It's Monday, What Are You Reading? February 29, 2016

Please visit the amazing blogs: Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers who host this terrific meme each week.

Not a lot this week. Click on the book covers to learn more about them. 

Nice example of the power of imagination.

Lots of info I did not know about this influential woman!

Nice, simple biography. Full Review on Wednesday.

Finished Listening...

Enjoyed this Newbery winner!

What are you reading friends?

The Typewriter by Bill Thomson

The Typewriter

by Bill Thomson
Expected publication March 1, 2016
Two Lions 
Fiction Picture Book
Review copy provided by publisher

Goodreads Summary

Using just nine words, the award-winning creator of Chalk takes readers on another unforgettable journey. When three children discover a typewriter on a carousel, they are transported on an adventure of their own creation—complete with a giant beach ball and a threatening crab. Stunning, richly colored artwork is paired with limited text so children can tell their own version of the story. 

My Thoughts

What a fun book! Bill Thomson's illustrations are so incredibly detailed and filled with light and shadows that they could easily be mistaken for photographs. Each page is filled top to bottom with color. I felt as though I was right in the book playing with the kids. 

While it is not completely wordless, there are only a few words in this book, the words the kids type. When the children type a word on this magical typewriter, whatever they type magically appears. I can see many students loving this idea and having a ton of fun with it. I immediately wanted to share this book with my students and give them time to write and share about what they would type and what would happen to them. 

I would recommend The Typewriter for grades K-4. 

See what others have to say about this book. 

Publishers Weekly
Kirkus

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday-George Washington Carver by Kitson Jaznka

My Friend Alyson Beecher at Kid Lit Frenzy hosts a weekly link up to share Nonfiction Picture Books. Please visit her amazing website.

George Washington Carver

by Kitson Jaznka

Published January 2016

National Geographic Children's Books

32 Pages

Nonfiction

Review copy provided by publisher

Goodreads Summary

Take a bite into the fascinating history of peanut butter and the man who invented it. Through leveled text and engaging photos, kids meet George Washington Carver and learn about his important work with peanuts and other plants. This Level 1 reader is carefully leveled for an early independent reading or read aloud experience, perfect to encourage the scientists and explorers of tomorrow! From the Trade Paperback edition.

My Thoughts

Through simple text and amazing pictures, this books teaches young readers about this important person in American history. To help children understand, the author has included definitions for vocabulary words, actual photographs, paintings, original sketches and a timeline. Of course, since it is published by National geographic, the photographs are bright, vivid and colorful. 

This book would make a great early experience with biographies for grades 1-3. 

Companion Texts

  

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? February 22, 2016

Please visit the amazing blogs: Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers who host this terrific meme each week.

I just LOVE vacation reading time! I was able to read a few middle grade novels and several picture books. My blogger friends will recognize many of the picture books from their previous posts. They have the best taste in books! Thanks for sharing friends! Click on the books to see my ratings on Goodreads. 

Picture Books

Middle Grade

Finished

Finished Listening

Currently Listening

What are you reading friends?

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday-The First Step by Susan E. Goodman

My Friend Alyson Beecher at Kid Lit Frenzy hosts a weekly link up to share Nonfiction Picture Books. Please visit her amazing website.

The First Step: How One Girl Put Segregation on Trial

by Susan E. Goodman

Illustrated by E.B. Lewis

Published January 2016

Bloomsbury Children's

40 Pages

Review copy provided by publisher

Goodreads Summary

In 1847, a young African American girl named Sarah Roberts was attending a school in Boston. Then one day she was told she could never come back. She didn't belong. The Otis School was for white children only.

Sarah deserved an equal education, and the Roberts family fought for change. They made history. Roberts v. City of Boston was the first case challenging our legal system to outlaw segregated schools. It was the first time an African American lawyer argued in a supreme court.

These first steps set in motion changes that ultimately led to equality under the law in the United States. Sarah's cause was won when people--black and white--stood together and said, No more. Now, right now, it is time for change!

With gorgeous art from award-winning illustrator E. B. Lewis,The First Step is an inspiring look at the first lawsuit to demand desegregation--long before the American Civil Rights movement, even before the Civil War.

Backmatter includes: integration timeline, bios on key people in the book, list of resources, and author's note. 

My Thoughts

This is a beautiful, inspirational story of the struggle of one father's determination to get his daughter the education she deserved. I felt for Sarah and her family. I can imagine that this story will be met with outrage by the students that read it. How lucky they are to grow up in a time where diversity is the norm in schools. This story needs to be told so that children can learn about the struggle of segregation and the unfaltering determination of so many that created change. 

The narrative is accompanied by soft, muted watercolor and gouache illustrations. The integration timeline in the back shows the timeline of segregation in our country and the author's note provides even more information. 

