The Giver

Book Title: The Giver

Author: Lois Lowry

Publisher: Bantam Books

Copyright Date: 1993

Genre: Science Fiction

Brief Annotation: We meet Jonas, the story’s main character, as he approaches his twelfth birthday. In this society, turning twelve is met with much anticipation, excitement, and uncertainty. You see, when children turn twelve they are given their assignment – the work they will do for the rest of their lives. Twelves take some comfort in knowing that the Committee of Elders has been studying them closely to determine the most appropriate assignment, but the ceremony where assignments are given cannot come faster enough or be further away. Jonas lives in a society of “sameness” – there is no individuality or choice. There is no pain or fear in this society. Through the journey of Jonas and his assignment, many questions will stir inside you, challenge you, and perhaps make you see your own life a little differently.

Your Rating (1-5) and why: 5 – This class has made me aware of and given me the push to read so many fantastic books, and The Giver is one of those books. This is quite the page-turner. I found it to be creative and thought provoking. It’s so interesting to think what it would be like to live in a world as described in the book. There is so much wonderful content in here for discussion with students and it would be fun to hear their insights and reflections on this book. Plus, I loved the moment (because I didn’t see that answer coming) when you find out what’s going on with the apple – I gasped out loud and had quite a reaction to that aspect of their life. That was just the beginning of reveals and reactions to come.

Readers who will like this book: I think this book would be enjoyed by a broad range of early teens and teens (and adults). Even someone who typically doesn’t gravitate towards science fiction-type stories (like myself) will be captivated by this story.

Question to ask about this book before a read aloud: What if you could choose to live without pain and fear, would you? What if that also meant giving up knowing the feelings of love and joy?

Interest Level (age): 11-14

Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 5.9

List awards: Newbery Medal Book, ALA Best Books for Young Adults, ALA Notable Children's Book

The Polar Express

Book Title: The Polar Express

Author & Illustrator: Chris Van Allsburg

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company

Copyright Date: 1985

Genre: Picturebook – Fantasy

Brief Annotation: His friends tell him there is no Santa, but he still believes. In this imaginative story about Santa, Christmas, and believers, a young boy awakens in the middle of the night on Christmas Eve to find a train outside his window. He soon discovers that this is no ordinary train – this is the Polar Express. All aboard to the North Pole! There is everything you might expect to find at the North Pole, including Santa, elves, reindeer, and lots of toys. Where other Christmas stories might linger at the North Pole, this story is about the journey.

Your Rating (1-5) and why: 5 – This is another book that I knew of, but it somehow never found itself in my hands. I’ve also never seen the movie (although I want to now). Van Allsburg’s language is descriptive in a way that is different from many of the picturebooks I’ve been reading – he takes it to another level. For example… “We drank hot cocoa as thick and rich as melted chocolate bars” or “We traveled through cold, dark forests, where lean wolves roamed and white-tailed rabbits hid from our train as it thundered through the quiet wilderness.” The words could stand on their own, as could the illustrations. Each page could be a single painting on a wall, telling its own story. So just imagine the result of marrying these words and artwork.

Readers who will like this book: I think a wide age range of children (and adults) who have an interest in Christmas-related stories will enjoy this book. This is a book best suited for a child to read individually or an adult to snuggle in and read to one or two children at a time. This is a book to be held – the images are dark and their detail and depth would be lost if not experienced up close.

Question to ask about this book before a read aloud: Do you believe in Santa? What if you believe and someone else doesn’t believe?

Interest Level (age): 4-8

Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 4.9

List awards: Caldecott Medal

The Snowy Day

Book Title: The Snowy Day

Author & Illustrator: Ezra Jack Keats

Publisher: The Viking Press

Copyright Date: 1962

Genre: Picturebook – Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Brief Annotation: The Snowy Day was born from a Life magazine photograph that caught the eye of Ezra Jack Keats. He held on to that photo of a small African American boy and after twenty-two years of waiting to be asked to write a story about an African American child, Keats decided it was time. In 1962, Keats gave the world the gift of The Snowy Day. Readers, young and old, get to experience all the wonder and excitement of a child’s first snowfall. Keats has created beautiful collage artwork, where the subtle tones and soft lines compliment and enhance the warm, magical tone of the story.

