Books We've Read Together...
October - November 2014
Hatchet
by Gary Paulsen
Thirteen-year-old Brian Robeson is on his way to visit his father when the single-engine plane in which he is flying crashes. Suddenly, Brian finds himself alone in the Canadian wilderness with nothing but a tattered Windbreaker and the hatchet his mother gave him as a present -- and the dreadful secret that has been tearing him apart since his parent's divorce. But now Brian has no time for anger, self pity, or despair -- it will take all his know-how and determination, and more courage than he knew he possessed, to survive.
This classic, award-winning novel has connections to a number of our subjects. It has many advanced words, helping us build our vocabularies. We are reading a chapter every few days.
September 2014
Crickwing
by Janell Cannon
Crickwing never set out to be a bully. He just wanted to create his art in peace. But the little cockroach is an easy target for the bigger creatures in the forest. In his frustration he decides to even the score by bullying the leafcutter ants. They're just so easy to pick on. Big mistake. Nobody angers the leafcutter queen and gets away with it.
Janell Cannon once again combines sophisticated writing with empathetic animal characters and beautiful illustrations to teach us a lesson about bullying. This book perfectly aligned with our creation of a supportive classroom community.
The Boy Who Wouldn't Share
Written by Mike Reiss, Illustrated by David Catrow
Edward has oodles of toys but doesn't share any of them with his little sister, Claire. She cannot ride his rocking horse, hug his teddy bear, or even think about touching his Slinky.
"They're mine!" he says. That is, until one day when Edward finds himself stuck under his enormous pile of toys and can't move! With a little help from an unlikely ally, he learns that if he can share with others, they'll share right back with him.
This simple lesson about the importance of sharing is a love letter to Dr. Seuss both it's infectious rhymes and beautiful illustrations. In addition to being our first offical poem, this book helped us discuss the importance of sharing in our classroom
Verdi
by Janell Cannon
Young Verdi doesn’t want to grow up big and green. He likes his bright yellow skin and sporty stripes. Besides, all the green snakes he meets are lazy, boring, and rude. When Verdi finds a pale green stripe stretching along his whole body, he tries every trick he can think of to get rid of it--and ends up in a heap of trouble. Despite his efforts, Verdi turns green, but to his delight, he discovers that being green doesn’t mean he has to stop being himself.
Janell Cannon uses a feisty young snake to teach us about balancing a fun-loving spirit with the wisdom and responsibility of growing old. Our second book by Janell Cannon provided an opportunity to find contextual and thematic links across books.
Crictor
by Tomi Ungerer
A highly diverting picture book about an agreeable pet boa constrictor that earns the affection and gratitude of a French village from the prolific French writer and illustrator.
Tomi Ungerer's unlikely reptillian hero reminded our class not to "judge a book by it's cover".
Stellaluna
by Janell Cannon
Knocked from her mother’s safe embrace by an attacking owl, Stellaluna lands headfirst in a bird’s nest. This adorable baby fruit bat’s world is literally turned upside down when she is adopted by the occupants of the nest and adapts to their peculiar bird habits.
Janell Cannon's most famous book helped us discuss the importance of family and of being true to oneself.
The Boy From Dragon Palace
Retold by Margaret Read MacDonald, Illustrated by S
A traditional Japanese folk tale that tells the story of a magical boy that grants a poor flower-seller's every wish until the greedy and ungrateful man grows tired of the boy's 'unpleasant' behavior and sends him away.
A wonderfully funny book that developed our understanding of what it is to be grateful and to work for the things we have.
How the Tiny People Grew Tall: An Original Creation Tale
Written by Nancy Wood, Illustrated by Rebecca Walsh
A long time ago, when everything was new, the Tiny People lived in the Center of the Earth. It was hot and crowded. Then a star crashes into the ground and the Tiny People see the blue sky above. Led by the Tiniest of their number, they dare to crawl up a cornstalk into a strange, scary world. Terrified but curious, the wee folk hitch rides with Eagle, Turtle, and Bear, who advise them to rise above the earth, take their time, and be strong, just like them. Other creatures show how to build a home and find food. And sure enough, after many seasons, the Tiny People grow as tall as young trees and are ready to kick up their heels and celebrate with all the animal friends who have taught them so well.
Based on multiple origin stories of North America’s indigenous peoples, this beautiful book helped us discuss being brave, trying new things and the importance of leadership.
The Monsters' Monster
by Patrick McDonnell
Grouch, Grump, and little Gloom 'n' Doom spend much of their time arguing over who is the "biggest and baddest" until they build a monster together that turns out to be very different than what they expect.
The very first book we shared as a class! Award winning author and cartoonist Patrick McDonnell helped us learn about the power of being polite and the importance of saying 'Thank You'