Ling & Ting Share A Birthday by Grace Lin

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Ling & Ting Share A Birthday
Author and Illustrator: Grace Lin
Published September 10th, 2013 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers

Goodreads Summary: Ling & Ting are twins. They share a birthday. They bake cakes, and they make birthday wishes. They tell stories and wrap gifts. They also share a birthday secret!

Have fun with Ling and Ting! They stick together and look alike. But they are not exactly the same.

Review and Teacher’s Tools For Navigation: I am not an expert on early chapter books, but I am trying to read more than I did in the past. What I have noticed is that most early readers have short compelling stories or chapters with interesting characters and often teach a lesson or would make the reader thing. Ling & Ting is no different and is an excellent addition to the early readers I’ve read. Ling & Ting are twins, but are very different people. It is a great opportunity to discuss identity and personality. Also, each chapter of Ling & Ting’s story put them in different situations and are all opportunities to discuss these situations. Finally, Grace Lin gives teachers/students/readers many opportunities to discuss character traits and compare/contrast the two twins.

Discussion Questions: How are Ling & Ting different? The same?; When Ling & Ting didn’t know what to buy for the other twin, what did they do? Do you agree with what they did?

We Flagged: “Ling reads the cookbook very carefully. She mixes butter, sugar, eggs, and flour. Ting does not read the cookbook carefully. She mixes butter, sugar, and eggs. Ling and Ting put their cake in the oven. They watch them bake. Ling’s cake bakes golden. Ting’s cake does not.” (p. 17-19)

Read This If You Loved: Penny series by Kevin Henkes, Elephant and Piggie series by Mo Willems, Sadie and Ratz by Sonya Hartnett

Recommended For: 

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Balance, Where Are You?

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Balance

I wonder if every new mom comes to a point where she asks herself, how do I balance all of this? I only have one child (bless anyone who has more than one), but I often feel as if my eyes are just barely peeking above the surface of the murky swamp. As a new parent, I can’t help but try to balance all of the advice I get—don’t wake a sleeping baby, don’t let him sleep too long, don’t let him get overtired, keep him awake during the day, don’t overstimulate him, schedule naps, nap on demand, and don’t you dare rock him to sleep. I search for balance in my life (as I bounce my four-month-old up and down with my knees—his favorite motion), and I begin to ponder how the elusive qualities of balance might extend beyond parenting.

In my independent study, I am reading some of the greatest contributors to the field of education—Dewey, Bobbit, Apple, and Freire (to name a few). And I get riled up. (If you know me, this shouldn’t be surprising.)  Too many philosophers promote one style/theory of teaching, and we, as educators, are forced to juggle all of these philosophies and formulate our own. We read Kozol or Hirsch or Addams, and we try to mish-mosh their theories into one. Too often, philosophers push their theories as absolute, and while I often respect each theory, I crinkle my forehead when each is professed as the only theory. God forbid, when there are disparities between two of those theories, we feel like bad teachers because we see the merit in both. We want to feel firm in our beliefs. I read about Hirsch’s Cultural Literacy, for example, and I nodded in response when I read that our students must be prepared to emerge as literate adults who understand the language of American culture. And then I read his list of 5,000 words/phrases that EVERY literate person must know, and I shook my head. Perhaps, Hirsch is just one lens, and we, as teachers, are able to see our students through thousands of lenses. It seems that each philosophy we learn about adds a lens and makes our classrooms that much clearer.

I look to these philosophers, and I seek balance in my own philosophies, and I wonder why we find comfort in seeing qualities of life in black and white. I am, admittedly, guilty of this. When a friend posts a viewpoint that is so very different from my own, why am I compelled to post an argumentative reply? Can our polarized views—be them teaching, parenting, or politics—be balanced? What is it about this gray area that makes us so nervous?

And amidst this overwhelming stress of being a good mom, a good wife, a good keeper of the house, a good student, a good friend, and a good blogger, my son looks at me as I bounce him and lets out a belly laugh. Across the cyberspace, someone else’s son is laughing right now. That someone else might hold parenting views that are quite different from my own. And in another town, a teacher is grading assignments that are very different from my own. And what she is doing is working. So maybe this mom and I—and this teacher and I—maybe we are all right.

Plastic, Ahoy! Investigating the Great Pacific Garbage Patch by Patricia Newman

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NF PB 2014

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!

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Plastic, Ahoy! Investigating the Great Pacific Garbage Patch
Author: Patricia Newman
Photographer: Annie Crawley
Expected Publication April 1st, 2014 by Millbrook Press

Goodreads Summary: These scientists are on a mission. As part of a research expedition known as SEAPLEX, they’re studying the massive accumulation of plastic in the Pacific Ocean known as the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. As they use the scientific method to conduct their investigation, their adventures will introduce readers to the basics of ocean science and the hazards of plastics.

