We Are the Ship:

The Story of Negro League Baseball

Nelson, K. ( 2008). We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball. New York, NY: Hyperion Books for Children.

Before Jackie Robinson paved the way for African American ball players to play in the major leagues, African American baseball players played in the  Negro baseball leagues.  This book tells the story of dedicated players that played in the Negro League in the 1920s through the end of the league in 1960.  Kadir Nelson tells what life was like for these ball players, from the way the game was played, to life on the road, and to the treatment these men faced due to segregation. He also tells of the famous players in the league such as Hank Aaron, Josh Gibson, and Satchel Paige.  Each chapter tells of players, teams, owners, the history, and the game of baseball in the Negro League.  The story concludes with the end of the league.  After Jackie Robinson was signed in the majors in 1947, it opened the door for other African American players to sign with the major league teams.  These great players made it possible for the game of baseball to be changed forever. 

This book is full of interesting facts, stories, and players from the Negro League.   If you are not a fan of baseball, you soon will be after reading this well written text.  Fans of baseball will love reading about these ballplayers that played with all their heart, body, and soul.  A great combination of storytelling and facts that will keep you reading from the beginning to the end.  Furthermore, the  illustrations of the players, teams, and owners are full of emotions and beautifully painted. 

Rosa

Giovanni, N. ( 2205). Rosa. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Company.

This story about Rosa Park's fight for civil rights in the 1950's gives a fresh new look at Mrs. Park's day that changed the South.  The book starts by telling the reader the personal life of Mrs. Parks, from being a wife and daughter, to her work as a seamstress, to that ride on the bus where she refused to give up her seat.  The story tells of the injustice of segregation that  Mrs. Parks was fed up with.  It also goes on to tell of the community that supported her and their boycott against the bus company.   For over a year, the African Americans of Montgomery walked until finally the Supreme Court ruled that segregation on buses was illegal.  Rosa Parks was a catalyst for change in the South that will not be forgotten.

The information about Rosa's personal life gives the reader a peek at the person, not just the name.  The book tells facts that inform of segregation of the South, but also tells the emotions of Rosa Parks and the entire African American community of Montgomery, Alabama.  The illustrations also portray her quiet determination to make a change and give hope to those in the South.  A must read story about this brave women.  

Visit my Smore flyers on Picture Books and Traditional Literature!

Picture Books
https://www.smore.com/y463s

Traditional Literature

https://www.smore.com/kr1jb

The Graveyard Book

Gaiman, Neil. ( 2008). The Graveyard Book. New York, NY: Harper Collins Children's Books.

One night a family is murdered in their home, all except the toddler that escapes.  He wanderers into the nearby graveyard, where he is discovered by ghosts, Mr. and Mrs. Owen.  They decide to take the child in with the help of the other inhabitants of the graveyard and Silas, who becomes his guardian.  They name him Nobody, and call him Bod for short.  He is given the Freedom of the Graveyard and can walk around freely, able to see the ghosts that live there.  The ghosts of the graveyard become his family and raise him, care for him, and teach him the ways of ghosts.  But Bod can't leave because the man that murdered his human family, Jack, is still out there waiting to one day find Bod and kill him too.  As Bod becomes older, he wants to leave the graveyard, but discovers the living world is filled with dangers.  After finally defeating Jack, Silas the guardian knows that Bod must begin his life and join the living.

This book is filled with mystery, suspense, and magical elements.   The Graveyard Book is part humor, horror, and adventure.  Readers will enjoy reading about Bod's adventures in the graveyard and the ghost family that teaches him Fading, Dreamwalking,  and dancing with the dead.  I would recommended  this book for late elementary to early middle school. 

El Deafo

Bell, C. ( 2014). El Deafo. New York, NY: Abrams.

Cece Bell is a girl that looses her hearing when she is sick from meningitis at the age of four.  She tells her story of navigating elementary school as the kid with hearing aids.  Cece wears a Phonic Ear, which allows her to hear her teachers in school.  She tells of how she can hear the teachers wherever they are in the school, including the bathroom.  She creates a superhero of herself, "El Deafo" because she has the amazing ability to hear things no one else can.  However, Cece knows that she is different from her classmates and is self-conscience of her differences. She is a lonely little girl who just yearns for a true friend.  In fourth grade, she finally meets Martha who is a true friend to her.

