Multicultural Authors---Baseball Saved Us by Ken Mochizuki

Baseball Saved Us

 Ken Mochizuki
1993

Baseball Saved Us is a miraculous story of a family who is sent to concentration camp after the bombing of Pearl Harbor.  To fight against the depression and hurtful feelings, a father and son start a baseball league within the camp.  This helps the people of the camp overcome their depression of being imprisoned.

I can't imagine being held against my will to die due to my skin color or religious beliefs.  I am sure that the people in these situations do the best they can to overcome their disenchantment of living in capture.  I see it as a way to survive. 

Multicultural Authors--Pecan Pie Baby by Jacqueline Woodson

Pecan Pie Baby

Jacqueline Woodson
Sophie Blackall (illustrator)
2010 Hardback/ 2013 Paperback

Gia is anxiously waiting the arrival of a new sibling but it is an uneasy time for her.  She is not sure how the change is going to effect her life and her relationship with her mother.  Her mother helps her through the transition and awaiting of the new baby.

As the oldest child, I understand how Gia felt.  I was 5 when my brother was born.  I don't remember worrying but I do remember thinking how things may be different when my brother arrived.  I think this would be an excellent book to read to siblings awaiting a new arrival.  It would help them see that it is a change but how to deal with the change in a positive manner. 

Multicultural Authors--Max Found Two Sticks by Brian Pinkney

Max Found Two Sticks

Brian Pinkney
1994

Max is wanting to keep to himself one day and doesn't feel like talking to anyone.  He is looking around for something in which to make music.  He ends up with two sticks and to his surprise he gets to further his musical ability.

Max Found Two Sticks is a favorite at our house.  Both of my boys enjoyed hearing this book as small children and both are lovers of music now.  I think music is a great outlet for our emotions, as well as ways to express ourselves, when talking doesn't isn't always the easiest mean of communication. 

Multicultural Authors---One Green Apple by Eve Bunting

One Green Apple

Eve Bunting
2006

Farrah is in a new school, in a new country.  She feels no connection with the other students, especially not speaking the language.  During the events of a field trip, she is able to make connections to home.

 

I can't imagine what is would feel like to move to a different country and have to make my way without knowing how to communicate.  I also cannot imagine being a child or taking my own child and moving to a new country where we don't speak the native language.  I think as humans we are always looking for a connection to something that is familiar.  This is exactly what Farrah does in One Green Apple. 

 

 

Non-fiction/ Informational--A Journey into the River

A Journey into the River

Rebecca L. Johnson
Illustrated by Phyllis V. Saroff
2004

A Journey into the River is a book in a series of Biomes in North America.  The book contains all types of ecosystems that exist in the aquatic biome of the river.  It chronicles through different types of animals and  plants living in the river, as well as giving characteristics of a river itself.

This text is very informative of all the types of living things in the river.  It also describes how flooding, drought, and erosion occur around the river.  I use this book when we are studying the biomes of North America, including land and aquatic biomes.  The book contains real photographs, from around the country, of rivers and living things found in the rivers or around the rivers.  Students find this book interesting, especially the different types of living things that can be found in and around the river, as well as how they work together throughout the ecosystem. 

Non-fiction/ Informational Text--Muscles

Muscles-Our Muscular System

Seymour Simon
1998

Muscles, Our Muscular System  is an excellent informational text that is of high difficulty.  It describes, in detail, what our muscles do and how they work.  The book contains diagrams, as well as pictures and real photographs that show our muscles in different parts of the body.  The book continues through all the parts of the body and describes the functions of the muscles in each part of the body. 

This book is an excellent resource to use within our Body and Its systems unit.  I use it the pictures within my lessons on the muscular system to show students what the muscles look like, as well as reading some of the text to tell how they work.  The book is written on a higher reading level, so it may not be accessible to all students but it is helpful with instruction. 

Non-fiction/ informational text-When the Wolves Returned

When the Wolves Returned 

Restoring Nature's Balance in Yellowstone

Dorothy Hinshaw Patent
Photographs by Dan Hartman and Cassie Hartman
2008


When The Wolves Returned is a telling true story of how the wolves were introduced back into Yellowstone National Park.  Scientist had realized that the natural balance of the Ecosystem had been effected because the wolf was no longer a piece of the natural system.  Ten years after the wolves returned, the balance is being restored. 

Not being a scientist, I don't always recognize the small things in nature.  I can't imagine eliminating a population of an animal but it is done.  This story proves that ALL types of animals are essential for the balance of nature.  When one small piece is eliminated, other species will take over. 

Novel---(Own Choice)

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh

Robert O'Brien
1971

In this fantasy story, Mrs. Frisby is a widowed mouse who has 4 children, one who is a sickly child.  The family needs to move to their summer home but can't due to Timothy's sickness.  Mrs. Frisby does all she can and even goes to unlikely friends for help with her family's delimma.

This story is one of my favorites.  I read it aloud to my class each year around February and March.  After the first time I read this, it made me look at the "real" mice and rat population differently.  I can't help but wonder whether mice could be trained in such a way.  I feel that it may be a possibility with all the experiments done on rats for research. 

Realistic Fiction- Picture Book-Elena's Story

Elena’s Story

 Nancy Shaw, Illustrations by Kristina Rodanas

2012

Elena tries to find her place in the family as she helps out with her two younger siblings, as well as helping her mother with housework.   The family realizes the importance of reading, when she reads aloud to her brother to get him to go to sleep.

Elena's story is a great picture book to share with students and discuss the cultural differences of people around us.  It was an eye opener for me, as I witnessed this family's structure.  I wondered how many of my students' families were structured this way. 

 

 

Realistic Fiction--Picture Book-The Favorite Daughter

The Favorite Daughter

Allen Say

2013

Yuriko doesn’t like her name anymore because the art teacher called her Eureka and the students at school made fun of her.  Her father helps her to see the importance in her culture and inspires her through the challenging time.

 

Again, great story to share with students about bullying.  This story is also good to talk about family structure.  I loved the way the father made the daughter feel special in the story and helped her realize that she was a unique individual.  The book addresses cultural differences.  It would be a good way to bring in global awareness and how we are all different in certain ways. 

 

 

 

 

Realistic Fiction--Picture Book--The Boy Who Loved Words

The Boy Who Loved Words

Roni Schotter

Illustrations by Giselle Potter

2006

Selig has an extreme love for words.  He realizes his mission in life is to share them with the world.

 

This is a great book to share with students when starting a vocabulary unit.  I enjoyed the emotion the author shows and how well he portrays the boys feelings for his words.  He collects them and cherishes them.  I have used this book, as an introduction to having my students start their own personal word collection or word wall, for later use or when they find a new word. 

 

Click on the link below the picture for a read aloud.

 



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GTScRTNvIcI

Realistic Fiction--Novel--Wonder

Wonder

R.J. Palacio
2012

August Pullman is starting public school for the first time, as a fifth grader.  He is up against some issues, as he was born with face deformities.  He struggles with trying to fit in and how other people respond to him.

Thinking about August and the challenges he faces in this text, I feel somewhat sad for him.  It is very empowering how he tries to move forward with all the issues he faces as he begins public school for the first time.   The way the book is set up really lends itself well to the reader being able to feel the emotions of the characters,  August and others included.  This book is a great resource for 5th graders to middle school aged students.  It covers a realm of challenges that the age group faces and then some.

Watch the book trailer here:
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgB7_KpBDss