Chapter Book 11: Diamond Willow

Author: Helen Frost
Title: Diamond Willow
Illustrator: None
Genre: Poetry
Sub-genre:
Theme: Friendship and family
Primary and secondary characters: Diamond, Roxy, and Willow
Award(s): 2009 Lee Bennett Hopkins Poetry Award
2008 Mitten Award--Michigan Library Association
The Lion and the Unicorn Award for Excellence in North American Poetry: 2009 Honor Book
2009 Winner of Best Books of Indiana, Children and Young Adult Book
2009 CCBC Choices List

Date of publication: 2008
Publishing company: Frances Foster Books
Brief summary: Willow is a young girl who lives in Alaska with few friends. She is smart and has a loving family and loves her sled dogs. She begs to take three of her sled dogs on a twelve mile trip to her grandparents and after much convincing, her parents allowed her to. Unseen events leads to Willow having to make hard decisions and discovering more about her life that change everything.

How you would use the book with students.: I would use this book to discuss different aspects of life such as sled dogs. This book is a great introduction to different social structures and the roles friends play in one's life.

Chapter Book 10: A Single Shard

Author: Linda Sue Park
Title: A Single Shard
Illustrator: None
Genre: Historical Fiction
Sub-genre: Korean History
Theme: Achievement, Perseverance
Primary and secondary characters: Tree-ear, Crane-man, and Min.
Award(s): Newbery 2002
Asian/Pacific American Awards for Literature honorable mention
Date of publication: April 23, 2001
Publishing company: Clarion Books
Brief summary: A Single Shard presents a young character named Tree-ear who was orphaned at a very young age. He was shuffled around a bit until he met Crane-man, a homeless man who lived under a bridge. The older man and Tree-ear became very close while doing their best to survive. Tree-ear develops a fascination for pottery and after breaking a piece of Min's pottery, Tree-ear agrees to work for Min for free to pay for the broken pot. During his time he discovers just how hard the art of pottery is.

How you would use the book, with students.: This book would be great to introduce different culture and setting to students. I would also use it as an example to students that if they work hard, there is not much they could not achieve.

Chapter Book 9: The Midwife's Apprentice

Author: Karen Cushman
Title: The Midwife’s Apprentice
Illustrator: none
Genre: Historical Fiction
Sub-genre:
Theme: Self-discovery
Primary and secondary characters: Alyce (brat)and Jane.
Award(s) date of publication: 1996 Newbery
Publishing company:Clarion Books
Brief summary: This lovely book tells of a young girl known as "Brat" who has no family or friends. She is found sleeping in a pile of dung by the local midwife, Jane. She begins to work as Jane's apprentice. She begins to find friends where she least expects to. Through many hardships Brat (later renamed as Alyce) discovers who she is and what she truly seeks from life. She discovers who she is, is more than she ever gave herself and much more than anyone else gave her.

How you would use the book, with students?: This book is set during medieval London so this would be a great way to introduce children to a different time era. I would use the theme of "self-discovery" as inspiration to students. I would also show the students through this book, that it does not matter where you come from, it's who you chose to be that is important.

Picture Book 8: The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain

Author: Peter Sis
Title: The Wall: Growing up Behind the Iron Curtain
Illustrator: Peter Sis
Genre: Autobiographical
Sub-genre:
Theme: European History
Primary and secondary characters: Peter Sis
Award(s): 2008 Caldecott Honor Book
2007 New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book of the Year
2008 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year
2008 Boston Globe - Horn Book Award for Nonfiction
Date of publication: August 21, 2007
Publishing company: Frances Foster Books
Brief summary: The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron curtain is wonderfully self-told and illustrated book about the author's, Peter Sis, life. He was raised in Czechoslovakia during the Cold War. He has collected his own drawings, maps, and memories to create his story. During this time the Soviet Union had taken over Czechoslovakia. As a young child he was obedient and asked no questions but as he grew so did his questions. In this book he highlights his actual life and then goes on to discuss what was happening around him.

How you would use the book with students.: This book can be geared toward so many different age and developmental groups. I would use this book to discuss many different topics such as European history and the Cold War, communism, censorship, and oppression.

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.