Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life

Graphic Novel


This first book in the widely popular Dork Diaries series brings humor and fun to its reader.  Eighth grader Nikki Maxwell is starting this school year at her new private school, Westchester Country Day.  Nikki tells ALL in her diary filled with stories about her new school, new crush, new friends, and of course the new mean girl, Mackenzie Hollister.  Anyone who loves the popular Diary of a Wimpy Kid series will fall in love with this very similar series, as told from the girl perspective.


Title: Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Fabulous Life
Author: Rachel Renée Russell
Publisher/Date: Aladdin/2009
ISBN: 1416980067
Rating: 5 out of 5

Bone: Out From Boneville

Graphic Novel


Fone Bone, Phoney Bone, and Smiley Bone are three cousins who just got themselves throw into one great adventure.  Once they are separated and lost in a desert, these Bone cousins find themselves each stumbling across a forested valley with interesting new inhabitants.  Bone takes its reader to an unexplored outside world filled with new wonders and excitement!  This first book in a great quality graphic novel series captures the attention of all its readers and opens their mind up to so much imagination.

Title: Bone: Out From Boneville
Author: Jeff Smith
Publisher/Date: Scholastic, Inc./1993
ISBN: 0439706408
Rating: 5 out of 5

Smile

Graphic Novel

Smile is a great graphic novel that tells the story of a sixth grader who has an awfully embarrassing fall, which turns into an even more embarrassing journey with braces.  Author Raina Telgemeier writes about her own experiences with braces, boys, headgear, and "friends" in those awkward middle school years.  Smile is very popular with children in grades four and up, because of its highly relatable content and the humorous twist Telgemeier puts on her own childhood.

Title: Smile
Author: Raina Telgemeier
Publisher/Date: GRAPHIX/2010
ISBN: 0545132053
Rating: 5 out of 5

Fathers, Mothers, Sisters, Brothers: A Collection of Family Poems

Poetry


Mary Ann Hoberman writes this collection of poems to celebrate family, no matter how big or how small!  This book is great for children's poetry, but also for talking to young children about brothers, sisters, adopted children, grandparents, only children, and so many others.  These poems are great for in the classroom, as well as at home with a parent or other member of your family.  Children love to hear stories they can relate to, which is exactly what these collections of poems are.  Whether the child is an only or one of ten, they can relate to these great family-centered poems.


Title: Fathers, Mothers, Sisters, Brothers: A Collection of Family Poems
Author: Mary Ann Hoberman
Illustrator: Marylin Hafner
Publisher/Date: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers/1991
ISBN: 0316362514
Rating: 5 out of 5

The Llama Who Had No Pajama: 100 Favorite Poems

Poetry

The Llama Who Had No Pajama is a hilarious and fun book of poems for children of all ages.  This collection of poems focuses on childhood experiences such as birthdays and ice skating, and also includes stories of many different animals!  Mary Ann Hoberman also includes poems that relate to many content areas such as time, comparisons, and opposites.  This great book can be used to talk about poetry, as well as introduce and incorporate different content areas into the everyday reading of children.

Title: The Llama Who Had No Pajama
Author: Mary Ann Hoberman
Illustrator: Betty Fraser
Publisher/Date: HMH Books for Young Readers/1998
ISBN: 0152055711
Rating: 5 out of 5

Love That Dog

Poetry

Love That Dog is a book written through the perspective of a boy, Jack, who writes this book to tell about his dog, Sky.  Love That Dog comes to life through the short verses of collective poems written by Jack as he goes through his school year.  While the book also incorporates poems from famous poets, it is a great combination of Sharon Creech's story and famous poems that can spark a child's mind.

Title: Love That Dog
Author: Sharon Creech
Publisher/Date: HarperCollins Publishers/2003
ISBN: 9780064409599
Rating: 5 out of 5

Smoky Night

 
Historical Fiction

The Los Angeles riots are depicted in this children's book by Eve Bunting.  Smoky Night is told from the perspective of a young boy living with his mother during these riots.  One night, their apartment building catches on fire and they are all forced out of their homes and into a shelter.  Eve Bunting captures what riots may be like for children, while bringing very serious, yet inspiring, historical accounts to readers of all ages.



Title: Smoky Night
Author/Illustrator: Eve Bunting/David Diaz
Publisher/Date: Harcourt Brace & Company/1994
ISBN: 0-15-269954-6
Rating: 5 out of 5

Train to Somewhere

Historical Fiction


This book by Eve Bunting follows 14 orphans traveling to the West by train in 1878.  During this time, thousands of orphans were sent from New York to small towns and farms in the Midwest.  Train to Somewhere brings the reader many different emotions while reading this incredibly sad, yet hopeful account of what being an orphan on one of these trains may have been like.



