Realistic Contemporary Fiction July 22, 2008

I am Not Joey Pigza, by Jack Gantos is a fabulous book!  I had the chance to hear Jack Gantos speak in Salisbury in May with my 4th graders and we all LOVED him!

This book is great from a teacher’s perspective because I’m sure every teacher can think of a student that is something like Joey.  Students can probably think of someone in their class or school who is like Joey, too.

Joey is unique in a way, but very similar to kids of today.  Many kids seem kind of lost and trying to find their place in the world.  This is Joey’s main problem in my opinion – besides the ADHD issues, he just wants to be loved and to know that he is cared for and special – what kid doesn’t feel that way some or most of the time? 

I loved the latest Joey book because we really see how Joey matures.  He has accepted his issues, forgiven his father and really grown up a lot!  I think this is a great book to share with students, but I would recommend they read the others first – that way they will be able to see the growth and development of Joey’s character!

And if you ever have the chance to hear Jack Gantos speak – DO IT!

Kristen Davis

Kristen’s Personal Choices July 16, 2008

I really enjoyed, My Life as a Chicken, by Ellen A. Kelley and Michael H. Slack!  The illustrations were VERY colorful and the text was written in rhyme.  Both of these qualities would appeal to young readers.  The basic story line tells of a chicken who is seeking an escape from her ordinary, boring life in the hen house.  She realizes, after adventures with pirates and typhoons that her life really wasn’t so boring after all!

My second personal choice was for a Caldecott book – Click, Clack Moo: Cows that Type by Doreen Cronin. I have shared both the book and the video with students in my media classes and they have all loved the story and illustrations.  The video version presented on United Streaming is narrated by Country singer, Randy Travis.