Friends who are mean, change, and moving are probably not anyone’s favorite subjects. But when these themes are found in stories, they make for great picks for storytime—providing drama and growth for young readers. The following titles selected by the editors at Junior Library Guild focus on friendship, and include lessons that all readers can learn.
On an exciting note, this column’s accompanying online resource, JLG’s Booktalks to Go LiveBinder, recently won a spot in Livebinder’s Top 10. You’ll see it on their featured shelf with the award-winning logo for 2014. Thanks to everyone who voted and spread the word about these online resources.
KIM, Patti. Here I Am. illus. by Sonia Sanchez. Capstone. 2014. ISBN 9781404882997. JLG Level: CE: City Elementary (Grades 2–6).
New to his country, every letter the young boy sees is a puzzle. What do the signs say? He missed his homeland; his only reminder is a small red seed. A neighbor-girl finds the precious memory when he drops it from his window. He must get it back, so her runs after her. In the midst of wandering around the city, he takes time to really see where he lives. He forgets his troubles and smiles―and even laughs.
Wordless and a graphic novel, this work’s themes of change, acceptance, and friendship blend well together and are showcased by Sanchez’s soft illustrations. A letter to readers explains the author’s inspiration―her own coming-to-America story. The publisher’s page provides links to similar titles. In addition to using the book in a unit or storytime on friends, it can easily be used to discuss empathy for second language learners or cultural tolerance. I’ve included several websites and lesson plans in the LiveBinder. The Newsla link, Chinese Guest Teachers Help U.S. Students Learn Their Language and Culture, is an article that can be read at five different Lexile levels by merely clicking a number. At the site, current news articles for kids in fourth grade and up have been added to their database. In many cases, a quiz is also available. If you are looking for free Lexiled informational text for your students, don’t miss this site.
PORTIS, Antoinette. Froodle. Roaring Brook/Neal Porter Bks. 2014. ISBN 9781596439221. JLG Level: PK : Pre-Kindergarten (Grades PreS-PreK).
“All year long, the dogs went Woof. The cats went Meow and the birds in the neighborhood went cah coo chip peep. When out of the blue Little Brown Bird decided she wanted to say something new, Crow was not amused. Then everyone else joined in the fun of inventing new sounds. Crow’s feelings got hurt, and he flew away. How can his friends make up with him without changing their newfound fun?
Change is often hard among friends. Portis’s new picture book superbly handles the fragility of feelings while exploring the joys of new ideas. It’s a really fun read aloud too. In addition to exploring her other books on the author’s website, you’ll find a book trailer on the publisher’s site. You could pair this title with the Wonderopolis lesson, Can Parrots Really Talk? or visit The Cornell Lab of Ornithology where you can listen to and watch videos of all sorts of birds.
UNDERWOOD, Deborah. Bad Bye, Good Bye. illus. by Jonathan Bean. Houghton Harcourt. 2014. ISBN 9780547928524. JLG Level: K : Kindergarten (Grades PreK–K).
Moving is a lot of work. It also causes a lot of change. A little boy is sad to leave his friend as they drive across country to their new home. Everything seems bad. Once they arrive, can he find the good in all the new?
With rhyming sparse text, readers, especially those who have moved, will sympathize with the boy. You can read about the author and illustrator on their websites. You can follow Bean on Facebook. Elizabeth Bird recently featured Underwood for her blog, Fuse 8. You’ll find more links to interviews.
WELLS, Rosemary. Stella’s Starliner. Candlewick. 2014. ISBN 9780763614959. JLG Level: P+ : Primary (Grades K–1).
Stella lives in a silver motor home called Starliner. There’s room for sleeping and for playing. The sofa turns into a bed when you touch the button. She loves it for it has everything she needs. One day a pack of weasels says that her silver home looks like a tin can. They said she must be poor. Their mean words stung Stella as surely as a bee stings your finger. Late in the night in what felt like a dream, the Starliner sails through sky. In the morning, the little bunny finds herself with new friends who also have plenty to say about her home. Perhaps this time it will be different?
Prolific author Wells has a website that’s as enchanting as her books. Be sure to look for lesson plans to previously published works and activities for your patrons. Included on the publisher’s website is an explanation of the author’s inspiration for the book. Kids may enjoy reading about the history of Airstreams on the manufacturer’s website. As Stella’s unease stems from bullying, pair this selection with the Wonderopolis lesson, Are All Bullies Big?
Additional Resources
Check out our award-winning LiveBinder which organizes all of the above resources. All websites are posted within the LiveBinder, along with the accompanying booktalk. As I write more columns, more books and their resources are added. Simply go to JLG Booktalks to Go where you will see the LiveBinder main tabs. Each tab is a book title. Under each color-coded tab are gray subtabs with links to media, websites, and other related documents. Everything you need to teach or share brand new, hot-off-the-press books is now all in one place. Booktalks and resources are also included on JLG’s BTG Pinterest board.
For library resources, tips, and ideas, please visit JLG’s Shelf Life Blog.
Junior Library Guild (JLG) is a collection development service that helps school and public libraries acquire the best new children’s and young adult books. Season after season, year after year, Junior Library Guild book selections go on to win awards, collect starred or favorable reviews, and earn industry honors. Visit us at www.JuniorLibraryGuild.com. (NOTE: JLG is owned by Media Source, Inc., SLJ’s parent company.)