Belle Prater's Boy
The main characters in Belle Prater's Boy are Gypsy and her cousin, Woodrow. Both Gypsy and Woodrow are in the 6th grade and struggle with issues involving their parents. Gypsy's dad has died, and she is having to adapt to life with a step-father. Everyone in town comments on Gypsy's beauty and her long, gorgeous hair. Her life seems perfect except for the times she wakes up from a reoccuring nightmare. Woodrow's mother has disappeared, so he now lives with his grandparents. Aside from missing his mom, he is very happy to be living with the modern conveniences he didn't enjoy while living in the mountains with his parents. Throughout the book, he struggles to figure out where his mother could be and when and if she'll be able to return to him. We also learn about the sibling rivalry that existed between Woodrow's mom, Belle, and Gypsy's mom, Love. This book has so many issues that create great class discussions! How important are appearances? How do you deal with a bully? How do
you deal with jealousy of siblings? How do you say goodbye? While reading this book, kids will laugh out loud and probably shed
a tear or two as well!
The main characters in Belle Prater's Boy are Gypsy and her cousin, Woodrow. Both Gypsy and Woodrow are in the 6th grade and struggle with issues involving their parents. Gypsy's dad has died, and she is having to adapt to life with a step-father. Everyone in town comments on Gypsy's beauty and her long, gorgeous hair. Her life seems perfect except for the times she wakes up from a reoccuring nightmare. Woodrow's mother has disappeared, so he now lives with his grandparents. Aside from missing his mom, he is very happy to be living with the modern conveniences he didn't enjoy while living in the mountains with his parents. Throughout the book, he struggles to figure out where his mother could be and when and if she'll be able to return to him. We also learn about the sibling rivalry that existed between Woodrow's mom, Belle, and Gypsy's mom, Love. This book has so many issues that create great class discussions! How important are appearances? How do you deal with a bully? How do
you deal with jealousy of siblings? How do you say goodbye? While reading this book, kids will laugh out loud and probably shed
a tear or two as well!
Freak the Mighty
This is a story about a friendship between two boys who are very different from each other, but the bond they form quickly becomes mighty powerful. Max is extraordinarily large and struggles in school. His father is in prison, and he lives with his grandparents. He doesn't have many friends and feels lost in his life. However, once he meets Freak that all changes. Freak has a physical disability. Because of his condition, he is very tiny. Freak is extremely intelligent and uses big words all the time. He looks at all of the events in his life as if they are adventures. Together Max and Freak become "Freak the Mighty" and face the struggles of life together.
This is a story about a friendship between two boys who are very different from each other, but the bond they form quickly becomes mighty powerful. Max is extraordinarily large and struggles in school. His father is in prison, and he lives with his grandparents. He doesn't have many friends and feels lost in his life. However, once he meets Freak that all changes. Freak has a physical disability. Because of his condition, he is very tiny. Freak is extremely intelligent and uses big words all the time. He looks at all of the events in his life as if they are adventures. Together Max and Freak become "Freak the Mighty" and face the struggles of life together.
Yankee Girl
This novel takes place in Jackson, Mississippi in 1964. Alice Moxley’s father is an FBI agent who has
been reassigned from Chicago to Jackson in order to help protect blacks who are
registering to vote in the south. Alice quickly discovers fitting in is a lot more difficult to do in the south. Not only does she struggle making friends because she is a Yankee, but she also is a first-hand witness to racism and discrimination when her school is forced to integrate. Valerie, the new girl, is the subject of harassment from the moment she walks through the door simply because she is black. The conflict Alice must face is a difficult one for her to deal with and creates great class discussion. Should Alice stand back and watch her peers bully Valerie in order to fit in, or should she stand up to the racism and stick up for what she believes is right knowing that she will face then face the discrimination and have no friends?
Before reading this book, I talk to the kids about what life was like for blacks living in the south during the 1950's and 60's.
We talk about the Jim Crowe laws, the Civil Rights Movement, and the people who helped change this country like Martin Luther
King, Jr. and Rosa Parks. We have great discussions about peer pressure and how to stand up for what you know in your heart
to be the right thing.