Your Rating (1-5) and why: 5 – I knew of this book, but I don’t have any memories of ever reading this book. I’m so happy the day finally came to sit down and experience this book. I didn’t realize it’s 50 years old! This is such a lovely book worthy of all its praises. It’s amazing how it feels when you are transported in to a picturebook like this – you can almost hear the silence and feel the anticipation and wonder that Peter is experiencing. This book stands on its own 50 years later, but it’s even more special when you read that Keats didn’t write the story with any agenda or expectation – and how he wrote this book when there were no others really featuring African American children. How wonderful that he gave so many children the gift of seeing themselves in a book. If you get a chance, take a peek at the 50th Anniversary Edition – it includes some really fun special bonus material.

Readers who will like this book: Young children and adults will enjoy this book. The artwork draws you in to the pages and keeps you there. I can see little kids mimicking Peter’s first experiences in the snow (making different kinds of tracks in the snow, making snow angels). And adults will get to re-experience and remember what it’s like for children to see and experience snow (or anything new).

Question to ask about this book before a read aloud: Why do you think this little boy is looking at his footprints in the snow? What might he be thinking?

Interest Level (age): 4-7

Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 1.9

List awards: Caldecott Medal

Taking a Bath with the Dog and Other Things that Make Me Happy

Book Title: Taking a Bath with the Dog and Other Things that Make Me Happy

Author & Illustrator: Scott Menchin

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Copyright Date: 2007

Genre: Picturebook – Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Brief Annotation: When Sweet Pea’s mom notices that her smile is missing, her mom asks her “what makes you happy?” Unable to answer, Sweet Pea sets out asking others what makes them happy. Along the way, Sweet Pea discovers the bat is happy when sleeping upside down and the man in the moon is happy when he is smiling. Some people like stripes while others like counting. Hmm… it seems that what makes us happy is different for everyone. Wait until you see what makes Sweet Pea happy!

Your Rating (1-5) and why: 4 – I love this book’s message. It truly is never too early to understand the joy that comes from noticing and appreciating both the little and big things that make you happy. For Sweet Pea, it’s things like holding her breath underwater, swimming at night, making a wish, and licking sprinkles off ice cream. For myself, reading this book made me think about how much I love things like clean sheets, lots of ice in my diet coke, heated car seats in the winter, hearing my niece say “auntie”, the lights going down in the movie theater, getting a booth at a restaurant, watching my cat growl at her own tail. How about you? Maybe you can share some in the comments. :)

Readers who will like this book: This book uses repetition (“what makes you happy?”) and follows a pattern that little ones (pre-readers) will quickly recognize and it will assist them in having fun reading the story with you. Early readers will also enjoy this book’s cheerful message and illustrations.

Question to ask about this book before a read aloud: What makes you happy? What does happy feel like?

Shakespeare Bats Cleanup

Book Title: Shakespeare Bats Cleanup

Author: Ron Koertge

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Copyright Date: 2003

Genre: Sports Fiction

Brief Annotation: Kevin Boland is a fourteen-year-old boy whose life revolves around being an MVP first baseman. That is, until he comes down with mono and is forced to give up baseball and spend months at home recuperating. His Dad gives him a blank journal in case it might help him pass the time. Kevin accepts the journal, but he’d be the first to tell you that he’s a baseball player, not a writer. However, soon Kevin is sneaking into his Dad’s study to borrow his book on poetry. Kevin begins to write – sometimes humorous, sometimes insightful and heart-warming, and sometimes heart-breaking as he remembers his mother who recently died. Poetry opens a whole new world for Kevin and there’s really no turning back. Koertge has brilliantly captured the intricacies of a teenage boy’s life by creatively using free verse as his medium.

Your Rating (1-5) and why: 5 – I loved this book! I love that I spent an hour on a Saturday afternoon, reading cover to cover, totally caught up in this book. I love the idea of using a journal format. I especially love the use of free verse poetry to tell this story. Plus, readers get to learn a little bit about poetry along the way, as Kevin dabbles with other forms of poetry, including sonnets, ballads, and haiku. There are wonderful moments of laugh-out-loud humor and then a few pages later you’re drying your eyes. It’s one of those books where your heart is involved in the reading as much as your mind. It’s so fun to go into a book with no expectations, only to be surprised by how much you end up enjoying it.

