The Right Word: Roget and His Theasaurus

Author and Illustrator: Jen Bryant, Melissa Sweet
Genre: Nonfiction
Awards: The Robert F. Sibert Medal, Caldecott Honor Book, Golden Kite Award
Grade Level: 2nd- 5th grade

When Peter was a young boy; he found the power of words and books. Throughout his life, Peter would write down many many words in his own book. Peter categorized the observations he made and continuously searched for the right word to say. Peter was a teacher, a doctor, a speaker, and a writer. Peter published all the words he encountered throughout his life; this was called a thesaurus. 

This picture book tells of a great informational story about Peter Roget. At the very end of the book, there is a list of major events that occurred, and an author's and illustrator's note about Peter Roget and this book. I would not use this book in my classroom since it is not age-appropriate. However an educator could use this book to expand vocabulary. The teacher could provide students with mini journals, and students would be required to write a word they felt that could not properly explain themselves, and search for a word that would be a better fit. These illustrations and text of this book is intriguing and captures the reader's eye. 

Flora and Ulysses - The Illuminated Adventures

Author and Illustrator: Kate DiCamillo, K.G. Campbell
Genre: Ficiton
Awards:Newbery Award, Bluebonnet Book
Grade Level: 3rd- 5th

Flora's life is changed when a squirrel who is named Ulysses, after a vacuum that almost killed him,gains super strength. Flora believes Ulysses is an amazing superhero, however Flora believes her mother's cynic perspective about her. Flora encounters many people which enhance the drama within the book, but Flora stays persistent in her actions and beliefs. Ulysses stirs up many emotions and responses in Flora's family and friends; such as Flora wanting to stay at her father's house because her mother does not approve of Ulysses. Even though Flora's parents and friends may have been a bit skeptical at first about Ulysses, Ulysses brings the family closer together, and continues to write his stories.

I would not use this book in my classroom since it is not age-appropriate. This is a good book because integrates pictures and text; it is a good transition book from picture books to chapter books. This book is an easy read, and easy to follow. An activity students can participate inis recreating the story line, and make a video for the class to see. 

Wonder

Author: R.J. Palacio 

Genre: Realistic Fiction,  Novel

Awards:Bluebonnet Award An E.B White Read Aloud Award Winner, A Washington Post Best Kids' Book, and an IRA-CBC Teachers' Choice

This is an incredible novel about a young boy named Auggie, August Pullman to be exact. Auggie faces many challenges, but the transition from homeschooling to Beecher Prep, entering 5th grade, was a new challenge he will learn to overcome. Throughout this novel, Auggie discovers confidence and understanding of himself, his family, and his real friends along with the sense kindness that flourishes a school and community. Wonder portrays what reality can be like for young children around the the middle and high school age.
This novels is a magnificent read, and can be used for grades 3 and up. Wonder is a very relateable read for students who may struggle with being accepted, making friends, fitting in, and dealing with bullies. I personally would not use this book because I want to teach Kindergarten. However, as an educator, one could assign this book as a class read and then do a book report. The book report can be on what the book was about, how it affected the readers, what was learned, and how kindness, or Mr. Browne's precepts could be applied to their life. This assignment would be used for older children in middle or high school. Although it is a children's novel, anyone can enjoy the inspirational value of this book.