ANNOTATED READING LOG TEMPLATE

Alyssa Billburg
Title Author Summary # of Genre Type within Response to text Classroom Use
.5 .5 .5 Pag 1 Genre or I’m wondering…I 3
es Theme remember…I’m thinking that…I
.5 and feel sorry for…I connected
to…Can you believe…When I
Award, if
read__I…I was reminded
applicable of…Wow!
1 3
Books for Young Children: Chapter 4 Due 5-9
The Original Blanche This Mother Goose book 136 Children’s Mother Goose This book contains so many I would use this book to select out a few
Mother Goose Fisher Wright contains many children’s Fiction rhymes, many that I have never rhymes that could be easily
rhymes. heard before. I remember incorporated with something my class is
Running Press Beginner reading and memorizing some learning about. Many of these rhymes
Kids 1992 of the Mother Goose rhymes can be used to teach rhyming words to
when I was a child. I enjoyed students. Before reading, the teacher
many of the rhymes from this should ask students to explain their
book. understanding of rhyming words. The
teacher should tell students to raise
their hand if they hear rhyming words.
During reading, the teacher should ask
a student to repeat the rhyming words
they hear. After the reading, the teacher
should review the rhyming words and
have students create rhyming words of
their own.
Chicka Chicka Bill Martin This book uses the letters 30 Children’s Alphabet When I read this book I I will use this book regularly with
Boom Boom of the alphabet and an Fiction absolutely loved it and the students who are learning their letters
alphabet rhyme to tell rhyme! This is a new book to and the order of the alphabet. The
First Aladdin what happens when the me, and I am sad that I this rhyme from the book can be performed
Paperbacks whole alphabet tries to Ages 4-8 book was never in my by the teacher and students to reinforce
2000 climb a coconut tree. Beginner to household as a child. It is letter order. The book can be used
Mid-range wonderful how much fun along with letter recognition; students
reader children can have learning the can identify the letters while saying the
alphabet in a way they do not rhyme. After students have become
even realize they are learning! familiar with the story, they can each be
designated a letter(s) of the alphabet to
draw and cut out of paper. The class
can construct their own Coconut tree of
alphabet letters.
My Number Patti Barber A wonderfully, colorful 48 Children’s Counting While reading through this book, I will use this book to introduce counting
Book book that engages Fiction I found that I enjoyed counting and incorporate counting into other
children in numerous all of the items on the pages math skills. This book has several
Southwestern ways of learning math Beginner and answering specific math pages devoted to counting only;
Company 1989, skills including: numbers, through related questions on each page. students will use these pages
rpt 2004 counting, shapes, space, Mid-range I feel this is a great counting individually or in small groups to
and measurements to reader book that has every page strengthen their counting skills. As
help young children covered with colors, pictures, students master their counting skills
develop and sharpen their and numbers. This book evolves they can travel deeper into the book
math skills. counting, numbers, and math where counting is used to answer
questions on every page to questions and find information from the
engage young learners in fun pages. This book can be placed in a
ways to practice counting and center for additional student practice.
other math skills.
The Berenstain Stan and Jan This Berenstain Bear 29 Children’s Concept I enjoyed the reality that this I would use this book in the first week of
Bears and the Berenstain book is the episode Fiction book brought to young class at the lower elementary levels.
Trouble with where Sister Bear is
Friends lonely without any friends
her age until a new little
Random House, girl cub moves into the
Inc.1986 neighborhood. Both of the
cubs are bossy and only
want to play their way.
The end shows how the
cubs learn to compromise
and play together.
1,2,3 To The Eric Carle This wordless book uses
Zoo zoo animals to represent
the numbers 1-10. It
1996 starts as a train with each
page represented by the
number of zoo animals on
a box car following a train
engine. The last page
shows all of the 10 animal
species in their own
habitat at the zoo.
