It's Monday! What Are You Reading? June 17, 2013

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? From Picture Books to YA!

These memes were started by Teach Mentor Texts and Book Journeys, to inspire readers to share books they have read and will be reading. I have found many of my current reads by following bloggers participating in It’s Monday! What are you reading? Be sure to check out their sites for more information on what they are reading, and learn how to participate. 

                  



Last Week’s Favorites:

Title:  Ashes
Author:  Amy Keen 
Review:  You can read a more in depth review from me here. 

 
Title:  Boy Wonders
Author:  Calef Brown 
Review:  My children loved the illustrations in this book, but they did not get into the questioning of the story.  However, I did enjoy this book because I could see using it to inspire students to ask questions and continually wonder. 

 
 
Title: Detective Blue
Author:  Steve Metzger
Illustrator:  Tedd Arnold
Review:  This story brought back some great childhood memories of nursery rhymes!  Detective Blue, formerly Little Boy Blue, is searching form Little Miss Muffet.  I love the play on words, throughout the interrogation process.  I realized how little exposure my children have to nursery rhymes, and they still loved this story! 


 

  Title:  A Tangle of Knots
Author:  Lisa Graff 
Review:  Anyone who knows me, knows that I love connections that make the world a smaller place.  A Tangle of Knots is a story, which gracefully intertwines characters lives into a fluid story line, in turn making the world a smaller place.  This would be a great read aloud when teaching predictions, as I found myself predicting more so in this story, than any other story.
 
 

Title:  Butter
Author:  Erin Jade Lange
Review:  I can't wait to share this book with students, especially when talking about cyber bullying.  Butter, the main character, is over 400 pounds, and decides to create a website where peers can watch him eat his last meal.  Butter never expected anyone to notice, but the exact opposite happens.  Words can be cruel, especially when said from behind a computer screen.  This is an eye opening story about what can happen when joking turns deadly. 


 


Title:  Skinny
Author:  Donna Cooper
Title:  This book also deals with an overweight high school student, Ever Davies, who is being bullied.  However, the bully in this story is all within Ever Davies' mind. Self esteem is one of the quickest ways to damage one's self.  When I started this story, I thought it would focus more on being overweight dealing with bullying.  However, I really appreciated the approach taken by Donna Cooper, to focus on self-esteem and self-concept, and how that can damage a person more than anything else. 

Title:  The False Prince
Author:  Jennifer A. Nielsen
Review:  I have heard nothing but positive reviews for this story, but I am not a huge fantasy fan, so I kept pushing this book to the bottom of my pile.  I seriously regret waiting so long to read this story!  I was on the edge of my seat throughout this action packed book.  Three orphan are training to pretend to be the long lost prince.  This is a plan not all of them agree with, but they must pretend to protect their lives. I will say, the best part about waiting so long to read this story...The Runaway King (book #2) has already been released!

Reading Plans for this Week:

Title: The Runaway King
Author:  Jennifer A. Nielsen

 


Title:  The Fault in Our Stars
Author:  John Green 
 

 




Title:  What Came From the Stars
Author:  Gary D. Schmidt





Title:  The Raven Boys 
Author:  Maggie Stiefvater
**I'm listening to this on audio book.  This is the first time I've ever listened to one, so I'll let you know how it goes. I downloaded free from http://www.audiobooksync.com/.  Check this site out, if you haven't already!




Title:  Mustache Baby
Author:  Bridget Heos
Illustrator:  Joy Ang

   

Title:  Crankee Doodle
Author:  Tom Angleberger
Illustrator: CeCe Bell



Title:  The Monstore
Author:  Tara Lazar
Illustrator: James Burke 











Title:  A Big Guy Took My Ball!
Author:  Mo Willems



Title:  Cheetah Can't Lose
Author:  Bob Shea



Title:  The Favorite Daughter
Author:  Allen Say

Title:  Notice and Note:  Strategies for Close Reading

Authors:  Kylene Beers and Robert Probst

**Special Note: Join a three part Twitter chat, discussing Notice and Note, on June 20 at 9pm #NNNchat.  I also linked the picture of the book to the Facebook group, related to the chat. I started this last week, and am still working through it.  So much great information, but that just means it takes me longer to read and process!

Ashes by Amy Keen

Thank you for reading along throughout the, Ashes by Amy Keen, book tour!   Ashes is the second book in the Foresight series by Amy Keen.  First let me say, when I review books, which are part of a series, I try to read the book without reading the books that were written previously, to determine if they can be stand alone novels or if the series makes them a complete work. However, I read about fifty pages into Ashes, and decided to read Embers (Foresight #1) before reading anymore into Ashes.  These books complement each other, and I highly recommend reading Embers first, to better understand the entire storyline.

Here is a summary of Ashes from Goodreads:  

"Scarlett barely escaped with her life the last time she ran in to The Venari; but she refuses to spend her days looking over her shoulder. Determined to be normal, she heads to Europe, only to learn that her wish to blend in is simply not meant to be. With Jake delayed in Salem, Scarlett is vulnerable and forced to rely on new found friends, The Collective; a band of people with gifts like her own. When her desire to bring an end to her torment leads her to the dark underbelly of Paris, she discovers what The Venari plan for her is not death, but in fact much worse. Scarlett realises to help herself and everyone else, she must surrender to the persecutors of thousands of witches before her; those desperate to lay claim to the powers she possesses."

Overall, I enjoyed this storyline and the characters, but this is not a story for someone who enjoys the blood and guts, which sometimes happens in a story involving the supernatural. Personally, I avoid books about witches, zombies and vampires because I do not enjoy the violent nature of them.  Amy Keen provided just the right amount of suspense and violence, without making the book unappealing, for me.   

Also, when reading new books, I always read with my students in mind.  Which student can I recommend this book to, or is this a book that is inappropriate for my readers? I have students (grades 4+) who are begging to read books about the supernatural, but I yet to find a book that would be appropriate in terms of violence and sexual content, for someone their age.  I can safely say, I would be able to recommend this book to some of my mature readers.  Even though there is a love story, Amy Keen does not provide the juicy details and language, which may turn away some readers (and parents). The love story between Jake and Scarlett is a strength of young, true love, and I found myself cheering them on throughout the entire story.  

As a reader, where books about witches are part of my book gap, this was just the book to help me close that gap.  I found myself invested in the storyline, and predicting (or hoping) for the best possible outcome.  I have added Foresight #3 to my "must read" list, and will be anxiously awaiting its release, to find out what happens with Scarlett, Jake and the Venari.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?? 6/10/13

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? From Picture Books to YA!

These memes were started by Teach Mentor Texts and Book Journeys, to inspire readers to share books they have read and will be reading. I have found many of my current reads by following bloggers participating in It’s Monday! What are you reading? Be sure to check out their sites for more information on what they are reading, and learn how to participate. 

                  



Last Week’s Favorites:

 

Title:  Embers
Author:  Amy Keen
Review: I am getting reading to write a review for a blog tour of the second book in this series, Ashes, so I decided to read the first book in the series before beginning. Not knowing what to expect, I was beyond pleasantly surprised with this story line.  I have had my fair share of vampire and werewolf stories, and really have no desire to read another one.  However, this story is about witches, more specifically, modern day Salem Witch Trials.  The young love story, which develops along side the paranormal witch activity, is just enough for a reader who doesn't want to be too overwhelmed with the paranormal aspect. I will admit there were some flaws within the story line.  However, that being said, I would still recommend this book to a young adult reader, especially one whose parents may be leery of sexual content and too much paranormal blood and guts, within the story line.

Title:  Nobody's Princess

Author:  Esther M. Friesner

Review:  This is one of those books that I have picked up and put back down, multiple times.  Once I finally started this one, I really enjoyed the story.  Readers get to know Helen of Sparta (Troy) beginning in her childhood and teenage years, during the events within the first book in this series. Having read multiple Percy Jackson books, I felt I had a strong enough background to understand the relationship between the gods and the mortals. This would be a great series to recommend for readers whom have read all of the Percy Jackson stories, and are looking for more.  Mythology is never something I enjoyed, but between Esther Friesner and Rick Riordan, I am beginning to actively seek out more books involving mythology.  

Title:  A Long Way Away

Author/Illustrator:  Frank Viva

Review:   My kids (ages 5, 4 and 2) absolutely loved this story, which helped me increase my liking of it.  The first time I read it, I wasn't super impressed.  However, hearing my children interact with the illustrations, as they move from space to ocean life, I enjoyed the two way aspect of the story.  For sure, the illustrations make this story have life! 

Title:  That Is NOT a Good Idea!

