Children's Literature

BOOKLIST

Picture Books   Total:  36

Title:  Fidgety Fish Author:  Ruth Galloway Annotation:  Tiddler cannot be still, so his mom sends him out into the big ocean to burn up his energy.  He swims past jellyfish, crabs and other sea creatures.  When he swims into a dark cave his adventure gets him into big trouble. Title:  Smiley Shark Author:  Ruth Galloway Annotation:  Smiley Shark loves to smile, but having big teeth scares all the other sea creatures away, so he has no friends.  The sea creatures soon learn that Smiley Shark’s big teeth are not nearly as scary as being captured in a fisherman’s net.  Smiley Shark becomes a hero with just one BIG SMILE and all the sea creatures become his friends.  Title:  Howard B. Wigglebottom Learns to Listen                             2006 Home  School Product of the Year for Children Award Author:  Howard Binkow Annotation:  Howard doesn’t listen in class and gets into all kinds of trouble.  In this story Howard learns why it is important to listen.  The book also provides seven tips on how to become a better listener and includes listening discussion questions. Title:  First Snow in the Woods Author:  Carl R Sams II & Jean Stoick Annotation:  This first thing you will notice about this book is the beautiful pictures of the forest and animals.  The book is about noticing the change of the season.  A noisy chipmunk warns the other animals that the great gray owl has already begun his journey to the north and that winter is coming early.  Each page is filled with the magical changes that take place from fall to winter.  Title:  The Blue Day Book for Kids             A Lesson in Cheering Yourself Up Author:  Bradley Trevor Greive Annotation:  This book is full of cute, cute animal photographs and inspiring thoughts to help cheer kids up.  Everyone can relate to some type of bad day and this blue book gives lots of great advice on how every kid can get rid of those days that don’t go just right.  Title:  Clara Caterpillar Author:  Pamela Duncan Edwards Annotation:  Clara is a happy cabbage caterpillar that turns into a plain cream-colored butterfly.  All her butterfly friends are spectacular colors.  Snooty Catisha finds out it is not bad to be just a plain colored butterfly when the black crow begins to hunt for a snack.  (This book could also be an Informational book.  The book has pictures that can be used to show the life cycle of a butterfly). Title:  The Teachers from the Black Lagoon            The Gym Teacher from the Black Lagoon            The Principal from the Black Lagoon            The Librarian from the Black Lagoon Author:  Mike Thaler Annotation:  This book contains four of Mike Thaler’s stories.  In each of them children’s imaginations have them believing all kinds of scary things that teachers, principals and librarians make children do.  Once they actually meet them they realize they are all really nice people.   Title:  Tudley Didn't Know Author:  John Himmelman Annotation:  All the old painted turtles are surprised to find that Tudley can fly like a bird, hop like a frog, sing like a katydid, and that his tail can glow like a firefly.  Tudley doesn’t know that he is not supposed to be able to do these things.  Makes the other turtles begin to wonder.    (This book can also be an Informational book.  In the back of the book there is information on turtles, hummingbirds, fireflies, frogs, and katydids.)  Provides a website that can be used to download the pattern to make a hopping Tudley.  Title:  Bear Snores On Author:  Karma Wilson Annotation:  This is a cute story about a hibernating bear.  His den is soon visited by many woodland creatures that are trying to stay warm during the cold, cold winter.  As the big brown bear snores the little creatures eat, chitter, and chat and throw a big party.  The little creatures are scared and scatter when the sleeping bear sneezes and wakes up.  The animals are relieved when they discover that all he really wants to do is join in the fun! Title:  Mirandy and Brother Wind  (Caldecott Award) Author:  Patricia C. McKissack Annotation:  Mirandy was going to the cake-walk dance and she wanted to have the best partner and she wanted that partner to be Brother Wind.  Mirandy sets her mind to catch Brother Wind, but Grandmama Beasley tells her no one can catch him.  Mirandy and her clumsy partner Ezel win the cake-walk dance, because Mirandy did figure out how to catch the spring wind, Brother Wind.  Cute Book.  Title:  The Secretary from the Black Lagoon Author:  Mike Thaler Annotation:  A student’s imagination has the school secretary turned into a person that loves to torture students.  Students learn that once they actually meet the secretary she is not mean and scary at all. Title:  The Three Snow Bears Author:  Jan Brett Annotation: This book is a retell of the story of the Goldilocks and the Three Bears.  Aloo-ki loses her sled and husky dogs as the ice breaks up.  As she is running to look for her dogs she comes across a large igloo.  Wondering who lives in the igloo she ventures in to find the perfect bowl of soup, boots, and furry bed. Title:  Frog and Toad Together  (Newbery Award) Author Arnold Lobel Annotation:  This book contains five short stories:  A List, The Garden, Cookies, Dragons and Giants, and The Dream.  Frog and Toad are the very best of friends.  Toad and Frog are inseparable in each short story and share growing gardens, eating cookies and even the adventures of a dream. Title:  Where The Wild Things Are (Caldecott Award) Author:  Maurice Sendak Annotation:  After being sent to his room for causing so much MISCHIEF, Max’s imagination grows, and grows as his room turns into a big forest.  Sailing through many nights and many days, Max reaches the place of wild things.  In this world Max controls all the wild things and a great wild time is had, but then it is time to “sail back over a year and in and out of weeks and through a day (Sendak).” Title:  If You Give A Moose A Muffin Author:  Laura Joffe Numeroff Annotation:  Keep your listens guessing, as you give a Moose a muffin.  What will he want next?  This fun story relates what the Moose wants to what that item will want once you give him that, until you get back to the muffin. Title:  If You Give A Pig A Party Author:  Laura Numeroff Annotation: This story is written just like the one above.  It keeps the listeners guessing what a pig might want next if you give her a party.  This was my granddaughter’s favorite one of the two. Title:  One Smart Goose Author:  Caroline Jayne Church Annotation:  What happens when you are one smart Goose?  You are not liked by the other gaggle of geese.  Being a dirty goose does make a goose different, but read this book to find out what one lonely goose does to makes friends with the other geese. Title:  The Very Hungry Caterpillar Author:  Eric Carle Annotation:  What happens when a caterpillar gets really hungry?  This delightful story with illustrations will keep children fascinated as they peer through the holes of all the fruit and food this hungry caterpillar eats before turning into a beautiful butterfly. Title: Brown Bear Brown Bear, What Do You See? Author:  Bill Martin, Jr Annotation:  Brown Bear sees a delightful colorful group of different animals as he is asked what he sees next.  