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.
This is the first year I've really tracked my reading and blogged about it. Apparently around the holidays is a time that I've had trouble keeping up with my reading life!
Here are the very few books I've read in the past two weeks. I'm really looking forward to holiday #bookaday and getting my reading life back!
Picture Books
Shooting at the Stars by John Hendrix
5/5 stars
This is such a beautiful book. It's a great mentor text for historical fiction and it's a great text to use, really at any time during the year, to talk about peace. I didn't have time to use this book this year with students before it needed to go back to the library, but it's one I would like to purchase. I'm interested in hearing the conversations kids would have!
Blue on Blue by Dianne White
4/5 stars
This really is a beautiful book. The illustrations are done by Caldecott artist, Beth Krommes, and they are spectacular. I loved the colors and the detail that went into some of the layouts. The text is simple, but I think young children will enjoy the simplicity and descriptions of a stormy day. Another one on the to-be-purchased list!
Informational Texts
Who Is George Lucas? by Pamela Pollack
3/5 stars
I really like this series for beginning biographies. I think this one in particular will be a good one to have on hand with the new Star Wars coming out!
Transitional Chapter Books
Tales of Bunjitsu Bunny by John Himmelman
4/5 stars
I had seen some great reviews of this book, just never picked it up. But when it showed up on John Schu's and Travis Jonker's Best of 2014 list HERE I knew I needed to check it out. I didn't realize it was a chapter book. As I flipped through the pages, I got more and more excited. Each chapter is a little story. That means young readers don't have to carry the story all the way through. Perfect for those very young kids. The font is larger and there is a picture on most page. Again, makes it perfect for those young chapter book readers. Or, in my case, perfect for my reading students who want a chapter book, but aren't quite ready for the more difficult vocabulary. This book is a perfect find for me!
Middle Grade
Bigger Than a Bread Box by Laurel Snyder
4/5 stars
So glad to finally get to this book, and it was on my #MustReadin2014 list (oh my, that's almost over!!! Carrie, is it time to start thinking of 2015??? And updating, oh my!)
I think it's so important for kids to see themselves in books, and while many characters come from a divorced family, there aren't as many that are going through divorces. And what every kid wants, regardless of what they are going though, are wishes. It's a magical book that can combine both.
I Survived the Great Chicago Fire by Lauren Tarshis
3/5 stars
It was interesting reading this book, since I grew up in the Chicago suburbs! I've read many accounts, but most are factual and boring. I think kids in my area will like having this historical fiction book to read.
Currently Reading
Santa Clauses by Bob Raczka
My daughter and I continue to read 1 haiku each day. It's been a great way to countdown to Christmas! And I've really enjoyed the haikus!
The Runaway King by Jennifer Nielson
I loved reading The False Prince this summer and I'm so glad to get back to Sage! I have Jennifer Nielson's newest book and I'm looking forward to getting into that one too!
My True Love Gave to Me: Twelve Holiday Stories edited by Stephanie Perkins
This would be a perfect gift for a YA-lover!
Hope you have a great holiday and have plenty of time for #bookaday!
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.
Looking at the last time I posted on Monday it was right before I left for NCTE where I prophetically wrote that my "reading will probably slow down". I was so right.
Here's what jumped out in the last 3 weeks of reading!
Picture Books
Blizzard by John Rocco
5/5 stars
This book was so worth the wait! I love John Rocco's art work, but it seems more often than not, his illustrations are darker in color. The beautiful bright colors, reflecting off all that snow, just pop and beg you to look and look again. I really hope I only read about this much snow this year, and not experience it!
Coming Home by Greg Ruth
5/5 stars
What an important book. Told with a minimal amount of words, is the story of a young boy waiting to welcome his parent home from a deployment. An emotional story that is told mostly through illustrations, it's a book to share and discuss.
Rodeo Red by Maripat Perkins
5/5 stars
Add this one to your book release calendar - March 1, 2015. Great cowgirl story, fantastic vocabulary, it will be a fun read aloud! And illustrations by the great Molly Idle, you won't want to miss it!
Poetry
Winter Bees and Other Poems of the Cold by Joyce Sidman
4/5 stars
The Twitter world has been a-buzz over this book of poetry. Winter poem on the left page, and additional information about the topic of the poem on the right. The illustrations captured me even more than the words.
Santa Clauses: Short Poems from the North Pole by Bob Raczka
5/5 stars
My daughter and I are reading a haiku a night in this great book. The illustrations are fun and the haikus put you in the Christmas spirit. Great addition to my Christmas collection!
Beginning Chapter books
Ling and Ting Twice as Silly by Grace Lin
4/5 stars
I love Ling and Ting. I think their stories are so fun. This book is my favorite in the series. I love that Lin includes a quick and short explanation as to why their haircuts are still not the same! This is a great series for 1st and 2nd graders!
