Poetry

Where the Sidewalk Ends

Author: Shel Silverstein

Publish date: 1974

Publisher: Harper Collins Inc. NY

ISBN: 0060256672

                I used to love reading this. There is a whole bunch of poems for children. Most of them are very funny and innocent. I just remember one being about a crocodile that had a bad toothache. Another poem is about a girl eating a whale. Not only are the poems funny, they teach the children morals as well. Some of the poems are silly and some are sad. There is pictures next to the poems so the reader can imagine what is happening.

                I love reading these poems. I like them so much because they are not hard to understand. Some poems are really hard to understand sometimes. They are simple and funny but I like that some of them teach a lesson. When children read these poems, they will realize that they are not alone in certain experiences. I give this a 10 out of 10.

There is a place where the sidewalk ends

and before the street begins,

and there the grass grows soft and white,

and there the sun burns crimson bright,

and there the moon-bird rests from his flight

to cool in the peppermint wind.

Let us leave this place where the smoke blows black

and the dark street winds and bends.

Past the pits where the asphalt flowers grow

we shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow

and watch where the chalk-white arrows go

to the place where the sidewalk ends.

Yes we'll walk with a walk that is measured and slow,

and we'll go where the chalk-white arrows go,

for the children, they mark, and the children, they know,

the place where the sidewalk ends.

Lemonade

Author: Bob Raczka

Publisher: Roaring Brook

Date: 2011

ISBN: 978-1-59643-541-4
 


               I like this book because it is a book of poems but in the poems are hidden puzzles. This book’s title mirrors the content. When I think of lemonade I think of summer and drinking it on a hot day. These poems are about what children typically do. There may be times when the poems have to be reread because the puzzles are hidden in the book.

                I like this book because it offers more than just poems. It is fun for the children to try and get the puzzles and when they do it is so much more rewarding. I think it is just a fun way to read and gets the children excited. I give this book a 10 out of 10.

Every Thing on It

Shel Silverstein

Publisher: HarperCollins

Date: September 20, 2011

ISBN: 0061998168

                This is set up the same way as Where the Sidewalk Ends. It is a collection of poetry for children. These poems are more about growing up and true love. There are also poems about being polite and most of them children can learn a lesson from. It is also a good read for the parents because they can relate to some of these poems.

                I like these poems because adults enjoy reading them too. It is easy for adults to learn something when reading them. I give these poems an 8 out of 10. 

Historical Fiction

If You Lived When There Was Slavery In America

Author: Anne Kamma

ISBN 0545363209

Publisher: Scholastic Inc.; 1.2.2004 edition

Publish date: February 1, 2004

This book covers how the world was like when there was slavery in America. The book addresses what the slaves ate and where they lived. They explained if the children worked and where they lived. This book also explains where the slaves came from. The book really shows children how a person could be another person’s property.

I think this book is perfect for showing children how the world was in the 1600s. Instead of just being a word to young children, they can actually learn what the word actually means. I like this book because it is informational but it is easily understood and this is good for children. It is good for them to know about events that happened in history. I give it a 8 out of 10.

 

Mirette on the High Wire

by Emily Arnold McCully

Publisher: Puffin Books; Reprint edition

Date: April 14, 1997

ISBN-10: 0698114434

ISBN-13: 978-0698114432

This book is about Paris in the 19^th century. Mirette meets the great bellini who is staying at her mother’s boarding house. He used to be a wire walker and he was retired. She loves watching him and wants to walk on wires as well. He becomes her mentor and teaches her how to walk the wire. Even though he is retired, he gains his confidence back and gets back on the rope to show the world how great he is.

I like this book because it shows children to never give up if they want something. I like the illustrations. I think they are amazing and the story is told through the colors. I think this is a different event that children can learn about and gain information from. I give this book a 9 out of 10.

 

Crow Call

Lois Lowry

Publisher: Scholastic Press; First Edition

Date: October 1, 2009

ISBN-10: 0545030358

ISBN-13: 978-0545030359

Liz and her father have never really had a relationship because her dad has been away fighting in the Second World War. Liz and her father then reconnect. When he gets back from the war they spend time together by eating cherry pie in town and calling crows in the sky.

I love this book. I think it is very calming and soothing. It really gives children the perspective of how families live when their loved ones are away fighting in the war. The bond that the father and daughter share is so special and powerful. Nothing can break this bond that they have created. I just think this book is truly beautiful. I give it a 10 out of 10. .

Informational Text

What Will Hatch

Author: Jennifer Ward

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens

Publish Date: February 12, 2013

Language: English

ISBN-10: 080272311X

ISBN-13: 978-0802723116

This is a really fun book that teaches children how life begins inside an egg. All different kinds of living creatures start in an egg form. This is just a fun book that teaches children how a bunch of different animals start there life. The kids get to guess what will hatch on each page. There is a robin and a platypus and it just shows that every animals starts off in the same place.

I like this book. I think it is different from other informational text. It doesn’t show letters or numbers or even animals. It shows how animals start their life off. Even though they are different animals, their lives start off the same way. The illustrations are really cute and fun. I think it’s a fun way to learn! I give it a 10.

My Pet Bird

Auhtor: Lynn Hamilton

Publisher: Weigl Publishers Inc.

Date: 2009

ISBN:978-1-59036-900-5

This book teaches kids about birds. They teach them different kinds of birds. The book talks about canaries, lovebirds, doves etc. The book teaches about their colors and what they eat and how long they live. The book also talks about how each bird behaves differently. At the end, there is a fun puzzle with questions and answers which will be fun for kids to do.

I just like this book because the information is great. They put it in good terms for children to understand. I like the way the information is arranged on the page. I just think it is a cute and colorful book and it is a fun way for children to learn. I give the book an 8 out of 10.

The Hospital

Author: Janine Amos

Publisher: Gareth Stevens Publishing

Date: 2002

ISBN: 0-8368-3091-1

This book is all about the hospital and how kids cope with being in the hospital and being away from loved ones. It shows them how to deal with their feelings and being lonely. It just shows them what to do with emergency situations by providing advice and showing children that it is important to ask questions when they are unsure of something.

I actually really like this book. It may not be the most exciting out of all the informational texts out there. I like it because it addresses hard issues like when people are sick or have an emergency operation in the hospital. It is nice how they provide insight on this hard topic to children. I give this an 8 out of 10.