Reading Responses 1 (Wk 3: 9/3-8): Evaluating and Using Children's Literature

[Dr. Buffy]

Part 1: Add all the books that you read for this week to the Goodreads group bookshelf. The children's books that you read each week must meet certain criteria--see the Weekly Activities document for each week that a Reading Response is due in order to learn how many and what types of books you need to read.

This week, you will read two award-winning children’s books. You must not use one of the required books for this class as your choice.

Note: You may not be able to add a book, if the book has already been added to the group bookshelf by another student. In this case, you will just be able to add your post. No points docked for reading the same book as others in the class.


Part 2: Answer to the following questions in the comment area. Your response this week should focus on one of the two books you chose to read. 

1. A citation for the book, formatted in APA format. (Add a book cover/link to the book in the comment area, if possible. When you click on the link “add book/author,” a pop-up “add a reference” will appear where you can search for a book and add a link or book cover.)

2. State which award(s) the book received. (List up to 3 awards, honors, best book lists, starred reviews, etc.)

3. A brief annotation for the book, no more than two sentences. Make sure to read Broderick’s essay “How To Write a Fiction Annotation” in Week 3 in the Canvas module before you write an annotation.

4. Your response to these questions: Why, in your opinion, did this book win an award? Do you think it deserved the award? Why or why not? Would you recommend this book to a child? Why or why not? Your answers to #4 should be about 100 words.

[Susan]

1. Wolk, L. (2021). Echo Mountain. Dutton.


2. Carnegie Medal, 2021, Short List, Children's Book
Cybils Awards, 2020, Nominee, Middle Grade Fiction
Jefferson Cup Award, 2021, Honor, Younger Readers


3. Adult responsibilities weigh heavily on 12 year old Ellie as she struggling with the financial and emotional health of her family in Depression-era rural Maine.

4. Echo Mountain deserved the accolades it received as it convincingly captures a Maine family’s survival struggles during the Depression via the experiences of a young girl coming to terms with her values, strength and ties to her family and community. I would recommend the book to a child who is interested in historical fiction and who does not shy away from serious subject matter and tension within a family. Young readers will be prompted to examine their own motivation, will and abilities as they identify with Ellie’s inner turmoil, humanity and growth as she faces weighty choices in how to help those around her.

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[Catherine]

Mattick, L., & Blackall, S. (2015). Finding Winnie: The true story of the world’s most famous bear. Little, Brown and Company.

Caldecott Medal (2016)

Readers are taken back in time to the true story of a veterinarian, Harry Colebourn, and his unlikely war companion, a bear cub he names Winnipeg (Winnie, for short). The colorful pages and realistic drawings give viewers insight to this famous bear and his journey with Harry from Canada to the London Zoo, where Winnie meets a new friend– Christopher Robin Milne.

This Caldecott Medal award-winning book is very deserving of its award. Illustrator Sophie Blackall provides readers with realistic and up-close drawings that give view and detail into a time that needs remembering. Students who have heard of Winnie-the-Pooh are engaged quickly, and those who are unfamiliar are hooked with the crisp and clean images that sweep each page telling the plot of both Harry and Winnie– a lovable pair whose bond leaves the reader with lasting memories. Children interact with the changing setting and the details of the characters’ emotions as they view each page. I highly recommend this book to students in both lower and upper elementary grades.

[Bonnie]

Barnes, D. (2017). Crown: An ode to the fresh cut. (G. James, Illus.). Bolden Books.

Ezra Jack Keats Book Award, Winner, 2018
Coretta Scott King Book Award, Honor, 2018
Caldecott Honor Book, 2018

A trip to the barbershop and a fresh cut can be an especially significant event in the lives of African American children.

I believe this book was very deserving of the awards that it received. This book celebrates the connection that the African American community, specifically children, have with their hair. Many times this can be something children struggle with during their formative years. In this book the author's purpose is to encourage African American children to take pride in their hair, instead of letting the world make them feel like it's something to be ashamed of. I would recommend this book to a child because children of all races and backgrounds can feel embarrassed of things they should be celebrating. Books can make it ok for children to take pride in themselves.

