Monsters of Men

Title: Monsters of Men

Author: Patrick Ness in 2011, won the CILIP Carnegie Children's Medal for this book. He is an American journalist and lecturer who lives in London, although he holds an American citizenship.

Publisher: Candlewick Press (2010)

Genre: Fiction

Grade Level: 6-8

Brief Synopsis: As a world-ending war surges to life around them, Todd and Viola face monstrous decisions, questioning all they have ever known as they try to step back from the darkness and find the best way to achieve peace. Throughout the story Todd and Viola question all they have known, through horror and outrage leading the reader to a shocking finale.

Theme/Skill: Language Arts/Social Studies/ Decision Making

Pre-activity: Have the students write in their journal what they think this book is going to be about. (2-3 paragraphs)

Post-activity: As we read through the chapters the students must write a blog for each chapter. They must also comment on each other blogs. (5-6 comments)

My Refection of the book persuading people to read it:

I feel this is a great novel for young teens. This book provides various narrators by the use of different fonts. It is about problem solving in teen life's.

Here Lies Arthur

Title: Here Lies Arthur

Author: Philip Reeve's was born in 1966 in Brighton, he is a British author and illustrator. His first book for older readers was Mortal Engines which won the Nestlé Smarties Book Prize Gold Award

Publisher: Scholastic Press (2008)

Genre: Fiction

Grade Level: 6-8

Brief Synopsis: When her village is attacked and burned, Gwyna seeks protection from the bard Myrddin, who uses Gwyna in his plan to transform young Arthur into the heroic King Arthur.

Theme/Skill: Language Arts/ Social Studies/ War

Pre-activity: Have the students write in their journal what they think this book is going to be about. (2-3 paragraphs)

Post-activity: As we read through the chapters the students must write a blog for each chapter. They must also comment on each other blogs. (5-6 comments)

My Refection of the book persuading people to read it:

I feel this is a great novel for young teens. It really makes them think throughout each chapter as well as provides battle scenes that some young teens find very interesting.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Title: The Very Hungry Caterpillar

Author: Eric Carle was born in Syracuse, New York in 1929. This book is his most popular selling over 33 million copies.

Publisher: Philomel (1994)

Genre: Fiction

Grade Level: 1-4

Brief Synopsis: This is a story about a caterpillars journey through life to become a butterfly.

Theme/Skill: Math/Counting/cycle of a caterpillar

Pre-activity: Have the students predict what they think this book is going to be about from just looking at the cover of the book. I will then have some of the students share their responses and write them on the board.

Post-activity: Have the students create a venn diagram comparing what they thought the book was going to be about compared to what the book was actually about.

My Refection of the book persuading people to read it:

I like this book because it takes you through the journey of a caterpillar before it becomes a butterfly. I also enjoy the illustrations and pop-ups throughout the story. Pop-ups are very engaging to students. I feel it is a great book for elementary students.

Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

Title: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

Author: Bill Martin Jr is the author of more than 300 children's books. Eric Carle has illustrated more than 70 books, many were best sellers.

Publisher: Henry Holy and Co. BYR Paperbacks (2008)

Genre: Fiction

Grade Level: 1-3

Brief Synopsis: This is a story about a bear who sees a different animal and than that animal sees another animal. The storyline takes you on a journey through different types of animal colors.

Theme/Skill: Teaching children the different types of animals and colors those animals have/Sequencing/Order/Mathematics

Pre-activity: Have the students create an animal that is mentioned in the book. Then put the animal on a popsicle stick and when the animal is mentioned throughout the story the student must hold up that animal.

Post-activity: Have the students write the order of each animal and what that animal saw in order as the book. Then as a class we will go over the students list. After that I will have the students stand in line in order of when there animal that they created was mentioned in the story. This will happen as I read the story again to the class.

My Refection of the book persuading people to read it:

I enjoy reading this book because of the illustrations that fit the script of the story. This story provides easy predicting the next rhyme. I also like how it helps children learn different animals and this story helps children learn their colors. This story also provides participation for students.

Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

Title: Chicka Chicka Boom Boom

Author: Bill Martin Jr went on to earn his doctorate degree in early childhood education from Northwestern University in 1961 John Archambault wrote this book and dedicated it to his son 15 years ago.

Publisher: Beach Lane Books (2000)

Genre: Fiction

Grade Level: 1-4

Brief Synopsis: This is a children's book about the letters of the alphabet. Throughout the book there is a lot of rhyming to grab the students attention.

Theme/Skill: Creativity/Rhyming using the alphabet letters/Language Arts

Pre-activity: Have the students create a KWL chart as a class before reading the story.

