Chapter Book #14

The Amber Cat

 by Hilary McKay

Illustrator: not illustrated

Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Subgenre: Chapter Book

Themes:

Primary and Secondary Characters: Primary -  Secondary -

Award(s): 1997 School Library Journal Best Books of the Year

Date Published: 

Publishing Company: 

Summary: 


How this book could be used to teach students:


A little extra:

Chapter Book #13

Strider

 by Beverly Cleary

Illustrator: 

Genre: 
Subgenre: 

Themes:

Primary and Secondary Characters: Primary -  Secondary -

Award(s):  date

Date Published: 

Publishing Company: 

Summary: 


How this book could be used to teach students:


A little extra:

Chapter Book #12

What Jamie Saw

 by Carolyn Coman

Illustrator: 

Genre: 
Subgenre: 

Themes:

Primary and Secondary Characters: Primary -  Secondary -

Award(s):  date

Date Published: 

Publishing Company: 

Summary: 


How this book could be used to teach students:


A little extra:

Chapter Book #11

The Pull of the Ocean

 by Jean-Claude Mourlevat

translated from the French by Y. Maudet

Illustrator: not illustrated

Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Subgenre: Chapter Book

Themes: Adventure, Mystery, Families, Poverty

Primary and Secondary Characters: Primary - Yann, Fabien, Remy, Max, Victor, Pierre, Paul   Secondary - Marthe Doutreleau, Louis Doutreleau, Nathalie Josse

Award(s): 2007 Mildred L. Batchelder Award
2007  American Library Association Notable Books for Children

Date Published: 2006

Publishing Company: Delacorte Press

Summary: The story takes place in modern-day France. After running away from home, Yann Doutreleau leads his six brother west to the ocean. The Doutreleau boys work together to stay alive.  The brothers cross paths with a list of unsuspecting characters as they journey to the ocean. Each chapter is told by one of the many characters from the story.   


How this book could be used to teach students: The Pull of the Ocean could be used to teach students about point of view, there is always two sides to a story. I think this book would be best used with older students due to some of the issues presented in the story. 

Chapter Book #10

Bud, Not Buddy

 by Christopher Paul Curtis

Illustrator: not illustrated

Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Subgenre: Chapter Book

Themes:

Primary and Secondary Characters: Primary - Bud
Secondary -

Award(s): 1999 School Library Journal Best Books of the Year
2000 Newbery Medal
2000 Coretta Scott King Award
2000 American Library Association Notable Books for Children
2001 Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award
2002 Volunteer State Book Award

Date Published:  1999

Publishing Company: Delacorte Press

Summary: 


How this book could be used to teach students:


A little extra:

Chapter Book #9

The Barn

 by Avi

Illustrator: not illustrated

Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Subgenre: Chapter Book

Themes: Life, Death, Family, Hope 

Primary and Secondary Characters: Primary - Ben, Harrison, Nettie  
Secondary - Father, Tod Buckman

Award(s): none found

Date Published: 1994

Publishing Company:  Avon Camelot Books

Summary: While away at school, nine year old, Ben must return home when his father becomes ill. Several years after their mother's death Ben, Harrison and Nettie are left alone to take care of their home, farm, and sick father. Ben gets his older brother and sister to work together to build a barn in hopes that their father recovery. 


How this book could be used to teach students: The Barn could be used to teach students about live in the 1800's.

Picture Book #26

Gobble Gobble Crash!
A Barnyard Counting Bash

 by Julie Stiegemeyer

Illustrator: Valeri Gorbachev

Genre: 
Subgenre: 

Themes:

Primary and Secondary Characters: Primary -  Secondary -

Award(s):  date

Date Published: 

Publishing Company: 

Summary: 


How this book could be used to teach students:


A little extra:

Picture Book #25

Dot & Jabber 
and the Big Bug Mystery

 by Ellen Stoll Walsh

Illustrator: 

Genre: 
Subgenre: 

Themes:

Primary and Secondary Characters: Primary -  Secondary -

Award(s):  date

Date Published: 

Publishing Company: 

Summary: 


How this book could be used to teach students:


A little extra:

Picture Book #24

Tracks in the Snow

 by Wong Herbert Yee

Illustrator: 

Genre: 
Subgenre: Picture Book

Themes:

Primary and Secondary Characters: Primary -  Secondary -

Award(s):  date

Date Published: 2003

Publishing Company: Henry Holt and Company

Summary: 


How this book could be used to teach students:


A little extra:

Picture Book #24

Ballet for Martha:
Making  Appalachian Spring

 by Jan Greenberg and Sandra Jordan

Illustrator: Brian Floca

Genre: 
Subgenre: Picture Book

Themes:

Primary and Secondary Characters: Primary -  Secondary -

Award(s): 2011 Orbis Pictus Award
2011 Robert F. Sibert Honor

Date Published: 2010

Publishing Company: Flash Point

Summary: 


How this book could be used to teach students:


A little extra:

Picture Book #22

Bird Song

 by Audrey Wood

Illustrator: Robert Florczak

Genre: 
Subgenre:  Picture Book

Themes:

Primary and Secondary Characters: Primary -  Secondary -

Award(s):

Date Published:  1997

Publishing Company: Hartcourt Brace & Company

Summary: 


How this book could be used to teach students:


A little extra:

Picture Book #20

Too Many Toys

 by David Shannon

Illustrator: 

Genre: 
Subgenre: 

Themes:

Primary and Secondary Characters: Primary -  Secondary -

Award(s):  date

Date Published: 2008

Publishing Company: The Blue Sky Press

Summary: 


How this book could be used to teach students:


A little extra:

Picture Book #21

Art & Max

 by David Wiesner

Illustrator: 

Genre: 
Subgenre: 

Themes:

Primary and Secondary Characters: Primary -  Secondary -

Award(s):  date

Date Published: 

Publishing Company: 

Summary: 


How this book could be used to teach students:


A little extra:

Picture Book #19

Dave the Potter

 by Laban Carrick Hill

Illustrator: Bryan Collier

Genre: Juvenile Non-Fiction
Subgenre: Picture Book

Themes: Slavery, Art, History, Creativity

Primary and Secondary Characters: Primary - Dave

Award(s): 2011 Caldecott Honor
2011 Coretta Scott King Award
2011 American Library Association Notable Books for Children

Date Published: 2010

Publishing Company: Little, Brown and Company

Summary: In the 1800's a slave named Dave with an extra ordinary talent, leaves his mark and clues to his life on pieces of pottery he creates. 


How this book could be used to teach students: This book could be used to compare Dave's life to other slaves' lives in the 1800's. Dave the Potter cold be used as an example of an biography.  

Picture Book #18

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

 by Melissa Sweet

Illustrator: Melissa Sweet

Genre: Juvenile Non-Fiction
Subgenre: Picture Book, Biography

Themes: Inventions, Parade, Creativity, History

Primary and Secondary Characters: Primary - Tony Sarg

Award(s): 2011 Publishers Weekly Best Children's Book
2012 Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award
2012 Orbis Pictus Award

Date Published: 2011

Publishing Company: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children

Summary: As a boy Tony Sarg invented things with string, marionettes and a chicken feeder. Tony and his marionettes would eventually go to London and then New York City. The marionettes would catch the eye of Macy's Department Store and Tony would be hired to set up an animated window displays. Then Macy's would want Tony to develop something more spectacular.


How this book could be used to teach students: This book could be used to teach students about biographies and/or the history of puppets in parades.


A little extra: melissasweet.net

Picture Book #17

How to Heal a Broken Wing

 by  Bob Graham

Illustrator: Bob Graham

Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Subgenre: Picture Book

Themes: Birds, Caring for injured animals, Compassion 

Primary and Secondary Characters: Primary - Will and Boy Secondary - Will's Mom and Dad

Award(s): 2009 Charlotte Zolotow Award
2009 Australian Children's Book of the Year Awards
2009 American Library Association Notable Books for Children
2008 West Australian Premier's Australia Asia Literary Award
2008 School Library Journal Best Books of the Year

Date Published: 2008

Publishing Company: Candlewick Press

Summary: An injured bird laid on a busy city sidewalk and no one notice. Then Will walked by and took the bird home. With help from his parents, Will takes care of the bird and hopes the bird will one day fly again.   


How this book could be used to teach students: This book could be used to teach students about caring for injured animals and doing good deeds. How to Heal a Broken Wing would be good example for to teach young readers about story sequence.  

Picture Book #16

A Ball for Daisy

 by Chris Raschka

Illustrator: Chris Raschka

Genre: Juvenile Fiction 
Subgenre: Picture Book

Themes: story without word, loss, emotions  

Primary and Secondary Characters: Primary - Daisy 
Secondary - brown dog, girl  

Award(s):  Caldecott Medal (2012)

Date Published: 2011

Publishing Company: Schwartz & Wade Books 

Summary: Daisy the dog loves her red ball. She plays and plays with her ball all day long.  The girl takes Daisy outside to play. Daisy has a happy day playing with her ball. Then brown dog wants to play with Daisy's ball, pop and the ball is no more. Daisy is very sad, but brown dog has a surprise for Daisy.    


How this book could be used to teach students: A Ball for Daisy can be used to teach students how illustrations tell a story. This book can be introduced to very young children that can not read, but can tell the story through it's pictures.  

Picture Book #15

The Very Quiet Cricket

 by Eric Carle

Illustrator: Eric Carle

Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Subgenre: Picture Book

Themes: insects, communication

Primary and Secondary Characters: Primary - quite cricket

Secondary - big cricket, locust, praying mantis, worm, spittlebug, cicada, bumbletbee, dragonfly, mosquitoes, luna moth, female cricket

Date Published: 1990

Publishing Company: Philomel Books

Summary: A little cricket rubs his wings together to communication with other insects he encounters, but each time he does not make a sound. Then one day he meets another cricket and there is sound. 


How this book could be used to teach students: The Very Quite Cricket could be used to teach students about how insects communicate. The students could explore and learn about the insects featured in the book.


A little extra: http://www.eric-carle.com/catexchange.html 
Did you know that only male crickets chirp. 

Picture Book #14

The Three Pigs

 by David Wiesner

Illustrator:  David Wiesner

Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Subgenre: Picture Book

Themes: Friend Ship

Primary and Secondary Characters: Primary -  Secondary -

Award(s):  Caldecott Medal Book (2002)

Date Published:  2001 

Publishing Company: Clarion Books

Summary: 


How this book could be used to teach students:


A little extra:

Picture Book #13

Some Birthday!

 by Patricia Polacco

Illustrator: Patricia Polacco

Genre: Fiction
Subgenre: Picture Book

Themes: Family, Birthdays

Primary and Secondary Characters: Primary - Patricia, Dad 
Secondary - Gramma, Rich (Patricia's brother), Cousin Billy

Award(s):  Parent's Choice Honors (1991)

Date Published: 1991

Publishing Company: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers 

Summary:  Today is Patricia's special day and her family has forgot all about it. Patricia's Dad decided that tonight would be the night his family would take a photo of the Clay Pit Monster.  


How this book could be used to teach students:


A little extra: http://www.patriciapolacco.com/

Picture Book #12

The Lion & The Mouse

 by Jerry Pinkney

Illustrator: Jerry Pinkney

Genre: Fable, Juvenile Literature
Subgenre: Picture Book

Themes:

Primary and Secondary Characters: Primary - 
Secondary -

Award(s):  Caldecott Medal Book (2010)

Date Published: 2009 

Publishing Company: Little, Brown and Company Books for Young Readers

Summary: 


How this book could be used to teach students:


A little extra:

Picture Book #11

George Washington's Teeth

 by Deborah Chandra & Madeleine Comora 

Illustrator: Brock Cole

Genre: Biography, Juvenile Non-Fiction 
Subgenre: Picture Book

Themes: Dental Hygiene, Inventions  

Primary and Secondary Characters: Primary - George Washington
Secondary - Martha Washington, the dentist

Date Published: 2003

Publishing Company: Farrar Straus Giroux 

Summary: Behind the scenes of the Revolutionary War George Washington battled tooth lost.   

How this book could be used to teach students: This book could be used to teach students some facts about the first President. 


A little extra: Myth George Washington never had a set of wooden teeth. 

Picture Book #10

The Stray Dog

 by Marc Simont

Illustrator: Marc Simont

Genre: Juvenile Fiction 
Subgenre: Picture Book

Themes: Friendship, Family, Pets 

Primary and Secondary Characters: Primary - the boy, the girl, Willy 
Secondary - the father, the mother, the dog warden

Award(s):  Caldecott Honor Book (2002)

Date Published: 2001

Publishing Company: Harper Collins Publishers 

Summary: During a picnic a family encounters a dog. 


How this book could be used to teach students: 

Picture Book #9

The Firekeeper's Son

 by Linda Sue Park

Illustrator: Julie Downing 

Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Subgenre: Picture Book

Themes: History, Family, Korea, Traditions, Responsibility 

Primary and Secondary Characters: Primary - Sang-hee, Father 
Secondary - Mother

Date Published: 2004

Publishing Company: Clarion Books

Summary:  Sang-hee lives with his family in a village on the coast of Korea. Sang-hee's father is the village firekeeper, he lights a fire signal system every night. Then one night Sang-hee must help his father light a fire. Sang-hee learns the importance of the fire and that he maybe the next firekeeper.    


How this book could be used to teach students: This book could be used to teach about non verbal forms of communication. The students could compare communication today and in history.     

Chapter Book #8

Third Grade Pet

 by Judy Cox

Illustrator: Cynthia Fisher

Genre: Juvenile Fiction
Subgenre:  Chapter Book

Themes: Responsibility, Pets, Friendship 

Primary and Secondary Characters: Primary - Rosemary, Megan, Cheese the rat
Secondary - Brian, Mom, Dad, Mr. Wilder, Spofford

Date Published: 1998

Publishing Company: Holiday House

Summary: Mr. Wilder's third grade class works together to choose and care for the new classroom pet. However, one student, Rosemary is not thrilled about the pet that is chosen. Rosemary overcomes her fears and misconceptions about the class pet. She learns that taking care of a pet is a big responsibility.    


How this book could be used to teach students: Third Grade Pet could be used to illustrate to students the responsibility and care of a pet.  


A little extra: http://www.judycox.net/index.htm

Chapter Book #7

One Crazy Summer

by Rita Williams-Garcia

Illustrator: not illustrated

Genre: 
Subgenre: 

Themes:

Primary and Secondary Characters: Primary -  Secondary -

Award(s):  Coretta Scott King Awards (2011)

Date Published: 2010

Publishing Company: 

Summary: 


How this book could be used to teach students:


A little extra:

Chapter Book # 6

A Year Down Yonder

by Richard Peck 

Illustrator: not illustrated

Genre: Juvenile Fiction 

Subgenre: Chapter Book 

Themes: Country Life, Family, Change, History  
Primary and Secondary Characters: Primary - Mary Alice Dowdel and Grandma Dowdel
Secondary - Mr. Fluke, Mildred Burdick, Ina-Rae Gage, Miss. Butler, Carleen Lovejoy, Royce McNabb, Bootsie the cat, Augie Fluke

Award(s):  Newbery Medal Book (2001)

Date Published: 2000

Publishing Company: Dial Books for Young Readers

Summary: Forced to leave Chicago, Mary Alice Dowdel moves to the small town of Wabash, Illinois to live with her grandma. Mary Alice would soon discover what life was really like in Wabash and learn all about the town's people. She would get to know who fearsome Grandma Dowdel really is.    


How this book could be used to teach students: Entertaining way to show student that change can be a good thing.


A little extra: A Year Down Yonder is a sequel to the Newbery Honor Book A Long Way from Chicago.  I give it two thumbs up. 

Chapter Book #5

Thanksgiving on Thursday
Magic Tree House #27

 by Mary Pope Osborne

Illustrator: Sal Murdocca

Genre: Juvenile Fiction, Fantasy 
Subgenre: Chapter Book Series 

Themes: Community, Hard Work, Thanksgiving Day  

Primary and Secondary Characters: Primary - Jack and Annie 
Secondary - Priscilla, Squanto, Governor Bradford, Captain Standish , Pilgrims, Wampanoag Indians 

Date Published: 2002

Publishing Company: Scholastic/Random House Children's Books  

Summary: Jack and Annie travel back in time to Plymouth Massachusetts during the year 1621. They meet Pilgrims and Wampanoag Indians and discover that their lives are very different. Jack and Annie trying to help  fish and gather food for the first Thanksgiving Day. They learn that life in 1621 was hard and that even the children worked hard to help out. Jack and Annie discover that words do not have the same meaning back in 1621. With a turkey mishap and a lesson in planting corn the Wampanoag way Jack and Annie learn the real magic of Thanksgiving.     


How this book could be used to teach students: This book could be used to spark students' imagination and introduce historical fantasy. The students will gain historical knowledge from the books setting and be able to contrast two different time periods.      


A little extra: http://www.magictreehouse.com/#home?intro=0

Chapter Book #4

Chapter Book #3

Chapter Book #2

Picture Book #8

Picture Book #7

Picture Book #6

Llama Llama mad at mama
by Anna Dewdney

Illustrator: Anna Dewdney

Genre: Juvenile Fiction, Picture Book 
Subgenre: Humor 

Themes: llamas, animals, mother and child, shopping, emotions, teamwork

Characters: Llama Llama, Mama

Date Published: 2007 

Publishing Company: Viking 

Summary: Llama Llama does not want to go the Shop-O-Rama with his mama. He would rather stay home and play, but goes to get a treat. At the Shop-O-Rama Llama Llama becomes mad at mama. 

Llama Llama mad at mama could be used to get student to understand the importance of  good behavior and teamwork. This book could also be used to illustrate rhyme.

Picture Book #5

Little Elephant's Trunk

by Hazel Lincoln

Illustrator: Hazel Lincoln
Genre: Juvenile Fiction, Picture Book 
Subgenre: Animals

Themes: springtime, baby and mother animals, elephants

Characters: Little Elephant 

Date Published: 2006

Publishing Company: Albert Whitman

Summary: Little Elephant, a new baby elephant, falls and stumbles over his trunk. He observes the other animals around him and discovers the many uses for his trunk.

Little Elephant's Trunk may be used to introduce students to African animals or what elephants do. This book could also be used to get student to think how one might learn by observing.

Picture Book #4

Little Red Cap

by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm

Translated by Anthea Bell

Illustrator: Monika Laimgruber
Genre: Juvenile Fiction, Picture Book 
Subgenre: German Folktale

Themes: mother and daughter, illness, grandmother, animals

Characters: Little Red Cap, Grandmother, Mother, wolf, huntsman
Date Published:1993
Publishing Company:North-South Books

Summary: While on her way to Grandmother's house, Little Red Cap gets sidetrack by a clever wolf.

This book maybe be used to introduce students to traditional literature and folktales.

Picture Book #3

 I Ain't Gonna Paint No More!

 by Karen Beaumont

Illustrator: David Catrow
Genre: Juvenile Fiction, Picture Book 
Subgenre: Art

Themes: mother and son, painting, artist, animals

Characters: Mama, boy, and dog
Award(s): American Library Association Notable Books for Children (2006)
Date Published: 2005
Publishing Company: Harcourt

Summary: I Ain't Gonna Paint No More! is about a boy whom just can't seem to stop painting. He paints on the ceiling, the walls, the curtains, the door, and a whole lot more.

I Ain't Gonna Paint No More! could be used to illustrate a story in rhyme and the rhythm.

Picture Book #2 (Poetry)

A Family of Poems: My Favorite Poetry for Children

by Caroline Kennedy

Illustrator: Jon J. Muth

Genre: Poetry  
Subgenre: Picture Book

Themes: people, animals, seasons, adventures, seashores, humor and bedtime

Characters: A variety of characters
Award(s): 2006 American Library Association Notable Books for Children
Date Published: 2005
Publishing Company: Hyperion Books for Children

Summary: A Family of Poems: My Favorite Poetry for Children is anthology of poems by well know authors: Robert Frost, Emily Dickinson, T. S. Eliot, William Shakespeare, and J. R. R. Tolkin, to name a few.  

How this book could be used to teach students: A Family of Poems: My Favorite Poetry for Children could be used to show student the types, forms, and elements of poetry: narrative, sense imagery, free verse, onomatopoeia, personification, rhythm, and rhyme. 

Chapter Book #1

26 Fairmount Avenue

by Tomie dePaola

Illustrator: Tomie DePaola

Genre: Juvenile Non-Fiction, Chapter Book 
Subgenre: Childhood Memories

Themes: family, family generations, neighbors, building a home, teamwork, community development, moving

Primary and Secondary Characters: Primary - Tomie, Buddy-Joe Jr., Mom, Dad;  Secondary - Nana, Tom, Aunt Nell, Nana Fall-River, Uncle Charles and Viva, Morins Family, Mr. and Mrs. Crane, Carlo Crane

Award(s): 2000 Newbery Honor Book
 2000 American Library Association Notable Books for Children

Date Published: 1999

Publishing Company: G. P. Putnam’s Sons

Summary: In 1938, five year old, Tomie's parents decided to have a new house built, 26 Fairmount Avenue in Meriden, Connecticut. During the home's construction the family faced many obstacles and challenges. Tomie tells about the day to day life of his family and events that occurred during the house building process: a hurricane, a flood, a fire, visiting family, the holidays, the premiere of Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and starting kindergarten.

How this book could be used to teach students: 26 Fairmount Avenue could be used to teach students about autobiography.  The book could also be used to compare and contrast the differences between current times and the late 1930's.  

Picture Book #1

Terrific 

by Jon Agee

Illustrator: Jon Agee
Genre: Fiction, Picture Book
Subgenre: Adventure
Themes: Friends, Human-animal relationships, teamwork, overcoming adversity
Characters: Eugene and Lenny
Awards: 2006 American Library Association Notable Books for Children 
Date Published: 2005
Publishing Company: Michael Di Capua Books/Hyperion

Summary: Eugene wins an all expenses-paid cruise to Bermuda. "Terrific. I'll probably get a really bad sunburn," Eugene says. His luck really changes when the ship he is riding sinks and he is stranded on an island. The only other life on the island is a parrot, named Lenny. Lenny helps Eugene find something to eat and drink. Lenny and Eugene work together to build a sailboat and get off the island.

How this book could be used to teach students: I would use Terrific to show students how animals can help humans. I would tell students about service animals. I could ask the students about their experiences with animal.         

A little extra: (auto/song recording of the book)  http://www.jonagee.com/html/p_books.php