Opposites Sandra This book uses colorful
Boynton pictures to describe the
1982, each pair of opposites
Revised 1995 (big and small, heavy and
light). Each set of pairs
rhyme (hot and cold,
young and old).
Picture Books: Chapter 5
My Colors Mis Rebecca This book helps readers
Colores Emberley learn and identify colors
and their examples in
Little, Brown English and in Spanish.
Company 2000
children’s loneliness and yearn
Mid-range to be in charge. I believe that
reader students will enjoy reading this
Lower book because it has a little
Elementary bulling in it; as I have
experienced young children like
to read about “mean behavior”.
This book is great because it
shows readers that working
together in compromise is the
best way for all to be happy.
12 Children’s Wordless I have read a few of Eric Carle’s
Fiction books, but this one is new to
Counting me. The illustration used in this
book is so lively and bright I was
Beginner entertained while viewing it. This
Lower is a great way for early
Elementary childhood students to learn their
basic numbers while relating it
to an entertaining visit to the
zoo.
13 Children’s Predictable I found myself laughing aloud at
Fiction the colorful and silly illustrations!
Sandra Boynton books are great
Beginner and have witty illustrations. This
was the first time I read through
Opposites, and I enjoyed it. This
book addresses the many of the
common opposites that young
children need to understand.
Due 5-19
18 Children’s Colors This book is obviously filled with
Non-Fiction wonderful color, but I really
enjoyed that the colors and the
Beginner examples were offered in
English and Spanish. For
Multicultural example: the color is
orange/anaranjado the example
on the next page is a flower/la
flor.
This story will help students realize the
importance of cooperation. This book
can be read before making the
classroom rules to help students
understand that compromise and
cooperation are very important.
I will have the zoo animals duplicated
from this book and use them as visuals.
After the book has been viewed by
small groups and then the whole, I will
use the zoo animal visuals to review
with the students. Then I will use the
visuals to create basic addition
problems: “If there is 1 elephant and 4
giraffes how many animals are there
altogether?”
Before reading this book, I will ask
students if they know any opposites and
record their answers on the board.
During the reading, the students and I
will check for their examples in the
book. After reading, the students will
write and illustrate a set of opposites.
This book would be a great resource for
a Spanish speaking student to learn the
English translation of the colors. After
the ESOL student has had time to read
through the book several times (with my
help if needed) and has practiced the
colors orally in English, the student will
be given a matching game with the
colors written in English and their
matches being the example given from
the book. This book will also be used for
students who are learning Spanish.
Big Shark’s Lost Steve Metzger This is the story of a
Tooth young boy lemon shark
loses two of his teeth and
Scholastic Inc. wishes that the tooth fairy
2006 would visit him. Because
the tooth fairy has never
made an underwater trip
before, the mother shark
sends her a letter asking
her to make a special trip
to the sea for her son,
and the tooth fairy does.
Dancing Larry Daniel In this book, Larry the
Pinkwater Polar Bear decides to
Marshall create his own ballet
Cavendish performance after being
Children 2006 told by Madame Swoboda
the dance instructor that
“bears have no place in
ballet.”
Mr. Popper’s Richard and Mr. Popper the
Penguins Florence housepainter and
Atwater dreamer of Polar regions
Little, Brown and has been unexpectedly
Company 1938; sent an Antarctic penguin.
rpt 1966 After the male penguin
28 Children’s Growing Up When I read this book for the
Fiction first time I loved the storyline of
the mother shark trying her best
Elementary to help her son be happy while
he is growing up. This book
took me back to when I lost my
first tooth when I was 6; I was
terrified, but I calmed down
when my parents reminded me
that the tooth fairy would come
that night. The second time I
read it I realized how many
references the text gives to
underwater creatures: lemon
shark, octopus, manta ray,
coral-reef, sand dollar, sea
anemone, jellyfish, sea horses,
and a swordfish.
I was surprised to find that this
Scholastic book comes with a
CD-ROM for the reader to
complete educational activities.
