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1. Title: Honey, I Love
1a. Author: Eloise Greenfield
1b. Illustrator: Diane and Leo Dillon
1c. Publisher: HarperCollinsPublishers
1d. Published: 1978
1e. Genre: Poetry
2. Plot Summary
Honey, I Love  tells the story of a young girl experiencing the joys and adventures of life. Most importantly, the poems progress to the girl learning the life lesson that the best form of love is the kind you have for yourself.
3. Critical Response and Analysis
Greenfield uses a variety of poem structures. She masters the art of using line breaks to add dramatic effect or suspense. The images that make up the pages have one central black and white, realistic, African American girl. Details show the texture in her hair, the twinkle in the eyes, and the creases from laughing. In the background, gold cartoon-like images tell the story around the poem.
4. Connections
As part of the curriculum, my students have studied "Harriet Tubman" over the years to get exposure to poetry and finding the main idea of the different verses. I would continue this practice. I also find poetry to be a catalyst that helps struggling fluent readers. The emotions put into poems helps students understand the importance of the different punctuation and the emphasis that should be placed accordingly.
5 Awards

Coretta Scott King–Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement

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1. Title: Time You Let Me In
1a. Poems Selected By: Naomi Shihab Nye
1b. Publisher: Greenwillow Books
1c. Published: 2010
1e. Genre: Poetry
2. Plot Summary
The collection of poems entice the readers to the relatable emotions and strifes. The poems weave their magic through the lines to bring a picture to the face of vulnerability.
3. Critical Response and Analysis
Time You Let Me In highlights twenty-five poets, whose vulnerability and transparency speaks out through the lines. The poems tell the stories and experiences of these individuals. Some of the poems selected are in a series, while others are unrelated but still powerful.
4. Connections
These poems could be used to practice identifying main idea or inferencing skills. Since most of the poems are on the more abstract side, I believe the discussions could be powerful to determine what message the author is trying to portray. To begin, I would start by using a poem or verse for morning work to break down the symbolism and meaning. After students get more comfortable, I would have them read, respond, and discuss using accountable talk strategies.
5 Awards
School Library Journal Best Books (2010)

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1. Title: Joyful Noise: Poems for Two Voices
1a. Author: Paul Fleischman
1b. Illustrator: Eric Beddows
1c. Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers
1d. Published: 1988
1e. Genre: Poetry
2. Plot Summary
Joyful Noise is collection of poems about insects--and the sounds they make--made for two voices to read them aloud.
3. Critical Response and Analysis
Reading the two voice poems by myself was slightly disconcerting as I had to read one side before the next. The poems were made to be read in unison to create melodic merge of sounds and words. For students, I know I would need to separate the sides to focus attention. The illustrations were created with use of pencils or ink and shading. Although simplistic is design, they capture the essence of the poems by personifying the insects, like to two book lice dancing on top of a stack of books.
4. Connections
Immediately, I can picture my bug-loving students being enthralled in the poems. From an educational standpoint, these poems could be printed and laminated for partners to read to practice with fluency. A struggling reader and more proficient reader could work collaboratively to read aloud the poems. I would also separate the illustrations from the poem to allow for students the opportunity to use their imagination to draw what comes to mind while reading the poems or vice versa to create a poem from the illustration provided by Beddows.
5 Awards
Newberry Medal

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1. Title: Words with Wings
1a. Author: Nicki Grimes
1b. Illustrator: n/a
1c. Publisher: WordSong
1d. Published: 2013
1e. Genre: Poetry
2. Plot Summary
Gabriella is a young girl, who uses her daydreams as an oasis. When she sees or hears words,  her imagination comes to life in the collection of poems to help her navigate family, friends, and school challenges.
3. Critical Response and Analysis
While there are no illustrations within the book, Grimes beaks up the structure by using different formats to express the poems. Verse and line structure change within the collection depending on the message she is trying to express.The symbolism within the book is powerful that the words give Gabriella wings to escape feelings of pain, sadness, joy, and isolation. The book empowers the soul of the daydreamers and creators by expressing the power words or pictures can have on audiences.
4. Connections
With verse poetry format, teachers could share the collection to show students the various forms of poetry to reiterate not all poems rhyme. More importantly, this book could be a gateway to forming connections between students by understanding their unique talents and personalities by stating how creativity is imperative to problem-solving. The relationship between Gabriella and her teacher reinforces this belief, because he never stops engaging her in learning and finds a way to incorporate her passions into the curriculum.
5 Awards
Children's Literature Assembly, 2014 Notable Children's Books in the
English Language Arts, National Council of Teachers of English
Coretta Scott King Author Honor book
Junior Library Guild
Kirkus Reviews Best Books of 2013
Lee Bennett Hopkins/Penn State Award master list
Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Book Award finalist, 2015-2016
Mighty Girl "75 Mighty Girls Books for Tweens’ Summer Reading List"
Nerdy Book Club finalist
Nevada Young Reader Award Finalists for the Young Reader 2016
Pennsylvania Keystone to Reading Elementary Book Award finalist

