Hitler Youth



Bartoletti, S. (2005). Hitler Youth. NY: Scholastic.

This informational book is not about Hitler, but rather the generation of young men and women who followed him. This book opened my eyes to a part of history I never knew existed. They were called the Hitler Youth and many of them were mislead and taken advantage due to their innocence. I found this book too strong and chilling for young readers. Yet the information and knowledge I gained were remarkable.

Textbook Assignment 2:

I found this book too strong and chilling for young readers. Yet the information and knowledge I gained were remarkable. The author included photographs, an epilogue, timeline, author’s note, about the photographs, quote sources, bibliography, acknowledgements and an index.  The information was extremely accurate.

 

Received the Newbery Honor and Orbis Pictus Honor award in 2006
and here is a link to the book trailer: https://www.schooltube.com/video/3b981d5ee19b4e119b34/

Activity Ideas from Patrick J. Glazik:
http://germfilelis590hitleryouth.synthasite.com/a-few-activity-ideas.php


 

WE ARE THE SHIP

Nelson, K. (2008). We are the ship. NY: Hyperion.

The Negro League Baseball players are the brave African American men who played a sport they loved, baseball. These men made it possible for players like Jackie Robinson to have a chance in the major leagues. Despite all their struggles, these men opened up the door for others to follow.

Nelson's plot of the importance of the Negro League Baseball players is mentioned throughout the nook. Nelson's careful attention to sharing how each player had an impact on the integration of the baseball league despite all the challenges they faced is important to the plot of the story.

Textbook Assignment 2:

The organization for this book was very unique. The author began with a foreword. He also chose to label the chapters after innings, including extra innings. Each chapter had a heading and a quote. The book also included documentation at the end that made it accurate.

This book received the Coretta Scott King Award and the Sibert Medal
and here is a link to the book trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwjGyxOxFgA

Meet-the-Author Movie with Kadir Nelson:
http://www.teachingbooks.net/author_collection.cgi?id=66&mid=249

Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade

Sweet, M. (2011). Balloons over Broadway: The true story of the puppeteer of Macy's parade. NY: Houghton.

This informational picture book tells about how the Macy's Thanksgiving parade got started. A man by the name of Tony Sarg, who was a puppeteer extraordinaire is the one who came up with this wonderful idea. As a kid he was an inventor, and as he grew up his passion became creating puppets. Macy's hear of how talented Tony was and asked him to create a puppet parade for Macy's Wondertown. Due to it's huge success he was asked to create an even bigger parade in the streets of New York. From there every year the puppets got bigger and bigger and very popular. Even to this day people look forward to the Macy's Thanksgiving parade.

Textbook Assignment 2:

This book included facts, photographs, author’s notes and a bibliographic source. I had never heard of this story before, so I found this book very interesting and engaging. I also learned something new.

This book received the Golden Kite Award for picture book
and here is the link to the book trailer:
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlTmh1cNuVs

Lesson Plan from Classroom Bookshelf:
http://classroombookshelf.blogspot.co.uk/2012/03/2012-robert-f-sibert-informational-book.html

Rosa

Giovanni, N. (2005). Rosa. NY: Holt.

This powerful informational picture book is about the courageous Rosa Park. This book gives children an inside on who Rosa really was and why she decided to say "No." It wasn't until I read this book that I learn about her life before her arrest. We always hear about Rosa who didn't want to give up her seat because she was tired from work. After reading this book it shows that she was tired from all the injustices. Then it also shows what happens after her arrest. How a group of women secretly staged the bus boycott. To having Martin Luther King Jr. be part of this Civil Right Movement. Thanks to Rosa Park, and all the people who stood by her, segregations on buses became illegal.

Textbook Assignment 2:

The thing that stood out about this book was the realistic illustrations. It was impressive art work. This was the story of Rosa Parks that I had never heard before. I really enjoyed this book and learned some new facts about this amazing person.

This book is a Caldecott Honor book and here is a link to the book trailer: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/asset/rosa-book-trailer

Teaching Ideas from Childrens Literature Project:
http://childrensliteratureproject.wmwikis.net/Biography+and+Autobiography

It's So Amazing

Harris, R. (1999). It's so amazing. Boston, MA: Candlewick Press.

