Year of Impossible Goodbyes by Sook Nyul Choi

Before reading this novel, I thought I had a fairly good grasp of World War II and its effects around the world. This novel proved me wrong. Sook Nyul Choi's compelling story transported me to Korea where I learned about her country's rich history along with the great sorrows and tribulations faced by people in Korea at this time. First the Japanese controlled Korea followed by Russia in North Korea following the war. There was that one glimmer of peace and happiness when neither Japan or Russia dominated Korea, but of course, that was short-lived. I love books that take me to a different time and place, and Sook Nyul's Choi writing did just that. I was 10-year-old Sookan living each moment with her, feeling her struggle, her fears, her determination, and most of all her enduring spirit.

Sookan surprised me by being wise beyond her years. She already felt such a strong devotion to her family and was the protector of her little brother, Inchun. As I read, I felt as though I was experiencing a story combining both a Korean Holocaust and the Underground Railroad. Every step along the way was an obstacle, every day a never-ending struggle. The sock factory, the high price of food, and the long days reminded me of the Jewish ghettos at this same time. That Japanese school also made me cringe. The constant reminders to be loyal to the Heavenly Emperor and empire along with the militaristic command of the school proved strenuous and damaging to the psyche. I can't imagine suffering through that as a 10-year-old.

The idea of group mentality also arose in this book as following the war, many North Koreans welcomed the Russians with open arms thinking that this time things would be different with the Russians. The Communist marches, the meetings, the wearing of red were really just new forms of a country suppressing and controlling Korea. Unfortunately, many Koreans didn't recognize Russia as another oppressor and succumbed to Russia's messages. Sookan's ability to see beyond the confines of the Russian message again showed the wisdom inside this 10-year-old. My emotions were stirred the most when Sookan and Inchun became separated from their mother on the escape trip to the south. Much like the days of the Underground Railroad during slavery, it's hard to know who to trust and even harder when you're that young. Without the help of the old man at the train station, I don't know what would have happened to the children. I feel as though a little luck or fate guided them. Their courage to move forward and continue their journey took dedication and heart.

I think too often in schools, we hear about the European version of World War II. Year of Impossible Goodbyes can open students' eyes to the impact of war around the world and also war's aftermath. To me, history is a combination of stories and a combination of perspectives. Everybody has their own history, and this story demonstrates this. The final scene of the children digging to freedom brings together every aspect of the book in terms of facing adversity, maintaining strength and resiliency, and preserving hope in oneself and the human spirit.

Grandfather's Journey, Written and Illustrated by Allen Say

Winner of the Caldecott Medal, Grandfather's Journey is the rich and touching account of author Allen Say's grandfather. I love stories about the past, especially when they are true, heartfelt tales like this one is. Traveling from Japan to America, Say's grandfather travels America's terrain, reveling in the differences between Japan and America. He marvels at the the farm fields, the desert, the towering mountains, and the industrialized cities. Settling in, Say's grandfather marries his childhood sweetheart and brings her to America, and the couple has a daughter. However, Say's grandfather's begins to long for his old friends and his old homeland. His wife, his daughter, and he return to Japan where their daughter falls in love and eventually has a son, Allen Say. A sincere sympathy emerged from me when I discovered that this family was affected by World War II and the destruction of their city. Say's grandparents lost their home. I didn't expect this to be part of the story, but this piece relays underlying wounds. Relaying the history isn't always positive. It's filled with challenged and struggles.

At the age of 16, Allen Say also immigrates to America. I found it interesting how Say connects even more with his grandfather now that he is in America. They share similar attachments and cross-cultural experiences. The simplicity of the second to last page stands in contrast with the rest of the books' illustrations, and I think Say may have done this on purpose. Only words are on this page-no pictures. It shows the inherent desire to be two places at once. No matter what, whether in Japan or America, there is a longing for the other. As Allen Say states, "The funny thing is, the moment I am in one country, I am homesick for the other. I think I know my grandfather now." Although that one particular page didn't need a picture, the pictures included in the story are amazing. The pictures tell the story more than the words on the page. Say's brilliant use of watercolor paintings depict the grandfather's journey thoroughly. Each picture is framed and set apart from the text. Due to this layout, several of the pictures appear as snapshots or portraits- specific moments in time.

