Chapter Book 1

Author	Christopher Paul Curtis
Title	Bud, Not Buddy
Illustrator	NA
Readability Score	Grade level equivalent:  5.2 Lexile Measure: 950L DRA:  50 Guidd Reading: T
Genre	Fiction
Subgenre	Historical Fiction
Theme	This book emphasizes the importance of family.
Primary and Secondary Characters	Bud, Jerry, Bugs, Mr. and Mrs. Amos, Todd Amos, Pretend Mother and Father, Deza Malone, Librarian, Lefty Lewis, Mrs. Sleet, Kim and Scott Sleet, Herman E. Calloway, Miss Thomas, Mr. Jimmy, the Thug, Steady Eddie, Doo-Doo Bug, Dirty Deed
Award(s) date of publication	Newbery Medal, Coretta Scott King Award 1999
Publishing Company	Scholastic Inc.
ISBN Number	0-439-22188-9
Brief Summary	The story starts out with ten-year old Bud finding out that he and Jerry, another orphan from the Home have been selected to move in with foster parents.  However, neither boy is optimistic about their upcoming moves.  Bud moves in with the Amoses, who also happen to have a twelve-year old biological son, Todd.  After Todd is less than welcoming to his new brother, Bud decides to set out on the lam.  While on the lam, Bud is pleased to cross paths with Bugs, his best friend from the orphanage.  The two decide to accompany one another on their journeys and end up in Hooverville.  While in Hooverville, the boys devise a plan to hop a train headed to Chicago.  Bugs manages to board the train, but Bud isn’t so lucky.  Ever the quick thinker, Bud devises a new plan.  He decides to set off toward Grand Rapids, Michigan to find the man believed to be his father, musician Herman E. Calloway.  While attempting to walk to Grand Rapids, Bud is discovered by Lefty Lewis.  Lefty offers Bud a ride to Grand Rapids.  With much hesitation, Bud finally accepts.  Once Bud reaches his destination, he is shocked to realize that Herman E. Calloway is much older and less kind than Bud had originally suspected.  However, Bud easily fits in with Herman’s band members and finally finds a true home of his own.
Picture of book cover
Description of how you would use book with students	This book would be great for teaching character traits.  Students could participate in a “Hot Seating” drama response to the story in which they assume roles of various characters in the book and must respond to questions from the audience about their characters’ specific actions, thoughts, and feelings throughout the book.

Module 4: Picture Book 10

Author	Allen Say
Title	Tea with Milk
Illustrator	Allen Say
Readability Score	Grade level equivalent:  3.5 Lexile Measure: 450L DRA:  38 Guidd Reading: O
Genre	Fiction
Subgenre	Historical Fiction
Theme	This book emphasizes that home is where the heart is.
Primary and Secondary Characters	May, May’s mother and father, Joseph, May’s supervisor
Award(s) date of publication	1999
Publishing Company	Houghton Mifflin Company Boston
ISBN Number	0-395-90495-1
Brief Summary	Based on a true story, author Allen Say details his mother’s struggles as a young Japanese American woman living in Japan.  After growing up in America, May’s parents decide to move the family back to their homeland.  May’s efforts to fit in are unsuccessful, until she decides to set off on her own to a big city.  Once in Osaka, May finds work, as well as a young Japanese man with whom she can relate (that also speaks English).  The two share many precious moments with one another and decide to make a home and life together in Yokohama, Japan.
Picture of book cover
Description of how you would use book with students	This book would be a great addition to an Allen Say author study.  Also, students could interview their parents to find out what life was like for them growing up.  Students could then compare and contrast their current lives with their parents’ past experiences.

Module 3: Picture Book 9

Author	Vanda Micheaux Nelson
Title	Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U.S. Marshal
Illustrator	R. Gregory Christie
Readability Score	Grade Level Equivalent: 5.2 Lexile Measure: 860L
Genre	Nonfiction
Subgenre	Biography
Theme	This book encourages living one’s life with integrity and honesty.
Primary and Secondary Characters	Bass Reeves, Jim Webb, Judge Isaac C. Parker, Benjamin Reeves
Award(s) date of publication	2009
Publishing Company	Carolrhoda Books
ISBN Number	978-0-8225-6764-6
Brief Summary	This biography informs readers about the life of a little known, honest, fearless, former slave who went on to become a deputy U.S. Marshal.  After a physical altercation with his master, Bass Reeves escaped slavery to live in Indian Territory.  In 1875 Reeves was hired as a deputy Marshal.  He gained a reputation for being one of the most respected and hated men of his time due to his cunning ability to capture outlaws and demonstrate integrity consistently.
Picture of book cover
Description of how you would use book with students	This book would serve as a great mentor text for teaching character education with a specific focus on integrity.  Various examples of Bass Reeves’ integrity are featured throughout the book and offer great discussion leads.

Module 3: Picture Book 8

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Author	Carole Boston Weatherford
Title	Before John Was a Jazz Giant
Illustrator	Sean Qualls
Readability Score	Lexile Measure: AD1090L
Genre	Nonfiction
Subgenre	Biography
Theme	NA
Primary and Secondary Characters	John Coltrane
Award(s) date of publication	2008
Publishing Company	Henry Holt and Company
ISBN Number	968-0-8050-7994-4
Brief Summary	This simply written biography describes the sounds of a young John Coltrane’s environment.  The striking illustrations depict Coltrane soaking up the culture of his people through sounds which would later be reflected in his music.
Picture of book cover
Description of how you would use book with students	This book would make an excellent mentor text for modeling vivid descriptive details.  Students could attempt to write a memoir using sensory details such as those mentioned in the book.  The memoir would consist of five vignettes, all focused on memories described through the five senses.  This book would also work well for revising using onomatopoeia.  Students could add examples of onomatopoeia to the story.