Weedflower

Weedflower
by Cynthia Kadohata

I know that as I go through life, I will not understand all that happens in the world or even in my own life. The evaucation and interment of Japanese Americans fits this case of not understanding. However, after thinking about this a little while, I believe that I can relate this to a certain situation of today. Instead of the issue being Pearl Harbor and the Japanese, it is the case of September 11 and Muslims. I know many Americans who looked at Muslims in America with skepticism and a hate to some degree. I do not think that any people group should be judged in this way. Thank goodness America has not treated the Muslims the way that Japanese Americans were treated in 1944. I was suprised as I read these internment camps were called America's concretation camps, and the U.S. did not realize they were doing the exact same thing as the Nazis! This broke and angered my heart as I realized the extravagent injustice the 120,00 Japanese Americans faced as they were placed in these internment camps.
Something else I had troube understanding was that even though America was in war with Germany and Italy at the time, this order of relocation did not apply to German Americans and Italian Americans. Why is this?
As I have read Weedflower, I have tried to place myself in Sumiko and her family's situation. However, I do not think that I can even begin to feel the sorrow and loss that they faced.
Sumiko reminds me of many twelve year old girls as she dreams, imagines, and longs to be accepted by other girls her age. I believe that we all can connect with Sumiko when her grandfather says that her head is divided in half: the half that likes to work and the half that likes to daydream. As Sumiko daydreams and anticipates Marsha's upcoming party, I was excited for her. When she was told to leave by Marsha's mother, I wanted to scream "NO! NO!"
My heart broke for Sumiko. I can only imagine the hurt that she must have felt. Students can connect with Sumiko here, for surely they have looked foward to an event, maybe a party or dance. They can then imagine what Sumiko must have felt as she was told to leave and embarrassed in front of her classmates! This is also a great way for students to understand that all peoples desire friendship and realize that what happened to Sumiko is a great example of social injustice. She was not allowed into the party because she was Japanese. Is this fair?
Students can also learn about Japanese traditions, customs, and religion through Sumiko's family. I found the bath ritual very interesting! Sumiko starts a fire under the bathtub to get the water warm. The order of the family bathing is in order of age, which starts with the men. Before anyone can take a bath, they must wash themselves off with a sponge, soap, and a bucket of water. Sumiko and her auntie are the last two to get a bath and in order to save water, the bath water is not changed every time! The bathtub water is Sumiko's job as well as grading flowers, which her uncle says that only she can do because of her gentle and quick hands. Sumiko is a very hard worker and seems to enjoy what she does. She loves being on the flower farm. She knows that her family are very dependent on the flowers and she seems to cherish them. When Sumiko is in the internment camp, her demeanor greatly changes. She often speaks of the "ultimate boredom" and how lazy she has become because there is no work to do. I can only imagine how much she misses her home and life on the beautiful flower farm. In fact, in the relocation camp, Mrs. Ono receives a letter from the new owner of her house telling her that she will take care of her dog until her release. Sumiko says that reading a letter seeing the sky. "It gave her so much hope , it seemed like a miracle." I also can not imagine selling all my possessions...what about setting afire all that may "look" American? Sumiko and her family had to burn anything that was Japanese including the picture of Sumiko's parents. I wanted to cry when Baba was sold because Tak-Tak's heart was broken. Tak-Tak loved Baba. Sumiko sat with him in the hay for an hour, until his sobs turned to whimpers. When they went inside they found their beds had been sold. Is there any possible way that we can begin to imagine what they are facing? I do not think so.
Students can learn a bit about the Buddhist religion through Sumiko's family. For example, Buddhists believe that you suffer in this life so you can learn and be a better person in the next life. Also, even though Buddhists do not believe in Jesus Christ, they celebrate Christmas by getting a tree and giving gifts.
Tak-Tak carrying pet crickets for good luck introduces an interesting concept in Japanese culture.
The Japanes Americans must have felt much like the Aleutians in that they felt unwanted wherever they were taken. On the way from the racetrack to Poston, they had to ride on a train in almost complete darkness because the Japanese were told to pull down the blinds. When Sumiko drew one up, she found people throwing rocks at the train and she did not understand what they did wrong. Sumiko realizes that they are not wanted in California, the racetrack, and now they are not wanted even at Poston because the internment camp is on an Indian reservation.
