The War that Saved my Life

The War That Saved My Life is a beautifully told example of historical fiction. The setting, both in London and the English Countryside, is integral to the story and evokes a vivid historical time consistent with that of WWII in Europe. Characters are well developed- with feelings, values, and behavior that reflect the historical period. It is nearly impossible to not hate Mam while adoring Ada, Jamie, and Miss Susan Smith. The themes of family and identity echo larger historical concerns and are important to today's readers (Galda 2017). This is a must read in all intermediate classrooms.

Teachers can use this text:

during a book study
to teach about WWII

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Author: Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Year Published: 2015

Target Age/ Grade Level: Ages 9-11/ Grades 4 - 7

Genre: Historical Fiction

Comments

Girls Like Me

Girls Like Me is a poetic narrative that delves into the challenging world of teenage life through the eyes of a 15 year old girl. "The story is constructed through the arrangement and accumulation of emotions and events presented in individual poems through the first-person voice of [Shay Summer] (Galda, 2017). Through the artful use of verse, figurative language, word repetition, and varied structure (more white space, variety of text size, etc.) StVil captures Shay's inner turmoil and insecurities as she navigations the complexities of losing a parent, body image struggles, bullying and more. This novel in verse captures the feelings that so many can relate to. Through it's lyrical lens, StVil offers a fresh perspective on teenage life and all of the emotions that come with it. Teachers can use this text: as a mentor text for writing launch conversations about difficult teenage topics book club anchor text independent reading novel in verse ------- Author: Lola Stv...

The Dragon of Doom

Readers will be instantly transported to the little town of Pigbone, with it's big hills and cottages. In the Dragon of Doom, characters, setting and events are very detailed and almost believable (If magic was real). Bruce Coville has created a plot that although not realistic, "what happens in the story is logically consistent within the story world" (Galda, 2017). Chairs can walk across the room whimpering, as Moongobble tries to improve his magic skills (Coville, 29, 2003). Katherine Coville's witty illustrations with Bruce Coville's whimsical and wacky word choice, makes for a fantastic novel that will cast a spell of delight on anyone who reads it. Teachers can use this text: as a read aloud book club book as an anchor text for writing lesson on - setting, writing about fantasy, talking animals, using descriptive language, etc. ------- Author: Bruce Coville Illustrator: Katherine Coville Year Published: 2003 Target Age/ Grade Level: Ages 6-10/ Grades 1-5...

Tomie DePaola's Mother Goose

In Tomie DePaola's version of Mother Goose young readers can enjoy the magic of the rhythmic nursery rhymes that have been handed down by word of mouth for generations in combination with his illustrations that fans have come to love. "The illustrations complement and extend the narrative" of each rhyme providing readers with vivid images that enhance the meaning DePaola wants his readers to take away (Galda, 2017). Teachers can use this text to: help children develop early literacy skills such as rhyming, letter-sound correspondence, and print awareness. build phonemic awareness and oral language fluency ------- Author/ Illustrator: Tomie DePaola Year Published: 1985/2011 Target Age/ Grade Level: Ages 4-8/ Grades Preschool - 3 Genre: Folklore

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