The Last Mapmaker by Christina Soontornvat (2022) is fast moving, intriguing fantasy for 9 to 13-year-olds. This well plotted action escapade that takeThe Last Mapmaker by Christina Soontornvat (2022) is fast moving, intriguing fantasy for 9 to 13-year-olds. This well plotted action escapade that takes place in a world much like ours in a time long time ago. Sai is our 12-year-old unlikely, practical and resourceful heroine. If you like books with well-developed characters who are learning about their integrity and the integrity of others, The Last Mapmaker is rich in such characters. Plus, the plot involves: mentorship, adventure, growing up privileged vs non privilege, colonization, exploring, strong female characters and the wondrous power of maps and map making. I recommend this book!...more
Planet Earth Is Blue by Nicole Panteleakos (2019) is a middle-grade novel. It is set in 1986 and is about Nova, a 12-year-old girl on the Autistic SpePlanet Earth Is Blue by Nicole Panteleakos (2019) is a middle-grade novel. It is set in 1986 and is about Nova, a 12-year-old girl on the Autistic Spectrum Disorder who has lived in eleven foster homes in seven years and who hardly ever speaks and when she does her words are few and often mispronounced. Kirkus Review gave it a Starred Review – calling it “Stellar!” Nova lived in the first ten foster homes with her older sister Bridget. Now Nova, for the first time, is placed in a foster home without her Bridget. Nova desperately misses her sister and knows her sister will come be with her on the day that the Challenger is going to be launched. She knows this because Bridget and Nova were very close and one of their bonds was their love of space travel. And Bridget had told Nova they would watch the Challenger take off together. Panteleakos has written a captivating and powerful story that reveals what is going on in Nova’s mind as she: learns to live with her eleventh foster family, misses Bridget and their shared love of astronomy and the history and future of space travel, begins to go to and figure out yet another school, misses the time when she and Bridget lived with their mother, and is excited that the first teacher in space is part of the Challenger’s crew. In the eighties teachers knew much less than they do know about the autistic spectrum and as a result, Nova is misunderstood and her potential for learning was underestimated. Nova’s foster parents in this eleventh home, can see her potential. So, her future, as a learner, is bright as the story ends. As the book nears it ending, Nova is watching the Challenger take off while at school. Bridget is not there. Nova has not been in touch with Bridget. Nova cannot imagine why Bridget hasn’t been with her in this new foster home and especially for the launch of the Challenger. On the day of the launch, with her teachers and classmates, Nova watched the Challenger explode in mind air. The Space Shuttle Challenger disaster was a fatal accident in the United States space program that occurred on January 28, 1986, when the Space Shuttle Challenger broke apart 73 seconds into its flight, killing all seven crew members aboard; it was the first fatal accident involving an American spacecraft in flight. (From Wikipedia) The reality of watching the explosion helped Nova remember the reality of what happened to Bridget. This is an excellent, hopeful, and loving story. Panteleakos has written with compassion and truth about life. She is sensitive to the delicate nature of the topics and delivers a masterfully written book for middle readers. Her afternotes about autism and the Challenger’s launch are also excellent. I recommend Planet Earth Is Blue! ...more
Welcome Back Maple Mehta-Cohen by Kate McGovern, 2021, is an excellent work of middle grade fiction. Welcome Back Maple Mehta-Cohen is a realistic midWelcome Back Maple Mehta-Cohen by Kate McGovern, 2021, is an excellent work of middle grade fiction. Welcome Back Maple Mehta-Cohen is a realistic middle grade book about Maple and her struggle to accept that she can’t read (and thus is being held back in fifth grade) and begin her journey toward literacy while maneuvering the social and emotional time of being a preteen. Maple is a fifth grader with two special friends. They are going onto sixth grade, and she is returning to fifth grade for a second year. She is humiliated by being held back. McGovern does not shy away from the layers of social challenges Maple faces. Maple has a White Jewish mother and an Indian father. She refers to herself as a Hin-Jew. As a returning fifth grader, Maple creates a story she shares with fellow classmates. She explains to them that due to budget cuts at the school – teachers need help and she returned to fifth grade to be a teacher’s helper. One untruth quickly leads to another and before she knows it, Maple is in a tangled mess false information she has created to not face the reality of being held back because she can’t read. Maple is unsettled about: returning to fifth grade, feeling both self-confident (she is a good storyteller) and full of self-doubt (she can’t read), being labeled as a learning disables kid, being biracial (in a school where this is not very common), and she has lost her two best friends. Maple is a storyteller. She has a great vocabulary and basically is normal, except she can’t read. I think this is an excellent Middle School book. Many preteens are either still not able to read or read with very little confidence. Maple’s path of hiding her reading and learning differences is not the only way a young person might deal with not being able to read. And it is a realistic story of one path. I recommend this book! Stories about literacy challenges are important for everybody to read. I believe all kids can learn to read. Yet not all do it in first grade or even in fifth grade. McGovern suggests readers check out the website https://www.understood.org/ to learn about the 1 in 5 Americans who learn and think differently. I, too, could not read in fifth grade. If you like, you can read my story at https://jerryjennings.wordpress.com/2......more
