Poetry- Written Review and Read Aloud

The Crossover

Kwame Alexander

Retrieved from https://www.amazon.com/Crossover-Kwame-Alexander-ebook/dp/B00E78IBAC/ref=sr_1_1 keywords=the+crossover&qid=1560139515&s=gateway&sr=8-1

Are you a sports fan?  Have you been following the NBA finals?  If you answered yes to either of these questions, then you'll find a slam dunk in this book.  Kwame Alexander masterfully creates a story in verse about twelve-year-old twin brothers, Josh and Jordan "JB" Bell who are awesome on the basketball court.  The brothers are inseparable along with their former basketball player father, Chuck Bell.  However, soon after school starts, JB gets a girlfriend and has little time for his brother and father.  This creates animosity within their family and Josh is not able to handle the fact that their relationship is changing.  Meanwhile, because of his terrible eating habits and heart problems that run in the family, the boys' father's health is in a dire situation.  Through tragedy and heartache, will Josh and JB be able to find a way to mend their broken relationship and go back to being best friends? You will not want to miss The Crossover.  Alexander's amazing word choice creates a rhythm that grabs the reader doesn't let go. 

Read Aloud from The Crossover

"Dribbling"- page 3

Awards and Distinctions

2015 John Newbery Medal Winner

2015 Coretta Scott King Award, Author Honor

Notable Children's Books, 1995-2019, Commended, 2015

Alexander, Kwame.  (2014). The Crossover. Boston: HMH for Young Readers.

Traditional Tale- Read Aloud

Strega Nona

By Tomie dePaola

Retrieved from https://www.amazon.com/Strega-Nona-Tomie-dePaola/dp/0671666061/ref=sr_1_2?keywords=strega+nona&qid=1558927162&s=books&sr=1-2

Have you ever done something that you were told not to?  When Strega Nona, Calabria's local witch hires Big Anthony to help with her daily chores, she warns Big Anthony not to touch her magic past pot. Find out what happens when Big Anthony thinks that he can disobey Strega Nona's warning.  

Awards

1976 Caldecott Medal, Honor

dePaola, Tomie. (1975). Strega Nona. New York: Simon and Schuster for Young Readers. 

Picture Books- Read Aloud

The Bad Seed

by Jory John

Retrieved from https://www.amazon.com/Bad-Seed-Jory-John/dp/006246776X/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=the+bad+seed&qid=1558925691&s=books&sr=1-1

Have you ever gone through something that made you turn from good to bad? If you have felt this way, then you'll want to read to see how The Bad Seed deals with this same thing.

Awards and Distinctions

Junior Library Guild, 2017, Read Aloud Selection

John, Jory. 2017. The Bad Seed. New York: Harper Collins Publishers. 

Award-Winning Book- Written Review

Dreamers
Written and Illustrated by Yuyi Morales


Retrieved from https://www.amazon.com/Dreamers-Yuyi-Morales/dp/0823440559

We are all  Dreamers in our own way.  In her Pura Belpre award-winning book,  Dreamers, author and illustrator, Yuyi Morales beautifully writes and illustrates her own dreamer story.  The book begins with Yuyi and her son, Kelly as they leave their familiar surroundings to live in a new country.  In this new place, they do not understand the language and aren't understood by their new neighbors.  Soon, they find an unfamiliar place that leads them to feel a sense of belonging.  Dreamers is written in English with Spanish words sprinkled in to show the impact of their journey to their new home.  You will want to read Dreamers to see how Yuyi and her son overcome barriers to make them feel welcome in their new country.

Awards and Distinctions
Pura Belpre Award, Illustrator Winner, 2019
Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards- Honor, 2019
Notable Children's Books, Commended, 2019
Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, Contemporary Concerns Selection, 2019

Morales, Yuyi. (2018).  Dreamers. New York: Neil Porter Books.