Kid Lit Frenzy

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday (7)

2012-02-22T00:00:00.000-08:00

Alien Investigation: Searching for the Truth About UFO's and Aliens
Author: Kelly Milner Halls
Illustrated: Rick C. Spears
Publisher: Millbrook Press (January 1, 2012)
Audience: Grades 4 to 8
Source: Copy for review/giveaway

Description from Publisher:
Imagine . . . you're in the woods after dark. Eerie green lights appear in the distance. Then there's a sudden flash and everything is dark again. You decide to take a closer look. You come upon a saucer-shaped craft hovering silently just above the ground. You reach out to touch it, but the object suddenly shoots up into the sky. Have you just seen a UFO?

Some people say they have had experiences like this. Are they telling the truth? To find out, Kelly Milner Halls investigated stories of eyewitnesses from around the world. She explored UFO sightings, landings, crashes, aliens, and even a few hoaxes. She also interviewed several of the world's UFO experts. Examine her findings and decide for yourself whether visitors from other worlds are real.

My thoughts on the book:
Children often find stories about aliens and spaceships fascinating and interesting. They typically have lots of questions too. To find a book that provides children a mixture of facts, pieces of information from the news, and interviews all in an easy to understand format is not easy. Kelly Milner Halls has provided just such a book. The book is divided into four chapters that looks at UFO's or space ship sightings over the years. This is followed by a chapter on Crashes and Landings. Next up is a section on Aliens, and it is followed by Hoaxes and Misunderstandings. Throughout the book, children are cued in by the term Imagine and a team of bold alien explorers provide a view point of the aliens preparing to travel. The book concludes with the question "Real or Unreal?"

Though the book has only 64 pages, it is filled with a significant amount of text and information. I sometimes find that teachers might consider a book of this length as not long enough for use for a report. However, in reading through this book, Milner Hall has managed to do an admirable job of condensing extensive amount of research into a form that children will find accessible. Additionally, the book does not lean in one direction or the other. It allows the reader to form their own conclusions and to explore further the possibility that life exists beyond earth.

After reading through this book, I would recommend it for any school or classroom library.

For more information about Kelly Milner Hall and her books, please click here.

Giveaway Rules:

1. Though comments are very much appreciated, please do not enter any personal information in the comments section (including your email, website, etc.). If you do enter personal information, you comment will not be posted.

2. You must complete the Entry Form to officially enter the contest.

3. The Contest runs from 12:00 a.m. Pacific Time on February 22, 2012 to 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on February 28, 2012.

4. You must be 13 or older to participate in this contest.

5. If you are selected as a winner, I will notify you by e-mail. If you do not respond within 48 hours, I will select a new winner.

6. International participants are welcome to enter the contest.

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New Books & News for Author/Illustrator James Burks

2012-02-21T00:00:00.000-08:00

If you follow this blog with any regularity, then you have probably heard me mention Gabby and Gator and creator James Burks.

James has a new picture book coming out on March 1st - Beep and Bah (Carolhoda Picture Books).

Here is the book trailer:

And he has more good news. His graphic novel Gabby and Gator is being developed into a Television show.

Check out the promo clip:

And it doesn't end there. In August, his newest graphic novel, Bird and Squirrel (Scholastic/Graphix), will be released. I have shared the Advanced Copy with some students and they are already singing its praises.

Congratulations James - Looks like 2012 will be a wonderful year!

What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA (12)

2012-02-20T05:33:00.000-08:00

It's Monday! What are you reading? is hosted by Sheila of Book Journey. Jen & Kellee from

Teach Mentor Texts have adapted this to focus on Picture Books to Young Adult Books.

Each week I'll recap what I've read/reviewed the week before

and then look ahead to what I am planning on reading/reviewing in the upcoming week.

Last week's book adventures:

This week's reading picked up, but I also started and stopped several books. I'll come back to them but sometimes my mood points me to a different book than one I expected. My quest to read all of the Caldecott Honor Books has resumed and I was able to get a few other books in. To spare everyone a long list of books, I have selected my favorites to highlight.

Here are my favorites from the past week:

Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson - I listened to this one on audiobook and at times I wish I had an actual hard copy because I wanted to read it faster than the narrator was going. Don't get me wrong, the narrator was good, but there were times I just wanted to find out what was going to happen next to Hattie and I knew I could read it faster. Regardless or audiobook or print copy, Larson did an amazing job creating characters that you cared about and you wanted to know. I felt like Hattie and all of her neighbors were real and I became so engrossed in their lives. I was so excited to find out on twitter today that there will be a sequel. Yay!

Listen to My Trumpet by Mo Willems - Elephant and Piggie are back. That is reason enough to celebrate. This time Piggie has a special surprise for Elephant. I won't spoil it. Fans of this series will love the newest book.

And Then It's Spring by Julie Fogliano, Illustrated by Erin Stead - There are times when I hold a book in my hands and read it and know that it will win an award or be on a bunch of end of the year lists. This was wonderful in both text and illustrations. Stead, who won a Caldecott for A Sick Day for Amos McGee, has another winner on her hands. I loved this one.

Just Behave, Pablo Picasso by Jonah Winter, Illustrated by Kevin Hawkes - A biographical picture book about Pablo Picasso and his stubborn determination to paint what he wanted to paint despite people who criticized him.

When Blue Met Egg by Lindsay Ward - This one is just simply a make you smile & chuckle book.

Future Release:

Squid and Octopus Friends for Always by Tao Nyeu - If you haven't heard of this book, put it on your summer TBR pile. This is going to be a favorite. I loved this book. Mouse & Mole, Frog & Toad, Elephant & Piggie and now Squid and Octopus. Not truly an early reader but this one will appeal to the audience who loves all those other great friendships. The story is fun but the little side notes are almost funnier. I can't wait to see the final version of this book but I know I will be recommending it.

Caldecott Challenge Books:
I read 13 Caldecott Honor Winners this week. This was the only one that I gave higher than a 3 star (a few would have received negative stars if that was an option).

Nothing at All by Wanda Gag - This 1942 Caldecott Honor Book actually reminds me of a children's picture book. It is quirky and fun. It even has a different type set.

Upcoming book adventures:
I actually have to start tackling more reading for an Award Committee that I am serving on. I will probably be digging into that pile this week. Not sure which books though...so you will have to wait and see.

So, what are you reading this week?

Please share! And remember to check in at Sheila's or Jen & Kellee's blog to see what they and others are reading!

Book Review - Born Wicked

2012-02-16T00:00:00.000-08:00

Author: Jessica Spotswood
Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons / Penguin Young Readers (Released: February 7, 2012)
Source: Advance Readers Copy
Audience: Young Adult
Reviewed by: Kate G.

Good Reads Description:
"Blessed with a gift..."cursed" with a secret."

Everybody knows Cate Cahill and her sisters are eccentric. Too pretty, too reclusive, and far too educated for their own good. But the truth is even worse: they're witches. And if their secret is discovered by the priests of the Brotherhood, it would mean an asylum, a prison ship - or an early grave.

Before her mother died, Cate promised to protect her sisters. But with only six months left to choose between marriage and the Sisterhood, she might not be able to keep her word . . . especially after she finds her mother's diary, uncovering a secret that could spell her family's destruction. Desperate to find alternatives to their fate, Cate starts scouring banned books and questioning rebellious new friends, all while juggling tea parties, shocking marriage proposals, and a forbidden romance with the completely unsuitable Finn Belastra.

If what her mother wrote is true, the Cahill girls aren't safe. Not from the Brotherhood, the Sisterhood - not even from each other.

Kate's thought's on this book:
A historical YA fantasy fiction set in the time of the Puritan- like society sounds like a winner, right? I am happy to say, “Yes”! I was a bit wary of this novel when I started to read it. I found myself getting angry and flustered in every chapter. About three to five chapters in, I figured out why. The author, Jessica Spotswood had me totally invested. I was experiencing the same emotions as the Cahill sisters. It started with the political and societal environment but is soon got deeper than that. I felt Cate’s anger at her mother. I resented the loneliness and feeling of neglect that Maura felt as a middle child. (This hit very close to home being a middle child myself.) I envied the wisdom Tess gained from her curious and intellectual nature. Underlying it all, there is the constant undeniable push and pull of their bond as sisters and witches.

Even more surprising, I didn’t find the obligatory love triangle (between Cate, Paul, and Finn) trite or characteristically familiar. The guys are on equal footing. There is no extra talent or leg-up for either of them. (Ms. Spotswood does foreshadow a possible paranormal consequence to one of the pairings but to us readers, not Cate herself.) It was refreshing to see such a normal struggle in a world permeated with Magic.

This book is not without it’s curiosities, like why Dubai is mentioned as an ideal for these witches over and over again. I, for one, can’t wait to discover why and how the Cahill sisters will survive the politics, the Prophecy, and each other.

Check out this book trailer:

For more information about author Jessica Spotswood:
http://www.jessicaspotswood.com/

On twitter: @jessica_shea
Facebook: The Cahill Witch Chronicles

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday (6)

2012-02-15T00:00:00.000-08:00

What Color is My World: The Lost History of African American Inventors
Authors: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Raymond Obstfeld
Illustrators: A.G. Ford, Ben Boos
Publisher: Candlewick Press (January 3, 2012)
Audience: Grades 3 to 7
Source: Borrowed Copy

Description from GoodReads:
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, basketball legend and the NBA's alltime leading scorer, champions a lineup
of little-known African-American inventors in this lively, kid-friendly book.

Did you know that James West invented the microphone in your cell phone? That Fred Jones invented the refrigerated truck that makes supermarkets possible? Or that Dr. Percy Julian synthesized cortisone from soy, easing untold people's pain? These are just some of the black inventors and innovators scoring big points in this dynamic look at several unsung heroes who shared a desire to improve people's lives. Offering profiles with fast facts on flaps and framed by a funny contemporary story featuring two feisty twins, here is a nod to the minds behind the gamma electric cell and the ice-cream scoop, improvements to traffic lights, open-heart surgery, and more - inventors whose ingenuity and perseverance against great odds made our world safer, better, and brighter.

An interview with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

My thoughts on the book:
Some books make you wonder about the conversation that might have taken place between publisher, editor, author, illustrator. If I was a more talented writer, I would recreate this hypothetical conversation for the entertainment of readers. However, I will spare you that digression and jump into my thoughts on the book.

When I look at a book, especially a nonfiction picture book, I have a hard time stepping out of my educator mindset. Yes, I want to enjoy a book simply because it is an enjoyable book. However, with nonfiction, I am also trying to consider how to use it with children. Basketball great - Kareem Abdul-Jabbar has stepped into the role of celebrity debut author with his new children's book What Color is My World: The Lost History of African American Inventors. His comment in the video above indicating his desire to show children a piece of African American History beyond Slavery and Civil Rights is most admirable. I want children to know about the rich history and culture of African Americans too. For that we are in agreement. We are also seeing eye to eye on the wonderful facts provide on the various men and women inventors which are included in this book.

Where we diverge, the format of the book and the voice of the story. The format is a large-size picture book with flaps which in my mind is typically for younger audiences. The text written for the facts about inventors is written for student in grades 4 and up. The story portion of the book has an excessive amount of text (again for an older audience) but a voice that almost seems appropriate for younger readers.

It is true that I haven't had a chance to look at this book with children, and so my opinion might change. And though, I think there are wonderful facts and parts to this book, I would discover a way to share this book so children will get the most from it.

Click here to check out Candlewick's Book Trailer for What Color is My World?

It's that time of the week...add your nonfiction reviews to the Mr. Linky below.

Book Review - Snowy Valentine

2012-02-14T00:00:00.000-08:00

Author/Illustrator: David Petersen
Publisher: Harper Collins Children's (November 11, 2011)
Audience: Ages 4 to 8
Source: Copy for Review
Picture Book * Fiction * Holiday * Valentine

Description from Publisher:

Step out into a snowy Valentine’s Day with Jasper the bunny as he searches the forest valley for a special gift for his loved one.

In his picture-book debut, David Petersen, the Eisner Award–winning creator of Mouse Guard, tells a delightful tale that becomes the perfect way to say “I love you.”

Bring this sweet story home to your Valentine today.

My thoughts:

I discovered the work of David Petersen last summer when I came across his Mouse Guard series while I was preparing for a presentation on Graphic Novels. I was immediately taken by his illustrations which were vivid and beautiful. A few months later I came across an advanced copy of Snowy Valentine; Petersen's first picture book.

In a Snowy Valentine, Petersen brings his trademark style and uses it to tell the story of Jasper and Lilly Bunny. Jasper loves his wife Lilly and sets out through the snow to find a gift for her. He quickly discovers that gifts that might appeal to porcupines, toads, racoons, and cardinals just aren't the right match for Lilly. The story even includes a bit of a close call when Jasper runs into a fox and almost ends up as a Valentine for Mrs. Fox. However, Jasper's wanderings lead him to the perfect gift for Lilly.

Holiday picture books can be scary territory to explore. So many of them are overly sweet or silly, or somewhat annoying. When I read this book months ago, my reaction was positive. It was refreshing to come across a story that was charmingly illustrated and sweet without being cloying. The twist at the end seemed like a fitting way to conclude the book. As I read the finished copy in preparation for this review, not only did I feel the same way about the story, but I felt like I picked up some new details in the illustration. I was also excited to discover from reading Petersen's blog that the story originated as a gift to his wife. What a lovely gift both for Petersen's wife and for readers.

David Petersen talks about the making of Snowy Valentine on his blog. You can follow him on twitter @mouseguard
Part I
Part II
Part III

You can follow him on twitter @mouseguard

It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA (11)

2012-02-13T00:00:00.000-08:00

It's Monday! What are you reading? is hosted by Sheila of Book Journey. Jen & Kellee from

Teach Mentor Texts have adapted this to focus on Picture Books to Young Adult Books.

Each week I'll recap what I've read/reviewed the week before

and then look ahead to what I am planning on reading/reviewing in the upcoming week.

Last week's book adventures:

February has been a slow reading month. As I started in on the Caldecott Honor Books, I found I needed a bit of a break. Let's just say that picture books in the 1940's are nothing like picture books today. Even though, I wasn't able to read a lot of books the ones that I read were wonderful.

Here is what I read from the past week:

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson
Maureen Johnson is best known for her contemporary fiction and humorous presence on twitter. I was curious to see what she would do with a supernatural suspense that blends together an American teenager from New Orleans, an English Boarding School, and Jack the Ripper-like murders. Johnson created an interesting premise and I am curious to see where book 2 takes us.

Breaking Stalin's Nose by Eugene Yelchin
Eugene Yelchin garnered a Newbery Honor with his first Middle Grade book. A fast read with complimentary illustrations that provides the reader with a glimpse at the life in the Soviet Union under the reign of Stalin.

Hades by George O'Connor
The fourth installment in O'Connor's Olympians Series and once again he brings together various figures in Greek Mythology and gives readers a new glimpse into well-known stories. This installment doesn't just focus on Hades but also on Persephone and Demeter. Fascinating read.

A Boy Named FDR by Kathleen Krull; Illustrated by Steve Johnson, Lou Fancher
Kathleen Krull explores the early life of Franklin Delano Roosevelt and how early experiences shaped him into the president he would one day become.

Worst of Friends by Suzanne Jurmain; Illustrated by Larry Day
There appears to be an interest in Thomas Jefferson and John Adams lately. This is the second one that has come out in the last few months about their friendship. Jurmain continues through the years of their feud and eventual reconciliation. A book to add to a collection of biographical stories on presidents and just in time for President's Day.

