Out of the Dust- Karen Hesse

This historical fiction verse novel is set during the mid 1930's during America's great depression and the Oklahoma dust bowl. Billie Jo is a young girl who continues to suffers remorse over the death of her mother and baby brother, whose life she felt was taken by her own doing. After continuing to grow more and More distant from who father, Billie Jo almost seems to have lost hope. When she finds out that her father might be sick and could potentially leave her behind alone, Billie Jo finds the need to flee all that she knows to avoid any more pain. While traveling on a train she meets a man who is wanting to do just as her-leave the family that he has. As she realizes that sticking together is what needs to happen, she quickly returns home to her father. The next fall, life begins to look better for Billie Jo and her father. He isn't sick, he meets a woman and becomes engaged and more than this-IT RAINS! Billie Jo perseveres in her efforts to play the piano she always loved, disregarding the pain that her hands have felt.

This story would be a good one to read in studying the history of America throughout the great depression. Incorporating texts like this one would give students a perspective into history that would take them into the heart of familial times and struggles that were overcome by perseverance and hope.

Historical Fiction/Chapter Book

Petey- Ben Mikaelsen

This story is one that warms the heart. A little boy named Trevor moves to a new place and when he does so, he comes across an elderly man in a wheel chair who often times is picked on by passerbys. Trevor seeks to befriend Petey, who not only is elderly but suffers from Cerebral Palsy. As the story continues, the two become great friends-sharing in life together. Even with the pigeons that continue to make the pages of the story :)

This book would be a great text to be used within the third through fifth grade classroom (or even beyond) as it is such a rich story, addressing aspects of friendship, bullying, physical illness, differences, etc. This story goes beyond age and ability to show what true friendship really is.

Fiction/Chapter Book

Hooway for Wodney Wat- Helen Lester

Having been introduced to this story at the beginning of last semester, I had to reread the story of Wodney Wat. This short story about a rat named Rodney who has trouble pronouncing his r's, encounters the real life of bullying and being different because of the way that he talks. After a new bigger bully moves into town, Rodney soon realizes that he isn't the only one who is bullied. Although his speech was something that he was constantly picked on for, his impediment actually leads Rodney to save the class from the biggest bully yet, Camilla Capybara. As he mispronounces the word rest, and in actuality says, "go west," the class is saved from Camilla. Rodney is a hero!

This story will be used in my classroom not only because I think speech impediments are endearing, but also because of the subtle ways that Helen Lester uses this story to portray differences and the need for acceptance. I can assure that this book will be used to teach children the importance of loving others for who they are, and embracing differences because that it is what makes us all unique!

Fiction

The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe- C.S. Lewis

This classic story by C.S. Lewis is one for readers of all ages because of the subtle undertones the tale portrays. After being sent to live with a professor during WWII, they discover that the house in which they are staying is full of adventure. After playing hide-and-seek one day, Lucy discovers an old wardrobe as a hiding place. Little did Lucy know the world that would be discovered and the heroes that she and her siblings would become as they entered the world of Narnia. Throughout the story Edmund, Peter, Lucy and Susan all listen to the characters of Narnia who tell them how the white witch is seeking to overtake the place that once was full warm and full of life but is now seemingly dead and cold. As the follow the lead of Aslan to help save Narnia, they are able to see the fruition of their perseverance and love for all of Narnia.

This story will be used within my classroom as it is a classic that will never grow old. The way that this series depicts a different world brings to light deeper thoughts that often can make children ponder life in areas unknown. This can also be used to encourage the curiosity of young learners as they see the courage of Lucy and the other siblings throughout the story, pursuing the things that their first caught their attention.

Fantasy

Thank You, Mr. Falker- Patricia Polacco

This story by Patrica Polacco is one that I heard about last semester. After reading this book once, I knew it was worth another look. The book tells the story about the author herself as a young girl who wasn't able to read and write well in school. After years of fooling teachers and acting as if she knew what she was doing, a gentle spirited Mr. Falker sees through her inabilities. This teacher not only encourages her where she is but continues to show her that she can and will succeed.