I will certainly share The First Steps with my fourth graders. I would recommend this book for grades 3-5. 

Possible Companion Texts

  

Read what others have to say about this book.

Kids Reads

Publishers Weekly

School Library Journal

It's Monday, What Are You Reading-February 15, 2016

Please visit the amazing blogs: Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers who host this terrific meme each week.

I didn't get to read much last week, but here is what I got to. Click on the book covers to go to the Goodread's page for each book.

LOOOVED this one! So many themes and applications!

Nice, simple biography. Review to come. 

A new picture book about working together and being flexible. Review soon. 

Started Listening 

Excellent so far!

Currently Reading

Love this middle grade series!

Still reading because I am reading it in small chunks to process it. 

Up next? 

So many books I want to get to!

Maybe one of these?

 

What are you reading friends?

Lola Levine is NOT Mean by Monica Brown

Lola Levine is Not Mean 
by Monica Brown
Published 2015
Little Brown Books for Young Readers
96 pages
Review advanced reader copy provided by publisher

Goodreads Summary

Lola loves writing in her diario and playing soccer with her team, the Orange Smoothies. But when a soccer game during recess gets "too competitive," Lola accidentally hurts her classmate Juan Gomez. Now everyone is calling her Mean Lola Levine! Lola feels horrible, but with the help of her family and her super best friend, Josh Blot, she learns how to navigate the second grade in true Lola fashion--with humor and the power of words. 

My Thoughts

I love discovering new books and series for grades 2-3 and for my 4th graders who need a less complex text. The story is simple and follows a predictable pattern which young readers will find comforting. Lola's entries in her diario help tell part of the story as do the letters and notes from her mother, brother and her classmates. There are plenty of illustrations to support the text. Since Lola is hispanic, there are Spanish words and phrases presented throughout the text. She also shows her Jewish heritage by eating matzo ball soup and using the phrase shalom at the end of her letters.

Lola is a strong character who loves sports and is not afraid to show her competitive side. She is a great big sister and a loyal friend. I think young readers will enjoy this series. 

Read what others have to say about this book.
Kirkus
Kidsreads
Publishers Weekly

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday-Whose Eye Am I? by Shelley Rotner

My Friend Alyson Beecher at Kid Lit Frenzy hosts a weekly link up to share Nonfiction Picture Books. Please visit her amazing website.

Whose Eye Am I? 

by Shelley Rotner

Published January 2016

by Holiday House

Nonfiction Picture Book

32 Pages

Review copy provided by publisher

Goodreads Summary

Who am I? ask captions alongside close-ups of colorful animal eyes. As readers guess which animal belongs to each eye, they will discover that each animal has a unique and amazing way of seeing. Snakes have clear eyelids that cannot ever open or close. Some sea creatures have hundreds of eyes around the edges of their shells. Many animals can see colors that are invisible to humans. Brimming with vivid and engaging photographs, this book also includes a clear explanation of how human eyes work, a labeled diagram of a human eye, a glossary and an index.

My Thoughts

Whose Eye am I? Offers a fun interactive way for young readers to learn about animal adaptations. Preceding each animal, the reader is shown an enlarged photograph of an animal's eye and is asked, "Who am I?".  I can see children having fun analyzing the eye to figure out the animal. On the next page the animal is revealed with information about their eyesight. Did you know that chickens have clear eyelids to protect their eyes from dirt? Me neither!

The photos and just the right amount of text work well together. 
I would recommend Whose Eye am I? to grades K-4. 

Do you know this animal? I'll never tell.

Resources

Companion Texts

 

Here is a quick video describing how animals see the world. 

Here is a neat list of animal eye facts.

See what others have to say about this book:

Kirkus

Publishers Weekly

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? February 8, 2016

Please visit the amazing blogs: Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers who host this terrific meme each week.

Here is my reading from last week.

A fun, interactive book much like Tap the Magic Tree and Press Here. 

A story about an unexpected family. Very fun!

Finished

I LOVED Perry and his whole unconventional extended family!

Finished Listening to...

An excellent young adult historical fiction novel.

Currently Reading

What are YOU reading friends?

Stack-It-Up Sunday February 7, 2016

I have not posted a Stack-It-Up post in a long time. I originally posted about my piles on this celebration post.  Along with showing everyone how messy my house is, I like to share because each pile has its own story.

In my reading nook. I am reading Mystery of Missing Fox right now.  

On the kitchen counter sits my copy of Close Writing where I unpacked it from my bag. 

Random pile in the dining room. 

On TJ's bedroom floor.

On my night stand.

Everyone leaves books on the stairs right?

Don't even ask about this pile in Molly's room.