On Wednesday, I will be posting the nonfiction picture books I read this past week. There were some fun ones in the pile.

Upcoming book adventures:
My goal this week - try to get back into a regular reading routine again and back on track with #Nerdcott (Caldecott Challenge).

Glory Be by Augusta Scattergood - I started this one but didn't quiet finish it over the weekend.

Fake Mustache by Tom Angelberger - Thanks to a friend I have an Advanced Readers Copy of Angelberger's newest book. I can't wait to dive into this one.

So, what are you reading this week?

Please share! And remember to check in at Sheila's or Jen & Kellee's blog to see what they and others are reading!

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday (5)

2012-02-08T06:38:00.000-08:00

A Leaf Can Be
Author: Laura Purdie Salas
Illustrator: Violeta Dabija
Publisher: Millbrook Press (February 1, 2012)
Audience: Ages 4 to 8
Source: Copy for Review and Giveaway

Some books defy my image of nonfiction. I have to admit that I was truly a solid fiction reader and that nonfiction usually meant dry, boring, and connected to coursework. As I have searched for nonfiction picture books, my beliefs about them are changing. Seldom anymore do I utter the words dry and boring when reading these books.

The team of Laura Purdie Salas and Violeta Dabjija has created a beautiful book. With the simple phrase "A leaf can be...", Salas explores all of the roles a leaf can play from a water ladle to food maker to frost catcher and more. Dabjija's gentle and whimsical illustrations are a perfect match to Salas' sparse text making the book completely accessible for younger readers. The end of the book takes each of the descriptors used in the book and explains them with more details. There is also a glossary and some further reading which can both be useful resources for a teacher.

A Leaf Can Be would be a wonderful addition to a primary grade level classroom. It would also make a lovely gift for a young child.

Giveaway Rules:

1. Though comments are very much appreciated, please do not enter any personal information in the comments section (including your email, website, etc.). If you do enter personal information, you comment will not be posted.

2. You must complete the Entry Form to officially enter the contest.

3. The Contest runs from 12:00 a.m. Pacific Time on February 8, 2012 to 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on February 15, 2012.

4. You must be 13 or older to participate in this contest.

5. If you are selected as a winner, I will notify you by e-mail. If you do not respond within 48 hours, I will select a new winner.

6. International participants are welcome to enter the contest.

Follower Love Giveaway Hop

2012-02-07T00:00:00.000-08:00

Thank you to Kathy from I am a Reader, Not a Writer and Rachel Renee Anderson for co-hosting this giveaway hop. Since this is a giveaway hop, don't forget to check the links to more giveaways.

Recently, I read The One and Only Ivan. It is simply a beautifully told story of a friendship between a Silverback Gorilla and a young elephant. It will make a perfect read aloud for an elementary classroom. The giveaway is a copy of the book signed by author, Katherine Applegate.

Giveaway Rules:

1. Though comments are very much appreciated, please do not enter any personal information in the comments section (including your email, website, etc.). If you do enter personal information, you comment will not be posted.

2. You must complete the Entry Form to officially enter the contest.

3. The Contest runs from 12:00 a.m. Pacific Time on February 7, 2012 to 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on February 14, 2012.

4. You must be 13 or older to participate in this contest.

5. If you are selected as a winner, I will notify you by e-mail. If you do not respond within 48 hours, I will select a new winner.

6. International participants are welcome to enter the contest.

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Review: The Girl of Fire and Thorns

2012-02-04T16:03:00.000-08:00

Author: Rae Carson
Publisher: Greenwillow
Release Date: September 20, 2011
Audience: Young Adult
Source: Purchased in Bookstore
Reviewed by: Renée
Fiction * Fantasy * Adventure * Romance

Description from GoodReads:
Once a century, one person is chosen for greatness.

Elisa is the chosen one.

But she is also the younger of two princesses, the one who has never done anything remarkable. She can't see how she ever will.

Now, on her sixteenth birthday, she has become the secret wife of a handsome and worldly king—a king whose country is in turmoil. A king who needs the chosen one, not a failure of a princess.

And he's not the only one who seeks her. Savage enemies seething with dark magic are hunting her. A daring, determined revolutionary thinks she could be his people's savior. And he looks at her in a way that no man has ever looked at her before. Soon it is not just her life, but her very heart that is at stake.

Elisa could be everything to those who need her most. If the prophecy is fulfilled. If she finds the power deep within herself. If she doesn’t die young.

Most of the chosen do.

I loved this book so much. This has been sitting on my shelf for months, waiting for me to find some time to sit down and read it, and when I saw that it was recently awarded a finalist for the Morris Prize, I decided it was time to give it a try. The Girl of Fire and Thorns is unlike anything I have read in the young adult genre. While it will definitely appeal to fans of Graceling, Blood Red Road, and Tamora Pierce, this novel is something completely new and original (and Rae Carson's writing is incredibly beautiful).

The fantasy world in The Girl of Fire and Thorns is very special. The concept of someone being born every century carrying a Godstone -- a jewel on his/her stomach -- that marks her for greatness by God was a unique twist on the "chosen one" trope that comes up frequently in many pst-Harry Potter series. I loved the way that religion played such a strong role in shaping the characters' destinies, and how it placed this heavy burden on the protagonist, Elisa, to rise to the task. I know that many people, myself included, are wary of novels that even vaguely reference religion, but the spirituality in this book is not of the preachy converting sort. It's more a of a plot device that puts heavier responsibility on Elisa to fulfill her prophecy and acts as a means to emphasizing each character's unique traits, such as loyalty, obedience, and fear. The spirituality in this book definitely will not alienate or offend anyone, and is purely fictional.

Another unique thing about this story was the culture of the characters. Although, it is never stated, many of the characters have names like Alejandro and Humberto, and Spanish-sounding city names, which suggests that they might all be Spanish or Castilian. I really liked this, because the majority of mainstream YA focuses on White Americans or English protagonists, so it was nice to read about a different landscape, foods, architecture, and people for a change. Despite the fantastical/magical elements that characterize a lot of the action and plot development of the story, these cultural touches made it feel very real and excited the traveler in me.

While the writing was truly superb and mature, and the setting was special, the best part of the novel for me was the character development. Elisa is such a great protagonist. She is the overweight, moody, 'dark-skinned' second daughter to the king, and she undergoes such an amazing emotional transformation throughout the book. I liked reading about someone who was genuinely unpopular and insecure in an obvious way (with her being rather plump) and seeing her grow from that and become more than just what people see on the outside. I loved how Rae Carson handled the issue of being overweight and how she made Elisa's maturity and emotional journey something that is not solely tied to whether she loses weight or not. I also loved some of the secondary characters. There were definitely some guys that I loved in the novel -- some who I hope will become more than Elisa's friends and some who I hope just remain as close friends (but I won't spoil it by naming names). Also, I loved Ximena and, eventually, Cosme. I always find it refreshing when young adult books can include some strong female friendships or alliances, instead of always pitting girls against each other as competitors or scheming frauds. Even the villains in the novel were complex, and of a breed that I was not expecting at all. I finished this book and honestly felt like I was being parted from my friends.

The Girl of Fire and Thorns is fantastic, and went immediately to my "favorites" shelf after reading. It is intense, and Rae Carson doesn't hesitate to hurt or kill off characters, so beware. You will become very emotionally attached. The action is non-stop, the heroine is strong, and the romance is so sweet, and it will leaving you dying for Crown of Embers (Book 2).

I write books about teens who must do brave things. I'm originally from California, but I moved to Ohio to marry my husband, who is the smartest and therefore sexiest man I know. We live in Columbus with my teenaged stepsons, who are awesome. My books tend to contain lots of adventure, a little magic and romance, and smart girls who make (mostly) smart choices. I especially love to write about questions I don't know the answers to. Follow her on Twitter: @raecarson

Her website is: http://www.raecarson.com/

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday (4)

2012-02-01T01:00:00.000-08:00

As part of the Non-Fiction Picture Book Challenge 2012 (Twitter: #nfpb2012), my goal is to read and review as many of the new non-fiction picture books that are released this year. Wednesdays will be my primary day to post the reviews.

If you are participating in the challenge and would like to link your recent reviews, please add your link to the Mr. Linky below.

My journey to read as many nonfiction picture books has been a lot of fun. I am steadily working through the January releases and beginning to find a few February releases that have made it into the wild. Here are the four that I read this past week. I would gladly include any of these to a classroom or school library, and believe that teachers and students will enjoy sharing them in class.

The President's Stuck in a Bathtub: Poems About the Presidents
Author: Susan Katz
Illustrator: Robert Neubecker
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (February 8, 2012)
Audience: 2nd to 5th grade

Yes, I know that this is a book of poems. However, each poem is written about a different president and includes a fact box on each president that supports the information in the poem. An overall fun book - part poetry, part nonfiction - and just in time for President's Day.

The Camping Trip that Changed America
Author: Barbara Rosenstock
Illustrator: Mordecai Gerstein
Publisher: Penguin Group (January 19, 2012)
Audience: 2nd to 5th grade

Though this is more of a fictionalized telling of a fateful camping trip that President Theodore Roosevelt went on with naturalist, John Muir, there is still some great information in this book. It also is simply an enjoyable read. I also enjoyed Gerstein's illustrations.

I will be reviewing this one in more detail in the near future. Look for the review and a giveaway as part of the nonfiction picture book challenge.

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind
Author: William Kamkwamba, Bryan Mealer
Illustrator: Elizabeth Zunon
Publisher: Dial (January 19, 2012)
Audience: 2nd to 5th grade

Every once in awhile, I pick up a book and while reading it something really strikes me as interesting or unusual. With this book, I was amazed by how young Kamkwamba was when he discovered the power of the wind.

This will be another book I will be reviewing in greater length in the near future. I am also hoping to be able to feature either an interview or guest post with William Kamkwamba. Did I tell you how much fun I am having with this challenge?

Words Set Me Free: The Story of Young Frederick Douglass
Author: Lesa Cline-Ransome
Illustrator: James E. Ransome
Publisher: Simon & Schuster (January 24, 2012)
Audience: 2nd to 5th grade

After reading this picture book, I went in search of a biography on Frederick Douglass. Though this book is a somewhat dramatized version of the real events, it really moved me emotionally as I read this book. Just as much as slavery makes me angry, it makes me angry that people would withhold another person's right to read books. And it makes me admire Frederick Douglass so much more for how passionate he became about reading and writing.

Don't forget to check in next week, when there will be more great books featured and always the possibility of a giveaway.

Nonfiction Picture Book Releases February 2012

2012-02-01T00:00:00.000-08:00

The Nonfiction Detectives and I are hosting a Non-Fiction Picture Book Challenge. At the beginning of each month, my goal is to post all of the new non-fiction picture books being released over the next 30 days.

February 1, 2012

*A Blackhole is Not a Hole by Carolyn Cinami Decristofano, Michael Carroll

A Leaf Can Be by Laura Purdie Salas, Illustrated by Violeta Dabija

Snowmobile: Bombardier's Dream Machine by Jules Older

February 8, 2012

The President's Stuck in the Bathtub: Poems About the Presidents by Susan Katz, Illustrated by Robert Neubecker

February 14, 2012

Citizen Scientist by Loree Griffin Burns, Ellen Harasimowicz

*The Impossible Rescue by Martin W. Sandler

There Goes Ted Williams: The Greatest Hitter Whoever Lived by Matt Taveres

Outside Your Window: A First Book of Nature by Nicola Davies, Illustrated by Mark Heard

February 15, 2012

I Lay My Stitches Down: Poems of American Slavery by Cynthia Grady, Illustrated by Michelle Wood

February 16, 2012

Women Explorers by Julia Cummins, Illustrated by Cheryl Harness

February 28, 2012

*Boston's Great Molasses Flood by Deborah Kops

Georgia in Hawaii: When Georgia O'Keeffe Painted What She Pleased by Amy Novesky, Illustrated by Yuyi Morales

The links for the above books will take you directly to the IndieBound.org book page for purchasing information, unless otherwise noted. Please note, I do not make anything off these links or profit in anyway from posting the links. If you know of a book that should be included in this list, please include the title and author in the comments section and I will update the list.

* Indicates Non-fiction children's books that are not specifically picture books.

Review: Angelfall

2012-01-31T07:49:00.000-08:00

Author: Susan Ee
Publisher: Feral Dream
Release Date: May 21, 2011
Audience: Young Adult
Source: Purchased via Amazon Kindle
Reviewed by: Renée
Fiction * Post-Apocalyptic * Paranormal Romance

Description from GoodReads:
It's been six weeks since angels of the apocalypse descended to demolish the modern world. Street gangs rule the day while fear and superstition rule the night. When warrior angels fly away with a helpless little girl, her seventeen-year-old sister Penryn will do anything to get her back.

Anything, including making a deal with an enemy angel.

Raffe is a warrior who lies broken and wingless on the street. After eons of fighting his own battles, he finds himself being rescued from a desperate situation by a half-starved teenage girl.

Traveling through a dark and twisted Northern California, they have only each other to rely on for survival. Together, they journey toward the angels' stronghold in San Francisco where she'll risk everything to rescue her sister and he'll put himself at the mercy of his greatest enemies for the chance to be made whole again.

I'll be honest and say that I've always been skeptical of self-published books or e-books. Despite the crazy success stories of novels like The Tiger's Curse and Eragon that were purportedly initially self-published, the few interactions I've had with self-published novels or releases from small lesser-known publishing houses have usually been dismal and disastrous. However, I had been hearing some good buzz about Angellfall on Goodreads from bloggers and bestselling authors alike, and I noticed that it was chosen as a finalist for a Cybil award, so I decided to give it a try, and it blew my expectations out of the water. I am so happy to be proven wrong and to have my faith in less conventional publishing methods restored!

The prose was so powerful and strong in Angelfall. The novel is fairly short -- probably a little under 300 pages if it was in print -- so I was worried that the author might not give enough description, but Susan Ee commands words so well that you get a detailed, descriptive story without endless pages of reading. The world constructed in Angelfall is very original. I liked how it blended elements of post-apocalyptic fiction with the paranormal element of angels, so I got the gritty survivalist tough-girl protagonist that I like, with a bit of the fantastical elements that I love. The post-apocalyptic California in the novel is very unique and not like any other post-apocalyptic/dystopian worlds I've encountered before. The concept of this world and this story is just so brilliant. I'm a fan of angel lore, but with so many new stories about angels coming out, some of the themes can get a little too familiar. Angelfall does something great and gives us angels as these destructive, almost evil creatures exacting a brutal apocalypse on humankind, which is a refreshing take on "bad" angel.

Another great thing about this story was the character development. The protagonist, as I mentioned before, is very touch and independent, without being surly or unlikeable. I loved Penryn's devotion to her mother and sister (and eventually Raffe). She was loyal and fierce and had a great personable quality about her that balanced being tough without coldness or hardness. I also loved Raffe. He was very mysterious and multidimensional. There were many surprising things about him that are slowly revealed throughout the novel, and I loved watching his reluctance turn into genuine respect and possible affection for Penryn. These two characters had great chemistry as partners and I loved their interactions together long before there was even a hint of possible romance. Also, their "romance" is so subtle and subdued, taking a backseat to the plot and action, which I surprisingly liked -- I'm a sucker for romance -- because it didn't distract from the serious things happening in the story.