Title: Train to Somewhere
Author/Illustrator: Eve Bunting/Ronald Himler
Publisher/Date: Clarion Books/1996
ISBN: 0-395-71325-0
Rating: 5 out of 5

The Blessing Cup

Historical Fiction

The Blessing Cup follows a Jewish family in Russia during the war.  When the family is forced out of their own country, they rely on the help of others, specifically Uncle Genya.  This beautiful story of author Patricia Polacco's ancestors gives the reader an idea of what it was like for Jews in Russia as the war was starting.  I rated this book a 5 out of 5 because of its unique illustrations, touching story, and the amount of historic and cultural information it shares with its reader.



Title: The Blessing Cup
Author: Patricia Polacco
Publisher/Date: Simon & Schuster/2013
ISBN: 978-1-4424-5047-9
Rating: 5 out of 5

Cars and How They Go

Informational Texts

This book describes, for children, how cars work and their different parts.  Using child-friendly language, Joanna Cole writes a very informative and engaging book about cars.  Although the illustrations are very bright and appealing, I do believe it may have been beneficial to students to include real-life pictures of parts of cars.  

Title: Cars and How They Go
Author: Joanna Cole
Publisher/Date: Trophy Pr/1986
ISBN: 0064460525
Rating: 4 out of 5

The Vegetables We Eat

Informational Texts

Gail Gibbons writes a great book to teach children about vegetables and how we get them from the farms.  In this book students will learn what types of vegetables we eat, where they come from, how we get them, and how to grow your own vegetables at home!  The book features very nicely drawn, life-like illustrations that compliment the text.

Title: The Vegetables We Eat
Author: Gail Gibbons
Publisher/Date: Holiday House/2007
ISBN: 0-8234-2001-9
Rating: 5 out of 5

Danger! Volcanoes

Informational Texts

Danger! Volcanoes informs students of what volcanoes are, why they erupt, different types, and some effects of their eruptions.  This informational text by Seymour Simon gives students a fun and exciting way to learn about volcanoes while reading.  The pictures in this book are very realistic and informative for students.

Title: Danger! Volcanoes
Author: Seymour Simon
Publisher/Date: Scholastic Inc./2002
ISBN: 0439467829
Rating: 5 out of 5

The Sweetest Fig

Fantasy

Chris Van Allsburg brings humor and fun to this fantasy book.  Monsieur Bibot receives two "special" figs as payment for taking out an old woman's tooth.  Refusing to believe in these magical figs, Monsieur Bibot eats one for his evening snack.  The next day, however, he realizes everything he dreamed the night before is shockingly coming true!  Wishing to become the richest man in the world, Bibot saves the second fig for a special night.  Read about what happens to Monsieur Bibot and his magical figs in The Sweetest Fig.


Title: The Sweetest Fig
Author: Chris Van Allsburg
Publisher/Date: Houghton Mifflin Company/1993
ISBN: 0-395-67346-1
Rating: 5 out of 5

The Velveteen Rabbit

Fantasy




The Velveteen Rabbit is a beautiful story about a young boy and his furry new friend.  Quickly becoming the boy's favorite new toy after Christmas, the rabbit is overjoyed with the thought of finally becoming real.  Later, after the boy becomes sick with scarlet fever, the doctor orders all of his toys to be burned and his room to be disinfected.  Will the rabbit ever get his chance at becoming real through the power of love?  How could the little boy let his best friend be burned? The Velveteen Rabbit pulls at your heartstrings as you follow this classic tale of love, friendship, and the bond between a boy and his bunny.

Title: The Velveteen Rabbit
Author: Margery Williams
Illustrator: William Nicholson
Publisher/Date: George H. Doran Company/1922
ISBN: 0-380-00255-8
Rating: 5 out of 5

Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse

Fantasy

Lilly cannot wait to get to school and show off her brand new, purple, plastic, purse!  her excitement ends, however, when her teacher takes the purse away because of the distraction it is causing in class.  Lilly gets very angry at her, once favorite, teacher and seeks revenge.  This animal fantasy book appeals to young children as they experience Lilly's anger, excitement, and envy with her.

Title: Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse
Author: Kevin Henkes
Publisher/Date: HarperCollins/1996
ISBN: 068812898X
Rating: 5 out of 5

Flush

Realistic Fiction

Carl Hiaasen uses his realistic fiction book, Flush, to inform readers of the harmful effects of dumping wastewater into the oceans.  Noah's dad realizes what local casino owner, Dusty, is doing with the wastewater from his casino boat.  In order to catch Dusty, Noah and his family are going to have to come up with one great plan.  Readers are given information about wastewater and its harmful effects on our wildlife, while hearing the story through a young boy.  This realistic fiction novel is loved by young readers, who find it both interesting and suspenseful.



Title: Flush
Author: Carl Hiaasen
Publisher/Date: Yearling/2010
ISBN: 978-0375861253
Rating: 5 out of 5

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Realistic Fiction


Diary of a Wimpy Kid, by Jeff Kinney, is written from the perspective of a boy about to start middle school.  Greg Heffley writes in his "diary" to tell the tales of what it really feels like to be a kid.  This hilarious novel allows the reader to fully relate, as they are thrusted into Greg Heffley's no so great middle school years.


Title: Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Author: Jeff Kinney
Publisher/Date: Amulet Books/2007
ISBN: 978-0-8109-9455-3
Rating: 5 out of 5

Knuffle Bunny

Realistic Fiction

Knuffle Bunny follows Trixie through her adventures at the Laundromat.  After Knuffle Bunny goes missing, Trixie tries to explain why she is so upset.  Her perplexed father, after a long trip of dealing with an unhappy Trixie, finally realizes what is wrong and finds Knuffle Bunny!  Where was Knuffle Bunny?  Read Knuffle Bunny by Mo Willems to find out!

Title: Knuffle Bunny

Author: Mo Willems
Publisher/Date: Hyperion Books/2004
ISBN: 978-0-7868-1870-9
Rating: 5 out of 5

Tikki Tikki Tembo

Traditional Literature


This Chinese folktale is about a boy with a very honorable, but very long and confusing name.  With this great honor of a name comes danger as he constantly falls down a well.  His name is so lengthy, it takes such a long time for his brother to explain to his mother what has happened.  The fun and rhythmic style of this book is great for children, parents, and teachers of all ages!









Title: Tikki Tikki Tembo
Author/Illustrator: Arlene Mosel/Blair Lent
Publisher/Date: Square Fish/1968
ISBN: 0312367481
Rating: 5 out of 5

The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales

Traditional Literature



All of the tales in this book are narrated by Jack, from Jack and the Bean Stalk.  In this version of the Gingerbread Man, a block of smelly cheese is chased by animals and has to run away.  There are other traditional tales told in different versions such as, The Really Ugly Duckling, Little Red Running Shorts, and many more.






Title: The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales
Author/Illustrator: Jon Scieszka & Lane Smith
Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers
Date: 1992
ISBN: 067084487X
Rating: 5 out of 5

Rumpelstiltskin

Traditional Literature


In this Caldecott winning book, a young woman must turn thread into gold overnight in order to marry a prince.  However, in order to turn it into gold, she seeks the help of Rumpelstiltskin, who demands something from her every night she needs his help.  Although this book may be a little scary or creepy for younger children, Paul O. Zelinsky's version of the original Brothers Grimm tale comes to life as you follow this young woman and small man.


Title: Rumpelstiltskin
Author: Paul O. Zelinsky
Publisher/Date: Puffin Books/1996
ISBN: 0140558640
Rating: 4 out of 5

The Very Quiet Cricket

Picture Books

This predictable, repeating book follows a little cricket through his day.  Many other insects say "Good Morning" to the cricket, however when he tries to say something back, his wings make no sound.  Each time the cricket tried to rub his wings together, nothing happened.  Until he meets a tiny cricket who was almost just as quiet.  This time, on his last try, the cricket rubbed his wings together and they "chirped the most beautiful sound that she had ever heard".



Title: The Very Quiet Cricket
Author: Eric Carle
Publisher/Date: Philomel Books/1990
ISBN: 0-399-21885-8
Rating: 5 out of 5

Caps For Sale

Picture Books

The peddler in this story walks through town every day trying to sell his caps.  He is not like any other peddler, because he carries his caps on his head.  When he decides to take a nap one hot day, a group of monkeys take all his caps!  How will he get them back?? This book has great illustrations, and a fun story for children and adults!

Title: Caps For Sale
Author: Esphyr Slobodkina
Publisher/Date: William R. Scott, Inc./1940
ISBN: 0-201-09147-X
Rating:  5 out of 5

What Do You Say, Dear?

Picture Books

What Do You Say, Dear? is a "book of manners for all occasions" that teaches children what to say in certain situations.  The author uses silly examples of situations you may find yourself in, but provides a proper way of responding.  On one page, a character is flying around in his airplane and decides to 'drop in' on one of his friends...only it makes a huge hole in her roof.  What does he say? Well, "Sorry", of course!

Title: What Do You Say, Dear?
Author: Sesyle Joslin
Illustrator: Maurice Sendak
Publisher/Date: Addison-Wesley Publishing Company/1958
ISBN: 0-06-023074-6
Rating: 5 out of 5

Bed Bugs

Decodable Texts

Bed Bugs is book 8 of set 3 in the Bob Books series.  Bed Bugs targets the short vowels such as "ten", "bed", and "end", along with the short /u/ sound as in "jump", "bump", and "fuss".  The downfall of this book, along with many other decodable texts, is that the illustrations are not at all appealing.  For this reason, I am rating the book 4 out of 5 stars.




