Horrible Harry Cracks the Code

Book Title: Horrible Harry Cracks the Code

Author(s): Suzy Kline

Illustrator/Photographer/Artist: Frank Remkiewicz

Publisher: Penguin Group

Copyright Date: 2007

Genre: Contemporary realistic fiction/mystery (transitional/easy reader)

Brief Annotation: Harry wants to show off his detective skills to his friends, so he sets offs to crack the code for a cafeteria contest. The school cook places a star under certain trays, which she reveals is based on a series of special numbers. After some sleuthing, Harry figures out that the code follows numbers from the Fibonacci sequence, impressing his classmates and solving the cafeteria mystery.

Your Rating (1-5) and why: 2.5—Although I like the premise for this book, I think the author could have done a lot more with the story line and characters. It was meant to be a simple and easy read, but a few more details or suspense would have added to the plot. However, it might be a fun book for kids to read when they are learning about the Fibonacci sequence.

Readers who will like this book: Kids who enjoy other books in the “Horrible Harry” series; kids who like mysteries or puzzles; children who are transitioning from picturebooks to novels and need something “in-between”

Question to ask about this book before a read aloud: Who has ever heard of the Fibonacci sequence? Do you think you could crack a code with the numbers from the sequence?

Optional, but noted as extra effort:

1. Interest Level (age): Grades 3—5

2. Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 3.2

3. List awards: None

4. Book trailer: Not a book trailer, but the link to a cool video about the Fibonacci sequence, shown to us in MATH2500: http://vihart.com/blog/doodling-fibonacci-1/

Pedro's Journal: A Voyage with Christopher Columbus

Book Title: Pedro’s Journal: A Voyage with Christopher Columbus

Author(s): Pam Conrad

Illustrator/Photographer/Artist: Peter Koeppen

Publisher: Boyds Mills Press

Copyright Date: 1991

Genre: Historical fiction novel

Brief Annotation: Pedro’s Journal tells the story of Christopher Columbus from a unique perspective—through the journal entries and sketches of a young ship’s boy, who was invited on the journey because of his ability to read and write. Pedro writes of Columbus’ fiery temper, his insatiable greed, and his mistreatment of the natives in this account of the famous voyage across the Atlantic.

Your Rating (1-5) and why: 4—I liked Pedro’s Journal because I believe it will interest children in learning more about Columbus’ journeys. It also gives a more realistic perspective about Columbus and some of his exploits and cruelty towards the people he encounters in the new lands and towards sailors on his own ships, as well. I think this book will open up a lot of discussion and questions about ethics and exploration, especially during that era.

Readers who will like this book: Readers who like adventure stories; children who enjoy historical fiction; teachers who want to offer another perspective when teaching about Christopher Columbus and his “discovery of America”

Question to ask about this book before a read aloud: Who discovered America? Why do you think Columbus is said to have discovered America when people were already living here?

Teaching strategy: Word wall. This book contains many new vocabulary words, including many nautical terms (e.g. rigging, caulkers, leagues, dugout, rudder, hull). During a read aloud, students could keep track of the new and unfamiliar words that they hear. After reading the book, the class could go back to the words they recorded and find the specific passage they were found in. They would try to decipher what the word could mean based on context, and those they were not able to figure out would be looked up in a dictionary. This strategy, where "students and the teacher write on the word wall interesting, confusing, or other important words from book they're reading" (Tompkins, p.139), will help enrich student vocabulary and understanding and is especially helpful for ELL students.

Optional, but noted as extra effort:

1. Interest Level (age): Grades 3—5

2. Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 5.5

3. List awards: None

4. Book trailer: None

The Junkyard Wonders

Book Title: The Junkyard Wonders

Author(s): Patricia Polacco

Illustrator/: Patricia Polacco

Publisher: Philomel Books

Copyright Date: 2010

Genre: Picture Book

Brief Annotation:

The Junkyard Wonders is inspired by a true story from Polacco’s childhood. She was placed in a special needs class that everyone called “the junkyard.” Her teacher, Mrs. Peterson, embraced the name and called the students “The Junkyard Wonders.” Mrs. Peterson believed in these children even when they began to truly think they were actually junk – useless leftovers. With that, Mrs. Peterson took the class to an actual junkyard and challenged the students to find a piece of junk and make into something: “Forget what the object was… imagine what it could be!” The students work together, creating some truly spectacular inventions, proving to their classmates and themselves that they were a strong bunch with endless possibilities.

Your Rating (1-5) and why:

5 – I could see myself using this book in many ways. I could see myself lending it to a child that feels like they have nothing to offer. I could also see my students working together to create something out of junk no one else wanted. I would also use it as a cornerstone book for themes about fear, friendship, harmony, challenges, and adventure. It’s truly an inspiration.

Readers who will like this book:

I could see students that feel left out or lost taking something away from this book. I would say that students from second grade and up could find some value in this book.

Teaching Strategy:

Bring in some “junk” and challenged the children to create it into something useful. “Some

people look at things the way they are and cry, ‘Why!” But I want you to look at things and see what they could be and as, “Why not?”

Question to ask about this book before a read aloud:

Have you ever felt like you were different from everyone else?

Did you see that as a good thing or a bad thing?

1. Interest Level (age): 8

2. Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 3.8

The Important Book

Book Title: The Important Book

Author(s): Margaret Wise Brown

Illustrator/Photographer/Artist: Leonard Weisgard

Publisher: Harper Collins

Copyright Date: 1949

Genre: Picture Book – Poetry

Brief Annotation:

Margaret Wise Brown’s patterned poetry along with Weisgard’s illustrations pair up to make a book about the small yet important things we encounter in life; from spoons to the wind to the reader him/herself.

Your Rating (1-5) and why:

5 – Along with a great topic for discussion about the important things in life, this book creates a great template for the students to create their own “Important” poem. They could create a poem about something concrete, a person, or a feeling... This book has lots of possibilities.

Readers who will like this book:

It would be a great read aloud for younger elementary children, but I could see its use in poetry making and illustrations all the way up to upper elementary. It would a great beginning-of-the-year book and/or a graduation read.

Teaching Strategy from or Yopp & Yopp :

Make an Upside-Down book p. 139

Have the children create two books. Using Brown’s poetry structure, create a book about important things - attitudes (helping, sharing, caring) and a book about unimportant things (greed, gossip, hatred).

	Important Things		Unimportant Things

[Imagine 2 books with this as the cover page]

Question to ask about this book before a read aloud:

What things are important to you?

What feelings/attitudes are important to you?

Same questions, but about what is not important.

1. Interest Level (age): 6 and up

2. Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 3.1

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?