#road2reading Challenge, Chapter Book Summer, week 4 - 7.11.19

This summer I'll be sharing chapter books that are perfect for a range of readers.  

Stop by every Thursday and find a round up of books you'll want to use with your readers!

Readers enjoy books that are written in a diary format.  But before they are ready for "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" or "Dork Diaries", they may need some ladder books before reaching the longer novels.  Some upcoming books you may want to have on hand to share with readers:



Diary of a Pug: Pug Blasts Off
by Kyla May
This is an upcoming series from Scholastic's Branches line.  Pugs are HUGE right now - you see their wrinkled faces everywhere!  This series will be an easy sell just because it's about a very cute pug!  And since it's part of the Branches line, you know you'll have text that is supported by illustrations, fun characters, and an engaging story!  This is going to be another full color book, similar in length/style to their very popular Owl Diaries series.
In this first story, we meet Bub the pug and Bub's owner, Bella.  Bub would do anything for Bella, except maybe get wet.  He draws the line there.  But that's ok, because when Bub and Bella start inventing things, you never know what they will come up with!  In this first book they enter the Inventor Challenge at school and work together to come up with the best invention!  Bub's nemesis, Nutz the squirrel, decides to play keep-away with a very important part of the invention.  How far will Bub go to make Bella happy?
I know this is one of those series that kids will be begging to get their hands on copies as soon as they are released.  This first one publishes Oct. 1st.  I'm wondering since it's part of the Scholastic line if we'll see it in a Scholastic order even before that date?  Fingers crossed!  This series will appeal to readers in grades 1-4.


Diary of an Ice Princess: Snow Place Like Home
by Christina Soontornvat
A new transitional chapter book series that features a mixed-race family that has a storyline that is not about that!  Yeah!  We need more of them!  
Lina comes from a family of Windtamers, meaning they can control the wind and weather!  However, Lina is having some problems controlling her special talent.  In order to attend regular school with her BFF, she promises to take some extra lessons with her Granddad to help her learn how to control her wind taming abilities.  However, it's to Lina surprise that her special talent is actually a surprise after all!
Coming in at over 100pgs, this is a chapter book that is a bit longer, but still has illustrations on every page.  Perfect for readers who are starting to look for longer books, but also great for older readers (4th/5th grade) who need supports in their reading or are still building stamina.
Books 1 and 2 in the series will be published on July 30th.


What are some of your favorite "Diary" books for young readers?

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.

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday - endangered animals - 7.10.19

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.

There's always so much we can learn by looking into the past, and some living creatures we're hoping do not come something only found in our past.  Some books to celebrate - 



When Sue Found Sue: Sue Hendrickson Discovers Her T. Rex
written by Toni Buzzeo
illustrated by Diana Sudyka
This picture book biography shares with readers the past of paleontologist Sue Hendrickson, the person who discovered one of the most famous dinosaur finds of our time - the impressive T. Rex we know as "Sue".  We meet young Sue and really understand her passion of finding things.  When she was little, she would find everything, from lost items to figuring out answers to the life around her.  As she grows up, we see how Sue funneled her passion for finding things to becoming a paleontologist.  The book explores the time when she found her most famous discovery, the T. Rex that eventually is named after her.
I always love how picture book biographies show us how passionate a young person can be about something and how that drives their adult life.  Great for showing young readers that what they feel strongly about can impact their future!


Don't Let Them Disappear - 12 Endangered Species Across the Globe
written by Chelsea Clinton
illustrated by Gianna Marino
Clinton has given us 12 beautiful layouts (amazingly illustrated by the extremely talented Gianna Marino) of animals that are in danger of disappearing.  Each animal is written in a way that makes them seem a part of our daily lives, like an animal we know personally, and one we should definitely care about.  Using the collective nouns to describe the group of animal, Clinton shares information about each one, giving us brief details about the ways they live their daily lives.  On the opposite side of the layout lists the places the animal lives, what the animal's endangered status is and why the animal is endangered.  I like the the why is included because it may just be the sliding door that readers are looking for - it may give them ideas how they can help the animals.  While it might have taken away from the beautiful illustrations (done in gouache on Fabriano watercolor paper), I wish a small map that shows a more exact location of where to find the animals had been included.
The backmatter includes ideas for what you can do to help the animals and additional information why the animals are endangered. 


Picture book biographies and animal books are always enjoyed by readers.  I think both of these will be a hit.  What other newly published animal books are on your radar?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 7.08.19

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

I always love adding nonfiction picture book biographies to my collection!

