It's Monday, What Are You Reading? August 7, 2023

 

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

I am still enjoying summer reading! Here are a few recent highlights. Click on the book covers to learn more about the books.

This book is on the Maine Student Book Award List this year. It is a great historical fiction choice that gives a unique perspective of WWII. 

This graphic novel is also on the MSBA list. 

I predict that it will never be on my shelf. 

Told through the voice of a teacher trying to explain slavery to students. An honest, important book to read, share and discuss. 

Powerful illustrations add to the emotional experience. 

Listening 

Upcoming Reading

I am trying to work my way through many of the Maine Student Book Award book for this year so I can recommend them to my students. I am also reading books from various mock Caldecott lists. 

What are you reading friends? 

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? August 8, 2017

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

Here are a few books I have read lately.

Click on the covers to learn more about each book. 

Currently Reading

Time for Kids-Awesome America-Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the History, People and Culture

Time for Kids-Awesome America-Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About the History, People and Culture
by Katy Steinmetz
Published May 2016
Time for Kids
Nonfiction
208 pages
Review copy provided by publisher
Goodreads Summary

TIME For Kids explores America from sea to shining sea!

Discover what makes America unique in this comprehensive timeline and photographic overview of American history--pre-Columbus through the present--highlighting the milestone events and important people that have made America awesome.

Perfect for both dip-in reference and longer-form reading, Awesome America is organized into thematic sections, each comprised of bite-sized articles, engaging factoid sidebars, colorful charts, graphics and interactive quizzes to help make learning about American history interesting, interactive, and fun. From America's early history all the way to present day, kids will learn about what it was like to grow up in the 1700's, 1800's, 1900's and today and discover the inventions, innovations, and important social movements great American's have created over the years.

My Thoughts

If you are looking for a new reference book or textbook for American history? Look no further! This beautiful book is like one-stop-shopping for information about our great nation. Of course there are the basics like early settlers, The American Revolution, civil rights and the presidents. But more recent events such as the attacks on September 11 and the election of the first black president are also included. 

Then there are the lesser known facts. For example do you know who is on the $100,000 bill? Give up? It's Woodrow Wilson.  Sliced bread was invented in 1928 and Lebron James is pretty much recognized by most of the planet. 

As you would expect from TIME, there are amazing original photographs to accompany the information. 

Awesome America would make a wonderful addition to any family, school or classroom library. 

See what others have to say about this book:

The Children's Book Review

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday-January 27, 2016

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

Two Friends:Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass
by Dean Robbins
Illustrated by Sean Qualls and Selina Alko
Published Jan. 5, 2016
Orchard Books
Nonfiction Picture Book
32 Pages
Review copy (F&G) provided by publisher.

Goodreads Summary
Two friends, Susan B. Anthony and Frederick Douglass, get together for tea and conversation. They recount their similar stories fighting to win rights for women and African Americans. The premise of this particular exchange between the two is based on a statue in their hometown of Rochester, New York, which shows the two friends having tea.

My Thoughts

I love reading books where I learn something new. While I knew a bit about each of these two important Americans, I did not realize they were friends and worked to help each other. The text contains a bit written on present tense as the friends sit down for tea and some information written in past tense about their childhoods and what they wanted to change. I did wish the book included more specific information about each person as it seemed a bit brief. 

The illustrations are wonderful. The two illustrators included actual quotes in collage form. which I thought worked very well. 

I would recommend Two Friends for Grades 1-4. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                              Photo taken of the F&G

Possible Companion Text

Here is a very short video showing the sculpture of the Two friends having tea. 

See what others have to say about Two Friends.

Publishers Weekly

Kirkus

Elizabeth Started All the Trouble by Doreen Rappaport

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

Elizabeth Started All the Trouble 

by Doreen Rappaport
Illustrated by Matt Faulkner
Expected Publication February 23, 2016
Disney Hyperion 
Nonfiction Picture Book
40 Pages
Review copy obtained by publisher

Goodreads Summary

She couldn't go to college.

She couldn't become a politician.

She couldn't even vote.

But Elizabeth Cady Stanton didn't let that stop her.

