Christine Carberry
Books I Read Spring 2009
Introduction: My name is Christine Carberry. I am married to my husband Joey and we have a 3 year old boy,
Christopher Blaze and another boy due in July. I am a special education major and just finished my internship at
Bucking Exceptional Student Center. I am originally from Brooklyn where I was a substitute Para professional for
2 years. Reading is very difficult for me to do so I tried to choose books that would catch my interest. When the
semester began I learned we had to read 30 books I thought no way am I going to do it. Once I realized that some
of the books are children’s books it put my mind at ease and I began to feel like I can actually do it.
Reflection: Reading was new for me. I read to my son every night and sometimes all day depending what he wants
so the children’s books were easy. It was finding time to read the others that got to be a little difficult. I was
mostly surprised that I have completed it before it is actually due. I like to do things at the last minute so for me
to be done with it and not sitting up reading 30 books the night before it is due is truly amazing. I have many
favorites on the list so I will chose one from each I think. Predators is just a great popup book that should be in
every classroom. The Hare Who Got Married is funny to me because I just got married last year. Locomotion was
a very interesting way of writing poetry and made me appreciate it more. Towards the end I enjoyed I think every
book that I read. It also depended on the topic I was reading about and what book I chose. There were a few
where I was in the middle and thought “ugh do I have to finish this?” I did but will certainly not use them in my
classroom. It is hard to say what I will do in the future with books because I plan on working with profound
students. I am not saying that they won’t enjoy books but for the most part we will not get passed picture books,
which is fine by me.
Title, Author, Copyright
Genre, Pages
Theme &
Awards
Summary
Personal Response to the Book
Classroom Use
Picture Books (5) 2 primary general, 2 use with MS Sec., 1 Sci or SS focus
Predators, Lucio &
Meera Santoro,
2008, Science
Picture Book, 12
pages
Animals A pop- up book that brings the
reader up close and personal
with some of the most
dangerous predators on the
planet.
I love the book Predators and so
does my 3 year old son. It does
have to be watched when
younger children are looking at
it. I also bought it for my
friend’s 6 year old nephew who
brought it in for show and tell.
The most interesting thing I
learned in this book was that
the Plover bird is welcomed
inside a crocodile’s mouth to eat
parasites and leeches from its
teeth.
I do not care what
grades I teach I will
most certainly have this
book in my classroom
library. It is just a very
interesting book that I
think any age can
appreciate. As I said in
my response I would
watch younger children
with it because the parts
are easily torn out of it
just like any other pop up
book.
Mr. Pusskins & Little Whiskers, Sam Lloyd, 2007,
Primary Picture
Book, 32
Pages
Animals
,
Friends
hip
Featur
ed on
NPR’s
Mr. Pusskins & Little Whiskers, is a sequel to the NY Times
Best seller, Mr. Pusskins: A Love Story. This story is about a cat
with an attitude whose owner
thinks he needs a friend so she
brings home a new kitten. Well
I love the pictures in this book.
They are so colorful and the
characters have the best facial
expressions. You can really see
how they feel. I brought a new
kitten home to my two older
kittens and this book perfectly
describes how I think one of
I will use the book using
the themes of friendship
and siblings. When
students are in younger
grades their parents may
be having more children,
which may cause the
children to act out. This
Weeke
nd
Edition
the new kitten destroys
everything and Mr. Pusskins
gets blamed. Mr. Pusskins gets
put out of the house and Little
Whiskers realizes what she had
done and shows the owner Emily
that it was all her fault. They
all lived happily together in the
end
them felt. book explains to children
that it is new and
different in the
beginning but shows that
everyone will get along in
the end. I think if a
teacher were to have a
student write something
about this book and a
new sibling was
happening in their life
they could relate it.
Who’s in the Bathroom, Jeanne
Willis, Illustrated
by Adrian
Reynolds, 2006,
Primary Picture
Book, 32 Pages
Animals,
Humor This is just a funny story about
two children standing on a long
line waiting for the bathroom.
While on the line they are
imagining who it could be. From
“an elephant having a poo” to a
“pig who is washing his briefs in
the sink.”
My son and I love this book.
Even as I was writing those
quotes I was finishing the next
line. We laugh every time we
read it and each time we get to
the end we just can’t wait to see
who it is.
