Dear Primo: A letter to My Cousin

Title: Dear Primo: A Letter to my Cousin 

Author: Duncan Tonatiuh
# of Pages: 32

Published by: Harry N. Abrams
Age Range: 4-8
Grade level: preschool-3rd

This book is written by Mexican author and Illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh. This books displays the difference in childhood depending on where you live. Charlie and his cousin Carlitos write letters back and forth. Charlie lives in the United States, his primo Carlitos lives in Mexico. They write letters about their friends, food, games they play, fiestas, and holidays. These two boys have very different lives. There is something that brings the boys together, which is they both want to meet someday! You'll have to read to see if they actually meet! 

This book is nice and short and can be used to teach a lot. There are beautiful full page images and they use the Mexican style. This book is relatable to students because they may have a pen pal or family that lives in another state or country. The plot develops throughout the story. The setting is realistic an the language is easily relatable to students. 

Classroom Activities and Lesson Ideas: 

• Teach how to write letters
• Assign pen pals or use an online contacting system to have pen pals in another country 
• Teach about the Mexican Culture and heritage 

Here's the book trailer:

Superfudge

Title: Superfudge

Author: Judy Blume
# of Pages: 192

Published by: Puffin Books
Age Range: 8-12 years
Grade Level: 3-7

Superfudge is a realistic fiction novel written by Judy Blume. The main character, Peter is a sixth grade student who lives in New York City. He has a little brother, known as Fudge. Peter's mom informs him that she is going to be having another baby. Peter worries that the new baby will create the same problems for him as Fudge did. Peter plans to run away. Peter soon gets more big news when his parents tell him that they decided to move to the suburbs in Princeton, New Jersey. To Peter's surprise, his new baby sister Tootsie is actually quite sweet. In the new city, Peter makes a new friend, Alex, and the two boys start a business collecting worms for their neighbor. Peter is enjoying his new school, but is annoyed that Fudge is at the same school he is. The story ends by the family making a big decision of what to do next. Should they move back to New York City or stay in Princeton, New Jersey? 

This is a classic contemporary realistic fiction novel that talks about sibling rivalry, school drama, and moving. The characters are very relatable and so is the setting. Throughout the book the plot develops and makes readers want to continue on to see what comes next. The characters interact well with each other and portray the main message throughout the whole book. This book is a classic story that all children should read! I will have this book on my bookshelf someday because it makes me laugh and is so easy to connect with for many students. 

Classroom activities and Lesson Ideas: 

• Do a mini lesson on the two cities
• Discuss siblings and what it's like
• Webquest 
• Free Teacher's Guide 

Here's the book trailer: 

Frindle

Title: Frindle

Author: Andrew Clements
# of Pages: 112

Published by: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Age Range: 8-12 years
Grade Level: 3-7

This book is Andrew Clements' first novel. This book takes place in fifth grade in 1997. Nicholas "Nick" Allen is unhappy because he got the most disliked English teacher in the school. One day in class, he wants to stall for time in class, so he asks a smart mouth question to his teacher "where does each word come from?" After this, his teacher assigned them to write an essay about it for homework. Nick decides to think of a new name for his pen: "frindle." His classmates really liked his idea and soon everyone in the school was using that word, it started to gain national attention. English teacher Mrs. Granger doesn't like this word because she thinks it is disrespectful to the word "pen," which actually does have a long history. Her punishment to the students is to stay after school and write lines for saying "Frindle." This eventually became a problem because every student used the word, so every student had to stay late. And their parents got frustrated because they're the ones who drive. The principal goes to Nick's house to end the use of the word, but now it's out of Nick's hand, the word cannot be controlled! Even merchandise now has the word frindle on it! You'll have to read to see who this ends! 

