I, Amber Brown by Paula Danziger

In elementary school, Amber Brown was one of my favorite chapter book characters in children's literature. My favorite all time, of course, was Babysitter Club's Little Sister books with Karen as the main character. When comparing Amber and Karen though, they have many similar characteristics. Both girls have parents who are divorced, and they feel the impact of having two families in their lives every day. Similarly, realistic problems surface that Amber and Karen must face.

Having just read I, Amber Brown by Paula Danziger for the first time since elementary school, I was still captured by the innovation of the story. Realistic fiction from a child's perspective provides a young reader with an outlet for his or her own personal viewpoints. Danziger takes an ordinary situation, getting your ears pierced, and twists it. This simple event becomes complicated because Amber has divorced parents. Amber Brown was specifically told that she could not get her ears pierced until she was twelve-years-old, but Amber plays the "divorce card" to her advantage. She asks her dad if she can get her ears pierced (without mentioning her mom's refusal of such action). Similarly, her parents must come to agreement as the holidays approach. This novel accurately captures Amber's real feelings and emotions as she struggles with the idea of both divorce and joint custody from a fourth grader's point-of-view. As Amber puts it, "It's not always easy."

Regaining the outlook of a fourth grader, I was transported back into childhood by reading this Amber Brown series novel. This novel provides both serious and humorous situations. Through Amber's eyes, I saw the mixture of important facts, random tidbits, and misunderstandings children encounter with adults. All of this is part of being a child, not yet grown up.

What I like most about Amber Brown is her direct honesty. It is as though we are reading Amber Brown's personal journal as we, the readers, make our way into her world. Amber's ability to rationalize and evaluate reality also makes her unique. She has ups and downs in her life like any other kid. Her constant reference to herself as 'I, Amber Brown' shows how this one fourth grader is slowly forming her identity and sharing her voice.With just the right amount of pictures interspersed throughout I, Amber Brown, Amber Danziger brings Amber Brown to life with real-life topics such as love, hope, guilt, strength, and forgiveness.

Atomic Ace (He's Just My Dad) by Jeff Weigel

Children often admire their parents. More often than not, it is the little things parents do that matter more to children than the big things. In Atomic Ace (He's Just My Dad), the young narrator proves the importance of this statement. He loves his dad but believes he is still raised like any other kid despite the fact that his dad is a superhero. The young narrator just considers it part of his dad's job to go to the center of earth's core or into outer space to stop crime and prevent natural disasters.

Atomic Ace still finds time for his son, but Insect King attempts to disrupt his father's success streak. Even the best of us make mistakes, and Atomic Ace is no exception. He misses an important moment in his son's life: his son's first band concert. Even though Atomic Ace initially loses to Insect King, he teaches his son the importance of lifting yourself up after defeat and trying again.

This story was very unique compared to other children's stories due to the complexity of the graphics. I could tell that Jeff Weigel was a comic book writer and illustrator not only by the story line but also by the drawings of his characters. Atomic Ace looked just like a superhero out of the local newspaper comics. I enjoyed that intermixed within the main story of the young narrator's typical days is his dad's daily adventures as a superhero. Atomic Ace's adventures on the job included thinking bubbles above the characters' heads, another comic book feature.

For those kids who only want to read comic books, Atomic Ace (He's Just My Dad) is a welcome addition to kid's repertoire. Weigel uses a comic book feel throughout while also developing a storyline that captures the true spirit of what it means to be "like father, like son."

The Dangerous Snake and Reptile Club by Daniel San Souci

Sometimes children's imaginations astound me. Their creativity and their inventiveness surpasses that of any adult. In The Dangerous Snake and Reptile Club by Daniel San Souci, children's ingenuity abounds. During their summer family vacation, brothers Danny and Bobby find a supposed "dinosaur bone" along with tadpoles and a King snake. They bring back their newly prized treasures and new ideas. Upon their return, Danny and Bobby and a group of their childhood friends decide to form a club. It is not just any club though; it's The Dangerous Snake and Reptile Club.

When kids get an idea in their mind, they run with it at full speed. From expanding their snake and reptile collections to offering a showcase of their animals, the neighborhood friends pursued their interests...for a while at least. Yet, all good ideas do not last forever. The King snake escaped, and the dog bone was stolen. This was the beginning of the end. Kids' interest only lasts so long before they shift to a different pursuit.

