Mykaila

= = =__**Mykaila's Book Selections**__=


 * //Little Cloud// by Eric Carle**
 * Children’s Story #1**

The book, //Little Cloud// by Eric Carle, is a short read perfect for young elementary students. It is a book about a little cloud that left the other clouds and became his own cloud. The little cloud changed into different shapes. He first changed into a giant cloud then to a sheep, an airplane, a shark, two trees, a rabbit, a hat and then into a clown. Finally the little cloud caught up with the other clouds. The clouds turned into one big cloud and it rains. This book would be a fantastic book to read during a weather unit. The pictures are vibrant and simple. There would be many art projects that could be done to go along with this book. I think that young children would enjoy looking at the pictures.


 * //Pink and Say// by Patricia Polacco**
 * Children’s Story #2**

Pink and Say is a book about two boys during the civil war. It is a dramatic book that discusses the war, slavery and friendship between an African American boy and a white boy. The story starts off with Say who had been injured in the war was laying near death when Pink found him. Pink carried Say to his home where is mom was. Pink’s mother nursed Say back to health. The book is based on a true story about a man named Sheldon (Say) Russell Curtis. The story was passed on from generation to generation. This book would be great for fourth or fifth graders learning about the Civil War or slavery. It is a longer picture book but it is filled with valuable information that generations today need to hear.


 * //Franklin Wants A Pet// by Paulette Bourgeois and Brenda Clark**
 * Children’s Story #3**

Franklin Wants a Pet is a book that teaches children about responsibility. Franklin wants a pet and asks his parents if he could have one. They tell him they will think about it. Franklin talks to his friends about different types of pets. Each of his friends gives him a pet they would like to have. They story continues to go through the responsibilities of owning a pet such as paying for the pet, feeding the pet and taking care of it. Franklin’s parents eventually let him have a pet. Franklin decides on a goldfish. This is a cute story that would be great for elementary students to discuss different responsibilities.


 * //One Hungary Monster// by Susan Heyboer O’Keefe**
 * Children’s Story #4**

One Hungary Monster is a cute book that has both numbers and rhyming in it. It would be a great read for young elementary students. It starts off with one hungry monster underneath a little boys bed, then two hungry monsters that want something else. Eventually there are ten monsters that all want food so the boy goes and gets 1 jug of apple juice, two loaves of bread, three bowls of spaghetti until there are ten different food items. The monsters do silly things with the food. The little boy gets frusturated and orders the monsters out of his house.I think that this would be a good story to do multiple activities with. Children could work on their counting skills and also rhyming words.


 * //When Bluebell Sang// by Lisa Campbell Ernst**
 * Children’s Story #5**

When Bluebell Sang is fictional book about a cow named Bluebell who had an amazing talent; she could sing! One day her owner, Swenson heard Bluebell singing. The next day he decided to take her to into town so Bluebell could sing to the townspeople. Word spread quickly that Bluebell was a great singer and a cow! The mayor’s brother, Big Eddie, a talent agent asked Bluebell to travel around doing concerts and shows. Bluebell and Swenson agreed but only for a short time. The problem was Big Eddie was a greedy man and only wanted money. He didn’t keep his promises.You should read this book to see how it turns out. The ending is very cute!


 * //Tacky the Penguin// by Helen Lester**
 * Children's Story #6**

Tacky the Penguin is a funny book that kids will love. Tacky is a penguin that is unlike any of the other penguins. All of the other penguins have pretty names but well Tacky is just an odd bird. The penguins were perfect and greeted each other quietly and politely, they marched perfectly 1-2-3-4 and they were graceful divers. Tacky was just the opposite. In the end Tacky's oddness saved the day and the other penguins ended up appreciating him. This book is wonderful in many different ways. There is rhyming in the book, counting, and character awareness. I think that this would be a great story to read on the first day of school to let children know that its ok to be different.


 * //Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday// by Judith Viorst**
 * Children's Story #7**

This children’s book is about a boy named Alexander who got a dollar from his Grandparents “last Sunday.” The story continues throughout the week in which Alexander spends or loses his money. He spends his money in a variety of funny ways. This book has some basic math elements that would be good for a Kindergarten class. It also is classic story with black and white pictures. The illustrations show good emotion. This book in general would be a great read for any young elementary class. I actually read this book with my practicum students in a 3rd grade class.


 * Letting Swift River Go by Jane Yolen**
 * Children's Story #8**

This book is a two-time Caldecott medal winner. The illustrations by Barbara Cooney are beautiful. I think that is what caught my eye when picking out the book. The story its self is not very interesting. Although, it could be used in a social studies class. The book is about a girl named Sally Jane and what her town used to be like before it changed. Sally Jane’s home used to feel safe and have beautiful homes, trees, churches and yards. But then some men from Boston came and made a deal with the towns people to create a dam there. Now Sally Jane’s home is the Quabbin Reservoir.


