Rules

Citation: Lord, C. (2006). Rules. New York, NY : Scholastic Inc.
Category: Realistic fiction, Chapter Book
Awards: Newberry Honor Medal, Schneider Family Book Award
Summary: Lord presents the story of Catherine and her journey of self discovery in realizing maybe she doesn't want a normal life.  Catherine's little brother David has autism.  He lives by rules that Catherine makes for him to help make social situation easier.  Every week her brother goes to therapy and she comes along.  She meets a boy, Jason while waiting who, although the book never explicitly says, has a type of cerebral palsy, I believe.  Catherine journeys though her summer, discovering who her true friends and finding out what really matters in life.
Classroom Use:  I would use this book in the classroom to talk about disabilities and student differences   Students should be aware that everyone is different and needs different things.  It is important for the students to understand and show compassion and consideration when they encounter others who aren't exactly like them.  This book puts things in perspective and can help show the students what really matters most in relationships.

A Nation's Hope: the Story of Boxing Ledgend Joe Louis

Citation: De La Peña, M. (2011). A nation's hope: the story of boxing ledgend joe louis. Dial books for Young Readers
Category: Non-Fiction
Summary: In this story, american boxing legend Joe Louis is set in a match against German boxer Max Schmeling.  This is set in 1938 when the US was in the midst of World War 2 and the nation was still in a state of division, despite laws of equality being established.  Blacks and whites were still segregated, but this match helped to unify the nation, even if only temporarily, in order to stand up to the metaphorical Germany, represented by their boxer Schmeling. 
Classroom Use: I would use this book to talk about the evolution of desegregation of America.  At the time our country was making progress to provide equal rights, but during this period of time, separate but "equal" was the mind set of the country.  This event helped to bridge differences and unify America, but it wasn't until our country decided to integrate that things really came together.  This book would also be good to use to talk about Hispanic authors as well.

Cinderella

Citation: Delamare, D.(1993). Cinderella. New York, NY : Simon and Schuster.
Category: Traditional Literature
Summary: Delamare shares the classic tale of Cinderella in an unidentified land of gondolas and beauty.  Cinderella's father remarries and she is now forced to deal with her evil stepmother and stepsisters.  She is forbidden to go to the ball, but her fairy godmother makes way for her to do so.  At the ball she enchants the prince.  She leaves in a rush leaving her glass slipper.  With this piece of evidence, the prince searches the land to find his true love.  He find Cinderella and they live happily ever after.
Classroom Use:  I would use this book to introduce fairy tales to students and prompt the discovery of what makes a fairy tale.  I would do a compare an contrast of other fairy tales to have the students pull out common elements such as the use of magic, being set in an unspecified location, and others.  Students will then write a class fairy tale being sure to include their defined elements of a fairy tale.

Roots and Blues

Summary:

Citation: Adoff, A.(2011). Roots and blues. New York, NY : Clarion Books.
Category: Multicultural
Classroom Use:  I would use this to teach a unit on poetry.  The book tells the tales of the hardships of slavery in a powerful way with glorious illustrations and strong stanzas.  It also shows well how the poetry can be expressive in the format you choose for your words.

Rat Attack

Citation: Lasla, C., (2000). Rat attack. New York, NY : Scholastic Inc.
Category: Non-Fiction
Summary:  Rat attack is an informational text about the life's of rats.  It discusses how rats live, how rats transmit diseases and what we can do to prevent it.  The book uses news and personal stories to help connect the information to the real world.
Classroom Use:  I would use this book to teach informational text procedures.  It is on a lower reading level, making it more accessible for all students and has things like a glossary, table of contents, and an index.  It is a good book for students to apply the information text skills

Stowaway

Citation: Hesse, K. (2000). Stowaway. New York, NY : Aladdin Paperbacks.
Category: Historical Fiction, Chapter book
Summary: This book is set on the ship of Captain James Cook - the Endeavor from 1768-1771.  The story is told from the point of view of 11 year old Nicholas Young, a young boy who is a stowaway on the ship.  He shares his journey in a diary format as they travel to New Holland and battle scurvy  form bonds, and stay strong on their journey.
Classroom Use:  I would use this book in my classroom to talk about journaling as a writing method to tell stories.  Students would discuss the pro's and cons. Students will then keep their own journal for a month, writing with the intent to tell the story of their life over that month, not just record the basic facts.

