The Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary

A. Bibliography.

Cleary, Beverly. The Mouse and the Motorcycle. Illustrated by Tracy Dockray. Harper Collins Publishers. ISBN# 0380709244.

B. Plot Summary

Ralph, a mouse who resides in a motel, is in awe when a child named Keith plays with a toy motorcycle. While the family is out, Ralph gets on the motorcycle to try to ride it and gets startled when the phone rings. Both Ralph and the motorcycle fall into the metal wastebasket and Ralph gets stuck. Keith comes home and finds his motorcycle in the trash along with Ralph. Keith is very excited. The boy and the mouse are able to communicate to one another because they both have a love for motorcycles. Ralph takes the motorcycle for a ride during the day without permission and gets stuck under the bed and a vaccuum cleaner after him. Ralph loses the motorcycle in a pile of sheets when he has to eat his way out. Keith gets sick and Ralph has to save the day while experiencing many problems and close calls with humans.

C. Awards

ALA Notable Children's Book

Association Young Reader's Choice Award

D. Connections

*other books by Beverly Cleary

Beezus and Ramona

Sister of the Bride

Runaway Ralph

The First Part Last by Angela Johnson

A book trailer created for this book. I hope you enjoy it.

Rules by Cynthia Lord

A. Bibliography

Lord, Cynthia. Rules. Scholastic Press. 2006. ISBN# 0-439-44382-2.

B. Plot/Summary

"When 12-year-old Catherine is embarrassed by her autistic younger brother's behavior, her mother reassures her that "real friends understand." But Catherine is not convinced, and she is desperate to make a friend of the new girl next door. She doesn't like it when others laugh at David or ignore him; she writes down the rules so he will know what to do. Catherine is also uncomfortable about her growing friendship with 14 year-old Jason, a paraplegic. Jason uses a book of word cards to communicate, and Catherine enjoys making him new cards with more expressive words. Still when he suggests that they go to a community-center dance, she refuses at first. Only when Jason sees through her excuse does she realize that her embarrassment is for herself."

C. Critical Analysis

The characters are so believable. Cynthia Lord does an excellent job with the development of the characters to help the readers care about them and have compassion for them. The language is also believable because it is written just the way kids would talk at that stage in their life.

The plot is definitely plausible because there are many siblings out there that are having to live with autism.

Cynthia Long set the story in a contemporary time period. The story could be told many years earlier or even some time in the future as well. This is one topic that has been around a while but it is being brought to our attention.

I commend Cynthia for bringing to the forefront such a difficult topic and to help young teens to learn how to be compassionate for those that have disabilities.

D. Awards/Review Excerpts

John Newberry Medal, 2007

Mitten Award, 2006

Schneider Family Book Award, 2007

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, March 1, 2006 (Vol. 74, No. 5))

"Middle-grade readers will recognize her longing for acceptance and be intrigued by this exploration of dealing with differences."

Robin Henry (Library Media Connection, October 2006)

"This is a great book to help students gain some understanding about autism, while also providing a good read."

E. Connections

*other books by Cynthia Lord (new author)

Hot Rod Hamster!

Touch Blue

*other books about people with disabilities

Teacher's Pet by Laurie Halse Anderson

Things Not Seen by Andrew Clements

Of Sound Mind by Jean Ferris

The First Part Last by Angela Johnson

A. Bibliography

Johnson, Angela. The First Part Last. Simon & Schuster. 2003. ISBN# 0-689-84922-2.

B. Plot/Summary

This is a story of a 16-year-old, Bobby, who becomes a father unexpectedly. He is bound and determined to "do the right thing." At first, the "right thing" was to put the baby up for adoption, however, when circumstances change, so does the "right thing." The book alternates between his present reality of caring for his baby girl, Feather, and the past events that led up to her birth.

C. Critical Analysis

The characters of Bobby and Nia are so believable. The situation they find themselves in is exactly what happens to many teenagers today. There is believable language, with occasional swearing and some references to Bobby's sexual experiences with Nia, the baby's mother. Additionally, the emotional growth of Bobby is remarkable. He always wanted to "do the right thing", which at first was put the baby up for adoption. However, after extreme circumstances, he decided that it would be to raise the baby himself while still trying to attend high school.

The plot was so true to life and very engaging. Johnson allows the audience to care about the characters and maybe in some cases, put themselves in that very situation. The story was so surprising because no one would expect Bobby to take on raising the baby. I really like how this story is told from the father's point of view.

The setting is definitely contemporary. This story can take place at any point in time and place because the topic of teen pregnancy is a huge at any place or time, especially lately.

D. Awards/ Review Excerpts

Coretta Scott King Award 2004

Michael L. Printz Award 2004

YALSA 2004 Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults

Kristi Lainhart (The Kutztown University Book Review, Fall 2005)

"This is a well written and touching book that will appeal to young adult readers for its true-to-life characters."

Claire Rosser (KLIATT Review, January 2005 (Vol. 39, No. 1)

"Johnson has a way of getting to her readers' emotions with few words, creating characters we really care about."

E. Connections

*other books by Angela Johnson

Heaven

The Wedding

One of Three

* other books on teen pregnancy

Dancing Naked: A Novel by Shelley Hrdlitschka

Doormat: A Novel by Kelly McWilliams

November Blues by Sharon Draper

Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney

A. Bibliography

Kinney, Jeff. Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Amulet Books. 2007. ISBN # 978-0-8109-9313-6.

