A big guy took my ball

Willems, M. (2013). A big guy took my ball. New York, NY: Hyperion Books for Children.
  Gerald the elephant is responsible, Piggie is not.  Piggie (a pig) is always in a bind, Gerald is always getting him out.  But can Gerald help when Piggie's really big ball is taken by a really big guy?  Can Gerald save the day when he discovers the really big guy is actually a whale or will the whale prevail?  If Piggie;s ball is really the whale's can the three of them find a way to share in the fun?  Gerald will have to think really hard to be the hero once again.
  Despite being a picture book filled with talking animals, A big guy took my ball  deals with a themes that all little kids can relate to.  Piggie has a great time with his ball until it is taken by someone bigger.  The whale wants to play but others are scared off by his appearance.  It isn't until they learn to share that all the characters are happy and sharing is something that all small children learn about.
  The main characters of the book are easy to like from the first page.  Piggie appears so sweet and fun, talking about how great it was playing with his ball.  Gerald plays the part of hero, vowing to return Piggie's ball.  Young readers will instantly like watching the cartoon elephant and pig come face to face with a giant whale and who wouldn't want to join in in a game a of whale ball?
 A book trailer almost as much fun to watch as the book is to read can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UsHzU7Y-_ag

Baby Mouse: Our Hero

Holm, M. and Holm, J. (2005). Baby Mouse: Our hero. New York, NY: Random House.
  Baby Mouse faces unthinkable odds everyday- math prison, monster lockers that eat her homework, the unthinkable walk to school, and worst of all- the war of dodge ball!  While most of these obstacles are all caused by her imagination, dodge ball is very real.  With the help of her best friend Wilson the weasel she may just save the day against the evil Felicia "The Eliminator" Furrypaws!
  The characters in this beginners graphic novel may be talking cartoon animals but that doesn't make them any less real.  Readers can totally relate to Baby Mouse's daydreaming tendencies in class.  Who hasn't let their mind wander during lectures?  The fact that Baby Mouse struggles in dodge ball makes her easy to relate to for children who may have similar obstacles to overcome.
  Teh characters in Baby Mouse may be a far cry from reality but the setting is exactly what the reader faces on a daily basis.  The story begins with Baby Mouse waking in her bed (late as usual).  We see her on the bus and follow her through the hallways of her school.  Placing the cartoon characters in a setting that actually exists aids in the believability of the story.
  Baby Mouse is an excellent place to start for introducing readers to graphic novels.  It also serves as a humorous easy read for some of the "Baby Mouse" students in the class- the students who may not otherwise attempt to read anything at all.

Lunch Lady and the Bake Sale Bandit

Krosoczka, J.J. (20100. Lunch Lady and the Bake Sale Bandit. New York, NY: Alfred A. Knopf Publishing.
  The day of the school bake sale is here! Everyone has brought something to help raise money for the school field trip.  But when all the baked goods go missing what will happen to the school field trip?  Not to worry, Lunch Lady to the rescue!  With the help of her trusty sidekick Betty, Lunch Lady tracks down the Bake Sale Bandit- otherwise known as Brenda the bus driver and recovers the missing goodies.  Looks like Lunch Lady saves the day again.
  This beginners graphic novel presents with an unlikely hero.  For most children the lunch lady is not someone they notice very often.  Yet with her zippy scooter and hair net wearing sidekick Lunch Lady becomes a character to cheer for.  The children in this novel are also easy to relate to.  They are your everyday students- they aren't the fastest, or the most popular but at the end of the day they help stop Brenda.
  The other enjoyable thing about the Lunch Lady series is the theme of a normal person doing the abnormal.  Lunch Lady has no super powers.  She isn't rich and can't create hundreds of gadgets to aid her quests yet she is out there saving the day.  Lunch Lady is an average person behaving extraordinarily.  This gives readers hope and courage that one day they too can be super.
  Lunch Lady is an excellent introduction into the graphic novel genre.  It also works well when discussing bullying with younger children as Brenda the bus driver is most definitely a bully. 

