I did my author study on Barbara Park because I loved reading the Junie B. Jones series in elementary school. I really liked exploring her website because the website is actually through the perspective of Junie B. Jones. It is very interactive and kid friendly. You can play games on the website, download activity sheets, read a Q&A about Barbara Park, read summaries of all Park's books, and there is even a teacher's corner where you can find activities to go along with the Junie B. Jones books. The website is: http://www.randomhouse.com/kids/junieb/
Another book by Park that I enjoyed when I was younger was Mick Harte was Here. The book is about a young boy who died in a bicycle accident. I would say all of Park's books (with the exception of Mick Harte was Here) are all comical. I loved, and still do love, reading Barbara Park's books and I am glad I had the opportunity to learn a little more about her.

This class has allowed me to read books that my future students are actually reading. For example, I never thought I would like graphic novels. In fact, I didn't know what graphic novels were until this class. After reading one, I realized how fun and interesting they are and I can see why kids choose to read them. I also read different genres that I probably would have never touched. I have always said that I do not like science fiction but I fell in love with The Giver. I could not put the book down; I love the way the author details the ideas she has. This would be a great book to read as a class or as a read-aloud because it can spark such great conversation. I also enjoyed reading books that claim to be controversial and having the chance to analyze them. Normally, I would just read a quick picture book and then I would be done with it. I never sat down and analyzed the text and illustrations but doing this has given me a better understanding of the books that are out there and books that I want to share with my future classroom. Reading a variety of books and getting to know your students gives me an opportunity to make book recommendations. When I was in fourth grade, my teacher recommended a book to me and it made me feel special that she was actually considering me and that she had taken the time to pair me with a book that she thought I would like. I can also use my own experiences to get students interested in genres that they may have not considered before.

The Misfits by James Howe

This book is about a group of four close friends in middle school who are not so popular. They are sick of being teased and called names so they make a new political party in school called the No-Name Party. They end up losing the elections but have made an impact in their school.

Overall, on a scale from 1-10 I would give this book an 8. It was a quick, easy read but I felt that it took awhile to get to the plot of the story. And once you reached the climax, it just ended. I do agree that background information is important but I felt that this was too much in the beginning or not enough at the end. On the other hand, the author did a great job of making the characters come to life and I think everyone can either relate to a character or they know someone who is like the character. I also liked that the last chapter explained what happened to the characters when they grew up. I am the type of reader who likes to know what has happened to the characters; I don't like to leave it all up to my imagination.

I think the topic being discussed is very important because I think all kids at some point in their life are bullied, teased, or called names. This book could be an inspiration and comfort to all those awkward middle schoolers. I think using this book to promote your own No-Name Party would be a great idea. I would recommend this book for kids ages 10-14.

The Amazing Bone by William Steig

This book is about a young pig named Pearl who stumbles upon a talking bone. This bone used to belong to a witch and can speak in any language or mimic any noise. On the way home Pearl runs into robbers but the bone talks and scares the robbers away. Next she runs into a fox but the fox doesn't fall for the bone's tricks. The fox takes Pearl home to eat for dinner. Just when the fox is about to chow down the bone says spells and the fox shrinks to the size of a mouse and saves Pearl.

This is considered a controversial book because of the use of tobacco (pictures depict adult animals with pipes and Pearl states that she sees adults spitting tobacco) and the use of weapons (pistols and daggers used by the robbers). I feel that these are minimal "controversies" and banning the book would just make kids miss out on a great story. The focus isn't tobacco or weapons but Pearl and her new friend, the amazing bone. I do not think the story would change if the tobacco use and weapons were taken out but I also think that knowing your students allows you to recognize that they are not going to go out and use tobacco or weapons after reading this book.

I feel that the illustrations in this book are pretty simple but Steig does a good job of showing emotion through his artwork. I would recommend this book for kids ages 3-10.

