Chapter Book #8

Title-An American Plague-The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793

Author-Jim Murphy

Illustrator-Jim Murphy

Genre-Chapter Book

Subgenre-Non-Fiction-Historical

Theme-Yellow fever, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 18^th century, history

Award(s)-ALA Newbery Honor Book Award; ALA Robert F. Sibiert Informational Book Award; Orbis Pictus Award; ALA Notable Children’s Book; YALSA Best Book for Young Adults; SLJ Best Book of the Year; Blue Ribbon, Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books; Editor’s Choice, Kirkus Reviews

Date of publication-2003

Publishing company-Clarion Books

Brief summary- It's 1793, and there's an invisible killer roaming the streets of Philadelphia. The city's residents are fleeing in fear. This killer has a name--yellow fever--but everything else about it is a mystery. Its cause is unknown and there is no cure. This powerful and dramatic account by Jim Murphy traces the devastating course of the epidemic. An American Plague offers a fascinating glimpse into the conditions in American cities at the time of our nation's birth while drawing thought-provoking parallels to modern-day epidemics.

I would use this book for older students to show the reality and history of the Yellow Fever. 

Chapter Book #7

Title-The Higher Power of Lucky

Author-Susan Patron

Illustrator-Matt Phelan

Genre-Chapter Book

Subgenre-Realistic Fiction

Theme-Abandoned children, interpersonal relations, runaways

Primary and secondary characters-Lucky, Brigitte, Miles, Lincoln

Award(s)- ALA Newbery Medal; ALA Notable Children’s Book; Blue Hen Book Award; CCBC Choices; Dorothy Canfield Fisher Book Award Master List; Focal Award; Kirkus Editor’s Choice; Pacific Northwest Young Reader’s Choice Award Master List

Date of publication-2006

Publishing company-Atheneum Books

Brief summary- A ten year old girl fears that her legal guardian plans to abandon her and send her back to France.  She does not want to lose her dog or all of her friends.  She decides to run away and seek the Higher Power to bring her the stability she needs in life.

I would use this book to teach students about abandonment, running away, and dreams.

Chapter Book #6

Title-The Tale of Despereaux

Author-Kate DiCamillo

Illustrator-Timothy Basil Ering

Genre-Chapter Book

Subgenre-Fantasy Fiction

Theme-Fairy tales, mice

Primary and secondary characters- Despereaux, Princess Pea, Miggery Sow, and Roscuro

Award(s)-2004 Newbery Award

Date of publication-2003

Publishing company-Candlewick Press

Brief summary-This is a really cute story about Despereaux and his love for music, stories, and a princess named, Pea. Miggery Sow is a servant girl with a simple, yet impossible wish and Roscuro is a devious rat who covets a world filled with light.  The journey of these three characters is very exciting and fun!

I would use this book to entertain my students and give them an imagination and adventure. 

Chapter Book #5

Title-Chasing Vermeer

Author-Blue Balliett

Illustrator-Brett Helquist

Genre-Chapter Book

Subgenre-Realistic Fiction

Theme-Mystery, friendship, art, chance, coincidence, problem-solving

Primary and secondary characters-Calder and Petra

Award(s)- Book Sense Book of the Year Award winner; Edgar Award; Agatha Award; Won the Chicago Tribune Prize for Young Adult fiction

Date of publication-2004

Publishing company-Scholastic Inc.

Brief summary-This is a story of two children solving the mystery of a missing painting at a museum. They investigate and work together as friends to solve it. 

I would use this book to entertain students with a mystery.  Many children enjoy mysteries because it excites their curiosity. 

Picture Book #16

Title-Make Way for Ducklings

Author-Robert McCloskey

Illustrator-Robert McCloskey

Genre- Fiction

Subgenre-Unrealistic

Theme-Ducks

Primary and secondary characters-Little Mouse, Bird, Frog, Mole, Snail, Possum, and Chipmunk

Award(s)-Caldecott Medal

Date of publication-1969

Publishing company-The Viking Press

Brief summary-Mr. and Mrs. Mallard fly north to look for a place to live with their family and for Mrs. Mallard to lay her eight eggs.  The story is about their search for a good home. 

