Title: Louise, The Adventures of a Chicken
Author: Kate DiCamillo
Illustrator: Harry Bliss
Publisher: HarperCollins
Copyright: 2008
Ages 4-8
Genre: Audio book (Picture book)
Summary: A story about an adventurous chicken broken down into 4 chapters.
Rating: 5
Rationale: Such a cute story and incredible illustrations. The audio really adds to the story and captivates the audience in new ways with background sounds and voices. I loved this story. I even took it to work to read to my kids!
Lexile: AD620L
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Sunday, May 15, 2011
CHILDREN'S BOOK: The Blacker the Berry
Title: The Blacker the Berry
Author: Joyce Carol Thomas
Illustrator: Floyd Cooper
Publisher: Amistad
Copyright: 2008
Ages 9-12
Genre: Poetry
Summary: A collection of poems about the variation in African American skin color and the uniqueness and beauty each possesses.
Rating: 3
Rationale: I was a little torn on this poetry collection. The correlation between berries and skin color was interesting but a little confusing at times. A few of the poems I had to re-read a few times to understand the concept, perhaps that is what makes it a good discussion piece? The art was what really caught my attention. The illustrations are stunning and span the whole page with rich colors, textures and details. It was no surprise that this book won the Coretta Scott King award for illustrations!
Lexile: n/a
Author: Joyce Carol Thomas
Illustrator: Floyd Cooper
Publisher: Amistad
Copyright: 2008
Ages 9-12
Genre: Poetry
Summary: A collection of poems about the variation in African American skin color and the uniqueness and beauty each possesses.
Rating: 3
Rationale: I was a little torn on this poetry collection. The correlation between berries and skin color was interesting but a little confusing at times. A few of the poems I had to re-read a few times to understand the concept, perhaps that is what makes it a good discussion piece? The art was what really caught my attention. The illustrations are stunning and span the whole page with rich colors, textures and details. It was no surprise that this book won the Coretta Scott King award for illustrations!
Lexile: n/a
CHILDREN'S BOOK: The Road to Memphis
Title: The Road to Memphis
Author: Mildred D. Taylor
Illustrator: n/a
Publisher: Puffin Books
Copyright: 1990
Ages Young Adult
Genre: Historical Fiction
Summary: The 3rd book in the Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry series. Cassie is all grown up now. 17 years old and preparing for college and becoming a lawyer. Things take an unfortunate turn when a close friend, Moe, kills two white men and is on the run. Cassie, her brother Stacey, and their friend Clarence drive Moe to Memphis in order for him to escape.
Rating: 5
Rationale: I love this entire series! I was so excited to read it again! Mildred D. Taylor is such an incredible author and each book in the series has won awards! I absolutely love that you get to know all the characters throughout the series. By the end Cassie is 17 and a woman. It is so well written and captivating. It's an amazing story. I would recommend it to anyone! The story is true to the historical time, even though it is fiction, it really captures the racial struggles, culture, language, etc. of the time period. AMAZING!
Lexile: 670L
Author: Mildred D. Taylor
Illustrator: n/a
Publisher: Puffin Books
Copyright: 1990
Ages Young Adult
Genre: Historical Fiction
Summary: The 3rd book in the Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry series. Cassie is all grown up now. 17 years old and preparing for college and becoming a lawyer. Things take an unfortunate turn when a close friend, Moe, kills two white men and is on the run. Cassie, her brother Stacey, and their friend Clarence drive Moe to Memphis in order for him to escape.
Rating: 5
Rationale: I love this entire series! I was so excited to read it again! Mildred D. Taylor is such an incredible author and each book in the series has won awards! I absolutely love that you get to know all the characters throughout the series. By the end Cassie is 17 and a woman. It is so well written and captivating. It's an amazing story. I would recommend it to anyone! The story is true to the historical time, even though it is fiction, it really captures the racial struggles, culture, language, etc. of the time period. AMAZING!
Lexile: 670L
CHILDREN'S BOOK: Under the Royal Palms
Title: Under the Royal Palms
Author: Alma FLor Ada
Illustrator: n/a
Publisher: Atheneum Books
Copyright: 1998
Ages 9-12
Genre: Young reader
Summary: A chapter book that describes a little girl's life growing up in Cuba. Each chapter is a different experience, from her Uncle's death, to moving, to meeting an inspirational teacher.
Rating: 3
Rationale: The story was good and it flowed well, however I thought it was a very slow read. The experiences were easily to relate to and realistic. I enjoyed the real photos added throughout the story. I also liked the language used and the incorporating of the Spanish language.
Lexile: 1070L
Author: Alma FLor Ada
Illustrator: n/a
Publisher: Atheneum Books
Copyright: 1998
Ages 9-12
Genre: Young reader
Summary: A chapter book that describes a little girl's life growing up in Cuba. Each chapter is a different experience, from her Uncle's death, to moving, to meeting an inspirational teacher.
