Bri Varela

Esperanza Rising
By: Pam Muoz Ryan
2000
Scholastic Inc.
Historical Fiction- Characteristic of Difference- Gender/Ethnicity- Female Lead/Mexican
253 pages

Summary:
Esperanza Ortega is a young Mexican girl living on her familys ranch. She
leads a wonderful life of privilege filled with dresses, parties and servants. Then
one day everything changes. Her father passes away and her greedy uncles take
over the ranch. In an attempt to force Esperanzas mother to marry him, one of
the uncles burns down the farm. In order to escape the uncles and their selfindulgence, Esperanza and her mother must travel to the United States. They flee
to California and work in a migrant camp. With very little money or possessions
the women must work to stay alive. Then Esperanzas mother gets sick. It is up to
Esperanza to provide for the family and pay all the bills.
Personal Response:
Family is a very important part of this book. I connect to this book because
of this strong tie with family. They always have large family dinners and my family
does as well. We try to have dinner as a family as much as possible. I also
connected to Esperanzas connection with her dad. I also have a close
relationship with my dad and call him Papi like she does. When Esperanza
mentioned having a Quinceaera I was reminded of when I was turning 15. My
grandma wanted me to have a Quinceaera but it never ended up happening. I
think it would have been kind of cool to have one because I really want to be
more connected with my Mexican heritage. I can also relate to having a distant
uncle who is very focused on money not family. My aunts husband is very aloof

when we visit and is constantly jumping from job to job to try and make his
fortune. I was really intrigued by all of the Mexican culture in this book because
I was learning more about where my family comes from.
Strengths/Weaknesses:
S: Even though this book is fiction, it almost seems like fact. The author
used her grandmothers stories to help make this book more realistic and
believable. It is really well written and very touching. Another strength is the
Spanish used through out. The author always put the English translation right
after the Spanish so that all readers can understand and enjoy this book. This
adds even more realism. An additional strength is that this book is designed for
female readers. Since most books for females are all about love and princesses, I
think that this book does a great job of giving young girls a deeper and more
meaningful book to read.
W: One weakness that I found was that Esperanza wasnt very likeable in
the beginning of the book. She was very spoiled and rude to others. She always
wanted her way. I think that some children might get annoyed with how selfcentered Esperanza starts out. Another weakness is that I think this book is aimed
more at female readers. In one way that is a good thing as I said earlier, but it is
also a weakness because it will not appeal to the entire class.
How this book might be used:
This book would be a good literature circle book or as an independent read.
As a literature circle book it would go well with a Great Depression unit or as a
unit on Hispanic cultures or diversity. I would use it like this because it hits a very
serious topic of the racism against Mexicans as well as shows what was

happening during the time of the Great Depression from a different viewpoint. It
would also work well to talk about family and relationships. This book is a good fit
for 6th to 8th grade. The theme of racism and the importance of the time period
might be lost on anyone younger than 6th grade. Although the writing is a little
easier they readers need to be mature enough to handle the topics and be able to
delve deeper into the meaning presented.

Flat Stanley: His Original Adventure!

By: Jeff Brown
Illustrated by: Macky Pamintuan
1992
HarperCollins Publishers
Fantasy
72 pages
Summary:
Stanley Lambchop is a young boy who is flattened in his sleep by a bulletin
board. Stanley enjoyed being flat. He slide under closed doors, mailed himself in
an envelope, sailed as a kite and helped catch museum thieves! But people
started to tease Flat Stanley and he got tired of being flat. So, Flat Stanley and his
brother Arthur try to reverse his flatness by inflating him with an air pump. It
worked and Flat Stanley went back to his normal self.
Personal Response:
I thought this book was really cute. It is a fun story that his some good
themes in it. There is a part where Stanley is teased because he is different. I can
relate to this because I was teased a lot when I was younger because I am so
short. I have felt the way Stanley felt and so I understand this part of the story
better. I also connect to the part where Stanley has a friend move away. I have

had many friends move away through out my schooling. I have even been the
one who moved. It was really hard to keep connected to my old friends and make
time to visit them. I rarely got to visit so I wish I could have mailed myself.
Strengths/Weaknesses:
S: This story is fun and the pictures are neat. The pictures all add to the
story and give students a glimpse into Stanleys world. I think children would
really enjoy this story and be excited to read this one and all its sequels. This
book doesnt fit into one subject area so it could be used in many different ways. I
can see connections to social studies, social skills, math and writing.
W: One weakness that I found was gender stereotyping. The dad works in
an office while the mom stays at home with the kids. The mom evens complains
that her husband gets to have fun in the office while she has to deal with
difficult boys. Additionally the nurse is a female while the doctor is a male. The
only female character is the mother who really doesnt play a large part in the
story. Also when the thieves talk about what would happen to the person who
tries to catch them, they said they would kill them. Some kids might not notice
this but to me it seemed a little violent and unnecessary.
How this book might be used:
This book could be used as an independent read, a read aloud or as a
literature circle type book. If used as a read aloud I think it would be fun to have
students make flat versions of themself and then write stories about what they
would do and where they would go if they were flat. I also like the idea of
connecting it to geography by having students ship their flat selves to friends and
family in different places in the world. They could map all the places the students

go. I could also use it in math to talk about measurement since Stanley gets
measured in the doctors office. This book also has some good moral lessons
about accepting others and not judging people that could be good life skills to
incorporate in a lesson. I could use this book with a wide range of elementary
school students depending on how it is used. I think as an independent read, it
would be best in a 3rd or 4th grade classroom. As a read aloud it would more
flexible and could be used with 1st-4th graders.

In the Promised Land: Lives of Jewish Americans

By: Doreen Rappaport
Illustrated by: Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu
2005
HarperCollins Publishers
Biography- Characteristic of Difference- Religion- Judaism
31 pages
Summary:
This book is about thirteen different Jewish Americans who have made an
important impact during their lifetime. From Asser Levy to Lillian Copeland to
Steven Spielberg, this book highlights one key event in each persons life from an
up close and person viewpoint.
Personal Response:
I really liked the set up of this book. I like the snapshots of each person.
They were intriguing, yet not too long as to be boring. I connected with the story

of Jacob Davis because I wear jeans everyday and so his story was relevant to my
life. I also was excited to see Steven Spielberg because I love movies and have
seen quite a few of his. Many of the names were familiar to me but I had never
realized that they were Jewish. Lillian Coplands story reminded me of another
track star that has been in the news a lot as of late, Bruce Jenner. Their stories
arent exact but I was reminded of the interview I watched about him. Bruce
didnt get the results that he wanted at his first Olympics so he came back and
won it 4 years later just like Copland.
Strengths/Weaknesses:
S: An important strength this book has is that it shows snapshots of many
different peoples lives. Instead of having a long and boring description of their
life, it gives one important moment. This gets kids intrigued and leaves them
wanting to know more. The author then lists resources for the children so that
they can find more information on the people that interested them. Another
strength is the beautiful drawings. The illustrations are eye catching and realistic.
This book shows the battles that the Jewish people have faced when coming to
America and that many are no different than what other Americans were facing at
the time. It makes the book more relatable and gets students to see that the
people in this book are just like them.
W: One weakness may be that there isnt much information in the story so
there are gaps in understanding. The teacher may have to make sure that they
have books on all these people that would be accessible to the kids in case they
want to learn more. There are also some words used that most students wont

know such as daguerreotypes and anti-Semitic. The teacher would need to

consider this before reading the story.
How this book might be used:
This book would be a great read aloud book or used as an independent
read. The pictures and the way the information is told in the form of a story make
it the perfect read aloud book. I think it fits in well with Social Studies if you are
learning about the time periods that each person is from. You could just read
aloud the ones from the era that you are learning about in history. I think this
book is a great starter for doing a research project unit on famous diverse
Americans. It gives students ideas about people who they wouldnt normally think
of doing. It also gives students a look at Jewish people outside of just the
Holocaust. I think this book is appropriate for grades 2 to 4. The stories are simple
and the words are mostly easier. I think it would be better as a jumping off point
for a research project in the older grades and as a read aloud in the younger
grades.

