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The Name Jar

Written and illustrated: Yangsook Choi

Published:2001

Genre: Realistic fiction

This story is about a young Korean girl Unhei who wants to fit into her new class. The children have a hard time with her name and she feels very nervous so she tells the class that she will tell them her name at the end of the week. Unhei becomes friends with a boy name Joey and show him her stamp.He finds out her name and it’s meaning. Unhei decides to get a jar and fills it with names so she can pick a new American name. All week Unhei tries to decide on which name to pick. Finally the day arrives but her jar is gone.She decides the name she will chose is her own Unhei which means Grace.

Reflection: This is another great read aloud.There are vivid pictures and there is a lot of dialogue in this story. There are several themes that you see in this text such as friendship, courage, pride and acceptance. I enjoyed this book because children can make connections on so many different levels. They will be aware that other children feel the same way, they are not alone.

Classroom Application: Students can think about the origin of their own name. They can do research by interviewing their family to find out about their own customs. Then they can create a poster.

A Days Work

Written by: Eve Bunting Illustrated by : Ronald Himler

Genre: Realistic fiction

Publisher: Clarion Books/New York 1994

Francisco is a little boy who goes with his grandfather as a day worker. The grandfather does not speak English, Francisco convinces Ben that he and his grandfather could do the gardening. Abuelo is a carpenter and not a gardener but Ben does not know it . Francisco and Abuelo take the job but when Ben arrives at the sight he is angry that all the plants were pulled out. Abuelo insists that they work for free the next day because of the mistake. Francisco learns an important message about being honest and hard work.

Reflection: This is a great read aloud with wonderful water color pictures. Honesty is important is an important theme that children of all grades can relate to. Grandfather is honest, and a positive role model for Francisco. Abuelo gets upset when he finds out that Francisco had lied. Abuelo is courageous as he lets Ben know they will work for free even though they are in great need of the money. There are Spanish words woven throughout the text.Children who speak Spanish can make connections and feel proud that they know the meaning of those words.

Classroom Application:This read aloud can be used when teaching about realistic fiction. Many children can make connections with Francisco and his choices. It can also be used to do an author study. Some of the other books we might read are Your Move ,Train to Somewhere , The Wall ,The Memory String, and How many days to America.

The Dot

Written and illustrated by: Peter Reynolds

Published: Candlewick Press

Genre: Fiction

Have you ever been afraid to take a risk? That’s just how Vashti feels.Art class is over and she has not drawn anything on her paper. She is afraid to draw because she feels she is not and artist. Then her teacher tells her “To make a mark and see where it takes you.” The encouragement she got from her teacher was all Vashti needed . It opened the door for Vashti ton: inspire her.

Reflection: This is another short but powerful story that will help students understand that we all have the power to be successful. Success is different for all of us and it comes in all different shapes and sizes . The watercolor pictures are pleasing to look at and the text is very is not threatening.

Classroom Application: This can be used ad a read aloud. I think I would use this story to make connections. Have the children think about a time when they felt like Vashti. I could also use it to show how characters change.

Through Grandpa’s Eyes

Written by: Patricia MacLachlan, illustrated by Deborah Kogan Ray

Genre:Realistic fiction

Publisher:Harper Collins

Through Grandpa’s Eyes is about little boy named John spending time with his Grandpa who is blind. John does all the things his grandfather does throughout the day. John gets a better understanding of what his Grandfather experiences on a day to day and how hard it is for him.John also gets to see how brave his grandfather is just trying to do every day things.

Reflection:I just happened to pick this short story off my bookshelf and immediately feel in love with it. The text is so simple but the meaning is so strong, the importance of love.The bond the grandfather and John have is beautiful. I enjoyed this book. Along with this story is the water colored pictures go hand in hand with the text.

Classroom Application: I was thinking that this could be read as a read aloud for the whole class or in guided reading. This story is can be used to help with visualization because it encompasses all the senses. It can also be used to teach empathy.

Sarah Plain and Tall

Written by: Patricia MacLachlan

Publisher: Harper & Row, 1985

Genre: Historical Fiction

Papa puts an add in the paper looking for a wife and mother for his two children, Anna and Caleb. Sarah answers his add and travels out west to the prairie. Will this be a good fit? Will Sarah stay with Jacob and his children? Will Sarah adjust to life on the prairie or will she long for the sea and her home in Maine?

Reflection: There are several themes that are highlighted in this story.The importance of family is seen throughout this story. The family is important because it is the core and everything is centered around them. We see the significance of the relationship between the children and their father. Another theme we see is courage. The children long for a mother to love them, and they need to find the courage to endure. The children are worried that Sarah will leave them like their mother left them when she died. They wait and watch her every move hoping that she will stay.

Classroom Application: After reading and noticing how Sarah corresponded with Jacob, students can write pen pal letter to friends at another school.This can be done either by writing and sending actual letters or through email.

Rivka’s First Thanksgiving

Written by: Elsa Okon Rael Illustrated by: Maryann Kovalski

Published: October 1st 2001 Margaret K. McElderry Books/ Simon & Schuster

Genre: Fiction

Rivka is a 9 year old Polish-Jewish immigrant who lives on NY’s Lower East Side. Rivka learns about Thanksgiving at school and wants to celebrate it with her family. Her family wonders if it is a holiday for Jewish people. Rivka and her grandmother go to see the Rabbi Yoshe. The Rabbi decides it is not for the Jews and Rivka is disappointed. She then gathers courage to visit the Rabbi again. Although Rivka is afraid she explains that Thanksgiving is a holiday for everyone, and this time the Rabbi listens and agrees.

Thoughts and Reflections: This is a wonderful read aloud, I read it to my class for Thanksgiving. It offers a different view of Thanksgiving. The author adds a note explaining that the idea for this story came form her shared family memory. The book has a glossary in the back for the Yiddish words in the text, it was very helpful with the pronunciation.

Classroom Application: It could also be used to discuss immigration and that many immigrants who come to America are not always familiar with the customs. It can be used to make connections.

Tuesday Tucks Me In: The Loyal Bond Between a Soldier and A Service Dog

Written by : Captain Luis Carlos Montalvan and Bret witter

Photographs by: Dan Dion

Publisher: Roaring Book Press New York 2014

This is a nonfiction text depicting what life is like for a soldier returning from war. It shows the courage that both Captain Luis and Tuesday his service dog face every day.

Reflection: I chose this book while I was looking for books for Veteran’s Day. It give insight into the life of a wounded warrior in a way that children can understand. It also helps children see the importance of service dogs and the strong bond they have with their human. The photograph were nicely done with pictures of the two working and playing together.

Classroom Application: This is a wonderful read aloud with great photos. Students can create posters as part of a “Service Dog Awareness” campaign helping others understand how important service dogs are to our disabled veterans.

Esperanza Rising By: Pam Munoz Ryan

Published: Scholastic Inc. 2002

Genre: Historical Fiction

How would you feel if you went from riches to rags, losing everything that is dear to you? That’s just what happened to Esperanza in the novel Esperanza Rising. Not only does this young girl lose all her material possessions but she loses her father. Esperanza and her mother have to leave their country and move to America,becoming farm laborers. Esperanza and her mother face many difficulties along the way. When her mother gets sick Esperanza must take matters into her own hands and care for her sick mother. Life changes drastically for Esperanza and her mother. We see how Esperanza’s grows and changes and how courageous a 13 year old can be.

Reflections:

This is another powerful novel by Pam Munoz Ryan. The story takes place during the Great Depression. I think this historical fiction should be read while studying The Mexican Revolution and The Great Depression. I liked the way it integrated Spanish words into the text, giving it some flavor. As I read it I was able to empathize with this little girl whose life changed so drastically. I think it kids will be able to connect with Esperanza on so many different levels. They will make connections with her , the hardships she faced.

Classroom Application:

This can be used so many ways. Students can write diary entries describing the immigrants experience from the main characters perspective. It can be used to draw conclusions regarding the difficulties the immigrants faced during The Great Depression.

The Wednesday Surprise

Author: Eve Bunting Illustrator: Donald Carrick

Published March 20th 1989 by Clarion Books

Genre: Realistic fiction

The Wednesday Surprise is a story about a little girl named Anna and her Grandmother.The Grandmother goes to Anna’s house every Wednesday by bus. Every week she carries a heavy bag of books back and forth.The two plan a surprise for Anna’s Dad’s birthday. Dad is so pleased and surprised to find out that Grandma has learned to read, and it was Anna who taught her.The Grandma shows how brave she is because she puts her pride aside and allows her granddaughter to teacher her how to read.

Thoughts and Reflections: This text made me think about adults who can not read and the struggles they must face. It made me wonder why the Grandmother did not know how to read. What could have happened in her life? This was an area that I had not thought much about. The story made me very emphatic towards the grandmother and her struggle.

Classroom Application: I would use this read aloud in my classroom. I would use this text when teaching inferences. I would also use it to teach synthesis (when your thinking changes when you are reading). I might also use it to teach respect. What is it like to walk in someone else’s shoes?

Fever 1793

Author: Laurie Halse Anderson

Published: 2000 Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers

Genre: Historical Fiction

What would you do if an epidemic broke out and everyone around you was dying? That is what 14 year old Matilda faced in her hometown in Philadelphia. Mattie helped her mother run the family’s coffee shop when her life is turned upside down. She is a typical young girl but when tragedy hits home she must be brave and ready to take on all the responsibilities of an adult. During this time, 1793, yellow fever was an epidemic causing death all around Mattie. When Mattie’s mother gets yellow fever she and her grandfather leave their home. They face many obstacles on their journey. When they return grandfather is killed by vandals and dies. Mattie overcomes tragedy and sadness.

Thoughts and Reflections: This was another book I could not put down. The story unfolded and at every corner the unexpected happened keeping me in suspense. There seemed to be one tragedy after another, at one point I could not stop myself from crying. After all the hardship Mattie endured she had the courage to persevere.

Classroom Application: I would read this with the 4th or 5th grade because they study American history. I would pair it with some Nonfiction texts as we study that era. After reading the book the students can work in groups to create a book trailer.

#yellowfever fever1793

Author and Illustrator: Cece Bell

Publisher: Amulet Books 2014

Genre: Graphic novel

Have you ever felt different from everyone else? No matter what you do you still can’t not fit in. That is just how Cece feels in her graphic novel El Deafo. After recovering from meningitis Cee loses her hearing. The book takes us through all of her ups and downs she experiences as life changes and she tries to fit in. Eventually she discovers that she has superpowers (with the help of her phonic ear) and can transform into the Superhero El Deafo. . Cece is persistent and courageous as she struggles to fit in and find her sidekick. This story will make you laugh and cry.

Thoughts and Reflections: I thought this book was amazing. There are so many connections that almost every reader can make, friendship, acceptance, risk taking, having a crush, and loneliness are just a few. The pictures are colorful and the print is easy to read. The pictures show different features, the fading in and out of color. The print does it as well. When Cece can’t hear the print fades in color or when someone is yelling the print is enlarged. El Deafo is a book you will not be able to put down.

Classroom Application: This is a great read aloud for 3rd grade and up. The children will be engaged with this text. The students can use this story as a springboard for writing. They could continue writing the story, the next chapter. Keeping in mind all features of the text and pictures they noticed in the reading.

#daretobedifferent

Malala, a Brave Girl from Pakistan/ Iqbal, a Brave Boy from Pakistan: Two Stories of Bravery

Author and Illustrator: Jeanette Winter

Publisher:Beach Lane Books

Date:11-4-14

Genre: Picture book biography

This book is composed of 2 separate stories about the heroic actions of two young children in Pakistan. One side is about the courageous strength and determination of Malala Yousafzai and the other side is about Iqbal Masih. The stories are parallel, spotlighting their courage in unthinkable situations.The actions of these two children facing unimaginable situations shows strength, courage and determination for justice.

