Jenna Johnson

Informational Book File

Grade 3-5
Author: Kathleen V. Kudlinski
Title: Boy, were we wrong about dinosaurs!
Publisher: Scholastic
Summary: This book talks about dinosaurs
Evaluation
Plot- The book goes into depth about certain theories and how those
theories were proved or disproved.
Believabiltiy-8
Comment: This book talks about dinosaurs and you start to learn if
there was really dinosaurs.
Major dramatic question- 8
Comment: Every new theory that scientists come up with you wonder if
that theory is true or not. In the book it either will show how they
discovered whether if it is true or not.
Other Considerations-8
Style and Language-8
Comment: I like the style and language the author uses. This book is
informational but I think children will enjoy learning about dinosaurs.
Pacing-8
Character-8
Setting-8
Comment: I like how the scientists described what it was like back then
for dinosaurs.
Theme: 8
Comment: I think the theme of this story is that when you are learning
you can discover new things and become like scientists and prove
whether it is right or wrong.
Other considerations(mood,tone)-8
Is it a well-rounded piece?-8
OVERALL RATING-8

6- 9 years old
Author: Robin Page + Steve Jenkins
Title: How to clean a hippopotamus: A look at unusual animal
partnerships
Publisher: HMH Books
Summary: The book describes about animal symbiosis.
Evaluation
Plot- Children learn about how different animals help each other out.
Believabiltiy-9
Comment: Children can learn about why ravens follow wolves or why a
mongoose comes running when a warthog lies down. Children are able
to learn about why animals behave the way they do.
Major dramatic question- 8
Comment: I think children will wonder why those animals act that way
and how certain animals help each other out.
Other Considerations-8
Style and Language-7
Comment: The author does a good job on teaching children about
animals for example, how a crab and iguana help each other out.
Pacing-8
Character-8
Setting-9
Theme:9
Other considerations(mood,tone)-8
Is it a well-rounded piece?-9
OVERALL RATING-9
Comment: Children are able to learn about animals. They can learn
about their specific lifestyle and how animals have partnerships with
each other.

4-8 years old

Author: Emily Arnold McCully
Title: Strongheart: The Worlds First Movie Star Dog
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Summary: Strongheart was a police dog that sniffs out criminals.
Evaluation
Plot- A Hollywood director wanted Strongheart to star in his movies.
Larry taught Strongheart how to play with toys and walk like a regular
dog.
Believabiltiy-8
Comment: The director took time to teach the dog tricks and how to
behave like a normal dog.
Major dramatic question- 9
Comment: Throughout the story you wonder if Stronghearts
background of military training will lead him to trouble.
Other Considerations-8
Style and Language-9
Pacing-9
Character-9
Comment: I like Strongheart. Strongheart is a good dog that just wants
to be loved.
Setting-9
Comment: Children are able to learn about how a dog from a military
background can be a loveable dog.
Theme:9
Other considerations(mood,tone)-9
Is it a well-rounded piece?-9
OVERALL RATING-9
Comment: This is a great story that children will love reading. Children
love animals and to read about how a dog became famous will blow
their minds.

Preschool- 3rd grade

Author: Nic Bishop
Title: Butterflies and Moths
Publisher: scholastic
Summary: Nic brings biology to life for children.
Evaluation
Plot- Children are able to see and learn about butterflies and moths.
Believabiltiy-10
Comment: The author teaches children about the beauty and diversity
of these amazing insects.
Major dramatic question- 9
Other Considerations-8
Style and Language-8
Comment: The author does an amazing job teaching children about
these insects and teaches them new vocabulary that they can
understand by context clues.
Pacing-10
Comment: Author Nic Bishop offers multiple pictures and descriptions
of each insect that children are able to learn about.
Character-10
Setting-8
Comment: Throughout the story the author offers amazing pictures
that show the insects appearance, habits, and life cycle.
Theme: 9
Other considerations(mood,tone)-9
Is it a well-rounded piece?-9
OVERALL RATING-10
Comment: This book is a great way to show and teach children about
butterflies and moths and their cycle of life.

4-8 years old

Author: Jean Craighead George
Title: How to talk to your dog
Publisher: HarperCollins
Summary: The author teaches children how they can talk to his or her
dog.
Evaluation
Plot- Children learn about different ways to communicate.
Believabiltiy-7
Comment: I think that it just depends on the dog when you are trying
to talk to them.
Major dramatic question- 8
Comment: Children will wonder just from reading the title how they are
going to be able to talk with dogs.
Other Considerations-8
Style and Language-8
Comment: The author does a good job on teaching children new words
that they can use when they are talking with their dogs.
Pacing-8
Comment: The author does a great job on including pictures on how to
communicate with your best friend.
Character-9
Setting-9
Theme:10
Other considerations(mood,tone)-8
Is it a well-rounded piece?- 9
OVERALL RATING-9
Comment: Children can learn about how to communicate with their
best friend.

