Appelt, K., & Small, D. (2008). The underneath. New York:
Atheneum Books for Young Readers.
Summary:
This book is about Ranger, a dog with a very evil owner. He has a chain around his neck
and lives under an old house. His owner shot his leg. An abandoned pregnant calico cat
appears from nowhere and becomes Ranger's friend.
One day, a storm came letting Ranger free. She left with the kittens. The evil
owner drowned the calico cat mom.
Evaluation criteria: plot and character
The calico cat is about to have kittens when she finds
Ranger. Although dogs and cats rarely get along, Ranger knows that if his owner sees her, he will feed her to the alligator. He tells the cat to
hide under the porch and with time they became friends. The cat raises the
kittens under the porch. One of the kittens gets out and that leads to a tragic day that changes their lives forever. There is no main character. Every
character has its own role in the story, and all of them have suffered one way
or another.
Click on the link to
listen to the reading of The Underneath by Kathi Appelt, chapter 1,2,3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yjJ_EFKuAWo
Chapter 4,5,6: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0z8ludWmoL8
Chapter 7,8,9: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STSoj9gkuYI
Chapter 10,11,12: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PjAuFtt8hY
References:
The Underneath chapters.
(n.d.). YouTube. Retrieved
June 20, 2014.
Appelt, K., & Small, D. (2008). The underneath. [Photograph].
Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com
The Graveyard Book
Gaiman, N., & McKean, D. (2008). The graveyard book. New York: Harper.
Summary:
Nobody Owens came to the graveyard. He
escaped from his house because he was awakened by all the noises. There in the
graveyard, their parents discover he is alive. His newly murdered mother told
Mistress Owens to please take care of her child, and she agrees. Over the years, he
meets new people, living and dead. When he cannot see his parents anymore, he
decides to move on into the living world.
Evaluation criteria: character & setting
The author uses humor and a variety of
vocabulary to create a sense of respect to children. Bod is a character with
whom children identify because he makes mistakes but also tries to find ways
to solve problems. The author also creates an inviting landscape very well
explained throughout the book.
Lesson plans, teaching guides & more: http://www.lessonindex.com/The_Graveyard_Book_by_Neil_Gaiman.htm
Click on the link to
listen to the reading of The Graveyard book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7iomIh_fZzY
References:
The graveyard book full.
(n.d.). YouTube. Retrieved
June 20, 2014.
Gaiman, N., & McKean, D. (2008). The graveyard book.
[Photograph]. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com
Rapunzel's Revenge
Hale, S., & Hale, D. (2008). Rapunzel's
revenge. New York, N.Y.: Bloomsbury.
Summary:
Gothel
was a mean lady. She took care of Rapunzel since she was little. One day
Rapunzel disobeyed Gothel, and found her real mother. As a punishment, she trapped
her inside a very tall tree. Rapunzel’s hair grew long. Using her long hair, she
was able to escape. At the end, Rapunzel and her real mother were reunited
again.
Evaluation criteria: character, theme and plot:
Rapunzel wants revenge. She is a strong sixteen year old who is not waiting for a prince to come rescue her, instead she is her own hero. She got locked up on a tree, but with her long braids manages to escape. The main theme is that good is more powerful than evil. The plot is believable within the story’s framework. Rapunzel wonders what is beyond the big wall. After discovering the truth, Gothel locks her up. After she escapes, a series of events will change her life forever.
Teacher's guide: http://www.squeetus.com/stage/Rapunzel_TG.pdf
Click on the link to view
a review of Rapunzel's revenge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jeEbPm3DxhU
References:
Rapunzel's Revenge.
(n.d.). YouTube. Retrieved
June 20, 2014.
Hale, S., & Hale, D.
(2008). Rapunzel's revenge. [Photograph]. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com
Babymouse Rock Star
Holm, J. L., & Holm, M. (2006). Babymouse: rock star. New York:
Random House.
Summary:
Although Babymouse is not a very good flute player, she dreams of becoming famous. Every time she tries to play, she can't manage to do it well. Everybody especially
Felicia makes fun of her. One day, a friend from school invites Babymouse to her
house to help her practice. She improves so much that finally was not last chair like the previous year.
Evaluation criteria: character & plot
The characters in the story are animals but act
like humans. Babymouse has an active imagination; she constantly imagines that
she is famous and that people are following her for her popularity. The plot is
believable and the reader can make connections with reality. The story takes place mostly in school.
