Stone Soup

Author:  Mary Rowitz

About the Author:

Mary Rowitz has written many children's books.  Most of her books are fairy tale or folk tale stories that have been told for generations.

Genre: Fairy Tale
Grade Level: 1-3

Theme:
The theme of this book is working together is better than working alone.

Synopsis:

This story is about a traveler who asks people in the village if they have any food to spare, but the people do not have enough for a whole meal.  The traveler shows them if they put their food together and cooperate with one another, they have enough food to feed everyone. 

Pre Reading Activity:

Questions:
Who likes soup? What is your favorite soup?  Do you and your family make home made soup or store bought?

Activity:

Together as a class list all the favorite soups.  List what makes each of their soups special to them.

Post Reading Activity:
Questions:

Who wants to make stone soup?

Activity:
Have students make a list of ingredients the class will need to make stone soup. Assign each student to bring in one ingredient and make soup with the class.

Reflection:

I think this is a great story to read and make soup with younger children.  They will see how working together can produce more than working alone.  The story  shows people that if everybody volunteers to help their community that one little thing could turn into a big thing.  This story is about learning what happens when we share and help each other, which is perfect for elementary students to learn.

Please Stop Laughing At Me

Author:     Jodee Blanco

http://www.jodeeblanco.com/        
                                                                

About the Author:

Jodee Blanco lives in the suburbs of Chicago, but travels all over to spread the word of her purpose, which resulted from the pain she endured.  She created a anti-bullying program called, It's NOT Just Joking Around. 

Genre: Realistic Fiction
Grade Level: 7-12

Theme:

The theme of this book is bullying and ways to stop it.

Synopsis:

This story is about Jodee Blanco's life growing up and how she was cruelly treated in schools she attended.  Her parents try to help her by taking her to a psychiatrist and contacting the schools, but it seems they have no power to stop the abuse. 

Pre Reading Activity:

Questions:
What do we think bullying is?  What can be done to stop bullying? Can it be stopped?

Activity:

Together with the students, brainstorm a list of ways someone can be bullied and a list of things that can be done to stop the bullying.  Also discuss if they think the ways they listed to stop bullying will work or not.

Post Reading Activity:
Questions:

How does bullying affect someone? Do you think the ways we listed about stopping bullying would work?

Activity:

Have the students write a two page paper discussing what is considered bullying, how does bullying affect someone, and what are some ways that bullying can be stopped.

Reflection:

I think this book is a great resource for schools staff to use to identify what bullying can look like, and what signs they can look for from their students.  I think this book is very relevant for students today, and this topic needs to be addressed, not over looked.  I think children can relate to this story and maybe can think of things to help stop bullying.  I think it is great that she updated definitions of bullying to include cyber bullying and created a new release called, Please Stop Bulling Us.  I think it is important to change with the times. 

Mockingbird

Author:  Kathryn Erskine                                      
http://www.kathyerskine.com/Kathryn_Erskine/Home.html

About the Author:

Kathryn Erskine was born in the Netherlands, as a child her family moved to other countries; Israel, South Africa, Scotland, New Foundland Canada, and finally settling in Virginia.  During her stays in each place she gained many new experiences that she could take with her.  Kathryn was a lawyer for fifteen years before she began her writing career, which was her first love.  She lives in Virginia with her husband, two children, and dog, Maxine. 

Genre: Fiction
Grade Level: 4-6

Theme:
The theme of this book is autism, and seein the world different than others.

Synopsis:

This book is about an eleven year old girl with Asperger’s Syndrome, but does not know she has it.  In her world everything is black and white.  Her older brother, Devon, used to help her with anything in between.  Devon was shot and killed in his school, which devastates his father.  After Caitlin reads the definition of the word closure, she realizes she needs to find it.  She thinks that closure is an object and along her journey of finding it, she realizes the world is not just black and white; it’s full of colors too.

Pre Reading Activity:

Questions:
What do you think this book is about based on the cover?

