It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 10.07.19

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

Some more nonfiction picture books for your stacks - some of my new favorite read alouds!


Picture Books


Mr. Nogginbody Gets a Hammer
by David Shannon
This is a book I would use for "what is it really all about".  Mr. Nogginbody thinks he can fix everything with a hammer.  What what looks like a nail, isn't always a nail.  Good springboard to talk about how we don't treat everything, or everybody, the same.  We need to approach each situation individually.


My Footprints
written by Bao Phi
illustrated by Basia Tran
A book about bullying and lifting family up.  Bullying because your family looks different, you look different, your name is different.  A great book to use to talk about kindness, being an upstander, and having conversations within your family.


Our Favorite Day
by Joowon Oh
A grandpa gets ready for his favorite day - the day his granddaughter visits.  A very sweet story about the bond that exists between a grandparent and grandchild.


The Proudest Blue
written by Ibtihaj Muhammad with S.K. Ali
illustrated by Hatem Aly
If you haven't heard already, this is a beautiful, must-own story.  A story about the power of believing in something, a story about seeing the beautiful in something, a story about family and looking up to your elders, and a story about feeling proud of your own identity.


Graphic Novels


This Was Our Pact
by Ryan Andrews
I enjoyed this fantasy graphic novel.  A group of kids make a pact on an autumn equinox to find out where the floating lanterns float downriver.  No turning for home, no turning back.  Only two follow the pact.  
The rest of the story gets fantastical - parts I enjoyed especially towards the end, parts were a bit out there for me.  
But, this graphic novel seems more deep, more literary than others I have read that I think it would be a good step up on the ladder for some readers.


Stargazing
by Jen Wang
A coming of age and a story about figuring out your identity.  What was interesting was the author's note at the end because she sees herself more in the secondary character, not the character who was telling the story.  Thought it was interesting to see a different person/character telling the author's story.
Christine and Moon are unlikely friends whose differences bring them together... at first.  Different parts of their characters work together and clash at varying parts of the story.
There were some universal themes and events that are easily recognized by this adult reader, I think middle grade readers will understand them, too.

Middle Grade


Nightmares!
by Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller
This book has been in the Scholastic Book Fairs and Book Clubs for awhile.  Of course having a celebrity writer helps.  It's always interesting to see what a celebrity comes up with for their stories.  While this one has an interesting plot - looking into our nightmares and the root of them - what disappointed me the most was how the authors deliberately used body shaming words to describe characters, particularly an important secondary character who is a child.  Not cool.  
One of the things I love best about kidlit is how every word has to be chosen so perfectly.  The writing has to be so tight because they don't have the luxury of writing 500+ pages to get to the wrapped up ending like adult books do.  Coming in at 355 pages, this is a book that probably should have 100 less pages because it's so wordy.  
I can see readers who are looking for something scary pick this one up.  


Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky
by Kwame Mbalia
The Rick Riordan Presents imprint keeps putting out amazing stories featuring mythological characters from many representations.  
This particular book made me laugh out loud more than any of the other books (although Aru Shah is a close second).
Tristan Strong is not having a good year.  After being sent to his grandparents' house in Alabama to try and refocus, he ends up being woken up in the middle of the night by a small creature made out of.... sap?  Meet Gum Baby, a character who doesn't mean to be the comic relief, but wow, she has some amazing and hilarious lines!  And if you ever want to know what Gum Baby should sound like, you definitely need to find author Kwame Mbalia at some point and listen to him do a reading of the story!  Anyway, Tristan and Gum Baby find their way to MidPass, an alternative world of African Gods and creatures.  Tristan finds out some important things about himself and fights alongside his storybook heroes.
If you want to hear more about this amazing book, be sure to watch this video where Rick Riordan interviews Kwame Mbalia.

Currently Reading


A Place to Belong
by Cynthia Kadohata
I can see why this book has been longlisted for the National Book Award!  Such an interesting perspective.


Hope you have a fantastic reading week!  Mine has been slow, so much going on this fall.  I'll be taking next week off from blogging as I work on an upcoming NCTE presentation!

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday - what's in my nonfiction stack? 10.02.19

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 books that will be making their way into our #classroombookaday selections!



Skulls!
written by Blair Thornburgh
illustrated by Scott Campbell
This may be one of my favorite nonfiction picture books of the year.  I can't think of a book I've read on this topic and this one is written in such a fun voice.  Giving information about human skulls and the purpose of a skull may be dry and boring but between the fun illustrations by Campbell and the author's voice, this will make a great read aloud.


