Module 2-Classic Picture Books and Authors
Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett
ISBN: 978-0-6897-0749-0
Audience (according to School Library Journal): Gr. 1-3
Audience (according to School Library Journal): Gr. 1-3
Barrett, J. (1978). Cloudy with a
chance of meatballs. New York, NY:
Scholastic, Inc.
chance of meatballs. New York, NY:
Scholastic, Inc.
Pricing (as of 9/12)
*Amazon: Kindle edition: $12.99
Paperback: $6.99
Hardcover: $10.97
Book Summary
Barrett gives readers a tall tale that makes mouths water and mothers wishful. After a breakfast of pancakes and fun, Grandpa tells his grandchildren about the fictional town of Chewandswallow where residents do not have to cook or shop for their food—they just hold out their hands, umbrellas, or plates and let the yummies land! This is all wonderful until the “weather” changes and too much food falls and tomatoes splat willy-nilly. Using some of the excess edibles, the people of Chewandswallow construct boats and set sail for a new town, hoping to escape the piles of produce. Reaching a small coastal town, the townspeople must learn more traditional ways to put food into their stomachs. With the story at an end, the grandkids go to bed knowing they have heard a far-fetched tale…or is it so far-fetched?
APA Reference
Barrett, J. (1978). Cloudy with a chance of meatballs. New York, NY: Scholastic., Inc.
Impressions
The pen and ink drawings and vivid word pictures done by this husband and wife team come together to make an entertaining, silly story that will give children something to think about and possibly to wish for. The idea of food, instead of rain or snow, falling from the sky is very appealing…or is it? The book is sure to bring a chuckle or two and certainly will provide an abundance of material for readers’ imaginations.
Professional Reviews
<<In the town of Chewandswallow, the citizens enjoy the bounties of the skies, and open-roofed restaurants allow diners to catch their dinner. Unfortunately, the weather takes a turn for the worse, and there is no choice but to flee from the falling food. The detailed pen-and-ink illustrations begin in black and white, but as the tale progresses, colors join the black line details. A savory story to share over and over again.
Gallagher, G. (2006). Cloudy with a chance of meatballs. School
Library Journal, 52(7), 45-45. Retrieved from http://www.slj.com.
<<Here's another wonderfully written and illustrated story by the Barrett team. Receiving a place on the prestigious New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Books of the Year list, this book skillfully and subtly blends funny storytelling and full-color illustrations with a very real twist about how weather can affect people's environments.
Scholastic.com. “The Stacks-Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.” Retrieved from
Library Uses
< 1. In order to stimulate an interest in reading for those who prefer to watch their entertainment, a librarian could give a book talk or presentation of books that have movie adaptations. A dramatic verbal teaser for the book could be paired with a trailer for the film adaptation.
< 2. To support the compare/contrast TEK for 5th grade that pairs a book and the dramatic version of the same title, a librarian could read the text to a library class and then provide the movie and a suitable Venn diagram for the classroom teacher to use.
Book Trailer
Module 2-Classic Chapter Books and Authors
Shiloh by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
ISBN: 978-0-6898-3582-7
Audience (according to School Library Journal): Gr. 3-6
Audience (according to School Library Journal): Gr. 3-6
Naylor, P. (1992). Shiloh. New York, NY:
Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for Young Readers.
Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for Young Readers.
Pricing (as of 9/12)
*Amazon: Kindle: $6.99
Paperback: $6.99
Hardcover: $12.68
Book Summary
In this timeless “boy and his dog” story, 11 year old Marty wants a dog of his own desperately, but his family’s financial struggles make this impossible. When he befriends a young beagle on a road near his home, Marty is sure that the pup should belong to him. Sadly, the hunting dog is owned by Judd Travers and must be returned. Marty is convinced that the pup he has named Shiloh is being abused and is determined to save Shiloh and make him his own. The plot twists and turns with Marty having Shiloh, losing Shiloh, and finally, working to buy Shiloh. Along the way, Marty learns some valuable lessons in honesty and dealing with difficult life situations.
APA Reference
Naylor, P. (1992). Shiloh. New York, NY: Bantam Doubleday Dell Books for Young
Readers.
Impressions
As a book of only 20 years of age, I’m not sure that it has reached true “classic” status yet, but given enough time, it will. This story will transplant into any age as it does not revolve around the technology or trends of a specific time period. What it does have is a plot that will cause the reader to cheer when Shiloh finds his way back to Marty, boo when Marty’s dad makes him return the dog to an abusive owner, and become excited when it appears that he will finally get the pet of his dreams. And almost no child will be able to miss the obvious growth in maturity displayed by the young hero.
Professional Reviews
<<The adventures of a boy and his dog almost always make an appealing story, but when the boy faces a very difficult decision and takes a giant step toward maturity, the story acquires depth and importance. How Marty Preston saves the beagle he names Shiloh by facing down a bullying adult and standing on principles he knows are right -- in the face of laws that may be wrong -- is just such a story. In a believable, rural voice, Marty narrates the reminiscence, which is accessible to third-grade readers but has enough substance to appeal to older children. There is plenty of potential for a class discussion on values and decision-making as well as enough grit in the young hero to engage the reader's sympathy. A credible plot and characters, a well-drawn setting, and nicely paced narration combine in a story that leaves the reader feeling good. As Marty concludes, "I saved Shiloh and opened my eyes some. Now that ain't bad for eleven." It's not bad for an author of over sixty previous children's books either.
E.S.W. (1992). Shiloh. Horn Book Magazine, 68(1), 74-75.
Retrieved from http://www.hbook.com
<<It is difficult to choose one favorite among so many favorites, but on this day at this hour, if my back were against the wall, I’d choose Shiloh (1992) by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor. I admire its purity and poignancy and Naylor’s skill in rendering complexity with seeming simplicity…and the dog lives. No small feat, that.
<<It is difficult to choose one favorite among so many favorites, but on this day at this hour, if my back were against the wall, I’d choose Shiloh (1992) by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor. I admire its purity and poignancy and Naylor’s skill in rendering complexity with seeming simplicity…and the dog lives. No small feat, that.
Creech, S. (2012). My favorite newbery. Horn Book Magazine, 88(4),
133-133. Retrieved from http://www.hbook.com.
Library Uses
1. Author Talk-Phyllis Reynolds Naylor has written a plethora of 3rd-6th grade novels. Her works cover the gamut of interests found in the 8-12 year old crowd: her “Witch” titles, Boy/Girl Battle books, the Alice series, funny boy Bernie MacGruder, serious toned Walker’s Crossing and Jade Green…the biggest problem would be to decide which books to “talk” and which to leave for students to discover on their own!
2. Support of character lessons-Many schools include character development lessons in their curriculum. A librarian would do well to feature books that demonstrate the trait that is being emphasized in those lessons. Shiloh would easily fit into the honesty and responsibility topic.
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