Me I Am

Me I Am is essentially a poem extended through a book using creative illustrations to spark the reader's imagination.  The poem consists of four stanzas, and is written three times throughout.  Each time the poem repeats, a different child is featured.  The detailed illustrations reveals the individuality in children and shows that although the poem is repeating, the children are not. 

This book is not only great for showing children how everybody differs, it is also a great tool to teach poetry.  I would use this book to begin a lesson on creating and reading poetry.  Once all my students had composed poems, I would compile the submissions in a book, and have a poetry reading.  I would pass out berets and after each person read their poem, we would snap (channeling the Beat Generation).  This would be a way to show that poetry can be fun, and doesn't always have to be serious, a la Edgar Allen Poe and E.E. Cummings.  A Light in the Attic and Where the Sidewalk Ends, both by Shel Silverstein, would be good supplemental books to further my lesson on creative poetry.

Me I Am. ISBN-13: 978-0-374-34902-8. Jack Prelutsky. Christine Davenier. 1983.Children's Poet Laureate. Age 4-8. Contemporary Fiction. Poetry.

Crow Call

 Poignantly written, with a soft but confident voice, Lois Lowry produces yet another beautiful text.  This auto-biography tells the story of one single morning spent with her father after he has returned home from World War II.  Unsure of who her father is, and how he will mold into her life, the young girl timidly joins her dad hunting.  From early morning to afternoon, this story chronicles the sincere and honest moments of discovering who family is and the moments that make them special.  From silly moments, like imitating a giraffe call, to series ones like wondering if war was scary, Lowry takes the reader through the process of getting to know an absent family member.

The illustrations in Crow Call supplement the text brilliantly.  Each picture authentically captures the text, while the soft colors express the mood.  Painted in a style that is quite similar to Norman Rockwell's paintings, this illustrator painted the pictures with great detail and realistic quality.

As a teacher, I would use this book as a supplement to a discussion about special moments.  I would assign my students the task of finding something that is special to them, and additionally, was given to them by someone special.  I would then have my students share why the object is special and tell a little bit about the day he or she received the special item.  This lesson would reinforce the message that everyone has someone that cares.  I want each of my students to know they are special.  At the end of the lesson, I would give each student a personal note explaining why he or she is special to me.  Hopefully, by the end of this lesson, I will have created a small moment that maybe one day, one student will look back and remember the day she knew she was special.


Crow Call. ISBN-13: 978-0-545-03035-9. Lois Lowry. Bagram Ibatoulline. 2009. Newbery Medal. Age 9-12. Auto-Biography.

White Snow, Bright Snow

White Snow, Bright Snow is a beloved children's classic.  The story opens with the townspeople predicting snow.  Even the children watched the sky for signs of snowflakes.  Then, silently, the snow begins to fall.  The children of the town play and laugh as the snow builds and builds.  The story illustrates the trouble that the snow creates for the adults, but the children continue to play.  Then the season changes to Spring.  Instead of waiting for the first signs of snow, the children of the town are now waiting for the first sign of Spring - the robin. 

The illustrations are quite simple.  Most pictures consist of black, red, yellow, and white.  The simplicity of the illustrations coupled with the simplicity of the text create a relaxed and content mood.  In each illustration containing snowfall, the background is black, similar to the actual color of the sky when snow falls.  In contrast to the color of the pages when the snow has fallen.  In those illustrations, white is the primary color.  This shows the playfulness and purity of the children playing in the snow.  The illustrations in White Snow, Bright Snow capture the playful youth and the cynical adult, by contrasting white and black. 

As a teacher, I would use this book to teach a lesson on metaphors.  White Snow, Bright Snow is full of descriptive wording.  For example, "Automobiles looked like big fat raisin buried in snowdrifts."  "Houses crouched together, their windows peeking out from under great white eyebrows."  In this lesson, we would first practice creating metaphors.  I would then have my students write a short story incorporating metaphors.  This children's book would be a fun way to introduce this lesson on writing creative stories. 

White Snow, Bright Snow. ISBN-10: 0688411614. Alvin Tresselt. Roger Duvoisin. 1947. Caldecott Medal. Age 4-8. Contemporary Fiction.

