Taffy of Torpedo Junction (Historical Fiction Chapter Book)

"Taffy of Torpedo Junction" is a great piece of historical fiction written by Nell Wise Wechter and illustrated by Mary Walker Sparks. It is an adventure story about a girl named Taffy living in the Outer Banks of North Carolina during World War II. With the company of her pony and puppy, Taffy stumbles upon a mystery as she wanders through the area. Taffy soon realizes that what she has found are enemy spies, and she lends her hand to the Coast Guard. Taffy nearly gets in trouble, but the authorities arrive in time to help her and capture the spies. This is a great piece of historical fiction because the author uses authentic dialect in the dialogue throughout the book. The book also gives readers a sense of what life was like for some Americans during World War II. The sotry is largely told from the perspective of someone their age, so students would most likely be able to make self-to-text connections. This book would also be great for supplementing social studies instruction for fourth grade since it is based in North Carolina.

Dirt on their Skirts (Historical Fiction)

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"Dirt on their Skirts" is written by Doreen Rappaport and Lyndall Callan and illustrated by E.B. Lewis. I would definitely use this book in a classroom. It is a great piece of historical fiction because it highlights how communities in the US changed during World War II. This book also serves to altar the common misconception of heroes. I would use this book to help break the stereotype that sports heroes have to be men.

Finding Home (Nonfiction)

"Finding Home" written by Sandra Markle and illustrated by Alan Marks is a unique piece of nonfiction literature. The story is about a koala mother who is wakened by the smell of smoke. Her home is destroyed, but she must find a way to find food for and protect her joey. In an effort to save herself and her joey, she embarks on a journey. She encounters humans and dogs in her attempt to find shelter and food. The koala also attracts the attention of people who help her cross a busy highway to find a new home. I would definitely use this book in a classroom to discuss the different types of nonfiction. This story is almost disguised as a piece of fiction because it tells an enjoyable story that is not bombarded with facts. "Finding Home" was inspired by the real-life story of a koala named Cinders. I would also use this book to study descriptive imagery.

Jack and the Giant: A Story Full of Beans (Traditional or Folk Literature)

Jack and the Giant: A Story Full of Beans, written and illustrated by Jim Harris is a southwest version the traditional Jack and the Beanstalk. Jack lives with his mother, Annie Okey-Dokey. They are very poor because a giant has stolen all of their cattle. Jack tries to sell their only milk cow, but he trades it for magic beans. These beans grow into a giant beanstalk which leads to the giant, Wild Bill Hiccup. Jack ensues on an adventure to capture the ugle giant. He has to out-whit the giant and his bad breath to capture treasures to rebuild his ranch. I would use this book during a folklore unit to show different versions of the same story. Folklore is shaped by the surrounding culture. I would also discuss hyperboles with this book because there is a lot of exaggeration.

The Wright Brothers (Nonfiction Biography)

The Wright Brothers, written by Pamela Duncan Edwards and illustrated by Henry Cole is a picture book about the lives of Orville and Wilbur Wright. The events of their childhood that sparked their interest in flight are discussed. The brothers were inspired by birds and a toy given to them by their father. The book highlights all of their accomplishments including a printing press designed by the brothers. Their trials and errors in designing the first airplane are described. The story is very entertaining because there are little mice on each page making comments. Some of them are factual while others are silly and humorous. I would use this book when studying nonfiction biographies, and also when integrating reading and social studies. North Carolina history encompasses the story of the Wright brothers because their first flight took place at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.

Looking at Liberty (Real or Historical Fiction)

Looking at Liberty, written and illustrated by Harvest Stevenson, is a great piece of historical fiction. The illustrations in this book are very nice and they coincide with the text. The book tells the story of the Statue of Liberty. The story reveals the ideas and beliefs that were the inspiration for constructing the Statue of Liberty. The story describes life at that time, and there are factual inserts on some pages with details about the design and construction of the monument. I would use this book to supplement social studies lessons about United States history. This book can also be used to study symbolism since the Statue of Liberty is a symbol of hope.

The Story of Jackie Robinson: Bravest Man in Baseball (Nonfiction Biography Chapter Book)

Jackie Robinson: Bravest Man in Baseball by Margaret Davidson is a captivating biography of Jackie Robinson. The book tells of the heroic struggles that Robinson faced throughout his life. The book describes Jackie's life from the time he was a small boy to his death. The struggles and discrimination that Robinson faced are highlighted in the book. Robinson was a determined pioneer not only in the sport of baseball, but also in the movement toward equal rights. I would definitely use this book in my classroom. It would be a great book to use during Black History Month. I feel it is important to show heroic figures of various races. This also shows that professional athletes can and should be respectable role models for their strong character.