Because of Winn-Dixie

Author/Illustrator: Kate DiCamillo

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Awards: Texas Bluebonnet Award, Newberry Award

Grade Level: 3rd-5th

This book is about a young girl named Opal. Opal lives with her dad who is a preacher in a small town, her mother left them years ago. Opal is missing what used to be her home she is struggling to fit in to this new small town that she is now a part of. The kids judge her, her dad is too busy to spend time with her, and she feels alone. One day she found a dog in a grocery store, and named it after the grocery store Winn-Dixie. This became her new best friend. Throughout the book Opal meets new people from around the town and starts to answer the questions she hasn't been able to figure out. She learns so much about her mom and why she could have left to begin with.

This was one of my personal favorites growing up. This book focuses on heavier topics and I feel it would be best suitable for students from 3rd to 5th grade. I might use this book during a guided reading book club session. I have already purchased this one for my future classroom.

The Day The Crayons Quit

Author/Illustrator: Drew Daywalt/Oliver Jeffers
Genre: Fantasy
Awards: Texas Bluebonnet Award
Grade Level: Prek-2nd

This book is about a boy named Duncan and his very angry and upset crayons. His crayons all wrote him letters telling him how unfair it was for him to use some more than others, and how others are tired of being used so much. They want to quit. Duncan turns everything around by creating a drawing using every color.

This is a cute book fro young elementary students ranging from Prek to 2nd grade. I would not use this book for instructional purposes but I would keep it in my classroom. This book is designed in a fun, unique way that will keep readers, or listeners, interested.

The Lion And The Mouse

Author/Illustrator: Jerry Pinkney
Genre: Fiction
Awards: Caldecott Medal
Grade Level: Prek-2nd

This is a wordless book about a mouse that escapes from the claws of an owl predator. After escaping the mouse is still in danger because it ended up in the paw of a lion. The lion was feeling kind and let the mouse go. Later on when the lion get in trouble with hunters the mouse comes to the rescue.

I would definitely use this book in my classrooms for students from Prekindergarten to second grade. It is a wordless book so preschoolers are able to look at the pictures and for a little older students they will be able to read through the pictures. I could use this book for a lesson over predictions or comprehension.

Each Kindness

Author/Illustrator: Jacqueline Woodson/E.B. Lewis
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Awards: Coretta Scott King
Grade Level: 1st-4th

This book is about a young Girl named Maya that was new to a school one Winter. The class didn't think Maya fit in, so they did not make friends with her. The person telling the story had to unfortunately sit by her during class. Maya's clothes were not up to date, they were ragged, and looked worn. Maya tried to be friendly with the students by offering them to play with her during recess and smiling at them when they caught eyes but everyone turned their backs. One day the Maya wasn't at school. On that day they learned about kindness. The teacher showed the students that trowing a pebble in some water and watching the ripples was kind of like kindness. Each students took a pebble, dropped it in, and explained how they were kind. When it became the girls turn she passed her pebble on. She waited for Maya to come back to school she was going to make friends with Maya. Maya never returned, her parents moved for a new job and the young girl never got the chance to be kind.

This is such a great read for young students ranging from 1st to 4th grade. I feel that it is important for students to know what kindness is and portray that through their daily actions. I would definitely keep this book in my classroom. I might even do the same activity the teacher did with her students.

Babymouse Queen Of The World!

Author/Illustrator: Jennifer L. Holm/Matthew Holm

Genre: Graphic Novel

Awards: Notable Children's Book

Grade Level: 2nd-5th

This book is about a mouse who goes by the name of Babymouse. She has a huge imagination and hopes to be named queen of the world. In order to obtain that status she believes that if she could just get an invitation to Felicia Furrypaw's slumber party then she'd gain the title. She makes a deal with Felicia and scores an invite. What she failed to remember was that she had already made plans with her friend to watch movies. She wanted this title so bad, so she skipped out on the movies. The party turned out to not be anything she expected. She left the party and went to watch movies with her friend. Babymouse came to a conclusion that she already was queen of the world, she didn't need to do anything special to prove it or earn the title.

This book is structured for students from 2nd to 5th grade. They are easy to read chapter books. Most graphic novels are aimed towards boys interest, but these are for girls. It is important for students to see that graphic novels are for both genders. I would definitely keep this book in my classroom along with a few other Babymouse books. I would not use it for instructional purposes only to keep in my library.

