About carriegelson

Elementary teacher passionate about all things literacy.

Monday July 13th 2015

Posted on July 12, 2015 by carriegelson

It’s Monday! What are you reading?

I have been sharing a reading photo of the week each week. Now that it is summer and I am not surrounded every day with little readers, what can I do? Choose favourite, not yet shared moments of course! Here is one of my avid readers sharing her love for author Robert Munsch. She told me.

“I love Robert Munsch. And I love cookies. Who doesn’t love Robert Munsch? And cookies?”

Good question. 🙂

From the classroom 2014/2015 archives:

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.

Busy, busy with book lists! In case you are interested:

In the world of books: 25 boys who stand out

In the world of books: 25 girls who stand out

Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Hyped Books I’ve Never Read

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday: A Fascination with Nests and Eggs

I dis some amazing picture book reading this week! Some of my favourites:

Pool by JiHyeon Lee

Gorgeous. Wordless. Two children dive deep and meet under a bunch of swimmers and floaters in a busy pool. What do they find there? A fantastical world. I had to purchase this one. I love the colours, the negative space, the whimsy.

Book written by David Miles and illustrated by Natalie Hoopes

A book about the magic of books. Celebrating all things @booklove Yes, please.

The Night World by Mordicai Gerstein

This is truly brilliant. A dark, usually known world, is busy and alive when it is explored at night. Slowly, morning happens. And wow, does it happen beautifully. All about the magic of light.

I Yam a Donkey by Cece Bell

Super silly. Can’t wait to read this aloud!

In the Village by the Sea written by Muon Van and illustrated by April Chu

A Vietnamese family. A small house.A cricket. A certain kind of magic. I recommend experiencing this title.There is so much to it I want to reread it again and again and then share it with children. Simple but yet complex.

Chengdu could not, would not fall asleep by Barney Saltzberg

Wow these illustrations. For panda lovers, this is adorable.

What If . . . ? by Anthony Browne

Worries about attending a birthday party. A big imagination. Full of fantasy and emotion.

The Day the Crayons Came Home written by Drew Daywalt and illustrated by Oliver Jeffers

I was lucky to get a sneak peek at an advanced reader copy of this title at my local book store. Hilarious. Hilarious. Hilarious. I laughed out loud multiple times. Mark down August 18th on your calendar and rush out and buy this book from your favourite local book store!

The Bear Who Shared by Catherine Rayner

Sweet story by Catherine Rayner. How I love her illustrations.

I Will Take a Nap by Mo Willems

An over tired Gerald really needs a nap. As always, so funny.

And I finished two novels.

The Paper Cowboy written by Kristin Levine

Levine is such a story teller. This title is a challenging read. Our main character Tommy struggles with his own actions and his mother’s unpredictable rage. Guilt, fear, anxiety, pride – so many feelings. So many themes in this historical fiction title: bullying, friendship, family dynamics, community, sibling relationships . . .

Lost in the Sun written by Lisa Graff

What a concept for a book. What is life after you accidentally kill someone? (freak accident) Now there is a big question! Somehow, this title answers it. A book about a young boy lost. Dealing with family. Making friends. Being really angry. Moving on. And how much do I love the character of Fallon Little?

Updates on my 2015 Reading Goals:

2015 Chapter Book Challenge: 37/80 complete

Goodreads Challenge: 242/415 books read

#MustReadin2015: 15/24 complete

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: 48/100 titles

Diverse Books in 2015: 26/50 books read

Up next? I am about to begin The Great Good Summer by Liz Garton Scanlon

In the world of books: 25 girls who stand out

Posted on July 11, 2015 by carriegelson

I am celebrating the characters in middle grade and young adult novels who make strong impressions. When you read a lot of novels, there is the wonderful opportunity to “meet” many incredible characters. First, it was these 25 boys that I wanted to highlight. Now, it’s time for the girls!

These are the female characters who have stayed with me. I sometimes worry about them. I stop and remember their actions. The big and bold things and the quietly brave. I admire their choices, the way they move on from mistakes, their soul searching. I honour these 25 girls who live beyond the pages of the books they live in.