Readers who will like this book: I think pre-teen and early teen boys will really enjoy this book. This is especially great for those types, just like Kevin, who just think of themselves as only “sports guys” – this is not only a great book to (hopefully) get them interested in reading, but also interested in poetry – poetry probably like they’ve never thought of it. I love the idea of some of these boys possibly being inspired to try writing like Kevin (even if they don’t tell anyone :)).

Question to ask about this book before a read aloud: What would you do if you had mono and all you were able to do/all you had the energy to do was to lie in bed for months? When you hear the word “poetry” what thoughts come to mind?

Interest Level (age): 11-14

Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 4.0

Hoot

Book Title: Hoot

Author: Carl Hiassen

Publisher: Yearling

Copyright Date: 2005

Genre: Mystery

Brief Annotation: It’s not the first move for Roy Eberhardt – his family moves a lot. This time they left Montana for Coconut Grove, Florida. It’s hot and humid and Roy is not enjoying his days at Trace Middle School. As if navigating the school day (including eating lunch alone) isn’t bad enough, Roy must endure the wrath of mean Dana Matherson in the halls and on the bus. But one day on the bus, as Dana is smashing Roy’s face into the bus window, Roy spots something. He sees a strange boy running. Hmmm… why is this boy running (away from school), without shoes? And so the mystery and the adventure begin. How will a tough, soccer-playing girl named Beatrice, a not-so-bright foreman named Curly, a eager (although sleepy) policeman named Officer Delinko, and a Mullet Fingers (a Mullet Fingers?!) and a pancake house all factor into this mystery? Well, it would ruin the mystery if I told you…

Your Rating (1-5) and why: 5 – This is a fun, quirky mystery that, on one level, is purely a really good read. But Hiassen has done more than that; he has created characters that have character. Amongst all the silly and unexpected twists, there are lessons to take away. Sneakily sprinkled in through all the suspense and drama, are messages of independence, standing up for your beliefs and standing up for others (owls) who can’t speak for themselves, learning to see people differently, finding new ways to deal with people and problems, and… the list goes on and on.

Readers who will like this book: Middle schoolers will most enjoy this book – especially those who like funny mysteries that are mostly reality based, with a dose of quirky. Both boys and girls will enjoy this book, but I think it’s a good one to keep in mind to perhaps get a reluctant boy reader engaged in reading.

Question to ask about this book before a read aloud: Imagine… you’re riding on the school bus and you see a shoeless, strange boy, about your age, running through the neighborhood and he is not running in the direction of school. Something about this boy makes you curious. What would you do?

Interest Level (age): 10-14

Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 5.8

List Awards: Newbery Honor Book

Skylark

Book Title: Skylark

Author: Patricia MacLachlan

Publisher: Harper Children’s Audio

Copyright Date: 1994

Genre: Audiobook / Historical Fiction

Brief Annotation: This is the follow-up novel to the award-winning Sarah Plain and Tall. Now married, Jacob and Sarah seem to be settling into a happy life together. The children couldn’t be happier with their new mother and the joy she has brought back into their home. But a terrible drought takes center stage, threatening to take away that happiness. They struggle to haul water and watch the supply dwindle as neighbors are forced to leave their land. Their fear is soon realized… in order to survive, Sarah must travel back East with the children. Jacob remains steadfast with the land, with no idea when the family will reunite again. Maine is green and beautiful, but it is not home anymore for Sarah. Sarah, Anna, and Caleb count the moments until they are all together again.

Your Rating (1-5) and why: 3 – After loving Sarah Plain and Tall, I was really looking forward to this follow-up. I also thought it would be fun to listen to the audio version which is narrated by Glen Close. The story and the audio recording were both a big disappointment. MacLachlan doesn’t really further develop the characters we came to love in Sarah Plain and Tall. Overall, the story falls flat. I’m generally not inclined to choose to listen to a book – it’s hard for me to stay focused and connect as easily. There was some of that with this audio book, but mostly I just found the narration annoying. Glen Close is extremely talented, but this performance was too much and her voice for Caleb was especially irritating. I wonder if my review would have been a little less harsh if I had read it, instead of listening to the audio version – although I think I still would have found the story to be disappointing.

Readers who will like this book: I think young (mostly girl) readers who enjoyed Sarah Plain and Tall will enjoy reading more about these characters.

Question to ask about this book before a read aloud: (Assuming we had read Sarah Plain and Tall in class)… what would you like to see these characters doing now? What is their life like?