A Sick Day For Amos McGee

Author/Illustrator: Phillip C. Stead/Erin E. Stead
Genre:
Awards: Caldecott medal
Grade Level: Prek-1st

This book is about a zookeeper named Amos McGee. Amos loves his job and spends time with each animal every day doing something special together such as playing chess or reading bedtime stories. One day Amos McGee gets sick and the animals decide it is time to return the kindness he has given them every day. They decide to take a trip to his house and spend time with him to make him feel better.

This is a sweet book I would recommend for students ranging from Prek to 1st grade. It teaches students to be kind to one other and care for each other. An activity I would do with this book is to have students describe a time they were kind to a friend or a friend was kind to them and illustrate a picture of it. I could put them together and we could make our own book.

The War That Saved My Life

Author/Illustrator: Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Genre: Historical Fiction

Awards: Newberry Award

Grade Level: 4th-6th

This book was set back in the 1900s. A young girl named Ada, her brother, Jamie, and mam all lived in a small apartment building. Ada was abused daily by her mom, never allowed to go to school, eat when she was hungry, or do anything else the other kids got to do like her brother. Her mom described her as simple. Ada had a club foot that hadn't been fixed as a baby, so she was unable to walk and her mam, though her fault, was going to punish her for it.

At the beginning of the ware that was fixing to start Hitler demanded that kids evacuate by bus to safer cities where families would volunteer to take care of them. Mam was going to let Jamie go, but not Ada because nobody would want to take care of a simple child. Ada stirred up a plan and was determined to go. She had been practicing all summer on her walking skills. The morning it was time to load the bus Ada and Jamie snuck out early to not be seen by mam.

Once arriving at the new city all of the children were put in a line to be selected by families. No one really wanted two children who were dirty and came as a pair. At the end, the director took the two children to her friend Ms. Susan's house. Ms. Susan did not want the children either, not because they were dirty, but because she didn't know a thing about children. She was forced to keep them. Ms. Susan turned out to be a great caretaker for the children. She had to teach them to bathe, what normal items were in the market, how to read, and all other things their mam neglected to teach them.

During this stay, Ada fell in love with riding Ms. Susan's horse, Butter. Jamie fell in love with the airplanes that they set up across the street from the house. They all made it word during this terrible time. 

One day while Ada was riding, mam showed up. Mam wanted her children back because she found out that she was having to pay for them to be with Ms. Susan. Ada begged not to go, but Jamie ran to mam with open arms. Mam won, and back to London they went. Once home, Ada stood up to Mam and Mam admitted she didn't love them or even want them. Ada said that she was going to go back to London and that Mam would have to pay a shilling. Mam agreed. The next morning Ada and Mam tool off to find Susan, but Susan had come to them. They all took a bus back to Ms. Susan's house. When they got their many people were standing in front of where it used to be. Her house had been bombed and all the city people were worried they were inside but happy to see that they weren't. Ada, Jamie, and Ms. Susan were glad to be together as a family.

This book takes the reader on the journey of Ada as she overcomes many challenges in her life. It's amazing to see how such a young girl can be brave enough and have so much perseverance to keep going through all that is through at her, It shows children  It shows us that blood might not connect us as a family, but love definitely does. I would reccommend this book to anyone, it is a great read.

The Wide Mouthed Frog

Author/Illustrator: Kevin Faulkner/Jonathan Lambert
Genre: Fantasy
Awards: None
Grade Level: Prek-K

This book is about a wide mouth frog who eats flies. He hops along meeting several animals throughout his day. He introduces himself as the wide-mouthed frog and says that he eats flies. He follows with, "What do you eat?" He came upon an alligator one day and the alligator said he eats wide-mouthed frogs. The frog disguised his mouth as being small and hopped into the pond.

This book is designed for students in the early elementary levels such as prek and kindergarten. This book has no true purpose to it. It is a silly book with large pop outs to entertain young readers. I would use this book in my classroom during read aloud. I probably would not put it in my library for fear that the students would rip the pages.

Galimoto

Author/Illustrator: Karen Lynn Williams

Genre: Multicultural

Awards: None

Grade Level: 1st-3rd

This book is about a young boy named Kondi who lives in the small village of Nsanje. Kondi wants to collect enough wire to make a Galimoto, which means car in Chichewa. All he has is a small piece of wire to beginn with. He goes throught the village and makes trades, and deals with other people to gather enough wire for his Galimoto. In the end he finds enough wire after all and everyone is excited to see his Galimoto.

This book is structured for students from 1st to 3rd grade. I would use this book in my classroom to teach students about other cultures and their values. I would explain how Kondi was so excited to gather wire to make a Galimoto and all we have to do is go to the store to buy a toy one and we still aren't happy sometimes. I will have students think about how tehy could use their resources to make more of what they have.

Crow Boy

Author/Illustrator: Taro Yashima
Genre: Multicultural
Awards: None
Grade Level: 2nd-4th

This book is about a young Japanese boy named Chibi who sticks to himself in school. He is really shy and others make fun of him because of it. He spends his pass time staring at the ceiling, at his desk, and the clock until it is time to leave school everyday. No matter what, Chibi would always be at school day after day. A new teacher showed  up in sixthg rade and took interest in the knowledge and abilities that Chibi had. He encouraged him and became his friend. During the talent show one day Chibi got up and performed crow calls. The students were taken back by his performance and pictures the tiny village from past the mountains that he came. The new teacher explained that Chibi learned those calls on his long walk he made to school everyday. Everyone felt terrible for misjudging Chibi. From that day forward he became known as the crow boy.

This book is aimed for students from 2nd to 4th grade. The sentences are simple and straight forward. This book shows us some of the customs of the Japanese culture. Everything from what they wear, what their houses are like, their language, and food. I would use this book to teach students that everyone comes from a different background. We do not know why some people are how they are, but we should be willing to learn.

Mama, Do You Love Me?

Author/Illustrator: Barbara M. Joosse/Barbara Lavallee

Genre: Multicultural

Awards: None

Grade Level: Prek-1st

This book is about a young Eskimo girl who asks her mom if she loved her. She will make up scenarios and ask her mom whom always replies with, "Still, I would love you." She young girl uses different items from their culture to make up the scenarios.

This book is simple and to the point. I would recommend this book for students in preschool to first grade. I would use this book to teach how different cultures have different things that are specific to them. In this book parkas, ermine, and lemmings are examples of things they use/experience. I could have students write their own Mama do you love me sentences using things specific to our culture.

Mirandy And Brother Wind

Author/Illustrator: Patricia C. McKissack/Jerry Pinkey

Genre: Multicultural

Awards: None
Grade Level: 3rd-5th

This book is about a young girl named Mirandy who is determined to win the cake walk. In order to complete this task she thinks she needs to capture brother wind who will be her partner. All throughout the book she tries different ways to capture him, but he is too fast. In the mean time Ezel wanted her to go with him, but when he realized she wasn't he made up a fib that he was going with someone else and was gonna win. She really tried now to catch Brother Wind and eneded up succeeding. At the cake walk she saw Ezel's partner and asked where he was. She said she turned him down because he was clumsy. Mirandy defended Ezel and ran off to brother wind for a wish. Ezel and Mirandy were the talk of the town for weeks after the cake walk thanks to Brother Wind.

This book is aimed for students from 3rd to 5th grade. I say this because the words are small and the structure is a little complex for younger students. I would not use this book for instructional purposes, but I would keep it in my classroom library. This book shows the traditions of different cultures such as Brother Wind.

Whoever You Are

Author/Illustrator: Mem Fox/Leslie Staub
Genre: Multicultural
Awards: None
Grade Level: Prek-1st

This book takes the reader allover the Earth to see what other children are like. Others might have different skin, different homes, different ways of transportation, school, or even playing. Though our lifestyles might be different, we are still all the same. We all have emotions, we all laugh, and we all love. Whoever you are.

This is a really simple book for students in Prek to first grade. I would use this book in the classroom to show students that no matter where we are on this Earth or who we are it is what on the inside that brings us all together. I could have students draw a picture of themselves and describe who they are, where they are from, etc. I could also have them list reasons they are alike with one another.

Thank You, Mr. Falker

Author/Illustrator: Patricia Polacco
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Awards: None
Grade Level: 3rd-5th

Trisha has all the hopes in the world to read, but can't get it right. Students make fun of her in school because she is the only one who struggles. Her mom got a job that moved her to another school where students didn't know this. Mr. Falker, her new teacher, saw through her inability to read and realized that not only could she read but she had so much more to bring. Mr. Falker worked with Trisha after school to help her read. When she read for the first time she was completely over joyed and ran home to tell all.

This story is for students from 3rd to 5th grade. It doesn't clearly state that she has a disability, but the author creates this character with dyslexia. This book can be read to students to show that we do not all learn at the same pace, and sometimes students need extra help or an alternate way to learn material.

