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!
Flight of the Honey Bee Author: Raymond Huber
Illustrator: Brian Lovelock
Published September 10th, 2013 by Candlewick Press
Goodreads Summary: Follow the flight of a honey bee as she searches for nectar to sustain her hive and, along the way, pollinates flowers to produce seeds and fruits.
A tiny honey bee emerges from the hive for the first time. Using sunlight, landmarks, and scents to remember the path, she goes in search of pollen and nectar to share with the thousands of other bees in her hive. She uses her powerful sense of smell to locate the flowers that sustain her, avoids birds that might eat her, and returns home to share her finds with her many sisters. Nature lovers and scientists-to-be are invited to explore the fascinating life of a honey bee.
Kellee’s Review and Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: I love books that mix narrative and information nonfiction within one book. This text introduces Scout as she exits the hive and goes about her bee-siness (hehe!). This part of the story is told as a story. Then on each page, there is information about bees in general to help the reader understand Scout’s journey. This unique text structure mixed with the realistic yet artistic illustrations really makes Flight compelling to read. In addition to learning about bees and the vocabulary included in the book, this book could be a great addition to a lit circle inquiry group about insects or as a mentor text to create student narrative and informational mixed writing about a animal after researching.
Ricki’s Review and Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: I read this book aloud to my son while he was eating breakfast, and he was captivated by the illustrations and story. I immediately texted Kellee and told her we had to schedule a day to review it! I had a lot of fun following Scout on her adventure, and I know kids will become so engaged in this story that they will forget they are learning. I thought I knew a lot about bees, but I was surprised by how much information is packed into this text. Readers will cheer for Scout as she encounters obstacles. I try to integrate nonfiction into every unit, and this would be a great book to show students just how accessible nonfiction can be. Then, they could pick a creature or object in nature, conduct research, and write their own narrative nonfiction texts.
Discussion Questions: How do bees help the environment and humans?; How can we help save the bees?; What are the different types of bees? Why are they all important?
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 Books On Our TBR Lists For Summer 2015
Here are some of the books we plan to (hopefully) read this summer.
Ricki
1. Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen
I read everything by Sarah Dessen, so I am thrilled to have this book!
2. The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly by Stephanie Oakes
Doesn’t this cover just suck you in?
3. Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley
Everyone is raving about this one. I will absolutely be reading it.
4. The Boys Who Challenged Hitler by Phillip Hoose
This true story of seven Danish teens is definitely on my list.
5. Dear Hank Williams by Kimberly Willis Holt
The synopsis of this book includes the phrase: “gradually unfolds a story of overcoming tragedy, of family love, of small-town gossip, and of a young girl learning to find her voice.” I can’t wait to read it!
Kellee
1. Ivy and Bean: What’s the Big Idea? by Annie Barrows
I promised myself and Carrie Gelson that I’d read some early chapter books this summer, so when I saw this one at the Scholastic Warehouse sale, I scooped it up!
2. Honor Girl: A Graphic Memoir by Maggie Thrash
Looks like an important book about sexuality and identity. And I love graphic memoirs!
3. If You’re Reading This by Trent Reedy
My students put this on the list of books that they thought I should get for my classroom library, so I plan on reading it this summer.
4. Secret Coders by Gene Luen Yang and Mike Holmes
I love Yang’s graphic novels, so I very much look forward to reading this one that comes out in the fall.
5. Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!! I am so excited to read this one! Yay for being approved on Netgalley!
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
Emily M.
for winning a copy of Cast Off by Eve Yohalem
CONGRATULATIONS
Amanda T.
for winning a copy of The Dungeoneers by John David Anderson!
Kellee:I had a pretty good week! Although I didn’t get to read a book a day as I’d like, I did read every day and finished two novels, a graphic novel, a picture book, and a new board book.
The two novels I read are both must reads! Glory O’Brien’s History of the Future by A.S. King is just another brilliant novel by King. This book is just an explosion of thought-provoking commentary mixed with humor, feminism, romance, depression, and a touch of magic. I also finished The Categorical Universe of Candice Phee by Barry Jonsberg. I do not know how I missed this book! Jonsberg has given us another book that will help readers build empathy for students around them that may be a bit different.
