Talkin' About Bessie

Talkin' About Bessie : The Story of Aviator Elizabeth Coleman is a biography written by Nikki Grimes and illustrated by E.B. Lewis. The book contains 48 pages. The book is also a Coretta Scott King Award book.
The book is a biography of the woman who became the first licensed African American pilot. Children will like the book because it has real events that occurred in our history. Children can easily read about historical events, such as the first licensed African American pilot.

Lesson connection : Students will research the first pilots.
Publisher: Orchard Books, 2002.

Lexile Number: 970

(Cover image from Follett Library Resources: http://flr.follett.com)

Rosa

Rosa is a biography written by Nikki Giovanni and illustrated by Bryan Collier. The book contains 33 pages. The book is also a Caldecott and Coretta Scott King book.
The book presents an illustrated account of Rosa Parks' refusal to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama in 1955, and the subsequent bus boycott by the black community.
Children will love the story of Rosa Parks. The book covers actual events that happen, and children will love to hear the history in their own words. The story is simple enough for children to understand.

(Horn Book (Spring 2006) From: Follett Library Resources, http://flr.follett.com)

Publisher: Holt, 2005.

Dewey: 323

Lesson connection : Students will research about the Civil Rights Movement and write a paper.
Giovanni, Nikki. (2005). Rosa. New York: Holt.

Lexile Number: 900

Al Capone Does My Shirts

Al Capone Does My Shirts is a Newbery Award book written and illustrated by Gennifer Choldenko.
The book contains 228 pages.
"A twelve-year-old boy named Moose moves to Alcatraz Island in 1935 when the prison guards' families were housed there. He has to deal with a strange new environment in addition to life with his autistic sister."

(--from Follett Library Resources: http://flr.follett.com)

Children will love this book because they can relate some of the story to events that actually occurred. Children will also love the suspense of the story.
Lesson connection : GPS: ELA5R1 The student demonstrates comprehension and shows evidence of a warranted and responsible explanation of a variety of literary and informational texts. Critical Component: For literary texts, the student identifies the characteristics of various genres and produces evidence of a reading that:a. Identifies and analyzes the elements of setting, characterization, and conflict in plot.d. Relates a literary work to information about its setting (historically or culturally).

Choldenko, Gennifer. (2004). Al Capone Does My Shirts. New York : G.P. Putnam’s Sons

Lexile Number: 600

My Brother Sam is Dead

My Brother Sam Is Dead is a historical fiction book written by James Lincoln Collier & Christopher Collier. The book contains 216 pages. The book is a Newbery Award Honor book.
"Recounts the tragedy that strikes the Meeker family during the Revolution when one son joins the rebel forces. The rest of the family tries to stay neutral in a Tory town."

(--Follett Library Resources: http://flr.follett.com)

Publisher: Scholastic, 2005, c1974.

This is a great children’s book because they can relate real events that occurred in history to events that occur in the book. Children will love the story and they will love the suspense of waiting to see what happens to Sam’s brother.

Students will write their own story about war times and comprehend the book.

Lesson Connection : GPS: ELA5R1 The student demonstrates comprehension and shows evidence of a warranted and responsible explanation of a variety of literary and informational texts. Critical Component: For literary texts, the student identifies the characteristics of various genres and produces evidence of a reading that:a. Identifies and analyzes the elements of setting, characterization, and conflict in plot.b. Identifies and analyzes the structural elements particular to dramatic literature (e.g., scenes, acts, cast of characters, stage directions) in the plays read, viewed, written, and performed.d. Relates a literary work to information about its setting (historically or culturally).Collier, James and Christopher. (1974). My Brother Sam Is Dead. New York: Four Winds Press.

