Books I've read

My personal response to the books I've read in this class

Aunt Harriet’s Underground Railroad in the Sky By Faith Ringold Copyright 1995 PreK - Grade 3 Pages 32

This book was a good picture book with some historical fiction. The facts really depicted diversity and how African Americans were looked at in the 1860s. The only issue I found with the book is that is a little abstract and I think younger children may have a problem understanding it. Other than that the pictures were great and the details really supported the concept of slavery.

The Gold- Threaded Dress By Carolyn Marsden Copyright 2002 Grade 3-5 Pages 80

I thought this was such an excellent book that represented diversity. Oy’s culture is discussed throughout the entire book. It talks about surface culture such as what they wear and what they eat. However, it also talks about the deep culture such as how much Oy respects her parents and how important school is in Thailand. It even touches on the subject of bullying and why children often tease each other. The book sends a great message to remind children that everyone is different and those differences are what make them so unique.

Fancy Nancy The Dazzling Book Report By Jane O’ Connor Copyright 2009 Kindergarten- Grade 2 Pages 32

I really enjoyed how this book was written; I think it would be really easy for students to understand. I also like how the book introduces new “fancy” words to expand the children’s vocabulary. I thought the illustrations were great and I think kids would enjoy looking at them.

Doubles Troubles By Betty Hicks Copyright 2010 Grade 3-5 Pages 64

I really enjoyed this chapter book, it was entertaining. I loved the message that the sends to readers. It tells children that everyone is better at some things than others. It is important to recognize children’s strengths as well as weaknesses. I think boys would especially want to read these series of books because the author has written them all about sports.

A Seed is Sleepy By Dianna Hutts Aston Copyright 2007 Grade 2-4 Pages 40

I really liked this book and I thought the pictures were beautiful. It would be a fun book to read aloud because of the great pictures. The only thing I found difficult about reading this book was that the words are written all over the page. It can be hard to find where the page begins and where it ends. Aside from this the book is very informative and factual. I think the students would gather a lot of knowledge about seeds from this book.

Pink and Say By Patricia Polacco Copyright 1994 Grade 3-5 Pages 48

This is one of the most touching books I have ever read. In the end you find out it is based on a true story and it really leaves an impact. I think that this might be a little too deep for primary children but it does a great job of introducing both sides of the war with the confederates and the Union. Some historical fiction books can be very controversial and this one was definitely a difficult read. It is well worth the read though and leaves such a deep message about the civil war.

Get Well, Good Knight By Shelley Moore Thomas Copyright 2004 Kindergarten- Grade 2 Pages 48

I thought this book was decent; it is a very simple book for beginning readers. I did not enjoy the book just because it was very basic The book is clearly meant to teach children how to read. It includes onomatopoeia such as clippety-clop to describe the horse galloping.

Hamsters, Shells, and Spelling Bees School Poems By Lee Bennett Hopkins Copyright 2008 Kindergarten- Grade 2 Pages 48

I really enjoyed this book; I thought the poems were short and funny. I especially liked one of the poems called art class. It talks about all of the fun supplies used in art class.

The Lady and the Lion By Laurel Long & Jacqueline K. Ogburn Copyright 2003 Grade Pages 32

I fell in love with this book because of the amazingly detailed pictures. The pictures were so beautiful and made the story even more magnificent. I thought the tale would be great to teach children about fairytales.

Coyote: A Trickster Tale from the American Southwest By Gerald McDermott Copyright 1999 Kindergarten- Grade 2 Pages 32

I thought this was a funny book and it is probably one of my new favorite folktales. I forget how much I used to love folktales. The bright pictures that accompany the book make it very entertaining.

Dying to Meet You By Kate Klise Copyright 2009 Grade 3-5 Pages 155

I absolutely loved this book and the style it was written in. The author tells the story through a series of letters, newspaper articles, and drawings. I have always enjoyed books that are written in a freestyle way and I have also always like mystery books. This is a combination of both with a humorous touch. I think that children would thoroughly enjoy this book especially because it is such an easy read. The variety of writing would keep them interested. I also liked the message that the book sent of how you need to care for other people and not to be selfish. Once the main character started to care for others he felt more alive than he had in twenty years.