Unleashing Readers

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? 1/19/15

July 27, 2015January 19, 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.

Last Week’s Posts

Tuesday: Top Ten 2014 Releases We Meant To Read But Didn’t Get To

Wednesday: Blog Tour!: Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah

Friday: Mock Sibert Award: Favorites Announced

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

Congratulations to
Michele K.
for winning When Otis Courted Mama!

Last Week’s Journeys

Kellee: I have been able to get more reading done over these last two weeks than I thought I would be able to. One thing that really helped is when you are staying at a hotel with people running races is that they go to bed SUPER early, so I spent a lot of time reading when we were out at Disney for Jim’s Dopey races (yay Jim!).

First, I read a ton of nonfiction books in preparation for the 2015 Mock Sibert! The books I read were: Star Stuff by Stephanie Roth Sisson, Eye to Eye by Steve Jenkins, Beetle Busters by Loree Griffin Burns, Feathers, Not Just For Flying by Melissa Stewart, Chasing Cheetahs by Sy Montgomery, Neighborhood Sharks by Katherine Roy, and Born in the Wild by Lita Judge. I picked my top 5 nonfiction picture books out of these and other 2014 NF PBs I read. I shared them on my Mock Sibert post, and I plan to share my other favorites on a post later this month. All of these were phenomenal books.

Additionally, I did a lot of other reading: The Other Side of the Wall by Simon Schwartz, a nonfiction graphic novel about being born in East Germany; Gabi, A Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero, a tragedy-filled, intense story of a young girls senior year; Caminar by Skila Brown, a beautiful novel-in-verse that takes place during the guerilla warfare in Guatamala; I Am Jackie Robinson by Brad Metzler, a fun comic/PB mix biography (so glad I finally got to read one of Metzler’s books!); Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Pena, a celebration of the little things we sometimes miss; The Strange Library by Haruki Murakami, such a weird little book; Frank Einstein and the Electro-Finger by Jon Sciezska, another funny, smart Frank Einstein book, How To Speak Dolphin by Ginny Rorby, a book that tore at my heart strings and made me think about so many things; and Torn Away by Jennifer Brown, a frightening, sad, empowering book about loss and family.

Ricki: This week, I fell in love with Esperanza Rising by Pam Muñoz Ryan. It has been on my TBR list for years, and I finally put it on my #mustreadin2015 list. I also started four other books that were recommended by YOU on Monday, and so far, I love them all. Bloggers have the best recommendations.

This Week’s Expeditions

Kellee: I am not sure what I am going to read this week! I have a couple more 2014 NF picture books that have been recommended to me since Mock Sibert that I hope to get to read. I then have my #mustread2015 pile and other piles and library piles and piles of books all over 🙂

Ricki: As I stated before, I am reading four books right now. The two books that I have been reading the most of are Dreaming in Indian (Edited by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Leatherdale) and Audacity by Melanie Crowder. Both are exceptional.

Upcoming Week’s Posts

top ten tuesday

Tuesday: Top Ten Books That Feature Characters Who Show Resilience Despite Disabilities

Wednesday: Great Picture Books Kellee Has Read Recently

Friday: National Readathon Day Overview

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

2015 Mock Sibert Award Hosted By Kid Lit Frenzy, Unleashing Readers, and There Is A Book For That

January 16, 2015January 16, 2015 by Kellee

Over the past three years, Alyson, of Kid Lit Frenzy, has hosted, and Carrie, of There Is A Book For That, and I have participated in, a book challenge pushing ourselves to read more nonfiction picture books. Since we read many of the best nonfiction picture books published each year, in 2014 we decided to start hosting a Mock Sibert Award.

The Sibert Award is given annually to the most distinguished informational book published during the preceding year. Although the Sibert Award is not just for picture books, we are going to focus on the nonfiction picture books we feel would be honored or win this year. To be honored/win the Sibert Award, the book must include these important elements and qualities:

-Excellent, engaging, and distinctive use of language.
-Excellent, engaging, and distinctive visual presentation.
-Appropriate organization and documentation.
-Clear, accurate, and stimulating presentation of facts, concepts, and ideas.
-Appropriate style of presentation for subject and for intended audience.
-Supportive features (index, table of contents, maps, timelines, etc).
-Respectful and of interest to children.

