It's Monday! What are you reading?

I have had a very prolific reading week.  It must have been the snow days!  Here are some of the highlights of my reading week.  Thanks to Teach Mentor Texts blog for the weekly inspiration!

Lulu and the Brontosaurus by Judith Viorst and illustrated by Lane Smith

This is the story of Lulu, a little girl unaccustomed to hearing the word no. When her parents tell her no, she can not have a pet brontosaurus for her birthday, Lulu runs away to find the dinosaur for herself.  Along the way Lulu is unkind and cruel to the forest creatures. When Lulu finally finds her brontosaurus, Mr. B., the situation is turned, as Mr. B. decides to keep Lulu as the pet. The clever and persistent Lulu is able to escape and return home, wiser and a little bit kinder.

I love the narrator's voice! She often speaks directly to the reader and has a rather spunky personality. It's almost as if the narrator is a character in the story. In the end, the narrator provides 3 possible endings too.

I read this chapter book to my class last week. They absolutely loved the sassy narrator and the very bossy Lulu. And they were as annoyed as the creatures in the forest when I sang Lulu's song, "I'm gonna get a bronto bronto brontosaurus!" I loved the shocking comments and giggles from my students when the narrator says Lulu was a "real pain in the butt!" and when Lulu throws a tantrum and tells her parents, "foo on you". "  Here's some of their comments: "She is going to get in trouble!" "She is so rude". "She is spoiled". "Her parents should be more strict with her."

I used the book for lessons on character traits, using text evidence to support your opinion, and to introduce the concept of how characters change from the beginning to the end of a story.

We are currently reading the sequel, Lulu Walks the Dogs. While Lulu has learned to say please and thank you, and she is no longer throwing tantrums, she still has a lot to learn about friendship, cooperation, and kindness. But we love Lulu - because we know there is a little Lulu in all of us. (Pssst... I read on Kirkus Reviews that  Judith Viorst is writing a third Lulu book and there is a Lulu musical in the works too!)

Exclamation Mark by Amy Krouse Rosenthal & Tom Lichtenheld

A very simple, yet creative picture book about a little exclamation mark who doesn't feel like he fits in with all the other periods. After encountering a very inquisitive question mark the little explanation mark finally finds his inner self and is able to "make his mark".  A great little read that lends itself to great discussions about fitting in, being yourself, or the journey to find ones self.  I think my second graders will have no problem seeing the greater theme of this book, but I also think it might make a nice gift for someone struggling to find their own identity in the world.

Becoming Babe Ruth by Matt Tavares

This picture book biography tells the story of young George Herman Ruth, before he became the famous Babe Ruth.  It tells the story of young George, who at 7 years old, is sent to a boys reform school.  It is while at St. Mary's Industrial School for Boys that young George learns the game of baseball and is "discovered".  This is a wonderfully inspiring story about a baseball legend and where he came from, how hard he worked and how he always remembered and honored his past.  A great read for baseball fans and non-baseball fans alike!

What have you been reading?

It's Monday! What are you reading?

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

Lunch Lady and the Field Trip Fiasco by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

Hilarious graphic novel series about a lunch lady who secretly fights crime with her assistant Betty and a group of students known as the Breakfast Bunch. In this installment, Lunch Lady catches a group of art thieves while chaperoning a field trip. I love all the gadgets used to fight crime - the carrot stick flash drive, the cookie camera and the spork phone! This series is very reminiscent of the Batman and Get Smart series (television, not movie) from the 60's and 70's which I loved.
I only have the first book, Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute, and would love to have more in my classroom library! I have been checking them out of the public library. The book is very popular with many of my second grade boys. In terms of reading level, I believe most second graders can read the book independently by the middle of second grade.

Little Mouse Gets Ready by Jeff Smith

This book is part of a great group of graphic/comic style books called Toon Books written specifically for beginner/early readers. In this book, Little Mouse is excited to get dressed to go to the barn with his family. The story goes through the process of Little Mouse getting dressed only to realize in the end that mice don't wear clothes. A cute book for first or second grade readers. I have several other Toon Books in my class library that my students enjoy. Check out the publishers website because there are lesson ideas and a list of books with reading levels.

