week 2
Picture Books
Thank You Omu!
Genre/ Format: Picture Book/ Hardcover
Bibliographic Citation: Mora Oge. (2018). Thank You Omu!. New York, New York: Hatchette Book Group, Inc.
Summary: Thank you Omu! begins with Omu cooking a thick red stew in a big fat pot when the knocks on her her door begin. First by a boy, then from other community members, each telling Omu they have visited because of the smell coming from the red stew. Omu shares her stew with each and every visitor until there is no stew left for Omu. This books shows how one person’s kindness brings a community together.
Librarian Evaluation: The images are a collage of color and textures that depicts a lively, thriving neighborhood. The smell is illustrated with movement throughout the book. The repeated language like “there is enough to share” said by Omu demonstrates her kindness.
Use in the Library: Thank You Omu! is a picture book that can be used in many ways. It can be used as a non-traditional Thanksgiving story. It shows how food brings community together and how we can be thankful for our neighbors and community. It can also be used to demonstrate how sharing brings people together. For older students, I might use the book, Thank You Omu! as a way to use new vocabulary words to describe “good” food.
Subway Baby
Genre/ Format: Picture Book/ Hardcover
Bibliographic Citation: Mercurio, Peter. (2020). Our Subway Baby. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers.
Summary: Our Subway Baby tells the story of how a gay couple expand their family to include a baby boy. It begins with Danny finding a baby in a subway station. The story shows the journey and struggles of Danny and Pete becoming fathers who are referred to as Daddy Danny and Papa Pete.
Librarian Evaluation: The pace of Our Subway Baby uses the pages to show the passing of time. Danny and Pete are often shown wearing complimentary colors. The angular shapes are used to represent the city and subway, while the curved lines are used to show the baby, and other characters. Student friendly concepts are used like Piggy Bank and foster care/home. The authors note with pictures of Danny, Pete and Kevin offers glimpses of the family from different times in their lives.
Use in the Library: Our Subway Baby shows a diverse family structure that can be used in the library when studying families. Every child should see their family structure represented in the library collection. The authors page allows students to understand that Our Subway Baby is based on the authors real life.
Sulwe
Genre/ Format: Picture Book/ Hardcover
Bibliographic Citation: Nyong’o, Lupita. (2019). Sulwe. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.
Summary: Sulwe tells the story of a young girl who was born with the skin color of “midnight.” She is made fun of by classmates and begins to isolate herself from others. She attempts to lighten her skin with an eraser, light colored food and makeup. A shooting star takes her on a journey and tells her the story of Night and Day. Sulwe realizes after the story that every shade of Night and Day make the world beautiful, and comes to appreciate her unique skin color.
Librarian Evaluation: Sulwe tells a story of how children can make someone else feel unloved and not beautiful with words. The story with a story relates to the importance of the beauty in every shade. Vashti Harrison, the illustrator uses values of purple and gold to create vivid images to accompany the words.
Use in the Library: Sulwe can be used to show diversity within the community. It is important for students to have access to characters and authors who look like them. I would also use this for launching multiple conversations related to acceptance, empathy, respect, and learning to love yourself they way you are.
Traditional Tale
The Three Pigs
Genre/ Format: Picture Book/ Fractured Fairy Tale/ Hardcover
Bibliographic Citation: Wiesner, David. (2001). The Three Pigs. New York, New York: Scholastic.
Summary: The Three Pigs begins like any other version of the classic fairly tale.This version of the fairy tale completely changes when wolf blows the first pig out of the story. Weisner allows the pigs to visit other familar stories while exploring their new environment. Eventually the pigs realize that the brick house built by the third pig will make the perfect home for them and their new friends.
Librarian Evaluation: The Three Pigs uses “the traditional archetypes of good or evil” (Vardell, 2018, p. 96). It begins with the simple plot, but that changes after the wolf blows the first pig out the story. The illustrations function as an important part of the storytelling. Weisner changes the look of each story the pigs enter by changing medium. The use of negative space and placement of images creates the idea that the pigs are no longer in a story. My favorite image is the image of the pigs sitting on the paper plane. The image is in the upper right corner and the rest of the pages are blank. This creates a focus just on the plane and the back side of the pigs. This images always makes students laugh.
Use in the Library: The Three Pigs is an excellent version of the the traditional tale that can be used to compare and contrast with other versions. A librarian can compare different versions of The Three Little Pigs, including The Real Story of the The Three Ninja Pigs (2012) by Corey Rosen Schwartz, The Three Little Pigs: A Folk Tale Classic (1998) by Paul Galdone, The Three Little Pigs (1989) by James Marshall, The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig (1993) by Eugenios Trivizas, and The True Story of the Three Little Pigs (1989) by Jon Scieszka.
week 3
Poetry
Love That Dog
Genre/ Format: Poetry/ Verse Novel
Bibliographic Citation: Creech, Sharon. (2001). Love That Dog. New York, New York: Harper Trophey.
Summary: Jack is a reluctant reader and writer of poetry. Love That Dog is a verse novel of Jack’s journey to confront and cope with the tragedy of the loss of his dog. The book is set up as Jack’s dated poetry journal and his responses to poems presented by his teacher, Miss Stretchberry.
Librarian Evaluation: Love that Dog is verse novel that uses the poems of William Carlos Williams, Robert Frost, William Blake, Valerie Worth, Arnold Adoff, S. C. Rigg and Walter Dean Myers to inspire students to read and write poetry. Copies of the poetry are provided for reference for the readers. The structure of the book demonstrates the Jack’s journey from reluctant poet to excited poet.
Use in the Library: Love That Dog is the perfect poetry book to use as a read aloud. Jack’s comments can help students understand and begin conversations about different types and styles of poetry. I have used The Apple by S. C. Rigg to teach students about shape poetry. The Red Wheelbarrow by William Carlos Williams to take students simple sentence writing and making it into couplets.
Realistic Fiction
Date Me, Bryson Keller
Genre/ Format: Contemporary Realistic Fiction/ Self/ Family/ Friends
Bibliographic Citation: Van Whye, Kevin. (2020). Date Me, Bryson Keller. New York, New York: Random House Children’s Books.
Summary: Date me, Bryson Keller begins with a dare. Bryson is a popular senior who accepts the dare to date the first person who asks him on Monday morning at school. Girls line up each week to be the first. Kai Sheridan is the “me” in the title. Kai is a closeted multiracial, male senior who decides he will come out when he goes to college.
That changes when Kai sees Bryson during detention. Kai is the first to ask Bryson out. As the week goes on Kai discovers that Bryson is not who he thought he was.
Librarian Evaluation: Date me, Bryson Keller tackles the topics of racism, religious faith and homophobia. The outing of Kai and reaction to, and from students is portrayed in way that creates conflict and isolation of the main character.
The development of relationship between the the two characters’ creates anxiety and speculation of Bryson’s sexuality. The characters actions and conversations are believable and portray a realistic picture of friends that I might have had in high school.
Use in the Library: This books is geared towards high school students. I would use this book to promote Pride during the month of June. I would also display LGBTQ+ books so that all students have access to diverse library collection.
Front Desk
Genre/ Format: Contemporary Realistic Fiction/ Self/ Family/ Friends
Bibliographic Citation: Yang, Kelly. (2018). Front Desk. New York, New York: Arthur A. Levine Books.
Summary: Front Desk tells the story of Mia and her family who are recent immigrants from China. When her parents take a job as motel managers, Mia spends her time working the front desk. Her family helps other immigrants by allowing them to stay at the motel for free. This while the owner, Mr. Yau continues to make more demands on Mia and her family.
Librarian Evaluation: Front Desk tackles the issues of immigration, racism and identity. Set in the 1990’s Yang provides an example of the treatment of immigrants in the United States. Yang draws from her childhood to create a believable, determined character. Yang also challenges the idea of what to expect when you are a non-native speaker of English.
Use in the Library: This books is geared towards fourth to seventh grade students. I would use this book to promote an understanding of what is like to be an immigrant in the United States. This is an example of an Asian character and will students have access to diverse library collection.
week 4
Fantasy
It’s the End of the World and I’m in My Bathing Suit
Genre/ Format: Fantasy/ Low Fantasy
Bibliographic Citation: Reynolds, Justin A.. (2022). It’s the End of the World and I’m in My Bathing Suit. New York, New York: Scholastic Press.
Summary:Twelve year old, Eddie Halloway has come up with the perfect plan to avoid doing his laundry his laundry during his summer vacation. He decides he will wear every piece of clothing he owns before taking on this task. After his mother finds the mountain of clothes, she forces him to do his laundry instead of going to the community Beach Bash. When the power goes out he and his friends must figure what to do when it is the end of world.
Librarian Evaluation: It’s the End of the World and I’m in My Bathing Suit tells the story of the end of the word in a humorous way. The plot is believable to keep the readers attention. There is a theme of making friendships while facing and apocalypse.
Use in the Library: This book provides an access to diverse characters. Students can see that Eddie has ADHD and how he copes with is diagnosis. The use of humor can keep the attention of the readers. I would read the first chapter to begin a student dialogue about avoiding chores and allow students check out this humorous fantasy and offer other funny stories too. This is appropriate for students in third grade through sixth grade.
Historical Fiction
The Bicycle Spy
Genre/ Format: Historical Fiction/ World History
Bibliographic Citation: McDonough, Yona Zeldis. (2016). The Bicycle Spy. New York, New York: Scholastic Press.
Summary: The Bicycle Spy takes place in 1942 after the German Troops occupy the small French town where twelve year old Marcel lives with his family. Marcel dreams of riding his bicycle in the Tour De France after the war ends. Marcel’s parents are resisting the German occupation and sending secret messages in baked breads that Marcel is delivering. Marcel becomes aware of the potential consequences of his parents actions and his new friend with forged papers.
Librarian Evaluation: McDonough narrative story incorporates historical details in seamless way. The setting of the story includes details like the cobblestone road that allows a reader to visualize the town. The idea of Delphine sharing her fear of persecution with Marcel shows how one person can just do the right thing and make a difference.
Use in the Library: Currently the fourth grade students in Providence have a unit of study on historical fiction. Librarians can support the curriculum of the district while guiding students to quality historical fiction stories.
Graphic Novels
Sidekicks
Genre/ Format: Graphic Novel/ Fiction/ Fantasy/ Dewey Number 741.5
Bibliographic Citation: Santat, Dan. (2011). Sidekicks. New York, New York: Arthur A. Levine Books.
Summary: Sidekicks tells the story of Captain Amazing, an aging superhero who is so busy capturing criminals that he neglects his pets, Roscoe, Fluffy and Shifty. He decides to find a new sidekick to help. His pets decide that if they become his sidekicks, they will get to spend more time with their hero.
Librarian Evaluation: Dan Santat creates cartoon like art with bold shapes and bright colors. The panels are neatly stacked to making the reading of this graphic novel easy for most readers.
Use in the Library: Sidekicks can be used in a library to discuss the idea of overworked parents and sibling rivalry. This would be a fun book to use to introduce graphic novels.
Audio Books
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Genre/ Format: Audio Book/ Fiction/ Realistic Fiction/ Humor
Bibliographic Citation: Kinney, Jeff. (2007). Diary of a Wimpy Kid. New York, New York: Amulet Books.
Summary: Diary of a Wimpy Kid tells the story of Greg Heffley as he enters middle school and records his experiences in a journal, not a diary. The entries describe his friendship with Rawley and his his family.
Librarian Evaluation: I selected to listen to this audio book because I have not yet read any of this series. The reader allows Jeff Kinney’s words to come alive with humor. Because this is an audio book, the listener does not get to see the drawings created by the author. I noticed that the reader does explain some of the doodles to the listener.
Use in the Library: To be honest, I might not use this in the library. I might use it to model what good reading sounds like. I might also use it with a struggling reader who wants to read Diary of a Wimpy Kid.
E-Books
Dog Man
Genre/ Format: E-Book/ Graphic Novel/ Fantasy/ Humor
Bibliographic Citation: Pilkey, Dav. (2016). Dog Man. New York, New York: Graphix.
Summary: Dog Man tells the story created by George and Harold in first grade, but retold with better spelling. Dog Man is mad by sewing the head of smart dog to the body of police officer- creating a new crime fighter. The book is divided into four vignettes that tell the tale of Dog Man as he solves crimes.
Librarian Evaluation: Dog Man has a simple story structure that younger students can follow. The panes are brightly colored with handwritten words. The e-book is easy to navigate. I was able to hold my tablet vertically or horizontally – this allowed for single or double page. The Flip-O- Roma worked by going back and forth, but I feel it works better in a book rather than an e-book.
Use in the Library: The use of an e-book allows the teacher to show pages on a Smart Board. This allows the teacher to show students how to read a graphic novel. How the author uses word balloons, colors of words and how movement is shown. Dog Man has a simple story structure so it can be used to introduce story elements.
week 5
Nonfiction/ Informational Texts
The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read
Genre/ Format: Nonfiction/ Biography/ Informational Storybook/ Dewey Number 92
Bibliographic Citation: Hubbard, Rita Lorraine. (2020). The oldest student: How Mary Walker learned to read. New York, New York: Schwartz & Wade Books.
Summary: Mary Walker was born into slavery in 1842. After out living her her two husbands and three children she finally learned to read at the age of 116. Her final message to the readers is “You’re never to old to learn.”
Librarian Evaluation: Rita Lorraine Hubbard creates a biography that can inspire learners of all ages. Mary Walkers goal of learning to read is the constant theme throughout the book. The repeated idea that one day she will learn to read her bible. Oge Mora, the illustrator, creates images with the use of collage. She incorporates newsprint throughout her images. The author’s notes provide a concise history of Mary Walker’s life.
Use in the Library: This is a wonderful biography that can be used to introduce younger students to this genre. This book can also provide a glimpse of a woman’s life after slavery. Finally, I would use the The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read as way to demonstrate how a person can reach a goal even after many years.
Educational App
Scratch Jr.
Genre/ Format: app/ coding for young children
Bibliographic Citation: Developmental Technologies (DevTech) Research group (2022). Scratch jr. (Version 1.5.3 App Store.
Summary: Scratch Jr is an introduction to coding for students between the ages of 5 -7. Graphic blocks are used to create a story. The blocks allow the character to move within a setting.
Librarian Evaluation: At first, I thought that Scratch Jr was a bit simple, but the more I played, the more I understood that this is a way for children to begin to code the actions of characters. I found that the app’s graphics appear very small and sometime hard to see on a phone. I think this would work better on a tablet.
Use in the Library: Scratch Jr. provides challenges for children to explore. The suggestions can be found on the Scratch Jr. website: https://www.scratchjr.org/teach/activities. I found that the activities sets a purpose and challenge for students.
Educational Website
Wackysafe.com
Genre/ Format: Educational website/ Search Engine
Bibliographic Citation: wackysafe.com
Summary: Wackysafe.com is a search engine for children. It is a search engine that filters out inappropriate content.
Librarian Evaluation: I have looked at a bunch of kid-safe search engines. I have used a test to see if the search engine is too filtered. I search for “dung beetle.” on some filtered search engines, the word dung is filtered out. I also like that when you search for images there is a “copyright free” button. One caution word be that ads appear before the search results.
Use in the Library: I see this used instead of google. I idea of copyright can be taught with the use of “copyright free” button.
Film
Home Sweet Home
Genre/ Format: Film/ computer animated
Bibliographic Citation: Paccolat, S., Diaz, A., Clenet, P., & Mazevet, R., (2013) Home sweet home. Supinfocum.
Summary: Home Sweet Home tells the story of house that decides to leave its foundation. The house discovers new friendships as it takes it journey in a time were humans no longer exist.
Librarian Evaluation: Home Sweet Home is a wordless computer animated film. the creators created an easy to follow theme of friendship and life. The film has a post apocalyptic feel where there are no humans and houses come to life. The use of color creates a mode that emotes the feelings of the houses.
Use in the Library: Home Sweet Home reminds me of a wordless picture book. This will allow for instruction of telling the story without words. The film can also be used while teaching students about making new friends