Sophie in Endangered written by Eliot Schrefer

Francesca Schnell in The Summer of Letting Go written by Gae Polisner

Flora Belle Buckman in Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures written by Kate DiCamillo

Marlee in The Lions of Little Rock written by Kristin Levine

Jewel in Bird written by Crystal Chan

Comfort Snowberger in Each Little Bird That Sings written by Deborah Wiles

Fern in See you at Harry’s written by Jo Knowles

Vera in Please Ignore Vera Dietz written by A.S. King

Georgie Burkhardt in One Came Home written by Amy Timberlake

May in May B. written by Caroline Starr Rose

Hattie Brooks in Hattie Big Sky written by Kirby Larson

Calpurnia Virginia Tate in The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate written by Jacqueline Kelly

Lucy in Half a Chance written by Cynthia Lord

Josie in Out of the Easy written by Ruta Sepetys

Stargirl Caraway in Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

Gloriana (Glory) June Hemphill in Glory Be written by Augusta Scattergood

Gabi Hernandez in Gabi, A Girl in Pieces written by Isabel Quintero

Turtle in Turtle in Paradise written by Jennifer L. Holm

Liesel Meminger in The Book Thief written by Markus Zusak

Georgina Hayes in How to Steal a Dog written by Barbara O’Connor

Hayley Kincain in The Impossible Knife of Memory written by Laurie Halse Anderson

Rose in Rain Reign written by Ann M. Martin

Carley Connors in One for the Murphys written by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Piddy Sanchez in Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick your Ass written by Meg Medina

Willow Chance in Counting by 7s written by Holly Goldberg Sloan

Which characters would make your list?

Celebration: A summer pace

Posted on July 11, 2015 by carriegelson

It’s summer and slowly, slowly I have been embracing a summer pace. This is what I celebrate – the time to do all of these things and breathe in between.

Bookstore visits. Yes, I can’t get out without a few titles following me home but how I love the wandering, the reading, the choosing.

Coffee with friends. Not starting with the “busy, busy” check in but with hugs, smiles and time.
Walking in the neighbourhood and having time to notice wild and wondrous things like this . . . fungi? I don’t know if this is a good thing but it sure is startling.

Baking banana everything. Eating banana everything. Muffins. Cake. Loaves. With lots of coffee. Yum. (Because those bunches sure do go brown quickly in the heat)
Weeding. Deadheading. Appreciating garden views even though it has been weeks and weeks without rain. In the Pacific Northwest, this just feels so wrong. Particularly appreciating all of my drought tolerant plants.

Reading a lot. And then a lot more. Watching my children do the same.
Blogging a lot. And then a lot more. All of the reading means I start thinking in lists. Loved making this latest one.

Listening to the hawks cry. And then discovering them mid day sitting on our roof. The sound is incredible.

When we celebrate life slowing down there is much to appreciate.

Thank you to Ruth Ayres and the #celebratelu community! Being part of a community that regularly shares gratitude and celebrations truly transforms my weeks.

In the world of books: 25 boys who stand out

Posted on July 9, 2015 by carriegelson

I read a lot. As in hundreds and hundreds of books a year. Many, yes, are picture books. But many are novels. 95% of these are middle grade and young adult novels. So, in some ways, I can say I “meet” a lot of young people. Some make me cry. Some leave me laughing. Some inspire. I have a myriad of emotions as I read about each of these young fictional lives: confusion, hope, worry, relief, upset, happiness . . .

These characters often stay with me. And because they do, I want to honour them here. These boys*, in the pages of the books where they live, impressed me in notable ways. I admire so many of them for their honesty, their growth, their vulnerability, their hard choices, their loyalty, their mistakes, their learning and their endurance.

In their own way, each is brave and real. Meeting them will enrich every reader.

Doug Swieteck in Okay for Now written by Gary D. Schmidt

Miguel in We Were Here written by Matt de la Peña

Nate Foster in Better Nate than Ever written by Tim Federle

Jack in Dead End in Norvelt written by Jack Gantos

Ben in Half Brother written by Kenneth Oppel

Travis in Blue Fish written by Pat Schmatz

Fadi in Shooting Kabul written by N.H. Senzai

Matt in The Boy in the Black Suit written by Jason Reynolds

Moon in Alabama Moon written by Watt Key

Holling Hoodhood in The Wednesday Wars written by Gary D. Schmidt

Lucky Linderman in Everybody Sees the Ants written by A.S. King

Oscar in The Real Boy written by Anne Ursu

Moses in Crow written by Barbara Wright

Victor (a.k.a. “Little Man”) in Paperboy by Vince Vawter

Julian in Twerp written by Mark Goldblatt

Josh in Living with Jackie Chan by Jo Knowles

Joey in Nest written by Esther Ehrlich

Ali in When I Was the Greatest written by Jason Reynolds

Albert in Fish in a Tree written by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Albie in Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff

Junior in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian written by Sherman Alexie

Jack in Small as an Elephant by Jennifer Richard Jacobson

Ryan Dean West in Winger written by Andrew Smith

Peter Stone in Wish Girl written by Nikki Loftin

Steven in Drums Girls & Dangerous Pie written by Jordan Sonnenblick

Which characters would make your list?