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1. Title: Grace Hopper: Queen of Computer Code
1a. Author: Laurie Wallmark
1b. Illustrator: Katy Wu
1c. Publisher: Sterling Children's Books
1d. Published: 2017
1e. Genre: Historical Nonfiction
2. Plot Summary
From a curious girl to a coding revolutionary, Grace Hopper made a career out of creative and efficient problem-solving.
3. Critical Response and Analysis
Wu used a variety of colors, hues, shapes, lines, and patterns to depict the scenes and characters in the book. She also utilized ribbon banners, torn paper, and speech bubbles to differentiate the text from the direct quotes provided by Grace Hopper. When the text said Hopper used doodling to focus her problem-solving skills, Wu transitioned the artistic design to pencil stick figures and crayon renditions of dragons and flowers.
4. Connections
This would be a powerful book to read aloud during Women's History Month or in a math and science classroom to honor women scientists and mathematicians. As coding becomes more accessible the masses with Code. org and the WonderWorkshop Dash coding robots, Grace Hopper's story would be a great evolutionary tale of where coding started to where it is now. Students could do a compare and contrast activity against Grace Hopper's and their experiences.
5 Awards
Parents’ Choice Award Winner: Picture Book, Gold
Chicago Public Library Best Books of 2017, Informational Books for Younger Readers
New York Public Library Best Books for Kids 2017

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1. Title: Saturdays and Teacakes
1a. Author: Lester Laminack
1b. Illustrator: Chris Soentpietg
1c. Publisher: Peachtree
1d. Published: 2004
1e. Genre: Realistic Fiction
2. Plot Summary
This story is about the bond between grandson and grandmother. Saturdays are their days for chores, memories, and sweet treats!
3. Critical Response and Analysis
I had to listen to this book read aloud on YouTube. The narration left something to be desired and made it difficult to focus on the plot of the story. So after rewatching it with the sound on mute, I was able to focus on the beautiful paintings that made the illustrations. As the story was centered around a positive relationship and experiences, the colors were filled with vibrant colors that reflected the mood. I loved the details of the older gas station with the bell that was rung for service. The images made me feel like I was right alongside the characters doing chores and making treats.
4. Connections
Spending my summers in a small town in Mississippi, I was able to really resonate with the boy and his time with his grandmother. For me, however, it was my Aunt Peggy that made every day chores of cleaning and cooking dinner an adventure. Every minute we were together, I felt like the center of her universe. Knowing how impactful that was for me, I would love to open that up to my students to learn about a person or place that gives them a sense of security and serenity. For students without that place or person, it would be a great opportunity for me to reach out and offer my unconditional love and support.
5 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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1. Title: Rose Blanche
1a. Author: Christophe Gallaz
1b. Illustrator: Roberto Innocenti
1c. Publisher: Creative Paperbacks
1d. Published: 2011
1e. Genre: Historical Fiction
2. Plot Summary
Rose Blanche was a kind, compassionate, and inquisitive girl that loved to observe the world around her. Her inquisitive nature got the best of her as she came upon a row of wood houses behind a barbed wire fence.
3. Critical Response and Analysis
Gallaz's words, although minimal, are purposefully selected to deliver a powerful message. The illustrations are the focal point and cover the majority of the pages. The illustrations are so details that you see the cracks in the cobble stone streets, the mortar between bricks, and the insignias on the Nazi uniforms. The images are drawn in a very realistic manner.
4. Connections
As soon as Rose Blanche arrived to the barbed wire and I saw the kids in the striped clothes, I was immediately transported to the plot of the movie, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. The story lines are very similiar in the sense that the innocent, kind students suffer at the hands of the Nazi's ignorance. Due to the experiences and conditions of the Nazi regime, I would use this book with older children--probably fourth grade or higher. The comparison to modern day treatment of minorities within their communities and country could lend to an interesting research project for students to look beyond their life experiences and understand others.
5 Awards
1985 American Library Association Notable Children's Book
1986 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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1. Title: A Bunch of Punctuation
1a. Poems Selected by: Lee Bennett Hopkins
1b. Illustrator: Serge Bloch
1c. Publisher: WordSong
1d. Published: 2018
1e. Genre: Poetry
2. Plot Summary
A Bunch of Punctation is a collection of whimsical poetry that explains and provides examples of the purpose and uses of various punctation.
3. Critical Response and Analysis
Bloch uses a pencil or ink approach to bring the poems to life by drawing the examples used in the passage and personifying the punctation. The images are cartoonish in nature with different depths of black and minimal use of color for shading or effect.
4. Connections
This book could be used to model different forms of poetry and verse structure. It also could be used for mini-writing lessons to teach punctuation or craft and structure. With the poetry set up, the teacher could focus on one form of punctuation at a time.
5 Awards
Awards

