Mallory series group project display

Here are some photos from a group project that I did on the Mallory series. The left panel was on the author Laurie Friedman, the middle specifically about the Mallory series including teaching tips, and the left the groups critiques of specific series books. I had a very talented group member who drew the Mallory on top and each of the group members in character form on the right side of the poster! We wanted to stick to the character of the book so many of the write ups are written like the Mallory books. For example, the author information is written as if Mallory herself wrote it. The first sentence is "Laurie Friedman is the best best best children's author in the world!" Overall, the poster turned out very well!

Mrs. Katz and Tush by: Partricia Polacco

Mrs. Katz and Tush is a great story that brings people's differences together. I love the way the author brings the Jewish and African-American cultures together by having the two main characters sharing their stories and lives. In the book, an older Jewish woman, Mrs. Katz, is visited everyday by a young African-American boy named Larnel. The boy gives the women a cat because she is lonely from the loss of her husband on one condition, and that is that he helps take care of it and visits her everyday. He agrees and fortunately learns so much about Mrs. Katz and her Jewish heritage. Throughout the book both the characters learn that their cultures suffered in many of the same ways. I think this book is very good for children to examine their similarities.

The Hello, Goodbye Window by: Norton Juster

The Hello, Goodbye Window is an excellent book for young readers because it really opens their eyes for bi-racial relationships and imagination. This book is easily relateable for all young children because it describes hanging out at grandma and grandpa's house and enjoying many activities that the little girl does with her grandparents. In the book, the hello goodbye window is a special magical window that the little girl often looks out of to imagines different visitors. I really enjoy this book and think it is great for kids to spark some imagination and to show how important family really is. Also, the best part is the illustrations. I like them because the book is told by the little girl and it also looks like she drew them.

Peeled by: Joan Bauer

I highly recommend Peeled to many older readers because I could not put this book down. This book is set in a small orchard growing town that seems to be always perfect and calm. However, this quickly changed when a murder occurs in town. Many false stories start to be published in the local newspaper and 16-year-old Hildy decides to take matters into her own hands. Hildy is a writer for her own school newspaper and starts to research what is really going on. Readers will love this mystery and want to keep reading to find out what really happens.

Coming on Home Soon by: Jacqueline Woodson

A beautifully illustrated book, Coming on Home Soon is an excellent picture book for younger readers. The book explains the hardships that African-Americans faced during World War II in Chicago especially obtaining jobs and receiving a steady income. Main character Ada Ruth is also struggling with the separation from her mother and longs for the day that she returns. The book itself is great to use with students to explain certain parts of that history and even to show examples of letter writing. I really liked this story line and think all students would enjoy the book and illustrations.

Fever 1793 by: Laurie Halse Anderson

Fever is a great historical fiction book that I really enjoyed reading. This book would be excellent to tie into a lesson because the references about yellow fever are very good. Because this epidemic in Philadelphia was so powerful, it would be great for students to read about what a person during this era would face. In the book, 16-year-old Mattie Cook faces this yellow fever epidemic first hand. Mattie learns that she has to grow up quickly to deal with what is going on in her life. This book is excellent for older elementary and junior high students and can be very beneficial to learning about this time in history.

Mercy Watson to the Rescue by: Kate DiCamillo

Mercy Watson to the Rescue is intended for younger elementary students and is great to help explore their imaginations. Mercy the pig lives with the Watson family and what is really neat is that children can easily relate to her. For example, Mercy is afraid of the dark and often needs to go sleep with her human parents. One night when Mercy crawled into bed with her parents, something happens that Mercy will never forget. Readers will fall in love with this pig and will enjoy the fantasy that the book provides.