Middle Grade
The Land of Stories: A Grimm Warning by Chris Colfer
4/5 starsAnother fun return to the Land of Stories! Not as strong of a story as the first two, but I was always entertained. There were a few phrases that I felt were too strongly worded for most middle school readers. I think Colfer forgets who his audience is from time to time and throws language that we really wish was not included in the book.
The writing in these books will never blow you away, but they always leave me entertained. I like how "Connor" and "Alex" take the story over and have the fairy tale characters be the secondary characters. Colfer is smart by not having the fairy tale characters as the lead, because then it doesn't matter to us if he changes details - in my opinion he has done a good job of keeping them true to who they are - but they don't move the story along.
I had the chance this past summer to quickly talk to Colfer about the books. He said this one had him doing the most amount of research, since he added the Grimm brothers to the story. They certainly did not play a huge part, and he definitely took some liberties with them, but it is interesting to think what if the Grimm brothers had left something for us to find nowadays...
In this day and age, I think there have been many books with a fairy tale twist. I know when I step into this series, it will always be an entertaining ride!
Red Berries, White Clouds, Blue Sky by Sandra Dallas
4/5 stars
A story about a Japanese family that is sent to a relocation camp after the Pearl Harbor bombings. I think it went into a little more detail than Dash by Kirby Larson. A great read for kids who want some historical fiction.
Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin
5/5 stars
I can't help but be amazed with Martin's writing. To go from the Babysitter's Club series to this - something with far more substance and voice. She is such a talented author.
Talk about your heart print story - and so different. The main character, Rose, has Asperger's and her social awkwardness comes out but Martin does an amazing job of making the reader feel just enough empathy, but at the same time have an understanding of how hard the relationships are for Rose and those close to her. Your heart will break a little when reading this story.
Currently Reading
I need to finish The Night Gardener (my 2nd time) so I'm ready for our Mock Newbery in a week. It's just as brilliant and creepy as the first time I read it!
I have quite a bit of nonfiction picture books I need to get through.
I am also going to start one of my #mustreadin2014 books, Laurel Snyder's Bigger Than a Breadbox.
Happy reading to all!
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 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 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 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. 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? by Karen Patkau
Great accessible text to teach the prairie ecosystem. Great photographs and well organized.
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 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
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!
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.
With a back injury comes lots of reading! Really would have preferred to read these books without the injury.... Here are some standouts. The others that I read this week are on my Goodreads page.
Picture Books
You Are (Not) Small by Anna Kang
3/5 stars
Cute story - each animal thinks the other is bigger... or smaller than the other. Until some other animals come! I would use this for point of view.
Edie's Ensembles by Ashley Spires
4/5 stars
Edie, the fashionista, goes a little overboard with accessorizing and picking out the perfect ensembles. First she gets lots of attention and popularity, but how quickly that can all change! Good lesson. The digital illustrations are beautiful. I'm pretty sure I've seen some of the dress designs in People magazine before! Young fashionistas will love this book!
Sebastian and the Balloon by Philip C. Stead
3/5 stars
Cute story, but I thought it was lacking just a bit. I needed more of a closure. But the illustrations are beautiful - especially the gorgeous balloon! The colorful afghans that make up the balloon are amazing. What does the balloon stand for? Imagination? Adventure? Would be fun to ponder with kids!
Graphic Novels
Benny and Penny in Lost and Found by Geoffrey Hayes
3/5 stars
If you teach 1st or 2nd grade, I think the Benny and Penny series would be perfect for that age level student. It has a graphic novel format and is longer than a picture book graphic novel and more advanced with the number of frames on each page. But it has relevant content, whereas the next step up in graphic novels doesn't always have for this age group.
Zita the Spacegirl by Ben Hartke
3/5 stars
I guess I've read too many really good graphic novels lately. Or maybe this one just didn't speak to me like the others. My daughter really enjoyed it. I thought it was good, just not as good as others. This one seemed to model itself after a more traditional "comic" - more onomatopoeia, more of the story really told through the picture. I'm interested in seeing who this appeals to at school!
Transitional Chapter Books
Leroy Ninker Saddles Up by Kate DiCamillo
5/5 stars
This book just kept getting pushed off. I don't know why. I love Kate DiCamillo's work. I love the Mercy Watson series. It took a back injury to get me to finally sit down and read it. And oh my, how much I loved it. I love the way the Great Kate can string together words, whether real or slightly invented, and they are just perfect for that part. It warms my heart. I hope she has plans to write many more for this series. I'd really like to see Officer Tomilello again...
Dory Phantasmagory by Abby Hanlon
3/5 stars
The writing was a bit strange. The plot was thin, at best. I loved Hanlon's illustrations. The "bad guy" character reminded me a lot of Viola Swamp. This book would work great as a read aloud in a 1st or 2nd grade class. It's a great transitional chapter book for kids in 1st -3rd grades.
The Quirks in Circus Quirkus by Erin Soderberg
4/5 stars
I so love this series. I think the characters appeal to a wide variety of readers. The escapades are something little kids will really enjoy reading about. I love that the author talks to her kids at the dinner table to come up with what will happen to the Quirks kids next. Maybe that's why these books are so relatable to kids - the ideas came from kids!
The Princess in Black by Shannon and Dean Hale
5/5 stars
Another great transitional chapter book series! I love the full color photos by LeUyen Pham. This book reminds me a lot of the Mercy Watson series - great story, accessible text, full color layouts. Girls will love Princess Magnolia and boys will love her horse/unicorn, Blacky. And the monsters (which in this first book look a little like the Monsters Inc. monsters!).
Adult Read
Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult
I really appreciate the thoroughness that Picoult puts into her research on the topic she writes about. This time it was about elephants. Similar to her book Lone Wolf, you almost feel like the information you are reading about the animals could be from a "Scientists in the Field" book. I liked the storyline and got into it more and more as the book went on. As always, there was a huge twist at the end, and this time I really didn't see it coming.
On Deck
I am going to try and quickly get through the Disaster Strikes series. I think this is a series many of my reading students will like, so I want to read them and get them into their hands. I also have The Witch's Boy or the third Land of Stories to read next. I'll give The Witch's Boy a try and if it doesn't capture my attention right away, move on to the next one!
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.
Where does time go??? Another week went by and I crammed most of these books in today, Sunday. One day I'll get more reading time!
Picture Books
The Cat, The Dog, Little Red, The Exploding Eggs, The Wolf, and Grandma by Diane and Christyan Fox
5/5 stars
This one made me laugh! Grade companion to Interrupting Chicken
Could really use this for a mentor text for questioning, summarizing and predicting while reading. The Dog does all of that over and over throughout the book.
Cat tries to retell "Little Red Riding Hood" to Dog, but all Dog does is interrupt. Dog does ask a very good question about LRRH at the end "It's not a very nice sort, is it? Are you absolutely sure this is a children's book?" HA, welcome to fairy tales, Dog (unless they are made by Disney....)
And I love how he questions why end pages are what is known as the beginning and end of books!
The Bear's Sea Escape by Benjamin Chaud
4/5 stars
I think I liked this follow-up even better than the original. The colors are just beautiful and eye-catching!
Sam and Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett
5/5 stars
I've written before that some picture books are meant for older kids to read them. There seems to be a point in time where kids stop choosing picture books. Teachers stop reading them. But some, beg for an older audience. I think this book is one of them. Don't get me wrong, I think this book can be read to all audiences. I just would love to hear kids of all ages come up with what really happened at the end. Mostly because I need to talk to them so I can figure out what really happened at the end.
I read this book when it came out. But I'm still trying to figure it out. I needed a lot of time to think about this book and how smart it is.
Informational Texts
Now & Ben: The Modern Inventions of Ben Franklin by Gene Barretta
4/5 stars
I found this book through other bloggers. It's such a neat book - each layout compares an invention we have now, and traces its roots back to Ben Franklin. Great addition to many units - Founding Fathers, inventions.
Chapter Books for 2nd/3rd grade
The Haunted Library #1 by Dori Hillestad Butler
3/5 stars
This will be a good series - transitional chapter book - for 2nd-4th graders. The story is about Kaz the ghost and his new friend, "solid" (what ghosts call humans) Claire. The two join forces to solve the mystery of the ghost (another one!) at the library. They are also on the case to find what happened to Kaz's family when they got separated by the wind.
Graphic Novels
El Deafo by Cece Bell
5/5 stars
This book was so amazing, especially since I have such a connection to it since my young niece is deaf. Unlike Cece, my niece has not had hearing since she was an infant, so her story will be a little different. But reading this memoir puts so much into perspective about young children and how they cope with a hearing loss.
I can't say anything new that hasn't been said already. This book is amazing. I am astounded by how talented Cece is - to be able to put your story into a graphic novel format and capture the feelings and thoughts from when you are younger and just hit the reader in the heart... Just amazing.
Currently Reading
I'm trying to finish up the Lunch Lady series. I have all of them, just never finished reading them. I have some students that are devouring #1-5 that I have at school, so I promised I would read the other ones and get them in!
This week I'm going to conquer Jodi Picoult's newest book, Leaving Time. It's due back to the library on Saturday, so I need to get going on it :)
After that, I think I'm going to return to The Land of Stories series, book #3.
Can't wait to see what you're reading!