Activity:

Have students predict what the book is about, and create a chart with all the predictions made.

Post Reading Activity:
Questions:

Does it sound easy for someone to understand the world around them if they have Asperger's Syndrome?

Activity:
Have the students write an essay about what it must be like if no one understands them.  Explain how they could tell someone what they need if the person couldn’t understand.

Reflection:

I loved this book!  I could not put it down once I started reading it.  It shows what a person with Aspergers thinks and feels, while the world is moving all around them they are in their own world.  I think this book would be great to read with students, so they can begin to understand someone who is different and how they may be thinking.

One Crazy Summer

Author: Rita Williams Garcia                                            
http://www.ritawg.com/

About the Author:

Rita Garcia was born in Queens, NY.  She learned to read early and was aware of life events taking place while growing up in the 60’s.  Writing stories for young children is her passion and mission.  She knows students, especially teen’s wants to read stories that engage them and reflect their image and experiences. 

Genre: Fiction
Grade Level: 5-8

Theme:
The theme of this book is to always try, even if you feel it's not worth it.

Synopsis:

This book is about an 11 year old girl and her two sisters.  They were abandoned by their mother and their father sent them to spend time with their mother; even though the mother has no interest in getting to know them. 

Pre Reading Activity:

Questions:
What do you think this book is about based on the cover?

Activity:

Have the students write a paragraph about what they think this book will be about based on the cover.

Post Reading Activity:
Questions:

Do you think we should judge a book by its cover?  Do you think there may be more to every book than just what is on the cover?

Activity:
Have the students write an essay about what they thought the book was about based on the cover, and what the book was really about, including one issue the book talks about and why it is important to discuss.

Reflection:

This book would be great to use in a book club for middle school students or a read aloud.  The book does a great job touching on many content topics, such as the Black Panthers.  I think students can relate to the characters in this book, they are similar in age and all students will be learning about African American history. 

Tia Isa Wants a Car

Author: Meg Medina                                                
http://megmedina.com/

About the Author:
Meg Medina has written books for over 15 years for adults and children.  She likes to write about topics related to Latino culture.

 

Genre: Fiction
Grade Level: K-3

Synopsis:

A little girl pitches in to her Tia save for a car and take the whole family to the beach.  Tia wants to buy a shiny green car to match the color of the ocean she wants to visit.  Saving is hard because she has to put the money she makes in two piles; one for here and one for helping money.  The helping money is so that family members who live far away can join them someday.

Pre Reading Activity:

Questions:
Does anyone know someone who lives far away?  Does anyone know someone who lives in another state? Town?

Activity:

Have the students write about someone that they know who does not live with them, could be far away or in another town.

Post Reading Activity:
Questions:

Do you think it is important to save money for things that we want?

 

Activity:
Have the students write about something they would want to save money for, and how long it would take them to save.

Reflection:

I think this book is a wonderful way to show young children what life may be like for other children and families.  Some students may be able to relate to family being far away, either in other states, or countries, and more families are struggling today to make ends meet.  Children can see how hard some families have to work to enjoy something people may take for granted, like going to the beach.

Carmen Learns English

Author:   Judy Cox                                              
http://www.judycox.net

About the Author:
Judy Cox grew up in San Francisco, where she loved to tell stories to her younger brother and sisters.  She started writing her first book at the age of 11 but had many rejections from publishers so she became an elementary teacher where she taught kindergarten through third grade.  She began writing again later into her career about stories of her students and own children.

Genre: Fiction
Grade Level: K-2

Synopsis:

This book is about a little girl starting the first day of school.  It can be scary, especially when no one else speaks your language. Carmen speaks only Spanish and knows she must be brave. Her teacher's Spanish is not good at all; but with a little encouragement from her teacher, Carmen teaches the class Spanish words and numbers, and she in turn learns English from her new friends.

Pre Reading Activity:

Questions:
Who knows some Spanish words?

Activity:

Have the students list all the words they know in Spanish and their meaning.  Make a list of English words they would like to know the Spanish word for. 

