Cronin, D. (2000). Click, Clack, Moo Cows That Type. [New York]: Simon and Schuster.

Exposition:

Farmer Brown’s cows have a typewriter that they used to ask for electric blankets.

Conflict:

The cows refuse to give milk until the farmer gives them the blankets.

Rising Action:

The cows type a note to ask for blankets for the chickens, so no eggs either.

Climax:

The cows agree trade the typewriter in exchange for electric blankets.

Falling Action:

The Farmer agrees, and he gives the cows and chickens the blankets.

Resolution:

The cows and chickens are happy, but the ducks end up with the typewriter and ask for a diving board.

Illustrations:

The joyful illustrations from Betsy Lewin add to the fun mood of the story. I especially enjoy the pictures of the typed notes. The fun animals helped show the action and emotions of the characters.

Schulman, J. (2008). Pale Male: Citizen Hawk of New York City. [New York]: Knopf.

Exposition:

A red tailed hawk made its way to New York’s Central Park, and eventually a female hawk joined him there.

Conflict:

The hawks had trouble building a nest in trees, and when they built a nest on a building, the people who lived there removed it.

Rising Action:

The hawks came back the next year, hatched three young hawks, and became a popular site for bird watchers and other locals. For years, the hawks continued to live and breed in the nest.

Climax:

The building residents found a way to legally remove the nest, which drew massive protests.

Falling Action:

The nesting area was rebuilt, and Pale Male and his mate continued to raise hawks there for many years.

Resolution:

Several other hawk families have been spotted around Central Park, and many believe they may be the offspring of Pale Male.

Illustrations:

The beautiful water color illustrations from Meilo So add details to the story and setting. The pictures also add to the gentle mood of the story, as well as add a frustrating tone to the conflict. These illustrations help show the unusual beauty in the story of Pale Male.

Rowling, J.K. (2007). Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. [New York]: Scholastic.

Exposition:

Harry Potter, along with his friends Ron and Hermoine, must escape the Deatheater’s attempts to kill them.

Conflict:

Lord Voldemort has pursued Harry since he was a baby, and now Harry has learned of the secrets to help end the terror upon the entire Wizard community.

Rising Action:

While constantly evading Deatheaters, Harry and his friends fight loneliness, fear, and uncertainty as they search for horcruxes and try to unravel the mystery of Dumbledore and Lord Voldemort’s pasts.

Climax:

As Lord Voldemort discovers that Harry has begun destroying his tools of immortality, he wages a battle at Hogwarts to finally kill his enemy.

Falling Action:

Harry destroys the last horcrux, and sacrifices his own life to end Lord Voldemort’s reign of terror, but neither is killed at first, and they continue to battle.

Resolution:

Harry’s sacrifice offers protection to his friends, and they are soon winning the battle. Harry and Lord Voldemort duel again and finally Harry is able to fully destroy his enemy, leading to a peaceful future for the Wizard world.

Literary Qualities:

1)      J.K. Rowling is a master of foreshadowing, throughout all of her books. As you read the series, seemingly minute details resurface importantly years later through the carefully woven tale.

2)      The character development is extremely detailed and complex.

Stevens, J. (1995). Tops and Bottoms. [New York]: Harcourt.

Exposition:

Bear owned lots of land and was very wealthy, but also extremely lazy. Hare is poor, and he is looking for a way to support his family.

Conflict:

Hare makes a deal with Bear to do all of the work to farm Bear’s land and promises to split the crops, but his has to pick Top or Bottoms. Bear picks tops.

Rising Action:

First, Hare planted, watered, weeded, and harvested the crops while Bear slept. They gave him the unusable tops of the carrots, radishes, and beets.

Climax:

Next, Bear picks bottoms, but is still unhappy when Hare keeps the tops of the lettuce, broccoli, and celery.

Falling Action:

Finally, Bear decides to take the tops and bottoms, but is still upset when Hare keeps the middles of the corn.

Resolution:

Hare bought his land back, and Bear planted his own crops and decided to never bargain with Hare again.

