Monday March 5th, 2018

Posted on March 4, 2018 by carriegelson

It’s Monday! What are you reading?

Each week I share at least one reading photo of the week. This week I have a few to celebrate.

This reader is checking out a student written book that is part of our collection. Writers and readers go hand in hand 🙂

I know Mock Caldecott is a special thing in our room when last year’s students pop in to find out who our winners were and then stay to read the books!

Here are my fairy tale fans all sitting at the same table reading the same series! Pretty cute!

Our #classroombookaday titles, as always, have been inspirational.

Art, words and discussions were incredible after these titles.

“Some people think books are just for getting smarter, they’re also for getting kinder,” said a wise 8 year old in my room today. What we read aloud matters #classroombookaday pic.twitter.com/BvGBHqGGng

— Carrie Gelson (@CarrieGelson) February 17, 2018

Again – the impact of these books is evident in comments and writing.

One child was very moved by the book Red: A Crayon’s Story. She writes:

“I really like this theme because it really pours our feelings out. It’s like you have a big bucket on your head and the theme walks to your head and your feelings swish around and you start to be emotional and I love that. The book is telling you to express yourself and be your own person or colour. Cause that’s what makes us unique.”

“I really like this theme because it made us think about what we’re afraid of and about how we express ourselves,” said one brilliant Grade 3 child. #classroombookaday titles inspire pic.twitter.com/lRrbWRXDYO

— Carrie Gelson (@CarrieGelson) March 4, 2018

I haven’t posted in a while – some good excuses include – heading to Bellingham (on a very snowy Friday) to attend the Western Washington’s Children Literature Conference.

Amazing authors and illustrators included Kevin Henkes, Sophie Blackall, Pam Muñoz Ryan and Benjamin Alire Sáenz. They are all wearing tiaras here – for a you kind of had to be there – kind of a reason.

We also attended nErD Camp Bellingham on Sunday and it was a pleasure to spend the day with so many educators, librarians and literary wonders. We always love hanging out with nErD camp Bellingham founder Adam Shaffer.

Classroom Highlights

There has been art with Maggie in the Art and Discovery studio.

Science with UBC students during UBC reading week. Students shared science and we shared favourite books of course!

Lots and lots of math thinking as we explore multiplication and division concepts.

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.

Books I loved:

There’s a lot of them . . . some not yet released so mark your calendars!

Hello Hello by Brendan Wenzel (available March 20th, 2018)

Beyond wonderful. This title features numerous animals connected by sometimes simple and sometimes surprising common features. The author’s note explains that many of these creatures are in trouble and need human awareness and action to remove them from the endangered and critically threatened lists. Ideal for young young readers as well as school age children. Highly recommended.

Watch this amazing trailer – you’re going to want this book!

Shaking Things Up: 14 Young Women Who Changed the World written by Susan Hood and illustrated by 13 extraordinary female illustrators

I fell in love with this book at the mere concept. It’s nonfiction perfection – inspired poetry, additional information and incredible illustrations by some of my favourite illustrators out there. Hood chose her subjects – often girls and young women – that might not yet be known or are not all know well in order to introduce readers to inspiring role models. Well known girls and young women like Ruby Bridges and Malala Yousafzai are also included.

Who Says Women Can’t Be Computer Programmers?: The Story of Ada Lovelace written by Tanya Lee Stone and illustrated by Marjorie Priceman

The same author illustrator team that brought us Who Says Women Can’t Be Doctors? is back! If you know this book, you are already sold!

Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13 written by Helaine Becker and illustrated by Dow Phumiruk (released in June 2018)

Another inspiring woman who young readers will want to know more about. Add this one to your biography collections. Katherine Johnson is the mathematician who ensured that the Apollo 13 returned safely to Earth. Such a story! Written in an engaging style ideal for Elementary readers.

Yo Soy Muslim: A Father’s Letter to His Daughter written by Mark Gonzales and illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini

A beautifully written letter from father to daughter, this book celebrates culture, identity and family roots. A celebration of diversity and self. Just gorgeous.