The beginning of human life starts off with a small sperm and an egg that when joined together form to make a baby. Babies grow to become children, teenagers, young adults, and then a grown-up. Families raise babies all over the world and provide them with love and shelter in order to survive.

Harris' organization of information takes the reader on a journey from the very beginning of the formation of the baby. The sequence of information allows the reader to understand each step necessary to make a baby. It also discusses the care required after the baby is born and taken home from the hospital.

Textbook Assignment 2:

The organization for this book was clear. It began with a table of contents that included a heading and a subheading. The chapters were labeled clearly.  Paragraphs were separated by boxes for easy reading. I found this book very informational, yet kid friendly.

Meet-the-Author Movie with Robie H. Harris:
http://www.teachingbooks.net/author_collection.cgi?id=22&mid=43

Personal Website for Robie H. Harris:
http://robieharris.com/
 

 

Me...Jane

McDonnell, P. (2011). Me...jane. NY: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

This book is about Jane Goodall as a young girl and her stuff animal chimpanzee, Jubilee. Jane is a girl who loves to be outside watching the animals. She takes her toy chimpanzee Jubilee with her on all of her adventures. They observe nature and all its wonders. They would go up into her favorite tree to dream about being in Africa. Jane dreamed about a life where she could study animals and watch them up close. At the end that’s just what she grew up to be, a chimpanzee expert and animal activist.

Textbook Assignment 2:


From the front cover this book caught my eye. Then the title page included a picture of Jane as a child with a stuffed monkey. This book was very easy to read and very entertaining. The picture at the end of the book was so beautiful.

Meet-the-Author Book Reading with Patrick McDonnell:
http://www.teachingbooks.net/book_reading.cgi?id=4985

Lesson Plan from Classroom Bookshelf:
http://classroombookshelf.blogspot.co.uk/2011/05/me-jane-watcher.html

SPIDERS

Bishop, N. (2007). Spiders. NY: Scholastic.

This informational book is a very interesting book about spiders. Nic Bishop's use of close-up photography really captures the readers attention. I really liked the notes he included about how he took the photographs. This book is also very appropriate for young readers at the elementary level. This is a wonderful book that could be used for a science lesson.

Textbook Assignment 2:

This was a very interesting book about spiders. The author’s use of close up photography really gets the reader’s attention. I really liked the notes he included about how he took the photographs.
 

This book is a Sibert Honor Book and here is a link to the book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lj6OeYmxAZA

Lesson Plan from Bright Hub:
http://www.brighthubeducation.com/preschool-crafts-activities/122426-super-spider-craft-ideas-for-preschoolers/

Martina the Beautiful Cockroach

 

Deedy, C. A. (2007). Martina the beautiful cockroach. Atlanta, GA: Peachtree.

  

"Martina the Beautiful Cockroach" is about the journey a cockroach takes in order to find her perfect husband. Martina's grandmother has offered her a piece of advice that she must use with every suitor that comes her way. After many failed attempts to finding her perfect match Martina is about to give up. That is until her grandmother points her in the direction of the little mouse. To her surprise she immediately has feelings for him. Also to her advantage she passed the "coffee test," since he also has a Cuban grandmother.

 

 

Textbook Assignment 1:

 

Texture: Texture can be used to enhance the realistic quality of illustrations or to stimulate the imagination.

“Martina the Beautiful Cockroach” by Carmen Agra Deedy has a realistic quality to it’s illustrations. Details, such as the use of human objects get your imagination going into thinking that maybe creatures such as cockroaches have extraordinary lives.

 

 

Here is a link to the book trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z28ChgqayU4

 

 

Lesson Plan from Yale National Initiative:

http://teachers.yale.edu/curriculum/search/viewer.php?id=initiative_07.04.07_u#h1num-9

My Teacher is a Monster

Brown, P. (2014). My teacher is a monster. NY: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

 

"My Teacher is a Monster!" portrays the image that many students have towards their teacher. Many students feel that their teacher gets after them for no reason. Bobby felt this way too. That is until he runs into Ms. Kirby at the park one weekend. After spending time with her he realized she was not a monster after all.