8-12 years old

Author: Wayne Grover
Title: Dolphin Adventure: A true story
Publisher: Greenwillow Books
Summary: Wayne Grover is eight feet below the oceans surface when
he hears a clicking sound.
Evaluation
Plot- The clicking sound was dolphins that were asking for help.
Believabiltiy-9
Comment: I think it would be so cool to see dolphins in real life. Its
amazing that the author was able to end up helping the dolphins.
Major dramatic question- 9
Comment: Wayne Grover heard the clicking sound and realized that
the dolphins were trying to communicate with him. In the story you
wonder if Wayne will be able to understand what the dolphin is trying
to say.
Other Considerations-9
Style and Language-9
Pacing-8
Comment: The author does a great job on teaching about how animals
are endangered and how we need to be willing to help them.
Character-9
Setting-8
Theme:9
Comment: Children will learn how helping animals or people should be
done.
Other considerations(mood,tone)-9
Is it a well-rounded piece?-9
OVERALL RATING-9
Comment: The author teaches children about dolphins and how the
little dolphin had something embedded in his back and how animals
are endangered.

4-8 years old

Author: Anne Rockwell
Title: Whats so bad about Gasoline? Fossil Fuels and What they Do
Publisher: HarperCollins
Summary: Our world is dependent on oil.
Evaluation
Plot- Children will learn about how burning oil is damaging to our
environment.
Believabiltiy-8
Comment: Children can learn about how things are ruining our
environment.
Major dramatic question- 8
Comment: You wonder what else can you do or use that wont hurt our
environment and the author does a good job on discussing
alternatives.
Other Considerations-9
Style and Language-9
Comment: I like the style and language the author uses. Anne teaches
children important words in the science world.
Pacing-9
Character-8
Setting-9
Comment: The setting of the book takes place in San Francisco on the
golden gate bridge which then shows children how many things are
ruining our world.
Theme:9
Other considerations(mood,tone)-8
Is it a well-rounded piece?-8
OVERALL RATING-9
Comment: This story is a good book that children can learn from.
Children can learn what is harming our environment and how we can
help our environment instead.

7-10 years old

Author: Joyce Altman
Title: Lunch at the Zoo: What Zoo Animals Eat and Why
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Summary: This story tells about what zoo animals eat and why.
Evaluation
Plot- This book goes in to description on how a zookeepers provide
animals with specific food to eat.
Believabiltiy-8
Comment: Zookeepers feed food that is healthy and good for the
animals to eat.
Major dramatic question- 9
Comment: Children are able to learn what specific food animals need
to survive.
Other Considerations-8
Style and Language-9
Comment: The author teaches children about new words that they
could learn.
Pacing-9
Character-9
Setting-9
Comment: This book shows the zoo. Which, I think every child loves to
see, because it is filled with fascinating animals that they are able to
learn and discover about.
Theme:9
Other considerations(mood,tone)-8
Is it a well-rounded piece?-9
Comment: I think children will enjoy this book. It is a good
informational book that they can really learn about animals and learn
what kind of food they eat and how it helps them stay healthy and
strong.
OVERALL RATING-9

8-11 years old

Author: Lynn Curlee
Title: Trains
Publisher: Atheneum Books
Summary: The author teaches children about trains.
Evaluation
Plot- Most children never come close to a train let alone a Japanese
bullet train and the inner workings of steam power.
Believabiltiy-10
Comment: The book shows and tells the history of the railroad.
Major dramatic question- 9
Comment: Children wonder how trains are possible and how they stay
on the railroad. This book teaches them about the engines and the
landscapes that the train passes through.
Other Considerations-9
Style and Language-9
Pacing-9
Comment: This book teaches children about the history of trains.
Character-9
Setting-8
Comment: Throughout the book it shows the countryside and where
the train passes through, which is so beautiful.
Theme:9
Other considerations(mood,tone)-9
Is it a well-rounded piece?-9
OVERALL RATING-10
Comment: I think children will like this book because it is a fun topic to
read about. It is cool to read and learn about the history of trains.

4-7 years old

Author: Brian Floca
Title: Lightship
Publisher: Atheneum Books
Summary: Teaches children about what lightships are.
Evaluation
Plot- Tells children about what lightships do.
Believabiltiy-8
Comment: A lightship is like a floating lighthouse to help sailors in
parts of the oceans that may not have light.
Major dramatic question- 10
Comment: Children will wonder how a lightship is able to guide sailors
through the night, which teaches them about how a big light guides
them.
Other Considerations-8
Style and Language-9
Comment: I like the style and language the author uses. This story is
very intriguing and can teach children something new.
Pacing-9
Comment: The author does a good job on pacing the story so that all
children will be able to understand and learn from it.
Character-9
Setting-9
Theme:9
Other considerations(mood,tone)-8
Is it a well-rounded piece?-8
OVERALL RATING-8
Comment: Children will like this book. They can learn about lightships
and what they are used for. Children can learn that lightships are like
lighthouses.