A Handful of Stars

A Handful of Stars
By Cynthia Lord
Bluebonnet Award

This is the story about Tigerlily, or Lily as she prefers to be called.  She is a girl who lives in Maine and sees migrant workers every year who move up to Maine during the blueberry harvest.  Towards the beginning of the story Lily is chasing her dog Lucky who is blind and running through the blueberry fields.  She does everything she can to stop him but nothing works and when a migrant worker girl sees what is going on, decides to run and pull her sandwhich and chips out of her backpack.  Lucky automatically stops running away and insted runs towards her.  The girl's name is Salma Santiago.  Meeting Salma becomes a life-changing experience for Lily who is going through some difficult situation in her life.  When Lily's grandmother finds out that Lucky ate Sama's food decides to send Lily with some food for Salma to repay for what she did.  Littel byy little Lily an Salma become friends.  Lily tells Salma that Lucky is blind and she is trying ot raise money by painting bee houses to get him surgery.  Salma tells Lily that she had a dog but it ran away and she still hopes to find it.  Salma decides that she wants to help Lily paint bee houses and they both start working together at it. Little by litte Salma teaches Lily that life doesn't have to be full of sorrow or negativity.  She tells her that if you use your imagination, you can make the world be the way you think it should, a happy place rather than a sad or unfair place.  As the story goes on Slama decides to enter a blueberry pageant and a friend of Lily lets her borrow a dress so she can use  since she doesn't have one with her because Salma's family's home is in Florida and everytime they travel they only take the clothes and tools that they will need for raking blueberries.  Salma enters the pageant and wins second place.  Throughout the theth story, Lily deals with what seems like abandonment from her mother but as the story goes on she takes Slama to where her mom is burried at the cementery and that is where we find out that her mom died in a car accident.  The reason why Lily wants to get Lucky's eyes fixed is because he is the only thing that she has left from her mom since it was her mom who bought Lucky.  The day after the blueberry pageant, during the blueberry fair, Salma suggests that lily get a companion dog for Lucky to help him move around.  At first Lily gets mad and refuses to but when her grandad talks to her she ends up doing it, after her garndmother approves of course.

I think this is a great book for a read aloud.  I would definitely have it in me class and read it to the students because it is a well developed story and I believe that they would enjoy it. This book would be appropriate for a second trhough fifth grade class and would be helpful in teaching about being a good friend or making good things out unpleasant situations.

Hansel and Gretel

Hansel and Gretel
By James Marshall
Traditional Literature

In this story, a boy named Hansel and a girl named Gretel live with their dad and their step mother.  Their dad works hard but they still do not have enough to buy food for all so their stepmother convinces their dad to get rid of them.  Hansell overheard when the stepmother said that her and their dad would take them to the deep woods and leave them there.  Hansel told Greel not to worry and he went outside during the night to pick up stones that shone at night.  When their dad and stepmother took Hansel and Gretel to the deep woods, Hansel left a trail of stones on the ground as they walked out into the woods.  After Hansel and Gretel were left in the woods by their dad and stepmother, they waited until night and found their way back home.  After a little while the stepmother convinced their dad to do it again but this time she had locked the door of the house and Hansel could not get shiny stones. When they lef, Hansel left pieces of bread but the birds ate them.  This time the dad and stepmother took them further I to the woods and left them there.  Hansel and Gretel could not find their way home this time.  They wandered until they found a house  made of candy.  Inside was a witch who locked Hansel in a cage to fatten him up and eat him.  He gained weight but hoodwinked the witch into thinking he was still skinny since the witch could not see.  She finally told Gretel to see if the oven was hot enough to cook Hansel even if he was not yet fat.  Gretel said she could not reach and when the witch tried to show her, Gretel pushed her in the oven and the witch died.  After that Hansel and Gretel found the witches treasure and took all they could with them.  They found their way home and their dad was so, so happy.  Their stepmother had already died and they had enough of the treasure to live happy for the rest of their lives.

I would use this book in many classroom because it is a very good story and the children would enjoy it.  I would read this to the children as a read aloud book.  After the read aloud I would have them do an activity like building a gingerbread house to represent the house in the story.  This book is good for Kindergarten- 2nd grade.

The War That Saved My Life

The War That Saved My Life
By Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
Newbery Honor

What a terrible way to grow from a baby to an eleven year old.  This is the story of Ada who was born in London during the time when World War II is the present in what we now know as history.  Poor Ada, she thinks she at fault for the way she has been born.  She thinks she must have done something wrong and that is why her mom treats he in such a horrible way.  As the story begins Ada, Jamie her brother and her mom live in a flat in London.  Her mom treats very bad and every time that she says something that her mom doesn't like she slaps her.  Whenever her mom feels that Ada has been very bad she puts her in the cabinet below the sink.  Ada is not allowed to leave the room at all because her mom calls her a cripple and says she is too embarrassed that people will see Ada the way she is.  Ada has a club foot by the way.   Her little brother Jaime is about to start school and Ada is worried about what she is going to do so she is determined to learn how to walk.  As the story develops Jaime hears that all the children will be going somewhere away from London because it is possible that it will be bombed by the Hitler and his troops.  Ada decides that Jaime and she will go and join the rest of the kids and they do.  One morning while their mom is sleeping they leave their flat and go to the school where everyone will be to leave London.  Ada and Jaime get there very early in the morning and wait there.  Eventually everyone gets the and the trip happens.  When they got to the place Ada and Jaime were left at the train station after all the children had been picked by people who would take care of them.  Nobody picked Ada and James, but the iron faced woman who was in charge of the operation decided she would take them somewhere, and she knew just where to take them.  She took them to the house of Mrs. Smith who was reluctant to take them but ended up doing it.  She was not sure what to do so she did what she could.  Mrs. Smith fed them, made them clothes, and took them to the doctor.  That is where Ada found out that she could get an operation to fix a lot of the problem with her club foot.  Ada became very fond of  Butter, the horse that Mrs. Smith owned but is mostly reluctant to trust or to love, and who can blame her after all she has gone through with her mom.  Mrs. Smith wants Ada to get the operation but has to get permission from Ada's mom.  She writes her over and over but there is never a response.  As things happen they have to get a shelter placed in their yard for when they hear the sirens and one day they have to go help because a lot of wounded soldier end up in Kent, which is where they are.  Later the children get evacuated from Kent but Mrs. Smith decides she will not let Ada and Jamie go because she wants to protect her from any harm by other people that would take care of her.  They stay and at one point Ada discovers a spy that tries to sneak into Kent to send transmissions back to Germany in an effort to invade Kent.  The Spy is capture and Ada becomes a heroin for a little while.  Suddenly the unexpected happens.  Ada's mom arrives at Kent and takes back Ada and Jaime because she does not want to pay for Mrs. Smith to take care of them.  She is mean to Ada as always.  When they get back to London Ada's mom admits that she never wanted them. It is a huge heart break for Ada and Jaime.  By this time they already consider Mrs. Smith's place their home.  Ada tells her mom to let them go and she will not have to pay at all.  She seems to like the idea.  That night the sirens go off and London gets bombed by the Germans.  Ada and Jamie barely make it to the shelter.  The next morning to their surprise, Mrs. Smith is there in London looking for them and she finds them.  They go back to Kent to find out that Mrs. Smith's house was flattened by a bomb while she went looking for them.  Mrs. Smith tells Ada that her and Jaime saved her life and Ada responds to her telling her that now they are even.  Nothing else is said about Ada's mom, but justice eventually comes and I personally assume that it came during the London bombing.

