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This semester I will become familiar with a variety of diverse authors, genres and literary formats to incorporate an abundance of quality literature into my classroom environment.

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https://docs.google.com/a/mail.gvsu.edu/document/d/1qq1qyMtKxFPdJWuDVAEk9T88bt2t2BOo5K7yLvti3yo/edit?usp=sharing
This link will bring you to a google doc that categorizes all of the books I have read this summer.

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I rated my books with 1 star being not so great and five stars being a spectacular book.  You will see "# out of 5 stars" in each of my entries.

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Written by Kate DiCamillo
Newberry Medal Award
Published by Candlewick Press in 2013
233 page realistic fiction/fantasy chapter book appropriate for 2-4 graders
Theme: Don't give up hope, there is good in the world.
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!
I feel like my second graders would really enjoy this book because of the silly phrases such as "Holy Unanticipated Occurrences!" and the graphic novel elements. I laughed quite a bit in my reading and I think they will, too! I think it is most appropriate as a read aloud because Flora's thoughts are pretty sophisticated and I think I would need to elp students understand and see connections. I also like the message for younger students that positive thoughts and hope are what gets you through tough times. I like the more transparent theme that good wins in the end. Flora always says "Do not hope, instead observe." When she assumes the worst, more bad things happen in succession. I would like to talk to my students about these ideas and think of advice we would give to Flora as we read.

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Written by Kate DiCamillo
National Book Award Finalist, Receiver of the Simon Honor Book Award
Published by Scholastic Inc. in 2001
128 page realistic fiction for upper grades (2-5)
Theme: Some things are not meant to be "locked up"
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!
Although I did not connect to the characters in their lifestyles or their thoughts, I did fall in love with them through empathy. As a teacher, my heartstrings were tugged when Rob was so lonely and hated school so much. Throughout my reading I contemplated how I would build my classroom community and create a better culture of kindness and friendship. I also was routing for Sistine and her outgoing, bossy attitude to bring Rob out of his shell because as an extrovert sometimes I get frustrated with introverts that do not share their feelings (not necessarily the best quality of mine).

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Written by Kate DiCamillo
(Nominee of multiple YA awards)
Published by Candlewick Press in 2016
272 page realistic fiction for middle school/young adult readers
Theme: You can't choose your family, but you can choose your friends
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!
I decided on this theme because through circumstance, loneliness, and life unpredictable nature these three girls form a unique bond. They learn what is means to depend on someone and have someone depend on them-the true meaning of a relationship. I like this book for middle school students because there are so many unanswerable questions and it is easy to feel lost and unsure, especially when you are limited in with whom you can rely. Though, I didn't grow up in a home lacking love, support, or stability, Kate DiCamillo did a great job connecting me to the characters and generating empathy for their situations. It gave me a whole feeling at the end when the character proved their commitment to each other. I am not sure that I would recommend this book to my second graders because I do not feel that it is appropriate

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Written by Katherine Applegate
Published by Macmillan Publishing Group in 2017
209 page modern fantasy chapter book written for upper elementary (2-5)
Theme:
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!
This book was a quick read-it only took me 3 hours in total! I loved the message and the perspective of the tree. I was most impacted by the end, pages 186-187 "One by one, the children tired their wishes to me. The principal and assistant principal and janitor and teachers all helped. My boughs had never been more laden. My heart had never been more hopeful. Because as each child, as each neighbor, as each stranger, placed a wish upon me, they looked at Samar and her parents and said the same thing: STAY."  From this you can feel the empathy and kindness presented by the community for Samar's family as well as the tree. The tree made a bigger difference than she thought by being full of hope and bravery. It also opens our eyes to the pressures that children still feel from society to be afraid of people that are different from us. This story can practically mirror a story of a black and white friendship in the 50s or 60s. This book can lead to so many areas of study and exploration with my class. I would tie it to Social Studies concepts, Science, and Literary Elements. This book has an interesting style to point out to students as well. There is less structure-probably because it is a tree! I think my second graders would love this book!

