October 2015 – Page 4 – Unleashing Readers

Top Ten Tuesday: Books I’d Recommend to Students If They Like _____.

April 22, 2023October 6, 2015 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: Books I’d Recommend to Students if They Like ______.

One of my most important jobs as a reading teacher is helping students find books that they will like. Often students don’t know what to read next, and it is up to me to help them find their next book. My Top Ten Tuesday list this week is ten books/series that my students really enjoy and some books/series I may recommend, depending on the student, for them to read next.

Kellee

1. If a student likes the Amulet series by Kazu Kibuishi, I recommend the Battling Boy series by Paul Pope or Doug TenNapel graphic novels.

All of these graphic novels are very complex and deep, but often my students get stuck wanting to read only Kibuishi’s work. Paul Pope and Doug TenNapel are perfect books to turn to because they are brilliant graphic novelists.

2. If a student likes the Percy Jackson series by Rick Riordan, I may recommend Promise of Shadows by Justina Ireland, the Olympians series by George O’Connor, or Oh. My. Gods. by Tera Lynn Childs.

Often by the end of any of the Riordan series, students are fascinated by and experts in the mythology that was shared. To continue expanding their mythology knowledge, O’Connor’s Olympians series is perfect while the other two novels are YA mythology-based action books that are perfect for Percy Jackson fans.

3. If a student likes the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney, I may recommend the Origami Yoda series by Tom Angleberger or the Joey Pigza Series by Jack Gantos.

Kids who like Diary of a Wimpy Kid like it for the humor and illustrations. While Origami Yoda and Joey Pigza may have less illustrations, they both are hilarious.

4. If a student likes the Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins, I may recommend the Uglies series by Scott Westerfeld.

While Hunger Games is probably the most popular dystopian series, when I think of the epitome of dystopian, I think of Scott Westerfeld’s series.

5. If a student likes the Dork Diaries series by Rachel Renée Russell, I may recommend Sugar and Ice by Kate Messner or the Ginny Davis series by Jennifer Holm.

My students who read Dork Diaries are looking for stories that they will connect with. Both Sugar and Ice and Ginny’s books are true representations of middle school, and I know students will find the same connection with them.

6. If a student liked the Alex Rider series by Anthony Horowitz, I may recommend the I, Q series by Roland Smith or the Matt Cruse series by Kenneth Oppel.

Alex Rider is definitely my go to for adventure/spy books for my students, but when they finish his series, I always recommend Matt and Q’s story as a next step because they are both as action-packed as Alex’s stories yet different enough to be new and exciting.

7. If a student likes Wonder by RJ Pacalio, I may recommend Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin or Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper.

The protagonists in all three novels are so special, and readers reading their stories will build empathy for those around them.

8. If a student likes the Harry Potter series, I may recommend The Dungeoneers by John David Anderson or The Books of Beginning series by John Stephens.

When I read both of these books, my very first thought was that students who were Harry Potter fans will love these as well. They are fantasy-based yet not too far fetched while also being adventurous and well done.

9. If a student likes Smile and Sisters by Raina Telgemeier, I may recommend El Deafo by Cece Bell.

Smile and Sisters are so popular, but students often don’t know what to read when they finish with Raina’s books; however, they don’t have far to look because Newbery Honor El Deafo is sitting on the shelf right next to Raina’s books and is brilliant, thought-provoking, emotional, and funny.

10. If a student likes the Maze Runner series, I may recommend the Chaos Walking series by Patrick Ness.

The Maze Runner series is suspenseful, has an evil government, and is packed with excitement from beginning to end. My readers who finish The Maze Runner series are looking for another book that will hold there attention, and the Chaos Walking series is the epitome of suspense, evil antagonists, and excitement.

What books do you recommend if your student likes _____?

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 10/5/15

October 5, 2015 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.

CONGRATULATIONS

ERIC W.

for winning a copy of Sloth Slept On

and

BETH P.

for winning a copy of The Trouble with Ants!

Last Week’s Posts

Tuesday: YA Text Recommendations for Bestselling Adult Texts

Wednesday: Review and Author Interview!: Ebola: Fears and Facts by Patricia Newman

Friday: Review and Giveaway!: Zack Delacruz: Me and My Big Mouth by Jeff Anderson

Giveaway open until Friday!

