Book List – Page 29 – Unleashing Readers

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Favorite Classics AND Top Ten Classics We Want To Read

July 2, 2014July 1, 2014 by Kellee

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

Today’s Topic: Top Ten Favorite Classics AND Top Ten Classics We Want To Read

Ricki

Favorites

1. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

This is my all-time favorite book. I read it as a freshman in high school and thought it was okay. When I reread it as an adult, I fell in love with it. I made my dad read it, and he was just as enamored with the book.

2. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

I love all things John Steinbeck. This is my favorite classic to teach. My students and I read it like a play, and they love it.

3. Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

This book takes me to a different land. It is beautiful. I own an old copy with illustrations. As I write about the book right now, I am compelled to reread it.

4. 1984 by George Orwell

1984 is an incredible book to teach. It took awhile for my students to get into it, but they really enjoyed it once they got over the initial hump. This book is a winner (and there are so many modern-day connections for students to appreciate).

5. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey

I read this book the summer before college. I was blown away by how good it was. This is a classic worth reading.

Want to Read

1. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

I am embarrassed that I haven’t read this book yet! I love all of the movies. I know that doesn’t count!

2. East of Eden by John Steinbeck

This book has been on my to-read list for a very long time. I think I own three copies of it.

3. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

I’d love to read this text. I opened the first few pages during a break in my teaching schedule, but somehow, I lost the copy.

4. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

This is a book that I probably won’t enjoy, but I would love to try it out.

5. Beloved by Toni Morrison

I read The Bluest Eye as a freshman in high school (and was very confused), and then when I had the option to see the play, I ordered copies of it. I enjoyed it so much that I ended up teaching it the following year.

Kellee

Favorites

1. Hemingway’s Sun Also Rises, Old Man and the Sea, and A Farewell to Arms

I love how Hemingway writes! And although I haven’t read everything by him yet, everything I have read I thoroughly enjoy.

2. Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse

This is a book that truly makes you look at the world differently.

3. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Perfection. The courtroom scene will never leave me. And if you haven’t listened to the audio book, it is a must. Sissy Spacek is amazing.

4. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

This is such a powerful novel. And the ending! Wow. It is also an amazing audio book read by Gary Sinise.

5. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

One of the first dystopians and a frightening and scary world it is.

Want to Read

1. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

I want to see where the phrase came from. Also, I have heard it is quite enjoyable.

2. 1984 by George Orwell

I have started this book a handful of times, and I. Am. Going. To. Finish. It!

3. Lord of the Flies by William Golding

Too often this is brought up, and I haven’t read it.

4. Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

Everyone’s favorite, and I am enthralled with the Dust Bowl.

5. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey

The premise just seems like it is going to be fun to read.

What classics are your favorite?
What classics do you still want to read?

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Author Guest Post!: Mental Illness, Brain Disease, and Societal Pressures: My Top 5 Books on Brain Matters by Lisa Martens, author of Jamais Vu

July 15, 2014June 20, 2014 by Kellee

Mental Illness, Brain Disease, and Societal Pressures: My Top 5 Books on Brain Matters by Lisa Martens

As a former epileptic, my favorite books center around mental health and brain disorders. One condition often affects the other: Schizophrenics simply have different brains than so-called “normal” people. But where does the physical problem end and the mental problem begin? Is there even a difference, or are they constantly informing one another? Here are my Top 5 books on brain matters:

