Amazing Sharks!

Title: Amazing Sharks!

Author: Sarah L. Thomson 

Level 2 of "I can read" series.

Published by: Harper Trophy (2006)

This books real photography is not only engaging, but beautiful. The text introduces an early reader to several different types of sharks, including the Great White, the Whale Shark, and the Cookie-cutter Shark. It also introduces some new vocabulary for young readers, such as predator, prey, and electricity. New vocabulary is followed with a phonetic spelling to help the child sound out the word. In addition to the previous, the book reminds the reader that sharks are important to our oceans and that people must help to protect them. All in all, I found this book interesting, not a wow, but my children enjoyed listening and looking at the pictures. I would recommend to parents or teachers who are working with early readers.

Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See?

Title: Panda Bear, Panda Bear, What Do You See? 

Author: Bill Martin Jr.

Illustrator: Eric Carle

Published By: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) (2006)

This is a book meant mainly for younger readers. It goes through many endangered animals and asks what they see. Each one sees another animal that is on the endangered species list. At the end the last animal sees a dreaming child who sees each of the animals previously mentioned in the book. This book is one long rhyme starting with asking a panda what he sees and eventually finishing by asking a dreaming child what he sees to which he replies that he sees all the animals mentioned before hand. This book is quite good for children learning to read because it uses repetition so a child can guess what comes next.

Personal Reaction:

This is an amazing book for very young readers. It really shows children at a young age what endangered animals are. It's not the easiest thing to bring up with younger children, but this can open up that window. The illustrations by Eric Carle are amazing as expected.

Classroom Applications:

1. Do a lesson on endangered animals.

2. Make a classroom book with each of the children's faces to mimic the book. 

Scaredy Squirrel

Title: Scaredy Squirrel

Author: Melanie Watt

Published by: Kids Can Press (2008)

Just read this book and had to blog about it!
Scaredy Squirrel is a homebody, afraid to leave his tree for the vast unknown for fear of germs, killer bees, sharks, green Martians, etc. This delightful tale teaches kids about taking new chances or trying something new, but reads in a humorous rather than didactic tone. Scaredy Squirrel is an exaggerated character with strict routines and organized rational lists. He’s endearing to children and a memorable character. Scaredy Squirrel’s lists and diagrams also contribute to a unique storytelling format, enhancing the more traditional prose. Watt’s illustrations are done in charcoal and acrylic, using thick black lines and color which doesn’t entirely fill their shapes. The discovery that Scaredy Squirrel chances upon is well-concealed in a fold-out page, allowing readers to find out information about Scaredy at the same time he finds it out himself. Keeping this discovery on one page adds to the sequential order of movement depicted and is overall very effective. This charming picture book is fun for everyone to read if you have a fear of something. 

Under the Persimmon Tree (Novel)

Title: Under the Persimmon Tree

Author: Suzanne Fisher Staples

Published by: Frances Foster Books

Recommendation:

To get the clearest picture of this book first familiarize your self with the glossary.

I personally found Under the Persimmon Tree to be an excellent cultural read. It will open your eyes to a way of life that must be experienced to understand. Najmah, a young Afghan girl whose name means, “star,” suddenly finds herself alone when her family is taken from her by the war. Elaine, whose Islamic name is Nusrat, is also on her own. An American, she waits out the war in Peshawar, Pakistan, teaching refugee children while her Afghan husband runs a clinic in Mazar-i-sharif, Afghanistan. Najmah’s father had always assured her that the stars would take care of her, just as Nusrat’s husband had promised that they would tell Najmah where he was and that he was safe. As the two look to the skies for answers, their fates entwine. Najmah, seeking refuge, begins the perilous journey through the mountains to cross the border into Pakistan. And Nusrat’s school awaits Najmah’s arrival. Together, they both seek their way home.

The overall writing was very descriptive, dramatic and direct. This story is one that will touch your life forever. It helps you to see the happiness in your life and embrace what you have. This book was an exquisite picture into a life full of fear and uncertainty. It is a book I would recommend to middle school students first of all because it is at their reading level, but I would recommend it to everyone with regards to the plot and style of this novel. It was a beautiful, tragic, and touching story from start to finish. It is also an eye-opener for those who do not know what the people of Afghanistan are really like culturally and religiously. This book gives incite to the receiving end of U.S. efforts in the Middle East and reveals the questionable nature of the actions of the U.S. military in that area.