Interest Level (age): 9-11

Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 3.3

Mythological Creatures: A Classical Bestiary

Book Title: Mythological Creatures: A Classical Bestiary

Author & Illustrator: Lynn Curlee

Publisher: Atheneum Books

Copyright Date: 2008

Genre: Picturebook – Myth

Brief Annotation: Tales of strange beings, fabulous creatures, fearsome beasts, and hideous monsters from ancient Greek mythology… Curlee has created a nice, quick reference to some of Greek mythology’s most prominent gods, goddesses and creatures. From Chimera to Pegasus to Cyclops… you are transported into a world like no other.

Your Rating (1-5) and why: 4 – If someone is looking for a book with adequate, brief, introductions into various Greek mythological gods, goddesses, and creatures than this book fulfills that purpose. The words aren’t poetic or especially interesting in how the stories are told, and the illustrations are minimal in numbers – but it’s enough to peak your interest and help you decide if you want to seek out more information. I don’t remember ever being particularly interested in Greek Mythology when I had to read it in school (and therefore really don’t remember much about it), but I’ll say I found myself drawn into some of these stories. It’s really fascinating how these myths are so creative and imaginative. I was especially impressed by the account of why peacock feathers look the way they do.

Readers who will like this book: Children who tend to like more fantasy-based stories, are interested in learning about interesting explanations for things in the world and/or have a strong imagination would likely enjoy this book the most. Keep in mind for younger readers that some of the stories are pretty violent and there are some tricky words.

Question to ask about this book before a read aloud: What is a myth? Why do we read about Greek mythology?

Interest Level (age): 8-10

The Man Who Walked Between the Towers

Book Title: The Man Who Walked Between the Towers

Author & Illustrator: Mordicai Gerstein

Publisher: Roaring Book Press

Copyright Date: 2003

Genre: Picturebook – Non-fiction

Brief Annotation: In 1974, French aerialist Philippe Petit, did something others would never attempt, let alone dream of doing. He fixed a cable between the World Trade Center Towers and spent almost an hour, a quarter of a mile in the sky, walking the tightrope and entertaining stunned crowd of on-lookers. Gerstein captures the events surrounding this amazing feat in a way that young readers can experience and enjoy. His words and illustrations (including wonderful foldout spreads) bring to life the suspense and drama of this event in New York history.

Your Rating (1-5) and why: 5 – There was a little something in me resisting giving this a 5 – like maybe a 4 or a 4.5 – I'm not sure why. Perhaps it’s in the way that Gerstein makes the telling of this story so simple – when in reality, it’s not simple. It deserves a 5 because Gerstein created a children’s picturebook, with a limited number of words and pages, and told the story of Philippe Petit’s walk in a page-turning, suspense-building, make-my-hands-sweat way. I do have a strong fear of heights, so I can’t say how those more height-friendly will react, but I definitely was reacting to the story telling and the illustrations.

Readers who will like this book: Most young readers will enjoy this book. It’s fun that not only is it a great, suspenseful, adventure story, but it’s also true – it seems almost unimaginable that it’s true. Children who like adventure-type stories will especially enjoy this book.

Question to ask about this book before a read aloud: (Showing the book cover – which shows a man walking high in the sky)… This is a story about a man who walked between the towers. Do you think this is going to be a true story? What does it mean if we say a story is ‘fiction’? What about ‘non-fiction’?

Interest Level (age): 4-9

Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 2.5

List Awards: Caldecott Medal

Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon

Book Title: Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon

Author: Patty Lovell

Illustrator: David Catrow

Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons

Copyright Date: 2001

Genre: Picturebook – Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Brief Annotation: Molly Lou Melon looks different from the other kids – she is short and clumsy with buckteeth. She sounds different than the other kids – some say like a bullfrog squeezed by a boa constrictor. As a first grader, life could be much different without the encouragement of her grandmother. You see, her grandmother reminds Molly Lou to be true to herself, to “believe in yourself and the world will believe in you too.” Molly Lou shows us that being different is something to embrace. But just as she seems to have found her place in the world, she has to move, and is faced with a new school and a new bully. Will Molly Lou remember her grandmother’s words and stand tall?

Your Rating (1-5) and why: 4.5 – This story is cute and heart-warming. It has a great message and it’s told in a fun and silly way. It’s a message that kids that are different will need to hear over and over again – hopefully they too will begin to embrace it (and survive it) like Molly Lou. Why does being different have to be such a bad thing?! What I love as much as the message, are the illustrations. The illustrations are colorful, fun, and adorable.

