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.