Out of My Mind

Out of My Mind

Draper, S. (2010). Out of my mind. USA: Atheneum Books for Young Readers.

Melody is smarter than most but, unfortunately her disability prevents anyone from knowing this. Melody was born with cerebral palsy.  To the outside world there is only silent but, she has photographic memory and is very intelligent. As she struggles to be heard in any way possible, she encounters bullying, heartache, misdiagnosis, independence and true friendship.

I highly recommend this book for anyone 10 and up. It should give you a unique perspective on how we view each other and the struggles those with disabilities face daily. This book is not met to be precisely correct in every aspect of special needs individuals but, it does leave you with a better understanding of the world they live in and how we all fit whether good or bad.

A book with a similar theme:

Click the link below for more about the book.

Out of My Mind

The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963

The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963

Curtis, C. (1995). The Watsons go to Birmingham, 1963, USA: Holt, Rinehart and Winston.

This story is based in Flint, Michigan in 1963 during the Civil Rights Movement. The family unit consist of the father Daniel, the mother Wilona and three children-Byron the oldest-juvenile delinquent, Kenny the middle child and Josette (Joey) the youngest. Mom and Dad decide to take a trip to Grandma Sands house in Alabama when Byron’s behavior gets out of control. The plan is to leave him there for the summer and possibly the next school year. Shortly after arriving, there is a terrible church bombing that leaves four young girl’s dead and others seriously injured. Unfortunately, Kenny is a witness to the aftermath and goes into seclusion. To everyone’s surprise, it is Kenny who comes to his rescue and can help him cope.

This book is still relevant in today’s time and should be a constant in all schools. There are quite a few lessons dealt with throughout this book, three of the most prevalent for me are family, race and mortality. The Watson’s stick together no matter what, especially a time when racial tension in America was at a high. They all quickly learned that tomorrow is not promised and life is precious and can be gone in an instant.

Last Stop on Market Street

Last Stop on Market Street

Del la Pena, M. (2015) Last stop on market street. New York, NY: Penguin Books.

Every Sunday CJ and his Nana take the bus across town to Market Street. On one particular day, CJ is not happy with the trip because it is raining outside. He questions his Nana as to why they have to wait in the rain and why they don’t have a car. Nana’s imagination is very vivid. As they travel on the bus to Market Street, she challenges CJ to use his senses to appreciate the wonders around him everyday life that he normal takes for granted.

I loved this book! I recommend it to anyone who has or had a special bond with their grandparents. But, I must be honest, it made me a little envision of CJ and Nana’s relationship. I unfortunately did not have that with my grandparents. It translates well with the brilliant colors and vivid use of words. A wonderful testiment to the bond between grandparents and grandchilden. Nana’s interpretation of the world around her is transmitted to CJ and he is able to finally appreciate the beauty surrounding him.

This is a book with a similar theme.

Click the link below for more about the book.

Last Stop on Market Street

Textbook Assignment 5

K-W-L-S Chart for Textbook Assignment 5

K	W	L	S
What You Already Know About the Topic	What You Learned After You Completed the Assignment	What You Still Need to Learn	How You Will Share This Information with Others
It takes time to build a community of readers. The presence of a certified librarian with an adequate collection of books is a positive correlation to higher test scores. Genres are either Fiction or Nonfiction, everything else are sub-genres.	Learn more about Betty Carter and Richard Abrahamson The ten things we use to get kids to read. Fiction and Nonfiction have several branches. Nonfiction is a wide array of books that include formats, genres and style.	How to distinguish between genres and formats. More about the different branches of fiction and nonfiction. More about the criteria for Nonfiction and Picture Books for young readers.	I will share all the information I’ve learned through my blogging, collaborating with peers and teaching lessons to students.

Textbook Assignment 4

K-W-L-S Chart for Textbook Assignment 4

K	W	L	S
What You Already Know About the Topic	What You Learned After You Completed the Assignment	What You Still Need to Learn	How You Will Share This Information with Others
Nonfiction is writings or stories based on facts, real events and real people. Historical Fiction is any story set in the past. Graphic novels are an extension of comic books.	Nonfiction is difficult to define because it includes a wide array of text. Over half of books fall under it, everything else is form and format. When evaluating historical fiction, you should look for a delightful story that blend history, accuracy, value to the time, consistency and theme in relation to contemporary readers. Graphic novels are not a genre but instead are a form/format.	The criteria to evaluate nonfiction, historical fiction and graphic novels.	I will share all the information I’ve learned through my blogging, collaborating with peers and teaching lessons to students.

Textbook Assignment 3

K-W-L-S Chart for Textbook Assignment 3

K	W	L	S
What You Already Know About the Topic	What You Learned After You Completed the Assignment	What You Still Need to Learn	How You Will Share This Information With Others
Poetry can be found in many different genres. Realistic Fiction are stories set in contemporary or modern times that is believable. Fantasy and Science Fiction are connected.	There is a set of criteria’s for evaluating the genres of poetry, realistic fiction, science fiction and fantasy.	I want to know more about how to recognize sound, language, rhythm, sensory image, rhyme, humor, emotional intensity, quality of imagination, substance and purpose in poetry. I want to know more about how to recognize consistency, theme, and subject matter when evaluating realistic fiction. I want to know more about the diverse types of science fiction and sub-genres.	I will share all the information I’ve learned through my blogging, collaborating with peers and teaching lessons to students.

Textbook Assignment 2

K-W-L-S Chart for Textbook Assignment 2

K	W	L	S
What You Already Know About the Topic	What You Learned After You Completed the Assignment	What You Still Need to Learn	How You Will Share This Information With Others
Picture books are visual and verbal narratives in a book format mostly aimed at young children. Pictorial storytelling dates to cave wall paintings. Traditional literature come in various forms to include myths, legends, folk tales and fables.	True picture books date back 130 years with artist and illustrator Randolph Caldecott. Traditional booksellers and marketing department are still at odds about how picture books are sold and labeled. The different criteria used to determine the quality of the various types of traditional literature.	What kind of imagery through picture books and traditional literature is most appealing or communicative to young children today?	I will share this information through my blog, future papers and collaboration with my peers.

Cassandra Murdaugh

LSSL 5360

Textbook Assignment 2