Children's Literature with Miss Cornell

illustrated by David Shannon  Texas Bluebonnet nominee 2017 Historical Fiction  This story was about a man named Hiawatha who just lost his family in a terribly bad battle between his tribe and another. The chief responsible for the death of his family is a ruthless man named Tadodaho and Hiawatha wants revenge. One morning, Hiawatha is visited by the Peacemaker, a man carrying a message about the new Great Law that requests fighting to stop. Together, Hiawatha and the Peacemaker preach of peace to other tribes who decide to join, even though they are still fearful of Tadodaho. In the end, Tadodaho must rely on the kindness of others which in turn makes him kind and unites all the nations.  I think this book would be good for students in Kindergarten through second grade. It teaches a message of kindness and how peacefulness can get us far. This book could be used as a read aloud at some point in class and allow students to give their own ideas of what the story tells us. I personally

illustrated by Sophie Blackall  2019 Caldecott Winner Historical Fiction  This story is about the everyday nuances of the lighthouse keeper and how his days change. In the beginning of the story, a new lighthouse keeper comes to the lighthouse at the end of the world. The keeper lives here and even has a family here, keeping record of everything daily. Then one day, the coast guard arrives and replaces the light with a new machine that can run on its own. The lighthouse keeper is no longer needed. Across the bay, the keeper and his family's light says hello to their old lighthouse.  This story would be best for younger elementary students, may Pre-kindergarten to first grade.  It doesn't really fit into a normal topic or unit in curriculum so it could be used as a short read aloud at some point in the day. I personally would not use this story in my class because it is geared towards a much younger audience than I plan to teach. 

illustrated by R. Gregory Christie  Coretta Scott King award 2016 Nonfiction  This story is about the National Memorial African Bookstore in Harlem in the 1930s. It is told from the view of the owner’s son, Lewis. Lewis encounters many great and famous people who come and go from his family’s bookstore. His father, Lewis Michaux Sr., felt it was important for people to read and gather ideas for their own selves. Lewis Jr. learns plenty of important lessons such as the importance of words, asking questions, and talking about the truth.  This book would be best used in third through fifth grade classrooms. It tells a significant part of African American history that is not necessarily learned in the common curriculum. This story could be used in a social studies setting to talk about the Civil Rights era and some of the things that shaped it into the movement that it was. Even within the middle school classrooms, I think I would keep this on a bookshelf because I think it is informative

illustrated by Alix Delinois  No major awards Historical Fiction  The story of the enslaved Mumbet tells about her cruel mistreatment at the hands of her owners. One day, Mumbet overhears town leaders speaking about the British’s plans to change American laws. The words that stick out to Mumbet the most are “all men are born free and equal.” With this in mind, she gets help from a lawyer to fight for her freedom and that of her daughter. The story ends with Mumbet gaining her freedom and a new name of her choice, Elizabeth Freeman.  Students in grades first through third would be most suited for this story. It could be used to help students understand and empathize more with the history of the U.S. and what slavery entailed. It could be used to start a discussion among students about how it would feel to not have your own identity. I personally wouldn’t use this book unless I ended up teaching younger students in a social studies setting. 

illustrated by Colin Bootman  Coretta Scott King Honor award 2003  Historical Fiction  This story was told from the viewpoint of a doll who is owned by a young enslaved girl. The doll, named Sally, goes everywhere with Lindy, including on her escape to a place called Freedom. Sally and Lindy’s family stop to rest at a house, but Sally is accidentally left behind in the frenzy to leave before the slave catchers get too close. All alone, Sally begins to grow sadder and sadder until one night, the hatch to the underground hiding spot is lifted and down comes a mother and daughter. Sally is renamed Belinda and now has a new little girl whom she belongs to.  I think this story would be best for students in first through fifth grade. It could be used to introduce the topic of slavery in a more child-friendly manner, while still telling some of the harsh realities. I think if I ever taught a social studies class in elementary, I would consider using this book within the curriculum. 

illustrated by Merrilee Liddiard  No major awards  Historical Fiction  Centered around WW2, this story is about a young boy Sam who doesn’t reciprocate the same kindness to a girl in his class, Keiko, because she is Japanese American. In school, the students are knitting to help soldiers; Keiko is barely acknowledged by Sam when she offers to help him with his knitting. After a government order, Keiko and her family must leave for an internment camp so Keiko leaves behind her bicycle and a pair of socks for Sam’s soldier brother. In the end, Sam realizes that Keiko has done nothing wrong and that he wants to be her friend so he knits her a scarf.  I think this book would be best for students in first through fourth grade because it is centered around a difficult topic, but told in a way that this age of children can understand and learn from. It could be used as a read aloud during a social studies unit on WW2 in order for students to understand and have empathy towards what happened d

Narrated by Julian Rhind-Tutt No major awards Audiobook This chapter book is about a boy, James, who lives with his abusive aunts, before escaping on a giant peach. James meets some odd creatures who become his friends as he and them travel over the ocean aided by seagulls on this giant peach. He learns quite a few lessons along the way before the peach comes crashing down on the Empire State building. James and his new friends are welcomed in a big way by the city of New York. James ends up living happily ever after in the only part of the peach that remains, the pit.  I think this audiobook would be appropriate for students in second or third grade through fifth grade. As an audiobook, I think this telling of James and the Giant Peach is successful and students would enjoy it because the narrator engaged well with the story and made it come to life. It teaches a great lesson about friendship for students at these ages. This story could be used in the classroom for students to discuss

illustrated by Christian Robinson  Newbery Medal 2016 and Caldecott Nominee 2016 Caldecott Book This story is about a young boy and his grandmother who make the trip to a meal center in their neighborhood after church. Although CJ wasn’t eager to go, he learns quite a few small lessons on the journey there and ends up very glad he and his grandmother went.  I think this story could be used for students in Kindergarten all the way through, and beyond, twelfth grade because the message is relevant for all ages and I think most students would enjoy the storyline. This story would be ideal for a read aloud followed by a group or classroom discussion that encourages students to think deeper. I would definitely use this book in my classroom because I really enjoyed the message of being grateful, finding the beauty in everything, and giving back to those who need it most.

Newbery Honor Award  Newbery Chapter Book This book is about a girl with a club foot who is abused and terribly mistreated by her mother during World War II. Ada is able to escape her mother by joining her brother and other evacuee children who are sent away in anticipation of bombs dropped on London. Ada and her young brother, Jamie, are taken in by a woman named Susan who has problems of her own. Together, the three of them form a tight bond and begin to heal one another mentally, socially, emotionally, and physically. In the end, Ada and Jamie reunite with Susan and are then permanently taken in by her.  I think this book would be most suitable for students in fourth to eighth grade, depending on their reading level and their ability to deal with difficult topics. It could be used within curriculum as a book that students read as a class and then complete a project or small assignments on. It would be a great way to incorporate history with language arts for students in middle schoo

illustrated by Alice Priestley  No major awards Realistic Fiction  This story was about a boy named George who took in everything with his eyes rather than interacting like most of the other children. One day at lunch, a girl begins to choke. All the students turned to watch, but George was the one who called out for help. At the end of the story, the other children and teachers appreciate George for who he is, a watcher.  I think this story is suited for children in Pre-K through first grade. It could be used to teach students a life lesson that it is valuable to be attentive and aware of their surroundings. Personally, I would not use this book because it is suited for much younger students than I plan to teach, but if I ever taught younger students I would use this book in my classroom. 

illustrated by Michael Martchenko  no major awards Realistic Fiction  This story is about a young girl who severely underestimates the intelligences of pigs. When she goes to feed them in the morning, they end up getting out of their pen and spending the day in many odd places. In the end, the pigs come back to the pen (in a bus) and Megan learns her lesson: pigs are smarter than you think.  This story is most appropriate for younger students, Pre-K to first or second grade. I think it could be used as a read aloud story for students. It could also be used to teach a lesson on underestimating things, or even why it is important to listen to our parents. I personally would not use this book because I think it is geared toward too young of an audience than I plan to teach. 

illustrated by Terry Denton No major awards Realistic Fiction  This story was about an old lady who drifts to sleep with only her dog keeping her company. She sleeps soundly and dreams of things in the past as her dog begins to hear noises from outside. Finally, after quite a bit of noise, Lily Laceby wakes up, wondering who is at her door on such a night. It was her family and friends all there to celebrate her 90th birthday.  In the classroom, this could be used as a quick read aloud at the beginning of the day or end of the day. I don’t think it really fits into a particular topic or unit that may be taught. I would recommend this story for young elementary or Pre-K students because it is very simple. Personally, I would not use this book because I don’t plan to teach students that young, nor is there a significant moral to the story that could be applied for older students.  

