Children's+Literature

=**Children's Literature: **=




 * “My Brother Sammy” by Becky Edwards** is a great picture book that I can incorporate into my classroom read alouds. The book is about a boy who has a brother with autism. The narrator of the story gets frustrated because he just wants his brother to be “normal” like other people’s brothers. He then realizes that it’s okay that his brother Sammy does things differently. There are many ways I could use this picture book in my classroom. I can use it to discuss emotions, expectations and acceptance of others.

I can discuss with my students how their emotions can change and how they should handle their emotions. We can also discuss the importance of accepting everyone for who they are. The narrator was upset because his brother didn’t seem “normal.” As a class we can talk about how things don’t always have to be the same and that it’s good that everyone is different. Students can then work in groups to talk about alternative choices the narrator could have made instead of getting frustrated with his brother Sammy.




 * “How Smudge Came” By Nan Gregory** is another wonderful picture book that has a child with a disability as a main character. The book is from the point of view of a child named Cindy who has Down syndrome. Cindy finds a stray puppy one day and the two soon become best friends. Cindy eventually has to give up the puppy.This book has so many great things to discuss with students.

Many of the students can relate to having to lose something they love. This book also lends itself to teaching about point of view and perspective. I would want students to have a discussion on the things they would never want to give up and how they would feel if they did. This book is also a great way for students to experience the world through a child with disabilities.


 * “Crazy Lady” By Jane Leslie Conly** is a chapter book that I would use for students who are older most likely fifth grade. This book covers sensitive issues like alcohol abuse and the teasing of a child with disabilities. This book is one that I would use for literature circles for students. I would want the students to read the material on their own and develop their own opinions and feelings towards the text.

I would then want the students to come together in their groups to talk about the issues that occur in the text. This is another book that really helps students see a different point of view. The students also can see how hurtful it is to tease other students who are different. I would teach the pillars of character counts with this text because the students need to be respectful and caring towards one another. I think this is a good book but I do need to be careful that the material isn’t too sensitive and is age appropriate.




 * “Andy and his Yellow Frisbee” By Mary Thompson** is the story of a child with autism named Andy. Andy usually plays by himself on the playground and is always spinning his Frisbee. Andy’s sister Rosie usually plays around Andy to prevent other people from disturbing him. One day a child named Sarah moves to the school and wants to know why Andy plays by himself. Rosie explains that Andy has autism and other facts to Sarah.

This book would be a great way to discuss the differences in other people. The ending of the book isn’t the way I would want students to feel about children with disabilities. In the end, Sarah and Rosie go play and leave Andy alone. I would want students to rewrite the ending of the book and explain what they would do if they were Sarah or some ideas they could try to include Andy in. I think that this is a beneficial book to discuss a variety of issues with students.

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 * “Odd Man Out” By Randy Radley** is a book that would be beneficial for my older students. This book presents a lot of dilemmas that pre-teens face. It is the story of a boy named Jordy who befriends a mentally disabled man named Oakley. Jordy defends Oakley when others make fun of himThis book would also be great for a read aloud or for literature circles.

The students can discuss the importance of not giving into peer pressure and to be accepting of others differences. The students can write in their journals how they would handle some of the situations that arise in the book. The students can then share their writings with their groups. We can also discuss as a class how important friendship is and to defend your friends. The material in this book is very easy to relate to the student's experiences and their feelings to fit in.