A wonderful pattern book that lets children interact while learn primary colors and animals. Title:  Way Up in the Artic Author:  Jennifer Ward Annotation:  This story about Artic animals also includes a fun activity of finding the hidden number on each page. The back of the book includes great facts about the Artic animals.  A song is also included. Title:  Leo the Lighting Bug (Children’s Bestsellers List #2 Los Angeles Times) Author:  Eric Drachman Annotation:  All the other lighting bugs have bright lights, but not Leo.  That is not the only problem Leo faces, he is also the smallest of all the lighting bugs.  He tries and tries to light up as the other lighting bugs make fun of him.  Leo may be little, but he has plenty of determination.   This book will help all children understand the importance of never giving up. Title:  Little One Step Author:  Simon James Annotation:  When the three little ducklings get lost, the oldest duck brother helps the littlest brother as they look for their mother.  When the littlest duckling thinks he cannot take one more step his older brother helps him out and Little One Step gets his new name. Title:  Be My Friend, Floppy Puppy Author:  Ann Tobias Annotation:  Floppy Puppy had plenty of toys to play with, but he wanted a friend instead.  The bird flew to high, so he didn’t hear Floppy Puppy ask him if he wanted to play and the squirrel didn’t stop to play either.  When Floppy Puppy helps a little kitten out of a tree he finds a new friend to play with everyday. Title:  Walter the Farting Dog    (Challenged, but retained on library shelves) Author:  William Kotzwinkle & Glen Murray Annotation:  Walter definitely has a problem, but Betty and Billy love him anyway.  No matter how many times they bath Walter, he still smells.  Even after a change in his diet Walter still farted.  It didn’t matter if it wasn’t Walter farting he still got blamed for it.  When Walter figures out he is going to have to go back to the pound, he does everything he can to not fart.  That night has the gas bubbles churned inside him, burglars break into the house.  Walter the farting dogs saves the day with his biggest fart. Title:  Ratatouille, The Big Cheese Author:  Apple Jordan Annotation:  Remy is a rat that wants to be a Chef, not a rat that smells garbage.  His curiosity to find the perfect spice causes Remy to be separated from the other rats.  Remy ends up in Paris where he meets a boy named Linguini.  Remy and Linguini become the perfect team and cook for the food critic Ego.  They end up opening a restaurant that rats can eat at too. Title:  Looking for Angels Author:  Valiska Gregory Annotation:  Grandpa has Sarah looking for angels.  Sarah’s grandpa helps her see things differently; the morning sun, fresh raspberries, and even the circus outside the window.  Sarah realizes that taking a closer look makes everything more interesting. Title:  The Secret Birthday Message Author:  Eric Carle Annotation:  The book helps children with pattern recognition, shapes, maps, and following instructions.  Follow the codes on this treasure hunt to find out what the secret birthday message is. Title:  Pancakes, Pancakes! Author:  Eric Carle Annotation:  What happens when Jack wants pancakes?  He has to gather all the ingredients.  This story takes us through all the steps of gathering the wheat, grinding it into flour, making the pancake and putting jam on it.  The one thing Jacks mother does not have to tell him is how to eat it! Title:  Henry the Dog with No Tail Author:  Kate Feiffer Annotation:  Poor Henry does not have a tail like the other dogs.  He tries to fix the problem, but finds out that it is just fine for him to not have a tail.  A story that will help children understand to accept who they are. Title:  Mama Rex & T, The Horrible Play Date Author:  Rachel Vail Annotation:  T is so excited that his friend Walter is coming over to play.  They are really excited to see each other, but fun turns into not so much fun as T gets tired of Walter being so rambunctious.  Mama Rex finds away to turn the horrible play date into one of the greatest. Title:  The Color of Home Author:  Mary Hoffman Annotation:  Hassan has had to leave his home in Somalia.  In America he only sees gray, not the bright colors of Africa.  Hassan does not know English and his first day of school is very different from his school in Somalia.  Somalia finds a way to communicate when his teacher gives him art supplies to paint a picture.  The teacher invites an interpreter so she can understand the picture that shows that someone has been killed.  With the interpreter the teacher understands Hassan’s picture.  Hassan does not want his mother to see his picture and hopes that his teacher will let him paint a new one.  As Hassan adjusts and creates a new picture of bright colors he begins to notice the new colors around him in America. Title:  Plummet Author:  Tony and Jan Payne Annotation:  Plumment cannot fly like the other flying frogs.  He had tried everything from running fast to bird feathers to try to fly.  He became very sad and lost his smile.  One day a little girl frog named Be-Bop comes along and wants to play with him, but he cannot bring himself to tell her he cannot fly.  When he does get the courage to tell her, she takes him deep into the forest to a beautiful place with many other frogs that were gliding through the air.  Plumment learns that frogs do not fly, they glide and he found his big smile.  Title:  Wiggle and Waggle Author:  Caroline Arnold Annotation:  Wiggle and Waggle are two worms that live in a garden and dig in the dirt.  When Wiggle tells Waggle that all the digging around the vegetables is such hard work Waggle decides they should sing while they do their work.  Wiggle and Waggle work and sing together as they dig all around the garden.  This book contains fun facts about worms and how worms help gardens grow. Title:  Many Nations Author:  Joseph Bruchac Annotation:  An alphabet book that introduces Native American culture to its readers.  “Abenaki storyteller Joseph Bruchac shares his love of his heritage in a uniquely lyrical presentation that depicts varied facets of twenty-six different Native American communities” (Bruchac). Title:  A Mama for Owen Author:  Marion Dane Bauer Annotation:  Owen was a baby hippopotamus that loved his mama very much.  He played hide-and-seek with his mama, he slept with her, ate and swan with her.  He did everything with his mama.  One day the rain came and it rained so much it washed his whole hippopotamus family to the sea.  Owen was washed ashore by a big wave.  Owen looked and looked for his mama.  He finally saw something that was big and gray that looked like his mother, but it was an old tortoise called Mzee.  Owen stayed with Mzee.  He slept with him, swam with him, ate with him and even played hide-and-seek with him.    The story is based on a true story about a hippopotamus that was rescued by the Kenya Wildlife Service. Title:  The Swing Author:  Joe Cepeda Annotation:  Josey’s family borrowed everything from everybody and they lost things.  Things they borrowed and even their own dog Leopolodo.  Josey was so embarrassed by her family.  When her dad promised he would push her in the swing her dad even lost track of time, so Josey decided to swing herself.  Josey tried to swing higher and higher to lose herself in limbs of the big tree.  When she reached the branches something fell down.  While Josey swings her dad pushes her higher and higher and they begin to find the old toaster, Josey’s pogo stick, and even Leopolodo.

