I'm posting this a little late today because I just returned from an amazing weekend at the Michigan Reading Association conference in Grand Rapids. I had such a wonderful time hanging out with all my Nerdy Book Club friends and getting a chance to meet even more passionate, dedicated teachers.
If you want to see a taste of some of the shenanigans that went down at MRA, check out this hilarious video of Brian Wyzlic doing a dramatic reading of Click Clack Moo for the Nerdy Book Club.
Last week I reviewed:
The Secret Side of Empty by Maria E. Andreau (I'm also doing a giveaway of this book right now)
Upside Down in the Middle of Nowhere by Julie T. Lamana
Some picture books I really enjoyed last week:
A Rock is Lively by Diana Hutts Aston, illustrated by Sylvia Long
As someone who is intimidated by science, I absolutely loved this book. The illustrations are stunning and mesmerizing.
Hi, Koo! by Jon J. Muth
Beautiful illustrations. There's something so peaceful and serene about Koo. Love this.
The Umbrella by Ingrid and Dieter Schubert
This wordless picture book is quite reminiscent of Journey by Aaron Becker. In this story a little dog is blown away in a red umbrella and goes on his own journey.
Currently reading:
Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith
Woa! This book is a trip! I started reading it on Thursday and continued through the weekend of MRA and I was so happy my roommate Kristin was reading it too so we could talk about how absolutely crazy this book is -- in a good way. This is definitely one of those books that will go down in the category of "You're missing out on a cultural conversation if you don't read it." It really defies description.
Still reading with my ears:
Starters by Lissa Price
Posts from my teaching blog, Use Your Outside Voice, last week:
On education, scoring, and... skating?
Dear people who have never taught before: stop saying class size doesn't matter
I am taking Grasshopper Jungle home today! I can't believe the buzz and hype around this book. I can't wait to see for myself what everyone is talking about. Have a great week! ~Megan
ReplyDeletehttp://wp.me/pzUn5-1Vr
So curious about Grasshopper Jungle... Can't wait to read Hi, Koo! AND thanks for sharing about The Umbrella, very interested in that as well now... Hope you have a wonderful reading week!
ReplyDeleteOkay - you finally got me. I have seen this stunning green cover so often but now that I know I will be missing out on a "cultural conversation" if I don't read it. . . well! Just requested it at the library. I loved The Umbrella. A gorgeous book. And A Rock is Lively is a must for the classroom. Makes one want to go rock collecting! Interested to see what you think about Starters. What a cover!
ReplyDeleteI just love John Murth's books. I have to add Hi, Koo to my to buy list. I'm going to have to find A Rock is Lively for my 2nd grade team. This would fit in with their unit. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI'm waiting to get Grasshopper Jungle from one of my students who got a copy at NCTE. Can't wait to read it! I love A Rock Is Lively--the illustrations are just gorgeous. I also like An Egg Is Quiet--quite lovely. I got my hands on Hi Koo at the airport bookstore of all places and quickly read through it but can't wait to spend more time with a library copy sometime soon. Just gorgeous, of course, and I did like the haiku. Isn't it wonderful to attend conferences like that and leave feeling inspired and reinvigorated?
ReplyDeleteI am so excited to see another wordless book. They are becoming some of my favorite picture books. I have Grasshopper Jungle sitting by my chair. My problem is that I have sooooo many good books in my house right now it's hard to choose what to read.
ReplyDeleteI own a copy of A Rock is Lively and I have to agree that the text as well as the illustrations are gorgeous. This actually came in handy as my sixth-grade daughter just had a Science project on rocks and she made use of this particular picturebook as well. Can't wait to find Hi Koo. I have a copy of Grasshopper Jungle for review, and I can't wait to get to it soon. :)
ReplyDelete