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

Last Week’s Journeys

Kellee: Thank you all so much for all the kind words last week! We had a wonderful visit with my mother, and I miss her so much!

Over the last 2 weeks, I’ve had quite a variety of reading. I read one middle grade novel, Zack Delacruz, which I reviewed on Friday, one early chapter book, Last-But-Not-Least Lola and the Cupcake Queens, which we’ll review Thursday, one MG/YA nonfiction text, Jump Back, Paul which I’m reviewing on Wednesday, one nonfiction picture book, Frozen Wild by Jim Arnosky which I’ll review next week, and two fiction picture books, Interstellar Cinderella by Deborah Underwood and Cock-A-Doodle Oops! by Lori Degman both of which will be reviewed in the near future. They are all very different, but all very much worth reading.

Trent has become quite a voracious reader. I have a post planned later in October to give an update of all of his favorite books, but I thought I’d give a minor update today since I haven’t talked about his reading in a while. This last week we read a few new board books, and they were all a hit:

Don’t Push the Button! by Bill Cotter, a super fun interactive book that Trent finds hilarious
If I Had a Tail! by Jeane Cabral Schlatter, a flap book with a fun guessing game
Llama Llama Nighty Night by Anna Dewdney, another Llama Llama book to add to Trent’s collection
National Geographic Little Kids Look & Learn: Things that Go, Trent’s new favorite things are vehicles which meant this book was right up his alley
Elmo’s World: First Flap-Book Library, Trent loves Sesame Street (especially Elmo), so these are definitely a favorite
My Big Truck Book, My Big Train Book, and My Big Dinosaur Book by Roger Priddy, this series is a full of bright pictures that are labeled, and Trent loves to sit and look through them

Ricki: I also read and enjoyed the early chapter book, Last-But-Not-Least Lola and the Cupcake Queens. I finished Culturally Responsive Teaching and the Brain by Zaretta Hammond (full review to come soon). I find myself paraphrasing sections frequently, which means it is a good book. And then I did the Ricki thing where I started six books that I am excited about (see below).

This Week’s Expeditions

Kellee: I started Hook’s Revenge by Heidi Schulz Saturday, and I am truly enjoying it so far! Jocelyn Hook would really love The Terror of the Southlands, and I think any of you that loved The Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates, you will love Hook’s Revenge as well. I also have the four novels for my ALAN panel that I need to read, so I plan on starting one of them when I finish Hook’s Revenge.

Ricki: I am loving the audio of The Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine. What a treasure! I am also enjoying Enchanted Air: Two Cultures, Two Wings by Margarita Engle. This is a memoir in verse, and it is quite lovely. I am too early in the others to say more, but I will report back soon.

Upcoming Week’s Posts

top ten tuesday

Tuesday: Books I’d Recommend to Students if they Like _____.

Thursday: Blog Tour!: Last-But-Not-Least Lola and the Cupcake Queens by Christine Pakkala

Friday: Blog Tour!: Roar! by Julie Bayless

Sunday: Author Guest Post!: “What’s in a Name?” by Royce Leville, author of The Book of Names

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

Review and Giveaway!: Zack Delacruz: Me and My Big Mouth by Jeff Anderson

October 3, 2015October 2, 2015 by Kellee

Zack Delacruz: Me and My Big Mouth
Author: Jeff Anderson
Published August 4th, 2015 by Sterling Children’s Books

Goodreads Summary: Zack Delacruz is unnoticed at his middle school—and that’s just the way he likes it. But a school assembly, a typhoon of spit, and an uncharacteristic moment of bravery are all it takes to change everything. Suddenly Zack is in charge of the class fundraiser. Worse, his partner is the school’s biggest bully! If they don’t sell all the chocolate bars, there will be no dance for the sixth grade. Zack never wanted to be a hero, but with his classmates’ hopes on the line, can he save the day?

About the Author: Jeff Anderson is the author of Mechanically Inclined, Everyday Editing, 10 Things Every Writer Needs to Know, and Revision Decisions. Zack Delacruz: Me And My Big Mouth is his debut middle grade novel. A former elementary and middle school teacher, Jeff travels to schools across the country working with teachers and students to discover joy and power in the writing process. Jeff lives in San Antonio, TX. Visit him at writeguy.net or follow him on Twitter at @writeguyjeff.

My Review and Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: If I know one thing about middle school it is that it is a tough place. It can be a lot of fun, but at the bottom of it, being between the ages of 11 and 14 are just a rocky time for most people. Jeff Anderson captures that awkward time in Zack’s life perfectly. Zack has done everything in his power to stay under the radar at the school, but when he decides to do the right thing by standing up for a girl who is getting bullied, it pulls him into the forefront. I think this also shows how hard it is to stand up to a bully because it then puts a bulls eye on you, but Zack ends up handling it beautifully.

I did really like the easy diversity and true relationships in Zack Delacruz. I think it is such a real reflection of what middle school is actually like. Sometimes the bullying got to me, but that is how bullying is–it is uncomfortable and wrong, so if I felt that way that means it was written just right.

This is a book that will be a hit with middle school readers. They are going to so easily be able to connect with the characters and the story, and they will find some parts of it to be very funny. It also will make readers think about bullying, middle school, friendship, and more.

Discussion Questions: How does Zack evolve throughout the book?; If you were in Zack’s position, would you have stood up for Janie? Why or why not?; How did the one decision of standing up for Janie change Zack’s life?; Why do you think Jose acts the way he does?; Do you think Davy Crockett Middle School is a good representation of middle schools?; What do you think life is like for Zack and Janie after the book?

We Flagged: “A typhoon spray of spit. A stupid assembly. And my big mouth. That’s all it took to ruin my life.

If you’re a sixth grader at Davy Crockett Middle School in San Antonio, Texas, you start off every day in advisory. Besides cruel and unusual punishment, advisory is an avoiding game: avoiding eye contact, avoiding talking, and, so far, avoiding trouble.” (p. 1)

Read This If You Loved: Frank Einstein by Jon Scieszka, Pickle by Kim Baker, Better Nate Than Ever by Tim Federle

GIVEAWAY!
Enter to win your own copy of Zack Delacruz!

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Recommended For:

**Thank you to Lauren at Sterling Publishing for providing a copy for review and giveaway!!**

Like Water on Stone by Dana Walrath

October 1, 2015 by Ricki

Like Water on Stone
Author: Dana Walrath
Published: November 11th, 2014 by Delacorte Press

Summary: Blending magical realism and lyrical free verse, this is an intense survival story of three siblings caught up in the horrific events of the Armenian genocide of 1915.

It is 1914, and the Ottoman Empire is crumbling into violence.

Beyond Anatolia, in the Armenian Highlands, Shahen Donabedian dreams of going to New York. Sosi, his twin sister, never wants to leave her home, especially now that she is in love. At first, only Papa, who counts Turks and Kurds among his closest friends, stands in Shahen’s way. But when the Ottoman pashas set their plans to eliminate all Armenians in motion, neither twin has a choice.

After a horrifying attack leaves them orphaned, Shahen and Sosi flee into the mountains, carrying their little sister, Mariam. Shahen keeps their parents’ fate a secret from his sisters. But the children are not alone. An eagle named Ardziv watches over them as they run at night and hide each day, making their way across mountain ridges and rivers red with blood.

Review: This is a beautiful book in verse that is set in the Ottoman Empire during the 1910s. It blends genres of magical realism and historical fiction. The point of view alternates with each poem, so I came to understand the differing perspectives of the family depicted in the text. The horrific genocide against Armenians is not common in literature, and this text sheds light on a time period that should be depicted more often. The strength of the children in this book will be inspirational to readers.

Teacher’s Tools for Navigation: I would recommend using this book as a literature circle text. Each group could be assigned a text that depicts a different genocide. This would provide rich opportunities to discuss parallels and differences across texts. Then, teachers might consider having students examine both historical and modern genocide. This might involve critical conversations about how we might work to promote social justice. They might even critique conceptions of social justice, such as slacktivism.

Discussion Questions: What does this story teach us about humanity?; How might a feminist read this text? What issues of gender emerge? Is this acceptable due to the historical setting of the text?

We Flagged:

“Hate makes jagged spikes of light,

and blame can crack the sky.

As pierced with wounds

from sharp white teeth,

the Ottoman air had ruptured.

Massacres would come again

as the drum-capped rulers

spread their hate” (p. 17-18).

Read This If You Loved: Tree Girl by Ben Mikaelsen; Audacity by Melanie Crowder; Requiem: Poems of the Terezin Ghetto by Paul B. Janeczko; Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys; Night by Elie Wiesel; A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah

Recommended For: