Bridge to Terabithia

Paterson, K. (1977). Bridge to Terabithia. New York: Crowell. Jess Aarons and Leslie Burke become best friends after Jess loses a race to Leslie. They create an imaginary kingdom across a river to escape their fears and bullying in school. They call name their kingdom Terabithia. Terabithia is a fantasyland that they imagine to be with full of imaginary creatures which they consider to be a tranquil world. One day, tragedy strikes Jess’s world. He received news that Leslie drowned trying to swing across the creek. He blames himself for her death until he realized how to honor Leslie’s memory. Paterson manages to deal with friendship, death and grief in young children. Tragedies may strike at any age and young kids need to be aware that it is okay to wallow in grief. Young readers that deal with peer pressure issues may connect with creating an imaginary world to escape their problem. Even though it may not have anything to do with Mexican culture, this book can be connected to El Día De Los Muertos. In the Mexican culture, they believe that grief and honoring a loved one’s memory leads to acceptance of death. Students may create a mural for a loved one they may have lost and share with the class. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sWQPFR0ytzU

Rules

Lord, C. (2008).Rules. NY: Scholastic. Twelve year old Catherine finds herself dealing with finding a place in the family that seems to be centered on coping with David's autistic needs for comfort and development. She detests David’s strict faithfulness of his rules, but makes new rules for him that are common sense for others. Catherine starts a friendship with Jason, the boy in the wheelchair at David’s therapy clinic, and tries to befriend Kristi, her new next-door neighbor. Catherine narrates her hopes of David being normal and figuring out how to be a good person and to be happy. At the end, Catherine realizes that acceptance of others is key. Lord doesn’t offer any resolution for a family dealing with autism. The complexities of a family relationship will drive readers to look inside and see what role they play in their family and that no family is normal. The insecurities that Catherine carried are typical of young readers and having a classroom discussion centered on this social issue or maybe journal their thoughts can help them express their feelings.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid

Kinney, J. (2007). Diary of a wimpy kid. New York: Amulet Books. Greg Heffley is a typical middle school where kid where most of the kids in his school have gone through puberty. He finds himself with typical teenage problems such as getting picked on for being twiggy, his older brother Rodrick picks on him, his little brother gets him in trouble, girls at school think he is a waste of time and uses Rowley, his best friend, to try to climb up the social ladder. So, what is a kid to do to let frustrations out, but journal his thoughts about the middle school world around him. Readers will be able to relate to Greg’s teenage problems and his illustrations will floor the reader with laughter. What teenager doesn’t want to know that there are others like them out there?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9DIx1VJRMs

Out of my mind

Draper, S. (2010). Out of my mind. NY: Atheneum. Melody is an intelligent 11 year old that is unable to express her thoughts and feelings with words because she has cerebral palsy. Through Melody’s dialogue, she describes herself as having a photographic memory and able to retain anything she learns, especially words. At school, she is treated as a student with a learning disability when in reality it is a physical handicap. Once Melody got the computer to allow her to speak what is really on her mind, she wanted to show people that she was smart rather than her thoughts trapped in her head. Draper fully describes the emotional issues that Melody and her parents have to endure because of her disability. The sense of guilt of having and raising a child with a handicap and Melody’s frustration of trying to reach and explain to others is fully portrayed in this story. This story should be read to students at a more mature level such as end of 4th and forward. This book is a great way to discuss how to respect and treat others regardless of physical or mental disability. Students can write a skit or role play to show how mistreating others feel.

Dear Mr. Henshaw

Cleary, B. (1983). Dear Mr. Henshaw. New York: Morrow. Leigh Botts is struggling with his parent’s divorce. Through the process, Leigh has found himself through journaling that was recommended by his favorite author Mr. Henshaw. His correspondence with Mr. Henshaw started in second grade. Through his correspondence, the reader gains understanding of other issues in Leigh’s life besides his parents’ divorce such as loneliness, hopes and insecurities, truck-driver father and supportive mother. Cleary never offers a solution through the letter writing, but allows Leigh to learn through his experiences and use of his writing. The immature nature in his responses to Mr. Henshaw and portrayal of his parents make it possible for readers to identify with each of them and the issues the family is going through. A letter writing lesson, free journaling, and dictionary use would correlate well with this book. The new age of technology has taken students away from expressing themselves through pen and paper.