She called on women across the nation to stand together and demand to be treated as equal to men-and that included the right to vote. It took nearly seventy-five years and generations of women fighting for their rights through words, through action, and through pure determination . . . for things to slowly begin to change.

With the help of these trailblazers' own words, Doreen Rappaport's engaging text, brought to life by Matt Faulkner's vibrant illustrations, shows readers just how far this revolution has come, and inspires them to keep it going!

My Thoughts

Doreen Rappaport is the master of picture book biographies. This book chronicles the effort of Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and many others, in the fight to allow women the right to vote. I was ashamed that I did not realize all that these women went through and how long it took (from 1850-1920) before President Wilson granted all women the right to vote. Susan B Anthony alone gave 75 speeches a year for 45 years!!!

Rappaport includes many of the female activists of the time including: Susan B Anthony, Elizabeth Blackwell, Lucy Stone and Carrie Chapman to name a few. She shares the information in a way that will help children understand what life was like at the time. I expect (and hope) that they will be surprised and upset by how differently women were treated. 

Matthew Falkner provides the amazing illustrations. He has a gift with drawing faces and I felt as through I was looking at photographs of the actual people.  His attention to background details and deliberate use of size and space help to deliver the author's message.

Image from Doreen Rappaport's Website: http://doreenrappaport.com/elizabeth-started-all-the-trouble/

I will definitely be reading this book to my fourth graders and would recommend it for grades 3-6. 

Resources

Schoolhouse Rock Suffrage Video

Video Biography of Elizabeth Cady Stanton

A Mighty Girl website has a great list of books about influential women in history.

Possible Companion Texts:

   

See what others have to say about this book:

Kirkus

Kiss the Book

Visit Doreen Rappaport's website to learn more about her research.

Winnie: The True Story of the Bear Who Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh by Sally M. Walker

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

Winnie: The True Story of the Bear Who Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh 
by Sally M. Walker
Illustrated by Jonathan D. Voss
Published 2015
Henry Holt and Co.
40 Pages
Review copy obtained from library

Goodreads Summary
Who could care for a bear? When Harry Colebourn saw a baby bear for sale at the train station, he knew he could care for it. Harry was a veterinarian. But he was also a soldier in training for World War I. Harry named the bear Winnie, short for Winnipeg, his company’s home town, and he brought her along to the training camp in England. Winnie followed Harry everywhere and slept under his cot every night. Before long, she became the regiment’s much-loved mascot. But who could care for the bear when Harry had to go to the battleground in France? Harry found just the right place for Winnie while he was away — the London Zoo. There a little boy named Christopher Robin came along and played with Winnie — he could care for this bear too! Sally Walker’s heartwarming story, paired with Jonathan Voss’s evocative illustrations, brings to life the story of the real bear who inspired Winnie the Pooh.

My Thoughts

Who would have thought that two wonderful nonfiction books about the history of Winnie-the-Pooh would be released in the same year? I read Finding Winnie earlier in the year and loved that as well. I find the story of Winnie-the-Pooh to be very interesting and I know children will too. Walker tells the story in sparse text giving young readers bite-sized bits of information at a time. The illustrations in this book have a pleasant "older" feel almost as though you are reading a book published in the mid 20th century.  I would recommend this book for grades K-5. 

Resources
A video about the real Winnie.

Possible Companion Texts

See what others have to say about this book:
School Library Journal
Publishers Weekly
New York Times

The Boy Who Fell Off the Mayflower or John Howland's Good Fortune by P.J. Lynch

The Boy Who Fell Off the Mayflower or John Howland's Good Fortune 
by P.J. Lynch
Published 2015
Candlewick Press
Nonfiction
68 Pages

Goodreads Summary
At a young age, John Howland learned what it meant to take advantage of an opportunity. Leaving the docks of London on the Mayflower as an indentured servant to Pilgrim John Carver, John Howland little knew that he was embarking on the adventure of a lifetime. By his great good fortune, John survived falling overboard on the crossing of the Atlantic Ocean, and he earned his keep ashore by helping to scout a safe harbor and landing site for his bedraggled and ill shipmates. Would his luck continue to hold amid the dangers and adversity of the Pilgrims’ lives in New England? John Howland’s tale is masterfully told in his own voice, bringing an immediacy and young perspective to the oft-told Pilgrims’ story. P.J. Lynch captures this pivotal moment in American history in precise and exquisite detail, from the light on the froth of a breaking wave to the questioning voice of a teen in a new world.