I would use this book in my class because it is really good in many ways.  I would read aloud to the students for ELA.  This book is a great literary work that I think many students would enjoy.  This book is provably appropriate for Third through Fifth grade.

A Fine Dessert

A Fine Dessert
By Emily Jenkins
Illustrated by Sophisticated Black all
Bluebonnet Award

This book is about a blackberry fool recipe and how it has been enjoyed throughout four centuries by different people.  First, in 1710 the recipe is prepare by a mother and her daughter.  They pick the blueberries and skim the cream from the milk.  They prepare the recipe and they an joy it.  Later, in 1810 a slave woman and her daughter prepare the same recipe for their masters the method is a little different but the outcome was the same.  In 1910 in Boston, Massachusetts, a mother and her daughter buy the ingredients to make the same recipe from a recipe book.  Once again  the method is a little different but the delicious outcome of satisfaction is the same.  And finally in 2010, in San Diego, California, a man and his son go to the grocery store and buy all the ingredients to make blackberry fool.  In this case the dad looks up the recipe in the Internet and he cooks it together with his son.  Four hundred years apart, with many variations in customs and society, people made the same recipe.

I would use this book in in many class because it shows the way in which culture has changed throughout the centuries.  I would use this book in  a social studies lesson. This book is appropriate for First through Third grade.

If I Ran The Zoo

If I Ran The Zoo
By Dr. Zeus
Laura Ingalls Wilder Award

This is the book about Geraldine McGrew who thinks the zoo is fine but say that if he ran the zoo he would do it a little different.  He thinks that the animals that they have in the zoo now are an old thing and that the zoo needs new animals.  The first thing he would do is to let all the animals loose.  He says that he would start all over again and that instead of having a four legged lion he would have one with ten legs.  He says that he would make the people talk and be surprised when they saw the animals that he had I  his zoo.  After that he talks about all sorts of different animals that he would bring to his zoo to make it a lot more exiting for the visitors.  He talks boutique the kind of meals he would prepare for his new collection of animals and what the people would say about him in astonishment for all the animals in his collection. He will only story until he gets the Fizza-Ma-Wizza-Ma-Fill.

I would use this book in my class because I think it would be a good book to have the students read.  I would add this book to my reading corner so the children could practice on their reading.  This book is good from Kindergarten to 2nd grade.

Wagon Wheels

Wagon Wheels
By Barbara Brenner
Pictures by Don Bolognese
Audio Book

This is the story about the Muldie boys who came to the town of Nicodemus, Kansas.  They had a long trip and their mother died on the way.  They reached the town and were surprised there were no houses.  There were only holes in the ground or dugouts so they could live in them.  Ed Muldie said he could build wood house but Mr. Hickman told him there was no time for that because winter was too close.  Ed Muldie and his kids got their shovels and made a dugout.  Winter came and they ran out of food and thankfully for them the Osage Indians helped them out by dropping food and wood for their fires.  When winter was over Ed decided to go look for land with trees and left Johnny, Willie, and little brother by themselves in Nicodemus.  When he found some land he sent them a map and a letter telling them to go find him at Solomon City.  They got all their things and did exactly what their daddy told them.  They traveled for several days until they reached the deer trail he had told them to follow and there they found their daddy. 

I would use this in my class because I could play the audio and have them listen to it.
I would use this book for a socials studies lesson.  This book can provably be used from 1st to 3rd grade.

Tiny Terrors

Tiny Terrors
By Katherine Kenah
Nonfiction


This book is about the little terrors that we can find when we may not even think about it.  there is the blue poison dart frog and blue- ringed octopus which are extremely dangerous.  There are also the flea, the flies, hornets, killer bees, the mantis shrimp and mosquitoes.  Some of these we see on a daily basis and we don't even stop to thin about how bad they can be.  The flies carry bacteria that can be passed on to our food. There are also, tarantulas, scorpions, termites and ticks.  Any of these can be annoying and make you sick.

I would use this book in my class because it is good to learn about which little terrors we have to watch out for.  I would allow the students to read this book in groups.  This book is adequate for Kindergarten-2nd grade.

Animals Day and Night

Animals Day and Night
By Katherine Kenah
Nonfiction

This is a nonfiction book about animals that sleep during the day and wake up to eat at night. The koala the hippopotamus and the opossum are three of those animals.  The koala eats leaves at night, the hippo eats plants at night and the opossum looks for food to eat.  The rhinoceros is another animal that sleeps during the day but at night digs for food.  The skunk, the sun bear, the green turtle and the cougar are four other animals that will rather sleep during the day and eat at night.  All these along with other animals if asked to choose between being awake during the day or at night would much rather choose night.

I would use this book in my class because it tells about which animals are nocturnal.  I would use this book during a nonfiction read aloud or during partner read.  This book is good for Kindergarten- 2nd grade.

Predator Attack!

Predator Attack!
By Katherine Kenah
Nonfiction

This book is about how predators attack.  The alligator is fast and has a lot of teeth in their that they use to catch their prey.  The bald eagle sees very well and has sharp claws to help grab its prey.  The barracudas have sharp teeth and long jaws that are helpful when they hunt. There are also the polar bear, the komodo dragon, the grey wolf and the Tasmanian devil each with its own set of abilities to catch its prey.  You also have the spitting cobra, the cheetah, the great white shark, and the brown bear that are equipped with special features to get their meals.  And lastly you have the osprey and the Bengal that catch their meals with their unique abilities.