I would also challenge students to place themselves in the poistion of Sumiko and Tak-Tak as they step off the train in a whole new area, not knowing what to expect. They must have been very fearful in the dust storm, when the bus had to stop and was surrounded by brown dust. When they arrive in Poston, Tak-Tak says, "What's that? It feels weird in the air." He did not understand what hot was because they had never experienced a hotness like this. Sumiko says that it was like the heat from the fire was always blowing around instead of staying in one spot. Poston is the Colorado Relocation Center which contains 3 camps and will hold more that 17,000 Japanese Americans. There was 14 barracks to a block and each barrack was 20 feet by 100 feet. This area would hold four families. They Japanese tried to make the best of their life here, making clubs such as the sewing clubs, starting recreation groups and tournaments and planting gardens. This also reminds me of how the Aleutians made the best of their situation in the camps by storytelling, worshiping, and dancing.
The ending of Chapter 15 gives us a glimpse into Sumiko's character; "For Sumiko, her whole life, from the day she was born, had been a lesson in how to change your lot by accepting it and learning from it." Sumiko has had a trying life-her parents dying when she was young, doing her best to be a hard worker on the farm, trying to take care of her younger brother Tak-Tak, and now being torn away from her beautiful flower farm. Sumiko has dreams, much like all of us, and her dream is to go to college and get her business degree so she could run her flower shop. However, now she feels as if her dream is gone. Her dreams have been crushed because she has been torn away the farm she loves, from the life she shared with her family in California. In the middle of the desert, it is hard for Sumiko to imagine her dream ever coming true.
How would we feel if our dreams were made to dissapear due to circumstances beyond our control?
Sumiko learned how to make the best of her life in camp. She found joy in gardening, and this gave her something to look foward to each day. She tried her best to help Mr. Moto grow flowers and beans. She made shade for the flowers with cheesecloth and put organic matter around the flowers, just like Bull told her to. When her flowers blossemed, they were the colors of the rainbow! I can only imagine the joy that Sumiko felt as she was able to experience a little bit of home in the middle of the desert. When Sumiko and Mr. Moto won third place in the competition, I was very excited for them! Sumiko had even prepared a speech in case they won first place.
Sumiko's friendship with Frank reminded me of the friendship with Vera and Alfred in Aleutian Sparrow. Both pairs have feelings for each other that go beyond friendship. Both have to comfort each other and encourage each other through difficuilt times. However, while Vera and Alfred are both Aleutians, Sumiko and Frank are not of the same ethnic group. While Sumiko is Japanese, Frank is a Mohave Indian. Sumiko is even a bit afraid for other Japanese to know about her friendship. When Frank does come to camp, Sumiko fights for him, hitting a boy in the face with a piece of wood when he was trying to beat Frank. She believes that because she had protected Frank, she felt like he was now officially and defintley her friend. Students can be asked about their friendhships. Do they have friends who are willing to do what Sumiko did for Frank? Will their friends defend them and sacrifice for them? Why is this such an important part of being a good friend? Friendship can also be related to India in Winn Dixie. She became friends with those who were not just like her didn't she? She befriended Otis, Miss Fannie, Gloria Dump, Amanda, and the Dunlap boys. While they were not all exactly like, they develped trughful friendships. Students should understand that it is wonderful and rewarding to make friends with those who are not exactly like they are!
Students can also be asked to write about whether they think that Sumiko and Frank will continue to be friends. Even though Sumiko is leaving, will they write each other? Will Sumiko wear the bracelet Frank gave her every day? Where will Frank put the samuri that Frank gave her. The teacher may even want to ask the students to make pretend letters that Sumiko and Frank may have written to each other.
Weedflower is truly a wonderful historical fiction book. Students are able to place themselves in this time period through the eyes of Sumiko. They can realize the sorrow that the Japanese faced. The facts from the past become living, breathing drama, significant beyond thier own time. Students are able to perceive past events and issues as they were experienced by the people at the time. Therefore, this is a great historical fiction novel, which should be read by all elementary school students during the teaching of WWII.

Becoming You

Becoming Naomi Leon

Written by Pam Munoz Ryan

Scholastic, Inc. 2004

Multicultural Literature, 3-5

Summary: Namoi Soledad Leon Outlaw lives with her great-grandmother and younger brother in their tralier "Baby Beluga" at the Avocado Acres Trailer Rancho. Naomi shares all her struggles, fears, feelings, and doubts as she faces the suprises and the worries of each day. She stuggles with feeling accepted at school, for she is teased at school by boys who make fun of her last name, and she does not feel accepted by the girls, because Naomi feels that she is too different from them to be accepted. She has "a mop of unruly brown hair, brown eyes, and milky brown skin." Her father is from Mexico and her mother is from America. Naomi's life changes drastically when her mother suddenly appears in her life. She has never met her mother, who has changed her name and has been in and out of rehab centers and "halfway houses" due to drinking. Her mother wants Naomi to move to California with her and her boyfriend, Clive, but Naomi takes a stand againist her, telling her no. Her mother, Skyla, then slaps her sharply across the face. To get away from Skyla and Clive, Gram, Naomi, Owen, Fabiola, and Bernardo (their friends and neighbors) traveled to Oaxoca, Mexico to stay with Fabiola's sister, husband, daughter, and her son. Naomi enjoys her life here very much and has her heart set on finding her father, who she desperatly wants to meet, for he can help Gram as she seeks legal custody of Naomi and Owen. Naomi finally gets to meet him at the Festival of the Radishes (La Noche de los Rabanos). He holds her and Owen, crying over the time lost. He spends much time with them over the next few days before they must return to California for the court day. On this day, Naomi remembers to be brave like her Father told her, and she tells the judge why she does not want to live with her mother; why she belongs with Gram and Owen. The judge grants Gram custody of the children. Naomi's life will never be the same, and she has overcome her doubts, fears, and worries. Through these trials of her life, she has become Naomi the Lion, a girl strong enough to become who she is meant to be.

Response: When I first began reading this book, I was not sure what the plot or the theme of the story was or what this book would be teaching students. As the story progressed, I fell in love with the characters Naomi and Owen. I respected Gram and her faithfulness and love that she has for her great-grandchildren as if they are her own.

Naomi faces situations in school that all girls her age encounter: teasing, acceptance by other girls, and finding who she is. However, Naomi faces other issues that will give students different perspectives. Such as what it is like to look different and not feel accepted by others at school. Students should come to the realization that even though we may look different, all have a desire to be accepted and loved. Everyone is special and unique! Naomi living with her grandmother will also open a door for students to see a new perspective and to connect with Naomi. The desires and dreams that Naomi has for meeting her parents are experienced by children who may live with a grandparent and have probably never even been thought about by children who live with their parents.

The character of Owen can teach students so much! Even though Owen is different and teased at school, he always looks on the bright side! He is always positive! For example, when Owen is teased at school, people calling him retard and pulling the tape off of Owen's chest, he falls down to the ground. When he gets back up, he smiles and says to Naomi, "I fell down on purpose. They didn't mean it, they were just teasing." Owen is very, very smart, but he was born with a few birth defects. One leg is shorter than the other, making him walk with a bit of a hobble. Owen does not let this stop him from making the best of life. Owen is also not afraid to be himself. He always wears tape across his chest, for he greatly likes tape. It does not matter who makes fun of him or who tells him to stop wearing tape, he continues to wear his tape. Even when Owen goes to the doctor because of his impairments, he is happy because he gets to see the doctors who have become his friends. Owen also greatly cares for his older sister, Naomi. When he is sad, he does all that he can to cheer her up and reassure her. In Mexico, he and Ruben do their best to help her find their father by working as a team, calling all the Santigo's in the phonebook. When they thought that they could not find him, Owen said, "It's oaky, Naomi. It's oaky." Owen is always himself, caring for others, looking on the positive side, and He does not care what others think or say about him!

This book qualifies as a great multicultural book, because it introduces students to new perspectives and allows students to understand and empathize with people who are different from themselves. The universality of Naomi's experiences allows students to find connections across cultures. Naomi demonstrates many differences in that she is a minority student in her school, lives with her grandmother, and has a younger brother who needs special medical attention. Many differnt views of the Mexican culture and ways of life are introduced, for when Naomi goes to Mexico, the book focuses on the Mexican culture.

