I LOVE Roald Dahl's, The BFG. Otherwise known as: the Big Friendly Giant. This was the first chapter book I truly enjoyed as I child, and I am currently reading my worn and tattered childhood copy aloud to my son every night. He always begs for me to read one more chapter, reminding me of the same love I had of the story growing up. The BFG centers around a young girl named Sofie, who is scooped up by the giant out of her bed one night. Terrified, because she believes the giant is going to eat her, she soon learns that the BFG is different from normal giants. He is friendly and caring and doesn't eat "human beans" at all. The BFG is full of humor and his silly, jumbled form of language will make any child laugh.

The BFG opens the doors for many lessons and activities including:

• A lesson on character traits, both physical and inner
• A discussion about the BFG's gobblefunk glossary, prompting students to create some made-up words of their own
• Have students create a dream jar like the ones described in the book
• Have students write about their dream(s)

Recommended for Ages: 8-12

Lexile Level: 720L

The Adventures of Beekle, The Unimaginary Friend tells the story of Beekle, an adorable little marshmallow-looking character who is in search of a real child. You see, Beekle comes from a faraway land, where day after day he patiently awaits for a child to imagine him. After waiting for many nights he decides to do the unimaginable: embark on a journey to the real world. This short story is full of bright, beautiful illustrations and will undoubtedly capture the hearts and imaginations of young readers. Many children will be able to connect with the story by relating an imaginary friend that they once had (or have) with Beekle. 

After reading the story aloud I would discuss the themes of friendship and bravery. ("Beekle faced many scary things on his quest to find his friend...what are some ways that you show courage?") Another way to follow up the story would be to have students design their own imaginary friend. Since Beekle resembled a cute marshmallow puff, give students marshmallows (both jumbo and small), toothpicks, a sharpie, foil paper, scissors, and tape and let them go to town crafting their new friend! I also love the idea of connecting the story to Maurice Sendak's Where The Wild Things Are. In what ways are the stories alike? In what ways are they different? Students could draw a Venn Diagram to show the relationship between the two.

Recommended for Ages: 5-7

Lexile Level: AD480L 

The Giving Tree is one of my favorite children's books of all time. Yes, it is a bit sad, but I think it's important to recognize the way a book can make us feel, even if it is a feeling of sadness. The important thing to focus on with this book is the trees act of selflessness. The story follows a boy from childhood to adulthood as he visits the tree throughout different stages of his life. At each stage the boy wants something and the tree continues to give pieces of herself to the boy because it makes her happy. In the end, when the boy is an old man, he no longer wants anything tangible, but simply a quiet place to rest. That is when the tree offers him her stump. And the tree is happy.  

As the story unfolds we learn that the boy takes and takes from the tree without giving back anything in return. I think this is poses the question, "How would you feel if you were the tree?" There are many theories and interpretations of the book, but at its core, I believe the book is a reflection of unconditional love and generosity.

I like the idea of using this book to focus on character education, mainly the act of being kind. After reading this book to my students, I would facilitate a whole group discussion about the ways that the tree exhibited kindness. I would then ask my students, "What are some ways that you can show kindness?" As a matter of fact, this would be a great writing prompt. 

Additional lessons using The Giving Tree include:

• Cause and Effect
• Problem/Solution
• Character Traits of the boy and the tree

Lexile Level: 720L

It is one of the most beloved children's books of all time and even received the Newberry Honor Award. Charlotte's Web tells the remarkable story of an unlikely friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a spider named Charlotte. When Wilbur is in danger of being slaughtered by a farmer, Charlotte writes messages praising Wilbur (such as "Some Pig") in her web in order to persuade the farmer to let him live. Charlotte's Web explores the innocence of childhood, friendship, the cycle of nature, imagination, and modern fantasy in a tender and heartwarming way. 

Charlotte's Web is a book that can introduce lessons and activities across the curriculum.

Thanks to the internet, the possibilities of using this book in the classroom are truly endless. Some of my favorite ideas include:

• Explore the life cycle of spiders. Students can create a model using yarn, cotton, balls, plastic spiders, and construction paper to depict the various stages. 
• Discuss the beautiful and intriguing words you come across as you read the story together and display them in a gauzy spiderweb word wall.  
• Design a campaign poster to save Wilbur.
• STEM challenge: Students team up to make a model of Wilbur’s pigpen or one of their own original design. Provide an assortment of materials such as popsicle sticks (small and large), cardboard, foil, tape, scissors, and straws and let your kids loose!

Lexile Level: 680L

Recommended Age Range: 7-9