"The Misfits" -James Howe

Image from this cite.

Title: 

The Misfits

Author:

James Howe

Type of Book:

Novel

Age Level:

11-14

My Star Rating:

****

How would you use “The Misfits” with kids?

• I think that “The Misfits” would be a great novel to bring into the classroom for multiple reasons. The most important, in my opinion, is that the book has a great message of bullying and how it affects students, while also bringing in awareness of the affects of name-calling. For the four main characters, all they want is acceptance, not to be thought of as too tall, too greasy, too gay or too fat. They want to fit in, but this is quite a challenge. This book could be brought into the classroom to bring awareness to your own students. Why not set up a lesson on the hurtful names each student has been called, and have the students think of conflict resolution skills that they can use for the next time they feel they are being bullied. Then, maybe have each student think of a nice thing to say about each of their peers, and create a “­­­­­­___[name]__is...” page. This would help the class to build in community and to build up individual self-esteem. -With the shocking statistics of bullying today, this book would be a great tool in creating an environment where bullying is openly not tolerated, and the consequences of bullying will not be taken lightly. We want to protect our students from harm, and this book could be a great resource into addressing the bullying act of name-calling.  –I would use this book in my classroom to bring attention to, and discourage name-calling. 

Image from this cite.

More Resources:

• For the Scholastic Review, click here.
• For more information about James Howe, click here.

Multicultural Book -"Nikolai, The Only Bear"

Image from this cite.

Book Title:

Nikolai, The Only Bear

Author:

Barbara Joosse

Illustrator:

Renata Liwska

Type of Book:

Picture Book

Age Level:

8-12

My Star Rating:

***

Summary

• “Nikolai, The Only Bear” is a story about a young bear that lives in an orphanage in Russia. The bear is never understood, and never properly approached until a furry-faced man and a moon-haired woman come from America to take him home.

Image from this cite.

My Thoughts

• This book is precious. I love the beautiful ending and the incredible illustrations. I am just so pleased with the touching story of the misunderstood, lonely bear being adopted and loved for who he is. I love these stories of hope, because I feel like so much of the time people are judged for their differences and not loved for them. Even in this book, Nikolai was judged while living in the orphanage, because people didn’t understand him, but finally, he finds love when the couple from America come and meet him at his level, not expecting to change him for them, just expecting to love him where he is at. It is a beautiful story that has a lot of parallels that could be brought into the classroom for further discussion. This book also leads to a lot of affective possibilities in classroom lessons.

Image from this cite.

How to Use in the Classroom

• This book would be an awesome book to bring into the classroom, with the idea of addressing loving each other for our differences, this could be a great multicultural lesson. I imagine reading this book and explaining to my class how each one of us is different, and that it’s okay to be different, that everyone should be treated well and cared for, despite how they talk, or how they act. Then I would build on that, and have each child create a poster about themselves, with their favorite things, their heritage, and unique qualities. As a class we would go over each project and learn new things about each classmate, as well as, learn to appreciate all the differences that make our class whole, and wonderful.  

• This book could also be brought into the classroom, to talk about adoption, and what a great gift that is. Especially if you have adopted children in your classroom, or siblings of adopted children. I think it is important to help kids understand the complex ideas of adoption, and to answer any questions they may have. 

More Resources:

• For more information about Barbara Joosse, click here.
• For more information about Renata Liwska, click here.

Multicultural Book -"Swish"

Image from this cite.

Book Title:

Swish!

Author:

Bill Martin Jr.

Illustrator:

Michael Chesworth

Type of Book:

Picture Book

Age Level:

8-12

My Star Rating:

**

Summary

• “Swish” is about two girls’ basketball teams, battling for the win. With under a minute left in the game, and the scores tied, which team will have the chance to go to the hall of fame?

Image from this cite.

My Thoughts

• This was a cute book, with a lot of action. The pace was super fast, and the rhyming was a great touch! I wouldn’t use this book it my own classroom as a read aloud option, but, I think it would be a great book for students who are interested in sports, especially basketball. The book uses a lot of basketball terms and captures the spirit of being on a basketball team. I chose this book to be my mirror book because I grew up playing basketball, I was on many teams, and I knew the excitement of a close game. This book was so fun to read and connect with on that level, and I imagine that students will be able to draw their own connections to the anticipation and suspense of this book. Especially, for reluctant readers, this book could serve as a great outlet, with the predictability and the constant rhythm.

• I think this book has a multicultural level to it because even though it is showing an American value of sports, it was also showing teamwork and sportsmanship between everyone involved. This is especially seen through the illustrations, this book shows many different races, hair colors, skin tones, and expressions, all working together to win the game.

Image from this cite.

How to Use in the Classroom

• If I were to use this in my classroom, it would be to offer up literature to specific interests. I think that so many times students think reading is boring because they are not able to connect with it. However, perhaps if they were introduced to books that aligned with their interests, their negative attitude about reading could change. I understand that this book is not the key to every reluctant reader, but it seems to be a great book to keep in mind for those sport fanatics!

• This book could also be used to show older elementary kids how to build suspense in their own stories.  With the clock running down, and the game heating up, this book is very suspenseful, and as a reader, you can feel the anxiety build. This book could easily be brought into the curriculum of teaching suspenseful tactics in writing. 

More Resources:

• For more information about the author, click here.
• For more information about the illustrator, click here.

Multicultural Book -"Mama, Do You Love Me?"

Image from this cite.

Book Title:

Mama, Do You Love Me?

Author:

Barbara Joosse

Illustrator:

Barbara Lavalle

Type of Book:

Picture Book

Age Level:

8-12

My Star Rating:

****

Summary

• “Mama, Do You Love Me?” is a beautiful story about a young girl who questions her mother’s love. She tries to think up the worst of circumstances, but in the end, the mother’s love outlasts them all.

 

Image from this cite.

My Thoughts

• This was such a darling book! I love that it brings in the cultural aspects of the Inuits, as well as, speaking to the strength of a mother’s love. I think often times kids fear that the love of their family’s love is temporary, or fragile, so I think this book would be great for young kids to read and connect with. I think they would be able to find comfort in the unfailing love of the mother. Even though she gets angry, she still loves her daughter. I also love how Joosse includes a couple informational pages at the end of the book, further explaining the context and the vocabulary introduced. It is nice to see the option for further exploration at the back of the book. I love it.

Image from this cite.

How to Use in the Classroom

• I think this would be a great book to use when talking about Eskimos, or Inuits. I think the story it great, but it also offers a lot of new vocabulary. Perhaps this book could be introduced at the beginning of the week, even as a big book, read aloud. Then, after reading the book, the class could work on defining the unfamiliar words, and the vocabulary could also serve as that week's spelling list. This way, the information of this book could be utilized and the story, expanded upon. 

More Resources:

• For more information about Barbara Joosse, click here.
• For more information about Barbara Lavallee, click here.

"My Lucky Day" -Keiko Kasza

Image from this cite.

Book Title:

My Lucky Day

Author/Illustrator:

Keiko Kasza

Type of Book:

Picture Book

Age Level:

8-12

My Star Rating:

****

Summary

• When a young pig knocks on a fox’s door, the fox thinks dinner has arrived, but the pig has other plans.

Image from this cite.

My Thoughts

• What a fun book! This little tale was full of irony and surprises. I loved the ending the best however, when you learn the little piglet’s secret. Even though it seems to be a terrible fate that the poor piglet landed on the hungry fox’s doorstep, we learn later on that the little piglet had this whole day of bathing, eating and massages planned; it is even a routine for this smart little piggy.  I think the end twist is just wonderful, and that kids would love it! I also love the cartoon styled illustrations made up of gouache, on three-play Bristol illustration paper. Kasza created a keeper!

Image from this cite.

How to Use in the Classroom

• I would love to use this book in the classroom to work on predictions. I think it is so important for kids to use their critical thinking skills to think beyond the story, inferring what will come next based on the strategies they had been using, such as using the context or pictures for additional clues in creating their predictions. This could also help to illustrate how different endings could work for the same story, which could be further expanded upon in the student's own writing. 

More Resources

• For more information about the author, click here.

"The Quilt Maker's Gift" -Jeff Brumbeau

Image from this cite.

Book Title:

The Quilt Maker’s Gift

Author:

Jeff Brumbeau

Illustrator:

Gail de Marcken

Type of Book:

Picture Book

Age Level:

8-12

My Star Rating:

*****

Summary

• When a generous quilt maker finally agrees to make a quilt for a greedy king but only under certain conditions, she causes him to undergo a change of heart.

Image from this cite.

My Thoughts

• I loved this book, every page, every illustration, and every word. This book was fantastic. What a warming story of an old lady who spends her life bringing joy to others. Not only does she find happiness in her giving, but also, she teaches others how to find happiness through giving as well, which should be a fundamental lesson learned by all, at the youngest of ages. If more people worked on finding happiness by giving, there would be more giving and receiving all around. The world would be a happier place, and the thoughts of peace and world change wouldn’t have to be distant dreams any longer. Brumbeau and Marchen did an outstanding job with the book, which is why it makes sense that it has won so many awards. With their amazing message, and their remarkable watercolor illustrations, this book is now one of my new favorites.

Image from this cite.

How to Use in the Classroom

• This is the type of book that I would want to introduce to my class at the very beginning of the year, to set the tone for our building of a loving, happy community. I would bring it in for a read aloud session, where we would discuss the message, beautiful illustrations, characters and themes. I would ask for predictions along the way, and then ask the students how we as a class want to be treated, and what we can do to help everyone feel happy in our class each day. What a great lesson to teach right of the bat, and to model from the get go. 

More Resources:

• For more information about the quilt maker, click here.
• For more information about the author, click here. 
• For more information about the illustrator, click here.

My Woodson Experience.

Image from this cite.

My take on Jacqueline Woodson, & her many publications. 

I loved how much truth Woodson was able to bring out in her books, whether they be picture books or novels, I could hear her voice loud and clear, illustrating her views on the world, and the changes she would like to see happen. She is so young, but yet, she has published so many quality books. I love the way she brings her own life into her books and shares her raw experiences with us as the readers.

I read two of her books, first I read her novel “Dear One” which was a controversial book dealing with teenage pregnancy, divorce, race, abortion, alcoholism and SES differences. This book, which could easily be worrisome to parents, spoke the truth about the realties that some people have, and I say, why not? I think it is important to expose our kids to the realities they may have to deal with in life, whether it is their own, or the neighbor’s down the street. Why shelter them from such lifestyles, why create fear and shame in them? I loved her book "Dear One", end of story, it was great! The next book I read of hers was a picture book called “The Other Side”. This book was a beautiful story that ended in the acceptance of having friends of a different races. Although most of the story was sad and painful, the ending was bright, and the bringing together of children in unity was simply delightful.

Woodson speaks truth on every page, and through every word. It is because of her honesty that I like her so much. Whether the truth is happy or ugly, I want to know it, and Woodson understands that. I connected with a lot of the sorrows and struggles of her books, as well as, a lot of the joys and discoveries. There is nothing better than finding a great author who writes in ways you can connect with, and Woodson is one of those authors for me!  

More Resources:

For more information about Jacqueline Woodson, click here.