This blog was created as an assignment for Library 263: Materials for Children 5-8. It is a Material Selection and Reading log for a variety of genres for that age group.
The assignment was fun, as well as informative for me. As I was looking in the section with beginning chapter books, I realized how important series have become in this category of books. It seems children like to read about familiar characters. I love Junie B. Jones and Ivy and Bean, and can't wait to read more of those stories. I wasn't as impressed with Flat Stanley's Worldwide Adventures, and thought the book I reviewed was poorly written, a little to preachy, and covered a sensitive topic with barely any research.
I think blogs such as this one are an invaluable tool for parents and educators alike. There is so much new material being published, that it is important for parents to have access to not only professional reviews, but the average reader's opinions on what is out there for young children. As a librarian or educator it is important to have basic knowledge on a wide variety of books and topics, so you are prepared to recommend books to a diverse group of readers with a variety of reading levels.
Happy Reading!
Ms. Booky
Wednesday, May 8, 2013
Where Do Polar Bears Live?
Where Do Polar Bears Live? Thomson, Sarah L. (author). Chin, Jason (illustrator). (2010). New York, NY: Harper Collins Publishers. 37 pages. ISBN: 978-0-06-157518-1.
Non-fiction: Informational: Ages 4 to 8
Topics and Main Points:
Where Do Polar Bears Live takes the reader through the life of an Arctic Polar Bear. The book goes through the life cycle and needs of polar bears. When the mother and cub emerge from beneath the ice, they must hunt seals to regain all the weight the mother has lost during hibernation. The reader is informed about the way that a polar bear's body mechanics keep it warm, and allow it to live on the ice. Over the last one hundred years, the earth has become consistently warmer, meaning there is less ice to be used as a habitat and hunting ground for the bears. This means that mother's aren't having as many cubs and more cubs are not surviving into adulthood. The book ends by telling students what they can do to help combat global warming. This discussion of global warming wasn't appreciated by all reviewers. Kirkus Reviews writes that towards the end of the text the tone changes from "informative to exhortative" and that "this series has already addressed global warming, and its heavy presence in this title seems shoehorned in solely to galvanize readers."
Where Do Polar Bears Live takes the reader through the life of an Arctic Polar Bear. The book goes through the life cycle and needs of polar bears. When the mother and cub emerge from beneath the ice, they must hunt seals to regain all the weight the mother has lost during hibernation. The reader is informed about the way that a polar bear's body mechanics keep it warm, and allow it to live on the ice. Over the last one hundred years, the earth has become consistently warmer, meaning there is less ice to be used as a habitat and hunting ground for the bears. This means that mother's aren't having as many cubs and more cubs are not surviving into adulthood. The book ends by telling students what they can do to help combat global warming. This discussion of global warming wasn't appreciated by all reviewers. Kirkus Reviews writes that towards the end of the text the tone changes from "informative to exhortative" and that "this series has already addressed global warming, and its heavy presence in this title seems shoehorned in solely to galvanize readers."
Author/Illustrator:
The author uses a very direct style. She discusses the hunting of seals, and the disappearance of habitat in age appropriate ways. She also makes comparisons as to the size of Polar Bears in ways kids can recognize. For example she says that if "he stood on his hind legs, his head would brush the ceiling of your living room" and "he will weigh as much as three tigers". The illustrator is able to put a lot of expression into the illustrations. When the Polar Bear is standing on the scale with the three tigers, they look scared. When the baby polar bear is frolicking in the snow it looks so cute, but when it and the mother polar bear are settling in to hunt seals, they both have ferocious looks on their faces. Young readers will read into these illustrations more than adults and will study the details of the drawings to better interpret the text. A review in the School Library Journal mentions that the illustrations "are done in frosty shades and enhance the text."