*Coming soon: In the world of books: 25 girls who stand out

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday: Fascination with nests and eggs

Posted on July 8, 2015 by carriegelson

Why are we so enamoured with nests and eggs? I know I am. I have a found hummingbird nest that is a treasured possession. All of that work and skill in such a tiny package. What draws us to eggs and nests? I think it is because nests and eggs represent the miracle of life in a much more observable way than pregnant bellies (although pregnancy itself is full of all kinds of miracles). Nests and eggs are about birth and growth and care – all on the outside for us to witness. If we happen to be so lucky. And when we get a peek, it seems so special.

I can manage clean sheets, fluffed pillows, layers of blankets, dim light. The intricate weaving, crafting, building that is nest making, I can’t even imagine.

But if I wanted some inspiration, A Nest Is Noisy by Dianna Hutts Aston and Sylvia Long (Chronicle Books 2015) is the place to start.

Most interesting for me?

the nests of African gray tree frogs – described as a “frothy mass that hardens into a meringue like crust.”
the neighbourly nests made by the black tailed prairie dog and the baya weavers
the nests hardened onto cave walls by cave swiftlets who spit strands of saliva to make these nests. These nests are what bird’s nest soup is made from. Wow.

Like all of Aston and Long titles, this is a must own.

Egg: Nature’s Perfect Package by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page (HMH Books for Young Readers 2015)

Perfect indeed.

So incredible to see an egg and wonder what might possibly be inside. Who could imagine that a crow’s egg would be such a stunning mottled blue and black?

Nestled in nests or left on bare branches? If no predators are about, leaving an egg all on its own is just fine – like the white tern does. Or build your own protection? The green lacewing produces thin stalks, attaches them to a leaf and then places an individual egg at the end of each. No hungry ants will find them. Genius.

Lots of other information in this book: How many eggs do various creatures lay? Who likes to devour eggs? (Is it just me of is the egg-eating snake absolutely fascinating?) Who carries their eggs instead of leaving them in a nest? How do various creatures keep their eggs warm? How exactly do they get out?

I love the additional information at the back of the book that gives the habitat and length of each animal in the book. I use these pages when I share Jenkins titles with my class to estimate size – we predict and then get out our rulers. The children find this so interesting!

Other nonfiction picture books about nests and eggs I would recommend.

Thanks to Alyson from Kid Lit Frenzy for the inspiration to read and share more nonfiction picture books in 2015. Follow the link to Alyson’s blog to read about more nonfiction books you need to read!

Top Ten Tuesday: Ten Hyped Books I’ve Never Read

Posted on July 6, 2015 by carriegelson

It’s time for Top Ten Tuesday, a meme created by The Broke and Bookish.

I think this week’s topic is particularly interesting: Top Ten Hyped Books I’ve Never Read

When I was thinking about which books to add to this list, these questions needed to be answered:

1. Hyped by who? I checked out favourites and 5 star books from various fellow book lovers’ blogs and Goodreads accounts. Some of these books keep cropping up again and again. So I paid attention.

2. What kind of hype? I am not looking just for latest and greatest but for titles that speak to me. Personal recommendations are always my favourite kind of hype.

2. Never read and so . . . ? And so, do I plan to one day read these titles? Yes! I chose books that I want to one day read. There are some popular books out there that I would never want to read for various personal preference reasons. These ten titles here are books that will hopefully one day migrate from the land of To Read to the land of Read.

Listed alphabetically by author:

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

I had coffee with a friend a few weeks ago and she convinced me that this was a must read and then I saw Andrew Smith’s comment on the cover. And then I started hearing about this book everywhere.

Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson

22 of my Goodreads friends rated this book 5/5. I love this author. Why haven’t I read this book? This question weighs so heavily that I just requested it from the public library.

The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black

I will admit to being a little bit of a chicken when it comes to paranormal stories. I am not sure if I have yet recovered from Libba Bray‘s The Diviners but I had a chance to hear Holly Black here in Vancouver and found her charming. I have read Doll Bones three times. Feeling brave enough to try this one. Having a beautifully signed copy makes this title all the more enticing.

The House on Mango Street by Sandra Cisneros

See that 25 year anniversary sticker? Makes it even more ridiculous that I haven’t yet read this book. This is the book I keep hearing favourite authors talk about as influential.

Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen

Dessen is another YA author I have not read. My almost 13 year old daughter is moving fast and furious into the land of YA – I think I need to run out a little ahead of her and learn about some authors I have yet to pick up that she will likely be drawn to. Have seen lots of love for this title.

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo

This book has been read in my house in the long ago time when both my husband and I read novels to our children (now it is just me) and I missed it. It’s a book that I absolutely want to read. Because I am convinced that DiCamillo can do no wrong. So often I hear from DiCamillo fans that this is a favourite.

If I Stay by Gayle Forman

So many reader choice awards. So many of my reading PLN rave about this book. And (ahem) I have not read any Gayle Forman titles. Admitting it is the first step to changing it, yes?

The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness

Yes, Patrick Ness. And no, I haven’t read it. That must change.

The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick

I have read and loved two titles by Quick – this one has the movie hype so I figure it is time to read it! I even own a copy.

Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith

When so many readers review this book and include words like crude, brilliant, horrifying, authentic, ridiculous, quirky, bizarre – often in the same review, you know this book is going to be a wild ride. There are many cautions “this book is not for everyone” – I have a strong feeling it will not be for me even though I have read three titles by Smith that I adore. But, I know I need to experience this book for myself.

What “hyped” books do you keep thinking, “I haven’t read and really I should . . . ?”

Monday July 6th 2015

Posted on July 5, 2015 by carriegelson

It’s Monday! What are you reading?

I have been sharing a reading photo of the week each week. Now that it is summer and I am not surrounded every day with little readers, what can I do? Choose favourite, not yet shared moments of course! From the classroom 2014/2015 archives: Mr. Putter and Tabby love shared 🙂 Because sometimes, life needs to be all about tea and neighbours and cozy cats.

This is my annual July novels only #IMWAYR post. Every summer, my family and I (sisters, husbands, parents, grandparents and children galore) travel a few hours out of the city and spend a week making kids happy. Lots of sorbet and gelato, swimming multiple times a day, lake appreciation, farms and goat cheese and quirky small town places. I also pack a pile of novels and try and read as much as possible. This week it was these titles, all 5 titles were 5 star books for me:

A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier by Ishmael Beah

How do you read a book like this and not be changed? I couldn’t put this book down. I felt like I may not have blinked. As I read this I was convinced that humanity is the most beautiful and the most horrible thing all at the same time. And when it felt the most horrible, this was a hard, hard read. I am grateful for Beah’s memory, his ability to tell his story, his sharing of hurt and pain and absolute mind numbing despair. A must read novel.

Call Me By My Name by John Ed Bradley

Well. Where to start? This book is about so many things. It is a love story. It is about racism and judgement. Prejudice and fear. It is about characters who you will root for in times that don’t support them. It’s about football. If you love the sport, you will appreciate it. If you aren’t that interested, it’s about these characters playing football. And you will read about these characters doing anything. Highly recommended.

The Penderwicks in Spring by Jeanne Birdsall

Reading about the Penderwicks is soothing. It’s celebratory. It is like coming home after a long trip and being absolutely charmed by the known, the ordinary, the nuances of family. I love every little detail on every page. If you too are a Penderwicks fan, then story details don’t matter, reuniting with these characters is as wonderful as you hoped it might be.

Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

The courage of a student, the compassion of a teacher, the celebration of spirit. Loved this little gem of a book. And a big shout out to the character of Albert – you are my kind of super hero!

One Thing Stolen by Beth Kephart

I am such a fan of Beth Kephart’s writing. I get lost in her words. I reread for beauty, not clarity. I am okay with confusion. I am reminded that the world is a beautiful place, to be aware of all of my senses, to see what I might have been missing. This is a story of Nadia. A neurological disorder removes her from her own narrative. So she weaves (literally) stability and reality into nests, takes refuge (strangely) in stolen and beautiful things and races away from her own fear of what is happening to her. Set in Florence. Rain, blossoms, cups of tea. Gorgeous, gorgeous story telling.

Updates on my 2015 Reading Goals:

2015 Chapter Book Challenge: 35/80 complete

Goodreads Challenge: 229/415 books read

#MustReadin2015: 14/24 complete

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: 47/100 titles

Diverse Books in 2015: 25/50 books read

Up next? I spotted The Paper Cowboy by Kristin Levine on Kellee’s #MustReadin2015 update last week and just picked it up at the library. Other titles in my “will be reading soon” pile include Lost in the Sun by Lisa Graff and Blue Birds by Caroline Starr Rose (both on my #MustReadin2015 list)

Must Read in 2015: Summer Update

Posted on July 1, 2015 by carriegelson

Summer reading is here! How have you been doing on your #MustReadin2015 list? Progress? Ready to dive back in this summer? it’s time to share!

My #MustReadin2015 list has 24 titles on it and I have completed twelve. Exactly half and a summer of reading ahead! Numerous titles on my list are currently packed with me on a trip where I plan to read a lot! So I am hoping to complete two or three more titles from my list this week.