NCTE Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts Kansas State Reading Circle Recommended Books

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1. Title: Peppe the Lamplighter
1a. Author: Elisa Bartone
1b. Illustrator: Ted Lewin
1c. Publisher: Mulberry Books
1d. Published: 1993
1e. Genre: Historical Fiction
2. Plot Summary

Peppe's family were struggling financially after coming to America. He knew that he had to contribute to help his family, so he went door to door looking for a job until he was offered the lamplighter job.

3. Critical Response and Analysis
Lewin uses a lot of dark colors and swirling brush strokes for the duality of physical darkness and emotional darkness and despair. While Peppe was proud to be able to contribute to his family, his father believed the job was beneath them and felt shame--thus, dimming Peppe's confidence. At the end of the book, when the lamp's light was the only beacon of hope, Lewis uses more yellows and whites to bring that hope and pride to forefront of the reader's attention.
4. Connections
Immediately, I connected with this book as a symbol of work ethic, self-efficacy, and determination. Without those qualities, Peppe would not have ever taken a job viewed as demeaning by his father. Working in a lower socioeconomic neighborhood, I believe my students would connect to the resilience and perseverance their parents or siblings must have to help raise and feed them. I would use this book as a read aloud to engage students in a journal response for #thestruggleisreal to give them the opportunity to express struggles they or their family has overcome and feel proud of--regardless of what other people think.
5 Awards
Caldecott Honor Book
ALA Notable Book

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1. Title: Pet Show!
1ab. Author & Illustrator: Ezra Jack Keats
1c. Publisher: Scholastic
1d. Published: 1972
1e. Genre: Historical Fiction
2. Plot Summary
Archie and his friends want to enter their animals into the pet show, but he cat has disappeared. In desperate attempt to make the show, Archie had to get creative with the pet he entered into the contest.
3. Critical Response and Analysis
The majority of the book is designed using watercolor brush strokes of blues, greens, whites, and some browns for depth. As Archie searches for the cat, the image of a pencil drawn cat appears to keep the readers' focus on the purpose of Archie's hunt. Once the cat is found, the colors evolve into a multitude of bright colors to signify his happiness or peace. The illustrator also uses a blurring effect on the surrounding images to help bring attention to Archie and his expressions.
4. Connections
This book could help teach a citizenship lesson on kindness or perseverance, as Archie lets the older woman keep the ribbon and his ingenuity for bringing the "quietest" pet. Another mini lesson that could take place is on adjectives. Using the awards the animals won, the teacher could have students come up with synonymous adjectives or describe other objects or things. Pet Show! could also be used as an ice breaker text at the beginning of the year to get to know personal things about classmates and teachers, such as if they have pets.
5 Awards
Reading Rainbow Book

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1. Title: Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad
1a. Author: Ellen Levine
1b. Illustrator: Kadir Nelson
1c. Publisher: Scholastic
1d. Published: 2007
1e. Genre: Historical Fiction
2. Plot Summary
Henry Brown, torn from everything he knew and loved, refused to stand for the injustice he and his people faced everyday. He decided the best way to get to freedom would be to mail himself to Philadelphia.
3. Critical Response and Analysis
The illustrator captures the mood throughout the story with the use of various lines, brush strokes, textures, and colors. As the story tells a tragic tale of Henry Brown being taken from first his mother and then his family, the illustrator uses a lot of dark colors and downward facing lines to illuminate the sadness and heartbreak the characters are feeling. As he emerges from the box, the scene opens into a sunlight, bright setting of liberation that focuses the light around Henry is subtle spotlight format.
4. Connections
At face value, this book would be an informative source telling the life of slaves in the 1800s. Teachers could discuss it during Social Studies or Black History month. Beyond the superficial scope, teachers could use the sections of the book for perspective writing, like how would the kids feel being separated from their mother and father or how must Henry have felt after emerging from the box.
5 Awards
2008 Caldecott Honor Book