December 2014 – Unleashing Readers

It’s All True! Series by High Noon Books

December 31, 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!

About the Series: These 15 books focus on grades 4 through 8 content but are focused on students with lower reading levels. They contain high-interest nonfiction topics like Earth and Space, Living Things, History, Technology, and Careers, and highlight content areas outside of English/language arts.

Ricki’s Review and Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: As a former high school teacher, I know the struggle to match kids with great books. Oftentimes, struggling readers cannot find books that match their reading abilities and interests. For instance, a student may find books with grade-level topics to be interesting, but the texts are simply too challenging. This series is great because the books contain middle school topics but are written at lower elementary school reading levels. They are carefully crafted with attention to vocabulary and sentence structure to support readers.

I enjoyed We Made It by Lisa Benjamin. It was composed of five chapters about manmade structures: the International Space Station, the Great Pyramid, the Lincoln Cathedral, Skyscrapers, the Three Gorges Dam, and the Eden Project. I learned a lot, and I suspect future engineers will enjoy learning about these structures. Teachers could explore interdisciplinary connections by integrating other content areas, like science and social studies. High Noon Books rates this book one star, which means it is designed to be at a first grade reading level.

Robots by Allison Lassieur was at a higher reading level, ranked grade three (three stars) by High Noon Books. I immediately noticed a difference from We Made It. While both books are the same number of pages, the sentences in Robots were closer together, and the book was longer. Additionally, the book contained complex sentence structures. Robots explores a lot of interesting aspects about…you guessed it, robots! Dancing robots, robots that keep us safe, firefighting robots, ancient robots, and robots of the future are just a few of the topics of this text. I am saving this book because if my son enjoys robotics when he is a bit older, he will definitely love this overview. I think teachers could have a guest speaker come in and discuss real-life applications of robots. Or, students could research robots that are used in their community.

Kellee’s Review and Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: I am the reading coach at my school and have worked with struggling readers for for the last few years. One of the struggles that struggling readers have, as Ricki stated, is finding a book that is at their interest level but also at their reading level. It’s All True! is trying to remedy that by having informational nonfiction texts at a middle grade interest level, but at a reading level that these students can reach. It reminds me of fiction series like Bluford, but with specific purposes for instruction. I could see these texts being used in a small group setting when teachers differentiating for their students.

I read two different books in the “Living Things” series: This is Huge by Lisa Benjamin (1 star) and Healers and Killers by Allison Lassieur (3 stars). Both included very specific information about the topics they were focusing on: This is Huge was about large animals over time; Healers and Killers was about plants and animals that can kill or heal us. The information in both seemed to be on grade level (middle school); however, the “three star” book had more text per page, tougher vocabulary, and more complex sentence structures.

Teacher Materials for Each Level:

http://www.highnoonbooks.com/pdfs/Its_All_True_TG_Level1_v4.pdf
http://www.highnoonbooks.com/pdfs/Its_All_True_TG_Level2_v4.pdf
http://www.highnoonbooks.com/pdfs/ItsAllTrueTGLevel3_V5c.pdf

More Information

http://www.HighNoonBooks.com
http://www.highnoonbooks.com/HNB/realnonfiction-hnb.tpl

Sample Chapter:

Weird Science, Chapter One
(2 star text)

Read This If You Love: How it Works series by various, Informational nonfiction by Jen Green, Informational nonfiction by Seymour Simon

Recommended For:

and

**Thank you to Steve at High Noon Books for providing these books for review**

Top Ten Tuesday: Goals/Resolutions For 2014

December 30, 2014December 30, 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 Goals/Resolutions for 2014

And of course, our list is filled with bookish goals!

Ricki

1. To create a “Best of” list.

Kellee and I have been working on a “Best of” page for some time. It requires us each to read a lot of books, so we will hopefully have this available soon!

2. To go back to reading more YAL.

I love YAL, and I usually read over 100 YA books per year. Last year, I read much more widely, and I missed a lot of books that I wish I had read. This year, I am going to try to straddle both worlds!

3. To review most of the books I got at NCTE/ALAN

This is my most daunting goal. There are a lot of books! But I want to make a serious dent in the stacks (and donate the rest, of course).

4. To listen only to audiobooks in the car. No more radio.

I often get a bit lazy and wait a few weeks to go to the library to get a new audiobook. At times where it is just me (or Henry and me), we will no longer listen to the radio.

