Annotated Book List
Adler, D. A. (1999). The babe & I. New York: Harcourt Brace.
A boy helps his family make ends meet during the depression by selling newspapers in New York. One day he is surprised to catch the attention of one special Yankees player, Babe Ruth.
Asch, F. (2004). Monsieur Saguette and His Baguette. Tonawanda, NY: Kids Can Press.
Monsieur Saguette purchases a loaf of bread for his lunch and on his way home encounters various situations where others need his help. The favor is returned when Monsieur Saguette runs into his own problems.
Bedard, M. (1992). Emily. New York: Bantam.
A young girl and her mother pay a visit to their neighbor Emily Dickenson, who stays in her house writing poems, and the girl and Emily exchange gifts for each other and brighten each others' days.
Friedman, L. (2006). Love, Ruby Valentine. Minneapolis: Lerner.
Ruby Valentine sleeps through her favorite day of the year, but doesn't let her hard work and preparation go to waste as she realizes that any day is a great day to care for people and let them know you love them.
Keller, H. (2007). Help! A Story of Friendship. New York: Harper Collins.
Rumors circulate that snakes do not like mice. Mouse avoids his friend Snake, but soon finds himself in need of help, and Snake may be the only one who can help out.
Lobel, A. (1970). Frog and Toad Are Friends. New York: Harper Collins.
Frog and Toad spend their days together, as friends with very different personalities. The short stories show Frog and Toad helping each other out, cheering each other up, going on adventures and solving problems.
Stewart, S. (2004). The Friend. New York : Farrar Straus Giroux.
Belle's mom and dad are much too busy to spend much time with her. But Belle finds a friend in Bea, the housekeeper who indulges in Belle's wishes, taking her to the beach after work each day.
Stewart, S. (1997). The gardener. New York : Farrar Straus Giroux.
When her Father loses his job, Lydia Grace must go and live with her Uncle Jim in the city. She takes her love of gardening and beautiful things with her, making friends and earning the title of 'the gardener.'
Wheeler, L. (2006). Old Cricket. New York: Simon & Schuster.
The old cricket doesn't feel like helping his wife or his neighbors and finds excuses to avoid work. As he selfishly sets about his day, he encounters an old crow who sets him straight.
Books used for literature circles.
Adler, D. (2000). A picture book of Sacagawea. New York : Holiday House.
A biography of Native American Sacagawea, a Shoshone woman who guided and interpreted for the Lewis and Clark expedition.
Brown, D. (2004). Odd Boy Out : Young Albert Einstein . Boston : Houghton Mifflin.
A biography of German/Jewish scientist Albert Einstein. The focus is on Albert as an odd boy other people don't understand.
Rappaport, D. (2001). Martin's Big Words : The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. New York : Hyperion Books for Children.
A biography of Martin Luther King, Jr. emphasizing his use of words and peace rather than violence.
Turner, A. (2001). Abe Lincoln remembers. New York : Harper Collins.
Before attending the theater with his wife, Abraham Lincoln reflects on the course of his life.
