Classroom Library Buy – Page 125

Elizabeth, Queen of the Seas by Lynne Cox

November 19, 2014November 19, 2014 by Ricki

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday is hosted by Kid Lit Frenzy and was started to help promote the reading of nonfiction texts. Most Wednesdays, we will be participating and will review a nonfiction text (though it may not always be a picture book).
Be sure to visit Kid Lit Frenzy and see what other nonfiction books are shared this week!

Elizabeth, Queen of the Seas
Author: Lynne Cox
Illustrator: Brian Floca
Published May 13, 2014 by Schwartz & Wade

GoodReads Summary: World-renowned swimmer and bestselling author Lynne Cox and Caldecott Medal-winning illustrator Brian Floca team up to bring us this inspiring story of an elephant seal who knew exactly where she belonged.

Here is the incredible story of Elizabeth, a real-life elephant seal who made her home in the Avon River in the city of Christchurch, New Zealand. When Elizabeth decides to stretch out across a two-lane road, the citizens worry she might get hurt or cause traffic accidents, so a group of volunteers tows her out to sea. But Elizabeth swims all the way back to Christchurch. The volunteers catch her again and again—each time towing her farther, even hundreds of miles away—but, still, Elizabeth finds her way back home.

Includes back matter with information about elephant seals.

My Review and Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: I had never heard of this delightful elephant seal, and I was fascinated by this charming story. Lynne Cox excellently depicts this real-life seal who traveled hundreds of miles to return home. Floca’s illustrations are equally engaging, and children will be drawn to the beautiful details in this book. Readers will learn lessons of dogged determination and friendship. They will be spellbound by Elizabeth’s story and will long to learn more about elephant seals and New Zealand after reading this book. It would make a great pairing with a marine unit because of its connections to wildlife. Elizabeth is excellently personified, and children will feel connected to her.

Discussion Questions: How does Elizabeth show determination? How might you show determination in your own lives?; How does the author personify Elizabeth? Did you feel connected to her? How would the story be different if the author allowed Elizabeth to talk? Would you like the story more or less?

We Flagged: “Moving up the shore like a giant inchworm, she’d stretch herself out on the long, cool grass and take a nap in the bright sunshine.”

Read This If You Loved: And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson and Peter Parnell, Ivan: The Remarkable Ture Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla by Katherine Applegate

Recommended For:

Blog Tour, Giveaway, and Review!: Snowman’s Story by Will Hillenbrand

July 27, 2015November 14, 2014 by Kellee

Snowman’s Story
Author: Will Hillenbrand
Published November 18th, 2014 by Two Lions

Goodreads Summary: One wintry day, a hat lands on the head of a newly made snowman and brings him to life. Hiding inside the hat is a rabbit, who listens to the snowman read a story to some animal friends. When the snowman falls asleep, the rabbit hops away with the book. But the snowman isn’t about to let his story. or the mischievous rabbit, get away. The chase is on! Filled with charm and fun, this wordless picture book from a beloved illustrator lets kids tell their own version of the story, even as they delight in the action-filled pages.

About the Author: Will Hillenbrand has illustrated many beloved picture books, including Kiss the Cow by Phyllis Root; and Sleep, Big Bear, Sleep!, and Sneeze, Big Bear, Sneeze! by Maureen Wright. He has also written and illustrated a number of picture books, including Down by the Barn, the Bear and Mole series, and Mother Goose Picture Puzzles. Will enjoys visiting schools to talk about the creative process involved in making a picture book. He lives with his wife, Jane, and their son, Ian, in Terrace Park, Ohio. For more information, visit his website: http://www.willhillenbrand.com

Our Review and Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: This beautifully illustrated, wordless picture book whisks readers into the brisk, wintery setting that fill the pages. As a rabbit jumps into a snowman’s hat, he comes alive with all of the forest animals. Rabbit steals the a book from the animals which sets them all on the move—they must get that book back! Children will be able to create their own stories as they read this magical tale, and the great element of wordless books is that readers can change the story each time they read along. These picture books are great to inspire creativity—they honor the child’s voice and imagination. Teachers might consider using them as starting points for creative writing opportunities in the classroom.

