You can tell it was a full week of school. The reading amount went drastically down! More picture book reading than longer books. Looking forward to Monday being off and having time to catch up a bit!
Picture Books
The Great Big Book of Families by Mary Hoffman
5/5 stars
I loved the start of the book, "Once upon a time most families looked like this...." and it shows a mom, dad, brother, sister, dog and cat outside of a nice home. The book goes on to show there are all kinds of families, homes, occupations, who works in a family, celebrations, pets, etc. I love the diversity of this book and how it lays it out in a very matter-of-fact manner. Bottom line, families care for each other.
The Bear Ate Your Sandwich by Julia Sarcone-Roach
4/5 stars
Cute story. I think this would be good to use to show narrator. There is a twist at the end, but it would be have fun to have kids make predictions who the narrator is up until that point.
How to Grow a Friend by Sara Gillingham
4/5 stars
Loved the bright illustrations in this story! I think this book would be a fabulous addition to a Kg/1st grade classroom at the beginning of the year to start the year discussing how to make and grow friendships.
The Last Stop on Market Street by Matt DeLaPena
4/5 stars
I like the story - a young boy, CJ, and his Nana take a bus ride to the other side of town. CJ laments about what he is missing, but is taught a valuable lesson by his Nana. I am really excited to use this book as a read aloud. I think there is a lot to be discussed - setting and theme, particularly. I think it would be really fun to use this book with Lauren Castillo's Nana in the City.
Supertruck by Stephen Savage
4/5 stars
Do you have a young boy (Kelle and Ricki, I'm looking at you!)? Do you have a Pre-K/Kg little one? This book is so perfect for them! Or for anyone who loves a good superhero story!
Middle Grade
The Exact Location of Home by Kate Messner
5/5 stars
I am so glad Kate continued the story of Gianna and Zig, this time told from Zig's point-of-view. It can be read as a stand alone novel, or as a companion to The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z. This January has been a month of Kate Messner for me. I'll write more about her books in a later post.
Currently Reading
All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
Yeah, it really is that good. I will finish it this week.
On-Deck
I have Greenglass House and See You at Harry's waiting for me. One is checked out from the library and one is on my #mustreadin2015 list. So many books....
Hope it was a happy reading week for all!
Kate Messner was one of the nicest authors we've ever had visit. I need to get a hold of her newest titles!
ReplyDeleteYour comments about All the Bright Places made me laugh out loud. :)
ReplyDeleteI was just writing up my review of Last Stop on Market Street and was considering how it would connect to Nana in the City. I haven't read the latter, but I realized they must be very close in some of their themes--or if they aren't, that would make for great classroom discussion, too!
My copy of All The Bright Places is winging around the classroom. Hope I can get it soon! I will look for How To Grow A Friendship-lots of younger students need that, & The Bear Ate Your Sandwich does look like just fun!
ReplyDeleteSo many books indeed! I just bought All the Bright Places but I'm determined to finish a few of the many, MANY books I'm in the middle of right now before I start anything new. I love Christian Robinson's art so really want to get a copy of Last Stop on Market Street.
ReplyDeleteGreat list! Halfway through your description about Last Stop, I starting thinking about Nana in the City too!
ReplyDeleteWow, what great picture books, you make me want to read them all! I finished All the Bright places last night. I agree, it really is that good!
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you loved The Exact Location of Home. And All the Bright Places?? Crazy good...and-watch out-it will stick with you. I haven't been able to (figuratively) put it down since I finished.
ReplyDeleteI really liked both of your on-deck books...you're in for some good reading days ahead!
Oh man, another All The Bright Places! I need to get to this book! It is sitting on my TBR pile right there ----->
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear Kate's novel is good; I have enjoyed all I have read of hers.
Enjoy See You At Harry's!!!!!!
Happy reading this week! :)
Supertruck looks like a fun book.
ReplyDeleteI think I need to get on the All the Bright Places bandwagon. I feel like I'm missing out on something important.
I'm now waiting for All the Bright Places even more anxiously than I was before. Make sure you have a box of kleenexes for See You At Harry's
ReplyDeleteHi there Michelle - I also have All The Bright Places in my must read books this year - I hope I get to it soonest. :)
ReplyDelete