Fantastic Mr. Fox

Book Title: Fantastic Mr. Fox

Author(s) and Artist(s)--if applicable: Road Dahl, illustrated by Quentin Blake

Publisher: Puffin Books

Copyright Date: 1970

Selection Choice: Read a novel of your choice written by an author with a strong reputation.

Brief Annotation: Sly Mr. Fox and his family had been living off of the plump fowl of three nasty farmers for quite some time. When the farmers get fed up with the stealing, they decide to take action, and dig them out of their hole. Little do they know, Fox are fast diggers, and soon the farmers stop digging. They decide they will camp outside of his hole until he must come out for food, but Mr. Fox has some more tricks up his sleeve!

Your Rating: 4/4 stars.

Readers who will like this book: Readers who need a short chapter book, and like animals, clever characters, and unexpected endings.

Question to ask about this book before reading: What does it mean to be clever?

Question to ask about this book during reading: How does Mr. Fox show that he is clever? Do you think the farmers are clever?

Question to ask about this book after reading: What do you think happens with the farmers? Do you think they ever give up?

1. Interest Level (age): 6-10

2. Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 4.9

Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Demigod Files

Book Title: Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Demigod Files

Author(s) and Artist(s)--if applicable: Rick Riordan

Publisher: Disney Hyperion Books

Copyright Date: 2009

Selection Choice: Part of a series

Brief Annotation: Percy Jackson lives a normal human life by going to school and having friends who are also human. However, he is the son of Poseidon, the god of water, and also lives another life where he goes on adventures fighting dragons, and enemies with special powers and all awhile protecting gods, his friends, and himself. In this book are interviews with characters as well as puzzles to play around with.

Your Rating: 4/5

Readers who will like this book: Readers who enjoy reading fantasy and can imagine/visualize going on mythical adventures.

Question to ask about this book before reading: What do you know about Greek mythology?

Question to ask about this book during reading: What do you know about Persephone?

Question to ask about this book after reading: Do you think the life of Percy Jackson is an accurate portrayal of Greek mythology?

Optional, but noted as extra effort:

1. Interest Level (age): 9-13

2. Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 5-8

Use book wizard to help with the previous 2 areas

3. List awards

Book Title: Mockingbird


Author(s) and Artist(s)--if applicable: Kathryn Erskine


Publisher: Puffin Books


Copyright Date:2010


Selection Choice: National Book Award Winner


Brief Annotation: Caitlin is a young girl who is learning how to deal with life after the death of her brother, Devon. As a person with Asperger’s Syndrome, Caitlin has always seen things in a different light and her brother had always helped her make sense of things in her world. Now that Devon was gone, she must now depend on her father, but he has a hard time understanding her. Caitlin remembers the things she learned from her brother and finds comfort in the words and information in books and dictionaries. The words provide some comfort and consistency to Caitlin as she navigates through her changed life and learns about healing, making friends and letting go.


Your Rating: 5/5


Readers who will like this book: Readers who enjoy all genres will like this book. It is a story that enlightens readers from the first person perspective of a child with special needs such as Autism and Asperger's Syndrome.


Question to ask about this book before reading: When reading a novel, what perspective (first person, third person) works best in order for the reader to truly understand the main character? Why? If the perspective were to change, how would that effect the reader’s ability to understand the main character?


Question to ask about this book during reading: People with Asperger’s Syndrome often exhibit ritualistic behaviors. What are some of Caitlin’s rituals? In what ways do these rituals effect Caitlin and others?


Question to ask about this book after reading: Why does Caitlin identify with books more than people? What is it about books that feel safe to her? Why might the book be titled Mockingbird?

If Stones Could Speak

Book Title: If Stones Could Speak: Unlocking the Secrets of Stonehenge

Author(s) and Artist(s)--if applicable: Marc Aronson

Publisher: National Geographic Society

Copyright Date: 2010

Selection Choice: Orbis Pictus Honor Book

Brief Annotation: If Stones Could Speak is a nonfiction book about the most recent theory relating to the purpose of the famous historical site, Stonehenge in England. The story unfolds, following archaeologist, Mike Parker, through his scientific process of forming a theory and proving its truth through discovery and research. Aside from doing the research, he has to convince people to accept a new idea about something that has been studied for hundreds of years. With the help of insights from his archaeologist friend from Madagascar, Parker realizes that Stonehenge is connected to other nearby archeological sites and was used, probably, as a place to honor the dead. A main theme throughout this book is to always question theories and ideas, regardless of popular opinion.

