Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Title: "Ramona Quimby, age 8"

Author: Beverly Cleary

Illustrator: Jacqueline Rogers

Publisher: Harper Collins

Published: 1981 (First publication), 2016 (most recent publication)

Pages: 208

     Being in a new school is challenging for anyone. Not only is Ramona Quimby the new kid, she's also facing some big changes at home. Her mom has returned to work and her dad is going back to school. You'll meet big sister Beezus, Mrs. Kemp the babysitter, and many more interesting and humorous characters. This chapter book takes you through many adventures Ramona faces as she tries to make new friends and navigate her new world. While some people mistake her actions for mischief, she really does have a good heart. This Newberry Honor Book is sure to delight a multitude of readers. It is also a series, so you can continue reading to find out more about Ramona and her family. 

     This series was a favorite of mine as a child, and I read each one repeatedly. Young children will relate to how Ramona is feeling, as the challenges she faces are timeless to us all at this age. 

     Illustrations in this book are simple black and white drawings, found throughout the chapters. They add the perfect window into Ramona's world to entice young children to continue reading. 

     Connection to the classroom: This book, and others in this series, would be great for 3rd to 7th grade. You could use this text with a literature unit that focuses on point of view or a character highlight. Let students divide in small groups and choose one character from the story. Each group                                                                  

Modern Fantasy Children's Literature

Title: "The Fairy Tale Detectives (The Sister's Grimm, Book One)"

Author:  Michael Buckley

Publisher: Harry N. Abrams

Copyright: 2005

Pages: 288
Genre: Modern Fantasy

     Daphne and Sabrina Grimm are two sisters who go to live with their grandmother after their parents mysteriously disappear.  The two girls are suspicious because they believed their grandmother had died. Trying to grasp what exactly is going on, a story unfolds of ancestors who were great storytellers and detectives of their magical town.  More suspense takes readers on an adventure as they learn of the Everafters, and it is the sisters' responsibility to keep the incredible beings in order. 

     Connection to the classroom: This engaging story will delight readers ranging from 3rd to 7th grade.  Take young readers on a journey to study suspense in a story while encouraging one's imagination to flourish. Have students discuss plot, character traits, and prediction while working through the chapters in a small group.  This is the first in a series, so you can follow more adventures after completing this book.  

     

Nonfiction Children's Literature

Title:  "Separate is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and Her Family's Fight for Desegregation"

Author:  Duncan Tonatiuh

Illustrator: Duncan Tonatiuh

Publisher:  Harry N. Abrams

Copyright:  2014

Pages: 40

     This picture book tells the story of Sylvia Mendez from California.  She was an American citizen of who was fluent in English speaking and writing. However, because of her Puerto Rican and Mexican heritage, she was denied enrollment to a school that was only for whites. Sylvia's parents wanted their daughter to have the best opportunities in education. After moving to Westminster in Southern California during World War 2, they decided to advocate and make a difference for all the children in the community.  The family worked with others to eventually help end school segregation in California.  The case Brown v. Board of Education was made possible because of the hard work from the Mendez and other parents. The text is understandable for the young reader while also engaging adults. Tonatiuh has Spanish lines and translations 

     Illustrations from the author display a folklore style.  The artwork gives an excellent view into life during this time. A very talented author and artist, Tonatiuh has created a wonderful piece of literature and art that will benefit multitudes of readers.  He went above and beyond with his essay, photographs, resource list and glossary to extend the learning experience.

     Connection to the classroom: Grades 1-4 (but not limited, this can benefit ALL ages). Students could write a narrative essay expressing their feelings about this topic for a language arts assignment. With the timeline of this story taking place during World War 2 and after, history and social studies could be integrated while students discussed the changes that our nation faced. A lesson about diversity, equality, and the right for everyone to have the best education could also be used with this text.  

                                              

Science Fiction Children's Literature

Title: "A Wrinkle in Time"

Author: Madeleine L'Engele

Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (Original date 1962); Square Fish (Reprint 2007)

Pages: 256

Genre: Science Fiction

     Young Meg Murry may seem like an ordinary girl. In this book, her adventures are far from common.  She travels through space and time on a search for her father. Accompanied by her brother and friend, the trio travels to another planet to rescue Mr. Murry. Three magical beings help the children on their journey and give them important information. The three women tell of a evil force who is taking over planets and holding the childrens' father captive. Meg, her brother, and her friend face many challenges and one falls under the power of the evil power. Will they overcome this mysterious force? Will the family be reunited? Read this captivating book to learn how the characters display true courage and overcome unimaginable challenges.

     Connection to the classroom: This piece of literature is for the older students. You could use it for a literature focus unit in 5th or 6th grade. Read aloud with your class to help them stay on track as they move through each chapter. You could divide into small groups and differentiate instruction by giving them various levels of questions to discuss. Peer groups could benefit from learning from each other.

Historical Fiction Children's Literature

Title:  "I Survived the Nazi Invasion of 1944"

Author:  Lauren Tarshis

Illustrator/Design:  Tim Hall

Publisher: Scholastic, Inc. 

Copyright:  2014

Pages: 90

     Max Rosen is a young boy living in a Polish ghetto. His family was forced to leave their home and move to a guarded community. The conditions were miserable and whole families were sharing a bedroom.  German soldiers gave them rules to follow and if broken, they faced horrible punishment. Food was scarce and everyone's health deteriorated. After their father was taken by the Nazis, Mas and his little sister Zena had to take care of themselves. One day while trying to find food to eat, they were taken prisoner. A daring escape forced them into the forest. The story continues to facing the risk of being captured yet again and face harrowing consequences. This book will show you how Max and Zena fight to survive and find who they can trust to help them. With events building up to diminish all hope, will they make it to safety? Will they ever find their family again? The answer lies in the pages, you just have to find it.

     Connection to the Classroom:  Author Lauren Tarshis has written many books that tell of young children surviving historical events from all over the world.  This series will engage young learners and motivate them to read more.  Text features in a literature unit could be introduced. This text has maps, a timeline of the events of World War 2, and a section with common questions and facts. Those features can also accompany a Social Studies or History lesson.  

Picture Book Talk 

https://youtu.be/gaz-CE0loIs
https://youtu.be/gaz-CE0loIs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9KS42imsvE&feature=youtu.be