Title:  A  Picture  Book  of  Cesar  Chavez  

Author:  David  A.  Adler  and  Michael  S.  Adler  Illustrator:  Marie  Olofsdotter  Publication  Date:  2000  

Genre:  Biography  Recommended  Grade  Range:  1-­‐3  

 Plot  Summary:  Cesar  Chavez  grew  up  in  California  during  the  Great  Depression.  He  worked  with  his  family  picking  produce,  moving  from  place  to  place  to  make  ends  meet.  Although  he  grew  up  homeless  with  unbearable,  low-­‐paying  jobs,  he  learned  early  in  life  that  dignity  always  meant  more  than  money.  Cesar  Chavez  devoted  his  life  to  helping  American  farm  workers.  He  fought  for  better  pay  and  working  conditions,  and  stopped  at  no  limits  to  achieve  this  goal.  While  he  was  even  sent  to  jail  for  his  efforts,  Cesar  Chavez  never  stopped  urging  people  to  stand  up  for  their  rights.      Features  of  Quality:  This  story  definitely  possesses  values.  The  main  moral  and  lesson  of  the  story  is  to  always  stand  up  for  what  you  believe  in.  The  fact  that  it  is  a  nonfiction  book  makes  it  even  more  effective  in  motivating  the  reader.  This  story  also  provides  the  ability  to  connect  to  it.  The  book  is  about  real  world  experiences  that  students  can  still  connect  to  in  certain  ways.      Reader  Response:    

1. This  book  would  be  perfect  to  read  in  a  time  where  persuasive  essays  are  introduced.  Like  Cesar  Chavez,  the  students  will  stand  up  for  something  they  believe  in,  and  persuade  the  class  to  follow  them.  I  would  start  by  writing  a  persuasive  passage  as  a  class,  and  then  have  the  students  write  their  own  individually.    

2. Another  reader  response  would  be  more  of  an  artistic  activity.  I  would  have  my  students  create  picket  signs  and  write  sayings  that  expressed  certain  ways  they  felt  about  certain  issues.  I  would  have  them  decorate  their  own  signs,  and  display  them  around  the  room  after  they  each  presented  them  to  the  class  

 Title:  Houdini:  World’s  Greatest  Mystery  Man  and  Escape  King  

Author:  Kathleen  Krull  Illustrator:  Eric  Velasquez  Publication  Date:  2001  

Genre:  Biography  Recommended  Grade  Range:  2-­‐4  

 Plot  Summary:       As  a  child,  Harry  Houdini  was  on  the  edge  of  homelessness.  By  age  eight,  he  was  shining  shoes,  selling  newspapers,  running  errands,  and  thinking  up  things  to  do  that  others  couldn’t.  He  found  he  excelled  at  swimming,  boxing,  and  running,  but  it  was  when  he  stumbled  upon  a  magic  book  that  his  journey  to  fame  began.  He  had  found  his  calling,  and  started  studying  and  practicing  days  on  end  to  become  famous  and  wealthy.  Houdini  mastered  every  form  of  magic  available-­‐  card  tricks,  juggling,  illusions-­‐  and  traveled  the  world  to  make  a  name  for  himself.  But  his  true  stardom  began  when  he  started  to  focus  his  acts  around  heart-­‐stopping  escapes.  He  trained  his  body  and  mind  to  endure  torturous  demands  his  elaborate  acts  required,  and  eventually  became  the  World’s  Greatest  Mystery  Man  and  Escape  King.      Features  of  Quality:       The  quality  of  exploration  is  provided  in  this  story.  You  are  taken  on  a  ride  of  Houdini’s  life,  and  are  given  the  opportunity  to  get  to  know  him  and  his  accomplishments.  The  illustrations  are  also  such  a  great  aspect  of  this  book.  The  way  the  artist  depicted  the  amazing  illusions  of  Houdini  is  impeccable.      Reader  Response:       Considering  Houdini  was  a  man  of  many  talents,  a  great  activity  following  this  story  would  be  to  hold  a  class  talent  show.  This  would  be  a  great  way  for  the  students  to  express  their  passions  and  individuality.  It  also  will  help  them  connect  with  each  other  by  discovering  familiarities  with  their  classmates.  As  the  teacher,  it  would  be  helpful  to  know  your  students’  interests  when  creating  lessons  they  can  relate  to.        

 

 Title:  Wilma  Unlimited:  How  Wilma  Rudolph  Became  the  World’s  Fastest  Woman  

Author:  Kathleen  Krull  Illustrator:  David  Diaz  Publication  Date:  2000  

Genre:  Biography  Recommended  Grade  Range:  2-­‐4  

 Plot  Summary:  Wilma  Rudolph  was  born  in  Clarksville,  Tennessee,  in  1940.  From  birth,  Wilma  was  very  tiny  and  sickly.  She  was  constantly  in  and  out  of  hospitals  fighting  off  many  sicknesses.  When  she  was  five  years  old,  she  was  stricken  with  Polio  that  paralyzed  her  left  leg.  She  was  told  she  would  never  walk  again.  But  Wilma  refused  to  believe  it.  Not  only  would  she  walk  again,  she  would  run.  With  hard  work  and  dedication,  Wilma  found  herself  at  the  1960  Olympics  in  Rome,  Italy.  Wilma  won  all  three  of  her  events,  making  her  the  fastest  woman  in  the  world.      Features  of  Quality:    This  story  absolutely  portrays  timelessness.  No  matter  how  old  you  are,  or  how  old  the  story  is,  a  reader  will  always  enjoy  a  story  of  someone  conquering  all  the  doubts  against  them.  Students  can  also  connect  to  Wilma’s  character  is  they  were  ever  told  they  could  not  do  something  they  desired  to  do.  This  story  is  so  uplifting,  and  almost  unbelievable  that  it  is  a  biography.        Reader  Response:    

1. For  an  activity  following  this  book,  I  would  have  my  students  write  about  a  time  when  they  were  told  they  could  not  do  something.  I  would  have  them  elaborate  on  their  hard  work  and  dedication  to  overcome  the  doubts,  and  ultimately  achieve  their  goal.  Then  I  would  give  the  students  the  opportunity  to  hare  their  experiences  with  the  class.    

2. I  could  also  introduce  this  story  to  my  class  in  time  before  the  school  “walk-­‐a-­‐thon”.  This  could  encourage  the  students  who  were  not  particularly  looking  forward  to  it,  to  do  well.  I  could  then  give  out  the  Wilma  Rudolph  Award  to  whoever  walked  the  most  laps.