Kellee – Page 258 – Unleashing Readers

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? 2/17/14

July 27, 2015February 17, 2014 by Kellee

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? From Picture Books to YA!

It’s Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journeys. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It’s also a great chance to see what others are reading right now…you just might discover the next “must-read” book!

Jen Vincent, of Teach Mentor Texts, and Kellee decided to give It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children’s literature – picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, anything in the world of kidlit – join us! We love this meme and think you will, too.

We encourage everyone who participates to support the blogging community by visiting at least three of the other book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

Last Week’s Posts

**Click on any picture to view the post**

Last Week’s Journeys

Kellee: I finished Far, Far Away!!! I am excited because I finished it, but also because I ended up really, really liking it. I will be honest and say that because of the unique narrator and the unique story, it takes a while to get into it, but once you do it sucks you in. The last 150 pages just flew by!

After the novel, I had a Leo Lionni readathon. My friend, Amanda, let me raid her picture books, and she had a bunch of Leo Lionni that I had never read: Fish is Fish, Cornelius, Frederick, Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse, Inch by Inch, and It’s Mine! My favorites are probably Cornelius and Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse.

I then moved on to other picture books she let me borrow: Alphabet City by Stephen T. Johnson, Never Take a Shark to the Dentist by Judi Barrett, Russell the Sheep by Rob Scotton, What Do You Do When Something Wants to Eat You? by Steve Jenkins, and First Dog by J. Patrick Lewis. My favorites were definitely Never Take a Shark to the Dentist, Russell the Sheep, and, of course, What Do You Do When Something Wants to Eat You? (because Steve Jenkins is brilliant).

Ricki: This week, I finished a professional development book called Cultural Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know. I agreed with the idea of cultural literacy but found myself wanting to rip out the pages of several sections. Expect an angry blog post soon. 🙂 I also finished Laurie Halse Anderson’s The Impossible Knife of Memory. Wow. This is a powerful book. I am sure several of you have read this already, but if you haven’t I highly, highly recommend it. Henry and I read a few picture books together (and reread a few old ones). We read Beatrix Potter’s The Tale of Peter Rabbit and The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin. We also read How Do Dinosaurs Learn to Read? by Jane Yolen. I loved this one and just wish it was longer. This dinosaur series is awesome.

This Week’s Expeditions

Kellee: I am still waiting on the baby to grace us with his presence. My plan is definitely all going to change if he comes, but right now I plan on starting The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider. I also have more of Amanda’s picture books to read, as well as some from Candlewick and Bloomsbury that I want to get to.

Ricki: Next week, I plan to start Threatened by Eliot Schrefer. If you follow this blog, you know that Kellee and I are huge fans of this author! Of course, Henry and I will tackle some new picture books. We plan to go to the library this week. My next professional development book is Lisa Delpit’s Other People’s Children. I am pretty excited about this one. Has anyone read it?

Upcoming Week’s Posts

The Storm Watcher Blog Tour

So, what are you reading?

Link up below and go check out what everyone else is reading. Please support other bloggers by viewing and commenting on at least 3 other blogs. If you tweet about your Monday post, tag the tweet with #IMWAYR!

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Hearts by Thereza Rowe & Never Too Little to Love by Jeanne Willis

February 14, 2014 by Kellee

Happy Valentine’s Day!!!

Today I wanted to share with you two picture books I have read recently that are perfect to read with your children on Valentine’s Day (or any day to promote love and kindness).

Never Too Little To Love
Author: Jeanne Willis
Illustrator: Jan Fearnley
Published February 7th, 2005 by Walker Books Ltd

Goodreads Summary: Whimsical watercolors illustrate a comical, cumulative tale of an amorous mouse who aims impossibly high — and learns that you’re never too little (or too big) to love.

Tiny Too-Little loves someone who’s very, very tall, and Tiny wants a kiss. What if he stands on his tiptoes on top of a thimble? What if he stands on his tiptoes on top of a matchbox on top of a thimble? Clever cut-away pages show Tiny’s precarious pile growing higher and higher, while the object of his affection stays just out of reach. When the teetering stack finally falls with a crash, will his hopes be dashed? How can a tiny mouse get the kiss he needs?

