#road2reading Challenge - If You Like These, Try series - early readers 10.24.17

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 reading journey.

Join in the conversation at #road2reading.

I can't believe we're inching closer to the end of the year.  Cybils nominations have already closed for the year and the Nerdy Book Club Award nominations will be here very soon.  As I look back at past winners, some of the same authors and series are named every year.  And while those winners are fantastic, there are some other great books out there.  Before we get to the end of the year, take some time and familiarize yourself with some other fantastic reads.  This week I'll focus on some great reads for early readers you may want to think about for upcoming awards!

If you like...

       

Elephant and Piggie books

by Mo Willems (and friends)

Try....

We Need More Nuts!

by Jonathan Fenske

Or really anything by Jonathan Fenske!  His humor will definitely tickle that same funny bone that Mo's books find.  Just like Elephant and Piggie did for readers, making reading fun and full of laughter, Fenske's books will continue.

If you like...

       

Ballet Cat books

by Bob Shea

Try...

       

Freckleface Strawberry books

by Julianne Moore

Ballet Cat and her friends are always up to something fun and silly.  If you have readers that like the quick yet goofy stories, make sure you direct them to the Step Into Reading Freckleface Strawberry series.  Freckleface Strawberry always finds herself into some kind of antics, usually involving her best friend, Windy Pants Patrick.  These books have been a hit with my readers.

If you like...

       

the Duck, Duck, Porcupine series

by Salina Yoon

Try...

       

the Giggle Gang books

by Jan Thomas

The bright colors and bold lines remind me of Yoon's style.  If you have readers that love to laugh, they will love to see what happens to Duck and the gang.  Something is always happening, and just like with Yoon's books, the readers know before the characters know.  Which means you'll have young readers laughing and interacting with the book before you know it!

I hope you found some new books to read, or some new books to nominate this year!  I'm looking forward to seeing what your 2017 favorites were at the end of the year.

Want to know what books were nominated for Round 1 Cybils early reader/chapter book?  Check out Alyson's post!

Want to talk about books for readers who are on the #road2reading?  Link up here!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 10.23.17

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 really enjoyed this new take on an old classic.  Check out The Nutcracker Mice.

What's in my Nonfiction Pile? series - math and science books

Some new favorite growth mindset books.


Picture Books


Draw the Line
by Kathryn Otoshi
I think this is a perfect book for childhood and it's a perfect book to share right now.  What happens when two children play with the same thing - inevitably an argument happens, but can it be solved?  Beautiful wordless picture book and one I would add to your collection for theme.


There's Nothing to Do!
written by Dev Petty
illustrated by Mike Boldt
One of those books that the adult reader is going to get a kick out of, maybe even more than the young reader!  Although I bet the young reader can do the best, "there's nothing to do," voice!


Sing, Don't Cry
by Angela Dominguez
I really loved this story.  It's perfect for words of the wiser or theme.
This quick little story tells about the wise advice the author's grandfather gave her when life has you feeling sad.  


Lovely
by Jess Hong
A book that celebrates differences and being unique.  It confronts stereotypes and applauds going against the norm.  A lovely book to have.


Baabwaa and Wooliam
written by David Elliott
illustrated by Melissa Sweet
Another fun book that looks at stereotypes, this time confronting them with a very humorous approach.  Would be fun to use this when discussing growth mindset and how our views of other people can change.


Second Grade Houdout
written by Audrey Vernick
illustrated by Matthew Cordell
Fun follow up to First Grade Dropout.  Whereas First Grade made me laugh and nod my head, this one tugged at my heart.  I always worry about those kids who aren't quite ready to transition to the next grade, but they always turn out just fine!


Inky's Great Escape
written by Casey Lyall
illustrated by Sebastiá Serra
For fans of Finding Dory, this book will make a great read aloud for the younger crowd.   Young readers will delight in this story about Inky the octopus and his daring escapes from unbelievable places!

Middle Grade


Greetings From Witness Protection!
by Jake Burt
Absolutely loved this book!  I fell into it quickly and then had a hard time letting the main character go.  Make sure this book is on your TBR.  I have a longer review of it coming out this Thursday.

Currently Reading


Revenge of the Christmas Angels
by Jennifer Ziegler
The next few weeks will be a lot of NCTE reading so I can talk about all of these wonderful books at our upcoming NCTE presentation.  Will I see you there this year?

