It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA - 2/6/17

February 6, 2017 Alyson Beecher

It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. Kellee Moye, of Unleashing Readers, and Jen Vincent of Teach Mentor Texts decided to give It's Monday! What Are You Reading? a kidlit focus. We encourage everyone who participates to visit at least three of the other kidlit book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

Last week was a busy week and I didn't get to do a ton of reading for fun. I spent a lot of time in professional reading:

Guided Reading: Responsive Reading Across the Grades, 2nd Edition by Irene Fountas and Gay Su Pinnell (Heinemann Publishers, 2016)

It is a big book and I have been going through it as part of my coaching duties. I love the updates from the original edition.

Here are a couple of picture book titles that jumped out of the pile I read this weekend....

Grandmother Fish: A Child's First Look at Evolution by Jonathan Tweet; Illustrated by Karen Lewis (Feiwel & Friends, 2016) - A fascinating explanation of evolution for children. The endnotes provide more information.

Squirrels Leap, Squirrels Sleep by April Pulley Sayre; Illustrated by Steve Jenkins (Henry Holt & Co, 2016) - I missed this when it came out last fall and excited to finally get my hands on it. This would work well as a read aloud for young children. Endnotes provide additional facts about squirrels.

Wolf in the Snow by Matthew Cordell (Feiwel & Friends, January 3, 2017) - This nearly wordless picture book has a powerful message about friendship and not leaving someone alone, especially when they have been kind to you. I didn't expect to get a bit choked up as I read this one.

A Unicorn Named Sparkle by Amy Young (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2016) - Sparkly unicorn books are not my typical reading but this was a fun read. Definitely a unique spin on unicorns and a good message on friendships.

Check out last week's #Road2Reading Challenge: A Look At Some New Chapter Books

In case you missed it, here is last week's post for the #NFPB2017 Challenge: Text Set for Loving Vs Virginia.

Don't miss it...

There is still time to join in with the annual #NF10for10 happening this coming Friday. For more details, click here. Thanks Mandy and Cathy for hosting this.

So, what are you reading?

#Road2Reading Challenge - Upcoming Releases! Mark Your Calendar

February 5, 2017 Alyson Beecher

All journeys have a starting place.
This is a weekly place to find books and tools
that you may use with readers at the start of their reading journey.
Join in the conversation at #road2reading.

Each week, Michele Knott and I post about new early readers and chapter books. As part of the Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge, I started doing new release posts. Once a month, I will post about new releases as I find out about them. Though most of the books listed below are chapter books, I will continue to find out about new early readers. Also, since many of these books have yet to be released, I can only share titles and not thoughts on these books. Look for future mini-reviews as I read through new releases. Also, I have included links to previous posts mentioning new releases just below. Also, don't forget to check out Mrs. Knott's Book Nook for more releases.

January Part I | January Part II

Mark your calendar for some new releases in the next couple of months...

January 2017

The Adventures of Henry Whiskers by Gigi Priebe; Illustrated by Daniel Duncan (Aladdin Books)

February 2017

Labra-cadabra-dor's Revenge by Walker Styles; Illustrated by Ben Whitehouse (Little Simon)

Mae and June and the Wonder Wheel by Charise Mericle Harper; Illustrated by Ashley Spires (HMH Books for Young Readers)

Mission Unpluckable! (The Bad Guys #2) by Aaron Blabey (Scholastic Press)

Mutant Rat Attack! The Spy Next Door by Jay Cooper (Scholastic Press)

Starry Skies and Fireflies by Jenny Meyerhoff; Illustrated by Eva Chatelain (Aladdin Books)

March 2017

The Cave of Aaaaah! Doom! (Ella and Owen #1) by Jaden Kent; Illustrated by Iryna Bodnaruk (Little Bee Books)

Dark Shadows: Yes, Another Misadventure by Doreen Cronin; Illustrated by Stephen Gilpin (Atheneum Books)

Princess Cora and the Crocodile by Laura Amy Schlitz; Illustrated by Brian Floca (Candlewick Press)

April 2017

Daisy Dreamer and the Totally True Imaginary Friend by Holly Anna; Illustrated by Genevieve Santos (Little Simon)