Babymouse webpage:
http://www.randomhouse.com/kids/babymouse/homepage.htm
Click on the link to
watch the book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xma-mfaP2NE
References:
Babymouse #4. (n.d.). YouTube. Retrieved June 20,
2014.
Holm, J. L., & Holm, M. (2006). Babymouse: rock star. [Photograph]. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com
Skulduggery Pleasant
Landy, D., & Ottens, E. (2007). Skulduggery pleasant. Houten:
Van Goor.
Summary:
Gordon Edgley dies leaving everything he
has to his niece, Stephanie. At the funeral she is attacked by a strange man. He
wanted the key. Mr. Pleasant arrives to save her. During the fight Stephanie
discovers that the man who saved her is a skeleton. At the end, Stephanie
discovers that her family comes from descendants with magical powers.
The main male character is dead. Children
cannot relate to him because he is a skeleton that does magic. The plot is mainly fantasy. Children and preteens can identify with Stephanie because they can
step into her shoes in real life. Students might be able to connect with the man who saved her, the
death of the uncle, and even the aggression that Stephanie suffered. At the beginning of the book, it
says that the setting is in Ireland, but throughout the book the author does not
expand on the setting.
Click on the link for
the audiobook:
References:
Skulduggery pleasant -
BOOK 1 - Derek Landy -AUDIOBOOK - Parts 1 & 2. (n.d.). YouTube. Retrieved June 20,
2014.
Landy, D., & Ottens,
E. (2007). Skulduggery pleasant. [Photograph]. Retrieved
from http://www.amazon.com
The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Selznick,
B. (2007). The invention of
Hugo Cabret: a novel in words and pictures. New York: Scholastic Press.
Summary:
Hugo Cabret is an orphan that lives
on a train station, he is the clock keeper but also a thief. His only treasure
is a little notebook and a little human like figure called automaton that his
father gave him before he died. His life changes when an old man
catches him stealing. At the end, his undercover life takes a positive change.
Evaluation criteria: setting & character
The setting of the story takes place in
Paris. The illustrator provides the reader with a variety of pictures that show particular places and symbols help the reader make the connection. We see
that the train station is big with high ceilings. We can also see is a very busy place. Hugo’s world is very small. He lives in a
small apartment and he's hiding from people most of the time.
Lessons: http://librarysparks.com/pdf/librarysparks/2008/lsp_nov08_LL_hugo_cabret.pdf
Click on the link to play the
soundtrack while you read the chapters to your students: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hrBd6GhDuNk&index=2&list=PL9EEB8C1C2179074F
References:
Hugo Soundtrack - 01 The Thief.
(n.d.). YouTube. Retrieved
June 20, 2014.
Lunch Lady
Krosoczka,
J. (2009). Lunch Lady and the
League of Librarians. New York: Alfred A. Knopf.
Summary:
The librarians want to destroy all
the consoles of the new x-station 5000. They went to intercept the shipments of
all the games. They fight against the men by throwing books to them. The
furious animals came out of the books, to fight against the men. Lunch lady was
there just in time to help the men. Dee, Terrence and Hector helped too.
At the end the librarians went to jail.
Evaluation criteria:
Lunch lady is an undercover spy. She is very brave and saves
the day every time there's an opportunity. She overcomes any obstacle along the way. At the end
she always let us know that good is more powerful than evil. When she goes to
try to save the men transporting the consoles, the reader makes a connection
with team work. It is easy for students to identify with the characters because
that is what they see at school. The author creates believable characters. The theme is the importance of reading.
Click on the link to watch the book
trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TCKsVhiWu8
References:
Lunch Lady and the League of
Librarians. (n.d.). YouTube.
Retrieved June 20, 2014.
Today I Will Fly!
Willems,
M. (2007). Today I will fly!.
New York: Hyperion Books for Children.
Summary:
Piggie wants to fly, but Gerald constantly reminds her that she can't. Piggie gets excited when a dog chases her and she jumps on top of Gerald. She believes she finally flew, but in reality it had been just a jump. Finally, with the help of a duck she
eventually flies by hanging from a string that the duck is holding.
Evaluation criteria:
Children will easily connect with these
characters because they can identify with things these characters are facing. The book contains
simple pictures and dialogue that is very easy to read. Everybody’s desire to make
dreams come true is important. It will teach children that sometimes we need a
little help to accomplish what we want.
The world of Elephant & Piggie lesson activities:
References:
Today I Will Fly - By Mo Willems
Read Along. (n.d.). YouTube.
Retrieved June 20, 2014.
Willems,
M. (2007). Today I will fly!. [Photograph]. Retrieved from http://www.amazon.com
