Ricki – Page 87 – Unleashing Readers

Top Ten Tuesday: Books for Readers Who Like Nonfiction

August 4, 2016March 10, 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: Top Ten Books for Readers who Like Nonfiction

For readers that like nonfiction, here are some of our favorites!

Ricki

*I opted to divide my books into the marketed audience. I will say that all of the books I listed below cross age levels and would be appreciated by all ages.*

1. For Children:

Locomotive by Brian Floca

My husband and I loved reading this with our son. Adults (with or without children) will enjoy this book just as much as children will. It is beautifully written.

2. For Middle Grades:

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

It is difficult to put words to this book. It is a stunning masterpiece that will appreciated for years to come. If you haven’t read it, I promise it is worth the hype.

3. For Young Adults:

Dreaming in Indian, Edited by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Leatherdale

Readers get lost in the contemporary Native American Voices of this anthology which features a combination of art, photography, poetry, and prose.

4. For Adults:

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

Ahh, let me count the ways I love this book. Many of my high schools loved the writing of this text. It is marketed for adults, but the beauty of story makes it a book that touches many lives. This is one of my all-time favorite books.

5. For Professional Development/Writers:

Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott

This text taught me a lot about writing and made me want to drop everything and crawl into a cave to write. If you aren’t inspired to write after reading this book…then I shall bake you a pie.

Kellee

Nonfiction is one of the genres that many of my students are not interested in (though I try to get them into it!). Here are 5 nonfiction books that I wish my students would read because they are awesome.

All of these books are on my list for the same reason: Because they made me completely fascinated about the time period or topic. They all are told in a mix of informational and narrative to keep the reader entertained, they all are about a topic not widely written/talked about (except Amelia), and they all are just filled with such a ridiculous amount of information.

1. An American Plague: The True and Terrifying Story of the Yellow Fever Epidemic of 1793 by Jim Murphy

2. The Great Fire by Jim Murphy

3. Shipwreck at the Bottom of the World: The Extraordinary True Story of Shackleton and The Endurance by Jennifer Armstrong

4. Amelia Lost: The Life and Disapperance of Amelia Earhart by Candace Fleming

5. Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler’s Shadow by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

Honorary (because I’m not done yet). The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion, and the Fall of Imperial Russia by Candace Fleming

Which books would you recommend to readers who like nonfiction?

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LitWeaver

April 22, 2023March 5, 2015 by Ricki

www.litweaver.com

I am very excited to share a new program called LitWeaver. It features literary selections devoted to grades 5-12 and is an excellent resource to teachers. And here is the great news…IT IS FREE! Teachers can create a sign up and browse the library. They can print out the literary selections or send them to students’ digital devices. The designers (Will Weaver, Don Gallo, and Mary Dennis) promise they will always feature free selections, but eventually, there may be a low cost to teachers. Each week, they plan to add more selections to the library with a goal of 100 high-quality selections by 60 authors in the first year. The selections include: short stories, poems, plays, essays, and a few novels (on the way). When classes are reading and discussing a work, the authors will be be able to access the selection’s discussion board.

I’m really excited about this resource and decided to devote a full blog post to it because I wanted to spread the word. I’ve been aware of this resource for quite some time, but I was thrilled when I heard that it officially launched this month. I worked in a school where resources were always an area of concern, and I wish I had this program available. I hope you find it to be useful!

Some of the featured authors (you might recognize a few—wink):

Will Weaver

Rich Wallace

Alden R. Carter

Charlie Price

Lisa Rowe Fraustino

Joseph Bruchac

Rodman Philbrik

Kelly Milner Halls

Marc Aronson

Nikki Grimes

Joyce Sweeney

Gary Blackwood

Kao Kalia Yang

Susan Beth Pfeffer

Dian Curtis Regan

Don Gallo

Ellen Conford

Annette Curtis Klause

René Saldaña, Jr.

Harold Schechter

Richard Peck

Naomi Shihab Nye

Deborah Noyes

Alex Flinn

Walter Dean Myers

Alan Sitomer

Pete Hautman

Jerry Spinelli

Sue Ellen Bridgers

Anton Treuer

Sharon Dennis Wyeth

Elsa Marston

Lensey Namioka

Gordon Korman

Marsha McGregor

Sandy Asher

Ellen Hopkins

Gloria Skurzynski

Chris Crowe

Jane Yolen

Bruce Coville

Katie Williams

Terry Trueman

Katherine Paterson

Lauren Oliver

Jean Davies Okimoto

Jan Cheripko

David Lubar

Ron Koertge

Mel Glenn

LitWeaver has had early success—a 7120% increase of new teachers signing up since launching the beta 3 ½ weeks ago! This confirmed their idea that YA lit should be more accessible, more varied, and more affordable. There will eventually be 200 pieces of content (in various genres) in their library.

