Mentor Text Linky {Language Arts} - Crickwing- A Touching Story by the Author of Stellaluna

Happy Sunday, Friends!!!

(We are very sorry for all of the confusion that occurred between the blog hop and this linky and what was getting posted when.  We are just trying to make this as hard on you as possible!  Just kidding.  We really wanted it to be soooo easy and I (Amanda) am making it hard by biting off more than I can chew at a time.  I truly am sorry! ~Amanda)  on to Stacia's wonderful post!

We are soooooooo excited to be hosting our second week of the Must Read Mentor Text Linky. We were blown away by all of the awesome teachers who linked up with us last week. Thank youuuuuuuuu!!!! We can't wait to check out all of your amazing mentor text suggestions. My husband will be thrilled I'm sure when I order all of these great books...hehe!  :)

This week's subject area is Language Arts. I talked to Amanda, and I told her that I wanted to choose a book that really meant a lot to me, and that I knew would be applicable to many grade levels. We sorted through a bunch of favorites, and finally we settled on Crickwing by Janell Cannon.

Now, I had never heard of Crickwing before last year, but I stumbled upon it in a used bookstore. I was drawn to the cover initially because it is gorgeous! She does incredible illustrations! Anyways, then I started reading the book...I quickly realized that it was about a cockroach, and let me just tell you how I feel about cockroaches.........EWWWWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!!!! BUT, this cockroach was different. Ms. Cannon was able to turn a gross (to me) cockroach into a character who everyone at some point in their lives can relate to. When I read it to my 4th grade class last year, they LOVED it. I mean, LOVED it. :)

Crickwing is a moving story about a cockroach who realizes that although life has its struggles, being a bully is not the answer to solving them. He evolves from a scared, crippled cockroach to a heartless bully to a friend and hero. This story moved me because of its message and theme, but the author's language and craft are mesmerizing. I JUST LOVE HER!!!

This book can be used to teach a variety of skills including: cause and effect, inferencing, predictions, summarizing, literary elements, amazing adjectives, vivid verbs, and more! I think this would be a great book for the beginning of the year because of its message, but I also think that using it right now would be PERFECT! This is the time of the year when the students need to hear the message about bullying again. It's a great time to revisit this theme.

Crickwing is a text that teachers of all grade levels can relate to. I truly believe that students of all ages will enjoy it. I can't wait to share it with my class in a couple weeks!

If you have read this book, PLEASE let me know your thoughts. I would love some other ideas! :)

We would love for you to link up with us! Click the image below for details if you are new to this linky...

Click here for details about linking up

Here are the themes for each month!

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hank you so much for stopping by, friends!  Have a wonderful weekend!!!

Stacia  :)

Next week's subject area for Mentor Texts is Math!!

Please make sure to link to the post for the mentor text, not just your blog URL, so people will always be able to find your post.  Thanks!!