Blog Introduction

About the Author:

Welcome to my blog!

My name is Sarah Howell and I am currently a junior at the University of Providence. I am an Elementary Education major with a concentration in mathematics. I am also on the University of Providence women's soccer team. I enjoy reading, swimming, and spending time with friends and family, and my favorite children’s books were the Junie B. Jones books!

As a teacher, it is my goal to impact my students' lives and show them they are loved and important. My students will learn about the past and the present, as well as have dreams about their future. I will encourage students to learn and act in the appropriate behavior so they will be successful outside of school and in their future. I will provide my students with an engaging learning environment by being an enthusiastic teacher and encouraging my students to achieve their goals both inside and outside the classroom. 

Through this blog, I hope to read and evaluate books to find those that my students will enjoy so they can learn to love reading and become passionate readers! Reading is involved in every aspect of life, whether it be reading road signs, a text book, or a recipe, but, unfortunately, that is often where reading ends for people. Once students finish their education, and sometimes even before they graduate, they stop reading. Reading can and should be an enjoyable activity for all people, and the purpose of my book reviews is to find books that I believe students will want to read! I want my students to become passionate readers and finding quality books is the best way to begin that process. It is my hope that through this blog, I will be able to find children’s literature books that will help my students, and potentially your students, learn to love reading.

I will set up all my children’s literature book review posts in the same way and the layout I will use is as follows:

Book Title

Cover Image

Author:

Illustrator:

Publisher:

Print Date:

Cost:

Reading Level:

Summary:

Book Review Rubric (with comments):

Labels:

The book review rubric and the reading level system that I will use are below:

Book Review Rubric:

	★★★★★	★★★★	★★★	★★	★	Comments
Plot	Plot is well developed with all five elements of a good plot structure (exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution).	Plot is developed, but lacking one of the five elements of plot structure.	This book has a decent plot, but is lacking two of the five elements of plot structure.	This book has a weak plot that is lacking three of the five elements of plot structure.	This book does not have a defined plot, and is lacking four or more of the five elements of plot structure.
Character	The characters are well developed, have personality, and are believable.	Characters are well rounded, but lack in personality or they are not totally believable.	Characters are somewhat developed, and lack in personality or they are not totally believable.	The characters are underdeveloped, lack in depth and are not believable.	The characters are not developed so the readers cannot connect to the book.
Pacing	The story flows freely and is not rushed or slow.	The story moves freely for the most part, but there are a few spots where it feels rushed or slow.	The story moves freely for about half of the book, but the other half is rushed or slow.	The story often moves too fast or too slow and does not move freely.	There is no pacing in the story, which makes it difficult to read.

Reading Level System:

Pre-K: These books are great for the preschool-kindergarten age group because they have a fun plot and great illustrations. 

Grades 1-3: These books are for early readers. They are easy to read and have a good plot line to keep young readers interested. 

Grades 4-6: These books are for children who are independent readers, but not ready for more advanced reading or mature content.

Grades 7-8: These books are for students who are established readers and have more complicated language and more mature themes and content.

Grades 9-12: These books are for teenagers and young adults who are independent. They have mature themes and may have complicated and/or strong language and content. 

Adult: These books are for adults and they may have strong or complicated language, mature themes, and some may not be recommended for children to read.

Picture Source: https://images.kaplanco.com/catalog/largepopup/23707.jpg