Post-activity: Finish filling out the KWL chart after reading the story as a class.

My Refection of the book persuading people to read it:

I have always enjoyed reading this book. I have read it since I was a little girl in elementary school. I enjoy the storyline with the alphabet letters and the rhyming that occurs throughout the story.I think this story uses appropriate speech patterns and follows a sequence of rhyming events.

Ten Little Caterpillars

Title: Ten Little Caterpillars

Author: Bill Martin Jr truly was "America's favorite children's author." He wrote for almost 60 years. His first book was called The Little Squeegy Bug-The Story of the Firefly published in 1945.

Publisher: Beach Lane Books (2011)

Genre: Fiction

Grade Level:K-3

Brief Synopsis: This is a story about ten different caterpillars that do different things. At the end the tenth caterpillar turns into a butterfly.

Theme/Skill: Science/ Taking the children through the life of the different caterpillars/Counting

Pre-activity: Create a KWL chart on the board before reading the book with the class.

Post-activity: Add information of what the students learned to the L section after reading the story. Discuss the different life cycle of a caterpillar through a diagram on the overhead projector.

My Refection of the book persuading people to read it:

I liked this book because it shows the different types of caterpillars their are. I also like how the book can involve the students by having them count. I also enjoyed looking at the illustrations throughout the book. This story also provides a very dynamic visual stunning illustrations.

Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type

Title: Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type

Author: Doreen Cronin published this book during the time she was practicing law in downtown Manhattan. She since has left her job as an attorney to write children's books.

Publisher: Antheneum Books for Young Readers (2000)

Genre: Fiction

Grade Level: First-Third

Brief Synopsis: This story is about a farmer who finds out his cows know how to use a type writer. They begin to type the farmer a complaint saying it is too cold in the barn at night and they want electrical blankets to sleep with. The farmer is distraught about the whole idea that cows knew how to type. The farmer does not full-fill the cows wishes so the cows go on strike and do not produce milk anymore. The next day they got the chickens involved and wrote a note to the farmer about what the chickens want. The farmer does not full-fill the chickens wishes either so they also go on strike with the cows and do not produce eggs. The farmer decided he needed to do something about this fast so he decided he was going to have the cows exchange the type writer and he will give all the animals electrical blankets. At the end everyone agreed and it all worked out.

Theme/Skill: Compromising/prediction (Language Arts)

Pre-activity: Have the students write in their journals about what they think the story is about just by looking at the front cover of the book. Then as a class we will have a discussion about their predictions.

Post-activity: Have the students create a venn-diagram comparing and contrasting their predictions to what really happened in the book. Then I will have some of the students share their venn-diagrams.

My Refection of the book persuading people to read it:

I enjoyed reading this book a lot! It had a lot of rhyming throughout the story. This story alos provides cooroperting learning (give and take). I feel that elementary student children will enjoy reading this book because it is very funny.

If You Give a Pig a Pancake

Title: If You Give a Pig a Pancake

Author: Laura Numeroff grew up in Brooklyn, New York surrounded by books, music, and art. Many of her books can be read because her books can come in a different lagnugae. This is great for a child who does not speak English as a first language.

Publisher: HapperCollins (1998)

Genre: Fiction

Grade Level: K-4

Brief Synopsis: This is a story about a pig who eats pancakes. The story takes you through what happens to the pig while he eats the pancakes and what he has to do to clean up from the mess.

Theme/Skill: Reading Sequence of events/ Language Arts/Cause and Effect

Pre-activity: Have the students create a sequence of things they did throughout the day (timeline).

Post-activity: Students will create a storyline of events that occurred throughout the story, beginning with first, second, third and so on.

My Refection of the book persuading people to read it:

I really like this particular book in the serious because you can have the students create a list of the events in order that occurred throughout the story. This helps the students build comprehension and reading sequencing.

If You Give a Cat a Cupcake

Title: If You Give a Cat a Cupcake

Author: Laura Numeroff was born on July 14, 1953. She is an American author and illustrator. Laura enjoys meeting new people and going to museums and looking at the dinosaur bones.

Publisher: HaperCollins (2008)

Genre: Fiction

Grade Level: K-3

Brief Synopsis: This story is about a cat who gets a cupcake that takes you on a journey of what the cat will ask for next to go with the cupcake. Some places the cat goes is to the beach, karate class, and the park.

Theme/Skill: Imagination and Creativity/ Language Arts

Pre-activity: Have the students imagine they are a cat for the day. Have them give you some ideas of what they would do throughout the day being a cat. List these ideas on the board.