 * //Eleanor// by Barbara Cooney**
 * Children's Story #9**

This book is a biography about Eleanor Roosevelt. It is mostly about her childhood and the events that happened in her life that changed her and made her the strong woman that she was in the White House. The book is historical, motivational, inspiring and a great read for anyone. This children’s book is quite long. I think it would be good for upper elementary students or read over a period of days. I could see this book being an introduction to writing biographies. Students could then pick a person that they are interested in and research them. What fun!

The Blueberry Pie Elf is an older book from 1961. It is a silly, random book that is one that’s primarily purpose is just for fun. Although an older book, I think students would enjoy reading about a little elf that wanted blueberry pie so bad that he did everyone’s chores so that he could get noticed. I can picture reading this book to a class of first graders and seeing their smiles and reactions to the book. It talks about how no one can see an elf. I think it would be fun for students to create their own story or character after reading this book and share it with the class.
 * //The Blueberry Pie Elf// by Jane Thayer**
 * Children's Story #10**

Ellington Was Not A Street is a short book that is a reflective tribute to the African American community. The author, Ntzoake Shange is a poet that recalls her childhood home in this book. I think one of the best parts of the book is the page that is included that tells about nine different African American men who helped to change to world. This book could be used in February for Black History month or used to get students thinking about the past. Students could write a poem after reading this book.
 * //Ellington Was Not A Street// by Ntzoake Shange**
 * Children's Story #11**

There have been many books based off of trolls and bridges. This one has a funny twist. //The Toll-Bridge Troll// is about a boy who has to cross the bridge to get to school. The troll that lives underneath the bridge comes out everyday and asks why he has to use the bridge. Trigg says the same thing everytime, “I have to go to school to get smart.” The troll doesn’t like that answer so he says, “I have to go to school because my mom tells me I have to.” The troll agrees that is a good answer but still makes him pay money. Trigg decides that is best to do riddles but every riddle is a trick. This book has a funny ending! You should read it.
 * //The Toll-Bridge Troll// by Patricial Rae Wolff**
 * Children's Story #12**

This is a great book! There are many elements of this book that I enjoyed. First this book is about reading and how Grace loves any type of story. After she hears the story she acts it out. Second, Grace is black. At school, they were going to have auditions for a play. One boy told her she couldn’t be Peter Pan because she was a girl. Another told her that she couldn’t be Peter Pan because she was black. She went home and told her Nana about what the boy told her. Nana took her to a ballet where the main dancer was black. She told her that she could be anything she wanted to be. This book is inspiring and full of life lessons!
 * //Amazing Grace// by Mary Hoffman**
 * Children's Story #13**


 * //Brothers in Hope// by Mary Williams**
 * Children's Story # 14**

//Brothers in Hope// is a story about the lost boys of Sudan. It is a Coretta Scott King Award winning book. The book goes through the life of a boy who lived in Sudan and whose life was forever changed by war. Garang is the boys name and he is eight years old. One day while out tending to the cattle, his village was destroyed. Garang met up with other boys escaping. There were thousands of boys ranging from the ages of 5 to 15. Garang story continues until he is 21 years old. Garang went through many struggles in his young childhood. He often had no food, water, shelter and was at young age was responsible for others lives besides his own. This book is very real and very sad. There are Christian elements in the book and could be used in many grade levels.


 * //Especially Heroes// by Virgina Kroll**
 * Children's Story # 15**

This book is about a little girl named Ginny and different events in her life that made her think of what a hero is. She discovered that heroes are people who stand up for freedom whether they are soldiers, family members, neighbors and martyrs. The setting of this book takes place in the early 1960’s during the Civil Rights Movement. Ginny’s neighbor is African American and one day teenage boys vandalized her home. Her dad and other neighbors went to help Mrs. Hall out. The illustrations in the book are beautiful. Each one covers a whole page. This book was difficult to follow and I felt like the main idea was hard to detect.


 * //Grace and Joe// by Maribeth Boelts**
 * Children's Story # 16**

This is a cute story about a little girl who felt lonely but made friends with the mailman named Joe. Grace lives in a crowded house. She has three older brothers, three older sisters, two cats and four gold fish. Grace is the youngest in her family. She tries to play with the boy next store but she always has to be the bad guy and doesn’t like that. She tries to play with Amy down the street, but Amy only wants to play dolls. Grace doesn’t like dressing up dolls. Finally she meets Joe and with her parent’s permission, Grace is allowed to walk down the street with Joe each day to deliver the mail.


 * //Is Your Mama a Llama?// By Deborah Guarino**
 * Children's Story # 17**

//Is Your Mama a Llama// is a great children’s book that teaches children about rhyme and animals. A little lama asks all of his friends if their mama is a llama. Each one says “No, she is not,” and then a reason why. In the reason why the animal gives a description of what their mama looks like. Then the llama says what the animal must be. The children who read or listen to the story are able to guess what the animal is. Finally the little llama finds his mama.


 * //The Cherry Blossom Tree// by Jan Godfery and Jane Cope**
 * Children's Story #18**

This is a story about a grandfather telling his granddaughter about life and death. It is Harriet’s grandpa’s birthday and she notices while helping grandpa that her favorite cherry blossom tree is gone. She asked why it was gone which brought up the topic of it being old and eventually death. This is a Christian book that talks about Heaven and what it is like. My mom read this story to my brothers and I when my great grandpa had passed away. We were little and it was a good way for her talk to us about dying.


 * //The Gingerbread Baby// by Jan Brett**
 * Children's Story #19**

This is an adorable story. It would be a perfect read aloud during the Christmas season. Matti decides that he wants to make a ginger bread boy. The recipe says to wait eight minutes before you open the oven door. Matti couldn’t wait, he opened the door after five minutes to take a peek. A gingerbread baby ran out. He ran and ran and no one could catch him. Finally Matti gets an idea. He will make a ginger bread house for the gingerbread baby to run into. Matti’s idea works! He catches the little gingerbread baby who is very happy to have a house to live in.

This is a great “chapter” book for young students. There are short sentences, which make it easy to read, but four chapters that would make students feel accomplished. Henry and Mudge is a series of books. This one is about their adventure with the grandpas. This book talks about the general characteristics of a grandpa. Many grandpas carry mints, tell stories about their past and sleep! Mudge is Henry’s dog that does everything with him. After reading this book, students could share about their grandpas or grandmas or other relatives they enjoy visiting. They could even write a letter to them!
 * //Henry and Mudge and the Great Grandpas// by Cynthia Rylant**
 * Children's Story #20**


 * //The Monster at the End of This Book// by Jon Stone**
 * Children's Story #21**

This is a great story that many kids love. It has speech bubbles or though bubbles where Grover from Sesame Street asks about the monster at the end of the book. Grover says that he is scared of monsters and to not turn the page. Then he freaks out and says “You Turned The Page!” Grover tries to stop you from turning the page by tying rope around. It doesn’t work. He continues to say to stop turning the page. Finally at the end of story, we find out that the scary monster is Grover himself! Kids will truly love reading this book.


 * //Meet Addy, An American Girl// by Connie Porter**
 * Intermediate Level #1**

Meet Addy is a book that has great character development and is based on historical events. The story is set in the South during the Civil War. Addy is a young African American girl who grows up on a plantation with her family. At a very young age she is a hard worker. The author does a good job explaining the life of a slave. Addy’s dad and brother get sold the week they were going to escape to freedom. Addy and her mom still follow the original plans and take the harsh but lifesaving path on the underground railroad to freedom. This book would be great for young girls ranging from eight to ten years old. Children would enjoy reading through the five chapters. The book has pictures to illustrate the main points in the story. It also has a whole chapter that “peeks into the past” of 1864, during the time of Addy. It gives factual information and relates it back to the story of Addy.


 * //Diary of a Wimpy Kid// by Jeff Kinney**
 * Intermediate Level #2**

Diary of a Wimpy Kid is about a boy named Greg Heffley. He is in middle school. Greg’s mom bought him a book to write in. Greg makes it clear that it is NOT a diary but decides he should write in it. The book is written as though it is Greg’s journal. He discusses many events that middle school students have to endure such as differences in heights, figuring out how to be liked, how to have friendships and also succeed in school and home life. This book is hilarious. I read it in about an hour. Any middle school student boy or girl would enjoy this book. This book is especially appealing to male students because it is written by a boy, there is cartoon pictures and it has some boy humor in it. There a many ways a teacher could implement this book into their class.


 * //Out of the Dust// by Karen Hesse**
 * Intermediate Level #3**

//Out of the Dust// is a winner of the Newberry Medal. This book is a historical fiction book that takes place in Oklahoma during the Dust Bowl in the years 1934 and 1935. It is a time of great turmoil. Billy Jo is the main character of the story. She goes through many difficult events in her young life. Despite the harsh conditions she is growing up in, Billy Jo faces one tragedy that she has a difficult time forgiving herself for. One day while making breakfast, Billy Jo’s pregnant mother picks up a can, which turns out to be kerosene left by her husband. She lights up in fire and runs out the door. Fearing the house would catch on fire, Billy Jo throws the can outside the door, as her mother is running back inside. Her mother and her baby brother end up dying leaving her and her father in an awkward silence. This book is written in verse style, which makes for a quick read. There are many great lessons for students both educationally and historically.


 * //Because of Winn Dixie// by Kate DiCamillo**
 * Intermediate Level #4**

//Because of Winn Dixie// is a sweet tale about a little girl named Opal who moved to a new town and didn’t know anyone. She lived with her dad, the preacher, and was quite lonely. Her mother and run off when she was a baby and she didn’t know a lot about her. One day when Opal was at the small grocery store, there was quite a ruckus and a dog was in the grocery store. It was a mangy dog, dirty and smelly. The owner of the story wanted to know whose dog it was and Opal said it was hers. She named the dog Winn Dixie and the two became inseparable. Opal’s dad even became fond of him.


 * //A Year Down Yonder// by Richard Peck**
 * Intermediate Level #5**

//A Year Down Yonder// takes place during the Great Depression. It is Newberry Medal award winning book. The main character Mary Alice who is 15 is forced to go stay at her Grandmother’s because her parents could no longer afford to have her stay. Her Grandmother is not a kind, loving, sweet lady like most but instead she is tough. She is an interesting lady. Although at the beginning of the year, Mary Alice felt awkward she grew to love her Grandmother and the town. Time passed and she even married Royce on Grandma’s front porch during the last year of World War II.


 * //Rules// by Cynthia Lord**
 * Intermediate Level #6**

//Rules// is a book about a girl who struggles with what is normal. Catherine has a younger brother, David, who has autism. David is different than other kids because of his autism. He enjoys rules and following them. Catherine decides to make a rule book to teach him how the world works. Throughout the book, Catherine learns to accept her brother and also herself. This book is wonderful for teaching students about disabilities, how to treat yourself and others and accepting others.


 * //Pretties// by Scott Westerfeld**
 * Young Adult #1**

//Pretties// is the second book of the Ugly series written by Scott Westerfeld. The book starts where //Uglies// leaves off. This science fiction book is very interesting and caught my attention right away. Tally Youngblood, the main character of the story, is now a Pretty. Towards the end of //Uglies//, she gave a written consent that she will take the “cure” and also give herself up to become a Pretty (a person who under goes surgery at the age of 16 that gets rid of all their flaws). Once Tally is a Pretty she doesn’t remember anything about the cure or why she needs it. Once a person has the surgery, not only are they perfect on the outside but inside are lesions in their brain that keep them from having much of a personality. Tally doesn’t remember the cure until one of her old friends from “The Smokies” comes and leaves her a clue. After many events and finally finding the note and the pills which can cure her, Tally realizes why she gave herself up. This book is full of action! I don’t want to give it all away because YOU should read it!


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

//Hunger Games// is a best seller. It is the first of a trilogy of books. I had heard so many people talk about it and had heard about the outrageous plot line that I had to read it for myself. Katniss is the main character of this story that takes place in the future. Once a year an event called the “Hunger Games” is put on as entertainment. In a very brief synopsis the country Panem is split up into 12 districts and the capital. Two children, a boy and a girl a between the ages of 12-18 are randomly chosen from each district. They then are placed in an arena and only one can win. Yes, they have to kill each other. Even though this book takes place in the future it is very barbaric. Katniss’ younger sister Prim is one of the names drawn for district 12. Katniss, offered herself in place of Prim. You will have to read the book if you would like more details! I don’t want to give anything away.


 * //Longing// by Karen Kingsbury**
 * Young Adult #3**

//Longing// is the third book in a series called the Bailey Flanigan series. Karen Kingsbury is one of my favorite authors because she writes fictional books that people can relate to and most of all the message of faith is so clearly portrayed. This book is about a young girl (Bailey) leaning on God for direction concerning every detail of her life especially the man she should spend her life with. Bailey grew up loving a boy named Cody but he always walked away from her not feeling like he was good enough. Bailey is in the Broadway musical Hairspray in which she has one of the lead parts. In one of the earlier books in the series she meets Brandon Paul, the hottest young movie star in the business. They end up doing a movie together called Unlocked. Brandon was not a believer but through time he fell in love with Jesus and with Bailey. Currently Bailey and Brandon Paul are dating and considering taking the next steps in their relationship. This book would appropriate for high school students even though the main character is older. Bailey is an inspirational character who has a lot teach anyone of any age.