The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

Modern Fantasy (Chapter Book)

Siblings Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy are sent to live in the English countryside with Professor Digory Kirke at the begining of World War II. Shortly after they arrive at his house, they decide to go exploring- and find a magical wardrobe that takes them to the land of Narnia. The four siblings explore Narnia and have many adventures there- eventually becoming the Kings and Queens of the land! After 15 years there, they travel back through the wardrobe to find that no time has passed in England. They tell the Professor about their wild adventure in Narnia, and he tells them that one day they will return- but never again through the wardrobe.

Since this book is a little complicated, I think I would use it to improve their vocabulary and check how well they are comprehending. It also opens up an avenue to discuss World War II and the Holocaust due to the fact that the four siblings had to be evacuated from their home. This would undoubtedly come up, and this book would make a great segue.

Revolutionary War on Wednesday

Revolutionary War on Wednesday by Mary Pope Osborne

Modern Fantasy (Chapter Book)

Revolutionary War on Wednesday is book #22 in the 'Magic Tree House' series. Siblings Jack and Annie have a magic tree house that takes them to the places in the books they read to help Morgan Le Fay, a magical librarian. In this adventure, Jack and Annie travel back in time to December 25, 1776 and find themselves smack dab in the middle of the American Revolution. They end up crossing the Delaware River with George Washington himself, and when he starts to question whether or not he should continue on with his plan to attack the Hessians (German soldiers hired by the British army), Annie convinces him to keep going for all the future children of America! Jack and Annie find what they need to complete their own mission and go back home, and George Washington and the Patriots go on to win the war.

I would use this book to discuss the development of the United States of America. This book tells the story of one of the most important nights of the American Revolution from a child's point of view, which I think is important for young students. I think it would really help students understand the American Revolution and the important events that shaped America.

Abuela

Abuela by Arthur Dorros

Multicultural

Abuela is the story young Rosalba and her abuela, or grandmother. Rosalba and Abuela love to go on adventures, and their story starts in the park with lots of birds. Rosalba imagines what it would be like if she and Abuela flew with the birds. They would fly all over the city, near the ocean, past the Statue of Liberty, and into the clouds. Rosalba hears Abuela calling her and her daydream is over, but Abuela is taking her on a boat ride in the park- yet another adventure!

I would use this book to discuss imagery. Rosalba imagines herself flying high above the city, and I think it would be fun to read the students the book and then have them write their own story, using imagery, about what they would do if they could fly above their town for a day.

Roanoke: The Lost Colony

Roanoke: The Lost Colony by Jane Yolen and Heidi Elisabet Yolen Stemple

Non-Fiction

Jane Yolen tells the story of the lost colony at Roanoke, an island off the coast of North Carolina. It starts with the colonists' journey to the New World from England. They intended to start their colony in Chesapeake, Virginia, but were forced out of their boats at Roanoke. They got into fights with the Indians but managed to survive. Just after the first English child was born in America (Virginia Dare), the leader, John White, set sail for England to get more supplies. When he returned the colonists were gone and all that remained were the letters "CRO" carved into a tree and the word "CROATAN" carved into a post. No one knows what it meant and the colonists were never found. To this day the Roanoke colony is known as "lost."

I would use this book to discuss the Lost Colony at Roanoke. This is a huge event in North Carolina's history, and relates to the NC SCOS 4th Grade objective 3.03- Examine the Lost Colony and explain its importance in the settlement of North Carolina. It really focuses on facts and vocabulary and gives five different theories as to what happened to the colonists. I think the students would respond much better to reading and learning about the colony from this book than they would to reading and learning about the colony from a textbook.

Isla

Isla by Arthur Dorros

Multicultural

This is a story about a small girl named Rosalba and her Abuela, or grandmother. Using their imaginations, they fly to la isla (the island) where Abuela grew up. They meet relatives, visit the rain forest, go to the market, and swim in the ocean- all the while speaking in Spanish. They fly back to New York City, and can't wait for the next time they visit their isla.

I think this book would be great to promote diversity, specifically knowledge of Hispanic cultures. The book uses lots of phrases in Spanish (with a glossary of terms in the back) and I think it would be neat to have students who speak Spanish fluently come up with some everyday terms of their own to share with the class that we can all use in our vocabulary. It would also be great to have Hispanic students talk about where their own families are from and segue into a discussion on the ancestry and history of all the students in the class and Americans as a group.

Thank You, Mr. Falker

Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco

Realistic Fiction

Thank You, Mr. Falker is a story about Tricia's struggle to read. Ever since her grandfather poured honey on a book and told her she would taste sweet knowledge, Tricia has longed to read. She tries so hard but the words all swim together and kids make fun of her. Then she meets Mr. Falker, who works with her every day, letter by letter, until Tricia can read! She is so happy because this is all she ever wanted. Little Tricia grows up to write books for children, and thanks Mr. Falker every day for changing her life.

I would use this book to discuss plot development. This is a touching book and the plot is detailed without being complicated. I think it would be a good book to talk about plot development because the events of the book are meaningful and identifiable but, because of the nature of the book, it is fairly easy to determine the order and progression of the story. It would be a good book to introduce this topic before moving on to plot development in chapter books.

A Birthday Basket for Tía

A Birthday Basket for Tía by Pat Mora

Multicultural

This book is really neat because it tells a story through the eyes of a young Mexican-American girl. It is about a young girl named Cecelia who wants to give her Tía, or aunt, a special present for her ninetieth birthday. Her cat Chica helps her as she goes around the house filling her basket with things that remind her of Tía. Soon it is time for Tía's surprise party and when Cecelia gives Tía her birthday present, Chica jumps in the basket! Tía loves her present, and she and Cecelia dance together.

I think this book would be a great tool when discussing the differences between Mexican and American cultures, especially if there are students of Mexican descent in the classroom. It gives really good examples of ways that Mexican and American cultures are different through a story about a girl and her aunt. It would be really neat to ask any students of Mexican descent if they have ever made bizcochos, the cookies Cecelia makes with Tía, or if they ever drink hierbabuena, the tea Tía makes Cecelia when she is sick.