B. Plot/Summary

"Jeff Kinney uses laugh-out-loud humor to convey the middle school experience of Greg Heffley: a video-game playing, undersized geek, who computes his class ranking to be "around 52nd or 53rd most popular this year." In a combination of text and comics, Greg brings us through his sixth-grade year, as he runs for class treasurer (he loses), survives the wrestling unit in Phys Ed, and participates in the school play under parental duress. When he takes his buddy Rowley for granted, Greg discovers he's underestimated the importance of Rowley's friendship. Often lighthearted and silly, Greg's journal also manages to tap into common issues of early adolescence--controlling parents, school bullies, evolving friendships--that will resonate with his real-life peers." Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices 2008

C. Critical Analysis

The main characters of Greg and Rowley are so realistic that it reminded me of what it was like in middle school. What they experienced is so close to what happened to me that it is scary. The emotional journey that Greg takes is absolutely remarkable and believable. Greg learning the valuable lesson of not taking friends for granted and how to get along with others is one lesson that all children of middle school age needs to learn. I love how Jeff Kinney takes such an important lesson and expresses it with humor so that it doesn't seem so "preachy".

D. Awards/Review Excerpts

Choices, 2008

Children's Choice Book Award, 2008

Quill Awards, 2007

Todd Morning (Booklist, April 1, 2007 (Vol 103, No 15))

"At every moment, Greg seems real, and the engrossed reader will even occasionally will see the logic in some of his choices."

Matt Oldenburg (The ALAN Review, Spring/Summer 2007 (Vol. 34, No. 3))

"This book is definitely meant to tickle the funny bones inside all of us."

E. Connections

*other books by Jeff Kinney

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Roderick Rules

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days

The Wimpy Kid Movie Diary

* other diary fiction books

Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer

My Brother's Keeper by Mary Pope Osborne

Don't You Dare Read This, Mrs. Dunphrey by Margaret Peterson Haddix [audio recording]

The River Between Us by Richard Peck

A. Bibliography

Peck, Richard. The River Between Us. Dial Books. 2003. ISBN # 0-8037-2735-6.

Peck, Richard; Read by Lina Patel, Daniel Passer. The River Between Us [audiobook]. Listening Library. 4 CD's. n.d.

B. Plot/Summary

The story begins at the start of the Civil War with a 15-year-old girl named Tillly Pruitt who takes in two mysterious women, Delphine and Calinda, from New Orleans when they get off the boat in a Mississippi River mud town called Grand Tower, Illinois. Tilly's twin brother, Noah, falls in love with Delphine and goes off to fight in the war. Tilly and Delphine travel to find and nurse Noah back to health when he becomes sick. During this time, Delphine's secrets are revealed.

C. Critical Analysis

The characters are well developed, mysterious, and interesting. The dialogue among them is believable and realistic.

The plot reveals an fresh storyline with several unexpected twists and turns that keeps the reader engaged.

The setting is placed during the Civil War and Peck does an amazing job with the descriptions of the locations as to make the reader feel as though they are there.

The themes of family, race, war, and history or intricately woven throughout the book with the use of the characters, plot and setting as not to over indulge or moralize the story.

The style is very interesting with this story because the beginning of the book is from the point of view from a young boy in the early 1900's visiting his great uncle and great aunt. The great aunt Tilly tells the young boy about the story so the point of view then shifts to Tilly for the majority of the book, until it shifts back in the last chapter. This can be confusing for some readers if they are not following along very closely.

The audiobook version of this book was very helpful for readers who have comprehension problems or difficulty reading foreign words. The four CD, unabridged version, contained two readers for the two different points of view. The female reader did a wonderful job with reading. She included various voices for different characters as well as accents. The French accent for Delphine was excellent. The male voice was soothing and easy to understand.

D. Awards/Review Excerpts

National Book Awards, 2003

Parents' Choice Award, 2003

Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction, 2004

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, August 15, 2003 (Vol. 71, No. 16))

"A rich tale full of magic, mystery, and surprise."

CCBC (Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices, 2004)

"...mesmerizing historical novel that doesn't hesitate to confront big issues, such as race, politics, war, and moral attitudes."

E. Connections

* other books on the Civil War

Annie, Between the States by L.M. Elliot

Private Captain: a Story of Gettysburg by Marty Crisp

Death on the River by John Wilson

*other books by Richard Peck

A Year Down Under

Strays Like Us

A Long Way from Chicago

Keeping Score by Linda Sue Park

A. Bibliography

Park, Linda Sue. Keeping Score. Clarion Books. 2008. ISBN # 978-618-92799-9.

Park, Linda Sue; Read by Julie Pearl. Keeping Score [audiobook]. Listening Library. 4 CD's.2008.

B. Plot/Summary

Maggie, a young Dodger's fan, learns how to keep score of baseball games from a fireman named Jim, who is a Giant's fan. Jim is drafted to the Korean conflict. Maggie then learns everything she can on her own about why the Korean conflict started and keeps track of the progress with maps and notations. Later, Maggie learns that Jim came back traumatized and unresponsive, so Maggie does everything in her power to "help" Jim recover, including saving her allowance money to take Jim to a Giant's and Dodger's game at Ebbet's Field. Will her plan work?

C. Critical Analysis

The characters are fun, interesting, and realistic. I enjoyed Maggie's youthfulness and plotting to try to help Jim and the Dodger's. Maggie, like most pre-teen children, believe that what they wear or do effects the outcome of games or other events. She is superstitious. The dialogue that Park uses between the characters is authentic and believable. I really like how Maggie grows from focusing on herself and her favorite team to how she willing to sacrifice everything to help someone else.

