So Far From the Bamboo Grove

The best way to learn about history is to read books like "So Far From the Bamboo Grove" and actually read about real stories of the time and how people worked through them. A lot of times textbooks don't inform readers of all the emotions and heartfelt stories that are involved in war. In history classes we usually learn about the different countries or people fighting in the war and what it was over. By reading about Yoko's personal story, readers can make more of a personal connection to the text and in my opinion take away even more from that period of time.

I really liked how the story followed both Yoko's and her older brother Hideyo's story. Since there are two main perspectives in this book, I think it is a great one to read in class. It caters to both girls and boys when relating to the text. Readers really get a feel for all the awful events that were going on to these innocent young adults. I really was emotional when reading about what happened throughout this time period in Yoko's life. I kept thinking to myself, this girl is only eleven years old. How can she be so strong and deal with everything that is thrown at her. I think about my life and what I have experienced that has made me who I am and then I look at Yoko's past experiences and I almost feel guilty. I think a huge part of who Yoko is, is her mother. Even though they were going through this horrible time, Yoko and her sister were still kept in school, it wasn't even an option for them to slack off for a minute. This is another thing that readers can take away, no matter how unmotivated you feel, think of Yoko and all she was doing to survive. She was able to build and maintain relationships throughout the war period, although she lost both her parents, in the end she did find her brother and the Corporal.

I really found myself relating to Yoko and her mother's relationship. I always hated to leave my mom especially going to school in the early elementary years, so in the one scene at the new school in Japan I could relate to how she was feeling and the loneliness that took over her body. Also, when the mom passes away was extremely hard for me to read and get through. I can't even imagine being in Yoko's position and going through what she did.

Like I mentioned, I think that young readers would really benefit from this book in a classroom setting. If I were to teach an older class I would defiantly have this as one of our group readings.

The Widow's Broom

I thought this book would be aimed for more of an older elementary classroom. The students would need to understand the consequences of their actions. They could learn from the two boys who tried to steal the broom in the story. Also, the book is a little scarier. It deals with witches and ghosts, it isn't a happy, colorful picture book like a lot of them are.  

This is a story about a witch’s broom and all the power that goes along with it. A witch had fallen in the vegetable garden of a lonely widow named Minna Shaw. The widow took the witch in and cared for her until one night at midnight, the witch just disappeared. Her broom stayed and helped the widow do chores throughout the farmhouse.  As neighbors heard about the amazing things the broom was doing for the widow, they came to see it in action. One of the neighbors decided they would try and steal the broom to help them with their house chores. They take the broom when it is outside, the broom throws their dog, and is mean to their children so they put the broom away in the closet. Since the broom was causing extra harm to the neighbors, people decided to burn it in the yard. The next morning Minna Shaw called the neighbors with frightening news that she had seen the ghost of the broom! It had come back and this sent the neighbors packing immediately. However, Minna Shaw decided to stay. She had fallen asleep and was awakened by her friend the broom who she covered with white paint to fake its ghost. 

I would have this book in my classroom library, I think it tells a good message and students could learn from it. Also it is mysterious and has a great story line. However, I don't recommend reading this as a read aloud just because some students may become frightened. 

Jumanji

1. I had actually seen the movie Jumanji before I read this book! I think that this is a thrilling book but teachers should be careful if they are choosing it for their classroom library. Students should be mature enough and old enough to handle this in a way scary book. However, on the other hand some students might find it completely hilarious and entertaining. That's why it is important that the teacher knows her students. 
   

This book is about two little kids whose parents leave them home alone for an evening. They go out for a walk and come across an old game by a tree called Jumanji. Although Peter was reluctant to bring it home, Judy wanted to play and was insistent on bringing it home. As soon as they started to play strange things started to happen. The game pieces started to come alive! A lion appeared on the top of the piano. Next thing Pete and Judy are surrounded by monkeys and it is starting to rain inside the house. These strange things kept on happening and before they knew it they were awakened by their parents. Their parents didn’t believe anything they said about the game, they just laughed and told them that they must have had a crazy dream. 

The Polar Express

This is one of my all time favorite books. I can still remember sitting by the Christmas tree and my mom reading it to my brothers and I. Chris Van Allsburg did a wonderful job with both the illustrations and the beautiful story about believing in Christmas. 

This is a wonderful Christmas story about believing in Santa Claus and hearing the ringing of one of the reindeer’s bells. A little boy wakes up in the middle of the night on Christmas Eve to a train parked in his front yard. Being curious he climbs aboard and joins all the other little boys and girls while they travel to the North Pole. Everyone is super anxious to see who Santa will give the first gift of Christmas to. After a long train ride through the dark, snowy mountains they finally they arrived at Santa’s workshop. The little boy was picked to get whatever gift he wanted; he chose to have a silver bell from one of the reindeer’s harnesses. When the little boy rings the bell he hears the most beautiful sound he has ever heard. The children get back on the train and halfway home he realizes that the pocket that he put the bell in has a hole in it and the bell has fallen out. He goes home disappointed and sad. The next morning he wakes up and is opening presents with his family and the ring is under the tree! He and his sister can hear the beautiful noise but his parents thought that it was just a broken bell. They couldn’t hear it because they didn’t believe in Santa Claus. 

I would have this story in my classroom library, but I do feel like it is more of an at home read with family rather than a classroom one. Like all of his other books it is rather lengthy, but I do recommend reading it on a snowy day with a warm cup of hot coco:). 

The Stranger

Like the other Chirs Van Allsburg stories that I have read The Stranger is very similar. This book is about a stranger coming to live with a family on their farm, but strange things start to happen. After hitting a strange man with his truck farmer Bailey takes in the man who has lost his memory from the accident. Bailey brought the stranger along to the fields with him to work, the stranger never grew tired and this is part of the reason Bailey liked him so much. However, as time went by the weather was not changing, it seemed to be staying summer forever. The stranger went to the highest hill and looked around. He was surprised to see that the trees not on the farm were orange and red, like fall, but the trees around him were still green. This puzzled the stranger and it stayed with him until he decided to leave the farm. As soon as he left fall seemed to hit the farmhouse immediately.

Although this book is obviously fiction, with the seasons stopping just around their house, I don't think that this would be a good choice for an elementary school setting. I feel this way because in today's society there is so much emphasis on stranger danger and staying away from people the kids don't know. In this book there was an accident an the man lost his memory, so the farmer brought him in. No matter how bad the situation is, I don't think we want to be sending out this message to our students.

The Sweetest Fig

I researched Chris Van Allsburg as my author for my author study project. I have really become to love the picture book that he has written and illustrated. He mixes fantasy and reality in such a fantastic way that pulls in readers left and right. 

This particular book is about an old dentist was given a fig that would “make his dreams come true” from a patient who couldn’t afford to give him money for pulling out her tooth. That same night before he went to bed the dentist ate the fig the woman had given him, it was the most delicious thing ever. The next morning was very strange; the things that he dreamed came alive and were actually happening. He tried to dream of being rich, he practiced dreaming of becoming rich and one night before bed he decided he would eat the second fig. However, before he ate it his dog got to it first. The next morning the dentist woke up on the floor and all he could do was bark.

I would definitely have this book in my classroom library, although it is a little wordy, I think that my students would find it humorous and interesting. Especially with children, fantasy is such an important part of their life and this book would just add on to their creative thinking. 

Reflection Time

I personally think this year has gone by so fast, let alone this semester. I just feel like we started and it is already spring break! So far I have really enjoyed Reading and Responding to Children's Lit. It has really opened up my views of children's literature and what books I can bring into the classroom to help teach lessons. 

One of the main reasons why I like this class is because our homework is to read children's books. All while we are doing this we are exposing ourselves to the many different topics, genres and authors that are out there. We have also learned strategies in the curriculum lab that have helped me and will continue to help me through my years at University of Iowa and also in my years of teaching to come. I like how our class has great discussions about different books and that people feel comfortable sharing their true feelings with the class. I also loved reading other peoples blogs, it is yet another way to get exposed to even more books about different things. I have really enjoyed the class so far and can't wait to finish the year with even more get children's books. 

The Misfits

After hearing about all the hype and controversy that this book has created in school districts, I was excited to read it. James Howe is a very talented author and from what I have read so far does a good job at bringing the reader back into the junior high school world. The way the main characters are portrayed is exactly how some of the students in my junior high acted. I remember the different groups, the popular group, the band people, the athletes, and of course the misfits, or the people who didn't "belong" in any other group. Especially in today's society where fitting in seems like it is the most important thing for a young teen, it is critical that we talk about this issue in schools.  I know one of the main reasons why this book is so controversial is because one of the main characters comes out to his friends about being a homosexual, but I think the overall message in the first part of the book is an important one to address. The issue of being who you are and not giving into the pressure to conform to others. Junior high years are probably the most awkward years of any ones life, students need to understand that they may be feeling like they are the only ones in the world who don't fit in, when in reality that is far from the truth. 

I personally think that this change that needs to happen in junior high has to start with the teachers. They need to be able to open up to their students and talk about challenging issues and let students know that everyone is important in school and everyone is accepted, no matter who they are. Although I am only halfway through the book, I have very much enjoyed it and would teach this issue, if not read the book in my future classroom. By sending children to a public school parents are wanting their children to become socialized and get a variety of experiences that would not happen in their home. Homosexuality is going to be in this generations life, so we should do our best to expose them to it and try and get them to accept it as soon as possible.