When You Reach Me (Rebecca Stead)

Stead, Rebecca. When you reach me. New York: Yearling, 2010. ISBN 0375850864

Summary
Miranda is confused when she gets the first note. Her confusion only grows as increasingly mysterious events begin to unfold in her life. As a latchkey middle schooler in 1979 New York City, Miranda has the street smarts. It will take more than street smarts, however, for Miranda to unfurl the mysterious events involving herself, her friends, and the man who lives on her street corner.

Critical Analysis
This books is a well-written combination of mystery, history, science fiction, and drama. Miranda must find out who is sending the notes while navigating the loss of a best friend, learning the scientific concept of time travel, and helping her mother study for the popular game show The 20,000 Pyramid.

Stead tells a complex story with a relaxed ease that demonstrates a real understanding for the preteen mind. After Miranda receives a second note and begins to become fearful, she shares with the reader that the hardest part: “I was alone” (136). Each character in the novel has been carefully crafted and given human flaws and graces. Beyond Miranda herself, readers will discover students at their own schools in the spoiled, but ultimately lonely Julia  and the intelligent but socially awkward Marcus. Less abstract readers may struggle to pull the many threads of this novel together, but quick minds will delight in guessing the ending to this exciting, fast paced novel, When You Reach Me.

Awards and Excerpts
Newbery Medal Book
ALA Notable Books
Booklist Editors Choice 2009
Horn Book Magazine Starred Review
BookList- “the mental gymnastics required of readers are invigorating; and the characters, children and adults, are honest bits of humanity”
School Library Journal- “unusual, thought-provoking mystery”
Kirkus Reviews- “mind-blowing revelations and cunning details”

Connections
Suggest students enjoy Miranda’s favorite book, A Wrinkle in Time.
    Engle, Madeleine. A wrinkle in time. New York: Farrar Straus Giroux, 2012. ISBN 0374386161

Suggest these books.
    Konigsburg, E. From the mixed-up files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. New York:Aladdin
         Paperbacks, 2007. ISBN 1416949755
    Paterson, Katherine. Bridge to Terabithia. New York, N.Y: Harper & Row, 1987. ISBN 0064401847
    Pearson, Kit. A handful of time. Toronto: Puffin Canada, 2007. ISBN 0143056387
    Sachar, Louis. Holes. New York: Dell Yearling, 2000. ISBN 0440414806

The Arrival (Shuan Tan)

Tan, Shuan. The Arrival. New York:Arthur A. Levine Books, 2007. ISBN 978-0439895293

Summary
An adventure begins when a man leaves his wife and daughter to create a new, safer life for them in a new land. Alongside the nameless main character, readers will experience the excitement, fear, and uncertainty of discovering new language, food, customs, and way of life. Both mistakes and friends are along his journey of acculturation and the books comes full circle when the immigrant and his family befriend newcomers to their land. Shuan weaves a seamless and vivid story of immigration with the pure magic of art in his wordless masterpiece.

Critical Analysis
The Arrival is a graphic novel appropriate for all audiences. Beautifully detailed drawings need no words for the observant reader to understand the difficulty and sacrifice necessary to adapt to a new, even if wonderful, world. Set in a nonexistent reality, Tan is able to relate the hardships of the main characters homeland and his need to create new opportunities for his family. The new world drawn by Tan exposes the reader to fantastical creatures, foods, and machines and explain the experience of culture shock that many immigrants experience.

The appearance of an aged scrapbook both disguise and add depth to this modern and relevant piece by Tan. His style of drawing is both fun and serious as evidenced by the magical elements and serious sepia tones.  Although many things in the book are unrelatable, such as images of flying ships, the people are very much real. Tan has created extremely relatable human images with expressions that speak volumes and encourage empathy from the reader. In the book, the main character shows his grief at being separated from his family as he gazes at a picture of his wife and daughter. The reader can clearly feel and relate to the characters emotions as is so clearly emanates from the drawing. Although greater understanding may be beyond the youngest of readers, all will appreciate and wonder at the beautiful pictures, making this graphic novel perfect for all ages.

Awards and Excerpts
ALA Notable Books
Kirkus Starred Review
YALSA Great Graphic Novels For Teens 2007
BookList- “unique work that not only fulfills but also expands the potential of its form”
School Library Journal- “[sophisticated readers] will linger over the details in the beautiful sepia pictures and will likely pick up the book to pore over it again and again”
The New York Times- “mesmerizing”
The Washington Post- “pulsing with detail”

Connections
Make connections to the main character by having students write and/or draw about their experiences being the new kid somewhere.
Suggest students read other books by Tan.
    Tan, Shaun. Lost and found. New York: Arthur A. Levine Books, 2011.ISBN 0545229243
    Tan, Shaun. Tales from outer suburbia. New York, NY: Arthur A. Levine Books, 2009.ISBN
         9780545055871

Suggest these works by other popular author/illustrators.
    Allsburg, Chris. The mysteries of Harris Burdick. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1984. ISBN
         0395353939
    Allsburg, Chris. The stranger. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1986. ISBN 0395423317
    Allsburg, Chris. The wreck of the Zephyr. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1983. ISBN 0395330750
    Selznick, Brian. The invention of Hugo Cabret : a novel in words and pictures. New York:
         Scholastic Press, 2007.ISBN 0439813786
    Selznick, Brian. Wonderstruck : a novel in words and pictures. New York:Scholastic, 2011. ISBN
         0545027896
    Yang, Gene. American born Chinese. New York: First Second, 2006. ISBN1596431520

Use novels discussing assimilation to follow up The Arrival.
    Alvarez, Julia. How the García girls lost their accents. Chapel Hill, N.C: Algonquin Books of
         Chapel Hill, 2010. ISBN 156512975X
    Alvarez, Julia. Return to sender. New York: Yearling, 2010.ISBN 0375851232

A Step From Heaven (An Na)

Na, An. A step from heaven. Asheville, NC: Front Street, 2001. ISBN     9780142500279

Summary
Growing up is no easy task. Young Ju’s story is no different. Born in Korea and transplanted at four to America, she learns what sacrifices her family has made for her to experience the land of opportunity- a land that is “a step from heaven”. Through beautiful and sometimes painful glimpses into Young Ju’s life the reader watches as she grows into herself amongst the challenges of poverty, abuse, and acculturation.