Bird & Squirrel on the Run by James Burks

Another great graphic novel book in full color.  In this story you have two very opposite characters and unlikely friends. Squirrel is afraid of everything, while Bird has more of an adventurous spirit. This of course leads to hilarious adventures as they travel south for the winter while the single-minded Cat chases them along the way!  Even with all the slapstick humor, at it's heart, this is a book about friendship and accepting each others flaws.  I absolutely love the illustrations - Bird, with his goggles and Squirrel with his acorn-cap helmet.  I hope there are more adventures for Bird & Squirrel planned.

I got my copy of this book from the public library and hope to purchase a copy for my class library soon.  I think most second graders will be able to read the book independently by mid-year.

Inspiration from Debbie Miller & Choice Literacy

This morning I woke up to a ton of snow and my Big Fresh Newsletter from Choice Literacy in my email inbox.  This article by Debbie Miller really hit home for me. I have been struggling this year to fit in all the stuff that has been added to my plate as a teacher. Actually, it feels as if it has been dumped, or plowed right through my classroom door!

In her article, Debbie talked about the "luscious feeling of endless time" and I knew exactly what she meant because just last week I finally had that feeling. Finally. For the first time this year. It was during writing workshop while conferring. But it really doesn't matter when it happened, just that it did happen. It was a rather nostalgic moment, both happy and sad. How had this happened? How did I allow my second grade class to become a place where I mentally checked off each lesson or activity as completed, or cut out important time for thinking and doing? I realized the joy had been sucked out of my teaching, and I needed to get it back!

As I walked my students to their special that day, and later as I drove home, I reminded myself of what was important in teaching and learning. As Debbie writes, "determine what is essential, and teach those things deeply and well".

As I read Debbie's article, it was as if a colleague was sitting next to me in the faculty room, supporting me and encouraging me - telling me that I am doing the right thing. That I am not alone in my beliefs. From one Debbie to another, thank you.

World Read Aloud Day

March 6th is World Read Aloud Day! Celebrate the power of words and help create a community of readers. Did you know, according to  LitWorld, there are at least 793 million people in the world that are illiterate?  I can't imagine not being able to read. As my children were growing up we enjoyed reading together so much.  From bedtime stories to trips to story time at the local library, books have always been a huge part of our life. When each of my children learned to read it was like a right of passage, they were part of a club. But more than that, the ability to read opens doors to a better life for you and your family. So, join the global literacy movement because everyone has the right to learn how to read and write. It's easy to participate.  Just go on over to LitWorld and register.

Here's some ideas that I am thinking of doing on World Read Aloud Day.

• Invite parents to come in to read aloud.

• Set up a schedule for my second graders to read aloud to kindergartners.

• Bring you toy or stuffed animal to read to.

• Read to your pet. Bring in a picture.

• Bring in photos of family reading together.

• I would like to do a Skype read aloud, so I will have to figure that out!  Head over to Kate Messner's blog for a list of authors that will Skype for World Read Aloud Day.

What are your plans for World Read Aloud Day?

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.

Caldecott Medal 2013

Today was the BEST day EVER!  I want to write this down while it is fresh in my mind.

Today the Caldecott Medal would be announced.  Our second graders had participated in a Mock Caldecott Medal and today we planned on watching the event live which would start at 11am our time, right after gym.  So, when we got back to the room I logged onto the website where the American Library Association Youth Media Awards would be streamed.  I kept the sound off and didn't turn on the projector because I knew it would be a long wait for my second graders before the Caldecott would be announced.  I planned on doing Writing Workshop while we waited, but I was so nervous I couldn't concentrate on settling myself down to start conferring!  So, I took my ipad out and started following #alayma on twitter.  I couldn't wait any longer and like an impatient child waiting for their birthday party to begin I called my colleagues and told them it was time to come down to my room for the Caldecott announcements.  There was a buzz in the air as I announced our Mock Caldecott Winners.  I explained that there was a very good chance that our choices would not win, and in fact we may have not even read the winning books.  However, I assured them if this was the case we would have new books to read!

We got warmed up when Each Kindness was announced as a Coretta Scott King Honor book.  There was surprised applause all around.  When it was announced that there were 5 Caldecott Honor books you could hear everyone OOOHHHH!  The cheers and applause were deafening as students heard the names of books that we had read together and that they loved so very much.  I was jumping up and down I was so excited.  When Jon Klassen's This Is Not My Hat was announced I couldn't believe it!  More cheers and applause.  I was near tears to see how excited my students were and how excited my colleagues were - it was incredible.  It felt like we were at a rock concert and we were cheering our favorite rock stars.  And I thought, this is how it should be, our authors and illustrators should be celebrities to these kids!

As we listened to the Newbery Award be announced and I heard the words, The One and Only Ivan, I cheered so loud you would have thought I wrote the book!  As I looked around the room and saw the delighted surprise on the faces of all the second graders tears welled up in my eyes.  We had read Ivan earlier in the year as part of the Global Read Aloud, but our focus on the awards had been the Caldecott.  After all, Newbery books are not often read in second grade classrooms.  I had fell in love with the book over the summer and followed all the twitter chatter about this glorious book, but I knew there were probably many other Newbery contenders that I had not read.

Today was an incredible and amazing day.  With all the focus lately on budget cuts, testing and teacher evaluations it has been difficult at times to keep my "eyes on the prize" as they say.  I am so glad I had the honor and privilege to share these books with my students and colleagues, and I am so very thankful for my inspiring Twitter PLN.  I can go back to school tomorrow energized, with my new bag of books from the bookstore, and continue helping my young readers fall in love with reading and books.

Congratulations to all the book award recipients.   You truly are rock stars!

You can view a list of the award winning books here.

Bookstore Love

I love visiting a bookstore with a well stocked children's section.  And if I find a salesperson that is knowledgeable about children's books I can stay in the store forever.  My husband and I took a trip out to the east end of Long Island this summer for a day full of wine tasting, hiking and fun.  When we stopped in Mattituck for a bite to eat I noticed a bookstore on the corner, so of course we had to stop in and check out the place.  BookHampton is smaller place, but the children's section is well stocked and the salesperson was eager to talk about the books with me.  I left with a bag full of books including Tad Hills' Rocket Writes a Story and Mo Willems' Goldilocks and the Three Dinosaurs.  I know I will definitely stop at BookHampton whenever I am in the area.

There is also a discount bookstore nearby called Best Bargain books.  This store is hit or miss when it comes to finding exactly what is on my reading list, but I always leave with a bag full of books that I didn't know I was looking for.  One time I was able to find 15 different Gail Gibbons book at a very good price.

My best bookstore memory has to be when my children were very young.  I think they were in early elementary grades.  We were at a local discount book store, (which has since gone out of business) and my son, who was carrying a stack of books, looked up at me and asked, "Mommy, is this a place that we check out the books or buy the books?"

A couple of times a year I drive to the Book Revue in Huntington.  It's about 45-60 minutes away, depending on the traffic.  I always go once during the summer and once during a winter vacation day.  Today is the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday so after bringing the dog to the vet I drove to the Book Revue. (The vet bill was higher than expected, so I had concerns about my book budget.)  I have a list of books that I keep on my Goodreads app, but I also just love looking through the shelves to see what I can find.  I have to be honest, over the last several years the Book Revue's children's department seems to have dwindled, and many shelves have been replaced with toys.  I really wanted to find a copy of Fifty Cents and a Dream, but no such luck.  Here's what I purchased;

New titles that I haven't read - hope they might be good additions to our class library.

Always looking for duplicate copies of popular books.

Books from my "To Read" list.

All of these bookstores give a teacher a nice discount, which is greatly appreciated since I purchase most of the books for my classroom library and class read alouds.  If you ever visit Long Island be sure to shop at these bookstores! Do you have a favorite bookstore?  What books have you purchased recently?