Ms. Sevon's Booktique

Genre: Realistic Fiction Title: The Higher Power of Lucky Author: Susan Patron Awards: Newbery Medal Age Range: 8-11 Years old Summary: Lucky, a 10 year old girl, lived in Hard Pan, California, with her Guardian Brigitte. When Lucky was 8 her mother had died, and her father did not want her. Therefore, Lucky's dad called Brigitte, his ex-wife, and she came to California from France to take care of Lucky. There are not many jobs in Hard Pan, but Lucky got a job cleaning up after different meetings like smokers anonymous. As she would be cleaning, Lucky would like to hear the stories of those in the meeting because she was hoping they would explain how they found their "Higher Power." Lucky hoped to find her Higher Power for she believed if she found it, then Brigette would be her Guardian forever. Lucky worried that Brigette would go back to France because she missed it so much. One day when Lucky was in Brigette's room searching for her keys she noticed her suitcase. ...

Genre: Fiction Title: Call it Courage Author/Illustrator: Armstong Sperry Awards: Newbery Medal Age Range: 9-12 Years Old Summary: Mafatu is a young boy who lives on the island of Hikueru. Mafatu's father is the chief of the island, which highly values courage. However, Mafatu was not courageous like the other boys on the island because he was deathly afraid of the sea. Rather than going sailing and hunting for fish, Mafatu would stay on the island making spears and nets for the men to use. The young boys made fun of Mafatu by calling him a coward, which hurt his feelings and causes him to venture out onto the sea. Unfortunately, Mafatu got caught in a terrible storm which causes his sail to be torn and him to lose his paddle. He had to way to steer the boat, so Mafatu was just being carried by the waves of the ocean. Eventually, he spotted land, which was a deserted island or so hoped for he did not want to encounter the eaters-of-men. All the time he spent on the island, he was t...

Genre: Fantasy Title: Sulwe Author: Lupita Nyong'o Illustrator: Vashti Harrison Awards: Coretta Scott King Award Age Range: 3-8 Years old Summary: Sulwe, whose name means star, does not feel beautiful because she believes her skin is too dark. The kids at school call her mean names because she does not look like the others. Sulwe's mom explains to her that she has brightness in her and that she is beautiful because it is how she thinks of herself that matters most. Although, Sulwe still has a hard time believing what her mom has told her. At night, a shooting star came and took Sulwe on a journey while telling her a story of the sisters, Night and Day. They share a similar story like Sulwe and her sister for Night was given mean names while Day was loved by all and received nice nicknames. Night got upset, so she left. Eventually, everyone began to miss Night especially her sister Day. When Day found her sister Night she was able to convince her to come back to earth because sh...

Genre: Historical Fiction Title:  A Gathering of Days: A New England Girl's Journal, 1830-1832 Author: Joan W. Blos Awards: Newbery Medal  Age Range: 9-12 Years old Summary: The book is written in the form of a journal. The journal belongs to a young girl named Catherine Hall. She writes about her everyday life experiences of living on a farm with her father and little sister. Catherine is a sweet, smart girl who helps out her father a lot since her mother passed away. Although, one day  Catherine's father, Charles, goes away on business and returns with the news that he has found a woman to marry. Catherine though at first sho cked by the news begins to embrace her new step-mom whom she refers to as Mammann. Mammann ensures the house is clean and the children have good clothes. Also, when she discovers that Catherine has gotten rid of an old quilt she has her make a new one to make up for it.  Catherine's best friend is Cassie Shipman who lives nearby and she visits...

  Genre: Nonfiction/Biography Title: Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World's Most Famous Bear Author: Lindsay Mattick  Illustrator: Sophie Blackall Awards: Caldecott Medal Age Range: 4-9 Years old Summary: This story is about how Harry Colebourn, a soldier, saved a bear from a trapper. He paid only $20 dollars for the bear that he named Winnipeg, but they called her Winnie. All the soldiers grew to love her and she was seen as a special bear. Winnie and Harry had a special bond and before he shipped out to France, Harry decided to take Winnie to the London Zoo. Though it was hard for Harry to leave Winnie, she was in the right place. Eventually, Winnie became friends with a young boy named Christopher Robin Milne. Alan Alexander Milne, Christopher's father, would watch him and Winnie play, which is where he go the inspiration to write Winnie the Pooh.  Evaluation: I absolutely enjoyed reading this book because I grew up loving Winnie the Pooh and I never new that th...

