What Jamie Saw

What Jamie Saw

Author: Carolyn Coman

Cover Artist: Carolyn Coman
Genre: Fiction

Subgenre: Realistic Fiction
Primary Characters: Jamie, Nin, and Patty

Secondary Characters: Van, Earl, and Mrs. Desrochers

Publications: Front Street 1995

Awards: Newbery Honor 1995

Theme: Inner strength can help one overcome any tragedy or obstacle that one experiences.

Summary: When Jamie saw his younger half-sister get thrown across the room by his mother's boyfriend, his world was turned upside down. His mother grabbed the children and some of their belongings and fled to her friend, Earl's, house. They move into a trailer behind his house, and stick together like glue. They live in constant fear and uncertainty. The story tells of their journey and struggles as they recover from their tragic experience.

In a classroom, this book can be used as an independent reading book.

Turtle in Paradise

Turtle in Paradise

Author: Jennifer L. Holm

Cover Artist: Jackie Parsons

Genre: Children's Literature
Subgenre: Fiction
Primary Characters: Turtle, The Diaper Gang, and Sadiebelle

Secondary Characters: Aunt Minnie, Uncle Vernon, Archie and Slow Poke

Publications: Random House 2010

Awards: Newbery Honor 2011

Theme: Don't be afraid to try new things or embark on adventures.

Summary: During the Great Depression, Turtle's mother gets a job that does not allow her to have children in the house. She has to move to Key West, Florida with her Aunt Minnie and her cousins the Diaper Gang. It tells of all their adventures while she lives in the new town. During one of their adventures, they get stranded on a key after finding a hidden treasure. Her mother arrives shortly after hearing the news. Turtle learns that her mother has recently gotten engaged to Archie. Unfortunately, Archie leaves Turtle and her mother in Key West. In the end, they decided to live with their family on Curry Lane.

In a classroom, this novel can be used as an independent reading book.

Everything on a Waffle

Everything on a Waffle

Author: Polly Horvath

Cover Artist: Gina Freschet

Genre: Fiction

Sub Genre: Comedy

Primary Characters: Primrose, Uncle Jack, Miss Honeycut, Miss Bowser, and Miss. Perfidy

Secondary Characters: Evie, Bert, and Mrs. Witherspoon

Publication: Farrar Straus Giroux 2001

Awards: Newbery Honor 2001

Theme: Over coming challenges can improve one's self esteem.

Summary: Primrose Squarp loses her parents out at sea and is then made to live with her Uncle Jack. This story is about tha events that happen to her while she awaits her parents' return. She writes down recipes throughout the book from a diner in town who serves everything on a waffle. In the end, her parents finally return despite everyone's beliefs.

In a classroom, this book can be used as a silent reading book, or as a read aloud book in the fourth or fifth grade. Everyday a new chapter is read the corresponding recipe could be made to enrich the reading experience. It can teach students to be positive and to have a good self esteem.

Because of Winn-Dixie

Because of Winn-Dixie

Author: Kate DiCamillo

Genre: Fiction

Subgenre: Realistic
Primary Characters: India Opal, Winn-Dixie, and Preacher

Secondary Characters: Mrs. Franny, Mr. Otis, Gloria Dump, Amanda, Sweetie Pie and the twins

Publishing: Candlewick Press 2000

Awards: Newbery Medal 2001

Theme: Friendship is essential to growing up and can get you thorugh anything. 

Summary: India Opal has only one parent. Her mother abonded her and her father when she was really young. India moves to a new town with her father the preacher. Upon her arrival she finds a dog in a supermarket whom she promptly names Winn-Dixie. Because of Winn-Dixie, India was able to make new friends during her first summer in Naomi. 

In a classroom, this book could be used to do literary analysis of different characters, setting, and plot. Also in order to incorporate writing, the students could write about their experiences when moving to a new town, a pet they once had, or about the friends they have made over time.

When Sophie Gets Angry- Really, Really Angry...

When Sophie Gets Angry- Really, Really Angry...

Author/Illustrator: Molly Bang

Genre: Children's Literature
Sub Genre: Realistic Fiction
Primary Characters: Sophie

Secondary Characters: Mother, Father, Sister

Publishing: Blue Sky Press, 1999

Awards: Caldecott Honor 2000

Theme: Different people handle emotions in different ways.

Summary: Sophie hates to share. So when her mother makes her share gorilla with her sister, Sophie gets angry- very angry. She screams, runs, and climbs a tree to vent. Once she is calm again she returns home.

In a classroom setting, this book could be used in a lesson of different emotions. The students could write about how they act when overwhelmed with different emotion, i.e. anger, sadness, happiness.

What Do You Do With a Tail Like This?

What Do You Do With a Tail Like This?

Author: Steve Jenkins

Illustrator: Robin Page

Genre: Nonfiction

Sub Genre: Science
Primary and Secondary Characters: Different Animals

Publishing: Houghton Miffin Company, 2003

Awards: Caldecott Honor Book 2004

Theme: The different parts of animals are in charge of different tasks.

Summary: This book teaches children about animals through the function of various body parts. It is an interactive book that keeps the children engaged and thinking.

In a classroom, this book could be used as an introduction to different animals and how they function. Lessons pertaining to this book would most likely be geared towards preschool age students.

The Negro Speaks of Rivers

The Negro Speaks of Rivers

Author: Langston Hughes

Illustrator: E.B. Lewis

Genre: Poetry

Sub Genre: African American Literature

Primary and Secondary Characters: African Americans across the globe

Publishing: Disney Jump at the Sun Books, 2009

Awards: Coretta Scott King 2009

Theme: roots and heritage of African Americans

Summary: A poem about the journeys of the African American race around the world. It relates the many locations by the rivers within each one.

In a classroom, this book could serve as an introduction to Black History Month or the history of slavery.

The Hello Goodbye Window

The Hello Goodbye Window

Author: Norton Juster
Illustrator: Chris Raschka
Genre: Fiction
Sub Genre: Childrens' Literature
Primary Characters: Nana, Poppy, and the Narrator
Secondary Characters: Mom and Dad
Publishing: Scholastic Inc., 2005
Awards: Caldecott Medal 2005

Theme: Imagination and family are valuable things.

Summary: A little girl visits her grandparents' house and is intrigued by their kitchen window. She imagines the window allows her to see wonderful things in life. She decides she wants a Hello Goodbye Window when she gets older and owns her own house.

In a classroom, this book can assist in art projects or imagination exercises. The students' could create their own window and then write about what they could see through their magical window.

Giraffes Can't Dance

Giraffes Can't Dance

Author: Giles Andreae
Illustrator: Guy Parker-Rees
Genre: Fiction
Sub Genre: Rhyme
Primary Characters: Gerald the Giraffe
Secondary Characters: the Cricket and all the other animals of the jungle
Publishing: Orchard Books 2001
Awards: N/A

Theme: Be yourself no matter the circumstances.

Summary: Gerald the giraffe can't dance, and the other animals of the jungle laugh at him. He leaves the dance party feeling lonely, but he runs into Cricket who helps realize he can dance to his own song. The whole jungle then sees how great of dancer Gerald can be.

In a classroom, this book can be used to address the topics of bullying, being yourself, and/or doing your own thing. The students can write journal entries about the tasks and activities they are good at doing.

Ella Takes the Cake

Ella Takes the Cake

Author: Carmela D'amico

Illustrator: Steven D'amico

Genre: Fiction

Sub Genre: Childrens' Literature

Primary Characters: Ella and Ella's Mother

Secondary Characters: Belinda, Mr. Banjo, Mr. Kernel, Mr. Sneed and Mrs. Melba

Publishing: Arthur A. Levine 2005

Awards: Oppeheim Toy Portfolio Award Gold Seal

Theme: Helping reaps good for all.

Summary: Ella the elephant wants to help her mother at the bakery. Along the way, she encounters adventures and challenges in delivering a special cake for her mother.

In a classroom, this book could aid in a lesson on the importance of helping. As an activity, the students could write a journal entry on the many different ways they help around the classroom or at home. 

Ella Sarah Gets Dressed

Ella Sarah Gets Dressed

Author: Margaret Chodos-Irvine

Illustrator: Judythe Sieck

Genre: Fiction

Sub Genre: Realistic

Primary Characters: Ella Sarah

Secondary Characters: Mom, Dad, Big Sister

Publishing: Harcourt Inc., 2004

Awards: Caldecott Honor 2004

Theme: Individuality should be expressed.

Summary: Ella Sarah is getting dressed, and her family has many suggestions for her. However, Ella Sarah has her own ideas. She wants to wear the outfit of her choice. Needless to say her outfit of choice verbalizes her individuality.

In a classroom, this book can be used to express the idea that it's okay to be you. Also, it can help aid in a discussion of the importance of individuality, creativity and/or self expression.

A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever

A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever

Author/Illustrator: Marla Frazee

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Sub genre: Realistic Comedy

Primary Characters: James and Eamon

Secondary Characters: the grandparents, Bill and Pam

Publishing: Harcourt Inc., 2008

Awards: Caldecott Honor 2009

Theme: Friendship is beneficial and adventurous.

Summary: Two friends, Eamon and James, spend a week of their summer break at Eamon's grandparents' house. During their stay, they attend a nature camp, learn new words, enjoy banana waffles, and visit Antarctica. Essentially, it is the tale of their best week ever!

In a classroom, this delightful book can be used to introduce students to writing memories down so that they can be enjoyed by others. Also, it can initiate a class discussion about each child's summer adventures.