Unleashing Readers

Author Guest Post and Giveaway!: “Creepy Crawley Science” by Kim Kasch, Author of Irma the Inventor and the Vampire Spiders

April 22, 2023July 30, 2017 by Kellee

“Creepy Crawley Science”

S.T.E.M. (or Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) might not sound interesting to you. But, did you know when you play with Legos you’re using a form of engineering to create something?

And, who isn’t interested in flying cars, robots, and undersea ships? Well, those things are simply science, technology, engineering and math set in motion.

It’s all about finding easy ways to use these complicated disciplines to create new opportunities with common components…and some not so common ingredients, like spider silk.

Believe me, these teeny-tiny creatures create silk that can be used for breathtaking breakthroughs.

Spiders . . . ?

Yes. Spiders. I know you might think these eight-legged creatures sound more creepy than creative but did you know that spider silk is one of the strongest substances around? Well, it is. Scientists even call spider silk a “wonder material”.

I’m talking about that sticky stuff you sometimes walk through in the garden that sends shivers running up your spine. Walking through a spider web immediately sends you searching for those little, unwelcome visitors which might be hiding in your hair. And, it’s stronger than steel and super flexible.

For decades scientists have been searching for a convenient way to harvest that silk so they would be able to use huge quantities.

It’s true. They have.

But, as you might expect, very few people want to become spider farmers simply to spend their afternoons walking up and down spider-infested rows to collect sticky webs dangling from trees, stuck to shrubs or clinging to bushes.

So what’s the answer to this scientific conundrum?

Well, you might want to read this article to find out more about sustainable spider silk: https://www.businessgreen.com/bg/news/3013893/scientists-develop-sustainable-spider-silk-in-green-materials-breakthrough in BusinessGreen.com

And if you think that’s interesting, you really might enjoy reading Irma the Inventor and the Vampire Spiders.

How many kids do you know who can build robotic spiders out of scrap metal, develop a substance that’s stronger than steel, or crash a cyber-wizard’s computer from an undetectable monitor? Well, that’s Irma. Still, all she really wants is to make some friends and blend in for once, but no matter how hard she tries, Irma always seems to stand out.

This laugh-out-loud middle grade novel encourages readers to explore the STEM fields while never losing its sense of fun.

Irma the Inventor & the Vampire Spiders
Author: Kim Kasch
Published August 21st, 2017 by 50/50 Press

About the Book:

This laugh-out-loud middle grade novel encourages readers to explore the STEM fields while never losing its sense of fun.

About the Author Kim Kasch:

I grew up in a family with 9 kids and grandma living in the back bedroom. Not surprising that I have a few stories to tell, especially since we only had 1 t.v.

I spent my days reading and, later, trying to create another world where I could escape all those brothers and sisters-and grandma-by writing. Maybe that’s why I love books so much. Well, that and the fact that I was near the end of that long sibling-chain and never had the clout to pick the t.v. shows we watched. But I’d run home after school to catch the last fifteen minutes of Barnabus Collins in Dark Shadows…

I still love to run or maybe I should say, I love to wog (a cross between walking and jogging).

Here in Portlandia, I love Halloween themed runs – where people don costumes and run. It’s a lot of fun…and I know those two words don’t always go together: fun…and…run. But here, in the damp days of fall, I think it is.

And, with all those Halloween themed runs, I guess Dark Shadows had more of an influence than some people might think. Even today my favorite author is Stephen King. My all-time favorite book is Salem’s Lot, which might have something to do with Irma the Inventor and the Vampire Spiders 🙂

Sorry to be so long-winded but did I say I love to write, and talk, and knit, and sew, and bake… I could go on but I’ll stop by saying, I hope you’ll stop by my blog, send me a tweet, or check out my Facebook page. I’ll be sharing news about new books over there.

Thanks for listening and, hopefully, reading 🙂

Join me on Twitter or stop by and see what I’m pinning on Pinterest and, if you read Irma the Inventor and have a question or simply want to share a comment, please feel free to send me an email. I love connecting with readers.

Goodreads
Amazon Author Page
Facebook
Website

GIVEAWAY!!!

Enter to win a STEM prize package and a copy of Irma the Inventor and the Vampire Spiders!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you, Kim, for this science-rific guest post and giveaway!

and

Nibbles: The Dinosaur Guide by Emma Yarlett

July 29, 2017July 28, 2017 by Kellee

Nibbles: The Dinosaur Guide
Author and Illustrator: Emma Yarlett
Published 2017 by Kane Miller Publishing

Summary: NIBBLES, the book-eating MONSTER, has chomped his way into this book of DINOSAURS! Has he bitten off more than he can chew?!

