It’s Monday! What are you reading?
I have been sharing a reading photo of the week each week. This week I am sharing a photo of students engaged with a variety of nonfiction texts during “Nonfiction Reading Day” – where we devote our Reading Workshop time to reading nonfiction. Of course, for many readers, nonfiction reading happens all week but this focus allows all children to read more nonfiction, more widely.
I was excited to share our #MockCaldecott results and reflections here. In mere hours, we will know the actual medal and honor winners. So excited!
Join Jen from Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki from Unleashing Readers and share all of the reading you have done over the week from picture books to young adult novels. Follow the links to read about all of the amazing books the #IMWAYR community has read. It’s the best way to discover what to read next.
I realize that much of my reading this week was nonfiction picture books. Lots of variety and as usual, I learned so much. Some highlights:
The Top of the World: Climbing Mount Everest by Steve Jenkins
If you want to climb Mount Everest, what would you need to know? This book is filled with facts about history, geography and the myriad of challenges that climbers might encounter.
Animals in Flight by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page
An older Jenkins title that I found in my school library. I was most interested in the history of flying creatures and the different ways various wings function.
A Place for Butterflies by Melissa Stewart and illustrated by Higgins Bond
Focuses on a variety of butterflies and the threats to their environments. Framed with specific ideas about how to change human actions to make a difference to butterflies like planting native plants, protecting swamps and marshes and not trying to catch live butterflies for collections.
Mites by Valerie Bodden
Magnified things we never actually see in our day to day life are quite creepy – yet incredibly fascinating. Made me want to vacuum.
I also read
Nine Words Max by Dan Bar-el and illustrated by David Huyck
Max is too talkative – wouldn’t it be great if he could only say nine words at a time? Ideal, think his brothers. But is it? Clever.
Dolphin SOS by Roy Miki and Slavia Miki with illustrations by Julie Flett
This was one of those read alouds where at one point the silence in the room was thick – surrounding us like fog – it seemed like we could see it and feel it all at once. Such a beautifully emotional book about three dolphins off the coast of Newfoundland who became trapped in the ice in a cove. The townspeople had to listen to their cries for days before they finally intervened when government wouldn’t help. There is a moment between a dolphin and one of the rescuers that is just awe inspiring. Based on a true story.
The Memory Tree by Britta Teckentrup
Death and grief healed by memories and community. A lovely, accessible picture book.
A Gift for Mama by Linda Ravin Lodding illustrated by Alison Jay
I love Alison Jay’s illustrations and this book, set in Vienna, was an absolute visual and historical treat. A circular story about Oskar trying to find a perfect gift for his Mama for her birthday. Yet, he keeps encountering people in need of his gift and trades each of them for something new. Themes of kindness, generosity and optimism.
I also finished The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
I finished this morning. Incredible.
#bookaday The Crossover by @kwamealexander A novel in verse bursting with heart, rhythm and truths Highly recommended for MG/YA readers
— Carrie Gelson (@CarrieGelson) February 1, 2015
Up next? My children and I continue reading The Shadowhand Covenant (Book Two of the Vengekeep Prophecies) by Brian Farrey. With my class, I have started Each Little Bird that Sings by Deborah Wiles. Oh, so very good!
I am starting The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher by Dana Alison Levy (one of my #MustReadin2015 titles)
Updates on my 2015 Reading Goals:
2015 Chapter Book Challenge: 6/80 complete
Goodreads Challenge: 43/415 books read
#MustReadin2015: 4/24 complete
Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: 10/100 titles
Diverse Books in 2015: 3/50 books read
There's a Book for That 
Oohh…two Steve Jenkins books I didn’t know about! I love his work so much. I appreciate all the non-fiction titles because that tends to be my “book gap” area. I’m really hoping to hear Crossover’s title called during the Youth Media Awards this morning…so much love for that title! Thanks for always sharing so many fantastic titles Carrie!
Happy Reading!
And – hurrah Crossover love everywhere today! So excited. I have a special “addiction” to nonfiction and love to share it.
I am interested in checking out Dolphin SOS! And, the Memory Tree, I need to find that one. Hope you’re staying warm!!
Here it is just wet. Lots and lots of wet. No snow. Rain, rain, rain. I highly recommend Dolphin SOS!
The covers for Memory Tree and Dolphin SOS are beautiful. Can’t wait to read them!
Julie Flett is so very talented. Dolphin SOS is an incredible book to share.
Well your finishing The Crossover was quite fortuitous!!! Good timing 🙂 I need to get that one but I’m going to wait until I can get it with the shiny stickers on it!
I need to find A Place for Butterflies for this spring, our 1st gr teachers do a unit on life cycles and butterflies, so it will be perfect. I read A Place for Turtles last week, I love Melissa’s work!
Yes, well timed reading that’s for sure! I too am a huge fan of Melissa. She contributes so much to the nonfiction world – her books, her blog . . .
Every time I think I’ve read all the Steve Jenkins books, I find more! He is seriously prolific. Both of these look excellent. As always, I want to put all the PBs you write about in an Amazon cart and click Order. SIGH. Will try to control myself and make library requests. Great timing on The Crossover! I had started it last week but not finished–I’m getting back to it this morning. So excited it won a Newbery. Love thinking about all the students who will get to read it as a result. Your description of Dolphin SOS made me feel a bit teary. Animal rescue stories always get me…
If you do want to have a little less restraint – Dolphin SOS is pretty beautiful. Julie Flett, wow, wow, wow. What a perfect day to finish The Crossover. I truly loved it.
A Place For Butterflies seems like a great read. I also like the illustrations for A Gift For Mama. Thanks for sharing!
And I love the idea of MockCaldecott! That’s such a neat way to bring out student opinion about picture books.
Katie
Teaching Voracious Learners
Mock Caldecott was one of my absolute favourite things of this school year. Will definitely be doing it again!
I think The Top of the World is the first Steve Jenkins title I ever read, and I remember being completely in awe of the art. Animals in Flight is new to me, as are your other titles. Like you, I love Alison Jay. Her soft color palette and the crackle-effect she achieves make me want to dive into her paintings. The Crossover has been on my list, but I haven’t gotten to it yet. I think I’ll move it to the top of the pile!
Yes, Alison Jay has such a signature style. Children really respond to it. Moving The Crossover to the top of the pile is a GRAND idea! Enjoy
I can always count on adding to my NF TBR list by stopping by your page. Thank you for these mentions. I’m especially curious about the Jenkins titles and Dolphin SOS.
I do love sharing nonfiction! So much learning involved in these beautiful books.
What a perfect day to finish The Crossover – It won the Newbery today! Thank you for all of the other amazing titles – We can’t wait to read Dolphin SOS and The Memory Tree.
The perfect time indeed! 🙂
Dolphin SOS sounds stunning – loved the way you described the atmosphere in your room while reading it aloud. Crossover has been on my TBR list for some time…can’t wait to get to it someday soon!
You know it is a special story when “that” effect happens . . .
Can’t wait to find The Top of The World, another good Jenkins book! So fun that you just finished Crossover. It is a beautiful story, & I’m thrilled it won the Newbery. Great fun to hear all the winners this am!
I was so excited by this year’s list. Love so much of what happened. Although I was rooting for The Farmer and the Clown too but still so happy!
I’ve always wanted to do a Mock Caldecott with my students! Maybe next year. 🙂
It is so worth it! I found it a huge payoff for not much prep (and reading books is pure enjoyment!)
Oh my goodness Carrie! So many beautiful book covers especially Dolphin SOS, Animals in Flight, and A Gift for Mama. Anything Jenkins does is just brilliant. I purchased a set of those Creepy Creatures books at the Kidsbooks sale. I’m looking forward to using them with my grade 2 research group after spring break. I’m green with envy that you have finished Crossover, especially since it has won the Newbery!
And I just pressed The Crossover into Bea’s hands. I want everyone in my household to experience it! So, so great. Dolphin SOS would be a great addition to your library – and – Julie Flett! Creepy Creatures are ideal titles for younger students to read and enjoy independently. My students have a lot of success with them.
I had no idea about the Steve Jenkins Everest book! I must find that one! And Dolphin SOS looks amazing. Will definitely see if I can get my hands on it.
Every time I find a new Jenkins title, I also find an old one or two! HE is such a workhorse!
There are so many great looking books here and most of them are new to me. Wasn’t The Crossover wonderful? 🙂
So wonderful. My daughter is reading it now. Think it will make the rounds in my household quite quickly. Thrilled that it won!
YOU read Crossover just in time! 🙂 I look forward to reading that one….
I did! So wonderful. Enjoy!
I am seeing so many unfamiliar titles here and a few that I know I just have to find – particularly the Memory Tree which sounds perfect for my multicultural children’s literature course. I have yet to explore the genius of Steve Jenkins. I am grateful to the Monday reading community for introducing me to so many great books. I will also be reading Crossover with my GatheringReaders book club at the public library in June. Can’t wait for it! 🙂
Oh my – the genius of Steve Jenkins is huge! Prepare yourself! You will become addicted.