promises to help her get her freedom and tells her to be a spy on the couple she works for. The wife sells Ruth and leaves Isabel in despair. Isabel gets in trouble with the law for yelling and trying to run away from her masters and gets branded with an I on her cheek. As the story progresses, Isabel continues to work for the Locktons and Lady Seymour, the husband’s old aunt, who loves Isabel. Isabel continues to get in trouble with her masters and finally decides that she can no longer live the way she is living, especially since Lady Seymour was dying. She had found out that Ruth was in Charleston and had not been sold, like the Madam had told her. The night of the Queen’s ball, that celebrated her birthday, Isabel decides to make a run for it. She took food, her few belongings, a map, and money from Lady Seymour and heads to the jail where Curzon is. Isabel tells Curzon to fake being dead and tells the guards that she is going to bury him. Once out, they head for the river and begin to row towards New Jersey. When they both awake, they find themselves on the bank of New Jersey. They had made it and Isabel was on her way to Charleston to find her sister.

This was one of those books that you could not put down. I constantly wanted to keep reading it as the story progressed. What I loved about this book was how real it felt. I could picture the story in my mind and Isabel’s character was so realistic. This novel will definitely be used in my class. When I was in school, we always had to read books that were either too hard to understand or talked way over my head. But this novel told Isabel’s story and what it was truly like to be a slave. I feel that the students could really connect to Isabel because of their closeness in age. This book could be used in a social studies unit because it also explains the American Revolutionary War. It explains the constant conflict between the Loyalists and the Rebels. The book had dates, which made it seem more realistic. It even included July 4^th, our independence day, and what might have happened and what Isabel could have seen. I also really like how at the beginning of every chapter of the book it included quotes from newspaper articles, letters, or advertisements from this time period. There were even quotes included from major pieces of writing at this time like Common Sense from Thomas Paine and excerpts from letters written by Washington, Franklin, and Adams. All of this combined, provides the students with a better understanding of these crucial historical events. These quotes could be used to provoke the students to explore these other writings. In the back of the book, there is great information provided about the book and discussion questions that would really get the students thinking. I also would want to read the students the sneak peak of the next book in this series possibly giving them the motivation to continue reading books by this author. This historical fiction novel would give my students a way to connect to this time period and I will be for sure using this in my own classroom one day. 

Chains

Author: Laurie Halse Anderson

Year Published: 2010

Winston & George

This picture book was about Winston, a crocodile, and a crocodile bird named George. George would always sit on top of Winston’s snout and tell him when there were fish below them. Winston would dive down, catch the fish, and then share the fish with George. But George was a silly bird who liked to play pranks on everyone: Winston, the other crocodiles, and the hippos. One day he played a very mean prank on Winston and made him dive down straight into mud! Winston got his snout stuck in the mud and if George did not go get help, he would drown. After much convincing and promising to let Winston eat him, the hippopotamuses and the other crocodiles helped save Winston. When Winston felt better, they all gathered around to watch as Winston ate George. But little did they all know that he was only pretending and George was safely in his mouth. George learned his lesson and did not play any more pranks on his good friend Winston.

I would use this book in my classroom to teach about friendship. This story exemplifies true friendship. Even though Winston thought George’s pranks were not as funny as he did, he still remained friends with him. When all of the hippopotamuses and the crocodiles told Winston to eat George, Winston did not fall to the peer pressure. This book could also be used to show how you should not play pranks or lie to others. There is a part of the story where George tells all the other crocodiles that danger is coming. They all panic to realize that George had been lying. When George told the other crocodiles that Winston was stuck in the mud, the other crocodiles did not believe him or want to help him. Children who read this book can see the dangers that come along with lying, playing pranks, or even exaggerating the truth. Lastly, I would use this book if we were to talk about animals. There are crocodiles, hippopotamuses, and crocodile birds to learn about through this book. Something that I loved was that in the back of the book it gives more information about crocodiles and crocodile birds. They explain their relationship and how they work with one another. The book gives great detail about where they are from, what they look like, and what they do to help one another. There is a lot of potential that this book would bring to a classroom. 

Winston & George

Author: John Miller

Illustrator: Giuliano Cucco

Year Published: 2014 

Stella's Starliner

I thought this was a wonderful book to read. The book was about a fox named Stella who lived in a house made of silver. It was called the Starliner. Stella had everything she needed in her silver house. Her dad worked the whole week so on Saturday nights he would come home and spend Sunday with Stella. Everything was good in Stella’s life until one day a bunch of weasels came by and made fun of Stella’s house, saying very mean things about her and her family. This made Stella very sad and had a hard time explaining to her mom what had happened. Stella’s mom informed her all would be okay because her dad had hitched the Starliner to the truck. The next day, she found herself in a completely new world. Stella now lived next to two bunnies who fell in love with the Starliner and wanted to come over and play inside. The bunnies were so impressed with Stella’s house, they thought that she was a zillionaire.

