Traditional Literature

Byrd, Robert
Finn MacCoul and his Fearless Wife: A Giant of a Tale from Ireland
Dutton Children's Books
1999
3rd-5th

Summary: With the help of his brave and clever wife, Finn MacCoul beats the fearsome giant Cucullin.

Strengths: It depicts a story of a strong, intelligent woman who outsmarts the men. I think it is important for girls to read books with such a strong heroine character.

Concerns: There is mild violence. Finn, a man and giant, could be considered very weak and not a typical male hero: he lets his wife save him and sucks his thumb.



Grahame, Kenneth
The Wind in the Willows
St. Martin's Griffin
1994
6th

Summary: The escapades of four animal friends who live along a river in the English Countryside- Toad, Mole, Rat, and Badger.

Strengths: The main characters in the story are animals and I think they would appeal to children. Some of the adventures such as Toad's adventure that included being locked in a dungeon would entertain young people.

Concerns: The language and vocabulary throughout the book is at a very high level. I think most young boys and girls would struggle with the book and it may be suited for teenagers and even adults.

Classroom Use: The book can provide an example of animals as main characters. I think this would be an enjoyable book to read as a class so the children may be able to understand it better.


MULTICULTURAL
Jaffe, Nina
The Way Meat Loves Salt
Henry Holt and Company
1998
2nd-4th

Summary: In this Eastern European Jewish variant of the Cinderella story, the youngest daughter of a rabbi is sent away from home in disgrace, but thanks to the help of the prophet Elijah, marries the son of a renowned scholar and is reunited with her family.

Strengths: I think the story has many elements that would interest a young reader-suspense, love, and magic.

Concerns: This tale was supposed to be an adaptation of Cinderella, although it had elements such as the shoe that was left behind, I think this story should have had more similarities in order to be called an adaptation.

Classroom Use: This story could be read to the class to use as a comparison to an original.

Capital Choice
Pinkney, Jerry
Little Red Riding Hood
Little, Brown, and Company
2007
2nd-6th

Summary: A sweet little firl meets a hungry wolf in the forest while on her way to visit her grandmother.

Strengths: The pictures have a lot of detail and really emphasize the text.

Concerns: Some of the scenes with the wolf might frighten a young child.

Classroom Use: If this story is read to the class the children might enjoy this version of Little Red Riding Hood because it is a familiar story and they would enjoy the pictures.


Holland, Kevin Crossley
The Seeing Stone
Arthur A. Levine Books
2000
6th<>