Windows and Mirrors Project Assignment
Lakesha McInnis
School of Education, Liberty University
EDUC315 B03: Instructional Approaches to Literature for Children and Adolescence
Professor Erin Cummins
March 4, 2024
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Part 1 – Mirrors
Include word count for each summary and reflection.
Book 1 The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes By Mark Pett & Gary Rubenstein
Grade Level Lexile Level AD520L
Summary
(25-50 words)
This Book is about a girl named Beatrice who never ever makes mistakes.
During a talent show at school Beatrice makes a mistake during her
performance and finally realizes that it’s ok to make mistakes. (35)
Reflection
(50-100 words)
This book is a mirror for me because Just like Beatrice I have always wanted
to do the best that I could do with everything. Unfortunately it took longer for
me to learn and accept that it is ok to not get it right all the time. I wish that I
would have accepted my mistakes sooner just like Beatrice did. (61)
Book 2 Stephanie’s Ponytail By Robert Munsch
Grade Level Lexile Level 500L
Summary
(25-50 words)
This Book is about a girl named Stephanie who one day wears her hair
different in a ponytail. The kids in her class tease her about her ponytail. The
next day they come to school with the same hairstyle as her. (41)
Reflection
(50-100 words)
I can relate to Stephanie’s situation in this story because when I was in middle
school I was brave enough wear a new outfit to school that I liked and was
teased about it. After being picked on about it the same girl who teased me
wore an outfit similar to the one that I had on. When I told my mom about at it
and she explained to me that sometimes people tease you because they want to
be like you. (82)
Book 3 The Three Questions By Jon Muth
Grade Level Lexile Level AD560L
Summary
(25-50 words)
This book is about a boy named Nikolai who is on a quest to find answers to
three questions about life. Despite getting answers from his three close friends,
and continuing on his journey to find the answers by having several encounters
along the way. He later discovers that he has unintentionally found the answers
to his questions on his journey. (61)
Reflection
(50-100 words)
This book is a mirror for me because it reminds me of how in this walk of life
I have sometimes found myself in the same situation where I have questioned
when would be the right time to make a decision as well as make the best
decision for my life.(51)
Book 4 The Good Egg By Jory Jon
Grade Level Lexile Level AD510L
Summary
(25-50 words)
This book is about an egg who is good all the time and likes to follow rules.
The other eggs in the carton are the total opposite of him and it stresses him
out because he is trying to get everyone to behave. He realizes that he has to
take care of himself and not worry too much about their behaviors. (61)
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Reflection
(50-100 words)
I can identify with the good egg in this book because I have always wanted to
do the right thing and follow the rules. Just like the good egg I wanted others
to behave and make good choices but I had to realize that no one is perfect and
accept people as they are. (54)
Book 5 Kindness Grows By Britta Takentrup
Grade Level Lexile Level AD630L
Summary
(25-50 words)
This book is about a tree that is used to resemble an example of how a
relationship can become strained or cracked when we are not kind one another
and how it can grow when we are show that we care. (41)
Reflection
(50-100 words)
This book is a mirror for me because I have experienced many different
relationships and have learned that when it became strained or had a crack in
its foundation we began to treat each other unkind. My relationship grew and
flourished when we showed each other that we cared and wanted to make it
work. (55)
Part 2 – Windows
Include word count for each summary and reflection.
