Shout, Show, and Tell!

Agnew, K., & Monks, L. (2005). Shout, show, and tell! New York, NY: Crabtree Pub.

Shout, Show and Tell is a beginner reader book that tells three stories about losing a tooth, mischievousness, and encouragement. This book exposes the readers to sight words.  In addition, it has diversity of main characters, and simple story lines.  It also displays colorful characters within every page of the book. The first story tells about a girl (Daisy) who goes through a series of events that cause her to loose her tooth.
The second story is about Sean a boy gets the attention of the teacher (Mrs. Green) through his mischievous acts.  And last but not least, the third story tells about a girl named Lily who is encouraged by Mrs. Green and learns to do creative drawings.

The Crossover

Alexander, Kwame. (2014). The Crossover. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

This is a novel of a powerful story of a loving and dedicated family that goes through some challenges in life. Two twin brothers and their father who loves basketball are all into the game. The two 12 year old twin brothers have a great brother relationship.  But then, a girlfriend unravels thier bonded brother relationship. Feelings of jeolousy and anger start to develop between the two.  To add to the problems their father’s health declines and things start to get more complicated when their father suffers two major heart attacks. One in which takes his life. It is then that Josh realizes that his brother JB will take his father’s place in basketball and that they have each other no matter what.

This is a great novel for young adults that presents an energetic story with lots of heartfelt moments.  Wonderfully written and very emotional. It is sure to keep you reading for more.  

Crenshaw

Applegate, Katherine. (2015). Crenshaw. Feiwal and Friends.

This is a novel that delivers a story about family, friendship and financial hardships. A little boy (Jackson) and his family have no more money for the rent and money is running out for food as well. They have no choice but to live in their minivan and ride out the tough days that are yet to come. But just when things were getting worse, Jackson imaginary friend, a large outspoken cat comes to ease his problems.  His name is Crenshaw. Things seem to worsen after somenone steals their money leaving them with no money for food. Will this imgainary cat be able to save him and his family? Will the love of an imaginary friend be enough to get him through this part in his life?

This is a great book that depicts real life poverty situations. Heartfelt, emotional story with an imaginary friend that has lots to offer a boy in the time of much needed support.  A story that makes you realize that simple little things shouldn’t be taken for granted and instead appreciate them dearly.  

El Deafo

Bell, Cece. (2014). El Deafo. Abrams

This book  is  greatly detailed with bright and colorful illustrations that instantly capture a reader’s glance.  creatively written to intrigue readers attention. This is an extraordinary graphic novel of a little girl who loses her hearing due to meningitis. But when the main character (Cece) discovers that having the phonic ear hearing aid dramamtically enhances her ability to hear, she finds that it gives her the power to listen to all. Yet, she still feels that she is different from everybody else and lonely. She searches for the right friend until she comes across Martha.  They both become best friends though they encounter ups and downs.

Great story about the ups and downs of friendhsip.  It goes on to illustrate what it takes to be friends and stay friends.  A book that can be used to focus on building a friendship.

How They Croaked: The Awful Ends of the Awfully Famous

Bragg, Georgia. (2011). How They Croaked: The Awful Ends of the Awfullly Famous. New York: Walker & Company.

How they Croaked describes the gruesome deaths of nineteen famous people in detailed writing. With each and every death interesting facts are shared about the person which informs the reader with a bit of history. The stories are not only humurously written in their own way, but also full of gory details.  From the self poisoning of Cleopatra to the the burst artery in Albert Einstein this book contains all the history and detailed deaths that are sure to keep you reading for more.

This is a great book for getting readers attention when it comes to learning about some famous people in history or writing biographies.