In this book, the U.S. and the Taliban were both threats and it would be valuable for students to see that. The book is fast-paced with very detailed description that does not spare readers from any information. It is a realistic depiction of the state of Afghanistan, the amount of damage that the U.S. inflicts on innocent people, and the general horrors of war and the Taliban. It is educational as well as entertaining. It may lead readers to question what they believe about the war and what they believe should be done in the conflict. With universal themes like the importance of family, faith, and love, everyone can relate to the characters in this story. It is easy to understand and will keep students and people of all ages hooked throughout the story. In my opinion, everyone should read Under the Persimmon Tree. The persimmon tree symbolizes the transition of Najmah from a young child into a young adult. Nusrat (Elaine) is having to transition from a wife of an Afghan doctor to a widow that is in another country and is trying to return to the United States but wants to bring Najmah with her. She doesn't understand what Najmah has left for her, because all of her family is gone. 

Hey, Little Ant

Title: Hey, Little Ant

Author: Phillip M. Hoose, Hannah Hoose, 

Illustrator: Debbie Tilley

Published By: Tricycle Press



"Hey, Little Ant," by Phillip and Hannah Hoose is one of my children's books I used in my Social Studies lesson plan showing respect. However later I found out that this book is based on a real-life experience the author had as he watched his toddler squishing ants one day, this book is as powerful a teaching tool as I've seen come along in a very long time.It is an older book however in this classic book, a Kid threatens to squish the book's hero Ant and a clever dialogue evolves. The ant is allowed to plead its case, so he explains to the boy that he, too, has a special reason for being. Through cleverly rhyming verse, set to musical notes if you'd rather sing it, they are located in the back of the book, the Ant tries to negotiate for its life, reciting the "Golden Rule" to help his case. The beauty of this tale is that it ends with a dilemma: "what do you think that Kid should do?" Leaving it open-ended is a tremendous way to generate dialogue with children. It gives them the opportunity to think the problem through and offer problem-solving solutions; it serves to empower them by giving them a voice. At a time in our society when schools are reluctant to teach values through character education, along comes a little book with a powerful message. As a future educator I will use this book to show students how to deal with the people who are ANTS in their lives - who might bite them with their words or try to poison them with their actions - focusing on characteristics we might need like Awareness, Negotiation, Tolerance and Sensitivity. I give "Hey, Little Ant" as many stars as it can get and more. Don't miss this one; you will NOT be disappointed!

Oh as for the illustrations they are very wonderful. In several sequences, the two page spreads are developed vertically rather than horizontally. Ms.Tilley does this very well to portray the giant kid looming over the ant, and later the imaginary giant ant dominating the kid. Each illustration has a sense of movement and presence that makes them seem to come off the page.

Creaky Old House: A Topsy-Turvy Tale of a Real Fixxer Upper

Title: Creaky Old House: A Topsy-Turvy Tale of a Real Fixer Upper
Author: Linda Ashman
Illustrated By: Michael Chesworth
Published by: Sterling

Who could resist this book with this cover.This book has a pleasantly rhyming text and comically busy illustrations, the story tells of a large family in a dilapidated house and what happens when the doorknob falls off. Several members of the family come up with ideas of how to fix it, without the help of a handyman, which ends up making them decide they just need to design an entirely new house. First-person voice lends an insider feel to what is going on. I love how the illustrator places the ink, watercolor and the pencil illustrations on each page and the use of white space to surround them and to hold the text. Some illustrations have like cutaway views of the house, allowing me to see the location of each family member. Other pages offer a birds-eye view, looking down at a large scene of activities going on. Unlike other books that I have read, every page is busy, with eight people in a large family, plus a dog, a lot of fun is going and some cooperation. The illustrations reflect the words of the text and add more detail. In the end, the baby resolves the doorknob problem, simple and sweet, the family decides to love their house as it is.

Where is Tippy Toes?

Title:Where is Tippy Toes?

