Pop-Up Peekaboo! Under the Sea

Title: Pop-Up Peekaboo! Under the Sea
Author/Illustrator: Clare Lloyd/Elle Ward
Genre: Paper Engineered Book
Age Group: 3 - 5 years old
                                                        
Summary:
This book takes you through the different species that live under the sea. It is an adventure with Striped Fish looking for her friends through the game hide and seek. Each page has a pop up to show the animals that live under different rocks, shells, and so on.

Most of the names of the species and their names have the same letter sound, so it is informational on alliteration whether or not the child reading realizes. I think the age group of 3 to 5 years old is appropriate. It is a board book so it is steady for a small child to hold.

Nine Days to Christmas

Title: Nine Days to Christmas
Author/Illustrator: Marie Hall Ets and Aurora Labastida
Genre: Caldecott
Age Group: 1st - 3rd
                                                    
Summary:

This story takes Ceci through the nine days before Christmas. Throughout the story, it integrates Spanish and English showing that the main character's family is Hispanic. Ceci is excited because her family is going to have a "posadas" which is a special Christmas party and they will have 9. The first one will be at her house. She is so excited! Her mother lets her plan it. The story then changes to her and her mom shopping with their aunt. She wants a pinata but the mom says to wait and see. It is later revealed that her mom takes her back to get a pinata for the party. She gets to pick it out and is so excited. The book then transitions to the next morning, the morning of posada! She is helping her mother prep for it, adding the candy to the pinata helping decorate the house and backyard. It ends with her and a friend in the backyard wondering why no one could break the pinata. They believe it is magical.

I could use this book to talk about the different illustrations, and how illustrators use different mediums and patterns. In this book specifically, the illustrator uses a pop of color on certain things, like people, to have them stand out. I would use this in a first through third-grade classroom because they are more observant and aware of details around this age.

Wolf in the Snow

Title: Wolf in the Snow
Author/Illustrator: Matthew Cordell
Genre: Caldecott
Age Group: K - 3rd
                                                               

Summary:

Wolf in the Snow is a wordless picture book that takes the reader on a journey with a young girl who finds a wolf in the snow and takes him back to find his mom. On her way back she runs into a few problems such as running into an angry raccoon, and the mom of the wolf. The mom of the wolf is angry, so the young girl drops the baby off and runs away. Eventually, she falls from exhaustion and being cold. The other wolves surround her, the baby one licks her, the rest begin to howl. The howling catches the attention of the young girl's parents who end up finding her in the snow. The book ends with the young girl back home with her parents by the fire.

I would use this book to go over sound words, onomatopoeias since those are the only words that are found in the book. I would use this book with lower elementary since it is mostly wordless and a lot of inferencing takes place but they are able to use their imagination with it.

The Hello, Goodbye Window

Title: The Hello, Goodbye Window
Author/Illustrator: Norton Juster/Chris Raschka
Genre: Caldecott
Age Group: K - 2nd
                                                           
Summary:

This story is about a young girl who stays at her Nanna and Poppy's house. She talks about how the kitchen is where they stay most of the time, which is near the hello, goodbye window. This window is where you can see everything happening. Whether it is outside or just the reflection. It is also the window that she says bye to her grandparents, blowing them kisses and waving as she walks bye.

I would use this book for kindergarten through 2nd grade. I think it is a cute story that many young children would be able to relate to. As well as this, if I were to read this to them I would have them make their own hello goodbye window.

I Am Freedom's Child

Title: I am Freedom's Child
Author/Illustrator: Bill Martin Jr./Symeon Shimin
Genre: Historical Fiction
Age Group: 2nd - 3rd
                                                   
Summary:

In this book, it is illustrating and talking about freedom for all children. No matter the race, gender, and so on. This book has different races shouting about how they are all different, however, they are all free and they rejoice and come together because of it.

I would use this book in my class to talk about the history of slavery and the separation between different races their was to show how everyone can come together like they do in the book. I would use this in any level elementary because of how uplifting it is and empowering of other races, even though it is said through little words.

Game Changers: The story of Venus and Serena Williams

Title: Game Changers: The story of Venus and Serena Williams
Author/Illustrator: Lesa Cline-Ransome and James E. Ransome
Genre: Multiculture
Age Group: 3rd - 5th
                                              
Summary:

This story is a picture book form of the Williams sister's childhood and the different problems they overcame. It talks about how when they were growing up people laughed at their dad's dreams of them becoming popular and famous tennis players. However, this did not stop them from trying and succeeding in this field. Their parents would practice with them daily on the courts just for them to accomplish this.

I would use this book in an upper elementary due to the length of the book, however it has a great message of not giving up nor becoming what people think of you.

The Boo-Boos that Changed the World

Title: The Boo-Boos that Changed the World
Author/Illustrator: Barry Wittenstein and Chris Hsu
Genre: Bluebonnet
Age Group: 4th - 6th
                                                         
Summary:

This story is about how the bandaid was invented. The main character, Earle, marries a girl named Josephine. Josephine is accident-prone and is always cutting herself on a day to day basis. Her husband one day has an idea. He took the adhesive tape, sterile gauze and put material on it called crinoline to keep it sterile. After doing this, Earle told the idea to his boss Mr. Johnson and he loved it! They combined the name "bandage" and "first aid" to create the word "Band-Aid."
Band-Aids were a hit after they came up with a plan on how to create a lot of them at one time.

Overall, this book was really good and I could use this in an invention lesson in my class. If I were doing a history over different objects that have been made throughout the years and have the students pick one and research it and present it. I think the age group would be 4th through 6th grade because they would be able to understand the history of different things.

Arlington - The Story of our Nation's Cemetery

Title: Arlington - The Story of our Nation's Cemetery
Author/Illustrator: Chris Demarest
Genre: Historical Fiction
Age Group: 4th - 6th grade
                                                             
Summary:

This story is about the history of the nation's cemetery that is in Washington DC. It has more than 300,000 Americans who served in the United States Army. It is told through a third-person point of view and talks about how it started in the 1780s.  By the time the Civil War ended in 1865, 15,000 soldiers had been buried there. As the book progresses it talks about the process they have when they bury a soldier their now.

I would use this book after talking about the Civil War and about the burial service they do for the soldiers.

Betsy Ross

Title: Betsy Ross 
Author/Illustrator: Alexandra Wallner
Genre: Historical Fiction
Age Group: 3rd - 5th
                                                           


Summary:

The story takes the reader through Elizabeth Griscom, nicknamed Betsy by her family, life. From the time she could remember she was sewing the caps the Quaker girls in her church wore. When she was a teenager she begged her parents to let her work outside the home. They agreed and she went to work to sew for furniture. She met her husband, John Ross and they fell in love and married. During this time the 13 colonies is what made up North America at the time. Someone suggested that she make the flag, and General Washington showed her the sketch he had in mind and she made one that was different and they agreed it was better. This version is the same we have now but at the time 13 stars.

I would use this book in my classroom as a history lesson. This book would be good on having the students research different moments in history that made an impact and still is in effect today.

Journey to a New Land

Title: Journey to a New Land
Author/Illustrator: Kimberly Weinberger and Jony Meers
Genre: Historical Fiction
Age Group: 3rd - 5th
                                                        
Summary:

Elda Del Bino Willitts came to America with her family when she was seven years old in 1916 from Italy. The family arrived at Ellis Island just like the other immigrants at the time did. Before they could leave Italy, her father and older brother left for America to work and send back money for them to travel. After taking four years they finally got word that they could travel so the family packed up and headed to America. After arriving by ship they then had to take a 6-day train ride to get to San Fransico where her dad was at. After a few more years of struggling to make ends meet in America, her family was all together and in a new bigger home. While her father passed away a few years later she was still grateful for the opportunity to be in this country.

I would use this book in a 3rd through 5th-grade classroom when talking about the history of Ellis Island and immigration. I think the book does a beautiful job of explaining immigration and what happened in the 1900s when people moved here.

The War that Saved my Life

Title: The War that Saved my Life
Author: Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Genre: Newbery Honor
Age Group: 4th - 6th
                                                    

Summary:

This book, The war that saved my life, is about a young girl named Ada and her brother Jamie's life during World War II. Their life was far from perfect. Ada grew up being belittled by her mother due to a disability that she had, she was born with a clubfoot. Her brother was seen as normal and was allowed to do so much more than her such as go to school This was something that bothered her and she was never the same. When she was left alone she would try to walk on her own but the pain was too much. She and her brother ran away from their mother when the town had an immediate evacuation and never looked back. They were left at a woman's house named Mrs. Smith who took them reluctantly but treated them well. The ending is sweet because everyone in the town believes the three of them were killed in a bombing however they were not and they all rejoiced and were happy to be alive.

I would use this book in my class such as doing a book club with older students, perhaps junior high age. I would assign weekly readings and we would talk about the story line in small groups while doing research on World War II

Adriana's Angels

Title: Adriana's Angels
Author/Illustrator: Ruth Goring and Erika Meza
Genre: Multiculture
Age Group: 1st - 3rd

                                                         
Summary:

In this story, it is about a young girl named Adriana whose family is having to flee from Columbia and comes to Chicago. Her two angels, miracle and joy, whisper words of encouragement while she is dealing with all the trials and tribulations.

I would use this book to show empathy towards others and how it is necessary to have towards others. I would use this in lower elementary to make that statement so they can go into different grades with that mindset.

Artemis Fowl: The Graphic Novel

Title: Artemis Fowl: The Graphic Novel
Adapted by: Michael Moreci
Art by: Stephen Gilpin
Genre: Graphic Novel
Age Group: 4th - 5th
                                                      
 
Summary:

The Fowl family is a dangerous family. Artemis Fowl the first mysteriously disappears. Resulting in the family becoming seen less as a threat and less rich. But Artemis Fowl the second does not plan on keeping it like that. With research and rumors guiding him, he finds all the creatures from kid's stories and legends living underground away from human-kind. Artemis discovers a book that contains all of the magical secrets he needs. So he can obtain this book, he blackmails the owner. Artemis and his boss kidnap a leprechaun for his gold whose boss goes on a mission looking for him. They need the leprechaun for the ransom money to get the book. However, his plan is turned upside down when the fairies decide to use magic and the house they are in is trying to kill anything inside of it. Artemis figures out how to escape, which impresses the fairies and they decide he can keep the gold they got.

With this book, I do not see a reason why I would use it in my classroom as part of a lesson. However, I could use it as a recommendation for a child who enjoys graphic novels. I think the age group is appropriate for 4th - 5th because it has some scenes that are for more mature audiences but I think they would be mature for it.

Princess Truly in I am Truly

Title: Princess Truly in I am Truly
Author/Illustrator: Kelly Greenawalkt and Amariah Rauscher
Genre: Multiculture
Age Group: K - 1st
                                                      
Summary:
This story takes the young reader on an adventure about a girl named "Truly." She talks about how she can run fast, climb trees, and that she is strong. She can even fly to the moon if she wanted to and dance amongst the stars. She is a lion tamer, and a swimmer, as well as a basketball player. She can do anything if she puts her mind to it.

This book would be great for lower elementary students. This story focuses on the positives in a child's life and gets the young minds flowing with all the possibilities.
I would use this book in a free time reading time and have the students discuss the different things they could possibly do if they put their mind to it.

Adelita

Title: Adelita
Author/Illustrator: Tomie dePaola
Genre: Multicultural
Age Group: 2nd-3rd

                                                      
Summary:
Just like the traditional Cinderella story we all have heard about, this book is just like this but called a  "Mexican Cinderella Story." Within this book, the author integrated Spanish and English throughout the story. The storyline is the same as Cinderella, a young girl loses her mom and is forced to live with her stepmother because her father passed away right after they got married. The stepmother makes Adelita do everything and her step-siblings do nothing.
One night there is a party her stepmother and stepsiblings are going to but she is not invited. However, she sneaks out anyway and at the party meets Javier. At midnight he confesses his love for her but she has to leave, there is no way they could marry. As she leaves, she leaves behind her glass slipper. Throughout the next few days, Javier is looking for his Cinderella. Once founded they marry and live happily ever after.

I would use this book when talking about fairytales, and how they can be similar and different in other cultures depending on the storyline. I would use this as an opportunity to introduce compare and contrast graphic organizers to my class.
Lower to mid-elementary grade level would be good I think because the book is easy to follow, even with the Spanish because it says it in English as well.

Honest Abe

Title: Honest Abe
Author/Illustrator: Edith Kunhardt and Malcah Zeldis
Genre: Historical Fiction
Age Group: 3rd - 4th

                                                  
Summary:

Honest Abe is a story about Abraham Lincoln and his early years up until he was assassinated during his presidency. The story takes the reader from the time he was born and how his parents were not able to read or write, to him being a successful lawyer  He was nicknamed "honest Abe" because of how truthful he was. The story recalls the time he was paid back a little too much and he walked a few miles to find her to return the change. The book ends with him being buried and it talks about how he had 10 funerals. Abraham Lincoln was a great guy who was loved by many.

In my classroom, I would use this book for a social studies unit where we talk about different presidents and their life. With this book, I would have the students do a research project to find out different facts and then present it to the class.

I would use this book in a 3rd through a 4th-grade class. I think that age group would be perfect because they can value and understand history a bit more.

Saving Winslow

Title: Saving Winslow
Author: Sharon Creech
Genre: Bluebonnet
Age Group: 4th - 5th

                                                    
Summary:
10-year-old Louie is determined to save an ill newborn mini donkey, despite being told he probably will not make it. His parents try to remind him of how frail newborns are and what is most likely to come. However, Louie refuses to hear it and moves to the basement with his new friend named Winslow. He feels a connection with Winslow because they both entered the world with traumatic beginnings. Louie was born two months early and fought for his life, however, he survived. This makes Louie question if his parents thought this about him when he was younger, and if they were told he was not going to make it either. While all this is occurring, Louie is dealing with his brother joining the army and not being home anymore. This saddens him and he does whatever he can to be close to him again, such as wearing his sweatshirts or rereading postcards from him with hopes he will be home soon. He brings all this to his best friend Nora who did lose her baby brother and has a negative look on anything small and frail surviving. This changes though, when she meets Winslow. Together they take care of him and protect him at all costs. Eventually, Winslow is sent to live at a different farm, but joyous news because Louie's brother is coming home and he cannot wait to see him.

I would use this book in my classroom to help those dealing with anyone in the military since it has that aspect of the emotions that Louie feels. I would also use this book to show how no matter the circumstances you can always find the positives.
I think the age group would be 4th through 5th because it has a lot more words and has a higher order of thinking.

Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures

Title: Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures 
Author/Illustrator: Kate DiCamillo and K.G Campbell
Genre: Newbery Award
Age Group: 4th - 5th grade

                                                    

Summary:
This story is about a young girl named Flora, and a new friend that she makes. A squirrel named Ulysses. Before making the friend, she is dealing with her parents recently got divorced and a mother who is not being attentive towards her.
She runs to the squirrel's rescue when she sees her neighbor vacuum him up and she believes she can save him. After giving the squirrel mouth to mouth and saving him, she takes him inside. She believes he is a superhero! Making no attempt to hide him, her mother is oblivious to her holding the squirrel and she takes him up to her room with her. Later that night she is having a conversation with the squirrel and he seems to be understanding Flora which furthers her belief that he is a superhero. This book takes you on their adventure together, from Ulysses writing on her Floras mother's typewriter, to going out in public at a restaurant with him and her father.
Later in the story, Ulysses disappears, leaving Flora in a panic. She and a family friend go and look for him, finding him back at where they began. Ulysses saves their friend from being attacked by a cat which leaves them happy and begins to open up and talk about the problems the family had been going through.

In my classroom, I would use this book for a lesson on imagination. Flora believes the squirrel is a superhero, and in a way, she is right because he is there to help her get through her family issues.
I think the age group between 9 to 11 would be good because this is the age group where kids start to use their imagination more as well as write about it.

After reading this book I would have the students write about a story where an animal of their choosing was a superhero and then make a comic strip out of it.

Wishtree

Title: Wishtree
Author: Katherine Applegate
Genre: Bluebonnet
Age Group: 4th - 6th

                                                         
Summary:

This book, Wishtree is told from the point of view of a 200-year-old oak tree named Red. Every May first people come to hang their wishes on his branches. Red houses several animal families and is in the backyard of a Muslim family who is not accepted by the neighborhood. The young girl in the family wishes for a friend, however, several days later a carves the word "leave" in it leaving the family in a frenzy and feeling low. Between the condition of the tree and the carving, the police officers believe it would be best to chop Red down. This causes tension between animal families. Red and a crow named Bongo devise a plan to make the girls wish of a friend to come true in hopes of saving it. This makes Red having to reveal himself to the little girl and her neighbor, telling them his story. This encourages the girl and the neighbor to try and save the tree. They get the neighborhood to gather around the tree and the animals to wish for Red to stay. The owners of the tree decide to leave the tree up and do not chop it down. The main character makes a friend and is happy to be in the town even though all that happened.

In my classroom, I would use this book as a kindness lesson. The main character is being bullied based on a perception of how people think her family's religion is like, however judging is never okay. I would have a "wish tree" printed out and instead of having a negative word written in it I would have them write encouraging words.
I think the age group is about 4th - 6th grade because this age group is around the time students deal with bullying and seeing differences amongst their peers. This book would be an eye-opener for some children.

The Story of Johnny Appleseed

Title: The Story of Johnny Appleseed

Author/Illustrator" Aliki

Genre: Informational 

Age Group: 1st - 3rd grade

                                                    

Summary:

Johnny Chapman, later known as Johnny Appleseed, walked around for miles every day. One day he decided to sit under a tree and eat an apple. In his hand seeds were leftover and he decided to plant them. Which led to him wanting to plant apple seeds. So that became his mission. He walked and traveled miles from home, planting apple seeds as he went. Until one day he became very ill. An Indian mother and her child found Johnny laying down in the snow sick. She took him back to her village and nurtured him back to health. Once he was feeling better, he ventured off again but visited his friends frequently since they did save his life. To this day we can see apple trees everywhere, only because of him.

In my classroom, I would use this book to talk about the accomplishments the children have made so far. For an activity, I would have a big cut out of a tree in my classroom and instead of apples, I would have the children write their accomplishments and glue them on the tree.

I think the age group is appropriate for 1st through 3rd because it is a good read-aloud story and is easy to follow along with.

Let's Meet a Police Officer

Title: Let's Meet a Police Officer
Author/Illustrated: Gina Bellisario and Cale Atkinson
Genre: Informational
Age Group: K - 1st
                                                     
Summary:

In this short informational story, the students meet police officer Gabby and police officer Ken and his K-9. This story explores what officers have to do on a day to day basis and different things the students can follow. It also goes into detail about what technology officers use to help cities safe from crime. As the book progresses it talks about FBI agents, which they describe as people who protect the country. They sum up the book to talk about what to do to keep a neighborhood safe in day to day life.

In my classroom I would use this book to talk about different professions there are in the world. I would probably do a weekly book read over the different jobs people can have just to get the kids interested. If I was starting the weekly book reads with this book I would have the students write on a sentence strip "When I grow up I want to be a ... " and then they would finish it. I would hang it up around the classroom once they were finished.

I think the age group is appropriate because I think it is good to have the young students thinking about the different possibilities that are out there.

Salmon Stream

Title: Salmon Stream
Author/Illustrator: Carol Reed-Jones and Michael S. Maydak
Genre: Informational
Age Group: 2nd - 4th grade
                                                   
Summary:

Salmon Stream takes the reader through different fish that lives in a stream. The main fish of the story is the salmon, it shows the life cycle of a salmon. Starting off with the water salmons are hatched in, different places that are the best for a salmon to leave their eggs, how the salmon fish hatch, all the way through their life as a salmon. The book includes an informational page that is dedicated to the salmon life cycle.

I would have this book in my classroom for a research project. I would plan for my students to have a research project and use this book as an example of something they could research.

I think the age group 2nd through 4th grade is appropriate because they could read this independently and be able to understand it.

It's Raining

Title: It's Raining
Author/Illustrator: Gail Gibbons
Genre: Informational
Age Group: 3rd - 5th grade
                                                   
Summary:

This book talks about the rain cycle. Starting with the importance of rain such as it is necessary for plants and animals to survive. Then it moves onto "The Water Cycle" and breaks it down for the reader, then onto clouds and the components of a cloud such as droplets, rain clouds, raindrops and then rain. Then onto the different rain clouds, there are such as stratus, nimbostratus, cumulus, and cumulonimbus rain clouds. The book then continues on to talk about the different types of rain such as drizzle, shower, rain, rainstorms, thunderstorms, and flash floods. The last thing the book mentions is how to stay safe during the rain.

In my classroom, I would use this as an intro to the water cycle and then a segway on the different kinds of weather. I would have the students, in the beginning, make a water cycle foldable and then move on to making different foldables.

I think the age group is appropriate because 3rd through 5th is when students start to learn about earth science and this relates to earth science.

Freshwater Habitats

Title: Freshwater Habitats
Author/Illustrator: Diana Snowball and Cynthia A. Belcher
Genre: Informational
Age Group: 2nd through 4th

                                                 
Summary:
This informational book takes the reader through the freshwater habitat, hence the title. It starts by talking about exploring the area of freshwater habitats and the animals that live around the area. Then going onto the foodchains. It covers marshes, lakes, streams and so on. It has a glossary and an index at the end of the book.

I would use this book for another research project in my classroom. As an independent read I think the age group of 2nd - 4th is appropriate because it is easy to understand and follow.

Merci Suarez Changes Gears

Title: Merci Suarez Changes Gears
Author: Meg Medina
Genre: Newbery Medal
Age Group: 4th - 6th grade
                                                       
Summary:
Merci Suarez is a 6th grader who attends Seaward Pines Academy with her older brother, Roli, on a scholarship given due to her father doing work around campus. Merci lives in house three of the "Las Casitas," which are three houses built next to each other. The other two houses are where her grandparents, Lolo and Abuela live as well as her Tia Ines and her twin sons. Like any new school year, some changes happen. As Merci enters junior high she feels like everything is changing around her While still dealing with old problems such as Edna Santos, the middle school queen bee, she is having to deal with being a "sunshine buddies." She gets paired with Michael, who happens to be Ednas crush and she becomes jealous over it.
As well as dealing with her life changes in middle school, at home, she is also dealing with her grandfather, Lolo, who has become very forgetful all of a sudden. No one will tell her why but because of her grandfather becoming forgetful, she is in charge of more house chores. Due to this, she cannot try out for soccer, even though she has been looking forward to this since school started. To make matters worse, Edna destroys Michaels's project that Merci helped with out of spite. Merci thought the day could not get any worse until she and Roli are on the way home and see Lolo run out into the street, causing them to get into an accident to try and help him.
After this, she finds out that her grandfather had been battling Alzheimer's for the last two years. This angers and frustrates Merci and it is not until a couple days after she realizes how important family is to her. After this realization, she begins spending more time with her family. When Christmas rolls around Merci gets a new bike! The bike teaches her that she can handle changing gears, which is the same as her changing gears in life. She realizes she can do anything and get through everything life throws her way.

I would love to have and use this book in my classroom. I really think upper elementary students would enjoy this book. Junior high is a transitional time period and it becomes difficult for students and I think this book would shed some light on how much family is important.

I think this book would benefit the upper elementary level students. It addresses important topics such as friendships, bullying, and family. As well as being relatable with the things and problems students face. The author, Meg Medina did a great job of being able to reference pop culture and keep it relatable.

I would use this book to talk about the importance of family or some kind of support system. As well as have the students write an essay over being able to change gears like Merci did and discuss the deeper meaning behind that. Lastly, I would want them to apply that to their life, how can they be able to change gears if needed and why.

I Like To Be Little

Title: I Like To Be Little
Author/Illustrator: Charlotte Zolotow and Erik Bleguad
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Group: K - 3rd Grade
                                                      
Summary:
In this short story, I Like To Be Little, it is about a little girl who wants to stay little forever and is telling her mother this. Her mother questions her and tells her it is nice to be a grown-up. Her reasons vary from being able to skip, not wear shoes in the Summer, coloring whenever she wants, being able to jump in a pile of leaves and so on. Her mother agrees that not all grown-ups do those things, however, she says, when you grow up you can be the mother of a sweet girl like her daughter is and be able to experience all those things again. Lastly, the daughter ends the conversation saying that for now, she is going to enjoy being little.

In my classroom, I would use this book as a read-aloud and talk about the differences in being a child and being an adult and then asking what they want to be when they grow up and having them write about it.

I think the age group for this bool is K through 3rd which is appropriate because it is an easy read-aloud or independent read for the older kids, as well as the pictures in the book are captivating.

Best Friends

Title: Best Friends
Author/Illustrator: Miriam Cohen and Lillian Hoban
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Group: K - 1st
                                                       
Summary:
Jim and Paul are best friends, or so they thought. At the beginning of the book, the two are best friends but then an argument arises in class to where Jim did not say Paul was his best friend so Paul took it as they were not friends at all anymore so they sat opposite of each other and did not talk to each other. During recess, the teacher realized she forgot to grab something from the classroom and asks those two to go and get it so they do. Without talking to each other. While they are back in the classroom, Jim realizes that their science experience they were doing, hatching baby chicks with a heat lamp, was off. Jim shouts at Paul and he goes and gets the janitor to replace the light bulb in the lamp. Fixing the problem they had they were able to come together like best friends.

In my classroom, I would use this book to ask students what makes a best friend and talk about emotions and how to handle them appropriately.

I think the age group is appropriate because at this age they are just now going into school and being around new people so how to process emotions over friends is important and needed.

With this book, I would have the children write about the scene where the two friends argue and ask them to write how they would had approached that situation better.

The Night Before Mother's Day

Title: The Night Before Mother's Day
Author/Illustrator: Natasha Wing and Amy Wummer
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Group: K - 2nd
                                                      
Summary:
The father of two young girls comes up with a plan to get their mother out of the house so they can set up and bake a cake for their mother the night before Mother's Day. When she leaves to go running with her friends the children rush off and make her cards and help make a cake with their dad. The next morning when it was Mother's Day they woke her up with flowers, treated her to an at-home spa, and the father made brunch. The mother enjoyed her day and wished every day was Mother's Day.

I would use this book in a lower elementary classroom and use this as a read-aloud and discuss what they do for Mother's Day. I think the age group is appropriate because that is when they can start making small gifts and understand the actual meaning behind the holiday.

In my classroom, I would use this book as an intro before having the students make a Mothers Day gift, or a parental figure gift, and have them write a card or make something to give to them.

The Night Before Summer Vacation

Title: The Night Before Summer Vacation
Author/Illustrator: Natasha Wing and Julie Durrell
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Group: K - 3rd

                                                        
Summary:
The family was planning a family vacation. Throughout the night before they planned to leave the children were thinking about past vacations and talking about all the fun they had. The car was packed tightly, and the children were excited they dreamt about the vacation.
The next morning, the dad woke them up and they were ready to go by 4 am. They all squeezed into the car and then raced off. The daughter in the backseat cries out and says they forgot their dog! The dad turns around and they grab the dog and begin to head out on their 10-hour drive.

I would use this book in a lower elementary classroom setting to get the class excited about summer vacation. I think they would enjoy the drawings of the overflowing car and them having to turn around to get their dog.

I would read this before my class got out on the last day of school and have them do a coloring activity of what they are wanting to do that upcoming summer.

My Building

Title: My Building
Author/Illustrator: Robin Isabel Ahrens
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Age Group: K - 2
Summary:                                           
A young child explores his apartment building and is welcomed by many different faces and lifestyles. This book exposes readers to many different races, cultures as well as daily routines that different families go through every day. Throughout the 27 stories of the building, the main character meets with different families and leaves each one enjoying where they live.

I would use this book in my classroom to introduce lower elementary to different kinds of people and how that is normal to encounter in day to day life. I think this time is crucial for young ones to leave that mark onto them that being and looking different is a good thing and not bad.

I would have them do a writing activity and talk about their family's culture and day to day life.

The Magic School Bus

Title: The Magic School Bus: Lost In The Solar System
Author/Illustrator: Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen
Genre: Science Fiction
Major Awards: N/A
Age Group: 4th - 5th
                                                  
Summary:
Just like all of Mrs. Frizzle's classes, there is always an adventure. In this book, her class is learning about the solar system so Mrs. Frizzle decides to take them out of this world, literally. The class takes a trip to the solar system in the school rocket bus. While they are in the solar system they look at all the planets and the moon learning about them. After they were done they headed back to Earth to write up a chart of all they learned and then it was time to go home. The students told their parents everything they learned and that they went to space, but who would believe that a school bus took them there?

In my class, I would use this as an introduction to the solar system to get the students engaged and wanting to learn more about the solar system. I think these books are age-appropriate for upper elementary because of all of the science-related information it has.

The Magic School Bus

Title: The Magic School Bus: Plants Seeds, A Book About How Living Things Grow
Author/Illustrator: Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen
Genre: Science Fiction
Major Awards: N/A
Age Group: 4th - 5th
                                                      
Summary:
Ms. Frizzle's class was planting a garden and a photographer was coming by to take a picture of the class with the plants. However, they have to leave to go and get something they left behind. One student is worried they are going to miss the photographer so he suggests that they fly, and when he says that Ms. Frizzle transforms the bus into a ladybug and they begin flying. The teacher decides to stop inside a flower and the students begin to explore the flower. Ms. Frizzle is teaching the student about the parts of a plant and the importance of bees before having to go back for their photo. The ladybug bus gets caught in someone's hair so they have to travel back on someone,s head before they get brushed off. The moment they are off, the bus becomes big again and they make it back just in time for their class photo that will be in the magazine "Plant it!"