Rapunzel's Revenge

Hale, D. and Hale, S. (2008). Rapunzel's revenge. New York, NY: Bloomsbury USA Childrens.
  You only think you know Rapunzel but you've never met this "Punzie".  Gone is the free flowing yellow hair.  Forget waiting for Prince Charming- it's time to pull up you boot straps and meet the new  rootin' tootin' Rapunzel.  In a new twist on an old story Rapunzel is a strong willed cowgirl who not only saves herself from the tower but saves the entire kingdom from the evil Mother Gothel.  With her long red hair as lethal whips and ropes and a brand new sidekick Jack, this is not your Brothers Grimm's Rapunzel.
  This graphic novel has a style that is totally new and refreshing.  While Rapunzel may still have her long hair she has a new voice (one with a down south twang) and a new girl power attitude.  Even her sidekick Jack (beanstalk anybody?) has a new twist on an old fable.  Along with the illustrations by Nathan Hale, this graphic novel gives the reader something new to believe in in an old story.
  At first the plot of this story seems the same as the old fable it quickly takes the reader on  a new journey.  At the beginning Rapunzel is being raised by Mother Gothel who shields her from the rest of the world.  When Rapunzel discovers Gothel is not her real mother she is locked away in a tower.  It seems that Rapunzel will wait for a prince to rescue.  It is at this point where the plot becomes new and refreshing.  Here Rapunzel becomes the heroine of her own story and the reader really gets engaged and can't wait to see what happens. 

Skulduggery Pleasant

Landy, D. (2007). Skulduggery Pleasant. New York, NY: Harper Collins Publishers.
  Stephanie's life was normal, maybe even a little boring.  She lives in a small town where nothing out of the ordinary ever happens.  The only thing a bit unusual about Stephanie's life was her uncle.  Now that he is gone Stephanie expects nothing amazing to happen.  Yet at her uncle's funeral she meets a strange detective by the name of Skulduggery Pleasant.  Later when she learns her uncle has left her everything and Stephanie is attacked it is Skulduggery who comes to her rescue.  Now her world has gone from ordinary to extra-ordinary.  Men made of paper are trying to kill her, a sorcerer with a red hand that can kill with a simple point is trying to find a weapon that has the potential to wipe out humanity, and the only being is Skulduggery.  Did I forget to mention that Skulduggery is a sarcastic, bull headed, walking, talking, skeleton?
  While this novel is chopped full of mythical characters, reality is never far behind thanks to the inclusion of Stephanie.  Though she is surrounded by the supernatural she is your average teenage girl.  When she is in trouble she runs, when she is scared she yells for help.  It is only when Skulduggery is in peril that Stephanie finally finds the courage to fight back.
  Skulduggery Pleasant  may seem out of this world but it follows the timeless theme of good vs. evil.  The good guys must face the bad in a battle that holds the balance of the human race in its hands.  A theme that we find in other tales such as The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and the new Lorien Legacies series.  There is a reason this theme is so widely loved- it gives the reader something to root for, something to believe in, and that is something that never goes out of style.
  For more information of the other books in the Skulduggery series and other books by Derek Landy visit http://www.skulduggerypleasant.co.uk/

The Invention of Hugo Cabret

Selznick, B. (2007). The Invention of Hugo Cabret.  New York, NY: Scholastic Press.
  Hugo Cabret learned about machinery from his father, a skilled clock maker.  But when a fire claims his father's life Hugo is forced to live at the train station with his drunk uncle.  All his left with is his father's final project- a broken automaton. Hugo knows if he can fix it the automaton will make his life make sense again.  When he is caught stealing parts form the train station toy store Hugo's life takes a turn that will either end life as Hugo knows it or save it for good.
  Hugo Cabret  is a master piece of law fantasy.  The setting of the book is an actual place.  The train station in Paris is recognized by people the world over.  Even some of the characters is the novel actually existed.  Georges Melies was a real life French illusionist and filmmaker.
  What makes this book so fantastical is the automaton.  The robot is not just a piece of machine that Hugo tinkers with nightly. It is actually a piece of Hugo's father and Melies past come to life.  Through the robot Hugo is introduced to Melies, a  man lost in his own mind, who created his father's favorite films.
  A film version of the novel was released in 2011 under the name of Hugo. While not a huge commercial success the film was widely acclaimed by critics and won five Academy Awards as well as many others.  Clips from the film can be seen at http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0970179/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1
There is also a website completely devoted to the novel at http://www.theinventionofhugocabret.com/index.htm

