Waiting for Normal

New York Public Library's "One Hundred Titles for Reading and Sharing"
School Library Journal Best Book
ALA Notable Children’s Book
ALA Best of the Best Books for Young Adults
ALA Top 10 Best Book for Young Adults
Schneider Family Book Award
ALA Best Book for Young Adults
Texas Lone Star Reading List
Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choice
School Library Journal Best Book
ALA Notable Children’s Book
ALA Best of the Best Books for Young Adults
ALA Top 10 Best Book for Young Adults
Schneider Family Book Award
ALA Best Book for Young Adults
Texas Lone Star Reading List
Cooperative Children’s Book Center Choice

Author: Leslie Connor

Publisher: HarperCollins Children's Books, copy write 2008

Page Count: 290

Lexile Level: 570L

Overview: 

"Addie is waiting for normal.  But Addie's mom has an all-or-nothing approach to life: a food fiesta or an empty pantry, jubilation or gloom, her way or no way.  All or nothing never adds up to normal.  All or nothing can't bring you all to home, which is exactly where Addie longs to be, with her half sisters, every day.  In spite of life's twists and turns, Addie remains optimistic. Someday, maybe, she'll find normal.Leslie Connor has created an inspiring novel about one girl's giant spirit. waiting for normal is a heartwarming gem." --Barnes and Noble 

Suggested Delivery: Individual Reading

Words or Phrases to Describe the Book:

1. Perseverance 

2. Family Dynamics

3. Trust

4. Guilty Conscious 

5. Hard Decisions

Electronic Resources:

1. Flute Music

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rJy5a8m-oc/

Addie finds comfort in playing her flute.  She finds acceptance in her new school by making friends with other students who play music.  As a class, listen to flutes to experience the calming sound the instrument produces.

2. Author Interview

http://www.harpercollins.com/books/Waiting-Normal-Leslie-Connor/?isbn=9780060890889

This site has a link to a interview conducted with Leslie Connor, author of Waiting for Normal.

Key Vocabulary: 

1. Trailer

2. Duplex

3. Mortgage

4. Assimilate

5. Reprobate

6. Debts
7. Abandonment
8. Endangerment

Reading Strategies:

Before:   This book may spark emotional responses from students who come from homes full of turmoil or family dysfunction.  In order to ensure that students are comfortable with the topic, involve the class in a discussion about different family dynamics, and people to go to for help if they feel unsafe in their homes.  

During: Addie tries to strengthen her vocabulary and her "love of learning" with a vocab book. When she learns a new word, she records it in her vocab book, so she will not forget what it means. As you encounter the eight vocab words from above in the text, create your own vocab book. Each page should include the word, a definition obtained from the classroom dictionaries, and an illustration of the word.

After: Have the entire class participate in a class discussion using leading questions such as "how do Elliott and Soula help Addie through the tough times when her mother is gone," or "why do you think Addie's mother does not tell Pete about having a family?"  

Writing Activity:  In the ending of the book, Addie learns that she has been adopted by her stepfather, and will now be living with him, her little sisters, and Hannah.  Although Addie is excited to be moving into their home, she must miss her mother, as they have experienced so many things together.  Imagine you are Addie. Write a letter to your mother, telling her about moving into the new house, and your feelings at the time.

Resources:

Barnes and Noble, . (n.d.). In Waiting for normal. Retrieved July 17, 2012, from http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/waiting-for-normal-leslie-connor/1100043695

Connor, L. (2008). Waiting for normal. New York: Harper Collins Books.

Harper Collins, . (n.d.). In Waiting for normal. Retrieved July 17, 2012, from http://www.harpercollins.com/books/Waiting-Normal-Leslie-Connor/?isbn=9780060890889

Scholastic, . (n.d.). In Waiting for normal. Retrieved July 17, 2012, from http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/waiting-normal

 Out of the Dust 

1998 Newbery Medal Scott O'Dell Award
ALA Notable Children's Book
ALA "Best book"
School Library Journal "best book of the year"
Booklist "Editors' Choice" award
Book Links "Lasting Connection"
Publishers Weekly "best book of the year
"New York Public Library "100 Titles for Reading and Sharing"

Author: Karen Hesse

Publisher: Scholastic Press, copy write 1997

Page Count: 227

Lexile Level: NP

DRA: 60

Overview: 

" When Billie Jo is just fourteen she must endure heart-wrenching ordeals that no child should have to face. The quiet strength she displays while dealing with unspeakable loss is as surprising as it is inspiring. Written in free verse, this award-winning story is set in the heart of the Great Depression. It chronicles Oklahoma's staggering dust storms, and the environmental--and emotional--turmoil they leave in their path. An unforgettable tribute to hope and inner strength." --Barnes and Noble 

Suggested Delivery: Small Group Reading

Words or Phrases to Describe the Book:

1. Great Depression

2. Emotionally Charged

3. Perseverance 

4. Forgiveness

5. Acceptance of Differences

Electronic Resources:

1. Dust Bowl Pictures

http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/primarysourcesets/dust-bowl-migration/

The Library of Congress has pictures and PDF files of pictures on this website of people surviving the Dust Bowl of the Midwest in the 1930's.  The pictures can help students understand the history and time period in which the book is set.

2. Farming in the 1930's

http://www.livinghistoryfarm.org/farminginthe30s/money_01.html

Farming, especcially during such a turbulent time, is a topic with which most students will have limited familiarity. This site discusses topic such as making money, water, weeds, and other influential topics of the time.  The site has graphical buttons for easy navigation. 

Key Vocabulary: 

1. Great Depression

2. Drought

3. Crops

4. Locomotive

5. Harvest 

6. Bushel 
7. Kerosene 

Reading Strategies:

Before: Since this is a small group reading books, students should sit with their groups and discuss the cover and format of the book, and make predictions regarding the story line, setting, and characters.  

During: While reading, students should draft a timeline of the events in the story, using the months and years indicated before each section of the book.

After: Students can either work individually or in their small groups to write about the changes Billie Jo has gone through emotionally over the course of the story, paying attention to the relationship she has with her father, and playing the piano.

Writing Activity: Billie Jo's aunt writes to her a few times during the story.  As if you were Billie Jo, write a two page letter to your aunt, explaining to her the changes in the household now that Dad has begun dating again.

Resources:

Hesse, K. (1997). Out of the dust. New York: Scholastic Press.

Scholastic, . (n.d.). In Out of the dust. Retrieved July 9, 2012, from http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/out-dust

Barnes and Noble, . (n.d.). In Out of the dust. Retrieved July 9, 2012, from http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/out-of-the-dust-karen-hesse/1100144020?ean=9780590371254

Pictures of Hollis Woods 

Newbery Honor Book 2003
ALA Best Books for Young Adults 2003
ALA Notable Children's Book 2003  
Kentucky Bluegrass Master List 2004
Maine Student Book Master List 2003
Massachusetts Children's Book Master List 2004
Christopher Award 2003

Author: Patricia Reilly Giff

Publisher: Random House Children's Books, copy write 2002

Page Count: 166

Lexile Level: 650L

Overview: 

"Hollis Woods has been in so many foster homes she can hardly remember them all. She even runs away from the Regans, the one family who offers her a home. Yet behind all her plans, Hollis longs for her life with the Regans, fixing each moment of her time with them in pictures she’ll never forget. When Hollis is sent to Josie, an elderly artist who is quirky and affectionate, she wants to stay. But Josie is growing more forgetful every day. If Social Services finds out, they’ll take Hollis away and move Josie into a home. Well, Hollis Woods won’t let anyone separate them. She’s escaped the system before; this time, she plans to take Josie with her." --Barnes and Noble 

Suggested Delivery: Individual Reading

Words or Phrases to Describe the Book:

1. Emphasis on family

2. Sense of belonging

3. Vivid descriptions

4. Love and acceptance 

5. Forgiveness

Electronic Resources:

1. Foster Families

http://kidshealth.org/kid/feeling/home_family/foster_families.html

This website is designed to help students understand what a foster family is, and how they are similar to their own families.  The text can be read by the students, or there is a listening option for students with lower reading levels or a preference for listening to information.

2. About the Author

http://www.randomhouse.com/features/patriciareillygiff/patriciagiff.htm

This site has a biography of the author, as well as links to other books she has written.  

Key Vocabulary: 

1. Agency

2. Foster care

3. Artificial

4. Lingering

5. Maneuvered 

6. Silhouettes 

Reading Strategies:

Before: The class should partake in a discussion about different family dynamics.  

During: Students should create a book of their own drawings representing their interpretations of the pictures and scenes described in the story.

After: Students can work in groups to put on a short skit of their favorite chapter or scene in the book.

Writing Activity: Students can write a short final chapter to the book, describing how Hollis feels in her new home, and how she is adapting to having a baby sister.

Resources:

Barnes and Noble, . (n.d.). In Pictures of Hollis Woods. Retrieved July 1, 2012, from (http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pictures-of-hollis-woods-patricia-reilly-giff/1100289889?ean=9780440415787)
Giff, P. R. (2002). Pictures of Hollis Woods. New York: Wendy Lamb Books

Giff, P. R. (2002). Pictures of Hollis Woods. New York: Wendy Lamb Books. 

Random House Children's Books, . (2010). In Pictures of Hollis Woods. Retrieved July 1, 2012 from http://www.randomhouse.com/teachers/catalog/display.pperl?isbn=9780385326551

Scholastic, . (n.d.). In Pictures of Hollis Woods. Retrieved July 1, 2012, from http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/pictures-hollis-woods