Ricki – Page 93 – Unleashing Readers

The Worst Witch Series by Jill Murphy

November 9, 2014October 30, 2014 by Ricki

The Worst Witch Series

The Worst Witch #1

The Worst Witch Strikes Again #2

A Bad Spell for Worst Witch #3

The Worst Witch at Sea #4

The Worst Witch Saves the Day #5

The Worst Witch to the Rescue #6

By: Jill Murphy

Published by: Candlewick

Summary for Worst Witch #1: Mildred Hubble is a trainee witch at Miss Cackle’s Academy, and she’s making an awful mess of it. She’s always getting her spells wrong and she can’t even ride a broomstick without crashing it. Will she ever make a real witch?

Review: These books made me giggle. Mildred’s mistakes and misadventures as a witch are sure to entice young readers. I imagine beginning readers will fall in love with Mildred and her silly tales of woe. The illustrations make these excellent books for students who are just beginning to transition from picture books. Reading the books felt reminiscent of a Harry Potter series for younger readers, and they also reminded me of Amelia Bedelia. I adored these books and plan to read them to my son when he is older.

Teacher’s Tools for Navigation: Students would have fun creating”To their own worst witch scenarios. What kinds of spells can they imagine that could go horribly wrong? I would love to read this series to young children around Halloween.

Discussion Questions: How does Mildred fail as a witch? Why do you think she is so unsuccessful?; How does Mildred show perseverance? Is she brave?

We Flagged: “To tell you the truth, Mildred was afraid of the dark, but don’t tell anyone. I mean, whoever heard of a witch who was scared of the dark” (p. 11)?

Read This If You Loved: The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling, The Amelia Bedelia series by Peggy Parish

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Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Characters Who We Would Want To Be For Halloween

October 28, 2014 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 Characters Who We Would Want To Be For Halloween

These characters would be a blast to be for Halloween!

Ricki

1. The Giving Tree from The Giving Tree

Throughout the night, I could get shorter and shorter.

2. The Giver from The Giver

I can rock a pretty sweet beard.

3. Lyra from The Golden Compass

Henry could be my daemon.

4. Fire from Fire

Can you imagine how cool my hair would be?

5. The Girl on the Cover of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children

She is just really neat. Maybe I could figure out a way to levitate?

Kellee

I love the idea of family costumes, so these are the ones that I think would be the most fun to dress up as a family:

1. Cat and the Hat and Thing 1 & 2

I know it is kind of cliche, but they are a fun trio!

2. Elephant and Piggie

This is only a duo, so we’d have to figure out which parent wouldn’t dress up (or we could be the Pigeon!), but I would love to represent some Mo Willems!

3. Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Eeyore, Kanga, Owl, or Roo

We are big Pooh fans here in the Moye house, so I know we’d all love to dress up as Pooh characters.

4. Harry Potter, Hermoine, and Ron

And my husband has red hair already!

5. Crayons from The Day the Crayons Quit

Love this book, love crayons, and would be fun to dress as them. I wonder which crayon will be Trent’s favorite!

Who would you love to dress up as?

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Blog Tour, Review, and Author Q&A!: Bramble and Maggie Series by Jessie Haas

May 2, 2015October 23, 2014 by Ricki

Bramble and Maggie: Horse Meets Girl
Published March 27th, 2012 by Candlewick Press
Bramble and Maggie: Give and Take
Published April 23, 2013 by Candlewick Press
Bramble and Maggie: Spooky Season
Published August 12th, 2014 by Candlewick Press
Author: Jessie Haas
Illustrator: Alison Friend

Bramble and Maggie: Horse Meets Girl Goodreads Summary: Come along for a spirited ride as Bramble – a horse with interesting “little ways”- and her devoted girl, Maggie, make their debut in this inviting early reader.

Maggie wants a pony to ride and take care of, and to prepare she’s been reading a big book on horse care. Meanwhile, Bramble is bored with giving riding lessons and walking in circles. She’s looking for just the right person to take her away from her routine. Is it a perfect match? Maggie loves Bramble as soon as she sees her, but there are some things Bramble has to be sure of. Will Maggie let Bramble venture into new places? Will she protect Bramble from strange objects in the yard? Will she, most importantly, know when Bramble needs her undivided attention? This charming and funny early reader is an ideal match for young animal lovers and anyone who has ever longed for a friend who truly understands.

Bramble and Maggie: Give and Take Goodreads Summary: Maggie and her mischievous horse, Bramble, are back for another spirited romp through the ins and outs of friendship.

Maggie loves introducing her new horse, Bramble, to the neighborhood, the beach, and the backyard. Bramble has fun too, once she is cajoled into participating by a well-timed carrot or two. But when Maggie has to go to school, Bramble is bored and lonely and gets into some trouble with Mr. Dingle next door. A misbehaving hen and a midnight visitor finally help to turn Bramble into a good neighbor. This charming and funny early reader flows at just the right pace for kids who are learning that others don’t always do exactly what you want, but that friends find a way to give and take.

Bramble and Maggie: Spooky Season Goodreads Summary: Bramble, a persnickety but lovable horse, and Maggie, her patient owner, build an even stronger friendship as they brave the surprises of autumn.

In their third adventure, Bramble and Maggie explore a new season together — fall! Leaves crunch underfoot. Acorns ping off rooftops. It all makes Bramble feel wonderfully spooky. But Bramble’s frisky-pretend-scary gait makes Maggie jumpy, and soon Bramble really is nervous. There are alarming new sights and sounds everywhere, like Mr. Dingle’s scarecrow. When Maggie takes a fall, will she want to get back in the saddle? And when Halloween comes, can Maggie trust Bramble to brave the tricks and lead them both safely to the treats?

Kellee’s Review: There is a very specific time in a kid’s life where they are ready to begin reading longer books, but not ready to tackle chapter books yet. This is where Bramble and Maggie fits. These early chapter books will are perfect texts to help lead kids to longer chapter books. The work well for their targeted age level in that they never speak down to readers and have excellently paced stories that hold readers’ attention and will help them feel successful. On top of all this, the Bramble and Maggie stories are just so sweet! I love all the different adventures they go on and the lessons they learn like overcoming fear, conquering loneliness, and gaining responsibility. Readers will adore these books.

Ricki’s Review: Kellee hit the nail on the head. As I was reading, I thought to myself, “Why didn’t I have these books available to me when I was transitioning to chapter books?” I remember being devastated that my books no longer had pictures in them, and I resisted the longer texts for this reason. This series is engaging, educative, and fun! The words repeat in ways that will help students learn the vocabulary, particularly the more difficult words that relate to horses. Each book delivers a strong message, and the bond between Bramble and Maggie is one which will connect with readers. When I think about these books, I will always remember Maggie dragging her sleeping bag to the stable to sleep beside Bramble. I can’t wait to share these books with my pre-service elementary school teachers. They will have a special place in classrooms.

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: Readers would be wise to explore how Haas develops theme in these texts. Each individual book has a different theme, and the content beautifully incorporates the messages. These books would be great models for students to learn about implicit versus explicit themes.

Discussion Questions: What lessons has Maggie learned since she has gotten Bramble? What lessons has Bramble learned since he’s met Maggie?; How has Bramble changed since he went to live with Maggie?; In what ways does the author show the bond of friendship throughout the books?

We Flagged: “Bramble lowered her head. Maggie gave her a carrot, and Bramble took it. She let Maggie put on the bridle. This was better. Give and take” (p. 9 of Bramble and Maggie: Give and Take)

Read This If You Loved: The Franklin School Friends series by Claudia Mills, The Pony Mysteries series by Jeanne Betancourt, and The Pony Scout series by Catherine Hapka

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Q & A with Jessie Haas

What inspired you to write this series? What inspired you to write about a horse?

I was inspired by two things in writing the Bramble and Maggie books. First, I had a story rejected by Candlewick, but with a request attached. The editor had girls who loved horses and horse books and had read some of mine and they noticed that they were always checked out of the public library. So Candlewick asked if I would like to write a couple of books for beginning readers.

At the time I had just gotten a new horse, Robin. She has a somewhat prickly personality, which I think inspired Bramble’s name, and the way horses and people mesh with each other was on my mind. Of course, I knew my version of events, but I’m always aware that horses have their own points of view, so the story would need to be told from both Bramble’s and Maggie’s perspectives.

What was it like to work with an illustrator? What does the process look like?

Like most authors, I don’t actually “work with” the illustrator. The editor and I work until we have a solid draft. Then the text is sent to the illustrator and she sends sketches. When the editor and I see them, it becomes obvious where we need to add or drop words (usually drop) to make space on the page. A lot of times, the art is telling the story already, and that makes some of the words unnecessary.

Alison Friend lives in England, so we did have one big change she needed to make in the first book. The wonderful picture at the beginning of Chapter Two, with Maggie and her family in the car, had the steering wheel on the right, as in British cars. I must admit, it took me a few times looking at the pictures to spot that. The pencil sketches are always funny and energetic, but the magic happens when Alison begins to paint, and it is always tremendously exciting to see the finished pages. And I got to see the original art for Spooky Season, which was thrilling. I think Spooky Season is one of the most beautiful books I have ever had published.

How do you envision your texts being taught in classrooms? Do you have any suggestions for our viewers who are teachers?

I’m usually stumped by that question. Now, though, I have a great new curriculum guide (it’s a free download on my website) I love some of the ideas there. Spooky Season, the newest book, explores the theme of fear—how we pretend to be afraid (for fun), how we scare ourselves (for fun), and how we sometimes get really scared—and that’s not fun! Bramble is truly afraid of some Halloween decorations like Mr. Dingle’s scarecrow—until she finds out it’s good to eat

Maggie runs into the situation every horseman faces sooner or later. You fall off, and you know you’re supposed to get right back on, or the fear will grow and you might not be able to. That’s easier said than done, of course. But Bramble takes care of Maggie the way good horses do, and Maggie has the experience that I remember from my own life as my very first time confronting and overcoming fear. These are great discussions to have around Halloween.

For Give and Take, the discussion is more about a truly basic issue in children’s—indeed, everyone’s—lives: power. Bramble feels that no one should be the boss all of the time. There should be some give and take. As well as story sequencing discussions, this is a chance for children to talk about—and draw—a time in their own lives when they learned to share, and give a little.

And Horse Meets Girl has a wonderful activity where children are encouraged to imagine, describe and draw their ideal pet. I also love the idea of Maggie needing a babysitter for Bramble, which could be a springboard for kids writing their own stories. The curriculum guide was created for me by Blue Slip Media, working with an educational consultant who’s also an elementary school teacher, and it’s keyed to Common Core curriculum standards—so it’s educationally sound as well as fun.

Jessie Haas has always loved horses and has written more than thirty books, most of them about horses, including the first two books ab out Bramble and Maggie. She says, “Horses love pretending to be scared, just like us, and fall is the perfect season for that. Why do they call it fall?” Jessie Haas lives in Vermont with her husband, writer Michael J. Daley; her horse; two cats; a dog; and a hen. For more information, and to download a free curriculum guide, visit her website: http://www.jessiehaas.com/.

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**Thank you to Barbara at Blue Slip Media and Jessie Haas for having us as part of the blog tour!**

Top Ten Tuesday: Top New Series We Hope To Start At Some Point

October 24, 2014October 21, 2014 by Ricki

Today’s Topic: Top New Series We Hope To Start At Some Point

These series look so good! We hope we get to read them at some point.

Ricki

I saw Kellee’s list before I wrote mine, and I thought, “Oh. Yes, she should read those.” Kellee, I recommend Legend as your first series to start on your list! It is one of my favorites. Like Kellee, I am excluding series I need to finish. These are the series I have yet to begin.

1. Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

Okay, it is time for everyone to freak out. I’ve never read this series. I am not sure why. I fell asleep during the first movie, so maybe it isn’t for me?

2. Cinder by Marissa Meyer

I really, really want to read this series. I haven’t started it yet, but I hope to soon.

3. The Diviners by Libba Bray

diviners

Libba is an incredibly talented writer, so I am sure this series is as great as I’ve heard it is!

4. Heist Society by Ally Carter

I’ve never read an Ally Carter book, but I’ve always wanted to check them out because they are so wildly popular.

5. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle

I read this book when I was much younger and don’t remember anything about it. I’d like to reread it as an adult.

Kellee

This list could be 25 series long, but I kept it at 5. There are so many out there I want to read! (And this isn’t even including all the series I’ve started and need to finish!)

1. Legend by Marie Lu

Everyone who has read this series loves it. I look forward to getting to it.

2. The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

Maggie Stiefvater writes some of the most unique books, and I always try to read what she writes.

3. Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

The Uglies series by Westerfeld is one of my favorites, and Leviathan fascinates me.

4. Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepard

I love the show and the premise, so I assume the books will be very good.

5. The Selection by Kiera Cass

This series is hugely popular with my students, and I am intrigued by the fairy tale-esque idea. (However, it does remind me of Princess Academy.)

Which series haven’t you started but hope to?

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Author Guest Post!: Five Ways to Bring MG into the Classroom by F.T. Bradley, author of the Double Vision series

April 22, 2023October 16, 2014 by Ricki

Today, F.T. Bradley, author of the Double Vision trilogy, joins us with a wonderful post for middle grade teachers. Last year, Ricki reviewed (and loved) the second book in the series, Double Vision: Code Name 711. We strongly encourage you to check out the entire series and are excited to announce that the third book, Double Vision: The Alias Men, went on sale this week! Please join us in welcoming F.T. Bradley to the blog today.

Five Ways to Bring MG into the Classroom

By F.T. Bradley

Reading is good for kids—we all know this. But trying to find ways to bring books into an already over-tasked classroom can be more than a challenge. Every year, I visit several school and library conventions, where I talk about ways to reach reluctant readers. Let’s face it: every classroom has a good portion of kids who would anything to avoid opening another book. So how do you bring middle-grade books into the classroom without boring your students? Here are a few ways to keep reading fresh in the classroom:

1. Find a Theme

Is your class or grade covering a certain period in history? Chances are, there are a host of MG titles that cover it. Math, science, art—authors love to use curriculum as a jumping off point in their fiction. When looking for titles, start by casting a wide net, including non-fiction (reluctant readers are easier to hook with those books), and graphic novels, too. For middle-school teachers, this can be an opportunity to collaborate with other teachers across subjects. A library visit, or a simple Google search can be a good start to find titles, but also look at book review sites like Goodreads, where reviewers often have top-ten lists of like-themed books. Author websites (like mine) sometimes have links and resources too, so don’t forget to browse the web.

2. Host a Book Club

You don’t have to be Oprah to host a book club. It can be small scale, like a class-wide joint read, or an after school club or even an elective for middle-schoolers. One school librarian told me she hosted a book club during lunch once a week—what a great idea! If you’re looking for a more challenging approach to group reading, try reading a non-fiction and fiction title on the same topic or historical period at the same time. How is the fiction title holding up against reality? Another fun challenge: reading a classic title like A Wrinkle in Time, and comparing it to its graphic novel counterpart. Or comparing the book with the movie—a great way to show that books connect to popular entertainment. To start your book club, look for more accessible options (so all kids will be interested, even those who read less), and increase the challenge as you go.

3. Host a Review Blog or Website

Kids are already expected to write book reports—why not have them write reviews, too? This can be a school or classroom blog, where you post reviews written by kids. You can even post them to other review sites, or on your local bookstore website (if they’re interested—could be a great start to collaboration). Publishers (and sometimes authors) may even be willing to donate a copy of a book in exchange for a review, especially if you post reviews regularly. Just be sure to protect kids’ privacy as you post the reviews.

4. Rewrite the Story

Have you ever read a book with the class, only to be disappointed with the ending? Or maybe it wasn’t the ending you expected—or maybe it was too cliché? Rewrite the end with the class! This can be a great writing assignment—not only does this teach writing and editing skills, it shows kids that stories aren’t set in stone. (Note: this was not my idea, but shared by a Mississippi teacher and her class, who loved this exercise). Other ideas: writing short stories, like fan fiction, featuring the other characters in a book. How does the story change if written from a different perspective? Or: write letters as two characters in conflict with each other. If you’re working with a non-fiction title, consider having kids write fictional stories featuring some of the facts in the book. Or vice-versa: research any facts in the fiction title you’re reading—did the author stay close to the truth?

5. Host a (Virtual) Author Visit

Nothing makes a book, and the profession of writing, come to life more than a visit from a real author. Kids will never forget that day. To find available authors in your area, look at professional organizations’ websites, like the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. You can also ask your local library, or your independent bookstore—staff often know who lives locally, and who does great presentations. Don’t have access to local authors or funds to bring authors to your school? Try a Skype visit instead! These virtual visits are often free, and require nothing more than a computer/tablet with a webcam and a (free) Skype account. To find authors who Skype for free (like me), visit author Kate Messner’s website for a list. For non-fiction tie-ins, Skype in the Classroom offers lessons that run the gamut when it comes to curriculum, and even connects classrooms across the globe. When I host the session on reaching reluctant readers (using these ideas and more) at library and teacher conventions, I get my best tips, book recommendations, and out-of-the-box ideas from teachers and librarians themselves.

How about you? Do you have any ideas or tips to share?

Follow along with the Double Vision: The Alias Men blog tour:

Oct. 6-10: The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow features Double Vision: The Alias Men with a review, author interview, plus a GIVEAWAY..!

Oct. 13: Linc hangs out at the great Erik’s blog, This Kid Reviews Books. Linc talks about spy techniques he picked up on his Pandora missions. And there’s another GIVEAWAY…

Oct. 14: Double Vision: The Alias Men is released! Have a virtual party at the YA Sleuth blog…! And follow F.T. on Twitter @FTBradleyAuthor for more kid spy fun.

Oct. 16: F.T. Bradley gives you Five Ways to Bring MG into The Classroom at the Unleashing Readers blog, plus a GIVEAWAY.

Oct. 17: Linc is interviewed by Lizzy, Fairday and Marcus over at The Secret Files of Fairday Morrow blog. A fun post!

Oct. 20: Buried in Books lets F.T. Bradley talk about the Double Vision trilogy…

Oct. 20: Also this day, the fabulous Ms. Yingling reviews Double Vision: The Alias Men on her blog for Marvelous MG Monday…

Oct. 21: Another favorite blog, YA Book Nerd, hosts F.T. Bradley and the Double Vision trilogy, plus a GIVEAWAY

Oct. 21: F.T. Bradley hangs out at Sleuths, Spies and Alibis…

Oct. 24: F.T. Bradley gives tips for parents of reluctant readers, Seven Ways to Get Your Kid to Read, at Pragmatic Mom’s blog, plus a GIVEAWAY!

Oct. 25: At the Nerdy Book Club, find F.T. Bradley’s top 10 books for reluctant readers…

Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Places We Want To Visit (After Reading Books)

October 14, 2014 by Ricki

Today’s Topic: Ten Places We Want To Visit (After Reading Books)

Books can transport you, but these are the places we’d actually like to go to.

Ricki

Some of the places I wanted to visit in our book vacation post were Europe, Africa, Salinas (California), the Seven Kingdoms, and Pullman’s multiverse. I can most certainly think of five more. 🙂

1. The back of my wardrobe

C.S. Lewis created magic in the back of his wardrobe, so I want to see if I can go exploring in mine.

2. An old-fashioned locomotive

Brian Floca’s Locomotive is an incredible picture book that shows the complexity of steam engines. I want to visit one and explore.

3. Arches National Park

Edward Abbey’s Desert Solitaire was one of the best books I read in college. The way Abbey captures the beauty of this park in his nonfiction text will make you want to go there to see it for yourself.

4. Midnight Gulch

If you haven’t read Natalie Lloyd’s A Snicker of Magic, I recommend you drop everything and read it. It is the most spindiddly, magical books I have ever read.

5. America (Road Trip Style)

From Travels with Charley by John Steinbeck to Amy and Roger’s Epic Detour by Morgan Matson, books always seem to make me want to go on a road trip across America. Anyone want to join me on a book-themed road trip? Kellee?

Kellee

I touched on the real places I would love to visit based on the setting of a book on our book vacation post, so I thought today I’d post about fictional places I would like to visit.

1. Hogwarts (and Diagon Alley)

I don’t think I need to elaborate. It’d be so cool!

2. Rabbit Island from Rabbit Island by Jake Parker in Explorer: The Lost Islands edited by Kazu Kibuishi

Well, first: talking rabbits. Second, in the end they have such a great society. Third, the island is beautiful. Fourth, robots!

3. Kingdoms in Hero’s Guide books by Christopher Healy

I would love to visit the fractured fairy tale world of Healy’s. Although there are some trolls, witches, etc., many of the towns would be so much fun to visit.

4. Under water society (without all the issues) in Dark Life by Kat Falls

How amazing would it be to live underwater?!

5. Airships from Matt Cruse series by Kenneth Oppel

In Oppel’s books, airships are like cruise ships in the sky. I would love to be able to go fly in one of them.

Where would you love to visit?

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On the Road to a Dissertation!

July 27, 2015October 9, 2014 by Ricki

This year, I am beginning my third semester as a doctoral student, and it is frightening! Last year, I dappled in scholarly journals and worked very hard, but reality hadn’t quite set in yet. This year, I enrolled in a dissertation proposal course which is phenomenal. The professor excellently scaffolds and organizes the proposal in manageable chunks—she warns us that we would be making difficult decisions, but this will push our limits. The organization of the class has been very helpful to me, but I realize I have an immense amount of work ahead of me this year. Fortunately, I have an incredibly supportive husband, family, best friend, blog partner, and most important—advisor. I discussed my concerns with each of them, and they all expressed their strong support and confidence in me. Their encouragement pushed me to realize I can do this.

This Sunday in particular, my husband took my (adorable, gleeful, accident-prone, and giggly) son to visit extended family, and I worked. I kept my caffeine and snacks at the ready, and I didn’t leave my chair for five hours (okay, I did take a few bathroom breaks). It was joyful to get straight, uninterrupted hours to study—my mother-in-law, mother, and aunt have been helping with this too. The problem with reviewing literature in a field? I found excellent articles about my topic, and then, as I read these intriguing articles, they cited other articles, so I found those. As I looked through those articles, I found more that were equally important. As my list of “Articles I Need” kept growing and growing, I became worried. I began to wonder if I would ever possible feel done reading all of the research in the field. My advisor assured me that reading every single article in a field (particularly with new journal issues being published each month) is impossible, but with my obsessive, Type-A personality, I want to read each and every article! I want to be sure I have read every possible study and article about the subject, but the problem is, there are branches upon branches of articles about other subjects that run parallel to my research. Each time I find a new, parallel subject, I think, “Oooooh! Neat!” and then I get lost searching for and reading articles about that subject matter that, while it aligns with my research, is not truly necessary. In research terms, they call this, “beyond the scope” of my research. Because I am very passionate about my topic, I can’t help but want to read it all.

I am grateful for all of the support from my family and friends for helping me find this very fascinating work. I have always loved to learn—and I used to bemoan the fact that I couldn’t be a lifelong student (and still pay the bills). I learned so much from my students when I was teaching, but it was different from taking classes and conducting research with fancy IRB approval. As I was reflecting this weekend, I realized that by doing research, I will be a lifelong student as I learn from the participants in my study, and while I regret that I can’t read every article that is “beyond the scope” of the research subject of my dissertation, I am not locked into this particular study forever. If I want, I can really go rogue and research something drastically different! The next study I design can be in that forbidden “beyond the scope” zone of what I am researching today. And these possibilities make me strangely giddy with excitement.

If you are a middle or high school English language arts teacher (or know any of these folks), I would truly appreciate your help distributing the message below for my dissertation study! Thank you!!!

I am seeking middle/high school English teachers for a brief research survey. For more information, click: https://uconn.co1.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_7U0gerNF8XslNpH. I would greatly appreciate it if you shared this post with other teachers!