Little Red Writing Book Blast Giveaway!

Little Red Writing by Joan Holub

Acclaimed writer Joan Holub and Caldecott Honoree Melissa Sweet team up in this hilarious and exuberant retelling of Little Red Riding Hood, in which a brave, little red pencil finds her way through the many perils of writing a story, faces a ravenous pencil sharpener (the Wolf 3000)… and saves the day.
Joan Holub has hundreds of pencils. Some are red. Others are glittery, sporty, or full of holiday cheer. They are all super sharp and good at writing books. They’ve helped Joan write more than 130 books, including Zero the Hero and Knuckleheads. She lives in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Melissa Sweet has illustrated nearly 100 children’s books, including the Caldecott Honor–winning River of Words and the Sibert Medal–winning Balloons Over Broadway. When not in her studio, Melissa loves to ride her bicycle and hike with her two dogs, Rufus and Nellie. She lives in Rockport, Maine.

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Praise

“A very funny picture book that, I guarantee you, lots of savvy teachers will be eagerly sharing with students as part of the process of teaching creative writing.” — Richie Partington MLIS, Richie’s Picks

“What a CLEVER, CLEVER story!” — I Love to Read and Write Reviews

“This clever adaptation of Little Red Riding Hood has so many levels of creativity and learning… Every elementary teacher should have this book to begin their writing units.” — Play on Words

“Style, humor, and solid writing advice.” –Publishers Weekly, starred review

“So rich in words and wry humor-written and visual-that one reading just isn’t enough.” –School Library Journal, starred review

“Every writers’ group should start with this story.” –Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“Every elementary teacher should have this book to begin their writing units.” — Play on Words

“An easy, winning prompt for beginning writers to abandon their fears and take up pencils of their own.” –Booklist

Author Joan Holub

I graduated from college in Texas with a fine arts degree, and then freelanced as an art director at a graphic design firm for eight years. I dreamed of working in children’s books, so I moved to New York City and became associate art director in Scholastic trade books, where I designed books for children and worked with editors and illustrators. It was a great job.

I illustrated my first published children’s book in 1992 and soon began illustrating full time. I began completing manuscripts and mailing them out to publishers in the early 1990s. In 1996, I sold my first two manuscripts — Boo Who? A Spooky Lift-the-Flap Book (Scholastic) and Pen Pals (Grosset & Dunlap). Yippee!

Now I write full time and have written and/or illustrated over 130 children’s books. Creating books that entertain, inform, and interest children (and me) is a fabulous job that I truly love.

Twitter * Website * Blog

BookBlast Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 10/15/13

 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

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A Visit to My Son's Classroom-Slice of Life Story

Each Tuesday Ruth and Stacey at Two Writing Teachers host Slice of Life Stories (SOLS). This is where bloggers link up to share anything they would like to share about what is happening in their lives. 

Last Friday I visited my son's second grade classroom as a guest speaker.  I was speaking about one of my favorite topics......my son TJ.  TJ is the most adorable 7 year-old boy you will ever hope to meet.  Like many second grade boys, he likes to swim, play on the playground, run around and dig in the dirt.  He also has autism.  I asked his teacher if I could come in and talk with the class about him. 

All day long in classrooms everywhere, kids share with each other. As they build their classroom community they have share time, turn and talk and show and tell.  They talk about their favorite foods and hobbies and share about their families. Since TJ can't share what he likes (and doesn't like) to do, where he likes to go and all of his favorite things, I thought I would do it for him.

Let me back up a bit.  This idea came to me because of some experiences in my own classroom.  Over the years I have been fortunate to be able to have many wonderful students in my class, including children with autism.  I think it is an absolutely invaluable experience for all children to have students with disabilities included in the classroom community.  The empathy that is shared and expressed and the celebrating of small victories is heartwarming to say the least.  But many students have often asked me questions about students with special needs that I cannot answer, either for confidentiality reasons or because I just don't know the answer. But, who knows the child best and can share any information they'd like to share? That's right, the parents.

