Mary Poppins by PL Travers (Pamela Lyndon)

Published: San Diego: Harcourt Brace & Co., 1981.
202 pages

Target Audience: grades 3-6

Reading level: grades 2-4

Genre: Traditional Fantasy

Themes: Magic Nanny

Synopsis: An extraordinary English nanny blows in on the East Wind with her parrot-headed umbrella and magic carpetbag and introduces her charges, Jane and Michael, to some delightful people and experiences.


CHARACTER: ***

PLOT: ***

THEME: ***

LANGUAGE: ***

OVERALL RATING: ***

From the moment Mary Poppins arrives at Number Seventeen Cherry-Tree Lane, everyday life at the Banks house is forever changed. This classic series tells the story of the world's most beloved nanny, who brings enchantment and excitement with her everywhere she goes.

  Author Notes: Born in Australia to an Irish father and a Scottish mother, P. L. Travers was a voracious reader and began to write while she was still a child. She did some acting but quickly moved into literary and dramatic criticism; she wrote some highly respected poetry as well. However, it is her series of books for children, starting with Mary Poppins (1934), on which her fame rests. The prim, kindly, and enchanting nanny takes charge of the Banks's household and brings the children a seemingly endless stream of fantasy adventures. The book was an immediate success. Walt Disney's (see Vol. 3) musical version, in 1964, brought the stories to an even wider audience. Subsequent books about Mary Poppins include Mary Poppins Comes Back, Mary Poppins Opens the Door, Mary Poppins in the Park, Mary Poppins from A to Z, and Mary Poppins and the House Next Door. Other more recent books include About Sleeping Beauty (1975) and Two Pair of Shoes (1980).

The Sorcerer's Apprentice by Robin Muller

Published: Morristown: Silver Burdett Company, 1985

30 pages

Target Audience: grades 3-5

Reading level: grades 2-4

Genre: Traditional Fantasy

Themes: Magic

Synopsis: A sorcerer's apprentice learns his master's spells on the sly and finds they come in handy when he is in danger.

CHARACTER: ***

PLOT: ***

THEME: ***

LANGUAGE: ***

OVERALL RATING: ***

In this traditional tale, the author/illustrator provides realistically drawn illustrations featuring mostly blue, yellow, and brown tones that are dramatic, detailed, and effective.

How Rabbit Tricked Otter: and Other Cherokee Trickster Stories by Gayle Ross

Published: New York: Harper Collins, 1994.
80 pages
Target Audience: grades 3-5
Reading level: 4.8
Genre: Traditional Fantasy
Themes: Animals

Synopsis: This collection of 15 Cherokee tales introduces the trickster-hero Rabbit, the most important character portrayed in the animal stories of the Cherokee culture. The surefooted messenger who carries important news to his animal friends near and far, Rabbit is charming and mischievous—he tricks others and is often tricked himself. Sometimes he wins and sometimes he loses; sometimes he is lazy and mean, sometimes kind and caring—but somehow Rabbit always survives.

CHARACTER: ****
PLOT: ***
THEME: ***
LANGUAGE: ****
OVERALL RATING: ***

Each story stands alone as a small, humorous teaching tale. Traditional manners and morals, culture, and spirituality are lightly woven into the selections. The acrylic paintings portray the animals, traditional clothing, and environment with incredible detail. Several of the stories will be familiar to young readers in other forms. "Tar Wolf" is known to many through "Brer Rabbit and the Tar Baby." "Rabbit Races with Turtle" begins like Aesop's "The Tortoise and the Hare" but takes an unexpected twist at the end. Although the stories are a bit repetitive, all in all this is a sweet offering that will be an enjoyable addition to any collection.

Winter Poems by Barbara Rogasky

Published: New York: Scholastic, 1994

40 pages

Target Audience: ages 7-11

Reading level: 5.9

Genre: Poetry

Themes: Winter

Synopsis: Journey through a frosty wonderland, where the beauty of winter and the music of poetry come together to evoke the magic of a season. The voices of great poets that span the centruies are included.

CHARACTER: NA

PLOT: NA

THEME: ***

LANGUAGE: ****

OVERALL RATING:***

This beautifully designed and illustrated picture book anthology of poetry celebrates winter itself, not the holidays that fall within the season. While much of the poetry was not originally written for children and some of it is excerpted from longer works, the clarity of concrete images and the sounds of the words make the verse accessible to young people, particularly when it is read aloud. The background of each double-page spread is the same country road, fields, and farm seen in a variety of weathers and times of day and night. A white box is centered on each page, and within these boxes appear the poems and illustrations related to individual poems.