What was a very serious book about very serious dinosaurs is suddenly interrupted by a hole – a nibbled hole – in the book. Who would do something like that?

Little ones will love trying to find the culprit – Nibbles – hiding among their favorite, easily recognizable dinosaurs. Is he an herbivore? A carnivore? Or … a bookivore?

Emma Yarlett’s Nibbles: The Dinosaur Guide is packed with flaps, folds, facts and die cuts, plus one very naughty monster and an ending to make Houdini proud. But has Nibbles bitten off more than he can chew?

Themes include humor and science.

Review: We love Nibbles. We have a stuffed Nibbles and have read the first one so many times (and it is one of my husband’s favorite picture books–he says it is so unique.) I am probably majorly biased when it comes to this review because OF COURSE we loved this one also. I mean, listen to this:

What is so interesting about this new book is that it takes the concept of Nibbles (a book eating monster) and takes him on a time-traveling adventure to the age of the dinosaurs using his eating/transporting powers. It is funny and educational. Just as the first one combined Nibbles’s antics with fairy tales, this one combined Nibbles with dinosaurs education!

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: What I love more about this one than the first one is that it has a cross-curricular component to it with the inclusion of dinosaurs and specific information about the dinosaurs. This allows the book to be used in reading, writing, and science lessons. I also think it’d be so much fun to have students write their own Nibbles story with him eating into a different topic than dinosaurs.

Discussion Questions: Which dinosaur was the scariest that Nibbles faced? The least scary?; What new information did you learn about dinosaurs?; What were the similarities and differences between the different dinosaurs Nibbles encountered?; What were the consequences of Nibbles jumping back in time?; If you were Nibbles, what book would you Nibble into? Where in time would you jump to?

Flagged Passages:

Book Trailer:

Message from the Author about Creativity:

Read This If You Love: Dinosaurs, Humor, Battle Bunny by Jon Scieszka and Mac Barnett, Nibbles: The Book Monster by Emma Yarlett

Recommended For:

**Thank you to Lynn at Kane Miller for providing a copy for review!!**

Star Stuff: Carl Sagan and the Mysteries of the Cosmos by Stephanie Roth Sisson

July 20, 2018July 27, 2017 by Ricki

Star Stuff: Carl Sagan and the Mysteries of the Cosmos
Author: Stephanie Roth Sisson
Published: October 14, 2014 by Roaring Brook Press

A Guest Review by Brittany Brown

Summary: A curious boy living in a small city apartment finds the world astonishing. He wants to know about light bulbs, inch worms, and rocket ships. Carl sets out on a journey to find answers, but finds bigger, even more powerful questions. Through his research and studies, Carl eventually earns the title of Dr. Carl Sagan and spends his life seeking knowledge and understanding about the universe. This young

boy’s contributions to science and education have inspired many children everywhere to question the world around them. His story will resonate every child who has ever wondered “how” or “why” or spent an evening looking up at the night sky.

Review: I am constantly looking for books which will inspire my students and get them excited about learning. This book, which is brought to life with beautiful illustrations and the great mysteries of the universe, did that for myself as an adult, too. After reading it, everyday life is once again imbued with the magic and novelty it had in childhood. In Sagan’s eyes, there is no phenomenon too mundane to investigate. The curiosity which most adults leave behind drove Sagan to be the lifelong learner that all teachers hope to foster in their students. Reading this book shows that science is all around us, that we all belong here in the universe, and that in everyone there is a scientist. I absolutely loved reading this book, and as a new teacher building my classroom library, this is the first one which I will be purchasing multiple copies of to share with my students.

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: This story would pair well with any science or biography unit. It would also serve as a great example of narrative nonfiction.

The most obvious use for this story is in a science unit. I would love to use this book to open up a discussion at the beginning of a unit on the solar system. Not only would it generate excitement, it would also begin to build some vocabulary and background knowledge. It would make the information in the unit more personal and relevant to kids, and would be a great launching point to encourage students to come up with their own questions about how the world works.

This book is also a wonderful book to use for mini lessons in writing. Using this book as an example, a teacher could lead a discussion on how to choose which life events to include in a biography, how to sequence and organize it, and how to incorporate quotes from a historical figure into a writing piece. It also shows how to include facts and achievements in an engaging way, and how to demonstrate a person’s impact on history.

