Engel, Trudie.
We’ll Never Forget You, Roberto Clemente
. Scholastic, New York, 1996.
In large print with short chapters and black and white photographs of the real Roberto Clemente, Trudie Engel tells the history of one of the North America’s greatest professional baseball players. The story begins with his humble boyhood roots in Puerto Rico and ends with his children posthumously honoring his name. The young Roberto Clemente teaches all children about the labors and fruits of persistence, resourcefulness, goal setting, responsibility, and organization, tools he implements from a very young age.
Grimm, Wilhelm & Jacob.
Grimm’s Fairy Tales: Little Red Cap
. Hamlyn, New York, 1961.
This version of the classic
Little Red Riding Hood
has an alternative ending to the young girl getting gobbled up. Instead, she is saved and has a second opportunity to confront a beguiling wolf and, with the resources of her grandmother’s tutelage and a clever plan, entraps the wolf to his demise as opposed to ending the victim. The twist allows for comparison and provides a lesson in planning, resourcefulness, and the value of approaching a task a second time after making even fatal mistakes.
Lindgren, Astrid.
Pippi to the Rescue
. Viking, New York, 2000.
This book is an adaptation of one chapter, “Pippi Acts as a Lifesaver”, in Astrid Lindgren’s ever popular chapter book entitled,
Pippi Longstocking
. The single story books are more digestible for the young audience with a shorter attention span. Still Pippi Longstocking plays the same loveable and courageous heroine who, in the face of a timid crowd and befuddled firefighters, comes to the rescue of two young boys trapped in a burning building. It provides a detailed sequencing of an elaborate and creative plan, which makes it perfect to instruct students on pre-planning, organization, and courage in the face of a seemingly impossible task. Who would have thought that a little girl could be more proactive than a town or group of men?
McGovern, Ann.
Wanted Dead or Alive: The True Story of Harriet Tubman
. Scholastic, New York, 1965.
This second edition of the original
Runaway Slave
provides a powerful retelling of Harriet Tubman’s story. Without fixating on dates and typical historical narrative timeline crutches, it takes students through a series of harrowing events in her life from childhood through adulthood and her work on the Underground Railroad. Moments of lyricism, interesting dialogue, and eerie blue rubbing style illustrations make it a unique tool for instructing students about the life of a true American heroine. Her dedication and ingenuity are the hallmarks of this children’s title.
Medearis, Angela Shelf.
The Spray Paint Mystery
. Scholastic, New York, 1996.
The Spray Paint Mystery
is a contemporary urban fiction in which a young school boy, Cameron, and his friend Tarann take on the role of police detectives in the hopes of solving a schoolyard crime. Together they slowly gather evidence to nab the culprit who graffitied their school walls. Be prepared for the surprise ending. Their dedication and work toward a common goal, despite setbacks, makes this an excellent choice for teaching students to persevere, set goals, and how to modify strategy when confronted with obstacles.
Snicket, Lemony.
A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Bad Beginning
. Harper Collins, New York, 1999.
The Bad Beginning is the first in a serial of macabre and humorous adventures. In this romp, the Baudelaire orphans confront their first string of misfortunes. After losing their parents in the first chapter, they must learn to live with and escape their wicked uncle Count Olaf who, in addition to being their guardian, wants to steal their fortune by any means necessary, even if that means attempting to marry the oldest Baudelaire orphan, Violet. Together, the brother and two sisters, devise plan after plan, to some and often to no avail. Such struggle makes it a smart choice for self-regulated learning instruction.