[Keely]

1. Santat, D. (2014). The adventures of Beekle: the Unimaginary friend. Little, Brown, and Company.
2.
Caldecott Medal (Medal Winner — 2015)
Monarch Award (Nominee — 2017)
Blue Hen Book Award (Nominee — Younger Readers — 2016)
3. An imaginary friend wants to make a friend, and after so long of not being chosen he sets out on a wonderful adventure to find his friend and receive his name.
4.
I believe this book deserved the awards it received, i.e. the Caldecott medal because Santat illustrates imaginary friends in different and unique ways, along with showing drawings that the child in the story did look like kids’ drawings children could relate to. Along with the writing that displays the imagination and friendship of the characters and the characters finding the world to be less strange. So yes, this book deserved all the awards it received. Yes, I would absolutely recommend this book to a child, most of us had imaginary friends when we were younger, and this book takes that concept and provides a lesson on friendship that can help the child learn about the world and how friendship works.

[Allison]

The Tree and the River

BECKER, A. (2024). Tree and the river. WALKER BOOKS LTD.

Awards: Carnegie Medal for Illustration 2024

A tree is growing alongside a river. They continue to grow and evolve together throughout time experiencing humanity and its connection to nature.

To me, this book won the Carnegie Illustration Medal due to its moving nature. Aaron Becker without a single word was able to portray the connection between humanity and nature as they grow and change over time. The book itself is only illustrations and yet you can't help but be moved as you turn each page and experience the changes that happen to the tree and river over time. I do think this book deserves the Carnegie Medal, its images are stunning in their detail and style while still maintaining a charming hand-drawn quality to them. I could see myself recommending this to a child who maybe didn't talk much, one who is interested in only looking at photos. I think this book could prompt them to ask questions and point out new ideas we may not have thought of otherwise.

[Olivia]

Watercress
Wang, A. & Jason, C. (2021). Watercress. Neal Porter Books/Holiday House

Watercress has won the Caldecott Medal Award and it has also been awarded the Newbery Honor Award and the 2022 Chinese American Libraries Association Best Book Award.

A young girl and her family stop on the side of the road to pick some Watercress that will be used for dinner. The girl is embarrassed and doesn’t want to eat the dinner; however, after her mom shares a bit of her past in China, the girl learns to be thankful for the Watercress.

Alongside the beautiful illustrations in this book, Watercress delivers a story that both is relatable for a young reader (i.e. feeling embarrassed about family practices, wanting to do things like ‘other’ people, etc.) and provides a young reader with a different perspective (i.e. the parent’s experiences, being grateful for what one has, etc.). It also brings to light, in a simple but effective way, the experiences of immigrant families and of families who have gone through difficult situations. For these reasons, I do believe this book deserves the awards it has received and I would be one I would recommend.

[Cheyenne]

Where the Wild Things Are

Sendak, M. (1963). Where the wild things are (Anniversary edition). Harper Collins.

Winner of the Caldecott Medal in 1964

After getting in trouble and being sent to bed without dinner, Young Max goes on an adventure to where the wild things are.

I believe that this book received the Caldecott Medal based on its illustrations. The illustrations are vibrant, detailed, and eye-catching for both child readers and adults. Maurice Sendak was both the author and illustrator of the book. While the writing leaves a lot to be desired, children still enjoy looking at the illustrations of Max and the Wild Things. I would recommend this book to a child as a fun read. The grammar is not good, but the child would like to look at the illustrations. In my opinion, the story does not flow very well. My mom read the story out loud and kept stumbling over the words. I did the same when I read the book silently. My mom stated, “I think Sendak drew the pictures first, then wrote the story.”

[Morgan]

Kwame, A. (2019). The undefeated (K. Nelson, Illus.). Versify.

2020 Caldecott Medal
2020 Coretta Scott King Award (for illustrations)
2020 Newbery Honor

Kwame Alexander uses poetry to tell stories of Black resilience even in the face of unspeakable violence and discrimination.

I think that this book is a very deserving winner of all of its honors and awards. The Undefeated is a poem by Kwame Alexander, and the illustrations by Kadir Nelson make the poetry come alive off of the page. The layout and textual features of the poem add to its message. For example, one of the most evocative spreads of the picture book depicts an ariel view of the unspeakable conditions aboard a ship in the transatlantic slave trade. Another page spread depicts a memorial for victims of racially motivated crimes. The end of the book inspires hope for the future, and includes an index of historical figures and events featured in the book. I think this book is best suited for reading with a parent or adult who can answer questions that the book may prompt.

