Bridge to Terabithia

This week, I chose to read Katherine Paterson's novel, Bridge to Terabithia, (1997). Bridge to Terabithia is a contemporary realistic fiction novel enjoyed by students in graded 4-7. This novel was awarded the John Newbery Medal.

Jess Aarons is an eleven year old boy who loves to run so much, that he is the fastest kid in eight grade. His other hobbies include painting and drawing, which causes his friends to refer to him as "sissy." He spends most of his time trying to win his father's attention. Jess comes from a rural home and is less fortunate than others. He is having to pick up slack in the home and take care of his younger sister, so he has no time to explore the outdoors or himself. Leslie Burke is the new girl in town and Jess's new neighbor. They become inseparable after she beats all the eight grade boys in a running competition. Leslie helps Jess find himself, by creating a fantasy land in their backyards. Here, they are able to let their imaginations run wild. One day, Jess's music teacher asks if he wants to go visit the art gallery. He felt bad for leaving Leslie alone, since they visited the magical land of Terabithia everyday after school. While on his trip, he hears heartbreaking news. Leslie had fallen off the rope that swings over the creek. The news is not good. Jess blames himself for not meeting Leslie that day. He shuts Terabithia out because it reminds him of his best friend. Later, he realizes that Leslie would want him to keep Terabithia alive. He replaces the rope with a bridge, that way no one will ever get hurt. Bridge to Terabithia is a place to celebrate life, love, and to let your imagination take over.

Bridge to Terabithia is absolutely amazing. In this book, you walk along the side of Jess Adams, and  he tells you about the troubles he is facing. It makes you sad, mad, and happy. In some parts, I wanted to reach into the book and help him because I knew he was being mistreated. But, after he meets Leslie, his world turns around. Tears filled my eyes after I read about Leslie's death. Jess had lost his best friend and the best thing in his life. I was so happy that he decided to go back to Terabithia. This reminds me of real life. Even though a special person in your life may be gone, you can still remember them by keeping their memory alive, and that is exactly what Jess did.

This week, I chose to read Katherine Paterson's novel, Bridge to Terabithia, (1997). Bridge to Terabithia is a contemporary realistic fiction novel enjoyed by students in graded 4-7. This novel was awarded the John Newbery Medal.

Questions: 

Why do Jess and Leslie create Terabithia?

Why did Jess feel important when he realized his best friend was dead?

 

The Hunger Games

This week, I read the first book in Susan Collins's series, The Hunger Games (2008). The Hunger Games takes place in a futuristic time, in a place known as Panem. President Snow has started an annual event called The Hunger Games, due to a revolution in the past. Throughout the games, the tributes must represent their district in hopes of coming out victorious. What they do not know, is that they are now about to enter the biggest uprising Panem has ever seen. The Hunger Games has been nominated for and received multiple awards, such as Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award, Cybils Award for Fantasy and Science Fiction- Young Adult, and California Young Reader Medal: Young Adult.

I first read this series in my eight grade English class. I immediately fell in love with the idea of Katniss and Peta, but I did not think they were being treated fairly. The capital of Panem was very controlling, almost like dictatorship. Having citizens of a country fight against one another does not show patriotism. Instead, it is rebelling districts against each other rather uniting them.This book brought smiles, tears of sadness. The end lead me to wanting more, and I am so glad Suzanne Collins created a series. I have read it more than once, and I recommend this series to all.

Question: What shocked you most about the book? What important points do you think the author makes about violence and its effects on society? violence in the media? violence and children?

Charlotte's Web

 Dear Blog, 

This week I read E.B. White's fiction novel, Charlotte's Web (1952). This novel portrays the importance of friendship, love, life, and death. The spring pig, Wilbur, is accompanied by the barn spider, Charlotte. Together, they work to come up with a plan to keep Wilburn from being slaughtered by the farmer. Their friendship grows as the plot progresses and together they save Wilbur. Unfortunately, Charlotte passes at the end of the story after giving birth to her babies However, her death touches readers because it shows that Charlotte's legacy and kindness is left behind through the life of her babies.

In 1953, Charlotte's Web was awarded the John Newbery Medal. This novel is full of rich vocabulary. To expand students' understanding, I would create a Word Web of all unfamiliar words in the text. Together we would use context clues and brainstorm meanings to add to the web. This text is also beneficial when teaching character analysis, story elements, and problem and solution. Questions to ask during discussion would be: "What would you write in the web if you were Charlotte?" "Is Templeton a protagonist or antagonist? How do you know?" "What makes someone a good friend?" "At the beginning of the story, Fern saves Wilbur from death. Have you ever helped someone who was smaller or younger than you? How did you do this?" 

Charlotte's Web is a heartwarming book that can be enjoyed by all. If you are looking for a book that discusses the importance of friendship, this is the read for you!

There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly

 Dear Blog,

This week I read Simms Taback's picture book, There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Fly (1997). This is a well know children's book as it is know for its repetitiveness and rhythmic patterns. Many students in my class love this folk song because they can read along with me during carpet time. I notice many students choosing this book during centers because they have gained the confidence needed to read or recite the story independently. This story is great for students to practice retelling the sequence of events. Students can recall the objects swallowed by the lady by using transitional vocabulary such as "First, Next, Then, Last." Possible questions to ask to deepen student thinking would be: "What makes this story fiction?" "How would you feel if you swallowed a fly?" "Why do you think the Old Woman swallowed all of these items?"

This text was awarded a Notable Children's Book in 1998. It also received the Caldecott Medal in 1998, as well as Best Illustrated Children's Book in 1997. This book is enjoyed by all readers and is a great addition to add to any bookshelf. 

The Hello, Goodbye Window

Dear Blog,

Today, I read Norton Juster's The Hello, Goodbye Window (2005). The Hello, Goodbye Window is illustrated by Chris Raschka. Raschka received the Caldecott Medal in 2006 for his illustrations, which portray the happiness and joyfulness one feels when visiting their grandparents' house. 

In summary, The Hello, Goodbye Window tells about the experiences and adventures a little girl encounters when visiting her grandparents' house. The kitchen window brings her and her grandparents such joy. At the window, they can wave, make silly faces, watch for special deliveries, or watch the sun set and rise. These treasured moments cause the little girl to wish for her very own hello, goodbye window.  

I would use this book to teach character analysis and text-to-self connections. Questions I would ask are: "How does the window make the characters feel?" "What in the story tells us the characters are happy?" "What other emotions do you think the window can bring?" Once we have worked to analyze the characters and their feelings, we would then discuss what things or experiences in our own lives bring us joy. 

It is important for students to make text-to-self connections in order to build deeper comprehension. The Hello, Goodbye Window is a great resource to implement when making personal connections to a story.

Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story From the Underground Railroad

 Dear Blog,

Today I read a historical fiction picture book titled Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story From the Underground Railroad (2007). Henry's Freedom Box was written by Ellen Levine and illustrated by Kadir Nelson. It was nominated and awarded both the Caldecott Award and the Notable Children's Book Award in 2008.

Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story From the Underground Railroad tells the story of Henry "Box" Brown and the life he lived during slavery. Throughout the story, Henry is separated from his wife and kids. He becomes devastated as he knows he will never see his family again. This sparks Henry's determination to gain his freedom, so with the help from others, he designs a box to ship himself to a land free of slavery. Once Henry arrives in Pennsylvania, he declares March 30, 1849 as his first birthday-- the day he gained his freedom. 

Henry's Freedom Box is an inspiring book that portrays one of the many escapes made during the Underground Railroad. This story would be excellent to read leading up to Black History Month. Before reading this story to my class, I would begin by having them carefully examine the front cover. I would ask them questions like, "How do you think Henry will gain his freedom?" "What is the purpose of the box?" Throughout the story, Henry compares his freedom to birds. I would ask my class, "What do the birds in the story symbolize?" "How do you know?" 

It is important for our students to understand the tragedies and tribulations encountered by those in the past. With this book, we will discuss how Henry "Box" Brown had to preserver and fight the odds in order to gain his freedom.

McKenzie Walls