Maniac Magee, by Jerry Spinelli Newbery Award Winner Book #2

 I love Jerry Spinelli! I have read several of his books before Maniac Magee, and I am big fan of his writing!  Jeffrey Magee became an orphan at age 3 after his parents were killed by a drunk driver.  Jeffrey was sent to live with his uncle and aunt, which he hated because of their hatred toward each other. After having enough of their arguing and fighting, Jeffrey ran away, and when I say "ran" I mean he literally ran away to the town of Two Mills which was 200 miles away. Even though Two Mills is close to his home of Bridgeport, PA all is not well in their community.  Hector Street was used as a divider for a racial war, whites lived in the West End and the blacks lived in the East End of town. Through his adventure in Two Mills, Jeffrey meets some friends in Amanda Beale and her African-American family, Earl Grayson a washed up minor league baseball pitcher, he becomes a legend by hitting home runs off John Mcnab, and stands up to Mars Bar the East End bully.  Through all of his adventures though, Jeffrey just really want to find out who he is, he wants to be loved and have a family, something his uncle and aunt could not do. I highly recommend this book to young readers, it reaches out to some tough issues like death, divorce, homelessness, and finding out who you are along the way.  This book addresses a lot of issues that our students go through on a daily basis, and even though it is sad, they have to deal with growing up along with surviving.  I really like how Spinelli wrote Jeffrey's character.  He took this troubled kid, and turned him into a success story, which unfortunately does not happen near enough. This story has a great message, and I truly believe it is a book that many students will like, and place on the "favorites" shelf.

My Name is America: The Journal of Wong Ming-Chong: A Chinese Minor by: Laurence Yep Author Book #2

This type of book is not normally my cup of tea, I am more of a romance type of gal, but the story was good and it was a very easy book to get through.  The story begins in 1851 in Tiger Rock, a small farming town in southern China.  Our character Wong Ming-Chung is a young boy, and his family is suffereing to make ends meat. His uncle Precious Stone has decided to travel to America to work in the mines because gold has been found!  His family thinks that he is crazy, and that he would never make it through the journey, however, he does and ends up sending money back home to his family.  However, the money comes with some consequence, he wants them to send Wong Ming to American to live with him.  The family is outraged, but feel they owe Presious Stone this much, and agree to send their youngest son.  The journey to American is tough, Wong Ming sees lots of disease and death, but he mnages to make a few friends and survives the journey.  Once in Amercia he met up with his uncle to begin mining.   Wong Ming had to grow up very quickly, and without telling to much about the book, he felt racism from the American people and the Chinese were blamed for a lot of the problems they were having with overcrowding, as well as economics.  The Americans wanted the Chinese out, and they wanted their gold for themselves which sends Wong Ming on a dangerous journey.  This story's theme goes very well for this age group because it teaches them that greed will do nothing, but bring bad things to your life.  It is a very powerful emotion, and most of the time causes you to do things that you regret later, or causes your downfall.  Even though Wong Ming ends up back in China, he learned a very valuable lesson at a young age.  He learned that people are not always nice, and that to some people survivual will come at any cost!

Other Books By Laurence Yep:

Mountain Light
The Traitor
Sweetwater
The Ghost Fox
Tongues of Jade
The Butterfly Boy
Sea Glass

Cupid, Julius Lester

I was a little apprehensive when I first picked up this novel, however, I am glad that I did.  Even though it would probably not be a book that I read twice, I have to say that the spin on Roman mythology and their Gods and Goddesses was very creative.  In the end, the stories theme is about love.  Cupid, the son of Venus falls in love with a mere mortal, and not just any mortal, but a mortal that is said to be more beautiful than Venus herself.  Venus sends her son Cupid to make Psyche fall in love with an ugly monster, but fate has a different plan and Cupid falls deeply in love with Psyche.  Disobeying his mother Cupid sets into motion a plan to marry the mortal and try to keep her safe from his mother.  However, as most plans do Cupid's backfires, and it becomes a game of cat and mouse between Venus and Psyche.  Without giving to much away about the end of the story, this is the beginning of when love and soul come together to create pleasure in one's life.  This story was very creatively put together, and I really liked the ending, but for a middle school audience which this book geared toward, I thought it was kind slow getting started.  Most kids that I teach have to be hooked on a book within the first ten pages, if not fewer of the book to be interested.  However, once the story goes on, the plot thickens and it does move quicker.

