Frog

Frogs
Author: Nic Bishop

Publisher: Scholastic Nonfiction 

Published Date: 2008

Number of pages: 48

Reading Level: 5th-6th grade
Genre: non-fiction, informative
A School Library Journal Best Book
An ALA Notable Children's Book

This book is about frogs. This informative book provides readers with information to help them better understand the diverse and largely carnivorous group of amphibians. This book has images of the oldest fossil "proto-frog". The population of frogs are widely diverse and can be found in all areas of the world.  Majority of the population of frogs is found in tropical rainforests. Frogs are one of the five most diverse vertebrate orders. 

I would rate this book an ESSENTIAL. This is a great book, and the pictures are very intriguing. The information provided is educational, and would provide students a challenge. This book is very engaging and encourages learning. Students are not only learning about frog, but also the categorization in the animal kingdom. This book provides several different subjects of integration.

I would use this book during a science lesson especially talking about classifications in the animal kingdom. This book provides examples of all the different kinds of frog species. Having a visual when talking about the kingdom and being able to provide examples can help students better understand. I might also use this book as a hook. Because this book is engaging, it could spark an interest when talking about science in the classroom.   

Ratings

ESSENTIAL: It would be beneficial if the school library had at least one copy of this book. This is a book that students could find interest in, and also serve an educational purpose. Educationally this book provides a strong plot and the grammar is perfect. This book may be challenging for the students, but it will help them grow academically and help them improve their education skills.

ADVISABLE: 'ESSESNTIAL' books are the most important and advisable books are next on the important list. These books are still beneficial to the students and could also be a popular genre, but it may lack in in the substance for educational purposes. For instance, the plot may not be as clear as an essential book. The education purpose would focus more on students' reading and comprehension, whereas an advisable book would be more for the enjoyment.

OPTIONAL: Books are interesting for the teachers and would follow the curriculum. This book would not support the students and their growth as readers. This book may be difficult to follow because the events are not plotted our in order or in a way that the students can relate to. These books would help provide students with a variety of options, but they are not common or the most popular books.

NOT RECOMMENDED: These books would not be appropriate. The writing, theme, or plot should not be supported and there are several writing errors.

Esperanza Rising

Esperanza Rising
Author: Pam Muñoz Ryan

Publisher:   Scholastic Press

Published Date: 2002

Number of pages: 288

Reading Level: 5th-6th grade

Genre: multicultural, historical fiction, novel

Notable Children's Books, Pura Belpre Award, Jane Addams Children's Book, Willa Catner Award, ALA Top Ten Books for Young Adults, Los Angeles times Book Prize Finalist, New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing, Publisher's Weekly Best Book of the Year 2000.

This book is about a girl named Esperanza. She lives on a ranch with her family in Mexico, and her and her family were wealthy. Esperanza has beautiful dresses, a huge home, and her family has servants. Her life came crashing down when Esperanza and her Mama were instructed to leave Mexico and head to California. This tragedy was known as the Great Depression. Esperanza and her mother worked as farmers in camps. Esperanza is not use to this lifestyle and does not known what it takes to overcome these struggles and hardships as a laborer. She must overcome these trials if she wants to survive these Mexican farm camps.

I would rate this book an ESSENTIAL. This is a great book, and provides great details with a supportive plot. This is a book that students would be able to relate with and be able to make connections. This book fulfills the multicultural book and it also describes the time period of the Great Depression. The viewpoint of this story can help students understand the Great Depression. I enjoyed this book and I feel that it would be a challenging book for readers, and it will help them understand events in our history.

I would use this book in the class as an example of a different culture, and the Great Depression. I would like students to create their own Venn diagram. They would be identifying the social and historical differences of the book, and comparing it to todays world. Understanding the differences can help the students understand the story. I also like the idea of students journaling along as we read the story and making connections. They would be writing as if they were Esperanza during her struggles working in the camps. Because this story is being told by Esperanza, students are able to relate.  