Lexile Number: 770

The Whipping Boy

The Whipping Boy is a historical fiction book written by Sid Fleischman and illustrated by Peter Sis. The book was published by Greenwillow in 1986. Potential activities and lessons include having students switch roles with someone (parent, sibling, friend, teacher) for a specified time and fulfill their duties and responsibilities. Students could also calculate how much money they would have if they had their weight in gold.
It is unlawful to spank a prince in Jemmy’s land. Jemmy is taken from the orphans to receive the punishment Prince Brat deserves. Jemmy finds himself enmeshed in a dangerous plan surrounding Prince Brat.
This title is the 1987 Newbery winner.
(Cover image : Follett Library Resources, http://flr.follett.com)
Reflections include discussions of how it would feel to be in Jemmy’s place or how life would be different if you were someone else. Students could discuss whether the prince (or anyone) who has done something bad, should have someone else take the punishment. Ask: What would you do in that situation?

Publisher: HarperTrophy, 2003, c1986

Lexile Number: 570

Lexile Number: 570Lesson Connection : GPS: ELA5R1 The student demonstrates comprehension and shows evidence of a warranted and responsible explanation of a variety of literary and informational texts. Critical Component: For literary texts, the student identifies the characteristics of various genres and produces evidence of a reading that:a. Identifies and analyzes the elements of setting, characterization, and conflict in plot.b. Identifies and analyzes the structural elements particular to dramatic literature (e.g., scenes, acts, cast of characters, stage directions) in the plays read, viewed, written, and performed.d. Relates a literary work to information about its setting (historically or culturally).e. Identifies imagery, figurative language (e.g., personification, metaphor, simile, hyperbole), rhythm, or flow when responding to literature.f. Identifies and analyzes the author’s use of dialogue and description.

Sarah, Plain and Tall

Sarah Plain and Tall is a historical fiction book written by Patricia MacLachlan. There are no illustrations. The book was published in 1985 by Harper. Potential activities and lessons include having students search for bird nests with hair woven in them, writing an advertisement for a spouse. (What qualities would one look for in a mail-order spouse?)

This story is about a mail-order bride who moves in with a family, who eventually grows to love her. Sarah misses her old home and when she takes the wagon into town one day, the family becomes concerned that she will not return.

Publisher: HarperTrophy, 1987, c1985

Lexile Number: 560

This title is the 1986 Newbery winner.

(Cover image : Follett Library Resources, http://flr.follett.com)

Reflections include thinking of the qualities of a good person – a good spouse. It would also be interesting for students to put themselves in Sarah’s (or a member of the family) place and write their expectations and fears.

Lesson Connection : GPS: ELA5R1 The student demonstrates comprehension and shows evidence of a warranted and responsible explanation of a variety of literary and informational texts. Critical Component: For literary texts, the student identifies the characteristics of various genres and produces evidence of a reading that:a. Identifies and analyzes the elements of setting, characterization, and conflict in plot.b. Identifies and analyzes the structural elements particular to dramatic literature (e.g., scenes, acts, cast of characters, stage directions) in the plays read, viewed, written, and performed.c. Identifies and analyzes the similarities and differences between a narrative text and its film or play version.d. Relates a literary work to information about its setting (historically or culturally).f. Identifies and analyzes the author’s use of dialogue and description.g. Applies knowledge of the concept that theme refers to the message either implied or stated, that the author wants us to derive from a selection. i. Makes judgments and inferences about setting, characters, and events and supports them with elaborating and convincing evidence from the text.

Holes

Holes is a contemporary fiction book written by Louis Sachar. There are no illustrations. The book was published in 1998 by Farrar, Strass and Giroux. Potential use of this book in the classroom includes having students write about superstitions in their family (lucky and unlucky things). Students could also brainstorm words that sound the same spelled backwards.

The Yelnats family has a long history of bad luck, which appropriately, finds its way to young Stanley Yelnats. Stanley is wrongly convicted of a crime and sent to Camp Green Lake. While there, his luck changes as he discovers himself, a treasure and a best friend.

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 1998.

(Cover image : Follett Library Resources)

This is the 1999 Newbery award winner.

Reflections include: promises are important to keep and good choices can garner good luck.

Lexile Number: 660

Walking the Bridge of Your Nose

Walking the Bridge of Your Nose is a poetry book written by Michael Rosen and illustrated by Chloe Cheese. The book contains 64 pages.