[Bre]

1. Lloyd, N. (2023). Hummingbird. Scholastic Press.
2. It won the 2023 Schneider Family Book Award
3. A young girl with osteogenesis imperfecta convinces her family that she is ready to go to public middle school and make friends. A magical bird is coming to visit her town and she resolves to wish for normal bones if she gets a chance with the bird. She does get to make a wish from the magical bird and chooses to wish for her stepbrother’s dog to come back safely. She is happy with the life she has and begins making friends at her school.
4. This book won an award specifically designated for books that show disability representation well. This book absolutely deserved this award. The main character lives with her disability and deals with the uncertainty of adolescence is such a way that is both inspiring and heartwarming. I would absolutely recommend this book to a child and as a matter of fact, I already have. It has family bonds, representation, glitter, theater, birds, middle school, a clumsy pelican, and literally saving a puppy all in one story. We should all read it! It is important as well for children to hear the perspective of someone that is living life in a wheelchair and how they are not sad about it, but rather it is just one facet of who they are.

[Faith]

Pastis, S. (2023). Looking up. Aladdin.
Looking Up

Children's Sequoyah Book Award

Young girl with some awkward antics, Saint, is living alone with her mother while her poorer neighborhood and town she loves so much is being bought out by people with more money. She decides to put a stop to this change while befriending shy, round-faced Daniel McGibbons in order to keep him from moving away and her favorite things from disappearing.

I believe this book won the award due to its relatability, character, and lessons it holds. I chose to read this title for our first book of book club, because I think it reveals how children process emotions and how to adapt to change, even when it seems like the world is ending. It has a "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" style to it, which engages young readers while engaging with the characters. They are able to notice the strange behaviors when it comes to how she is treating her mom and Daniel and relate it to their own experiences. Saint is also relatable showing that she and her family are struggling, without making that the whole point of the book. The twist-ending reveals how she deals with trauma, and teaches that processing emotions can be difficult.

[Heather]

1.
Evans, S. W. (2011). Underground. Roaring Brook Press.

2.
School Library Journal's Best Nonfiction Books of 2011
Coretta Scott King Award for Illustrators (2012)
American Library Association Notable Children's Books (2012)
NCTE/CLA Notable Children's Books in the Language Arts (2012)

3.
A family searches for freedom as they use the Underground Railroad to escape slavery.

4.
This is a great nonfiction book for young children that introduces slavery, the Underground Railroad, and what freedom meant to African Americans of that time. This book won an award for the illustrations. I think because it has simple sentences, few words, the main focus truly is the artwork. The way it begins as very dark colors, but ends with bright yellows representing the light helps young readers interpret the feelings and significance of the story.
I would, and have!, recommend this book to children and parents.

[Amy]

1. Salati, D. (2022). Hot dog. Alfred A. Knopf: Penguin Random House LLC.

2. Hot Dog has received several awards and honors. Those awards and honors include:
- The 2023 Caldecott Medal
- Ezra Jack Keats Award
-New York Times Bestseller
- One of the Best Books of the Year by The Washington Post

3. A cooper-red long-haired dachshund longs to escape the hot streets of a New York City summer. In a series of stunning visuals, the dachshund and it's matching haired owner embark on an adventure to nature to escape the oppressive heat.

4. Hot Dog's main selling point is the illustrations with simple text. It allows the reader to visually experience the story and add their own meaning. I believe it has won so many awards due to the artwork and simple storyline. It would be great for a summer storytime or book display. There are plenty of opportunities to make inferences and text-to-self connections. I would recommend this book to children and families that want to connect through talking about text and illustrations. It would be a great book to have your child sit in your lap and explore together.

[Amy]

1. Keller, T. (2020). When you trap a tiger. Penguin Random House LLC.

2. When You Trap a Tiger has received many awards and honors. Some of these awards and honors include:
- Newberry Medal
-Asian/Pacific Islander for Children's Literature
-#1 New York Times Bestseller

3. A young girl embarks on a quest full of Korean folklore to unravel family secrets to save her grandmother.

4. When You Trap a Tiger is a rich middle grade chapter book that has many opportunities for learning extensions. It has diverse representation of Korean-American and LGBTQIA+ characters. I believe it has won so many awards due to the engaging plotline, fully developed characters, and minority group representation. I would recommend this book to ages 9 and up. I read it with my 4th grade classes! It was a hit. We did many activities for background knowledge on Korean folklore. It is appropriate for any child that loves folklore, mystery, and adventure.

[Elizabeth]

I Want My Hat Back

“I Want My Hat Back” By Jon Classen
1. Klassen, J. (2011). I want my hat back. Candlewick Press.

2. Theodor Seuss Geisel Award in 2012, New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Children’s Book of the Year, and the E.B. White Read-Aloud Award in the picture book category.

3. A bear asks a series of other animals if they have seen his lost hat…with varied results. Will he find his hat, and what will happen if he does?

