Doll Bones, Black / Newbery Award

Title: Doll Bones
Author: Holly Black
Illustrator: Eliza Wheeler
Genre: Modern Fantasy 
Awards: Newbery Honor
Ages: 4th+

Summary:
Zach, Poppy, and Alice, are close friends who play make believe together in fantastical adventures of pirates, mermaids, thieves and queens. However, as they grow older the games become less frequent and the parents of the children encourage them to end their games of imagination. Until poppy begins to have vivid dreams about their doll, the Queen herself, who is haunted by a ghost who must be laid to rest. This sparks the three friends on a very real life quest to bury the doll in it's empty grave and end the nightmare once and for all. 

Illustrations:
The illustrations for this novel are rendered in pencil and create a sort of creepy feel. It is obvious the reader is intended to be on the edge of their seat when reading this mysterious and spooky novel. The art work is drab in color creating a feel of despair and the characters are all very thin and doll like. 

In the classroom: 
Students who may enjoy a more mature read would certainly adore this book. There is a level of uneasiness and spookiness to this novel which may attract boys to a book about a doll they could potentially overlook. The art and writing is superb and would let children explore a new genre of writing that may spark a love for novels. Personally, this seems like something I would have been very interested in because of my alternative tastes. It's important to cater to every interest for every type of student. 

Echo, Munoz Ryan / Audio Book

Title: Echo
Author: Pam Munoz Ryan
Illustrator: Dinara Mirtalipova
Genre: Modern Fantasy / Audio Book
Awards: Newbery Honor
Age: 3rd/4th+

Summary:
This book intertwines a magical fairytale story about a magical harmonica and fairy sisters into the lives of three children. Each with their solo stories about the magic harmonica influencing their lives and adventures until the three stories converge and a thrilling adventure awaits full of magic, mystery, and excitement.

Illustrations/Audio:
Reviews explain that this book with it's enchanting storytelling actually benefits greatly from being in audio book form. The music that is layered with the story creates a magical environment. It elevates the climate of the novel and pulls the reader in deeper to the world of the characters.

In the classroom: 
This is a book I could potentially see having the class listen to for fun or break time in class. Similar to the way my teacher would read a loud a chapter of a novel in class every day to expose us to a new novel. I believe the fantasy element of this novel is a refreshing modern take on an old traditional literature style fairytale. I think students would enjoy having it in the classroom, especially as an audio book so no one could say they don't like reading. They can simply listen to it as a class.

Last Stop on Market Street, De Le Pena & Robinson / Realistic Fiction

Title: Last Stop on Market Street
Author: Matt De La Pena
Illustrator: Christian Robinson
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Awards: Newbery Award, Caldecott Honor, Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book
Age: 1st-6th Grade

Summary:
A young boy and his grandmother leave church and board a bus. The young boy, CJ, is asking many questions to his grandmother who is continuously answering them patiently and politely. CJ and her meet an variety of characters on their bus ride and he learns to appreciate the lessons his grandmother teaches him. They arrive at a soup kitchen and CJ tells his grandmother that despite all he's complained about he is glad they came.

Illustrations:
The art of this book is a distinct style, almost like cut outs of paper. It is beautifully done with vibrant color. Robinson stays true to the form and style of the story's gritty city feel by illustrating so much personality into each character on the page.

In the classroom: 
This book tells a lovely tale of a young boy and his questions about his life and the life of the city around him. His grandmother's polite lessons shape his view and would benefit any student reader. The moving message of this book would be an asset to any classroom.

ABC3D, Bataille / Pop-Up Book

Title: ABC3D
Author/ Illustrator: Marion Bataille
Genre: Alphabet Book / Pop-Up Book
Awards: 2009 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year
Age: Pre-K-2nd Grade

Summary:
A very artistic and interesting alphabet book. The pages transform from letter to letter.

Illustrations:
This book is a complex and artistic pop up book that takes alphabet books to the next level. The images of these letters are done in unique ways on every page.

