Shanay’s Comments (group member since May 22, 2014)

Shanay’s comments from the Reading Rams Summer I, 2014 group.

Cynthia wrote: "Patricia Polacco is one of my favorite children’s authors. She is such an inspiration to the students I work with, and I often use her as an example to demonstrate that dyslexia does not have the ..."Cynthia, I found that very heartbreaking too where they found his mother. I was hoping that wasn't the case.
I thought the illustrations were awesome as well. You are certainly correct, the emotions of the characters were felt just by viewing the illustrations. Patricia is very good at that. I like the relevancy as well. The book was a story her dad told her. (a story being passed down from generations)

This year my students read several books of Patricia Pollaco, Thank you Mr. Falker was one of them and each time they noticed how similar the drawings were. This story is no different, I could tell just by looking at the illustrations that this book was written by Patricia Pollaco. Nonetheless, this was a very good read. The book was sad and heartfelt. I especially liked that Pink risked his life to save a wounded soldier who was from a different company. I like how Patricia tells the story as Sheldon she is definitely an awesome writer. I found it interesting that Pink was taught to read by his slave master (which of course was illegal) but a new Yorker like Sheldon (Say) could not read. Moe Moe Bay also aided both boys back to health as if Say were her own. Moe Moe Bay sort of reminded me of my Grandmother. She's just like Moe Moe Bay, wanting to feed and help everyone, taking in strangers and treating them as if they were family. That's exactly how my granny is. She's very nurturing like Moe Moe, very loving and very outgoing. She's never met a stranger. I felt a connection with Moe Moe Bay part of the reason why I felt so sad when she was killed. I was hoping it was a warning shot up in the air or a tree instead.
I was hoping the story would have a happy ending by Pink and Say eventually meeting up again, however I found the ending of telling the story in memory of Pink to be a little more comforting. This story had me feeling, sad, happy and hopeful. The pictures were tasteful not too graphic but just right to tell the story. I wonder why all of that time Moe Moe Bay was safe and yet the Maurader soldiers kept searching and coming back. Pink tells say about his days as a slave and his comment about not having a name when you're a slave is heart wrenching.
I'm glad Say didn't allow Pink's story to die with pink.
Wonderful read, I would have upper grades read this story.

V. wrote: "Before I began reading this story, my eye caught the dedication of the illustrator ML -Mike Litwin. We know these people! Stan & Jan Berenstain of The Berenstain Bears. Mercer Mayer, author of t..."
I agree, I believe Isabella imagines herself as each character which also enables students or anyone who reads to understand what they are reading. I have taught my students to do this. Picture what you are reading in your head.(Stop and think about what it is you are reading.)

Cynthia wrote: "The first thing that drew my interest and attention to Isabella Star of the Story was the cover art. I loved that there was a girl sitting on a pile of books because I connect to it on a personal ..."
I loved the cover of the book! Especially because she is sitting on a stack of books and is reading a book herself. It says... "You can never have too many books." I agree the cover drew me to the book as well.
Love the message.

This book will set the tone for K-2 and encourage this age-group to read more. I enjoyed the vivid pictures of this book and enjoyed the way the story was told. "I am not Isabella I am goldilocks..." Students are always excited when something familiar is brought about I believe students will enjoy this story.This was also the perfect story book to set the tone for class. I love this book. I can't wait to share it with my students. I also thought the end was a good idea (to have the books that were referenced at the back with some insight)
My daughter enjoyed this book and she now wants to read more of Isabella.