Last week I reviewed:
Burial Rites by Hannah Kent
The Beasties by Jenny Nimmo, illustrated by Gwen Millward
Last week I finished reading:
Reading in the Wild by Donalyn Miller
Simply brilliant follow-up to The Book Whisperer. Every teacher and administrator needs to read this book. I will be posting a review of this one soon.
The Nine Lives of Alexander Baddenfield by John Bemelmans Marciano
Really liked the clever, funny writing in the beginning. Felt kind of "meh" about the story in the middle. Then liked it again at the end. I really like that the ending lends itself to a great discussion about irony.
Finished listening to:
The Book of Blood and Shadow by Robin Wasserman
There is absolutely no doubt that Wasserman is an incredibly gifted writer. Like so gifted I'm envious of her ability to weave words into something beautiful and magical. But I never really found myself fully invested in the characters of this story and I almost felt like if the ages of the characters had been changed to people in their 30s, this would have made more sense as an adult novel instead of YA.
Some picture books that I really enjoyed last week:
This is the Rope: A Story from the Great Migration by Jaqueline Woodson, illustrated by James Ransome
I love the way the rope is woven into the family history. Such a powerful symbol. Jacqueline Woodson's stories always move me. She's one of those authors whose books I will read with no questions asked.
Beautiful Oops! by Barney Saltzberg
What a brilliant idea for a book: turning mistakes into something beautiful and creative.
See the Ocean by Estelle Condra, illustrated by Linda Crockett-Blassingame
Oh my goodness. I didn't see that ending coming. I was wondering where the story was going and then my realization was almost palpable.
Me and You by Anthony Browne
I love how Anthony Browne plays with point of view. In this modern retelling of Goldilocks, the baby bear is telling the bear's side of the story, and Goldilock's side is told wordlessly on the opposite page. A great book to put on your chalkboard ledge and allow students to pick up and discuss with classmates on their own.
Still reading with my ears:
The Duff by Kody Keplinger
Also reading with my ears:
Guys Read: Other Worlds edited by Jon Scieszka
I want to read all the picture books you wrote about this week! They look terrific. I am reading Donalyn Miller's new book right now too. I am loving it so much and can't wait to share with my pre-service teachers. She addresses a couple of the big issues they always have with workshop--how to integrate district-mandated curriculum into workshop and what research to point their administrators to that supports workshop pedagogy. Yay! I'll be writing about it this week too.
ReplyDeleteI love the whole concept behind "Beautiful Oops". So important to teach children that "failure" isn't the end of the world, but just the opportunity for growth and/or reinvention. My daughter needs reminded of this regularly.
ReplyDeleteHi Beth, I just added 9 Lives and This is the Rope to my TBR list. Thank goodness for Donalyn. I was floored when my principal had not heard of her.
ReplyDeleteReading in the Wild my new to-read. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThis is the Rope is a title I can't wait to read - I feel exactly the same about Woodson. Me and You is also a favourite of mine. I would love a copy for my fairy tale bin at school - the children are avid readers of folktales and fairy tales. Reading in the Wild is on its way to me. I can't wait to read it! Have a wonderful reading week
ReplyDeleteI absolutely loved This is the Rope. I am glad you liked it too! I am with both you and Carrie on this one!
DeleteThis is the Rope is a title I can't wait to read - I feel exactly the same about Woodson. Me and You is also a favourite of mine. I would love a copy for my fairy tale bin at school - the children are avid readers of folktales and fairy tales. Reading in the Wild is on its way to me. I can't wait to read it! Have a wonderful reading week
ReplyDeleteHi there Beth, I just added This is the Rope to the growing list of multicultural children's book titles that I am creating for a course that I am teaching in January. I love almost all of Woodson's picture books too - so beautifully written and gorgeously illustrated. I've read Me & You by Anthony Browne - I think I've done an Anthony Browne special when we had our surreal/oddballs theme a few months back. He is definitely a favourite. Have a great reading week!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Oops is great. Be sure to check out the companion book A Little Bit of Oomph!
ReplyDeleteGreat list. While I'm not usually a big fan of fairy tale retellings in picture books, Anthony Browne's Me and You does it just right! :)
ReplyDelete