Crescent Moons and Pointed Minarets: A Muslim Book of Shapes written by Hena Khan and illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini (released April 2018)

A must have for library and classroom collections – perfect title to complement our studies of shapes found in the world. Another beautifully illustrated title by Amini. This book is absolutely stunning. A celebration of both shapes and traditions. So pleased to include it in my classroom library.

The Boy and the Blue Moon written by Sara O’Leary and illustrated by Ashley Crowley

Blue like you haven’t quite imagined. Text and illustrations are the perfect complement. One part magic, another part imagination, a big splash of whimsy all seeped and soaked in the bluest of blues.

George the Hero Hound by Jeffrey Ebbeler (coming March 20, 2018)

Sometimes a farm comes with a dog. George knows his way around the farm but is under appreciated until he does something heroic. Charming and amusing.

The Word Collector by Peter H. Reynolds

Celebrates the magical and beautiful way words can collide and come together.

Lulu and the Dog from the Sea by Hilary McKay

I love this entire series of Lulu books. Perfect for the Grade 2 to 4 classroom. Lulu’s patience and persistence is admirable and readers will be rooting for this dog from the sea!

Solo by Kwame Alexander with Mary Rand Hess (Young Adult)

This truly is a story of rock and roll, fathers and sons, addictions and recoveries, loves and loss. A beautifully executed novel in verse.

Knock Out by K.A. Holt

House Arrest – this book’s companion novel- is a book I haven’t stopped raving about. Both titles are written in powerful and personal verse. I couldn’t put either one down. This is the story of little Levi – just a baby in House Arrest – now growing up and ready to have his own story. But when you have always been the one to protect, how do you find your way and engage with the world in big and brave ways?

Up next:The War I Finally Won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Reading Progress updates:

2018 Chapter Book Challenge: 8/60 complete

2018 Transitional Chapter books: 4/40 complete

Goodreads Challenge: 51/300 books read

Progress on challenge: on track

#MustReadin2018: 6/30 complete

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: 7/40 titles

Diverse Books in 2018: 7/40 books read

Monday February 12th, 2018

Posted on February 11, 2018 by carriegelson

It’s Monday! What are you reading?

Each week I share at least one reading photo of the week. This was all about little sister reading. One little sister read to a baby sister while big sister (in my class) worked with Mom during Student Led conferences. Some amazing book love!

Our #classroombookaday titles for two weeks. Week 1 included books all about books and the things you find when you open them up!

This past week, we explored art, colour and inspiration! Such a fun week!

Classroom Highlights

So much has been about celebrating picture books in our Mock Caldecott unit! Partners explored each Mock Caldecott contender and rated books using “kid friendly” versions of Caldecott criteria.

Then it was time to complete some inspired art, “fan art” we called it.

Then we voted! Such serious, important work! Unfortunately, we had a number of students away ill and decided that we would hold off with our final results until everyone was back and had a chance to vote. So our Mock Caldecott results will be announced after the actual award winners are shared.

Books I loved:

How to Be an Elephant: Growing up in the African Wild by Katherine Roy

Oh this book! I learned so much about elephants and was completely in love with he illustrations. Would love to see this title get some love when awards are announced tomorrow.

Earth Verse: Haiku from the Ground Up by Sally M Walker and William Grill

Interesting poems, beautiful art and detailed back matter make this title an earth science gold mine!

The Blue Songbird by Vern Kousky

In search of your song, where will you travel and where will you arrive?

My Wounded Island by Jacques Pasquet and Marion Arbona

How are rising sea levels interpreted by a young girl on an Arctic Island? This is a powerful title.

Polly Diamond and the Magic Book by Alice Kuipers

This title isn’t published until May – it’s the first in a series I definitely want to feature in our classroom library! Be on the look out!

Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling

Aven Green is some kind of amazing. Born without arms and adopted by encouraging, loving parents as a toddler, Aven seems fearless. But life is a constant challenge as you face your own fears and help your friends confront their own. An important read.