Piper Morgan Makes a Splash by Stephanie Faris; Illustrated by Lucy Fleming (Aladdin Books)

Remy Sneakers vs. the Robo-Rats by Kevin Sherry (Scholastic Press)

May 2017

Crash! The Kid From Planet Z by Nancy Krulik; Illustrated by Louis Thomas (Grossett & Dunlap)

Goldie Rules the School by Stacy McNaulty (Random House Books for Young Readers)

Good For Nothing Button! (Elephant and Piggie Like Reading) by Charise Mericle Harper; Mo Willems (Disney-Hyperion)

Octo-Man and the Headless Monster (The Escapades of Clint McCool #1) by Jane Kelley; Illustrated by Jessika Von Innerebner (Grosset & Dunlap)

Don't forget to link up a review if you have one....

Nonfiction Picture book Challenge: Text Set for Loving Vs. Virginia

February 1, 2017 Alyson Beecher

Loving Vs. Virginia: A Documentary Novel of the Landmark Civil Rights Case
by Patricia Hruby Powell; Artwork by Shadra Strickland
Chronicle Books (January 31, 2017)
Fiction * Historical * United States* Litigation
Audience: 12 years and up
Indiebound | WorldCat

Description from GoodReads:
From acclaimed author Patricia Hruby Powell comes the story of a landmark civil rights case, told in spare and gorgeous verse. In 1955, in Caroline County, Virginia, amidst segregation and prejudice, injustice and cruelty, two teenagers fell in love. Their life together broke the law, but their determination would change it. Richard and Mildred Loving were at the heart of a Supreme Court case that legalized marriage between races, and a story of the devoted couple who faced discrimination, fought it, and won.

With the release of the movie LOVING and several children's books, I wondered what a text set would look like as part of a classroom discussion or unit. What resources both nonfiction and fiction were out there that could be used?

Two years ago at ALA Midwinter '15, I read the biographical picture book, The Case for Loving: The Fight for Interracial Marriage by Selina Alko and illustrated by Sean Qualls (Arthur A. Levine).

This was the first time I heard about the case of Mildred and Richard Loving. I wondered why I had never heard of this case, but more startling was that this case occurred within my lifetime.

Then came the movie, which sadly I still haven't seen yet. The movie trailer is below...

An on-line search, produced several resources. The ACLU has links to articles, a podcast, and a few other items to pursue and incorporate into a series of lessons or discussions with students.

Time Life has a series of photographs and a thought-provoking article to read, which turned the Lovings into civil rights heroes.

The Bill of Rights Institute provides educators with a lesson plan and additional resources.

Most recently, Patricia Hruby Powell created a book using a series of poems told from Richard and Mildred's alternating perspectives. The book also contains some biographical information at the end.

Additionally there are illustrated pages and photographs throughout the book.

As we enter, African American History Month and as our nation addresses recent racial and cultural concerns, the Lovings may be just the right civil right activists to feature this month.

Look for a copy of A Case for Loving, and Loving Vs. Virginia at your local indie bookstores.

Don't forget to link up your nonfiction reviews...

#Road2Reading Challenge: A Look at Some New Chapter Books

January 31, 2017 Alyson Beecher

All journeys have a starting place.
This is a weekly place to find books and tools
that you may use with readers at the start of their reading journey.
Join in the conversation at #road2reading.

When Michele Knott and I decided to do the #Road2Reading Challenge, we were thinking of posting at least 3 times a month. Somehow we managed to make it through 4 weeks, and pushing onto a 5th weeks since January was generous and gave us a 5th Tuesday. We decided to both post some of the transitional chapter books that we were reading.

Today, I decided to include four titles that will appeal to advanced readers in kindergarten up to about 8 year or 9 years old.

Agnes and Clarabelle
by Adele Griffin & Courtney Sheinmel; Illustrated by Sara Palacios
Bloomsbury, January 17, 2017
Ages: 5 to 7

In this new series by Adele Griffin and Courtney Sheinmel, young readers will venture into a sweet story of friendship reminiscent of Frog & Toad. Four stories collected together as separate chapters tell about common events like surprise birthday parties, new sneakers, pizza and beach days.

Stinky Spike The Pirate Dog
by Peter Meisel; Illustrated by Paul Meisel
Bloomsbury, March 14, 2017
Ages: 5 to 7

Stinky Spike is the first book in another new early chapter book series published by Bloomsbury. With three chapters, larger print, and full color illustrations, young readers are taken along on an adventure with Stinky Spike The Pirate Dog. Unlike Agnes and Clarabelle, Stinky Spike's story is carried throughout the 3 chapters.

Ugly Cat & Pablo
by Isabel Quintero; Illustrated by Tom Knight
Scholastic, April 25, 2017
Ages: 7 to 9

For the next level of reader, Isabel Quintero introduces children to Ugly Cat and his friend Pablo. In the advanced copy, the illustrations in the book are in grayscale and I don't believe this will change between now and the finished version in April. With ten chapters, and more complex storyline and even bilingual phrases and sentences, makes this book about an unusual friendship between a cat and a mouse the right book for students moving beyond simple early chapter books.

The Two and Only Kelly Twins
by Johanna Hurwitz: Illustrated by Tuesday Mourning
Candlewick Press (2013)
Ages: 6 to 8

The Two and Only Kelly Twins is not a new release. In fact, it was released about 4 years ago. However, the second book in this series featuring identical twin girls comes out in April. The original book has 6 chapters and would be a good transition book (based on reading levels not interest levels) between a series like Stinky Spike and Ugly Cat & Pedro.

Double or Nothing With the Two and Only Kelly Twins by Johanna Hurwitz and illustrated by Tuesday Mourning is the follow-up book and releases in April 25, 2017. I will be doing a review of the new book the week of April 10th. If you would like to enter a giveaway for a copy of the new book, check out GoodReads here.

As each of these books release in the next few months, look for them at your local indie bookstore.

So, what new or old early chapter book series do you like?

Don't forget to link up your reviews if you are joining in with the #Road2Reading Challenge:

It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA - 1/30/17

January 30, 2017 Alyson Beecher

It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. Kellee Moye, of Unleashing Readers, and Jen Vincent of Teach Mentor Texts decided to give It's Monday! What Are You Reading? a kidlit focus. We encourage everyone who participates to visit at least three of the other kidlit book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

Last week, I missed posting because I was at the American Library Association MidWinter Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. On Monday, I attended the Youth Media Awards. I love attending the Awards Announcement and the energy in the room.

The Schneider Family Book Awards are announced right at the beginning.

Very fortunate to serve with a fabulous group of teachers/librarians.

And the winners are....

Here's what I have been reading?

Love Is by Diane Adams (Chronicle Books, January 24, 2017) - Just in time for Valentine's Day and Spring, this Love Is story definitely will elicit an aww feeling.

How to Be A Bigger Bunny by Florence Minor and Wendell Minor (Katherine Tegen Books) - Sometimes a cover is a bit misleading. When I saw this, it had a Little Golden Books feel, but the story was much more. An enjoyable bunny hero story to be read over and over.

Stepping Stones: A Refugee Family's Journey by Margriet Ruurs; Illustrated by Nizar Badr - Books are a way that we can share with children (and adults) the world around them. It opens windows and helps to build empathy and compassion. Definitely a book to read.

Yvain: The Knight of the Lion by M.T. Anderson; Illustrated by Andrea Offermann (Candlewick Press, March 14, 2017) - Different from what I expected from M.T. Anderson, this upcoming graphic novel tells the story of Yvain as part of the King Arthur's Legends. Beautifully illustrated.

Currently listening to....

Anna and the Swallow Man by Gavriel Savit (Knopf Books for Young Readers, January 2016) - Winner of the Odyssey Awards (best audiobooks for children and teens). I started this book and was immediately drawn into the story. The writing is rich and beautiful and you already know that despite that this is going to be an emotional read you won't be able to stop thinking about the story. (Note: For 13 or 14 years old and up)

Upon my return from Midwinter, I decided to read through some of the ALEX Awards. These are adult reads that will appeal to teen readers. Since I don't get to read many adult books, I thought this would be a fun way to introduce some new reads into my life. I have decided to start with IN THE COUNTRY WE LOVE: MY FAMILY DIVIDED by Diane Guerrero and Michelle Burford (Henry Holt and Co.)