After reviewing the qualities and elements needed to win the Sibert Award, I chose the following five titles as my Mock Sibert Finalists that I hope will win or be honored on February 2nd. Check out Kid Lit Frenzy and There is a Book for That to see what Alyson and Carrie chose as their picks.

Eye to Eye: How Animals See the World
Author: Steve Jenkins
Published April 1st, 2014 by HMH Books for Young Readers

Steven Jenkins is the master of informational nonfiction! His unique artwork is always eye catching, and he chooses the most information to share with students. Many of his books, including this one, sound like something that would be boring to read about, but Jenkins makes it so it is not. This book, includes information about different animals’ eyes with a close up of their eyes and an overview illustration of the whole animal. I had no idea there were so many different types of eyes! And animals that I thought didn’t have eyes actually do!

As for Sibert criteria, Jenkins hits it out of the park! His use of informative yet appealing language mixed with his beautiful visual presentation is above the rest, the book is organized for readers to easily understand, has back matter that supports the text, it is appropriate and interesting for children.

Neighborhood Sharks
Author: Katherine Roy
Published September 30th, 2014 by David Macaulay Studio

This one surprised me. From the cover and artwork, I thought it would be just a simple shark book, but it was so much more! This book completely contradicts any statement that says that a book with illustrations and not photographs cannot be an exemplar informational text. Neighborhood Sharks takes you through a Great White Sharks routines, anatomy, habits, and how scientists study them. The diagrams are exceptional and really add to the text.

Once again, this text is spot on when it comes to Sibert criteria. The entire book is excellent, engaging, and distinctive! It was a pleasure to read!

The Right Word: Roget and his Thesaurus
Author: Jennifer Fisher Bryant
Illustrator: Melissa Sweet
Published September 15th, 2014 by Eerdman’s

Roget was such a fascinating man, and I had no idea before picking up this text. He was a genius, creative, scientist, and a good father and husband. I loved that Bryant and Sweet teamed up again (they also did A River of Words about William Carlos Williams) to tell us Roget’s story. I think what makes their books so special are the unique way that illustrations and text intertwine and together become the story. Every part of the page is essential to the book.

I feel like a broken record, but again this book definitely fulfills the criteria for the Sibert award. I actually think that because of the unique use of illustrations and text, it is probably my most distinctive use of visuals.

Ivan: The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla
Author: Katherine Applegate
Illustrator: G. Brian Karas
Published October 7th, 2014 by Clarion

Anyone who knows me knows that I adore apes (see my Nerdy Book Club Top Ten Ape books and my Hurt Go Happy interview with Ginny Rorby as well as my Hurt Go Happy, Primates, and Endangered reviews). They are such fascinating creatures. I enjoy reading about them and am a true advocate for their care here on Earth. This book is just another supporting document in the beauty, intelligence, and awesomeness of these creatures. Katherine Applegate has written a perfect companion to her Newbery winning One and Only Ivan which takes the reader into Ivan’s life and once again makes our heart break for him. It is written in verse with words that transport you into Ivan’s life. This book made me cry because of the power of the words, but more importantly, the power of Ivan’s story. Please read this. You will thank me (and curse Katherine Applegate for the tears).

This book may be my only book that does not meet all of the criteria for the award, but I had to put it on the list because of its beauty, importance, and closeness to my heart. Although it does not include any supportive features, I feel that that does not take away from the amazing use of language, beautiful illustrations, and fascinating story.

