The Giver

The Giver

Author: Lois Lowry

Ages: 5+ Grades

Rating: 5 Stars

Summary: Jonas, a 12 year old boy knows nothing but the perfect community he lives in. Everything is decided for him, and up until he is given the role of Receiver of Memories, he goes along with it because he does not know any different. However, this new role he takes on in his community is one filled with exciting new things like color and music, but the sorrowful and painful memories and new realizations are overbearing and push him to make a change.

The Giver is a phenomenal book; let me explain why… I honestly cannot remember the last time I have actually been unable to stop reading a book. From the second I began reading this novel I read and read and read. I read it in every free minute I had until I finished it at 2 am on a Friday morning! You see, I had never read this book as an elementary or middle school student like many of my peers had, and for this I am glad. I felt that I was able to appreciate it on a much different level reading it now as an adult than I would have as a child.

The Giver sent me on an emotional roller coaster with the turn of each page; for example, when Jonas was skipped over in the Ceremony of 12; I was furious! I just could not grasp why he was not receiving a position, especially since I thought the title of the novel gave it away. But, I kept reading, being that I couldn’t even begin to put it down, to find out the he was seen as such an extraordinary member of the community and was given the role of Keeper of Memories.

This was the start of an entirely new journey throughout the latter half of the book. His new role seemed to be such a mystery, especially with the rules he received to go along with it. I remember feeling a little nervous for Jonas upon his first visit with the Giver. There was such suspense of what was to come in the first transfer of memories, which turned into shock! I was beginning to realize how controlled the community actually was. They had never even experienced weather or anything of the sort. No colors, no music, no pain, no happiness or excitement, no holidays, no family, nothing. Everything was controlled and there was no individuality. Furthermore, Jonas must hold onto the burden of knowing all the details of what Elsewhere, or beyond the community exists of.

Towards the end f the novel, chapter 19 was probably the peak of the emotional roller coaster that this book had taken me on. I felt such tremendous sadness when finding out that the Ceremony of Release is actually the process of euthanasia. Tears brimmed in my eyes as I tried to imagine a society where there is no understanding that such a process kills another human being. I completely understand that this is Science Fiction, but think about it… What would our world come to if we had this lifestyle of sameness and understood nothing other than what we are told to do! It is completely insane!

In the end of the novel, when Jonas escapes with Gabe, my feelings turned to fear alongside hope. I wanted everything to be okay, but the novel ends so ambiguously, there is no real answer to give. I felt that Jonas’ sacrifice would save him in the end, but I suppose we’ll never know.

I would absolutely use this as a text in my classroom. It is full of new ideas that are both intriguing and frightening at the same time. I would hope that a child would ask as many questions as possible about this book and embrace it for what it is; a wonderful novel. The Giver is filled with such significant elements that shed a new light on how we see ourselves as a part in our own communities.

From the Notebooks of Melanin Sun

From the Notebooks of Melanin Sun

Author: Jacqueline Woodson

Ages: 6+ Grades

Rating: 4 Stars

Summary: Melanin Sun, named because of the deep pigment of his skin, is a peculiar, but also ordinary 13 year old boy. He lives in Brooklyn with his Mama, EC, and spends the majority of his time with his two friends Raphael and Sean. But during these particular summer months, the time span for the book, Mel learns that his world is so much different than it seems. He struggles to make the first move to create a friendship between him and Angie the girl he likes, to hear the truth about his Mama’s sexual orientation, and find where he belongs when his world is turned upside down.

