Electronic Reading File by Kelle Spencer

Electronic Reading File
By Kelle Spencer

Caldecott Medal Winners

Picture of Book	Author/ Illustrator/ Copyright	Genre	Recommended Age/Grade Level	Ideas for Classroom Use	Brief Description of the Book
My Friend Rabbit	Eric Rhomann	Fantasy/ Caldecott	K-3rd	Students could discuss the friendship between the mouse and the rabbit. This would be a great character ed. lesson.	This is a book about friendship and trust between a rabbit and a mouse.
Where the Wild Things Are	Maurice Sendak	Modern Fantasy/ Caldecott	K-2nd	Students could use their imagination to construct their own bedroom using a shoe box and a variety of art mediums--creating a shadow box.	This story is about little boy named Max, who imagined his room was a forest. He was the king of all wild things.
Lon Po Po A Red-Riding Hood Story From China	Ed Young	Multicultural /Caldecot	K-4th	Students will dress up in costumes trying to disguise themselves just as the wolf did.	There are three sisters home alone one night, when the wolf disguised as their grandmother comes to their door.
Tuesday	David Wesner	Modern Fantasy /Caldecot	Grades K-2nd	Students could develop a story to go along with the pictures and times.	In this story frogs fly through the neighborhood and into peoples homes on Tuesday night. The magic ends at daybreak.
The Three Pigs	David Weisner	Modern Fantasy/ Caldecott	1st-2nd	Students could compare this version of the "three little pigs" to the more familiar version. The could then make a chart showing the differences and similarities.	The three pigs escape from the mean wolf by going into another world where they meet many interesting characters.
The Polar Express	Chris Van Allsburg	Modern Fantasy/ Caldecott	3rd-4th	Children could sing "All I want for Christmas are my Two Front Teeth" and replace two front teeth with an item they might want.	A little boy visits the North Pole and receives the first Christmas gift from Santa.
Rapunzel	Amy Ehrlich	Traditional Fantasy/ Caldecott	K-2nd	This would be an opportunity to teach the class how to braid. The students could be given yarn bound at the top, and the students could learn how to braid it like Rapunzel's hair.	This book is about a beautiful girl who has very long hair and is put in a tower by a witch to keep her away from her prince.
Black and White	David McCaulay	Caldecott/ Information	3rd-5th	Tell the students they are going to make their own story together. Start with the first student on the row saying a few sentences and then the next student adding onto the those sentences. Do this until the entire class has added to the story, and then you conclude the story.	What appears to be four different stories are woven together.
Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears	Verna Aardema	Traditional Fiction/ Caldecott	K-2nd	Record students mimicking the sounds in the book. Then let them play it back and listen to themselves.	A mosquito annoys an iguana in the forest and causes an uproar of events.
Ox-Cart Man	Barbara Cooney	Caldecott	2nd-5th	The class could discuss together what they think life would have been like in the 1800's without all of the common luxuries of today.	This is a story that follows a 19th century family's life throughout the changing seasons.

Newbery Award Winners

Picture of Book	Author/ Illustrator/ Copyright	Author/ Illustrator/ Copyright	Recommended Age/Grade Level	Ideas for Classroom Use	Brief Description of the Book
Dear Mr. Henshaw	Modern Fantasy	Newbery/ Realistic Fiction Chapter	3-6	Have students keep their own journal/diary throughout the year.	This is a story about a boy named Leigh, who writes an author because of a class project.
Sarah Plain and Tall	Patricia Maclachlan	Historical Fiction/Newbery Award Chapter	Ages 9-12	Have students create a class newspaper. The paper should have a sports section, weather, and want ads (the want ads are based from the book).	Sarah responds to an ad in the paper regards to being a wife and mother.

ABC Books

Picture of Book	Author/ Illustrator/ Copyright	Genre	Recommended Age/Grade Level	Ideas for Classroom Use	Brief Description of the Book
Chicka Chicka ABC	Bill Martin, Jr. and John Archambault/ Lois Ehlert	ABC Picture Book	Pre-K-1st	Have students sing numerous alphabet songs. The students could also use scarves and create motions to go along with the alphabet songs.	Each letter of the alphabet invites another letter to join them in top of the coconut tree.

