Where the Mountain Meets the Moon- Multicultural

Title: Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

Author: Grace Lin

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Genre: Childrens’ fiction, folklore

Age level: 8-12

Themes: Determination, tall tales, working hard, determining your destiny
Synopsis: In the Valley of Fruitless Mountain, a young girl named Minli spends her days working hard in the fields and her nights listening to her father spin fantastic tales about the Jade Dragon and the Old Man of the Moon.  Minli’s mother, tired of their poor life, chides him for filling her head with nonsense.  But Minli believes these enchanting stories and embarks on an extraordinary journey to find the Old Man of the Moon and ask him how her family can change their fortune.  She encounters an assorted cast of characters and magical creatures along the way, including a dragon who accompanies her on her quest.

About the author: Grace Lin, author of the beloved Year of the Dog and Year of the Rat, returns with a wondrous story of happiness, family, and friendship.  A fantasy crossed with Chinese folklore, Where the Mountain Meets the Moon is a timeless adventure story in the classic tradition of The Wizard of Oz.  With her beautiful full-color illustrations featured throughout, Grace has once again created a charming, engaging book for young readers.

Pre-reading activities: The students can brainstorm a list of things that families might have a tough time dealing with. Since Minli comes from a poor family, other students might be able to relate to that. Along with their list of things that families and the children might have trouble dealing with, they can think of things to resolve their problems and make their lives better.

Post-reading activities: Because there are magical creatures involved in the story, discuss folklore with the students. Write a list of the magical creatures Minli came across in her travel and what they did to help her family find a better life. This could also lead into other Chinese folklore, including Rikki Tikki Tembo. Though there weren't many illustrations throughout the book, the few illustrations are very simple, but very elegant, and gives the reader an idea of the difficult journey Minli went on to help her family.

Reflection: Since the book deals with a poor family and a tough life, I feel that some students in the classroom could relate to this theme. I liked the illustrations throughout the book, though there weren't that many. Grace Lin used darker colors in the full-page illustrations which give the reader a feeling of mystery and curiosity of what will happen as they read on.

Works cited:

Barnes & Noble 

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon picture 

Lana's Lakota Moons- Multicultural

Title: Lana’s Lakota Moons

Author: Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve

Publisher: University of Nebraska Press

Genre: Young adult fiction

Age level: 11+

Themes: Relationships among family, phases of the moon, religion
Synopsis: This charming and poignant contemporary story about two Lakota girls and their Laotian friend illuminates for children and adults the Lakota meaning of family, friendship, life, and death. In the Lakota way, Lana and her cousin Lori are like sisters, growing up together under the caring eyes of an extended family of parents and grandparents. Also like sisters, they have their share of squabbles and fights, but when they meet a new girl at school who has recently arrived from Laos, they are drawn closer by their shared friendship, their discoveries about cultural differences, and their experience with loss and death. An image of footprints in the snow, one under the other so that it looks as if only one person is walking, becomes the central compelling image in the story. "We can't keep snow from melting," says Grandpa, "But the footprints will always be there, even if we can't see them."

About the author: Jane Austen's delightful, carefully wrought novels of manners remain surprisingly relevant, nearly 200 years after they were first published. Her novels -- Pride and Prejudice and Emma among them -- are those rare books that offer us a glimpse at the mores of a specific period while addressing the complexities of love, honor, and responsibility that still intrigue us today.

Pre-reading activities: Since this story mainly talks about the Laotian culture and how family and religion are important to the family, the students can think of what is important to them. Since this book is geared toward upper elementary students, they should be able to think of more non-material items, such as family, friends, their education, etc, and why those things are important to them. 

Post-reading activities: Discuss the different phases of the moon, since the Laotian girls learned of the moons of the Lakota calendar. The grandfather says that they "can't keep the snow from melting, but the footprints will always be there, even if we can't see them" in regards to the girls' footprints in the snow. Write the quote on the board and the students will write a reaction to it and what they think it means.

Reflection: Even though the book talked mainly about the Laotian culture, I thought at first that the book dealt with a Native American Tribe since the characters were given special names when they were born and at certain times in their lives. However, as I read on and found that the family members were involved in the church and each had a part, I found that I could relate that religion was important to them, as religion and a faith in God is important for my family as well. Also, the family members were very close, even though they had a few squabbles here and there; I found myself relating to this as well since my family is very close.

