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Genre/text talk
Big Talk
Children's Poems Four voices
Bibliographic
Author:  Paul Fleischman

Illustration:  Beppe Giacobbe

Publishing Date: March 1, 2000

Publisher: Candlewick Press, Inc.

Brief plot summary
When you talking with friends or even your family at a barbecue, or at a social gathering, these fun-loving poems will fill you and others with laughter and joy.
Conflict response and analysis
In the book titled "Big Talk", the author gets its readers to focus on using their four voices of dainty  poems.  The fun book offers students an interactive way to practice oral poetry reading and have lots of laughs in the process. The illustrations of the book are beautifully designed with flowing likeable artwork of bright colorful watercolors. Each character has their unique structure and skin tone, so the illustration represents multicolored cultures. It's great for young students that like the picture book designs along with easy to read fun poems.
Connection.
When using the book titled “Big Talk”, student will participate in a 5th grade Choral Reading Four Group activity.  The teacher will divide the students into four groups for four parts. Students will be given a colored-coded four part choral reading of the poems and practice reading them in each group.  While getting the practice of reading choral read poems students will engage into building reading skills.When using the book titled “Big Talk”, student will participate in a 5th grade Choral Reading Four Group activity.  The teacher will divide the students into four groups for four parts. Students will be given a colored-coded four part choral reading of the poems and practice reading them in each group.  While getting the practice of reading choral read poems students will engage into building reading skills.
Awards (if any).

Newberry Awards

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Genre/text type
Non-Fiction (Nerdy Book Collection) 2017
Muddy
Bibliographic
Author:  Michael James Mahin
Illustration: Evan Turk
Publishing Date:  September 2017
Publisher:  Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Brief plot summary
Apparently, the songster Muddy Waters, had some trouble when came to following directions. His Grandma Della looked at Muddy's gift of being a guitar player and decided that he needed a regular job to pay the bills.  Muddy didn’t listen to her and went onto to pursue a career where his music and records would made.
Conflict response and analysis
The illustrator Turk has mixed concept of image and/or collage of artwork which rolls with waves of darkness and explosive exuberant colors. Muddy Waters music has an electrifying soul reveling concept that pierces the soul of his listeners. The artwork illustrates hues that keeps its readers in with a sharp focus on the artwork. The words and pictures mix exuberantly with melancholy.  Mahin’s words have a beat all their own, capturing the lows and highs with poetic voices. The illustrator's use of watercolor, ink, and bold use artwork fills pages with exploding neon intensity.
Connection
An lesson for students when using the book titled "Muddy" would be African American Black History activity for 6th Graders in a Music classroom. Students would observe many African Americans genres of musical artists who have paved the way for all.  Afterwards, a special selection of the book "Muddy" will be read and discussed.  Students will observe some of Muddy Waters music and provide feedback to some of his famous tracks.
Awards (if any).
CCBC Choices (Cooperative Children's Book Council)
CBC/NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Book
Chicago Public Library's Best of the Best
NCTE Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts
Bank Street Children's Book Award
Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Award
Eureka Nonfiction Gold Award (CA)
New York Public Library Best Books for Kids

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Genre/text type
Children's Voice Poems
"Say Something"
Bibliographic
Author:  Peter H. Reynolds
Illustration:  Peter H. Reynolds and Patti Ann Harris
Publishing Date: March 2019
Publisher: Scholastic Publishing
Brief plot summary
The author explores the many ways that "voice" can make a difference. The author expresses that everyone has a chance to say something.  Even with actions, words, and voices which can be heard and/or seen. Don't just talk about it, walk about it as well.
Conflict response and analysis
In the book titled "Say Something", the author gets its readers to focus on using their voice to "Say Something" and not be quiet if they see that something is wrong, inadequate, or unfair. The illustrations of the book are beautifully designed with flowing likeable art of colorful watercolors. Each character has their unique structure and skin tone, so the illustration represents multicolored cultures. It's great for young students to like the picture book designs along with easy to read words.
Connection
With our actions, our words, and our voices.  So, our 4th grade students will be participating in a Social Studies/Reading activity where they get a chance to choose which activist representing bullying, social injustice, and/or inequality they would like to become. After making their selection, students will prepare a Poem/speech representing the issues they would discuss if they were that activist.
Awards (if any). n/a