What a story. This is a story that I can read at all ages. There is a powerful message that is conveyed through the story. The weasels make fun of Stella because her house is a trailer and called her poor. Little did they know that her father worked all week to make the money that he had made. Her father still made time to spend with Stella and her mother did her best to keep her content and happy. This right here is a huge lesson for all students to learn. You never make fun of anyone because you have never walked a day in their shoes. Those weasels thought they were being funny, but instead their words, “Stung Stella’s heart like the stings of bees.” The book can also teach students how in other cultures people view things differently. In Stella’s hometown, the weasels thought she was poor and lived in an old trailer. But when Stella moved to her new town, the bunnies thought that her silver house was the most incredible thing they have ever seen. Their house was made out of wood and they were just amazed to go inside the silver house and see everything. They thought that Stella had to be a zillionaire to live in a beautiful house like that. One thing, like a house, can be viewed so differently across different cultures. It is important to respect each other’s differences and never tease anyone for their economic background. This picture book is a truly important story and I will definitely be using it in my own classroom one day.

Stella's Starliner

Author: Rosemary Wells

Year Published: 2014

Princess Sparkle-Heart Gets a Makeover

This picture book starts out by telling a story of a little girl named Amelia and her doll named Princess Sparkle-Heart. They were best friends and did almost everything together. But one day, Amelia’s dog ripped apart Princess Sparkle-Heart. Amelia was devastated but her mom told her not to worry. So after Amelia told her mom everything that Princess Sparkle-Heart had to have (bigger muscles, beautiful eyes, good teeth, red hair, and some new clothes), she became even better than before.

I would use this book in my classroom for younger students. It is a great example to better understand emotions and how we express emotions. This book allows students to easily connect because there has always been a time when something that we loved has broken or gone missing. My students would have to express how they have either felt or how they would fill if they have not experienced this before. I would use this picture book to let my students work on their prediction skills. They have to be playing close attention to the pictures! Leading up to Princess Sparkle-Heart’s demise, Amelia’s dog would growl at them every time they were together having fun. This books allows students to make inferences from the illustrations and can use them in better helping them to understand the emotions that are occurring throughout the book. Lastly, this book would be a great example to my students how to make the best out of a situation. Even though Princess Sparkle-Heart was destroyed, Amelia’s mom worked with Amelia to fix her and create her even better than before. 

Princess Sparkle-Heart Gets a Makeover

Author: Josh Schneider

Year Published: 2014

43 Old Cemetery Road Book One: Dying To Meet You

As a reader, I really enjoyed this novel. It told the story of a young boy named Seymour who was abandoned by his parents and left to whoever rented the haunted house that he lived in. An old, stuffy author named Ignatius B. Grumply rented the house on the mission to get over a writer’s block that he had for twenty years. He found out that Seymour may not have been telling lies about the ‘supposed’ ghost that lived in the cupola of the house. This ghost, named Olive, lived in that house and vowed to haunt the house until she could publish her own book. She had been rejected numerous amounts of times when she was alive. Grumply at first had thought that all the tricks and weird things that happened in the house was Seymour. But soon Olive revealed herself to him and convinced Grumply to write a book with her. Grumply, Seymour, and Olive hit some bumps in the road as they each tried to learn how to live with one another. But in the end, Grumply, Seymour, and Olive live happily together.

This novel was very different from traditional chapter books: there were no chapters! Instead it looked at other types of writing styles and told a story through them. As a teacher, I may use this novel for students who are struggling with their writing skills. The story unfolded in front of the audience by using letters, newspapers, illustrations, captions, and mail. Teachers can explain to students how you can convey information through each of these methods of writing. The novel even showed bits and pieces of Grumply’s writing process and thoughts as he was beginning to write a book. This could be used as an example for students to see that it is okay to make mistakes in their writing. Also it may help teachers to educate students on how to pay more attention not only to the writing on the page but also what is communicated between the lines of a book. Students can use this book to learn more about family issues. Seymour definitely did not have the easiest home and family life, so this may be encouraging to students that things will always get better. It also gives them a simple character to relate to. Students can also learn how to distinguish characters from one another. Using an anchor chart to separate them all would be a great and simple way for them to have to pay close attention to who is talking (especially since most of the book is written in letters to one another). This novel is also nice for students to be able to pay close attention to minor details. For example, the handwriting changes as a new person is writing a letter or typing. Being a series book, this is a great read for students and gives them the opportunity to continue on with the rest of the books! This novel is a great tool for teachers and students to use in the classroom.

43 Old Cemetery Road Book One: Dying To Meet You

Author: Kate Klise

Illustrated by: M. Sarah Klise

Year Published: 2009