Alternative Media

Title: www.kidsreads.com
Author: Carol Fitzgerald, Founder/President
Publisher: The Book Report, Inc. , NY
Genre: Website
Pages: Too many to count!
How Found: Internet search for childrens books.
Lexile: A wide varitey of levels are included.
Awards: None listed.
Summary: This website is devoted to books for kids. It includes book lists, reviews, ideas for book clubs, what's new, information on authors, a newsletter, teacher ideas and surveys. There are also a numerous links to publishers, authors and fun stuff like word scrambles and quizzes.
Relationship to Theme: Kids can write in to kidsread.com or to their favorite authors. They can find out what other kids are reading and check out their reviews.
Personal Connection: I have used similar websites for teens before and found them to be very useful in class. I liked all the colorful choices on this site and that booklists and reading ideas were easy to locate. I really liked reading the reviews written by kids, as well as the reader mailbag letters and poems. The quizzes were fun too. (I took the Hogwarts sorting hat quiz, and found I would be a Ravenclaw!)
Possible Readers: It looks like all school-age children could use this site, although I think it mainly covers grades 3-7.
Instructional Ideas: I think it would be great to have kids log on to this site when choosing new books to read or to write a review on one they have finished. The word scrambles and quizzes could be used as reward or sponge activities.



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Title: www.storynory.com
Author: Matthew Lynn and Hugh Fraser, founders
Publisher: Blog Relations, Ltd.
Genre: Website
Pages: Many!
How Found: Internet search for free audio books.
Lexile: Varied.
Awards: None listed.
Summary: This site contains many free stories, old and new, that can also be listened to while following along by clicking the MP3 button at the top of each. Categories include original stories, fairytales, classics, educational and junior stories (some titles overlap categories). Many of the stories are a "storynory" version of the original.
Relationship to Theme: Many of the stories deal with relationship themes, such as "The Selfish Giant","The Wicked Uncle by the Sea", etc.
Personal Connection: I liked that the site was easy to navigate, and that listening to the stories was a one-click process (no downloading the file first, it just plays instantly on the computer). The woman who reads the stories, Natasha, has a clear and pleasant voice.
Possible Readers: I think all ages could benefit from this site (as long as an adult assists younger children with finding and clicking).
Instructional Ideas: Audio is great for struggling readers to follow along with the text . This would also come in handy when I lose my voice after a long day of teaching!

Fantasy

Title: Weslandia
Author: Paul Fleischman
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Genre: Fiction (Fantasy)
Pages: 32
How Found: By accident at the UD Library when looking for another book!
Lexile: AD820L
Awards: Junior Library Guild Selection, PEN West Literary Award, and California Young Reader's Medal

Plot Summary: Young Wesley, who is sort of a misfit, decides to grow his own staple food crop (which he just learned about in school) and form his own civilization for a summer project. Mysterious seeds blow in on the wind, plant themselves in his garden and grow into amazing plants with magenta fruit. Wesley uses the plants and fruit to make food, clothes, and even a suntan/bug lotion which he sells to his former tormentors at school for $10 a bottle. By the end of the story, lots of kids join him in his garden for games and fun. He even writes about his project with ink made from the plants and his own 80-letter alphabet!
Relationship to Theme: Even though he starts out as a misfit, he has many friends at the end because of his inventions.
Personal Connection: I liked it because it was such a unique story, and I think every kid (including me) is fascinated by planting things and digging in the dirt! I like all the creative ideas too, like how he makes the clothes, ink, games, lotions, etc. The pictures are really bright and cheerful and really add to the plot.
Possible Readers: I think it could be read aloud to K-1st graders, and maybe independent for 2nd -4th. (There is some challenging vocabulary like myriad, entrancing, bedlam, etc., but I think the story could still be easily understood even if those words were to difficult for the reader.)
Instructional Ideas: Cultures and there main crops could be researched; it could be used with a science unit on how seeds grow; children could plant some of their own seeds; Paul Fleischman's book Seedfolks could be shared after this book and compared.

Biography

Title: Queen Elizabeth I of England
Author: Robert Kraske
Publisher: Capstone Press (Snap Books)
Genre: Nonfiction
Pages: 32
How Found: In U of D ERC new book examination room.
Lexile: 780L
Awards: None listed.
Plot Summary: This book chronicles the main events in the life of Queen Elizabeth I, from her coronation to death. It includes many paintings, drawings and photographs with captions along with the biographical information. Also included are some of her famous quotes, such as, "I'd rather be a beggar and single than a queen and married." A glossary and resources are included at the end.
Relationship to Theme: This book could be shocking when you consider how different relationships were back then. (The role of women in 16th century England, politics, danger in what people said to friends, etc.)
Personal Connection: I found this book to be interesting because of the surprising facts, such as how Elizabeth's own sister sent her to prision at age 20. The format was very easy to follow, with large varied fonts and lots of pictures with brief, interesting captions. It is colorful and attention-getting without looking too childish. I think the pictures alone make this book worthwhile!
Possible Readers: This would be for somewhat older readers than my other suggestions, because the subject matter requires a little more background knowledge of history and the vocabulary is more challenging. I would say 4th -6th graders would find this book helpful.
Instructional Ideas: I would have students read this book in small groups, perhaps as part of a fact-finding mission about life in England in the 1500's, or roles of women in history.

