Fifth graders voted for their Coretta Scott King Book Award winners this week. Our nominees were preselected by me and were all either former Coretta Scott King Book Award winners or nominees. I chose books that could be read aloud in class and had a variety of different settings, writing styles and illustrations. Students voted based on modified criteria from the actual awards. Because the theme for our annual art show is "Illustrations" this year, we also focused on illustrations as part of our discussion. After each read aloud, students checked off criteria and wrote notes about why they wanted to keep or drop the book using this Coretta Scott King Book Award Activity Sheet. Below are the books we read and the winners.
Little Melba and Her Big Trombone
By Kathryn Russell-Brown, Ill. By Frank Morrison
Winner! - Mrs. Thacker's class
Student comment - "I think we should keep it because she never game up no matter what other people said."
By Kathryn Russell-Brown, Ill. By Frank Morrison
Winner! - Mrs. Thacker's class
Student comment - "I think we should keep it because she never game up no matter what other people said."
I, Too, Am America
By Langston Hughes, Ill. By Bryan Collier
Student comment - "I think we should keep this book because I like that he showed the past and brings it to the present."
By Langston Hughes, Ill. By Bryan Collier
Student comment - "I think we should keep this book because I like that he showed the past and brings it to the present."
Underground: Finding the Light to Freedom
By Shane Evans
Student comment - "I think this book is good on understanding what the Underground Railroad was like."
By Shane Evans
Student comment - "I think this book is good on understanding what the Underground Railroad was like."
The Faithful Friend
By Robert San Souci, Ill. By Brian Pinkney
Student comment - "I want to keep this book because the friend and the boy were there for each other."
By Robert San Souci, Ill. By Brian Pinkney
Student comment - "I want to keep this book because the friend and the boy were there for each other."
Brothers in Hope: The Story of the Lost Boys of Sudan
By Mary Williams, Ill. By R. Gregory Christie
Winner! - Miss Roger's and Mrs. Crocker's class
2nd place - Mrs. Thacker's class
Student comment - "I think we should keep it because they helped one another to stay alive."
By Mary Williams, Ill. By R. Gregory Christie
Winner! - Miss Roger's and Mrs. Crocker's class
2nd place - Mrs. Thacker's class
Student comment - "I think we should keep it because they helped one another to stay alive."
Goin’ Someplace Special
By Patricia McKissack, Ill. By Jerry Pinkney
2nd place - Miss Roger's and Mrs. Crocker's class
Student comment - "I want to keep this book because it promotes appreciation of living peacefully together because she finds friends on the bus and at the church and in the library."
By Patricia McKissack, Ill. By Jerry Pinkney
2nd place - Miss Roger's and Mrs. Crocker's class
Student comment - "I want to keep this book because it promotes appreciation of living peacefully together because she finds friends on the bus and at the church and in the library."