Thoughts/Reflections: This book is a very moving text that address difficult subject matter. Although I was familiar with Malala’s story I was unfamiliar with Iqbal’s story. I learned that Iqbal was 4 years old when he was forced into slavery for a debt that his mother could not pay off. He was chained to his loom in the carpet factory. Years later the laws changed Iqbal was freed and he became an advocate for freedom but was shot and killed at the age of 12. The stories are presented in a sensitive manner. The print is big throughout the book, and the quotes are in red. The pictures all seem to have borders around them and are very colorful. The pictures are light in color taking a dark topic and adding some light light to it.There is one picture that in the middle of the text that connects the two stories.

Classroom Application: I have read several books by Jeanette Winter’s ,I would like to do an author study. Critically evaluate an author’s themes, characters, and writing style • Make connections between the author’s life and work • Make personal connections between their own experiences and those of the author and the characters.

“Why do other people get to live in homes? What makes them so special?”

Fly Away Home is about a very brave little boy and his father who live in an airport.They move from place to place so they will not get caught.They are homeless circulating among the crowds, trying to fit in, they even sleep sitting up. One day the little boy notices a brown bird that had gotten stuck in the main terminal and can’t get out. The little boy says “Don’t stop trying” You can get out!”eventually it does.When the courageous boy feels sad and thinks he will be there forever, he remembers that little bird.

Author Eve Bunting Illustrator:Ronald Himler Publisher:Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Date:03/28/1993

Thoughts/Reflections : Fly Away Home is a compelling story that really touch me,making me feel sad.I was so empathic towards the characters and the hardships they faced. It opened my eyes and got me thinking about homelessness, a topic I did not think about often.The text was short but very powerful.

Classroom Application: After reading this story to the class I would use it to help students to be more accepting of those in their school who might be without a home. The students will discuss some of the factors that cause people to lose their home. The students can plant a garden and donate the food to our local food bank. The students might also find out what items the local homeless shelter needs and have a fundraiser in school to donate the items.

#ultimatebravery

#couragebraverybold

Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad

Author: Ellen Levine

Genre: Picture book, Children's literature

Would you risk everything for what is right ?

That’s just what Henry Brown does in this powerful text, based on the true story about the life of a slave. After Henry Brown was separated from his wife and children he decides to escape slavery and head north. With the help of a few good men, Henry risks his life to flee the pain and suffering he faced as a slave. He mails himself in a box to Philadelphia where he would be a free man.

Thoughts/ Reflections

This text is based on a true story the Narrative of the Life of Henry Box Brown, Written by Henry Brown. It is a potent story that shows the injustice African Americans faces as slaves and the courage they needed to survive. The pictures are rich and colorful which support the text and help the reader have a deeper understanding of slavery.

Classroom Application:

This story can be used as a read aloud. It can be used with A Picture Book of Harriet Tubman focusing on text to text connections. It can also be used to teach character traits. Then the students can write bio poems.

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#courage #perseverance

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Do you think you would have the courage to stand up for something you believe in?

That’s just what Alia Muhammad Baker did in The Librarian of Basra A True Story from Iraq written by Jeanette WInter. Alia is a librarian who risked her life to save her books before the library burned down. During a time of war in Iraq Alia displayed courage and determination, with the help of a few friends they were able to rescue the books before they were destroyed.

Written by Jeanette Winter (Author and Illustrator)

Harcourt, Inc., Juvenile Literature, 2005

Genre -True story-Childrens picture books

Thoughts/Reflections

This is a very powerful story with colorful pictures that help children understand the impact of war. The pictures help students grasp how war affects others.They show the pain and suffering war brings without giving too many details.I feel it makes a point without being too graphic. I enjoyed reading this text and would suggest it. Alia risked everything to protect the things that were important to her, standing up for what she believed in. This story show how courageous one woman was in a time of complete chaos.

Classroom Application

This book is great to read with 3 -6 th graders.The text should be read closely, examining its strong language and vivid pictures that help the reader understand the text. There are many concepts that can be taught with this text, some themes that can be taught are the importance of books and reading around the world ,diversity, character traits and the effects of war, are just some ideas.

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