Book 1 The Name Jar By Yangsook Choi
Grade Level Lexile Level 590L
Summary
(25-50 words)
This book is about a young girl named Unhei who has just moved to America
from Korea and attends a new school. At school others are having a hard time
pronouncing and remembering her name so she contemplates changing it. (40)
Reflection
(50-100 words)
This book is a window for because my name is very common in the African
American community. Unlike Unhei, I don’t know what it is like to move to a
foreign country and start at a new school. Although, I have started at a new
school and have had times where I struggled with who I was as a person. (60)
Book 2 The Sky of Afghanistan By Ana Eulate
Grade Level Lexile Level AD1020L
Summary
(25-50 words)
This book is about a girl from Afghanistan who looks up to the sky and
imagine that her country is a place filled with love and peace instead of
sadness grief. (31)
Reflection
(50-100 words)
This book is a window for me because it represents another person experience
as we look through the eyes of a young girl who dreams of what it feels like to
live in a place of harmony instead of grief. Her vision or dream can be seen
through the eyes of people all over the world. (56)
Book 3 Ish By Peter Reynolds
Grade Level Lexile Level 510L
Summary
(25-50 words)
This book is about a boy named Ramon who loves drawing. One day his
brother criticizes a piece of his work. He becomes dreadful and wants to give
up drawing altogether. (31)
Reflection
(50-100 words)
This book is an example of how people can very critical of others and gives a
glimpse into what can happen when someone has a negative opinion about
something that you have created or are proud of. This experience is a
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reflection of what other students have endured and the outcome that can
happen if they aren’t confident enough in themselves. (61)
Book 4 Anita and the Dragons By Hannah Carmona
Grade Level Lexile Level 800L
Summary
(25-50 words)
This book is about a young girl named Anita who always watches dragons fly
high above. One day the dragon takes her and her family from the Dominican
Republic to a faraway land. Anita fears what awaits her in hopes that one day
she will return to her island. (49)
Reflection
(50-100 words)
This book is a window for me because I have never had to move to a faraway
place and start a new life with my family. I can only image how fearful this
can be for a young child who has always been in their comfort zone but now
have to face anxiety of the unexpected. (56)
Book 5 Out of My Mind By Sharon Draper
Grade Level
(50-100 words)
Lexile Level 700L
Summary
(25-50 words)
This book is about an eleven-year-old girl named Melody who suffers from a
disability. Melody has Cerebral Palsy and can’t talk, walk, feed herself or use
the restroom on her own. Melody is faced with many challenges in life and
school but is determined to overcome the odd stacked against her. (51)
Reflection This book gives an example of what life is like through the eyes of a person
with a disability. Personally I have not endured being physically impaired but
have seen family members and friends go through it. This book shows the
importance of having compassion and understanding what others who are
disabled have to go through in their daily lives.(60)
Part 3 - Class Collection for __2_ Grade
Include word count for each summary and student interest sentence.
Book 1 The Proudest Blue By Ibtihaj Muhammad
Grade Level Lexile Level 500L
Summary (25-50
words)
This book is about a young girl named Faizah who is excited about her
older sister Asiya’s first day wearing a Hijab to school. When they both get
to school some of the students start to ask questions about why Asiya is
wearing a scarf on her head. (48)
Student Interest
(25-50 words)
This book would be good for students in second grade to teach them a
lesson on diversity and how people come from many different cultures,
ethnic backgrounds, races, and religion.(30)
Book 2 I Like Myself By Karen Beaumont
Grade Level DRA 16-18
Summary (25-50
words)
This book is about a girl who has a lot of confidence about herself.
Throughout the book she expresses the love that she has foe herself and her
unique characteristics that makes her who she is. (36)
Student Interest
(25-50 words)
Students from all cultures and races would benefit from book because it
teaches them a valuable lesson on self-confidence and self-esteem as they
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continue to grow throughout life. (28)
Book 3 Where are you From By Yamile Saied Mendex and Jaime Kim
Grade Level Lexile Level AD640L
Summary (25-50
words)
This book is about acceptance and a girl who is always being asked where
are you from? The girl goes home from school one day and asks her
Abuelo, where are they from? (33)
Student Interest
(25-50 words)
Students in second grade would be interested in this book because the story
plot is centered on diversity. Children at this age are trying to make friends
in school and find a place of belonging. (35)
Book 4 Miss Nelson is Missing By Harry Allard
Grade Level Lexile 340L
Summary (25-50
words)
This book is about a school teacher named Miss Nelson who has students
that are always misbehaving. One day the students arrive to school and
discover that Miss Nelson is not there and they have a mean substitute
named Miss Viola Swamp. (42)
Student Interest
(25-50 words)
Students would find this book interesting because like the students in Miss
Nelson’s class they too might have misbehaved in class and one day came
to school to discover that their teacher wasn’t there. (34)
Book 5 Those Shoes By Maribeth Boelts
Grade Level Lexile Level AD550L
Summary (25-50
words)
This book is about a boy named Jeremy who wants a pair of shoes like all
of the other boys have at his school but he can’t afford them. One day his
shoes fall apart and he has to wear an uncool pair of shoes out of the
donation box. (50)
Student Interest
(25-50 words)
This book would be interesting to students because at one time they may
have also wanted something cool that everyone else had but couldn’t afford
it or their parents told them that they couldn’t have it. (36)
Book 6 Snowflake Bentley By Jacqueline Briggs Martin
Grade Level Lexile Level AD830L
Summary (25-50
words)
This book is about a boy name Willow Bentley who loved to take photos of
snowflakes. Bentley saw snowflakes as small miracles and would draw
pictures of what he found out about them. (33)
Student Interest
(25-50 words)
Students would find this book interesting because they may also have
something that they are fascinated with and have a love for doing. This
book would show students that even somethings that may seem impossible
to achieve can still be done if are motivated enough to accomplish it. (48)
Book 7 Stellas Steller Hair By Yesenia Moses
Grade Level Lexile Level AD800L
Summary (25-50
words)
This book is about a girl named Stella who is planning to attend a gala but
she has just one problem, her hair won’t cooperate. Stella goes from planet
to planet on her hover board trying to find help with her hair from her
aunties. (45)
Student Interest
(25-50 words)
I think that students would find interest in this book because it would be
engaging and exciting for them to imagine a girl traveling in the solar
system trying to find help with her hair before a big event. (39)
Book 8 The Magic School Bus Weathers the Storm By Kristen Earhart
6
Grade Level Lexile Level 490L
Summary (25-50
words)
This book is about the students in Miss Frizzles class who are learning
about weather. Miss Frizzle takes them on a field trip through a storm so
that they can learn from experience what it’s like to be caught in a weather
storm. (43)
Student Interest
(25-50 words)
Students would find this book to be interesting because they could benefit
from the adventurous field trip through a storm and learn a lesson on how to
be prepared should they encounter being in a storm. (36)
Book 9 The Pigeon Has to Go To School By Mo Williams
Grade Level Lexile Level 450L
Summary (25-50
words)
This book is about a pigeon who is finally going to school but is fearful and
scared of what will happen on his first day. (25)
Student Interest
(25-50 words)
This book would be interesting to students because they may have been
scared to go to school just like the pigeon. Or may be scared to meet a new
teacher and make new friends. (34)
Book 10 Ramona The Pest By Beverly Clearly
Grade Level Lexile Level 850L
Summary (25-50
words)
This book is about a girl named Ramona who is excited to start
Kindergarten. She can now be like her big sister and ride the bus with the
big kids. When she gets to school she gets in trouble for pulling another
students hair during recess. (46)
Student Interest
(25-50 words)
Students would find this book interesting because they too may have been
excited about something and soon as they got it didn’t know how to act or
treat it which resulted in them getting in trouble. (36)
Book 11 I’m New Here By Anne Sibley O’Brien
Grade Level Lexile Level AD390L
Summary (25-50
words)
This book is about three students who are new and come from different
countries. They all feel like they don’t fit in but later find a way to get
acclimated in their new school setting.(35)
Student Interest
(25-50 words)
This book would be of interest to any students who have moved from a
place far away and had to learn to fit in and find a way of adjusting to their
new normal. (34)
Book 12 Susan Laughs By Jerome Willis
Grade Level Lexile Level AD110L
Summary (25-50
words)
This book is a rhyming picture book about a girl named Susan who is a
busy happy little girl who does a different activities and exhibits several
emotions. (28)
Student Interest
(25-50 words)
Students would find this book to be interesting as they can relate to be
happy while performing different activities just like any ordinary child
would feel.(26)
Book 13 What Is Given From The Heart
Grade Level By Patricia McKissack
Summary (25-50
words)
This book is about a boy name James and his mother who are always
helping others. No matter how many challenges that they face they are
