Ricki – Page 86 – Unleashing Readers

Kellee and Ricki’s #MustReadIn2015 Spring Update!

June 27, 2015April 2, 2015 by Ricki

Background of #mustreadin2015 for those of you who missed the introductory post:

#mustreadin2015 is a challenge hosted by Carrie Gelson at There Is A Book For That:

“For anyone out there with a To Be Read list that seems like it will never end, this challenge is for you! This is all about making your own personal list of books (5? 10? 20? 30? more?) that you commit to reading in 2015. Books can be published in any year, be from any genre, and be from any category (adult, YA, MG, Graphics, NF, etc.). As your TBR list grows, you promise you will get to the books on this list.”

These are our hopeful lists. Many are books we’ve been wanting to read for a long time, while others are books we just really want to read as of right now (January 2015), and lastly, some are books we really need to read because we’ve promised someone (or each other). Primarily, we included young adult and middle grade books because they are what we are going to try to read more of this year. As Carrie said, we will absolutely be reading many books not on this list! And don’t worry, we will still be reading the latest and greatest picture books to our boys.

Our full #mustreadin2015 book lists are available here

Ricki’s #mustreadin2015 Spring Update

Completed as of April 2: 5 out of 25

I am a bit farther behind than I would like to be, but I know I am going to skyrocket ahead this summer. I have been reading books outside of my list (e.g. books for The ALAN Review), but I am back on track. I just started my 6th book this week, and I moved a few others to my nightstand. That is the first step, right? I’ve loved every book I read, and they ALL lived up to their respective hypes, so I am pretty happy I committed to this challenge.

*Please click the book covers above for full reviews.*

I loved the bravery and dogged determination of Clara in Audacity by Melanie Crowder. This book in verse impacted me in ways I cannot describe. It made me feel a sense of feminism and strength while teaching me about labor unions and the Orthodox Jewish faith. It belongs in classrooms, and it will empower young women.

Dreaming in Indian, edited by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Leatherdale, brims with stunning illustrations, photography, artwork, and words. The voices of the young people within this book will stick with me forever. It shows the connectedness of Native Americans while also showing the distinctness of tribes.

I wish I had written a full review for Pam Muñoz Ryan’s Esperanza Rising. At the time, I decided I would skip a lengthy review because many of the readers of this blog have likely read it. How silly of me! I am disappointed in myself because this was an unbelievable book that deserves a full review—regardless of how old it is. I got lost in Esperanza’s story–it is a book that kids will read and not realize how much they are learning because the story is so compelling.

Everyone seems to be talking about Kekla Magoon’s How It Went Down—and for good reason! Each chapter is short (a few pages) and the narrators shift as they tell about the shooting of a teenager. The reader is suspended in a feeling of disbelief as s/he tries to navigate the truth. It feels quite realistic to recent news stories which have horrified America—Treyvon Marton, Michael Brown, and many other young Black men. This would make for a great conversation starter in classrooms.

I asked my book club to read The Secret Hum of a Daisy by Tracy Holczer, and all four of us fell in love with the story. It is a quiet book about a young girl who loses her mother. Readers travel through a gamut of emotions while reading this book and experience the stages of grief right along with the narrator. This is an important book that would be a great resource for many teachers.

Kellee’s #mustreadin2015 Spring Update

Completed as of April 2: 9 out of 25

It seems like I am right on track to finishing my 25 books, and the best part is that I have enjoyed every single one.

I am so glad that Ricki told me I needed to read Never Fall Down by Patricia McCormick. It is one of those books that sticks with you after you finish it, and you cannot help but talk about. I find myself mentioning it at least once a week in my classroom. It wrecks your heart. I am also so glad I learned about the Cambodian genocide. It makes me a better person. (Full review)

Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine is a book that I have been meaning to read since it came out, and I am so glad that I finally did. It is a different look at integration in the south during the late 50s. I got so invested in the story and was lucky enough to be reading the book at the same time as a student. It was so much fun to discuss it with her.

I loved Anderson’s novel Sidekicked, so when I read about The Dungeoneers by John David Anderson, I knew that I had to get my hands on it. It is a story filled with adventure, suspense, and mystery. I love that the main characters are underdogs and easy to connect with. I cannot wait to share my full review as it gets closer to the publication date.