Critical Analysis
A Step from Heaven is a realistic portrayal of emigration from ones home country to America. Young Ju’s family progresses through individual stages of excitement, loss, and renewed hope when they travel to America. The reader stays closely attuned to the ever curious, intelligent Young Ju as she matures from a young preschooler in Korea to a high school graduate in America.

Difficult, but important topics are addressed in this coming of age story, including the alcoholism and physical abuse of a father. Young Ju grapples with these issues as well as the balancing of being a good Korean daughter ad a typical American girl. In the end, readers will find relief when Young Ju finds herself by understanding and appreciating both her past and her future.

Awards and Review Excerpts
Michael L. Printz Award
New Your Times Book Review Notable Book
2001 National Book Award Nominee
BookList- “the coming-of-age drama will grab teens and make them think”
Publisher’s Weekly- “at times wrenching, at times triumphant and consistently absorbing”
School Library Journal- “A beautifully written, affecting work”

Connections
Discuss and celebrate cultural heritage with students after reading this book.
Invite adults from the community to share their own immigration stories.
Discuss signs of abuse and actions to take in abusive situations.
Recommend these books to readers who enjoyed A Step From Heaven.
    Alexie, Sherman. The absolutely true diary of a part-time Indian. New York: Little, Brown and
         Company, 2009. ISBN 0316013692
    Anderson, Laurie. Speak. New York: Speak, 2009. ISBN 0142414735
    Ryan, Pam. Esperanza rising. New York: Scholastic Press, 2000.ISBN  043912042X
    Tan, Shuan. The Arrival. New York:Arthur A. Levine Books, 2007. ISBN 978-0439895293   
    Wolff, Virginia. True believer. New York: Simon Pulse, 2002. ISBN 9780689852886

One Crazy Summer (Rita Williams-Garcia)

Garcia, Rita. One crazy summer. New York: Amistad, 2010.

Summary
The adventure filled summer of 1968 begins with Delphine and her sisters flying out to Oakland to reunite with their estranged mother whom had abandoned them seven years earlier. However, soon after their arrival, Delphine is quick to realize that her “crazy” mother is not happy about their arrival. Delphine must feed and care for her younger sisters and end up spending their days at a children’s camp put on by the Black Panthers. Against the backdrop of the civil rights movement, the girls discover what it means to make revolutionary change and in the process come to know their mother.

Critical Analysis
     One Crazy Summer is rooted in the strong, relatable characters. Delphine is the oldest sister and a natural caregiver. Vonetta, the middle child, is attention seeking and needy. The youngest sister, Fern is both insecure and wildly insightful. The aloof and eccentric mother Cecile is cold towards her daughters. As the story progresses, however, both Delphine and the reader will come to understand and accept her mother.
    Williams-Garcia weaves a compelling story of children just looking to survive the summer with a mother who wishes she had “gone to Mexico to get rid of [them] when [she] had the chance” (26). Delphine and the girls leave their mother alone to create poetry while they are taken in by the Youth Center run by the Black Panthers. The racial tensions affect every aspect of the girls’ life that summer as is shown vividly when the their mother is arrested with two Black Panther members.  Delphine grows into herself as she is able to acknowledge her own history, both as an African American and as a girl who will never have the mother she dreams of. These emotions are expressed when together the three sisters recite a poem written by their mother, “Black oceans separate us, tortured cries... hear the reverberation, of a stolen black nation, forever lost.”  Williams-Garcia has written a gripping story that takes place in a time period that allows the reader to understand how children can positively impact history by working towards social justice and equality.

Awards and Review Excerpts
ALA Notable Book
Booklist Editor’s Choice
National Book Award Finalist
Newbery Honor Book
Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction
Booklist- “this vibrant novel shows the subtle ways that political movements affect personal lives”
Publisher’s Weekly- “poetic language that will stimulate and move readers”
School Library Journal- “With memorable characters... and a powerful story, this is a book well worth reading and rereading.”

Connections
Reference famous African Americans as you read the book.
Altman, Susan. Extraordinary African-Americans. New York: Children's Press, 2001. ISBN 0516259628

Read nonfiction accounts of the civil rights movement from the viewpoint of children involved.
McWhorter, Diane. A dream of freedom : the civil rights movement from 1954 to 1968. New York: Scholastic, 2004. ISBN 0439576784

Read poetry by renowned African American Poets.
Angelou, Maya. Maya Angelou. New York: Sterling, 2007.ISBN 1402720238
Brooks, Gwendolyn. Bronzeville boys and girls. New York: Amistad/HarperCollinsPublishers, 2007. ISBN 0060295058
Hughes, Langston. Langston Hughes. New York: Sterling Pub, 2006. ISBN 1402718454

The Midwife's Apprentice (Karen Cushman)

Cushman, Karen. The midwife's apprentice. New York: Harper Trophy, 1996.

Summary
    Imagine being homeless, friendless, and nameless. This is the reality for one starving girl in medieval England. Readers will follow her on a journey of self-discovery as she decides to not just live, but live with purpose. Readers will cheer her on as she learns to believe in herself through her adventures as the mid-wife’s apprentice.

Critical Analysis
    With nowhere to go and nowhere to hide the main character is a desolate young girl that immediately brings forth compassion from the reader.  The book unfolds to allow the young girl, dubbed Alyce, to be appreciated for her sharp wit and adventuresome spirit. Readers will find themselves laughing when they discover Alyce fooled the townspeople into believing the devil has walked through town in an effort to get revenge on those who taunt her. The plot is most appropriate for older children and young adults who will be able to follow the plot as Alyce works to become a midwife’s apprentice, flounders at her first big failure, and comes to discover who she is and what she wants from life.
    Coming of age is a common theme, but Cushman has carefully woven Alyce’s story into an intricately constructed setting that sets this book apart. Cushman’s humorous and candid descriptions of the life of a poor young girl will enthrall readers. Rhythmic, old world English will make the story an entertaining read aloud and lesson in the attitudes and beliefs of medieval England. Young adults will want to learn more when they hear about Alyce learning to use cobwebs to stop bleeding and fat to make soap. Cushman’s author notes at the story’s conclusion help readers understand the role of a midwife, both today and in yesteryear.

Awards and Review Excerpts
Newbery Honor Book
Booklist Starred Review- “Cushman writes with a sharp simplicity and a pulsing beat.”
Kirkus Reviews- “simple, poetic, and funny”
Publisher’s Weekly- “supremely colorful and pungent”
School Library Journal- “With simplicity, wit, and humor, Cushman presents another tale of medieval England.”