Poetry and Verse        Total:  9

Title:  Dinosaurs  Author:  Lee Bennett Hopkins Annotation:  This book contains nineteen poems about Dinosaurs and Fossils.  This would be a great book to provide to students when studying Dinosaurs.  One of my favorite poems in the book “Dreamscape” written by Lillian M. Fisher.   Title:  Earthshake, Poems from the Ground Up Author:  Lisa Westberg Peters Annotation:  This book has poems about wind, earthquakes, rivers, rocks and much, much more.  I love the illustrations in this book.  The endnotes are great for helping students understand the different things that have been written about in the poems.  Example: Dizzy Wind, Wyoming Layer Cake, and Obituary for a Clam. Title:  Bats at the Beach  Author:  Brian Lies Annotation:  The bats are off to enjoy a moon-light night at the beach.  The night is full of surfing, sailing, and tummy filling treats of bugs, beetles and pickled slugs.  The rhyming verses in this book make it a delightful read.   Title:  There was a Coyote Who Swallowed a Flea Author:  Jennifer Ward Annotation:  This retold rhyme is about a coyote that continues to swallow different things to eat the thing he swallowed before.  Starts with a flea and ends with the moon.  Watch the coyote’s tummy grow as “YIPPEE-O-KI-YEE!” he eats some of the most bizarre things.  Kids will love this story!   Title:  On Beyond Zebra! Author:  Dr. Seuss Annotation:  Get ready for a lot of made up words as you go beyond the alphabet letter of Z.  This story stretches the imagination of words that can be spelled when you don’t stop with the letter Z.  Rhyming words with made up words and alphabet letters on each page.   Title:  Marvin K. Mooney Will You Please Go Now! Author:  Dr. Seuss Annotation:  Marvin K. Mooney needs to go and he is told just how.  This book is wonderfully illustrated with the familiar Dr. Seuss rhyming and made-up words.  Title:  Click, Clack, Splish, Splash Author:  Doreen Cronin & Betsy Lewin Annotation:  A rhyming counting adventure.  While the farmer sleeps, children will learn to count to ten while the farm animals go on a fishing expedition. Title:  The Snack Smasher and Other Reasons Why It’s Not My Fault Author:  Andrea Perry Annotations:  Who cause all those crumbs in the bottom of the sack, the snack smashers.  Where is that one last puzzle piece, it’s the puzzle-piece eater.  A cute, collection of poems about the sneaky villains that cause things to happen.    Title:  Where Fish Go in Winter and Other Great Mysteries. Author:  Amy Goldman Koss Annotation:  Did you ever wonder where fish go in the winter, how cats purr, or why snakes shed their skin?  This collection of poems answers all these questions and more.

Folktales  Total: 8

Title:  A Spoon for Every Bite Author:  Joe Hayes  Annotation:  This story comes from traditional Hispanic tales and is about a clever Hispanic woman that outsmarts their rich, boastful neighbor.  The poor become rich and the rich become poor as the rich compadre changes spoons with every bite. Title:  The Legend of the Indian Paintbrush         Author:  Tomie dePaola  Annotation:   In this retold story of a Texas Indian legend, a small Indian boy named Little Gopher experiences a Dream-Vision.  With brushes made from different hairs of animals and paints made from berries and colorful flowers, Little Gopher became known as “He-Who-Brought-the-Sunset-to-the-Earth.”  Title:  The Legend of the Bluebonnet Author:  Tomie dePaola  Annotation:  This story tells how the Bluebonnet became the state flower of Texas.  A little girl, known as She-Who-Is-Alone sacrifices her most prized possession, her warrior doll to the Great Spirits to end the long drought.  After spreading the ashes of her doll over the hills the Bluebonnets spread and the rains fell ending the draught.  Every since this unselfish act by the little girl that the Comanche people renamed One-Who-Dearly-Loved-Her-People the bluebonnets have continue to flourish across Texas. Title:  The Old Man who made the Trees Bloom Author:  Hanasaka Jijii  Annotation:  This story is about two couples, one kind and honest and the other were mean and greedy.  The kind couple have a dog that digs up gold coins and the greedy neighbor seen this, so he asked to borrow the dog.  The greedy mans choices in the story destroys his life.  This Japanese folktale teaches children about the blessings of being good and the consequences of being greedy and bad. Title:  The Beautiful Butterfly          A Folktale from Spain Author:  Retold by Judy Sierra Annotation:  A beautiful butterfly is looking for a husband that has a sweet voice that will sing their babies to sleep.  After many suitors she finds a mouse that will be the perfect husband.  The honeymoon day is ruined when a large fish swallows the mouse.  Surrounded by her friends the beautiful butterfly’s day of mourning turns into a happy ending. Title:  Arrow to the Sun (Caldecott Medal) Author:  Gerald McDermott Annotation:  This brightly illustrated story comes alive with the use of geometric designs that retell the journey of a young boy in search of his father. Title:  Stega Nona (Caldecott Honor) Author:  Tomie dePaola Annotation:  When Strega Nona decides she is getting to old she hires Big Anthony to help her with the house and garden.  The one thing she tells Big Anthony not to do is to touch her pasta pot.  The temptation is too much for Big Anthony and soon pasta filled the house and kept growing and growing.  Stega Nona saves the town and Big Anthony has to eat a lot of pasta! Title:  The Mitten Author:  Jan Brett Annotation:  Nicki loses one of his white mittens that his grandmother knitted for him.  A mole finds the mitten in the forest and climbs inside.  The mitten was so warm and cozy he decided to stay inside.  It is not long before other animals in the forest join him in the mitten.  The mitten gets larger and larger.  Will Nicki ever find his white mitten that his Baba made?