In addition to teachers signing up, they’ve already been contacted by Rutgers University, publications, and several blogs. Here’s something from School Library Journal.

They’re working right now on how to provide more and more free content for teachers. They believe this is doable but will need everybody’s support to help shape the product—so please spread the news!

Enjoy!

Top Ten Tuesday: Books Read in the Last 3 Years We Would Classify As All Time Favorites

August 4, 2016March 3, 2015 by Ricki

Today’s Topic: Top Ten Books Read in the Last 3 Years We Would Classify As All Time Favorites

Sometimes you read a book, and you know that it is one you’ll never forget. Here are some books we’ve read in the last 3 years that have become instant favorites.

Ricki

I PROMISE I created this list before I came onto here and saw Kellee’s list (hers is below). We are destined to be blog partners. I am realizing this more and more each day.

1. The Fault in our Stars by John Green

When a book becomes trendy, we have the urge to pull away from it. I fall more in love with this book every time I read it.

2. Endangered by Eliot Schrefer

I recommend this book to everyone I meet. It is very teachable. If you are a teacher and you haven’t read it, drop everything and get to it! I promise it will impact you immensely.

3. A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd

This spindiddly book touched my heart. I absolutely love it and want to share its magic with everyone.

4. Wonder by R.J. Palacio

wonder

Everyone should read this book. It makes me want to be a better person.

5. Freedom Summer by Deborah Wiles

freedom summer

All of the award stickers on the cover of this book are just a hint at how it is written phenomenally well.

Kellee

Anyone who knows me knows how hard this was for me (I wish I could have included all 14 of the Walden books since I’ve been on the committee!), but I did it! Here are 5 books I’ve read over the last 3 years that directly spoke to my heart.

1. Endangered by Eliot Schrefer

This book instantly rocketed into my top 3 favorite books of all time. It is just so beautifully written! And the story it tells is so important for everyone to read because it makes the reader grow and think and learn.

2. The Fault in our Stars by John Green

John Green’s writing is so incredible, and Hazel and Gus’s story is so special. You love these two characters so quickly which means you live what they live and hurt when they hurt.

3. Wonder by RJ Palacio

There are certain books that while you are reading, you wish that you could share it with every person, adult and child, that you know. This is one of those books. It is almost too hard to explain because of how wonderful it is. It is a book that will make you want to be kinder to every person that you meet. If you can finish Wonder and not feel impacted, then I don’t know what to tell you.

4. The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

I knew about Ivan before reading Applegate’s Newbery Award winning book, so she already had me because of the topic. Then, I even fell more in love by how beautifully it was written and put together. This book is almost a novel in vignettes. The way that Katherine Applegate wrote for Ivan is straight to the point but deep at the same time which I really feel fits a gorilla’s personality. I can picture Ivan sitting, alone, for hours feeling just the way that Katherine Applegate wrote for him. The beauty of the prose mixed with the simple, realistic illustrations made for a brilliant book about friendship, loss, and making a difference.

5. (Trent’s choice) Personal Penguin by Sandra Boynton

We love Sandra Boynton in our house. Her rhythmic picture books and colorful illustrations are so well done. Some of her stories, including Personal Penguin, have songs that go with them as well. I can sing all of Personal Penguin, and it is one of the books that Trent picks up on a regular basis. We’re fans.

Which books have you read recently and immediately fell in love with?

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The Secret Hum of a Daisy by Tracy Holczer

February 26, 2015 by Ricki

The Secret Hum of a Daisy
Author: Tracy Holczer
Published: July 24, 2014 by Annick Press

Summary: Twelve-year-old Grace and her mother have always been their own family, traveling from place to place like gypsies. But Grace wants to finally have a home all their own. Just when she thinks she’s found it her mother says it’s time to move again. Grace summons the courage to tell her mother how she really feels and will always regret that her last words to her were angry ones.

After her mother’s sudden death, Grace is forced to live with a grandmother she’s never met. She can’t imagine her mother would want her to stay with this stranger. Then Grace finds clues in a mysterious treasure hunt, just like the ones her mother used to send her on. Maybe itis her mother, showing her the way to her true home.

Lyrical, poignant and fresh, The Secret Hum of a Daisy is a beautifully told middle grade tale with a great deal of heart.

Ricki’s Review: The Secret Hum of a Daisy truly pulled my heartstrings. Readers of this blog know that I am a slightly critical reader of middle grade texts, and I often prefer high school texts, but my oh my, this one is beautiful. Having lost loved ones and friends, I know that grief hits you at random times. Holczer captured this reality beautifully. This book feels melancholy at the same time as it feels hopeful and lyrical. Young people will learn strength and resilience in Grace. Holczer’s thoughtful pacing makes this poignant coming of age story quite beautiful.

Kellee’s Review: This is one of those books that grabs you and sucks you in. I mostly love our main character. She has had to grow up too quickly thus making her a bit rough around the edges, but the way that friendship, family, history, poetry, and stories smooth her out is just so well done. Although at times I felt Grace came off older than she is, I realized, after talking to Carrie G., that it is because of the hardships she has endured. And the cast of characters, family and friends, who play a role in Grace’s transformation all are so well crafted. The Secret Hum of Daisy is a beautiful book because of Holczer’s word choice, Grace’s story, and the look at grief, family, and friendship.

Teacher’s Tools for Navigation: The Robert Frost references in this book easily lend themselves to instructional supplements for teachers. The sadness of this novel is important to discuss with students. They might consider poetry or journaling as an outlet for their emotions. Additionally, teachers my show students the stages of grief to help them better understand Grace’s emotions. Grace says that she gathers “every bit” she can of her Mama. Teachers might consider asking students to gather bits of people they love and sharing these with the class. Curriculum Guide from Penguin.

Check out our Guest Post from Tracy Holczer here!

Discussion Questions: Does Grace’s mom make mistakes in her parenting? What might she have done differently?; Do you agree with Grace’s decision to live in the shed? Do you consider this to be immature or strong of her? Why?

We Flagged: “Mama pulled me into her lap and her yellow chair creaked under our weight. ‘You have to trust me, Grace. We don’t need anyone else.'” (p. 8)

“Trying to ignore the blasts of rain against the tin roof, I dug a flashlight out of one of the boxes and laid my sleeping bag and pillow on our flower-garden sofa. I took my latest notebook out of my duffel and climbed into the sleeping bag.

I hadn’t written anything in the six days since Mama died, and the words were scratching at me in the way they always did. I hoped to find the end of that string inside of myself–the string that tended to work into knots–and pull it straight. That was how the words felt sometimes as I wrote them down. Like I was taking something scrambled and unscrambling it.” (p. 24)

We also loved page 57, 97, and 134.

Read This If You Loved: In This Moment by Wendy Glenn, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith, Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson, A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson, Love Letters to the Dead by Ava Dellaira, The Carnival at Bray by Jessie Ann Foley, All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven, Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt, Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin, Torn Away by Jennifer Brown

Recommended For:

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**Thank you to Tracy Holczer for providing copies for review**

Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Book Heroines

February 24, 2015 by Ricki

Today’s Topic: Top Ten Favorite Book Heroines

Ricki

I decided to stick with fantasies because in my initial list, it felt odd to mix fantasies with nonfiction. Perhaps I will do non-fantasy heroines in a future post. You rock, ladies!

1. Katsa from Graceling by Kristin Cashore

I could easily choose any Kristin Cashore female lead. She writes heroines like no other author. But Katsa has been able to kill a man with her bare hands since she was eight. That is pretty darn tough.

2. Lyra from His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman

Lyra is young, but she is fierce. She tries to save the world. No big deal.

3. Ismae from Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

I discovered this book on audiobook, and I think it is the best audiobook that I have ever listened too. Ismae is an assassin. If you haven’t read this book and want to read about a female who kicks butt, look no further.

4. Cassia from Matched by Allie Condie

I love Cassia because she stands up for herself and follows what she believes to be good and right and true.

5. Princess Elizabeth from The Paper Bag Princess by Robert Munsch

I read this picture book many moons ago, but the heroine still sticks with me. This is a great picture book to empower young girls.

Kellee

1. Katsa from Graceling by Kristin Cashore

I almost picked Fire because Ricki picked Katsa, but I couldn’t. Katsa is probably my favorite heroine of all time. She is so troubled, contemplative, strong, and hard-core, but also ends up being caring and smart. She is phenomenal.

2. Hermoine from Harry Potter by JK Rowling

I know this is cliche, but I love Hermoine. I love that a nerdy, smart girl can help save the world.

3. Zita from Zita (series) by Ben Hatke

I love Zita. She is a good friend. She is brave. She isn’t judgmental. She is smart. She is a girl that all boys will root for and all girls will long to be. And Zita doesn’t let anyone down- she is a true hero.

4. Lunch Lady from Lunch Lady (series) by Jarrett Krosoczka

Talk about the unexpected heroine! And she just keeps saving the day.

5. Kate from Matt Cruse (series) by Kenneth Oppel

Kate, like Hermoine, is brilliant beyond her years, but unlike Hermoine, she is expected to be prim and proper. Psh. Kate is not going to sit there and look pretty; she is going to jump right in, go on adventures, and get educated.

Which heroines are your favorite?

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Dreaming in Indian Edited by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Leatherdale

July 27, 2015February 19, 2015 by Ricki

Dreaming in Indian: Contemporary Native American Voices
Editors: Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Leatherdale
Published: July 24, 2014 by Annick Press

Summary: A powerful and visually stunning anthology from some of the most groundbreaking Native artists working in North America today.

Truly universal in its themes, “Dreaming In Indian” will shatter commonly held stereotypes and challenge readers to rethink their own place in the world. Divided into four sections, ‘Roots, ‘ ‘Battles, ‘ ‘Medicines, ‘ and ‘Dreamcatchers, ‘ this book offers readers a unique insight into a community often misunderstood and misrepresented by the mainstream media.

Emerging and established Native artists, including acclaimed author Joseph Boyden, renowned visual artist Bunky Echo Hawk, and stand-up comedian Ryan McMahon, contribute thoughtful and heartfelt pieces on their experiences growing up Indigenous, expressing them through such mediums as art, food, the written word, sport, dance, and fashion. Renowned chef Aaron Bear Robe, for example, explains how he introduces restaurant customers to his culture by reinventing traditional dishes. And in a dramatic photo spread, model Ashley Callingbull and photographer Thosh Collins reappropriate the trend of wearing ‘Native’ clothing.

Whether addressing the effects of residential schools, calling out bullies through personal manifestos, or simply citing hopes for the future, “Dreaming In Indian” refuses to shy away from difficult topics. Insightful, thought-provoking, and beautifully honest, this book will to appeal to young adult readers. An innovative and captivating design enhances each contribution and makes for a truly unique reading experience.

Review: I fell in love with the stunning illustrations and beautiful language of this book. I read two to three pages per night because I wanted to leave time to absorb the authors’ words and artists’ work. The eclectic mix of forms makes for a very powerful anthology that will prove enduring for readers. It features a variety of tribes, and the differing formats and content give readers a sense of both a unity across tribes and a distinctness of individuals from the different tribes. I found it to be truly inspiring and wish I could donate this book to every middle and high school classroom.

Teacher’s Tools for Navigation: This text is obviously a great resource for teachers. It need not be used in its entirety because this text would be excellent for close readings. Whatever the format, it would be preferable to avoid using this book solely during the month of November—“Native American Heritage Month.” I align with scholars who believe that diverse cultures should be highlighted year-round and integrated within curricula, rather than solely within designated months.

Discussion Questions: In what ways are the themes of this book universal? In what way are they distinct?; What themes can you find across the works?; How does this book shed light on Indian culture?; How is the text structured? Do you find the style to be effective?

Book Trailer:

From the Authors:

Recommended For:

Top Ten Tuesday: Book-Related Problems We Have

February 17, 2015February 17, 2015 by Ricki

Today’s Topic: Top Ten Book-Related Problems We Have

Ricki

1. I don’t like to leave the house.

I could honestly stay in my house for a month without going stir crazy. I love books so much that I wouldn’t mind a knee surgery to give me a reason to stay in bed and read. Date night at the movies? Um, can I just read? Better yet, let’s both read! Isn’t that the perfect date, honey?

2. I would rather read YAL than do schoolwork.

I reward myself with YAL. Okay, just a few more pages in that textbook (or just a few more papers to grade), and then I can read twenty pages as a reward!

3. Books are my decor.

And every room is a library. An interior designer would not enjoy my house. And don’t even get me started on the trunk of my car. You can never have too many books on hand—just in case you get stuck in the middle of nowhere(…for a year?).

4. Baby proofing is very difficult.

My biggest fear is that he will start to climb these bookshelves. They are bracketed to the wall, but I still worry. Also, it would be nice not to have to clean up the thirty YA books he throws on the floor each day.

5. Sleep? What is that?

Readers, you understand.

Kellee

1. Too Many Books, Too Little Time

I don’t think I really need to explain that one. I just wish there was more time to read!

2. No More Room!

My little house is actually getting taken over by books. (I actually have no more space in my son’s room to put books since his shelf is full, there are piles on his closet shelf, and on his organizer in the closet unless I start keeping some under the bed, and I just can’t bring myself to do that!) There are bookshelves everywhere and the bookshelves are overflowing and this leads to…

3. Weeding 🙁

Man! How I hate to weed! I want to keep everything! Books I’ve read and loved I want to keep even though I’ll probably not reread it. Books I need to read I obviously need to keep so I can read it. Sigh.

4. Trent Doesn’t Have a Favorite Book

My goal over Trent’s first year was to read as close to a book a day as possible. I’ve done pretty well with him reading 250 titles (and we’ve reread many books), but I haven’t really given him a chance to find a favorite book because we are always reading new ones. During this next year, I am going to let him do a lot more choosing of books, so he can find his favorites.

5. Behind on TV

I love TV too, but I would rather (or need to) read. This means I am really behind on my favorites (including The Good Wife, Mindy Project, Mom, and Law and Order: SVU!).

What book related problems do you have?

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