The plot was slow to develop, but was very interesting and "can't put the book down" in parts that had a lot of action or planning. The story line was quite surprising in parts and enjoyed the twists as they developed.

The setting in the 1950's Brooklyn was very believable. Park did an excellent job with the descriptions and research on the historical facts of the baseball games and Korean conflict to make the story plausible and enjoyable. The setting was described in such a way that the reader can get a vivid image in their head and "see" what is transpiring.

The themes of hope, friendship, war, perseverance, and loyalty are wonderfully intermingled with the characters, plot, and setting to "paint" an overall picture of love for one another.

The audiobook was a great companion to reading the book as well. Julie Pearl did a wonderful job with the reading. She not only used different voices for the characters, but she gave them accents as well. For example, the mother of Maggie was Irish, so she had an Irish accent and Maggie had a Brooklyn accent. There wasn't any kind of background music or sound effects, but they really weren't needed since the different voices was used. This technique definitely helped make the story more compelling and interesting. Since the story was slow to develop, I believe that having the audio version as well helped me get into the story and stay with it once it started rolling.

D. Awards/Review Excerpts

A Junior Library Guild Selection

Cybils, 2008.

Kirkus Book Review Stars, March 1, 2008.

Melissa Johnson (Heart of Texas Reviews (Vol. 21, No 3))

"If you are looking for books about girls who love sports, this would be an excellent choice."

Kirkus (Kirkus Reviews, March 1, 2008 (Vol. 76, No 5))

"A winner at every level"

David Goodale (VOYA, April 2008 (Vol. 31, No 1))

"This book will become a cherished favorite in every library."

E. Connections

*other books on baseball historical fiction

Keystone Kids by John R. Tunis

The Brooklyn Nine: a Novel in Nine Innings by Alan Gratz

The Lucky Baseball: My Story in a Japanese-American Internment Camp by Suzanne Lieurance

*other books by Linda Sue Park

When my name was Keoko

A Single Shard

Project Mulberry

Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell

A. Bibliography


Scott O'Dell. Island of the Blue Dolphins. Houghton Mifflin Co.. 1960. ISBN# 0-395-06962-9.

Scott O'Dell. Island of the Blue Dolphins [sound recording]. Listening Library. 1995.

B. Plot/Summary

Based on a true events and set in the mid 1800's. Karana, a native American, lived on an isolated island of the coast of California for 18 years by herself. This is a great story of adventure, suspense, heartache, loneliness, and pure survival.


C. Critical Analysis

The characters in this story are realistic and intriguing. When there is dialogue, the language is true to form and appropriate for the characters and setting. Karana's emotional growth is amazing as she has to find a way to survive many elements including hunters, wild dogs, weather, and hunting for food. She discovers just how strong she really is, that she can survive on her own, and how to overcome loneliness in the most lonely of situations.

The story was very engaging for the reader because it leaves the reader on the edge of their seat wondering what is going to happen next. Especially when listening to the audio book because during the intense or high action scenes, suspenseful music is played to cue the reader of the building of the climatic parts. The story leaves the reader wondering, "WOW, I wonder if I could have survived all of that?"

The setting of the place and time period are accurate and documented in the back of the book. The setting definitely adds to the story by making the reader feel like they are part of the story or they are the main character going through the events. O'Dell does an excellent job with the descriptions of the island, characters, and events that the reader can envision in their heads exactly what is going on.

I really love the theme of this book, that when being put in any situation, you can survive. We all have survival instincts that make us stronger and wiser. This theme only emerges after the reader has completed the book and reflects on the events. I think this book is great for young adults because as they are growing up and trying to become independent, some might have fears if they can survive and take care of themselves. I would hope that they could get from this book that everyone has the same survival instincts and would be able to take care of themselves no matter what happens to them.

The cultural aspect of this book is absolutely wonderful. O'Dell does an amazing job with the cultural details without overloading on too many details. Not to mention, what is presented is accurate and without stereotyping.

This unabridged version of the Island of the Blue Dolphins was performed on 4 CD's by one female reader using multiple voices. The quality of the reading was high because she read with an appropriate speed and clear pronounciation. I really enjoyed the performance of the reading because the music in the background during the intense or climatic parts really added to the story plot. Listening to the book while following along in the text really helps me with my comprehension and gives the book more character.

D. Awards/Review Excerpts

Newberry Medal, 1961

Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature) "Her survival story--fighting the wild dogs and loneliness, hunting for food, and hoping to be rescued--is spellbinding."

E. Connections

*other survival adventures

Robinson Crusoe by Daniel Defoe
Thorn by Betty Levin
Hatchet by Gary Paulsen

*other books by Scott O'Dell
Zia
Streams to the River, River to the Sea: a Novel of Sacagawea
Sing Down the Moon

* curriculum ideas
Students can read the book and watch the film, using a Venn Diagram, compare and contrast the two media's.

Peter the Great by Diane Stanley

A. Bibliography
Stanley, Diane. Peter the Great. Morrow Junior Books. 1999. ISBN# 0-688-16708-X

B. Plot/Summary
The biography of the tsar (king) of Russia in the late 1600's and early 1700's who wanted to transform Russia into a modern state. He did this by going to Europe, learning their ways and forcing Russians to change to match the Europeans.

