#IMWAYR time has come again. I feel almost as though I am visiting old friends as I read through their blogs and find out what they have been up to. You are welcome to join the celebration. Just check out the links at Jen at Mentor text and Kellee and Rickie from Unleasing Readers. I feel obligated to warn you that this can become habit forming and very expensive!
The best thing about last week was that I found my missing library books! I
also read many amazing books. I loved one so much I actually found time to blog about it. I abandoned one, but more
about that later on.
PICTURE BOOKS
 |
| 4 stars |
Ballet
Cat by Bob Shea
I'm
very late to this party, but boy am I glad I showed up. This story of a self
absorbed cat who learns what is truly important charmed the heck out of me this
week.
 |
| 4 stars |
Maple
by Lori Nichols
I
adored the illustrations in this book and I adored Maple. I think I would have
liked to have had a girl like her for a daughter. Next week I'm reading Maple
and Willow.
 |
| 3 stars |
Counting
Crows by Kathi Appelt & Rob Dunlavey (Illustrator)
I love the illustrations in this book. They are
truly stunning. I just had problems with the rhyming text. It seemed like I was
just getting into a rhythm and then it changed. That aside, this is a lovely
book for young children learning beginning math concepts.
 |
| 4 stars |
Terrible Things: An Allegory of the Holocaust by
Eve Bunting & Stephen Gammell (Illustrator)
I would read this book to older students.
The Dark and Terrible Things come to the forest
and begin by taking away the birds. They return time and again to take away
another group. No one tries to stop them until eventually, there is only one
small rabbit who managed to hide from them.
This would make an ideal starting point for talking to students about the holocaust and other attempts at genocide.
This would make an ideal starting point for talking to students about the holocaust and other attempts at genocide.
INFORMATION BOOKS
 |
| 4 stars |
I Am Amelia Earhart (Ordinary People Change the
World) by Brad Meltzer & Christopher Eliopoulos (Illustrator)
Because I trusted those of you who lauded their
quality, I've purchased a few books from this series. Last week as I was setting
this one on display I finally got around to reading one. I am most thankful for
your reviews! I was charmed and impressed by this easy to read biography of a
woman who has long captured my imagination. I can't wait to book talk it to
students at our assembly this week.
CHAPTER BOOKS
 |
| 5 stars |
Soapstone Signs by Jeff Pinkney and Darlene Gait
(Illustrator)
I can't remember ever being so impressed by the
quality of writing in an early chapter book. These books from the Orca Echoes
series are at about a grade two reading level and written to be of interest to
students who are from 7 to 9 years old. An interesting note is that we never learn the name of the young
Cree boy who carves a number of different animals over the course of one year.
I appreciate this opportunity to visit with him in his world and noticed that while there are many
similarities, there are also many differences between his life and ours.
Darlene Gait's illustrations are the perfect accompaniment to this magical book.
NOVELS
 |
| 4 stars |
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John
Boyne & Michael Maloney (Narrator)
Because it is November and Remembrance Day is coming up, I decided it was time to get around to reading this book that I have
had on my radar for ages, but never got around to.
I listened to it and was completely and totally
absorbed in the story. I got my first sense of foreboding when Bruno's father,
the Commandant of Auschwitz, shaves his head because of lice. Then
when he heads off into the camp with Shmuel, I knew what was coming next,
and I couldn't listen any more. I abandoned listening, but think I might have a
go at reading the rest of the book with my eyes.
While this book gripped me, I have to
admit that at times I struggled with the innocence of Bruno. I really have a
hard time accepting that he wouldn't have more of an understanding of what was
going on on the other side of the fence.
 |
| 4 stars |
I needed the light heartedness and tomfoolery of
Ashton Place after spending time at Auschwitz. I always enjoy visiting with the
three Incorrigible children and Miss Penelope Lumley, their governess. This
adventure includes an escaped ostrich, a camping trip into the wilds, rides on
the back of wolves, and a seance. More mysteries and questions about the
inhabitants of Ashton Place and Miss Lumley are opened than are resolved.
CURRENTLY
I'm listening to Dealing With Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede and reading Finding Ruby Starling by Karen Rivers.
UP NEXT
Our How to tell a Story kit finally arrived. I'm looking forward to reading more about how it works in the next week or so.
Other than than, I'm not sure, but it will be from our book club books...
Hi Cheriee, it does look like you had a Holocaust reading week - have you seen the film adaptation of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas? Pretty powerful, really. I just pinned Terrible Things - Eve Bunting is soo soo prolific - I should really look into finding all of her picturebooks and doing a themed analysis. :)
ReplyDeleteEve Bunting is such an amazing author. I use many of her books when I am doing critical literacy work with students. I don't think I could manage the movie version of The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas Myra.
DeleteI think Terrible Things is one of Eve Bunting's most powerful books. I've read it to my older students who then drew their own responses. Still need to read Maple & all the others, keep forgetting about them. The Boy In The Striped Pajamas is tough, but worth finishing, a lesson for everyone I think.
ReplyDeleteTerribly Things is indeed a powerful book, but I think nearly all of Bunting's books are powerful. I will share how you used it with teachers at our school. If it is here, I will try to finish The Boy In The Striped Pajamas on Remembrance Day.
DeleteI hope you enjoy Dealing with Dragons. I hope your readers will enjoy Meltzer's series as much as we do!
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying this series Earl and thank you for turning me on to it. It is pretty safe bet for me that if you give a book I praise, I will love it.
DeleteHow I adore Ballet Cat and Sparkles Pony! Will definitely be in my Top 10 for 2015. Just noticed, too, that Book 2 in the series is now available for pre-order. I was just thinking this week about how much I like dragons in books. I read Dealing with Dragons a few years ago and enjoyed it but never read the rest of the series. Might have to remedy that!
ReplyDeleteHurrah for a book 2! I just added it to my school shopping cart. Now we have to wait for February! I'm enjoying Dealing with Dragons, but I do have a few qualms about it.
DeleteIt has been years since I read Dealing with Dragons. I have very fond memories of it. You can see what I read here. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteIt's good, but so far, Cimorene has just traded in being a Princess for what seem to be house wife duties - still pretty gender stereotypical - but I will wait and see.
DeleteSo glad you found Ballet Cat! They're perfect for paired reading, and I like having them to offer to kids who have devoured all of the Elephant and Piggie books. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteI can see this - In fact when I book talked it this morning, I used this comparison.
DeleteWe love the Ordinary People Change the World Series. The books are filled with information and are easy to read - So perfect for a biography study.
ReplyDeleteI really like the simple straightforward text although I do have mixed feelings about the cartoonish illustrations.
DeleteI have owned The Boy in the Striped Pajamas for quite a few years, and due to the mixed reviews, I have never actually picked it up. I liked the honesty of your review. You've inspired me to wipe off that dust and give it a try. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteIt is very compelling. I just have a hard time with books that end in tragedy.
DeleteBallet Cat! Isn't it the best. Really, seriously I think I had to read it aloud about 14 times when I first shared it. Kids kept fighting over it and then we would solve it by having me read it again! Too funny.
ReplyDeleteI know! I just adore it! Is there a sequel in the offing?
DeleteYay Ballet Cat! I am so glad you loved it!
ReplyDeleteI have The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place as my next audiobook because of you :) I am so looking forward to it (and I hope my library has it!).
Happy reading this week! :)
I hope you enjoy this series as much as I have. I do think Katherine Kellgren could make anything she read sound fascinating.
DeleteI love, love, love Dealing with Dragons. Ballet Cat is super fun. I felt the same about Counting Crows. Thanks for the titles!
ReplyDelete