Week 3 of my Summer Chapter Book Series has a roundup of books about SCHOOL!


Picture Books


The Sad Little Fact
written by Jonah Winter
illustrated by Pete Oswald
I'm pretty sure you can say this is a kidlit satire!  
People are starting to not believe certain facts and as a result, the facts (who look like round puffballs with arms and legs) are gathered up and buried in a chest.  Meanwhile, a bunch of lies "created by the Authorities" are put out into the world.  Some people believe them because they look just like facts.  Other facts denounce these new additions.  It's up to other Fact Finders to find the missing facts and release them back out into the world!
FYI, some of the buried facts - "...people are causing the Earth to get warmer!", "the Earth revolves around the sun!" and "Christopher Columbus did not discover America."


This is MY Room! (No Tigers Allowed)
written by Jennifer Richard Jacobson
illustrated by Alexandria Neonakis
A sweet book to read to young readers, little JoJo wants to sleep in her own room and bed tonight instead of her big sister's, Margaret.  However, large creatures keep coming in her room and Jojo must rush back to Margaret's room to get materials to make a sign to let these animals know they are not allowed.  But what happens when Jojo discovers something surprising about a creature?  Great nighttime story or one to read to celebrate the love of letters and reading and writing.


Grandpa Cacao: A Tale of Chocolate, From Farm to Family
by Elizabeth Zunon
As described in the backmatter, this is a love letter to the author/illustrator's own grandfather, whom she never met, and the stories her father told her about visiting his father's (her grandfather's) plantation when he was growing up.
I also loved reading more about the artwork, it was interesting how she changed up the media to show the different time periods in the book.  
When I first checked this book out, I thought it was going to be nonfiction.  While readers will certainly learn a lot about the cacao pod and how they turn it into chocolate, it is actually a fiction story.


Where Are You From?
written by Yamile Saied Méndez
illustrated by Jaime Kim
Oh, what a beautiful book. A young girl of color gets asked by classmates and adults, "where are you from?"  What a confusing question to ask a young child and full of insinuations.  However, the young girl has an amazing grandfather that tells her of all the beautiful places her ancestors come from but ends with a beautiful idea that really captures the love for a child.


How to Read a Book
written by Kwame Alexander
illustrated by Melissa Sweet
What a gorgeous love letter to reading!  This is a book you'll go back and reread many times because there is so much to discover.  I definitely need more time to linger over Kwame's words.  And to see every minute details of Melissa's illustrations.  And to look at the fun spreads that make this book unique.  Adding this to the beginning of the year collection!


A Normal Pig
by K-Fai Steele
I am so grateful that Rebecca from Harper Collins made sure I get a copy of this book at ALA.  Chad Everett talked about the word diverse and when we use it, what are we centering as the norm?  That was a huge a-ha for me, but it's hard to tell really young readers what that means.  This book will help explain that concept to them.


Unicorn Is Maybe Not So Great After All
by Bob Shea
Unicorn is back and has maybe a few more lessons to learn.  Unicorn's self-esteem is called into question when new fads come and Unicorn's popularity is no longer on top.  So Unicorn decides to change a few things but learns that it's not the things you wear that makes the unicorn...
Love the cameos in this one!


Goodbye Friend!  Hello, Friend!
by Cori Doerrfeld
I love Cori's illustrations.  I don't know if it's the colors, the details, but they all draw me in!  
For every cause, there's an effect - hellos and goodbyes.  A beautiful story about the highs and lows of a young person's life and how one thing can lead into the other.


The King of Kindergarten
written by Derrick Barnes
illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton
I'm so glad this book is in the world!  It's a book that is perfect for young readers, no matter what grade they are entering.  All of the feelings that come with starting school are captured in this joyful book.  A definite must read for the start of the year.


I'm Trying to Love Math
by Bethany Barton
I'm pretty sure this book didn't make me love math, but it sure was fun to read about it!  And as always, Barton will make you laugh as you read along!

Middle Grade


The Problim Children: Carnival Catastrophe
by Natalie Lloyd
Any book of Natalie's is an instant favorite of mine!  This is the second in her Problim Children series and is my favorite in the series... so far!  Probably because it focuses on Mona Problim who is a delight to read about - deep down, she wants to do well, but doesn't mind having some clever fun along the way!
The Problim siblings are still trying to find Mama Problim and they think they may be able to get to her, if they can just find ways to win at the carnival.  Of course the O'Pinions are also involved and in this second book we find out even more about this dastardly family.  
I thought the first book in the series really set up the characters and the storyline of the missing family members.  But this second book gets to the plot of the story even faster and really starts to get good.  I'm now anxiously awaiting book 3!


Most Valuable Players: a Rip & Red Book
by Phil Bildner
This book concludes the popular Rip and Red series and I will be sorry to see it go.  It's been a fun year in Mr. Acevedo's room and watching Rip and Red grow as characters.
In this last book Rip has some grown up decisions to make.  His classmates have decided to opt out of the upcoming state academic tests.  However, that decision comes with consequences and Rip has a lot on the line.  Rip has been hiding a surprise from his classmates.  They know that Hoops Machine (think Harlem Globetrotters) will be performing at an upcoming school event, what they don't know is Rip has been practicing with them and will be a surprise guest at the event.  Will Rip be able to jeopardize his big performance to stand for something else he also believes in?
This was my June #mustreadin2019 book!


The Spinner of Dreams
by K.A. Reynolds
Whoa.  This book blew me away.  I really wasn't sure what to expect, I had heard some positive things, even amazing things, but it really didn't prepare me for the awesomeness of everything - the story, the writing, the feels...
Annalise was born with a curse that comes from the evil Fate Spinner.  Her left hand is larger and has a large, black, broken heart on it and inside lies a curse.  A curse that does not do nice things, does not play well with Annalise, and seems to have something growing inside, something that wants to be outside.  With this curse, it seems her fate to live an unlucky life where bad things happen to those she loves and everyone around blames her for the bad things that happen.  Annalise grows past the point of frustration and wants it gone.  Despite her anxieties, despite her heavy feelings that weigh her down, she decides to face her fears and rid herself of the curse and be able to choose her own destiny.  Annalise must enter the Mazelands and face the Fate Spinner all while hoping the Spinner of Dreams may help her realize her dreams and release her from her curse.
A book about a noble quest and a girl who just wants peace, it's a story that had me interested from the beginning.  However, it was the way Reynolds wove through the storyline the feelings of depression and anxiety that made me celebrate this book.  I've read many realistic fiction stories that have characters dealing with depression and anxiety, but the way it was woven through this fantasy made me stand up and applaud.  Her descriptions of the feelings of being weighed down as you deal with an unspeakable sadness hit me in my heart.  I know those feelings and to see them described in such a way made me so grateful for this book.  I know readers who deal with anxiety will also recognize themselves within Annalise.  I loved how it was a part of the book - it is why the quest is taking place - but it does not take over the storyline.  
Also loved the secondary characters.  Lots of representation.
So well done.  This book is absolutely worthy of a preorder - publishes Aug. 27th.

Currently Reading


Wilder Girls
by Rory Power
Dang.  This YA.... it's scary good.  Kristin at Random House sold me on this one at ALA.  It's like a modern day Lord of the Flies with lots of twists that keep you reading way past your bedtime!!!


Now that I'm back from ALA and vacation has officially ended, looking forward to buckling down and getting some summer reading done!  It won't be too much longer and it will slow down with the start of school.  How much can I get done?

#road2reading Challenge - Chapter Book Summer, week 3 - 6.27.19

This summer I'll be sharing chapter books that are perfect for a range of readers.  

Stop by every Thursday and find a round up of books you'll want to use with your readers!

This week I have books that take place at SCHOOL!  With a familiar setting, these books will for sure entice your readers.



Our Principal Breaks a Spell!
written by Stephanie Calmenson
illustrated by Aaron Blecha
This is part of the Simon and Schuster "Aladdin Quix" series.  This is the first book I've seen in the series and I'm interested in checking out more.  There are some positives and negatives I'm noticing.  

Good things:  

• Short books (this one was 41 pages) with a singular plot featuring a problem and solution. 
• Font is larger and chapters are short.  
• There is a cast of characters featured at the beginning of the book with a brief character description.  When new characters are introduced, their names are printed in a bold font to alert the reader.  

Things I would change:  

• Watch the vocabulary.  Some words are tricky and didn't need to be - another word would have fit.  For example, in a scene where everything is going crazy, the word "chaos" is used.  That's a hard word for kids who are mostly sight word readers to figure out.  There's a word list at the end that has words and definitions but this particular word wasn't even included.  
• There are many words in bold throughout the text.  If a word is included in the word list at the end, it's in bold in the text.  When a new character is mentioned, their name is in bold.  When the author wants to emphasize some words, they are in bold.  Lots of bold....
• The back of the book jacket says, "books that make reading fun for kids five to eight years old".  Why are ages mentioned?  What if a nine or ten year old want to pick this one up?  Let's just go ahead and put the level on while we're at it....