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Genre/text type
Poisoned Apples: Poems for You, My Pretty
Young Adult Literature
Bibliographic
Author:  Christine Heppermann

Illustrations:  Various Artist
Publishing Date:  September 23, 2014
Publisher:  Green Willow Publishing

Brief plot summary
When you're young, every little girl has a fantasy of being a "Princess".  But, sometimes life is not a fairy tale...The book is a collection of fifty poems that were put in the ideal of a fairy tales in the life of the teenage girl's fantasy.
Conflict response and analysis
The books reflects a statement about teenage girls and the messages that society sends them.  How they should look, what they should be like, and how they should present themselves in the public "eyes".  At least, that's what the synopsis would like you to believe.  The message that I kept getting, however, was one that was unhealthily obsessed with weight.  There was a disproportionate number of poems that focused on being overweight and/or having an eating disorder.  One poem, "What She Heard the Waitress Say", strayed dangerously close to stereotyping and "skinny-shaming" (since the only character who's acknowledged as naturally skinny is portrayed as a bitch).  I was disappointed that, in a book supposedly about body image, very little thought was given to the other side: those girls who are naturally thin and/or who have trouble gaining weight, and who have to put up with a different -- though just as hurtful -- set of comments. The book cover illustrations shows a candied red cap lying in the grass which seems to signify and resemble how little red riding hood wore a red cap and the bad wolf was seeking her.  It just a similar synopsis of the two.  Beautiful bright red which signifies warning helps its readers to become grasped and captured with the warning signs.
Connection
A lesson to use when reading the book titled "Poisoned Apples, My Little Pretty" would be a Reading Literature/Social Studies activity with 6th graders. Students would read selected chapters of the book for homework and be ready to discuss it when they return to their Reading/Literature class the next day. After reading specific chapters, the instructor will give a quizzes on the read material.
Awards (if any).
Children's Poems
ALA Notable Children's Book

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Genre/text type
Honey, I Love and Oher Love Poems
Children Poems
ALA Notable Children's Book
Bibliographic
Author:  Eloise Greenfield
Illustrations:  Leo and Diane Dillon
Pushing Date:  1978
Publishing: Harper Collins Publishing
Brief plot summary
The poems are told from the perspective of a child which includes sixteen poems that tell of love as well as the simple experiences of a young girl's everyday life. She is care to give insight on her own personal joys of life like playing with friends, talking to parents, and enjoying childlike family games.

Conflict response and analysis
Each of these sixteen "love poems" are spoken  from directly with the perspective or point view of a child and her view of her world's experiences.  She expresses her thoughts about the simple things in life like riding on a train, listening to music, or just playing with a friend.  Each poem derives a new sense of  appreciation of the rich content of everyday life. The poems are written with drawings that deepen the insights of the   words expressed within each poem.
Connection
A lesson using the book titled “Honey, I Love and Other Love Poems” by Eloise Greenfield would be an African American History poet contribution to “Black History Month”. The teacher would introduce students to a famous African American poet, Eloise Greenfield, and her poetry language and rhythm. Then, engage students in writing their own poetry about what they love in their lives.  Each writing will be discussed and displayed on the visual poetry wall.

Awards (if any).
ALA Notable Children's Book
Reading Rainbow
George C. Stone Center for Children's Books' Recognition of Merit Award.