Genre: Fantasy Title: Make Way for Ducklings Author/Illustrator: Robert McCloskey Awards: Caldecott Medal Age Range: 2-6 Years old Summary: The ducks, Mr. and Mrs. Mallard, are looking for a place to call home. They are flying everywhere, but every place Mr. Mallard suggests, Mrs. Mallad says it is too dangerous. They found a park they really liked, but the bikes speeding through made Mrs. Mallard realize it was no place to hatch her ducklings. The ducks continued their search and eventually found the perfect island on the Charles River. Mrs. Mallard laid eight eggs, and she watched over them day and night to keep them safe. When they hatched she took great care of them and taught them all they needed to know. Once Mrs. Mallard felt that her ducklings could make the journey to the park she took them there. The Mallard family tried to cross the road, but there were too many cars. Thankfully, a nice police officer helped stop traffic and allowed the ducks to cross. When they made it to t...

Genre: Fantasy Title: The Story of Jumping Mouse Author/Illustrator: John Steptoe Awards: Caldecott Honor Age Range: 4-8 Years old Summary: There is a little mouse that wants to go to the far-off land, even though he knows it may be dangerous. The mouse meets Magic Frog, gives the mouse the ability to jump higher than before, and names him Jumping Mouse. The mouse crosses the river with the help of the frog and continues on his journey. The mouse gives his eyesight to a blind bison because he wanted to help him. Even though Jumping Mouse can no longer see, he still has hope. Next, he ran into a wolf that could not smell, so Jumping mouse used the little magic he had left and names the wolf Nose-of-a-Mouse, so the wolf could now smell. The Jumping Mouse made it to the far-off land but was distraught because he did not know how he could live with no sight and no smell. The Magic Frog appeared and changed Jumping Mouse into an Eagle because he was unselfish. Evaluation: I enjoyed reading ...

Type: Paper Engineered  Title: The Eye of the Pharah: A Pop-Up Whodunit Author/Illustrator: Iain Smyth Awards: N/A Age Range:  7-12 years old Summary: This story follows a journalist, Anne, as she goes through The Pyramid of Kha-Putt. The tomb has been sealed for many years. Dr. Sands plans to open it and retrieve the Eye of the Pharaoh, which is said to have healing powers. We follow the group as they make their way into the Tomb of Kha-Put and explore around. However, that night the Eye of the Pharaoh was stolen. Throughout the story, we receive clues about the different characters that we are to use to figure out who is the real thief. The very last page has a list of all the possible suspects with some facts about them including the last clue. However, the last clue can be changed if you turn it meaning that there are 3 possible endings for the story. The three possible endings include the thief being either Chloe Petra, Anne Hackette, or Marilyn Street and Henry Ford, who...

Genre: Nonfiction/Autobiography Title: Through My Eyes Author: Ruby Bridges Awards: Carier C. Woodson Book Award, Jane Addams Children's Book Award Age Range: 9-12 years old Summary: Ruby Bridges lived during a critical time of the civil rights movement. She was one of the first colored people to be allowed to attend a white school because she passed the school board exam. Many white people were upset with the integration. Throughout the book, we get an insight into what African-Americans had to go through during the time of the civil rights. There were riots and racist comments yelled at them, especially as the girls would enter their new school. Ruby's first white teacher was Barbara Henry, and they grew to really like each other and Ruby was able to learn a lot from her. As the school year continues, the protesters outside the school decrease and few students began to go back to school. The entire book talks about the journey that Ruby had to go through with attending school...

Genre:  Nonfiction/Biography  Title: Code Breaker, Spy Hunter: How Elizabeth Friedman Changes the Course of Two World Wars Author: Laurie Wallmark Illustrator: Brooke Smart Awards: N/A Age Range: 7 years old and up Summary: This is a biography about Elizabeth Friedman who played a significant role in decoding messages that put many Nazi spies in prison. She was able to crack codes most people could not. Elizabeth loved to decode and she needed a better way to do this. She created the first cryptography department at the CIA. Evaluation: Personally, I love history, so I really enjoyed this book and learning about Elizabeth. I would want to use this in my classroom as a reference if I were talking about WWI or WWII because of the major impact she had on those wars. Since the book is a little long, I would not read the whole book in one day. I would select certain portions I found to be the most important and read those or I would read a few pages every day. At the end of the boo...

Genre: Nonfiction Title: The Water Cycle Author: Craig Hammersmith Awards: N/A Age Range: 5-8 years old.  Summary: The book is about the parts of the water cycle. It begins by explaining how water is recycled. Then, it talks about evaporation, condensation, and precipitation. There is a small diagram of the water cycle. In addition, there are instructions on how to create a terrarium.  Evaluation: I liked how simple, yet descriptive the book was to read. There were not too many words, but you still get the full picture of the Water Cycle. I would use this book with 1st through 4th graders. I think it would be fun to read it out after all the vocabulary has been taught or to read it as a review for the students. An activity I would have the students do is create a diagram where they draw and label the parts of the water cycle. In addition, I love how there are instructions on how to create a terrarium, so I would really like to do that with my students. 

Genre: Nonfiction Title: Weathering and Erosion Author: Christina Wisdom Awards: N/A Age Range: 9-12 years old Summary: This book discusses the difference between weathering and erosion. In addition, it talks about the different kinds of weathering such as chemical weathering and mechanical weathering. Furthermore, it discusses all the things that help with the process of weathering and erosion such as water, ice, glaciers, and wind.  Evaluation: I would use this book with students in the 4th and 5th grade because I think this topic can be a little more confusing. I like the book because it gives good examples and breaks down the topics very well. I really love how there is a glossary for this book, which I would have my students write these vocabulary words in their interactive notebook before we read the book so that they have the knowledge necessary to understand. Another way I would use the book is to split the class in half where one group studies chemical weathering and the o...

Genre: Nonfiction Title: What's Out There? A Book About Space Author: Lynn Wilson Illustrator: Paige Billin-Frye Awards: N/A Age Range: 5-11 years old Summary: The book talks about the different planets and how they travel around the sun. In addition, it takes about how the earth spins and how its tilt affects the weather. There is an example of the phases of the moon as well and it is explained that we only see the lit-up part of the moon. Then, the book goes on to describe the moon. Lastly, the planets are in sequential order and there are short facts about each one as well as an explanation of meteoroids, comets, and asteroids.  Evaluation: This book would be great to use in a science class when learning about the phases of the moon or the planets. I would use this with grades 1st through 4th and modify the content a little for younger students. I think the book gives simple explanations that the students would be able to comprehend, so I would definitely consider using this bo...

Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction Author: R.J. Palacio Awards: Texas Bluebonnet Award Age Range: 9-13 years old Summary: The main character of the book is August, who goes by his nickname "Auggie." Throughout the story, we get an insight into Auggie's life and how he deals with going to a real school and interacting with many peers for the very first time. Auggie is very different from most children his age because he has had to undergo many surgeries due to being born with a cleft pallet and having a very severe condition that causes him to have a facial difference. Many people often stare at Auggie, which embarrasses him. At first, he did not want to go to school but eventually warmed up to the idea. He had a hard time at first because people were rude, called him names, and would avoid him because people were scared to catch "the plague." Those first few months were the hardest, but he found two very good friends, Summer, and Jack. Eventually, all the kid...

