Home, Sweet Home

COOL CASTLES by Sean Kenney. Henry Holt 2012.

Let's build with Legos
See the cool castles and more
Lots of new ideas. <586>

BUILDING OUR HOUSE by Jonathan Bean. FSG, 2013.

Living in trailer
Bit by bit we build our house
All of it by hand. <587>

October Books Read

OCTOBER 2012 BOOKS READ

629. F FOR EFFORT
630. BIRDS OF A FEATHER
631. SPLAT SAYS THANK YOU
632. LET’S GO FOR A DRIVE
633. EVERY LITTLE THING
634. OLIVER
635. IVY AND BEAN MAKE THE RULES
636. GERONIMO STILTON: CAVEMICE
637. WRINKLE IN TIME GN
638. ON THE ROAD TO MR. MINEO’S
639. BUGS: DISCOVER MORE
640. TABBY MCTAT THE MUSICAL CAT
641. IT’S DUFFY TIME
642. HOW DO DINOSAURS SAY MERRY CHRISTMAS?
643. HOW DO DINOSAURS SAY HAPPY CHANNUKAH?
644. BAILEY AT THE MUSEUM
645. SNAKES
646. CHESTER’S COLORFUL EASTER EGGS
647. WHEN YOU WANDER
648. KATIE AND THE PUPPY NEXT DOOR
649. OH SO TINY BUNNY
650. NELLY MAY HAS HER SAY
651. ANOTHER NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM
652. A VACATION FOR POOCH
653. HOW TO BICYCLE TO THE MOON
654. SPOONFUL
655. LOOK…LOOK AGAIN
656. COUNT ME IN: A PARADE OF MEXICAN FOLK ART NUMBERS IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH
657. LOTS OF LAMBS
658. SNOWMAN MAGIC
659. OSTRICH AND LARK
660. HERE COMES DOCTOR HIPPO
661. OH, WHAT A SURPRISE
662. JANGLES
663. CONSTRUCTION KITTIES
664. TRIXIE TEN
665. MISSING MOMMY
666. WHO PUT THE COOKIES IN THE COOKIE JAR?
667. BUSY BUSY LITTLE CHICK
668. BUILDING OUR HOUSE
669. PANIC
670. NEVER FALL DOWN
671. STINK AND THE ULTIMATE THUMB WRESTLING SMACKDOWN
672. MOLLY BY GOLLY
673. MY BIG SISTER
674. LEVEL UP
675. BALLET FOR MARTHA
676. EVERYONE CAN LEARN TO RIDE A BICYCLE
677. BLUEBIRD
678. HIGHWAY RAT
679. CHOOSING TO READ
680. CAN YOU SEE WHAT I SEE? OUT OF THIS WORLD
681. I WILL KEEP YOU SAFE AND SOUND
682. MOMMY’S LITTLE MONSTER
683. THE VERY BEARY TOOTH FAIRY
684. LUCKY DUCKLINGS
685. PRINCESS PUPPY
686. THE GRANDDAUGHTER NECKLACE
687. EXCLAMATION POINT
688. HERE COMES TROUBLE
689. THE LAMB AND THE BUTTERFLY
690. JUDY MOODY AND THE BAD LICK CHARM
691. THIS IS NOT MY HAT
692. SHAPEASAURUS
693. COUNTASAURUS

People Watching and Reading

DRUMMER BOY OF JOHN JOHN by Mark Greenwood with illustrations by Frane Lessac. Lee and Low Books, 2012.

Winston loves drumming
Longs to join a band so
he can play music. <583>

DESMOND AND THE VERY MEAN WORD by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Douglas Carlton Abrams with illustrations by A G Ford. Candlewick Press, 2013.

His feelings are hurt
When kids call him a bad name.
He learns to ignore. <584>

MONSIEUR MARCEAU by Leda Schubert with illustrations by Gerard Dubois. Roaring Brook, 2012.

Marcel Marceau, mime,
Used his body and gestures
He conveyed volumes. <585>

Animal Blaikus

DOGS AND CATS by Steve Jenkins. Sandpiper, 2007.

Here are the kitties
Flip the book and see puppies
Two for price of one. <581>

WHO HAS THIS TAIL?  by Laura Hulbert with illustrations by Erik Brooks. Henry Holt, 2012.