In this story, Roger (who is described as one of the smartest students in the school...) has the honor of being the principal's helper.  We find out he is supposed to help sweep the classroom but he really doesn't want to do that job.  In the principal's office Roger finds a packet of magic powder.  He decides to use it on the broom which then becomes something out of the "Sorcerer's Apprentice".  The broom sweeps all the rooms, hallways, bathrooms, etc of the school causing... chaos.  
At the end of the book are some discussion questions that could be used to further talk about the book.  They are not specific to the story so when using them, it won't make the reader feel like they are being tested!
I would like to read more books in this series.  I'm also interested in seeing the reaction of young readers to this series.
I would match kids who are ready for chapter books in 1st grade-2nd grade with this story.



Roscoe Riley Rules: Never Glue Your Friends to Chairs
series by Katherine Applegate
Mark this first book in the series as a perfect read aloud!  I was laughing out loud as I read it and I know after reading this first book, the rest of the books in the series will be checked out quickly.
Roscoe is a first grader and is a kid who always wants to do his best.  He also wants to have fun and is a curious kid.  Roscoe has a kind heart but sometimes he doesn't quite think through his actions.  Like in this first book.  He brings gonzo glue - permanent - to school.  And when his classmates are having trouble behaving before the big Open House performance, he decides to use the glue to "help out".  It's pretty funny what happens and I think kids will enjoy the fall out!
I think this series will appeal to readers in 1st-3rd grades.


Class Pet Squad: Journey to the Center of Town
by Dan Yaccarino
This one reminded me just a little bit of Toy Story 3!  The Class Pet Squad consists of pets whose job is to keep the kids at school happy.  But they complete their missions in secret.  Get in and get it done!
In this book, young Ben has left his favorite stuffed animal at school - Sharkman - and he's even explained how he can't go to bed unless Sharkman and his other toys are lined up on his shelf.  It's after school and Max and the other Class Pet Squad members find out that Ben left his toy at school,  Because their mission is to do anything for the kids at school, they know it's up to them to bring Sharkman to Ben's house before bedtime.
What follows next is a bit of architecture and engineering.  Each Squad member has a specialty and they figure out what needs to be done to get the toy to Ben's house.  On their mission, they run into some wicked feline company and meet an unsurprising friend.
Quick chapters and illustrations on every page help keep readers engaged.  There are a lot of characters to keep track of and I did use the character list and description that is in the front of the book to help me until I was familiar with the story.
It seems like this is a series but I didn't see any future publications listed.
This story is a bit more advanced than the other two listed.  I think mature 2nd grade readers-4th grade will enjoy this one!

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'll be taking a mini blogging break next week to celebrate the 4th of July with family!  See you in 2 weeks!

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday - biographies in my stack - 6.26.19

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 picture books that jumped out of the pile recently:



Unstoppable: How Jim Thorpe and the Carlisle Indian School Football Team Defeated Army
written by Art Coulson
illustrated by Nick Hardcastle
I have seen Steve Sheinkin's book Undefeated about the same topic but as a longer nonfiction work, I had not read it yet.  This book is on the same topic but cut down to a picture book.  I've heard of the name Jim Thorpe, but did not necessarily know anything about his athletic prowess!  
Jim Thorpe was an American Indian from the Sauk tribe.  In and out of schools, he was sent to the Carlisle Industrial School when he was 16.  Over the next decade, Jim grew and showed his athletic talents in track and field games, baseball, lacrosse, hockey, and football.  But it was football that had captured his heart.  The book goes on to detail some of his amazing feats, but really concentrates on the football game that was a pivotal game in history - when his Carlisle team beat the Army team. 
Backmatter includes more about Jim Thorpe as well as a list and short bio of each man on that particular Carlisle team, as well as sources and additional information.


The Important Thing About Margaret Wise Brown
written by Mac Barnett
illustrated by Sarah Jacoby
Mac Barnett is a unique author.  He doesn't conform to writing norms and I think that is something to celebrate about his books, but sometimes it makes the book so unusual it doesn't always sit right.  This is one of those books.  
Barnett takes on telling the picture book biography about famed children's author, Margaret Wise Brown, in a unique way.  Ambling on as if in conversation with the reader, Barnett ponders about what is really important and shares truths about Brown's life that you might not always find in a picture book biography.  The way this conversation takes place, you're either going to enjoy it or not care for it.  
The illustrations, done in watercolor, nupastel and Photoshop, are superb.  Jacoby is able to capture the whimsy and wonder of Brown and her artwork.
Interestingly, the sources used are included at the beginning of the book, instead of the end.  I am curious as to how that decision was made by the publisher!  No other additional information is included in any backmatter.


Doctor Esperanto and the Language of Hope
written by Mara Rockliff
illustrated by Zosia Dzierżawska
There are so many languages in the world.  What if there was just one, that was created with simplicity in mind and used familiar word parts?  That was the hope of Dr. Esperanto (real name Leyzer Zamenhof).  He heard so many words, so many ways of saying negative words, that he wanted to create a language of hope and niceties.  What came of it was a new language called Esperanto, which means to hope.  Created over many years, with many changes and beginnings to the language, but finally it was shared with the world.  
Today, although not a universal language, it still exists and people do use it worldwide.  It has even popped up on some current sitcoms and movies!  Maybe you'll be the person to start using it at your school!


Definitely some picture book biographies to add to your collections!  Happy reading!

I'll be taking a mini blogging break next week to celebrate the 4th of July with family!  See you in 2 weeks!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 6.24.19

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

I shared some nonfiction picture books about space!

Week 2 of the Summer Chapter Book Series (for 1st-5th grade teachers) featured chapter books about space.


Picture Books


A Friend for Henry
written by Jenn Bailey
illustrated by Mika Song
A very important book for younger classrooms to have.  Henry is trying to navigate finding a friend, however, he has definite ideas of what friendship is and how one would act within a friendship.  An adult reader will recognize that Henry is probably somewhere on the spectrum.  It is never noted, just behaviors shown.  This book will be good to use to discuss with young children how to handle a situation that comes up between two classmates.


The Girl and the Wolf
written by Katherena Vermette
illustrated by Julie Flett
A beautiful story that was inspired by fairy tales, but has its own twist.  A young girl gets lost in a forest, separated from her family.  It's through the compassion of a wolf that the young girl receives help in clearing her head and thinking about what she must do.


The Little Book of Big What-Ifs
by Renata Liwska
A book full of possibilities and wonderings - one you might want to use to inspire writing or conversations.  Beautiful illustrations.


Hello
by Fiona Woodcock
A book that is full of words that have double "ll"s and illustrated so many of the words are part of the scenery - just like Woodcock did with her book Hello, this is another fun story that is told through individual words that carry the story and are integrated into the pictures.


Fox and the Box
by Yvonne Ivinson
Oh this would have been a fantastic Geisel Award contender had the author/illustrator lived in the United States!  Told in single words, this story is about an adventurous fox who is ready to take a box sailing.  He ends up getting into some trouble but a kind hearted ocean animal helps him out. 
So many ways you could use this as a phonics mentor text - vowel patterns, digraphs, word parts, vocabulary.  And with a fun storyline there is a lot to notice about how the text and illustrations work together.  A must have for primary libraries!


Abner and Ian Get Right-Side Up
written by Dave Eggers
illustrated by Laura Park
An interactive book that will definitely cause the giggles!  Characters Abner and Ian are coming out from the sides of the layout, perpendicular from the bottom of the book.  Their back and forth dialogue about what they want the reader to do (shake the book to get them back into the proper place) will leave you smiling and laughing.  A longer picture book (80 pages) but it's one readers will ask to read over and over!


I Am Not a Fish
by Peter Raymundo
The subtle message of we are more than the labels we assign to people/ourselves is a great one to talk about with young readers.  Would be great to have a conversation about how we are more than one thing and one label cannot define all of the traits that make up a person.

Middle Grade


The Paris Project
by Donna Gephart
One thing I know about Gephart's books, you always care about the characters long after you close the pages of the story.  Cleveland Rosebud Potts is another one.  She is a kid who is trying to find her place in the world, actually, she's trying to get to a new place in the world.  Specifically, Paris.  Cleveland has it rough right now because her father is in jail and that has left her in a very lonely world.  No one in her grade will speak to her and her only friend isn't even in her grade.  But then he starts acting differently and Cleveland doesn't know who to turn to.  
This is a story about growing up, about changes that happen as you figure out who you are, about letting go and understanding and perspective.  
Gephart includes resources and information about children who have a parent that is incarcerated.  Whether this book is a mirror or window, young readers can't help but open their hearts to Cleveland!
A little wait for this one - not going to see it until October, but don't miss adding it to your TBR... or preorder it now!