So I decided to contact my son's teacher to see if she would be interested in having me come in and discuss TJ's likes, dislikes and ways to communicate with him and support him at school.  I also wanted to have a general discussion about autism.  

Having little experience with second graders I have to say I was a bit nervous.  It turns out I had no reason to be.  They were fantastic!  I read a very short picture book called In My Mind: The World Through the Eyes of Autism by Adonya Wong then we had a discussion.  We talked all about my precious boy and how he is very much like them in many ways.  We also talked about his differences and I told them that he has "something called autism".  A few had heard the term, but most were hearing it for the first time. The amazing teacher took notes and encouraged an open discourse.  She wanted to know what his favorite games were and his favorite books so that they could have them in the classroom. Taking her lead, the students listened, asked questions and shared some of their own "TJ stories".   

Leaving the class, I felt like his classmates and teacher knew more about him.  Yes, they knew he had autism, but they learned so much more.  They learned that he loves trampolines and doesn't like to stay home.  They learned that although he speaks very little, he will sing songs like "Twinkle, Twinkle" which he sang for them and they all joined in. They learned that they have to say "TJ look" to get his attention and that he will give high fives and fist bumps.  Now they know he loves Eric Carle books and right now is going through a Dr. Seuss phase. 

I would highly recommend planning a visit to your child's classroom to any parent of a child with special needs.  Discussing your child's differences and similarities helps others to see beyond the disability and to really see your child. 

It's Monday, What Are You Reading-September 30, 2013

This post can also be found today on the Maine Reading Association's Blog. Please visit this site for more info. 

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

Please click on the picture to go to the book's page on Goodreads to learn more about it.

With the craziness of the first weeks of school and my amazing weekend at NERA last weekend, I did not have time to post last week.  So, here are some of the books I have read lately.

Picture Books

Crankee Doodle
by Tom Angleberger

Crankee Doodle is hands down the funniest picture book I have read in a while.  I was actually laughing out loud.  Yankee Doodle is bored and cranky and wants something to do.  His trusty horse recommends that he "go to town". Well, "Crankee" doesn't want to go to town and he gives many funny reasons for not wanting to do so.  Then his horse suggests that maybe he could get a feather for his hat and it just keeps going from there. My 11 year-old daughter, Molly, also  loved this book. 

Have You Filled a Bucket Today?

by Carol McCloud

Every child need to hear this book.  The author writes about how everyone has an invisible "bucket" inside them.  When the bucket is filled up with positive thoughts and kindness a person feels happy.  When their bucket is empty or others dip into their bucket, they feel sad. I love this metaphor and I think kids will really understand what kindness does inside a person after reading it.  A MUST read!

Hello, My Name is Ruby

by Phillip C. Stead

Sweet, little Ruby is in search of friendship and her place in the world.  She is fearless and asks the other birds lots of questions including "Would you like to be my friend?"  This book would be a great addition to any collection about friendship, empathy or courage.  It also got the Molly 2 thumbs up.  She really felt for Ruby who faced rejection several times, but did not give up. 

Hank Finds an Egg

by Rebecca Dudley

This wordless book is too adorable not to share with children.  Hank finds an egg that has fallen from its nest. Hank shows great ingenuity and determination as he tries to put the egg back where it belongs.  The story is simple and lovely.  On the jacket I read that the author creates everything on each page by hand, right down to each tiny leaf.  This book got the seal of approval from Molly with a big "Awww that's so cute!"

Middle Grade

The Boy on the Porch

by Sharon Creech

My friend Justin Stygles, book talked this book at our MRA open house last week so I decided to pick it up. I am glad I did.  It is a very quick read because of its number of pages and because it is really interesting.  A sleeping boy is left on the porch of a childless couple, John and Marta.  The boy seems to be about 6 years old and is unable to speak.  The boy produces a note that asks the couple to take care of Jacob and they will return for him.  Goodhearted John and Marta take the boy in, but they do not report finding him to the authorities. There is a great undercurrent of suspense as the couple grows to love the boy and foster his unique musical and artistic talents.  Will his parents return for him? Should they tell the authorities?  Who do you root for?  I think this book would make a great book for late 4th through 6th grade.  It would certainly spark many important discussions. 