On Deck

Revenge of the Happy Campers - finishing up the Brewster Triplets series!
Independent Study - book 2 of The Testing series, my daughter is begging me to read this one so she can read it next!
Six of Crows - my next #mustreadin2017 book!

Happy Reading to all!

Spotlight Friday: new favorites for growth mindset 10.20.17

Time to get ready for the weekend!

Kick up your feet and find a good place to read.

Sharing #booklove for your classroom or library.

Spotlighting a book or two because these books deserve the spotlight!

I see more and more teachers talking to students about having a growth mindset.  This is something I need to work on myself, so it's great to be exploring this concept with young students.  Here are some of my new favorite books that tackle this subject.



Another Way to Climb a Tree
written by Liz Garton Scanlon
illustrated by Hadley Hooper
published by Roaring Book Press

talking point:  The young girl in this character cannot do her favorite thing in the world when she falls ill - climbing trees.  While this is difficult for her, she eventually finds a new way to do what she loves, even if it means thinking about it in a new way!


I Don't Draw, I Color
written by Adam Lehrhaupt
illustrated by Felicita Sala
published by Paula Wiseman books

talking point:  Share with students how it's ok to not do everything with the same expectation - think outside of the box!


After the Fall (How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again)
by Dan Santat
published by Roaring Book Press

talking point:  This is absolutely my new favorite for growth mindset.  I think one of the hardest things to do is face your fears and try when it feels really really hard.


Jabari Jumps
by Gaia Cornwall
published by Candlewick Press

talking point:  same as above - trying something when it feels hard.  I also love the words of the wiser moment from the dad!


The Thing Lou Couldn't Do
by Ashley Spires
published by Kids Can Press

talking point:  spoiler alert - what I love about this book is Lou still can't do what she is afraid of/what's hard by the end of the book.  Very realistic portrayal that shows sometimes we can't do something... yet.


Double Take! a New Look at Opposites
written by Susan Hood
illustrated by Jay Fleck
published by Candlewick Studio

talking point:  I think it's really important to talk about perspective and teach students to look at something from different directions/angles.


Smoot: A Rebellious Shadow
written by Michelle Cuevas
illustrated by Sydney Smith
published by Dial Books

talking point:  Part of a growth mindset is sometimes stepping outside of your comfort zone and trying something new or doing something you're uncomfortable with or trying something for the first time.  I think this is a book to share and have conversations around.



Here's to continuously growing!

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday - What's In My Pile? series - math and science 10.18.17

Every Wednesday 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.

I have had a large number of nonfiction picture books in my piles lately, that I decided to make October into the "What's in My Pile? series".  Today I'm spotlighting books about math and science!



How Many Guinea Pigs Can Fit on a Plane?
by Laura Overdeck

This book is perfect for math buffs, world records and crazy facts readers!  Whether you want to try and follow the math in the book or just read the crazy answers and fascinating facts, everyone will be amazed!  The facts are sent in by children so they are just the perfect amount of crazy that young readers will want to know the answers to - like "how many balloons would it take to carry me into the air?" or "how many raindrops does it take to fill a glass?"
At the end of the book are some great math tricks that you can use to amaze your friends, or just answer math facts quickly!


Full of Fall
by April Pulley Sayre

If you haven't seen Sayre's seasons books, well, really, any of her books, you need to change that!  Beautiful, poetic lines that are full of science wonderings and photographs that draw you in.  You'll find yourself rereading over and over - first to just enjoy the words, then you'll want to pour over the photos, then you'll read the scientific information in the end notes and need to go back to those pages to ponder all of the meaning in the verse or the photograph.... you'll want a lot of time with this book!


Magnets Push Magnets Pull
written by David A. Adler
illustrations by Anna Raff

If you teach third grade, I'm guessing you're adding forces into your science units as part of the NGSS.  This book is a must have because of the explanations (including where NOT to test magnets) and all the easy experiment ideas.  With so much science lessons being hands on right now, this book gives plenty of ideas!


Droughts
written by Melissa Stewart
illustrated by Andre Ceolin

We are experiencing drought conditions in the upper northern corner of Illinois right now.  I used this book as a description text during #classroombookaday to help us talk about main idea and key details.  The students were caught up in the text - I am so glad to have nonfiction texts like this that give great information and are interesting to read.  Even if your area isn't experiencing a drought, perfect text to introduce the concept, or use it for description text structure, or to explore the many text features, or show endnotes, or.... well, just read this book!


The New Ocean: The Fate of Life in a Changing Sea
by Bryn Barnard

Despite what some people believe, our climate is changing and making an impact on our oceans, which impacts ocean life.  Humans are also making choices that will affect our oceans in a devastating way.  The author sets out to show how these changes are affecting marine life.  The first two page layout shows artwork of the animal or creature along with factual information.  The next two page layout shows artwork and has corresponding text of how either climate changes or human decisions are affecting that particular marine life.  The end pages give further information using maps to show the sections of ocean that are affected by garbage patches and high acidic levels.  A fascinating study that should open eyes and hopefully inspire this generation to help protect our Earth.

Lots of great texts that can be used across the curriculum!

#road2reading Challenge - The Nutcracker Mice 10.17.17

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 reading journey.

Join in the conversation at #road2reading.

I have fond memories of seeing The Nutcracker at Christmastime when I was younger.  While I liked the show, I enjoyed the experience even more - going to the theater, being with my family, and dressing up for something nice!

The Nutcracker Mice

written by Kristin Kladstrup

illustrated by Brett Helquist

published by Candlewick Press

October 24th

Goodreads summary:
Hidden in Saint Petersburg's famed Mariinsky Theater are the world's tiniest ballet fans: the Mariinsky mice, including Esmeralda, a rising dancer in the Russian Mouse Ballet Company. Despite being unable to control her tail, Esmeralda has just been assigned the lead role of Clara in a ballet debuting at Christmas: The Nutcracker. But when she learns that the new ballet features mice as villains, her excitement turns to horror: the mice of Saint Petersburg will never come to see such a production. Meanwhile, nine-year-old Irina is convinced that the mice she's seen in the Mariinsky -- the mice her father, the custodian, is supposed to exterminate -- are not only fans of the ballet, but dancers themselves. No one will believe her, so it falls to Irina to help save the mice everyone else considers vermin . . . and perhaps to help Esmeralda ensure the future of the mouse company. Sweet and inventive, Kristin Kladstrup's ballet fantasy features artwork by beloved illustrator Brett Helquist, old-fashioned drama, and just a touch of holiday magic.


I really enjoyed the changes in this book to The Nutcracker.  As mentioned before, I liked going to see the ballet, but as a child, find it confusing to figure out the storyline when it is only told through dance.  The changes that Esmeralda and family make fit to making it more enjoyable and relatable.  The adventures they go on to obtain costumes and sets are fun and exciting.  This will be a fun holiday read that can be enjoyed year round.

I first heard about this book from my dear book friend, Victoria Coe.  She thought this would be a book that would be perfect for our #road2reading challenge posts, and she was right!  This is a book that will appeal to a variety of readers in the upper primary to intermediate grades.  It's a longer book, coming in at over 300 pages, but it has a lot of illustrations (done by the amazing Brett Helquist) that help provide visual supports for readers.  This book has shorter chapters and it has a smaller size, so shorter pages, all which will help support readers.  I think this book will appeal to readers who enjoyed Firefly Hollow, The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp or Appleblossom the Possum.  

Don't miss this book when it publishes next week!  It will be a great one to add to your collection this season.

Stop by Alyson's blog to check out a new nonfiction chapter book series.

Want to talk about books for readers who are on the #road2reading?  Link up here!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 10.16.17

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 have quite a stack going of early readers and chapter books.  Here's what jumped out.

I continued my What's in my Nonfiction Pile series with animal books.

The last few months have been full of some awesome middle grade.  Paper Chains is another one to add to your list.

Some great books that have math connections here.


Picture Books


A Different Pond
written by Bao Phi
illustrated by Thi Bui
I've seen this book on a few lists now and I'm glad I finally got to read it.  It's another great book to add to your refugee collection.


Give Me Back MY Book!
By Travis Foster and Ethan Long
You know how kids read what we praise?  Perfect example right here!  It's funny and kids will have a good giggle over this one.


Mr. Fuzzbuster Knows He's the Favorite
written by Stacy McAnulty
illustrated by Edward Hemingway
This book is just super fun!  Perfect for siblings, perfect for everyone.  And the ending made me smile.  A lot!


A Cooked-Up Fairy Tale
written by Penny Parker Klostermann
illustrated by Ben Mantle
Very fun fractured fairy tale.  The endings were unique and perfect for the story.