This book has won over 35 awards! This is a very realistic topic, many students don't get the teacher they like or are curious as to where words come from. When I was younger, I also made up my own words. I love this book, and I will have it in my classroom library. Students are curious and this book is perfect to feed their curiosity. This takes place in an elementary school, which is a realistic and relatable setting. The theme and storyline are well carried out and developed throughout the entire story. The epilogue at the even adds to the story and tells readers what happens years later. 

Classroom Activities and Lesson Ideas: 

• Teach about word origin
• Have students make up their own words
• Unit
• Make a story board as seen below: 

Here's the book trailer: 

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

Title: From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler 

Author: E.L. Konigsburg
# of Pages: 176

Published by: Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Age Range: 8-12 years
Grade Level: 3-7 years

This book takes the form of a letter from Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler to her lawyer, Saxonberg. Twelve-year-old Claudia Kinkaid decides to run away from home with the help of her little brother, Jamie, who is nine. With Jamie's money and Claudia's brains, they get out of their suburban area and run to a place where any kid would love…The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Once they get to the museum they establish a routine. They wander around, join tour groups, hide in exhibits at night, and try to spend as little money as possible. They discover a hubbub around a recent museum acquisition, a marble statue of an angel that might be carved by Michelangelo. Michelangelo is a huge deal in the art world. This nine year old and twelve year old are going to try and solve a huge art mystery that the historians and museum officials are stumped by. They spend time in the library doing research, then they decide to track down the person who sold the mysterious statue to the museum, the one and only Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. When they get to her house, which is quite big and old, they ask Mrs. Frankweiler about the statue and she agrees to let them know what's truly going on under two conditions: 1) they must find the file on the angel statue in her filing room in less than an hour and 2) they must tell her all of the details on how they ran way. The kids are up to the challenge. They go through all of the mixed up files and find out that it is true! The statue was made by the great Michelangelo! Mrs. Frankweiler tells the kids that she will give them the files on the statue in her will, but that they cannot tell anyone in the meantime before she dies. The kids go home feeling like they've done something special. There is a huge secret revealed at the end of the book, you must read it to find out! 

This book is a great adventurous fiction book that is realistic. Although this could happen, these days it would be difficult to hide out in a museum overnight. The characters seem to be real people and are relatable to the students who would read this book. Many children think about running away from home, and if their trip away from home turned into this adventure, they would definitely try! The setting is real because it is at a real art museum. The theme is realistic and the writing comes from the children's point of view. 

Classroom activities and lessons include: 

• Lesson plans with discussion questions 
• literature circle activity plan
• Do character descriptions
• Unit study 
• Webquest activity 
• Teach about Michelangelo! and the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Here is a short clip: 

Diary of a Wimpy Kid Book 1

Title: Diary of a Wimpy Kid 

Author: Jeff Kinney
# of Pages: 224

Published by: Amulet Books
Age Range: 7-13
Grade Level: 2-8

In this book, the main character Greg Heffley decides to keep a journal, and this book is his diary. He keeps the journal because his mother wants him to, but also because he wants something he can give to people who ask him questions when he is rich and famous. This book is neat to read because it is in handwritten font and looks like he actually wrote it. There are cartoon illustrations throughout. The story line is Greg's day to day life as a middle school student. He talks about bullying, girls, where to sit in class, how to draw cartoons and many other fun topics. One main topic talked about throughout is the cheese touch. The cheese touch is a middle school ailment, like cooties, that comes from touching an old piece of cheese that's beneath the basketball hoop on the playground. If you couch the cheese, then you have the cheese touch until you touch someone else. Greg is the middle child in his family. His other brother Rodrick plays many jokes on him. Greg's younger brother is Manny, he's spoiled. Greg doesn't believe that his parents understand him. His parent's are embarrassing. Greg's best friend is Rowley. They became friends in the book because Greg felt bad for Rowley. One day, Greg goes too far and lets Rowley take the blame for chasing kindergarteners all the way home, instead of walking them home as the Safety Patrol Person should. As a result, Rowley stops hanging out with him. Greg doesn't understand why the friendship ended. Bullies made Rowley eat the cheese, and he tells his  classmates a lie to cover for Rowley. Greg says that he threw it away. Now Greg is cursed with the cheese touch, him and Rowley become friends again. 