Currently Reading

Reading in the Wild

by Donalyn Miller

I was lucky to win an advanced reader's copy of The Book Whisperer's newest gem at the NERA conference last weekend and, so far, it is a fantastic as you would expect. 

Please read more about my NERA experience and how I met Donalyn Miller and Penny Kittle here. 

Meeting Donalyn Miller and Penny Kittle and Thinking About Reading Communities

Each Tuesday Ruth and Stacey at Two Writing Teachers host Slice of Life Stories (SOLS). This is where bloggers link up to share anything they would like to share about what is happening in their lives. 

This weekend I had the extreme pleasure of meeting Donalyn Miller and Penny Kittle in person. They were in Portland, Maine to deliver keynote addresses and present at the NERA convention.  I was among a very lucky group of educators who got to have dinner and chat with them.  

Penny Kittle is the author of Book Love and is the high school teacher I wish I'd had. Maybe then I would have become a reading sooner. The way she talks about how she fosters the love of reading in her high school students was so inspirational.  Even after years of not reading much, she gets them hooked.  Her students are so very lucky to have her and we are all fortunate to be able to learn from her. 

It is no secret to anyone who knows me that Donalyn Miller is my professional idol. I was beyond thrilled to meet her, talk with her, listen to her keynote and attend her "Bring on the Books" session (I know stalk much right?).  I even won a coveted advance copy of her new book Reading in the Wild which comes out in early November (It is as amazing as I had expected, go order it now and come back).  

I was going to write about meeting Donalyn as the focus of my SOLS post, but I decided to keep the details to myself.  Suffice it to say that she is as smart, funny, gracious and wonderful as you'd imagine. 

Instead I have been thinking about the focus of her keynote address, reading communities.  As Donalyn described her reading community which includes her family, colleagues and students,  I began thinking about my own reading community and how important it is to me.  I was actually sitting with many in my reading community at the conference.  

I am thankful for colleagues at my school like Anna Sedenka, Laurie Tibbitts, Stacey Sawyer and Missy Mullin who are always happy to share great book titles with me and listen as I gush about my newest book love. 
Then there are the colleagues that I don't see as often like my Maine Reading Association and nErDcampNNE friends Susan Dee, Cathy Potter, Marylou Shuster, Jen Felt, Chris Pirkl and Natalee Stotz to name a few.  Sitting and discussing books with these friends is always so much fun. 

I love my blogging and Twitter reading community.  One of my favorite parts of the week is Monday night when I can read all the It's Monday, What Are You Reading posts linked up at one of my favorite blogs, Teach Mentor Texts.  With Goodreads and my public library page tabs open, I read about what books others are reading.  We leave comments for each other and offer thoughts and even more title suggestions. 

In my family, my daughter is my only reading buddy. Although she is still finding her love of books, we will talk about what each of us is reading and we read together.  I love it when I get a stack of picture books from the library. We sit and read them together and she gives me a rating for Goodreads. 

My students are the people I talk with about books each day.  We recommend titles, discuss what is happening in our books and talk about our reading lives. 

These reading communities enrich my life.  Although I am a reading late bloomer and never had this kind of community until fairly recently, I am so happy I have all of these people in my life to share my love of books. 

We need to remember that reading is a social activity that needs to be nurtured for ourselves and our students. 

So I'll leave you with these questions:

Who is in your reading community?
How do you share this with students?
What do you do to help students develop and nurture their own reading communities?

Fall Kindle Fire Giveaway!

 

  This is a joint AUTHOR & BLOGGER GIVEAWAY EVENT! Bloggers & Authors have joined together and each chipped in a little money towards a Kindle Fire HD 7".

Kindle Fire HD 7" Giveaway

The winner will have the option of receiving a 7" Kindle Fire HD (US Only)

  Or $199 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)

  Or $199 in Paypal Cash (International)

    Fall Sponsoring Authors & Bloggers

1. I Am A Reader, Not A Writer
2. Feed Your Reader
3. Author Annette K. Larsen
4. Phantasmic Reads
5. Author Bella Street
6. Author Bonnie Blythe
7. Author Stacy Claflin
8. MyLadyWeb: Women's History, Women Authors
9. Book Mama Blog
10. Word to Dreams
11. Candace's Book Blog
12. Once Upon a YA Book
13. Author Miriam Louise
14. Author Mary Ting
15. Author Camelia Miron Skiba
16. Books4Tomorrow
17. Author Theresa McClinton
18. Brooke Blogs
19. Author Pauline Creeden
20. Author MK McClintock
21. Author Kathryn Chastain Treat
22. Books Unhinged Book Blog
23. Author Kelly Cozy
24. Meredith & Jennifer's Musings
25. These Are But Shadows
26. My Devotional Thoughts
27. Author Ally Shields
28. Dark Motive's Books and More
29. Nessarox
30. Fae Books
31. Author Jennie Sherwin
32. The Real Bookshelves of Room 918
33. Auggie Talk
34. No BS Book Reviews
35. BookLover Sue
36. Gin's Book Notes
37. Bookhounds
38. Buku-Buku Didi
39. Author Shelli Profitt Howells
40. My Nook, Books and More
41. The Late Bloomer's Book Blog
42. Clarice's Book Nook
43. MichaelSciFan
44. Magical Manuscripts
45. Author Talia Jager
46. Every Free Chance Book Reviews
47. Jessabella Reads
48. Author Melissa Pearl
49. Author Elizabeth Isaacs
50. Bookitty Blog
51. Author Helen Smith
52. The (Mis)Adventures of a Twenty-Something Year Old Girl
53. Christine's Blog
54. Write Away Bliss
55. Another World of Books
56. The Reporter and The Girl MINUS The Super Man!
57. Katie's Clean Book Collection
58. Author Marcia Lynn McClure
59. Author Shannon Guymon
60. Ripple Effect Romance Series

  Sign up to Sponsor the NOVEMBER Giveaway http://www.iamareader.com/2013/09/november-kindle-fire-giveaway-sign-ups.html  
  Giveaway Details 1 winner will receive their choice of a Kindle Fire 7" HD (US Only), $199 Amazon Gift Card or $199 in Paypal Cash (International). There is a second separate giveaway for bloggers who post this giveaway on their blog. See details in the rafflecopter on how to enter to win the 2nd Kindle Fire. Ends 10/31/13 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the participating authors & bloggers. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.    

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It's Monday, What Are You Reading-September 16, 2013

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

Please click on the picture to go to the book's page on Goodreads to learn more about it.

I read some really fun picture books this week.
 

 A Couple of Boys Have the Best Week Ever
by Marla Frazee
I would love to read this book to my 4th graders.  Two grandparents host two boys for a week of "nature camp".  The boys would rather stay inside, but do some outdoor activities reluctantly.  Lots of sarcasm and tongue-in-cheek humor which is my favorite kind of funny. 

 Carnivores
by Aaron Reynolds 
Illustrated by Dan Santant
This is a great author/illustrator team. The Carnivores are upset because the other animals are leery of them.  They decide to try to become vegetarians with no luck.  Finally they enlist the advice of The Great Horned Owl who sets them on the path of self-acceptance.  This book is super-funny!  

 Crankenstein
by Samantha Berger
Illustrated by Dan Santant
Cute story about times when "Crankenstein" might shoe his face.  Some of those times include morning time, waiting in long lines and when it's rainy.  All kids will relate to being a little "Crankenstein" from time to time.  

I Finished Listening To...