Discussion Questions: Why do you think the author chose the animals he did?; In what ways does the author tell the story without using words?; Do you like wordless picture books? Why or why not?; Write your own narrative following Snowman’s Story‘s illustrations. In what ways could you change your story while still staying true to the illustrations?

Fun Stuff!

Coloring Sheet!

Help Snowman Find his Story (free downloadable game!)

https://www.dropbox.com/s/34oypcr4qhrqxx2/Snowman%22s%20Story%20Game.jpg?dl=0

Book Trailer:

Follow all the stops on the SNOWMAN’S STORY blog tour!

Mon, Nov 3	As They Grow Up	http://www.astheygrowup.com/
Tues, Nov 4	Cracking the Cover	http://www.crackingthecover.com/
Wed, Nov 5	Geo Librarian	http://geolibrarian.blogspot.com/
Thurs, Nov 6	5 Minutes for Books	http://www.5minutesformom.com/category/feature-columns/5-minutes-for-books/
Fri, Nov 7	Momma Drama	http://blogginmommadrama.blogspot.com/
Sat, Nov 8	Booking Mama	http://www.bookingmama.net/
Mon, Nov 10	Just a Little Creativity	http://www.justalittlecreativity.com/
Tues, Nov 11	Kid Lit Frenzy	http://www.kidlitfrenzy.com/
Wed, Nov 12	Children’s Book Review	http://www.thechildrensbookreview.com/
Thurs, Nov 13	Displaced Yinzer	http://www.displacedyinzer.com/
Fri, Nov 14	Once Upon a Story	http://mariaburel.com/
	Unleashing Readers	http://www.unleashingreaders.com/

GIVEAWAY

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

Writing Great Books for Young Adults by Regina L. Brooks

November 13, 2014 by Ricki

Writing Great Books for Young Adults
Author: Regina L. Brooks
Published: October 7, 2014 by Sourcebooks

Summary from the Publisher:

From a top young adult literary agent, the only guide on how to write for young adults.

With an 87 percent increase in the number of young adult titles published in the last two years, the young adult market is one of the healthiest segments in the industry. Despite this fact, surprisingly little has been written to help authors hone their craft and truly connect with the young adult audience.

Writing Great Books for Young Adults gives writers all the advice they need to tap into this incredible and innovative market. Literary agent Regina L. Brooks shows writers how listening to young adults will help them create characters their audience can identify with.

Topics covered include meeting your protagonist, engaging your readers, trying on points of view, and many more.

Review: Regina clearly positions herself as an expert of the field of young adult literature. Her knowledge is very apparent in her tips to writers. Interestingly, I wouldn’t just recommend this book for adults looking to write for young adults. Her tips are very useful for student writers as well. She provides insider advice about the industry and gives step-by-step tips for writers. Beyond being very informative, I was pleased with the fact that this book made me want to drop everything and write! Teachers would find this to be a valuable guide for students with its informative and inspirational writing advice.

Read an Excerpt from the Publisher by Clicking Here!

About the Author: Regina L. Brooks is the founder of Serendipity Literary Agency and has been developing award-winning authors and books for over a decade. She has been highlighted in several national and international magazines and periodicals, including Poets and Writers, Essence, Writer’s Digest, and Sister2Sister,Forbes, Media Bistro, Ebony, and Jet. She lives in New York City.

Connect with Regina: @serendipitylit facebook.com/serendipitylit serendipitylit.com

Recommended for:

*Many thanks to Kathryn Lynch and Sourcebooks for providing this book for review.*

You Are (Not) Small by Anna Kang

November 9, 2014November 7, 2014 by Kellee

You Are (Not) Small
Author: Anna Kang
Illustrator: Christopher Weyant
Published August 5th, 2014 by Two Lions

Goodreads Summary: Two fuzzy creatures can’t agree on who is small and who is big, until a couple of surprise guests show up, settling it once and for all. The simple text of Anna Kang and bold illustrations of New Yorkercartoonist Christopher Weyant tell an original and very funny story about size–it all depends on who’s standing next to you.

About the Author and Illustrator: You Are (Not) Small is the first collaboration of this talented husband-and-wife team. Anna’s childhood experience growing up in a town where she and her family were one of the few Asians was an instrumental part of the inspiration for the book. Of this experience, Anna says, “I eventually learned that how you saw others—and yourself—largely depended on your personal experience and your community, which shapes your perspective.” Christopher adds, “When I was growing up, I was always the second smallest in my class so this story is near and dear to me. I learned the valuable lesson that there are good things about being small, there’s always someone taller, and humor is a wonderful way to handle/celebrate our differences.”

Christopher Weyant’s work has been published worldwide in books, newspapers, magazines, and online. His cartoons are in permanent collection at The Whitney Museum of American Art and The Morgan Library & Museum in New York City. Anna Kang received her MFA from USC’s School of Cinematic Arts. You Are (Not) Small is their first children’s book; they are currently at work on a sequel. They live with their children in New Jersey.

Kellee’s Review: I love these little monsters! They are so persistent and determined! And what makes this book even better is the the colorful, thick-lined illustrations. They are very eye catching. As much as I love these little (tiny? big? giant?) creatures, kids will love them even more and will be surprised by the twist towards the end of the book.

Ricki’s Review: With my husband’s and my genetics, my son is destined to be short. I was always the shortest student in my classes, and this story would have made me feel a lot better as a child! I value books that teach children to celebrate their differences and to feel comfortable with themselves. This would also be a great book to prevent bullying. The confidence of these characters is admirable, and they make great role models. This would be a fantastic read-aloud.

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: This fun, seemingly simple book is more than it seems! It gives amazing opportunities to talk about perspectives, adjectives, and interjections. The creatures could also easily be compared and contrasted. It is a great introduction to all of these concepts.

A downloadable classroom guide is also available through Amazon.

Discussion Questions: Which of the monsters do you think is big? Which do you think is small?; What other adjectives could you use to describe the ___ monster?

We Flagged:

Read This If You Loved: Big Bug by Henry Cole, Horns to Toes by Sandra Boynton, Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae, Unicorn Thinks He’s Pretty Great by Bob Shea, The Magic of Maxwell and His Tail by Maureen Stolar Kanefield

Recommended For:

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**Thank you to Deborah Bass for providing these books for review.**

Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin (Kellee’s Review)

April 15, 2015November 6, 2014 by Kellee

Rain Reign
Author: Ann M. Martin
Published October 7th, 2014 by Feiwel & Friends

Goodreads Summary: In her most powerful novel yet, Newbery Honor author Ann M. Martin tells the story of girl with mental/emotional challenges and the dog she loves.

Rose Howard has OCD, Asperger’s syndrome, and an obsession with homonyms (even her name is a homonym). She gave her dog Rain a name with two homonyms (Reign, Rein), which, according to Rose’s rules of homonyms, is very special. Rain was a lost dog Rose’s father brought home. Rose and Rain are practically inseparable. And they are often home alone, as Rose’s father spends most evenings at a bar, and doesn’t have much patience for his special-needs daughter.

Just as a storm hits town, Rain goes missing. Rose’s father shouldn’t have let Rain out. Now Rose has to find her dog, even if it means leaving her routines and safe places to search. Rose will find Rain, but so will Rain’s original owners.

Hearts will break and spirits will soar for this powerful story, brilliantly told from Rose’s point of view.

My Review and Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: If you have read A Corner of the Universe, you know what an emotionally-charged author Ann M. Martin can be, and she once again tells a heart-wrenching story with a voice that will not leave your head. In Rain Reign, Martin tackles Rose’s story. Rose is such a true character. A brilliant young girl with OCD and Asperger’s syndrome who is obsessed by homonyms. She is a girl that is so unique and intriguing. As a teacher, I very much connected with her and how I would nurture her gifts within my classroom; however, I also saw the challenges that Rose faces as well.

What makes this book truly stand out is the first person point of view. You, as the reader, are in Rose’s mind and living her life. You experience the neglect of her father, the love of Reign, the obsessiveness, the homonyms, the outbursts, and the support of her uncle. Because I was IN her life, I just couldn’t put down the book. I had to know that Rose and Rain were going to be okay.

As a teacher, I want kids to read this book because they will fall in love with Rose and Rain. Through this love, they will build empathy in their hearts because they will just want to know that Rose and Rain will be okay.

Ricki’s Review: Check out Ricki’s Review here!

Discussion Questions: How do you feel about Rose’s dad?; Can you think of homonyms that weren’t mentioned in the book?; Do you think it was right of Rose’s dad to take Rain?; How would you feel if your dog disappeared?

We Flagged: “I’m going to tell you a story. It’s a true story, which makes it a piece of nonfiction.

This is how you tell a story: First you introduce the main character. I’m writing this story about me, so I am the main character.

My first name has a homonym, and I gave my dog a homonym name too. Her name is Rain, which is special because it has two homonyms–rein and reign. I will write more about Rain in Chapter Two. Chapter Two will be called “My Dog, Rain (Rein, Reign).”

Something important about the word write is that is has three homonyms–right, rite, and wright. That’s the only group of four homonyms I’ve thought of. If I ever thing of another four-homonym group, it will be a red-letter day.” (Chapter One)

Read This If You Loved: Rules by Cynthia Lord, Wonder by R.J. Palacio, Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine, Out of my Mind by Sharon Draper, Each Kindness by Jaqueline Woodson

Recommended For:

Ivan: The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla by Katherine Applegate

November 5, 2014 by Kellee

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday

Ivan: The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla
Author: Katherine Applegate
Illustrator: G. Brian Karas
Published October 7th, 2014 by Clarion Books

Goodreads Summary: In a spare, powerful text and evocative illustrations, the Newbery medalist Katherine Applegate and the artist G. Brian Karas present the extraordinary real story of a special gorilla.

Captured as a baby, Ivan was brought to a Tacoma, Washington, mall to attract shoppers. Gradually, public pressure built until a better way of life for Ivan was found at Zoo Atlanta. From the Congo to America, and from a local business attraction to a national symbol of animal welfare, Ivan the Shopping Mall Gorilla traveled an astonishing distance in miles and in impact.

This is his true story and includes photographs of Ivan in the back matter

My Review and Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: Anyone who knows me knows that I adore apes (see my Nerdy Book Club Top Ten Ape books and my Hurt Go Happy interview with Ginny Rorby as well as my Hurt Go Happy, Primates, and Endangered reviews). They are such fascinating creatures. I enjoy reading about them and am a true advocate for their care here on Earth. This book is just another supporting document in the beauty, intelligence, and awesomeness of these creatures. Katherine Applegate has written a perfect companion to her Newbery winning One and Only Ivan which takes the reader into Ivan’s life and once again makes our heart break for him. It is written in verse with words that transport you into Ivan’s life. This book made me cry because of the power of the words, but more importantly, the power of Ivan’s story. Please read this. You will thank me (and curse Katherine Applegate for the tears).

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: The best way for this book to be used in the classroom is in conjunction with The One and Only Ivan or other books about animals in captivity or apes. It will start lots of conversation and is a wonderful introduction into empathy for all living things.

Discussion Questions: Why was it wrong for the poachers to take Ivan?; Do you think wild animals should be allowed to be pets?; How do you think Ivan felt when he went to Atlanta?

We Flagged:

Read This If You Loved: The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate, Hurt Go Happy by Ginny Rorby, Endangered and Threatened by Eliot Shrefer, Faithful Elephants by Yukio Tsuchiya, Me…Jane by Patrick McDonnell, Primates by Jim Ottaviani, Little Beauty by Anthony Browne, Half Brother by Kenneth Oppel

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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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