What? You didn't read your book!!!

I had an unusual week. I barely read anything. GASP. This book lady didn't read. Much. Sometimes life happens. It all started over the holiday weekend when my sixteen year old got really sick. I thought it was just a nasty summer virus. YEAH. Well it was a BAD virus. We were the lucky winners of a two night stay at our local children's hospital! It could have been a lot worse. He's fine now. I've been teasing him about needing extra attention. In between hospital visits and trips back to the doctors office I did manage to read a few.

Smells Like Dog by Suzanne Selfors

I'll be honest. I wasn't too sure about this one when I got it. Then I started reading it. It was really a good read. Probably best in 3-6 grade range. In a nut shell twelve year old Homer Pudding inherits a dog and a mystery from his uncle, Drake. Uncle Drake was a treasure hunter and one of his maps is missing. Homer sets off for "the city" and has to find the missing map. Along the way meets some very odd people. Recommend this one! Accelerated Reading level - 4.3 Lexile level - 670

I did squeeze in some nonfiction books:
Swordfish by Deborah Coldiron
Sea Urchins by Simon Rose
Leeches: Waiting in the Water by Barbara A. Somervill
Kraits by Ellen Frazel
Death Adder by Lincoln James
Black Mamba by Angelo Gangemi
Fighting Dinosaurs by Monica Hughes
Diplodocus by Joanne Mattern
Snowy Owls by Roman Patrick
Hunting With Bald Eagles by Paige Thurnherr
Stock Cars by Lisa Bullard
Custer's Last Stand by Joeming Dunn

I was looking to add to some of the animal books and other topics missing in our library. I really wanted some that would make good centers to do an activity on text features.  These were good beginner books, nothing really just stood out and shouted "make me into a center!" The kids will like them. That's what's really important.

Standouts include:
The Post Office Book: Mail and How It Moves by Gail Gibbons

I just love Gail Gibbons. Seriously! This one would make a great center activity. From the history of mail to how mail is currently sorted at the post office, it's just a great little book. This one is from 1982 but it's still great! (I just didn't have this one.)

My fourth grade ELA teacher requested some more books about mythology. It's a big deal with CCS in fourth. I already had several good mythology series in the library already. I found these to add to our school's collection:

Dragons in Mythology by Matt Doeden
The Epics of Greek Mythology by Don Nardo
Egyptian Mythology by Jim Ollhoff
European Mythology by Jim Ollhoff

Jim Ollhoff's series "World of Mythology" was the best of the bunch. I'll be adding his other titles this fall. This series is written at a higher reading level than the other series I have in the library that the kids enjoy. (AR levels 5.4 - 6.0) These will be a nice addition for more complex text!

Homes Around the World by Max Moore
This was just a great little book. The students will enjoy looking at the different kinds of homes from across our great planet. You won't find East Tennessee homes in this book. This one is a level one reader so perfect for my Kinders and 1st graders learning about different cultures.

I did find three books that I can use to teach text features.  I do recommend these titles. They were just good informational/non-fiction reads.

Why do animals become extinct? by Bobbie Kalman
Reading levels AR - 5.5 Lexile Level 850

Investigating: Why Leaves Change Their Color by Ellen Rene
Reading levels AR - 3.7 Lexile Level  650

Gray Wolves by Lynn Stone
Reading levels AR - 3.9  Lexile Level  675

Happy Reading!

Read, Read, Read - Great Books Indeed!

Happy Monday! It's a great day because I get to chat about my cool finds from last week.

This past week I finished the picture books and non-fiction books from my last book order. If you don't have I Could Do That! by Linda Arms White, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter GET THIS ONE!

 

This is just a wonderful story about Esther Morris and her suffrage work in Wyoming. It's well researched and beautifully illustrated. 

The Library Gingerbread Man by Dotti Enderle, illustrated by Colleen M. Madden.

 



I had a little library love with this one. Gingerbread Man gets loose in the library. What will the librarian do? Catch him of course! It's just really cute watching him travel though the non-fiction section of the library. Would be a great read to introduce the Dewey Decimal System to lower grade students.

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer, illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon

 

A great autobiography of William Kamkwamba who helps save his family from the great feminine in Malawi.


How a House is Built by Gail Gibbons

I just love Gail Gibbons's books.! She researches her topics and illustrated them perfectly. With this wonderful book the students can see the whole process of "How a House is Built."

I also read:

Coral Reefs by Gail Gibbons
Anaconda by Johanna Burke
Have You Filled a Bucket Today? by carol McCloud, illustrated by David Messing
Late for School! by Stephanie Salmenson, illustrated by Sachiko Yoshikawa
Christmas Is... by Gail Gibbons
Centipede's 100 Shoes by Tony Ross
Don't Slam the Door! by Dori Chaconas illustrated by Will Hillenbrand
Voices In The Park by Anthony Browne
Lili at Ballet by Rachel Isadora
Dragsters by Thomas K. Adamson
Endangered Bears by Bobbie Kalman and Kylie Burns
The Fantastic Jungles of Henri Rousseau
Coral Reefs by Gail Gibbons
(Can you tell I like Gail Gibbons books?)

Keep Reading! - You know I am!

If only reading books got my house cleaned.......

This summer I have definitely been reading more. My flower beds are weedy and  my house is dusty! My wonderful mother-in-law informed me "Dust is a country accessory!" If that's true, my house is so stylish it should be featured in HGTV magazine! (I won't insult Southern Living.)  Hmmmm, wonder if my teenager would dust for gas money? It's really not that bad, but if you come to see my house, make an appointment.

Seriously, I read some great books last week. I couldn't pick just a couple to blog about. This might be my longest post to date.   I have to mention Monet Paints a Day by Julie Danneberg, illustrated by Caitlin Heimerl.

This one is just a terrific way to introduce art/artists to our students. Basically,  Ms. Danneberg has recreated a day in the life of Claude Monet. It's wonderful. Ms. Heimerl's illustrations are perfect. Would work well with a sequencing activity. Maybe I should make one. (Another reason not to dust!)

Ordinary Mary's Extraordinary Deed by Emily Pearson, illustrated by Fumi Kosaka is another standout.

Our math teachers could incorporate a little multiplication with this one. Little Mary does a good deed and it spreads all around. Could be used with cause and effect, manners, multiplication... Reminded me a little of another great book that I read a couple weeks ago - Because Amelia Smiled by David Ezra Stein.

Don't Squeal Unless It's a Big Deal by Jeanie Franz Ransom, illustrated by Jackie Urbanovic

This one I have to read to a certain group of 2nd graders this fall. Oh my, they love to tattle. Our school councilor will love this one. I may just save this one for her to use first. The characters are pigs.... It's the best tattletale story I've seen a while.

King Hugo's Huge Ego by Chris Van Dusen  

Adorable little story about people who brag. Maybe they only go/teach at my school.... The class I mentioned is going to get this one read to them also! Might have to pull this one out for a certain group of 8th graders also. It's pretty funny.

Fortunately, Unfortunately by Michael Foreman

Perfect for cause and effect. I had seen this one on Pinterest. It's as cute as I had heard.

Goldie Socks and the Three Libearians by Jackie Mims Hopkins, illustrated by John Manders

Yes, it's a fractured tale of Goldilocks with a totally different ending. Librarians will love this one, but so will reading teachers. No nasty porridge, just great books in this house.

Keep Reading! I will...

It's Monday and I'm reading .....What?

I have so many books to read it's hard to pick what to read next!  Oh, like I'm the only person with that problem. I read though my stack of picture books last week and honestly loved them all. The book about small game wasn't my favorite, but I got that for my little hunters... I have several of those. If I had to pick a couple stand outs, the first would be Twister by Darleen Bailey Beard, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter.

This is an awesome book about, well, a twister! It's definitely going in my stack for weather week in the spring. This one is beautifully written, "The monstrous howling shakes my chest and makes my insides shiver. Then, once again, it's silent." If you can't see the tornado from the wonderful wording, there are Ms. Carpenter's illustrations that are just perfect. This one is a keeper. LOVE IT!!!

I also recommend Wolf! by Becky Bloom, illustrated by Pascal Biet.

The hungry wolf visits the farm for some lunch but gets sidetracked when he sees the animals reading. (I soooo related to this one. I have missed, delayed, and even burnt supper over a book!) This one was just too cute. Wolf, of course, has to learn how to read. Can't be upstaged by a pig... Wolf! covers the whole process our kiddies go though when learning how to read. I can't wait to read this one for story time this fall...

Finally, if you don't have The Plot Chickens by Mary Jane and Herm Auch,  GO AND GET THIS ONE!!! Can't wait to do a short story unit with my darlings this fall and I'm so going to read them this book.

Henrietta, the hen, loves to read and decides to write her own story. This delightful tale steps readers though the writing process.  (Would be a wonderful addition to a unit on elements of a story.) After Henrietta finishes her book, she has a little trouble with the publishing... It's just adorable. Can you tell I had some serious book love with this one?

This week I'll be reading:

Picture books (Easy books):

Don't Squeal Unless It's a Big Deal by Jeanie Franz Ransom, illustrated by Jackie Urbanovic
Scaredy Squirrel Goes Camping by Melanie Watt
King Hugo's Huge Ego by Chris Van Dusen
Prairie Chicken Little by Jackie Mims Hopkins, illustrated by Henry Cole
The Boy Who Loved Words by Roni Schotter, illustrated by Giselle Potter
Fortunately, Unfortunately by Michael Foreman
Goldie Socks and the Three Libearians by Jackie Mims Hopkins, illustrated by John Manders
What Are You So Grumpy About? by Tom Lichtenheld
Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Jane Chapman
Tell the Truth, B.B. Wolf by Judy Sierra, illustrated by Jotto Seibold
Ordinary Mary's Extraordinary Deed, by Emily Pearson, illustrated by Fumi Kosaka
Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein
Just Ducks! by Nicola Davies

Non-fiction books

A Foot in the Mouth by Paul Janeczko, illustrated by Chris Raschka
Monet Paints a Day by Julie Danneberg, illustrated by Caitlin Heimerl
Galaxies, Galaxies! by Gail Gibbons
Farming by Gail Gibbons
Owl Babies by Martin Waddell illustrated by Patrick Benson

Keep Reading! (Summer vacation will be over before we realize.....)

 

So many books.....

It's a good thing I just love to read. I've got a huge list for this week. Fortunately most of them are picture books. I've got Bible School this week, so reading time is going to be at a minimum. I also really need have to weed a couple flower beds.

Standouts from last week:

I just loved The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick.

It was TERRIFIC. When I first picked this one up, I thought I kids won't read this one. It's so long..... WRONG. It's half illustrations, but the story line is so engaging my students won't be able to put this one down. It didn't take long to see why this one was Caldecott worthy. In case you somehow missed this one, (I almost did) it's about an orphaned boy who takes care of the clocks in the train station in Paris. Well sort of. He's also a sneak thief who has several big secrets. If he wants to find out what message his father has left for him, he must repair a automaton (robot) and solve the mystery. I guess that's one of the reasons I loved this book. I just love great mysteries. My favorite author of all time is probably Agatha Christy.

I also have to mention Because Amelia Smiled by David Ezra Stein.

This is such a great story to use for cause and effect. It's wonderful. Amelia smiles and starts a change reaction that goes all around the globe. Oh the power of the smile. Mr. Stein's illustrations make this book award worthy. It just might be one of my favorite books from last year. It was just BEAUTIFUL!

Reading this week:

The Plot Chickens by Mary Jane and Herm Auch
A Poke in the I by Paul Janeczko, illustrated by Chris Raschka
Previously by Allan Ahlberg, illustrated by Bruce Ingman
Wolf! by Becky Bloom, illustrated by Pascal Biet
Tigers: World's Largest Cats by Amelie von Zumbusch
One Tiny Turtle by Nicola Davies, illustrated by Jane Chapman
A Fine, Fine School by Sharon Creech, illustrated by Harry Bliss
Rain Rain Rivers by Uri Shulevitz
Who Will See Their Shadows This Year? by Jerry Pallotta, illustrated by David Biedrzycki
Twister by Darleen Bailey Beard, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter
Read to Tiger by S. J. Fore, illustrated by R. W. Alley
April Fool! Watch Out at School! by Diane deGroat
The Graves Family by Patricia Polacco
The Girl Who Never Made Mistakes by Mark Pett and Gary Rubinstein illustrated by Mark Pett
Chickerella by Mary Jane and Herm Auch
How Santa Got His Job by Stephen Krensky, illustrated by S.D. Schindler
Plantzilla by Jerdine Nolen, illustrated by David Catrow
Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen, illustrated by Dan Hanna
Miss Moore Thought Otherwise by Jan Pinborough, illustrated by Debby Atwell
Bubble Gum, Bubble Gum by Lisa Wheeler, illustrated by Laura Huliska-Beith
Frida by Jonah Winter, illustrated by Ana Juan
Cowboys and Coygirls Yippee-Yay! by Gail Gibbons
Small Game by Janet Gurtler
Nursery Rhyme Comics published by First Second
How Chipmunk Got His Stripes by Joseph Bruchac and James Bruchac
There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed a Rose! by Lucille Colandro
Leaves by David Ezra Stein

Hey, most of them are picture books. As long as I don't go crazy over the illustrations, I should make it though the stack!

Happy Reading!

A Book a Day Keeps --- Boredom Away!

Last week I finished all my books except the professional category. It's to be savored not rushed!

Standouts from last week are:

The Lost Stories by John Flanagan. It was part of his Ranger's Apprentice Series.  I  have to admit I just loved these. My teenagers got me hooked on them. If you haven't read them it's like Lord of the Rings for middle school. In this one there are all these wonderful short stories about characters you meet while reading The Ranger's Apprentice series. Readers gain further insight into Halt and Will's journey to become rangers.

Minerva Louise and the Colorful Eggs by Janet Morgan Stoeke was a delightful story about a hen who finds colorful eggs in the garden. Yes, it's an Easter story. I'll definitely be reading this one to my Kinders next spring.

With my Nerdy Challenge for the week I plan to read the following:

Chapter books:

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
Quest For the Spark by Jeff Smith

Picture books: 

A Day With No Crayons by Elizabeth Rusch
Because Amelia Smiled by David Ezra Stein
Rocket Writes a Story by Tad Hills
Ollie's Easter Eggs by Olivier Dunrea
Where's Walrus by Stephen Savage (Yes, I know it's a wordless picture book. I'm going to read the pictures!)

Non-Fiction Books:

Sarah Gives Thanks by Mike Allegra
Seymour Simon's Book of Trains

Professional Books:

Still reading Literacy Work Stations: Making Centers Work by Debbie Diller. (I just have to finish this one!) If When I get it done, then I'll start: Practice With Purpose: Literacy Work Stations For Grades 3-6 by Debbie Diller.

I guess you see my theme. I'm trying to learn more about centers and how I can use them more effectively in my library classes.  I'm definitely stalking blogs and reading your posts about center time.

Keep reading!

Working on Vacation?

As librarians one of the most important things we do is READ. So when we go on vacation and take books to read are we working? Some could think so, but I just like to read. I fell in love with books as a preteen and still love them as a 40 something.  (We won't discuss the exact number! It's way too close to the big 5 O.....) This weekend my family traveled to Fontana, NC. Some families go to the beach; my family prefers the mountains. I don't mind either way. I'm going to hang out and read at either place!

For my Nerdy Book Challenge, my list for this week is as follows:

Chapter books:

Big Nate: Genius Mode by Lincoln Peirce
Empty Envelope by Ron Roy
Dork Diaries: Tales from a NOT-SO-Smart Miss Know-it-all by Rachel Renee Russell
Bluestar's Prophecy (Warriors series) by Erin Hunter
The Lost Stories (Ranger's Apprentice) by John Flanagan

Picture books:

Bunny's Easter Egg by Anne Mortimer
Minerva Louise and the Colorful Eggs by Janet Morgan Stoeke

Non-Fiction Books:

Apples and Pumpkins by Anne Rockwell
Ghoulish Ghost Stories by Joan Axelrod Contrada

Professional Books:

Still reading Literacy Work Stations: Making Centers Work by Debbie Diller.
There's a lot to digest in this one.


It's probably an odd assortment, but I'm reading though my last book order!

Last week I read Notes from a Totally Lame Vampire by Tim Collins. It was a different read for me. I kept thinking the whole time. "This is what would happen if you took Greg from Diary of a Wimpy Kid and combined him with a vamp from Twilight!" The middle kids will love these books.

My favorite picture book from last week was Emma Kate by Patricia Polacco. It was such a sweet story about an imagery friend. Loved it. Will definitely use this one with my Kinders next fall.

Happy Reading!

Last Week of School!

It's finally here! The last week of school for 2012 - 2013. It seems like this week  year has flown by. This has been a year of firsts for me. I started using centers and  puppets in my library classes. I began blogging and following stalking other bloggers. (Should have started this one earlier!) I have a TPT store. I started my store because I couldn't find enough centers for my middle grades. Hey, if you make them, sell them!

Since my vacation started today, so begins my summer reading challenge. I had so much fun with the Shelf challenge I had to join another. Nerdy Book Club has a book a day challenge for summer vacation. Our vacation started last Thursday so I'm already a couple books behind, but today is Sunday. After church I'll get caught up.

List to read for this week:

Chapter books:

Notes from a Totally Lame Vampire by Tim Collins
Prince of Dorkness (More Notes from a totally Lame Vampire) by Tim Collins

Picture books:

Trust Me, Jack's Beanstalk Stinks! by Eric Braun
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Chick! by Lucille Colandro
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Clover! by Lucille Colandro
Bat Jamboree by Kathi Appelt
Emma Kate by Patricia Polacco
The Hard-Times Jar by Ethel Footman Smothers
Big Bad Wolves at School by Stephen Krensky

Non-Fiction Books:

Dinosaurs by Gail Gibbons
Artemis by Terri Temple
Katherine Stinson Otero - High Flyer by Neiler Skinner Petrick

Professional Books:

The Centered School Library by Cari Young (I just have to finish this one!)
Literacy Work Stations: Making Centers Work by Debbie Diller


It looks like a big list, but several are picture books. It shouldn't take a day or two right? Who needs to clean house! :)

Happy Reading!

Inventory Fun. NOT!

I just love inventory. NOT! Inventory is just not as fun as reading to my students. Yes, it is a great time to clean the shelves and do a little weeding, but..... I would rather be teaching my students. I was scanning my Easy/Picture books today and realize I have a few classic books that no one reads anymore. I'm going to send them to the teachers. If my teachers don't want them, I'll give them away this summer. I can't stand to throw them out. Julie @ A Media Specialist's Guide to the Internet  had some excellent suggestions on recycling old books. If you haven't checked out her latest post, do so immediately! It was wonderful. I'm going to have to get crafty with a few of my old chapter books.

 I just received my last book order for this school year and I'm really sad. SAD because my students won't be able to check them out this school year. My students only have 6 days left and of course they're not checking out books at the moment. I keep reminding them that they can read them this summer. (I'm open on Wednesdays during June and July.) What they don't realize is that I get to read them before they do!  The hardest part will be choosing which ones to read first. I'm real excited about my Scaredy Squirrel by Melanie Watt  and There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a ... by Lucille Colandro  books. I've been finding some cute units on TPT with Ms. Colandro's books. Now I have an excuse to go shopping! As for Ms. Watt's stories, who doesn't love Scaredy Squirrel. My older students even like me to read them OUT LOUD!

 

Happy Reading!

Teacher Appreciation Week

I have to admit, my school as a wonderful PTA! Today they brought us lunch today for teacher appreciation week.  It was great. I had bus duty and didn't take the time to pack mine. I wasn't in the mood for cafeteria food. The last couple of weeks are always a little hectic so a home cooked (not mine) meal is always a hit. I'm going to try to get a little reading done tonight. I had a book order arrive and it had a few books that are on my summer reading list. Bad Kitty, The Buddy Files, Duel: Burr and Hamilton's Deadly War of Words are going to be the first books I read.

 

 

 

 I just read Tad Hill's How Rocket Learned to Read. ADORABLE! Am going to have to read this one to my kindergarteners this week. Can't wait to read the rest of my order!!!