This is a story of acceptance and friendship.  Through her trials through elementary school, all Cece really wants is what every child wants, acceptance and friendship.  Cece's true story of her childhood will show children that we all need and long for a true friend, no matter who we are.  This graphic novel uses humor along the way in this story about Cece Bell's elementary years. 

The Nest

Oppel, K. ( 2015). The Nest. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Steve's mother just had a baby that is sick.  The baby has many cognitive  problems and the family is worried the baby may not live.   One night, after being stung by a wasp, Steve begins to have strange dreams where he thinks he is talking to angels.  The creature he is talking to turns out to be a queen wasp in a nest that is just outside his house.  The wasp tells him that they can make things better.  Steve keeps having dreams where he is talking to the wasp.  She tells him they are making a new, perfect baby for the family inside the nest.  Steve must protect his baby brother before the queen wasp takes him away and replaces him with the new, perfect baby.  He fights the queen and the swarm to protect his brother, with the help of a strange protector, Mr. Nobody.

This is a very suspenseful book that will have readers on the edge of their seat.  The theme of the book is that nobody is perfect.  The main character, Steve, is dealing with some OCD problems of his own.  He comes to the realization, that while his new baby brother has serious health problems, none of us are perfect.  It has some very creepy content that may be frightening for younger readers. I recommend  this book for  fifth grade and up.   

This is Not My Hat

Klassen, J.( 2012). This is Not My Hat.  Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.

A little fish steals a hat from a sleeping bigger fish and thinks he can get away with it.  He thinks the big fish will sleep for a long time, but he doesn't. He thinks the big fish won't know where he's going, but he does.  He thinks the crab, who saw him, won't tell where he is going, but he does.  He thinks that by hiding in the tall plants, the big fish won't find him, but he does.  The big fish goes after the little fish in the tall plants.  At the end, the big fish comes out of  the tall plants with his hat on, but the little fish doesn't come back out. 

This is a good book to teach predictions to younger readers.  Predictions can be made throughout the story.  Readers can also make predictions at the end when the little fish doesn't come out of the tall plants.  It can also  teach younger children about taking things that do not belong to you.  This book is a Caldecott Medal winner.   

  

It's a Book

Smith, L. ( 2010.) It's a Book. New York, NY: Roaring Book Press.

Monkey is reading a book one day when Jackass, holding a laptop, comes and asks him what he has.  Monkey tells him that he has a book.  Jackass begins to ask him multiple questions about the book, such as " Can it text? Tweet? Wi-Fi?" and other questions pertaining to technology. Jackass continues to ask him questions about the book.  He finally begins to read the book. When Monkey asks for the book back, Jackass is engrossed and keeps it.  Jackass says he will charge it up when he is done, but Mouse who is on top of Monkey's head tells him, "You don't have to...It's a book, Jackass".

In our digital world of tweeting, texting, Face Book , Instagram, and the like, this book pokes fun at all of the technology we use.  The simple act of picking up and reading a book is sometimes lost in this digital age.  Lane Smith shows that reading a book can still be as entertaining as ever.  He shows through humor that too much technology is not always a good thing.   The last line of the book may be controversial in a children's picture book, but it definitely drives home the point of the book in this line.  Older kids and adults will absolutely love the humor!

mirror mirror

Singer, M. ( 2010). mirror mirror. New York, NY: Dutton Children's Books.

This is book of poetry about well-known fairy tales with an unusual twist.  The author writes poetry that is told from both sides of the story, but using the same words and lines which she calls a "reverso".  When you read the poem downwards, it tells the side of one character.  When you read the poem upward, it tells the side of another character from the same fairy tale.  The author only changes capitals and punctuation, but all of the lines and words remain the same.  Some of the famous fairy tales included are Sleeping Beauty, Jack and the Beanstalk, Beauty and the Beast, and more. 

This is a clever twist to poetry writing.  The  poems are imaginative and entertaining.  It's a great way to teach poetic form that by only changing punctuation and a few capitals, you can completely change the meaning of the poem.  The poems also teach point of view of each fairy tale character.  The illustrations also show point of view, as well as help tell the tale.  This is a clever, ingenious book that kids will enjoy reading.  Kids may even try writing  their own " reversos".

Sticks

Bauer, J. ( 1996). Sticks. New York, NY: Penguin Group.