Counting Books

Picture of Book	Author/ Illustrator/ Copyright	Genre	Recommended Age/Grade Level	Ideas for Classroom Use	Brief Description of the Book
Ten Little Rabbits	Virginia Grossman/ Sylvia Long	Counting	Pre-K-K	Students will design sack puppets and then reinact the story.	Rabbits dressed in traditional Native American regalia performing traditional Native American activities. One travels the plains, two ask for rain. At the end you discover that each blanket is unique to a specific Native American Indian Tribe.

Predictable Books

Picture of Book	Author/Illustrator/ Copyright	Genre	Recommended Age/Grade Level	Ideas for Classroom Use	Brief Description of the Book
The Napping House	Audry Wood/ Don Wood	Predictable	Pre-K, K-2nd	Students could make predictions of what they think is going to happen in the book prior to reading it. Then after the it is read, the class can discuss their predictions and see if they were right.	With each turn of the page more and more people and animals are asleep on Granny's Bed. Then when a flea bites and everyone awakes the room turns into pure chaos.

Picture Books

Picture of Book	Author/Illustrator/ Copyright	Genre	Recommended Age/Grade Level	Ideas for Classroom Use	Brief Description of Book
David Gets in Trouble	*David Shannon	Picture Book	K-2nd	This would be a great book of rules to start off the school year. After reading it, have the students help create some helpful classroom rules to follow, so David would not get in trouble.	This book is about a little boy named David who always gets in trouble. He likes to make excuses for getting in trouble.
No, David!	*David Shannon	Picture Book	K-2nd	The students could rewrite the book, by saying "Yes, David!" instead. They could also illustrate David following the rules and staying out of trouble.	This book about David always hearing the word NO! David is constantly hearing this word because he is either writing on the walls, not cleaning his room, or getting into the cookie jar, just to name a few.

Multicultural

Picture of Book	Author/ Illustrator/ Copyright	Genre	Recommended Age/Grade Level	Ideas for Classroom Use	Brief Description of the Book
Amazing Grace	Mary Hoffman/ Caroline Binch	Multicultural	K-3rd	Students could write a didactic poem about themselves or someone they admire.	This is a story about a girl named Grace who loves to dress up in costumes and let her imagination run wild with the character. When it is time for the schools production of Peter Pan she wants the part more than anyone. She overcomes the odds and wins the part of Peter Pan, even though she is not the traditional actor for the role, but everyone thinks she is amazing.
Once a Mouse	Marcia Brown	Multicultural/ Traditional Fantasy	Caldecott/ Traditional Fantasy	Ask the students "If you could be an animal what kind of animal would it be and why? Draw a picture of that animal.	A mouse is saved by a magic man and is turned into several different animals and finally back into a mouse.
The Patchwork Quilt	Valerie Flournoy/ Jerry Pinkney	Multicultural/ Coretta Scott King Award	K-2nd	Have the students decorate their own square of fabric with pictures or words that represent them, their family, or a fond memory. Then put them all together on one big piece of paper and hang on the wall in the classroom. The students will have designed a classroom quilt.	This is a story about a girl named Tanya who helps her grandmother make a quilt that is full of memories and stories.
Under the Lemon Moon	Edith Hope Fine/Rene King Moreno	Multicultural/ International Book	K-2nd	Student's could sing the song "Ten Little Monkeys Jumping on a Bed" but with the new words "Ten Little Lemons Growing on a Tree."	When Rosalinda's lemons are stolen off her tree, she searches all over for La Anciana who might be able to help.
The Boy of the Three Year Nap	Dianne Snyder/ Allen Say	Modern Fantasy/ Multicultural	K-4th	Students will make a chart of chores that they do not enjoy doing. Then they will try to create another chart of ideas to make the chores fun.	All the boy ever wants to do is take naps. So he comes up with a plan so that he will never have to do chores again. Unfortunately for him, his plan back fires.

Informational Books

Picture of Book	Author/ Illustrator/ Copyright	Genre	Recommended Age/Grade Level	Ideas for Classroom Use	Brief Description of Book
Amazing Animal Facts	Rupert Matthews/ Gerald Legg	Informational	K-2nd	Create an Animal Fact Matching Game. The students will match the animal fact with a picture of the animal.	Facts about different animals.
The Rose in my Garden	Arnold Lobel / Anita Lobel	Informational	K-2nd	Students can make flowers from tissue paper and clothes hangers.	This is a story that is repetitive and progressive. A beautiful garden grows as you read throughout this rhyming book.
The Magic SchoolBus Inside the Earth	Joanna Cole/ Bruce Degen	Informational	K-3rd	Students could do a rock collection after reading this book.	In this story Ms. Frizzle takes her class on another one of her amazing field trips. The class learns all about the physical features of the earth. The class learns about minerals that makeup rocks. They also learn about the mantle, outer core, and inner core. The field trip also envelopes a tour through a volcano!

Historical Fiction

Picture of Book	Author/Illustrator	Genre	Recommended Grade/Age	Ideas for Classroom Use	Brief Description of Book
Sounder	William H. Armstrong	Historical Fiction Chapter	5th-6th	Students could work in small groups to create an alternate ending to the story.	This is a story about a father who is taken away from his family after an incident of stolen meat. His family does not feel they can go on without him, and Sounder is not the same with his master away.
The Whipping Boy	Sid Fleischman/Peter Sis	Historical Fiction Chapter	3rd-4th	Students can illustrate their favorite adventure in the book	Jemmy was once a poor boy living on the streets, until he becomes the whipping boy for Prince Brat and lives in the castle. After the boys are taken hostage they learn to trust one another.
Where the Red Fern Grows	Wilson Rawles	Historical Fiction Chapter	5th-7th	Have the children write a sequel to the story.	This story takes place during the depression. It is about Billy and his two Red Bone Hounds. Billy has fun adventures as he trains Bo and Ann to be coon hunting dogs.
Number the Stars	Lois Lowry	Historical Fiction/ Newberry Award Winner Chapter	4th-5th	Have children to write a story about a friend or family member they would risk their life for.	This story takes place in Denmark, during the Holocaust. It is about Ellen going to live with Annmarie and her family because she is Jewish and fears for her life because of the Nazis. Annmarie puts her life in danger for Ellen's safety.
Folks Call me Johnny Appleseed	Andrew Glass	Historical Fiction Chapter	3rd-4th	Let students create a recipe using apples as the main ingredient.	Johnny invites his brother Nathaniel to stay with him. Johnny then must leave to retrieve supplies. In his journey to and from he encounters many adventures.

Realistic Fiction

Picture of Book	Author/Illustrator	Genre	Recommended Grade/Age	Ideas for Classroom Use	Brief Description of Book
Because of Winn-Dixie	Katie DiCamillo	Realistic Fiction Chapter	3rd-5th	Have students draw a picture of all of the characters in the book from all of the detailed descriptions given.	This is a story about a little girl named India Opal and her dog Winn Dixie. Throughout the story Opal begins to make new friends and becomes closer to her father with the help of Winn-Dixie.
The Stray Dog	Mark Simont	Realistic Fiction/ Caldecott Honor	K-3rd	Students could create flyers for "Willy" the lost dog.	A family meets a dog in the park that they name Willy, it turns out that Willy is a stray dog. They take him home and he becomes the newest member of the family.
Down the Road	Alice Schertly / E.B. Lewis	Realistic Fiction	K-2nd	Students can create a play demonstrating what Hetty should have done instead of being distracted.	Hetty's parents give her permission to go to the store by herself. Along the way Hetty becomes distracted and does not make it home with the eggs.
The Paperboy		Realistic Fiction
Alexander and the Terrible Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day	Judith Viorist/Ray Cruz	Realistic Fiction	1st-3rd	Students can draw a picture of how they feel when they have a terrible day!	Alexander is having an awful day. Every thing that could go wrong does. He feels the only way to fix his bad day is to move to Australia.

