Book Blog #3 on “But This Night is Different: A Seder Experience”

Title: But This Night is Different: A Seder Experience

Author: Audrey Friedman Marcus and Raymond A. Zwerin

Illustrator: Judith Gwyn Brown

Publisher: Union of American Hebrew Congregations

Copyright: 1980

Number of Pages: 48

Genre: International Literature

Grade Level: 3^rd

Content Area: English Language Arts

Audrey Friedman Marcus and Raymond A. Zwerin wrote about a sacred holiday and why the night of this holiday is so different from every other night. They tell about their usual routines for each night, like how they normally just sit down and eat, or they would wash their hands at the sink. But on this night, they would first share stories and prayers, then they would wash their hands at the table. Close to the end of the book they list all the things they do differently on this night from saying Kiddush and sipping sweet wine four times to feeling close to their family and feeling especially Jewish. This book shares a holiday that most children from around here may not know about. I think this book opens students minds to how different they are from one another and that they should respect each another’s differences. The illustrations relate to each thing they do on that night and portray it very well. I would read this book to my students and then have them write about how they celebrate a certain holiday with their families.

Book Blog #2 on “Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters”

Title: Of Thee I Sing: A Letter to My Daughters

Author: Barack Obama

Illustrator: Loren Long

Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf

Copyright: 2010

Number of Pages: 40

Genre: Diverse Perspectives

Grade Level: 4^th

Content Area: Social Studies

Barack Obama wrote a beautiful letter to his daughters about the many good qualities he sees in them. He relates each quality to Americans throughout history that have used that talent for good. From the intelligence of Albert Einstein to the strength of Helen Keller, along with many more iconic heroes, Obama connects them to his children and the children of America. He shares that America is made up of people of every kind, “People of all races, religions, and beliefs. People from the coastlines and the mountains. People who have made bright lights shine by sharing their unique gifts and giving us the courage to lift one another up, to keep up the fight, to work and build upon all that is good in our nation.” He encourages children to share their gifts with the world, like others before them have so they too can make a difference. I also really like the last page where it says, “Have I told you that they are all a part of you? Have I told you that you are one of them, and that you are the future? And have I told you that I love you?” The illustrations portray each person he talks about beautifully and then has more and more children as the book progresses, until by the end of the book the page is covered with children. Most of the children are illustrated with their talents, like a bat, guitar, football, rocket, and so on. I would relate this book to Social Studies and have each student pick someone from the book to do more research on and share their findings with the class.

Book Blog #1 on "Oh, the Places You’ll Go!"

Title: Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

Author: Dr. Seuss

Illustrator: Dr. Seuss

Publisher: Random House

Copyright: 1990

Number of Pages: 44

Genre: Picture Book

Grade Level: 3^rd

Content Area: English Language Arts

Standard: 33. Ask and answer questions about information from a speaker, offering appropriate elaboration and detail. [SL.3.3]

Dr. Seuss wrote and illustrated the book, Oh, the Places You’ll Go! I got this book as a gift from my parents when I graduated from high school and I think it is very inspirational for kids at any age. It gives an insider to the good and bad times that we will face along our journeys. Dr. Seuss encourages the reader with words like, “Wherever you fly, you’ll be best of the best. Wherever you go, you will top all the rest.” He also informs the reader of things that they need to hear but may not want to. One example of this is on the very next page of the book when he says, “Except when you don’t. Because, sometimes you won’t. I’m sorry to say so but, sadly, it’s true that Bang-ups and Hang-ups can happen to you. You can get all hung up in a prickle-ly perch. And your gang will fly on. You’ll be left in a Lurch.” This book encourages and uplifts the reader, while also enlightening them with the reality of life. The illustrations are very colorful and interesting for children to look at. I would use this book to connect to English Language Arts and ask verbal questions before, during, and after I read the book aloud to them.