Gooney Bird Greene

Gooney Bird Greene
Book Review II

Author: Lois Lowry
Illustrator: Middy Thomas
Genre: Fiction
Subgenre: Humor
Primary Characters: Gooney Bird and Mrs. Pidgeon
Secondary Characters: Felicia Ann, Malcolm, Barry Tuckerman, Chelsea, Nicholas, Ben, and Keiko
Publishing: Houghton Mifflin Company Boston 2002
Awards: Boston Globe-Horn Book Award

Theme: Individuality, imagination, and creativity should be embraced.

Summary: A new girl arrives at Watertower Elementary. Her name is Gooney Bird Greene and she likes to be in the middle of everything. Everyday she entertains her fellow classmates and teacher with an absolutely true story about herself including how she got her name. 

Uses with students: In a classroom, this chapter book could be used as an individual reading book or it could aid in a lesson on storytelling.

Liar, Liar Pants on Fire

Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire
Book Review II


Author: Gordan Korman
Illustrator: Joann Adinolfi
Genre: Fiction
Subgenre: Realistic
Primary Characters: Zoe Bent, Ms. Moore,  and Dr. Bradley
Secondary Characters: Jerry Paradise, Mom, Dad, Joey, Brittany and Micheal
Publishing: Scholastic Little Apple Paperbacks 1997
Awards: N/A

Theme: Lies are not necessary to make yourself better: just be yourself.

Summary: Zoe Bent has a creative imagination, but she uses it to lie about things to make herself seem cooler. All of her classmates never believe her except for one, Micheal. Zoe makes an eagle nest out of a crock pot and peanut butter. A real eagle came to eat the peanut butter, but when she told everyone only Micheal believed her. Micheal and Zoe become friends, and she realizes that when you are yourself, the truth doesn't need any help at all.

Uses with students: This book could be used when discussing truthfulness. Also, it could simply serve as a silent reading book.

In the Small, Small Pond

In a Small, Small Pond
Book Review II

Author/Illustrator: Denise Fleming
Genre: Nonfiction
Subgenre: Poetry
Primary Characters: different animals in a pond
Secondary Characters: None
Publishing: Henry Holt and Company N.Y. 1994
Awards: Caldecott Honor 1994

Theme: Life in a pond is diverse, and different animals have different habits.

Summary: As spring approaches and Winter fades, animals in ponds engage in different activities. Their activities are described through a series of rhyme and illustrations.

Uses with students: In a classroom, this book could be used in a unit in science. It could aid in a discussion about different ecosystems. Also, this book could be used to introduce rhyme and poetry to elementary grade students.

Joseph Had a Little Overcoat

Joseph Had a Little Overcoat
Book Review II

Author/Illustrator: Simms Taback
Genre: Picture Book
Subgenre: Fiction
Primary Character: Joseph
Secondary Characters: N/A
Publishing: Penguin Group 2000
Awards: Caldecott Medal 2000

Theme: You can always make something out of nothing.

Summary: Joseph has a very old overcoat. He keeps recycling the material numerous times and creates different clothing accessories. Eventually, the material runs out completely.

Uses with students: It could be used during a lesson on recycling or it could always be used as a silent reading book for beginning readers.

"Let's get a Pup!" said Kate.

"Let's Get a Pup!" said Kate.
Book Review II

Author/Illustrator: Bob Graham
Genre: Fiction
Subgenre: Realistic
Primary Characters: Kate, Mom, and Dad
Secondary Characters: the dogs- Rosy and Dave
Publishing: Candlewick Press 2001
Awards: N/A

Theme: Everybody needs a loving and caring home.

Summary: Kate's cat dies and she is upset. Kate decides she wants a new puppy so she pleads her parents to get her one. They decide to take her to the pound to find a new dog. There they find a dog named Dave. He is the perfect pet, however he is lonely so they decide to get another pup they saw at the pound. The name her Rosy. Rosy and Dave are great and they keep Kate's feet warm and not alone at night.

Uses with students: This book would be great as a individual reading book, or it could be used to lead a discussion about friendship and caring for animals.

