It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 3.09.15

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.

Small amount of reading this week as I'm gearing up to head to WDW to run 19.3 "happy" miles through Magic Kingdom and EPCOT!  
Shoot.... I wrote that a couple of weeks ago.... then never had the time to hit the publish button.  And now it's a couple of weeks later.  I really became a "reading in the edges" reader lately.  So busy, but I read here and there. I finally have the time to share a few reading treasures!  Here's 3 weeks of reading!


Picture Books


Finding Spring by Carin Berger
4/5 stars
I know how Maurice the cub feels in this books.  He's looking for signs of spring when he's supposed to be hibernating.  I think I'm supposed to be hibernating until spring gets here!  Too much winter.


Tap the Magic Tree by Christie Matheson
4/5 stars
I know a bunch of kids are going to be excited to see this book after loving Press Here and Mix It Up!  Glad I found this book through other Monday bloggers!


Red: A Crayon's Story by Michael Hall
5/5 stars
Loved this story!  I wasn't sure what to expect - was it going to be similar to The Day the Crayon's Quit?  This is an original story that teaches so much.  It's going to be a great story to share and talk about.


Up in the Garden Down in the Dirt by Kate Messner
5/5 stars
Over and Under the Snow is a book I enjoy sharing in the winter time.  There is always amazement and interest in what really lives in the snow.  I was looking forward to this follow up, and it didn't disappoint.  Although, now I'm really going to clean my garden vegetables a bit more!  We were fortunate enough to Skype with Kate Messner this week and my favorite author's story from this book is Kate sharing how she would lay down in her garden to get close to the dirt and see and hear what was happening!


Special Delivery by Philip C. Stead
5/5 stars
I must've had an interesting voice going when I read the post master's voice because my daughter said she pictured him having tattoos under his shirt!  That's the beauty of read alouds.  I love what they can spark in little minds.  This book begs to be read aloud and shared.  It's fun and Matthew Cordell's illustrations kept me going back to pages.


A Poem in Your Pocket by Margaret McNamara
4/5 stars
I think young readers are going to enjoy this book, but I loved the ideas it subtly showed - hanging pockets of poems around school.  This will be a great book to use in April!

Informational Texts


What's Great About Illinois? by Kristin Marciniak
3/5 stars
Do you have a primary or elementary class that needs books to study the states?  This new series from Lerner will be a great addition.  Basic information, not a lot of extra thrown in which is good for young readers.  Newer photographs and good informational text features.



Middle Grade


The Shadow King by Jennifer Nielson
5/5 stars
I'm really going to miss Sage and everyone.  He's turned into one of my favorite characters.  I always enjoyed the spunk, creative thinking and goodness in his character.


The Terrible Two by Mac Barnett and Jory John
4/5 stars
This is going to be an easy series to sell to kids.  Miles and Niles are fun, witty and make you chuckle.  
I've seen Mack and Jory banter together a couple of times and it made this book come alive.  I can hear their voices in Miles and Niles.  The back and forth, the good guy/bad guy.  I think the two of them should be the narrators for the audio book!


Mark of the Thief by Jennifer Nielsen
4/5 stars
I enjoyed the first book to the new series by Nielsen.  It's a new setting, new problems, new twists, new characters.  I can see this new protagonist, Nic, being friends with Sage.


Adult


First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen
4/5 stars 
I love Allen's books.  The happy magic, the magic that feels right.  All of her books have some, but this one is probably my favorite.  I loved the characters, especially the teenage girl, Bay.  If you're looking for some light, heartwarming adult reads, check out Sarah Addison Allen.

Currently Reading


Listen, Slowly by Thanhha Lai
I am loving this book. Mai's voice is spot on.
On Deck

The Question of Miracles by Elana K. Arnold
and
I'm starting the next installment of Jeffrey Archer's Clifton Chronicles, Mightier Than the Sword.  
Lots of other kid lit in the pile.  Not sure what will be first!

Happy Reading!

Celebrate This Week 3.07.15

It's always good to end the week on a positive note.  Sometimes we concentrate on the negatives.  We have a choice.  Choose positive.  Choose to celebrate.  I will be joining Ruth Ayres and her weekly link-up, Celebrate This Week.  Check out all the other celebrations HERE

Oh yikes, my last Celebrate post was exactly a month ago.  Sounds about right, life got so busy right about then.  I have found that out about life - it seems like a period of time comes when things get really really busy and something has to go.  I became a real "reading in the edges" reader this past month.  I read when I could, even if that meant it took me a couple of weeks to finish a book!  Writing took more of a backseat.  Lots of thoughts in my head, nothing on paper or typed out.  Luckily, things are calming down a bit.  Maybe not during the week, but my weekends are a bit slower.  Especially this one.  I've been looking forward to today for awhile.  I had purposely not planned anything.  Well, until tonight.  My birthday dinner.  Yup, today is my birthday and I wanted to do nothing.  I wanted time to read and time to write.  I'm doing exactly that and it feels good.  I've curled up this morning with a great book - Thanhha Lai's newest Listen, Slowly - and now I'm writing my first Celebrate post in a month.  Not a bad way to celebrate.

Here's the good things that have popped out this month:

1.  I completed Disney's Glass Slipper Challenge.  
Yup, 19.3 miles later (10k on Saturday and 1/2 Marathon on Sunday), I have 3 amazing medals, great pictures and memories, a fading tan, new Minnie Mouse gym shoes and some great race swag.  I love running in Disney.  It's not about your time, it's about the fun.  Complete the miles, but have fun while doing it.  I still don't know what my ending time was and I'm not going to worry about it.  Standing in line to get pictures with the Disney Villains was worth it!  I went away with 2 great friends and it was a wonderful long weekend.  I'm ready for warm sun and green grass to show up in my neck of the woods any day now!

1 medal for the 10k

1 medal for the 1/2 marathon

and 1 medal for being crazy enough to do both!

2.  Swimming accomplishments
I've written about my daughter's swimming feats many times and I would be a bad mom if I didn't take the time and write about her latest.  While I was running 19.3 miles, she was busy taking 43 seconds off 5 different swimming events in her regional competition.  43 seconds may not seem a lot, but usually at this point in the swim season, kids are taking maybe half a second to a couple of seconds off races.  Multiply that by 5 and you certainly do not get 43!  She had an amazing meet and I was sorry to have missed it.  I spent a few tense minutes pacing the hotel room while she swam her 500 free.  One thing that was funny, yet reminded me that she was growing up, was that I was receiving text messages from her while I was running.  Because of the hour time difference and her having to get up early to go to the meet, she was up texting with me during my race.  It gave me some motivation to keep going.
Last weekend, my daughter competed in the Wisconsin State Swimming Championship.  Most of you know my daughter has a physical disability, but she swims with able bodied swimmers.  She also competes in Paralympic Swimming.  Her coach wants her to understand what it's like to swim in championship level swimming meets to get her used to that level of competition.  He believes in her ability and thinks she'll be able to get far with her Para swimming.  He petitioned the state swimming board to allow disabled swimmers to swim in the meet as well.  It worked, but she was the ONLY disabled swimmer there.  I felt lucky that she is not self-conscious at all and it didn't bother her - truth be told, I don't think she realized she was the only one.  She swam with all the other state swimmers and had a blast being with her team.  She hit her goal of going under 40 sec in the 50 free which was so exciting to see.

This is having fun at a meet!

3.  Wait list for books
Readers are used to waiting.  Waiting for books to come in to the library.  Waiting for favorites to be published.  Waiting for books to be delivered.  But until recently, the kids I worked with never pined for books.  They never waited.  Never had a desire to wait.  But now we have lists of kids waiting for books.  Our reading kids have influenced their classmates to wait for books.  The recent push is for the Amulet books.  We have an amazing reading assistant with a steel trap mind who somehow knows where both of our copies of all 6 books are and which kids want them next.  She gets mobbed when she walks into her 2 classrooms that she supervises after lunch because kids all want to know if their time waiting for a book is done.  That's a nice change.

I know February has had more celebrations to talk about but it's my birthday and I want to get back to my reading day.  Hope you found celebrations this week (or month!) too! :)

Nonfiction Picture Book 10 for 10 Day! #nfpb10for10 2.19.15

         

Nonfiction Picture Book

10 for 10 Day!

#nfpb10for10

Nonfiction books.  Informational texts.  Or as Donalyn has said, "dead presidents and whales".  

Can nonfiction be interesting?

YES!

As in anything, the key to wanting to read is finding the books.  Lucky for us, we know about Nerdy Book Club, blogging, Twitter and Goodreads.  Because of my PLN, I rarely read a lousy book.  Now, we just need to pass those books on to our readers.

Here are the Top 10 books I would use to engage reluctant nonfiction readers:

The Spider by Elise Gravel

Part of her Disgusting Creatures series, this book

and the others, engage readers by the way

the, er, disgusting creature, interacts

with the reader.  With fun, illustrated pictures,

this series is sure to be a hit with readers.

Did You Know Saturn Could Sail by Laura Lyn Disiena

Another great series, Did You Know, this one also

has fun, illustrated pictures that will tickle 

the reader's funny bone yet give them

great facts at the same time!



Wolfsnail:  A Backyard Predator by Sarah C. Campbell
I found this one after participating in Colby Sharp and John Schu's 
Geisel Challenge last year.  This is a perfect early reader nonfiction title.
Kids won't be able to tear their eyes away from the photos
and the text is so engaging!



Neighborhood Sharks by Katherine Roy
Have you seen this wonderful book that recently 
was awarded a Sibert Honor?  The illustrations
are beautiful and the information fascinating.
I love the easier text on some pages and more
information on others.



Baseball Is... by Louise Borden
I fell in love with this book last spring.
Borden does an amazing job talking about
so many aspects of baseball but in beautiful verse.
What a gorgeous mentor text for writing.



Handle With Care: An Unusual Butterfly Journey by Loree Griffin Burns
It seems that there are a lot of butterfly books.
The photography and attention to detail in explaining
the journey of these butterflies is wonderful.
Another book to pour over.



Emmanuel's Dream by Laurie Ann Thompson
There are some wonderful picture book biographies out there.
This one is a favorite because it spoke to me on so many levels.
Hope, hard work, dreams, believe.
I love the endnotes too - so great to have to show kids
the story continues.



Can We Save the Tiger by Martin Jenkins
This book is so beautiful.  It carries a beautiful
message, but the illustrations are awe inspiring!
Sharing with children that you can learn so much 
from text and illustrations is a positive message!



Sea Turtle Scientist by Stephen Swinburne
I really enjoy the Scientists in the Field series, but this 
one has been my favorite.  The topic is fascinating and
Swinburne does an amazing job highlighting these
mysterious creatures and bringing the little information
we have about them to light.  Students who are ready
for longer informational books will enjoy this one!



The Great American Dust Bowl by Don Brown
This book truly stood the test of time.  My daughter, who is 
very much "is that... *gasp*... nonfiction??" actually
sat down and read this.  Present true information in a graphic novel?
Thank you Mr. Brown for using this format!

Should you have a reluctant nonfiction reader in your class, make a preview pile of these books.  You might just catch a reader trying a new genre!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 2.16.15

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 was one of those great weeks where I read a few books that just blew me away. Which  was very fortuitous since it was conference week and I really had to find time to read. 

Picture Books


Wolfie the Bunny by Ame Dyckman
5/5 stars
I had heard so much buzz about this book.  I had read great reviews.  But nothing I had read made me jump up and want to read this book.
I was so wrong.
Like everyone before me, I ADORE this book.  For me, it was because of the main character, Dot.  Love her.  She is my new favorite character.
I love her spunk.  I love her attitude.  I love her perspective.  I love that she says what is on her mind.  I love her ability to love deeply.
I cannot wait to own this book and share it.  Over and over and over.


Yard Sale by Eve Bunting
5/5 stars
In a tweet, I joked to Lauren Castillo, illustrator of this book, that I would be happy to send this book on a book journey.  I think it started because friends had gone to NerdCamp NNE and they had received it and I was quite jealous.  I love Lauren's work and couldn't wait to see this book myself.  Luckily, Lauren thought that was a great idea and got a copy sent to me.  I shared it with readers this week, who LOVED it, and now it's time to share with others.  I'm sending it out this week.  If you would like a chance to share it with readers (and add a note in the endpapers!) please visit here.
In typical Eve Bunting fashion, she tells a story that pulls at your heartstrings, but it's one that is important for kids to hear, whether because they are going through things themselves or they hear the story and can empathize with the characters.  But for me, it's Lauren's illustrations that truly characterize the story.


I Don't Want to Be a Frog by Dev Petty
5/5 stars
I was holding off on this book until I got it from the library.
Read it.  Bought it.
Petty gets the needling little child frog right - the constant asking and asking and then quick changing its mind.  And the patient dad, just always explaining the ways of the world to his son.
This is going to be a really fun book to share with readers.


Ballet Cat:  The Totally Secret Secret by Bob Shea
5/5 stars
Finally, a book that is actually comparable to Elephant and Piggie.  For so long E&P have dominated the early reader genre.  Ballet Cat is going to give them a run for their money! 
Ballet Cat and Sparkles are friends, but one is a bit more dominating than the other and has strong opinions.  Can the other stand up to the friend to say what they really want?  Cannot wait to own this book in May!


Smick! by Doreen Cronin
4/5 stars
I think this is going to be a fun book for early readers, and one I will add to my 2016 Mock Geisel list.

Middle Grade


The Spider Ring by Andrew Harwell
5/5 stars
I really enjoyed this book.  It had just the right amount of creepy for middle grade readers.
Maria inherits a spider ring from her recently deceased grandmother.  She quickly learns that she is able to control a certain type of spider (the brown recluse) with it.  The question for her is how much power is too much?  However, with a ring this powerful, there is always someone who is after it.  This time it's the Black Widow.
Fans of suspense and action novels will enjoy this debut from Harwell.
Some favorite lines:
pg. 92 "Rereading her favorite books always made her feel happy and safe, because she already knew what would happen in the end."
pg. 177 "But then, a real friend sometimes was the one who told you what you didn't want to hear but needed to."

Young Adult


Girls Like Us by Gail Giles
5/5 stars
Watching the ALA YMAwards this year was so fun because I had already read the majority of books.  Except for a select few.  This book was the one that won the Schneider Family Award in the young adult category.  After reading this book, I feel like the Schneider Family did a fantastic job selecting this book and getting it the publicity it needs.  Quincy's and Biddy's stories need to be told.
I am sure there are "Speddies" out there who have similar stories.  Stories about being taken advantage of, inhumane treatment, being misunderstood and stories about the human heart not being loved.
Giles did an amazing job with the voice and craft of this story.  The voices of Biddy and Quincy absolutely shine through.  But I thought the craft was just as amazing.  Giles takes her time letting us get to know the characters, let them into our heart.  Then *bam* the story takes off and because the reader is now invested, your heart and brain want to leap into the book and take care of everything.
So good.

Currently Reading


First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen
It's my first adult read of the year!  I really enjoy Allen's stories.  The magic that is inside each one makes you want to believe in the possibility of magic residing in your house.  This book is a follow up to her Garden Spells.  I read that one so many years ago, I really don't remember much, other than I enjoyed it!  I'm enjoying the characters all over again, even if I don't remember much from the first time!  If you're a fan of Snicker of Magic, then you would probably enjoy Allen's books.  Not quite as heart warming as Felicity, but good, adult fiction.

On Deck

The Shadow Throne by Jennifer Nielson
The Terrible Two by Mac Barnett and Jory John
Mark of the Thief by Jennifer Nielson

Have a wonderful reading week!

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge 2.11.15

I am excited to join Alyson Beecher and other friends in this weekly challenge.  Finding great nonfiction picture books isn't a challenge anymore, there are so many wonderful books to be read now!  The challenge is sharing them with as many people as possible so they can find this wealth of literature to share with our young readers.  Thanks to Aly for starting this weekly link-up and thanks to all who join in!

Ben Franklin's Big Splash:

The Mostly True Story of His First Invention

by Barb Rosenstock

I had seen this book on a few blogs, but just finally got my hands on it.  I knew it was about Ben Franklin and an invention of his, but not much else.  I was thrilled to see it focused on his first invention, was swim fins and paddles.  Seeing as this is an invention I use 2-3 times a week, I was intrigued!  With my daughter being a swim fanatic, I knew this nonfiction book would be one she might read!  

I enjoyed reading about Ben Franklin's early tenacity and how he went about thinking about a problem.  He analyzed, contemplated and pondered before working on his experiment.  When it didn't go right, instead of being frustrated and giving up, he went back to the small details and thought about how to change things.  What a great lesson on perseverance.

Barb Rosenstock always makes her nonfiction reads interesting by adding something to the story.  This time she adds some "s" alliterations - using words like "slid, stripped, squirmed, shed, splashed, slipped, sloshed, squirting, spurting, spouting."  I think her texts can be used to learn something new, but also as a mentor text for writing.

I was thrilled to meet Barb Rosenstock at ALA Midwinter.  She personalized the book for my daughter and was a pleasure to speak with.  Barb's recent books include The Noisy Paint Box and The Streak: How Joe DiMaggio Became American's Hero, and Thomas Jefferson Builds a Library.  All fantastic picture book biographies!  Be sure to check these books out.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 2.09.15

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.

Picture Books


Glamourpuss by Sarah Weeks
4/5 stars
Glamourpuss is a diva among cats, but what happens when the diva of dogs shows up?  After some jealous moments, Glamourpuss learns you can be a diva and a friend.  Cute story.


Just a Duck? by Carin Bramsen
3/5 stars
Young readers will enjoy this story.  The illustrations are beautiful.


I Don't Like Koala by Sean Ferrell
4/5 stars
I read a copy of this book at ALA.  It is very funny... because the koala is creepy!  Kind of reminded me of a creepy Furby!
Publishes April 14


Everyone Loves Bacon by Kelly DiPucchio
5/5 stars
Love love this book.  So many laugh out loud moments!
Publishes September 1


Orion and the Dark by Emma Yarlett
5/5 stars
Gorgeous book and heartwarming story.  I think if you like Beekle, you will like this one!  So glad Jen Vincent had me read this book!
Publishes March 24


Little Elliot, Big Family by Mike Curato
5/5 stars
Dang, I love that little elephant!
Publishes October 6


Transitional Chapter Books


Mr. Putter and Tabby Turn the Page by Cynthia Rylant
4/5 stars
I have no idea how I missed this book last year.  Thrilled that Mr. Putter got some recognition by the Geisel committee!  This is a great book in the series and it carries some serious book love within the story!


Owl Diaries: Eva's Treetop Festival by Rebecca Elliott
3/5 stars
I love what Scholastic Branches series is doing for young readers.  While not being the most amazing contribution to children's literature, it is giving young, transitional readers something to read!  Bright illustrations and told as a diary, young readers will enjoy meeting Eva.  


Middle Grade


Stella By Starlight by Sharon Draper
5/5 stars
Loved this story for several reasons
1.  It is wonderful historical fiction.  The setting of the story is important.  The social unjust that occurred in the 1930s, including the Ku Klux Klan, are extremely important to the story.  But what I love about good historical fiction, is that it doesn't take over the story.  This book was no exception.
2.  I love the relationship between Stella and her mom.  When I met Sharon Draper last weekend, she told me it was a great mother-daughter read aloud.  Now I know why!  The love and compassion and respect between Stella and her mom is heartwarming.
3.  I love watching Stella grow as a writer.  I understand Stella's feelings and worries and concerns.  I love seeing her work and try at something that didn't feel comfortable to her.
Favorite lines:
pg. 180 "Stella wondered how silence could be so loud."
pg. 193 "Is it possible to be scared and brave at the same time?"
pg. 201 "Sometimes bravery is just doin' what you gotta do."
the line that made me LOL pg. 240 "It's colder than a billy goat's butt today."
And my favorite part.  Stella is typing her "newspaper" (grammatical and spelling mistakes are taken from the text.  The scratched out errors from the text have been omitted here):
pg. 263-264 "Some people have the gift of writing i think I must of been sleep when that gift was given out.  I wonder how people who write real good know what to say.  Im not even sure why I keep writing.  Maybe I should just stick to reading.  I like the way books smell.  I gues that is strange.  The pages feel good as I turn them."

Currently Reading


The Truth About Twinkie Pie by Kat Yeh

On Deck

Girls Like Us by Gail Giles
First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen
The Terrible Two by Mac Barnett and Jory John

What are you reading?