The Graveyard book

Gaiman, N. (2008).  The graveyard book. New York, NY: Harper Collins Publishers.
  Nobody Owens has lived in the graveyard for as long as he can remember.  Raised by ghosts and watched over by the vampire Silas Nobody is safe and well loved.  He is provided nourishment and an education as well as safety.  For Nobody is safe in the graveyard- its walls will protect him from the man with the knife.  For he waits.  Just outside the graveyard gates waits Jack- the man who murdered Nobody's family.  Years pass but still he waits.  How long can the graveyard protect Nobody? The longer he stays the more ghost like he becomes but to leave would mean facing Jack.
  In this novel the setting becomes a character in its own right.  The graveyard is depicted in superb details.  in the graveyard the reader is taken back to the time of the ghosts.  The language changes into whatever dialect was dominant during the life of the ghosts present.  Time seems to have stopped in the graveyard.  There are no cell phones, computers, or televisions.  Yet the trees and vines, even the earth itself seems to change and morph as Nobody grows and changes.
  The changes and feel of the graveyard combined with the plethora of dialects present in this tale gives The graveyard book  a style all of its own.  Without the changing of dialect readers might become confused as to whom Nobody is currently talking to or even where he is.  When he leave the cemetery everything is normal life that readers are used to today, yet when he returns to the graveyard the reader is taken right along with him. 
  Teh graveyard book  has been optioned to become a film.  While no actors have been selected for the film, nor has a release date been set, the film is said to be directed by Ron Howard and Neil Gaiman is slated to write the screenplay.

The Underneath

Appelt, K. (2008). The Underneath. New York, NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
   In the swamps of the Texas/ Louisiana border, Ranger the Hound is chained to the tilting house of Gar Face, a wicked hunter out to catch a legendary alligator.  For years Ranger has been chained to his loneliness until one day a cat comes to him underneath the house.  The cat gives birth to two twin kittens and the three become Ranger's family.  They are happy together in The Underneath, they are safe as long as they stay in The Underneath.  For in the swamp lies something older than the trees.  Something that has been waiting for centuries and no longer makes distinction of friend or foe.
  The setting of The Underneath is a part of the book that steps out of the fantasy realm and into reality.  The swamps of east Texas are something that most Texans are extremely familiar with.  The snakes and alligators that inhabit the area present threat on a daily basis for its residents.  It is this setting that allows Appelt freedom with her characters as far as reality goes. 
While the talking animals, immortal beings, and giant alligators may seem a little far fetched for some readers, the universal theme of hope is something that everyone can relate to.  There is hope that Ranger and the cats will eventually escape The Underneath.  Hope remains even when Night Song is lost to the ancient being, hope that she may be reunited with Night Song's daughter.   regardless of what type of being has it hope fills the pages of this novel. 
  
A trailer for the book can be found at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZ4Ds1Yub3Q

Good masters! Sweet ladies!

Schlitz, L.A. (2007). Good Masters! Sweet Ladies!: Voices from a medieval village.  Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press.
  When Laura Amy Schlitz was a librarian she was faced with the task of finding a medieval script with 17 parts of equal length.  When none could be found she decided to create her own collection of monologues and two dialogues.  In this book we learn of the daily lives of children from all different classes and stations in medieval life.  Meet the miller's son who learns to cheat customers.  Hugo, the lord's nephew who make his first kill while hunting for wild boar.  There is Isobel, the lord's daughter who doesn't understand why she is hated.  There is even an outcast, Constance, who is making a pilgrimage to Saint Winifred's well in hopes of a miracle.
   It is true that the settings and some of the situations for Good masters is foreign to middle school readers (how often will they need to kill a boar to be considered a man?) the feelings of the characters are those of every child at any point in time.  Readers, or performers in this case, can understand the pressures of living up to family expectations.  Teens in the middle of adolescence know what it is like to feel unwanted or left out and to want to find a way, any way, to change that situation. 
   Good masters! Sweet ladies!  would make a wonderful addition to any lesson on the medieval time period.  Having the students perform the monologues and dialogues gets the students up and moving and striving to put them self in the place of another.

We are the ship

Nelson, K. (2008). We are the ship. New York, NY: Hyperion.
  Before there was Mickey Mantle, Alex Rodriguez, or Mark McGuire there was Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, and Cool Poppa Bell.  At the roots of major league baseball there was the Negro League, home of the fastest, toughest, most talented African American players yet to be seen.  While they couldn't go into hotels, restaurants, or even a train these players rose over adversity and found a way to make a living doing what they loved.
  Nelson's style and voice can be heard throughout We are the ship. His tone adn dialect of someone who actual lived through events like those in the book bring each adn every player to life.  With his words, Nelson takes a time period that no longer exists and brngs it to today.  Using his own speech patterns and dialect Nelson allows the reader to hear every crack of teh bat and every smack of teh glove.
  We are the ship  is a great way to teach students about segregation in a setting they may not normally hear about.  It would also be a great starting place for a student who may be looking to do a project over the history of baseball.