Your Rating: 5/5 stars

Readers who will like this book: Students who enjoy mysteries, history, and science will enjoy this book. Anyone who enjoys questioning popular opinion will appreciate the theme. This is a good book for adults, as well as children. I had learned, in an Art History course, that Stonehenge was most likely a clock of some sort, so this discovery of its use as a place to honor the dead was new to me, and very interesting. I have enhanced my own background knowledge. The target audience is 5th-8th graders, but anyone can learn from this book.

Question to ask about this book before reading: What do you know about Stonehenge? What are some of your theories about what its purpose was?

Question to ask about this book during reading: (I'm taking this one right out of the book because he posed some great questions). What would you do if you were entrusted with a really important idea that most of the world dismissed or ignored? How would you know to trust yourself? How would you convince people to let you test your idea?

Question to ask about this book after reading: How has your understanding of Stonehenge changed? Do you accept Parker's theory? Why or why not?

Optional, but noted as extra effort:

1. Interest Level (age): 9-14

2. Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 5-8
Use book wizard to help with the previous 2 areas


3. List awards: Orbus Pictus Honor, 2011

Bridge To Terabithia

Book Title: Bridge to Terabithia

Author(s) and Artist(s)--if applicable: Katherine Paterson. Illustrated by Donna Diamond

Publisher: HarperTrophy

Copyright Date: 1977

Selection Choice: #2 (Newbery award winner.)

Brief Annotation: Jess Aarons’ greatest ambition is to be the fastest runner in the fifth grade. He’s been practicing all summer and can’t wait to see his classmates; faces when he beats them all. But on the first day of school, a new girl outruns everyone.  For some reason, Jess and the new girl, Leslie Burke, become inseparable.  Together, she and Jess create Terabithia, a magical kingdom in the woods where the only way to enter is by swinging across a dry creek bed on the end of a rope.  There, the two reign as king and queen and their imaginations set the only limits.  Then one morning a terrible tragedy occurs.  Only when Jess is able to come to grips with this tragedy does he finally understand the strength and courage Leslie has given him.

 Your rating: 5 out of 5. This book is enchanting, heart-breaking and soulful.  Both young readers and old alike should enjoy this remarkable coming-of-age novel. 

Readers who will like this book: Readers who love imaginative kingdoms, strong yet unlikely friendships and daring adventure should enjoy this book.   

Question to ask about this book before reading: What characteristics do you look for in a good friend?

Question to ask about this book while reading:  Why do you think Jess and Leslie make such good friends? Find two passages from the book to support your answer.

Question to ask about this book after reading : In your opinion, do you think Jess should feel guilty for leaving Leslie alone the day she died? Give three reasons to support your opinion.

Interest level: grades 4-7

Grade Level: 6.1

Awards: A Newbery Honor book, 1977.

Holes

Title: Holes

Author(s) and Artist(s)--if applicable: Louis Sachar

Publisher: Scholastic Inc.

Copyright Date: 1998

Selection Choice: Newbery award winner from 1971-2011

Brief Annotation: Bad luck has run in Stanley Yelnats’ family ever since a Gypsy put a curse on the descendants of his great-great-grandfather. Now Stanley, after being falsely accused of stealing sneakers on a stroke of bad luck, is given a choice: go to jail, or go to Camp Green Lake. Contrary to how it sounds, Camp Green Lake does not have a lake, and is not a place for recreation. Stanley and his fellow visitors spend their time digging deep holes for the warden every day, looking for something, but they aren’t told what. As the story unfolds, bits and pieces of how Stanley’s great-great-grandfather acquired bad luck, the past events of the land they are digging on, and the reason they are digging holes, slowly unfolds.

Your Rating: 4. This book is humorous, entertaining, and has some valuable messages.

Readers who will like this book: Readers who would enjoy a story that touches on social justice issues of the past, a story that has elements of suspense and history, and a story with a colorful array of characters.

Question to ask about this book before reading: Have you ever had bad luck? What happened?

Question to ask about this book during reading: How would it feel to be punished for something you didn’t do? Would you handle it the same way Stanley has?

Question to ask about this book after reading: How did the author successfully blend three different stories into one novel?