Currently Reading


Most Valuable Players
by Phil Bildner
One of my #mustreadin2019 books!


I'll be taking a mini blogging break next week to celebrate the 4th of July with family!  See you in 2 weeks!

#road2reading Challenge - Chapter Book Summer, week 2 - 6.20.19

This summer I'll be sharing chapter books that are perfect for a range of readers.  

Stop by every Thursday and find a round up of books you'll want to use with your readers!

I hope you stopped by last week to find out about this summer series.  Here's the post if you missed it!

In yesterday's nonfiction post, I shared some books about space.  I thought I would continue the topic and share some chapter books that might intrigue readers.  The first book is perfect for 1st-3rd graders.  The other chapter books are a little bit longer, each going over the 200 page mark, but are supported by illustrations on every page.  I think the target reader for these books would be a mature 2nd grade reader through 5th grade.  However, the topic and humor will reach many readers.



Sydney and Simon: To The Moon!
written by Paul A. Reynolds
illustrated by Peter H. Reynolds
I'm sure most of you know the fabulous Paul and Peter Reynolds by now, but did you know they have collaborated on a STEAM chapter book series?  This series features mouse twins, Sydney and Simon, who, like Paul and Peter, have twintastic ideas!  Each book features quick chapters that have half page illustrations so they are perfect for readers who are just starting to independently read chapter books.
In this story, Sydney and Simon are competing with their classmates in the "Explore the Moon" STEAM contest to meet a famous astronaut that grew up in their town.  While they start out working separately, they quickly find Sydney's creative art project and Simon's research based factual project go together for the best STEAM project.  But will it be enough to win?

       
Klawde, Evil Alien Warlord Cat
written by Johnny Marciano and Emily Chenoweth
illustrated by Robb Mommaerts
If you are looking for your next read aloud, put this at the top of your list!  
Meet Klawde and Raj, the stars of this series.  Told in alternating voices in alternating chapters, readers will love the voices of the characters.  Klawde is an evil, warlord cat from planet Lyttyrboks (yeah, say it out loud... you're going to get giggles!) who has just been overthrown by the evil(er?) General Ffangg and has now been sent to Earth as punishment.  Raj is the human boy who has just adopted Klawde.  The formerly confident Raj is now a nervous and sad kid because his parents have just uprooted him and moved him across the country from super-cool Brooklyn to Elba, Oregon.  And to make matters worse, he's enrolled in a survival camp where he must figure out how to make it in the wilderness or be taken down!  Klawde and Raj end up working together to make a transmitter and teleporter to get Klawde back to his home planet.
The chapters are very short and there are illustrations on many layouts.
Once I got into the flow of the first book, I ended up laughing out loud and kept thinking about how readers will react.  This would be a great book to read out loud and then let kids read the rest of the series on their own.  Just make sure you have extra copies!  Book 2 is available now, book 3 publishes Oct. 8th.


Astro-Nuts  Mission One: The Plant Planet
written by Jon Scieszka
illustrated by Steven Weinberg
When you have these two at the writing and illustrating helm, you know you're in for a zany adventure!
It's time to find a new planet to inhabit and it's up to the Astro-Nuts to find the next Goldilocks planet - one that is just right.  The Astro-Nuts include the mutant animals,  AlphaWolf, SmartHawk, LaserShark, and StinkBug.  NNASA (Not-NASA) has sent them to the Plant Planet to see if it is unoccupied and will support human life.  Blasting off in a rocket ship that is actually Thomas Jefferson's nose from Mt. Rushmore, the 4 astro-nuts are off to explore the planet.  And since it's a plant planet, nothing will go wrong, right? Of course nothing goes right, but as they (and the reader) learn along the way lots of information about global warming  that might make them (and the reader) think just a bit more about what is being done on planet Earth.
This is one busy book!  Every page is full of illustrations that often have captions that add to the story, but the reader has to be able to put all of the information from the text and illustrations together to fully understand the story.  The completed book (I read the ARC) will have full color illustrations.  
Readers who like The Bad Guys series and other hybrid books are going to love this one.  And yes, it will be a series.  Lots of other planets to go check out!  Make sure this is on your TBR list for September.  It's a ways off, but you will have readers for this one!

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.