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The Chronicles of Narnia: The Horse and His Boy

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The Chronicles of Narnia: The Horse and His Boy

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by C.S. Lewis

Date Read: October 13th-19th, 2017.

Genre: Early Chapter Book.

Review: This is one of my favorite books and series! Two kids and two talking horses try to escape to the freedom of Narnia and the North!

Age/Audience: Kids who like fantasy, fairy tales, adventure, and stories of other lands/worlds would love this book! I would recommend this book to Upper-Level Second Graders-Fifth Graders.

Possible Teaching Points: This book is great to teach about friendships, the unfairness of slavery, and fighting for what's right.

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by Abby Klein

Date Read: October 7th, 2017.

Genre: Early Chapter Book.

Review: This book was hilarious! I loved reading about Freddy's antics!

Age/Audience: I would recommend this book to Second and Third Grade students. Kids who like stories about kids similar to them going to school, dealing with siblings, and talking to their parents would enjoy this book. There are situations in it that all kids could relate to.

Possible Teaching Points: Always be safe! Do not do things that are unwise such as going in the backyard in the middle of the night and climbing a tree. You might end up with a broken arm or you could get in trouble with your parents.

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by Gertrude Chandler Warner

Date Read: October 5th-6th, 2017.

Genre: Early Chapter Book.

Review: I love this book and series! I read these books in Third Grade and they are one of the series that got me into chapter books!

Age/Audience: I would recommend this book and series to Second Grade and up although higher level readers in Kindergarten and First Grade would also like it. Students who like stories about families, siblings, survival, and mysteries would love this book!

Possible Teaching Points: In the book, the children go to live in the boxcar because they think their grandfather, their only living relative, is mean. A great lesson in this book is not to judge a person based on stories or assumptions before you meet them in person.

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The Magic Tree House: Dinosaurs Before Dark

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The Magic Tree House: Dinosaurs Before Dark

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by Mary Pope Osborne

Date Read: September 16th, 2017.

Genre: Early Chapter Book.

Review: This book was a wonderful adventure. These children literally get to travel through time with help from books!

Age/Audience: Kids who like magic or time travel would love this book!
It would be great for Second Grade and up.

Possible Teaching Points: This book would be great to read when students are learning about the dinosaurs!

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by Daisy Meadows

Hot New Book (Published in 2017)!!!

Date Read: September 18th, 2017

Genre: Early Chapter Book

Review: This chapter book was really cute and would be a great series to get your female students, in particular, to start reading chapter books. It combines fairies and Fairy Tales!

Age/Audience: I would recommend this series to Second Grade and up. It would also work for higher level readers in Kindergarten or First Grade. Kids who like Fairy Tales, fairies, princesses, or magic would love not only this book but the rest of the series.

Possible Teaching Points: When the main characters notice something is wrong with Thumbelina's story, they fix it. Sometimes in life, there are some problems that we have the power to fix or make better.

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by Katherine Paterson

Newberry Award Winner!!!

Dates Read: September 22nd-25th, 2017.

Genre: Upper-Level Chapter Book.

Review: This book is so beautiful! It truly shows what friendship and imagination can do for a person!

Age/Audience: Kids who like stories of friendship or creating imaginary worlds would love this book. It would be appropriate for Fourth and Fifth Grade students.

Possible Teaching Points: You are not limited by gender stereotypes! Girls can run races and boys can be artists if they want to.

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by Gail Carson Levine

Newberry Honor Book!!!

Dates Read: September 19th-21st, 2017.

Genre: Upper-level Chapter Book.

Review: This book is one of my all-time favorites! It is a wonderful retelling of Cinderella but with its own flavor and twist!

Age/Audience: I would say this book would be appropriate for students in Fourth of Fifth Grade although higher level readers in Second and Third Grade might also like it. Kids who love Fairy Tales, princesses, fairies, magic, Cinderella, and stories of strong girls would love this book!