My Review: This story of opposites attract will tug at the heart strings of its readers. It is so cute to watch the mouse try everything it can to reach up to give his love a kiss. It also has great opportunities for choral reading as it is much like “There’s a hole at the bottom of the sea” and I can see children reciting all the different things that Tiny Too-Little stands on. And the moral behind the story (everyone deserves to be loved) is one that every little reader needs to hear. This will be such a fun book to read to my son!

Hearts
Author: Thereza Rowe
Published January 7th, 2014 by Toon Books

Goodreads Summary: When Penelope the Fox drops her heart into the sea, she’s swept off on a perilous journey, dodging sharks and royal cat-guards until a cartwheeling chicken leads her to the land of lost things. Young readers will fall in love with Thereza Rowe’s bold and playful designs. And as they follow Penelope (and her heart!), they will learn what is truly precious.

My Review: This is a much more complex story than I thought it would be. The book is being advertised as “A first comic for brand-new readers,” so I thought it meant brand new, but it is actually more of a book that I’d use and share with soon to be school-age children. It’ll be so much fun to talk through the comic with a new reader as there is much that s/he could narrate and many opportunities to discuss what is happening. A great introduction to sequential comics (the back of the book even has”How to read comics with kids” tips). There are also lots of twists and turns that will keep the reader on their toes as they follow Penelope on her quest for her heart.

Wishing you all a day filled with love!

**Thank you to Candlewick Press for providing copies for review**

Space Encyclopedia by David A. Aguilar

February 26, 2018February 12, 2014 by Kellee

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday is hosted by Kid Lit Frenzy and was started to help promote the reading of nonfiction texts. Most Wednesdays, we will be participating and will review a nonfiction text (though it may not always be a picture book).
Be sure to visit Kid Lit Frenzy and see what other nonfiction books are shared this week!

Space Encyclopedia: A Tour of our Solar System and Beyond
Author: David A. Aguilar
Published August 17th, 2013 by National Geographic Children’s Books

Goodreads Summary: Presenting the latest exciting findings on space exploration and research and cutting-edge, spectacular views of the universe that technology is bringing back to Earth, all in one ultimate reference book. Authored by David A. Aguilar of the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, the National Geographic Space Encyclopedia is ideal for the family bookshelf, providing both accessible information for school reports and compelling reading on the mysteries beyond our world.

My Review and Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: This book is so full of information! It is almost more of a browsing or researching book because it is just so much. I will say the information is easy to understand (Aguilar constructed the book almost like a journey which makes it easier to follow) the the photographs and scientifically accurate illustrations are some of the best I’ve ever seen. In my time of reading this book, I learned so much and can definitely see how it would be a huge asset to a classroom (science or language arts).

Discussion Questions: After reading about _____, what did you learn?

We Flagged: “Neptune: We’re nearing the pale blue icy world of Neptune. It has the wildest weather of any planet in the solar system, with winds that blow at speeds over 1,200 miles per hour. Like the other Jovian planets, Neptune doesn’t have a surface to walk on. Although the clouds surrounding it are very cold, -350 degrees Fahrenheit, its rocky iron core is about the same temperature as the sun’s surface.” (p. 62)

Read This If You Loved: Any nonfiction book about space, for background knowledge when reading science fiction that takes place in space

Recommended For:

**Thank you to Tracey Daniels at Media Masters Publicity for providing a copy for review**

Top Ten Tuesday: Books That Will Make You Swoon

March 29, 2014February 11, 2014 by Kellee

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because The Broke and Bookish are particularly fond of lists (as are we!). Each week a new Top Ten list topic is given and bloggers can participate.

Today’s Topic: Top Ten Books That Will Make You Swoon

Let’s dish about our literary crushes!

These are some amazing male characters!

Ricki

1. The Lullaby by Sarah Dessen

When I think of a swoon-worthy male character, the first one who comes to mind is Dexter. I could also list several other male characters in Sarah Dessen’s books, but I decided to pick my favorite. This book will make you swoon!

2. The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

Whether you are Team Jeremiah or Team Conrad, this book is certainly swoon-worthy. I adore these two boys, and my students enjoyed fighting over these boys.

3. Just One Day by Gayle Forman

Willem. He is smart and sexy. And he takes Allyson on the adventure of her life in a new country. We love Willem.

4. Fire by Kristin Cashore

After I read this book, I wanted to name my son Brigan. It was too bad it sounded terrible with my last name (Ginsberg). He is an incredible male character who I admire.

5. In This Moment by Wendy Glenn

I read this book on www.swoonreads.com. Not only will this book make you swoon, but it will make you ponder life. I definitely recommend it.

Kellee

1. Graceling and Fire by Kristin Cashore

Po and Brigan from these novels are probably two of my favorite love interests in any book. They are such amazing men who compliment there extremely strong female protagonists.

2. Divergent series by Veronica Roth

Tobias (Four) from the Divergent series grew on me–I liked him even more in Insurgent (a little less at the beginning of Allegiant) and then so much by the end of Allegiant. He is a good man.

3. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

This one may have made my list because I just read Fangirl, but I loved the boyfriend that Levi was to Cath in Fangirl. Also, I love that he was flawed physically yet exactly what Cath needed.

4. Olivia Twisted by Vivi Barnes

Z is one of those bad boys who you know has a deeper story. Throughout the book you get to know him more and what you learn makes him even badder and even more intriguing.

5. The Fault in our Stars by John Green

What Gus does in this book for Hazel makes him my favorite male character in any book ever.

Which books have made your heart flutter?

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It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? 2/10/14

July 27, 2015February 10, 2014 by Kellee

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? From Picture Books to YA!

We encourage everyone who participates to support the blogging community by visiting at least three of the other book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

Last Week’s Posts

**Click on any picture to view the post**

Last Week’s Journeys

Kellee: I have decided that since I am having trouble reading for a long period of time, I decided to boost up my reading confidence by reading a bunch of really phenomenal picture books: Flying Solo by Julie Cummins, Plastic, Ahoy! by Patricia Newman, The Tree Lady by Joseph H. Hopkins, Marvin Makes Music by Marvin Hamlisch, Who Says Woman Can’t Be Doctors? by Kathleen Krull, Little Red Writing by Joan Holub, Herman and Rosie by Gus Gordon, Weeds Find a Way by Cindy Jenson-Elliot, Parrots over Puerto Rico by Susan L. Roth, Nelson Madela by Kadir Nelson, and Locomotive by Brian Floca. All really, really, really good books! I did read more of Far Far Away by Tom McNeal and am getting into it, but it is still going slowly. I’ll finish soon though!!

Ricki: This week, I read Caring: A Feminine Approach to Ethics and Moral Education by Nel Noddings. I have always heard of Nel Noddings (a major educational theorist), so I wanted to try reading one of her books. It definitely made me look at caring in a different way. She helps the reader interpret different situations. For example, if I set out bird feeders, it means I care about the birds. But if my neighbor declaws her cat, does she care more? (I simplified this idea a bit from her text, but I wanted to give viewers a taste of the book without making this post too long!) I also read a wonderful nonfiction picture book to my son called Weeds Find a Way by Cindy Jenson-Elliot. It made me look at weeds in a different way. I am sorry for swearing at you, crabgrass between my bricks! 🙂

This Week’s Expeditions

Kellee: I still have lots of picture books to read and I cannot wait! I’ll also keep reading Far Far Away and hope to get even further into it (maybe even finish it!). I am just happy to have reading in my routine again even if it is just in small spurts. [We’ll see how long that lasts, though. I am due in 11 days!!! AH!!!]