Guess who has this tail
And meets lots of animals
Small, large, in between. <582>

Red Pyramid

RED PYRAMID, THE GRAPHIC NOVEL by Rick Riordan, adapted by Orpheus Collar. Disney Hyperion, 2012.

Small confession: I had not read this series. However, after reading the GN version of Book #1, I am placing them all on my TBR list. Welcome to the world of brother and sister, Sadie and Carter. They have lived apart from one another following the death of their mother. Carter lives with their father and Sadie with her grandparents. Now the two will join forces with their father to defeat the ferocious god Set who was unleashed by Professor Kane. The two children will discover much about themselves and the abilities they possess as godlings. Lots of action, brief spurts of exposition and dialogue move this story forward rapidly. Here is a terrific way to introduce the series to kids who might be intimidated without the GN version. <580>

Boo!

MIND IF I READ YOUR MIND? GHOST BUDDY BOOK 2 by Henry Winkler. Scholastic 2012.

Billy Broccoli and his family have moved into a house haunted by the ghost of The Hoove. The Hoove has to stick close to the house because he keeps failing ath his mission: helping people. And Billy needs a lot of help as his class has to put together something for the Demonstration Derby. Maybe The Hoove can help Billy win? Bullying, cheating, helping, family, friends, school: Winkler (along with his co-author, Lynn Olivder) has a sharp eye and a keen sense of humor. <579>

Dealing with Loss

MY SISTER LIVES ON THE MANTELPIECE by Annabel Pitcher. Little Brown, 2012.

Jamie was only a child when his sister Rose was killed in a terrorist attack as they played in a park in London. Rose's twin, Jas, is the anchor in jamie's life as his father is too consumed with his own grief. The urn with Rose's remains (and Jamie observes there was not much left) seems to almost glare down from its place of honor on the mantelpiece. Jamie remembers almost nothing about Rose and longs for a father who would be more involved in the present than in the past. When Jamie becomes friends of sorts with Sunya, a Muslim girl in his class, he knows his father would disapprove. After all, as his father roars, "Muslims killed your sister." Bullies, loss, moving on, and so much more make this an unforgettable novel. <578>

I want to ride my bicycle...I want to ride my bike

WHEELS OF CHANGE by Sue Macy. national Georgraphic, 2011.

Sue Macy is one of the top writers of nonfiction out there today. In this book she explores the history of the bicycle especially as it relates to the way bikes freed women. From the dangerous and silly sidesaddle bicycle designs to bikes made to work with women's anatomy, Macy chronicles the changes in the development of the bicycle. Along the way she discusses music, fashion, and other cultural aspects of the bike. <577>

From silly to silent

UNSPOKEN by Henry Cole. Scholastic 2012.

Subtitled A STORY FROM THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD, Coles pencil illustrations tell the story of two lives that intersect on a farm. One is a young girl, the other an escaped slave. The art speaks volumes and allows readers to tell the story in their own words. What an incredible way to introduce this history to even the youngest of readers. <575>

THE OTHER SIDE OF TOWN by Jon Agee. Scholastic/ MDC Books 2012.

A rather unusual man flags a taxi and asks to be taken to Schmeeker Street. It is a street "on the other side of town," he constantly reassures the puzzled cab driver. Lots of good humor here. The humor will be even more pronounced if kids know the streets, bridges, etc. whose names are just a little different on the other side of town. <576>

Panic!

PANIC by Sharon Draper. Atheneum, April 2013.

Dance is everything to Diamond and her friends. The hours spent at the dance studio bring them happiness and a sense of belonging as well. It allows Justin not only an outlet for his creativity but places him in close proximity with Layla, the girl he secretly worships from afar. For Layla, dance means she can forget her trouble with her boyfriend Donovan who is getting way too possessive. Through alternating narrators, Draper reveals what happens when Diamond is abducted by a pedophile at the local mall. How her family and friends react and how the dance studio brings them all together is a powerful metaphor. <574>

NEVER FALL DOWN by Patricia McCormick. Balzer and Bray, 2012.

