Rubber Band Girl

Written By: Jennifer Nielson
Publisher: Sourced Media Books on January 2nd of 2013
Novel - Biography - Nonfiction

In this inspiring memoir, Jennifer Nielson recounts her journey as the mother of Hadley, a beautiful young girl with Marfan Syndrome. Together, they climb the mountains of life-threatening health problems and endless doctor visits. Together, they travel through the deep valleys of sorrow and loss. Together, they successfully manage Marfan's-and forge an unbreakable bond in the process.

I enjoyed this biography, because through a child's mother, you are able to see into the life of what it is like to struggle from Marfan's Syndrome. You share sorrow and happiness as you experiences all the challenges and great impact Hadley has had on the world. It inspired me to want to be a better person.

****
I give this 4 stars out of 5
25 points

Brian's Winter

Written By: Gary Paulsen
Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers - January 1, 1996
Fiction - Novel - Contemporary Realistic Fiction

In Hatchet, 13-year-old Brian Robeson learned to survive alone in the Canadian wilderness, armed only with his hatchet. He was rescued at the end of the summer. Brian's Winterbegins where Hatchet might have ended: Brian is not rescued, but must build on his survival skills to face his deadliest enemy--a northern winter.

I love these books by Gary Paulsen. It keeps the reader interested the entire time and you can't wait to find out what is going to happen next. When you read all the books about Brian, you start building a relationship with him and feel like you can relate with him. I would recommend this series of books to boys and girls in elementary. They are so addicting to read!

*****
I give this book 5 stars out of 5

20 points

The Table Where Rich People Sit

Written By: Byrd Baylor
Illustrated By: Peter Parnall 
Publisher: Aladdin 1994
Picture Book - Fiction

As her family attempts to calculate the value of the desert hills, the colors of blooming cactus, and the calls of eagles and great horned owls, a young girl--who has been led astray by the family's lack of material wealth--realizes what really matters

At first, I didn't think I would like this book, because all of the pictures are unique and different. Once we started reading it though, I absolutely loved the story. It is such a good story to read to kids, because it teaches how important the family is and that materialistic things just aren't that important. I think this is good to read especially in today's society that is so revolved around the materials. 

**** 
I give this 4 stars out of 5

5 points

My Father the Dog

Written By: Elizabeth Bluemle
Illustrated By: Randy Cecil
Publisher: Candlewick Press 2006
Picture Book - Fiction

Dad pretends to be human, but the kids know otherwise. Between first-thing-in-the morning scratching, fetching the paper, snacking, lying around for hours, and even the occasional pit stop behind a tree, the evidence is clear. But so are their father's steadfast love and loyalty. 

This is so cute, because it goes into a child's perspective of watching their father and why they think he is a dog. It is humorous, because it relates in so many ways to our dads. This would be a book that would be more entertaining for fifth grade students I think

*** 
I give this 3 stars out of 5 

5 points

Chrysanthemum

By: Kevin Henkes
Publisher: Mulberry Books (December 30, 2008)
Picture Book - Fiction

She was a perfect baby, and she had a perfect name. Chrysanthemum. When she was old enough to appreciate it, Chrysanthemum loved her name. And then she started school. “I’m named after my grandmother,” said Victoria. “You’re named after aflower.” Chrysanthemum wilted. Life at school didn’t improve. In fact, it got worse. Then the students were introduced to their music teacher, Mrs. Twinkle. Mrs. Delphinium Twinkle. And suddenly, Chrysanthemum blossomed….

I enjoyed this book a lot. It is a perfect book to read to students at the beginning of the school year, so they can feel more confident about themselves, especially if they are a student who has an interesting name. It teaches such good values and it goes into the mind of what a child would really be thinking and what they go through.
****
I give this 4 stars out of 5
8 points

Pancakes for Breakfast

By: Tomie Depaola
Publisher: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich Inc 1978
Picture Book - Fiction

This wordless picture book follows the trials of a 

little old lady who attempts to make pancakes for 

her breakfast.

I enjoyed this book, because it was just pictures, and when you read it to students, it will be different every time. This old lady is trying to make pancakes, but everything keeps falling apart. It is a fun book to read to younger kids that I enjoyed.

I give this *** 3 stars out of 5

3 points

Postcards From Germany

Written By and Photos compiled By: Helen Arnold
Publisher: Steck-Vaughn Company in 1996
Picture Book - Nonfiction
Ages 7-9

What can you see and do when you visit other countries? Look at the pictures, and read the postcards in each book. Find out about many places around the world.

I enjoyed this book, because it was not just straight facts. Each page had a different letter written by a different person and the end they each had a PS with a fact from a member of their family. It was very easy to follow and read. It was full of great pictures and is not too long so younger students will feel like they can read it.

***
I give this 3.5 stars out of 5
8 points

Minty (A Story of Young Harriet Tubman)

Written By: Alan Schroeder
Illustrated By Jerry Pinkney
Publisher: Puffin Books in 1996
Picture Book - Fiction
Coretta Scott King Award

The story of Harriet Tubman's childhood as a young slave is told in this book which is written especially for younger readers. Tubman, a young slave nicknamed "Minty", was a feisty, stubborn girl with a dream of escape, and whose rebellious spirit often got her into trouble. 

This book does a very good job at showing what the African American Slaves had to go through. Minty is whipped and tortured but she still keeps up hope. It is a good to read a class so they can be introduced to different cultures and understand them better. 

****
4 stars out of 5

5 points

John Henry

Written By: Julius Lester
Illustrated By: Jerry Pinkney
Publisher: Puffin on December 1st 1999
Picture Book - Realistic Fiction
Caldecott Honor
Ages 9 and up

John Henry is stronger than ten men, and can dig through a mountain faster than a steam drill. Julius Lester's folksy retelling of a popular African-American folk ballad has warmth, tall tale humor, and boundless energy. Jerry Pinkney illustrates the story with "rich colors borrowed from the rocks and the earth, so beautiful that they summon their own share of smiles and tears

I liked this book, because it reaches out to different ethnicity. It does a very good job at showing integrity and honor to be a good person. My favorite quote from the book is "Dying ain't important. Everybody does that. What matters is how well you do your living." This is a good inspirational book. 

***

I give this book 3 stars out of 5

7 points

Casey at the Bat (A Balled of the Republic Sung in the Year 1888

Copiously and Illustrated by: Christopher Bing
Caldecott Honor
Publisher: October 1st 2000 by Chronicle Books
Picture Book - Nonfiction

"And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout; But there is no joy in Mudville-mighty Casey has struck out." Those lines have echoed through the decades, the final stanza of a poem published pseudonymously in the June 3, 1888, issue of the San Francisco Examiner. Its author would rather have seen it forgotten. Instead, Ernest Thayer's poem has taken a well-deserved place as an enduring icon of Americana. Bing seamlessly weaves real and trompe l'oeil reproductions of artifacts-period baseball cards, tickets, advertisements, and a host of other memorabilia into the narrative to present a rich and multifaceted panorama of a bygone era. A book to be pored over by children, treasured by aficionados of the sport-and given as a gift to all ages: a tragi-comic celebration of heroism and of a golden era of sport.

This book was enjoyable, because it had an unexpected twist on it. Most stories have a happy ending, but when Casey strikes out they lose a huge game. The pictures and newspaper clips that are in this book are amazing. Christopher is able to take a poem and create it into a beautiful story by the way he portrayed it. This is a good lesson learning book. 

***
I give this book 3 stars out of 5

8 points

A River of Words The Story of William Carlos Williams

Written By: Jen Bryant
Illustrated By: Melissa Sweet
Publisher: Erdmans Books for Young Readers in 2008
Picture Book - Fiction
Caldecot Honor
Ages 7 and up

Willie loved to write - words gave him freedom and peace. But he also knew that he needed to earn a living, so when he grew up he went off to medical school and became a doctor - one of the busiest men in town! Yet he never stopped writing.

I enjoyed this book, because it followed like a story. It would be easy for kids to enjoy and it encourages writing. Willie was a poet and a doctor. It encourages kids that they can always find time to write and express themselves. This book was slightly fictionalized biography, but it uses a lot of quotes and facts. There is a timeline of his life at the back that also shows world events while he was alive which helps you put his life intro perspective. 

***

I give this book 3.5 stars out of 5

7 points

Poem Stew

Poems selected by: William Cole
Pictures By:Karen Weinhaus
Publisher: Harper Collins on July 19, 1981
Fiction - Poetry Novel

Poem Stew Through the teeth
And past the gums
Look out stomach
Here it comes!

A feast of hilarious poems about food written by such popular writers as William Cole, Odgen Nash, John Ciardi, and Shel Silverstein. Seasoned with Karen Ann Weinhaus's comical illustrations, these poems are sure to hit your funny bone and whet your appetite for more.

I enjoyed this book of poems, because they were all about different foods and had humorous ways of connecting us with it. There was a poem about onions and how they make you "as sad as a man can be," one about the ketchup bottle and how first a little comes out and when you tip it, a lot comes out, one about a kid being a garbage disposal and eating the leftovers off every body's plate, one about how funny hard it is for dads to lose weight, because they just keep eating, one about how kids are always told to talk without food in their mouth, one with a twisted version of humpty dumpty, and many other humorous poems. There were a few that were outdated that would not make sense to kids, so I wouldn't recommend reading the entire book, but just select a few poems to put on the board in class.

***
I give this 3 stars out of 5

25 points

Tuck Everlasting

Written By: Natalie Babbitt
Publisher: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux in 1975
Fiction - Novel - Modern Fantasy

When 10-year-old Winnie Foster stumbles upon the Tuck family's disturbing secret, she is forced to come to terms with her conflicting emotions. She feels drawn to the loving, gentle, and rather eccentric Tucks, but what they tell her is too incredible to be believed. Doomed to, or blessed with, eternal life after drinking from a magic spring, the Tuck family tries to make Winnie understand that the terrible magic of the forest spring can never be revealed.

I enjoyed this book, because it brings out the curiousity in all of us. You follow Winnie as she is trying to decide if the Tucks are telling the truth or not. It teaches a lesson about true friends. Even though Mae killed a man, Winnie helped he escape, becasue she did not want their family to become revealed. I would love to read this book to a classroom. 

****
I give this 4 stars out of 5

20 points