Fly Away Home by Eve Bunting

This book is about a young boy and his dad who are homeless so they live in an airport. They have to be careful not to be noticed because several other homeless people have been thrown out. The book takes the reader through the journey that the boy and dad follow everyday in the airport.

This is considered a controversial book because of the tough issue that is being discussed: homelessness. Some parents want to shelter their children from anything "bad" and they feel that this book doesn't do that. Some people may think that living in an airport goes against the law and they feel that this shouldn't be encouraged. I wouldn't have a problem reading this book in my class. There are probably some students of lower-class who could relate to this story. I also think that students need to be aware of what is really going on in the world and that this is a real issue.

The illustrations in this book are just ok. I wish the illustrator would have added more detail to bring out more emotion in the book. I would recommend this book for kids ages 5-8.

The Rabbits' Wedding by Garth Williams

This book is about a little white rabbit and a little black rabbit who are good friends are play together all the time. Every once in awhile the little black rabbit looks sad so the little white rabbit asked him what's wrong. The black rabbit says he has a wish, he wishes that he could be with the white rabbit forever and always. The white rabbit agrees and they get married so they can be together forever.

This is considered a controversial book because of the idea of interracial marriage. It is hard to say whether or not the author thought of this when he was writing it. Some people want this book banned because they don't agree with interracial marriage but banning this book sends the message that interracial marriage is wrong. What is there is a young student who has a white mom and a black dad? The message that would be given to her is that her parents are doing something wrong and she is the product of that. I wouldn't have a problem reading this book in my classroom because the idea of interracial marriage isn't explicitly stated in the book so I don't think most kids would think twice about it. The only reason I wouldn't read this book is because I feel the text is a little dull.

The illustrations in this book remind me of reading my parent's old books when I was little. This book was copyrighted in 1958 if that gives you an idea of what the pictures look like; they have an old feel to them. I would recommend this book for kids ages 3-6.

WhiteWash by Ntozake Shange

This book is about a young girl named Helene-Angel who is walking home from school with her older brother when they are stopped by three white guys. The white guys beat the brother up and paint Helene-Angel's face white all while calling them names. Helene-Angle is scared, embarrassed, and depressed at what happened but a few days later, she opens her door and her friends from school are there willing to give her support. This book is based on true incidents.

This is considered a controversial book because the issue being discussed is so deep. There is also the aspect of violence (the brother being beaten up, Helene-Angel's face being painted) and name calling ("mud people"). I think some people want this book banned because they don't want to introduce tough topics to their children; they want to keep them sheltered. I personally would use this book in my classroom because I do feel it is a prevalent issue today and it needs to be talked about and kids need to understand why it is not ok. Some students may have even experienced incidents like this and they may feel alone but this book can be a comfort to them.

I love the illustrations in this book and the illustrator's use of color. I also like the feel of the page; they are very aesthetic. I would recommend this book for kids ages 6-10.

Pinkerton, Behave! by Steven Kellogg

This book is about a dog named Pinkerton who doesn't follow commands. He does the opposite of what he is told. He goes to obedience school but is kicked out for being a bad influence on the other dogs. One night a burglar comes in and the owner is frightened. But, she commands Pinkerton to do certain things because she knows that Pinkerton will do the opposite. Pinkerton gets rid of the burglar and everyone lives happily ever after.

I like this book because it is funny and many kids can relate to this if they have a dog. The pictures add humor that the text can't fully capture. I would recommend it for kids ages 3-8.

This is considered a controversial book because the burglar that enters the house, holds a gun to the owner's head and says "This is a stickup, lady. Don't move, or I'll blast you and your silly hound to chicken powder." Some people feel that this may be too violent and there shouldn't be pictures of any kinds of weapons in children's books. In this case, if you took the gun out and changed what he said, then it wouldn't ruin the book; it would still have the same meaning. I probably would still read this book to kids because it may be something that they don't even notice and I don't believe that after reading this book, they would go out and get a gun.