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Genre/text type
Poems in the Attic
Children's Poem-Assigned Reading
Bibliographic
Author:  Nikki Grimes
Illustration:  Elizabeth Zunon
Publishing Date:  May 15, 2015
Publisher: Lee & Low Books, Inc.
Brief plot  summary
A young girl finds her mother’s old poems in her grandmother’s attic and reads about her mom’s experiences moving around the world, since her father was in the military. The little girl writes her own poems alongside her mother’s and binds them together.
Conflict response and analysis
The author alternates the two stories being told with two types of poetry. The young girl discovering her mother’s poems and living vicariously through her mother’s experiences is written in free verse, while the young mother’s poems are written in tanka.  It's a type of poetry that has five lines, with each line designated a specific number of syllables (five or seven). The illustration are beautifully done with the most perfect highlights to represent multicolored skin pigmentation.  Soft hues of lighting to highlight the background's original colors. What a concept to comprehend at such a young age!  Succinct poetry gleams in an emotional celebration of history.  The stories of this African-American family traveling the world is with such richness, heartfelt views, and color.  The warm, bright illustrations provide a cheerful balance, but it’s the pain and agony of a parent’s absence that most powerfully stimulates the book.
Connection
An lesson for 3rd graders when using the book would titled "Poems in the Attic" would be a Reader’s Response and Writing activities. Students would read along with the teacher the poems and give feedback to open-ended questions about the poems. Then, students will become engaged in a writing activity where they will be asked to give a written response about the poem's impact.  Students will reflect on how they enjoy family reading-time, family vacations, or family-time spent together and write a poem about it.
Awards (if any).
Arnold Adoff Poetry Award Honor
Bank Street College Best Children’s Books of the Year 2016
CCBC Choices 2016
Los Angeles Times Summer Reading List
NCTE  Notable Poetry List 2016
New York City Department of Education National Poetry Month Recommendation
Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee

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Genre/text type
Historical Fiction/Realistic Fiction
Rose Blanche
Bibliographic
Author: Christopher Gallaz

Illustration: Roberto Innocenti

Publishing Date: February 2011, September 1, 1985

Publisher: Creative Additions Publishing, Inc.

Brief plot summary
During the WWI, a young German girl watches through her windows as the streets of her town is filled with soldiers and tanks. What a scary sight to have endured. Then, one day, she follows a truck into the woods and discovers a terrible secret
Conflict response and analysis
The book take place during WWI which is one of the most infiltrated war-zones of all times in Germany.  To have been apart of the era and survive was remarkable. But apparently this was not the case.  The book’s illustrations were intense when you visualized every detailed route of the sets within the book.  The arrangement of warm colors along with a crisp flow of the brush allowed every detail of the landscape to be observed by its readers.  The writing of this book is simply non-complex for our young reader to comprehend the story’s dialogue.  The illustration displays delicate use of palette as well as the fine-tuning of lines and light.
Connection
When making the connection with the book titled “Rose Blanche”, an American History/Reading activity about WWI/Holocaust will be selected for 5th graders.  A group activity of the reading of the book along with open-ended question will be done.  Afterwards, students will participate in a video presentation of some of the highlights within the book.
Awards (if any).
Batchelder Award

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Historical Fiction/Realistic Fiction-Assigned Reading
Henry’s Freed Box-A True Story About the Underground Railroad
Bibliographic
Author:  Ellen Divine

Illustrations: Kadir Nelson

Publishing Date: January 1, 2007

Publisher:  Scholastic Press, Inc.

Brief plot summary
The book is about a slave who name is Henry. He gets a plan about his freedom. While wanting his dream to come alive, he makes some necessary steps to achieve his dream in that "very" direction.
Conflict response and analysis
The book reflects the courageous journey of Henry who wants to free from southern slavery.  The book gives the readers insight of the spectacular triumphant and determined attitude that’s shown by Henry to conquer every obstacle which may prevent him from gaining his freedom. The book is delivered with a fundamental message that’s embarked with spiritual success to surpass any boundaries which may hinder its readers from reaching their goals.  The book’s illustrations are uniquely designed with the use of soft refined palette, and warm colors with the most perfect light arrays which seems to visually capture the reader’s attention.
Connection
When making the connection with the book titled “Henry’s Freedom Box, a History/Literature activity can be affirmed for 5th graders.  A history lesson about African American History of the Underground Railroad will be our topic of discussion.  Students will read one chapter after each session for homework and be ready to discuss the chapter during the literature class as an assignment the next day.  They will be given open-end questions after our discussion of each chapter to be completed during the class.
Awards (if any).
Caldecott Medal

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Genre/text type
Children's Literature-Assigned Reading
Saturdays and Teacakes
Bibliographic
Author: Lester Laminack

Illustration:  Chris Soentpiet

Publishing Date:  March 1, 2004

Publisher:  Peachtree Publishing Co.

