Megan

//I Know an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Pie// by Alison Jackson
 * Children's Book #1**

This is a funny story that describes an old lady who comes for Thanksgiving dinner. Before the family even sits down to eat, she has already eaten her own pie that she brought. The story continues as the old lady goes on to devour every dish of food she can find. She even swallows the whole turkey! By the end of the book the old has eaten so much she is as big as a blimp and ends up floating in the Thanksgiving parade. This is a fun book that will make anyone laugh and would be great to read to students during Thanksgiving time. This book would also be good to use as a discussion point for the importance of eating healthy.

//More Than Anything Else// by Marie Bradby
 * Children's Book #2**

This is an inspiring story that I just loved to read because of the beautiful illustrations. //More Than Anything Else// tells the story of an African American boy who desires to learn how to read more than anything else in the world. But for now, he has to go to work. The boy works all day along with the older men packing salt into barrels. One night as he is returning home he hears a man in the town reading a newspaper and it gives him hope that maybe he can learn too. Once he gets home he tells his mama that he has to learn how to read. His mother does not know how to read either but she has an alphabet book that she gives to her son to look at. The book ends as the boy returns to the newspaper man and the man teaches him the alphabet song and shows him how to write his name, B O O K E R. This is a book that I would love to read to my class someday because I believe that learning to read is so important and is something that we often take for granted.

//When Jessie Came Across the Sea// by Amy Hest
 * Children's Book #3**

Jessie is a poor girl who lives in a village with her grandmother. She has been given a ticket from the Rabbi to go to America, but she is very scared and sad to leave her grandmother alone. However she knows she must go in order to have a better life. Jessie travels across the ocean and ends her trip in New York City on Ellis Island. The books continues on as it tells about Jessie's job that she gets as a seamstress and the money that she saves up to buy her grandmother a ticket to America. This is a great book to read to students when discussing the immigrants that came to America. Many children do not know that people came to America and had to pass inspection at Ellis Island before being allowed to stay. This book was very informative and kept me reading with the interesting plot line.

//Franklin Plays the Game// by Paulette Bourgeois
 * Children's Book #4**

Franklin loves to play soccer, but he has trouble kicking the ball. Other players on his team have troubles of their own and they can't seem to win any games no matter how hard they try. The team soon discovers that they are never going to win if they don't start working together. Each member of the team has a strength that he or she can contribute and once they figure these strengths out they are able to score goals and work very well together. I have always loved the Franklin books because they all contain valuable lessons that can be learned. In //Franklin Plays the Game,// Franklin learns that there are great rewards that come with hard work, practice, and teamwork. These are all skills that everyone should learn and it is important to teach these skills to our students.

//Working Cotton// by Sherley Anne Williams
 * Children's Book #5**

//Working Cotton// is a story about an African American girl named Shelan who narrates her experience picking cotton in the fields with her family. She talks about riding in a bus to field before it is even light out. Shelan is too small to carry her own sack so she piles cotton in the middle of the row for her momma to pick up. She also talks with admiration about how fast her daddy is at picking the cotton and the amound that she will be able to pick up when she is older. This would be a good book to read with students because it is a multicultural book that offers a real life story. The work that Shelan describes is accurate to what the African Americans used to do and it is important for students to be aware of this history.

//The Grouchy Ladybug// by Eric Carle
 * Children's Book #6**

This is a humerous story about a very grouchy ladybug with no manners. She doesn't say "please" or "thank you" and is not very good at sharing. She also thinks she is bigger and better than everyone elso and keeps asking animals to fight her. But before she does, she says "nevermind, you aren't big enough." In the end the ladybug is humbled a bit and learns to be nicer to those around her. I really loved this book because there are so many fun teaching tools found throughout. It shows the concepts of time, size, shape, and also gives a great lesson on manners. Children will love to read this book and I can't wait to use it in my classroom.

