January 2016 – Page 2 – Unleashing Readers

From Kellee’s (Huge) Library Pile Part Ten: 2015 Fiction Titles | Float by Daniel Miyares, The Whisper by Pamela Zagarenski, The Bear Ate Your Sandwich by Julia Sarcone-Roach, & Night World by Mordicai Gerstein

September 4, 2016January 20, 2016 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 10!).

However, at the end of the year when blogs such as Kid Lit Frenzy and There’s a Book for That were sharing their favorite picture books from 2015, I realized there were some amazing books I had not read yet, but I made sure to fix that!

Float
Author and Illustrator: Daniel Miyares
Published June 9th, 2015 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

This is one of my favorite picture books I read all year. Miyares’s illustrations don’t need words because they are just so alive with feelings and action. I love that there are directions to fold a boat and an airplane on the endsheets; I love that the story doesn’t end, the book just did; I love that the dad is there for his son when he needs it; and I love the imagination and outdoor fun that the boy has.

The Whisper
Author and Illustrator: Pamela Zagarenski
Published October 6th, 2015 by HMH Books for Young Readers

This is a picture book like no other. It is a love story to words and teachers and imagination and creative writing and childhood and fables. Pamela Zagarenski soars in her writing and her illustrations. She writes lyrically and her prose is just so poetic. Her mixed media pieces of art are just so beautiful and full of what is in a child’s imagination. I also think this is a must get for the classroom because it introduces the idea of adding our own words to wordless picture books.

The Bear Ate Your Sandwich
Author and Illustrator: Julia Sarcone-Roach
Published January 6th, 2015 by Knopf Books for Young Readers

This book cracked me up! I don’t want to give away too much about the end of this book, but this is definitely a case for an unreliable narrator. I loved the story and the colorful acrylic artwork! I think this book would be hilariously paired with Bear Alert by David Biedrzycki because in both books bears go on quite a fantastical adventure.

The Night World
Author and Illustrator: Mordicai Gerstein
Published June 16th, 2015 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Nighttime is something that children are fascinated with and are also a tad afraid of. This book is a beautiful introduction to the changes that happen when the sun goes down and the moon comes up, and it truly shows that the night world is a magical place and nothing to be afraid of. Modricai Gerstein magically executes the book as well with a surprise then author’s note at the end.

Are there any 2015 fiction picture books that I missed?

Want to see Part One? You can view it HERE.
Want to see Part Two? You can view it HERE.
Want to see Part Three? You can view it HERE.
Want to see Part Four? You can view it HERE.
Want to see Part Five: We Need Diverse Books (NF)? You can view it HERE.
Want to see Part Six: We Need Diverse Books (F)? You can view it HERE.
Want to see Part Seven? You can view it HERE.
Want to see Part Eight: 2015 Nonfiction Titles? You can view it HERE.
Want to see Part Nine: 2015 Nonfiction Titles? You can view it HERE.

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Most Anticipated Releases For The First Half of 2016

August 4, 2016January 19, 2016 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 Most Anticipated Releases for the First Half of 2016

The first half of 2016 is rocking!

Ricki

1. Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys (2/2/16)

Okay, I’ve already read it. But I can’t wait for others to read it, so we can talk about it!

2. Underwater by Marisa Reichardt (1/12/16)

The cover just sucks me in! I’ve heard this book is excellent.

3. The Key to Extraordinary by Natalie Lloyd (2/23/16)

Gosh, I love Natalie Lloyd. I am extremely excited to read this book and am jealous of some of my friends who have read it already!

4. Rescued by Eliot Schrefer (4/26/16)

Readers of this blog know that Kellee and I love Eliot Schrefer. I am pumped to read his next book. I wouldn’t miss it!

5. Finding Marvin Gardens by A.S. King (2017)

I am cheating. But A.S. King’s first middle grade novel? Uh, YES!

Kellee

1. Booked by Kwame Alexander (4/5/16)

Crossover was brilliant and students loved it, so I cannot wait for the newest. Also, there are such few soccer books (and my kids are always asking), so I am even more excited for that reason!

2. Amulet Vol. 7: Firelight by Kazu Kibuishi (2/23/16)

I love this series (and so do my students)! If you haven’t read them, go pick them up now!

3. Raymie Nightingale by Kate DiCamillo (4/12/16)

Kate DiCamillo is brilliant.

4. The Key to Extraordinary by Natalie Lloyd (2/23/16)

I cannot wait to see what Natalie Lloyd writes after Snicker of Magic. She is such a beautiful writer!

