Julie’s Comments (group member since Oct 27, 2011)

Julie’s comments from the http://www.EDUG573Fall2011 group.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret written by Brian Selznik is an outstanding graphic novel "type" book! It's a bit different because the pictures are on full pages and the text is on full pages, but I like this much better than some of the cartoonish graphic novels out there. The artwork in Hugo is sketched and interwoven beautifully. Many of my students are reading it right now, and they can't put it DOWN! They want to finish the book before they see the movie that is now out in theaters and has been rated with the wonderful ****! I hope to go see it since I've read the book now in it's entirety!
I highly recommend this book to 5 - 8 grades or really any age, and even though the book is a MONSTER (526 Pages) it's over 1/2 full of fabulous sketches that really move the story along. The story is well-thought out. The boy, an orphan; CLOCK KEEPER, AND THIEF, is twelve-year-old Hugo. He lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station where he has to keep secrets to survive. Suddenly his world changes when a "different" girl and the owner of a small toy booth in the train station come into the picture. Then Hugo’s undercover life, and his most precious secret, are put in danger of being found out. His father passes and leaves a treasured notebook, which leads to more secrets: a stolen key, an automan (mechanical man), and a hidden message. High energy and mystery all come together, and I think you will love... Hugo Cabret. To me the BEST kind of graphic novel!

Rosa Parks: The Life of a Civil Rights Heroine written by Rob Shone and illustrated by Nick Spender is a graphic biography. I have read just a few graphic novels as it is not my favorite genre; however, I know that many of my kids like these books because they are shorter and have pictures. Sadly this novel is just to "cartoonish" for the subject matter in my opinion. I do like the start of the novel from notes in "The Past" and the story of Rosa's childhood. The back is also well written with the closing glossary and end notes. It's just hard for me to realize the life of Rosa in cartoon-like format. I'm sure that this book would benefit some readers, thought. Probably those who don't like to read or are struggling at their grade level. I also think that it would be a great read aloud for a teacher who could then add more detail. All in all it's ok, but has certain worth. (Sadly this is my second post. The first one wouldn't post and was lost..ouch!)

Kenn Nesbitt's When Teacher Isn't Looking and Other Funny School Poems is just hilarious and a way to get children to enjoy poetry. I plan on using this book in February (during ISAT breaks)to loosen them up and take a break from the mundane test taking. I have been laughing out loud at some of these silly poems about what students can do behind the teachers back, and many other school-time dilemnas. Some kids burp a weird kind of ABC's for show-and-tell while others try to lure dragons to the playground, and then there's one about a "Santa" teacher who subs for their regular teacher. He looks exactly like Santa and they can't figure it out until they find out that he works at the mall. Nesbitt's poems can be found at the number one website for children's poetry at www.gigglepoetry.com. I highly recommend this book and the website to ALL teachers out there, so that they can have a laugh with their class :)

Saturdays and Teacakes written by Lester Laminack is a wonderful book to help teach writer's craft. Not only is the book very heartwarming, as the boy travels every Saturday to see his grandmother, help her with the yard, and make teacakes, but it really is helpful for students to mimic his writing style. I've found many of my kids trying to write like Lester after hearing this read aloud! It's a wonderful book to show how author's take small moments in our lives and make them special and warm. I will continue to use this read aloud as long as I teach. A total winner.

Well, since I wrote about Twilight in my previous post, I decided that I should read Breaking Dawn (the 4th book in the Stephenie Meyer series) once again, since I've only read it once. Soo glad that I did! I love this love story. It has to be the best book in the series because of the marriage and "honeymoon" of Bella and Edward. That part is very intense, but very powerful as the bedroom is put into shambles. I don't keep this copy in my 6th grade student library, however, I've had girls read it for silent reading if they had parental permission and brought the book from home. I have one girl reading it now for her next book share. I sometimes have to get on her to put it away for her special time and NOT during math! I'm very glad to see the reading though even if it is a bit rated R in places. The theme is great as Bella and Edward save their special time for after they're married. The Jacob (werewolf) writing is also very well done, and I see why some girls are Team Jacob, however, I will always remain Team Edward! Excellent Book, but usually for higher teens and Us!!!!

