Required Reading Posts # 1-15

 

Alexander, K. (2017). Animal ark: Celebrating our wild world in poetry and pictures. Washington, DC: National Geographic.

Summary: Animal Ark: Celebrating Our Wild World in Poetry and Pictures is a great summary for this nonfiction book.  This book features vivid full color photographs and poetry that highlights the unique characteristics of the animals.  Animal Ark was a collaboration between photographer Joel Sartore and poet Kwame Alexander to bring awareness to vulnerable and endangered animals of the world.

Reflection: Animal Ark is an eye-catching nonfiction book that contains photographs of a variety of animals.  This book is best for kinder – 5^th grade readers. Each photograph is set on a white or black background with a close perspective.  This technique allows the reader to closely study the distinct physical characteristic of each animal.  The poetry paired with each animal gives the reader an understanding of the behaviors and physical movements of the animal.   The photographs and poetry pair perfectly to educate the reader about the animals.  This nonfiction book includes notes from the photographer and writer that explains the purpose of their collaboration for this book.  The book also includes an index of the animals featured with a key that informs the reader on the animals endangered status.  National Geographic has published many other nonfiction books with educator’s guides.  Click here to view.

Bartoletti, S.C. (2005). Hitler youth: Growing up in Hitler’s shadow. New York, NY: Scholastic Nonfiction.

Summary: Hitler Youth is a nonfiction book for best for 5^th – 8^th grade readers.  This book reveals how Hitler, leader of the Nazi political party, gained power and loyalty of the German youth.  Hitler enticed the loyalty of the youth by spreading propaganda, holding parades, giving inspiring speeches, providing military training, and putting them in leadership roles.  Hitler trained the youth to be fierce and loyal defenders of Germany.  Hitler used propaganda, restriction of speech, restriction of media, zero tolerance for disloyalty, fear, intimidation, imprisonment, brute force, and execution to tighten control over the German people.   The German citizens knew they would be severely punished if they spoke out or acted against the Nazis.  Hitler used the youth to fight his war.  Hitler and the Nazis are responsible for the torture and murder of 12 million people – 6 million Jewish people and 6 million non-Jewish people considered enemies of the Reich.  Many high-ranking Nazis faced trial for these war crimes at the Nuremberg Trials.  It was determined that Hitler Youth were manipulated and therefore were not included in the Nuremberg trials; however, some were tried in civilian courts.  Some Hitler Youth stayed loyal Nazis, others became remorseful for the great devastation they caused.   

Reflection: Hitler Youth is a well-constructed non-fiction book about Hitler’s use of the German youth to carry out the mission of the Nazi Party.  This book contains many useful features commonly found in nonfiction books.  It includes a table of contents, a picture and short biography of the young people in the book, foreword, introduction, epilogue, time line, author’s notes, information about the photographs, quote sources, bibliography, acknowledgments, and index.  Bartoletti establishes her authority on this topic by documenting her extensive research in the author’s notes, quote sources, bibliography, and the photographs with captions siting the source of the image.  This book provides an inciteful glimpse of the people and events leading up to the Holocaust and an example of a past not to be repeated.  The author brings this idea to mind when she writes, “Could another despot like Hitler rise to power on the shoulders of young people? Only young people today can answer that question.  What are you willing to do to prevent such a shadow from falling over you and others?” Watch Bartoletti read an exert from Hitler Youth here.  

 

Bishop, N. (2009). Butterflies and Moths. New York, NY: Scholastic Nonfiction.

Summary: Butterflies and Moths tells about the butterfly and moth stages of the life cycle, the body parts, how they defend themselves against predators, how they eat, what they eat, finding a mate, and how they reproduce.  This is children’s guide for everything you need to know about butterflies and moths.

Reflection: Butterflies and Moths is a nonfiction book for pre-kinder – 5^th grade readers.  Nic Bishop is both the author and photographer for this book.  The book is loaded with facts about butterflies and moths and contains magnified photographs of the various stages of their life cycle.  Bishop has a doctorate in biological sciences and has written many award-winning nonfiction books for children.  Learn more about Bishop, his books, and his photography on his website.  Click here.