always being generous to others. (31)
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Student Interest
(25-50 words)
Students would be interested in this book because it has a lesson on helping
and being generous to other people even when you are dealing with your
own challenges. (29)
Book 14 The Juneteenth Story By Alliah Agostini
Grade Level Lexile Level NC1090L
Summary (25-50
words)
This book is about the Juneteenth celebration and gives details on why we
celebrate it. It gives details on what led to the emancipation of the enslaved
people. (28)
Student Interest
(25-50 words)
This book would be interesting to students because it could teach them
about diversity and having compassion for others no matter what color,
race, or ethnic background they are.(29)
Book 15 Love is A Family By Roma Downing
Grade Level Lexile Level 680L
Summary (25-50
words)
This book is about a girl who is being raised by a single parent which is her
mother. The girl goes to a family night at her school and sees different
family combinations and realizes that is love that really makes a family.(43)
Student Interest
(25-50 words)
This book would be interesting to students because it teaches a lesson on
how families are uniquely different but they are all made up of love. (26)
Book 16 Charlotte’s Web By E.B. White
Grade Level Lexile Level 680L
Summary (25-50
words)
This book is about a pig named Wilbur who finds out that he is going to be
slaughtered soon. His friend named Charlotte who is a spider is determined
to save his life so she uses her web to spin words about him. (43)
Student Interest
(25-50 words)
Students would find interest in this book because it has a theme about the
importance of friendship, being courageous, and having self-sacrifice when
it comes to putting others first. (29)
Book 17 Busy Betty & The Circus Surprise By Reese Witherspoon
Grade Level Lexile Level AD550L
Summary (25-50
words)
This book is about a girl named Betty who is always busy and has a ton of
questions and ideas. Betty wants to surprise her mom for her Birthday so
she tasks her friends with helping her get this accomplished. (40)
Student Interest
(25-50 words)
Students who are always full of questions and ideas would find this book
interesting because it is packed with excited and action. They would be
intrigued about the idea of someone being thoughtful and giving someone a
surprise circus party. (40)
Book 18 Too Much Glue By Jason Lefebvre
Grade Level Lexile Level AD600L
Summary (25-50
words)
This book is about a boy named Matty who loves glue and always makes
things out of it. One day in class Matty uses too much glue and finds
himself stuck in it. (33)
Student Interest
(25-50 words)
Students would find interest in this book because it could teach them a
lesson on following directions and not listening when you have been
warned about something, (27)
Book 19 Enemy Pie By Derek Munsun and Tara Calahan King
Grade Level Lexile Level AD550L
Summary (25-50 This book is about a boy is becomes upset when a boy named Jeremy
8
words) moves into his neighborhood. The boy assumes that Jeremy is enemy and
he goes to his dad to ask for help. His dad tells him he will make pie for him
to give to enemy but the only catch is that they will have to spend the day
together. (63)
Student Interest
(25-50 words)
This book would be interesting to students because it could teach them a
moral lesson on how you can go from enemy to being a friend. (26)
Book 20 I Am Ruby Bridges By Ruby Bridges
Grade Level Lexile Level AD00L
Summary (25-50
words)
This book is about a young girl named Ruby Bridges who grows up in the
segregated south and tells the true story of the day in 1960 when she
became the first black child to attend an all-white school. (39)
Student Interest
(25-50 words)
This book would be interesting to students because it teaches them the
importance of diversity and never judging people by how they look or their
skin color.(27)
Part 4 - Share Collection
Date of Interview: 3/1/2024
Name of Person Interviewed: Carinne Thompson
Role of Person Interviewed: Educator
Windows Interview:
Q: Which kind of books do you think would benefit students from the windows selection?
A: “I think that books on realistic-fiction would be beneficial to students because it based on
events that can happen in real life. “
Q: Do you think diversity is important for the windows selection?
A: “I think that Books on diversity would be an important benefit to students so that they can see
life experiences through the eyes of other students who have had certain experiences.”
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Mirrors Interview:
Q: Do you think the mirrors selection that I chose is something that you can relate to?
A: “Yes, I do think that I can relate to some of the mirror selections but not all of them because
we are different individuals and come from different backgrounds.”
Q: How would you help your students identify their mirrors.
A: “I would help students identify their mirrors through experiencing different types books,
virtual field trips and also learning from their peers.”
