This would be a good book to use with grades 1-4. It could be used as an interactive read aloud with younger grades and as an independent read in older grades. This is a good book to use when talking about people having different interest and liking different things, but still being accepting of other and those around you. ( )

Izumi resists social and family pressures as she befriends caterpillars and other socially unacceptable creatures.***SRC Quiz***

I was surprised I enjoyed this period piece.A young Japenese girl who likens herself to caterpillars.She has a free spirit and sparks the attention of a nobleman.The story ends with endless possibilities of there two meeting again. ( )

Izumi refuses to act as society demands a young girl from a noble family should. Instead, she counts toads and seeds and especially caterpillars her friends as well as the scruffy boys who bring insects to her window. She insists on thinking for herself, and she won't blacken her teeth or pluck her eyebrows. Will her parents die of embarrassment as the whole town gossips about her? Slowly, she wins the grudging respect of those who are willing to look beneath the surface and see a girl who is clever and won't hide her gifts under society's rules. ( )