 

Textbook Assignment 1:

 

Shape: The use of shapes can convey actions and include geometric shapes.

“My Teacher Is A Monster” by Peter Brown uses shapes such as ovals, circles and rectangles to convey action. The illustrations are simple and two dimensional, yet very appealing for young readers.

Personal Website for Peter Brown:
http://www.peterbrownstudio.com/

YouTube Read Aloud:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iu8lMajbigQ

 

 

 

 



The Paperbag Princess

 

 

Munsch, R. (2012). The paper bag princess. NY: Annick Press.

"The Paper Bag Princess" is about a princess named Elizabeth who had everything anyone could want. That is until the day a dragon took everything from her, including her prince charming. She was determined to get him back. After putting her brilliant plan into action she finally got him back. To her surprise and dismay he insulted her for how she looked. Being the smart princess she was she decided she didn't need him after all.

Textbook Assignment 1:

Characters: The characters in picture books should be convincing and credible with personalities that emerge as interesting and distinctive.

Elizabeth, in “The Paper Bag Princess” was a character that really stood out to me. She was smart and witty. I also liked the fact that she realized what a jerk her fiancée was and didn’t get married after all. This broke the mold of your traditional happy ending.

Meet-the-Author Movie with Michael Martchenko:
http://www.teachingbooks.net/author_collection.cgi?id=72&mid=266

Lesson Plan from ReadWriteThink:
http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/promoting-diversity-classroom-school-317.html

The Three Pigs

 

Wiesner, D. (2001). The Three Pigs. NY: Clarion.

"The Three Pigs" begins as your traditional story of "The Three Little Pigs;" However, there is a twist to the story. The pigs are blown out of the book by the huffing and puffing of the wolf. The wolf appears confused throughout the story because he didn't get to eat any of them. The pigs on the other hand are having a blast being out of the book. They even run into other characters from different stories. At the end, they all live happily ever after.

Textbook Assignment 1:

Line: Lines can set the mood or convey movement. They provide a feeling of strength, balance, motion, or distance.

 

“The Three Pigs” by David Wiesner provides a great example of lines giving a feeling of motion. It starts as the traditional story but soon the pigs are blown out of the pages. With every turn of the page the pigs seem to be outside of the book.

Meet-the-Author Movie with David Wiesner:
http://www.teachingbooks.net/author_collection.cgi?id=47&mid=81

Lesson Plan from Reading to Kids:
http://readingtokids.org/Books/BookView.php?pag=3&bookID=00000366

It's a Book

 

Smith, L. (2011). It's a book. NY: Roaring Brook.

"It's a Book" by Lane Smith is a picture book about a monkey who is trying to read a book. However, his friend, the jackass, who is consumed by technology seem to have no idea what a book is. Through out the book his friend questions him about "the book." The monkey even appears frustrated at his ignorance. At the end the jackass is captivated by how amazing the book is and refuses to give it back.

Textbook Assignment 1:

Illustrations: The illustrations create or complement the story and are an essential part of evaluating a picture book.

In the picture book, "It's a Book,” Lane Smith makes great use of it’s illustrations to complement the story. The frustration felt by the monkey can be seen and felt throughout the book because of the pictures.

 

Here is the link to the book trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4BK_2VULCU

Lesson Plan from Teaching Library:
http://www.teachingideas.co.uk/library/books/its-a-book/

 

OLIVIA

Falconer,I. (2009). Olivia. NY: Atheneum.

 

This book tells of Olivia's daily routines and of her many adventures. It also highlights the relationship she has with her brother and mother.  Falconer use of red against the monotone colors really make the subject of his sentences pop. The book comes to life with the illustrations. They add humor, exaggerated perceptions of life through the eyes of child, and real art work that can be found in New York and Paris Museums.

Textbook Assignment 1:

Color: Color is used to convey emotion and symbolism.

“Olivia” by Ian Falconer caught my eye by the limited use of color. The color RED really stood out to me. I really liked how Ian Falconer used black and white images with a splash of red to bring life to his story.  