The Way to Bea by Kat Yeh

Middle grade perfection. This title is all about navigation and coming out the other side. Friendships. Identity. Individuality. Facing fears. Following your heart and your instincts. Taking risks. LOVED all of the characters!

Up next? I am reading Solo by Kwame Alexander

Reading Progress updates:

2018 Chapter Book Challenge: 6/60 complete

2018 Transitional Chapter books: 3/40 complete

Goodreads Challenge: 34/300 books read

Progress on challenge: on track

#MustReadin2018: 4/30 complete

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: 3/40 titles

Diverse Books in 2018: 4/40 books read

Nonfiction 10 for 10: Wandering through Wonders

Posted on February 10, 2018 by carriegelson

This year for nonfiction 10 for 10, I invite you to wander with me where questions and wondering takes us. Start with a topic and let the questions happen. How do we find out more? Usually, there’s a book for that!

Thank you to Cathy Mere from Reflect and Refine, Mandy Robek of Enjoy and Embrace Learning and Julie Balen of Write at the Edge for hosting this meme. Click here to read all of the top ten lists shared.

This is my sixth year participating in this meme!

In the first year of #nf10for10 I shared favourite nonfiction titles – many that I have used with my class over the last few years in a variety of ways.

In the second year, I chose to focus on nonfiction picture book biographies that feature inspiring women.

In my third year, I shared nonfiction titles that allow us to think about something from a completely new or different perspective.

Year four was about travelling the world through nonfiction picture books.

Last year, my list focussed on ocean life and ocean exploration.

Recently in my classroom we read a book about the moon as part of our Mock Caldecott unit. This book led us to many, many questions. As the children were busy wondering, I was busy thinking about books on my bookshelf that might help us to begin answering some of the questions and to explore some of the wonders more deeply. Some have just been published. Others have been on my shelves for years. We are still in the middle of our exploring so part of my wandering from book to book is imagined: What might we wonder when we read about . . . ? The first few books are the titles where we began.

If you read

If You Were the Moon written by Laura Purdie Salas and illustrated by Jaime Kim (2017)

you might have some questions about gravity. So you should probably read

Gravity by Jason Chin (2014)

You might also begin wondering about space and our galaxy. Reading Star Stuff: Carl Sagan and the Mysteries of the Cosmos by Stephanie Roth Sisson (2014) is a fantastic place to begin.

Maybe you have questions about how the world was made and how everything came to be. How did it all begin? How is the world put together? What is inside the earth? The questions are endless.

There are a few places you can turn

Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years written by Stacy McAnulty and illustrated by David Litchfield (2017)

The Story of Life: A First Book of Evolution by Catherine Barr and Steve Williams with illustrations by Amy Husband (2015)

Earth Verse Haiku from the Ground Up by Sally M Walker and William Grill (2018)

This might lead to questions about specific landforms. A perfect book to turn to here is

Island: A Story of the Galapagos by Jason Chin (2012)

Some of you might be more interested to learn about all things tiny and microscopic rather than huge and majestic things like islands.

Tiny Creatures: the world of Microbes by Nicola Davies with illustrations by Emily Sutton (2014) is the book for you!

But some of you might want to head back into the past and talk about early life forms. Small things that emerged from the sea? Or gigantic creatures that roamed the Earth like dinosaurs!

Born to Be Giants: How Baby Dinosaurs Grew to Rule the World by Lita Judge (2010) is the ideal title for the dinosaur enthusiast.

This book might lead us to wonder what else might become extinct? Thee are many books about endangered animals. This is one of my favourites, full of truths and hope:

Counting Lions: Portraits from the Wild is written by Katie Cotton and illustrated by Stephen Walton (2015)

What are you wondering about now? Your questions can lead us to more incredible nonfiction titles!

Monday January 29th, 2018

Posted on January 28, 2018 by carriegelson

It’s Monday! What are you reading?

Each week I share at least one reading photo of the week. Don’t you just love this little reader in his Pjs (pyjama day) surrounded by Toon comics?