Ratings

ESSENTIAL: It would be beneficial if the school library had at least one copy of this book. This is a book that students could find interest in, and also serve an educational purpose. Educationally this book provides a strong plot and the grammar is perfect. This book may be challenging for the students, but it will help them grow academically and help them improve their education skills.

ADVISABLE: 'ESSESNTIAL' books are the most important and advisable books are next on the important list. These books are still beneficial to the students and could also be a popular genre, but it may lack in in the substance for educational purposes. For instance, the plot may not be as clear as an essential book. The education purpose would focus more on students' reading and comprehension, whereas an advisable book would be more for the enjoyment.

OPTIONAL: Books are interesting for the teachers and would follow the curriculum. This book would not support the students and their growth as readers. This book may be difficult to follow because the events are not plotted our in order or in a way that the students can relate to. These books would help provide students with a variety of options, but they are not common or the most popular books.

NOT RECOMMENDED: These books would not be appropriate. The writing, theme, or plot should not be supported and there are several writing errors.

Unbroken

Unbroken
Author: Laure Hillenbrand  

Publisher:   Random House Publishing Group

Published Date: 2010

Number of pages: 528

Reading Level: 8th grade
Genre: non-fiction, biography
Unbroken has spent more than four years on the New York Times best seller list, 14 weeks at number one, it is the 5th longest-running nonfiction best seller of all time. #1 New York Times Bestseller.
 

This book is about World War II. A story of survival, resilience, and redemption. This World War II hero Louis Zamperini, was a former Olympic track star. During the war Louis' plane crashed in the Pacific. He floated on his raft for 47 days until he was captured. He was held as a prisoner of war for two and a half years. In the book Hillenbrand describes the treatments of these three different brutal Japanese prisoner-of-war camps.

I would rate this book an ADVISABLE. This is a great book, and provides great details that some students may have a difficult time reading. This books reading level was 8th grade, but I feel that the content may give too much imagery for that grade level. Unbroken is a great book on World War II, and gives readers the opportunity to understand the awful treatments of prisoners of war. This book is well written and the plot is easy to follow along with. I appreciate how this book is not negative to the Japan's treatments of war, because these treatments are similar to those from the American's. I enjoyed this book and I feel that it would be a challenging book for readers, and it will help them better understand the harsh treatments as a prisoner of war.

I would use this book alongside discussing World War II. There are so many different aspects of wars that students need to understand. I would also like to bring in the movie Unbroken once we have finished the book to provide students with a visual. I think because of how well written this book is, students would be able to journal as if they were Louis being held as a prisoner of war. Students are able to connect to Lois as they read along. Not being put through those treatments I do no feel that we will ever completely understand the feelings that Lois and other soldiers went through as a prisoner of war. I feel that teaching this subject I would need to be sensitive especially if I have students will parents, family, or friends in the military.  

Ratings

ESSENTIAL: It would be beneficial if the school library had at least one copy of this book. This is a book that students could find interest in, and also serve an educational purpose. Educationally this book provides a strong plot and the grammar is perfect. This book may be challenging for the students, but it will help them grow academically and help them improve their education skills.

ADVISABLE: 'ESSESNTIAL' books are the most important and advisable books are next on the important list. These books are still beneficial to the students and could also be a popular genre, but it may lack in in the substance for educational purposes. For instance, the plot may not be as clear as an essential book. The education purpose would focus more on students' reading and comprehension, whereas an advisable book would be more for the enjoyment.

OPTIONAL: Books are interesting for the teachers and would follow the curriculum. This book would not support the students and their growth as readers. This book may be difficult to follow because the events are not plotted our in order or in a way that the students can relate to. These books would help provide students with a variety of options, but they are not common or the most popular books.

NOT RECOMMENDED: These books would not be appropriate. The writing, theme, or plot should not be supported and there are several writing errors.