 

Bragg, G. (2011). How they croaked: The awful ends of the awfully famous. New York, NY: Walker & Company.

Summary: How They Croaked provides all the gruesome details about the death of nineteen famous people.  The author shares their place of birth, the year they lived, place of death, age at death, synopsis of their life, cause of death including all the disgusting details, and other interesting and related facts.  The individuals in this book were not famous because of their death, but because of their life.  Georgia Bragg ends her book with inspiration words that encourage the reader for follow their passions in life and do what you love.

Reflection: How They Croaked is an illustrated expository nonfiction book for 6^th – 8^th grade readers.  How They Croaked won the 2012 Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults.  Georgia Bragg chose a very interesting topic for a nonfiction book, that required much research.  In the book Bragg documented eight pages of sources she used for research.  She also included suggested reading, an index, and a fascinating chart that shows how the lives of these historical figures intersected.  For some other delightfully gruesome books recommendations and an interview with Georgia Bragg listen to Episode 61 - Chatting About Books by Read Write Think.  Click here to listen.

 

Cleary, B. (1983). Dear Mr. Henshaw. New York, NY: Morrow Junior Books.

Summary: Leigh Botts develops a pen pal friendship with his favorite author, Mr. Henshaw.  Mr. Henshaw encourages Leigh to start a diary to improve his writing.  Leigh’s diary not only improves his writing skills but also helps him to work through some difficult problems he is experiencing.  Leigh is coping with his parents’ divorce, a mysterious lunch thief at school, feelings of being abandoned by his father, and loneliness.  Leigh surprises himself when his essay, “A Day on Dad’s Rig” earns honorable mention in his school’s Young Writer’s contest.  Mr. Henshaw’s advice proved helpful in more ways that one.

Reflection: Dear Mr. Henshaw is a realistic fiction novel for 2^nd – 5^th grade readers.  This book has received numerous book awards, including the 1984 Newbery Medal.  This novel serves as a mirror for children experiencing divorce, bullying, loneliness, insecurities, and abandonment issues.  On the advice of Mr. Henshaw, Leigh starts a diary that proves to be therapeutic writing for him.  This novel illustrates constructive ways to work through life’s difficulties.  This novel also offers many classroom instruction opportunities for English Language Arts instruction.  Scholastic provides a teaching plan for Dear Mr. Henshaw.  Click here to view.

Curtis, C. P. (2007). Mr. Chickee’s messy mission. New York, NY: Wendy Lamb Books.

Summary: Russell and the Flint Future Detectives are on a mission to get Russell’s dog, Rodney Rodent, back after he jumped into the scary mural next to the Halo Burger.  Flint Future Detectives reluctantly go in after him, and surprisingly found their old friend Mr. Chickee.  Mr. Chickee shares that Rodney Rodent was sent to Flint to bring the Flint Future Detectives over to Ourside.  They have a series of missions to complete for the Old Souls in hopes of understanding the prophecies of the Chronicles of Zornea-Hu.  Their first mission is derailed when Russell is trapped in Buster B. Bayliss County in H.A.L.F. Land.  He finds Rodney Rodent, but Mr. Bayliss won’t let him leave until they take care of the flesh devouring yet surprisingly adorable giant teddy bear, Ursa Theodora-Saura.  While overcoming Ursa Theodora-Saura the meaning of a few prophecies are revealed.  The book ends with only one mission complete and ready for a sequel.

Reflection: Mr. Chickee’s Messy Mission is a fantasy fiction mystery for 3^rd – 5^th grader readers. This is Christopher Paul Curtis’s second book about the Flint Future Detectives and clearly not the last. Curtis has an enjoyable humorous writing style.  Curtis also includes references to retro pop culture that may or may not be understood by young readers but adds interest to the story.   Curtis offers a culturally diverse characters including an African American protagonist Russell and his Jamaican father.  Curtis includes dialogue reflective of the father’s Jamaican accent.  Curtis  has written many children’s books with African American main characters, contributing to diversity in children’s literature.   Curtis is an accomplished author and several of his books have received the Newbery Award and the Coretta King Scott Award. Click here to learn more about Curtis and his books.

 

Deedy, C. A. (2007). Matrina the beautiful cockroach. Altanta, GA: Peachtree Publishers.

Summary: Martina Josefina Cucaracha is 21 and ready to choose a husband.  Her Cuban grandmother advises her to pour coffee on the shoe of each suitor.  Martina reluctantly agrees after her wise grandmother explains it will make them angry and then she will know how he will speak to her when angry.  The Coffee Test proved the rooster too cocky, the pig too boorish, and the lizard too cold-blooded.  Martina found her perfect match when she met Perez the mouse.  She knew he was the one after he spilled coffee on her shoe. Perez too has a Cuban grandmother.   

Reflection: Martina the Beautiful Cockroach is a Cuban folktale for kinder – 5^th grade readers. It was a 2008 ALSC Notable Children’s Book and a 2008 Pura Belpre Honor Book.  The human like animals make this a beast tale. The text includes Spanish words with context for translation. It is beautifully illustrated which adds to the understanding of the Spanish words and insight into the character’s traits.  The combination of Spanish culture, illustrations, and unique story make this an engaging book for young readers.  Click here to view other books written by Carmen Agra Deedy.

 

DePaola, T. (1983). The legend of the bluebonnet. New York, NY: Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers.

Summary: The Comanche people are dying of starvation due to the drought.  She-Who-Is-Alone, a young Comanche girl, has lost her parents and grandparents to the famine.  The only thing she has left is the warrior doll her mother made her.  The Great Spirits say the Comanche have become selfish and must provide a burnt offering of the most valued possession among their people to get rain.  When the tribe was asleep, She-Who-Is-Alone burned her doll and spread the ashes as an offering to the Great Spirits.  The following morning the fields were covered with blue bonnets, the same color as the feathers on the warrior doll.  As the Comanche people sang in appreciation rain started to fall.  To this day blue bonnets cover the land of Texas each spring.

Reflection: The Legend of the Bluebonnet is a folktale explaining the origins of the springtime bluebonnets of Texas.  This book is best for 1^st – 5^th grade readers.  This story also contains a powerful message of self-sacrifice for the good of others.  She-Who-Is-Alone was willing to sacrifice her greatest possession for the greater good of her tribe.  This book provides an opportunity for readers to think of ways they can give of their selves for the benefit of those in their community. Click here to view cross curricular activities for The Legend of the Bluebonnet from A to Z Kids Stuff. Readers of The Legend of the Bluebonnet might also enjoy The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush. Click here to view.

 

Gaiman, N. (2008). The graveyard book. New York, NY: Harper Collins.

Summary: The Man Jack almost killed an entire family, except for the baby boy who escaped into the nearby graveyard.  The ghost of the boy’s mother pleaded with Mrs. Owens, a graveyard ghost, to raise her son for her.  Mrs. Owens agreed.  Not knowing his real name, they named the boy Nobody Owens or Bod. With the help of Silas, who was neither dead nor alive, they provided for all of Bod’s needs. Bod was granted the freedom of the graveyard and so had the power to do things other living people could not.  Bod made many friends both living and deceased, was captured by ghouls and rescued by Mrs. Lupescu, befriended a helpful witch named Liza Hempstock, danced the macabre, and escaped harm’s way on many occasions. Bod was only safe in the graveyard.  Outside of the graveyard he could not be protected from The Man Jack, who was still looking to kill him.  Bod’s friend Scarlett introduced him to a friend that she thought she could trust, Mr. Frost.  Mr. Frost turned out to be Jack Frost, The Man Jack!  He and his accomplices, The Jack of All Trades, tried to kill Bod.  He outwitted each of the Jacks and ultimately brought them to their end.  As time passed Bod slowly lost his ability to see the graveyard ghosts.  Bod left the graveyard and started his life with the living.