Title: Bed Bugs
Author: Bobby Lynn Maslen
Illustrator: John R. Maslen
Publisher/Date: Scholastic Inc./1996
ISBN: 0-439-17567-4
Rating: 4 out of 5

Summer

Decodable Texts


Book 5 of set 3 in the Bob Books series, Summer, focuses on short vowels.  Words such as "hat", "sat", and "swam" are repeated in the book, along with "jumped", "ducks", and "sun".  This short decodable text follows Molly and her mom in their adventures on a hot summer day.  Unfortunately, these illustrations are less than impressive.




Title: Summer
Author: Bobby Lynn Maslen
Illustrator: John R. Maslen
Publisher/Date: Scholastic Inc./1996
ISBN: 0-439-17564-X
Rating: 4 out of 5

Frogs

Decodable Texts

This book is part of the Word Families, set 3, in the Bob Books series.  Frogs focuses on short vowel sounds, along with a few sight words.  I rated this book a 4 out of 5 stars because of the quality of illustrations.

Title: Frogs

Author: Bobby Lynn Maslen

Illustrator: John R. Maslen

Publisher/Date: Scholastic Inc./1996

ISBN: 0-439-17562-3

Rating: 4 out of 5

Good Dog, Carl

Wordless Picture Books

This classic board book, Good Dog, Carl, is also a wordless picture book about a Rottweiler and a baby.  The illustrations show Carl take the little girl on an adventure, right after her mother leaves the house for the day.  Wordless picture books are great for readers to use their imagination and make up their own personal story.

Title: Good Dog, Carl

Author: Alexandra Day

Publisher/Date: Little Simon/1985

ISBN: 0689807481

Rating: 5 out of 5

Pancakes For Breakfast

Wordless Picture Books

This book, Pancakes For Breakfast, is a great wordless picture book!  Pancakes For Breakfast follows a woman on a farm in her quest to make the perfect pancakes for her breakfast.  However, while preparing her ingredients, disaster strikes and she must now find a way to make the pancakes she has been dreaming of.  Great illustrations allow readers to develop a storyline of their own as they follow her in her baking.



Title: Pancakes For Breakfast
Author/Illustrator: Tomie DePaola
Publisher/Date: Harcourt Brace & Company/1978
ISBN: 0-15-670768-3
Rating: 5 out of 5

Good Night, Gorilla

Wordless Picture Books

Good Night, Gorilla is a book written and illustrated by Peggy Rathmann that lets you create your own story.  Although there are speech bubbles on some pages, this wordless picture book allows the reader to predict what will happen as the zookeeper is closing up the zoo for the night.  Readers can make up their own story as they watch this mischievous little monkey unlock the zoo animals.




Title: Good Night, Gorilla
Author/Illustrator: Peggy Rathmann
Publisher/Date: G. P. Putnam's Sons/1994
ISBN: 0-399-23003-3
Rating: 5 out of 5

Chicka Chicka abc

Board Books


Chicka Chicka abc is a shortened, board book form of the original Chicka Chicka Boom Boom written by Bill Martin Jr.  This version introduces children to lowercase letters with a fun, sing-song text.  Bright colors, rhymes, and letters climbing a coconut tree will be sure to captivate many readers.


Title: Chicka Chicka abc
Authors: Bill Martin Jr. & John Archambault
Illustrator: Lois Ehlert
Publisher/Date: Little Simon/1989
ISBN: 978-0-671-87893-1
Rating: 5 out of 5

Duck and Goose, How Are You Feeling?

Board Books


Tad Hills writes numerous children's books that follow the adventures of Duck and Goose.  This particular book, Duck and Goose, How Are You Feeling? explores many different emotions children may have and situations that may make them feel that way.  This book is very relatable for all ages and has very bright and captivating illustrations.  I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars, because I did not like that there is only one word per page, and there doesn't seem to be a story line.  That being said, many children like to make up their own stories for what may have happened in the book to make Duck or Goose feel the way they do; this book would be perfect for them.

Title: Duck and Goose, How Are You Feeling?
Author: Tad Hills
Publisher/Date: Schwartz & Wade Books/2009
ISBN: 978-0-375-84629-8
Rating: 3 out of 5

Horns to Toes and In Between

Board Books



I recently read Horns to Toes and In Between by Sandra Boynton, because I am a big fan of her books.  This book in particular talks about the different body parts from your head to your toes.  Using large, fuzzy monsters in her pictures, Sandra Boynton makes this book fun for all ages.




Title: Horns to Toes and In Between
Author: Sandra Boynton
Publisher & Date: Little Simon Books/1984
ISBN Number: 0-671-49319-1
Rating: 5 out of 5; Fun illustrations and rhyming text captures children as they learn parts of the body