Top Ten Tuesday: The Last Ten Books That Came into my Possession

Posted on July 13, 2015 by carriegelson

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

This week’s topic? The Last Ten Books That Came into my Possession

A hard one to answer – I just visited the book store and did a huge hold pick up at the library. A LOT of books just came into my possession! So, I thought I would think back over the last few months and make a list that shows some variety – both in the kinds of books and the kinds of reasons I now own them.

Shared in no particular order:

The Alex Crow by Andrew Smith

I managed to purchase this book days before it was released. Andrew Smith was here in Vancouver to speak at a literacy conference so the book was brought in a little early. And I got it signed. And I got to chat books and teaching with Andrew Smith. What could be better?

Jinx’s Fire by Sage Blackwood

My copy of this is an ARC that I got at nErD Camp Bellingham this spring. I own and have read the first two titles in this trilogy so can’t wait to read this one! It might be a read aloud to my children. I read them the second title and we finished it quite delightfully in the forest.

A Handful of Stars by Cynthia Lord

I am so excited to meet Cynthia Lord next spring at the Western Washington University’s Children’s Literature Conference! I purchased this book at the end of the year from Scholastic so I could be caught up!

Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

I read and loved this title when it was first released. Then I heard that Jacqueline was coming to Vancouver. I purchased the first two tickets sold to see her! My husband and I had an evening out – hearing Jacqueline Woodson and all of her brilliance and then we went for dinner. I bought a copy to have signed and I smile every time I see it on my shelf.

Mark of a Thief by Jennifer A. Nielsen

I am a huge fan of Jennifer Nielsen. My children and I went to see her when Vancouver Kidsbooks hosted an author evening last year. As a family we listened to The False Prince and then I read the next two titles in the series aloud to my children. I was eagerly anticipating this novel and lucky me, received it as a gift from one of my classroom volunteers. So excited to read it!

Pool by JiHyeon Lee

I am completely helpless to the power of wordless titles. When I discover one that is beautiful, I can’t resist purchasing it. This one had me at the cover.

Wish by Matthew Cordell

I have a huge variety of emotional and beautiful reasons why I had to own this book. It was meant for me as I know it is meant for many who finally have their most important of all wishes granted.

Ballet Cat: The Totally Secret Secret by Bob Shea

Oh Bob Shea. You have full out giggle power over my students. I read this. Bought it. Read it aloud. Had it snatched from me. Daily, it would be momentarily returned. “Read it to all of us again.” I would. Then, snatched again. There are currently no students in my classroom. HA! I can go and read it anytime I want. Come September, I know I will never see it again. As it should be.

Egg: Nature’s Perfect Package by Steve Jenkins and Robin Page

Anything Steve Jenkins does, I have to own. I am always reading some parts of a Jenkins title to my students. We learn so much, so beautifully, from this man!

I’m Trying to Love Spiders by Bethany Barton

I have a brand new group of students this fall. I want to hook them quickly on nonfiction – what better way to do it than through humour and spiders. Learning as you laugh! Perfect.

What have you purchased/acquired lately and why?

Must Read Titles in 2014: Summer Update

Posted on June 30, 2014 by carriegelson

As of April 1st 2014, I had read 13/30 of my #MustReadin2014 list Three months later, I have read about 20 novels but only four of them have been from my list. I am planning to remedy this during the summer and hope to enter the fall with just a handful of titles remaining. As of today though, I have read 17 titles. The first thirteen I discussed in my Spring Update post.

I know some people keep making their original lists longer. Instead, I have started a #MustReadin2015 draft list! That way, I can ensure I really do get to complete all thirty titles from my list without always getting distracted by new books. For everything I have read in terms of novels during 2014, see this list.

What have I read since April from my #mustreadin2014 list? These four titles (all well worth reading!):

Threatened by Eliot Schrefer (Read April 18th, 2014) Rating: 5/5 YA title

Set in the jungles of Gabon, this novel is about a boy and his relationships with chimpanzees. No doubt, there are messages of conservation that come through loud and clear. But this book is also about being alone, finding connection, chasing dreams and finding home.

