The Brand New Kid

Lazlo speaks English with an accent. He's new to school, and no one wants to get to know him. As the other students tease and reject him, Lazlo struggles to adjust to second grade in a new country. Loneliness is his only friend until Ellie McSnelly decides to reaches out to the brand new kid. Katie Couric's simple friendship narrative poignantly captures the difficulties English language learners (ELLs) face in the public school system. The lively illustrations by Marjorie Priceman vivdly portray elementary school life. This book is a wonderful spring board for lessons on friendship, school routines, and the value of ethnic diversity.

• Age Range: 3 to 8 Reading Level from Lexile: AD570L

The Boxcar Children #1

“No one knew them.

 No one knew where they had come from” (Chandler Warner, 1942, p.7).

Now that's how you begin a story. Gertrude Chandler Warner pulls you into the life of one family of four orphans: two brothers and two sisters. Initially homeless, the kids miraculously find shelter in an old red boxcar. Situated in the midst of the woods, these resourceful children make a comfortable living for themselves. Then the unforeseen strikes, threatening to unravel the world which they worked so hard to weave together.

My eight year old imagination was captivated by the adventures of the Boxcar children. I don't know where I found this book, but I was an instant fan. Even though my West African upbringing differed considerably from that of the protagonists, I was able to relate to the themes of orphan-hood, adoption, being a stranger, and family. The Boxcar is just the beginning, meant to introduce Henry, Jessie, Violet, and Benny. The razor sharp children go on to solve dozens of mysteries, such as The ---

                                              actually, you just GO READ about it for yourself!

Warner, G. C. (1977).The boxcar children. Chicago: Albert Whitman.

Age Range:7 to 11 Reading Level from Lexile: 0490L