Week 3: Poem- Green Eggs and Ham

Dr. Seuss is the first author most people think of when they think of children's poems. This story is universal, which I love. It teaches kids to never quite rule something out until they give it a try, even if that is green eggs and ham.

I would give it 4 of 5 stars. The fact that a book made in 1960 can still be relevant and recited by kids all over speaks to its true impact on kids.


Title: Green Eggs and Ham
Author: Dr. Seuss
Publisher: Beginner Books/Random House
Date: 1960
ISBN: 978-0394800165

Week 3- Poem: Falling Up

I remember when this book came out and it was all the rage. It suited the angsty pre-teens that we were at the time in a way that other books did not. The poems in here were some of the first that I had ever come across that were meant for older children and not toddlers. Each page has a different poem on different topics. One I always remembered was a sign on a wood pole that said "NO" at the top with a huge list underneath. No smoking, no volleyball players, no hiking, and so on. They started off normal and got mildly ridiculous as the list went on. The wood pole was mostly chewed through by a beaver. The thought bubble next to the beaver says "hey, it didn't say no beavers".

I give this book 4 out of 5 stars. I personally identified with this so much in my childhood that I might be a bit biased. The poems are decent but more importantly open up a whole new genre to older kids.

Title: Falling Up
Author: Shel Silverstein
Publisher: Harper Collins
Date: 2006
ISBN: 978-0060248024

Week 3- Graphic Novel: Anne of Green Gables

This story is one I have both watched and read so many times. Walking through the store and seeing a graphic novel really sparked my interest. The story is about a girl named Anne who is adopted by an older brother and sister. They wanted a boy to help with the chores around the farm but they end up loving Anne for all her quirkiness and boldness. This story talks about her trials to fit in and shows her growing into who she is with confidence.

I would give this 5 out of 5 stars. The pictures on every single page are so descriptive the book almost doesn't need a single word. The illustrations play into Anne's quirkinesses in a really cool way.

Title: Anne of Green Gables: A Graphic Novel
Author: Mariah Marsden
Publisher: Andrew McMeel Publishing
Date: 2017
ISBN: 978-1449479602

Week 3- Historical Fiction: Sing a Song

This book tells the story not of people but of a song. It tells the story of this song by showing how the song was passed on from generation to generation in families. No particular family or name is used because it is not about one family, but a whole group of people who found inspiration and hope its words. Over 100 years later, it was sung out in the midst of the Civil Rights Movement. This story shows how something like a song can inspire hope and courage across generations.

I would give this book 5 out of 5 stars. It shows the importance of tradition and learning from generations before you. I love how the author used the stories of average families so that the reader can see themselves in the book.

Title: Sing a Song
Author: Kelly Starling Lyons
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books
Date: 2019
ISBN: 978-0525516095

Week 3- Informational Text: I Am Rosa Parks

The story of Rosa Parks continues to be monumental. What makes this book unique is that it talks about her from her childhood onward. It describes the times she learned to stand up for herself and what she believes in and shows what led to that monumental moment on the bus.

I would give this book 5 out of 5 stars. The illustrations are so engaging and eye catching. Not only that, it shows that heroes do not just appear overnight. It teaches kids what it means to be brave and believe in who you are.


Title: I Am Rosa Parks
Author: Brad Meltzer
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Year: 2014
ISBN: 978-0803740853

Week 3- Informational Text: Who Is Malala Yousafzai?

Malala is a woman who experienced an incredibly traumatic childhood. She was born in Pakistan and when she was just a young girl the Taliban no longer wanted girls to be educated. Malala stood up for her education and what she believed in, and it almost cost her her life.

I absolutely love Malala and this book. I have heard children say how they hate going to school or wish they weren't forced to go. This is the story of a girl who fought for her education at all costs and that is a great lesson for kids to take in. I would give this book 5 out of 5 stars for that reason.


Title: Who Is Malala Yousafzai?
Author: Dinah Brown
Publisher: Penguin Random House
Year: 2015
ISBN: 978-0399540004

Week 2- Realistic Fiction: Second Grade, Here I Come!

This book talks about kids going to second grade and everything that happens in school. Each page covers a different topic from cheating to recess to getting ready. It is applicable for kids going into second grade but also any grade. Lessons about walking quietly, seeing friends, and not cheating are applicable to any age.

I would give this book 4 out of 5 stars. I like that it is straight forward with children about the many lessons that come with growing up and getting older. The fact that it rhymes also helps kids remember the lessons.

Title: Second Grade, Here I Come!
Author: D.J. Steinberg
Publisher: Grosset and Dunlap
Year: 2017
ISBN: 978-0515158083