Long Road to the Circus written by Betsy Bird and illustrated by David Small (2021) is a wild ride of a novel for middle schoolers and younger. Suzy iLong Road to the Circus written by Betsy Bird and illustrated by David Small (2021) is a wild ride of a novel for middle schoolers and younger. Suzy is a twelve-year-old living on her family farm in Burr Oak, Michigan in 1920 – just a little over one hundred years ago. Suzy has dreams of leaving this little town when she grows up. The farm, the endless chores, and the monotony of life makes her want something different. She knows she wants to see the world, to be adventurous and – she sees opportunity for her to leave Burr Oak when she discovers that nearby lives the legendary former circus queen, Madame Marantette. Suzy’s uncle Fred works for Madame Marantette and Suzy follows him to work and talks him into to letting her come with him regularly. Madame Marantette has ostriches on the farm. Suzy decides learning to ride an ostrich WILL be her ticket out of Burr Oak. The story is well written, and the illustrations add in every way. It is a fun story based on family lore from the author, Betsy Bird, and the fact that the illustrator, David Small, currently lives in the house Madame Marantette (you can look her up on the internet – she was a real person) lived in at the time of her life this story represents. I recommend this book. It is a fun story and Suzy is a great character! I think it would be a great book for a family read aloud....more
The Wild Robot Escapes by Peter Brown (2017) for children 7 and up is the second book about Roz a wild robot. This book continues where The Wild RobotThe Wild Robot Escapes by Peter Brown (2017) for children 7 and up is the second book about Roz a wild robot. This book continues where The Wild Robot (2016) ends. This second book continues to provide a glimpse and sometimes a wide perspective into human life, the way only a robot story might. I recommend this book to kids who read independently and to especially to parents, grandparents, and teachers to read aloud. It is full of love. Thee many discussions that it might lead to. Enjoy!...more
The Wild Robot by Peter Brown (2016) is an appealing novel for kids 8 to 12 and/or as a family read aloud with lots of time for conversation. Yes, theThe Wild Robot by Peter Brown (2016) is an appealing novel for kids 8 to 12 and/or as a family read aloud with lots of time for conversation. Yes, there is a robot. Not a ‘wild’ robot - more of a robot in the ‘wild’. That is if a forest on an island with ducks, beavers, deer, moles, groundhogs, sparrows, and many other forest animals could be considered the ‘wild’. There are no humans. Yet, lots of provocative and intriguing situations humans can ponder regarding the robot and her relationships with the animals. I really recommend it has a read aloud interspersed with open ended inquiry....more
American as Paneer Pie by Supriya Kelkar is a story worth telling. Sixth grader, Lekha Divekar is our narrator. She is a first generation Indian AmeriAmerican as Paneer Pie by Supriya Kelkar is a story worth telling. Sixth grader, Lekha Divekar is our narrator. She is a first generation Indian American and living in a fictional, predominantly white, suburb of Detroit in recent times. I see this book being appreciated most by eight to twelve year olds. And I also think that kids generally in that age group or younger might really enjoy a parent, older sibling, grandparent or teacher reading American as Paneer Pie aloud, with lots of discussions about the content and issues revealed in the story. Or, if one of those possible oral readers mentioned above just read this book at the same time as the child and regularly had discussions after, say, every three or four chapters - that could be very helpful, too. Supriya Kelkar has woven social, cultural, political, immigrant intimidation, neighbors, family, immigrant parents, ‘friend’ groups (school and real), bullying, and a whole lot more into this novel. Including many puns. I liked the book a lot. I embraced the provocative content and issues explored and I think that the young people in the target age group would benefit from the discussions that could come from having someone to talk about it with....more
Becoming Muhammad Ali by James Patterson and Kwame Alexander (2020) is a historical and biographical fictional account of Cassius Clay, who would late Becoming Muhammad Ali by James Patterson and Kwame Alexander (2020) is a historical and biographical fictional account of Cassius Clay, who would later change his name to Muhammad Ali, while he was 16 and 17 years old. This novel is very well written primarily in free verse with some prose. The free verse poetry is absolutely fitting given Cassius gift for sharing poetry about his upcoming and previous fights.
