Leigh Botts is struggling to deal with his parent's recent divorce. He moves to a new town with his mother and feels like an outcast. His teacher assigns the class a letter correspondence project, and Leigh begins writing to his favorite author, Mr. Henshaw. The book is written in a series of letter from Leigh.
The characters and plot really impact the reader. You feel for Leigh Botts and you are drawn into his life, feeling every emotion along with him. Following the plot and finding Leigh ultimately overcome his feelings through his letters with the author Mr. Henshaw, is all of the reason why this book won a Newberry Medal.
Teachers can create their own letter writing project. Have students choose someone, or set up a pen pal scenario with another grade level/classroom. Encourage students to write their feelings just as Leigh Botts did. This is also an excellent opportunity for teachers to hit Social and Emotional Learning objectives.
Melody Brooks is an 11 year old girl with cerebral palsy. She is a brilliant young lady, but struggles to communicate and control her body. She goes through many emotions as those around her don't understand and underestimate her. With the help of a computer, assistive technology, she is able to communicate, and eventually joins the school's academic team.
Theme and characters are both wonderful reasons to become engrossed in this book. The overall theme of seeing the good in everyone, despite any differences, and overcoming life's challenges, is one that almost all readers can identify with. Also this wonderful inside look into someone with cerebral palsy has the reader wanting more. The main character is someone you're rooting for, hoping that she can overcome her inability to speak.
Students are provided a wonderful opportunity to discuss students with disabilities. We all have so much to offer, especially those who may look, sound, or act different.
Gregg Heffley is a scrawny boy, who struggles to fit in and make it through those awkward middle school years. There is a piece of cheese found on the basketball court and a rumor is spread that anyone who touches it will have the cheese touch, similar to cooties. Gregg and his best friend Rowley, end up fighting because of the cheese and almost lose their friendship, when school bullies force Rowley to eat the cheese. Gregg stands up to the bullies and finally repairs their friendship.
The setting and the style of this book, and the entire series keep readers coming back for more and waiting for the next release. Kinney originally wrote this book for adults to reminisce about those awkward middle school years, but it's caught on with younger children. The stick figure illustrations and comic style keep readers interested and entertained.
Students can begin keeping a journal about their daily school life, just like Gregg. This provides teachers a opportunity to discuss bullies, feelings, and how everything they are going through, and everything that they are feeling is completely normal.
David has autism, and his older sister Catherine struggles to have a normal life. She is embarrassed, but protective of him. David has a strict routine, and Catherine lays out a set of rules for David to follow that will help with with his day to day life. While at David's occupational therapy sessions, Catherine meets Jason, a boy with cerebral palsy, and strikes up an unexpected friendship.
The theme and characters of this story are thoughtfully well developed. Lord really hit the nail on the head with the theme of acceptance and empathy towards those with disabilities. The three main characters keep you reading, waiting for them to receive their next light bulb moment.
If you have the pleasure of working in a school with a Structured Learning Classroom, a classroom specifically for students with autism, I would encourage you to develop a relationship with those teachers and students. The general classroom students benefit greatly from reading this book, and getting to know and work alongside students with autism. It teaches empathy, patience, and acceptance.
Jesse and his new neighbor, Leslie, develop a wonderful friendship. They explore the woods together and create an imaginary place called Terabithia. In Terabithia, Jesse and Leslie can be whoever they want to be, they are the rulers, and enjoy spending their time together. One day though, Leslie falls from a rope swing and dies. Jesse is left to deal with the tragedy of losing his best friend.
The setting and the plot of this story are well written. The imaginary place of Terabithia is wonderfully and magically described by Lord through the two main characters. The plot of imagination and then the sharp contrast of reality make this a heartwarming and heartbreaking story.
The following link will take teachers to Read Works. Read Works provides reading comprehension strategies. Here students have chapter by chapter questions. http://www.readworks.org/lessons/grade5/bridge-terabithia
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