My favorite character, though, was Penryn's mother. Susan Ee tackles some big issues in the novel. Aside from the mechanics of creating a post-apocalyptic world, Penryn's sister has a physical disabilty and her mother is described as schizophrenic. I think the author did a fantastic job of addressing some sensitive topics without making the novel feel preachy or obviously educational. Penryn's relationship with her mother felt very realistic, oscillating between annoyance or guilt about her mother's "insanity" and a unique kind of fondness and love that springs up amidst extraordinary circumstances. As much as I loved the male/female dynamic of Penryn and Raffe, it was her mother who I found to be the most exciting, unpredictable, and ultimately endearing.

I cannot recommend this more highly. The plot moves quickly from the first chapter, the writing is very rich and beautiful, the setting is fresh, and the characters feel so human (even the non-human ones). I read this in one day and the ending left me dying for the sequel. Get it while it's still only $0.99 at Amazon -- if you don't have an e-reader you can still read it on your computer with a free Kindle for PC/Mac download. Fans of Blood Red Road will devour this.

Susan Ee is the author of Angelfall (Penryn & the End of Days, Book 1). Her short stories have been in various publications including Realms of Fantasy and The Dragon and the Stars anthology. She is also a filmmaker whose latest film played at major film festivals and on cable TV stations throughout the U.S. She studied creative writing through workshops at Stanford, The Iowa Writers' Workshop and Clarion West. You can follow her on Twitter: @Susan_Ee

Her website is: http://susanee.com/

It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA (10)

2012-01-30T00:00:00.000-08:00

It's Monday! What are you reading? is hosted by Sheila of Book Journey. Jen & Kellee from

Teach Mentor Texts have adapted this to focus on Picture Books to Young Adult Books.

Each week I'll recap what I've read/reviewed the week before

and then look ahead to what I am planning on reading/reviewing in the upcoming week.

Last week's book adventures:

Though January has been an incredibly strong reading month, last week was a busy week which made for a slow reading week. However, I did manage to read some amazing books. It appears that 2012 is going to be an incredible year for books.

Here are some of my favorites from the week:

Caldecott Update:
Last week, I finished reading all of the Caldecott Medal Winners! WooHoo! I have now started in on reading the Honor Books. My favorite Caldecott Medal winner from last week goes to:

Arrow to the Sun: A Pueblo Indian Tale by Gerald McDermott - Caldecott Medal Winner in 1975 and as I flipped through this story and looked at the illustrations, I was struck by how it still seemed new and not dated.

My runner-up for the week:

Drummer Hoff by Barbara Emberley, Illustrated by Ed Emberley - This 1968 Caldecott Medal winner may not be the most exciting story written but the illustrations were quite interesting.

Favorite Picture Book of the Week:
After discovering Tim Egan's Dodsworth series, I decided I wanted to read through some of Egan's other picture books. I love his illustrations and it is fun to get some background on Dodsworth and the duck.

Friday Night's At Hodges Café by Tim Egan

My favorites of the week though go to two amazing Middle Grade novels:

The Humming Room by Ellen Potter (release date: February 28, 2012) - If you are a fan of The Secret Garden, then you will want to pick up Ellen Potter's new novel when it comes out at the end of February. The Humming Room is inspired by Frances Hodgson Burnett's classic tale. I love The Secret Garden and I love Potter's writing which only made this book even more enjoyable. I will be sharing this one with students as soon as it comes out.

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate - This book came highly recommended from Paul Hankins (@paulwhankins on twitter) when he and his students skyped with my third graders. I was so excited to finally get to read this book. It is simply a beautifully told story about a silverback gorilla who befriends a young elephant. Students are going to love this.

On Wednesday, I will be posting the nonfiction picture books I read this past week. There were some fun ones in the pile.

Upcoming book adventures:
My goal this week is to continue with the Caldecott Challenge by reading through as many Honor Books as I can find. I have been trying to read one middle grade novel and one young adult novel to each week. In January, I didn't quite manage 4 YA novels, but I did read 7 middle grade novels, one young adult novel and 1 professional text for a total of 9 full length books which certainly was a great accomplishment.

So, what are you reading this week?

Please share! And remember to check in at Sheila's or Jen & Kellee's blog to see what they and others are reading!

Nonfiction Picture Book Giveaway

2012-01-25T00:30:00.000-08:00

At the end of each month, I hope to hold a giveaway featuring nonfiction picture book(s). Chronicle Books has graciously offered up 4 titles from their collection for our first giveaway. An Egg is Quiet is one of my personal favorites in this collection. I found it to be beautifully illustrated, simple in execution, and very well done.

Thank you Lara for supporting the Non-fiction Picture Book Challenge of 2012 with this wonderful collection of books which will be great in any classroom or school library. Don't forget to check out the Chronicle webpage for each of these books. They have included teaching guides to use with the books.

Here are the rules:

1.Though comments are very much appreciated, please do not enter any personal information in the comments section (including your email, website, etc.). If you do enter personal information, you comment will not be posted.
2. You must complete the Entry Form to officially enter the contest.
3. The Contest runs from 12:00 a.m. Pacific Time on January 25, 2012 to 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on January 31, 2012.

4. You must be 13 or older to participate in this contest.
5. You do not need to follow the blog to enter the contest, but you will receive additional entry points if you are participating in the Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge 2012.

6. If you are selected as a winner, I will notify you by e-mail. If you do not respond within 48 hours, I will select a new winner.
7. Only those with US and Canadian addresses are eligible to enter this giveaway.

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Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday

2012-01-25T00:00:00.000-08:00

As part of the Non-Fiction Picture Book Challenge 2012 (Twitter: #nfpb2012), my goal is to read and review as many of the new non-fiction picture books that are released this year. Wednesdays will be my primary day to post the reviews for this challenge.

In honor of the American Library Association Youth Media Awards which were announced on Monday, January 23, 2012, I am giving a shout out to one of my favorite picture books of 2011 and the winner of the Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award. What is the Sibert Award? The winning book is considered the "most distinguished informational book for children". This year's winner is Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade.

Many congratulations to author and illustrator, Melissa Sweet for an amazing job.

Check out Melissa's website (http://melissasweet.net/) for some great pictures and information about Balloons Over Broadway.

Kirkus Reviews did a great interview with Melissa. Click here to read it.

Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast has a wonderful interview with Melissa. Click here to read it.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Children has created an activity kit to be used with the book. Click here to download the activity kit.

And though I don't typically send folks over to Amazon, they do have a very cool look into the inside of Balloons Over Broadway. With their Click to Look Inside feature.

So what is the book about? Here is the description from GoodReads:
Who invented the first balloons for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade? Meet Tony Sarg, puppeteer extraordinaire! Everyone’s a New Yorker on Thanksgiving Day, when young and old rise early to see what giant new balloons will fill the skies for Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. Who first invented these “upside-down puppets”? In brilliant collage illustrations, the award-winning artist Melissa Sweet tells the story of the puppeteer Tony Sarg, capturing his genius, his dedication, his zest for play, and his long-lasting gift to America—the inspired helium balloons that would become the trademark of Macy’s Parade.

What do I think of it?
Melissa Sweet has married together the perfect combination of facts and information with an eclectic mix of collage, illustrations, and fabulous design. Readers will explore the history behind the Macy's Day Parade in an unique and wonderful manner. This is one book that you will want to own and giveaway.

If you are participating in the Nonfiction Picture Book challenge and would like to link your recent reviews, please add your link to the Mr. Linky below.

It's Monday! What are you reading? Picture Books to YA (9)

2012-01-23T00:00:00.000-08:00

It's Monday! What are you reading? is hosted by Sheila of Book Journey. Jen & Kellee from

Teach Mentor Texts have adapted this to focus on Picture Books to Young Adult Books.

Each week I'll recap what I've read/reviewed the week before

and then look ahead to what I am planning on reading/reviewing in the upcoming week.

Last week's book adventures:

January has been an incredibly strong reading month. I had another great week, and have discovered some fun new reads.

Here are some of my favorites from the week:

Favorite Caldecotts of the week:
Over the course of last week, I managed to find and read 23 of the Caldecott winners spanning from Mei Li (winner of the 1939 Caldecott Medal) to So, You Want to be President? (Winner of the 2001 Caldecott Medal). It was interesting to consider the social, political and economical factors that may have contributed to the stories that were published in those times. It is amazing to see how many books featured characters or story lines for other cultures/countries. Mei Li was in some ways an amazing choice for the Caldecott Committee. The story is about a young Chinese Girl who wants to join her brother in the city for the New Year's Day festivities. Though relatively free of stereotypical images, the story strongly communicates that a girl's place is in the home/kitchen. I found myself struggling to know how to rate or judge a book that would be seen as unacceptable in it's message today but would not have been questioned at the time of publication. My favorite picks were books that have managed to remain relevant despite the passage of time.

Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendack won the Caldecott Medal in 1964. The story and vibrant illustrations are still relevant for 48 years later and Sendak's book was truly advanced for picture books of it's time.

Grandfather's Journey by Allen Say won the Caldecott Medal in 1994. This autobiographical story reflects back to the author's memories of his grandfather who journeyed to California in the early 20th century. Though this book is one of the more recent winners (just less than 2 decades ago), Say's storytelling and text compliment each other beautifully. I can see this standing the test of time as well.

As a runner up to my favorites from the week, I would add one more.

The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats won the Caldecott Medal in 1963 the year before Where the Wild Things Are. This story about a little boy who plays in the snow is one that I know is still used in classrooms all around and I still enjoyed reading it again.

Picture Book:

Duckling Gets a Cookie by Mo Willems
Pigeon and Duckling are back. This one will be released on April 3, 2012. Add it to your TBR list if you are a Mo Willems fan. He has another book that is sure to make fans laugh. And Duckling is the perfect match for Pigeon.

Early Readers:

Dodsworth Series by Tim Egan
After reading Dodsworth in Rome, I had to go back and read the rest. I finished reading the other three books in the series and definitely hope there will be a new one soon. Check out my review here.

Early Chapter Book:

The Legend of Diamond Lil: A JJ Tully Mystery by Doreen Cronin and Kevin Cornell
Last year, Doreen Cronin came out with The Trouble with Chickens for her first chapter book. It was a hit with my 2nd and 3rd grade students. J.J. and the chicks are back and they have new trouble brewing. Release date: February 28, 2012

Middle Grade Books:

May B. by Caroline Starr Rose
This novel in verse will appeal to fans for the Little House on the Prairie Series. Times are tough for Kansas homesteaders. May B's family hire her out to help a young couple homesteading 15 miles away. When the couple she is working for, don't return one day, May B has to figure out if she should try and manage until the couple returns or find a way home. Rose's use of verse emphasizes the emotions experienced by this young protagonist.

The Mighty Miss Malone by Paul Christopher Curtis
I mentioned that I was reading this one in my post last week. I won't say much about this book here because I am planning on reviewing it this week. However, I will say the book definitely deserves all of the buzz it is receiving. I certainly expect it to be on a short-list for the 2013 Newbery.

Professional Text read:

Choice Words: How Our Language Affects Children's Learning by Peter H. Johnston
Several of my Twitter pals had been discussing this last week on Twitter. I decided to listen to the audiobook which was wonderfully narrated by the author, Peter H. Johnston. However, despite how great the audiobook is, you will need a print copy as well. I kept finding myself wanting to highlight and star important points. I think every teacher and administrator should read this one.

Upcoming book adventures:
My goal this week is finish up the first part of the Caldecott Challenge. I have 9 more Caldecott Winners to read. Once I am done with those, I will start in on all of the Caldecott Honor books. Additionally, I am still aiming for one Middle Grade Novel and one Young Adult novel to read. And don't forget to check in on Wednesday for the non-fiction picture book version of What are you reading?

So, what are you reading this week?

Please share! And remember to check in at Sheila's or Jen & Kellee's blog to see what they and others are reading!

Book Review - Dodsworth in Rome

2012-01-20T00:00:00.000-08:00

Author/Illustrator: Tim Egan

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children
Audience: 1st to 3rd Graders (and the adults who read with them)
Source: Check them out at your local library or your favorite Indie Bookstore
Fiction * Travel * Early Chapter Books * Friendship * Humor

Description of Dodsworth in Rome from GoodReads:
With trips to New York, Paris, and London under their belts, it’s now time for Dodsworth and the duck to visit Rome! From throwing coins into the Trevi Fountain to winning a pizza-dough-throwing contest to looking up at the Sistine Chapel ceiling, Dodsworth and his misbehaving duck take a tour of their oldest city yet. With Tim Egan’s snappy words and playful illustrations, it will surely be a spaghetti-twirling sight to see.

My thoughts on the Series:
Would declaring my love be too strong a reaction over an early chapter book series? Hmmm...maybe, but I will risk it. I will confess that I started this series with the most current book, Dodsworth in Rome. It turns out that it is helpful (though not necessary) to read them in order. As soon as I finished Dodsworth in Rome, I started recommending the book. I read parts of it aloud to my office manager. I handed it to one of my students and had her read it. Then I gave it to my niece and told her mom to read it to her. I even went into my local indie bookstore, pulled the series off the shelf and plunked it down in front of one of the staff in the Children's Department and told her she needed to read it. Hey, I hand sold a few copies that day in the bookstore. Yes, I am in love with Dodsworth and his buddy the duck.

Maybe you think this is absolutely silly, but you need to understand that there are few early chapter books that are actually enjoyable to read. Sure there is Frog & Toad, and Mouse & Mole, but there are many that are way less memorable. So, when I find a new series that I really enjoy, I get a little giddy over it.

Dodsworth's adventure begins in New York (Book 1) where thanks to a crazy duck, he gets to visit all kinds of fun places in the Big Apple. Just as he thinks he is about to return duck to his owner, then their real adventures seem to just be starting. In Book 2, Dodsworth finds himself in Paris accompanied by his crazy friend, duck, who had great difficulty staying out of trouble. After some humorous times in Paris, Book 3 finds the friends in London, where more hilarity ensues including a case of mistaken identity. Though I loved the first three books, I think Book 4's adventures in Rome is still my favorite. Silly word plays, crazy antics, and visits to famous places will have developing readers eager to read more. Additionally, these books would make for great read alouds in 1st and 2nd grade.

I don't know where Dodsworth and duck will end up next but I can't wait to read about it.

Check out a couple of animated short videos by creator Tim Egan:

Check out this great blog post from Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast as he interviews Tim Egan.

For more information about author/illustrator, Tim Egan, check out his website: http://www.timegan.com/

Book Review - Jessica Rules the Dark Side

2012-01-19T00:00:00.000-08:00

Author: Beth Fantaskey
Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books
Release Date: January 10, 2012
Audience: Young Adult
Source: ARC for review
Reviewed by: Kate
Fiction * Paranormal Romance

Description from GoodReads:
It’s one thing to find out you’re a vampire princess. It’s a whole other thing to actually rule. Newly married Jessica Packwood is having a hard enough time feeling regal with her husband, Lucius, at her side. But when evidence in the murder of a powerful elder points to Lucius, sending him into solitary confinement, Jessica is suddenly on her own. Determined to clear her husband’s name, Jessica launches into a full-scale investigation, but hallucinations and nightmares of betrayal keep getting in her way. Jessica knows that with no blood to drink, Lucius’s time is running out. Can she figure out who the real killer is—and whom she can trust—before it’s too late?

Jessica’s journey is about what happens after the happily ever after. She’s surrounded by men (befanged men) and politics, and in the way of most people starting a new life, needs to find this ‘new’ self. Is it all of the old self, just in better attire? or is it parts of the old self, with new thrown in?

-State Library of Victoria*

This was a highly anticipated sequel for me. I am completely in love with the journey I took in Beth Fantaskey’s first novel, Jessica’s Guide to Dating on the Dark Side. Beth’s characters are three dimensional. I really enjoyed getting to know them as they got to know each other. I couldn’t imagine what would be next for Jessica and Lucius.

