Mel's Book Corner

Title: What a Good Big Brother! Genre: Realistic Fiction Author: Diane Wright Landolf Major Awards: None Age Group: Preschool-Kindergarten This story is about a young child named Cameron who has a new baby sister named Sadie. He is very eager to help with taking care of Sadie, including changing her diaper, patting her head when she cries, patting her tummy, and bringing his parents supplies they need for Sadie. There is one issue, though: she cries a lot! Cameron is confused why she is crying and wonders why nothing his parents do will calm her down. Much to Cameron and his parents' surprise, Sadie stops crying whenever Cameron is near. When she will not stop crying, he kisses her toes and pats her, and she always quiets down! In the end, Cameron gets her to smile for the first time in her life. He is a proud big brother! I would like to have this book in my classroom! Many young children can relate to Cameron in that they want to help with their younger sibling, but al...

Title: Alexander, Who's Not (Do you hear me? I mean it!) Going to Move Genre: Realistic Fiction Author: Judith Viorst Major Awards: CBC/NCSS Notable Children's Book in Social Studies Age Group: Pre-K-3rd grade This story is about Alexander and his resistance to moving away. His father has taken a job in a new city, causing the family to have to move. Alexander states that he, under no circumstances, is moving away. He starts to think of places and people he could live with in his current town so he would not have to move away. He states all the people he will miss and will never be able to replace, including his best friend Paul, his babysitter, his cleaner, his neighbors, and his school. His mother comforts him, saying that it will take time, but he will find new people to love in the new city. In the end, he starts to come to terms with the move after much protesting, but states that he will never again be moving away after this time.  I would love to have this boo...

Title: Why? Genre: Realistic Fiction Author: Richard Torrey Major Awards: None Age Group: Preschool-1st grade Why is a story about six-year-old Jack and the many questions he has. Why are there holes in crackers? Why does healthy food taste bad? Why can't I play with my older brother and his friend? Why can't I have a tail like my dog? Why can't I keep my frog I caught in my bedroom? Why did my goldfish die? Why do I have to take a bath? Why do I have to go to bed if I am not tired? Why?! In the end, Jack falls asleep after asking why he has to go to sleep. His mother replies, "That's why." Jack is a very curious young boy who has many questions for the world, just like a typical six-year-old.  This would be a great book to have in my classroom! Young children like Jack are trying to figure out the world, thus resulting in many questions. I think that children who read this book would totally relate to the questions Jack has!  I believe that this ...

Title: A Letter to my Teacher Genre: Realistic Fiction Author: Deborah Hopkinson Major Awards: None Age Group: 2nd-4th grade This is a sweet story written to a past teacher from a now adult about to start her first job. In the book, she recounts her second grade experience. She writes about how school was tough for her because it meant sitting still and listening, two things she was not fond of, but her teacher made it easy for her to like school. She recalls different times in class where she was a disruption. That one time she escaped into the river while the class was supposed to be there to learn about plants and water, but her teacher rescued her. That one time she took the class mice home, but her cat ate one of them. She bought a replacement, and her teacher could tell, but she laughed it off. That one time she was frustrated because she was not a good reader, but her teacher explained to her that learning takes time. That one time the class went to a museum, and she es...

Title: But I Read it on the Internet! Genre: Realistic Fiction Author: Toni Buzzeo Major Awards: None Age Group: 3rd-5th grade Fourth-grader Hunter knows many facts from reading books. His classmate, Carmen knows many facts from reading them on the internet. One day in school, their teacher asks them to name some facts about United States Presidents. Carmen raises her hand, saying "George Washington had wooden teeth!" Hunter knew this was not true, and got in an argument with Carmen because of it. Their teacher asks them where they found their information. Carmen says she read it on the internet, while Hunter says he read it in a book. For homework that night, their teacher tells them to pick one fact about a US President and prove it is true or not, using the internet. Their teacher explains that they need to find scholarly sources, because not every website on the internet has true facts. Hunter is not a fan of the internet, and does not even know how to use it be...