Reflection: The Graveyard Book is a fantasy fiction book for 5^th – 8^th grade readers. It is not surprising that The Graveyard Book has received many awards including 2009 Newbery Award and 2009 Hugo Award for Best Novel.  I thoroughly enjoyed reading this intriguing novel and decided to read the graphic novel versions also.  I was curious to see the author and illustrator’s vision for the novel.  Interestingly, each of the chapters was created by a different illustrator.  It was clear that the illustrators tried to make their illustrations cohesive, but the individual illustrator’s style was noticeable.  I enjoyed the illustrator collaboration.  Upon researching, I learned that the author Neil Gaiman’s inspiration for The Graveyard Book was taken from The Jungle Book.  These similarly titled novels are both coming of age stories about boys raised by an unlikely adoptive parent.  A classroom study and comparison could be done to find other similarities between these two novels.  Read more about this in Prestwick House’s article on How to Teach The Graveyard Book. Click here.

 

Garza, C. L. (1999). Magic windows ventanas magicas. San Francisco, CA: Children’s Book Press/Libros Para Ninos.

Summary: Magic Window features papel picado, or cut paper art, created by the author Carmen Lomas Garza.  Papel picado is a popular Mexican art form.  Garza calls her cut paper art magic windows because when you look into them, it’s like looking into another world.  Garza’s art gives the reader a glimpse into Mexico’s heritage.

Reflection: Magic Window is a nonfiction book ideal for pre-k through 5^th grade readers.  Carmen Lomas Garza has written a how to book called Making Magic Windows.  Click here to view this book.  Garza is an award-winning author and artist.  Her book In My Family received the Tomas Rivera Children’s Book Award, the Americas Award, and was a Pura Belpre Honor Book.  Click here to view In My Family.

 

Hale, S., & Hale, D. (2014). The princess in black. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.

Summary: Princess Magnolia has a very interesting secret, she is the Princess in Black.  Her pony Blackie lives in disguise as her pet unicorn, Frimplepants, and together they fight the monsters of Monster Land.  Princess Magnolia is entertaining the nosy Duchess Wigtower when the monster alarm sounds.  She politely excuses herself to go fight the monster and hopes that Duchess Wigtower doesn’t snoop and discover her secret while she is gone.  The Princess in Black successfully defeats the monster and returns to the castle.  Duchess Wigtower is certain she uncovered Princess Magnolia’s dirty secret when she finds her black tights in the closet.  Princess Magnolia is nervous when Duchess Wigtower holds up the evidence and exposes her dirty laundry.  Princess Magnolia is busted for not properly washing her tights!  What a relief.  

Reflection: The Princess in Black is a fantasy fiction book for pre-k through 3^rd grade readers.  Princess Magnolia is a positive female role model that is both feminine and powerful.  Many young readers gravitate toward princess characters, so it is nice to see a princess character that does not need a hero.  She is the hero!  At first glance this book is an obvious choice for girls, but I read it to my three boys and they loved it too!  Princess in Black is the first of the series.  Click here to view the other Princess in Black books.  

 

Landry, D. (2007). Skulduggery pleasant. NY: HarperCollins.

Summary: Stephanie’s deceased uncle Gordon leaves her a sizable portion of his fortune and unlocks the secrets of the magical world he lived in.  Stephanie meets Skulduggery Pleasant, an odd talking and walking skeleton, and soon realizes that her uncle Gordon’s mysterious death was a murder.  Stephanie teams up with Skulduggery to help solve Gordon’s murder.  They soon realize that Gordon’s murder is a part of a bigger plan to bring back the evil faceless ones that will rule the world with dark magic.  Stephanie learns of her ancestral magical powers and joins this magical world by accepting her new name Valkyrie Cain.   Skullduggery and Valkyrie embark on an adventure to save the world from dark magic.

