Dear Mr. Henshaw
Cleary, B. (1983). Dear Mr. Henshaw [Kindle e-book]. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com
Leigh Botts is going through some difficult times. His parents have divorced, he moved to a new school, and his dad took his dog with him. He begins to write to his favorite author. Leigh wants to be a writer like Mr. Henshaw and asks for any guidance and tips. Mr. Henshaw suggests to Leigh to keep a diary, which Leigh does. It's through the letters and diary entries that the reader learns of Leigh's difficulties.
Style is seen from page one in Dear Mr. Henshaw. The story is written in
letter (diary like) entries with the date and closing included in each letter.
The author unique style helps create the tone of the story. For example, “Two
more questions to go. Maybe I won’t answer them. So there. Ha-ha.” Leigh mocks sarcastically
as he closes his letter. The emotional responses in the letters and diary entry
make character another example of criteria.
The reader learns about what bothers Leigh through his letters. His
parent’s divorce, moving to new school, his dad, and his desire to make
friends.
Book trailer:
Lesson plans/Additional resources:
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/dear-mr-henshaw-teaching-plan
https://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=1759
https://www.pinterest.com/lancecat/dear-mr-henshaw-activities/
Author webpage:
http://www.beverlycleary.com
Additional books:
Below is a link to the author's books. You can order directly from the site.
http://www.beverlycleary.com/books.aspx
Orbiting Jupiter
At the young age of thirteen, Joseph has become a father and has served time in a juvenile detention center. He's placed in a foster home on a rural farm in Maine. Jack's family has decided to take Joseph in despite his background. Its from Jack's point of view that the reader learns of Joseph's troubled past and his daughter, Jupiter. Joseph has never seen his daughter, and sets off to find her regardless of what anyone says.
Assignment:
Setting and style are best exemplified in Orbiting Jupiter. The author
use of description and the many proper nouns (old First Congressional, Alliance
River, Octavian Nothing, Mr. Canton, among others) allows the reader to
visualize the story. Also, the narrator is Jack, who tells Joseph’s story
through his point of view. It’s through this language, the author’s style is
seen. The setting forms an important part of the story. The author uses an almost
repetitive setting pattern: in the morning go to barn, then walk to school past
the church and river, then return and work in barn. This repetitive pattern
helps the reader see the change Joseph goes through.
Book trailer:
Lesson plans:
https://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=44062
https://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?aid=3157&a=1&a2=1
Author webpage:
http://www.hmhbooks.com/schmidt/
Additional books:
What came the stars
Martin de Porres
Okay for now
The Wednesday wars
Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster boy
Trouble
Straw into gold
Anson's way
The Crossover
Alexander, K. (2014). The Crossover. Boston, NY:
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Twelve year old twins, Josh and Jordan love basketball, but Josh is the one who wants to follow in his father's footsteps. They're mother is the assistant principal at the middle school they attend. Their dad, a former basketball superstar, Chuck Bell who played professionally and has since retired. The boys are inseparable until JB gets a girlfriend. JB starts spending less and less time with Josh and his father. As a result, Josh starts feeling resentment towards his twin. Josh seems to have lost his connection with his brother until a family tragedy occurs.
Both plot and style are found in The Crossover. Josh and Jordan Bell are
twin brothers, and also basketball players on same team. The story is told from
the Josh’s point of view using rhyming words and poetic features. You may find
yourself rapping some of the paragraphs! In addition, the book is divided into
four quarters and within each quarter, page size chapters. From the first page,
you can see the author’s individual style. The use of varies fonts and sizes
along with text designs make this book unique to style. The plot is another
evaluative criteria this book demonstrates. The story is written in a logical
order using cause/effect structure. The storyline follows the boys as they get
closer to their goal: winning a championship game. As the story progresses, the
effect sneaks up on you.
Book trailer:
Lesson plans:
https://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=38077
http://poetryforchildren.blogspot.com/2014/08/guide-crossover-by-kwame-alexander.html
http://www.fcps.edu/fairfaxnetwork/mta/kalexander/TheCrossover_BG.pdf
Author webpage:
http://kwamealexander.com
Additional books:
Follow the link for additional books from author.
http://kwamealexander.com/product/
George
George is a young boy. He knows and believes he should be a girl. George hides her true identify from her mom, brother and best friend, Kelly, who is a girl. George longs to scream to the world about his true identify, but she's scared. One day, the teacher announces the class will participate in a school play, Charlotte's Web. George knows she would make a perfect Charlotte. George can not try out for Charlotte because she is a boy. After Kelly discovers George's secret, they set out to show the world who George is in reality.
George exemplifies characters and theme criteria the best. George is a
boy, who has trouble with his true identity and finding his place in his family.
Throughout, the book George refers to himself as herself. We feel
George’s pain as she constantly struggles with wanting people to see her. Later
in the story, we feel her excitement and joy when she transforms into Melissa. The
character’s action leads us to theme. Friendship plays an important theme in the
book. Kelly, George’s best friend, finally understands and accepts George as
herself. Its from this friendship, that George becomes brave and performs a
girl’s part in a play.
Book trailer:
Lesson plans/Additional resources:
http://www.alexgino.com/resources/
The following activities are not free. You must pay for them.
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/George-Novel-Study-Alex-Gino-2057768
Author webpage:
http://www.alexgino.com
Bridge to Terabithia
Jesse "Jess" Aarons has been training all summer long and longs for the first day of school. He knows he will be the fastest runner in school! On the first day of school, Jess awaits anxiously for recess. Jess and several boys line up at the starting line and take off running. Just before Jess crosses the finish line, Leslie Burke beats him to it. Jesse can not believe it! Leslie, he's new next door neighbor. Soon after Leslie befriends Jess and together they create the imaginary world of Terabithia.
Bridge to Terabithia can be used to
evaluate several criterias. First, characters. Leslie helps Jesse overcome his
struggle with accepting himself. Leslie is carefree while Jesse is responsible.
Its from this friendship, that Leslie teaches Jesse to be child-like, to use
his imagination. Besides friendship, family is another theme found in the story.
Jesse needs his family’s support when he loses a loved one. The plot is another
criteria. The events are written in logical order and build the story upon each
other. If Leslie and Jesse had not created Terabithia, would Leslie be alive
today?
Book trailer:
Lesson plans:
https://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=1019
http://www.glencoe.com/sec/literature/litlibrary/pdf/bridge_to_terebithia.pdf
http://www.readworks.org/lessons/grade5/bridge-terabithia
http://www.readwritethink.org/classroom-resources/lesson-plans/exploring-friendship-with-bridge-981.html
https://printables.scholastic.com/shop/prcontent/Literature-Circle-Guide-Bridge-to-Terabithia/9780439271714-001
Author webpage:
http://katherinepaterson.com
Additional books:
Follow the link for additional books by author.
http://katherinepaterson.com/books/
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