The Wretched Stone

Author & Illustrator:   Chris Van Allsburg
Publisher:  Houghton Mifflin Company
Publication Year:   1991
Location: Personal library

Awards:   Starred reviews Horn Book & Kirkus

Summary:   Written in the form of captain's log, this story documents the effects of a mysterious glowing rock have on the crew of a ship. The whole crew turns into apes and gather around the strange rock. The ship is destroyed in a storm, and the captain discovers positive effects of reading and music on the crew. The men are rescued and after they are separated from the stone, they return t normal (mostly). As usual, Van Allsburg's drawings are lush and detailed and add to the fantasy.

Classroom Ideas: This is an introduction to the idea of a journal/ ship's log. The mood of the story is mysterious. The book could used to talk about mood, as it moves from a very serious to a mysterious tone. For older children, the metaphor of the glowing rock as a TV and the cure being music and reading could be introduced and discussed.

The Gardener

Author:  Sarah Stewart
Illustrator: David Small
Publisher: Farrar, Straus, & Giroux
Publication Year:  1997
Location: Knox County Public Library- Powell

Awards: Caldecott Honor, NYT Notable Children's Book of the Year 

Summary:  Lydia moves to the city to stay with her Uncle Jim and work to help her family. She brings her love of gardening with her and transforms the roof of her uncle's building. This epistolary story is told through Lydia's letters home to her family. The extraordinary illustrations use color and detail in unexpected ways to accentuate the themes of the story. I loved this book!

Classroom Ideas: The setting of this book is the depression era, and it would add to a study of that time. It could also be used to talk about the themes of bravery, determination, and generosity. Lydia's character comes through what she says and does, and the author never tells the reader anything directly which would be wonderful for teaching characterization in writing. It would also work well for teaching friendly letter form.