Post-activity: Have the students create a timeline and pretend they are the cat. Have them use their imagination and describe what they think the cat should ask for next using the places the cat goes throughout the story.

My Refection of the book persuading people to read it:
I really enjoy these serious of books! I think it brings out the creativity and imagination in children. I enjoy listening to the children's ideas of what they think will happen next. I feel this story builds on imagination for children.

If You Give a Moose a Muffin

Title: If You Give a Moose a Muffin

Author: Laura Numeroff series "If You Give A..." was rejected nine times before it was accepted by Harper. Some of her favorite animals are horses, raccoons, otters, cats, pandas, dogs, and many more.

Publisher: HaperCollins (1991)

Genre: Fiction

Grade Level: K-3

Brief Synopsis: This is a story about a little boy's imagination about what a moose would do if you gave him a muffin. This story takes you through the day of what the little boy thinks the moose will do with the muffin throughout the day.

Theme/Skill: Imagination/Journey/ Language Arts

Pre-activity: Have the students imagine they are a moose for the day. Have them give you some ideas of what they would do throughout the day being a moose. List these ideas on the board

Post-activity: Have the students create a timeline and pretend they are the little boy. Have them use their imagination and describe what they think a moose would do with the muffin throughout the day.

My Refection of the book persuading people to read it:
I really enjoy these serious of books! I think it brings out the creativity and imagination in children. I enjoy listening to the children's ideas of what they think the moose would do throughout the day with the muffin. I feel this story builds on imagination for children as well as providing a fun read.

The Dog Who Cried Wolf

Title: The Dog Who Cried Wolf

Author: Keiko Kasza was born on a small island Inland Sea of Japan. In 1973 she came over to the United States to continue her education. In 1976 she graduated from California State University at Northridge with a bachelor's degree in graphic arts.

Publisher: Putnam Juvenile (2005)

Genre: Fiction

Grade Level: 1-4

Brief Synopsis: This is a story about a little girl and a dog. The little girl reads a story about a wolf to the dog. When the little girl finishes with the story the dog wants to try and become a wolf. The dog decides to run away and be a wolf. He did not like being a wolf at all and he missed the little girl. He decided to go back home and when the dog saw the little girl they both were so happy!

Theme/Skill: Running away from your problems does not make things better/ Language Arts/Problem solving

Pre-activity: Have the students brainstorm what they think the story is about by just seeing the cover of the book. I will list their ideas on the board.

Post-activity: After we read the book as a class we will go through the list we brainstormed before we read the book. By using a venn diagram we will compare and contrast what the story was really about, to our list of what we thought the story was going to be about. Comparing and contrasting the two.

My Refection of the book persuading people to read it:
I think this is a great book for students to realize that by walking away from a situation it does not always make it better in the end. It also shows the students that sometimes the grass isn't always greener on the other side. Overall, I think this is a great book to read to students! I enjoy reading it everytime I get a chance too!

You Can Do It, Sam

Title: You Can Do It, Sam

Author: Amy Hest is an author of more than thiry books for young readers. Many of her books affectionately discuss family and intergenerational themes.

Publisher: Candlewick (2003)

Genre: Fiction

Grade Level: 1-3

Brief Synopsis: This is a story about a little bear and his mother who bake cakes for people. The little bear delivers the cake all by himself in the snow, while his mother watches him. At first the little bear was scared to do it alone, but when he returns home he was so proud of himself for delivering the cake all alone.

Theme/Skill: Independence/Life Skills/ Language Arts/ Generosity

Pre-activity: Have the students brainstorm the first time that they can remember ever doing anything alone. Then have some of the students share their stories with the class. During this time I will ask them questions about how they felt before they did the task independently and then after they completed the task.

Post-activity: Have the students complete a KWL chart about the winter season.

My Refection of the book persuading people to read it:
This is a book about teaching children independence. This book can be used in classrooms where students do not see the snow. This book can help students explore what snow is. I think it is a great book for all teachers to read to their class. I also think it is a great book for the winter season.

The Snowy Day

Title: The Snowy Day

Author: Ezra Keats was one of the most important children's literature author of the 20th Century. The Snowy Day was a Caldecott-Winning book.

Publisher: Viking Juvenile (1996)

Genre: Fiction

Grade Level: 1-2

Brief Synopsis: This is a s tory about a little boy taking an adventure through the snow. When he returns home he tells his mom all about his adventure. When he goes to bed that night he has a dream that all the snow has melted away. When he wakes up he realizes his dream was not true because it was snowing out.