"...Rosen has chosen an attractive mixture of puns, tongue twisters, riddles, sayings, and chants that he promises will leave readers baffled, bewitched, and bedazzled. Some rhymes are familiar, some are not; most are taken from sources that are no longer in print. The selections are scattered across over-sized pages and embellished with bright, childlike illustrations that catch the humor and hint at the solutions to the riddles. The colorful format makes this volume more accessible to younger children than Schwartz's titles."

School Library Journal (January 1996) (From Follett Library Resources)

Children will love the poems and want to read more. The poems are funny and will entertain young children.

Students will create their own poems. Students will create art projects that correlate with their poems.

Rosen, Michael. (1999). Walking on the Bridge of Your Nose. Kingfisher Publishers.

Dog Days: Rhymes Around the Year

Dog Days: Rhymes Around the Year is a poetry book written by Jack Prelutsky and illustrated by Dyanna Wolcott. The book contains 32 pages.

Every month of the year, in rain, sun, wind, or cold, this book is full of adventure. A fuzzy yellow dog narrates the escapades that a typical dog might encounter from January to December.

From : Follett Library Resources

Children will love the book. Children will learn the months in a fun way. The children will love reading about the dogs for each month.

Students will create their own calendar and create stories for each month.

Prelutsky, Jack. (2001). Dog Days: Rhymes Around the Year. New York: Dragonfly Books.

Where the Sidewalk Ends

Where The Sidewalk Ends : the poems & drawings is a poetry book written by Shel Silverstein. It has 166 pages.

(--Cover image from Follett Library Resources)

A boy who turns into a TV set and a girl who eats a whale are only two of the characters in a collection of humorous poetry illustrated with the author's own drawings.

This book is great for children because it has so many wonderful poems full of humor and delight.

Dewey: 372.4

Lesson Connection : Students will create their own humorous poems and read aloud to class.

Silverstein, Shel. (1974). Where The Sidewalk Ends : the poems & drawings. New York: Harper and Row.

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane is a modern fantasy book written by Kate DiCamillo and illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline. The book contains 198 pages.

Edward Tulane, a cold-hearted and proud toy rabbit, loves only himself until he is separated from the little girl who adores him and travels across the country. He encounters one new owner after another, experiencing their hopes and dreams.

(Cover image: Follett Library Resources)

Lexile Number: 700

Reflection : Children will love reading about the adventure of the rabbit, Edward Tulane, in the story. Children can relate to the story and use their imagination to understand the story. The story is great for experiencing new things and adjusting to changes in life.

Lesson Connection : Students will write about an adventure they have had or use their imagination to create an adventure.

DiCamillo, Kate. (2006). The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane. Candlewick Press.

Lexile Number: 700

Gossamer

Gossamer is a modern fantasy book written by Lois Lowry. The book contains 140 pages.

"While learning to bestow dreams, a young dream giver tries to save an eight-year-old boy from the effects of both his abusive past and the nightmares inflicted on him by the frightening Sinisteeds."

(--Follett Library Resources, http://flr.follett.com)

The book is great for children who are trying to cope with abuse. The book is really helpful for those children who need help. Children will love this book because it deals with life issues.

Students will write a story of how to cope with abuse or difficult times.

Lois, Lowry. (2006). Gossamer. New York: Houghton Mifflin.

Lexile Number: 660

A Wrinkle in Time

A Wrinkle In Time is a modern fantasy book written and illustrated by Madeleine L'Engle. The book contains 211 pages and is a Newbery Award Book.

Three extraterrestrial beings take Meg, her friend and her brother, Charles Wallace, to another world. Everyone in town thinks Meg is volatile and dull-witted and that her younger brother is dumb. People are also saying that their father has run off and left their brilliant scientist mother. The three embark on a perilous quest through space to find their father.

(Cover image: Follett Library Resources, http://flr.follett.com)

Young people who have trouble finding their place in the world will connect with the "misfit" characters in this provocative story. The travelers must rely on their individual and collective strengths, delving deep into their characters to find answers. Children will be able to relate well to the story.

Students will create their own description of time travel or travel into other worlds. Students should be very creative.

L’Engle, Madeleine. (1962). A Wrinkle In Time. New York: Ariel Books.

