It's Monday, What Are You Reading-June 2, 2014

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

Not much this week, but I did finish...

Kelsey Green reading Queen

by Claudia Mills

I am currently reading...

Reviews to come.

Currently Listening

What Are You Reading Friends?

It's Monday, What Are You Reading-May 26, 2014

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

Oh my word, it has been 3 weeks since posting my IMWAYR post. Life is just crazy-busy. I have read a bit, but just have not been able to post.

Here are the highlights from the last 3 weeks. Please click on the cover to go to the book's page on Goodreads to read more about it and to see my review. 

I listened to...

Currently Reading...

Currently Listening...

What Are You Reading Friends?

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday-Zombie Makers:True Stories of Nature's UNDEAD

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

Zombie Makers:True Stories of Nature's UNDEAD

by Rebecca L Johnson

Published 2013 by Millbrook Press

48 Pages

This book is on the 2014-2015 Maine Student Book Award Nominees

With 48 pages and a lot of text, this is not really a picture book so I am breaking the rules a bit here. However it offers some interesting, if not downright disturbing, information that older kids are sure to enjoy.

Goodreads Summary

Examines creatures that can take over the bodies and brains of other creatures and turns them into slaves, from a fly-enslaving fungus to a cockroach-taming wasp.

My Thoughts

Ew, ew, ew! This book tackles a really disgusting topic. I really could have lived without knowing about some of the ways an animal's body can be taken over by fungus, viruses, and insects. There are real photos and "behind the science" facts to accompany each example. While I found it hard to read, many kids will LOVE it for the same reasons I found it disturbing. I know some of my fourth graders will be reading it with their friends as the information is just too gross not to share.  I recommend it for grades 4-8. 

This video is listed in the "More to Explore" section. After showing it, you won't be able to keep this book on the shelf. 

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? May 5, 2014

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

Please click on the cover to go to the book's page on Goodreads to read more about it and to see my review. 

Fiction

Nonfiction

Visit on Wednesday for a full review.

Currently Reading

What Are YOU Reading Friends?

A Review of The Dumbest Idea Ever by Jimmy Gownley

This Saturday is Free Comic Book Day! 
Click here to find a participating comic book store near you.

The Dumbest Idea Ever 
by Jimmy Gownley
Published 2014 by Graphix
240 pages
Genre: Memoir
Format: Graphic Novel
Disclosure: ARC provided by publisher





Goodreads Summary

Jimmy Gownley's graphic novel memoir about the "dumb" idea that changed his life forever!

What if the dumbest idea ever turned your life upside down?

At thirteen, Jimmy was popular, at the top of his class, and the leading scorer on his basketball team. But all that changed when chicken pox forced him to miss the championship game. Things went from bad to worse when he got pneumonia and missed even more school. Before Jimmy knew it, his grades were sinking and nothing seemed to be going right.

How did Jimmy turn things around, get back on top at school, and land a date with the cutest girl in class?

Renowned comics creator Jimmy Gownley shares his adventures as he grows from an eager-to-please boy into a teenage comic book artist. This is the real-life story of how the DUMBEST idea ever became the BEST thing that ever happened to him.

My Thoughts

I don't always enjoy graphic novels meant for older students, but I was really intrigued by this book. I think the fact that it is autobiographical made it interesting to me. Jimmy develops his talent and finds his passion at such a young age all while balancing the social awkwardness of adolescence. I think many students will be able to relate to his story and will find hope in reading about his struggles and accomplishments. Jimmy puts his mistakes and missteps out there for the reader to see. At times it is very funny to watch and other times you want to cringe in embarrassment. Because of some implied "romantic situations", I would recommend this book for grades 5 and up.  

Check out this book trailer.

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday-Plastic, Ahoy!: Investigating the Great Pacific Garbage Patch

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

Kellee and Ricki from Unleashing Readers also shared this book a few weeks ago, but after I read it, I thought it worthy of another share. Click here to see their review.

Plastic, Ahoy!: Investigating the Great Pacific Garbage Patch
by Patricia Newman
Photography by Annie Crawley
Published 2014 by Millbrook Press
Genre: Nonfiction
48 pages
Disclosure: Review copy provided by Netgalley.com


Goodreads Summary
These scientists are on a mission. As part of a research expedition known as SEAPLEX, they're studying the massive accumulation of plastic in the Pacific Ocean known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. As they use the scientific method to conduct their investigation, their adventures will introduce readers to the basics of ocean science and the hazards of plastics.

My Thoughts

As I read Plastic, Ahoy! I felt ashamed that I don't do enough to help the environment and I immediately wanted to DO something. I think that was the main goal of this book, to make us take a hard look at what we have done, and are doing, to our planet. I was drawn into this book and just had to keep reading to see what the scientists found. The author does a terrific job breaking down some of the complicated information into manageable pieces that kids (and adults) will understand. She also makes the scientific process visible by showing the questions that each scientist was trying to answer and how they collected and analyzed data and modified their hypotheses. The information is accompanied by excellent photographs of the scientists at work on their ship in the middle of the ocean. I would recommend Plastic Ahoy for students in grades three through middle school. 

Use this book....

as a nonfiction read aloud.

during a unit on ecology or the ocean. 

near Earth Day.

before a school clean up day.

to demonstrate the scientific process.

for close reading of nonfiction. 

to discuss the use of plastics and recycling.

Resources

PBS Need to Know video: An Ocean of Plastic

Kids World: Pacific Ocean's Plastic Island

Kid Ocean: Ocean Pollution for Kids

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? April 28, 2014

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

Sorry, no time to post reviews with the books I read this week. Click on the picture to go to the book's page on Goodreads and to see my rating.  I will be doing a full review on Plastic, Ahoy! and The Dumbest Idea Ever this week. I am hoping to do a review of The Spy Catchers of Maple Hill soon. Enjoy your week!

Picture Book-Fiction


Nonfiction

Graphic Novel

Poetry

Middle Grade

Finished Listening....

Still Reading....

What Are You Reading Friends? 

Recent posts:

Review of If it Rains Pancakes

Celebrate this Week

Visit this week for:

Nonfiction Wednesday-A review of Plastic, Ahoy!

Friday-A review of The Dumbest Idea Ever

Saturday-Celebrate this Week!