Found two great books at BnN that I can't wait to start reading!
Found two great books at BnN that I can't wait to start reading!
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Author/Illustrator: Brian Floca
This NF picture book is an exceptional illustrated story that follows a family heading West on the brand new transcontinental railroad, describing every step of the journey in an informative and expressively fun way. It'd be good to use for an IR, as there is a lot happening on the pages so the student should be able to decipher the text and analyze the award-winning illustrations at their leisure.
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(Author: Derrick Barnes; Illustrator: Gordon C. James)
This RF would be an engaging RA where you can captivate students with the vivid descriptions of the pure wonder and excitement the main character experiences as he gets a fresh cut, while showcasing award-winning artwork. It really highlights the increased self-esteem and confidence boost that comes from being able to present your best self.
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(Author: Ken Mochizuki; Illustrator: Dom Lee)
This HF is about a Japanese-American boy who, together with the others in his internment camp, decided to build a baseball diamond and form a league in an attempt to gain dignity and self-respect. This would be great for a PR, especially between pairs of students taking turns to read paragraphs and discuss the text to ensure understanding.
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(Author: Monica Clark-Robinson; Illustrator: Frank Morrison)
This HF covers the Birmingham Children‘s Crusade of 1963, following the story of how thousands of black children and teens volunteered to march for their civil rights in place of their parents, persevering past the fear, hate, and violence that they faced to build a better future.
Coretta Scott King Honor
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(retold by: Arthur Ransome; illustrator: Uri Shulevitz
This TL retells a humorous Russian tale of a peasant who manages to win the hand of the Czar‘s daughter after overcoming ridiculous challenges with the help of an old wise man and seven unusual companions. It would be great as a DR, with plenty of roles for students to fill as they act out the story and replicate the tasks the Fool had to complete. Also an AS!
Caldecott Award
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(Author/Illust: Uri Shulevitz)
This MF is about how a young boy uses the power of his imagination to cope with his hunger and misery as he explores new and exotic places all around the world. The images are based on the author‘s own childhood memories of living in poverty as a refugee during World War II. This would be great as a RA so you could showcase all of the detailed art depicting different scenery as well.
Caldecott Honor
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(Author: Margaret Peterson Haddix)
This SF would be a great LC novel for students to read. It switches between multiple POVs which allows for multiple character analyses, has an ongoing mystery that students can try to unravel alongside the main characters, and demonstrates the strong bond between family members.
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(author: Deborah Wiles; illustrator: Jerome Lagarrigue)
This RF is a touching story of how friendship defies racism as two boys, one black and one white, attempt to go somewhere together once the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is passed, only to see firsthand that a law can't fully change people‘s hearts. This can be used as a RA, pausing at appropriate parts to have students predict what will happen when the two boys get to the pool.
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(author: Shannon Hale)
This MF follows a young mountain girl, Miri, who must attend a makeshift academy to prepare herself to become a suitable princess candidate, pitting herself against the other competitive, eligible girls and facing her own conflicting feelings about being chosen. It would work as an IR or LC, with detailed world-building and plenty of characterization to focus on.
Newbery Honor
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(author: Margaret Peterson Haddix)
This SF will grab students‘ interest with a big mystery and a compelling storyline with twists and cliffhangers. It would work great as a LC or even a RA to be read occasionally, with lots to discuss. After finishing the book, students can work in groups to find out more about specific historical names that were mentioned, and contemplate their choices if they were in the main characters‘ shoes.
Picked up this book last night and couldn't put it down. I can't wait for the second book in 2020! Emma was my favorite POV ❤️
(Author: Andrea Wang, illus: Alina Chau) CMC
Xingling is ready to celebrate the Lunar New Year, but trouble arises when the legendary Nian Monster appears to devour her and all of Shanghai. She will need to use her quick thinking and creativity to outwit the Nian Monster and save her city in time for the festivities. This TL is perfect for RT, having multiple students play the narrators and the two major roles of the Nian Monster and Xingling.
#UCFLAE3414F19 CMC
(Author: Lee Wardlaw; Illustrator: Eugene Yelchin)
This P story is a memorable tale of a wary cat being adopted and adjusting to his new home and owner, all told in haiku format. Students will be able to follow Won-ton‘s adventures and hear his thoughts as he experiences his new life.
#UCFLAE3414F19 CMC
(Author/Illus: Jeanette Winter)
This B is a marvelous PB about Dr. Jane Goodall, the woman who lived with the chimpanzees and opened the door to understanding many aspects of them and the animal world that we never would‘ve known otherwise, as well as fighting to protect them. It is an inspiring story of a woman who always watched and observed the animals around her from a young age and worked hard to make her dream come true.
#UCFLAE3414F19 CMC
(Author: Hans Christian Andersen; Adapted and Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney)
This TL Christmas classic is a sad, beautiful story about a young, poor Danish girl who must brave through the cold December weather to sell her matchsticks before she can go home. As night falls and she is forced to light her matchsticks one by one to stay warm, she is drawn in by visions that combat her loneliness and throw her into her memories.
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(author/illustrator: Chris Van Allsburg)
Two siblings find an abandoned boardgame one day. After starting, they quickly realize the game isn‘t normal when lions and monkeys and all sorts of jungle dangers begin appearing in their house. This MF makes it feel as if the reader is caught in the action alongside the two siblings as they rush through the dangers, trying to win the game so everything can return back to normal. Caldecott
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(author: Suzanne Collins)
This SF book throws students right into a new world as 11yo Gregor and his baby sister Boots fall through a laundry room grate into the dark depths of the Underland, meeting all sorts of strange creatures and even humans. As the first in a series of five, this book serves as a great introduction to how creative SF can be as it entices students with quests and prophecies and plenty of world-building.
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(author:Jane Yolen; illustrator:John Schoenherr)
This RF showcases an adventurous father-daughter trip through the quiet winter night as the daughter finally gets to go owling for the first time. This is perfect for RA since the teacher can engage students with sound effects and proper delivery of the daughter‘s quiet but loud feelings during the long, cold trek in the woods, while showcasing the beautiful (Caldecott) illustrations.
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(authors: Susan L. Roth and Cindy Trumbore; illustrator: Susan L. Roth)
This NF picture book is great for elementary students to see a distinct example of the huge negative impact human exploration and development can have on habitats and the animals that live there, as well as the many ways that scientists have worked hard to save struggling populations of endangered species.
2014 Robert F. Silbert Informational Book Medal
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(Author: Peg Kehret) This RF is an attention-grabbing book, depicting a vacation to the Pacific coast gone wrong when 13yo Kyle and his little sister must survive through an earthquake and the consequences of it, including an incoming tsunami. Students can build understanding with the text through strong discussions, new vocabulary, text-connections, etc.
Sunshine State Young Reader‘s Award (FL)
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(author: Matt de la Peña; illustrator: Christian Robinson) This RF is excellent for young grades since it explores important themes as a boy named CJ and his grandmother travel on their weekly bus ride to the soup kitchen where they volunteer. Although they initially have differing attitudes and values, CJ gradually begins to see how beautiful the world is around him.
'16 Newbery, Coretta Scott King Illus. Honor, Caldecott Honor