The graphic novel I read was Secret Coders by Gene Luen Yang and Mike Holmes which is the first book in a series that so far is good, but… Holy cliffhanger, Batman! I love the cross-curricular aspects of this graphic novel and that smart kids are the star of the book. I did feel like this book was an introduction to the series and that this series is really going to pick up with book 2. This one is an introduction and the adventure/mystery is just starting.
The picture book I read was Flight of the Honey Bee by Raymond Huber which we’re reviewing for you on Wednesday.
Trent and I read a new, silly board book this week. The Hiccupotamus by Aaron Zenz is full of nonsense rhymes while telling thestory of a hippo whose hiccups are causing problems.
Ricki: Happy Birthday, Kellee! I love you more than you know, my friend.
Well, my poor father fell down the stairs and broke his leg, so I have been helping him get around. This means a lot of lifting and not a lot of reading. I am thankful he is okay, so I am not sorry my priorities had to shift a bit this week. I did finish listening to Dodger by Terry Pratchett. To be honest, I wasn’t blown away. I enjoyed listening to it, but I didn’t find it to be incredibly unique or interesting.
This Week’s Expeditions
Kellee:The reason why I was not able to finish more novels (I finished Glory O’Brien on Monday and Candice Phee on Tuesday) is because Revolution by Deborah Wiles has stalled me a bit. This is a me problem, not a book problem. It is just so big which makes it not a travel or bed book. That really eliminates a good chunk of my reading time, so I have found myself on social media instead of reading a bit more while reading this book. I hope to have finished it by the time this posts (I’m writing this on Saturday because I am going out Sunday to celebrate my birthday which is Monday/today! Yay!), but I don’t know if that is realistic.
I am also listening to X by Ilyasah Shabazz and Kekla Magoon. I am about 70% of the way through, and I listen to it whenever I can. It is fascinating! I look forward to Ricki’s review on Thursday.
After Revolution, I’m going to stick with reading about civil rights by reading Lies We Tell Ourselves by Robin Talley. Then I’ll switch it up to mythology with Promise of Shadows by Justina Ireland then blood diamonds with Diamond Boy by Michael Williams. Hopefully I get more novels read this week. I do have a training on Tuesday, but next to that, I should be able to focus on reading and blogging this week.
Ricki:I can’t decide which AudioBookSync free summer read to listen to next. There are so many great choices! Which is your favorite? While I have you here, I want to pick your brains because you are incredible teachers: Does anyone have any suggestions for creative discussion formats to use in the middle/high school classroom? I am looking to try something new in my Methods class next week. They are future secondary teachers (of all subject areas). We’ve done Jigsaws, Fishbowls, Give One Get One, Four Corners (Agree/Disagree), and Post-It Notes (on Discussion Questions posted on the Walls). Please feel free to share in the comments. (And if you’d like, I can gather your ideas and create a blog post describing each of these in more detail.)
Upcoming Week’s Posts
Tuesday: Top Ten Books On My TBR For Summer 2015
Friday: Blog Tour, Review, Book Trailer, and Giveaway!: The Vanishing Island by Barry Wolverton
Sunday: Author Guest Post!: “The Joy of Sharing Literature in A Classroom” by Miriam Spitzer Franklin, Author of Extraordinary
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!
My Dog is the Best Author: Laurie Ann Thompson
Illustrator: Paul Schmid
Published: June 9, 2015 by Farrar, Straus, and Giroux
Goodreads Summary: What do you get when you combine one energetic, enthusiastic little boy with his sleepy but tolerant dog? Unconditional love. Using simple words and spare illustrations, My Dog Is the Best celebrates the special bond that exists between a young child and a beloved family pet. It’s the heartwarming story of two best friends. . . told by a boy with a very active imagination.
Ricki’s Review and Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: This charming tale will surely win the hearts of many children. It made me feel a bit guilty that I don’t have a dog for my son! I can imagine teachers reading this story aloud to captivated audiences. Teachers might ask students to compare this story with others in their classrooms. The way the illustrator and text focuses on the two subjects makes their friendship shine. You can find an example of the text’s playfulness in the flagged page below. It made me smile! After reading this story, I would encourage my students to write their own stories about friendships that they have.
Kellee’s Review and Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: This book makes me want a dog (and like Ricki said, I feel a bit guilty for not having a dog for Trent!). I loved this sweet story of a sleepy dog and a rambunctious child who is going to have fun with his dog no matter what the dog thinks about it. The play between the words and illustrations is what really made this book special and made the quiet humor really ring through. I also think that kids are really going to like the end of the book. Like Ricki, I think that this text could be a great mentor text for writing about times of imagination and friendship. What other ways could the boy have played with the dog? How do you play with your pet/toy? I also think that it is a great story to use to talk about humor and irony. Why was the ending funny?
Discussion Questions: What kinds of games do you play with your best friend/pet/toy?; Do you have a pet? How is your relationship with your pet similar or dissimilar with this story?; In what ways is it obvious that the author and illustrator worked together to create this book? How do the drawings enhance the story?; Why is the ending ironic?
Read This if You Loved: Look! by Jeff Mack; The Poky Little Puppy by Janette Sebring Lowrey; May the Best Dog Win by Kelly Hashway; Bark, George by Jules Feiffer; Emmanuel’s Dream by Laurie Ann Thompson
Recommended For:
Interview with the Laurie Ann Thompson and Paul Schmid!
Questions to Laurie:
What inspired you to write this book?
I first wrote the text as an assignment for a course I was taking, Anastasia Suen’s Easy Reader/Chapter Book Workshop. I’ve always loved dogs, and it’s a great word for beginning readers, so I started there. I noticed that most of the time when I said, “Good dog!” to my poor old dog, Sara, she was either curling up and getting ready to go to sleep or already sleeping. She would give me this confused look that said, “What? I’m not doing anything!” She’d been a hyperactive, crazy dog in her younger years, so it was a huge relief when she finally started slowing down a little. I appreciated the humor in those interactions. At the same time, I had an awfully busy little boy at home, so both the tension between their very different energy levels and their special “best friends” relationship were natural ingredients for the story.
Did you have a specific dog when you were growing up that you were thinking of as you wrote this book?
It’s really a collection of all of them. My dogs were my best friends, and they put up with so much of my probably unwanted attention. I had one special dog named Sammy that I used to dress up in doll clothes, push in a baby swing, and take for rides in my bicycle basket. (He loved those last two activities, but I’m pretty sure he merely tolerated the first!) He was the best. When I was bit older, my dog Ripper used to wait at the end of our driveway—every single day—for the school bus to bring me home. He listened to all of my tales of teenage angst and always let me dry my tears on his fur. He was devoted and dependable. He was the best. Then, as an adult, there was Sara. She was the best, too. I think whatever dog we make room for in our lives becomes “the best,” just by virtue of us loving them.
You write both YA and children’s books. How is your writing process different for each?
It’s very different! For my YA books, I’m a rather obsessive planner. I research and outline, then research some more and revise the outline and so on, for a long time, before I’m finally ready to start writing. For my picture books, I like to just play. I just start writing and see what happens. As a result, I typically spend less time revising the YA books than the picture books, even though the picture books are much, much shorter! It usually takes a lot of revision to make a picture book work just right.
What was it like to work with an illustrator?
With my YA books, like Be a Changemaker, there is no illustrator, so the final product is the result of the collaboration between my editors and me—and we’re all primarily word people. As a picture book author, though, it’s always exciting to see what another person with a very different way of working and of seeing the world will bring to my original vision. Authors don’t usually get much say in the illustrations (and rightly so, as I surely am no art expert!). With my second book (and first picture book), Emmanuel’s Dream, I had never met the illustrator, Sean Qualls, and I didn’t see any of his stunning artwork until it was almost all finished. I was on pins and needles, but what a pleasant surprise! For My Dog Is the Best the experience was a bit unusual but every bit as special. It just happened that Paul Schmid and I live not far apart and had known each other for years. When he took on the manuscript, I was ecstatic! We kept in touch throughout the process, and I even got to spend a day collaborating with him in his studio—one of my all-time favorite writing days ever! We both ended up influencing both the art and the text, and we ended up with something we’re both really proud of.
Questions to Paul:
How did you decide what the characters would look like?