My People

My People
Book Review II

Author: Langston Hughes
Illustrator: Charles R. Smith Jr.
Genre: Poetry
Subgenre: Cultural
Primary Characters: African Americans
Secondary Characters: N/A
Publishing: Atheneum Books 2009
Awards: Coretta Scott King Award

Theme: Always respect and take pride in one's culture.

Summary: This is a poem about people of African American heritage.
It vividly describes their features and qualities.

Use with students: In a classroom this book could be used to study elements of poetry. Also, it could be read as a read a loud book for Black History Month.

The Paperboy

The Paperboy
Book Review II

Author and Illustrator: Dav Pilkey

Genre: Fiction

Subgenre: Realistic

Primary Characters: Paperboy

Secondary Characters: Mom, Dad, and Sister

Publishing: Orchard Books 1996

Awards: Caldecott Honor 1996

Theme: There is a great sensation of accomplishment, once a task is completed.

Summary: A paperboy and his faithful pup wake up early to deliver papers to the neighborhood. The two enjoy the feels and sounds of the morning. Once the job is done, they climb back into their warm bed.

Uses with students: In a classroom, this book could be used as a read a loud book because the pictures and words are large enough for all to see. Also, students could write journal entries about their responsibilities.

Thunder Rose

Thunder Rose
Book Review II

Author: Erdine Nolen

Illustrator: Kadir Nelson

Genre: Fiction

Subgenre: Folktale

Primary Characters: Thunder Rose

Secondary Characters: Mom and Dad

Publishing: Harcourt Inc. 2003

Awards: Coretta Scott King Honor

Theme: Folktales can shape or explain a certain culture's history.

Summary: Rose is born during a thunderstorm. She has the power of storms and incredible strength. Due to her power, her parents begin to call her Thunder Rose. She does many grown up things as well as unique tasks like make iron fences, tame stampedes, and reroute a tornado. Needless to say, she is not an average little girl.

Uses with students: This book would be useful in discussions about Western culture. Also, it could be used as an introduction to a lesson on Folktales.

Where on Earth Is My Bagel?

Where on Earth Is My Bagel?
Book Review II

Author: Frances and Ginger Park
Illustrator: Grace Lin
Genre: Picture Book
Subgenre: Fiction
Primary Characters: Yum Yong
Secondary Characters: Farmer Ahn, Fisherman Kee, Beekeeper Lee, and Baker Oh
Publishing: Lee and Low Books Inc. 2001
Awards: N/A


Theme: With desire, determination and team work, the impossible is made possible.


Summary: A young boy in Korea, Yum Yong, is craving a New York bagel. He sends a pigeon with a note requesting one to a bakery in New York City. When the pigeon does not return fast enough, Yum Yong goes around his villages looking for it. No one that he runs into has seen it. While at his last stop, the bird comes back with the recipe attached to its leg. They all contribute to the recipe and everyone enjoys a delicious New York bagel.


Uses with students: In a classroom, this book could be used to introduce letter writing. It could also serve as an enhancement to a lesson on Korean culture.

Yoshi's Feast

Yoshi's Feast
Book Review II

Author: Kimiko Kajikawa

Illustrator: Yumi Heo

Genre: Fiction

Subgenre: Cultural

Primary Characters: Yoshi and Sabu

Secondary Characters: Townspeople

Publishing Dorling Kindersley Publishing Inc. 2000

Awards:Charolette Zolotow Award

Theme: When cooperation is in effect, everyone benefits.

Summary: Yoshi, a fan maker, lives in the city of Yedo. His neighbor, Sabu, cooks eel to sell. Yoshi adores eel and enjoys smelling them cook all day. Sabu decides to charge Yoshi for smelling his eels. Yoshi finds a clever way for Sabu to reap profits. He will use his fans to circulate the smell so that more people will come and buy them. In the end, both neighbors are satisfied and sit down for a nice eel feast. 

Uses with students: In a classroom, this book could be used as an introduction to Asain cultures. It will help student's connect and visualize aspects of other cultures.