5. Rescued by Eliot Schrefer (4/26/16)

Yay yay yay yay! Can you hear my fangirling excitement? I love Schrefer’s Endangered and Threatened (and I love Eliot too!), and I cannot wait for this one.

Extras. (Sorry Ricki!)

Dear Dragon by Josh Funk (?/?/16)

I am sure this is going to be hilarious if his debut picture book has anything to say about Josh’s humor.

The Tiara on the Terrace by Kristen Kittscher (1/5/16)

I already read and loved this one, but I wanted to make sure to remind you about it!

What books are you looking forward to in 2016?

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It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 1/18/16

January 18, 2016January 18, 2016 by Kellee

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

It’s Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme started by Sheila at Book Journeys and now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. 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!

Kellee and Jen, of Teach Mentor Texts, 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: 2015 Releases We Meant to Get to But Didn’t

Wednesday: From Kellee’s (Huge) Library Pile Part Nine: More Nonfiction 2015 Titles

Thursday: Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

Friday: Dewey Bob by Judy Schachner

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

Last Week’s Journeys

Kellee: I finished both of the books I planned on reading this week–yay! Full Cicada Moon by Marilyn Hilton was everything that Carrie promised me that it would be. It is a story about identity and friendship and differences and prejudice and family and customs and changes. So well done. I also finished Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys which did not disappoint. First, did you know that it was a companion to Between Shades of Gray?!?!?! I didn’t! And I’m not going to give away how they are 🙂 Ruta Sepetys continued doing what she does best–giving voices, faces, and story to history. Trent and I also read Pug in a Truck this week which was the first story in a 5-minute story collection with stories all featuring vehicles. I can see Trent really liking this story in the future because it teaches trucker vocabulary.

Ricki: This week, I finished Rules by Cynthia Lord. This is a wonderful book, and I am so glad so many people still reference it, years after its publication. My son and I also enjoyed Counting Lions: Portraits from the Wild by Katie Cotton. The drawings are stunning! We also enjoyed a few commonly banned books in preparation for my banned books lesson: Nappy Hair by Carolivia Herron and In the Night Kitchen by Maurice Sendak.

This Week’s Expeditions

Kellee: I am SO excited to start Rescued by Eliot Schrefer!!! After Rescued, I have a nonfiction biography anthology about athletes called Kid Athletes by David Stabler to read then Kiki and Jacques by Susan Ross. After those, I think I’ll tackle another book on my #mustread list.

Ricki: I just started Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon. It is fabulous. I am really enjoying reading it. After it is finished, I am excited to start The Thing About Jellyfish by Ali Benjamin. I saw it in the library and couldn’t say no!

Upcoming Week’s Posts

top ten tuesday

Tuesday: Early 2016 Releases we’re excited for

Wednesday: From Kellee’s (Huge) Library Pile Part Ten: 2015 Fiction Titles

Thursday: The House of Purple Cedar by Tim Tingle

Friday: Bella’s Best of All by Jamie Harper

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!

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Dewey Bob by Judy Schachner

January 15, 2016 by Kellee

Dewey Bob
Author and Illustrator: Judy Schachner
Published September 8th, 2015 by Dial Books

Summary: Dewey Bob Crockett is a durn cute raccoon who lives by himself in a house filled to the brim with the wonderful objects he collects. Buttons, wheels, furniture and bricabrac adorn his cozy quarters and keep him busy as he finds and fixes, turning trash into treasures. But there’s something missing from Dewey’s collections—a friend! He tries gathering up some critters and bringing them home in his shopping cart, but that doesn’t work out so well. In the end, a friend does come Dewey’s way, and, with a little DIY help from this clever raccoon, returns again and again.

Combining art and heart with storytelling genius and a lilting twang, Judy Schachner’s tale of unexpected friendship will delight readers young and old.

Author Judy Schachner Introduces Dewey Bob:

My Review: Dewey is a little different than the other raccoons, so he finds himself in a beautiful home with a lot of things but no friends or family. Although Dewey is a bit untraditional, he finds himself a friend who will warm your heart!

Judy Schachner has a way with story telling. She brings her character’s voice to life, this time with a little bit of twang and rhyming. By being able to hear the character’s voice, the book is more engaging because you connect with the character more. Additionally, her illustrations in Dewey Bob are brilliant. They are a mixture of her what I believe is pencil and watercolor illustrations with found object collage. It is perfect for Dewey’s story.

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: Dewey Bob gives many opportunities for discussion while reading aloud. You can discuss the difference between Dewey and the other raccoons, how the book is structured, Dewey’s rhyming and accent, Dewey’s friend, and even the illustrations. Each page really has opportunities for you to talk to your students about what is happening. This book is going to be a favorite read aloud for many.

Discussion Questions: How is Dewey Bob different than the other raccoons?; How does the author choose what goes in speech bubbles and what was in her prose?; How does the collage illustration help with the experience of reading Dewey Bob?

We Flagged: “‘No pants for me! No pants for me! Cuz’ I’m gonna live in a big oak tree,’ he sang, looking straight up at his future home.

The place was empty as a hatched egg…and filthy, too! But a little dirt didn’t scare Dewey. ‘I’m a mean, clean, washin’ machine!” said the li’l raccoon as he scrubbed the place spotless. Then he took a long soak in the tub with some of his favorite buttons.”

Read This If You Loved: This is a Moose by Richard T. Morris, The Snatchabook by Helen Docherty, Odd Duck by Cecil Castellucci, Skippyjon Jones by Judy Schachner

Recommended For:

**Thank you to Lauri at Dial Books for providing a copy for review!!**

Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

January 14, 2016 by Ricki

Salt to the Sea
Author: Ruta Sepetys
Published: February 2nd, 2016 by Philomel Books

GoodReads Summary: The author of Between Shades of Gray returns to WWII in this epic novel that shines a light on one of the war’s most devastating—yet unknown—tragedies.

In 1945, World War II is drawing to a close in East Prussia, and thousands of refugees are on a desperate trek toward freedom, almost all of them with something to hide. Among them are Joana, Emilia, and Florian, whose paths converge en route to the ship that promises salvation, the Wilhelm Gustloff. Forced by circumstance to unite, the three find their strength, courage, and trust in each other tested with each step closer toward safety.

Just when it seems freedom is within their grasp, tragedy strikes. Not country, nor culture, nor status matter as all ten thousand people aboard must fight for the same thing: survival.

My Review: This is a book about humanity. Each voice serves a unique purpose to foster a complete picture of this great tragedy in history. The characters feel real, and their stories and perspectives are so different that readers are able to fully understand a diversity of experiences toward the war. Wow, wow, wow. I don’t feel that summarizing or reviewing this book will even do it justice. I felt like I couldn’t eat or sleep until I finished it. Salt to the Sea takes readers on an epic adventure and throws them for an emotional tailspin. After I closed the cover, I was reeling. The language is powerful and the story is captivating.

Ruta Sepetys holds a special place in my heart. She is a powerful force in historical fiction, and this book is no exception. Several years ago, I was fortunate to be sharing a drink with Ruta at the ALAN cocktail party. When I asked her what she was working on, her eyes glinted as she talked about the concept of this book. She felt a connection to this tragedy, and while nothing had been written at the time, I knew it would be a remarkable novel. For the next several years, I thought about the way Ruta described the historical event, and I consistently checked her pages to see if I would see any further information about its progress. Several years later, I would (fortunately) receive this book in the mail. Boy was it worth the wait.

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: The teaching opportunities for this book are endless. I would love to use this book to teach the theme: What does it mean to be human? or What does it mean to be a good person? Then, I might pair other texts (e.g. Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini) and create a text set to consider these themes. The perspective and voice of these characters are strong, and I imagine rich classroom discussions about the ways these four characters show us a slice of humanity. (One of the four main characters is debatably evil, and this would offer excellent, critical conversations). Beyond these four characters, readers might consider the minor characters of this text (or tangential war figures, such as Hitler or Stalin). Are humans innately selfish? Are the innately good? Are we all flawed? Are there any universal characteristics amongst these characters, or are they too different?

Discussion Questions: How does the author balance historical information and story? What tools does she use to do this?; Why do you think the author chose to feature four points-of-view rather than one? Does it add or detract from the story? What similarities do you see across these voices? What differences?

We Flagged: “Survival had its price: guilt.”

*Quote taken from an advanced reader copy. It may change after publication.*

Read This If You Loved: Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys; The Watch that Ends the Night by Allan Wolf; The Book Thief by Markus Zusak; A Night to Remember by Walter Lord; The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer; Schindler’s List by Thomas Keneally; Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein

Recommended For:

From Kellee’s (Huge) Library Pile Part Nine: More 2015 Nonfiction Titles | Poet by Don Tate, Water is Water by Miranda Paul, Winnie by Sally M. Walker, & Earmuffs for Everyone! by Meghan McCarthy

September 4, 2016January 13, 2016 by Kellee

Nonfiction 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!