Realistic Fiction     Total :  12

Title: From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler (Newbery Award) Author:  E. L. Konigsburg  Annotation:  This story is about the adventures a girl name Claudia who decides to run away from home.  She makes all the plans, but wants to take her little brother Jamie with her.  They run away to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  Claudia has all the plans and Jamie manages their finances.  Touring the museum is exciting, but not nearly as exciting as finding out the small angel statue.  She will not return home until she has discovered who made the small statue.  Claudia is sure she can find the answer by talking to the previous owner Mrs. Basil E. Frankwiler.   Title:  Coming On Home Soon Author:  Jacqueline Woodson Annotation:  This is a touching story about the love of a grandmother, mother, and child.  Ada Ruth’s mom goes off to Chicago to work on the railroads when she hears that they are hiring colored women to work because of the war.  Ada Ruth continues writing to her mother even though she doesn’t receive a letter back.  Her grandmother takes care of her and holds her when she cries.   The days pass and Ada Ruth watches and waits for her mom to come home.   Title:  Nothing’s Fair In Fifth Grade Author:  Barthe DeClements  Annotation: When the fat girl Elsie Edwards enters the fifth grade classroom all the other kids can’t believe how fat she is.  Jenny, Diane, and Sharon had never seen such a fat little girl and they didn’t want to have to play with her.  They soon figure out that besides being fat she is also the classroom thief.  Math grades pull this group of girls together.  Elsie is always making A’s in math and Jenny and Diane need her to tutor them.   The girls really get to know Elsie and become good friends after a slumber party at Diane’s house and a frightening hitch hiking experience.    Title:  Terror At The Zoo  (Land of Enchantment Award)  Author:  Peg Kehret  Annotation:  Ellen has spent a great deal of time during the summer working on her science project.  She really believes she has learned to communicate with the animals; which comes in handy after her and her brother Corey end up at an overnight campout all alone at the zoo.  They soon realize they are not alone, but locked inside the zoo with a dangerous criminal.  As the nightly events unfold, Ellen believes it is animal communication skills that save them.  Title:  Welcome Brown Bird Author:  Mary Lyn Ray Annotation:  As we all know birds migrate each year.  This story is about a young boy that lives on a farm in the north and another young boy that lives thousands of miles away south in a rain forest.  Each year the boys wait impatiently for the seasons to change, so the thrush will return.  Each boy loves to hear the small little brown bird sing.   Title:  The Hickory Chair Author:  Benny Andrews Annotation:  A loving story about a blind boy named Louis and his grandmother.  Louis is gran’s favorite youngest grandchild.  Many days Louis sat on his grandmother’s lap in a wooden rocker that his Gramps had carved from a hickory tree a long time ago.  When gran passes away the entire family gathers around the old rocker to listen to her will.  Gran had always left notes for everyone and in her will she had hidden a note for each member of the family in her favorite place.  Everyone finds their note that day except for Louis.   Louise cannot believe that his gran had forgotten about her favorite youngest grandchild.  The old rocker becomes his and many years will pass before gran’s note is found.   Title:  Becoming Naomi León Outlaw  (Children’s List of Land of Enchantment) Author:  Pam Muñoz Ryan Annotation:  Naomi Outlaw was only four years old when she and Owen went to live with their grandmother.   After two years of counseling she started talking, but still didn’t speak very loud.  Owen had special needs and his grandmother understood just how important a piece of tape stuck to his shirt was to him.  Gram loved the children deeply and for the most part their seven years in Lemon Tree, California had been peaceful.  Naomi had talent in sculpting and Gram kept her hands busy by providing soap for her to carve.  Owen was a good natured kid and always had a positive attitude like his Gram.  The most difficult problem Naomi had to deal with were the boys at school making fun of her last name and picking on her little brother, until the day their mother showed up—pounding on the door of the Baby Beluga in the Avocado Acres Trailer Rancho.  Naomi discovers who she really is, as she finds her voice after traveling from California to Mexico.  Title:  The Teacher’s Funeral              A Comedy in Three Parts    (Children’s List – Land of Enchantment) Author:  Richard Peck Annotation:  This story takes place in 1904.  Russell Culver is a young boy that does not like to go to school.  When the teacher dies right before school starts, Russell decides it is time for him and his best friend Charlie Parr to head for the Dakotas to work has harvesters.  A quick meeting of the school board puts a hold on all their plans as they hire Russell’s older high school sister to be the new teacher at Hominy Ridge High.  Russell’s dreams of going to the Dakotas never materialize in this humorous story.  Title:  A Ghost of a Chance Author:  Joan Carris Annotation:  Punch Wagner, his friend Tom, and their new friend, the know-it-all Skeeter spend two weeks of summer vacation digging holes.  Finding out if ghost really live at Hammock House, swimming with dolphins, and being so frightened they wet their pants is just part of the adventures they share while looking for Blackbeard’s buried treasure in Beaufort.  Title:  Never Trust a Sister Over Twelve Author:  Stephen Roos Annotation:  Skui Johnson becomes a member of the Hijinxer’s Club after she realizes that her sister doesn’t want to hang out with her any more. Skui and her sister have always been best friends, so it is hard for Skui to understand and accept.  Just because you are twelve years old, you shouldn’t do your very best friend that way.  The Hijinxers plot the perfect plan to ensure that no one over twelve years olds will ever forget .  Title:  Stink and The Incredible Super-Galactic Jawbreaker                   Children’s List  -  Land of Enchantment Author:  Megan McDonald Annotation:  Stink earns five dollars just by answering a bunch of questions because he is short.  Where does a kid go with five bucks?  Straight to the candy store to buy a super big jawbreaker.  After a week of eating on the giant ball of candy, Stink is really disappointed, so he writes the candy company.  Stink finds out writing letters can be really great.  Stink also discovers that having a lot of jawbreakers is a great way to make up for missing his best friends birthday party.  Title:  The Secret Garden Author:  Frances Hodgson Burnett Annotation:  When Mary Lennox loses her mother and father and she is sent off to live with her Uncle.  The big house is full of secrets and so are the gardens around the house.  Mary has never known what it is like to love someone.  The hard-hearted Mary feels a change within her as she watches the little red breasted bird jump around on the ground.  He helps Mary find the secret garden and the key to unlock it.  Mary has never had friends, but before long the little bird, a boy named Dickon who loves animals, and Colin the little boy that is meaner than even Mary could be, become a trio that brings the dead secret garden to life.