This book is very relatable to students. Its setting is realistic, and the characters are relatable. It takes place in school and covers many important topics. This book has hand written font and fun pictures that  will make students enjoy reading them. This is a series book and there are a lot more to read if students like it. There's also a movie. I wouldn't teach with this book, but I would recommend certain students to read this!

Classroom lessons and activities include:

• Have students keep their own diary
• Use this teaching guide
• Watch the movie and then compare and contrast the book and the movie
• Lesson Plan Packet

Here's the book trailer: 

One Crazy Summer

Title: One Crazy Summer

Author: Rita Williams-Garcia
# of Pages: 240

Published by: Amistad; Reprint Edition
Age Range: 8-12 years
Grade Level: 4-7

Delphine and her two younger sisters are sent across the country from New York to Oakland , California to meet their mother. Their mother is a woman who abandoned the girls and their family when they were very young. Their mother, Cecile is not liked by their grandmother, Big Ma and their father. Cecile did not ask for the girls to come visit her, the girls' father decided it was time for them to go. Delphine takes the motherly role for his sisters always stopping their fights, standing up for them, and taking care of them. her sisters names are Vonetta and Fern. The girls envisioned an amazing vacation filled with excitement and finally getting to meet their mother, but boy were they wrong! Their mother wasn't even welcoming. She did not hug them or love them. She was very cold.When they got to her house, they were not allowed in the kitchen, there were no toys, not even a television. The girls spent the rest of the summer trying to figure out who their mother is, why she is so cold, and what she is hiding from the girls. They take gradual steps. This book does have a happy ending, but I do not want to give it away because it is such a wonderful read. 

The information and facts in this book are accurate. This allows readers to step into that time period and experience what it was like to be a young black girl in California. This book is heartbreaking and unfunny, and very hard to forget. It is apart of a trilogy as well! I love that the title of every chapter has so much meaning to the story. I would recommend this book to students who may be experiencing diversity, has parents who are divorced or are interested in the time period. I could see myself using this book in the future as a novel study or literature circle book.

Classroom activities and lesson ideas:

• Teach a lesson on the time period 
• Use this discussion guide
• Make a story timeline of events as a a class
• Teach about poetry and have a poetry slam! 
• Use this blog for other ideas 

Here's a book trailer: 

Hoot

Title: Hoot 

Author: Carl Hiaasen
# of Pages: 292

Published by: Yearling; Reprint edition
Age Range: 10+
Grade Level: 5+

Roy Eberhart is bullied on the bus on his way to middle school in Florida. He struggles to make friends.  He and his family have just moved to Florida from Montana. He has been targeted by Dana Matherson, who spends time tormenting roy calling him a "cow girl," teasing him, and trying to start fights. One day Roy sees a boy running quickly alongside the bus and Roy begins to wonder who he is. Later, Roy notices the boy again, and he fights back Dana  to run off and meet the boy. As Roy is exploring he upsets a bag of poisonous snakes then sent on an adventure! This is a great story about childhood and will take readers through Florida. Roy meets a red haired girl named Beatrice Leep, he steals her bike and goes to the salvage yard with her. The running boy turns out to be Beatrice's step brother Mullet Fingers. Mullet Fingers has run away from home, and has been bitten by many dogs while trying to vandalize a construction site. There is a construction site for a new Mother Paula's All American Pancake House, but there are burrowing owls on the property. Mullet Fingers has tried to stop the construction but no body is responding or listening to him. This time, the dog bites have caused an infection. Roy and Beatrice take Mullet Fingers to the hospital and Roy gives the hospital his name, Mullet Fingers. The hospital then calls Roy's parents. When Roy hears his parents arguing with the hospital staff, he reveals the truth. Roy cannot tell them Mullet fingers' real name therefore protecting Mullet Fingers from discovery. The corporation building the new restaurant becomes frustrated with the delays and distractions that the kids are causing. Roy and Beatrice manage to convince the large number of their friends and classmates to appear at the ceremony. Mullet Fingers also makes an appearance, and he is burrowed in one of the owl's burrows. The students protest the danger to the owls and force the site to shut down again. It is then revealed to the press that the corporation does not have the proper paperwork for building over the owl burrow. The corporation blames the whole ordeal on a hotheaded vice-president and decides to turn the site into a conservatory for the owls.