My Thoughts

I have to say that the story of the voyage of the Mayflower has always intrigued me. This picture book provides a look into the voyage through the eyes of indentured slave, John Howland. Partway through the trip, Howland did indeed fall off the Mayflower. He was able to grab a trailing rope and was pulled up by some of the men on board. He also tells the story of the unpleasant first years in the New World including the disease, death and eventual arrival of Samoset and Squanto. The Boy Who Fell off the Mayflower also comes complete with a romantic interest for Howland in the strong-willed Lizzy Tilley who ultimately helps Howland decide if he should go back to England to seek his fortune after his master dies, or stay and build a life in the New World. 

I would recommend The Boy Who Fell Off The Mayflower for grades 3-5 as a read aloud and 4-6 as an independent read. There is quite a bit of new vocabulary that is defined in context. 

Listen to the author discuss this book and the story behind it. Really interesting! 

Take a look inside The Boy Who Fell off the Mayflower by P.J. 
Lynch.

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday-28 Days Moments in Black History that Changed the World

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

28 Days Moments in Black History that Changed the World

by Charles R. Smith Jr. 

Illustrated by Shane W. Edwards

Published Jan. 2015

Roaring Brook Press

56 Pages

Presented chronologically from Crispus Attucks in 1770 to 2009 with the election of Barack Obama, this book teaches about 28 pivotal people or events in black history that absolutely changed the world.  The information about the "moments" are presented in a variety of poems, narratives and historical quotes. Each moment is then explained further in a smaller caption. The people and events presented include a variety of protesters, athletes, scientists, politicians, explorers and more. Young readers will learn more about people and events that are familiar to them such a Martin Luther King Jr. and Oprah Winfrey and will learn about people they may not know about such as Thurgood Marshall and Mae Jemison. 

The illustrations are just stunning. It is a bright, colorful book that puts the people in the forefront with a colorful background on each page.  Although this book has many uses, I can see it being used to share a "moment" each day for 28 days, perhaps during Black History Month.  I would recommend 28 Days: Moments in Black History that Changed the World for kids in grades 3-5. 

There are so many possibilities for companion books, but here are just a few.  

Brick by Brick-also by Smith

Separate is Never Equal

Seeds of Freedom

The Case for Loving: the Fight for Interracial Marriage

When the Beat was Born: DJ Kool Herc and the Creation of Hip 

Read more about Charles R. Smith's books at his website. 

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday-Little Melba and Her Big Trombone

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

Little Melba and Her Big Trombone

by Katheryn Russel-Brown

Illustrated by Frank Morrison

Published September 1, 2014 

Lee and Low Books

Nonfiction Picture book

40 pages

Coretta Scott King Honor book

Goodreads Summary

Melba Doretta Liston loved the sounds of music from as far back as she could remember. As a child, she daydreamed about beats and lyrics, and hummed along with the music from her family s Majestic radio. At age seven, Melba fell in love with a big, shiny trombone, and soon taught herself to play the instrument. By the time she was a teenager, Melba s extraordinary gift for music led her to the world of jazz. She joined a band led by trumpet player Gerald Wilson and toured the country. Overcoming obstacles of race and gender, Melba went on to become a famed trombone player and arranger, spinning rhythms, harmonies, and melodies into gorgeous songs for all the jazz greats of the twentieth century: Randy Weston, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Billie Holiday, and Quincy Jones, to name just a few. Brimming with ebullience and the joy of making music, Little Melba and Her Big Trombone is a fitting tribute to a trailblazing musician and a great unsung hero of jazz."

My Thoughts

I love learning about lesser-known, but important people. Melba discovered her musical talent at a very young age. Children can learn a lot about determination and perseverance during difficult times from Melba's story. They will also learn about the time period and the discrimination that was prevalent at the time. Frank Morrison's illustrations are absolutely wonderful. It is easy to see why Melba's story earned a Coretta Scott King 2015 honor award. 

