non fiction

My Secret Camera: Life in the Lodz Ghetto. The photographer is Mendel Grossman and the text is done by Frank Dabba Smith. This is the compilation of photographs and explanations of the photographs relating to the Holocaust. Mendel Grossman was able to capture the anguish as well as the strong spirit of the people trapped in the Lodz Ghetto. The compilation of the photographs bears witness to the souls of those who were forced to be there and the atrocities which occurred there.

This book is a non-fiction book which hinges on social justice as this book was intended to serve as a reminder of the atrocious acts carried out against those who were Jewish. There is a great level of respect for people in this book because Grossman intends to capture both the good and bad within the ghetto. He wishes to leave his work to be a reminder, to about bring awareness to the events that happened in the Lodz Ghetto.

This book can be included in class lessons when we discuss about the holocaust, humanity, social justice and awareness, historical significance, and photography.

biography

Mermaid Queen is written by Shana Corey and illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham. This story is about Annette Kellerman who was the inventor of water ballet and advocate of women’s health. This book tells of Annette’s life and major accomplishments.

This book is a biography about Annette Kellerman, an Australian born woman who defied social conventions and became an athlete and an accomplished swimmer. This was a wonderful book which exemplified the effect women can have on society. I believe this book has the power to show girls that they too can make a difference by doing what they love and standing up for what they believe in. The book covered all six elements. Annette was willing to stir up awareness about health and wellness by swimming through London and Australia. She was proud and confident in herself. She respected others but was willing to push their comfort levels by backing up her statements with proof and action. She created water ballet and is credited for inventing the modern swimsuit.

Mermaid Queen is one of my new favorite books which really exemplifies the power women have to help create and push on change in society. This book can be used during discussions on women’s history, biographies, influential women, and change that affects us today.

Non-Fiction: Delivering Your Mail

This book by Ann Owen is simplistic book about mail carriers for toddlers and young preschooler learning about community helpers. The book not only address what mail carriers do , but how they may impact the young readers. This book does not really address any social justice elements although it does teach young children about their community and those that impact their community on a daily basis. 

* I had previous typed and save this although the grading is completed. *

Historical Fiction

Squirrel and John Muir is written by Emily Arnold McCully. This story is of a girl named Florence, nicknamed squirrel, she lives in Yosemite National Park around the year 1868. While living in the hotel her parents run, she meets John Muir who will become a famous naturalist, scientist, in America. The book shows their encounter and the relationship that builds overtime.

This book is a historical fiction young reader book. Squirrel and John Muir shows very superficially the life of Florence and how she grew up and acted as a young girl. She is shown to be a gutsy, no fear child. She is also shown to be a bit primitive and lacking manners. When she meets John Muir, he teaches her about the value and small intricacies of the forest in which she lives in. he helps her to develop an appreciation of the world around her. It is an ok book to briefly talk about two American characters from history.  The story does not go into much detail. The colors of the illustrations definitely help to draw attention to the book.

This book shows respect for others by John Muir showing Florence the good in nature and how to be kind and understanding of people, plants, and nature as a whole. This book can be used in class to add information during lessons on settlers and early America.

realistic fiction

I Completely Know about Guinea Pigs is a realistic fiction book written by Lauren Child, Paul Larson, and Laura Beaumont. When Lola learns a lot about how to take care of guinea pigs but things take a strange and happy turn when she is chosen to take, Burt, the class guinea pig home during school vacation.

This realistic fiction book is a great way to teach children about guinea pigs and some very general care about the animals. Having a hamster myself I thought this was a cute book that made learning about small animals fun and inviting. The book showed real pictures of different kinds of guinea pigs and gave real instructions on caring for the small rodent.

The book showed self-love and knowing. Lola showed that it was ok not to know everything and that if you don’t know the answer it is good to ask. There is no shame in asking for help or asking questions, in fact that is how we learn, by asking questions. I Completely Know about Guinea Pigs also showed a respect for others, Lola respected the opinions and suggestions of her classmates as they educated her on guinea pigs. The book also shows how to respect animals, by giving them what they need to live as well as to make sure they are ok and live a good life. The book also raises awareness about guinea pigs and proper care as well as a bit of history of the animal.

This book can be incorporated into the class when talking about science, biology, the environment, animals or even if the teacher is thinking about introducing a class pet with students.

~AE

Timeless Thomas

Thomas Edison is most famous for inventing the light bulb but, he also developed many other staples of modern technology.  Despite many failures, Edison persevered and created many inventions we still use today. Many of his inventions are life-changing. This book enters the laboratory of one of American's most important inventors and compares it to many of the current devices that are part of Edison's inventions. This book discusses social action as many of Edison's inventions changed the world we know today which can be viewed in its original form in the book. This book would be great for young scientists such as 1st or 2nd graders to introduce them to the the topic of scientists and invention. 
A brief preview of the book can be viewed at:
http://us.macmillan.com/timelessthomas/GeneBarretta

Players In Pigtails

By Shana Corey

Illustrated by: Rebecca Gibbon

Katie Casey, a young girl, was not good at dancing, or home ec, but she was good at baseball. She loved to swing the bat and her the ball fly into outfield. She loved the uniforms, and running the basses. There was only one thing wrong; she was never allowed on the all boys team. After the war started in America, most baseball players were shipped off, so something had to be done. After thinking long and hard, Mr. Wrigley decided that America must start a woman’s league. That they did, and this was Katie Casey’s chance at the big leagues. Players in pigtails is the fictional story of how the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.