Extreme Animals

Extreme Animals: The Toughest Creatures on Earth
Author: Nicola Davies
Illustrator: Neal Layton

Compared the the animals of the desert, oceans, and the Arctic, Humans are just big wimps! Extreme Animals is a book dedicated to the animals who manage to thrive in the harshest of conditions. The book shares facts about the survival mechanisms of penguins, polar bears, camels, and roadrunners...just to name a few. Filled with comics, and interesting diagrams and pictures, this book is sure to engage readers of all ages.

For more information on this book and the facts it shares please go to:

http://www.wallwisher.com/wall/extremeanimalbook

The BFG

The BFG
Author: Roald Dahl
Illustrator: Quentin Blake
Modern Fantasy/Fiction

The "Big Friendly Giant", is the story of a little orphan named Sophie who lives in London England. One night she is unable to sleep, and while she is lying in bed, she is stirred by a noise outside her window. Sophie witnesses a giant blowing something into the windows down the street. Suddenly, the giant spots Sophie and scoops her up and carries off to giant country. Fortunately, Sophie was kidnapped by a friendly giant who calls himself the BFG. He explains to the girl that he collects dreams in jars and blows good dreams into the bedrooms of young "childers". But, he also warns her of the evil giants who eat "human beans" and stop him from doing his job. Sophie, distraught by the thought of people being gobbled every night decides to help the BFG devise a plan to stop the evil giants once and for all. But, what can a little girl and a meek giant do to help save the world? Realizing they don't have the resources to go about capturing the giants alone, Sophie decides to recruit the help of the Queen of England. With the help of the Queen's army, Sophie's wit, and the BFG's dream mixing skills, the giants are captured and kept in a giant hole only to eat the most putrid of foods found in giant country. Snozzcumbers! Roald Dahl does not disappoint with this remarkable tale filled with interesting characters, and plenty of twists to leave the reader wanting to read more.


Classroom Application:
After reading the BFG by Roald Dahl, students can roleplay as an English journalist/news reporter. Students will work in groups to write and act out their news story. They may use FlipCams to record a 2-5 segment about the capture of the evil giants. The story must include facts from the book including the names of the perpetrators, a description of their crimes, and how they were captured. Students may choose to include artist renditions of the giants, provide a short dramatization of the event, or interview of witnesses or special persons in their report. Costumes are encouraged!

Tiki Tiki Tembo

Tiki Tiki Tembo
Author: Arlene Mosel
Illustrator: Blair Lent
Folk/Traditional

Tiki Tiki Tembo tells the story of two brothers in China. One brother was simply named Chang, but the other had a very long and unusual name because in China at that time it was tradition to give the older son a very long important name. The older brother's full name was Tiki Tiki Tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo. In the story the older brother falls into the well and Chang runs to his mother to get help. Chang is frantic, and because his brother's name is so long it takes several tries for him to finally get the message across to his mother. Finally, his mother tells him to go and fetch the old man and his ladder to get the boy out of the well. But, when he visits the old man, the same thing happens. Chang is so nervous that he jumbles his words and it takes several tries for the old man to understand what he is saying. Finally, Chang slows down enough to tell the old man what has happened and they both rush to the well to get Tiki Tiki Tembo-no sa rembo-chari bari ruchi-pip peri pembo out. The old man revives Chang's brother and he is never the same afterwards. This tale speculates why today Chinese children are now given short and often one-syllable names.

The Moon

The Moon
By: Seymour Simon
Non-Fiction/Science

Ever wonder what the Moon looks like up close? Well, now you have the chance. Seymour Simon lets the reader get up close and personal with our Moon and explains many of its unique features in his book The Moon. In this book you can find stunning NASA photos and the answers to common questions about the moon such as, why there is no weather or sound on the moon, and why astronauts bounce. Scientifically accurate and informative, this book should be on every aspiring astronomers book shelf.

