Speak

By Laurie Halse Anderson

Penguin Group (1999)

Interest Level: Grades 8-12

Awards:

National Book Award Finalist, 1999

Michael L Printz Award, Honor Book, 1999

Category: Young Adult

Type: Novel

Summary: This is the story about Melinda Sordino, a young girl who begins ninth grade hidding a secret so big that it threatens to destroy her. Laurie halse Anderson does a great job creating a authentic and compelling voice for her heroin who exemplies the plight of many young women. Melinda will learn that sometimes speaking and facing our problems is better than living in shame and fear.

Online Connections:

1. Author official website: http://www.writerlady.com/


2. ALAN review on Speaking Out: http://scholar.lib.vt.edu/ejournals/ALAN/spring00/anderson.htm

Book Connections:

1. Twisted by Laurie halse Anderson
   
2. Prom by Laurie Halse Anderson
   
3. The Chocolate War by Robert Cornier
   

Keywords: High School, frienships, rape, Emotional problems, depression

Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds: The Sammy Lee Story

By Paula Yoo
Illustrated by Dom Lee
Lee &Low Books Inc. (2005)
Interest level: grades 1-5

Awards:
Asian-Pacific American Award for Literature, honor
mention, 2004-2005.
New Voices Award, Winner, 2003
Comstock Book Award, honor book, 2006

Category: Multicultural Biography
Type: Picture Book

Summary: In this multicultural picture book Paula Yoo tells the story of Sammy Lee an Asian American boy who lived in the USA and dreamed of nothing else but of becoming an olympic diver. In this book Yoo, along with Dom Lee's realistic illustrations portrays this young boys struggles with racial discrimination, adversity and his determination to fullfill his father's dreams for him to become a doctor while still achieving his own personal goals. This story will inspire readers to work hard to
overcome obstacles as they see Sammy Lee achieve his goals and become the first Asian -American diver to win an olympic gold medal.

Online Connections:

1. Authors Website: http://paulayoo.com/
2. Illustrator Website: htpp://www.domndk.com/dom.html
3. Sammy Lee story: http://encarta.msn.com/encyclopedia-761582332/sammy-lee.html.

Book Connections

1. Good Enough by Paula Yoo


2. Baseball saved us by Ken Mochizuki and illustrated by Dom LeePassage to Freedom: The Sigihara Story by Ken Mochizuki and illustrated by Dom Lee
   
3. Not Without Honor: The Story of Sammy Lee By Molly Frick Wampler.

Keywords: olympic diver, perseverance, Asian americans , Biography.

Al Capone Does My Shirts

By Gennifer Choldenko

G.P Putnam's Sons (2004)
Interest level: Ages 8-12
Awards:
California Young Readrs Medal
Carnegie Medal , Shrtlist, 2004, UK
Focal Award , 2006
Garden State Teen Award, 2007
John Newbery Medal, Honor Bok, 2005
Massachusetts Children's Book Award,
Sid Fleischman Humor Award winner,2004

Category: Historical Fiction
Type: Novel

Summary:
This is a story about a boy, Moose Flannagan and his struggles and relationship with his family after they move to Alcatraz Island when his father gets a job as an electrician. This is the last place Moose wants to be. He can no longer play baseball ,
his father is always working or tired and he has to deal with his
sister Natalie who is Autistic and has to go to a special school.
This book will delight you as Moose narrates the story and fills
you in on his feelings on the island, its inhabitants and his family.
Will Moose adjust to his environment and be responsible,
what will become of Natalie and what about the legendary Al Capone?

Online Connections:

1. Alcatraz and life on the island: http://www.alcatrazhistory.com/mainpg.htm
2. Author website: http://www.choldenko.com/index.html
3. History files on Al Capone: http://www.chicagohs.org/history/capone.htm/
4. Alcatraz offical website: http://www.nps.gov/alcatraz/

Book Connections:

1. Notes From A Liar And Her Dog by Gennifer Choldenko
2. If A Tree Falls At Lunch period by Gennifer Choldenko
3. Someone is Hidding on Alcatraz Island by Eve Bunting

Keywords: Alcatraz Island, Family issues, autism

The SOS File

By Betsy Byars, Betsy Duffey and Laurie Myers

Illustrated by Arthur Howard
Henry Holt and Company (2004)
Interest Level: grades 3-5

Awards:
Beverly Cleary Children's Choice award, 2007
Golden Sower Award, Nominee 2007-2008
Great Stone Face Award, Nominee 2005-006
Texas Bluebonnet Award,Nominee 2006-2007
West Virginia Children's Bokk Award, Master List, 2006-2007.

Category: Contemporary Fiction
Type: Novel, short stories


Summary: Have you ever had an emergency and did not know what to do? Welcome to Mr. Magro's classroom where
everyone has their own kind of emergency and will now write about it for extra credit. You will find this array of short stories endearing and delightful. Read and share all the different experiences
told through twelve engaging and witty short stories. Be ready to laugh,
be touch and amazed at the stories the kids will tell.


Online Connections:

1. Visit Betsy Byars home page: http://www.betsybyars.com


2. Laurie Byers author page: http://www.Lauriemyres.com/


3. Betsy Duffey : http://us.penguingroup.com/nf/author/
   

Book Connections:

1. My Dog, My Hero by Betsy Byars, Betsy Duffey and Laurie Myers


2. Earthquake in the Third Grade By Laurie Myers

Keywords: SOS, school, storytelling.

Country Fair

By Gail Gibbons
Little, Brown and Company, 1994.
Interest level: ages 4-8

Category: Nonfiction
Type: picture book

Summary: Gail gibbons gives a simple account of country fairs from the placing of the first tent to the end. Read about the preparations, animals, exhibits, contests, great foods, music and all the games and rides frond in these fairs. The pictures are appealing for youngsters and is sure to either bring memories back or give a good overview of what a fair is like for those who have ever experienced a fair. At the end, she adds a brief account of how to plan a country fair and a brief history of fairs.

Online Connections:

1. About 4H clubs : http://www.4hcentinnial.com.org/
   
2. author website: www.gailgibbons.com

Book Connections:

1. Country Fair by Alisha Cooper


2. Apples by Gail Gibbons

Keywords: country fairs, agricultural exhibits.

The Boy On Fairfield Street: How Ted Geisel Grew up to Become Dr. Seuss

By Kathleen Krull

Paintings by Steve Johnson and Lou Fancher
Random House, (2004).
Interrest Level: ages 8-12

Awards:
Beehive Award 2005-2006, nominee Informational
Capitol Choices , 2005
Charlotte Award 2006, Nominee Informational, Utah
Children's Literature Choice list, 2005, USA
Texas Bluebonnet Award 2005-2006 ,Nominee, Gr3-6

Category: Nonfiction-Biography
Type: Picture Book

Summary: Kathleen Krull does a wonderful job in this biography of how Ted Geisel grew up in Springfield , Massachusetts and the turns and twists in his life that led him to become Dr. Seuss. This picture book biography is for older readers and it spans his whole life eventhough it focuses on his years growing up and finding his place in life. The writing is witty, engaging and gives good insight into Ted Geisel's personality and feeling of not belonging to the conventional world. Krull along with the illustrators beautiful paintings manage to give an honest insight into who Ted Geisel was. The decorative illustrations by Dr. Seuss throughout the book complete this book.

Online Connections:

1. http://www.eseuss.com/


2. Author website: http://www.kathleenkrull.com/


3. Illustrator website: http://www.johnsonandfancher.com/


4. Centennial celebration: http://www.seussentenial.com/
5. Dr.Seuss info, games, activities: www.seussville.com/

Book Connections:

1. Oh, the Places He Went by Maryann N. Weidt


2. Lives of the writers: Comedies, tragedies (and What the Neighbors Thought) by Kathleen Krull


3. Wilma Unlimited :How Wilma Rudolph became the World's Fastest Woman by Kathleen Krull.

Keywords: Dr. Seuss, Ted Geisel, childhood.