Wintergirls by Louise Halse Anderson – (Fiction) Anorexia has broken the hearts and bodies of many teenagers in our society. Wintergirls shows one teen girl’s struggle with the disease after her best friend dies. This issue has an abnormally high fatality rate, probably because the logic is so airtight, so cyclical. It is true, without a doubt, that our society makes huge demands on girls to be thin. It’s easy for a young woman to feel that, given the standard for beauty, that she is supposed to starve herself to be loved. This book is relatable even if you do not have an eating disorder. But! Trigger warning if you are in recovery. This book could potentially cause you to relapse. You’re beautiful the way you are!
Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness by Susannah Cahalan – (Nonfiction) What happens when something is wrong with your brain? Like, physically wrong with your brain? Sometimes people don’t believe you. Sometimes people search for a psychological cause to a physical problem. That’s what happens here in Brain on Fire. This is nonfiction and chronicles the journey of Susanna through a rare brain condition. The book is also a call to action: Susannah was cured because she was lucky enough to have great insurance, a supportive family who never gave up, and more resources than most of us have. What happens to those who have this rare condition, but are wrongfully diagnosed and institutionalized, possibly forever? Like Plath’s character in The Bell Jar.
Gospel of Winter by Brendan Kiely – (Fiction) This book, though fictional, centers around the very real abuse scandal in the Catholic Church in the early 2000s. Although the main characters are far more wealthy than I ever was as a child, all the pressures are there: to be perfect, to be an adult, to reconcile having been abused with your sexual identity. Aiden, the main character, struggles to understand that he was abused, and that he is not homosexual. His good friend Mark was also abused, but is genuinely homosexual. Both boys struggle with the guilt of feeling like they ‘deserved’ or ‘asked for’ this abuse to happen to them. This book reminds us that sometimes even the most affluent, supposedly privileged people in our society can fall victim: Abuse and betrayal know no price tag.
You Jump, I Jump by Annarose Russo – (Nonfiction) This book has an online community centered around it, and can serve as a resource for teens struggling with their own depression. The book itself is published by indie author Annarose Russo, who has used her own struggles with depression to inspire others going through the same issues.
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath – (Fiction-ish) The more I read this Sylvia Plath classic, the more I appreciate it. As a teenager, I enjoyed the strong female character, and the acknowledgment (finally!) of the extra pressures growing women go through. As I’ve learned more about the context and the time period, specifically the Red Scare, this book is all the more powerful. Sylvia lived during a time where ‘strangeness’ could easily be associated with ‘communism’, and the United States was on a witch hunt. Coupled with her own issues, the pressure to be the perfect woman, daughter, and writer must have been great. To be anything else would have been unpatriotic.

What is your favorite book on mental health or brain health? Why are these conditions important for Young Adult readers to learn about?

————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Lisa Martens believes in brain matters! She’s the author of Jamais Vu written under pen name Floyd Rios.

In Jamais Vu, Arsenal Mist is an epileptic girl living in Plano, Texas. To her parents, everything seems fine, but Arsenal actually suffers from the rarest side effects of her seizure medication: night terrors, hallucinations, and suicidal thoughts . . . Will she be cured, or will the “cure” destroy her?

Follow Lisa:

Twitter: @WitnessLima

Instagram: @WitnessLima

Tumblr: todaysrandomluckywinner.tumblr.com

Thank you Lisa for your post!

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Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books on our Summer TBR Lists

June 17, 2014 by Ricki

Today’s Topic: Top Ten Books on our Summer TBR Lists

Ricki

I can only pick five?

1. Life in Outer Space by Melissa Keil

Kellee mentions this book about three times a week, so I know it has to be good!

2. The Storied Life of A.J. Fickry by Gabrielle Zevin

I have heard wonderful things about this book. My friend just downloaded the audiobook, and we are going to listen to it together. 🙂

3. Lies We Tell Ourselves by Robin Talley

I found this book on NetGalley, and it looks phenomenal. It is set in 1959 Virginia and about two girls who are on opposites sides of the civil rights movement. They are forced to work together on a school project.

4. Hidden Like Anne Frank by Marcel Prins and Peter Steenhuis

This book is a collection of fourteen true stories about children who were hidden in World War II. It sounds like a very emotional read.

5. Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith

Grasshopper Jungle was on my TBR list for the winter. I read Winger and haven’t gotten to this one yet!

Kellee

I am so bad about planning what I am going to read, these TBR lists are so hard for me! So, today I decided to share what I plan on reading Trent this summer.

1. If You Were a Penguin by Wendell and Florence Minor

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Such a cute penguin! I love penguins, and I cannot wait to share this penguin book with Trent.

2. Trucktown: Truckery Rhymes by Jon Scieszka

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I love Jon Sciezska and this poetry anthology is so much fun!

3. Never Play Music Right Next to the Zoo by John Lithgow

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My parents gave this to me as a baby shower gift, and I just haven’t gotten to it yet; however, I really want to this summer! It also has a CD with it that John Lithgow reads which I know will be very entertaining.

4. You Can Be Anything by Charles M. Schulz

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What a perfect introduction to Snoopy for Trent!

5. Life Doesn’t Frighten Me by Maya Angelou

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I want to share this beautiful book with Trent in honor of Maya Angelou’s life (and Jean-Michel Basquiat’s illustrations are superb).

What books do you plan to read this summer?

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Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books We’ve Read So Far This Year

June 10, 2014June 10, 2014 by Ricki

Today’s Topic: Top Ten Books We’ve Read So Far This Year

Ricki

It was tough to pick just one for each age category. I can think of other great ones, but these are my favorites thus far!