Fantaskey answers this question in Jessica Rules the Dark Side. The tone and mood is unexpectedly a lot darker. I had a bit of trouble getting into the change but I was soon rewarded for my patience. This new direction gives us readers a great chance to see Jessica come into her own as a woman and as a princess. She is dropped in the middle of this world full of old traditions, rituals, rites, and grudges. Jessica is forced to navigate these new waters on her own terms. Will she succeed? Don’t despair, dear readers. Beth gives Jessica some new friends along with her wise-cracking, no-nonsense, bit grumbly best friend, Mindy for help; keeping any Fantaskey fan avidly reading along as Jessica challenges this new world.

Here’s a heads up. Keep a lookout for Raniero, especially. I love characters and Raniero is definitely one to cherish. When you meet him, cliches will abound but persevere. He was one of the best book friends I meet last year. YES, I have book friends. Doesn't everyone?

**Check out The Wedding Chapters for the scoop on Jessica and Lucius’ paranormal and unconventional Wedding, found here:

http://www.bethfantaskey.com/wedding/wedding-chapt1.html

For more information about author Beth Fantaskey, check out her website here: http://www.bethfantaskey.com/

Or you can follow her on twitter: @bethfantaskey

*Quote above used with permission

Nonfiction Picture Book Reviews

2012-01-18T00:00:00.000-08:00

As part of the Non-Fiction Picture Book Challenge 2012 (Twitter: #nfpb2012), my goal is to read and review as many of the new non-fiction picture books that are released this year. Wednesdays will be my primary day to post the reviews. Don't forget to stop by The Nonfiction Detectives for their review and giveaway of A Nation of Hope by Matt de la Peña, Illustrated by Kadir Nelson.

If you are participating in the challenge and would like to link your recent reviews, please add your link to the Mr. Linky below.

As I started to read through several of the books on the January release list, I began to realize that many of them were filled with accurate facts, but were more a fictionalized account of the lives of famous individuals or retelling of a significant tradition set during a historical time period. Some present things in a somewhat humorous manner and others take a more serious look at the event or person. Each of the books listed below did include either a list of factual dates and other important information, or included reference material. I am excited to add each of these to the school library, and believe that teachers and students will enjoy sharing them in class.

A Boy Called Dickens
Author: Deborah Hopkinson
Illustrator: John Hendrix
Publisher: Random House (January 10, 2012)
Audience: 2nd to 5th grade

Ever wonder who was Charles Dickens as a child and where he got his ideas for all of his books, Deborah Hopkinson obviously has. In her book A Boy Called Dickens, she takes facts about Charles Dickens' childhood and creates a fictionalized story for those facts. Written almost in the manner of a Dickens' book, Hopkinson captures the essence of Dickens' little known younger years and helps readers develop a connection as to what life experiences may have resulted in material for his future books.

I really loved John Hendrix's illustrations which complimented the text and conjured up images of how I imagined Dickens' London to look like if it were given an almost cartoon-like twist to them. The additional layer of words and illustrations that incorporated images from scenes from Dickens' books made this enjoyable picture book more of a winner for me.

Looking At Lincoln
Author/Illustrator: Maria Kalman
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books
Audience: 2nd to 5th grade

Starting with the penny and a five dollar bill, Maria Kalman introduces children to the 16th president in quirky but factual manner. As with the previous title, there is an element of the story being fictionalized but there is accuracy in the facts of the story. It was particularly interesting for me to pick up a couple of other picture books written at very different times and by very different authors and find that certain aspects of Lincoln's life was prominent in each of the books.

The often humorous, yet touching look at the life and habits of Lincoln, including his relationship with his wife, and how he stored notes in his hat, made this important president seem even more humble and significant. The illustrations also done by Kalman add to the feeling of the book, and I especially liked how she tied the story together at the end with the Lincoln Memorial. Though I believe children ages 7 and up will enjoy the book, I do think the 2nd and 3rd graders may particularly connect to the illustrations and story format.

Those Rebels, Tom & John
Author: Barbara Kerley
Illustrator: Edwin Fotheringham
Publisher: Scholastic Press (January 1, 2012)
Audience: 2nd to 5th grade

Many children have heard of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, but they may not be able to tell you much about these two important men. Part biography, part history, this story seeks to provide information for children to better understand the personalities and contributions made by these two historical figures. The book is filled with many facts which are compiled in a manner that will provide the reader(s) with historical information layered with humor.

There are several very good Revolutionary time period picture books that seek to provide background for students in a manner that is exciting rather than dry. Fotheringham's cartoon-like illustrations compliment the text and make this one book to consider adding to your collection.

Ellen's Broom
Author: Kelly Starling Lynons
Illustrator: Daniel Minter
Publisher: Penguin (January 5, 2012)
Audience: 2nd to 5th grade

During slavery, African Americans were not allowed to be legally married. A ceremony involving "jumping the broom" became the traditional way that slave couples would pledge themselves to one another. In this post Civil War story, a young girl accompanies her parents as they register as lawful husband and wife. This touching story is based on the author's own family history and shows pride and respect for the traditional customs that were created out of necessity while showing that there was an additional symbol of freedom in being able to participate in legal ceremonies that were once prohibited. The decorating of the broom and returning it to it's place over the hearth connects the past with the future.

Don't forget to check in next week, when there will be a special Nonfiction Picture Book giveaway.

It's Monday! What are you reading? Picture Books to YA (8)

2012-01-16T07:59:00.000-08:00

It's Monday! What are you reading? is hosted by Sheila of Book Journey. Jen & Kellee from

Teach Mentor Texts have adapted this to focus on Picture Books to Young Adult Books.

Each week I'll recap what I've read/reviewed the week before

and then look ahead to what I am planning on reading/reviewing in the upcoming week.

Last week's book adventures:

First week back to school and I still managed to do a pretty good job with my weekly reading.

Here are some of my favorites from the week:

Early Reader -

Dodsworth in Rome by Tim Egan
This book is great! I love finding Early Readers that are enjoyable for both the child and the adult reading along. I pulled copies of the series off the shelf and had my local bookseller read them. I recommended them to lots of people this week. This one is right up there with Frog & Toad and Mouse & Mole.

Graphic Novels -

The Flying Beaver Brothers and the Evil Penguin Plan by Maxwell Eaton
Random House has another winner on it's hands with The Flying Beaver Brothers. This series will appeal to fans of Babymouse and The Lunch Lady. I can't wait to book talk this book. I expect that it will never stay in the library for longer than it takes to check it out again by the next child in line.

Young Adult -

Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Cyborg Cinderella - Do I really need to say more? Part fantasy, part dystopian, part sci-fi and all guilty pleasure. Can't wait for the second book in the series.

I was hoping to finish The Mighty Miss Malone by Christopher Paul Curtis this weekend, but I will certainly finish it today. I am loving this one as well.

Newbery Challenge Update:
This week, I am finally going to start The Story of Mankind by Hendrik Willem Van Loon. I have promised myself that I only need to read a chapter at a time. I will do some updates as I go.

Caldecott Challenge Update:
As of Sunday, I have read 39 Caldecott winning picture books. This is just a little bit over half the books. I am hoping to do a vlog on my progress and some of my favorites this week. My favorite from this past week was Kitten's First Full Moon (2005 Winner) by Kevin Henkes. My favorite older one from the week was The Big Snow (1949 Winner) by Berta and Elmer Hader. Since I am requesting these from the library, I have been reading them out of order. However, I have tried to read oldest to newest in the pile that I receive each time.

Upcoming book adventures:
My goal this week is to continue to search for non-fiction books that have been recently released as well as read one Middle Grade Novel and one Young Adult novel. Check in on Wednesday to for the non-fiction picture book version of What are you reading?

So, what are you reading this week?

Please share! And remember to check in at Sheila's or Jen & Kellee's blog to see what they and others are reading!

Dreaming of Books Giveaway Hop

2012-01-13T00:00:00.000-08:00

Thank you to Kathy from I am a Reader, Not a Writer and Martha from Reviews by Martha's Bookshelf for co-hosting this giveaway hop. Since this is a giveaway hop, don't forget to check the links to more giveaways.

I have decided to giveaway three of my favorite new releases. There will be three winners selected (one for each book).

Plant a Kiss by Amy Krouse Rosenthal

The Mighty Miss Malone by Christopher Paul Curtis

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

2. You must complete the Entry Form to officially enter the contest.

3. The Contest runs from 12:00 a.m. Pacific Time on January 13, 2012 to 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on January 18, 2012.

4. You must be 13 or older to participate in this contest.

5. If you are selected as a winner, I will notify you by e-mail. If you do not respond within 48 hours, I will select a new winner.

6. International participants are welcome to enter the contest.

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What are you reading? Non-fiction Picture Book Reviews

2012-01-11T00:00:00.000-08:00

As part of the Non-Fiction Picture Book Challenge 2012 (Twitter: #nfpb2012), I am going to attempt to read and review as many of the new non-fiction picture books that are released this year. Wednesdays will be my primary day to post the reviews. If you are participating in the challenge and would like to link your recent reviews, please add your link to the Mr. Linky below.

Here Comes the Girl Scouts: The Amazing All-True Story of Juliette "Daisy" Gordon Low and Her Great Adventure
Author: Shana Corey
Illustrator: Hadley Hooper
Publisher: Scholastic Press (January 1, 2012)
Audience:

In honor of the 100th anniversary of the Girl Scouts, there were likely be a number of books coming out for all age readers. However, I feel like I have already stumbled upon the best one and there is still another 3 months to go until the official anniversary date of March 12th. Corey tells the delightful story of Juliette "Daisy" Gordon Low who lived at the end of the 19th Century and into the early 20th century. Low was way ahead of her time in how she viewed life, especially the role women could play in it. During her travels, Daisy discovered a group called the Boy Scouts and their sister group called Girl Guides in England. Daisy came back to the United States and on March 12, 1912 began the first Girl Scout meeting. Corey's narrative text is punctuated with highlighted words and side comments. Hooper captures the spirit of this adventurous woman and the era she lived in through her illustrations.

I had to pick this book up immediately upon seeing it. I am already schedule to read it to the two Daisy Troops we have at the school. Can't wait to see what they think of the book.

We March
Author/Illustrator: Shane W. Evans
Publisher: Roaring Brook Press (January 3, 2012)
Audience:Ages 5 and up

I first discovered Shane W. Evans' work about a year ago when his book Underground: Finding the Light to Freedom came out. I was struck by the powerful simplicity of both his text and illustrations. We March is done in a similar manner. The focus of the story - the march from the Washington Monument to Lincoln Memorial where Martin Luther King, Jr. on August 28, 1963 delivered his "I have a Dream" speech. The book provides readers with a sense of the emotions experienced particularly by the youngest participants of the event. A great book to share with young children when talking about Martin Luther King, Jr.

Jazz Age Josephine: Dancer, Singer--Who's that, who? Why that's Miss Josephine, to you!
Author: Jonah Winter
Illustrator: Marjorie Priceman
Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers (January 3, 2012)
Audience:

From the cover, I knew this would be a fun read. The team of Winter and Priceman match rhythmic text with sassy illustrations for a story that honors the uniqueness of entertainer, Josephine Baker. After finishing Jazz Age Josephine, I kept thinking that I wanted to hear an audio recording of this book. The illustrations that accompany the text are fun, quirky, and energetic. The text consequently reads like it should be read with a particular rhythm or voice, a jazzy/scat voice. An enjoyable biographical picture book to add to a library collection.

Guest Post: Tammy Blackwell - New Year Resolutions Timber Wolves Style

2012-01-10T00:00:00.000-08:00

When Aly first asked me to write a guest post for the first ofJanuary to celebrate the release of TimeMends, possibly with a New Years resolution theme, I immediately thought ofMy So-Called Life.* There is thisepisode that starts with all the characters sitting around watching apre-stroke Dick Clark herald in 1995. And as they’re watching, they dovoice-overs of all their resolutions. It’s one of my favorite moments of theshow because you get this really awesome over-view of each of the characters. Becauseresolutions, they’re like this really intimate thing, you know?**

So,inspired by the spirit of Angela Chase,*** I am sharing Scout and company’sspoiler-free resolutions.

Scout: No more messes.No clothes just laying around in piles of clean and unclean and kinda clean. Nomore accidentally growing science experiments in the bottom drawer of thecabinet in my bathroom. No more screwing up the lives of everyone I love. Thisyear, I’m Talley-izing my life.

Jase: Increase my freethrow average to .90. Stop wanting things I can’t have. Be more awesome.

Charlie: I need tolearn to accept the things I cannot change, have the courage to change thethings I can, and have the wisdom to know the difference. Or, at least, that’swhat my therapist says. And me? I think I just need to grow up and move on.

Talley: Try harder.And maybe learn a foreign language.

Angel: I want to: 1.Learn how to use the stove. 2. Read all the Harry Potter books, even the onesthat Mom thinks are too scary. 3. Grow taller.

Alex: Follow the rulesand quit getting distracted by her.

Liam: Avenge andatone.

* I’m of theCatalano generation. I almost always immediately think of My So-Called Life. Or Buffythe Vampire Slayer. Or maybe even VeronicaMars... You know, there is a chance my own New Years resolution should havebeen to watch less TV.

** This sentence can be blamed on the fact I turned My So-Called Life on in the backgroundwhile I typed this. I think I may throw on a flannel and dye my hair red next.

*** Who wanted to not get caught up in her thoughts so much andbecome less introspective, except that might make her shallow, so she was goingto have to think about it some more.

Thanks to Miss Tammy for the helping us to get to know her Timber Wolves Trilogy Characters a little better. Tammy Blackwell is the Young Adult Services Coordinator for a public library system in Kentucky. When she's not reading, writing, or cataloging books, she's sleeping. She is the author of the YA Novel Destiny Binds and now Time Mends.

You can follow Tammy on twitter: @miss_tammy or check out her website: http://misstammywrites.blogspot.com/

For more information about her awesome characters, check out the Destiny Binds character interview Tammy did a few months ago, click here.

It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA (7)

2012-01-09T00:00:00.000-08:00

It's Monday! What are you reading? is hosted by Sheila of Book Journey. Jen & Kellee from

Teach Mentor Texts have adapted this to focus on Picture Books to Young Adult Books.

Each week I'll recap what I've read/reviewed the week before

and then look ahead to what I am planning on reading/reviewing in the upcoming week.

Last week's book adventures:

During the second week of my winter break, I tried to get as much reading in as possible. I managed to squeeze in nearly 50 books.

Here are three novels that I finally read. They have been getting tons of buzz and after reading them I can see why. All are excellent books in very different ways.

After reading three fairly serious books, I needed to take a break. Here is an early chapter book that was a lot of fun to read:

And here are several picture books that I really enjoyed:

Upcoming book adventures:
My goal this week is to find non-fiction books that have been released in the first two weeks of 2012. Check in on Wednesday to see what one's I have found.

So, what are you reading this week?

Please share! And remember to check in at Sheila's or Jen & Kellee's blog to see what they and others are reading!

