Can't a Girl Get a Break?! It's Ramona Quimby, Age 8

Poor Ramona. She thought third grade was going to be perfect: she gets to ride the bus alone and she likes her teacher, Mrs. Whaley, but things never go as planned. Ramona's family is having troubles, with her dad going back to college, and Ramona's school life is not reassuring. She has to go to Howie's house after school which means Willa Jean will be there, this egg-crack fad landed her with yolk stuck in her hair, her teacher thinks she's a nuisance, and to top is off Ramona did the "most terrible, horrible, dreadful, awful thing" and threw up in front of everyone. However, even through all her mix ups and blunders, Ramona finds the positive and manages to survive third grade.

Cleary, Beverly. Ramona Quimby, Age 8 (Avon Camelot Books). 1981. Reprint. New York: HarperTrophy, 1992. Print. 


Before Reading: Discuss what's the most embarrassing thing that's ever happened to you.

During Reading: Make a character map of Ramona. The character map included in the link has a section for 'how others react to this character' which, in this book's case, can be useful and give insight to the students.

Vocabulary: admired, inspiration, obedient, genuine, dreaded, and astonished

Web Links:

Into the World of Beverly Cleary

Lesson Plan Linking Ramona to Map Skills

Porcupine Neckties and Ukuleles

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli is the story about a boy and a girl. Not just any girl though--Stargirl. She is a new student at Mica High and the subject on everyone's mind. Who is she? Where did she come from? Stargirl is unlike anybody else these students have ever seen and from the time Leo Borlock first sees her, he knows he wants to know her. Stargirl steals the hearts of not only Leo, but of the entire school. Then everything changes; Stargirl is shunned for her actions and for what makes her who she is. Scared of losing Leo, Stargirl attempts to be what she was not meant to be: a typical Mica High student, even if it means losing herself in the process. Eventually, Stargirl returns to her true form, to the dismay of Leo, and eventually Leo abandons her as well. The reader is with Leo every step of the way, examining his thoughts and his actions, but by the time he realizes his mistakes, it is too late.

 

Spinelli, Jerry. Stargirl. New York: Random House, 2000. Print. 

Before Reading: Discuss the book's cover; why is the title not printed? Based on the cover, what do you think the book will be about?

During Reading: How did the first chapter, when Leo receives the anonymous necktie, foreshadow other events in the book?

 

Writing: After reading the section about Leo and Kevin's interview, ask students what questions they would like to ask Stargirl.

 

Vocabulary: vague, ultimate, perpetual,  elusive, noteworthy, dramatic, acquainted, detached, flustered, verdict, shunned, hostility, oblivious,

Web Links:

Teacher Lesson Plan

Additional Activities and Ideas

Be sure to read the squeal to Stargirl...

Love, Stargirl 

Who Knew a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup, and a Spool of Thread Could be Such an Adventure

The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo is an adventure story about a brave little mouse with over sized ears who loves music and the princess Pea, a servant girl named Miggery Sow who is sold by her father and only wants one simple thing: to be a princess, and a rat named Roscuro who does not want to be in darkness anymore, but rather in the light where he is not necessarily what one wants to see. The book is divided into four books; the first three follow the individual characters, while the fourth ties the characters together and places them into each others life where they belong.

Before Reading: This book is told using an omniscient narrator. Ask students to research to find out what that means. How do you think this will effect reading?

After Reading: Discuss the genre of the book. The Tale of Despereaux has been called a fairy tale. In what ways is it a fairy tale? In what ways is it not a fairy tale? Also, continue to talk about the style that DiCamillo used and how she often directly comments to the reader. What effect did that have on the story? How does that compare to how you thought it would be?

Watch The Tale of Despereaux (2008) movie and discuss the similarities and differences.

Vocabulary: adieu, outlaw, satisfied, dungeon, empathy, furlough, perfidy, portentous, ominous, aspirations, covert, diabolical, despicable, and remorse

Web Links:

Discussion Questions

What Would it be Like to Have Despereaux as a Pet?

Because of Winn-Dixie and Tiger Rising are two other books by Kate DiCamillo

Always Sisters, Forever Friends

A sister is a little bit of childhood that can never be lost.  

~Marion C. Garretty

In Sweetgrass Basket by Marlene Carvell, two sisters, Mattie and Sarah, are sent away from their home with the Mohawk tribe to the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in order to be trained so they can "make their way in the world", as one of their teachers put it. There's only one problem: the girls just want to go home to their father and to where they feel they belong. Mattie and Sarah promised their father that they would be good and behave, but it proves to be very difficult; Mattie speaks her mind and is very protective of what she believes in, while Sarah just wants to disappear and be off the radar. The bond between these sisters is portrayed very realistically, both during the good times and when trouble threatens to break them apart. This book is written in prose and the alternating voices of Mattie and Sarah making it captivating and unique.

Before Reading: Discuss Indian Schools with the class--talk about why Native American children were sent to these schools and the impact it had on them.

After Reading: How did the way in which the book was written change the way it was read? Did the alternating voices contribute to the book?

Discuss the use and meaning of sweetgrass baskets in the book. What did they represent? Why was that important and Mattie and Sarah?

Vocabulary: clenched, harsh, peering, criticized, evaporate, muffled, scorn, and urging.

Web Links:

Classroom Resources to Teach About Native Americans

About Marlene Carvell

Shooting the Moon

Shooting the Moon by Frances O'Roark Dowell is a story about Jamie Dexter and how she is so excited that her brother is fighting in Vietnam; she even wishes that at the age of almost thirteen that she could join. She can't wait to start getting letters from her brother, describing the wonders of wartime. When the first message from her brother arrives though, it's not the letter she had wished for, but a roll of undeveloped film instead. Once she figures out how to develop the film, she wonders why her brother takes the pictures he does and as more rolls of film arrive, the beauty of the war fades and Jamie begins to see the terror of it. Then, Private Hollister, her friend at the rec center who plays endless gin rummy with her, may go overseas too, Jamie is determined to not let it happen. This is a story about growing up and seeing things for what they really are-- remember, things are not always as they seem.

Dowell, Frances O'Roark. Shooting the Moon. New York: Atheneum, 2009. Print. 

This book is recommended for students ages 10 and up.

Before Reading: Talk about what interests the students have, what people, places, or things do they hold most dear to them? Relate this to how Jamie feels about the Army. Inquire to students how they would feel if the thing that they treasured was not longer as good as they thought. What types of emotions would occur?

Writing: Have students write 2 journal entries: one as Jamie before the film was developed and one after. How does her mood change? What would she sound like? What emotions would she be feeling? 

Also, you could find kid-friendly pictures from Vietnam and have students write captions to them, just as if they were putting words to the pictures Jamie got.

 

Web Links

Additional Books 

Another Review 

 

Ciao!

In the book Italy by Kristin Thoennes, part of the Countries of the World series by Bridgestone Books, take a journey to Italy! This book is suitable for a vast age group since it's text is both easy to read and yet contains information that would be useful for research. It has many different sections, including sections on education, food, sports, animals, the land, and even instructions on how to play bocce. This book would be a wonderful addition to any classroom library.

Teaching Suggestion: Have students construct a KWL chart for this book. Start with what students already know about the country of Italy before the book is introduced and have them ask questions about what they would like to know. After reading and discussing the book, students can complete the 'What I Learned' column. Also, encourage students to research more into any questions they still may have about Italy or check out other books in the Countries of the World series. Such titles include books on Australia, China, Russia, India, Ghana, France, and many others.

Writing: Students can compare Italy with America; since food, school, children, and other common aspects of life are discussed, the students will be able to relate well to the text.

Web Links

Italian Tourism

Time for Kids

National Geographic 

Lily's Crossing, Lily's War

In Lily's Crossing by Patricia Reilly Giff, Lily is ready for summer of her life! She is on her way to Rockaway, her favorite summer getaway. This summer, however, will be nothing like what she expected. It's World War II and everything is different. First, her best friend, Margaret, moves away because her family needs to help the war effort in a factory town. Then, Lily's father is called overseas and Lily is going to be stuck all summer with Gram. Then something happens--a boy with darker skin and sparkling eyes moves in down the street and Lily wants to know why--maybe he's a spy! Albert is a refugee from Hungary who just wants to go home and reunite with his little sister. These two form a special friendship, complete with secrets, lies, risks, and love, that puts their lives in grave danger.

Giff, P. R. (1999). Lily's Crossing. New York: Yearling Books.

1998 Newbery Honor Book
ALA Notable Children's Book
Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book

Before Reading: Talk about the background of World War II in America. How do you think the war affected the American people? What was it like growing up during wartime?

Since this book is set right after D-Day, have student reserach D-Day and what it meant for America.

During Reading: Discuss friendship and what makes a good friend. Have students write a 'Character Recipe' in which they descibe the 'key ingrediants' to a good friend. Family and Guilt are two other themes that can be touched upon during reading; ask students to examine Gram and Lily's relationship. Why is their relationship strained?

After Reading: Compare Lily's friendship with Margaret with her frienship with Albert. What makes them different? What is each friendship based on?

Explore the lives of other children of the War, examine their lives with Lily.

Writing: Have students write a letter as if they were Lily to her father. What woud you say? Would you say goodbye? Be sure to include at what point in the summer the letter was written--right after her father left or later in the summer when she knows where he is located. Her voice is very different between the two times.


Teacher Resources:
Random House Guide to Lily's Crossing'
Classroom Ideas
Interviews on World War II