This is a good book that
should be placed in a
classroom library just
for some humor in the
class. It doesn’t have
much meaning to it but I
guess if you reach it can
be used to strengthen
imagination.
Duck for President, Doreen
Cronin, Betsy
Lewin 2004,
Picture Book, 40
pages
Animals
,
Humor,
Politics
New
York
Times
#1
bestsel
ler
Duck for President is about a
duck on a farm who is tired of
doing his chores and tries to
get voted in as farmer. When
he realizes this is also hard he
runs for governor, then on to
president. When he makes it all
the way to the top he sees and
ad in the paper and realizes he
just wants to be a duck on a
farm again.
The book is a little long for me
but I read it in two parts to a
1st grade class while they were
holding a mock election. They
really enjoyed it and I think it
helped them to understand
elections in a fun way.
This book would be great
for older students as
well. Many schools hold a
mock election for their
students and this is a
way to introduce that.
Lightship, Brian
Floca, 2007,
Picture Book, 48
pages
Lightship talks about the job a
lightship has and the different
jobs the crew on the ship has.
This was not my favorite book I
have ever read. I think though
if I had read this or had it read
to me as a child I would
understand the ships I would
see every day in the harbor. I
lived in Brooklyn for most of my
life and this would have
explained so much.
This is a nice picture
book for older students
because it has many
details. If I saw this in
a library I would
probably pick it up just
because I would be
curious. It also could be
used in a project
because it does have
information that is
truthful but also has a
story to make it
interesting.
Traditional Literature (5) 1 Folk Tale, 1 Fable, 1 Myth, 1 Epic, 1 Multicultural Cinderella
The Hare Who Got Married, Fable
This is a Norwegian fable about
a fox and a rabbit. The rabbit
is happy because he got married
but not really because she’s old
and ugly so the fox says he’s
sorry. The rabbit says it’s ok
because she bought me a house.
The fox said that’s great. The
rabbit then said no the house
burned down. Again the fox
said he was sorry. The rabbit
said it’s ok because my wife was
in it.
I read this and it just made me
laugh right away. I know it is
short but it was very funny. I
feel like something was lost in
translation but it still turned
out to be a surprise ending.
This would not be good in
a classroom but it was
the first time that I
read this. Maybe in an
older classroom where
students would laugh at
it but still it is not very
nice.
Rip Van Winkle,
Adapted by Pegeen
Hopkins, 1998,
Folktale, 19 pages
The story is about a friendly
young man who was out for a
walk one day when he ran into a
group of men. He had a few
drinks with them and felt tired
so he closed his eyes under the
tree and fell asleep. He slept
for 20 years. When he woke he
I have heard parts of this story
ever since I was a little girl but
I never actually had read the
story. I love this story because
I have a house in the New York
Catskill Mountains. Everyone
always said that Rip Van Winkle
fell asleep in our little town.
This is a story of wisdom
for older students to
remind them to take
things slow so you don’t
miss out on anything. It
is a sweet story that I
think has been and will
continue to be told for
didn’t know he had slept for
that long.
generations in upstate
New York.
Yen Shen: A Cinderella Story from China, Ai-
Ling Louie, 1996,
32 pages
Multicu
ltural
Cindere
lla
story
The story is about a young
Chinese girl that overcomes her
stepmother and stepsisters
evilness in order to marry the
prince.
My friend introduced me to this
book. While I think it was long
it was beautifully illustrated and
had a good story.
This is an excellent story
to put in a classroom
library. I would love to
put different versions of
this story in my
classroom to show the
students that it is a
story known all around
the world not just a
Disney movie and
character.
The Judgment of Paris, Myth
Myth This myth is about a family who
gives away their son to be killed
but the man that was supposed
to kill him kept him in secret to
raise on his own. The man was
then to choose from 3 women
and he chose Aphrodite the
goddess of love who promised
The first thing that drew me to
this story was the name Priam.
I have a friend who named her
son that and always wondered
where it came from, I guess I
found it.
This tells students to
make sure they are
making the right
decisions. It is a short
story with a lot of
meaning. The names
could even be changed
and somewhat of the
him love with the most beautiful
woman. She kept her promise
but the woman was married to a
very powerful man which began
the Trojan Wars.
story to bring it into
modern times to interest
the students even more.