This is one of my favorite books and I also love the movie! This is a great book to talk about animal rights, the difference between right and wrong, and standing up for what you believe in. The characters in this book are very relatable for the students that will be reading the book. It talks about making friends and dealing with problems which all students can relate to. Animals are also used in the book because many children are passionate and loving of animals. This book does show contemporary life because these types of events happen a lot. The theme is realistic and it teaches students to do what is right. There is dialogue and conversation used throughout the book that students can learn from. The setting is realistic, it takes place in Florida. In this book, every behavior has a consequence. The boys have consequences for bullying and running away, but  the Pancake corporation has consequences for building on top of an owl's home. I really enjoy this book and would recommend it to be in everyone's classroom library!

Classroom activities and lessons include:

• Teach a unit about owls and how they live, specifically burrowing owls 
• Watch the movie then compare and contrast the book to the movie and use this teacher's guide for help. 
• Free sample activities
• Free Lesson Plans
• Teach about: belonging, bullying, family, values in conflict, friendship 

Here is the Hoot book preview: 

Holes

Title: Holes  

Author: Louis Sachar
# of Pages: 272

Published by: Dell yearling
Age Range: 8-12 years
Grade Level: 3-7

Stanley Yelnats is the main character of this book. He has bad luck because of a curse that was placed on his great-great-grandfater. He is sent to Camp Green Lake, a juvenile detention camp for a crime he did not commit. At this camp, Stanley and the other boys at the camp are forced to dig large holes in the dirt every day. Eventually, Stanley realizes that they are digging the holes because the Warden of the camp is searching for something in the dirt. Three stories are woven into this book and they reveal why Stanley's family has a curse and what the Warden is looking for in the dirt. 110 years before Stanley arrives at the camp, the town of Green Lake was a beautiful place where peach trees grew and the spring was beautiful It is a town in Texas. Two interwoven love stories create the drama throughout the book. Green Lake dries up and a curse is put on Stanley's family. Stanley and his friends at camp are determined to solve the mystery and find the treasure. Zero, a boy at camp, ran away and Stanley goes to find him.The boys survive by eating only onions of r ver a week. The boys find, in the dirt, a suitcase that says Stanley Yelnats on it. The suitcase contains valuable items and the same suitcase that caused the curse. At the end of the book, it seems that the curse is lifted from the Yelnats family. Hector is reunited with his mother. At camp Stanley became stronger and made a true friend.

This book is a classic read for elementary aged students. The book is a chapter book, but is a quick read. The plot will make readers want to read this whole book in one sitting! The characters are relatable, but may be older than the students reading the book. However, the characters develop throughout the book and readers will become attached to them. Some themes for this book are friendship, history and fate. The story is set in Texas at a juvenile detention camp. This is something students may not have heard about so it will take explaining. This story feels very real to readers and makes them feel as though they are there or that they can relate to the characters. A lot of dialogue and conversation is used throughout the book. The book is written from the point of view of Stanley, so readers really get to know him. I love this book and could read it over and over again! This book will be in my classroom library!

Classroom activities and lesson plans include:

• Many great lesson plans can be found for this book!
• A writing lesson with Louis Sachar
• Explore Louis Sachar's website
• Watch the movie! Then use this educator's guide to help you.
• Compare and contrast the movie and the book
• Teach about flashbacks 
• A unit study on Holes novel guide

Here's the book trailer: