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

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

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

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

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!!!

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.