Classroom Application:
This book can be used to introduce students to some features of the Moon and facts, to prepare them for a more extensive Moon study unit. One suggestion for a Moon study activity would involve the students studying the topography of the Moon and its special features in order to design a suitable space craft to travel to the moon, and to choose an appropriate lunar landing site.(see link below) The students may use the book above, or other resources provided by the teacher such as other books, maps, photographs, or websites. Students will be placed in groups of four. Each team will have a Chief Engineer, Scientist, Lunar Geologist and a Public Relations Manager. Students will research features of spacecrafts,(perhaps by studying the Apollo shuttle mentioned in Seymour Simon's book)and study the topography of the Moon in order to choose a landing spot. Together the group will create PowerPoint presentation showing the design of their spacecraft, reasons for their design, landing location, and why they chose that spot. Students may choose to include photos, video clips, and text in their presentations.

Ideas for this lesson were borrowed from NASA.gov. Additional resources and a complete lesson plan can be found at: http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/180575main_ETM.Lunar.Land.Sites.pdf

The Book of Three (Chronicles of Prydain)

The Book of Three
By: Lloyd Alexander
Fantasy

Taran lives in quiet Caer Dalben with kind farmer Col and the mysterious elderly scholar Dalben. Taran serves as assistant pig keeper to a rather special oracular pig named Hen Wen. Taran dreams of being a Hero, which is discouraged by Dalben who warns him of the wrath of evil lord Arawn, but does not tell Taran any details. One day,the animals on the farm become unsettled so Dalben seeks Hen Wen's oracular abilities by having her read letter sticks. Hen Wen, distressed, breaks from her pen out of fear and Taran runs to the forest in search for her. Taran loses the pig's trail, but runs into even worse trouble when he encounters the Horned King, an evil henchman of Lord Arawn who is planning on taking over Prydain. Taran is injured, and manages to escape before blacking out. When he awakes he finds himself under the care of a real hero, Gwydion crown Prince of Pridain's house of Don. Gwydion and Taran set off together to find the pig, which seems to be known for her abilities. On their search they run into a small wild humanoid creature named Gurgi who turns out to be a dedicated servant. Along the way they also free a mysterious young enchantress named Eilonwy, as well as a Bard named Flewddur Fflam from Queen Archen's castle. Suddenly, Taran is thrust into a battle between good and evil, and is given the chance to be a real hero. The book is filled with adventure, magic, and addicting plot twists which pulls the reader into the world of Prydain. The book is one of five in the series: The Chronicles of Prydain.

The Lunch Lady and the Author Visit Vendetta

The Lunch Lady and the Author Visit Vendetta
By: Jarrett J. Krosoczka
Graphic Novel/Fiction

Students Dee, Terrance, and Hector are very excited for Author Visit Day at their school. But, when the famous author of the Flippy Bunny books arrives, mysterious things begin to happen. Mr. Scribson is finicky and very temper mental, on the day of the signing he refuses to sign Hector's worn copy of Flippy bunny, and snatches it away. On top of this, the students can't locate Coach Birkby for the soccer tryouts. In the background, Lunch Lady and her sidekick Betty take on the challenge of solving this mystery. After following Mr. Scribson and surveying his estate, they realize that he has kidnapped and brainwashed several gym teachers across the country to be his servants! With Lunch Lady's secret food gadgets and spy skills, she cracks the case and finds out what Mr. Scribson's motive really is.

Hate That Cat

Hate That Cat
Author: Sharon Creech
Realistic Fiction/Poetry

Hate That Cat is a humorous compilation of a young boy's poems about life, poetry, and the love and hate of cats. Jack enjoys writing, even though his Uncle criticizes his writing as "just words". He enjoys mimicking the writing styles of various authors studied in Miss Stretchberry's class. Throughout the novel Jack writes poems about his old dog Sky, and about his run-ins with the mean black cat down the street. Just when Jack had decided he hated cats, a friend from school brings in a litter to show the class. That Christmas, Jack unwraps a strange furry gift named Skitter. Jack decides that cats can be pretty cute and even cool after all! All is well until Skitter escapes from the house, only to return with the help of the mean black cat. Jack changes his mind about cats and finds a new purpose for writing, to help connect with his mother who can't hear.

