Children's Literature with Miss Cornell

illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neil  2018 Pura Belpré Award Multicultural Book  This retelling of The Princess and the Pea makes it more friendly and relatable for Spanish speaking children while adding its own twist to the classic fairytale. The prince quickly falls in love with a maiden who then must pass a test from his mother. In the end, the maiden passes the test of the mattress and pea, though only because the prince added stones and pitchforks. In the end, the two get married and live happily ever after with their many children.  This book would be suited for children in Preschool through first grade. Although it wouldn't fit into any curriculum, it could be used with EL students or within a bilingual classroom to connect the two languages and make the classic story more relatable for students. I personally would not use this story unless I taught younger students who the book is more appropriate for. 

1982 Newbery Medal Winner among others Newbery book This chapter book from the collection of Ramona books was focused on the many changes in Ramona's life as she is now 8 years old. Her father is now attending university courses so he can finally do what he loves, her sister is no longer at the same school, and her mother must work full time to help keep the family afloat. The reader follows along as we learn about all the crazy, but common things that happen in Ramona's life.  In the end, Ramona and her family go out and enjoy dinner as a family.  I think this book would be suited for students who are in third through sixth grade, depending on their reading level and interests. I don't think this book would be well-suited to work into a curriculum because it is mainly read by young girls, rather than it being of interest to both boys and girls. I think it would be a fun book for students to read at their leisure or within classroom reading time, such as silent reading of t...

1999 Newbery Winner among many other notable awards Newbery Chapter Book Stanley Yelnats is sent to a detention camp after being wrongfully accused of stealing a valuable pair of shoes. Stanley and the other boys at Camp Green Lake are supposed to dig holes to build character, but Stanley quickly realizes that isn't the real reason for digging holes. In the end, Stanley and his new friend, Hector, discover the reason for the digging, buried treasure. Camp Green Lake is shut down and Stanley and Hector are reunited with their families.  This book would be best for students around middle school ages, about fourth to eighth grade. The characters in the story would be great for older students to analyze to better understand the relationships and cause and effect behind them. Younger students could put together the different plot lines that appear in the book to better understand the plot as a whole. I would definitely use this book in a unit if I ever taught Language Arts, but if not, ...

illustrated by Thi Bui  2018 Caldecott Honor Book, 2018 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award Nominee for Picture Book, among others  Caldecott Book  This story focuses on a young Vietnamese-American boy and his father who wake up early to catch fish for dinner rather than recreation like most others. The young boy learns a lot about his parents and the struggles they face as he and his father fish in the early hours of morning. In the end, he feels a deeper appreciative for his family, especially his father.  I think this book would be appropriate for students in first through third grade. For the older of these students, this book could be read while students complete an interactive worksheet, sharing their feelings and reactions to the story. It also provides the harsh reality of what many of their peers, if not themselves, may face as immigrants in America. I would include this book in my classroom because I think the pictures and the story meld together well and it teach...

illustrated by Vashti Harrison 2020 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Award and NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Children's Literacy Work Coretta Scott King Award Book Unfortunately, the story of Sulwe captures what many young, darker-skinned girls are made to feel about their skin. Sulwe wishes that she would have brighter and lighter skin, like that of her family. After hearing the story of day and night, Sulwe realizes that her skin is beautiful just the way it is. From then on, Sulwe knew her brightness came from the inside out and that the color of her skin did not make her any less.  This story is most appropriate for children in Kindergarten through second or third grade, but due to the message, it could be used for students of all ages. It could be used simply as a read aloud to remind students that they are beautiful and valued no matter what their skin tone is. It could also be used to encourage a discussion on loving ourselves and others, no matter what we look like....

2020 Newbery Award winner and Coretta Scott King Award Graphic Novel  This novel was about a student who is the new kid at a predominately white private school. Jordan must navigate the expected middle school experiences, but he must also navigate in a world where he is one of the few students of color. Along the way he makes some unexpected friends and manages to keep his old friends from his neighborhood. In the end, Jordan has found his place both at his new school, and with his old friends.  This book is geared towards a middle school audience, about sixth to eighth grade. This graphic novel would be a great book to be included in the curriculum of the English classroom. All students will find a character who they can relate to and many students of color will be able to see themselves in Jordan. This book can teach great lesson to students on accepting one another and seeing each other as individuals. I would definitely include this book in my classroom in the future becau...

illustrated by Julie Buffalohead No major awards Nonfiction Biography  This story tells about the life of Sacagawea and her travels with Lewis and Clark. It goes into detail about her capture when she was still a younger girl and then further on as she aids the Corps of Discovery in reaching the Pacific ocean and then returning. It tells about the great relationship she formed with Clark, as well. In the end, Sacagawea and her son have returned to their village and the Corps continue on in their journey home.  I think this book would be suitable for students in second through fourth grade. I remember around this age is when I first learned about Sacagawea so I think this book would be a great way for students to be introduced to her and her story in a social studies class. The illustrations aided in creating great visuals so students are better able to picture and imagine the places she went. I would use this in my classroom because I think it holds great value in terms of s...