As an adult, Mohammed Ali was the world heavyweight boxing champion. This novel tells the stories of his mid teen years as he was beginning his competitive journey towards that world championship. The book is an engaging, fun to read, and a good rendition of these two formative years of his life.
As a seventy two year old I was a serious fan of Cassius Clay/Muhammad Ali and a person who found Muhammad Ali a role model in many, many ways outside of the ring. He was six years older than me and as he was a public figure I was learning about society, fairness and the importance of identifying your core values. I appreciated his strength of character and his commitment to his beliefs.
Thus, I knew a lot about him before reading this book and I found Becoming Muhammad Ali to be a terrific read. I recommend it to anyone eight years old or older. ...more
Class Act by Jerry Craft is a graphic novel for middle schoolers. It is the second in a series. It follows Jordan and Drew, two blacks kids who are inClass Act by Jerry Craft is a graphic novel for middle schoolers. It is the second in a series. It follows Jordan and Drew, two blacks kids who are in the extreme minority in a pretentious private school. It deals with these young men and fitting in. It is a story that can potentially expand a young reader’s awareness of racism and micro aggressions all to common in our society....more
Alex Gino has added to the literature for young people. This story of George, as the inside cover states, “When people look at George, they think theyAlex Gino has added to the literature for young people. This story of George, as the inside cover states, “When people look at George, they think they see a boy. But she knows she’s not a boy. She knows she’s a girl.” Alex Gino has created an accessible and authentic story about a fourth grader. It is contemporary and important, plus it is a good story....more
Immigration is in the news here in America. We often hear is said that we are a country of immigrants. I believe today's children will benefit from opImmigration is in the news here in America. We often hear is said that we are a country of immigrants. I believe today's children will benefit from opportunities to read and connect with stories of families and young people who immigrated to America. Nory Ryan's Song by Patricia Reilly Giff is the first of three books Giff wrote about Nory. It takes place in 1845. Nory's family has lived on the coast of Ireland for generations and do to several conditions is experiencing very, very hard times. This book focuses on what Irish immigrants were moving away from in the homeland. Nory's older sister has immigrated to America and Nora hopes to some day join her. I recommend this book. It could be a wonderful family read aloud or a classroom read aloud followed by discussion. And certainly it would be a thought provoking and captivating silent read for a young person. This story could lead to many further topics and possible areas of learning. The next two books in Giff's series are possible as are stories to follow up on of other Irish immigrants. This story is about people coming to America 170 years ago. There are stories of more recent and current immigrants that also are easy to locate. Stories of immigrants from many different countries. Ask your local librarian for suggestions for any special other interest you may want to follow that this story ignited. ...more
I see Crenshaw as an excellent family or classroom read aloud followed by discussion. It is a well written story of a family seen through the eyes of I see Crenshaw as an excellent family or classroom read aloud followed by discussion. It is a well written story of a family seen through the eyes of the young boy in the Jackson family. Their challenges are real. With the loss of income and the realities of homelessness the family must find the energy and will to move forward.. It is an honest story. It is compassionate. The Jackson family could be in any town or city in America today. ...more
Ellen Airgood is a story teller. This book is engaging, realistic, and complex. That is a pretty darn good mix for a middle-grade novel. Her characterEllen Airgood is a story teller. This book is engaging, realistic, and complex. That is a pretty darn good mix for a middle-grade novel. Her character development is strong. Granny, Prairie, and Ivy were spot on. The issues explored are important and relevant. I recommend it to kids in 3rd or 4th grade through 7th ish. And I recommend it as a family read aloud. There is potentially a lot to talk in this story. Enjoy!!!...more
Hats Off! Lynda Mullaly Hunt for writing Fish in a Tree! It is engaging, serious, fun and may help others to focus on the possibilities of literacy foHats Off! Lynda Mullaly Hunt for writing Fish in a Tree! It is engaging, serious, fun and may help others to focus on the possibilities of literacy for all.
