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Genre/text type: Children's Literature/Fiction

Bibliographic data:
Author: Ellen Levine
Illustrator: Kadir Nelson

Publisher: Scholastic Press January 2007

Plot summary: Henry has dreams of becoming free. Henry's original master falls ill and gives Henry to his son. Henry meets a girl named Nancy as she was shopping for her mistress. After a spending time together, Henry asked Nancy to marry him. Since both masters agreed, Henry and Nancy were able to live together. The day came were Nancy's master was running short on money and he sold Henry's wife and children. After this heartbreak, Henry decided to mail himself to freedom.

Critical response and analysis: This story is heart-wrenching to read because of the struggles and pain African Americans endured during the years of slavery. This book sheds some light on the emotions slaves felt. The use of the word "good" to describe Henry's master was not the best word in my opinion. Even though, Henry's original master may not have been abusive or demeaning this should not classify him as a "good" person.

Connection: After reading this book, I think this would be a good book to read to children who are learning about the events and years of slavery. It's important for all children to learn about the history of slavery and the people who helped to bring the slaves to freedom. I think the illustrations and text complement each other very well.

Awards:

Caldecott Honor

Peace Award-winning

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Genre/text type: Fiction

Bibliographic data:
Author: Christophe Gallaz
Illustrator: Roberto Innocenti

Publisher: Creative Paperbacks February 2011

Plot summary: In the story, a little girl named Rose Blanche become curious of the soldiers, trucks, and tanks in her town. One day, she noticed a little boy jumped from the back of a truck. The little boy was stopped and placed back inside the truck. Rose followed the truck to its destination. There it was, the concentration camp. Rose hears children cries for food. She sneaks food through the fence. New soldier come in from east and suddenly Rose and all the children at the camp are gone.

Critical response and analysis:
Books like this one really pull at my heart strings. Children are so innocent. It bothers me beyond words when people prey on innocents of children. I see Rose as curious yet very strong child. I can infer she knew something wrong was happening in her town. Rose took a risk giving the children food. She knew the children and people in the camp didn't belong there. The illustrations in this book truly depict the look of Germany and the way the towns felt as the Nazi took over..

Connection:
This great book to teach students about the Holocaust. Using this book as a read aloud, would be a great way for students to hear and see the life of a person who lived during the time period when the Nazi took over. Many people are unaware of the events that took place and what people endured during this horrific time.

Awards:

American Library Association Notable Children's Book

The Horn Book Honor List

Bratislava Golden Apple Award

The American Library Association Mildred Batchelder Award

Picture Book for Older Children List

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Bibliographic data:
Author and Illustrator : Lester Laminack

Publisher: Peachtree Publishing Company; Unabridged edition March 2004

Plot summary: A young boy enjoyed riding his bike through the small town every Saturday to visit his Mammaw.  Each Saturday, his Mammaw waits on her front porch for the boy arrive. During their visits, the boy and his Mammaw eat biscuits, work the yard and garden, and make teacakes together. As they make the teacakes, the boy and his Mammaw complete the steps together. The two really enjoy each others company.

Critical response and analysis:
This is a sweet story of a wonderful relationship a boy and his grandmother share. The illustrations in the story depict senses from the the 1960s. The text really draws the readers attention to the details about the boy's trip to Mammaw's house. When the boy arrived, he and his Mammaw went inside for a biscuit. The boy called attention to the sunlight in the kitchen and taste of the biscuits. As I was reading this book, I felt as if I was part of the story.

Connection:
This book brought to mind all the wonderful memories I share with my Grandma. As a little girl, I saw my grandma daily. We spent many days enjoying the time we were able to spend together. I think students could also relate to the boy in the story. Grandparents have been more involved as many are taking on the role of parents to their grandchildren. I believe this book could be used to teach the importance of safety, relationships, family, and memories.
Awards:

SEBA Book Award (Nominee, Children’s Category) ―Southeastern Booksellers’ Association, 2005

Best Books of the Year Awards (Nominee) ―Child Magazine, 2004

Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Reading List (Primary) ―Kansas National Education Association, 2005

Georgia Children’s Picture Storybook Award (Nominee) ―University of Georgia, 2005-2006

South Carolina Picture Book Award (Nominee) ―South Carolina Association of School Librarians, 2006-2007

Volunteer State Book Awards (master list, K-3) ―Tennessee Association of School Librarians, 2006-2007

Children’s Book Sense Picks ―Book Sense, 2004

Read Alouds too Good to Miss (Primary) ―AIME, 2004

Society of Illustrators Annual Exhibition, 2005

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Genre/text type: Fiction/Picture Book

Bibliographic data:
Author and Illustrator: Ezra Jack Keats

Publisher: Puffin Books August 1998

Plot summary:
Peter is turning eight and is planning to have a party. He is inviting all of his friends . Peter has a special friend named Amy. He decides to give her a unique letter. Peter heads out to his mailbox to mail Amy's letter. Outside there was a rain storm with strong winds. The wind blow the letter out of Peter's hand. As Peter is chasing the letter, he runs right into Amy knocking her down. Amy runs away crying.  Peter was worried Amy would not come to the party. Saturday came and it was time for Peter's birthday party, but Amy had not arrived yet. When Peter's mom was bring the cake out, Amy came through the door.