Anne Frank The Diary of a Young Girl

The Diary of a Young Girl
Author: Anne Frank
Publisher: Contract Publishing

  

Published Date: 1952 (Published in English)

Number of pages: 304

Reading Level: 6th grade
Genre: biography, autobiography
YALSA Best Books for Young Adults
 

This book was originally written from a Dutch Language. Anne Frank received this diary on her thirteen birthday and wrote in it about her friends and crushes until she was fifteen. During her life time she continued to write about her adventures from hiding from the Nazis for two year. This diary describes all of her struggles, and the death of her father from typhus in a concentration camp. There are several other tragedies that Anne faces in her lifetime while trying to escape the Nazis.  This diary was recovered and has been published in 60 different languages.

I would rate this book an ESSENTIAL. This book is an enjoyable book that students would be able to connect to. In her journals Anne describes the different relationships that she makes with her friends. She is a normal girl with similar hopes and dreams of any 13 year old. She writes in day to day experiences which makes it possible to follow along. This diary also talks about the invasion on the Nazis and their treatment towards Anne and her family. Today students may not struggle with the same problems, but they have their own struggles and experiences in their lives. Everyone has their own trials that they will face in their live, but how they chose to overcome those obstacles with affect them immensely.  

I would use this book while talking about World War II. Having different viewpoints from the same event could increase the students knowledge and understanding. Giving students two different sides can also help them create their own opinion. For an exercise I want students to see how positive Anne is during all these negative events happening to her and others around her. First, I would have students identify the negative events in Anne's life, and also include things that could cause her to be upset. Then, students can draw or describe the things that Anne finds happiness in. I believe having a positive attitude and searching for things that make you happy can help you get through any trial or tribulations standing in your life. The last part to this activity is to have students draw or describe things in their our lives where they find happiness in. Keeping positive things in your life as a priority can help you as a person, and will help you be successful in any situation.

Ratings

ESSENTIAL: It would be beneficial if the school library had at least one copy of this book. This is a book that students could find interest in, and also serve an educational purpose. Educationally this book provides a strong plot and the grammar is perfect. This book may be challenging for the students, but it will help them grow academically and help them improve their education skills.

ADVISABLE: 'ESSESNTIAL' books are the most important and advisable books are next on the important list. These books are still beneficial to the students and could also be a popular genre, but it may lack in in the substance for educational purposes. For instance, the plot may not be as clear as an essential book. The education purpose would focus more on students' reading and comprehension, whereas an advisable book would be more for the enjoyment.

OPTIONAL: Books are interesting for the teachers and would follow the curriculum. This book would not support the students and their growth as readers. This book may be difficult to follow because the events are not plotted our in order or in a way that the students can relate to. These books would help provide students with a variety of options, but they are not common or the most popular books.

NOT RECOMMENDED: These books would not be appropriate. The writing, theme, or plot should not be supported and there are several writing errors.

Number the Stars

Number the Stars       
Author: Lois Lowry                                                        

Publisher: Boston : Houghton Mifflin Company

Published Date: 1989

Number of pages: 138

Reading Level: 4th-5th grade
Genre: historical fiction, novel
Awards: John Newberry Medal, Dorthy Canfield Fisher Children's Book, National Jewish Award for Children's Literature
 

This book is about a 10 year old girl named Annemarie Johansen's. She lives in Copenhagen in 1943. During this book Germany troops are relocating the Jews of Denmark. Annemarie's family risks their lives by taking in Annemarie's best friend, Ellen Rosen. Ellen pretends to be Annemarie's older late sister Lise, who died earlier in the war. Lise worked with the Danish Resistance. Annemarie and her family help Jews reach neutral ground in Sweden in order to avoid being deported to concentration camps. This story title comes from a reference in the bible in Psalms 147. This is when God has numbered the stars in the universe, including the Star of David. Ellen wears a necklace with the Star of David.  

I would rate this book an ESSENTIAL. I enjoyed this book during my history class. When talking about the concentration camps, this book helps explain and provides different perspectives from the same event in history. This book will challenge students as readers and also help them understand history from a different view point.   