Post Reading Activity:
Questions:

What do you think is important if someone is struggling with something in school?

Activity:
Have the students write two sentences about how they could help someone who did not speak English if they were in their class.

Reflection:

I think this is a great book for younger students.  They can see what challenges Carmen faces about coming to a school and not knowing how to speak the language.  It can teach students to be understanding about differences students and teachers bring to the classroom and how we all can learn from being different.

Exploring Countries – Mexico

Author:   Colleen Sexton

About the Author:
Colleen Sexton has written countless books, including many non-fiction books and biographies of well known people such as J.K. Rowling. 

Genre: Non-Fiction
Grade Level: 3-5

Synopsis:

This book shows Mexico in many different ways.  It shows where Mexico is geographically in relation to other countries, what their land is like; wetlands, plateaus, etc.  It shows what animals live in Mexico, and gives fun facts about the country.  One important part of the book is showing what the people living there do; school, work, fun activities, foods they eat, holidays they celebrate, and places that are well known.

Pre Reading Activity:

Questions:
What do we know about Mexico? 

Activity:

Show the cover of the book to the students and create a KWL chart with them.

Post Reading Activity:
Questions:

What did we learn about Mexico?

Activity:
Complete the L on the KWL chart together, and have the students write two paragraphs about what they have learned about Mexico and name one thing they found interesting about the country or its people.

Reflection:

I think this is a great book to use to show students about another country/culture.  It shows what Mexico looks like, and what someone’s life there could be like.  I think students could relate to this book and its informative information. 

Dirt On My Shirt

Author:   Jeff Foxworthy               

About the Author:
Jeff Foxworthy is most known for his redneck comedy, but he has written 11 books.  he lives with his wife and two daughters in Georgia.  He is the honorary chairman at the Duke University Children's Hospital.  With his help the hospital has raised $4 million in four years. 

Genre: Fiction
Grade Level: 1-2

Synopsis:

This book is a collection of poems.  The poems are of all different things from, relatives, noises to animals and friends.  Each poem was funny and easy to read.  With each poem were great illustrations that brought humor to the words.

 

Pre Reading Activity:

Questions:
What do you think this book will be about?  What do you think the poems will be about?

Activity:

Make a list of predictions.

Post Reading Activity:
Questions:

Were the predictions right?

Activity:

Have the class choose a topic for a poem, and together write a rhyming poem, and have the students draw their own illustrations to go with the poem.

Reflection:

I think this book of poems is very relate able to children.  There are a wide range of topics and the last poem is titled, Escape.  I think this is a great way to end this book, it talks about balloons, where they come from and where they go.  It made me think of children and the journey they are on.  Children can't wait to grow up and get away, but they do not have a map to tell them where to go. 

Because of Winn-Dixie

Author:   Kate DiCamillo       
http://www.katedicamillo.com/  
                                                
About the Author:
Kate DiCamillo was born in Philadelphia Pennsylvania, but now lives in Minnesota.  She writes books for children and adults, and likes to think of herself as a storyteller.  She loves the fact that she gets to tell stories for a living and feels very lucky to do so.

Genre: Fiction
Grade Level: 4-6

Synopsis:

This is a story about a girl who lost her mother and her father takes care of her.  He is a preacher so they move from town to town.  Her father does not like to talk about Opal's mother, but she needs him to tell her about her.  She is sent to the store for some items and finds a dog, which she names Winn-Dixie, after the store she is in.  Her and Winn-Dixie are perfect for each other, they are both need a friend. 

 

Pre Reading Activity:

Questions:
What do you think this book is about? 

Activity:

Create a KWL chart with the students by looking at the cover of the book.

Post Reading Activity:
Questions:

What did we learn?  What does Winn-Dixie and Opal have in common, how are they similar to each other.

Activity:

Have the students write a story about what Winn-Dixie and Opal have in common.

Reflection:

I love this story.  I think people can often relate to animals sometimes when they can't other people.  I think it shows how children can view something tragic.  She loses her mom and does not understand why, and her father will not talk about it with her.  Instead of being angry, she finds peace with talking to Winn-Dixie and works through hr emotions and ends up helping her father.  I think some students can relate to this story.

 

Belle Prater's Boy

Author:  Ruth White                                                                                  

About the Author:

Ruth White grew up in a coal mine town in Whitewood,Virgina, where her and her sisters would play in the hills and creeks. She used her experiences to write many of her stories. She now lives in Pennsylvania.

Genre: Fiction
Grade Level: 4-6 

Synopsis:

This is a story about a boy’s mother who disappears and he has to live with his grandparents in Virginia.  Woodrow is the boys name, he wears glasses, wears hand me downs for clothes, but is very witty and has a lot of charm.  He finds out he has a lot in common with his cousin Gypsy, who lives next door; they become best friends during their sixth grade year.   Gypsy is the town beauty and she has hidden sorrows and secrets of her own, she wonders how Woodrow can accept the disappearance of his mother when she cannot get over the death of her father.  Woodrow tells Gypsy the secret about his mother; he is the only one who knows because he is Belle Prater’s boy.

Pre Reading Activity:

Questions:
What do you think this story is about?  Who has a cousin in the same grade as them?  Is it fun having relatives in school with you?

Activity:

Have the students write a few sentences about what they think this story is about.

Post Reading Activity:
Questions:

What do you think happened to his mother?  Why do you think he hasn’t been able to tell anyone what he knows?  Do you think he will tell his dad and grandparents?

Activity:

After reading the story, have them write a story about what they think happened to his mother, and why they think he didn’t tell anyone until a year later. 

Reflection:

I think this book would be a great book to read with middle school students, many of our students are dealing with sorrows and secrets they cannot or will not share with others.  Reading stories that children can relate to can make a difference in our students.  They may be able to understand their own feelings by relating to a character in a book.  

The Winter Room

Author:  Gary Paulsen                                                           

About the Author:

Gary Paulsen was born in Minnesota.  He did not particularly like school, but had a passion for books and would read for hours.   When he was 14 he left his home and joined the carnival.  During this time he held many jobs, which gave him ideas for writing.  He also joined the Iditarod (dog sled race), but had to give that up, which led him to focus only on his writing.

 

Genre: Fiction
Grade Level: 4-6

Synopsis:

This is a story about a family who worked on farm, and all lived in the same house. Uncle David used to tell stories in the winter around the wood stove and the family would listen to him.  When people live in the same house you think you would know someone, but one day her uncle surprised her. 

Pre Reading Activity:

Questions:
What kind of work is done on a farm?  Do you like to hear stories from your relatives about things you didn’t know?  Do you like to tell stories?

Activity:

Have the students write a story that they would tell for entertainment about living on a farm.  Have them share their stories with the class.

Post Reading Activity:
Questions:

What happened in the story of the Woodcutter?  What happens to Wayne?  Were you surprised by the story Uncle David told?

 

Activity:

After reading the story, have the students write a paragraph telling why they were surprised of the story Uncle David told about the Woodcutter.

Reflection:

This is an entertaining book to read as a class.  I think middle school students would like this book because it shows them that stories are told for entertainment, but also stories are for believing in, not for just believing what you are hearing.  I think children who hear stories believe what they hear, but it is hard to get children in middle school to believe in what they hear.

The View From Saturday

Author:  E.L. Konigsburg                                                                                

About the Author:

E.L. was born in New York City, where she was a good student in school, she was the first to go to college in her family.  She went to college and earned a degree in chemistry.  Soon into her master's degree, she realized she did not have the temperament for chemistry.  She began teaching science in an all girls school, where she realized she was not interested about teaching but what was inside the children.  She began writing and now has 15 books published and some of them have her illustrations.

 

Genre: Fiction
Grade Level: 4-6

Synopsis:

This is a story about sixth grade Academic Bowl contest at a middle school.  It was a surprise that the team had won, and how the teacher selected the team.  The stories of each of the four students the teacher picked are unique. 

Pre Reading Activity:

Questions:
What do you think this book is about?  What is an Academic bowl is? Do we have an Academic bowl in this school?

Activity:
Have the students write 2 sentences about who they think will win the bowl; the sixth grade team or the seventh grade team and why they think they will win.

Post Reading Activity:
Questions:
Who guessed the sixth grade team would beat the seventh grade team?  Why did you think they would win? Would you like to be on an Academic Bowl team?

Activity:

After reading the story, have the students write an essay about one of the students on the team and explain the reason they were picked to be on the team and do they think that is a good reason.

Reflection:

I think this is a great book to read to middle school students.  It teaches them that sometimes you may not have the answers, but you keep going, and you can be successful and gain confidence in anything you do.  I think it is important for educators to teach their students this message.   

 

Pictures of Hollis Woods

Author:  Patricia Reilly Giff    
                           

About the Author:

Patricia Reilly Giff was born in Brooklyn, New York, as early as she can remember she has always loved to read books.  She was a reading teacher for 20 years, where her own children and the children she taught were her inspiration for stories she could write about.

Genre: Fiction
Grade Level: 4-6

Synopsis:

This is a story about a girl who draws pictures about her life, she seems different from the other kids.  She draws a W, which represents want, wish, and wouldn’t it be lovely.  When she draws an X on someone she drew in a picture it means they are out of her life.  Hollis Woods has been in many foster home, she finally finds one family who gives her a home, but she is sent to an elderly artist and Hollis wants to stay, but the elderly lady is growing old and forgetful. 

Pre Reading Activity:

Questions:

What do you think this book is about?  What do you think Hollis Woods is?  What do you think the pictures are about?

Activity:
Have the students each write 2 sentences about what they think this book is about by looking at the cover.

Post Reading Activity:
Questions:

What did Hollis Woods draw?  Where did Hollis Woods live?  Why did she like to draw?

Activity:

After reading the story, have the students draw a picture of something they have wished for or wanted and explain why they want it.

Reflection:

I think this book would be good for students to relate to.  Students can see from a person who is similar in age to them what it would be like to live in many places and not have anyone understand them.  Children all go through a stage when they think no one understands them. 

Encylopedia Prehistorica, Dinosaurs

Author:  Robert Sabuda and Mattew Reinhart                              
http://www.matthewreinhart.com
http://www.robertsabuda.com

About the Author:

Robert Sabuda is a talented pop up book artist.  From a very young age he was a talented artist.  He attended Pratt Institution in New York City, where he met Mattew Reinhart.

Mattew Reinhart always loved drawing, he would draw anywhere and everywhere.  After high school he studied biology in preparation to attend medical school.  Before going to medical school he went to New York City for a year, there he met Robert Sabuda. 

Genre: Non-Fiction
Grade Level: 1-4

Synopsis:
This is a book that has many pictures and facts about dinosaurs.  It has pop outs to look at that show details of the dinosaurs.   It describes characteristics of different types of dinosaurs.  The main idea of the book is for the reader to discover the world of dinosaurs.  Making the children interested in the pictures and pop outs, to learn fascinating facts and information about dinosaurs.  

Pre Reading Activity:

Questions:
What are dinosaurs?  Where do dinosaurs live?  How big are dinosaurs?

Activity:
Have the students each draw a picture of their favorite dinosaur.

Post Reading Activity:
Questions:

What is the name of 3 dinosaurs? Do dinosaurs all eat plants?  Do dinosaurs fly?

Activity:

After reading the story, have the students write a few sentences describing their favorite dinosaur that they drew before reading the story.  Using some facts they learned from the book.

Reflection:
This book is a great book for dinosaur lovers!  It has amazing detailed pop outs of dinosaurs.  Kids will want to spend hours looking at the pictures from this book to learn about their favorite dinosaur.