UNDER THE MESQUITE

BIBLIOGRAPHY
McCall, Guadalupe Garcia.  2011.  Under the Mesquite.  Lee & Low Books Inc. ISBN: 9781600604294

PLOT SUMMARY
Lupita comes from a large Mexican American immigrant family that lives in Eagle Pass, Texas.  She is happy with her life and loves her family dearly.  She's enjoys acting and writing. She learns that her mother has cancer and is sadden by the possibility of losing her dear mother. Her mother is the "glue" that holds the family together but Lupita takes on the motherly responsibilities in order to help save her mother's life. Her mother is later cared for in an out of town clinic and Lupita gladly accepts the challenges in order to move her family forward. She quickly realizes that it is a struggle to keep up with her studies, house chores, and her siblings.  She finds comfort in the company of a mesquite tree where she writes her thoughts.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The author used vocabulary that made it easy to comprehend and enjoy the story.  She included a glossary to define the Spanish words used in the text.  I really connected with this book in more than one way. I can relate to Lupita in that I am also Mexican American, a first generation college grad, and my own mother makes tortillas.  I can still see my "mami" making tortillas every time I came home from college.  The smell, taste, and feel of those tortillas came back to me.  Lupita is like the mesquite tree in that although she's had losses and struggles she still finds the strength to jump back and grow from what is left.

AWARDS AND REVIEW EXCERPTS
2012 Pura Belpre Award
2012 William C. Morris Debut Award Finalist
2013 Tomas Rivera Children's Book Award

"A promising, deeply felt debut." --Kirkus Reviews

“This stunning debut novel in verse chronicles the teenage years of Lupita, a character drawn largely from the author s own childhood...The simplicity of the story line belies the deep richness of McCall’s writing.”   --School Library Journal  

“Told in verse sprinkled with Spanish terms (a glossary is included), this story of Lupita s high-school years details her increasing responsibility within her large Mexican American family after Mami is diagnosed with cancer.”  --Booklist

CONNECTIONS
1) Have students use poetry to tell about their own lives.  Use a QR code to link to the student's poem at Open House.
2) Have students keep a journal. 
Writing stems to promote writing:
Have you had any experiences that has changed you?
What do you do to overcome difficult situations?
If  you had to pick something to represent you, what would it be? Why?
3) Research and Discuss the Mexican-American culture, music, art, and foods.     

 

 

 

 

 

 

FACE BUG

BIBLIOGRAPHY
Lewis, J. Patrick.  2013.  Face Bug.  Pennsylvania: Wordsong.  ISBN: 9781590789254.

PLOT SUMMARY
Are you ready for the grand opening of the Face Bug  Museum?  Ready or not...author J. Patrick Lewis is ready to introduce 14 intriguing bugs through some pretty funny poems.  He takes you through a grand tour of bugs by using some pretty close-up photographs of a Hickory Horned Devil, Eastern Carpenter Bee, Nursery Web Spider, Pearl Crescent Butterfly, American Horse Fly, and many more.  The author includes some helpful text features: On Exhibit page tells what page to find each bug.  The photographs along with fun illustrations helps the reader capture a true meaning of each bug.  The author also includes a section titled And Now A Word From Our Bugs that gives additional information like where they live, what they eat, how they grow, and what eats me. 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS
The author uses rhyming text and humor to catch the readers interest.  The catchy rhyming words in the following piece is fun and enjoyable to read.  The author uses text that allows the reader to create mental images of what this bug had, feels, and smells like.  

P.U.! I found an insect
Who has uncommon scents.
Hello there, Mrs. Stinkbug,
My nose is your defense.

It was not my favorite poetry book.  I think older kids will enjoy this information more so than an early elementary student. 

