Set # 3

Dear Mr. Henshaw

Cleary, B. (1983). Dear Mr. Henshaw. NY: Morrow.

Summary:
Leigh Botts writes letters to his favorite author Mr. Henshaw almost every day. One day, Mr. Henshaw writes him back and he told him to start writing a journal with his thoughts. Leigh's mom and dad were divorced. Leigh misses his dad dearly. He gets mad because his dad is not around. At the end, his dad asked mom if they could be together again, but mom said no and Leigh was okay with her answer.  


Evaluation criteria: character & theme

The character’s internal journey and emotional growth are more important than the action of the story. Leigh is a boy dealing with many problems. We see those problems in real life. The theme addresses many common things that many of our students face. With his parent's recent divorce and financial problems, Mom and Leigh had to move to a smaller house. His lunch gets stolen almost every day at school. His dad almost never comes home. After all these changes and his father's absence, he is still hopeful and positive that his dad will be part of his daily life again. 

Dear Mr. Henshaw teaching plan: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/dear-mr-henshaw-teaching-plan

Click on the link to listen to the read aloud: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Ukih3v-2hs&index=1&list=PL3X0ILQ7WQO9XQGJGJemmyoFNJaoVdKKX

References:

Cleary, B. (1983). Dear Mr. Henshaw. [Photograph]. Retrieved from

http://www.amazon.com 

Dear Mr. Henshaw, Part 1. (n.d.). YouTube. Retrieved June 7, 2014.

Out Of My Mind

Draper, S. M. (2010). Out of my mind. New York: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

Summary:

This book is about Melody, an eleven year old who has a photographic memory. Words have always swirled around her like snowflakes. Her brain does not have a delete button; everything she hears will stay there forever. She is the smartest in her school. Nobody believes she is smart because she can't talk, walk, and write. One day she got a machine that helped her talk. Finally she was able to communicate.

Evaluation criteria: character & gender

Melody, the main character of the story is a ten year old. She is diagnosed with cerebral palsy at a very young age. In this particular case, the race is not important. Her physical limitations supersede any racial or cultural problem she comes around. This could happen to anyone. This is Melody’s honest story of a girl who sometimes feels insecure, frustrated, desperate as well as happy. These are feelings that students can relate to. The author gives inspiration and hope to all children around the world that cannot talk or have any kind of limitation.  

Click on the link to watch the book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkQisi1ua9Y

Study guide, activities, research & many more: http://sharondraper.com/bookdetail.asp?id=35

References:

Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper. (n.d.). YouTube. Retrieved June 19, 2014.

Draper, S. M. (2010). Out of my mind. [Photograph]. Retrieved from 

http://www.amazon.com

Diary Of a Wimpy Kid

Kinney, J. (2007). Diary of a wimpy kid. New York: Amulet Books.

Summary:

A new school year is starting, and Greg is already in middle school. He thinks middle school is the worst idea ever invented because you see students who haven't hit their growth spur and others who already have to shave. Greg writes his experiences in his diary.However, he refers to it as a journal.  

Evaluation criteria: setting & character
It is important that the novel’s setting be believable and in a time that we recognize as present. The setting of Diary of a Wimpy Kid # 1 is mainly at Greg’s and Ralphie’s home and at school. The main character lets us know throughout the story about his strengths and weaknesses. The description of the place and the people in the school is very accurate. The author describes the students in a very realistic way. On his description, he mentions children who have not grown enough and others that must shave already. He strongly believes that these are the reasons for school bullying.

Click on the link to listen to the reading of the first pages: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJ9uWtdcSCs 

Lesson plans and teaching resources: http://www.webenglishteacher.com/kinney.html

References:

Reading Diary Of A Wimpy Kid - Book #1. (n.d.). YouTube. Retrieved June 19, 2014.

Kinney, J. (2007). Diary of a wimpy kid. [Photograph]. Retrieved from 
http://www.amazon.com

Rules

Lord, C. (2006). Rules. New York: Scholastic.

Summary:

David has autism. Catherine is his older sister. She is trying to teach rules to David. Kyle makes fun of David all the time. David thinks he is his friend. Catherine wishes to have a normal brother so people could not have to stare at David all the time. Jason goes to therapy at the same time as David. Jason teaches Catherine to appreciate others and that it’s OK to have friends who are different. 

Evaluation criteria: Style and character

This novel is written from Catherine’s perspective, which is first person point of view. The reader identifies with Catherine because she struggles to find her identity. Catherine wants to fit in, she is afraid that Kristi might think she is not cool. The language the author uses is very conversational. The main character, Catherine is constantly arguing with herself and the other characters. The first conflict is with his brother David; he embarrasses Catherine for what he does. She tries to teach him rules, but he cannot get it. The character’s internal growth should be the main focus of the story. Catherine feels good at the end. After all the lies, Jason and Kristi decided to forgive her and she learns her lesson.

Click on the link to watch the book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EacSMcS2yc0

Discussion guide: http://www.cynthialord.com/pdf/rules_discuss.pdf

References:

Book Trailer for RULES by Cynthia Lord. (n.d.). YouTube. Retrieved June 20, 2014.

Lord, C. (2006). Rules. [Photograph]. Retrieved from 
http://www.amazon.com 

Bridge To Terabithia

Paterson, K. (1977). Bridge to Terabithia. New York: Harper Teen.

Summary:

Jesse Oliver Aarons Jr. has been practicing to become the faster runner in 5th grade. One day, he met Leslie Burke, a girl who happens to be his new neighbor, and they became best friends. They spend most of the time playing on Leslie's backyard. They invented a place called Terabithia. One day, Leslie goes to Terabithia by herself and she drowned. 


Click Evaluation criteria: plot & theme

Jess is an eleven year old who dreams of being the fastest boy in fifth grade. The story takes place in a rural area. He thinks that by being the fastest runner his dad will pay more attention to him. He loves to draw, but he knows that his dad does not like it. The main theme in this novel is friendship. Leslie and Jesse's friendship is so magical because it allows them to escape from reality. They are able to find their true selves. They complement and help each other in their daily adventures. 

Click on the link to listen to chapter 1 & 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pbg9K_wrc24

Discussion guide: http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/bridge-terabithia-discussion-guide

References:

BTTCh1&2. (n.d.). YouTube. Retrieved June 20, 2014.

Paterson, K. (1977). Bridge to Terabithia. [Photograph]. Retrieved from 
http://www.amazon.com