//Stellaluna// by Janell Cannon
 * Children's Book #7**

Stellaluna is a baby bat that has lost her mother and now lives in a bird's nest with a bird family. The mother bird feeds Stellaluna just like her other babies but Stellaluna is not so sure she likes grasshoppers very much. The baby birds begin teaching Stellaluna their ways and Stellaluna also teaches the birds a thing or two about being a bat. The mother bird even comes back one night to find her babies all hanging upside down out of the nest like a bat. I think that this is another book that would be great to use with students. Although Stellaluna and the birds were very different they were still friends. It is important for children to understand that we are all different but it is those differences that make us special and sometimes people that are not the same as us make the best friends. If we were all the same, what a boring world this would be.

//The Christmas Promise// by Susan Bartoletti
 * Children's Book #8**

This touching story takes places during the time of the Great Depression. A young girl and her father become hoboes and are forced to hop on trains hoping to find a place to live and food to eat. The father knows that this is no life for his little girl so he takes her to a house where a kind lady is willing to take her in. He tells her that he is leaving to find a job and will return for her when he has found one. As Christmas approaches the only thing the little girl wishes is for her father to return. Many children think of presents and Santa Claus, but the love between this father and daughter proves to be the most valuable Christmas gift of all. I would love to read this story to my students around Christmas time because it has such a great message. It could also be used as a way to introduce a lesson about the Great Depresson.

//Mole's Hill// by Lois Ehlert
 * Children's Book #9**

Mole loves her home that she has built near the pond so when she finds out that Fox, Raccoon, and Skunk want to move it to make room for a new path to the pond, she must think fast. She digs, and digs, and digs until she has built her home up into a huge hill. She then plants seeds and soon grass and beautiful flowers are growing on top of the hill. When the time comes for Fox to move Mole's home he is in for a big surprise. In the end Mole is able to save her hill and Fox is able to make a path through the hill without destroying it. //Mole Hill// is a fun book that children enjoy looking at because of the interesting woodland pictures that look like a collage and the text that is written both horizontally and vertically.

//Diary of a Worm// by Doreen Cronin
 * Children's Book #10**

This is the diary...of a worm. I loved this book and enjoyed laughing as I read the diary entries about the worm and his life. For example, April 10 says, "It rained all night and the ground was soaked. We spent the entire day on the sidewalk. Hopscotch is a very dangerous game." Children would really enjoy this story because the author created the worm to be just like us. He does his homework, but then eats it. He makes friends with the ants and spiders and enjoys scaring girls on the playground. I thought this was a very creative way to show the life of a worm and would be a fun introduction to a science lesson.

//Whisker's Great Adventure// by Meryl Doney
 * Children's Book #11**

Whisker the Otter and his brother and sisters were born in a nest on the riverbank. "The river is your friend," Father Otter tells his cubs, "but there are many dangers!" Father Otter also tells them to always travel upstream. Whisker is not afraid though so one day he decides to swim downstream and here begins his great adventure. Along the way Whisker meets many of the dangerous creatures that his father warned him of: hounds, and weasels, and even a wildcat. Whisker learns his lesson after his father comes and saves him from the wildcat's deadly teeth. This story has a valuable lesson of obeying parents and others in authority over us. They usually know more than we do so it is wise to listen to what they have to say. Whisker the Otter learned this lesson the hard way.

//Ruby's Wish// by Shirin Yim Bridges
 * Children's Book #12**

This is the story of a Chinese girl that everyone called Ruby because she loved the color red. Ruby lived with her grandfather and was taught along with other students. She was an unusual student though because during that time girls did not attend school. Ruby worked very hard in school and was a great student. As she got older she began to worry because soon she would have to get married and the boys would go to universities. She told her grandfather her concern but knew that there was nothing he could do. During Chinese New Year she was surprised to receive a red envelope that contained a letter from a university telling her that they would love to have her come as one of their first female students. After I read this story I learned that it is a true story that the author wrote about her grandmother! This would be a great book to read to students about the Chinese culture as well as their educational opportunities.

//The Thanksgiving Story// by Alice Dalgliesh
 * Children's Book #13**

This Thanksgiving picture book did a great job telling the story of the pilgrims. In this book it tells the story from the perspective of one family during their first year in the Plymouth Colony. It covers their time on the Mayflower to the first Thanksgiving feast that they share with ninety Indian guests. The author did an excellent job of portraying the difficulties of that first year by describing the illness and lack of food that plagued them. I would use //The Thanksgiving Story// in my classroom to introduce the Pilgrims and the reason we celebrate Thanksgiving today.

//Now One Foot, Now the Other// by Tomie de Paola
 * Children's Book #14**

Bobby loved to be with his grandfather, Bob. They did so many things together and Bob even helped Bobby learn to walk when he was a baby. He would always say, "One foot, now the other." Then Bob had a stroke and Bobby was scared and confused until he understood that even though Bob couldn't move or talk, he knew what was going on around him. And then it was Bobby's turn to help his grandfather with some of the things that he had helped him learn: how to eat, to talk, and even to walk again. Tomie de Paola is a wonderful author who shows the relationship between a child and his grandfather in a situation that many families can relate to. I believe that this is an important story for children to hear because it is a situation that many have been in. It also helps them understand the concept of getting older.

//Annie and the Wild Animals// by Jan Brett
 * Children's Book #15**

This is a cute book that introduces children to many wild animals that are found in the woods. In this story, Annie has a cat named Taffy who runs away. Annie becomes very sad and lonely so she decides to leave a corn cake at the edge of the woods to try and find a new pet. She does this for many days and winds up running out of corn cakes and too many wild animals to count. After the snow melts and spring arrives, Annie is overjoyed to see that Taffy has returned and behind Taffy are three new kittens! I believe that this is a book many children can relate to because they have pets that have either gotten lost or died. Children also just love to read books about animals in general so this is a fun book they would enjoy!

//Star of Fear, Star of Hope// by Jo Hoestlandt
 * Children's Book #16**

Helen is a young girl living in France during the time of Hitler and the Nazis. At the young age of 9, Helen does not understand why her best friend, Lydia, has to wear a yellow star. On the night of Helen's birthday, Lydia comes over to spend the night but ends up leaving early to warn her family that the Jews are being rounded up. Helen is hurt that Lydia leaves and in her anger yells, "You're not my friend anymore!" She is not aware of this yet, but those will be the last words she ever says to her best friend. This is an age appropriate book that could be read to students when introducing the Holocaust. //Star of Fear, Star of Hope// contains many emotions and shows children people's ability to love and hate.

//Countdown to Kindergarten// by Alison McGhee
 * Children's Book #17**

This is a cute story of a little girl who is going to kindergarten in ten days. She is terrified to go because she does not know how to tie her shoes yet and a 1st grader once told her that one of the rule's of kindergarten is that she needs to know how to tie her shoes. The author counts down the days as the story unfolds until the day arrives. As it turns out there are other students in her class that do not know how to tie their shoes either and the first thing written on the board is a shoe tying lesson! This would be a fun story to read to children on their first day of school. They all have fears about school and reading a book like this would be a good way to calm their fears and help them know that it is ok.

//The Cow Went Over The Mountain// by Jeanette Krinsley
 * Children's Book #18**

This is a part of the Little Goldren Book collection that is loved by parents and children everywhere. In this story Little Cow tells his mother that he is going over to the other mountain because the grass is munchier over there. Along the way he picks up other animals and tells them that they will want what is over there because it is much better. He tells the frog that the bugs are crunchier over there and tells the bear the honey is sweeter. As it turns out the grass is not munchier and they back to mountain they call home. I loved this book because it teaches the lesson that "the grass is not always greener on the other side." Children love these books and it is easy to see why. They are fun and contain valuable lessons that we can teach to our students.