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie (Read April 20th, 2014) Rating: 5/5 YA title

All kinds of amazing. I loved pretty much everything about it. The characters. The honesty and vulnerability of the narrator. The family dynamics. The truths. The humour. Wow, wow, wow. READ this book, if you haven’t already!

Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy by Karen Foxlee (Read May15th, 2014) Rating: 5/5 MG title

Vulnerable. Beautiful. Sad and full of grief while at the same time magical and full of hope. What a story.

Jinx’s Magic by Sage Blackwood (Read June 22nd, 2014) Rating: 4/5 MG title

Just plain awesome fantasy with a plucky character, plot twist and turns and a fascinating setting – the Urwarld forest. Full of humour, drama and great writing. I read this aloud to my children and we are all enchanted! Anxiously awaiting the next title: Jinx’s Fire.

I am currently part way through another title from my list: Cress (Lunar Chronicles #3) by Marissa Meyer

How is your To Be Read list treating you?

If you have been participating in #MustReadin2014 and written an update post, link up below and share on twitter using the #MustReadin2014 hashtag!

Want to know more about #MustReadin2014? Read here This post also includes links to all of the bloggers who wrote Must Read lists.

Monday June 23rd, 2014

Posted on June 23, 2014 by carriegelson

It’s Monday! What are you reading?

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. You are guaranteed to find something new to add to your list.

My favourite picture books of the week:

Here I am written by Patti Kim and illustrated by Sonia Sanchez

The wow title of the week. Wordless, graphic style illustrations that are powerful and full of emotion. All about a young boy’s journey to a new country and a new life. Highlighting the myriad of emotions involved: confusion, fear, wonder, possibility . . .

The book trailer is wonderful.

Dream Dog written by Lou Berger and illustrated by David Catrow

I was attracted to this book by this gorgeous cover and of course recognized Catrow’s unique style from Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon. When Harry can’t have a dog, he imagines one. One that is big and blue and wonderfully playful. This new conjured up canine sticks with Harry for exactly as long as he needs him.

The Very Big Carrot by Satoe Tone

Simple story about the imaginative ideas of six little white rabbits about exactly what they might be able to do with a gigantic carrot. A few pages in I can see a bunch of listeners making very persuasive suggestions. It seems by the end, that these bunnies might have heard! Would be an ideal story time title for the younger set.

The Chickens Build a Wall by Jean-Francois Dumont

A rich story perfect for philosophical discussions about paranoia, acceptance and fear. When chickens discover an unknown hedgehog, they immediately assume he must signal trouble. Their worries and anxiety grow as does the wall they begin erecting. Interesting ending that I won’t reveal here.

The Salmon Twins by Caroll Simpson

Caroll Simpson writes and illustrates such engaging Aboriginal literature.There is a fantastic glossary in the back featuring all of the mythical creatures portrayed in the story. This title is set in a Pacific coastal village and focuses on the values of family, community and ingenuity.

When the Bees Fly Home written by Andrea Cheng and illustrated by Joline McFadden

A many layered story about a young boy and his family who raise bees. Jonathan feels like a disappointment to his stressed out father (a drought does not fare well for the bees) but is able to put his creative energy into making wax creatures. Helping his mom with candles that can be sold at the market turns out to bring many surprises. There are facts about bees woven into the pages through the illustrations but this is really a story of family dynamics. I loved the character of Jonathan – quiet, gentle, thoughtful and vulnerable.

Penguin on Vacation by Salina Yoon

Penguin is an adorable story time character and his adventures and spirit are hugely appealing to children who love these stories. My favourite is still Penguin and Pinecone but this title is also enjoyable.

I also finished two novels

The Ghosts of Tupelo Landing by Sheila Turnage

So first of all this is one wonderful story. Full of humour, mystery and southern charm. Second, Turnage writes so well. The kind of writer where you must stop and reread a sentence and think, “Well, well, well that was just brilliant.” Often. If you have read Three Times Lucky, you will love this title with many of the same characters. If you haven’t read either title – read them both! Middle grade perfection.

Jinx’s Magic by Sage Blackwood

I have been reading this title aloud to my children. If you know the story, you know that much of it is set in the Urwald – a magical forest where trees are not quite like the trees you might be used to. So . . . we took this book along on our forest walk today and found a small clearing to stop and read the final chapter. The story was already very good – this setting made it . . . well, magical. What I love about Blackwood’s Jinx stories is their humour, the unexpected and multi-layered magic and how the fantasy is so unique. For middle grade readers who love fantasy, both Jinx and Jinx’s Magic are ideal recommendations. Jinx is a character with total kid appeal. And as an adult, I must admit to rooting for him throughout! This book was on my #mustreadin2014 list!

Next up?

Our family read aloud will be The Boundless by Kenneth Oppel. For me? Cress by Marissa Meyer.

Reading Goal updates:

2014 Chapter Book Challenge: 44/100 novels complete

Goodeads Challenge: 299/650 books read

#MustReadin2014: 17/30 complete

Nonfiction Picture Book Challenge: 73/65 complete

Celebration: A rich reading life

Posted on February 22, 2014 by carriegelson

Celebration honoured. This is the loveliest of reasons to share. Join Ruth Ayres who shares a Celebration Link up on her blog each week.

This week, we had a Professional Day in my District and I went to this event: Krashen Redux where I got to virtually watch a Steven Krashen talk and have numerous “discussion” breaks to talk about what we were thinking/learning in response. This was a fantastic morning with rich discussion about what the research reveals about free voluntary reading and what exactly makes a difference for children.

At our table, we talked about the importance of not just access to books and time to read them but also about how essential classroom climate is to help students become avid readers. High school teachers talked about reading when their students read to be models. When my students are reading, I am listening in and conferencing with different children. It is not about reading in front of my students that is the key piece – it is about the personal reading that I do at other times. I need to be a passionate reader who knows books so that I can book talk books, generate excitement and put the right book in the hands of the reader who needs it. I also need to share my reading life. I tell my students about books I am reading to my children. I share with them about fantastic picture book discoveries I made at the library, books that followed me home from the bookstore and books that kept me up half the night. My students know I am a reader because I share this part of my life fully with them.

So today I am celebrating my rich reading life. Right now I am reading:

My current novel: Listening for Lucca by Suzanne LaFleur

The novel I am reading to my children: The Shadow Throne by Jennifer A. Nielsen

Nonfiction titles I am reading to my children: The Animal Book by Steve Jenkins and Saving the Ghost of the Mountain: An Expedition Among Snow Leopards in Mongolia written by Sy Montgomery with photographs by Nic Bishop.

The novel I am reading to my students: Rump by Liesl Shurtliff

Nonfiction titles we have on the go in the classroom:

Sophie Scott Goes South by Alison Lester
Lifetime written by Lola Schaefer and illustrated by Christopher Silas Neal
Down, Down, Down by Steve Jenkins

With my student book club (grades 4 to 7): Just starting Jinx by Sage Blackwood

With my Junior Book club (grades 2 and 3): Charlotte’s Web written by E.B. White

And then of course there are the picture books that are everywhere. Titles I read at breakfast, while folding laundry, while waiting for my daughter at her class, while brushing my teeth, etc., etc., etc.,

So many books to celebrate! I feel lucky to have such a rich reading life and amazing reading communities to celebrate with like #IMWAYR, #nfpb2014 and #nerdybookclub

Read anything great lately? Please share!

Monday October 7th, 2013

Posted on October 6, 2013 by carriegelson

It’s Monday! What are you reading?

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 reads! The #IMWAYR crowd always has so many fantastic titles to share.

The picture books I enjoyed this week:

Mr. Wuffles by David Wiesner

Nearly wordless and wonderfully odd and quirky. Mr. Wuffles is a cat who doesn’t move unless it’s for a very good reason and he certainly doesn’t move to chase after silly toys his owner buys him. So what is it about the teeny spaceship that has Mr. Wuffles racing all over the house? You must experience this title to truly understand what is happening. At the end of the week I told my students that I would be sharing a book with them this week that is part wordless, part English and part in a language I don’t understand. They are totally intrigued. Can’t wait to see what they make of this book!

The Island by Marije Tolman and Ronald Tolman

Another wordless title where the narrative isn’t necessarily even close to obvious. I suppose if this really bothers you, this book will be somewhat irritating. I love the illustrations and the suggestion of many story lines. My children and I shared this title over breakfast. Each of us was sort of sure we knew what was going on – all of us telling stories that went in quite different directions. Quite fun actually.

The Paper Dolls written by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Rebecca Cobb

Although this story is definitely for a younger audience (preschool to K/1 would be ideal) I found it absolutely lovely. A beautiful story celebrating mother daughter time, imagination and playtime adventure. A little girl and her five paper dolls – the names repeat in a poem (loved “Jimmy with two noses”) have many wonderful adventures. There is a moment of cruelty handled without much attention – it isn’t explored but rather gives the story another aspect – that when something is lost or destroyed it is not gone but enters the special world of memories. Would love to gift this to a family with young children. Can see it being a favourite. And of course it has Donaldson’s rhythm and flow.

I Dare You Not to Yawn written by Helene Boudreau and illustrated by Serge Bloch

A cautionary tale about how to avoid yawns that will inevitably lead to being put to bed. And oh are there some cozy, soothing temptations. Yikes, just typing this and visualizing those pages, I yawned! Me: zero. Book: one.

Martha Doesn’t Say Sorry written by Samantha Berger and illustrated by Bruce Whatley

Sorry is such an interesting phenomenon. So often children are forced to say sorry and it has no meaning at all. Martha does not voice these words willingly. It is clearly a power thing. It’s not that she isn’t nice, she just won’t admit she’s wrong. When she does finally utter them, it really does feel meaningful. Well handled in a sweet little family story.

Unicorn Thinks he’s Pretty Great by Bob Shea

I love that so many important themes are handled in a story that is full of silly, whimsy and all out bling. Themes such as jealousy, friendship, diversity, and accepting someone new. Read this book to laughter and smiles and then settle in for an interesting discussion about a whole lot of stuff. Most importantly of course: How do we get it to rain cupcakes?

Give Up, Gecko! A Folktale from Uganda retold by Margaret Read MacDonald illustrated by Deborah Melmon

A fun little story highlighting the importance of persistence and the big meanings of what is fair. Silly, fun language and a lovely story all wrapped up in one.

This week I also blogged about some great nonfiction titles I read recently – perfect for preschool listeners right up to late primary.

In other reading, I finished Jinx by Sage Blackwood

I am so happy that I really liked this book. I really really wanted to like this book. I loved the cover, the author’s name and the promise of a storyline about wizards, witches, various kinds of magic, curses, secrets, adventure, mystery and listening trees. It might have gone the direction of not pulling it off because it seemed to promise so much. But no, it all comes together and I found myself wishing for more free time to just stay lost in this story. An excellent middle grade fantasy/adventure/mystery. Would be great for fans of The False Prince!

The Year of Billy Miller by Kevin Henkes

People seem to either love this title or they are kind of middle of the road on it. I am in the first camp. I finished it early this morning over my first cup of coffee and found myself crying twice in the last section. A really intimate little book that introduces us to Billy Miller, his family, his worries and his triumphs. A seven year old hero of the everyday. Love him. Love him. Love him.