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Cali Lankford

We Are the Ship

Author: Kadir Nelson

Illustator: Kadir Nelson

Genre: Informational

Age Level: 9-12

Number of pages: 96

Publisher: Brillance

Publication Date: January 8, 2008

Summary: The story of Negro League baseball is the story of gifted athletes and determined owners; of racial discrimination and international sportsmanship; of fortunes won and lost; of triumphs and defeats on and off the field. It is a perfect mirror for the social and political history of black America in the first half of the twentieth century. But most of all, the story of the Negro Leagues is about hundreds of unsung heroes who overcame segregation, hatred, terrible conditions, and low pay to do the one thing they loved more than anything else in the world: play ball. Using an "Everyman" player as his narrator, Kadir Nelson tells the story of Negro League baseball from its beginnings in the 1920s through its decline after Jackie Robinson crossed over to the majors in 1947. The voice is so authentic, you will feel as if you are sitting on dusty bleachers listening intently to the memories of a man who has known the great ballplayers of that time and shared their experiences. 

Critique: This book was boring to me because I just don’t like things like this. It was very hard to keep my attention and I couldn’t wait until it was over. I didn’t just dislike this book but I dislike all strictly informational books.

Genre Characteristics: This was informational because it was all about he negro baseball Legue and what happened.

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Cali Lankford

Snowflake Bentley

Author: Jacqueline Briggs Martin

Illustator: Mary Azarian

Genre: Biography

Age Level: 3-5 grade

Number of pages: 32

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Publication Date: September 28, 1998

Summary: "Of all the forms of water the tiny six-pointed crystals of ice called snow are incomparably the most beautiful and varied." -- Wilson Bentley (1865-1931). From the time he was a small boy in Vermont, Wilson Bentley saw snowflakes as small miracles. And he determined that one day his camera would capture for others the wonder of the tiny crystal. Bentley's enthusiasm for photographing snowflakes was often misunderstood in his time, but his patience and determination revealed two important truths: no two snowflakes are alike; and each one is startlingly beautiful. His story is gracefully told and brought to life in lovely woodcuts, giving children insight into a soul who had not only a scientist's vision and perseverance but a clear passion for the wonders of nature.

Critique: I really enjoyed this book because it is a person’s story and I enjoy things like that. It was about snowflakes and nature so I guess that’s why I enjoyed it.

Genre Characteristics: This is a biography because it is telling about his life and what he went through and thought.

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Cali Lankford

Rules

Author: Cynthia Lord

Illustrator: Derek Anderson

Genre: Contemporary realistic fiction

Age Level: Grades 6-8

Number of pages: 224

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Publication Date: April 1, 2006

Summary: Twelve-year-old Catherine just wants a normal life. Which is near impossible when you have a brother with autism and a family that revolves around his disability. She's spent years trying to teach David the rules from "a peach is not a funny-looking apple" to "keep your pants on in public"---in order to head off David's embarrassing behaviors. But the summer Catherine meets Jason, a surprising, new sort-of friend, and Kristi, the next-door friend she's always wished for, it's her own shocking behavior that turns everything upside down and forces her to ask: What is normal?

Critique: I absolutely loved this this book. I thought it was very well written and had good aspects for kids to look at. I thought it was sad in parts but it is probably relatable to some children. I loved this book the most out of any we have read.

Genre Characteristics: This related to the genre because it isn’t a real story of someone’s life story but it very well could be. So I feel like that’s why its in this category.

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Cali Lankford

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone

Author: J.K. Rowlings

Illustator: Mary Grandpre

Genre: Required Read but fantasy fiction

Age Level: 8-12 year old

Number of pages: 223

Publisher: Scholastic Corporation

Publication Date: 1998

Summary: Harry Potter's life is miserable. His parents are dead and he's stuck with his heartless relatives, who force him to live in a tiny closet under the stairs. But his fortune changes when he receives a letter that tells him the truth about himself: he's a wizard. A mysterious visitor rescues him from his relatives and takes him to his new home, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. After a lifetime of bottling up his magical powers, Harry finally feels like a normal kid. But even within the Wizarding community, he is special. He is the boy who lived: the only person to have ever survived a killing curse inflicted by the evil Lord Voldemort, who launched a brutal takeover of the Wizarding world, only to vanish after failing to kill Harry. Though Harry's first year at Hogwarts is the best of his life, not everything is perfect. There is a dangerous secret object hidden within the castle walls, and Harry believes it's his responsibility to prevent it from falling into evil hands. But doing so will bring him into contact with forces more terrifying than he ever could have imagined.

Critque: I never really enjoyed these books because I never liked the magic things because it was it unrealistic. But I think it is very well written for children and keeps their interest very well because its eventful.

Genre Characteristics: This book was required to read because most children read it but it is also labeled as fantasy fiction. That is because its not real and it involves magic and stuff that isn’t real.

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Cali Lankford

Joyful Noise

Author: Paul Fleischman

Illustrator: Eric Beddows

Genre: 1 single topic/ author anthology

Age Level: 8 to 12 years old

Number of pages: 64

Publisher: Harper Collins Publishers

Publication Date: 1988

Summary: Funny, sad, loud, and quiet, each of these poems resounds with a booming, boisterous, joyful noise. The poems resound with the pulse of the cicada and the drone of the honeybee. They can be fully appreciated by an individual reader, but they're particularly striking when read aloud by two voices, making this an ideal pick for classroom use. Eric Beddows′s vibrant drawings send each insect soaring, spinning, or creeping off the page in its own unique way.

Critique: I don’t really like poems so I wasn’t so found of this. It was poems describing whatever bug they were talking about. But I loved the illustrations. They were simple and details and just very well drawn.

Genre Characteristics: This follow the characteristic of being a single topic which was insects. And it also followed the one author rule because Paul Fleishman wrote them.

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Cali Lankford

The Owl and the Pussycat

Author: Edward Lear

Illustrator: Anne Mortimer

Genre: Picture Book Version of a single Poem

Age Level: Grades 1-2

Number of Pages: 22

Publisher: Harper Collins Publisher

Publication Date: 1871

Summary: Owl sets out to woo Pussycat in a boat laden with fruit from their Caribbean island and with a guitar at his side, ready for serenading. As they sail off across the sea, another story unfolds in the water beneath the boat. One by one, exotic sea creatures swim into the picture and small yellow fish seems to be looking for someone.

Critique: I didn’t really like this book because I just felt like it was so old with an old story but I thought it was written very well. I did like the pictures however.

Genre Characteristics: This is an example of its genre because it is in picture book form but it is still a poem.

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Cali Lankford

Hip Hop Speaks to the Children a celebration of poetry with a beat

Author: Nikki Giovanni

Illustrator: Kristen, Balouch, Michele Noiset, Jeremy Tugeau, Alicia Vergel de Dios, Damian Ward

Genre: 1 anthology

Age Level: 4-8 years’ old

Number of pages: 72

Publisher: Sourcebook Inc.

Publication Date: 2008

Summary: This book is filled with many many different types of poems about many different subjects. There are some about cultures, sports, life, food, family, and love.

Critique: I really liked this book because it had many different types of poems in it so it really kept your attention because everything was different. The only thing I didn’t particularly like is some of the pictures but other than that I loved it. It also came with a CD.

Genre Characteristics: This matches the characteristics to and anthology because its is a collection of published poems. So it matches though exact characteristics.

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Cali Lankford

The Polar Express

Author: Chris Van Allsburg

Illustrator: Chris Van Allsburg

Genre: Children Picture Book

Age Level: 1-2 grade

Number of pages: 32

Publisher: Hougnton Mifflin

Publication Date: 1985

Summary: A young boy, lying awake one Christmas Eve, is welcomed aboard a magical trip to the North Pole . . . Through dark forests, over tall mountains, and across a desert of ice, the Polar Express makes its way to the city atop the world, where the boy will make his Christmas wish. 

 For millions of readers worldwide, this mysterious journey to the North Pole has become a beloved classic. In this 30th anniversary edition, the inimitable artistry of Chris Van Allsburg is revealed in a never-before-seen fashion, with a new jacket design and expanded interior layout.

Critique: I liked the pictures so much in this book. I thought they were so beautiful because they were very descriptive but classy. I think older kids could read this and still love it because its not too too childish. But overall I enjoyed this book.

Genre Characteristics: This is a children’s book because the plot was about Santa and the beliefs including that. Also it’s a picture book because it shows what the words are describing.