Tales from Grimm

Tales from Grimm is a collection of folktales from the Brothers Grimm.  The tales in this book are translated and illustrated by Wanda Gag.  The origin of each folktale is quite unknown, as most countries and languages have their own versions.  But, the Brothers Grimm published their first compilation of German tales in 1812.  Most of the stories in Tales from Grimm are well known and popular in America.  However, there are a few that are quite obscure, including: "Spindle, Shuttle and Needle," "Doctor Know-It-All," "Clever Elsie," "The Three Brothers," "Lean Liesel and Lanky Lenz."  Each folktale has commonalities.  Themes include, poverty, love, and socioeconomics. 

For example, "Spindle, Shuttle and Needle" is the story of a young Prince who goes looking for a wife who is "both rich and poor."  When The Prince finds the orphan girl, she is too shy to look up and he leaves her window.  It is then that the spindle, shuttle and needle, take lives of their own and travel to find The Prince.  Once The Prince and the orphan girl are reunited, they fall in love and the orphan girl becomes the Princess.  The Prince had found a maiden that was rich in love, but poor in riches.  Again, in the story of "The Three Brothers," poverty and love are two underlying themes.  An old father is dying and must leave his home to one of his three sons.  Each son leaves the house to learn a trade and then meets back at the home in one year.  Each son has mastered their chosen trade, but when the time comes to decide who will get the home, the father chooses the third brother.  Because of his deep love for his brothers, the third brother asks the two other brothers to live with him too.  So, all three brothers will live in the house after all.

As a teacher, I would use this compilation of folktales to introduce a geography/culture lesson.  I would assign my students the task of talking to an adult they know, and asking that adult to tell them a folktale, fable, or myth.  Each student would write down the story and bring it back to class.  As a class, we would discuss the origin of some of their stories and learn about the cultures of each.  This would also be a great lesson on values and morals of varying countries and whether or not the values have changed.  We could also discuss the type of dress, food, and language that would be associated with each story locale.

Tales from Grimm. ISBN -13: 978-0-8166-4935-8. Wanda Gag. 1936. Newbery Honor. Age 9-12. Folklore.

Maniac Magee

This touching story of a young runaway boy has captured the hearts of young adult readers for 20 years.  The story begins with a legend.  The legend of Maniac Magee.  As legend goes, 

"They say Maniac Magee was born in a dump.  They say his stomach was a cereal box and his heart a sofa spring.  They say he kept an eight-inch cockroach on a leash and that rats stood guard over him while he slept.  They say if you knew he was coming and you sprinkled salt on the ground and he ran over it, within two or three blocks he would be as slow as everybody else.  They say."

Obviously Maniac Magee was not born with the name Maniac.  To his mom and dad, he was Jeffrey Lionel Magee.  However, after the tragic death of his parents, Jeffrey was sent to live with his aunt and uncle.  After eight years, he had had enough of the "separate" lives Uncle Dan and Aunt Dot lived.  So, when Jeffrey was eleven he ran out of a school choir concert and didn't stop running until he ran into a young girl named Amanda Beale.  Jeffrey was invited to stay with the Beale's, a family on the east side of town...the black side of town.  Hector Street was the "line."  Blacks did not go on the west side, and whites did not go on the east side.  Jeffrey soon became the talk of the town.  A white boy living on the east side with a black family?  It just couldn't be!  He must be a "maniac!"

Jeffrey soon meets Earl Grayson, a maintenance man at the zoo.  Jeffrey teaches Grayson to read, and Grayson teaches Jeffrey he is worthy of love.  The last person Jeffrey meets is Russell and Piper McNab.  The boys, along with their brother John, live in squalor with their alcoholic dad.  The McNab’s would never, ever think of crossing Hector, but when Jeffrey brings Amanda’s brothers to Piper’s birthday party, the race lines are crossed – and Two Mills is forever changed. 

Maniac Magee is a story of rejecting societal “norms” and doing what is right.  It is the story of home, discovering what home means, and learning how family can take shape in various ways.  It is also the story of change.  Change for the better.  Change that even an eleven year old boy can make.  It is the story of how one person can better the lives of many. Whether or not they knew Maniac Magee, the town of Two Mills and its residents were forever changed the day he ran into town.  Sometimes the truth is blurred, and tale has become truth.  But, Maniac Magee really did change Two Mills and a few special people who resided there.

A teacher using this book in their curriculum could plan a few fun activities that would resonate with the students.  First, the teacher could make a bulletin board with all the places Maniac Magee visits throughout the book.  Each time he goes somewhere, the students could move the Maniac “doll” along the time line.  Also, this book could be used to teach figurative language.  Students could find examples of similes and metaphors throughout the story and then make up ones of their own.  Throughout the lessons there would be discussions on racism, homelessness, family, and adoption.  Hopefully, the students feel safe to discuss such emotional topics; but if this book is read after the very beginning of the year, hopefully as a class you will have created a safe environment where these discussions can be had.

Maniac Magee. ISBN 0-316-80906-3. Jerry Spinelli. 1990. Newbery Medal. Age 9-12. Contemporary Fiction. Folklore.

Golem

Golem (GO-lem) is the Jewish folktale about a giant made of clay.  The story opens in the city of Prague.  For a thousand years, the residents have been fighting over their religious beliefs.  ""People of differing beliefs in God and nation have clashed violently here: Czech against German, Protestant against Catholic, Christian against Jew.  In 1580, the Jews were banned to the ghetto and had no protection.  Judah Loew ben Bezalel, the Rabbi of Prague, knew he had to do something to stop the feuding and oppression of his people.  One night he awoke with a vision of creating Golem.  The next night, the Rabbi digs into the ground until he finds clay.  After he shapes the clay, Golem comes to life.  The Rabbi instructs Golem to "guard the ghetto at night."  One night a mob rushes the gates to the ghetto.  Golem meets them at the gates and goes on a rampage.  Killing and wounding the citizens, the mob retreats and Golem goes back into the ghetto.  The next day the emperor sends for the Rabbi.  The emperor asks how long Golem will live for.  The Rabbi answers, "until the Jews are no longer in danger."  The emperor insists he will protect the Jews and to destroy Golem.  The Rabbi finds Golem and sends him back to the earth.  As he is being transformed, the reluctant Golem proclaims, "please let me live!  I did all that you asked of me!  Life is so...precious...to me!"

The tale of Golem has been told for generations.  There are many interpretations of the tale.  One lesson is that once a living creature is created, there is no guarantee of control over the actions of that creature.  Another interpretation by historian Jay Gonen, is that similar to the mission of Golem, Israel was created to protect the safety of the Jews.  In a symbolic way, Golem lives on through Israel.

The story of Golem could be used to discuss folklore and mythology.  Students could bring in stories, either oral or written.  From there we could discuss what makes a story a folktale, a myth, or a fairy tale.  This book could also be used to discuss what happens when one person has too much power.  The example of bullying could be used as a relatable topic.  From there we could discuss other times in history when power was misused and people were oppressed.  There are many examples of current and past persecution.  Depending on the age of the students, the lesson could be tailored to what would be appropriate.

Golem. ISBN 13: 978-0-395-72618-1. David Wisniewski. 1996. Caldecott. Age 4-8. Folklore.

The Cay

The Cay is a story of survival and unexpected friendship.  As war breaks out on the island of Curacao, Phillip and his mother board the Hato seeking safety in America.  When their ship is hit by a German missile, Phillip awakes to discover he is drifting on a raft with a West Indian named Timothy.  Growing up on the island, Phillip had been taught that the natives were different, and not to be spoken to.  However, Phillip was stranded, he had to put his prejudices aside and learn to rely on Timothy's knowledge of survival skills.  During the attack aboard the Hato, Phillip had been knocked on the head with a large board.  After a few days at sea, Phillip awakes to darkness.  The bump on his head had rendered him blind.  Shortly after this horrid discovery, Timothy spots land.  Upon arrival on the cay, Phillip must rely on Timothy to be his "eyes."  Finding food, water, and shelter have become necessities; long passed are the days of the young boy's innocence.  Timothy and Phillip's emotional and physical strength are tested daily.  An unlikely pair, Timothy and Phillip learn to support, teach, and encourage each other.  After a tremendous hurricane, Phillip's strength and welfare are tested more than ever.  This is a touching story of survival, loss, and acceptance.  An adventure not to be missed!

This book is intended for older children, ages 9-12, and as a teacher of mid-level students, I would do a few different lessons.  First we would do a geography lesson.  The Cay is full of information about South America and it would be fun for my students to find where Phillip lived, and then try and figure out where they think "the cay" is.  Next, I would plan a lesson on survival.  We would go through basic survival strategies (i.e. what to do in a tornado, hurricane, etc.).  I would then have the students make "emergency kits" and encourage them to talk to their families about their "emergency plans."  Lastly, I would incorporate a writing lesson.  My students would write a fiction story about a deserted island of their own.  There are many lessons that could be done with this book, it is a great tool for discussing many topics.

The Cay. ISBN0-380-01003-8. Theodore Taylor. 1969. Lewis Carroll Shelf Award. Age 9-12. Young Adult. Contemporary Fiction. Adventure.

Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf

Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf by Lois Elhert, travels through the life of a single maple tree.  The story is told through the eyes of a child and describes the stages of a maple tree's growth - from a seedling to blossoming tree.  As the child narrates, the pictures depict the story through thoughtful and descriptive art.  This childhood favorite is richly illustrated and simple, yet informational.

A teacher could use this book to begin a unit on life cycles.  Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf not only illustrates the life cycle of the maple tree, but it describes the seasons as well.  Depending on which grade the lesson is for, a teacher of younger students could make the connection between seasons and growth.  But, a teacher of older students could delve deeper into the life cycle and assign a science project that would challenge the students to pick a plant or animal and describe the various stages their plant or animal passes through.  A good supplementary piece for this project would be the National Geographic series called In the Womb.  These videos show the actual development of various animals in the womb.  Students would then have a good idea of where the life cycle starts for a specific animal.

Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf. ISBN: 0-15-266197-2. Lois Ehlert. 1991. Caldecott. Age 4-8. Environmental Non-Fiction.

Before John Was a Jazz Giant

Before John Was a Jazz Giant, is a wonderfully illustrated story chronicling the life of a young John Coltrane.  Each page brings to life the sounds John was surrounded by while growing up.  The story illustrates that music can be found everywhere, from “Grandpa’s Sunday sermons” to “steam engines whistling past.”  Not only is this a narrative of John’s life, it is also an accurate account of historically important events.  As one turns the pages, a second storyline of a generation unfolding comes to life.  The combination of art and prose makes this a beautiful biography of a “jazz giant.”

Teachers could use this book in a variety of ways.  First, she could use this book as an introduction to a music unit.  It would be fun to bring in a variety of jazz instruments and have the kids try them out.  Also, in the back of the book there is a section dedicated to suggested music to accompany the book – the teacher could bring in a sampling of jazz music.  This book could also be used to introduce an art lesson.  The illustrations are a cross between abstract and realism; a very interesting combination.  A third approach for using this book in the classroom could be in social studies.  Since the book also chronicles historical events, it would be a good tool to facilitate a discussion in social studies.  

Before John Was a Jazz Giant. ISBN 13: 987-0-8050-7994-4. Carole Boston Weatherford. 2008. Coretta Scott King Award for Illustration. Sean Qualls. Age 4-8. African American Non-Fiction. Biography.

There's a Big, Beautiful World Out There!

This children's picture book was written on September 12, 2001.  The book highlights many common fears among children, ranging from stage fright to bugs.  However, as the book progresses, it is pointed out that, yes, there is a lot to be scared of; but even more importantly, there is a lot to discovered about ourselves by doing things we fear.  The little girl in the illustrations discovers that what she thought she was afraid of turned out to not be too scary after all. 

As an emerging teacher, I ofter wonder how to explain tragedy.  How did teachers on 9/11 and in the following days explain what had happened?  This book would be a great tool in showing students that there are scary things in the world, and that bad things happen, but if we are too afraid, we will miss out on life and everything that is good.

A potential lesson for this book would be having the students write down something they are scared of and then working in small groups to come up with strategies to overcome their fears.  A teacher could also use this book for middle school students when introducing a lesson on great tragedies in history and the lessons that were learned from them (i.e. empathy, compassion, tolerance, etc.).  It is important not to minimize historical events, but to learn from them and avoid re-occurrences in the future.   

There's a Big, Beautiful World Out There! ISBN 0-670-03580-7. Nancy Carlson. 2002. Children's Choice Award. Age 4-8. Contemporary Fiction; Post 9/11.

Absolutely Normal Chaos

Absolutely Normal Chaos by Newbery Medal recipient, Sharon Creech, is the summer journal of thirteen year old Mary Lou Finney.  After she receives the assignment of keeping a journal for the summer, Mary Lou Finney discovers that her life isn't so mundane.  Mary Lou has 1 older sister, 3 younger brothers, and a surprise house guest - her 17 year old cousin, Carl Ray.  It is quite a mystery as to why Carl Ray has unexpectedly come from his home in West Virginia to stay with the Finney's, but Mary Lou is not happy.  Upon the death of her neighbor, Mr. Furtz, Carl Ray's story starts to unfold.