Modern Fantasy

Picture of Book	Author/Illustrator	Genre	Recommended Grade/Age	Ideas for Classroom Use	Brief Description of Book
Duck on a Bike	*David Shannnon	Modern Fantasy	K-3rd	Write and illustrate their favorite part of the book.	The duck rides a bike and before the whole barnyard is riding a bike with him.
Stand Tall Molly Lou Melon	Patty Lovell/ David Catrow	Modern Fantasy	K-5th	This book can be used for a great character education discussion. Students could discuss what makes Molly Lou such a wonderful role model.	This book deals with many different concepts...self-esteem, respect, bullies, and moving away. Molly Lou may be small but she stands tall in every situation.
Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse	Kevin Henkes	Modern Fantasy	K-3rd	Have students write a story about a time when they have felt really bad for being mean to someone else.	Lily wants to grow up and be just like her teacher. Until one day when she brings her purple plastic purse to school and her teachers takes it away from her. Lilly gets very mad and decides she doesn't want to be a teacher any longer, until something special happens.
A Bad Case of Stripes	*David Shannon	Modern Fantasy	4th-5th	Students can use tempera paint and paint a picture of themselves with a "bad case of stripes."	Camilla is very concerned with what others think of her. On the first day of school her body begins to change colors until she has stripes all over her. Will anyone be able to find the cure to Camilla's bad case of stripes.
When the Rain Came Down	*David Shannon	Modern Fantasy	3rd-4th	After reading this book the class could have a science lesson on weather.	In The Rain Came Down, an unexpected summer shower causes chaos throughout a small neighborhood.

Traditional Fantasy

Picture of Book	Author/Illustrator	Genre	Recommended Grade/Age	Ideas for Classroom Use	Brief Description of Book
Jack and Beanstalk	Retold by Steven Kellogg	Traditional Fantasy	PreK-2nd	Have students plant their own seed and watch it grow.	Jack trades his cow for five magic beans. The magic beans create encounters with an ogre and his wife.
The Three Little Pigs	Retold by James Marshall	Traditional Fantasy	PreK-1st	Have act out the story of the three little pigs using puppets.	The story of the three pigs and their three houses and how the wolf tried to get the three little pigs.
The Golden Mare, the Firebird, and the Magic Ring	Retold by Ruth Sanderson	Traditional Fantasy	3rd-6th	Have students create a drama with themselves as the ruler of a country.	A young huntsman and his golden mare venture find a firebird, a fair maiden, and a magic ring, all in hopes of pleasing the Tsar. In the end, he becomes the Tsar himself.
Bubba the Cowboy Prince	Helen Ketteman	Traditional Fantasy	2nd-3rd	Have students write a story about a wish that they would have granted by a fairy god mother.	This is a story about how Bubba gets his wish from his fairy god cow.
The Tale of Peter Rabbit	Beatrix Potter	Traditional Fantasy	K-2nd	Have students act out the story of Peter Rabbit.	Peter was left home alone with his brothers and sisters. He disobeyed and went into Mr. McGregor's garden

Biographies/Autobiographies

Picture of Book	Author/Illustrator	Genre	Recommended Grade/Age	Ideas for Classroom Use	Brief Description of Book
Home Run	Robert Burleigh/ Mike Wimmer	Biographies/Autobiographies Chapter Book	3rd-5th	Students could break into their literature circles to discuss the life of Babe Ruth.	A biography of George Herman Ruth Jr. "Babe Ruth." He began his baseball career at nineteen years old. He hit over sixty home runs in one season. He is considered one of the greatest baseball players ever to live.
The Story of George Washington Carver	Eva Moore	Biographies/Autobiographies Chapter Book	3rd	Have students taste different peanut products such as roasted peanuts, peanut butter and peanut brittle.	George Washington was born a slave but became famous scientist. He developed hundreds of ways to use peanuts and sweet potatoes. He learned how to improve soil for cotton groups. He was a very respected man, both as a scientist and as a human being.

Poetry Anthology

Picture of Book	Author/Illustrator	Genre	Recommended Grade/Age	Ideas for Classroom Use	Brief Description of Book
A Jar of Stars	Bernice E. Cullinan	Poetry Anthology	3rd-6th	Students can create a class poem by adding a line on to each others line.	This is poetry book composed of poems picked by children.

Poetry

Picture of Book	Author/Illustrator	Genre	Recommended Grade/Age	Ideas for Classroom Use	Brief Description of Book
Silver Seeds	Paul Paolilli	Poetry	K-3rd	Students could take a nature walk and identify spring flowers.	This book talks about the changing seasons.
Around the Year	John Foster/ Carol Thompson	Poetry	K-1st	After reading this book children could draw a picture of their favorite season.	The book celebrates seasons and special days enjoyed throughout the year.

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kespence@valdosta.edu