Historical Fiction      Total:  4

Title:  Betrayed Author:  Patricia Calvert Annotation:  Tyler decides it is time to leave home after his farther dies and his mother marries Mr. Snepp.  Tyler, his dog Sooner and his long time friend Isaac Peerce, a freed slave are ready to head West to search for adventures and new beginnings.  They don’t have to be gone from home long before the adventures begin.  Tyler and Isaac’s change from boys to men as they struggle through each dangerous situation.  One learns what it is like to be a slave and the other learns just how sweet it is to not be judged by the color of the skin.  This is a wonderful book.  Title:  Island of the Blue Dolphins  (Newbery Award) Author:  Scott O’Dell Annotation:   Wonapalei, her father and brother live in the village of Ghalasat with their people on the island known as the Island of the Blue Dolphins.  The Aleuts arrive at the island to hunt otter and kill many of the village people including the chief who is Wonapalei’s father.  Eventually another ship arrives to take the remaining people from Ghalasat, but Wonapalei jumps back into the turbulent sea when she realizes her brother had been left behind.  Wonapalei finds herself all alone on the island after wild dogs kill her brother.  The author’s note says she survived on the island for fourteen years before the ship returned.  I really enjoyed this book.  She was a very brave girl. Title:  Lily’s Crossing Author:  Patricia Reilly Giff Annotation:  Lily and her grandmother spend their summers at the small beach house in Rockaway.  The summer of 1944 is turned upside because of World War II.  First her dad sends her piano with her to the beach and then the war takes her friend Margaret away, so the summer does not look like it is going to be much fun.  After Margaret leaves a boy named Albert from across the waters comes to Rockaway.  Their friendship grows and they share secrets they have never shared with anyone else.   Lily and Albert tell one another lies, enjoy the beach and worry that nothing will ever be the same again because of the war.   Title:  Steal Away Home Author:  Lois Ruby Annotation:  Dana Shannon discovers a hidden room in her new home in Lawrence, Kansas.  After getting a hole big enough to peer inside she sees a skeleton on a cot. When the police come to the house to remove the bones, Dana notices something fall between the cot and the wall.  She hurries over to claim the prize before anyone else sees it.  Dana and her friends are taken back to the year of 1856 as they learn about the life of Miz Lizbet.  In this book you will find yourself in present time and the next chapter will take you back to 1856.     GREAT STORY!!

Autobiography/Biography                Total: 5

Title:  Read About Johnny Appleseed Author:  Stephen Reinstein  Annotation:  This is a simple reading book that tells about how Johnny Appleseed got his name and where he traveled to plant apple trees.  The book provides a timeline and a map that shows some of the areas that he may have traveled to plant and sell apple trees to settlers. Title:  Firetalking Author:  Patricia Polacco Annotation:   In this autobiography she writes about her mother, father and family.  She tells how she came to write many of her different books like Mrs. Katz and Tush  and Chicken Sunday.   The name of this book even comes from a family tradition her family has. Title:  A Picture Book of Sacagawea Author:  David A. Adler Annotation:  Sacagawea, a young Shoshone Indian girl was taken by the Hidatsa Indians.  This book gives an account of Sacagawea’s life with the Hidatsa tribe and how important she was in helping Lewis and Clark explore unknown territory.  Sacagawea was a new mother that took her two month old son Jean Baptiste on the difficult journey west.  Her presence on the journey provided communication with other tribes and allowed the explorers to travel as friendly explorers, with no interference.  She is commemorated has one of the most important women in the history of the United States.   Title:  A Voice from the Wilderness           The Story of Anna Howard Shaw Author:  Don Brown Annotation: The story of Anna’s life struggles.  She left England in 1851 when she was only four years old to join her father in America.  In 1859 Anna found herself in the wild unsettled part of Michigan.  There her father left her, her mother, brother, and two sisters to establish a homestead.  Anna was happy with her family the wilderness, but she didn’t have school.  She read any books or text that her family had, even the old newspapers that hung on the walls of their cabin.  Anna had ambition and discovered that she was good at talking to people.  At the age of fifteen Anna became a teacher.  A minister helped Anna to understand that she must have an education.  After getting her education she devoted herself to helping women earn the right to vote.  Anna Howard Shaw died in 1919 and the U.S. Congress put into law the women’s right to vote in 1920.    Title:  Rosa Parks Author:  Muriel L.Dubois Annotation:   The story of Rosa Parks and how she fought for African American’ civil rights.  This book tells about Rosa Parks growing up in Alabama, her marriage, and her famous bus ride.  The book talks about the many honors she received for her civil rights work.

Fantasy Total: 3

Title:  Rabbit Hill  (Newbery Award)           Author:  Robert Lawson  Annotation:  The hills are alive with talking animals and the new talk is that new folks are coming.  The old house on the hill had been empty for a long time and the people before had been poor planting people.  The rabbit, Little Georgie spreads the word about new people coming with his new song.  It in not long after the new people move in that all the animals on the Hill find out just what type of folks the new comers are!   Title:  Bunnicula, A Rabbit-Tale of Mystery  Land of Enchantment, Childrens Book Award Author: Deborah and Hames Howe Annotation:  This cute story is about a family that has a dog named Harold and cat named Chester that talk to one another.  A family outing to the movies results in the little boy, Peter finding a bunny at the theatre.  Settling a dispute between children the small bunny is named Bunnicula because of the movie the family had seen.  When the vegetables in the kitchen continue to be white in the morning the sophisticated cat is sure the bunny is a vampire.  Funny things happen as Chester sets out to convenience Harold and the family that Bunnicula is not just a cute little bunny. Title:  The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe Author:  C.S. Lewis Annotation:  Lucy finds the enchanted land of Narnia while exploring the Professor’s big house.  Soon the other three children, Pete, Susan, and Edmund venture through the magical wardrobe closet with Lucy and end up in the snow white woods. Edmund meets the White Witch who tricks him with Turkish Delight.  Aslan the big golden lion, Peter, Lucy, and Susan come together to save Edmund from the White Witch.  Aslan sacrifices himself to save Edmund.  The children are so sad until they discover the Deep Magic and Aslan is brought back to life.  The enemies of Narnia are killed and Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy reign over Narnia until they stumbled back through the wardrobe closet.

