Informational text

Title: Down Down Down

Author: Steve Jenkins

Illustrator: Steve Jenkins

Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers

Publication Date: 2009

ISBN: 978-0-618-96636-3

 Summary: This book is a great informational text that tells you all about the ocean. It starts by talking about what is on the surface, then moves to the fish that’s in the ocean. This book lays out creatures at each level of the ocean along with a simple graphic on each page that shows the reader where they are on each page.

Personal Statement:  What a great informational text about the ocean! I recommend having this book in your classroom collection because the information on each animal is concise and is packed full of interesting facts that children would love! The supplemental material at the back of the book provides has a lot of details available for older readers and parents and expands upon the text for each zone and animal. 

Rate: 5 out of 5 

Title: Bomb

Author: Steve Sheinkin

Illustrator: Neil Swaab 

Publisher: Roaring Book Press

Publication Date: 2012

ISBN: 978-1-59643-487-5

Summary: This book takes place on December 1953. It is about a chemist in a German laboratory who made a discovery that when placed next to radioactive material, a uranium atom split in two.  In that discovery and having to deal with the tiniest discovery launched a race that spans over three continents. The players in this book are the greatest scientists, the most expert spies and the most hardened military commandos, as well as some of the most ruthless dictators who ever lived.  Throughout this story, you will learn about the plotting, risk-taking, the deceit , and genius that created the most formidable weapon, which is the atomic bomb.

Personal Statement:  Personally, I am not into history, which made getting into this book difficult. After spending some time reading this book, I found myself learning interesting things along the way that I did not learn in history class. However, this book would be great to read in the class because they will learn about Cynthia C. Kelly and the importance of the atomic bomb. This book is however too young for early elementary and is more suitable for students in grades fifth through twelve, mainly because of the mature language that is used throughout the book. Below, I have included a personal rating because I found the book boring, mainly because I am not interested in that time period. However,  I would have it in my classroom for my students  to read because it may be of interest to some students. 

My Rate:  4 out of 5
Classroom Rate: 5 out of 5

Graphic Novel

Title: Smile

Author: Raina Telgemeier

Illustrator: Raina Telgemeier

Publisher: Scholastic/Graphix

Publication Date: February 1, 2010 

ISBN: 978-0-545-13205-3

Summary: This is a popular book amongst fourth graders about a girl named Raina who wants nothing more but to be a normal sixth grader. One night after a girl scouts, she trips and falls and severely injures her front teeth.  Raina is then faced with many other challenges along the way. Sixth grade was already tough for Raina and having her front tooth missing, make middle school even harder. 

Personal Statement:  I personally enjoyed this book, mainly because of the humor associated with the book. I think that a majority of middle school students can relate to this book because it has so many topics that relate to a typically middle school student, such as  family, transitioning from a child to a teenager, bullying, etc. Although this book is geared towards middle school students, I have seen fourth graders read this book and enjoy it. 

Rate: 5 out of 5

Historical Fiction

Title: Bud, Not Buddy

Author: Christopher Paul Curtis

Illustrator: Christopher Paul curtis

Publisher: Delacorte Books 

Publication Date: 1999

ISBN: 978-0-553-49410-5

Summary:  This book is a must-read book about  an orphan boy who goes through foster care of people who didn't treat him well. He eventually runs away and begins a search journey for his father using some valuable items left by his mother. Not much can be said about this book because I do not want to spoil it!

Personal Statement:   After reading this book, I thought wow! Bud has a strong voice. If you have read, “The one and only ivan” by Katherine Applegate and cried, wait until you read this book! This is such a fantastic book, even words cannot describe how good it is. I definitely recommend this book for graders to read because the vocabulary is along their grade level. I can definitely see more boys getting hooked on this book than girls, mainly because of how the book is written. In this book, you will find history, laughter and Joy. Just reading the first chapter, you will be pulled along and will have a hard time putting the book down. 

Rate: 5 out of 5