1. The Giving Tree
Author: Shel Silverstein Publisher: Harper and Row, 1964.
Summary and Criteria for Selection: The Giving Tree is a wonderful story about a relationship between a young boy and a tree. The tree provides the boy with what he thinks he wants. I want to use this story in literature circles to get students to ask themselves questions about what they want and at what expense do we get our way. Using The Giving Tree in a literature circle allows for meaningful discussion about giving, sharing and friendship.
2. Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge
Author: Mem Fox Publisher: Kane/Miller Publishers, 1995.
Summary and Criteria for Selection: Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge is a little boy who lives next door to an "old people’s home." He is a friend with all of the residents, but his favorite is Miss Nancy Alison Delacourt Cooper and he helps her find her memory. The story helps students to discuss ageism and Alzheimer’s Disease. Relationship to literature circle: Understanding prior knowledge is one of the most valuable assets that they bring to the classroom.
3. My First Garden
Author: Tomeki Bogacki Publisher: Frances Foster Books
Summary and Criteria for Selection: This is a wonderful account of a man remembering a garden he created when he was a boy. At the same time his own son is starting his first garden. The book is a metaphor about growing, heritage and renewal. The book My First Garden also gives me the opportunity to ask students questions about how they choose books and discuss the value of literature circles and diversity.
4. Book Title: Jazz on Saturday Night
Author: Leo and Diane Dillon Publisher: The Blue Sky Press
Summary and Criteria for Selection: A cultural look at jazz and music from Duke Ellington to Miles Davis. The book Jazz on Saturday Night allows me to share my music experiences and nurture a sense of wonder and imagination.
5. Book Title: All the Colors of the Earth
Author: Sheila Hamanaka Publisher: Morrow Junior Books
Summary and Criteria for Selection: A story of diversity and culture and I really enjoy the connection between the illustration and the text. My hope is that I can help students make connections between the text they read and feel they can be a part of the story. As I reread the story I feel that the use of nature and animals is profound and students can embrace the words with a lesson about how do you see yourself and how do you connect with the text?
Not the requirement,, I'd love to see the book cover.
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