I'm sure few of our future students' grandparents immigrated to the United States, but this would be such a worthwhile book so students can begin to see the importance of the past and the importance in stories. One activity I might have students do would be interviewing their grandparents. They can learn what life was like for them when they were children. After all, we only have a limited time to spend with our grandparents. When someone passes, their stories go with them. Also, this book shows a new perspective of history because it tells the story of aJapanese man coming to America rather than the usual story we hear about European families immigrating to the United States. Students can compare and contrast immigration experiences faced by people from different countries. So many different directions and so many possibilities emerge from this story.

Harriet and the Roller Coaster, Written and Illustrated by Nancy Carlson

While I was wandering through the children's section at the public library, I came across Nancy Carlson, one of my favorite children's authors when I was young. I eagerly looked through her different books and found Harriet and the Roller Coaster. I don't know why, but ever sense I was a little kid, I have had this youthful love for amusement parks. Whether I actually go to one, see one in a movie, or read a book about it, I get excited and fall for the splendor of the amusement park experience. I enjoy the thrill. That is why I loved this book as a kid and found out I still love it as a young adult.

For their last day of school, Harrriet and her classmates go to an amusement park. In the days leading up to the field trip, George taunts Harriet, saying that she'll be to scared to go on the roller coaster. Harriet internalizes George's words and has trouble sleeping the night before the field trip. On the day of the field trip, both George and Harriet buy tickets for the roller coaster, and in a turn of events, it's George, not Harriet, who realizes he doesn't like roller coasters.

Although this is a simple story, it's full of colorful illustrations and fun-loving, good-natured characters. Nancy Carlson definitely has the likability factor working for her due to both her pictures and easy-flowing writing style. I especially liked the two-page spread of just the roller coaster itself. It's a high-thrill ride for sure with quick drops and multiple loops. For students who really enjoy this story, there are other books about Harriet's adventures.

Kids reading Harriet and the Roller Coaster may be able to guess the ending because it's common to have a plot focusing in on the main character's dilemma and then the main character proving herself/himself in the end. While reading, students could make predictions about what they think will happen. For the primary grades, this can also be an introductory story about peer pressure, the overcoming of fears, and courage. Students should be able to make connections with the story about a time whe they too felt scared and the process of what they did to overcome their fears. This story suggests that students need to be able to stand up for themselves, but also at the same time, they should be willing to try new (safe) things. You never know until you try.

Welcome to the Green House by Jane Yolen, Illustrated by Laura Regan

Have you ever imagined what it would be like to visit the rain forest? What would you see? What would you hear? What would it feel like? Jane Yolen activates and brings to life the tropical rain forest in Welcome to the Green House. Yolen gives the reader a complete tour of the rain forest by first describing the warm, wet days. While envisioning the rain forest while reading, I felt myself clam and warm-up as though it were summer. Yolen describes the towering trees and the plethora of animals including the sloth, the capuchin monkey, hummingbirds, and the golden toads. Yolen doesn't merely list the animals, but she describes the animals and some of the animals' actions. The sloth is a "slow, green-coated sloth," while "waking lizards lunge" and silver fish plunge." Yolen appeals to the reader's auditory sense too as long-horned beetles "crinch-crunch" and bees "pick-buzz-hum-buzz." All of the sounds are set off in italics to emphasize them. Yolen explores both the daytime and nighttime.\.

Although rich in its writing style, Welcome to the Green House is also rich in its illustrations of the rain forest. Each illustration covers the entire two-page spread. A closeup of both the canopy and down on the ground floor are shown. The sun can only peak through narrow gaps in the canopy. Silver fish swim through the stream. In some pictures, the reader sees the intricacies of a leaf or the toad's habitat in the rain forest. All of the illustrations help to show just how much activity takes place in the rain forest simultaneously.