Rating: 3
Rationale: The story was good and it flowed well, however I thought it was a very slow read. The experiences were easily to relate to and realistic. I enjoyed the real photos added throughout the story. I also liked the language used and the incorporating of the Spanish language.
Lexile: 1070L
CHILDREN'S BOOK: Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book
Title: Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book
Author: Yuyi Morales
Illustrator: Yuyi Morales
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Copyright: 2003
Ages 0-5
Genre: Picture Books
Summary: A counting book. A skeleton, Mr. Calavera comes to the door to take Grandma Beetle away. She keeps telling him "Just a Minute" as she prepares a feast for her 8 grandchildren and the surprise guest, Mr. Calavera.
Rating: 5
Rationale: Very cute book. I like that it helps learn to count in English and in Spanish. I believe there is a strong undertone of death in the story. My interpretation was that Mr. Calavera was coming to 'take her away' but she was not ready. The wording was repetitive and great for preschool aged children. I also liked that the book presented another culture beautifully and the illustrations are perfect for supplementing the story.
Lexile: 540L
Author: Yuyi Morales
Illustrator: Yuyi Morales
Publisher: Chronicle Books
Copyright: 2003
Ages 0-5
Genre: Picture Books
Summary: A counting book. A skeleton, Mr. Calavera comes to the door to take Grandma Beetle away. She keeps telling him "Just a Minute" as she prepares a feast for her 8 grandchildren and the surprise guest, Mr. Calavera.
Rating: 5
Rationale: Very cute book. I like that it helps learn to count in English and in Spanish. I believe there is a strong undertone of death in the story. My interpretation was that Mr. Calavera was coming to 'take her away' but she was not ready. The wording was repetitive and great for preschool aged children. I also liked that the book presented another culture beautifully and the illustrations are perfect for supplementing the story.
Lexile: 540L
Sunday, May 8, 2011
CHILDREN'S BOOK: Hitler Youth Growing up in Hitler's Shadow
Title: Hitler's Youth: Growing up in Hitler's Shadow
Author: Susan Campbell Bartoletti
Illustrator: n/a
Publisher: Scholastic Nonfiction
Copyright: 2005
Ages Young Adult
Genre: Information book
Summary: Explains in great detail how Hitler's plan for Germany strongly included young boys and girls and the formation of Hitler Youth. The story itself focuses on 12 individual boys and girls who tell their stories and how it depicts the deception Hitler used to trick these young, innocent minds. The stories shows the process of becoming part of the Hitler Youth from the excitement and dedication to the confusion and doubt.
Rating: 3
Rationale: Very long and too detailed, easily bored. The images are great and really help to tell the story. I think the length and depth of the text is intimidating for young readers, and myself as an adult reader. It didn't keep my interest and it was hard to relate to the characters, they weren't portrayed very personally. It was worded too formally.
Lexile: 1050L
Author: Susan Campbell Bartoletti
Illustrator: n/a
Publisher: Scholastic Nonfiction
Copyright: 2005
Ages Young Adult
Genre: Information book
Summary: Explains in great detail how Hitler's plan for Germany strongly included young boys and girls and the formation of Hitler Youth. The story itself focuses on 12 individual boys and girls who tell their stories and how it depicts the deception Hitler used to trick these young, innocent minds. The stories shows the process of becoming part of the Hitler Youth from the excitement and dedication to the confusion and doubt.
Rating: 3
Rationale: Very long and too detailed, easily bored. The images are great and really help to tell the story. I think the length and depth of the text is intimidating for young readers, and myself as an adult reader. It didn't keep my interest and it was hard to relate to the characters, they weren't portrayed very personally. It was worded too formally.
Lexile: 1050L
CHILDREN'S BOOK: The Boy Who Invented TV
Title: The Boy Who Invented TV
Author: Kathleen Krull
Illustrator: Greg Couch
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Copyright: 2009
Ages 4-8
Genre: Information book
Summary: Tells the story of the boy who invents TV. Talks about his inspiration and how he invented it.
Rating: 5
Rationale: Very easy to read! Tells a fun story in a child friendly way. It is a great way to teach children about science and the invention of the TV in a fun and exciting way. I also enjoyed the images in the story and the character. He was easy to connect to and could be a great inspiration for children!
Lexile: 860L
Author: Kathleen Krull
Illustrator: Greg Couch
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Copyright: 2009
Ages 4-8
Genre: Information book
Summary: Tells the story of the boy who invents TV. Talks about his inspiration and how he invented it.
Rating: 5
Rationale: Very easy to read! Tells a fun story in a child friendly way. It is a great way to teach children about science and the invention of the TV in a fun and exciting way. I also enjoyed the images in the story and the character. He was easy to connect to and could be a great inspiration for children!
Lexile: 860L
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)