30 Children’s Overcoming While reading through this
Fiction Letdown and book, I was reminded of when
Dance my little sisters would teach me
Middle what they learned in dance
Elementary class. I can relate to Larry’s
feelings of excitement when
learning how to properly “tell a
story and express feelings
through movement”!
139 Children’s Family Reading through the struggles
Novel Struggles and and dept that the Popper family
Support endures reminded me of my
Upper childhood. My father went out
Elementary Newbery on his own and started an
Honor Book accountant firm when I was in
I will use this book when learning about
underwater creatures and the ocean.
After reading through this book, the
students will use the book and other
sources for references of underwater
creatures and create an underwater
scene of their own. The students can
explore other underwater life in other
text that I provide and also on approved
websites. After the students have
created their underwater scene, they
will write a story describing their picture
that uses descriptive adjectives that
describe the sea life. The students will
also choose one sea creature to
research more in depth and create a
web diagram on it. The students will
then give an oral report to the class
describing their web diagram.
This book gives a great definition for
dance which would be to, “tell a story
and express feeling through
movement!” I will read this book to my
class before studying or performing
dance in the classroom. After this story
has been read, the students will be
asked to write or draw what they believe
dance means. After the students have
finished, they will share their ideas in
small groups and then with the whole
class. This discussion should lead into
the importance that dance can have in
the classroom and the rules for safety
while dancing. After this lesson has
been given, the class will be ready to
properly incorporate dance into future
assignments and activities.
I will use this great chapter book in an
upper elementary. A word wall will be
made with the words from the story.
Throughout the chapters students can
create illustrations (that are not already
in the book) describing the text. After
 mates with a female, 10
baby penguins are added
to the Popper’s family of
four. The rest of the story
follows Mr. Popper’s
struggle to support his
family and penguins until
he has an idea that the
penguins will be able to
support the family, and
they sure did.
A Picture Book of David A. Adler This book follows Anne
Anne Frank Frank a young Jewish
girls who hid in an
Holiday House Amsterdam attic with her
1993 family from the Nazis.
The book includes many
of her diary journal entries
describing what she and
her family went through.
Traditional Literature: Chapter 6
The Kingfisher Sally Grindley This book contains seven
Book of Magical magical tales that involve
Tales: Tales of faraway lands (India,
Enchantment Japan, Egypt...) and
wonderful characters
Kingfisher 2002 (witches, princess’ and
princes, and fairies).
These stories involve
both ancient and
contemporary folktales.
Just Shopping Mercer Mayer This book follows the
with Mom Critter family (a mom,
brother, and two sisters)
Golden Books through a day at the store
1989 using the oldest critter
(the brother) as the
narrator. While at the
store one of his sisters
fifth grade. The first two to three
years were very hard on our
family, but my father’s drive to
support and my families close
loving bond carried us through
the rough times.
32 Autobiograp Compassion This was my first time reading
hy and Courage this book about Anne Frank.
Biography Judaism Being a highly emotional
World War II person, it was hard for me to
Middle read through this book. While
Elementary reading I was reminded of when
I learned about World War II,
Multicultural the Nazis, and the
concentration camps. I had
forgotten just how horrible it all
was. Through the illustrations
of this book, the emotions,
struggles and hardships
endured are easily understood
by its readers.
Due 5-19
80 Children’s Folk Tales, This was the first time in a long
Science Fantasy, and time that I have read any
Fiction Magic folktales. This collection of
seven magical tales is
Upper wonderful. While reading
Elementary through these tales my
imagination was used fully, and
Multicultural I found myself very engulfed in
the stories.
23 Children’s Growing Up When I read through this story I
Fiction and Patience was reminded of the crazy
times I use to have with my
Lower siblings while shopping with my
Elementary mother. I am the oldest of five,
and my mom would take us all
to the store while my dad was
working. We use to bug her to
the completion of this book, students
can work in groups to create a report
about penguins and where they live.
This assignment would require them to
work in groups to write a report, create
a visual describing their information,
and present it to the class.
I would use this book in 2-4 grade
classrooms. I will use this in the
literature circles. After the story has
been read, the students will create two
diary entries as if they were Anne
Frank. The first entry would be written
as if Anne Frank would have never
been found or taken to the
concentration camp; what she would do
after it was all over. The second entry
would be as if Anne Frank was living in
society today, and how she would
handle a certain situation that the
student chooses.
This book will be used students leisure
reading during free or center time.
These stories would also be great to
read aloud to students. After I have read
the tale aloud to the class, the students
would write a few paragraphs according
to what they believe would happen next
in the story. The students would also
make two illustrations for their
extension.
I will use this story when teaching
proper manners. After reading the book
aloud, the students will verbally share
the inappropriate behavior they saw the
sister critter exhuming. I would record
the student’s responses on one side of
the board, and then ask the students
what some good behaviors would be
 asks for almost
everything she sees.
When she is not being
interruptive she causes
some sort of trouble. The
story closes with the mom
buying the children ice
cream and everyone
being happy and content.
A Bargain for Russell Hoban This story explains how
Frances Thelma always seems to
get Frances into trouble.
HarperCollins After Thelma tricks
1970 Frances into buying her
ugly, plastic tea set,
Thelma uses the money
to purchase the pretty,
chins tea set that Frances
wanted all along. Frances
realizes that she has
been tricked and decides
to make a bargain with
Thelma that would prove
that tricking a friend into a
bargain is not nice to do.
Modern Fantasy: Chapter 7
Harry Potter and J.K. Rowling This is the 1st book of the
the Sorcerer’s Harry Potter series. It tells
Stone the story of 12-year-old
boy, Harry, and how his
Arthur A. Levine life is turned around when
Books 1998 he finds out he is a
wizard. He then spends
the school year meeting
great new friends,
learning magic, and
partaking in the most
amazing adventures.
Jennifer Bruce Coville This is the story of
Murdley’s Toad Jennifer Murdley and her
quest to become
buy us all sorts of silly things.
Most of the time she said that
we did not need them, just like
the mother critter tells her
daughter. As I grew older I
would either drop what I wanted
in the cart or hope it slipped
past the mom’s radar and got
paid for, or I would ask very
politely for the item I wanted.
63 Children’s Friends and This book was mainly dialogue
Fiction Tricking and at some points I found it
hard to decipher which
Lower to character was talking. I also did
Middle not really like how Frances
Elementary proves that tricking is not nice
by tricking Thelma to prove the
point. While reading this story I
remembered the many time my
parents yelled at me for selling
things to my siblings and
charging my sisters money to
do their hair and makeup. I
learned quickly that he really
meant “we do not charge our
family for things or services!”
Due 6-2
320 Fantasy Adventure I started reading the series with
book three, but I had never
Upper read the first two. I was amazed
Elementary even in the first chapter how
much information was not given
Multicultural in the movie. I enjoyed the
descriptive language that the
author gives of all of the
characters and places. Since I
have seen all of the movies and
read the other books my
imagination had a blast going
back to all of the adventure.
This series is by far my favorite
of all.
176 Children’s Adventure I was amazed at the great job
Fantasy the author did on bringing out
the reality that society bring to
instead of the misbehaviors from the
story. I will record those responses on
the other half of the board. I would then
lead the class in a discussion of ways to
have patience and good behavior. The
students would be encouraged to show
good behavior throughout the school
day and at home. The students will
have a short period of time each
morning for a week to share their good,
patient behaviors with the class.
I will use this story in centers and as a
teacher read aloud throughout a week’s
period. Upon the finishing of the book,
students will journal how they felt in the
past when they were tricked. They
would also be required to write a
scenario where they have tricked
someone. The class would discuss the
found trickery and conclude many
reasons why tricking is a poor and
wrong thing to do. Students will also be
asked to come up with alternatives to
tricking and share with the class.