//Happy Birthday, Martin Luther King// by Jean Marzollo
 * Children's Book #19**

Martin Luther King Jr. was a very influential man during his day and helped change the lives of African American people forever. This is why we have a day to celebrate the life of Martin Luther King Jr. I felt that the author of the book summarized the life of this great man in a way that is understandable to children. She discussed his birth up until his death and told of the ways that he changed laws against black people. Martin Luther King Jr. along with Rosa Parks helped changed the bus rules and his famous "I Have a Dream" speech was given to a quarter of a million listeners. I love to talk about Martin Luther King Jr. and can't wait to use this book as a resource when I teach this lesson.

//The Bear Scouts// by Stan and Jan Berenstain
 * Children's Book #20**

The rhyming words found throughout the text of this book made it a fun read. In this story Pa bear decides that he should go with the boy scouts as a guide in case they need his help. However, during the trip it seems that Pa is the one that could use some help. The Boy Scouts use their guide book to lead them safely to their campground, find food, set up tents, and even help Pa after he gets hurt. Berenstain Bear books have been a favorite by many for years and I have always loved them as well. They are fun and students are able to get sucked into the adventure of the story.

//My Teacher for President// by Kay Winters
 * Children's Book #21**

In this entertaining story a boy named Oliver writes a letter to Channel 39 saying, "I saw on TV that elections are coming. At school we have been learning about the president's job. My teacher would be just right! Let me know what you think." Throughout the book Oliver gives reasons why his teacher would make a great president. I thought this was such a cute idea and it gave me an idea that I could use in my classroom someday. After discussing the president and some of his jobs I would give my students an activity. Students can write their own letters about someone they know that they think would make a great president as well as the reasons why they would be great. Then they could share their letters with the rest of the class.

//Sarah Plain and Tall// by Patricia MacLachlan
 * //Intermediate Book #1//**

This story takes place in Kansas in 1910. Jacob Witting is a farmer who has lost his wife and is left to take care of his farm and two children, Anna and Caleb. Even though he is still grieving the loss of his wife he knows that he cannot take care of his children alone. Jacob decides to write an advertisement for the newspaper to see if a woman would be willing to come and be his wife and take care of his family. A woman from Maine named Sarah who describes herself as "plain and tall" responds to Jacob and travels to Kansas to become his wife. Sarah becomes homesick and begins to miss the ocean and her family. Anna and Jacob, who have grown to love Sarah are worried that she may leave. I really enjoyed reading this story of family, loneliness, and love because I think that it is something we can all relate to. We have all lost or missed someone at one time. The historical setting is interesting for students to read about as well.

//Bud, Not Buddy// by Christopher Paul Curtis
 * Intermediate Book #2**

This is a touching story about an African American orphan living in Flint, Michigan during the Great Depression. After living in an orphange and several abusive foster homes, Bud decides to try and find his father. His only clue is some flyers his mother gave me about a band in Grand Rapids so he decides to head there. When he gets to Grand Rapids he finds Herman Calloway who he believes to be his father. Calloway wants nothing to do with him but later learns that he is actually Bud's grandfather. He learns that his daughter has died and begins a relationship with Bud. Students who read this book would learn some history about the Great Depression. There are also children that have either been adopted or are living in a foster home that can relate to this story as well.

//Because of Winn-Dixie// by Kate DiCamillo
 * Intermediate Book #3**

//Because of Winn-Dixie// is the story of a ten year old girl named Opal who has just moved to Naomi, Florida with her father who is a preacher. As Opal is running to the grocery store she finds a big, ugly, homeless dog. She loves him immediately and names him Winn-Dixie after the grocery store where she finds him. Winn-Dixie gives Opal the strength to face challenges and meet new friends. This beloved dog even gives her the strength to talk to her father about her mother who left them years ago. Throughout the story Opal meets Miss Franny Block the town librarian, Gloria, a black woman who the town children think is a witch, and Otis the ex-con pet store clerk. She learns that they have faced difficult times as well and that life is not a bad as it seems. This would be a great read aloud book to students because many can relate to the relationships formed throughout the story. Divorce and abandonment by a parent are common in our society today and books like //Because of Winn-Dixie// are a great way for children to cope.

