King of the Wind by Marguerite Henry

1. Title: King of the Wind

2. Author: Marguerite Henry, Illustrator: Wesley Dennis

3. Genre: Realistic Fiction

4. Awards/Honors: John Newberry Medal

5. Publisher: Macmillan Publishing Company

6. Copyright: 1948

7. Grade/Age Level: 5th and up

8. Basic Overview: King of the Wind changes settings quite frequently. It begins in Ontario, Canada before moving into the actual story which begins in Morocco. The story then progresses to France where you find the characters spread among high-class and low-class settings. The main characters are a boy, Agba, and his horse, Sham. We get to be a part of their adventures as the narrator, presumably the trainer of Man o’ War, tells about Sham who was the beginning of a long generation of horses called Godolphin Arabians. The story begins in Morocco with the birth of the colt, Sham, and the boy’s complete devotion to the horse. We also learn that Agba is mute. To rise up the climax, we have Sham and Agba go through many adventures, starting with the journey to France. Then all the adventures in France, which are both good and bad, lead us to the climax, where Sham’s own sons are to partake in a few races where the stake is losing a home. Of course, they win and we resolve to the happy ending of the continuing line of Godolphin Arabians, especially Sham, and see how well respected they were even through death. The most prevalent theme is, “Keep on working hard and always do your best, and you will be rewarded in the end.”

9. What makes it quality literature?: This book is considered quality literature because it broadens children’s understanding of the world, it is enjoyable to read without over-moralizing, and it represents truths in the characters and plot. As well, it is a convincing story of the truth, is a story that makes a whole, and shows some originality in its creative writing.

10. Is it ESOL student oriented?: This book has many different social classes within it. So, this book is an excellent way of enhancing student’s social awareness. As Sham and Agba go from SES to SES throughout the story, we see extreme differences that would be good for comparison. Plus, this book covers emotional needs by having the students really connect with the hard-working Agba or beaten-down Sham. The students rejoice at the good parts and grumble at the bad parts.

11. How can teachers use it?: Read-Aloud Passage – Pages 165-167 – Begins, “The cheering has scarcely died away…” and ends, “…cheered in wild notes of triumph.” This passage is the high point of the story where the oldest son of Sham, races and wins. This means, Agba, Sham, and all Sham’s family have a home at Gog Magog. Use this passage to work in this theme “keep on working hard and always do your best, and you will be rewarded in the end.”

12. How can parents use it?: Many students love to read about animals, so I suggest it would be great for parents to really get involved in their kid’s life by telling them about the pets they had growing up. Discuss how Agba is so devoted to Sham which means he needs to take care of him. This could be a good lesson into pet-care for kids.
Also, this would be good story for parents to open up and tell their kids about the trials they went through during life and tell their children about the trials they will be going through. This book is a prime example for parents to use as a stepping stone to help their children be patient, polite hard-workers and not greedy.

12. Accessibility: Easy access. Book can be found in local and school libraries, as well as on line. Get it today at Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/King-Wind-marguerite-henry/dp/B000OO5MM8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1237226996&sr=1-2 .

Kiddie L. Critic

Space Explained: A Beginner's Guide to the Universe by Robin Scagel

1. Title: Space Explained: A Beginner’s Guide to the Universe

2. Author: Robin Scagel

3. Genre: Informational - Science

4. Honors/Awards: None

5. Publisher: Henry Holt

6. Copyright: 1996

7. Grade/Age Level: 3rd - 5th perhaps…

8. Basic Overview: Because it is an informational book, this book has one character, the narrator. There is no real plot, setting or point of view. You could say the setting takes place in space, the point of view is that from the author, and a plot could be each step through learning about space with a high point when discussing the stars. However, there is one thing that is very evident, the theme: “learning about space.”

9. Why is it quality literature?: As quality literature, this book expands a student’s awareness of space. It tells the truth and is original in its organizing quality through the use of pictures, diagrams, and information.

10. Is it ESOL student oriented?: Student’s enhance aesthetic needs through this book. The beauty of the pictures taken of planets, stars, nebulas, etc… enhances a student’s awareness of how beautiful the universe really is. They get to see the real thing. It also, obviously, enhances intellectual needs through the learning of scientific vocabulary and findings.

11. How can a teacher us it?: This book would be good for any science unit because it discusses more than just space. For example, this book could be used in a chemistry unit because on page eleven they discuss the make up of an atom. Also, they discuss shortly how certain amount of atoms make-up an element. So, now, you can introduce the periodic table of elements. Use this book as an introduction into a unit on space; this brings reading into the science curriculum, and principals love cross-curricular activities.

12. How can parents us it?: Now, this book can spur the greatest interest of a kid’s life time, space. Parents can use this book with their child by spending time looking at the stars, gazing at the great expanse or studying the moon. Also, if the student is extremely interested, I would maybe mention to the parents to look into buying a telescope for the child since there is a page on buying telescopes, page 29.

13. Accessibility: Easily Accessible. It is in most local and school libraries. Get it at Amazon.com right now: http://www.amazon.com/Space-Explained-Beginners-Universe-Reference/dp/0805048723/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1237225794&sr=8-1 .

Kiddle L. Critic

The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

*Note from Kiddie L. Critic: This is one of my favorite Children’s books. I give it five stars from start to finish. I enjoyed it as an adult, reading it for my Children’s Literature course, and my third-grade tutoring student could not wait to hear the ending as I read aloud to him. Here is my “book talk” from my Children’s Lit. course:

The Westing Game is a mystery book by Ellen Raskin that continues to keep you guessing. It staggers you from the beginning as sixteen characters are brought together purposefully to buy apartment homes at Sunset Towers somewhere in Wisconsin. Quickly, you come to find out they each are related in some way to Samuel W. Westing, the owner of the mansion on the hill. After his sudden death, he leaves his will for the sixteen heirs telling them, the only way to earn his millions is to play and win the Westing game. The point of the game: to name the heir who murdered him. This book keeps you on the edge of your seat with problem solving, clue finding, and suspicious characters who come to life all too well. The Westing Game is an excellent book to get students interested in problem solving and characterization through a brain teaser plot. So, don’t you think it is time you became a part of The Westing Game?







1. Title: The Westing Game

2. Author: Ellen Raskin

3. Genre: Realistic Fiction - Mystery

4. Awards/Honors: John Newberry Medal

5. Publisher: E.P. Dutton of Puffin Books

6. Copyright: 1978

7. Grade/Age Level: 3rd and up

8. Basic Overview: The setting occurs in the state of Wisconsin by Lake Michigan in an apartment building called Sunset Towers and a mansion down the road known as the Westing house. The characterization in this book is outrageous. There are sixteen members involved in a “whodunit” case about the murder of Samuel W. Westing who claims these sixteen members are his nieces and nephews and future heirs to his fortune. The one who inherits all the millions is decided by being the one who wins the game, The Westing Game. Each person’s character grows and expands into something more as the plot unfolds. None of the characters are static characters. In this story, you get a chance to hear what everyone is thinking about one another. The point of view jumps from character to character. The start of the story lays the foundation for setting and characterization while rising through the supposed murder of Mr. Westing. To keep the story rising to its high point, we read of bombings and thievery. As Turtle’s court takes place, the rising action is coming to a close, and the climax hits when the fireworks go off, and turtle speeds off to find Mr. Eastman. The falling action is occurring while the other fifteen members try to figure the mystery out still, and the denouement sends with happy ending about each character’s future.

9. Why is it quality literature?: This book makes the characters seem true to life and believable. The plot is convincing and description telling. The book is a complete whole which introduces new situations and originality to the reader, giving them a new point of view. This book is definitely quality literature.

10. Is it ESOL speaker oriented?: This book most definitely enhances the intellectual needs of students by providing an example of problem solving. Students are witnessing the finding out of a crime. As well, this book is also good for social needs by producing many different characters. Students can learn how to deal with the personalities of others better by reading this book.

11. How can teachers use it?: Read this provocative passage aloud – Page 86- 88 – Beginning with “I can’t drive you home…” to “I must look a mess.’” This passage portrays the hidden feelings or secrets of both Angela Wexler and Sydelle Pulaski. These are the two characters whom I feel connect with the students socially, for they are hiding what they truly want. For Sydelle it is attention while for Angela, it is to make her own decisions in life. The theme can cover a great span of students from “Never exclude others” to “Listen to your own heart or mind.” It is an excellent passage to break the barriers some students put up to hide their true feelings.

12. How can parents use it?: Get your child really involved with this story, using the clues to find out the ending, and predicting what may happen. This will enhance comprehension skills in the classroom and problem solving in real life. Also, they may have the student choose their favorite character, write out a monologue they think the character might say at one point, then act it out. How fun would that be to do at home?!

12. Accessibility: Moderately Accessible. It is an older book and may not be in all school or local libraries. However, get it now at Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Westing-Game-Ellen-Raskin/dp/B000R0VP7A/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1237223857&sr=8-4 .
It also came out as a full-length feature film in 2004: http://www.amazon.com/The-Westing-Game/dp/B000941CYU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=dvd&qid=1237224603&sr=8-2 .



Kiddie L. Critic

Witness by Karen Hesse

1. Title: Witness

2. Author: Karen Hesse

3. Genre: Historical Fiction – Novel in Verse

4. Awards/Honors: None

5. Publisher: Scholastic Inc.

6. Copyright: 2001

7. Grade/Age Level: 5th - 8th

8. Basic Overview: The setting is announced from the beginning as Vermont, 1924, but it is not just set broadly in Vermont but a small town in Vermont. The story covers the span of many characters, the main ones being two young girls, Leanora Sutter (a black girl) and Esther Hirsh (a Jewish girl), up against the rising Ku Klux Klan which makes up the portion of the town; however, there are many characters on their side such as Sara Chickering and Mr. Field. The young girls find themselves being either attacked or shunned by those citizens part of the Klan. This is the conflict in the story, the two girls versus society. The plot begins with getting an identity of most of the characters, finding out who they are, and deciding who is on what side. The rising action is the rise of the Ku Klux Klan in the town, and the decision making around the town. The story hits a high point, or climax, when a few of the Klan members decide to act out against the two girls: Johnny Reeves tries to shoot the Hirsch’s, Merlin Van Ternholt attempts to poison the well of Leanora Sutter’s family, and Harvey Pettibone gave Merlin the rat poison to do it. The falling action is the false attempts they made and their reactions to their failures: Johnny Reeves commits suicide, Merlin runs away, and Harvey wants to make things better for themselves. Also, the falling action is the fall of the K.K.K. making the resolution the re-workings of the town which do not shun the two girls and their helpers. Although many themes can be brought from this book, the most emphasized one would probably be “do not let society pressure you into doing what you know is wrong.”

9. What makes it quality literature?: This book is quality literature because: (1) It expands awareness by putting students in someone else’s shoes and perspective, (2) it does not have an obvious moral message even though there is one, (3) It is truthful in the description of this historic event, (4) it embodies quality in the sense of having believable characters and a poetic voice, (5) it comes together to make one whole. In my opinion, this book has amazing quality. I would love for everyone I know to read this book.

10. Is it ESOL speaker oriented?: This book helps enhance the intellectual needs of students by producing for them a historic event in a poetic style. They will be getting involved in the past of their own country while also being involved in good literature. Also, emotionally, students can be enhanced by reading about how their actions and words do not only affect others but also affects themselves.

11. How can teachers use it?: A passage in the book I would love to read-aloud would be pages 40-41. It starts, “my daddy said mr. field, the uncle of miss stockwell, our landlady,/ was feeling poorly/ and I might take myself over to see/ if I could be of any use” and ends with, “i marched home in a straight line,/ with my back tall,/ and thought about that regiment of men/ like a streamer of dark silk.” It is the first time Leanora is at Mr. Field’s to help out, and their conversation is about his days in the civil war and how proud he was to see black men chase out the rebels. It is one of the happiest moments in the book, and I liked it.

12. How can parents use it?: When a student is reading this, parent should talk with their child about what they know about the Ku Klux Klan. I would suggest they get together and research that time in history, 1924, and see if the book holds true to its word. Also, this is a good chance to discuss racial or stereotyping issues with their children.

13. Accessibility?: Moderately accessible. Witness should be in most libraries, but can certainly be found online. Get it now at amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Witness-Karen-Hesse/dp/0439272009/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1237222768&sr=8-1

Kiddie L. Critic

Mice Twice by Joseph Low

Title: Mice Twice

Author: Joseph Low

Genre: Fantasy

Awards/Honors: Caldecott Honor Book

Publisher: Macmillan Publishing Company

Copyright: 1980

Grade/Age Level: Kindergarten – First Grade

Basic Overview: The story is set in mostly the Cat’s house, but also goes to Mouse’ and Dog’s house as well. The main characters, Cat and Mouse, think they are both so cunning with Mouse turning out to be the more so in the end bringing Dog who brings Alligator then Wasp. It begins with Cat inviting Mouse over for supper to eat her, he wants a nice meal, and when she asks to bring a friend, he is excited to be offered two mice for dinner. The rising action occurs when Mouse brings Dog instead of another mouse to dinner. The climax is hit when Lion is waiting with Cat for the guests. Wasp scaring off Lion is the falling action, and the resolution ends with enough food to share for Mouse, Dog, and Wasp. The main theme I got out of this story was “always be one step ahead.” Teaching students to know the people around them and what they plan to do. The point of view comes from the speaker of the story in Third Person.

What makes it quality literature? This book is quality literature in the sense that it is enjoyable to read but does not overly teach or moralize. It also has a convincing plot and characters, everything comes together to make one great whole story, and is definitely original and creative. This book is very adorable, and I can imagine a group of children hearing this story read-aloud and enjoying it very much. That is quality literature.

Is it ESOL speaker oriented: This book could enhance the intellectual needs of ESOL students by providing new vocabulary (of animals perhaps) and also enhance their aesthetic needs by producing such vibrant pictures that represent the story. There are not any real obvious stereotypes. There is only the mention of French Cheese from Cat’s friend Pierre. Culturally enveloped in this is mentioned French Brie which is a real type of cheese from France. Not a stereotype, a truth.

How can it be used in the classroom: For examining of the theme “always be one step ahead,” I would use the passage of pages 11-15 where Cat is bringing Wolf to dinner, but Dog, thinking ahead, has already invited Alligator to dinner. Here we see a very clear passage of the main theme.

How can parents use it? This is another good bedtime story that also teaches a little bit about etiquette. Parents could use it as an introduction story into the importance of etiquette, or parents could find this very useful for explaining how we behave when inviting someone over for dinner.

Accessibility: Easy to access at the school or public library. Get it for a really great price at amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Mice-Twice-Aladdin-Picture-Books/dp/0689710607/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1236692298&sr=8-1 .

Kiddie L. Critic