C. Critical Analysis
The accuracy for this book is impeccable. As a history teacher, I know the story of Peter the Great very well and Stanley did a wonderful job with presenting the facts in an easy to understand manner for all ages of readers. Stanley cites her sources at the beginning of the book with all the copyright information.

The organization of the book is sequential and logical. Stanley follows the life of Peter the Great from early childhood to his death.

The front cover of the book is intriguing enough to make children want to read the book. Stanley did a wonderful job with the illustrations and making Peter the Great look regal, yet interesting. Inside the book, the illustrations are very colorful and full of small details that really add to the biography.

The style of writing is interesting and easy to understand. Yet, Stanley doesn't "talk down" to the reader. She presents the information in such a way to encourage curiosity and question what else Peter the Great did to improve Russia? Diane Stanley is very passionate and enthusiastic about this topic. She included many interesting details that tend to get lost in quick teaching of Russia's history. After reading this book, readers would have a greater understanding as to how one great man could change the course of history for Russia.

D. Awards/ Review Excerpts
Golden Kite Award, 1987
Booklist Editors Choice

C.C. Graham (The Five Owls, 1987) " The depth of color and the minute detail achieved by Stanley are splendid."

E. Connections
*other books by Diane Stanley
Good Queen Bess:The Story of Elizabeth I of England
Cleopatra
Shaka: King of the Zulus

* curriculum ideas
This book would lend itself to a puppet play or students role playing.

Older students could research and present more information on one or two of the many changes that Peter the Great made in Russia.

Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream by Tanya Lee Stone

A Bibliography

Stone, Tanya Lee. Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream. Candlewick Press. 2009. ISBN # 978-0-7636-3611-1.

B. Plot/Summary

Story of what 13 women had to go through to try to become astronauts when women were not accepted into that industry.

C. Critical Analysis

The accuracy for this book seems to be highly acceptable. Tanya Lee Stone has cited many sources, with many of them being interviews with the women who wanted to be part of the space program. Additionally, Stone used many primary documents that are stored at Texas Woman's University. She did a great job in making sure that there isn't any stereotyping, especially difficult with such a topic of obvious sexual discrimination.

The organization is chronlogical and easy to understand. The description of each authentic photograph helps the reader to connect to the women.

The design of the cover and title would definately help children pull the book off the shelf and intice them to want to read the book. I really like how each open set of pages contains at least one photograph or political cartoon to help illustrate the uniqueness of this situation. Additionally, all the photos also help break up all the information that the reader is going to take in.

Stone is obviously passionate and enthusiastic about this topic and passes that feeling to the readers. She intrigues the reader into asking "why?" and "where are these women now?" The wording is easy to understand for most students. However, there is A LOT of information and this book would be better for older students.

D. Awards/Review Excerpts

2010 Siebert Medal Award Winner

YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Honor

Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor

NCTE Orbis Pictus Honor

Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "This empowering, impassioned story will leave readers inspired."

The Horn Book (starred review) "Meticulously researched and thrillingly told."

E. Connections

*other books about women in space

Women in Space by Carole S. Briggs

Women Who Dared: American Female Test Pilots, Flight-Test Engineers, and Astronauts 1912-1996 by Yvonne C. Pateman.

*other books by Tanya Lee Stone

Diana, Princess of the People

America's Top Ten Construction Wonders

The Good, The Bad, The Barbie: A Doll's History and Her Impact on Us (Coming in October according to the author's website)

Hottest Coldest Highest Deepest by Steve Jenkins

A. Bibliography

Jenkins, Steve. Hottest, Coldest, Highest, Deepest. Houghton Mifflin Co. 1998. ISBN # 0-395-89999-0.

B. Plot Summary

Explores the world's hottest, coldest, highest, and deepest wonders on planet Earth.

C. Critical Analysis

The accuracy of this book is remarkable. Jenkins sites from credible sources at the beginning of the book. However, Kirkus reviews 1998 states that there is some contestable information such as, "Jenkins cites a spot on Mount Washington, in New Hampshire, as the windiest place, with winds of 231 mph, while the Guam typhoon of 1997 had winds of 236 mph." This could make for some good research for students to question and challenge the author and teach critical reading skills.

I really liked the organization of this book. The information is laid out in a logical format and easy to read for even a young reader. Jenkins includes on each page a world map and regional map indicating the location of the natural feature. Additionally, he includes some visual measures to compare the size of the feature to things such as man or the Empire State Building so the reader can comprehend the uniqueness.

Jenkins does an awesome job with the illustrations using colorful paper collage. This technique adds texture and depth to each natural wonder. The illustrations add a hint of each habitat and fun element to each feature or fact that are represented by each map and scale graphic.

The style of the book could be considered somewhat dry since it does state a lot of simple facts. However, they are very interesting facts that could create curiosity in students. This is enhanced with the pictures of scale, maps, and background illustrations. Jenkins is able to communicate with any age of reader with his writing style in this book. I found myself saying, "WOW" several times throughout the book as I was reading because of the interesting facts and how they are presented to the reader.

This book would be great for any age. I highly recommend for teachers when they are teaching science or world geography. This is a great supplement for any curriculum.

D. Awards/Review Excerpt

Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children, 1999. Honor book

Children's Literature Choice List 2000.

Kirkus (Kirkus Review 1998) "provides jaw-dropping facts and extremely elegant paper collages to illustrate the amazing natural world."

M. Henebry (Parent Council Vol. 7) "Children will find this interesting and thought provoking."

E. Connections

*other books by Steve Jenkins

Down, Down, Down: a Journey to the Bottom of the Sea

Biggest, Strongest, Fastest

I See a Kookaburra!: Discovering Animal Habitats Around the World

*Lesson Suggestion

Students could read both Hottest, Coldest, Highest, Deepest and I See a Kookaburra!: Discovering Animal Habitats Around the World and write 2 sentences about 8 to 10 places mentioned in Hottest, Coldest, Highest, Deepest. The first sentence would be about the habitat and the second sentence would give an example of an animal that lives there and why.

Red Sings from Treetops a year in colors by Joyce Sidman

A. Bibliography

Sidman, Joyce. Red Sings from Treetops a year in colors. Ill. by Pamela Zagarenski. Houghton Mifflin 2009. ISBN # 978-0-547-01494-4.

B. Plot/Summary

The author takes the reader through the year using colors in unrhymed poems.

C. Critical Analysis

There wasn't any rhythm and rhyme with the verses, which threw me off. The choice of words and placement made the sound, sound choppy.

The illustrations and word choice does a great job with imagery. The reader can associate color with a particular season. This leads to an emotional connection when the reader can "feel and see" colors for each season.

D. Awards/Review Excerpts

Randolph Caldecot Metal, 2010 Honor Book

Horn book Fanfare, 2009

Kirkus Reviews, Feb. 1, 2009 "Fresh descriptions and inventive artistry are a charming inspiration to notice colors and correlate emotions."

E. Connections

*Other books with similar subjects

Charlotte Zolotow, Seasons:A Book of Poems. Harper Collins 2002.

Christina Rossetti, Color: A Poem. Harper Collins 1992.

Students could make their own book and poem about the colors that represent each season to them.

This would be a great book to use in science for an introduction to the changing seasons and the effect on the environment and wildlife.

Bow Wow Meow Meow by Douglas Florian

A. Bibliography

Florian, Douglas, Bow Wow Meow Meow, Ill. by Douglas Florian. Harcourt Inc. 2003. ISBN # 0-15-216395-6.

B. Plot/Summary

A collection of 21 short and humorous poems about dogs and cats.

C. Critical Analysis

The collection is arranged with 12 short poems about dogs and 10 poems about cats. The dogs are introduced by a poem called, "Dog Log" which describes the day in a life of dogs. The cats are introduced by a poem called, "Cat Chat" which describes the day in a life of cats. After each introduction, individual breeds are featured such as Bloodhound, Bulldog, Poodles, Dalmatian, Persian, Lion, and Manx.

Each of the poems makes excellent use of rhyme to make the poem fun and humorous. For example, "Who always yanks/The tail off the Manx?" The verses are rhythmic and descriptive of dogs and cats; the use of onomatopoeias and playful words such as "Scent-sational" and "purrrsian" capture the joy of the animals. I really liked the use of typeset to add character to the poem. For example, with the poodle, the seperate lines are written in a four circular motion to give the illusion curls.

The author also illustrates this collection of animal poems. The illustrations are childlike watercolor on brown paper. Each poem of a particular dog or cat has an accompaning colorful painting that adds character to the poem.

D. Awards/ Review Excerpt

Gryphon Award 2004

White Ravens Award 2004

2X2 Reading List 2004

Gillian Engberg (Booklist, Feb. 1, 2003) "In this winning collection, both clever and silly, Florian again shows how much poetry can be."

Jeanenne (BookHive (http://www.bookhive.org/)) "A great read for pet lovers, poetry lovers, or anyone looking for a jolly read."

E. Connections

*other books by Douglas Florian:

A Pig is Big. Greenwillow 2000.

Winter Eyes. Greenwillow 1999.

*Other cat poetry books:

Caroline Walsh, The Little Book of Cats. Kingfisher, 1996.

Nancy Larrick, Cats are Cats: Poems. Philomel, 1988.

*Other dog poetry books:

Daniel Kirk, Dogs Rule!. Hyperion, 2003.

Tony Johnston, Its All About Dogs: Poems. Harcourt, 2000.

Keesha's House by Helen Frost (unabridged CD)

A. Bibliography

Frost, Helen, Keesha's House, Frances Foster Books, 2003, ISBN # 0-374-34064-1

B. Plot Summary

Written in poetic form, this is a story about 6 troubled teens; Stephie who is pregnant, Jason, Stephie's boyfriend, Dontay who is in foster care because his parents are in prison, Carmen who is arrested for a DUI, Harris who is disowned by his parents for being gay, and Katie who is abused by her stepfather. All the characters are intertwined through leaving their homes and coming to this house that they consider to be safe, Keesha's House.

C. Critical analysis

The majority of the poems in this novel are sestinas in which six words are repeated in a particular order as the end words in each of the six 6-line stanzas and an envoi to conclude the poem. The way the story and characters developed, the reader wouldn't really pay attention to the form of the poem. The rhythm flowed smoothly and naturally.

The language in this novel was strong and powerful. This really seemed to stand out since I used the audio version along with the text. There were some lines that really pulls the reader into the story. For example, "and he twisted my arm--hard. I never feel safe/when he's around. I finally asked my mom to make a choice:/him or me. She went, Oh, Katie, he'll be fine. Then she knocked/on our wood table. I blew up. I stormed out of the room/and started thinking hard. In the first place,/I know he won't be fine. I didn't tell her what he tries to do". This also shows how strong the imagery is in this novel. The reader can connect with each character and "feel" their pain as they deal with some hard situations in a young teen's life.

This novel also provides very convincing emotions throughout the book. I couldn't put the book down. I didn't want to stop listening to the audio. I felt as though I was part of the group and they were my friends also. I found myself wanting to help them.