This book could be chosen by any
student for a book review. After the
student(s) have read the book, they will
write a book review or choose a
character to describe and define what
role they play in the story. The students
will also create a visual display of their
choice that coincides with their written
review. The visual could be in any form:
a PowerPoint, collage, video, slideshow,
drawings, poster board, or anything else
they want to do.
I would have my students read this book
over the course of a few weeks. Prior to
reading the book, I would have students
 beautiful. She ends up at
Mr. Elives’ magic shop
and purchases an ugly
toad. She discovers that
the toad can talk, and the
two together can make
anything happen.
Poetry: Chapter 8
The Moon is La Jay M. Harris This is a book of silly
Luna: Silly rhymes that are offered in
Rhymes in English and Spanish to
English and help children of both
Spanish languages to learn the
other in a fun, rhyming
Houghton Mifflin way!
2007
Contemporary Realistic Fiction: Chapter 9
Maniac Magee Jerry Spinelli Maniac Magee (Jeffrey) is
an athletic 12 year old
Little Brown and orphan who spends his
Company Nov. young teen years living
1990 house to house. Along his
way he learns the
importance of family and
friends and how to deal
with racism. His goal is to
Upper being beautiful. This book did a
Elementary great job of teaching readers
(Grades 4- that inner beauty is more
6) important that outer. Reading
this book brought me back
through my elementary through
high school years when my
“awkward stage” seemed to
stretch out a little! I wish I would
have read this book during my
childhood, because it would
have helped me realize my
inner beauty is so important.
Due 6-2
28 Children’s Rhyming and I thought that this book was a
Fiction Learning great way for students to enjoy
English or poetry at a young age. I found
Beginning Spanish myself reading and re-reading
Elementary many of the poems. I really
liked that this book features the
Multicultural rhymes in English and Spanish.
While reading through the
Spanish versions, I was able to
recall some of the words from
taking Spanish throughout
elementary school, and I also
learned many new words.
Due 6-16
184 Realistic Racial and I read this book when I was in
Fiction Prejudice fifth grade. My Uncle David
Biases and started reading it to me while
Upper the visiting me during the summer. I
Elementary Importance of remember loving the book as a
Friends and child. As I reread the book, I
Multicultural Family was shocked at how much I
had forgotten. The realism that
Newbery this book gives to racism and
brain storm their beliefs on society’s
view of appearance and what they
believe is acceptable in society’s eyes.
Throughout the reading of the book, I
would have students keep a journal
where they would right down how the
book portrays society’s view of
appearance and how the main
character views it. After the book has
been read by the class, they will
develop an appearance hierarchical
graphic organizer with three main
topics: society’s view, Jennifer
Murdley’s view, and the student’s
personal view. These organizers would
be turned in for feedback and shared in
small and whole group settings.
After reading through this book as a
class, I would have students create their
own poem in English and translate it
into Spanish. I would help the students
with translating using dictionaries and
online resources. I would also try to
have a guest Spanish speaker come
into my class a few days that week and
help and encourage the students with
their poems. After the composing is
finished, the students will illustrate their
poem as well. The students will take
turns reading their poems to the class. I
would also set up with another grade
level where students could go into
another grades classroom and share
their poems with the other students.
I will use this with a family unit. As a
class we will discuss the various family
make-ups: 2 parents, 1 parent, step
parents, relatives, orphanages, foster
homes, etc. The students will create a
Venn Diagram that compares and
contrasts their family make-up to that of
Maniac Magee’s.
I will use excerpts from this book when
 have a home, and in the
end he finds exactly that.
Stand Tall Joan Bauer Tree has trouble dealing
with the teasing and
Grosset & criticism he endures daily
Dunlap August in seventh grade. He is a
2002 six foot three inch 12 year
old who despite his height
is not good at sports; on
top of the harassment he
has to deal with his
parents divorce. He finds
his escape in helping his
grandfather, a Vietnam
vet who is going through
a leg amputation, and
Sophie, a new girl who is
being taunted at school.