Our #classroombookaday titles were our second week of #MockCaldecott titles

Now we are ready for more in depth discussion and analysis

Classroom Highlights

We loved having our Let’s Talk Science volunteers come in to talk changing states of matter with us. We learned what sublimation means by exploring dry ice.

In math, we have been investigating multiplication. This table explored 24 and made arrays and matching equations.

I love the classroom when it is full of readers – little buddies from the K class came to read!

Books I enjoyed:

Marigold & Daisy by Andrea Zuill

A charming little read about new sibling envy. These snails are adorably hilarious.

Watersong by Tim McCanna with illustrations by Richard Smythe

This is onomatopoeia at its best! Vivid illustrations accompany these gorgeous sounds.

There’s a Snake in my School written by David Walliams and illustrated by Tony Ross

When it’s pet day . . . This snake is a whole lot of fun for everyone. Well maybe not for that grumpy headmistress!

Earth! My First 4.54 Billion Years written by Stacy McAnulty and illustrated by David Litchfield

Earth tells its story = perfect to answer and inspire questions for curious kids!

A List of Cages by Robin Roe

This is definitely YA. Heartbreaking. I adored both main characters. One of those titles you just can’t put down. Friendship, care and compassion alongside some pretty horrific cruelty and abuse.

Up next? I am reading Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus

Reading Progress updates:

2018 Chapter Book Challenge: 4/60 complete

2018 Transitional Chapter books: 2/40 complete

Goodreads Challenge: 25/300 books read

Progress on challenge: 3 books ahead of schedule

#MustReadin2018: 2/30 complete

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: 1/40 titles

Diverse Books in 2018: 2/40 books read

Monday January 22nd, 2018

Posted on January 21, 2018 by carriegelson

It’s Monday! What are you reading?

Each week I share at least one reading photo of the week. My camera was on the wrong setting this week and photos unfortunately are too blurry to share.

Our #classroombookaday titles for the past 2 weeks have been all about Caldecott titles. We read some past winners.

Now we’ve started reading our 2018 #MockCaldecott titles! So excited.

Books I enjoyed:

Don’t Forget Dexter by Lindsay Ward

Dexter, the dinosaur is left behind by his boy, Jack. What if they are never reunited? A fantastic title for teaching voice and perspective. An engaging read aloud for primary students.

Claymates by Dev Petty and Lauren Eldridge

Two balls of clay and endless potential. Hilarious and wonderfully charming.

Love by Matt de la Peña and illustrated by Loren Long

Wow. Smitten.

Bruce’s Big Move by Ryan T. Higgins

Bruce remains my favourite grumpy guy. Again, Higgins delivers!

The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser

A family to fall in love with. You will be rooting for the Vanderbeekers from the first pages. Delightful middle grade read.

The 57 Bus by Dashka Slater

A YA nonfiction title. I had coffee with a friend today and recommended this book to her. We ended up talking for a long time about the story and all that I learned. A must read for everyone teen and up.

Up next? A List of Cages by Robin Roe

Reading Progress updates:

2018 Chapter Book Challenge: 3/60 complete

2018 Transitional Chapter books: 2/40 complete

Goodreads Challenge: 17/300 books read

Progress on challenge: on track

#MustReadin2018: 2/30 complete

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: 0/40 titles

Diverse Books in 2018: 1/40 books read

Monday January 8th, 2018

Posted on January 7, 2018 by carriegelson

It’s Monday! What are you reading?

I didn’t share a #IMWAYR post over the holidays as I was busy blogging many of my year end lists:

Nonfiction Favourites of 2017 : 10 favourites

Year End Update: #MustReadin2017

Favourites of 2017: My 17 top picks

My Must Read Novels of 2018: 30 titles I want to be sure not to miss

More information about the #MustReadin2018 challenge. Please join us!

This post will include a handful of photos from the last weeks of December in the classroom and a selection of titles I read in the last few weeks.

Each week I share at least one reading photo of the week. Here are a few.

We have a bit of a Katie Woo obsession going on in our room. I just purchase about 20 new titles so that everyone can have a few on the go!