Pam Munoz Ryan presents cultural details authentically and multidimensionally. This means that specific details have been illuminated and reflected upon. Some of these specific cultural markers include the description of the layout and houses in Mexico. I was suprised when Naomi said, "the size and conditon of some of the houses made Baby Beluga look like a mansion." (page 171). Naomi also describes the city as being on a mesa, or a tabletop. Many spanish words and concepts are introduced through the book, and they are all integrated naturally! For example, Spanish words and meanings are included whenever possible! When they first arrive, Bernardo tells them that "barrio" means neighborhood. The details of the city also help to create a sense of the culture. The streets in town are narrow and bumpy because the ground is set with stones in cement. The many walls that divide each house creates a vivid picture of the town. The houses are small, maybe just a little bigger than Baby Beluga. Houses contain gardens, clothlines for drying laundry, and small trees growing out of brownish grass. Important cultural holidays and celebrations are also integrated very well into the book. Celebrations such as Las Pasados and La Noche de los Rabones are explained in great detail. The emotions and wonder that Naomi feels are also expressed. During the celebration of Las Pasados, Naomi begins crying for the sorrow and joy that the celebrations leads her to feel.

Ryan also includes an insider perspective (writes as a member of the culture) for the culture is explained to Naomi through Fabiola, Bernardo, Graciela, and Ruben. They explain the importance of Las Pasados and La Noche de los Rabones. The family also explains small details fo the culture such as how to shop in the market, or el mercado, and the concept that men do make the wood carvings and the women paint them. Naomi remembers the mobile that hung over her head when she was a baby that her Father made for her. At her great-aunt's Tereasa's house, Naomi gets to see the many animals and wood creations that her father has made. She believes that she is a carver, just like her father, for she is constantly carving soap.

Teaching Ideas: Naomi greatly enjoys to carve soap. She is proud of what she creates! Teachers can use this as a way to encourage students to seek out actvities that they enjoy. Students can also be encouraged to try new activties such as sewing, cross-stitching, art, sports, learning a musical instrument, dance, and so many others! Teacher can even help students as they try to soap carve as a class.

Students will enjoy looking at slides and pictures of the celebration of Noche do Rabones (Night of the Radishes). This will better help them become more knowledable about the celebration how so many creations and figures can be made from radishes!

Students can also look at pictures of Oaxaca, Mexico in order to better understand what the city would look like. They could then compare the images that they found the descriptions in the book.

Naomi makes lists on just about everything and anything! Students may enjoy also doing this. They can be given about 2 days to create at least three lists on anything that they would like! Their lists could be about anything from "The funny things my dog does" to "The funny things my little sister says." Naomi does make a list of "Things I Am Good At." This should be done by each student, for this will encourage them and give them a chance to share about themselves with their classmates.

Becoming Naomi Leoni is a book to use to introduce students to the Mexican culture as well as allow them to see different perspectives through Naomi!

Poetry

The Great Frog Race and Other Poems
Written by Kristine O’Connell George
Illustrated by Kate Kiesler
Clarion Books, 1997
Poetry, Picture book K-5

Spring Wind

Smelling of lavender,
softly fluttering the curtains,
she looked inside,
then floated in
for tea.

She sat in the wing chair,
Long elegant fingers
tracing linen lilacs.

After tea
she whispered her thanks,
lifted her silk skirts,
and rustled away.

This poem gives the simple character of wind a new description for wind is given the quality of a human which is personification. The image created by this poem is very vivid! I can just imagine sitting by the window, feeling the wind and smelling the smell of lavender while drinking tea. The wind is given person qualities, for the poem says that the wind looks, sat, has elegant fingers, whispers, and lifts her skirts. While younger children may not like this poem because it does not contain humor and contains visual imagery, older students would be able to appreciate the imagery and unique description of the wind.

Little Dog Poems
By Kristine O’Connell George
Illustrated by June Otani
Clarion Books, 1999
Poetry, K-3

Cold Nose

Little Dog’s cold nose
is better than any
alarm clock.

Warrior

Little Dog barks
to call me
to witness
the triumph-
one cornered beetle.

Cozy

Little Dog tugs
an enormous pillow
all the way across the room
to sit beside the fire
with me.

Bedtime

No one will ever guess
that the lump under my blanket is
Little Dog.

