Thank You, Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco

This story is about a little girl named Trisha who absolutely loves schools but has difficulty learning how to read. She wants to read badly but the words look like wiggling shapes and when she tried to read, the other children tease her. Because she can 't read efficiently, Trisha feels dumb and starts to believe that something is wrong with her. When she was in the fifth grade, her mother got a new job and moved to California. Trisha thought that this move would help her because the students wouldn't know that she was dumb. When she arrived at the school, students picked on her worse than before. Mr. Falker helped Trisha keep the bullies away from her and he helped her read. He enrolled her in special programs that she needed and after working hard, Trisha could read.

This book is an autobiography that Patricia Palacco wrote about herself. She had difficulty reading and because of her teacher, George Felker, she is now a successful author that books for children.

Teachers can use this book to show children that it is ok if they have a problem with reading. With extra help, they can become the great reader that teachers know that they are. The technology I used for this book was a Filp Camera. teachers can use flip cameras in their classrooms to record students or the teacher can record themselves. I recorded myself reading this book so that students can follow along from home if they are provided with the book.

Young John Quincy by Cheryl Harness

This story is about young John Quincy Adams. His father John Adams is in Philadelphia fighting for independence from the King of Brittan. While young John's father is away, the eight year old has to become the man of the house and help his family. His father comes home for a visit and tells the family stories about George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Ben Franklin. Soon young John Quincy's father has to go back to Philadelphia to finish what he and the other men started. While John Adams was gone, his wife knitted uniforms for the army to wear in the upcoming war. The war started March 4th, 1776 and on the morning of March 17th the British ships sailed from the Boston Harbor. After the war, people finally received INDEPENDENCE!

This book is full of facts that children will learn in social studies or U.S. History. I would use this book to teach students about America and the American Revolution. This book could also be used as a reference for students in elementary school who may have to write a paper on the American Revolution. This nonfiction autobiography will engage young students because of the vivid pictures. It will also engage older students because it is packed full of useful information.

Mother Teresa by Demi

Mother Teresa was born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu on August 26, 1910. Her father died when she was 9 years old. She wanted to become a missionary and in 1928, she left her family and traveled to Rathfarnham Ireland. She chose the name Sister Mary Teresa. She opened many schools and places for people with diseases. In 1953, she and her sisters moved to a new home and everyone called her "Mother Teresa" because she acted as the mother of the house. On September 5th, 1997 Mother Teresa dies but she leaves a legacy of all of the people that she helped in opening hospitals and schools for people who were less fortunate.

Teachers can use this book to teach students about Mother Teresa and all of the activities that she did to help people. Students may be interested in her life and may have to write an autobiography about Mother Teresa. This would be a great book for students to use as a reference for an autobiography.