Book List – Page 28 – Unleashing Readers

Top Ten Tuesday: Books Ricki Read in 2014

January 3, 2015December 16, 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 Books Ricki Read in 2014

Kellee donated this day to me! Yippee! I can pick ten books. Wait, only ten? Ah!

Kellee will be doing her post on January 2. If she limits her list to ten, I might just fall off of my chair. 🙂 Love you, Kel!

I’ve divided the books into categories, but I hate categories. If you are human, you will like these books, regardless of your age. This year, out of all of my reading years, I read widely in each category, so I am proud of this book list. Many of the texts are popular choices, but they are so good, that I’d be remiss if I didn’t include them as my favorites this year. Also, not all of these books came out in 2014, but most are very recent.

And check out Kellee’s Favorites, too!

Children’s Literature/Picture Books

1. This is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen

This book is quirky, weird, and oh-so-good.

2. The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt (Illustrated by Oliver Jeffers)

Technically, I read this at the end of 2013, after my Top Ten List came out. My husband I loved this book. It was so much fun to read with our son, and we have read it many times since.

Upper Elementary/Middle Grade Literature

3. brown girl dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

You know when you hear a song that is so perfectly in tune, and you get the shivers? That is this book for me.

4. A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd

This book made me, as an adult, believe in magic.

Young Adult Literature

5. Dr. Bird’s Advice for Sad Poets by Evan Roskos

I think every high schooler should read this book.

6. We Were Liars by e. lockhart

Exceeds the hype. e. lockhart is a genius.

Adult Literature

7. The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

This is a reader’s book. In other words, if you like to read, you will like this book.

8. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

This isn’t an extremely literary book, but it had me hooked. If you want to get lost in a book, I highly recommend it. I am still thinking about the ethical side of the book, months later.

Professional Development Texts

9. Culturally Responsive Teaching by Geneva Gay

I would love to see this book as required reading for all pre-service teachers, in my opinion. I used a whole highlighter on this book.

10. Literature as Exploration by Louise M. Rosenblatt

She just gets it. This book stands for everything I believe in—as a teacher and as a reader.

Which were your favorites in 2014? I’d love to read them in 2015!

Kellee’s NCTE/ALAN Top Books

July 27, 2015December 5, 2014 by Kellee

Part of what makes NCTE/ALAN so worthwhile and amazing is that I get introduced to new-to-me books and upcoming releases. Today I want to share with you some books I’m excited about and some books I’m excited to share with my students.

9 (+1) Books I Am Excited About Reading

This was a really, really hard list to make. There are so many I want to read! I had to just pick the ones that stuck with me the most; however, almost every book presented at ALAN is one I hope to read.

The Alex Crow (and the other Andrew Smith books I got) by Andrew Smith

I loved Stick and Winger, so I want to read everything by him.

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

This was a must-get at ALAN, and I am so glad I got one. It is supposed to be amazing.

When I Was the Greatest by Jason Reynolds

Jason Reynolds was one of the most entrancing speakers at ALAN, so I don’t know how you wouldn’t want to read his books. Also, the line from the summary “a small misunderstanding can escalate into having a price on your head—even if you’re totally clean” just sucks me in.

King Dork Approximately (and King Dork) by Frank Portman

I wanted to read King Dork when it first came out and never got to it then when I saw the sequel at ALAN and heard Frank Portman speak (on the hilarious music panel), I knew I finally had to read it.

Like Water on Stone by Dana Walrath

Karen Hesse, one of my favorite authors, says it is a mix of The Book Thief and Between Shades of Gray. Sold.

Some Assembly Required by Arin Andrews

Rethinking Normal by Katie Rain Hill

Arin and Katie’s books are on my list because of their panel and because I want to try to understand, be compassionate, and be empathetic towards every type of person. I cannot wait to read their stories.

Positive: A Memoir by Paige Rawl

Paige was born HIV positive, and this is her story.

The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski

I love Marie’s story about her book was inspired by the stock term where winning costs more than it was worth, so I am interested in learning about how she turned this into a high fantasy novel.