Charlotte's Web

Author/Illustrator: E.B White/ Garth Williams

Genre: Fantasy

Awards: Newberry Honor 

Grade Level: 3rd-5th

A young girl named Fern begged her dad to spare the life of a little runt piglet. He agrees but gave him to her to look after. She named him Wilbur and they became the best of friends. So much to the point where her mother sold him to the Zuckerman barn. Wilbur friends a spider named Charlotte. Charlotte keeps Wilbur's mind off of Fern whom he misses terribly. As Wilbur starts to fit in and become close to the animals, especially Charlotte, he gets news that the farmer is fattening him to be sold. Charlotte starts planning a way to save Wilbur's life. Charlotte starts spinning words about Wilbur into her web which catches the attention of the farmer. They decide to take him to the fair to show him off and Charlotte tags along though she is about to lay eggs. Though Charlotte is not at best she still is determined to help Wilbur win first place when she sees his competition. She writes the word Humble on her web. Although Wilbur did not win he was called to receive a special award. Once back in his pen Wilbur notices Charlotte is not well, and she breaks the news. She will not be returning to the barn with him, this will be their final goodbye. Wilbur takes her sac with him and awaits the arrival of his new friend. None of which will ever replace Charlotte.

This book is a great read for students in 3rd through 5th grade. It is a good beginner chapter book because of the vocabulary and structure of the sentences. I would most likely use this book in my classroom for book clubs/guided reading groups. I would not use it for instructional purposes.  

The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales

Author/Illustrator: Jon Scieszka/Lane Smith
Genre: Fantasy
Awards: Caldecott Honor Award
Grade Level: 2nd-4th

This book is filled with all of your everyday fairytales... but with a twist. Scieszka takes regular fairytales stories and adds comedy, twists, and completely turns them upside down. Be ready to laugh at little red running shorts, the really ugly duckling, and more.

This book would be perfect for students from 2nd to fourth grade. I could use this book to have students compare and contrast fairytales with Scieszka's version of the story. These stories are also pretty short and can be used to pass time in the classroom.

The Polar Express

Author/Illustrator: Chris Van Allsburg
Genre: Fiction
Awards: Caldecott Awards
Grade Level: Prek-6th

A young boy lays quietly on Christmas Eve night listening for s special sound that was replaced with the sound of a train whistle. He stepped out to see the train and was asked if he was boarding the Polar Express. With hesitation he did. Children in pajamas filled the train awaiting their destination... The North Pole. Here Santa Claus would give the first gift of Christmas to someone special. When the young boy was chosen he chose something special, a bell from Santa's sleigh. On the way home, he realized it fell through a hole in his pocket. Santa came through on Christmas morning with it in a small box. It made the most beautiful noise when shook, but only if you believe.

This is a great book for all ages of elementary students. I would not use this book for instructional purposes. I recall reading this book in elementary and the teachers making a huge deal of it. All students came to school in their pajamas, got hot chocolate, went to the front office to get a polar express ticket, and watched the movie. I would love to do that with my students in the future.

Universe Journey Into Deep Space

Author/Illustrator: Dr. Mike Goldsmith/Dr. Mark A. Garlick

Genre: Nonfiction

Awards: None

Grade Level: 4th-6th

This book goes into detail about some of the neighboring galaxies to the Earth. You will learn so many neat facts in this book and will be amazed at how far we have come to learn about things in space. The illustrations in this book almost look real. You will feel like you are actually traveling through space.

This is a great book for students on the upper end of elementary school. I could possibly use this book to teach topics in science or use it as a resource when research projects are assigned. I do not have a clear use for this book in my classroom, but I would definitely keep this one in my library. It's worth it.

Fly Guy Presents: Firefighters

Author/Illustrator: Tedd Arnold
Genre: Non-Fiction
Awards: None
Grade Level: Prek-1st

This book is about Buzz and his pet fly named Fly Guy. In this book, they are on their way to a field trip to the fire station.  Here they learn everything you could possibly think of when it comes to firefighters. You will learn what their uniform consists of, how much it weighs, what they do, how fast their trucks go, and even about the fire station dogs.

This book is a great read for Prek-1st grade students. It's a great for introducing non-fiction books because it still has a storyline of a young boy and his pet fly going to visit the station. I wouldn't use this book in my classroom to teach, but I would have it in my library.

The Moon Book

Author/Illustrator: Gail Gibbons
Genre: Non-Fiction
Awards: None
Grade Level: 1st-3rd

Have you ever wondered what the moon was made up? How big is the mood? Why does the moon only show sometimes? Then you should definitely read this book. All of your questions about moons will be answered. This book goes into detail on the phases of the moon, what the moon effects, the size of the moon, and even ancient myths about it.

This book is great for students from first grade to about third. I wouldn't use this book for read aloud purposes, but maybe as a resource reference. The book is great for young readers because its pictures are still cartoonish and fun. The structure of this book is fun as well as some of the facts provided.