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!
It's an exciting day today because the Caldecott Medal winner will be announced. In fact, probably as you are reading this post we already know which book was selected. The timing of the announcement will come as my students arrive in the morning. I hope to have the live event projected on my Smartboard as my second graders arrive. Our whole second grade participated in a Mock Caldecott. If you would like to read about it you can click here or here.
But now on to the highlights of my reading week!
It's an exciting day today because the Caldecott Medal winner will be announced. In fact, probably as you are reading this post we already know which book was selected. The timing of the announcement will come as my students arrive in the morning. I hope to have the live event projected on my Smartboard as my second graders arrive. Our whole second grade participated in a Mock Caldecott. If you would like to read about it you can click here or here.
But now on to the highlights of my reading week!
The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp by Kathi Appelt
I hesitated to read this book because talking animal fantasy turns me off generally - or at least I think it does - but then I think of Charlotte's Web or The One and Only Ivan. And I didn't read the Harry Potter books right away because I thought, "Hmmph... I don't care for fantasy." But my daughter who was in 6th grade at the time harassed me so much, that I sat down and read the first book and then promptly read the next 2! So, I need to be more open minded. I think if the book is written well, it won't matter the genre or the types of characters.
So, anyway, this book is written so well. I love the author's style of narrative and the way she has weaved legend into the story. I love how the story is about saving Sugar Man Swamp, but also helping a young boy come to terms with his grandfather's death. I love how Kathi Appelt brought all the different characters and their stories together. I love how she chose to have the narrator speak to the reader in such a humorous way. A great book I would definitely recommend for 4th grade and up. It would make a great read aloud for 3rd grade and up.
Urgency Emergency! Big Bad Wolf by Dosh Archer
A new early transitional reader that I really enjoyed. The Big Bad Wolf comes through the emergency room and has swallowed something large and can't breath. What will they do?! Hilarious fractured fairy tale that I know my second graders will love. I think there are 3 others in the series. I got this from the library, but I will be purchasing it for my class library soon.
And don't forget to come back on Wednesday for my non-fiction reads of the week.
What have you been reading?
I'm with you on the talking animal aversion, and I also am not good with quirky Southern. I can't see my students going for The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp, but I may have to take another look at it.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it interesting how our preconceived ideas sometimes stop us from reading a great book? I do this quite often with sad books or ones that I have heard are sad...but really a well-written book is always a balm to the soul. I have heard good things about The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp. It is on the TBR. Have a great reading week!
ReplyDeleteI have both of those books in my TBR pile. Hoping to tackle them soon :) Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI loved Urgency Emergency! Going to get them for my library.
ReplyDeleteMrs. Brown Loves Bookworms
I love fractured fairy tales! And what a funny cover design for Urgency Emergency! Big Bad Wolf. =) Here's my Monday Reading this week. =)
ReplyDelete