Number the Stars

Number the Stars

by: Lois Lowry

Lowry, L. (1989). Number the stars. Boston: Houghton Mifflin.

Friendship is an incredible bond that many people experience, but it sometimes thakes something imporant to make you appreciate it.  Annemarie and her best friend, Ellen, live in Denmark which is becoming filled with Nazi soldiers.  Ellen is Jewish which is inhibiting her safety while living at home.  This story tells the remarkable journey and strength the two girls share throughout their escape up north to Annemarie's uncle's house, and all the uncertainty that unfolds.  When the book concludes two years later when World War II is ending, Annemarie notes she has Ellen's star of David necklace waiting for her.

Whole Group Lesson Plan 

Eggs

Eggs

by: Jerry Spinelli

Spinelli, J. (2007). Eggs. New York: Little, Brown.

David is only 9 years old when he needs to grow up fast due to his mother's death in an accident, and his father's schedule which requires him to be on the road.  With all of these changes he neglects a relationship with his grandmother and takes his emotions out on her.  Until one day, when David meets Primrose, a 13 year old who does not know her father, and her mother is close to not existing.  Together they balance one another and fill a void that was missing in their lives.  This story is one that should be read to hear the struggles of life, yet the power of friendship.

This is not an easy book to read for young students.  I think that the topics that are addressed, a teacher would need to guide discussion within the classroom.  I did not particularly like this story.  Realistic fiction is something I enjoy reading, which is why I believe I criticize the texts more closely.  I am not passionate about this book, so I don't think I would be able to teach it very well.

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The Wish

The Wish

by: Gail Carson Levine

Levine, G. (1999). The wish. New York: HarperCollins.

 Thinking back to middle school, many people would cringe at their "popularity," or lack there of in Wilma's case.  She is in 8th grade and once all of her friends have moved away she is truly unpopular and very unhappy.  One day when she is taking the subway home she offers her seat to an old lady, who in turn says she will grant her one wish.  Wilma wishes to be the most popular girl at her school, which soon becomes a reality.  This wish, however, was not granted without consequences.  She receives the attention of even the weird boys she wishes wouldn't associate with her, and also her popularity is confined to her school.  Wilma tries desperately to cling to this popularity, but in the end realizes true friends and happiness are the important things in life and making wishes is not as easy, or right, as it may seem.

I liked the way this story was written because it reminded me of a movie I once saw on Disney Channel. I think that the students would enjoy reading this story in the upper grades because becoming popular is something they probably have considered at some point in their life.  However, if they can learn through Wilma's example that sometimes wishes have consequences, it would show them how insignificant popularity is in the grand scheme of life.  This story also stresses friendship, which in older grades begins to get tested.  This book is well done and very appealing to the middle school students.
PBL Project (Lesson plan)
Reviews

The Doll People

The Doll People

by: Ann M. Martin

Martin, A., & Godwin, L. (2000). The doll people. New York: Hyperion Books for Children.

Annabelle is  a doll that has been alive for over a hundred years.  She and her family live in a house belonging to Kate Palmer.  These dolls have incredible abilities because they can move and talk when the humans are not around, but they must return to their place when Kate or someone in her family approaches the house.  However, if you are caught-- you must be frozen for 24 hours.  One day, Kate's sister gets a doll house and Tiffany is one of the new dolls who becomes Kate's new best friend. Together, this story tells of their friendship, and the adventures they take to find out what happened to a missing doll which happens to be Kate's Auntie Sarah.  Will they find her? Can they do so without becoming frozen?

 I love this book, and think that it will be a book I will recommend to many students.  It talks about themes of friendship and family, and the length you go to protect the ones you love. This story is told in third person, and many students would be able to relate to playing or having a doll house in their home.  What would happen if they learned their dolls could talk and were moving around the house while they were sleeping? These sorts of questions would lend to a rich conversation!

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Chester's Way

Chester's Way by: Kevin Henkes

 

When you have a best friend, sometimes it begins to become hard to tell one from the other, and that is exactly how Chester and Wilson acted.  They had their unique ways of doing things and let very little come between them.  All of this changes when Lilly moves into the neighborhood and the boys need to decide what they are going to do.

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The One and Only Ivan

The One and Only Ivan by: Katherine Applegate

The One and Only Ivan tells the story about a gorilla, Ivan, who recalls his life living in his domain, or cage, at the mall for close to thirty years.   Ivan is an artist among being a protector and friend to the elephants, Stella and Ruby, whom live next to him.  Throughout the book the reader understands his triumphs and failures in addition to the power that friendship holds among the animals.  Ivan will do anything to create a better life for his friends and himself who are captives at the mall.  A novel filled with humor and vivid descriptions, Ivan’s story is truly one to be remembered.  (based on the real Ivan gorilla)

 

This book provides great discussion for themes such as humanity, friendship, animal protection, and so much more.  The figurative language paints a picture in any readers' mind, and there are no chapter numbers, only titles.  Although certain topics become sensitive in this book, Applegate gives the reader plenty to laugh about and by the end you feel connected to each of the characters.

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The Real Ivan!

Visualizing Activity 

Applegate, Katherine. The One and Only Ivan. New York: Harper, 2012. Print.