Readers who will like this book: I think most young readers will enjoy this book. The story and the illustrations are interesting and fun. And while really young children may not have yet experienced (or witnessed) the ramifications of being different, Molly Lou is an image they can hold onto, and it just may come back when they need some of those words of encouragement.

Question to ask about this book before a read aloud: What does it mean to be different? Is it good or bad to be different? Why? Why not? What do you think “Stand Tall” Molly Lou Melon means?

Interest Level (age): 4-8

Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 3.1

List Awards: Georgia Children's Book Award, Beehive Children's Picture Book Award

Andrew’s Loose Tooth

Book Title: Andrew’s Loose Tooth

Author: Robert Munsch

Illustrator: Michael Martchenko

Publisher: Cartwheel Books

Copyright Date: 1998

Genre: Picturebook – Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Brief Annotation: Andrew has a loose tooth and “YEEE-OW!” it hurts when he tries to eat an apple. And Andrew wants to eat an apple! So he’s on a mission to get that loose tooth out of his mouth. Mom, Dad, the dentist and even the Tooth Fairy, with their clever ideas, cannot get that tooth out. What will Andrew do? And will he ever be able to eat apples again?!

Your Rating (1-5) and why: 4 – This book is wonderfully silly and I think children will find it to be quite funny. While the story on its own is humorous and clever, the illustrations really give it that extra boost. The watercolor illustrations provide the perfectly zany visuals to this story. I especially loved the dog’s expressions.

Readers who will like this book: Little children who like silly stories will especially enjoy this book. It’s fun because kids will be able to relate to having a loose tooth and then see it taken to a whole new level of wackiness. I imagine lots of laughs (especially if read in a classroom setting).

Question to ask about this book before a read aloud: (Looking at the cover of the book)… Who do you think this guy is on the cover? What do you think he is going to do?! Have you ever had a loose tooth that wouldn’t easily come out? Who is ready for a silly story?!

Interest Level (age): 4-8

Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 2.8

The Paper Bag Princess

Book Title: The Paper Bag Princess

Author: Robert Munsch

Illustrator: Michael Martchenko

Publisher: Annick Press

Copyright Date: 1980

Genre: Fantasy

Brief Annotation: “Elizabeth was a beautiful princess. She lived in a castle and had expensive princess clothes. She was going to marry a prince named Ronald.” But plans go a little off-course when the “smartest and fiercest dragon in the whole wide world” blows his fiery flames, burns the princess’ clothes, and carries off Ronald. Princess Elizabeth is forced to wear a paper bag as she sets off through the forest to find the dragon and her prince.

Your Rating (1-5) and why: 4.5 – This is a cute and clever little story, with fun illustrations to match. You can’t help but cheer on this spunky and smart princess who is charcoaled and wearing a paper bag. Elizabeth is a great role model for girls. And there is a wonderful twist at the end that will keep you smiling.

Readers who will like this book: Boys and (especially) girls in early grades will enjoy this book. Who doesn’t like a funny story about a dragon, a princess, and prince? And this one is even more special because it doesn’t conform to a typical prince/princess/dragon storyline. A book kids will ask to read over and over.

Question to ask about this book before a read aloud: What does it mean to be the “hero of the story”?

Interest Level (age): 4-9

Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 3.5

Ron’s Big Mission

Book Title: Ron’s Big Mission

Author: Rose Blue & Corinne J. Naden

Illustrator: Don Tate

Publisher: Dutton Children’s Books

Copyright Date: 2009

Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Brief Annotation: This memorable story is a fictionalized account of a real incident in the life of Ron McNair. The year was 1959 in South Carolina. Ron, just a child, loved books. And he loved the library. He was not allowed to check books out of the library because he was black. So Ron would spend hours sitting in the library reading. But on this particular day, tired of having to stay in the library to enjoy books, Ron decided that he was going to check out books. When his request was denied, Ron stood his ground. He knew the rule was unfair and said it. This is a story of a little boy with a pure passion for learning, wisdom, and lots of courage.

