#road2reading Challenge - Chapter Book Summer, week 3 - 6.27.19

This summer I'll be sharing chapter books that are perfect for a range of readers.  

Stop by every Thursday and find a round up of books you'll want to use with your readers!

This week I have books that take place at SCHOOL!  With a familiar setting, these books will for sure entice your readers.



Our Principal Breaks a Spell!
written by Stephanie Calmenson
illustrated by Aaron Blecha
This is part of the Simon and Schuster "Aladdin Quix" series.  This is the first book I've seen in the series and I'm interested in checking out more.  There are some positives and negatives I'm noticing.  

Good things:  

• Short books (this one was 41 pages) with a singular plot featuring a problem and solution. 
• Font is larger and chapters are short.  
• There is a cast of characters featured at the beginning of the book with a brief character description.  When new characters are introduced, their names are printed in a bold font to alert the reader.  

Things I would change:  

• Watch the vocabulary.  Some words are tricky and didn't need to be - another word would have fit.  For example, in a scene where everything is going crazy, the word "chaos" is used.  That's a hard word for kids who are mostly sight word readers to figure out.  There's a word list at the end that has words and definitions but this particular word wasn't even included.  
• There are many words in bold throughout the text.  If a word is included in the word list at the end, it's in bold in the text.  When a new character is mentioned, their name is in bold.  When the author wants to emphasize some words, they are in bold.  Lots of bold....
• The back of the book jacket says, "books that make reading fun for kids five to eight years old".  Why are ages mentioned?  What if a nine or ten year old want to pick this one up?  Let's just go ahead and put the level on while we're at it....

In this story, Roger (who is described as one of the smartest students in the school...) has the honor of being the principal's helper.  We find out he is supposed to help sweep the classroom but he really doesn't want to do that job.  In the principal's office Roger finds a packet of magic powder.  He decides to use it on the broom which then becomes something out of the "Sorcerer's Apprentice".  The broom sweeps all the rooms, hallways, bathrooms, etc of the school causing... chaos.  
At the end of the book are some discussion questions that could be used to further talk about the book.  They are not specific to the story so when using them, it won't make the reader feel like they are being tested!
I would like to read more books in this series.  I'm also interested in seeing the reaction of young readers to this series.
I would match kids who are ready for chapter books in 1st grade-2nd grade with this story.



Roscoe Riley Rules: Never Glue Your Friends to Chairs
series by Katherine Applegate
Mark this first book in the series as a perfect read aloud!  I was laughing out loud as I read it and I know after reading this first book, the rest of the books in the series will be checked out quickly.
Roscoe is a first grader and is a kid who always wants to do his best.  He also wants to have fun and is a curious kid.  Roscoe has a kind heart but sometimes he doesn't quite think through his actions.  Like in this first book.  He brings gonzo glue - permanent - to school.  And when his classmates are having trouble behaving before the big Open House performance, he decides to use the glue to "help out".  It's pretty funny what happens and I think kids will enjoy the fall out!
I think this series will appeal to readers in 1st-3rd grades.


Class Pet Squad: Journey to the Center of Town
by Dan Yaccarino
This one reminded me just a little bit of Toy Story 3!  The Class Pet Squad consists of pets whose job is to keep the kids at school happy.  But they complete their missions in secret.  Get in and get it done!
In this book, young Ben has left his favorite stuffed animal at school - Sharkman - and he's even explained how he can't go to bed unless Sharkman and his other toys are lined up on his shelf.  It's after school and Max and the other Class Pet Squad members find out that Ben left his toy at school,  Because their mission is to do anything for the kids at school, they know it's up to them to bring Sharkman to Ben's house before bedtime.
What follows next is a bit of architecture and engineering.  Each Squad member has a specialty and they figure out what needs to be done to get the toy to Ben's house.  On their mission, they run into some wicked feline company and meet an unsurprising friend.
Quick chapters and illustrations on every page help keep readers engaged.  There are a lot of characters to keep track of and I did use the character list and description that is in the front of the book to help me until I was familiar with the story.
It seems like this is a series but I didn't see any future publications listed.
This story is a bit more advanced than the other two listed.  I think mature 2nd grade readers-4th grade will enjoy this one!

All journeys have a starting place.

This is a weekly place to find books and tools

that you may use with readers 

at the start of their independent reading journey.

Join in the conversation at #road2reading.

I'll be taking a mini blogging break next week to celebrate the 4th of July with family!  See you in 2 weeks!

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday - biographies in my stack - 6.26.19

Wednesdays I join Alyson Beecher from kidlitfrenzy and other

#kidlit bloggers to share wonderful nonfiction picture books.

The intention of today's blog post is to give professionals that work in the
education field new nonfiction reading material and ideas to use 

with students to promote a love of reading nonfiction materials.

Some nonfiction picture books that jumped out of the pile recently:



Unstoppable: How Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football Team Defeated Army
written by Art Coulson
illustrated by Nick Hardcastle
I have seen Steve Sheinkin's book Undefeated about the same topic but as a longer nonfiction work, I had not read it yet.  This book is on the same topic but cut down to a picture book.  I've heard of the name Jim Thorpe, but did not necessarily know anything about his athletic prowess!  
Jim Thorpe was an American Indian from the Sauk tribe.  In and out of schools, he was sent to the Carlisle Industrial School when he was 16.  Over the next decade, Jim grew and showed his athletic talents in track and field games, baseball, lacrosse, hockey, and football.  But it was football that had captured his heart.  The book goes on to detail some of his amazing feats, but really concentrates on the football game that was a pivotal game in history - when his Carlisle team beat the Army team. 
Backmatter includes more about Jim Thorpe as well as a list and short bio of each man on that particular Carlisle team, as well as sources and additional information.


The Important Thing About Margaret Wise Brown
written by Mac Barnett
illustrated by Sarah Jacoby
Mac Barnett is a unique author.  He doesn't conform to writing norms and I think that is something to celebrate about his books, but sometimes it makes the book so unusual it doesn't always sit right.  This is one of those books.  
Barnett takes on telling the picture book biography about famed children's author, Margaret Wise Brown, in a unique way.  Ambling on as if in conversation with the reader, Barnett ponders about what is really important and shares truths about Brown's life that you might not always find in a picture book biography.  The way this conversation takes place, you're either going to enjoy it or not care for it.  
The illustrations, done in watercolor, nupastel and Photoshop, are superb.  Jacoby is able to capture the whimsy and wonder of Brown and her artwork.
Interestingly, the sources used are included at the beginning of the book, instead of the end.  I am curious as to how that decision was made by the publisher!  No other additional information is included in any backmatter.


Doctor Esperanto and the Language of Hope
written by Mara Rockliff
illustrated by Zosia Dzierżawska
There are so many languages in the world.  What if there was just one, that was created with simplicity in mind and used familiar word parts?  That was the hope of Dr. Esperanto (real name Leyzer Zamenhof).  He heard so many words, so many ways of saying negative words, that he wanted to create a language of hope and niceties.  What came of it was a new language called Esperanto, which means to hope.  Created over many years, with many changes and beginnings to the language, but finally it was shared with the world.  
Today, although not a universal language, it still exists and people do use it worldwide.  It has even popped up on some current sitcoms and movies!  Maybe you'll be the person to start using it at your school!


Definitely some picture book biographies to add to your collections!  Happy reading!

I'll be taking a mini blogging break next week to celebrate the 4th of July with family!  See you in 2 weeks!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 6.24.19

This weekly post comes from Jen at Teach Mentor Texts

 and Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers.  

It's a great source to find new books to use with your students.

Last Week's Adventures

I shared some nonfiction picture books about space!

Week 2 of the Summer Chapter Book Series (for 1st-5th grade teachers) featured chapter books about space.


Picture Books


A Friend for Henry
written by Jenn Bailey
illustrated by Mika Song
A very important book for younger classrooms to have.  Henry is trying to navigate finding a friend, however, he has definite ideas of what friendship is and how one would act within a friendship.  An adult reader will recognize that Henry is probably somewhere on the spectrum.  It is never noted, just behaviors shown.  This book will be good to use to discuss with young children how to handle a situation that comes up between two classmates.


The Girl and the Wolf
written by Katherena Vermette
illustrated by Julie Flett
A beautiful story that was inspired by fairy tales, but has its own twist.  A young girl gets lost in a forest, separated from her family.  It's through the compassion of a wolf that the young girl receives help in clearing her head and thinking about what she must do.


The Little Book of Big What-Ifs
by Renata Liwska
A book full of possibilities and wonderings - one you might want to use to inspire writing or conversations.  Beautiful illustrations.


Hello
by Fiona Woodcock
A book that is full of words that have double "ll"s and illustrated so many of the words are part of the scenery - just like Woodcock did with her book Hello, this is another fun story that is told through individual words that carry the story and are integrated into the pictures.


Fox and the Box
by Yvonne Ivinson
Oh this would have been a fantastic Geisel Award contender had the author/illustrator lived in the United States!  Told in single words, this story is about an adventurous fox who is ready to take a box sailing.  He ends up getting into some trouble but a kind hearted ocean animal helps him out. 
So many ways you could use this as a phonics mentor text - vowel patterns, digraphs, word parts, vocabulary.  And with a fun storyline there is a lot to notice about how the text and illustrations work together.  A must have for primary libraries!


Abner and Ian Get Right-Side Up
written by Dave Eggers
illustrated by Laura Park
An interactive book that will definitely cause the giggles!  Characters Abner and Ian are coming out from the sides of the layout, perpendicular from the bottom of the book.  Their back and forth dialogue about what they want the reader to do (shake the book to get them back into the proper place) will leave you smiling and laughing.  A longer picture book (80 pages) but it's one readers will ask to read over and over!


I Am Not a Fish
by Peter Raymundo
The subtle message of we are more than the labels we assign to people/ourselves is a great one to talk about with young readers.  Would be great to have a conversation about how we are more than one thing and one label cannot define all of the traits that make up a person.

Middle Grade


The Paris Project
by Donna Gephart
One thing I know about Gephart's books, you always care about the characters long after you close the pages of the story.  Cleveland Rosebud Potts is another one.  She is a kid who is trying to find her place in the world, actually, she's trying to get to a new place in the world.  Specifically, Paris.  Cleveland has it rough right now because her father is in jail and that has left her in a very lonely world.  No one in her grade will speak to her and her only friend isn't even in her grade.  But then he starts acting differently and Cleveland doesn't know who to turn to.  
This is a story about growing up, about changes that happen as you figure out who you are, about letting go and understanding and perspective.  
Gephart includes resources and information about children who have a parent that is incarcerated.  Whether this book is a mirror or window, young readers can't help but open their hearts to Cleveland!
A little wait for this one - not going to see it until October, but don't miss adding it to your TBR... or preorder it now!

Currently Reading


Most Valuable Players
by Phil Bildner
One of my #mustreadin2019 books!


I'll be taking a mini blogging break next week to celebrate the 4th of July with family!  See you in 2 weeks!

#road2reading Challenge - Chapter Book Summer, week 2 - 6.20.19

This summer I'll be sharing chapter books that are perfect for a range of readers.  

Stop by every Thursday and find a round up of books you'll want to use with your readers!

I hope you stopped by last week to find out about this summer series.  Here's the post if you missed it!

In yesterday's nonfiction post, I shared some books about space.  I thought I would continue the topic and share some chapter books that might intrigue readers.  The first book is perfect for 1st-3rd graders.  The other chapter books are a little bit longer, each going over the 200 page mark, but are supported by illustrations on every page.  I think the target reader for these books would be a mature 2nd grade reader through 5th grade.  However, the topic and humor will reach many readers.



Sydney and Simon: To The Moon!
written by Paul A. Reynolds
illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
I'm sure most of you know the fabulous Paul and Peter Reynolds by now, but did you know they have collaborated on a STEAM chapter book series?  This series features mouse twins, Sydney and Simon, who, like Paul and Peter, have twintastic ideas!  Each book features quick chapters that have half page illustrations so they are perfect for readers who are just starting to independently read chapter books.
In this story, Sydney and Simon are competing with their classmates in the "Explore the Moon" STEAM contest to meet a famous astronaut that grew up in their town.  While they start out working separately, they quickly find Sydney's creative art project and Simon's research based factual project go together for the best STEAM project.  But will it be enough to win?

       
Klawde, Evil Alien Warlord Cat
written by Johnny Marciano and Emily Chenoweth
illustrated by Robb Mommaerts
If you are looking for your next read aloud, put this at the top of your list!  
Meet Klawde and Raj, the stars of this series.  Told in alternating voices in alternating chapters, readers will love the voices of the characters.  Klawde is an evil, warlord cat from planet Lyttyrboks (yeah, say it out loud... you're going to get giggles!) who has just been overthrown by the evil(er?) General Ffangg and has now been sent to Earth as punishment.  Raj is the human boy who has just adopted Klawde.  The formerly confident Raj is now a nervous and sad kid because his parents have just uprooted him and moved him across the country from super-cool Brooklyn to Elba, Oregon.  And to make matters worse, he's enrolled in a survival camp where he must figure out how to make it in the wilderness or be taken down!  Klawde and Raj end up working together to make a transmitter and teleporter to get Klawde back to his home planet.
The chapters are very short and there are illustrations on many layouts.
Once I got into the flow of the first book, I ended up laughing out loud and kept thinking about how readers will react.  This would be a great book to read out loud and then let kids read the rest of the series on their own.  Just make sure you have extra copies!  Book 2 is available now, book 3 publishes Oct. 8th.


Astro-Nuts  Mission One: The Plant Planet
written by Jon Scieszka
illustrated by Steven Weinberg
When you have these two at the writing and illustrating helm, you know you're in for a zany adventure!
It's time to find a new planet to inhabit and it's up to the Astro-Nuts to find the next Goldilocks planet - one that is just right.  The Astro-Nuts include the mutant animals,  AlphaWolf, SmartHawk, LaserShark, and StinkBug.  NNASA (Not-NASA) has sent them to the Plant Planet to see if it is unoccupied and will support human life.  Blasting off in a rocket ship that is actually Thomas Jefferson's nose from Mt. Rushmore, the 4 astro-nuts are off to explore the planet.  And since it's a plant planet, nothing will go wrong, right? Of course nothing goes right, but as they (and the reader) learn along the way lots of information about global warming  that might make them (and the reader) think just a bit more about what is being done on planet Earth.
This is one busy book!  Every page is full of illustrations that often have captions that add to the story, but the reader has to be able to put all of the information from the text and illustrations together to fully understand the story.  The completed book (I read the ARC) will have full color illustrations.  
Readers who like The Bad Guys series and other hybrid books are going to love this one.  And yes, it will be a series.  Lots of other planets to go check out!  Make sure this is on your TBR list for September.  It's a ways off, but you will have readers for this one!

All journeys have a starting place.

This is a weekly place to find books and tools

that you may use with readers 

at the start of their independent reading journey.

Join in the conversation at #road2reading.

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday - celebrating space! 6.19.19

Wednesdays I join Alyson Beecher from kidlitfrenzy and other

#kidlit bloggers to share wonderful nonfiction picture books.

The intention of today's blog post is to give professionals that work in the
education field new nonfiction reading material and ideas to use 

with students to promote a love of reading nonfiction materials.

The next couple of days I'll be sharing some books that are out of this world!  Which means we're going to celebrate space.  Today I have some nonfiction picture books to share, tomorrow some chapter books for young readers!



Moon! Earth's Best Friend
written by Stacy McAnulty
illustrated by Stevie Lewis
Love this series so much.  If you haven't checked out Earth and Sun, then you are really missing out on some great reads!
Moon tells us about how she was created, some facts about what she is made of, what you would find on her, and basic information about how/when/how often she rotates around Earth and the phases that occur. 
Readers will love the humor and enjoy learning more about Moon!


Go for the Moon: A Rocket, A Boy, and the First Moon Landing
by Chris Gall
The story is told as a narrative as a young space enthusiast gets ready to watch the spaceship Saturn V and the attached space vehicle Columbia bring astronauts to the moon for the very first time.  We simultaneously get to see our young narrator reenact the liftoff and trip to space while also understanding more about this process through the information given, the illustrations and corresponding captions.  
It is clear in the beginning that the story takes place in the past, but then I can see kids get confused as the story goes on that this is still a factual retelling of an event that has already occurred.  It's probably best to make sure it is clear to young readers that this is an event that has already happened.


Full Moon Lore
written by Ellen Wahi
illustrated by Ashley Stewart
In the NGSS first graders study patterns in space.  One pattern we know is the phases of the moon.  Every month there is a full moon (and as this book tells you, every 2.7 years one month has 2 full moons (the last one was March 31, 2018.... want to know when the next one will occur?  Oct. 31, 2020!!) and as stories have it, each full moon represents something in nature.  This book shares the name of each monthly full moon and the reasons for the name.


The Girl Who Named Pluto: The Story of Venetia Burney
written by Alice B. McGinty
illustrated by Elizabeth Haidle
Really enjoyed this picture book biography!  Again, about a young person who showed passion very on for what she ended up making her life's work - Venetia Burney excelled in academics, particularly in math and sciences.  She questioned everything and wondered about it all.  When she learned about the discovery of a new planet and the contest to name it, she quickly came up with a name that was ultimately chosen.  Venetia thought about the stories behind other planets that had origins with Roman mythology to come up with "Pluto".  What a fantastic coincidence that the founder's initials were PL!
Interesting author's note giving us some more details about Venetia's life and the way scientists have since honored her contribution to science and history.
I also appreciated in the author's note McGinty tells the reader that most of this was based on factual evidence of Venetia's life, but some parts she filled in.


Once Upon a Star: A poetic journey through space
written by James Carter
illustrated by Mar Hernández
Thanks to Kellee Moye for putting this one on my radar!  Pair this with Marion Dane Bauer's The Stuff of Stars to talk to young readers about the big bang theory and evolution.  While not full of detail, I enjoyed the poetic nonfiction writing.  The illustrations are unique as well - bright, bold colors contrast with the darkness of space.


And don't forget the book I reviewed last month - If You Had Your Birthday Party on the Moon by Joyce Lapin.  My colleague shared the book trailer with students at the end of the year.  I'll leave it here for you to watch!

And because it goes along with the theme, you have to check out this new fiction picture book:



Small World
written by Ishta Mercurio
illustrated by Jen Corace
This gorgeous picture book celebrates perspective and the world around us.  We first meet young Nanda when she is a baby and the world around her is her family and the comfort they bring her.  But as Nanda grows, we see the world around her grow as she continues to explore new places and ideas around her.  Definitely featuring a STEAM piece in this storyline, the reader sees Nanda build and grow new ideas, from attending what seems to be a math/science school and building a machine that gets moved in the air by a pulley and wheel system, to flying an airplane, to flying in a rocketship and landing on the moon?  another planet?  It's from that perspective that Nanda sees the Earth as part of the larger universe and while Earth seems big, it's this perspective that reminds us that Earth is just part of something even larger.
With illustrations that have geometric patterns ingrained in them, Corace's work gels so well with Mercurio's storyline.  A beautiful picture book to have in your library!
I am grateful to author Ishta Mercurio for sending me this copy!  This book publishes July 2nd, make sure to add it to your TBR lists!


Happy out-of-this-world reading!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 6.17.19

This weekly post comes from Jen at Teach Mentor Texts

 and Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers.  

It's a great source to find new books to use with your students.

Last Week's Adventures

I shared some nonfiction picture books that were in my stacks.

I shared my first "Chapter Book Summer" post - this is a series that will feature chapter books targeted for 1st-5th grade.

Some future Mock Caldecott selections, as chosen by 4th grade students.

Picture Books


When Sadness is at Your Door
by Eva Eland
Definitely a purchase for your SEL section of your library.  This book does a good job naming sadness, describing what it might feel like, and giving some tips on how a child might deal with those feelings, acknowledging that sadness might not always be around.


Bilal Cooks Daal
written by Aisha Saeed
illustrated by Anoosha Syed
Instead of food shaming, before judging food, first invite everyone over to try it!  
Bilal and his father, Abu, are making daal.  As described by Bilal, it's a delicious food but it takes a long time to prepare.  Because it's probably a new-to-them food, Bilal's friends are skeptical and make some not-very-nice comments at first.  But after participating in the preparation part, everyone gets a little anxious to try the new food.


I'm Worried
written by Michael Ian Black
illustrated by Debbie Ridpath Ohi
Another book for your SEL collection.  I've read quite a few books that are written about this emotion and this one has a slightly silly take that lightens the discussion just a bit.  A perfect Words of the Wiser moment if you're looking for books for signpost lessons.


Trains Run!
written by George Ella Lyon and Benn Lyon
illustrated by Mick Wiggins
Train enthusiasts are going to love this rhyming text picture book.  Celebrating many different kinds of trains and the work they do, the rolling text and beautiful illustrations pair so well together.  Fun read aloud.


Leila in Saffron
written by Rukhsanna Guidroz
illustrated by Dinara Mirtalipova
Young Leila is trying to figure out who she is when a weekly trip to her grandmother's house helps her get perspective and understanding.

Middle Grade


York:  The Clockwork Ghost
written by Laura Ruby
I think this series is THE smartest mystery series for middle grade readers.  Ruby writes to them instead of just about them.  There is an understanding that middle grade readers can follow well-written and well-developed storylines that sometimes is assumed they can't.
Theo and Tess and their friend, Jaime, are back at trying to solve the mystery of the cypher.  With complicated puzzles and clues laid out all over New York City and surrounding areas and unknown people on their trail, the trio of friends must work even faster to figure out the mystery.  
Ruby leaves us with quite the ending and definitely makes me want the next installation now!


All of Me
by Chris Baron
This is a book that is so needed.  Books about body images, body shaming, and identity are needed.  This is a book I needed when I was growing up.
I've always had body issues.  No matter how hard I work out, how hard I diet, I've never been thin.  It's not in my genetic makeup.  But it was never harder to deal with than when I was in middle school and high school.  I absolutely was bullied about it - and back then I never would have said bullied, I would have just shamed myself into thinking it was my fault, I shouldn't look like that.  I never would have been able to look within myself and figure out who I wanted to be and figure out how to like myself.
While I dealt with this many years ago, kids are still going through it and that is why this book is so needed.  Baron deftly weaves a story that introduces us to Ari, who as an overweight middle grader, he definitely has body shaming issues and he uses it as a way to focus on the bad things about himself, to the point of self-harm.  The way Baron allows his character to grow throughout this novel in verse is beautiful and touching.  I also appreciated the way he brought other parts of Ari's identity (being Jewish and studying for his bar mitzvah - was it because his dad wanted him to or because it makes up who he is?) that all come together in this novel.
Some sensitive content in this story make it perfect for middle school and above.


Midsummer's Mayhem
by Rajani LaRocca
I really enjoyed this one - devoured it in a couple of days.  Mimi is an aspiring baker and has found a local contest that will connect her with her favorite celebrity baker!  But just when things start cooking for her, havoc starts within her family.  Between feuds, over-the-top affectionate suitors, and self-indulgences, her family is going to worry Mimi and not allow her to concentrate on her baking.  Luckily she has a new friend in Vik who helps her think more clearly... or does he?  With threads of Shakespeare's infamous story woven through, readers will love meeting Mimi and cheer for her as she tries to make her goal.
I was a little worried about the Shakespeare part, since I really don't know his work other than some Shakespearian allusions!  However, the author has placed enough information about the real story so even those without the background can figure out the connections.
Readers who enjoy stories about families and friendships, and especially those who love all of the reality TV baking shows, are going to love this book!


The 12th Candle
by Kim Tomsic
A coming of age novel you will want for your libraries!
A story about friendship and enemies, positives and negatives.
Two families are under a Contrarium Curse - if a positive happens to one, the opposite will happen to the other.
Young Sage is usually on the negative side of this curse.  But what if she could wish it all away?  After receiving a special candle, Sage gets to wish some of those positive things her way.
But sometimes it's all about perspective.  What is seen as a positive to some people, is not to others.  Sage learns a lesson in kindness along the way and understands the real power in reversing a curse.
You'll have to wait a little while for this one - Oct. 8th.  In the meantime, make sure you have it on your TBR list!

Young Adult


Frankly in Love
by David Yoon
Just make sure this is on your TBR this fall.  So much in this novel and so well written.  Frank is a character that you will relate to at some point in this novel.  Maybe because as first generation American in his family, he has the weight on his shoulders of being the perfect Korean son.  Especially since his older sister has been rejected by his parents because she fell in love with someone outside of their Korean race.  Or maybe you'll relate to him because he has fallen for someone his parents do not approve of.  Or maybe you'll understand the stress he is under as he studies for the SATs and AP tests and worry about the college he's accepted into and worry about being far away from his lifelong friends.  But just when things start to come together for Frank, his family really does start to fall apart.
What a debut for David Yoon!
Do not miss this book... you just have to wait a little while - Sept. 10th.

Currently Reading


The Paris Project
by Donna Gephart
I've been hearing great things about this one!

Happy reading this week!  I'm off to ALA on Friday.  Looking forward to seeing the upcoming fall releases!

Selecting next year's Mocks 6.14.19

                                          


I love our whole-school Mock unit.  Every class participates in a Mock - Geisel, Caldecott, Newbery. There's a lot of prep work before we even get to start reading.  The hardest part?  Selecting the books that will be read by the students and teachers.  Last year I started something new.  Our school goes up to the 4th grade.  It's their last year to participate in the Mocks.  They are always sad about that so to extend their experience with it, I invite the 4th graders to help me select next year's books.  

The last few weeks of school, when things start winding down, the 4th grade teachers read books during their #classroombookaday time that have some Caldecott buzz.  The students are familiar with the criteria so they are ready to help select the books.  Last year was my first year trying this out - and I'm so glad I did!  Their top choice last year was one I didn't think they would really relate to... Sophie Blackall's Hello Lighthouse.  Good thing I listened to them and kept that book in!  

Here's what the teachers read with the students:




Carl and the Meaning of Life
by Deborah Freedman


The Undefeated
illustrated by Kadir Nelson
written by Kwame Alexander


My Heart 
by Corinna Luyken


Going Down Home With Daddy
illustrated by Daniel Minter
written by Kelly Starling Lyons


Sea Bear:  A Journey for Survival
by Lindsay Moore


Another
by Christian Robinson


My Papi Has a Motorcycle
illustrated by Zeke Peña
written by Isabel Quintero


¡Vamos! Let's Go to the Market
by Raúl the Third


You Are Home: An Ode to the National Parks
by Evan Turk


All of these selections had students who loved the book and illustrations for one reason or another, but the top three choices were:

1.  ¡Vamos! Let's Go to the Market
2.  You Are Home
3.  Sea Bear

Not sure what other picture books that will be published later in the year will also make it into our official 2020 Mock Caldecott, but I will absolutely keep these three in!


Now, onto our future Mock Newbery list!  Just like our Mock Newbery Club, I had 4th graders who chose to join this club.  These kids choose to join and we meet 1-2 times each month over their recess time!  We called our meetings Mock Newbery Selection Committee and they knew they were reading books that may be chosen for next year's Mock Newbery Club.

Books on their list included:


Extraordinary Birds
by Sandy Stark-McGinnis


Over the Moon
by Natalie Lloyd


Shouting at the Rain
by Lynda Mullaly Hunt


The Bridge Home
by Padma Venkatraman


The Unsung Hero of Birdsong, USA
by Brenda Woods


August Isle
by Ali Standish


The Lost Girl
by Anne Ursu


New Kid
by Jerry Craft


Caterpillar Summer
by Gillian McDunn


Maybe a Mermaid
by Josephine Cameron


We didn't start meeting until the end of April which left only 5 weeks to read.  Not all of the books were read due to timing.  In the future, I would start the club earlier, if possible.  

Books they were very passionate about included:

1.  August Isle
2.  The Unsung Hero of Birdsong, USA
3.  New Kid


It looks like we're going to have a great 2020 Mock season!  What books are on your lists... so far?