Works cited:

Barnes & Noble 

Lana's Lakota Moons picture 

Nikki & Deja- Multicultural

Title: Nikki & Deja

Author: Karen English

Illustrator: Laura Freeman

Publisher: Turtleback Books: A Division of Sanval

Genre: Children’s fiction

Age level: 4-8

Themes: Relationships among friends & family, new classmates, changing relationships, girls clubs
Synopsis: Nikki and Deja are best friends- almost like sisters.  They watch Saturday morning cartoons together, shop at the flea market, jump double dutch, and help each other with homework.  One of their favorite things to do is sit on Nikki’s front porch and discuss the happenings on their block.  But when new neighbors move in down the street and the girls decide to form an exclusive club, their friendship begins to change in ways neither of them expect.  Every friendship has its ups and downs.  But can Nikki and Deja’s survive the new drill team club and the new girl?

About the author: Karen English is the author of several books for young readers, including the novel FRANCIE (Farrar, Straus & Giroux), which received a Coretta Scott King Honor Award. Her previous book for Clarion, HOT DAY ON ABBOTT AVENUE, was named an ALA Notable Children's Book and was praised by the Jane Addams Peace Association for its "nuanced portrait of the inner workings of young girls' relationships." This is her first chapter book. She lives in Los Angeles, California.

About the illustrator: Laura Freeman has illustrated many books for children, including A BRAVE SPACEBOY and its sequel, A WILD COWBOY, by Dana Kessimakis Smith (Jump at the Sun). Her work has appeared in publications such as THE NEW YORK TIMES and NEW YORK magazine. Laura lives with her husband and two children in Manhattan. This is her first book for Clarion.

Pre-reading activities: Since this story is about two best friends, Nikki & Deja and their new neighbor Antonia, the students can write about a friend they like to play with. They can also write about the people who live around them, since Nikki & Deja frequently watched their neighbors while they sat on the porch. 

Post-reading activities: Lead a discussion about the book, asking the students why Nikki & Deja had a fight. One of the reasons is because of the Drill team club that Nikki & Deja wanted to start, but Nikki was having a hard time keeping up and then didn't want to be the club's secretary. Another time was because Deja's Bear was missing, and she thought Nikki misplaced him on purpose because of the problems with the club. The students can write about a time when they have had an argument with someone they were close to (a neighbor, a friend, or a family member), and draw a picture of the incident. Then they can come up with a solution to the problem if it hasn't already been solved.

Reflection: I thought this book was closely related to students in elementary school classrooms because they usually have fights about silly things and then they forget about what they were arguing about in the first place and go back to being friends. I thought the illustrations were very cute and they could show the students that even though Nikki & Deja were African American that they are similar to the students in the class and go through the same problems.

Works cited:

Barnes & Noble 

Nikki & Deja picture 

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies- Graphic Novel

Title: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

Authors: Jane Austen, Seth Grahame-Smith

Illustrator: Cliff Richards

Publisher: Quirk Publishing

Genre: Teen fiction

Age level: 11+

Themes: Fearlessness, zombies, protecting a lifestyle
Synopsis: It is known as “the strange plague,” and its unfortunate victims are referred to only as “unmentionables” or “dreadful.”  All over England, the dead are rising again, and now even the daughters of Britain’s best families must devote their lives to mastering the deadly arts.  Elizabeth Bennet is a fearsome warrior whose ability with a sword is matched only by her quick wit and even sharper tongue.  But she faces her most formidable foe yet in the haughty, conceited, and somehow strangely attractive Mr. Darcy.  As the two lovers meet in the ballroom and on the battlefield, they’ll soon learn that nothing- not even the bands of ninjas, hordes of flesh-eating zombies, or disapproving aunts- can stop true love.

About the author: Jane Austen's delightful, carefully wrought novels of manners remain surprisingly relevant, nearly 200 years after they were first published. Her novels -- Pride and Prejudice and Emma among them -- are those rare books that offer us a glimpse at the mores of a specific period while addressing the complexities of love, honor, and responsibility that still intrigue us today.

Pre-reading activities: Write the words “pride,” “prejudice,” and “zombies” on the board.  The students will come up with their own definitions of the words and predict what the book is about based on their definitions. 

Post-reading activities: The students will pair up or have groups of 3 and write their own alternative ending, illustrating and using the same structure as the book.  After doing their project, each student will write their own paragraph explaining their thoughts behind the alternative ending.

Reflection: Though the pictures in this book are full of detail, I found the black and white kind of boring, like it took away from the detail.  There were some difficult words that even I didn’t know, so the students would have to write down the words and look them up in the dictionary.  This book would probably appeal more to boys than girls because of the zombies and some of the pictures.  

