The Misfits

The Misfits (Novel)

Author: James Howe

Ages: 6+ Grades

Rating: 5 Stars

Summary: The Misfits, or The Gang of Five, are Bobby, Addie, Joe, and Skeezie. Each of these characters had been called several names throughout the course of their lives, and they decide to try and put an end to name-calling by creating the No Name Party for their 7th grade student government. Told through the perspective of Bobby Goodspeed, we as readers get to see the course of events that these students experience during their 7th grade year.

James Howe could not have hit on the topic of bullying any better than with his novel, The Misfits. Each of the characters are all different in their own interesting way, but they are done with being called names because of these differences. This book also touches on several different topics that often make people uncomfortable when talked about. These include sexuality, racism, and even politics. Unfortunately, bullying is everywhere, especially in schools. Middle school, is one of the toughest times for students who are going through changes in a multitude of ways, and sadly, this becomes a reason for name calling. In the book, The Gang of Five, posted posters around the school of names that they each had been called. It made other students think about the thoughtless and harmful words that they spoke so often. Although the No Name Party loses the candidacy in the end, their message was ingrained into the minds of all of their classmates.

This novel might be fiction, but the issues are real, and every school needs a program like this. There is an official "No Name-Calling Week," but I had never heard of it until I read this book. This should be implemented in schools all around the world so that they can witness firsthand what a week without name calling could do for the lives of students at all age levels. 

I hope to work with upper elementary students, and depending on where my students are at through the course of the school year, I would consider using this book as a read aloud. Even if my students are not at the appropriate maturity level to read a novel like this, I know I will take part in the "No Name-Calling Week."

The Woodson Experience

The Woodson Experience

Jacqueline Woodson is a phenomenal author, and I know this from all that I have heard and from the book of hers that I have read. Her writing touches on so many controversial topics that are a significant part of our lives whether or not we choose to acknowledge them. From the Notebooks of Melanin Sun, is the only Woodson novel that I have read thus far, but I intend to read and use them in my classroom. This story in particular focused on a black, teenage boy living in an apartment in a community in Brooklyn with his single mother. And did I mention his mother is gay? There are so many topics we can take that I just listed and break them down and discuss them with our students. The topics might appear to be uncomfortable, but in the classroom we can set up a safe environment for all students to learn. These topics are going to be tough to talk about, but with novels that Woodson has written, we can help students think in different ways about these issues or possibly even make connections with them or the characters in her books.

Woodson’s work intends to make readers think about the topics that often get shoved to the wayside but are so prominent in our society today. Although every student might not relate to the story told by Melanin Sun, several of her other books offer many more perspectives on various other issues that can help young readers delve into topics that they may have never had the chance to discuss before.

I believe these controversial topics are what we as teachers should discuss rather than fearing we will corrupt our students. Children witness more than we would actually like to think and this naiveté we have for them only hinders them in their growth as not only students but individuals.

To read Jacqueline Woodson’s biography, visit her website by clicking the link in her name!

Come On, Rain!

Come On, Rain!

Author: Karen Hesse

Illustrator: Jon J. Muth

Ages: 3-5 Grades

Rating: 4 Stars

Summary: Tess and several others including her mamma, her friends, and their mamma’s wish for a rain storm to put somewhat of an end to the scorching summer heat. When the rain finally comes, they celebrate by dancing in the rain.

Karen Hesse tells a straightforward story of a young girl wanting a rain storm to end a dreary dry spell. Hesse tells this story in almost a poetic way with the words in a poem format, as well. And the water color illustrations compliment the story brilliantly using all the right colors to help the readers see the exhaustion caused by heat and the joy created by the simplicity of the rainstorm. I enjoyed reading this book because it reminded me of when I was a child. It was always a favorite thing for my friends and me, to play in the rainstorms in the heat of the summer. I could almost recall the sensation of cool rain drops on my skin in the midst of the heat. Hesse uses such descriptive words to help the reader feel like they are in the story.

This story would be a great addition to any classroom library. It could even be used to discuss the seasons or the importance of rain and all of the things in nature that need it to grow and survive during the heat of the summer months. It might even inspire students to write a story in a different way or illustrate a story of their own with water colors.

A Bad Case of the Stripes

A Bad Case of the Stripes

Author: David Shannon

Ages: K-2 Grades

Rating: 4 Stars

Summary: Camilla gives up lima beans out of fear of being made fun of. However, she gets a bad case of the stripes because of this and gets made fun of even more. Doctors, scientists, and specialists cannot figure out what is wrong with her, but along comes a little old lady who knows just the right cure, a handful of lima beans.

Giving up something you really like can really be a pain sometimes. This book cleverly portrays this message because trying so hard to fit in by giving up something you love can end up being worse than just accepting being different. When the text is taken less lightly, it definitely portrays bullying in a different way. Camilla wanting to stay hope from school to avoid her peers is exactly what happens in schools today. Although the text can be seen as a serious matter to take into consideration, the pages are wonderfully illustrated! The pictures add so much to the story by allowing us to see what happens to Camilla through her struggle of trying to fit in with her peers. I particularly loved each of the illustrations that changed each time Camilla changed showing her different phases through different colors and on to the next,

At some point or another, I feel that anyone can relate to Camilla’s story. Adolescence is a struggle within itself and trying to make friends who like different things can be even more difficult. Bullying, similar to what happens in this story should not be tolerated in schools because it takes away from students' learning. Sharing this story with younger kids, even older kids, can help them realize that it is okay to be different because it is what makes you who you are. 

Apple Pie 4th of July

Apple Pie 4^th of July

Author: Janet S. Wong

Illustrator: Margaret Chodos-Irving

Ages: K-6 Grades

Rating: 4 Stars

Summary: A young Chinese-American girl works in her parent’s store on the 4^th of July. She is frustrated that her parents do not understand that the American people who celebrate the 4^th of July will not be coming to the store to buy Chinese food. However, their store is the only one open that evening and several customers pour in to eat what the Chinese family has to offer.

A librarian at the school I work in suggested this book to me, and I can see why. It is such a simple story but has a lot of meaning, too. When I was reading I could almost feel the young girl’s frustration with her parents because they did not understand the behaviors of another culture. They went on with their day as usual working in the store and making Chinese food for any potential customers. It is apparent that the girl wants to fit in with the culture she is surrounded by and is almost willing to give up her culture to be a part of it, so it seems. The girls seems disheartened until those celebrating the 4^th of July realize that the Chinese store is the only one open and they come pouring into eat. The mood of this story changes with the young girl when she realizes it’s important to keep and value her culture all while living in another.

Even though this story is so simply told it can still be used with older students. It is important to help children keep an open mind about cultures different than their own. I feel that this story can help students realize how to value other cultures without sacrificing their own.

An Angel for Solomon Singer

An Angel for Solomon Singer

Author: Cynthia Rylant

Illustrator: Peter Catalanotto

Ages: 4-6 Grades

Rating: 4 Stars

Summary: Solomon Singer is a lonely man who lives a simple life. He spends his time dreaming of being back in Indiana where he was raised and was surrounded with love. He yearns for this until a he meets a waiter named Angel who helps him through some of his struggles.

At first, a reader might not think that a story like this does not qualify as multicultural, much like when I first read it. But, multiculturalism is not limited to race or traditions or even ethnicities. Diversity within a culture in relation to class is also something we can take a look at, especially with Solomon Singer. He is a lonely man who lives a different lifestyle than most. Residing in a hotel for men he dreams of the life he used to have. As I read, it made me wonder what happened to him and why he lived in this particular lifestyle. The story is really ambiguous in the sense that it never gives the details of his past other than those that make him happy. Angel, the waiter helps him think of those dreams in a different way and helps him feel loved and more at peace with the lifestyle that he must live. The water color images from Solomon’s current lifestyle are blended with those of his past to create beautiful images that harvest the emotions that he feels throughout the text.

I feel that this book is more appropriate for a more mature audience in that it talks about social class in a subtle way. This could fit into a social studies curriculum to help children understand the lifestyle of others than their own. This book is also full of hope and faith which could be major talking points, as well.

Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Author: Doreen Rappaport

Ages: 2-6 Grades

Rating: 5 Stars

Summary: As a young boy, Martin Luther King Jr. experienced all sorts of racism. He felt that he could be a great individual and became a minister when he grew up. He studied Gandhi and how to peacefully protest to help all people become free of racist acts.

This book is eloquently written and takes the reader on a journey through Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s life. This journey begins with him as a young boy experiencing the worst kinds of hate and violence. He realizes at a young age that he wants to be great leader and does what it takes to get there. This book is highly motivational and uses specific quotes from King to help emphasize his story. The images in the text are also beautifully drawn which help the reader visualize events that take place in the story. Although this is only an abbreviated version of his life, we as the readers can take a peek at some of the great things that Martin Luther King Jr. did to help promote equality for all.

This book could be included into a teacher’s curriculum quite easily. King is a very important leader in our nation’s history and should be recognized to this day. Whether or not this is used as a read aloud book or to further a student’s research on an important leader, this book should definitely be a part of a classroom library.