I have read and reviewed about some amazing nonfiction titles throughout 2015: Women Who Broke the Rules (series) by Kathleen Krull, Frozen Wild by Jim Arnosky, Fab Four by Susanna Reich, I Am Lucille Ball by Brad Meltzer, Jump Back, Paul by Sally Derby, Honor Girl by Maggie Thrash, The Underground Abductor by Nathan Hale, Seeds of Freedom by Hester Bass, The Sky Painter by Margarita Engle, The Red Bicycle by Jude Isabella, and I am Jackie Robinson by Brad Meltzer. I also reviewed Trombone Shorty by Troy Andrews, Tricky Vic by Greg Pizzoli, and Drowned City by Don Brown last week (two award winners!).

However, at the end of the year when blogs such as Kid Lit Frenzy and There’s a Book for That were sharing their favorite nonfiction texts from 2015, I realized there were some amazing books I had not read yet, but I made sure to fix that! Last week I shared three of the titles; today I am going to share four more.

Poet: The Remarkable Story of George Moses Horton
Author and Illustrator: Don Tate
Published September 1st, 2015 by Peachtree

I know that I am blessed to live as I do, but I forget that even words are something that I am lucky to have. Tate’s story of George Moses Horton shows that words are not something we should take for granted, and also shows the beauty and strength of words. In Horton’s story, words not only influence him to become a poet but allow him to make money and live on his own throughout some of his life. Eventually, as a free man after the Civil War, Horton was able to live as the poet he always was. My favorite quote is the last lines of the book: “George’s love of words had taken him on a great journey. Words made him strong. Words allowed him to dream. Words loosened the chains of bondage long before his last day as a slave.”

Water is Water
Author: Miranda Paul
Illustrator: Jason Chin
Published May 26th, 2015 by Roaring Brook Press

Chin’s artwork is some of my favorite of all picture book illustrators, and in this story of the beauty behind the water cycle, Chin’s illustrations bring Paul’s words to life. I really love the set up of this book. It is a mix of science and poetry. The only way to show you the beauty is to give an example:
” Drip. Sip. Pour me a cup. Water is water unless… it heats up. Whirl. Swirl. Watch it curl by. Steam is steam unless…”

Winnie: The True Story of the Bear Who Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh
Author: Sally M. Walker
Illustrator: Jonathan D. Voss
Published January 20th, 2015 by Henry Holt and Co.

Winnie-the-Pooh is such a beloved character, but it is not common knowledge that Winnie was an actual bear that had quite a journey, and I loved learning the story behind the story. Walker begins the book with actual photos of Harry, the soldier who owned Winnie, and Winnie which grabs the readers attention and drags you into the time period and the truth of the story. She then writes a tribute to Winnie and Harry alongside Voss’s beautiful watercolor illustrations. By the end you love Winnie as much as Winnie-the-Pooh.

Earmuffs for Everyone!: How Chester Greenwood Became Known as the Inventor of Earmuffs
Author and Illustrator: Meghan McCarthy
Published January 6th, 2015 by Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books

Often times we forget that things we use every day were once none existent and someone had to invent them. This is the story of ear muffs and how one man didn’t invent them but instead made them better and is thought to be the inventor. McCarthy gives quite a history into muffs and ear muffs and other inventions alongside her fun illustrations.

Are there any must read 2015 nonfiction titles that I missed?

Top Ten Tuesday: 2015 Releases We Wish We’d Gotten To

August 4, 2016January 12, 2016 by Ricki

Today’s Topic: 2015 Releases We Wish We’d Gotten To

Book guilt. The worst guilt of all!

Ricki

1. All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely

I added this one to my #mustreadin2016 list!

2. Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon

I’ve heard this book is really intriguing. Another for my #mustreadin2016 list!

3. Under a Painted Sky by Stacey Lee

Not only is the cover beautiful, but I hear the story is incredible.

4. Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

This book intrigued me, but I didn’t have time to get to it!

5. My Heart and Other Black Holes by Jasmine Warga

The book summary is so intriguing. But I didn’t have a copy of it and neither did my library, so I didn’t get to it.

Kellee

All of these are on my #mustreadin2016 list! And I wrote this before the ALA Youth Media Awards, and I am so happy to say that All American Boys, Enchanted Air, and George were all honored! I am even more excited about getting to these!

1. All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely

Specifically after reading the NPR interview with the authors, I know I want to read this one.

2. Hook’s Revenge: The Pirate Code by Heidi Schulz

I loved the first one, and I love Heidi!, so I definitely need to read this one!

3. Enchanted Air by Margarita Engle

I want to read this one because I love Engle’s other work, novel’s in verse, and memoirs!

4. More Happy than Not by Adam Silvera

Ricki highly recommends this one.

5. George by Alex Gino

So many people are talking about this book, from educators to Entertainment Weekly, so I cannot wait to read it.

What 2015 releases did you miss?

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