Theme/Skill: Activities throughout the winter season/Language Arts/Science

Pre-activity: Create a concept map about the activities you can do in the winter time.

Post-activity:Have the students write three to four sentences about their favorite winter activity. They can then draw a picture of their activity and share it with the class.

My Refection of the book persuading people to read it:
I have loved this book ever since I was a young child. I have always enjoyed my mother reading it to me. I think it is a great book for children who live in Central New York because they can relate to the snow and the little boy in the story. I also like this book because as an educator you can do so many activities after reading the story to your students.

Hondon & Fabian

Title: Hondon & Fabian

Author: Peter McCarty was born in 1966 in Westport, Connecticut. In 1992 he graduated from School of Visual Arts in New York City. Today he teaches an art class there.

Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (2002)

Genre: Fiction

Grade Level: 1-2

Brief Synopsis: This is a story about a cat and dogs close relationship. It shows how two different types of animals get along so well.

Theme/Skill: Relationships/ Language Arts/Compromising and getting along/Friendship

Pre-activity: Have the students brainstorm two types of animals that do not get along. While the students are giving you the examples make sure you list them on the board.

Post-activity: As a class we will create a list of two types of animals that do get a long. After this is done we will compare and contrast the two lists the students came up with.

My Refection of the book persuading people to read it:
I really enjoyed reading this book! I found it to be very useful in a school setting because it shows how different animals that do not enjoy doing the same things can get along so well. The characters have a gentle charm. I feel that it will help in a classroom especially with students that do not have the same interests.

Kittens First Full Moon

Title: Kittens First Full Moon

Author: Kevin Henkes is a children's book illustrator and writer. He is known for winning both the Caldecott Medal for illustrations and Newbery Honor for writing. In 2005 he recieved the Caldecott Medal for this book, Kittens First Full Moon.

Publisher: Greenwillow Book (2004)

Genre: Fiction

Grade Level: 1-2

Brief Synopsis: This is a story about a little kitten that sees a full moon and thinks it is a bowl of milk. The kitten tries to get to the moon by stretching its neck, sprang from the top of the porch, chasing the moon down the sidewalk, and runs to the tallest tree to climb it. In the end the kitten realizes nothing is going to work. The kitten then decides to go home where she finds a bowl of milk waiting for her.

Theme/Skill: Realizing that we mistake many objects from a distance. This is called object relations. / Language Arts/ Science

Pre-activity: Take the students on a nature walk. Throughout the nature walk I will point out objects from a distance and have the student write down what they think it looks like. Then when we get closer to the object the students will write down what the actual object is.

Post-activity: After we read the book I will explain the method of object relations and how depending where you stand the object can look different compared to when you are close to that object. I will then have each student share their list from the nature walk with the class about what they saw from a distance and what they saw up close.

My Refection of the book persuading people to read it:
I really enjoyed reading this book! I thought the book had a very cute story line! The book is an ensuring comedy. I think it is a great book for all ages. I would definitely recommend it for teachers to read when they are teaching a lesson about object relations.

The Happy Day

Title: The Happy Day

Author: Ruth Krauss was born on July 25, 1901 in Maryland. She was a graduate from Parson School of Design.

Publisher: HaperCollins (1989)

Genre: Fiction

Grade Level: 1-3

Brief Synopsis: This is a story about field mice, bears, snails, squirrels and ground hogs that sleep throughout the winter.

Theme/Skill: Hibernation cycle/ Science

Pre-activity: Create a concept map using the word Hibernation. List all the words the students come up with when they think of the word Hibernation.

Post-activity: Have the student choose an animal that hibernates and have them create a timeline of that animals hibernation process.

My Refection of the book persuading people to read it:
I really enjoyed reading this book! This book can be used as a filler in the classroom that children will be interested in. It is a great book to read to your students about the hibernation process.

Moses

Title: Moses

Author: Carole Weatherford graduated from University of Baltimore with her Masters of Arts in Publications. She also graduated from the University of North-Carolina-Greensboro with her Masters of Fine Arts. The book Moses recieved the Caldecott Honor. She is currently teaching at Fayetteville State University.

Publisher: Hyperion Book (2006)

Genre: Non-fiction

Grade Level: 1-4

Brief Synopsis: This is a story about Harriet the main character. When she was a little girl she escaped from slavery to get away. This story takes you through her journey to find freedom. She eventually rescuses her family from the south and brings them to Canada where there is freedom.

