Barton, Byron. The Little Red Hen. New York: Harper Collins, 1993.
Genre: Toy and movable books
This story tells about a little red hen and her lazy friends. Since none of her friends want to help her with planting and growing grains, grinding wheat to make flour, and feeding her baby chicks, she does it by herself. Nobody wants to help but everyone wants to eat the bread she makes from doing all this
Lobel, Arnold. Frog and Toad are Friends. New York: Harper Collins, 1979.
Genre: Fiction – Picture Story Books
Caldecott Award winner
This adorable story talks about two amphibians, a frog and a toad, who are the best friends. Frog and toad seem to be inseparable. Everything they do, they do together. This story tells about the adventures they experience together. Together they go swimming, tell stories, and write letters, and much more!
Rockwell, Anne. I Fly. New York: Crown Publishers,. Inc. (Dragonfly Books), 1997.
Genre: concept book
A little boy is on a plane on his way to visit his cousin. This educational book is filled with colorful illustrations that explain in detail what to expect on a plane trip. From what sounds you are expected to hear, like the sound of when the seat belt sign goes on to when the engines of the plane become quiter as the plane is about to land. The author also tells of a helpful tip: yawning to pop your ears. This is a great book for children who are first time travellers.
Creech, Sharon. Heartbeat. New York: Harper Collins, 2004.
Genre: poetry fiction
Carnegie Medal winner
Annie is a 12 year old who loves to run and draw. Her mom is about to have a baby, her grandfather is growing old and seems to be more and more forgetful, and her best-friend Max is always in a bad mood. Annie is given an art project where she is asked to draw 100 apples. This project makes her understand the changes that are going on in her life and the relationships that she has with the people that are in her life, helping her understand herself and everything that goes on around her.
Lowry, Lois. Number the Stars. New York: Houghton Mifflin, 1989.
Genre: historical fiction
Newbery Award winner
This is a courages story about a little 10 year old girl, Annemarie Johannesen. Annemarie and her family help her best friend, whose name is Ellen Rose to assist her and her family to get out of the country. The story takes place in Denmark during WWII. The Nazi’s were sending Jews to death camps. Many Jewish families were fleeing from Denmark to Sweden for safety.
Hinton, S.E. The Outsiders. New York: Viking Press, 1967.
Genre: general fiction
There are two types of people. The greasers and the socs, which are gangs. A soc is wealthy and can get away almost get away from anything or any kind of trouble. Socs also have a very strong attitude. Contrarily, the greasers need to always watch what they are doing. The main character, Ponyboy is part of the greasers. Not only is he proud of who he is, but he is also very willing to stick out for his people. One night, one of his friends, Johnny, kills one of the socs. This murder causes the Ponyboy’s perception of the split world to change and fall apart. This teaches them that pain happens whether one is a greaser or a soc.
Dahl, Roald. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. New York: Puffin Books, 1964.
Genre: Fiction, Fantasy Children’s novel
Awards: New England Round Table of Children’s Librarians Award, Surrey School Award, Millennium Children’s Book Award, Blue Peter Book Award
This delightful novel is about the famous Willy Wonka the chocolate maker, who is inviting 5 people to his factory for one day. The fortunate 5 people who are find the Golden Ticket in a chocolate bar are going to be able to take a tour in this factory. Charlie Bucket is a very poor boy who finds a one dollar bill on the floor and uses it to buy 2 of these chocolate bars… finding a Golden Ticket in one of his bars! This is like a dream come true for him and never again will his life be the same again.
Bunting, Eve. Going Home. New York: Harper Collins, 1996
Genre: general fiction
This is an amazing book about the joy and spirit of Mexico and its extravagant holiday. It is almost Christmas. Carlos and his family are going home on this road trip, where they drive to Mexico. But to Carlos, Mexico does not feel like home. Although him and his sister are born in Mexico, they were raised in the United States. They go to this village called La Perla. Carlos is slowly being sucked in by the extraordinary festivities and learns to understand his mom and dad’s attatchment to Mexico. It eventually comes to him that home is absolutely anywhere you make it.
Dahl, Roald. James and the Giant Peach. New York: Puffin Books, 1961
Genre: juvenile fiction
James Trotter drops magical crystals near an old peach tree by accident. Soon enough, very weird things happen. A peach all the way at the top of the tree grows uncontrollably and is soon as big as a house! James finds a way to crawl into the peach and this is where he meets awesome bug friends and embarks on a great unforgetable adventure. He had always felt like hi did not belong, living with his awful aunts. Now he has finally found a place where he is welcomed and a place where he feels like he belongs.
Lindgren, Astrid. Pippi Longstocking. New York: Viking Press, 1950
Genre: juvenile fiction, humor
Pippi Longstocking is a 9 year old red head with braids and shoes that are a little too big for. Pippi is a very lovable character who is full of heart and energy. This novel talks about her adventures which are incredible funny!
