The Invention of Hugo Cabret

Bibliographic Information: Selznick, B. (2007). The Invention of Hugo Cabret. New York, NY: Scholastic Press.

Brief Annotation: After Hugo Cabrets father dies the 12-year old boy is taken in by his uncle who works the clocks at a train station in Paris. Hugo is forced to live in the train station with his uncle. Between this, and many other secrets Hugo must keep, his biggest secret lies within a notebook given to him by his late father. When the notebook falls into the wrong hands many questions arise. Will his secrets be exposed? Will he become an orphan? Will he ever be able to finish the project he and his father embarked on together? How will he get the notebook back?

Genre: Fiction, Picture book, Mystery novel

Grade Level: 4-7

Readers who will like this: Children who like mystery; Children who like illustrations; Children who enjoy magic.

Response/Rating: 4+; WOW. This book was phenomenal! Between the illustrations and the uniquely written context this book is one in which will leave you wanted to re-read the book over and over. It is a definite page-turner and quick read. As I read the book I found myself wanting to flip to the back to find out what happens next and how it ended, but missing the illustrations would leave out a good portion of the story. I felt for Hugo and situation while reading this and found myself finishing the book feeling as though I had awoken from a dream.The book has twists and turns of mystery to the very last page! This is a must read for anyone and everyone!

One question you would ask before a read aloud: What is the craziest dream you have ever had?

The Butterfly

Bibliographic Information: Polacco, P. (2000). The Butterfly. New York, New York: Philomel Books.

Brief Annotation: Monique lives in France with her mother during WWII with Nazis in her town. She learns that her mother is hiding a Jewish family in their cellar to protect them from the Nazis and makes a new friend, Sevrine. Monique brings Sevrine a butterfly to remind her of what it's like outside. Eventually with the threat of Nazis coming to find the family, Monique and Sevrine must part. Will Sevrine make it through the war alive?

Genre: Historical Fiction

Grade Level: 3-5

Readers who will like this: Readers who enjoy books about friendship, WWII, and courage.

Response/Rating (1-4): 4. This book is a beautiful story about friendship with a historical theme. It was neat the author's aunt is Monique. After the story is over, the end of the book describes the ending between Monique and Sevrine.

One question you would ask before a read aloud:

What was World War II? Have you ever had to protect a friend even thought it was hard or scary?

Pink and Say

Bibliographic Information: Polacco, P. (1994). Pink and Say. New York, New York: Philomel Books.

Brief Annotation: Sheldon Curtis (Say) is a solider for the Union during the United States Civil War. He runs away from his troops because he hates the war so much. He gets injured and Pinkus (Pink), who is a lost Union soldier, comes along and brings him home to his house where he and his grandmother, Moe Moe Bay live and take care of Say. The two bond very well and form a strong friendship even though Pink is black and say is white. A series of tragedies happen and Pink and Say get separated at a Confederate camp, where only Say made it out alive. The author's great-great grandfather was Sheldon Curtis.

Genre: Culturally Diverse

Grade Level: 2-5

Readers who will like this: Readers who like stories about strong friendship, war, or bravery.

Response/Rating (1-4): 4. This was the saddest picture book I've ever read. It was brilliantly written, but terribly sad and moving. The story of friends being growing so close only to be forcefully torn apart is awful, but the book was so great. Some pictures are a little graphic, but the message in this book is strong and powerful.

One question you would ask before a read aloud: Have you ever lost a friend? Have you ever been not allowed to be friends with someone because they or you are "different?" What was the Civil War?

Anno's Journey

Bibliographic Information: Anno, M. (1926). Anno's Journey. New York, New York: Philomel Books.

Brief Annotation: This wordless picture book illustrates a man's (the author's) journey through Europe. While there is his journey in the pictures, there are also many other mini-stories throughout the pages.

Genre: Wordless picture book

Grade Level: K-4

Readers who will like this: Readers who cannot read words well, but like stories. Readers who like to create their own version of stories.

Response/Rating (1-4): 2. This wordless picture book offers many different opportunities on each page to create a story. It is kind of a game to find Anno on each page, but to me the illustrations weren't amazing.

One question you would ask before a read aloud:

Do you like to create your own stories?

Alphabatics

Bibliographic Information:

MacDonald, S. (1986). Alphabatics. New York, New York: Collier Macmillan Canada, Inc.

Brief Annotation:

This is a simple alphabet book displays each letter, word, and illustration on a new page. The letter transforms into the illustration that represents a word that starts with that letter. The letter P becomes a plane, the letter M becomes a mustache and the letter G becomes a giraffe. This book was a 1987 Caldecott honor winner.

Genre: Alphabet book

Grade Level: Pre-K-Kindergarten

Readers who will like this: New readers who are learning the alphabet. Readers who like bold, colorful pictures.

Rating/Response: 3. This is a creative alphabet book that has illustrations of the letter transforming into a picture that represents a certain letter. The book is very simple and easy to read. The large letters and words make it easy for an new reader to see and read.

One question you would ask before a read aloud:

Who knows all of the letters of the alphabet? What letter does your name start with?

The Hare and the Tortoise

Bibliographic Information: Aesop. (1962). The Hare and the Tortoise. Illus. Paul Galdone. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Book Company.

Brief Annotation: The Hare is boasting of his great and unchallenged speed to all the forest animals when Tortoise accepts his challenge. Tortoise is amused by this slow-moving animal and gloats about his eminent win. Hare takes off with a start and Tortoise, one slow step at a time. After waking from a short nap, Hare realizes that Tortoise is near the finish line and Hare has lost.
Genre: Fable
Grade Level: Pre K-3
Readers who will like this: Young readers who enjoy stories about animals will enjoy this fable.
Response/Rating (1-4): This is a classic fable of animals exhibiting human behaviors that point out our flaws and lessons we must learn. Although Galdone only uses three colors to illustrate this fable, he portrays beautifully a hot sunny day with all the animals gathered to hear the boasting rabbit. He gives the animals character and expression. Of course this fable bespeaks of a necessary lesson for youth and adults alike. I rate this book 4 of 4.
One question you would ask before a read aloud: How would you describe a Hare and a Tortoise? Do you think these are animals that might get along in nature? Why do you think the Tortoise accepts the Hare's challenge? Have you ever had a friend who was boasting about something? What does boasting mean?

The Mitten

Bibliographic Information: Brett, J. (1989). The Mitten. Illus. Jan Brett. New York, NY: G.P. Putnam's Sons.

Brief Annotation: Nikki asks his Grandmother (Nana) to knit him a pair of mittens made from white wool. He goes outside for an adventure and soon looses one of his mittens. The woodland animals find Nikki's mitten warm and cozy. Nikki finds his missing mitten, blowing in the wind, against the blue sky and a bit stretched out.
Genre: Ukranian Folktale.
Grade Level: K-2
Readers who will like this: Readers who enjoy outdoor adventures and stories about woodland animals will enjoy this sweet folktale.
Response/Rating: The illustrations in this story are sweet, detailed, give a sense of old-world charm and warmth. Every detail was thoughtfully included down to the different animal tracks. Brett gives movement and texture to the animals' fur. Every page is knit together on a background of birch sheets. The idea that all these different animals get along in their search for a warm place to be is a story that even adults need to remember. I rate this book 4 of 4.
One question you would ask before a read aloud: From the cover picture, how do you guess these animals might have ended up in the same mitten? Even though these animals are all different, do you think they will get along or fight? Do you know anyone in your family who knits or does some sort of hand craft? What is your prediction about what will happen with this mitten?