A Book or Two: Children's Literature Reviews

Find a perfect children’s book to share or read, and information on new, classic, and favorite children's literature, reviewed by university professors, teachers, librarians, graduate students, and teachers-to-be! Browse A Book or Two by title, genre, or topic! HAPPY READING! This is a closed site, to prevent inappropriate postings. You won't be able to add your own comments. Communication should be sent to the site organizer, Dr. Deb Marciano (dlmarciano@valdosta.edu).

Showing posts with label Childhood. Show all posts

10/21/14

Mary Louise Loses Her Manners

AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: Diane Cuneo/ Jack E. Davis

PUBLISHER: Yearling PUBLICATION DATE: 1999

GENRE: Fiction READING LEVEL: 2nd Grade

BRIEF OVERVIEW: One morning, after some bad behavior at the breakfast table, Mary Louise thinks she has lost her manners and goes in search of them.

INTEGRATED ACTIVITY: The students could be divided into two groups and half of them could act out good manners and the other half act out bad manners.

REVIEWER’S NAME & AFFILIATION: (Lindsey Taylor, Valdosta State University ECSE)

LABELS: Childhood, comedy, silly words

11/22/13

The Mango Tree

AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: Rachna Srivastava (Author)
PUBLISHER: InnoIdeas PUBLICATION DATE: 2013
GENRE: Narrative Verse READING LEVEL: Kindergarten- 5th grade

BRIEF OVERVIEW: The Mango Tree and Other Stories is an original collection of children's stories that emphasizes life lessons and morals. Each tale discusses an important aspect of childhood and how a child might come to understand it.
INTEGRATED ACTIVITY: Students will write about 3 things that they learned from the book and how they can apply it to their lives using complete sentences and ending punctuation.
REVIEWER’S NAME & AFFILIATION: Rachel Hill Valdosta State University

Freckle Juice

AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: Judy Blume

PUBLISHER: Yearling PUBLICATION DATE: July 15, 1978

GENRE: Classic
READING LEVEL: Grades 1-4
BRIEF OVERVIEW:

This book is about a boy who really wants freckles and the lengths he’ll go to in order to get them.

INTEGRATED ACTIVITY:

Students will write one paragraph about the importance of being happy with who you are.

REVIEWER’S NAME & AFFILIATION: Lashundra Coad, VSU

The Boy on the Porch

ILLUSTRATION JPEG:

TITLE: The Boy on the Porch

AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: Sharon Creech

PUBLISHER:Harper Collins PUBLICATION DATE: 2013

AWARDS: Newberry Medal Winner, 2013

GENRE: Contemporary America READING LEVEL: 8-10

BRIEF OVERVIEW: This is a story about a couple who finds a boy asleep on their porch. They soon realize that the boy never leaves. He stays on their porch day after day and is unable to talk to explain who he is or where he came from. The couple soon realizes it is their duty to take are of the boy. The three of the characters blossom into an unlikely family.

INTEGRATED ACTIVITY: Have students write a story as if they were in the situation of the couple who owned the house. I would have the students answer the question “What would you do if you were in the same position?” This would be an essay assignment that I could grade handwriting, grammar, spelling, and essay formatting.

REVIEWER’S NAME & AFFILIATION: Chelsea Brown, Valdosta State University

LABELS: Character Education, Childhood, American, Family.

Enemy Pie

AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR: Derek Munson/ Tara Calahan King

PUBLISHER: Tate Publishing PUBLICATION DATE: 2000

AWARDS: Featured book, Reading Rainbow PBS; 2004 Children’s Choice Book Award

GENRE: Realistic Fiction READING LEVEL: PK-5

BRIEF OVERVIEW: Funny endearing story about a boy cooking up an enemy pie. He tries to turn his best enemy into his best friend. This book teaches a lesson in the difficulties and rewards of making new friends.

INTEGRATED ACTIVITY: Have each student create their own recipe for a good friendship and fill out a recipe card