Why am I me?

Why am I me? 

Author: Paige Britt 

Illustrator:  Selina Alko and Sean Qualls

Genre: Poetry 

Awards: None

Grade Level: Pk-3rd

Why am I me? is about two characters who are asking each other questions about themselves and each other. The two children do not realize that they are asking each other the same questions. This book gives the reader the opportunity to ask themselves "how would life be different if there was only we instead of you and me?"

I would use this book to help teach about compassion and love. This book could also be used to teach students about diversity and how everyone is the same on the inside. 

Going Home

Going Home 

Author: Even Bunting

Illustrator: David Diaz

Genre: Realistic Fiction 

Awards: None

Grade Level: PK-3rd 

Going Home is about a boy named Carlos and his family. Since the Christmas holiday is coming up soon, the family is headed back home to Mexico. Even though Carlos and his siblings were born in Mexico, it doesn't seem like home. When Carlos is encouraged to participate in the festivities by his grandfather, aunt, and the other people in the village, he begins to fully understand his parent's love for the village in Mexico. At the end of the book he realizes that home can be anywhere, even the places that it does not seem likely. 

This book can be used in a classroom as a read aloud and a silent reading book. I would also use this book to teach students about overcoming challenges. 

Last Stop on Market Street

Last Stop on Market Street 

Author: Matt De La Peña

Illustrator: Christian Robinson

Genre: Realistic Fiction 

Awards: Caldecott Honor, Coretta Scott King Honor, Newbery Award 

Grade Level: K-2nd

CJ and his grandma leave their Church and they get on the bus. CJ is asking a lot of questions about why they have to take the bus and why he does not have other things that everyone has. Throughout the whole book he seems to be not content with what he has. His grandma keeps trying to get CJ to see the beauty in everything. Last Stop on Market Street ends with CJ and his grandma arriving at the soup kitchen to volunteer. 

I would use this book to teach about diversity and finding beauty all around us. Last Stop on Market Street can also be used as a writing prompt for older students. 

Shiloh

Shiloh 

Author: Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Illustrator: Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Genre: Realistic Fiction 

Awards: Bluebonnet Award, Newbery Award

Grade Level: 4th-7th 

In West Virginia, a young boy named Marty finds a stray puppy and takes him home. Marty chooses to name the dog Shiloh and does not want to return him to his abusive owner. When Marty's father demands that Shiloh be returned to his own, Judd, Marty his him in the woods. When Shiloh is hurt by another dog, Marty's family must take him to the vet. After the vet visit, they are forced to return the dog to Judd. Marty attempts to convince Judd to let him keep the puppy. They negotiate a deal, which resulted in Marty working for Judd to pay for Shiloh. After a little bit of time, Judd lets Marty know that he will not keep his end of the bargain. Even though Marty has been told that he will never get Shiloh, he continues to work for Judd. After the two talk about Judd's troubled past, Marty is allowed to keep Shiloh. 

I would use this book to teach students about relationships with people. This book can be used to teach students that they can always fix their choices, even if one or two of them were bad decisions. 

Because of Winn-Dixie

Because of Winn Dixie

Author: Kate DiCamillo

Illustrator: Kate DiCamillo

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Awards: Bluebonnet Book Award, Newbery Honor

Grade Level: 5th-7th 

This book is about a young girl named Opal, who has just moved with her father to Naomi, Florida. During a trip to the grocery store, the Winn-Dixie, she sees a dog running around the store. Even though the dog does not belong to her, Opal takes it home. She names the dog Winn-Dixie after the grocery store. During her adventures in Naomi, she meets several people. She becomes extremely close to Gloria Dump. The two decide to through a party and Opal invites all of the other people she has met. During the party, it begins to storm and Winn-Dixie is nowhere to be found. After a search for the dog, they return home to find Winn-Dixie hiding because he was afraid of the storm. Because of Winn-Dixie ends with Otis playing his guitar and all of the party guests are singing Opal's father's songs. 

I would use this book to teach students about conflict. There are several types of conflict in this book including man vs self and man vs man. 

Poems in the Attic

Poems in the Attic

Author: Nikki Grimes 

Illustrator: Elizabeth Zunon 

Genre: Poetry 

Awards: Texas Bluebonnet Award

Grade Level: 2nd-4th 

While she is visiting her Grandma's house, a young girl find a box of poems that her mother wrote as a child. When her mother was a young girl, she was an air force brat resulting in many moves. Whenever her family got to a new place, she would write a poem. On each page of this book their is a poem written by the mother and a poem written by the daughter. Having the two poems side by side on each page allows the reader to see the differences in the two childhoods. 

I would use this book in my classroom to teach about poetry. There are different types of poems included in the book. This book could also be used as a read aloud. 

The House in the Night

The House in the Night 

Author: Susan Marie Swanson

Illustrator: Beth Krommes

Genre: Poetry

Awards: Caldecott Medal 

Grade Level: PK-1st 

The House in the Night is a poem that is about things that a child usually finds comforting during the night.Things like a night light, a bed, and a bedtime story are all mentioned. In the book the child goes up to the sky and to the moon and stars. After the child goes up to the sky, they return back to their house and begin to rest peacefully in their bed. 

The House in the Night can be used in the classroom to teach about illustrations and the Caldecott Award. I would also use this book as a read aloud to teach about poetry.