Requirements

Picture Books:
1) The True Story of 3 Little Pigs
2) Viva Fredia
3) Waiting
4) I Could Do That
5) Wiil Waal a Somali Folktale
6) Glass Slipper Gold Sandal: A Worldwide Cinderella
7) Moses
8) A Perfect Season For Dreaming
9) Hanukkah in Alaska
10) The Twins Who Share
11) How I Learned Geography
12) Catching the Moon: The Story of a Young Girl’s Baseball Dream
13) The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin
14) Hey That’s My Monster!
15) Harry the Dirty Dog

Written in the last 4 years:
1) Viva Fredia
2) Waiting
3) Brown Girl Dreaming
4) Hanukkah in Alaska
5) The Twins Who Share
6) March Book One
7) March Book Two

Graphic Novels:
1) Amelia Rules! The Whole World’s Crazy
2) March Book One
3) March Book Two

Early Chapter Books:
1) Junie B. Jones: Has a Monster Under her Bed
2) Magic Treehouse: Vacation Under the Volcano

Diverse Protagonist:
1) Viva Fredia
2) A Long Walk to Water
3) Brown Girl Dreaming
4) I Could Do That!
5) Wiil Waal
6) Moses
7) Glass Slipper Gold Sandal: A Worldwide Cinderella
8) A Perfect Season for Dreaming
9) The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
10) Monster
11) Hanukkah in Alaska
12) The Twins Who Share
13) Junie B. Jones: Has a Monster Under Her Bed
14) Amelia Rules! The Whole World’s Crazy
15) March Book One
16) March Book Two
17) How I learned Geography
18) Catching the Moon: The Story of a Young Girl’s Baseball Dream

Bilingual:
1) Viva Fredia
2) Wiil Waal
3) A Perfect Season for Dreaming
4) The Twins Who Share

Middle School:
1) A long Walk Water
2) Brown Girl Dreaming
3) The Absolute True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
4) Monster

Online:
1)Hanukkah in Alaska
2) The Twins Who Share
3) How I learned Geography
4) Catching the Moon: The Story of a Young Girl’s Baseball Dream
5) Harry the Dirty Dog
6) Hey That’s My Monster

Harry the Dirty Dog

                        Harry the Dirty Dog
Lexile level: AD700L
           

            This book is written by Gene Zion. Harry the Dirty Dog is a story about a white dog with black spots that gets very dirty and turns into a black dog with white spots. Harry hates baths so when he hears the water running he takes his scrub brush and hides it, and then he runs away from home. Harry gets very dirty from running in playing by the railroad, and where people where fixing the street. Harry eventually started to miss home, and when he went back home his family did not recognize him. Harry then got out the scrub brush and the kids gave him a bath. His family recognized him and he was very happy.
Is this a good story?
            I think this is a very cute story that dog lovers will appreciate. I really like the happy ending where Harry reunites with his family.
Did the main character overcome the problem? Did it seem natural?
            Harry overcame his hatred for baths. He realized that baths are not that big of a deal, that being with family is more important. Harry’s problem in the story was that his family did not recognize him when he was all dirty and that made him very sad. This is when he decided that he needed a bath in order to be recognized by his family. This seemed like a natural solution to Harry’s problem. The story guided the reader through to that ending.
Did the characters in the story grow? Where did we see that happen?
            Harry did grow in the story. He overcame his hatred for baths and had a happy ending. Throughout the story the reader sees Harry get dirtier and dirtier to where he is not even recognizable. Harry goes home to be with his family but they do not recognize him even when he does all his old tricks. Harry then decides that he must take a bath. This is where Harry grows as a character, because up until this point he would not take a bath.