5. To go up to bed a half hour earlier to read.

I spend a lot of time on my computer doing schoolwork, and I miss a lot of reading time. I resolve that I will put the work down and get upstairs to read.

Kellee

1. To create a “Best Of” list

I have to have this one too because it is something Ricki and I need to work on. We want to make a list of exemplar texts for different levels. We have a mock list, but we need to work on it more. Hopefully coming in 2015.

2. Read more YAL books

I know, I know, I am just copying Ricki, but it is so true. I read A LOT of titles this year, but probably 90% of them were picture books (my book count on Goodreads was the highest ever, but my page numbers were one of the lowest). I want to keep the amount of picture books I am reading, but also add more young adult and middle grade novels back into my totals.

3. To catch up on my “I promise to review” list

I have books that I have promised to review with an open-ended review date. I need to read and review them.

4. Book talk more to my students

I am teaching an advanced reading class this year, and for some reason, I have not been book talking as much as I did when I taught intensive reading. I need to remedy that.

5. Find time daily to read for me

I will sometimes go five days without reading for me. I need to make it so that I set aside time for my reading daily.

Which bookish goals do you have?

and

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? 12/29/14

July 27, 2015December 29, 2014 by Kellee

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? From Picture Books to YA!

It’s Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journeys. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It’s also a great chance to see what others are reading right now…you just might discover the next “must-read” book!

Jen Vincent, of Teach Mentor Texts, and Kellee decided to give It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children’s literature – picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, anything in the world of kidlit – join us! We love this meme and think you will, too.

We encourage everyone who participates to support the blogging community by visiting at least three of the other book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

Last Week’s Posts

Tuesday: Top Ten Books We Wouldn’t Mind Santa Bringing Henry and Trent This Year
You can see ADORABLE photos of both boys on our Wednesday and Thursday post.

**Click on any picture/link to view the post**

Last Week’s Journeys

Kellee: I have been trying very hard to read a #bookaday during the winter break. I have been semi-successful which has resulted in some good reading (though as I was typing I realized that 4 out of the 5 novels were compilations!):

One for the Murphys is such a tremendous book–ended in an ugly cry! If you were like me and haven’t read it yet, move it up your pile.
Explorer: Hidden Doors is another great compilation put together by Kazu Kibuishi. I love seeing all of the different stories revolving around one theme.
Fairy Tale Comics: Classic Tales Told by Extraordinary Cartoonists was another pretty good compilation, but this time it was all fairy tales. I love that they included many different styles of cartoonists and fairy tales.
Strong Female Protagonist is a graphic novel of the popular web comic. If you haven’t read it, you can check it out online or buy the GN when it comes out.
Big Nate’s Greatest Hits is a comic compilation of Big Nate. His books are always quite funny. I really like Nate (so much more than Greg!), and his stories crack me up.
Sophie Scott Goes South is a nonfiction book but with a fiction protagonist (if that makes sense). I loved how the book taught about Antarctica and science while also making it an adventure.

Ricki: This week, I finished All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven, and I was completely blown away by this book. I did some rearranging of the calendar, and my full review will be this Thursday. It was one of those books I needed to share with others as soon as possible. It is reminiscent of some great YA texts, but yet, it is very different. I also finished the Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone audio book. I liked it, but as I said in the past weeks, I didn’t fall in love with it. I completely understand why others enjoy it, but it didn’t have the depth I had hoped for. Please don’t be offended if you love this book! Henry and I also enjoyed The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli. It made us giggle.

This Week’s Expeditions

Kellee: I started A Snicker of Magic on Sunday, and I will definitely finish it. My parents have been here, so it has been harder to read instead of spending time with them; however, they leave today, so I will have a bit more reading time this week. After Snicker, I plan on reading Counting by 7s, Fish in a Tree, All the Bright Places, and Gabi, a Girl in Pieces. Hopefully I can read all of them during break. I also have a HUGE picture book pile that I need to make a dent in.

Ricki: A friend has been urging me to listen to East of Eden by John Steinbeck. I am a huge Steinbeck fan, so I am excited. I am not sure how I feel about the TWENTY-TWO CDs, though! I also just started The Carnival at Bray by Jessie Ann Foley, a 2015 Morris Finalist.