Author/Illustrator: Betsy Lewin

Published by: Simon & Schuster Children's 

Where is Tippy Toes is a charming selection for toddlers. The sturdy die-cut pages tell the story of the cat Tippy Toes and where he likes to wander. Cat lovers will relate to Tippy Toes' fondness for sleeping in dresser drawers and his dislike of the garden hose. With one line of text per page, it's not too long - just perfect to hold the attention of even the youngest story listeners. I loved the illustrations! The bold, bright over sized pictures are just perfect for a small audience. The page with Tippy Toes glowing eyes among the fireflies is wonderful. I also like the nighttime scenes they shimmer with the pale yellow moon and the texture of the blue sky that spills over into the blue fence posts and blankets. Lets don't forget about the bright colors represented in the daytime the sunny yellows, oranges and greens. 

This is a natural choice for bedtime and is also effective as a read aloud for any story time group of toddlers. The die-cut, different sized pages make it a bit challenging for group sharing, but it is well worth it. With a great flow, sturdy construction, and joyful illustrations, this is an enthusiastic recommend. This book would be useful for teachers in planning lessons on time or night and day. 

A Day With Dad

 

Title: A Day with Dad
Author:  Bo. R. Holmberg
Illustrated By: Eva Eriksson
Published By: Candlewick Press


A young boy of divorced parents makes the transfer between his mom and his dad at the train station. When his father arrives, they immediately plan their day. As they go from a hot dog stand, to a movie, to a pizza place to the library, the mood is happy. A wonderful portrayal of the love between father and son, this story evinces no sense of abandonment but acknowledges that time together is short. The illustrations, in colored pencil, always shows the father and son as the center of attention in each drawing. Colors are muted, as if in a memory being savored, although Dad's red scarf stands out in many of the drawings. A comforting, reassuring story for children who do not live with their father.

Little Mouse's Big Book of Fears

Title: Little Mouse's Big Book of Fears

Author/Illustrator: Emily Gravett

Published By: Macmillan

A collection of fears could be scary, but this book makes them manageable. Little Mouses states her fears on each page spread, each labeled with the particular phobia portrayed. A wide array of fears, some common (fear of spiders!) and some not so common (a fear of clocks), these come to life through illustrations of Little Mouse and her fearless pencil. A color scheme of shades of tan, with black and white and some occasional splashes of blue and red. After reading about the illustrator, I found out she uses oil-based pencils and water colors for her illustrations. Several pages features foldouts of newspaper, a map, and a postcard. Pages with chewed corners and illustrations of spills continue the theme of a little mouse creating the book as I read. The twist ending makes it all worthwhile. But you will have to read it to find out!  

Thunder-Boomer!

Title: Thunder-Boomer!

Author: Shutta Crum 

Illustrated by: Carol Thompson

Published By: Houghton Mifflin/Clarion Books

In this book the authors took me through a summer storm in the country. A farm family, consisting of parents and two children, feel a change in the weather, see the darkening sky, and run for shelter just before the rain and hail hit. Funny illustrations, in water color, pastels, crayons and collages, capture the excitement and fear of the potentially damaging storm. 
The text, using strong verbs, is just right for a storm story. I like how the author using poetry in her phrases that arouse the senses. As a reader I could almost feel the humid air of the summer day, hear the frenzy of the wind and the rain and the hail. Ah, and the smell of the after rain, reminds me of my grandmothers farm. Sound and bits of dialogue become part of the illustrations, which make it all seem immediate. A good story to use in a discussion about storms or farms. 

The Giving Tree

Title: The Giving Tree
Author / Illustrator: Shel Silverstein
Published by: Harper Collins Publishers


The Giving Tree is a beautiful book about a tree who loves a little boy. In the beginning, the love the two share is enough to make them both happy. As the boy grew older, his needs change and the tree gives him everything in order to help him be happy. When the boy is gone and the tree is left with nothing, she is happy or so it seems. Eventually the boy returns and the tree has nothing left to give, but the boy has changed and no longer wants anything from the tree other than the friendship they once shared, and both are happy once again.

I had never read this book until I last week, I can understand the cost of unconditional love and I know why the tree was sad. The fact that this book inspires so much debate is a testament to the power of Shel Silverstein's writing. The pictures are plain and simple lines with no color however have so much depth. They transform There is a lesson in this book and a powerful message. For me, the key point is that in the end, the love the tree had for the boy was proved by his return- older, wiser, and more appreciative. When reading this as a mother I feel that the tree is every mother, and that the sadness felt by the tree is the sadness every mother feels when her child grows up and grows apart. I truly believe that it is every mother's hope that their child will return someday, wanting nothing more than to to sit together in silence and to be happy. Anyone who has ever loved someone enough to let them go will understand the painful choice highlighted in The Giving Tree.