This book is a great resource to guide students in adding their own sensory details, accurate descriptions, or vivid illustrations to a piece of writing. Rich adjectives flow endlessly in this book. On one page, Yolen lists all different shades of green visible in the rain forest: "dark green, light green, emerald green, bright green, copper green, blue green, ever-new green house." Even without the illustrations, I think readers would be able to visualize the rain forest.

On the final page of this book, there is a Did You Know? section that talks about the current human threat to rain forests. As the School Library Journal notes, this book would be "ideal for introducing rain forest ecology in the primary grades...The next best thing to a guided tour." Perhaps this could be the opener for a unit on activism, persuasive essays, and/or persuasive letter-writing. Why should we save the rain forests? What can we do to preserve them? I feel that students like to a have a purpose when they write. It always helps to write about something that matters and is relevant. What better topic then is there than the rain forest?

The Day Jimmy's Boa Ate the Wash by Trinka Hakes Noble, Illustrated by Stephen Kellogg

Let me give you a summary of how The Day Jimmy's Boa Ate the Wash goes. Something happens. Why did it happen? Because this happened. Why did this happen? Because before that, this happened, and so the story goes. If you need to teach students cause and effect, this is the book to do it. Like other Jimmy's Boa stories, Meggie relays the day's events to her mom. In this case, her class went on a field trip to the farm. While at the farm, all kinds of events transpire. The story unwinds bit by bit as pieces of the puzzle slowly come together. Jimmy takes his boa into the hen house to meet the farm animals, but the boa scares the hens, which in effect makes a hen get so excited that it lays an egg, which makes the kids start throwing eggs, and so the story goes. Finally, Jimmy's boa does in fact eat the wash.

I enjoyed this book because of how the story unfolds. Kids will get a kick out of the variety of events taking place. I also like how this book is a story within a story since Meggie is telling the story to her mom. Throughout the course of the book, Meggie's mom asks questions to clarify the story which leads to another ridiculous explanation of everything that occurred. Perhaps students can experiment with telling a story within a story during writer's workshop and explore the possibilities. I try to remember any book that sparks ideas for writer's workshop.

The Day Jimmy's Boa Ate the Wash can be used in reader's workshop too. This is one of those books that I think it would be useful to do a picture walk with students before reading. There are so many things happening that if students get a general idea of the events in the story, it will be easier for them to follow the train of thought. Also, there are not too many words on each page, so the pictures equally tell the story. The illustrations are well-crafted, full of bright colors and pictures that add humor to the story. This book is an ideal opener for a unit on cause and effect since cause and effect examples are so prevalent. All of the events in this story happen for a reason. Whether reading for pleasure or with a teaching purpose in mind, as a teacher, you can take this story in many different directions.

Diary of a Worm by Doreen Cronin, Illustrated by Harry Bliss

I really didn't have very high expectations for Diary of a Worm, but it turned out that I loved it! It was filled with so much "worm" humor that I found myself chuckling to myself. Told from the perspective of a young worm, the worm seemed rather human. He went to school, did his homework (and ate it), and had all kinds of adventures. Filled with so much life and energy, the worm also went through typical worm experiences and worm experiences you wouldn't really think about. Typical experiences mentioned included digging deeper to avoid being used as bait and being on the sidewalk after a rainstorm. Unusual worm experiences included only being able to put your head in during the Hokey Pokey and making macaroni necklaces in art class. One noodle slipped over the worm's body.

I thought this was a very unique picture book. Often diaries and journals are used for children's novels, but this was the first picture book I have read that uses the diary format to tell its story. The worm's story was so wholesome and down-to-earth (pun intended) :) . This worm definitely likes to experiment and try out new ideas that don't always work. When the spider tells him to walk upside down, he realizes he can't. When he decides to be nice and says "Good morning" to one of the ants, he ends up staying at the same spot all day saying "Good Morning" to over 600 ants. Through this diary format, students can enter the life of this worm and develop a new idea when considering perspective in their writing. Perhaps they can pretend to be an animal, or perhaps they can write about themselves in a diary format with brief stories from their life.

The illustrations in this story only added to the story's effectiveness. Harry Bliss is an award-winning cartoonist, and the cartoonist feel comes through in the pictures. The pictures were very kid-friendly. Even the minor details in the pictures develop a framework for the story. As a cartoonist would do, at times word bubbles were used above the characters' heads. My favorite one was "Must make tunnel-help Earth breathe!" Words in large font were also used for sounds like CHOMP and THUD. With his worm family, he's 100% happy.

Cute quirk after cute quirk about being a worm makes this story memorable and a must-read for kids! I would definitely recommend getting this story for your classroom library! Get on it!

Glogster

Reflection Statement

Reading and Responding to Children's Literature has reacquainted me with some of my favorite children's books as well as introduced me to stories I never encountered during my childhood or that were not around during my childhood. This class has made me consider what stories I want to bring into my classroom. Some books like The Giver continue to be popular, while other stories have arrived on the scene. I feel like it is necessary to stay current with what students are reading. For example, Diary of a Wimpy Kid has captured the attention of many children so I feel like this is a book teachers should read in order to better relate to students. It also gives teachers perspective on students' interest. One of your responsibilities as teachers is to bridge the gap between home life and school life.

This class has also given my ideas on activities to discuss novels. Open discussions are important especially when reading a heavily thematic book. I really enjoyed the activity where newspaper clippings were given out that included different perspectives, both conservative and liberal. Although we did not get to it in class, having a town hall meeting by having students role play gets students to critically think. Even though I can see why books like The Misfits are considered controversial, I feel like these are the primary books to get students talking and thinking. If students never encounter difficult pieces, how will they develop their own viewpoints? Therefore, developing trust in the classroom so students feel comfortable discussing is important.

The genre presentations I feel were also beneficial because students gather a collection of the top books in a particular genre. Having these lists as future references will come in handy. With such a wealth of children's literature out there, it's hard to sort through to find the top books. However, what is considered good children's literature is often based on adults' opinions. Children have their own reasons for liking a certain book. As this class continues, I hope to develop a broader knowledge base of activities that I can do with children to make books they are reading relevant and relatable to them. Students need variety whether in math, science, or language arts.

Witness by Karen Hesse

This story proved to me again why Karen Hesse is such a great author. As I've mentioned before, I am a fan of historical fiction, and this particular account stretches the limits of historical fiction. In a small Vermont town in the mid 1920s, the Ku Klux Klan, a group embracing white supremacy, has entered the town's realm of everyday events. Some people join in on the Klans "cause," some remain neutral, and some serve as the opposition. The Ku Klux Klan's impact is felt throughout the community. Leanora, a 12-year-old African American girl, and Esther, a 6-year-old Jewish girl are the main victims of the Ku Klux Klan. The town's different responses to the Ku Klux Klan's presence gives insight into the handling of prejudice and discrimination.

The effectiveness of this story comes from the 11 different narrators. Too often we are blinded by one unfolding of history. However, by Hesse choosing to progress the story through 11 viewpoints, we gain an insight into the motivations, the hesitations, and the thoughts rumbling through the character's mind. Written in free poetic verse, the story switches often between narrators, but there is this linking thread holding all of the stories together. The extremist, clergyman Johnny Reeves, has radical ideas as he embraces his KKK identity. Even within the same family, Harvey and Viola Pettibone disagree about the KKK's tactics and its morality. Harvey represents the man who becomes absorbed by the group mentality of the KKK, which can prove to be dangerous and lead to questionable actions. Others like newspaper editor, Reynard Alexander, and doctor, Fitzgerald Flitt, try to remain neutral amidst the divisiveness caused by the KKK. Since there are 11 narrators, it is a bit tricky to keep all of the narrators straight, but luckily, there is a character page at the front of the novel that I referred to often when I was just getting to know the characters.

One of my favorite people in the story was Merlin Van Tornhout who at first embraces the KKK identity. However, as the story progresses, he internalizes his humanity and questions his loyalty to the KKK. He observes, for example, Leanora Sutter saving Esther Hirsh from an oncoming train. When the Klan asks him to pour poison into the Sutter's well, he realizes the extremity of that action. His depth as a character shows his growing understanding about race, religion, group mentality, and his own humanity.

I feel that Witness is a significant book to bring into the classroom. Many mature themes arise that require open dialogue about prejudice and discrimination. This book does mention lynchings, burning crosses, and other hate and scare tactics the KKK used to show their power and commitment to white supremacy. Therefore, I feel as though 5th or 6th grade would be the earliest I would feel comfortable introducing this book. This book would be a valuable teaching tool in the classroom because often we think of the Ku Klux Klan only residing in the south. Yet, based on Hesse's research, she discovered this was not the case and wanted to reveal a forgotten history. In places like Vermont, the KKK reigned and were present even in the 1920s. This story will make students consider the prejudice that still exists in today's society and examine thmselves. Students will also consider ways to enact change. In any situation, as in this Vermont town, people have different responses to a crisis. Some peopleexhibit previously unknown courage. Still, we are flawed. This story highlights the fact that we're all human. It's up to us to handle adversity and conflicts the best way we know how.

The Music of Dolphins by Karen Hesse

I give this book a 10/10! I really enjoyed this book because it's 100% original and unique. I have never read anything like it before. The Music of Dolphins is the story of Mila who is rescued off the coast of Florida. Since the age of 4, Mila has been raised among dolphins. Having been found by the Coast Guard, Mila is taken into observation at a local hospital. There Doctor Beck and Sandy attempt to teach Mila about about language and music. As a scientific research subject, Mila makes great strides and progress, but the more and more she learns about human life, the more and more she wants to return to the sea. For Mila, the sea is where she really belongs.

The Music of Dolphins explores what it means to be human. At first, Mila enjoys everything about being human, but soon she learns about captivity and locked doors, rules, and emotions of anger and fear. She misses the freedom of the sea. According to Mila, one difference between dolphins and humans is that "The dolphins, they live for today. To be human is to live for tomorrow. Why does tomorrow matter? What is important is now" (p. 173). Mila's mindset matches that of the dolphins. She fits in with the sea and nature.

What I liked most about this story is the way Karen Hesse relays the story shows Mila's growth as she gradually acquires language. When the story is in italics, Mila's connection with the sea is apparent. The rich detail shows how comfortable Mila is in nature, wild and free. Once she is found, a newspaper article outlines Mila's story with the headline "Wild Child Found on Island Off Cuba" (p. 4). Once Mila is brought to the hospital for observation, the font size reflects Mila's understanding of the English language. From Mila's point of view, it shows her perspective at any time frame as she tries to adjust her knowledge. She isn't even able to recognize herself in a mirror at first. As Mila continues to learn English, the font size becomes smaller, and her language becomes more precise. Mila's connection with music leaves her with a tie to the sea. However, Mila becomes increasingly disillusioned with everything she learns about the human world and begins to withdraw, refusing to eat until she is brought again to the sea. The font size and word choice used show a regression of language rather than a progression. In the final pages, Mila returns to the sea, and the language is again shown in italics. Through Hesse's font size and language usage, I felt even closer to Mila and felt I could better understand her world.

If this novel wasn't in first person, I feel like Mila's story would be incomplete. By having this story from Mila's point-of-view, the reader both progresses and regresses with Mila. In any story, especially a novel, I like to create a visual picture in my mind, and this novel allowed me to do just that. This story also reminded me of Genie's story, the true story of a girl who grew up without normal human interaction and stimulation for the first 13 years of her life. Genie's outcome reminded me of Shay's outcome from this story since both Genie and Shay fail to adjust to social norms and behavior. Unlike Shay, Mila did have interaction and stimulation growing up. It was just with the dolphins. Although this story is rather unrealistic, it's not impossible. It's a reminder that sometimes we need to expect the unexpected.

The Cats in Krasinski Square by Karen Hesse, Illustrated by Wendy Watson

An introductory picture book about the Holocaust, The Cats in Krasinski Square is geared for upper elementary students in grades 3-5. The Cats in Krasinski Square shares the story of a group of people who risk their lives in devising a plan to get food and supplies to those still trapped inside Warsaw's ghetto walls. I had mixed feelings about this book because it glanced over some of the underlying deeper issues associated with Holocaust like many Holocaust books for children tend to do. The title itself is vague, and by simply looking at the front cover, you wouldn't even know that this book had anything to do with the Holocaust.

However, upon reading, this story did provide some basic idea of the struggle people in Warsaw faced. For students who have never heard of the Holocaust before, this book could serve as an introductory book in a Holocaust unit. The young girl narrator herself has lost most of her family to the war. Jewish herself, she and her sister were able to escape the walls of the ghetto and now pass for being Polish. By passing, the narrator and her sister avoid the turmoil associated with being Jewish. "I wear my Polish look, I walk my Polish walk, Polish words float from my lips..." The cats mirror the lives of many Jewish families. Cats now wander the streets too living off of mice and not in the comfort of an owner's home. It is these same cats that are used to distract the Gestapo police dogs as people risk their lives to get food into the ghetto. The Jewish Resistance Movement, amidst adversity, is willing to risk risk their lives for those trapped inside the ghetto.

The author's note and historical note at the end of the story provide a much-needed frame of reference. When reading the author's note, I learned that this story was actually based on true events. The Jewish Resistance had used cats as one technique to outsmart the Gestapo at the train station in Warsaw during World War II. By reading the historical note, readers gain the context of the time. If I was to use this story in the classroom, I think I would start by reading the historical note so that students know the conditions in Warsaw prior to reading since the actual story glosses over this issue. In order to gain an overall perspective of history, students need the details. It returns to a matter of what children are ready to learn and hear.

Wendy Watson's illustrations add that "little something extra" this story needs. With the water color pictures, the pictures often tell more than the words. The Gestapo police linger in the streets, the dogs hover, and the barbed wire fence serves as a barrier between Jews and the outside world. Each picture or set of text is offset and bordered by intersecting lines, much like the barbed wire fences in the ghettos. Still the soft tones used in this story release some of the tensions associated with features of the drawings. Our fear of past horrors, like the Holcaust, should not withhold us from explaining the past to the next generation. They deserve to know.

Spuds by Karen Hesse, Illusrated by Wendy Watson

One of Karen Hesse's newer books, Spuds tells the story of three kids, Maybelle, Jack, and Eddie who go to gather potatoes from a nearby field one dark night so they can surprise their mom with extra food on the table. Upon the children's arrival home, they realize that they had not been collecting potatoes like they thought. Instead, they had been harvesting stone and rocks. The children are grounded for going into someone else's field, and they must apologize to Mr. Kenney. However, when Maybelle announces "we'd only gone after them spuds so Ma wouldn't have to work so hard," their Ma makes a delicious dinner, and the love emanates from their family.

Set in the country, I really enjoyed this story. As in Come On Rain!, Hesse does not specify a specific time period for Spuds, but I believe it was set during the Great Depression. I came to this conclusion based on the old-fashioned outfits, the water basin sink, and the antique stove in the story. Plus, their rural country life is filled with obstacles such as getting enough food on the table. Interesting to note is that these children are being raised without a father. The story does not address this directly, but a father is never mentioned, and the children's Ma works the nightshift. This single-parent family still makes the most out of their situation. Even though the children shouldn't have gone out to the field to "steal" potatoes from a neighbor's field, they were doing it for the sake of their Ma.

The dialect used in this story also reflects country life. The words used took me back in time and place into the context of the children the children. For example, "'Less we gather them spuds off Kenney's field, they'll go to rot, sure thing." The improper grammar usage adds to the delight of the story. Told from Jack's perspective, the story reflects a down-to-earth story of kids trying to help their Ma.

The pictures too add an extra delight to the story. They show the emotions of the kids when they're sad to see their mother head off to work, their excitement when the realize they can help their Ma, their disappointment and guilt at taking what they thought were potatoes, and joy in being together as a family. Whoever wrote the book cover sums it up best by stating, "Wendy Watson's warm, glowing artwork is a perfect complement ot a story that overflows with love, integrity, and down-home family values." Karen Hesse's heartwarming writing style and Wendy Watson's use of watercolors and colored ink create a unique historical fiction story that I would definitely share with my class.

Come On, Rain! by Karen Hesse, Illustrated by Jon J. Muth

I learned something else about Karen Hesse that I didn't know when I was looking for her books. She also writes picture books. Although she is heavily a children's novelist, her picture books also are fun to read and enjoy. Come On Rain! tells the story of a young girl and her mom as they await the coming rain to end the 3 week drought. We never learn the young narrator's name, but she is filled with energy and excitement. Once the rain starts, the young narrator gathers with her friends, and they dance in the streets welcoming the rain. Eventually their moms join in on the celebration, laughing, dancing, and getting soaked by the free-falling rain.

The story itself is simple, but the language that Hesse uses to convey the story are delightful and very entertaining. Hesse uses descriptive language that evokes all of the senses. Phrases from the story I especially liked were "sagging over her parched plants" and "heat wavers off tar patches in the broiling alleyway." Descriptions such as these evoke the overwhelming heat. I can feel the heat and can visualize people suffering from the oppressive heat. They need relief from this summer heat. I wanted an iced tea or lemonade while reading this story because I thought of what a 90 degree day is like.

Set in the city, I received the impression that the little girl and her mom didn't have air conditioning. A slight breeze from the window is portrayed in one of the pictures as well as a wide-open window, so the overwhelming heat seems to carry into the house. The book does not set a specific time period, but I had the feeling that this story was set in the 1970s. A phonograph is still in Miz Glick's "stuff cave of her room" for example. The little girl and her mom are always wearing dresses too.

The watercolor pictures capture the summer days in its full glory. The dark clouds and then the raindrops emerge and cover the page. A fun read, Come on Rain! would be great for a read-aloud with young kindergarten or first-grade students when talking about the weather or the summer. For example, what would you do if you didn't have air-conditioning? Do you ever play in the rain? Come on Rain! would also be a great book to just to read for fun.

Wish on a Unicorn by Karen Hesse

I'm choosing to focus on Karen Hesse for the A/P/I project because Out of the Dust is such a moving children's novel, making me want to read more books by Karen Hesse. Unlike the majority of people, I am a historical fiction buff. However, I've come to realize that not all of Karen Hesse's books are in the historical fiction genre. Wish on a Unicorn is a contemporary realistic fiction novel about a sixth grade girl named Maggie (called Mags) who feels weighed down by her seven-year-old sister, Hannie, who has a cognitive disability and her brother Mooch, known to be the neighborhood food thief. One day, Mags and Hannie discover a dirty, worn unicorn that they come to believe has magical powers. Through the experiences with the unicorn and through her relationships, Mags realizes just how special her family really is.

Many relevant topics arise in this book in terms of socioeconomic class, family, disabilities, and true friends. Mags feels as though she is not good enough compared with other students at her school. Living in a trailer park, Mags expresses dissatisfaction with her hand-me-down clothes and heavy responsibilities that fall on her. Since her mom works the night shift, it is Mags who must handle the extra burden of caring of her younger brother and sister. According to Mags, "I wanted to look and act and be just like the other kids at school and not be embarrassed about who I am" (p. 13). Although Mags and Hannie both attend school during the day, Mooch is still too young for school and must find his own activities while his mom sleeps during the day. Too often we fail to realize challenges that arise for single-parent families. Her dad passed away when she was two. Then her mom started dating a different man who is the father of Hannie and Mooch before he became abusive. When Mags is given a homework assignment requiring her to write an essay about her family, she doesn't know what to say. As a future teacher, I believe it is important to get to know students and their family situations.

Making matters more difficult is that Hannie has a cognitive disability. I felt that this book was a littled outdated. In terms of terminology, it reffered to Hannie as handicapped. I also believe (or would like to believe at least) that students today are more accepting of special education students. When Brody, one of Mag's classmates, gets mad, he says to Mags and Hannie, "I said your sister's a retard. A stupid should-have-been-dead retard" (p. 78). When Hannie wets her pants because she's upset, other students laugh at her. All of this I hope doesn't happen in today's school environment, or if it is still happening, intervention needs to take place.

At this adolescent age, Mags is also concerned if the popular girls, Patty Jo and Alice, like her. When she gets invited to Patty Jo's house after school one day, she tells Hannie to walk home by herself because for once, she wants to enjoy the feeling of being included and "cool." Mags soon realizes that being popular isn't all that it is hyped up to be. Mags returns home only to find Hannie missing. Although Mags eventually finds Hannie, an overwhelming sense of guilt and responsbility weigh on her mind. With this experience, Mags comes to understands how important Hannie and her family is to her.

Overall, I found this to be a heartwarming story offering advice about the meaning of true friends and family. As Karen Hesse's first novel, I feel as though she accurately captures both the highs and lows that any family experiences on a day-to-day basis. Families are unique, coming in all shapes and sizes. Despite their challenging situation, Mags's family has endurance and strength of spirit.

The Misfits by James Howe (Overall Book Perspective)

Awareness of a problem is the first step toward change. I found Bobby's idea of establishing the No-Name party a stroke of genius on his part. I believe every kid has been called a name at least one time in their life. Maybe it was positive name, maybe it was negative, but I know I remember some of the names I was called. Teacher's pet, smartypants, the giant, etc. were some just to name a few. Even though name-calling might not be vocalized verbally now that we're older and in college, prejudgments are often still made based on people's fashion, looks, etc. The list that the Gang of Five made showed some overlap in names such as loser and dork. Bobby, Joe, Skeezie, and Addie took it upon themselves to enact change.

I feel that adolescents have a sense of idealism that many people lose as they get older. In these adolescent years, the Gang of Five shows promise, hope, and a willingness to make a difference for the future. For Bobby especially, his inventiveness and maturation come through not only in his vision of the No-Name party but also in his talks with his dad and Mr. Kellerman as well as his final speech made in front of the whole school. It takes guts to do something like Bobby does in the closing pages of this book. Their party's motto, "Sticks and stones may break our bones, but names will break our spirit" rings throughout Bobby's speech.

Despite Bobby's moving speech, it is Brittany that wins the election. It is as though James Howe is suggesting that change cannot happen immediately. Instead, incremental change not substantial change often occurs. Although the Gang of Five does not win the election, their principal, Mr. Kiley enacts No-Name Day and later No-Name Week. However, James Howe does have a slightly idealistic ending for Joe. Both Joe and Colin come out and decide to go out. In reality, I highly doubt this would happen openly during middle school. Perhaps James Howe, a gay man himself, was envisioning his own life when creating a happy ending for Joe.

The Misfits is a great book that allows kids to learn about bullying, tolerance, and activism. I believe this book would be beneficial in my classroom as a teaching tool. Classroom discussions would be necessary when discussing all of the themes and topics that arise in this book.