I would use this book to encourage students to look from a different view point in history. The ability to take in account different ideas will help strengthen student's understanding. This author writes from a 10 year old view point. This view would enrich the students ability to relate. While reading this book I would have students create their own story about their best friend and themselves. They would write about their best friend being in a dangerous situation, and the student is responsible and will create a plan to reassure their friends safety. 

Ratings

ESSENTIAL: It would be beneficial if the school library had at least one copy of this book. This is a book that students could find interest in, and also serves an educational purpose. This book may be challenging for the students, but it will help them grow academically and help them improve their education skills.

ADVISABLE: 'ESSESNTIAL' books are the most important and these books are next on the important list. These books are still beneficial to the students and could also be a popular genre, but it may lack in in the substance for educational purposes. The education purpose would focus more on students reading and comprehension, whereas an advisable book would be more for the enjoyment.

OPTIONAL: Books are interesting for the teachers and would follow the curriculum. This book would not support the students and their growth as readers. These books would help provide students with a variety of options, but they are not common or the most popular books.

NOT RECOMMENDED: These books would not be appropriate. The writing, theme, or plot should not be supported.

Anne of Green Gables

 

Anne of Green Gables
Author: L.M. Montgomery

Publisher: Halcyon Press Ltd

Published Date: 1908

Number of pages: 448

Reading Level: 5th-6th grade
Genre: historical fiction, novel, classic, coming of age, series
Awards: In 2003 Anne of Green Gables was ranked number 41 in The Big Read, BBC determined "nation's best-loved novel", In 2012 it was ranked number nine among all-time children's novels in a survey published by School Library Journal
 

This book is about Anne Shirley, a young 11 year old orphan. She is mistakenly sent to Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert of Green Gables, a middle-aged brother and sister who had wanted to adopt a boy to help them on their farm. Anne is a bright, quick, talkative, and extremely imaginative young girl. She is a pale, freckled, and red head, who is always eager to please. Marilla takes care of Anne, and feels that she could be a good influence on Anne. Anne is also very adventurous and has an imagination of child. Anne's best friend is Diana Barry. Anne runs into all kinds of mischief on the farm. She creates relationships with all who she comes in contact with.

I would rate this book an ESSENTIAL. I enjoyed this book and felt that it is well written. Students could find interest in the adventures and also with the relationships that Anne creates on the farm. Because this book's setting was in the early 1900's, students will understand the differences in how others lived in that time period. Students will also be able to compare the struggles that these people went through; compared to the everyday struggles that we face in today's society.  

I would use this book as an enjoyable book for students. This book could also be used when talking about different timelines in history. I think it would be a great idea to included books for students to read that go along with different periods in history. Students would be able to choose which book they would like to read during the early 1900's, and Anne of Green Gables would be an option. Because the protagonist is written from a student age perspective, students would be able to relate to Anne.  

Ratings

ESSENTIAL: It would be beneficial if the school library had at least one copy of this book. This is a book that students could find interest in, and also serves an educational purpose. This book may be challenging for the students, but it will help them grow academically and help them improve their education skills.

ADVISABLE: 'ESSESNTIAL' books are the most important and these books are next on the important list. These books are still beneficial to the students and could also be a popular genre, but it may lack in in the substance for educational purposes. The education purpose would focus more on students reading and comprehension, whereas an advisable book would be more for the enjoyment.

OPTIONAL: Books are interesting for the teachers and would follow the curriculum. This book would not support the students and their growth as readers. These books would help provide students with a variety of options, but they are not common or the most popular books.

NOT RECOMMENDED: These books would not be appropriate. The writing, theme, or plot should not be supported.

Junie B. Jones

Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus
Author: Barbra Park  

Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers

Published Date: 1992

Number of pages: 80

Reading Level: 2nd-3rd grade
Genre: fiction, general
New York Times Bestselling Chapter Book Series.
 

This book is about a first grader who does not want to go to school. This first grader is Junie B. Jones. She is nervous because the kids might be mean or bully her. Junie B. Jones is ultimately afraid of the unknown.  

I would rate this book an ESSENTIAL. I enjoyed this book and I feel that students would be able to relate to Junie B. Jones. This book provides lots of details, and young students can make connection as they read along. The language that the author writes in, is easy to understand and follow along. I believe students would enjoy the story, and get hooked on the series.  

I would use this book to help early readers build up their confidence. It may be difficult getting students to want to read, and I think that the ability for students to relate to what their reading is a huge step in them finding interest in what they are reading. Because this book provides opportunities for connections I would have students journal similar experience as they read. 

Ratings

ESSENTIAL: It would be beneficial if the school library had at least one copy of this book. This is a book that students could find interest in, and also serves an educational purpose. This book may be challenging for the students, but it will help them grow academically and help them improve their education skills.

ADVISABLE: 'ESSESNTIAL' books are the most important and these books are next on the important list. These books are still beneficial to the students and could also be a popular genre, but it may lack in in the substance for educational purposes. The education purpose would focus more on students reading and comprehension, whereas an advisable book would be more for the enjoyment.

OPTIONAL: Books are interesting for the teachers and would follow the curriculum. This book would not support the students and their growth as readers. These books would help provide students with a variety of options, but they are not common or the most popular books.

NOT RECOMMENDED: These books would not be appropriate. The writing, theme, or plot should not be supported.

The Great Gasby

  

The Great Gatsby
Author: F. Scott Fitzgerald  

Publisher: Charles Scribner's Sons 

Published Date: 1925

Number of pages: 180

Reading Level: 9th-12th grade
Genre: novel, drama, fiction
Great Gatsby is widely considered to be a literary classic and a contender for the title " Great American Novel".
 

This book is about a millionaire. This millionaire lives in the 20's, his name is Jay Gatsby. Jay has his eyes set on Daisy who happens to be married. This book provides drama, portrays the roaring 20's, and is focused around the idea of the American dream.  

I would rate this book an ADVISABLE. I enjoyed this book and I feel that it would be a challenging book for readers. I do not appreciate the idea of Jay having a relationship with a married woman. There were several other things that were acceptable in that time period that are not today. I enjoy the details and colorful language the author uses to describe what the 20's may have been like. It is easy to get hooked on this book, and the story is a mystery all the way to the end.

I would use this book while talking about the different time periods. I think this book would help students identify difference and similarities from the 20's to modern day. This book also provides several scenes with character conflicts. I like the idea of students identifying scenes that could have gone differently if the character chose different actions. I might also incorporate vocabulary games/activities throughout the book. This exercise will help students identify words or phrases that they are not familiar with, and as a class we can go over them. This will help students understand what they are reading and also provide activities to keep the class moving.

Ratings

ESSENTIAL: It would be beneficial if the school library had at least one copy of this book. This is a book that students could find interest in, and also serves an educational purpose. This book may be challenging for the students, but it will help them grow academically and help them improve their education skills.

ADVISABLE: 'ESSESNTIAL' books are the most important and these books are next on the important list. These books are still beneficial to the students and could also be a popular genre, but it may lack in in the substance for educational purposes. The education purpose would focus more on students reading and comprehension, whereas an advisable book would be more for the enjoyment.

OPTIONAL: Books are interesting for the teachers and would follow the curriculum. This book would not support the students and their growth as readers. These books would help provide students with a variety of options, but they are not common or the most popular books.

NOT RECOMMENDED: These books would not be appropriate. The writing, theme, or plot should not be supported.

Harry Potter

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone                                                        


Author: J.K. Rowling

Publisher: Bloomsbury (London), Scholastic (US), Raincoast (Canada)

Published Date: 1997

Number of pages: 309

Reading Level: 6th grade
Genre: Fantasy,

Nestlé Smarties Book Prize 1997 Gold Medal 9-11 years

FCBG Children’s Book Award 1997 Overall winner and Longer Novel Category

Birmingham Cable Children’s Book Award 1997

Young Telegraph Paperback of the Year 1998

British Book Awards 1997 Children’s Book of the Year

Sheffield Children’s Book Award 1998

Booklist Editors Choice 1998

Whitaker’s Platinum Book Award 2001

New York Public Library 100 Titles for Reading and Sharing

Publishers Weekly Best Book of 1998

This book is about a boy who lives with his aunt and uncle. Harry the young boy discovers his magical heritage and attends his first year at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry and his friends attempt comebacks by the dark wizard Lord Voldemort, who killed Harry's parents, but failed to kill Harry when he was just a year old.

I would rate this book an ADVISABLE. This book would be a challenging for readers. Harry Potter books are very popular for the younger generation and is a book that the students can relate to.  This book provides lots of details and descriptive writing. There are vocabulary words that the students may struggle with and some of the spells are words that we are not use to reading. Before reading this book in the classroom I would need to make sure that parents agree with me using this book.

I would provide this book for students to relate with. Harry and his friends are characters that students can relate to with in the different challenges in their lives. Throughout this book I would like students to make connections within their own lives. This would be a good book to have students break up into reading groups. In the group each student would have a specific role while they are reading. After reading, the students will collaborate with their group and finally share their findings with the class.

Ratings

ESSENTIAL: It would be beneficial if the school library had at least one copy of this book. This is a book that students could find interest in, and also serves an educational purpose. This book may be challenging for the students, but it will help them grow academically and help them improve their education skills.

ADVISABLE: 'ESSESNTIAL' books are the most important and these books are next on the important list. These books are still beneficial to the students and could also be a popular genre, but it may lack in in the substance for educational purposes. The education purpose would focus more on students reading and comprehension, whereas an advisable book would be more for the enjoyment.

OPTIONAL: Books are interesting for the teachers and would follow the curriculum. This book would not support the students and their growth as readers. These books would help provide students with a variety of options, but they are not common or the most popular books.

NOT RECOMMENDED: These books would not be appropriate. The writing, theme, or plot should not be supported.

Charlotte's Web

 

Charlotte's Web
Author: E.B. White  

Publisher: Harper & Brothers

Published Date: 1952 

Number of pages: 42

Reading Level: 4th grade
Genre: Classic, Fantasy, Sci-fi,
John Newbery Medal

This book is about farm pig named Wilber who is in danger of being slaughtered. There are several other animals on the farm that Wilber comes in contact with including a spider Charlotte. Charlotte is busy spilling her web. In her web she will include messages to the farmer to encourage him not to have Wilber be slaughtered.   

I would rate this book an ADVISABLE. I enjoyed this book and I feel that it would be a challenging book for readers. Several students have already read if not they have heard about this book and would find interest reading it.

I would use this book for students to practice their reading skills. I would also use this book to introduce the topic of spiders. Students would be able to relate to this book while talking about biology and the study of spiders. As a class we would discuss the importance of the process spiders go through to spin their web.

Ratings

ESSENTIAL: It would be beneficial if the school library had at least one copy of this book. This is a book that students could find interest in, and also serves an educational purpose. This book may be challenging for the students, but it will help them grow academically and help them improve their education skills.

ADVISABLE: 'ESSESNTIAL' books are the most important and these books are next on the important list. These books are still beneficial to the students and could also be a popular genre, but it may lack in in the substance for educational purposes. The education purpose would focus more on students reading and comprehension, whereas an advisable book would be more for the enjoyment.

OPTIONAL: Books are interesting for the teachers and would follow the curriculum. This book would not support the students and their growth as readers. These books would help provide students with a variety of options, but they are not common or the most popular books.

NOT RECOMMENDED: These books would not be appropriate. The writing, theme, or plot should not be supported