Theme/Skill: Slavery/ Social Studies/Suffering

Pre-activity: Create a concept map with the word slave in the middle. Ask the students what comes to mind when they first hear the word Slave.

Post-activity: Have the students create a KWL chart about slavery.

My Refection of the book persuading people to read it:
I feel this is a great book to introduce the Social Studies topic on Slavery. The illustrations and words create a sense of the harsh slavery. The book is very knowledgable and it opens students eyes about what happened in their own country many many years ago.

Owen

Title: Owen

Author: Kevin Henkes was born on November 27, 1960 in Wisconsin. His first book was called All Alone, published in 1981 by Greenwillow Books. He wrote his first book while he was a freshmen in college. Henkes also writes young-adult fiction.

Publisher: Hardcover (1993)

Genre: Fiction

Grade Level: 1-2

Brief Synopsis: This is a story about Owen who carries a blanket with him everywhere he goes. His mother and father think he is too old for the blanket and they want him to get rid of it. The parents come up with a plan to cut the blanket into pieces so Owen can use the peices as a handkerchief.

Theme/Skill: Problem Solving/Language Arts/Growing up

Pre-activity: Have the children bring in their favorite stuffed animal or blanket they might sleep with. Then have the children share this memorable object with the class.

Post-activity: Have the children write two to three sentences about their favorite object and why it is important to them.

My Refection of the book persuading people to read it:
I liked this book because it shows problem solving and it shows the children that sometimes we out grow our favorite things and its time to get rid of them or make it into something else so it is still apart of the child's life.

Truck

Title: Truck

Author: Donald Crews was born in Newark, New Jersey, in 1938. In 1980 Truck won the Caldecott Honor. Crews stories do not often involve humans. His common subjects are modern technology (travel vehicles) and childhood memories.

Publisher: Greenwillow Books (1991)

Genre: Fiction

Grade Level: 1-2

Brief Synopsis: This is a picture book about the road. This book shows different signs like east, west, north, and south. It also shows different types of bridges and speed limit signs.

Theme/Skill: Direction/ Social Studies/Navigation of the road.

Pre-activity: I will draw a compass on the board and explain the importance of directions in terms of north, south, east, and west.

Post-activity: Students will draw a picture of a map. The map must include; bridges, street signs, roads, and the use of labeling the directions (north, south, east, and west).

My Refection of the book persuading people to read it:
This is a great book to introduce mapping for the younger grades. The book provides creative striking illustrations to help children understand the journey of the road. The book uses very simple terms for the children to understand when talking about directions and mapping.

The Train of States

Title: The Train of States

Author: Peter Sis is an award winning children's book illustrator and writer. Peter attended the Academy of Applied Arts in Prague and the Royal College of Art in London. He was born in Brno, Czechoslovakia in 1949.

Publisher: Greenwillow Books (2007)

Genre: Fiction

Grade Level: 3-4

Brief Synopsis: This is a story about the fifty states in the United States. It takes you on a journey by using hundreds of facts, symbols, moments from history, and tidbits. The book also includes the date of statehood for each state, what the state is known for, and they symbol for each state.

Theme/Skill: 50 States in the U.S./ Social Studies

Pre-activity: Write a list of all fifty states on the board as the students are naming them off.

Post-activity: Students will work in groups of 3-4. The students will compare and contrast two different states using a venn diagram. They will then use poster paper to create the venn diagram and present to the class.

My Refection of the book persuading people to read it:
I think this is a great book for students to learn their fifty states. The book uses details throughout each page. Many of the details are open to interpretation; several of them the topic of ongoing debate. This means the teacher can use this book for a debate or open ended question. Overall, I think every student will learn and take away a lot of valubale information about the states.

Best Counting Book Ever

Title: Best Counting Book Ever

Author: Richard Scarry is an American children's author and illustrator who published over 300 books. He was born on June 5, 1919 in Boston, Massachusetts.

Publisher: Sterling (2010)

Genre: Fiction

Grade Level: 1-2

Brief Synopsis: This book introduces numbers and counting from one to one hundred, as Willy the bunny counts all the things he sees in one day. For example one day he counts two eggs on his daddy's plate.

Theme/Skill: Counting/ Math

Pre-activity: As a class we will count to 100 together aloud.

Post-activity: Have the students use their favorite number only using numbers 1-100 and create a page so that the class can put together a number book using everyones number. The students must include an illustration that goes along with their number they chose.

My Refection of the book persuading people to read it:
I think this is a great book to help children learn numbers. There are so many different activities an elementary teacher can use to go along with the story. I also like how the students can participate throughout the story by counting the objects throughout the story.