Feathers: Not Just For Flying
Author: Melissa Stewart
Illustrator: Sarah S. Brannen
Published February 25th, 2014 by Charlesbridge

This is another book, like Eye to Eye, that I thought could not be as good as everyone had said. It is a book about feathers which could never be interesting, right? Wrong. Stewart does an amazing job of sucking you in, showing the beauty and importance of feathers, and she does so with some amazingly beautiful imagery (using similes). Her language mixed with the soft-toned illustrations, which are perfect for a book about feathers, makes you lose yourself in her information. Then she sneak attacks at the end, after you are already sucked in, with the scientific classification of feathers. Next thing you know, you are fascinated with feathers.

Feathers also meets all of the Sibert criteria–especially the engaging use of language and stimulating presentation of facts.

Which book from my, Alyson’s, or Carrie’s list do you think should be honored by the Sibert committee? Complete our poll below to share which you think should win, and also enter to win the winner of our poll.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The winner of the Mock Sibert and giveaway will be announced on Wednesday, January 28th. I cannot wait to see which book wins!

Once Upon an Alphabet by Oliver Jeffers

January 15, 2015 by Kellee

Once Upon an Alphabet: Short Stories for all the Letters
Author: Oliver Jeffers
Published October 14th, 2014 by Philomel

Goodreads Summary: If words make up the stories and letters make up the words, then stories are made up of letters. In this menagerie we have stories made of words, made FOR all the letters.

The most inventive and irresistible book of the year spans a mere 26 letters (don’t they all!) and 112 pages. From an Astronaut who’s afraid of heights, to a Bridge that ends up burned between friends, to a Cup stuck in a cupboard and longing for freedom, Once Upon an Alphabet is a creative tour de force from A through Z. Slyly funny in a way kids can’t resist, and gorgeously illustrated in a way readers of all ages will pour over, this series of interconnected stories and characters explores the alphabet in a way that will forever raise the bar.

In Once Upon an Alphabet, #1 New York Times bestseller Oliver Jeffers has created a stunning collection of words and artwork that is a story book, alphabet book, and gorgeously designed art book all in one.

Kellee’s Review and Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: Oliver Jeffers is just brilliant. Everything he does is unique, and he actually keeps surprising me with each new book. And he makes me laugh out loud, which is always such a treat. This book has 26 quirky short stories, each corresponding with a letter. Each story has characters, plot, theme, and conflict, and each is quite clever and funny. It is just so well done!

I’d love to see this book used as a read aloud for 26 days. Each day as a different letter. With every letter, teachers could focus on different things: the letter, illustrations, voice, characterization, plot arc, conflict, theme, mood, figurative language, etc. It would be a great opener to the day and would also be a lot of fun to ask students to write their own stories for the letters. This pushes an alphabet book to a whole different level!

Ricki’s Review and Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: I agree with Kellee. Decades from now, children will still be enjoying Jeffers’ books. For me, he is comparable to the greats in children’s literature. My favorite part about this book was the way he connected the letters. It made me excited when he returned to some of the previous short stories.

This book begs for students to write. The short stories teach literary skills in an engaging way. Kellee’s idea was similar to my own. I would love to see a classroom book of these letters. Each student could be assigned a letter or two. With some funding, perhaps the students could bring a bound version home. It would be much more fun for students to practice letters when they can read their classmate’s stories! The way Jeffers flexes his creative muscles would also be inspiring to high school students.

Discussion Questions: Which letter’s story was your favorite? Why?; In what ways was Oliver Jeffers creative in his storytelling?; Can you think of other stories for each letter?

We Flagged:

Read This If You Loved: Any books by Oliver Jeffers, Eric Carle, or Dr. Seuss

Recommended For:

and

**Thank you to Penguin Young Readers Group for providing copies for review!**

Blog Tour with Review, Giveaway, and Author’s Guest Post!: Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah by Laurie Ann Thompson

June 17, 2015January 14, 2015 by Kellee

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!

Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah
Author: Laurie Ann Thompson
Illustrator: Sean Qualls
Published January 6th, 2015 by Schwartz & Wade

Goodreads Summary: Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah’s inspiring true story—which was turned into a film, Emmanuel’s Gift, narrated by Oprah Winfrey—is nothing short of remarkable.

Born in Ghana, West Africa, with one deformed leg, he was dismissed by most people—but not by his mother, who taught him to reach for his dreams. As a boy, Emmanuel hopped to school more than two miles each way, learned to play soccer, left home at age thirteen to provide for his family, and, eventually, became a cyclist. He rode an astonishing four hundred miles across Ghana in 2001, spreading his powerful message: disability is not inability. Today, Emmanuel continues to work on behalf of the disabled.

Thompson’s lyrical prose and Qualls’s bold collage illustrations offer a powerful celebration of triumphing over adversity.

Includes an author’s note with more information about Emmanuel’s charity.

Author’s Bio: Laurie Ann Thompson is the author of Be a Changemaker: How to Start Something That Matters, a how-to guide for teens who want to change the world. An advocate for social justice, Laurie is dedicated to inspiring and empowering young readers. Emmanuel’s Dream is her picture-book debut. Visit her at lauriethompson.com.

Kellee’s Review and Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: Emmanuel is inspiring. It is no wonder that Laurie Ann Thompson wrote this story: Emmanuel is truly a changemaker. What gets me about Emmanuel’s story is that he never gives up even when faced with challenges that most of us would crumble under. He proves that kids can make a tremendous difference and that we should be strong in the face of hardships.

Laurie Ann Thompson and Sean Qualls did an amazing job on this text. The story is perfectly paced and truly takes readers on Emmanuel’s journey with him. Additionally, the illustrations are pieces of artwork. I think mixed media was the perfect form for the story.

Please read this story to your students. Talk about Emmanuel, talk about the theme of his story, talk about how he changed the world, and talk about how anyone can do the same.

Ricki’s Review and Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: As Kellee said, this is an inspirational story about a boy who refuses to be overcome by his disability. Others tell him he should just become a beggar, but he is determined to be the best he can be. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful, and the story flows well. Students will find hope and strength in Emmanuel’s strong, resilient spirit.

There aren’t enough books about disabilities in classrooms, and this frustrates me as a teacher. Frankly, there aren’t enough books being published about disabilities–both physical and mental. After reading this book, students could be encouraged to research about different individuals who have been strong in the face of disability. Then, as students share these stories with the class, students will learn lessons of bravery and resilience.

A CCSS-aligned curriculum guide is available at http://www.scribd.com/doc/251881365/Emmanuel-s-Dream-Curriculum-Guide#scribd

Discussion Questions: What adjectives would describe Emmanuel?; How has Emmanuel changed life for himself and other people with disabilities in Ghana or worldwide?; How does Emmanuel show strength—both physically and emotionally? Can you relate him to anyone in your life?

We Flagged: “…He would honor them by showing everyone that being disabled does not mean being unable. It was a big dream, but Emmanuel had a plan.”

Read This If You Loved: Be a Changemaker by Laurie Ann Thompson, A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park, So Long a Letter by Mariama Ba, The Queen of Water by Laura Resau, Now is the Time for Running by Michael Williams, Soccer Star by Mina Javaherbin, Mama Miti by Donna Jo Napoli

Recommended For:

Author Guest Post

At the very end of Emmanuel’s Dream, you’ll find this quote:

“In this world, we are not perfect. We can only do our best.” –Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah

I chose to include that quote from Emmanuel because I think it exemplifies Emmanuel’s attitude toward life, but also because it was an important lesson for me to learn in my life… and it’s one I still need to be reminded of sometimes.

When I was a child, I was a perfectionist. I would never raise my hand in class. I always chose comfortable options over more challenging ones. I lived in constant fear of making a mistake—any mistake, in any area of my life. Of course, I still made them, and each one haunted me.

After college I got a job as a software engineer. In programming, I soon discovered, there’s no such thing as perfect. Every decision comes with a trade-off: better performance vs. flashy bells-and-whistles, a sooner delivery date vs. adding more features, a clean and simple design vs. a complex and robust one, cross-platform portability vs. the benefits of customization. You learn to do the best you can for the user in the time you have available. And, always, you know there will be bugs.