Many students in the classroom love wearing noise cancelling headphones. We have five sets and they are always in use.

Can you spot the reader? Next to the plants, behind the book . . .

Our #classroombookaday titles in the final weeks of December were all about winter and snow with some fairy tales and other tales mixed in.

Classroom Highlights

Our beloved daytime engineer Parm is moving to another school. The children wrote him heartfelt letters. We will all miss him a LOT.

During our last few weeks, the primary classes participated in Winter Stations with small groups moving through our rooms for various activities. In my room we did an art activity and when students finished, they quietly found a spot on the carpet and read. It was pure reading joy.

All of the Winter trees we finished were used to decorate the gym for the Winter concert.

I received many lovely notes and cards before the winter break. Children offer so much with their words.

Books I enjoyed:

Professional Crocodile by Giovanna Zoboli

This is one of the most clever wordless titles I have come across – ever!

Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth by Oliver Jeffers

A sneak peek at a love letter to his new son about this living on the planet we call home by the brilliant Oliver Jeffers.

Rot, the Cutest in the World! by Ben Clanton

Yep, this is the cutest potato in the world. No contest. A delightful little read.

The Princess in Black and the Mysterious Playdate (The Princess in Black #5) by Shannon and Dean Hale

If you teach a primary classroom, Princess in Black is where it’s at! This title will be devoured by a number of little readers in my room.

Princess Posey and the First Grade Parade (Princess Posey, #1) by Stephanie Greene

Another lovely transitional chapter book series – this one honours the fears involved in growing independence as we move up the grades.

Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds

Gripping. If you can – I suggest reading this book in one sitting. It’s in verse, so very possible.

Dear Martin by Nic Stone

Timely. Relevant. Captivating.

Snow White: A Graphic Novel by Matt Phelan

A fairy tale retelling like you would never have imagined. Set in New York City during the 1920s, this is Snow White like you have never seen.

Up next? I am almost finished The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser

My reading goals have shifted a little this year. As I have not met my Goodreads goal for two years in a row, I am trying to anticipate how I can do a lot of reading but still allow for the busy aspects of other parts of my life. Checking in here regularly helps keep me motivated.

Reading Progress updates:

2018 Chapter Book Challenge: 1/60 complete

2018 Transitional Chapter books: 1/40 complete

Goodreads Challenge: 5/300 books read

Progress on challenge: on track

#MustReadin2018: 0/30 complete

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: 0/40 titles

Diverse Books in 2018: 0/40 books read

#MustReadin2018

Posted on January 1, 2018 by carriegelson

For anyone out there with a To Be Read list that seems like it will never end, this challenge is for you! This is all about making your own personal list of books that you want to commit to reading in 2018.

10? 20? 30? more? It’s up to you

Books can be published in any year, be from any genre, and from any category: adult, YA, MG, Graphics, NF, etc. titles. All that matters is that they are books you want to be sure not to forget as that TBR list continues to grow! These aren’t the only titles you will read over the year, but a list to help guide your reading. A list to lure you back to a reading path you have set for yourself. Many, many new books will tempt you! Go ahead and read them but having a list like this ensures you will not forget some titles you were determined to read. At least that’s the plan 🙂

If you would like to create and share a list, contact me on twitter (@CarrieGelson) or leave a link in the comments and I will add your list to the #MustReadin2018 lists below. Everyone is welcome! I will update regularly so if you are just seeing this now – go make a list! We’ll be waiting for you.

If you want to use the image above in your sidebar, here is the image URL code: https://thereisabookforthat.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/mustreadin2018.jpg

Three updates seemed to work best so we will continue this again. If you also leave me your twitter handle (if you are on twitter) I will send you a reminder. For those not on twitter, please mark these dates in your calendar. Update posts can be shared on or around these dates – just leave your link in the comment section of my post and share it on twitter using #MustReadin2018

Spring update: Thursday April 5th, 2018

Fall update: Thursday September 6th, 2018

Year end update: Thursday December 27th, 2018

Update posts are purely optional!