The Tree that Time Built: A Celebration of Nature, Science, and Imagination by Mary Ann Hoberman

Published: Naperville: Sourcebooks Jabberwocky, 2009

209 pages

Target Audience: ages 7-12

Reading level: 4.0

Genre: Poetry

Themes: Nature

Synopsis: Anthology of more than 100 poems celebrating the wonders of the natural world and encouraging environmental awareness.

CHARACTER: NA

PLOT: NA

THEME:****

LANGUAGE: ****

OVERALL RATING:****

The well-chosen selections will provoke thought and inspiration. This excellent anthology includes explanatory notes accompanying many poems, a glossary of both scientific and poetic terms and short biographies of the poets. There is also an accompanying CD featuring a selection of the poems read aloud.

Extra Credit by Andrew Clements

Published: New York: Anthem Books, 2009

183 pages

Target Audience: ages 8-12

Reading level: 5.3

Genre: Multicultural

Themes: Friendship, Middle East

Synopsis: As letters flow back and forth, between the prairies of Illinois and the mountains of Afghanistan, across cultural and religious divides, sixth-grader Abby, ten-year-old Amira, and eleven-year-old Sadeed begin to speak and listen to each other.

CHARACTER:****

PLOT:****

THEME:****

LANGUAGE:****

OVERALL RATING:****

This captivating story will pull readers quickly through the pages with curiosity and intrigue. Many will relate strongly to the colorful character of Abby, with her love of outdoor activities and hatred of homework. Abby just may be able to inspire a new interest in learning.

About the author: Andrew Clements

http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/contributor.jsp?id=2883

Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis

Published: New York: Scholastic, 2007
341 pages
Target Audience: ages 9-12
Reading level: 7.8
Genre: Multicultural
Themes: Courage, Honor, Slavery

Synopsis: Eleven-year-old Elijah lives in Buxton, Canada, a settlement of runaway slaves near the American border. He's the first child in town to be born free, and he ought to be famous just for that. Unfortunately, all that most people see is a "fra-gile" boy who's scared of snakes and talks too much. But everything changes when a former slave steals money from Elijah's friend, who has been saving to buy his family out of captivity in the South. Now it's up to Elijah to track down the thief--and his dangerous journey just might make a hero out of him, if only he can find the courage to get back home.
Newberry Honor 2008

CHARACTER: ****
PLOT: ***
THEME:***
LANGUAGE: **
OVERALL RATING: ***
This story includes a role model in Elijah as he shows compassion for others and bravery in the face of violence towards other slaves. It contains an important examination of slavery and its effects. This book is appropriate for the older elementary student with some violence towards slaves, language and a boy smoking a cigar. The reader will be drawn to the book through its humor and will find themselves at times on the edges of their seats in suspense and, at other moments, moved to tears.

About the author: Christopher Paul Curtis
http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/contributor.jsp?id=3261

The Rock Cycle by Sally Morgan

Published: New York: The Rosen Publishing Group, 2009

32 pages

Target Audience: ages 9-12

Reading level: 6.7

Genre: Non-fiction

Synopsis: Describes the different kinds of rock found in the Earth and discusses the processes that form and change these rocks.

CHARACTER: NA

PLOT: NA

THEME:****

LANGUAGE:****

OVERALL RATING:****

Excellent book for teaching about rocks including photographs on every page and text boxes to explain key terms. Includes a glossary, index and table of contents.

Sugar Gliders by Elizabeth O'Sullivan

Published: Minneapolis: Lerner Publications Company, 2009

48 pages

Target Audience: ages 7-9

Reading level: 3.4

Genre: Non-fiction

Themes: Animals, Marsupials

Synopsis: Early Bird Nature Books use vivid color photographs and clear, accessible text to describe the life cycles of animals and plants. Thorough and up-to-date, these books make important words and concepts easy to understand.

CHARACTER: NA

PLOT: NA

THEME: ****

LANGUAGE: ****

OVERALL RATING:****

This fun illustrated animal book includes many fascinating facts that leave the reader wanting to learn more. Includes definitions of key terms in a glossary, an index and a table of contents.