Class Reading List Interview:
Q: Do you think that the class selection should have more fiction than non-fiction books or
an equal amount?
A: “I think that they should have an equal amount because students struggle with understanding
the difference between the two.”
Q: What is the most crucial part of selecting books for students?
A: “Making sure the books and age appropriate and there is a variety of genres.”
Insight Gained From this Project
This experience gave me so much insight on selecting appropriate literature for students. It has
prepared me to have a class collection of a variety of books with different genres and themes that
will not only keep students interested but will also teach them about the importance of diversity
and life lessons. According to (Galda et al., 2017) Books can play a significant role in the life of
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our youth, but the extent to which they will do so depends on the adult surrounding them. This
project assignment taught me how to find quality literature that could be used as mirrors or self-
reflection and windows or the view point of others. Having to find my own mirrors, windows,
and interviewing an educator on their perspective of selecting children’s literature also gave me a
lot of insight as well. According to (Galda et al., 2017) Selecting books to offer to young readers
is a multidimensional task. For Teachers and Librarians, this process is even more difficult
because they are selecting a large number of books to use with many children from varied
backgrounds.
Word count: 182
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References
Galda, L., Liang, L. A., & Cullinan, B. E. (2017). Literature and the child (9th ed.). Cengage
Learning.
Agostini, A. L. (2022). The Juneteenth Story. Becker & Mayer.
Allard, H., & Marshall, J. (2011). Miss Nelson is missing! Houghton Mifflin.
Anne Sibley O'Brien. (2018). I’m New Here. Lerner Publishing Group.
Beaumont, K. (2016). I like myself! Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Boelts, M. (2009). Those shoes. Bt Bound.
Cleary, B., Dockray, T., & Stockard Channing. (2019). Ramona the pest. Findaway World, Llc.
Downey, R., & Gasquet, J. (2010). Love is a family. Teaching Strategies.
Earhart, K., & Magic School Bus. (2008). The Magic School Bus Weathers the Storm.
Scholastic.
Ibtihaj Muhammad. (2020). The Proudest Blue. Andersen Press Ltd.
Lefebvre, J., Zac Retz, Weber, A., & Findaway World, Llc. (2019). Too much glue. Findaway
World, Llc.
Martin, J. B., & Azarian, M. (2009). Snowflake Bentley. Paw Prints.
Mckissack, P., & Harrison, A. (2019). What is given from the heart. Schwartz & Wade Books.
Mo Willems. (2019). The pigeon has to go to school! Hyperion Books For Children.
Moises, Y. (2021). Stella’s Stellar Hair. Imprint.
Munson, D., & Tara Calahan King. (2013). Enemy pie. Zaner-Bloser.
Ruby Bridges, & Smith, N. (2022). I am Ruby Bridges. Orchard Books, An Imprint Of
Scholastic, Inc.
White, E. B. (1952). Charlotte’s Web. Harper, An Imprint Of Harpercollins Publishers.
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Willis, J. (2011). Susan Laughs. Andersen Press.
Witherspoon, R. (2023). Busy Betty & the Circus Surprise. Penguin.
Yamile Saied Méndez, & Kim, J. (2019). Where are you from? Harper, An Imprint Of
Harpercollinspublishers.
Carmona, H., & Cunha, A. (2021). Anita and the dragons. Lantana.
Choi, Y. (2001). The Name Jar. Zaner-Bloser.
Draper, S. M. (2010). Out of my mind. Simon & Schuster.
Eulate, A. (2017). The Sky Of Afghanistan. Cuento de Luz; 1st edition (August 1, 2012).
John, J., & Oswald, P. (2019). The good egg. Harper, An Imprint Of Harpercollinspublishers.
Munsch, R. N., & Martchenko, M. (2018). Stephanie’s ponytail. Annick Press.
Muth, J. J. (2015). The Three Questions. Scholastic Inc.
Pett, M., & Rubinstein, G. (2017). The girl who never made mistakes. Naperville Sourcebooks
Jabberwocky.
Reynolds, P. H., Liatis, M., & Vox Books. (2019). Ish. Library Ideas, Llc.
Teckentrup, B. (2022). Kindness Grows. National Geographic Books.
