"Junie B. Jones Is A Beauty Shop Guy!"

Junie B. Jones Is A Beauty Shop Guy!
Author: Barbara Park
Illustrator: Barbara Park
Genre: Chapter Book
Subgenre: Fiction, Humor
Theme: Future Goals, Asking for Help
Primary/Secondary Characters: Junie B. Jones, Daddy, Maxine, Mrs. (Junie's Teacher)
Date of Publication: Year 1998
Publishing Company: Random House Books for Young Readers

Summary: Junie B. Jones tags along with her father to the beauty shop to get his hair cut, by Maxine, the beautician. Junie B. is fascinated by the spinny chair and all the cool tools that the "beauty shop guy" gets to use. Junie B. then decides that she wants to be a beautician when she grows up, and that that will be her goal in life. Junie B. decides she needs practice, so she cuts the hair of her elephant, Phillip Bob, trims her bunny slippers, and then decides to cut her own hair. Junie B. fails miserably, and has to go to school the next day with a hat on, covering her awful mistake. Junie B. is afraid to tell anybody what happened, and eventually realizes that she msut ask her teacher, who she refers to as "Mrs." for help. Mrs. helps Junie B. and her father takes her to Maxine. She quickly fixes her hair, and Junie B. loves her new hair. She then realizes if it wasn’t for her cutting her own hair, this new haircut wouldn’t have happened, so all her hopes and dreams of being a beauty shop guy aren’t crushed after all, and she reaches into her drawer and pulls out an extra pair of scissors. She learns to never do things she knows nothing about, and to always ask for help in a time of need. Children in the classroom can greatly benefit from this book as they learn to never do something they are to not do, especially when their parents tell them otherwise. Junie B.'s use of inappropriate grammar and foolish acts teaches students what not to do, and how to make better decisions, which is crucial at a young age. Keeping this book in the classroom for pleasure reading is also a great idea, as these books spark students' interest and keep them wanting to read more.

"Amelia Bedelia Goes Camping!"

Amelia Bedelia Goes Camping
Author: Peggy Parish
Illustrator: Lynn Sweat
Genre: Chapter Book
Subgenre: Humor, Children's Fiction
Theme: Camping, Literal Thinking
Primary/Secondary Characters: Amelia Bedelia, Mr. Rogers
Date of Publication: Year 2003
Publishing Company: Harper Collins Publishers

Summary: Amelia Bedelia, everyone's favorite maid, goes on a camping trip with her employers. Mr. Rogers decides to teach Amelia everything he knows about the great outdoors, but Amelia takes everything with her literal mind. For example, Mr. Rogers tells Amelia to "pitch the tent" and she throws it into the bushes, because that is what she thought he wanted her to do. Mr. Rogers told Amelia they had to "hit the road", so Amelia took a stick and began to hit it on the road, as that is what made sense to her. She eventually gets the hang of the whole camping thing, and learns how to fish, and how to survive in the outdoors. But she is not hesitant to get back to her regular life, and her humor and entertaining acts keep the reader tuned in. This could be used in a classroom for a fun and easy read for students. Students can learn a thing or two about camping, and practice their reading skills as Amelia practices life skills that she is not familiar with. The books are in a series, so students can be hooked on these books and further their reading abilities with Amelia Bedelia.

"Junie B. Jones Is A Party Animal"

Junie B. Jones Is A Party Animal
Author: Barbara Park
Illustrator: Barbara Park
Genre: Chapter Book
Subgenre: Fiction, Children's Humor
Theme: Elegance, Fancy Fun, Crazy Girls
Primary/Secondary Characters: Junie B. Jones, Grace, Lucille, Lucille's Grandmother, Junie B.'s Grandmother
Date of Publication: Year 1997
Publishing Company: Random House Books for Young Readers

Summary: Junie B. Jones and her friend Grace are invited over to Lucille's grandmother's house for a sleepover. The three girls are in the same class together, and Lucille has a bit more fancy lifestyle than the rest of the class. Junie B. notices that everything at the grandmother's house is very elegant, even the glasses they drink from at supper. Junie B. accidentally breaks an expensive glass, as she is clumsy and not used to this lifestyle. While there, Junie B. and Grace help Lucille beg her "richie nana" for a poodle, as her grandmother had the money to easily pay for one. Junie B. decides she wants to live like this someday, but she would rather "party" and drink from her own grandmother's plastic cups now, as that is where she feels at home. This book can be used in the classroom, as this book is part of a large and intriguing series to young readers. Young students, especially young girls, admire Junie B. and find her humor entertaining, as she deals with life situations at home, and very frequently at school. Students will face the same challenges Junie B. faces, and the lessons in each book will provide knowledge and insight to just how to deal with them.

"Through My Eyes"

Through My Eyes
Author: Ruby Bridges
Illustrator: None
Genre: Chapter Book
Subgenre: Biography, Racism
Theme: Acceptance, Discrimination
Primary/Secondary Characters: Ruby Bridges, Mrs. King, Dr. Coles
Date of Publication: Year 1999
Publishing Company: Scholastic Press
Award: Orbis Pictus Award Winner

Summary: Ruby Bridges was a six year old black girl who just wanted an education, just like any other child. Ruby was protected in school by four U.S federal marshalls, as they made sure she was not harmed by the angry racist mobs and protestors. White parents of students in Ruby's class complained that there was a colored girl in the class with their child, and eventually all the children were taken out of the school to protest. ruby was the only student left in the classroom, and her dedicated teacher, Mrs. King decided to still teach Ruby, as she believed every student deserved an education. The year after, Ruby got another teacher by the name of Mrs. Henry, who she admired and became very attached to. Segregation at this time was at a high, and Ruby even had a psychiatrist by the name of Dr. Coles who talked to her about her issues and concerns. When the school was filled back up with students, Ruby felt different from all the other children, and although it was integrated, her life was changed forever. This book can be used in the classroom when teaching about racism and discrimination. Ruby was denied an education by the public because of her color, but because of one dedicated teacher, Ruby pushed on. Children can be inspired by Ruby as they learn that even if someone tells them that they cannot do something, that they can accomplish anything they put their mind to. Teaching children about discrimination is extremely important, especially when it still exists, in parts, today.

Summary:

"Let It Shine"

Let It Shine
Author: Ashley Bryan
Illustrator: Ashley Bryan
Genre: Picture Book
Subgenre: Spiritual Songbook
Theme: Religion, Cultural Diversity
Date of Publication: Year 2007
Publishing Company: Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing Division
Award: Coretta Scott King Award Winner (Picture Book)

Summary: This book is a mix of three different Spiritual songs that children learn at young ages. The three songs include, "This Little Light of Mine", "When the Saints Go Marching In" and "He's Got The Whole World In His Hands." The beautiful illustrations and colors on the pages of the book really give the songs character, and they show the world from different perspectives. The last few pages of the book are the songs with the sheet music, with more plentiful illustrations. This could be used in the classroom as it provides religious insight, and would be a great addition to a personal classroom library. Students will be attracted to the pretty colors and be able to relate to these words that many had possibly learned at a young age.

"Emma's Poem"

Emma's Poem: The Voice of the Statue of Liberty
Author: Linda Glaser
Illustrator: Claire A. Nivola
Genre: Poem Picture Book
Subgenre: Immigration
Theme: Statue of Liberty, Nationalism
Primary/Secondary Characters: Emma, Immigrants
Date of Publication: 2010
Publishing Company: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Poetry Book

Summary: Emma was a young girl growing up in New York city in a nice house, with nice belongings. Emma grew up and became a writer and visited NY Harbor, where she saw a bunch of immigrants looked tired and sad, just wanting a place to call home. Emma made friends with many of the immigrants, and had heard about France sending a statue to the United States, as a gift of friendship. To raise money to get the statue to the country, Emma created a poem, which was sold to many, and in 1886 Emma passed away. The statue was then brought over to this country, and students in classrooms all over the country continued to read Emma's work, and saw what one person can do for the entire country. This book can be used in the classroom as it teaches of the Statue of Liberty, and why our country received it. It discusses the topic of immigration, and this book could be used in either a poetry unit, or a history lesson, as well. Students can be inspired by Emma as her writing inspired many others, and it impacted the world.

"The Life and Death of Adolf Hitler"

The Life and Death of Adolf Hitler
Author: James Cross Giblin
Illustrator: None
Genre: Chapter Book
Subgenre: History, Biography
Theme: Holocaust, Life of a Villian
Primary/Secondary Characters: Adolf Hitler
Date of Publication: Year 2002
Publishing Company: Clarion Books, Houghton Mifflin
Award: Robert F. Sibert Award Winner

Summary: This books discusses the rise and fall of the most dangerous and destructive twentieth-century dictator, Adolf Hitler. The story begins with Hitler's birth and growth in Austria, and follows his years as a WWI soldier and his abilities as a political orator. The book discusses Hitler's gradual rise to power, as well as his associations with the Nazi Party. and his current political and economic conditions at the time. It outlines Hitler's life and career, and at times focuses on his commitment to Lebensraum (what is described as the additional "living space" for Germany) which triggered the series of invasions that pushed the world into another war, WWII. Hitler was a gifted individual that did not put his talents to proper use, and ended up ruining the lives of many. Hitlers actions had forever impacted the world, as his cruelty and inhumane acts were unfathomable by many, if not all. This could be used in the classroom when teaching history, especially the Holocaust. This early twentieth century happening has impacted the world forever, and children are to know about this important, yet horribly cruel event in their history. No child under the age of about seventh grade should be exposed to this book, as its gruesome details `and truthful acts would scare a young student. Many projects and papers could be based off this Bibliography and students could use its strong content in many ways.

"Over A Thousand Hills I Walk with You"

Over a Thousand Hills I Walk With You
Author: Hanna Jansen
Illustrator: Elizabeth D. Crawford
Genre:  Chapter BookNonfiction
Subgenre: Nonfiction, Real World Issues, History
Theme: Rwandan Genocide
Primary/Secondary Characters: Jeanne, Adoptive mother, Hutus, Tutsis
Date of Publication: Year 2006
Publishing Company: Carolrhoda Books
Award: Mildred L. Batchelor Award Winner

Summary: This nonfiction book is based on the true story of Jeanne, who is caught in a war of ethnicities in Rwanda. She was only eight when the Genocide occurred. Jeanne experiences the deaths of her mother and brother in the Genocide, and is forced to take on life by herself. The main reason for the Rwandan genocide is ethnic violence ­between the Tutsis and Hutus, and Jeanne is thrown into the middle of it, all by herself. The Tutsis were hunted down and betrayed by their neighbors and friends, the Hutus. Jeanne is not sure who she can trust, and has nobody there to stand by her side. Jeanne becomes wise as a young girl, and knows how to keep herself alive. The story is told by Jeanne’s adoptive mother, who becomes her guardian and mother figure, since her mother had passed away.Jeanne deserved a positive future, just like every other girl her age, and the Genocide was something that scarred her life forever. It tells of the detailed acts of Genocide happening in Rwanda in 1994, and the emotional, italicized dialogue from her real mother speaking to her tell of the feelings during this time. This novel can be used in the classroom when teaching about the Rwandan Genocide, but definitely not in a younger classroom. The gruesome details and truth to the event are descriptive, and would frighten young children. The thoughts felt and the actual historical truths in this book would teach children about this important fraction of history, and enable them to put themselves in the shoes of the characters.

"Dory Story"

Dory Story
Author: Jerry Pallotta
Illustrator: David Biedrzycki
Genre: Picture Book
Subgenre: Realistic Fiction, Adventure
Theme: Food Web, Sea Life, Imagination
Primary/Secondary Characters: Danny, Sea Life, Mom
Date of Publication: Year 2000
Publishing Company: Charlesbridge Publishing

Summary: Young Danny decided he wanted to learn more about the life of plankton in the sea, so he rowed his dory out into the middle of the ocean to find them. His mother always told him not to go out alone, but he figured he would be alright. Soon, the animals started a chain reaction and demonstrated the food web, as the sand eels were eating the shrimp, the mackerels eating the sand eel, and the bluefish eating the mackerel. Killer and humpback whales were in the food web, as well, and they knocked the dory right over, and Danny had to swim to safety. He made it on top of a huge rock, away from all the danger, when he heard his mother's voice. Danny had been using his imagination the whole time, and in reality, was playing with his toys in the bathtub. This story could be used in a classroom as it teaches about the food web in a fun and adventurous way. Children will learn what eats what, and just how the web functions. This could be used in an ocean and animal unit, and also keeps students attention with the action and twist at the end of the book.

"Where's My Teddy?"

Where's My Teddy?
Author: Jez Alborough
Illustrator: Jez Alborough
Genre: Picture Book
Subgenre: Fiction
Theme: Comfort, Child's Toys
Primary/Secondary Characters: Eddie, Freddie, Big Bear, Small/Large Teddy
Date of Publication: Year 1992
Publishing Company: Candlewick Press

Summary: Eddie loses his teddy bear Freddie somewhere in the woods. As he searches to find Freddie, he comes across a huge teddy bear, that just could not be his teddy bear. He hears a loud crying, to realize it is a big live bear holding a tiny teddy bear, wondering why his teddy bear got so small. He sees Eddie holding the huge teddy bear, and realize that they have each others' bears! They each swap teddy bears, and go to the homes to cuddle with their rediscovered teddy bears. This could be used in the classroom as the rhythmic words can be easily understood and paid attention to by young readers. Children will learn to love this book, and the fast paced action really keeps children's interest.