One of the finalist for the National Book Award for Young People's Literature, NEVER FALL DOWN transports readers back to the era of the Vietnam War. As the novel opens, Arn and his family is forced out of their village in Cambodia by the Khmer Rouge. After a journey that leaved behind many dead and dying along the road, Arn is separated from his family and forced to labor in the camp, planting rice, digging ditches (for the dead). One day, though, he is tapped to learn how to play an instrument. He has a gift for music, and this gift might just help him survive. Based on a true story, this is a harrowing and intense examination of how war changes lives. Arn's transition from a relatively carefree kid to a victim of war is chillingly real. Tie this to other novels set during this era such as THE BAMBOO PEOPLE or use it as a lead in to THE THINGS THEY CARRIED. <573>

Hook, Line, and Sinker!

OH, NO! by Candace Fleming with illustrations by Eric Rohmann. Schwartz and Wade, 2012.

One by one, animals fall into a deep hole. First goes Frog, "Oh, no!" Just when it looks as though Frog might be rescued by Mouse, in she falls. Ditto Loris, Sun Bear, and other good samaritans. What will happen when the hungry tiger comes along and sees a veritable feast waiting for him in the hole? <571>

JANGLES by David Shannon. Blue Sky Press/Scholastic, 2012.

Jangles is the fish that got away and got away and got away. He has so many lures and hooks and such in his mouth that they click and clack when he approaches. Hence his name: Jangles. This whale of a tale/tale is lushly illustrated as well. <572>

GN series

LUNCH LADY AND THE PICTURE DAY PERIL by Jarrett Krosoczka. Knopf, 2012.

How odd that on picture day everyone seems to be plagued with zits and bad hair. Another oddity: the school photographer, Stefani diPino seems a little different from the norm. However, she is happy to take cash to "fix" the photos and erase the imperfections. Enter Lunch Lady, always ready to lend a hand. Can she solve this mystery and still cook up a tasty lunch for the kids? Look for a cameo by John Shoemaker (@mrschureads). <568>

SQUISH: CAPTAIN DISASTER by Jenni and Matt Holm. Random House, 2012.

Squish is the single celled amoeba with a heart as big as all outdoors and an overactive imagination that sometimes gets him in some trouble. Join Squish as he tries out for the soccer team and learns an important lesson about sportsmanship and friendship. <569>

LEGENDS OF ZITA THE SPACE GIRL by Ben Hatke. First Second, 2012.

Zita is back in the second book in her story. Zita has been in hiding from the paparazzi since she became an accidental heroine. A robot who assumes Zita's identity is now travelling with Piper leaving Zita stranded with Rat. What could possibly go wrong now? Plenty of action, more backstory, and another open ending mean readers will be seeing more of Zita in books to come. <570>

GUY WRITE: WHAT EVERY GUY WRITER NEEDS TO KNOW by Ralph Fletcher. Henry Holt, 2012.


Fletcher offers sound and concrete advice to guys whether they want to become a writer or just do better at writing. Chapters deal with strong details, keeping a journal, being observant, avoiding cliches and other practical topics. Frequently, interviews with writers for boys (Jon Scieszka, Bob Lipsyte to name a couple) elaborate the topic of the chapter. This is a must read for teachers as well. <567>

Cat, dogs, and a pesky fly

IT'S DUFFY TIME by Audrey and Don Wood. BLUE SKY PRESS/Scholastic, 2012.

Who would not love this face? Duffy leads a busy life always having to make sure he gets his naps in on time. And, of course, he would never want to miss a meal either. <563>

BAILEY AT THE MUSEUM by Harry Bliss. Press, 2012.

Bailey is super excited to be going along with the class on their field trip to the museum. Of course, a super excited dog is not always the best choice of visitor to a museum, so bailey is assigned his own personal guide. Hilarity ensues, of course. <564>

TABBY MCTAT THE MUSICAL CAT by Julia Donaldson with illustrations by Axel Scheffler. AALevine Books/Scholastic, 2012.

Tabby is a musical cat. He and his owner Fred travel around singing and watching people drop coins in their cap. And then one day, the two become separated. There will be many changes until Fred and Tabby are reunited. <565>

THERE'S A FLY GUY IN MY SOUP by Tedd Arnold. Scholastic, 2012.