I think this is large part due to the fact that I used the CD version to listen to and each character was represented by a different voice. This made the characters seem more real because of the voices. The narrators read the poems like they really were saying the lines, like I had a front row seat into all their lives.

The CD version was very clear and able to follow along in the book very easily. They didn't have any sound effects, but I think this added power and emotion to the story. The CD also included the author's notes about the poetic verse used on the sestina's and sonnets and other books on audio recorded by Recorded Books.

I would highly recommend this book to all young adults. This is a MUST read (listen to).

D. Awards/Review Excerpt

Michael L. Pritnz Award 2004

White Raven's Award 2004

Best Books for Young Adults 2004

Book Review:

Hazel Rochman (Booklist, March 1, 2003) "In a long note, Frost talks about the poetic forms she has used, the sestina and the sonnet. But most readers will be less interested in that framework than in the characters, drawn with aching realism, who speak poetry in ordinary words and make connections."

CCBC (Cooperative Children's Book Center Choices, 2004) "In the final section of the novel, Frost wraps up the seven teens' stories with a crown of sonnets-'seven Italian sonnets in which the last line of one sonnet is the first line of the next.' It's a perfect choice to underscore how lives that are connected weave a web of hope."

E. Connections

This would be a great book to have students read aloud in class. I can see students taking on the roles of each character, almost like a play, reading aloud as their poem is featured. This would help the students to make more of a connection with the character and author.

This would also be a great option for across curriculum with a health teacher reading aloud since it deals with issues such as pregnancy, both physical and chemical abuse, and sexuality.

AND THE GREEN GRASS GREW ALL AROUND: FOLK POETRY FROM EVERYONE by Alvin Schwartz

A. Bibliography

Schwartz, Alvin. 1992. AND THE GREEN GRASS GREW ALL AROUND. Ill by Sue Truesdell. New York, NY: HarperCollins Pub. ISBN 0-06-446214-5.

B. Plot Summary

This is a collection of folk rhymes, poetry, and songs organized in categories such as food, school, teases and taunts, love and marriage, nonsense, rain and shine, and animals and insects.

C. Critical Analysis

This is a fun and easy book to read. The collection of poetry and rhymes are great for students who need help with predicting. Although the teases and taunts section could be skipped over in this day and time of children teasing brutely.

Throughout the book, there are some poems that can be chanted or sang and the music is included with the type of tune. The songs make the poems that much more memorable and fun.

The illustrations are simple black and white cartoon-like drawings. Because of the chosen technique, the illustrations add a sense of humor to each poem and rhyme.

D. Review Excerpt

Bulletin Blue Ribbons 1992

Children's Choices 1993

Children's Literature Database reviews this book as follows: "Perhaps the best collection of folk rhymes I have seen, this award-winning compliation covers many childhood favorites such as "Do your ears hang low? Do they wobble to and fro?" and "Here comes the bride/Big, fat, and wide." Young readers and their parents and teachers can have fun reading the ones they know and learning new ones. Most importantly, we can all come to appreciate how much these rhymes are a part of our history and will hopefully become part of our future."

E. Connections

*other folk poetry books include:

Schwartz, Alvin. I SAW YOU IN THE BATHTUB, AND OTHER FOLK RHYMES. ISBN 0060252987.

Rosen, Michael and Susanna Steele. INKY, PINKY, PONKY: CHILDREN'S PLAYGROUND RHYMES.

*Students can read alound in the classroom and then go to the playground and practice and recite some of the rhymes they had learned.

*Students can be encouraged to write their own poem or playground rhyme and perform it for the class.

Lon Po Po A Red-Riding Hood Story From China by Ed Young

A. Bibliography
Young, Ed. 1989. LON PO PO A RED-RIDING HOOD STORY FROM CHINA. Ill by Ed Young. New York, NY: Philomel Books. ISBN 0-399-21619-7

B. Plot Summary
A retelling of a favorite classic story of Red-Riding Hood but set in China. Three children are left alone to protect themselves from a bad wolf that disguises himself as their grandmother (PoPo).

C. Critical Analysis
Young uses simple writing to entice even the youngest of readers/listeners. This version is remarkably similar to the European version with the same moral of "Don't talk to strangers."

The illustrations are absolutely marvelous with the blend of watercolors and pastels. Additionally, Young blends this with the Chinese art of panel painting on each page. The colors are vivid and symbolic as well. He uses the light and dark techniques to help tell the story and give the reader a sense of danger.

This book is fun to read and compare with the traditional version of LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD. I particularly like how the three young sisters solve their problem with Lon Po Po.

D. Review Excerpts
Randolph Caldecott Award 1990
Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Excellence in Children's Literature 1990

BookHive (http://www.bookhive.org/) says, "Using watercolors and pastels, he creates a surreal feeling to the illustrations of this dark, but well-loved fairytale."

E. Connections
*other books about Red Riding Hood:
Ernst, Lisa. LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD: A NEWFANGLED PRAIRIE TALE. ISBN 0689801459.
Daly, Niki. PRETTY SALMA: A LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD STORY FROM AFRICA. ISBN 9780618723454.

*Students can read the original story of LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD, LON PO PO, and another version, then in groups they can create their own version of the story. Some group roles could include illustrator, editor, binder, starter (tells introduction), middle (creates the climax), and end (concludes the story).