Twilight, the book craze 1st in the series written by Stephanie Myer is a book for the coming teenager and beyond..I could read this book every month! I'm glad that I read it again over the weekend, because 2 of my studenets are reading it and they simply LOVE talking about Bella and Edward. They have not read the book but have seen the movie, and are finding out that the book is much better and more detailed. One of my favorite parts in Twilight is when Bella sees Edward for the first time and must then sit by him in science. You can simply feel the chemistry building as you read. I can't wait to talk to my girls through out the book during our conferences, we really bond at these times. If you're one of the few who has not read Twilight, DO IT SOON!

The Book Morning and Night by Jean Craighead George is a great read aloud for ANY age level. Even though it's a picture book with a few sentences on each page, many different animals are mentioned that even older kids may not know about like the marmot "that rests on his lookout rock." The cycles of day are also given jean's writing is lyrical. I must read to show kids the importance of animals and nature at any age.

Three Hens and a Peacock written by Lester Laminack is a funny story about (yes, you know it)...3 hens and a peacock! But, the real great part of this book teaches us that the grass is NOT always greener on the other side even though we think it is. I ALWAYS have these thoughts with my husband because he thinks my job is so peachy! How much fun students could have comparing their "day" or "week" to their peers! Anyway....I just read this book for the first time and I love it. The illustrations are beautiful and the characters are funny with a happy ending. I will definitely start using this book to introduce narratives for writing; and it would be a good way to show teamwork for all.

Fly Away Home, written by Eve Bunting, is a very important book to read to all ages. So many people, especially children, do not understand the homelessness issue, and this story brings this to light in a heart-provoking way. A boy and his father live in an airport. The boy is about 7 and misses his mother who passed a while back. The father lost his big job, but continues to work odd jobs, while the boy compares himself to a bird that is locked inside the airport. This story is a great read-aloud for questioning and inferring. Great discussions will arise from reading this book.

Anne of Green Gables written by LM Montgomery is one of my favorite stories from my childhood that I hadn't read for a very long time. It was pleasurable to again be aquainted with Anne Shirley, an orphan who was finally chosen to be adopted in the early 1900s. Sadly, Marilla and Mathew (brother and sister) were surprised to see a girl, as they had asked for a farmhand to help them with the many chores on their land, and they want her to go back. Anne aims to change their minds about her and her freckled face and red hair, and so begins her desperation to finally be accepted as she has never had a family. All emotions are brought out through Anne's journey to stay at Green Gables. I loved this book so much that in college I read a couple of the follow up books. Although more of a 6th or 7th grade book, I'm sure it could be read aloud to 3rd - 5th as well. I always encourage my students to read it, and many have, and loved it. I'm hoping to get more copies so that I can start book clubs with it next year. So much to talk about with history, tolerance, acceptance, hope, aspirations, and sheer drive. A+

Luba and the Wren by Patricia Polacco is a fantastic tale that teaches us that money can't buy happiness. Luba is a young girl in Russia with very little. Her family is poor; but love is strong. An enchanted bird owes Luba a favor after she helped save it from a net, but that's when all the trouble begins for Luba and her greedy parents! Sometimes very dark, the author reveals the mood in a creative way. This would be a great read-aloud for both reading and writing to show story elements, writer's craft, and of course the ever important mood of a story. I read this just today to my class (6th grade), who really got into the book, showing their disdain everytime Luba's parents asked for more. Total Good Read for young and old readers!

Mary Had a Little Jam And Other Silly Rhymes created by Bruce Lansky and illustrated by Stephen Carpenter is a new twist on old nursery rhymes. I just LOVE this book! I use this book to introduce fairy tales, fantasy, and lore. Also called fracturing fairy tales, I have my kids pick a couple traditional nursery rhymes and change the words (homonyms) then use opposite words (antonyms) and finally create a totally new themed rhyme; updated, fresh, and modern. They love it! We hope to take them to the primary schools in the spring. Here's are a couple cute examples:
Star light star bright,
first star I see tonight
I'm going to try with all my might
to keep my jammies dry all night.

Jack and Jill went down a hill
in a fast tobaggan
They hit a bump, which made a lump
in the middle of Jack's noggin :)

TOOO funny AND helpful with analyzing! This is a must-have book for ALL grade levels!

Number the Stars, written by Lois Lowry, centers around the Holocaust in WWII. It was awarded the Newbery Medal in 1990 as the "most distinguished contribution to American literature for children." The story revolves around a ten-year-old girl, named Annemarie Johansen, who lived in Copenhagen, Denmark, in 1943. Sadly she and her family were caught up in the rescue of Danish Jews. They all risked their lives to help Annemarie's best friend, Ellen Rosen, by pretending that Ellen is Annemarie's older sister. Annemarie's older sister had died earlier in the war because she was found working with the Danish Resistance. The story tells of the many close calls the Johansen's go through including finding out that either Ellen is Jewish or that the family is hiding Jews. German soldiers seem to be around every corner, scaring Annemarie, but making her brave for her friend. Annemarie finds out that her family will be having a funeral for her "Aunt Birtie," however, Annemarie knows that Great-aunt Birte doesn't exist, and confronts her Uncle Henrik. He explains to her that she is right, but that "it is easier to be brave when you don't know the full truth." Many strangers arrive at Uncle Henrik's house for the "funeral," including a Rabbi and several Jewish families. A group of Nazi soldiers arrive interrupting the funeral, and Ellen's parents arrive shortly after. A soldier questions Annemarie about the funeral and asks her mother to open the casket. Her mother told the soldier that she would love to do so, but opening the casket would spread germs as their Great-Aunt Birte had died from typhus. The soldier slaps her face and leaves. The beginning of Psalm 147 is then read from the Bible, recounting God's numbering the stars. Annemarie thinks that it is impossible to number the stars in the sky, and that the world is cold and very cruel like the sky or the ocean, which Mrs. Rosen is scared of. I now realize that Lowry's story title is taken from that verse in Psalm 147, that God has numbered all the stars in the universe specifically tying into the Star of David, Ellen's--who is Jewish--necklace being totally symbolic to the story.
Sooo many parts of this story are important to discuss with children: historical events for social studies, understanding compassion, bravery, and stamina, and doing what is right for all of humanity.
This is a 4th grade book but could easily be adaped as a read-aloud to lower levels. Higher levels could look up real events like Annemarie's and relate them to this story, perhaps creating their own.

Jack London's classic, The Call of the Wild, is a rugged, even bloody tale that comes primarily from a "wolf"-dog's point-of-view named Buck. Buck goes from being the head of household dog of a judge to a reluctant slave dog whose owner's only interest is in selling him for some much needed money. So Buck was stolen, sold, and in the meantime managed to severely wound the savage new owners because of his great strength and pride. The pup of a St. Bernard and an English Shep, Buck was the epitomy of superiority and respect. But all that came to a quick halt as he was harassed and beaten by strange men in search of gold in the Alaskan Klondike. The story is long and sometimes very sad and graphic as Buck changes from a well-trained and loved dog to a "raging fiend" who learned that a club was his new "law." After being sold yet again, Buck becomes part of a dog-sled team for the Canadian Government's Dispatch, but his new owners earned his respect. Through many toils and tribulations, Buck fights animals and man for justice, as he leads the sled team. In the end he runs with the "wild" after losing his new owners to a tribal group.
This story is not for younger children. I read this book about 10 years ago with my 7th graders, however, I have had a few of my very-high 6th graders read it in the past, and they loved it. It's a great book club book for enriched learners who like adventure stories. I read it again for this class, and I like it even better the 2nd time around. A great read, even though a little too graphic. A classic forever!

The Tiger and the Wise Man by Andrew Fusek Peters is a traditional Indian (Asia) and humorous tale whose author reveals his ideas of true wisdom and cleverness. I believe that this author's purpose is to have his readers feel sorry for the not-so wise man who lets a Tiger out of his cage with surprising consequences, because as the Indian battles to save his life by begging to find someone (other animals) who could vouge that he should not be eaten, a Hyena comes along to help the man, or so we think...Hyena really is just as hungry for a man but even wiser than either; or is he? "Anthropomorphic" animals and a tree give their opinions on the way humans treat our natural enviornment.
I think the author captures a great debate for younger and older children to ask open-ended questions like, "who is really the wisest of all, and why do you think so? Or teachers could discuss ways to be good to our mother earth.
Again, retold by an amazing storyteller in Andrew Fusek Peters, I think all will enjoy this tale!

