Blogroll

Educating Alice:

http://medinger.wordpress.com/2009/03/18/that-yellow-brick-road/#comment-15927

Miss Rumphius Effect:

https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=7320080607016581524&postID=8846081526306046039&page=1&isPopup=true

Poetry for Children:

https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=31122236&postID=1590644885540247782&page=1

Go Away, Big Green Monster!

by: Ed Emberley
Published by: Little, Brown and Company
Copyright 1992

Summary: Die-cut pages through which bits of a monster are revealed are designed to help a child control nighttime fears of monsters.

Strengths: The concept is very cute. I like how the majority of the book is the color black until one body part is emphasized in a different color. The cut outs are appropriate fun for children to view. The monsters in the book are viewed as not scary which would be a great way for children to get rid of their fear of them.

Concerns: The vocabulary is a little young and not very enhanced with little range in broadness.

Age level: Primary (PreK-2)
Classroom Use: Shows children that monsters are not scary and they are silly and there is no need to be scared of them!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows

by: JK Rowling
illustrated by: Mary Grandpre
Published by: Arthur A. Levine Books
Copyright 2007

Summary: The 7th and final year of the epic tale of Harry Potter.

Strengths: This is my absolute favorite book in the entire world! It is extremely easy to follow and understand and gives great description and imagery and imagination. The chapter titles explain what is going to happen and I could not put it down. The illustrations in the beginning of each chapter are very cute. I love the climactic surprises and how it keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Concerns: The length of the book is intimidating and this can turn off readers. I feel like, just how the movie is going to be, it could have been split up into 2 books since there is so much that happens that could fill it in 2 books.

Age level: All ages

Classroom Use: It is fun for pleasure and the characters are very relatable minus the magic and wizardry portion.

The Phantom Tollbooth

by: Norton Juster
illustrated by: Jules Feiffer
Published by: Yearling
Copyright 1961

Summary: A boy's adventure that comes about through a mysterious tollbooth.

Strengths: Each chapter has a title. There are cute illustrations that break up the text- each picture is in black and white which emphasizes the pictures and coincides with the text. I like the imagination and thought put into writing this book-it shows through greatly.
Concerns: The time travel concept could be a little confusing to young children and the story itself is a little long.

Age level: Upper (5-6)

Classroom Use: Teaches about time travel, fantasy, and what imagination can bring about.

The Giver

by: Lois Lowry
Published by: Dell Laurel-Leaf
Copyright 1993

Summary: At age 12, a young boy learns about truth and life's pleasures from the giver.

Strengths: It is an extremely enticing novel. When I picked it up, I basically judged this book by its cover: I did not think I would enjoy this but it is one of my favorites now! It relates well with us by using the main character around the age in which is appropriate for readers of this book.

Concerns: There are some dark images at parts which could become too graphic for children.

Age level: Middle

Classroom Use: Teaches about the pleasures of life and what it has to offer us. It also explains the importance of being truthful.

A Wrinkle in Time

by: Madeleine L' Engle
Published by: Square Fish
Copyright 1962

Summary: Meg Murry and her friends become involved with unearthly strangers and search for Meg's father, who has disappeared while engaged in secret work for the government.

Strengths: It is an easy read with the print being extremely big and visible to readers. Each chapter has both a title and a corresponding number. It is an extremely magical book and I had a hard time putting it down.

Concerns: If trying to teach realism to children, this is not the book to demonstrate those concepts.
Age level: Upper (5-6), Middle
Classroom Use: Teaches children about fictional fantasies

Manga Sisters

by: Saopi Takapai and Misato Takapai
Published by: Manga University
Copyright 2007

Summary: What a sister really is.

Strengths: There are many good messages portrayed.

Concerns: Some of the pictures are graphic and this novel does not come across as a graphic novel.

Age level: Upper (5-6)

Classroom Use: To learn the strong bonds between sisters and family.