Unleashing Readers

Top Ten Tuesday: Books We Will Probably Never Read

May 5, 2015 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 Books We Will Probably Never Read

Other books will probably always come first. This post is somewhat similar to a previous TTT topic: “Books We’re Not Sure We Want to Read.”

Ricki

1. Mein Kampf by Adolf Hitler

This is the only repeat from my other list. I simply don’t think I could ever read this lunatic’s words–particularly when I know it was used as propaganda. It is the only book I immediately thought of with this TTT topic.

2. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Anne Shaffer

I have started this book at least five times and can’t get past the first fifty pages. All of my friends love it, but I couldn’t get into it. I really want to like it.

3. Moby Dick by Herman Melville

Let’s just be honest with each other. This isn’t going to happen. I’ve read portions, and I don’t think I would read this for any other reason than to say I read it. Life’s too short.

4. Ulysses by James Joyce

For a similar reason, I don’t think I’ll ever read this book. Although, I would do much better on Jeopardy if I read it. They always include this book!

5. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

My husband would be sad to see this on the list. I just can’t do it. I’m sorry! You can judge me, but I’ll always find a book that I think will be better than these. I’ve seen pieces of the movies, and I am simply not interested. (And yes, I understand the movies are never as good as the books. But I am pretty sure I won’t like these.) You can also add Game of Thrones to this list.

Kellee

1. The Selection (series) by Kiera Class

This series premise just sounds so much like Princess Academy, and I have a very hard time with books that seem to rip off a premise. I also just haven’t heard very good things about them (though my students bug me all the time to read them). We’ll see. These are probably the ones on this list that I could maybe be convinced to read.

2. The rest of the Mortal Instruments (series) by Cassandra Clare

I listened to the first book of the series (which may have been the problem), and I just found it to be not what I wanted it to be. I wasn’t sucked into the world like I wanted to be. Also, the ending just really bothered me.

3. Anything Nicholas Sparks

I have never been interested in books that revolve around romance.

4. Little House (series) by Laura Ingalls Wilder

I tried to read the first one when I was younger, but very early on the dad goes on a hunt and the kill is described. Grossed me out and made me cry. This just left a bad taste in my mouth, and I will probably not ever try again.

5. All those vampire books I bought in 2007-2009

Man, I bought so many vampire books for my classroom library!!! Some of them were loved, but many of them were never touched because by the time I got them, the fad was over. Maybe they’ll get some love one day.

Which books are on your list?

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It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? 5/4/15

July 27, 2015May 4, 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

PATRICIA

for winning a copy of Margarita Engle’s Sky Painter!!!

Last Week’s Posts

Tuesday: Top Ten Parents in Books

Friday: Blog Tour, Giveaway, and Author Guest Post: Go, Pea, Go by Joe Moshier and Chris Sonnenburg

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

Last Week’s Journeys

Kellee: This week was a much slower reading week than last. I did finish another 2 graphic novels. They were very different, but both very good. First, I read Hidden: A Child’s Story of the Holocaust by Loïc Dauvillier which is a different holocaust story than most and told in a very gentle way. It would be interesting to have this same story but told from the adult’s point of view. I think the illustrations and story would be much tougher. I also read Cleopatra in Space: The Thief and the Sword by Mike Maihack which is the second book in the Cleopatra in Space series, and it ends with a HORRIBLE cliffhanger. I need book three now! Additionally, I did finish the novel I was reading Falls the Shadow by Stefanie Gaither. I wanted to love this book, but I ended up just liking it. Worth a read because the plot and concept are so interesting, but I just had trouble connecting with the characters.

