Module 15 - The Absolutely True Diaries of a Part-Time Indian

 Courtesy of betterworldbooks.com

Book Summary: 
Growing up as a teenager in America isn't easy for anyone.  Arnold Spirit, Jr. (Junior to most) is a 14 year-old being raised on the Spokane Indian Reservation.  One of his teachers convinces Junior to strive for more in life and leave the reservation's school to attend the all white school nearby.  This all white school is full of "rich kids", but that doesn't stop him from making friends with all groups of students and being good in sports.  Junior deals with many issues such as fitting in, alcoholism, and rejection of old friends.  Because of the content, this book is controversial but still a good read for teenagers.
APA Reference: 
Alexie, S. (2007). The absolutely true diary of a part-time indian. New York, NY: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

My Impressions: 
This book is considered to be controversial due the various issues portayed.  However, these issues are portrayed realistically.  Todays teenagers want reality.  This book is a realistic view from someone telling about true life experiences.  Older students are going to like this book because of its realistic views.

Professional Review : 

Exploring Indian identity, both self and tribal, Alexie’s first young adult novel is a semiautobiographical chronicle of Arnold Spirit, aka Junior, a Spokane Indian from Wellpinit, WA. The bright 14-year-old was born with water on the brain, is regularly the target of bullies, and loves to draw. He says, “I think the world is a series of broken dams and floods, and my cartoons are tiny little lifeboats.” He expects disaster when he transfers from the reservation school to the rich, white school in Reardan, but soon finds himself making friends with both geeky and popular students and starting on the basketball team. Meeting his old classmates on the court, Junior grapples with questions about what constitutes one’s community, identity, and tribe. The daily struggles of reservation life and the tragic deaths of the protagonist’s grandmother, dog, and older sister would be all but unbearable without the humor and resilience of spirit with which Junior faces the world. The many characters, on and off the rez, with whom he has dealings are portrayed with compassion and verve, particularly the adults in his extended family. Forney’s simple pencil cartoons fit perfectly within the story and reflect the burgeoning artist within Junior. Reluctant readers can even skim the pictures and construct their own story based exclusively on Forney’s illustrations. The teen’s determination to both improve himself and overcome poverty, despite the handicaps of birth, circumstances, and race, delivers a positive message in a low-key manner. Alexie’s tale of self-discovery is a first purchase for all libraries.–Chris Shoemaker, New York Public Library

Professional Review Reference: 
Shoemaker, C. (2007). The absolutely true diary of a part-time indian. School Library Journal, Retrieved from schoollibraryjournal.com

Library Uses:
This book would be good to read for a book club.  Another use would be to use it for a book talk with the theme of difficult topic to discuss such as alcoholism, death, and starting over.

Module 14 - Fathers, Mothers, Sisters, Brothers: A Collection of Family Poems

   Courtesy of scholastic.com

Book Summary:  This book is a collection of poem.  Each of the poems are about family from mothers to fathers, sisters to brothers, and aunts to uncles.  Its poems talk about metting new friends, getting sick, and going on vacation.  It covers many of life's issues.  There is a poem for everyone in this book. 

APA Reference: 
Hoberman, M. A. (1991). Fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers: A collection of family poems. New York, NY: Penguin Books USA Inc.

My Impressions: 
This was a cute book for introducing children to poetry.  Many issues of life are discussed and children learn about poetry in a fun way.  Kids will enjoy reading this book.

Professional Review: 

Thirty wise, witty, neatly constructed poems, from a spirited definition (``Whether there's ten or there's two in your family,/All of your family plus you is a family!'') to an inclusive celebration (``Our Family Comes from Round the World''). Between is a sampling of configurations (``I am a half- brother/I am a whole-brother/I am a step-brother/There's just one of me!''); comical glimpses of the family scene; and some quieter, affectionate moments. In her lively illustrations, Hafner captures both the hilarious--like an uproarious four-ring family at dinner--and such blissful moments as getting Mom's full attention while sick in bed. Full of insight and lots of fun.

Professional Review Reference: 
Kirkus Associates, LP. (1991). Fathers, mothers, sisters, brothers: A collection of family poems. Kirkus Reviews.

Library Uses:
A book display for poetry.
This is also a perfect book to use for a book talk on poetry.

Module 13 - Repunzel's Revenge

  Courtesy of dallaslibrary2.org

Book Summary:
Repunzel's Revenge starts out about a young girl who lives inside a villa surrounded by a huge wall with her mother.  Being curious she wants to discover what is on the outside of the wall.  Her mother refuses to let her, but she finds a way out.  She discovers how horrible things are on the outside.  She also discovers that the woman she thought was her mother, Gothel, isn't and had taken her from her real mother.  She becomes angry and Gothel locks her in a prison.  Repunzel escapes and with the help of a new friend, determines to make it back to Gothel's villa and rescue her mom and get revenge on Gothel.  They meet many different characters on the way to Repunzel's revenge.
APA Reference:

 Hale, D., & Hale, S. (2008). Repunzel's revenge. New York, NY: Bloomsbury U.S.A. Chilren's Books.

My Impressions:

This book was a cute read.  It definately gives a new twist to the story of Repunzel and her long hair.  The
illustrations go a long way to helping tell the story.  Throughout the story she grows and matures letting the
reader get to know Repunzel.  There is even a moral to the story that one should always do whats right even
if it isn't the easiest solution.  I would recommend this book to high school students as a good read.
Professional Review:

Rapunzel is a wild and fearless child who roams her mother's castle (Mother Gothel's western villa) at will but knows nothing about the outside world. As she enters adolescence, however, her curiosity overwhelms her, and she climbs the castle walls to discover a world of poverty and oppression, the result of her mother's cruel magical powers over the world known as Gothel's Ranch. Rapunzel also discovers that she was stolen as a child and has lived a life of luxury, while her real mother toiled in slavery in the Devil's Armpit Mines. Rapunzel reacts in rage to this horrible injustice and soon finds herself imprisoned in the hollow of a tall tree, where she will remain until she swears allegiance to her adoptive mother and accepts her position as heir to the evil empire. The years go by, and Rapunzel's hair grows and grows.

Rapunzel is a strong-willed teenager, however, and on her 16th birthday, after refusing Mother Gothel's conditions one last time, Rapunzel escapes, using her long tresses as a rappelling rope. From this point on, the story takes a 180-degree turn from the version told by the Brothers Grimm; Rapunzel takes charge of her own life and isn't easily bested by any manipulative men, witches, or other evildoers. In her first exploit, she meets a princely "adventuring hero" on his way to "pretend" to rescue her, because "she's bound to be too naïve to know the difference, and it'll be such fun in the meantime" (pp. 40-41). Now, wise to the ways of the world, Rapunzel plays a practical joke on him that sends him off on a wild goose chase into the forest, and from that point on, she is the mistress of her own destiny.

Shannon Hale has made a career of taking classic stories and turning them into enjoyable, feature-length masterpieces, and with the help of her husband Dean and their new friend and illustrator, Nate Hale, she takes Rapunzel to delightful places, more reminiscent of the Old West and Middle Earth than the Brothers Grimm's archetypal forest. Along the way, Rapunzel encounters characters from other stories, including Jack, that famous giant killer, whose traveling companion, Goldie, resembles a large Canada goose and is alleged to lay golden eggs. All the usual suspects from the classic Western movies are here, too (albeit in parody), including Heck Burnbottom's outlaw gang, the besieged town folks of P ig Tree Gulch, and a corrupt small town sheriff. Zorro had his whip, and Roy Rogers had his lasso, but Rapunzel has both, in the form of her long braided hair, which she uses with great aplomb to bring miscreants of all kinds to justice. She is more than a match for outlaw gangs, her mother's henchman, wild boars, enchanted coyotes, and attempts to cash in on her "Wanted: Dead or Alive" status.

Nate Hale's artwork is the perfect venue for this graphic novel. He captures body gesture, facial expression, and physical action ingeniously, all while maintaining a Southwestern, Old West feel through the landscapes and character appearances. One wonders how many John Ford Western movies he reviewed to get the genre down pat.

Professional Review Reference:
Blasingame, J. (2010). Rapunzel's revenge. Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literature, 53(6), 517.

Library Uses:

This would be a good book to use with a low level reader who doesn't like to read.  The reading is easy, the
illustrations are eye-catching, and the story has a good twist to it.

Another use would be to use the cover for a bulletin board throughout the school for advertisement.  This
would show students that reading can be fun and not just educational.

Module 12 - Martin's Big Words

Courtesy of childrensbookalmanac.com

Book Summary:
This children's book gives an easy to understand accounting of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life.  It isn't very detailed, but it does cover some of the more important facts and dates of his life.  It begins with a few events from his childhood and moves through to his death.  The illustrations in this book enhance the details being told in this story.

APA Reference:

 Rappaport, D. (2001). Martin's big words. New York, NY: Hyperion Books for Children.

My Impressions:
This is a good children's book.  It's easy to read and understand.  It is also very informative.  It focuses on
 the most important events in Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life.  Students will enjoy how the illustrations enhance
the facts.  With Martin Luther King, Jr. being such an important part of history, it is important that students of
ages know of him and his accomplishments.  This book makes that possible for younger students.

Professional Review:

This inspiring picture-book biography celebrates the great leader as a preacher and politician. The spare narrative, accompanied by powerful art, captures the essentials of the man, the movement he led, and his policy of nonviolence. Also see My Brother Martin by King's sister, Christine King Farris (Simon & Schuster, 2003), Martin Luther King Jr. and the March on Washington by Frances E. Ruffin (Grosser, 2001), and Walter Dean Myers' I've Seen the Promised Land (HarperCollins, 2004).

Professional Review Reference:

Harms, J., & Lettow, L. (2008). Martin's big words. Book Links, 17(3), 39.

Library Uses:
This book would be perfect for a book display during Black History Month.  It would also be a good book
to used for a scavenger hunt in the library when looking for information on Influential African Americans. 

Module 11 - Leonardo's Horse

Courtesy of hudsontalbott.com

Book Summary:
"Leonardo's Horse" is a book that tells the story of how the horse came about.  It starts with the story of how Leonardo came up with the idea and goes through his trials and failures in getting the horse made.  It tells of how Charles Dent decided to continue Leonardo's dream, and eventually a foundation finishes the dream and sends it Italy in honor of Leonardo de Vinci.

APA Reference:

Fritz, J. (2001). Leonardo's horse. New York, NY: G. P. Putnam's Sons.

 

My Impressions:
This book was really interesting and informational.  It's written so that children can understand it and
the illustrations are such to keep children interested in what they are reading.  They'll be turning the
page just to see what pictures they see next.  History books aren't always the easiest books to read.
Children will enjoy this book and learn something in the process.
Professional Review:

This story tells of an American who discovers an unfinished bronze statue by Leonardo. Fritz's clear writing style highlights Leonardo's career. Simultaneously, he illuminates the vision of an American who is enthralled by the challenge of producing the bronze horse. Talbott's watercolor doublepage scenes offer a taste of fifteeth-century Italy, and the incorporated vignettes from Leonardo's sketchbooks add a sense of the scope of his genius. The casting and assembly processes are pictured. A final doublepage spread presents the magnificent animal, bronze and potent in its golden glow. The illustrator makes effective use of the unusual dome-shaped book design to include landscapes, interiors, and even a world map.

Professional Review Reference:
Marantz, K. (2002). Leonardo's horse. School Arts, 101(6), 56.

Library Uses:

This would be a good book for a community read.  Have artist from the community come in and
 discuss their career. Then they could read this book to show other artist and how long people have
 been artists.
 Another use would be a book display with other biographies on artists.

Module 10 - Dandelions

 Courtesy of barbsbooks.com

Book Summary:   
"Dandelions" is a book about a young family moving west to the Nebraska Territory.  It discussse the mother's and daughter's  fears of the unknown while the father seeks to reassure them.  Their closest neighbor was hours away, and the nearest town was so far that they had to spend the night when going to town for goods.  The only way they could have water was to dig a well by hand.  It was a time when the weather was hot, the work was hard, and the rewards were earned.
APA Reference:

Bunting, E. (1995). Dandelions. Orlando, FL: Harcourt Brace and Company.

My Impressions: 
This book offers an accurate accounting of what people endured during the westward movement. It allows
the reader a clear view of how wide open the area was.  People didn't live down the block; they lived hours
away from anyone.  The illustration, by Greg Shed, are very realistic.  I really like the end of the book when
the girls are trying to make their mother feel better.  They take a dandelion that she had picked up on the way
home from town and plant it in the roof of the home to surprise their mother.  This is a book I would
recommend to my students.

Professional Review:

 This is the story of a family moving from Illinois to Nebraska during the westward migrations in the United States. They travel across the plains in a covered wagon pulled by oxen, the father in search of a better life and opportunities for his family, and the wife and two daughters experiencing the emotions of leaving home, family, and memories behind. The dandelions are a metaphor for this family that endures the hardship of change and moves west to build a better life. CU: The book is an excellent springboard to make connections to social studies and the American westward migration. Students can write journal entries of what the children felt as they traveled west. They can draw maps identifying the possible routes the family took or write personal narratives of times in their own lives when they had to leave friends and memories to move to new places.

 

Professional Review Reference:
Mitchell, M. (1996). Dandelions. The Reading Teacher, 50(3), 244.

Library Uses:

This would be a good book to use when highlighting illustrators.  The librarian could read this book to students and show the pictures as he/she goes.  When the book is over, the students could draw their own pictures to tell what think the trip would have been like. 

Another use would be to use this book in groups with new students.  Moving can be a scary experience and this book helps to show that people have dealt with moving into new situations for years.

Module 9 - Cam Jansen: The Scary Snake Mystery

 Courtesy of openlibrary.org
Book Summary:   
Young Cam Jansen is considered to have a photographic memory.  When her mom's camera is stolen on a sight-seeing trip, Cam is determined to find it and the person who stole it.  Using her memory, they are able to find the camera but the tape inside is missing.  Thanks to Cam's quick thinking, when they see their video on the evening news, they are able to claim the tape as theirs. 

APA Reference:
Adler, D. A. (1997). Cam jansen and the scary snake mystery. New York, NY: Puffin Books.

My Impressions: 

Cam loves a good mystery and is a very determined little girl.  When her mom's camera gets stolen, shedoesn't give up til it's found.  This is a cute tale about write succeeding over wrong.  It shows how life should be.  You can't get through life stealing. 

Professional Review:

Gr 1-3-Fans of the series will not be disappointed with this new title. Cam, her friend Eric, and her mother are visiting a city museum when a woman lets her pet snake out of a bag on the museum steps. Mrs. Jansen is videotaping the children and, in surprise, turns the still-running camera toward the incident. Then her camcorder is stolen. When they find it, the tape is missing. Then they see the video of the incident on TV for the "News Scoop" contest and go to the station to track down the thief. This is an easy-to-read chapter book that solves a believable mystery in a satisfying way. Black-and-white line drawings enliven the text.

 

Professional Review Reference:

Bair, J. M. (2007). Cam jansen and the scary snake mystery. School Library Journal, 43(12), 81.  Retrieved from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/.

Library Uses:

This would be a great book for the librarian to use in a lesson on predicting outcomes.  "What will happen next?"  It could also be used in a treasure hunt for mysteries.  Students would have to find books determined by their mystery.

Module 8 - Gregor the Overlander

 Courtesy of suzannecollinsbooks.com

Book Summary:   
This story is about a young man who has had to take on unexpected responsibilities.  When his dad up and disappears, he takes on the responsibility of helping tend to his younger sisters while giving up his own enjoyments.  While doing laundry with his baby sister, they are pulled into a whole that takes them a long way down.  The meet giant cockroaches, rats and spiders along with another race of humans.  He helps these humans battle agains the rats and in the process finds his dad. 
APA Reference:

Collins, S. (2003). Gregor the overlander. New York, NY: Scholastic.

My Impressions: 

This isn't really my type of story, but I can see how students would enjoy it.  Being taken to a fantasy land and having a grand adventure keeps students motivated to read.  Gregory's adventure is a good story of good triumphing over evil.  It also shows how important it is to never give up.  He kept believing his dad would come home, and he eventually found him. 
Professional Reviews:

Gr 4-8-It's the beginning of summer and everyone is going off to camp except Gregor, an 11-year-old boy from New York City. Since his father's disappearance from their New York City home, he has been helping out with taking care of his little sisters, especially two-year-old Boots. Gregor sacrifices his chance to go to camp, letting his other sister go instead. While doing laundry in the basement of his apartment building, Boots disappears down an air chute and Gregor goes after her. At the bottom of this innercity "rabbit hole," the two find themselves in the "Underland" surrounded immediately by giant cockroaches, or crawlers. The story moves quickly as the two "Overlanders" are taken to the Queen of the Underlander humans, where Gregor learns of a prophecy which focuses on him and a quest to find his missing father. He travels with bats, crawlers, spinners (giant spiders), a rat, and two of the royal Underlanders. Gregor spends his time between protecting Boots, who doesn't know she needs to be protected, and becoming the leader of the questors who must not only save his father, but also save the Underlanders' kingdom. This fantasy by Suzanne Collins (Scholastic, 2003) is skillfully written with well-developed characters and enough action to keep listeners' attention. Narrator Paul Boehmer does an excellent job of providing different voices for the myriad of characters. With the hint of a sequel, this would be an excellent selection for libraries to add to their fantasy collections.-Lisa D. Williams, Chocowinity Middle School, NC

Professional Review Reference:
Williams, L. (2005). Gregor the overlander. School Library Journal, 51(8), 64.

Library Uses:
One use for this book would be to help older students with creative writing.  A lesson could be done in the library on creative writing and opportunities available.  After reading it, they would write their own creative writing.  Another use would be to have an art contest with this book as the focus.  Students would complete a group reading of the book and then be required to draw what they think one of the areas of the underland look like.  It could be a group contest with each student taking a different scene, or individual with each doing a scene of their choice.

Module 7 - Because of Winn-Dixie

 Courtesy of http://www.education.wisc.edu/

Book Summary:   
"Because of Winn-Dixie" is about a young girl, Opal, who was abandoned by her mom and lives with her dad.  Her dad is a preacher who spends most of his time working.  Opal comes across a dog causing havoc in the Winn-Dixie grocery store.  She claims the dog as hers and names him after the store.  She begins meeting individual through out the story who are also lonely  individuals.  She becomes friends with each one and at the end of the story brings everyone together and strengthens her relationship with her father in the process.  It is a tale that deals with compassion, loneliness, and creating friendships. 

APA Reference:
DiCamillo, K. (2000). Because of winn-dixie. New York, NY: Scholastic.

My Impressions: 

"Because of Winn-Dixie" is a delightful tale about a little girl trying to fit in.  After saving a dog, she makes friends with people that others shy away from.  She figures all of these friendships she's gaining are due to Winn-dixie and his antics.  They certainly make their mark on the community.  While trying to fit in herself, she ends up bringing each of her friends together to form an unexpected group of friends.  This is definitely is a book most 4th and 5th graders will love.

Professional Reviews:

Because of Winn-Dixie is an exciting book about a 10-year-old girl who goes to a store called Winn-Dixie for mac 'n' cheese. To her surprise, she finds a dog instead and names him after the store. Opal and Winn-Dixie meet loads of people, and the dog helps Opal make the friends she's been missing.

At a party for their new friends, Winn-Dixie goes missing! Will Opal find her dog or never see him again? Kate DiCamillo is an outstanding author, and this is an astonishing book. You have to read it!

Professional Review Reference:

Womack, A. (2008). Because of winn dixie. Storyworks, 15(4), 7.   Retrieved from storyworks.scholastic.com.

Library Uses:
Uses for this book could be numerous.  Many schools at some point in the year will conduct fundraisers for the local animal shelter.  This would be a good book to have students read in aloud in groups in preparation for that fund raiser. Then it could be put in a display with other animal books to promote animal awareness.  Another use for this book would be in a book club.  Our school has book clubs that meet and the groups are made mixed up after each book reading.  Various groupings are according to homelife, social background, reading levels.  This would be a perfect book for reading about children from single parent homes.

Module 6 - The Wreck of the Zephyr

 Courtesy of yourbooksworld.com

Book Summary:   
This story is about a young man who claims to be the best sailor that has ever been.  One night he goes out in a storm and wakes up on an unfamiliar beach.  He walks to the nearest village and on his way notices that sailboats are sailing in the air rather than on water.  He wants to learn to sail the air. A man he meets takes him up and tries to teach him.  That night he goes out by himself and goes home.  When he arrives, his boat goes back to the ground.  He spends the rest of his life looking for the island with air-sailing boats.

APA Reference:
Van Allsburg, C. (1983). The wreck of the zephyr. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin Company.

My Impressions: 

  The artistry in this book adds so much to the story.  The story itself shows how the imagination can lead to amazing adventures.  I can see many boys dreaming of flying through the air with their sailboat.  Children reading this book will see the benefit of using their imaginations and reaching for their dreams.  It also shows the value of perserverance.  The boy spent his whole life looking for that island and still didn't give up.

Professional Reviews:

Award-winning children’s book author Chris van Allsburg brings us another original fantasy.  In it a young boy, brilliant at sailing, scoffs at the advice of more experienced sailors and ventures out into a storm.  When his boat capsizes, he finds himself on an island populated by people who sail in the sky with the use of special sails.  Determined to master this new skill, he steals some sails and uses them to travel home.  Forgetting that the sails do not work over land, he decides to show off by ringing his village’s bell tower and, like a modern-day Icarus, plunges from the sky.  The ending is a little more gentle than the Greek story, and instead of perishing he lives out his life limping from his injury, searching for new sails to restore his flight.Van Allsburg, in his characteristically understated way, spins the story in a somber mood, allowing the fantastical story events and the timeless themes of pride, desire, and sorrow to emerge with quiet grandeur.  This kind of fantasy may appeal best to serious-minded children, but even those who are used to more lighthearted books may benefit from this story of inflated pride which leads to tragedy.

Professional Review Reference:
Gonzalez, S. (2009, September 6). Eye level books: Literature for a christian imagination. Retrieved from http://www.eyelevelbooks.com/2010/09/06/book-review-the-wreck-of-the-zephyr/

Library Uses: This would be a good "read aloud" book for any library.  Also, it could be used for demonstrating artwork in books.  Some artist will come to schools and create a piece of art while a story is being told.  This would be a good introduction for that sort of activity.

Module 6 - And the Dish Ran Away with the Spoon

Courtesy of thereadingbook.com

Book Summary:   
This book starts with the traditional nursery rhyme about the dish running away with the spoon.  For some reason Dish and Spoon failed to return this time for the nightly reading.  Cat gathers Cow and Dog and they begin looking for Dish and Spoon.  They make their way through the neighborhood on their search.  They visit well known nursery rhyme characters from Miss Muffet and Spider to Little Boy Blue to Big Bad Wolf.  They eventually find Dish and Spoon with a few mishaps along the way.
APA Reference:

Stevens, J., & Crummel, S. S. (2001). And the dish ran away with the spoon. Orlando, FL: Harcourt, Inc.

My Impressions: 

 This is a really enjoyable book for young children.  Anyone who enjoys nursery rhymes will enjoy this

 extention of nursery rhymes.  Dish has run away with Spoon and neglected to return.  I love how Cat gets

 upset and rounds up the troops to find them.  It was very creative to use other nursery rhymes to make a

 neighborhood to travel through. 

 

Professional Reviews:

K-Gr 3-The nursery community takes action when the dish and spoon fail to return from their nightly romp. Little Miss Muffet, Bo Peep, the Big Bad Wolf, and Humpty Dumpty help Cat, Cow, and Dog locate the AWOL dinnerware before bedtime. Children can be encouraged to think about favorite book characters as part of a larger literary community, and hone their mapping skills as they follow the map of the animals' search. The oversized illustrations, particularly of Dog in her party hat and polka-dot tutu, are hilarious.

Professional Review Reference:

Auerbach, B. (2005). And the dish ran away with the spoon. School Library Journal, 51(9), 60. Retrieved from http://www.schoollibrarymonthly.com/

Library Uses: 
One good use for this book would be for a community volunteer to come into the library and do a reading of this book.  It would be best used in the lower elementary grades. 
Another use for this book would be have a month dedicated to poetry.  This would be a perfect book for the display.

Module 5 - Bud, Not Buddy

 Courtesy of Bing images

Book Summary:   
Bud, Not Buddy is a book about a young black orphan boy during the Jazz era.  He starts out in an ophanage and is sent to live with a foster family.  When things turn bad due to their already existent child, Bud decides take off on his own.  He begins by trying to have his first meal at the mission.  Then he goes to the library.  Finally a friend from the orphanage catches up with him.  The decided to go west.  They stay the night in a camp made up of cardboard boxes.  Bud misses the train and decides to look for his true father.  All he has to go on is flyer he received from his mother.  He starts walking to the next town.  He gets picked up and eventually makes it to the place supposed to be owned by his father, Herman E. Calloway (a jazz band leader and club owner).  Of course, when Bud confronts his father, his father doesn't believe him.  Herman's band takes Bud in.  Through a course of events they finally learn the truth, that Herman isn't his father but actually his grandfather.  This book gives a good example of what life was like for blacks and poor people during the Jazz era.

APA Reference:
Curtis, P. C. (1999). Bud, not buddy. New York, NY: Scholastic.

My Impressions: 

I really enjoyed this book.  Though fiction, the settings and events that take place are characteristically

accurate to the day and time being portrayed.  For instance, Herman E. Calloway couldn't actually own his

club because he was black.  He always kept a white member of the band that he could put the club's name

in.  This would be an excellent book for teachers to use during Black History Month.  I also liked the

portayal of Hoovertown.  The towns set up outside of cities made of cardboard boxes were lived in by

families who didn't have enough money to rent or buy houses.  I actually learned a lot from this book.

 

Professional Reviews:

Bud, Not Buddy, by Christopher Paul Curtis, made history on Martin Luther King Day in January 2000. It was the first children's book in literary history to receive both the 2000 John Newbery Award book and 2000 Coretta Scott King Author Award. The committees work independently to make their selections so the announcement of the awards that morning in San Antonio, Texas, at the American Library Association midwinter meeting surprised everyone in the audience, including the committee members. Bud, Not Buddy has evolved as not only the most distinguished choice in literature for 1999, but also has become one of the more popular Newbery Award titles.

It is a heartfelt novel that resonates with both zest and tenderness as it entertains questions about racism, belonging, love, and hope. Bud's fast-paced, first-person account moves with the rhythms of jazz and celebrates life, family, and a child's indomitable spirt. It is the story of ten-year-old Bud Caldwell, recently orphaned and living in Flint, Michigan, during the Great Depression. After leaving a terrible situation in a foster home, Bud begins his journey to find who he believes is his father-a well-known bandleader who lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

The popularity of Bud, Not Buddy is strongly evidenced by the number of publications and websites that provide suggestions in using the title in the classroom and library media center.
 

Professional Review Reference:
 Brodie, C. S. (2002). Bud, not buddy. School Library Media Activities Monthly, 19(3), 47. Retrieved from http://www.schoollibrarymonthly.com/

Library Uses: 
This would be an excellent book to have theme book talks about.  This book abounds with themes:  family relationships, racism, travel, labor unions and much more.
This book could also be used for kids to make maps.  They could map out the journey that bud took to be posted with a book display in the library.

Module 4 - The Grey King

Book Summary:   
 The book starts out with a sick little boy, Will, thinking he's forgotten something.  He has hepatitis and ends up being sent to family in Wales to recouperate.  While there he begins to remember bits and pieces of what he "thinks" he's forgotten.  Will begins the journey of fighting for good, the light, and against evil, the Dark.  Will learns he's been destined his whole life to wake up the sleeper to fight the battle.  Bran helps Will throughout his journey and in the process learns of his own heritage.  This is a journey worth reading about.

APA Reference:

 Cooper, S. (1975). The grey king. New York, NY: Macmillan Publishing Company.

My Impressions:
Good against evil.  It's the oldest fight in the world.  Will takes hold of his destiny and follows his heart to the end.  This is a good story of taking the necessary step to reach  a goal.

Professional Reviews:
 Gr 5-8-While recovering from hepatitis, Will Stanton is sent to a farm in Wales where he is soon caught up in the battle against "the Dark." He struggles to recall the prophetic lines he once memorized and gradually, as he learns the local place names of the geographic features around him, the meaning of the lines becomes clear to him. Through Bran, a young boy with mysterious origins who becomes Will's friend, Will fulfills the prophecies and once again defeats the Dark. This fourth book of Susan Cooper's The Dark Is Rising series (S&S Childrens, 1975) won the 1976 Newbery Medal. Twenty-five years later, it is still as powerful and mesmerizing as when it was first published. Richard Mitchley's reading is excellent and heightens listeners' enjoyment of Cooper's prose. His ease with Welsh pronunciation and the distinctive cadence of Welsh English adds greatly to the authenticity of the story's setting, which is an essential element of this book. He gives the characters distinctive voices without actually doing voices for each. Children not familiar with the earlier books in the series may find the basic premise a bit confusing since Will's status as an "old one" and the conflict between the light and the dark are not given much explanation.

Professional Review Reference:
Sherman, L. L. (2001). The grey king. School Library Journal, 47(10), 89. Retrieved from
http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/

Library Uses:    This would be a good book to teach plot and setting.  Another use would be for a book club to read.

Module 5 - Esperanza Rising

 Courtesy of wikipedia.com

Book Summary:   
This story is about a young girl who had everything one could wish for.  When her father dies, her life is turned upside down.  She and her mother have to flee to escape her uncles.  They have to leave her grandmother with nuns while they escape. Esperanza goes from living the rich life to living the life of a peasant.  She has to learn how to work and fend for herself.  Eventually they are able to bring her grandmother to live with them. She learns that some of the poorest people in life are in reality very rich simply because they have family and friends and are loved.

APA Reference:

Ryan, P. M. (2000). Esperanza rising. New York, NY: Scholastic.

My Impressions: 

This book did a good job of showing distinctions in class.  I also like how it started out with Esperanza being on top of the world and had to learn to live in a completely different lifestyle.  It shows how we should value what we have.  I really liked this book.

Professional Reviews:

Gr. 5-9- Thirteen-year-old Esperanza and her newly widowed mother are forced to leave their beautiful Rancho de las Rosas in Mexico to live and work in a migrant camp in the San Joaquin Valley during the Great Depression. This Pura Belpré Author Medal winner will give readers an unusual perspective on the difficulties of life in the 1930s.

Professional Review Reference:
Gonzalez, L. (2003). Esperanza rising. Book Links, 18(3), 38. Retrieved from www.ala.org/booklinks 

Library Uses:  This would be a good book to use when discussing different cultures.  It could also be used to show differences in economic classes.

Module 4 - The Cat Who Went to Heaven

 Courtesy of goodreads.com

Book Summary:    This book is about an artist who is struggling just to live.  His housekeeper spends their last bit of money on a cat.  The artist isn't happy about it, but eventraully agrees with the housekeeper that they have been lonely and they decide to name the cat Good Fortune.  Things begin to turn around for the artist.  One day a preacher comes and hires to artist to paint a picture of Budda to hang in the temple.  The artist paints Budda and begins to add the animals from Budda's life except for the cat.  The cat is denied entrance to Paradise.  After continually leaving the cat off, the artist eventually adds the cat to the painting.  When the priest sees the cat, he claims he will burn the painting the next day.  By some miracle where the cat was on the painting, the cat has disappeared and the silk is clean.

APA Reference:

Coatsworth, E. (1958). The cat who went to heaven. New York, NY: MacMillan Publishing Company.

My Impressions: 
This story reminds me someone struggling with the concept of right and wrong.  The artist struggles with wanting to put a cat in the picture because he thinks the cat seems to be good and knowing he isn't supposed to because cats chose not to pay homage to Budda and are therefore denied entrance to Paradise.  I like that he eventually chooses what he thinks is right.  This is a good book to read.

Professional Reviews:
Commissioned to paint a picture of a dying Buddha, a struggling artist creates controversy when he includes a cat in his painting (Buddhists believe the cat rebelled against Buddha, never received his blessing and therefore cannot enter heaven). Well, wouldn't you know, something extraordinary happens to the painting-proving Buddha thinks cats are just all right with him! This cute fable is a beautifully written, short read, and has many good morals readers will take away. It would definitely suffice as a crash course on Buddha, and would be best combined with a discussion on ancient religions or other cultures.

Professional Review Reference:

Homeschoolbuzz.com. (2006, July 12). Retrieved from http://homeschoolbuzz.com/reviews.html?content=The-Cat-Who-Went-to-Heaven--1931-Newbery-winner-

Library Uses:  One use for this book would be to show aspects from different religions.  Another use would be showing the importance of animals in specific religions.

Module 3 - Many Moons

Courtesy of wikipedia.com

Book Summary:    This book is about a King always gets his princess daughter anything she asks for.  When she asks for the moon, he is stumped.  He brings in all of his important advisors and asks for help.  When he finally gives up, he tells his woes to the court jester.  The court jester comes up with the solution of just asking the princess what she actually expects to receive.  This is cute tale solving tough problems with simple solutions.

APA Reference:

Thurber, J. (1943). Many moons. San Diego, CA: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Publishers.

My Impressions:  This book does a good job of showing how simplicity is sometimes the best option.  When we're banging our heads against the wall, we usually find help in the least likely of places.  The illustrations are more modern and any of today's students would like this book.

Professional Reviews:
PreSchool-Grade 3-- Although the Caldecott-winning edition illustrated by Louis Slobodkin (HBJ, 1943) is the one that many parents and librarians grew up with, this new full-color version by Simont has a charm of its own. His illustrations are more modern in appearance, although the essentially periodless style of dress on the characters has the timeless look that this literary fairy tale demands. Backgrounds are generally sketchy, giving the characters center stage. The clever Jester, dressed in fool's motley, is still the only one of the King's advisors who has the sense to ask Princess Lenore just what she expects when she asks for the moon. The pompous Lord High Chamberlain, the skatty Wizard, and the absent-minded Mathematician are as helpless as ever, and the little princess with her common sense and gap-toothed smile is charming. This will delight a whole new generation of children. --Rosanne Cerny, Queens Borough Public Library, NY
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable
edition of this title.

Professional Review Reference:

 Cerny, R. (1991). Many moon. School Library Journal, Retrieved from http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/

Library Uses:  This book could be used in guidance lessons to show we shouldn't give when it seems nothing is going right.  Help might be just around the corner.  Another use could be in teaching predicting outcomes.

Module 3 - So You Want To Be President?

courtesy of bing.com

Book Summary:    This book is full of little known facts about presidents.  For instance, six presidents were named James and eight presidents were born in log houses.  This book is full of information that isn't necessarily taught in our history classes and are told in a humorous way.  The illustrations throughout the book are done in cartoon style which adds to the humor of the book.  Kids can enjoy what they are reading while learning interesting facts at the same time.
APA Reference:
St. George, J., & Small, D. (2000). So you want to be president?. New York, NY: Pilomel Books.

My Impressions:  As a social studies teacher, I really like this book.  The book is written to grab the reader's attention, but it throws in facts they wouldn't learn in a classroom.  The kids will enjoy reading this book.

Professional Reviews:

Trivia is interwoven into this humorously illustrated look at past commanders in chief. Commonalities are pointed out, such as popular first names of presidents (James and John), as well as differences (size, age, personality, education, previous jobs held). The one thing all U.S. presidents have in common is repeating the same 35 words when taking the oath of office.

Professional Review Reference:

Tunks, K. (2011). So you want to be president?. Book Links, 21(1), 26.

Library Uses: This would be a good book to use on President's Day.  It would also be good to use when showing different illustrators and their different styles.

Module 2 - Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day

 Courtesy Horn Book

Book Summary:    Meet Alexander.  A young boy for whom nothing seems to go right.  Things just can't go right throughout the day.  His day starts with gum in his hair because he forgot to spit it out the night before, and it gets worse from there.  The poor little guy just can't seem to catch a break that day.  It's so bad that he decides he'll move to Australia.  Things that aren't really that bad like having to sit in the middle and having lima beans for supper are he considers to be terrible events.    And of course he just can't understand why the teacher would choose someone else's drawing over his blank page.  A very cute book that I think most students can relate to.

APA Reference:
Viorst, J. (1972). Alexander and the terrible, horrible, no good, very bad day. Hartford, Connecticutt: Connecticutt Printers, Inc.

My Impressions:
I really like this book.  I can see children relating to this book on a personal level.  The gum in the hair, getting blamed for fighting when the brothers provoked it, and having to eat what they don't like are all examples of everyday issues in a child's life. Children will find this a funny book simply because these things are happening to someone else.

Professional Reviews:

Preschool-Gr. 3. Alexander's day starts out with his finding gum in his hair-and his day never improves. He's "smushed" in the middle seat of the car, his teacher doesn't like his "picture of the invisible castle," he learns that he's Paul's third-best friend, and he decides that he's better oft moving to Australia.

Laugh-out-Loud Moment: "At breakfast Anthony found a Corvette Sting Ray car kit in his breakfast cereal box and Nick found a Junior Undercover Agent code ring in his breakfast cereal box, but in my breakfast cereal box all I found was breakfast cereal."

Professional Review Reference:
Reid, R. (2006, July). Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day. [Review of the book Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, by J. Viorst]. Retrieved from http://libproxy.library.unt.edu:2175/pqdweb?index=12&did=1074658971&SrchMode=1&sid=5&Fmt=3&VInst=PROD&VType=PQD&RQT=309&VName=PQD&TS=1328126615&clientId=87

Library Uses: This would be a good book to show children that reading can be fun.  I feel the counselor could also use this book when working with students to show that everyone has a bad day some of the time.

Module 2 - Mr. Popper's Penguins

Courtesy amazon.com

Book Summary:  Mr. Popper's Penguins is a book about a man who dreams about travel, but has never left his hometown.  His favorite places to dream of traveling to are the North and South Poles.  He reads about and sees movies about expeditions to these places.  He ends up writing a letter to one of these explorers and the explorer send Mr. Popper his very own penguin.  The penguin turns his life and the lives of his family upside down.  However, his family gives them their full support.  He receives another penguin, and eventually ends up with twelve penguins.  Not being a wealthy man, Mr. Popper and his wife have to come up with a way to earn some extra money.  He and his family teach the penguins tricks that pretty much follow their natural behavior.  Then end up traveling from town to town.  The audiences love it.  In the end, the Captain who sent him his first penguin offers to take Mr. Popper and his penguins on an expedition to the North Pole.  Mr. Popper's dreams come true.

APA Reference:  Atwater, R., & Atwater, F. (1938). Mr. popper's penguins. Boston, MA: Little, Brown, and Company, Inc.

My Impressions:  Being and animal lover, I loved this book.  I was able to really relate to this book.  Mr. Popper and his family turn their lives upside to allow Mr. Popper to keep his penguins.  Though the penguins provide many trials, the family turn even negative experiences into positive ones.  Mr. Popper prevails in the end getting to follow his dreams.

Professional Review #1: 

Gr. 3-6. Mr. Popper has a penchant for penguins, but when he receives a real one as a gift, it quickly multiplies and the situation gets out of hand. Lawson's droll black-and-white illustrations add to the fun.

Professional Review Reference: 
Larson, J. (2006, November). Mr. Popper's penguins. [Review of the book Mr. Popper's pengins by R. and F. Atwater].  Book Links 16(2), p. 37.  Retrieved from Professional Review #2:

K-Gr. 5. Housepainter Mr. Popper's desire for travel and adventure leads him to adopt two penguins and, eventually, set out on a coast-tocoast vaudeville tour with his family, the birds, and the birds' offspring.

This absurd, laugh-out-loud tale hasn't aged in almost 70 years, and Lawson's droll black-and-white illustrations add to the run.

Professional Review Reference:
Weisman, K. (2006, July).  Mr. Popper's Penguins. [Review of the book Mr. Popper's penguins, by R. & F. Atwater]. Book Links 15(6), p. 9.

Library Uses:

This book would be a good choice for use in a youth reader's club.  It's a chatpter book, but it's easy to understand.  Although it's fiction, it would be a good book to teach about penguins.  Penguin facts are placed through out the story line letting the reader get a good picture of a penguin's life.

Module 1: The Giving Tree

.  Courtesy amazon.com

Summary:  The story starts with the tree having everything it should (it's trunk, limbs, leaves, etc.)  The story goes through different stages of the boy's life.  As each stage arrives, the tree, like a parent, is giving something of itself to help the boy during that stage.  Once the boy is an old man, the tree has given everything it has to give and is glad of it. 

Reference:  Silverstein, S. (1964). The giving tree. New York, NY: Harper Collings Publishers.

My Impressions:  The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein reminds me of a parent giving all for his/her child.  It shows how a parent is willing to give everything he or she has to see that their child is taken care of.  This is a wonderful book that I could read over and over.

Professional Review: 

The Giving Tree shares the story of a young boy and his lifetime relationship with a certain apple tree. But it is much more than that. It is also a story of giving (and taking or receiving), friendship, happiness, loyalty, sacrifice, gratitude, happiness, and most importantly - love. The tree ultimately gives everything for the boy without receiving much in return. The theme or message of the book has been interpreted in many different ways. It can be very simply understood by a second grader, or an adult can search for a deeper meaning.

Professional Review Reference:
Brodie, C. (2009, September)  The giving tree by Shel Silverstein - a forty-five year celebration.  [Review of the book The Giving Tree, by S. Silverstein].  School Library Monthly 26(1), page 22.  Retrieved from http://www.schoollibrarymonthly.com/

Library Uses:  This book would be good to use for comparison of styles of writing.  Some of his books are written in a completely different style.  Another use would be to study illustrations.  Sometimes the simplest illustrations can convey lots of meaning.