The Collected Poetry of Nikki Giovanni

Bibliography: Giovanni N. (2003). The Collected Poetry of Nikki Giovanni. New York, NY: HarperCollins publishing.

Brief Annotation: This book is a set of the poems written my Nikki Giovanni (1968-1998) herself. She focuses on African American life and ways such as how they feel about things and how they have been harshly judged in historical times. She also focuses on her house, women and men, and other things that are important to her.

Genre: Poetry

Grade Level: 7-8th

Readers who will like this: Anyone who is looking for a good read of poetry from an African American perspective and those who are looking to research the African American struggles in America.

Response/Rating: I would give this book a 3 because I liked Nikki's contemporary language that helps describe her cultures struggles in the past as well as her feelings in todays world. If you are looking for a book with strong language from the perspective of an African American woman, this is the book to read.

Question to ask before a read aloud: When you think of African American culture, what do you think of? Do you think of happy times or times of struggle that people of this ethnicity went through?

Rumpole and the Reign of Terror

Bibliography: Mortmer J. (2006). Rumpole and the Reign of Terror. New York, NY: Penguin Books.

Brief Annotation: Horace Rumpole is a lawyer who defends a Pakastani doctor who is accused of aiding Al-Queda in a tale that puts Rumpole against those who use a terrorist threat as an excuse to take charge of the British legal system. Rumpole must use everything he has to get behind these unusual threats to make sure there is a fair trial.

Genre: Mystery

Grade Level: 9-12

Readers who will like this: People who like mystery books that specifically focus on someone making a threat and going deeper into the nature behind why a particular statement was made.

Response/Rating: I thought that this book was a little complex as far as mysteries go with the plot and all and would give this book a 2 for that.

Question to ask before a read aloud: What does it feel like to you when you suspect that someone might be hiding something or making a threat to someone else? Have you ever felt mysterious about that?

The Midas Touch

Bibliographic Information: The Midas Touch. http://storynory.com/2009/08/03/the-midas-touch/

Brief Annotation: Midas was a king and one day a man horse was found in his garden. Midas allowed the beast to stay in his home. The following morning while walking through the same garden, Midas came across a God, who granted him one wish. Midas, as rich as he was, wished that everything he touched would turn to gold. The God granted him his wish, telling him that money is not everything. Midas began touching everything in his castle and being amazed by his new talent. Then he hugged his daughter, who immediately turned to gold. Midas was heart broken and returned to the garden to wash his tears with water from the fountain, but that also turned to gold. The God returned to help Midas and told him that if he went to the river near Sardis and bathe in it. He did as he was told and was free of his wish. He was forever happy with the simplicity and joy in his life.

Genre: Myth

Grade Level:2-4

Readers who will like this: Children who enjoy Greek myths; Children who think something is good but find out later its not; Children who find joy in money or material items over non-tangible things.

Response/Rating:3; I love this story and how it shows the importance on happiness and that happiness does not come from money. I also found that it showed importance on truly thinking through what you wish for, it may seem ideal on impulse, but the consequences could be horrific.

Question: If you had one wish, what would it be?

My People

Bibliography: Hughes L. (1923). My People. Photos: Charles R. Smith Jr. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster publishing.

Brief Annotation: This book has words written by Hughes, from his 1923 poetry about African American people and life. He describes how important African American people are to this world. Through all of this, he describes the African American people as "his people" and that they are beautiful. The photos from Smith portray Hughe's words beautifully as well. This book won the Coretta Scott King award in 2010.

Genre: Poetry

Grade Level: 2-3rd

Readers who will like this: People who love Langston Hughe's poetry and want to get a deep insight into how he feels about his African American culture with others.

Response/Rating: I woudl definitley give this book a 4 because of the sharp detailed photographes that are seen in this book. Both Hughe's and Smith did a fantastic job making the African American culture something beautiful and special to the world.

Question to ask before a read aloud: How many of you have read poems by Langston Hughe's? How did he make you feel about African American culture?

Homesick: My Own Story

Bibliography: Fritz J. (1982). Homesick: My Own Story. Illus. Margot Tomes. New York, NY: G. P. Putnam's Sons.

Brief Annotation: Jean Fritz had tons of worries about her life. She was in China when she wanted to be in America. She was in a British school singing "God Save the King" when she didn't want to, and she worried about the cook trying to poison her. Nevertheless, she spent her time in many happy memories as well, such as adventures with her BFF Andrea and pictures being taken on the Great Wall. Jean may miss her hometown, but is having just as many wonderful times on the other side of the world. This book won the Newbery Honor medal in 1983

Genre: autobiography

Grade Level: 6-8

Readers who will like this: Students who have never read a book based on the author's life. If you are looking for adventure and emotion, this is the book to read.

Response/Rating: I would give this book a 4 because I loved how Jean wrote such a detailed part of her life into a story that I think young students can relate to. We have all felt homesick and for me it was nice to read a book that clearly portrayed that for someones life.

Question to ask before a read aloud: Have you ever left your hometown to move someplace else? What was that experience like for you? What kinds of new things happend that made you happy?

The Boy Who Flew Too High

Bibliographic Information: The Boy Who Flew Too High. (http://storynory.com/2008/08/24/the-boy-who-flew-too-high/)

Brief Annotation: This Greek myth is about Icarus and his father. They both had everything they could want, except their home Athens. They both wanted to be back in Athens. To escape the tower the father asked for feathers to create a new design. He really was creating wings to escape from the tower and return to Athens. There plan was to fly home, but instructions were given to the son, “at all times follow me… and do not fly too low… nor should you fly to high.” Icarus found that he loved flying. Soon he flew too close to the sun and his wings began to fall apart. He lost the power of flight and fell into the sea.

Genre: Myth, Audio book

Grade Level: 3- 6

Readers who will like this: Children who like Greek myths; Children who are close with their fathers; ELL children

Response/Rating: 2; I feel that this was a different experience to listen to a book being read. I found myself being irritated by the voice speaking. The story was hard to follow because the voice was annoying. The message was important though “its good to aim high, but its also important not to loose your head with success and over reach yourself.”

One question you would ask before a read aloud: What is something you are good at?

The Tale of Despereaux

Bibliography: DiCamillo, K. (2003). The Tale of Despereaux. Illus. Timothy Basil Ering. Cambridge MA: Candlewick Press.

Brief Annotation: The Tale of Despereaux is the story of a mouse in love with music and another female mouse, a rat named Roscuro who lives in the dark but desires to live in a world of light. The story also features the character Miggery Sow a girl with one of the most impossible wishes. These three characters take a journey that eventually lead each other into each others lives for the better. This book won the Newbery Award in 2004.

Genre: Animal Fiction

Grade Level: 3-5

Readers who will like this: Children who want exposure differentiated characters that come from completley different worlds and journey together.

Response/Rating: I would give this book a 4 because I enjoy animal fiction and I love books that expose readers to different characters perspectives that can relate to our own lives.

Question to ask before a read aloud: Have you ever met someone that was completley different from you? Did you become friends with that person or not?