The book of Job,
Epic,
Epic The book of Job is about a
prosperous pious man. Satan
comes to God and says that Job
is only pious because he is
prosperous, God disagrees.
Satan makes a bet with God
that he could get Job to curse
him. God agrees. They take
everything away from him and
Job still does not curse God.
Job gets everything back
tenfold.
I have always heard this story
mentioned at the bar/bat
mitzvahs that I have been to
but never actually read the
story. It is a good story with a
happy ending which are always
my favorite.
This is a religious story
but it is one that can be
changed to be used in a
classroom. It is a good
story that has many good
points in it. If it is
changed it can be used in
a school setting.
Modern Fantasy: (3) (1 primary, 1 intermediate, 1 upper)
Alphabet Under Construction,
Denise Fleming,
2006, 32 pages
This book is about a character
of a mouse that is continued
from another one of this
author’s book. The Mouse
creates the alphabet in a very
artistic colorful way when it is
completed he relaxes in the
I took my son with me to the
library and this is the book that
he picked out. It is a very cute
book with wonderful
illustrations. My son loves
anything to do with the alphabet
so this was his favorite choice
I don’t think I would
actually use this book to
read for the alphabet
but rather use the pages
for the students to learn
the alphabet. Now that
I am thinking of it I
end. for the day. We read it 6
times!
could have the students
construct a classroom
alphabet for the bulletin
board using different
types of materials.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,
Roald Dahl, 2007,
176 pages
Five Children win their way into
Willy Wonka’s Chocolate
Factory. Each child has a very
different experience
throughout their tour in the
factory. Each child has a
situation in each of the strange
rooms that make up the
factory. From a golden goose to
a candy room that holds a whole
meal in one piece this is a fun
story for any age.
I have to tell the truth and say
that I have never read the book
only seen the movies. The book
was good but for someone who
doesn’t have much of an
imagination all I kept doing was
picturing the movie in my head.
I guess it helped me enjoy the
book because I had the movie to
play in my head while reading.
I am not too sure what I
would do with this book
in a classroom but I
loved when I was able to
read a book and then see
the movie after. It
always made me
appreciate the book
more and I am sure it
still does for students
today.
Tithe, Holly Black,
2004, 336 pages
Modern
Fantasy The book is about a 16 year old
girl named Kaye who has
dropped out of high school at 14
to follow her mother’s “music
career.” Her mother’s fiancé
tries to kill Kaye one night so
I hate the idea that all faeries
are angelic, pretty, little, women
with wings. That's ridiculous.
Faeries come in all shapes and
sizes, and some are beautiful
and some are terrifying. The
While this book is
modern fantasy and not
really school appropriate
I think students would
enjoy it. I hated the
books that were chosen
they move back to NJ. She
finds her old friends and
realizes that she is a faerie or
changeling.
characters are interesting.
There is smoking, drinking,
implied sex scenes... Finally a
book for teens that is really for
teens.
for me to read in school.
For this book I would
probably have them read
it and then do a fun
assignment such as
creating their own
fantasy world or making
a diorama of their
favorite scene. Poetry Books (3) (1 primary, 1 intermediate, 1 upper)
Put Your Eyes Up Here: and other school poems, Kalli
Dakos, 2006, 68
pages
As you can see by the title this
is a poetry book about school.
It has many different poems
with different characters that
a teacher can use throughout
the year.
I had a book like this when I
was younger expect that it was
funny little love poems. This is
always a good thing to have
around a classroom.
This book is just a great
resource to use. I think
if students enter you
classroom and see silly
poems it will make them
feel at ease and more
comfortable with you the
new teacher. These
poems can be used
throughout the year and
can show the students
that teacher’s can also
have a sense of humor
about school.
Locomotion, The story about an African I am not quite sure why I picked This is an excellent way
Jacqueline
Woodson, 2004,
112 pages
American boy is written in all
poems. He tells about his life
and how he lost his parents in a
fire and how he hasn’t seen his
younger sister. A teacher
encourages him to write down
his thoughts and this is the
product.
this book up, maybe because it
was poetry but not actual poems
that I need to analyze to
understand. I love that the
writings were written in first
person and as a child was writing
them. I really was able to
imagine this little boy telling the
story.
to show children that
there are others ways to
write and enjoy poetry.
I would use this book in
an upper elementary or
middle school classroom.
This is a way for
students to relate things
that may be going on in
their life to someone in a
story. I would have
students create their
own book/journal while
reading this book.
Poetry Matters: Writing a poem from the inside out, Ralph
Fletcher, 2002,
160 pages
This is not a book to show
students how to analyze a poem
but rather to write one. The
book breaks up poems into
different sections depending on
what type of poem you are
trying to write. It also has
interviews with poets and ideas
for poems.
I have to tell the truth and say
that I didn’t read through the
entire thing because poetry is
really not my favorite unless it
rhymes and is easy to
understand. I do feel though
that if I had an assignment to
write a poem that this is
definitely a book that I would
use.
This is a must have in a
teacher’s classroom
library. Poetry comes up
in every grade, the level
of difficulty is the only
difference. If this book
was available to students
in the classroom it would
help them complete some
poetry assignments such
as the one mentioned
above. I also think that
if students had this book
available they would be
able to look at it and
understand the difficult
poetry a little more.
Realistic Fiction: (4) (1 primary, 2 intermediate, 1 upper)
The New Puppy,
Kathleen N. Daly,
1969, 22 pages
The New Puppy is exactly what
the title says. A boy gets a new
puppy and has to teach the
puppy to be trained, how and
what to feed him and how to
love and take care of him.
I think this book is very
interesting and can teach a child
what do to when getting a new
pet, well a new puppy that is.
Sorry the picture is so blurry
and with a price tag on it but I
had to take it with my phone
because I can’t find a picture
online.
This is a wonderful way
to teach children
responsibility. I feel
that this is the age
where children usually
start to ask for a dog
(well at least I did) if
they do not have one
already. If a parent
were to inform the
teacher this story could
be used in class. I also
think it could be used
for a new class pet.
The Secret Garden, Frances
Hodgson Burnett,
368 pages
Mary Lennox, a problem orphan
was sent to live with her uncle’s
in England with whom she’s
never met. While living there
with her spoiled cousin she
finds an abandoned garden.
While trying to fix the garden
she becomes more manageable
and also cures her cousin of
being spoiled.
This book says that it is for
children ages 9-12. I am not too
sure I agree with the 9 part
just because it is so long but it
is a very good book. I guess the
9 would be ok if you take a
break and then watch the part
of the movie and then read and
watch more of the movie.
Actually that is a pretty good
idea and I wish I would have
thought of that.
For in the classroom, I
guess if your school
needs some fixing up
that would be a cute
project to do while or
after reading this.
Other than that I just
think it is a classic and
something that should be
read.
Freckle Juice,
Judy Blume, 48
pages
Little Andrew wants freckles
desperately. He sits behind his
classmate Nicky who has them
and has even counted 86 on the
back of his neck. A little girl
here’s Andrew ask Nicky where
he got his freckles so she tells
him that she will sell him her
recipe. There are some
problems but he does get some
“freckles” and then isn’t too
sure he wants them.
I cannot lie I have read this
book before but haven’t read it
since about the 4th grade. I saw
it in the library and just had to
take it and read it again. It was
still funny to me at 24 years old
and would read it again and
again!
This book is just a
fantastic read and a
good confidence booster.
Especially if you have a
student that you notice
is self conscience about
his/her freckles. I
remember how badly I
wanted braces because
everyone else was
getting them. Of course
now I realize that I love
my straight teeth!
Those Shoes,
Maribeth Boelts,
2007, 40 pages
All Jeremy wants is a pair of
black sneakers, with white
stripes on them. Why? Because
everyone else is wearing them.
His grandma explains that he
may want those but he needs
warm boots for the winter.
Jeremy doesn’t care and will do
anything, even wearing a pair
that is too small. But after
they give him blisters he
realizes maybe his grandma was
right.
This is another book like
Freckle Juice. Even though
these aren’t classics I think
they give children a good
message. I think these books
should be read by students
especially now when 4th graders
are asking for cell phones and
ipods.
I think this is a great
story to read around
Christmas time. Children
need to understand that
they might not get
everything they want. I
would use this and then
have the students do a
clothing drive of some
sort.
Historical Fiction (4) (1 primary, 1 intermediate, 2 upper)
The Scarlet Stockings Spy,
Trinka Hakes
Noble, 48 pages,
Sleeping Bear
Press, 2004
Historical
Ficiton
Maddy Rose who is living in
1777 Philadelphia during the
Revolutionary War is a spy for
Washington’s army. She is
speaking to her soldier
brother using a special code.
This book has the most
beautiful illustrations
which is what drew me to it
in the beginning. I think
the students would be able
to connect because the
illustrations are so life like.
It was a good story and I
think students would really
enjoy it.
I would probably do
something fun with
this book after we
have read it. Maybe
put on a play or do a
reader’s theater
with students
dressing up in
costume.
The Door in the Wall, Marguerite
De Angeli, 120
pages, Random
House Children’s
Books, 1998
Historical
Fiction
Newberry
Medal
Robin is the son of a nobleman,
a knight, whose world is turned
upside down when he becomes
ill and looses the use in his
legs.
I am not quite sure why
this book is used for school
use. I think as a student in
an elementary classroom I
would be bored and loose
complete interest. I chose
it because in Barnes and
Noble it is considered
historical fiction and
children with special needs.
I guess because the
character has to find
other ways to do things yes
but it was not what I
expected at all.
There are many
lesson plans and
ideas for this book
but I don’t honestly
think I would use it
in a classroom. The
vocabulary is
confusing and
students would have
to be looking in the
dictionary all of the
time.
Escaping into the Night, D. Dina
Friedman, 208
AJL
Sydney
Taylor
A girl named Halina has to
escape her polish town when it
is invaded by Nazi’s. Her
This book was very
informative. I like the
fact that it was loosely
I think this book
can be used in a
classroom no
pages, Simon &
Schuster
Publishing, 2006
Book
Award
Notable
Book
CBC/NC
SS
Notable
Social
Studies
Trade
Book
mother is killed and she
escapes through an
underground tunnel with her
mother’s boyfriend.
based on real events but
still fiction. It is a
different side to the
regular books about the
Holocaust that I have
read. The underground is
something I had never
heard of before and I hope
it is as interesting to my
students as it was to me.
younger than 6th
grade. I think the
Holocaust is a very
deep subject and
students should be
able to appreciate
it. I would have
students research
the underground
cities more in depth
and make a diorama
of one. This could
be done in a group
or individual.
The Other Boleyn Girl, Philippa
Gregory, 672
pages, Simon &
Schuster, 2004
Historical
Fiction
This story is based on the
story of Henry the VIII and
Anne Boleyn, but not what you
think. It is about her sister
Mary who caught his eye after
Anne had failed. Mary never
married Henry; she was his
mistress while married to the
Queen of Spain.
I admit I saw the movie
first but enjoyed it so
much (each time I watched
it) that I had to read the
book. Obviously this book
is for upper high school
grades and would still I am
sure require parent
permission. While it is long
I think if we were to watch
There are so many
ideas that could be
done because of the
amazing history of
the Tudor family,
especially Henry
VIII. If the
teacher makes it
fun enough this is a
very interesting
the movie while reading it
the students wouldn’t even
notice how long it is.
topic especially at
the high school age
where students have
boyfriends and
girlfriends they can
relate this to.
Non Fiction (3) (1 primary, 1 intermediate, 1 upper)
What Mr. Darwin Saw, Mick
Manning, 48 pages,
Frances Lincoln
Children’s Books,
2009
Non
Fiction
Charles Darwin at the age of
22 was about to enter the
clergy but was asked to take
part in a sea voyage. With
some persuading from him and
his uncle Charles went on his
way. It was supposed to be a 2
year trip and he stayed out for
five.
The pictures in this book
are fantastic. While I
know this is a controversial
subject this book does not
go into too much detail
hopefully not getting me
into trouble as a teacher.
It is written in a diary
form which is interesting.
There are some graphic
pictures like that of a man
getting his leg cut off but
I am sure young students
would think it was “cool.”
I would take the
students on a field
trip and have them
keep a diary of what
they saw just like
Charles Darwin did.
The Underwear Salesman, J.
Patrick Lewis, 64
pages, Simon &
Schuster, 2009
Non
fiction
This is a poetry book about
some obscure jobs that I am
sure children do not think of.
It is funny and has goofy
pictures to keep students
attention.
I picked this book up
because I couldn’t imagine
what it was about. When I
began to read it I was
giggling to myself about all
the strange jobs that are
out there. As teachers the
community lesson consists
of police, firemen, and
mailmen. This made me
think of well what if their
parents work as a plumber
this book brings that into
children’s heads.
I know exactly what
I would do with this
book and when.
During the
community helpers
lesson I would have
some of the people
that are mentioned
in this book into the
classroom to be
interviewed by the
students. I think it
is nice because the
students have the
book to base their
questions on.
Inside Out: Portrait of an Eating Disorder,
Nadia Shivack, 64
pages, Simon &
Schuster, 2007
Non
Fiction
ALA
Quick
Picks for
Reluctant
Young
Adult
Readers
Bank
This is a diary type book
written in a very strange way
because the author was writing
and drawing on napkins to try
and keep her food down and
the voices in her head quite.
Nadia was only 14 when she
learned of her eating disorder
and was placed in an inpatient
Even though I have never
had an eating disorder it
has always interested me.
I don’t understand how
people could not eat. I
surely love food too much.
This is also important for
students of this age,
especially the girls. I also
I am not sure what
I would do with this
book but it is
interesting. I think
maybe if I
suspected a student
had an eating
disorder I would
have students keep
Street
Best
Books of
the Year
NYPL
"Books
for the
Teen
Age"
unit of a hospital. This is her
story.
think this is important for
boys because this will help
them see the signs and
maybe help a friend in
need.
a food diary/journal.
DIVERSE POPULATIONS (3) (1 primary, 1 intermediate, 1 upper)
Since We’re Friends, 32 pages,
Awaken Specialty
Pr, 2008
Autism
Awarene
ss
This book is about 2 boys one
who has autism is one who does
not. The book gives examples
of how to make a friendship
work. It shows that students
with autism can be fun in a
friendship.
I think this is a very
important topic especially
since Florida is now joining
other states with the
inclusion classroom. I
think if students knew
more about these peers
that are entering their
classroom they would be
more welcoming. Everyone
has a lot of questions
especially children, so
anything that will help
them understand is great.
Obviously I would
only use this in a
classroom that has
students with
autism. Actually I
would use it if I
knew any of the
students had a
sibling with autism
also. I think it helps
children to feel
more comfortable
and able for them to
ask questions
because they are
curious.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time,
Mark Haddon, 240
pages, Random
House Inc, 2004
Asperge
r
Syndrom
e
This is a story about a 15 year
old boy with Asperger
Syndrome. He wants to be a
detective to find out who
killed his neighbor’s dog. He is
to do it in secret though
because he was asked not to
get involved. Christopher has
little quirks about him such as
he hates the color yellow and
if he sees a certain number of
a certain color cars in a row he
is going to have a good day as
opposed to another color which
means it’s a bad day.
One of my teacher’s had
recommended this book so
I decided to read it and
boy am I happy I did. I
think it is important to
read about it before you
actually open the book. If
I didn’t read the reviews
before I would have been
extremely lost. It is told
as if it was a person with
Asperger’s syndrome so if
you don’t understand it this
book will be very confusing.
This is for a little
bit older students I
think, but I feel like
if the students read
it they may be able
to connect with
some things that
this person does. I
would have the
students identify
with one of his little
quirks in the story
and write their own
story about it.
The First Part Last, Angela
Johnson, 144 pages,
Simon & Schuster,
2005
3 Time
Coretta
Scott
King
Award
winning
author
Bobby is a normal 16 year old
city boy except for one thing.
He is going to be a father. His
girlfriend is pregnant and
instead of normal teen
activities they will be going to
doctor’s visits, changing
diapers and bottle feeding.
Bobby’s idea of how life would
The story is told in
flashbacks and what is
happening now. It switches
throughout to try and
explain what and why it is
going on. I read this book
after I observed in the
LAMP school. Even though
I know things like this
I would use this
book most likely in a
health class as an
introduction or even
a closer to the
students having the
micro chipped dolls
or bags of sugar. It
is hard for students
be with his daughter is
changed when his girlfriend
has eclampsia after giving
birth.
happen because it
happened it me (well at 20,
not 16) it is still so hard
for me to understand that
children this young could
be parents.
to imagine what life
would be like with a
baby so I think
anything that can
hopefully prevent it
should be done.
Top Related