Peter's Chair: By Ezra Jack Keats

 This story is about a boy named Peter and his experience when he gets a new baby sister.  Peter struggles with all of his belongings from when he was a baby has been painted pink for his new sister.  He decides to run away from home with the one thing that isn't pink yet, his blue chair. In the end, he learns that he can no longer use his baby things and helps paint his chair pink for his sister.  

I think I would use this book in my classroom.  I really like how it talks about growing up and getting a new addition to one's family.  This book would be a good read aloud for any elementary student.  

Miss Nelson is Missing: By James Marshall

This book is about Miss Nelson's class.  Miss Nelson's class has not been listening to her, so she decides to trick them.  She "doesn't come to school then next day" and instead dresses us in a disguise as Viola Swamp.  In her disguise, she gets the students to behave again because all the students are scared of her.  The next day, Miss Nelson returns and her students realize how lucky there are to have her as their teacher.  They have learned to listen and not take advantage of her kindness.  

I think I would use this book in my classroom.  It is such a fun read-aloud that I loved when I was younger.  It is also a fun book to talk about when talking about things like following the rules and respecting people.  I think it would be good for any elementary student.  

 

Frindle: By Andrew Clements

 This book is about of group of students who begin to call a pen a frindle.  The teachers do not agree with this and instill punishments for anyone using the new "made-up" word.  The students argue that this is not fair because technically every word in the dictionary is made up by someone.  In the end, they end up getting their new word added to the dictionary and the teacher who was the most against it reveals she was only against it to stip up awareness of what was happening.  

I probably would not use this in my classroom because it is for a much higher grade level than I plan on teaching.  If I did use it in a higher grade, I would use it to talk about word origin and language.  

Clementine: By Sara Pennypacker

 Clementine is a creative young girl, who's creativity often gets her in trouble.  In book 1 of this series, Clementine finds a creative way to fix her friend, Margret's hair after getting glue in it in art class.  Clementine attempts to just cut off the tips where the glue is, but by the time she is done, she has cut off almost all of Margret's hair.  She then tries to 'draw' hair on with a marker. 

I  am not sure if I would use this book in my classroom. I personally loved the books to read, however, I am not sure how helpful they would be in the classroom.  While I do love the creativity Clementine displays, she often acts without really thinking.  While I don't think I would use this specifically, I think it would be a fun book for independent reading for around grades 3-5.  

Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse: By Kevin Henkes

 This book is written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes.  This book follows the story of a student named Lily who has just received a new purple plastic purse.  This purse consumes Lily while she is at school and causes her to ask quite inconsiderately towards her teacher and classmates.  Lily learns the lesson of how to be respectful to her teacher and how she should behave in the classroom.  

I would use this book in my classroom.  It shows readers what it means to be respectful and also models apologizing.  I think it would be a fun read-aloud for lower elementary school students.