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Module 15: Looking for Alaska

Genre: Censorship Issues
I can understand why this story would be considered controversial. It is has some very adult scenarios for a young adult reader. There is violence, sex, and disturbing language. Parent’s might not be prepared to allow their child to read such a questionable story.
Book Summary:
The main character, Miles who goes to boarding school in Alabama to seek his love of adventure. While there he meets a group of friends who have nick names like the Colonel, Lara, Pudge and the Eagle, the dean of students. There is another important character the book is centered around. Her name is Alaska. Miles instantly becomes intrigued by her in your face type of personality and falls deeply in love with Alaska. Especially since she is unpredictable, amusing and beautiful. Alaska passes away in the story due to a fatal car accident. This leaves Miles devastated. However, since her friends think she left, ran away or disappeared on purpose, they start to search for her. Hence the title, Looking for Alaska. In the end, the disappointed group of friends come to terms with Alaska's death. They learn to deal with it and realize she might have died. Miles accepts Alaska’s death and is able to move on.
APA Reference of Book:
Green, J. (2005). Looking for Alaska. New York, New York: Dutton Books.
Impressions:
This book is funny due to the dialogue between characters. They are all very sassy and are great pranksters which makes this book very entertaining. One example is when they hired a stripper to pretend to be a professor. He takes off his clothes in the middle of his speech, in front of a large audience. In my opinion, this book did not seem like a young adult book. The vocabulary was elevated and the author seemed to give a very intellectual account of this fiction story. Each character had its own quirks and were described in a very vast, yet detailed manner. Especially Alaska who was very complex, explicit, and very appealing. Also, I have never read a book where the timeline is set around the death of a character. In the beginning, paragraphs started with “one hundred eight days before.” Then, after Alaska's death, the timeline changes to, “twenty-nine days after” and so on.
Professional Review:
When John Green published Looking for Alaska, which would go on to win the 2006 Michael L. Printz Award, he was working at Booklist as a production editor. It is Booklist policy that a book written or edited by a staff editor receive a brief descriptive announcement rather than a review. Green's first novel tells the story of 11th-grader Miles Halter, who leaves his boring life in Florida in hopes of boarding school adventures in Alabama. A collector of famous last words, Miles is after what the dying Francois Rabelais called ""the Great Perhaps."" At the boarding school, he is blessed with a fast-talking and quick-witted roommate, who just so happens to be friends with the enigmatic and beautiful Alaska Young. It's Alaska who introduces Miles to the purported last words of Simon Bolivar: ""Damn it. How will I ever get out of this labyrinth?"" It is a question that haunts Miles, particularly in the last third of the novel as he and his friends are forced to cope with loss. - Booklist
APA References of Professional Review:
Booklist. (2007).
Library Uses:
In the upper grades, perhaps High school, introduce, discuss and contemplate with students the meaning of Intellectual Freedom. Encourage a civilized debate among students in order for them to research why there is or is not a need for censorship in libraries when it comes to banned books.
Readalikes:
Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon - to offer students a choice of reading a more positive young adult book
The Perks of Being a Wildflower by Stphen Chbosky - to offer students the choice of reading materials on topics that are considered controversial
Go Ask Alice by Anonymous - to allow students the opportunity to read about what it is like to live with Alzheimer disease for patients and their families / a more realistic banned book choice / society should not keep students in a sheltered bubble, students should be allowed to choose what they want to read, and it is my responsibility to provide all types of reading material for patrons
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Module 14: Yes! We are Latinos!

Genre: Poetry and Story Collections
This book has both narrative story collections and poetry. It has has some nonfiction aspects since there were many facts concerning the Latino culture.
Book Summary:
A collection of Autobiographies written in poetry format together with a history lesson on all things Latino. For example, the book explains the culture, food, struggles, customs, and holidays, and the struggle for citizenship. There are 13 different short stories that seem to be personal narratives. This is a positive outlook on the Latino culture.
APA Reference of Book:
Ada, A.F., & Campoy, F.I. (2013). Yes! We are Latinos. Watertown, MA: Charlesburg Publishing Inc.
Impressions:
I really enjoyed reading the different personal accounts of different Hispanic heritages. The variety of points of views on the struggles of being Latino were excellent reads. My favorite poem is titled, My Name is Santiago. It starts with 3 simple sentences, I am Dominican. I live in Detroit. I am Latino. The third sentence is ongoing throughout the book for every story. After each personal narrative, there is a short nonfictional story on a particular, Hispanic topic. I must confess, I skipped through most of these. They were kinda boring, in my opinion. I just struggled to stay interested in the history lesson. However, the narratives were great! I can appreciate and relate to some of the different stories. The illustrations were simple, black and white colors. They remind me of the banners that are hanging all over San Antonio during Fiesta Week.
Professional Review:
Gr 4-8–A collection of narrative poems meant to represent young Latinos of diverse and multiple backgrounds. All of the selections start with the statement, “My name is…,” followed by a bit about where the narrators live, how they came to the United States, and how their families' cultural identities are shaping their future. Each entry is followed with another short narrative that includes historical references to contextualize the “child's” story. It is refreshing to see a varied presentation that includes those from different ethnic, racial, and religious backgrounds, in addition to representing some of the smaller Latin American countries and the islands in the Caribbean. The vignettes also help to illustrate the meaning of being mestizo–the blending of indigenous, African, and Spanish lineage–mentioned in the introduction and explored throughout. Another notable detail is the inclusion of Asians in Latin America, which is often overlooked in children's literature. The illustrations are interesting lino cutouts, black and white, reminiscent of Latino folk art, akin to wood carvings and papel picado. Teachers looking for a starting point to write personal narratives will find the book extremely useful as will those seeking to recognize and highlight this diverse population. A short list of Latino-inspired literature is appended.–Maricela Leon-Barrer
APA Reference of Professional Review:
School Library Journal. (2013).
Library Uses:
This book would be great for high school students. While contemplating library usage, I really kept coming back to embracing the diversity of a school’s community. A World Table Display would be great in the library. I would have a variety of books that demonstrates languages, cultures, food, travel, customs and holidays from a variety of cultures. I would include food samples, videos and music from all over the world. Headphones with a variety of music samples and perhaps a guessing game so that student can vote on what language the song lyrics are playing. I would even like to display a variety of clothes and shoes or even hats and their different meanings in cultures.
Readalikes:
Cool Salsa: Bilingual Poems on Growing Up Latino in the United States by Lori M. Carlson - this book has the same theme
The Tree Is Older Than You Are: A Bilingual Gathering of Poems & Stories from Mexico with Paintings by Mexican Artists by Naomi Shihab Nye - same theme
Red Hot Salsa: Bilingual Poems on Being Young and Latino in the United States by Lori M. Carlson - same author, same theme
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Module 13: Zita the Space Girl

Genre: Graphic Novels and Series Books
This is one of three books in a series.
Book Summary:
This is the first in a series of graphic novels whose main character is Zita. Zita and her friend, Joseph find an orb. Then, Zita pushes the button to it. As a result, Joseph is immediately whisked away to another planet. Zita decides to follow him in order to rescue him. In order to help, Zita befriends a giant mouse that gives her rides and several others that help her rescue Joseph. In the end, Joseph returns home, but Zita was unable to.
APA Reference of Book:
Hatke, B. (2011). Zita the spacegirl. New York, NY: South Chin Print
Impressions:
This was a book full of adventure. I think students would enjoy reading it because there are few words in most of the book. But, you can still understand what is happening in the story. Primarily due to the illustrations. This book will be great for a struggling reader since a lot of story is told by studying the illustrations. Zita is a brave girl who sees a need and does not hesitate to rescue her friend.
Professional Review:
Grade 2–5—While exploring a meteoroid crater, young explorers Zita and Joseph discover an unusual device featuring a conspicuous red button. Zita's curiosity compels her to press it, only to discover that it summons an alien creature that instantly abducts Joseph. The fearless heroine follows him to a planet inhabited by Scriptorians, who intend to use him as a ritual sacrifice to prevent the destruction of their planet. In her quest to save her friend, Zita assembles a cadre of unusual cohorts: a giant mouse that she rides; an oversize bloblike creature named Strong Strong; a Heavily Armored Mobile Battle Orb known as One; and Robot Randy. Together they head off to the Scriptorians' castle to rescue Joseph. Along the way, she meets Piper, a fellow earthling traveling through space who becomes an important player in the story. Aptly named, he is part Pied Piper and part inventor but always a smooth talker who alternately assists and sabotages the mission. In order to save her friend, Zita must ultimately risk her own chance to return to Earth. With echoes of The Wizard of Oz, this charming, well-told story has a timeless "read to me" quality that makes it perfect for one-on-one sharing. Adults will enjoy the subtle humor and inside jokes, and children will love intrepid Zita and her adventures. The art is simply delightful: a realistic heroine surrounded by a world of bizarre creatures. Fans of the Flight anthologies (Villard) will cheer for the return of Zita.—Barbara M. Moon
APA Reference of Professional Review:
School Library Journal. (2011).
Library Uses:
After reading the book for AR points, bring in a lesson on the importance of research. Create a lesson on how to use Alexandria Researcher in the library for research. Encourage search of information on aliens, space, planets, heroism or any subject matter of the student’s choice.
Readalikes:
The Return of Zita the Space Girl by Ben Hatke - to encourage students to read a whole series of books
Hank Zipzer by Henry Winkler and Henry Oliver - to give students a choice of series books to read
The Lonely Alien by K. Lorraine - in case a student becomes interested in the subject matter of aliens
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Module 12: America’s Champion Swimmer: Gertrude Ederle

Genre: Biography and Autobiography
This book is a Biography about Gertrude Ederele who lived during the 1900′s.
Book Summary:
This is a story that starts with facts about how women had no rights, and were considered meek, compared to men. Then, the story turns its focus on to a little girl who almost drowned while swimming with family. This scary moment changed, Gertrude’s life around after her father made her learn how to swim. Ms. Ederele was able to take that negative moment and turn it into a positive one. She won many competitions and even Olympic medals. She broke a vast amount of swimming records as well. All of this during a time when women did not have the right to vote and were expected to be at home, cooking and cleaning.
APA Reference of Book:
Adler, D.A. (2000). America’s champion swimmer. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
Impression:
This biography is extremely well written. It is captivating and intriguing. It starts by hooking the reader into the story by explaining the lack of rights women had. Then, it is able to turn your attention smoothly by focusing on how a little girl came to love swimming by accident. After that, the book is able to explain factually, the many boundaries she was able to break by swimming during a time when women had no rights. Imagine the chaos it must have caused to break world swimming records previously held by only men. That must have caused some troubles for her. However, the books stays positive and focuses on Gertrudes attributes and character traits.
Professional Review:
Kindergarten-Grade 4-This picture-book biography covers the life of Gertrude Ederle, highlighting her world-record breaking, long-distance swims. In 1926, women were thought to be the weaker sex, but this indomitable young athlete broke the men's record by two hours when she swam the English Channel. Fascinating tidbits about her 21-mile swim will entice readers: "She floated on her back and ate chicken and drank beef broth." For her victory, she was rewarded with a ticker-tape parade and a letter from President Coolidge calling her "America's Best Girl." More information about her life is appended. In the acrylic paintings, characters with large bodies and small heads, suggesting Depression-era art, are set on impressionistic backgrounds. The pictures of the swirling, rough water add fluidity and motion, and the perspectives that show the small figure of the swimmer in the vast sea capture the immensity of Ederle's endeavor. Attractive formatting and large type make this story of achievement as effective and as inspiring to read aloud as this team's Lou Gehrig: The Luckiest Man (1997) and The Babe & I (1999, both Gulliver). - Jean Gaffney
APA Reference of Professional Review:
Gaffney, Jean. (2000). School Library Journal.
Library Uses:
Create a Maker’s Space and encourage students to aim high and realize their lives are important. Offer a choice on writing an autobiography or biography using technology or a nice bounded journal notebook. They can interview or be interviewed using a video camera or Ipad. Create a song on Animoto on their lives. Or, a presentation on Padlink, Pearltree or Youtube apps. Creativity and possibilities are endless.
Readalikes:
Harvesting Hope: The Story of Ceasar Chavez by Kathleen Krull - offer students a diversified choice of biographies to read
Marin’s Big Words by Doreen Rapaport - to support diversity among students
The Art Lesson by Tommie De Paola - can’t go wrong with a book written by De Paola, especially if it’s an autobiography
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Module 11: Ocean Sunlight

Genre: Information Book
A great representation of a an informational book. It gave facts about the food chain inside and outside of the ocean. It explained with careful detail the role the sun plays in the environment. And, it was done with such ease, that was easy to read and follow, yet gives room for learning.
Book Summary:
A factual and interesting book about the sun, ocean, plants, photosynthesis, food chains, and phytoplankton. Phytoplankton is the ocean’s main source of food for the fish and animals that live way down, beneath in the blackest part of the ocean. It is unreachable by the sunlight, way down below.
APA Reference of Book:
Bang, M., & Chisholm, P. (2012). Ocean sunlight: How tiny plants feed the seas. New York, NY: The Blue Sky Press.
Impressions:
I must confess, I read this book to my fourth graders. They really enjoyed it, and I liked it as well. The illustrations are bright, and capturing. The information given in the book was interesting and kept my students interested throughout the informational story. My favorite fact, half of the oxygen we breath every day comes from plants from the Earth, and the other half comes from phytoplankton floating in the ocean. (Bang and Chisholm, 2012). It was a good read.
Professional Review:
Gr 3-5-Bang and Chisolm have written about the sun before, Bang in My Light (2004) and the pair in Living Sunlight: How Plants Bring the Earth to Life (2009, both Scholastic). Here they turn their attention to the ocean and its vast population of phytoplankton-the widespread "meadow" of the sea. The simple text follows the food chain from the tiniest of green plants (powered into life by the sun) to the biggest predators dependent on plankton-gobblers for food. The authors explain photosynthesis and the ocean layer exchange wrought by sunlight-driven currents, and even touch on the life below, where the strongest sunbeam cannot reach. Bang's stylized, dynamic illustrations are a perfect foil for the well-spaced text superimposed upon them. Some will balk at the book's opening statement: "All ocean life depends on me" (the sun), being aware of the strange world of thermal vents, colonized by bacteria capable of converting chemical compounds into food, many existing in a biome with equally unique life-forms that abound in this eerie, dark environment. In the extensive "Notes About This Book" section Bang explains "There are so many important, related concepts that we could not possibly cover them all in this book." However, she does provide much further information on the topics raised in the text, sure to be a boon to classroom teachers, homeschoolers, and puzzled parents alike.-Patricia Manning
APA Reference of Professional Review:
Manning, Patricia. (2012). School Library Journal.
Library Uses:
STEM activity in order to encourage Science.
Readalikes:
Living Sunlight: How Plants Bring the Earth to Light. by Molly Bang & Penny Chisholm
Rivers of Sunlight: How the Sun Moves Water Around the Earth by Molly Bang & Penny Chisholm
Buried Sunlight: How Fossil Fuels Have Changed the Earth by Molly Bang & Penny Chisholm
- the above are all books with the same authors, theme and reading levels - after STEM activities, a blue/sunlight/water themed table can be set up to offer students a variety of books to read within the same theme as a closing of the STEM activities they worked on
- ELL students can have the book of their choice read to them, GT students can write a summary of the book they choose and regular ed students can use the books to work on their AR points (incorporate IPADs in order to encourage ebook usage on the same theme as well)
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Module 10: Tomas and the Library Lady

Genre: Historical Fiction
This book is not a Historical Fiction story, in my opinion. I had to go back and double check my Reading List in order to make sure I had the correct book listed. This book is more Realistic Fiction. There is no evidence of a Historical Event that takes place in this story.
Book Summary:
Tomas, a Hispanic boy travels with his family who are migrant farm workers. He has an elderly grandfather who is respected as a great story teller. Tomas loves listening to the great stories his grandfather tells. One day, Tomas is asked by his grandfather to go out to the library in order to search for more stories to tell. Tomas does so and befriends the Library Lady during his visits to the local library. Tomas enjoys traveling inside of his books about animals and dinosaurs. He is able to escape the confinements of the difficult times at the farms from his readings. After his reading journeys, he is able to return to the camp where his family works in order to read the stories from his library books to his family. Then, the whole family is able to escape with the stories as well. Finally, Tomas’s grandfather realized they have a new, great story teller in the family.
APA Reference of Book:
Mora, P. & Colon, R. (1997). Tomas and the library lady. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf Inc.
Impressions:
This is good story about the hardships of migrant farm workers and how books help them escape those confinements. I have students who leave school in order to travel with their families to the farms for labor. They are very humble and are very much interested in learning. Unlike the child who has everything and does not value the importance of an education. While this book is written in English, I like how the author threw in some Spanish words. One instance is when Tomas is counting, quietly to himself, “Uno, dos, tres, cuatro.” It makes the story much more realistic and authentic. Perhaps this story is considered Historical Fiction due to the migrant farm workers. Perhaps not, what did I miss?
Professional Review:
In a story inspired by the life of Tomas Rivera, a migrant worker who became a nationally known educator, young Tomas and his family, migrant farm workers, leave Texas for work in Iowa, where Tomas discovers the wonder of books at the local library. Colón's scratchboard illustrations convey the magic of reading and of telling stories, but give little sense of the time period or poverty of Tomas's life. - Horn Book Magazine
APA Reference of Professional Review:
Horn Book (1997). Retrieved from: Books in Print
Library Uses:
I like the idea of creating a Makers Space of languages. I would bring in a variety of books that have different languages in them. Perhaps, a student will discover a language that might spark an interest and become trilingual instead of just bilingual. I would include sign language books as well. And, Ipads so that the kids can search for videos of real life scenarios of people speaking in their own, personal different languages.
Readalikes:
Abe Lincoln: The Boy Who Loved Books - to demonstrate to students there are many other famous people who had a love of books and reading.
The Wednesday Surprise by Eve Bunting - a different book that also stresses the love and importance of reading
That Book Women by Heather Hensen - to support the theme of reading books
Bed Head by Margie Palatini - same reading level, and something not so serious in case is student is bored with the theme of reading from the previous two readalikes
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Module 9: The Top Secret Files of Mother Goose

