Chapter Book 12: Stinky Stern Forever

Author: Michelle Edwards
Title: Stinky Stern Forever
Illustrator: Michelle Edwards
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Sub-genre:
Theme: Bullying, death and grieving
Primary and secondary characters: Matthew "Stinky" Stern, Pa Lia Vang
Award(s): Gryphon Award Winner, 2006
Date of publication: October 1, 2007
Publishing company: Harcourt, Inc.
Brief summary: This book follows a classroom of second graders at Jackson Magnet school. This classroom, like many, has a bully named Matthew "Stinky" Stern. Although few of the children like Stinky when unfortunate events take place the children must deal with new feelings. The children work together during this period of misfortune and find out things about each other and themselves which they were unaware of.

How you would use the book with students?: This is a wonderful book to lead a class discussion about bullying in school as well as the topic of death. Children eventually learn what death is and may have many questions and this book addresses many questions as well as ways to grieve over a lost loved one.

Picture Book 7: Officer Buckle and Gloria

Author: Peggy Rathman
Title: Officer Buckle and Gloria
Illustrator: Peggy Rathman
Genre: Children's Picture Books
Sub-genre: Humor
Theme: Safety and teamwork
Primary and secondary characters: Gloria, Officer Buckle
Award(s): Caldecott Medal 1996
ALA Notable Children's Book
Ohio Teachers' & Pupils' Reading Circle 1996-97 selection
American Bookseller "Pick of the Lists"
Book Links "A Few Good Books of 1995"
Booklist "Editors' Choice '95"
Child Magazine "Best Books of 1995"
Horn Book Fanfare selection
Parenting Magazine "Best Books of 1995"
School Library Journal "Best Books of 1995"
New York Public Library 1995 Children's Books: "100 Titles for Reading & Sharing"

Date of publication: September 28,1995
Publishing company: G.P. Putman’s Sons
Brief summary: Officer Buckle and Gloria is a funny story about a police officer and dog who are brought together through work. The team travels around town and tells children of the importance of safety! Together they not only teach the children, but make the children laugh while they learn.
And how you would use the book with students: I would use this book to discuss the importance of following safety rules and addressing topics such as companionship, teamwork, and friendship.

Picture Book 6: The Man Who Walked Between the Towers

Author: Mordical Gerstein
Title: The Man Who Walked Between the Towers
Illustrator: Mordical Gerstein
Genre: Autobiography and Biography
Sub-genre: Social studies
Theme: Determination, perseverance, bravery
Primary and secondary characters: Phillippe Petit
Award(s) date of publication: Caldecott Medal 2004
Publishing company: Roaring Book Press
Brief summary: Phillippe was a brave and daring man who loved to walk high above things on a small, thin rope! This book tells of his travels and his decisions which led up to him tight-rope walking between the World Trade center towers.
How you would use the book, with students.: I would use this book to tell of the beautiful World Trade Center that we no longer have. I would use this story to tell of bravery, courage, and the perseverance to achieve what you want to achieve.

Picture Book 5: Zelda and Ivy

Author: Laura McGee Kvasnosky
Title: Zelda and Ivy
Illustrator: Laura McGee Kvasnosky
Genre: Fiction
Sub-genre: Sibling relationships
Theme: Sibling roles, caring for younger siblings
Primary and secondary characters: Zelda and Ivy
Award(s):
Date of publication: May 1, 1998
Publishing company: Candlewick Press
Brief summary: This is the tale of two young fox sisters. This is a collection of about four different stories. The older sister is usually causing mayhem and ensuring that her younger sister knows her place. The two go on adventures with each other and come to find different ways to show their affection for one another.
How you would use the book, with students?: I would use this book to show the different dynamics that siblings have. This books wonderfully illustrates that although siblings love each other they don't always know how to show it.

Picture Book 4: The House in the Night

Author: Susan Marie Swanson
Title: The House in the Night
Illustrator: Beth Krommes
Genre: Fiction
Sub-genre
Theme: Bedtime or dreams
Primary and secondary characters: The child being tucked in bed.
Award(s): Caldecott Medal. 2009
date of publication: 2008
Publishing company: Houghton Mifflin Company
Brief summary: This story tells of a young girl going through he bedtime routine. It is beautifully told with illustrations to emphasis. The story is all about the light that a house gives off during the night and where the light truly comes from.
How you would use the book with students?:
I would use this in a classroom of very small2 children to discuss the pattern of a bedtime routine. This book addresses things that small children are very interested in.

Picture Book 3: The Dog Who Belonged to No One

Author: Amy Hest
Title: The Dog Who Belonged to No One
Illustrator: Amy Bates
Genre: Children's Fiction
Sub-genre:
Theme: Friendship
Primary and secondary characters: Lia and the dog with the “crooked ears.”
Award(s) date of publication: 2008
Publishing company: Abrams Books for Young Readers
Brief summary and how you would use the book, with students:
This story tells of a stray dog who is lonely. He travels from town to town until he runs into Lia during a bad storm. Lia is also lonely, with no friends. Lia takes the dog home and they become fast friends. This book has great repetition and I especially love how the girl and dog's story run parallel to each other until they meet.
I would use this book in my classroom to introduce the idea of companionship. The book is filled with wonderful illustrations which are bound to keep the students’ attention.

Picture Book 2: Mother Goose's Little Treasures

PICTURE BOOK 2
Author (Editor) : Iona Opie
Title: Mother Goose’s Little Treasures
Illustrator: Rosemary Wells
Genre: Children's Poerty
Sub-genre: Many different
Theme: Many different
Primary and secondary characters: Many different
Award(s) date of publication:
Publishing company: Candlewick
Brief summary: Mother Goose's Little Treasures is a collection of old tales that have been passed down for years. Many Of the poems are short with little meaning.
How you would use the book with students.: I would use this with students to discuss the very beginning of poetry. I would use this book as an example of some poems that do have a rhyming scheme while not all do.