Possible Teaching Points: We all have the power to overcome obstacles in our paths. We just have to try.

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The Inquisitor's Tale: Or, The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog

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The Inquisitor's Tale: Or, The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog

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by Adam Gidwitz

Hot New Book (Published in 2016)!!!

Dates Read: September 9th-14th, 2017.

Genre: Upper-Level Chapter Book.

Review: This book was one of a kind, especially for its age and audience. Not only was it set during an interesting time period, but there were illustrations in the margins!

Age/ Audience: I would recommend this book to Fourth or Fifth Grade students. Kids who like history, adventure, or kids with special powers would love this book.

Possible Teaching Points: There are numerous possibilities. One is that it is cool and okay to be different from what is considered normal.

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by Joan Holub and Suzanne Williams

Dates Read: September 1st-2nd, 2017.

Genre: Upper-Grade Chapter Book.

Review: This book brought a whole new perspective to the Goddesses and Gods of Greek Mythology. By making them into twelve-year-old school students, they become more relatable and easier to understand to Elementary students.

Age/Audience: While I would recommend this book for Fourth and Fifth Grade students, upper-level readers in lower grades might also enjoy it. This book would be interesting to kids who like myths, stories about the new kid in school, or stories about being yourself.

Possible Teaching Points: This book is great to teach children that you should never let people make you feel bad for being who you are. It might also be encouraging to students in the class who are new to the school.

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by Chris Colfer

Dates Read: September 2nd-7th, 2017.

Genre: Upper-Grade Chapter Book.

Review: This book and series are one of my favorites! The author wrote the story so well that you feel like you fall into The Land of Stories with Connor and Alex!

Age/Audience: This book would be great for children who like Fairy Tales, or stories where children travel to other worlds. While I would recommend it for Fourth and Fifth Grade students, upper-level readers in lower grades might also like it.

Possible Teaching Points: this book has teaching points for many different situations. It has scenes that deal with problem-solving, overcoming your fears, being kind to others and much more.

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by Charise Mericle Harper

Hot New Book (Published in 2017)!!!

Date Read: October 19th, 2017.

Genre: Graphic Novel.

Review: This book was too cute! I loved all of the panda crafts!

Age/Audience: I would recommend this book to Second through Fifth Grade students. Kids would like this book if they are interested in superheroes, crafts, pandas, or stories about kids going to school and having similar experiences to themselves.

Possible Teaching Points: This book would be great to show kids that even when crises happen, we can solve our problems and get around them.

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Sailing the Solar System: The Next 100 Years of Space Exploration

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Sailing the Solar System: The Next 100 Years of Space Exploration

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by Nel Yomtov

Hot New Book (Published in 2017)!!!

Date Read: September 12th, 2017.

Genre: Graphic Novel.

Review: This book had lots of interesting information! It detailed the history of space exploration in addition to possible futures of it.

Age/Audience: I would recommend this book for Second Grade and up. Students who like space, NASA, the history or future of space exploration, and astronauts will really like this book.

Possible Teaching Points: This book would be great to introduce students to space exploration, and to talk about its current trends like people going to live on Mars or the moon.

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by Shannon Hale

Hot New Book (Published in 2017)!!!

Date Read: September 12th, 2017.

Genre: Graphic Novel.

Review: I really liked this book! It brought to life a situation that many kids can relate to.

Age/ Audience: I would recommend this book to kids who like stories about somebody wanting to fit in, making friends, or getting along with siblings. Third Grade students and up would love this book!

Possible Teaching Points: Try to include other people and do not leave them out. Also, lying, talking about somebody behind their back, and bullying is not acceptable behavior.

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Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

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Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief

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by Rick Riordan

Date Read: September 15th-16th, 2017.

Genre: Graphic Novel

Review: This book was amazing. Like any good Graphic Novel does, the pictures really brought the story to life.

Age/Audience: Kids who like Greek Mythology, adventure, or kids with special powers would enjoy this book. I would say Second Grade and up would the appropriate age.

