In this book Becky and John are bother and sister as well as best buddies. They loved to play soccer with each other as well as help each other practice their positions. John told Becky she would be a great goalie like him. One day John died and Becky became very lonely and had to learn how to deal with the loss of John. Day by day Becky had to learn how to live and learn to laugh again.

Reaction: I enjoyed this book, and can relate to it on a personal level. I had to deal with a child who lost their sibling, and it's never an easy subject to talk about. This book is great way to help out families who are in the same situation.

Extension ideas: A great extension idea is making a family tree, or a household tree. Another project could be a family project where each week we can celebrate a different family and learn all about their culture.

Becky struggles to come to terms with the death of her brother in this sensitive picture-book exploration of a child's grief at the loss of a loved one. Both sibling and best friend, John had always been there for Becky: practicing soccer with her, helping her to care for their dog, Toby, and cheering her up when she was down. Then, suddenly, he was dead, and nothing would ever be the same again...

A moving story, one which accurately captures the conflicted feelings of a bereaved child - the withdrawal from favorite activities, the guilt at enjoying pleasant activities - Always My Brother offers a message of hope and encouragement. Jean Reagan, who makes her picture-book debut here, clearly knows her subject, an instinctive impression confirmed by the little biographical blurb on the dust-jacket, in which the reader learns of the death of the author's young son in 2005. An ideal selection, for anyone in need of a book to help young children cope with the death of a sibling. ( )

Summary:
This is a story about a sister and brother who always play together but the brother dies. The sister, Becky, is crippled by her brother’s death and doesn’t quite understand that she has to let him go. One day, she goes to a party where she doesn’t think about her brother, then comes home burdened by guilt. Her parents explain to her that it’s okay to forget him sometimes because he’ll always be in her heart. This helps Becky cope with her brother’s death and her life slowly comes back to feeling normal with her brother in her heart.

Personal Reaction:
I thought this was a very touching book. I have never had a sibling die, but I have had two of my grandparents die when I was young whom I felt very close with so I can relate to how Becky felt. I think this is a great book to show children who are going through something like this how to cope and that it’s okay to move on. It’s a great example to teach kids to keep those you love in your hearts at all time. Even though I really enjoyed this heartfelt book, I don’t think I would read this book to a classroom. I would keep this on the bookshelf, available for anyone to read and suggest it to a child who is going through a similar situation.

Extension Ideas:
1) Have the class discuss what happened to Becky and her brother. Have them talk about how they would feel if they were Becky, and things they could do if they were her to keep her brother in her heart.
2) Have the class write in their daily journal about someone they love and keep in their hearts all the time, weather its someone who is dead or alive. ( )

Always my Brother looks at the issue of death within a family, geared towards younger children, probably ages 7-11. The details of the story are a bit on the vague side. Becky and her brother John played soccer and walked home together, sharing special moments. We then learn that John died, yet don't really learn what happens. The story follows the process of grieving and slowly allowing one's life to return to normal.

While I wish there were more details, the other side of this is that is allows each reader to relate with their own experiences. Overall, children learn it's okay to grieve and miss someone, but also that it's okay to go on with your own life at your own pace. It's nice to have another resource for children who deal with loss, and with the easy to follow story and nice artwork, Always My Brother proves to be a helpful book. ( )

Summery:
John and Becky were brothers and sisters. They were best friends and they did everything together.They both enjoy playing soccer. John passed away and everything changes.

Personal Reaction:
I almost cried when i read this book.Its a sad book and its also go at the same time. It shows how people deal with the passing of the one they love which can be a very hard thing to deal with.

Ideas:
1. Write stories about what happen when one of their love ones passed away and how they deal with it?
2. Ask students who they do everything with and write a short paragraph about what all they did together.