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Written by Katherine Applegate
Newbery Medal, CA Book Award Gold Medal for Juvenile, PA Young Readers Choice Award, Bluestem Book Award, SCBWI Crystal Kite Member Choice Award for CA/HI, Oklahoma Sequoyah Award for Children, Simon Honor Book
Published in 2012 by HarperCollins
307 page fictional chapter book (based on true events) appropriate for upper elementary (2-5th)
Theme: Animals do not belong in cages.
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!
I love love loved this book! I finished in one day, which I realize is very common with Katherine's books because of her style of writing. I thought that by writing in the perspective of Ivan it really connects the reader and creates a lot of room for empathy. I also like how much information is provided about the silverback gorilla. I fell like there was just enough to get kids interested and curious about the gorilla and their habitat/lifestyle. I can see many students reading other books and watching videos to learn more. I think this will be a great read aloud for my second graders! I also want to show students the book trailer and website I found when researching Katherine Applegate for my author project.

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Written by Kate DiCamillo and Illustrated by Chris Van Dusen
Published by Candlewick Press in 2005
68 page early/emergent reader for early grades (1-2)
Theme: Life is an adventure; saving the day
I give this book a 3 out of 5 stars
This book did not really appeal to me as a reader. There was nothing sentimental to connect my emotions to or wildly funny to make me want to share with other teachers/students. However, I do see the benefits of having this book available to students in my library.  Students will know the author from other great titles and it is a great way to bridge early readers to more lengthy and detailed books.  With big text and colorful pictures I can see how children would gravitate towards this book.  I think I can hook some readers with the "adventures" that Mercy Watson goes on and I will plan on introducing my students to these this school year!

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Tugg and Teeny: That's What Friends Are For

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Tugg and Teeny: That's What Friends Are For

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Written by J. Patrick Lewis and Illustrated by Christopher Denise
Published by Sleeping Bear Press in 2012
37 page early/emergent reader for early grades (1-2)
Theme: Friends help friends in need
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!
I think this book is great for early readers! I can highlight ideas of community building and being a good friend. My favorite chapter was Good Neighbor Day. I connected to that chapter because I usually take on a role of community building between colleagues and I am always looking for new ways to bring friends together to have fun and enjoy themselves. I like that this book has three different ways to be a good friend through each chapter. Students can focus on one story at a time for exploration and modeling.

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Written by Eve Bunting and Illustrated by Josee Masse
Published by Sleeping Bear Press in 2014
35 page early/emergent reader for early grades (1-2)
Theme: Friends through thick and thin
I give this book 3 out of 5 stars!
Like other early readers I have discovered and explored I feel that this book does not have a lot of quality to offer students. There is no flow or connection between the chapters and so I feel that it is almost patronizing to have students feel that they are reading "chapter books." Each story is "cute" and has good pictures. With animals, they allow all types of students a chance to relate to characters and see themselves in the story, which is positive. They also both introduce students to story elements with characters, setting, problem and solution. I also like that Eve Bunting included dialogue and a variety of sentence structure and punctuation to introduce early readers to. I will probably add some of the books in this series to my library this year.

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Written by Dan McGuiness
Published by GRAPHIX in 2011
64 page graphic novel appropriate for 2-5 graders
Theme: Return your movies on time.
I give this book 1 out of 5 stars!
This was terribly painful for me to read this! I see how boys may like to read this and I also see the benefit of teaching how to read comments (using the pictures and the talking or think bubbles). The one idea I got when reading this was to emphasize voice and expression. For me, I did not find one piece of it funny or enjoyable. I honestly didn't see a point to the story/storyline. Graphic novels are not my favorite, but this one is really not my favorite. Also, some of the dialogue refers to actors or ideas that young elementary students will not know. This will not hinder comprehension, but will keep the 2nd and 3rd graders out of the loop for sure.

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Judy Moody was in a mood. not a good mood. a bad mood

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Judy Moody was in a mood. not a good mood. a bad mood

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Written by Megan McDonald
Published by Candlewick Press in 2000
162 page realistic fiction for second and third graders
Theme: Kids have many moods in a day, and that is ok.
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!
I LOVED Judy Moody! I can honestly, and embarrassingly, say that I have never read Judy Moody books despite the multiple books in my classroom library and the amount of kids I have reading them! I assumed that they were very similar to Junie B. Jones and glossed them over. I really enjoyed this book for two main reasons: it depicted the many moods and thoughts of a child, and it was funny! I loved it so much in fact that I wrote my students an email from last year and shared a picture along with a blurb about how awesome the book was. Being that the book started with Judy Moody starting third grade, I thought some students would like that a lot! I prefer these books to Junie B. because her thoughts are child like, but still make sense. I think Junie is a negative rambler sometimes. I will definitely be more intentional to read books in my library and recommend books just like I ask my students to do.

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Written by Ellen Levine and Illustrated by Kadir Nelson
Caldecott Honor, PA Young Reader's Choice Award, Comstock Read Aloud Honor
Published by Scholastic Press in 2007
40 page narrative nonfiction appropriate for upper elementary (2-5th graders)
Theme: Sometimes the only way to survive is to think outside of the box (or inside!)
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars!
I was very interested to read this book because of the many awards and the title displayed across the bright cover with a little boy that promised a positive story of a boy becoming free. I did like the book, yet I didn't. It was misleading in that Henry had a long life of pain and despair before he "mailed himself to freedom" as an adult at the very end of the book. I know that slavery was sad and painful but I think it is hard for students, especially my second graders that are from mostly middle to upper class white families, to connect to it and understand. I thought about ways that I could preface this book with discussions, pictures, and other books about slavery. We would also talk about the differences of opinion between the north and south. Then we could focus on this persistent man who, even after years of suffering, was creative enough to trick everyone and become free.

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Written by Katherine Applegate and Illustrated by Jan Ormerod
Published by Clarion Books in 2007
32 page historical fiction written for upper elementary (2-5)
Theme: Be courageous and face your fears and you will prosper
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!
Wow! Figurative language! "We joined other wagons like beads slowing stringing." The imagery painted in my mind by Katherine's words throughout the story were very captivating and interesting. You could tie this into Social Studies and include may other texts about the Oregon Trail and pioneer life. I could also use this book as a tool to model and practice analyzing literary elements such as character development, the impact of the setting, and theme.  Which could all connect to other stories that the class may be reading at that time.

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Ivan The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla

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Ivan The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla

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Written by Katherine Applegate and Illustrated by G. Brian Karas
Published by Clarion Books in 2014
32 page and genre/age group
Theme: Animals are meant to live in the wild, not in captivity
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars
I like this book because I can use it in addition to reading The One and Only Ivan in my classroom.  Students will have interest and background knowledge and it is more appropriate for second graders' independent reading. I am imagining reading the chapter book aloud to my students and then having a basket with this book and some nonfiction texts about silverback gorillas, photos, articles about Ivan.  I also found these websites that give information and videos about Ivan and Katherine Applegate. I think it would be fun to do a class inquiry study on silverbacks how to protect them.
http://hmhbooks.com/ivan/
http://theoneandonlyivan.com/

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Written by Matt de la Pena and Illustrated by Christian Robinson

Receiver of the John Newbery Award, The Caldecott Honor Award, and the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Award
Published by Penguin Books in 2015
32 page realistic fiction picture book written for lower elementary (K-4)
Theme: Be humble
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!
This book very quickly became a favorite of mine! I would love to use this book as a read aloud to highlight acceptance for others even when they are different from you. Through words and pictures the book demonstrates humility and understanding. It shows children that it is OK to wonder and ask about differences, but reinforces the idea that kindness is the appropriate response. It can be tied to Social Studies when discussing communities, as well as to character education/citizenship.

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Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez

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Harvesting Hope: The Story of Cesar Chavez

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Written by Kathleen Krull and Illustrated by Yuyi Morales
Receiver of the Pura Belpre Honor Award
Published by Harcourt Books in 2003
32 page narrative nonfiction/multicultural/biography/picture book
Theme: Be persistent in fighting for what is right
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!
"I am a clown. I speak Spanish" This part brought tears to my eyes. I connect to this book because I grew up in a diverse community and have studied Spanish since Kindergarten.  I continued through college and lived in Spain to study in the University.  I felt moved by this book because not only do I have a soft spot for the language but I also believe so strongly in humanity and equal rights for all people. I admire people with the strength to stand up for themselves and more importantly for others when they are faced with injustice.  The march that takes place in the story is in the 60s so I could tie in other civil rights activists and movements.