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Title: Derek Jeter: A Yankee Hero
Author: B.A. Roth
Publisher: Grosset & Dunlap (All Aboard Reading Series)
Genre: Nonfiction
Pages: 48
How Found: U of D ERC new book examination room.
Lexile: None listed. (Publisher lists it as Level 3 -Independent Reader, Ages 6-8)
Awards: None listed.
Plot Summary: Starting out with a gripping, play-by-play account of Jeter's success in Game 3 of the 2001 Series, this book details the highlights of Derek Jeter's baseball career. As a child, Derek was encouraged and coached by his parents in a variety of sports. His unusual talent won him a contract with the New York Yankees and scholarship to the Univsersity of Michigan at age 18. Other smaller, but interesting, details are included, such as how Jeter had to learn to live on his own, and how an Internet hacker cost him the All-Star spot in 1999. Of course, many photos are included of Jeter in action on the field.

Relationship to Theme: Jeter's always supportive and loving parents are a great example for readers, as are his difficulties in growing up in a bi-racial household. He also sets a good example of being a team player.
Personal Connection: I chose this book because my husband and his family are huge Yankee and Jeter fans, so I figured our child would want ot know all about him! I liked that it was easy to understand, even for someone less versed in baseball lingo like myself! The font was large and clear, and there were lots of action pictures.
Possible Readers: I would say that 3rd - 6th graders would enjoy this book. There is more text than pictures, so younger students would need assistance with it. (The publisher suggests that it is for ages 6-8, and Amazon.com suggests ages 9-12.)
Instructional Ideas: I think this would be good to include with other similar books to teach students about the genre of biography. It also could be used to research a short presentation on a favorite person or hero.

Nonfiction Books

Title: Emily's Sharing and Caring Book
Author: Cindy Post Senning, Ed.D., and Peggy Post
Publisher: Harper Collins
Genre: Nonfiction (Self-Help/Advice)
Pages: 20
How Found: Borders Books
Lexile: Not listed.
Awards: None listed.
Plot Summary: Each page contains pictures and brief sentences giving advice on manners for children. It focuses on examples of sharing and caring.
Relationship to Theme: Using manners and getting along with others.
Personal Connection: I liked that it was very simplistic and useful, and the pictures were easy to understand. For example, one picture showed a girl sharing one of her balloons with another child.
Possible Readers: Any culture could relate to these basic concepts; toddlers to 1st grade.
Instructional Ideas: Children could act out the sharing and caring pictures on each page, and add their own examples.

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Title: The Lost Expedition
Author: Barbara Brooks Simons
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Genre: Nonfiction
Pages: 32
How Found: Box of children's books given to me by a co-worker
Lexile: Not listed. (Soar to Success Level 8 Pack)
Awards: None listed.
Plot Summary: This is the story of Ernest Shackleton's expedition to be the first to cross the Antarctic continent in 1914. Shackelton and his crew of 27 men become trapped in the ice on their ship, The Endurance. They wait 10 months for the ice to melt, but instead it starts to crush the ship, and they are forced to set out on foot across the ice, dragging supplies and life boats. The rest of the story covers their perilous journey back to civilization through ice, snow, freezing waves and tough choices.
Relationship to Theme: Shackleton and his crew stuck together and never gave up on each other through unbelievable conditions.
Personal Connection: I was fascinated by the story because it really happened and the crew actually survived the implorable conditions. The mixture of photographs and paintings that illustrate the story add to the feeling of the cold, harsh conditions of Antarctica.
Possible Readers: Any culture, grades 3-6.
Instructional Ideas: This would be great as part of a geography unit on Antarctica. I would would read it aloud as an introduction to spark children's interest in the climate and topography.

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Title: Potato: A Tale of the Great Depression
Author: Kate Lied
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Genre: Nonfiction
Pages: 32
How Found: Box of books given to me by a co-worker Lexile: 660L (Soar to Success Level 4 Pack)
Awards: None listed.
Plot Summary: A young girl (the author) tells the true story of how her grandparents survived by picking potatoes in Idaho during the Great Depression. They borrowed a car to travel from Iowa to Idaho, where they lived near the potato fields in tents.
Relationship to Theme: The story tells of how a family survived difficult times together.
Personal Connection: I liked that the story was kept very simple and easy to understand, and that it was different from other accounts of the time period that I've read. I was interested because I had never heard of families going to pick potatoes; I'm used to reading about the food lines in the cities and the banks closing their doors. I also liked the effect of the pictures that were all framed in a potato-brown color.
Possible Readers: The language would be accessible for as young as first grade, but the subject/background knowledge would be more appropriate for 3rd-4th graders.
Instructional Ideas: Take a field-trip to a potato field; research the Great Depression and how people survived.

