Children's Poem: Being Brave at Night

This poem is a older one that I just found, and some of the words would be harder for children now-a-days to understand, but I think this poem would be a great read out aloud for any child, especially before going to bed. This is a concept that every child has had problems with at least once in their lives, and they have all went into the bedroom with their parents. I think if children read this, they will feel less afraid of going to bed at night and less afraid of the spooks they might feel as if they will encounter at night. 

I give this poem four ghosts out of five ghosts, this poem is a bit older and uses a bit of old English, but I loved it. As a child that couldn't sleep well at night I could relate this poem. I would often go into my mom's bed and that is what this child does in this poem. I could see a child enjoying this poem. 

Title: Being Brave at Night by Edgar Albert Guest found in Rhymes of Childhood
Author: James Whitcomb Riley and Janet Black
Publisher: Palala Press
Publication Date: April 22, 2016
ISBN: 978-1354352915
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Children's poem: Homework Machine

When I think about Poems for children, I instantly think about Shel Silverstein. When looking up Shel Silverstein poems, I found this one and I thought this one was so funny and that every child could relate to the fact of wanting a Homework Machine. Many children do not like doing their homework or often find it a waste of time and with a Homework Machine, so much time would be saved. Children will soon learn, as with every Shel Silverstein poem that everything doesn't come out the way you think it would. 

I give this poem 5  gears out of 5 gears, I found this poem so funny and I could just imagine children loving this poem as well. I thought it was great because it was a concept that children would love and not much thought had to be put into it to understand the message or concept. Title: Harry Potter and the 

Title: Homework Machine from A Light in the Attic 

Author: Shel Silverstein
Publisher: HarperCollins
Publication Date: September 22, 2009
ISBN:  978-0061905858
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Graphic Novel: The Dork Diaries 1: Tales From a Not-So-Fabulous Life

This is the first book in the "Dork Diaries" series. The series evolves around Nikki Maxwell and her life in middle school. In this first book Nikki is starting 8th grade at a new school and hasn't seemed to have made friends yet. I remember finding this book with my Best Friend at Barnes and Nobles when we were going into the ninth grade. We begged her mom to buy it for us and we shared it and read it so quick. I remember being excited to find this book, because I had read the Dairy of a Wimpy Kid series, but didn't relate to what was happening in those books as much as I did with this one. This current year, I had field in a fourth grade and watched as two girls read this series during their independent reading time. I could honestly just feed off of their excitement as they shared what they had read with one another. 

I give this book 3 stars out of 5 stars, the reason is because I honestly can not remember most of the text that was present in these books but I can remember many of the graphics in the book, and I can also remember some of the concepts from this book. I read this book more than five years ago and some of the concepts still stick with me. I also remember the excitement I had while I read this book. 

Title: The Dork Diaries 1: Tales From a Not-So-Fabulous Life
Author: Rachel Rene'e Russel
Publisher: Aladdin
Publication Date: June 2, 2009
ISBN: 978-1416980063

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Historical Fiction: Baseball That Saved Us

I was very interested to read this book after Dr. Blamey talked about this book during our lesson this week. The book is about a Japanese boy whose family was contained in an American internment camp. The boy and his peers at the camp play baseball as a way to pass their time. The boys' parents are also part of the team as they make uniforms for children out of old materials that they find. After the boy leaves the camp, he joins Baseball as his school, where he is seen as an outcast because of his nationality. 

I give this book 3 baseballs out of 5 baseballs, I thought the story was beautifully told and was so surprised this a book was written on this topic, as America tries to hide away from the fact that this occurred after Pearl Habor.  I found this book heartbreaking at the same time, and was so upset that something like this had happened. I wasn't sure if the baseball part was made up or just the characters. That is the reason I am giving it a lower score, as well as the fact that I couldn't see myself introducing this book to  a group of students. I also thought that the fact that this book used the word "Jap" during a part was a bit too intense for students, and didn't quite like how they used the word. Though I do know that this word was used to make the readers feel the way that the boy felt. It had a great impact, but I just thought it was a bit too much for a children's story. 

Title: Baseball That Saved Us
Author: Ken Mochizuki
Publisher: Lee & Low Books
Publication Date: June 18, 2009
ISBN: 978-1880000199
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Informational Text: Owls

This book for young readers is all about Owls. Gail Gibbons wrote this book to inform readers about the bird and the many different types of Owls. She uses diagrams to show the different parts of the birds and shows the different types of Owls, comparing them by features and sizes. This book is full of beautiful drawings that will engage students as they read factual information about Owls. Students that love learning about animals would enjoy this book, as well as the average child as children seem to really like the animal.

I give this book 5 owls out of 5 owls (I realize that I have used owls before I thought it was only fitting, I have also realized how many books there are about owls for children.) I really enjoyed the drawings that were present on the pages and I really thought it was interesting to learn about the Animals. There were many facts that I didn't even know about the animal present in the book. I thought Gail Gibbons did a great job taking a topic that would attract children and making a book out of it.

Title: Owls
Author: Gail Gibbons
Publisher: Holiday House
Publication Date: March 1, 2006
ISBN: 978-0823420148
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Informational Text: Now & Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin

This book is about the inventions of Benjamin Franklin, and how these inventions compare today. This is a book full of facts about Ben Franklin's inventions. This book stands as an introduction to the great inventor and Writer. With the many colorful pictures, children will be engaged as they learn about the founding father.

I give this book 5 historical scrolls out of 5 historical scrolls. The reason is because I thought this book was very engaging and enjoyed reading the book. I really enjoyed the comparisons of Ben's inventions from his day to our and the impact that the inventions held/hold. I thought it would be a great introduction to young children as the facts are easy to read, and the pages read like a story.


Title: Now and Ben: The Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin
Author: Gene Barretta
Publisher: Square Fish
Publication Date: December 23, 2008
ISBN: 978-0312535698
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Traditional Tale: Hercules and the Wagoner

Hercules and the Wagoner is an Aesop fable which like many of these fables is very short. This one is about a paragraph long and is about a Wagoner that asks Hercules for help and is told that he must help himself. I had never heard of this fable before, and found it on a website that was full of different fairy tales and Aesop fables. 

I give this Aesop Fable two horses out of five horses. I have read a lot better fables before and I don't think that this one is a bit out of date. The message of helping yourself is still there, but many children wouldn't know what a wagoner was or understand the idea of praying to Greek Gods. But I did think this one was a bit different. 

Title: Hercules and the Wagoner
Author/Illustrator: Translator unknown
Publisher: Aesop
Publication Date: 1919
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