The Name Jar by Yangsook Choi

The Name Jar

Written by Yangsook Choi

Publisher: Dragonfly Books

Copyright date: October 2003

Number of pages: 40

Age Level: 3-7
Multicultural
Awards: Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Master List 2003

This book is about a young girl named Unhei who just moved to the United States from Korea. Unhei is nervous about the other children liking her but she is even more nervous they will not be able to pronounce her name so she decides she will choose an American name to go by and will announce it to the class the following week. All the other kids are very intrigued by this no-name girl and come up with the name jar where everyone can write in suggested names. She practices going by these different names: Suzy, Amanda, Lucy. None seemed right. One of her classmates goes to visit Unhei in her neighborhood and discovers her real name and the special meaning behind it. When she goes back to school to reveal the name she has chosen, the naming jar has disappeared. Will Unhei choose a new name or stick with her real name? 

This book would be great to help teach students about empathy. I would flip the idea a little bit so the students can see how it feels to have a name forced on them. I would ask students to contribute a few names form their respective cultures while trying not to include names of students in the class. Then I would place the names in a "Name Jar" and ask volunteers to choose new names that they will use for the rest of the day. This would not be forced on any students, just use volunteers. In the process, some students may refuse to forfeit their birth names. Other students may giggle a bit and joke about the chance to rename themselves, but they will quickly feel the effect of losing the identity their reals names created for them. I would have all students write in their reflection journal a summary of the book and what they learned from it and the exercise that followed. 

Who Was Helen Keller? by Gare Thompson

Who Was Helen Keller?

Written by Gare Thompson

Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap

Copyright date: August 2003

Number of pages: 107

Age Level: 8-12
Biography

This is a biography about Helen Keller who became deaf and blind at the young age of two. She spends many of her early years with internal conflict and a lot of hatred toward her disabilities. However, Helen learns to read, write, and do sign language from her teacher Annie Sullivan. Helen is self-motivated, intelligent, and ambitious. Helen ended up graduating from college, meeting multiple Presidents, and became an inspiration to those with disabilities. 

For a lesson using this book, I would have students create a timeline that included at least eight important events in Helen Kellers life. Before beginning the book I would show students how to take Cornell Style Notes. This would help them learn how to organize the important events in the book. The will be taking notes throughout our readings. Once we finish the book, they will create a timeline that include the dates, the important event, why it was significant, and an illustration. 

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn

Written by Mark Twain

Publisher:Chatto & Windus/ Charles L. Webster and Company 

Copyright date: 1884

Number of pages: 327

Age Level: 13+
Historical Fiction

A young Mississippian boy, Huck, gets kidnapped by his father who is the town drunk. His father kidnaps him because he wants the $6000 that Huck was awarded from the treasure he found previously. Huck ends up escaping from a deserted house in the woods and finds a canoe to ride down the river. He comes across Jim, Miss Watson's slave, and they float down the river together in search of freedom. The have many adventures during their journey and become best friends. Huck learns a lot about life through these adventures and through his many talks with Jim. 

While The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn did not win any awards, I think it is important to acknowledge all the achievements and accomplishments the book had. This book had been banned just one month after its publication. It had been challenged, banned, and defended for many years. Decades after Twain's death, the book gained the status of a masterpiece. Many famous novelists and poets such as Ernest Hemingway, Ralph Ellison, and T.S. Eliot had high praises for the book. The novel has been adapted to a musical numerous times. It won 7 Tony Awards over the years for Best Musical, Best Score, and Best Book of a Musical. It also won 8 Drama Desk Awards. The novel was also made into a movie in 1993.

For a lesson, I would have students create two storyboards. The first would be a character map. For each character they would include a drawing of the character based on the description in the book, a list of physical traits, a list of character traits, and how that character impacted the story. Their next storyboard would be of the plot. The storyboard must include an exposition, conflict rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. 

Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin

Rain Reign

Written by Ann M. Martin

Publisher: Feiwel & Friends 

Copyright date: October 2014

Number of pages: 226

Age Level: 9-12
Realistic Fiction

Rose Howard is a young girl with Asperger's Syndrome and an obsession with homonyms. Rose has special rules and obsessions that not everyone understands, including her single father. Her father brings home a lost dog who Rose calls Rain, a name that has two homonyms (Reign, Rein). Rose and Rain are basically inseparable and have a deep connection. One evening her father goes to a bar because he does not have the patience to handle his special needs daughter. Before he leaves for the bar, he lets Rain out. A huge storm ends up rolling through the town causing flash floods everywhere and Rain goes missing. Rose has to leave behind her safe home and routines to set out on a search for her best friend, Rain. 

During the beginning of the book, I would do a lesson on homonyms. Students would create small poster for different homonyms including rain-reign, allowed-aloud, bald-balled-bawled, coral-chorale, and flea-flee. On each poster students will write the word, use each word in a sentence and illustrate each word. I would have students place their posters around the classroom and all the students would participate in a gallery walk to view all of the posters.

Matilda by Roald Dahl

Matilda

Written by Roald Dahl
Illustrated by Quentin Blake

Publisher: Puffin

Copyright date: June 1988

Number of pages: 240

Age Level: 8-12
Fantasy

Matilda is a gifted school-aged girl who grew up in a family with parents that did not care much about her. Matilda taught herself to read and used books as a way to escape the harsh reality of her home life. She attended a school with a very cruel Principal, Miss Trunchbull, whose tactics are beyond questionable. Matilda becomes very close with her teacher, Miss Honey who shows Matilda what it is like to be loved and appreciated. One day Miss Trunchbull attacks Matilda and that is when Matilda finds out she is more than just intellectually gifted; she learns she has powers. Matilda uses her powers to fight back against the Principal and her own family. 

There are many ways to create lessons based on this book. After students finish reading the book, I would create groups of 3-4 students and assign each group a different set of chapters from the book. Each group will create a script for the chapters they were assigned. The script will need to have at least three characters and a narrator. Students will use the writing process to write these scripts. They will then need to assign a specific part to each in their group. I would give them time to rehearse then they will do a read through their scripts one group at a time. The groups will go in sequential order according to which chapters they have so that by the end, they have basically retold the story. 

Fritz and the Beautiful Horses by Jan Brett

Fritz and the Beautiful Horses

Written and Illustrated by Jan Brett

Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers 

Copyright date: 1981

Number of pages: 32

Age Level: 4-7
Folklore

Fritz does not look like the other horses. He has short legs, his coat was not shiny, and his mane is a mess. He can barely keep up with the other horses and does not look the same when prancing. The other horses carry very important people to the walled city where only beautiful horses can go into. The people inside the city just laugh at poor Fritz. But Fritz is hard working and dependable. He proves to all the city people that there is more to a horse than just being beautiful. He becomes well loved after rescuing the children of the city.

This book uses a lot of adjectives to describe different characters and settings. I would reinforce the use of adjectives and use this opportunity to explain that beauty is what is on the inside, not the outside. I would have students write a list of adjectives that describe Fritz then they can all put their lists into a box that is ugly. I would explain that even though this box is ugly on the outside, what's on the inside is beautiful. Then each student would receive a box and they will write adjectives describing themselves on the inside of the box. They may then decorate the box on the outside as well. Once all students are done, they can walk around and see what the other students wrote about themselves.

Dona Flor: A Tall Tale About a Giant Woman with a Great Big Heart by Pat Mora

Dona Flor: A Tall Tale About a Giant Woman
With a Big Heart

By Pat Mora
Illustrated By Raul Colon

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Copyright date: October 2005

Number of pages: 40

Age Level: 3-7
Folklore

Dona Flor is a giant woman who lives in a very small village of normal-sized people. All the people in the village really like Flor and she likes them as well. She loves reading to the children of the village and often gives the villagers items such as tortillas to use as rafts. One day they all heard a very loud and terrifying sound coming from right outside their village; it sounded like a large animal. Everyone is afraid except for Flor who is very protective of her friends. She sets off with other animals to go investigate the noise. When she finds the source of the noise, she does not do what you would expect her to do, instead, she uses her heart. This book features Spanish words and phrases throughout the book which really reinforces the bicultural characters and setting of the book.

