b. Bibliographic data 
Title: Henry’s Freedom Box 
Written by: Ellen Levin 
Illustrated by: Kadir Nelson 
Publisher Scholastic, Inc; 2006

c. Brief plot summary It is the true story of Henry "Box" Brown who mailed himself to freedom from slavery. Henry's bravery and ingenuity were inspiring. 

d. Critical response and analysis. 

The book tells about Henry Brown, who was born a slave. The authors portray the story from Henry’s perspective, as he grows from a young boy into a man. When Henry’s master died, he was sent away to live with the master’s brother, who was much less kind. He was forced to live without his mother to go work in a tobacco factory. He met Nancy, a slave girl. The two married and had three children. One day, Nancy and the children were sold to another slave owner and taken away. Henry came up with the idea of mailing himself to the north where there were no slaves. After a harrowing twenty-seven-hour journey packed in a small crate, Henry was delivered safely to the home of an abolitionist and finally realized his dream of being free. 

e. Connections.  

The beauty of this picture book are the wonderful illustrations. They are extremely realistic and poignantly display the emotions of each character. The pictures almost tell the story all by themselves. This book would be a great read aloud to teach about slavery, abolitionism, and the Underground Railroad. As an extension, I would include lessons that require further research about Henry. I would allow for students to research how he used his struggles to motivate him to become an internationally renowned spokesperson for the Underground Railroad and abolition, and even wrote an autobiographical account of his life as a slave and his escape which I hope to read at some point. 

f. Awards won. 
Caldecott Honor Award
ALSC 2008 Notable Children's Books

g. Photo of the book cover. 

b. Bibliographic Data: 
Title: Rose Blanche Written by: Roberto Innocenti and Christoph Gallaz, Illustrated by: Roberto Innocenti Published by: Creative Education Inc., 1985

c. Brief Plot Summary: A compassionate little girl discovers some horrific events in her hometown in Germany, during the Holocaust and tries to help children living in a concentration camp. 

d. Critical Response and Analysis: This story tells a small aspect of the Holocaust as seen through the eyes of a young (non-Jewish) German girl who does not fully understand the circumstances of WWII going on in her back yard. As the streets of her hometown become saturated with soldiers and military tanks, the girl knows something serious is about to happen. She follows one of the tanks into the forest and finds a Nazi concentration camp. 

The illustrations are very detailed, the writing on signs and facades of the houses are in German and clothes and architecture are so precise, that one could almost guess the exact region of the setting. Innocenti used the significant name Rose Blanche for the young girl because it was also the name of a group of young German citizens who protested the war and were all killed. Unfortunately, on one visit Rose meets her demise as she is violently shot in the forest. Beautiful illustrations and brilliant prose tell that as time passes the field where blood was shed soon returns to a glorious meadow of flowers, similar to that of Flanders Fields.

e. Connections: During instruction about the WWII and events of the Holocaust, students can connect the text to the White Rose members and research their courageous efforts as it relates to history. Older children and young adults who have background knowledge on the war, and in particular the Holocaust, will find it easy to expand their knowledge and see from a different perspective the horrific events from this era. According to FL standards, the Holocaust is taught in grades 9-12. I think this is a great opportunity for young adults this age to enrich their literary selections with a picture book of this magnitude.  

f. Awards Won:
The American Library Association Mildred Batchelder Award

1985 American Library Association Notable Children's Book

1986 The Horn Book Honor List 

Bratislava Golden Apple Award

Picture Book for Older Children List

g Photo of the book cover

b. Bibiliographic Data: Saturdays and Teacakes written by Lester L. Laminack, Illustrated by Chris Soentpiet, Published by Peachtree in 2009. 

c. Brief Plot Summary: The story of a boy who rides his bike to his awaiting Mammaw's house tells about the wonderful sights along the grassy hills of Western North Carolina. He helps her with chores in and around her house and she repays him with affection and of course, warm teacakes.

