Additional September Book Suggestions for Grades 3-6
Respect
Gallico, Paul. Snow Goose.
Illustrated by Beth Peck. Hutchinson, 2008. (3-6)
This story emphasizes the importance of respecting people for inner or spiritual gifts, not judging by outward appearances.
Kimmel, Eric. “Rabbi Eleazar and the Beggar,” in Days of Awe.
See General Collections. Viking, 1991.
An arrogant rabbi fails to treat a beggar with kindness and comes to repent for his error. Themes of respect for the poor and asking forgiveness of those we have wronged.
Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. Song of Hiawatha.
Illustrated by Susan Jeffers. Puffin, 1996. (3-6)
Longfellow’s Hiawatha is not the Iroquois leader of history, but in this mesmerizing epic poem Longfellow’s words and Jeffers’ art recreate the wonder and respect of a young Indian child exploring his world. Works well with 3rd grade Native American unit.
Mills, Lauren. Tatterhood and the Hobgoblins.
Little, 1993. (3-6)
Impish, ugly, and strong-willed, Tatterhood takes on the hobgoblins to rescue her bewitched sister. In the process, a prince comes to appreciate the quirky princess and understands that beauty is not the whole picture! A modern classic with a strong female heroine. Respect regardless of appearance.
Uchida, Yoshiko. The Wise Old Woman.
Illustrated by Martin Springett. Harcourt, 2001. (2-4)
“Anyone over seventy is no longer useful,” Lord Higa declares. He orders that the elderly be taken to a mountain and left to die, but a devoted son, cannot do this to his aging mother. He hides her. Higa decides to destroy the village unless the young man can solve three riddles. They are solved by the aging mother and the tyrant decrees that “henceforth the aged will be treated with respect and honor and will share with us the wisdom of their years.” Bold and rich illustrations.
Wisniewski, David. Elfwyn’s Saga.
Lothrop, Lee, Shepard, 1990. (3-5)
Cursed by Gorm, her father’s rival, Elfwyn is blind from birth, but this Icelandic child is “second-sighted,” able to see into the hearts of others. When the evil Gorm brings a gift that threatens her entire people, Elfwyn takes action to end the threat. Bold, intricate cut-paper illustrations. Use with 3rd grade Viking unit.
Wisniewski, David. Sundiata: Lion King of Mali.
Clarion Books, 1992. (4)
Startling cut-paper illustrations bring to life the story of legendary African king, Sundiata. As a child, Sundiata can neither talk nor walk and is ridiculed as “a crawling child unworthy of respect.” Sundiata’s determination and courage allow him to overcome his handicaps, banish the evil king from his empire, and usher in a bright age in which people learn to respect their fellows. Excellent themes of perseverance and courage as well. Works with medieval African unit.
Yep, Laurence. The City of Dragons.
Illustrated by Jean and Mou-Sien Tseng. Scholastic, 1995. (2-4)
Set in China, a young boy with the saddest face in the world is shunned by fellow villagers and asked to stay at home because his looks ruin happy festivals. In the end his looks and enterprise save the villagers and they learn to “judge the boy by what he did and not by the way he looked.”
Yolen, Jane. The Emperor and the Kite.
Illustrated by Ed Young. Putnam, 1988. (2-4)
The Emperor’s youngest daughter is the most ignored member of the Chinese imperial family. As the littlest of eight children and a girl, she has no future and is ignored by her family. But when her father is kidnapped and the empire falls into the hands of evil-doers, Djeow Seow (“the smallest one”) uses her kite to feed and ultimately rescue him. Themes of family loyalty and respect for all.
Responsibility
Goldin, Barbara Diamond. “Seven Good Years,” in Journeys with Elijah: Eight Tales of the Prophet. Illustratedby Jerry Pinkney. Harcourt Brace, 1999. (1-4)
Julio and Mina, two Argentine Jews, are visited by the prophet Elijah and offered “seven good years,” seven years of fortune and comfort—when they choose. They choose, “right away, please!” and turn out to be very good stewards of their gifts. They care for the sick, bake more for the hungry, visit the elderly. Elijah comes at the end of the seven years to ask for the gifts to be returned, but Mina asks him if they had not used their gifts well. Elijah agrees that “you have used God’s gift with care. You may keep your good fortune.” This classic tale teaches the lesson that “To whom much has been given, much will be expected.”
Marston, Elsa. The Fox Maiden.
Illustrated by Tatsuro Kiuchi. Simon and Schuster, 1996. (1-4)
In this lovely Japanese folktale, Yuri, a fox-turned-maiden, explores the world of human beings. As a maid servant, she grows attached to the family she serves, and comes to love her fellow man-servant, Haruo. She also comes to understand that the forest is really her home. When her master and his family learn her secret (that she is really a fox), they are outraged and try to kill her. This tale puts one in mind of the Little Prince’s reminder: “You are forever responsible for that which you have tamed.” Both Yuri and Haruo take the adage seriously.
