Wednesday, April 25, 2012
The Toy Brother
The Toy Brother
By: William Steig
I think all of us have tried to take on more than we could handle at one point in our lives. Little Yorick Bede definitely tries to do so when he invades his fathers alchem lab. He creates a potion and drinks it. The next thing he knows, he is a little person. With his parents out of town, it is up to his little brother Charles to figure out how to change him back. He builds him a house, feeds him dinner, and tries to make his brother as comfortable as possible. Day after day passes and the two boys can't figure out how they are going to change little Yorick back. Finally his parents are home and they must fess up and tell the truth about what happened. Will father be able to change him back? Will he be in big trouble? I loved how this book took me away into another world and left me wondering what it would be like if it were me in this position. It was fun to read about something that I knew deep down was impossible. I enjoyed reading this story very much. I will be using this book in my classroom when talking to my students about fantasy books!
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
April and Esme: Tooth Fairies
April and Esme: Tooth Fairies
By: Bob Graham
At one point in our lives, we all probably remember our parents telling us about the tooth fairy. I remember growing up as a kid, I would get so excited to lose a tooth because I knew that I would have money soon. I always remember wishing my teeth would fall out faster so that I could buy a new barbie doll or another toy I just had to have. Bob Graham brings the story of tooth fairies alive with this incredible book. April and Esme are little fairies. I like to think of them as fairies in training. When Daniel loses his tooth, the sisters set out on an adventure to make sure they collect his tooth and give him his money right on time. Their parents are worried because they are so young. What if they get lost? What if Daniel wakes up? There is so much to worry and think about. I loved this book because I felt it was very entertaining and funny. My favorite part was when April and Esme texted their mother after waking up Daniel. It was elements like that which made the story enjoyable. I will definitely be using this book in my classroom.
By: Bob Graham
At one point in our lives, we all probably remember our parents telling us about the tooth fairy. I remember growing up as a kid, I would get so excited to lose a tooth because I knew that I would have money soon. I always remember wishing my teeth would fall out faster so that I could buy a new barbie doll or another toy I just had to have. Bob Graham brings the story of tooth fairies alive with this incredible book. April and Esme are little fairies. I like to think of them as fairies in training. When Daniel loses his tooth, the sisters set out on an adventure to make sure they collect his tooth and give him his money right on time. Their parents are worried because they are so young. What if they get lost? What if Daniel wakes up? There is so much to worry and think about. I loved this book because I felt it was very entertaining and funny. My favorite part was when April and Esme texted their mother after waking up Daniel. It was elements like that which made the story enjoyable. I will definitely be using this book in my classroom.
Monday, April 23, 2012
Anything but Typical
Anything but Typical
By: Nora Raleigh Baskin
Out of every book I've ever read in my entire life, this has to be one of my favorite ones. Jason is a twelve year old struggling with autism. He feels like no one understands him. He feels like the world is a messed up place full of lies and deceit. He is trying to find himself and live the most normal life that he can. He doesn't fit in at school, or anywhere really. Except online. Where he blogs and writes stories. He meets a girl named Rebecca online. In a way that Rebecca will never come to know, she changes Jason's life. She brings his closer to his mother and helps him realize that he's okay just the way he is. This story was very inspirational and amazing to read. It made me want to learn more about autism. Before this story, I knew next to nothing about the disorder. It allowed me to remember that there may be kids in my classroom that have a disorder similar to this. It made me want to respect those around me more because they may be fighting an inner battle I know nothing about. This would be a great book for children to read if they wanted to see what it might be like to be autistic.
By: Nora Raleigh Baskin
Out of every book I've ever read in my entire life, this has to be one of my favorite ones. Jason is a twelve year old struggling with autism. He feels like no one understands him. He feels like the world is a messed up place full of lies and deceit. He is trying to find himself and live the most normal life that he can. He doesn't fit in at school, or anywhere really. Except online. Where he blogs and writes stories. He meets a girl named Rebecca online. In a way that Rebecca will never come to know, she changes Jason's life. She brings his closer to his mother and helps him realize that he's okay just the way he is. This story was very inspirational and amazing to read. It made me want to learn more about autism. Before this story, I knew next to nothing about the disorder. It allowed me to remember that there may be kids in my classroom that have a disorder similar to this. It made me want to respect those around me more because they may be fighting an inner battle I know nothing about. This would be a great book for children to read if they wanted to see what it might be like to be autistic.
Ruby Lu: Star of the Show
Ruby Lu: Star of the Show
By: Lenore Look
Illustrated by: Stef Choi
This book was one of the funniest books I have ever read. Thinking back to how my life was in the third grade, I'm sure it was very similar to little Ruby's. Ruby feels like she has it rough. For a third grader, she does. After her father loses his job, Ruby feels it is up to her to find a way to provide money. Her mother has to begin working full time and is constantly stressed out. To make matters worse, Ruby had to give up her dog because someone finally claimed him! She is even struggling in school and doesn't like her teacher Mr. Yu very much. With her friends on 20th Avenue South, Ruby comes up with plans to fix everything going on. Although many of them fail, she begins to realize that everything is going to be okay. Following along with her story had me in tears from laughing at her cute ideas and fun spirit. I liked this book very much. I think this would be a fun quick read for any classroom.
