This weekly post comes from Jen at Teach Mentor Texts
It's a great source to find new books to use with your students.
Last Week's Adventures
I found some fantastic up and coming picture books while wandering the expo hall at ALA. Some books you'll want to checkout:
nonfiction picture books
early readers and transitional chapter books
picture books
Picture Books
Crunch the Shy Dinosaur
written by Cirocco Dunlap
illustrated by Greg Pizzoli
I am a sucker for interactive books - I've seen the magic they contain - kids love when they get to do something to a page that makes a difference on the next page.
This is another fun one that features a shy dinosaur. Interactive book... dinosaur.... yup kids will love it!
Whale in a Fishbowl
written by Troy Howell
illustrated by Richard Jones
A whale named Wednesday lives in a fishbowl, smack dab in the middle of everything, but after taking leaps in the bowl, sees a glorious expanse of blue.
Good to use for theme - talk about home, fitting in - would be a good book to discuss with Not Quite Narwhal by Jessie Sima.
All of Us
by Carin Berger
Add this book to your collection when talking about community, kindness. I would match this book with Most People, The Breaking News, Come With Me.
All My Friends Are Dead
by Avery Monsen and Jory John
A small picture book that is intended for an older audience - teens will absolutely understand the tongue in cheek humor of this book. Looking at death, myths and sticky situations, this book will have you laughing, or maybe even crying, at the different scenes.
The Sandcastle That Lola Built
written by Megan Maynor
illustrated by Kate Berube
I know young readers will enjoy this one - it often follows the structure of "The House That Jack Built" but is interrupted each time a new beach friend has a way to improve the sandcastle. Lola and her new friends find working together a great way to create at the beach!
Graphic Novels
Hey Kiddo
by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
What an amazing story that is absolutely told from his heart. This is the story of Krosoczka's unconventional upbringing - from his mother's absences due to addiction, to his grandparents' way of raising him, to him meeting his father for the first time. Krosoczka absolutely bears his soul in this book and I applaud him for bringing his story to the public because it may just be a mirror book for readers, letting them know they are not alone. And it may just be the book that gets someone to go for help. This graphic novel is meant for the upper middle school and older reader.
Thank you, Jarrett for sharing your story.
Publishes Oct. 9th.
Thank you to Scholastic for the review copy.
Middle Grade
The Storm Runner
by J.C. Cervantes
This is the first book in a new series under the Rick Riordan imprint. Cervantes has given us an intense, roller-coaster ride of a story that focuses on Mayan mythology.
This book feels like a Rick Riordan mythology story - intense, suspenseful, infused with some humor... fans of Percy Jackson will be thrilled there is another series for them.
Publishes Sept. 18th.
Lifeboat 12
by Susan Hood
Hood enters into the world of middle grade, and does it with a splash (no pun intended). Written in free verse and infused with plenty of history, this book was difficult to put down. Based on an actual event, Hood tells us the story of Ken who is trying to escape London during WWII. He is on a ship going to Canada when it is hit by a torpedo. He ends up on a lifeboat and must work together with everyone aboard to survive.
The backmatter is full of additional sources and information. I am really looking forward to the finished copy to see the pictures.
Publishes Sept. 4th.
Dry
by Neal Shusterman and Jarrod Shusterman
I've had this one on my radar and thanks to Kellee Moye's generosity, I was able to read this one from her ALA stack.
This book is going to be well loved by the upper middle grade/YA crowd!
A different kind of apocalypse story - this time the state of California has gone dry - as in no water is available. You can imagine the chaos and every man for himself type attitude that ensues.
It's nonstop action where you figure out who you can trust in the worst kind of scenarios. I flew through this book, so hard to put down!
Publishes Oct. 2nd
Professional Reading
It's All About the Books
by Tammy Mulligan and Clare Landrigan
I've actually read this book twice now - once for myself and once as a professional development book study I am doing with my staff.
This book has made me think about books and how we have them available for our students in so many new ways. You all know me.... I read a lot. So what more do I need to know? Actually, a lot! I think we can always learn more if we open our mind to new ideas, and this one certainly has me thinking. Whether you are a classroom teacher or someone who helps cultivate books for a school, this book is for you!
Currently Reading
Graceling
by Kristin Cashore
This is my May #mustreadin2018 book.... I'm running a bit behind!
Hoping to get a lot of reading done this week, how about you?
First graders loved Crunch when I read it to them. They were so into it. I'm looking forward to reading Hey, Kiddo. I'm hoping I can snag a copy at ILA.
ReplyDeleteSo many of these are on my to-read list! My school works closely with Tammy and Clare so It’s All About the Books is definitely on my list for this summer. Thanks for sharing such a great list of reads!
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited about Hey Kiddo. I love his TED Talk, which I often show to my pre-service teachers, and they typically want to read his books after that, but Peanut Butter and Jellyfish, sweet as it is, just isn't what they're hoping for. I think Hey Kiddo is!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing these titles. I'm adding both Lifeboat 12 and Dry to my TBR list. Hey, Kiddo looks really good, too. I hope our local libraries will pick up a copy! Have a wonderful week, Michele!
ReplyDeleteI got completely sidetracked after reading about Hey Kiddo and had to go and watch Jarrett J. Krosoczka' Ted Talk.
ReplyDeleteDry seems to be almost prophetic and scary as heck because of this!
I know that so many books are coming out Sept. 4th, including Hey, Kiddo, which I'm sure I will get. Dry is also on the list, sounds terrific. I hope to find Crunch for the granddaughters, know they will love it. I envy you your ALA time, what a great thing it is! Thanks, Michele!
ReplyDeleteI keep seeing the Sandcastle that Lola Built. Always love picture books that teach collaboration. Hey Kiddo and Dry may be a little older for my elementary readers but I look forward to reading them. Happy 4th and have a great week!
ReplyDeleteOh, I loooove Graceling. I hope you like it, too!
ReplyDeleteDry has been on my list, too. Kellee is so dang pushy (Hi, Kellee! Love you! I was kidding!). I definitely want to read it. :)
I am also adding All of Us to our list. We need billions of books about community and kindness lately.
Thanks for sharing, Michele!
I like the message of All of Us, that we are stronger together than we are alone. We aren't really alone, and when we realize how much we have in common with others, that's when we can build relationships. Glad you had a good time at ALA. Thanks for sharing and have a terrific 4th of July!
ReplyDeleteDry looks to eerily, possibly true to read! We also waste a TON of water in our society. Also looking forward to Hey, Kiddo--have heard great things about his TED talk on the subject, but never got around to watching it.
ReplyDeleteYAYAYAYAYAY!!! GRACELING!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read anything else you listed; I need to fix that :)
Happy reading this week!
P.S. I pinned all of your ALA book lists--thank you for doing that!
DeleteI loved Graceling -- I hope you get a chance to sink into it.
ReplyDeleteMy family also adored All My Friends Are Dead, but that's our sense of humor.
I had our library purchase Tammy and Clare's book as well. Neal Shusterman is so prolific - I hope to se DRY in our libraries soonest. Hey Kiddo also caught my eye - seems powerful.
ReplyDelete