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You have accessed the blog site for Choosing and Using Books for Children. Throughout the term we'll use our blog to record the books we read and the ideas we have for using them when we're teachers. By the end of March, our class will have read at least 280 books. Happy reading!

Two important protocol actions for EVERY post:
1. Underline or italicize all book titles (choose one formatting style and stick with it--underline OR italicize for all book titles)
2. Add your name in the "label" box before you post each documentation.

One important recommendation:
Create your documentations in a separate Word document, then cut and paste in a blog post.

Basic Documentation

Book Title:

Author(s):

Illustrator/Photographer/Artist:

Publisher:

Copyright Date:

Genre:

Brief Annotation:

Your Rating (1-5) and why:

Readers who will like this book:

Teaching Strategy from Tompkins or Yopp & Yopp (you'll link a strategy to at least 10 of your 40 books) :

Question to ask about this book before a read aloud:

Optional, but noted as extra effort:

1. Interest Level (age):

2. Grade Level Equivalent (grade):
Use book wizard to help with the previous 2 areas


3. List awards

4. Does this book have a book trailer? If so, cut and paste the web address here.

Sunday, January 29, 2012

My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother

Book Title: My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother


Author & Illustrator: Patricia Polacco


Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books


Copyright Date: 1994


Genre: Picturebook: Contemporary Realistic Fiction


Brief Annotation: A silly and warm-hearted story of a red-headed, older brother and his little sister who just wants to be able to do something better than her older, know-it-all, brother. After failed attempts to out-wit, out-smart and out-play her brother, Patricia makes a wish. But sometimes “wishes come true differently than you think.” This is a story from author Patricia Polacco, about growing up with her older brother Richie.


Your Rating (1-5) and why: 3.5 – This is a comical story that a lot of children can probably relate to with their own siblings. There is a great message at the end of the book that has the potential for an interesting classroom discussion. I actually found some of the illustrations to be a little distracting. But I loved the inclusion of real photographs of the author and her brother in the front and back of the book.


Readers who will like this book: Children who are similar in age to the characters in the book (8-11ish) with siblings will enjoy this book the most. They will be able to relate to elements of the story and may learn something in the end/gain a new perspective.


Question to ask about this book before a read aloud: How would you describe your brother or sister? How do you think they would describe you? What is your relationship like with your sibling?


Interest Level (age): 8-11

Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 3.9

1 comment:

  1. I wonder if you've ever read any Patricia Polacco books before. They're very popular, and her back story is interesting, too. Most of her books are autobiographical and some are quite serious--I'm thinking of The Butterfly and Pink and Say, in particular.
    Books about siblings are always popular with young readers, so your recommendation is right on the money!

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