Traditional Literature Book Blog #2

Stone Soup
Witten by Ann McGovern
Illustrated by Winslow Pinney Pels
Published by Scholastic Inc. in September 1st, 1986
Genre: Traditional Literature
Number of Pages: 32




Overview
In this timeless book, a very clever man successfully tricks an old woman into believing that soup can be made from a stone. As the pot of water boils witht he stone in it, the clever man urges the old woman to add wore and more ingredients until the soup is a feast that is "fit for a king". The illustrations perfectly depict their time period and are a great representation of what the story is trying to convey.

"Effective simple story about a young wayfarer who tricks an old woman into making a hearty soup. A funny story." 

-- Publishers Weekly, 

Grade Level: Pre-k - 3

Content Area: Literature, Friendship, Teamwork

Student Connection: This is a wonderful book to help depict the meaning of teamwork and friendship. 

If you were having problems with students not wanting to work together of work in groups, this would be

a great book to help them to understand why doing so is so important and constructive to their learning envionment. 

Traditional Literature Book Blog

The Ugly Duckling
Written by Hans Christian Andersen
Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney
Published by Marrow Junior Books on March 24th, 1999
Genre: Traditional Literature
Number of Pages: 40




Overview
This classic and unforgetable survival story of a brave and awkward little duckling marching through a cold and harsh winter full of many unwanted and unexpected experiences continues to have a place in many people's hearts. It is a reminder to us all of the patience and perserverence it takes to discover tru happiness in life. The beautiful watercolor illustrations perfectly depict the countryside and help to really bring every aspect of the book to life.

Grade level: K-3
Content Level: Science, Literature, Reading
Student connection: Not only is this a wonderful book to teach meaningful life lessons and hardships, this is also a great book to talk about habbitats and environments, as well as, the life cycle and habitat of a young duckling such as the main character. This would be great for gited students in younger grades or for students falling behind in older grades who need a little bit more of a push to understand and connect real life application to concepts that are being taught and introduced.

Poetry Book Blog #2

The Llama Who Had No Pajama
Written by Mary Ann Hobermann
Illustrated by Betty Fraser
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on April 1, 2006
Genre: Poetry
Number of Pages: 68




Overview
This wonderful book of poetry covers every topic from centipede to whales, from swinging on swings to ice-skating in winter, from eating applesauce to celebrating birthdays, the wonderful poems in this amazing collection convey the experiences of childhood in a fresh new light without sacfrificing its timelessness. The illustrations by Betty Fraser dont just add to the text, but enhance it all together. With beautiful pops of color and discriptive imagary, readers will be engaged and entertained from beginning to end.

"Hoberman's rhythms are lively and agile, and her imagination and sense of humor are still in tune with young readers. Fraser's simple but detailed gouache and watercolor illustrations exhibit the same qualities . . . Good for beginning or experienced readers of poetry, this should indeed become a favorite."

--School Library Journal

Grade level: K-2

Content Area: Poetry, Literature, Phonics, Phonemic Awareness, Early Literacy

Student Connection: This book is not only full of rhyming words and alliterations, but it also full of all sorts of information about different experiences. This book could be used for a vieriety of different topics and a great way to introduce new experiences to your class!

Poetry Book Blog

The Wonkey Donkey
Written by Craig Smith
Illustrated by Katz Cowley
Published by Scholastic Paperbacks on October 2018
Genre: Poetry
Number of Pages: 24




Overview
   Children and adults of all ages will love this spunky, funky book! Follow the journey of the endearing, wonky donkey and find out what all he gets into along the way. Warning: this book may cause fits of laughter and a demand to be reread. The illustrations of this lovely wonky donkey help to further express the silly nature of the book and its intent to make readers laugh.

Grade level: K - 3
Content area: Literature, Poetry, English, Phonemic Awareness
Student connection: This would be a wonderful book for a phonemic awareness lesson to teach rhyming words. Especially if you had students who were struggling to grasp the concept. It would be great to read in a small group and maybe have them hold up something or do something every time they hear words that rhyme. If I wanted to take it one step further for gifted students, I could have them to name out the sounds and explain to me what would make the words rhyme.