The author uses a very direct style. She discusses the hunting of seals, and the disappearance of habitat in age appropriate ways. She also makes comparisons as to the size of Polar Bears in ways kids can recognize. For example she says that if "he stood on his hind legs, his head would brush the ceiling of your living room" and "he will weigh as much as three tigers". The illustrator is able to put a lot of expression into the illustrations. When the Polar Bear is standing on the scale with the three tigers, they look scared. When the baby polar bear is frolicking in the snow it looks so cute, but when it and the mother polar bear are settling in to hunt seals, they both have ferocious looks on their faces. Young readers will read into these illustrations more than adults and will study the details of the drawings to better interpret the text. A review in the School Library Journal mentions that the illustrations "are done in frosty shades and enhance the text."
Classroom Tie-ins:
The book can be used as a resource in a life science unit, during discussions on earth day and the environment. There are several projects listed in the book that children can undertake at home, or implement in the classroom in order to minimize waste. These discussions could be turned into writing activities, letters to local or state officials, or science projects.
The book can be used as a resource in a life science unit, during discussions on earth day and the environment. There are several projects listed in the book that children can undertake at home, or implement in the classroom in order to minimize waste. These discussions could be turned into writing activities, letters to local or state officials, or science projects.
Personal Response:
I thought this book was well written for young readers. It addresses complex topics in ways that children will relate to and comprehend. The illustrations depict the day to day lives of polar bears, but there is also a polar bear in a doctor's jacket that adds details in a side note. I like that the polar bear seems to be teaching us about it's own kind.
I thought this book was well written for young readers. It addresses complex topics in ways that children will relate to and comprehend. The illustrations depict the day to day lives of polar bears, but there is also a polar bear in a doctor's jacket that adds details in a side note. I like that the polar bear seems to be teaching us about it's own kind.
Resources:
School Library Journal (2010, February). [Review of the book Where Do Polar Bears Live? by Sarah Thomson]. Retrieved from:
http://web.ebscohost.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/ehost/detail?vid=7&sid=f26756eb-c611-4568-8108-618e7e6ec59a%40sessionmgr4&hid=10&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=aph&AN=47927583
Kirkus Reviews (2009, December 15). [Review of the book Where Do Polar Bears Live? by Sarah Thomson]. Retrieved from:
http://web.ebscohost.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/ehost/detail?vid=7&sid=f26756eb-c611-4568-8108-618e7e6ec59a%40sessionmgr4&hid=10&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=aph&AN=47524226
Tarra & Bella: The Elephant and Dog Who Became Best Friends
Tarra & Bella: The Elephant and Dog Who Became Best Friends. Buckley, Carol (author and photographer). (2009). New York, NY: G.P. Putnam's Sons. 32 pages. ISBN: 978-0-399-25443-7.
NonFiction: Informational: Ages 3 to 5 years
Topics and Main Points:
This story takes place at an elephant sanctuary in Tennessee. Tarra was the only elephant without a friend, so her and Bella formed an unlikely bond. they did everything together. One day, when no one could find Bella, they noticed that Tarra was standing in the same spot and wouldn't move. Searchers looked all around and found Bella lying in the grass, she was hurt and couldn't walk. The humans took Bella to a vet and found out she had a spinal chord injury, so they took her home to rest. Tarra stood fr two days in the spot where Bella had last seen her, waiting for her. She found the barn where Bella was being kept and they saw each other through the window and began talking. Tarra went to the barn everyday until Bella got better. You can find them playing together everyday, and Bella still limps from her injury, but the two best friends are never far apart.
Author/Photographer:
The books text and photographs are both the work of Carol Buckley, the owner of the elephant sanctuary. The layout of the book is very simple, with groupings of photographs over blue and lime green backgrounds. Carol's writing style involves describing the pictures in great detail, and interpreting the animals behaviors towards each other. A Booklist review found that "the photos make good use of the animals’ disparity in size, and the text doesn’t strain itself by trying to make the story unnecessarily earth-shattering." Some reviewers were not so pleased with Buckley's offering. Science Books and Films called it "completely superficial, a wade through a puddle of cuteness whose sole aim appears to make parents feel a twinge of warm-and-fuzzy as they read to their children." The review goes on to say, "as it stands, it is a saccharine treatment of an interesting bit of animal behavior and relationships that makes a Disney cartoon look like a National Geographic documentary by comparison."
Classroom Tie-ins:
The book could be used during a life science unit, or a discussion of different animals. It is a good read aloud, and a way to introduce nonfiction to students who think the genre is boring.
The book could be used during a life science unit, or a discussion of different animals. It is a good read aloud, and a way to introduce nonfiction to students who think the genre is boring.
Personal Response:
I read this story out loud to a class of kindergarteners, and I worried it was too text heavy and would lose their interest. Not only were they enthralled by the story, but they remembered details at the end and asked questions. I love stories of unlikely friendships, and that was the unit we were doing for that month: friendship. However, after reading a few reviews that were unfavorable, I could see where reviewers were coming from. Buckley may have missed the opportunity to teach about animal behaviors more in depth, and the story is almost sickly sweet. Seeing that it is intended for 3 to 5 year olds, one can hardly have expected her to go into any more detail.
Resources:
Booklist. (2009, October 1). [A review of the book Tarra and Bella: The Elephant and Dog Who Became Best Friends by Carol Buckley]. Retrieved from:
http://www.clcd.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/cgi-bin/member/search/f?./temp/~rvIVoW:1
Science Books and Films. (date unnknown). [Review of the book Tarra and Bella: The Elephant and the Dog Who Became Best Friends by Carol Buckley]. Retrieved from:
http://www.clcd.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/cgi-bin/member/search/f?./temp/~rvIVoW:1
After the Dinosaurs: Mammoths and Fossil Mammals
After the Dinosaurs: Mammoths and Fossil Mammals. Brown, Charlotte Lewis (author). Wilson, Phil (illustrator). (2006). New York, NY: Harper Collins Publishers. 31 pages. ISBN: 978-0-06-053054-9.
NonFiction: Informative: Ages 4 to 8
Topics and Main Points:
This book in the I Can Read series gives the basic on the small mammals and large ammoths that were alive during the dinosaur era. the author give the pronunciations of the animals, as well as comparing their looks and features to animals that children will recognize. Where the animals lived, what they ate, and how they survived are discussed. Eleven animals are discussed, including early humans. There is a note at the end of the book that discusses how scientists are still discovering the bones of these animals that lived ling ago.
Author/Illustrator:
Charlotte Lewis Brown writes in a basic style, that is easy to understand. The sentences are short and unfamiliar words are phonetically spelled so children can learn their pronunciations. A book review by Kutztown University states that the "text is interesting and presented in a relaxed, conversational style appropriate for the intended reader." Brown follows a pattern with each animal by describing the looks and habitat. A Kirkus review points out that readers "might find the table of contents more helpful if the pages were numbered," but states that the straightforward information is "presented in an interesting and accessible package". The illustrations are beautifully drawn. They are colorful and detailed. The backgrounds give the reader a real look at what the landscape would have looked like millions of years ago. In fact, it is the illustrationon the cover that will draw readers to the book, rather than the title. These two also paired up for another beginning reader story called The Day the Dinosaurs Died.
Classroom Tie-ins:
This book could supplement a unit on dinosaurs, but also be used in a discussion about how mammals differ from other animals. This is addressed early on in the text. Students can be asked, based on the pictures, what modern day animals some of these illustrations resemble. Students could draw their own versions of prehistoric animals and discuss what attributes would have enabled it to survive in that dangerous time. Students could also match the picture to the dinosaur on a worksheet as they are read the specific characteristics of each.
Charlotte Lewis Brown writes in a basic style, that is easy to understand. The sentences are short and unfamiliar words are phonetically spelled so children can learn their pronunciations. A book review by Kutztown University states that the "text is interesting and presented in a relaxed, conversational style appropriate for the intended reader." Brown follows a pattern with each animal by describing the looks and habitat. A Kirkus review points out that readers "might find the table of contents more helpful if the pages were numbered," but states that the straightforward information is "presented in an interesting and accessible package". The illustrations are beautifully drawn. They are colorful and detailed. The backgrounds give the reader a real look at what the landscape would have looked like millions of years ago. In fact, it is the illustrationon the cover that will draw readers to the book, rather than the title. These two also paired up for another beginning reader story called The Day the Dinosaurs Died.
Classroom Tie-ins:
This book could supplement a unit on dinosaurs, but also be used in a discussion about how mammals differ from other animals. This is addressed early on in the text. Students can be asked, based on the pictures, what modern day animals some of these illustrations resemble. Students could draw their own versions of prehistoric animals and discuss what attributes would have enabled it to survive in that dangerous time. Students could also match the picture to the dinosaur on a worksheet as they are read the specific characteristics of each.
Personal Response:
Until I worked in a library, I had no idea how popular these books were with young readers. I couldn't get them reshelved fast enough, and the shelves were always a mess after library time with the younger grades. The students loved the pictures, and sometimes taught me things I didn't know about the dinosaurs. I was always impressed when they knew the difficult names. The author makes the topic exciting, and I think she ordered the book very well.
Until I worked in a library, I had no idea how popular these books were with young readers. I couldn't get them reshelved fast enough, and the shelves were always a mess after library time with the younger grades. The students loved the pictures, and sometimes taught me things I didn't know about the dinosaurs. I was always impressed when they knew the difficult names. The author makes the topic exciting, and I think she ordered the book very well.
Resources:
Kirkus Reviews (2006, August 15). [Review of the book After the Dinosaurs: Mammoths and Fossil Mammals by Charlotte Lewis Brown]. Retrieved from:
http://web.ebscohost.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/ehost/detail?vid=7&sid=ac77999b-184a-4983-9ba5-87928a417fba%40sessionmgr14&hid=10&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=aph&AN=21987291
Kutztown University Book Review. (Fall 2007). [Review of the book After the Dinosaurs: Mammoths and Fossil Mammals by Charlotte Lewis Brown]. Retrieved from:
http://www.clcd.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/cgi-bin/member/search/f?./temp/~nfDbbg:2
Gloria's Way
Gloria's Way. Cameron, Ann (author). Toft, Lisa (illustrator). (2000). New York, NY: Frances Foster Books. 96 pages. ISBN: 0-374-32670-3.
Fiction: Beginning Chapter Book: Ages 8-12
Setting:
This chapter book is not divided into chapters, but is six distinct stories about a young girl named Gloria and her friends. The book is a spinoff to a series about brothers Julian and Huey, and gives more depth to their neighborhood friend Gloria.
Plot:
Since there are six different stories in the book, the plot varies from story to story. In the first story Gloria makes a nice Valentine's card for her mother, but the wind blows it in to the cage of a neighbor's parrot, she has a hard time convincing him to give it back. Another story deals with Gloria's worry that her best friend Julian is starting to like their new friend better than her. There are always adults around to ask for advice, and to help with problems. Publishers Weekly writes that the author "conveys the benefits of effort and high self-esteem while stressing the importance of mothers and fathers taking time out of their busy schedules to participate in their children's lives." The other stories in the book discuss things like promises, friendships, and family, with lessons interwoven throughout the stories in a natural and not overbearing way.
Since there are six different stories in the book, the plot varies from story to story. In the first story Gloria makes a nice Valentine's card for her mother, but the wind blows it in to the cage of a neighbor's parrot, she has a hard time convincing him to give it back. Another story deals with Gloria's worry that her best friend Julian is starting to like their new friend better than her. There are always adults around to ask for advice, and to help with problems. Publishers Weekly writes that the author "conveys the benefits of effort and high self-esteem while stressing the importance of mothers and fathers taking time out of their busy schedules to participate in their children's lives." The other stories in the book discuss things like promises, friendships, and family, with lessons interwoven throughout the stories in a natural and not overbearing way.