I enjoyed the fact that the author, Daniel San Souci, used his own childhood memories to create this book. He remembered some of the wacky things his brother and he did as kids and turned it into an entertaining and humorous story. This book portrays children as carefree, lively, and active, but also shows that children want to feel important. By having clubs, kids gain their own sense of power.

This book shows children that everyone has a story to share. Kids can think about their favorite summer memory and perhaps develop their own summer story. Oh, to be a kid again!

The Adventures of Taxi Dog by Debra and Sal Barraca, Pictures by Mark Buehner

For the dog lovers in all of us, The Adventures of Taxi Dog by Debra and Sal Barraca is an endearing story from the perspective of Maxi, the Taxi Dog. The brightly colored pictures show the hubbub of New York City. The city is full of life as businessmen rush to work briefcase in hand, cars honk, and children play. Just as there is never a dull moment in New York City, there never is a dull moment in the illustrations. Each picture captures the essence of the words on the page.

Maxi, the taxi dog, though was not always a taxi dog. He grew up wandering the streets in search of food until one day, a taxi driver named Jim stops and gives Maxi an owner and home. Together they embark on adventures day after day. Whether it is taking people to New York's finest shows, to the hospital, or to and from the airport, Jim and Maxi are a team.

Since it is from the perspective of Maxi, the taxi dog, there is a certain degree of innocence to the writing. Each page follows an AABCCB rhyming pattern, which adds to the excitement, liveliness, and enjoyment of the story. This story may find children asking for a shelter puppy or a stray animal. Debra and Sal Barracas' dedication at the beginning of the story relays, "For all the homeless and abused creatures of the world-may they all find peace some day." All animals really need is love, and that is what Maxi has found with Jim.

Ira Sleeps Over by Bernard Weber

Sleepovers. The word alone brings back memories of pillow fights, movies and popcorn, the classic game of truth or dare, and of course, the lack of sleep. However, I remember how hesitant I was the first time I went over to a friend's house for a sleepover. What would I do without getting tucked in by my parents or having my nightlight on? Similar questions surface in Bernard Weber's book, Ira Sleeps Over.

For the first time, Ira plans to sleep over at his friend's house. Throughout the day, Ira's sister teases and taunts him about taking his teddy bear to the sleepover. Finally after much contemplation, he decides not to bring "Tah Tah," his bear. Like any sleepover, the boys play every imaginable game until bedtime. When nighttime arrives, Reggie pulls out his own teddy bear, and Ira realizes that he and his friend are not so different after all. After going home (which is next door) to grab Tah Tah, Ira easily falls asleep at his first sleepover.

Ira Sleeps Over shows the common challenges many children face. All too often we care what other people think about us and how they will judge us. As the opening flap of the book states, "One of the most welcome of all experiences is finding out that other people share what you thought were your own particular problems." Ira experiences this firsthand and realizes that he is not alone. All children share similar predicaments.

Although this book was written in 1972, its themes are still relevant today. Everyone feels self-conscious at one time or another. The humorous back-and-forth wavering by Ira portrays the typical boy who wants to act all strong and tough when really he is just a little kid inside.

The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant

Imagine your house on an ordinary day. Now imagine an invasion of vistors stampeding into your house. But these aren't just any type of visitors. They are your relatives. Do you notice the noise level quickly rising? In The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant, this is exactly what happens.

Filled to capacity, the loaded-down station wagon makes its way from Virgina to the north side of the mountains. If kids have ever been on a long road trip, they can relate to this family who packs their car and heads off at dawn on an all-day travel extravaganza. Upon arrival, relatives reuniting makes for a happy sight filled with hugs, laughter, and story-telling. The big meals, the lack of beds, and the busy bustle of activity are all part of the experience.

Cynthia Rylant captures the experience delightfully with her writing style. The illustrator, Stephan Gummel, also deserves credit for his come-to-life pictures as the reader experiences the joy and the heartfelt, good nature of relatives enjoying one another's company. There's never a dull moment with that many people around.

I feel as though kids can easily relate to this story. This story reminded me of cousins who spend time with the other side of their family every other Christmas. Thirty people cram into a ranch-style home in rural Minnesota that has 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Kids and adults alike sleep in sleeping bags on the floor. Despite all of this, they always say how much fun they had. Even for me where family holidays don't have quite that many people, there's still plenty of hustle and bustle. Put together my mom's side of the family and soon you will be consumed by their loud, booming voices and hearty laughter that carries on all day long. After reading The Relatives Came, I'm sure the majority of students will have a similar story to share. Bring out the pencil and paper!

