Ouside Shot by Fred Bowen

Ouside Shot 
by Fred Bowen
Published March, 2017
Peachtree Publishers
144 Pages
Advanced readers copy provided by publisher

Goodreads Summary
Eighth-grader Richie Mallon has always known he was a shooter, but will his amazing shooting talent be enough to keep him on the team? Outside Shot tells the story of eighth-grade basketball player Richie Mallon, who is known as the shooter, the one on the team who scores most of the baskets. He has practiced every day at his driveway hoop, perfecting his technique. Richie never plays any other roles on the court; he lets his teammates do the assisting and rebounding. Richie makes the team under a tough new coach, but he's not a starter. Then when his shooting skills go into a slump, he must find a way to become a more well-rounded player. Author Fred Bowen continues his Sport Story Series with full court, play-by-play action thats sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats!

My Thoughts
Richie starts out quite sure of himself at the beginning of the book since he has a reputation of being able to make shots consistently. He and his best friend Bryce are certain that they will both be starters on the 8th grade team. But, when he tries out for a new coach, he makes the team, but he is not first string.  
Richie is stunned and sets out to prove his worth to the coach. He is very concerned about his stats, most specifically, points scored and percentage of shots made. When he hits a dry spell, Richie grows more and more stressed. He starts to befriend one of the managers who keeps the stats and she suggests that he try to also get more assists and rebounds and perhaps his shot will return. But who would he be is he weren't "the shooter"? 

Richie learns some valuable lessons in this story and many middle graders will enjoy it. It's length, font size and readability make it quite manageable for many in grades 3-5.  

Visit Fred Bowen's website 

See what others have to say about this book. 
Boys and Literacy
4th Grade Reading

The Okee Dokee Brothers: Thousand Star Hotel

The Okee Dokee Brothers: Thousand Star Hotel
Illustrated by Brandon Reese
Published March 7, 2017
Sterling Children's
Review copy provided by publisher

Goodreads Summary 
The Grammy®-winning Okee Dokee Brothers create a fanciful story—inspired by the folktale “The Fisherman and His Wife”—about the things we wish for . . . and the things we really need.
"I’m sleepin’ in a thousand star hotel.
Gold leaf pillow for my head.
Feel like a king on a king-size riverbed."

Once upon a time there were two muskrats who lived in a cabin near a big old river. Mr. Muskrat dreamt of catching enough fish to make them rich; Mrs. Muskrat was happy if they caught enough for a good supper. Then, one day, they reel in a giant golden catfish who promises to grant their wish if they set him free. The two muskrats agree to let the fish off the hook and he does keep his word . . . but in a most unexpected and magical way. (from the publisher's website).

My Thoughts
This classic folktale is reimagined in this lovely book that reminds readers of wants, needs and what truly makes us happy. 
The illustrations are excellent! Images are presented in circles frames or cover the entire page from top to bottom. The book has a thick cover and sturdy rounded pages that beg for rereadings. 
The folktale lends itself to rich discussions about wishes, desires and gratitude. 
It comes with a 12-track cd sung by The Okee Dokee Brothers. 
I would recommend this book for grades 1-4.

Watch the trailer.

Thousand Star Hotel (preview, book trailer) from Sterling Publishing on Vimeo.

Here is some music from the cd.

See what others have to say about this book:
The Children's Book Review
The Hungry Bookworm

Double or Nothing with the Two and Only Kelly Twins by Johanna Hurwitz

Double or Nothing with the Two and Only Kelly Twins 
by Johanna Hurwitz
Illustrated by Tuesday Mourning
Published April, 2017
Candlewick Press
80 pages
Review advanced reader copy provided by publisher

Goodreads Summary
Arlene and Ilene love so many things about being identical twins. They like sharing a room, sharing friends, and wearing matching outfits. But they're in different classes at school, and one twin has a scar that the other one doesn't. One morning, their friends Monty and Joey point out a new difference that takes the sisters by surprise and gets them thinking: if they are identical twins, why are there differences between them at all?Their tongues must be the same, so why do they like different kinds of ice cream? Why does Arlene wear pink nail polish while Ilene thinks it's silly? Why is Ilene sleeping soundly when Arlene is awake, wondering how she can be sure that she isArlene, not Ilene? Revisit the funny, lovable characters from The Two and Only Kelly Twins and take a peek at the wonders -- and puzzles -- of being an identical twin. 

My Thoughts
The Kelly twins, Arlene and Ilene, return in their second book. These second graders love being identical twins. They dress alike and wear their hair the same way so it can be hard for others to tell them apart. 
When another student notices that the girls look different one day, they realize that one of them lost a tooth overnight. For once, the Kelly Twins did not look exactly alike. Then they end up having separate sleep overs and, although they were nervous, it all went fine. Maybe they could be different every now and then. One time, I think they might not have minded being different was when head lice went through the classroom and unfortunately, both girls, as well as most of the class, end up getting it. These experiences planted the idea that maybe the sisters didn't always have to be exactly alike. 