I would use this book to teach about ducks and family.

Picture Book #15

Title-Little Mouse and the Big Cupcake

Author-Thomas Taylor

Illustrator-Jill Barton

Genre- Fiction

Subgenre-Fantasy

Theme-Sharing, friendship

Primary and secondary characters-Little Mouse, Bird, Frog, Mole, Snail, Possum, and Chipmunk

Date of publication-2006

Publishing company-Boxer Books Limited

Brief summary-When Little Mouse finds a delicious cupcake, he realizes it is much too large to bring home.  Little Mouse asks every friend that passes by for some help getting his cupcake home.  They all say it is too large, but they would like a bite.  Little Mouse is so kind and says yes to all his friends. Eventually, there is only a small piece of the cupcake left, and it is perfect for Little Mouse to eat!

I would use this book to teach how important and special it is to share with everyone.

Picture Book #14

Title-My Very Big Little World

Author-Peter H. Reynolds

Illustrator-Peter H. Reynolds

Genre- Fiction

Subgenre-Realistic

Theme-Family life

Primary and secondary characters-Leo and Sugar

Date of publication-2006

Publishing company-Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Brief summary-Sugarloaf, a young girl, tells the reader about her parents, family, life and neighborhood.

I would use this book to entertain my students and let them enjoy reading. 

Picture Book #13

Title-Sugar Would Not Eat It

Author-Emily Jenkins

Illustrator-Giselle Potter

Genre- Fiction

Subgenre-Realistic

Theme-Cats, eating, humor

Primary and secondary characters-Leo and Sugar

Date of publication-2009

Publishing company-Shwartz & Wade Books

Brief summary-When Leo adopts a cat, he names her Sugar and tries to feed her a piece of birthday cake.  Leo tries everything to try to make Sugar eat it, but she refuses.

I would use this book to humor my students and show them why they shouldn't be picky about what they might love.

Picture Book #12

Title-Beautiful Blackbird

Author-Ashley Bryan

Illustrator-Ashley Bryan

Genre- Fiction

Subgenre-Folklore

Theme-African people, nature, beauty

Primary and secondary characters-Colorful birds, blackbird

Award(s)-Coretta Scott King Award 2004

Date of publication-2003

Publishing company-Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Brief summary-This story is based on an old Zambian folktale and tells how the birds of Africa used to be many bright colors.  Only blackbirds were black and were thought to be the most beautiful.  Soon all birds want to black, too.  Blackbird decides to help paint all the birds black, but it is to teach them that color on the outside is not what makes you beautiful.

I would use this book to teach about racism and different ethnicity among people.

Picture Book #11

Title-Madlenka’s Dog

Author-Peter Sis

Illustrator-Peter Sis

Genre-Picture Book

Subgenre-Realistic Fiction

Theme-Imagination, friendship, pets, humor

Primary and secondary characters-Madlenka, neighbors, Cleopatra

Award(s)-American Library Association Notable Children's Books; Child Magazine Best Books of the Year; New York Times Book Review Notable Children's Books of the Year; Parents Magazine, Best Children's Books of the Year; Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year; Booklist Editors' Choice

Date of publication-2002

Publishing company-Farrar Straus Giroux

Brief summary-Madlenka brings readers back to her magical world in her city block.  Madlenka’s parents won’t allow her to have a dog, so she uses her imagination to have one.  As she makes her way around the world (city block), Madlenka shows all her neighbors her new pet.  Lift-up flaps keep the reader interested.  Each neighbor guesses what her dog looks like and they tell stories of their experiences.  When Madlenka and Cleopatra play, they go into a world all their own.

I would use this book to show students how important imagination is and how vast it can be.  I would ask students why Madlenka’s neighborhood is like a trip around the world for her.