The Watsons go to Birmingham- 1963

Curtis, C.P. (1995). The Watsons go to Birmingham-1963. New York, NY: Delacorte Press.
   Kenny Watson has a normal life in Flint, Michigan.  He has finally made a friend and he excels at school.  While his father, mother, and younger sister are a little strange it's his older brother Bryon, "By", who creates the biggest commotion.  By is a trouble maker.  Never so much as to really be in trouble, but it seems he is always up to something.  Overall life is pretty good but once By really gets into it the entire family will be uprooted- even if for only the summer.  The Watsons travel to Birmingham, Alabama to visit Kenny's very southern grandmother.  What begins as a fun filled family vacation becomes a nightmare when the family comes face to face with the racial issues on the deep south.  Will the family learn to adapt to things away from Flint, Michigan or will some of them return home never to be the same?
  In his usual fashion, Curtis creates characters that while years apart from today's readers they are every bit as relate-able as if they were in the current time period.  Kenny still struggles to make friends, he tries to walk a fine line between excelling in school while trying to blend in, and his older brother has the possibility to make his life really difficult.  Readers may not have to deal with the civil issues the Watsons' face but they can understand what it means to be a little different and some readers may even know what it is to face a tragedy as a family and the changes that happen afterwards.  This book is an obvious choice for middle school teachers looking for a way to introduce segregation.
 

Out of my mind

Draper, S.M. (2010). Out of my mind. New York, NY: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
  Melody never forgets.  She knows every word she's ever heard.  Melody loves music and sees the notes in colors and tastes the flavor of the music rather than merely hearing it.  But Melody has never said a word to anyone.  She can't talk, walk, or even write.  That doesn't mean she is dumb and Melody is going to prove it.  Melody plans on competing in the Whiz Kid Quiz Bowl and show everyone exactly how smart she really is.  However, if Melody wins will the other kids finally accept her or will it only make things worse?  Either way it is a risk Melody is willing to take.
   Despite being mute and wheelchair bound Melody is a character that many young readers will relate to almost immediately.  Melody is often frustrated by outsiders and her class work.  Like all young teens she longs for friendships and sleepovers.  When faced with being doubted and dismissed Melody strives to prove others wrong, inspiring readers along the way. 
  Draper's inside look of a mind locked in its own prison is an eye opener for readers who haven't had close personal contact with challenged adolescents.  Having never suffered what it means to live life every day with difficult challenges, Out of my mind gives the reader empathy and understanding for a culture they may otherwise  dismissed. 
    While it is easy to focus on Melody's handicap, Out of my mind  is also a wonderful introduction into setting goals and working hard to obtain them.  Students can read this book and identify Melody's desire to join the Quiz team.  This opens the class up for discussions as to what steps Melody takes to reach her goal and what obstacles stand in her way. 

Rules

Lord, C. (2006). Rules. New York, NY: Scholastic Press.
  Catherine is your average 12 year old girl.  She loves art and wants nothing more than to make a new friend this summer, a friend who hasn't heard anything about her family.  When a new family moves in next door Catherine might just get her wish.  Kristi is the same age as Catherine and they will be at the same school next year.  But will Kristi still be Catherine's friend once she meets David, Catherine's brother?  David has autism and requires special rules such as "No toys in the fish tank."  Things become even more complicated for Catherine when she befriends a wheelchair bound boy named Jason who communicates by using word cards.  In the end Catherine must accept things she cannot change, even if her new friend Kristi can't. 
  While few young readers will have challenged relatives to deal with, being embarrassed by one's family and simply trying to fit in are themes that every child reader can relate to.  Who hasn't had trouble making friends?  What teenager hasn't wanted to hide their family from others at one point or another? 
   Rules  is an excellent way to introduce young readers with how we view and deal with others different than us.  Lord introduces the reader to a family struggling with a child with autism and to another teen who must communicate through word cards rather than speaking.  Younger teenagers are notorious for making fun of what they don't understand.  Rules shows readers a culture they may not be familiar with and gives them a better understanding of how it affects the entire family. 