There are so many aspects of this novel that make it an exceptional one. The characters, especially Mel, the point of view, the conflict, the tone, and the theme, even the setup are all essential in making this novel such high quality. Mel’s character is for the most part a typical teenage boy however, when he talks his words slow him down a little. But, when he writes in his notebooks, his words are clear and powerful. Mel’s story told from his point of view helps us as readers delve into his character when he is going on with his daily life and even when he writes in his notebooks. In both of these settings, I was able to see how Mel lived his life and read what he enjoyed writing about. Sometimes in his notes he would bring up the word “faggot” and used it to describe some of the things he did, like collect stamps or talk about nature. I do not feel like Mel actually thought this about his hobbies, but his friends were awfully persuasive in making him think so. When EC told her son about her sexual orientation, and her love for Kristin,  he struggled with every detail. I could almost feel his anger and hostility towards EC when she explained that she was gay. From there on out, the struggle was not only between those two, but between, Mel and himself, and Mel and Kristin, EC’s partner. Mel’s refusal to accept this new knowledge changed the mood of the novel and he struggled with himself because he loved EC but not her choices. I could almost feel the struggle that he was facing when he wrote in his notebooks about his own feelings. In the end of the novel, there was more of a negotiation being made between characters as opposed to conflict resolution. I feel that even though there was a huge conflict, a perfect resolution would have been completely inappropriate. I felt that the interaction between Mel and Kristin in the end was filled with hope, another underlying, but important theme of the novel. 

I would have to say that the overall theme of the novel is one that helps readers acknowledge, maybe even understand different types of love and families. No two families are exactly alike and Jacqueline Woodson has an extraordinary way of portraying this in this particular novel. I feel that this text is written for a slightly older and mature audience because the topics that come up within the novel are definitely controversial. I would definitely include this novel in my classroom library because it is a unique piece of literature for young adults.

The Stranger

The Stranger

Author: Chris Van Allsburg

Ages: 3-6 Grades

Rating: 5 Stars

Summary: The Bailey’s take in a man who is a stranger at first but becomes part of their family. The stranger has interesting characteristics, for example, when he does certain things it gets cold, and animals especially like him. However, it appears that the seasons refuse to change when he stays with the Baily’s and he decides to leave.

I was introduced to this book this year in one of my teaching methods classes. Chris Van Allsburg, again, does such an exquisite job with creating a story and illustrations to go along with it. When two classmates read this book aloud, I remember being really confused as to who the stranger was. I remember getting the chills when hearing the story, as well. I even got them when I read it to myself! I particularly enjoy the ambiguity of the story because Van Allsburg never tells us who the stranger is. It is moving to see that the family, Mr. and Mrs. Bailey and Katy, take on the stranger and let him stay until he decides to leave, which portrays such a selfless act. Not only is the story captivating the pictures make it come to life. The pastels perfectly paint the scene for the reader to follow along with and enjoy the story at a new level.

As previously mentioned, I was introduced to the book during an activity in a methods class. The discussion we held had the whole class talking about what a stranger was or who we thought strangers were. This would be a great way to introduce the idea to children, but it is more than that. Mid-book, they stopped reading to us and had us predict who the stranger in the story was. Many people had such different opinions! We debated on him being God, an Alien, and finally Jack Frost. And come to find out, Jack Frost made the most sense! Going back and rereading the story will help children find the hints along the way that help us understand who the stranger might be.

Corduroy

Corduroy

Author: Don Freeman

Ages: K-5

Rating: 5 Stars

Summary: A little bear, Corduroy, wants to be purchased from the store, but when a young girl’s mother notices he is missing a button on his overalls she tells her daughter no. Corduroy goes on an adventure through the store to find his missing button, and although he does not, the little girls returns to buy him the next day.

Corduroy is one of my long-lost childhood favorites. It is definitely one of those books that makes me smile and think back to being read to as a child. The story is one of adventure and love; a feel-good book. In this particular edition, the Anniversary Edition, there are several pages in the back of the book that are so exciting to read! The pages include little envelopes with copies of letters that went back and forth between the author, Don Freeman, and his editor, Annis Duff. There are also many sketches that Don Freeman came up with to bring the book to life. It was also so interesting to see part of the process of editing and altering the book to make it into the final product.

This particular edition of Corduroy changed my mind of what grade levels I would use it for. I would primarily use this book with younger children to talk about the bond between a person and their stuffed animal, but this edition expands into so much more. The final pages of the book, as previously mentioned, are all about the editing process of how this book came to be. I feel that older children would be able to appreciate this especially since they are becoming writers themselves. It shows a purpose for having to do so much editing to make a piece of writing so special.

