Who Was Thomas Jefferson? by Dennis Brindell Fradin and illustrated John O'Brien and Nancy Harrison, 2003

Brief annotation:

Did you know that John Adams had to coax Thomas Jefferson into writing the Declaration of Independence? It's true. The shy Virginia statesman refused at first, but then went on to author one of our nation's most important and inspiring documents. The third U.S. president, Jefferson was also an architect, inventor, musician, farmer, and-what is certainly the most troubling aspect of his life-a slave owner. Finally, here's a biography for kids that unveils the many facets of this founding father's remarkable and complicated life.

Themes include US history, slavery, and the personal and political life of a funding father.

This is a great book for a young student who is looking to do a project on an historical figure. It would be good to use in the history class to talk about the many aspects of US history that Thomas Jefferson influenced. It could also lead to interesting discussion on how Thomas Jefferson overcame his shyness and his stutter as well as his failures in terms of allowing slavery to continue in the the young nation.

The Giver

The Giver by Lois Lowry, 1993

Brief annotation:

Given his lifetime assignment at the Ceremony of Twelve, Jonas becomes the receiver of memories shared by only one other in his community and discovers the terrible truth about the society in which he lives.

Themes include society, science fiction, the human experience and rebellion.

This book lends itself to interesting discussion on how we see the world. Discussion topics could include what it would be like to not see any colors, what it would be like to lose individuality and what we lose by trying to protect ourselves from living.

-John Newbery Medal, 1994

Crispin: The Cross of Lead

Crispin: The Cross of Lead by Avi, 2002

Brief annotation:

Set in 14th-century England, this Newbery-winning novel centers on an orphaned outcast who gets pegged for murder.

Themes include orphans, hero story, apprenticeships and 14th-century England.

This is a good book for studying Medieval England to get a personal connection to the life of the lower class in the 14th-century. It is a good read with a lot of adventure to keep even reluctant readers interested.

- John Newbery Medal, 2003

Out of the Dust

Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse, 1997

Brief annotation:

In a series of poems, fifteen-year-old Billie Jo relates the hardships of living on her family's wheat farm in Oklahoma during the dust bowl years of the Depression.

Themes include the Great Depression, family, friendship, the dust bowl and poetry.

This book really personalizes the Great Depression and particularly the dust bowl. It can be used in the history classroom or, since it is written in free verse, a poetry unit in an English or reading class.

- John Newbery Medal, 1998
- Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction, 1998

Because of Winn-Dixie

Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo, 2000

Brief annotation:

Ten-year-old India Opal Buloni describes her first summer in the town of Naomi, Florida, and all the good things that happen to her because of her big ugly dog Winn-Dixie.

Themes include loneliness, friendship, family and the relationships between dogs and people.

This book would be a good book for a class to read together. Discuss questions could include:
If you ate one of Miss Franny's Littmus Lozenges, what would it taste like to you?
What do you think of the preacher as a father?
What is the significance of the various friendships Opal forms over her first summer in Florida? What does she learn from this diverse group of people?
How do you think Winn-Dixie changed the people whose lives he touched? Was his impact more significant on some characters than others?

Esperanza Rising

Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan, 2000

Brief annotation:

Esperanza and her mother are forced to leave their life of wealth and privilege in Mexico to go work in the labor camps of Southern California, where they must adapt to the harsh circumstances facing Mexican farm workers on the eve of the Great Depression.

Themes include immigration, family, minorities and responsibility.

This story is a good look at the conditions for minorities and immigrants during the Great Depression. It could be paired with current events topics of immigration.

