tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-359746932024-02-22T05:04:45.803-08:00Mrs. F-B's Book BlogThis is a great place to find out about cool books and fun contests and other stuff Mrs. F-B finds to share! I blog about every book I read! Check it out (librarian humor, sorry) - you're sure to find something you'll enjoy.Mrs. FBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13603888073117147506noreply@blogger.comBlogger1018125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35974693.post-38374420728708097592014-05-30T15:30:00.000-07:002014-05-30T15:32:30.275-07:00Bring Reading Rainbow to Every Child, Everywhere!From the <a href="http://kck.st/1kKwSrD">Kickstarter website for the Reading Rainbow Project</a>:<br />
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Hi. LeVar Burton here. You may know me as Kunta Kinte, from <i>ROOTS</i>, or Geordi La Forge, from <i>Star Trek: The Next Generation</i>.<br />
You also may have grown up with me on <i>Reading Rainbow</i>.<br />
It was my mother who taught me that, by picking up a book, I could "go anywhere" and "be anything." Ever since <i>Reading Rainbow</i> began in 1983, I have dedicated myself to fostering a love of reading in children, just as my mother did for me.<br />
Over
the past year, I have watched Kickstarter bring communities together to
support artists and inventors. Again and again, I have been inspired by
watching like-minded people team up to accomplish impossible dreams,
and to change the world.<br />
<b>Now, I am hoping you will join me on my mission: to bring <i>Reading Rainbow </i>back for every child, everywhere. </b><br />
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<b> </b>Here’s the problem:<br />
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<b>And: numerous studies reveal that children who can't read at
grade level by the 4th grade are 400% more likely to drop out of high
school.</b><br />
<b>And: as of 2011, America was the only free-market
country where the current generation was less well educated than the one
before.</b><br />
These problems won't solve themselves. Real change
will require us all to work together. We cannot afford to lose
generations of children to illiteracy. And if we work together, we don't
have to.<br />
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<span style="color: red;"><span style="font-size: large;">Want to help? </span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://kck.st/1kKwSrD">Go to the Kickstarter page and make a a donation!</a></span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">Don't have any money to donate right now? </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: red;">Help by spreading the word! </span></span></div>
Mrs. FBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13603888073117147506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35974693.post-67750357544867476142014-05-22T09:46:00.000-07:002014-05-22T09:46:04.026-07:00Free SYNC Audiobooks Week 2!<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: white; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" valign="top"><a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001QwbaPiMYfCFnMVMVW5vFfhOdTYf2_V_olBrcO273RRI8fkqIELwiD6bCQGL8dHrLuVNoj3hRcTsBzCPhn-HwT3vtJ9fi1TM-arTwqked1UfE03UBs8F-J1kPoPHHYeYdgbvBQXR9mWbloxla7YxyZV1dcLf9AaQGcvWqHk2bhM9MxX4fCf82zAjCX1UImvHOvGnrM7DXNqtaw1B9o5HIGUnleL1I3OcZy-jPPD-kHj5uo-EWpV0H2g==&c=&ch=" target="_blank"><img alt="SYNC for Young Adult Listening: Free Weekly Summer Classics & Novels" border="0" src="http://email.audiofilemagazine.com/sync/20140522-SYNCWeek2/images/sync-logo.png" height="106" style="color: #9a9e8f; display: block; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" width="474" /></a></td></tr>
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<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" style="background-color: white; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td align="center" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: #e36356; font-family: Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 18pt; line-height: 1.1; padding: 5px 0px 9px;" valign="top"><span style="color: #29b2b8;">SYNC Week Two Is All in the Family!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td align="left" colspan="1" rowspan="1" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 1.4; padding: 8px 0px 9px;" valign="top"><div align="center">
<strong>Download the 2nd FREE pair <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001QwbaPiMYfCFnMVMVW5vFfhOdTYf2_V_olBrcO273RRI8fkqIELwiD6bCQGL8dHrLM8WYOMGIPd4g6K467REq4slT0qLBdMaY4EpPi5ZeG8ocELR0OPXE4Y3hwLg3HGiXVvhdH4RmTD0xipnVaWeblFvkT04NeQjpHniuBKb5Oi0B-FNBDxj2LvgQAjrtWFWrxzmzranZGovr4Y8KMigM4TESxzM6zxDTVRLrDvs3ddl_DiQKWcDIBfbQ1YCkSauLW8g89ElRjiGRD1XoLDlUIg==&c=&ch=" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #c2272d;">here »</span></a></strong></div>
<hr class="style-two" style="background-image: -webkit-linear-gradient(left, rgba(0, 0, 0, 0), rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.74902), rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)); border: 0px; height: 1px;" />
<strong>This Week's Audiobooks:</strong><br />
<span style="color: #666666;">Available to download free May 22 – May 28</span><br />
<a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001QwbaPiMYfCFnMVMVW5vFfhOdTYf2_V_olBrcO273RRI8fkqIELwiD6bCQGL8dHrL4FVc9AvwBk8q2wR8zXqTDHrkEpr6ujRyoj0BC-75LfFUtB9C0RTnmcOyHEYzsiwK8zfmLIY2PUUfnwcVVIayKxikRLpeHtYGftvGCGY5Hkq6ghW6nCmm1ekzsI3dbUd94BmHlRyLb2YZP5JiQV2qp6EkfmnRXNx1OWRz_Gzn0ru-ido043sU2r5Rgt0NeUYbMCtJaW8QNZg=&c=&ch=" style="letter-spacing: 0.5px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #29b2b8;"><strong>CRUEL BEAUTY</strong></span></a><br />
<a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001QwbaPiMYfCFnMVMVW5vFfhOdTYf2_V_olBrcO273RRI8fkqIELwiD6bCQGL8dHrL4FVc9AvwBk8q2wR8zXqTDHrkEpr6ujRyoj0BC-75LfFUtB9C0RTnmcOyHEYzsiwK8zfmLIY2PUUfnwcVVIayKxikRLpeHtYGftvGCGY5Hkq6ghW6nCmm1ekzsI3dbUd94BmHlRyLb2YZP5JiQV2qp6EkfmnRXNx1OWRz_Gzn0ru-ido043sU2r5Rgt0NeUYbMCtJaW8QNZg=&c=&ch=" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="Cruel Beauty" border="0" src="http://email.audiofilemagazine.com/sync/20140522-SYNCWeek2/images/cruel-beauty.jpg" height="238" hspace="8" style="color: #9a9e8f; display: block; font-size: 13px;" vspace="5" width="250" /></a>By Rosamund Hodge<br />Read by Elizabeth Knowelden<br />Published by Harper Audio<br />(Available EXCEPT UK & British Commonwealth)<br />
Since birth, Nyx has been betrothed to the evil ruler of her kingdom — all because of a reckless bargain her father struck. And since birth, she has been training to kill him. Betrayed by her family yet bound to obey, Nyx rails against her fate. Still, on her 17th birthday, she abandons everything she's ever known to marry the all-powerful, immortal Ignifex.<br />
<em>"Knowelden's subtle inflections add to the mystery and mood as Nyx explores her new home and builds her plans even as she grapples with her growing feelings toward the Gentle Lord and her ambivalence toward her mission."</em><br />
– AudioFile Magazine<br />
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<a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001QwbaPiMYfCFnMVMVW5vFfhOdTYf2_V_olBrcO273RRI8fkqIELwiD6bCQGL8dHrL1vSpOZJrJcoEeJ7McfLXP4Rd6wUmvciT0ZjvyaxCMF-ZuThtYcOVdop4vunJw5OaCPI4A62awZi1LmjTVLDCBCKzydT1DqamXST_p49ZVGX86rNnXhYA3XocP558E6DPMNcT8Jc34GZzAJEjw7qpxdjUQS7AVB-ZlsTJ4lxV7NnGDJqNlOfCLfpDs30xtsQB11ajQhrx6rydXxh0A5r6Iw==&c=&ch=" style="letter-spacing: 0.5px; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #29b2b8;"><strong>OEDIPUS THE KING</strong></span></a><br />
