Erin's Reading Blog

Title: If I Built a School Author and Illustrator: Chris Van Dusen Genre: fantasy and Science Fiction Awards: Bluebonnet Award Teacher evaluation: I would read this book in the classroom. Not for a lesson, but just because it is very funny and entertaining. It is important for us to read books like this because it gives the children more things to imagine.  Summary: Jack thought the playground was plain and the school was boring, and he had a plan. It would have puppies at your feet, and a zoo to greet you. It would have a tube where you would get right to the room. The rooms would be made of towers. and the roofs who open up. You would also write in the air. You would have hover desks that did not touch the ground. There would be holograms that would have the guests. the library would come to life. In the gym there would be a pool with submarines a bounce house, rock wall and sky diving wind tunnels. There is a robot chef to make whatever you want. The playground has ziplines, twi...

Title: Ways to Make Sunshine Author: Renee Watson Illustrator: Nina Mata Genre: Realistic fiction Awards: Bluebonnet Teacher evaluation: This is a good book to read as a class or alone. It is very easy to read, and it has a great story line. the main character is a great friend who is very understanding.   Summary: Ryan and her family moved to a new home. Her dad lost his at the post office, and his new job doesn't make him much money. Ryan misses her old house, and she is not happy about all the changes that are happening. She says her house is smaller than a bungalow, and that there are no stairs for her to play on. She did not change school, so she has a lot of her old friends. They sold one of their cars, and are having a lot of struggles financially, but Ryan learns how to make sunshine out of the hardships that she is going through. Ryan is very nice to anyone, and she ends up being the hero at the end of the story by 

      Title: Amina's Voice Author: Hena Khan Genre: Realistic Nonfiction, multicultural Awards: Bluebonnet Award Winner Grade level: 5-8 grade Teacher Evaluation: This is a very good book for a classroom to read because it really helps to expand what they know about all of their classmates. It can also be used when teaching a lesson in Geography of South Korea, or Pakistan. It is very important for students to know the cultures of others, because it is hard for them to understand why others are different from them.  Summary: Amina just started school with her bestie Soojin. They are beginning 6th grade. Amina's dad is from Pakistan and her and her older brother were born in America. She loves to sign and play piano. Soojin is from South Korea, and her family moved to Greendale. Her family owns a deli in downtown. And Soojin is becoming an American citizen. Emily is one of Amina and Soojin's classmates. She is always being mean to the friend. Amina does not trust Emil...