Year of Impossible Goodbyes

I am really glad that I had an opportunity to read this book. I had never done this in my elementary years, but I think that it was really a eye opening experience to read two books on the same topic but different sides. I could definitely see these books being the topics of a huge debate or discussion in class. Reading them together also proves to readers that there are two sides of every story. Unlike So Far From the Bamboo Grove, the characters in this book were Korean and are the other prospective of the war. From reading these books I have learned so much about the different cultures and their ways of life. 

The first couple of chapters were a struggle for me to get through. I didn't know how I was going to be able to read the whole thing. However, as I kept reading, I became more and more attached to Nuna and her family. I wanted them to survive the war so badly. After reading it, it reminded me of how similar the two sides who are fighting against each other actually are. They are both children being strong and growing up so fast to provide for their family and survive the war, while also keeping up with the many traditions of their countries. The whole scene at the school when the little kids were making the weapons really made me angry. The children are so innocent, and yet here they are making devices to kill the enemy. 

Both of these books make readers appreciate what they have and the world we live in today. I have especially been touched by these books and I know that I'm probably not the only one. In today's society, with our country actually at war, I think it is even more important for younger grades to pick this difficult subject of war up and openly talk about it and get their feelings out. 

Who Wants a Dragon

This book is a nice rhyming book for young readers. This is a story about a young dragon who needs to find someone who will love him and cuddle with him. He tries to find people or other animals to take care of him, but everyone is either really scared of him or for some reason doesn't want to be around him. Finally, in the end he finds his mother who will do all the things he was looking for someone to do. 

The illustrations are bright and beautiful. They pull the reader in and keep them hooked on what will happen next. This book is a good way to teach correct expression in some one's voice. With many different question marks and exclamation points, it is easy for young readers to be able to acknowledge the differences and read in a voice that is appropriate. This book is also perfect for little ones because the print is a lot larger than a normal book and the vocabulary is a lot simpler. I think I would have this book in my classroom for younger readers to read and go to during independent reading time. 

Home Lovely

This is a story about a little girl and her mother who have to move into a trailer by themselves. Her mother can't afford a babysitter and she needs to work, so the little girl Tiffany had to stay in the trailer all by herself for a couple hours a day. One day when Tiffany was taking out the trash, she discovered something that looked like seeds that were starting to grow. She moved them to the front and watched them grow. They grew into beautiful plants and flowers. Her garden was admired by all including the mail man. In the end it made her home lovely. 

I wasn't really a fan of this book. I thought it was trying to cover too many topics for one book. The topics I thought it was covering were poverty, plants and single families. I think that this book could be considered controversial because it doesn't really portray a message that we want to teach our students of staying by themselves in a home for long periods of time. 

Slugs In Love

This is a warm hearted love story about two slugs falling in love. Marylou, a slug, has always been attracted to Herbie, another slug. One day she decides to start writing him love poems on different things in the garden. Herbie of course is flattered and writes poems back to his secret admirer Marylou. However, all of Herbie's poems get destroyed before Marylou can find them. After many different poems Marylou finally shows herself to Herbie and they live happily ever after with their tiny slug babies. 

The story line and illustrations make this book interesting and fulfilling to all readers no matter their age. Since the slugs write love poems back and forth to each other this book deals a lot with different rhyming words. This would be a good book to have out when students are learning about poems or in a classroom library, or maybe even during Valentine's Day to show the theme of love in a different way. I don't think it would be a good book to read aloud just because I can see it not appealing to everyone in the class. 

Marsupial Sue

As I have learned from my child study in block A, I am at one point or another going to come across a reluctant reader. For example, my child that I am working with doesn't like to read. It wasn't till the fourth week that I learned she like to sing. Immediately I thought to bring this book by John Lithgow. Marsupial Sue is a fun book that readers can sing along to. It comes with a CD in the back of the book to help provide the tune, however, when I brought it to the elementary school we didn't use the CD. I will defiantly have this book in my classroom and even use it as a read aloud. I think it would be a fun way to encourage students to interact with the text. It also has a wonderful message of be who you are. The illustrations also make this book wonderful for young readers.

It is about a marsupial who doesn't like doing what kangaroos do. So she tries to fit in with other animal groups, but realizes that it is best to just be who she is and do what she does best. I would recommend this book also for teachers who are teaching rhymes and music in the classroom.

Arthur Babysits

This is another great Marc Brown Arthur story. All of the Arthur books are a great read for elementary level students. I'm not sure if I would end up reading this book out loud in class, but I know I would have it in my classroom library. It may also be a good one to have around for maybe a author study or a book report. There is an easy, recognizable plot line and kids can easily relate to it.

Arthur gets stuck babysitting for the worst behaving twins and is not looking forward to it. D.W. doesn't help his confidence either becuase she keeps reminding him what an aweful time he will have. However, Arthur gets the boys to calm down by telling them a scary story and making them nervous that a monster is coming. In the end, Arthur enjoys babysitting for the twins and agrees to do it again. This is a great lesson for readers, no matter how much other people talk and have opinions on someone or something, it always depends on your own personal expeience. Arthur learned this lesson when he babysat for the Tibble Twins.

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.