These poems are very precious and are great for younger children because they contain humor and familiar experiences with pets. The fact that these poems are told from a narrative point-of-view makes them appeal to younger children. The images created with the narrative poems are easy for students to create. They can just imagine Little Dog as he is waking the little girl up in the morning, as he is barking at a beetle, and pulling the pillow across the room to sit beside his friend.

Poetry

Hopscotch Love: A Family Treasury of Love Poems
Written by Nikki Grimes
Lothrop, Lee, & Shepard Books, 1999
Poetry, K-2

Christmas Valentine

I asked Mama
What she wanted
For Christmas
“Honey,” she said
“All I want is you.”
But I’m way too big
To fit under the tree
So, when she
Wasn’t looking
I snuck into
Her sewing room
For scraps of velvet,
Gold ribbon, and lace.
And got my tracing paper
From out of my desk
And grabbed the glue.
Then two days later
I gave Mama
Her very first
Christmas valentine.
I’d pasted my picture
Smack in the middle.
And I could swear a little tear
Ran down her cheek
When I said,
“Merry Christmas, Mama.”

This poem is so sweet and I believe that students could relate to this poem because all children enjoying creating masterpieces for their loved ones.
Nikki Grime’s collection of poems are truly unique and as she says, “Most of my material derives from a lifelong discipline of observing people around me, both young and old.”
The image that this poem creates is one of love and determination. Readers can just imagine the young child creating the Christmas Valentine with a determined look on his/her face. Readers can also imagine the tear that falls down the Mother’s face. The form of the poem affects the look of the poem, the readers’ progress through them, and the emphasis given to some of the words. The form of this poem is similar to that of a list, which leads students to have to read one line at a time, making it easier for students who may be beginner readers. I also believe that this poem offers insight, leading students to say, “Yes! That’s it!” Readers can see how special and meaningful it is to make a card or note for someone who they deeply care about.

The Mirror of Erised from Harry Potter

The Mirror was Erised is a mirror that is unlike any other mirror. When someone looks into this mirror, they see the desires of their heart. When Harry looked into the mirror of Erised, he saw his parents smiling and waving to him. This is what he had always desired, for his parents had died when he was just a baby.

If I were to look into the mirror of Erised, I believe that I would see quite a few different things. First and foremost, I beleive that I would see a cross, because my desire is to live my faith in Jesus Christ-to live each day to praise him and fall more in love with Him. Yes, many times a day I fail at this, but this is truly the desire of my heart. I would also see the word "Love", because I hope to love all those around me. My family, friends, classmates, and above all, the Lord. But the word "Love" also represents my desire to fall in love someday and be married.
I believe that I would also see children from all around the world smiling and waving at me, for I have a strong desire to adopt children from all around the world who may not have a loving home. Or if I can not adopt, I hope that I can travel to where hurting children are and just love on them!

Harry Potter and the Sorcer's Stone

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
Written by J.K. Rowling
Scholastic Inc., 1998
Fantasy, 3-5