Favorite for Young Children (and above!)

This is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen

Favorite for Elementary School (and above!)

A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd

Favorite for the Middle Grades (and above!)

Boys of Blur by N. D. Wilson

Favorite for Young Adults (and above!)

We Were Liars by e. lockhart

Favorite for Professional Development

Culturally Responsive Teaching by Geneva Gay

Kellee

So far….
(And I always have trouble keeping my favorite lists to a certain length, so this is the best I could do. There are just so many books that I love!!!! Check out “Kellee and Trent’s Favorite Picture Books: First Three Months” to see more picture books we have enjoyed.)

Favorite fiction picture books
The Invisible Boy by Trudy Ludwig, Forever by Emma Dodd, Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers, & How to Cheer Up Dad by Fred Koehler

Forever How to Cheer Up Dad by Fred Koehler

Favorite board books
Anything by Sandra Boynton

Moo, Baa, La La La! by Sandra Boynton

Favorite nonfiction picture books
Tree Lady by H. Joseph Hopkins, Who Says Women Can’t Be Doctors? by Tanya Lee Stone, Noisy Paint Box by Barb Rosenstock

Favorite apocalyptic/post-apocalyptic/dystopian book
The Living by Matt de la Pena

Favorite realistic fiction books
Life in Outer Space by Melissa Keil, Yaqui Delgado Wants To Kick Your Ass by Meg Medina, & Dr. Bird’s Advice for Sad Poets by Evan Roskos

Favorite middle grade books
Coyote Summer by J.S. Kapchinske & Escape from Mr. Lemoncello’s Library by Chris Grabenstein

Favorite LBGT & humor
Openly Straight by Bill Konigsberg

Favorite sci-fi
All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill

Favorite graphic novels
Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales

Which books are your favorites this year?

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Ricki and Henry’s Favorite Children’s Books (Birth-6 Months)

October 12, 2015May 29, 2014 by Ricki

Being a mom is absolutely wonderful. I will admit that the first month or two passed by very slowly, and I was very eager to sleep for longer than two-hour spurts. I don’t think most moms are willing to share how relentless and exhausting those days can be. Now that I am six months into the job, I feel like Henry and I have hit our stride. We have a system, and it works very well for us. If either of us breaks that system on a given day, there is a lot of irritability (from both of us), but most days run smoothly and blissfully. I am truly grateful for the days I spend with my little boy.

Every night, Henry, his dad, and I read books together. While his dad is at work, we love to travel to the library. I have been posting a lot of books in these first six months, and a viewer asked if I would consider listing our favorites. At first, I had trouble consolidating. There are so many beautiful stories (and to be honest, many that left us a bit disappointed). But I always crave the best of the best from book lists, so here are Henry’s and my top ten children’s books from our first six months together (in no particular order—because ordering them would take me hours and involve a lot of stress). Enjoy!

1. This Is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen

this is not my hat

A clever story, This Is Not My Hat will suck you in from the first page. It is about a tiny fish who steals a hat. The illustrations are beautiful and constructed digitally with Chinese ink. As an adult, I love how dark this story is, and I think kids will find it to be simply delightful.

2. Press Here by Hervé Tullet

This is a wonderfully innovative book. It asks the child to interact with the story—pressing, tilting, shaking, etc. at each page. I am not ashamed to admit that I was smiling and following the instructions, eagerly wondering what awaited me on the next pages. I suspect I am going to have a very active child (based on the stories about my husband), and this book will allow him to wiggle and jump as he reads. This is a book that makes reading fun.

3. Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox

This is such a simple story, but it makes my heart swell. The ending of the book is what makes it truly wonderful. I suspect that moms everywhere will love this book because it shows how very special our children are to us.

4. Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen

There are so many lessons to be learned from this delightful picture book. It felt very whimsical to me—a lion in the library is just silly and fun. I suspect this is going to be one of Henry’s favorites when he is older.

5. Love You Forever by Robert Munsch

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Break out the tissues! Every time I read this to Henry, I get weepy. It is a beautiful story. Now that I learned the truth behind the story, I cry even more.

6. Llama Llama Misses Mama by Anna Dewdney

I just love these Llama Llama books. They are simply delightful. This is my favorite of the series because I think it will be useful when Henry goes to school. He is a bit attached to me, so we may need to use books to help him learn a bit more independence when he gets older.

7. The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt

This is a clever story that will surely entertain readers. I loved reading about the crayons’ revolt.

8. Locomotive by Brian Floca

Filled with a beautiful array images (watercolor, ink, acrylic, etc.), this incredibly well-researched book takes readers on a journey through the summer of 1869. It is a standout and well-deserving of the accolades it has received.

9. Noodle by Mauro Leaf

I borrowed this book from the library and immediately put it on my to-buy list. I loved the story of Noodle, a dog who is given the chance to be any other size and shape. Noodle spends time asking other animals about their sizes and shapes as he works to figure out the best choice. This is a great book to teach confidence and individuality to kids.

10. Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson

The paintings in this book are phenomenal. It teaches lessons of kindness. Too often, children’s books finish with a neat, little bow that ties up the happy ending. This book breaks the mold, and I think this aspect offers great opportunities for discussion.

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

Kellee and Trent’s Favorite Picture Books: First Three Months

February 14, 2021May 28, 2014 by Kellee

For as long as I have dreamt about being a mom, I’ve dreamt about reading to my child. Trent made that dream a reality. I so badly want him to love reading as much as I do, so I started exposing him to books at day 3 and have done my best to read him a book a day (or the equivalent to a book a day). Some books hold his attention more than others, but overall he enjoys looking at the books and hearing the stories.

Last Tuesday, Trent turned three months old! In his first three months of life, we have read 92 different picture books. In this amazing pile of books, there are so many that touched my heart, made me laugh, kept my son’s attention, and have become favorites. Today I wanted to share some of them with you. There are different books that are special for different reasons, so I have categorized our favorites below.

Favorite Bedtime Book

It’s Time to Sleep, My Love by Eric Metaxas

Favorite Nonfiction

Best Friends: Owen & Mzee by Isabella Hatkoff

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Favorite “I Love You” Book

Forever by Emma Dodd

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Favorite “Be Yourself” Books

Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andraea & Rainbow Rob by Roger Priddy

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Favorite “Live Life to its Fullest” Book

All in a Day by Cynthia Rylant

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Book That Made Kellee Cry

On the Night You Were Born by Nancy Tillman

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Favorite Penguin Book

Lost and Found by Oliver Jeffers

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Favorite ABC Books

Chicago Cubs ABC by Brad Epstein & Chicka Chicka Boom Boom by Bill Martin, Jr.

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Favorite Counting Book

How Do Dinosaurs Count to Ten? by Jan Yolen & Ten Apples on Top by Theo LeSieg (Dr. Seuss)

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Favorite Interactive Books

Spot the Dot by David A. Carter & Press Here by Herve Tullet

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Favorite Repetitive Book

The Napping House by Don Wood

Favorite Poem Book

Little You by Richard Van Camp

Favorite Animal Book

Do Cows Meow? by Salina Yoon

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Favorite Simple Rhyming Book

Llama Llama Zippity-Zoom by Anna Dewdney

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Favorite Book About Dads

How to Cheer Up Dad by Fred Koehler

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Dad’s Favorite Book

The Little Mouse, the Red Ripe Strawberry, and the Big Hungry Bear by Don Wood

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A Favorite Book That I Loved Watching My Sister Read (for the first time) to Trent

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I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen

Favorite New-to-Kellee Author

Mem Fox

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Favorite Rediscovered Author

Sandra Boynton

Favorite You Tube Read Along Videos

Are You My Mother?, Go, Dog Go!, & The Best Nest by P.D. Eastman

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Other Titles That We Loved

Hug Time by Patrick McDonnell

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Oh, the Thinks You Can Think by Dr. Seuss

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Paul Meets Bernadette by Rosy Lamb

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Little White Rabbit by Kevin Henkes

I Love You Through and Through by Bernadette Rossetti-Shustak

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Me Hungry! by Jeremy Tankard

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What were your favorite picture books to read when you were a child? Your favorites to read to your children?

I cannot wait to see what the next three months hold in terms of even more wonderful picture books for me and Trent to explore and discover!

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Professional Books

April 22, 2023May 27, 2014 by Ricki

Today’s Topic: Top Ten Professional Books

These are the professional books that have molded us as teachers. We tried to limit our list to just ten books each, but we couldn’t stop. So here are the top TWENTY professional books. We did our best not to repeat any texts.