In the classroom: 
I imagine this book would captivate readers of all ages even beyond the intended years for alphabet books. The art of it is visually stimulating and very impressive for a simple alphabet pop up book.

Jellaby, Soo / Graphic Novel

Title: Jellaby, Volume 1
Author/Illustrator: Kean Soo
Genre: Modern Fantasy / Graphic Novel
Awards: Shuster Award for Best Comic
Age: 2nd-8th Grade

Summary: 
This is the story of Portia, a young girl, who just moved to a new house in a new neighborhood. She is quiet and lonely living with her mother after her father disappears. During an adventure through the woods she stumbles upon a large purple monster who quickly becomes a loyal friend. Portia's life becomes immensely more exciting and Jellaby sparks a series of adventures that may lead to answers about her father and other family secrets.

Illustrations:
The cute, colorful, and lively illustrations are my personal favorite part of this novel. Kean Soo does a wonderful job bringing life to every character, especially Jellaby. The immense detail on every page and in every scene completely illuminates Portia's neighborhood and life.

In the classroom:
For a student who believes they don't love reading, I can see a graphic novel by Kean Soo completely changing that. Jellaby is a fun and wonderful adventure story that keeps the readers interested at every turn. Mysterious adventure abound in these volumes about Jellaby and Portia.

In the Small, Small Pond, Fleming / Caldecott

Title: In the Small, Small Pond

Author/Illustrator: Denise Fleming

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Awards: Caldecott Medal

Age: K-3rd Grade

Summary: 

This book shows a little boy following the frog's eye view of a small pond. He follows the different animals and the sounds they make as they live and play in the pond. 

Illustrations:

The images in this book are full of vibrant color. They illustrate how lively the animals and environment of the pond can be. 

In the classroom:

This book is a lovely book for a younger range of students with it's simple repetitive language and lively color scheme. Young readers will be drawn to this book and the various animals it has for them to explore. 

Finding Winnie, Mattick & Blackall / Caldecott

Title: Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World's Most Famous Bear
Author: Lindsay Mattick
Illustrator: Sophie Blackall
Genre: Non Fiction
Awards: Caldecott Medal
Age: 2nd-5th Grade

Summary: 
The retelling of the true story of the 1914's Harry Colbourn's rescue of a bear cub while tending to horses in World War I by his real great granddaughter. The veterinarian names the bear 'Winnie' after his hometown of Winnipeg and takes the bear wherever he goes. This story followed the pair on their journey through war, over the ocean to England, and eventually to the London zoo where Winnie meets a young boy by the name of Christopher Robin.

Illustrations:
This book is unique because not only does it have lovely watercolor/drawing illustrations, but it also contains actual photographs of Mattick's grandfather and his bear, Winnie. They are beautiful landscapes, portraits, and images of the war and London of the time.

In the classroom:
This would be a wonderful book to have in the classroom so a student could experience a fiction book that is based in nonfiction. It is a very unique way of storytelling that captures the reader and educates as well as entertains.

The Adventures of Beekle, Santat / Caldecott

Title: The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend
Author/ Illustrator: Dan Santat
Genre: Fiction
Awards: Caldecott Medal
Age: K-3rd Grade

Summary:
Beekle is a lonely imaginary friend who resides on the island of imaginary friends. He waits day in and day out for a child to imagine him and when nobody does he sets out to find a friend himself. Beekle goes on a compelling journey over land and sea, meeting many friends and seeing many sights, before landing in the big city. Here, he meets a young girl who helps him, names him, and befriends him once and for all.

Illustrations:
The illustrations in this book are very compelling and add a wonderful element to the story. They follow Beekle from the colorful and magical world of the imaginary friends to the darker grey stark colors of the city. We see lots of detail to texture and color in Beekle's world and the warmth of his friendships through the images.

In the classroom: 
I adore the story of Beekle. I would love to have this book on my shelf in my classroom for entertainment purposes. Although this story would also be a wonderful addition to a student's library because of it's whimsical message on friendship. Students of all ages could rally behind Beekle and experience his joy in making friends. Everyone wants to have friends.