Fish in a Tree is a novel for young people. Moreover, it is a novel that would have real value for teachers and aspiring teachers. Plus, the parents of both children who learn differently and children who learn relatively normally could benefit from reading this story. The reason I think it has great value to be read by many audiences is because of the topic the author explores and the manner in which she presents it.
This is a story of a sixth-grade girl, Ally, who is not able to read in any functional manner. It is also the story of her peer relationships, family relationships and relationships to school and school people. Those human relationships and the authentic glimpse of the struggle of one nonreader are at the core of this book.
I was illiterate until I was eighteen. I learn differently than most. I am now sixty-seven and I have been a first and third grade teacher, an elementary principal, and a superintendent. I have earned a doctorate and have taught at the university level. I have some firsthand knowledge on this topic and my belief is that the ensuring that all students become literate cannot result from adopting a simple teaching method.
Helping someone to learn who learn differently requires teachers, parents and others to embrace complexity. This novel conveys the complexities of who Ally is and what makes her unique. Moreover, as this novel points out very well - helping others to learn who learn differently requires that teachers, parents, and others see possibilities and help the nonreaders to see possibilities as well. Each learner must be connected with as a unique individual and be appreciated and respected for their current strengths. It takes teachers, parents and others who can see the positive future in the learner even if the learner may not see it. Then, of course, our focus is to help the learner to see how their own, maybe highly unique, path to literacy can be built.
My path, like the paths of many others, to literacy has not been smooth. Learning to read at eighteen for me has meant that even today I am a slow, sometimes plodding reader that still stumbles as I strive for solid comprehension. Moreover, as an oral reader I am prone to skip and/or incorrectly pronounce words – my grandchildren have learned to gently correct me.
Overall, I have learned to stick with the text and reread when I am missing the message. At sixty-seven, I am still learning to write – oh my am I pleased that spell check was invented. I stick with my writing, too. Rewriting and reworking until I am comfortable sharing. Being literate did not come easy to me and it is not smooth sailing, even now. The turning point for me and Ally was seeing that it was ‘possible’!
Hats Off! Lynda’s book tells a story that can help others to see the possibilities of literacy for all....more
Today we live in a world where refugees in the news. We read about and see people leaving there home land in hope of a better life.
Goodbye Vietnam byToday we live in a world where refugees in the news. We read about and see people leaving there home land in hope of a better life.
Goodbye Vietnam by Gloria Whelan is a story about Vietnamese refugees after the war in Vietnam. Even though this is decades ago the story of Mia rings true today. This 13-year-old girl and her family and their hardship in Vietnam and their courageous journey to their hope for future on a tiny boat with way too many people want is relevant.
Written in 1992, this is certainly is an important story for young people to be reading today. Today people very much like Mia are facing danger if they stay in their homeland and danger if they leave. Yet they leave everything behind because they embrace a gritty hope for better life. Goodbye Vietnam is an ALA recommended book for reluctant young adult readers. I see it as a great book for any reader interested in a realistic depiction of what it means to be a refugee from your country.
This story appeals to young people, their parents and teachers because of its relevant and accessible content. Many students and some of my teacher friends read this book 20 years ago. I am suggesting that it is time to bring Goodbye Vietnam to new audiences....more
After you have read to the end of Chapter Three (through page 41) please choose one or more of these prompts to think
Learning Log (or Blog) Prompts
After you have read to the end of Chapter Three (through page 41) please choose one or more of these prompts to think about and respond in your learning log (or on our classroom blog). 1. John,Sarny, Mammy and Master Waller are all important to this story. Write your impressions of one of these four or of all of them. 2. This book is presenting a picture of slavery. As you have been reading, you may have encountered something which made you stop and think deeply (the eating trough, not being allowed to read or write, not being allowed to stay with your birthing mother). Write your thoughts as you reflect upon any of these issues that got you thinking. 3. Will Sarny learn to read? If so, how? 4. What will happen? Will John be able to teach slaves to read?