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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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Written and Illustrated by Jeanette Winter
Published by Schwartz and Wade in 2011
32 page narrative nonfiction/biography
Theme: You can make a difference when you are passionate about something.
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!
I really enjoyed that this book was in a narrative format.  I have so many nonfiction texts about Jane Goodall that are more informational with text features and photographs.  As I was reading, I thought about how, when learning about Jane in class I can provide students with different texts about her.  It will appeal to a variety of reading abilities and interests! I think this book creates opportunities for students to connect with Jane and maybe prompt them to think about making a difference.

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Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World's 

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Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World's 

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Written by Lindsay Mattick and Illustrated by Sophie Blackwell
Caldecott Medal, ILA Children's and YA Book Award for Primary Nonfiction, Charlotte Zolotow Award Honor
Published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers in 2015
54 page and narrative nonfiction
Theme: Love knows no boundaries.
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!
This book brings wonderful feelings of nostalgia and emotion. I think this is a fantastic way to teach both children and adults about this real bear that inspired the famous Winnie-the-Pooh! Both the illustrations and the text could be studied in so many ways. I love that there are real photos in the back of the book for students to see. I wonder why Harry didn't choose to bring Winnie to a Zoo closer to him. It makes me sad to think that maybe he never saw her again or didn't get to introduce Winnie, his beloved bear to his children or grandchildren. I also realize that if Harry moved her, then we may not have the beloved stories about the adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh and Christopher Robin.

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Written by Oliver Jeffers and Illustrated by Sam Winston
Published by Candlewick Press in 2016
32 page fantasy picture book for lower elementary (K-4)
Theme: Reading is the greatest adventure we can go on
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!
First off, I LOVE the inside book cover! It is filled with book titles and authors.  As I read, I continued to see the carry through in each illustration.  This book is SUPER captivating!  I love the color at the end of the book and the words on the "Serious Stuff" Newspaper.  I would love to use this book as a read aloud and have students think of their favorite book or story and why they love it so much.  I would like to make a graphic to hang up in the library and encourage students to add books that excite them to the list throughout the year.  It would go along with my "Reading Carries Us Away" theme in my library.  I would love to see if my students can make a connection with the writing in the book to The Day the Crayons Quit and The Day the Crayons Came Home so we can study the author and his style some more as well.

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Whoosh! Lonnie Johnson's Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions

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Whoosh! Lonnie Johnson's Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions

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Written by Chris Barton and Illustrated by Don Tate
Published by Charlesbridge in 2016
32 page narrative nonfiction/biography for grades 2-4
Theme: You never know what you will come up with when you let yourself be creative.
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!
Lonnie is a wonderful role model for persistence! When faced with obstacles or failure, he continues to persevere and think of NEW ideas to solve the problem. I love this book for growth mindset. This book could tie in the backlash that he may have been receiving from outside of his supportive home. We could include discrimination and nonsupports to our conversations about not letting anyone convince us that we can't reach our goals. I also love the onomatopoeia that flies across the cover and the pages when the super soaker squirts water! WHOOSH! This is a really fun text feature that will grab the students' attention.

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Mesmerized How Benjamin Franklin Solved a Mystery That Baffled All of France

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Mesmerized How Benjamin Franklin Solved a Mystery That Baffled All of France

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Written by Mara Rockliff and Illustrated by Iacopo Bruno
SCBWI Kite Award
Published by Candlewick Press in 2015
48 page narrative nonfiction for lower and upper grades (lower would enjoy, upper could use for instruction)
Theme: Research your wonderings by using the scientific method.
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!
This book is such a fun way to help students understand the scientific method! I love the step-by-step explanation and example of how students should challenge and question ideas that they do not agree with or wonder about. The history within the story about the impact Benjamin Franklin made on Science and Technology today is fascinating!  I would love to share this book with my students and use it in collaboration with the launch of our inquiry-based science program!  I appreciate Mara Rockliff's effort to research and maintain accuracy for this story.  There is additional background about B.F. at the end that can allow for more of a historical study.

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Written by Elizabeth Suneby and Illustrated by Suana Verelst
Published by Kids Can Press in 2013
32 page and narrative nonfiction for upper elementary
Theme: Education is powerful and everyone deserves to receive it.
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!
I think this book is so powerful to share with students in America. I think it is eye opening to think that some people aren't allowed to go to school. Razia is a young, determined and hopeful girl living near Kabul, Afghanistan. She wants to learn to read and write more than anything, despite the cultural beliefs that school is not for females. This story captures Razia's continuous attempts to convince the males in her family, particularly  her older brother, that she should attend the brand new girl's school in her community. This inspiring story is based on true stories of many girls that dream of getting an education in Afghanistan.  The back of the book provides photographs of the teacher featured in the story, Razia Jan, and important information about education for all. I would love to look at a map and learn more into the school that she went to. Maybe I could inspire some research of other places where girls or boys may not go to school.

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Written by Laurie Ann Thompson and Illustrated by Sean Qualls
Schneider Family Book Award
Published by Schwartz and Wade in 2015
40 page and narrative nonfiction/biography for elementary (lower and upper can learn from the message)
Theme: One person can make a huge difference.
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!
I created a summary for students to model telling how you might interest a new reader in reading your suggestion.  "This biography tells the true story of the inspiring Emmanuel Osofu Yeboah. Emmanuel was born with only one leg and faced much discrimination and criticism. Readers are taken on a journey through his life to see the cruelty he faced and his perseverance and determination to be accepted and treated fairly.  Eventually, he knew he had to do something big-he decided to bicycle nearly 400 miles across Ghana with one leg! The book emphasizes that Emmanuel did not only want people to respect him, but he also wanted to change the world's perspective of people with disabilities."

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Written by Miranda Paul and Illustrated by Jason Chin
Published Roaring Book Press in 2015
40 page nonfiction poetry picture book
Theme: Water is everywhere
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars
I think this book would go nicely with our Earth's Land and Water Science Unit. It will be an additional genre to add to the collection of books for exploration and exposure. I thought that this book was appropriate for second graders because it teaches the water cycle through many verbs and sound words which are direct and simple for them to understand. I also think like that there are repetitive word patterns and rhyming in the for reader predictability and confidence.

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Written by Margarita Engle and Illustrated by Rafael Lopez
Pura Belpre Award, Charlotte Zolotow Award, Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature
Published by HMH Books for Young Readers in 2015
48 page narrative nonfiction appropriate for 1st grade-4th grade
Theme: Don't give up on your dreams
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!
I loved that this book is simple enough for younger readers to enjoy as a read aloud and talk about following your dream. Yet, on the other hand, I love that this book is so complex full of great imagery and many messages for upper elementary students to study and enjoy. While reading this book I was thinking about how I could use it in my classroom to talk about society's ideas about girls and boys. I think i want to contact the band director at the high school and see if a girl drummer can come to the class and play for us and talk about her passion and maybe even her feelings being surrounded by so many boys and the stigma that girls don't play drums. I am very excited to bring this book into my classroom!

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Written and Illustrated by Steve Breen
Published by Dial Books in 2008
40 page realistic fiction for lower elementary aged students
Theme: Girls can be engineers, too!
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!
I was eager to read a book about a girl that is curious and able to build and create.  I think there is still somewhat of a stigma that building is for boys.  I was glad that she wanted to show her capabilities to her peers, but I was kind of sad that her classmates teased her.  I feel like this is something I will point out during the reading with a quick turn and talk about how the community of learners in that classroom is different from ours in that we support and encourage others. Regardless, I loved that even though she persisted and worked very hard to get her contraption flying and ready, and she could have been a star, she chose to help others. SO much can be discussed about true character and values, persistence, determination, creativity, and individuality. I can't wait to read this book to my students!

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Written by Candace Fleming and Illustrated by Boris Kulikov
Comstock Read Aloud Book Award
Published by Farrar, Straus, and Giroux in 2013
40 page realistic fiction/narrative nonfiction because it is based off of the inventor Lodner Phillips appropriate for 1st-3rd graders
Theme: Investigate your wonderings and don't quit until you have found the answer.
I give this book 5 out of 5 stars!
I love how this book connects to perseverance, growth mindset, being creative and inventive.  It is a great example of how I want students in my classroom to view the world-wonder, investigate, build/create, and contribute something awesome!  I also loved that they go visit Lake Michigan!  I think kids will be excited and connect to the setting.  I was interested in learning more about Lodner Phillips to have more information and resources for my students and I came across a blog from the author, Candace Fleming, that has the actual plans for a submarine made by Phillips!  I am beyond excited to share!
http://www.candacefleming.com/blog/papas-patents-and-plans/