Book Review: Spunky Tells All

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)

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

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

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

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!