The Nonfiction Detectives and I are hosting a Non-Fiction Picture Book Challenge.
My goal has been to kick off the month with the new nonfiction picture
book release titles. As I was going through books that I have found, I added titles from May and June that I had not previously posted. Additionally, I am looking for more July titles. I am quite certain that there are more nonfiction picture books being release than the one I have noted.
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. I know that I am still searching for
May releases and will likely do a Part II update. 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.
Feel free to link your nonfiction picture book reviews to the Mr. Linky below.
Authors: Jon Scieszka, Dan Gutman, Tim Green, Anne Ursu, Dustin Brown, Jacquelin Woodson, Chris Crutcher, James Brown, Joseph Bruchac, Gordon Korman, Chris Rylander Illustrator: Dan Santat Publisher: Walden Pond Press (July 10, 2012) Pages: 272 Audience: Grades 4 to 8 Source: Copy from the Publisher Sports * Fiction *
Description from Publisher:
A lineman with something to prove
A vendetta against a baseball legend
The rise of a real-life NHL all-star
The luckiest grapefruit in sports history
Open up The Sports Pages, the third volume in the Guys Read Library of Great Reading, and you're in for all of this and more. From fiction to nonfiction, from baseball to mixed martial arts and everything in between, these are ten stories about the rush of victory and the crush of defeat on and off the field. Compiled by kid-lit all-star Jon Scieszka, Guys Read: The Sports Pages is a thrilling collection of brand-new short stories from some of your favorite authors and athletes.
Check out the official book trailer for Guys Read: Funny Business:
My thoughts on the book/series:
Jon Sciezska, former National Ambassador of Young People's Literature, founded Guys Read to "help boys become self-motivated, life-long readers". One of the ways that Sciezska is working to make this mission a reality is by developing a series of books containing a collection of short stories that appeal specifically to boys. Sciezska has pulled together an all-star list of Middle Grade and Young Adult authors to develop stories around a theme. The current book is Guys Read: The Sports Pages. Each of the 10 stories in this collection celebrate or highlight some aspect of sports. I particularly enjoyed Dan Gutman's recollection of the 1986 World Series between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Mets in the story "How I Won the World Series". Probably because I remember watching those exact games. Though I enjoyed many of the stories in this volume, as with the other volumes, there are definitely stories that I have to remind myself that I am not the targeted audience. Some stories will be appreciated way more by a 10 or 12 year old boy than by me, and that is a good thing.
What I have come to love about this series is that I can easily read one of the stories to a group of students as part of book talking the book and know that I will quickly have students (boys and girls) raising their hands to be the first to read a copy of the book. Another aspect of the Guys Read Books is that many boys I know complain about sitting long enough to complete a book. There is a lot competing for their time. However, with a collection of short stories, readers can chose a story that appeals to them. It doesn't have to be the first story either. You can read the stories in order listed or jump around. Additionally, one story can be read easily during a silent reading time at school providing the reader with a sense of accomplishment.
Guys Read: The Giveaway:
To celebrate the release of Guys Read: The Sports Pages, Walden Pond Press will send out a set of all three (3) books in the Guys Read series. This is a great way to increase your classroom or school library with a set of books that are sure to attract readers.
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, your comment will
not be posted.
2. You must complete the entry form to official enter the giveaway.
3. The Contest runs from July 3, 2012 to 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on July 10th.
4. You must be 13 years or older to participate.
5. If you are selected as the winner, you will be notified by email. If
you do not respond within 48 hours, I will select a new winner.
6. US participants only.
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.
I realized that I have been reading though a lot of advanced copies of books recently. As a result, I have put release dates near all of the books so that if anything interests you then you can mark your calendars.
Here are my favorites from my the past week's reading adventures:
Drama by Raina Telgemeier (Scholastic, September 1, 2012) - Fans of Telgemeier's first graphic novel - Smile - will be eager to read her newest graphic novel to be released at the beginning of September. I can't wait to see the final version in all color.
Guys Read: The Sports Pages edited by Jon Scieszka (Walden Pond Press, July 10, 2012) - The newest Guys Read will be out next week. Stop by the blog tomorrow for a chance to win all 3 Guys Reads.
Lulu Walks the Dogs by Judith Viorst, Illustrated by Lane Smith (Simon & Schuster, September 4, 2012) - Yipee! There is a new Lulu book coming out. It made me so happy to get an ARC of this one. I think I love this book even better than I loved Lulu & the Brontosaurus (which I didn't think was possible). I want to read it to every first and second grade class.
The Word Eater by Mary Amato (Holiday House, 2004) - Okay, this is an older book that I checked out of the library. Great for 2nd to 4th graders and good for discussions about bullying.
Alex the Parrot: No Ordinary Bird: A True Story by Stephanie Spinner; Illustrated by Meilo So (Random House, October 9, 2012) - Though this is a picture book, it is a little more like a novella. Definitely geared for independent reading levels of 3rd grade to 5th, but would work as a read aloud in 2nd grade. I loved this story of Alex and the research on language and learning.
Seed by Seed by Esme Raji Codell; Illustrated by Lynne Rae Perkins (Greenwillow Books, August 21, 2012) - Most of the time I think of Johnny Appleseed as some kind of folktale/legend. Codell focuses more on the life of John Chapman and what kind of legacy he left behind. Though the book will be released in time for Johnny Appleseed's birthday on September 26th, I found that this one is also relevant for earth day celebrations.
So, what are you reading this week?
I am on vacation for the next several weeks. I am going to read to my hearts content and don't have any definite plans of what I will read and when. How are you doing on your summer reading? Any fun surprises? Books that you found that must be used as a class read aloud? Love to hear what you have discovered.
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.
The last few days I have been at ALA with friends. It has been a fantastic experience. I have been reading a lot of F & G's (folded & gathered) for new picture books and though they have been wonderful to read, I hate to list so many books that won't be out for 4 months in this week's post. However, I have to mention at least a few.
Here are some favorites from this past week:
What To Do If An Elephant Stands On Your Foot by Michelle Robinson; Illustrated by Peter Reynolds; Release Date July 2012. - A hint of "If you give a mouse a cookie" in this book. Love the Peter Reynolds' illustrations.
Nighttime Ninja by Barbara DaCosta; Illustrated by Ed Young; Release Date: September 2012 - Love the mixed media illustrations and the twist at the end.
Penny and Her Doll by Kevin Henkes; Release date August 2012 - This is a follow-up to Penny and Her Song which is more early reader than picture book.
So, what will you be reading this week?
Here are two of the many titles that I picked up at ALA annual conference that I can't wait to read this week.
Drama by Raina Telgemeier (Scholastic; September 1, 2012) - The much awaited next graphic novel from Telgemeier.
This is the 2nd Annual Midsummer's Eve Giveaway Hop and it will take place from June 20th to 26th! Thanks to I am a Reader, Not a Writer and Uniquely Moi Books for co-hosting. Don't forget to check out the links to see all of the different giveaways!
Since I will be attending my first ALA annual conference, I am doing a surprise giveaway. I am not sure which Advanced Readers Copies - otherwise known as ARC's (Middle Grade and Young Adult) - I will be able to snag, but from my ALA Midwinter experience, I know that it will be good. So I am planning to giveaway 2 yet to be named ARC's. I will post a picture of as soon as I know.
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, your comment will
not be posted.
2. You must complete the entry form to official enter the giveaway.
3. The Contest runs from 12:00 a.m. Pacific Time on June 20th to 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on June 26th.
4. You must be 13 years or older to participate.
5. If you are selected as the winner, you will be notified by email. If
you do not respond within 48 hours, I will select a new winner.
6. US participants only.