Reflection: Skulduggery Pleasant is a fantasy fiction novel for readers 5^th grade and up.  This book contains rich vocabulary, many descriptive similes, and a combination of real and imaginary settings.  This adventure mystery will be enjoyed by all readers.  Skulduggery Pleasant is the first in the series that now includes over ten books.  Click here to view the series collection.  Skulduggery Pleasant readers might also enjoy the 39 Clues: The Maze of Bones by Rick Riordan.

 

Paterson, K. (1972). Bridge to Terabithia. New York, NY: Harper Collins Publishers.

Summary: Jesse Aarons has been training all summer to be the fastest kid in fifth grade but on the first day of school he is beaten by the new girl, Leslie.  Jesse resists Leslie’s friendship, but she quickly wins him over.  Soon they are spending all their free time together.  They have their own secret hideout in the woods, Terabithia.  Here they rule as king and queen.  To get to Terabithia they must cross the creek on a rope swing.  Most days it’s no problem.  Crossing into Terabithia is now difficult because the creek is swollen due to rain.  After Jesse leaves town for the day Leslie decides to go to Terabithia on her own.  As Leslie crossed into Terabithia she fell into the water and drowned.  When Jesse returns he is devastated by the news and wishes he could have done something to stop her from drowning.  Jesse builds a bridge to Terabithia to honor Leslie.

Reflection: Bridge to Terabithia is a realist fiction novel for 5^th – 8^th grade readers.  This book received many book awards including the 1978 Newbery Medal and the School Library Journal Best Book Award of 1977.  Bridge to Terabithia is now over 40 years old, but still maintains its relevance to children today.  It explores friendship, gender roles, and death in a way that transcends the age of the book.  Click here to view a teacher’s guide from Reading is Fundamental which includes cross-curricular activities for Bridge to Terabithia.

 

Sendak, M. (1963). Where the wild things are. New York, NY: Scholastic, Inc.

Summary: The wolf suit wearing mischief maker, Max is sent to bed early.  Then, a wild forest grows in Max’s room and he sails off into the ocean for over a year.  He arrives at the place where the wild things are.  Max tames the wild things with magic tricks and becomes their king.  The wild rumpus left Max hungry, so he decides to sail home.  Upon arriving in his room, Max finds his hot supper waiting for him.

Reflection: Where the Wild Things Are is a loved fantasy fiction story from 1963.  This story is still relevant to children today.  Max’s mischief has landed him in his room.  His mother is disciplining him for his behavior, but still shows her love for him by bringing him his dinner.  Most children will be able to relate to Max’s experience.  This book has clear conflict, setting, and plot making it good for classroom instruction.  The illustrations are very well done and help to communicate the variety of emotion that Max feels as the story progresses.  Literacy Central offers a variety of support materials for Where the Wild Things Are.  Click here.

Smith, L. (2010). It’s a book. New York, NY: Roaring Brook Press.

Summary: Jackass wants to know what Monkey is holding.  Monkey informs him, it’s a book.  Jackass proceeds to ask questions about the books capabilities, as if it’s technology he has never seen.  Can it text, tweet, blog, scroll, make sounds, et cetera?  Monkey replies, “it’s a book.” Jackass is thoroughly confused and intrigued by this abstract object.  Jackass takes the book from Monkey and reads it.  Monkey gets tired of waiting and goes to the library for another book.  Before leaving Jackass informs Monkey not to worry because he plans to charge it up when he is finished reading it.  The final page of the book Monkey says, “You don’t have to…It’s a book, Jackass.”

Reflection: It’s a Book was a very amusing book!  It does cross the line into adult picture book territory.  The final line of the book makes this a poor choice for an elementary library read aloud.  Technically Monkey is calling Jackass by his given name, but young listeners will interpret it as cursing and name calling.  I find it very amusing that Jackass is confused by this abstract object/book.  Most adults can relate these same feelings of confusion to the onset of various forms of technology.  Interesting fact: Macmillan Children posted a book trailer for the book that does not include the final work, “Jackass.”  Click here to view.