//Harris and Me// by Gary Paulsen
 * Intermediate Book #4**

This is a story about a boy whose alcoholic parents send him away every summer to live with family relatives. The story is told in first person and is actually based on Gary Paulsen's own life. One summer he is sent away to live with the Larsons who are farmers in Minnesota. Throughout the book many funny and interesting events occur as the city boy learns to live on the farm. He becomes friends with a boy named Harris who loves adventures! //Harris and Me// contains many themes that children are drawn to: home life, belonging, family, and acceptance. Everyone desires to have a place to call their own and family who love them so this is a book that I would recommend.

//Diary of a Wimpy Kid// by Jeff Kinney
 * Intermediate Book #5**

This is a realistic fiction novel that is written in cartoon form. The book is about a middle school boy named Greg Heffley and the struggles that he faces in middle school. He is embarrassed that his mother makes him keep a journal that says "Diary" on the front and he refuses to call it anything but a journal. Greg's journal entries also describe problems that he has with his best friend Rowley Jefferson and the adventures that they face together. This is a funny book that many middle school students can relate to. It is even enjoyable for older readers like me and is one worth reading.

//Number the Stars// by Lois Lowry
 * Intermediate Book #6**

//Number the Stars// is a historical fiction book about the Holocaust and World War II. The story is about a ten year old girl named Annemarie Johansen who lived in Copenhagen, Denmark in 1943. Anne and her family are involved in the rescue of the Danish Jews and even risk their lives to help save Annemarie's friend, Ellen Rosen. Ellen pretends to be Annemarie's older sister who was killed earlier in the war because of her work with the Danish Resistance. Ellen wears a star of David necklace, which is where the title of the book came from, and she eventually breaks her necklace in order to protect herself. I think that this would be a great book to have students read when teaching a unit on the Holocaust. This is an important time in history and this an appropriate book for students at this age to read.

//Flygirl// by Sherri Smith
 * Young Adult Book #1**

Ida Mae Jones loves to fly. Her daddy was a pilot who taught her everything he knew, but now he is gone. America has just entered the war with Germany and Japan and the Army creates the WASP, the Women Airfoce Service Pilots. Ida sees this as an opportunity to fly and to help her brother who is also gone fighting in the war. There is only one problem; the WASP won't accept her as a black woman so she is forced to make the difficult decision of "passing" by pretending to be white. As the story unfolds the burden of denying who she is weights heavily on her and Ida must decide who she really wants to be. This great historical fiction story drew me in and is a great read for anyone who enjoys stories about overcoming difficulties and finding one's identity.

//The Hunger Games// by Suzanne Collins
 * Young Adult Book #2**

This nail-biting futuristic story takes place in an area once known as North America. In these ruins is the nation of Panem, a Capitol surrounded by twelve districts. The Capitol controls these districts and prevents them from rebelling by forcing them all to send one boy and girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games. These "games" are a fight to the death between the participants and are viewed on live TV. The main character, Katniss Everdeen is a sixteen year old girl who decides to take the place of her twelve year old sister when her name is drawn for the Hunger Games. It is easy to see why this book has become so popular. It contains action, love, and a futuristic plot that has never been seen before. Females and males alike will love this book!

//Speak// by Laurie Halse Anderson
 * Young Adult Book #3**

//Speak// is the powerful story of a freshman girl, Melinda, who becomes an outcast at her school after calling the cops to bust an end-of-summer party. What no one knows, though, is that at this same party Melinda was raped by an older high school boy that attends her school. No one talks to Melinda and eventually she stops talking at all. After a while she begins to heal by using artwork as a way of escape. Melinda meets the rapist again in another violent encounter but this time she fights back and refuses to stay silent. This story shows the importance of speaking up for others as well as for oneself as is an inspiration for those who have been in a similar situation. I think that this is a great book to read because it encourages students to speak up when they or someone else they know are in danger.