Native American Heroes
written by Dawn Quigley
I found this in the Scholastic Book Clubs order.  Featuring 18 Native Americans who have done some exceptional things are spotlighted in this book.  From exploring space to being an engineer, from the paralympics to writing award winning books - these people have truly done some amazing things and they are all enrolled members of a Native American Nation.  These quick to read bios spotlight some of the amazing things that show the contributions these people have made in their field.


If Elephants Disappeared
by Lily Williams
This series by Williams is one of my favorite nonfiction series.  With its cause and effect format, readers really understand the impact on the environment if an animal is close to extinction.  Williams has really developed the information that is included in the backmatter and it really is a source for lots of information!


Born to Draw Comics: The Story of Charles Schulz and the Creation of Peanuts
written by Ginger Wadsworth
illustrated by Craig Orback
A picture book biography of the creator of the Peanuts comic, Charles Schulz.  This book focuses on the events that happened in Charles' early life that inspired him to become a comic strip illustrator and creator.  The story also gives details about how the Peanuts characters came to be.  
Many of the illustrations are presented in frames similar to a comic strip.  Perfect dedication to Charles Schulz!  Additional information is given in the backmatter, including an author/illustrator's note, sources, and a list of Peanuts characters!


As always, happy nonfiction reading!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 9.30.19

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

Some nonfiction picture books to use for read alouds!

The new Scholastic Acorn's line is perfect for 1st-3rd grade readers.  Here are some sequels to their line.


Picture Books


The Scarecrow
written by Beth Ferry
illustrated by The Fan Brothers
I think I can reread this book over and over and it will always warm my heart.  
The beautiful illustrations may be the best of the the Fan Brothers... yet!  
The story is one that you can talk about and go deeper - what lesson can you learn from the scarecrow.  I would add this to theme and SEL collections.


Astro Girl
by Ken Wilson-Max
A book that defies gender norms in a beautiful story.  
Astrid and her father go back and forth, Papa asking Astrid if she's ready for something space might offer - like zero gravity, eating out of containers, and science experiments - and Astrid always answering with a confident yes!  At the end of the story, Astrid and her father go pick up a very special astronaut who has returned from a trip.  Can you guess who it is?
I liked how there was some brief backmatter that gives some additional information, including women who have gone into space!


Dasher
by Matt Tavares
Tavares is becoming master of the modern Christmas story.  A few years ago we got Red and Lulu from Tavares, this year we get to know the story of Dasher, one of the famous reindeer.  What stands out more than the story are the amazing illustrations.  I feel like Tavares has been missed as someone who deserves to be lauded for his illustrations.... The dark night sky and background are in stark contrast to the Christmas red of Santa and some of the accents of his sleigh and horse.  A beautiful story to be shared.


Stormy: a story about finding a forever home
by Guojing
Oh this wordless picture book has my heart.  It's absolutely beautiful.  Guojing has done it again, the illustrations are outstanding, but the story will touch your heart.  A story about a stray dog and a human... the dog shies away from the woman, but she doesn't give up.  She tries to entice the dog to play with a ball, but the dog is distrustful and isn't willing to engage in playing with her.  She returns to the spot she found the dog and tries to play day after day.  Finally, she leaves but unbeknownst to her, the dog follows her home.  When a horrible storm comes, will the dog finally trust the woman and allow help?  It's so beautiful!


Bruce's Big Storm
by Ryan T. Higgins
This is one of those Bruce stories that is sweeter than grumpy.  A story that shows you that friendships can always make you feel a little less grumpy.


Vroom
by Barbara McClintock
This book could almost work as a wordless picture book.  A young girl uses the power of imagination to take her car out for a wild ride on the road.  Betsy Bird has been listing this book on her Caldecott predictions....

Middle Grade


The Gauntlet
by Karuna Riazi
As I mentioned in a tweet, I had preordered this book, had it delivered on its publication date, and then it sat in a pile with other books because I HAVE TOO MANY BOOKS.  #booknerd problems.
I got to it because I have the follow up to this book - The Battle - and I want to read it too!
The Gauntlet is just like what I had heard it would be - it's a steampunk version of Jumanji and challenges that seem reminiscent of The Hunger Games or other survivalist stories.  If you are looking for an adventure with suspense and something a little different than other books, this is the one you're looking for!  


The Last Fifth Grade of Emerson Elementary
by Laura Shovan
A novel in verse that contains 18 characters (yes, a character map would help, write down memorable things about the characters) in a classroom.  The class is writing poems throughout the school year to put in a time capsule.  Their school will be razed at the end of the year and a supermarket will be built in its spot.  The students will attend a variety of middle schools in the fall, so for many, this is a goodbye-year.  Change is hard for kids and I think Shovan captures it well with this groups of almost-middle-schoolers!