Works Cited: 

Barnes & Noble 

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies picture 

Calamity Jack- Graphic Novel

Title: Calamity Jack

Authors: Shannon & Dean Hale

Illustrator: Nathan Hale

Publisher: Bloomsbury USA

Genre: Teen fiction, folklore

Age level: 11+

Themes: Learning from your consequences, folklore

Synopsis: Jack likes to think of himself as a criminal mastermind…with an unfortunate amount of bad luck.  A schemer, plotter, planner, trickster, swindler…maybe even a thief?  Of course, he’s not out for himself so much as he’s trying to take the burden off his momma’s hardworking shoulders.  She’d understand, right?  He hopes she might even be proud. One fine day Jack picks a target a little bigger than the usual rich guy, and one tiny bean turns into a great big building-destroying beanstalk. With a pack of angry giants eager for his head, Jack is forced to leave Shyport.  But when he returns with Rapunzel (and her trusty braids) by his side, fixing to right some old wrongs, they must use a pixie from Jack’s past, a man with inventions from the future, and all the plotting and planning in the world to out swindle the giants and save Shyport from speedy destruction. The creators of the highly acclaimed Rapunzel’s Revenge have set Jack and Punzie loose in a fairy tale-tainted city and catapulted them into a fantastical adventure.

About the authors:

Shannon Hale is the bestselling author of the Newbery Honor- winning Princess Academy, as well as other highly acclaimed novels, including Book of a Thousand days, The Books of Bayern, and two novels for adults: Austenland and The Actor and the Housewife.

Dean Hale recently sold a picture-book story to Bloomsbury and, with his wife, Shannon, coauthored the award-winning Rapunzel’s Revenge.  Dean and Shannon have also coauthored two children and live in Utah.

About the illustrator:

Nathan Hale did all of the drawing for Calamity Jack in a study carrel at his local library.   In addition to being the illustrator for Rapunzel’s Revenge, Nathan is also the author and illustrator of The Devil You Know and Yellowbelly and Plum Go to School, and the illustrator of Balloon on the Moon, The Dinosaurs’ Night Before Christmas, and Animal House.  He lives with his wife and two kids in Utah.

Pre-reading activities: Since the book is about Jack, a “criminal mastermind” and pranker, the students will write about a time when they have either pulled a successful prank themselves or watched someone pull a prank.  If neither of these apply to them, they can write about a prank they would like to pull on someone but keep the victim anonymous.    

Post-reading activities: The class will think about fairy tales this story relates to, and compare and contrast the fairy tales to this story. 

Reflection: I think this book is kind of a modern twist on Jack and the Beanstalk and I really liked the color and the details of the pictures.  Though it has a feeling of science fiction and some anime to the pictures, I think that this story would appeal to all students.

Works Cited:

Barnes & Noble 

Calamity Jack picture 

Where the Wild Things Are

Title: Where the Wild Things Are

Author: Maurice Sendak

Publisher: HarperCollins Books for Children

Genre: Children, fantasy

Age level: Grades 1-3

Themes: Fantasy, adventure, exploring the unknown
Synopsis: After getting in trouble with his mother for pretending to be a wolf, Max is sent to his room. He discovers a forest in his room as well as oceans and the rest of the world. He sails to where the wild things are. When Max becomes lonely, he sails back home.

About the author:  Sometimes dark, sometimes gleefully silly, but always inventive, intelligent, and colorful, Maurice Sendak's imaginatively illustrated children's books never forget their audience. Although his classic Where the Wild Things Are was criticized upon its initial publication for being too frightening, children responded with enthusiasm to both its wonderfully zany artwork as well as to its honesty. Forty years later, they still do.

Pre-reading activities: As a class, discuss what we think wild things are. Everyone will take a turn giving wild things a different adjective.

Post-reading activities: In order to practice writing, students will create their own ending to Where the Wild Things Are. They will pretend as if they are Max and design their own solution to the story in one paragraph.

Reflection: I read Where the Wild Things Are as a read-aloud to my second graders during my student teaching experience. Even though I had read it as a child, I had forgotten a great deal of what happened and it was great to revisit this classic.
Works cited:

Barnes & Noble 
Where the Wild Things Are picture

High Tide in Hawaii

Title: High Tide in Hawaii

Author: Mary Pope Osborne

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Genre: Young Adult

Age level: 9-12

Themes: Weather, geology, adventure, exploring the unknown, finding information
Synopsis: Jack and Annie are whisked away to old Hawaii. When they arrive they are just in time to attend a Luau and meet two young Hawaiians who open their home to them for the night. The next day the four children go surfing, an activity that Jack is uncertain about. After his first failed attempt, and teasing from the other children, he waits on the beach while the other children go surfing again. While he is waiting he feels an earthquake and consults one of his books on Hawaii for more information. He reads that earthquakes at Hawaii can result in a tsunami and quickly catches the other children's attention and warns them of the danger. The children make it to safety just in time and Jack and Annie soon return to their own time. Tidbits of information about Hawaiian culture and history intersperse the text, along with illustrations of scenes occurring in the chapters. Some background information is provided concerning how the children found the Magic Tree House, and how they know where they are going and the tasks they are supposed to perform. However, the book would be more interesting if read as part of the series instead of as a stand-alone piece of fiction. A very brief Hawaiian timeline and brief facts about Hawaii appear at the end of the text, along with a list of titles in the Magic Tree House Series.

About the author:  Mary Pope Osborne was brought up in a military family, and her parents' work led to a lifestyle full of change. Although many kids would've been traumatized by constant moves, she wouldn't have had it any other way.  After trying a variety of jobs such as window dresser, medical assistant, travel consultant, waitress, bartender, and assistant editor, it took a first attempt at writing a story for her to realize that was what she wanted to be when she grew up. Ever since 1992, Mary Pope Osborne has been thrilling kids everywhere with her delightfully exciting Magic Tree House series. The globetrotting escapades of time travelers Jack and Annie are brimming with adventure and magic (not to mention some subtly placed lessons on history and geography). With a life like Osborne's, it's only natural that she would be capable of bringing such wondrous stories to life.

Pre-reading activities: Have the students read the first page of every chapter; have them write down what emotions come to them as they read the first page, any vocabulary they don't know, and what they think the chapter will be about.

Post-reading activities: At the end of each chapter, review what Jack and Annie encountered in the reading, and at the end of the book, have the students recall how the tidal wave was caused.

Reflection: I read High Tide in Hawaii for a project in my undergrad career at Cortland, and this was the first time I had encountered the Magic Tree House series.
Works cited:

Amazon 

Barnes & Noble 

High Tide in Hawaii picture 

Henry and Mudge Take the Big Test

Title: Henry and Mudge Take the Big Test

Author: Cynthia Rylant

Illustrator: Sucie Stevenson

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing

Genre: Children's fiction, fables

Age level: 5-7

Themes: Preparing for a test, being taught how to behave, anxiety about unknown situations, accomplishing a feat
Synopsis: A man walking a very obedient collie makes a big impression on Henry and his dog, Mudge. When Henry realizes how unruly Mudge can be, he decides to take him to dog school. While shopping for a new leash, a collar, and liver treats for Mudge, he gets a paddle-ball for himself to use to calm his nerves. His pup is not the best student, but the two practice a lot until test time. Sure enough, Mudge comes through and passes with flying colors.

About the author: Cynthia Rylant grew up in West Virginia and loved comic books, cats, dogs, pajama parties, and the Beatles as a child. Going for walks with her dogs and having adventures with them helps her writing. is the author of more than 100 books for young people, including the beloved Henry and Mudge, Annie and Snowball, and Mr. Putter & Tabby series. Her novel Missing May received the Newbery Medal. She lives in Lake Oswego, Oregon.

Pre-reading activities: As the students look at the pictures, have them write down things they see in the picture, and write down the symbols they see, such as the paddle-ball, the collar, and liver treats.

Post-reading activities: At the end of the book, ask the students what they thought the different symbols represented. For example, the students would probably think that Henry bought the paddle-ball because he was nervous that Mudge wouldn't pass the obedience test and the paddle-ball would help calm his nerves. Ask the students to write down a time when they were nervous and what helped them through their nerves.

Reflection: I read this book with my second graders during student teaching in a guided reading group. I didn't know about the Henry and Mudge series before this experience, but I thought this book was very cute. I wanted to keep going through the book to see how it would pan out before the students finished it because I was so intrigued by this series.

Works Cited:

Cynthia Rylant biography 

Amazon 

Barnes & Noble 

Henry and Mudge Take the Big Test picture 

Frog and Toad Together

Title: Frog and Toad Together

Author: Arnold Lobel (also illustrator)

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Genre: Children's fiction, fables

Age level: 6-8

Themes: Relationships with friends, making lists, beginning readers
Synopsis: The inseparable Frog and Toad are introduced to readers through five wonderfully silly adventures. Like an innocent Laurel and Hardy, the two amphibians show the true meaning of friendship, from list making to flower growing to dragon vanquishing. And when Toad bakes cookies one day, the two try to develop willpower together.

About the author: Arnold Lobel (1933-1987) was the award-winning author and illustrator of many beloved children's books, including the classic I Can Read books about Frog and Toad, and the Caldecott Medal winning Fables.