Mickey is a ten-year old pool player who hopes to win the youth tournament that is coming up in his grandmother's pool hall.  Mickey has pool in his blood.  His deceased father was a pool champion.  Mickey's rival, Buck, will also  be playing in the upcoming tournament.  Mickey practices everyday in order to beat Buck, but Buck is older, bigger, and a great pool player.  Mickey feels like he doesn't have a chance.  Mickey's best friend, Arlen, helps him out by applying math to pool and helping Mickey out with his training.  Then one day a man named Joseph comes into the pool hall.  He turns out to be Mickey's dad's best friend from long ago.  Joseph wants to coach Mickey in pool, but they first must convince Mickey's mom.  Once his mom says yes, Joseph teaches Mickey all he knows about pool.  But a month before the tournament, Mickey sprains his hand.  With hard work and determination, Mickey continues his training, and on the day of the tournament, Mickey beats Buck and wins the tournament.

Mickey is a character that many kids can associate with.  He faces bullies, has to work hard to overcome tragedies in his life, and has a best friend that he can count on.  This book shows kids that we all face different tragedies in life, but we can overcome them with hard work, family, and good friends.  It also shows kids that you do not have to be the biggest or oldest to win.  You just need determination and hard work to overcome an obstacle.

Crossover

Alexander, K. ( 2014). Crossover. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Josh Bell, nicknamed Filthy McNasty by his father, is a middle-school basketball star  along with his twin brother Jordan. Their  father is a former pro-basketball player that played in the European League, so basketball is in their blood.   Josh and Jordan are inseparable on and off the court.   That is until Jordan meets the new girl in school and is soon spending all of his time with her.  Josh is lost without his brother and soon is angry that Jordan is no longer spending time with him.  On top of that, their father is having health problems, but refuses to see a doctor.  Tension heats up between Josh and Jordan, and during a game, Josh throws a ball at Jordan square in the face, which lands Josh on the bench for the rest of the season.  As if things weren't bad enough for Josh, his father has a heart attack and ends up in the hospital at Christmas time.  At the championship game at the end of the season, Josh's parents allow him to play, but during the game, their father dies of another heart attack.

This story is not just about basketball, but about family, relationships, and facing difficulties in life.   The relationship between the two brothers show the reader  the  importance of family over all other things.  The book is told entirely in verse, which makes it interesting to read.   Kids that would normally not choose a book of poetry will change their minds after reading this book. 

Walk Two Moons

Creech, S. ( 1994). Walk Two Moons. New York, NY: HarperCollins.

Sal is a thirteen-year old girl who recently lost her mother in a bus accident in Idaho.  In a quest to say goodbye to her mother, her grandparents are taking her on a road trip to retrace her mothers footsteps from Ohio to Idaho, with stops at historical landmarks along the way.  During her trip, she tells her grandparents the story of her friend Phoebe and her mother's disappearance.  She tells the story of how Phoebe's mother disappears, the strange notes that appear on Phoebe's porch, and a mysterious stranger that knocks on Phoebe's door one day.  Through telling  Phoebe's story and the trip out west, Sal comes to grips with her own mother's leaving and death. 

This is a story of understanding the ones you love the most and understanding their point of view.  It is an intricate story with many stories within a story, starting with Sal's own mother leaving after losing a baby.  Then there is the plot of Phoebe and her own mother leaving, after being reunited with her son she gave up for adoption many years ago.   The plots are filled with mystery, emotions, and  interesting characters.  The theme "Don't  judge a man until you've walked two moons in his moccasins" is entwined throughout the book.   The main character Sal learns of friendship, hope, and loss through her journey.  This book is recommended for upper elementary aged children.

Theodor Seuss Geisel Award Winner and Honor Books

The Geisel Award began in 2006 for the authors and  illustrators of the most distinguished American books for beginning readers.  It is given annually.  It is named after Theodor Seuss Geisel, the famous children's author and illustrator known as Dr. Seuss.

Hi! Fly Guy

Arnold, T.( 2005).Hi! Fly Guy. New York, NY: Scholastic.

One day a boy named Buzz is looking for a pet to enter the Amazing Pet Show, and  a fly is looking for something to eat.  Buzz catches the fly in a jar and takes him home to meet his parents.  His parents tell him he can't keep a fly as a pet.  But when Buzz shows him the fly can say his name, they are amazed and let him keep the fly.  He names him Fly Guy. The day of the Amazing Pet Show, the judges tell Buzz that that flies aren't pets.  But then Fly Guy does some amazing flying tricks, so they let him enter the show.  Fly Guy even wins the smartest pet ribbon.

