Patricia A. Costello

ED-3206

Author: Ellen Levine

Synopsis: After a young girl moves from Hong Kong to America she refuses to learn English because she is afraid she will forget Chinese and that she will be changed by a different language until a caring teacher shows her that she can speak both languages and still remain the same person.

Why?: When I become a teacher I hope to make difference in a child’s life.

Publisher: Scholastic Paperbacks

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Readability: 1.8

I Hate English

Author: Barbara Joosse

Synopsis: A little girls explains why she it is a good thing to say words like “thank you” “please” and “excuse me”

Why?: One of my pet peeves in life is when children and adults show a lack of respect towards others so I feel it is essential that children learn manners.

Publisher: Philomel

Genre: Comedy and Humor

Readability: 2.7

Please Is a Good Word to Say

Author: Trudy Harris

Synopsis: All the different ways you can count to 100.

Why?: A good book to use to celebrate the 100th day of school.

Publisher: Lerner Publishing Group

Genre: Comedy and humor/Educational Fiction

Readability: 2.2

100 Days of School

Author: Dianna Hutts Aston

Synopsis: An informative introduction to the unbelievable variety of butterflies in all their beauty and wonder.

Why?: I love how beautiful butterflies are and the symbolic meaning of life they represent.

Publisher: Chronicle Books LLC

Genre: Informational

Readability: 5.5

A Butterfly is Patient

Author: Doreen Rappaport

Synopsis: An introduction to one of the world’s most influential leaders Dr. Martin Luther King.

Why?: The story is written in a simple matter that portrays a man whose dream changed America and the world.

Publisher: Disney-Hyperion

Genre: Biography

Readability: 2.5

Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Author: Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel)

Synopsis: Different places to try green eggs and ham with friends.

Why?: I love to experience and learn about different places and it is more fun when sharing those adventures with my friends.

Publisher: Random House Children’s Books

Genre: Classics, Comedy and Humor, Rhyming Story

Readability: 2.2

Green Eggs and Ham

Author: Chris Van Allsburg

Synopsis: On Christmas Eve a young boy is awakened by a train that takes him and other children to the North Pole.

Why?: I love the spirit, magic, and beauty that Christmas brings to the hearts of all ages especially children.

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Genre: Adventure Classics, Fables, Folktales, and Myths

Readability: 4.9

The Polar Express

Author: Mollie McLean & Anne M. Wiseman

Synopsis: A simple overview about some of the well-known Greek Heroes.

Why?: Children will be introduced to Greek Mythology.

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin

Genre: Legends and Myths

Readability: 4.1

Adventures of the Greek Heroes

Author: Hans Christian Anderson, Lorinda Cauley

Synopsis: A tale of an Ugly Duckling who grows up to be a beautiful swan.

Why?: It serves as a good example for teaching children how we should treat others and to avoid hurting their feelings.

Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers

Genre: Classics, Fairy Tale, Animal Stories

Readability: 3.1

The Ugly Duckling

Author: Barbara Cohen

Synopsis: A little Russian girl makes a pilgrim doll and teaches her third-grade class to understand that it takes all kinds of pilgrims to make a Thanksgiving.

Why?: It makes students aware that we are all different however we are all alike too.

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Readability: 2.8

Molly’s Pilgrim

Author: Ruth Belov Gross Synopsis: A group of animals go to town and become

musicians on the street. Why?: The story is about the importance of music and the

impact it has on our lives. Publisher: Scholastic, Inc. Genre: Fables, Folktales, and Myths Readability: 2.4

The Bremen Town Musicians

Author: Penda Diakite Synopsis: A young girl wants to lose her first tooth while

visiting African so she can put it underground for the African tooth fairy.

Why?: Children will learn that other cultures have some of the same traditions that we have in the United States but their customs are different.

Publisher: Scholastic, Inc. Genre: Fables, Folktales, and Myths Readability: 2.8

I Lost My Tooth in Africa

Author: Melissa Sweet

Synopsis: The story is about the puppeteer who first invented the balloons for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Why?: It has always been a family tradition to watch the Thanksgiving Day Parade, especially as a child.

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Genre: Biography

Readability: 5.4

Balloons Over Broadway

Author: Lois Ehlert Synopsis: While teaching uppercase and lowercase letters,

children are introduced to fruits and vegetables from around the world.

Why?: What better way to learn the alphabet than by using fruit and vegetable words that will hopefully promote healthy eating.

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Genre: Informational Readability: 2.5

Eating the Alphabet: Fruits and Vegetables from A to Z

Author: Jacqueline Martin Synopsis: From the time Wilson Bentley was a small boy, he saw

snowflakes as small miracles and was determined that one day he would photograph them and capture the wonder of the tiny crystal.

Why?: When it snows, the world seems so calm and peaceful and I love the fact that Wilson revealed two important truths: no two snowflakes are alike, and each one is startlingly beautiful.

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Genre: Biography Readability: 4.1

Snowflake Bentley

Author: Janice May Udry Synopsis: This story talks about why trees are nice for many reasons;

they change with the seasons and are good for climbing, jumping in leaves, picking, swinging, taking naps and using them for shade.

Why?: Children will learn about the beauty of trees and the great outdoors.

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Genre: General Nonfiction Readability: 2.3

A Tree is Nice

Author: Molly Bang

Synopsis: Children learn why all plants, animals and people need water to grow and survive.

Why?: I never drink enough water and I feel that if I developed this habit as a child it would be a lot easier for me as an adult.

Publisher: Crabtree Publishing Company

Genre: Informational

Readability: 2.4

Living Sunlight: How Plants Bring the Earth to Life

Author: Greg Tang Synopsis: Silly fables that teach math and counting skills. Why?: It is an easy way for younger children to understand

addition and subtraction. Publisher: Scholastic Press Genre: Poetry and Rhymes, Informational Readability: 3.4

Math Fables

Author: Maria Shriver Synopsis: A young girl is in the park with her mother and meets a

boy who looks and acts differently. The girl is curious to know what is wrong with him.

Why?: It was very inspirational because of my own personal struggle of having a learning disability.

Publisher: Little, Brown and Company Genre: General Fiction Readability: 3.3

What’s Wrong with Timmy?

Author: David A. Alder Synopsis: A mother becomes a professional baseball player in

the first professional Women’s League while her husband is away fighting in World War II.

Why?: My late father was a proud World War II veteran and loved watching baseball.

Publisher: Gulliver Books Genre: General Fiction Readability: 2.1

Mama Played Baseball