d. Critical Response and Analysis: This charming book reminds readers of the priceless value of family connections and the importance of contributions to the family and community by doing chores. The paintings fill each page in full color that depicts the 60’s era precisely. 

e. Connections: Students can conduct an interview with an elderly family member that is special to them. From their interview a timeline of events could be created. A mini lesson on figurative language could also be included to connect to the book’s use of it. As an extension, students may create a visual aide that represents their family member’s most common phrase using figurative language. 

f. Awards Won: SEBA Book Award 

b. Bibliographic Information: Title: Goggles!  By: Ezra Jack Keats Published by: Macmillan (now Viking), 1969

c. Brief Plot Summary: The story of Goggles is about dealing with bullies and more importantly, a loyal friendship.

d. Critical Response and Analysis: Peter has found a rare treasure, a pair of old, beat-up motorcycle goggles. He and his best friend Archie are on their way to Archie’s front stoop with their prize when they run into a neighborhood gang that wants those goggles, too. What the bullies don’t understand is how hard it is to catch two smart boys and one crafty dog.

e. Connections: Previewing the book by taking a picture walk to predict would be a great way to begin a read aloud. Stopping the page before Peter gets punched, so that children can check their predictions during reading. While reading aloud, introduce vocabulary meanings and elicit problem-solving skills. After reading, discuss the events and character’s choices as a positive or not. Also discuss safe places or safe people to go to in a time of need. As an enrichment, allow for students to create goggles with a template to cut out and decorate using fathers, beads and other small art supllies to encourage individualism and create the sense of wonder like the text states that would encourage acceptance. 

A lesson that moves children to think about bullying and how to deal with bullies while learning important reading and interpersonal skills is important. I may consider this lesson during October when it is Anti Bullying awareness month. 

f. Awards won: Caldecott Medal Honor Book, 1970

g. Picture of the book’s cover 

b. Bibliographic Information: Title: Whistle for Willie By: Ezra Jack Keats Published by: Macmillan (now Viking), 1964

c. Brief Plot Summary: In this charming sequel to The Snowy Day, an older and wiser Peter wants to learn to whistle. 

d. Critical Response and Analysis: Peter is a little older than he is in The Snowy Day. He meanders through his neighborhood on a summer day, spinning around, playing, drawing a chalk trail on the sidewalk. He sees an older boy whistle and becomes determined to learn to whistle so he can call his dog, Willie. Peter tries and tries, but no sound comes out. He tries multiple things to feel older, thinking it will help. Like the text ‘The Wonder of it All” implies, this is a way to show us from a child’s perspective, that Peter is acquiring skill and status (whistling to master his pet). 

e. Connections: A lesson about persistence, practice makes perfect and underlying themes of encouragement and finding good role models lend themselves to this book. I plan on incorporating a literature circle lesson with the One Observation, One Connection, One Question, One Surprise format we used during our literature circle to connect them personally to the text. I also plan to host an author study for Ezra Jack Keats during the Month of February when we learn about African American Month and diversity. 

f. Awards won: none

g. Picture of the book’s cover 

b. Bibliographic Information: Title: Du Iz Tak?  By: Carson Ellis, Published by: Candlewick Press, 2016

c. Brief Plot Summary: A compassionate little girl discovers some horrific events in her hometown in Germany, during the Holocaust and tries to help children living in a concentration camp. 

d. Critical Response and Analysis: A picture book that cleverly uses appreciation of nature to teach how you can decode what a language means even if you do not understand it. A read aloud for children to enjoy detailed illustrations that demonstrates how plot develops through pictures and invented language. The bugs are slightly personified but muted earth tones prevent them from becoming creepy, which could lure male readers with an interest in insects to “read”.

e. Connections: An assortment of language development standards for listening and speaking and reading comprehension opportunities like using context clues is facilitated with a read loud or literature circle for K-3 students. 

f. Awards won: Caldecott Award 

g. Photo of the book cover