The Three Little Pigs

Author/Illustrator: Paul Galdone
Genre: Traditional Literature
Awards: None
Grade: PreK-2nd

This book is about three little pigs and a big bad wolf. The three little pigs were sent off on their own when their mom could no longer care for them. They each built a house, one of straw, one of sticks, and one of bricks. The big bad wolf came to each house and threatened to blow it down. He successfully blew down the houses and ate the first two little pigs. When it came to the third little pig who built his house out of brick it was a little tougher. The wolf played tricks on the pig, but the pig outsmarted the wolf in the end.

I would use this book in my classroom for grades PreK through second grade. It is a classic story that every kid knows and loves. It is an easy read for them because most children know what is coming next. This book would be greatly used in a sequencing or cause and effect unit.

Strega Nona

Author/Illustrator: Tomie De Paola
Genre: Traditional Literature
Award: Caldecott Honor
Grade: K-2

This book is about a woman named Strega Nona. She is known for curing headaches, removing warts, and getting young girls husbands.  As she gets older she starts to need help around the house so she hired a man named Big Anthony to help out. She gave him a bed, food, and three coins a day for all his help. The only thing he was advised not to do was touch her pasta pot. He overheard her one day singing to the pot as it made her pasta. He ran to tell the townspeople and they laughed. His day came soon enough that he was able to prove to the townspeople just how magical the pot was. But when it didn't stop making pasta Big Anthony was in trouble.  As Strega Nona arrived home she knew exactly what had happened and what to do.

This story would be great for students in K through second grade. It would keep them guessing what would happen next. This book could be during a lesson plan on sequencing stories.

Wonder

Author/Illustrator: R.J. Palacio
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Awards: Bluebonnet Award, #1 New York Times Bestseller, One of Time Magazine's 100 Best Young Adult Books of All Time, A Parents Magazine Top 10 Book of the Year, An NPR Outstanding Backseat Book Club Pick,, An Entertainment Weekly 10 Great Kid's Books Selection, An E.B. White Read Aloud Award Winner, A USA Today Top 100 Best Seller, An ALA-ALSC Notable Book, A Washington Post Best Kid's Book, An IRA-CBC Teachers' Choice
Grade: 3-6

Summary: August Pullam, also known as Auggie is a 10-year-old boy with a unique face. He was born with a rare facial deformity that set him apart from others. He has been homeschooled for most of his life. His parents decide it is time for him to go to school. He was accepted to one of the top prestigious schools in the area, Beecher Prep. The administrative team set Auggie up to be successful and even gathered students to help his transition go smoothly. Auggie dreaded going to school at first because the students would stare as always. After his first few days, he started to make a few friends, Jack Will and Summer. This helped him to become comfortable with the school. Though he made a few friends students would still make fun of him, calling him names, playing games behind his back, and making jokes about him in front of the class. Auggie was able to block all of this out until he overheard Jack Will say something that crushed Auggie. He never wanted to return to school, but with the help of his sister, he was able to return. After a few days and confrontation, Auggie forgave Jack and they were inseparable. Julian, Auggies main bully, started a war between the students because he didn't like that Jack was friends with Auggie again. During the school retreat, things took a turn. Auggie was bullied by a kid from another school and everyone stood up for Auggie. After this Auggie was one in the same with the students.

I would use this book in my classroom for grades 3-6 book club depending on student's reading levels. This book teaches students to accept each other's differences. I might even just read a few chapters a day to the students since they are so short.

The Night Before First Grade

Author/Illustrator: Natasha Wing/Deborah Zemke
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Award: None
Grade: 1st

This book is about a Penny and her first day of first grade! The night before she has high hopes for the next day that first grade would be perfect with her best friend by her side. When they arrived at school the principal made an announcement that there were so many people that they had to split the grade in two. Penny and Jenny were no longer together. Penny made the best of her time away from her friend, when they reunited that each had a new friend that happened to be twins.

This is a cute book meant to be read to first graders. If I used this book in my classroom I would read it to students on the first day of first grade. The remainder of the year it would be in my library.

The Legend Of The Bluebonnet

Author/Illustrator: Tomie DePaola
Genre: Traditional Literature
Award: None
Grade: 1st-3rd

She-Who-Is-Alone was the last of her family to survive during a drought and famine. Her warrior doll was the last thing she owned that reminded her of her family. The people had displayed selfishness for years. The great spirits said the only way to bring rain to their land was to sacrifice the most valued possession among them and spread the ashes. She-Who-Is-Alone knew what she had to do. During the night she went to the hill and made a sacrifice asking the spirits to please accept it. When she awoke the spirits had left a sign of forgiveness.

This is one of my favorite children's books. The vocabulary is focused on middle level elementary students and the legend gets students thinking. I could use this book during a unit on tales, or even during a social studies event though I know it is not a true story.

Bats

Author/Illustrator: Gail Gibbons
Genre: Nonfiction
Awards: None
Grade: 2nd-5th

Have you every wanted to know everything there is to know about bats? This is the perfect book! This book goes in detail about where bats live, what they eat, what types of bats there are, how they catch food, and much more. Learn what you can do to help endangered bats.

This book would be great for 2nd to 5th grade. It could be used in the classroom for research projects, learning about mammals, or even endangered animals. I would definitely use this book in my classroom. Though it is a nonfiction book, the illustrations make it fun and inviting.

Families Are Different

Author/Illustrator: Nina Pellegrini
Genre: Multicultural
Awards: None
Grade: Prek-1

This book is about a young girl named Nicola. She starts off introducing us to her family. She loves them so very much, but sometimes just feels different. She and her sister were adopted from Korea when they were babies. At times she wished she looked like her family. Her mom told her that all families look different.

This is a simple book about the variety of families. I would keep it in my class library but probably would not use it for instructional purposes. It would make a great read-aloud for preschoolers. Kindergarten and first grade could read it during reading time.