Honorary. The Porcupine of Truth by Bill Konigsberg
(Honorary because I didn’t get it at NCTE, but I want to read it so badly!)

Bill let me read the first page. Then he took the book. That was mean.

11 Books I Am Excited About Reading AND Sharing With My Students

These are all middle school books that I have not read and want to, and I also want to share them with my students because they sound so great!

Echo by Pam Munoz Ryan

Everyone who has read this loved it, and who is surprised? No one! It is Pam Munoz Ryan!

The Honest Truth by Dan Gemeinhart

Twitterverse is atwitter about this book. Tissues are in my future.

The Art of Secrets by James Klise

I met James Klise at ALAN, and he was such a pleasure. Also, the story of how this community rallies around a hate crime victim.

Kinda Like Brothers by Coe Booth

I truly enjoy Coe Booth’s YA novel Bronxwood, so I am looking forward to reading her middle grade novel.

The Madman of Piney Woods by Christopher Paul Curtis

Christopher. Paul. Curtis.

Nnewts by Doug TenNapel

My students and I love Doug TenNapel. I already read this one, and I already have a student who wants it (and when others find out about it, there will be a waiting list). Doug TenNapel is so unique and fun!

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander

I am always looking for more well written sports books! Also, Kwame was such a pleasure to meet and was a favorite panelist.

Gameworld by C.J. Farley

My students love video games, so I am excited to read a book about video games. Heir Apparent by Vivian Vande Velde was pretty popular a few years ago, so maybe I need to pull it and this one out together.

Knock Out Games by G. Neri

I love Ghetto Cowboy and Yummy, so I cannot wait to read/share this one.

How It Went Down by Kekla Magoon

Trayvon Martin was shot and killed about 40 minutes from my school. It was a very close-to-home event. I love that this book would start a conversation about what happened and why.

Challenger Deep by Neal Shusterman

The summary sounds fascinating and leaves so much for me to speculate. I want to know! And Neal Shusterman’s novels are always well received, so I know this one will be too.

If you were at NCTE/ALAN, what books are you looking forward to reading? If you were not able to attend, what books are you looking forward to reading out of these?

P.S. There are so many great books shared that I had already read or shared with my students, so they were not included on this list. These are all books that I hadn’t heard of, owned, or read before NCTE/ALAN.

Trent and Kellee’s Favorite Picture Books: Six to Nine Months

February 14, 2021November 21, 2014 by Kellee

I CANNOT believe that my baby boy is already 9 months old (as of yesterday)! He is growing so quickly and is such an awesome little kid. We have continued reading as close to a book a day as possible and we are currently at 230 books! He’s been alive 264 days so if you count rereads we are pretty close to a book a day.

I will say that a 9 month old is much harder to get to sit down and read a book than a 3 month old! Also, over these 3 months, we focused on doing a lot of rereads because I felt we were rushing too much through books and not finding favorites. Because of these factors, we only read 59 different books over these 3 months vs. 91 during 0-3 months and 92 during 3-6 months.

Today, I wanted to share some of our 20 favorite books that we’ve read over the last 3 months. I did not include any rereads on the list because our favorites had already been mentioned on our past lists: 0-3 months & 3-6 months.

1. Your Personal Penguin by Sandra Boynton

This is probably our favorite. It has a song of it sung by Davey Jones, and we follow along as we listen to the song. It is our go-to book right now.

2. Mini Myths by Joan Holub

I love that Joan Holub is turning myths into board books! They aren’t very detailed, but they give basic information about the myth and teach a lesson.

3. Swing! and Waddle! by Rufus Butler Seder

Scanimation illustrations mesmerize Trent, and with the rhyming text, these books are so entertaining to read.

4. Five Black Cats by Patricia Hegarty

Trent really enjoyed this book. I think it is the rhythm of the rhyming prose mixed with the colorful illustrations.
(Fun side note: When we first picked this up to read, Jim said, “Let’s read Five Black Cats.” Then Trent responded with something that sounded very much like “Fie Back Cats.” Probably a coincidence, but it was awesome!)

