Monday, February 17, 2014

It's Monday! What are you reading? #IMWAYR




Thanks to Jen at TeachMentorText  and Kellee at UnleashingReaders for the weekly meme highlighting children's literature - picture books to young adult.  Don't forget to visit their sites so you can see what everyone else is reading this week!

Poppy the Pirate Dog by Liz Kessler and illustrated by Mike Phillips

My second graders just love dogs.  And this early chapter book is a perfect addition to my class library.  In this story Poppy is afraid of boats and her family struggles to find a way to help her enjoy their vacation by the sea.












Bean Dog and Nugget: The Ball by Charise Mericle Harper

Super silly beginner graphic novel starring lovable stick figure-ish characters.  I could see my students writing and drawing their own Bean Dog and Nugget stories.  I think this is the beginning of a series too, which would be fun.














This is the Rope: A Story From the Great Migration by Jacqueline Woodson and illustrated by James Ransome

The book tells the story of an African American family's history as they move north for a better life.  The rope serves different purposes as it is passed from one generation to the next.  I love Jacqueline Woodson's books.  In this story she is able to show how a family stays close together, looks for a better life, yet continues to remember their past.  And she does this with a rope!  It ties the story together.  Get it?  I'm so funny.  I would recommend the book for grade 3 and up.  And did I mention the illustrations?  I love how realistic they are.






Thomas Jefferson Builds a Library by Barb Rosenstock and illustrated by John O'Brien

This book tells of Thomas Jefferson's love of books and how that love helped to create our Library of Congress.  Along with the main text, each page is filled with additional information written in an alternate font and floated throughout the illustrations.  A great way to introduce one of our founding fathers while focusing on the love of reading.   

A few years ago, I finally got to visit Washington D.C. and take a tour of the Library Congress.  It was wonderful!  The building is beautiful and the docents do an amazing job with the tour.  Seeing the collection that Jefferson donated to the library was exciting, even though most of his original books have been replaced due to a fire in the library.

Sit-in: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down by Andrea Davis Pinkney and illustrated by Brian Pinkney

This book tells the story of the 1960 Woolworth sit-ins, where 4 students sat at the Woolworth lunch counter to stage a peaceful protest.  A great read aloud that explains the sit-in and other related student demonstrations that occurred during the civil rights movement.  I would recommend for grade 4 and up.











The Watermelon Seed by Greg Pizzoli

What child hasn't worried about swallowing a watermelon seed?  This book takes a look at the crocodile's fears once he realizes he has swallowed a seed.  Will he grow a watermelon vine in his tummy?  Perfect beginner book, but a terrific read aloud as well.












Wednesday, February 19th,  I will participate in 10 for 10 Non-fiction books.  Click on the image to find out more about this event! 












What books have you been reading?

3 comments:

  1. I loved Poppy, This is the Rope and The Watermelon Seed, too! Thanks for sharing the others :)

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  2. The Watermelon Seed is so adorable! Bean Dog and Nugget are very popular in my room. Wish there were more of these titles. I have one little reader who would be thrilled.

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  3. Hi there Debra, great titles here. I am a huge fan of the husband and wife tandem of Andrea Davis Pinkney and Brian Pinkney - I haven't read this particular title yet, I should look for it. I also enjoyed This is the Rope. I also have to find Thomas Jefferson builds a library - I've been seeing that one around lately. Have a great reading week!

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