Book+Information

Book Review Information - Suggested Character Building Books by Sally Grindley ||= Dealing with our feelings, trying to help others ||= ECE-2 ||= McNatt || by Lachie Hume ||= Importance of diversity, Being different is okay, Being proud of who you are ||= ECE-3 ||= McNatt || By Byrd Baylor ||= Mountain Girl thinks her family doesn't have enough money. Her mom and dad teach her what the true meaning of wealth is: sunsets, nature, and family. A great book! ||= 3-5 ||= Drumm || by Deloris Jordan ||= About Michael Jordon. What it takes to be a champion: patience, determination, and hard work. Prayer plays a big part in this book too. ||= 3-5 ||= Drumm || by Kevin Henkes ||= Cute little story about a toddler mouse who doesn't want to give up his blankie. So, it's about not wanting to grow up and accept change in life. He needs to let it go as he enters school, but won't, no matter what parents do. Mom solves it by cutting it into a small handkerchief size that he can carry and still be socially accepted. Growing up and going to school would be the theme for me. ||= ece-1 ||= Diehl || by Jean Little ||= It's a collection of poetry and prose, 90 pages. Lots of little writings about coming of age stuff for girls, especially. The main character is Kate, and it's about her thoughts and feelings about everyting from growing up to friendship to life and to love. Often humorous. Explores differences in beliefs and true friendship....babysitting, walking to school, teachers, class projects, feelings towards siblings, conversational and inner thought writings. Great for preteens, but I'm sure some of this could be read to little kids too. ||= mainly intermediate, but could be read alouds for all grades ||= Diehl || by Alexis O'Neill ||= Mean Jean is the Recess Queen-more like the recess bully. Until one day some one asks her play with them and turns out Mean Jean isn's so mean after all. Good for lessons on bullying and empathy. ||= K-3 Although the rhymes could be used with ELL of any grade. ||=  || James Howe ||= Cute story about friendship. Boys and girls can be friends and enjoy the same things. Also, speaks to making new friends while keeping old ones! ||= ECE-3 ||= Breen || Tad Hills ||= In this story Duck and Goose find a ball, which they thought was an egg. Initially they fight over whose egg it is, they both care for it and don't intend to share. In the end they learn from eachother and plan to share whatever pops out of the egg...and teach it everything they know. A small bird eventually tells them it's a ball and they play together. In short it is a book about sharing and learning from others. ||= ECE-3 ||= Breen || by Leo Lionni ||=  A story of courage, communication and teamwork: acceptance and strength! ||= 4th Grade ||= Greco || By Natalie Babbitt ||= Two parents struggle to figure out what their son needs from them most. They search, ask questions of many people, read and travel all over. When ironically they figure out that all they need to do is ask their son. He knows EXACTLY! ITS ALL ABOUT LOVE! ||= 4th Grade ||= Greco ||
 * = Book Title and Author ||= Suggested Character Building Lessons within Book ||= Appropriate Grade Levels ||= Reviewed By ||
 * = The Sulky Vulture
 * = The Sulky Vulture
 * = Clancy: The Courageous Cow
 * = The Table Where Rich People Sit
 * = Salt in His Shoes
 * = __Mean Soup__ by Betsy Everitt ||= Horace has a bad day and comes home angry. His mom helps him calm down by making "mean soup" with him (they yell, stick their tongues out, etc., at a boiling pot of water, where they eventually stir away the bad day.) ||= ECE-1 ||= Soldner ||
 * = __Just Kidding__ by Trudy Ludwig ||= Dealing with bullying: how a boy moves to a new school and is bullied, learns ways to deal appropriately with bullying. ||= 3-5 ||= Soldner ||
 * = __Tacky the Penguin__ by Helen Lester ||= Tacky is an eccentric penguin compared to the other penguins on the ice flow who are all neat, sleek, tasteful little birds in formal dress. He is somewhat of an outsider, but that all changes when his quirky style saves the penguins from hunters. Then he is a hero! Good message about tolerance and being an individual. Good Tier II Vocab: ie., odd, graceful, hearty. ||= 1 - 4 ||= Fox ||
 * = __Glasses: Who needs 'em?__ by Lane Smith ||= This is a weird little picture book with illustrations that look like something out of a bad dream! (Which many kids may find appealing!) It's about a boy who doesn't want to get glasses, but is convinced when a mad optometrist shows him all the strange things he will be able to see. The message might be . . . look beyond the surface of things. The book could be used as an example of some creative crafting techinquies ie., repetitive lines, interesting layout, point of view, voice. ||= 4 - 5 ||= Fox ||
 * = __Owen__
 * = __Hey, World, Here I Am!__
 * = The Recess Queen
 * = The Straight Line Wonder by Mem Fox ||= Be oneself even though others ridicule you. ||= K-5 ||= Christensen ||
 * = Buzzy the Bumblebee by Denise Brennan-Nelson ||= Fear can get in the way of being who you are. Don't listen to others, but believe in yourself; and you can do anything! ||= K-3 ||= Christensen ||
 * = Horace and Morris but mostly Delores
 * = Duck and Goose
 * = Swimmy
 * = *BUB or the Very Best Thing
 * = Leo the Late Bloomer

B y Robert Kraus ||= Leo isn't reading, writing, drawing, or even speaking, and his father is concerned. Leo's mother isn't concerned though, she knows her son will do all those things, and more, when he's ready.

This book could be used for: -investigating family relationships -learning that people grow differently and are able to do things at different times -exploring the importance of self esteem ||= ECE-2nd ||= Martinez, V. ||
 * = My Secret Bully

By Trudy Ludwig ||= A young girl named Monica is being bullied by one of her friends at school. Monica learns to face her fears of betrayal and social isolation, and reclaims her power from the bully with the help of a supportive adult--her mother.

This book can be used to tackle the issue of bullying in the classroom, and it provides helpful tips, discussion questions and additional resources for parents, teachers and counselors. ||= 3-5 ||= Martinez, V. ||
 * = The Carrot Seed

By Ruth Krauss ||= This book is simple and refreshing. It tells about a little boy who shows determination and faith despite what others say about his little carrot seed. The story reminds us that things don't just happen over night, it takes time and hard work. Eventually his hard work is rewarded! ||= ECE-3 ||= Stankovich ||
 * = Frederick

By Leo Lionni ||= Wonderful illustrations (Caldecott Honor) This story is about teamwork and the unique role of every individual. In the beginning, it appears that Frederick is being very lazy because he is not helping the other mice prepare for the long winter months ahead, but eventually we realize that what he has to offer is equally as valuable. Imagination, creativity and language enrich our lives and help us cope with difficult situations. Could be analyzed on multiple level, perhaps a good intro to 'small moments' unit. Good when talking about descriptive language. ||= ECE-5 ||= Stankovich ||