Author/Illustrator:
The author has created a very safe place for these children to exist in. They come from two parent, middle class neighborhoods that are safe to play outside and have plenty of kids to occupy each other. She writes about issues that everyday children deal with, and comes up with reasonable ways to deal with them. Problems are not always solved tidily, but some things just have to be tolerated and dealt with. There are full page black and white illustrations sprinkled throughout the text, that add details to the story and showcase the expression of the characters. Hornbook Magazine calls Toft's illustrations "generously supplied, nicely capture key scenes and emotions."
The author has created a very safe place for these children to exist in. They come from two parent, middle class neighborhoods that are safe to play outside and have plenty of kids to occupy each other. She writes about issues that everyday children deal with, and comes up with reasonable ways to deal with them. Problems are not always solved tidily, but some things just have to be tolerated and dealt with. There are full page black and white illustrations sprinkled throughout the text, that add details to the story and showcase the expression of the characters. Hornbook Magazine calls Toft's illustrations "generously supplied, nicely capture key scenes and emotions."
Classroom Tie-ins:
One of the stories discusses a Valentine's card, and can be read aloud to students during the month of February's activities. There is another story that deals with Gloria's difficulty understanding fractions, and she feels she must be dumb because her other friends understand them. Her father teaches her some tips to make fractions easier, and this might be helpful during a fraction unit in Math.
Students in this age range can be asked to address the five 'W''s in the stories, and relate the problems to their own.
One of the stories discusses a Valentine's card, and can be read aloud to students during the month of February's activities. There is another story that deals with Gloria's difficulty understanding fractions, and she feels she must be dumb because her other friends understand them. Her father teaches her some tips to make fractions easier, and this might be helpful during a fraction unit in Math.
Students in this age range can be asked to address the five 'W''s in the stories, and relate the problems to their own.
Personal Response:
I enjoyed the book. I think it had important lessons on friendship and other issues children deal with growing up. It showcases kids solving common problems and includes good adult role models.
I enjoyed the book. I think it had important lessons on friendship and other issues children deal with growing up. It showcases kids solving common problems and includes good adult role models.
Resources:
Horn Book Magazine (2000, Mar/Apr). [Review of the book Gloria’s Way by Ann Cameron]. Retrieved from:
http://web.ebscohost.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/ehost/detail?sid=284b7ce6-a644-4350-a75f-0ee0ef6a1cf5%40sessionmgr15&vid=5&hid=10&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=aph&AN=3225604
http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-0-374-32670-8
Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus
Junie B. Jones and the Stinky Smelly Bus. Park, Barbara (author). Brunkus, Denise (illustrator). (1992). New York, NY: Random House Publishing. 69 pages. ISBN: 978-0-679-82642-2.
Fiction: Beginning Chapter Book: Ages 6 to 9
Setting:
An elementary school that is not listed by name, but could be anywhere in the United States.
Plot:
Junie B. Jones is about to start kindergarten. While she's not sure how she feels about her teacher, whom she refers to as Mrs., she is sure how she feels about riding the bus. She hates it! After a miserable trip on her way to school, where she is told she can't sit with someone who is saving a seat, and is yelled at by a grumpy boy named Jim, she realizes she has to ride the bus home again! This is made worse when she is informed that on the way home, kids dump chocolate milk on each other's heads! Junie decides she will hide out in her classroom to avoid the bus. She wanders around school until she realizes she has to use the bathroom. When she realizes the doors are locked she heads outside worried she'll have an accident! After being rescued by the school's janitor, who gets the bathroom door unlocked just in time, Junie realizes she is in a world of trouble and everyone has been looking for her!