Number the Stars by Lois Lowry

The 1990 Newbery Medal Winner, Number the Stars by Lois Lowry tells the incredible story of Annemarie Johansen as she encounters some of the real-life horrors and injustices of the Holocaust. Although a fictional story, the fictional characters portray the bravery of the Danish people as they help their country's Jewish community escape to safety. Annamarie and her family represent these community members as they help a Jewish family, the Rosens, escape to safety in Sweden.

Although I remember reading this novel in my own elementary-school days, when I reread it this past week, it was still a page-turner as all of the details unfolded once again. This historical fiction piece offers merely a glimpse into the Holocaust. Without mention of concentration camps and extreme Nazi brutality, this novel provides the basic framework of the Holocaust without giving gruesome details. Jewish families were described as being "relocated."

Learning about the Holocaust requires mature students. This makes Number the Stars ideal for fourth and fifth grade readers who may have never heard of the Holocaust. Class discussions about prejudice, injustices, and discrimination should follow.

Number the Stars relays how the Holocaust affected everyone. From rationing both electricity and food, to stores closing, to protecting friends, the Nazis' invasion into Denmark changed everyday life. Yet, despite all of this, Number the Stars shows people's bravery amidst chaos and confusion. At the young age of 10, Annamarie becomes a heroine by delivering the package to Uncle Henrik. Readers develop sympathy for Jewish families as they suffer discrimination at the hands of the Germans.

With her descriptive word choice and story development, Lois Lowry creates memorable characters and a compelling story that offers surprises, twists, and turns. Number the Stars reminds us that the Holocaust cannot be forgotten. The story must be told. We cannot let history repeat itself.

How to Drive Your Sister Crazy by Diane Z. Shore and pictures by Laura Rankin

As part of the "I Can Read" series, this story presents the hilarious tale of Bradley Harris Pinkerton as he devises plan after plan to irritate his sister. Diane Z. Shore uses humor as she compiles a story from this younger brother's perspective. Bradley knows what buttons to push in order to annoy his sister. Whether it is hiding his pet snake in the bathroom as his sister takes a shower, destroying and rearranging his sister's bedroom while she is not there, or interfering with his sister's phone calls, Bradley has a list of tricks up his sleeve to drive his sister up the wall.

Second and third grade boys will be entertained by the slapstick humor in this story. Practical jokes mentioned in the story are sure to draw attention. Girls reading this story may reel at some of the outrageous plans Bradley puts into place. I thought it was clever of the author to include a disclaimer at the beginning of the story to all the younger brothers out there: "NOTE: Do NOT let your sister read this book."

However, despite Bradley's deviousness, he also knows how to return to his sister's good graces. His handwritten apology letter tugs at his sister's heartstrings, and he's forgiven for the time being...until the alarm clock he hid in his sister's room goes off at 3:00 in the morning.

This book would be a good read for those beginning to read more challenging and engaging books. Although this book could be read by the teacher around April Fools Day, I think a child would benefit more by reading this story by himself or herself. It will definitely be a library book I recommend to boys in the second and third grade. I would not want to be their older sisters though after they finish reading this book...SISTERS: BE WARNED!

Fanny & Annabelle by Holly Hobbie

Igniting the imagination and creativity in all of us, author Holly Hobbie, presents the message that sometimes the best gifts in life are free. Fanny & Annabelle depicts the delightful tale of Fanny as she attempts to write a story about her doll, Annabelle. Fanny inspires to create a picture book. Even though she does not always know what the progression of her story will be, she keeps her hopes high.

Fanny & Annabelle takes us through steps of the writing process. Interspersed through the book is the story of Fanny's real life mixed with her own story entitled Annabelle's Adventure. Whenever there is a chapter about Annabelle, Fanny's child handwriting is shown along with her own "personal drawings." As Fanny writes, she faces challenges as a writer such as what should happen next? How should I resolve the conflict? Fanny soon learns that she can relate stories from her real life to help write her story.

While Annabelle, the character in Fanny's book, gives the present of a golden locket to her Aunt Sally, Fanny herself gives her mom her handwritten and illustrated story. By giving her mom a homemade gift, Fanny & Annabelle presents the message that gifts from the heart mean more. It is the thought that counts.