 The True Blue Scout of Sugar Man Swamp
by Kathi Appelt
Narrated by Lyle Lovett
Loved this story!  There are so many story lines, I can't possibly do it justice.  Please visit the Goodreads page by clicking on the picture.  I would love to have this book in my class library.

I Finally Finished...

The Mighty Quinn 
by Robyn Parmele
This book was not for me.  If you'd like more info, please see my Goodreads' review. 

The Reading Zone
by Nancie Atwell
Loved this professional read.  Nancie's message: get rid of the extra "stuff" and get kids into the reading zone. 


What Are You Reading Friends?

Recent post: Review of Zero Tolerance by Claudia Mills

 

Zero Tolerance by Claudia Mills Blog Tour Review

I am thrilled to be part of this blog tour for Claudia Mills' Zero Tolerance. Please see below for other tour stops. 

Zero Tolerance
by Claudia Mills
Published in 2013 by Farrar Stratus Giroux Books for Young Readers.

Disclosure: I was provided a copy of the ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts. 

I rated this book 4 out of 5 stars. 

Summary from Goodreads

Seventh grader Sierra Shepard has always been the perfect student, so when she sees that she has accidentally brought her mother's lunch bag to school, including a pairing knife, she immediately turns in the knife at the school office. Much to her surprise, her beloved principal places her in in-school suspension and sets a hearing for her expulsion, citing the school's iron-clad no weapons policy. While there Sierra spends time with Luke, a boy who's known as a troublemaker, and discovers that he's not the person she assumed he would be-and that the lines between good and bad aren't as clear as she once thought. Claudia Mills brings another compelling school story to life. 

My Thoughts
I really enjoyed reading Zero Tolerance and could hardly wait to find out Sierra's fate.  Like any good book, it made me feel many different emotions. When the administration began to treat, the previously adored, Sierra with such distain and negativity for an innocent mistake I was frustrated and downright angry.  I could not imagine that a well-meaning honor student could be sacrificed in the name of "zero tolerance".  

Having had no personal experience, this book made me think about what a zero tolerance policy would be like in a middle school.  I know administrators have to keep schools safe, but would an honor student with no previous infractions really be expelled for grabbing the wrong lunch and immediately turning in the knife?  I would hope not. I was just so flabbergasted that expulsion was even discussed in this case where she was turning the knife in to trusted adults.  

Something positive came out of Sierra's in-school suspensions. After spending so much time with them, she realized that she had misjudged the "troublemakers" who were there with her.  She developed a real friendship with Luke who proves to be a loyal and selfless friend.  He even tries to take the blame after she does something very uncharacteristically reckless-something she could get in even bigger trouble for if anyone found out. 

Claudia Mills did an excellent job keeping just the right amount of suspense and tension in this book.  It grabs you right from the beginning and you really feel like you are right there with Sierra. You can feel her frustrations, fears, anxieties and hopes.  I think many upper elementary and middle schoolers will really enjoy reading Zero Tolerance.  


Claudia Mills is the author of many chapter and middle-grade books, including 7 x 9=Trouble!; How Oliver Olson Changed the World; and, most recently, Kelsey Green, Reading Queen. She also teaches philosophy at the University of Colorado at Boulder. She lives in Boulder, Colorado. To learn more, visit her website: claudiamillsauthor.com.




Please visit other blogs along the tour to hear more about Zero Tolerance. 

Wed, Sept 4         Read Now, Sleep Later

Thurs, Sept 5       proseandkahn

Fri, Sept 6            The Book  Monsters

Mon, Sept 9         Once Upon a Story

Tues, Sept 10        Pass the Chiclets

Wed, Sept 11         The Late Bloomer's Book Blog

Thurs, Sept 12       The Mother Daughter Book Club

Fri, Sept 13            The Children's Book Review

Sun, Sept 15          Nerdy Book Club

Mon, Sept 16         Geo Librarian

Tues, Sept 17         A Life Bound by Books