They can take whatever format you wish: highlighting your favourites, reasons for not reading, simply a list of what you have read, etc. Here are last year’s update posts on my blog as an example: spring, fall, year-end. Other bloggers do much more creative things than me.

Ready for some inspiration?

Check out the lists.

Mine (Carrie Gelson) is here: My Must Read novels of 2018

Aaron Cleaveley shares a long Must-read-in-2018 list

Lisa Maucione shares her list here: Books I Plan to Read in 2018

Michele Knott shares her efficient system in this list: #mustreadin2018 list

Linda Baie shares her list here: #MustReadIn2018

Laura Mossa joins us for the first time with her list: My Must Reads in 2018

Jill Merkle shares a list of 2018 releases here: #mustreadin2018

Kendra Limback shares 40 titles on her list: Must Read in 2018! The Fabulous 40!

Two lists in one place from Kellee and Ricki of Unleashing Readers: Kellee and Ricki’s #MustReadin2018

Crystal Brunelle has a fantastic list inspired by this list 46 Books by Women of Color to Read in 2018 Crystal’s list is here: #MustReadin2018

Hannahlily Angus shares a detailed list here: Must Read in 2018

Leigh Anne Eck joins us again with this list: #MustReadin2018

Holly Mueller shares her list here: #MustReadin2018

Akilah from The Englishist includes her #MustReadin2018 as part of her wonderful Goals for 2018 post

Tricia Pfeil shares her smile worthy list here: #MustReadin2018

Cheriee Weichel shares her comprehensive lists here: #MustReadIn2018: Fiction, Nonfiction and Indigenous Authors

Dani Burtsfield joins us for the first time with her list: #MustReadin2018

Michelle Simpson shares her longest list to date: Must Read in 2018

Jennifer Green joins us this year with her list: #MustReadin2018

Bev Baird adds her #Must Read in 2018 list

Christina Carter (CeCe Librarian) joins us this year with this list: Must Read in 2018

Elisabeth Ellington contributes this list: #MustReadin2018: A Crowd-Sourced List

Shelly Moody joins is with her list: #MustReadin2018 #MustReadin2018

Ramona from Pleasures from the Page joins us with a baker’s dozen: #MustReadin2018

My Must Read Novels of 2018

Posted on January 1, 2018 by carriegelson

For those readers and list makers, nothing is more exciting than January! The time to make an amazing list of books to read for the year!

Where will our reading lives take us? What adventures and emotions will we experience through the books we read? Always, there are endless possibilities.

So many books. Limited time.

New books to distract us from other books.

A must read list ensures not all are forgotten!

Join the #mustreadin2018 community!

To read more about the challenge and add your list, read here.

Here are the 30 titles I am going to try and read over this year. As always these titles will represent only a portion of my reading. My goal? To read most of these. I use this list like a a road map of where to turn next when I come to a pause in my reading choices. It is always waiting to guide me. But it also waits patiently when I am distracted by new books.

Making a list like this – a To Read list – also allows us to reflect on the reading that we want to do. I know I want to emphasize middle grade novels. I also want to ensure that I am reading from various genres but honour that I will typically gravitate to realistic fiction.

This year I split my list in two. Half of these books are titles published in 2017 or earlier and the rest published in 2018. Hopefully, this will be a nice balance of newly published titles and titles that I have discovered from my fantastic PLN as not to be missed.

2017 or before

These first two titles are from my #mustreadin2017 list that I still want to read

Girl in the Blue Coat by Monica Hesse

The Inexplicable Logic of My Life by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

~~The War I Finally Won by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley~~ Read March 22nd 2018 5/5 stars

~~WishTree by Katherine Applegate~~ Read March 29th 2018 5/5 stars

~~The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street by Karina Yan Glaser~~ Read January 13th 2018 5/5 stars

~~Insignificant Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling~~ Read February 4th 2018 4/5 stars

~~Vincent and Theo by Deborah Heiligman~~ Read December 27th 2018 5/5 stars

The Bone Sparrow by Zana Fraillon

~~The Way to Bea by Kat Yeh~~ Read February 11th 2018 5/5 stars

~~Jane Unlimited by Kristin Cashore~~ Read June 10th 2018 3/5 stars

Solo by Kwame Alexander with Mary Rand Hess Read February 18th 2018 5/5 stars

Karma Khullar’s Mustache by Kristi Wientge

Turtles All the Way Down by John Green

I am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter by Erika L. Sánchez

The 57 Bus by ~~Dashka Slater~~ Read January 21st 2018 5/5 stars

Titles published in 2018

~~Grump by Liesl Shurtliff~~ Read October 13th 2018 5/5 stars

The Jigsaw Jungle by Kristin Levine

~~Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes~~ Read July 14th 2018 5/5 stars

Good Dog by Dan Gemeinhart Read March 27th 2018 4/5 stars

~~In Sight of Stars by Gae Polisner~~ Read July 6th 2018 5/5 stars

~~Loser’s Bracket by Chris Crutcher~~ Read June 23rd 2018 5/5 stars

~~Amal Unbound by Aisha Saeed~~ Read July 11th 2018 5/5 stars

~~Breakout by Kate Messner~~ Read December 16th 2018 5/5 stars

~~The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle by Leslie Connor~~ Read April 22nd 2018 5/5 stars

A Land of Permanent Goodbyes by Atia Abawi Read May 6th 2018 4/5 stars

Escape from Aleppo by ~~N. H. Senzai~~ Read May 13th 2018 5/5 stars

~~Sunny by Jason Reynolds~~ Read December 7th 2018 5/5 stars

~~Ivy Aberdeen’s Letter to the World by Ashley Herring Blake~~ Read August 19th 2018 5/5 stars

Knock Out by ~~K.A. Holt~~ Read February 18th 2018 5/5 stars

~~Bob by Wendy Mass and Rebecca Stead~~ Read July 15th 2018 5/5 stars

What novels are at the top of your TBR list? Please share!

Favourites of 2017

Posted on December 30, 2017 by carriegelson

Which books stand out from an entire year or reading? Titles that didn’t leave me. Books I have wanted to share. To reread. That I have particular plans for. Books that I have read to multiple audiences. Books full of the beautiful and the hopeful. Wonder. Inspiration. Humanity. Sorrow and hope. Books I recommend highly. Books I am pleased to celebrate here.

The 17 books that made the final cut? I chose everything from picture books to young adult novels. Middle grade novels. Transitional chapter books. All of it. (except for nonfiction titles – they got a list all their own)

17 books and no more than 17 words of raving. This was my challenge last year with my Favourites of 2016 (16 books, 16 words) Each year it has been the same: Favourites of 2015 (15 books, 15 words), Favourites of 2014 (14 books, 14 words), Favourites of 2013 (13 books, 13 words) and (12 books, 12 words) with my 2012 Favourites. Each year, I get one more book and one more word to play with!

17 favourites of 2017

Wolf in the Snow by Matthew Cordell

Nearly wordless. All about important things. Kindness. Trust. Simplicity.

Town is by the Sea written by Joanne Schwartz and illustrated by Sydney Smith

Daily life in a Cape Breton mining town. Illustrations that literally freeze place and time.

The Rooster Who Would Not Be Quiet! by Carmen Agra Deedy and illustrated by Eugene Yelchin

Our voices cannot be silenced. Timely and timeless.

Little Fox in the Forest by Stephanie Graegin

Wordless and wonderful. Rich with kindness and longing for how we connect.

My Beautiful Birds by Suzanne Del Rizzo

How can we leave one life to begin another? A refugee experience full of sadness and hope.

The Book of Mistakes by Corinna Luyken

A creative and inspiring journey that celebrates how what goes wrong is equally exactly right.

Now by Antoinette Portis

Being in the moment has never been celebrated with such lovely wonder and beauty.

Out of Wonder Poems Celebrating Poets by Kwame Alexander with Chris Colderley and Marjorie Wentworth illustrations by Ekua Holmes

Oh this book of poems and art. Kind of speechless.

