FOREVER

Module 15

Forever by Judy Blume

Katherine finds here self attracted to a friend's friend named Michael. As the relationship unfolds sex is discussed. This story is about young people engaging in sex at a very young age. They soon realize that their relationship may not be forever. The book is full of suggestive language and is very informative. I can see why this book would be censored.

I would not recommend this book for my teenage daughter. I would like to be the person who explains relationships and sex to her. I think it depends
on the parent whether their child should read this book.

How to use this book in a lesson.

Open Discussion if allowed

Bibliography

Kingsbury, Karen. Forever. Carol Stream, Ill.: Tyndale House, 2007. Print.

Dancing on the Roof

Module 14

Dancing on the Roof by Linda Sue Park

Summary

The book dancing on the roof is a book of original sijo poems. These poems deal with little experiences of daily life situations. Silo poems are a very old Korean form of poetry.

My Impression

I enjoyed reading the poems. They were fun to read with sometimes unexpected twist.
I also really like the cartoon like artwork. I would definitely recommend this book for the young and old or just everyone.

Use in the library

Read a Loud Activity
Write your own poem





Bibliography

Park, Linda Sue. Tap Dancing on the Roof: Sijo (poems). New York: Clarion, 2007.
Print

Shelley Fu, illustrated by Joseph F. Abboreno, Chinese calligraphy by Dr. Shewin Fu,
Ho Yi the Archer and Other Classic Chinese Tales.
Linnet Books, 2000.


The stories are about creation, love and morality. Ho Yi the Archer and Other Classic Chinese Tales string the reader through trials and tribulations. There are stories of the Monkey King, the beautiful creator Pan Gu, the brave yet heart-broken archer Ho Yi and the lovelorn tale of the White Snake.

I enspecially enjoyed the story “The Man in the Moon.” Set during floods and famine, a boy saves a wounded sparrow. The sparrow, which is a god, is set free, but returns with a seed. The boy plants the seed and nourishes the plant until one day a giant grourd sprouts. Treasures pour out of the gourd like water. Alas, a neighborhood boy is envious and soon figures out a way to wound the same sparrow and trick it. This boy also receives a seed and a plant, but instead of a treasure filled gourd he is visited by an old wise man who convinces him there are more treasures on the silvery moon for the taking. On the moon the boy only needs to chop down a tree filled with jewels to be wealthy. Unfortunately, the tree will never fall, but the boy does not hear the warnings of the wise man. Sometimes, if you look up at the right time, the boy is still there on the moon bathing in his own greed, unable to chop down the treasure-filled tree. He stays to remind us that good will eventually be rewarded, and evil punished; it is just a matter of time.

I would recommend this book to readers interested in learning more about Chinese mythology. Shelley Fu offers historical context for each story, and comparisons to Greek and Roman mythological creatures. She also provides a pronunciation guide and a detailed list of characters. There is a list of further suggested readings and a multimedia resource guide. If you have not yet indulged in Chinese Mythology, this is the perfect book to start with.

Pei Pei Sung

The Storm in the Barn

Module 13

The Storm In the Barn by Matt Phelan

Summary

The storm in the barn takes place in the year of 1937 during the dust bowl. The main character is an 11 year old boy named Jack. Jack does not seem to have an easy time dealing with life. Jack family is having a hard time and has decided to move on. The problem is Jack has a sister who is sick and may not survive. While this is happening Jack is trying to solve a mystery. Jackie thinks there is something or someone deserted in the barn. Possibly a figure with a face like rain but it never rains where he lives. So we see Jack as a person with unexpected courage as he tries to solve the mystery.

My Impression

I really enjoyed reading this little story. The ups the downs and unexpected twist. I would recommend the book for someone who like to read sensitivity with a side of suspense



Bibliography

Phelan, Matt. The Storm in the Barn. Somerville, Mass.: Candlewick, 2009. Print.


Editorial Review
Tall tale. Thriller. Gripping historical fiction. This artful, sparely told graphic novel ― a tale of a boy in Dust Bowl America ― will resonate with young readers today.

Rosa

Module 12

Rosa by Nikki Giovanni

Summary

Rosa is a story about a seamstress by the name of Rosa Parks. One day Rosa went about her regular routine to catch the city bus. She went to the front of the bus and got on to pay her fair and got off and went to the back of the bus to get on. Although the bus was full Rosa found a seat. As the bus got more crowded the bus driver asked Rosa to give up her seat on the bus. Rosa refused and the police were called to take Rosa to jail. Rosa was not aware of it at the time but her refusing to give up her seat help spark the Civil Rights Movement. The story start to go in another direction and the focus was not exactly on Rosa. It focused more on the struggle and the bus boycott. Martin Luther King Jr. is even part of the story. The bus boycott Rosa help ignite lead to a decision by the Supreme Court that segregation on the buses was wrong.

My Impression

As always I enjoy reading a book about triumph. I also enjoyed looking at the great illustrations by Bryan Collier. This book is a great picture and a tribute to Rosa Parks.


Use of the book in the library

Role Play- Student will listen to the story Rosa. Students will act out the scene from the bus the day Rosa Parks was arrested. Students will have a better understanding of what happened that day on the bus with Rosa Parks. Student will discuss how they felt going through what Rosa experienced.

Bibliography

Rosa
Giovanni, Nikki. Rosa. New York: Scholastic, 2006. Print.