The Mysteries of Harris Burdick

The Mysteries of Harris Burdick

Author: Chris Van Allsburg

Ages: 3-6 Grades

Rating: 5 Stars

Summary: The introduction in the front of The Mysteries of Harris Burdick explains to the author the story behind the pictures in this book. Each one is a mystery with no story to go along with them because the man, Harris Burdick, who created them, disappeared.

The introduction to this book tells only part of the story of what you as the reader are going to see as you flip the pages. Each illustration is a new mystery and it is up to the reader to decipher what the picture and the short quote to go along with it means. This books is so cleverly put together, and each page is just as intriguing as the next. There are so many ways to describe the pictures in the text, but they all kind of leave an eerie sense with the reader when the book is finished.

I actually read this book with small groups of 5^th and 6^th graders. I made the introduction to the book as suspenseful as possible, and told them I was unable to answer their questions, for they all wanted to know if it was a real story. Holding them in suspense helped establish the mood as we flipped through the pages. Although some of the illustrations are creepy and some are fascinating, Chris Van Allsburg does a phenomenal job in hooking his readers into each page.


Try watching the book in video format! The music makes the book even more eerie!

So You Want to Be President?

So You Want to Be President?

Author: Judith St. George

Illustrator: David Small

Ages: 3-6 Grades

Rating: 4 Stars

Summary: There are several quirky characteristics that all of the Presidents have had throughout American history, but what could they possibly be? Well, reading this book lets us know as readers really interesting facts about the not only the President, but the White House and the United States.

At first, when I began reading this book, I was not enjoying it. The text on the pages seemed a little long, and I found myself wanting to skip ahead. What kept me from doing this were the pictures that go with. I have taken several classes on American History and none of them really portrayed the Presidents as they were shown in this book. Most of the pictures are caricatures of the presidents with a few more realistic pictures here and there, but mostly the illustrations are hand drawn and filled in with what looks like water colors. Although, at first I really did not enjoy this book, looking at it a second time helped me appreciate it more.

I would definitely want a book like this is my classroom, plus it is a Caldecott Medal winner. I felt that once I got past the lengthy text on each page I was able to enjoy the details I was reading about past Presidents. This book would make an excellent choice as an introduction to the history of the Presidents in almost any grade. I think I would have even enjoyed it in high school during AP U.S. History! 

The Hello, Goodbye Window

The Hello, Goodbye Window

Author: Norton Juster

Illustrator: Chris Raschka

Ages: K-2 Grades

Rating: 4 Stars

Summary: At Nana and Poppy’s house there is a big window in the kitchen that the little girl refers to as the Hello, Goodbye Window. There a many reasons to look at this window when visiting their house and throughout the story the readers find out just what is so special about this window.

The Hello, Goodbye Window, I feel is directed towards a younger audience. I felt that the text and childlike illustrations would help a child relate to the story in many ways. The illustrations appear to be pastels and water colors and look as if they were drawn by a child. But, this is not a bad thing! The text refers to the illustrations several times to help the reader actually see what is going on. I enjoyed reading this book not only for the pictures, but the story made me think back to when I used to visit my Grandma and Grandpa’s house. They had a kitchen window similar to this one, and although I never considered it a magic window, I was still able to relate to many of the ideas within the story.

If I was planning on teaching in a primary grade-level I would keep this book in my classroom. It would be one of those books to use to help introduce different types of families. It took me a while to even realize that the families portrayed in the book are interracial, but then again, I might not even bring up the idea of interracial families unless a child asked about it. 

The Higher Power of Lucky

The Higher Power of Lucky

Author: Susan Patron

When I first started reading The Higher Power of Lucky, I could not get into the text. I was unsure of why this is considered such a phenomenal piece of literature, but I began to realize towards the end and after our discussion in class, how important it is to pay attention to the details that we might not notice by just quickly reading.

In The Higher Power of Lucky there are so many literary elements that can be discussed. There are dynamic characters, the point of view is important, time and place, symbols, and themes, all play a part in making this novel so special.  Lucky, the main character grows so much throughout the course of the novel. All while trying to find her higher power she grows and experiences so many things. The story is told in third person limited which is Lucky, which allows us to know what is happening through her eyes.  The time and place are both important to the novel as well. The time takes place after her mother’s death, and we learn about the challenges she faces living with Brigitte, her guardian. The place that the novel is set is in Hard Pan, CA, where there is much desert. The setting plays a huge role in that when Lucky runs away, she seeks out the desert to hide herself.  Two main symbols that stand out in my mind from the novel are the urn for her mother and Brigitte’s passport. The urn is a reminder of her mother’s death and that letting go is hard for Lucky to do. The passport on the other is a symbol of loss, confusion, and the feeling of being alone for Lucky. When she see Brigitte’s passport her ideas spiral out of control and she thinks Brigitte is leaving her. All while Lucky is escaping in the desert, she finds her higher power and it helps describe the theme of the novel. Letting go of negative feelings and embracing new, good feelings helps Lucky to define a new meaning to family, which is belonging with Brigitte.

Controversial Picture Books

And Tango Makes Three

Authors: Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell

Illustrator: Henry Cole

Ages: K-5

Rating: 5 Stars

Summary: Roy and Silo are two male penguins who do everything together. When it comes time to hatching an egg they even try doing this together too, but they try and use a rock which won’t hatch. Mr. Gramzay the penguin keeper gives them an egg to take care of and they make their own family.

I absolutely loved this book! The story is a simple one, but it has such an important message. And Tango Makes Three, takes the topic of homosexuality that is often left out of children’s books and explains it with the lives of penguins. I thought the story was heartwarming and, I enjoyed reading about all the characters and I was so excited to see the family care for each other and then make a family.  I especially like the ending when the keeper says “because it takes two to make a Tango.”

I think it is a great way to introduce different types of families to children. When it comes to educating or leaving children in the dark about certain topics, I feel that this one especially should be talked about. Homosexuality is something that is extremely common in our society and spreading awareness and acceptance can start in the classroom. This book could be used to introduce this topic or reinforce it when it is brought up by children in the classroom.

Little Red Riding Hood

Retold and Illustrated by: Trina Schart Hyman

Ages: 3-5

Rating: 4 Stars

Summary: This is the typical story of Little Red Riding Hood. Her mother asks her to take a basket of items to her grandmother and she comes across a wolf in the woods. The wolf decides that eating Little Red Riding Hood would be a good idea but then turns to the grandmother. A huntsman comes along and saves the day.

At first, I was really confused as to why this book was labeled as controversial. Maybe because the wolf gobbled up Little Red Riding Hood’s grandmother and that would be immoral, but I took a closer look and noticed that in this particular retelling of Little  Red Riding Hood, she takes a bottle wine to her grandmother. I could see how this would be controversial if in the end Little Red Riding Hood drank the wine with her grandmother, but she does not. Instead her grandmother offers her a cup of tea.

I really like that this book was a Caldecott Honor Book even though there was controversy behind it.

I would most definitely keep this book in my classroom for my students to read. I do not see anything wrong with it. I am unsure of how I would use this in my curriculum other than talking about traditional stories or how the pictures are so beautifully drawn. I would definitely be open to any auggestions.

The Three Pigs

The Three Pigs

Author: David Wiesner

Ages: K-2

Rating: 5 Stars

Summary: The story of the three little pigs begins like it normally would but the pigs find a way to escape from the book while it is being told! They leave the book, use the pages as a paper airplane and fly in and out of the pages of other books gathering up a dragon and a cat to help save them from the big bad wolf.

This is a wonderful variation of the traditional story of the three little pigs! It was so exciting to turn the pages and see the pigs come to life out of the original story. Same with the cat and the fiddle and the dragon, too. The pictures change so much with each turn of the page, one looking like a cartoon drawing, another a sketch, and others looking much more realistic. I really enjoyed how Wiesner took such a simple story and made it so interesting. I can definitely see why it won the Caldecott Medal.

This is a prime example of how to reconstruct a simple story by twisting it into something different, new, and exciting. Children would be able to do this with any traditional story that they have heard millions of times throughout their childhoods. 

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs!

The True Story of the Three Little Pigs!

Author: John Scieszka

Illustrator: Lane Smith

Ages: 3-5

Rating: 5 Stars

Summary: The story of the three pigs is told once again, but this time by the wolf. He tells how all he really wanted was a cup of sugar from his neighbors to bake a cake for his sick granny. But, he ends up in jail for committing the crimes against the three little pigs.

Another twist on the story of the three little pigs, and this one is way too good to pass up. Alexander T. Wolf claims throughout the book that he is innocent and that he never meant any harm to the three pigs. Scieszka took this traditional fairy tale and turned it into something completely unheard of! The wolf may after all be innocent. I loved reading this because not only is the story super fun, the pictures are really cool to look at as well.

This story can be used with and older elementary audience because the students could help decide whether or not the wolf was fairly punished for his crimes. It could be tied into helping children learn about the legal system and with older grades, students could create a courtroom in the classroom to decide for themselves a punishment for the wolf.

Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed

Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed
Author: Mo Willems

Ages: K-2

Rating: 3 Stars

Summary: Naked mole rats are not supposed to wear clothes, plain and simple. However, one mole rat in particular loves wearing clothes, but this makes all the other mole rats angry so they go to Grand-pah, a wise, old mole rat, to see what he thinks about their dilemma.

The naked mole rat has a creative way of saying that it is okay to be different and sometimes what other people think about you does not matter. He loves wearing clothing stands up for himself and wears clothes because he enjoys them. While the others are angry about this, telling on him to the wise old mole rat gets them nowhere. I really enjoy Mo Willems work as both and author and an illustrator because the pictures are so fun to look at and the words in his books are usually really fun to read, as well. There is always an exciting new story while reading books by Mo Willems.

This book can help explain to younger students how it is important to be an individual. Setting up lessons based around this book can help students understand how they can be unique and not have to follow in everyone else’s footsteps just because it is what everyone thinks is expected.

Lights Out

Lights Out

Author: Arthur Geisert

Ages: K-6

Rating: 3 Stars

Summary: A little piglet is afraid of falling asleep in the dark. Because he cannot fall asleep he makes all sorts of inventions and things that travel all throughout his house. The reader must be very observant to notice all of the exciting things the piglet has set up. In the end, his contraptions are set up to turn out his bedside lamp so he is able to fall asleep.

I selected this book to help me complete an assignment on wordless picture books. I found the book really interesting because of the style of drawing that the author uses. Geisert uses line hatching to illustrate the story which makes the pictures even more interesting to look at. Although this was not my favorite book that I have selected, it was kind of fun to follow along with all of the contraptions that the little pig set up just to get his light to turn off after he had fallen asleep.

If I used this book in the classroom, it would be useful to help children come up with a plot to go along with the pictures. A story would help the reader define what is happening on each of the pages. Different children would all come up with a variety of ways to tell what is going on.

Hogwash

Hogwash

Author: Arthur Geisert

Ages: K-6

Rating: 3 Stars

Summary: When several little piggies get all dirty and it is time for a bath, all of their mothers have an exciting way to get them all clean. Much like a car wash the pigs get soaked, scrubbed, and then hung out to dry. The pictures are so detailed, yet so simple that the reader can follow along with the pigs during their interesting bath time.

This is another of Geisert’s wordless picture books and it just so happens to be about pigs, as well. Again, I really like the style of drawing that he uses to illustrate each of the pages. The line hatching is not as prominent in this book as it is in Hogwash, but the pictures are still really enjoyable to look at. It is fun to see how all of the pigs can be taken and washed in an assembly line fashion.

Much like other wordless picture books, this could be used to help students focus on their writing skills. It would help to focus their ideas on something particular such as the drawings on the pages, but they can still be creative and unique writers.