Amber Brown is Feeling Blue

Amber Brown if Feeling Blue
Author: Paula Danzinger
Illustrator: Tony Ross
Realistic Fiction

Amber Brown is just an ordinary girl with an extrodinary name. She takes great pride in the fact that her name is a color, she even dresses up as a crayon for Halloween. One evening Amber's mom and her fiance Max ask her if she'd like to visit her future family members in Walla Walla Washington. Excited about the idea of adventure, she accepts to take a trip with them for Thanksgiving. Just as Amber thought that everything was working out, she remembers that her Dad will be arriving back in town from Paris for that same weekend. She is torn between two sides when her parents ask her to choose which she would rather do. Should she spend time with her Dad, who will be all alone on Thanksgiving and whom she has not seen in months? Or should she go to Walla Walla as promised? Amber tries to find ways to distract herself, and just when she thought things couldn't get any worse, a new girl at school arrives, and her name is a color too! Amber eventually befriends the infamous Kelly Green and decides to have a girls night to take some stress off her looming decision. When the time comes Amber decides to spend Thanksgiving with her Dad since he will be all alone, and agrees to spend Christmas with the rest of the family. While Amber is still unsure whether she did the right thing, her father is happy and that is all she wants.

Owl Moon

Owl Moon
Author: Jane Yolen
Illustrator: John Schoenherr
Realistic Fiction/Poetry

Owl Moon is a gentle poetic story that depicts a special relationship between a young girl and her father. Late one winter evening the pair go out into the forest to go "owling", a family tradition. They wait for the moon to rise, and embark into the dark quiet forest. The girl takes note of the sounds and sights as they quietly trudge along. The girl learns to be quiet and still while her father makes the owl call. The night is cold, and there is no sign of an owl. But just as the pair gives up to go home, the owl call is returned and the giant bird lands on a nearby branch. The little girl gazes at the bird for what seems like forever, when finally it lifted off the branch "like a shadow". Although excited, the young girl walks quietly back home with her father, hopeful.

Jalapeno Bagels

Jalapeno Bagels
Author: Natasha Wing
Illustrator: Robert Castilla
Multicultural

Paolo loves to help his parents run the family bakery. It offers a collection of Mexican and Jewish treats which reflect the cultures of his mother and father. When Paolo decides to participate in his school's international festival, he is torn in what treat he will bring to the celebration. Will it be his mother's Mexican pan dulce, empanadas, or his favorite chango bars? Or what about his father's bagels and challah bread? Paolo decides to create a food that celebrates both cultures and takes on the task of making jalapeno bagels, with his parents. The book celebrates diversity and paints the portrait of an American family with a blended culture.

Classroom Application:
This book can be used as an introduction to a unit on celebrating families and diversity through food. To bring the families into the classroom and explore family cultures, students can work as a class to create a digital cookbook. Students will research their family's cultural background and collect recipes from their relatives which represent their country of origin or traditions. Students will then make a movie on the preparation, ingredients and cooking instructions for their recipe using MovieMaker software and Flip Cams. Movies can include pictures, music, videos and the students voice, as long as they provide all the information needed to make the final product. Recipes will be shared through a classroom blog where students can share their treats with classmates, and their families.

The lesson above was inspired a 4th grade classroom cookbook blog:

http://clacookbook.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2010-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&updated-max=2011-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&max-results=24

Wings

Wings
By: Christopher Meyers
Fantasy

Ikarus Jackson is the new boy on the block, and has a rather strange appearance. Not only does he sport a t-shirt and jeans but he also owns a pair of "long, strong, proud wings!" He walks and flies around the town with confidence until the people of the community make it clear that his wings are not welcome. His classmates, teacher, and even the policemen all criticize his appearance, which eventually leads to his dismissal from school. Confused and misunderstood, Ikarus roams the rooftops with no one to talk to. But, little does he know, he has an admirer who knows his loneliness. The shy outcast is intrigued by Ikarus' difference and finds the courage to stand up to the un-accepting community and lets Ikarus know that his wings are loved. The tale of Ikarus Jackson inspires readers to embrace their differences and celebrate individuality.