Science Fiction    Total:  7

Title:  This Place Has No Atmosphere     (Land of Enchantment Book Award) Author:  Paula Danziger  Annotation:  Aurora is a fourteen year old in the year of 2057.  Her life is wonderful at Alan Shepard High.  She is a popular girl in the “Turnips” group.  Her life is perfect for a teenage girl living in a world that has people living in malls, no parks to play in, and people living on the moon.  When her parents take different jobs, and decide to move her and her little sister Starr to the moon, Aurora thinks her life has come to an end.  There are not any kids going to the moon that are cool as the Turnip group she hangs out with.  A play and a new boy named Hal help Aurora learn that living on the moon even if it doesn’t have a mall is not all that bad.   Title:  Among the Hidden Author:  Margaret Peterson Haddix Annotation:  Luke is the hidden third child that the government forbids families to have.  For twelve years he has stayed hidden on his family farm.  When the government decides to take down the woods to build houses for the Barons Luke has to stay hidden in the attic of his house all the time.  The only way to get a glimpse of the outside world is through the vents in the attic.  Luke only knows four other people besides himself, his two brothers, mother and father.  When he sees a shadow in one of the new houses he knows he has found another “shadow” child.  When Luke finally gets enough courage to run from his poor farm house to the rich Baron house he meets Jen.  Jen has a plan to make the government recognize all the hidden kids so they can go to school, meet new friends, and be alive.  Luke is inspired when Jen is shot down by the government, to leave his family to try and make a difference for all the shadow kids.   Title:  Among the Impostors Author:  Margaret Peterson Haddix Annotation:  Luke has left home with the help of Mr. Talbot and a fake ID.  Luke is now Lee Grant.  He is taken to Hendricks School for Boys where he meets a mean boy named Jason.  Not knowing which classes he is suppose to go to he is constantly lost in the big windowless school.  His discovery of a door allows him to escape the awful school where he finds comfort in the woods planting a small garden.  When Lee’s garden is destroyed he is determined to find who did it.  Hiding quietly in the woods he hears Jason and his friends talking to some girls.  He is certain that Jason and his friends have destroyed his garden, but what he hears them talking about is even more surprising.   Title:  Among the Betrayed Author:  Margaret Peterson Haddix Annotation:  Nina cannot believe what has happened to her.  Handcuffed and taken by the Population Police, she has been accused tricking the Population Police.   She is so confused when she finds out that the Population Police believe that she has partnered with Jason to find and report illegal third children.  She has spent her entire life hiding has a shadow child, but she cannot tell the Population Police about that because they will kill her.   Jason was a friend, no more than a friend.  She loved him.  She cannot believe that he tricked her.  Now thrown into jail she is being pressured by a hateful man to find out about three other small children that have been imprisoned as third children.  When Nina the opportunity comes to escape and save herself she decides she will take the three children with her.  The only place that she knows is back to the woods where her. Jason and Lee Grant used to meet.  Title:  Among the Brave Author:  Margaret Peterson Haddix Annotation:  Trey doesn’t know what to do after Mr. Talbot slammed the door in his face.  It had taken all his courage to walk up the long front walk.  Luke, Nina, Joel, John, and the chauffer drove off leaving Trey all alone on Mr. Talbot’s porch.  Mr. Talbot acted like he didn’t even remember Trey.  Trey didn’t know what to do until Mr. Talbot’s place begin to be surrounded by the Population Police.  So scared that he could hardly move, Trey hid behind the big flower pot on the porch.  What was happening?  Where was Lee?  Trey was too scared to even move, but as the story unfolds he becomes the hero that rescues them all.   Title:  Among the Enemy Author:  Margaret Peterson Haddix Annotation:  In order to save his hurt friends Percy and Ali, Matthias has to pretend he is on the side of the Population Police.  After saving the life of Tiddy, Matthias is a hero with the commander of the Population Police.  Matthias gets the opportunity to enjoy all the luxuries of the Population Police, but all he is worried about is getting back to help his friends.  When he encounters Nina working with the Population Police, they work together to plot a way to help their friends. Title:  The Giver Author:  Lois Lowry Annotation:  Jonas lives in a picture perfect world.  Every family unit has a mother, father and two children.  Jonas would soon turn twelve and go through the ceremony to get his assignment in the community.  When Jonas is assigned to take over the responsibilities as the community giver, the one who receives all life’s memories, he learns of a life that can feel love, see color, understands happiness, pain, and joy.  Jonas has to make a decision and with his new friend they form a plan that changes Jonas’s life.

Non-Fiction/Information                  Total:  15

Title:  Togo  Author:  Robert J. Blake Annotation: A small Siberian husky named Togo was born to be a leader.  Togo proved to be just that leader in 1925 when he led his team over 350 miles in the freezing temperatures across Alaska to carry the serum that was needed to fight diphtheria that was spreading in Nome.  This retold story proves that heroes do not always receive the credit they deserve.   Title:  If I Ran the Rain Forest Author:  Bonnie Worth Annotation:  This book is from The Cat in the Hat’s Learning Library.  The book is full of educational information about Rain Forests.  Children are introduced to locations and the different types of rain forest.  The Cat in the Hat explains about the four different floors of the rain forest and the different types of animals, plants and trees that can be found in the rainforest.    Title:  Animal Babies in Polar Lands Author:  Jennifer Schofield Annotation:  A nice little book that has wonderful pictures of the polar animals and their babies.  The book gives a couple of details about each baby and ask the question “Who is my mommy?”  The book gives the name of the animal and what the baby animal is called; chick, pup, fawn, etc.  Title:  Does It Always Rain In The Rain Forest? Author:  Melvin & Gilda Berger Annotation:  This is a great question and answer book about rain forest?  Questions are answered on just about everything that has to do with a tropical rain forest.  From which plants catch insect to which fish is not afraid of a piranha.  Beautiful pictures that label animals, plants, and trees.   Title:  Seashore Author:  Sue Unstead Annotation:  This book is packed full of information.  It begins with where the land meets the sea and talks about the tides, secrets of the sand, seashells, rocky shores, tide pools, wind and waves, coral reefs and much more.  A great little book packed full of educational information. Title:  The Reasons for Seasons Author:  Gail Gibbons Annotations:  This book outlines how the seasons change, how long each season is and how the earth is tipped on its axis during each season.  Great pictures show how the earth travels.  Beginning with spring the book tells about the different things that are happening to plants, animals, and what people do.  Title:  Butterflies Author:  Emily Neye Annotation:  This is a grade 1, level 1 book about butterflies.  This book contains educational facts about the life cycle of the butterfly.  This would be a good book to use in a learning center for life cycle lesson on butterflies.   Title:  Butterfly Eggs Author:  Helen Frost Annotation:  This book has wonderful pictures of butterfly eggs.  It tells about the different colors and textures of the butterfly egg.  This book provides readers with a repetition of words and phrases to help the beginning reader.    Title:  Butterflies:  Butterfly Magic for Kids Author:  Jaediker Norsgaard Annotation:  This book has a more detailed story about the stages of the butterfly.  This book provides a lot of facts about the different stages of the butterfly.  I think this book would work better for students in 2nd and 3rd grade.   Title:  Caterpillar, Caterpillar Author:  Vivian French Annotation:  A grandfather teaches his granddaughter about the life cycle of a butterfly by having her observe the caterpillars in his garden.  She learns that the type of butterflies that grows in his garden likes nettles.  This is another good book for students to read when studying the life cycle of the butterfly. Title:  Elephants Author:  Sally Morgan Annotation:  Students will learn great facts about elephants in this book.  The book includes where elephants live, about living in herds and how they keep cool.  Every page is packed full of information and Elephant Facts.  Wonderful illustrations.   Title:  John, Paul, George, & Ben Author:  Lane Smith Annotation:  The true story of five young lads; John Hancock, Paul Revere, George Washington, and Paul Reverve.  Tom Jefferson is also included, but did not get named in the title because he was such an independent.  This book tells a funny story about each of these famous men.  In the back of the book a page tells you what is true and false in each of the stories.  Kids will enjoy this book while learning a little history.   Title:  Life in a Wetland Author:  Carol K. Lindeen Annotation:  This book gives the characteristics of the wetlands and where they can be found.  Also includes the animals and plants and how they live together. There is a great glossary in the back with vocabulary words.  Gives the internet site where students can explore for more information.  The Book ID code to type in the internet site is in the back of the book.  Great resource tool for writing a thematic unit on Habitats! Title:  Life in a Desert           Life in a Forest           Life in an Ocean           Life in a Polar Region           Life in a Pond            Life in a Rain Forest           Life in a Stream Author:  Carol Lindeen Annotation:  This series of books are all written the same.  They give a description of each of the different types of habitats.  A map is included in each book, so students can see the location.  It tells about the animals and plants and how they live together.  Each book gives the internet address of FactHound and the code to access the site.  I am using these to write a thematic unit for science.  Very good series of books for young students.  Title:  A Mother’s Journey Author:  Sandra Markel Annotation: The story of a mother penguin’s journey after she lays her egg.  The story tells how the male and female sing their songs to find each other after her long journey across the Antarctic ice in the fierce winter to feed.  The mother penguins make the more than 50 mile trip to feed in the sea.  Her journey will take her over 930 miles before she returns to sing her song to find her mate and young chick.

Graphic Books    Total:  3

Title:  Spider-Man:  Blue Author:  Jeph Loeb & Tim Sale Annotation:  This graphic novel is divided into five different spider-man stories.  Spider-man is swinging through the air fighting bad guys and a lizard with a SLLAK -  FLAX – WHAX - KRASH.  The graphics are great and spider-man always gets the bad guy. Title:  What’s Michael Author:  Makoto Kobayashi Annotation:  This graphic novel includes many short stories of the escapades of a cat named Michael.  Title:  to dance, a ballerina's graphic novel Author:  Siena Cherson sieget Annotation:  Flat-footed Juilliard wanted to become a dancer.  As a little girl she worked very hard to become a good dancer, even sacrificing Saturday morning cartoons for dance lessons.  She danced until she suffered an ankle injury at the age of eighteen.  She went to college, but the desire to dance remained with her and after a couple of years she returned to the floor to satisfy her love of dance.           ** This graphic novel is also a biography of Siena Cherson Sieget.