I would recommend this book, and series, for kids in grades 2-4. 

See what others have to say about this book:
Kirkus
Kidlit Frenzy

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

Don't Go To School by Máire Zepf + A Giveaway!!

Don't Go To School 
by Máire Zepf
Illustrated by Tarsila Krüse
August 2017
Sterling Children's Books
Hardcover
Fiction
Review copy provided by publisher

Goodreads Summary

Benno is really excited about his first day at school. But there’s one problem: MOMMY! 

A laugh-out-loud twist on a familiar theme.

What can a little bear do when he’s all ready for his first day of school—but his mother isn’t? “DON”T GO TO SCHOOL!” she wails. “STAY HERE WITH ME!” Mommy sulks, she’s shy, she even throws a tantrum. Can Benno convince her that everything’s okay? He comes up with an ingenious idea to help her adjust—one that many a mom and dad will recognize. This humorous story will reassure and delight nervous children, while parents feeling a little sad to see their babies grow up and march off to school will empathize with Mom!

My Thoughts

There are many books about the anxieties of starting school for the first time, but this is the first book I have read where it is the parent who is anxious and doesn't want her child to start school. Author Máire Zepf uses hilarious juxtaposition and turns the tables describing what, I am sure, some parents might feel as their little ones begin school. "New things are scary sometimes, Mommy..." little Benno says to his mother to help calm her fears. He practically drags her to school to meet the teacher and she is nervous because she doesn't know many of the other parents. 

In the end, Benno convinces his mom that everything will be fine and gives her a pocket full of kisses. 

The text font and illustrations are simple with endearing characters on every page. The colors are somewhat muted and dark with some patterning mixed in which I liked very much.

I really enjoyed this take on a "starting school" book and think many kids and parents will enjoy its humor as they engage in discussions about starting school. 

I would like to thank Sterling for hosting a giveaway of Don't Go to School. Enter in the rafflecopter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Nonfiction Wednesday-Can an Aardvark Bark? by Melissa Stewart and Steve Jenkins

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



Can an Aardvark Bark? by Melissa Stewart and Steve Jenkins
Published June 2017
Beach Lane Books
32 Pages
Nonfiction
Review copy provided by publisher


Goodreads Summary

From award-winning author Melissa Stewart and Caldecott honoree Steve Jenkins comes a noisy nonfiction exploration of the many sounds animals make.

Can an aardvark bark? No, but it can grunt. Lots of other animals grunt too…
Barks, grunts, squeals—animals make all kinds of sounds to communicate and express themselves. With a growling salamander and a whining porcupine, bellowing giraffes and laughing gorillas, this boisterous book is chock-full of fun and interesting facts and is sure to be a favorite of even the youngest animal enthusiasts.

My Thoughts

Talk about a dream team?! Nonfiction royalty, Melissa Stewart and Steve Jenkins, have teamed up to bring us this wonderful book about animal sounds and there is so much to love about it! 

I love the cover with its little ants marching along the bottom. If you open the book up, you can see the front and back of the aardvark. 

I love the repetitive pattern: Can a giraffe laugh? No, but it can bellow. Lots of other animals bellow too. This structure gives the book a nice flow and helps readers to know what is coming.

I love the facts. Readers learn about different animal sounds presented in just a few sentences. Did you know that a baby beaver whines to let its mother know that it is hungry? 

I love the illustrations. Steve Jenkins is a genius, plain and simple. 

Image from Simon and Schuster Website. 

I would highly recommend Can and Aardvark Bark for any classroom or school library. With its simple, yet informative text and engaging illustrations, it will appeal to a wide age-range. 

But, don't take my word for it, watch this adorable book trailer created by kids! 

See what others have to say about this book:
Publishers Weekly
Kirkus
Kid lit Reviews

Read more about the making of the trailer and info about the book at Mr. Schu's site. 

Spotlight On: Claymates by Dev Petty

Claymates
by Dev Petty
Illustrated by Lauren Eldridge
Published June, 2017
Little Brown Books for Young Readers
40 Pages
Fiction
Hardcover
Obtained from public library

Goodreads Summary

Meet the claymates: two balls of clay that can become anything--even best friends! 

What can you do with two blobs of clay? Create something amazing! But don't leave them alone for too long. Things might get a little crazy. 
In this photographic friendship adventure, the claymates squish, smash, and sculpt themselves into the funniest shapes imaginable. But can they fix a giant mess before they're caught in the act? 

Quick Thoughts

Oh my word! This book is so creative and so much FUN! These two balls of clay discover that they can be anything they want to be and in the process they become friends. I would highly recommend Claymates for grades Pre-K-4. 

Kids will love it and adults will love rereading it. Just make sure to have some clay ready so they can create "something wonderful". 

Check out this great book trailer!

See what others have to say about this book:
Mr. Schu-Watch. Connect. Read
Publishers Weekly
Kirkus