After reading Chapter Five (through page 77) please choose at least one of these prompts to respond to in your learning log log (or on our classroom blog). 1. John=s actions reveal his character. Write about John and the kind of person he is. 2. Sarny is a twelve year old. She has never left the plantation. Yet, she has seen much in her short life. Write about Sarny. 3. This book continues to present a picture of slavery. In these last two chapters there may have been more details about slavery provoking serious thought. Information like: the terrible punishments, everybody (all the slaves) being brought out to watch a whipping or other punishment, the dirt mean blood hungry dogs, and the need of the slave owner to control every possible element of a slaves life. Write about any or all of the issues that stirred your thinking. 4. Will Sarny learn to read? If so, how? 5. What will become of John?
After finishing the book, please write in your learning log log (or on our classroom blog) in response to at least one of these prompts. 1. John (Nightjohn) may not have been his real name and he may not have been on the Waller plantation, but there was a slave who did what Nightjohn did. Reflect upon the actions and contributions of the slave, ANightjohn@. 2. What is so frightening about literacy that would keep one race from allowing another race to become literate? What kind of impact could keeping literacy from a race have on future generations? 3. What must it be like to be illiterate? 4. We do not live in the 1800's when this story took place. We are not part of the past. Is it worth reading and thinking about the past? What can be learned from knowing more about history?
When you are done with all of your responding to the many prompts, please do the following task. 1. In your learning log (or on our classroom blog), write a list of questions you would like to ask Gary Paulsen, the author. The questions can be about anything: this book, himself, his childhood, his family, or...
ASSIGNMENT AFTER READING THE BOOK
1. Choose anyone of your Nightjohn learning llog entries and polish it into a finished piece. Or 2. Write a persuasive piece. Taking a stand regarding something connected to the reading of Nightjohn. Or 3. Write an expository piece, as if it were for a northern magazine article from the 1800's. Explain or report on an issue, activity or event that took place in Nightjohn
FOCUS CORRECTION AREAS for this assignment: 1. Your word choice is to be appropriate to your purpose and audience. 2. Your thesis needs to be clearly stated and be supported by either sufficient facts or relevant details. 3. All unrelated ideas have been edited out. Important Details: 1. Due date - May 17, 2007. 2. Double spaced and typed. 3. No longer than two pages. 4. Your name and hour must be on the upper right corner of the paper
Optional Additional Assignments for Nightjohn by Gary Paulsen
1. Write a paper on the effects of illiteracy. Read Bearstone by Will Hobbs and The Wednesday Surprise by Eve Bunting and compare the effects of illiteracy on the characters in those books with the characters from Nightjohn. OR 2. Write a biographical piece on Gary Paulsen. Make specific reference to the sources for your information. OR 3. Read Letters from a Slave Girl by Mary E. Lyons and Escape to Freedom: A Play About Young Frederick Douglass by Ossie Davis. Combine this information with that from Nightjohn and write a piece about slavery. OR 4. Read Ajeemah and His Son by James Berry and Charlie’s House by Clyde Robert Bulla. Compare what you learn about slavery in these books to what you learned in Nightjohn. OR 5. Read at least two other books by Gary Paulsen from the following list: Voyage of the Frog, Monument, Winter Room and/or Woodsong. Thinking about Nigthjohn and the other books by Paulsen speculate as to his motivations as a writer. Give examples from the books read to support your points.
FOCUS CORRECTION AREAS for these additional assignments 1. Your introduction tells the reader what you intend to do with the piece and how it will be accomplished. 2. Organize your thinking so your audience can clearly identify your main point and supporting information. Your finished piece should reflect that organization. 3. Comparisons and contrasts will be an important component of any of these assignments. Your piece will present clarity in the comparisons and contrasts you develop. Important details: *Due date - June 3, 2007 *Double spaced and typed *No longer than three pages *This assignment is potentially worth 50 points *The basic editing checklist and partner’s editing checklist need to be completed and stapled to the back of the paper *No late papers will be accepted
Rita Williams-Garcia wrote One Crazy Summer in 2010 about three sisters - Delphine an eleven-year-old and her two younger sisters, Vonetta and Fern. TRita Williams-Garcia wrote One Crazy Summer in 2010 about three sisters - Delphine an eleven-year-old and her two younger sisters, Vonetta and Fern. The sisters live in New York with there Dan and grand mother and this summer the three children are flying to Oakland, California to spend a month with there mom who hasn’t seen them in years. Their mother is not happy about the girls coming. Yet, they come and find a way to navigate this ‘crazy summer’. The book touches on some of the political and social realities of 1968. Williams-Garcia is an accomplished writer....more
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