Historical Fiction Book Blog #2

Number the Stars
Written by Lois Lowry
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers on May 2, 2011 (reissued edition)
Genre: Historical Fiction
Number of Pages: 137




Overview
   While the German troops are beginning their campaign to "relocate" the Jews of Denmark, the main character, Annemarie Johansen, and her family takes in Annemarie's best friend, Ellen Rosen, and hides her by pretending she is a part of their family. Throught the eyese of a ten year old, we get to see the Danish Resistance smuggle almost an entire Jewish population, nearly thoughsands of people, across the sea of Sweden.  The heroism shown by the nation in this book helps to reminds us that there was pride and humannity even in the world of war and terror.

"The whole work is seamless, compelling, and memorable—impossible to put down; difficult to forget."

—The Horn Book

Grade Level: 5-6

Content Area: Social studies, History, Diversity

Student Connection: This would be a wonderful book to read when descussing the history of the German's and Jew's and the whole time period associated with that. I remember reading this book in sixth grade and I have never forgotten it since. I would have my gifted students read it and discuss it to help them to further expand their knowledge and to challenge them to really get into the perspective of someone living out this historical time period. 

Historical Fiction Book Blog

Bud, Not Buddy
Written by Christopher Paul Curtis
Published by Yearling in 1999
Genre: Historical Fiction
Number of Pages: 245




Overview 
   This historical fiction is about a 10 year old little boy during the Depression era in Michigan. As he sets out to find his father he is filled with an abundance of hope and adventure. This is a wonderful book for a class that is studying this particular time era and is a great way for the students to really get into the perspective of someone who is actually living it. This novels realistic style is complimented by its humor and air of wonderment.

“Curtis writes with a razor-sharp intelligence that grabs the reader by the heart and never lets go. . . . This highly recommended title [is] at the top of the list of books to be read again and again.” 

—Voice of Youth Advocates, Starred

Grade Level: 4-5

Content Area: Social studies, History, Diversity

Student Connection: This would be a geat book to read when discussing the Depression era with your students. If you had a student who struggle to become interested in the topic of history, this book would definitely help them to become more enthused and interested in the events of that time period. 

Contemporary Realistic Fiction Book Blog #2

Because of Winn Dixie
Written by Kate DiCamillo
Published by Candlewick Press on March 2000
Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Numer of Pages: 208



Overview
  Because of Winn-Dixie is a story of a 10 year old little girl who's live get changed by a fate encounter at her local Winn-Dixie grocerie store. Soon, Opal, our main character, realizes that the dog she rescued from the grocerie store is no ordinary dog. Choosing to name him after the store he was found in, Winn-Dixie continuously surprises his new owner and the many people they meet along the way. The illustrations on the cover are beautifully painted with vibrant colors that really help the readers to visualize the small town setting and the small town people who occupy it. This is such a wonderful book to introduce real-worl topics that may be hard to discuss withint the classroom setting. 
  

"Take one disarmingly engaging protagonist and put her in the company of a tenderly rendered canine and you've got yourself a recipe for the best kind of down-home literary treat. Kate DiCamillo's voice in Because of Winn-Dixie should carry from the steamy, sultry pockets of Florida clear across the miles to enchant young readers everywhere." 

— Karen Hesse, author of the Newbery-award winner Out of the Dust

Grade Level: 4-6

Content Area: Social studies, friendship, Diversity

Student Connection: This book is a great way to introduce students to real world matters. It discusses topics like divorce, death, and achololism. This would be a great book for gifted students to read in small group together and have discussion about the hard topics that are addresses within this book. 

Contemporary Realistic Fiction Book Blog #1

Wonder
Written and illustrated by P. J. Palacio
Published by Knopf Books for Young Readers on February 14th, 2012
Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Number of Pages: 316



Overview
  Wonder is a beautifully written novel about a young boy who stands out. Auggie Pullman has a facial deformity. This challenges him and his whole family, especially when Auggie decides to go to real school instead of being homeschooled by his mom. I love how this story shows many different perspectives to really help to give the reader insight about what is going on in all of the characters' lives. The illustrations on the cover and throughout the chapters are simple, but yet, so impactful. Creating a sense of wonder and curiosity about each character and their story. 

"Wonder is essentially ... a wonder. It's well-written, engaging, and so much fun to read that the pages almost turn themselves. More than that, Wonder touches the heart in the most life-affirming, unexpected ways, delivering in August Pullman a character whom readers will remember forever. Do yourself a favor and read this book – your life will be better for it." 

- Nicholas Sparks, #1 New York Times bestselling author

Grade Level: 4-6

Content Area: Social studies, friendship, Diversity

Student Connection: This book is a great way to introduce students to differences and disabilities. If there were a student in the classroom with some sort of disability, this would be a great way to help students understand what they may be feeling of going through.