Fly Guy is on vacation with his family. When they head off to dinner, Fly Guy heads outside to find his own. But a wonderful aroma lures him into the hotel kitchen. Before long, Fly Guy is bating in a bowl of soup. Guess what happens next? <566>

HOW DO DINOSAURS SAY MERRY CHRISTMAS? by Jane Yolen with illustrations by Mark Teague. Blue Sky Press/Scholastic, 2012.

HOW DO DINOSAURS SAY HAPPY CHANNUKAH? by Jane Yolen with illustrations by Mark Teague. Blue Sky Press/Scholastic, 2012.

Jane Yolen and Mark Teague team up for 2 picture books that pair dinosaurs and holidays. What better way to bring giggles to readers than to see huge creatures wreaking havoc on Channukah and Christmas? Beware menorahs, trees, and family members!

creepy, crawly, scaly

BUGS: EARTH'S MINI-CREATURES FROM THE COOLEST TO THE CRAZIEST by Penelope Arlon. Scholastic, 2012.

This title is part of the Discover more series from Scholastic. Along with the book, there is a URL inside that takes readers to a free digital book, one with activities and more facts and fun. In BUGS, readers will learn about the various groups of bugs and their members. From caterpillars and butterflies to slugs and snail to worms, arachnids, and insects, there is plenty of information. it is all accompanied by diagrams and eye-catching photos sure to delight. The book could be browsed or read depending on the reader's interest in the subject. <559>

SNAKES by Nic Bishop. Scholastic, 2012.trikes gold again, this time with snakes as his subject matter. Facts are accompanied by starkly crisp photographs. Bishop is able to accomplish much in a picture book (though it is a tad longer than 32 pp.). An afterword by Bishop discusses how he is able to photograph his subjects. <560>

Mystery and Magic

OSTRICH AND LARK by Marilyn Nelson with illustrations by San Artists of the Kuru Art Project of Botswana. Boyds Mills Press, 2012.

Ostrich and Lark enjoy one another's company. As soon as the sun rises, the two join up and spend their day exploring and eating. While Lark raises his voice in song, Ostrich remains silent. Finally, Ostrich finds his own voice. The illustrations, by different members of the art community of Botswana, are lushly colorful and a perfect accompaniment to this folk tale. <557>

SNOWMAN MAGIC by Katherine Tegen with illustrations by Braqndon Dorman. Harper, 2012.

George stays home from school and builds a fabulous snowman, one that comes to life. The two find much to do on a crisp winter day. As the weather warms, Snowman begins to fade. However, a new snowfall means George can rebuild his new friend. <558>

Various and Sundry

HERE COMES DOCTOR HIPPO: A LITTLE HIPPO STORY by Jonathan London with illustrations by Gilles Eduar. Boyds Mills Press, 2012.

Little Hippo wants to play doctor with the animals who share his habitat. However, the giraffe has a slurpy tongue, the croc's mouth is positively frightful, and the lion, well, let's not even go there. Lots of humor but plenty to learn along with the young doctor as he interacts with animals. <554>

LOTS OF LAMBS: A TOUCH, FEEL, FLIP, AND FUN BOOK by Laura Numeroff with illustrations by Lynn Musinger. Houghton Mifflin, 2012.

Kids will love interacting with this movable book. Lambs frolic in the woods, fly kites, put on a play, and wear themselves out! <555>

OH, WHAT A SURPRISE! by Suzanne Bloom. Boyds Mills Press, 2012.

Bear is working feverishly on a gift as is Goose. The excitable young fox wonders if the gifts might be for him, but they seem not his size. So, he decides he will make his own gift: literally. He wraps himself in a box and presents himself to his two friends on Christmas morning. He is in for a surprise as well. <556>

Perspectives

COUNT ME IN: A PARADE OF MEXICAN FOLK ART NUMBERS IN ENGLISH AND SPANISH by Cynthia Weill with ceramics by The Aguillar Sisters. Arte Publico, 2012.

Take a glance inside this counting book:

Here is a concept book that covers a lot of territory: numbers, dual languages, and folk art. An afterword gives readers information about the artisans who created the ceramic figures in the illustrations. Imagine having a class using different forms of folk art for illustrating their own books? Include looks at Leo and Diane Dillon, Stephanie Calmenson, and others. <551>

LOOK...LOOK AGAIN by John O'Brien. Boyds Mills Press, 2012.

In a series of double page spreads across 6 chapters, O'Brien provides textless and nearly textless visual comics. Cows, clowns, chefs, doormen, and others populate the pages which will leave readers laughing when they catch on. <552>

SPOONFUL by Benoit Marchon with illustrations by Soledad Bravi. Houghton Mifflin, 2012.

Originally published in French as Bon Appetite!, this die-cut board book shows a spoonful of food feeding all manner of beings from worms to witches and from dinosaurs to astronauts. Before long, baby has eaten it all. <553>

Flights and some fancy

Two remarkable storytellers have new books. That is cause for jubilation!

THE GREAT UNEXPECTED by Sharon Creech. Harper, 2012.

Naomi and Lizzie love living in Blackbird Tree. The two orphaned girls have found homes with loving families here. There is not too much excitement in this town, but things are about to change with the arrival of a young boy who literally falls out of a tree in front of Naomi and Lizzie. Finn is a strange lad to say the least. He certainly has more than an air of mystery to him. Before long, things are changing for Naomi and Lizzie and the town. And then comes the Dingle Dangle Man. As events are unfolding for Naomi and Lizzie, across the ocean, there is more planning, planning that will affect the two girls in ways they cannot even begin to imagine. Sharon Creech's story will puzzle readers and then draw them in as they come to know and love Naomi and even talkative Lizzie. The mysterious overseas connection will have readers puzzling right along with the girls as the story moves lazily forward like a soft breeze blowing through Blackbird Tree. How the stories intersect is, of course, all part of the great unexpected. <549>

ON THE ROAD TO MR. MINEO'S by Barbara O'Connor. FSG, 2012.

It all begins when Sherman, the one legged passenger pigeon fails to return from his daily flight across the lake and back again with the rest of the flock. Somehow, Sherman manages to visit nearly everyone in Stella's small town. He spends some time on top of the garage with Stella and her friend Gerald; he lands on the head of Mutt Raynard; he even spends some time in a barn outside of town with the forever quarreling Ethel and Amos. Despite efforts, no one seems to be able to capture this elusive if gregarious pigeon. Sherman somehow manages to bring together all these disparate folks. In her inimitable style, O'Connor makes readers care about friends, family, neighbors, and this wonderful one-legged pigeon. <550>

Endangered

ENDANGERED by Eliot Schrefer. Scholastic, November 2012.

When Sophie heads off to stay with her mother in the bonobo sanctuary she runs in the Congo, she is less than thrilled. Her mother always seems to be too busy with the bonobos. But before she can actually arrive at the enclosure, Sophie manages to purchase a bonobo from a roadside peddler. It is, of course, against the law to sell these endangered animals, and this one appears near death to Sophie. She believes she is doing the right thing: savings its life. However, in this country with ample political problems, Sophie has put herself at risk. She nurses the bonobo back to health, thankfully. But before long, the facility is attacked. Sophie ends up fleeing into the jungle with her bonobo, Otto. They must struggle to survive the wilderness and those human predators who can be even more dangerous. Survival, politics, family relationships, endangered animals and more combine to make this a nail-biting thrill ride. <548>

F for Effort (and for Funny!)

F FOR EFFORT by Richard Benson. Chronicle Books, 2012.

Subtitled MORE OF THE VERY BEST TOTALLY WRONG TEST ANSWERS, this is a book that every teacher should have if only to raise your spirits on one of THOSE days (you know what I mean). Try these on:

"The teacher likes to snivel around on a black chair in his office."

"I love J.K Rolling. She is my heroin."

"We are taking my little sister to see Satan this weekend."

Or, in response to the question about why milk is given to a child who has ingested poison: "To make them happy before they die."

Correct the sentence: The toast was drank in silence. "The toast was eat in silence."

Name 3 relative pronouns: Aunt, Uncle, Brother.

Tie these books (this is #2) to Richard Lederer's ANGUISHED ENGLISH. <547>

Pushing the envelope

SAFEKEEPING by Karen Hesse. Feiwel and Friends, 2012.

