Animal Fantasy

The Pout-Pout Fish

By Deborah Diesen
Illustrated By Dan Hanna
2008
Summary:
The Pout-Pout Fish is the story of a gloomy fish who swims around the ocean
is a crabby mood and has no desire to change and wants to spread his dreary
wearies to everyone else. He encounters several other creatures of the ocean who
encourage him to be happy and spread joy. The pout-pout fish has no interest in this
and continues to mop around until he is kissed by a beautiful fish and realizes how
great it is to be happy and starts to spread cheer all over the place.

Personal Response:
This book is just a cute book that is great for anyone, and especially little kids
who are having a rough day. I like to read this book to my kids to remind them that
they have control of their emotions and my daughter especially always gets excited
when the pout-pout fish turns happy at the end. It just give me so many ideas of
social and emotional lessons we can teach kids and that school is not all about
academics that there is a lot more social aspects and teaching that needs done as
well.
Strengths/Weaknesses:
S: This story is adorable and has great pictures. The pictures are bright,
creative and fun and go really well with the message of the story. The story has a
great message, and its short to read so it can be read quickly with a group of
students. There is good vocabulary in the story that could be great on a word wall.

W: I dont think there are too many weaknesses in this book as along as it is
used with an appropriate age group.

How this book might be used:

This book would be great as a read aloud for a whole group is primary
students, probably kindergarten or first grade. There are also repetitive lines that
flow well so you could use parts of it for choral reading. Its really good for teaching
younger students about the emotions and making them aware that how they are

feel can have an impact on how their peers are feeling. It also teaches that doing
something nice for a person can really change their attitude around. This book
would also be useful for a guidance counselor or a teacher who is working one on
one with a student who possibly is sad or has some anger issues. This book also has
some rich vocabulary that would be good for a word wall or weekly vocabulary list
for students to work with. It could also be good for a writing activity, such as have
the students write about how they would cheer up the pout-pout fish.

Because of Mr. Terupt

Realistic Fiction
By Rob Buyea
2010
Summary:
Because of Mr. Terupt is the story of the how a new teacher impacts the lives
of his students. It is told through the viewpoints of seven different students in a
classroom and how their year with Mr. Terupt changes their lives and the lives of
those around them. Mr. Terupt seems to understand his students and knows how to
deal with them. After a class reward there is an unfortunate accident that will
change the course of all of their lives.
Personal response:
I was originally introduced to this book during one of my reading
endorsement classes and I was instantly hooked. I read the book in about a day. The
story has so much depth and meaning and you find yourself connecting each of the
characters to someone you know in your personal life. I also have found that I see a
lot of these characters in my students as I student teach. I chose to read this book
to them and I noticed a lot of very personal connections being made.
Strength/ Weakness:
S- This story is very realistic with lots of personal connections. I think it is
very easy for anyone to see them self in at least one of the characters. It teachers
a lot of life lessons and how events change the course of your life. It also makes
students really think about how their actions affect others.
W- There are some unconformable moments in the book so it would probably
be best used with a group of older elementary students. Some language student
may feel uncomfortable with like retard and sucks but its nothing that takes
away from the story and it is used in good context.
How this book might be used:
Large group read aloud is a good use for this book. Students enjoy it and it
can make them think. You can also use it to lead discussion about appropriate social

behavior and how actions have an effect on other students. It would also be a good
book for character study.

The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales

Traditional Literature
Jon Scieszka
Illustrated By Lane Smith
1992
Summary:
The Stinky Cheese Man is a collection of traditional fairy tales with a twist. In
fact most of them dont have a happily ever after and end quite badly but are
hilarious along the way. Some of the stories include a twist on the Ugly Duckling,
Chicken Little and The Gingerbread Man.
Personal Response:
I am a huge fan of this book. I love the twist on the traditional fairy tales. The
pictures are exciting and the stories are actually quite hilarious. When I first read
the book I had a few Oh my gosh, I cant believe that just happened! Moments
while reading which I think is great, because the book will give you the unexpected
and show that a good story doesnt always require a happy ending.
Strength/Weakness:
S- The book is highly entertaining and has great pictures. You can read the
whole book or pick out short stories to read.
W- May be a shock to some younger children who are used to traditional
happy ending fairy tales.
How this book might be used:
This book would be excellent for a large group read aloud to students. It
would also be very useful to read along with more traditional fairy tales to do a
compare and contrast piece. I would also use this book for visualized and really
focus on the art work of the book because it is very well done and really adds to the
text.
Biography
Who is Barack Obama?
Roberta Edwards
Illustrated By: Nancy Harris
2009

Summary:
Who is Barack Obama is part of the Who is/Who was series of books that a
student friendly biographies of famous individuals both past a present. This book
focuses on our current president and encompasses his life from birth up to
becoming president of the United States of America. The chapters and fairly short
and easy to read and the book includes lots of fun drawings.
Personal Response:
I am a big fan of every book I have read from the Who is/Who was series. I
have used this book to create a couple different lesson plans and its a great way to
learn some interesting information about a historical figure (or current influential
figure) while being entertained. There is something for everyone to learn from in
this book, even adults. Its a quick read and full of faces.
Strength/Weaknesses
S- This book is quick read with fun pictures. It is accurate and contains a lot of
information and can be used in a variety of ways.
W- It doesnt have all the facts and would need to be paired with other information if
using it for in depth research
How would I use this book:
This book would be excellent for a social studies project on American
Presidents, as there are several books in the series about other presidents. It would
be paired nicely with other sources for an in depth research project. I also came up
with a lesson where students would read the book and then create a speech using
the persona of Barack Obama.
Historical Fiction
Across the Wide and Lonesome Prairie: The Oregon Trail Diary of Hattie Campbell
Kristiana Gregory
1998
Summary:
This book takes place during a trip from Independence, Missouri to Oregon via
an Oregon Trail wagon train in 1847. The story is told through the experiences of
Hattie Campbell through her personal diary passages as the party makes their
journey. It has the ups and downs and dangers of an wagon train party as seen
through the eyes of a young girl.
Personal Response:
I enjoy using book series and this story is also part of a series historical fiction
stories written in the format of a diary of a young girl experiencing a significant
event or time throughout history. This book has a very personal feeling as you read
it and they way its written really makes you attached to the character. It gives a

great idea of what life was like on the journey and is relatable for children and
teens.
Strengths/Weaknesses:
S- Since the book is written in diary format it is appealing, even in the way it
has a ribbon attached for a bookmark much like a book would from the period. Its
relatable for younger readers and is easy to read since it is written from a childs
POV.
W- The book is written through the view point of a young girl so it may not be
as appealing to young boys to read. Even though both you boys and girls
experienced a journey like this the emotions and feelings are more geared to that of
a female audience.
How to use this book:
This book would be a great lead in for a creative writing piece. Have the
students read the book and then give them a persona during a specific time period
and have them create a journal or diary of their own. This could also be used to go
with social studies content of the Oregon trail or settling the west.

Science Fiction
The Giver
Lois Lowry
1993
Summary:
The Giver is a futuristic science fiction book set in a utopian society where
everyone experiences sameness. Family units are assigned by the community
leaders and everyone has a specific job which is given to them by the leaders when
they turned twelve. There are no feelings of hunger, pain, or urges. A young boy
named Jonas is the main character of the book and he is about ready to turn twelve
and will learn that is job is the community will be much greater than anything he
has experienced.
Personal Reflection:
I was amazed by the power of this book. It is a very well written story, its
entertaining, intense and almost a thriller at some points. I really experienced a lot
of emotions while reading this book and tried to imagine myself in the position of
Jonas and experiencing all of these new emotions and ideas and feelings for the first
time that never existed to him before.
Strengths/Weaknesses:
S-The Giver is very well written and really keeps you wanting to read more. It
really makes you think and brings a different feeling to a traditional utopian society
book.

W-The book has some more mature ideas in it. It is probably not appropriate
for a younger elementary audience. I would most likely use it for a more mature
upper elementary level or junior high.
How I Would Use This Book:
I think book would be best used a part of a book club of small reading group.
While I love the book and find it fantastic I could see if requiring a specific audience
who would need to be open to its ideas. I think it would be a great one for students
to hold themselves accountable with for reading and meet together a couple times
a week to discuss the themes and ideas.
Graphic Novel
Maus
Art Spiegelman
1991
Summary:
Maus is a Graphic Novel which takes place in two different time line. The first time
line takes place in 1978 with the author Art Spiegelman interviewing his father
about his experience of the holocaust. The other time line depicts his fathers actual
experiences during the holocaust. The book uses animals to represent the human
characters, most notably mice as Jewish persons and cat a Nazis.
Personal response:
The book is very interesting and a unique holocaust story. I enjoy that even though
it is a graphic novel it encompasses many other genres. Its a quick read and makes
you feel a lot of different emotions. It was my first graphic novel Ive ever read and
it sold me on the genre.
Strengths/Weaknesses:
S- Well written and very interesting. It is a very quick read and a good blend of
several different genres.
W- The Holocaust genre would not be appropriate for younger students. It would
need to be used with a more mature junior high audience.
How I would use this book:
This book would be a nice pairing with a holocaust unit for junior high students. It
would be a nice text study for students since is it is a mix of genres to show
students that books dont only fall into one category.
Social Studies Text
Title Theres a Map on My Lap
Author and Illustrator
By Tish Rabe

Illustrated By Aristides Ruez

Publisher, Year Published
2002
Random House
Summary:
The Cat in the Hat introduces beginning readers to the different kids on maps, their formats,
and how we read them while using clever analogies and rhymes.

Related CCSS or Professional Standard :

SS.35.G.1
Essential Concept and/or Skill: Understand the use of geographic tools to locate
and analyze information about people, places, and environments.
Age/ Grade Level and How It Would Be Used:
I would use this in a third grade classroom as an introduction for geography,
and more specifically the use of maps. I would use this book as a read aloud
to introduce the concept and then go more detailed into the use of maps and
their features.

Science Text
Title
A Seed is Sleepy
Author and Illustrator
By: Dianna Hutts
Illustrated By: Sylvia Long
Publisher, Year Published and pages
Chronical Books, 2007 40 pages

Summary:
This story is an informative book written a poetic very and teaches children
about seeds and plants.
Related CCSS or Professional Standard :
3-LS1-1. Develop models to describe that organisms have unique
and diverse life cycles but all have in common birth, growth,
reproduction, and death.

Age/ Grade Level and How It Would Be Used:

I would use this book as a read aloud to introduce a life cycle lesson or unit
(seeds turn to plants, etc) Or for a specific unit on plant life. It could also be
used to fulfill reading standards. Its written in a poetic verse so it would work
well for a choral reading activity.