ALA Youth Media Awards and More #IMWAYR

It's Monday! What are you reading on your school holiday?

It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme began by Sheila at Book Journeys as a way to share what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and what is in store for the upcoming week. It's also a great chance to see what others are reading. I first learned about it from Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki of Unleashing Readers and have become a regular linked up blog. Thanks #PLN

OH, the agony I experienced this morning when I suddenly had to cover a "running a little bit late" teacher's classroom causing me to miss the ALA Youth Media Awards annoucements which led up to long minutes of frustration of tyring to find out the news asap. Thanks to Twitter, I was able to quickly see Vines and photos shared by fellow book lovers. Thanks all.

You can see the archived webcast here: ALA Youth Media Award - www.ala.org/yma

 

#Virtualbookclub members were thrilled to hear the news of our February Book choice: the Newbery medal winner-Flora and Ulysses by Date DiCamillo. This is one of my current reads.

 

Jinx by Sage Blackwood
This morning I became dangerously behind schedule because I thought I might spare a few minutes to finishing reading the fabulous magical book Jinx. Love it, Love it, Love it! Need bookmarks for my students!









I also re-read a mess of Texas Bluebonnet Award nominees in preparation of our upcoming Bluebonnet Breakfast Celebration. I create a trivia contest, games, and crafts. It is so much fun.

Photo credit: Nancy Jo Lambert

 

Current reads:

Flora and Ulysses

Year of Shadows by Claire Legrande

I have some very cool bookmarks that Claire sent to the students of my school. I just purchased the book and look forward to sharing it with my students.

 

 

 

Happy reading!

 

#IMWAYR January 20, 2014

It's Monday! What are you reading on your school holiday? 

It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme began by Sheila at Book Journeys as a way to share what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and what is in store for the upcoming week. It's also a great chance to see what others are reading. I first learned about it from Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki of Unleashing Readers and have become a regular linked up blog. Thanks #PLN 

#MustReadin2014 Challenge

Carrie Gelson of There is a Book For That posted an Twitter invitation to join a reading challenge that she and Maria Selke from Maria’s Melange are hosting. I already have a never ending TBR pile so I decided to join in and set up a Goodreads shelf called #MustReadin2014. I really enjoy reading along with others-a perfect example of why I love host and take part in book clubs. They are a fun way to chat with other folks who enjoy talking about kids books. (Button created by Linda Baie from Teacher Dance).
What I am reading now: 

 Book buzz:  I am very excited to have just started reading Jinx by Sage Blackwood.  I first heard about this title from Twitter pal and teacher, Kim Campbell. She has the most interesting things to share and I value her opinions. 

A big thank you to @urwalder who Skyped with my Mock Newbery club today and talked about her Jinx books and writing! @CarrieGelson
— Kim Campbell (@kacwrites) January 16, 2014

..and in wonderful Twitter fashion, Sage Blackwood soon joined the conversation once again proving how valuable Twitter can be for teachers and librarians in connecting readers to books. I asked Sage to explain to me about something she refers to as the "Game of Twenty." Let me see if I can outline the details of the game.


Sage:  "When I get stuck writing, I ask myself a question, What is the protagonist hiding?"
Next: "Then I start listing answers. 1st few are obvious. Next few are crazy. I list 20 answers.. although usually #17 or #18 turns out to be the one I end up using."

Hey, that's pretty cool and a terrific writing suggestion. Sort of like working through the clues of a mystery.




Jinx Links: HarperCollins Jinx page
                   Jinx Planting Activity-I am going to do this in my library.

Jinx author's page: Sage Blackwood

Read samples of Jinx and Jinx's Magic 


Here are the other books I have read and reviewed this week:

 

The Year of Billy Miller helped me mark progress towards three of my reading challenges. My #MustReadin2014, My Goodreads challenge of 214 books, and the first book for 2014's #virtualbookclub. 

Because I Stubbed My Toe

Because I Stubbed My Toe by Shawn Byous

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Cleverly funny tale of a boy who stubs his toe on a chair leg which frightens his dog, who scares the cat, and so on with a continuing chain of unfortunate events culminating in a very happy ending. This title would be useful when teaching cause and effect.

The Great American Dust Bowl

The Great American Dust Bowl by Don Brown

My rating: 5 of 5 stars






The Great American Dust Bowl is a work of superior quality by Don Brown. The graphic novel format with its well chosen illustrations and concise choice of text aids readers in understanding the causes leading up to the start of the Dust Bowl era, the science behind how a dust storm begins, and its resulting impact on life and land. Brown's bibliography and source notes provide good context for further research. This would pair nicely with Matt Phelan's "The Storm in the Barn", Karen Hesse's "Out of the Dust" and a selection of Woody Guthrie songs about the Dust Bowl era. Link to Woody Guthrie Curriculum resources for all content areas: http://woodyguthrie.org/curriculum/cu...

Other resources:

 Library of Congress: Voices from the Dust Bowl

 

The Invisible Boy

The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



In a class full of vivacious children, Brian is shy and easy to miss-he is almost invisible. No one bothers to speak to Brian, or invites him to sit with them at lunch, or even chooses him when teams are forming. Even Brian's teacher is too preoccupied by more demanding children so Brian melts away into the background. When Justin, a new student arrives, Brian is the only one to offer up a smile of welcome. Justin is teased for the type of lunch he brings so Brian kindly leaves a note for Justin that sets off a new friendship between the two. This story is ripe for discussion about how we treat and should treat each others. Justin demonstrates kindness and welcomes Brian to join with others. Brian has a talent for drawing that deserves to be recognized.

Illustrator Patrice Barton has drawn Brian in black and white in contrast to his more colorful classmates. When Justin arrives, Brian offers him a smile that brings a bit of color to his face. Brian slowly gains more and more color as he begins to connect with his classmates and is included in their activities. I look forward to sharing this book and lesson with students.

It's Monday, January 13th What Are You Reading?

 

It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme began by Sheila at Book Journeys as a way to share what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and what is in store for the upcoming week. It's also a great chance to see what others are reading. I first learned about it at Teach Mentor Texts. 

It's Early Bird Reader time again. This is a program I wholeheartedly support as it involves putting books into the hands of young children not yet in school. We want to make sure they are exposed to books as soon as possible. The goal is for siblings to bring home books to read to little brothers, sisters, cousins, or close friends. The books are given to the "baby birds" to help build up home libraries. It is not an easy thing to read to little brothers and sisters so I have to provide a bit of good humored training. I pretend to be the little sibling and let the big brother or sister attempt to read to me. Just like a two year old, I snatch the book out of their hands or try to take over the reading or even walk away mid sentence. Students are always shocked but better it be with me during practice then experience frustration at home. I give students tips and tricks for reading to little one to make the experience enjoyable for all.

Here are some of the books I have been reading this week:

THe Year of Billy Miller is the first book we will be reading for our

#virtualbookclub chat at 9 p.m. EST 1/20/14! 

Scarlatti's Cat by Nathaniel Lachenmeyer

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Italian composer Domenico Scarlatti composed a beautiful sonata known as "Cat's Fugue" which was supposedly inspired by his pampered cat, Pulcinella scampering across the keys of his harpsichord one day in pursuit of a mouse. In concern for the future of his profession and that of other great composers, he decids it best to give poor Pulcinella away lest she steal their limelight.

Clara's Crazy Curls by Helen Poole

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Clara loves her tall head of massive curls but would love it even better if her hair were as tall as the sky. She applies a little hair cream and viola! Clara should have been careful for what she wished for because although her curls are great fun at first, trouble soon follows. Colorful, fun, and crazy curls! I like that Clara also learns that honesty is an important virtue.


The Only Alex Addleston in All These Mountains by James Solheim
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Alex Addleston and Alex Addleston met each other on the first day of Kindergarten and became instant best friends. They remained best friends until the day Alex's family moved to Kenya to build schools. Years went by and they lost touch until one firefly filled, night when the Alex's  met again.

I haven't done a lot of reading recently as I have been spending most of my time coughing but I seem to be on the mend and plan to get back in the groove of things.


Happy reading to you all.

My Must Read List for 2014 #IMWAYR January 6, 2014

It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme began by Sheila at Book Journeys as a way to share what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and what is in store for the upcoming week. It's also a great chance to see what others are reading. I first learned about it at Teach Mentor Texts. 

'Tis the season to wipe the slate and start a new reading list for 2014. So many exciting titles are coming out in 2014 and so many more that I never found time to read in 2013. This is the marvelous thing about a new year-it's a fresh start and opportunities abound.

I decided to plunge into a few reading challenges and promise myself to do a better job of keeping track of all that I read and updating My Reading Life Door monthly to motivate my student readers. 

First off, I accepted Alyson Beecher's challenge at Kid Lit Frenzy to read non-fiction titles this year and blog about my progress in quarterly posts. This is easy to manage since we only need to do quarterly updates on our progress. I like it!

#MustReadin2014 Challenge

Carrie Gelson of There is a Book For That posted an Twitter invitation to join a reading challenge that she and Maria Selke from Maria’s Melange are hosting. I already have a never ending TBR pile so I decided to join in and set up a Goodreads shelf called #MustReadin2014. I really enjoy reading along with others-a perfect example of why I love host and take part in book clubs. They are a fun way to chat with other folks who enjoy talking about kids books. (Button created by Linda Baie from Teacher Dance).

My Goodreads #MustReadin2014 List
These are a few of the books that I will be reading this year for the #MustReadin2014 Challenge.
I am taking advantage of Pic Monkey to help me get today's blog post up so I can get back to bed and nurse a bad cough.

Here's the #virtualbookclub 2014 Reading List! 1st chat 1/20/14!

Be sure to join us for some great book conversations with fellow bookie folks. 

Happy 2014

Happy New Year 2014!

This will be short and sweet because I have so fortunate enough to have these last few hours off before I head back to work tomorrow.
I am looking forward to what 2014 brings and have even added a new challenge today. I am going to accept Alyson Beecher's challenge at Kid Lit Frenzy and set a goal for reading non-fiction titles this year and do a better job of recording them into my Goodreads goal tracker. I love to read but like many kids, I am not fond of recording what I have read. I will talk a book for hours but simply write down the date I finished reading it? Forget it. That will change this year. I will be more disciplined in that respect.

For now, I will set my goal at one non-fiction titles per week. I have a mountain of titles to get through each week and I want the challenge to be fun. So that makes 53 non-fiction titles to read in 2014. I will start tomorrow. For now, it's time to check on dinner and play zombies hide and seek with L.

Best wishes to all for a safe, prosperous, and happy new year!