Percy Jackson and the Olymians : the Lightning Thief

Citation: Riordan, R. (2010).Percy jackson and the olymians : the lightning thief.  New York, NY: Hyperion Books
Category: Fantasy, Graphic Novel
Summary:  In this graphic novel, Percy Jackson is spun into a whirl wind of adventure as his school work comes to life.  He is faced against the gods of Mt. Olympus and now he is on a journey to find Zeus' lightning bolt, or else who knows what kind of trouble they will be in.
Classroom Use: I will use this book to start a unit on Mythology.  This is an interesting take on the typical mythological tales.  This is an interesting way to dive deeper into mythology.  After reading this, students will pick a god to investigate and share their findings and the stories about the various gods with the class.

The Firework-Maker's Daughter

Citation: Pullman, P. (1995). The firework-maker's daughter.  New York, NY : Scholastic Inc.
Category: International Literature, Chapter Book
Summary: Set in a far off land in a distant time, Lila was the daughter of a Firework-maker.  Her mother passed when she was young, so her father taught her almost all of the secrets to Firework making.  But there was still one her father wouldn't teach her, the one that made his fireworks truly special.  Lila recruits her friend Chulak and his talking white elephant Hamlet to help her discover the secret.  She thinks she has it all and sets off to get the magic sulfur but she is missing another part, the magic water to prevent her from perishing in the flames.  As she journeys forward unaware, Chulak and Hamlet work to try to find and save her.
Classroom Use: I would use this book as a jumping off point to launch an investigation of the changing women's roles in society.  Lila's father wouldn't share the secret with her because she was a girl, but he shared it quickly and easily with Chulak, a male.  We would examine the transformation of women's roles in the US and in other cultures.

The Tortoise and the Hare

Citation: Stevens, J.(1984). The tortoise and the hare. New York, NY: Holiday House
Category: Folk Literature
Summary: This traditional tale of perseverance is told though the characters the tortoise and the hare.  They decide to run a race, but the hare assumes he will win since he is faster, so he diddy daddles along and ends up losing in the end, showing that slow and steady wins the race.
Classroom Use:  I will use this book to teach what makes a fable.  Students will learn that fables are short stories that teach a moral lesson and the main characters are typically animals.  Students will then write their own fable using The Tortoise and the Hare.

Antonia Novello

Click here for the Wallwisher on Antonia Novello

Vietnam Book One: I Pledge Allegiance

Citation: Lynch, C. (2011). Vietnam book one: i pledge allegiance. New York, NY : Scholastic Press.
Category: Historical Fiction, Chapter Book
Summary:  In this story, 4 friends make a pact - if one of us gets drafted, we all get drafted.  As the Vietnam war escalates, one of their own is drafted.  All 4 boys serve in various branches of the military to serve their country and keep an eye on each other.  The book follows their journey as they grow into men in the military and touches on deep issues such as leaving your family for so long and even suicide.
Classroom Use: I would use this book to discuss the Vietnam war with my class with.  It gives insight to the various branches of the military and the differences of them.  It also give the perspective the the soldiers and all the hardships and struggles they go though while at war.  This book takes students deeper into the conflict and gives them to opportunity to develop a personal relationship with the Vietnam war and see the war as an event instead of just a series of facts from a text book.

Adelaida: a Cuban Cinderella

Citation: Monnar, A.(2008). Adelaida: a cuban cinderella. Miami, FL : Readers are Leaders U.S.A.
Category: Multicultural Literature
Summary: In this Cuban story, there are two twin sister, Adelaida and Marisol.  While they look the same on the outside, their personalities are complete opposites.  Adelaida is sweet, caring, kind and compassionate  caring for her sick mother.  Marisol is selfish, spoiled, and entitled, spending all of her families hard earned money with out a care in the world.  One night the nurse, who is secretly a witch, rewards Adelaida with riches for her kind heart and punishes Marisol for her negativity.  Adelaida stands up for her sister at the end and Marisol changes to become a more compassionate person.
Classroom Use:  I would use this book to talk about justice and start a Random Acts of Kindness outreach project in the classroom and the school.  at the end of the book, Adelaida stands up for her sister and insists that the witch not be cruel to Marisol.  Even though Marisol is in the wrong, Adelaida realizes that she still doesn't deserve to be treated with such cruelty.  It is important to teach our students that even if someone isn't the best person, we should stand up and still treat them with the respect and kindness that everyone deserves.

America's White Table

Citation: Raven, M.(2011). America's white table.  Ann arbor, MI : Sleeping Bear Press.
Category: Historic Fiction
Summary:  All over, White tables are set in honor of veterans who have fallen, are missing or held captive.  This book discusses how the table is set and the significance of each part of the table setting, from the salt to the titled chair, Katie and her family honor all of those who serve in the armed forces.
Classroom Use:  I will use this book to provide student awareness about the importance and observance of Veteran's Day.  It is a very powerful text that uses symbolic representation well.  After being exposed to the text, students will write a story using symbols to share about their family.

James and the Giant Peach

Click to view the James and the Giant Peach Prezi

Seriously, Cinderella is SO Annoying! : The story of Cinderella as told by the Wicked Stepmother

Shaskan, T. & Guerlais, G. (2012). Seriously, Cinderella is SO annoying! : The story of Cinderella as told by the Wicked Stepmother.  North Mankato, MN: Picture Window Books.

Please Click for Summary and Application of this Book

The Chronicles of Narnia : The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Citation: Lewis, C. (1950). The chronicles of narnia : the lion, the witch and the wardrobe. New York, NY : Harper Collins Publications
Category: Fantasy, Chapter Book
Summary: In C.S. Lewis' classic tale, 4 siblings embark on a journey though a wardrobe into the land of Narnia. In their journey, they encounter a wide variety of personified animals that are victims of the White Witches rein.  Edmund fall victim to the temptations of the White Witch and falls on the side of evil.  Lucy, Peter and Susan help Asalan, the true king/god of Narnia take down the evil white witch.  In the end, the siblings rein over Narnia as adults as Asalan has disappeared.
Classroom Use:  I would use this book to talk about temptations with my students - what makes some one decide to go to the "evil" side?  Is evil really as bad as good depicts in?  After talking about this, students would  practice connecting the story to their lives by writing a personal story about time they choose to do the wrong thing, maybe stealing a cookie before dinner, and analyze why they think they made that decision

Winnie-the-Pooh

Summary:

Citation: Milne, A. (2009). Winnie-the-pooh.  New York, NY : Dutton Children's Books.
Category: Fiction, Chapter Book
Classroom Use:  I would use this book in a young classroom to teach students how to write fiction stories with dialogue   This book has a lot of great examples of dialogue use and it is a fun, timeless story that the younger students can relate to, especially since it includes characters that they already have an attachment too.

Oh, the Places You'll Go

Citation: Seuss, Dr. (1990). Oh, the place you'll go.  New York, NY : Random House.
Category: Fantasy
Summary:  In Dr.Seuss book of rhyme, he take the reader on in inspiration adventure about the life journey you will take and all the ups and downs you will face.  He presents the wisdom that life won't always take you where you expect but it is up to us to make the most of it. The road maybe a bit shaky at times, but the book reminds up that we can overcome any challenges we are determined to face head on.
Classroom Use:  I will use this book to talk about rhyme patterns in text.  We will also discuss the journey's that life takes us on and how to handle things when they don't go as planned.  We will discuss as a class times that things didn't go as planned and how we overcame those hurdles, no matter how small.  Students will write using Seuss' ABCB rhyme pattern in telling a story about where they hope their journey will take them in life. We will make our own classroom Seuss book made up of their stories.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Dahl, R. (1998). Charlie and the chocolate factory. New York, NY: Puffin.
Category: Fantasy 
Chapter Book
Awards: New England Round Table of Children's Librarians Award, Surrey School Award, Millennium Children's Book Award, Blue Peter Book Award  

Summary:  In this beloved tale, the main character is from a home of little means.  The glorious chocolate factory holds a contest and there are 5 lucky kids that will win a golden ticket and given a chance to explore the factory.  Despite the odds, Charlie finds a golden ticket and goes with the other 4 children to the chocolate factory where the group embarks on a wild array of vividly depicted journeys.

Use in the Classroom:  In my classroom I would use this book to teach students about building a schema.  We would practice using our schema to build on what we learn as we read.  We would stop and think about what we know about different things like the ompalompas and discuss how we know it and watch how our schema about them changes as we learn more throughout the story.

Out Of My Mind By Sharon Draper

Citation: Draper, S.M. (2012). Out of my mind. Atheneum. 
Category: Realistic Fiction, Chapter Book
Awards: Josette Frank Award by the Children's Book Committee of the Bank Street College of Education, Buckeye Children's Book Award, the Sunshine State Young Reader's Award in both the middle school and elementary categories, the Black-Eyed Susan Book Award, the Beehive Book Award, and the Virginia Reader's Choice Award.
Summary: In Sharon Draper's novel, Out of My Mind, we are taken inside the mind of Melody, an 11 year old girl, who has been confined to a wheel chair and her own mind for her entire life.  Melody faces an inner struggle of knowing so much but being unable to share her thoughts, and it is eating her alive.  Melody finally gets a devise to help her communicate, but the world still looks at her though a different lens.
Classroom Use:  I would use this in the classroom to promote awareness of student differences and disabilities.  There is a documentary based on this book that is really powerful that I would show after reading the book.  Students would use the book as a jumping off point to write a narrative about an initiative to start a community awareness outreach project.