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

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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

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