Ricki

1. Making the Match: The Right Book for the Right Reader at the Right Time, Grades 4-12 by Teri Lesesne

If you want to help match students with books, this text is a must-have. It focus on three areas—knowing the readers, knowing the books, and knowing the strategies. Making the Match represents everything I believe about teaching. Even though I felt that I was experienced at matching books with readers, it gave me so many new ideas to try!

2. Readicide by Kelly Gallagher

As I read this book, I kept saying, “YES!” out loud. A fairly quick read, Readicide uses research to prove why we are systematically killing the love of reading in schools. The evidence is overwhelming.

3. In the Middle: New Understandings about Writing, Reading, and Learning by Nancie Atwell

I read this book in college and constantly used the ideas in my classroom. I can’t say enough positive things about the value of reading and writing workshops (both of which are promoted in this text). Atwell made me want to open my own school! This book is chockfull of mini-lessons and ideas for teachers. It is a very practical, useful guide.

4. The English Teacher’s Companion: A Complete Guide to Classroom, Curriculum, and the Profession by Jim Burke

When I read this in college, I had to go out and buy a new highlighter. It was like a bible to me because it had so many ideas. Whenever I felt down or discouraged while teaching, I would flip through this book and feel like I just came back from NCTE. There are so many great strategies and teaching ideas that you will feel reinvigorated every time you open it.

5. Black Ants and Buddhists: Thinking Critically and Teaching Differently in the Primary Grades by Mary Cowhey

This book is written for elementary school teachers, but as a high school teacher, I learned a lot. Cowhey gives real classroom examples of how she promotes social justice, action, and independence in the classroom. I use this text to teach my students who are pre-service elementary school teachers, and they love it.

6. When Kids Can’t Read: What Teachers Can Do About It by Kylene Beers

This is my go-to book for struggling readers. It is a phenomenal resource and is incredibly helpful for those moments when a student reads a passage, turns to you and says, “I don’t get it.”

7. Culturally Responsive Teaching: Theory, Research, and Practice by Geneva Gay

Geneva Gay’s writing is very well-researched and thoughtful. She gives very useful tools for responding to all of the cultures in our classrooms. I highly recommend this text to teachers. I couldn’t stop highlighting!

8. Commando Classics: A Field Manual for Helping Teens Understand (And Maybe Even Enjoy) Classic Literature

Daria Plumb’s approach to classic literature is accessible and exciting. I love the text sets she provides. They are invaluable for teachers.

9. Reading Ladders by Teri Lesesne

I can’t help but repeat this one from Kellee’s list. It is a fantastic resource for teachers who want to challenge their students while still granting them freedom as they read.

10. Experience and Education by John Dewey

This is where it all began, isn’t it? Written in 1938, this book is lightyears before its time. Dewey is a foundational thinker who changed education today. It is not a surprise that he is continually cited for his good work.

Kellee

1. The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller

I thank this book, and its author, for helping me reform my teaching and focus on what is important.

2. Reading Ladders by Teri Lesesne

Reading ladders have been something I think about constantly when working with my struggling readers (I am a reading coach and taught intensive reading). I find out where the students are and using the idea of Lesesne’s ladders, I work on moving them up.

3. Pedagogy of Freedom: Ethics, Democracy, and Civic Courage by Paulo Freire

Although Freire’s theories seem like fantasy, they are the utopia that I wish we had here in America’s school system.

4. Teaching With the Brain in Mind by Eric Jensen

This text is important for all teachers to read, so they learn specifically how to reach their students.

5. A Framework for Understanding Poverty by Ruby Payne

This one is specifically important for teachers who grew up out of poverty. It gives a better sense of addressing students living in poverty.

6. Book Love by Penny Kittle

The Book Whisperer for high school. I love that it shows that the same ideas Donalyn laid out can be applied to secondary education.

7. Thrive by Meenoo Rami

I read this right when I was returning from maternity leave, and it was just what I needed.

8. How to Differentiate in a Mixed-Ability Classroom by Carol Ann Tomlinson

If you teach in a mixed-ability classroom, differentiation is key to make sure each student gets the best education. Tomlinson’s ideas can be used within any curriculum.

9. Yellow Brick Roads: Shared and Guided Paths to Independent Reading 4-12 by Janet Allen

I read this in my young adult literature class. It is very practical for class and assessments.

10. The Reading Zone: How to Help Kids Become Skilled, Passionate, Habitual, Critical Readers by Nancie Atwell

The beginning of it all. I am always striving to do as Nancie would do.

What are your favorite professional development texts? Which did we miss?

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