Dear America Series.
A Picture of Freedom was my very favorite. This first-person narrative of life as a plantation slave was moving, thought provoking, and age-appropriate for my 9 year old.
Last year my son and I read a variety of books from the Dear America Series. A Picture of Freedom was my very favorite. This first-person narrative of life as a plantation slave was moving, thought provoking, and age-appropriate for my 9 year old. We also checked out the movie from the local library - and were not disappointed. It's a great addition for those studying the underground railroad, the civil war, or cotton plantations of the south.
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Last year (after a gracious and generous gift from family friends) my sons became the proud owners of more than 30 Secrets of Droon books! This series became a literary obsession for my youngest son. Book after book, he seemed to never tire of the characters and their ongoing magical adventures. Finally, this week, I checked out the last few books from our public library. It feels a bit like a rite of passage to finally complete the full series. When we first began reading these books – my youngest son couldn’t independently read the text (which is leveled at approximately 2nd or 3rd grade). He waited patiently for me to sit with him or begged his brother to indulge him by reading aloud. In a pinch, I was even known to hand the nine year-old a buck as a bribe to read aloud to his sibling while I cooked-up dinner. Little by little, as my youngest has gained new reading skills, he has independently checked in with these books to see if he can conquer them alone. The series became his great motivator: his personal goal was to read a Droon book on his own before the summer after 1st grade. I think he’ll just make it! I often recommend the series to other families who are looking for something to hook their young reader. Third and fourth grade boys can sit down with these gems and equally enjoy the fantasy Tony Abbot weaves together. Straight forward and high interest: These ain’t no baby-books! I have seen children up to age 10 enjoy this series. When I explain the Secrets of Droon series to other Moms, I always disclose two main points: 1) Droon is like ‘Harry Potter’- but for the younger set. Three young children find themselves in a magical world of adventure, danger, and mystery! There are good wizards and bad wizards. There is a magical door between our world and theirs. You root for the hero and wonder how they’ll ever defeat the enemy. 2) Droon is not great literature. So many twists, turns, characters, subplots, secrets, reveals, and dream sequences -- I can barely keep up. However, the kid-friendly suspense does hook young readers like nobody’s business. Of course, with this series (as with all chapter books), I involved my boy in the ‘reading’ from the very start. Below are a few of the pre-reader activities that I used as soon as we began to enjoy this series. Activities like this can help develop the ‘reading readiness’ skills that will provide a foundation for later success. 1) Explore the Title Page. Toddlers: Point to the title as you read it aloud. Talk about how the Title Page is similar to the book’s front cover. Preschoolers: Point to the name of the author while you say it aloud and show your child a picture of the author (if it is available on the inside of the back cover.) If there is a series logo, draw attention this mark and ask about it each time you read one of the books included. Just as a child can ‘read’ the golden arches of McDonald’s – they can recognize the symbol designate to a book series. Beginning Readers: Now include your child in the reading of the title. They should be able to begin read small words like... the, it, and, or on. You can also model ‘sounding out’ any words that follow simple phonetic rules. As your child’s skills progress, have them take charge of reading the title aloud in full before you begin reading the story. In addition, ask your child to predict what the title and the picture on the front cover might be revealing about the story inside. 2) Investigate the Table of Contents. Toddlers: Point to the title of each chapter as you read them aloud. Count (aloud) the number of chapters and note how you can find the page on which each begins. Preschoolers:Ask your child to count the number of chapters that are in the book. Point to a chapter – read its title out loud – and ask your child to say the number of the page where it will begin. Do this for several of the chapters (in no particular order). Beginning Readers: Now include your child in the reading of the titles. Without pointing at a particular chapter, just read aloud its name and ask your child to identify its page number start. As your child becomes more familiar with this task, turn these questions around and say a page number before asking them to find the corresponding chapter’s title. Ask your child to predict what may happen in the book based on the all the chapter title names. 3) Starting Each Chapter Toddlers: Ask your child to identify the number printed at the start of the chapter. You could also point to the page number and read that number aloud to them. Point to the chapter title as you read it aloud. Preschoolers: Ask your child to identify the page number. Turn back to the Table of Contents and show them where this information is noted. Ask them how many chapter have been read before this one and how many will follow. Beginning Readers: Slowly release responsibility of reading the chapter number and titles to your child. This will soon become automatic. When ready, ask them to start also taking responsibility for the first sentence. This gradual shift is key when your child has enough skill to read the words, but not enough practice to read the text fast enough to enjoy the plot. The act of reading the chapter’s title and first sentence involves them, but doesn’t overwhelm them. They can enjoy the story line, but also become aware of their own progress and growing ability to tackle the words on the printed page. Finally, here’s a video of my son and I talking though many of these same activities. After talking through these activities with my son (month after month), he’s an old pro. It’s proof positive that every bit of reading practice squeezed-in, can help prepare a child for the independent reading that lies ahead. Little Bear books by Else Holmelund Minarik are not for beginning readers who are looking to reinforce basic vocabulary. Instead, these delightful books (filled with dialogue) help basic readers who are developing their inflection and fluency. In the video here, you'll see my son read one short chapter in this book. Notice his self-corrections, the repetition of phrases and his eagerness to find the rhythm and meaning of the conversation between the animals. These are advanced reading strategies - all within an age appropriate genre that seems to tickle his funny bone. I am always fascinated when I hear my boy read. His progress pleases me. He's done the hard work to make all those letters, and dots and dashes, come together to tell a story. With Little Bear on the page --- that's a story we can all understand and enjoy together.
For my oldest son, 4th grade has been the year to go from 'little kid' to 'big kid'. His feet are getting bigger. He’s earned more freedom (and responsibility) at home. He was assigned his first oral presentation at school. My son took to this new school assignment immediately. He worked at home for several evenings, seriously pouring over his books. I admit to occasionally hovering over his shoulder and asking questions, but otherwise I stayed hands-off as he prepared his notes, speech outline, and visual aids. Asked to tell his classmates about the life and work of Cesar Chavez, my son created a timeline to tell of Chavez’s birth, his childhood in poverty, and the experiences that led him to found the National Farm Workers Association. Although I was not well versed in the history of this famous man (or his methods), I did have one resources that I couldn’t help but offer to my son. The Circuit by Francisco Jimenez is a powerful book that details the life of migrant farm workers. Written from the perspective of a growing boy, the historical fiction gives life to children who speak a different language, change schools often, labor beside their parents, and dream of a better life.
I first read this book as part of a university class, but find the writing and message equally accessible to a fourth grade reader. My son was quiet when he read the book and clearly interested in the story. When done, he told me: “It’s sad, Mom.” Later at the grocery store, he asked me: “Are those union grapes?” Yes, he’s getting bigger, growing older, and stealing his mother’s heart… again and again! _After just two pages of this book – I was ready to put it down. The main character made some pretty unkind comments about his classmates and I was quickly tiring of his attitude. But…. I continued on and soon found that the negative tone was all part of the author’s plan. Now... I’m a Yoda convert and eager to spread the word about this book. The Strange Case of Origami Yoda chronicles the complicated life of a small group of sixth grade boys. That means the ups and downs of passing between classes, the rough and tumble ribbing of friends in the cafeteria, and the craziness of liking girls but perhaps no really liking the liking of girls. Like I said: It’s complicated. The book format offers the perspective and voice of several middle-school aged boys and girls. It also includes doodles in the margins and narrator notes at the end of each chapter. Author Tom Angleberger moves the story along quickly and cleverly builds the plot line until the main character (from those first two pages) comes to the realization that unkind comments can hurt you, just as much as the people you’re speaking about. Of course, this is all done very smoothly and includes ... drum roll please….. a slew of Star Wars references and directions on how to fold an origami yoda. Ubercool. My 9 year old enjoyed this story. He skimmed through the part about school dances and focused primarily on the creative problem solving of origami yoda. We followed this read with Darth Paper Strikes Back. _ I liked this book even better. There was definitely a good vs. evil vibe, a happy ending, and lessons learned. My nine year-old kept stopping so he could re-read passages aloud to me that thought were funny: which slowed down his reading quite a bit because that included a LOT of passages.