This story is one, that in my opinion, should be in every classroom. The continued support of Mr. Falker and the perseverance he demonstrated in helping Tricia, is the kind of help students long for. Not only does this book teach educators how to perform but this story also provides students with the drive to move forward in all that they do. Of course there is still the sense of bullying within the story that can also be used to teach those lessons that are often taught often in the elementary setting on being encouraging and not negative towards others.

Fiction

Beatrice's Goat- Page McBrier

This story is about a young girl living in a West African village who only hopes to attend school, even though she knows that probably won't happen due to her family's lack of money. As she works to help support her family, one day she receives a young goat as a gift, and from that day on, the goat was a helpful way for Beatrice and her family to make money. As she continues to bring home money made from selling the goat's milk, she has enough money to help buy her siblings some new clothes, however, her mother wants her to go to school. Because of the generosity of someone she did not even know, Beatrice was able to make enough money in order to attend school.

This book would be a beneficial text to use in talking with students about other cultures and the ways that we as the United States might differ from people all over the world. This type of story would be very useful in talking with students about being the change in the world; encouraging both students and teachers to be more intentional in how they give.

Multi-Cultural/International

OWLY -Andy Runton

Owly was a new experience for me as I had never once read a graphic novel. This story about friendship and how it goes beyond appearance encourages anyone who reads to accept differences and encourage change. Though this book is different from many others because of a lack in text, the pictures, expressions, symbols, etc. provide the reader with a new way to approach the story.

This book would be a great addition to the classroom because of the diversity that it brings to common classroom genres. Through implementing graphic novels, students are exposed to the different kinds of literature that don't necessarily fit the norm for a must read. This story could also be used in discussing with students the many differences that people have and the depth of friendship, despite appearance.

Graphic Novel

Betsy Who Cried Wolf- Gail Carson Levine

We all have heard the story about the little boy who cried wolf, this story by Gail Carson Levine was a little different. Like many authors who add a modern twist to traditional and folk literature, this story is one to keep around. Although Betsy really does see a wolf near her sheep and the rest of the town doesn't believe her, she is able to befriend him in the end.

This story would be another one that is appropriate for a book pass or book talk as it allows students to see a collection of stories that have been altered by various authors, to create a more diverse sense of literature. And of course, in implementing this story into the classroom, there will always be the lesson taught about morals and what were to happen if one were "crying wolf."

Traditional/Folk

Hatchet-Gary Paulsen

A trip to visit his father turned bad for Brian Robinson, as the pilot of his personal plane suffered a massive heart attack. After experiencing near death situations on multiple occasions, this young boy learns how to survive in the wilderness. Using the mere tool his mother had given him before he left, Brian seems to overcome the natural beasts, weather, events that characterize the wild.

This text would be a valuable within the classroom not only for the way the author keeps you on the edge of your seat constantly, but also for subltle undertones of perseverance and hope that Brian's sense of endurance brings about for all who read.

Using wordle was a way that technology was incorporated into the classroom. By providing words that characterized this novel, students could begin to identify the book by the adjectives they can best recall the story by. http://www.wordle.net/show/wrdl/1862489/Hatchet









Fiction/Chapter Book

Food for Life- Kathleen V. Kudlinski

Healthy eating is an important aspect of life, no matter what your age may be. This short text provides information on varying aspects of food including, vitamins, minerals, when one should eat, etc. Every few pages, there are facts about food that will provide students with the thoughtful thinking that is necessary for healthy living.

This non-fiction text on healthy eating, the body and things thereof, can help teach students about the importance of maintaining good eating habits and keeping up with exercising. The facts that this book provides can give students the knowledge they need in an abbreviated format, without the intense library books.

Non-Fiction

jambo means hello-Muriel Feelings

This West African book written and illustrated by a husband and wife living among the culture, is one that is intriguing not only because of its factual information but also for its insight into African culture and the Swahili language.

Although this book is not telling a story, it would be a great text to be used within the classroom because of the way it introduces the reader to the West African culture and the language spoken therein. By exposing students to cultures other than their own, we can broaden their knowledge on other ways of life and help them to combat misconceptions. This could also be beneficial if there were a student within the classroom that could relate to this text, however the teacher must be mindful of how they are teaching with it and must be prepared and well informed of the culture to the best of his/her ability.

Multi-cultural/International