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Cali Lankford

The Snowy day

Author: Ezra Jack Keats

Illustrator: Ezra Jack Keats

Genre: Children Picture Book

Age Level:  1-2 grade

Number of pages: 32

Publisher: Viking Press

Publication Date: 1962

Summary: Reveals a child’s wonder at a new world, and the hope of capturing and keeping that wonder forever. The adventures of a little boy in the city on a very snowy day.

Critique: I didn’t like this book. I thought it was very very slow and boring. I didn’t even enjoy the pictures. I thought everything was just to plain to keep my attention, much less a child’s attention. So this has to be my least favorite book.

Genre Characteristics: This is a child’s book because of the plot and the pictures because it is very boring and simple. It also doesn’t have very many words. I think the pictures were supposed to speak for itself.

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Cali Lankford

Blueberries for Sal

Author: Robert McCloskey

Illustrator: Robert McCloskey

Genre: Children Picture Book

Age Level: 1-2 grade

Number of pages: 56

Publisher: Viking Press

Publication Date: 1948

Summary: What happens when Sal and her mother meet a mother bear and her cub? A beloved classic is born! Kuplink, kuplank, kuplunk! Sal and her mother a picking blueberries to can for the winter. But when Sal wanders to the other side of Blueberry Hill, she discovers a mama bear preparing for her own long winter.  Meanwhile Sal's mother is being followed by a small bear with a big appetite for berries! Will each mother go home with the right little one?

Critique: I loved this book as a kid and I love it even more now. I think it’s a very easygoing book, which I like because that’s how I am. I feel like this book relates to me perfectly and its such a cute story. I also enjoyed the picture because they perfectly fit with the words.

Genre Characteristics: This is a children’s book because it can be to teach lessons. Its also a picture book because there are pictures to describe the words.

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Cali Lankford

Don’t let the pigeon drive the bus

Author: Mo Willems

Illustrator: Mo Willems

Genre: Childrens Picture Book

Age Level: 2-6

Number of pages: 32

Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children

Publication Date: Feb 1, 2004

Summary: On the title page, the bus driver addresses the reader directly. He says that he has to be gone for a while and asks if the reader can watch things, but not to let the pigeon drive the bus. As the driver walks off one page, the pigeon walks on the next asking if he can drive the bus. He begs, makes deals, pretends, complains, cajoles, bribes, and then insists that he be allowed to drive the bus, but his wish is not granted; so he fumes. The bus driver returns, thanks the reader, and drives off. The pigeon then spies a truck and a new fantasy takes hold of his imagination

Critique: I personal liked this book because one time I read it to a class room and they all loved it and thought it was hilarious. I liked it myself because it was funny. But I know a lot of people don’t like it because they find it annoying because the pigeon just keeps begging to drive the bus. I also thought the pictures were very appropriate to the book because the book was messy as well as the pictures. The book was written with a lot of emotion and the pages show that.

Genre Characteristics: This was a children’s book because the humor is for younger audiences. Its also a picture book because it has pictures on every page.

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Cali Lankford

Click Clack Moo Cows That Type

Author: Doreen Cronin

Illustrator: Betsy Lewin

Genre: Children Picture Book

Age Level: 3-7

Number of pages: 32

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Publication Date: 2000

Summary: Farmer Brown has a problem. His cows like to type. All day long he hears Click, clack, MOO. Click, clack, MOO. Clickety, clack, MOO. But Farmer Brown's problems REALLY begin when his cows start leaving him notes.... Doreen Cronin's understated text and Betsy Lewin's expressive illustrations make the most of this hilarious situation. Come join the fun as a bunch of literate cows turn Farmer Brown's farm upside down.

Critique: This was my favorite one. I think its really funny and cute because of all the barn animals. They are so sassy and I think it makes people laugh. I did like the pictures but I feel like they could be improved. But I think I feel like that because I’m older and its not intended for an audience of my age.  So I think to the right audience they probably enjoy the pictures. I overall just really enjoyed the humor in this book.

Genre Characteristics: This is a picture book because there are pictures on every page. With the intended audience supposed to be children.

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Cali Lankford

The Cat in the Hat

Author: Dr. Seuss

Illustrator: Dr. Seuss

Genre: Children Picture Book

Age Level: 4-8

Number of pages: 61

Publisher: Random House

Publication Date:  March 1957

Summary: Poor Dick and Sally. It's cold and wet and they're stuck in the house with nothing to do . . . until a giant cat in a hat shows up, transforming the dull day into a madcap adventure and almost wrecking the place in the process! Written by Dr. Seuss in 1957 in response to the concern that "pallid primers [with] abnormally courteous, unnaturally clean boys and girls' were leading to growing illiteracy among children

Critique: I was always a fan of Dr. Seuss and I still am. I think I liked this book because it wad about a cat. But I liked this book now. Its all about the cat being silly. I feel like I was a very well written book. I enjoy how he writes not only in this book but all/ the pictures were very descriptive so I liked that.

Genre Characteristics: This is a children book because of the writing and even the cat is talking to the children and its mean to be silly. It also has pictures everywhere.

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Cali Lankford

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Author: Eric Carle

Illustrator: Eric Carle

Genre: Children Picture Book

Age Level: 2-4

Number of pages: 30

Publisher: Penguin Group

Publication Date: January 1, 1970

Summary: As the newborn caterpillar snacks through the pages (leaving behind a hole to stick a little finger through), he gets bigger, fatter, and turns into a lovely butterfly with wings the color of Swiss cheese, oranges, and cherry pie! Carle brings humor to the development of the caterpillar, one of the first science miracles a child learns.

Critique: I LOVED this book when I was younger so I naturally loved it now. I love the pictures and the story because its like a poem. Its just a cute story with cute pictures because they aren’t great but they are made to be very cute.

Genre Characteristics: This is a children’s book because of the story in general because its talking about a hungry caterpillar eating things and what adults would want to read that. Also the pictures go with the story.

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Cali Lankford

The Giving Tree

Author: Shel Silverstein

Illustrator: Shel Silverstein

Genre: Children Picture Book

Age Level: 4-8

Number of pages: 64

Publisher: HarperCollins

Publication Date: October 1964

Summary: So begins a story of unforgettable perception, beautifully written and illustrated by the gifted and versatile Shel Silverstein. Every day the boy would come to the tree to eat her apples, swing from her branches, or slide down her trunk...and the tree was happy. But as the boy grew older he began to want more from the tree, and the tree gave and gave and gave

Critique: I dint like this book but I read it because it was in the genre and very popular so I decided to do this one. I didn’t find it interesting. Maybe a little bit sad. I didn’t like the pictures either. It was a very simple looking book.

Genre Characteristics: This had picture description’s in it and it is aimed toward children. The reading level and everything is directed toward kids.

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Why Mosquitoes Buzz in peoples Ears

Author: Verna Aardema

Illustrator: Leo and Diane Dillon

Genre: Children Picture Book

Age Level:  1-2 grades

Number of pages: 32

Publisher: Dial Books

Publication Date: 1975

Summary: According to this tale, it happened this way: a mosquito said something foolish to the iguana who put sticks in his ears so that he would hear no more such foolishness. This frightened the next animal who saw the iguana and so went the chain of action and panic until a monkey inadvertently killed an owlet which caused the mother owl to mourn and neglect her duties of waking the sun. When the animals finally figured out the tragedy, they blamed the mosquito and were furious with him. That's why mosquitoes buzz in people's ears: they are asking if everyone is still angry with them.

Critique: I loved the pictures in this because they are so different and unique. But I will say as a child I hated these kinds of pictures but I grew to like them for some reason. I really liked this book because it was a chain reaction of why the Mother Owl wasn’t waking up the sun and it was because the mosquito. So I thought that was funny.

Genre Characteristics: This is a children’s picture book because it was made for children because it was directed towards children to find a little humor and make them think. Also its obvious it was a picture book because they had pictures on the page describing what was going on.

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Cali Lankford

Corduroy

Author: Don Freeman

Illustrator: Don Freeman

Genre: Children Picture Book

Age Level: 1-2 grade

Number of pages: 32

Publisher: Viking Press

Publication Date: 1968

Summary: Poor Corduroy, he has been sitting on the store shelf for a long time. A young girl named Lisa falls in love with Corduroy despite his missing button and shopworn look. It is a heartwarming story of the small stuffed bear's desire for a home and friends and his obtaining perfect fulfillment in the devotion of Lisa. 

Critique: I didn’t really like this book so much but I do remember liking it when I was younger. I’m not so sure why I didn’t like it other than the fact I found it boring. But it is a feel good story and has small little lessons thrown in there for children to learn from. But I really liked the pictures.

Genre Characteristics: This is a children’s picture book because its teaching children good habits and teaching them small lessons even if they don’t notice. Its also a picture book because he has pictures on every page.