Critical response and analysis:
I admired Peter's self confidence to invite Amy to his party. He knew his friends would make a big deal about her coming, but he didn't let that stop him. The illustrations really conveyed the action happening within the text. Peter's run in with Amy could have been avoided, but with his need to act quickly it was not prevented. Amy was able to get over the accident and support her friend at his party.

Connection:
As people, we deal with the opinions of others often. Some of the opinions are supportive and some are negative towards the choices we make. I think this book presented the self confidence one needs to have at the age of Peter. I have dealt with situations were students are friends with one particular student. They do not want their friend to be friends with anyone else. This book would be great to read for students. I think it is important to discuss the opinions of others, the importance of friends, and how to respectively agree of disagree s someone else's opinion after reading this book.

Awards: N/A

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Genre/text type: Historical Fiction/Picture Book

Bibliographic data:
Authors: Gloria Whelan
Illustrators: Mike Benny

Publisher:  Sleeping Bear Press March 2011

Plot summary: Ella May is a slave on a plantation with her family. She picks cotton until sundown. After sundown, the slave go to eat dinner. Then, Ella May's work continues as she meet with the other slave children to sit my the master's window. They are hoping to learn their fate by listening the conversions between the master and mistress. One night, Ella hears the masters say he had an offer from the Spencer family to buy William Ella May's father. Thankfully, the master knew Ella May's father was a great worker and would not sale him. Ella May's father knew something was not right with the master one day. That night he told Ella May to listen carefully because he had a feeling something was going to happen. Ella May heard the master upsettingly say that Abraham Lincoln was elected president and he believed slaves should be set free. Ella May ran home to tell her family the wonderful news.

Critical response and analysis:
In this historical fiction picture book, Ella May is taught to listen and to listen carefully. The slaves on the plantation where Ella May lives are longing for the day they are set free. After nights and nights of listening to the master and his wife talk, Ella May finally had the good news. Abraham Lincoln was elected president and he wished to set all slaves free.

Connection:
Sometimes it is better to listen rather than to speak. In this story Ella May, her family and friends all knew the power of listening. They also did not give up their hope or faith for the day they all would become free. This is a wonderful book to share with students. I believe students could learn about not giving up and how powerful listening can be.

Awards:

New York State Reading Assoc. Charlotte Award Suggested Reading List--Primary Category, Short-listed, 2012

Storytelling World Resource Honor Award: Pre-Adolescent Listeners Category, Winner, 2010

USA Book News Best Books Children's Picture Book Finalist: Hardcover Fiction Category, Runner-up, 2010

Cybil Award Finalist: Children's Fiction Picture Book Category, Runner-up, 2009

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One Last Word: Wisdom from the Harlem Renaissance

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One Last Word: Wisdom from the Harlem Renaissance

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Genre/text type: Poetry

Bibliographic data:
Author and Illustration: Nikki Grimes

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens January 2017

Plot summary: Through out this book Nikki has combined her work with other master poets. Each poems tell a story from the Harlem Renaissance era. A poem from this book called A Safe Place is tell about how people have to protect theirselves and their dreams from the dream killers on the streets who are lurking.

Critical response and analysis:
The author did a wonderful job combining her work with other poets to tell stories from the streets Harlem. The illustrations helped the reader to depict the meaning of poem.

Connection:
I think many of my past students who lived in a low economical area with little to no resources could related to the roughness that is experienced in the tough neighborhoods like Harlem. This is a book I would like to share with my students to expose them to the different life situation some people live through.

Awards:

A 2017 New York Public Library Best Kids Book of the Year

A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2017, Middle Grade

A School Library Journal Best Book of 2017, Nonfiction

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Genre/text type: Poetry/Choral Reading

Bibliographic data:
Author: Mary Ann Hoberman
Illustrator: Michael Emberley

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; Reprint edition April 2006

Plot summary:
This book consist of three short poems that are read by two voices. This provides opportunities for both readers to read together as well as individual. The poems are: The Two Mice, The Big Cat, and I Hate My Hat.

