Monday, November 17, 2014

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 11.17.14

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.

I have a feeling reading may slow down just a bit as I get ready to travel to D.C. for NCTE!  This is my first NCTE and I'm really excited!  Time to talk books and reading!
Looking back at my Goodreads page, I rated all of these books as 4 stars.  Loved them all, nothing outstanding, but great book love!

Picture Books

Is There a Dog in This Book?
Is There a Dog in This Book by Viviane Schwarz
Very cute story - much funnier than I thought it would be.  The cats in the book discover there is a dog in the book, but (contrast and contradiction) they actually want to be friends with the dog (well, one cat needed some convincing).  With interactive and perfectly placed flaps, young kids will really enjoy this book.

Pirate, Viking & Scientist
Pirate, Viking and Scientist by Jared Chapman
Another book took me by surprise.  I thought it was a nonfiction book when I saw the title, but it's actually a story.  The Scientist in the book tries out various hypotheses to test if he can get his friends, Pirate and Viking, to be friends.  Love how the author uses the scientific method and vocabulary in the book.

Herman's Letter
Herman's Letter by Tom Percival
I loved the letters that were actually lift the flaps in this sweet story.  The ending fell a bit short for me, it almost seemed a bit abrupt, but kids will love this story of friendship.


H.O.R.S.E.: A Game of Basketball and Imagination
H.O.R.S.E. by Christopher Myers
Loved this trash-talking, back and forth banter between the 2 basketball players playing a game of H.O.R.S.E.  Very reminiscent of the 1990s Michael Jordan-Larry Bird McDonalds commercials!

Informational Texts

Who Needs a Prairie?: A Grassland Ecosystem
Who Needs a Prairie? by Karen Patkau
Great accessible text to teach the prairie ecosystem.  Great photographs and well organized.

The Iridescence of Birds: A Book About Henri Matisse
The Iridescence of Birds by Patricia McLachlan
Great introduction to Henri Matisse.  I loved reading about where his inspiration came from and how he evolved from being a child who experimented with colors with his mom, to the artist he became.

Middle Grade

The Witch's Boy
The Witch's Boy by Kelly Barnhill
It took me more than half of the book to get into it.  I'm not sure why, because when I reflect on the book, it really is well written, the characters developed, and the story unfolds just right.  For some reason, I couldn't get into it for awhile.  I can see why this book has landed on many Newbery lists.

Currently Reading and On Deck

A Grimm Warning (The Land of Stories, #3)
The Land of Stories: A Grimm Warning by Chris Colfer

Next up will be Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin.

Have a great reading week!  Hope to see many of you at NCTE!

9 comments:

  1. Enjoy NCTE! It looks like you read some great books this week.

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  2. Have a great time at NCTE! I am sure you will. That first title looks perfect for my buddy reading book bin. Very cute.

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  3. I really want to read Kelly Barnhill's book. I love her blog! I must get the prairie book. Looking forward to meeting you at NCTE!

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  4. We are going to NCTE too. Hopefully, we will get to see you there. We can't wait to read the Iridescence of Birds - It sounds intriguing.

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  5. My first time was last year. Hope you have a great time at NCTE, Michele. I know some of these books, but the look of H.O.R.S.E is inviting. Will find it!

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  6. H.O.R.S.E. & Pirate, Viking, and Scientist both sound very good. I will need to get them from the library in the near future.
    How are the Chris Colfer books?
    Enjoy Rain Reign!!!

    Happy reading this week! :)

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  7. I've been wanting to read The Land of Stories books. Just haven't made the time...
    Lisa
    LisaTeachR'sClassroom

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  8. NCTE is my happy place. I hope to see you there! :) :) :)

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  9. Hi there Michele! Was at NCTE too, my first time as well this year. So sad wasn't able to catch hold of you. I'm intrigued by The Witch's Boy - will look for it, sounds perfect for our current reading theme.

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