Junie B. Jones is about to start kindergarten. While she's not sure how she feels about her teacher, whom she refers to as Mrs., she is sure how she feels about riding the bus. She hates it! After a miserable trip on her way to school, where she is told she can't sit with someone who is saving a seat, and is yelled at by a grumpy boy named Jim, she realizes she has to ride the bus home again! This is made worse when she is informed that on the way home, kids dump chocolate milk on each other's heads! Junie decides she will hide out in her classroom to avoid the bus. She wanders around school until she realizes she has to use the bathroom. When she realizes the doors are locked she heads outside worried she'll have an accident! After being rescued by the school's janitor, who gets the bathroom door unlocked just in time, Junie realizes she is in a world of trouble and everyone has been looking for her!
Author/Illustrator:
Barbara Park does a great job of making the children in the story come to life. Her writing style is similar to other successful series writers such as Beverly Cleary and Peggy Parish. She plays on words to make the characters believable, and is good at determining how children might act and feel when placed in unfamiliar circumstances. A Booklist review wrote that Parks usually writes for an older age group, and although children usually don't like to read about protagonists who are younger than them, Junie B. Jones is definitely an exception. The illustrator also does a great job of capturing the reality of elementary school kids with detailed pencil drawings. Stuck out tongues, falling down socks, and nervous expressions capture the way a child might react and behave on their first day of school. Kirkus Reviews expresses some of the same impressions: "Junie's abrupt, ungrammatical narration sounds just like the feisty young lady seen in the b&w drawings, with droopy socks, wispy hair, and spit-shined (literally--she licks them) shoes. Kids may need some persuading to read about a younger child, but they're sure to enjoy the understated humor."
Barbara Park does a great job of making the children in the story come to life. Her writing style is similar to other successful series writers such as Beverly Cleary and Peggy Parish. She plays on words to make the characters believable, and is good at determining how children might act and feel when placed in unfamiliar circumstances. A Booklist review wrote that Parks usually writes for an older age group, and although children usually don't like to read about protagonists who are younger than them, Junie B. Jones is definitely an exception. The illustrator also does a great job of capturing the reality of elementary school kids with detailed pencil drawings. Stuck out tongues, falling down socks, and nervous expressions capture the way a child might react and behave on their first day of school. Kirkus Reviews expresses some of the same impressions: "Junie's abrupt, ungrammatical narration sounds just like the feisty young lady seen in the b&w drawings, with droopy socks, wispy hair, and spit-shined (literally--she licks them) shoes. Kids may need some persuading to read about a younger child, but they're sure to enjoy the understated humor."
Classroom Tie-ins:
The Scholastic website has several ideas for ways these books can be used in the classroom. One teacher discussed that she uses them for reading groups, and leads into discussions about behavior, characters and words. Students could also discuss the title and pictures to infer what will happen during the story. Students could also write comparisons about Junie's behavior and responses and how they might act in those same situations. An example of this is when Junie first gets on the bus and a little girl says she can't sit with her. Students could be asked how they would feel,if this happened to them, and write about a similar experience or how they would act if that happened to them.
The Scholastic website has several ideas for ways these books can be used in the classroom. One teacher discussed that she uses them for reading groups, and leads into discussions about behavior, characters and words. Students could also discuss the title and pictures to infer what will happen during the story. Students could also write comparisons about Junie's behavior and responses and how they might act in those same situations. An example of this is when Junie first gets on the bus and a little girl says she can't sit with her. Students could be asked how they would feel,if this happened to them, and write about a similar experience or how they would act if that happened to them.
Personal Response:
Junie B. Jones is reminiscent of the main character in the Ramona series, which I loved as young reader. She is mischievous, opinionated, and always getting into trouble. I think the character is relatable to both boys and girls, and the humor can reach across a broad spectrum of age groups and reading levels.
Junie B. Jones is reminiscent of the main character in the Ramona series, which I loved as young reader. She is mischievous, opinionated, and always getting into trouble. I think the character is relatable to both boys and girls, and the humor can reach across a broad spectrum of age groups and reading levels.
Resources:
Booklist. (1992, December 1). [Review of the book Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus by Barbara Parks]. Retrieved from:
http://www.clcd.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/cgi-bin/member/search/f?./temp/~u9b7q8:2
Kirkus Reviews. (1992). [Review of the book Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus by Barbara Parks]. Retrieved from:
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/barbara-park/junie-b-jones-and-the-stupid-smelly-bus/
Scholastic. (2013). Junie B. Jones Lesson Plan. Retrieved from:
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/junie-b-jones-lesson-plan
Booklist. (1992, December 1). [Review of the book Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus by Barbara Parks]. Retrieved from:
http://www.clcd.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/cgi-bin/member/search/f?./temp/~u9b7q8:2
Kirkus Reviews. (1992). [Review of the book Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus by Barbara Parks]. Retrieved from:
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/barbara-park/junie-b-jones-and-the-stupid-smelly-bus/
Scholastic. (2013). Junie B. Jones Lesson Plan. Retrieved from:
http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/junie-b-jones-lesson-plan
Judy Moody Saves the World!
Judy Moody Saves the World. McDonald, Megan (author). Reynolds, Peter H. (illustrator). (2002). Cambridge, MA: Candlewick Press. 145 pages. ISBN: 0-7636-1446-7.
Fiction: Beginning Chapter Book: Ages 6 to 9
Setting:
The setting of Judy Moody Saves the World could be in any town and any school in the USA. This makes the story relatable to elementary school kids everywhere.
Plot:
Judy's class in school is doing a science unit on the rain forest. Part of the discussion the class has concerns all of the things they use that come from the rain forest and how the waste of these items is causing deforestation and loss of habitat. This inspires Judy to look for various ways she can get her family to conserve. She tries to implement a recycling program at home, releases her brother's pet frog back into the wild, and hides her classmates pencils to save trees. Her most successful idea is a class wide recycling program that will raise money to plant trees to replace those that are being cut down. The program is a big success and Judy gets an award at school that is usually reserved for older students.
Author/Illustrator:
The illustrations that pepper the book are in black and white and add to the text. Judy's expressions are priceless and you can see how important the subject of saving the world is to her. They add to the tone of the overall story and give the reader a better sense of the emotions of the characters. Megan McDonald's writing style is humorous and direct. She gives enough details to engage the reader, but keeps the text simple enough that a wide range of reading levels can enjoy the book. Lynn Burke from Reading Today writes that the third installment of the series has the "snappy dialogue, spunky characters, and Peter Reynold's amusing black and white illustrations" that chapter book fans are looking for. The overall theme of this book is being environmentally friendly, and how kids can make a difference. The characters are memorable and are incorporated throughout the series.
Classroom Tie-ins:
The Reading Rockets website states that the Judy Moody series "does a great job of captivating unmotivated readers who are making the transition into chapter books," according to Virginia-based reading specialist Jennifer Thompson. This book could also be used in the classroom to supplement a science unit on rain forests, to get the students thinking of things they can do in their daily lives to reduce the amount of waste in their homes and communities. The school I worked at had a recycling program, and the classes competed with each other, this book could be used as a read aloud to motivate students to participate.
Personal Response:
This was my first Judy Moody book, and I really enjoyed it. They are popular with young readers, and I can see why. The lessons are incorporated into the writing and don't come across as didactic. The main character has personality, and is relatable. If I had time for leisure reading, I would definitely read the rest of the books in the series!
Resources:
Burke, L.T. (2003). Ecofriendly Books For Kids. Reading Today, April/May 2003: pg. 32.
Retrieved from: http://web.ebscohost.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?vid=3&sid=d4b94208-3a33-49ba-a45c-a56986f1ce58%40sessionmgr12&hid=12
Judy Moody's Mentor is Just a Big Kid Herself. Kansas City Star. Retrieved from:
http://www.readingrockets.org/news/42145/ (original article not retrievable)
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