When I got involved in entrepreneurship, imperfection still ruled. Most startups fail, and successful entrepreneurs accept that, preparing themselves mentally (and financially) to try and try again until they find something that sticks. Even then, they’re often forced to make decisions quickly without having all the relevant information but knowing that to wait would also risk failure.

And now, with writing, perfection is just as hard to come by. Deadlines can cause us to put things out before we’re ready. Even without the pressure of a deadline, knowing when something is good enough to take to the next level is a guessing game. And what’s “good,” anyway? Despite years of working on them and dozens—if not hundreds—of revisions, copyedits, and proofs, there are still things I wish I could go back and change about each of my published books. I love them, but they can never be perfect.

What all of this has taught me is that it’s far better to do something and fail than to do nothing at all just because you were too worried about making a mistake. Worrying never does anyone any good, and the stress from it can actually harm you. But when you DO something, you learn, whether you succeed or not. You move forward, and you help everyone else following along behind. It’s not about perfection: it’s about progress.

I hope readers of Emmanuel’s Dream (and readers of this blog post!) will be inspired to follow their own dreams, that they’ll accept that they’re not perfect but resolve to do their best anyway. Maybe just doing our best is—in its own way—the very perfection we are seeking.

Follow all the stops on Laurie’s blog tour!

Mon, Jan 12	Great Kid Books	http://greatkidbooks.blogspot.com/
Tues, Jan 13	5 Minutes for Books	http://www.5minutesformom.com/category/feature-columns/5-minutes-for-books/
Wed, Jan 14	Unleashing Readers	http://www.unleashingreaders.com/
Thurs, Jan 15	Sharpread	http://mrcolbysharp.com/
Fri, Jan 16	Cracking the Cover	http://www.crackingthecover.com/
Sat, Jan 17	Booking Mama	http://www.bookingmama.net/
Mon, Jan 19 (MLK Jr bday)	Once Upon a Story	http://mariaburel.com/
Tues, Jan 20	Proseandkahn	http://proseandkahn.blogspot.com/
Wed, Jan 21	Geo Librarian	http://geolibrarian.blogspot.com/
Thurs, Jan 22	Nonfiction Detectives	http://www.nonfictiondetectives.com/
Fri, Jan 23	The Fourth Musketeer	http://fourthmusketeer.blogspot.com/
Mon, Jan 26	NC Teacher Stuff	http://ncteacherstuff.blogspot.com/
Tues, Jan 27	Teach Mentor Texts	http://www.teachmentortexts.com/#axzz3DP0vkvgi

GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway

and

**Thank you to Barbara at Blue Slip Media for providing copies for review and to Laurie Ann Thompson for her guest post!**

Top Ten Tuesday: 2014 Releases We Meant To Read But Didn’t Get To

August 4, 2016January 13, 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 2014 Releases We Meant To Read But Didn’t Get To

It is 2015, but that isn’t stopping us from reading these 2014 books!

Ricki

This was the hardest Top Ten Tuesday that I have done in awhile. There are so many books I want to get to! I decided to do it by category. I do have adult books on my 2014 TBR list, but I decided to do two YA books because that list is so much longer!

1. Picture Book: The Girl and her Bicycle by Mark Pett

Everyone has been raving about this book. I am looking forward to it.

2. Middle Grade: Gracefully Grayson by Ami Polonsky

The topic of this book is so important. I will definitely be reading it this year.

3. Young Adult: Glory O’Brien’s History of the Future by A.S. King

I read everything A.S. King writes, and I didn’t read this one right when it comes out, but I just got it for Christmas, so I will be reading it soon!

4. Young Adult: I’ll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

Several friends have recommended this book to me. I just need to nab a copy of it!

5. Nonfiction: Dreaming in Indian edited by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Leatherdale

I received the ARC of this book from NetGalley, and it expired before I got to it, so I asked for it for Christmas. It looks fantastic!

Kellee

I always have so many books that I planned on reading each year that I didn’t get to. For this list, I decided to look at the New York Times Notable Children’s Books and list the ones I had wanted to read but didn’t get to.

1. We Were Liars by E. Lockhart

I want to know the ending that everyone keeps mentioning!

2. Noggin by John Corey Whaley

A National Book Award finalist by a Printz Award winning author with a super unique premise? It has to be good.

3. The Impossible Knife of Memory by Laurie Halse Anderson

Laurie Halse Anderson. That is all.

4. The Port Chicago 50 by Steve Sheinkin

Another National Book Award finalist! The premise of this book seems so unbelieveable, but it is the exact opposite: nonfiction. Intriguing!

5. The Madman of Piney Woods by Christopher Paul Curtis

I loved hearing Christopher Paul Curtis speak at ALAN (and meeting him!), and I have loved everything of his I’ve read. I look forward to this one.

Which 2014 books do you hope to read in 2015?

and

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? 1/12/15

July 27, 2015January 12, 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 Most Anticipated Debut Novels of 2015

Wednesday: #MustReadIn2015

Thursday: Blog Tour, Book Trailer, and Author’s Guest Post!: When Otis Courted Mama by Kathi Appelt

Friday: Books Trent Got For Christmas

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

Last Week’s Journeys

Kellee: I am currently staying out at Disney World with Jim and Trent because my (crazy!) husband is running the Dopey (5K on Thursday, 10K on Friday, 1/2 maraton on Saturday, and marathon on Sunday). I will update you on my reading next week! Have a wonderful week!!!

Ricki: I read some great books this week! I finished Kekla Magoon’s How It Went Down. In light of the recent protests, this was an incredibly insightful book. The point-of-view shifts every 2-3 pages, which was very thought-provoking. This is the first book that I have completed from my #mustreadin2015 list. Yahoo!

Henry and I loved Matt de la Peña’s new picture book, Last Stop on Market Street. It is a beautiful book that we’ve read at least eight times this week. I can’t wait to review it. We also really enjoyed Peter H. Reynolds’ The Dot. We read two other picture books, but I don’t have a lot of nice things to say about them, so I am leaving them off of the list this week. I like to stick with the good recommendations! 🙂

Henry reading Last Stop on Market Street with his dad for the umpteenth time

This Week’s Expeditions

Kellee: See above. I apologize in advance if I am not able to comment on as many posts as usual as well. Happy reading!

Ricki: I can’t decide which book to read next. Would anyone recommend a book I should put to the top of my #mustreadin2015 list? I’d like to tackle another in January to stay ahead of the game. I trust my blogger friends’ advice, and many of the books on that list are popular books that I just haven’t gotten around to reading!

Upcoming Week’s Posts

top ten tuesday

Tuesday: Top Ten 2014 Releases We Meant To Read But Didn’t Get To

Wednesday: Blog Tour!: Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah

Friday: Mock Sibert Award: Favorites Announced

So, what are you reading?

and

Books Trent Got For Christmas

February 14, 2021January 9, 2015 by Kellee

No one would probably be surprised to hear that Trent got an actual box full of books for Christmas. I want him to grow up around books and reading and readers because I know how important it is for development, a love of reading, and overall long-term intelligence. This means that most Christmases Trent will find many books under the tree. This year, I wanted to share with you the books that Trent received from me and my family.

Books I got for Trent at NCTE/ALAN (SIGNED!)

I think this is one of the most clever books ever written. I was so happy to be able to get it signed by Jon Sciezska.

0-545-14314-4
I love Jane Yolen. And I want Trent to love dinosaurs. And I love this series. A perfect combination. I was so honored to meet Jane Yolen and get her to sign books for Trent.

I actually had this book at home, but when I heard Jane Yolen and Melissa Sweet would both be at NCTE, I knew I had to bring it and get it signed by both. It is a sweet book about loving books.

This is one of my favorite nonfiction picture books I have ever read. I am glad I could get it signed for Trent and that I will be able to share it with him when he gets older.

I loved Invisible Boy and although this is different, I knew I had to get it for Trent (and me!). I also had a wonderful conversation with Tracy Ludwig at NCTE.