I Have a Balloon
written by Ariel Bernstein
illustrated by Scott Magoon
This is a must have.  Young readers are going to love this book, adults will love reading it out loud.  A book that sums up sharing and wanting.  Isn't it funny how kids (and adults) want something right at that exact moment, yet once the moment passes, or once you get that thing you want, there's a new want you want??  This book is it.  I want it.  Now.  


Hooray for Books!
by Brian Won
Another fun story in the "hooray" series!  Turtle is searching for a missing book and along the way he finds his friends and together they have quite a collection of books!


Tyrannosaurus Rex vs. Edna The Very First Chicken
written by Douglas Rees
illustrated by Jed Henry
Have you ever wanted to know why there are no tyrannosaurus rexes today, yet plenty of chicken?  Well, this book sets out to tell us why!  And while it's definitely a made up story, the laughs you hear will not be!

Middle Grade


Ahimsa
by Supriya Kelkar
Oh this book!  So beautifully written.  This book taught me about a time in history I really did not know about.  I had to concentrate as I read it because the author uses culturally rich vocabulary and because I read an e-copy, I did not know there was a glossary at the end of the book.  Instead I really had to focus on the context to figure out words that were new to me.  
I think upper middle grade classrooms and libraries would benefit from this diverse and historically rich text.  Upper elementary readers who enjoy historical fiction may need some support, but will also benefit from this book.  No doubt readers who find this book a "mirror" text and can relate to the culture in the book will treasure reading this story.

Young Adult


Turtles All the Way Down
by John Green
Let me first get this out of the way.  I am the only person I know who did not like TFioS.  I didn't like the way the characters spoke.  Although I've been assured, teenagers do get all philosophical like that, I just felt it was forced and not real.  
I had read the premise of this book when it was first announced and thought it sounded interesting.  I knew I would read it as soon as it came out, before there was too much hype so I could make my own decision about this book.  Having not liked a majorly well loved John Green book made me really want to have my own opinion and not be influenced by others.
Then before I read it I read the background about it.  That John Green, like the main character of the book, also suffers from anxiety and OCD.  And I read about what that is like and where his mind takes him and how debilitating it could be.  
And then I read it.
It took about 50 pages or so.  The first part I really didn't know where he was taking us in this book.  And then it got amazing.  
I don't know what it's like to suffer from anxiety.  I've been anxious plenty of times.  I've broken down because of stress and being overwhelmed.  But it's not the same as someone who suffers from true anxiety.  
I have a OCD tendencies.  But not like this.
The writing is amazing in this book because it comes from a very true place.  Everything about the character of Aza felt true and right.  
After reading this book I still don't really get what it's like to suffer from anxiety and OCD.  But like what other diverse books are doing, it's shining light onto this issue and making all of us think just a little more.

Currently Reading


Greetings From Witness Protection!
by Jake Burt
Looking forward to starting this one this week!

Happy Reading!

Spotlight Friday - looking at math! 10.13.17

Time to get ready for the weekend!

Kick up your feet and find a good place to read.

Sharing #booklove for your classroom or library.

Spotlighting a book or two because these books deserve the spotlight!

It seems like no matter what you're teaching in math, there is a book to use for that!  Some new(er) books you may want to add to your curriculum:


Twinderella: a Fractioned Fairy Tale
written by Corey Rosen Schwartz
illustrations by Deborah Marcero

A great book to use when you're introducing fractions!  Using a familiar story in a fractured way (see what I did there???) kids will love this new take that can be used over different areas of curriculum.


The Cookie Fiasco
by Dan Santat

And don't forget to include this hilarious story about fractions!


Triangle
written by Mac Barnett
illustrated by Jon Klassen

An interesting tale of friendship, a fun discussion of fitting a round peg into a square hole... or a square into a triangle door....  


How Many Guinea Pigs Can Fit on a Plane?
by Laura Overdeck

This book is a must for math classrooms!  Whether you're using the problems for fun, for whole group, for challenge, for creative thinking.... or many other reasons... this is a fantastic collection of crazy and silly math questions.


Ava Lovelace: The Poet of Science
written by Diane Stanley
illustrated by Jessie Hartland

Don't let this title fool you.  As much as Ada Lovelace did for us in the areas of science, this is also a wonderful biography of a woman who had an amazing mathematical mind!


The Boy Who Loved Math: The Improbable Life of Paul Erdos
written by Deborah Heiligman
illustrated by LeUyen Pham

Great biography to show the passion someone had for this field!


Happy mathematical reading!