By: Lenore Look
Illustrated by: Stef Choi
This book was one of the funniest books I have ever read. Thinking back to how my life was in the third grade, I'm sure it was very similar to little Ruby's. Ruby feels like she has it rough. For a third grader, she does. After her father loses his job, Ruby feels it is up to her to find a way to provide money. Her mother has to begin working full time and is constantly stressed out. To make matters worse, Ruby had to give up her dog because someone finally claimed him! She is even struggling in school and doesn't like her teacher Mr. Yu very much. With her friends on 20th Avenue South, Ruby comes up with plans to fix everything going on. Although many of them fail, she begins to realize that everything is going to be okay. Following along with her story had me in tears from laughing at her cute ideas and fun spirit. I liked this book very much. I think this would be a fun quick read for any classroom.
The Giver
The Giver
By: Lois Lowry
I was very surprised by this book. Lois Lowry has always been one of my favorite authors. I didn't enjoy this book as much as I thought I would. I found it very difficult to grasp what was going on with Jonas and his story of the "The Ceremony of Twelve." I thought the story to be kind of odd. I also found this to be hard to follow along with and I feel that it would be very confusing for children. I know that this is a series of books and that this is only the first, but I could barely follow along with the events told in the first. It made me not want to read the others in the series. I would still put this book in my library so that I would have a variety of literature. I feel that it would be a good book to give to someone who maybe has never considered this type of story. You could learn a lot about what you like and don't like in literature. It just takes the right book to make you realize this. On the other hand, I do know there are children that greatly enjoy these kinds of stories. I think this is a book that you read and either love or highly dislike. Unfortunately, it just wasn't a book for me.
By: Lois Lowry
I was very surprised by this book. Lois Lowry has always been one of my favorite authors. I didn't enjoy this book as much as I thought I would. I found it very difficult to grasp what was going on with Jonas and his story of the "The Ceremony of Twelve." I thought the story to be kind of odd. I also found this to be hard to follow along with and I feel that it would be very confusing for children. I know that this is a series of books and that this is only the first, but I could barely follow along with the events told in the first. It made me not want to read the others in the series. I would still put this book in my library so that I would have a variety of literature. I feel that it would be a good book to give to someone who maybe has never considered this type of story. You could learn a lot about what you like and don't like in literature. It just takes the right book to make you realize this. On the other hand, I do know there are children that greatly enjoy these kinds of stories. I think this is a book that you read and either love or highly dislike. Unfortunately, it just wasn't a book for me.
The Silent Boy
The Silent Boy
By: Lois Lowry
The story of Katy Thatcher and Jacob Stoltz is a very interesting one. Jacob Stoltz is living on his family's farm. His sister Peggy works for the Thatcher family. Katy's dad is the town doctor. Everyone knows everyone in this small community. Everyone knows that Jacob Stoltz is 'touched'. He is very different. People tend to stay away from him. The more Katy begins to come around him, the more she begins to understand about life. Their type of friendship is more of a silent one. Hardly any words are needed, as Jacob has his own means of communicating. Katy beings to learn more than she ever thought possible from a boy with nothing to say. The story tends to evoke many emotions. That is what I loved about it. It was heartbreaking, funny, and a joy to follow along with. The thing I loved most was the unexpected ending. This book was worth every second of reading and I would definitely have my students read this story in hopes that they would pass it on as well.
By: Lois Lowry
The story of Katy Thatcher and Jacob Stoltz is a very interesting one. Jacob Stoltz is living on his family's farm. His sister Peggy works for the Thatcher family. Katy's dad is the town doctor. Everyone knows everyone in this small community. Everyone knows that Jacob Stoltz is 'touched'. He is very different. People tend to stay away from him. The more Katy begins to come around him, the more she begins to understand about life. Their type of friendship is more of a silent one. Hardly any words are needed, as Jacob has his own means of communicating. Katy beings to learn more than she ever thought possible from a boy with nothing to say. The story tends to evoke many emotions. That is what I loved about it. It was heartbreaking, funny, and a joy to follow along with. The thing I loved most was the unexpected ending. This book was worth every second of reading and I would definitely have my students read this story in hopes that they would pass it on as well.
Number the Stars
Number the Stars
By: Lois Lowry
Reading about the Holocaust has always interested me. I will never be able to understand why it happened. Reading this book changed my life. I've read it twice now, and have pulled something new from it each time. One of the best things that it did for me was make me stop and appreciate all that I have. Sometimes getting caught up in everyday things makes me fall off the track. This book allowed me to jump back on. Annemarie Johansen is only ten years old. She is growing up in Denmark. She is trying to live her life, go to school, spend time with her family, and have fun with her best friend Ellen Rosen. There is only one problem. The Nazi soldiers have completely taken over everything. It seems everywhere she turns it is getting much worse. Pretty soon Annemarie has to grow up much faster than she planned. She has to be the one to help save her best friend and many others. A lot has been put on her shoulders. Watching all that Annemarie sacrifices made me have a lot of respect for her. It also made me have respect for others like her who were willing to help the Jews during this terrible time. This book is an absolute must read!
By: Lois Lowry
Reading about the Holocaust has always interested me. I will never be able to understand why it happened. Reading this book changed my life. I've read it twice now, and have pulled something new from it each time. One of the best things that it did for me was make me stop and appreciate all that I have. Sometimes getting caught up in everyday things makes me fall off the track. This book allowed me to jump back on. Annemarie Johansen is only ten years old. She is growing up in Denmark. She is trying to live her life, go to school, spend time with her family, and have fun with her best friend Ellen Rosen. There is only one problem. The Nazi soldiers have completely taken over everything. It seems everywhere she turns it is getting much worse. Pretty soon Annemarie has to grow up much faster than she planned. She has to be the one to help save her best friend and many others. A lot has been put on her shoulders. Watching all that Annemarie sacrifices made me have a lot of respect for her. It also made me have respect for others like her who were willing to help the Jews during this terrible time. This book is an absolute must read!
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