In the library

I have started my new job as the librarian at Jefferson Elementary. I have to be honest and say that I am not sure what I am doing yet, but I know that I will get there! I have enjoyed meeting the staff, and I am looking forward to the kiddos coming next week. I get a little lonely in here right now! I am going to try to post about my lessons and books that I read to the kids and for myself.

The Toothpaste Millionaire

The Toothpaste Millionaire. By Jean Merrill. Illus. by Jan Palmer. 1972. 89 p. Houghton Mifflin Company, $5.95 (0395185114)
Gr.3-6 While shopping for toothpaste, Rufus realizes that toothpaste is overpriced and he could make a better product for less. This is the start of the Toothpaste Company. Katherine who is white works with Rufus who is black into creating, manufacturing and selling toothpaste. Other kids in their class get involved along with some adults. This book looks at marketing, manufacturing, selling, and setting up a business as well as banking and the stock market.

Sammy Keyes and the Cold Hard Cash

Sammy Keyes and the Cold Hard Cash. By Wendelin Van Draanen. 2008. 304 p. Knopf Books for Young Readers, $15.99 (0375835261)
Gr. 4-6 Sammy is sneaking is using the fire escape to get in and out of her grandmother’s apartment building where she is living. While there, she encounters an elderly man who has a heart attack. He has bags of money that fall to the ground. Sammy retrieves the money and calls 911. The money becomes a huge temptation to her. She ends up spending the money on her friends and grandmother. Sammy needs to solve the money and learn about temptation, right and wrong. This book is great for a discussion about money and how some people allow themselves to be corrupted by it. It would be useful for a discussion on the theme that money is a tool.

Not For a Billion Gazillion Dollars

Not For a Billion Gazillion Dollars. By Paula Danzinger. 1992. 121 p. Penguin Putnam Books, $4.99 (0698116933)
Gr.4-6 Matthew Martin wants to purchase a new computer program but does not have the money. He then goes on to try to earn the money in a variety of ways. In the end, Matthew and his friends start their own greeting card business and Matthew is able to earn the money that he needs. This book reflects on the trouble with debt, earning money, and how good charitable giving can feel.

Max & Maddy and the Chocolate Money Mystery

Max & Maddy and the Chocolate Money Mystery. By Alexander McCall Smith. Illus. by Macky Paminuan. 1997. 72 p. Bloomsbury USA, $9.95 (1559990036X)
Gr.1-3 This story is about Max and Maddy. Their parents are retired detectives and Max and Maddy have acquired their skills. They are called to Switzerland to solve a string of bank robberies. The get the money back after some exciting adventures, but the crook gets away promising revenge. The concepts in this book are money and banking.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. By Roald Dahl. 1964. 176 p. Puffin Books, $6.99 (0142410314)
Gr. 4-6 Willy Wonka is going to open up his candy factory to five lucky children who find a golden ticket. Charlie Bucket is one of the lucky recipients. Charlie along with his grandfather are able to tour the magical factory. Along the way he sees the other children behave in ways that cause bad things to happen to them. Charlie and his grandfather reach the end of the tour. Charlie is rewarded with the factory. This book looks at the concepts of supply and demand as well as how to run a successful business.

We Are The Ship

We Are The Ship. By Kadir Nelson. 2008. 88 p. Hyperion, $18.99 (13:9780786808328)
Gr.4-12 This gorgeous book tells the story of the Negro Baseball League. The illustrations are oil paintings by the artist. It tells the reader about the gifted athletes that overcame unbelievable obstacles to play the game that they loved. While this book is not cover an economic topic per say, there are plenty of economic concepts that could be discussed using this book. The topic of human resources and entrepreneurship could easily be explored.