Sometimes I look at this list and worry that I won’t get to these titles but honestly, every time I complete a novel from this list I revisit my original reasons for including it back in December and am so glad these titles on my TBR list have that special Must Read status!

The novels I have read since our spring update:

Bone Gap by Laura Ruby

There is reason for all of the raving about this YA title. The characters are so very unique – different, mysterious but so very appealing. The story is full of intrigue, suspense, mystery and magic. It is haunting and sad yet full of hope and transformation. It is one of those books that must be experienced and the less you read about it in advance, the better because each surprise, each “around the corner” is so delicious.

Jack by Liesl Shurtliff

We finished this book on the very last day of school. The best response, “This book was so perfect because it had more than one happy ending!” We loved how Jack tied to Rump in such unexpected ways. Another fantastic read aloud by Shurtliff! Can’t wait for Red!

The Meaning of Maggie by Megan Jean Sovern

Whoa Maggie. What a girl you are. Voice bellows from the pages. What a family. So much that is challenging. Not much that is perfect. So very endearing. A fantastic book about family.

Blackbird Fly by Erin Entrada Kelly

Early on I wasn’t so sure about this novel. There was nasty middle grade interactions that made me absolutely cringe. Cruelty, insensitivity, racism. Miserable stuff. But midway through, I began to love the friendship developing between Apple and Evan. Evan is a kid I wish existed in every school – so many young people need him to help navigate the social world that can be so cruel. He approaches it with wise perspective and personal strength. He’s just plain smart and really right on so many levels. I look forward to more books from this debut author.

The Shadowhand Convenant by Brian Farrey

I read this title aloud to my children. We read the first in the trilogy about a year ago and were completely captured by these unique characters in such a fresh fantasy story. This story continued to keep us guessing right until the last pages.

If you have been participating in #MustReadin2015 and written an update post, please share using the #MustReadin2015 hashtag!

Want to know more about #MustReadin2015? Read here This post also includes links to all of the bloggers who wrote Must Read in 2015 lists.

And now for a confession and an apology.

Confession: I have messed up a little with these update dates. Originally, I had planned 3 updates and somehow, I looked at 2014’s schedule and got back to four updates. Call it over eager. Mostly, it is about busy and not checking carefully and actually creating more posts not less! So I apologize if you weren’t planning to update until September. I will still host an update as originally planned on September 3rd. As always, update posts are purely optional – it is fun to see how people are doing with their lists and what books they are loving. Join in if you would like 🙂

Apology: I can’t create a link up for leaving post links below as I am away and staying at a hotel with terrible internet access that keeps kicking me off. Thankfully I had prewritten most of this post earlier! Please leave links below in the comment section

Happy Reading to everyone! Crossing titles off a list or making choices as the mood hits – it’s all reading! Enjoy!

Monday June 29th, 2015

Posted on June 28, 2015 by carriegelson

It’s Monday! What are you reading?

I have been sharing a reading photo of the week each week. This photo is special to me because it is my students at 2:30 p.m. on the last day of school – doing what they do best – reading! (and eating twizzlers, a special treat from our Teacher Librarian, Ms. S)

Here are our favourite picture books (fiction edition) read aloud in the 2014/2015 school year – all of these made it into the favourite read aloud bin over the year.

I read a lot of books that I really wanted to share with this group of students this week so not much new reading.

But some lovely reads were new to me:

Float by Daniel Miyares

Wordless and wonderful. Themes of discovery, persistence, problem solving and creative thinking. And simply beautiful.

Worst in Show written by William Bee and illustrated by Kate Hindley

Super silly. I have a thing for monsters so I found this book quite amusing.

Soon written by Timothy Knapman and illustrated by Patrick Benson

Perfect for a story time with younger students. We love elephants in my classroom so this book is special.

Not my Girl written by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton and illustrated by Gabrielle Grimard

This was the fourth picture book dealing with residential school experiences that I read with my students. I am so grateful that books like this exist to enable us to talk about this time in history and its impact on Aboriginal children and families with school age children. We did incredibly rich writing with this book.

Jack by Liesl Shurtliff

Updates on my 2015 Reading Goals:

2015 Chapter Book Challenge: 30/80 complete

Goodreads Challenge: 224/415 books read

#MustReadin2015: 12/24 complete

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: 47/100 titles

Diverse Books in 2015: 23/50 books read

Up next? I am still reading Call Me By My Name by John Ed Bradley – and have this stack coming along with me for my week away – I may not get to all of them but hoping for at least 6 novels read!