In my classroom, I would like to use this during science time before going over plant parts with my students. I think the book is appropriate for upper elementary because it is longer but also full of information that younger students do not need to know yet.

In my classroom, I would read this before going over the parts of a plant than having the student's plant flowers so we can have a garden like Mrs. Frizzles class.

The Three Billy Goats Gruff

Title: The Three Billy Goats Gruff
Author/Illustrator: P.C Asbjornsen and J.E Moe, Marcia Brown
Genre: Fantasy
Major Awards: N/A
Age Group: K - 3rd grade
                                                   
Summary:
This story is like The Three Little Pigs, just told through goats and a troll and has a darker undertone. The Three Billy Goats were wanting to cross a river to get to the other side to go eat some grass and get fat. Each goat crosses over and awakes the troll who is angry and says that the goat is going to get eaten. The first two goats say the same thing, which is to wait until the biggest goat comes along. When that goat comes along he ends up defeating the troll and the three goats are left alone now to eat in peace.

I do not think I would use this book in my classroom because I did not like the writing style or the darker undertone. It read easy, I just think I would be able to find a different book for this age group.
If I did use this book I would use the different sounds in the book and teach my students sound words.

Once Upon MacDonald's Farm...

Title Once Upon MacDonald's Farm
Author/Illustrator: Stephan Gammell
Genre: Fantasy
Major Awards: N/A
Age Group: 1st - 3rd
                                                    
Summary:
This book is about how Old MacDonald got his farm that we all sang about when we were younger. In this telling of the story, MacDonald wants animals on his farm so he decides to buy an elephant, a lion, and a baboon. While these animals are not farm animals, he does not acknowledge that and uses them like they were. The elephant plows the grass, milks the lion and gets the eggs from the baboon. Or at least tries. While MacDonald sleeps the animals decide to leave without a sound so when he wakes the next day he has no animals. However, his neighbor offers to help him and gives him a horse, a cow, and a chicken. He was eager to start working so he starts with the chicken plowing the grass.

This book is fun to read and quite hilarious. The age group for it is younger elementary which I find is appropriate. The students would laugh at the farmer's foolishness and be able to decipher if the animals actually do what the farmer wanted them to do.

I would use this in a lower elementary level class and have the students do matching with animals after we read it to tell me the purpose of the animals on the farm listed in the book.

Once Upon A Time

Title: Once Upon A Time
Author/Illustrator: John Prater
Genre: Fantasy
Major Awards: N/A
Age Group: K - 2nd grade

                                                    
Summary:
In the book, Once Upon A Time, a boy is in his neighborhood where nothing seems to happen so he makes up wild day. Throughout the story, you can see each page progresses with different illustrations from different fairy tales. Such as Humpty Dumpty, Little Red Ridinghood, and so on. As it progresses the different fairy tale characters are progressing as well as if they are in their original story, such as Little Red Riding Hood meets the wolf and Humpty Dumpty falls off. While that is going on, the dialog is brief and is just talking about what the little boy is doing with his mom until his dad gets home. It ends with the dad starting to read a story to his son and the fairytale characters are going home as well.

In my classroom, I would use this book to assess the students to make sure they were remembering and knowing about the different fairytales in the book. I would use this book after we went over the fairytales illustrated throughout the book.

I think K through second grade would benefit the most from this story because of how short it is, and it does not necessarily teach a moral lesson but it expresses imagination which is necessary for young children to have and keep.

In my classroom, I would use this for a sentence stem of "Once Upon A Time" and have the students write their own fairytale.

The Museum

Title: The Museum
Author/Illustrator: Susan Verde and Peter H. Reynolds
Genre: Poetry
Major Awards: N/A
Age Group: 2nd - 4th grade
                                                  
Summary:
This book takes a young girl through a museum to tour it. Every artwork excites her and makes her heart happy. From the paintings to the statues her heart is full and content. The museum is inspiring her so much that when she sees a blank canvas she imagines it being filled with all kinds of color on it and it is decorated like she wants it.
The museum closes but she is not sad about it because she knows that the art she loves lives inside of her.

I would use this book between the ages of 8-10. I think it is age-appropriate, it is long enough for them to practice reading longer books but also engaging.

I would read this book to my class before we did an art project. The art project would be to draw or paint something that they as an individual enjoys doing.

A Bear Sat on My Porch Today

 Title: A Bear Sat on My Porch Today
Author/Illustrator: Jane Yolen and Rilla Alexander
Genre: Poetry
Major Awards: N/A
Age Group: 3rd - 5th grade

                                                
Summary:
The book, like the title, says, starts with a bear sitting on the main character's porch and would not leave. Then all different animals show up. A squirrel, a skunk and so on all different kinds of forest critters, even a moose! A blue jay showed up and caused a ruckus and had to leave, which made the other forest animals happy. At the end of the book, a sign is put up that says "Everybody Welcome!" making the ending sweet and friendly.

I would use this in an upper elementary classroom to teach about being kind welcoming to all kinds of people no matter what they do or who they are. I think that is age-appropriate because around this time I feel like it is when students start to become not so nice towards people and this book shows kindness.

In my classroom, I would use this book for the purpose of showing hospitality. I would have my students write about their experiences of being welcomed somewhere and then have them share to their table.

A Giraffe and A Half

Title: A Giraffe and A Half
Author/Illustrator: Shel Silverstein
Genre: Poetry
Major Awards: N/A
Age Group: K - 2nd grade
                                                 
Summary:
Another book by Shel Silverstein, A Giraffe and A Half, is about a giraffe who keeps stepping into stuff, adding stuff to his attire, and gluing stuff on until he becomes a giraffe and a half with so much on. Each page, the lines get longer and the craziness increases. The giraffe before the end of the book has glue on his shoe, a chair in his hair, and so on. Silverstein rhymes whatever the main object of the stanza is to keep it funny and easy to remember with the repetition he has. While the pictures are black and white and are to look like a sketch he brightens up the writing with the pictures.

I would use this book in lower elementary. The book has a lot of rhyming in it, animals, and objects in it that would expand the children's knowledge.

I think that would be the appropriate grade level, K through 2nd grade. Since it has so many learning opportunities.

In my classroom, I would use this for a rhyming lesson. I would have the students clap whenever they heard the rhymes at the end of each page and would go over what rhyming is.

Where the Sidewalk Ends

Title: Where the Sidewalk Ends
Author and Illustrator: Shel Silverstein
Genre: Poetry
Major Awards: ALA Notable Books 1974
Age Group: 4 years old - first grade
                                                    
Summary:
This collection of poems, or anthology, is about children exploring nature and being adventurous. This was one of the first poetry books I had growing up, along with The Giving Tree. Throughout the poetry book, Shel Silverstein drew pictures to help show children what he was envisioning. Drawings are not on every page or for every poem but for the majority of it. He starts the anthology off with a poem called "Invitation" which is a poem about inviting people in to read all about what is in this book.
One of my favorite poems is called "Beard" ever since I was younger I always liked this poem in particular. It is about someone who has a very long beard, we do not know why or what the inspiration behind this was for but I would laugh all the time when I heard this poem. On the right side theres a little cartoon of a man running with a beard which adds a picture to this already funny picture. This collection of poems are just for fun.

In my classroom, I would use this book for free reading time in kindergarten. Just to get the sillies out with the students. I would also use this book to show how you can have a collection of poems that go together in a subtle way.

I think having this book for 4-year-olds to 7-year-olds is appropriate. It is short and silly enough for the students to enjoy it.

In my classroom, I would have each student pick a poem from the book and have them draw a picture to represent the poem and then go around and share what they drew.

Papa's Backpack

Title: Papa's Backpack
Author/Illustrator: James Christopher Carrol
Genre: Poetry
Major Awards: 2016 Children's Choice Award
Age Group: 6 - 8
                                                   
Summary:
This book uses animals instead of humans to represent an issue they are facing. The author chose to use bears for the main characters and the baby bear is trying to grasp the concept of his dad leaving because he serves in the military. In the story, he imagines being by his dad in his backpack and doing everything together while he is away. This book ends happily with the baby bear envisioning being with his dad and summing up the adventures he has had.

I would use this book in lower elementary to read to the children who are dealing with one of their parents going away for whatever reason because children do not understand how to control their emotions and I think this book would help.

I think the age group is appropriate. This would help them understand what is going on and how to cope.

In my classroom, I would have the students use this book and write a letter to someone they are missing and maybe send the letter if at all possible.

Jack and the Beanstalk

Title: Jack and the Beanstalk
Author: Richard Walker and Niamh Sharkey
Genre: Traditional Literature
Major Awards: N/A
Age Group: 8 - 10 years old

Summary:
Jack and the Beanstalk is one of the first fairytales I remember hearing when I was younger. I was fascinated with the storyline.
The story is about a young boy, Jack, who lives with his mother and their cow. One day they have no food and the mother tells Jack to go out and sell the cow. He is reluctant but ends up doing so anyway. The next day he is out looking for someone to buy the cow and runs into a man who wants the cow but only has magical beans to which Jack agrees to and takes them home eagerly. His mother is upset because Jack has no idea what they can do, but he plants them anyway despite his mother's annoyance towards the situation. In the middle of the night, Jack wakes up to see that the magical beans grew into a large beanstalk and just like any curious boy he decides to climb it.
When he gets to the top he reaches a gate and someone comes out and guides him to the magical castle in the sky. The guide warns of the giant but Jack is not afraid. Once the giant falls asleep Jack begins stealing all the wealth the giant has and the giant's servants want to go as well. As soon as Jack begins to leave with the harp it cries out and awakes the giant. Now it is a race to get back to the bottom without the giant following after. Jack gets to the bottom and manages to flick him off the beanstalk. Jack, his mother, and the fellow servants all lived happily ever after.

I would use this book in an upper elementary class. I think the book would teach good lessons on what not to do and teach moral values such as if something is not yours do not take it.

I think the appropriate grade level would be third grade to fourth grade. This book is too long for younger elementary grades and would not keep their interest for long. However, the book itself is big enough for them to hold and be able to follow along. The illustrations are done well.

In my classroom, I would have the class write a story about what they would do in the story. This shows their creative side as well as their writing side.

Goldilocks and the Three Bears

Title: Goldilocks and the Three Bears
Author: Janet Stevens
Genre: Traditional Literature
Major Awards: N/A
Age Group: 2nd to 3rd grade

Summary:
Goldilocks and the Three Bears is a story about three bears. A mama, a papa, and a baby bear. The beginning of the book is about the three bears and their morning routine. One morning they were eating breakfast but their porridge was too hot so they decided to go for a walk. When they went for a walk a little girl named Goldilocks came inside and tried everything in their house. From their porridge to their beds and fell asleep in the baby bears bed. When the bears returned they noticed things were different and then found her in the baby's bed. When she awoke she saw the three bears looking at her and she ran out of the house claiming she would never wander alone again.

I would use this book for 8 to 10-year-olds. I think the book reads easy and the illustrations are beautiful. It teaches a lesson over cause and effect, as well as not breaking and using others stuff without permission.

The age group appropriate would be for middle elementary. The content is easy to read as well as the fonts and spacing is easy to follow along/

In my classroom, we would read this book together and then reenact it with finger puppets. I would have the children at each table reenact it and decorate the finger puppets and then present it for the class.

The Hummingbirds' Gift

Title: The Hummingbirds' Gift
Author/Illustrator: Stefan Czernecki and Timothy Rhodes
Genre: Traditional Literature
Major Awards: N/A
Age Group: 4th-6th grade

Summary:
In the book, The Hummingbirds' Gift is about a drought the people Tzintzuntzan, Mexico had and how they learn to make straw figures for the festival. They set aside small pots of sugar water for the hummingbirds' despite the drought. This pleases the hummingbirds and they are happy. The book ends with the land having rainfall again and everyone is happy.

I would use this book in an upper elementary class because there are a lot of words on each page and younger children would be bored easily. The book's illustrations are colorful and bright. I would use this book to teach about different cultures and customs.

In my classroom, I would have my students make some figures out of straw like the characters in the book had to do and talk about what is the significance of the figures.

The True Story Of The 3 Little Pigs

Title: The True Story of The 3 Little Pigs by A. Wolf
Author: Jon Scieszka
Illustrator: Lane Smith
Genre: Traditional Literature
Major Awards: Honored by the American Library Association as an ALA
Age: 3 to 8 years old

Summary:
This story, The True Story of The 3 Little Pigs, was one of my favorite stories growing up and still is my favorite to this day. It is the story of Three Little Pigs, just told from the wolf's point of view. It starts off with him talking about how the big bad wolf image is false and how he is completely innocent. He was only wanting sugar for his grandmas birthday and he so happened to be sick which caused him to huff and puff and blow down the pigs houses. He also notes when the houses fell the pigs were already dead and he could not let that go to waste. The wolf says the third pig was rude and he could not control his emotions and that is when the police showed up and the rest is history.

I would use this book in a lower elementary classroom. I think it can teach a lesson on how you have to get everyone's side of the story before making a judgment.

I think the book is age-appropriate for 3 to 8-year-olds. It is easy to follow along with if you're hearing it out loud as well as reading on your own.

I would use this book to teach a lesson comparing and contrasting. I would have my class tell me about the original story and after we read this one together I would have them write a paragraph on what was different and what was the same.

Hansel And Gretel

Title: Hansel and Gretel
Author: James Marshall
Genre: Traditional Literature
Major Awards: N/A
Age Group: 1st - 3rd Grade

Summary:
Hansel and Gretel live in a cottage near a forest with their father and his wife. They went through famine, leaving them with little to eat. The wife, who does not seem to like the two children, tells the father of a plan to get rid of the children so they have more food to eat. She tells him they should leave them in the forest, and while the father was reluctant he agreed to it. However, Hansel and Gretel overheard the conversation and Hansel comes up with a plan. The next day while they are walking in the forest with the father and wife, Hansel drops white pebbles for a trail. They stay in the forest overnight and go back the next day. The wife is surprised. When the next famine happens she has the same plan, and Hansel and Gretel overhear it again but this time Hansel is not able to get white pebbles and has to use bread crumbs for a trail back.
However, with the breadcrumbs, birds came and ate the trail so the next morning Hansel and Gretel did not know how to get back. They wander around the forest and ends up at a witches house! The witch traps them and tries to fatten them up so she can eat them. Gretel manages to push the witch into the fire and she dies. After the witch dies the two children wander around the home and find gems and coins. They take this and leave the house and find themselves at a lake where a kind duck offers them a ride back to their father's house.
When they reach home the father is happy to see them and informs the children that the wife has passed away.
Then they lived happily ever after.

I would use this book in my class if I taught 2nd or 3rd grade. It is a classic story that most children know and while it is a bit dark, it has a humorous undertone and a message of being persistent and thinking outside the box.

I think this book is for the ages of 7-10. It is long but not too long and has colorful illustrations within the story. The language of the book is easy for younger children but still offers a challenge for them so it would not be too easy.

If I were to use this book in my classroom, I would have the children make cardboard gingerbread houses like the witches so they could visualize where Hansel and Gretel were at and then they could reenact the book with finger puppets.

Wonder

                                                        
Title: Wonder
Author: R.J. Palacio
Genre: Special Needs
Major Awards: New York Times Best Seller and Texas Blue Bonnet
Age Group: 3rd - 12th grade

Summary:
I just finished the book Wonder by R.J. Palacio! I have read this book once before but it was refreshing to re-read it from a new perspective. They recently turned it into a movie and I have yet to watch it, however, I believe books are always better than the movies.

Wonder is about a young boy named August (Auggie is his nickname) Pullman, and he was born with a facial difference and had been homeschooled up until the 5th grade where his parents sign him up to attend Beecher Prep. He is hesitant and nervous to go because he is not like the other students that attend, he looks different and he knows he looks different. Going in with this mindset, Auggie is nervous to start his first day. He wants to be seen as an ordinary 5th-grade boy but his peers do not see that, they only see what is on the outside. Throughout the story, the author chose to have the story be told from different perspectives. Starting with his sister and his friends as well. The author doing this made an impact on how the reader felt reading Auggies story. While Auggie was nervous to start school and felt uneasy around his peers, his fellow classmates begin to see him for the wonderful individual he is, and just how extraordinary does not mean anything bad. As the book ends, he is sitting at his graduation ceremony and he wins the Henry Ward Beecher award, an award meant for students that show strength and courage, which he displayed all throughout the book. A sweet ending to help him feel loved by others and normal.

I would use this book in an upper elementary classroom. I think the book teaches a great lesson for students and it would be something they could carry throughout their years. To treat others how you want to be treated but also not to treat and judge others on their appearance but rather for what is in their heart. Auggie displayed a well-rounded character, he was loving, kind, and looked for the best in others because he knew what it felt like to not be seen that way. This story would show the students to respect and be kind to all no matter what.

I think the appropriate grade level of this book would be third grade and higher. The content would be mature enough for 8-year-olds to read as well as understand. It reads easy, the font is big so students who may struggle with reading the small print would be able to read it smoothly.

In my classroom, if I were to use this book I would have the children make a mask, using the face on the cover as a reference. On the mask they would decorate it while focusing on the word "wonder." What if you were Auggie or his peers? How would you react? This activity would be used to show how far kindness can go. While they work on this, I would pair them up with people they do not normally talk to and have them be buddies for the day.

Introduction

Hi everyone!

My name is Jesse. I am currently a junior at Houston Baptist University where I am getting a degree in elementary education EC-6 with ESL certification. I would love to be an upper-elementary science teacher.
I am the youngest of five children. My siblings and I have a huge age gap, my oldest sister is 14 years older and the next sibling to me is 7 years older. I am the first in my family since my great grandpa to go to college, and I hope to inspire my many nieces and nephews to further their education as well.
I am a tutor through UT Health, where I work with students struggling in math or reading anywhere from kindergarten through 3rd grade.
I am excited to see what this semester and God has in store for me!