Genre: Mystery
Yes, a good, silly mystery spearheaded by Mother Goose and her famous Nursery Rhyme characters about missing tarts.
Book Summary:
HELP! Someone stole The Queen of Heart’s strawberry tarts and she is furious. Mother Goose is called to search for clues and interview all the characters who might have done the dirty deed. She interviews Mary Contrary, Little Miss Muffet, Little Boy Blue, Little Bo Peep, Humpty Dumpty and Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater. In the end, it is discovered by Mother Goose, that the culprit is his majesty, the King. He was jealous because his pies were always full of black birds, while the Queen of Hearts eats delicious pastries from Patty Cake, the baker. Finally, His Majesty is forced to write lines, “I will not steal the Queen’s tarts.” in order to gain Her Majesty’s forgiveness.
APA Reference of Book:
Gosling, G. (2006). The top secret files of Mother Goose! Milwaukee, WI: Gareth Stevens Pub.
Impressions:
I really enjoy reading stories like this one, where author’s are able to take classic characters and spin them off into different scenarios. The book comes with cleverly written notes about the “case” written inside the important file, of Usual Suspects. Notes like, Humpty Dumpty is a hard-boiled character and uses the alias of Egghead. It is so simple, yet amusing and clever, in my opinion. Every character has its own full page drawing of his exaggerated traits. For example, Peter Peter Pumpkin Eater is illustrated sawing into his Pumpkin Home. Also, Humpty Dumpty has band-aids on his egg shelf to keep him together. I think it’s funny and students will enjoy this wonderful, mysterious adventure.
Professional Review:
K-Gr 4-When the Queen of Hearts discovers her strawberry tarts missing, she calls in Mother Goose, "Chief Detective of Nursery Rhyme Crime." The clues include a trail of crumbs, a dish and a spoon, and a hankie with the initials HM. As Mother Goose questions each suspect, a full-page illustration of that individual appears opposite the text, which is printed on a manila-folder background. A handwritten note with humorous details about that particular character appears to be paper clipped to the file. Readers may question the detective's technique as she chases down alleged perpetrators who do not have the correct initials. However, logic aside, the comical rewording of familiar facts will appeal to those who are conversant with nursery rhymes. The vibrant cartoons pop off the pages, and the witty details will have youngsters studying the pictures with interest. Serving as a foil for the boisterous cast of characters, Mother Goose appears almost too charming and sweet to be pitted against this wild and wacky lineup of possible criminals, but that only adds to the comedy. With its retro artwork and imitation of hard-boiled detective speech, this text-heavy mystery is more appropriate for older children, but the story and its solution may be a bit too simplistic to hold their attention. Fans of Jon Scieszka's humor seem the most likely audience for this book's campy art and puns.-Laurie Edwards
APA Reference of Professional Review:
Edwards, Laurie. (2004). School Library Journal. Retrieved from Books in Print.
Library Uses:
Family Reading Night at the library. Bring in rocking chairs, pillows, towels, and blankets in order to encourage reading with family members in a comfortable, not so formal setting. Focus on Fractured Fairy Tales in order to encourage the simple enjoyment of reading.
Readalikes:
Cinder Edna by Ellen Jackson - to offer students a different spin on the classic story of Cinderella
The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka - to encourage high order thinking for the GT students so that a Double Bubble Map can be created at a Maker’s Space Table on Family Reading Night where the students use art to create their thinking maps and compare/contrast characters, setting, point of view, etc.
Ninja Red Riding Hood by Corey Rosen Schwartz - many times, boys are left out from reading Fairy Tales. I want to be able to offer a book that will get boys excited about reading and being silly as well.
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Module 8: Doll Bones

Genre: Fantasy
I disagree with the genre, fantasy. I could not tell if the author was going for cute or creepy. I am really undecided about this book. I don’t like it, yet I don’t hate it. It was right in the middle.
Book Summary:
This is the story of 3 children who are coming of age. Zach, Popp and Alice are playmates who have vivid imaginations. They play with action figures and make up stories about pirates, and boats. They also tell each other everything. One day Zach’s father throws out his action figures because he wants him to do more “manly” things. Zack is devastated and decides he is going to stop playing with his friends. However, he doesn't let them know. Poppy, who has a doll put away in her home convinces Zach and Alice that the doll told her they must go bury the doll in the cemetery. They cross the Ohio River by stealing a sailboat, break into a library and are found by the librarian who calls their parents to pick them up. They escape the library and are able to bury the doll in the cemetery beside her father who had supposedly murdered her.
APA Reference of Book:
Black, H., & Wheeler, E. (2015). Doll bones. New York, New York: Margaret K. McElderry Books.
Impressions:
I can see 11 and 12 year old children playing make believe with each other. I understand the father wishing his son be more manly and therefore throwing away his action figures. I didn’t like their leaving in the middle of the night, getting off the bus, sleeping outdoors or crossing the Ohio River in a small sailboat. The overturning of their little sailboat was inevitable. I don’t think too many 12 year old children would be able to handle a boat for their first time. Or, even be out on a boat, even if they had read books on it. The story was was mediocre. It was not great. I could not tell if the doll talking to Poppy was a figment of her imagination or if she was really talking to her. I suppose she was, that is why the genre is a fantasy book. Please don’t make me read it again.
Professional Review:
A trio of adolescents goes on a quest to satisfy the demands of a ghost. Sounds like standard middle-grade fare, but in Black’s absolutely assured hands, it is anything but. Zach, Poppy, and Alice have been playing the same make-believe game for years, one involving pirates and mermaids and, of course, the Great Queen—a creepy, bone-china doll at Poppy’s house. Then Poppy reveals that she’s been haunted by a girl whose ground-up bones lie inside the Great Queen, so the doll must be properly buried. Begrudgingly, the three agree to play one last game and hope against hope for “a real adventure, the kind that changed you.” With heart-wrenching swiftness, Black paints a picture of friends at the precipice of adulthood; they can sense the tentative peace of youth that is about to be demolished. The tightly focused, realistic tale—bladed with a hint of fairy-tale darkness—feels cut from the very soul of youth: there is no sentimentality, no cuteness, only the painful, contradictory longing to move forward in one’s life without leaving anything behind. Stories about the importance of stories (“Maybe no stories were lies,” thinks Zach) don’t come much more forthright and affecting than this one. Wheeler’s sketches ameliorate some of the tension and dread—not a bad thing.HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Black’s best-selling Spiderwick Chronicles pave the way for this powerful stand-alone, which comes with an author tour, in-theater promos, and more.— Daniel Kraus
APA Reference of Professional Review:
Booklist Online. Retrieved from: https://www.booklistonline.com/Doll-Bones-Holly-Black
Library Uses:
A book talk in order to encourage students to read Newbery Winner and Honor books.
Readalikes:
The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill - to give students a different option for reading a different Newbery Book winner within the same reading level.
The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman - a different Newberry book within the same theme of ghosts.
The Cruel Prince by Holly Black - to offer students a different book written by the same author.
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Module 7: Realistic Fiction