4. As far as picture books go, I am a huge fan of Jon Classen. I first saw this title in 2013 (I was already an adult by then, and as newlyweds my husband and I purchased it to eventually read with our future children). The humor of this book is that it is entirely left up to the reader. The animals seem expressionless, but while reading it, one can’t help but read it with expression and emotion. I think this book is well-deserving of its awards. Jon Classen’s “I want my hat back” and his other titles of the same art style and characters, display a trust in the reader to realize the author’s purpose, which seems to be to make adults and children laugh together. I would absolutely recommend this book to a child since it is an easy read for beginning readers, with large, clear, text and dialogue that is color coded to distinguish between characters (I don’t know about you but I have definitely read out a part in the wrong voice before).

[Brittany]

Big

1. Harrison, V. (2023). Big. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

2. 2024 Caldecott Medal, Coretta Scott King Award Author and Illustrator Honor book, National Book Award finalist, and New York Times bestseller

3. As a young girl grows up, she endures hurtful and unnecessary comments but ultimately overcomes them through finding inner strength and self-love.

4. Upon reading this book, I do believe it was deserving of the awards and recognition it received. The messages it sends on how to be considerate of others’ differences and how people can take steps to admire their individuality are important lessons for young readers to learn. I would especially recommend this book to elementary and early childhood educators and librarians to add to their read aloud list. It can be used as a tool for social emotional learning and support an engaging discussion about kindness and compassion. The enlightenment this book has the potential of producing is a testament to how it can benefit both teachers and librarians when engaging with young readers.

[Kylie]

1. Blackall, S. (2018). Hello lighthouse. Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

2. Caldecott Medal Winner 2019

3. Step back in time and follow the life and seasons of a lighthouse keeper and the lighthouse he keeps.

4. Hello LighthouseThis book deserves the praise and award it received. The author took the history of lighthouse keepers and turned it into a very informative and emotional book that both children and adults can understand, learn from, and relate too. I think those reasons are why it won. I would definitely recommend this book to a child because the story offers a wonderful chance to teach about history/technological advances and the changes and feelings that come along with it. It also gives a chance to teach about the consequences that come with that change.

[Hailee]

1. Choi, Y. (2003). The name jar. Perfection Learning.
2.International Reading Association's Children's Book Award
Chicago Public Library's "Best of the Best"
American Library Association Notable Books List
3.The Name Jar is a tale of a young immigrant girl who has some concerns about fitting in. With the help of her teacher and members of her class she learns a bit about herself and how to embrace being unique.
4. I enjoyed this book and feel that it does deserve the awards and recognition it has received. While it is a children’s picture book, it packs a powerful message on embracing one another’s uniqueness/differences and we can even us it as a learning opportunity. Yes, I would recommend the book to students. This is a good book to read at the beginning of the school year because it can help with building a special classroom community with students.

[Requil]

1. Eggers, D. (2023). The Eyes and the Impossible. Alfred A. Knopf.
2. Newbery Medal, California Book Award Nominee for Juvenile, Audie Award Nominee for Best Fiction Narrator
3. Johannes has always been a free dog, keeping watch over all the animals that live in the park with him, but newcomers and all they bring with them will change how he sees the world and what it means to be free.
4. This book deserved this award for its unique voice and its exploration of big ideas like what it means to be free, what it means to be a friend, and the power of art. Johannes is a dog and acts like one, but his braggy way of speaking and his exaggerations make him just exotic enough to grab the reader’s interest immediately. The only named characters in this book are animals, but not only are the individuals fully formed, each species has its own culture. And the ongoing bit about the ducks had me laughing out loud. I would absolutely recommend this book to a child, and I think this is one that could be read at different ages, taking different things from it each time.

[Kaylee]

1. Ho, J., & Ho, D. (2021). Eyes that kiss in the corners. Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

2. Golden Kite Award, 2022, Charlotte Zolotow Award, 2021-2022, Golden Poppy Book Awards, 2021

3. A young girl of Asian descent notices that her eyes are different than others but are the same as some of her favorite people. We catch a glimpse into her life as she paints a picture of the beauty and heritage that they represent.

4. In my opinion, this is a beautifully written book that deserves many awards. While it has already been recognized for its illustrations and its incredible ability to act as both a mirror and a window for readers, I believe it should also be celebrated for promoting positive self-talk. This is a story about self-affirmation and finding beauty in everyday life and from the people you love. The meaningful way this story is written is powerful and builds emotion and appreciation for one's own unique qualities. It also allows children to see and find joy in something they may not have or understand. For this reason, I would highly recommend it to every child, regardless of their heritage.

[Erin]

Lowry, L. (1989). Number the stars. Yearling.

Sydney Taylor Book Award Winner (1989)
Newberry Medal Winner (1990)
National Jewish Book Award Winner – Children’s Literature (1990)

Annemarie Johansen is a young girl living in Denmark during World War II. Her best friend Ellen is Jewish, and she learns a lot about bravery when Ellen and her family must go into hiding to avoid being taken away by the Nazis.

I think this book won an award because it is about a real event in history and is written in a way that children can understand it. It absolutely deserves the awards it received. Even as an adult reading it again, I felt like a child experiencing what Annemarie was going through. I would absolutely recommend book to a child. It will get them interested about the events of World War II and the Holocaust and may spur them on to learn about it further. That’s exactly what it did for me!

[Caleb]

Stargazing
Wang, J. & Pien, L. (2019). Stargazing. First Second.

Asian Pacific American Award for Literature: Children's Literature
Sequoyah Book Awards: Children's Books
Sasquatch Book Award

Christine, a young Chinese-American girl, becomes fast friends with her new neighbor, Moon. As Moon becomes accustomed to her new community, Christine grapples with jealousy, cultural identity, and what it means to be a good friend.

I believe this graphic novel won awards because it deals with issues that most children can relate to, such as friendship, jealousy, and feeling out of place or inferior to others. In addition, it features several Chinese-American characters and represents their culture via aspects like their language and food. I think the book is well-deserving of its awards, as it is beautifully written and contains so much humor, along with portraying young friendship in a very beautiful and moving way. I would happily recommend this book to kids, as pretty much anyone can relate to at least some of the themes and issues that the characters are going through. It is also a great opportunity to expose kids to some aspects of Chinese culture.

[Rachael]

El Deafo

1. Bell, C. (2014). El deafo. Amulet Books.

2. El Deafo won the Odessey Award in 2024, the Newbery Medal honor in 2015, and the Young Reader’s Choice Award in 2017.

3. In this graphic novel memoir, author Cece Bell relates navigating a childhood with hearing loss in the 1970s while learning to embrace that which makes her truly super.

4. El Deafo most definitely deserves every award it has won for its contribution to children’s literature. This graphic novel memoir exemplifies diversity at its finest. By providing Deaf representation, Bell encourages new understandings of experiences still relevant today. Because of this, I would absolutely recommend this book to children and adults alike. One of my childhood classmates used a product similar to the Phonic Ear in school. If I had read El Deafo back then, I would have had a higher awareness of how he experiences the world. Ultimately, this book is a wonderful celebration of diversity that transcends age and time.

[Mara]

Holes

1, Sachar, L. (1998). Holes. Random House.

2. Holes won the John Newberry Medal (1999), The National Book Award for Young People's Literature (1998), and the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award (2000).

3. Stanley Yelnats, a teenage boy with perpetual bad luck, finds himself wrongfully accused of a crime and sentenced to eighteen months at Camp Green Lake, a desert wasteland where young boys dig holes to build character. As Stanley digs, he learns about friendship, strength, and how to change his own story for the better.

4. Holes absolutely deserves the acclaim it received when it was written. This novel captures the power of rising above one's circumstances. It exemplifies the importance of self-motivation, friendship, and overcoming adversity. Sachar's youthful humor and descriptive storytelling create a clear picture for readers of Stanley's internal kindness and external struggle to fit the mould of a tough young boy. This story allows readers to see their own struggles mirrored in the life of Stanley Yelnats and empowers them to approach hardship with kindness. I would absolutely recommend this book to upper elementary students and adults. The story content is accessible to many groups of people and has withstood the test of time in its 26 years on shelves. This book is a great read-aloud for families and classroom teachers.

[Mara]

We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga

1. Sorell, T., & Lessac, F. (2021). We are Grateful: Otsaliheliga. Charlesbridge.

2. We Are Grateful won the Odyssey Award in 2020, The American Indian Youth Literature Award (2020), and the Orbis Pictus Award in 2019.

3. The Cherokee People show gratitude for the world around them using the word Otsaliheliga. They show gratitude in every season for their successes, struggles, family, and the changing world around them.

4. I would recommend We Are Grateful- Otsaliheliga to students and families with an interest in Native American experiences and traditions. This story is deserving of its acclaim for its ability to draw all readers into a cultural experience that may or may not be their own. The story illustrates the importance of gratitude throughout the changes that happen around us. It includes words in the Cherokee language to help students build a bridge between the ideas of gratitude for what they understand and gratitude for what they do not yet understand. This book is a powerful social studies trade book to teach students about Native American culture and traditions. The colorful illustrations are captivating to young readers.