Ricki: This week, I definitely plan to finish The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson. My schoolwork has gotten a bit in the way. I only read it during my baby’s night feedings, which are getting shorter and less frequent. Horray! I am also starting Cultural Literacy: What Every America Needs to Know by E.D. Hirsch. It is another professional development/theory book that will (hopefully) give me another perspective on teaching!

Upcoming Week’s Posts

So, what are you reading?

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Romeo and Juliet by Garth Hinds

July 27, 2015February 7, 2014 by Kellee

Romeo and Juliet
Adaption and Illustrator: Gareth Hinds
Author: William Shakespeare
Published September 10th, 2013 by Candlewick Press

Goodreads Summary: Gareth Hinds’s stylish graphic adaptation of the Bard’s romantic tragedy offers modern touches — including a diverse cast that underscores the story’s universality.

She’s a Capulet. He’s a Montague. But when Romeo and Juliet first meet, they don’t know they’re from rival families — and when they find out, they don’t care. Their love is honest and raw and all-consuming. But it’s also dangerous. How much will they have to sacrifice before they can be together? In a masterful adaptation faithful to Shakespeare’s original text, Gareth Hinds transports readers to the sun-washed streets and market squares of Shakespeare’s Verona, vividly bringing the classic play to life on the printed page.

Review and Teacher’s Tools For Navigation: This graphic novel does for Shakespeare’s text what Leonardo DiCaprio’s Romeo and Juliet film did for the play. It makes it so accessible and helps the reader SEE what is going on in the play so that the Shakespeare’s words are easier to interpret. This graphic novel should be in every classroom and school library and should be used whenever the play is. I also found Garth Hinds’s afterword very fascinating and gives a deeper look into Verona.

Discussion Questions: Gareth Hinds decided to make his characters multicultural to show the universality of the story. How does making his characters multicultural make the story more accessible and show the universality?; Garth Hinds had to abridge the play a bit to fit it into the graphic novel. After reading the play and the graphic novel, what did he remove? Does it change the story?

We Flagged:

Read This If You Loved: Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare, The Odyssey by Garth Hinds

Recommended For:

The Great American Dust Bowl by Don Brown

February 5, 2014 by Kellee

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday

The Great American Dust Bowl
Author and Illustrator: Don Brown
Published October 8th, 2013 by HMH Books for Young Readers

Goodreads Summary: A speck of dust is a tiny thing. In fact, five of them could fit into the period at the end of this sentence.

On a clear, warm Sunday, April 14, 1935, a wild wind whipped up millions upon millions of these specks of dust to form a duster—a savage storm—on America’s high southern plains.

The sky turned black, sand-filled winds scoured the paint off houses and cars, trains derailed, and electricity coursed through the air. Sand and dirt fell like snow—people got lost in the gloom and suffocated . . . and that was just the beginning.

Don Brown brings the Dirty Thirties to life with kinetic, highly saturated, and lively artwork in this graphic novel of one of America’s most catastrophic natural events: the Dust Bowl.

Review: Ever since I read Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse, I’ve loved learning about this scary time in American history (also, the danger hasn’t ceased just because it happens less often). This book does a beautiful job of taking this time in history and laying it out for the reader so that it is very easy to understand. It includes background about the geographical area, information about the Depression, and then takes you through the Dust Bowl all the way to modern days. So interesting!

Teacher’s Tools For Navigation: First, this book will make a great companion to Out of the Dust. I think many readers struggle with Hesse’s book because they don’t have the background knowledge needed to understand the book and Don Brown’s book gives all the background needed. The Great America Dust Bowl can also be used as a resource when teaching the Dust Bowl, the depression, or agriculture.

Discussion Questions: How did the Depression impact farmers thus help cause the Dust Bowl to happen?; How is the problems of the Dust Bowl still impacting us today?

We Flagged:

Read This If You Loved: Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse, Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, The Storm in the Barn by Matt Phelan, Survival in the Storm: The Dust Bowl Diary of Grace Edwards, Dalhart, TX 1935 by Katelan Janke

Recommended For: