Friday, March 27, 2009
The Absent Author by Ron Roy - Chapter Book
This book is about a boy named Dink who writes to his favorite author, Wallis Wallace. Dink invites him to come visit. Wallis Wallace told Dink he would come and Dink was shocked by his answer. When the day comes for Wallace to show up, he is nowhere to be found. The police tell Dink that he probably missed his plane, but Dink does not agree. Dink and his friends Ruth Rose and Josh find out where the missing Wallis Wallace is before it is to late. I think this would be a good book to have in the classroom library because it is a series book. If the students are interested in one of the book then they will be hooked to the series. Also, you can have your students do an investigation of their own in class to solve a case that deals with mathematical thinking.
Amelia Rules by Jimmy Gownley - Graphic Novel
This graphic novel is broken into four volumes. The novel is about Amelia Louise McBride, a 9 year old protagonist. Amelia's parents go through a divorce and so Amelia and her mother move. They move from New York to Pennsylvania to live with her 20 year old Aunt Tanner. Amelia's life is hard but she stays happy. She finds a good goofy group of friends including fubling Reggie, the Pajamaman, and Rhonda. Together, they are always in and out of trouble. Pajamaman hardly ever speaks and Reggie thinks he is a superhero. Amelia gets an visit from her father which is very awkward for her. More and more problems start to occur as she learns one of her friends has a life-threatening disease and another friend has to deal with her father being stationed overseas. Amelia confides in her Aunt Tanner. Amelia acts on impulse which often gets her into trouble but she is not afraid to admit her mistakes. This novel is a joy to read because it takes you back to childhood. It is very easy to relate to Amelia's character and would be great to have in your classroom library.
Grandfather Counts by Andrea Cheng - Multicultural Literature
The book is about a girl named Helen's grandfather, Gong Gong, who came from China to live with her family. He is very shocked and slightly disappointed to find that none of his grandchildren can speak Chinese. He is stumped on how is going to communicate with them. One day he goes with Helen to watch trains go by. Gong Gong starts to count the trains in Chinese. Helen repeats all the words she hears her grandfather say. She is trying to pick up on his Chinese. Helen then says the numbers back to her grandfather in English to help him learn a little too. Throughout the book they continue to help each other to overcome the language barrier. This is a wonderful book because their or several different languages all around the world. It is important for students to know that they will run across language barriers in life but can still communicate with the right approach. We could discuss as a class the different approaches to take when faced with a communication barrier.
Mama Day by Gloria Naylor - Multicultural
This book is good for a Social Studies unit as well. It could be good for an actvity on the hardships of slavery.
Charloette's Web by E.B. White - Modern Fantasy
The book Charloette's Web, tells a story about a little pig named Wilbur. Wilbur becomes famous with the helps of his friend Charlotte and other animal neighbors. Wilbur is not the best pick in the litter and struggles to survive. Fern, Wilburs human friend wants to keep him and begs her father, Mr. Arable to let her raise him. Fern's father lets her bring Wilbur to the Farm where he makes a lot of new friends. He meets a gray spider named Charolette. When Wilbur starts to become big and plump from all the good fedding, the two try to come up with a plan to keep Wilbur from being dinner. Charloette helps Wilbur by using her webs. Templeton the rat, and other aniamls on the farm help Wilbur too and he becomes the prize-winning pig at the County Fair. Wilbur is one famous pig by the end of the book. This book teaches children about loyalty and friendship. I think it is a great book to have in your classroom library. The kids can learn a little bit about farm life as well from Charloette's Web.
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