Some other books by this author are:

What A Truly Cool World
To Be A Slave
Do Lord Remember
Long Journey Home
The Hungry Ghost

Holes, by Louis Sachar Movie Book #3

I have to say that even though I have seen this book several times in the library, and have heard my children discuss how great this book was,  I had never read it or watched the movie.  However, after reading the book this week and watching the movie with my daughter, I am sad that I didn't pick it up sooner! I think that Disney did very well making this book into a movie.  They stuck to the storyline very well, and minus missing a few small details the movie was great!  They acting was very good, and Shia Lebeouf is exactly what I pictured young Stanley to look like.  However, Stanley's character is so likeable, and you feel sorry for him because he is sent to Camp Green Lake so unjustly, but the way his and Zero's stories intertwine and break the "curse" is very well set-up.  I mean who would have ever thought that onions could save your life from lizards that guarded treasure!  This story may have a common theme in friendship, but Stanley and Zero's relationship is rare.  I love the fact that they go from enemies to saving each others lives, as well as ending a family feud they didn't even know existed.  I would definilty recommend this book to all 5th and 6th grade teachers, it is a loveable story, with likeable characters, a positive moral, and lots of adventure and mischeif along the way.  Not to mention, the movie is pretty good too!  I mean who couldn't love a character who last name is a palindrome of his first!

Jumanji, Chris Van Allsburg Movie Book #2

Even though I think the book is good, this is a case where I actually feel that the movie better represents the story.  However, I will give the story credit because it does stand as a solid plot with likeable characters, but I like the movie because the movie adds a lot more detail to the events surrounding the came, and the visual effects make the story come to life for the viewer.  The movie also changes some of the book by adding the character of Allan Parish and his friend Sarah Wittle, the Officer and other characters.  They also change the beginning of the book by making Peter and Judy live with their aunt because their mother and father had passed.  However, I think the thing I like the most about the movie is that the creatures of Jumanji come to life and cause havoc in the city, not just inside Peter and Judy's house. Most of the time, I do enjoy the book more, but in this case I have to say that the extra details that the movie adds helps the reader make a connection to the characters and their dilemmas. 

Where the Wild Things Are, Maurice Sendak Movie Book #1

After watching this movie with my daughter last night, I have to say that we were both very disappointed.  The book is so magical and honestly, one of my childhood favorites.  However, the movie just did not compare at all!  The story is colorful, mischevious, and the pictures really bring the book to life.  I can definitily see why it received a Caldecott Award.  On the other hand, the movie had a sense of sadness throughout its entireity, and it was quite boring.  The characters were not what I expected them to be, and it was hard to stay focused on the actual storyline because for a children's movie it was dark and depressing.  The book is much better, and story made much more of an impact on my personally.  I would still highly recommend the book for elementary school aged child to read because its all about adventure, fun, make believe, and the start of growing up.  However, I recommend that you leave the movie alone.

The Sneetches, by Dr. Seuss Diversity Book #2

     I love this story, and for younger readers it is a must in any elementary school's library!  The Sneetches is an excellent example of important it is to be yourself, yet embrace others differences.  Dr. Seuss has a nitch for teaching wonderful moral lessons with humor, and this book is not any different.  The Sneetches characters learn after losing all of their money, that the "best" sneetch is any sneetch, and it doesn't matter whether or not they have a star on their belly or not.  To me, this is teaching kids at a very impressionable age that just because someone is different than you, does not mean they are less of a person.  For students to learn this at a very young age is vital!  I see so many kids everyday get bullied, made fun of, or picked on because they are different, and I truly believe that if they learn this lesson at an early age, and it is "beat" into their brains it will make a difference, and stop the intolerance.  I think also it is important that Seuss uses humor.  I believe that older children respond and make connections to books that are realistic to their lives, however, I think that younger students respond and learn better from humor.  This book's story is timeless.  It is so important that today's youth learn the lesson of tolerance because without it, our world they will struggle as they grow older.

Fire from the Rock, by Sharon Draper Diversity Book #1

      In my opinion, this book is a must have in any school library.  Draper for one is an amazing writer, and all of her books should be included in anyone's library.  She is very descriptive, she writes realistically and her characters are easy for the reader to find a connection with.  I chose this book in particular because it is novel written for middle to high school readers that places them in 1957, and the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement.  Draper uses this piece of historical fiction to let readers in on the events that surrounded the intregration of Central High School and the Little Rock Nine.  Even though her character Sylvia Patterson does not end up being one of the first nine African American students that intergrate Central, she takes us through the process she went through to make her decision.  Draper's character has a very strong tie with her family, and has not had it easy within the white community.  However, she does have relationships with several white individuals, and these relationships are positive.  Her friendship with Rachel Zucker and her family, teaches Sylvia that not all white people have a racial vendetta out against the African American race.  I think a lot of students look back at that time period and think that ALL white or ALL African American people hated each other, which was not the case.  Through this book, I am able to teach my students about relationships, perserverance, courage, honor, integrity, tolerance, and many more traits that they need to survive in our diverse world.  I truly believe that this book can be a teaching tool for all types of students, and can be used a positive example of how if you look past a person's looks, you can discover something phenominal!