I would definitely have this book in my class because a lot of the kids like books about animals and I believe they would enjoy it.  I would read this book to teach them about nature or a nonfiction lesson.
This book would be appropriate for Kindergarten- 2nd grade.

Destruction Earth

Destruction Earth
By Katherine Kenah
Nonfiction

This is a nonfiction book that explains that there are many places on Earth that change and can cause destruction.  It mentions the volcanoes and how they blow up sending dirt in the air.  Also how they release lava and it flows down causing destruction.  It talks about the continental drift, earthquakes and tsunamis and how each one in its own way can be destructive. It also talks about how wildfires, mudslides and avalanches ca cause much destruction when they occur.  It also talks about how meteors can hit the planet and cause a lot of damage.  It talks about glaciers, erosion ,drought, and how they can be destructive.  It also talks about habitat destruction and pollution.

I would use this book in my class because it would be a good nonfiction book to have available for the students.  I would place this book in the reading corner so they could grab it and read through it.  I would use it for a science lesson that deals with what happens on Earth and things that people do that are destructive to the planet.  This book is appropriate for Kindergarten -1st grade.

Amelia Bedelia Sleeps Over

Amelia Bedelia Sleeps Over
By Herman Parish
Pictures by Lynne Avril

This book is about and her first sleep over at Rosie's house.  She is exited because all the girls are going to be over at the sleep over.  When she is on the road with her mom she asks her mom if a slumber party is fun because she thinks that sleeping is boring. Her mom tells her that she will provably not sleep much and that she will be eating pizza and painting nails.  Amelia ask if they will first paint the nails or hammer than and her mom laughs telling her that she will be fine.  Amelia ends up having a great time.  They play games and then they play outside until Rosie's dad comes with the pizza and after that they toast marshmallows for smores.  Later they go inside and paint their toenails and then Rosie's  mom tells them it is time to sleep.  Amelia takes out her flashlight and starts making shadow puppets on the wall.  The next morning they have some more fun and then they clean up and everybody goes home.

I would use this book in my class because I think kids would like to read this story.  I would either have the students read it during reading time or I would do a read aloud.  This book is good for Pre-K through 2nd grade.

Fancy Nancy: The Dazzling Book Report

Fancy Nancy: The Dazzling Book Report
By Jane O'Connor
Pictures based on the art by Robin Preiss Glasser
Realistic Fiction

This book is about Fancy Nancy who goes with her class to the library on Monday.  All the students grab books and Fancy Nancy grabs a book about Sacajawea.  The teacher tells them that their assignment is to write a book report about the book they took from the library.  Fancy Nancy is exited about it and goes home and tells her parents.  They are very exited for her and her mom tells her that she is doing her first book report.  Fancy Nancy starts working on the cover of her book.  Her mom takes her to the store where she buys some materials she will use for her book cover.  Her parents keep telling her that it is nice to work on the cover but to remember that it is a book report.  She finally finishes her book cove the night before and even though she knows all about the book she cannot write much.  The next day when all the students read their book report all she has is two sentences.  Her teacher helps her out and asks her to tell the class what she knows about Sacajawea.

I would use this book in my class because it is a fun little story.  I would somehow attach it to a lesson about being responsible and prioritizing. I would read it aloud toe the students and then ask them to think of a time when they focused on something instead of something else more important.  This book is appropriate for Pre-K through 2nd grade.

The 100th Day of School

The 100th Day of School
By Angela Shelf Medearis
Illustrated By Joan Holub
Realistic Fiction

This book is about the kids in a school celebrating the one hundredth day of school.  In the one hundredth day of school the work, learn and play.  The students mark the calendar to indicate that t is the one hundredth day of school. They shout and they say that they do everything the one hundredth way.  They count the numbers up to one hundred and then they count down back to one .They put bows on a tree, they jump rope and draw a one hundred inch snake.  They collect one hundred cans to recycle and one hundred newspapers.  They plant one hundred seeds and make one hundred hats and use one hundred pennies to buy balloons.  They bake one hundred cookies and have a party.

I would use this in my class to prepare the students for the one hundredth day of school and also to read it to them on the one hundredth day.  I think they would enjoy it.  I believe this book would be enjoyed from Pre-K to 2nd grade.

The Night Before Mother's Day

The Night Before Mother's Day
By Natasha Wing
Illustrated by Amy Wummer
Realistic Fiction

In this book the dad of two little girls tells them his plan to get their mother out of the house so they can work on her Mother's day surprise.  He got her to go out running with her friends and as soon as she had left the house they all started running to the kitchen to get everything ready.  They measured all the ingredients for a cake and they mixed them.  After that they made some cards for their mom where they wrote that they loved her and put a coupon for their mom.  The next morning they woke her up with a bouquet of flowers and told her "Happy Mother's Day!"  They gave her the cards and she was surprised soo then they took her to the kitchen where they gave her coffee and a spa.  They rubbed her shoulders and gave her a mud mask.  After that, their dad prepared the food and brought out the cake.

I would use this book in y class because it is full of illustrations and I know the kids would like it, especially the girls.  I would put this book on the reading corner so they could grab it for reading time.  This book is appropriate for Pre-K and Kindergarten.

Thank You Mr. Falker

Thank You Mr. Falker
By Patricia Polacco
Special Needs Book


In this story Trisha goes of to school with great hopes that she will be a great reader but when she does go to school she always has a hard time keeping up with the reading.  When some of the other students finish reading books she is still stuck in the first book.  Little by little all the other students start making fun of her and there is a point in time when she thinks she is dumb.  Her grandmother is the only one who believes in her but then she dies.  This keeps going on until one day a teacher named Mr. Falker becomes her teacher.  Whenever she has to read or write the other students bully her but Mr. Falker tells them to stop. The bullying continues outside of the class until one day Mr. Falker catches Eric bothering Trisha and gets him in trouble.  After that Mr. Flaker asks Trisha to stay after school and he sees what her problem is.  He starts working with her until she is able to read. It turns out that Trisha is dyslexic and that is the reason why she could not read like the rest of the students.  Years passed and she met Mr. Falkner again and reminded him of what a great thing he did for her.

I would use this book in my class because I think it is a great story that many children will enjoy.
I would read it aloud and then have the students do an activity about how they would help a student that may have a disadvantage.  This book is appropriate for Kindergarten trough Third Grade.