Amazing Grace

 

Title: Amazing Grace
Author:Mary Hoffman
Illustrated By: Caroline Binch
Published By: Dial Books for Young Readers


Amazing Grace is a book is about an extremely imaginative, creative and energetic little Black girl called Grace who is told by her classmates that because she is Black and a girl, she cannot play the role of Peter Pan in her schools production. After going and talking with her very wise grandmother, she goes back to school and wins the lead role in the play – putting on a performance that her classmates all agree is absolutely brilliant. 
This story manages to tackle the issues of self belief, following our dreams and not letting other people’s beliefs and ideas stand in our way in an enjoyable and inspirational manner. The beautifully drawn illustrations really bring the story to life, and allow readers of all ages to engage with the story on an even deeper level. I would definitely use this book in my classroom I feel that this way would  allow them to engage with the subject matter on a wider range of levels. This could also provide a great opportunity to initiate conversations about the ways in which we treat each other  with respect. Everyone has hopes and dreams they want to fulfill and no one should take that away from them.

LOVE THAT DOG (NOVEL)

Title: LOVE THAT DOG
Author: Sharon Creech
Published By: Harper Collins 

Jack doesn’t care much for poetry, writing it or reading it. With a little bit of inspiration of his
teacher, though, he begins to write poems of his own  he writes about a mysterious blue car,
about a lovable dog. Slowly, he realizes that his brain isn’t “empty” and that he can write
poems. After meeting one of his favorite writers, Walter Dean Meyers, Jack writes a
special poem about a painful experience in his life, the death of his dog. By the end of the
book, Jack realizes that writing and reading poetry is not only pleasurable, but that
writing can be a way of dealing with painful memories. Instead of trying to forget those
difficult experiences, he can make something creative out of them.


I have to be honest I really didn't get this until we went over it in class. So I went back and reread this book and this is what I noticed the second time around.I noticed that there are many ways a poet can paint a picture in a reader’s mind with words. They include similes, metaphors, onomatopoeia, and more.
Similes, metaphors, and onomatopoeic language: “blue car…speeding by like a comet in the sky” (p. 8)
“dogs…bark, bark barking” (p. 26) (“Bark” is an onomatopoeic word, a word that sounds similar to the action that it describes.)

More onomatopoeic words:
“whisp, meow, swish” (p. 32) “Sometimes when you are trying to think about something it keeps popping back into your head…until your brain feels like a squished pea.” (p. 64)about the spell check inside the computer:“It is like a miracle…a little helper brain” (p. 67)
About Walter Dean Myers’ voice: “low and deep and friendly and warm like it was reaching out and
wrapping us all up in a big squeeze” 
About Myers’ laugh: “like it was coming from way deep down and bubbling up and rolling and tumbling
out into the air” (p. 83) and last but not least “love that dog —like a bird loves to fly” page 86.

Tar Beach

 

Title: Tar Beach
Author: Faith Ringgold
Published By: Crown Publishers

While I was reading this book, I really enjoyed it. I honestly love the artistic and detailed pictures the illustrator chose for this book. I think this book is mainly about a girl who uses her imagination to step away from her tragedies for a while. I believe that that technique should be used by other children, it's a good method to use. You accept that life isn't going so well, yet you don't let that affect you and be optimistic about it, instead. She first begins by lifting herself and flying on top of George Washington Bridge where she grasped the moment and saw her mommy, daddy, and her baby brother all together. This little girl shows the struggles that her family go through, especially how her dad cannot work in the Union, yet she dreams positively and has a dream of her father to become the owner of the Union. Towards the end of the book she has her baby brother flying with her, which I thought to be a great ending because she encouraged her baby brother to know how to handle bad things in life, and live the moment. This is especially true today in this society, we are unemployed and things are not getting better things seem to be getting worse. We have children in our school system that live in motels or even worse are homeless, children that go to bed hungry and don't have clean clothes. This might encourage those children that are struggling with these issues and educate some of the more fortunate students. 

Who Has What?

 

Title: Who Has What?
Author: Robie H. Harris
Illustrated By: Nadine Bernard Westcott
Published By: Candlewick Press


This book really just answers one question - Who has what? And it does that very well.
This is an excellent primer for young children just starting to ask questions about their bodies. However, I feel that it is inappropriate for school or any other setting that the parents aren't there. I personally feel that parents need to take care of this education. As a teacher I would not use this book, however, it is a tasteful, scientifically accurate book for preschoolers about the similarities and differences between girls' and boys' bodies. I appreciate the diversity and acceptance shown through the illustrations, too. A must have for parents.

Walter The Farting Dog

 

Title: Walter the Farting Dog
Author: William Kotzwinkle and Glenn Murray
Illustrated by: Audrey Colman
Published by: Frog.Ltd


I laughed when I first saw this book because my dog has the worst gas (farts) in the world. They will run you out of the room. Also he likes to sleep at the bottom of our bed until we go to sleep and then he gets into bed with his butt facing my way and his head at the end of the bed. Then he starts, and oh my! You wake up to this awful smell, but I love him anyway and wouldn't trade him for the world.
The pictures are wonderful, although they are printed flat on the page, they look they are floating right off the page, and it's so much fun to notice all the details. This one of the best picture book it has lots of small details that I didn't notice the first time through, but the more I read it  the more I started noticing the picture on the wall, the curtain blowing in Walter's wind and the expressions on the characters' faces. 
I might use this in the class but I would have to think long and hard. I might would even read it to my colleagues to see what they would think first. I definitely  will have it to read to my grand children if I ever have any.

and tango makes three

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Title: and tango makes three

Author: Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell

Illustrated by: Henry Cole

Published by: Simon& Schuster Books for Young Readers

The watercolors in the pictures are simply amazing they give great detail to the animals as they actually are. Also the angles of the illustrations give the illusion that someone is looking from above.  

The story is simple and talks about different types of families in the beginning. From there it goes into Roy and Silo (the penguins) meeting and falling in penguin love. As time goes on, they watch their penguin friends pairing off and laying eggs. They are unable to lay eggs, so they find a rock and take turns sitting on it in hopes that it will hatch. Eventually, their caretaker, Mr. Gramzay finds them an egg to care for. It hatches and Tango is born (named because it takes two to Tango). Tango, Roy, and Silo go on to live happily ever after.

Honestly, I really enjoyed this book... We live in a world with all types of families: two parents, one parent, grandparents, two moms, two dads, aunts, uncles, etc. This is just the way it is in the world we live in. Whether or not we agree is not for us to say. I will not judge a book by its cover nor will I judge a person for the choices they have made. It makes me sad that we aren't able to be more open-minded about homosexuality and the different kinds of families that exist in today's world. I however do not think that I would use this in my classroom. I would have it as a reference if requested by a parent. Parents need to feel comfortable talking to you and asking for educational tools to teach their children.

The Color of My Words (NOVEL)

 

Title: The Color of My Words

Author: Lynn Joseph

Published By: Harper Collins Children's Books

The Color of my Words by Lynn Joseph is about a 12-year-old girl Ana Rosa Hernandez that loves to express her feeling on paper. Any paper she would see she would write on it like napkins and old paper bags. However, as I read I found out that in the Republica Dominicana, the only person that could write books was the President.  Ana Rosa wanted so much to be able to write books so Ana Rosa explained to her mother how she wanted to write poems and stories. “Ana Rosa,” there always has to be a first person to do something” ‘Mami said’. Her mother understood but she also knew that her words weren’t going to be heard. Unless she really put her heart into it. Ana Rosa’s beautiful poetry starts each chapter of this novel, as she dreams of becoming a writer in the Dominican Republic at the age of 12. Because only the president of the country writes, her dream is always challenged. She steals paper for her craft, recording everything she sees. This is a coming of age story as the heroine recounts events in her life, introducing her family, her close relationship with her older brother Guario, her first crush and the meringue filled days of her home.

The story helps us realize the power we hold behind our words. They are so strong; they have the ability to take a life. You also learn that our aspirations have a power all their own, if you allow them to be made known. The characters are real, each having a trait that reflects the real world (ex. a drunk and an adulteress.).

The details are spectacular and the descriptions fantastic. I feel as though I am there with the characters, which is no doubt, what the author wanted.Again, this book is beautifully written, as the reader you can see the setting and feel like you know the people. The rich character development was the best I have ever experienced in such a short novel. The author's ability to weave poetry into the narrative perfectly complemented the unfolding plot. Despite its length, the novel is packed with twists and turns to amuse any reader.

Perfect Square

 

Title: Perfect Square
Author/Illustrator: Michael Hall
Published by: Greenwillow Books

 Perfect Square is a fun and colorful picture book that takes readers on a shape-changing adventure. The shape begins as a simple,square that is confined and then throughout the week continues on a journey of rips, breaks, tears, and the building of different shapes/figures. This book provides readers with a visual experience! It promotes creativity and the colors are fun and eye-catching. The illustrations are creative, yet simple enough for a young child to understand. I also enjoyed how the illustrations together provided a story-line and allowed the reader to visually go along with the square on his journey. I could tell while reading this book that the illustrator had a clear understanding of who he thought would use and read this book, due to the fact that he presented his pictures in such a way that children would appreciate them. This is a wonderful book that I would definitely consider reading to elementary students. It could be used to introduce a geometry lesson or in an art class.

Crazy like a Fox - A Simile Story

 

Title: Crazy like a Fox- A Simile Story

Author / Illustrator: Loreen Leedy

Published by: Holiday House

In this book, there is definitely a lot of figurative language going on. This book is dedicated to similes. The similes are all strengthened by the story line. I can see and hear the layering in the story. This story is strengthened by you as the reader having to wait for the conclusion to figure what is going on. I have never read a book quite so interesting about similes. This is a brief picture book but on the other hand adds power and insight to the entire story. Without the similes, it wouldn't be as entertaining.  Example:  Rufus tiptoes up behind her, takes a deep breath, and starts to roar like….You have to turn the page to find out the answer, a lion.
"RROOAAARRR!!!!!"

In this book, the dialogue goes right along with the story. The similes (dialogue) are running the show but the pictures are helping you to understand the story. The sidebars are also helping with their little witty phrases. Example: You have to imagine this little lamb is scared and shaking like a leaf (literally). Then she chases after Rufus (the fox) because she's as mad as…..…a hornet.  Now just imagine that sweet little lamb looking like a hornet and her stinger has a glow around it. She has her hands on her hips (all 4) and her eyes are glowing green and she is gritting her teeth.

In this book, the music in language is clearly there. The sounds of the words increase as the story climbs to the climax, which is Babette surprise birthday party. This book really blends in, from the beginning, the story starts to unfold and really take you into this fantasy world of Rufus, Babatte and their friends. The story has a setting, plot and a surprise ending. If the reader reads it with feeling and exhilaration, the listeners will role out of their seats. Use this as an entertaining way of introducing children to similes and they will come away from a teachable moment with great information and knowledge and not even know they were learning.

Reptiles

  

Title: Reptiles

Text by: Sue Malyan

Editor: Fleur Star

Publishing Manager: Susan Leonard

Managing art editor: Clare Shedden

Jacket design: Simon Oon

Picture researcher: Sarah Mills

Production Luca Bazzoli

DTP designer: Almudena Diaz

(2009)

1.Some made up material on each page in this book. On page 6 the spotted salamander has a phrase above it saying, "I think I've spotted dinner."  Page 8, "Slurp".

Page 14: "Come here, little bird." Page 19: plod, plod, plod. Page 21: nibble, nibble.

Page22: "It's hard to find food out here."

2.Lots of information in this book about reptiles, there is information about:

Caiman -Their babies are just 18in long but adults can grow to be longer than your bed.

Green Iguana - Iguanas have amazingly good eyesight. They can see another iguana more than 330ft away.

Madagascan day Gecko - is a type of lizard that can grow 12in long.

Salamander- likes to live in a shady place to help keep skin wet.

Slow-worm - I'm really a lizard with no legs.

Snapping Turtle - has a bite that could easily snap off your finger or toe.

Just to name a few. Read the book for a lot more information.

3. Complex Structure: This book has many layers. On page 12 of the book it has:

A bite to eat

Don't come to close!

These snapping turtles look

slow and harmless, but

they could easily bite

off one of your

fingers or toes!

Did you know… Tiny plants called algae grow on a turtle's shell. This helps it to hide among the swamp plants. A little salamander is talking with a bubble.

4. Some narrative text in this book. On some pages, it is as if the reptiles are talking to you about themselves. Getting you as the reader to interact with the animals on a personal level.

Example: The king snake is saying, "I can't see very well, I only spot things that are moving around."

5.About 75% expository text. This book conveys and explains a lot about the text. It has a content page, index page and a glossary. On every other page, it has a "Did you know…." Quote on it. In addition, on each section there is a dotted circle with the size of every animal in the book.

6. Many Literary Devices:

This book has many ways of telling you detail. It has conversation bubbles and a salamander is telling you interesting facts. The book has a dotted circle that gives you the actual size of every animal in the book. (Tells you the size in inches and centimeters.)

7. Intense Authors Voice:

This author uses the animals to do his talking, he is giving you information through the voice of the reader. He is telling you information with a twist. This keeps students interested by having the animals speak to them directly. Information as fun facts to know.

8. Front matter and back matter appear in this book. It starts out with a table of contents and ends up with an index and a glossary. Plenty of information and easy to find in this book.

9. Copious Visual Materials. In this book there is so many pictures and again so much detail you can't help but to look at this book. The photos are authentic and the one that have been drawn are realistic to. I like how they show you how big the animals really are by either hands or feet. They also incorporate children handling these animals.

I really like this book because it does have so much information for students that are really into the reptiles. The photographs are phenomenal. 

MOSES When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom

 

 Title: MOSES

When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom

Author: Carole Boston Weatherford

Illustrated by: Kadir Nelson

Published by: Hyperion Books for Children (2006)

Cladecott Honor Book

This Historical Fiction book starts with an amazing cover. Just looking at this cover is emotional for me. The colors are a sky blue and right tin the center of the cover is Harriet Tubman sitting with her hands held out and eyes closed with the sun shinning over her head as if she was an angel of God. It makes you wonder what is going on. The picture of Harriet is authentic clothing of a slave as pictured and described in the history books.  I also like the feature inside the book with the foreword describing the history of slavery, what it means, and how it affects United States history. It ends with an introduction to the Underground Railroad. This gives you the reader information that is pertinent to the book that you are about to read.

The book is authentic to it historical background. As you read the book, you can sense the feeling of hopefulness in the character. This book is not at all sugarcoated. It tells how Harriet Tubman was feeling the trials and tribulations that she endured as a run away slave and her fight for survival and freedom. This book preserves the fabric of time, the story is based on historical facts that we know and admire. Harriet Tubman was a woman before her time.

The settings in the book are authentic to the time- period and integral with the story. The events and the people in the book allow the reader to place the characters in the correct historical framework. The language in this book is authentic for the time-period. An example is, "Please, Lord, don’t let them catch me and take me back to face Master's whip. Don't let my journey end here." The clothes that she and the others wear are authentic to the time-period.

The main point of view comes from that of Harriet Tubman and her relationship with God. I guess the other points of view are for you to infer as the reader. Obviously the men chasing her and wanting to take her back to the plantation is a point of view by the slave owners. They want to stay in control of the slaves and discipline anyone who dares to disobey them. Then you have the people that help Harriet to freedom they believe that slavery is wrong and want to help.

As a teacher, I would use this text to question, connect and transform strategies with a timeline. I could use this text for character mapping, story mapping and use technology to integrate this story into a literature/writing lesson. This book would make a great visual report for a person.

I also liked how the author ended the book with a note from her with more information about Harriet Tubman and how her journey in life ended with all her accomplishments noted.

BUD, NOT BUDDY (NOVEL)

 

Title: BUD, NOT BUDDY
Author: Christopher Paul Curtis
Published by: Scholastic Inc.


Young Bud tells his story in BUD, NOT BUDDY in his own lively voice, making his character practically leap off the page. At times tough, sad, resilient, and funny, 10-year-old Bud is completely irresistible. His personality, with the fast pace of the story, captured my attention on the first page and kept me hooked right through to the end. I like that he has a tendency to let me in on his lists and rules. I think the voice the author creates for Bud is effective and it really draws you in.

The setting for this novel is  in 1936, and is in the Depression Era of  Flint, Michigan. It concerns Bud (not Buddy, as he likes to point out) - a ten year old orphan trying to survive. His mother passed away a few years before the story starts, and he has never met his father. Bud has lived in terrible foster homes and orphanages. At the beginning of the story you think that he is going to finally get a break and here he goes again into a bad house. He gets beat up for no reason and put into the shed because Todd (Toddy, his mom calls him) tells lies on Bud. So Bud goes off on his own to find his father and the novel becomes a road novel. Luckily Bud keeps meeting up with good people who are willing to share what little they have, and to help Bud as much as they can. It is this portrayal of people at their best when circumstances are at their worst that ultimately makes the story a hopeful and heartwarming one. It is filled with tramp villages (Hoovertowns), jazzmen, and  grown-ups of all varieties.

 Sure that this Herman E. Calloway is his father, Bud sets out to find him. But when Calloway turns out to be a grumpy old man, Miss Thomas, the Dusky Devastator's kind "vocal stylist," convinces him to give the ten-year-old a place to stay. Bud moves into the big house known as Grand Calloway Station and, with the help of Momma's rocks, soon discovers that Herman E. Calloway isn't his father at all--he's Bud's grandfather!

This book uses emotions, verbs, and just good old fashion writing to pull you in and keep you reading. I finished this book in one day. I just couldn't put it down once I got started. I wanted to know how it was going to end. Boy, was I surprised. 

I like that there were no pictures in the book only on the front cover. But throughout the book I could see what the author was talking about. Every time I would read a part, with the descriptions that were given I could make a mind movie. This makes Christopher Paul Curtis not only an author, but a complete genius.
He took descriptive words and created mind pictures.

Beneath a Meth Moon (NOVEL)

 

Title: Beneath A Meth Moon
Author: Jacqueline Woodson
Published by: Nancy Paulsen Books



This book moves back and forth through time and is told by the main character, Laurel. She’s lost both her mother and grandmother in Hurricane Katrina and moves from her home to a new town with her father and little brother (which is only 3 months old). Laurel is a writer and was encouraged by her grandmother to keep writing everything down in a journal and this encouragement continues when she meets a new friend, Kaylee. The words aren’t enough though and in her pain and sorrow she finds some type of peace in her new boyfriend and with him comes his addiction and supply of meth. She quickly becomes addicted and ends up living on the streets because of  her addiction. There she meets Moses, an artist, who knows just what Laurel is up to and calls her on it, letting her know that she is going to end up dead if she continues on this way.
This book is written almost as a wake up call for young adults in which I have never read before. I read this quickly and in one evening, it is short and the words are printed in a large font on the pages. Even if it weren’t formatted that way, I still would have finished it quickly as it was truly a book that I couldn't put down. You see my sister had a drug addiction when after she got divorced. So I could relate to this very emotional story and that it deals with loss, being lost and not knowing how to process the feelings. The author has handled all of these thoughts and feelings wonderfully and made it very easy to relate to what Laurel is going through. I was crying again and again as I was reading and I was really surprised that a short read could be so emotional and informative. I can see this book being something  parents will want their children to read. This book does justice for children to understand and hopefully take away the life lesson learned and the horrible reality of addiction. People that you wouldn't think of have these problems, and this book would maybe show them that there is a way out.

The Other Side

Title: The Other Side

Author: Jacqueline Woodson
Illustrated by: E.B. Lewis
Published by: G. P. Putnam's Sons

Clover has always wondered why a fence separates the black side of town from the white side. Her Moma told her it was to keep her safe and not to ever go over the fence. So she did just what her Moma said she never went over the fence. But this summer when Annie, a white girl from the other side, begins to sit on the fence, Clover grows more curious about the reason why the fence is there and about the little white girl who sits on it, rain or shine. Clover has to stay inside when it rains and it rained a lot that summer. But Annie is free to whatever she wants to on her side of the fence either rain or shine. She stomps in the mud puddles and plays by herself. And one day, feeling very brave, Clover approaches Annie. After all, why should a fence stand in the way of friendship? You have to read the book to find out the ending.

Earl B. Lewis's  lifelike watercolor illustrations are just amazing. The way that she spreads the illustrations over three quarters of the two page spread gives it so much more depth.I also like how both use white space as a time to reflect on what is going on in the story and the pictures.The pictures are detailed enough but not overwhelming. They set the ambiance for the story and Jacqueline Woodson gives us a moving, lyrical narrative told in the hopeful voice of a child that is confused about the fence someone else has built in her yard and the racial tension that divides her world. I like that is told from a different point of view other than that of a white person.