Stand Tall - Molly Lou Melon

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Book:  Stand Tall - Molly Lou Melon (Book Link)
Author: Patty Lovell (Author Link)
Illustrator: David Catrow (Illustrator Link)
Publisher: Putnam Publishing Group
Date of Publication: 2006
Genre: Picture Book, Diverse Protagonists
Lexile Score: AD460L
Citation: Lovell, P. (2006). Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon. Putnam Publishing Group.

Summary:  In this story a girl named Molly Lou Melon wasn't like her friends.  She was much smaller, had buck teeth, and was clumsy.  However her grandma always believed in her and told her, "shine no matter what."  The time came when she had to move to a new town without her grandma, which was hard for her.  There was new kid named Ronald Dunkin at her new school who would always call her names, but Molly Lou would always shine through.  Molly never let it bother her because she always remembered what her Grandma would tell her, "Believe in yourself and the world will believe in you too."  In the end Ronald became friends with Molly Lou, and she wrote a letter to her grandma telling her that her advice was right.

Audience:  I would say this book would be targeted at grades first through third.  The book has a fun story line that students of this age would be able to follow along with.  The illustrations were a little scary however, and might be creepy to some younger readers.  However overall the younger reader would be able to understand the message, and some of the jokes throughout the book.

Evaluation:  I would consider this to be a high quality picture book.  The author focused heavily on the theme.  Throughout the story the main character was constantly reminding the reader that she was good enough.  This would be a great concept to read in the younger grades, when they need to build up their self esteem.  The illustrations are also a great addition to the book, because they create vivid images that help the reader understand the authors message.

Activity: 
Have your students right a letter to someone else.  This way they can practice the correct format of writing a letter as well as addressing an envelope. 

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