Currently Reading


Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky
by Kwame Mbalia
Still reading this one!  Coming in at almost 500 pages, it's a long read, especially when reading time is at a premium during the week.  It was not a great reading week so still have a bit to go in this one.  Out of all the actual Rick Riordan/Presents books, I think this one has me laughing out loud the most!  Lots to keep track of in this novel.


Happy Fall Reading!

#road2reading Challenge - more Acorn books! 9.26.19

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 cannot say enough positives about Scholastic's new Acorn line.  Following in the tradition of the Branches line, Acorn is providing early readers with a line of series that are extremely engaging, have memorable characters, and with its neat and trim size, very accessible for young hands to hold!
As an educator, I can tell you first hand the positives of these books.  This line is intended for readers who are reading at an approximate H-J Fountas and Pinnell guided reading level.  Readers at these levels are looking for books that they can not only read independently, but they also want books that are fun for all kids to read.  Too often books at this level are monotonous, don't have fun characters, and well... are kind of a bore to read.  Not this series.  They are engaging and have characters that you either want to be friends with or laugh along with.  The Acorn line have chapters, which for a young reader, it is a "status" thing to say you are reading chapter books!  
I am excited to see there are more Acorn books coming.  Yay for our young readers!  
Here are some of the new additions to the line:


Let's Play, Crabby!
by Jonathan Fenske
Crabby is definitely one of my favorite characters - he's snarky and is unapologetic about it!  Crabby's snark and fellow ocean dweller, Plankton's happy-go-lucky attitude are the perfect combination for a fun read.  In this second book of the series, Plankton does his best to convince Crabby to play some games.  It goes about how you expect it to go....


Let's Have a Sleepover!
by Norm Feuti
Hedgehog and Harry are having a sleepover.  Harry has dilemma after dilemma - should he bring a favorite stuffed animal?  What happens when Hedgehog wants to sleep outside in a tent?  That is outside Harry's comfort zone!  Luckily Hedgehog is a good friend and can figure out a compromise.


Princess Truly: I Am a Super Girl!
written by Kelly Greenawalt
illustrated by Amariah Rauscher
You may have met Princess Truly in her picture book series, now told in chapters and fitting in this trim size, Princess Truly fits right into the Acorn line.
I love that this character is a girl princess and a super hero!


Poppleton
written by Cynthia Rylant
illustrated by Mark Teague
Another series that has been remarketed for Acorn - kids will like the short episodic stories of this pig and his friends.


Dragon's Fat Cat
by Dav Pilkey
The second book in this remarketed series is even better than the first!  Dragon finds a cat outside of his home and brings her in and they become fast friends - through stinkiness and a surprise!


Unicorn and Yeti:  A Good Team
written by Heather Ayris Burnell
illustrated by Hazel Quintanilla
The first book in this series was a huge hit for my readers.  My reading intervention students who are in second grade were so happy with this series - it was a longer book, broken into chapters, and a graphic novel.  Perfect!  In this second book Unicorn and Yeti find ways to think creatively to play games together.


Mister Shivers: Beneath the Bed and Other Scary Stories
written by Max Brallier
illustrated by Letizia Rubegni
A book that is very reminiscent of the book In a Dark, Dark Room and Other Scary Stories by Alvin Schwartz - episodic, creepy stories that have decodable and controlled text but are CREEPY!  There are a couple of stories in here that gave me the shivers!  I think this is going to be a very well read series!


And don't miss the end of each book where there are step by step directions for drawing a character!
I'm glad to see that all of these series have more books coming.  They are all well loved by readers.  Perfect for 1st-3rd graders!

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday - what's in my nonfiction stack? 9.25.19

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.

Here are the nonfiction picture books that jumped out of my stack recently:


Billie Jean! How Tennis Star Billie Jean King Changed Women's Sports
written by Mara Rockliff
illustrated by Elizabeth Baddeley
With the recent books about superstar tennis players, the Williams Sisters, I'm glad to have a picture book biography about the woman who helped pave their way - for women to be equal on the courts!  
While the book focuses on the fact that Billie Jean was a tremendous athlete who worked hard at what she loved doing, it also shares some of the great work Billie Jean did to get women equal rights on the court.  There is even mention of the "Battle of the Sexes" match against Bobby Riggs.
Billie Jean's sexuality is mentioned in the author's note which further explains the additional work Billie Jean did to speak out against discrimination in all forms.


Birds of a Feather: Bowerbirds and Me
by Susan L. Roth
This book is really unique.  It's about the bowerbirds.  There's information about how they use tools, how they create their nests, why they create their nests, the work they do.  Sounds like a typical nonfiction book, right?  But Roth puts a spin on it by comparing all of those things a bowerbird does to they way she works as an artist.  The backmatter has additional information about both the bowerbird and Roth, their similarities and how they work.


Birth of the Cool: How Jazz Great Miles Davis Found His Sound
written by Kathleen Cornell Berman
illustrated by Keith Henry Brown
If this book doesn't inspire you to go listen to Miles Davis play his trumpet, I'm not sure what will!  This book recounts the part of his life where he was struggling to find his own sound.  I liked that this book showed he had ups and downs and he had to learn from what didn't work.
Additional information in the backmatter from the author, illustrator and musician Wynton Marsalis.


When Jackie Saved Grand Central: The True Story of Jacqueline Kennedy's Fight for an American Icon
written by Natasha Wing
illustrated by Alexandra Boiger
I bet you know about Grand Central Station - where it is, the importance of the building.  But you might not know that it was almost going to be torn down and the land be used for another skyscraper.  And I bet you know who Jackie Kennedy was, but maybe not for this reason.  Jackie Kennedy felt strongly about historical institutions and preserving our past.  And she also knew how to fight for her beliefs.  A good book to share with readers about our history that might be an unknown story!


Happy nonfiction reading!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 9.23.19

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

Make sure you take a look at Sarah Albee's upcoming North America.  This is a book you will want for your libraries!

Go time traveling with these chapter books!


Picture Books


Remarkables
written by Lisa Mantchev
illustrated by David Litchfield
The illustrations in this book are stunning.  Shouldn't expect anything less from David Litchfield!  They may be my favorite of his yet!
However, the story fell really flat for me, and I love Mantchev's Strictly No Elephants.  The beginning was promising.  The first lines and some subsequent ones seemed like there was going to be this really important story about how things work out in the universe for the right reasons.  And maybe that's the way the story goes but I'm not sure because it ended up being really muddled for me.  
Have you read this one yet?  Any insight for me?


The New Neighbors
by Sarah McIntyre
Hmmm.  Here's another one I would like to discuss.  
A story about an apartment building who has just gotten new neighbors.  As the news travels from the top of the building down, all of the animal inhabitants come up with reasons why the new neighbors (rats) are going to be horrible neighbors.  Often the reason why they are going to be so bad is a quality that one of the animals already show.
On my first read I was thinking good story to talk about perspective since at the end the rats are perfectly clean and kind neighbors, not at all what everyone had been thinking.
But on my second read I started to get a little annoyed - what if the rats are dirty and smell bad and keep their apartment not clean?  It's their apartment!  And I got mad that the animals were all self-righteous about these neighbors when clearly they had their own less-than-desirable habits.  
I guess that's what a good book does - makes you discuss.  Maybe read this and discuss with your class!


This Book of Mine
written by Sarah Stewart
illustrated by David Small
How many pages can you find yourself in?  This love letter to books and reading is perfect to read at the start of the school year.  


What Riley Wore
written by Elana K. Arnold
illustrated by Linda Davick
Kids can be very intentional about what they wear.  And parents can be very intentional about what they pick out and buy for their child to wear.
This book is about Riley and what Riley chose to wear on any given day and due to circumstances.  What is cleverly not mentioned about Riley is if Riley is a boy or a girl.  Another child asks at the end of the story and based upon the answer Riley gives, it's not important because kids like to play and pretend and have fun.  
Yet another story that will lend itself to important discussions.


Ball and Balloon
written by Rob Sanders
illustrated by Helen Yoon
A book to add to your SEL collection to talk about perspective and jealousy.  Ball is jealous of Balloon who gets to fly and soar when Ball is stuck to the ground due to gravity.  But it takes just one child to help Ball roll, bounce, and fly through the air.  At that point the roles reverse and Balloon is feeling jealous.  


How to Code a Rollercoaster
written by Josh Funk
illustrated by Sara Palacios
I had a conversation on the second day of school with a reader.  He quickly said Josh Funk was one of his favorite authors, and then added, "of course".  Because of course, isn't he everyone's?  
Of course, I know that reader is going to be so excited to have a new Josh Funk book to read and celebrate.
I love the coding books he's been writing because it's so popular with young readers.  Understanding coding challenges their thinking in a way we don't always encourage in our classrooms and I see such excitement from girls and boys.


Between Us and Abuela: A Family Story from the Border
written by Mitali Perkins
illustrated by Sara Palacios
Oh, this is an important story to share with readers today.  It takes place on the border between the US (in California) and Mexico.  The time of year is Christmas during Las Posadas.  A mother is bringing her two young children to the Border to see their Abuela who lives in Mexico.  On this night, one side of the double sided fence is opened up on the United States side and families can go right up to the gate and see their loved ones on the other side.  The Border Patrol watches and families can talk but cannot pass anything between the fence.  The young children in this story each have a homemade gift for their Abuela, but how can they get them to her?  It's a beautiful story and one that will open discussions with young readers.


fly!
by Mark Teague
A wordless picture book that shows in talk bubble pictures a conversation between a mother bird and her young one.  The little bird has fallen out of its nest.  Mother Bird wants Little Bird to fly but Little Bird has lots of other ways to get where it needs to go!  Clever and funny, this will be a hit with young readers.

Graphic Novel


Best Friends
written by Shannon Hale
illustrated by LeUyen Pham
I loved Real Friends when it published and was so excited to be on the IL Bluestem Award Committee that added it to our current list.  I was so happy to see it would have a follow up GN for readers.
This GN memoir continues Shannon's story into middle school.  Broken up into 4 chapters (almost mini stories) we learn how Shannon's relationships with her friends and others grow and change.  As I was reading the story, there were so many parts that felt familiar since I grew up in the 80s too.  But there are some themes that stay the same - middle school is such a confusing time, whether it was decades ago or now!  Kids will still relate to this confusing identity-developing time and love seeing it depicted in this book.
Because of the popularity of Real Friends, this book is going to appeal to many readers.  I think the perfect audience is middle school (different from middle grade) readers.  There are some mature scenes.  In one, Shannon and her friends are seen calling boys and asking them to rate the girls in their class, including rating their body.  Two of the four chapters are about boy-girl relationships.  Knowing this information will be helpful when recommending this book to readers.   

Middle Grade


Roll With It
by Jamie Sumner
Meet Ellie - she's just moved with her mom to OK from TN in order to help out her Mema with her Grandpa, who is showing signs of Alzheimer's.  Ellie is a champion baker who loves to make things for her friends and family.  Speaking of friends, she doesn't have many so when she makes friends with oddball Bert and beauty pageant contestant, Coralee, Ellie may just decide to stay in this new town.  
Oh yeah, and Ellie has CP and moves around in a wheelchair.
Sumner has written a well-thought story about living with a disability.  There were aspects that I see in my own child who has a physical disability.  In my intro above I tell you about Ellie being in a wheelchair last because while it most certainly is a part of her, it's not the defining part of her.
Great story to add to your classroom library!


The Van Gogh Deception
by Deron Hicks
This book has been in my pile for a really long time and I am so glad I was able to make time for it.  Fast-pace, high adventure, suspense, and QR codes!  This art mystery is made more accessible by the QR codes found throughout the story that gives readers a glimpse into the artwork the book refers to throughout the mystery.  
Art is a young boy with amnesia.  We don't know much about him other than the contents of his backpack and the fact that people seem to really want to get their hands on him!  Art has been placed in a temporary foster home where he meets Camille, a member of the family.  Before he has time to get past her first name, Art and Camille are running for their lives from people who want information Art has... if he could only remember what that was.  
Taking place in the National Mall in Washington DC, I think kids will have a hard time putting this one down.  I know I did!


I Can Make This Promise
by Christine Day
Edie knows her mom was adopted and she is Native American.  But that's as much of the story as she knows... until Edie and her friends find a box in the attic with letters and photographs all signed by "Edith".  The assumption is Edie is related to this mystery person but she can't get any information from her parents.  The story eventually comes out and information about what the American government did to Native people is woven through the story. 
This story gave information that, once again, has been left out of our history books.  I'm grateful these #ownvoices stories are being told.
Publishes Oct. 1st.


Lalani of the Distant Sea
by Erin Entrada Kelly
I can honestly say this is my favorite book by Erin!  In this story we meet Lalani who goes on a quest to save not only her village, but her mother who has fallen ill.  Kelly deftly weaves a story that has roots in Filipino folklore, but also an adventure story with a heroine everyone will cheer for.

Currently Reading


Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky
by Kwame Mbalia
This book has made me laugh out loud, but it's also made me pause and think about how clever it is.  Loving it.

Hope you have a great reading week!