Review

Reviews

"Paired very effectively with Giovanni's passionate, direct words, Collier's large watercolor-and-collage illustrations depict Parks as an inspiring force that radiates golden light." -- Booklist, Starred Review

"Purposeful in its telling, this is a handsome and thought-provoking introduction to these watershed acts of civil disobedience." -- School Library Journal

"Giovanni and Collier offer a moving interpretation of Rosa Park's momentous refusal to give up her bus seat. The author brings her heroine very much to life...a fresh take on a remarkable historic event." -- Publishers Weekly

"An essential volume for classrooms and libraries." -- Kirkus Reviews

George Washington's Teeth

Module 11

George Washington's Teeth by Deborah Chandra and Madeleine Comora

Summary


This is a very informative and sort of hilarious book. The book is about George Washington and his struggle with rotten teeth. The events of his life were address in the book as he battled tooth problems. By the time George Washington was President he had on two teeth in his mouth. Eventually George Washington lost all of his teeth. During all the major battles and important events in George Washington’s life he was battling problems with his teeth. George Washington eventually received false teeth made from hippo tusk that fit perfectly. They were not made of wood. Also the book has a very detailed timeline which was taken from George Washington’s, letters, diaries and other historical records.

My Impression

I truly enjoyed this little story. I loved the pictures in the book. I also learned some history I did not know about. With all the accomplishments he made, who would have thought he was having problems with his teeth. It’s a good thing for George Washington he is not living during this time. His problems about his teeth would be on every talk show, every news show and his teeth would be the subject of every comedian’s jokes. I would recommend this book for everyone to read young and old because it is entertaining as well historical.

How would I use this book as a lesson.

Read A Loud

This book can be used to teach lessons on taking care of your teeth. Discuss George Washington’s Teeth. Include Hygiene items such as Toothpaste, toothbrush and dental floss. Talk about why each is important. Ask students to share their daily regiment for taking care of their teeth.
Ask questions as to why they think George Washington had problems with his teeth.

Bibliography

Chandra, Deborah, and Madeleine Comora. George Washington's Teeth. New York: Farrar Straus Giroux, 2003. Print.

Strawberry Hill

Module 10

Strawberry Hill by Mary Ann Hoberman

Summary

Allie moves to Stamform Connecticut from New Haven during a time of the Depression. Allie is a ten year old little girl from urban New Haven. They lived in New Haven but her father worked in Stamford. So Allie’s father found a place for them to live in the new town. Allie did not want to move and leave her best friend Ruthie behind. Her new town was nothing like she imagined it would be. She expected some sign of strawberries. The name Strawberry hill made Allie think her town would be something different. Allie does meet new friends and learns valuable lessons when she witness racism and prejudice. She was surrounded by friends with personal issues. Allie’s mother taught her the difference between right and wrong and to treat every fair. She learns to deal with all the friends she met on Strawberry Hill Street and at school but learned valuable lessons in the process.

My Impression
Strawberry Hill is well written. The book is not what I expected when I saw a little girl on the cover with ponytails. I expected to read about a little girl going to a happy place with green grass and lots of flowers. The book looks at how racism affects people and the people inn their lives.

Lesson

This book can be used in the library and classroom to teach a great lesson about compassion, true kindness and friendship. Students will discuss each subject to share their thought on each subject.

Bibliography

Hoberman, Mary Ann., and On. Strawberry Hill. New York: Little, Brown and, 2009. Print.

Reviews
Strawberry Hill


"With story lines that are simple but never simplistic and perfectly crafted chapters in which the ordinary has the opportunity to become special, this is reminiscent of books by Elizabeth Enright and Sydney Taylor."

Booklist starred review

"Here is someone who knows how to bring detail and language into just the right balance to catch you up and pull you into the story. . . Hoberman maintains an exquisite balance between Allie's perspective and that of the adults around her, allowing for both a child's way of thinking and a polished narration."

New York Times Book Review

"Hoberman draws a full portrait of life on Strawberry Hill . . . Allie's plight will be utterly relatable to contemporary readers and the resolution is both satisfying and realistic."

Publishers Weekly

"Hoberman . . . makes a stunning debut with this charming book for middle-grade readers partly inspired by her own experience growing up during the Great Depression. With a poet's economy of words, she brings to vivid life a childhood from 70 years ago."

Buffalo News

"A charming coming-of-age story that introduces a feisty new heroine for girls to embrace."

Children's Book-of-the-Month Club

"A delightful and endearing autobiographical coming-of-age narrative."

BookPage

"A family story in the best sense of the word, with incidents and anecdotes about life in a well-adjusted family . . . a clear, fresh first-person point of view that knows and sees just what a ten-year would experience."

A review of this book by Sylvia Vardell.

"Poet Hoberman's debut novel, inspired . . . by her own youthful experience, is a pleasantly nostalgic read, but it also manages to be surprisingly contemporary and very effective in its handling of middle-grade relationships. Allie's struggles with the bestowing of the 'best friend' title will ring true with kids . . .The adults, too, are engaging and complex . . ."

Recommended. The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

Cam Jensen Mystery of the Dinosaur Bones

Module 9

Cam Jensen Mystery of the Dinosaur Bones by David Adler

Summary

Cam is a student with a photographic memory. It comes in handy when she is trying to solve a mystery. Eric and Cam goes on a field trip with their class to the museum. The class is viewing the Dinosaur display. Cam had seen the display before. She uses her photographic memory and realizes some bones are missing from the skeleton of the Coelophysis dinosaur. Cam and Eric spring into action to solve the mystery. They follow a truck from the museum on their bikes to a house and end up coming face to face with the thieves. With some assistance Cam and Eric is able to solve the mystery.



My Impression

I enjoyed reading the story “Cam Jensen Mystery of the Dinosaur Bones.” It was exciting and very entertaining. The book was short and easy to read with some humor. The book is great
for young readers who are beginning to read chapter books.

Bibliography

Adler, David A. Cam Jansen: the Mystery of the Dinosaur Bones. New York: Puffin, 2004. Print