b. Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, Harper & Row, 1963

 

c. A mother sends her rambunctious son to bed without his supper for creating mischief but his imagination sends him to a place where can be the king of the wild things. 

 

d. This wonderful classic picture book is one of my childhood favorites. I often used to get in trouble for daydreaming and using my imagination to escape reality, as a child. It’s amusing to see how my perspective has changed as I make a connection between myself and the story. As a child, I remember wishing I could go to a place where I ruled the world and others understood my creative energy. As a mother of an energetic, creative boy, I understand how the character’s mother felt initially, out of patience when she sent him to bed without dinner for being too wild, and then later feeling bad about it. 

 

e. I have read this to my kindergarten and first grade students, in the month of October. When I taught Kindergarten we learned about the letter M in October, so it was a natural lead into the lesson. We create monster bag puppets and would take turns sharing (while some write) about how each one of us connects with the story. Like the text states, when students are given the opportunity to have conversations, they are often lead to engage in higher order thinking and analyzing of information. 

 

f. Caldecott Medal Winner, 1964. The Caldecott Medal is an American literary award presented each year for outstanding illustration in a picture book.

Hans Christian Andersen Awards illustrator Medal, 1970.

American Book Award, 1982

Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal, 1983

 

b. Bibliographic data Title: The True Story of the Three Little Pigs Written by Jon Scieszka, Illustrated by Lane Smith. Harper & Row, 1989.

c. Brief plot summary This is a parody of the 3 little pigs told from the perspective of the wolf who is trying to set the story straight of how he came to be "big and bad"

d. Critical response and analysis. 
Characterization in modern fantasy is apparent in this story with the use of animals act like people (animorphisism). The characters wear clothing and eyeglasses for seeing better, they shave with a razor, the wolf bakes a cake for his grandma, they read and write. 

Setting is imaginary with no mention or indication of time passed. Once upon a time sets the stage and They lived happily ever after closes the tale.

The plot starts right out with action and text that grabs the listeners interest and keeps it. The introduction is created with cut out letters like a ransom note, and talks about the incriminating diet of a wolf to blame for his reputation. It has surprising twists or developments as the wolf develops a cold and accidentally sneezes and blows his nose on the pigs killing 2 of them. The wolf is so frugal that he can’t waste a perfectly good ham so he eats one and saves one for grandma. Situations like more animorphism, when police men and news reporters arrive as animals and take another animal to jail, are not possible in our realistic world. The story remains full of action and follows specific and simple patterns of events like knocking on the door with repeated statements. 

In modern fantasy stories, conflicts are usually resolved with great deeds or acts of human kindness related to good and bad/evil. This is the case for this story’s theme as it insists on clearing the wolf’s name. 

e. Connections.  
This book would lend itself to a compare and contrast lesson and a unit study on versions of a fairy tale. Differentiation would be easy because the variations of these titles are across all ZPD’s. Scaffolding for EL’s and ESE students would occur naturally with the graphic organizer and instructional methods. Also higher achieving students could compare more than 2 titles, using a triple or even quadruple venn diagram. 

f. Awards won. The Notable Children's Recordings

Each year the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) identifies the best of the best in children's recordings on the Notable Children's Recordings list

g. Photo of the book cover. 

b. Bibliographic data Title: Pete the Cat Rocking in my School Shoes Written by Eric Litwin, Illustrated by James Dean. Publisher Harper Collins, 2010.

c. Brief plot summary Pete is going to school, which can be a bit scary, especially when you’re having to do lots of new things, like go to the library or eat in the lunch room. Pete remains cool and collected,  rocking, reading and eating in his school shoes.

d. Critical response and analysis. 
Characterization in modern fantasy is apparent in this story with the use of animals act like people (animorphisism). The characters wear clothing, attend school, Pete plays the guitar and ties his shoes.  

Setting is imaginary or impossible as all of the students in the school are animals. Most of them being cats. 

The plot starts right out with rhyme that turns to song, and you cant helping but sing as you read and grabs the listeners interest. The introduction begins like most kids’ first day of school, with nerves, a bus, and shiny new gear. It has surprising twists or developments as he overcomes every fearful situation in school—the cafeteria, the playground, etc. Situations like more animorphism, when teachers appear as animals also, are not possible in our realistic world. The story remains full of action and follows specific and simple patterns of events like repeated rhymes and reference to shoes making him cool. 

In modern fantasy stories, conflicts are usually resolved with great deeds or acts of human kindness related to good and bad/evil. This is the case for this story’s theme as it insists on clearing the wolf’s name. 

e. Connections.  
This book would be great for an author study on versions of a modern fantasy. There is an excellent interactive website with additional educational resources. Students could engage various activities and read alouds on the site in throughout the week. Differentiation would be easy because the variations of these titles are across all ZPD’s, and students could pair up to read with partners. This is a perfect title to help students cope with first week at school jitters. 

f. Awards won. South Caroline Picture Book Award, Georgia State Senate and Hose of Representatives recognition, NY Times best seller

g. Photo of the book cover. 

 

c. Brief Plot Summary: Jackson, an intelligent fifth-grade boy and his 5-year-old sister have a family with serious financial and medical problems. He knows their problems are back because he once again begins seeing his imaginary friend. 

 

d. Critical Response and Analysis: This realistic fiction story tells about a boy, Jackson and his 5-year-old sister who often go without eating. The family has to sell their belongings to meet the rent, and though he is insightful and a budding scientist, he remains quiet about his worries. A giant cat, Crenshaw, visits Jackson again. His former imaginary friend visited him the last time they became homeless. He is more persnickety than warm and fuzzy, but really pushes Jackson and his parents to be truthful about their situation. An underlying theme of resilience and honesty is encouraging and makes for a good read. 

 

e. Connections: This is a good story for upper elementary aged or middle school students to read. I would especially recommend it to students who need guidance or support with adult problems or unfortunate family dynamics, as a beacon of hope for them. 

 

f. Awards won: Amazon Editors' Picks: Best Books of the Year,2015 Amazon Editors' Picks: Top 20 Children's Books,2015 Best Children's Books of the Year,2016 Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People,2016 Bluestem Award, 2018 (Master List)Golden Sower Award, 2017-2018 (Nominee)Wisconsin Battle of the Books, 2016-2017 (Nominee)Charlotte Huck Award for Outstanding Fiction for Children, 2016 NoneCybils Awards, 2015 Elementary and Middle Grade(Speculative Fiction)Goodreads Choice Award, 2015 Middle Grade Northern California Book Award, 2016 Middle Grade

b. Bibliographic data Title: School’s First Day of School Written by Adam Rex, Illustrated by Christian Robinson. Publisher June 28^th, 2016 by Roaring Brook Press.

c. Brief plot summary It's the first day of school at Frederick Douglass Elementary and everyone's just a little bit nervous, especially the school itself. 

d. Critical response and analysis. 
The story is told from the perspective of the school, in first person. It opens with a conversation between the walls and the janitor. The school is newly constructed and feels concerned that the children won’t be nice to it. As the day goes on, he soon discovers when he sees that he's not the only one going through first-day jitters.

e. Connections.  
This book would be a great read aloud on the first day of school. I look forward to reading this with my classes in August and I even sent the link to our principal so she can consider ordering it for other teachers, as our school has been newly constructed and will open on the first day of school, this Fall, after 37 years in the same building. This will help my students connect to the text by considering how to treat our new school and helping them to realize that being nervous is normal. 

f. Awards won. Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year,

 Kirkus Reviews Best Books of the Year, 

Goodreads Choice Awards, 

Boston Globe Best Books of the Year, 

Washington Post Best Books of the Year

g. Photo of the book cover.