Illustrations:

Janet Stevens has incredible illustrations to help readers understand the plot twists involving the various crops. Having a visual to see how the tops or bottoms were edible helped reinforce the text. The setting and character traits were also enhanced by the artistic details.

Angleberger, T. (2010). The Strange Case of Origami Yoda. [New York]: Amulet.

Exposition:

A group of friends compile a notebook to “scientifically” determine if Origami Yoda has magical prediction powers.

Conflict:

Tommy wants to believe in the power of Origami Yoda, even though the guy who made it and keeps him on his finger, Dwight, is a bit of a loser. Harvey doesn’t believe a bit of it.

Rising Action:

After creating his own folded origami sculpture of Yoda, Dwight randomly begins giving advice to others in school, which frequently seems to be accurate and helpful.

Climax:

When Tommy insults Dwight, he gets mad and throws Origami Yoda away. So ever doubting Harvey decides to make his own version and gives out advice. Dwight recreates his original, and Tommy must ask Sara to dance in order to find out which Origami Yoda is right.

Falling Action:

When he looks at the notebook of evidence, Tommy is still nervous to ask Sara to dance until he notices that many of his friends are dancing too.

Resolution:

Tommy finally dances with Sara, and everyone has a great time.

Literary Qualities:

1)      Great use of a notebook or journal format that even has some illustrations to help tell the story.

2)      The use of various characters’ points of view helps gain more perspectives about the events in the story. Even the pictures give additional opinions and humor.

Deedy, C. (2009). Martina the Beautiful Cockroach. [New York]: Scholastic.

Exposition:

Martina, the Beautiful Cockroach, is ready to get married, and all the women in her family offer things to help make her more beautiful.

Conflict:

Abuela suggests she pour coffee on each suitor’s shoes to help Martina choose a good husband, but Martina is unsure about it.

Rising Action:

As the suitors arrive, Martina follows Abuela’s advice, and she is shocked by the poor reactions of each potential husband.

Climax:

Just when Martina is about to give up on finding a suitable husband, she sees a very handsome mouse under her street lamp home.

Falling Action:

Although she is instantly smitten, Martina takes the cup of coffee to test Abuela’s advice.

Resolution:

When the mouse spills the coffee on Martina’s shoes they realize they are made for each other.

Illustrations:

The beautiful illustrations add much to the development of the story. Each character is developed both by the text, but even more through the detailed pictures of each one. Many details of the setting are also enhanced through the illustrations and backgrounds.

Babbit, N. (1970). Kneeknock Rise. [New York]: Scholastic.

Exposition:

Egan goes to visit his aunt in a town called Instep that is just below a mysterious mountain.

Conflict:

When he arrives in town, Egan learns about the terrible Megrimum that howls during storms and comes down to terrorize the village.

Rising Action:

Egan is awoken by a strange sound, which everyone believes is the Megrimum. This experience begins to haunt Egan’s dreams, and when Ada dares him to climb the mountain to see the beast, he decided to do it.

Climax:

Egan climbs to the top of the Kneeknock Rise to slay the Megrimum, but discovers Uncle Ott, who explains that the sounds are caused by a hot spring whistling through a cave.

Falling Action:

When Egan climbs down the mountain and explains that there is no Megrimum, only a hot spring in a cave, he is frustrated that no one wants to accept his explanation.

Resolution:

As Egan talks with the others, he begins to realize that perhaps the mystery of the Megrimum is more important than the truth.

Literary Qualities:

1)      The setting descriptions are very vibrant and distinct. Babbitt creates a mysterious mountain and an exciting fair atmosphere to propel the action.

2)      The author’s use of dialogue to add depth and perspective to the action is very useful in this story. By sharing different character’s reactions through dialogue, we learn their motivation, but overall the story is told from Egan’s perspective.

Rylant, C. (1985). The Relatives Came. [New York]: Aladdin.

Exposition:

The Relatives pack up the car and drive away from their Virginia home.

Conflict:

The Relatives travel a long way, arrive, and soon everyone deals with the extra people and limited space.

Rising Action:

There are lots of hugs, laughter, eating, and crowded sleeping for everyone.

Climax:

The Relatives enjoy their visit, but after a few weeks must pack the car and return home.

Falling Action:

The Relatives get back home, and they soon miss the family and fun.

Resolution:

They look forward to the next summer when they will go off and visit again.

Illustrations:

Stephen Gammell’s colorful drawings set the joyful mood of the story. The characters are unique, and the backgrounds are very vibrant colorful. Overall, the pictures add much action and emotion to this beautiful story.

Fleischman, S. (1986). The Whipping Boy. [New York]: Troll.

Exposition:

Jemmy, royal whipping boy for the spoiled “Prince Brat,” is frequently beaten when the prince misbehaves .

Conflict:

 One night, the prince makes Jemmy run away with him off into the wild woods.

Rising Action:

During their runaway adventure, the boys are captured by two thugs who discover that one of them is a prince.

Climax:

During a daring escape, Jemmy and Prince encounter a girl with a dancing bear, a potato salesman, and a sewer dwelling rat catcher who help them evade the would-be kidnappers.

Falling Action:

 After their escape, Prince requests that Jemmy go back to the castle with him even though there is a bounty on Jemmy’s head.

Resolution:

After consulting with the King, Jemmy is not punished, and he becomes true friends with the reformed Prince.

Literary Qualities:

1)      Great study of historical fiction characteristics.

2)      Many opportunities to consider point of view (Jemmy’s versus Prince’s Brat’s perspective.)

Williams, M. (2005). Knuffle Bunny A Cautionary Tale. [New York]: Scholastic.

Exposition:

Trixie, Knuffle Bunny and her dad go walking through town to the Laundromat.

Conflict:

After leaving the Laundromat, Trixie, who is too young to talk, begins to cry, squirm, scream, and other wise get fussy.

Rising Action:

As Trixie and her dad get home, Mom realizes that Knuffle Bunny is gone, and they search everywhere for the toy.

Climax:

When they get to Laundromat, they search everywhere.  Knuffle Bunny is finally found in the back of the dryer.

Falling Action:

When Dad find her toy, Trixie is excited to get Knuffle Bunny back.

Resolution:

Trixie yells out “Knuffle Bunny,” which are her first words.

Illustrations:

Mo Williams uses simple color illustrations on black and white photographic backgrounds. The photos show dramatic details of the setting, a city streetscape. I especially like the use of speech bubbles to show Trixie’s babbling and frustrated screams.

Yolen, J. (1987). Owl Moon. [New York]: Scholastic.

Exposition:

The main character tells about going out in the snowy night with her father to look for owls.

Conflict:

It was difficult to stay quiet during the long walk in the cold dark forest.

Rising Action:

As they reach the deep woods, Pa begins to hoot to call the owls, but none appear.

Climax:

As they reach a clearing deep in the woods, they finally hear an owl hoot in return. The owl comes closer, and the girl and her Pa shine a flashlight and see the owl in a tree.

Falling Action:

The girl and Pa start to head home, and they are finally able to talk, but they choose not to.

Resolution:

 As they walk home, the girl thinks about the special night, and what it means to go owling.

Illustrations:

John Schoenherr’s beautifully simple illustrations show the simple setting of a winter forest. The relaxed and simple text is enhanced by the details included in the pictures. Particularly special in the illustrations are the simple plants and animals that we glimpse in many of the pictures.

Steig, W. (1969). Sylvester and the Magic Pebble. [New York]: Scholastic.

Exposition:

Sylvester had a happy life with his father and mother, and loved collecting unusual pebbles.

Conflict:

While exploring one day, Sylvester finds a particularly unusual pebble that seems to grant wishes.

Rising Action:

On his way home with the magic pebble, Sylvester runs into a lion. In his panic, Sylvester wishes to be a rock, and magically, the pebble turns him into one.

