Walk Two Moons

Walk Two Moons
Sharon Creech

Harper Collins Children's Books
New York
1994

This award winning novel tells the story of Salamanca Tree Hiddle who is taking a trip with her grandparents from Euclid, Ohio to Lewiston, Idaho, to visit her mother's final resting place. Along the way, Salamanca (Sal) tells her grandparents the story of her best friend, Phoebe Winterbottom, whose mother, like Sal's, unexpectedly decides to leave home. Sal meets Phoebe when Sal and her father leave their farm in Bybanks, Kentucky, to Euclid, Ohio, where Margaret Cadaver, whom Sal's father befriended after her mother's death, lives. Phoebe tells a dramatic story, but Sal interrupts the story with memories of her mothers, who is ignored by the family. As the car ride continues, they stop to swim in the Missouri River, but Gram gets bitten by a snake and they have to rush her to the hospital. The stories of both Phoebe and Sal continue throughout the entire book as you learn more about their mothers and the struggles that occur in their lives and Sal comes to terms with her mothers traumatic death.

Noteworthy Features:

• Written in response to the book Absolutely Normal Chaos. 
• Has multiple story lines being told throughout the book
• Themes of Death, Grief, and Loss
• Messages: "Don't judge a man until you have walked two moons in his moccasins"

I would recommend this book to the girls in a class. This was one of my favorite books in grade school. I read this book and then became a huge fan of Sharon Creech. This lead me to read many other books of Sharon Creech. If students enjoy reading this book, I would recommend reading Bloomability, Absolutely Normal Chaos, Ruby Hollar, The Wanderer.

This book has a such a great theme of not judging others and perceiving when times are tough. This book may be difficult for some students to read because of the discussion of death, grief, and loss that is prevalent in this book. However, I do think that these are important topics that many times teachers do not address. This would be a great way to address these issues through reading a well-written, award winning, engaging novel.

Classroom Activities:

• Sharon Creech's Website
• School Visit from Sharon Creech (visit website for more information)
• Unit Plan 
•  Book Report Videos

Shadow on the Mountain

            

Shadow on the Mountain

Margi Preus

Abrams Publishing

Salt Lake City

2012

This tells the story of a boy named Espen and his friends. It takes place during the resistance movement in Nazi occupied Norway. This fourteen year old boy begins delivering illegal newspapers as part of the resistance movement. Then he moves up to the position of courier, and later becomes a spy. The Nazi’s reign for five years, during this time, because of Espen’s position in the resistance movement he both gains and loses friends, he falls in love, and makes mistakes. As he flees to Sweden, he worries that his mistake with threaten to catch up with him. 

I like this book because it is based on real people and includes old photos, maps, and other archive materials. This is a great book because it tells a story about an important and difficult part of history. It is important that students learn about this time in history. This book gives students an understanding of the emotions and struggles that people faced during this time period. It includes great adventure as this child spy resists the strong forces of the Nazi’s the students will find exciting and enjoy reading.  

The Chimpanzees I Love: Saving Their World and Ours

The Chimpanzees I Love: Saving Their World and Ours
Jane Goodall

Scholastic Press
New York
2001

Jane Goodall tells the adventure of her discoveries about chimpanzees' similarities to ourselves, from their lifelong family bonds to their ability to engage in primitive warfare. She shares stories about individual chimpanzees she loves. And she tells of her own efforts to save the chimpanzees from being lost forever.

Noteworthy Features:

• Written as a first person narrative
• Pictures: many colored photographs
• Theme of courage and hope for the future

I would use this story in my classroom to teach students about Jane Goodall. She has such a cool story that I think students would enjoy. There is also a message of courage and hope intertwined into the story. Because of these themes and the information about chimpanzees this book is filled with important lessons and information for students to learn.

Links to Classroom Activities:

• Activities to Download 
• Jane Goodall Website 
• Lesson Plans 

Gatekeepers Series

Gatekeepers Series
Anthony Horowitz

Book 1: Raven's Gate

Scholastic Press
New York
2005

This is the first book of the series. Matt is a boy who is punished for a crime he witnessed, but did not commit. He is put with a foster mother, who is up to no good. Everyone who tries to help Matt begins to disappear and Matt is the only one can stop what is happening. 


Book 2: Evil Star

Scholastic Press
New York
2009

Matt's adventure is just beginning. He along with four other kids from across the globe, who speak different languages, are the only people who can change the evils that are occurring. 


 Book 3: Night Rise

Scholastic Press 
New York
2009

The world is in danger and there are only 5 kids that can save it. Two of the kids are twins who can communicate telepathically. Their lives are in danger. One of the kids is on the run and one of the kids is trapped. 

Book 4: Necropolis 

Scholastic Press
New York 
2009

The world is in the most danger it has ever been in. The kids meet the last of the Gatekeepers, whose fate is closely connected to their own fate.

Book 5: Oblivion 

Scholastic Press
New York
2009

The five gatekeepers have finally all met one another. They work together to fight the storm that the evil forces has unleashed on the world. The kids must beat this storm in order to save the world. 





Students who enjoy Science Fiction will really enjoy these books. This book is also about a group of kids, which students usually enjoy. I would not teach these books, but I would suggest this series to students I think would enjoy them. Students enjoy being able to read a series of books. This five book series is one in which students will be excited to read the next book of the series.

Alice in Wonderland

Alice in Wonderland
Lewis Carroll

W.W. Norton & Co.
New York
1992

Alice is a young girl who goes on an adventure. Her adventure begins when she is sitting on the riverbank with her sister and a rabbit runs by. The rabbit goes down a rabbit hole. Alice cannot help but follow the rabbit. After she goes down the rabbit hole, she meets many other characters. Meeting all the many different characters puts her on an interesting adventure.



Noteworthy Features:

• magic
• manners

Links to Classroom Activities:

• Scholastic
• Lesson Plans
• Unit Plan
• Book Trailer (check out the video)

James and the Giant Peach

James and the Giant Peach
Roald Dahl

Puffin Books
New York
1961

This novel tells the story of a boy named James. He accidently drops magic crystals by a peach tree. These magic crystals caused a peach to grow and grow and grow. It was so big that it was larger than the house! James decides to go into the peach where he meets some unusual friends (a grasshopper, a centipeded, and an earthworm). While he is inside the peach, it breaks off from its stem and rolls away.



Noteworthy Features:

• Humor
• Responsibility and Leadership

Links to Classroom Activities:

• Lesson Plans
• Roald Dahl Fans
• Creative Thinking Activities

Caddie Woodlawn

Caddie Woodlawn
Carol Ryrie Brink

Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing Division
New York
1935

This award winning book provides readers a image of authentic Wisconsin frontier in the 1860s. Caddie is a young girl who refuses to be a "lady." She loves adventure. Whether is pranks or a schoolhouse fire, Caddie will find an adventure. When Indians threaten the family, it is her courage that saves the family and the neighbors.




Noteworthy Features:

• Civil War Period
• Pioneers
• Sibiling
• Courage

This book would be great to teach the time period of the Wisconsin frontier in the 1860s. Students will learn about the gender roles of the time, the daily struggles, and the relationship with the Indians. Teachers can use this book in a history class to help the students better understand the material. 

Links to Classroom Activities:

• Scholastic - Lesson Plan
• Literature Unit 
• Book Trailer (See video for example)

A Week in the Woods

A Week in the Woods
Andrew Clements

Aladdin Paperbacks
New York
2002

Mark Chelmsley is a fifth grade student, who after many moves, is now attending Hardy Elementary. Mark is challenged by the moving of schools and discovers how his attitude impacts his social life. But he has one other problem... Mr. Maxwell. This is Mark's teacher who does not like Mark. The fifth grade of Hardy Elementary has a field trip in which they spend a week in the woods. Tension builds between Mr. Maxwell and Mark putting both of them in harms way.

 Noteworthy Features:

• Adventure: Mark Chelmsley is adventurous, especially when it comes to the outdoors. 
• Attitude: Mark begins the story with a bad attitude. He is unhappy about moving and does not care about others. Although he is very smart, he slacks off in school. Mark changes his attitude and this change in attitude makes a huge impact on his life.

A teacher should recommend this book to student's who enjoy adventure and camping. Mark's experiences are exciting and make the reader want to keep reading to find out what happens next. This book is also beneficial for students to read because of the attitude change Mark makes. It illuminates the difference that having a good attitude can make. It also shows that sometimes you may be doing all the right things, but you will still not get a positive reaction. Following Mark's example, you continue to try and be a good person despite the attitude others have toward you.

Links for Classroom Activities:

• Literature Unit 
• See Video - Interview Assessment