In My Mother's House

In My Mother's House
By Ann Nolan Clark
Illustrated By Velino Herrera
Caldecott Honor

In this book the reader gets a description of the hose of the person who is telling the story.  In this book you get a description of the house and everything that is done there.  You also get a description of how the houses are designed and arranged one in relation to the other.  You learn about the people and the lands and the lakes and the fields.  There is also a description about the cows, the sheep, the goats and the horses. Also about the trees and the plants and the arroyos, about the teas and the plants they eat as well as the wild animals and the bird and the mountains.  There is a true love for his mother's house.  What is interesting about this book is that all the writing is like a continuous poem that gets divided into many small segments and can possibly become difficult for a younger reader to follow.  The illustration technique is very unique.  The illustrations shift from color to black and white outline type illustrations.  It is a very interesting method.

I would use this book in my class to teach about a stile of poetry or about the culture of the Pueblo.
I believe that this book would be appropriate for Third through Fifth grades.

The Prince Who Knew His Fate

The Prince Who Knew His Fate
By Lise Manniche
Historical Fiction

This the story about a prince that was born in Egypt.  When he a born his father was told that the seven Hathor goddesses predicted that he would be killed by a crocodile or a snake or a dog.  His father decided to put him in a house in the desert and keep him there so that nothing would happen to him.  One day he saw a man with a dog and asked for a dog so his dad ordered to give him a puppy.  later the prince got tired of being there and asked his father to let him go out and enjoy before meeting his fate.  He went to Naharin and found out that the Chief of Naharin offered his daughter I marriage to anyone that could jump all the way up to her window where she was.  The prince did but when he told the people that he was the son of a chariot officer the chief did not want hi to marry his daughter.  Eventually the chief agreed.  Once they were married The prince told his wife how he was to die and she started being very protective.  She killed the snake that was supposed to kill him.  One day when he went out of the castle his wife stayed home but the dog followed him and suddenly it turned on him.  He ran into the lake where the crocodile was and the crocodile said he would spare his life if he helped him fight the giant who had been keeping him from killing him for a while.  The prince fights the giant and kills him.  suddenly the dog sneaked up on him and tore him to pieces.  His wife picked up all the pieces and put them together but put his heart in a lotus flower that as blooming in the water.  The prince reappeared as he had been before.

I am not sure that I would read this book in my classroom.  If I did it would provably be to maybe fourth or fifth grade students.  I would use it to help explain about mythical stories.

An Outlaw Thanksgiving

An Outlaw Thanksgiving
By Emily Arnold McCully
Historical Fiction

In this story Clara and her mother are on their way to California.  They had come from New York State and were on the Chicago and Rock Island Express.  They got of the train and Clara saw a poster with a reward of four thousand dollars for Butch Cassidy.  The newspaper boy said that he did not think Butch was such a bad guy.  Soon Clara and her mom got back on the train and were on their way but a storm caused the train to get stuck on the way.  On the train they met a man named Mr. Jones who offered to take them with him to Brown's Hole so they could stay there while the snow was removed and the train could pass.  Clara's mom hesitantly agreed and they got there after a day or so.  When they got there everyone went to meet them and then they had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner.  There Clara realized that one of the men was Butch Cassidy and she asked him if he was going to rob their train.  He told her no and at the end of the dinner party he gave her a coin so she could remember her.  After two days they left the town and went back to the train.  Once they got to their destination and were on their way to California with her dad, Clara wondered whether or not she should tell her parents they had spent Thanksgiving in an outlaw town.  She decide she would tell them when they got to California.


I would provably use this book in my class to help students understand how life was in the time where this story takes place.  I would use this book for 2nd or 3rd grade.  This book would be part of a social studies lesson.

Ellen's Broom

Ellen's Broom
By Kelly Starling Lyons
Illustrated by Daniel Minter
Historical Fiction

In this story Ellen is in church with the rest of the recently freed people of color.  Everybody is happy because they do not have to sit in the back seats of the church.  Their worship songs seem to have a totally new meaning and they are in their own church.  News come that people that are married by the traditional slave way can now get a marriage certificate.  Everybody is happy.  Ellen's parents decide to go and get their marriage certificate and tell Ellen that they are taking the broom because it is part of their family.  They explain how before it was legal for them to get married they would jump the broom as a sign that they were married.  They get to the courthouse and Ellen sees a woman wearing a nice dress but not his mother so she gets her sister to go with her to get some flowers and put them on the broom as if it was a flower bouquet.  They take it back to their mom and the marriage takes place.  On their way back home they have a picnic and Ellen asks them to jump the broom since it is a part of their lives.  They go home and they place the broom back on the wall where it was.  They hang the marriage certificate right underneath the broom.

I would use this book in my class because it is a nice story and the illustrations are very nice.  It would be a way to help students understand that slavery existed in the United States and that it was a part of life.  I would use this in  1st through 3rd grade.  It would be used for a social studies lesson.

Henry's Freedom Box

Henry's Freedom Box
By Ellen Levine
Illustrated By Kadir Nelson
Historical Fiction

This book is about Henry, who lived with his mother in a place slavery was still legal.  When that master died he gave Henry to his soon because Henry was a good worker.  when he went to work for the son he worked rolling tobacco and the person who watched him was very strict.  Henry was not so happy being away from his family but eventually he et a girl who he liked.  They eventually get married and have children.  everything is going well until the owners starts having monetary issues and sells Henry's wife and kids.  After that Henry is a very sad person and decides that he is going to do something about it.  With the help of his friend James and Dr. Smith he ships himself to a state where slavery is no longer legal.  They put him in a wooden box and ship him to Philadelphia.  He goes on a ship and then on a train until he arrives at his final destination where he is free.


I would use this book in my class because it is very well illustrated and I think the children would like it.  It has a good story and I would be a good book to talk about struggle and not giving up when things seem too hard.  I would read the book and then ask them to think of a time when they felt like they could not do something, and how they were able to get past the situation.  This book would be appropriate for 1ts through 3rd grade.

Owen

Owen
By Kevin Henkes
Fantasy
Award: Caldecott Honor

In this story Owen has a fuzzy blanket that he likes to take everywhere he goes.  He takes hi blanket when he goes to sleep, and when he goes outside and play.  He spills juice and other things on it.  His parents are worried that he does not want to let go of his blanket.  They are worried because fuzzy is getting old. Owen carries it, drags it, hugs it, and carries it when he goes to the dentist.  Mrs. Tweezers suggest that they ask him to put it under his pillow for the Blanket Fairy but it does not work.  After that they dip a corner of the blanket in vinegar so it will smell bad but it does not work either.  After that they tell him no and he starts crying.  eventually his mom comes up with the solution of making handkerchiefs out of the blanket.  That solves the problem.

I would use this book in my class because I think the students would like it.  I would read it aloud loud and then have the students do a craft that could relate to the story.  This book is good from Kindergarten- Second Grade.

Froggy's Baby Sister

Froggy's Baby Sister
by Jonathan London
Illustrated by Frank Remkiewicz
Fantancy

This is the story about Froggy who is about to have a little sibling.  When he wakes up he asks his mom if it is the day that the baby will be born.  his mother tells him that she thinks so.  Froggy wants a little brother but his mom tells him that a girl would be okay too.  he dreams of teaching new things to his little brother.  When they come back from the hospital he finds out that he has a little sister and is not happy but quickly changes his mind.  He wants to take his little sister outside with him to teach her new things because she still has her tail and has no legs.  Froggy gets desperate but finally he is able to take his little sister out to teach her new things.  He teaches her how to catch flies.  At night when she cries he soothes her and cuddles her to sleep.

I would read this book in class because it is a nice little story that would be fun to read aloud to the students.  It is appropriate for Pre-K through 1st grade.  I would use it to help the children work with being good brothers or good sisters.

Meet Peter Rabbit

Meet Peter Rabbit
By Beatrix Potter
Fantasy

This the story a boy the mischievous Peter rabbit who did not follow his mother's Instructions.  He had siblings named Floppy, Mossy, and Cotton-tail.  When their mother told them to go out and play but not to go to Mr. McGregor garden Peter rabbit did not listen. He went and ate different vegetables in the garden until Mr. McGregor saw him and started chasing him. Peter as an and run and tried to get away over and over again until he was finally able to squeeze under the gate.  He lost his jacket and his shoes in the process.  When he got home he was sick and did not eat the nice food with his siblings.  He had chamomile instead.

I would use this book in my class because it is a classic and I am pretty sure that many if not all the children would like it.  I would read this to the children during reading time.  This book would be appropriate for Pre-K through 3rd grade.

Frog and Toad are Friends

Frog and Toad are Friends
By Arnold Lobelia
Caldecott Honor


This is a book about the characters Toad and Frog.  This book consists of five short stories in which Frog and Toad interact in heir friendship.  In the first story Frog goes to Toads home to tell him that Spring has arrived and that they should go out and enjoy all the nice things of spring.  Toad wants to sleep more so ultimately he tells Frog to wake him up in the middle of May.  Frog goes and tears that pages off the calendar until he gets to May and wakes Toad up. They go out and have fun.  In the second, Frog is not feeling well so he asks Toad to tell him a story and Toad tries to but cannot think of one so he walks up and down in the porch, stands on his head, pours water on his head, and finally bangs his head on the wall to try to think of a story. Frog feels better now and Toad now feels bad.  Toad asks Frog to tell him a story now so Front tells him the story of of what Toad did.  In the third story Frog and Toad went for a walk and Toad lost one of his jacket buttons.  They go back to look for it and they find many buttons but no his. Very upset he goes home and finds his button on the floor.  In the the fourth story they go swimming but toad is worried that Frog will see his bathing suit. Many animals come because they want to see him in his bathing suit. Finally he gets out and walks away.  In the last story Toad sits on the front porch waiting to see the mail come.  He is sad because he never gets mail so Frog goes home and writes Toad a letter and gives to a snail to deliver it. It takes a while but the letter finally gets there and Toad is very happy.

I would use this book in many class because the stories are very creative and the illustrations are very nicely done.  I would have the students read this book in pair so they could read to each other. This book may be used from Kindergarten through 3rd grade.

How I became a Pirate

How I became a Pirate
by Melinda Long
Illustrated by David Shannon


This is the story about Jeremy Jacob who one day is playing at the beach and all of a sudden he sees a Pirate ship approaching.  He tells his parents but they are too busy to pay attention to him. The ship gets close and a rowboat approaches the beach. Oat of it come pirates who are lead by Captain Braid beard.  He tells Jeremy Jacob that he will go with them and that is the day that he became a Pirate.  When they are out at sea the pirates have no rules, they eat what they want and go to sleep whenever they want.  Jeremy Jacob likes that so he enjoys being a Pirate.  He tries to teach the how to play soccer but they lose that ball in the water and a shark takes it away.  Everything is great until he finds out that pirates also don't tuck in at night or read a story before sleeping.  During the night a storm comes and everybody is too busy to pay attention to Jeremy.  At that point he decides that he does not want to be a Pirate.  Towards the end they want a place to bury their treasure and Jeremy draws up a map that leads to his backyard which is where they bury their treasure.

I would use this book in my class because it is a fun and interactive book.  I think the kids would enjoy it.  I would read it aloud and ask the children to repeat some stuff as I read.  This book is appropriate for Kindergarten to Second grade.

The Day the Dog Said "Cock-a -Doodle Doo!"

The Day the Dog Said "Coc-a- Doodle- Doo"!
By David McPhail
Fantasy


In this book it starts by saying the the animals were complaining on a hot summer day.  The duck complained of how hot it was, then the goose, then the cow hoped for rain and the pig agreed with the cow.  The rooster said that the rain would bring the best worms while the Dog got upset at the rooster because he would not let him sleep.  A wind came that sent the animals through the air.  All their voices got mixed up and they started arguing but did not notice a cloud and a second wind that blew them again and the rain started.  When the wind stopped they were all back to normal and each one did his or her own thing. And everything was calm.

I would read this book in my class because it would be a nice book for kids.  I would read it aloud and after that do a craft about animals.  I like that is an easy to read book with nice illustrations.  This book would be good for Kindergarten through 2nd grade.

All the Stars in the Night

All the Stars in the Night
By Arthur A. Levine
Pictures by James Earl. Ransome
Historical Fiction

This is the story about the Moses and his brother Benjamin who had to leave their home in Drahitchen and go to Palestine to avoid persecution.  These two children were Jewish and the people were blaming them for everything that was going on.  Their mother decided that they needed to go to Palestine and she used some money that her  older son had sent for that purpose.  They left and she gave them a lamp to take so they could celebrate the first day of Hanukkah.  She told them they only had oil for one day but it lasted them until they exchanged the lamp for a trip on a ship that would take them to their destination.   When they were on the ship Moses apologized for having sold the lamp for a ticket.  He said they would have nothing to light up for Hanukkah.  Benjamin made him realize that they had all the lights in the night which were the stars. They began to sing the Hanukkah prayer.

