Realistic Fiction (Primary)- June 24th

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Brown, P. (2009). The curious garden. New York, NY: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

Summary:
Liam is a young boy living in a dreary city. Most people stay inside while Liam loves to explore. One day he discovers the old, abandoned railroad tracks. He sees beautiful flowers growing, but also sees that they are starting to die. He decides that they need a gardener. Liam spends his time tending to the garden. Readers will enjoy seeing the transformation of the city and how Liam makes a difference in his community.

Alternative Format:
This book was read on the Kindle application for Macs. I thought it was a very convenient way to purchase a book. I could read it instantly without having to leave the house. Reading the book was not as enjoyable to me. It didn't seem like I was reading a book. On some pages the pictures and the words were not together which I thought interrupted the flow of the story.

Discussion Questions:
1.) Do you believe a young child can make a difference like the boy in the story? Why or why not? Tell about a time that someone you know made a difference.

2.) At the beginning of the story Liam seems to be the only person that goes outside. Why do you think that people didn't want to go outside? Can you connect this idea to something in your life?

Author Website:
http://www.peterbrownstudio.com/

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All the World
By Liz Garton Scanlon

Series Book- June 22nd

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Kinney, J. (2009). Diary of a wimpy kid: The last straw. New York, NY: Abrams Books.

Summary:
This is the third book in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series. In this story, Greg's father is forever trying to get him to be more active. After Greg joins the soccer team, his dad realizes that is a mistake. Then there is the Boy Scouting mishap. Can Greg be successful in any activity? Readers will also enjoy the antics of Greg's brother Roderick.

Discussion Questions:
1.) Do you think Greg is putting forth his best efforts in his new activities? Why or why no? Give examples from the book to support your position.

2.) Which character in the book do you relate to the most? Tell us why you choose that person and make connections to your life.

3.) Greg thinks his dad has certain expectations for him (ie. wanting him to play sports, sending him to military camp). Do you think the dad really feels that way about Greg or do you think it is an exaggeration? Explain your answer.

4.) In twenty years what do you think Greg’s life will look like? Tell us about his job, lifestyle, family, ect.


Author Website:
www.wimpykid.com

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Lawn Boy
By Gary Paulsen

Alphabet Book- June 17th

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Brennan-Nelson, D. (2009). J is for jack-o-lantern: A Halloween alphabet. Chelsea, MI: Sleeping Bear Press.

Summary: Each letter in the alphabet represents something from Halloween. Young readers will enjoy listening to the lively rhyming poems to learn more about Halloween. They will learn about costumes, jack-o-lanterns, games, and, of course, treats. Older readers will get an in-depth look at the history and details of Halloween from the writing that goes with each letter poem. Readers of all ages will enjoy the wonderful pictures on each page.

Discussion Questions:
1.) Describe the best Halloween costume in your opinion. Do you think that they are better when they are store bought or homemade? Explain your answer.

2.) In the story they include a few things that kids could find scary (Frankenstein, ghosts, haunted house, vampires, and witches) Do you think these are things that kids should be afraid of? Why or why not?

Author Website:
http://www.denisebrennannelson.com/denise/

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W is for Wind: A Weather Alphabet
By Pat Michaels

Non-Fiction-Folktale 6/10

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Yep, L. (2009). Auntie Tiger. New York, NY: HarperCollin's Children's Books.

Summary:
Laurence Yep takes the traditional story of Little Red Riding Hood and sets it in China. Two sisters are always quarreling. Little Sister thinks Big Sister is too busy and Big Sister thinks Little Sister is lazy. One day the mom leaves for town, but warns the girls to be careful because there is a tiger in the area. Once the mother leaves, the tiger arrives dressed as the girls' Auntie. Big Sister is suspicious of Auntie from the beginning but Little Sister thinks it is the real Auntie. Auntie Tiger ends up eating Little Sister and tries to get Big Sister. Readers will enjoy finding out if Big Sister is safe from Auntie Tiger.

Discussion Questions:

1.) How do you think the experience has changed the relationship of the sisters? Use passages from the story to support your answer.

2.) Identify three similarities and three different between this story and the original Little Red Riding Hood? What lessons can children learn from them? Explain.

Author Website:
Laurence Yep

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The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs
By Jon Scieszka

Biography- June 8th

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Shange, N. (2009). Coretta Scott. New York, NY: Amistad Katherine Tegen Books.

Summary:
This biography outlines the life of Coretta Scott King. Ntozake Shange uses poetic words to show the childhood of Coretta King. The story starts with Coretta's long walk to school and continues with her observations of the Negros, showing how her passion for civil rights began. The story continues with her marriage to Martin Luther King Jr. and the work they did to finally end segregation. On the last page, Shange includes more biographical information for readers to get a closer look at this civil rights hero. Readers will also enjoy the beautiful illustrations provided by Kadir Nelson.

Discussion Questions:
1.) How would you describe Coretta Scott? Explain why you chose that description. Use words from the book to support your ideas.

2.) Coretta Scott worked hard to make sure that people are treated fairly. What cause do you feel passionate about? Why?

Author Website:
Ntozake Shange

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Henry's Freedom Box
By Ellen Levine

Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom
By Carole Boston Weatherford

Award Winner 6/3

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Dorros, A. (2008). Papá and me. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publishers.

Summary:
This captivating book shows the wonderful bond between a son and his father. The story follows the pair through their day. From the moment they have breakfast to the end of their day, you can see the the great love they have for each other. The father and son speak English and Spanish, but English readers will know what they are saying in Spanish because the son always repeats it in English. The illustrations are vibrant and draw attention to the relationship between the pair. This book is a 2008 Pura Belpré Honor Book for its illustrations.

Discussion Questions:
1.) The son and his father have a very close bond. Explain a relationship in your life that you cherish as much as the boy in the story does?

2.) The illustrations won the Pura Belpré Honor. Do you think the illustrations are deserving of that honor? Why or why not?

Author Website:
http://arthurdorros.com/

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Book Fiesta!
By Pat Mora

Primary Multicultural

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Recorvits, H. (2008). Yoon and the jade bracelet. New York, NY: Frances Foster Books.

Summary:
Yoon is a young from Korea. For her birthday she wishes for a jump rope. Instead she gets a jade bracelet from her mother. Yoon goes to school and watches the other girls jump rope and dreams of joining them. One of the girls notices Yoon bracelet and becomes her friend. The other girls tells Yoon that friends share their things, so Yoon lets her wear the bracelet. The next day the girl does not want to return it and tells people it is hers. Will Yoon get her bracelet back?

Discussion Questions:
1.) How would you feel if you made a new friend and she took something of yours? What would you do?
2.)Do you think kids can learn a lesson from this book? What would you the lesson be?

Author's Website:
http://treasures.macmillanmh.com/california/teachers/people/helen-recorvits

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Will you be, Sara Mee?
By Kate Aver Avraham

Intermediate Graphic Novel

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Shiga, J. (2010). Meanwhile. New York, NY: Abrams Books.

Summary:
In the graphic novel, Meanwhile, readers are taken on a new path each time they read it. It all starts with the decision between chocolate or vanilla ice cream. Once the decision is made you continue to follow the tiny tubes to find a different path each time. On each path you follow Jimmy who finds himself at a lab run by a mad scientist. Jimmy is given the choice of a time traveling machine, mind reading machine, and the Killitron 3000. Readers are engaged in puzzles and clues to see if they lead Jimmy to happiness or destruction.

Discussion Questions:
1.) What changes would you make to the story in Meanwhile? Why?
2.) How is this book similar to decisions you have to make in your own life?
3.) How would the book be different if all paths lead you to a happy ending? Do you think it is important to have some end in doom?

Author Website:
http://www.shigabooks.com/

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Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series
By Jeff Kinney

Big Nate: In a Class by Himself
By Lincoln Peirce

Intermediate Historical Fiction

Kelly, J. (2009). The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate. New York: Henry Holt and Co.

Summary:
In this historical fiction novel, Calpurnia Tate is struggling to grow up with certain expectations of a young girl entering the 20th century. Calpurnia is the middle child of seven and the only female. She is more interested in "boy" things and becomes close with her grandfather. Together they work on Science. Calpurnia's mother wants her to learn to cook and sew like everyone young woman should. Will Calpurnia follow the path of the other young women or will she find herself on a different one?

Discussion questions:
1.) How would you feel if you had to grow up like Calpurnia Tate? Why?
2.) How would you have handled Calpurnia's life? Do you think she did a good job?
3.) What do you think Calpurnia's life would be like if her grandfather wasn't present? Why?

Author website:
http://www.jacquelinekelly.com

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Where the Mountain Meets the Moon
By Grace Lin
Little Brown Books for Young Readers, 2009