I especially liked this story because students can become inspired by the character Fanny to write their own stories or picture books. This story would serve as a good introduction. By starting with an idea, a whole story can develop. As Fanny & Annabelle showed, inspiration for a story can come from everyday experience.

World Team by Tim Vyner

Tim Vyner's book, World Team, unites nations around the world, showing that we really are not that different from each other after all. Despite different backgrounds, cultures, and landscapes, we share similar dreams and hopes. One game can unite the world: soccer. Both the first and last page of this book state, "One big round world, one small round ball." Across the globe, children play soccer. Whether kicking a ball outside of school, watching a live game, or playing soccer on a dusty, sandy field, these children have soccer in common.

Each page of this story references a different country and time zone along the right-hand side of the page. Spanning from London, to India, to South Africa, to the United States, to Australia, and many in-between, students will the impact soccer has on children around the world. The pictures in this story portray the culture of each country. Although the landscapes vary, soccer remains the solid constant connection between children across the globe. Many children have the same dreams such as being a professional soccer player and playing in the World Cup. They want the glory, the feeling of success.

Teachers can take this story in many different directions. Students can create journal, essays, or illustrations that highlight some of their own dreams for the future. If possible, it would be a unique opportunity if students could have pen pals from a different country and write back and forth either through handwritten letters or e-mail. Students could learn about more similarities between different cultures while also expanding their definition of diversity. One other possibility would be to develop a research project about sports in different countries. For older students, they could research a sport of their choice and learn about that sports' influence around the world.

The title itself, World Team, connects people across the globe, highlighting the importance of teamwork and companionship. We do not have to be enemies, but instead, we can share similar ideals. Everyone has ambitions. Everyone has dreams.

Barn Dance! by Pat Hutchins

Geared toward kindergartners and first graders in terms of interest level, Barn Dance! is a light-hearted, fun read about a barn full of animals who relish in the night. Mother Horse, Pig, and Sheep bask in the night by dancing, leaping, and jigging while their little ones are asleep. Soon, Mother Horse, Pig, and Sheep get into unexpected mischief and mishaps. Horse's dance leads to a straw fire, Sheep gets caught in a beam, and Pig slips. Needing rest, one by one, Horse, Pig, and Sheep go to sleep beside their little ones.

My favorite part of the story was the ending because of a unique twist. Once all of the mother animals were asleep, the little ones crept out of bed and began to dance themselves until dawn. Teachers could connect this twist to students' lives by asking the students if there was ever a time when they crept out of bed and were not supposed to do so. Teachers could also connect the mishaps of the mother animals by asking students if something surprising ever happened to them that they were not expecting. Students could then journal with these topics in mind.

Besides connecting the plot, teacher's can also take advantage of the fact that this story is told in rhyme. Students can learn how rhyming sentences can create a story. This book could serve as an introduction to basic poetry ideas. Another direction this story can be taken is by talking about rural and farm life.

While I liked the story itself, I actually enjoyed the pictures more than the words. Each picture captured the mood of the moment whether it was delight as the animals danced or fear when the straw fire began. All of the drawings used bright colors to display the excitement of nightlife.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle

This classic children's story, The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle, magically captures the transformation of a tiny caterpillar into a beautiful butterfly. As one of nature's many phenomenons, Eric Carle portrays the caterpillar's lifespan with exciting details. Vocabulary words such as "cocoon" could lead to a discussion about insects' lifespans. This book can easily fit in with a science unit on insects.

Told with ease, Eric Carle matches his exquisite writing style with colorful and innovative drawings that create the essence of this story. The final picture of the newly-transformed butterfly displays the butterfly with an awesome array of colors with its wings spanning the width of both pages. This reinforces the fact that nature can be both beautiful and surprising.

Not only does Eric Carle tell the fascinating story of a caterpillar into a butterfly, but he also offers other teachable moments for young readers as the story progresses. Days of the week appear in succession as the very hungry caterpillar continues to eat and eat. Through the unique combination of foods that the caterpillar eats, students can count the number of food items on their own. Eric Carle is clever by placing a hole in each food item to show that the caterpillar really ate through these items.

This book progresses in a natural fashion. Through the pictures, students who are just beginning to read can easily rely on the pictures to understand the story and the words on each page. Every young reader should experience the joy of The Very Hungry Caterpillar.