I would use this book in my classroom because it teaches about historic struggle and culture through a story.  I would read this book to the children. This book is good for 1st through 3rd grade.

Paddington

Paddington
The original story of the bear from Peru.
By Michael Bond
Illustrated by R.W. Alley
Fantasy and Science Fiction

This is the story about when Paddington first came from Peru.  The Browns were at the Paddington station waiting for their daughter to arrive when they saw the bear at the station.  They could not believe it so they went closest one verify.  When they got closer he started ta.king to them and the Browns decide to take him home with them. As soon as their daughter arrived.  They introduced her to Paddington who they named after the train station. They took him home and him meet Mrs. Bird who was the lady that took care of them.  She told him he needed a bath so July helped him to get there.  While I  the tub he made a mess but after he was done he so clean.  He had tea and food to eat.  Everybody there wanted to know his life story but after he started telling them he went to sleep.

This is a nice boom and I would use it in my class room to tach children about fantasy.  I would get some copies of the book and have them ready in groups.  This book is appropriate from Kindergarten to 2nd grade.

Luka's Quilt

Luka's Quilt
By Georgia Guback
Multicultural

This is the story about Luka a Hawaiian girl and her grandmother who took care of her while her parents worked.  They were very good friends until one day her grandmother decide to make her a quilt.  Luka was hoping for a colorful quilt with many flowers on it but was disappointed when her grandmother made her a green and white quilt.  After that they where no longer friendly to each other until one day Luka's grandmother asked for a truce and they went to a festival where they both decide to respect their truce.  After they left the festival Luka felt good like she had before the quilt.  The next morning her grandmother decided to make her the quilt she wanted on one side of the existing quilt so she could have both.  Luka was so happy and thankful to her grandmother.  They became friends again.

I would use this book in my classroom because it is a nicely Illustrated book and the children would like it.  I would read it aloud to the class and maybe afterward we would make a quilt craft using construction paper.  This would be a good book for Kindergarten through 2nd grade.

Suki's Kimono

Suki's Kimono

By Chieri Uegaki

Illustrated by Stephane Jorisch

Multicultural 

This is the story about Suki who decides to wear her Kimono on the first day of school because her grandmother gave it to her during game the summer.  Even though her sisters try to persuade her not to wear it because they say it will no be cool she still does.  They walk to school and the sisters get ahead because they are embarrassed to walk with her.  When she gets to school the children give her funny looks and try to make fun of her but she decides she will not pay attention to it.  Later the teacher asks the students to introduce themselves to the class and tell them what they did over the summer. Suki tells the,

M that her grandmother visited her and gave her the kimono. She then tells them about how the people of her culture dance and she starts demonstrating.  At the end everybody likes her and when her sisters and Suki walk home they talk about how nobody noticed them but Suki just smiles.

I would use this book in many class because it is important to learn of different cultures and it would be a good opportunity.  I would read it aloud to the class and then we would do some activity to celebrate Asian culture.  This book would be good for Kindergarten through 3rd  grade.

Que Monton de Tamales!

Que Monton de Tamales
By Gary Soto
Illustrated by Ed Martinez
Multicultural

This is the story about Maria who was so exited to be helping his mom make Tamales.  Her mother told her that she was doing a good job so she felt like a big person and started working even harder at it.  The only thing that she wanted now was to be able to wear her mother's ring.  Her mom left it on the counter top so Maria put it on her thumb. She kept on meaning the maza for the tamales and apparently at one point she lost the ring.  They made the Tamales and after they were ready she realized that share had lost her mother's ring.  She and her cousins went to the kitchen and started to eat the tamales with the hope of finding good the ring.  After they ate all the Tamales and didn't find the ring, Maria knew she had to tell her mom.  To her surprise her mom had the ring and everything turned out to be okay.  They made another batch of Tamales and everything was fine.

I would use this book in my class room to introduce the students to a different culture and language. I would read it aloud and translate it to English while at the same time have them practice saying some words in Spanish.  This book would be appropriate from Kindergarten through 3rd grade.

The Colors of Us

The Colors of US
By Karen Katz
Multicultural

This is the story of a seven year old girl named Lena.  She wants to paint a picture of herself and her mother tells her that if she mixes different color she will get the right brown for a picture of herself.  Lena does not understand that there are different shades of brown so her mom decides to take her for a walk.  I their walk they see Lena's friends and several other people that were different shades of skin color.  One was chocolate brown, one was peachy and tan.  Another was the color of honey and her cousin was reddish brown.  She realized that people are of a great variation of color.  When they went back home she mixed all the different paints and painted all the different people she new with all their different colors.

This is a good book and I would use it in my classroom to teach the students about diversity.  I would read it to the class and after that we would do an activity to see how many different color children are part of the class.  This would be a good book from Pre-K to 2nd grade.

The Joy of A Peanuts Christmas

The Joy of A Peanut Christmas
50 years of Holiday Comics
By Charles Schulz
Graphic Novel


This is a book about the Peanuts Christmas as Charles Schulz has told the different stories over a period of fifty years.  There are different scenes where they build snowmen or when some of the characters write their letters to Santa clause.  In this book we get to see the interactions between the characters in the different eras of the book's time span.  We also get to see when the new characters are born to the story.  We even get to see that Snoopy has a brother that lives in the desert.  This is obviously a classic for many generations and the way it is made is awesome because it portrays what could almost be real life in the sense that the kids all have their own problems.

I think I would use this for my class because it is important for children to get exposed to this kind of literature.  I would provably read it aloud as we approach Christmas and maybe the students could do an activity like making a play dough snowman or another craft.  This book would be appropriate for K through third grade.

The Relatives Came

The Relatives Came
Story by Cynthia Rylant
Illustrated by Stephen Gammell

This is a story about the summer of  year when the relatives came ti visit from Virginia.  The story states that they left their grapes to go visit their relatives.  Also that they had an old station wagon which they loaded up with all their stuff for the road.  They left early in the morning and drove a long way to get there and as they drove they saw strange houses and different mountains which made then think about their homes and the grapes they left behind in Virginia.  They finally arrived at their house and from there on it was a hugging marathon.  Later they went into the house and hugged some more an did a lot of talking. They had dinner and they slept where they could.  The relatives spent a long time visiting and eventually they left and went back to Virginia. They left early in the morning and traveled a long way back. They thought about their grapes on the way and they also missed the relatives they left behind.


I would use this book in  my class because it has a good story and the illustrations are really good. I think k my students would enjoy having this book read aloud or also reading it during partner reading time.  This book could provably be used from Kindergarten to Second grade.

The Itsy-Bitsy Spider

The Itsy-Bitsy Spider
By Rosemary Wells
Poetry

This is a nursery rhyme book about the well known song about the Itsy-Bitsy Spider.  This book has all the words that are in the song written throughout the pages.  The way that the book is illustrated is very nice because it actually has a goose looking ate the Itsy-Bitsy Spider while it is trying to climb up the water spout.  It shows the goose looing at the spider as it gets washed down by the rain and again as it gets dry and climbs up the water spout again. The illustrations make the song come ti life because it actually gives a visual of want is being read.

I would definitely use this book in my classroom to show the children as we practice to sing the song.  It would give them a visual feel the song more personal.  This book would provably be for a Pre-K or Kindergarten class.

The Missing Tarts

The Missing Tarts 
Written by B. G. Hennessey
Illustrated by Tracey Campbell Pearson

This is a nursery rhyme type poem.  It starts by stating that the Queen of Hearts made some tarts and the Knave of Hearts stole them and took them away.  After that the queen wants to know where are the tarts and Jack and Jill tell her to look for them up the hill.  From there techy go to Old King Coles bowl and then to the cupboard of Old Mother Hubbard.  It goes through other references to nursery rhymes and finally the Queen of Hearts finds the tarts.  The Knave of Hearts gave the, all away.

This would be a good nursery rhyme book that I could read about to the students. Maybe I could use it as a memorizing activity and have them practice so we could all recite it from memory.  This book would be good for Pre-K to 1st grade.   The illustrations are colorful and would definitely be attractive to the little ones.

Marsupial Sue

Marsupial Sue
By John Lithgow
Illustrated by Jack English. Davis
Poetry

This poem is about a kangaroo named Marsupial Sue, who is not happy with who she is.  She did not like to hop like a kangaroo because it made her sick so she decided that she would leave her relatives and be something else.  She decide she was going to be a koala but it did not work out.  She was still not happy with who she was so she decided she would go live with the platypus but she got very sick so she figured out that it would not work out.  Still not happy, Marsupial Sue she would be a wallaby and went to live with them.  There she realized that she was not so bad as a kangaroo and from there on she was happy.

I would teach this book in my classroom because it would be good for a poetry lesson. It would also be good to teach the children that being who they are is okay and that they should not try to be someone else.  I could also use it to have the students sing it as a song.  This book would be good for Kindergarten- 2nd grade.

Earth Dance

Earth Dance
Author: Joanne Ryder
Illustrated by Norman Gorbady

This is a wonderful poem about the Earth. It starts of by asking you to imagine  that you are standing tall in an empty space.  After that it transports you to the roundness of the Earth.  It asks you to imagine being greater than trees, mountains and sky. It compares you to the moon and describes the spinning of the planet as well as all the colors that are great I on planet Earth. It makes you think how large and powerful you are if you were Earth. After that it describes everything on Earth and explains how everyone has something in common,  which is living in the same planet.  At the end it tells you that you are home, Earth.  I think the poem is written as if for a person but ultimately is to show the greatness and beauty of Earth.

I would use this book to teach children about poetry I an ELA lesson or also in a social studies class to he them understand how beautiful our planet is and that we are supposed to take care of it.  The way the book is illustrated would be a great way to show students about art and creativity in illustration.  And the way the text is arranged would be a good way to introduce students to writing shape poems.  This book would provably be good from Kindergarten through 3rd grade.

In the Small, Small Pond

In the Small, Small Pond
By Denise Fleming
Poetry

This book about poetry starts with the big frog and the little tadpoles.  As it goes on it shows how little gueese walk out in nature.  After that it shows some dragonflies and some turtles after that.  It shows herons, fish and bugs, birds and a series of animals until the end of the poem.  In a very vivid and colorful way it shows what happens in a small, small, pond.

I would use this poetry book in my classroom to discuss topics that would include what animals do, the seasons, and to explain to them how a variety of animals can live in a small habitat.  This book would be appropriate for grades K-2.  This would be a great way to teach the children about animal changes using a great visual aid.

The Little Red Hen

The Little Red Hen
Pictures by Lucinda McQueen
Traditional Literature

This the story about a red hen who has to do all the work around the house.  There is a goose who is always chatting and does not do a thing.  There is a cat who is vain and spends all the time brushing her fur or doing other vain things.  There is also a dog who is always sleepy and constantly naps.  One day as the Little Red Hen  goes to the market she finds some wheat grains and puts them in her apron pocket.  She asks for help to plant them but nobody wants to help so she does it herself.  Later when the wheat plants start to grow she asks for help to take care of them during game the summer and again nobody helps her.  Later on she asks for help to cut and thresh the wheat but again she gets no help.  The same happens when she takes the wheat to the miller and when she wants to bake a loaf of bread.  The Little Red Hen  ends up doing everything but when it comes time to eat the bread she asks them who will help her eat the bread and everybody wants to participate.  At that point she reminds them that she was the one who did all the work so now when will be the only one who will eat the bread, and she does.

I would use this story in my class because it is a classic and I think all the children would love it.  This book is appropriate for Pre-K to 3rd grade.  I would use this as a read aloud in my class and maybe we could even what he a video on how to bake bread.

Henny Penny

Henny Penny
By Paul Galdone
Traditional Literature

This is a book about rime and repetition. Henny Penny wants to go tell the king that the sky is falling and along the way she meets Cockeysville Lucky who asks her if he can go with her to tell the king that the sky is falling. Along the way they meet Ducks Lucky who asks them if he can go with them.  They agree and he goes with them. Along the way they meet Goosey Loosey who asks if he can go with them and they agree.  Along the way they meet Turkey Lurkey who asks the same question and they agree to have him go with them.  Next they meet Foxy Loxy who tells them they are going the wrong direction and takes them to his cave.  They never make it to the kids get and are never seen again. That day the fox and his family had a great feast.

I would use this book in my class because it is rich in repetition and children need a lot of that so they can remember sight words.  This book would be good for Pre-K to 1st grade.I would use this as a read aloud were I would get the students involved in the process of repetition.