Initially, I form a clear picture of the characters personalities. Are they active? Sedentary? Outgoing or shy? The design of a character should provide solid clues to who they are. Our dog in the book just wants to nap, and I imagined an old, tolerant, comfortable Basset Hound of established habits. The boy is much more active, but young and naive. He is also sweet and loving, as the book is itself. So I felt the boy needed a kind, gullible, gentle look that was at the same time visually sympathetic to his dog, in order to form an emotional connection between the two for the reader. As a result, they both ended up round and gentle looking.
What does the artistic process look like?
Many many sketches. Then many more. Then a few more. Eventually I have to start the final art. I don’t think I ever really feel like I’m done improving things, but a deadline shows up and helps me stop.
The Disappearance of Emily H. Author: Barrie Summy
Published May 12th, 2015 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Goodreads Summary: A girl who can see the past tries to save the future in this compelling tween mystery.
A girl is missing. Three girls are lying. One girl can get to the truth.
Emily Huvar vanished without a trace. And the clues are right beneath Raine’s fingertips. Literally. Raine isn’t like other eighth graders. One touch of a glittering sparkle that only Raine can see, and she’s swept into a memory from the past. If she touches enough sparkles, she can piece together what happened to Emily.
When Raine realizes that the cliquey group of girls making her life miserable know more than they’re letting on about Emily’s disappearance, she has to do something. She’ll use her supernatural gift for good . . . to fight evil.
But is it too late to save Emily?
About the Author: Barrie Summy is the author of the I So Don’t Do mystery series starring thirteen-year-old detective Sherry Holmes Baldwin and the recently released The Disappearance of Emily H. Barrie lives in Southern California with her husband, their four children, two dogs, a veiled chameleon, and a fish. There was once a dwarf hamster, but let’s not go there. Visit her online atbarriesummy.com. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Barrie.Cox.Summy
My Review: Raine has moved from town to town throughout her life as her mother tries to find the man of her dreams; however, her mom promises that this last move is finally where they are going to settle. When Raine starts school though, she finds that this may not be where she wants to stay. On top of all of this, she has moved into a missing girl’s home which throws her in the center of Emily H’s disappearance. When Raine finds herself investigating Emily, she ends up in the middle of more than she bargained form.
I often find myself struggling with magical realism books because I can’t grasp the magic that the author is trying to throw in the real world. With this book, however, I really liked the magical twist that was put on this mystery book. Raine has the ability to grab memories. She sees sparkles that show her where the memories lie, and she is transported into the memory. I really liked this addition because it reminded me a little bit of Medium the TV show–just some more clues in a mystery.
Overall a book that I read in one sitting and had twists and turns that made me want to keep reading, and the mystery itself had a satisfying ending.
Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: This book will find its most success in a middle school classroom or school library. It is one of those books that one student is going to read and is going to make his/her friend read so they can talk about it.
In a classroom, I, personally, would use this book to talk about bullying and best choices. Sections of the book could be pulled out that will definitely start conversations.
Discussion Questions: Do you think Raine made the right choice when she discovered the secret?; Do you think Raine made the right choice when dealing with Jennifer?; Why do you think Jennifer is so mean?; What caused ____ to make the choice s/he did?; Do you believe that Raine’s mother can change?
We Flagged: “I reach into my front pocket for the small, scratched-up silver heart with a dent in the side where I once dropped it on the sidewalk. I balance the heart in my palm and watch as tiny sparkles dance across it, sparkles only I can see.
I need a memory from my first day of kindergarten. A shot of courage for facing Yielding Middle and all the yuck that goes along with being the new girl.
I close my hand to trap the sparkles, then shut my eyes, drifting into the memory.” (p. 2)
Read This If You Loved: The Face on the Milk Carton by Caroline B. Cooney, A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd
Recommended For:
Don’t miss out on the other stops of the blog tour!
Faraway Friends Author and Illustrator: Russ Cox
Published May 5th, 2015 by Sky Pony Press
Goodreads Summary: This is the story of the adventure of a little boy named Sheldon and his dog, Jet. When Sheldon’s best friend moves away, Sheldon spies the word “Jupiter” painted on the side of the moving truck. Sheldon feels sad at first, but realizes that this is a sign—what he needs is a rocket ship! So Sheldon and Jet do some sketching and some scrounging, and, with a wagon full of equipment and supplies, the two future astronauts head to the backyard. With a glop and a wham, piece by piece the ship begins to take form, and soon it’s Commander Sheldon A. Flyer and Space Cadet Jet ready for takeoff! The duo jets around satellites, zooms by planets, speeds through space storms, and zips past other flying saucers . . . untilplop, they’ve arrived, somewhere with a green, alien life-form and a furry black blob.
This book encourages children to channel loneliness and boredom with creativity and imagination, and ultimately it is a story of new friendship. Featuring vibrant illustrations by debut author and illustrator Russ Cox, this action-packed story is sure to appeal to young readers in search of something that is out of this world!
My Review: I loved this story! It promotes imagination, has science elements, and is about the tough subject of friends moving away. When Sheldon’s best friend moves away, he believes he has moved to Jupiter so the only solution is to build a spaceship for himself and his dog, Jet, to go to Jupiter to see his friend. I adored that Sheldon went through a planning and sketching phase before building and “blasting off” with Jet. They then fly through outer space until a ship malfunction and a visiting alien change their plans. Children will love the colorful illustrations, fun adventure, and comic relief of Jet all while exploring themes of friendship, loss, and imagination.
P.S. The cover glows in the dark!!!!
Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: Like I shared above, there are some deep themes that can be addressed while/after reading this book. I also think it will promote a want to build a space ship, and it would be great to have students plan and build a spaceship (maybe not life size, but for an egg or pipe cleaner person?). The book also has onomatopoeias throughout which always makes me happy as they may be my favorite type of figurative language, and there is also great vocabulary words throughout to learn about.
Discussion Questions: Before reading, look at the cover and predict what you think the book is about. After reading, look back at the cover. What did you predict correctly and incorrectly based on the cover?; Has a friend of yours ever moved away? How did it make you feel? What did you do to help deal with the loss?; If you could build a spaceship and visit anywhere, where would you go?; When Sheldon and Jet blasted off into space, did you catch the clue for the ending in the background?
We Flagged:
(c) Russ Cox 2014
“BLAST OFF! In a spectacular plume of smoke Sheldon and Jet roared into space.”
Read This If You Loved: The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires, Journey by Aaron Becker
Recommended For:
**Thank you to Sara at Skyhorse Publishing for providing a copy for review!**
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 Rest of 2015
Ricki and Kellee
Once we started listing our books, we realized that most of our books overlapped, so we are doing this list together.
**In no particular order!**
1. Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee
How could we not have this on our list?! To Kill a Mockingbird is one of our favorites!
2. Carry On by Rainbow Rowell
A whole book of Simon and Baz from Fangirl is so exciting!
3. Stand Off by Andrew Smith
We don’t know if Andrew Smith can top Winger, but we cannot wait to see what happens to Ryan Dean during senior year.
4. Goodbye Stranger by Rebecca Stead
So many great reviews for this one from people we trust.
5. Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast by Josh Funk
How can we not want to read this book by the hilarious Josh Funk?! This has been on our TBR list for quite a long time!
6. Little Robot by Ben Hatke
Kellee loves Ben Hatke’s Zita series and very much looks forward to his newest.
7. George by Alex Gino
We’ve heard this book is a game changer (along with Gracefully Grayson).
8. House Arrest by K.A. Holt
Teri Lesesne said she couldn’t put this one down, so we know we have to pick it up.
9. The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness
We don’t know much about this book except that it is by Patrick Ness. Yes, please.
10. Another Day by David Levithan
It is going to be so interesting to hear Every Day‘s story told from Rhiannon’s point of view.
We are very excited about these 2016 books, as well!
Untitled by Ruta Sepetys (2016)
We are both huge fans of Sepetys’s first two novels, Between Shades of Gray and Out of Easy, and we cannot wait to read her next one! We know the title, but we aren’t sure if it is public, so we can’t share it here.
Honestly Ben by Bill Konigsberg (2016)
Bill Konigsberg just announced that there is going to be a sequel to Openly Straight from Ben’s point of view—so exciting!
and 
