Chapter Book 14

Title: Pictures of Hollis Woods

Author: Patricia Reilly Giff

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Subgenre: Chapter Book

Themes: Abandonment, Foster homes, Unconditional love

Primary Characters: Hollis Woods, Josie

Date of publication: 2002

Publishing Company: Wendy Lamb Books

Summary: Pictures of Hollis Woods, is a story about a 12 year old girl who is in desperate search for a place to call home - for a family. Hollis was abandoned as a child and spent the rest of her life in the foster care system. The families found Hollis difficult, moody, troublesome, and in the end Hollis always ran away from the family. Hollis is placed with Josie, an older woman who is a retired art teacher, which works out perfectly for Hollis, as she is a very gifted artist herself. Hollis begins to feel that she loves Josie and would like to stay with her. However, Josie forgets things sometimes and needs to depend on Hollis for daily activities. Hollis knows that Josie needs constant care and that if the social worker finds out about Josie’s needs, Hollis will be removed from the home. This book is emotional yet still keeps you rooting for Hollis and Josie to stay together.

In the classroom: This book is a MUST HAVE for a teacher’s library in her classroom. I think it could be a good conversation starter as to who are the most important people in their own lives. I would incorporate an English lesson as to ‘How to write a proper letter’ but in the letter, the student would be telling this person how much they mean to them and thanking them for all that they have done in their lives. 

Chapter Book 13

Title: Lily’s Crossing

Author: Patricia Reilly Giff

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Subgenre: Historical Fiction

Themes: Dishonesty, Friendship, D-Day, WWII

Primary Characters: Lily, Albert, Margaret, Gram, Poppy

Date of publication: 1999

Publishing Company: Bantam Doubleday Dell

Summary: Lily’s Crossing is set in 1944 just after D-Day. Lily and her family always spend the summer in Rockaway in a house on stilts over the Atlantic Ocean. Her father is going overseas to fight in the war. Lily has no friends until Albert arrives. He is a refugee from Hungary. They form a special friendship and have secrets to share and lies to hide.

In the classroom: I think stories like this are very important to share in the classroom. I don’t think children need to know the details of war but I think they need to know it happens and there are many families that are affected by it. Being in the military is a lifestyle that if you haven’t lived, you might not understand. This story is beautifully written. 

Picture Book 26

Title: Just Going to the Dentist

Author: Mercer Mayer

Illustrator: Mercer Mayer

Genre: Fiction

Subgenre: Series

Themes: Dentist visits, growing older

Primary Characters: Little Critter, the dentist, his mom

Date of publication: 1990

Publishing Company: Random House Publishing

Summary: “Just going to the Dentist” is a book in a series. In this particular book, Little Critter is required to go to the dentist for a checkup. He is nervous and cannot help but question what will really take place at the dentist.

In the classroom: Since I plan to work in a Special Education classroom, I know that taking kids out of their daily routine to do other tasks (like going to the dentist) might be a chore. I think it is important for them to know, it is okay to be nervous to go to the dentist but EVERYONE has to go to stay healthy. I think it will be important to introduce them to this book so when they go, they won’t feel as scared.

Picture Book 25

Title: Corduroy

Author: Don Freeman

Illustrator: Don Freeman

Genre: Children’s Book

Themes: Friendship, Looking past the imperfections

Primary Characters: Corduroy Bear and his friends

Date of publication: 1976

Publishing Company: Puffin; Viking Juvenile (40^th edition)

Summary: The sweet teddy bear in corduroy overalls waits to be purchased in a department store FULL of toys. One day, a little girl, Lisa and her mother are shopping and Lisa sees the bear and falls in love with him. The mother notices that the bear is missing a button so they move on. After the store closes, all the toys with faces close their eyes except Corduroy. Instead, he travels the department store searching for a button because he didn't know he was not perfect. He does not solve his problem. Corduroy is back on the toy shelf the next morning. The story ends with Lisa returning to buy him. She takes him home, sews on a button, and provides him with his own little bed right beside hers.

In the classroom: This book is a classic and that is one reason I chose it. This sweet story teaches children at a young age that you do not have to be perfect. You do not need to be someone that you are not and you are wonderful just the way you are! 

Picture Book 24

Title: A Sick Day for Amos McGee

Author: Philip C. Stead

Illustrator: Erin Stead

Genre: Fiction

Subgenre: Comedy & Humor

Themes: Friendship, Taking care of your friends

Primary Characters: Amos Mcgee, a shy penguin, a frightened night owl, a chess playing elephant, a determined tortoise, a sniffled nosed rhino

Date of publication: 2010

Publishing Company: Roaring Brook Press

Summary: Amos McGee, a caring zoo keeper loves taking care of the animals and has close friends in the zoo that he sees every day. One day, Amos cannot make it to work because he is sick with a cold and so the animals decide to pay him a visit and take care of him for once!

In the classroom: A Sick Day for Amos McGee teaches children the value of friendship and taking care of each other when others are in need and that is the moral I would teach in my classroom. 

Picture Book 23

Title: Amelia Earhart, The Legend of the Lost Aviator

Author: Shelley Tanaka

Illustrator: David Craig

Genre: Informative

Subgenre: Biography

Themes: Following dreams, Flying, Courage

Primary Characters: Amelia Earhart

Awards: Orbis Pictus Winner, 2009

Date of publication: 2008

Publishing Company: Abrams Books for Young Readers

Summary: This story begins with Earhart when she is eleven years old and a plane is pointed out to her at an Iowa fair. She is unimpressed then, but as a college student who volunteered as a nurse’s aide during the First World War, she saw planes and caught the flying bug. By the 1920s, Earhart was airborne and found fame in the air—as the first woman passenger on a transatlantic flight, then setting her own flying records.

In the classroom: I would use this book as a way to introduce the biographies we would be writing in class. I think biographies are looked upon as something that students dread. However, this book is not only informative; it has beautiful images that go along with the text that make the book really come to life. I think that is the key to biographies. Students need to realize the life style of people like Amelia Earhart and not just think of them as someone from the past who they know nothing about. 

Picture Book 22

Title: Germs Are Not for Sharing       

Author: Elizabeth Verdick

Illustrator: Marieka Heinlen

Genre: Information

Subgenre: Children’s Picture Book

Themes: Hygiene, Germs, Sanitation Guidelines

Primary Characters: Children

Date of publication: 2006

Publishing Company: Free Spirit Publishing

Summary: This book provides information about germs but at a level that would be easy to grasp for younger children. There is also a section in the back of the book for older a child that goes into further detail about what germs really are.

In the classroom: I would use this book in the classroom to explain about germs and the importance of hygiene. I like this book because the pictures are very story-telling. The pictures show the correct way to sneeze, cough and wash your hands, which children should learn at a young age.

Picture Book 21

Title: Love to Mama

Author: Pat Mora

Illustrator: Paula S. Barragan

Genre: Multicultural Picture Book

Subgenre: Poetry

Themes: Unconditional Love, Nurturing

Primary Characters: Mothers, Grandmothers, Great Grandmothers

Date of publication: 2001

Publishing Company: Lee & Low

Summary: This book is a bilingual poetry book that has a bright and beautiful image to look at on every two page spread. Love to Mama is written by different poets that have each had memorable ‘mom moments’ and would like to have a dedication given to their mothers, grandmothers or great grandmothers.

In the classroom: I would use this book to segue Mother’s Day or I would use it with Hispanic students in my class to help them adjust to English only books. 

Picture Book 20

Title: Arnie, the Doughnut

Author: Laurie Keller

Illustrator: Laurie Keller

Genre: Children’s Picture Book

Themes: Friendship, Humor, Conflict Resolution

Primary Characters: Arnie, Mr. Bing

Date of publication: 2003

Publishing Company: Henry Holt & Co.

Summary: Arnie, the doughnut is proud to be a doughnut until he finds out that doughnuts are meant to be eaten! Yikes! When he finds out, he tries to convince Mr. Bing (the customer that purchased Arnie) not to eat him. Together, the two of them try to come up with ideas for Arnie to do besides become a snack for Mr. Bing.

In the classroom: I would use this book to teach creative problem solving. It would be a funny way to introduce a fairly in depth topic. 

Chapter Book 12

Title: Magic Tree House: The Knight at Dawn

Author: Mary Pope Osborne

Illustrator: Sal Murdocca

Genre: Fiction

Subgenre: Chapter Book

Themes: Adventure, Time Travel, Castles, Knights, Imagination

Primary Characters: Jack, Annie, the Knight

Date of publication: 1993

Publishing Company: Random House

Summary: Jack and Annie are on another adventure and in this book… they visit the Middle Ages! On their visit, they meet knights but once again, Jack and Annie find themselves in a predicament. How are they going to get back home?

In the classroom: Although the Magic Tree House books are not some of the most informational books, they do encourage creativity and thinking outside the box. I would use this series in my classroom for students that do not have much of an interest in reading. A book like this may be just the right tool to get them to love reading! 

Chapter Book 11

Title: The Higher Power of Lucky

Author: Susan Patron

Illustrator: Matt Phelan

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Subgenre: Series Chapter Book

Themes: Foster homes, Friendship, Fears, Abandonment, Runaways

Primary Characters:  Lucky, Brigitte, Miles, Lincoln

Date of publication: 2006

Publishing Company: Athenaeum Books

Summary: The Higher Power of Lucky is about a ten year old girl that fears her legal guardian has plans to abandon her and send her off to France. She doesn’t want to lose her dogs or two close friends but will she run away anyway? Yes!

In the classroom: I would use this book in my classroom to open the student’s eyes to situations like being in a Foster home. I have worked with many kids from foster homes and most of them live in situations that are hard to relate to. Many foster kids have trust issues from being moved to so many different homes and situations and I think it will be important for the kids in my class to know that.

Chapter Book 10

Title: Number the Stars

Author: Louis Lowry

Genre: Juvenile Fiction  

Subgenre: Realistic Fiction

Themes: Nazi, Friendship, Hardships, Courage

Primary Characters: Annemarie Johansen and Ellen Rosen

Awards: 1990 Newbery Winner

Date of publication: 1989

Publishing Company: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Summary: This book is about a ten year old named Annemarie Johansen and her best friend Ellen Rosen. They live in a dangerous world with Nazi soldiers and food shortages. The Jews of Denmark are being “relocated”, so Ellen moves in with Annemarie to pretend to be part of their family in order to save her life.

In the classroom: This book will open up many discussions of how life was during that time. I think it is essential that students are aware of the things that have taken place in the past and understand the great depth of what it meant to be a Jew.

Picture Book 19

Title: Balloons over Broadway

Author: Melissa Sweet

Illustrator: Melissa Sweet

Genre: Youth Informational Book      

Subgenre: Informational Book/ Realistic

Themes: Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, Inventions

Primary Characters: Tony Sarg, Marionettes that he created

Awards: 2012 Robert F. Sibert Medal Winner

Date of publication: 2011

Publishing Company: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children

Summary: From a young age, Tony Sarg was interested in how things worked and inventions he could create to make life more enjoyable. For an example, when he was a young boy, he created an invention that could feed his family’s chickens so he could enjoy a few more hours of sleep and not have to leave his bed. As he grew older, he created more and more. The book focuses on the marionettes and puppets that started to create and eventually became so beautiful, they were a part of the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade that is now an annual tradition!

In the classroom: Informational books are a very important part of classroom reading. It is important for students to have a broad range of learning and know that from an early age informational does not mean boring! This book is a great way to teach students about something that they probably watch on TV every year with their families! I would use this book as a nice segue before Thanksgiving break to give them some fun facts to tell their families about. 

Chapter Book 9

Title: The First Part Last

Author: Angela Johnson 

Genre: Youth Fiction

Subgenre: Realistic Fiction

Themes: Teenage Pregnancy, Raising a child

Primary Characters: Bobby, Feather, Nia

Award: Coretta Scott King Award, 2004

Date of publication: 2003

Publishing Company: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Summary: This book is about a teenage father, Bobby, who is raising his baby daughter on his own. The First Part Last is written in a way that is telling two stories of his life. Then & Now. Before Feather, Bobby was a normal kid who didn’t have much to worry about but the birth of his daughter changed everything.

In the classroom: The moral behind this book is to wait to have kids until you are married and ready to accept the responsibility of another life and can support them emotionally, mentally and financially. The high school pregnancy rates are shocking and I think a book like this, (if not this book) needs to be shared with students as young as junior high. I don’t think ‘kids’ realize the amount of responsibility, dedication and accountability you will have as a parent. 

Chapter Book 8

Title: Bud, Not Buddy

Author: Christopher Paul Curtis

Genre: Historical Fiction

Subgenre: Chapter Book

Themes: Independence, Running away, Bravery

Primary Characters: Bud Caldwell

Date of publication: 1999; 2000- Won the Newbery Award

Publishing Company: Random House Children’s Books

Summary: Bud Caldwell, who is ten years old, is motherless. He decides to run away from his most recent foster family in Depression-era Michigan. He doesn’t know exactly where he is going but he end up in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Bud looks up the man that he is convinced is his father. Unfortunately Herman E. Calloway, a famous jazz musician, has no interest in taking care of a 10-year-old orphan. Bud lands on his feet, though, thanks to the interest of the other members of Calloway's band. 

In the classroom: Christopher Paul Curtis is a phenomenal writer. I think it is important for students to be aware of how life was in the Great Depression and also be aware of situations like living in a foster home. It is an important lesson for students to grasp that everyone has a different story and life style. This book will be a wonderful teaching tool that will give an indirect History lesson as well. 

Chapter Book 7

Title: The Robber and Me

Author: Josef Holub; Translated by Elizabeth D. Crawford

Genre: Fiction

Subgenre: Chapter Book

Themes: Adventure, Facing challenges, Independence

Primary Characters: Boniface Schroll

Date of publication: 1997; 1998 – Won the Batchelder Award

Publishing Company: Henry Holt & Co.

Summary: Boniface Schroll, an 11-year-old orphan, is sent to live with his uncle, the mayor of a small German town in the mid-19th century. On his way there he is abandoned in the middle of the forest at night, and rescued by Robber Knapp, widely believed to be responsible for a series of holdups. Boniface faces moral decisions along the way…

In the classroom: The Robber and Me would be for a higher grade level than I would be teaching but I think it would greatly capture the attention of a sixth or seventh grade classroom. The book shows the challenges that this eleven year old faces and will keep the reader’s interest! 

Chapter Book 6

Title: Pet Trouble, Runaway Retriever

Author: T.T. Sutherland

Genre: Realistic Fiction, Series

Subgenre: Chapter Book

Themes: Pets, Manners, Friendship

Primary Characters: Parker and Merlin

Date of publication: 2009

Publishing Company: Scholastic

Summary: Parker, who is in fifth grade hadn't considered getting a dog, but when playful Merlin, a golden retriever, comes into his life, Parker is thrilled.  The two are inseparable from day one — because whenever Parker tries to leave, Merlin escapes his fence or cage and follows him!

In the classroom: Children LOVE animals; most children, most animals. After reading this book, the readers will want to take home Merlin. He gets into a lot of mischief but it’s only because he loves Parker so much!

Chapter Book 5

Title: Walk Two Moons

Author: Sharon Creech

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Subgenre: Chapter Book

Themes: Coping, Extended family

Primary Characters: Salamanca Tree Hiddle

Date of publication: 1996, Newbery Medal

Publishing Company: HarperCollins

Summary: Salamanca's mother has left without explanation and not returned. She is traveling across the country with her grandparents following the route her mother took. Along the way her kind and fun-loving grandparents ask her to tell them a story. Sal shares a long tale about herself and her best friend, Phoebe, whose mother has also left her family. Throughout the book the cross-country trip and the story Sal tells are interwoven. The book brings to life just how much she is struggling.  

I would use this book in my classroom in a couple different ways. It could relate to different students depending on their situation. If this has happened to a student, they will know that heartbreak and be able to relate to Sal. If not, (which hopefully most of them won’t) this book would show the readers to show empathy for others and not judge who they are because we do not know what they have gone through in their past.  

Chapter Book 4

Title: Polar Bears Past Bedtime

Author: Mary Pope Osbourne

Illustrator: Salvatore Murdocca

Genre: Chapter Book, Series

Subgenre: Fantasy

Theme: Arctic Animals, Teamwork, Imagination

Primary Characters: Jack and Annie

Date of publication: 1998

Publishing Company: Random House

Summary: The Magic Tree House transports Jack and Annie to the freezing Arctic. Upon arrival, they must solve the final riddle to become master librarians. They face obstacles along the way such as cracking ice, a seal hunter, and a prodigious polar bear to deal with!

I would use this book in my classroom to embrace creativity and imagination. Reading this book would lead to many interesting discussions about where my students would go if they had these types of endless adventures.

Chapter Book 3

Title: The Watsons Go to Birmingham- 1963

Author: Christopher Paul Curtis

Genre: Historical Fiction

Subgenre: Juvenile Fiction

Theme: Civil Rights Movement, Family
Primary Characters: Kenny, Byron 

Date of publication: 1995; Newberry Honor and Coretta Scott King Award

Publishing Company: Yearling

Summary: The Watsons go to Birmingham is about a family, the Watsons, who live in Flint Michigan during the time of the Civil Rights Movement. The main character is Kenny; he is the middle child. Kenny has an older brother named Byron, who is nothing but trouble and a younger sister named Joetta. Byron’s bad behavior throughout the book leads his parents to decide the best place for him would be to live with his grandmother in Birmingham for the summer. While the family is down south, the family almost suffers a terrible loss during the 16^th Street Baptist Church bombing.

This book is important for students to read that are in middle school or have the maturity to handle a situation like this. Kenny’s perspective adds humor to the book and gives a light hearted feeling but it still is deeply emotional when it involves the church bombing. I would read this book more than once. It is the type of book that you may be able to get more out of it, the more times you read it.  

Chapter Book 2

Title: Don’t Call me Beanhead!

Author: Susan Wojciechowski

Illustrator: Susanna Natti

Genre: Children’s Book

Subgenre: Chapter Book

Theme: Friendship, Family
Primary Character: Beany

Date of publication: 1996

Publishing Company: Candlewick

Summary: Bernice Lorraine Sherwin-Hendricks, also known as Beany, is a girl with twenty-three freckles, a bossy best friend, and a tendency to worry over just about everything! The book has the title Don’t Call me Beanhead because that’s what her older brother calls her and she hates it. This book captures the real concerns that kids may have during their childhood. For an example, Beany loses her tooth down the drain and she is deeply concerned that the tooth fairy won’t put money under her pillow if the tooth is not found.

The questions revealed throughout the story are relatable to kids and this is a book I think they would highly enjoy. I would use this in my classroom as a fun book to read a short portion of the day. I would probably read a chapter after lunch to get them to settle down in the classroom and keep them engaged with a chapter book they find entertaining. 

Picture Book 18

Title: Ladder to the Moon

Author: Maya Soetoro-Ng

Illustrator: Yuyi Morales

Genre: Juvenile Fiction

Subgenre: Illustrated book

Theme: Family, Tragedy
Primary & Secondary Characters: Suhaila and her grandmother

Date of publication: 2011

Publishing Company: Candlewick Press

Summary: The book is about a girl named Suhaila whose inquisitive nature leaves her asking questions of her grandmother and what she was like. The resemblance in Suhaila’s hand to her grandmother’s hands represents the passion to help others and the empathy she has for others as well. Suhaila gets her wish when a golden ladder appears at her window, and Grandma Annie invites her to come along with her on a magical journey to the moon.

I would use this book in the classroom as a way to talk about losing loved ones. At some point, students will experience losing a grandparent or someone close to them. This book reminds us that lost loved ones are always with us and sometimes if we look up at the moon; it may help us remember them. 

Picture Book 17

Title: Goal!

Author: Mina Javaherbin

Illustrator: A. G. Ford

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Subgenre: Juvenile Fiction

Theme: Social Issues, Bullying
Characters: Group of friends, group of bullies

Date of publication: 2010

Publishing Company: Candlewick Press

Summary: This is powerful book that portrays the struggles that children in Africa face. I think many American children take a lot for granted and this book shines light on how things are in other places. In South Africa, a group of friends is united by their strength and love of soccer (football). They play in a dangerous alley, where there is enough room and they are confronted by bullies. They have been confronted before and this time they were prepared to lead them in another direction so they could still play the sport that they love.  

In the classroom, it’s important to show diversity in the places that people live. We are very fortunate in America and I think it is important to remind our students of how great we have things. The illustrations in this book alone, could tell the story; absolutely beautiful. 

Picture Book 16

Title: My Father is Taller than a Tree

Author: Joseph Bruchac

Illustrator: Wendy Anderson Halperin

Genre: Children’s Picture Book

Subgenre: Poetry

Theme: Father-Son relationship

Date of publication: 2010

Publishing Company: Penguin Group

Summary: This book beautifully portrays the relationship between a father and child. The book has a picture that matches everything the father and son are doing together. As they are playing, working in the yard, riding bikes and reading before bedtime, they are bonding and enjoying spending time together.

In the classroom, it’s important to show diversity and this book does that by using the different names for fathers that are used in different cultures such as ‘pop’, ‘mi papa’ and ‘pa’. 

Picture Book 15

Title: Ellington was not a street

Author: Ntozake Shange

Illustrator: Kadir Nelson

Genre: Multicultural

Subgenre: Juvenile Poetry

Theme: Culture, History
Primary & Secondary Characters: Shange, influential African Americans

Date of publication: 2004, Coretta Scott King Award in 2005

Publishing Company: Simon & Schuster Books

Summary:  Shange recalls on her childhood in an African American culture. She remembers the powerful men who entered her home. She recalls being in their presence and realizing what a remarkable impact they would create in her life. At the end of the story, there is a brief description of each of the characters and their contribution to the movement of change for African Americans.

In the classroom, I believe it is of upmost importance to have a variety of books for students to choose from. Books that encounter different situations and relatable storylines bring life to reading as well as a variety of books that embrace different cultures.  

Picture Book 14

Title: The Rainbow Fish

Author: Marcus Pfister

Illustrator: Marcus Pfister

Genre: Modern Fantasy, Series

Subgenre: Picture book

Theme: Friendship, Sharing
Primary & Secondary Characters: The rainbow fish and his friends

Date of publication: 1992

Publishing Company: North-South Books New York

Summary: The Rainbow Fish is the most beautiful fish in the ocean. The rainbow fish is vain and all of the other fish are friendly to him from the beginning. Meanwhile, the Rainbow Fish acts like he is too good for them. His poor attitude leads to none of the other fish wanting to be his friend. He receives some helpful advice when he learns that he will be happier if he can give away some of his most prized possessions, his shiny scales.

In my classroom, I would begin a discussion by asking “How does it make you feel when someone acts like they are better than you?” “Is beauty only on the outside?” I would hope by asking these questions, it would lead to an open conversation with the students.