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Even though, in this book, the protagonist’s age exceeds that of the upper age range of the typical ReaderKid, we’ve found that Spinelli’s STARGIRL connects with many upper elementary aged readers in a powerful way. Stargirl offers a multitude of literary elements to discuss, interesting characters to consider, and a plethora of potential supplemental lessons to enjoy.
To access a guide created by Rosemary Pillsbury of www.galeschools.com focusing on chapter-by-chapter vocabulary development, an in-depth comprehension check, and integrated curriculum activities click here. Stargirl Teacher Guide
For a great Literature Guide created by teacher.scholastic.com based on Blooms Taxonomy (Knowledge, Comprehension, Application, Analysis, Synthesis, and Evaluation), as well containing instructions to make a greeting card game and structure for a public speaking project access this link . Literature Circle Guide for STARGIRL
Lastly, create acrostic poems for each character. Acrostic poems are great fun to write. They are basically descriptive poems that can be as long as the poet wants to make them. Here’s the catch, however. When read downward, the first letter of each line must form a word or phrase, usually the subject of the poem. So, be certain to choose words that illustrate literary elements that pertain to each particular character…the subject of each poem. Stargirl Acrostics
DEAR READER,
I’m so glad you’re reading my book PRINCESS POSEY AND THE FIRST GRADE PARADE. I can still remember what it felt like to go to first grade for the first time.
When I was your age, I wanted to go to first grade so much! I was already in kindergarten at Broad River Elementary School, but I wanted to be one of the big kids like my older brother and sister, Shep and Flip. Broad River was old and brick and had lots of windows. The principal, Miss Prendergast, was very strict. I never wanted to be sent to her office the way Shep was when he got sprayed by a skunk and went to school anyway. He smelled up the 
whole school.
When the first day of first grade arrived, I was nervous. I didn’t know anyone. I didn’t have a best friend yet. What if I didn’t learn to read and write?
I soon got over being scared. My teacher was Mrs. McNichols. She had gray hair and wore flowered dresses so she looked like a friendly grandmother. I made friends with a girl named Barbara and another girl named Donna because they had birthdays in September just like me. And you know what? They are still my best friends today and we still get together to celebrate our birthdays.
The funny thing is, I wasn’t good at writing. Me, an author! The problem was that I’m left-handed but Mrs. McNichols made me write with my right hand. My letters were crooked all through first grade. Luckily, when I got to second grade, my teacher let me write with my left hand. I practiced and practiced 
until I got better. Good thing, considering I wanted to be an author.
So if you’re at all like me, and you have trouble with something when you’re in the first grade, never fear! Work and practice and have fun. Before you know it, your problem will get better.
I loved writing about Posey and Miss Lee and Nikki and Ava and Luca – all of them! I hope you like Posey as much as I do.
Don’t forget to Read! Read! Read!
Your friend,
*** Click HERE to download and SHARE Stephanie’s letter with students! And HERE to download a teacher’s guide for PRINCESS POSEY.
Learn more about Stephanie on her website HERE.
Princess Posey and the First Grade Parade by Stephanie Greene
Posey is nervous about starting school. She’ll have to get out of the car at the Kiss-and-Go Lane, and walk to her first grade classroom, past the “Monster of the Blue Hall,” all by herself. Worse, she’s not allowed to wear the pink tutu that turns her into Princess Posey, the Pink Princess, who can go anywhere, do anything.
We’re very excited about this first-in-a-brand-new-series-of-books for the transitional reader. Any first grade teacher knows there are usually one or two students each year who are timid/afraid/shy/worried about the transition from kindergarten to first grade.
Even though – for many kids – kindergarten is at the same school, with many of the same, familiar faces, first grade *is* different. And moving up to first grade is a big deal.
Princess Posey is charming, honest, and brave enough to share her own wonderful way of dealing with her fears – a parade! What could be better? Kids and teachers will get a kick out of this book. And the best news? More Posey adventures are on the way, with PRINCESS POSEY AND THE PERFECT PRESENT scheduled for release in March, 2011.
Access an in-depth Teacher Guide designed to compliment the experience of reading Stephanie Greene’s Princess Posey and the First Grade Parade here.
Princess Posey and the First Grade Parade Teacher Activity Guide
Enjoy working through the Discussion Questions. Then have fun with the Compare and Contrast activity, making and play the Word Bank Game, and completing a lesson reinforcing the concept of words created through the use of the Silent “e”.
Lastly, practice reading comprehension skills by creating and playing a Princess Posey Folder Game. To make the folder game all that is needed is a standard letter-sized manila folder, .pdf print outs and a friend to enjoy Posey’s capers over and over and over again.
Janet Fox’s Get Organized Without Losing It is loaded with helpful hints to ensure that returning to the rigors of school life are as stress-free as possible. From packing a lunch to passing a test, Janet guides the parent and child through an easy step-by-step process, demystifying the fears associated with school life.
Access the following link to play a card game reinforcing the skills taught and attitudes presented in Get Organized Without Losing It! Going back to school has never been this much fun!
Happy Birthday, Sophie Hartley by Stephanie Greene
It’s almost Sophie’s double-digit birthday and things are off to a rocky start. Even though her dad had said, “Wonderful!” when Sophie told him she wanted a baby gorilla for her big day, deep down, Sophie knew it wasn’t going to be as easy as all that.
And now, older sister, Nora, has decided to move to the attic, leaving Sophie bereft and alone, with only a “tiny sliver of light under her door for company.”
Things are changing and readers will empathize with dear Sophie as she struggles to find her way along the sometimes bumpy road of a 9, almost 10, year old girl growing up as the middle child in a busy, but loving family.
With humor, poignancy, and deftly written and carefully composed subplots, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SOPHIE HARTLEY is a book young readers will enjoy mightily, admiring both Sophie’s stick-to-itiveness and spunk, and the wonderful way the story comes full circle, leaving Sophie with a gift that’s far better than even she could have imagined.
