St. Luke Library
Read. Think. Learn. Follow Your Curiosity.
A Letter from Mrs. Burns--UPDATED 11.18.2020
Dear St. Luke Students and Families,
Happy November! We're thinking about Saints, voting and Election Day, peace, generosity, thankfulness and family in library class. We're also preparing for remote learning until January. I'll continue sharing books to read for library class within the library newsletter and Google Classroom. I'll include resources for your child to explore their curiosities. Let me know if I can help you with book ideas.
Here are the books we will be reading during November in library class:
Books we are all reading, include:
The Voice that Won the Vote: How One Woman's Words Made History by Elisa Boxer
"In August of 1920, women's suffrage in America came down to the vote in Tennessee. If the Tennessee legislature approved the 19th amendment it would be ratified, giving all American women the right to vote. The historic moment came down to a single vote and the voter who tipped the scale toward equality did so because of a powerful letter his mother, Febb Burn, had written him urging him to 'Vote for suffrage and don't forget to be a good boy.' The Voice That Won the Vote is the story of Febb, her son Harry, and the letter than gave all American women a voice." -Sleeping Bear Press
Sitting Like a Saint: Catholic Mindfulness for Kids, by Barbra and Gregory Bottaro
"Create calm for your children and teach them about the Saints. We’ve written Sitting Like A Saint for two reasons: to help you introduce your children to some of the great saints of our faith, and to help you and your children grow in the peace beyond all understanding that comes from being loved by a Father who takes care of us. Mindfulness may seem like a new concept, but as it is presented in this Catholic context, it is something that has been practiced since Jesus commanded us to “not be anxious” about our lives. These exercises are an effective way of teaching our children, through the bodies God gave us, how to accept our feelings without criticizing ourselves for having them, and at the same time how to control our expression of them. In our own family we’ve experienced that often when we devote time and energy to helping our kids, we end up helping ourselves as well. We can’t give them what we don’t have, so learning how to trust God and let go of our fears, worries, and frustrations is the best way to model that peace for our children. We pray that in teaching your children about God and the saints who have loved him in the past, you will also experience a bit of that peace." -Wellspring; Author's Letter
Kindergarteners and First Graders, we are reading the following books. . .
One Grain of Rice, by Demi
"An Indian folktale about a clever young girl who out- smarts the greedy king through her knowledge of the power of doubling. When Rani does a good deed, the raja offers to reward her, but all she asks for is one grain of rice, doubled each day for 30 days. The raja is happy to comply, not realizing it will amount to enough rice to feed her entire village!" -Scholastic Press
Joseph Had a Little Overcoat, retold by Simms Taback
"Joseph had a little overcoat, but it was full of holes—just like this book! When Joseph's coat got too old and shabby, he made it into a jacket. But what did he make it into after that? And after that? As children turn the pages of this book, they can use the die-cut holes to guess what Joseph will be making next from his amazing overcoat, while they laugh at the bold, cheerful artwork and learn that you can always make something, even out of nothing." -Viking Books for Young Readers
Beatrice's Goat, by Page McBrier
"Beatrice's Goat is a moving picture book tells the story of how the lives of one poor family in Africa were dramatically improved by the simple gift of a goat from a generous stranger and a charitable organization named Heifer Project. Beatrice desperately wants to go to school, but her family cannot afford it. Instead, she spends her days caring for her younger siblings and helping in the fields on their small plot of land in a rural African village. Then one day, Beatrice's family receives a precious gift from a charity--a goat! In time, the goat provides milk to sell as well as baby goats, and soon the family has earned enough money so Beatrice can go to school." -Scholastic Books
Stone Soup, retold by Jon J. Muth
"Three monks, hungry and tired, pass through a war-torn village. Embittered and suspicious from the war, the people hide their food and close their windows tight. That is, until the clever strangers suggest making a soup from stones. Intrigued by the idea, everyone brings what they have until-- together, they have made a feast fit for a king! In this inspiring story about the strength people possess when they work together, Muth takes a simple, beloved tale and adds his own fresh twist." -Scholastic Press
Second Graders, we are reading. . .
Amelia and Eleanor go for a Ride, by Pam Munoz Ryan
On a brisk and cloudless evening in April 1933, Amelia and Eleanor did the unprecedented: They stole away from a White House dinner, commandeered an Eastern Air Transport jet, and took off on a glorious adventure--while still dressed in their glamorous evening gowns!
This picture book tour de force celebrates the pioneering spirit of two friends whose passion for life gave them the courage to defy convention in the name of fulfillment, conviction, and fun. Soaring text, inspired by the known facts of this event, and breathtaking drawings ask readers to dream dreams as big as Amelia and Eleanor's. " -Scholastic Books
Ivan: The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla, by Katherine Applegate
"In a spare, powerful text and evocative illustrations, the Newbery medalist Katherine Applegate and the artist G. Brian Karas present the extraordinary real story of a special gorilla. Captured as a baby, Ivan was brought to a Tacoma, Washington, mall to attract shoppers. Gradually, public pressure built until a better way of life for Ivan was found at Zoo Atlanta. From the Congo to America, and from a local business attraction to a national symbol of animal welfare, Ivan the Shopping Mall Gorilla traveled an astonishing distance in miles and in impact. This is his true story and includes photographs of Ivan in the back matter."
-Clarion Books
Me, Jane, by Patrick McDonnell
"Patrick McDonnell-beloved, bestselling author-artist and creator of the Mutts syndicated comic strip--shares the inspiring story of young Jane Goodall, the legendary and inspiring conservationist featured in the hit documentary film Jane.
In his characteristic heartwarming style, Patrick McDonnell tells the story of the young Jane Goodall and her special childhood toy chimpanzee named Jubilee. As the young Jane observes the natural world around her with wonder, she dreams of "a life living with and helping all animals," until one day she finds that her dream has come true. With anecdotes taken directly from Jane Goodall's autobiography, McDonnell makes this very true story accessible for the very young--and young at heart.
One of the world's most inspiring women, Dr. Jane Goodall is a renowned humanitarian, conservationist, animal activist, environmentalist, and United Nations Messenger of Peace. In 1977 she founded the Jane Goodall Institute (JGI), a global nonprofit organization that empowers people to make a difference for all living things." -Little Brown Books for Young Readers
Third Graders, we are still reading The Hundred Dresses, by Eleanor Estes
" which won a Newbery Honor in 1945 and has never been out of print since. At the heart of the story is Wanda Petronski, a Polish girl in a Connecticut school who is ridiculed by her classmates for wearing the same faded blue dress every day. Wanda claims she has one hundred dresses at home, but everyone knows she doesn’t and bullies her mercilessly. The class feels terrible when Wanda is pulled out of the school, but by that time it’s too late for apologies. Maddie, one of Wanda’s classmates, ultimately decides that she is "never going to stand by and say nothing again." A beautiful example of a girl showing kindness and mercy to girls who treated her unkindly. -HMH Books for Young Readers
Thank You, Mr. Falker, by Patricia Polacco
http://www.patriciapolacco.com/
"The real-life, classic story of a dyslexic girl and the teacher who would not let her fail.
Patricia Polacco is now one of America's most loved children's book creators, but once upon a time, she was a little girl named Trisha starting school. Trisha could paint and draw beautifully, but when she looked at words on a page, all she could see was jumble. It took a very special teacher to recognize little Trisha's dyslexia: Mr. Falker, who encouraged her to overcome her reading disability. Patricia Polacco will never forget him, and neither will we." -Philomel Books
Fourth Graders, we are still reading Because of Winn Dixie, by Kate Di Camillo. "One summer’s day, ten-year-old India Opal Buloni goes down to the local supermarket, Winn- Dixie for some groceries – and comes home with a dog, that she names Winn Dixie. But Winn- Dixie is no ordinary dog. It’s because of Winn-Dixie that Opal begins to make friends. And it’s because of Winn-Dixie that she finally dares to ask her father about her mother, who left when Opal was three. In fact, as Opal admits, just about everything that happens that summer is because of Winn-Dixie. Winn-Dixie is better at making friends than anyone Opal has ever known, and together they meet the local librarian, Miss Franny Block, who once fought off a bear with a copy of War and Peace. They meet Gloria Dump, who is nearly blind but sees with her heart, and Otis, who sets the animals in his pet shop loose after hours, then lulls them with his guitar. Opal spends all that sweet summer collecting stories about her new friends, and thinking about her mother. But because of Winn-Dixie or perhaps because she has grown, Opal learns to let go, just a little, and that friendship-and forgiveness-can sneak up on you like a sudden summer storm. -Candlewick Press
Fifth Graders, we are reading the following books:
The Tree in the Courtyard: Looking Through Anne Frank's Window, by Jeff Gottesfeld
"A New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book
A New York Public Library Best Book for Kids, 2016
Told from the perspective of the tree outside Anne Frank's window—and illustrated by a Caldecott Honor artist—this book introduces her story in a gentle and incredibly powerful way to a young audience. The tree in the courtyard was a horse chestnut. Her leaves were green stars; her flowers foaming cones of white and pink. Seagulls flocked to her shade. She spread roots and reached skyward in peace. The tree watched a little girl, who played and laughed and wrote in a diary. When strangers invaded the city and warplanes roared overhead, the tree watched the girl peek out of the curtained window of the annex. It watched as she and her family were taken away—and when her father returned after the war, alone. The tree died the summer Anne Frank would have turned eighty-one, but its seeds and saplings have been planted around the world as a symbol of peace. Its story, and Anne’s story, are beautifully told and illustrated in this powerful picture book." -Knopf Books for Young Readers. One of the many saplings was planted at our Children's Museum of Indianapolis.
The Voice That Won the Vote: How One Woman's Words Made History, by Elisa Boxer
"In August of 1920, women's suffrage in America came down to the vote in Tennessee. If the Tennessee legislature approved the 19th amendment it would be ratified, giving all American women the right to vote. The historic moment came down to a single vote and the voter who tipped the scale toward equality did so because of a powerful letter his mother, Febb Burn, had written him urging him to "Vote for suffrage and don't forget to be a good boy." The Voice That Won the Vote is the story of Febb, her son Harry, and the letter than gave all American women a voice." -Sleeping Bear Press
Hamilton, by Frank Keating
"Alexander Hamilton, Founding Father, a Constitutional Convention delegate, author of the Federalist Papers, and the first secretary of the US Treasury, is brought to life with this vivid and accessible illustrated biography.
Alexander Hamilton was an unknown immigrant, an orphan, a boy of no connections but, still, despite all odds, had an important role in transforming the world. As George Washington’s right-hand man, Hamilton helped bring victory to America during the Revolutionary War, wrote most of the Federalist papers, and helped to build a country.
Author Frank Keating’s detailed historical facts are complemented by stunning paintings from Mike Wimmer to form a portrait that will fascinate young readers." -Simon & Schuster
Peter's War: A Boy's True Story of Survival in World War II Europe, by Deborah Durland DeSaix and Karen Gray Ruelle
"The harrowing true story of a German-Jewish boy who had to survive World War II on his own, separated from his parents as they fled the Holocaust. In 1942, as twelve-year-old Peter Feigl and his family tried to disappear in the Southern Zone of France, his parents were arrested. They had been constantly on the run for years, as Hitler consolidated power and overran Europe. Peter and his family fled from Germany to Czechoslovakia, then Austria, Belgium, and finally France. They were desperate to stay one step ahead of the Nazis and their concentration camps.
But suddenly, Peter was alone: a spirited child coming of age in hiding during the worst war in modern history. This book follows his incredible journey for survival, and his efforts as a secret resistance fighter. Beautifully illustrated in a scrapbook style, featuring original artwork alongside historical photographs from Peter's early life, this one-of-a-kind nonfiction picture book offers a very personal look into the lives of young people trying to evade— and resist— the Nazis. Excerpts and images from Peter's diary of those years add irreplaceable, first-hand details to the account of his survival.
The acclaimed nonfiction duo of Karen Gray Ruelle and Deborah Durland DeSaix, creators of Hidden on the Mountain and The Grand Mosque of Paris, have crafted an enthralling account, filled with meticulous research and informed by the authors' own interviews with Feigl. Accessible and detailed, this will inspire young readers and offer a new perspective on a frequently studied era of history. Featuring more than ten pages of supplementary backmatter— including an epilogue, extensive historical notes, a wealth of recommendations for further reading, and a comprehensive list of sources and credits— Peter's War is a masterful resource, and an incredible, unforgettable true story." -Holiday House
Persephone and Demeter, by D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths
Here's the entire book, Daulaires' Book of Greek Myths, by Ingri d'Aulaire and Edgar Parin d'Aulaire. Originally published in 1962. Beautiful illustrations! The Greek Myth about Demeter, Persephone and Hades that we read during library class can be found on pages 58-63. Source: Penguin Random House
https://www.slideshare.net/JefferyLong4/daulaires-book-of-greek-myths-60388534
Pronunciation resource:
https://www.greek-gods.info/sounds/
Wishing you a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday with your family.
: ) Mrs. Burns
BOOKS WE'RE ALL READING IN NOVEMBER!
KINDERGARTEN and FIRST GRADE READING!
SECOND GRADE READING!
THIRD GRADE READING!
FOURTH GRADE READING!
FIFTH GRADE READING!
D'Aulaire's Book of Greek Myths
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
"INGRI D’AULAIRE and EDGAR PARIN D’AULAIRE first met in Munich, Germany where both were studying art. Ingri had grown up in Norway; Edgar, the son of a noted Italian portrait painter, was born in Switzerland and had lived in Paris and Florence. Shortly after their marriage, they moved to the United States and began to create the picture books that established their reputation as two of the twentieth century’s most important children’s writers and illustrators. They won the 1940 Caldecott Medal for Abraham Lincoln.
During an extended trip to Greece, they studied and sketched the countryside, the people, and the architecture and artifacts of long ago. The result was D’Aulaires’ Book of Greek Myths, the standard-bearer of mythology for children since its publication in 1962." -Penguin Random House