One Crazy Summer

One Crazy Summer
By Rita Williams-Garcia
Published by Amistad (2010)

Winner of the Coretta Scott King Award in 2011
Newberry Honor Book in 2011
(plus many many more!)

Our class read this award winning novel and created lesson plans based on the story. The moving story takes place during the civil rights movement in Oakland, California. Three young girls, Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern fly out to visit their long lost mother. With few memories of her, it leads to an adventurous and crazy summer involving the Black Panthers. I can see why this book won so many awards. Rita Williams-Garcia keeps you engaged and laughing even during heavy topics.

It is a great way for young readers to see the civil rights movement from a child's perspective. Not all students may be ready for the hot topic, but it is important for all students to learn about. The book would be a great class read to connect to social studies. Thanks to my wonderful classmates I have some great lesson ideas too!

Williams-Garcia, R. (2010). One crazy summer. New York: Amistad.

Bud, Not Buddy

Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis
Published by Delacorte Press 1999

Newberry Honor Book
Coretta Scott King Honor Book
ALA Notable Book
ALA Best Book for Young People
A Horn Book Fanfare
A Bulletin Blue Ribbon Book
A New York Times Book Review Best Book
A Publishers Weekly Best Book

With all these awards, you can see Bud, Not Buddy is a must read book. It was a book I could easily relate to because I grew up and still live in Michigan. It tells the story of ten year old Bud, a motherless boy, during the Great Depression. He runs away in search of his father with a suitcase of important things, and a flyer that he believes will lead him to his father. The book follows Bud's adventure to find his father.

Bud, Not Buddy would be a great book to read when learning about the Great Depression and all that is associated with that era such as jazz music.

This blog has some great project ideas related to the book!

Curtis, C. P. (1999). Bud, not Buddy. New York: Delacorte Press.

The Hundred Dresses

The Hundred Dresses By Eleanor Estes
Illustrated by Louis Slobodkin
Published by Harcourt Brace & Company 1944

Newberry Honor Book

The Hundred Dresses is a powerful story for young students to hear on compassion, kindness, and doing what is morally right. Students can be cruel to one another in school. Wanda, a shy student in the class is the victim of teasing from other girls in the class due to her hand-me-down clothes. One of the young girls, Maddie, begins to feel bad for her actions, but can't seem to bring herself to say anything. Eventually Wanda does not return to school, which worries Maddie. However, the impending drawing contest takes over the focus. When the contest comes to a close, Wanda returns to school to show off her drawings of hundred different dresses all over the classroom. Wanda wins the contest but does not return to school as her family moves away to an area where she won't be made fun of. Maddie and her friend Peggy try to make it up to Wanda, but realize that you cannot always make amends.

This book is excellent for students in grades 3-5. It is part chapter book, part picture book. It is an easily relatable story for students that teaches an important lesson for all students to hear. The Hundred Dresses exemplifies the Golden Rule. The whimsical illustrations with blended lines and soft colors catches the readers eye and adds imagery that enhances the story.

Scholastic.com provides a lesson plan that may be helpful if bullying is an issue in your class, or you just love the book like I do!

Estes, E., & Slobodkin, L. (1944). The hundred dresses. New York: Harcourt, Brace and Co.