 I think this would be a great book to use during Women's History Month. I would read this book to my class after we have learned about a few women who have had a positive impacted on history. I would then have the students compare and contrast Dona Flora with one of the women we have learned about. Students would create a poster comparing and contrasting the two women. They can choose to show this in a venn diagram, drawing pictures, creating lists or any other way they can think of as long as the information is apparent. I would want to give some freedom on how this assignment is completed to allow students to express their opinions in their own way and show their own strengths. We would also discuss what are some characteristics that make someone a good person and what does a good leader look, sound and act like? This lesson will incorporate reading, writing, character education, Spanish and art into one. 

Awards: Pura Belpre Award for Illustration

A Poke in the I by Paul B. Janeczko

A Poke in the I: A Collection of Concrete Poems

Written by Paul B. Janeczko

Illustrated by Chris Raschka

Publisher: CandlewickPress

Copyright date: 2001

Number of pages: 48

Age Level: 6-9
Children's Poetry

This book contains 30 concrete poems that startle and intrigue the reader. The arrangement and size of the letters and words change from poem to poem. Some poems are in the shape of the object it is talking about such as a balloon or the words take shape of a murder of crows flying off the page. These visual poems will capture every readers attention and allows the reader an experience to see the poem!

For a lesson I would have the class come up with a long list of random objects in their lives and I would write these objects on the whiteboard. The students would then choose any of the objects on the board to write a concrete poem on. They would have a lot of creative freedom on this assignment. They could work independently or in pairs. For those who may need a bit of help getting started I would have students pick their object then write down things they associate with that object such as other objects, descriptive words or personal memories. Then I would tell them to circle the words they like best. This would help them get started on their poem.

Outside Your Window by Nicola Davies

Outside Your Window: A First Book of Nature

By: Nicola Davies

Publisher: CandlewickPress

Copyright date: February 2012

Number of pages: 108

Age Level: 3-7

Children's Poetry

This beautifully illustrated book is full of poems that remind the reader that nature is everywhere and is always waiting to be discovered. It reminds us that nature can be found in the city, in our own backyards and even in the streets. These poems help the reader explore nature and remember how beautiful it can be. It explores the sights and sounds of all the seasons, different animals and a variety of plants.

This book can easily be used in many different lessons. The obvious lesson would be a poetry lesson in which the students would create their own poem about a specific piece of nature. I think giving the students the choice to choose which part of nature they want to write about is key. Another way I would want to use this in the classroom is to have students choose a poem from the book then write a continuation of that poem. They would be adding on to it or doing a sequel to the poem. I would also have the students illustrate their own poems as well.

There are Monsters Everywhere by Mercer Mayer

There are Monsters Everywhere

By: Mercer Mayer

Publisher: Dial Books

Copyright date: July 2005

Number of pages: 32

Age Level: 4-8

Picture Book

A young boy knows there are monsters lurking around every corner, under every bed, in every basement, and behind every trash can. Mom and dad can't see them, but he knows they are there just waiting to scare him. Finally, determined to overcome his fear of monsters, he enrolls in a karate class! He practices his karate moves every chance he gets just hoping the monsters are watching. 

I think this would be a great book to use at the beginning of the year for Kindergarteners. The theme of this book is overcoming fear and many young students are nervous and scared on their first days of school. This book could help them realize that we all have fears but we can take control of them and overcome them. I would read this book out loud to the entire class then I would have them use lunch bags, crayons and glue to create puppets of themselves being brave.

The Pout Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen

The Pout-Pout Fish

By Deborah Diesen

Pictures by Dan Hanna

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux

Copyright date: March 2008

Number of pages: 32

Age Level: 3-6

Picture Book

A pout-pout fish swims around deep in the ocean with a permanent frown on his face. He believes that because he is a pout-pout fish he should naturally "spread the dreary-wearies all over the place". Many of his friends approach him with advice on how to change but he continues to believe he is destined to be glum. His attitude and outlook on life changes when an unknown fish comes along and gets him to realize he can put other expressions on his face and he can change his outlook on life.

The Pout-Pout Fish is a great book to base a Kindergarten timeline lesson around. After reading the book to the class, I would draw four boxes on the whiteboard titling them "First", "Next", "Then", and "Last". As a class we would decide what came first, next, then, and last. I would write one sentence in each box according to their suggestions. Next I would pass out a worksheet with four boxes and have the students write the titles (first, next, then, last) at the top of each box then draw a picture to accompany our sentences we created together. 