Your Rating (1-5) and why: 4.5 – This is a great story with so much potential for discussion and growth. This story makes both our country’s history of discrimination and what it means to be brave, accessible to young children. The illustrations aptly capture the world as we would imagine Ron sees it – cheerful, bold, and colorful. This book is even more special because it is based on a real person. At the end of the book there is information about Ron McNair – how he went on to pursue his dream and became an astronaut. And how, tragically, he was killed when the space shuttle Challenger exploded in 1986.

Readers who will like this book: A lot of children will enjoy this book. It will likely surprise them and spark a discussion around the idea of fair and unfair. Those who have personally experienced discrimination will connect with this story.

Question to ask about this book before a read aloud: Have you ever stood up for something you believed in even though others didn’t feel the same? What was that like?

Interest Level (age): 4-8

Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 2.5

The Escape of Oney Judge

Book Title: The Escape of Oney Judge: Martha Washington’s Slave Finds Freedom

Author & Illustrator: Emily Arnold McCully

Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux

Copyright Date: 2007

Genre: Picturebook – Historical Fiction

Brief Annotation: Oney is a slave. Her mother is a slave. It’s what she knows. At 10-years-old, she is grateful when Ms. Washington gives her the opportunity to learn to sew. When George Washington is elected President, she makes the move with the family as Ms. Washington’s maid. But when the capitol is moved to Philadelphia, Oney’s world begins to change. She discovers that not all black people are slaves – that some are “free.” Oney begins to notice how controlling Ms. Washington is of her time and talents. When Oney learns that upon Ms. Washington’s death she will not be freed, but will be given to an unlikable and unpredictable family member, Oney must make a decision. A decision that must be made quickly, will have unknown consequences, and is sure to change her life forever.

Your Rating (1-5) and why: 4 – This is an interesting way for children to learn about an important piece of history through the life and eyes of a child. The story does progress fairly quickly and skips over some details, which makes sense for this audience – those skips provide opportunities for discussion – investigation/research into what might have happened (in the story transitions) and predictions about what may have happened to Oney after the story ends. The illustrations aren’t super exciting, but are sufficient in helping tell the story.

Readers who will like this book: Boys may enjoy this book, but because the main character is a young girl, young girls will be most drawn to this story. Also, children who are interested in history and learning about slavery and/or children who have experienced discrimination will enjoy this book.

Question to ask about this book before a read aloud: What is slavery? The title of this book is The Escape of Oney Judge: Martha Washington’s Slave Finds Freedom – how do you think Oney escapes? What does it mean to “find freedom”?

Interest Level (age): 8-11

Smoky Night

Book Title: Smoky Night

Author: Eve Bunting
Illustrator: David Diaz

Publisher: Harcourt Brace and Company

Copyright Date: 1994

Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Brief Annotation: Daniel and his mother watch from the window. There is rioting and looting going on in the streets below. Daniel’s mother reassures him, “They’ve finished with our street. They’re moving on.” But she keeps him close, telling him they will sleep together that night. Daniel sleeps with his clothes on and his cat held tight. The rioting hasn’t moved from their street and the night’s sleep is interrupted. But in the midst of turmoil and fear, there is also new-found togetherness.

Your Rating (1-5) and why: 4 – I appreciate the story and the message. The author writes a story about serious issues that is accessible to young children. However, I found the illustrations to be a distraction from the story. This is a story with lots of emotions and I don’t get those feelings from the illustrations. And I find the collage art behind the text pages to be distracting and unpleasant. But this won the Caldecott, so I feel like I’m missing something. Maybe the intention of all that artwork is to add to the sense of confusion and chaos of the night. I’ll be curious to hear others’ reactions.

Readers who will like this book: Young children who will like this story may include children who like stories about real events, like animals, and/or who have experienced something similar – a traumatic event or prejudice.

Question to ask about this book before a read aloud: Can you think of a time when something that started out bad, scary or unpleasant led to something positive? Or a time when you judged someone before you got to really know him or her? Or a time when someone judged you before they got to know you?

Interest Level (age): 4-9

Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 2.5

List awards: Caldecott Medal Winner, ALA Notable Children’s Book, Parents’ Choice Gold Award, A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

Shiloh

Book Title: Shiloh

Author: Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Copyright Date: 2000

Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Brief Annotation: At just eleven years old, Marty is faced with decisions and choices many adults would have trouble navigating. When Marty meets a scared, lovable beagle his life changes. He recognizes that this dog is in trouble. When, for the second time, the dog runs away from his abusive owner, Marty cannot bear to return him. He loves this dog. He will do anything to protect this dog. He names him Shiloh and their journey together begins. A story of the lows and highs of humanity that will have you, too, quickly falling in love with Shiloh and the boy fighting to save him.

Your Rating (1-5) and why: 5 – I love being introduced to all these wonderful books, and Shiloh is no exception. This is not an easy story to read at times – it’s difficult to read about cruelty to animals. But in telling the truths of the animal abuse, we are able to experience the beautiful truths of Marty’s love, kindness, courage, and his struggle with right and wrong.

Readers who will like this book: Boys and girls, who like realistic stories and have a soft spot for animals, will most enjoy this story. There are lots of emotions involved, so it would be helpful for parents to discuss the questions and feelings the story brings up.

Teaching Strategy from Yopp & Yopp: Book Bits (p. 27-31); Shiloh deals with a variety of themes, behaviors, and emotions. There are many great sentences you could use to spark interest and conversation. With this activity, students are given bits of information (lines from the book), never revealing too much. They begin to form a range of impressions and predictions about the text. In the process, students need to be able to adapt and reform their thinking as new bits of information are provided. Example lines from the book might include:

* I can hear Dad’s voice saying, “Get a flashlight,” but I’m already out on the back porch, then running up the hill.

* That’s a flat-out lie. Funny how one lie leads to another and before you know it, your whole life can be a lie.

* I tell him about a million times I love him as much as I love my ma.

* Judd just laughs, and his teeth’s dark where the tobacco juice oozes through.

* Wish I could let him make a little noise. It’s not natural, I know, to keep an animal so quiet.

Question to ask about this book before a read aloud: Why do we have laws? Is it ever ok to go against the law?

Interest Level (age): 9-11

Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 5.7

List awards: Newbery Medal Book, ALA Notable Children's Books

Panda Whispers

Book Title: Panda Whispers

Author & Illustrator: Mary Beth Owens

Publisher: Dutton Children’s Books

Copyright Date: 2007

Genre: Picturebook – Contemporary Realistic Fiction (Concept Book)

Brief Annotation: It’s bedtime in homes, forests, rivers, prairies, and oceans. Parents are putting their little ones to bed. Pandas, llamas, alligators, and otters all send their little ones off to sleep to dream. Under a sleepy, starry sky, what do you think they each whisper to their children?

Your Rating (1-5) and why: 4 – I really like the concept of this book – all these different animals tenderly putting their little ones to sleep and whispering something hopeful to inspire them and their dreams. And all those feelings are enhanced through the illustrations of the animals. The rhyming (and rhythm) of the text also adds to the sleepy time, dreamlike quality of the book. For some reason, I though the book went on a little too long. And I was surprised by some of the things whispered – they didn’t have the depth of feeling that I had hoped (or expected) – but for children, perhaps these are more interesting (and informative).

Readers who will like this book: Children ages 3-6 will most enjoy this story. It is definitely fitting for a bedtime story. It has a quiet quality to hopefully ease little ones into sleep. Children will enjoy seeing the different animal parents and their babies, and hearing what each whispers to their children. Hopefully the person reading the story will then join in and whisper something to the child before sleep!

Question to ask about this book before a read aloud: What do you think a panda parent might whisper to their children before they go to sleep? What about a turtle parent to their babies? Why would they whisper something? What would you want your {parent, grandparent, sibling, etc} to whisper to you before you fall asleep?

Coming on Home Soon

Book Title: Coming on Home Soon

Author: Jacqueline Woodson

Illustrator: E.B. Lewis

Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons

Copyright Date: 2004

Genre: Picturebook – Historical Fiction

Brief Annotation: It’s wartime and women need to work to provide for their families. So when she hears of work available in Chicago, Ada Ruth’s mom must go, leaving Ada Ruth with her grandmother. The love and kindness shared between the three characters, Ada Ruth, her mother, and her grandmother, is beautifully portrayed in the words and the illustrations – the art conveys such depth of feelings. A story of sacrifice, hope, and love.

Your Rating (1-5) and why: 5 – A lovely story with heart and beautiful illustrations. There is so much that is said without always being directly said – this could allow a young reader to begin “reading between the lines” and interpreting behaviors, feelings, etc with what the author provides. Although this story takes place in an earlier time period, much of the situation and emotions are relevant to today. In addition, this is a beautiful book to add to the diversity in a classroom or home library.

Readers who will like this book: Young girls around Ada Ruth’s age (8-ish) will enjoy this story. Young girls whose mother is absent and/or they live with their grandmother may especially connect to this story.

Teaching Strategy from Yopp & Yopp: Preview-Predict-Confirm (p. 40-43); The illustrations in this book are so wonderful and convey so much. Have the children look through the book and use the illustrations to preview, predict, and confirm. After going once through the story, the students come up with words that they think appear in the text. They make predictions about what major topics might appear in the book and in what context certain words might appear. This is best done in small groups where there is less risk involved in using vocabulary and generating ideas.

Question to ask about this book before a read aloud: (Looking at the illustration on the cover) What do you think this little girl is feeling? Why do you think that? What might she be thinking about? Where do you think she is standing? (Do any children think she is standing in front of a window or door because it looks like light?)

Interest Level (age): 5-9

Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 2.6

List awards: Caldecott Honor Book

Spuds

Book Title: Spuds

Author: Karen Hesse

Illustrator: Wendy Watson

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Copyright Date: 2008

Genre: Picturebook: Historical Fiction

Brief Annotation: Three young children, noticing how hard their single Ma works, set out on a cold night to try and help. They have a plan to harvest spuds, as many as they can carry, to feed the family. Things don’t go quite as planned and Ma’s reaction isn’t what they had hoped. But in the end, lessons are learned and love is shared… along with some potatoes.

Your Rating (1-5) and why: 3 – The theme and message of the story is nothing new. That, in and of itself, isn’t an issue – we can experience the same messages and themes over and over, and enjoy it, if the story is done well. Unfortunately, this story is not that interesting (or more so, it's not told in an interesting way). The upside, is this book uses language unique to it’s time period and could help facilitate a discussion about this time period, what these words mean, why we use different words today, etc.

Readers who will like this book: Young children who are able to begin learning about “messages” – you can talk about honesty, kindness, and charity.

Question to ask about this book before a read aloud: What are “spuds”? What does it mean when you say that someone had “good intentions”?

Interest Level (age): 5-8

Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 3.3

Sarah, Plain and Tall

Book Title: Sarah, Plain and Tall

Author: Patricia MacLachlan

Publisher: HarperCollins

Copyright Date: 1985

Genre: Historical Fiction

Brief Annotation: Life seems pretty content for Jacob, a father, and his two young children, Anna and Caleb. Life is content, but there is no more singing. The singing left when Anna and Caleb’s mother died just one day after giving birth to Caleb. Life is content, but there is an underlying sadness – something is missing. So Jacob submits an ad for a wife. Sarah, who describes herself as “plain and tall,” answers the ad. She decides to travel from her life in Maine, where the sea has been a constant love in her life, and visit this family who lives on the open plains. There is excitement, anticipation, and hope as Jacob, Anna and Caleb await Sarah’s visit. Is the house big enough? Will she miss the sea too much? Will she love them? Will she leave? And most important of all… does she sing?

Your Rating (1-5) and why: 5 – This book was such a surprising, heart-warming, joy to read. From the first few pages, the reader immediately begins to “feel” the characters – understand them, care about them, and want the best for them. Like so many great writers, MacLachlan is not frivolous with her words. I love that feeling when a line kind of stops you in your tracks and makes your heart fill. MacLachlan did that twice for me only 13 pages into the story. “Ask her if she sings, I said” and “Tell them I sing was all it said” – two little lines, perfectly said and perfectly placed. I look forward to continuing the series – I’ve requested the second two books from the library on audio.

Readers who will like this book: Young girls age 8-11, who like a more realistic character-driven story, will enjoy this book. It makes me think of “Little House on the Prairie.” Children who have had a parent die (or leave) may be interested in this story – although it may be a different time period, it shows how these two children react to the possibility of having a new mom. Their reaction wasn’t what I was expecting – I wonder if other readers have had a similar response.

Question to ask about this book before a read aloud: The title of this book is Sarah, Plain and Tall – what do you think this book could be about? What does it mean to be “plain”?

Interest Level (age): 8-11

Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 4.2

List awards: Newbery Medal Winner, Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction for Children

Misc: TV movies for this series were released in the early 1990s; Glenn Close played “Sarah” & Christopher Walken played “Jacob” – interesting, this is not quite how I pictured either of these characters.