HITLER YOUTH

Bartoletti, S. (2005).  Hitler Youth.  NY: Scholastic.

Bartoletti  offers a unique viewpoint on WWII by focusing on the young people who followed Hitler. The story focuses on members of the Hitler Youth, but also profiles some of the group’s opposition and its Jewish targets. The author’s portrait of individuals within the Hitler Youth who failed to realize that they served a murderer is convincing, and while it does not excuse their actions, it certainly will allow readers to understand the circumstances that led to the formation of Hitler’s youngest followers.

Evaluative Criteria:

Lesson Plans

 

 

 

Textbook Assignment #2

Textbook Assignment #2

WE ARE THE SHIP

Nelson, K. (2008).  We are the ship. NY: Hyperion.

We are the Ship by Kadir Nelson is a breathtaking story of Negro League Baseball. This story takes the reader on a journey of talent and determination amidst discrimination, segregation, and low pay. Even still, the overall theme running throughout the story is the love of the game no matter the conditions. This tale of Negro League Baseball looks at players from the 1920s through the 1940s and makes the reader feel connected through the rich oil paintings of also by Nelson.

Evaluative Criteria:

Lesson Plans  

 

HOW THEY CROAKED

Bragg, G. (2011). How they croaked: The awful ends of the awfully famous.NY: Walker.

How they Croaked by Georgia Bragg is full of vivid and gory nonfiction tales about the multitude of ways that many famous people have died. Is is definitely not for the faint of heart; after I read about Elizabeth I’s sore in her throat that burst, I had to take a moment to gather myself. Interested in how George Washington or Cleopatra died? Then this accurate and intriguing book is for you!

Evaluative Criteria:

Lesson Plans

BALLOONS OVER BROADWAY

Sweet, M. (2011). Balloons over Broadway: The true story of the puppeteer of Macy’s parade. NY: Houghton.

Melissa Sweet creates a charming story about Tony Sarg, the puppeteer of the Macy’s parade. This story takes the reader through Sarg’s life from his beginnings as a boy loved marionettes and wanted to figure out how to feed his chickens without leaving his bed to the inventor and mastermind of the balloon puppets that fly overhead every year during the Macy’s parade. His interesting and incredible like is chronicled in this story of determination and passion.

Evaluative Criteria:

Lesson Plans

ROSA

Giovanni, N. (2005).  Rosa.  NY:  Holt.

Rosa by Nikki Giovanni is a thought provoking and beautifully written story of Rosa Parks’s refusal to move seats on the bus and the aftermath of that decision. This story acknowledges that strides that were made because of her courageous action. Bryan Collier beautifully illustrates this story with realistic and moving images.

Evaluative Criteria:

Lesson Plans

IT’S PERFECTLY NORMAL

Harris, R. (2014).    It’s perfectly normal: Changing bodies, growing up, sex, and sexual health.  Boston, MA: Candlewick Press.

It’s Perfectly Normal by Robie H. Harris introduces children ages ten and up to a multitude of topics concerning sexuality.  This books describes the changes brought about by puberty, discusses sexual abuse and sexually transmitted diseases, and even discusses options for contraception. Included in the text are illustrations to help children understand the differences and terminology they are reading about.

Evaluative Criteria:

Lesson Plans

PRIMATES

Ottaviani, J. (2013). Primates. NY: FirstSecond.

Jim Ottaviani gives an accurate yet simplistic look at the lives of three women who were inspired by one man, Louis Leakey. This nonfiction graphic novel tells about the lives and work of three women who studied primates, Jane Goodall, Dian Fossey, and Birute Galdikas. Maris Wicks creates intriguing and factual illustrations to bring together these interesting and even amusing stories together.

Evaluative Criteria:

Lesson Plans

ME…JANE

McDonnell, P. (2011). Me…jane. NY: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

Me…Jane by Patrick McDonnell tells a charming story about the childhood interests of renowned primatologist, humanitarian, and environmentalist, Dr. Jane Goodall, and her toy chimpanzee, Julibee. Jane learns about nature through experiences as a child, and these experiences are what lead her to become the person she is today.

Evaluative Criteria:

Lesson Plans

FROGS

Bishop, N. (2007). Frogs. NY: Scholastic.

Nic Bishop makes learning about frogs interesting while being informative. As a biologist and photographer, Bishop combines these two passions to teach children about nature. This forty-eight page book clearly defines different type of frogs as well as habits and life cycles.  Readers will learn about where frogs can be found and what they eat in addition to photographs and descriptions of many different types of frogs.

Evaluative Criteria:

Lesson Plans