Charlie & Mouse & Grumpy (Charlie & Mouse, #2) written by Laurel Snyder and illustrated by Emily Hughes

Endearing and lovely. Sibling antics. Silly stories. Hilarious illustrations. Reading gold.

A Boy Called Bat by Elana K. Arnold

Bat, his family and a little orphaned skunk make up a cast of characters that you must meet.

Clayton Byrd Goes Underground by Rita Williams-Garcia

So I kind of love everything about Clayton Byrd.

Me and Marvin Gardens by Amy Sarig King (A.S. King)

I can’t get Obe and Marvin Gardens out of my head.

Orphan Island by Laurel Snyder

Suspend belief. Be uncertain. Allow yourself to get lost in this story. Incredible writing.

See You in the Cosmos by Jack Cheng

I adore Alex Petroski. His journey to capture the essence of Earth reveals his vulnerable, complicated existence.

Beyond the Bright Sea by Lauren Wolk

An isolated setting. Unique characters. Mystery and intrigue and simplicity that makes a can’t put down story.

Refugee by Alan Gratz.

You will cry. Shake your head. Fret. Dream terrible things. Read this book. Hand it to everyone.

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

Necessary reading for anyone who happens to currently be human. Deserving of all the hype.

Please share your own favourites of the year . . .

Wishing everyone a 2018 full of new favourites and lots of reading!

Year End Update: #MustReadin2017

Posted on December 27, 2017 by carriegelson

In January, I had 30 titles on my #MustReadin2017 list and the intention to read at least 20 of these books. Distractions always happen and sometimes certain books are not to be read. Some books are in the pile and just haven’t been read yet. The year isn’t over – perhaps I will be updating this update in the next few days!

Making a list like this is about being enthused about a year of reading ahead. It is also about building community. 30 other bloggers joined me in making #MustReadin2017 lists of their own. Many people remained connected all year, posting (purely optional always) updates. Others only occasionally glanced at their lists. It doesn’t matter. It’s all about being excited about an ever growing and changing book list.

I started teaching Grade 3 again this fall and ended up reading numerous transitional chapter books which pulled me away from MG and YA novel reading but I still finished 25 out of the 30 titles on my list!

I have posted updates all year so will include just a few words about the last books on this list that I finished. Our last update was in early September. I finished these four titles since that date.

Wish by Barbara O’Connor

So much here – this books explores the amazing and the challenging about family and friendships and allows us to question what matters when it comes to home and security. What is important enough to wish for? As always, I adore Barbara O’Connor.

A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz

Oh my goodness me. This book is fantastic. Creepy. Gruesome. Lots of blood and gore but lots of suspense and great story telling (and retelling) Despite the creepy and violent parts, this is definite middle grade material! Fairy tale sharing at its finest.

Mighty Jack and the Goblin King by Ben Hatke

I was so excited to finally have the chance to read this book and I couldn’t put it down. It was full of surprises and the ending just about knocked me over. I now feel like my students who read Mighty Jack last year and then whined all year about the second in the series not yet being published. Just wondering . . . when is Book 3 coming?

Snow White: A Graphic Novel by Matt Phelan

This book is beautiful and really quite brilliant. I loved hearing Matt Phelan talk about this title in Bellingham last spring and treasure that my copy happens to be signed. A fairy tale retelling like you would never have imagined. Set in New York City during the 1920s, this is Snow White like you have never seen.

Want to know more about #MustReadin2017? Read here This post also includes links to all of the bloggers who wrote Must Read in 2017 lists.

Thinking about joining us for 2018? Please do! Make a list and read some, none or all of the titles on it. Reading is amazing but reading plans are pretty wonderful too! Just reading all of the lists is a great reason to pour a big cup of coffee and do some book dreaming! I am always in awe of the creative ways people plan and think about their reading lives.

We will be sharing lists beginning January 2nd 2018! Please join in using the twitter hashtag #mustreadin2018 or by leaving me a comment on this blog (when the post is up) and I will add your list.