The Watsons Go Christopher The “Weird Watsons” are
to Birmingham- Paul Curtis a loving, African
1963 American family from flint,
Michigan. The Watson
Yearling 1995 parents decide to travel
with their three children to
see grandma in
Birmingham, Alabama
after their 13-year-old
boy, Byron, has gone too
far in his “delinquent”
stage. While on this trip,
the family learns about
the differences outside of
Flint, and after the
bombing at Birmingham
church each family
member’s life is changed.
Historical Fiction: Chapter 10
The Mary Jane Yolen This book is one of a
Celeste: An and Heidi series of history
Unsolved Elisabet Yolen mysteries. The narrator is
Medal 1991 family differences was shocking
to me, and I feel this book is a
great resource when teaching
about differences in families
and racial views.
192 Realistic Individuality, This book brought me back to
Fiction Coping with my middle school years of
Divorce, being teased and harassed. I
Middle and was always “too skinny” “too
School Adolescent small” or “as thin as a
Age 10-14 Struggles toothpick,” and my buck teeth
(that resulted from sucking my
middle fingers through seventh
grade) drew a lot of criticism as
well. I related with Tree very
much while reading this book.
My parent’s relationship was
very rocky then and is still the
same now. By reading and
relating to Tree, I was able to
see how too found my escape
in helping others throughout my
middle school years.
48 Realistic Racism during I really enjoyed reading this
Fiction the 1960s book. The text was humorous
Adolescent all the way through, and the
Multicultural Mischief and storyline teaches many great
Life Lessons lessons for all ages. The
Watson family is portrayed as a
Newberry loving, kind family with its fare
Honor share of problems and rowdy
children; which is a family that I
can relate too. I cannot
remember reading a realistic
book such as this from the view
point of a different race. It was
eye-opening for me to read a
story through the life of an
African American character,
and one who has been through
the hardships of racism in the
60s.
Due 6-16
32 Children’s Problem I was very intrigued in the
Historical, Solving and mystery of this ship wreck. The
Fiction Mystery story does not end with a given
discussing racial and prejudice biases.
A class discussion will take place after
the excerpts have been read.
I will use this book with my students
while studying the importance of
individuality and acceptance. This book
shall be read in class and for home
work by all students. After the book has
been read by the class, students will
individually fill out a Venn diagram
comparing and contrasting the struggles
and teasing Tree endured in the story
and the struggles and teasing they have
been through individually. Next, in
groups, students will take their Venn
diagrams and chose five struggles and
teasing situations and create ways for
these situations to be handled positively
and/or to be avoided.
I will use this when dealing with topics
of bullying and racism. I will split the
class into four groups. Each group will
be given a section of the book to
reenact (as if they were producing a
movie out of it) and perform for the
class. The groups will be given two days
to prepare. Group performances will be
made at the end of the second day in
storyline order.
I will use this book for a wildly fun
exercise that focuses on students’
problem solving abilities. The book will
Mystery in Stemple a young girl, age 10, who
History strives to fallow in her
father’s footsteps as a
Simon & detective. His
Schuster 1999 encouragement that “no
mystery is impossible to
solve as long as you have
enough clues” is what she
lives for. This books
illustrations and text show
the story of an unsolved
ship (The Mary Celeste)
wreck.
Castle Diaries: Richard Platt This book is filled with
The Journal of illustrations and journal
Tobias Burgess, entries from Tobias
Page. Burgess (11 years of
age). The journal covers
Candlewick Tobias’ eventful year
July 2003 1285 where he lives with
his uncle, John Burgess
Baron of Strandborough,
at the castle serving as a
page.
Dark day in the Mary Pope This is one of many in the
Deep Sea Osborne Magic Tree House Series.
Taking place in the 1870s
Random House during the first
Books oceanography
March 2008 expeditions, Annie and
Jack are on a quest to
find a secret of happiness
to share with Merlin the
Mystery solution, but the narrator
and Picture provides six theories of what
Book could have happened, and the
reader is challenged to look
Upper back throughout the story and
Elementary test each story. I had a great
time comparing details and
Ages 8-12 using higher order problem
solving skills to determine if the
theories were true or false. I
was amazed at these books
great illustrations which can be
enjoyed and useful to the age
group designed for.
128 Children’s 13th Century- Reading through these “castle
Historical Medieval Life entries” and looking at the
Fiction and numerous, detailed illustrations
Picture brought back many memories of
Book spending days at the Medieval
Fair with my family. My father
Upper takes us to the Medieval Fair
Elementary almost every year. We have
such a great time, and over the
Ages 9-12 years I have learned quite a
deal about the life style, dress,
and customs of the Medieval
time period. I loved this book
because of the wonderful
illustrations that capture much of
the history of that time and
because the journal entries are
written from and directed
towards a child’s perspective on
life. This is also a great way to
have students learn about
history without them even
knowing!
128 Historical Adventure I have never read any of the
Fiction and books in this series, and as a
Picture fan of a little magic and
Book adventure, I fell in love with the
story line. The scientific
Upper exploration was both
Elementary informational and fun. Although I
am not a fan of sea creatures, I
Ages 9-12 found this story to be enjoyable
be read with the entire class. Then
students will be split into groups of 3
and complete the investigation of all
six theories. The students will be given
sheets of paper where they must
provide a written response as to why
or why not the theory is true. The class
will then discuss their findings as a
whole.
I will use this when doing a unit on the
Medieval Era. After the completion of
other Medieval research and
instruction, the class will read this
book. Many class discussions will take
place after reading through various
“castle entries.” After the book has
been read, students will individually
add on two more journal entries with
illustrations using the same writing
style and point of view as Tobias. The
first journal entry must be written five
years after the book ends, 1290, and
the second entry must be from the
year 1300(when Tobias is 26 years
old).
This book will be used during students
learning of ocean explorations and sea
creatures. While reading this book, the
students will be asked to record facts
about exploring, sailing, and searching
the seas. After the book is finished, I
will lead the class in a group
discussion about their findings of
explorations from the sea. After the
 Magician. The magician
needs this secret to
regain his joy in life. The
main characters, Annie
and Jack, are rescued
from an island by
explorers and scientists in
search of a sea monster-
a giant octopus!
Non-Fiction: Chapter 11
A Ticket to Costa Tracy West This book describes the
Rica people, geography,
government, customs,
Carolrhoda religion, and lifestyles of
Books 1999 Costa Rica.
Red, White, Teresa This book looks at
Blue, and Uncle Bateman seventeen different
Who? patriotic symbols and
explains how they now
Holiday House represent America.
2001
Pirate Richard Platt This book is an
informative guide to the
Dorling life of a pirate,
Kindersley privateering, and
1994, buccaneering.
Reprinted 2000
from all sides.
Due 6-30
48 Middle Picture Book, Through reading this book and
Elementary Costa Rican looking at the pictures, I was
Civilization able have a great Costa Rican
Ages 7-10 experience! I believe that the
easy-to-read text and real
Multicultural pictures would appeal to the
student readers. I like that this
book has a wonderful built-in
vocabulary list and explains
how to say new words.
64 Upper America’s I really enjoyed reading through
Elementary- Patriotic this book! If I was taught these
Middle Symbols things, I have forgotten, but I
School learned quite a lot from this
text. One thing I thought to be
Ages 10 comical was that Philadelphia’s
and up City Council tried to have the
Liberty Bell taken away as
scrap metal! This book would
be great resource for students
to learn about the different
patriotic symbols.
63 Upper Pirate Life and I chose this book with the
Elementary- Adventure intention to read something
Middle different from what I would
School normally choose, and that is
what I got! I think this book
covered every possible pirate
related issue, ship, prop,
treasure, and seas available.
discussion, students will research
more about early oceanography
expeditions and create three
descriptive paragraphs about them to
discuss in groups and turn in for a
grade.
I will use this book when my students
are exploring different parts of the
world. Each student would receive a
copy of the book, a question list (one
question per section), and be assigned
a section of the text (ex. First People,
School Days, Oldest Art, Save the
Trees, etc.). Each student would read
their section to themselves and answer
the question that is for their section.
Next the students would read out loud
in story order. After each section is
read the class will answer the question
and the student who is assigned that
question will make sure the class
answers correctly.
I will use this book within a national
symbol unit. Each student will be
responsible for one of the symbols.
They will read their section and create
a visual (poster board, painting,
drawing, craft, etc.) that describes their
symbol. Students will present their
visual and explain the history and
importance of it in front of the class.
This book will be used as a resource
when teaching about the roles of
pirates in history. I will have students
work in groups to read and create a
skit, song, poem, summary, or visual
about a section of the text.

Biography: Chapter 12
Lady Liberty: A Doreen This is the biography of
Biography Rappaport the Statue of Liberty. This
book tells the story
Candlewick behind the Statue of
May 2008 Liberty through the eyes
of those who created her
and shows how many
people it took to make
her.
Ordinary Genius: Stephanie This book tells the story
The Story of McPherson of Albert Einstein’s life.
Albert Einstein This book covers
Einstein’s trouble with
Carolrhoda school, excitement and
Books frustration with his work,
June 1997 and provides clear
explanation of his
discoveries.
Happy Birthday Jean Marzollo This book provides the
Martin Luther easily understood
King biography of Martin
Luther King. The author’s
Scholastic Press narrative outlines his civil
1993 rights accomplishments
that the young readers
can understand.
This book would appeal to both
male and female students in
upper elementary through
middle school.
Due 6-30
40 Biography Working I thought this book was very
together informational. Prior to reading
Lower Picture book this biography, I knew that the
Elementary Statue of Liberty was a gift from
France. Now that I have read
Ages 4-8 the book I know who had the
idea (Édouard Laboulaye) and
Multicultural how it took many skills workers-
many of who were immigrants-
to construct the Statue of
Liberty. With the poetic text and
the great illustration, this book
will be a great resource for
lower elementary students.
112 Biography Frustrations of I enjoyed reading through this
Growing Up, book. I especially like how the
Upper Discoveries, author portrays Albert Einstein
Elementary- and Inventions as a normal human being both
Middle like and unlike everyone else. I
School was grateful for the way this
book captures Einstein’s view
Grades 5-8 of the importance of an
independent mind. This is a
great book where students will
actually finish feeling inspired to
use their minds in a
constructive manner!
32 Biography Peace and I was amazed that this book
Brotherhood could capture the important
Lower areas and accomplishments of
Elementary Martin Luther King’s life in a
way that is appropriate and
Grades K-3 understandable to those as
young as age 4.
Multicultural
I will use this book within a national
symbol unit. Prior to reading this book
with my class, I will pass out a paper
Statue of Liberty. While I read the book
aloud the students will label the parts
of the statue the story covers and also
write a brief description. After the
reading is finished, the class will
discuss the book and the labels the
students have. Next they will turn the
paper statue over and write a summary
of what they have learned about the
Statue of Liberty and what she
represents.
I will use this book when I have my
students research an inventor. This
book will be given to the student(s)
who are researching Albert Einstein.
This text provides great information
about the life of Albert Einstein as well
as his discoveries.
I will use this book as a read aloud
during the American civil rights
movement unit. First the students will
discuss what they know about Martin
Luther King in regards to the civil rights
movement we have covered thus far in
the unit. During the reading, I will
pause at the illustrations and have
students describe what the drawing is
about. After reading through the book,
students will write or draw two
important areas of the book that stood
out to them.