Genre: Realistic Fiction
Book Summary:
August Pullman, a boy born with facial abnormalities, is about to start attending a public middle school after being home schooled his whole life. During this time many things change for him. August has troubles with new friends and enemies at school. He also has to deal with a loss of his dog, Daisy. As well as go through a lot of harsh bullying, and fighting. After winning a prestigious award at his school, he becomes loved by his peers. This changes his outlook on life, and helps enable him to stand up for himself. However, above all he discovers the importance of love, friends and family.
APA Reference of Book:
Palacio, R. J. (2017). Wonder. New York, New York: Knopf Books for Young Readers.
Impressions:
Wonder is raw, honest, and incredibly beautiful story. I was impressed with this middle school aged book and how it was able to create events and characters that felt so true. The characters were believable with descriptions of heartwarming events that did not make the story extremely melodramatic and overly sappy. I think the best stories make you reflect on your own experiences and this one made me think about my son, who dealt with bullying while in middle school. I felt a strong connection towards August.
Professional Review:
When I finally finished Wonder it was hard to stop thinking (not that I wanted to) about how it inspired and refreshed me. The positive feedback covering the inside pages and back cover of my copy could only begin to describe the great emotional journey that is Wonder. It is a book that I can guarantee will leave any reader feeling better.
"My name is August. I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, its probably worse."
August is ten years old and he does the normal things that other ten year olds do. He likes ice cream and riding his bike. He plays ball and has an Xbox but despite 27 operations, he will never look normal.
Things are tough for August and his family too. His protective big sister, Via feels angry when people stare and his parents love him yet cannot help but argue about whether August should go to school.
What were the chances that Auggie's face turned out the way that it did? The face of a boy who was unlucky enough to get a double dose of a mutant gene that makes him and his family not so ordinary after all. When August begins at middle school, he is nervous. Not only is he nervous for the same reasons as every other child in his new class but because August cannot walk down the corridor without being the subject of stares and cruelty.
August lives in a brutal world. So surely, middle school is the last place he could ever hope to be normal … right?
This book gives a realistic look at the frankly brutal reality that is a hugely hushed topic in childrens books. Wonder is about something that we don't like to talk about because it is so rare and so sad. But August is a boy who can't be hushed into silence or invisibility in his world, simply because of the way he looks.
This book is bold, funny and engaging. If someone had told me about the topic of this book before I read it, I think I would have mostly chosen to read it because I did not want to walk away from the sad truths and I owed it to people who have similar problems to August. However I found instead that I enjoyed it because it is written with such charm and heart, even in the sad parts. It manages to be about a person with an unlucky and rare syndrome, who we love not out of sympathy (although this book oozes reality and raw emotion) but out of love for him. No one could say that Wonder creates a nice world for the unfortunate protagonist, but something even more deeply rooted than the sadness in the book definitely prevails and that is the sense of love and goodness that leaves you infused with inspiration and appreciation for the good things.
I would give this book five stars and consider it to be equally as good for boys and girls. I think that Wonder deserves to be an international bestseller as it will hook everyone who reads it. It is a bold, brilliant book that is well worth reading by anyone who is prepared to be amazed and can appreciate a good book!
- The Guardian
APA Reference of Professional Review:
Wonder by R.J. Palacio Review. (2014, February 2). Retrieved from The Guardian.com
Library Uses:
Recommend to the school counselor as a connection for dealing with school bullying.
Readalikes:
Auggie & Me: Three Wonder Stories Hardcover by R. J. Palacio
Just in case a student is interested in a different book written by the same author.
We’re All Wonders by R.J. Palacio
Again, another book written by the same author.
365 Days of Wonder: Mr. Browne's Precepts by R.J. Palacio
Just in case, a different student or the same student want a different book.
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Module 6: The True Story of the Three Little Pigs

Genre: Picture Books
An excellent example of what picture books should be like. Entertaining, witty, and delightful. The plot of the story and the illustrations are great together with the characters and setting of the story.
Book Summary:
A cup of sugar and a sneeze! That is what really happened when the wolf accidentally blew the little pigs’ houses down. You see, he wanted to borrow a cup of sugar in order to bake a cake for his sweet grandmother. When he happened to arrive at each house, he had to sneeze. So, the houses fell down because it was the pigs fault, since they built their houses out of straw and sticks. The pigs were crushed with each house. The best solution was to eat the pigs since it is a sin to let them go to waist. In the end, the pig claims he was framed by the third, smart, little pig who built his house out of brick.
APA Reference of Book:
Scieszka, J. (1996). The True Story Of the 3 Little Pigs. Penguin.
Impressions:
This is one of my favorite picture books of all time. I really get a kick out of the story and how much it changes by discovering the point of view of the wolf. It is cleverly written; to justify a piggie meal with an unplanned sneeze. The way the author throws in the importance of manners and loosing tempers with being framed is brilliant. I think children of all ages mixed in with adults will enjoy this storybook over and over again. Isn’t that what a picture book should do? Story books should bring out sheer delight from reading. That is exactly what this book accomplishes.
Professional Review:
In this gaily newfangled version of a classic tale, Scieszka and Smith ( Flying Jake ) argue in favor of the villain, transforming the story of the three little pigs into a playfully suspicious, rather arch account of innocence beleaguered. Quoth the wolf: ``I don't know how this whole Big Bad Wolf thing got started, but it's all wrong.'' According to his first-person testimony, the wolf went visiting the pigs in search of a neighborly cup of sugar; he implies that had the first two happened to build more durable homes and the third kept a civil tongue in his head, the wolf's helpless sneezes wouldn't have toppled them. As for his casual consumption of the pigs, the wolf defends it breezily (``It seemed like a shame to leave a perfectly good ham dinner lying there in the straw'') and claims cops and reporters ``framed'' him. Smith's highly imaginative watercolors eschew realism, further updating the tale, though some may find their urbane stylization and intentionally static quality mystifyingly adult. Designed with uncommon flair, this alternative fable is both fetching and glib. Ages 3-8. - Publishers Weekly
APA Reference of Professional Review:
The True Story of the Three Little Pigs. (1989, October 1). Retrieved from Publishers Weekly.
Library Uses:
Display and focus on Fractured Fairy Tales
Readalikes:
Cinder Edna by Ellen B. Jackson
Demonstrate to students, a different version of Cinderella, if they are interested in reading other point of views on classic stories.
Goldilocks & the Three Hares by Heidi Petach
To support the book talk and display of Fractured Fairy Tales.
The Three Little Wolves & the Big Bad Pig by Eugene Trivizas
To compare/contrast a different spin on the classic, The Three Little Pigs.
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Module 5: Chato’s Kitchen


Genre: Other Award Winners - Pura Belpre Award
This book won in 1996 for Best Illustrations. It is bright, colorful and appealing, much like the Hispanic culture. Susan Guevara really put a lot of thought into such eye catching illustrations.
Book Summary:
A cat named Chato discovers he has new neighbors, mice! He schemes up a plan to trick them by inviting them over for dinner at his house so he can eat them. The mice accept the invitation but ask to bring a friend of theirs, Chorizo along. Chato accepts and prepares for the delicious meal inside his kitchen. He preps be making many traditional Mexican dishes such as Mexican barbecue, tortillas, rice, tamarind water, and even a dessert, flan. In the end, Chato is surprised to discover the friend, Chorizo is a weenie dog and is scared of him. Chato is the one who ended up being tricked and decides to enjoy his meal with his new friends any way.
APA Reference of Book:
Soto, G., & Guevara, S. (1997). Chato’s kitchen. New York, New York: Penguin Group.
Impressions:
The illustrations are great, the text not so much. However, I did like the mixture of English and Spanish language the protruded once in awhile in order to stress some common street talk in Spanish. Like, “No problemo, homeboy!” which means, “No problem, friend!” and “Deberas!” which means “Truly!” (Soto, 1997). I like the relation the author made to Mexican salsa music throughout the story as well. Such as, “Mambo in his hips.” and “Whiskers vibrated with pleasure.” (Soto, 1997). One can’t help but to take the time to look at each illustration over carefully. They really do pull you into the story.
Professional Review:
Chato can't believe his luck. Not only is he the coolest low-riding cat in East L.A., but his brand-new neighbors are the plumpest, juciest, tastiest-looking family of mice to move into the barrio in a long time. So Chato and his best friend, Novio Boy, get out the pots and pans, the tortillas and the beans--everything you'd need for a welcoming feast, except for the main dish, and the guests of honor. Of course, in Chato's mind they are one and the same thing. But the mice are bringing a surprise guest of their own, who may be more than a cool cat can swallow. -Good Reads
APA Reference of of Professional Revew:
Chato's Kitchen. (n.d.). Retrieved from Goodreads.com
Library Uses:
Book Talk about Hispanic authors and illustrators with a display of other Pura Belpre Award books since my school is 98% Hispanic and Title 1 dominant. It will be great to demonstrate other stories in which the students can relate and aspire up to as well.
Readalikes:
Chato y Su Cena by Gary Soto
It is important for students to have the Spanish version of the same book for ELL students.
In My Family / En mi familia By Carmen Lomas Garza
1998 Illustration Winner book for pura Belpre Award. Students can compare/contrast illustrations.
Chato and the Party Animals By Susan Guevara, Illustrator. Written by Gary Soto.
2002 for illustrations, students might be interested in reading other stories written and illustrated by the same author/illustrator Gary Soto and Susan Guevara.
Doña Flor: A Tall Tale About a Giant Woman with a Great Big Heart. By Raul Colón. Written by Pat Mora.
This book won in both categories, as an honor book for narrative and winner for illustrations in 2006.
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Module 4: Number the Stars

Genre: Newbery Winners
After reading this story, I can truly understand why it was chosen as a Newbery Winner book in 1990. This historical fiction really kept me on my toes. It was very entertaining and was unable to put the book down while reading.
Book Summary:
This story takes place in Denmark during the German invasion into Sweden. Two little girls are the best of friends and go to school together. However, one is Jewish, Ellen and the other is not, Anne Marie. Ellen’s family must flee in order to hide from the Nazi soldiers. It is up to Anne to help out and be brave during a time when it is dangerous to plot against the German soldiers. Anne Marie is able to snuggle Ellen out of Denmark into Copenhagen where she escapes on her uncle’s boat. Anne Marie later discovers that her sister and family friend, Peter were part of the resistance and helped other Jewish families escape during the war.
APA Reference of Book:
Lowry, L. (2014). Number the stars. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Impressions:
This is a great read. I am looking forward to sharing it with my students. I find it most fascinating towards the end of the story, when Anne Marie has to run through the forest in order to deliver a white handkerchief to her uncle. It was very suspenseful when the soldiers stop her and make fun of her stupid mother who is sending such an insignificant white piece of cloth to her uncle. I was not aware of the fact of lacing the handkerchiefs with cocaine in order to numb the German soldier’s dogs’ noses. This was fascinating, in my opinion. It makes me want to research the matter more.
Professional Review:
The author of the Anastasia books as well as more serious fiction (Rabbi Starkey, 1987) offers her first historical fiction--a story about the escape of the Jews from Denmark in 1943. Five years younger than Lisa in Matas' book (below), Annemarie Johansen has, at ten, known three years of Nazi occupation. Though ever cautious and fearful of the ubiquitous soldiers, she is largely unware of the extent of the danger around her; the Resistance kept even its participants safer by telling them as little as possible, and Annemarie has never been told that her older sister Lise died in its service. When the Germans plan to round up the Jews, the Johansens take in Annemarie's friend, Ellen Rosen, and pretend she is their daughter; later, they travel to Uncle Hendrik's house on the coast, where the Rosens and other Jews are transported by fishing boat to Sweden. Apart from Lise's offstage death, there is little violence here; like Annemarie, the reader is protected from the full implications of events--but will be caught up in the suspense and menace of several encounters with soldiers and in Annemarie's courageous run as courier on the night of the escape. The book concludes with the Jews' return, after the war, to homes well kept for them by their neighbors. A deftly told story that dramatizes how Danes appointed themselves bodyguards--not only for their king, who was in the habit of riding alone in Copenhagen, but for their Jews. - Kirkus Review
APA Reference of Professional Review:
Number the Stars. (1989, April 1). Retrieved from KIRKUS REVIEW
Library Uses:
Encourage research on any topic mentioned in this historical fiction story. Possible topics could include: Hitler, dog’s sense of smell, Nazis, The Resistance, fishing boats, King of Denmark, etc.
Readalikes:
The Upstairs Room by Johanna Reiss
Perhaps a student is interested in reading other books that deal with World War II.
The Diary of Anne Frank
This book is classic and is a must read if a student is interested in this topic.
Lily's Crossing by Patricia Reilly Giff
This book also deals with the Nazi invasions and is Newbery Honor book as well.
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Module 3: Lon Po Po: A Red Riding Hood Story from China

Genre: Caldecott Winners:
This book is a great example of a Caldecott Winner. The illustrations are original, with window like panes that seperate the illustrations while it brings them in together at the same time. It gives the story character and depth with such awesome illustrations that help give the written word meaning.
Book Summary:
Similar to Little Red Riding Hood, except, the wolf goes to the children’s home and is invited in. While there, they ask him curious questions and manages to sleep with the children in their own bed. They call upon the wold as Lon Po Po, their grandmother. However, the smart, older sister realizes he is a wolf. The children manage to talk him into going up a tree through a basked the children provide. They manage to do this by enticing the wolf with a ginkgo nut. They trick him several times until finally they drop the wolf so hard that he dies. The children are able to return home and reunite with their mother.
APA Reference of Book:
Young, E. (2012). Lon Po Po: a Red-Riding Hood story from China. New York: Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers.
Impressions:
The illustrations are more impressionable than the text. I realize Little Red Riding Hood is a classic story. I just don’t like how the dumb wolf died by being tricked. Tricked into jumping into a basket so he can be pulled up and dropped three times. I suppose this is why it is so cleverly classified and written as a fiction story. The illustrations make up for the text’s short comings. The title is quite catching as well. I just don’t think the book will be as alluring if it was bearing the simple title of Grandmother or How Chin Chow, or something to that regard.
Professional Review:
This version of the Red Riding Hood story from Young ( The Emperor and the Kite ; Cats Are Cats ; Yeh-Shen ) features three daughters left at home when their mother goes to visit their grandmother. Lon Po Po, the Granny Wolf, pretends to be the girls' grandmother, until clever Shang, the eldest daughter, suspects the greedy wolf's real identity. Tempting him with ginkgo nuts, the girls pull him in a basket to the top of the tree in which they are hiding, then let go of the rope--killing him. One of Young's most arresting illustrations accompanies his dedication: ``To all the wolves of the world for lending their good name as a tangible symbol for our darkness.'' Like ancient Oriental paintings, the illustrations are frequently grouped in panels. When the girls meet the wolf, e.g., the left panel focuses on their wary faces peering out from the darkness, the middle enlarges the evil wolf's eye and teeth, and the third is a vivid swirl of the blue clothes in which the wolf is disguised. The juxtaposition of abstract and realistic representations, the complicated play of color and shadow, and the depth of the artist's vision all help transform this simple fairy tale into an extraordinary and powerful book. Ages 4-8. - Publishers Weekly
APA Reference of Professional Review:
Lon Po Po [Review of book Books]. (1989, November 1). Publishers Weekly.
Library Uses:
Thinking Maps - The school district has added Thinking Maps as part of its curriculum and has made it mandatory that teachers turn in samples incorporated into lessons every six weeks.
Compare and Contrast Little Red Riding Hood and Lon Po Po
Double Bubble Map

Readalikes:
Honestly, Red Riding Hood Was Rotten! by Trisha Speed Shaskan and Gerald Claude Guerlais
A different spin on the classic fairy tale based on the point of view of the wolf. For GT students who want to compare characters using a Double Bubble Map.
Little Red Riding Hood by Trina Schart Hyman
This story is Caldecott Medal book. It could be used to compare illustrators with a Double Bubble Map.
Red Riding Hood by James Marshall and Charles Perrault
For students who want to continue to read different versions of the classic story, Little Red Riding Hood.
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Module 2: Very Hungry Caterpillar

Genre: Classic Children’s & Young Adult Literature:
This book is listed under the classics, and a classic book, it definitely is! This a must read for kids all over the world. It should be a part of childhood when it comes to reading skills, just like crawling is a must for walking skills.
Book Summary:
This great read describes the metamorphoses of a caterpillar as he eats through a variety of fruits and junk food for a whole week. Then, he ends up with a stomach ache. Soon after, as a fat caterpillar, he builds himself a cocoon. In the end, he transforms into a beautiful butterfly.
APA Reference of Book:
Carle, E. (2014). The very hungry caterpillar. New York, NY: Philomel Books.
Impressions:
In this particular read, the illustrations is what makes this book appealing. Yes, the text helps to create an entrancing story. However, it is the illustrations that really captures the attention of children and adults. The simple idea to turn the collages into the food by placing a tiny little whole in each one in order to demonstrate what the caterpillar ate through is pure genius. The quilts of colors and layering of textures is a delight to explore from page to page. In fact, children want to touch the illustrations and they do not want the page turned until they are able to absorb all the extraordinary little details Eric Carle perfectly placed on paper. This is one book where children are not necessarily asking you to keep reading in order to find out what will happen next. No, in fact, they ask you to wait to turn the page because there is so much explore first. The fact that Eric Carle has not been recognized by the Caldecott Committee for best illustrator is mind boggling.
Professional Review:
This short and simple story is chock full of learning opportunities from days of the week, to counting, to metamorphosis. The words are easy enough for a small child to understand the story line and for a beginning reader to get through with little difficulty. The adorable and colorful illustrations engage even the youngest children. My eight-month old daughter is fascinated by the big orange sun at the beginning of the book and the big fat caterpillar after he eats all of the food. She bangs on them with her fist, so I recommend the board book version for younger children because it’s sturdier. Older children will probably like the standard version better since it looks like a “real, big kid book.” By reading it just twice to my daughter, I anticipate this being a favorite book for at least a few more years. I’d love to hear your impressions. - The Well Read Child Blog
APA Reference of Professional Review:
The Well-Read Child Blog homepage’s mission is to get kids to read. Retrieved from http://wellreadchild.blogspot.com/2007/11/very-hungry-caterpillar-overview.html
Library Uses:
S.T.E.M - Science - Metamorphosis activity on the life cycle of a caterpillar
Readalikes:
Clara Caterpillar By Pamela Duncan Edwards - same theme, a caterpillar discovers the importance of being different due to camouflage protection and survival with the transformation into a butterfly
A Salamander's Life By John Himmelman - in case a student want to continue to learn and read about life cycles, they can continue to read within the topic with the help of this fiction story about the life cycle of a salamander
The Very Busy Spider Hardcover by Eric Carle - simply because of the illustrations, a student might want to read and explore additional great stories with the same types characters or plots as the Very Hungry Caterpillar
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Module 1: Love You Forever

Genre: Fiction - Books adults like that are not necessarily good books.
Disagreeable representation of this book. It is not confusing, or unnerving in any manner. It is an easy, enjoyable read.
Book Summary:
A little boy grows up with mom from birth, childhood, teenage years, to manhood. While he is growing up he gets into trouble throughout the years. Yet mom sings to him every night a sweet little jingle. “I’ll love you forever, I’ll like you for always, as long as I’m living, my baby you’ll be.” In the end, the table turns and the little boy ends up singing to his mother after she becomes ill, the same sweet tune she used to sing to him while he slept. Then, he has the opportunity to go home and sing the tune again, to his daughter.
APA Reference of Book:
Munsch, R. N., & McGraw, S. (1986). Love you forever. Buffalo, NY: Firefly Books.
Impressions:
I like this book. Every time I read it, I have to hold back my tears and control my emotions. Especially towards the end, when the mother becomes ill and the son goes to her and starts to hold her the way she used to hold him as a little boy. I always relate to my own father who is ill from Alzheimer. I wish I could hold him and sing to him as he sang to me as a child.
I contemplate, why is this book considered not necessarily good. I go back and reread the book. Yes, it is a rather simple plot, a little boy who gets into trouble. Trouble that is not necessarily articulated very well. And, I suppose it is rather redundant with the rocking of back and forth, together with the fact that he grew and he grew and he grew. Also, a melody that is also repeated over and over again. However, the story becomes sweet and connections are made when the roles are reversed after the mother becomes ill. This is the better part of the story, in my opinion. It demonstrates and emphasizes the importance of family. As mom passes and a daughter is born.
Professional Review:
One of my all-time favorites. I cry every time I read it.... [The book] is a beautiful script about parenthood, a poignant parable about life and death, a testimony to when the roles of child and parent become blurry. The story reminds you that no matter how grown up you are, you're always someone's child; that no matter how "adult" you are, you're never too old to be loved by your parents. It makes me appreciate even more how my mother still calls me and my brother (despite us being 32- and 22-years-old, respectively) by our childhood nicknames, Pussycat and Tchotchke (Yiddish for "knickknack"). Pigeonholing this as a children's book is like saying "Romeo & Juliet" is merely a cautionary tale about drug abuse. I dare anyone to read this story and not shed at least one tear by the end. It's even more poignant when you learn that Munsch wrote the book as a memorial to two still-born children he and his wife had in 1979 and 1980.
- Dana Lenetz Forbes on 20/04/2010
APA Reference of Professional Review:
Lenetz, Dana. (Forbes). (2010). Love You Forever. Retrieved from http://www.fireflybooks.com/index.php/catalogue/children-s-books/product/405-love-you-forever
Library Uses:
Mother’s Day - Focus Book
Readalikes:
Guess How Much I Love You Board by Sam McBratney It has a similar theme, unconditional love from a parent.
I'll Love You Forever Hardcover by Owen Hart Same concept, except with a mom a baby bear, in the wilderness during different seasons.
Wherever You Are: My Love Will Find You by Nancy Tillman This story is about unconditional love from a parent and includes a catchy tune, similar to Munch’s lyrics as well.
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