Bud, Not Buddy - Multicultural

Bud, Not Buddy

Author: Christopher Paul Curtis

Genre: Historical Fiction, Multicultural

Publisher: Delacorte Books

Copyright Date: 1999

Number of Pages: 245

Awards: Newbery Medal Recipient, Coretta Scott King Author Award, William Allen White Children's Book Award

Grade Level: 6-8

Summary:

Ten-year-old Bud has lived at an orphanage he calls 'The Home' since his mother died suddenly four years earlier. Bud never met his father and his mother never mentioned him but he found some flyers in her room of Herman E. Calloway and the Dusky Devastors of the Depression. When he is sent to spend the summer with a foster family he quickly learns there are worst places than the orphanage. After being beaten and locked into a shed, Bud breaks out and goes on the run. He has no one else until his friend from the orphanage, Bugs, meets up with him. Together they head to a nearby Hooverville and plan to travel west by train hopping. When Bud misses the train and gets separated from Bugs he decides to track down Herman E. Calloway, whom he is convinced is his father. The problem is Bud is in Flint, Michigan and Herman E. Calloway is over 100 miles away in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Use in Teaching:
Bud, Not Buddy would be a great book for working with students on discovering the importance of the theme of a novel. Begin by having students brainstorm ideas for a party theme as if they were party planners. Have students share their party theme and details. Talk about other themes that are commonly found around them (in music, art, movies, etc). Explain that in text there is also themes, which is the main idea or message the author wants them to get from the reading. Relate this to the party theme they already discussed with the supporting ideas being the party details that supports their overall theme. Once students have grasped the concept of theme, you can move on to discussing the overall theme in Bud, Not Buddy. Ask students to use details from the text (character thoughts/actions, setting/plot, etc) to support their theme.

	3 Bookmarks	2 Bookmarks	1 Bookmark	0 Bookmarks	Comments
Plot	These books consist of a well-developed plot which includes all five elements of a good plot structure (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution).	These books have a defined plot that might be lacking one of the five elements of plot structure.	The books have a weak plot that is difficult to follow and/or is missing two of the five elements of plot structure.	The books do not have a defined plot structure which leaves the reader trying to guess the purpose of the story.	3 Bookmarks: Bud, Not Buddy has an excellent plot that includes all five elements. The plot really pulls the reader in, right from the first page.
Character Development	These books have well rounded, believable characters with sufficient depth and personality.	Characters in these books are fairly well rounded but might be lacking in depth or personality, or believability.	Characters in these books are underdeveloped and lacking detail needed to have depth and believability.	Characters are evident but not developed.	3 Bookmarks: The author has done a great job developing each of the characters in Bud, Not Buddy. Even Bud’s Mom whom is only in the book as a memory.
Pacing	The story moves and flows freely and does not feel rushed or too slow.	The story mostly moves and flows freely with occasional instances of being to slow or too fast.	The story often feels like it is moving too fast or too slow.	The pacing is entirely off causing the story to feel disjointed or illogical.	3 Bookmarks: The pacing is spot on and the book moves effortlessly from one problem in the Bud’s life to the next and keeps the reader moving right along.
Overall	These are excellent books and are highly recommended.	These are good books are recommended.	These books are okay and would only be recommended with reservations.	These books are considered poor choices and are not recommended.	3 Bookmarks: Bud, Not Buddy is a great multicultural/historical fiction book that shows the daily lives of African Americans during the Great Depression.

The Emperor's Egg - Informational

The Emperor's Egg

Author: Martin Jenkins

Genre: Informational, Picture Book

Publisher: Candlewick

Copyright date: 2002

Number of Pages: 32

Awards: none

Grade Level: K-3

Summary:

The Emperor's Egg is a charming book about fatherly devotion. Vivid, realistic illustrations on each page depict the patience and dedication the male emperor penguin shows as he carefully cares for his egg. Sheltering the egg each day from the cold, protecting the egg from predators, and living in the harshest conditions imaginable. While the female Emperor Penguin often leaves for long periods of time, the male Emperor Penguin does not waver from his quest.

Use in Teaching:

This is a great informational book to include in any penguin unit. The many facts presented in the book makes for a great writing lesson. Give students a prompt (such as 'If I were a penguin...' or 'The Emperor Penguin is interesting because...') and have students write to complete the prompt. Depending on student age the assignment could be to simply complete the sentence or to write several of their own.

	3 Bookmarks	2 Bookmarks	1 Bookmark	0 Bookmarks	Comments
Plot	These books consist of a well-developed plot which includes all five elements of a good plot structure (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution).	These books have a defined plot that might be lacking one of the five elements of plot structure.	The books have a weak plot that is difficult to follow and/or is missing two of the five elements of plot structure.	The books do not have a defined plot structure which leaves the reader trying to guess the purpose of the story.	N/A Being an informational book there isn’t really a plot to speak of.
Character Development	These books have well rounded, believable characters with sufficient depth and personality.	Characters in these books are fairly well rounded but might be lacking in depth or personality, or believability.	Characters in these books are underdeveloped and lacking detail needed to have depth and believability.	Characters are evident but not developed.	N/A Like with plot, there are not ‘characters’ in this informational book. The idea of the male Emperor Penguin guarding over the egg and then baby penguin is enjoyable.
Pacing	The story moves and flows freely and does not feel rushed or too slow.	The story mostly moves and flows freely with occasional instances of being to slow or too fast.	The story often feels like it is moving too fast or too slow.	The pacing is entirely off causing the story to feel disjointed or illogical.	3 Bookmarks: Despite not having a plot or any ‘real’ characters, the book actually does have good pacing. It’s interesting to see what how and where the penguins live.
Overall	These are excellent books and are highly recommended.	These are good books are recommended.	These books are okay and would only be recommended with reservations.	These books are considered poor choices and are not recommended.	3 Bookmarks: I like this informational book for younger readers. The illustrations appeal to a young audience and the book has an overall charm.

Snowflake Bentley - Biography

Snowflake Bentley

Author: Jacqueline Briggs Martin

Genre: Biography, Picture Book

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Company

Copyright Date: 1998

Number of Pages: 16

Awards: Caldecott Medal 1999

Grade Level: K-3

Summary:
Wilson Bentley, who was born in 1865, was not like the other children. He loved the winter more than any other time of the year. While all the other children were having snowball fights and building forts, Wilson was catching snowflakes and examining them under a microscope. Not much was known about snowflakes during Wilson's time, but he worked tirelessly to make sketches before the snows melted away. Before long he was given a special microscope with a camera so he could share the beautiful and intricate designs of the snowflakes he loves with the world. 

Use in Teaching:

Snowflake Bentley could be used in several ways in the classroom. This is a great way to incorporate children's literature into a science lesson. Begin by reading Snowflake Bentley to the class and sharing some images of Wilson Bentley's snowflakes. Cut out some tiny images of snowflakes on paper (if using real snowflakes is not feasible) and have students look at the images under a microscope. Then cover the life cycle/formation of a snowflake. 

	3 Bookmarks	2 Bookmarks	1 Bookmark	0 Bookmarks	Comments
Plot	These books consist of a well-developed plot which includes all five elements of a good plot structure (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution).	These books have a defined plot that might be lacking one of the five elements of plot structure.	The books have a weak plot that is difficult to follow and/or is missing two of the five elements of plot structure.	The books do not have a defined plot structure which leaves the reader trying to guess the purpose of the story.	2 Bookmarks: This is a great biography of Wilson Bentley (the snowflake man) but the plot doesn’t exactly make it a page turner.
Character Development	These books have well rounded, believable characters with sufficient depth and personality.	Characters in these books are fairly well rounded but might be lacking in depth or personality, or believability.	Characters in these books are underdeveloped and lacking detail needed to have depth and believability.	Characters are evident but not developed.	3 Bookmarks: Being a biography the character in the book is a real person. There is information showing the snowflake pictures that Bentley took showing the story and person to be real.
Pacing	The story moves and flows freely and does not feel rushed or too slow.	The story mostly moves and flows freely with occasional instances of being to slow or too fast.	The story often feels like it is moving too fast or too slow.	The pacing is entirely off causing the story to feel disjointed or illogical.	2 Bookmarks: The act of spending countless days out catching snowflakes doesn’t exactly make for great pacing, there are areas that seem to feel a bit slow.
Overall	These are excellent books and are highly recommended.	These are good books are recommended.	These books are okay and would only be recommended with reservations.	These books are considered poor choices and are not recommended.	3 Bookmarks: Despite losing two stars I do highly recommend Snowflake Bentley. It’s a great example of a biography geared towards younger students and great for incorporating into a science unit on snow, weather, or seasons.

The Bravest Dog Ever: The True Story of Balto

The Bravest Dog Ever: The True Story of Balto

Author: Natalie Standiford

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publisher: Random House

Copyright Date: 1989

Number of Pages: 48

Awards: Puffin Award, Alaska Association of School Librarians, 1992

Grade Level: 1-3

Summary:

When children in Nome, Alaska fall ill with diphtheria during the winter of 1925, blizzard conditions make all forms of travel hazardous. The medicine to save the children is stuck 700 miles away. Their only hope lies with a dog sled relay team consisting of 21 dogs. Balto leads his team through their leg of the relay, braving subzero conditions, driving snow, and icy rivers, but when they get to the meeting point to hand the medicine off to the final team, there is no one there. Exhausted and freezing, will Balto be able to make the final leg and deliver the life-saving medicine?

