Clover by Dori Sanders

Young Clover thought she had known heartache when she lost her mother and her grandfather. But when her father suddenly falls in love with Miss Sara Kate, an old college friend from his distant past who happens to be white, her world starts spinning again. As if that weren’t enough, three hours after the wedding, Clover’s father is killed suddenly in a car accident and Clover and Sara Kate are thrown together to sort out all the pain and sadness. Then Clover’s relatives have all their issues with the situation as well. Will these strangers ever feel like mother and daughter? Will the rest of the family ever accept Sara Kate? Author Dori Sanders does a great job of seeing inside the heart of Clover and her new stepmother, Sara Kate. Read Clover by Dori Sanders.

I only have two weeks left at Hemingway Elementary School before I will be retiring to become a full-time writer. One of the things I will miss the most is the chance to read to children on a regular basis. Rather than pick two or three books to read to all my classes, or even to pick Christmas stories, I plan to just start picking my favorite books to read. I may not even read the same book twice – it all depends on the whim of the moment. I’m going to miss reading to you kids very much.

If any of my students would like to recommend favorite books you would like for me to read, please let me know before your class comes to the library so I can be ready for you.

The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree by Gloria Houston, il. by Barbara Cooney

Ruthie and her father pick out the perfect balsam Christmas tree for their church early in the spring. But the war takes her father across the ocean and Ruthie and her mother are left to do everything on their own. Will they be able to get the tree from the rocky craig if Father doesn’t get home in time? Will Ruthie get a new angel dress in time for the Christmas program? Go back in time and re-live the wonder of Christmas through Ruthie’s eyes.

The Year of the Perfect Christmas Tree: An Appalachian Story To purchase a copy of this book from Amazon.com click on this link or on the picture.

Author Eve Bunting has written a tender book about the Vietnam wall, as seen through the eyes of a young boy as the boy’s father searches for his father’s name on the wall. Other people too have come to the wall giving the reader insights to the impact of the lingering pain of the Vietnam War, as well as the lack of understanding by other visitors.

Readers are invited to share their feelings about this book, about the Vietnam War, or any other war.

The Stranger by Chris Van Allsburg

Farmer Bailey bumps into a strange man while driving his car one fall day. Fortunately the man seemed OK except for a bump on the head and a temporary loss of memory. But just who was this stranger? Read this book carefully and look for the many clues to his true identity. After you finish reading this book come back and tell one of the clues that helped you figure out who he was. But don’t tell who he is and spoil the surprise for those who haven’t read this story yet. Just give us a clue. Here is one example: The stranger didn’t seem to understand the people’s language. Now it’s your turn…

The Stranger To order this book from Amazon.com, click on this link or on the picture.

Henry Bell wanted to learn to read so bad he was willing to risk having his fingers chopped off with an axe. His first lessons took place up a tree outside a school classroom as he tried to hear the lessons being taught and learn to make letters and words. What might happen if he got caught? Read this great book to find out.

After reading this book in the library, some of the students had these comments to say about the book:

Mrs. Manning’s 2nd grade class:
Johnovan B. said, “If I had somebody in my family that were a slave, I would write a story about it – a short or a long story about slaves.”

Mrs. Miles’ 3rd Grade class:
Quantea S. said, “If I was Henry I would do the same thing as Henry Bell.”

Jasmine W. said, “If I were Henry I would feel depressed.”

Rosa W. said, “I would feel sad.”

A third grade girl tells about her first grade brother, “The Pain.” Then The Pain describes his older sister, “The Great One.” They both discover that when the other isn’t around things get boring, but just the same, they have to put up with problems when they are together.

I shared this book with both my first grade class and my third grade class. Then I asked the students to pair up and write as a conversation about their own brothers and sisters. This was the first time either class or I had tried this kind of writing. I will only post a few of the third grade conversations.

Tiana and Mya wrote this conversation:

Do you have a sister or brother?

Yes, but they both live in Georgia and I never get to see them unless they come see me or I go see them.

What do they do?

They go to work and they help me with things I don’t know how to do.

What are their names?

My sister’s name is Danielle and my brother’s name is Shermain.

How old are they?

20 and 24. My brother is older.

Where do they live?

They live in Atlanta, Georgia.

Do they play with you when they come home?

Yes, they do play with me when they come home and also if they have time.

Do they tell jokes?

Yes, they do and when they tell jokes I get the giggles.

Do your brother or sister have a child?

Yes, my brother has a child and she’s one year old. She can walk and talk, she’s playful too! Her name is Breaisha Davis.

Dorothy and Chalinda wrote:

Do you have a brother and sister?

Yes, I do but they don’t want to do stuff.

Do your brother and sister like to stay up at night?

Yes, they try to keep me up too.

Do they play basketball?

Yes, they do but they always want to be on my cousin’s team.

Do you and your brother and sister like to play a lot?

Yes, we play games, bike ride, play basketball, and more fun things.

Do you have a little brother or sister?

No. But they are going to be bad if we have one.

Do all of you like to go places with them?

Yes, because we can stop by Burger King.

What are your brother and sister’s names?

Their names are Jasmine and Louie.

What are your brother and sister’s names?

Their names are Chamar and Chanedra.

Desmond and Azavia wrote:

Do you have a brother or sister?

Yes! A sister.

What does she do?

She hits me with movies.

How old is your little sister?

She is three years old.

Does she fight you?

Almost all the time!

Why does she fight?

Do not know.

Do she love you?

Yes she does!

Keturah and Robin wrote:

Do you have a brother or sister?

Yes.

Do you have fun with them?

Yes, we be playing basketball and playing fighting.

Do you like to wash them at night?

No, but I wash them in the daytime.

Why do you not like to wash them?

Because my grandma washes them.

Oh that is good but when you have a baby you are going to have to wash them because they can not wash themselves.

I know I would have to wash them because they are just babies. But my baby brother is old enough to wash himself.

Well I just was helping you.

That’s OK.

Trelashia and Samdreanna wrote:

Do you have a brother or sister?

Yes! I have a lot of brothers and sisters.

What are they like?

They’re like little angels.

Oh my! Are they?

Yes! They are and they’re cute.

Are they nice and sweet?

They are nice and sweet like honey.

Are they smart and is one young and one older?

Yes! They are smart and one is young and one is older.

Does your daddy teach the older one like a baby?

No! He does not.

Why not?

Because he’s old for petting.

Is he old?

He’s a teenager.

Tatiana and Korea wrote:

Do you have a sister or brother?

Yes, but one died.

How old were they?

One, two, and three years old.

Did they get on your nerves?

They do.

What did they do to get on your nerves?

Talk when I go to bed.

Wow! Do you get on their nerves?

Yes. By pulling her hair.

Do they ever do something about it?

Tell my mother on me.

What do your sister or brother do to you?

Pull my hair.

Thank You Mr. Faulker by Patricia Polacco

With honey poured on a book, Grandpa taught his granddaughter at age five that knowledge was sweet, but she would have to chase it through the pages of a book. Trish was eager to learn to read, but as much as she wanted to read she could not make sense out of all those squiggles. Trish suffered through many years of hardship and cruel teasing from her classmates until her teacher, Mr. Faulker, recognized her problem and worked with her after school until she was able to make sense of it all. This is a wonderful true story about the childhood of the author and illustrator, Patricia Polacco. If you know a child with learning difficulties, especially dyslexia, you should read this book for great insights to help you understand what he or she may be going through.

Thank You, Mr. Falker To order this book from Amazon.com, click on this link or on the picture.

The Relatives Came by Cynthia Rylant

If you have cousins or aunts and uncles who live far away, you will love this book. This Virgina family drove a long time to visit their relatives. They spent weeks and weeks hugging, kissing, helping, fixing, eating and sleeping at their relatives house. When you read this book look at all the great pictures while you read about the funny things that happened. One man was about to fall out of bed, and grandma was sucking her thumb in her sleep. Mrs. Bishop’s third grade class loved this book, and helped me write this review. You will like this story too.

The Relatives Came To order a copy of this book from Amazon.com, click on this link or on the picture.

Let’s Snowboard! is a book that makes me want to snowboard. I love the fantastic fast-action snowboard pictures. I think you would like this book because it gives you tips on how to be safe and to have fun.  One of the tips shows you how to strap yourself down on the snowboard. Another tip shows you how to stay safe and still have a whole lot of fun. This book makes it easy to learn how to ride a snowboard. This book will show what to do and what not to do.

If you live near a local library, or have a library at your school, you might want to check out this book.

This review was written by Jamel in Mrs. Simmons’ sixth grade class.