Russel-Brown uses several idioms throughout the book like: "piece of cake" and "rock bottom". She also uses some of the language of the period like "swell" and "kinfolk". 

Little Melba and her Big Trombone would make a great addition to a biography picture book collection. It could also be used during a unit on American History 1940's-60's I would recommend it for grades 1-5. 

Resources:

The Girls in the Band-more info about Melba and her career. 

A Review of Ranger in Time #1 Rescue on the Oregon Trail by Kate Messner

Ranger in Time #1-Rescue on the Oregon Trail 
by Kate Messner
Published January 2015 by Scholastic Press
144 Pages
Middle Grade Historical Fiction
Review copy provided by publisher

Goodreads Summary

Meet Ranger! He's a time-traveling golden retriever who has a nose for trouble . . . and always saves the day! Ranger has been trained as a search-and-rescue dog, but can't officially pass the test because he's always getting distracted by squirrels during exercises. One day, he finds a mysterious first aid kit in the garden and is transported to the year 1850, where he meets a young boy named Sam Abbott. Sam's family is migrating west on the Oregon Trail, and soon after Ranger arrives he helps the boy save his little sister. Ranger thinks his job is done, but the Oregon Trail can be dangerous, and the Abbotts need Ranger's help more than they realize!

My Thoughts
I read this book in one sitting. I found the time period to be fascinating and this book is jam-packed with events that kept me wanting to see what would happen. I have to admit, I am not a "dog person" but you don't need to be one to enjoy Ranger's story. The characters are easy to love as they bravely face dangers like a buffalo stampede and life-threatening diseases. They often have Ranger to thank for keeping them safe and together. 

I learned a great deal about The Oregon Trail and the travel west during this time period. It was a difficult and often sad time when so many families made the courageous decision to move west seeking land and, in some cases, fortunes. Messner has done her research and seamlessly weaves facts into this page-turner. Her author's note also provides additional interesting information for the reader. 

At only 144 pages, with manageable text complexity, Ranger in Time is accessible to many middle grade readers. They will fall in love with Ranger and his thrilling adventures! 
Ranger's next story will take place in ancient Rome. I am thrilled that there will be more Ranger books. I am putting in my vote for one that takes place during The American Revolution since that is one the time periods I teach in social studies. I expect this series will appeal to readers who love historical fiction books like The Magic Tree House and the I Survived series. 

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday-October 15, 2014

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

Ben Franklin's Big Splash: the Mostly True Story of His First Invention

by Barb Rosenstock

Illustrated by S.D. Schindler

Published 2014 by Calkins Creek Books

32 Pages

Review copy provided by the publisher

As a teacher of The American Revolution, I love learning about our founding fathers. I knew Ben Franklin was a talented inventor, of course, but I did not know much about him as a child. This book shows Frankin as an eleven-year-old who loved to swim even though swimming for sport was not popular at the time.  Young Ben asked himself lots of questions. One question was "What can't I swim like a fish?" This led him to study how fish swim and to his first invention, "swim fins"! 

I think this book would be a valuable model of the scientific process. He took a question, studied his subjects, designed a prototype and modified that design based on his trials. Ben was just a regular, curious kid and I think children will be able to relate to him and find his story to be inspirational. 

There is a nice timeline of Franklin's life and an author's note at the end of the book. 

Use this book....

*as a model of the scientific process.

*as part of a study of American history.

*as part of a biography unit. 

*before a unit on inventions. 

Resources

Ben Franklin Biography Info from Liberty's Kids

Social Studies for Kids-Ben Franklin

Video Bigraphy

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday April, 24

Please visit the host of this weekly event: Kid Lit Frenzy

Brick by Brick by Charles R. Smith

Illustrated by Floyd Cooper

This book is about how many slaves built the original White House for George Washington, brick by brick.  I am ashamed that I had not ever thought about how The White House was built, but I learned a lot from reading Brick by Brick.  I loved how this book is written in poetic form.  The amazing illustrations practically told the story by themselves.  This would make a great read aloud in grades 2-5 when studying early American history or during Black History Month. 

Click here for the Goodreads page. 

More info about Charles R. Smith and his books here.

Click here for more info about Floyd Cooper.   

More info about The White House for Kids