AWARDS AND REVIEW EXCERPTS
2014-15 Texas Bluebonnet Award Master List
2014 National Council of Teachers of English Notable Poetry List
Bank Street College of Education's Best Book of the Year (Poetry Category)

"There will be many returns to the Face Bug Museum as this book has so much to offer. Wonderfully conceived and executed."--School Library Journal

"Bugs get a close-up in this new book of poetry that shows off their thousands of eyes, bucktooth incisors, prickly exteriors and more. Frederic B. Siskind's wonderfully creepy full-color photographs and Kelly Murphy's cartoony black-and-white illustrations are abuzz with activity alongside J. Patrick Lewis's witty verses about insects and spiders. Some bugs are cleverly camouflaged, while others flaunt their colors, but they all have something worth celebrating, even the slimy-seeming Eastern Dobsonfly. . . " -- The Washington Post

CONNECTIONS
1) The students can write their own bug poems.
2) Make a bug using recyclable household items and write a descriptive paragraph about your bug.
3) Research a bug from the book.  Find the following information about your bug: habitat, what does it eat, predators, bug measurements, characteristics, and survival skills. 
4) Take a nature walk and have the students collect bugs.  Once in the classroom the students can observe them using magnifying glasses. 

THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Applegate, Katherine. 2012. The One and Only Ivan. New York: HarperCollins.  ISBN: 9780061992254.

 

PLOT SUMMARY

Ivan, a sweet and gentle gorilla, lives at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade off of I-95.  People from near and far come and enjoy shows at two, four, and seven.  Ivan is accompanied by several faithful friends including Stella, an elderly elephant and Bob, a stray dog.  Ivan enjoys drawing and his owner Mack sells the paintings for $20 a piece or $25 with a frame.  Ruby, a baby elephant, joins the gang when Mack buys her for a cheap price from a bankrupt circus.  Stella and Ruby connect immediately and Stella takes Ruby under her wing as her own.  Stella loses her battle to age and an infected foot. Some of her last words to Ivan are asking him to promise her that he will take care of Ruby and that she is taken to a safe place.  Julia, a young girl that comes out to the mall at night with her dad enjoys to sit near Ivan's domain.  While her dad cleans the mall she does her homework, reads, draws, or visits with the animals.  She brings hope to this promise that Ivan has made to Stella when she gives Ivan finger paint.  Ivan works long and hard on a project in effort to make Stella's promise come true. He gives the papers to Julia whom after some great frustration finally puts the puzzle pieces together. The project gathers much attention when she and her dad place it on the billboard and it spells out HOME.  The news media and protesters help out greatly and the dream of leaving those four walls becomes a reality.  Ruby and Ivan are taken away in boxes and after some time Ivan sees Ruby and Bob at the zoo. 

 

CRITICAL ANALYSIS

Applegate did an amazing job grabbing the reader's attention by using humor, art, and friendship.  The friendship between Stella and Ivan is so loyal that Ivan does the impossible to keep his word and make the promise he made come true.  The author used excellent language to help create imagery of the story.  I could visualize the story so well that emotions of sadness, happiness, and determination were all experienced as I read this book.  One of the parts that really stood out to me was:

 

                                                               the promise

                                "I've never asked for a promise before, because promises

                                 are forever, and forever is an unusually long time. 

                                 Especially when you're in a cage."

 

This is so powerful to me in that promises are sometimes made and are not always kept.  But in reality that does that matter because that person did not belong in your life.  It's the person who does keep their promise and does what ever it takes to accomplish it.  They put aside all hardships and barriers to make it possible for the promise to come true.  Truly enjoyed everything about this book! 

 

AWARDS & REVIEW EXCERPTS

Newbery Award 2013

Texas Bluebonnet Award Nominee

Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award (Illinois)

 

“Important.” —The Horn Book

 

“Will capture readers’ hearts and never let go. A must have.” —School Library Journal (starred review)

 

“Exemplifies everything youngsters need to know about courage.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

 

CONNECTIONS

1) Have the students come up with synonyms and antonyms for the following words: courage, promise, patience, imagination, lucky, comfort, protector, perfect,  and respect 

2) Do a extension lesson on the Character Trait: RESPECT and make an anchor chart on how Respect Looks Like and Sounds Like

3) Have the students make a "Bill Board"/poster to persuade people to adopt animals from an animal shelter.  You can collect animal food donations to take to the animal shelter. 

4) Have the students write a letter to a "brave or courageous" person in their lives.  Have the students explain in their letter why they think that person is brave/courageous. 

The Three Pigs

Bibliography

Wiesner, David. 2001. The Three Pigs. New York: Clarion Books. ISBN 0618007016

Summary

This classic story begins like the traditional Three Little Pigs, but when the wolf blows the house, he blows the pig right out of the colorful story page. The other two pigs also escape and they all ride on a paper airplane made from a page of the book to fairy tales where they are joined by the cat from "Hey, Diddle Diddle" and the dragon they rescue. As the pigs escape through the collection of stories, they finally end up back home and even the words and letters of the page are completely mixed up. Do not fear, though, the pigs live happily ever after at home with the dragon and the cat with its fiddle. The idea of Wiesner in creating this clever story and beautiful drawings will be loved by young and old alike. The pigs' expressive eyes and the ever changing details in the story provide a book which will be read again and again.

Critical Analysis

The Three Pigs is a story that I personally never get tires of hearing.  It is a story that all children know all too well but will eagerly listen to it over and over again.  The storyline portrays both good and bad characters but the story line takes a twist when the pigs escape the wolf.  Wiesner has the pages come alive and out of the story allowing the pigs to hide under the pages and even escape from the wolf on a paper airplane.  The author allows us to use our imagination with this modern updated approach.  The theme is no longer about work ethics and laziness instead the author allows the pigs to enter a new fairy tale.  The speech bubbles allow the reader to experience the pigs true feelings.  The blank pages gives the reader the opportunity to use their imagination as to where the pigs are going.  Nice story line, excellent pictures, and creative ending!  Remarkable undated version of The Three Pigs.

Review Excerpts and Awards
-The Horn Book Review - "Obviously there’s a lot going on here, but once you get your bearings, this is a fantastic journey told with a light touch."

-The New York Times - “Wiesner’s dialogue and illustrations are clever, whimsical and sophisticated.”

-School Library Journal - “Witty dialogue and physical comedy abound in this inspired retelling of a familiar favorite.”

Awards

Caldecott Medal 2002

Connections

-Read other versions of The Three Little Pigs and compare and contrast with Wiesner's

-Make puppets using popsicle sticks and have the students retell the story

-Have the students come up with a different and creative ending

-Have the students come up with rhyming words with the following words from the story: stick, pig, pot, straw

-Discuss character traits of the wolf, pig 1, pig2, and pig 3

-Read and discuss all three of Wiesner's Caldecott Medal winning books:

       The Three Pigs
       Flotsom ISBN 9780618194575
       Tuesday ISBN 9780395870822

The Ugly Duckling

Bibliography
Pinkney, Jerry. 1999. THE UGLY DUCKLING. New York. Morrow Junior Books. ISBN 068815932X

Summary
This is the story of a swan born into a family of ducks, who is cast out of the pond because the other animals believe such an "ugly duckling" doesn't belong with them. Wherever he goes, the ugly duckling encounters animals that shun him for the same reason. Upon encountering a group of elegant white birds, the ugly duckling aspires to one day be as beautiful as them. After a dreadfully cold and lonely winter, the ugly duckling sees his reflection in the water and realizes that he wasn't a duck after all - he has grown to be the most beautiful swan in the pond.

Critical Analysis
The choice of words and the excellent water color drawing help the readers visualize the surroundings where duck had the sixth egg which does look like the others.  The ugly duckling goes through many situations which children may be able to relate to.  Children may share the feelings of prejudice toward the one who looks differently.  As the illustrations aid the viewer is seeing the transformation of the ugly duckling into a beautiful swan, the readers understand the difficulties and tribulations that one must go through before their time of glory. 

Review Excerpts and Awards
Kirkus Reviews - "Outstanding illustrations and some new characters make Pinkney’s retelling of a familiar tale memorable."