Who Was Johnny Appleseed? by Joan Holub

Published: New York: Grosset and Dunlap, 2005

101 pages

Target Audience: 3-5 grades

Reading level: 4.5

Genre: Biography

Synopsis: Traveling in the Northwest Territory, John Chapman, a.k.a Johnny Appleseed, planted orchards, encountered wild animals, and befriended settlers and Native Americans alike. This easy-to-read biography of the American folk hero and pioneer will fascinate children with stories of his adventures, interesting facts and many illustrations.

CHARACTER:***

PLOT:***

THEME:***

LANGUAGE:****

OVERALL RATING:***

This is the perfect biography for children who are fascinated by the eccentric and legendary Johnny Appleseed, a man who is best known for bringing apple trees to the midwest. This easy read includes a timeline of important events.

Pele by James Buckley Jr.

Published: New York: DK Publishing, 2007

128 pages

Target Audience: 9-12 years old

Reading level: 4.5

Genre: Biography

Themes: Soccer, World Cup

Synopsis: Pele, known to his family as Edson Arantes do Nascimento, grew up playing soccer on the streets of Bauru, Brazil, using a sock filled with newspaper for the ball. Luckily, the practice paid off, and by the time he was 16, he was already the top scorer in the nation. Find out how Pele became the only player ever to win three World Cup trophies-and how he earned his reputation as the greatest soccer player of all time.

CHARACTER:***

PLOT:****

THEME:***

LANGUAGE:****

OVERALL RATING:***

This illustrated biography follows Pele from his youth to his retirement. Photographs appear on every page, pulling readers into the inviting design, while fact boxes introduce other international soccer figures and define specific terms, such as bicycle kick. An illustrated time line is included for young researchers or soccer fans seeking a deeper understanding of their beloved sport.

Sector 7 by David Wiesner

Pubished: Houghton Mifflin, 1999

48 pages

Target Audience: K-3

Reading level: 3.5

Genre: Picture Book

Themes: Adventure, Fantasy, Magic

2000 Caldecott Honor Book

Synopsis: Only the person who gave us Tuesday could have devised this fantastic tale, which begins with a school trip to the Empire State Building. There a boy makes friends with a mischievous little cloud, who whisks him away to the Cloud Dispatch Center for Sector 7 (the region that includes New York City). The clouds are bored with their everyday shapes, so the boy obligingly starts to sketch some new ones.

CHARACTER:****

PLOT:****

THEME:****

LANGUAGE: NA

OVERALL RATING:****

The wordless yet eloquent account of this adventure is a funny, touching story about art, friendship, and the weather. The more you look, the more you will see.

About the author: David Wiesner

http://www.bookpage.com/books-6385-Sector-7

If You Give a Moose a Muffin by Laura Joffe Numberoff

Published: New York: Scholastic, 1991.
32 pages
Target Audience: K-2
Reading level: 2.7
Genre: Picture Book
Themes: Sharing

Synopsis: If a big hungry moose comes to visit, you might give him a muffin to make him feel at home. If you give him a muffin, he'll want some jam to go with it. When he's eaten all your muffins, he'll want to go to the store to get some more muffin mix.

CHARACTER: ****
PLOT: **
THEME: ***
LANGUAGE:****
OVERALL RATING:***
A simple act of kindness sets the stage for this silly adventure when you give a moose a muffin. The illustrations enhance the story as the reader follows the little boy and the moose. Young readers will ask for the story again, and again.

About the author: Laura Joffe Numberoff
http://www.lauranumeroff.com/

The Computer Teacher from the Black Lagoon by Mike Thaler

Published: New York: Scholastic, 2007

32 pages

Target Audience: K-2

Reading Level: 3.3

Genre: Picture Book

Themes: Computers and the Internet

Hubie has heard worrisome things about his new computer class and the teacher, Miss Pluggins.

CHARACTER: ***

PLOT:**

THEME:***

LANGUAGE:****

OVERALL RATING:***

Humorous book about Mrs. Pluggins, the scary computer teacher. She has an electric personality, and might just shock you with it! Some of the humor may be lost without an understanding of computer lingo.

About the author: Mike Thaler

http://www.mikethaler.com/index.html

Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen

Published: New York: Scholastic, 2006

48 pages

Target Audience: K-2

Reading level: 2.3

Genre: Picture Book

Themes: Cooperation and Teamwork, Courage and Honor, Library

Synopsis: Miss Merriweather, the head librarian, is very particular about rules in the library. No running allowed. And you must be quiet. But when a lion comes to the library one day, no one is sure what to do. There aren't any rules about lions in the library. And, as it turns out, this lion seems very well suited to library visiting. His big feet are quiet on the library floor. He makes a comfy backrest for the children at story hour. And he never roars in the library, at least not anymore. But when something terrible happens, the lion quickly comes to the rescue in the only way he knows how.

