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!

I have a huge stack of books that have been sitting around since the summer and I really wanted to read them NOW!  But, I am easily distracted by the next, best book.  I have started several graphic novels, but haven't finished them yet and I have also started The Quirks: Welcome to Normal by Erin Soderberg.  I was lucky to get an Advanced Reader copy from a parent who visited NCTE in November.

One of my reading goals is to read more early chapter books that would interest my second graders.  I have books in my class library that I have had for quite awhile, but never get read.  So, I decided to read them so I could figure out how to "advertise" them.

Second-Grade Pig Pals by Kirby Larson
So, the title is a bit silly, but its a great realistic story about friendship.  The main character Quinn has made friends with the new student Manuela, but finds she has accidentally messed things up.  I found the characters and their problems to be very typical for second graders!  Girls, especially, will be able to relate to the story.  And you can't beat the Newbery Honor Author!

The Beast in Mrs. Rooney's Room by Patricia Reilly Giff
Richard Best, who refers to himself as "The Beast" has been left back and now will be repeating the second grade.  He is worried about his old friends and being stuck with the baby class.  He also has a knack for getting into trouble.  Along the way The Beast accepts his reading struggles, makes new friends and finds he has something that he is good at and helps his class win the school banner award.  Another book that takes a realistic look at what goes on in the lives of children in early elementary school.

This book is part of the The Kids of Polk Street School Series.  I have copies of several of the other books that I brought home to read, so maybe I will feature them next week.

These aren't the type of books my second graders pick up on their own. Most second graders are drawn to series books with a familiar character.    They tend to like "funny books" and will not choose a book with a realistic problem automatically - although they do love listening to realistic fiction.  I do believe I have readers that would really enjoy these books.  Now I have to figure out a way to hook them on these titles.  Any suggestions?

The Misadventures of Salem Hyde: Spelling Trouble by Frank Cammuso

In this new graphic novel series Salem, a sassy, impulsive and lovable little girl, is a witch.  In order to help her adjust and learn to be a proper witch her grandmother sends for an animal companion.  Whammy, the cat, has his hands full as he tries to help Salem prepare for the the Spelling Bee.  All sorts of hilarious problems occur as one spell after another goes wrong.  Thanks to a parent for this Advance Reader Copy!  Readers that like Frannie K. Stein will enjoy this series.

These are just a few of the books I read this week.  Please visit my Goodreads page to see what else I'm reading!

It's Monday! What are you reading?

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!

Having a couple of weeks off from school has allowed me to read a lot.  Here's some highlights from my week.

Invisible Inkling by Emily Jenkins

Hank has an invisible friend, but he's not imaginary!  He's a bandipat from the Peruvian Woods of Mystery, and he helps Hank deal with the day to day problems of a school bully.  There are 2 sequels to the book also!

Waiting for the Magic by Patricia MacLachlan

There's something about dogs that just make a our lives so much better!  In this book 4 dogs help a family cope when the father decides to leave.

How to Steal a Dog by Barbara O'Connor

Georgina decides to steal a dog to help her homeless family find an apartment. A great story about a girl  in a horrible situation struggling to do what is right.

Clementine and the Family Meeting by Sara Pennypacker

I just love the Clementine series.  I still crack up laughing every time she calls her little brother vegetable names!   In this installment Clementine has a difficult time adjusting to the family news.  (I won't give away the news.)

I read a few series that I have been meaning to try.  I enjoyed them and look forward to adding them to my class library.  I would consider these Early Chapter books, grade 2 and up.

Middle Grade and Young Adult books that I enjoyed.  Loved, loved Eleanor and Park.

Graphic Novels I enjoyed and recommend - The 26-Story Treehouse is more of a combination early chapter book and graphic novel.  While this installment of The Flying Beaver Brothers wasn't my favorite the series deserves a place in my class library.  I think my students will love those crazy beavers. And I continue to be a giant fan of Toon Books!  They do an awesome job of creating graphic novels that are high interest and that my reluctant readers can read independently.  

 In my search for more mentor texts for my upcoming personal narrative unit in writing workshop I came across these little gems.

If you want to see what else I read this past vacation please check out my Goodreads list!

Happy Reading!

What are you reading?

Here's what I have been reading this past week.

Ellray Jakes Walks the Plank by Sally Warner.

Ellray is a smart, but sometimes forgetful third grader who often finds himself in trouble, or as he would say, "messing up". The book begins during Ellray's spring vacation and he has volunteered to take home the class goldfish, only to have it die on his watch. This leads to a series of events as Ellray has to learn real life lessons about his reputation. I think Ellray is a very realistic character that 2nd, 3rd and 4th grade boys will really like. Ellray's personality really comes through since he is the narrator. It is humorous, yet touching at times - but not too mushy for its intended audience. I love the relationship he has with his younger 4 year old sister. At this point in the year most of my second graders would have a difficult time reading the book independently, but I still plan on adding a few of the Ellray Jakes books to my classroom library for when they are ready. I would love to find a early transitional series with a character like Ellray!



Marty McGuire Digs Worms by Kate Messner

This is the second Marty McGuire book. Kate Messner has created a wonderful female character who does not fit the typical stereotypical third grade girl mold. Marty does not like dolls or dresses and is comfortable in her own unique skin. Hurray! In this story all the children in Marty's class are asked to participate in an environmental awareness contest in which they create a project. With Marty's grandma's help she builds a worm composting box. I thought that the book had just the right mix of science and drama, as Marty impatiently waits for the worms to do their job she over feeds them and has to deal with a pile of escaped worms. I am planning on reading this book to my class as a read aloud. I consider the book an early chapter book and too difficult for most second graders at this time, although I do have one reader in my class reading the first Marty McGuire book. I have often considered having a worm box in my class... we will see.



Pearl and Wagner, One Funny Day by Kate McMullen

In my never ending search for quality, high interest transitional chapter books with interesting characters I think I found one in this book. I am often turned off by animals with clothes talking and acting like humans, but as a second grade teacher I sometimes have to get over that! I mean, why can't the characters just be human kids?  I would prefer the characters look and act like diverse children, instead of a variety of animals. In this book Wagner, a mouse is not enjoying the April Fools Day, while his friend Pearl, the rabbit is having a great day. In the end, Wagner plays an April Fools joke on his classmates. The story is more about bouncing back after a hard day or difficulty - it is definitely not about playing jokes on classmates. I plan on checking out more Pearl and Wagner books in the future. I hope I find a series worthy of adding to my classroom library.