Chapter 1

The first chapter focuses on children’s and adolescent literature. It helps understand the different types of genres books have and their definition of the 8 categories by reading some examples of titles of books we are familiar with. Understanding between fiction and nonfiction, literary elements and style is important to help us create better lesson plans. There is global and multicultural literature, for example books that are translated from other languages into English. Overall, I learned that literature can be written in history form, poems, lullabies, and much more. By exploring new titles of books, it can help us learn to become more efficient in teaching and helping our students to love to read.

Chapter2

The second chapter focuses on literature in the lives of young readers. It describes a transactional view of reading literature, how it can occur between the reader and the text to understand meaning the reader builds. Readers determine how they read and how they experienced the book, reading will help build knowledge, skills, and even experiences. Making a connection with the book is important, this can help make a difference on how students read and respond. Finding diversity and ideology in reading is significant to help students find their values and reflect on social and cultural norms.

Chapter 3

The third chapter focuses on picturebooks for they are a unique format in children’s literature. According to the book a picturebook can be defined as books with pictures to compound words, since words and pictures are both similarly important. Picturebooks have been around for centuries since ancient Egypt and the medieval times. Picturebooks are very important because they contain quality overall from the words, to design, and the quality of art. Line, color, shape, texture, design, media and technique are all important in artistic quality. In conclusion, after reading this chapter I thought a book was just a book but it goes way more in depth, there is even picturebook terminology!

Chapter 4

The fourth chapter focuses on poetry and verse it defines poetry and provides a brief history. Poetry can be defined in many ways since it helps express feelings and an essence of life and experiences. Poetry has been around for many centuries and in the 19th century many poets had a desire to teach poetry. Poetry brings delight to ears and helps us express feelings. There are many types of poetry and its important to consider the quality in poetry for every word enhances meaning. Using poetry in lesson plans can help engage students to learn about any topic from the world, to ourselves, or anything in particular.

Chapter 7

Chapter 7 focuses on contemporary realistic fiction. The chapter defines contemporary realistic fiction as plausible stories that could actually happen. This type of literature helps illuminate life by portraying the real world in its many sides of humorous, sensitive, thoughtful, joyful, and painful side of life. The chapter also provides a brief history of contemporary realistic fiction and how to use this type of literature in the class. When considering contemporary realistic fiction its important to look for setting, plot, theme, style, and characterization.

Chapter 8

The eighth chapter focuses on historical fiction. Historical fiction is realistic and stories are set in the past, they tell stories of history. These types of stories help us understand consequences, romance, and lives of people who lived long before us. Most characters are portrayed and behave depending on the time which they lived, they also reflect the time and place which they lived. Historical fiction is organized in many ways like by genre, by theme, by chronological period, or according to topics. This type of literature can also be linked to other genres such as poetry, folklore, fantasy, biography, and non fiction.

Chapter 9 

After reading chapter 9 a biography and memoir, I learned about the many definitions and the history of this type of literature. Biographies, autobiographies, and memories all tell a story of a life of a real person. Most of these stories are factual but are based upon memory. Considering quality biography and memoir books are important such as the quality of the illustration, portraits of real people, and accurate description. I believe these books are important in children’s life they can learn to understand that people make history.

Chapter 10

Is based on nonfiction, I learned that most school libraries contain 60% to 70% of nonfiction books. Nonfiction is full of facts, ideas, and concepts and most books are full of information on any topic. Most common subjects in nonfiction are science and mathematics. Its very important to use nonfiction in the classroom children have an insatiable curiosity to the nonfiction world. Using nonfiction books in the classroom can also enhance critical thinking skills.