CHARACTER: ****

PLOT: ***

THEME: ****

LANGUAGE: ****

OVERALL RATING: ****

This story grabs the audience from the first sentence, "One day, a lion came to the library." The lion makes himself useful and learns about the rules in the lirbrary. Children will easily see themselves in the wild lion, which yearns to explore and enjoy the library but worries about the constraining rules.

About the author: Michelle Knudsen

http://www.michelleknudsen.com/library_lion_77788.htm

The Three Snow Bears by Jan Brett

Published: New York: Scholastic, 2007

32 pages

Target Audience: K-2

Reading level: 3.1

Genre: Picture Book

Themes: Curiosity

Synopsis: In this Inuit retelling of the Goldilocks story, Aloo-ki wanders into the igloo of a polar bear family that is out for a stroll. Aloo-ki glances up from fishing and sees her sled dogs floating off on an ice floe. She races after them and comes upon an igloo. Being a curious girl, she goes inside only to find no one home. That's because the polar bear family who lives there is out walking while their breakfast cools off. Aloo-ki eats some soup, tries on their boots, and finally crawls into the smallest bed for a nap. Meanwhile, Papa, Mama, and Baby Bear see her dogs adrift, swim out to rescue them and return home to find Aloo-ki fast asleep in Baby Bear's bed.

CHARACTER: ***

PLOT: ***

THEME: ***

lANGUAGE: ****

OVERALL RATING: ****

What makes this book so appealing is the setting and illustrations. It is a wonderful book for 4-8 year olds. However, I think that in order for children to fully appreciate this retelling, it’s important that they already be very familiar with the traditional story of "Goldilocks and the Three Bears." Otherwise, they won't understand the origins of the retelling and they’ll miss the fun of comparing and contrasting what’s the same and what’s different in the two versions.

About the author: Jan Brett

http://www.janbrett.com/

Jan traveled to the far North to meet the Inuit people and see the amazing land where they live. Dramatic illustrations capture the shimmering ice, snow and deep blue seas of the Arctic, and when Jan adds a raven-haired Inuit girl and her appealing huskies, an endearing family of polar bears, and playful Arctic animals in the borders, the result is one of her most beautiful picture books.

Peter and the Star Catchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson

Published: New York: Hyperion, 2005
480 pages
Target Audience: ages 9-12
Reading level: 6.9
Themes: Courage and Honor, Friends and Friendship, Leadership and Responsibility, Loyalty

Synopsis: Peter and four other orphans are taken aboard a rickety old ship, the Never Land, to be delivered as servants to the evil king of Rundoon. Also on board the ship is Molly, daughter of the British Ambassador to Rundoon, and a mysterious trunk filled with a special treasure. The feared pirate Captain Black Stache knows there's a valuable treasure on board, though he doesn't know what it is. Peter befriends Molly and finds out that she and her father are Starcatchers, members of a centuries-old secret society that protects humanity by making sure that evil people don't get their hands on starstuff, magical material that falls from the stars and changes the nature of everything it touches.
Through storm, treachery, and shipwreck, Peter, Molly, and the boys end up on an island with the treasure, the pirates, fierce natives, the villainous first mate of the Never Land, mermaids created by the starstuff, and a giant crocodile. While Peter and Molly try to get the starstuff for the Starcatchers, everyone else is battling to get it for themselves.

CHARACTER: ****
PLOT: ****
THEME: ***
LANGUAGE: ***
OVERALL RATING: ***

You probably know the story of Peter Pan, right? But did you ever wonder how Peter learned to fly? Or where mermaids come from? Or what Captain Hook was called back when he had both of his hands? Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson asked themselves those questions, and the result is a wildly imaginative story about Peter before he was known as Peter Pan. Overall this is an amazing adventure story that will be enjoyed by male and female readers of all ages, whether they are a fan of the original story of PETER PAN or not.

About the author: Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
http://www.peterandthestarcatchers.com/authors.html

The Sisters Grimm: Fairy Tale Detectives by Michael Buckley

Published: New York: Amulet Books, 2007
284 pages
Target Audience: ages 8-12
Reading level: 4.5
Genre: Contemporary Fantasy
Themes: Courage and Honor, Magic

Sysnopsis: When orphaned sisters Sabrina and Daphne are sent to live with their mysterious grandmother, Relda Grimm, who lives in a strange town in New York state, known for it's extraordinary number of unexplained and unusual crimes, they begin to unravel a mystery that leads to their ancestors' magical beginnings.Sabrina and Daphne find out they are descendants of the Brothers Grimm, who were actually detectives of the magical phenomenon perpetrated by the Everafters, a parallel race of magical beings. They soon learn it is the Grimm family's legacy to keep the Everafters in line and the two sisters are the sole heirs to this challenge!

CHARACTER: ***
PLOT: ***
THEME: ***
LANGUAGE: ****
OVERALL RATING: ****

Michael Buckley has created a delightful series that's part mystery, part fantasy, and part adventure. A cast of fairy tale characters fill the roles and provide the clues in this mystery novel. Some characters are predictable because of our familiar fairy tales and you know how the story will end. However, the story hooks you in the beginning and keeps the reader surprised with unexpected twists and turns.
About the author: Michael Buckley
http://sistersgrimm.com/newsite/thescribe.html

Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan

Published: New York: Puffin, 1942
196 pages
Target Audience: ages 8-12
Reading level: 4.9
Genre: Historical Fiction
Themes: Cleverness, Creativity and Imagination, Courage and Honor, European History (World War II), Friendship

Synopsis: In 1940, the German army invades Norway and 12-year-old Peter Lundstrom's life is changed forever. His father is the local banker and his Uncle Victor is captain of a sea-worthy fishing boat. They, along with the other leaders of their community, conspire to aid Norway by smuggling over nine million dollars worth of the country's gold bullion to America, where it will be safely kept out of the hands of the German army. But first they must get the gold from the town bank down the snow-covered mountainside to the fjord (a narrow inlet of the sea) below where Victor's fishing boat awaits its valuable cargo. It is up to Peter and the other children of the town to take to their sleds and sneak the gold brick-by-brick past German sentries.
The Germans think the children look innocent enough, but one soldier, who speaks Norwegian, seems aware that some plan is afoot. Peter must create a diversion in order to keep the Germans from discovering the entire plot and he is captured in the process. His only hope for escape lies with his Uncle Victor and a soldier dressed as a German, who might just be on the side of Norway.
Snow Treasure is based on events that were said to have actually taken place during World War II. The book includes a brief account of a Norwegian freighter that arrived in Baltimore in 1940 with a cargo of gold bullion, reputedly smuggled past the Germans by children on their sleds. From this rumor, Mary McSwigan tells a riveting tale of adventure and courage that gives young readers a taste of life inside the Artic circle, and simultaneously teaches an exciting history lesson.

CHARACTER: ****
PLOT: ***
THEME: ***
LANGUAGE: ****
OVERALL RATING: ***
For young readers, Snow Treasure presents a very authentic picture of the occupation experience in Norway. It is a well-written adventure certain to interest young scholars of Norwegian history.

About the author: Marie McSwigan
http://www.catholicauthors.com/mcswigan.html

Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson

Published: New York: Delacorte Press, 2006.
304 pages
Target Audience: Young Adult
Reading levle:
Cenre: Historical Fiction
Themes: Character and Values, Culture and Diversity, Friends and Friendship

Synopsis: Alone in the world, teen-aged Hattie is driven to prove up on her uncle's homesteading claim. For years, sixteen-year-old Hattie's been shuttled between relatives. Tired of being Hattie Here-and-There, she courageously leaves Iowa to prove up on her late uncle's homestead claim near Vida, Montana. With a stubborn stick-to-itiveness, Hattie faces frost, drought and blizzards. Despite many hardships, Hattie forges ahead, sharing her adventures with her friends--especially Charlie, fighting in France--through letters and articles for her hometown paper.
Her backbreaking quest for a home is lightened by her neighbors, the Muellers. But she feels threatened by pressure to be a " Loyal" American, forbidding friendships with folks of German descent. Despite everything, Hattie's determined to stay until a tragedy causes her to discover the true meaning of home.

Newbery Honor 2007

CHARACTER: ****
PLOT: ****
THEME: ****
LANGUAGE: ****
OVERALL RATING: ****

I found Hattie Big Sky to be completely wonderful. I loved how kind Hattie is, how big-hearted, honest, and firm in her convictions. She refuses to let the anti-German sentiment keep her away from the Mullers, and she stands up to the people in town even though she is desperately lonely and looking to make a place for herself, a home, a family. In spite of the sure knowledge that she will stand alone, she takes that stand and refuses to give up her friendship with them. That alone would make Hattie Big Sky a great book but there is more, much more and I highly recommend it for the young adult audience.

About author: Kirby Larson
http://www.kirbylarson.com/hattiebigsky.html

Everything on a Waffle by Polly Horvath

Published: New York: Farrar Straus Giroux, 2001

160 pages

Target Audience: ages 10 and up

Reading level: 5.9

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Themes: Adoption and Foster Care; Parents; Self-esteem; Hope

Synopsis: Everyone in Coal Harbour is convinced that Primrose Squarp's parents were lost at sea in a terrible storm. Everyone but Primrose. She just knows that they will come back home.
For all practical purposes, at least for the time being, Primrose is an orphan, and there's no great clamoring of prospective adopters. After realizing the impracticality of continuing to pay Miss Perfidy an hourly wage to baby-sit her, the town council is able to locate a relative, Uncle Jack, who reluctantly takes Primrose into his care. But true sanctuary can always be found at a restaurant called "The Girl in the Swing", where everything — including lasagna —is served on a waffle.
As she waits and navigates through a series of adventures, Primrose observes all sorts of human qualities in the people who come into her life: an elderly neighbor, the school guidance counselor, her wheeler-dealer uncle, a childless couple, and the always ready to listen restaurant owner, who serves everything on a waffle.

Newbery Honor Book

National Book Award Finalist

CHARACTER: ****

PLOT:****

THEME:****

LANGUAGE:****

OVERALL RATING:****

This fun, lighthearted story entertains children while teaching about hope. With humor and insights — and some recipes, too — Polly Horvath serves up a delicious novel.

About the author: Polly Horvath

http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/contributor.jsp?id=2990

Trapped in Death Cave by Bill Wallace

Published: New York: Holiday House, 1987

176 pages

Target audience: 8-12 years old

Reading level: 4.5

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Themes: Character and Values; Culture and Diversity

Synopsis: Everybody thinks Gary's grampa died in a fishing accident. But from a note Grampa left, Gary suspects he was murdered. The note tells of a million dollars in gold hidden in a cave and an old Indian curse promising that anyone who touches it will die! Gary and his friend Brian are sure that if they find the gold, they will also find Grampa's killer. But treasure hunting can be deadly. Now they are stuck in a dark cavern full of tangled skeletons, restless Indian spirits, and a murderer out for their blood! Will Brian and Gary ever get out of Death Cave alive?

CHARACTER:****

PLOT:****

THEME:****

LANGUAGE:****

OVERALL RATING:****

Two of my students recommended this book to me during the fall 2009. They actually wanted to stay in from recess to keep reading the book and solve the mystery. The characters display depth and integrity as they atempt to locate a treasure and grandfather's killer. The plot is an engaging mystery that pulls the reader in from the beginning and keeps you guessing until the end. The themes of developing character and values are taught in a straightforward manner using age appropriate language. Any third or fourth grade boy will enjoy this read!

About the author Bill Wallace:

http://www2.scholastic.com/browse/contributor.jsp?id=2683&FullBreadCrumb=%3Ca+href%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww2.scholastic.com%2Fbrowse%2Fsearch%2F%3FNtx%3Dmode%2Bmatchallpartial%26_N%3Dfff%26Ntk%3DSCHL30_SI%26query%3Dbill%2520wallace%26N%3D0%26Ntt%3Dbill%2Bwallace%22+class%3D%22endecaAll%22%3EAll+Results%3C%2Fa%3E

Evaluating Literature

Each selection will be evaluated using the following criteria:
CHARATER: the character needs to create a strong emotional response and be believable.
PLOT: the author 'hooks' the reader through a personal connection.
THEME: the themes discussed in the book enrich the reader's understanding of the world around them and are appropriate for the target audience.
LANGUAGE: appropriate use of language for target audience.
OVERALL RATING: up to 4 stars

one star = Poor book (Don't waste your time; read a different book.)
two stars = Fair book (There are better books out there to spend your time reading.)
three stars = Good book (This is a good book to read if you have time.)
four stars = Excellent book (I recommend that everyone make time to read this book!)

Personal Literature Collection

I am taking a Children's Literature class summer 2010. I am required to conduct an individual reading program in which I read a minimun of 20 children's books. This organized file will be posted on this blog for my students or parents to access.