Climax:

After the lion leaves, Sylvester realizes he cannot change back.  His family looks for him, but over months they cannot find their son, and Sylvester cannot change from a rock.

Falling Action:

One day, Sylvester’s parents picnic on the rock that is Sylvester. They find the magic pebble, and after placing it on the rock, Sylvester is able to change back to himself.

Resolution:

Sylvester and his family return home together, and he realizes that he doesn’t need a magic pebble, because he had everything he needed with only his family.

Illustrations:

William Steig creates simple illustrations that match what was typical for the time which the book was published. The pictures are very basic and childish, but do add to the general mood of the story. They are not elaborate or complex, and they do not distract from the story.

Curtis, G. (2009). The Bat Boy & His Violin. [New York]: Aladdin.

Exposition:

Reginald loves to play his violin, but his baseball manager father wants him to be the bat boy for his team instead.

Conflict:

During the game, Reginald struggles with his duties as bat boy, and eventually his frustrated father tells him to just go practice the violin.

Rising Action:

As Reginald plays, the team starts to hit better, and even wins their games.

Climax:

After a strong winning streak, the team gets a game with the best team in the league. The team hopes that Reginald’s playing will help them win the game.

Falling Action:

The team loses the game, but Reginald’s dad asks him to play his violin to cheer up the team.

Resolution:

Reginald’s dad learns to appreciate his son’s talent, and even hosts Reginald’s recital in their living room.

Illustrations:

E.B. Lewis creates beautiful water color illustrations that capture the actions and emotions throughout the story. Although the story takes place in only a few settings, each one is unique and easily recognizable. The use of watercolors goes perfectly with the mood of the story.

Paulsen, G. (2009). Mudshark . [New York]: Scholastic.

Exposition:

We are introduced to Mudshark, learn a bit about his past, and discover why others think he is so cool.

Conflict:

Mudshark is always the “go-to” guy for questions about anything, until the librarian brings in a parrot that appears to be able to “out-think Mudshark.” (p 29)

Rising Action:

When several strange things begin happening at school, particularly the disappearance of erasers, the principal asks Mudshark to investigate.

Climax:

Mudshark discovers the secret to the missing erasers, and how the parrot knows so much. Now he must devise a plan to stop the parrot and save the custodian’s job.

Falling Action:

Mudshark and his friends use their talents to distract the parrot, while others return the erasers and find a way to influence the school board to increase library funding.

Resolution:

In the end, all of the school’s problems appear to be solved, and Mudshark is again the “go-to” guy for answers to everyone’s questions.

 Literary Qualities:

1)      Great voice and personality come through the narration.

2)      Foreshadowing is strong in this story, especially as part of the principal announcements that begin each chapter.

DiCamillo, K. (2000). Because of Winn-Dixie . [Cambridge, Massachusetts]: Candlewick Press.

Exposition:

India Opal Buloni is a lonely girl in a new town who finds a stray dog at the grocery store and takes him home to her preacher father.

Conflict:

Opal and her father miss her mother, and they are still getting adjusted to life in their new town, but their new dog starts to show them many things they are missing.

Rising Action:

As Opal and her dog, Winn-Dixie, travel around their new town, they meet many unusual people whom they befriend. As she becomes closer with her new friends, Opal begins to better understand her father and her missing mother.

Climax:

During a thunderstorm at a party with their new friends, Winn-Dixie is missing, so Opal and her dad go out looking for him. They cannot find him but agree to continue searching, but they also come to terms with Opal’s missing mother when they realize she isn’t coming back.

Falling Action:

Opal and her father return home and discover that Winn-Dixie was hiding at the party, and their new friends are looking out for him and each other.

Resolution:

Opal says her own good bye to her mother and plans to move on with her life making new friends.

Literary Qualities:

1)      The character description and development are very strong, and through her ideas about other characters, we learn more about Opal.

2)      Point of view is a very clear, and readers are drawn into Opal’s world through her own thoughts and ideas.