Gallico, Paul. Snow Goose.
Illustrated by Beth Peck. Hutchinson, 2008. (3-6)
This story emphasizes the importance of respecting people for inner or spiritual gifts, not judging by outward appearances.
Kimmel, Eric. “Rabbi Eleazar and the Beggar,” in Days of Awe.
See General Collections. Viking, 1991.
An arrogant rabbi fails to treat a beggar with kindness and comes to repent for his error. Themes of respect for the poor and asking forgiveness of those we have wronged.
Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth. Song of Hiawatha.
Illustrated by Susan Jeffers. Puffin, 1996. (3-6)
Longfellow’s Hiawatha is not the Iroquois leader of history, but in this mesmerizing epic poem Longfellow’s words and Jeffers’ art recreate the wonder and respect of a young Indian child exploring his world. Works well with 3rd grade Native American unit.
Mills, Lauren. Tatterhood and the Hobgoblins.
Little, 1993. (3-6)
Impish, ugly, and strong-willed, Tatterhood takes on the hobgoblins to rescue her bewitched sister. In the process, a prince comes to appreciate the quirky princess and understands that beauty is not the whole picture! A modern classic with a strong female heroine. Respect regardless of appearance.
Uchida, Yoshiko. The Wise Old Woman.
Illustrated by Martin Springett. Harcourt, 2001. (2-4)
“Anyone over seventy is no longer useful,” Lord Higa declares. He orders that the elderly be taken to a mountain and left to die, but a devoted son, cannot do this to his aging mother. He hides her. Higa decides to destroy the village unless the young man can solve three riddles. They are solved by the aging mother and the tyrant decrees that “henceforth the aged will be treated with respect and honor and will share with us the wisdom of their years.” Bold and rich illustrations.
Wisniewski, David. Elfwyn’s Saga.
Lothrop, Lee, Shepard, 1990. (3-5)
Cursed by Gorm, her father’s rival, Elfwyn is blind from birth, but this Icelandic child is “second-sighted,” able to see into the hearts of others. When the evil Gorm brings a gift that threatens her entire people, Elfwyn takes action to end the threat. Bold, intricate cut-paper illustrations. Use with 3rd grade Viking unit.
Wisniewski, David. Sundiata: Lion King of Mali.
Clarion Books, 1992. (4)
Startling cut-paper illustrations bring to life the story of legendary African king, Sundiata. As a child, Sundiata can neither talk nor walk and is ridiculed as “a crawling child unworthy of respect.” Sundiata’s determination and courage allow him to overcome his handicaps, banish the evil king from his empire, and usher in a bright age in which people learn to respect their fellows. Excellent themes of perseverance and courage as well. Works with medieval African unit.
Yep, Laurence. The City of Dragons.
Illustrated by Jean and Mou-Sien Tseng. Scholastic, 1995. (2-4)
Set in China, a young boy with the saddest face in the world is shunned by fellow villagers and asked to stay at home because his looks ruin happy festivals. In the end his looks and enterprise save the villagers and they learn to “judge the boy by what he did and not by the way he looked.”
Yolen, Jane. The Emperor and the Kite.
Illustrated by Ed Young. Putnam, 1988. (2-4)
The Emperor’s youngest daughter is the most ignored member of the Chinese imperial family. As the littlest of eight children and a girl, she has no future and is ignored by her family. But when her father is kidnapped and the empire falls into the hands of evil-doers, Djeow Seow (“the smallest one”) uses her kite to feed and ultimately rescue him. Themes of family loyalty and respect for all.
Responsibility
Goldin, Barbara Diamond. “Seven Good Years,” in Journeys with Elijah: Eight Tales of the Prophet. Illustratedby Jerry Pinkney. Harcourt Brace, 1999. (1-4)
Julio and Mina, two Argentine Jews, are visited by the prophet Elijah and offered “seven good years,” seven years of fortune and comfort—when they choose. They choose, “right away, please!” and turn out to be very good stewards of their gifts. They care for the sick, bake more for the hungry, visit the elderly. Elijah comes at the end of the seven years to ask for the gifts to be returned, but Mina asks him if they had not used their gifts well. Elijah agrees that “you have used God’s gift with care. You may keep your good fortune.” This classic tale teaches the lesson that “To whom much has been given, much will be expected.”
Marston, Elsa. The Fox Maiden.
Illustrated by Tatsuro Kiuchi. Simon and Schuster, 1996. (1-4)
In this lovely Japanese folktale, Yuri, a fox-turned-maiden, explores the world of human beings. As a maid servant, she grows attached to the family she serves, and comes to love her fellow man-servant, Haruo. She also comes to understand that the forest is really her home. When her master and his family learn her secret (that she is really a fox), they are outraged and try to kill her. This tale puts one in mind of the Little Prince’s reminder: “You are forever responsible for that which you have tamed.” Both Yuri and Haruo take the adage seriously.