Connections
Recommend these titles to readers who want to read similar stories by Cushman.
Cushman, Karen. Alchemy and Meggy Swann. New York: Sandpiper, 2010.
Cushman, Karen. Catherine, called Birdy. New York: Clarion Books, 1994.

The Wednesday Wars (Historical Fiction)

Schmidt, Gary. The Wednesday Wars. New York: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2009.

Summary
The Wednesday Wars is the story of a seventh grade boy with the distinguishing factor of being the only Presbyterian in class. This may seem to be a minor setback in his predominately Catholic and Jewish community, but being Presbyterian means a whole lot more. He is the only student left out of religious training on Wednesday afternoons and the only student stuck in Mrs. Baker’s classroom. Holling is sure Mrs. Baker is determined to ruin his life as he cleans rat cages and reads Shakespeare. Readers will be engrossed by this humorous story of a boy who happens upon a journey of self discovery amongst the turmoil of the Vietnam War and the civil rights movement.

Critical Analysis
    Holling Hoodhood is a relatable and likable lead character. He wins his audience over immediately with his honest, hilarious, and age appropriate descriptions of his town, life, and teacher. His loyal friends and inattentive parents could be from any era, yet fit seamlessly into the 1970s. Holling’s teacher, Mrs. Barker, who serves as both his sworn enemy and eventual ally is sometimes too ideal. Despite this fact, readers will come to admire and enjoy her very human qualities, such as her worry for her own husband fighting in Vietnam and her constant eye rolling and exasperation at the students.
    Accurate descriptions of Walter Cronkite’s reports on Vietnam dominating the family’s television, cream puffs being sold for under a quarter, the assassinations of Bobby Kennedy and Martin Luther King, and “modern” architectural designs mesh together to create the background for Holling’s journey. The time period is paramount to many of the story lines, such as his sister’s efforts to become a “flower child”, but is not the focus of the book. Instead, Gary Schmidt accurately depicts this tumultuous time period from the perspective of a boy who remembers little else. Even young adult readers who know next to nothing of the 1970s will be captivated by Schmidt’s depiction of a boy striving to keep friends, please his parents, and have fun. The classic themes of first love despite enemy families, inner-family conflict, and coming of age make this book a success.

Awards and Review Excerpts
ALA Notable Book
Newbery Honor Book
Booklist Starred Review- “gentle, hopeful, moving story of a boy”
Publisher’s Weekly- “serious issues are leavened with ample humor, and the supporting cast...is fully dimensional,”
School Library Journal- “laugh-out-loud moments that leaven the many poignant ones”
The New York Times- “The Wednesday Wars was one of my favorite books of the year”

Connections
Encourage readers to find out more about supporting characters in The Wednesday Wars.  
     Schmidt, Gary. Okay for now. New York: Clarion Books, 2011.

Suggest these titles to readers who enjoyed Schmidt’s style of writing.
     Schmidt, Gary. Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster boy. New York: Laurel-Leaf Books, 2008.
     Schmidt, Gary. Trouble. Boston: Graphia, 2010.

Learn how the war in Vietnam changed lives through these memoirs and informational texts.
     Caputo, Philip. 10,000 days of thunder : a history of the Vietnam War. New York: Atheneum  
          Books for Young Readers, 2005.
     Murray, Stuart. Vietnam War. New York: DK Pub, 2005.
     Warren, Andrea. Escape from Saigon : how a Vietnam War orphan became an American boy. New
          York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2008.

Help students understand the Vietnam War these fictional texts:
     A picture book to open discussion on the lasting impact of war, particularly the Vietnam War.
     Bunting, Eve. The wall. New York: Clarion Books, 1990.
    
     A novel following the experience of a trained combat dog and young solider in the Vietnam War.
     Kadohata, Cynthia. Cracker!: the best dog in Vietnam. New York: Atheneum Books for Young      
          Readers, 2007.

A novel in verse describing an American soldier's experiences in the Vietnam War.
     Myers, Walter. Patrol: an American soldier in Vietnam. New York: Harper Trophy, 2005.

Let Me Play (Informational Books)

Blumenthal, Karen. Let me play : the story of Title IX : the law that changed the future of girls in America. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers,     2005.

Summary
    Today, no one batts an eye when a young girl says her dream is to win a gold medal in the Olympics or go to college on a softball scholarship. This was not always the case. It took years of hard work by strong women to lay forth a law in the 1970s that would change how America viewed equality, gender, and athletics.  Nonfiction author Karen Blumenthal takes readers on a fascinating exploration of how Title IX came about and impacted the lives of girls and young women in the United States in her book, Let Me Play: The story for Title IX: the law that changed the future of girls in America.

Critical Review
    Blumenthal surveys the incredible endeavor of many individuals in their work to achieve gender equality in school sport’s programs across America in Let Me Play. In the book, she skillfully combines primary and secondary resources to create a seamless story of the groundbreaking legislation Title IX. Events are chronologically laid out and divided into chapters that correspond to major happenings in the creation and implementation of Title IX. The source notes and index are logically organized and provide readers with easy access to information from within the book.
    Let Me Play is visually appealing and engaging to read with its straightforward language, combined with photographs, graphs, quotes, and cartoons. Short stories, such as the “player profiles” cover women athletes and “instant replays” tell real life anecdotes and serve to strategically break up large chunks of text and make history appear to come alive. The text demonstrates a flair for factual storytelling that challenges readers of all ages to understand history as it really was and it defines the future.

Awards and Review Excerpts
2003 Robert F. Silbert Informational Honor Book
ALA Notable Children’s Book
Publishers Weekly Best Children’s Book of 2002
Booklist- “Few books cover the last few decades of American women's history with such clarity and detail”
School Library Journal- “A fascinating look at the birth, growth, stagnation, and final emergence of Title IX.”
The Horn Book- “richly layered presentation”

Connections
Read stories of inspiring women in sports:
    Krull, Kathleen. Wilma unlimited : how Wilma Rudolph became the world's fastest woman. San Diego: Harcourt, Inc, 2000.
    Macy, Sue and Jane Gottesman. Play like a girl : a celebration of women in sports. New York: Henry Holt, 1999.

Learn more about the history of womens sports:
    Macy, Sue. Basketball belles : how two teams and one scrappy player put women's hoops on the map. New York: Holiday House, 2011.
    Stout, Glenn. Yes she can! : women's sports pioneers. Boston: Sandpiper, 2011.

Give students an opportunity to read one of these novels as they look for connections:
    Curtis, Christopher. The Watsons go to Birmingham--1963:a novel. New York: Dell Laurel Leaf, 2000.
    Murdock, Catherine. The off season. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2007.
    Park, Linda. Keeping score. Boston: Sandpiper, 2010.

Our Eleanor (Informational Books)

Fleming, Candace. Our Eleanor : a scrapbook look at Eleanor Roosevelt's remarkable life. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2005.

Plot Summary
    Eleanor Roosevelt was more than a first lady. She was was a revolutionary thinker that managed to permanently impact America’s view of social justice. Our Eleanor begins with a look at Eleanor’s family tree and difficult upbringing and progresses to her complicated roles as mother, wife, and friend. Other portions of the biography work to contrast this very human view of Eleanor by reflecting on her remarkable ability to connect with the poor and disadvantaged members of society and her confidence in fighting for their rights. Flemings utilizes quotes, diary entries, articles, images, and short anecdotes to gain glimpses into Eleanor’s mind and heart.
  
Critical Analysis

    Our Eleanor: a scrapbook look at Eleanor Roosevelt’s remarkable life is a comprehensive look at Eleanor Roosevelt’s influential existence. The biography covers events from Eleanor’s birth to her death in areas of both private matters and social endeavors. Fleming delves into where Eleanor came from, how she evolved, and how she continues to impact society.
    The book takes an honest and intimate approach by viewing Eleanor as a strong and yet flawed character. Quotes from Eleanor give intimate glimpses into her personal life, such as when Eleanor explains, “It did not come naturally to me to understand little children or enjoy them” (32).  Fleming guides the reader through a scrapbook style look at Eleanor’s life that incorporates narrative, lists, photographs, and documents that serve to create active engagement with the text. Graphics support and add interest to text, such as black and white print of a National Youth Administration poster that demonstrated one of Eleanor’s programs (93) or photos of Eleanor baking in her cottage after leaving the white house (130).
    The book fails to follow the traditional chronological path of most biographies but instead focuses on snapshots and topics within Eleanor’s life. As Fleming best states, the book will guide readers and “like a jigsaw puzzle, the many pieces of her life will slowly fit together to form the picture of an extraordinary woman” (ix). Readers will be forced to critically analyze Eleanor as they realize that even heros and heroines are flawed but still worthy of emulation.  This biography has a unique style allows it to be viewed in bits and pieces while engrossing its readers and encouraging further reading.

Awards and Review Excerpts
ALA Best Books For Young Adults 1997
Notable Children’s Books 1997
Publishers Weekly Starred Reviews
Booklist- “a broad audience, including many adults, will be intrigued by the volume's photo-album immediacy”
Kirkus Reviews- “an incredibly well-organized and thorough scrapbook”
Publishers Weekly- “Fleming allows readers to draw their own conclusions; they will come away with an understanding of a woman who shaped her times and left a lasting imprint on the future.”
School Library Journal- “Enjoyably educational”

Connections

Young Adults can discover other influential and/or inspirational women by reading these biographies.
Cooper, Ilene. Oprah Winfrey : a twentieth-century life. New York: Puffin Books, 2008.
Fleming, Candace. Amelia lost : the life and disappearance of Amelia Earhart. New York: Schwartz & Wade Books, 2011.
Fradin, Judith. The power of one : Daisy Bates and the Little Rock Nine. New York: Clarion Books, 2004.
Hamilton, Bethany. Soul surfer : a true story of faith, family, and fighting to get back on the board. New York: Pocket Books MTV Books, 2006.
Jackson, Livia. I have lived a thousand years : growing up in the Holocaust. New York, N.Y: Aladdin Paperbacks, 1999.
Nichols, Joan. Mary Shelley, Frankenstein's creator : first science fiction writer. Berkeley, CA Emeryville, Calif: Conari Press Group West distributor, 1998.

Follow up Our Eleanor with these reads on Eleanor Roosevelt aimed at younger audiences.
Adler, David. A picture book of Eleanor Roosevelt. New York: Holiday House, 1991.  
Cooney, Barbara. Eleanor. New York: Scholastic, Inc, 1999.
Times for Kids. Eleanor Roosevelt : first lady of the world. New York: Harper Collins Publishers,  2006.

They Called Themselves the K.K.K. (Informational Books)

Bartoletti, Susan. They called themselves the K.K.K. : the birth of an American terrorist group. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2010.

Summary
    Bartoletti weaves the tale of the war strewn south after the American Civil War and the beginnings of the well known terrorist group, the Ku Klux Klan, during the period of reconstruction. Sequential chapters allow young adults to grasp how society’s mindset and widespread prejudices allowed for a small group of men to grow into a widespread, highly secretive society of hate. The in-depth look into the group concludes with President Grant’s eventual crackdown on the Ku Klux Klan and its gradual retreat from mainstream society, but reminds the reader that hate groups still exist in United States to this day.

Critical Review
     They Called Themselves the K.K.K.: the birth of an American terrorist group is detailed and well researched presentation of the Ku Klux Klan. Young adult readers may find the grim subject matter is difficult to read with its intimidatingly crisp layout and honest portrayal of the treatment of African Americans in American society. The use of black and white pictures, documents, uncensored quotes, historical artist renderings, and satirical cartoons serve to break up dense passages of information and provide further insight into the life of freed slaves and the individuals who were part of the K.K.K..
    Bartoletti retells events concisely while providing readers with enough first hand anecdotes from freed men and women and Klan members to encourage critical thinking. For example, a quote from Susan Merrit, a freed woman, gives readers insight into a life where even her religion was encroached upon by former slave owners and members of the Ku Klux Klan. A time line at the end of the book provides readers with perspective and quote attributions and source notes serves the needs of individuals looking to do further research.
    Readers will find this book to be a somber, yet much needed glimpse into how unchecked prejudices led to shameful acts and the formation of a terrorist group.

Awards and Excerpts
ALA Notable Books
Booklist Editors Choice 2010
Horn Book Magazine Starred Review Titles
Kirkus Starred Review
Booklist- “amirably clear, accessible language”
Kirkus- “An exemplar of history writing”
School Library Journal- “compelling clarity, anecdotal detail, and insight”

Connections:
Use these book as read alouds on slavery and segregation:
    Hopkinson, Deborah. Sweet Clara and the freedom quilt. New York: A. Knopf, 1995.
    Levine, Ellen. Henry's freedom box. New York: Scholastic Press, 2007.
    Wiles, Deborah. Freedom Summer. New York: Aladdin Paperbacks, 2005.
    Woodson, Jacqueline. The other side. New York: Putnam's, 2001.

Learn about terrorist groups and actions that arise from hatred and/or fear:
    Bartoletti, Susan. Hitler Youth : growing up in Hitler's shadow. New York: Scholastic Nonfiction,  2005.
    Isaac, John. Rwanda : fierce clashes in Central Africa. Woodbridge, Conn: Blackbirch Press, 1997.
    Lange, Dorothea. Impounded : Dorothea Lange and the censored images of Japanese American internment. New York London: W.W. Norton, 2008.
    Meltzer, Milton. The day the sky fell : a history of terrorism. New York: Random House, 2002.
    Michelson, Maureen. Looking like the enemy : my story of imprisonment in Japanese-American internment camps. Troutdale, OR: NewSage Press, 2010.

Use one of these books as a conclusion to discussions on hate groups, hate crimes, and bullying.
    Fox, Mem. Whoever you are. Orlando: Voyager Books Harcourt, 2001.
    Seskin, Steve. Don't laugh at me. Berkeley: Tricycle Press, 2002.

Plan a cultural fair to celebrate unity within your school or classroom.

Mirror, Mirror (Poetry)

Singer, Marilyn. Mirror, Mirror. Ill. by Josee Masse. New York: Dutton Children’s     Books, 2010.

Plot Summary
The book brings to light the difference one’s point of view can make. Mirror, Mirror is an amazing poetry puzzle that can be read from beginning to end and end to beginning resulting in new takes on the same story.  This new type of poetry, the reversible verse or reverso, makes for interesting and playful character studies of classic fairy tale heros, and the occasional villain.

Critical Analysis
This book of reversos will have both adults and children captivated by its unique charm and creativity. Popular fairy tale characters come to life in new ways as Singer allows them to express their perspective.

The layout of the book has been chosen to emphasize the alteration of the poems, as each reverso is paired side by side with its counterpart. In the same way, Masse has provided vivid illustrations for each side of the poem. They are juxtaposed perfectly next to each other. Bright crisp images divide pages in half and yet they comfortably entwine, showing the connection of stories.

The poem “Have Another Chocolate”, based on the story of Hansel and Gretel, is a great example of the books entirety. It demonstrates the dichotomy between the main characters by merely placing carefully worded lines in reverse and changing some punctuation. This combined with the discerning use of simile and carefully chosen words create delightful twists. Suddenly images change with words and “When you hold it out/your finger/feels like a bone” becomes the sage advice of another captive in “a bone/feels like/your finger/when you hold it out.”

“In the Hood” is another poem that will appeal to readers with its strong rhythm, refreshing rhymes, and delightful diction. Readers will appreciate the dual use of the word hood. As used by the innocent Red Riding Hood it is traveling cape but when the Big Bad Wolf relates his thoughts it is his territory through which Red Riding Hood is trespassing.

Mirror, Mirror is a new and exciting look at children’s poetry that is sure to impact authors and aspiring poets of the future.

Awards and Review Excerpts
Booklist- “will have readers marveling over a visual and verbal feast”
Kirkus- “celebration of language, imagery, and perspective”
School Library Journal- “a marvel to read” with “vibrant artwork”

Connections
*Discuss point of view after reading this book of verse in reverse. Use other books to continue discussion of point of view.
Bret, Jan. Town Mouse, Country Mouse. New York: Puffin, 2003. ISBN 069811986X
Housey, Amber. Just Because: Where Another Point of View Makes a Better You! Ill by Denise Clemmensen. Ferne Press, 2011. ISBN 1933916907
Scieszka, Jon. The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs! Ill by Lane Smith. New York: Puffin Books, 1996. ISBN 0140544518
Stevens, Janet and Susan Stevens Crummel. Help Me, Mr. Mutt!: Expert Answers for Dogs with People Problems. Ill. Janet Stevens. Orlando: Harcourt Children’s Books, 2008. ISBN 0152046283

*Invite students to perform a duo of poems from Mirror, Mirror. Students will love reenacting poems, especially when given prompts and taught to manipulate their voices.
*Use Mirror, Mirror as an opening in Math to discuss the importance of position and placement. This would be particularly well suited to lessons in writing word forms of numbers and ordering numbers.
*Pair this book with a favorite fairy tale to add more complexity to students understanding of the characters.

Button Up! Wrinkled Rhymes (Poetry)

Schertle, Alice. Button Up!: Wrinkled Rhymes Ill. by Petra Mathers. New York: Harcourt Children’s Books, 2009.

Plot Summary
Button Up! Wrinkled Rhymes is a collection of poetry written from the perspective of items of clothing. Well loved childhood favorites, such as the soccer jersey and galoshes each get their own poem, as well as some still familiar, but less enjoyed items like the wool sweater. Colorful and often humorous watercolors illustrate each poem, showing animals (and human) donning their clothing with pride. The poems are upbeat and display strong rhythm, making them perfect for reading aloud to young children.

Critical Analysis
The book provides upbeat, fast paced poetry well suited to the theme of this collection. The personification of clothing items provides a unique and fresh prospective for writing poetry aimed at younger audiences. Pre-kinder and kindergarten students will find the topics relevant and a comfortable place to begin learning poetry.

The poems demonstrate clear, but occasionally forced rhymes. For example, in "Hand-me-down Sweatshirt" the rhyme becomes confusing and feels unnatural when the sweatshirt explains it “was passed down to may/ she passed me to Karly/ I’m Andrew’s today.” 

Despite some weaknesses, the collection is interesting and fun. In "Clyde’s Costume", Schertle uses a combination of alliteration, rhythm, and easy rhyme that will engage young listeners. Other poems, such as "Jennifer’s Shoes" provides strong tactile and visual information that captivate the senses. Readers will involuntarily wiggle their toes when they hear “toes are curled/the softness of carpet/ the steepness of stair/the curve of the chair”. The "Song of Harvey’s Galoshes" will be another favorite when read aloud with its repetition and sing-song use of onomatopoeia, “Squash-galosh, squash-galosh, through the slime” that will have children eagerly chiming in.

Some of the poems will create an immediate emotional connection with the reader, perfectly expressing a point of view and sentiment. Listeners will connect with "Rick’s Wool Sweater" when he admits guilty pleasure, “Still.../To tell the truth it tickles me/To be a little prickly.” The poems are meant to entertain and do so wonderfully.

The illustrator has created bright, cheerful, and quirky images of joyful animals with her watercolors. There is a great sense of textural quality to the paintings that will allow readers to study the pictures carefully. Certain images, such as the illustration for The "Song of Harvey’s Galoshes" provide a strong sense of movement which serves to provide a carefree joy to the work.

Awards and Review Excerpts
Booklist- “begs to be read aloud”
Children’s Literature- “whimsical watercolor illustrations are engaging”
School Library Journal- “small, snappy verses”

Connections
*Have students create poems from the perspectives of familiar objects (such as the crayon) in the classroom and create a class book.
*Teach rhyme to younger students using poems with strong rhymes, such as “Bill’s Blue Jacket” and “Hand-me-down Sweatshirt”.
*Use the familiar clothing items in the poems to work on visualization. Read a poem aloud to students without sharing the illustrator’s image. Have students create and share their own illustrations.
*Follow up Button Up! with The Man Who Wore All His Clothes as a read aloud chapter book with non readers or as an independent text for readers.

Ahlberg, Allan. The Man Who Wore All His Clothes. Ill. Katherine McEwen. London: Walker Childrens Paperbacks, 2002. ISBN 0744589959

One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies (Poetry)

Sones, Sonya. One of those hideous books where the mother dies. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2004. ISBN 0689858205

Plot Summary
This fast paced novel in verse is told through the perspective of a young teenager named Ruby. Early in the book readers discover that Ruby is no ordinary teenager, but the daughter of a recently deceased mother and an estranged father, who just happens to be a famous actor. The plot reveals the everyday turmoil and confusion of being a teenager, with common teenage themes of relocation, friendship, and first love. More unexpected, the novel follows Ruby’s emergence through the grief of losing a mother and stress of developing a relationship with her previously unknown father.

Critical Analysis
One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies is full of predictable plot and over the top scenarios, locations, and drama. Despite this, its quick pace and laugh out loud humor gives it an addictive quality similar to eating chocolate or watching a soap opera on daytime television. Teens will have fun imagining going from middle class teenager to offspring of the rich and famous. Furthermore, this book goes beyond a fun read and becomes memorable and recommendable because of the deep and honest quality of it’s star character, Ruby. The book details the personal thoughts of its main character in a language that will feel relaxed and familiar to the average American teenager. Finally the reader can openly relate to the book and make connections beyond wishful or sympathetic thinking.

The free verse of the book provides an ideal avenue to express Ruby’s many emotional states. Sones’ arrangement of stanzas and lines within each poem serve to emphasize or articulate the expression of certain emotions. For example, when Ruby uses three lines to state “Now I hate the rain” the reader fully digests how even the small things in Ruby’s life have changed since her mother’s death (208). Direct, meaningful, and occasionally laconic language will find home with reluctant and avid readers alike.

Review Excerpts
Publisher’s Weekly- “winning portrayal of a teenage girl's loves and losses”
Booklist- “acrimonious, raw, and very funny”
Kirkus Reviews- “the fulfillment of many a teen's fantasies”

Connections
*Other suggested books in verse by Sonya Sones
Sones, Sonya. What my mother doesn’t know. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2001. ISBN 0689841140
Sones, Sonya. What my girlfriend doesn’t know. New York: Simone & Schuster Books for Young   Readers, 2008. ISBN 0689876033
Sones, Sonya. Stop pretending, what happened when my big sister went crazy. New York: Harper  Teen, 1999. ISBN 0064462188

*University of Texas suggests these texts with related themes (http://www.edb.utexas.edu/resources/booksR4teens/book_reviews/book_reviews.php?book_id=124).

Cisneros, Sandra. House on Mango Street. New York: Vintage Press, 1991. ISBN 0679734775
Janeczko, Paul B. Preposterous: Poems of Youth. New York. Orchard Books, 1991. ISBN 0531059014
Mackler, Carolyn. Love and Other Four-Letter Words. New York: Delcorte, 2000. ISBN 044022831X

The Three Little Tamales (Traditional)

Kimmel, Eric A. The Three Little Tamales. Ill. by Valeria Docampo. New York: Marshall Cavendish Children, 2009. ISBN 9780761455196

Plot Summary
Three  delicious little tamales escape a taco shop from a sure fate of being someone’s comida (food). Their plan would have gone off without a hitch if it wasn’t for the hungry wolf who happened by their Texas homes. The first and second little tamales barely escape their poorly constructed homes and find their way to their sister’s sturdy home hidden within a cactus. The only question left is what will happen when the wolf discovers the third tamale’s chimney?

Critical Analysis
    Kimmel shines in this rhythmic and humorous version of the three little pigs. The book’s Tex-Mex take on a classic story begins with spunky characters who reveal themselves through their creative choice of homes. As each tamale chooses a home, a new aspect of Texas’  many landscapes is revealed.
    The plot will be predictable to anyone familiar with the traditional tale, but will not stop the book’s charm. Representations of traditional tamale cookery are throughout the text.  A seamless blending of Spanish words into the English text will make native Spanish speakers feel at home. The upbeat and humorous rhyme will encourage read aloud listeners to join in with the big bad wolf’s repetitious threats.
    Docampo’s illustrations are key to this book’s success. Bright and clear oil paintings display traditional Tex-Mex colors and show active movement. Her art gives life and individual personalities to each character. In the end, Kimmel and Docampo’s collaboration will win over readers because of its whimsy and ease. This books will be happily read and reread by all young at heart.

Awards and Review Excerpts
Booklist- “An excellent addition to collections of fairy-tale retellings.”
Library Media Connection- “quite silly, but it works”
School Library Journal- “delightful parody sure to satisfy readers’ appetite for fun”

Connections
*Read this book to young children as an introduction to subtraction. Cutouts of the three little houses will work well as manipulatives for the students as they gradually subtract until there is only one house left!
*Assign students various cultures to research. As part of the project, have students create their own version of the three little pigs that would fit into the assigned culture.
*Compare and Contrast versions of three little pig stories. Examples include...
Artell, Mike. Three little Cajun pigs. New York, N.Y: Dial Books for Young Readers, 2006. ISBN
     0803728158
Geist, Ken. The three little fish and the big bad shark. New York: Scholastic, 2007. ISBN 0439719623
Pichon, Liz. The three horrid little pigs. Wilton, CT: Tiger Tales, 2010. ISBN 1589254236
Trivizas, Eugenios. The three little wolves and the big bad pig. New York, NY: Aladdin Paperbacks,
     1997. ISBN 068981528X

Joseph Had A Little Overcoat (Traditional)

Taback, Simms. Joseph Had a Little Overcoat. New York: Viking, 1999. ISBN 0670878553

Plot Summary
A Jewish man named Joseph wears out his overcoat, but he does not get rid of it. Instead, Joseph reuses what he can to create useful clothing items. The process repeats with Joseph never wasting what is worn, but instead creating wonderful new, albeit shrinking, items of clothing. When finally there is no cloth left to reuse, Joseph does not lose his innovative spirit- he creates something out of nothing!

Critical Analysis
Joseph shows innovation in this waste-not want not tale retold by Taback. The intricate illustrations become critical to Taback’s take on a traditional Yiddish folk song as the book’s words are so few in number. The detail that is lacking in the simple, yet comfortably repetitive story line allows for the intricate pages of art to become the main focus.
    Each page details Joseph’s creation or use of his ever smaller “overcoat” in front of an always curious crowd of adults or animals. Cutouts concretely illustrate to younger readers the reuse of the same fabric in each new object. The many mediums (including pencil, ink, watercolor, gouache, and collage) allow the reader to repeatedly study the art, each time with new insight and revelation. A strong sense of Jewish culture is demonstrated in the themes of working hard and wasting little as well as through the history lesson portrayed via the many Jewish sayings, customs, objects, plays, and people represented in the illustrations. Joseph Had a Little Overcoat is a book destined to be well loved, reread, and carefully studied by children.

Awards and Review Excerpts
2000 Caldecott Honor
Publishers Weekly- “effective repetition and an abundance of visual humor”
School Library Journal- “bursting at the seams with ingenuity”
The Horn Book v.76- “clever, visually engrossing, poignant”

Connections
*Use this book to teach sequencing skills with younger children.
*After reading this book, let students cut pictures from magazines to incorporate into their own artwork.
*Another relevant art activity would be to create art out of “nothing”- trash!
*Use this book as a follow up to a unit of study on Jewish culture or after a unity of study on the 3 Rs (Reduce/Reuse/Recycle).
*Read other traditional Yiddish Folktales, including...
Schwartz, Howard. Gathering sparks. New York: Roaring Brook Press, 2010. ISBN 1596432802
Zemach, Margot. It could always be worse : a Yiddish folk tale. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux,
     1990. ISBN0374436363
Waldman, Debby. A sack full of feathers. Victoria, BC: Orca Book Publishers, 2006. ISBN1551438631

Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock (Traditional)

Kimmel, Eric A. Anansi and the Moss-Covered Rock. Ill. by Janet Stevens. New York: Holiday House, 1988. ISBN 082340689X

Plot Summary
A smart and devious spider named Anansi discovers a magical rock with the power to render visitors unconscious. Anasni, being both intelligent and lazy, decides to use the rock’s power to steal other animal’s hard earned food. Fortunately for the other forest animals, one animal catches on and gives Anansi a taste of his own medicine!

Critical Analysis
In this trickster folktale retold by Eric Kimmel, the reader catches a glimpse of many of humanities worst traits in the leading character, Anansi. His selfish and lazy ways sharply contrast his friendly and innocent animal counterparts in the jungle. It does not take long for the reader to begin cheering for the jungle animals and hoping for Anansi’s defeat. Despite their support for the assortment of jungle animals, readers will find themselves laughing as animal after animal repeat the same mistakes.

The idyllic jungle setting presented by the bright and cheerful illustrations provide the perfect setting to this book. Readers can easily imagine the large spider relaxing in paradise while planning his deceptions. Traditional African animals and fruits hint at the story’s origins, but do not prevent the story from being universally understood. A quick introduction into the story allows for an action packed book that begs to be read with exaggerated expressions and wide sweeping gestures.  Comical illustrations, paired with repetition of plot will allow even the youngest of readers to understand the absurdity of the situation. Young children will love reenacting Anansi’s discovery of the magical rock and his evil conniving, along with the dramatic collapse of each forest animal. Readers will be glad when good triumphs evil, but will not be disappointed to learn that Anansi has not yet learned his lesson!

Awards and Review Excerpts
Booklist Monthly Selections 1993
Children’s Books of the Year 1990
Nevada Young Readers Awards
School Library Journal- “colorful illustrations add detail, humor, and movement”

Connections
*After story becomes familiar, allow early childhood students to act out parts as the book is read.
*Turn this book into a reader’s theater for older elementary students.
*With middle school and high school students, allow this book to serve as an introduction to world cultures, specifically African cultures.
*Pair this book with other Anansi tales to guide students through in depth character analysis.
Aardema, Verna. Anansi does the impossible! : an Ashanti tale. New York: Aladdin Paperbacks, 2000.ISBN 0689839332
Kimmel, Eric. Anansi goes fishing. New York: Holiday House, 1992. ISBN 0823410226
Kimmel, Eric. Anansi and the magic stick. City: Holiday House Inc, 2001. ISBN 0823417638
Kimmel, Eric. Anansi and the talking melon. New York: Holiday House, 1994. ISBN 0823411672
McDermott, Gerald. Anansi the spider: a tale from the Ashanti. New York: Henry Holt and Co, 1986.
     ISBN 0805003118

City Dog, Country Frog (Mo Willems)

Willems, Mo. City Dog, Country Frog. Ill. by Jon Muth. New York: Hyperion Books for Children, 2010. ISBN 1423103009

Plot Summary
The poignant story by Willems follows a dog through a memorable year in which he discovers the joy of friendship and the sorrow of loss. Dog finds a close friend in a frog during spring. Through summer they continue to grow in friendship. As fall comes and the easiness of summer fades, frog begins to show his age and so the pair of friends remember their time together. With winter comes the sad loss of frog. The book concludes with spring’s reemergence and a reminder that life is an ongoing cycle.

Critical Analysis
Few words are printed on each page, and yet Mo Willems and illustrator Jon J. Muth have accomplished creating an epic story of friendship. The free spirited dog from the city and kind frog from the country make an odd but endearing couple. The characters speak for themselves during portions of the book, providing insight into their friendship, while the narrator quietly gives a detached account of the friendship. This understated style of writing allows readers of all ages to put their life knowledge and experiences into the story and take out of it what they will.

Vibrant, colorful water colors give life to and carefully expresses both of the main characters’ personalities. The vivid illustrations also provide the perfect back drop to the plot’s changing seasons in the countryside.

Readers of all ages, young and old, will find themselves making connections with the "city" dog and "country" frog, and implicitly understanding their friendship. Loss and renewal is a universal theme, lovingly depicted in this carefully crafted story.

Awards and Review Excerpts
School Library Journal- “Spare, poignant, and ultimately upbeat”
Booklist starred review- “Adults and children will each take away something”

Connections
*This book is great lead in to discussions on seasons and loss/grief.
*After reading this book, make a collage to represent each of the four seasons. Suggested readings to accompany a discussion of the seasons include the Celebrate the Season book collection by Linda Glaser.

Glaser, Linda. It's Fall. Brookfield, Conn: Millbrook Press, 2001. ISBN 0761313427
Glaser, Linda. It's Spring. Brookfield, Conn: Millbrook Press, 2002. ISBN 0761313451
Glaser, Linda. It's Summer. Brookfield Conn: Millbrook Press, 2003. ISBN 076131735X
Glaser, Linda. It's Winter. Brookfield, Conn: Millbrook Press, 2002. ISBN 0761316809

*Listed below are other books that can be combined with City Dog, Country Frog to address and open discussions of different types of loss experienced by children.

Carlstrom, Nancy. I'm Not Moving, Mama. New York: Aladdin Paperbacks, 1999. ISBN 0689828810
Demas, Corinne. Saying Goodbye to Lulu. Boston New York: Little, Brown, 2004. ISBN 031604749X
Varley, Susan. Badger's Parting Gifts. New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books, 1984. ISBN 0688115187
Viorst, Judith. Alexander, Who's Not (Do You Hear Me? I Mean It!) Going to Move. New York, NY:     Aladdin Paperbacks, 1998. ISBN 0689820895
Viorst, Judith. The Tenth Good Thing About Barney. New York: Aladdin Books, 1988. ISBN 0689712030

Millions of Cats (Wanda Gag)

Gag, Wanda. Millions of Cats. New York: Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers, 1928. ISBN 0881035602

Plot Summary
A man and woman live in an ideal home but are lonely. The man sets off to find a companion and discovers many cats, but is unable to choose just one. Millions of cats accompany the man back home. At their arrival, the wife is aghast and insists that they are unable to support so many cats. The cats are then asked to choose the prettiest to stay with the couple, and a vicious fight ensues. In the end, only one cat remains.

Critical Analysis
The main characters of this story are not distinctive or individualized as is the case in many modern children’s books. Instead, this book stands out as a classic because of Gag’s ability to weave a timeless story story with characters that are universal in nature. A child listening to this story can quickly place themselves in the position of the old man, unable to pick just one cat, one of the cats, wanting to be thought the prettiest, or the old lady, nurturing and caring for their beloved pet.

Rhythm and repetition will endear children to the book as it is read aloud. Vivid descriptions of each cat’s appearance, along with descriptive accounts of the cats draining of the pond will help children in the creation of their own mental imagery. Simple black and white drawings done reminiscent of old world dutch figurines add further dimension and bring life to the story. The younger readers will depend on the pictures to grasp the sometimes mature vocabulary and the nature of such large numbers of cats. Even young children will understand the implied theme that being pretty on the “inside” and not on the outside is what ultimately counts.

Awards and Review Excerpt
1929 Newbery Medal Honor
Lewis Carroll Shelf Award Book
Children’s Literature- “text and illustrations [...] flow together”

Connections
*This book would be ideal for use as a readers theatre in the classroom with parts for a narrator, old woman, old man, and several cats.
*Have students rewrite the story from the perspective of one of the millions of cats.
*Do an author study after reading Millions of Cats, introducing Wanda Gag through the book Wanda Gag, The Girl Who Lived to Draw.

Ray, Deborah. Wanda Gág : The Girl Who Lived to Draw. New York, N.Y: Viking, 2008. ISBN 0670062928

Kitten's First Full Moon (Kevin Henkes)

Henkes, Kevin. Kitten's First Full Moon. New York: Greenwillow Books, 2004. ISBN 0060588292

Plot Summary
It is an exciting night when kitten experiences his first full moon. Kitten mistakes the large white moon for a delicious bowl of milk. In a series of mishaps, Kitten chases his dream of savoring the big bowl of milk before sadly walking home with an empty tummy. Fortunately for Kitten, and for the reader, Kitten comes home to a happy surprise.

Critical Analysis
This is an incredibly simple, yet emotional story that absorbs the reader into a magical nighttime adventure. The author guides the reader through a straightforward plot using expressive artwork and simple statements. The author’s style works to give insight to Kitten’s determination and gives voice to the readers’ sympathy for Kitten.

The candid black and white illustrations and thoughtful text placement will give depth to young readers’ understanding of the text, bringing the Kitten’s emotions of desire, determination, fear, and sadness to the forefront. With repeated readings, listeners will enjoy joining in with the reader on expressive statements, such as “Poor Kitten!” and “What a night!”.  Young readers will laugh at Kitten’s naivety in thinking the moon is a bowl of milk and yet secretly wish him success after witnessing Kitten’s determination.

Readers of all ages will enjoy the drama of this book while discovering the inspirational theme of persistence through setbacks and disappointments.

Awards and Review Excerpts
2005 Caldecott Medal Winner
The Washington Post- “What a picture book!”
School Library Journal Best Book- “An irresistible offering from the multifaceted Henkes.”

Connections
*This book is a great introduction for students learning to read and write with expression.
*With young kids, this book is a great introduction to exploring emotions.
*Other Kevin Henkes picture books that can be used to explore emotions include:

Henkes, Kevin. Lilly's purple plastic purse. New York: Greenwillow Books, 1996. ISBN 0688128971
Henkes, Kevin. Chrysanthemum. New York: Greenwillow Books, 1991. ISBN 0688147321
Henkes, Kevin. Wemberly worried. Pine Plains, N.Y: Live Oak Media, 2001. ISBN 0061857769