This novel takes place in Jackson, Mississippi in 1964. Alice Moxley’s father is an FBI agent who has
been reassigned from Chicago to Jackson in order to help protect blacks who are
registering to vote in the south. Alice quickly discovers fitting in is a lot more difficult to do in the south. Not only does she struggle making friends because she is a Yankee, but she also is a first-hand witness to racism and discrimination when her school is forced to integrate. Valerie, the new girl, is the subject of harassment from the moment she walks through the door simply because she is black. The conflict Alice must face is a difficult one for her to deal with and creates great class discussion. Should Alice stand back and watch her peers bully Valerie in order to fit in, or should she stand up to the racism and stick up for what she believes is right knowing that she will face then face the discrimination and have no friends?
Before reading this book, I talk to the kids about what life was like for blacks living in the south during the 1950's and 60's.
We talk about the Jim Crowe laws, the Civil Rights Movement, and the people who helped change this country like Martin Luther
King, Jr. and Rosa Parks. We have great discussions about peer pressure and how to stand up for what you know in your heart
to be the right thing.
Surviving Hitler
Surviving Hitler is the true story of Jack Mandelbaum. In this story we learn about Jack's carefree childhood and how that quickly changed when the Nazis took over his home country of Poland. When Jack's father is taken to a concentration camp, Jack becomes the man of the family and must protect his mother and siblings. After being separated from his family, Jack quickly learns about the constant struggle to survive the concentration camps. Before reading this book, I take time to teach the kids about what life was like for Jews during the Holocaust. Some kids have read Holocaust books in the past, but I go more into depth about the Nuremburg Laws, the ghettos, the concentration camps, and the gas chambers. After learning about the Holocaust and reading this book, students are changed. The one comment I receive most frequently from former students is their appreciation for learning about this horrible time period. The lessons from the Holocaust are ones I hope
students carry with them throughout their entire lives.
Surviving Hitler is the true story of Jack Mandelbaum. In this story we learn about Jack's carefree childhood and how that quickly changed when the Nazis took over his home country of Poland. When Jack's father is taken to a concentration camp, Jack becomes the man of the family and must protect his mother and siblings. After being separated from his family, Jack quickly learns about the constant struggle to survive the concentration camps. Before reading this book, I take time to teach the kids about what life was like for Jews during the Holocaust. Some kids have read Holocaust books in the past, but I go more into depth about the Nuremburg Laws, the ghettos, the concentration camps, and the gas chambers. After learning about the Holocaust and reading this book, students are changed. The one comment I receive most frequently from former students is their appreciation for learning about this horrible time period. The lessons from the Holocaust are ones I hope
students carry with them throughout their entire lives.
A Long Way from Chicago
I love this book! A Long Way from Chicago is set right here in Central Illinois during the 1930's. While reading, students are always surprised and excited to see the names of familiar towns and roads. This is a hilarious collection of adventures experienced by Joey and his sister, Mary Alice, as they leave the big city of Chicago to spend one week with their grandmother every summer in the small town of Cerro Gordo, Illinois. Mrs. Dowdell isn't your typical grandma, and Joey and Mary Alice can always plan on having a memorable time!
I love this book! A Long Way from Chicago is set right here in Central Illinois during the 1930's. While reading, students are always surprised and excited to see the names of familiar towns and roads. This is a hilarious collection of adventures experienced by Joey and his sister, Mary Alice, as they leave the big city of Chicago to spend one week with their grandmother every summer in the small town of Cerro Gordo, Illinois. Mrs. Dowdell isn't your typical grandma, and Joey and Mary Alice can always plan on having a memorable time!
Out of my Mind
This is a story about an eleven-year-old girl named Melody who is the smartest kid in her whole school, but no one knows it because she has cerebral palsy, a condition that affects her body but not her mind. Most people, her teachers and doctors included, don't think she's capable of learning. Up until recently, her school days consisted of listening to the same preschool-level alphabet lessons again and again. Because she can't walk, talk, or write, she is not able to show the world how smart she really is. Being stuck inside her head is making Melody go out of her mind. Her life is completely transformed, however, when she discovers a computer device that will allow her to speak for the first time ever. Finally, Melody has a voice, but not everyone around her is ready to hear it.
This is a story about an eleven-year-old girl named Melody who is the smartest kid in her whole school, but no one knows it because she has cerebral palsy, a condition that affects her body but not her mind. Most people, her teachers and doctors included, don't think she's capable of learning. Up until recently, her school days consisted of listening to the same preschool-level alphabet lessons again and again. Because she can't walk, talk, or write, she is not able to show the world how smart she really is. Being stuck inside her head is making Melody go out of her mind. Her life is completely transformed, however, when she discovers a computer device that will allow her to speak for the first time ever. Finally, Melody has a voice, but not everyone around her is ready to hear it.