Diary of a wimpy kid

Kinney, J. (2007). Diary of a wimpy kid. New York, NY: Amulet Books.
  Greg Heffley is finally in middle school and it's going to be a rough year.  Besides being the shortest and skinniest Greg also has to deal with his mean older brother Roderick, his friend Rowley who never get s anything right, and the constant fear of the Cheese Touch!  Then through a random series of events Rowley becomes the most popular kid in school.  Will Greg get to ride his coattails to popularity too or will he be left in the dust of outcast forever?
   Kinney's writing style is totally new and fresh.  His dialogue is spot on for middle school aged children and has readers laughing out loud.  Readers everywhere can connect with Greg and his adventures.  Set in a small town middle school and at Gregg's own home, Diary of Wimpy Kid  could just as easily take place in the reader's home town as it could in Greg's.  Combined with Kinney's comical drawings Diary of a wimpy kid  is a story middle school age readers will relate to and older readers will flash back to their own wimpy days.
   A film version of the book was released in 2010.  A trailer fro the film can be seen at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZVEIgPeDCE
  There is also a website completely dedicated to the Wimpy Kid Series and can be found at
http://www.wimpykid.com/

Dear Mr. Henshaw

Cleary, B. (1983). Dear Mr. Henshaw. New York, NY: HarperCollins Publisher Inc.
   Leigh Botts has been writing his favorite author Boyd Henshaw since second grade.  As he grows so does his relationship with Mr. Henshaw.  Through their letters Leigh learns there are things that he cant change in his life.  Leigh cannot control the fact that his parents got divorced.  He cannot make his father more reliable or make him show up to see him when he says he will.  While speaking to Mr. Henshaw Leigh begins thinking about a career in writing and learns the values of true friendship.
   In her usual fashion, Ms. Cleary draws us into the life of her unlikely heroes.  Leigh Botts is not your average teen boy- he is sensitive, often an outsider, and has even found himself through writing in a journal.  Another anomaly in this book is the fact that it is entirely told through the writings of Leigh.  We are first introduced to Leigh through his letters to Mr. Henshaw and later through Leigh's journal.  The characters are completely existent in Leigh's writings and we learn of their faults and feelings through the eyes of the young protagonist.  Despite never actually meeting the characters, reader's are drawn into their lives and anxiously await to see what happens to them.
  As this book follows the writings of a boy from second grade on into junior high the style of writing changes with him.  This novel would be an excellent source for students to learn about the correct use of grammar and how to spot mistakes.  As Leigh grows the amount of mistakes grows smaller.  Teachers could use the earlier writings for easy to spot mistakes and the later journal entrees to display proper grammar.
 

Bridge to Terabithia

Paterson, K. (1977). Bridge to Terabithia.  New York, NY: Scholastic Inc.
   Jesse is nothing special, just your average boy- who is about to become the fastest kid in the fifth grade!  That is until the new girl next door, Leslie, out runs him.  Who does Leslie think she is?  Jesse immediately decides to dislike her, but Leslie's imagination and love of life eventually wins Jesse over.More importantly she helps him to create the magical land of Terabithia.  Here Jesse is king and with Queen Leslie's help he can fight giants and win wars. But when tragedy strikes will Jesse be able to achieve the magic without Leslie or will the magic disappear with her?
   Following the day to day life of Jesse, Patterson uses a perfect balance of narrative and dialogue that every child reader can relate to.  Her use of slang and vernacular of the American child is timeless yet helps to set the scene for her tale of triumph and loss.  
   While the plot of Patterson's story may seem incredibly simple- young boy befriends girl next door and goes on fun filled adventures young readers are instantly sucked into the magical word Leslie helps Jesse create.  When Jesse's heart is broken the reader's heart breaks too and when he finally finds a way to make Terabithia on his own the reader believes in Terabithia as well.    
  

Balloons over Broadway

Sweet, M. (2011). Balloons over Broadway: the true story of the puppeteer of Macy's parade. New York, NY: Houghton Mufflin Books for Children.
  Meet Tony Sarg.  Tony is a puppeteer.  But not just any puppeteer- Tony is the puppeteer.  After making his own marionettes and making a name for himself in London and New York as a performer, Tony was hired by Macy's Department Store to create amazing puppet parades for their store front windows.  The windows were a huge success, which gave Macy's owners an idea for something even grander.  Tony would go on to design and create an entire street parade!  With the help of helium, rubberized silk, and a very dedicated team, Tony Sarg generate the first parade balloons and a new American tradition that would continue to attract millions of viewers even today.
  It is easy to forget that Balloons over Broadway  is a work of non-fiction.  The book is so attractive to the eye thanks to the bright and beautiful illustrations by Sweet.  However, what really makes the design of this book so effective is the incorporation of designs and models actually created by Tony Sarg.  This incorporation really emphasizes Sarg's brilliance in the puppetry field. 
 

