Elizabeth Brown Final Annotated Reading Log
Mother Goose and Friends
Ruth Sanderson
Collection of Mother Goose nursery rhymes (ex: There Was An Old Woman, This Little Pig, Three Little Kittens, Old King Cole, Peter Piper)
63
Fiction
Early
Mother Goose
I was surprised at how many nursery rhymes that I still knew. These are the classics that so many of us have grown up with.
This would be great to do with children to introduce them to rhyming sounds and patterns.
Kindergarten ABC
Jacqueline Rogers
Every page has a different letter that goes all the way from a to z. Every day is a different letter day at school and the reader has a list of objects to look for on the page.
(Ex: We draw and color dinosaurs on Dd day. – Look for desk, dime, doll, dot, drawer, drawings, dress, and dinosaur)
32
Kindergarten
Alphabet
I liked the book got the reader involved actively in the story instead of just listening.
You could have the reader look around the room that they are in and try to identify objects in the room that start with that letter. It helps the reader with the letter and sound.
The Baker’s Dozen
Dan Andreasen
Teaches numbers 1-13 with the baker (Ex: With fruit from mixing bowls he fills six jelly rolls. 6 )
It has a picture of 6 objects, six, and 6 - It shows the reader the number in different ways.
28
Young Reader – Preschool
Counting
I liked how the story did not just use things like cookies or cupcakes. The story teaches the reader about baking items they might have never tried. They have macaroons, tortes, strudels, and tarts.
Have the children draw items starting with one. They can make their own picture/number book.
Nonsense!
Sally Kahler Phillips
Gives nonsense scenarios and discusses the meaning of nonsense. At the end (What would you say if dogs grew on trees, if rhinos could fly…- “Nonsense!” you’d say.) At the end of story it says “what will you say if ever you’re told that you’re not good enough or you’re dim or too bold or… - What will you say in reply? Nonsense…”
24
Preschool
Kindergarten
1st grade
Concept
I loved how the story turned out to be more than just silly situations. The end theme of the story teaches the reader not listen to what others say. That they are not what others say but what they believe they are. “Only YOU can decide who you are”
Use this book as an opener about believing in one’s self. For the young students this could help with nonsense and real.
Carl Goes To Daycare
Alexandra Day
The story is about a dog-named Carl that goes to daycare with a little girl. The teacher is locked out and the reader sees what happens in the classroom. The dog opens the door for the teacher at the very end of the day right before it is time to go home.
28
Young Reader
Preschool
Wordless
A young reader would be able to understand the story by just looking at the pictures. Sometime wordless books are confusing to the reader. In this book, you can understand everything that is going on.
Have children come up with their own story and make it into a picture book. Use this book as an example.
We’re Going on a Bear Hunt
Michael Rosen – retold by
About a family that goes on a nature hike to find a bear.
32
Preschool
Kindergarten
Predictable
I read this story with a preschooler that I care for and she loves to join in on the repetitive lines.
You could come up with your own nature hike scenario with a class. Discuss nature sights and sounds.
Books: Chapter 5 Due 5-19
An Orange in January
2007
Dianna Hutts Aston
The story is about the cycle of an orange. It starts out from when it very first blossomed and goes through every step that it takes to get it to a boy in January in cold state where it is snowing. At the end, it talks about how the orange had reached the end of its journey.
30
Ages 3 to 6
Picture book
(published in the last 5 years)
I liked the story because many kids that live in Florida year round may not think about what it takes to get that fruit such a great distance because they are here all the time. It is the same for children that live in colder climates. They might not know or understand where that fruit comes from.
This book would be a great way to introduce a discussion on fruits to young readers. They might not know where they come from or how they are grown. This book could spark the conversation. Well we learned were the orange came from and the journey it has to make. Does anyone else know some special facts about fruit? You could bring in pictures of some fruits or the fruits themselves and that would be the snack all week. Have some parents bring in the favorite fruit of their child. Trying for some unfamiliar fruits might ignite some interest from students. (star fruit, lychee, loquat)
Naruto
1999
Masashi Kishimoto
This book is in a series of books that follows the life of teenage classmates and ninjas in training. In this volume there is a curse put on one of the ninja friends.
183
Middle/ Secondary
Picture book
Diversity
I never read a book like this one growing up. I think that my exposure was limited to more of books that were created in the U.S. or at least that were somewhat similar to one another in format. It is good to introduce students to literature that they would see all over the world.
This would be a great book to introduce to an older class as an example of other cultures literature. Each student could be required to bring in a book that they found interesting. The class could vote on some of the most popular or the teacher could pick some and then break up the class into groups. Have them read the books as a group and then present a project to the class on the book.
The Moon is La Luna
2007
Jay M. Harris
The book has several silly rhymes in Spanish and English. At the end of the book, there is a Spanish pronunciation guide.
30
Elementary
Picture book
Diversity
(published last 5 years)
This is a wonderful way for students to start to have access to another language early on. I remember working with a tutor along with my sister that taught us Spanish when I was 6 or 7 and absolutely loving it. It is good for them to get that exposure when they are young.
The students could read this story and then create silly rhymes themselves. They could then find out what some of those words translate to in Spanish and change them from English to Spanish. The class could then compile all of their stories together. Each student could also work on this for part of the year and then have a number of different one that they have written.
You Were Loved Before You Were Born
2008
Eve Bunting & Karen Barbour
The story tells about all the people in the life of this baby before it is even born. (Aunt, Cousin, Grandfather, etc…) Then the baby is born and it says you were loved by so many people before you were born.
28
Young reader- K
Picture book
(published last 5 years)
It is a sweet story that tells kids about all the people that love them and how much they loved them before and will always love them. I would read it to some of the younger kids that I take care of.
Pre-K students could make a book of their family and write about who loved them before they were born.
The Tickety Tale Teller
2007
Maureen Haselhurst
The story is about the Tickety Tale Teller. The children in the town hang a flag outside their window with a special symbol to let her know what story they would like to hear. She became so busy every night that she tried to come up with new ways to be able to read to all the children at the same time. None of the methods worked until she handed out the stories to the parents and older children and told them to read the stories to the younger children until they were old enough to read them to others. She then moved on to another town to do the same.
20
Ages 5 to 8
Picture book
(published last 5 years)
I loved the illustrations in the book. Each page was brightly colored and wonderfully done. Something that kids that could not read yet would love to look thorough on their own.
The students can make flags that represent the type of story that they would want to hear. The teacher could then hang up all the flags. Every time a book was read from that genre, the teacher could take the flag done until all the flags were down.
(In the book, they would put out the star flag for a space book, a dragon flag for a fairy story, etc…)
Traditional Literature: Chapter 6 Due 5-19
The Korean Cinderella
1993
Shirley Climo
A girl named Pear Blossom is born but shortly after her birth, her mother dies. The father remarries a nasty woman that has a nasty daughter. She had to clean and cook all day and night. Magical animals start to help her with her chores. This made it possible for her to go the festival. On the way to the festival, the magistrate saw her and was struck by her beauty. She heard him yell but it scared her and she ran off. Her sandal fell in the water and he ordered his men to take it out. She ran all the way home. The bearers came to her house and announced they were looking for the one girl that was missing a shoe. The magistrate wanted her to be his bride. They were then married.
40
Diversity
Ages 4-9
Picture book
Diverse
I liked the author’s notes at the end of the book. I say that there are half a dozen versions of this story in Korea. Her name changes but she is always a good daughter that prevails over her stepmother and stepsister. Sometimes she loses a shoe but always gets to leave her miserable life. In one of these stories, she escapes by dying and climbs a rope to heaven.
This book would be great to read to children to show them no matter what culture they are from and they all have similarities when it comes to books.
The teacher could lead into a discussion about Korea from this book. The kids could learn where it is located and important information about Korea. They could look at the clothing in the story and then look at the clothing that has been worn in Korea. The students could read about the festival in the story and then find out rituals and festivals in Korea. They could create images/decorations that they would see if they were at these festivals and then display them in the classroom.
The Persian Cinderella
1999
Shirley Climo
Settareh’s mother died when she was born and her father was often too busy to see her. She had a stepmother, aunts, and stepsisters that all treated her rotten. They were all invited to the Royal Palace by Prince Mehrdad for No Ruz, the New Year. Her father gave everyone money to buy cloth for the festival but she bought a vase and gave the rest of the money to a beggar woman. She then decided she would not go because she would have nothing to wear. She sat with the vase and wished for flowers and then they appeared. She said that inside the vase was a pari (fairy). The jar gave her an outfit to wear. She dropped the diamond anklet she wore in the canal and ran home. The prince found it the next day and wanted to know who it belonged to. Everyone in the town tried it on but it only fit Settareh. The evil sisters wished to the jar for something to make their stepsister go away. The jar broke and scattered pins. They put the pins in her hair and she changed to a dove. The prince became upset and shut himself off for months with only the dove as company. The dove finally let the prince stroke her and felt the bumps and removed the pins. She then changed back into Settareh. The stepsisters became so angry when they got married their hearts burst.
30
Diversity
Grades
1-4
Picture Book
This author has written a number of Cinderella stories including the Egyptian Cinderella. I would like to see how many different cultures have a version of Cinderella because to be honest I never even heard of the story besides the way I heard it growing up.
This story could be read before the New Year celebrated in Persia (the first day of spring) and then the students could learn about ancient Persia and how they celebrated No Ruz, their New Year. What was done for the New Year? What traditions did they have? If they had, traditional food what is was. You could teach the class everything associated with their New Years.
Hansel and Gretel
1998
Moira Butterfield
The evil stepmother put the father under a spell and made him leave his children out in the forest. They overheard the plan and brought pebbles to find the way back and they did. The next time they used bread but the birds eat the crumbs. They found a house made of sweets. They were hungry and started to eat the house. The old woman (really the witch stepmother) put Hansel in a cage and made Gretel do chores. The witch tells Gretel to make bread but pushes the witch in the oven and lets out Hansel. The witch had jewels that the kids took back to their father. They made it home safe.
21
Ages 5-9
Picture book
I acted in Hansel and Gretel when I was in high school. The audience was a group of children from an elementary school and they seemed to enjoy it a lot.
I would use the book the way it is set up in the play format. They have a section on casting, reading the play, things to make (clothes, props, sounds, etc…) They also have the play written in different color bubbles so it is easy to tell what part belongs to who.
Modern Fantasy: Chapter 7 Due 6-2
Dragon Slayers’ Academy The New Kid At School
1997
K.H. McMullan
This book is about a young boy who is very compassionate and ridiculed by his family for being that way. One night a minstrel came to the door. Wiglaf asked if he could stay in the barn. The minstrel read his palm and told him that he was to become a mighty hero. The boy was in town one day when he saw an ad posted for Dragon Slayer Academy. Fergus his father sends him off to the school. At the end of the book, he fights Gorzil a dragon and defeats him by telling him bad jokes.
91
Ages 6 to 9
Modern Fantasy
I liked how the end of the book had him defeat the dragon by telling bad jokes. This author showed a great way to get away from the killing side in children’s literature. I think that it is becoming a common thing in many stories. I like the path that was taken in the story.
Each student could come up with his or her own ending for the book. Have them write an alternate ending. They can defeat the dragon any way they can except by slaying him with the sword.
The Littles Have a Wedding
1971
John Peterson
This story is about a family of little people (size of a pencil) that live in the wall the Bigg’s house. In this story the Little’s’ cousin Dinky gets married to Della Kett. It takes a lot of effort for the wedding to take place with all the big people and animals that can mess it up. The wedding does finally happen at the very end of the story.
95
Elementary
Modern Fantasy
I never read the Little story series when I was growing up and the first I actually ever hear of them was when I was working at an after school program and they had the movie. The books appear to be gentle books that do not have violence or bad nature.
The students
Coulkd write about an obstacle that the Littles would have a hard time with or something they would have to overcome due to their small size. They could write a short paragraph or a chapter. They could then write about people in our society that have daily problems that face them and how they try to overcome them.
Poetry: Chapter 8 Due 6-2
A Maze Me
Poems for girls
2005
Naomi Shihab Nye
The book contains poems for girls. There are five separate sections.
117
Age 12 and older
Published in the last 5 years
There are a number of wonderful poem in this book. One of my favorites is called Little Chair. It talks about how she did not mind growing up and out of something but to grow out of her turquoise Mexican chair hurt. She goes on to write about how she still kept it even though she no longer fit in it. I can relate to that and remember some of the things you have to let go along the way.
Have the students pick out various poems that are their favorite and read to one another in small circles. They could then use the poems as inspiration. They could write about something from childhood or locations (both lots of in the book).
Contemporary Realistic Fiction: Chapter 9 Due 6-16
Saddle Club
Horse Fever
1999
Bonnie Bryant
This book the 35th in a series that centers around a bunch of girls that all love to ride horses. This one is set in January when it is too cold for the girls to take the horses outside so they have to ride around in the indoor ring. They all become bored and are looking for something to do. All of the girls go through their own struggles throughout the book but they are always there to help each other out.
137
Age 9 to 12
Realistic Fiction
I never came across the problem of it being too cold outside to ride living in Naples. I have never even seen an indoor ring.
The students could read the story in groups or this could be one of the books the groups read and then other books for the other groups. This series has a number of different books to choose from. After the groups have read their stories, they can create a something to report to the class. They could write letters to the two main characters in the book or other types of writing assignments. They could also create something if they did not want to write. They could create a scene from the book or something else creative. They would then as a group present to the class.
Sandy Lane Stables
The Perfect Pony
1998
Michelle Bates
In the beginning of the story, you meet Alex and his sister Kate. Alex has not been spending as much time at Sandy Lane Stable because of soccer, football, and other obligations. He is trying to come up with a way to raise some money. They were going to have a local auction so he decided to buy a pony, train it, and then sell it for a profit after the summer. He went to the auction and watched as horse after horse went to higher bidders. A horse then came up for bidding that he could not really see but the price was good so he bid and won. When he finally sees the pony, it is thin and looks sick. The pony is checked out, is sick, and was treated poorly She flinches around people. The vet tells them if she does not get better in the next couple of days, they should think about putting her down. They let Puzzle the pony out to the field after some time and then weeks later had her on a lead in the ring. Alex then starts her riding and jumping. He then entered Puzzle into a horse show. They won the show and Alex was offered lots of money for Puzzle but did not want to sell. He was going to have to but at the end, his father decided that he would help with the boarding bill but he could then not go to the soccer camp. Alex was fine with that and so happy that he could keep the pony he so shortly before did not want more for than a profit.
112
12 and up
Realistic Fiction
I rode horses for many years and the same horse for a couple of those years so I know how hard it is to say goodbye to an animal that you care for so much.
I would do something similar to the group reading. I would have the students read the book and then change the ending chapter or create a completely new chapter for the end of the book and then present to the class.
Josefina Saves The Day
1998
Valerie Tripp
The story starts with Josephina and her family going to visit her grandfather’s rancho. She right away meets a man named Patrick whose father is a friend of Josephina’s grandparents. Patrick is a scout rider. He rides ahead of the wagon train. He has been sent to find fresh mules. He made a deal and took some of the mules from Josephine’s family. They later went to meet Patrick when the wagons came in. Patrick then told them he found traders to buy all the families mules. The girls wanted to trade their blankets for a violin for their father so they gave them to Patrick along with the mules. Later the three sisters went to the plaza to meet back up with Patrick and he never showed up. It turned out that he had to leave in the middle of the night but did not cheat them and had left their trades in the church and a friend dropped off the rest.
67
Age 7 and up
Realistic Fiction
Diversity
These are great stories that can introduce young readers to other cultures and other periods.
The students could write a story about a journey to town to trade something. What would they trade? What could happen along the way? This could be a short story.
Historical Fiction: Chapter 10 Due 6-16
Voyage on the Great Titanic
1998
Ellen Emerson White
This book is set up as a diary of one of the passengers on the Titanic. It starts out on March 28, 1912 and ends on April 20, 1912. The diary is written by a girl named Margaret Ann Brady. She is a thirteen-year-old girl that is leaving the A. Abernathy’s Orphanage for Girls located in London, England for a life in America. The story starts out for the first 40 some pages with her life at the orphanage. She boards the Titanic on April 10, 1912. She writes the story after the events have occurred. The rest of the story is about the time on board, the sinking of the Titanic, her time on the Carpathia, and then her arrival. She arrives according to her somewhere between Boston and New York and when she exits the ship, she meets up with her brother William who had to leave her at the orphanage five years ago after her parents passed away but now she would live with him. The end of the book goes over facts and has pictures and paintings of the Titanic.
179
12 and up
Historical Fiction
While reading this story I learned about a ship called the Californian that had its location question upon. Some believe that the ship was close to where the Titanic had sunk but did not come until much later.
The students could read the story and then create a timeline of events or each take a different part of the voyage to research. One thing could be the boat they almost collided with at the beginning of their launch. There is a lot of information like that I never knew. They could then present their findings to the class.
I Thought My Soul Would Rise and Fly
The Diary of Patsy, a Frees Girl
1997
Joyce Hansen
This book is a diary as well but I will not go into such an in depth summary on this one. This diary follows the life of Patsy a girl that has become free. It starts out in Mars Bluff, SC in April 21, 1865. The diary ends on January 2, 1866. Patsy goes from being a freed slave to a woman that really loves teaching. There are many facts throughout the book about slavery. You get to see how she learned to read and write.
197
12 and up
Historical Fiction
Diversity
These are the types of books I wished teachers would have assigned for me to read when I was younger.
This book can be used to teach about slavery to your entire class. The book can be read in groups or the students could read it themselves. Each member of the group could read a certain number of pages and then report on that section to the group. They could continue to do that until they have information on the entire book. They could then have a discussion on what parts were their favorites or have each student in the group assign a day or a couple days in the diary for other students to read that really stuck out to them.
Kirsten’s Surprise A Christmas Story
1986
Janet Shaw
This story follows the life of Kristen Larson and her family that have just moved from Sweden to America. They are going to be celebrating their first Christmas in the states but want to make sure that they keep some of their own traditions. Kirsten plans a special Saint Lucia celebration (church feast day dedicated to St. Lucy on December 13). Papa and Kristen have to go to town to pick up their trunks but on the way back run into a bad snowstorm. The storm got so bad that they had to stay in cave for the night. They finally make it home in the snow and are able to have their celebration.
62
Age 7 and up
Historical Fiction
Diversity
These stories are wonderful ways to teach young readers about other customs or traditions and other times without having the read a textbook that they might not in the end get as much out of.
The students could do research about life in 1854. What it was like for people to come over from other countries at that time? Was there a big population surge in certain parts of the US? What were some of the hardships faced at the time?
They could also research traditions of other cultures in the way that they celebrate holidays like Christmas.
Non-Fiction: Chapter 11 Due 6-30
Smart About the 50 States
A Class Report
2003
Jon Buller, Susan Schade, Maryann Cocca-Leffer, Joan Holub, True Kelley, and Dana Regan
This book was created from a classrooms assignment on the 50 states. The students write a little information about each state and enhance them with pictures.
60
Ages 6 to 9
Non-Fiction
Last 5 years
I think that a book or project like this is so important today. With so much attention to math and reading, these basic things sometimes fall through the cracks for students. These are things they will need to know for the rest of their lives.
You could show the class the book and then do something similar but tell them they are not suppose to copy it. They may write similar things like the capital but try for other bits of information about the state. The class can be divided into groups.
The Seminoles
2000
E. Barrie Kavasch
The book discusses the Seminoles way of life, religions, tradition, and ceremonies. It also gets into the family life, tribal life, and the contemporary life of the Seminoles.
48
Ages 8 to 11
Non-Fiction
Diversity
This book has many interesting facts that I never knew about the Seminole tribe. I learned about the Green Corn Ceremony that is held annually.
After reading about the Seminole tribe the class can pick a region of the US and then pick a tribe that is still around or is no longer in existence and do compare and contrast between the tribes and present to the class.
Discovering Cultures
Haiti
2007
Wil Mara
The first part of the book discusses where Haiti is located and about the region. The book goes into life in Haiti (rich to the slums), schools, sports, fun, celebration, their flag and money.
48
Ages 8 to 12
Non-Fiction
Diversity
Last 5 years
I like any story that gives the students information about a place that they might never of heard of before or do not know that much about. I think that Haiti is a place that is a good deal of the time forgotten about.
The students could learn more about Haiti. They could work in pairs, find out information, and write a short report. They could write about famous people of Haiti, important moments in Haiti’s history, or a topic that they choose. As long as it was not something discussed in great length in the book.
Biography: Chapter 12 Due 6-30
Benjamin Franklin
1996
Paul Joseph
This book follows the life of Benjamin Franklin. His early life, adult life, and the inventions he created.
26
Ages 8 to 11
Biography
I was surprised and happy to hear that Benjamin Franklin was a vegetarian. He read a book and that was what changed his mind about eating meat and that was the same way that I stopped eating animals.
Before reading the story, you could ask the students if what they knew about Benjamin Franklin and have them make a KWL chart. If the book did not answer a specific question the students could do research outside of this book.
Martin Luther King Jr.
Man of Peace
2001
Patricia and Fredrick McKissack
This book is about Martin Luther King, Jr. His life growing up, the questions he had about segregation, the protests, strike, the D.C. demonstration, jailed, Noble Peace Prize, death, and many more facts that are wonderful.
27
Ages 6 to 9
Biography
Diversity
It is wonderful to teach about a man that wanted to bring about change but wanted to do it in a nonviolent way. People in our country today are so quick to jump to violence to fix something and all that does is create more violence. We need more people that believe in peace ruling our country.
For a lesson, you could separate the class into two groups (segregation) and then favor one group. The students in the group being treated unfairly could revolt and try to bring about a change. Have a discussion about how they felt and why it is wrong to treat one person better than another.
Thomas Edison
1997
Paul Joseph
This book is all about Thomas Edison. It is about his early life, trouble in school, first job, family life, and inventions.
26
Ages 8 to 11
Biography
When he was 12, he had a job selling newspapers on a train that ran from seven in the morning to nine at night. He started to create his own newspaper that he printed right on the train. The London Times did a story on him. I found that to be so interesting that even at such a young age he had the desire to create something.
The students could work in pairs and create a presentation on one of his inventions to present to the class. It should be more than just a written report they should find a way to keep the classes attention and try to keep the presentation to no longer than 7 minutes. They can create a work of art (poster, etc…), power point, and skit, something for everyone to see.