With Trent, I actually read 3 new books with him this week! First, we read Thumper’s Furry Friends, a Disney book about Thumper from Bambi. Trent loves touch and feel books and books with holes in the cover that make it easy to open, so this was a win-win for him. We also read Sophie’s Busy Day, a DK book about Sophie la girafe which was also touch and feel. Finally, I read The Monster at the End of this Book by Jon Stone, which is, I think, a favorite of so many people! Jim had read this to Trent before, but this was my first time. I’d forgotten how wonderful this story was! Though I really do wish I had a good Grover voice….. Next to these three books, it is usually the same thing every night (though he has discovered his bookshelf instead of just picking up books off the floor, so I hope this gives us some variety in the future).

diptic-1721101673 — The nightly choices and the chosen. Trent’s #bookstack

Ricki: It’s finals week! Huzzah! One more week and then I am in book freedom! I did get a chance to read Lisa Pliscou’s Young Jane Austen: Becoming a Writer. This was a fabulous little book that taught me a lot about Jane’s early life. I also enjoyed Photos Framed: A Fresh Look at the World’s Most Memorable Photographs by Ruth Thomson. This book explores the photographic elements and subject matter memorable photographs from 1844 through 2011. I found it to be very interesting. Henry and I reread the same ten books that he is in love with. I tried to sneak in a few new ones, and he flipped out each time. Ha. Maybe next week?

This Week’s Expeditions

Kellee: Last night I started A Creature of Moonlight by Rebecca Hahn. I am still at the very beginning, so we’ll see. It has gotten mixed reviews, but is compared to Bitterblue (big shoes!). In the car, I am listening to The Nearly Honorable League of Pirates: Magic Marks the Spot by Caroline Carlson and narrated by Katherine Kellgren who is doing a WONDERFUL job–I love all of her voices! With Trent we have two more Sophie books to read that his aunt got him, and I hope to read Farmer Dale’s Red Pickup Truck by Lisa Wheeler if he is feeling up to some variety.

Ricki: I would like to read X by Kekla Magoon and Ilyasa Shabazz this week! I have to read and review six manuscripts for a class, and then I am a free bird. 🙂

Upcoming Week’s Posts

top ten tuesday

Tuesday: Ten Books We Will Probably Never Read

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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Blog Tour with Review, Giveaway, and Author Guest Post!: Go Pea Go! by Joe Moshier and Chris Sonnenburg

October 12, 2015May 1, 2015 by Kellee

Go, Pea, Go!
Authors and Illustrators: Joe Moshier and Chris Sonnenburg
Published April 28th, 2015 by Running Press Kids

Goodreads Summary: Pea Junior has to go, go, go, go! The end feels so far away, but with his family and friends cheering him on, Pea knows he can make it and go number one!

My Review: This is a perfect book to use during potty training! The fun illustrations, which remind me of Wreck-It-Ralph, make the whole activity seem like a game instead of a chore. The book comes with a chart and stickers which make the whole training even more fun! Anyone with small children, enter below to win your own copy of Go, Pea, Go! and a prize pack that includes a pea plush, pea beach ball, pea tote bag, pea hair clips, stickers, and a copy of the book. THREE people will win a pack including a pea beach ball, pea postcards, stickers, and a copy of the book. FIVE runners up will receive a copy of the book and stickers.

A Message From The Authors: Everyone loves to cheer and root someone on!

It is in our nature as humans to cheer for someone to win a race, to hit a homerun, to score a goal, to ace a test, or even to be brave and make a new friend. As parents, we cheer on our children from day one from their cute little coo’s to their first roll-over and then to their first steps and on and on and on it goes. It feels good for everyone involved. Cheering is a positive feeling, and happiness, like a smile, is contagious.

Our new book, Go, Pea, Go! is all about cheering and rooting on Pea Junior as he races towards the giant Pea Bowl, ignoring all the fun distractions along the way. Children who read the book get to interact and yell out the phrase “GO, PEA, GO! “at the end of every page to show their support. Just like in real life, there is a point in the book where Pea Junior starts to loose his focus and doubt himself. It’s during these times of struggle and difficulty that cheering from loved ones and friends has an even stronger impact.

As with Pea Junior running the race, there will be obstacles, there will be distractions but there will also be victories and there will always be someone who loves you to cheer you on!

Make sure to visit the other stops on the blog tour:

4/22 A Girl and a Boy

4/23 Stacking Books

4/24 Geo Librarian

4/25 Art, Books, Coffee

4/27 Coffee for the Brain

4/28 Mrs. Brown Loves Bookworms

4/29 Unpacking the POWER of Picture Books

4/30 Booktalking #kidlit

5/1 Unleashing Readers

Giveaway!

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Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson

May 3, 2015April 30, 2015 by Kellee

Roller Girl
Author and Illustrator: Victoria Jamieson
Published March 10th, 2015 by Dial Books

Goodreads Summary: For most of her twelve years, Astrid has done everything with her best friend Nicole. But after Astrid falls in love with roller derby and signs up for derby camp, Nicole decides to go to dance camp instead. And so begins the most difficult summer of Astrid’s life as she struggles to keep up with the older girls at camp, hang on to the friend she feels slipping away, and cautiously embark on a new friendship. As the end of summer nears and her first roller derby bout (and junior high!) draws closer, Astrid realizes that maybe she is strong enough to handle the bout, a lost friendship, and middle school… in short, strong enough to be a roller girl.

In her graphic novel debut, real-life derby girl Victoria Jamieson has created an inspiring coming-of-age story about friendship, perseverence, and girl power!

My Review and Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: How did I not read this book the instant it came out?! First, it has eye-catching, colorful artwork which is my favorite in graphic novels. Yes, everyone is comparing it to Raina’s work, and I can see why, because they are both just so well done and fun to read. Second, it is such a girl power book. Not an over-the-top girl power book, but it is a book about being a girl and being awesome at it. Third, it has roller derby in it! I love that we get to learn about the sport with Astrid. Fourth, the book has an awesome mom! Even when Astrid is complaining about her, she is being awesome (like taking her to poetry readings and the art museum). Fifth, this book is also about friendships and the ebbs and flows that come with teenage friends. Finally, it is about putting your mind to something and doing it! Astrid works her butt off, and it pays off. I think Roller Girl is also a great jumping off point to talk about bullying, friendship, and working hard to meet a goal.

This book is going to be loved by fans of Raina Telgemeier, El Deafo, The Dumbest Idea Ever!, Astronaut Academy, and Cleopatra in Space. It is definitely going to make the rounds in my classroom library!

Discussion Questions: How should Astrid had dealt with Nicole not going to derby camp?; Have you had a friend like Nicole?; Astrid really wants to learn roller derby; Nicole wants to get better at ballet–what is your passion?; How did Rainbow Brite help Astrid?; What do you think about Astrid’s mom?

We Flagged:

Read This If You Loved: Smile, Sisters, and Drama by Raina Telgemeier, El Deafo by Cece Bell, The Dumbest Idea Ever! by Jimmy Gownley, Astronaut Academy by Dave Roman, Cleopatra in Space by Mike Maihack

Recommended For:

Seeds of Freedom: The Peaceful Integration of Huntsville, Alabama by Hester Bass

June 13, 2015April 29, 2015 by Kellee

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!

Seeds of Freedom: The Peaceful Integration of Huntsville, Alabama
Author: Hester Bass
Illustrator: E.B. Lewis
Published January 27th, 2015 by Candlewick Press

Goodreads Summary: Explore a little-known story of the Civil Rights movement, in which black and white citizens in one Alabama city worked together nonviolently to end segregation.

Mention the Civil Rights era in Alabama, and most people recall images of terrible violence. But something different was happening in Huntsville. For the citizens of that city, creativity, courage, and cooperation were the keys to working together to integrate their city and schools in peace. In an engaging celebration of this lesser-known chapter in American and African-American history, author Hester Bass and illustrator E. B. Lewis show children how racial discrimination, bullying, and unfairness can be faced successfully with perseverance and ingenuity.

Kellee’s Review: I loved learning about Huntsville! It is amazing that in the middle of the violence and ignorance that ran rampant during the Civil Rights Movement, there was a Southern town that was peaceful and worked together to integrate. The story is so inspiring and gives me faith in humanity! I love how Bass ties together history and the movement throughout the nation to what was going on in Huntsville. It really shows the comparison between the rest of the nation and Huntsville. The illustrations are also extremely beautiful. I fell in love with his art in Each Kindness, and I am so happy to experience it again.