It's so amazing

Harris, R.H. (1999). It's so amazing!: a book about eggs, sperm,birth, babies, and families. Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press.
  As children grow they begin to question the changes to their bodies as well as where they and other children come from.  It's so amazing  fully explains the many cycles of life as well as the different varieties of families in a way that is funny, factual, and relate-able to older children and young tweens. Whether it is how a baby is made or the difference between heterosexual and homosexual, almost any question a reader could have about the facts of reproduction is addressed in this book.
  The information is this book is delivered in a clear and concise manner.  It has its humor and cartoons to illustrate processes, allowing a reader to begin at the beginning and read this as a novel, or use it to answer a direct question.  The processes discussed in It's so amazing  follow the same timeline as in real life.  The table of contents makes the information easily accessible for young readers.  Rather than listing each chapter by a title it lists them by questions that children may ask (Ex: "What's Sex?" can be found on pages 26-29).
  An obvious choice for older children who are or are about to experience puberty, It's so amazing  would also be a good introduction into babies for couples who are expecting with older children. 

Magic Windows

Lomas Garza, C. (1999). Magic Windows. San Francisco, CA: Children's Book Press.
  Papel picado (cut paper art) is an old tradition in Mexico and southern Texas in which detailed images are cut into tissue paper.  These images are always connected to one another with at least one line.  Some artists use scissors when creating papel picado, others use a craft knife.  Carmen Lomas Garza uses this art form to create detailed images of her family's day to say life as well as images of tradition s and symbols important to Tejano heritage.
  The cut paper works of Carmen Lomas Garza have caught the eye of museums all over North America.  Some of her works are enormous and can cover an entire museum wall. One such piece is the "offering of Antonio Lomas".  Thus cut out is enormous, spanning an amazing five feet high by eight feet wide.  While compare to some paintings that may seem average, when you remember that it is all cut by a craft knife or pair of scissors and that the entire image is connected by a single line it becomes an astounding masterpiece.
  Reading about how Lomas Garza learned how to create her pieces, seeing them is what is even more amazing.  The layout of the cut outs is what will make readers pick up this book to begin with.  As the story of Lomas Garza's talent progresses the art work become more intricate and breathtaking.
  If you would like to view Cut Out works by Carmen Lomas Garza in person, you can locate exhibits on the following link:
http://carmenlomasgarza.com/about/resume/ 
  

Rosa

Giovanni, N. (2005). Rosa. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company.
  Rosa Parks was your average hard working African American woman.  She took care of her mother and husband- a well respected Air Force barber.  Rosa works hard as a seamstress and was happy to get a seat in the neutral section of the bus on December 1, 1955.  She had worked hard all day and was glad to rest her feet.  She certainly wasn't looking to get arrested, and she never thought taking that seat would spark a civil rights debate that would grab the attention of the entire nation and place her name in history books. Yet that is what happened.
  When Rosa Parks refused to give up her seat for a white man she was arrested for civil disobedience.  When word spread of this respected woman's incarceration the African American community began a boycott of public transportation that would change the face of America forever.
While this book is a very brief telling of the moment that ignited a civil rights movement, it  in no way tells the entire story.  What happened to Rosa after jail?  How long before African Americans and whites could sit wherever they wanted on a bus?  Readers will have to look else where for that information.  However, the beautiful illustrations of Bryan Collier and clear, concise style of Nikki Giovanni are sure to spark conversation.

How they croaked: The awful ends of the awfully famous

Bragg, G. (2011).  How they croaked: the awful ends of the awfully famous. New York, NY: Walker Books for Young Readers.
  "Eventually everybody's story ends".  Even the super rich, super famous, and the super royal.  Many of them met their ends in less than super fashion.  The journey through awful ends if not pretty nor for the easily nauseated.  Whether you are the father of our country dying from an infection in your mouth or Pocahontas suffering from tuberculosis, death is not pretty.
  While most of the ways these people died might not seem like that fatal, learning about the steps taken to try to save them  is downright deadly.  Cupping, bleeding, blistering, and the use of leeches were all
widely used treatments guaranteed to have the same result- untimely death.
  Complete with whimsical caricature illustrations by Kevin O'Malley, How they croaked will make readers laugh as well as cringe.  Georgia Bragg's unique style is what makes this non-fiction book seem like an adventure through a sarcastic, witty valley of death.  Bragg's enthusiasm and sharp tongue will have readers cringing one moment and laughing out loud the next. 
    For more strange but true historical facts from Georgia Bragg check out her follow up book How they choked: failures, flops, and flaws of the awfully famous.
 