Differenece between the Caldecott Award and the Newbery Award

  After reading, and looking into some research about these two prestigous awards.  I found that the main difference between the two is that the Caldecott Award is given to the artist of books for their illustrations and pictures, and the Newbery Award was the first award given to books based on the story of the book.  The Newbery Award is mostly given to books that are elementary and middle school learners, and most books have been fiction besides just a few non-fiction books.  Both awards are given out by the American Library Association and one award does not hold more significance over the other because the criteria and what the ALA is looking for is completly different.

Forged By Fire, Sharon Draper Coretta Scott Kind Award Winner

   My Language Arts class and I, just finished this novel about a week ago.  I chose to use this novel along with our studies of Black History because of the rich discussion in diversity the story provides. I really enjoyed this novel because it teaches kids that struggles will come into your life no matter what background you grow up in. From the beginning of the book as a toddler, Gerald is strong and independent.  He keeps himself alive during an awful fire, and finally gets away from the clutches of his drug addicted mother.  However, when his Aunt Queen dies, we see Gerald have to become a man very quickly.  He is thrust back in the a life full of abuse, but he has more at stake this time around because he has his sister Angel to look after as well.  Gerald becomes her protector, and realizes that life isn’t fair and that you have to stand up and protect those you love. 

The one thing I loved about this story is that teenagers can be the hero!  Even though some consider teenagers to young to know what hard times are, they can and they can make through the toughest of times.  Teenagers can overcome the obstacles in their way to protect the ones they love and be successful in life even with all the odds stacked up against.  I guess the old saying is true, don’t judge a book by it cover.  Draper has a true understanding of what “teenage” life is like, and I can relate to that being an eighth grade teacher.  Her characters are realistic and provide the reader with someone to connect to, and get advice from.  She has a diverse group of young individuals in this story.  They range from African-American to white and hispanic.  She discusses prominent and happy communities, down to poor and in despair. What really reached me in this story was how Gerald never gave in to the circumstances around him.  He fought to be a better person, and make a better life for Angel and himself.  I really think he would be an excellent role model for young, struggling kids to look up to!

Number the Stars, by Lois Lowry Newbery Award Winner #1

     I have to say that this book is one of my favorite books of all time.  I read it as a child in the fourth grade, however, I re-read it a couple weeks ago because I will be using it as a resource when I teach my Holocaust unit beginning next week.  Looking back to the fourth grade, I am sure I was taught many things, but the one thing that I remember the most is reading this book, and the impact that it made on me.  Annemarie's character is very interesting and complex for a 12-year-old  little girl, and her story is so interesting to me.  I have always loved learning about the artocities of the Holocaust, but to me, her story really brings it to life for younger children without so much gore.  I was very impressed with the realism Lois Lowry used, along with the ingredients of a really interesting story that leaves you with a page turner at the end of every chapter.  I think using that as a strategy is brilliant because some younger children need that extra excitement to finish a book. What reached me in this book  was the power of friendship.  I love that Annemarie has the courage to risk everything for Ellen and her family.  I can relate to Annemarie in this way because I would do anything for my best friend, because at the end of the day she is family.  The main theme that sticks out to me is friendship.  Friendship is the driving force for all of what Annemarie and her family risks their lives.  They believe what they are doing is right, and the love for their friends and their safety is worth fighting for!  I feel like that is something worth teaching kids of today's youth.  Once again, I love this book and would recommend it anyone who loves a good story.  Lois Lowry brings alive one of the most well-known events of history to life for young readers.  She does it in such an entertaining way that anyone will love this book!