Ebook/Book App Review - The Strange and Wonderful World of Ants

2012-01-06T00:00:00.000-08:00

Title: The Strange and Wonderful World of Ants
App Developer: Amos Latteier, Illustrated by Melinda Matson
Version: 2.0 - April 3, 2011
Price: $1.99
Age Level: Ages 6 to 10
Available on iTunes
Compatible with iPad. Requires iOS 4.2 or later.
Language: English
Features: Read to Me (Beginner Level) * Three Reading Levels (Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced)*Optional drag white dot to navigate*Swipe the page turn feature*Extras (Glossary, Questions, Ant Resources)
Settings: Music - Volume Control; Narrator - On/Off Button - Beginning Level Only
Category: Non-fiction, Educational
Website: antsapp.com

Additional Review that may be of interest: http://digital-storytime.com/review.php?id=70

Description from iTunes:
Explore the amazing world of the ants! The Strange & Wonderful World of Ants is a beautifully designed, educational, and quirky children's iPad App. Its adjustable reading level making it appealing to a wide range of children and adults.

Thoughts on this book app:
This app is brilliant! I have looked at dozens of apps and though I am not an app designer, I can often think of several suggestions or ideas for how to improve the app. In the case of The Strange and Wonderful World of Ants by Amos Latteier, I truly don't have any suggestions. The only request is can we have more non-fiction ebook apps like this one?

This app has three levels - beginner, intermediate, and advanced which allows a parent to share the book with a young child, or a beginning reader to navigate the book independently, or even an adult to enjoy the advanced level information. From the beginning of the book, there is a very realistic appropriately sized ant named E.O. who helps provide additional information.

Here is an example of the language used by E.O. at the various levels:

Beginner Level: "Hello, I am E.O. the ant. I am here to tell you about ants. Ants are everywhere. Take a look. Where you can find us?"

Intermediate Level: "Hello, I am E.O. the ant. I will try to help you understand us ants better. Where can you find ants? Take a look. You can find us almost everywhere, in the grass, on trees, and between the cracks in the sidewalk."

Advanced Level: "Hello, I'm E.O. the ant. My nest suggested that I be the ant ambassador to you humans in the hope that you'll understand us better. Where can you find ants? There are probably some ants in your house right now. Take a look. You can find us almost everywhere, in the grass, on trees, and between the cracks in the sidewalk."

iPad Screen shot

The illustrations that accompany the text are large and very detailed. E.O., the ant ambassador, moves like a real ant, one that seems to have gotten under your iPad screen and is trying to find a way out. The music that accompanies the text is pleasant. The swipe feature for turning the pages works well. You are able to scroll through the pages with a dotted line along the bottom of the book page. The resources at the end of the book allow the app to be used for discussion or to assist a child with research. Truly a beautifully created and well-thought out book app.

If you are looking for educational apps to share with your own children or in a classroom setting, I would certainly recommend this app. Additionally, the price is very right at $1.99. If you only download one ebook app this month, you may want to consider this one.

Book Review - Clockwork Prince

2012-01-04T05:41:00.000-08:00

Author: Cassandra Clare
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry Books
Publication Date:
Reading Level: Young Adult
Source: Copy borrowed from a friend

Description from GoodReads:
In the magical underworld of Victorian London, Tessa Gray has at last found safety with the Shadowhunters. But that safety proves fleeting when rogue forces in the Clave plot to see her protector, Charlotte, replaced as head of the Institute. If Charlotte loses her position, Tessa will be out on the street and easy prey for the mysterious Magister, who wants to use Tessa's powers for his own dark ends.

With the help of the handsome, self-destructive Will and the fiercely devoted Jem, Tessa discovers that the Magister's war on the Shadowhunters is deeply personal. He blames them for a long-ago tragedy that shattered his life. To unravel the secrets of the past, the trio journeys from mist-shrouded Yorkshire to a manor house that holds untold horrors, from the slums of London to an enchanted ballroom where Tessa discovers that the truth of her parentage is more sinister than she had imagined. When they encounter a clockwork demon bearing a warning for Will, they realize that the Magister himself knows their every move and that one of their own has betrayed them.

Tessa finds her heart drawn more and more to Jem, though her longing for Will, despite his dark moods, continues to unsettle her. But something is changing in Will; the wall he has built around himself is crumbling. Could finding the Magister free Will from his secrets and give Tessa the answers about who she is and what she was born to do?

As their dangerous search for the Magister and the truth leads the friends into peril, Tessa learns that when love and lies are mixed, they can corrupt even the purest heart.

Thoughts on the book:
I am not a reader who focuses on writing style, in particular. I do believe that anyone who can breakdown my mental block when it comes to poetry must have some skill. That being said, I really enjoy the way that Cassandra Clare writes. She is able to create a fully dimensional world without being stuck on her descriptions in general. She has a good feel for the world of Steampunk that her characters inhabit. I never feel like I am being taking miles from the story just to hear about it’s surroundings or atmosphere; that is a very big deal breaker for me. We can also see, as readers, how much she loves books. Her descriptions of them and the libraries they are found in just makes me all the more comfortable in her world allowing my imagination to soar faster and higher.

I mostly read for character and plot. Characters are a strong suit for Cassandra. They come across as human which is the first and most important element to catching the interest of readers, especially this one. The Clockwork Prince gives us a more in-depth look at the relationship between Jem and Will. The elements that I found most endearing were how as parabatai they found new strength in their connection as well as hidden strengths as individuals. The best surprise in this latest installment was the growth in Sophie. I was always intrigued by her origin in the story but in this book, we really get to see her character shine. Henry and Charlotte’s relationship adds an unexpected element of warmth to this book which I was delighted to experience and enjoy. We, also, get a bigger view of the Shadowhunters and their world past and present allowing for some interesting new characters, old enemies and friends (Magnus Bane is one of the best things in this book.) a chance to grow and add some mystery. The only character drawback I experienced was in Tessa. Even as she was going through the turmoil that the overall plot called for, I found myself wishing she could be a little less conflicted and indecisive. Her “will she, won’t she” dragged the action and my reading at times.

The plot is delivered as any second book in my opinion. Mortmain’s role is intriguing but not all that menacing. As a setup for a future confrontation, I do think it works. We are given a small bit of resolution and fuller insight to the mystery of Tessa and Will as individuals so I feel the job of continuing the action was done sufficiently. (Again, let me say that Magnus Bane is a great plot device and I can’t wait to see what he does next.)

Overall, I enjoyed the read and the few surprises it held. I am definitely awaiting the next installment with reserved anticipation.

Thanks Kate for this review of Clockwork Prince. We are looking forward to more book reviews from you in the future.

Non-Fiction Picture Book Releases January 2012

2012-01-04T00:00:00.000-08:00

The Nonfiction Detectives and I are hosting a Non-Fiction Picture Book Challenge. At the beginning of each month, my goal is to post all of the new non-fiction picture books being released over the next 30 days.

January 1, 2012
Here Comes the Girl Scouts! by Shana Corey, Illustrated by Hadley Hooper

*Miles to Go for Freedom: Segregation and Civil Rights in the Jim Crow Years by Linda Barrett Osborne

Those Rebels, John and Tom by Barbara Kerley, Illustrated by Edwin Fotheringham

January 3, 2012
Jazz Age Josephine by Jonah Winter, Illustrated by Marjorie Priceman

Stars in the Shadows: The Negro League All-Star Game of 1934 by Charles R. Smith, Illustrated by Frank Morrison

We March by Shane W. Evans

Words Set Me Free: The Story of Young Frederick Douglass by Lesa Cline-Ransome, Illustrated by James E. Ransome

January 10, 2012
A Boy Called Dickens by Deborah Hopkinson, Illustrated by John Hendrix

January 19, 2012
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (Young Readers Edition) by William Kamkwamba, Illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon (This title is not yet listed on IndieBound. Link is to GoodReads page.)

The Camping Trip that Changed America by Barbara Rosenstock, Illustrated by Mordecai Gerstein

January 24, 2012
Just as Good: How Larry Doby Changed America's Game by Chris Crowe, Illustrated by Mike Benny

What Color is My World? The Lost History of African-American Inventors by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Raymond Obstfeld, Illustrated by Ben Boos, A.G. Ford

January 28, 2012
Spotty, Stripy, Swirly: What are Patterns? by Jane Brocket (This title is not yet listed on IndieBound. Link is to GoodReads page.)

The links for the above books will take you directly to the IndieBound.org book page for purchasing information, unless otherwise noted. Please note, I do not make anything off these links or profit in anyway from posting the links. If you know of a book that should be included in this list, please include the title and author in the comments section and I will update the list.

* Indicates Non-fiction children's books that are not specifically picture books.

Congratulations to Walter Dean Myers!!!

2012-01-03T07:57:00.000-08:00

This morning the announcement was made that Walter Dean Myers is the new National Ambassador for Young People's Literature. Myers follows in the footsteps of Katherine Paterson and Jon Scieszka.

Check out the School Library Journal's (SLJ) interview with Myers about his new position. In the SLJ interview, Myers states that "Reading is not an Option!" will be his platform.

The role of National Ambassador for Young People's Literature is sponsored by the Library of Congress's Center for the Book and the Children's Book Council. The purpose of the position is to raise awareness of life-long literacy and education. For more about the position, Myers' qualifications, and the sponsors of the position, check out this article on the Children's Book Council website.

Here is a short clip of Myers talking about his mother's influence on his becoming a reader:

Here is another video of Christopher Myers talking about his father, Walter Dean Myers:

Walter Dean Myers at Who Will Speak For The Child?:

Congratulations Walter Dean Myers - You will be a fabulous Ambassador!

I think I will make a trip to the library today and checked out some of the books from Walter that I haven't read.

Book Review: Spunky Tells All

2012-01-03T00:00:00.000-08:00

Author: Ann Cameron
Illustrator: Lauren Castillo
Publisher: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux (BYR)
Publication Date: October 11, 2011
Read Alone: Grades 2nd to 4th
Read Aloud: Grades 1st to 3rd
Source: Purchased
Fiction* Animal Narration * Early Chapter Book

Description from GoodReads:
Spunky the dog would be happy to share all of his secrets, if only his human family spoke his language. But no matter how hard he tries to talk, it's all "yerf!" to them. Through a series of unfortunate miscommunications, his family decides that Spunky wants a friend--specifically, a cat. Spunky can't imagine anything worse than having to share his family, especially Huey and Julian, with the snobby Balinese Fiona. But when headstrong Fiona keeps getting into trouble and it's up to Spunky to save her, he is astonished to find that being her protector has given his life new purpose and meaning.

"Every dog needs boy or a girl. Huey is my boy, and I love him. I protect him. I think about

him even in my dreams." - p. 12

My thoughts on the book:
I confess. I am actually a cat fan. I have a deep-seated fear of most dogs. However, I fell in love with the cover of this book, and it came recommended by John Schu (@mrschureads). Though I may not be a dog fan, I have many students who love dogs, and I had a feeling they might just like this one.

Ann Cameron has created a loveable character in Spunky, the family pet dog. By utilizing Spunky as narrator for the story, the reader gets a unique perspective on life as a dog (ancient dog customs, importance of smell, and how dogs communicate in dreams). Spunky also provides unique observations of the various family members and his relationships with each one of them. When the family decides to adopt a new kitten, life in the Bates household becomes even more entertaining. The dialogue between Spunky, and Fiona, the cat, was particularly funny. Fiona might see herself as more important than Spunky, but she soon learns how important her canine family member is to her well-being.

Writing for children in the reading range between early readers and middle grade novels is difficult. Maintaining a balance between a well told story and the use of limited vocabulary creates unique challenges. Cameron has met the demands of this age group by providing a story that is enjoyable, flows well, and allows students transitioning to chapter books to find reading success.

Classroom teachers looking for chapter books to read aloud to first through third graders would find a win in Spunky Tells All. It would also make for a great addition to both classroom and school libraries in the transitional book section. I look forward to sharing this one with my second graders when I return to school next week.

Who is Ann Cameron? Find out more on her website: http://www.anncameronbooks.com/ or on MacMillian's author page: http://us.macmillan.com/author/anncameron

Who is Lauren Castillo? Find out more on her website: http://www.laurencastillo.com/ or on her blog: http://laurencastillo.blogspot.com/

It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA (6)

2012-01-02T05:39:00.000-08:00

It's Monday! What are you reading? is hosted by Sheila of Book Journey. Jen & Kellee from

Teach Mentor Texts have adapted this to focus on Picture Books to Young Adult Books.

Each week I'll recap what I've read/reviewed the week before

and then look ahead to what I am planning on reading/reviewing in the upcoming week.

Last week's book adventures:

Last week I read around 150 books to meet my GoodReads Challenge goal. And I am happy to say that I met it. WooHoo! I think I have now read nearly every Mo Willems' books (they are so funny). I read 24 Caldecott Winners (books from the 1930's & 1940's are very different from today). In that pile of 150, I also read all kinds of picture books, early readers, and early chapter books.

But here are the standouts from the pile:

Spunky Tells All by Ann Cameron, Illustrated by Lauren Castillo - I actually gave this to my dad to read when I was finished. It was pretty funny in parts. I plan to do a full review on this new 2012 release this week.

Those Rebels, John & Tom by Barbara Kerley, Illustrated by Edwin Fotherinham - I have been waiting for this one to come out and it is finally here. A humorous view of how John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson met and created the Declaration of Independence. A bit tongue in cheek and with a lot of dramatic license, but I would guess that a lot of children will enjoy this presentation of history.

My Hands Sing the Blues by Jeanne Walker Harvey, Illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon - How I missed this 2011 release is beyond me, but thank you Mr. Hankins for helping me correct this oversight. An amazing picture book about the life of Romare Bearden. I plan on reviewing this one during the week as well.

The House that Witchy Built by Dianne de Las Casas, Illustrated by Holly Stone-Barker - Why didn't I see or read this one around Halloween? A great use of the "House that Jack Built" pattern. I had fun with this one and hope to share it with students next Halloween.

Zoom by Istvan Banyai - This one was another recommendation from Paul Hankins. He read this to my students back in November, but I finally picked up my own copy this past week. This is an amazing wordless picture book that can be used on a variety of levels to discuss perspective.

Alchemy and Meggy Swann by Karen Cushman - I listened to this one on audiobook. Katherine Kellgren narrates the story of Meggy Swann and brings the character to life, songs and all. I definitely recommend listening to this one.

Upcoming book adventures:

I am starting on my new reading goal for 2012. Check in next week to see what I decided to read.

So, what are you reading this week?

Please share! And remember to check in at Sheila's or Jen & Kellee's blog to see what they and others are reading!

Happy New Year! Looking forward to 2012

2012-01-01T17:40:00.000-08:00

I just took a look at my New Year's Day post from 2011. Wow! it seems so long ago. As I read through it, I was pleased to see that I actually met some of my goals.

In 2011, I had hoped to read 800 books. I met that and exceeded it by 400 books.

In 2011, I wanted to read more children's non-fiction books. I nearly doubled what I read in 2010 by reading 55 non-fiction books.

In 2011, I wanted to read more early readers and early chapter books. I read 112 early readers and early chapter books which is 3 times more than I had read in 2010. And I am excited to say that I found some really well done early readers.

And in 2011, I hoped to inspire more children to read than I had the year before. Check out my blog post with an animoto that shares about how many authors/illustrators we connected with over the year. We also connected with three different schools via Skype. It is exciting to see how my school is transforming itself into a reading community.

Another big goal was to expand and connect more with other individuals and organizations to promote books and literacy. In 2011, I co-founded Bridge to Books with Alethea (@frootjoos, Read Now, Sleep Later) - a grassroots movement which has connected teachers, librarians, bloggers, booksellers, and publishers in an effort to connect kids to books. I am so excited about what Bridge to Books has been able to do and where we are headed in 2012.

Over the course of 2011, I discovered that reading more is wonderful but makes carving out time for reviewing more difficult. I reviewed less books than I wanted to and hope to change that in 2012.

For 2012, I am excited to co-host The Non-fiction Picture Book Challenge with The Nonfiction Detectives. This is the first time that I am organizing a book challenge and excited to work with The Nonfiction Detectives, Cathy and Louise.

I am also participating in two other book challenges - #Nerdbery hosted by Colby Sharp and John Schu, and #Nerdcott hosted by LibLaura5 and A to Z Library. There is also a #Nerdibert (Sibert) Challenge that I hope to do alongside the Non-fiction Picture Book Challenge. It is hosted by Shannon of Ms. Houghton's Class blog.

Here are a few other things I hope to do:
1. Continue to connect my students with students from other schools to promote literacy partnerships.

2. Reinstate my "Hot Off the Press" post on a weekly basis.

3. Feature some student reviews of books that we are reading.

4. I am looking forward to continuing to connect with my on-line PLN and encourage everyone else in their goals to develop a reading role models for children.

Hope everyone has had a wonderful first day of 2012 and what are your goals for the new year?

A Reading Challenge for 2012: Non-Fiction Picture Books

2011-12-31T20:10:00.000-08:00

As I was reading a few blog posts and comments, I noticed that many of my Twitter friends loved reading fiction but a common response was "I need to read more non-fiction". I remember 2-1/2 years ago when I discovered some wonderful non-fiction picture books. It was both exciting and fun. This gave me an idea. Why not a Non-fiction Picture Book Reading Challenge? I put it out there to see who might like to help with the challenge and Cathy & Louise from The Nonfiction Detectives Blog agreed to help host this challenge. Sarah (@pageintraining) is hosting the Passport Nonfiction over on her blog and will be helping to promote this challenge along with Sylvie (@sylvie_shaffer).

And if you want more of a challenge, Shannon (@mshoughton) is hosting the Sibert Challenge with the hashtag #nerdibert on her blog. Check it out here.

We are still working out some of the details but here are the basics of the challenge:

1. Set a goal as to how many non-fiction picture books you would like to read over the course of 2012. Maybe you want to read one a month or one a week. Will they all be from 2012 or will you be reading ones previously published? Set a goal that will be fun and not stressful.

2. The Nonfiction Detectives and Kid Lit Frenzy (that's me) will host a day each week for sharing or linking back reviews from the books that you have been reading for the challenge.

3. At the end of each month, we hope to do some kind of special non-fiction picture book related giveaway. Keep an eye out for details.

4. If you would like to participate in this challenge, please link up your blog or GoodReads Shelf using the Widget below.

5. If you tweet about what you are reading as part of this challenge, please use the twitter hashtag #nfpb2012.

6. Finally, feel free to grab the Challenge image used in this blog. I am working to get the html for bloggers to grab the badge for their websites.

Good luck everyone and happy reading in 2012.

End of the Year: Books That Will Make You Laugh and Cry

2011-12-31T19:15:00.000-08:00

Usually, I like to include my top Young Adult Book Picks but I have to admit that my reading in that category of books was way down. I don't feel that I can adequately recommend Young Adult books this year. However, there is one book that I must spotlight. The one book that was probably the best book I read throughout the whole year. And that would be...

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness - This is what I wrote when I first finished the book: "Wow! Wow! What a heart-wrenching/breathtakingly beautiful book. Ness has created a brilliant tribute to Siobhan Dowd." I read this book on the recommendation of John Schu (@mrschureads on Twitter). He was right. It is truly a moving and powerful story. A story about a boy who must answer the call of the Monster who comes at the same time each night. Conor is trying to cope with his mother's illness and struggles with repeated nightmares. But just as Conor wants something from the Monster who comes each night, the Monster expects something in return. Will Conor be able to answer the Monster and in return answer his own questions? This is one book that moves beyond being for a specific age level. Instead, we all must answer the call. Read this one with a box or two of tissues.

And if you haven't seen this picture book, I tend to consider it in the same category as A Monster Calls.

The Scar by Charlotte Moundlic, Illustrated by Olivier Tallec - I had no clue what this book was truly about. The cover shows a little boy with what appears to be an injured knee. As I flipped open this book, and started to read, I immediately had to reach for tissues. The Scar deals with loss. The loss of a mother and how one young boy seeks to cope with his loss. Maybe if I had read this book in any other year, I might have just thought of it as a good reference for children who had lost a parent. One of those books that you include in your library for just that situation. However, I believe that the timing of this book - coming on the heels of A Monster Calls - made it even that more powerful. A must read, but don't forget the tissues.

and to leave us on a happier note - Early Chapter Books
Lastly, for a category that gets lost often among picture books, and middle grade novels...the hard to write for Early Chapter Books. If you haven't read these three books, then you need to read them and add them to your library. My second and third graders love these three books.

Marty McGuire by Kate Messner - Writing for children in grades 1 to 3 is not easy. Kate Messner has created magic with Marty McGuire. A character who is funny and far from annoying. Messner connects with her readers because she knows them and knows what they will love. My second and third graders adore Marty and are thrilled that there will be more books in the series. This one makes a great read aloud and a wonderful book to recommend to both girls and boys.

Trouble With Chickens by Doreen Cronin - This year, there wasn't just one great new early chapter book but several. Cronin, a master picture book writer, has made a successful transition to chapter books. And any book with chickens on the front of it will typically indicate that laughter will be involved. Cronin mixes great characters with a Noir style mystery. And great news...there will be more of JJ and the chickens.

Frankie Pickle: The Mathematical Menance by Eric Wight - Frankie Pickle books are what I have affectionately called hybrids. Part graphic novel and part chapter book. These books are super popular with my second and third graders. They are fun to read and also have a message that is meaningful. In this third book in the series, Frankie must overcome his fear of math, and he does it in typical Frankie style.

Happy New Year and may 2012 bring many more wonderful books to read and share!

San Rafael School Celebrates Books 2011

2011-12-31T13:33:00.000-08:00

Everyone seems to do an end of the year video capturing the images of the year. I decided to do a video thank you to all of the authors and illustrators who gave time and energy to share something of themselves and their books with the students at my school.

As a result of these amazing authors & illustrators who have visited the school, our students are showing more and more interested in reading and books. Thank you for being "rock stars" to children.

Special Thank You's to:

Suzanne Santillan (Grandma's Pear Tree)
James Burks (Gabby & Gator)
Danika Dinsmore (Brigitta of the White Forest)
Bill Thomson (Chalk)
Candace Ryan (Animal House)
Kate Messner (Marty McGuire)
Jenni Holm (Turtle in Paradise)*
Riley Carney (The Fire Stone)*
Adam Jay Epstein & Andrew Jacobson (The Familiars)
Laurel Snyder (Bigger Than A Breadbox)
Peter Brown (You Will Be My Friend)
Jenny Slate & Dean Fleisher-Camp (Marcel the Shell)**
Scott Campbell (Zombie in Love)
Oliver Jeffers (Stuck)

And to our Skype friends:
@mrschureads & his students
@shannonmmiller & her students*
@akgal68 & her students*

*Unfortunately, I don't seem to have photos of these visits. I promise to do better with picture taking in 2012. I still greatly appreciate their time & effort.
**I couldn't seem to find a dedicated website for the book.

End of the Year: Top Middle Grade Picks of 2011

2011-12-30T19:45:00.000-08:00

When I started looking through my books trying to determine my favorite picks for 2011, I kept wanting to add books to recommend. This one...no this one. Finally, I just selected the ones that seemed to mean the most to me this year and the ones that I always have at the tip of my tongue ready to recommend. If you are looking for 10 new books for your library, then I would pick up each of these.

My Top 5 Middle Grade (and in most cases YA too) Non-fiction - listed in no particular order:

Witches! The Absolute True Tale of Disaster in Salem by Rosalyn Schanzer - This small book is fascinating to read. I couldn't put it down. I hadn't read about the Salem Witch Trials in years but Schanzer's book was filled with so much great information.

Wheels of Change: How Women Rode Their Way Into Freedom by Sue Macy - I discovered Macy's work this year and really love her books. She made my top 25 picture books with Basketball Belles and now is coming up in my top 5 non-fiction books for the year. Great information and great photographs.

How They Croaked: The Awful Ends of the Awfully Famous by Georgia Bragg - Just the title draws you in and then when you start reading this book you can't put it down. The perfect balance between "ick" factor and great facts.

America Is Under Attack by Don Brown - I discovered this book when I was searching for something to share with my students for the 10th Anniversary of 9/11. It was a powerful read-aloud.

Wideness and Wonder: The Life and Art of Georgia O'Keefe by Susan Goldman Rubin - I am always looking for strong biographical works to recommend to teachers. Goldman Rubin does a great job with this one. Interesting to read, great illustrations and photos, and great facts.

And the drumroll please...My Top 5 Middle Grade Fiction - listed in no particular order:

Darth Paper Strikes Back by Tom Angleberger - If kids were to vote for the Newbery, then Angleberger would definitely be a winner. It is one of those books that I must have multiple copies of or I would never get to see it. One of the best sequels that I have read.

Hound Dog True by Linda Urban - When I read this book, I just kept thinking of all of the students that would benefit from reading it. Mattie's story is powerfully and simply told. Buy lots of copies, hand them out, do a book club, but whatever you do - keep recommending it. Urban is an amazing writer and I hope Hound Dog True gets all the recognition it deserves.

Breadcrumbs by Anne Ursu - This modern day version of the Snow Queen is wonderful on so many levels. A powerful story of friendship, loss, courage, and transformation. For fans of both realistic fiction and fantasy fiction.

Bigger Than a Breadbox by Laurel Snyder - Realistic fiction with the touch of the fantastical makes for a perfect middle grade read. And Snyder does this SO WELL! In Breadbox, the reader gets the very real sense of all the emotions of parents separating and dealing with a sudden move to a new area along with a touch of the magical (in the form of the breadbox) and the consequences of all of it. I would love to see this book get adorned with some heavy medal bling.

Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai - If you had told me two years ago that I would be reading novels in verse, I probably would have laughed. And yet, I have discovered that some of my favorite and most touching stories have been told in verse. This story of a young girl and her family's departure from Vietnam and subsequent adjustment to living in the United States is powerful and moving. Truly, one of the outstanding books of the year.

Keep an eye out for the final End of the Year post. I still have a few more books that need talking about.

End of the Year: Favorite Picture Books Part II - My Top 10

2011-12-30T05:00:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, I posted 15 picture books that were special to me. Standouts in many ways. Today, I take it one step further. Out of all the picture books I read, here are my top ten.

#10 Blackout by John Rocco - I fell in love with the book trailer, the illustrations and the story. This had it all for me.

#9 Can We Save the Tiger? by Martin Jenkins, Illustrated by Vicky White - Incredible illustrations paired with facts about endangered animals. A must have book for any library collection.

#8 Won-Ton: A Cat Tale Told in Haiku by Lee Wardlaw, Illustrated by Eugene Yelchin - I am not a big fan of poetry of any kind. But I am growing in my appreciation the more that I read. When a book of haiku sticks with me for the whole year, it deserves to be on my top 10 list.

#7 Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans by Kadir Nelson - Anyone who knows me knows that I love Kadir Nelson's work. This is a beautiful story of history and people. And the audiobook is a must listen.

#6 Perfect Square by Michael Hall - Some books are simple but incredibly executed. A square of paper is transformed over the course of the week. Filled with great concepts and a favorite of young students at my school.

#5 Balloons Over Broadway by Melissa Sweet - Illustrations and text that work together to tell the story of the Puppeteer of Macy's Parade. A non-fiction picture book at it's best. This one has affected so many and needs to be shared.

#4 Me...Jane by Patrick McDonnell - Combination of beautiful illustrations and solid text that simply tells the story of the life of Jane Goodall for young children. This one is a winner for me.

#3 Little Chicken's Big Day by Jerry Davis, Illustrated by Katie Davis - I fell in love with the book trailer and then the book. I want to give this book to every parent with a toddler. I wonder if I can talk Katie Davis into a print of Little Chicken fussing in his car seat. "I hear you cluckin' Big Chicken.." will bring a smile to my face every time.

#2 Wonderstruck by Brian Selznik - Brilliant. Truly one of the most amazing books that I have read this year. One character's story is told in pictures and the other one in words. Let me say it again "brilliant".

#1 Stars by Mary Lyn Ray, Illustrated by Marla Frazee - Last year, I picked up CHALK by Bill Thomson and it was really my book. The one that touched me more than all others. This year when I opened up STARS, I knew without a doubt that I had found my picture book of 2011.

So what picture book touched you this year?

*Thank you Alethea (@frootjoos) for the picture book image at the top.

Happy New Year 2012 Giveaway Hop

2011-12-29T21:29:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Happy New Year 2012 Giveaway Hop! It is hosted by Kathy of I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Babs from Babs Book Bistro. The Giveaway Hop runs from December 30th to January 3rd. Don't forget to check out the linky below and stop by the over 200 blogs that are participating in this Giveaway Hop. Great way to ring in the New Year!

To celebrate the New Year, I want to help support everyone's reading goals. Are you participating in the Newbery Challenge hosted by teacher extraordinaire Colby Sharp and super teacher/librarian Mr. Schu? Maybe you decided on the Caldecott Challenge hosted by LibLaura5 and A to Z Library? Or I know many of you often participate in the Debut Author Challenge hosted by Kristi, The Story Siren. Whatever reading challenge you have set for yourself, I want to help support you by providing you with a book or audiobook that you can use towards your challenge.

Here is the Giveaway:

One lucky winner will receive a book (from Amazon or Book Depository) or an audiobook (Audible) worth $15 or less. International participants are only eligible for the book (if someone knows if Audible can be gifted internationally, I am happy to consider that option too). The book or audiobook must be specifically related to a challenge.

Rules for the Contest:

1. Though comments are very much appreciated, please do not enter any personal information in the comments section (including your email, website, etc.). If you do enter personal information, you comment will not be posted.

2. You must complete the Entry Form to officially enter the contest.

3. The Contest runs from 12:00 a.m. Pacific Time on December 30, 2011 to 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on January 3rd.

3. You must be 13 or older to participate in this contest.

4. If you are selected as a winner, I will notify you by e-mail. If you do not respond within 48 hours, I will select a new winner.

5. International participants are welcome to enter the contest.

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End of the Year: Favorite Picture Books of 2011 Part I

2011-12-29T19:22:00.000-08:00

During 2011, I managed to read around 900 plus picture books. It was an exciting journey. Some were good. Some were just okay. And some were truly stand outs. With so many picture books, I could not narrow it down to just 10. I have decided to do two posts. Part 1 will include some picture books that are memorable to me and that I would highly recommend. There are books on friendship, books with humor, books without words, non-fiction books, and books that have special meaning for me. Part 2 will include my absolute favorites from the year.

Here goes - Part I (in no particular order):

You Will Be My Friend by Peter Brown - This one inspired my kindergarten teachers to dress as Lucille Beatrice Bear for Halloween. It is that good.

Stuck by Oliver Jeffers - Is there anyone who doesn't love an Oliver Jeffers' book?

Jonathan and the Big Blue Boat by Philip C. Stead - Wonderful text and beautifully illustrated.

Over and Under by Kate Messner, Illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal - Messner had a banner year and this was one of my favorites. A beautiful look at the world in the wintertime.

Where's Walrus? by Stephen Savage - A wordless picture book that will have children searching for the walrus who has escaped from the zoo.

Cloudette by Tom Lichtenheld - A sweet story about a little cloud who learns that she can make a big difference.

I Want My Hat Back by Jon Klassen - I couldn't leave this one off my list. It inspired great discussion and much fun. #teambear for me

A Nation's Hope: The Story of Boxing Legend Joe Louis by Matt De La Pena, Illustrated by Kadir Nelson - De La Pena and Nelson need I say more.