Finally, this book would also be a superb example of narrative nonfiction. Despite containing lots of scientific facts, it reads like a storybook and the illustrations do much of the talking. Students will be captivated with the descriptive narration, and discussions could explore their experiences as readers or how they may be able to attempt this style in their writing.

Discussion Questions: What are your big mystery questions? Where would you go to try to find answers to them? What character traits helped Carl on his journey? What impact did he have on the world? Who does he remind you of?

Book Trailer:

Read This If You Loved: What Do You Do with an Idea? By Kobi Yamada, I Wonder by Annaka Harris, You Are Stardust by Elin Kelsey, On a Beam of Light: A Story of Albert Einstein by Jennifer Berne, The Boy Who Loved Math: The Improbable Life of Paul Edros by Deborah Heiligman, Look Up!: Henrietta Leavitt, a Pioneering Woman Astronomer by Robert Burleigh

Recommended For:

Thank you, Brittany!

New Nonfiction Texts and Nonfiction & Fiction Chapter Books from Animal Planet

July 26, 2017 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!

If you haven’t noticed, nonfiction texts have really been stepping up their game recently! Some of my favorites from from Animal Planet and Time, Inc., so I wanted to share some new series that are coming from them.

Animal Planet Chapter Books

Book #1: Sharks
Book #2: Dinosaurs
Book #3: Bugs
Book #4: Snakes

Summary: Engaging narrative nonfiction is paired with tried-and-true kid-friendly subjects in a popular chapter book series from Animal Planet and Time Inc. Books. All books in the series feature plentiful full-color photographs, illustrations, and a kid-friendly design. Sidebars such as “Meet the Scientists,” “In Your News Feed,” and “Fact File” pages highlight interesting aspects of each creature profiled and keep readers up to date on the most current research. Packed with information for thrill seekers and animal lovers alike, these are the perfect books for new readers who are ready to take a deeper dive into their favorite subject.

A companion fiction series, Animal Planet Adventures, is also available.

Animal Planet Adventures

Book #1: Dolphin Rescue by Catherine Nichols
Book #2: Farm Friends Escape! by Gail Herman

Summary: Animal Planet Adventure chapter books present fiction and nonfiction within a familiar narrative format to bring the best of the animal world to young readers. Perfect for reluctant, challenged, and newly fluent readers, the new series combines fun animal mysteries with cool nonfiction sidebars that relate directly to the stories. Each book contains 100 full-color illustrations and photographs.

Animal Planet Adventures Curriculum Guide

Animal Planet Animal Bites

Animals on the Move
Baby Animals
*Newest titles!*

Farm Animals
Wild Animals
*Reviewed October 5th, 2016*

Ocean Animals
Polar Animals
*Reviewed April 27th, 2016*

Summary: The Animal Bites series provides emerging readers with the perfect bite-sized guide to the animal world. Each book contains more than 200 striking photographs, easy-to-understand graphics, and maps. Fun “Just Like Me” call-outs show the ways in which animals are similar to young readers–sharks rely on their senses of sight and scent to learn about their world, for example, just like kids do. “Info bits” boxes highlight quick facts about a species’ home, size, and classification. Each book contains a glossary, a page of resource where kids can go to learn more about animals, and a great list of activities to try, from making a bird feeder to moving like a baby rabbit or tern chick.

A portion of proceeds from the sale of books in the Animal Bites series benefits the principal partners of Reach Out. Act. Respond. (R.O.A.R.), Animals Planet’s initiative dedicated to improving the lives of animals in our communities and in the wild.

All Recommended For:

Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Books I Want to Reread from Danny J., 6th grade

July 22, 2018July 25, 2017 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: Ten Books I Want to Reread

From Danny J., 6th Grade

1. Legend by Marie Lu

One of my favorite books because it was suspenseful to see if Day would be able to get out. Also, because it was exciting to figure out who killed her family and what secrets the government was hiding.

2. The False Prince by Jennifer Nielsen

It was really suspenseful to see who would become the false prince and who would die.

3. The Young Elites by Marie Lu

It was exciting how everyone use their own power and what their plan was and if they would be able to take over.

4. The Ghost of Graylock by Dan Poblocki

It was scary how the author slowly brought out the truth of all the hospital’s events.

5. I, Q by Roland Smith

The action of them working with the government never stopped because there was always a problem to stop.

6. Graceling by Kristin Cashore

The fact that she was graced with fighting/survival was cool because she could survive and fight in most situations.

7. Hurt Go Happy by Ginny Rorby

It was exciting to see what would happen to Sukari after Charlie passed away and Joey’s mom wasn’t fond of Sukari.

8. Mark of the Thief by Jennifer Nielsen

It was exciting to see what would happen to Nic now that so many people are after him because he has the bulla.

9. Variant by Robison Wells

It is very suspenseful to see if Ben and the other kids would make it out of the “school.”

10. Everlost by Neal Shusterman

I liked the story of him finding a way out of Everlost and all the challenges he has to face, like the Mcgill, to get out.

Thank you, Danny!

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 7/24/17

July 24, 2017July 24, 2017 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.

CONGRAULATIONS
Becky H.
for winning our giveaway for a copy of Splatypus!

Last Week’s Posts

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

Tuesday: Twenty Characters We Would Be Friends With from Varun & Yassine, 6th Grade, and Tyler & Pedro, 8th Grade

Wednesday: 2017 Nonfiction Picture Book Biographies: The Youngest Marcher by Cynthia Levinson, Balderdash! by Michelle Markel, and Shark Lady by Jess Keating

Thursday: Guest Review: How to Read a Story by Kate Messner

Friday: A Bike Like Sergio’s by Maribeth Boelts

Last Week’s Journeys

Kellee

I am so sorry! I know I promised I would be back today; however, it just didn’t work out as planned, but I promise I’ll be back next week! (And I’ll be checking out your blogs this evening!) I hope you all are having a wonderful summer–I go back to work next week for some PD, so everything is going to start getting back to normal. Thank you for stopping by! 🙂

Ricki

I am moving across the country to Colorado to start my new job at Colorado State University! Yahoo! I am sorry that I will be gone for the next few weeks because internet access (and finding my computer) will likely be tricky. I’ll see you all in August!

Upcoming Week’s Posts

Tuesday: Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Books I Want to Reread from Danny J., 6th grade

Wednesday: New Nonfiction Texts and Nonfiction & Fiction Chapter Books from Animal Planet

Thursday: Guest Review: Star Stuff: Carl Sagan and the Mysteries of the Cosmos by Stephanie Roth Sisson

Friday: Nibbles: The Dinosaur Guide by Emma Yarlett

Sunday: Author Guest Post!

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

A Bike Like Sergio’s by Maribeth Boelts

July 21, 2017 by Kellee

A Bike Like Sergio’s
Author: Maribeth Boelts
Illustrator: Noah Z. Jones
Published October 4th, 2016 by Candlewick Press

Summary: Finders keepers, right? When Ruben picks up someone’s lost money, he finds out how hard it can be to do the right thing.

Ruben feels like he is the only kid without a bike. His friend Sergio reminds him that his birthday is coming, but Ruben knows that the kinds of birthday gifts he and Sergio receive are not the same. After all, when Ruben’s mom sends him to Sonny’s corner store for groceries, sometimes she doesn’t have enough money for everything on the list. So when Ruben sees a dollar bill fall out of someone’s purse, he picks it up and puts it in his pocket. But when he gets home, he discovers it’s not one dollar or even five or ten—it’s a hundred-dollar bill, more than enough for a new bike just like Sergio’s! But what about the crossed-off groceries? And what about the woman who lost her money? Presenting a relatable story told with subtlety and heart, the creative team behind Those Shoes pairs up again for a satisfying new picture book.

Review: The summary and many of the reviews I’ve seen focus on the aspect that Ruben must learn to make a tough decision in the book: Should he keep the money or give it back? But something else really hit home for me: Ruben is going to be important to many readers because he is going to reflect the socioeconomic status in which they live. Not often is a topic like money issues hit on in a picture book, but Boelts wasn’t afraid to tackle that.

One thing I talk to my students a lot about is using phrases to make themselves feel like they are doing the right thing like “finders keepers” or “snitches get stitches,” and A Bike Like Sergio’s tackles how using a phrase to justify a wrong-doing affects others.

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: One way I picture A Bike Like Sergio’s being used in schools are with counselors in one of their lessons with kids when talking about how to treat others. Many of us get mad when kids act a certain way, but empathy really is something that needs to be taught (research proves it!), so books like Sergio’s will help teach students how actions can affect others and hopefully build empathy within our young students/kids.

Discussion Questions: Why did Ruben consider keeping the money? How would it have affected his family’s life? His life?; Based on the illustrations, how had the losing of $100 affected the woman who lost the money?; Did Ruben do the right thing?

Teachers’ Guide from Candlewick Press

Flagged Passages:

Read This If You Love: Talking ethics with kids and books such as Farmer Duck by Martin Waddell, We Are Growing! by Laurie Keller, The Thank You Book by Mo Willems

Recommended For: