BOOK EVALUATIONS FOR GRADES PreK-3
Your Name:
Corey Anne Youree
Genre*: ___Poetry_________________
Book One
Title: Scranimals
Author/date: Jack Prelutsky/2002
Illustrator: Peter Sis
If Caldecott winner what year:
ONE-THREE SENTENCE SYNOPSIS: A trip to Scranimal Island takes young readers to a place where mixed-up
animal poems are found. By combining the characteristics of food and animals, delightful new creatures interest the
two young travelers. They had so much fun and hope to return there again someday!
Quote or Illustration: I found my favorite scranimal the Pandaffodil on page 36. I like it because I am an AOTT and
our mascot is the panda! “On a certain mountain meadow, if you’re silent, if you’re still, you may spy a single yellow,
black, and white Pandaffodil.”
Book Two
Title: Shout! Little Poems that Roar
Author/date: Brad Bagert/2007
Illustrator: Sachiko Yoshikawa
If Caldecott winner what year:
ONE-THREE SENTENCE SYNOPSIS: These “little poems that roar” bring excitement to young readers with rhyme
and funny lyrics. Reading them makes you want to laugh as young children describe different activities throughout
their day.
Quote: I chose the poem Play Time. “We children really need to play, we cannot live the grown-up way. Someday
we’ll have to work all day, But now it’s time for us to play.” Playtime was my favorite part of school! Definitely an
important part of any child’s school day.
Book Three
Title: Never Take a Pig to Lunch and Other Poems About The Fun of Eating
Author/date: Nadine Bernard Westcott/1994
Illustrator: Nadine Bernard Westcott
If Caldecott winner what year:
ONE-THREE SENTENCE SYNOPSIS: This book provides many enjoyable poems focusing on food. We learn about
eating silly things and foods we like. It also describes eating too much and table manners.
Quote: My favorite poem was School Lunch on page 12. “Each time I bring it I wish I had bought it. But each time I
buy it I wish I had brought it.” This reminds me of my experiences of bringing my lunch and wishing for school lunch.
Book Four
Title: Dinothesaurus
Author/date: Douglas Florian/2009
Illustrator: Douglas Florian
If Caldecott winner what year:
ONE-THREE SENTENCE SYNOPSIS: These prehistoric poems and paintings describe dinosaurs of long ago. A
poem for each written in rhyme gives a description of each prehistoric animal.
Quote: Pg. 36 “What’s Minmi BIGGEST claim to fame? It has the smallest dinosaur name.” I liked this poem
because I had never heard of this dinosaur.
Book Five
Title: Dirt On My Shirt
Author/date: Jeff Foxworthy/2008
Illustrator: Steve Bjorkman
If Caldecott winner what year:
ONE-THREE SENTENCE SYNOPSIS: These poems by comedian Jeff Foxworthy describe the funny things kids
experience growing up. His hilarious descriptions of family and friends make each poem relate to childhood
memories.
Quote or Illustration: Pg. 16 Poem: Bubbles “I like to play and splash and sing when I take my bath, But it’s the
bubbles that I make myself that always make me laugh!” It reminds me of taking a bath with my younger cousin. She
made her own bubbles. I am not familiar with Foxworthy’s writings, but I do think he is a great comedian.
Good job with book evals for younger students.
EVALUATION OF BOOK FOR GRADES 4-9*
ALL questions need to be completed for full credit. Any plagiarism of the sample materials will result in a
failed grade; disciplinary action will be taken by the university council. See sample before beginning this. Do
not copy and paste text from the internet. Use your own words and cite your sources where necessary.
Your Name:
Corey Anne Youree
Title: River Friendly River Wild
Author: Jane Kurtz
Publisher: Simon and Schuster Children’s
Publishing Division
Number of pages in the book: 34
GENRE: Poetry
Illustrator: Neil Brennan
Copyright Date: 2000
Your own opinion about the reading level:
5th Grade
1. List ALL of the criteria for considering quality books for this genre (copy this from your text).
Language is lyrical. Illustrations match the feeling established by the text. List ALL the criteria. See figure
4.1 in your textbook.
2. List any information on the illustrator and/or illustrations (book cover).
Neil Brennan studied art at the Rhode Island School of Design. He has been a commercial artist for
fifteen years. He used layers of oil glazes to create the illustrations.
3. Give a brief summary of the book in your own words.
Main Characters: Mom, Dad, Jane, Sarah, Kiwi(cat), Max
These are a series of poems written by Jane, a young girl whose life has been turned upside down
because the river has flooded her town. While evacuating her home, she leaves behind her cat Kiwi,
uncertain if she will see her again. She suffers the loss of books and toys. Her friend Sarah is forced to
live with her grandparents. The river caused just as much emotional damage as physical damage. Her
experiences include revisiting her home and living without electricity.
4. Give a memorable passage (include page #) and your personal connection to the book.
Memorable passage: Pg.12 “We rush—hush through the midnight streets, out of the silent city, away
from the river, away from our home. “
Personal connection: When I was little, the creek behind our house backed up and flooded our whole
yard. Water was standing in our garage. We rushed to leave our home because we didn’t know how high
the water would rise.
5. Give a professional evaluation using one or two of the selection criteria for this genre and give
supportive examples from the book.
The language in river friendly river wild is serious and has good direction. The poems really make you
think and evaluate your own life and wonder what you would do in that situation. The illustrations add
depth and meaning to the poems, especially the picture of the house under water.
6. How would you use this book and who would be your intended audience? List three (3)
discussion questions and one (1) extension activity related to the book that a teacher could use
to expand and enhance the book. See sample.
How would you use this book?
I would use this book during social studies when we discuss natural disasters.
Intended audience: 5th grade
Discussion questions:
1. What caused the river to flood?
2. Why did Jane and her family leave behind Kiwi, their pet cat?
3. Why were the people not allowed back into the city after the flood?
Extension Activity: “Pack Your Suitcase”: List the ten items that you would pack if you had to evacuate
your home. Write a paragraph explaining why these items are significant to you.
7. State any extra interesting information or comments such as awards or tantalizing tidbits about
the book or its author.
Jane Kurtz grew up in Ethiopia. She travels around the country visiting schools and connecting with children
through her children’s books.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------*NOTE: For the historical fiction and nonfiction genres, no biographies will be accepted. Books with
collections of stories or poems must be evaluated on the whole book. Do not select one story or poem from
the book to evaluate. You may, however, use one story or poem from the book to plan your learning activity
around. Be sure to indicate if the book is a Newbery winner.
Score: 19 pts