Brief plot summary
A young boy loves to visit his Mammaw every weekend. He rides his bicycle through the country roads in hopes that she will have a special surprise waiting on him. Well, this is where the story begins.
Conflict response and analysis
The book is about a young boy who loves to visit his grandmother on every Saturday morning.  The is well written for 3rd grader who like to experience the farm life.  The illustrations of the book are uniquely designed with soft watercolors, arrays of perfect lightening, and descriptions of sensory stimulating aromas.  The connection of the family ties with the grandson and grandmother brought blissful affection being read within the story-line.
Connections
A lesson that’s great to use while exploring the book titled “Saturdays and Teacakes” is a Reading/Artwork activity for 3rd graders.  Students will observe the book during a SmartBoard reading presentation and discuss key points of the story.  Afterwards, students will make their own creative min-book with discussion questions in which they have concerns of. They will participate in a question forum for a group’s discussion practice.
Awards (if any).
Children’s Book Sense Picks (2004)

Read Aloud too Good to Miss (primary) (AIME 2004)

Annual Exhibition of the Society of Illustrators (2005)

Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List (primary) –2005

Volunteer State Book Award) – 2006/2007

Tennessee Master Reading List 2006/2007

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Genre/text type
The Pet Show! (Reading Rainbow)-Assigned Reading

Children’s Literature

Bibliographic
Author:  Era Jack Keats

Illustrations: Era Jack Keats

Publishing Date: 1972

Publisher:  Penguin Group, Inc.

Brief summary plot
Archie had an idea to find his lost cat.  He wants to enter his cat in the neighborhood pet show, but he has "no" cat. Though all the kids look for him, he's nowhere to be found. What will Archie do?...And the story begins!
Conflict response and analysis
The book uniquely displays how a boy named Archie thoroughly searches for his cat. The illustrations of the book  some provide soft detailed strokes of the brush when displaying the characters.  The water colors are enough to illustrate the softness of their skin-tones as well as the embedded backdrops.  It's a book in-which children can relate to as well as demonstrate a lesser analysis of complicated reading.  The book has been accredited to the Reading Rainbow collection.
Connection
An activity to implement when using the book titled “The Pet Show!” is a Reading/Math lesson for First graders .  Students will be asked to bring in their own stuffed animals prior to the lesson.  Once collected, the book will be read during the reading circles.  Afterwards, a graph will be made by using the stuffed animals as the line graphs.  The teacher will spread out the curtain liner and use the tape to create a large grid. The liner will function as a large piece of graphing paper. The teacher will instruct how to analyze and commute the lines on the graphs using the stuffed animals as the marginals as well as provide a thorough math demonstration.
Awards (if any).
Reading Rainbow Collection

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Genre/text type
CLA Notable Children’s Book

The Candy Smash…The Lemonade War

Bibliographic
Author: Jacqueline Davies

Illustration:  Cara Llewellyn

Publishing Date:  January 2013

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

Brief plot summary
Jessie and Evan Treski apparently have a dispute over the lemonade ingredient secret.  They have a lemonade stand that they operate and need some additional help with the matter at hand concerning the secret within the ingredients.  A  Valentine's Day heart is secretly sent to convey a solution about the dispute.
Conflict response and analysis
The book is beautifully hand drawn in pen and ink manuscript.  The cover consists of the illustrations of Valentine’s candy along with the bright yellow representations of lemons.  The book consists of poems from a multiple clientele of writers who have collaborated with the author to tells these stories.  Candy Smash has a series of issues that’s great for 4th graders to learn how to read poetry power of poetry and love.
Connection
An activity for the book titled “Candy Smash” is a Valentine Day Reading lesson for 4th graders.  For the month of February, students will learn to read and give expression about the stories from the book series.  Students will read-a-loud a chapter a day within their reading class and answer opened-ended questions. Afterwards, students will enjoy some Valentine"s Day candied hearts in reflection to the story. For those who don't like candy, some lemonade with be provided.
Awards (if any).
2014 CLA Awards