Critical response and analysis:
Each of the short poems is paired with illustrations to engage the readers. The poems are different and make the reading fun for both readers.

Connection: I enjoyed the three poems in this book. I could easily use this book with students in pairs or in small reading groups to teach the reading skills alliteration, rhyme, and repetition. I like the different colors for the lines in the book. This helps the readers to know which lines to read.

Awards:

Very Short Fairy Tales

Gryphon Award Honor Book

NCTE Notable Book for Children in the Language Arts.

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Genre/text type: Fiction/ Children's literature/CLA Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts

Bibliographic data:
Author: Katie DiCamillo
Illustrator: Jaime Kim

Publisher: Candlewick October  2017

Plot summary: In this story, a little girl is singing but never hears a response. She continues her walk and sining to everything she sees. She follows the light of the moon. Singing as loud as she can towards the moon. The little girl does this until she falls asleep and wakes to the moon singing La La La as loud as it can. Finally, the little girl had been heard.

Critical response and analysis:
The little girl wanted someone to hear her sing. She was not giving up. She continued to sing until she became tired and fell asleep. At times, it seemed the little was possibly sad that she was not getting a response.

Connection:
Throughout life we are eager for a response right way. There will be many situation in life that we are not giving the response we want right way. Having patients and waiting for the response is best. We live in a quick answer world. I think students could learn from this book and a discussion that responses do not always come as quickly as we would like for them to.

Awards:
CLA Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts 2018

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Genre/text type: Poetry, Young adult non-fiction

Bibliographic data:
Author: Naomi Shihab Nye

Publisher: Greenwillow Books; 1 edition February 2010

Plot summary: The author of this book Naomi Nye, selected twenty-five remarkable poems from poets who were twenty-five or younger.  The poems are collection of emotions and life events. Many of the poem are directly related to the what children are experiencing in their lives.

Critical response and analysis:
This is a book filled with a true mixture are poems that people can connect their lives to. The poem are free verse and the flow of the book is well done. The author actually selected twenty-six poems. Naomi care more about the poems and the message rather than the title of the book.

Connection:
The connection I made with this book is how relatable the poems are to the readers. At some point, either you or or someone you know has experienced heartache, sadness, and untruthfulness from someone. I think this book would be appropriate for middle school students. As a teacher, I could picture engaging discussion about the poem and writing narrative pieces on how each poem relates to students and their experiences.

Awards: N/A

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Genre/text type: Poetry

Bibliographic data:
Author: Eloise Greenfield
Illustrator: Jan Spivey Gilchrist

Publisher: HarperCollins; 1st edition December 2002

Plot summary: The narrator loves a lot of things. Through out this book the narrator tells the reader about everything she loves through poems. It's the simple things that mean the most to her, like sharing laughter with friends, taking  rides in the country with family, and kissing her mother's arm.

Critical response and analysis:
In this book, the story is told through poems. Each illustration helps the reader to see the idea from the narrators point of view. The young girl who is narrating the story through poems knows that the simple things in life having more meaning and bring more happiness.

Connection:
Honey, I love is a great book to read to students. Through this book students can see that the simple things in life have meaning. The young girl had a positive outlook on everything around her. She was able to see the good in people and things. Children today are exposed to some many negative situations, they begin to think negatively about everything.

Awards:

Coretta Scott King Award 2018

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Genre/text type: Nonfiction Nerdy Book Club 2017

Bibliographic data:
Author: Ammi-Joan Paquette &Laurie Ann Thompson
Illustrator: Lisa K. Weber

Publisher:  Walden Pond Press June 2017

Plot summary: This is a fun book! Inside this book are tales of fascinating and true stories.However, there is a twist to reading this book. The reader has to determine which story facts in the story are  real and which ones are fake. The chapters are devoted to the topics of animals, plants, and humans

Critical response and analysis:
Each of the nine chapters has three stories on different topics. The stories include illustrations to go along with the information. One of the three stories presents false information.

Connection:
As a teacher, I immediately thought the would be a great to use to teach students how to determine true and false information. This was a fun and enticing book to read. I believe that upper elementary and middle students would enjoy reading this book.

Awards:

MSL Cream of the Crop - 2018

2017 CYBILS Award Winner, Middle Grade Non-Fiction

Chicago Public Library Best Books of 2017, Informational Books for Older Readers

Booklist Top of the List Editor’s Choice, Nonfiction Older Readers

Booklist Lasting Connections 2017, Science

Los Angeles Public Library Best of 2017: Children’s Books

The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books 2017 Blue Ribbons, Nonfiction

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