illustrated by Floyd Cooper  No major awards Realistic Fiction  This story was about a young girl who loved her grandpa, especially the way his face looked and told stories on its own. Grandpa’s face was able to show so many emotions, but most importantly, Tamika always knew she was loved just by looking at Grandpa’s face. One day, she sees a new face that is cold and doesn’t seem like it would love her. Tamika is very upset by this, so she acts out. In the end, Tamika is finally able to use her words to express to Grandpa what she saw and what she thought it meant. Grandpa comforts her by telling her he will always love her and never use that face toward her.  I think this story would be great for students in Kindergarten through about third grade. It teaches a lesson about love from our family, or anyone we consider family, that I think would be perfect for young students who may fear being unloved if they make mistakes. This would be a good lesson for students in the classroom to h

illustrated by Kevin O'Malley  No major awards  Realistic Fiction  This story perfectly describes students’ misconceptions about their teachers when they are young. A young boy believes his teacher, Miss Malarkey, lives at school along with all the other teachers. To his surprise, Miss Malarkey moves into the same apartment building as him. The young boy learns a lot about Miss Malarkey and tells his friends, to their surprise as well, that Miss Malarkey doesn’t live at school. In the end, the boy is happy Miss Malarkey lives close to him because he won’t see much of her once he goes to the next grade, but he now thinks his next teacher probably lives in room 12.  I think this story would be best for students in Kindergarten or first grade. I think it could be a humorous way to allow students to see their teachers as people outside of the classroom, something that is often confusing for students new to school. I probably would not use this book because of the age level. 

illustrated by David Roberts  No major awards  Science Fiction This story was about a young girl named Rosie who had plenty of imagination for new inventions. She only invents in private because she previously was laughed at by her uncle, but her great, great Aunt Rose visits one day and changes that. Little Rosie wants to make her aunt's dream to fly come true, so she tries to build a helicopter from cheese. At first her invention flies, but then it falls. In the end, Rosie learns a valuable lesson about continuing to try. Her and her classmates continue to invent things, both failures and successes.  I think this story would be great for kindergarten to first grade students. It could be used as a simple read aloud and followed with a discussion about not giving up and continuing to try or it could be used during a science unit to encourage students to create new and exciting things. If I taught science or younger students I would definitely use this in class because I loved the i

illustrated by Norman Junge  no major awards Fantasy Fiction  This story could be classified as both fantasy and poetry due to its repetitive nature and simplicity. The toys in the book are all awaiting their turn at the doctor. The toys go in one by one, all coming out better than when they went in. The last remaining toy is anxiously awaiting his turn by himself, then he gets called and the doctor is happily waiting to fix him up.  This story would be perfect for pre-kindergarten children because it is noncomplex, yet addresses the topic of doctor visits that are often viewed as scary for young children. This story could be used to help children understand and appreciate doctor visits that help them stay healthy and fix any illnesses or injuries. I personally would not used this book because it is much too young for students  that I want to teach in the future, but I still thought it was a cute way of making the doctor a little less scary. 

illustrated by Susan Guevara  Winner of the 1996 Pura Belpré Award for Illustration  Fantasy Fiction  This humorous story was about a cat and his new neighbors, a family of mice. Chato the cat invites the family over, but with ill intentions. He and his friend cook dinner, then await the arrival of their guests, and their plus one. Ironically, the mouse family's friend is a dog. When Chato and Novio Boy open the door to their guests, they're not only taken by surprise but are completely frightened. The story ends with them all sitting down to enjoy dinner, much different from Chato's original hope.  I thought this story was quite funny from start to end and I would use it in my own class, even just as a fun brain break for students. I think this story would mainly be suited for Kindergarten to second grade students, but it could still be used with older grades as a read aloud. The focus on Latin culture is a great way to introduce diverse cultures to students and could lead

illustrated by Scott Nash  No major awards Fantasy Fiction This story was a twist on the classic Little Red Riding Hood. Betsy is finally able to visit grandma by herself so her, her sheep, and wolf, the other shepherd, head out. About halfway through, the wolf runs off, leaving her alone with the sheep, worried about what may become of her grandma. In the end, the wolf's intentions were actually good! He had ran ahead to get to Betsy's surprise birthday party.  I think this book would be most appropriate for kindergarten to maybe second grade. This story could be used in conjunction with the traditional story to show students the different kinds of literature and how a lot of books stem from oral storytelling. I probably would not use this book because it is more so for a younger audience, but I think it definitely could be fun for the appropriate ages.