- Pura Belpre Award, 2002

The Way We Work

The Way We Work by David Macaulay, 2008
Brief annotation

Many of us spend most of our lives oblivious to even basic information about the most amazing thing we'll ever take for granted-our own bodies. In The Way We Work, David Macaulay gives readers an opportunity to discover just how remarkable the human body really is. This comprehensive and entertaining resource reveals the inner workings of the human body and all of its systems and mechanisms, as only David Macaulay could. Page after page of beautifully illustrated spreads detail everything from cells to the bones and organs they build, clearly explaining the function of each, and offering up-close glimpses, unique cross-sections and perspectives, and even a little humor along the way. This book is for you and everyone you know. It can serve as a reference for children of all ages, families, teachers, and anyone who has questions about how their body works. This informative and engaging guide introduces you to you, and you will come away with a new appreciation of the amazing world inside yourself. When you open the cover you will see how David Macaulay builds a body and explains THE WAY WE WORK. There is no other book like it!

Themes include human physiology and anatomy and understanding your own body.

This would be a good book to use in health or physical education classes. It can be used as a reference book for projects.

Mosque

Mosque by David Macaulay, 2003

Brief annotation:

An author and artist who has continually stripped away the mystique of architectural structures that have long fascinated modern people, David Macaulay here reveals the methods and materials used to design and construct a mosque in late-sixteenth- century Turkey. Through the fictional story and Macaulay’s distinctive full-color illustrations, readers will learn not only how such monumental structures were built but also how they functioned in relation to the society they served.
As always, Macaulay has given a great deal of attention to the relationship between pictures and text, creating another brilliant celebration of an architectural wonder.

Themes include architecture, 16th century Turkish civilation and culture. Cultural understanding and diversity.

This is a great book to use to give a better understanding of Muslim culture during the 16th century. It is not trying to convince anyone of anything and therefor should not be at all contravorsal. It simply is a look at a moment in time, just as Cathedral and Pyramid look at the entire civilazation surrounding the building of the catherdral and the pyramid.

Cathedral

Cathedral by David Macaulay, 1973

Brief annotation:

Text and detailed drawings follow the planning and construction of a magnificent Gothic cathedral in the imaginary French town of Chutreaux during the thirteenth century.

Themes include architecture, 13th century civilization and culture.

This book would be great to use in an introductory French class, just as a way to learn about French culture historically. It would also be a good book for an art class that is looking at how to draw architecture.

– New York Times Ten Best Illustrated Children’s Books of the Year in 1973 and Caldecott Honor Award (1974)

Pyramid

Pyramid by David Macaulay, 1975

Brief annotation:

Text and black-and-white illustrations follow the intricate step-by-step process of the building of an ancient Egyptian pyramid.

Themes include architecture, ancient civilization and Egyptian culture.

This book would go great with the 2nd grade social studies SOL's regarding ancient Egypt. The reading level is probably a little high for 2nd graders to get through the entire book but it can be used as a reference book if they are focusing on one aspect of ancient Egypt.

– New York Times Outstanding Books of the Year, Boston Globe-Horn Book Award (Honor Book, 1976) and Christopher Award (1976)

The Way Things Work

The Way Things Work by David Macaulay, 1988

Brief annotation:

Text and numerous detailed illustrations introduce and explain the scientific principles and workings of hundreds of machines including a lawn sprinkler, pneumatic drill, electric guitar, and a smoke detector.

Themes include science, mechanics, household items and innovation

This is a good informational book to use like a reference book. It could be helpful for science fair projects or simply a good recommendation for students who are interested in how things work.

– Best Nonfiction awarded by Boston Globe-Horn Book (1989)

Beastly

Flinn, Alex. (2007). Beastly. New York, NY: Harperteen.
Appropriate for students from seventh grade and up.
Set in modern day New York, this novel is the biggest departure from the original Beauty and the Beast. Not only is the setting different and not only does the author employ chat rooms as story telling devices, but she also chooses to follow the male lead instead of the traditional female point of view.
Best Books/Awards:
ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, 2008
VOYA Editor’s Choice, 2008
Beehive Award, 2010
This book would be interesting in a literacy circle as it is contemporary telling of a fairy tale is likely to get young adults talking about the story and how it relates (or does not relate) to their own lives. Educators could also combine this book in a creative writing class, using the chat room excerpts to show students how they can use modern methods of communication in their stories. Students could create their own chat room situations based on other traditional fantasy or think of other forms of communication that someone like Adrian might use while otherwise locked away from society.