Summary: Harry Potter is an extraordinary child. As a child, he survived the attack of Voldemort, the most evil wizard of all time. Voldemort killed Harry’s parents but did not kill Harry, for his mother’s love saved Harry because she sacrificed her life for Harry to live. Harry was taken to live with his Aunt and Uncle Dursley and their son Dudley. Harry’s aunts and uncles are Muggles, which are ordinary humans with no magical powers. As Harry grows up, he has no idea that he has any magical powers, even though strange things seem to happen at times. For example, when he was at the zoo with the Dursley’s, a snake opened his eyes and winked at Harry, who had asked the snake if he got tired of people tapping on the glass and ever wanted to return to his hometown. Before Harry knew it, the snake was gliding across the floor, the glass of the cage not even broken. Harry was mistreated by his family. He had to live in the cupboard and was at times treated like he was not even there. Dudley and his friends would bully and tease Harry. When Harry began to get letters in abundance, his uncle would not let Harry look at them. The letters eventually would overflow from the windows and doors of the house, and still Harry would not get to read his letters. Uncle Vernon tried to run away from the letters but wherever they went, the letters followed them. Soon Hagrid found Harry. Hagrid is a giant and is the groundskeeper of Hogwarts,which is the school of witchcraft and wizardy. He is surprised and a bit mad that Harry did not know anything about the letters or even that he was a wizard! The letters that have been following Harry informed Harry that he had been informed he was accepted at the school. Harry then left Hagrid to get books, wands, supplies, and an owl for school. On the way to school he makes a new friend named Ron Weasely. Harry was amazed that Hogwarts was a magnificent castle. Harry and Ron were placed in the same house, the Gryffindor house. Here they met Hermione, who would become a great friend. Harry soon realized that Draco Malfoy was a bully, for he continued to tease Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Harry also realized that one of his professors, Snape, was set on humiliating Harry to show how he disliked Harry. Harry soon became the “Seeker” of the Quidditch team. This was an honor, for first-years were never Seekers. They must be very fast and speedy on the broomstick , which Harry was. For Christmas, Dumbledore, the headmaster of the university, gave Harry an indivisibility cloak that was his Father’s. Soon Harry and Ron found a forbidden hallway on accident and find that a three-headed dog is there, guarding something. Harry also found the Mirror of Erised. When he looked into this mirror, he could see his parents smiling and waving at him. When he goes back, Dumbledore is there, and he tells Harry that he must not come back, for the mirror will start to control him. The mirror shows one his most desperate desire of their hearts. Soon, Harry, Ron, and Hermione found what the three headed dog was hiding-the sorcer’s stone which is a stone that makes stone and allow someone to live an everlasting life. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were given detention and had to go with Hagrid into the forbidden forest to find what was hunting the unicorns. Harry finds a bleeding unicorn and sees a hooded figure eating the unicorn. The hooded figure then came swiftly toward Harry and the scar on his forehead was unbearable, for the hooded figure was Voldermort. When Harry awoke, he was knew he had to save the sorcer’s stone, for if Voldermort got the stone, he could rise back to power, which would be dark and evil. Harry, Hermione, and Ron work together to overcome the many different chambers and spells that they must get through to get to the stone. When Harry arrives to the last chamber, he finds Quirrel there, who was helping Voldermort. The Mirror of Erised was also there and when Harry looked in it, he felt the stone being slid into his pocket. Just as Voldermort was trying to kill Harry, Dumbldore came and saved him. The stone was then destroyed forever. Harry’s bravery and courage had stopped Voldermort from rising to power again. Harry, Ron, and Hermione then have to go back home for the summer break and Harry can’t wait to use what he has learned on his cousin Dudley.

Response: When I first began reading Harry Potter, I was not excited. I went into reading this book with some hesitation, for I had trouble imagining a book that contained witches and wizards to be excellent, as reviews and peers have told me. However, after reading the first book of the series, I felt very differently about Harry Potter. This book is more than just witches and wizards, it is about sacrifice, friendship, acceptance, and courage. Harry Potter can teach many lessons to children through his character. Even though Harry was not accepted by his peers or the Durselys, but he did not lose confidence in himself. The way that the Durselys treated Harry was horrifying. I felt compassion for Harry and wanted to see him succeed. Harry is a character who all students can relate to-he has to convince himself that he is a wizard as well as the readers. He, like the students are surprised and amazed at this magical world. Even though Harry is a wizard, he deals with issues that all students must face: friendships, homework, bullies, and standing up for what you believe in.

For me, the theme of friendship is dominant throughout the book. When Harry first meets Ron, he is very open to Harry and asks him all sorts of questions. Harry answers his questions patiently and even shares many of his sweets with Ron. Ron and Harry soon become great friends. They also become good friends with Hermione. When they hear that she is upset and might be in danger because of the troll, they set off to find her even though they were not supposed to. The two boys rescue Hermione from the troll and she tells the professors that it was her fault, because she thought that she could overcome the troll herself. Really, she was in the bathroom crying because Ron had hurt her feelings. Nonetheless, she took the blame and from that point on, Hermione, Ron, and Harry became close friends. They share secrets and fears with each other-Harry tells them that he believes that Snape does not like him. During the Quidditch match, Harry’s broom becomes to get out of his control, and Hermione looks over at Snape and thinks that he is putting a type of curse on Harry’s broom. Hermione sneaks over to him and sets fire to his robe, breaking the spell on Harry’s broom. Harry, Ron, and Hermione work as a team to help Hagrid get rid of his pet dragon, who is causing quite a bit of trouble and to solve the mystery of the Sorcerer’s stone. I believe that Ron demonstrates a true act of friendship, for he is willing to give himself over to the white chess queen. This was an act of sacrifice, for this had to be done in order for Harry to be able to advance to the next chamber. Ron was stuck hard in the head with the stone arm of the queen and knocked out. Harry and Hermione work together to solve the problem of which potion to drink in order to get through the flames. Hermione throws her arms around Harry, telling him to be careful, thanking him for his friendship and bravery.

Indeed, Harry Potter fits the characteristics of high fantasy because he is a hero who is compassionate, courageous, humane and who accomplishes good deeds. Harry becomes deeply involved in the struggle between good and evil, where eventually the entire “good” world was at stake. Harry is a hero who overcomes evil due to his pure heart and bravery.

Teaching Ideas: Students from all ages learn or gain insight from reading Harry Potter. For example, Ashley Rhodes, who is 20 years old, says, “Harry was the first fictional character I could relate to, which is why these books changed my life.” Daniel Boyce, age 12, says, “I think one of the best, most long-lasting ways it has affected my life is that it has taught me how to enjoy reading.” Students can be asked to write an essay or a paragraph about what they have learned or gained from reading Harry Potter. Other ideas include making a brochure about Hogwarts School in which they introduce professors, the different houses, or what the environment around the school looks like. Students can also do a character sketch where they describe each character, and discuss which character they believe they are most like or can relate to. Students can also make models of clay, pictures, or paintings of the many different characters that are introduced by this book. For example, students can make a model of what they believe the three-headed dog, the centaurs in the forest, the troll, unicorn, or Norbeck the Dragon. Students could also make a model of the type of wand that they would like to have, and decorate it any way that they would like!

Hottest, Coldest, Highest, Deepest

Hottest, Coldest, Highest, Deepest
Written and Illustrated by Steve Jenkins

Houghton Mifflin Company, 1998

Picture Book, Informational Text 2-5

Wow! The facts presented in this book are absolutely amazing and can teach any age! Readers are taken to places in the world that they can imagine what life is like here. In the beginning of the book, Steve Jenkins says, "There are deserts that haven't seen rain for thousands of years, and jungles where it pours every day. There are places so cold that even in the summer it's below freezing and spots where its often hot enough to cook an egg on the ground. There are mountains many miles high and ocean trenches that are even deeper. You can find rivers thousands of miles long and waterfalls thousands of feet high." I believe that this is a great way to attract reader's attention! They will want to learn more and find out where these places are!

This book made me feel so small! In learning about these amazing natural wonders on Earth, I can not help be reminded of the great God who created this beautiful and breathtaking creation.

I was reminded of a time when I went with my family to vacation in Wyoming. We went atop Mount Washburn and I could see mountains all around me for as far as my eyes could see. To the distance in the right, I could see rain and lightening falling from the clouds. To the left, I could see patches of sunlight shining through the clouds, pouring light on certain spots on the mountains, making the mountains look a bit like a quilt. Behind me, the mountain peaks were white with snow. I remember being speechless and in awe of this beaty. I do not understand how anyone could see somthing as beatiful and wonderful as this and not believe in God as Creator and Savior.

After I read this book, I felt much the same way! I was in awe of these amazing wonders of the Earth.

Did you know that the Nile River is 4,145 miles long-the longest river in the world and that the Mississippi River is the fourth longest with 3,710 miles?

Did you know that Lake Baikal in Russia in the world's largest and deepest lake? In one spot it is 5,134 feet deep, which is 3,884 feet higher than the Empire State Building!

Did you know that the hottest spot on the planet is Al Aziziyah, Libya, in the Sahara where a temperature of 136F has been recorded? Or that the coldest place on the planet is Vostok, Antarctia where a recording of 129F has been recorded?

Did you know that the wettest place on Earth is Tutenendo, Colombia, where an average of 463 inches of rain falls a year, comparted to 72 inches being the height of a adult man?

The driest place in the world is the Atacama Desert in Chile where no rain has fallen for the last 400 years!

The windest spot on Earth is atop Mount Washington, in New Hampshire where the wind speed has reached 231 miles per hour compared to 150 mph being a severe hurricane wind.

The world's highest waterfall is Angel Falls, in Venezuela. It is 3212 feet high! Niagara Falls is only 180 feet tall! Wow!

What an amazing book that students will enjoy reading. They will be amazed by these interesting facts and enjoy the cut-paper collages made by Steve Jenkins.