June 29, 1999- Picture Book 2

June 29, 1999

By: David Wiesner

Genre: Picture Book

Award: N/A

Grade Level: Considering the advanced vocabulary and the need for specific scientific knowledge of this book, I would say this book is appropriate for third grade. Students need to know the basics of growing plants, geography, and the accompanying vocabulary. Most students will need to know how to use context clues and be inclined towards science fiction books.

Summary: June 29, 1999 is a picture and science fiction book whose plot focuses on the main character, Holly Evans and her science project that went awry. The exposition starts out with introducing Holly and her science experiment in which she studies the effects of extraterrestrial conditions on vegetable growth and development. About a month after starting her project, reports around the world spring up about giant vegetables in the sky. After discovering that some of the giant vegetables that are being discovered were not involved in her project, Holly concludes that her project is not responsible for the giant vegetables, but continues to question where these veggies are coming from. At the end of the book the climax hits its peak and the reader discovers that the giant vegetables floating down to Earth are actually from an alien starcruiser, whose inhabitants have now lost their food supply.

Classroom Strategies:

To increase comprehension of the book and vocabulary skills, have students create a personal dictionary identifying and defining the words from the book that they did not know.

Have students take a picture walk through the book before reading it. Allow the students make predictions about what they think will happen and what clues from the story led them to make those predictions. Finally, ask students if they have had any experience with growing vegetables, and what the growth process included.

ESOL: Through the use of these classroom strategies ESOL students can practice their predicting skills, identifying main vocabulary, using illustrations to make predictions, and using student’s experiences.

Read Aloud: I would read pages nine and ten aloud because while reading, I would put emphasis on the alliteration used in the story to show the humor of the book.

Personal opinion: Although I am not a science fiction fan, this book presents its scientific topics in a fun humorous way. The plot keeps the reader guessing as to where these giant vegetables came from. The alteration and ‘funny’ names of the vegetables and geographical locations used show the mood of the book, in addition to the bright hopeful colors. All around I enjoyed reading this book.