 

Hitler Youth

Bartoletti, S.C. (2005). Hitler Youth: growing up in Hitler's shadow. New York, NY: Scholastic Nonfiction.
  "This is not a book about Hitler", as stated by Bartoletti in her opening line.  This is a book about the children who grew up in Nazi Germany.  The children who were drawn to an organization that promised games, camping trips, and fun physical activities.  In a time when boys and girls were rarely treated equally, Hitler youth groups encouraged all to join.
  Once the games and camping ended the children had grown into Hitler followers.  Followers who had grown into young adults ready to follow The Nazi way of life without question.  Those who did become disillusioned and spoke out against the atrocities  were often fatally silenced.
  Hitler Youth  makes use of wonder primary sources such as photos and first hand interviews from those who lived the Hitler youth way of life.  The accuracy of the thoughts and experiences of a generation affected by World War I and excited by a charismatic leader will leave readers thinking those lost and those who had to live with the impacts of their decisions long after the last page is turned.
 

Spiders

Bishop, N. (2007). Spiders. New York, NY: Scholastic Nonfiction.
  There may be no species as old and as plentiful as the spider.  They have been around for millions of years and with their abilities they will  be around for millions more.  It is fairly well known that spiders have special, multiple eyes, but beyond that you will learn how spiders can taste and smell with their feet.  Or how spiders do not spin only one type of web but rather four different types of web, each type varying in texture and strength.
  There are over 38,000 types of spiders.  Some spiders, such as the Black Widow, use webs to capture their prey.  Other spiders, for example the Fisher Spider, hunt their prey.  The Jumping Spider can leap twenty times its body length.  Then there is the king of the spiders- The Tarantula.
  In this extremely detailed work of non-fiction Nic Bishop spent years finding and hunting each particular type of spider.  Some he kept at his home and even traveled with.  The accuracy with which he photographed and studied spiders is astounding and comes through in this book.  Spiders  would make a wonderful introduction to the species for any novice learner and would be a great starting point for anyone looking to research and learn more about these arachnids.

The three pigs

Wiesner, D. (2001). The three pigs. New York, NY: Clarion Books.
  Once again the Big Bad Wolf has come a-knocking on the door to the house of straw.  Rather than face the demise of his home and the certainty of being eaten, the first little pig steps out of the story.  After seeing the safety offered outside the story the pig convinces his two brothers to join him.  Now they are stepping in and out of different tales, meeting other characters such as the cat with a fiddle, a run away spoon, and even a friendly fire breathing dragon.  Despite their new friends and adventures the pigs know it is time to return to their own tale. Yet they won't return alone, after all, no wolf is so very big and bad next to their new friend the dragon!
       In a book that doesn't follow the well-known plot you can't expect it to follow one type of illustration.  Each time David Wiesner changes the tale he changes his artistic style as well.  This book contains everything from pencil drawn pictures to computer generated images.  This picture book has them all!

It's a book

Smith, L. (2011). It's a book. New York, NY: Roaring Brook Press.
  Ape has a new book.  Jackass has no idea what that means.  In a world of computers, cell phones, and other technologies Jackass thinks that everything must function like a computer- passwords, a mouse, chargeable batteries.  Once Ape shows Jackass the beauty of books Jackass becomes enthralled with Ape's book. 
   The simple illustrations in this book are the perfect balance so as not to take away from the moral of the story.  They are comical enough so as to keep the attention of younger readers but not over dominating .  The genius of Lane's design lies in the different fonts used for each character.  When Jackass speaks it is in basic "computer" font.  The type of font that most people associate with technology.  In contrast Ape speaks in a more smooth and friendly font, one that seems more humane than that used for Jackass. 
   While younger readers will enjoy this as a mere picture book, It's a book  is a wonderful jumping off point to begin discussions on the value of technologies such as e-books versus a paper printed versions.  To begin the discussion It's a book could be read aloud and then in support of the technological side an enjoyable trailer of the film can be found at the following link.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x4BK_2VULCU

The legend of the bluebonnet

DePaola, T. (1983) The legend of the bluebonnet. New York, NY:  Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers.
  The rains have stopped, the land is dying, and all those who live upon it are dying too. The Great Spirits have spoken.  Only a sacrifice of the most valued possession will save the land and the people who live upon it known as the Comanche.  She Who is Alone has already lost her family to this drought.  Her doll is all that she has left yet she sacrifices it to save her people.  Touched by her offering the Great Spirits return the rains and everywhere the dolls ashes touch a beautiful flower known as a bluebonnet will grow.
   The painted illustrations of DePaola do not merely illustrate the story he is telling but also the Comanche way of life.  The blankets that are wrapped around the people and the tepees that house them show the intricate designs that would have been found in an early Comanche settlement.  DdePaola's attention to detail in his illustrations is also evident in the doll that She Who is Alone carries- the markings on its clothing to the feathers in its hair.  This attention to detail makes The legend of the bluebonnet  an ideal companion to native American and Texas studies. 

This is not my hat

Klassen, J. (2012). This is not my hat. Boston, MA: Candlewick press.
 Little fish has a new hat.  But it is not his hat.  It is big fish's hat. If little fish can make it to the safety of the tall sea weed he may be able to keep the hat.  Will the crab he passed keep his secrret?  Not when faced with big fish! Tall sea weed or not big fish wants his hat back.  Little fish may be fast, but big fish eventually catches up. Soon big fish has his hat back, but what has happened to little fish?
 Klassen uses basic geometric shapes to create his under water world. Ovals dominate the leaves of the sea weed as well as forming the bodies of all the sea creatures.  He also uses a large amount of black to give the reader a sense of how large and vast the bottom of the ocean is- you may never see what is coming!  An exciting preview of the book can by found at : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6MuDfdxESOQ

Martina the beautiful cockroach

Deedy, C.A. (2007) Martina the beautiful cockroach. Atlanta, GA: Peachtree Publishers.
 In this re-telling of a Cuban folklore, it is time for Martina to select a husband.  As she is the most beautiful cockroach there are many suitors to choose from. In traditional Cuban fashion, Martina is given gifts from her family to prepare her and her suitors present themselves to her one at a time in order of social importance. At first Martina does not know how she will ever select a husband. Then Martina gets the best gift of all from her abuela- advice on how to choose. Thanks to her abuela, Martina knows to spill coffee on the shoes of her suitors to discover who will be the most gentle and forgiving husband.
Illustrated by Michael Austin, Martina the beautiful cockroach has beautiful hand painted illustrations that use warm colors to capture the environment of Cuba.  These colors fade from reds to blues to oranges and finally to purples to demonstrate the changing sky as the day of Martina's selection carries on.  This book is a wonderful introduction to Cuban culture.  It shows the multi-generation family that is custom in Cuban culture, as well at the traditional gifts and customs taken when a daughter is ready to marry.   Any lesson introducing students to cultures other than their own could benefit from using this book.

Mirror, Mirror

Singer, M. (2010). Mirror, mirror. New York, NY: Penguin Group.
  A collection of reverso poems about well known fairy tales including Cinderella, Hansel and Gretel, Rapunzel, etc...Each poem shows the two sides to every story.  If you read the poem down one way you may read Snow White's point of view but if you read it up the other way you will see why the Evil Queen didn't think her self so evil.
  The painterly technique of illustrator Josee Masse beautifully follows the reverso theme of symmetry and balance to show both points of view.  This collections of poetry would be a wonderful resource to any unit on poetry.  As reverso poems only allow changes in punctuation and capitalization using examples from stories that students are already familiar with would greatly enhance their ability to understand this rarely used type of poem.

Where the wild things are

Sendak, M. (1963). Where the wild things are. New York: NY. Harper Collins.  Max has been sent to his room- AGAIN! This time he uses his banishment to travel to the land of the wild things where he becomes king and may create havoc whenever and wherever he pleases.  But even the fun of the wild things can't contend with Max's empty stomach.  Max returns to his room to find dinner still hot and waiting.
Sendak's use of line and texture help to create the feel and look of the jungle as well as the fur and scales of the wild things that Max meets. As Max grows wilder so do the pictures, doubling in size until at his wildest the pictures cover an entire spread.
A film version of the book was released in 2009.  The combination of the book and the film would serve well when teaching students to compare and contrast things.  The film must of course add things to the plot as a picture book would never be long enough for a full length feature film.  However, the film does try to remain true to the characters and theme of the original book.  You can view a trailer of the film at the following link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0386117/?ref_=nv_sr_1