Awards: 2009 Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year, Missouri Building Block Picture Book Award, Colorado Children's Book Award Master List

Legend by Marie Lu

Legend

By Marie Lu

Publisher: G.P. Putnam's Sons, Penguin Books

Copyright date: November 2011

Number of pages: 352

Age Level: 12-17

Young Adult Fiction

      Told from two points-of-view, Legend is set in the Republic, what was once the Western United States. The point-of-view switches back and forth between the two main characters: June and Day. Fifteen year old June, a prodigy, is being groomed to be one of the best in the Republic's highest military circles. She was born into an elite family in one of the wealthiest districts. Then there is fifteen year old Day who was born in the slums and is one of the country's most wanted criminals. 

     They are from completely different worlds yet their paths cross when June's brother, Metias, is murdered and Day is the main suspect. Their story becomes a cat and mouse game where June is out to avenge her brother's death and Day just wants to stay alive. The truth comes out about June, Day and her brother's death after a book full of nonstop action. 

     I think this book would make a great addition to a lesson in government or history. Discussions may include what powers the government has and what its purpose is. Rebellions could also be discussed and, in our country, what are the legal means people can utilize to change policies or even change the government.   

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games

By Suzanne Collins

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Copyright date: September 2008

Number of pages: 374

Age Level: 12-17

Young Adult Fiction

Panem is made up of 12 districts and every year each district must provide two tributes, one male and one female, to the capital for the Hunger Games. Katniss Everdeen ends up volunteering after her little sister was randomly selected as the female tribute to represent District 12. She is joined by the male tribute, Peeta Mellark. The Hunger Games is a game that is televised to the entire Panem to watch. The Capital watches for entertainment while all the districts watch in horror as their loved ones fight to their deaths. Only one can survive.

The Games are held in a forested arena where all aspects of the Games are manipulated by the Capital including weather, food supplies, survival supplies, animals and insects, fires, and more. Every night faces of the tributes who have died show in the sky. Katniss must rely on her hunting skills and sharp instincts to survive. 

There are so many ways The Hunger Games could be used in the classroom. I think this would be a terrific book to use in English class. I would have the students read it then do a short rewrite of it from a different perspective; perhaps from the perspective of Peeta or even someone in the Capital. This is a great way to teach perspective. I also think this book is a great way to engage those students who have difficulties getting interested in reading a book. This book is full of action and can definitely keep the attention of its readers. I also think this could be used in geography. It would be a fun and somewhat challenging project to have students create a map of Panem based on the context clues given for each district and its people. While I can think of many ways to integrate this book into my classes, I'm a bit uneasy about using it due to the amount of violence. If I were to use this book, I would definitely want to get all the parents and Principal on board before beginning. 

The Marauder's Map

     Hi and welcome to my blog! First let me introduce myself...I'm Brittany. I am the mother of a two year old, wife of an Airman, assistant to an author, community volunteer, and student at the University of Great Falls. What can I say? I love to multi-task.

      I am currently studying to become an Elementary teacher! I will be starting my student-teaching soon so I've been thinking a lot about what my goals are as a teacher. My biggest goal is to get my students to love learning. We are all life-long learners who are constantly learning new things about the world around us so it helps if we love to learn and welcome the experience. I also want my students to love reading. Reading is a skill we all need in order to succeed in this world but, more specifically, reading is a way for students to expand their vocabulary, gain a better understanding of other cultures, become better decision makers, and increase verbal fluency. I do not want my students to view reading as a forced assignment; I want them to view it as a roller coaster experience they get to take their minds on.

     Well the whole point of my blog is to review children literature so here is a map to my reviews. Each review will contain all the basic information regarding the book: title, author, publisher, copyright date, and number of pages. I will always include a picture of the book, genre and the age level for the book. You can expect a summary, but don't worry, I won't spoil anything for you. I will also include a way this book can be used in teaching. At the end of every review, I'll use the rating system that you see below which includes a description of what each rating means for each criteria. The last column will be where I say what I am rating each criteria for that specific book and my reasons for that rating. 

     I hope you find my reviews useful! Now, let's get these kids reading!!