By the end of the summer, Mary Lou finds that the last three months, were anything but mundane.  She fell in love, was kissed for the first time, learned empathy, experienced death, and documented all these occurrences in her journal.  

The first time I read this book, I was around twelve.  Each night my mom and I would take turns reading Mary Lou Finney's journal.  I have such positive memories of this book, and the time I spent reading with my mom.  As a daily journal writer, it is always enjoyable to go back and look at my own journal entries from when I was in middle school.  Issues ranging from boys to parents to friends are all there, in black and white; some of the same experiences as Mary Lou.

As a teacher, I will assign journals for my students.  Writing daily is not only good practice, it is also good therapy.  Some times it is easier to write about something than to talk to someone.  These journals will give me a peek into my students' lives - their struggles and their triumphs. 

Absolutely Normal Chaos. ISBN 0-06-026989-8. Sharon Creech. 1990. Newbery Medal. Age 9-12. Contemporary Fiction for Adolescent Girls.

Where the Wild Things Are

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, is the story of Max - a young boy with quite an imagination!  After donning a wolf suit, causing trouble, and being sent to his room with no dinner, Max imagines his room is a forest.  That forest soon turns into an ocean.  Then finally, a jungle...a jungle where wild beasts appear.  Max discovers that he can tame the beasts with a magic trick, and he becomes king of the jungle.  After some dancing and playing ensue, Max gets homesick.  The beasts plead with him to stay, but Max has made up his mind...he is going home.  So, into the jungle, over the ocean, and through the forest.  Max travels back to the safety of his room - where his dinner is waiting.

Teachers could use this book as a tool to aid in writing about imagination.  Students could write about their own “jungle.”  This project might also be good for younger students who might still be afraid of nighttime. This exercise could help students understand the elements of make believe.


Where the Wild Things Are. ISBN: 10-0060254920. Maurice Sendak. 1963. Caldecott. Age 4-8. Contemporary Fiction.  Fantasy. 

Miss Rumphius

I start my book blog with an entry about my favorite book: Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney.  This linguistic masterpiece captured my heart at an early age. As a child, I valued the rich artwork and story of a woman who plants flowers that will return long after she is gone.  As I read this book again as an adult, it takes on a more significant meaning; one of hope, determination, and the value of leaving your mark on the world.  Miss Rumphius stands for dreams achieved, living grandly simplistic, and spreading joy; lessons that one is neither too young nor too old to learn.

As a child, Alice dreams of "living by the sea" and going to "faraway places."  Her grandfather also insists that she, "do something to make the world more beautiful."  The story follows Miss Rumphius (Alice) as she grows older and visits foreign lands, eventually settling down by the sea.  Miss Rumphius' favorite flowers are lupines.  She honors her grandfathers request by planting lupine seeds throughout her town.  By doing this, year after year, when spring arrives, the lupines bloom.  Alice lives on through the lupines and in turn makes the world a more beautiful place.

I could use this book in my classroom to facilitate a discussion about what my student's hopes and dreams are.  I could then have my students write about their dreams, and how they are going to leave the world a more beautiful place.  I could even incorporate art into this assignment by having my students draw a picture of how they plan to make the world more beautiful.


Miss Rumphius. ISBN 0-14-050539-3. Barbara Cooney. 1982. American Book Award. Age 4-8.Contemporary Fiction.

First Blog...Ever.

To start my second trimester as a graduate student seeking my Master's in Education, I was assigned the task of starting a blog.  The class is Literature for Children - so, obviously, this blog will be dedicated to analyzing literature for both children and young adults.  My assignment for this blog is to give a brief summary of the content of the book, and an idea for how a teacher might relate the book to her students' learning.  I also have to provide the following bibliographic information in each blog:
Title of Book:
ISBN:
Author Name:
Illustrator (if any) Name:
Date of Publication:
Award Won (Newbery, Caldecott, etc.):
Age Recommendation:
Group Represented (Caucasian, African American, Hispanic, Jewish, Muslim, Deaf, Autistic, etc.):

This assignment should be interesting.  I have been an avid reader all my life, and specifically focusing on the books I grew up reading will be a fun task.  I look forward to comparing and contrasting my adolescent view of literature to my adult view.  As I move forward with this blog, some books will be assigned for class, while others are my own choice.  So, whoever you are Reader, enjoy my recommendations and criticisms.