Kellee’s Review: At my school, I am an adviser of Future Problem Solvers which is a club that looks at futuristic issues and, by using the 6-step creative problem solving process, tries to come up with an action plan to solve the futuristic problems. One of our past competitions had the topic of “Ocean Soup,” and my students and I did research about the state of our ocean. It was at that time that I became aware of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and was disgusted by it. I am so glad that this book exists now, because just like I didn’t know about the issue, my students didn’t either, until we began researching. This nonfiction picture book takes the reader through a mission with scientists to study the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and by making it a mission instead of just a book of facts will help engage readers in the problem that we are facing now.

Ricki’s Review: I was most impressed by the layout of this clever book. I loved how the design was fashioned to draw the reader’s eye to different portions of text. This will really capture kids’ attention. Young scientists will be sucked into this text, and the zoomed in pictures help readers unravel this mystery at sea along with these real-life explorers. The language and headlines made me smile–“Trash Talk: Nurdles and Triangles” and “Ocean Science: Munching Microbes.” Students in the upper elementary and middle school grades will find much to study in this fascinating text.

Teachers’ Tool for Navigation: This book would be an interesting addition to an environmental unit (or Earth Day activity) to look at how humans affect the Earth. It has a lot of information about why the Garbage Patch is happening and what humans could do to stop it–all information that would fit right in with any discussion about the environment.  The book would also be a great resource whenever talking about being a scientist, the type of work they do, and the type of equipment they use. The book was very informative about all of these things as it followed the scientists on their mission. The author also has a curriculum guide you can access here.

Book Trailer: 

Discussion Questions: What is the explorers’ mission? What do you find interesting about their jobs?; Why is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch happening?; What do humans need to do to diminish the amount of damage we are causing the Earth?

We Flagged: “The SEAPLEX Trash Detectives found plastic in 130 of their 132 net tows over 1,700 miles of open ocean. That’s the same distance as between New York City and Denver, Colorado. ‘To see plastic debris in the middle of this large stretch of ocean, far from land,’ Chelsea said, ‘offers a wake-up call for the way we leave our footprint even on remote pieces of the Earth.'” (p. 36)

Read This If You Loved: Let’s Make a Difference (series) by Gabriella Francine, The Lorax by Dr. Seuss, Island by Jason Chin, Giant Squid by Mary M. Cerullo, Can We Save the Tiger? by Martin Jenkins

Recommended For: 

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**Thank you to Barbara Fisch at Blue Slip Media for providing us with copies for review**

Top Ten Tuesday: Spring TBR List

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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 Spring TBR List

Here are some books we’re planning on reading this spring (hopefully)!

Ricki

1. Locomotive by Brian Floca

Kellee sent me a text message about this book. When she texts me a book title, I know I have to read it. I just got my notice from the library that it is in. Yesss!

2. Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith

I have had the galley (in e-book and print form) for far too long.

3. We Were Liars by e. lockhart

Everyone is raving about this one. I have it, and I am ready to roll. I just need to find a bit more time.

4. Hidden Like Anne Frank by Marcel Prins and Peter Henk Steenhuis

I am looking forward to reading this nonfiction title.

5. Just One Year by Gayle Forman

I am embarrassed that I still haven’t read this! I absolutely loved the first book, so I am excited to get to it. My past student said it was excellent.

Kellee

1. Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick

I was a huge fan of Boy 21 and want to read more of Quick’s books.

2. Reality Boy by A.S. King

Like #1, I have liked everything by King that I’ve read, so I want to read her newest (and everyone loves it).

3. Winger by Andrew Smith

Another one I want to read because everyone who reads it loves it, and when I saw Smith speak at ALAN it made me definitely want to read it.

4. Storm Watcher by Maria V. Snyder

I loved hosting the blog tour for this book and sharing the guest post Maria wrote, but I haven’t gotten around to reading it yet. I love books with science mixed in and meteorology is fascinating.

5. The Secret Hum of a Daisy by Tracy Holczer

Any book compared to See You At Harry’s is a book I want to read. I also am looking forward to sharing a guest post by Tracy closer to when this book is going to be released.

What books are you looking forward to? 

