Read a Good Book Today

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What Should I Read Next?

I {Heart} Books

Ah books…

How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.

I love thee cover, binding, pages crisp and bright

The times my soul can read, to its overwhelming delight

On the beach, at school, in bed at night.

I’ll read thee by sun and candle-light. 

Heroes, animals, kids from decades past,

Hand a book to me, so I can read at last.

I'm totally not even joking. I love books.

They make such nice companions.

Literally.

I usually read one book at home and I listen to another while I'm driving in the car. I especially love children's chapter books and young adult fiction. As many of you know, I am always on the look out for new books to read and you guys have recommended some amazing novels! 

I've been reading for quite a few years now, and I do have my favorites. When I decided to write this post, I thought I would list my Top 10. Then, I realized that was quite a challenging task! Instead, I've come up with grade-level categories. Books were sorted based on reading level, maturity level, and the age of the novel's main characters.

NOTE: The books below are my recommendations as of today, March 31, 2014. The list will grow and change as I discover new children's literature!

Click on the graphics below for a closer look at titles and authors.

To read my post on Boy Books, click here.
For my list of Chick Picks, click here.
To see what the high schoolers are reading, click here.

What book would you add to my list of recommendations? 

Stay tuned for student Book Club samples later in the week.

Yours truly,

Weekly Response: Look What I Did with a Leaf!

Ah, fall. I can smell it in the air! Pretty soon we will notice the leaves changing colors as the days get shorter and shorter. This is my favorite time of year! Why? I love bundling up, going on walks, crunching through the foliage, and finding leaves with amazing color designs on them. 

Then coming home, sipping a cup of apple cider, and admiring our new leaf collection!

Then what?

If you go on a leaf collecting nature adventure, you might get home and decide to cuddle in a blanket and read a fall-themed book, like Look What I Did with a Leaf! by Morteza E. Sohi.

This might inspire you to make a leaf animal...

or perhaps a few leaf critters... 

or a regal crown...

from Elsie Marley

or a fabulous candle holder...

from Red Ted

or a leafy banner of thanks!

from Carina Gardner

Can you see why fall is one of my favorite seasons?

What do you enjoy most about fall?

Give it Some OOMPH!

A LITTLE BIT OF OOMPH!

By Barney Saltzberg

Hardback, 22 pages

ISBN: 9780761177449 (0761177442)

Published by Workman Publishing

$13.95(US)

"How do you make the ordinary extraordinary? With a little bit of oomph! An utterly inspiring and playful new book on creativity from Barney Saltzberg. A Little Bit of Oomph! teaches the invaluable lesson of throwing your heart into whatever you’re doing and trying just a little bit harder— because with a little extra effort and a lot of oomph, you can make anything beautiful."

For fans of The Dot, Press Here and Beautiful Oops, A Little Bit of Oomph! will be another 
creative... 
interactive...
engaging... 
back-to-school picture book for grades K-5.
Available in paperback on September 24th!

Elementary Memories

I was asked to share this idea, so here goes...

My oldest graduated from elementary school last month, which is both exciting and unbelievable! Where did those six years go in such a hurry? I have to admit that I enjoyed every minute of every grade right along with him. What a wonderful group of teachers! Lucky kid.

We wanted to give him a special gift on this milestone occasion, which is easier said than done. Luckily, I had a bazillion photos of field trips, school events, parties, classmates, teachers... and every first day of school.

I decided to create a personal photo yearbook for him. You can have books like this printed through online sites that vary in price and quality. I created mine through Costco, which was easy and only cost $32 for 60 pages.

I also photographed and scanned a few of his class projects from each grade to have everything cataloged and in one place. Then, I left the last two pages blank for staff signatures...

I gave myself enough time to have it printed a few weeks before the promotion ceremony, so that I could have all of his teachers sign it.  Their messages are beautiful and make the book extremely special!

As a teacher, I'm a sucker for this kind of stuff. I find myself looking through the photo pages and reminiscing to an almost nerdy degree. 

(Hey teachers and room parents! It would also be fun to make a class yearbook for families to purchase or to auction off at the end of the school year.)

Middle school, here we come!

Bookworms Unite!

Hey students!

This week, we are going to share our favorite books. When you reply, please remember to type the complete title and author, so other students can find a copy of the book. I will use all of the recommendations in this post to create a new Bookworm list on the page to the right.

What book or books would you recommend to someone your age?

Your comment will not be seen by others until I approve it. Please use only your first name whenever you leave a comment on this blog. For directions, visit Blogging 101.

Autumn

September 23rd he first official day of fall! This is my favorite season for many reasons... the leaves change, the days get shorter, pumpkins decorate the front steps and the smell of autumn fills the air. Of course, I also love fall because there are so many fun books to read and fall-related crafts to create.

Everyone loves a good picture book! The following selections will inspire kids of all ages to jump into a pile of leaves, write poetry, carve pumpkins, admire the trees, and design a leaf creature!

Mouse’s First Fall by Lauren Thompson

 One cool day Mouse and Minka venture out to play. From leaves of all colors — red, yellow, orange, and brown — to leaves of all shapes and sizes — from pointy to round — Mouse learns that fall is a season full of fun! And before the day is done he just might take the biggest leap of all.

Leaves by David Ezra Stein

It’s a young bear’s first autumn, and the falling leaves surprise him. He tries to put them back on the trees, but it doesn’t work. Eventually, he gets sleepy, and burrows into the fallen leaves for a long nap. When he wakes up, it’s spring—and there are suddenly brand-new leaves all around, welcoming him.
 

It's Fall by Linda Glaser

Simple text and bold, beautiful paper sculpture cover the animal life, plant life, weather, a night scene, clothing small children would wear, as well as the general feelings and sensibilities associated with the fall season. 

Autumnblings by Douglas Florian
This collection of poems and paintings welcomes fall with all the crisp energy of a joyful tumbling run. A companion volume to the highly praised Winter Eyes and Summersaults, Autumnblings proves once again that Douglas Florian is a poet for all seasons.

 

Leaf Man by Lois Ehlert

Fall has come, the wind is gusting, and Leaf Man is on the move. Is he drifting east, over the marsh and ducks and geese? Or is he heading west, above the orchards, prairie meadows, and spotted cows? No one's quite sure, but this much is certain: A Leaf Man's got to go where the wind blows.  

 

 

The Little Yellow Leaf by Carin Berger

As all the other leaves float off and fly past, Little Yellow Leaf thinks, I'm not ready yet . As the seasons change all around, Little Yellow Leaf holds on to the tree. Still not ready . Will Little Yellow Leaf ever be ready? This is a story for anyone who has ever been afraid of facing the unknown—and a celebration of the friends who help us take the leap.

It's Pumpkin Time! by Zoe Hall

A brother and sister get ready for Halloween early- by planting their own pumpkin patch! Readers will discover the simple joys of gardening and enjoy watching the exciting transformation from pumpkinseed to jack-o'-lantern.

The Reasons for the Seasons by Gail Gibbons
A scientific explanation of how the position of Earth in relation to the sun causes seasons, and the wonders that come with each one of them.

What is your favorite fall picture book?

Enjoy the season!

Boys-n-Books

As you may know, this summer I read a bunch of girl recommended books. I enjoyed the challenge and added amazing new books to my library! Thank you to everyone who shared their favorites with me! All of the recommended books can be found in the margin to the left, if you are interested.

Now, it's time to move on to my favorite topic: Boy Books! As the mother of boys, I am an expert on this subject. I can have thoughtful conversations with my male students on the topics of cooky cavemen, Vikings, demigods, time-warping, Muggles and robots. I can even recommend books based on their interests. Yes, I'm that good.

One concern I hear from parents on a regular basis is, "My son does not like to read." My advice is this...

• Let boys choose books that look interesting to them. Many times we tell boys to put down the comic book and read a "real book." Well people, READING is READING. Graphic novels, magazines, comic strips and science reference books require reading too.
• Read with your child. Choose books to read and discuss. Kids are never too old to listen to a good book. Pick the first book in a series and they may become hooked! Plus, your child will benefit from listening to your fluency and expression, hearing new words in context AND sharing time with you!
• Ask what other boys are reading. Ask a librarian, a teacher, the boys hanging out at the bookstore. Check online, read blogs, read reviews on book sites like Amazon, Library Thing or Shelfari. There are great books out there and people are talking about them!

Here are a few of my favorite resources on the topic of Boys -n- Books. If you have another site to add, or a book to recommend for boys, please add a comment below!

Guys Read

Scary, Gross and Enlightening: Books for Boys

 Good Books for Guys

Book Adventure

For a selection of tried and true boy books, check out the "Recommended by Boys" list on the right.

Happy reading!

Summer Reading... Girl Edition

Now that I have two boys, I'm completely out of the loop when it comes to girl books. My goal this summer is to read as many girl-recommended novels as I can. In order to reach my goal, I've solicited book suggestions from my students, my neighbors, my sons' friends' sisters and random girls spotted with books out and about.

Each novel must meet the following criteria:

1. It's appropriate for 4th-6th graders.

2. The main character is a girl.

3. The book was written by a female.

I've read quite a few, and I already have favorites that I know my 4th-6th grade girlfriends will enjoy. As a young lady, I attended the Beverly Cleary School of Realistic Fiction. I still enjoy novels about kids who act like kids, even when overcoming life's obstacles. The books below made my list of favorites because they are innocent, touching, character-driven stories with a thoughtful storyline. Most importantly, the main characters are unique. When you put each book down, you will feel like you have made a new friend.

A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban

Love, Aubrey by Suzanne LaFleur

Ida B and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster, and (Possibly) Save the World   

by Katherine Hannigan

The Magic Half by Annie Barrows

Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech

Because of Winn Dixie by Kate DiCamillo  

Secrets of a Cicada Summer by Andrea Beaty

 

I will continue to add information about the books I read this summer... if they are worthy of sharing, that is. If you would like to share a wonderful children's novel or if you would like to comment on a title listed above, feel free leave a comment!

Seattle or Bust!

Hi! It's Wen checking in!  I had an amazing time in Seattle...

First Vlad the cat took me everywhere around the house.  He gave me the grand tour! 

Loki the dog dutifully gave me a bath every day!  Talk about hospitality.

Later, I accidentally mistook Tiber the Grumpy cat for Vlad, hoping for a ride out to the garden. Tiber wasn't very happy with me.

But, I did make it to the garden!  Benji just had planted tomatoes to add to his garden of raspberries, blueberries, various herbs, and other vegetables!

The next morning we got up super early to go to the Half-Priced Books Warehouse sale! The line was long, but we were near the front.

I found the perfect book for that grumpy old cat, Tiber!

After that we went to the University District to get Japanese food at Kikus and new plants for the garden at the Farmer's Market.  Benji and I helped pick out two new Tea plants for his Mommy for Mother's day.

While waiting for our food at Kiku's Benji made me a Money Rainbow over my head! 

Then we went fishing... we waited along time for Benji to catch only ONE fish, but Benji did catch the tree many times!

I had a great time with Benji and his family.  I can't wait to see where I will go next!

Thanks Benji!

Your pal,