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Title: Fossils Tell of Long Ago
Author: Aliki Brandenberg
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Genre: Nonfiction
Pages: 32
How Found: Box of books that a co-worker gave me.
Lexile: 480L (Soar to Success Level 3 Pack)
Awards: None listed.
Plot Summary: The book explains what fossils are and how they were formed, while a group of children in the pictures discover the fossils and share with each other. It includes how to make your own "fossil" with clay.
Relationship to Theme: Friends are sharing together and making learning more fun.
Personal Connection: The information on fossils was fascinating, but I really liked how the cartoon children were included on the edges of the pages, discussing the information and having fun learning together. For example, as the children look at bugs in amber, one girl comments that her mom has an amber necklace.
Possible Readers: Any culture, grades 1-4.
Instructional Ideas: Take a field trip to a the natural history museum or the library to see more examples of fossils; try the clay handprint activity described in the book.

Historical Fiction

Title: Emily
Author: Michael Bedard
Publisher: Doubleday
Genre: Historical Fiction
Pages: 31
How Found: ERC at UD
Lexile: 450L
Awards: Abby Nominee 1994
Plot Summary: This is a fictional story of a little girl (the narrator) who is curious about a woman named Emily who lives across the street. People say she hasn't come out in 20 years, and neighbors call her "the Myth". One day the girl's mother receives and invitation to come and play piano for Emily and the girl goes with her. While her mother plays, the girl sneaks upstairs and meets the reclusive Emily Dickenson. The girl gives Emily some lily bulbs to plant and Emily gives her a poem. A copy of the poem is included at the end of the book, along with some biographical information.
Relationship to Theme: The narrator makes friends with the shy Emily and is accepting of her.
Personal Connection: I liked the unusual point of view of the famous poet through the eyes of a fictional young girl and her neighbors. I found myself wanting to know more about Dickenson and her 1800 poems she wrote in that house. I thought the pictures were beautiful, and essential in grasping the time period (style of clothes, homes, etc.)

Possible Readers: 1st-3rd grade, but if used cleverly, older students may like it too.
Instructional Ideas: This could be used just to talk about differences (shyness) for young readers, or as an introduction to a poetry unit. Students could be assigned Dickenson poems to analyze why she chose the topics she did.

Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Title: Pearl Moscowitz's Last Stand
Author: Arthur A. Levine

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 32
How Found: In a box of children's books given to me by a co-worker.
Lexile: None listed. (Included in Soar to Success Level 7 pack)
Awards: None listed.
Plot Summary: Pearl has lived on the same street for a long time. She and her mother lived there when it was Smith St., and it changed to Gingko St. when Pearl's mother had beautiful trees planted there. Over the years, different families of different cultures moved in and out on her street, but they all enjoyed the beauty and shade of the trees. Sadly, many of the trees were removed first for housing, and then for a bus stop, but one beautiful tree remained. Then one day a young man from the electric company comes to remove the last tree. Pearl and the other women on the block do their best to distract him at first, but finally Pearl takes a stand and chains herself to the tree!
Relationship to Theme: This is a great example of many different cultures living together and enjoying their differences.
Personal Connection: The unique title caught my eye, and I laughed out loud as I read about the women distracting the poor electric company worker by stuffing him with food (knishes, lox, bagels, kasha, noodle pudding, etc.) and showing him endless pictures of their families. I liked the messages in this story too, like all the cultures getting along and sharing, and how they helped take a stand to save the tree. (I also found it interesting that the author, Arthur Levine, is also the American editor of the Harry Potter series.)
Possible Readers: Grades K-4 would enjoy this book, although for younger readers I would read aloud because the high amount of names could be frustrating.
Instructional Ideas: This could be included as a read-aloud introduction to an environmental unit, or when studying immigration because of all the different cultures the author describes moving in and out on the street.

Poetry

Title: Dirt on My Shirt
Author: Jeff Foxworthy
Publisher: Harper Collins
Genre: Poetry Collection
Pages: 27
How Found: Borders Books
Lexile: None listed.
Awards: None listed.
Plot Summary: Variety of comical poems about things and people in a neighborhood.
Relationship to Theme: Poems "Friends" and "Making Friends", plus some others about quirky relatives.
Personal Connection: The poems were easy and fun, and didn't have any "hidden meanings"! They were just for fun sort of like Shel Silverstein's.
Possible Readers: Kindergarten to 3rd grade
Instructional Ideas: Take a walk in the neighborhood and write a poem about something or someone you see.

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Title: My Shadow
Author: Robert Louis Stevenson
Publisher: Trumpet Club
Genre: Poetry
Pages: 26
How Found: Box of childrens' books given to me by a co-worker
Lexile: NP
Awards: None listed.

Plot Summary: This is a single poem accompanied by pictures that tells of a child's relationship with his/her shadow.
Relationship to Theme: The shadow is sort of like an imaginary friend.
Personal Connection: I liked how the realistic pictures in all sorts of cultures expanded the poem.
Possible Readers: Toddler to 2nd grade
Instructional Ideas: Go outside in the sunshine and act out the poem together.