This is the first book of the popular Fly Guy books.  Early readers love these books!  It is funny and zany, which is appealing for most first graders.  The pictures are full of humor as well.  It is a great level for first graders and can be a first introduction to an early chapter book.  The topic is about friendship.  It teaches kids that friends come in all shapes and sizes. 

Move Over, ROVER!

Beaumont, K. ( 2006). Move Over, ROVER! Orlando, FL: Harcourt, Inc.

One stormy afternoon, Rover the dog, is in his doghouse sleeping.  Along comes Cat who is looking for cover in the storm.  She tells him to " Move over, Rover!" Next comes Raccoon, also looking for a dry place.  He joins Cat and Rover.  The story continues with other animals such a Squirrel, Blue Jay, Snake, and others squeezing into the doghouse with Rover.  All of the animals are sleeping together when they smell an awful smell. It turns out to be a skunk that has found his way into the doghouse too.  When the storm subsides, Rover goes back into his doghouse enjoying his bone alone.

This book has some rhyming text, supportive pictures, and repetitive lines which are helpful for beginning readers. The story line is good for making predictions as well.  The illustrator, Jane Dyer, uses realistic watercolor paintings that are beautiful and she gives great details to each animal.   Kids will enjoy this lighthearted story line.

Bink & Gollie

DiCamillo, K.,& McGhee, A.( 2010). Bink & Gollie. Somerville, MA: Candlewick Press.

Bink and Gollie, two best friends, enjoy roller skating together, but learn to compromise on other matters.  For example, Bink loves her new bright, rainbow socks, but Gollie can't stand them. Gollie makes them pancakes to eat, but tells Bink in order to have pancakes, she must take off the offending rainbow socks. Bink compromises by removing one sock.  When Bink has a new friend, a fish named Fred, Gollie is slightly jealous. When they roller skate with Fred on afternoon, Bink trips over a rock and Fred goes flying.  His bowl breaks and he is lying on the ground with no water. Gollie scoops him up and places him in a pond.  At first Bink is upset, but then she realizes Gollie is jealous of Fred.  Bink reassures Gollie that she is the best friend of all.

This is the first book of the Bink and Gollie series.  Though the two girls are very different, they are still best friends.  This book shows children that you can be friends, even when you don't agree on all subjects.  Though it is a book for early readers, the authors have used some wonderful, higher level vocabulary to challenge the reader.  Early readers will need some help with the challenging vocabulary.  The supportive pictures capture the emotions and personality of the two girls. 

Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons

Litwin, E.( 2012). Pet the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons. New York, NY: Harpers.

Pete the Cat has a favorite shirt with four, colorful buttons.  He sings a song about his four groovy buttons.  As a button falls off,  Pete doesn't cry, he just changes his song from four buttons to three buttons.  The buttons keep falling off, and his song keeps changing with the number of buttons.  Then all the buttons are gone.  Does he cry?  No, he is just happy he still has his belly button. He changes the number in his song to belly button.  His motto is "buttons come and buttons go."

Pete the Cat has a positive outlook on life.  When all his buttons are gone he says, "It's all good!"  What a great book to teach children to look towards the positive side of thinking and don't dwell on things you can't change.  It also teaches the concept of one less as the buttons pop off with a subtraction problem as well that models the concept of one less.  Kids will also love the bright, silly pictures of Pete the Cat.  

Good Night Owl

Pizzoli, G.( 2016). Good Night Owl. New York, NY: Disney Hyperion.

Owl is trying to go to sleep, but a tiny squeek is keeping him awake. Owl looks everywhere for the sound.  First he thinks it's the wind, but he keeps hearing the squeek. He looks high and low all over his house.  But he keeps hearing the squeek, and now he's determined to find where it's coming from.  He tears the roof off his house and then knocks down the walls. He finally discovers that it's a small mouse all along and they finally  go to sleep.

Kids will definitely relate to this story.  What child hasn't been able to go to sleep because they heard a noise?  Kids will also enjoy the humor of how owl destroys his house to find the annoying noise.  This book has repetitive text, sight words, and picture clues to help beginning readers.  This is a great book for beginning readers.