Davy Crockett

Davy Crockett is a traditional literature book written by Marianne Johnston. The book contains 24 pages.

This book describes the life and legend of Davy Crockett, a backwoodsman who became a frontier hero.

Children will love the interesting story about Davy Crockett’s life. The story is a timeline of his life easy enough to read for children to understand.

Students will research Davy Crockett and write a story about an adventure they would have if they were Davy.

Johnston, Marianne. (2001). Davy Crockett. New York: PowerKids Press.

Johnny Appleseed

Johnny Appleseed is a traditional literature book written and illustrated by Janeen R. Adil. It contains 24 pages.

The book explores the background, accomplishments, and stories of American folk hero Johnny Appleseed.

Children will love this unique and interesting story about Johnny Appleseed. The story has a timeline of Johnny Appleseed’s life easy enough for children to understand.

Students will research Johnny Appleseed and present their research to the class. Student can also create skits about Johnny Appleseed’s adventures.

Adil, Janeen. (2003). Johnny Appleseed. New York: Weigl.

(Cover image from Follett Library Resources, http://flr.follett.com)

Tales from the Brothers Grimm and the Sisters Weird

Tales from the Brothers Grimm and the Sisters Weird is a traditional literature book by Vande Velde Vivian and illustrated by Brad Weinman. The book contains 144 pages.

"Straw into gold -- Frog -- All points bulletin -- The granddaughter -- Excuses -- Jack -- And now a word from our sponsor -- The bridge -- Rated PG-13 -- Mattresses -- Twins -- Evidence -- Beast and Beauty. Presents thirteen twisted versions of such familiar fairy tales as Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, Hansel and Gretel, and The Three Billy Goats Gruff."

--Follett Library Resources; http://flr.follett.com

Children will love the twists and the turns of each story. Children can make their own inferences about the story, and use their imagination.

Vande, Velde Vivian. (1995). Tales from the Brothers Grimm and the Sisters Weird. (Illus. by Brad Weinman). New York: Magic Carpet Books.

Looks great!

Looks awesome! Wow!

Sabrina

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs is a picture book written by Judi Barrett and illustrated by Ron Barrett. It contains 32 pages. The book also won the Georgia Book Award.

"Life is delicious in the town of Chewandswallow where it rains soup and juice, snows mashed potatoes, and blows storms of hamburgers--until the weather takes a turn for the worse."

--Follett Library Resources; http://flr.follett.com

This is a great children’s book. It makes the reader use their imagination. The book is great for children because they can learn to use their imagination, and they could dream of a place like the town in the story.

Students should draw their imaginary town and write a story to present to class.

Barret, Judi. (1982). Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs. New York: Alladin.

Lexile Number: 730

Lexile Prefix: AD

A Cowboy Christmas

A cowboy Christmas : the miracle at Lone Pine Ridge is a picture book written by Audrey Wood and illustrated by Florczak, Robert. The book contains 42 pages.

"When Cully the cowboy, a friend and a father figure to Evan, fails to show up at the ranch on an icy Christmas Eve, Evan goes out into the night to find and rescue him."

--Follett Library Resources, http://flr.follett.com

Children will love the illustrations in this book. The book also has a great story for children to follow as the rescue occurs.

Students should write a story about how they would rescue someone in a tough situation. Students would be responsible for describing and illustrating the rescue.

Wood, Audrey. (2001) A cowboy Christmas : the miracle at Lone Pine Ridge. (Illus. by Robert Florczak). New York: Aladin Paperbacks.

Lexile Number: 520

Lexile Prefix: AD

Frog Went A Courtin'

Frog Went A Courtin' is a Caldecott Medal picture book written by John Langstaff. The book is illustrated by Feodor Rojankovsky. The book has 32 pages.
--Cover image: Follett Library Resources, http://flr.follett.com

The book illustrates the well-known American folk song about the courtship and marriage of a frog and a mouse.
This is a wonderful children’s book. Children will learn about the marriage and have curious questions about the story. The book makes children think about adult matters from a child’s view. Students can research about different cultures and how marriage is different in each culture.
Langstaff, John. (1955). Frog Went A Courtin’. New York: Harcourt Brace.

Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears

Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears : a West African Tale is a Caldecott Medal award picture book written by Verna Aardema. The book is illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon. The book has 32 pages.
The book reveals the meaning of the mosquito's buzz.

Cover image: Follett Library Resources, http://flr.follett.com

Children will love the book because the story is exciting. The story lets students think about matters that they may not have thought about before. It teaches children to ask questions and use their imagination.
Children can understand the importance of clear communication and write a story of their own about how a communication problem occurred.
Aardema, Verna. (1992). Why mosquitoes buzz in people's ears : a West African tale. (Illus. by Leo and Diane Dillon). Hong Kong: Puffin Books.

Joseph Had a Little Overcoat

Joseph Had a Little Overcoat is a picture book illustrated in water color, gouache, pencil, ink and collage. Simms Taback is the writer and illustrator.
Potential lessons include: art-collage projects, recycling and environment, folklore and legends.

This story is based on a Yiddish folk song and is about a resourceful and resilient man who recycles his old, tattered overcoat into a variety of garments.
(Cover image: Follett Library Resources, http://flr.follett.com)

This title is the 2000 Caldecott winner.
Sometimes something old can be useful again. Students may be directed to think of an older person in their life and interview them on lessons they’ve learned. Students could also gather clothing and canned goods for needy families. Students could research history on Maine.
Taback, Simms. (1999). Joseph Had A Little Overcoat. New York: Viking.

Kitten's First Full Moon

Kitten's first full moon is a Caldecott Medal picture book written by Kevin Henkes. There are illustrations provided by author, and 32 pages.

"When Kitten mistakes the full moon for a bowl of milk she ends up tired, wet, and hungry trying to reach it."
--Follett Library Resources, http://flr.follett.com

Children will enjoy this book because it has a surprising ending children will love. The book also is unique in the way it portrays objects.
Potential use would be for an art class to draw objects that are seen in many different ways. Students can become creative trying to make images something they are not.
Henkes, Kevin. (2004). Kitten’s First Full Moon. New York: Greenwillow Books.

Welcome to my Blog!

Hi!
Welcome to my blog!
I am the media specialist at Heard County Middle School in Franklin, Georgia. Our students are in grades 6-8. I 've been media specialist here since our school opened in 2002 and we have a beautiful media center! I became a media specialist in 1993 and served two schools: Ephesus Elementary School (K-8) and Centralhatchee Elementary School (K-8). I worked at one school each morning and at the other each afternoon. Later, increased enrollment at Centralhatchee allowed me to serve that school full time before our county created the middle school from combining the middle grades from the other schools. I transferred to the new middle school, where I was able to fill the empty shelves with brand new books! It was very exciting and rewarding to be able to do this!
I have my National Board Certification Library Media/Early Childhood Through Young Adulthood (issued November 18, 2005). I have a bachelor's degree in Middle Grades Education. I have a master's degree in Media and am currently working on the Ed. S. degree in Media through the State University of West Georgia. The first degree program I completed (at WGC) was in Speech and Theatre Art with emphasis in Journalism (minor in Business Administration). I was editor of The Bowdon Bulletin for 10 years and also worked as reporter for two bi-weekly newspapers that later became the Daily Times-Georgian. I have freelanced articles and have had several published in the North Georgia Journal.
As you may guess, I love to read and write -- especially about local history. If I have free time, I like creating my own characters and putting them in their own stories. (I tease my children that my characters always do what they're told!).
My husband (Richard) and I have two children: Sabrina and Cullie. Sabrina will be a fourth grade teacher this fall and is working on her master's degree in Media. Cullie will be a sophomore. We have a farm that includes cows, chickens, ducks, guineas and turkeys. We also have a few Nubian and Boer goats, several cats and four Great Pyrenees livestock guardian dogs. Check out the family blog called Rocky South Acres!
You can find out about our school and media center by clicking http://www.heardmiddle.com/
I will be posting information about award-winning and favorite books on this blog. Email me at: gsouth@heard.k12.ga.us. I'd like to hear what you think. :-)
Thanks for looking!
-- Mrs. South