Stanley is the Star of the Week at school and it doesn't go like he thought it would.

Review:
At the beginning of this story, young Stanley Birdbaum is very excited because it is his turn to be student of the week. However, his excitement quickly fades as his classmates begin to make fun of the things that make him unique. Ultimately, the kindness of one classmate gives Stanley the confidence to be firm in who he is and the things that make him special.
Critique:
This picture book is considered a fantasy book because all of the characters in the text are hamsters. Furthermore, these hamsters have human qualities such as wearing clothes and going to school.
Use:
1. This would be a good to read aloud within the first few weeks of school. The teacher can use this text to introduce the "Star of the Week" activity and to lay out the framework for what the class should do in order for the "Star of the Week" activity to be successful.
2. This would also be a good book to read if the classroom is struggling with being inclusive and supportive of differences. The teacher can end the discussion by having students share what hey consider themselves to be good at.
Age Appropriateness: primary, intermediate
Media: pencil, ink, and acrylic ( )

Fantasy
Age Appropriateness: Primary
Review/Critique:
Stanley is the star of the week which means he gets to share his favorite food, toy, and thing to do. Day after day Stanley was discouraged as his classmates didn't like what he had to share, but on the last day, when he shared that his favorite thing to do was draw, he made a difficult situation into a great one!

This is a good fantasy fiction book because a guinea pig doesn't go to school and so the author used personification. It is also a good book to use because it shows the importance of supporting our classmates. ( )

I enjoyed this book! Stanley is chosen for star of the week in his class, which he is thrilled about. However, his week isn't going the way he planned. He isn't having fun at all. Not until his classmates realize he has amazing drawing abilities. Stanley's week is changed completely and he loves it. ( )

This book is a good example of realistic fiction because it is a story of a boy who is star of the week in his class but who gets made fun of for what he brings in to class.
The media in this book is pencil, ink, and acrylic.
Age appropriatness: primary ( )