Author/Illustrator:  Mo Willems

 Review: The Shouldis Children unanimously gave this book 5 out of 5 stars.  My two year old sat on the end of the bed, with wide eyes, the entire time I was reading this unforgettable story.  However, by the end, all three kids were rolling with contagious laughter!  Mo Willems never fails when it comes to his stories, and this one definitely ranks up there with one of his best!  I suggest you read this hilarious book about a not so good idea, involving a wolf and a chicken.

Title:  Exclamation Mark

Author:  Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Ilustrator:  Tom Lichtenheld

Review:  Amy Krouse Rosenthal delivers another brilliant and hilarious book, by turning the Exclamation Point into a real character.  If you haven't read any of her other titles, I highly recommend them!  The is definitely a text I would use when teaching young writers about the importance punctuation, and the role it serves within writing.

Title:  Make Way for Ducklings

Author/Illustrator:  Robert McCloskey

Review: A friend of mine was shocked when I told them that I have never read this story, so I decided to pick it up from the library.  While reading it, I kept thinking about Lucky Ducklings, which I read last week (and is ranking high in my vote for 2014 Caldecott). Mr. and Mrs. Mallard are looking for the perfect home for their new ducklings, and with the help of a local policeman they are able to find just the right location.  If you haven't read this one, don't be ashamed, go pick up a copy and enjoy the heartwarming story of two mallards and their new ducklings.

 

Title:  Henry and the Cannons :  An Extraordinary True Story of the American Revolution
Author:  Don Brown 

Review: This is a great story to use when introducing the Revolutionary War to students.  Readers learn about Henry Knox's perseverance, in finding and relocating, the cannons used to help win the Revolutionary War.  Don Brown does a great job describing the hardships, and determination to overcome those hardships, using words and illustrations.  Personally, I have never been interested in history and wars, but I think if I would have been exposed to more text, like this one, that interest would be more developed and appreciated. 

 

Title:  Take Me Out to the Yakyu

Author:  Aaron Meshon

Review:   A young boy's perspective on baseball in America compared to Japan.  Readers are exposed to many Japanese words, in context with the America terminology and baseball.  I was surprised at the similarities, yet differences within those similarities, between the two cultures.  The overall tradition, of a baseball game, tends to be the same.  Yet the food, souvenirs and even transportation to and from the game are different.

Reading Plans for this Week:

 

Title:  Bulu:  African Wonder Dog
Author:  Dick Houston
 


Title:  Ashes
Author:  Amy Keen 



Title:  Boy Wonders
Author:  Calef Brown



Title: Detective Blue
Author:  Steve Metzger
Illustrator:  Tedd Arnold





Title:  A Tangle of Knots
Author:  Lisa Graff



Title:  The Happy Hocky Family
Author:  Lane Smith 







Title:  Twelve Kinds of Ice
Author:  Ellen Bryan Obed
Illustrator:  Barbara McClintock

Title:  Notice and Note:  Strategies for Close Reading

Authors:  Kylene Beers and Robert Probst

**Special Note: Join a three part Twitter chat, discussing Notice and Note, on June 6, 13 and 20 at 8pm #NNNchat.  I also linked the picture of the book to the Facebook group, related to the chat. I started this last week, and am still working through it.  So much great information, but that just means it takes me longer to read and process!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 6/3/13

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? From Picture Books to YA!

These memes were started by Teach Mentor Texts and Book Journeys, to inspire readers to share books they have read and will be reading. I have found many of my current reads by following bloggers participating in It’s Monday! What are you reading? Be sure to check out their sites for more information on what they are reading, and learn how to participate.

                  



Last Week’s Favorites:

Title: Doll Bones

Author: Holly Black

Review:  I loved this book!  Growing up, I used to watch Are You Afraid of the Dark?, on Friday nights, with my dad.  This would have been the perfect story for my dad to read to me, when I was a child, seeing as my grandma also had a creepy China doll, she lived minutes away from East Liverpool (the setting in the story) and my parents collected Lotus Ware pottery (the pottery that was part of the inspiration for the story).  I was on the edge of my seat, in anticipation and fear, throughout the entire book. 

Title: Look Up! Bird-Watching in Your Own Backyard

Author: Annette LeBlanc Cate

Review:  Non-fiction told through a graphic novel/paragraph format.  The author encourages readers to stop, take notice and illustrate birds around them.  She teaches readers how to notice bird flight, color, shape, habits and songs.  Throughout the book humor is imbedded through the discussion between the noticer and the birds.  Readers also learn about bird habitats, migration and classification.  Great books for readers who are wanting to learn more about birds or for those beginner bird watchers.

Title: More Bears!

Author: Kenn Nesbitt

Illustrator: Troy Cummings

Review:  A very silly story about an author who is writing a story with NO bears.  However, children continue to beg him to add more and more bears to his story.  These bears come from near and far, all with very silly characteristics and names.  Finally, the author reaches his breaking point, and changes his mind about his decision to add bears.  This would be a great picture book to pair along with No Bears by Meg McKinlay.  Here's a final review from my five year old, "mommy, can we PLEASE read this book EVERYDAY!!!!" 

Title: A Pig Parade Is a Terrible Idea

Author: Michael Ian Black

Illustrator: Kevin Hawkes

Review:  Hilarious, vivid book about why a pig parade is a terrible idea!  Fantastic illustrations that made my children giggle with fits of laughter.  Descriptive language that will draw the reader in and make them realize why a pig parade is a terrible idea! 

Title: Doug Unplugged

Author/Illustrator: Dan Yaccarino

Review:  Doug is a robot who is plugged in every morning, so that he can learn and download information.  One day Doug decides to unplug and view the world himself.  My first thought reading this book was a parallel connection to standardized testing.  Standardized tests require students to know the “plugged in” facts.  However, teachers want students to be able to unplug from the facts and learn about the world around them; something that is impossible to teach using just facts.  I definitely enjoyed this book, and can’t wait to read it to students to inspire them for their next inquiry day!

Title: Eleanor and Park

Author: Rainbow Rowell

Review:  Words can't even describe how much I loved this book.  I described it to one of my good friends as "Romeo and Juliet" meets "1986" meets "A Child Called It".  First love, bullying, abuse, honesty and sacrifice are all words I would use to describe this beautifully written story.  

Title: if you want to see a whale

Author: Julie Fogliano

Ilustrator: Erin E. Stead

Review: If you want to see a whale you will need much patience and imagination, in this beautifully illustrated story.  A boy and his dog search near and far to see a whale.  In the end, readers find the whale was there the entire time, they just weren't looking in the right direction.

Title:  A True Rescue Story:  Lucky Ducklings

Author:  Eva Moore

Illustrator:  Nancy Carpenter

Review: A true story about a protective mama duck who takes her babies for a walk.  However, the ducklings all fall in sewer drain and must be rescued.  The story could end here, but it doesn't!  Learn about a community that comes together to rescue these adorable little ducklings.

 

Title:  Out of My Mind

Author:  Sharon Creech  
Review:  I have had students ask me, at least once a week, if I've read this book yet.  After reading it, I'm so sad that I just now had a chance to meet Melody, an eleven year old with Cerebral Palsy. Melody is brilliant, and has the words to prove it, but the trouble is, she's unable to speak. She has attended public school through 4th grade, never having been included in a general education class.  Her 5th grade teacher makes a push for inclusion, which is where Melody finally has her time to shine!  However, not all the teachers or students are comfortable with Melody's abilities.  Listening to Melody tell of her struggles and triumphs, within her own mind, gave me goosebumps!  It's students like Melody that inspired me to become an Intervention Specialist and who still inspire me to make sure all students are provided the education they deserve.  Inclusion is a belief, not a place. Melody did a great job instilling this belief into many of her teachers and peers. 

Reading Plans for this Week:

Title:  Elephant Run

Author:  Roland Smith

Title:  Nobody's Princess

Author:  Esther M. Friesner

Title:  A Long Way Away

Author/Illustrator:  Frank Viva

Title:  That Is NOT a Good Idea!

Author/Illustrator:  Mo Willems

Title:  Exclamation Mark

Author:  Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Ilustrator:  Tom Lichtenheld

Title:  Make Way for Ducklings

Author/Illustrator:  Robert McCloskey

 

Title:  Henry and the Cannons :  An Extraordinary True Story of the American Revolution
Author:  Don Brown 

Title:  Notice and Note:  Strategies for Close Reading

Authors:  Kylene Beers and Robert Probst

**Special Note: Join a three part Twitter chat, discussing Notice and Note, on June 6, 13 and 20 at 8pm #NNNchat.  I also linked the picture of the book to the Facebook group, related to the chat.

 

Title:  Take Me Out to the Yakyu

Author:  Aaron Meshon

 

Title:  Forest Has a Song

Poet:  Amy Ludwig Vanderwater

Illustrator:  Robbin Gourley