Jack and the Beanstalk

Jack and the Beanstalk
Retold by Dr. Alvin Granowsky
Illustrations by Linda Graves
Traditional Literature


This is the story about a boy named Jack who lived with his mother in a small house and had little money.  They had a garden and a cow but eventually the garden was empty and the cow did not have milk.  Jackson mom told him to go to the market and sell the cow so they could have money to buy food.  Jack did what his mom told him but along the way a man talked him into selling him the cow for some magic beans.  Jack's mom was not happy so she threw the beans out the window.  They went to sleep without eating.  The next morning Jack saw a giant bean stalk on the side of the house and climbed it.  He came to a place where a giant lived and knocked on the door.  A giant lady opened the door and Jack asked for something to eat.  She gave him bread and told him to hurry before her giant husband arrived and eat him.  Suddenly the giant got to the house and smelled Jack. The giant's wife told him it was his food. The giant ate then looked at his gold coins, and so did Jack. When the giant fell asleep Jack took the hold coins and climbed down the bean stalk to show his mother.  They live well for a while but then the coins started running out so he went back for more.  The second time he brought down a chicken that laid golden eggs.  His mother and Jack lived well for a while but then he wanted more so he went back up the bean stalk.  This time he took a harp while the giant slept but the harp cried out for help so the giant started chasing Jack as Jack ran down the bean stalk.  Jack cried  out to his mother to get the ax and cut the Beanstalk and as a result the giant crashed on the ground.  Jack and his mother lived happily ever after.


I would use this book in my class room because it will help the children open their mind and let it travel to the world of Jack.  I think this book would be appropriate for a K-2nd  grade level.  I would read it out loud and have the children do an alternative ending to the story so they can work on higher level thinking.

The Elves and The Shoemaker

The Elves and The Shoemaker.
Based on the story by the Brothers Grimmer
Illustrated by Thea Kliros
Tradional Literature

This is the story about a poor shoemaker during a Christmas time.  This shoemaker worked very hard to try to provide for his family but even though he tried and tried, he still could not earn enough for a holiday turkey or presents for his family.  The story also tells us that one night the shoemaker had just enough leather for one pair of shoes but he was too tired so he left it and he went to sleep for the night.  He was surprised the next morning when he went to work and saw the most beautiful pair of shoes.  He sold them that day and was able to buy food for his family as well as leather to make two more pairs of shoes.  He left the leather in his shop and the next morning the two pairs of shoes were already made.  This happened for several nights and his wife wanted to know who was doing such a nice thing for them.  The shoemaker and his wife hid in the workshop and saw two Elves with their tool kits hard at work making shoes.  They decided to do something nice for the Elves so they made them coats and pastries.  When the Elves saw all that, they were very happy. They ate and put on their coats.  The shoemaker never saw the Elves again but was always thankful to them.

This is a story that can be used for K-2nd grade.  I would use this in my class for a read aloud and then have the students do an activity.  Maybe write a version of the story with them in it.

The Legend of the Sleepy Hollow

The Legend of the Sleepy Hollow
Author:  Patsy Jensen
Illustrated by:  Rowan Barns-Murphy
Traditional Literature

The Legend of the Sleepy Hollow begins by letting us know that Ichabod Crane was the school master of  small village called Sleepy Hollow near the Hudson river. Ichabod stayed in a different home every week while he taught at the school.  This was a quiet town where not much happened.  Everywhere Ichabod stayed he wpuld always hear the same story.  The story they told him was about a mysterious horse rider who roamed the area at night.  The part that made Ichabod afraid was that it was a headless horse rider.  Everything he hear the story he would have a hard time sleeping at night, except when he was with Katrina Van Tassel whom she loved.  The thing he loved most seemed to get married with her and be rich.  He had a love adversary though.  His name was Brom Bones, who was good looking and was also interested in Katrina.  One night they had a party where Ichabod planned to propose to Katrina.  Things did not go as planned and after Bromley told the story about the headless horse rider, Ichabod left the party.  He rode his horse and almost thought he was safe until he saw the headless horse rider.  Things happened and at the end of the story Ichabod was not seen again, but when they asked Bromley Bones he just smiled.

This is a book that can be used from grade K-2.  I would use the book to teach children about classic literature.  I would use this book in my classroom as a read aloud or maybe I would obtain several copies for students to group read it.

David and Goliath

David and Goliath
Author: N/A
Illustrated by John Patience

This pop-up book is about the Bible story of David and Goliath.  The story tells us that during the kingdom of Saul there was a man whose name was Jersey and who had a so  named David.  David was a Shepherd who would take care of his father's sheep, played the harp, and praised God.  At one point of time King Saul asked for David to go and play harp for him to cheer him up.  The Israelites are at war with the Philistines.  Their champion warrior Goliath asked to get someone to fight him and David volunteered to go and fight him.  When Goliath saw him he laughed but then David defeated the giant and the Israelites won the war.

I would ask the principal of the school if I could use this book in my class as a literary source for the children. Since religious literature is actually helpful to help build background knowledge for children.  I would use this book as a read aloud.  I believe this book would be good from Pre-K through 2nd grade.

The Whipping Boy

The Whipping Boy

Author: Sid Fleischman

Illustrator:  Peter Sis

Newbery Award

"Bring the whipping boy!"  This is the story of a named Jemmy, who used to live in the streets and at some point in his life became the whipping boy at the castle.  Prince Brat who is the Kings son is very mischevios and everytime he does something he is not supposed to the will call for the whipping boy.  Prince Brat is upset because Jemmy will not cry or scream whenever he gets whipped.  Jemmy has decided that he will not let one tear for Prince Brat and therefore he toughens up during the whipping.  The Prince is unhappy with Jemmy because he will no cry.  He threatens to get him kicked out back into the streets where he was before taken to the palace.  The prince decides he wants to leave the castle and goes to get Jemmy to go with him.  Jemmy reluctantly goes with him.  The prince took a basket full of food and he took a horse.  They rode out in the night and Jemmy's plan was to escape but instead they got captured by two bad men.  Hold-your-nose Billy and Cutwater where two legendary murderes.  The bad guys planned to send a note for a ransom and at one point thought Jemmy was the prince because Prince Brat was so bad he actually never learned to read or write but Jemmy had. When Hold-your-nose Billy took the horse back with the note, Cutwater was left alone with Jemmy and thr prince and they managed to escape. A series of things happen from here on and at one point Jemmy is wanted because they think he conspired to kidnap the prince. By the end if the story Prince Brat learns alot of things and ate the end of the book, Jemmy ends up being more than just the whipping boy.

I would use this book in my classroom for a read aloud.  It is a great story and a great literary work so I think it would be very beneficial for building the language of the students.  I believe this would be a good book to read to second graders.