As a mommy of a growing boy, I sometimes use books as a gateway to conversations I want to have with my son. He's not always willing to sit through a lecture from his mother about his behavior or choices, but he's almost always willing to talk about "Dwight's issues" and "Tommy's reaction" from the story. I give this book two thumbs up and would recommend it (bundled with a pack of origami paper and a Star Wars DVD) as the ultra cool birthday gift for the 5th-8th grader you love. _Here’s another book my 4th grader and I recently previewed enjoyed. _ This book features a class of fifth graders who quickly fall in love with their teacher. And what’s not to love? Mr. Terupt is funny, forgiving, smart, honest, and dedicated to teaching fifth grade. Until…. the unimaginable happens.
Each chapter of this book is written by a different student. The “authors” list includes the standard new girl, the drama queen, the “fat” kid, a brainy boy, a class prankster, two class bullies, and the lone social outcast. This character set-up could be a recipe for stereotyped-disaster, but Author Rob Buyea tells the complicated stories that lie behind these classic labels and sends the message that you just might not realize how hard others really have it. Mid book, the story becomes a true page-turner after a tragic accident changes the lives of students and teacher. I actually had to flip to the back to read the conclusion, as I couldn’t bear to keep reading if the novel’s end was as sad as the middle. Good news though: Buyea likes a happy ending just as much as I do. My nine year also enjoyed this book. He giggled through the first 100 pages, then became incredibly quiet before telling me: "Jeffery is really sad, Mom." I then watched him flip to the back page to investigate the final outcome of the story. Apparently this apple doesn't fall far from the tree. Here’s a great classic for boys (and girls) age 7 to 9. Sid Fleischman takes us to the world of royal princes, no-good highwaymen, dancing bears and the possibility that some people may never have to face the consequences of their actions. It's a Newbery Medal winner and an elementary school library favorite.
I have few academic memories of middle school, but a seemingly unlimited number of stories about best-friends-forever who were not, epic drama in the cafeteria, and I-heard-that-she-said-that-he-said whispers in the girls' bathroom. The 6th through 8th grade years are simultaneously fabulous and horrific. It's an exciting time for youth who are finding their own voice, maneuvering a changing body, and trying-on new independence. However, I've considered asking for a sabbatical from parenthood when my own boys reach the middle school years. I may not be strong enough to endure the angst. This delightful book enters the world of middle school girls through two voices. One voice belongs to Colleen Pomerantz, who is sucked into the drama of the resident 'mean girl' while valiantly struggling to remain true to herself. The other voice belongs to Emma-Jean Lazarus, an objective observer to the complicated choices of her tween peers. As an adult, I tend to read between the lines detailing such characters, but as a whole I was impressed that this book offers a wonderfully balanced view of the social maze that middle school girls often travel. There is good (the joy of a BFF and the excitement only expressed through high-pitch squealing) and there is bad (fear of rejection and feeling hopelessly misunderstood). However, in the end all is ok. In the end, you will survive. In the end, things get better.
A bit of humor, a dose of truth, and a subtle underlying mystery -- I highly recommend this book for young girls who can relate to the overall setting. Of course, I don't think my nine-year old son will share my appreciation. I found this 'Emma-Jean Lazarus title' while previewing books for his nightstand. So.....I guess that means it's back to the stacks for me. I'll let you know what I find. An open letter to Author Barbara Robinson: Dear Barbara,
For years our family has enjoyed ‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.’ Beth’s clear voice detailing life with the Herdmans is both funny and honest. Claude, Imogene, and Ollie are like no other kids we’ve known and yet poignantly remind us of our very selves. Recently we had the pleasure of reading ‘The Best School Year Ever’ and ‘The Best Halloween Ever’ and to you we say: More! More! More! We want to read more about Leroy. We want to better understand Imogene. We want to know what happens to that one-eyed cat! We want books (and movies) that bring young readers to Beth’s hometown to marvel and gasp at the unending adventure of children who seem bad, and mean, and nasty, and crazy AND ultimately terribly misunderstood. Keep writing Barbara. We want to keep reading! Sincerely, NW Kid Chaser |
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