Anything But Typical

By: Nora Raleigh Baskin
2009
Scholastic Inc.
Realistic Fiction- Characteristic of Difference- Disability- Autism
195 pages

Summary:
Jason Blake is a 12-year-old boy who has Autism. Jason is smart but he is
different. He doesnt fit in and people think he is weird or gross. Jason
communicates best through writing. When he posts his stories online, he meets a
girl named Rebecca. Jason finds a friend in Rebecca and hopes for more but with
his daily challenges at school and at home, he is scared to meet her. He is afraid
that she will reject him because of his disability. He gets the opportunity to meet
her at a writing convention but dreads going and being rejected. In this story,
told from Jasons point of view, we get to see what the world looks like from an
autistic point of view.
Personal Response:
I am very moved by this book. I have never really known anyone with
autism and so dont have much background knowledge. I did however connect it
to what little I remembered from the SPED class I took here at Drake. This book
really showed me what it is like to be autistic and what these children must go
through on a daily basis. I connected to Jasons feeling of being left out and lonely.
I had few friends at school itself and always felt invisible. I cannot imagine being
in Jasons situation. It is much worse than mine ever was. I also connected to his
story about Bennu because I have had to deal with being short (although not that
short) my entire life. I really enjoyed this book and it gave me a new appreciation
for what I have in life. Finally I connect with Jasons apprehension on meeting
Rebecca. I have been nervous to meet new people and have always worried
about what others may think of me.
Strengths/Weaknesses:

S: This book is short and an easy read but has some very strong messages.
This book touches on bullying without being too heavy on such a difficult subject.
I think that a lot of kids would be able to relate to feeling left out or to the mean
kids in school. The voice in this piece is very strong. I love how we see the world
through Jasons eyes. I think that students who have disabilities will really be able
to connect to this story. I think the ending is well done. It is optimistic yet not too
overly positive in a way that isnt realistic.
W: One weakness would be that since it is written from Jasons point of view
it is sometimes difficult to understand what is happening and I got a little
confused as to what was just a dream and what was real life. Another weakness
might be that it is a very slow moving book with not a lot of action to it. I think
some students wouldnt enjoy reading it because their isnt much excitement.
Although I am not entire sure, I read some reviews that stated that this book isnt
entirely accurate in its portrayal of autism. I am not sure if this is true but it may
be an issue that comes up while reading this title.
How this book might be used:
I think this book would be a great independent read, read aloud or lit circle
book. I think this is an important topic that all students should get the opportunity
to read about. This would work well in a bullying unit or just as a diverse book. I
would use this book with 3rd, 4th or 5th graders depending on whether I read it
aloud or they read it independently. I would read it aloud to 3rd graders to help
them have access to the story. I would let the other grades read it independently
or in groups because I think the text is suitable for that grade level. I chose upper
elementary because of the words used and because of the serious topic of

accepting others and bullying. I think it would also be good to use the vocabulary
that Jason thinks of to teach a lesson vocabulary and using better words.

The First Strawberries: A Cherokee Story

Retold by: Joseph Bruchac
Illustrated by: Anna Vojtech
1993
Penguin Group
Traditional Literature- Characteristic of Difference- Ethnicity- Native American
29 pages
Summary:
This is a story about how the first strawberries came to be. In the beginning,
there was only a man and a woman. They married and lived together. One day
they grew angry at each other and the woman left the man. The man was sorry
but couldnt catch up to his wife to stop her. So, the sun helped the man by
growing berries to slow down the woman. She walked by all of them until she got
to the strawberries. The woman was reminded of her happiness with the man
when she ate the strawberries. Now when the Cherokee people eat strawberries
they remember this story of respect and friendship.
Personal Response:
I love that this book uses the sweetness of strawberries as a way to
describe friendship. I love strawberries and could connect to the sweetness that
the woman tasted as she bit into the first berry. I also connected with the part
where the man said words that he didnt mean. There have been countless times
when I have said things in anger that I didnt mean and that lead to fights with
friends and family members over very silly things. Finally, I connected with the

beginning part about the Creator. I associated this with my faith in a God who
created a man and a woman.
Strengths/Weaknesses:
S: This story is simple and easy to understand. It teaches a great moral in a
fun and new way. Almost every child could connect to this story and learn the
importance of forgiveness. The pictures are simple yet beautiful. They give life to
the words written on each page. It would be good as a resource for teaching
about anger and forgiveness.
W: The words are so simple that it may be boring to somewhat older
children, which limits the age range that would enjoy the book. Another possible
consideration would be that it might be connected to the religious story of Adam
and Eve, which may cause some issues in the classroom.
How this book might be used:
I think this book would be a good read aloud story. It would work well in a
Native American unit or to teach about the importance of forgiveness to younger
students. This book could be used for Kindergarten up to intermediate
elementary, depending on its use. I would use it to teach forgiveness in the
younger grades because I think that is an important life lesson that needs to be
taught early on. It is great because there are few words and descriptive pictures
as well as having a characteristic of difference. In the older grades I would use it
in a Native American unit to show my students an example of a traditional tale.
For both lessons, it would be fun to let the students eat strawberries after reading
the story.

Nonfiction Annotations
Social Studies Text
Title
Kids Make History: a New Look at Americas Story
Author and Illustrator
Susan Buckley and Elspeth Leacock
Illustrated by Randy Jones
Publisher, Year Published and pages
Boston Mifflin Company, 2006, 48
Summary:
This book tells the stories of children from important events throughout
American history. It starts in 1607 with Pocahontas and ends with Jukay
and Amit from 9/11. From surviving a war to moving across the country
these stories introduce history through a childs perspective. Each
story includes maps and pictures that help show the event.
Related CCSS, Iowa Core or Professional Standard:
Iowa Core:
SS.3-5.H.4
Understand the role of individuals and groups within a society as
promoters of change or the status quo.
SS.3-5.H.6
Understand the effects of geographic factors on historical events
SS.3-5.H.8
Understand cause and effect relationships and other historical thinking
skills in order to interpret events and issues.

Age/ Grade Level and How It Would Be Used:

I would use this book for grades 4 or 5. This book would be a great
daily read aloud. I could start my social studies lessons with a chapter
from the book. Ideally I would align the chapters with what we are
studying but if that is not possible then it would just be used to focus
the students on the subject of history. I also would have other
resources for the ideas that are talked about in the book so that
students who are interested in the subject can do more research on the
topic or person. I will use this book as a way to get students intrigued
and wanting to learn more about history. One activity that comes to
mind to help teach about time lines would be to have students create a
timeline of the stories that can be hung up in the classroom.

Science Text
Title
How Big is it?: A BIG Book All About Bigness
Author and Illustrator
Ben Hillman
Publisher, Year Published and pages
Scholastic Inc., 2007, 48
Summary:
This book gives perspective to very large things both in space and on
earth. These large objects, from polar pears to stars, are compared
next to items that children can understand such as a basketball net
and New York City. It has large, colorful pictures and detailed
descriptions of each object.
Related CCSS, Iowa Core or Professional Standard:
Next Generation Science Standards:
LS4.A: Evidence of Common Ancestry and Diversity
Some kinds of plants and animals that once lived on Earth are no
longer found anywhere. (Note: moved from K-2) (3-LS4-1)
Fossils provide evidence about the types of organisms that lived long
ago and also about the nature of their environments. (3-LS4-1)
ESS1.A: The Universe and its Stars
The sun is a star that appears larger and brighter than other stars
because it is closer. Stars range greatly in their distance from Earth. (5ESS1-1)
Scale, Proportion, and Quantity
Natural objects exist from the very small to the immensely large. (5-

ESS1-1)
Age/ Grade Level and How It Would Be Used:
I believe that this book would be good somewhere between 2nd and 5th
grade. It would be great as a fun but educational read aloud in 2nd
grade. In 3rd grade, I would use it to talk about plants and animals that
once lived on this Earth but are no longer found, since a lot of the
entries fit in that category. It could be a read aloud but also great for
students to look at and research from on their own. For 4th and 5th
grade I could also talk about the stars and the universe as well as scale
of objects. Since scale is a more abstract idea it shouldnt be taught
until students are developmentally ready. I think this book is just the
way to make the abstract more concrete. I would use this as a starting
point for a lesson on scale. Then I could have students find their own
very large or small object to study.

Math Text
Title
The Best of Times
Author and Illustrator
Greg Tang
Illustrated by Harry Briggs
Publisher, Year Published and pages
Scholastic Press, 2002, 28
Summary:
Strategies for doing multiplication by 0-10. Through out the book there
are helpful rhymes to help students develop strategies for solving
multiplication problems instead of memorizing the times tables. Harder
challenge problems are also provided at the bottom of each page.
Related CCSS, Iowa Core or Professional Standard:
Common Core:
Multiply and divide within 100.
CCSS.MATH.CONTENT.3.OA.C.7
Fluently multiply and divide within 100, using strategies such as the
relationship between multiplication and division (e.g., knowing that 8
5 = 40, one knows 40 5 = 8) or properties of operations. By the end

of Grade 3, know from memory all products of two one-digit numbers.

Age/ Grade Level and How It Would Be Used:
I would use this book in 3rd grade because that is when students really
start to use multiplication and need to know all the one-digit products
by memory. I think this book would really help students be able to
understand multiplication and develop strategies for solving the
problems instead of just memorizing facts. I would use this book as
the introduction to my math lesson on multiplication after students
already have a base understanding. This way students already know
how to multiply and this book can give them new strategies to help
them cement their understanding before the end of the year. I would
use it as a read aloud. As a class, students can solve the problems
posed in the book in their notebooks or on whiteboards.

Science:
Poem:

The Egg by Jack Prelutsky

If you listen very carefully, you'll hear the chicken hatching.
At first there scarcely was a sound, but now a steady scratching.
And now the egg begins to crack the scratching starts to quicken,
As anxiously we all await the exit of the chicken.
And now a head emerges from the darkness of the egg,
And now a bit of fluff appears, and now a tiny leg,
And now the chicken's out at last, he's shaking himself loose,
But, wait a minute that's no chicken...
Goodness, it's a goose.

Source: Lewis, J. (2012). National Geographic Book of Animal Poetry: 200

Poems with Photographs That Squeak, Soar, and Roar! (p. 9). Washington, D.C.:
National Geographic.

Why: This poem is very cute and gets at the life cycles of chickens as well as

shows that more than just chickens come from eggs. Additionally the photographs
that go along with the poem in the book are beautiful.

How and Who: I would use this poem as a read aloud for 1st to 3rd graders.
This could be used in a unit about life cycles. I think it would be fun to have
students draw a picture to match the poem before they see the photograph in the
book.

Language Arts:
Poem:
Clatter by Joyce Armor
If I should list my favorite words,
Theyd sound a lot like this:
Rumble, crash, snort, jangle, thump,
Roar, fizzle, splat, moo, hiss.
Not to mention gobble, clang,
Tweet, sputter, ticktock, growl;
Crackle, chirp, boom, whistle, wheeze,
Squawk, jingle, quack, thud, howl.
Then of course theres grunt, toot, cuckoo,
Thunder, bang, pop, mush,
Rattle, splash, rip, ding-dong, and
My parents favoriteHush!

Source: Lansky, B. (1991). Kids Pick the Funniest Poems (p. 3). Minnetonka, MN:
Meadowbrook Press.

Why: I selected this poem because I thought it was a fun poem that would be
perfect for teaching onomatopoeia. I like that it uses so many different
onomatopoeias and that it says my favorite words sound like this. This shows a
great definition of what onomatopoeia is.

How and Who: I would use this with 4nd graders during a figurative language
unit to teach onomatopoeia. I think it would be interesting as an echo reading. It
also might be fun to have different students make all the different sounds. I would
use this start of student thinking and then have students generate their own
examples.

Math:
Poem:

Money Poem by Unknown

Penny, penny,

Easily spent.
Copper brown
and worth one cent.
Nickel, nickel,
Thick and fat.
You're worth five cents,
I know that.
Dime, dime,
Little and thin.
I remember,
you're worth ten.
Quarter, quarter,
big and bold.
You're worth twenty-five
I am told.

Source: Money. Retrieved March 29, 2015, from

http://www.canteach.ca/elementary/songspoems70.html

Why: I choose this poem because I have seen it used in a 1st grade practicum

before and I thought it was very creative. I love this poem and thought it would be
great for helping kids remember what each coin is worth.

How and Who: I would use this poem with 1st or 2nd graders. I would start with
a read aloud and then have the students read it with me. I would give them
pictures of each coin so that they can put a visual to the words.

Social Studies:
Goods and Services
Goods, goods, goods, are things
That we make and use.
We're buying and selling
And selling and buying
Any goods we choose.
Services are things we do
That other people use.
We're buying and selling
And selling and buying
Services that we choose.

Source: Griffin, J. (2015). POEMS- SOCIAL STUDIES. Retrieved March 29, 2015,
from http://www.jologriffin.com/gazillion.cfm?subpage=25700

Why: I really liked this poem and remembered teaching a Junior Achievement
lesson on goods and services. I liked the repetition of lines and how short and
easily memorable it is.

How and Who: I would use this with 1st graders to teach basic economics. I

would read aloud the poem and then have the kids draw pictures of examples of
goods and services.

Art/music:
Put Something In by Shel Silverstein
Draw a crazy picture,
Write a nutty poem,
Sing a mumble-gumble song,
Whistle through your comb.
Do a loony-goony dance
Cross the kitchen floor,
Put something silly in the world
That aint been there before.

Source: Silverstein, S. (1981). A Light in the Attic (p. 22). New York: Harper &
Row.
Why: I love Shel Silverstein poems and I think this one has a great message

about how art can be fun and silly and it doesnt matter how good it is as long as
you try. I think it is a great message to teach to kids.

How and Who: I could use this poem with any elementary aged students as a
precursor to art integrated lessons. I would use this poem at the beginning of the
school year to create a safe environment for creativity. I would read it aloud and
then let students draw a picture, write a poem or song, or create a dance about
how their summer was. This will get students acquainted with what they will
experience in my classroom and get them open to using art to express
themselves.

Health:
I Must Remember by Shel Silverstein
I must remember

Turkey on Thanksgiving,
Pudding on Christmas,
Eggs on Easter,
Chicken on Sunday,
Fish on Friday,
Leftovers, Monday.
But ah, me Im such a dunce.
I went and ate them all at once.

Source: Silverstein, S. (1974). Where the Sidewalk Ends (p. 14). New York:
Harper & Row.

Why: I chose this poem because of my love for Silverstein and because its a

silly read. It is simplistic and fun. The receptiveness of the lines makes for a poem
that all students can read. I think it would be good to use in connection to portion
size and nutrition.

How and Who: I would use this poem in 3rd or 4th grade while looking at

nutrition. I would use MyPlate in connection with this poem to teach portion size
and the food groups. I think it would be good to have students put the foods into
food groups and see if it was a balanced meal.