Genre: Historical Fiction Title: When Jessie Came Across the Sea Author: Amy Hest Illustrator: P. J. Lynch Awards: Christopher Award Age Range: 7-12 years old Summary: Jessie had no plans of going to America, but the rabbi in her village chose her to go in his place. Jessie was not happy to go to America because she was scared. On the boat the first day, she cried a lot. Although, eventually she decided to sew to pass the days. She even helped a few fellow passengers by sewing some of the clothes. Cousin Kay was there to greet Jessie when she got to the U.S. She was very excited to see her. Cousin Kay made Jessie go to school because she wanted her to learn English. Jessie has also been working very hard sewing because she is trying to earn enough money to purchase a ticket to America for her grandmother. Jessie has been in America for 3 years now, and when she was out walking she ran into her friend Lou who she met on the ship. One day, he asked her to marry him and when Jessie...

Genre: Historical Fiction Title: The Other Side Author: Jacqueline Woodson Illustrator: E. B. Lewis Awards: N/A Age Range: 5-8 years old  Summary: A young is curious about what life is like on the other side of her fence. You see, on the other side of the street, only white people could live there while colored people live on the opposite side. A fence separated the two sides, and Clover's mom told her never to cross that fence. Although, Annie, a girl across the fence, would watch as the other kids play. One day Clover and Annie began talking and sat on the fence together. Clover and all her friends even played jump rope with Annie one time. When the kids grew tired they sat on the fence to relax. As they are sitting, Annie says, "Someday somebody's going to come along and knock this old fence down." Clover just agrees with her, and the story ends there.  Evaluation: I enjoyed the book because I liked seeing how Clover and Annie's friendship started and grew...

Genre: Historical Fiction Title: Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad Author: Ellen Levine Illustrator: Kadir Nelson Awards: Caldecott Honor Age Range: 6-10 years old Summary: Henry was just a boy when his master was dying. Rather than setting Henry and his mom free, he sent Henry to work for his son. While working one day, he met a lady who would soon be his wife, Nancy. Unfortunately, Henry was separated from his wife and children because they were sold by their owner. Losing his family completely destroyed Henry, and he was no longer happy as he once was. This is what led Henry to want to mail himself to a place where slavery was not allowed. Henry mailed himself to Philadelphia, PA. He had a tough time at first because they placed his box upside down. However, Henry survived the mailing process and made it successfully to Philadelphia.  Evaluation: This book would be best for students in grades 2nd, 3rd and, 4th. It may be used for older students...

Genre: Historical Fiction Title: Barefoot: Escape on the Underground Railroad Author: Panela Duncan Edwards Illustrator: Henry Cole Awards: N/A Age Range: 4-8 years old  Summary: The story is about a Barefoot, or runaway slave, that is trying to escape his life as a slave. He uses the signs that the animals give him to guide himself. For instance, a frog croaking helped him to find water when he was thirsty. The Barefoot was scared of what was to come during his journey, and he was anxious about being the possibility of being caught. However, the mosquitoes saved him as they attacked the Barefoot's pursuers and led them in the opposite direction. Eventually, he found a house and noticed a quilt hanging. Therefore, the Barefoot knew he was safe, at least for that night. Evaluation: This book would be good to use in grades 2nd through 5th grade because I think the topic of the story is for older students. I would use this book during social studies, specifically when teaching a...

Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction Title: First Year Letters Author: Julie Danneberg Illustrator: Judy Love Awards: N/A Age Range: 6-9 years old Summary: Mrs. Hartwell, sets up a post office in her classroom with the help of her students that way they can "mail" each other letters. The students write many letters to Mrs. Harwell and she even gets some from the janitor and a firefighter. The students write letters asking questions, making suggestions, and even just to update Mrs. Hartwell about their day. At the very end, the teachers and students throw a surprise party for Mrs. Hartwell to congratulate her on a great school year.  Evaluation: I enjoyed this book and the way it was written because it is very different than traditional books. The story is told through letters written by different students and adults. I would use this book for students in grades 2nd through 4th grade. I think the students would enjoy the book, and I would use it as an introduction to writing ...

Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction Title: She's Got This Author:  Laurie Hernandez Illustrator: Nina Mata Awards: N/A Age Range: 4-7 years old Summary: Zoe loves gymnastics, but one day at practice she tried to leap on the balance beam and fell off. This discouraged Zoe and made her want to quit gymnastics. However, her family consoled her and explained to her that it is okay to fall. They even took her out for ice cream to celebrate her first fall. Zoe's family did not want her to quit. They wanted her to learn that it is important to keep trying and that is exactly what she did. Zoe went back to gymnastics and practiced by doing her best. She fell sometimes, but she always got up and tried again. Evaluation: This book would be good for students in Kindergarten through the second grade. I would use this book in my classroom because the theme, never give up, is something I would want to teach my students. After reading the book, I would talk about always trying our best and ...

Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction Title: dear juno Author: Soyung Pak Illustrator: Susan Kathleen Hartung Awards: Ezra Jack Keats Book Award Age Range: 3-7 years old Summary: Juno received a letter from his grandmother who lives in Seoul. Though he could not read the letter, he knew what it said because of the pictures and the flower his grandmother put in the envelope. Juno wanted to write a letter back to his grandma, so he drew her a few pictures. His parents helped him mail the letter. One day a large letter came, and when Juno opened it there were colored pencils, another picture, and a plane This made Juno happy because he knew his grandma liked his letter and wanted another one. Furthermore, the plane meant that she was going to come to visit him. Juno was very happy and fell asleep dreaming of his grandmother.  Evaluation: I would use this book in my classroom because it tells a great story about how communicating with someone can be through pictures not just words. I w...

Genre:  Contemporary Realistic Fiction Title:  Alexander, Who's Trying His Best to Be the Best Boy Ever Author:  Judith Viorst Illustrator:  Isidre Mones in the style of Ray Cruz Awards:  N/A Age Range:  4-8   years old Summary: Alexander ate a whole box of jelly donuts, which caused him to have a terrible tummy ache. When his mother found out, she told him there would be consequences for his actions. Alexander was not allowed to play games or watch television. In fact, he had to stay in his room and think about what he had done. He did not like the consequences, so he decided from now on he wanted to be the best boy ever. Alexander's dad challenged him to try to be the best boy over for an entire week, and he agreed. Throughout the week he faces challenges that cause him to want to be "bad," but Alexander always reminds himself to be the best boy ever. It was not until Wednesday morning when Alexander kicked the boy sitting next to him by "mistake" an...

Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction  Title: April Fools', Mr. Todd! Author: Megan McDonald Illustrator: Erwin Madrid Awards: N/A Age Range: 7-9 years old Summary: Mr. Todd teaches his class about April Fools Day and how it is celebrated in different countries. Judy tries to think of a way to prank Mr. Todd. She finally thinks of an idea when Stink, her brother, gives her a Walking Stick bug as her birthday present. Judy tricked Mr. Todd by telling him she started collecting sticks and leaving the cage of sticks on his desk. Judy's Walking Stick bug ends up crawling onto Mr. Todd and when he discovers it on his head she yells "April Fools." Mr. Todd enjoyed Judy's prank, but told her to watch out because he just might prank her back. Judy could not stop thinking about what prank Mr. Todd might do to her. She was overthinking so much that she forgot it was her birthday! She started to get sad because no one seemed to remember it was her birthday, but she began to ...

Genre: Fantasy (Audiobook) Title:  Civil War On Sunday Author: Mary Pope Osborne Illustrator: Sal Murdocca Awards: N/A Age Range: 6-9 years old Summary:  The story begins with Jack and Annie heading into the forest to see if the Magic Treehouse was back. Fortunately, for them it was! Inside the Treehouse they found a note from Morgan, and a book titled The Civil War, which is where they went. They ended up in the field that was on the cover of the book, and it was not long until they saw injured soldiers. Annie desperately wanted to help the soldiers, but Jack did not think kids could help. However, they met a nice nurse who told them they would love their help. She even gave them a list of things to do. Jack was very hesitant to help because he was uncomfortable and they already found what Morgan asked them to find. Annie convinced Jack to stay a little longer that way they could feed the soldiers. Jack meets one soldier and learns about slavery from him. Then, Jack and Anni...