Optional, but noted as extra effort:

1. Interest Level (age): 10-13

2. Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 5.2

3. Awards: 1999 Newbery Medal, 1998 National Book Award for Young People's Literature

Gathering Blue

Book Title: Gathering Blue

Author: Lois Lowry

Publisher: Dell-Laurel Leaf

Copyright Date: 2000

Selection Choice: #5, Novel by Lois Lowry

Brief Annotation: In this companion book to Lois Lowry's The Giver, the main character, Kira, lives in a savage and animal-likesociety during the same futuristic time as Jonas. Kira is an orphaned girl who's mother has recently passed away from illness, and has never known her father. Left to face a society that is unforgiving of disabilities, like her own deformed leg, she fears that she will be left in the field for the wild animals because that is the custom of her people. However, the community of elders has already decided her fate. Kira has an almost magical talent for weaving that intrigues the elders and she is called upon to repair and restore a ceremonial robe that is precious to their community. In her adventures with the other talented children, like herself, she learns that things may not be what they seem and she soon finds another village that is forgiving and accepting. Will Kira choose to join the village for a better life, or will she choose to stay in her community to help spark a change in her people?

Rating: 5/5

Readers who will enjoy this book: Readers who like science fiction, dystopian fiction and exploring social issues will like this book.

Questions to ask before reading: What kinds of things do we value in our society? Why?

Questions to ask during reading: What kinds of things do Kira's community value? How do you know this?

Questions to ask after reading: What kinds of parallels can you draw between our society and Kira's?

The Golden Compass

Book Title: The Golden Compass

Author: Philip Pullman

Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers

Copyright Date: 2006 10th Anniversary Edition

Selection Choice: Book in the "His Dark Materials" series

Brief Annotation: In the beginning of this sprawling adventure, Lyra is an orphan growing up in Oxford University. Along with her daemon, or animal manifestation of her soul, she inadvertantly stops a murder attempt on her uncle, Lord Asriel. Soon after, her friend Roger is kidnapped by the "Gobblers" or children-snatchers that she thought was only a legend, and she vows to rescue him...but her plans are soon thwarted by the appearance of the creepy Mrs. Coulter, who offers to take Lyra in as her apprentice. Soon Lyra learns of Mrs. Coulter's sinister nature and her connection to Roger's disappearance, and is rescued from Mrs. Coulter's clutches by a group of people headed to the North. Aiding Lyra in her quest are a giant, talking armored bear, friendly witches, and a southerner with a giant hot balloon. Will Lyra and Roger find the other missing children? And what connection do they have to Mrs. Coulter and Lord Asriel?

Your Rating: 5/5 stars. I was very hesitant because of the controversy surrounding these novels, but I was very pleasantly surprised with this book. The book is large but extremely engrossing and easy to read. Pullman creates a fantasy world that isn't too unlike our own, and I found the characters engaging and fun to read.

Readers who will like this book: Readers who like adventure and fantasy, readers who like series or trilogies.

Question to ask about this book before reading: What is a quest? Does a quest have to be in a fantasy book or can it be in other genres?

Question to ask about this book during reading: How is the world Pullman created like ours? How is it different?

Question to ask about this book after reading: Does the ending make you want to continue reading the series?

1. Interest Level (age): 11-15 years old

2. Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 5th-9th grade.

3. List awards:
Carnegie Medal Recepient 1995

Caddie Woodlawn

Book Title: Caddie Woodlawn

Author(s) and Artist(s)--if applicable: Carol Ryrie Brink

Publisher: Aladdin

Copyright Date: 1935

Selection Choice: Newbery Award Winner (1922-1970)

Brief Annotation: This book follows the adventures of an 11-year-old pioneer girl, Caddie Woodlawn, and her family, through the changing seasons. Caddie was an actual person: the grandmother of the author, Carol Ryrie Brink. The Woodlawns lived on a farm in western Wisconsin, just south of what today is Menomonie, during the last half of the 19th century. They had traveled to Wisconsin from Boston, with Caddie's father originally being from England. Caddie's adventures include run-ins with her Native American friend "Big John", rafting down the Menomonie River, and getting sleigh rides to the prarie school-house on cold winter days, amongst many others. At one point, she actually stops a possible war from breaking out between the pioneer men and the Native Americans. Caddies' tomboyish ways disturb her mother, but make her the apple of her father's eye. Her honest and virtuous character is shown well in many of her adventures.

Your Rating: 5/5

Readers who will like this book: Anyone who enjoys reading about different periods of time throughout history, or enjoys imagining what it may have been like to live long ago will appreciate this book. Girls who enjoy playing a little rougher than girls "ought to", or who may be considered a bit tomboyish, will enjoy this book. Caddie Woodlawn is a great role model for any girl, or really, any child. This book is aimed at children between the ages of 9-12. Most children enjoy exploring and going on adventures, so really, any child will like this book.

Question to ask about this book before reading: What are some ways in which your life may have been different 150 years ago? Who were the pioneers?

Question to ask about this book during reading: Why did Caddie feel so strongly about warning Big John and the other Native Americans? Do you think you would have made the same decision?

Question to ask about this book after reading: If you were a Woodlawn, would you have voted to stay in America or go back to England? Why? Why not? Why do you think they chose to stay in America?

Optional, but noted as extra effort:

1. Interest Level (age): 9-12

2. Grade Level Equivalent (grade): Grades 3-5
Use book wizard to help with the previous 2 areas


3. List awards: John Newbery Medal, 1936; Lewis Carroll Shelf Award, 1959.

The Giver

Book Title: The Giver

Author(s) and Artist(s)--if applicable: Louis Lowry

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company

Copyright Date: 1993

Selection Choice: Newbery Medal

Brief Annotation: Jonas lives in a community of sameness, where there is no color, no difference, no choice, only perfection. His life is determined by the Elders and at the age of twelve, he is given his adult assignment, the Receiver of Memory. He immediately starts his training with the current Receiver, known as The Giver, and through his training he receives memories from The Giver; memories that bring knowledge about how things used to be, and can be. Jonas begins to experience feelings, color, happy memories, painful memories, and love. The Giver and Jonas develop a plan that will break the sameness in their community and will allow everyone to experience the memories, but the plan is dangerous and will require strength from Jonas.

Your Rating: 5/5 I enjoyed this book as it made me think of what life would be like if I had never known feelings, never experienced pain or love, and never experienced uniqueness. The story was excellently told and left me making my own conclusions about Jonas and his situation at the end.

Readers who will like this book: Possibly some 5^th graders, but mostly 6^th grade and up. Students who like to think, analyze, compare, and predict would enjoy reading this book because it is a book that encourages readers to think and apply knowledge as well as analyze how life would be different without choices.

Question to ask about this book before reading: What so you think life would be like if you lived in a world of sameness, where your life is determined for you and you never experience feelings or even color?

Question to ask about this book during reading: What do you think Jonas will do near the end of the book?

Question to ask about this book after reading: Examine Jonas’ actions throughout the book. Would you do anything different from Jonas? What would that be and why?

Optional, but noted as extra effort:

1. Interest Level (age): 11-13

2. Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 6-8

Use book wizard to help with the previous 2 areas

3. List awards

Newbery Medal

ALA Best Books for Young Adults

ALA Notable Children's Book
New Jersey Garden State Teen Book Award
Virginia Young Readers Program Award
Arkansas Charlie May Simon Master List
Colorado Blue Spruce Young Adult Book Award
Illinois Rebecca Caudill Young Readers Award
Kansas William White Award
Kentucky Bluegrass Master List
Maine Student Book Award
Colorado Children's Book Award
Colorado Blue Spruce Young Adult Book Award
Massachusetts Children's Book Award

The Giver

Book Title: The Giver

Author: Lois Lowry

Publisher: Dell Laurel-Leaf

Copyright Date: 1993

Selection Choice: Newbery Award Winner

Brief Annotation: Imagine living in a world where there is no pain, no fear, no crime and no suffering. All the issues that society currently faces no longer exist. Jonas is a twelve-year-old boy who lives in a futuristic society that has found a way to eliminate all these unpleasant things. The community values sameness as a whole, but in each child's twelfth year their differences in character are finally recognized when they are assigned their future careers. Most of the children know what they will become. Some will be doctors, others will be nurturers, laborers and birthers, but Jonas has no idea what the future holds for him. On the day of the assignment ceremony, he learns that he has been chosen by the community of elders to take the place of the giver, who is the sole keeper of all the memories from a time before the sameness. He soon learns that knowledge is power and once he learns the truth, he must choose what his future holds.

Your Rating: 5/5

Readers who will like this book: Readers who enjoy science fiction, dystopian fiction and exploring social issues will like this book.

Questions to ask before reading: Would you like to live in a society where there was no crime, no fear, no pain and no suffering? How could that type of society be achieved?

Questions to ask during reading: How do you feel about the social issue of euthanasia? Why do you feel this way?

Questions to ask after reading: How do you feel about Jonas' community? Is it Utopian or Dystopian? Why do you feel this way?

Book Title: Because of Winn-Dixie

Author(s) and Artist(s)--if applicable: Kate DiCamillo

Publisher: Candlewick Press

Copyright Date: 2000

Selection Choice: #5

Brief Annotation: Ten-year-old India Opal moves to Naomi, Florida with her father and befriends an old, ugly stray dog.  She gives him the name, Winn-Dixie because they meet in a super market.  There is something special about Winn-Dixie: he loves to smile, and with the dog at her side, Opal sets out to meet new friends.

 Your rating: 5 out of 5. This book is enchanting, humorous and extremely well-written.  I would recommend it to anyone, no matter what age. 

Readers who will like this book: Readers who love dogs, children as main characters, compassionate characters who like to help others and who aren’t afraid to stick up for themselves.

   

Question to ask about this book before reading: What does it mean to feel melancholy?

Question to ask about this book while reading:  Which two characters do you think help Opal feel less lonely? Find three specific reasons for each character.

Question to ask about this book after reading : If you could choose a special character to come into your life to help you make friends, who or what would that special character be and why?

1.       Interest level: 3-5

2.       Grade Level: 4.1

Awards: A Newberry Honor book, 2011. A Book Sense Book of the Year, A New York Times Bestseller, An ALA Notable Children’s book.

The Witch of Blackbird Pond

Book Title: The Witch of Blackbird Pond

Author: Elizabeth George Speare

Publisher: Sandpiper

Copyright Date: Reissue, January 2011 (Originally published in 1958)

Selection Choice: Newbery Award Winner

Brief Annotation: After recently losing her grandfather, Kit Tyler arrives in Connecticut to stay with her aunt and uncle. She soon realizes, however, that the strict Puritan town is quite different from her upbringing in Barbados. She finds friendship and solace in Hannah Tupper, who has been expelled from the village for being a Quaker and suspected witch. Kit soon finds herself caught in a romantic tangle, but when a sickness overtakes the village Kit's friend Hannah is quickly blamed. Kit then finds herself being blamed and called a witch. In a time when the fate of accused witches is expulsion and even death, how will Kit and Hannah defend themselves against the accusations of the town?

Your Rating: 5/5 stars. I could not put this book down. I finished it in one sitting, and would highly recommend it to anyone. The language is engaging and well written, and I was so happy to read about a female heroine who was vulnerable, strong, and believable.

Readers who will like this book: Readers interested in historical fiction, readers learning about the Witch Trials of the 1700s.

Question to ask about this book before reading: Have you ever felt like an outcast because of opinions you had or by being new to a place?

Question to ask about this book during reading: What do you know about the Puritan times? What did the Puritan's believe in?

Question to ask about this book after reading: How did Kit grow as a woman and person throughout the novel? How do her attitudes compare at the beginning and end of the novel?

1. Interest Level (age): I believe this book would be interesting and engaging to readers ages 9-13. However at 24 I was equally engaged and loved it!

2. Grade Level Equivalent (grade): Grades 4-7.

3. Awards: Newbery Medal 1959, ALA Notable Children's Book.

Let It Shine: Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters

Book Title: Let It Shine: Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters

Author(s) and Artist(s)--if applicable: Andrea Davis Pinkney and Stephan Alcorn

Publisher: Gulliver Books

Copyright Date: 2000

Selection Choice: Biographies/ Memoires

Brief Annotation: This books includes stories about black women who struggled but overcame racism and slavery. It tells of their experiences and their personal achievements as they fought, and helped other fight, for their freedom and their rights as women and as human beings.

Your Rating: 5/5 This book was inspirational and moving. I learned about women I had never read about before and learned of their hard work and determination to gain freedom. This book gives hope to anyone who struggles against society, which makes it a motivational read.

Readers who will like this book: Upper elementary readers, 4^th, 5^th or 6^th grade. This book would fit well into a social studies unit of the Civil Rights Movement and slavery.

Question to ask about this book before reading: What do you know about black women freedom fighters?

Question to ask about this book during reading: What are some similar characteristics these women posses? Why are these characteristics important for what they want to accomplish?

Question to ask about this book after reading: What do you now know about black women freedom fighters? Is there anyone who stands out more to you after reading the biographies of these women? Why?

Optional, but noted as extra effort:

1. Interest Level (age): 8-10

2. Grade Level Equivalent (grade): 3-5

Use book wizard to help with the previous 2 areas

3. List awards Carter G. Woodson Award