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It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? 3/17/14

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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

top ten tuesday beatles arnie

Top Ten Tuesday Topic: Our favorite books in different genres
Thursday: We’d Love Your Opinion

Congratulations to

MEGAN F.

for winning a copy of Weeds Find a Way

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

 Last Week’s Journeys

Kellee: Our picture book #bookaday is going so well! We’ve read 25 picture books in 24 days of his life. I hope this helps build a strong lifetime of book love.  This week we read:

  • Bert and Ernie’s First Book of Opposites by Heather Au (I loved introducing Trent to some of my favorite Sesame Street characters. I CANNOT wait to start watching the show with him.)
  • Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andreae (I love Tacky the Penguin because of its message about being happy with who you are, and Giraffes Can’t Dance gives a similar message that makes me automatically love it.)
  • I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen (Watching my sister read this for the first time to Trent was PRICELESS! What a joy to see someone find the amazingness of Hat Back.)
  • Press Here by Herve Tullet (Ever since I read this book, I have wanted to read it with a kid. Watching my sister read this with Trent was so much fun, and I know he will love it when he is older.)
  • If I Were A Penguin… by Anne Wilkinson (Cute book about penguins that I read to Trent while he was wearing a penguin outfit.)
  • Trucks: Baby Touch and Feel by DK Publishing & Animals: Baby Touch and Feel by DK Publishing (Both very simple books introducing baby animals and trucks, but they have some great opportunities for tacticle exploration.)

I’ve also continued working on The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider and I am really enjoying it. The reading is going slower than it went before Trent, but I did find time to read 2 days this week. I hope to finish it ASAP.

Ricki: First of all, thank you all for sharing your interests with us last week. If anyone else would like to give suggestions for our blog, please visit this link. This week, I read a picture book to Henry: Here Comes Grandma by Janet Lord (in preparation for his grandma’s visit) I absolutely love this Little House picture book series. I am not so sure if Henry will like them when he is old enough to understand them, so I am going to read the whole series beforehand, just in case! I also finished Ideology and Curriculum by Michael Apple. It is one of those PD books that is very important but quite boring. Apple is very articulate and has a lot to say, but the text is highly political, and it felt like it took me forever to finish it.

This Week’s Expeditions

Kellee: Our picture book #bookaday is going to continue. This week I plan on reading some rocker books to Trent that was given to me by my friend Jill as well as some Dr. Seuss. I hope to finish The Beginning of Everything and then start Bruised by Sarah Skilton.

Ricki: Henry and I started The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis tonight. I have never read it, and his uncle saw this on one of my blog posts, and he sent us a copy! We started it tonight, but Henry fell asleep when Lucy was in the wardrobe, so I thought it might be best to wait until he is awake to continue. 🙂 I am also starting Life in Schools by Peter McLaren. He, supposedly, has a sociocultural view of schools, so I am interested to learn more about what he has to say. I am sure we will also dive into a few more picture books this week. We picked up some of the books that a few of you recommended, so I am excited to read them. I will be honest—our library is modest, so many of the books on my list of blogger recommendations aren’t in the library!

Upcoming Week’s Posts

top ten tuesday plastic Balance ling

Top Ten Tuesday: Books On Our Spring TBR Lists

 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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The Adventures of Arnie the Doughnut: Bowling Alley Bandit by Laurie Keller

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Bowling Alley Bandit
Author and Illustrator: Laurie Keller
Published June 4th, 2013 by Henry Holt and Co.

Goodreads Summary: As Mr. Bing’s new pet “doughnut dog,” Arnie couldn’t be happier. When Mr. Bing joins a bowling league, Arnie gets to go along to practices and competitions. But then Mr. Bing starts rolling gutter balls. Someone or something is behind the madness. Arnie, together with his team of goofball friends, must sort through the shenanigans and solve the mystery. Get ready for some sleuthing and even some magic.

Full of Laurie Keller’s winning charm and silly humor, this chapter book—the first in the series—is sure to please her many fans.

My Review and Teacher’s Tools For Navigation: This book is going to be loved by kids. It is hilarious and is one rung below Big Nate on the humor, illustrated novel ladder. It is a great book to help readers get from early readers to middle grade illustrated novels. In the classroom, it would be a great book to use to practice prediction as the reader is given clues throughout the book to figure out who the bowling alley bandit is. Also, as a teacher, I personally loved all of the wit, puns, and funny similes in the book! These would be great to read with kids.

Discussion Questions: What other doughnut songs could Arnie sing at karaoke? Think of famous songs and tweak their title or lyrics to make them about doughnuts.

We Flagged: “But of all the great things about the bowling alley, my favorite is that there’s a restaurant inside called the Bowl-o’-Chow and they have a KARAOKE MACHINE! I usually watch Mr. Bing bowl for a while, and then I wander over to the Bowl-o’-Chow to sing a few songs. I was scared to try it at first, but now I’m a regular.

Here are a few of my old standbys:
Living’ la vi-DOUGH loca!
You ain’t nothin’ but a DOUGHNUT-DOG cryin’ all the time.
Fried in the U.S.A.!

And I always end with my signature song:
DOUGHNUT make my brown eyes blue.”

Book Trailer: 

Read This If You Loved: Big Nate series by Lincoln Peirce, Captain Underpants series by Dav Pilkey, Frankie Pickle series by Eric Wight

Recommended For: 

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