Upcoming Week’s Posts

top ten tuesday

Tuesday: Top Ten Bookish/Blog Goals/Resolutions for 2014

So, what are you reading?

Link up below and go check out what everyone else is reading. Please support other bloggers by viewing and commenting on at least 3 other blogs. If you tweet about your Monday post, tag the tweet with #IMWAYR!

and

From Kellee’s (Huge) Library Pile Part Three | Hana Hashimoto, Sixth Violin by Chieri Uegaki; Mix It Up! by Herve Tullet; My Pet Book by Bob Staake; Soccer Star by Mina Javaherbin; & The Listening Walk by Paul Showers

July 5, 2016December 26, 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 3!).

Hana Hashimoto, Sixth Violin
Author: Chieri Uegaki
Illustrator: Qin Leng
Published August 1st, 2014 by Kids Can Press

I’m so glad that Carrie Gelson recommended this one to me. This book is about family, memories, music, and dreams. Hana Hashimoto is influenced by her grandfather’s violin playing when she visited him in Japan. So much that although she has only had 3 lessons on the violin, she enters her school’s talent show. Although her brother doesn’t believe she will succeed, little Hana says she is going to play anyways. The ending of the book is perfection, and I just love our protagonist so much for her creativity and perseverance.

Mix It Up!
Author: Herve Tullet
Published September 16th, 2014 by Chronicle Books

I love how interactive Tullet’s books are. If you are a fan of Press Here, you will find this one just as enjoyable.

My Pet Book
Author: Bob Staake
Published July 8th, 2014 by Random House Books for Young Readers

I love a good book-tribute book, and this is a super-cute, silly one. A young boy wants a pet, and his parents take him to get one: a brand-new, frisky, red hardcover! The book then tells about the boy and book’s time together (and their time apart when the book disappears) in catchy, rhyming text. I especially think kids will like the illustrations because they are so vibrant and cartoon-like. A very fun book!

Soccer Star
Author: Mina Javaherbin
Illustrator: Renato Alarcao
Published April 8th, 2014 by Candlewick Press

This is a special book. It tells the story of Felino who finds the greatest joy when he is playing soccer with his friends. Although he works for a living as a child, lives in poverty, and already is facing many harsh realities that children shouldn’t face, Felino is never negative and has true dreams of soccer. His story is inspiring and so worth reading.

Listening Walk
Author: Paul Showers
Illustrator: Aliki
Published February 28th, 1993 by HarperCollins

A great call to listen. Would be fun to read with a class then go on a listening walk. Also great onomatopoeias!

What picture books should I add to my pile next?

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

Henry’s Goodnight Moon Party

July 20, 2018December 25, 2014 by Ricki

My beautiful baby boy was born the day after the ALAN Workshop last year. I started having contractions in the NCTE Exhibit Hall (and anyone who has been to the Exhibit Hall will understand this). We named him Henry after the great Henry David Thoreau and have attempted to flood him with books. He loves books and is especially in love with Goodnight Moon, so his father and I read it to him every night. The theme of his party was a no-brainer. Because you all enjoy books as much as I do, I thought I’d share the pictures.

Henry's Goodnight Moon Party

The cake, which only took me four hours to make! It required three cake boxes (and a lot of patience)!

Because even though there is cake, there must also be a bowl full of mush.

I wanted to use Goodnight Moon colors for this wreath I made, but I worried that I wouldn’t be able to use it next year!

As much as I wanted to paint my living room green, the streamers were a cheaper option.

We actually had more than just one pair of mittens.

The head of our kitchen table.

These little chairs held name tags for our wedding, so they were sentimental for my husband and me.

Each room had a red balloon. The kids loved them.

My younger sister painted this for Henry, and we will be putting it in his bedroom.

These stars were a great find at the Christmas Tree Shop. (The sponge paint is from previous owners. Don’t judge me.)

Star and moon cookies and chocolate stars.

And the highlight of the party? This ONE-YEAR-OLD!:

A Christmas Wish for Corduroy by B.G. Hennessy

January 2, 2015December 24, 2014 by Kellee

A Christmas Wish for Corduroy
Author: B.G. Hennessy
Based on the characters created by Don Freeman
Illustrator: Jody Wheeler
Published October 21st, 2014 by Viking Juvenile

Goodreads Summary: Before he met Lisa, Corduroy was just a little bear in the toy department of a big store, waiting for somebody to take him home.

It’s almost Christmas and Corduroy wishes he could be a child’s holiday gift—but he’s a plain bear, and nobody seems to notice him. He sets out across the store to ask Santa Claus for help, but he can’t visit without wearing a special outfit! After stopping to try on hats, boots, and even baby clothes, Corduroy finally arrives at the North Pole. Can Santa help Corduroy find a new home in time for Christmas?

With warm humor and classic art, A Christmas Wish for Corduroy takes readers back to the beginning and shows how Corduroy became the beloved bear we know today. This is a heartwarming story about the power of hope, perseverance, and friendship–an important addition to any Corduroy collection.

My Review: This prequel to Corduroy is a perfect Christmas story. It takes the Corduroy story and added a perfect amount of holiday flare. In the story you learn how Corduroy gets his famous overalls and how he gets his famous name. There are even some quite funny parts. I really enjoyed reading it to Trent. The colorful photos really held his attention, and he especially loved his new Corduroy stuffed animal (he held him through the whole reading and was even giving him kisses!). I know that this will become a book we read every year.

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: Primarily, this book will be a wonderful read aloud; however, after reading, it would be fun to have students write their own stories of how Corduroy got his name and overalls (or they could write a prequel to a different picture book classic).

Discussion Questions: Do you think Santa helped Corduroy get his wish?; If you were the clerk, how would you think that Corduroy got to Santa’s chair?; If you were in the toy store, which toy would you have chosen?

We Flagged: “One December afternoon, a toy bear in a big store was just waking up when he heard a mohter asking a boy, “Have you decided what you would like for Christmas yet?” The bear sat taller and perked up his ears. Maybe this boy wanted a bear! But the boy zipped right by him and pointed to a bright red, shiny fire engine. “I’m going to ask Santa for a fire truck with a big ladder and a bell!” the boy said. The bear watched sadly as the boy walked away.” (p. 1-3)

Read This If You Loved: Corduroy by Don Freeman, Christmas picture books

Recommended For:

Happy holidays to you and yours!!!

**Thank you to Penguin for providing a copy for review!**

Top Ten Tuesday: Books We Wouldn’t Mind Santa Bringing Henry and Trent

February 14, 2021December 23, 2014 by Ricki

Today’s Topic: Top Ten Books We Wouldn’t Mind Santa Bringing Henry and Trent

Please, Santa, bring these books for us our boys.

Ricki

1. Last Stop on Market Street by by Matt de la Peña

It comes out on January 8. Does Santa do pre-orders?

2. Freedom Summer by Deborah Wiles

I took this out of the library, and I fell in love with it. I’d love to own a copy, so Henry and I can read it again and again!

3. Crossing Bok Chitto: A Choctaw Tale of Friendship and Freedom by Tim Tingle

I am trying to expose Henry to native tribes other than his own. I’ve heard this book is excellent.

4. Noodle by Munro Leaf

Henry and I loved this story, but we only borrowed a library copy.

5. The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner

As a child, I loved these books. Go big or go home, right? Santa, Henry is requesting the complete set for when he is old enough to understand them.

Kellee

These are books that Santa actually is bringing Trent this year. This is only a handful of the literal box of books he is getting.
There are hundreds of other books I hope Trent gets at one point or another, but I thought I’d share some of the books he IS getting this year.
P.S. I very much want Matt de la Pena’s picture book too!

1. The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt

This book is one of my favorite recently published picture books, and it was Ricki’s gift recommendation, so I listened to her and got it for Trent.

2. Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson

I love this book, and I am very excited to have it to share with my son and my students. It is a special book.

3. How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You by Jane Yolen

I was SO lucky to meet Jane Yolen at NCTE, and I knew I had to get a Dinosaur book signed me her. This is the one that Anderson’s had, so I picked it up. I cannot wait to read it to him.

4. Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker (Sound Book)

I remember that Jen Vincent’s son loved this book, so when I saw the sound book of it at our Scholastic Warehouse Sale, I knew I had to pick it up.

5. Bob Dylan Picture Books

Every time I see a Bob Dylan picture book, I know I need to get it for our collection. Bob Dylan was a huge part of my childhood, and I want him to be part of Trent’s as well. We already have Blowin’ in the Wind, so we had to add these two.

Which books should Santa bring our boys?

and