The Hello, Goodbye WIndow, by Norton Justerand Chris Raschka Caldecott Winner #5

This book had me in tears!  The story is beautiful and the illustrations are colorful and full of life!  The main character is discussing his Nanna and Poppy's house, and how he feels being in an environment that he feels loved and comfortable in.  Even though I feel like most kids can relate to the story because of their connection with a loved one, however, my connection with this story runs very deep.  Growing up and still til this day, I call my grandparents Nana and Poppy.  They are the two of the greatest people that I know, and their love story has lasted over fifty years.  That is until unfortunately, we lost my Poppy to cancer six years ago.  Even though he has passed, there is not a day that I don't think about him once or twice, or remember to look to the heavens every October 16th on his birthday, and I will tell my unborn baby girl about this extraordianry man who help to shape the person that I am today.  I feel that being a teacher, I have the potential to make an impact on a person as well, I just hope I rise to the challenge!

The Little House, by Virginia Lee Burton Caldecott Winner #4

I have to say that this has been my favorite book thus far.  I loved everything about it!  The illustrations were very detailed and colorful, and represented the story visually.  However, my favorite part of about this book is the actual plot.  The story is about having something great, yet not being satisfied.  I loved the journey that the house made from the beautiful countryside to the crowded city, and the life lesson that the house learned along the way.  By the end of the story the house ends up back in the country, and has never been happier because it realized that it already had everything it needed.  I think this story teaches children to be grateful for what you are given in life, and only desire things in moderation because not everything is as good as it seems.  I love this lesson because I really feel like everything young child needs to learn this lesson.  I feel like so many of the kids I teach are handed everything they have ever wanted, and therefore are missing the importance of working hard.  I think I am going to use this book when I review plot and theme with my students at the end of the year for their finals.  Hopefully not only will they get the content information, but learn the lesson as well!

One Fine Day by Nonny Hogrogian, Caldecott Winner #3

I had heard this story before, however, I was not aware that it was from this book.  I do like the overall moral message  of the story, but I have to say at the beginning of the book, I was shocked that the old woman cut off his tail!  I thought for a children's story that that detail was kind of harsh, but then again that could be my love for animals kicking in.  I hate the thought of an animal being harmed, and I guess I am even more sensitive today because as I read this book, I am reminded that my cat is at the vet this very morning, a place that she hates!  I guess I should have chosen a different book to read today.  The illustrations in this book are very detailed and colorful.  I really liked the color of the illustrations, they really popped from the stage, making the story come to life.  I can see why this particular book was an award winner.  I learned from this book that children can learn life lessons in many different ways.  As a matter of fact, I think that learning from books, movies and television are an amazing way to teach lessons, because these are the medias that children now days connect to.

Owl Moon Caldecott Winner #2

I have to say that I was very impressed with the artwork in this book, and I could see why it won the Caldecott award.  The illustrations were very colorful, and had all the details of a winter day.  However, as I child I don't think that I would have enjoyed the story.  It was not very entertaining for me, and the thought of going "owling" does not appeal to me because I am not a fan of the winter and the cold, so I do not think that I would have enjoyed that adventure.  However, I do like the relationship the young girl had with her Pa. The way she listened to every word that he says, and how every piece of advice she takes to heart, afraid to dissapoint her Pa.  I had a relationship like that with my grandfather.  I wanted to be just like him, and out little adventure together was fishing.  Even though I hated getting up in the morning, I would drag myself out of bed and sit in a small boat for hours with him fishing.  That kind of relationship is one of a kind, and those memories I will cherish forever especially now that my grandfather has passed.  I really liked the relationship aspect of the book, and the pictures complemented the story well.

Kitten's First Full Moon By: Kevin Henkes

     I really liked this book for the most part.  However, for being a Caldecott Award Winner in 2005, I was surprised at how simple the illustrations were.  They were all in black and white, and scenes lacked detail. On the other hand, the story was a very sweet, easy to understand, and an appropriate moral for younger readers. 
     The reason I picked out this book was because I am a huge animal lover, and I especially fond of cats.  I have three cats at home that are like my babies, and my life is enriched because of them.  This story very much reminded me of my cat Trooper.  He is a three-year-old tomcat, and he is very impatient and curious.  If someone in the house is making any type of food with milk or meat involved, he is on the counter ready to pounce.  He has once taken an entire piece of chicken and ran with it! He remind me of the kitten in the book because much like the kitten he lacks patience, and he would just wait, his food would be provided for him!
     I think this book compares to many books that are considered "children's literature" because most of these types of books have a simple story, good moral message, teaches a life lesson, and has illustrations that connect to children.
     Since I teach middle school, it has been a long time since I have read children's literature, but I find them refreshing.  Most of the stories that I have read lately deal with harsh, dangerous, and depressing life issues about growing up.  Reading children's literature has reminded me how simple life could be, and how wonderful being an open minded kid can be as well!