Oh. My. Goodness. I love this book so much! I just finished it, and I immediately had to read the second one. Better Nate Than Ever by Tim Federle is more than just a funny book about a young boy auditioning for a Broadway musical. It is about a boy who doesn’t feel like he fits in at home because of who he is. There are so many young kids out there that will connect with this feeling. And the prejudice and bullying that Nate faces is so real for so many. However, this book has hope. He finds something he loves and it helps him find a place to be himself.

Ginny Rorby has written five novels, all of which I have loved. Her newest, How to Speak Dolphin, like her others deals with both animal and human issues. This book looks at autism, blindness, animal captivity, and much more–all important issues, but her book never feels like it is overloaded. Fans of Rules by Cynthia Lord will definitely love this one. (Full review)

Like Ricki said above, The Secret Hum of a Daisy by Tracy Holczer is a book that will definitely pull at your heart strings and become a favorite. It is an intense look at grief and family. (Full review)

Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan‘s Willow Chance is one of the most amazing young woman I’ve ever encountered in a book. She is brilliant and somehow changes the lives of every person she encounters. And she is not the only well-crafted character in the book–everyone in the book is important and very well developed. This is a wonderful middle grade book that I now know why so many people love it.

My brother and father love Haruki Murakami‘s novels, so when a special edition novella came out, my mom got a copy for me and I got one for my brother and father. I am happy I read The Strange Library, so I can now see what the fuss is about. Murakami’s writing is riddled with metaphors and imagery. Although I still don’t know if I understand it all, it was quite interesting.

The voice of Gabi in Gabi, A Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero is one of the best in any YA I’ve read recently. She is so real, and I found Gabi to be a book that so many teens will connect with. I not only loved the truth in her story, I adored the unique format and the cast of characters. (Full review)

Do you have a #mustreadin2015 list?
What are your #mustreadin2015 books?
Share your update below!

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Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Books We Recently Added To Our To-Be-Read Lists

August 4, 2016March 31, 2015 by Ricki

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: Ten Books We Recently Added To Our To-Be-Read Lists

So many books. So little time!

Ricki

1. Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen

I was thrilled to receive an advanced copy of this e-book, and I will be reading it very soon! I love Sarah Dessen!

2. The Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine

the lions of little rock

“Two girls separated by race form an unbreakable bond during the tumultuous integration of Little Rock schools in 1958.” I only needed to read this first line to know that I regretted missing this one in 2012. I plan to see if my library has a copy because I don’t think I received it.

3. Under a Painted Sky by Stacey Lee

I have been told this is a great book for fans of Code Name Verity. I just need to get my hands on a copy! It is set in Missouri, 1849. How awesome does that time period seem? I can’t wait to read it.

4. Migrant: The Journey of a Mexican Worker by Jose Manuel Mateo

A few people have discussed this book recently. It received a starred review, and I never got a chance to read it. It tells the story of a Mexican boy who journeys to the U.S.

5. Picture this: The Near-Sighted Monkey Book by Lynda Barry

This graphic memoir how-to seems like good fun. Thank you to the blogger who posted about it. I am a fool and can’t remember who it was, but I added it to my TBR list!

Kellee

I do not add books to my Goodreads to-be-read list very often anymore because it was getting so overwhelming! However, here are five books I added to my list recently.

Marty McGuire Has Too Many Pets! by Kate Messner

I love Marty McGuire. She is who I hope my son is friends with. I need to read the newest, so I can see what she has been up to.

Silver by Chris Wooding

I have a vicarious reader in my class who usually just tells me that a book is “good” or “okay” or “not for me,” but she said Silver is probably the best book she’s ever read. I really want to read it to see what grabbed her so.

Gracefully Grayson by Ami Polonsky

I not only want/need to read Gracefully Grayson, I need to get it into my classroom library. The concept of being transgender is not often mentioned where middle schoolers would hear, but with Glee‘s Coach Beiste and Unique and Bruce Jenner, I have students asking me Why? How? etc. I would love to have a book to give them to help them understand.

Moonpenny Island by Tricia Springstubb

After reading Tricia’s guest posts on our blog and Nerdy Book Club, I knew I needed to read Moonpenny Island because I love how she wrote. I also have Tricia’s Cody and the Fountain of Happiness to read.

The Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man by Michael Chabon

Michael Chabon has a picture book?!?! I had no idea until a month or so ago. I need to read it!

Which books have you added to your TBR recently?

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Life in Outer Space by Melissa Keil (Ricki’s Review)

March 26, 2015 by Ricki

Life in Outer Space
Author: Melissa Keil
Published August 1st, 2013 by Peachtree Publishers

Goodreads Summary: Sam is a geek movie-buff with a ragtag group of loser friends who have been taking abuse from the popular kids for years. But when the super-cool Camilla moves to town, she surprises everyone by choosing to spend time with Sam’s group. Suddenly they go from geek to chic, and find that not everything boils down to us and them. With their social lives in flux, Sam and Camilla spend more and more time together. They become the best of friends, and Sam finds that he’s happier and more comfortable in his own skin than ever before. But eventually Sam must admit to himself that he’s fallen in love. If he confesses his true feelings to Camilla, will everything change again?

My Review: Kellee wrote her review almost a year ago, and after reading her review, I laughed because my notes about this book are so similar to her thoughts.

While reading this book, I thought about its connections to Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli and Paper Towns by John Green, and the narrator reminded me of Charlie from The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. But while this book is similar to others, it is very different.

Sam makes being geeky feel cool. I am geeky, so I appreciated this. He experiences tough life issues that many teenagers face, and he doesn’t lie about his lack of knowledge about dealing with these issues or understanding girls. The book contains scenes with World of Warcraft and there is a lot of information about horror movies (both of which aren’t interesting to me), yet I remained very engaged in the story and the characters. Keil writes the male narrator very well, and I think all types of adolescents will identify with the themes of this book. This is one of Kellee’s favorite books, and I see why. Thank you for nagging me to read it, Kel. It is one that will stick with me forever.

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: Why hasn’t this book received more press? It belongs in classrooms. As a teacher, I would use it as a mentor text for characterization. The scenes with Camilla are written breathtakingly well. If students read these scenes, they would want to read the entire book.

Discussion Questions: Did you find Camilla to be realistic? Could a student walk in and change the entire dynamic at the school in such a powerful way?; Why does Camilla like Sam? Is this realistic?; In what ways are media used by Keil to engage readers?; What does this book teach us about friendship?; How does Sam’s family life add to the complexity of this book?

We Flagged: “I guess some people enter your orbit and get stuck, and there’s nothing either of you can do about it” (p. 70).

And I loved the quote Kellee picked out. It is the scene I remember the most in the book:

“She is wearing a yellow dress that looks like it belongs to a 1950s housewife, and a pair of flat red boots. Her hair is longer than I’d imagine would be practical; it’s parted in the middle and hangs in brown waves almost to her waist. She peers around the room impassively. She doesn’t look terrified. She doesn’t look insanely overconfident, like Adrian that time in year seven when he performed a song as his book report for The Outsiders. Mike and I mark that event as ground zero for the downward social spiral of our group.” (p. 11)

Read This If You Loved: The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli, Paper Towns by John Green, Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell

Recommended For:

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books from Childhood (or Teen Years) We’d Like to Revisit

August 4, 2016March 24, 2015 by Ricki

Today’s Topic: Top Ten Books From Childhood (or Teen Years) We’d Like to Revisit

These are favorite books from childhood which we hope to revisit someday.

Ricki

1. The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Jester

The only thing I remember about this book is that I really, really liked it. I just bought it to read to my son, but I am waiting until he is a bit older.

2. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

I must have read this book and watched the movie hundreds of times. This book has a firm place in my childhood. My son will be watching it.

3. A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett

You can only imagine how shocked I was (just now) when I discovered that The Secret Garden and A Little Princess, both of which I doted on as a child, are written by the same author. I feel like an idiot for not knowing this!

4. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Let me count the ways I loved this book as a child. I would love to reread it.

5. Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O’Brien

This book was quite important to my childhood. Those rats were pretty dang smart!

Honorary Mention: Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White

Charlotte's Web

Who didn’t love Charlotte’s Web? I am curious if I would like this book as much as an adult as I did as a child.

Kellee

My favorite books as a child were Roald Dahl and The Baby-Sitters Club. I’ve been lucky to have revisited most of Roald Dahl’s books and BSC books 1-31 in the last ten years or so (though I’d always love to reread them again) which is why I have not included them. Here are some other favorites I’d love to reread.
(P.S. I also loved Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews when I was a teen, but I reread it a few years ago as well. Not as well written or scandalous as I remembered.)

1. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

This was my coming-of-age book. It was my mom’s favorite, but I wasn’t allowed to read it until I was 12 so the anticipation was extreme. It became my first “big book” and my first book with very tough themes. But I loved it so! I would love to reread it to visit Francie Nolan again.

2. B is for Betsy (and other Betsy books) by Carolyn Haywood

Betsy is another special book because of the bond it created with my mom. She would read the Betsy books to my sister and I before bed. I loved following Betsy’s adventures! (I want Betsy to make a comeback! Fans of Jennifer Holm and Kate DiCamillo would love her!)

3. Beezus and Ramona (series) by Beverly Cleary

Who doesn’t love this series?! Ramona Quimby is such a spitfire! These books cracked me up and were a perfect move up from Betsy.

4. Sideways Stories from Wayside School (series) by Louis Sachar

After Ramona, I moved to Louis Sachar books. Sideways Stories was probably my favorite because it was just so odd!

5. The Last Vampire (series) and others by Christopher Pike

In high school, I moved into reading R.L. Stine’s Fear Street and Christopher Pike, but my favorite were by far Pike’s Last Vampire, Remember Me, Chain Letter, and Final Friends; however, The Last Vampire was the one I reread a few times. I’d love to revisit it to see why I liked it so much.

Honorary Mention: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeline L’Engle

I added this one because I read it in 6th grade in Miss Spalding’s class and really, really didn’t like it. I think now, as a more mature reader, I may like it more, so I would love to reread it one day.

Which books from your childhood would you love to reread?

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Counting Crows by Kathi Appelt

June 24, 2015March 19, 2015 by Ricki

Counting Crows
Author: Kathi Appelt
Illustrator: Rob Dunlavey
Published: March 3, 2015 by Atheneum

Goodreads Summary: Help hungry crows avoid a feline foe in this clever concept book from the author of The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp and The Underneath.

One, two, three, crows in a tree, bedecked in red scarves and hungry as can be. So they fly out of their nest with snacking in mind, and snack they do. Snack one, snack two, snack three—all the way to a dozen! But before they have time to complain about bellyaches, they have a bigger problem: a cat has been eyeing them…as potential snacks! Can these well-fed crows become well-FLED crows? Read and find out in this counting book from Newbery Finalist and two-time National Book Award Nominee Kathi Appelt, with spot-on illustrations from Rob Dunlavey. It’s the cat’s meow!

Ricki’s Review and Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: The pairing of Appelt’s strong, lyrical language, and the simplicity of the Dunlavey’s artwork make this picture book a whimsical, memorable counting book. As a mom, I have grown tired of counting books. They are important, so I keep reading them to my son (just as elementary school teachers will continue to read them to children). This book is different. The language is poetic and fresh, and it rolled off my tongue. The contrast between the pencil drawings of the setting and the black beaks and bright red coloring of the crows’ clothing shows off both the beauty of Appelt’s language and the cleverness of Dunlavey’s artwork. I was impressed by this book and am not surprised it has received three starred reviews thus far. I would ask creative writing students to analyze the structure, language, and artwork of this text. I think they would find its cleverness and innovation to be inspirational for their own work.

Kellee’s Review and Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: I agree with everything that Ricki said above. This unique counting book’s rhythmic, rhyming language mixed with good vocabulary, a chance to look at multiplication, and a story that is more than it seems really makes this book a good read for kids and adults. The poetic writing almost makes the book sing-song-y which I love in a rhyming book. But I think my favorite thing about the books is the crows. They remind me of the whimsical crows in Dumbo. I can just see those crows playing around and singing the book as they fly around.

Discussion Questions: How is this book structured to make the writing effective?; In what ways does Kathi Appelt use language creatively?; Why isn’t this book more colorful? Do you think this is intentional?

We Flagged:

Image from: http://www.amazon.com/Counting-Crows-Kathi-Appelt/dp/1442423277/

Book Trailer:

Book trailer created by Kathi’s son, Cooper Appelt, and his wife, Laurel Kathleen.

Read This if You Loved: Zero by Kathryn Otoshi (or her other counting books); Richard Scarry’s Best Counting Book Ever by Richard Scarry; Counting Kisses: A Kiss & Read Book by Karen Katz; Ten Black Dots by Donald Crews

See our Guest Post by Kathi Appelt Here!

Recommended For:

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**Thank you to Barbara at Blue Slip Media for providing copies for review!**

Top Ten Tuesday: Books on Our Spring TBR Lists!

August 4, 2016March 17, 2015 by Ricki

Today’s Topic: Top Ten Books on Our Spring TBR Lists

Look out, spring! We have a lot of books on our lists. Here are a few!

Ricki

1. Like Water on Stone by Dana Walrath

Everyone is raving about this book, and I can’t wait to read it. I suspect it will be our next book club book.

2. See You At Harry’s by Jo Knowles

This book has been on my list for FAR too long. I know it is going to be good (because I love Jo Knowles). I will definitely be reading it soon.

3. X by Ilyasah Shabazz and Kekla Magoon

This book has been on my dining room table for a month, and I simply can’t wait to read it. I will absolutely be reading it this spring. It is one of the books I most looked forward to getting this year!

4. Glory O’Brien’s History of the Future by A.S. King

Let me count the ways I love A.S. King. I’ve read almost every book by her, and I can’t wait to read this one. It is on my nightstand!

5. Gracefully Grayson by Ami Polonsky

I received this book from NetGalley, and I am ashamed that I haven’t read it yet. I’ve heard it is wonderful. Time just keeps getting in the way. I will be reading it this spring.

Kellee

I actually have Counting by 7s, the audiobook, ready to start listening to this week, and the others are all on hold at the library (Better Nate, the audiobook, and the rest e-books). I cannot wait to tackle them all!

1. Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan

I know, I know. I keep saying I am going to read it, but really, I am going to this time!

2. The Alex Crow by Andrew Smith

This is on my #mustreadin2015 list, but also with everything going on, I feel like Andrew Smith needs some love.

3. Revolution by Deborah Wiles

I very much enjoyed Countdown, and I have heard Revolution is even better!

4. Noggin by John Corey Whaley

noggin

This book has gotten so much love, and the concept is just so unique and fascinating.

5. Better Nate Than Ever by Tim Federle

I cannot wait to listen to the award winning audiobook!

Which books do you plan to read this Spring?

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Presidential Misadventures by Bob Raczka

July 27, 2015March 12, 2015 by Ricki

Presidential Misadventures: Poems that Poke Fun at the Man in Charge
Author: Bob Raczka; Illustrator: Dan E. Burr
Published: January 27, 2015 by Roaring Brook Press

Summary: A spoonful of poetry helps the mockery go down! This collection of presidential poems is historical and hysterical.

The clerihew is a simple poetic form specifically invented to make fun of famous people—and who is more famous than the misbehaving presidents of the United States? Here are forty-three poems teasing the commander-in-chief that are fun to read aloud and even more fun to write yourself. From the author of the incredibly inventive Lemonade: And Other Poems Squeezed from a Single Word comes a new collection filled with zingers, humdingers, and Presidential Misadventures.

Review: As a student, history was always my least favorite class. But yet, I would go home and cuddle on my couch with historical fiction. Admittedly, presidents have never interested me much (and I am not proud to say this). This book is FUN. The poems made me giggle, and I found myself googling the facts in the poems to learn more about the background of the stories. After reading this book, I was inspired to reserve Lemonade: And Other Poems Squeezed from a Single Word because the author is quite clever. I read this book aloud to my son and husband while we were eating dinner, and I kept holding out the book and saying, “Oh my goodness. Look at this drawing!” Those who are knowledgeable about presidents (like my husband) will likely know many of these stories, but kids will enjoy learning about history and be inspired to learn more about the presidents.

Teacher’s Tools for Navigation: Each of the poems in this book is discussed in depth in the back matter. I would have my students each take two poems and perform them in front of the class. Then, they could briefly describe the history behind the story. This would help students practice speaking skills, and the poems would stick in the other students’ minds. Of course, having students research their own facts about presidents to create poems would also be fun!

Discussion Question: Which presidential story was your favorite? Look up one more fact about that president and write a short poem to reflect the information. Be prepared to share this fact with the class.

We Flagged:

121-58492_01_1P.indd — Image from: http://us.macmillan.com/presidentialmisadventures/bobraczka

Read This If You Love: History, Humor, and/or Poetry

Recommended For:

**Thank you to Macmillan for sending this book for review**