5. Goodnight, Gorilla by Peggy Rathmann

I couldn’t believe I’d never read this book before! And I love that my husband pointed out the nuance that is the mouse in the book. He made me love it even more, and the simple story with strong illustrations holds Trent’s attention.

6. You Are My Work of Art by Sue DiCicco

Such a sweet, sweet, sweet message AND it is told using classic works of art. This book is right up our alley!

7. Big Bug by Henry Cole

This is a great book about perspective. This is a tough concept to teach, so Cole’s book will be great to help share it with Trent.

8. Books Always Everywhere by Jane Blatt

Loved the promotion of reading a books with little ones in this book.

9. Up Close by Gay Wegerif

This book teaches shapes, colors, and animals! Win!

10. The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown

A classic with such a sweet message about mothers’ true love.

11. Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel by Virginia Lee Burton

I remember reading this book as a child, but I hadn’t remembered how good it was. It is a story of true friendship and perseverance.

12. Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss

I have found that sometimes when I read a Dr. Seuss book with Trent, it doesn’t live up to my memory of the book; however, this one did! The rhymes and realization at the end are just done so well.

13. Kiss, Kiss Good Night by Ken Kesbitt

A sweet bedtime book with mom animals saying goodnight to their sweet babies.

14. Bob the Dog by Rodrigo Folgueira

Although the lesson at the end of the book was blatant, the illustrations, humor, and crazy characters makes this a new favorite for us.

15. Antic! by Cathi Hepworth

This is an ABC book like no other I’ve ever read. The inclusion of ANT in each word made it so the author had to stretch a bit, but the stretching what made it so the author had to be creative. There are some phenomenal words in this book.

16. This Moose Belongs to Me! by Oliver Jeffers

My husband read this book to Trent and it made us both laugh out loud. Another brilliant book from Oliver Jeffers.

17. Oliver by Birgitta Sif

I love the lesson that is taught in this one. It is one I look forward to reading to Trent when he gets older.

18. Pardon Me! by Daniel Miyares

Um, the ending!

19. The Girl and the Bicycle by Mark Pett

The illustrations are perfection and mixed with the sweet story of a kind girl make me read this to Trent multiple times (and since it didn’t have any words, I was able to change up the story each time!).

20. Thomas the Tank Engine: Shapes and Sizes by Wilbert Awdry

This is one of Trent’s favorite books. It is the one he pulls off the shelf (and usually puts straight in his mouth).

Almost. Baby Beluga by Raffi

I LOVED this song when I was a kid! When I read this to Trent, I pull up a You Tube video of Raffi singing, and we follow along. The book would have made the list, not been honorary, because we like the song and book; however, the ecology just isn’t correct…

What books should Trent read in the next 3 months?

Ricki and Henry’s Favorite Children’s Books (6-12 months)

November 15, 2015November 20, 2014 by Ricki

Every six months, I make an attempt to pick out the top ten picture books that Henry and I read together. This is incredibly difficult because we read so many fantastic books. But I understand, as a mom with a limited budget, that other parents may appreciate a list. We usually plow through library books and buy our favorites. Each of the books listed below is worthy of purchasing! With the holidays near, I recommend each of these. I am excluding my favorite books from our first top ten list (birth to six months). As I described in the first post, Henry, his dad, and I read books together every night, and we are excited to share these great books with all of you! They are in no particular order.

1. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown

If you follow this blog, you know it is a tradition in our house to read this book every night. Henry is in love with it. His dad and I have the book memorized, and it has become our favorite. The way he reacts to each page and touches the red balloon and stars makes our hearts swell.

2. Freedom Summer by Deborah Wiles

This lyrical book moved me. It is worthy of the praise it has received and may be one of the best picture books I have ever read. I was inspired to read it after A.S. King discussed it in her article of The ALAN Review. This is a wonderful text is for people of all ages. I put it on Henry’s birthday wish list.

3. Once Upon an Alphabet: Short Stories for All the Letters by Oliver Jeffers

Oliver Jeffers is, in my humble opinion, one of the best picture book authors writing today. He breaks the rules and displays his quirky, clever humor in each of his books. This is a great book to teach the alphabet to kids. Each letter has a silly short story, and several of the short stories are connected. This book made me laugh a lot, and Henry seemed to enjoy it, too!

4. Tree Lady: The True Story of How One Tree-Loving Woman Changed a City Forever by H. Joseph Hopkins (Linked to a Review by Kellee)

This nonfiction picture book tells the beautiful story of a remarkable woman, Kate Sessions, who brought trees to San Diego. The book is inspirational, and the illustrations are absolutely stunning. I intend to read many books about powerful women to Henry. 🙂

5. The Noisy Paint Box by Robert Munsch (Linked to a Review by Kellee)

This is a magical picture book that is well worth the hype it is receiving. It teaches about synesthesia and Kandinsky’s childhood. It made me want to get out my paint box to listen to the sounds of the paint. After learning about his life, I will be buying a Kandinsky print!

6. The Magic of Maxwell and His Tail by Maureen Stolar Kanefield

This is precisely the kind of book that I want to read to my son. It teaches him that it is only okay to be different, but that he can use his differences in ways that make him special. I adored this book and will certainly read it to him again and again.

7. Buddy and the Bunnies: Don’t Play with Your Food by Bob Shea

I absolutely adored this silly, fun story of a group of bunnies who fool a monster to prevent him from eating them. Bob Shea is an incredible storyteller, and this book reminded me of the trickster stories my grandfather used to tell me as a child.

8. The Snatchabook by Helen Docherty

I wish I had thought of the idea behind this book! It is a great story for bedtime, and Henry was drawn into the magical illustrations and rhyming language.

9. And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell

As one of the most censored books, you would expect this to be very controversial (rather than a true story about two penguins). I have always longed to read this book, and after reading it with Henry, I was surprised by how innocent and very well-written it is. I guess people like to challenge…the truth? Either way, censorship aside, this book is an excellent work of nonfiction that I highly recommend. I would use it to teach the value of family, but I guess I am a risk-taker. ::wink:

10. Owl Moon by Jane Yolen

Months after reading this book, I can still hear the “Whoo-whoo-whoo” of the owl and still feel the brisk, winter air. This text whisked us away into the setting, and it would be a great mentor text for teachers.

What are your favorite children’s books? Henry and I would love to reserve them from the library! Please share!

From Kellee’s (Huge) Library Pile Part Two | Julia’s House for Lost Creatures by Ben Hatke, Frances Dean Loves to Dance and Dance by Birgitta Sif, Memoirs of a Goldfish by Devin Scillian, Going Places by Peter and Paul Reynolds, Quest by Aaron Becker, & Flight School by Lita Judge

July 5, 2016November 12, 2014 by Kellee

Because of It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? posts, I find myself often with huge piles of picture books from the library that were highly recommended by fellow bloggers. I celebrate many of the nonfiction pictures books on Wednesdays, but I want to share some of the fiction picture books I have enjoyed. So, I decided to start series here on UR where I can pass on the love for these books sporadically as I read them. Here is a list of some great pictures books that I’ve read recently from my huge library pile (part 2!).

Julia’s House for Lost Creatures
Author: Ben Hatke
Published October 14th, 2014 by First Second Books

I am a huge fan of Zita the Spacegirl, and I was so happy to see that Ben Hatke had written a picture book. I truly enjoyed Julia’s House for Lost Creatures. The illustrations are so much fun, and the story was simple yet entertaining. Julia loves her new house, but she finds that she is lonely. So, she decides to open her home to any lost or lonely creatures that need a home. Soon, though, she finds that some rules need to be set up to ensure that her house runs smoothly.

Frances Dean Who Loved to Dance and Dance
Author: Birgitta Sif
Published August 26th, 2014 by Candlewick Press

Birgitta Sif’s other book Oliver really stuck with me (about imagination and empathy), so when I was told about Frances Dean, I knew I had to read it. Frances Dean is a kindred spirit who finds true joy in dancing; however, she soon notices that others are judging her, so she stops. But she then realizes that if she doesn’t dance, she isn’t happy, so she embraces who she is. This book is about empowerment and not hiding one’s gift.

Memoirs of a Goldfish
Author: Devin Scillian
Illustrator: Tim Bowers
Published April 1st, 2010 by Sleeping Bear Press

This picture book was wonderful! It chronicles the life of a goldfish as he deals with what ends up being a quite hectic life. The illustrations were beautiful, the fish has an amazing voice, I love the premise, the theme is universal, and it would prompt great writing activities. Love it!

Going Places
Authors: Peter and Paul Reynolds
Published March 18th, 2014 by Atheneum Books for Young Readers

Peter Reynolds has a way of making his readers feel empowered. When you finish his books, you want to go DO something. This book is no different. Going Places promotes thinking outside of the box and collaborating.

Quest
Author: Aaron Becker
Published August 26th, 2014 by Candlewick Press

Quest is a beautiful continuation of Journey. Aaron Becker starts where the first book left off, but Quest is as unique as Journey was. The kids we met in the first book are swept into an adventure to save a king who has armed them with the tools to save the kingdom. I read this book over and over again because there are so many different little nuances in this adventure that promotes creativity, imagination, and teamwork. To be honest, I almost like Quest better than journey because the kids work together.

Flight School
Author: Lita Judge
Published April 15th, 2014 by Atheneum Books for Young Readers

I really enjoyed this little, quirky book! The poor penguin just wants to fly. More than anything in the world. So, he goes to a flight school that promises that they can teach any bird to fly. Though they try and try, the poor penguin just fails, but he never gives up! You cannot help but love this little penguin! In addition, the themes in this book (determination, friendship, positivity) are deeper than the funny text that accompany it.

What picture books should I add to my pile next?

Want to see Part One? You can view it HERE.

From Kellee’s (Huge) Library Pile Part One | Knock Knock by Daniel Beaty, What Do You Do With an Idea? by Kobi Yamada, Emily’s Blue Period by Cathleen Daly, This is a Moose by Richard T. Morris, My Teacher is a Monster by Peter Brown, & The Mermaid and the Shoe by K.G. Campbell

July 5, 2016October 29, 2014 by Kellee

Knock Knock: My Dad’s Dream for Me
Author: Daniel Beaty
Illustrator: Bryan Collier
Published December 17th, 2013 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Daniel Beaty’s def jam session brought to life with his beautiful words and some amazingly detailed and deep artwork. This is an important book as it deals with divorce/death/incarceration of a parent. This is one of those subjects that are not talked about in many picture books, but should be as millions of kids deal with it. Knock Knock is told from the point of view of a boy whose father doesn’t wake him up one morning and how he deals with the loss and continues to grow. Such a powerful book that will generate many conversations.

What Do You Do With An Idea?
Author: Kobi Yamada
Illustrator: Mae Besom
Published February 1st, 2014 by Compendium Inc.

What Do You Do With An Idea? is a book about the power of ideas and how you should nurture ideas and allow them to grow into whatever they are going to become. I love that it promotes creativity, imagination, and thinking as these are all things that are often pushed aside too often in the world of rushing and testing. This book would be a great companion to The Most Magnificent Thing and a read aloud of the two books would be a great basis for a unit.

Emily’s Blue Period
Author: Cathleen Daly
Illustrator: Lisa Brown
Published June 17th, 2014 by Roaring Brook Press

Emily’s Blue Period is actually a early chapter book that is about a much deeper topic than the cover/title makes it seem. Emily’s parents are divorced, and she is dealing with the emotions and frustration with her new separated life. These are feelings that so many children go through each year, and Cathleen Daly truly delves into this subject in a thoughtful and deep way. Additionally, I adore the inclusion of Picasso into the text as I felt it added an extra element to the text.

This Is A Moose
Author: Richard T. Morris
Illustrator: Tom Lichtenheld
Published May 6th, 2014 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

This book actually made me laugh out loud. The poor duck director just wants to do a documentary on a moose, but the moose is definitely not cooperating. He wants more to life, and he is NOT acting like he should! And neither is the chipmunk. Or the giraffe (why is a giraffe there?!). Or anyone! What is a duck supposed to do?!?!
This book is going to be an amazing read aloud, and I am a huge fan of the end.

My Teacher Is A Monster
Author: Peter Brown
Published July 1st, 2014 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

This book was very different than I thought it was going to be, and I am not going to give away what it is truly about because I want you to be able to discover it with you. Like always Peter Brown gives us a thoughtful, funny, well-done book that is going to be loved by kids.

The Mermaid and the Shoe
Author: K.G. Campbell
Published April 1st, 2014 by Kids Can Press

I adored K.G. Campbell’s illustrations in Flora and Ulysses, and he did not disappoint with The Mermaid and the Shoe. This book is about discovery and being different. Minnow is not like her sisters (all whom are perfect), and she just hasn’t figured out what she excels at yet; however, through some adventures, she finds out what she truly is good at. Minnow is a great role model for kids. She doesn’t let comments or other people’s judgments from being who she is.

What picture books should I add to my pile next?

Trent and Kellee’s Favorite Picture Books: Three to Six Months

February 14, 2021August 22, 2014 by Kellee

I am so proud to say that Trent already loves books! He grabs them from me, holds them, stares at them as we read, points at them, and overall enjoys our reading time. It is so special to me!

Through these three months, Trent and I have continued our picture #bookaday. So far we have read 182 titles (91 in the first 3 months then 91 these last three months)!!! Three months ago, I shared our favorites from those months, and today I am so happy to share our top fifteen favorites from these last three months with you.

Favorite Elephant & Piggie
We read a ton of Mo Willems books! I am such a fan! Though I love Pigeon, Cat the Cat, and Knuffle Bunny, E&P are still my favorite.

Are You Ready to Play Outside? by Mo Willems

Favorite Oliver Jeffers Books
We went on an Oliver Jeffers readathon, and these are our favorites that we read during these months (Lost and Found is probably still my favorite.) He is such a superb author!

Stuck and The Incredible Book Eating Boy

Favorite Dan Santat Illustrated Book
We also read a bunch of books that were illustrated by Dan Santat. He is so talented!

Carnivores by Aaron Reynolds

Favorite Bedtime Story
This book is beautiful! Lyrical and great artwork.

A Book of Sleep by Il Sung Na

Funniest Book
Laugh out loud funny.

Naked by Michael Ian Black

Favorite “Full of Truth” Book
Giving Tree-esque, but without as much of the selfishness controversy aspect.

Stick Kid by Peter Holwitz

Favorite Repetitive Book
These will be so much fun to read aloud with Trent when he gets older!

Oh No! by Candace Fleming

Honorary: Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin
(I cannot get the song out of my head!)

Favorite Nonfiction Animal Book
Great photographs of these animals, and I liked that some lesser known animals were featured (Oh No! has some unique animals as well).

Baby Animals at Night by Kingfisher

Favorite Theme
Some things are more important than finishing first.

Number One Sam by Greg Pizzoli

Favorite “I Love You” Book
So sweet!

Two Hands To Love You by Diane Adams

Favorite Cause-and-Effect Book
Laura Joffe Numeroff’s books are so quirky and funny!

If You Give a Moose a Muffin by Laura Joffe Numeroff

A Kids’ Dream Come True Book
Well, an anyone dream come true book actually.

Yes Day! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

Favorite Art (& Color) Book
So happy that I got to read these to Trent at the Hunter Museum of Art. I love that these books teach color through pieces of art.

My First Palette: Six Little Books by The Metropolitan Museum of Art

There are some amazing picture books out there for children, and I am always learning about more that I want to read with Trent! What books should I make sure to read with him? I cannot wait to see what the next three months hold?!