Publishers Weekly - Pinkney's (Rikki-Tikki-Tavi) supple, exquisitely detailed watercolors provide a handsome foil to his graceful adaptation of the Hans Christian Andersen classic. 

School Library Journal Book Review Stars -  “the appeal of this tale is as strong today as it was 150 years ago, and Pinkney has done an admirable job of repackaging it for a new generation. "

Awards:
Randolph Caldecott Medal Honor Book 2000 United States
2X2 Reading List, 2000 - Texas 

The Best Children's Books of the Year, 2000
The Children's Literature Choice List, 2000 

United States Notable Books for Children, 2000

Connections
Vocabulary to discuss: patience, bullying
-Discuss the character traits of the ugly duckling: looks, feels, thinks, acts
-Read Leo the Late Bloomer ISBN 006443348X and compare the two books
-Have the counselor come in a give a lesson on bullying
-Have the art teacher do a water color activity with the students

The Gingerbread Man

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Bibliography

Kimmel, Eric A. 1993. THE GINGERBREAD MAN. Ill. by Megan Lloyd. New York: Holiday House. ISBN 0823408248

Plot Summary

A delicious and entertaining version of the classic, vintage story of the little Gingerbread Man who leaped from the oven and led a merry chase.  The gingerbread man is chased by a horse, sow, cow, dog and the elderly couple. The gingerbread man runs away from each animal and goes on to say, "I'll run and run as fast as I can.  You can't catch me.  I's the gingerbread man!" His luck runs out when he encountered a clever fox.  The fox goes on to convince the gingerbread man into hopping onto his tail to get him across the river.  Once the gingerbread man and the fox are in the river he gets the fox to hop onto his back, then head, and finally his snout.  When the gingerbread man is on the fox's snout he threw his head back and ate the gingerbread man in one delicious bite. 

Critical Analysis

Eric Kimmell's clever, fast-moving text and rhyming, rhythmic words draw readers into the story, leading them from scene to scene up to the traditional ending -- which  by an additional rhyme,  "The gingerbread man has gone away, But he'll be back some other day.  For gingerbread men return, it's said, When someone bakes some gingerbread." Megan Lloyd brings Kimmel's text to vibrant life, updating the traditional scene: the elderly couple do their baking in a modern country kitchen, and the farm animals pursue the running treat past a modern-style beehive, an abandoned pickup truck, and other "country style" debris. 

Personal Response

I have read many versions of this story--The Gingerbread Baby, The Gingerbread Boy, and The Gingerbread Man to my students as well as my own child.  The rhyming piece is always a favorite and is learned fairly quickly by readers, nonreaders, and ELL students.  I love each and every one of the stories but this one has a friendly ending.  I have had kindergarteners crying after reading this story because the gingerbread man was eaten.  I like to start with this version because of the catchy, hopeful ending.     

Review Excerpts

School Library Journal - "Lloyd's illustrations work in tandem with the text to create verve and motion while maintaining a "fresh-from-the-oven" appeal. Her engaging art works beautifully with Kimmel's retelling to keep both eye and action moving across each page, thus enhancing the story's pace."

Connections
Math

• Give the children a gingerbread cookie and have them take a bite.  Then graph the part that each child bit off first-head, leg, or arm. 
• Measure different items in the class using die cut gingerbread men.  

Language Arts

• Write a different ending to the story
• Write a reader's theater
• make a bubble map to describe the gingerbread man
• Compare the characters, setting, plot, etc. in these different versions of The Gingerbread Baby, The Gingerbread Boy, and The Gingerbread Man

Read other versions of the story to compare the characters, setting, plot, etc.

The Gingerbread Baby ISBN 978-399234446

The Gingerbread Boy ISBN 9780547346236

The Gingerbread Cowboy ISBN 9780060778637 

The Gingerbread Pirates ISBN 978-0060778637 

The Library Gingerbread Man ISBN 9781602130487