Mr. Putter & Tabby Turn the Page

Rylant, C. ( 2014). Mr. Putter and Tabby Turn the Page. New York, NY: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Mr. Putter and his cat Tabby love to read together.  They read their favorite books together about cowboys, rabbits, and gardens.  One day at the library Mr. Putter saw a sign that said " Read aloud with your pet".  Of course Mr. Putter signed up because he loved story time as a boy.  He told his neighbor Mrs. Teaberry and her dog Zeke who love new things about story time at the library.  Mr. Putter practiced reading his story about bears with gusto to prepare for story time. At story time, Mrs. Teaberry and Zeke read a dog story and Zeke barked and howled at all the right places.  Mr. Putter and Tabby read the bear story, and Tabby curled up on the kids heads, laps, and feet. Story time was a big success, and at the end Mr. Putter and Mrs. Teaberry swapped books to read for bedtime.

The Mr. Putter and Tabby series are beginning reader chapter books appropriate for end of first grade-beginning of second grade.  This series has over twenty

 stories with adventures of Mr. Putter, his cat Tabby, and their neighbor Mrs. Teaberry, and her dog Zeke.   The books have supportive pictures, decodable text , some dialogue appropriate for young readers, and high interest stories with short chapters. Kids become familiar with the characters when reading this series and it's a great way to introduce character traits. The books follow a typical story arch plot as well, which is perfect for beginning readers.

Tales for Very Picky Eaters 

Schneider, J. ( 2011). Tales for Very Picky Eaters. New York, NY:  Clarion Books.

James is a very picky eater.  He won't eat broccoli, mushroom lasagna,  oatmeal, eggs, or drink milk.  In an effort to get him to eat, his father gives him other choices such as dirt, chewed gum, or sweaty gym socks instead.   Or his father tells him a variety of stories to get him to eat, such as the troll that lives in the basement that makes the mushroom lasagna.  If James doesn't eat the lasagna, then the troll will have to go back to the rat circus to be bitten.   At the end when he won't eat the eggs, James' father says to try them, because he might like them.  And James does.

Children will definitely identify with James.  What child hasn't stuck up their nose at one time or another over something served to them by their parents.  This hilarious book shows picky eaters that if you try something new, you might actually like it!  This early chapter book will be of high interest for young readers, as well as has supportive pictures and text to help them read this beginning chapter book.  I recommend this book for beginning to middle of second grade.

First the Egg

Seeger, L. (2007). First the Egg. New York, NY: Roaring Book Press.

This book tells what comes first then what comes after, such as the tadpole then the frog, and  first the egg, then the chicken.   The author uses color, paper cut-outs, and simple text which makes it easy for beginning readers to read.  Young children will enjoy making predictions throughout the book.

This book addresses the age old question of what came first, the chicken or the egg. Seeger uses paper cut-outs and color in this book to tell the story of egg to chicken, seed to flower, caterpillar to butterfly and more.  The simple text and interesting, clever illustrations makes it a great book for beginning readers.

Let's Go for a Drive!

Willems, Mo. ( 2012). Let's Go for a Drive! New York, NY: Hyperion Books for Children.

Elephant has an idea to go for a drive one day.  He asks his friend Piggy to come along.  Elephant has a plan  for everything, such as bringing a map, sunglasses, umbrellas, and bags to pack all of their things.  They have everything that is, except a car.  Elephant asks Piggy if he has a car, which he does not.  Piggy asks Elephant if he has a car, which he doesn't have one either. So Piggy has a new plan.  Instead of going for a drive, they play pirates. 

This Elephant and Piggie series book by Mo Willems will have beginning readers  laughing at the silly antics of these two pals.  The supportive pictures and easy text will have them feeling successful and reaching for more of these books.  With over fifteen books in the series, beginning readers will want to read each one about the adventures of these lovable characters.  This series is appropriate for end of Kinder-beginning first grade.

Jazz Baby

Wheeler, L.( 2007). Jazz Baby. Orlando, FL: Harcourt Books.

In Jazz Baby, a family taps, snaps, claps, and sings to the jazz on the record player.  Jazz Baby sings and dances right along side his family.  This rhyming text incorporates jazz and musical lingo such as , "Go Man Go!" and "Doo-Wop-Doo!"  The whole family joins in with signing and dancing.  But soon baby is feeling sleepy, and the party starts to die down so baby can take a nap.

This book is full of musical expressions, some repetitive lines, and rhyming words that will have kids reading it over and over. The musical lines such as "RUM-TUM-TUM" are in all capitals, so there is a variety of all caps on some of the lines. The text placement varies as well, which introduces readers to a variety of where text can be placed on the page.   It would be appropriate as a read-aloud or a book for beginning readers in first grade who are learning about rhyming words.  The illustrations are colorful and fun as the family dances and sings to the jazz music.