What did the author want to tell me in the story? Was the theme worthwhile?
            I think the author wanted to tell the reader that sometimes you have to do something you do not like, but in the end it is worth it because it helps other people. In the story Harry did not want to take a bath, but when he did his family was happy, and he was also happy.
            Literary elements that were in this book are simile, repetition, and personification. The simile in the book was “it worked like magic”. The book uses a lot of repetition. When Harry runs away from home the book shows where Harry went. During this part the line that is being repeated over and over is “and he got very dirty”. Harry the dog is personified when the author says “and harry sang”.
            The illustration in this book are outdated, the story was written in 1956, and was originally published in black and white. The pictures also include no diversity. There are strictly white people in book. I think that this book could definitely use some updating with including more diversity in the illustrations.
            A mini lesson I would do for this book is have the students redraw the pictures to this book. I would not let the students see the pictures of the book, so they would have to listen to the story and pick out a page to the book and redraw that page. When they are finished I would show the students the pictures and then they would write about how their pictures are similar or different to the ones in the book. Similarities could be I made Harry the same size as the illustrator did in the actual book, differences could be I drew Harry with long hair.

Citation:

Zion, G. Graham Bloy, M. (illustrator). Harry the Dirty Dog. Harper Collins.

Found at:
http://www.storylineonline.net/

Hey That’s My Monster!

Hey That’s My Monster!
Lexile Level: AD490

            This story is about a kid missing the monster under his bed. The monster, Gabe, left the boy a note saying that he has to go scare other kids. The kids monster went to his sisters Emma’s room to try to scare her to going to bed. The kid makes a deal with the monster, he says that if he can find the perfect monster for his sister then Gabe has to go back to their room. Gabe agrees to this deal. The kid tries three different monsters, but none of them scare Emma. Gabe says that he has to stay to scare Emma. That’s when Gabe’s sister Stella appears. Stella has the hiccups which scare Emma right into bed. They found the perfect monster to keep Emma in bed. Gabe returns to the main character’s bedroom to continue to scare him to sleep.
Is this a good story?
            I think this is a great story for kids to read. It is a fictional story, but the story has a lot of great details in it, and it is written and illustrated in a really cute way. I think kids will enjoy reading this book or listening to the online version.
Did the main character overcome the problem? Did it seem natural?
            The main character did overcome the problem of finding the perfect monster for Emma. However, he did not really do anything to find the monster. Stella appeared to give Gabe his lunch. The problem was solved; however, the main character did not solve the problem.Is this story something that I think could happen? Is the plot believable?
The story is a fictional story, that is not realistic. There are no such things as monsters, and the monsters are personified in this book. This book is just a fairytale story.
Did the language throughout the book sound natural? When I read the book aloud did the characters’ sound like people talking?
            The dialogue in the book is very realistic. The kid talks to his little sister, just like any big brother would. The kid is also very possessive over what is his and he does not want to share his monster. I think this makes the dialogue even more believable because it sounds like a kid talking.
            The author uses personification. She uses this by making the monsters talk, or write notes. The author also uses onomatopoeia, like when Emma needs to knock on the floor the book says, “knock knock”. Lastly the author includes similes like, “she hopped over the tentacle like jump ropes”.
            The illustrations in this book are very detailed. They are also very creative in showing what each monster looks like. I think the details in the illustrations really help the reader visualize these monsters.
            A mini lesson I would do with my students is have them create or draw their own monster, and then write details about that monster. I would have them write how they sound, look, smell and feel.

Citation:
Noll, A. McWilliam, H. 2016. Hey That’s My Monster!. Flashlight.

 Found at:
http://www.storylineonline.net/hey-thats-monster/

The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin

                                    The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin

Lexile Level: AD640L

            This book is a very adorable book written by Joe Troiano and illustrated by Susan Banta. This book is about Spookley the square pumpkin. All of the other pumpkins in the patch were round, while Spookley was square. The other pumpkins would tease Spookley because he was square. Until one day the weather was nasty, and the round pumpkins rolled out into the bay Spookley the saved the day by wedging himself in-between the fence. The farmer saw what Spookley had done, and then next year the farmer planted all different types of seeds square, round, rectangular, triangular, and all different types of colors.
Is this a good story?

            This is a great story to tell around Halloween. This movie has a great message for kids, and it shows the importance of accepting others. This book also is very rhythmic, so it flows very nice when you read it.

What did the author want to tell me in the story? Was the theme worthwhile?
            The author wants to let the reader know to be accepting of everyone. At the end of the book it says, “you can’t judge a book of a pumpkin by its cover”. This theme is very great for kids of all ages to read. I think every child can connect with feeling left out or different, so this book has a good message.

Did the characters in the story grow? Where did we see that happen?

            Spookley the pumpkin saw his fellow pumpkins roll out into the bay and he took it upon himself to save the day. He tried with all his might to block the fence so no other pumpkins would roll out in the bay.

Is this story something that I think could happen? Is the plot believable? 
            This is not something that can actually happen. The pumpkins are personified. So the story is not believable for many reasons. Also, in the story the pumpkins are shown as all different shapes and colors at the end which is not the case for normal pumpkins.
            The author uses personification the pumpkins tease Spookley in the beginning of the book and Spookley has the ability to move when he wants to. The author also uses rhyme to help the story flow. For instance, “Spookley was different. He was odd, he was rare. Spookley the pumpkin wasn’t round- he was square!” (Troiano). The author also uses onomatopoeia, when Spookely blocks the hole the other pumpkins start to roll into him. The author uses words like “Whack thump smack”.

            The illustrations are very cute. The illustrator makes the pumpkins faces a lot of expression. The illustrator also uses a lot of bright colors. I think the pictures really help the reader identify with Spookley.
            A mini lesson I would have my students do is write a prompt before the read, “Tell us one time when you felt left out.” After reading the story I would have the students then write about how Spookley overcame that feeling.

Citation:
Troiano, J. Banta, S. (illustrator). 2001. The Legend of Spookley the Square Pumpkin. Backpack    Books.

March Book Two

                                    March Book Two

Lexile Level: GN850L

            This book is a graphic novel that is a sequel to John Lewis’ March Book One. This book deals with similar themes like civil rights movements. His whole premise through this book is to create a movement through nonviolence. He becomes one of the biggest leaders through this movement. In this book they board a bus to the deep south. Lewis faces struggles that he has never experience before from beatings, and police brutality. This book shows the risk that Lewis took for this movement.
Is this a good story?
            I think this is a really powerful story that everyone should read. It shows what it is like to be an African American that time fighting for civil rights. This story is extraordinary and John Lewis does a great job of retelling it through the comics.

Are the factual and historical detail accurate?

            The historical details are accurate in this book. John Lewis recalls what he experiences throughout the civil rights movement.
What did the author want to tell me in the story? Was the theme worthwhile?
            I think the author wanted to tell me that about what it was actually like through the civil rights movement. I think getting this first-hand experience from John Lewis really helps this story move in a factual way. The theme of the story is worthwhile. I think the more you know about history the better.

Did the language throughout the book sound natural? When I read the book aloud did the characters’ sound like people talking?
            The language throughout the book sounded natural. The characters in the book were talking about some very serious situations, so the language in the book was serious. When I read the book aloud it does sound like a conversation between people.
            The authors include onomatopoeia like “screech” or “Whump”. The book does not include much more literally elements besides onomatopoeia, because this book is a nonfiction. This book deals with some very serious situations, so the text tells these situations just the way they are.

            Much like the first book the illustrations tell a powerful story. They are done in all black and white, and the show the character’s fear and hopefulness. The illustrations help move the book along, and really tells the story without needing any words.
            A mini lesson that I would have students do is a literature circle. Depending on the class, I would either come up with questions that they can choose to discuss, or I would have them come up with questions I would include the roles discussion director, summarizer, connector, illustrator, vocabulary enricher, and researcher. I think these roles can help students really understand the text. I would have 2 literature circles for this book, and I would have them students rotate positions in the literature circles.

Citation:
Lewis, J., Aydin, A. and Powell, N. (illustrator). 2015. March Book Two. Top Shelf Productions. 

Catching the Moon: The Story of a Young Girl’s Baseball Dream

                           Catching the Moon: The Story of a Young Girl’s Baseball Dream
Lexile Level: AD760L

            This story is an online story read by Kevin Costner and Jillian Estell and is written by Crystal Hubbard. This story is about a young black girl, Marcenia, that has the hopes of being a professional baseball player. Her parents do not approve of her being a tomboy, they want her to be a teacher, or a nurse. As the story continues a man by the name of Gabby Street, a manager of the cardinals, comes to watch them play to recruit them to his baseball camp. Street told Marcenia that he does not accept girls into his program. Marcenia tries to prove herself. In the end she gets accepted into the camp, but her parents refuse to let her go because the equipment will cost too much money. Street ends up give Marcenia cleats and her parents let her go to the camp. This story is actually a true story.

Is this a good story?
            I think this is a great story for kids to read or listen to. It has diversity with the characters and it shows Marcenia proving herself, and doing what she loves. I think this is a really powerful story.

Did the characters in the story grow? Where did we see that happen?

            Marcenia had to prove herself in order to play at the baseball camp. Marcenia had to do some risky things in order to get noticed by Gabby Street, like stealing home plate. She also had to show her parents how passionate she was about baseball and how that’s is not going change.

Did the characters seem real? Did the characters’ personalities and reasons for their actions match?

            The characters in the story are based on real people. Marcenia personality is a go-getter that will not take no for an answer. She shows this when talking to her parents, or when trying to prove Gabby Street.
Did the language throughout the book sound natural? When I read the book aloud did the characters’ sound like people talking?

            The language throughout the book sounded natural. As the readers were reading the book online it sounded like a conversation between the characters. I think the language was done perfectly in the book.
            Literally elements in this book include similes, like “It was so round a bright like a brand new baseball”.  This is referring to the moon in the sky. Another element the author included was personification, “Her shoes flew as she put on her new cleats”. The author also included flashbacks, like the main character thinks back to when her friends teased about wanting to play baseball.
            The pictures in this book were done very nicely with lots of expressions on the characters. I really like the way the illustrated made the baseball into the moon and included Marcenia playing baseball in her dresses.

            A mini lesson I would have students do for this book is to have them write about a time that they had to prove themselves. In their writing they should include details about why they had to prove themselves, and what the outcome was. 

Citation:

Hubbard, C. 2005. Catching the Moon: The Story of a Young Girl’s Baseball Dream. Lee & Low Books.

Found at:
http://www.storylineonline.net/ 

How I Learned Geography

                                             How I Learned Geography

Lexile Level: AD660L

            This is an online book read by Ed O’neill. This book is written and illustrated by Uri Shulevitz. It is about a kid that had to move out of his homeland, because of a war. The kid moves far east. His family are living with another family, and they are sleeping on dirt. They do not have enough food to go around. Then one day the father goes to the market to get some bread, but he comes back with a map. Everyone in the family is starving and upset that the father did this, but when they hang up the map it changes the boys mind. He learns new places, and he imagines escaping to them. He drinks fresh water, and eats papayas.
Is this a good story?

            I think this is a great to read to kids because it shows a different situation in a different country. It gives kids a chance to look at a different culture and their struggles. I also like that this kid has an escape method from his problems. I think students can relate to this.

Did the characters seem real? Did the characters’ personalities and reasons for their actions match?
            The character in the book does seem like a real character. He has anger towards his dad when his dad came home with the map seems really authentic. The main character is also under a lot of stress from the circumstances he is in, so the anger and the escape methods match his personality and his situation.

Did the characters in the story grow? Where did we see that happen?

            The character in this book showed a lot of growth from being mad at his dad from buying the map to using the map to learn and escape is when the character really started to grow in the story.
Is this story something that I think could happen? Is the plot believable? 
            I think this story is something that could happen. It has a believable plot; kids often have to leave home due to unfortunate circumstances. Kids also find a way to cope through these circumstances using their imaginations.

            Literally elements in this book are personification, hyperboles, and detail descriptions. One personification that was in the book was, “icy winds licked my face”. The hyperbole in the book was “I counted zillions of windows.” Lastly, the author includes such detailed descriptions that I think it is import to point out, like “smacking his lips with such noisy delight”.
            The illustrations in this book are okay. They do not really help the story move forward, but they also do not drag the story back. I would have really enjoyed if Shulevitz would have included more diversity in his illustrations, instead of characters looking the same.
            A mini lesson I would do with the kids is have them pick a place on a map to write about. The student will need to find interesting facts about the place that they choose, and they will use these facts to create a small paragraph. In their paragraph they will need to include personification, hyperboles, and use lots of descriptions in their paragraph.

Citation:
Shulevitz, U. 2008. How I Learned Geography. Farrar, Straus and Giroux Books

Found at:
http://www.storylineonline.net/