Use in Teaching:

Balto is a great book to read prior to the start of the annual Iditarod Sled Dog Race (begins first Saturday in March each year). Students could research personal stories from previous contestants and give a brief report to the class based on the narratives. Once the race begins students can track the progress of the teams and calculate the distance traveled and distance remaining. 

	3 Bookmarks	2 Bookmarks	1 Bookmark	0 Bookmarks	Comments
Plot	These books consist of a well-developed plot which includes all five elements of a good plot structure (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution).	These books have a defined plot that might be lacking one of the five elements of plot structure.	The books have a weak plot that is difficult to follow and/or is missing two of the five elements of plot structure.	The books do not have a defined plot structure which leaves the reader trying to guess the purpose of the story.	3 Bookmarks: The story of Balto certainly contains all the elements of a good plot structure. Natalie Standiford, does a good job of helping the reader visualize the events that happened in 1925 through her use of the plot elements.
Character Development	These books have well rounded, believable characters with sufficient depth and personality.	Characters in these books are fairly well rounded but might be lacking in depth or personality, or believability.	Characters in these books are underdeveloped and lacking detail needed to have depth and believability.	Characters are evident but not developed.	3 Bookmarks: Despite the main character being based on a dog from 1925 the character of Balto is loveable. The children that are ill aren’t well known characters but the reader finds themselves connected to these characters.
Pacing	The story moves and flows freely and does not feel rushed or too slow.	The story mostly moves and flows freely with occasional instances of being to slow or too fast.	The story often feels like it is moving too fast or too slow.	The pacing is entirely off causing the story to feel disjointed or illogical.	3 Bookmarks: The pacing moves along nicely as the story of Balto unfolds. Action packed and heroic, the reader is drawn in by the pacing.
Overall	These are excellent books and are highly recommended.	These are good books are recommended.	These books are okay and would only be recommended with reservations.	These books are considered poor choices and are not recommended.	3 Bookmarks: Highly recommended for the accurate portrayal and heartwarming tale of heroism.

Rescue Josh McGuire - Realistic Fiction

Rescue Josh McGuire

Author: Ben Mikaelsen

Genre: Adventure, Drama, Realistic Fiction

Publisher: Hyperion Books

Copyright Date: 1991

Number of Pages: 272

Awards: Spur Award for Best Juvenile Fiction

Grade Level: 5-7

Summary:

Ever since Josh's older brother, Tye, was killed in a car crash his life has been a nightmare that he can't wake up from. Josh's father has been drinking excessively and insists on dragging Josh along on every hunting trip. Try as he might, Josh can never quite live up to the perfect image of Tye in his father's eyes. On one hunting trip Josh's father orphans a bear cub and Josh can't leave it to die in the wilderness. Josh finds the bear cub and brings it home but is afraid the cub will be turned over to a research lab. To save the cub, that he names Pokey, Josh runs away from home and heads on a journey that will change his life forever.

Use in Teaching:

There are many great ways to use Rescue Josh McGuire in the classroom. A fun activity would be to have students create news stories reporting some events that have taken place in the book. Students would need to pick an event from the book and write an article in their own words. Students would also need to create an illustration to go with their story.  

Newspaper Article Template

	3 Bookmarks	2 Bookmarks	1 Bookmark	0 Bookmarks	Comments
Plot	These books consist of a well-developed plot with includes all five elements of a good plot structure (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution).	These books have a defined plot that might be lacking one of the five elements of plot structure.	The books have a weak plot that is difficult to follow and/or is missing two of the five elements of plot structure.	The books do not have a defined plot structure which leaves the reader trying to guess the purpose of the story.	3 Bookmarks: A great adventure plot that engages the reader throughout the book.
Character Development	These books have well rounded, believable characters with sufficient depth and personality.	Characters in these books are fairly well rounded but might be lacking in depth or personality, or believability.	Characters in these books are underdeveloped and lacking detail needed to have depth and believability.	Characters are evident but not developed.	3 Bookmarks: The characters are very well rounded, realistic, and believable. The McGuire family could well be your neighbors.
Pacing	The story moves and flows freely and does not feel rushed or too slow.	The story mostly moves and flows freely with occasional instances of being too slow or too fast.	The story often feels like it is moving too fast or too slow.	The pacing is entirely off causing the story to feel disjointed or illogical.	3 Bookmarks: The pacing moves along nicely as the story of Josh’s rescue unfolds.
Overall	These are excellent books and are highly recommended.	These are good books and are recommended.	These books are okay and would only be recommended with reservations.	These books are considered poor choices and are not recommended.	3 Bookmarks: A great book to engage students in reading. Highly recommended for a 5-7th grade classroom.