Personal Website for Ian Falconer:
http://www.oliviathepiglet.com/

Interview with Ian Falconer:
http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/authors/interviews/article/17694-children-s-bookshelf-talks-with-ian-falconer.html

 

 

The Legend of the Bluebonnet

 

dePaola, T. (1983). The legend of the bluebonnet. NY: Putnam.

 

This picture book is a retelling of the Comanche Indian legend of how a little girl's sacrifice brought the flower called the bluebonnet to Texas. It all begins with the Indians trying to save their people from a drought. A little girl decided to sacrifice the only thing she had to help her people. The Great Spirits rewarded her sacrifice and her people were saved.

 

Textbook Assignment 1:

 

Cultural Markers: Words and pictures are used to depict culture in children’s picture books.

“The Legend of the Bluebonnet” by Tomie DePaola is rich in the culture of the Comanche People. Although it is a legend, many of the traditions and beliefs of the people are portrayed in this book. Both the words and pictures in this picture book depict the Comanche Indians.

 

Here is a link to the book trailer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gcGlxsTrqE

Extension Activities from Scholastic:
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/legend-bluebonnet-extension-activities

 

 



THIS IS NOT MY HAT

Klassen, J. (2012). This is not my hat. Boston, MA: Candlewick.

 

"This Is Not My Hat" by Jon Klassen tells a story of a fish who takes something that doesn't belong to him. He thinks that he will get away with it because no one saw him take it. However, that is not the case. The big fish knew all along that the fish took his hat.

 

Textbook Assignment 1:

 

Theme: The message or lesson that a story imparts on children.

“This Is Not My Hat” by Jon Klassen can be used to teach children about the consequences of taking something that doesn’t belong to you. The moral of the story is that stealing is wrong and you will get caught. This story book can be used with small children and the concept can be easily understood.

 

Here is a link to the book trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIi5J7LFvZs

 

Teaching Ideas:

http://www.teachingideas.co.uk/library/books/this-is-not-my-hat

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE

 

Sendak, M. (1963). Where the wild things are. NY: HarperCollins.

 

This picture book is about a little mischievous boy named Max. He got into trouble for being rude towards his mother and was sent to his room without supper. When he got to his room it soon began to turn into a forest and he got on his private boat and sailed to where the wild things are. There the monsters declared him the king of all wild things. Not long after Max began to feel lonely and hungry and decided to come back home. When he returned supper was waiting for him, and it was still hot.

 

Textbook Assignment 1:

 

Setting: The setting is often established more through the visuals than through the text. Where does the story take place?

In the picture book, "Where the Wild Things Are” by Maurice Sendak, the setting is established by the illustrations. This story takes place in the wild imagination of Max. As the story progresses his imagination keeps getting wilder and his room becomes a different world. At the end when Max is hungry and tired he decides it is time to come back to his real world.

This book received the Caldecott Medal and here is the link

to the book trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sIK9cRWCEvY

 

Lesson Plan from Family Classroom Network:

http://www.easyfunschool.com/article1293.html

  

 

 

 

mirror mirror

 

 

Singer, M. (2010) Mirror, Mirror. NY: Dutton

 

This book contains poems depicting fairy tales characters in which two different points of view can be seen. It is amazing how the reverso of each poem can change the mood and meaning completely. The book also offers beautiful and brilliant illustrations. In the words of my 11 year old daughter,"this book was exploding my brain, if that makes any sense."

 

Textbook Assignment 1:

 

Style: The element of style reveals itself in both the language of the author and the artistry of the illustrator in the world of picture books.

“Mirror, Mirror” by Marilyn Singer exhibits a very unique style of poetry. This was my first experience with reversos and now I can’t stop thinking about it. The way reversing the poem changes the point of view and meaning of the previous poem was phenomenal.

 

Personal Website for Marilyn Singer:

http://marilynsinger.net/

 

Lesson Plan from Reader's Response:

http://vwlitblog.blogspot.co.uk/2011/04/mirror-mirror-book-of-reversible-verse.html