Andrew Smith | There's a Book for That

It’s Monday! What are you reading?

I have been sharing a weekly reading photo of the week each week. This week I had lots to choose from! My final choice is of students talking picture books with each other during Reading Workshop. Fantastic engagement!

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 read some fantastic picture books this week! My favourites:

Time for Bed Fred! by Yasmeen Ismail

Fred certainly needs some help getting to bed. But what a wonderful adventure in avoidance. Fred is delightful in all of his energy and mess.

Flight School by Lita Judge

Oh this little penguin. He is persistent. Daring. Charming. Purely irresistible.

Have You Seen my Dragon? by Steve Light

A visual adventure in search of a dragon – along the way notice and count numerous other things in the city. This is a must have for my buddy reading collection. Love the black and white images and the bright colours of what we are counting. Delightful!

Mr. Ferris and his Wheel written by Kathryn Gibbs Davis and illustrated by Gilbert Ford

Such interesting details about how the first ferris wheel came to be – from brilliant idea to the real thing in all of its glory.

Sixteen Years in Sixteen Seconds: The Sammy Lee Story written by Paula Yoo and illustrated by Dom Lee

This is a powerful biography about Sammy Lee, a Korean American who faced discrimination and various challenges on his journey to Olympic gold. Pressure from his father, limited access to public pools (because non white patrons could only use the pool once a week) and training in a sandpit were all part of Lee’s journey. A true story of dedication and determination.

If You Wish written by Kate Westerlund and illustrated by Robert Ingpen.

My students’ reviews of this title can be found on our classroom blog. Turns out to be a wonderful writing prompt! A story celebrating imagination.

Speaking of picture books, I also shared the eleven titles on our Mock Caldecott list. Can’t wait to dive into more of these with my students this week!

I also read

Sticky Burr: Adventures in Burrwood Forest by John Lechner

So very unique. I know this will become an adored part of our graphic collection.

100 Sideways Miles by Andrew Smith

Smith writes such incredible young male characters. Likeable, honest, and vulnerable. They are stubborn. Questioning. At times, obnoxious. Navigating the challenges of teeenage times. Boys who don’t need to be perfect. Who are figuring it out. Who get much of it wrong but some of it really right.

Up Next? I am almost finished How to Outrun a Crocodile When Your Shoes are Untied by Jess Keating and then I will be reading Going Over by Beth Kephart

2015 Reading Goals:

2015 Chapter Book Challenge: 2/80 complete

Goodreads Challenge: 18/415 books read

#MustReadin2015: 2/24 complete

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: 3/100 titles

Diverse Books in 2015: 1/50 books read

It’s Monday! What are you reading?

I didn’t get as much reading finished this week, but books were certainly on my mind. Over the last week and a half, I have published a blog series about using more nonfiction books in the classroom called Teaching with a Passion for Nonfiction books. It is a four part series. This link takes you to the fourth post and if you are interested, you can follow the rest of the links there to visit the other posts. I teach a Grade 2/3/4 class so the book suggestions and strategies are geared toward a late primary classroom. If you are looking to add more nonfiction titles in your teaching, some of the ideas might be helpful. I welcome any feedback.

My favourite picture books of the week are a mixture of fiction and nonfiction titles.

Mogie: The heart of the house written by Kathi Appelt and illustrated by Marc Rosenthal

A very special book about a dog that is perfectly placed to connect to the children who need him most. This book is based on the real-life Mogie, a Labradoodle who lives at the Ronald McDonald House in Houston.

Naked! written by Michael Ian Black and illustrated by Debbie Ridpath Ohi

If this book had existed when my children were younger, we would have had to read it over and over and over! Running around naked is pure joy for toddlers and this book perfectly captures the enthusiasm for the sensation of racing about the house without a thing on!. Delightful.

Following Papa’s Song by Gianna Marino

Gorgeous whales. And I have a thing for beautifully done whales in picture books. Dreamy illustrations and a sweet story for younger listeners. I was so lost in the pictures, I had to go back and reread the story.

One World, One Day by Barbara Kerley

I really like all of the titles Barbara Kerley has published through National Geographic – the photographs of people around the world are always spectacular. But I think this book is my absolute favourite. Maybe it is the simple aspect of showcasing the daily routines that many of us share – all a little different in different places but yet, so much the same. The back pages have additional information about each photograph. I can see sharing a photo a day with students. It would spark so much discussion and reflection.

Hello World! Greetings in 43 Languages by Manja Stojic

Illustrations with big kid appeal. Literally how to say “hello” in 43 languages – each page a smiling child and a greeting with a pronunciation guide. Of course, I tried them all!

Be My Neighbor by Maya Ajmera and John D Ivanko with words of wisdom from Fred Rogers

Another fascinating book full of photographs of children all over the world. This one focuses on the concept of neighbourhood and community. A map in the back lets children locate all of the places mentioned in the book.

The Worm by Elise Gravel

Another title in the Disgusting Critters series. Really silly. Very amusing. And full of information. Will lead children off to find out even more and then back to read and reread. And giggle.

Look Up! Bird Watching in Your Own Backyard by Annette LeBlanc Cate

I read this book by the river after a long hike through the forest. All I could hear were shouts from my children and their friends as they played in the water and the sound of birds. Could it have been more perfect? Don’t think so. So much to learn in this book. Written in conversational, humorous style.

I also finished

Winger written by Andrew Smith (YA)

This book was just so very good. Although, I finished it and couldn’t function properly for hours. Raw. Funny. Honest. Beautiful. Made me numb. Buying a copy for my son to read when he is a little older because I want him to meet Ryan Dean West. If this character instantly materialized in front of me, I would adopt him. What a kid. Such a story.