Pre-reading activities: As the students look at the pictures, they write down the things they see in the pictures and what they think is going on, and ask a question they would like answered by the picture. For example, a student could ask "Why did he write 'wake up' after he already woke up?"

Post-reading activities: At the end of the book, ask the students why they thought Frog and Toad made a list of what they wanted to do. Ask the students if they have ever made a to-do list and why they had to make a list.

Reflection: I read this book with my second graders during student teaching in a guided reading group. I hadn't been introduced to the Frog and Toad series before this, and I liked this book. I felt that I was able to connect the book to my previous experiences, and it was an extremely easy read. 

Works Cited:

Barnes & Noble

Frog and Toad Together picture 

Closed for the Season

Title: Closed for the Season

Author: Mary Downing Hahn

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Genre: Young Adult, adventure, suspense

Age level: 9-12

Themes: Exploring the unknown, anxiety in unknown situations, adventure, solving mysteries
Synopsis: The weather-beaten sign on the gate of the Magic Forest says "Closed for the Season." But when the boys ride up to it on their bikes, Arthur tells his new friend, Logan, that the old amusement park hasn't been open for years. The overgrown park looks sinister even in broad daylight, so Logan is reluctant to go inside, but Arthur urges him on. He's sure they'll uncover important clues to the mystery they're trying to solve: Who killed Myrtle Donaldson? And what happened to the money she handled as head bookkeeper at the Magic Forest? Arthur and Logan's quest takes them to the lowest- and highest- levels of society in their small Virginia town. The boys must pay another visit to the Magic Forest, this time in the middle of the night. And this time, the find the killer waiting for them..

About the author: Mary Downing Hahn, a former children's librarian, is the award-winning author of many popular ghost stories, including Deep and Dark and Dangerous and The Old Willis Place. An avid reader, traveler, and all-around arts lover, Ms. Hahn lives in Columbia, Maryland, with her two cats, Oscar and Rufus.

Pre-reading activities: Have the students read the first page of every chapter; have them write down the emotions they feel as they read the first page and what they want to find out from that chapter.

Post-reading activities: At the end of each chapter, reviewing what happened to the boys, including any new characters they came across. Fill out a character analysis on each character as they are introduced in the book.

Reflection: I bought Closed for the Season at a book fair while I was student teaching, and as I read it I found myself glued to the pages, wanting to find out more. As a mystery book, I found myself wanting to keep reading to find out what would happen next.
Works cited:

Barnes & Noble 

Closed for the Season picture 

Dinosaurs Before Dark

Title: Dinosaurs Before Dark

Author: Mary Pope Osborne

Illustrator: Salvatore Murdocca

Publisher: Random House Children's Books

Genre: Fantasy

Age level: 6-8

Themes: Exploring the unknown, looking for information, adventure, traveling in time, anxiety of unknown situations, escaping danger
Synopsis: Jack and Annie are ready for their next fantasy adventure in the bestselling middle-grade series—the Magic Tree House! Where did the tree house come from? Before Jack and Annie can find out, the mysterious tree house whisks them to the prehistoric past. Now they have to figure out how to get home. Can they do it before dark...or will they become a dinosaur's dinner?

About the author: Mary Pope Osborne was brought up in a military family, and her parents' work led to a lifestyle full of change. Although many kids would've been traumatized by constant moves, she wouldn't have had it any other way.  After trying a variety of jobs such as window dresser, medical assistant, travel consultant, waitress, bartender, and assistant editor, it took a first attempt at writing a story for her to realize that was what she wanted to be when she grew up. Ever since 1992, Mary Pope Osborne has been thrilling kids everywhere with her delightfully exciting Magic Tree House series. The globetrotting escapades of time travelers Jack and Annie are brimming with adventure and magic (not to mention some subtly placed lessons on history and geography). With a life like Osborne's, it's only natural that she would be capable of bringing such wondrous stories to life.

Pre-reading activities: Do the children think the characters really come across dinosaurs? Brainstorm about dinosaurs- difference between carnivores/herbivores, if some fly or walk on the ground.

Post-reading activities: Review the kinds of dinosaurs the characters came across, make a chart of what they eat/what they looked like. Students can draw the dinosaur the characters came across that was their favorite, as well as two facts about the dinosaur found in the book/outside sources.

Reflection: I read this book while student teaching in 2nd grade as part of my students' guided reading groups.  I had read the Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osborne before, so I already knew a little bit about the books and the characters Jack and Annie and the adventures the pair go on.  I liked this book because it incorporated dinosaurs, which fascinated my students.
Works cited:
Amazon 
Barnes & Noble   
Dinosaurs Before Dark picture