Ricki’s Review: The metaphor of the seeds of freedom dances across the pages of this book. E. B. Lewis’ illustrations are masterful. I spent a long time on each spread, soaking in the way the artwork connected with the words. This is a book about civil rights, and it is also a book about the goodness of people and the quiet persistence of the people of Huntsville, Alabama as they saw injustice, and they pressed on to fight against it. Students will learn a bit about history, but they will learn a lot about themselves. I plan to use this book in my methods classes to show how history can come alive in picture books. This book shines brightly.

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: This book is a wonderful introduction to the civil rights movement. It gives a peaceful account and also shares information about the dark times. We think it would be fascinating to take the events mentioned in Seeds of Freedom and put them on a timeline, so students can visually see when each event was happening. It was also be interesting to compare and contrast Birmingham and Huntsville during this time period. Additionally, Seeds would be a perfect companion to Lions of Little Rock. Teachers might consider using this book in a text set to give students a rich understanding of the civil rights movement, or they might create a text set around themes such as persistence or protest in history.

Discussion Questions: How was Huntsville’s civil rights movement different than other cities around the nation?; How did the author use a seed as a metaphor for the civil rights movement?; What is reverse integration?; Who are some of the main people who helped integration within the United States?

We Flagged:

Read This If You Loved: Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine, Separate is Never Equal by Duncan Tonatiuh, Sit In by Andrea Davis Pinkney; The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson, Freedom Summer by Deborah Wiles

Recommended For:

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Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Parental Figures in Books

April 28, 2015April 28, 2015 by Ricki

Today’s Topic: Top Ten Parental Figures in Books

As moms, we are happy to share this list!

Ricki

When I created this list, I was saddened that there seem to be so many more negative examples of mothers and fathers in literature than positive examples of mothers and fathers. We need to change this!

1. Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

I strive to be as good of a parent as this man. He is easily my favorite parent in any book I’ve read because he is wise and treats his kids with respect.

2. The unnamed mother in Love You Forever by Robert Munsch

I completely understand that many people find this mother’s devotion to her son to be a bit creepy. I get it. But I don’t find it creepy at all. The backstory of the book is here.

3. The two penguins in And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson

These two penguins are very devoted to little Tango. They show a love and affection that is admirable. I still laugh that this book is censored.

4. The bee-keeping sisters in The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

For me, this book was about motherhood. It taught me that mothers aren’t perfect, but they are often simply doing their best. These bee-keeping sisters are some of the best written characters I’ve read.

5. The women of A Thousand Splendid Sons by Khaled Hosseini

I am going to admit that I may be wrong here. My memory of this book is of hard-working mothers who are devoted to their families. I think about this book often (even though I read it over five years ago), and I envy the strength of these women.

Kellee

Like Ricki said, too often parents are the antagonist in books–just another bad guy to overcome OR they are nonexistent OR they die and aren’t part of the protagonist’s life at all. We wanted to highlight parents that were present and wonderful in books. I, too, wanted to choose Atticus Finch because he is the best dad in literature ever, but no doubling up!, so here are my 5 top parents from books.

1. Willow’s parents and then Pattie from Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan

Willow is very lucky to always have an adult looking out for her, and even after her parents’ death, Pattie stepped up and ensured that Willow was well taken care of. Even if it was a bit unconventional.

2. Mr. Mendez from Separate is Never Equal by Duncan Tonatiuh

He did everything in his power to ensure that his children received a good education. To make matters even better, this is a true story.

3. Doris from When I Was the Greatest by Jason Reynolds

Doris is real. She is a real mom that has to work hard to support her kids.

4. Rafe’s parents from Openly Straight by Bill Konigsberg

Although they may annoy him a bit (a lot), I love how supportive and loving they are.

5. Most of the parents in The Baby-Sitters Club by Ann M. Martin

One of the things I loved about BSC is the different types of families that were represented, and no matter how different they were, the parent(s) were always supportive and trying to do their best.

Which parents stick out in your mind? Share them with us!

Happy upcoming Mother’s Day and Father’s Day to all of our parent readers out there!

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It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? 4/27/15

July 27, 2015April 27, 2015 by Kellee

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

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 ALL TIME Favorite Authors

Wednesday: Blog Tour, Author Interview, and Giveaway!: Sky Painter by Margarita Engle

Thursday: Win a class set of Ruta Sepetys’ books!

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

Last Week’s Journeys

Kellee: I’ve had a pretty great reading week! I read three nonfiction books: Seeds of Freedom by Hester Bass, Photos Framed by Ruth Thomson, and Chips and Cheese and Nana’s Knees: What is Alliteration by Brian P. Cleary. I truly enjoyed all three! Seeds and Photos both looked into history that I thought I knew and now know even more about. We’ll be reviewing both of these. Chips and Cheese was just as good as the rest of the series. A great way to introduce a concept to students. I finished two novels this week as well: A Death-Struck Year by Makiia Lucier, a story of a teenage girl in Portland during the Spanish influenza outbreak in 1918, and The Paper Cowboy by Kristin Levine, an intense story that looks at family and community and got better and better as I read (listened). Finally, I read five wonderful graphic novels:

Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales: The Underground Abductor by Nathan Hale is another amazing installment of Hale’s Hazardous Tales. I am a huge fan of this series, and the newest book is a fascinating look at Harriet Tubman. I look forward to reviewing this for you in a couple of weeks.
Rutabaga the Adventure Cook by Eric Colossal is the first book in a new series about a cook who travels around looking for exotic food to cook and seems to find himself in some unexpected situations such as fighting a dragon or on an expedition with three warriors looking for a monster.
The Creeps: Night of the Frankenfrogs by Chris Schweizer is the first book in a series about a group of misfits who help save the day in their town (with no thanks from anyone!).
The Misadventures of Salem Hyde: Dinosaur Dilemma by Frank Cammuso is the fourth Salem Hyde book and is one of my favorite. It is the first I read since I presented with Frank at NCTE where he explained that he tried to make each page its own comic strip like Garfield or Peanuts, so I read this one differently. I loved seeing the humor in each page and how they all fit together.
Roller Girl by Victoria Jamieson is so wonderful! I don’t know how I missed it in March! I review this one for you this week.

Ricki: I have returned from Chicago! I had a blast and got to see some great sessions. I went to a session about building learning communities in schools. In this learning community, several professors came together and developed a reading list and met each month to learn more about culturally and linguistically diverse learners. It was very inspiring!

I finished Writing Up Qualitative Research by Harry F. Wolcott. It is similar to Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird but more focused on academic writing. If anyone is interested in writing an article, I highly recommend this book. It made me want to drop everything and write.

Henry and I have been visiting different bookstores lately. I enjoy letting him peruse the shelves to touch the books. His face lights up when he finds books with cars on them. His newest favorite (a non-car book) is Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson. Gosh, this is such a fun book to read. It has such great rhythm!

Our trip to the bookstore today!

This Week’s Expeditions

Kellee: This week I am going to be starting a new audiobook: The Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates: Magic Marks the Spot by Caroline Carlson. It’d put it on hold, so when it became available 13 days ago it automatically checked out. That means I only have a week to try to finish it. It is over 5 and a half hours long which is more than I listen to in a week usually, so we’ll see! I also am planning on reading Falls the Shadow by Stefanie Gaither and A Creature of Moonlight by Rebecca Hahn, if I have time.

Ricki: I will be reading Seeds of Freedom by Hester Bass to prepare for this week’s post. I have my comprehensive exams this week, so I won’t be able to read anything else (except my oral defense presentation a few billion times!). I hope they go well!

Upcoming Week’s Posts

top ten tuesday

Tuesday: Top Ten Parents in Books

Friday: Blog Tour, Review, and Author Guest Post: Go, Pea, Go by Joe Moshier and Chris Sonnenburg

So, what are you reading?

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