<a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001QwbaPiMYfCFnMVMVW5vFfhOdTYf2_V_olBrcO273RRI8fkqIELwiD6bCQGL8dHrL1vSpOZJrJcoEeJ7McfLXP4Rd6wUmvciT0ZjvyaxCMF-ZuThtYcOVdop4vunJw5OaCPI4A62awZi1LmjTVLDCBCKzydT1DqamXST_p49ZVGX86rNnXhYA3XocP558E6DPMNcT8Jc34GZzAJEjw7qpxdjUQS7AVB-ZlsTJ4lxV7NnGDJqNlOfCLfpDs30xtsQB11ajQhrx6rydXxh0A5r6Iw==&c=&ch=" target="_blank"><img align="right" alt="Oedipus the King" border="0" src="http://email.audiofilemagazine.com/sync/20140522-SYNCWeek2/images/oedipus-the-king.jpg" height="250" hspace="5" style="color: #9a9e8f; display: block; font-size: 13px;" vspace="5" width="250" /></a>By Sophocles<br />Read by Michael Sheen and a Full Cast<br />Published by Naxos AudioBooks</div>
In the hands of Sophocles, the master dramatist, the anguished tale of a man fated to kill his father and marry his mother retains its power to shock and move beyond any Freudian reference.<br />
<em>"Aristotle admired Oedipus Tyrannos as the pinnacle of tragic art. Indeed, aside from its fine poetry and Freudian undertones, it is a taut, suspenseful detective story."</em><br />
– AudioFile Magazine<br />
<div style="padding-top: 5px;">
Thank you to <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001QwbaPiMYfCFnMVMVW5vFfhOdTYf2_V_olBrcO273RRI8fkqIELwiD5rxoOdCBRw-MSNoLevzKmrRLKj8SjGLS43a5OVrsUUUx8auUTfvGaBbBfo1dvHHo0ydioWRuLAD51LLLQccbu9mslHSdqrJQKZaPoGowPnflJYJ96niFR3zvqQ_djr8_0whpE8SKo3tB2WQWGNh07Zl-lycJVM_79lS-9oj4J-HNtpZkFQGeMs=&c=&ch=" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #29b2b8;">Harper Audio</span></a> and <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001QwbaPiMYfCFnMVMVW5vFfhOdTYf2_V_olBrcO273RRI8fkqIELwiD4RB_f9_owW2I1on86_5giaS9G3RDuEYkxuMqEMOIzJdEI3RwtpeVCZdi0zVphhoTNlajM0_g4KLvCPKzuUFfzeddeKOOz5pibbOPBuiO7vnI3niUFQ7aOENI5-qmK6nXdFJKK8dAgFX&c=&ch=" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #29b2b8;">Naxos AudioBooks</span></a> for generously providing this week's titles.</div>
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<strong>Available for a Limited Time: </strong><br />
Remember — grab these titles before they are gone! Once you have downloaded the MP3 files, they are yours to keep.<br />
<strong>Downloading Tips: </strong><br />
The OverDrive Media Console will deliver SYNC summer audiobooks to you. The app is available for every major desktop and mobile platform. <strong>Visit <a href="http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001QwbaPiMYfCFnMVMVW5vFfhOdTYf2_V_olBrcO273RRI8fkqIELwiD9G-4NVk1IQAFMOAa0FRYp3OPyPAGQ9n06X5pyPJiABRA80-ZVjhHY0Jr2UJWQ-1r6nqCFg8rFUyDFNRV8tDC-RvK7OkTuUmVqXzS8DEVvldINYsmjkyFBQGPwrpw5Qjzh5tBJdTX8yY6Ni7zB9Cn4Y=&c=&ch=" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><span style="color: #29b2b8;">OverDrive</span></a> to download.</strong></td></tr>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35974693.post-62841521334672305472014-05-12T14:41:00.000-07:002014-05-12T14:41:00.330-07:00Happy Children's Book Week<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">May 12th to the 18th is Children's Book Week.</span><span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;"> </span></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-__DoCr6lm_A/UyIlvHnEWWI/AAAAAAAAAvA/B0ZfD9Tvg6I/s1600/CBW_Poster-small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-__DoCr6lm_A/UyIlvHnEWWI/AAAAAAAAAvA/B0ZfD9Tvg6I/s1600/CBW_Poster-small.jpg" height="400" width="309" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Celebrate by downloading a bookmark <a href="http://www.bookweekonline.com/bookmark">HERE</a> </span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">and by reading some great books!</span></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35974693.post-46793333903582530832014-05-02T16:10:00.002-07:002014-05-02T16:10:31.413-07:00#weneeddiversebooksYesterday I participated in the <a href="http://weneeddiversebooks.tumblr.com/post/83943947418/we-need-diverse-books-campaign">#weneeddiversebooks campaign</a>, and I'd encourage you to participate in the third part that comes tomorrow if you're able. It's a campaign to raise the awareness of the need for diversity in characters in books. Hopefully it will get the attention of the publishing world.<br />
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Day 1 - yesterday - was a photo campaign. Here's my photo:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNk-zDCu3MB2fp1ZR9Kii1wI51x9pmnEPpxld2ny-POSx7kq7bbzqBKinNPl6MH5UJwBhda-RTFd1r0ncDPbsaOd1Nf-pzpShs7jcDM6JbhcXudqPLaLhohioXWiSRFhF0g4wH/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNk-zDCu3MB2fp1ZR9Kii1wI51x9pmnEPpxld2ny-POSx7kq7bbzqBKinNPl6MH5UJwBhda-RTFd1r0ncDPbsaOd1Nf-pzpShs7jcDM6JbhcXudqPLaLhohioXWiSRFhF0g4wH/s1600/photo.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Today - day 2 - was a Twitter chat.<br />
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Tomorrow, the<span> third portion of the campaign will begin.</span><span> There
will be a Diversify Your Shelves initiative to encourage people to put
their money where their mouth is and buy diverse books and take photos
of them. Diversify Your Shelves is all about actively seeking out
diverse literature in bookstores and libraries.</span><br />
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<span>I hope you can participate by looking at the <a href="http://weneeddiversebooks.tumblr.com/">Tumblr</a>, using your social media outlets to share the idea, and diversifying your shelves! </span><br />
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<span>Here's to more diversity in books to meet our school populations' needs! </span>Mrs. FBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13603888073117147506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35974693.post-72832743169868987442014-04-01T08:00:00.000-07:002014-04-01T08:00:00.344-07:00Reviews of elementary award winners from 2014<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ea5o-0N_gAo/UyIjxnKLKiI/AAAAAAAAAus/cRWv8VJV2f0/s1600/img35722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ea5o-0N_gAo/UyIjxnKLKiI/AAAAAAAAAus/cRWv8VJV2f0/s1600/img35722.jpg" /></a></div>
<i>Mr. Wuffles</i> by David Weisner (Caldecott honor)<br />
<strong style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px;">Notes:</strong><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px;"> "Mr. Wuffles ignores all his cat toys but one, which turns out to be a spaceship piloted by small green aliens. When Mr. Wuffles plays rough with the little ship, the aliens must venture into the cat's territory to make emergency repairs"--Provided by publisher.</span><br />
Do not be fooled by the adorable cat on the front cover! This is not your average cute cat book. It's filled with spaceships, aliens and insects. This book's unusually paired characters and the spare text (some of which is in alien language, not English) will appeal to the vivid imaginations of storytellers, paticularly reluctant boys.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GWsKxHP62xU/UyIjq6uXbcI/AAAAAAAAAug/eBkOc6nTXyM/s1600/img496948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GWsKxHP62xU/UyIjq6uXbcI/AAAAAAAAAug/eBkOc6nTXyM/s1600/img496948.jpg" /></a></div>
<i>A Splash of Red: the Life and Art of Horace Pippin</i> by Jennifer Bryant (Sibert honor, Schneider Family award)<br />
<strong style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px;">Notes:</strong><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px;"> J</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px;">en Bryant and Melissa Sweet team up once again to share this inspiring story of a self-taught painter from humble beginnings who despite many obstacles, was ultimately able to do what he loved, and be recognized for who he was: an artist.</span><br />
An excellent beginner biography of a painter I'd never heard of before, a man who overcame significant obstacles and re-taught himself to paint in a whole new way after being wounded in WWI. Lovers of art and children with obstacles to overcome in their own lives will find a friend in Horace Pippin.<br />
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<i>Niño Wrestles the World </i>by Yuyi Morales (Pura Belpré illustrator award)<br />
<strong style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px;">Notes:</strong><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px;"> "A Neal Porter Book"--Title page. Lucha Libre champion Nino has no trouble fending off monstrous opponents, but when his little sisters awaken from their naps, he is in for a no-holds-barred wrestling match that will truly test his skills.</span><br />
An adorable little boy and his twin sisters, excellent word choice, and cultural endnotes combine to make this a book many children will love and learn from.<br />
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<i>Parrots Over Puerto Rico</i> by Susan Roth (Sibert award)<br />
<strong style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px;">Notes:</strong><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px;"> Includes bibliographical references. "A combined history of the Puerto Rican parrot and the island of Puerto Rico, highlighting current efforts to save the Puerto Rican parrot by protecting and managing this endangered species"</span><br />
Interesting historical information about the Puerto Rican people and fascinating scientific information about the conservation efforts to save the nearly extinct parrots alone would make for a top-notch book, but paired as they are with gorgeous mixed-media collage, this book is truly top notch.<br />
<br />Mrs. FBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13603888073117147506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35974693.post-47940930889286801192014-03-20T15:02:00.000-07:002014-03-20T15:02:00.475-07:00Spring break TBR list!Even with a week off in my sights - <span style="color: orange;"><b>spring break starts today</b></span> - I'm stressing out. Which books will I read on our trip? I'll have some time sitting by the pool in sunny Arizona, and I plan to get a mountain of reading done, but choosing the right books is tricky. It's easier now than it used to be because I can load several on my e-reader and not have a suitcase that weighs 200 pounds. My husband is happy about that! But still, I like to have a game plan.<br />
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<i>Room</i> by Emma Donoghue is on hold for me at the library, and since I need it for my grown up book club, I'm hoping it becomes available before I leave. Actually, it's an e-book on hold, so I could download it while I'm gone if needed. That's a handy thing about electronic holds!<br />
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I also have the new Sue Monk Kidd novel - <i>The Invention of Wings</i> - to read, and that's pretty high on my list. I've heard it's amazing.<br />
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<i>Fat Boy vs. The Cheerleaders</i> by Geoff Herbach s coming out in May, and I have an advance copy of it. He's one of my favorite authors, so I'l probably give that one a try.<br />
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I have Sarah Mlynowski's newest book, <i>Don't Even Think About It </i>which I think would be a good vacation book, and <i>The Best Seat in Baseball, But You Have to Stand</i> which is about baseball umpiring, and what could be more appropriate than that to read at spring training? Go Cubs, Go!<br /><br />
What's on your spring break reading list? Leave me a note in the comments.<br />
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35974693.post-10676740961111972192014-03-13T14:54:00.001-07:002014-03-13T14:56:38.250-07:00Great things are happening in our school district libraries!This last week was exciting for two of my school district's middle school libraries.<br />
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On Saturday, the Oregon Battle of the Books team from <b><span style="color: purple;">Clear Creek Middle School</span></b> won their regional competition and will head to state on April 12th! And then on Sunday the video students at <b><span style="color: purple;">Dexter McCarty Middle School</span></b> submitted to the Teen Video Challenge won and will now be available for all the states in the summer reading consortium to use for summer reading promotions! You can see that video below.<br />
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Well done, everyone!!!<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/q2wRppI7edg" width="560"></iframe>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35974693.post-31079121052034729322014-03-13T12:16:00.005-07:002014-03-13T12:20:07.773-07:004 Seuss Geisel award winners from 2014<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO4R7F5vlepuYxBEFj3pLVg3AKpBNzTbZdmk5omweJpai0MQCswho3r2TO7JqvsIWcAwv3WnLwGnmD73w7OmcZ_Juhje90OMvQttGpTCL2G-FRP6mGj_fx_kjKmo1_GWu0EWak/s1600/imgpenny.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO4R7F5vlepuYxBEFj3pLVg3AKpBNzTbZdmk5omweJpai0MQCswho3r2TO7JqvsIWcAwv3WnLwGnmD73w7OmcZ_Juhje90OMvQttGpTCL2G-FRP6mGj_fx_kjKmo1_GWu0EWak/s1600/imgpenny.jpg" height="200" width="144" /></a><i>Penny and Her Marble </i>by Kevin Henkes (Seuss Geisel honor) <strong style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px;">Notes:</strong><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px;"> Penny feels guilty after taking a beautiful blue marble that she sees in Mrs. Goodwin's grass, but gets a pleasant surprise when she goes to return it the next day.</span><br />
This book is a little longer than most of the other beginning readers or at least has more text than the others (perhaps not more pages). There's nice repetition of words and simple sentences, allowing young readers to build confidence.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-L_fGcS3D8jgateDrSBRPYq_M44qhtzOg5hFHdu06ZH1WFXl5gs3Rn8bYVaFOLUwTuJdvoXgkwo9OpaOFxvOe0PY_PaMQ2qZHRA2YmJrzOAHubZ6KMGksbmDb_2WtkNpmZoWW/s1600/img476092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-L_fGcS3D8jgateDrSBRPYq_M44qhtzOg5hFHdu06ZH1WFXl5gs3Rn8bYVaFOLUwTuJdvoXgkwo9OpaOFxvOe0PY_PaMQ2qZHRA2YmJrzOAHubZ6KMGksbmDb_2WtkNpmZoWW/s1600/img476092.jpg" /></a><i>A Big Guy Took My Ball</i> by Mo Willems (Seuss Geisel honor) <strong style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px;">Notes:</strong><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px;"> Piggie is upset because a whale took the ball she found, but Gerald finds a solution that pleases all of them.</span><br />
Mo Willems' ability to put expressions on the faces of his very simple characters is pretty amazing. Repetitive word choice that's good for beginning readers. Funny story, as always, and good lessons.<br />
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<i>Ball</i> by Mary Sullivan (Seuss Geisel honor)<br />
<strong style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px;">Notes:</strong><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px;"> While searching for someone to play ball with him, a dog dreams of fantastical adventures he could have with his ball.</span><br />
Amusing cartoon panel pictures and the one word text will appeal to visual learners and their creative imaginations. This would be a great book to use with writers - beginning to middle grade - who could create stories from the panels.<br />
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<i>The Watermelon Seed</i> by Greg Pizzoli (Seuss Geisel winner)<br />
<strong style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px;">Notes:</strong><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px;"> After swallowing a watermelon seed, a crocodile imagines a scary outcome.</span><br />
Haven't all kids worried about swallowing a watermelon seed? Well crocodiles are apparently no different. Kids will love the bright illustrations and funny story.<br />
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<br />Mrs. FBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13603888073117147506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35974693.post-36691430747493945872014-03-13T11:43:00.002-07:002014-03-13T11:43:14.411-07:00Some recent YA reads<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Recently, I've read several YA books that were on lists of best books of 2013. Two of them really wowed (is that a word?) me!</div>
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<b><i>Just One Day</i> by Gayle Forman</b> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Notes:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> "Sparks fly when American good girl Allyson encounters laid-back Dutch actor Willem, so she follows him on a whirlwind trip to Paris, upending her life in just one day and prompting a year of self-discovery and the search for true love."--Provided by publisher.</span><br />
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<b>Strengths</b>: The storyline was interesting and I wanted to know what would happen in the end. The main character showed growth as a young adult over the course of the novel. That said,<br />
<b>Weaknesses</b>: The main character in this novel was really annoying over the course of most of this novel. I really felt little sympathy for her, and I find it difficult to read books where I cannot sympathize with the main character.<br />
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<b><i>Picture Me Gone</i> by Meg Rosoff</b> <span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12px; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Notes:</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> Twelve-year-old Mila travels with her father to upstate New York to visit friends and family, who may lead them to clues to the whereabouts of her father's best friend, who has gone missing.</span><br />
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<b>Strengths</b>: engaging and creepy storyline. I really wanted to know what happened.<br />
<b>Weaknesses</b>: The fact that Rosoff used NO quotation marks throughout the entire book, a book chock FULL of dialogue nearly drove me over the edge. Interestingly, I'd recently been to a workshop with Matt de la Peña, and we'd just been talking about how different authors use and introduce and tag dialogue. This method, definitely my LEAST favorite method of all time. I consider myself a pretty strong reader, and even I found it confusing sometimes. I think students who are not strong readers would definitely struggle with this book due to the style, while they would have been fine if quotation marks are used. I have no idea why she chose this method.<br />
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<b><i>The Beginning of Everything</i> by Robyn Schneider</b> <strong style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px;">Notes:</strong><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px;"> "Star athlete and prom king Ezra Faulkner's life is irreparably transformed by a tragic accident and the arrival of eccentric new girl Cassidy Thorpe"</span><br />
<b>Strengths</b>: Some serious nerds are actually very strong characters in this new author's writing. There are some super smart characters in this novel, and I am a big fan of smart kids. I also like Ezra's introspection. The mystery about what really happened to cause Ezra's accident is nicely doled out in snippets throughout the story as is Cassidy's secret.<br />
<b>Weaknesses</b>: I thought this novel was a particularly strong debut.<br />
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<b><i>The Tragedy Paper</i> by Elizabeth LaBan</b> <strong style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px;">Notes:</strong><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12px;"> While preparing for the most dreaded assignment at the prestigious Irving School, the Tragedy Paper, Duncan gets wrapped up in the tragic tale of Tim Macbeth, a former student who had a clandestine relationship with the wrong girl, and his own ill-fated romance with Daisy.</span><br />
<b>Strengths</b>: This was my favorite of these four novels. The mystery and suspense in this novel are masterful. I wanted to finish this novel as quickly as possible but also to savor it because it was so well done. The two main characters are very well done, and I was really vested in what happened to each of them. As an English teacher, I love the idea of the culminating tragedy paper, and I appreciated the thoughtful discussion between adults and Duncan about the paper near the end of the story. It was quite thoughtful.<br />
<b>Weaknesses</b>: I actually didn't find Daisy, Duncan's love interest, to really be necessary to the plot, although I know readers who like romance will appreciate it. This book is reviewed for grades 7 and up, but I don't think the storyline will have too much appeal for middle school students.<br />
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35974693.post-64471712526985118222014-03-03T14:21:00.001-08:002014-03-03T14:21:19.739-08:00Happy Birthday, Dr. Seuss<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Dr. Seuss would have been 110 this year. I spent my day running around in my Cat in the Hat costume reading to kids. I love this job!<br />
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35974693.post-29806258812155097052014-01-29T15:02:00.001-08:002014-01-29T15:02:17.337-08:00The Fault in our Stars movie trailer!<br /><br />
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The movie trailer is finally out and even these clips made me cry! See it for yourself <a href="http://quietube6.com/v.php/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ItBvH5J6ss&list=PLfPBohF1uFwo1jzJ4aplVzRdJRMnu0sXv&index=1&safe=active">HERE</a>!! And get your kleenexes ready for June 6th.<br />
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35974693.post-78384691762659400182014-01-13T10:55:00.002-08:002014-01-13T10:57:56.191-08:00When Audrey Met Alice, by Rebecca Behrens<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b>From the Publisher</b>: Living
in the White House is like being permanently grounded. Only with tighter
security. When First Daughter Audrey Rose discovers Alice Roosevelt's hidden
diary, the White House will never be the same. Because Audrey stops being the
perfect "First Daughter" and starts asking herself, What Would
Alice Do?<br />
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<b>Strengths</b>: Similar to the way many
girls want to be princesses, many people think being a kid in the White House
would be fun. I mean, they have their own bowling alley!! This story
presents both the good and not as good things about living in the White House.
I really enjoyed the tie-back to history, especially because Alice
Roosevelt, whose supposed diary Audrey has found, was a delightful
whippersnapper whose character I love. Strong voice from both first
daughters. This story was plain fun to read. Great endnotes by author.<o:p></o:p></div>
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I'm excited to have such a strong debut by this author - it
bodes well for the future!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Weaknesses</b>: Although I find it charming, I
do not think the cover will be very appealing to kids and will make it a harder
sell. I hope I am wrong.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This book is perfect for grades 5-8.<o:p></o:p></div>
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This book would pair well with the picture book <i>What To Do About
Alice?: How Alice Roosevelt Broke the Rules, Charmed the World, and Drove Her
Father Teddy Crazy...</i> by Barbara
Kerley and Edwin Fotheringham <o:p></o:p></div>
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Publication date: Feb. 4. I read an e-galley of this book from NetGalley.<o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35974693.post-10248706197749059102014-01-08T15:15:00.001-08:002014-01-08T15:46:03.244-08:00The Boy Who Loved Math: The Improbable Life of Paul Erdos. By Deborah Heiligman. Illus. by LeUyen Pham<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-heyn-tDiLa0/Us3cPhJS8oI/AAAAAAAAArI/RU9HVnuVqJk/s1600/index.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-heyn-tDiLa0/Us3cPhJS8oI/AAAAAAAAArI/RU9HVnuVqJk/s1600/index.jpg" /></a></div>
I am not a girl who loves math. I love reading. I like Math. Paul Erdos, however, was a boy who looooooved math. This book made me love him and love math just a little bit more.<br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Notes:</span></strong><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Presents a brief biography of
mathematician Paul Erdos.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div style="background: white; margin-bottom: 5.0pt; margin-left: 0in; margin-right: 0in; margin-top: 0in;">
<strong><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;">From the
Publisher:</span></strong><span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Most
people think of mathematicians as solitary, working away in isolation. And,
it's true, many of them do. But Paul Erdos never followed the usual path. At
the age of four, he could ask you when you were born and then calculate the
number of seconds you had been alive in his head. But he didn't learn to butter
his own bread until he turned twenty. Instead, he traveled around the world,
from one mathematician to the next, collaborating on an astonishing number of
publications. With a simple, lyrical text and richly layered illustrations,
this is a beautiful introduction to the world of math and a fascinating look at
the unique character traits that made "Uncle Paul" a great man.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>Strengths</b>: I loved how the editor and illustrator incorporated all kinds of math in the artwork of the book, including in the text. For example, when it says Paul loved his mama to infinity, they use the infinity symbol instead of the letter. I was pleased that the author didn't try and make Paul Erdos, who was clearly eccentric and had less than stellar social skills, out to be a fabulous guy. She wrote about his fabulousness <i>and</i> his foibles. Excellent end notes. A good entry level biography.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-size: 12.0pt;"><b>Weaknesses</b>: This book will require some guidance for all but the most mathematically gifted young readers, and even some adults will struggle with some of the math concepts. Some reviewers have commented on font size. This isn't something I think a lot about, so I will have to pay better attention to that. I actually see this as more appropriate for older elementary readers, although the target age is 3 and up. Unlikely to be read by those for whom it is most appropriate without someone hand selling it.</span></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35974693.post-59577200386874809882014-01-06T14:43:00.001-08:002014-01-06T14:43:20.450-08:00Stardines Swim High Across the Sky - Jack Prelutsky, ill. Carin Berger<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YViw8UzTnAk/UsswIzRNDBI/AAAAAAAAAqw/smGwvfoVDus/s1600/img333840.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YViw8UzTnAk/UsswIzRNDBI/AAAAAAAAAqw/smGwvfoVDus/s1600/img333840.jpg" height="264" width="320" /></a><b>Notes</b>: A
collection of poems describing imaginary creatures such as Bluffaloes,
Swapitis, and Stardines.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>From the Publisher: </b><span style="font-weight: normal;">The
poet, author, and indomitable naturalist Jack Prelutsky, having returned safely
from far-flung places with an extensive collection of unique creatures that are
a blending of the animate and inanimate, has worked in close collaboration with
the fine artist Carin Berger, who herself conducted considerable field
operations in preparing Mr. Prelutsky's specimens for exhibition and publication.
While many creatures (two dozen species in all) were discovered and recorded
and their precise qualities examined, we are presenting sixteen here for the
first time and for the enjoyment and education of the general public.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<b>Strengths</b>: The poems in this book are funny and as delightful as Prelutsky always is. I think this would be a terrific book to use with a class as a model for student writing. The art is exceptional. Check out this amazing art illustrating Prelutsky's poem "Jollyfish". Carin Berger creates art in the book from all kinds of ephemera including cigar boxes (and I'd JUST read <i>The</i> <i>Matchbook Diary</i> when I picked up this one!). Lots of 3-d looking stuff. Just amazing. Should get a Caldecott something or another. Truly outstanding.<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nwVGlqGx-9Q/UssvPCbtdGI/AAAAAAAAAqk/OWD3kkSKmXM/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nwVGlqGx-9Q/UssvPCbtdGI/AAAAAAAAAqk/OWD3kkSKmXM/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="489" width="640" /></a></div>
<b>Weaknesses:</b> Vocabulary is very challenging, so this book will probably best be read with an adult for most young readers. To my mind, however, that's not actually a weakness, just a point to note.<br />
<br />
LOVE this book. One of my favorites of the 2013 crop. Hoping it gets a shiny sticker!<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35974693.post-47001316247914420832014-01-06T14:28:00.004-08:002014-01-06T14:28:52.857-08:00Counting by 7s, Holly Goldberg Sloan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eJ8XoaVIEEg/UssqwWvo0WI/AAAAAAAAAqY/4vR9394jAZI/s1600/img52616.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eJ8XoaVIEEg/UssqwWvo0WI/AAAAAAAAAqY/4vR9394jAZI/s1600/img52616.jpg" height="320" width="209" /></a></div>
<b>Notes: </b>Twelve-year-old
genius and outsider Willow Chance must figure out how to connect with other
people and find a surrogate family for herself after her parents are killed in
a car accident.<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>From the Publisher: </b>In
the tradition of <i>Out of My Mind, Wonder, </i>and <i>Mockingbird</i>, this is an intensely moving middle grade novel
about being an outsider, coping with loss, and discovering the true meaning of
family.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Willow Chance is a twelve-year-old genius, obsessed with nature and diagnosing
medical conditions, who finds it comforting to count by 7s. It has never been
easy for her to connect with anyone other than her adoptive parents, but that
hasn't kept her from leading a quietly happy life . . . until now.<br />
<br />
Suddenly Willow's world is tragically changed when her parents both die in a
car crash, leaving her alone in a baffling world. The triumph of this book is
that it is not a tragedy. This extraordinarily odd, but
extraordinarily endearing, girl manages to push through her grief. Her journey
to find a fascinatingly diverse and fully believable surrogate family is a joy
and a revelation to read.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Strengths</b>: Willow's character is very well developed, as are all the characters in the story. Her situation is heartbreaking and makes readers feel for her immediately. Willow's unusual narrative style was very appealing to me; it felt like it fit perfectly for this story. I like a happy ending, even though I know it's not necessarily always the case in real life.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Weaknesses</b>: This book may be a hard sell to many middle schoolers because Willow is just a bit too quirky (such as her narrative style that I liked so much) and it will take a strong reader to put together why. I also felt that the situation was a bit too unrealistic as far as the whole foster family thing and the school counselor. I'm all for suspending some disbelief, but for me I had to over-suspend. Perhaps kids, without the background knowledge of the state/education systems wouldn't struggle with this as much (or at all). Interestingly, I didn't struggle with the idea of the taxi driver seeing Willow as divine guidance, but other readers might.</div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35974693.post-58911673182483096952014-01-06T14:12:00.000-08:002014-01-06T14:12:03.220-08:00Fly Guy vs. the Flyswatter<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hRWQNIgjAkI/UsspifPiRXI/AAAAAAAAAqM/QSvA7937WmU/s1600/img306373.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hRWQNIgjAkI/UsspifPiRXI/AAAAAAAAAqM/QSvA7937WmU/s1600/img306373.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></div>
<b>Notes: </b>"Cartwheel
books." Fly Guy accompanies Buzz and his classmates on a field trip to a
flyswatter factory and causes a commotion in his efforts to escape a robotic
flyswatter.<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>From the Publisher:</b> When
Fly Guy goes to school with Buzz, they learn that his class is taking a field
trip to a flyswatter factory! BAD NEWZZ! Fly Guy tries to hide in Buzz's
pocket, but when the tour guide starts insulting flies, Buzz cannot help but
stick his head out. A robotic flyswatter named the Super Swatter detects Fly
Guy, and Fly Guy causes a hilarious ruckus in his efforts to escape.<br />
<br />
At the end of this zany adventure, the flyswatter factory announces an end to
its factory tours and the students use their free flyswatters as art to
celebrate the "best field trip ever!"</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Strengths</b>: Simple, easy to read in both font and vocabulary. Funny, compelling story.</div>
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<b>Weaknesses</b>: Not necessarily a weakness, but some students may not appreciate the humor (although I certainly did!)</div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
This series is also a big hit in the elementary school, especially for boys.</div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35974693.post-36787847145328896842014-01-06T14:04:00.001-08:002014-01-06T14:06:41.263-08:00Pete the Cat and His Four Groovy Buttons, James Dean<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kH255W6TDPI/Usso497YXBI/AAAAAAAAAqE/E_MlvE7-XWw/s1600/img222859.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kH255W6TDPI/Usso497YXBI/AAAAAAAAAqE/E_MlvE7-XWw/s1600/img222859.jpg" height="320" width="249" /></a></div>
<b>Notes: </b>Pete the
cat loves the buttons on his shirt so much that he makes up a song about them,
and even as the buttons pop off, one by one, he still finds a reason to sing.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment--><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"><b>From the Publisher:</b></span><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: 12pt;"> Pete the Cat is wearing his favorite shirt—the one
with the four totally groovy buttons. But when one falls off, does Pete cry?
Goodness, no! He just keeps on singing his song—after all, what could be
groovier than three groovy buttons? Count down with Pete in this rocking new
story from the creators of the bestselling Pete the Cat books.</span><br />
<br />
<b>Strengths: </b>Pete the Cat is always a big hit in the elementary school library. I mean, what's not to love. Pete is a very hip and funny cat. In this book, he's got a coat with four groovy buttons. Unfortunately, they're always popping off. But Pete doesn't cry. Goodness no, buttons come and buttons go. He just keeps on singing his groovy song. Easy subtraction from 4 to 0 included in the text.<br />
<br />
<b>Weaknesses:</b> I would not dare to call Pete weak for fear of a retaliatory scratching!<br />
<br />
To see a video of the book with music, check out <a href="http://%3Ciframe%20width%3D%22560%22%20height%3D%22315%22%20src%3D%22//www.youtube.com/embed/X7va0beuK58%22%20frameborder=%220%22%20allowfullscreen%3E%3C/iframe%3E">this link</a><br />
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35974693.post-8102978525681054752013-12-22T10:52:00.001-08:002013-12-22T10:52:10.711-08:00Happy holidays, all!And what better way to say happy holidays than by sharing booklicious blog's collection of literary themed gingerbread houses? Here's my favorite, from Baked Ideas:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDODqZVG41FASdWW42Dvm3Nhf2cZEPTb-as6XI288epe0GziRahg-FeYYXDnPHkpaqP3vvKezg8thDbM5PfmE3I6ZwQE2-xvGuBI0__0FF42f46DImsmmjXgxDbdy96ADFw0V4/s1600/typewritergingerbread.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDODqZVG41FASdWW42Dvm3Nhf2cZEPTb-as6XI288epe0GziRahg-FeYYXDnPHkpaqP3vvKezg8thDbM5PfmE3I6ZwQE2-xvGuBI0__0FF42f46DImsmmjXgxDbdy96ADFw0V4/s320/typewritergingerbread.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Yes, it's edible. But who could bear to break it apart? You can see many more bookish gingerbread creations <a href="http://www.bookliciousblog.com/2012/12/a-literary-christmas-bookish.html">HERE</a>.<br />
<br />
Hope you get lots and lots of books to celebrate the holidays!!<br />
<br />Mrs. FBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13603888073117147506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35974693.post-14526522993379965782013-12-18T11:25:00.003-08:002013-12-18T11:25:59.691-08:00Flora and the Flamingo, Idle, Molly Schaar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DhZw0oxw7lE/UrH0i9Y5VtI/AAAAAAAAApc/W4OnlOUfIaE/s1600/index-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DhZw0oxw7lE/UrH0i9Y5VtI/AAAAAAAAApc/W4OnlOUfIaE/s1600/index-1.jpg" /></a></div>
This book is on a Mock Giesel list, so I thought I'd give it a whirl. <br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 0.75em; margin-bottom: 5px; padding: 0px;">
<strong>Notes:</strong> On lift-the-flap pages. In this wordless book, a friendship develops between a girl named Flora and a graceful flamingo, as they learn to dance together.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 0.75em; margin-bottom: 5px; padding: 0px;">
<strong>From the Publisher:</strong> <span id="publisher_annotation">In this innovative wordless picture book with interactive flaps, Flora and her graceful flamingo friend explore the trials and joys of friendship through an elaborate synchronized dance. With a twist, a turn, and even a flop, these unlikely friends learn at last how to dance together in perfect harmony. Full of humor and heart, this stunning performance (and splashy ending!) will have readers clapping for more!</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 0.75em; margin-bottom: 5px; padding: 0px;">
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<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; margin-bottom: 5px; padding: 0px;">
<b>Strengths</b>: This book is super, super cute. The pictures are darling and the interactions between Flora and the flamingo are delightful, even though they're wordless. Having watched some large birds (egrets and herons, though, not flamingos) dancing in the shallows last year, I thought the dance moves were really quite true to life. Dancers will flock to this book (sorry, couldn't help myself!!).</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; margin-bottom: 5px; padding: 0px;">
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<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; margin-bottom: 5px; padding: 0px;">
<b>Weaknesses</b>: <span style="background-color: transparent;">The physical book wasn't available in my library, but the e-book was, so I thought I'd read that. I read lots of books on my Kindle and my iPad, so Im definitely not opposed to e-books, but let me tell you, lift the flap e-books, not nearly as fun as the real thing. The cover of the book is pink, and even at a young age, some boys balk at pink anything (as do some boys' parents). I think they could have gone with yellow for sand or sun or turquoise for waves or something. I know this is gender stereotyping, but this is what I see in my schools, and I wouldn't want a boy to miss this book just because of its color. Flap books are tough ones for libraries, in any case. Since I didn't see the actual book, I'm unsure of the durability of these pages, but they'd need to be pretty darn tough to withstand a library.</span></div>
Mrs. FBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13603888073117147506noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35974693.post-48454982961703638762013-12-18T11:15:00.002-08:002013-12-18T11:15:29.618-08:00The Life of Ty - Penguin Problems, Lauren Myracle<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o7AjaCqz8H4/UrHxuKf_6HI/AAAAAAAAApQ/C8ln9O0TALQ/s1600/index.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-o7AjaCqz8H4/UrHxuKf_6HI/AAAAAAAAApQ/C8ln9O0TALQ/s320/index.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
I'm generally not the biggest reader of the early chapter books. This year, I've decided I need to plunge in a little more to this level of books, so I've been attempting to do that. I shouldn't balk; they take about 20 minutes for me to read cover to cover, yet still I do. <i>Life of Ty</i> might be one of the books that helps me get out of this rut and realize these early chapter books are pretty good after all. <br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; margin-bottom: 5px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong>Notes:</strong> "Seven-year-old Ty gets into mischief and big-hearted schemes while navigating second grade and becoming a big brother"--Provided by publisher.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; margin-bottom: 5px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong>From the Publisher:</strong><span id="publisher_annotation"></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">A brand-new illustrated chapter book series by <i>New York Times</i> bestselling author Lauren Myracle!<br /><br />Winnie Perry's sweet baby brother, Ty, is the quintessential dreamer, full of big ideas and wacky plans that only a seven-year-old boy could hatch. Whether it's battling the family cat with a Dustbuster or smuggling a baby penguin out of the aquarium, Ty is always in the middle of a well-intended, big-hearted scheme.<br /><br />In the spirit of the Judy Moody spinoff Stink series, Ty will work his way into the hearts and funny bones of a whole new generation of Myracle fans.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">
Strengths: This book is pretty funny, in an early elementary school way. I can easily imagine elementary school kids, boys especially, cracking up at some of the things in this book. It's also an accurate portrayal of how the once-was-the-youngest child might feel when a new baby comes into the house, a feeling common to many early elementary school kids. Has illustrations so it's not too much of a shift for those readers just moving into chapter books. And finally, haven't we all wanted to kidnap an adorable baby animal from somewhere at some point?</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">
Weaknesses: Ending was a bit implausible. I think even elementary kids would question how he could get away with kidnapping the penguin and have none of the grown-ups find out.</div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35974693.post-65733090551693227192013-12-16T11:32:00.000-08:002014-01-06T13:51:45.584-08:00Books about effort, including Giant Dance Party by Betsy Bird<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oEebjvj4iyw/Uq9IrNG028I/AAAAAAAAAo0/qammWeJbNXA/s1600/index.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oEebjvj4iyw/Uq9IrNG028I/AAAAAAAAAo0/qammWeJbNXA/s1600/index.jpg" /></a></div>
An elementary school recently invited me to read a book at their school assembly. They are working on the character trait of effort, and asked if I could pick a book that fit that topic. If you remember <a href="http://westorientbooksblog.blogspot.com/2013/10/a-serious-stack-of-thanksgiving-picture.html">my post about a Thanksgiving story</a>, you'll know I love this type of challenge - finding a read aloud on a particular topic that I can also dress up for! And you'll also remember that I have to read a lot of books to find the perfect one. Finding a book to read to a whole elementary school is a tricky thing, but <i>Giant Dance Party</i> worked beautifully!<br />
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Lexy is a dancer, but she's done with dance classes. Dance classes mean dance recitals, and those are NOT Lexy's thing. But she decides that since she still loves dancing, perhaps she'll teach dance. After all no performing is required of teachers (of course every teacher in the room rolled his/her eyes when I read that part!). Lexy goes through quite a lot of effort to get the dance lessons off the ground, unfortunately, all to no avail. No one comes to her dance lessons. Until...the giants. And although giants don't dance, Lexy figures out (more effort) how to teach them to dance. And she discovers something about herself in the end as well. It's a fun and funny book that models the value of effort in a painless and non-didactic way that the kids enjoyed. AND since it mentions the chicken dance in the story, we all got to learn and do the chicken dance at the end. It was a delight. I'll be using the same story for another school that's focusing on perseverance after the holidays. If you haven't seen this book by the brilliant Betsy Bird, librarian and <a href="http://blogs.slj.com/afuse8production/">blogger extraordinaire</a>, check it out soon.<br />
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<b>Me in my Lexy costume</b></div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4S9KEzgLVAs/Uq9Iq54IKpI/AAAAAAAAAo4/97njHiKJ52U/s1600/GDP.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4S9KEzgLVAs/Uq9Iq54IKpI/AAAAAAAAAo4/97njHiKJ52U/s200/GDP.JPG" height="200" width="200" /></a></div>
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Other books I considered for my assembly presentation that have to do with effort are listed below. I liked these books, but they weren't just right for the assembly.</div>
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<span class="subTitle" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; display: block; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="author" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="author" style="border: 0px; display: block; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="author" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="author" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="author" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="author" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="subTitle" style="border: 0px; display: block; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Si, Se Puede! = Yes, We Can!</span></span><span class="author" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">By Bernier-Grand, Carmen T.</span></span><span class="author" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="subTitle" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; display: block; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="author" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="author" style="border: 0px; display: block; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="author" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="author" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="author" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="author" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="author" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="format" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="author" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="author" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">By Kimmel, Eric A.</span></span><span class="author" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="title title_extended" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; float: left; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://multcolib.bibliocommons.com/item/show/2271559068_papas_mechanical_fish" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_parent" title="Papa's Mechanical Fish (Book)"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><i>Papa's Mechanical Fish</i></span></a></span></div>
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<span class="subTitle" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; display: block; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="author" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="author" style="border: 0px; display: block; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="author" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="author" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="author" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="author" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="author" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="format" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="author" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="author" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="author" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">By Fleming, Candace</span></span><span class="author" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span class="title title_extended" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; display: block; float: left; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://multcolib.bibliocommons.com/item/show/1095337068_salt_in_his_shoes" style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_parent" title="Salt in His Shoes - Michael Jordan in Pursuit of A Dream (Book)"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Salt in His Shoes</span></a></span></div>
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<span class="subTitle" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; display: block; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="author" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="author" style="border: 0px; display: block; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="author" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="author" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="author" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="author" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="author" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="format" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="author" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="author" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="author" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="subTitle" style="border: 0px; display: block; line-height: 1.2; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Michael Jordan in Pursuit of A Dream</i></span></span><span class="author" style="border: 0px; display: block; margin: 0px 6px 0px 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">By Jordan, Deloris</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35974693.post-78276264475919751162013-12-07T13:28:00.000-08:002013-12-07T13:28:00.678-08:00The Impossible Knife of Memory, Laurie Halse Anderson<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oEoETkVVOjw/UnK9Rpw9x7I/AAAAAAAAAnU/jf9KJg7xzwA/s1600/img290661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oEoETkVVOjw/UnK9Rpw9x7I/AAAAAAAAAnU/jf9KJg7xzwA/s320/img290661.jpg" /></a></div>
Laurie Halse Anderson never disappoints with her work, and this novel, due out in January, is no exception<br />
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<b>From the Publisher:</b>
For the past five years, Hayley Kincaid and her father, Andy, have been on the road, never staying long in one place as he struggles to escape the demons that have tortured him since his return from Iraq. Now they are back in the town where he grew up so Hayley can attend school. Perhaps, for the first time, Hayley can have a normal life, put aside her own painful memories, even have a relationship with Finn, the hot guy who obviously likes her but is hiding secrets of his own.
Will being back home help Andy's PTSD, or will his terrible memories drag him to the edge of hell, and drugs push him over? The Impossible Knife of Memory is Laurie Halse Anderson at her finest: compelling, surprising, and impossible to put down.<br />
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<b>Pros</b>: This book is full of suspense and tragedy, but it's so well balanced, that you sometimes forget how precarious everything is for Hailey and her father, and you hope that Hailey can forget it for a few minutes at a time herself. LHA is a master of character development, I think that's what draws me into her work more than anything. I cared about these characters deeply and quickly. These characters became real to me, in part, I'm sure, because I know there really are Hayleys and Andys out there in the world, but also in large part because LHA crafts their characters through actions and inactions as well as she does through words. We need more books that play out the consequences of war and the hidden collateral damage done to families of many who survive.<br />
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<b>Cons</b>: I thought Finn's family issues were glossed over a bit and the story might have been a little better without that sideline because it didn't seem to move the story along much, just make Finn a little more empathetic. I think she could have done that in a different way and still had it be just as effective. I also wasn't impressed with the school in this story. I would hope that when it was so clear that there were issues in a home, a school would do more, but that's not really about the book itself, now is it. That's me in my Pollyanna glasses on my soapbox.<br />
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High school collections will definitely want to purchase this book.<br />
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I read an e-ARC of this book.<br />
<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35974693.post-5648891996483210772013-10-31T13:26:00.001-07:002013-10-31T13:26:29.093-07:00Weird! Dare! and Tough! Erin Frankel<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fjm28jnM9YY/UnK4XA1Zs3I/AAAAAAAAAm8/jnuX-CdYXjc/s1600/img478668.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Fjm28jnM9YY/UnK4XA1Zs3I/AAAAAAAAAm8/jnuX-CdYXjc/s320/img478668.jpg" style="cursor: move;" /></a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-raAESBCLTV0/UnK4XIsaQ6I/AAAAAAAAAm0/ZnATCEX0j_c/s1600/img446811.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-raAESBCLTV0/UnK4XIsaQ6I/AAAAAAAAAm0/ZnATCEX0j_c/s320/img446811.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2vdu9MCsnek/UnK4XFrWlxI/AAAAAAAAAm4/fWwwUMMXsN0/s1600/img510641.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2vdu9MCsnek/UnK4XFrWlxI/AAAAAAAAAm4/fWwwUMMXsN0/s320/img510641.jpg" /></a><br />
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<b>The Weird! Series</b></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">These three books tell the story of an ongoing case of bullying from three third graders' perspectives. Luisa describes being targeted by bullying in</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Weird!</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Jayla shares her experience as a bystander to bullying in</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Dare!</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">And in</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Tough!,</i><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Sam speaks from the point of view of someone initiating bullying. Kids will easily relate to Luisa, Jayla, and Sam, as each girl has her own unique experience, eventually learning how to face her challenges with the help of friends, peers, and caring adults.</span><br />
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<strong style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Notes:</strong><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> Text and illustrations present bullying from the perspective of the bully, and address how to change that behavior. Includes related activities and notes for parents.</span><br />
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<b>Pros:</b> I was prepared to be underwhelmed by what seemed to be some sort of cheesy looking bullying books, but I was wrong. These books have power as teaching tools, particularly when used all together, as each one takes a different point of view for basically the same content. The message is pretty overt, but not off-putting. The additional content, including activity ideas as well as discussion questions is well done and connected in all three books. <br />
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<b>Cons:</b> I think there's a little too much back matter in these book for them to be popular for checkout, but their best use is really as a teaching tool, anyway, so that probably doesn't matter. I would like to see (and perhaps these already exist and I just don't know about them) a similar series with boy main characters and another with boys and girls together.<br />
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<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35974693.post-89046834445362342112013-10-31T12:53:00.002-07:002013-10-31T12:53:33.344-07:00Exclamation Mark, Amy Krouse Rosenthal & Tom Lichtenheld<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w3mt18YC1FQ/UnKyp4_MkOI/AAAAAAAAAmE/Ieymp9rq6AM/s1600/img296355.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="206" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w3mt18YC1FQ/UnKyp4_MkOI/AAAAAAAAAmE/Ieymp9rq6AM/s320/img296355.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<strong><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">From the Publisher:</span></strong><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: 0.75em;"><span id="publisher_annotation"></span></span></div>
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From the bestselling creators of Duck! Rabbit!, an exciting tale of self-discovery!<br /><br />He stood out here.<br />He stood out there.<br />He tried everything to be more like them.<br /><br />It's not easy being seen. Especially when you're NOT like everyone else. Especially when what sets you apart is YOU.<br /><br />Sometimes we squish ourselves to fit in. We shrink. Twist. Bend. Until -- ! -- a friend shows the way to endless possibilities. In this bold and highly visual book, an emphatic but misplaced exclamation point learns that being different can be very exciting! Period.</div>
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<b>Pros: </b>Oh, this little picture book sings to the nerdy grammar girl side of me! And it does it in an oh-so NOT nerdy way! It's a miracle! Like most kids, Exclamation Mark doesn't want to stand out. But that's kind of hard when you've got this giant line above you when non one else does, you know? See, he doesn't get that he has a purpose. That is, until Question Mark comes along and <i>will not stop</i> asking him questions. Go figure... Finally, when he cannot stand a minute more, he shouts <b>Stop! </b>and only then discovers his purpose. After that, there's no stopping him. This is a delightful story that's about so much more than grammar but it manages to sneak a bunch of that in along the way, too! </div>
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<b>Cons:</b> Shouldn't this book really be called <i>Exclamation Point</i>?!</div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35974693.post-80813149893882415632013-10-31T12:40:00.004-07:002013-10-31T12:40:50.691-07:00Dusk, Uri Shulevitz<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tm7sA6jmR-8/UnGMhZnbtRI/AAAAAAAAAlc/WlYum94qdZk/s1600/index-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tm7sA6jmR-8/UnGMhZnbtRI/AAAAAAAAAlc/WlYum94qdZk/s320/index-15.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<strong style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">From the Publisher:</strong><br />
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One December afternoon, boy with dog and grandfather with beard take a walk to watch the sun begin to set over the river. When the sun drops low in the sky, they start home. Buildings grow dimmer. People are rushing. As nature's lights go out, one by one, city's lights turn on, revealing brilliant Hanukkah, Kwanza, and Christmas displays in streets, homes, and stores. A stunning picture book that's sure to be a winter holiday classic by Caldecott Medalist Uri Shulevitz.</div>
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<b>Pros: </b><span style="background-color: transparent;">I'm not sure how I came across this book by Uri Shulevitz, but it may have been the cover that drew me in. It's so bright! I love Shulevitz's use of color. He begins near sunset and moves through to darkness and then goes back to light, but with everything lit by electricity until it's again, "as light as day." Students can never get enough holiday books, and the fact that this one includes depictions of Christmas, Hannukah and Kwanza - in a light-handed, not at all overdone way - will give this book even broader appeal. Much of the text of this book is good for beginning readers (dialogue from the visitor from Zataplat notwithstanding), as it repeats, rhymes and uses short sentences. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent;"><b>Cons:</b> I felt that the sentence structure might be too simple in some places, leading to confusion for readers with better fluency. It doesn't sound like they might be expecting. It's a good opportunity to talk about style and word choice, though.</span></div>
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Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0