When You Reach Me
By Rebecca Stead
Publish in 2009
This is one of the books that I read when we did the book pass. I remember wishing there was more time because I wanted to start actually reading the book after I read the inside cover. It really caught my eye and I have always been a fan of mystery books. Also it is a Newberry Medal winner.
Rules
By Cynthia Lord
Published in 2006
This another book that was passed around during the book pass that I found interesting. It is the story of a girl who has an autistic brother. The title is because Catherine (the girl) makes all these rules for her brother to follow to help him understand and survive in this world. I found this interesting because there is an autistic kid I work with at my work, and I understand sometimes how hard it is to know how to react to certain things they do. But I also know how great of a kid he is too! Since I feel like I could relate to the main character this is book I definitely want to read.
Two Bad Ants
By Chris Van Allsburg
Published in 1988
I heard about this book when groups gave presentations on certain authors they had researched and read their books. This is one of the books that the group suggested that they really liked. I read another book by this author called “The Stranger” and I really liked it! I thought this would be a good kids book which judging by the title most likely has a lesson that is learned through reading the book.
Owl Moon
By Jane Yolen
Published in 1987
This was another book that was suggested in the group presentation of the author Jane Yolen. I skimmed through it and really liked the illustrations. Also the students who read the book said they really enjoyed it. I know as a kid I was really curious about owls since they come out at night and are different than most other birds.
Dragons KeepBy Carey Janet
Published in 2007
This book was discussed by one of the genre groups. It was suggested by someone who has read it. I liked the cover of the book (something I use to see if I would like reading it or not). Also I thought it was cool how the book was the adventures and story of a girl who has to chose between living with dragons are with her mother and family. Apparently she has a finger with a dragon talon. I want to know which one she choses and why she is part dragon!
Crow Call
By Lois Lowry
Illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline
Published in 2009
This book was also suggested during a presentation. I flipped through it and really enjoyed the illustrations. The colors used helped set the setting and time period of the story. Also I have read other books by Lois Lowry and really enjoyed them.
Henry's Freedom Box
By Ellen Levine
Illustrated by Kadir Nelson
Published in
This book was one of the display books for the history genre. I had heard Leslie talk about that one in particular at our table and she had mentioned that it was very good. The time period is during a time of slavery. This book then could be used in social studies as well as for literature or reading. Also I know part of the story is that he mails himslef in the box. Which I think is pretty incredible and makes me want to know more about Henry's story.
Freedom River
By Dorine Rappaport
Illustrated by Bryan Collier
Published in 2000
This was another book that was discussed during the history genre. It is about a slave who was able to free himself and others. As they were flipping through the book I could see that the illustrations really helped with character development and mood. Since I could already get an idea of what the book was about before reading it. Also I think it is important the children know of many different people who helped stop segregation and slavery. It should not all be about Martin Luther King Jr, or Rosa Parks. Yes they were very important people and icons, but they alone did not stop slavery.
David Goes to School
By David Shannon
Illustrated by David Shannon
Published in 1999
Flipping through this book I enjoyed how it was written as if a child wrote it. On that infamous lined paper we all wrote on as children first learning to write. This summer I worked at a summer camp and we were not allowed to say no to the kids. At first I thought this is going to be impossible, but it actually wasn't that bad and I believed the kids appreciated not hearing no all the time. Especially those who, required more attention then most.
Dirt on their Skirts
I just recently watched a movie on this topic and really enjoyed it. It's called "A League of their Own." I really enjoyed it because it showed the roles women took on in society during World War II. This was also a book suggested during the genre presentations.
In Our Mother's House
By Patricia Polacco
This is an author I have read before and liked a lot. She addresses serious and complicated issues in a child friendly matter. It's like those stories you read and love and think about after and realize oh hey, there was a message in there.
Ian's Walk
By Laurie Lears
Illustrated by Karen Letz
Published in 1998
After the compelling genre presentation including this book I just had to read it. As a future teacher I will have to adapt my teaching to fit the needs of my students. This book could help me realize the thought process and life of someone with autism. Also this book can open teh eyes of students on how to coopereate not only with someone who is autistic but anyone who is different then them.
Bones
By Steven Jenkins
As a child I always really hated informational books. Actually I just hated reading them but I loved looking at the pictures. This book offers a lot of cool pictures to look at and intrigue the reader into reading something about the bones of the body. These kinds of books allow a wide range of readers and levels of interest to learn from the book. Although not everyone may grasp every concept everyone can gain something from the book.
Stargirl
By Jerry Spenilli
Published in 2004
I remember a lot of people reading this book when I was in school, it was very popular. I didn't really like the cover picture though and didn't feel like hopping on the bandwagon so I chose not to read it. During the book pass though I read the back cover and first couple of pages and was immediately hooked. I honesty will probably read this book over the weekend!
