Grandfather's Journey

Bibliographic Information: Say, A. (1993) Grandfather's Journey. Boston, MA: Houghton Mifflin

Annotation: This is the story of Allen Say's grandfather. His grandfather traveled from Japan to the US when he was a child. Throughout his life he travels back and forth between the two places. When he is in Japan he misses California and when he is in California he misses Japan. When Allen gets older he travels to California and loves it as much as his granfather did.

Genre: Culturally Diverse

Grade Level: 3-12

Readers who will like this book: Students with strong connection to grandfather, students who have ever moved and become homesick

Response/Rating: After reading all I could think about what the song bird that he had. The watercolor illustrations really added to the story! 3

Classroom questions: Have you ever moved far away or know somebody who has?

Make Way For Ducklings

Bibliographic Information: McCloskey, R. (1969). Make Way For Ducklings. New York, NY: The Viking Press.

Brief Annotation: Mr. and Mrs. Mallard finds a place within a big city to raise their little duck family. As the eggs hatch, Mrs. Mallard has to go on an adventure to bring her ducklings to meet their father at the Public Garden. With the help of police officers, she is able to safely lead her ducklings to the Public Garden where they make their new home.

Genre: Animal Fantasy

Grade Level: K-5

Readers who will like this: Anyone who enjoys a good story!

Response/Rating (1-4): 4; Although more of an animal fantasy genre, readers can actually relate to the story if they've ever seen ducks trying to cross the road.

One question you would ask before a read aloud: What makes a good place to live?