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Secret Hero Society: Study Hall of Justice

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Secret Hero Society: Study Hall of Justice

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by Derek Fridolfs

Hot New Book (Published in 2016)!!!

Dates Read: September 25th-27th, 2017.

Genre: Graphic Novel.

Review: This book was super fantastic! Getting to see Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, The Joker, and Harley Quinn as middle school students was pretty cool.

Age/Audience: This book would be appropriate for Second Grade and up. Kids who like DC Comics, superheroes or Super Villains would enjoy this book.

Possible Teaching Points: Even professional Super Heroes like Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman started out as kids. Kids can do great things too.

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Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving

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Thank You, Sarah: The Woman Who Saved Thanksgiving

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by Laurie Halse Anderson

Date Read: September 1st, 2017

Genre: Nonfiction Picture Book

Review: This book taught me about a story I did not know much about. In addition, like any good Nonfiction Picture Book does, it tells the story in a language where younger children can understand.

Age/Audience: This book would be great for children who like holidays, Social Studies, history, or Thanksgiving. This book would be appropriate for students in Kindergarten through Fifth Grade.

Possible Teaching Points: This book would be perfect to teach students about the history and traditions of Thanksgiving.

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Down Down Down: A Journey to the Bottom of the Sea

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Down Down Down: A Journey to the Bottom of the Sea

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By Steve Jenkins

Date Read: October 7th, 2017.

Genre: Nonfiction Picture Book.

Review: This book was fascinating! I loved getting to see the different levels of the ocean!

Age/Audience: I would recommend this book to Third Grade and up. Kids who like the ocean, animals, sea creatures or science would love this book!

Possible Teaching Points: This book would be great for so many lessons! It could be used for learning about the ocean, trenches, animals, nonfiction, science, etc.

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The Watcher: Jane Goodall's Life with the Chimps

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The Watcher: Jane Goodall's Life with the Chimps

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by Jeanette Winter

Date Read: October 5th, 2017.

Genre: Nonfiction Picture Book.

Review: I have heard Jane Goodall's name my entire life. With this book, you learn about her and her work in a language that children can understand.

Age/Audience: I would recommend this book to Third Grade and up. Children who like chimpanzees, monkeys, scientists, strong female role models, and far-off places would love this book!

Possible Teaching Points: This book would be great to read to students when learning about observations, animals, and chimpanzees in general.

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Wilma Unlimited: How Wilma Rudolph Became the World's Fastest Woman

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Wilma Unlimited: How Wilma Rudolph Became the World's Fastest Woman

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by Kathleen Krull

Date Read: September 28th, 2017.

Genre: Nonfiction Picture Book.

Review: I loved the story of Wilma Rudolph! She is so inspiring!

Age/Audience: I would recommend this book to Second Grade and up! Kids who like sports, athletes, the Olympics, inspiring stories, or strong female role models would love this book.

Possible Teaching Points: If you believe in yourself and keep trying, nothing is impossible. Nothing, not even Polio could stop Wilma Rudolph!

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by Dave Eggers

Hot New Book (Published in 2015)!!!

Date Read: September 6th, 2017

Genre: Nonfiction Picture Book

Review: This book was great! It had great illustrations and described the building of the Golden Gate Bridge in a language where children could understand.

Age/Audience: I would recommend this book to students who like architecture, architects, bridges, famous places, or stories about great undertakings. Because of the length of the book, I would recommend it for Second Grade Students and up.

Possible Teaching Points: This book would be a good choice to teach the students about the Golden Gate Bridge. Another good point to make is that just because something has never been done or is considered "weird" does not make it bad or undoable.

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2015 Caldecott Honor Book!!!

Winner of the Robert F. Sibert Medal!!!

Date Read: September 28th, 2017.

Genre: Nonfiction Picture Book.

Review: This was a wonderful book! I never knew the story of how the Thesaurus came to be!

Age/Audience: I would recommend this book to Fourth Grade and up. While it is a picture book, I think its readers need to be a little older. Kids who like history or interesting stories would love this book.

Possible Teaching Points: This would be a great choice to read to students when introducing them to what a Thesaurus is.

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by D.J. Steinberg

Hot New Book (published in 2017)!!!

Date Read: October 5th, 2017.

Genre: Nonfiction Picture Book.

Review: I loved this book! It talked about the historic Sun King and his famous shoes!

Age/Audience: Kids who like royalty, shoes, history, and stories about overcoming would love this book. I would recommend it to Second Grade and up.

Possible Teaching Points: In the story, King Louis feels bad about being short and is constantly trying to hide it. Even so, in the end, he realizes that it doesn't matter because he is still an effective king. Students can learn that just because you have a trait you don't like, does not mean you cannot be successful.

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by Jacqueline Briggs Martin

Caldecott Award Winner!!!

Date Read: October 4th, 2017.

Genre: Nonfiction Picture Book.

Review: I loved this story! It was about the man who discovered that with snowflakes, no two are alike.

Age/Audience: I would recommend this book to Fourth and Fifth Grade students. Kids interested in snow, science, or photography would love this book.

Possible Teaching Points: This would be a great book to teach about weather or snow.

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by Jason Chin

Date Read: October 4th, 2017.

Genre: Nonfiction Picture Book.

Review: I loved the pictures in this book! It explained the Galapagos Islands very well!

Age/Audience: I would recommend this book to students in the Fourth or Fifth Grade. Students who like history, science, animals and far-off places would love this book!

Possible Teaching Points: This book would be great to use to introduce the Natural Selection and the Theory of Evolution to students.

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Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad.

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Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad.

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by Ellen Levine

Caldecott Honor Winner!!!
Date Read: September 28th, 2017.

Genre: Nonfiction Picture Book.

Review: This book was good but also sad! Even so, it is a story we all need to hear.

Age/Audience: I would recommend this book for Fourth Grade and up. Kids who like history or the Underground Railroad would love this book!

Possible Teaching Points: This book would be great for Social Studies, particularly when introducing students to the history of slavery, and the Underground Railroad.

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by Deborah Underwood

Hot New Book (Published 2017)!!!

Date Read: September 1st, 2017

Type of Text: Early Picture Book

Review: This book is now considered a favorite of mine! It has fantastic illustrations, it made me laugh, and the story is very sweet.

Age/Audience: I would recommend this book to students who like cats, teacher stories, or funny stories. This book would be excellent for Kindergarten through Second Grade students in addition to the young at heart.

Possible Teaching Points: When Cat is asked to come in and sub for his friend Ms. Melba, he does not want to. A lesson students can learn from this is that sometimes we have to do things we do not want to do. But, once we go in and experience it, sometimes we can end up loving it.

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by Jan Brett

Date Read: August 25th, 2017.

Type of Text: Early Picture Book.

Review: I thoroughly enjoyed the first dog! Jan Brett created a story about how some wolves went on to become dogs but made it easy to understand for children.

Age/ Audience:
The First Dog would be an excellent choice for Kindergarten through Second Grade students to read. Kids who like history, cave people, animals or pre-historic type stories would love this book.

Possible Teaching Points:
This would be a great book to read to a class who is learning about the pre-historic era. It might also be a good introduction to evolution. For example, you had wolves who started living with humans like Paleowolf in The First Dog. Then, they changed over time to become the dogs we know today.

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by Tomie dePaola

Date Read: August 25th, 2017

Type of Text: Early Picture Book.

Review: This book is very touching and almost had me shedding tears at one point. It is one of my new favorites.

Age/ Audience: The biggest part of this book is about family, therefore, any student who is interested in family or caring for others would love this book. Nana Upstairs & Nana Downstairs would be a great book for Kindergarten, First Grade, and Second Grade students.

Possible Teaching Points: This book has two possible teaching points. First, it shows that family is important and we should appreciate the people in our lives. Second, it would be a nice book for students who have experienced loss. The book shows that it is okay to be sad about loss. It also says that you can talk to an adult you trust about it if you need to.

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by Bill Martin Jr.

Date Read: August 25th, 2017

Type of Text: Early Picture Book.

Review: The illustrations in this book were fantastic. I felt like I was travelling through the year, month by month.

Age/Audience:
This book goes through each month of the year showing the weather, activities people are doing, and what they are wearing. Turning of the Year would be an excellent read for any child who likes the seasons.

Possible Teaching Points:
This book would be excellent when introducing the seasons to your students. The pictures show you everything from the January snow, to April Showers, to June or July Berries, to October leaves.

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by Francesca Sanna

Hot New Book (Published in 2016)!

Date Read: September 12th, 2017.

Genre: Early Picture Book.

Review: This book was eye opening! It brings the story of refugees to life in a child-friendly way!

Age/Audience: Kids who want to know what it is like for refugees would like this book. Kindergarten through Fifth Grade students would like and benefit from this book.

Possible Teaching Points: Be nice and show compassion to people who are new to a place.

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by Eve Bunting
Date Read: August 25th, 2017

Type of Text: Early Picture Book.

Review: This book was really pleasant. While the main story line ends sadly, the ending made up for it.

Age/ Audience:
Someday a Tree would be a good book for Kindergarten through Second Grade students to read. It would be a good choice for children who like nature, being outside, or taking care of the environment.

Possible Teaching Points:
This book would be great to read to a class when they are learning about pollution and the environment. This story shows the consequences of improperly disposing of chemicals and how it can lead to the death of plants, in this case, a tree. Another lesson it teaches is that pollution can affect anyone.

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by Eve Bunting

Date Read: September 9th, 2017.

Genre: Early Picture Book.

Review: This book was so touching. It really puts you in the main character's shoes!

Age/Audience: Kids who like stories about being new to a school or new to the country would like this book. Kindergarten through Fifth Grade would love this book.

Possible Teaching Points: Be nice to people who are new or are different from you. Be compassionate and kind.

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by Chris Van Allsburg

Caldecott Award Winner!

Date Read: August 25th, 2017

Type of Text: Early Picture Book.

Review: The Polar Express is such an endearing story. The last quote never fails to touch my heart.

Age/ Audience: The Polar Express is a holiday book about Christmas and believing in Santa Claus and the North Pole. Children who like the Holidays, trains, magic and fun journeys would really enjoy reading this. This book would be appropriate for students in Kindergarten through Second Grade and anyone who is young at heart.

Possible Teaching Points: If students are learning about different holidays that are celebrated, this would be a great book to explain about Christmas traditions. Many children around the world who celebrate Christmas also believe in Santa Claus. It also includes pictures of Christmas decorations such as the Christmas Tree. It could be a nice resource for that purpose.

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by Eric Rohmann

Caldecott Award Winner!

Date Read: September 21st, 2017.

Genre: Early Picture Book.

Review: This book was sweet and hilarious! I laughed at some of the pictures!

Age/Audience: Kids who like stories about animals or friendship would love this book! I would recommend it for Kindergarten through Second Grade.

Possible Teaching Points: People in our lives such as friends may annoy us sometimes but you still love them.

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by Bruce Degen

Date Read: August 22nd, 2017.

Type of Text: Early Picture Book.

Review
This book is really sweet, quite literally with the title. The story is a happy one and I really enjoyed the illustrations!

Age/Audience
This book would be interesting to kids who like animals, fun trips, and sweet foods and fruits like berries! I believe this book would be appropriate for Kindergarten, First Grade, and Second Grade students.

Possible Teaching Points

I read in Tompkins (2014) that Jamberry is a great children's book with Made Up Words and can be used to teach Wordplay (p. 145).

References

Tompkins, G. E. (2014). Literacy for the 21st century: A balanced approach. New York: Pearson.