It's Monday, What Are You Reading? October 3, 2022

  

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

Here are a couple books I have read recently. 

Two Books About Jewish Holidays by Kalanoit Books

The Very Best Sukkah: A Story from Uganda

by Shoshana Nambi

Illustrated by Moran Yogev

Published September, 2022

Kalanoit Books

Picture Book

Review copy provided by publisher

Goodreads Summary

Sukkot is Shoshi’s favorite Jewish holiday. She and her brothers love to decorate their sukkah, the hut where her family will celebrate. But who will win the Ugandan Abayudaya community’s annual sukkah contest? While only one sukkah can be the best, everybody wins when neighbors work together.

My Thoughts

Add this beautifully-illustrated book to your collection. It has a relatable and universal message of teamwork and community and teaches readers about the Jewish holiday of Sukkat. 

Mendel's Hanukkah Mess Up

by Chana and Larry Stiefel

Illustrated by Daphna Awadish

Published September, 2022

Kalanoit Books

Picture Book

Review copy provided by publisher

Goodreads Summary

Mendel is always messing up. So, no one is more surprised than he, when the rabbi asks him to drive the Mitzvah Mobile through the streets of New York and invite everyone to the Hanukkah Bash. What if he messes up again? But as Mendel begins to spread the joy of the holiday, he learns that mistakes can happen and sometimes the results can be miraculous.

My Thoughts

This delightful book shows young readers that everyone makes mistakes and it's ok. Sometimes good things come out of our mistakes. I feel that we need more books about Judaism and learning about Jewish culture through holidays is a good place to start. 

Thirst

by Varsha Bajaj

Published July, 2022 

Nancy Paulsen Books

Hardcover

192 Pages

Global Read Aloud Selection

Goodreads Summary

The riveting story of a heroic girl who fights for her belief that water should be for everyone.
Minni lives in the poorest part of Mumbai, where access to water is limited to a few hours a day and the communal taps have long lines. Lately, though, even that access is threatened by severe water shortages and thieves who are stealing this precious commodity—an act that Minni accidentally witnesses one night. Meanwhile, in the high-rise building where she just started to work, she discovers that water streams out of every faucet and there’s even a rooftop swimming pool. What Minni also discovers there is one of the water mafia bosses. Now she must decide whether to expose him and risk her job and maybe her life. How did something as simple as access to water get so complicated?

My Thoughts

I really enjoyed this book. First, the title is perfection! Students can explore the many meanings of the work and how it applies to Minni's story. It's important for students in the US to be exposed to the lack of resources around the world. At only 192 pages, it is a quicker read that will appeal to students intimidated by length. I would recommend Thirst for grades 5+ as an independent read and grade 4+ as a read aloud. 

The Global Read Aloud 2013 for Middle Grade-Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper

This year the Global Read Aloud for middle grades is Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper.

I was so excited that Out of My Mind was chosen!  I read it last school year and just LOVED it.  So, I thought I would share a bit of info about the book and Global Read Aloud in this post in hopes that you will read Out of My Mind with your class and participate in the Global Read Aloud this fall. 

Here is the summary of Out of My Mind from Goodreads.com

Eleven-year-old Melody has a photographic memory. Her head is like a video camera that is always recording. Always. And there's no delete button. She's the smartest kid in her whole school—but no one knows it. Most people—her teachers and doctors included—don't think she's capable of learning, and up until recently her school days consisted of listening to the same preschool-level alphabet lessons again and again and again. If only she could speak up, if only she could tell people what she thinks and knows . . . but she can't, because Melody can't talk. She can't walk. She can't write.
Being stuck inside her head is making Melody go out of her mind—that is, until she discovers something that will allow her to speak for the first time ever. At last Melody has a voice . . . but not everyone around her is ready to hear it.
From multiple Coretta Scott King Award winner Sharon M. Draper comes a story full of heartache and hope. Get ready to meet a girl whose voice you'll never, ever forget.

What is the Global Read Aloud?
In short, the purpose of the Global Read Aloud is to take one book and use it to connect readers around the world via Skype, blogs, email or any other way you choose.  There are 4 books chosen this year for various grade levels. Teachers can certainly choose to read books outside of their grade level. 

Kindergarten: Eric Carle books
Grades 1-3 Marty McGuire by Kate Messner
Grades 4 and up Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper
Middle School/High School Stupid Fast by Geoff Herbach

Who is involved?
The Global Read Aloud began in 2010.  It was founded by Pernille Ripp, a teacher from Wisconsin.  It was her desire to foster world-wide connections using a common read aloud as a springboard to build relationships. 

Where can I sign up or get more info?
You can visit the sites below to sign up and get more information about the Global Read Aloud.

Global Read Aloud.com
Global Read Aloud Wiki
Global Read Aloud Facebook Page
Scoop.it-Has tons of resources about the author and other links. 

When does it take place?
The dates for GLA are September 30-November 8, 2013

Week 1: Chapters 1-6 (pgs. 1-50)

Week 2: Chapters 7-11 (pgs. 51-101)

Week 3: Chapters 12-17 (pgs. 102-155)

Week 4: Chapters 18-23 (pgs. 156-205)

Week 5: Chapters 24-27 (pgs. 206-247)

Week 6: Chapters 28 - end (pgs. 248-295)

Why? 
There are too many reasons to list.  What an amazing way to connect students globally using wonderful books. 


Here are some resources that you might find helpful while you are reading Out of My Mind.  

Sharon Draper's website
Common Core aligned questions
Paths to Literacy website- Partnering with GRA to offer books for students who are blind or visually impaired.
Out of My Mind book trailer. 
Some discussion topics from the publisher
Stephen Hawking's website
Kids Health-Info about cerebral palsy
Using Skype in the classroom
Kidblog
Tips on using Google Hangout in the classroom

Possible companion texts 
Click on the title to learn more about these books. 

I hope you will consider participating 

in the Global Read Aloud this year. 

The One and Only Ivan

The One and Only Ivan
by Katherine Applegate
Illustrator: Patricia Castelao

Ages 8 and up (From the publisher)
A Global Read Aloud for 2012

Watch the Official Book Trailer


The One and Only Ivan is a wonderful book convincingly narrated by the main character Ivan. Ivan is a gentle gorilla who lives in a strip mall as part of a small circus-type collection of animals.  He has lived in his "domain" in this mall for nearly three decades. 
When they were young Ivan and his sister Tag were stolen from their home in Africa.  His sister sadly dies in the crate with him during their transport to the US.   Ivan tries, somewhat unsuccessfully, to suppress memories of his homeland and family throughout the book.  It seems too painful for him to think about the happy times when he and his sister would play tag and his father, the mighty silver back, would stoically guard the family to keep them safe. 

In his touching narration, Ivan has a not-so-thin veil of sadness as he discusses his daily events and the humans who visit the mall. Although there are no other gorillas, he finds some camaraderie with Stella the performing elephant and his loyal dog friend Bob.

Ivan is resigned to the fact that he will live out his remaining days at the mall, watching his TV and painting pictures that are sold at the gift shop.  Things change when a new animal comes to the mall, a baby elephant named Ruby.  Stella and Ruby quickly develop a close mother-daughter type relationship. 

Shortly after Ruby's arrival Stella dies of an infection in her foot. This infection was left untreated because the owner did not want to pay for a veterinarian.  While she was ill, Stella made Ivan promise that he would protect Ruby and somehow get her to a zoo. He soon realizes that he has no idea how to fulfill his promise.  Ivan's  memories of his childhood come flooding back when the mall owner uses "the claw" on Ruby to get her to perform.  Being a "mighty silver back", a born protector,  Ivan is more determined than ever to save her.  

What Ivan does not realize is that there are some compassionate humans who are fighting for the animals as well. With the help of the night custodian's concerned daughter, Ivan's art is used to raise awareness of the inhumane treatment of the mall animals. 

I think readers will love the powerful ending.  Students who love animals will particularly love it. 
I will definitely be reading this book to my fourth graders later this year.
This book is based on a real gorilla named Ivan.  Click here to read more about his story.




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