The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane

Written by: Kate DiCamillo

This story is another adventure novel about a china bunny doll named Edward Tulane that gets stuck in different situations. This journey changes him and he eventually has a change of heart and learns what is important in life. This book would be in the class for very advanced readers to read.

Be sure to check out Kate DiCamillo's incredible website: edwardtulane.com!

http://www.edwardtulane.com/

The Outsiders

Written by: S.E. Hinton

I can still remember absolutely loving reading this when I was in grade school! As a student that hated to read, this should be a great sign for teachers who are trying to find a book that their students would enjoy.

Looking for Alaska

Written by: John Green

Miles, also known as 'Pudge', Halter is tired of his monotonous home life. He feels that his entire life has been extremely uneventful. Fascinated by last words, Pudge heads off to a new start at Culver Creek Boarding School. His life quickly becomes the opposite of what it once was. Down the hall is a girl named Alaska Young who changes his life. He falls head over heels for her. Quickly Alaksa pulls pudge into the Great Perhaps and wins him over.

"After. Nothing is ever the same."

This is not a story I would read with my class, but would be something I would recommend to my students if I was teaching at a high school level.



Awards :
Winner, 2006 Michael L. Printz Award
Finalist, 2005 Los Angeles Times Book Prize
2006 Top 10 Best Book for Young Adults
2006 Teens’ Top 10 Award
2006 Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers
A New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age
A Booklist Editor’s Choice Pick
Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers Selection
Borders Original Voices Selection

Mockingbird

Written by: Katheryn Erskine

This motivational story is one about a girl named Caitlin who has Asperger's. She sees the world in one way and is confused if they are not completely in order. Whenever she ran into confusion she turned to her older brother, Devon, for guidance. However, Devon was tragically killed in a school shooting and Caitlin is left with her distraught father who is no help. Cailtin wants everything to go back to the way it was before, but she does not know how. In her adventure she learns about closure, and realizes this is what she needs to move on. The story of Caitlin's journey is moving and powerful. It can be helpful for students to read in order to learn acceptance with all people's differences. 

Awarded: National Book Award 

Walk Two Moons

Written by: Sharon Creech 

Sharon Creech received the Newbery Medal for this story of human connection, loss, and human emotion. It is about a thirteen year old named Salamanca Tree Hiddle who travels from Ohio to Idaho with her grandparents. She is proud of her country roots and the Indian aspect of her past. As Sal tells her grandparents the stories of her intriguing friend Phoebe, her own story starts to develop. She begins to wish that she could be reunited with her missing mother. 

This book follows the Common Core Standards, which are typically similar among all states.

Scholastic has an incredible lesson plan guide for a sixth grade lesson on Walk Two Moons. The link is provided below!

http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/lesson-plan/walk-two-moons-lesson-plan

Holes

Written by: Louis Sachar 

At the beginning of this book the main character Stanley Yelnats is given the choice of going to jail or attending Camp Green Lake. He goes with the latter choice with the reasoning, "I have never been to camp before." However, after this camp experience Stanley will quickly realize this is not the kind of camp he thought it would be. Camp Green Lake is a place that once was the largest lake in Texas, but is now deserted. The boys at camp are required to dig holes as deep as their shovels are tall. They are digging these holes because the warden is looking for something. This story is a story of how a boy is falsely convicted and sent to a camp that treats the boys very unfairly. 

The themes that are intwined in this book are what make it so useful in the classroom. 

1. The Power of Fate to Determine Events
2. The Benefits of Friendship
3. The Destructive Nature of Cruelty
4. The Importance of History in Everyday Life

If I were to teach this book I would lead discussions based on each of those four themes. 

Here is the trailer for the movie!

Because of Winn-Dixie

Written by: Kate DiCamillo

The story Because of Winn-Dixie is an adventure about a girl named Opal and an ugly but humorous dog she finds in the local supermarket of her new town in Naomi, Florida. When she hears the owner of the store talk of sending the dog to the pound due to his reckless actions, Opal steps in and claims the dog in order to save him. Little did she know her new dog, named Winn-Dixie after the name of the store, would become the window for new friendships and help her learn forgiveness in her life.

            Although Winn-Dixie is a dog, he has very humanistic characteristics. Opal even believes he has the ability to smile at people. Because of this, Winn-Dixie seems to be making friends much easier than Opal. There are people her age that Opal does not seem to get along with. The girl her age named Amanda comes off as rude and inconsiderate and the twin boys, Stevie and Dunlap, only make fun of her. Opal then begins to seek friendship from people from all walks of life because of her dog.

The first person she befriends is librarian who spends much of her time telling Opal and Winn-Dixie crazy stories of her childhood. Opal then chases Winn-Dixie to the yard of a nearly blind but heartfelt woman named Gloria Dump. At Gloria’s house, Opal learns many life lessons with Winn-Dixie at her side. Opal also becomes friend with six-year-old Sweetie Pie who is truly interested in Opal because of her charismatic dog, but who can blame her. Furthermore, in order to pay for a collar for Winn-Dixie, Opal is working in the pet shop nearby where she becomes friends with an ex convict Otis. In the end of the story Opal and Gloria Dump decide to host a part and invite all of their friends including those that are Opals age. This party changes Opal’s perception and she learns that she must be a friend in order to have a friend.

            Opal’s home life is unlike many children her age. Her mother ran away when she was too young to remember her, and her father is the town preacher to everyone including Opal; Opal even refers to her father as the preacher rather than dad. Opal constantly is asking questions about her mother who she has no memory of in order to discover who she is. By the end of the story Winn-Dixie helps Opal move forward and learn to forgive her mother for leaving.

            An amazing part about this story is how Winn-Dixie is able to teach Opal lessons without ever saying anything. Winn-Dixie’s carefree and loving personality was contagious and taught Opal to live life happily by making friends with everyone and letting go of things she cannot change.