Newbery Award Book

·         The Tale of Despereaux written by Kate DiCamillo and illustrated by Timothy Basil Ering

o   Suggested Grade Level: 3^rd-4^th grade. This is a full chapter book with medium print and few pictures. While it has captivated readers of all ages, I believe that the content and vocabulary would be most appropriate for grades 3 and up.

o   Summary: The Tale of Despereaux is the magical story of a unique little mouse name Despereaux. Despereaux is not like other mice. Despereaux was born with big ears and his eyes wide open. He loves music and books, and doesn’t enjoy scurrying. However, to his family, his greatest offense and biggest mistake was falling deeply in love with a human princess name Pea. When a special meeting of the Mouse Council is called for, Despereaux is sentenced to death in the dungeon. However, all is not lost. In the dungeon Despereaux meets the jailor, Gregory, and tells him a story. Because of this, Gregory decides to save Desperaux. Unfortunately, now the princess is in trouble. She has been deceived by her own servant Miggory Sow, who  longs for someone to actually care about her. Even more sinister is the rat, Roscuro, whose own disgrace has led him to seek revenge on the Princess Pea and her father. Despereaux is called to summon up his courage and rescue the Princess. Will he succeed? I’m sorry, I cannot give the ending away. You must read it yourself.

o   Classroom skills and strategies:

§  This book could be used to teach students to appreciate their differences, and the differences of others. The students can use their differences to serve a greater purpose, just like Despereaux did.

§  This book could also be used to teach symbolic language. In this book, light and dark symbolize good and bad.

o   ESOL strategies/applications:

§  Reading logs: Students could be asked to choose one of the main characters (Despereaux, Pea, Roscuro, Mig) and write a diary entry from their perspective.

§  Compare and Contrast: Students could compare and contrast a number of elements in this book: Mig and Pea, Despereaux and Roscuro, Light and Darkeness, etc.

o   Read aloud: Pages 20-25.

o   Personal opinion: I will admit that after reading several of Ms. DiCamillo’s novels, I was not initially impressed with The Tale of Despereaux. However, after giving it another shot, I must say that I am completely taken with it. It is a truly encouraging story that will inspire readers of all ages. The illustrations done entirely in pencil are also quite impressive. Ms. DiCamillo adopts a “voice” in this novel that is fitting for the story she tells. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more of her work.

Informational

·         Who Built The Pyramid? written by Meredith Hooper and illustrated by Robin Heighway-Bury

o   Suggest Grade Level: 2^nd grade. Even though this book is essentially a picture book, there are hard-to-read words in it, as well as some confusing content. This picture book would go along well with any unit on ancient Egypt, therefore I would not restrict in to 2^nd grade just because it is a picture. I would say that this book is appropriate for grades 2 and up.

o   Summary: Who Built The Pyramid? is an informational book about Senworsret’s Pyramid. It describes the roles played by each person who takes credit for the building of the Pyramid. Senwosret was the king of Egypt. He ordered that the pyramid be built to serve as his burial site. His chief minister, Montuhotep, oversaw the entire design of the pyramid. Imhotep, the high priest, decided where to build the pyramid and which direction it had to face. The quarry master, Senebu, gathered the stones that were used to build the pyramid. The foreman of the gangs, Ameny, led laborers deep underground to cut out the place that would eventually be the burial room of the king. Nakht was a laborer that set the stones in place. Wah carried water from the canal to the workers. The stonemason, Nesumontu, cut and shaped the stones that made up the pyramid so they fit together just right. Inyotef the sculptor carved the final and all important capstone. The son of the King, Amenemhat buried his father beneath the pyramid. Finally, Sasobek, the tomb robber, robbed the tombs and took everything he could find from the King’s chamber.

o   Classroom skills and strategies:

§  This book could be used when teaching a unit on Ancient Egypt. More specifically, it would go along well with a lesson on pyramids.

§  This book could also be used to teach students about roles in their school, community or nation. The pyramid would never have been built if everyone, save the tomb robber, hadn’t worked together. The same can be said for many things that are accomplished in daily life.

o   ESOL strategies/ applications:

§  Illustrations: The illustrations in the book take up the entire page. Students could write descriptions of each person in their own words and use the illustrations to help them.

§  Venn Diagram: Venn Diagrams could be used to compare and contrast two or more of the people described in this book.

o   Read aloud: The whole thing (it really is that good).

o   Personal opinion: This book has been one of my favorites so far. The illustrations are awesome, and the entire book is very informative. I especially enjoyed all of the supplemental material provided in the back of the book. This material further explains the building and eventual robbery of Senwosret’s tomb. The beginning of the book contains all of the pronunciations of the names used in the book, which I think is very helpful. The story itself is written in almost a Gospel Hymn type of rhythm. I absolutely LOVE this book.

Biography

·         George Washington: Our First President  written by garnet Jackson and illustrated by Cornelius van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu

o   Suggested Grade Level: 1^st grade. This book contains short but full sentences. The vocabulary is not too difficult, nor is the story too long. The illustrations take up the entire page and support the text very well.

o   Summary: George Washington is the biographical tale of our first president. The book begins with President Washington’s birth and follows him into childhood. President Washington was often described as a smart and honest youth. As a child, he loved animals and being a leader. When he was only sixteen years old, he began to work as a surveyor. By the time President Washington was twenty years old, he was a major in the Virginia army. He fought in the French and Indian war in 1754, and was promoted to Colonel. He married his wife, Martha, in 1759. President Washington went on to be a prominent figure in the Revolutionary War and was once again promoted, this time to General. President Washington became our nation’s first president in 1789. He served for eight years and then retired. He lived out the rest of his days with his wife, family and friends surrounding him.

o   Classroom skills and strategies:

§  This book could be used to teach a lesson on the life and presidency of President George Washington.

§  This book could also aid in creating a timeline of colonial and revolutionary America. It provides the dates of several important events including the French and Indian War and the Revolutionary War.

o   ESOL strategies/applications:

§  Illustrations: This book contains full page illustrations that support the text. Students could summarize the book in their own words using the illustrations to help them.

§  Reading Logs: Students could use the dates in the book to write a journal entry about that time period. For example, the student could date an entry some time in 1754 and write about how they would feel if they or perhaps their father or brother were fighting in the French and Indian War.

o   Read aloud: Pages 21-29.

o   Personal opinion: George Washington is a biography that presents an idealized version of President George Washington, and very little else. Details of war are not shared, nor are the tough times American’s faced during this time period. However, I believe that this biography is perfectly appropriate for the grade level that it is aimed toward.