Freak the Mighty by Rodman Philbrick is a story of an unlikely friendship. As the title implies, Freak is different than 95 per cent of the world because he has a rare disorder where he can't grow taller so his organs become too large; while "Mighty" is much bigger than any kids his age, he's like a modern-day Goliath. Together they become an unseperable pair who are sterotyped by the outside world as "Brains" (Freak, aka Kevin, who is incredibly smart, WAY beyond his years) and "Braun" (Mighty, aka Max, who has little to say and has learned very little in school making him big, slow,and dumb.) Together they become Freak the Mighty, and a force to be reckoned with.
The author, Philbrick weaves a truly unique yet heartwarming story of two boys who learn to use their abilities in a positive way. They face danger together and Freak teaches some tough lessons through his brains and his disability, while Mighty becomes a power that saves Max. They learn a lot from each other.
I now have 5 of these books, so that I can have my groups start a bookclub. Because this book addresses bullying and pre/teen issues it will be easy for kids to relate to Freak or Mighty in some way. This is a wonderful 6th grade read as they are becoming young adults, just like the characters, and they will be able to relate to the story well--espcially the boys.

I've seen this series and wondered about it. It sounds hilarious :) Thanks for sharing, Julie

On the Far Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George is the sequel to My Side of the Mountain. It starts off where the last novel ended where Sam's family came to "his" mountain to live with him and Sam's trained falcon, Frightful; however, they bring noise and many needs that Sam had ran away from in the first book when he left the city and came to the Catskill mountains of New York to live a quiet, independent life free from the hustle and bustle of New York City. It doesn't take long for the family to start wanting to put in electricity and build a house. Sam reasons with them that visiting is a better idea than living there. Alice, Sam's sister, stays with Sam under conditions the parents leave with Sam, who is unhappy about her living near him--at least at first. This story has a lot more action than Jean's first book. There's a great mystery surrounding Alice's whereabouts, and Sam and his friend, Bando, aim to find her, while Sam ends up losing his beloved bird Frightful to a Falconer. This story is amazing, my kids are really loving it; some have even teared up in parts because it's so poinant! A great read for elementary through junior high.

My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George is a great book about perseverance and being able to live off the land independently. In her author's preface, Jean describes her life with a naturalist father, and how she learned to live off the land. She loves animals and when I present my author study of her, everyone will see all of the animal/nature books she has written. This story is set in New York mostly in the Catskill Mountains. The protagaonist, Sam, leaves the crowded city life (he has 10 brothers and sisters who live in a New York City apartment) in search of living alone away from the craziness of the city. He captures, nurtures, and trains a falcon who he names Frightful; as Sam's provider, Sam can now live comfortably in his tree as he creates his own private habitat. Through the deep winter of struggles and an unlikely friendship, Sam ends up thinking of his family and others. This story is touching, and the sequel's comments will be quite similar. My students love learning about being in the wild and raising animals. I'm using it as a read aloud and I've created a style show presentation from one of the chapters. Two thumbs way up for grades 3 - 9! (adapted of course)

Caddie Woodlawn written by Carol Ryrie Brink is an historical fiction novel set in Wisconsin in 1864. It is a wonderful story (mostly true, her real name was Caddie Woodhouse)about a girl who grew up with 2 brothers and shared in getting into scrapes with them,including interacting with indians. Many wonder if Caddie will ever become a young lady because she wishes that she could wear pants like boys and rough-house in the hay-mow. In parts, this story had me in tears at the struggles she undergoes as she begins to understand what it is to be a young "lady." The story is adventurous, heartwarming, and includes rich history of the era. I use this as a read aloud for 6th grade, but it could be adapted to 4 - 8. Thumbs WAY UP for Caddie!