For The Love of Autumn

Bibliographic Information (APA): Polacco, P. (2008). For the Love of Autumn. New York, NY: Philomel Books.

Brief Annotation: This is a super cute little book about a kitten and how she brought two people together.

Genre: PictureBook animal fiction

Grade Level: 1st-3rd

Readers who will like this: Children that love cats or children that enjoy stories about animals.

Response/Rating (1-4): 4; I love this book! It's so sweet and the ending is wonderful. This story turned out differently than I had imagined. Autumn was a funny little kitten with a mind of her own. She brought two people together with her unending affection and love.

One question you would ask before a read aloud: Have you ever lost a pet?

Pink and Say

Bibliographic Info: Polacco, P. (1994). Pink and Say. Illus. Patricia Polacco. New York, New York: Penguin Group Inc.

Annotation: A true story based on two young soldiers, one white and one African American, during the civil war. They are captured by the Confederate soldiers and Say details their meeting and friendship.

Genre: Historical Fiction.

Grade Level: 3-6

Readers who will like this book: Children studying or interested in the Civil War.

Personal Response: The one thing I enjoyed most about this book was that it was a true story based on Patricia Polacco's great-great grandfather. I think children would be captured by that fact and more attentive to the story when read or being read to. The illustrations were not my favorite, but the story was enlightening. I would rate it at a 2.

A question you would ask before reading: What was the Civil War? Can you explain what the reasons behind it were...who was involved?

Someone for Mr. Sussman

Bibliographic Information: Polacco, P. (2008). Someone for Mr. Sussman. Illus. Patricia Polacco. New York, NY: Philomel Books.

Brief Annotation: Jerome's grandmother is a Jewish matchmaker, who clearly has an interest in one of her clients, Mr. Sussman. She goes to extreme lengths to show Mr. Sussman how she feels, exasperating herself trying to be everything he is looking for in a mate. Finally she gives up, but by just being herself, Mr. Sussman discovers he loves her.

Genre: Storybook/Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Grade Level: 3-5

Readers who will like this book: Anyone who has exhausted themselves trying to get noticed by someone else and everyone who loves humor.

Rating/Response: 4 out of 4. This is a wonderful little story that teaches us to just be ourselves. Much of the humor is indicated in the illustration, especially in the grandmother's facial expressions, so be sure to look closely.

One question I would ask before a read aloud: Have you ever changed something about yourself to get someone to like you?

My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother

Bibliographic Information: Polacco, P (1994) My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother New York: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Children

Annotation: This is the story of a brother and sister who are constantly competing with one another. The girl finally wins with the help of a wishing star.

Genre: Personal Narrative, Picturebook

Grade Level: K-2

Readers who will like this book: Children with sibling rivalry

Response/Rating: I enjoyed this book. I think many children can relate to arguing with siblings (cousins or other students). I personally don't care for the "line" in the illustrations but I think the bright colors are attractive. 3

Classroom Question: Do you have a brother or sister? Do you compete with them?

In Our Mothers' House

Bibliographic Information: Polacco, P. (2009). In Our Mothers' House. New York, NY: Philomel Books.

Brief Annotation: The girl tells about her and her sibling's life as they are raised by two mothers. She recounts the experience of love and joy from her mothers' as they were taught that being different is ok.

Genre: Contemporary Realistic Fiction

Grade Level:K-5

Readers who will like this: Children who come from different families.

Response/Rating (1-4): 2; Although the book was very well written and the story was very realistic, I felt like the book would have been a bit too long for an interesting read aloud. I also don't think this book would be appropriate for all students. There would be many questions that would be hard to answer without crossing certain boundaries.

One question you would ask before a read aloud: How many of you can remember the day your parents brought you home?

Reading Strategies Connection:

a. Reading Strategy: Quilts

b. Strategy Description: Each student will be given a square piece of paper. On the piece of paper, they will pick a part from the story that they could relate the most to (if there are none that they can relate to, then they can pick a part that they liked the most) and design their quilt piece to match that part. Either on the bottom of the square or around the square, the students will write how they relate to (or why they liked) that part of the story. After all students have completed their quilt piece, all the pieces will be put together for the finished product.

c. Rationale: This strategy is appropriate for this book because everyone may not be able to relate to the same type of family but the students will see that the character's family may not be that much different from their own. This strategy will also encourage the students to reflect back on some of the key events in the story and allow them to make connections to those events.

My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother

Polacco, Patricia. (1994). My Rotten Redheaded Older Brother. Illus. Patricia Polacco. New York, New York: Simon and Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Annotation: This is a light-hearted book about a younger sister that will do anything to be better than her brother at something, even if she has to wish upon a shooting star. Even though it takes a few stitches to find her niche, she does by the end of the book.
Genre: Children's picturebook
Grade Level: 3rd-5th
Readers who would like this: Anyone who has an older sibling that they rival or rivaled growing up.
Rating/Response: I give this book a 3, because I did not like the illustrations very much. I found them a bit distracting. For the theme of the book, I loved it! I know exactly how sibling rivalry can be sometimes.
Question: How many of you have an older sibling that seems to do things a little better than you do?