A Dog is A Dog by Stephen Shaskan - One of those fun books that makes you giggle or smile as you read it and the concept is well executed. A dog is a dog, yes? Turn the pages to see.

A Pet for Petunia by Paul Schmid - This is one of those "makes me smile" books. Petunia wants a pet. Yes, a pet skunk. Or does she?!

Just a Second by Steve Jenkins - Love the way that Jenkins leads the reader through the concept of time in this non-fiction picture book.

Zombie in Love by Kelly DiPucchio, Illustrated by Scott Campbell - There was no way I could leave this one off my list. I love Mortimer and Mildred.

Swirl by Swirl: Spirals in Nature by Joyce Sidham, Illustrated by Beth Krommes - Poems, nature, and amazing illustrations. Definitely a gift book.

Pablo Neruda: Poet of the People by Monica Brown, Illustrated by Julie Paschkis - This one holds a special place in my memories from this past year. I paired this up with The Dreamer by Pamela Munoz Ryan. Students loved it.

Basketball Belles: How Two Teams and One Scrappy Player Put Women's Hoops on the Map by Sue Macy, Illustrated by Matt Collins - This book made me feel like I was transported back in time and had a chance to witness the first women's college basketball game.

Stay tune for Favorite Picture Books of 2011, Part II - The 10 that are my must haves.

*Many thanks to Alethea (@frootjoos) for designing the image for the post.

End of the Year: Favorite Graphic Novels from 2011

2011-12-27T20:42:00.000-08:00

It is that time of the year. Time to look back on all of the wonderful books that I read and an attempt to select my favorites. I have decided to kick-off the End of the Year posts with Graphic Novels. In looking at my GoodReads' shelf for Graphic Novels, I realized that I read a lot of graphic novels in 2011. In coming up with this list though, I limited it to ones that were released in 2011.

Here are some of my personal favorites (in no particular order):

Babymouse #14: Mad Scientist by Matt Holm and Jenni Holm - No list would be complete without a Babymouse GN making an appearance and not only is this one a favorite of 2011 but maybe one of my favorite Babymouse books to date.

Squish by Matt Holm and Jenni Holm - Fans of Babymouse were introduced to Squish this year and got a chance to read not just one but two Squish stories. Yay for Super Amoebas!

Lunch Lady #6 Lunch Lady and the Field Trip Fiasco by Jarrett J. Krosoczka - Any teacher who has taken a class on a field trip to any place will get a chuckle out of the latest Lunch Lady book.

Sidekicks by Dan Santat - I am a huge fan of Santat's picture books and was excited to hear that he was doing a graphic novel. And even more excited when I finally had a chance to read it. My list would not be complete without adding it here. This one has become quite popular among my students as well.

Amulet #4: The Last Council by Kazu Kibuishi - This is one book series that I have to wrestle away from students in order to read the latest book. And book 4 truly delivers. Boys and girls love this series and I have students in grades 1 to 5 reading it.

Nursery Rhyme Comics: 50 Timeless Rhymes from 50 Celebrated Cartoonists by Various - Nursery Rhymes get a fancy twist as illustrated by some of the most popular cartoonists out there. First Second puts out some great books and this is one of them. A fun way to expose older children to common nursery rhymes.

Around the World by Matt Phelan - Phelan writes about the individual accounts of 3 people who ventured out on "around the world" tours in the late 19th century. Full of the personality quirks of each of these adventurers and interesting facts.

Hera by George O'Connor - The Olympian series by O'Connor is a favorite of mine. And though I might favor Athena more than Hera, I certainly grew in appreciation for who Hera is/was from this book. The "Geek Notes" at the end of the book help readers connect back to the other books - or provide glimpses of what will come. Great companion to the Percy Jackson Series.

Page by Paige by Laura Lee Gulledge - Newcomer Gulledge snagged me with her amazing artwork and I was particularly taken with how the illustrations perfectly match the emotions of the text. Some of the images were just so expressive on such a visceral level.

Anya's Ghost by Vera Brosgol - Anya's Ghost manages to be a ghost story with just the right level of creepy with true teen angst about fitting in at high school. In addition to a great story, I really loved the illustrations in this one.

For our youngest comic book/graphic novel fans, I need to make a special mention of Candlewick's ToonBooks which are a wonderful easy reader series of comic books. They aren't all published in 2011 but I discovered them in 2011. The series is perfect for Kinder to 3rd grade and the book apps are also available in multiple language.

If you are looking to increase your graphic novel collection, and these aren't on the shelves in your library, I would encourage you to add them to your personal or school libraries (*please note - Page by Paige & Anya's Ghosts are both for Middle School and older).

** Thanks to Alethea (@frootjoos) for the image at the top.

It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA (5)

2011-12-26T00:00:00.000-08:00

It's Monday! What are you reading? is hosted by Sheila of Book Journey. Jen & Kellee from

Teach Mentor Texts have adapted this to focus on Picture Books to Young Adult Books.

Each week I'll recap what I've read/reviewed the week before

and then look ahead to what I am planning on reading/reviewing in the upcoming week.

Last week's book adventures:

Though this was a very slow reading week, there were a few books that made it into my reading pile.

First, I caught up with two picture books from teacher/librarians', Travis Jonkers (100 Scope Notes) & John Schumacher (Watch.Connect.Read), top twenty list.

Ice by Arther Geisert is a wordless picture book that was brought to my attention from reading Travis Jonker's blog 100 Scope Notes. This one needs to be looked at carefully in order to catch all of the subtleties of the story about a community of pigs that are suffering from the heat. A decision is made to search for ice and off they go. The story is told effectively through images and the creativity and ingenuity of these pigs are impressive.

Melvin and the Boy by Lauren Castillo is a beautifully illustrated gentle story about a young boy who discovers what he thinks is his perfect pet, only to learn that maybe the turtle would be happier where he came from. I especially enjoyed the endnotes with facts about real turtles.

Next, I squeezed in the most recent Ivy & Bean early chapter book No News is Good News by Annie Barrows. Ivy & Bean is a favorite among some of my 2nd and 3rd grade girls. And the 8th book in the series has these two friends figuring out a way to earn money in order to buy cheese, not just any cheese but low-fat Belldeloon cheese with the red wax. Probably one of my favorite Ivy & Bean books and sure to make you laugh.

And while on the plane to visit my parents for the holidays, I listened to The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman. If you are looking for a quick audiobook read, you might want to give this one a go. Narrated by Kerry Shale, this Newbery Medal Winner written by Sid Fleischman has a touch of humor along with a story of self-awakening and friendship.

I also read The Night Fairy by Laura Amy Schlitz. This has been on my list of books to read for a very long time. I have to confess that I am not much of a fairy fan which is likely why it has taken me so long to pull this out of the pile. However, I can certainly see how all of the little girls at my school who do love fairy stories will love this book. I will certainly be sharing this with students when I return after winter break.

And Witches! The Absolutely True Tale of Disaster in Salem by Rosalyn Schanzer. This small volume was probably my favorite read this past week. I haven't read much in recent years about the Salem Witch Trials so it was exciting to find something that was informative and completely engrossing. The black-white and red scratchboard illustrations add to the text.

Upcoming Book Adventures...

My goal for this week is to go to our local library every day until I have read 150 picture books. Yep, 150 picture books. I am determined to reach my GoodReads Challenge Goal by December 31st.

So, what are you reading this week?

Please share! And remember to check in at Sheila's or Jen & Kellee's blog to see what they and others are reading!

Winter Wishlist Week 3

2011-12-25T12:53:00.000-08:00

My wonderful buddies - Alethea, Kimberly, & Thuy - over at Read Now, Sleep Later are hosting a seasonal meme that is perfect for this time a year and for all you book lovers out there. This is the final post in the series. Week 3 is to write about a charity or nonprofit that works with books and/or literacy. I thought it would be a great post on Christmas Day to write about one of my favorite groups.

Reading is Fundamental (RIF) is the largest children's literacy non-profit program in the United States and now serves over 4 million children across the United States. It began in 1966 in Washington, D.C. under the direction of Margaret McNamara and a group of teachers and school volunteers. Starting first with 3 schools, RIF is has expanded to 100's of schools throughout the U.S. Dedicated volunteers come into schools to read with children and provide free, new books to children who may otherwise have never received one.

My school and the students have personally benefited from the work of RIF volunteers and the donation of books.

If you are interested in supporting a great organization, you can click here to learn how to make a donation.

Celebrate the season and share your love of literacy with children through the work of RIF.

Book Review: Shatter Me

2011-12-22T10:07:00.000-08:00

Author: Tahereh Mafi
Published: Harper Collins (November 15, 2011)
Audience: Young Adult
Source: Purchased in store
Young Adult * Dystopian * Apocalyptic

Description from Goodreads:
Juliette hasn't touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette's touch is fatal. As long as she doesn't hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don't fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war-- and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she's exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior.

Shatter Me was one of the most hyped YA debuts of 2011. It was drawing comparisons to The Hunger Games and X-Men, and it was the latest in a lost of young adult novels being optioned for a film adaptation, so I was very excited to see if it lived up to the hype. Thankfully, for me, it did. The story is very original -- a girl who has a lethal touch who is forced to be a tool of war or part of a revolution -- and the world is very inventive. This is set in a post-apocalyptic/dystopian America. This seems to be a popular genre in recent years, but somehow Shatter Me manages to create some interesting things about the world that makes it stand out. This book gives us tastes of some of the aspects of this new America ruled by The Reestablishment, but there is so much to be answered in future books. Who are the other people trapped in the prison with Juliette in the beginning? How did she develop her abilities? And so many other questions that I can't ask without spoiling the book for you...

One of the most interesting things about this novel is the writing style. The prose is written in a kind of stream of consciousness from Juliette's point of view. Every thought that crosses her mind and every poetic comparison she makes are documented, so that reading the novel almost feels like sifting through her mind as things are happening. Also, many of her thoughts are ~~striked out~~, which is an interesting technique I've hardly (if ever) seen in prose. In the world of the novel, Juliette is characterized as a monster for her deadly touch, so when her thoughts become morbid or self-deprecating, and she thinks ~~I am a monster~~ or ~~I want to touch you but I can't~~, I like that the strikeouts provide a visual for her inner struggle with who she is. Personally, I really enjoyed how original and different this prose is, especially in a YA context. It might be disconcerting for some readers, but for me it was very refreshing and unique.

The characters in the novel are really what hooked me. Even though the end of the novel took the plot in a direction I wasn't expecting, I still loved the book because the characters were so great. As I said before, Juliette was a great protagonist because I felt like I had a perfect view into her thought process, which helped me understand why she might shy away from people or behave in strange ways. I love how her character went from timid and reserved at the beginning of the novel to assertive and strong as she became more comfortable with her 'ability'. I also love Adam in the novel. He is the other main character/love interest/person-we-root-for in the novel. He is supportive, strong, quite sexy, and an honorable guy. Very crush-worthy, so you can add him to your list of book boyfriends. All of the characters are interesting and complex in the novel, and character development is undeniably one of Shatter Me's strengths.

My favorite character, though -- and I know I am probably alone in this -- is Warner. For me, Warner is the most multi-dimensional, complicated, and human of the book's characters; however, I think he is supposed to be the villain/antagonist so I know I'm setting myself up for future heartache in the series. The thing about Warner is that he does horrible things: he is ruthless, aggressive, and even cruel. BUT, he's doing what he has to do in order to survive, so I can't fully hate him for trying not ot be a victim. Also, beneath his hard exterior, I think there's real emotion and sincerity in him. I really hope that future books explore his back story more, particularly his family history, because I have some theories about him and just find him so fascinating.

Honestly, I really loved Shatter Me. The plot began on Page One and the story moved quickly, with exciting twists and a great mix of action, romance, drama, and suspense. As I said before, the ending took the story in an unexpected direction, so I'm eager to see how that affects future books. I highly recommend this, particularly for fans of Wither (Lauren DeStefano), Divergent (Veronica Roth), and Incarceron (Catherine Fisher).

Tahereh Mafi is a girl. She’s 24. She writes books and reads books and drinks way too much coffee. SHATTER ME is her first novel, and the first of a trilogy, coming from Harper/HarperCollins on November 15, 2011. Film rights have been optioned by 20th Century Fox. Her work is represented by Jodi Reamer of Writers House, LLC. You can follow her on her blog: http://stiryourtea.blogspot.com/ or on Twitter: @TaherehMafi

Her website is: http://www.taherehmafi.com/

Mid-Winter's Eve Giveaway Hop 2011

2011-12-21T00:00:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Midwinter's Eve Giveaway Hop. Thanks to Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Jessie Harrell from Oasis for YA for co-hosting! This hop runs from December 21st to December 27th. You have more than 200 blogs to stop by and enter a different contest. Don't forget to check out the linky below.

artwork by Tom Angleberger

My Twitter buddies and fellow educators - Donalyn Miller and Colby Sharp started a new blog recently called the Nerdy Book Club Blog. Other educators, librarians, and book people have been contributing guest posts. They have been a lot of fun to read. Recently, they even held the Nerdy Book Club Awards.

But they didn't stop there. They also started a Café Press store. There is lots of cool stuff in the Nerdy Book Club Store and what is wonderful is that the proceeds from the store go to RIF (Reading Is Fundamental). For my Mid-Winter's Eve Giveaway, one lucky participant has a chance to win up to $20 in Nerdy Book Club merchandise from the Café Press Store. Here is a sample of one of the items over at the Nerdy Book Club Store:

Wouldn't this be a great mug to sip your favorite beverage while reading from your TBR pile or checking out the blog posts written by various Nerdy Book Club Members over on the Nerdy Book Club Blog?

2. You must complete the Entry Form to officially enter the contest.

3. The Contest runs from 12:00 a.m. Pacific Time on December 21, 2011 to 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on December 27th.

3. You must be 13 or older to participate in this contest.

4. If you are selected as a winner, I will notify you by e-mail. If you do not respond within 48 hours, I will select a new winner.

5. International participants are welcome to enter the contest.

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It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA (4)

2011-12-19T00:00:00.000-08:00

It's Monday! What are you reading? is hosted by Sheila of Book Journey. Jen & Kellee from

Teach Mentor Texts have adapted this to focus on Picture Books to Young Adult Books.

Each week I'll recap what I've read/reviewed the week before

and then look ahead to what I am planning on reading/reviewing in the upcoming week.

Last week's book adventures:

Some weeks are great reading adventures and other weeks, it is a challenge to squeeze in real reading time. Last week was one of those. I have discovered that I am one of those people that doesn't like to delve into something that I know will be amazing and I won't want to put down when I don't have the time to read it in one sitting. This leaves me to peruse the wonderful shelves of picture books.

Here are some highlights from this past week...

The book that receives the chuckle of the week award goes to Pirate Girl by Cornelia Funke. It may not be a new release, but I discovered it as I was browsing around the shelves at one of my favorite local bookstores - Once Upon a Time. Great story about how one little girl beats out a ship full of Pirates.

The book that receives the award for best photographs of baby animals that make you want to say "awww" goes to Friends: True Stories of Extraordinary Animal Friendships by Catherine Thimmesh. I wanted to just hug everyone of these baby animals.

The book that receives the award of the week for another good one in a series goes to Bear Feels Scared by Karma Wilson. Bear is on his way home at night and though he doesn't want to admit it he is a bit afraid. Great story for bedtime reading and overcoming fears.

The book that receives the award for best board book and one to put on your 2012 booklist goes to Trains Go by Steve Light. This one comes out in January 2012 and will delight Toddlers who like trains.

Upcoming Book Adventures...

I am seriously not sure what I am going to read this week. I look around the piles and there are definitely wonderful books to read but not sure where I am going to start. Want to recommend something?

So, what are you reading this week?

Please share! And remember to check in at Sheila's or Jen & Kellee's blog to see what they and others are reading!

Winter Wishlist Week 2

2011-12-18T19:47:00.000-08:00

My wonderful buddies - Alethea, Kimberly, & Thuy - over at Read Now, Sleep Later are hosting a seasonal meme that is perfect for this time a year and for all you book lovers out there. And I hope they will forgive me for nearly missing a post for this week.

Week 1: Write about Books or Bookish Things that you would love to get.
Week 2: Write about Books or Bookish Things that you would love to give.
Week 3: Write about a charity/nonprofit/community group that works with books and/or literacy.

Winter Wishlist - Week 2

Books and Bookish Things I'd Love to Give

Rebound Designs creates Book Purses and other book accessories around book themes. I know some Jane Austen fans that would love this Pride and Prejudice Book Purse.

For my book loving friends in locations that rain a lot, I am thinking that a bookish umbrella might be appreciated. Books Stacked to the Sky Umbrella allows readers to show their support of books without ruining any books.

And for friends who might be a little less visible about sharing their passion for books, a wallet can be a subtle way to share their support of books. This comes from The Gifty website which also sells the umbrella from above. Check out this great Stacked Books Flat Wallet.

Finally, wouldn't it be so neat to create a tree made from books as a Christmas present? The Mary Sue website had 12 different versions of trees designed from books. Many of my book geek friends have towering TBR piles with stacks of books in their homes. A little elf could come in and put those books to good use until it is time to read them.

So what are you giving your book loving friends this year?

Interview with Ivy + Bean

2011-12-15T00:00:00.000-08:00

Today on the blog Ivy and Bean answer questions from their biggest fan, Andrea ("Andy"), a third grader at my school. Andy sent a letter to Ivy & Bean with some questions, and here is what they had to say.

Hi Andrea,

Ivy says: We’re glad to know that you like the books about us.

Bean says: Of course she likes them. Who wouldn’t like them?

Ivy: She’s asking us what books we like besides The Amazing Book of World Records.

Bean: I don’t like any other books.

Ivy: Yes you do. You liked that book called The World of Weird: Unbelievable Animals.

Bean: Oh yeah. I did like that one. And I liked that one about how to pan for gold. Even though I never found any gold.

Ivy: I just read a great book called Penny Dreadful.

Bean: I like Brave Potatoes too!

Ivy: Now she asks whether we like being book characters. Do you?

Bean: I don’t care. Annie Barrows comes around and sits in my backyard and asks us questions, and then she writes about us. It’s no big deal.

Ivy: Yeah, I guess I don’t really care either. Annie’s okay, but I don’t know why watches us instead of anyone else.

Bean: And why she doesn’t just remember the things she did when she was a kid?

Ivy: Maybe she has a bad memory. She’s kind of old.

Bean: What’s the next question?

Ivy: Hobbies. What are our hobbies?

Bean: Horses.

Ivy: Really? You don’t have a horse.

Bean: Thinking about horses is my hobby.

Ivy: My hobby is cooking.

Bean: What do you cook? I’ve never seen you cook.

Ivy: I made toast this morning. That’s cooking.

Bean: I like toast.

Ivy: Now she’s asking about secrets. She says Ivy, does Bean have any secrets?’

Bean: You promised.

Ivy: I know. I won’t. I promised. Then she says Bean, does Ivy have any secrets?

Bean: Yes, but I’ll never tell. Even if you hang me upside down over a pot of boiling oil, I’ll never ever tell, not even for a million, gazillion dollars.

Ivy: And besides, it didn’t turn on anyway.

Bean: Right. But I’ll never ever tell not even if they shoot me out of a cannon.

Ivy: Do you want to be in a fashion show book? That’s the next question.

Bean: Do I get to decide what to wear?

Ivy: No, you have to wear a dress. Do you have a dress?

Bean: Nope. Guess I can’t be in the fashion show.

Ivy: And I have to wear pants.

Bean: You can borrow some of mine.

Ivy: Okay. Here’s her last question: Is there a continent that you both wish to travel to and why?

Bean: Easy-peasy. I want to go to Africa so I can see the cheetahs. They can run faster than any animal in the world.

Ivy: Okay, and then we’ll go to Antarctica, because hardly anyone goes there.

Bean: You want to see penguins?

Ivy: No, I want to see glaciers.

Bean: Okay. First Africa and then Antarctica.

Ivy: Bye, Andy.

Bean: See you later, alligator.

Thank you to the wonderful, and talented Annie Barrows (author and creator of the Ivy and Bean Series) for taking time out of her busy schedule to make one 3rd grade student the happiest girl in the world.

Thank you Andy for creating all of the great questions for Ivy and Bean. You rock!

For more information about Ivy and Bean check out the Chronicle Books website:
http://www.chroniclebooks.com/landing-pages/ivyandbean/

For more information about author, Annie Barrows and her books, check out her website:
http://www.anniebarrows.com/ivyandbean/ivyandbean/about/

Check out this great interview with author, Annie Barrows as she talks about Ivy and Bean.

It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA (3)

2011-12-12T00:00:00.000-08:00

It's Monday! What are you reading? is hosted by Sheila of Book Journey. Jen & Kellee from

Teach Mentor Texts have adapted this to focus on Picture Books to Young Adult Books.

Each week I'll recap what I've read/reviewed the week before

and then look ahead to what I am planning on reading/reviewing in the upcoming week.

Last week's book adventures:

In an effort to catch up with my GoodReads Reading Challenge Goal of 1200 books for 2011(I am seriously behind), I read 53 picture books and early readers. Some were good. Some were great. Some just meh. You can check out my GoodReads page if you want to check all of the titles.

Here are some highlights...

My preschoolers loved when I read YES DAY! by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and illustrated by Tom Lichtenheld.

I loved HIPPO & RABBIT: IN THREE SHORT TALES. They reminded me of FROG & TOAD.

I learned quite a bit about mammals from a non-fiction early reader by Scholastic MAMMALS: TRUE & FALSE.

I discovered more about the art and science of snowflakes from THE SECRET LIFE OF A SNOWFLAKE.

And if all YA Contemporary Fiction could be as good as Holly Goldberg Sloan's debut novel I'LL BE THERE, I would be reading contemporary fiction all the time.

Upcoming book adventures:

This week will likely find me reading many more picture books and early readers. I still have 193 books to go. But I suspect that I will be finishing up Leisl & Po and starting Clockwork Prince by Cassandra Clare.

So, what are you reading this week?

Please share! And remember to check in at Sheila's or Jen & Kellee's blog to see what they and others are reading!

Winter Wishlist 2011 (2) - Nerdy Book Club

2011-12-07T00:00:00.000-08:00

I wasn't expecting to do another Winter Wishlist post quite so soon but I was checking out the new Nerdy Book Club Café Press store and had to share.

What is Winter Wishlist you might ask? My wonderful buddies - Alethea, Kimberly, & Thuy - over at Read Now, Sleep Later are hosting a seasonal meme that is perfect for this time a year and for all you book lovers out there.

Week One - Books or Bookish Things that I would love to get:
The focus for the first week is on gifts we would love to get (btw, this is not a ploy to get gifts, I am actually having fun just sharing things that book lovers might enjoy). I do know that hearing about what gifts others want to get gives me an idea about gifts I can get for wonderful book loving friends. Yesterday, I mentioned a great source for some book-related jewelry. Today, I am featuring the Nerdy Book Club Café Press store. By shopping at the Nerdy Book Club store, not only do you get some neat designs from Tom Angleberger (author of The Strange Case of Origami Yoda among other books), but the proceeds support RIF (Reading Is Fundamental). And you get to proclaim your passion for books in a cool way.

Hmmm, now do I want the Nerd Horde Shirt...

Or the mug I can use for my Sunday #bookstack on Twitter?

Decisions, decisions. While I am trying to decide what I want or what I want to give. Go check out the Nerdy Book Club Blog and their new store. Oh, and remember to follow them on Twitter at #Nerdybookclub

Winter Wishlist 2011

2011-12-06T00:00:00.000-08:00

Week 1: Write about Books or Bookish Things that you would love to get.

Week 2: Write about Books or Bookish Things that you would love to give.

Week 3: Write about a charity/nonprofit/community group that works with books and/or literacy.

Week One - Books or Bookish Things that I would love to get:

I joke that I would rather get a book or some kind of techie toy than jewelry, but if you haven't seen Viviane Hebel's book related jewelry then you need to check out her Etsy page or her website. Viviane specializes in jewelry related to the books of authors Cassandra Clare and Holly Black.

I had a hard time choosing from all of the Curse Worker creations (based on The Curse Worker Series by author Holly Black which I love by the way), but I finally settled on her Transformation Protection Charm Pendant. Isn't it beautiful?

You can check out this and other designs by Viviane by clicking here. You can also check out her website: www.hebeldesign.com to see all of her book related jewelry. Or you can follow her on twitter: @hebeldesign

It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA

2011-12-05T00:00:00.000-08:00

It's Monday! What are you reading? is hosted by Sheila of Book Journey. Jen & Kellee from

Teach Mentor Texts have adapted this to focus on Picture Books to Young Adult Books.

Each week I'll recap what I've read/reviewed the week before

and then look ahead to what I am planning on reading/reviewing in the upcoming week.

Last week's Book Adventures:

My reading this past week was all over the place. I finally finished The Night Circus on audiobook which I would highly recommend in that format. For a book without pictures, it was truly visual and rich and very complex. I fell in love with May Amelia and Mattie (Hound Dog True). Two different girls living in two different times but both wonderful stories. Of course, I can't forget The Chronicles of Harris Burdick - inspired by the artwork various authors provide their own often eerie interpretation in short story form. Desert Elephants is a non-fiction picture book that shows the relationship between the people of West Africa, the elephants and the land.

Holiday Book Adventures:

Here are a few of the holiday picture books that I sat down to explore. Six books and six very different stories representing the spirit of the upcoming holidays.

2012 Releases - A Sneak Peak:

This week I had a chance to read advanced copies of three picture books that will be released in early 2012. The Cloud Spinner was a beautiful tale that I truly enjoyed. My Heart Will Not Sit Down was a dramatized account of a real incident from 1931 and the story was truly moving. And How to Babysit Grandpa is a make you smile, laugh out loud sort of book. I would recommend putting these on your future TBR pile.

Upcoming Book Adventures:

I honestly have to say that I don't know which books will be my book adventures for this upcoming week. I did really enjoy Our Only May Amelia this past week and looking forward to continuing with The Trouble with May Amelia by Jennifer L. Holm. I have Liesl & Po by Lauren Oliver ready to go on my iPod as my next audiobook choice (Jim Dale is the narrator). And after seeing the movie trailer for The Borrowers, I was thinking about reading this childhood favorite. I guess you will have to wait till next week to see what I actually read.

So, what are you reading this week?

Please share! And remember to check in at Sheila's or Jen & Kellee's blog to see what they and others are reading!

Thoughts about audiobooks...

2011-12-03T18:01:00.001-08:00

I have a confession to make. For as much as I promote reading aloud to children, and for as much as I have read aloud to children, I hated to be read aloud to as a child. When I discovered that I could read a book to myself, I was in heaven. It wasn't that I didn't like how people would read books aloud. It was simply that I couldn't understand or follow what was being read and I was miserable. I learned quickly to ask for a copy of something or to simply state "Let me read that. You don't have to read that aloud." Yes, I am a visual learner.

Consequently, audiobooks were not something that I had ever thought to purchase or listen to. Even the thought of it made me cringe. However, I started discovering friends who were avid readers who also listened to audiobooks. It was one of the ways that they could increase the number of books they read during a year. So one day I decided to explore this world of audiobooks.

Here is what I learned:

* The narrator can make or break an audiobook. - A great narrator can take even an okay book and make it fabulous. The wrong narrator can ruin a book.

* If a book isn't working for you, and the audiobook is read by someone you like. Give it a try on audio. The reverse is true too. If you are listening to an audiobook and not liking it (even with a good narrator), try reading the book.

* Get recommendations from friends as to which narrators that they like. What works for me may or may not work for you but it is a great place to start. And websites like Audible.com even have books rated by narrators.

* For those of us who struggle to grasp auditory information, take a page out of tricks for working with kids with learning disabilities or attention deficit disorder. - You just may need to engage in a simple activity while you attempt to focus on auditory information. For me this means, I need to clean a closet or wash dishes or walk on a treadmill or drive in a car or even play solitaire when listening to an audiobook.

Who are some of my favorite audiobook narrators?

Jim Dale and Katherine Kellgren are by far my favorite narrators out there. And fortunately they do a lot of children's and young adult fiction. I have told friends that I could listen to Jim Dale read the telephone book. And I one time listened to six hours of an 18 hour audiobook before I abandoned the book all because I just enjoyed listening to Katherine Kellgren despite the fact that the book seemed to have no real direction.

Emerald Atlas - John Stephens, Narrated by Jim Dale

Any other narrators that I have discovered that I like?

I loved David Hyde Pierce's narration of The Phantom Tollbooth. Jesse Eisenberg is beyond a shadow of a doubt the voice of Cassel (the main character in Holly Black's Curse Workers Series) at least in my mind. Libba Bray is just as great/funny as a narrator (Beauty Queens) as she is a writer. Debbie Allen brought Kadir Nelson's Heart and Soul to life. And Nick Podehl (The Knife of Never Letting Go; Will Grayson, Will Grayson) is another fabulous narrator.

Books I will never read aloud to a class because the audiobook is so much better:

The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place - Written by Maryrose Wood; Narrated by Katherine Kellgren

Written by Maryrose Wood; Narrated by Katherine Kellgren

The Phantom Tollbooth - Written by Norton Juster; Narrated by David Hyde Pierce

Books I would never have finished this year if it wasn't for the audiobook:

The Night Circus - Written by Erin Morgenstern; Narrated by Jim Dale

So what books do you love on audiobook or who would you recommend as a narrator?

Share your thoughts in the comment section. And check out my Book Lover's Holiday Giveaway Hop for a chance to win an audiobook.

Book Lover's Holiday Giveaway Hop

2011-12-01T15:50:00.001-08:00

I am so excited that I am co-hosting this hop along with Kathy from I am a Reader, Not a Writer. The purpose of this Holiday Giveaway is to celebrate book lovers like you. Since it is the holidays, and since this is to celebrate book lovers, I decided to offer a gift card to one lucky winner from one of the following three places.

Option 1: A $25 gift card or books/items worth up to $25 from Amazon. *

Option 2: A $25 gift card to Etsy (don't they have some great book related jewelry and other items?) or Café Press (another place for some great book related items).

Option 3: One Audiobook worth up to $25 from Audible.com.

* Please note: International Participants are limited to $25 in books from Amazon or Book Depository. Thank you for understanding.

Rules for the Contest:

1. Please do not enter any personal information in the comments section (including your email, website, etc.), you must complete the Entry Form to officially enter the contest.
2. The Contest runs from 12:00 a.m. Pacific Time on December 2, 2011 to 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on December 6th.
3. You must be 13 or older to participate in this contest.
4. If you are selected as a winner, I will notify you by e-mail. If you do not respond within 48 hours, I will select a new winner.
5. International participants are welcome to enter the contest but are limited to the first option only.

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