Hesse explores what, for some readers, will be familiar terrain in her new novel. She does so, however, with an interesting twist. Radley is out of the country helping out in an orphanage in Haiti. While she was overseas, her own country experienced a massive transition in power. All was not peaceful, and all is not yet well. When Radley returns to the US, she is not met by her parents. She manages to make her way to her home only to find it empty, too. All Radley can think to do is to flee north to Canada hoping that her parents have safely escaped from the clutches of the new government. It is a dangerous journey to be sure. Radley learns a great deal about herself and her inner strength as well as who and what to trust in her journey to find her parents. Hesse's own black and white photographs break the pages of text into smaller portions, if you will. Their sometimes grainy quality mirrors what Radley is learning: not everything is clear cut. <542>

A WRINKLE IN TIME: THE GRAPHIC NOVEL adapted and illustrated by Hope Larson. FSG, 2012.

For many, myself included, A WRINKLE IN TIME is a landmark book in our reading development. Hope Larson's adaptation of this classic into the GN format will now make the book even more accessible to readers of a new generation. Now, they can see Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who, and Mrs. Which. They can see the darkness as it closes in on planets and people. I think I found this reading even more chilling than the original one oh so many years ago. The abridgement of the text has been done meticulously, too. Here is one way to bring new readers to the novel. I also recommend the audio recordings of this series by Madeleine L'Engle. <543>

Quick catch up

The books read have been stacking up. Here is photographic proof. And it does not show the scattered book on the floor (Scout is sitting on top of those right now, glaring at me).

So, here are some quick blips about books read in the last month. These first two picture books are ones I used just this week to demonstrate how to address CCSS anchor standards using a best practice: reading aloud (and using picture books, too).

EACH KINDNESS by Jacqueline Woodson with illustrations by E.B. Lewis. Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Books, 2012.


The author and illustrator collaborated on THE OTHER SIDE and the pairing of text and illustrations works wonderfully well here, too. Chloe elects to ignore the new girl, not to make friends. It is easier to stick with her old friends even when they make fun of the new girl's raggedy clothes. Once the new girl is gone, Chloe comes to realizes the lost chance for a small kindness, a little effort that could have made a big change in someone else's life. Woodson shows kids the way they are: careless sometimes about the feelings of the "other." Lewis' lush paintings serve to perhaps soften the tough lesson learned by Chloe: once the opportunity has passed, it does not return. <540>

GOLDILOCKS AND THE THREE DINOSAURS by Mo Willems. balzer and Bray, 2012.

Read the opening sentence of this hysterical re-envisioning of the old fairy tale: Once upon a time there were three dinosaurs: Papa Dinosaur, Mama Dinosaur, and some other dinosaur who happened to be visiting from Norway>." In a single sentence, we have characters, setting, and some sense that there will be humor involved. And there is. From the endpapers (with rejected ideas, titles for this variation on Goldilock's story) to the final moral, this is a romp of a book. <541>

Books for Younger Readers

IVY AND BEAN MAKE THE RULES by Annie Barrows with illustrations by Sophie Blackall. Chronicle Books, 2012.

Ivy and Bean are back. When Bean's older sister heads off to a week long camp, Bean is determined that she will go to her own camp. With Ivy's help, the two girls set up camp near the local playground. Before long, they actually have a couple of campers who seem willing to participate in their activities. Camp Flaming Arrow with Counselors Ivy and Bean might just be on these campers will never forget. <544>

NACY CLANCY SUPER SLEUTH by Jane O'Connor with illustrations by Robin Preiss Glasser. Harper, 2012.

fancy Nancy is a little older now. She has formed a detective agency with her best friend Bree. Together the two wannabe Nancy Drews will solve "crimes" for their family and friends. When a beloved teacher's favorite marble disappears from a display for Family Night, though, the two friends kick detecting into high gear. <545>

ROCKET RIDE by Graham Salisbury with illustrations by Jacqueline Rogers. Wendy Lamb Books, 2012.

Calvin Coconut is back in a new adventure. This one will reunite him with his Dad, Johnny Coconut who has become a famous pop singer. Getting tickets to his Dad's show puts Calvin at the mercy, though, of the school bullies and Calvin's greatest nemesis: Tito. <546>