Child Soldier: When Boys and Girls Are Used in War (Michel Chikwanine, Jessica Dee Humphreys, Claudia Davila)

This is like a children's version of A Long Way Gone.  It would be a good way to introduce children to this topic - if you felt like it was a good idea to introduce children to this topic. Maybe children would see something on the news and ask questions? Not sure I would ever bring this book to a child unless they already knew something about the topic.

I have friends who are currently missionaries in the country Michel is from: DRC. It is still a difficult country to live in. I was surprised at the beginning of this book when he talked about how beautiful this country was. It seems like a poor and sad country full of controversy.

It is a difficult story and a harsh reality. It is told in an appropriate way for children.


Goodreads summary:

Michel is like many other five-year-olds: he has a loving family and spends his days going to school and playing soccer. But in 1993, the Democratic Republic of Congo, where Michel and his family live, is a country in tumult. One afternoon Michel and his friends are kidnapped by rebel militants and forced to become child soldiers.

The Invisible Wall (Harry Bernstein)

You could sum up the theme of the book with this quote:

P. 271 What is this world going to grow up? When are people going to learn that were all alike and nobody's better or worse than anybody else? How many wars do we have to fight, and how many more millions have to be slaughtered before the world gets any sense in its fat head?

I fond this story took me a long time to read. I found most of it quite dreary....which seems right. There lives were dreary. Reading it was a little like sitting around listening to relatives tell stories. A little painful, and I am easily distracted in the process...but it should be done.

 I do admire the author's memory though! I liked that he didn't immortalize his family by making everything a rosy memory. I think there is a lot to learn from the imperfections in life, and Harry certainly experienced them.

If I had to draw the story of this book it would be a long flat line until the last two chapters. It was worth getting there though. The epilogue totally warmed my heart too.

The First Snow (David Christiana)

This book is beautiful! It has imagery that seemed to make everyone in my class sit and listen carefully. We have been reading poetry and talking about how words can mean different things. This story was a great follow up to the poetry because the imagery in this story is stunning. We feel like winter has gone away for a season because ours has been such a warm one.

Goodreads summary:

This beautifully illustrated tale of the first snowfall begins long ago, when Mother Nature was a child and liked only warm weather. When Winter wraps her in a blanket of soft crystals that fall from the sky, she finally awakens to the beauty of snow. Full-color illustrations.

...and Nick (Emily Gore)

Such a cute story! Often those kids who are late bloomers are the ones who are gentle and sensitive like Nick.

The idea of being a "late bloomer" was a new one to my class. They did understand about "not having your growth spurt yet" though. 

Goodreads summary:

Nick isn’t sure what he wants—and that’s okay! Youngest siblings and late bloomers will be delighted by this charming and reassuring picture book.

There are four mice brothers: Rick, Mick, Vick…and Nick!

Nick is the youngest, and while his brothers each know exactly what they want, Nick is never quite sure. Which color shirt is the nicest? What does Nick want to eat? Which flower will be best to pick from the meadow? Nick doesn’t know! But…

He might just be waiting for the right moment to bloom. 

What a Party! (Ana Maria Machado, Hélène Moreau)

You have to be careful how you say things to kids....or you might end up with the party of the century!

There were a few kids in my class that were pretty adamant that they've had a party just like this :)

This was a good introduction to a number of Spanish cultural words and activities as well. Getting ready for Spanish in grade 4!


Goodreads Summary:

If it is just a few days until your birthday, and your mother says you can invite anyone you like to come over to play, be careful! If you don’t watch out, you might soon be having the craziest party ever. Before you know it, night could come and go and a new day could begin, and the dancing might still be going strong. In a celebration of neighbors and diversity, an open-ended party invitation results in a raucous gathering of children, pets, and parents (plus salsa dancers and a reggae band!), all feasting on food from all over the world. This is a humorous and irresistibly joyful cautionary tale.

Superfab Saves the Day (Jean Leroy, Bérengère Delaporte)

This is a superhero that has no sense of time and looking good takes priority over most everything else. It all works out in the end, proving that if you focus on your strengths, you can accomplish good things. However, the problem of always being late may not be something you want to overlook. I'm not sure kids would really catch that though. They certainly did enjoy a giggle as we read this story though.

Goodreads summary:

Meet Superfab, the best-dressed superhero around. He’s got a walk-in closet, an extensive collection of outfits, and fabulous style to boot. The only problem is, he can’t leave his house to go fight crime until he has the perfect outfit on — and sometimes that takes awhile. Sometimes it takes so long that by the time he arrives at the scene of a crime, another superhero has already gotten the job done. Superfab finds himself less and less in demand, until one day he gets called to the scene and discovers that his exquisite sense of style is just the weapon he needs to beat (and befriend) this particular monster. This original take on the superhero story will have readers rooting for the underdog and celebrating Superfab’s unique pizazz. Whimsical illustrations show off the stylish side of this quirky and loveable character who knows the best way to save the day is to be true to yourself.

Big in a Vacuum (Mélanie Watt)

It took a long time for this one to come from the public library. It had a lot of holds. It is curious to me why this book is so popular because it is such a narrow topic: grief. However, the pictures are awesome and it is funny. My students didn't make any connection with the stages of grief. They just thought it was funny and had a good laugh at the pictures. I really enjoyed it too.

Goodreads summary:

A bug flies through an open door into a house, through a bathroom, across a kitchen and bedroom and into a living room ... where its entire life changes with the switch of a button. Sucked into the void of a vacuum bag, this one little bug moves through denial, bargaining, anger, despair and eventually acceptance -- the five stages of grief -- as it comes to terms with its fate. Will there be a light at the end of the tunnel? Will there be dust bunnies in the void? A funny, suspenseful and poignant look at the travails of a bug trapped in a vacuum.