James Marshall's Cinderella retold by Barbara Karlin

A. Bibliography

Karlin, Barabara. 2001. JAMES MARSHALL'S CINDERELLA. Ill. by James Marshall. New York, NY: Dial. ISBN# 0-8037-2730-5.

B. Plot Summary

Cinderella is forced to do all the housework and take care of her stepsisters. The prince is looking for a wife so he holds a ball where all the maidens of the land are invited, including the two evil stepsisters. Cinderella has an opportunity to attend the ball as well, however, no one recognizes her. The prince falls in love at the ball and has to try to find her later.

C. Critical Analysis

Karlin's version of Cinderella stays close to the original version with a few exceptions such as the fairy godmother using two lizards to make footmen and that Cinderella moved her family into the house with her and the prince. While the story is familiar, some of the words might be too difficult for the very early reader to be able to read on their own. However, they would enjoy listening and following along with this humorous version.

Marshall's illustrations are cartoon-like and very colorful. The use of watercolor and ink was creative and effective in giving the illusion of various shades. The illustrations tell the story in such a way that beginning readers would be able to retell the story by looking at the pictures.

This version is easier on the good versus evil story unlike in the original version. Karlin's version is great for those who would like to teach compassion for others and how to deal with challenging family members.

D. Review Excerpt

Treasure State Award, 1992 nominee

Children's Literature stated, "The intolerable personalities of the stepsisters and stepmother are humorously rendered, while the good-natured fairy godmother and buck-tooth mice offer the heroine much-needed comfort. Young readers will appreciate James Marshall's whimiscal illustrations and Barbara Karlin's brisk and witty narrative."

School Library Journal (starred review) says, "Retold and illustrated with wit and humor, this is an excellent version of th favorite fairy tale."

E. Connections

*Make a chart of the differences and similarities in versions of the Cinderella stories. Let the class select a favorite version and act out the story.

*On a map of the world, find the countries or geographic areas where the Cinderella stories where the class has read are based.

*Other versions of Cinderella stories :

Climo, Shirley. THE EGYPTIAN CINDERELLA. ISBN 0-690-04822-x.

Minters, Frances. CINDER-ELLY. ISBN 0-670-84417-9.

A Caldecott Celebration; Six Artists and Their Paths to the Caldecott Medal by Leonard S. Marcus

A. Bibliographic Data

A CALDECOTT CELEBRATION: SIX ARTISTS AND THEIR PATHS TO THE CALDECOTT MEDAL by Leonard S. Marcus. Walker and Co. New York. 1998. ISBN# 0-8027-8656-1.

B. Plot Summary

Marcus interviewed and wrote about six artists and how they created illustrations for stories that earned the Caldecott Medal.

C. Critical Analysis

The characters in this book would be the six illustrators that Marcus interviewed. The illustrators include Robert McCloskey, Marcia Brown, Maurice Sendak, William Steig, Chris Van Allsburg, and David Wiesner. Each one of these illustrators had a unique way of illustrating their various stories to achieve the highest honor of the Caldecott Medal.

Marcus uses easy language that would appeal to the middle age reader and get them interested in how to illustrate stories. He takes a behind the scenes look at all the stages of creating award winning illustrations. This book would be very useful for students researching or interested in drawing.

This book contains many photographs of the drawings and various stages of completion as well as photos of the illustrators as well.

D. Awards/ Review Excerpt

A CALDECOTT CELBRATION won the Independent Publisher Book Award in 1999 as well as making the Texas Reading Club in 2004.

Mary Quattlebaum of Children's Literature reviewed this book saying, "When changeable weather makes your kid antsy, you might try an art project or hand her a copy of A CALDECOTT CELEBRATION. Well-known historian and critic Leonard Marcus takes a fascinating look at six artists who won the most prestigious honor for children's book illustration. The book includes information and visuals on the artists' process, andit is enlightening (as well as heartening for young artists) to see how a work can evolve from a few doodles to admirable art. here are Marcia Brown, Maurice Sendak, William Steig, and Chris Van Allsburn; and because Marcus features an illustrator for each of six decades, readers can see how technology and styles change, from Robert McCloskey, 1942 winner for MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS, to David Wiesner, 1992 winner for TUESDAY.

E. Connections

Leonard S. Marcus also wrote 75 YEARS OF CHILDREN'S BOOK WEEK POSTERS: CELEBRATING GREAT ILLUSTRATORS OF AMERICAN CHILDREN'S BOOKS and WAYS OF TELLING: CONVERSATIONS ON THE ART OF THE PICTURE BOOK. Both books deal with the interviews and makings of drawing either posters or illustrations for childrens books. The later book is written in such a way that children as young as 10 years of age could enjoy.

A CALDECOTT CELEBRATION would be a great book to use in conjuction with a book mentioned in the text so the readers could see the background information that goes with the illustrations.

Sophie's Trophy by Susan Middleton Elya

A. Bibliographic Data

SOPHIE'S TROPHY by Susan Middleton Elya. Illustrated by Viviana Garofoli. Penguin Group. 2006. ISBN# 0-399-24199-x.

B. Plot Summary

Sophie a wart covered frog wants to be a pretty as her handsome brother who has many trophies. She sings the blues and a group of other toads convince her to sing at a fair. Sophie learns something about herself from this experience.

C. Critical Analysis

The character Sophie is very credible and behavior is consistant with the age of the reader. Children this age that are younger siblings do tend to have issues with feeling inadequate to their older siblings.

The plot of the story goes along with situations that young siblings would experience in everyday life so they would be able relate to the characters and story line. The story conflict and climax flow in a logical sequence with a satisfying resolution that helps readers feel better about who they are and that they each have special talents.

The real strength of this book is the theme which reveals a truth about each reader that isn't portrayed as "preachy". Readers discover that each person has a talent or uniqueness that makes them special no matter who they are.

The author uses a unique style of writing that includes creative rhymes and basic Spanish vocabulary blended with English. The simple language with easy rhymes makes it easy for early readers to read and comprehend the story. The language would make it easy for beginning readers to follow along.

The illustrations for this book are cartoonlike and fun. They are very vivid, colorful images that help the reader understand the story. The illustrations describe the story so well that a new reader could just about go through the book and know the story without even having to read the words.

The only cultural markers in this book is the Spanish vocabulary that is uniquely interwoven with English to create such a wonderful story. This is done in a creative way that gives a subtle message that cultures and languages can blend. I believe that a reader from any culture would be offended by this book. I feel that the author used a fun and creative way of teaching young children basic Spanish vocabulary as well as a book that could be used for English Language Learners.

D. Awards/ Review excerpt

Kay Weisman from Booklist reviewed the book with the following, "Sophie the wart-covered toad lives in the shadow of her cuter, more accomplished brother, Vince (the prince). Vince's trophies span the mantel, while Sophie dreams of greatness and sings the blues. Then the Toadettes convince her to sing a solo at the fair, and the judges are so impressed that Sophie wins first prize. The author of Cowboy Jose (2005) offers another picture book featuring vivid, cartoon like illustrations and humorous rhymes that seamlessly mesh English and Spanish vocabulary. Young listeners are sure to identify with Sophie's desire to be good at something, even as they giggle at her silly dreams: "Her mouth--her big boca--was too tired to smile./She was fed up with posing and strutting her style./'Well, this is no fun!' Then Sophie awoke./ 'Me, be a model? Why, I'd rather croak.'" A satisfying choice for group sharing or for lap sharing with frustrated younger siblings.

E. Connections

Another book by Susan Middleton Elya that deals with everyday childhood situations is TOOTH ON THE LOOSE. This book also offers a simple rhyming pattern with Spanish vocabulary gently interwined with English.

After reading this book, students could draw or write about a talent or special gift that they feel they have. This activity would help students with creating a healthy self-esteem.

Joseph Had a Little Overcoat by Simms Taback

A. Bibliographic Data

JOSEPH HAD A LITTLE OVERCOAT by Simms Taback. Ill. by Vicking. Penguin Group Publishing 1999 (1977). ISBN # 0-670-87855-3.

B. Plot Summary

Joseph has an overcoat that gets old and worn so he then creates or recycles his garment into something new.

C. Critical Analysis

JOSEPH HAD A LITTLE OVERCOAT has excellent illustrations that draw the reader into the story. The book includes cut-outs that hint to the reader what the next item will be. The most interesting part of the illustrations is the blen between the painterly, child-like drawings and the small photographs that keep with the folk theme.

The character (Joseph) is realistic and relatable. Whenever he has a problem, his facial expression shows despair, however, when he is able to solve the problem and create something new, his facial expression shows relief and happiness. The depiction of Joseph appears to be warm and inviting.

The author sets the story on a Polish farm in the fall which can be indicated by the overcoat and pictures of the farm. He indicates time through the items that Joseph can make with the worn out garments and shrubbery on the trees.

The theme of the story is the most interesting part of the book. I like how the author shows how people can solve problems and don't just throw something away because it is old and worn out. With some thought, something can be made or used in a new way. This book encourages kids to be creative and resourceful. The moral fo the story is that you can always make something out of nothing, which doesn't overpower the story itself.

This book does include some cultural markers that include the skin color of the main character. Joseph has a full beard, glasses and an olive tone. Throughout the book, the illustrations include hints of a Polish and/or Jewish dress, candelabra, and newsprint. While it seems great that this book would appear to be multicultural, it could be found offensive by someone who is Jewish because it seems to be stereotypical. Yet, if used appropriately by discussing the different items, how they are used, and why, this could create a wonderful lesson on how Polish or Jewish people are different than the reader.

D. Awards Won and Review Excerpts

JOSEPH HAD A LITTLE OVERCOAT has won several awards including the Randolph Caldecott Award in 2000, National Jewish Book Awards 1999, and Sydney Taylor Book Awards 1999.

Jan Lieberman from Children's Literature reviewed the book as follows, "What do you do with an overcoat that is torn and worn but that is so dear that you can't toss it out? Cut it down, trim it and turn it into something else. That's just what Simms Taback does in his Caldecott Medal book JOSEPH HAD A LITTLE OVERCOAT. Taback has clothed this well-known tale with comic characters, bold colors and a die-cut on each page to highlight the journey from coat to button to memory. The only thing left is to tell the story. Each page is enriched with details appreciated more by adults than children--for example a newspaper headline reads "Fiddler On Roof Falls Roof" or "Chelm Rabbi Knows Why the Ocean is Salty" (It's due to the herring)! Family pictures adorn the walls and peer out of apartment windows, Yiddish newspapers lying on the floor, books with authors such as Sholom Aleichem and I.L. Peretz all vie for attention and inspire adults to share this book with their children and grandchildren. The music is included at the end of the book."

E. Connections

An activity that would enhance the reading experience would be to have students bring in an item from home that is old and worn out and challenge the students to recycle the item to something new they could use. This would be a great book to cover on Earth Day or any other time that recycling is the main theme.