A New Post

I've been reading, reading, reading, but not really blogging. Oh well... can't seem to do it all. I was putting away books that I had shared with my class this past week-end and just couldn't let this one go back on the shelf without rereading. So beautiful and such a lovely gesture. Wish I had remembered to look for the flag when I visited the National September 11 Memorial at the site of the World Trade Center in New York City... 14 Cows for America by Carmen Agra Deedy
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"To the Maasai, the cow is life."
I reread this book just so I could get in on my GoodReads shelf because I loved it so when it was first published in 2009. The illustrations are AMAZING! The story is powerful! Carmen Agra Deedy is a great storyteller. Kimeli Naiyomah, who learned from his tribe's grandmas and grandpas that the Maasai are not only fierce warriors, but also compassionate and kind, did a beautiful thing to help Americans heal from the tragedy of 9/11. "To heal a sorrowing heart, give something that is dear to your own." Read the book and for more information, visit www.14cowsforamerica.com.



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Post BEA

Well, there is SO MUCH to say; I don't even know where to begin. Second year of attendance and just as overwhelmed and excited as the first time. So many things to comment about; so many great new books to read; so many authors that I met! Great time! Here is one photo... Can you name this author? There might be a few clues there. I've also added my favorite publisher display. (I am a little biased though! Sleeping Bear Press started in my hometown of Chelsea, Michigan!)

Pre-BEA Post

Getting excited for BEA! But also, hard to put down Chains. I know I will have to find Forge on my shelf as soon as I get back!!!!

More Sad News

Shortly after posting about the Social Justice series of children's books, I came across the announcing of the passing of Ellen Levine on May 26. Levine, acclaimed author and social justice advocate, was well-known to many as the author of the Caldecott honor book, Henry's Freedom Box.

Social Justice Stories

Just wondering if anyone has read these or looked at this series.

http://socialjusticestories.com/

We Have Lost Another Giant

So sad to hear of the passing of famed illustrator, Leo Dillon, May 26. Check out this post at Tor.Com.

Great Apps for All Book Lovers to Explore!

Check out this post over at the Nerdy Book Club blog. Cool apps to explore!

In the meantime...

Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson


5-28-12
This book has been on my "to be read" shelf for quite some time. Glad Heather mentioned it the other day and inspired me to actually crack it open. Hooked after just a few pages! I have much to get done, so I will have to hold off for the rest of today...but there is always tonight!!!

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Personal Reading Goal

I have been encouraging my graduate children's lit students to set personal reading goals and a purpose for their reading. I think I have found another one for myself. I am going to try and read all of the books on the Notable Books for a Global Society 2012 booklist. Check out the recommended titles from this special interest sub group of the International Reading Association. I realized that I already own 9 of them!!! but have only read 3. I will let you know my progress!

I have a couple of new ideas for how I might use this blog... One, I think I will only put in the reviews from my GoodReads that I really love or have a strong purpose for using or recommending to my students. Two, I think I will try to recap and plan for the next week like suggested in the meme, It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (picture books to YA), from the ladies at Teach Mentor Texts. I am not formally linking there yet, until I have my act together a little bit more with this blog, but I like that idea a lot!!!

Book Art (PBS series)

I'm not sure what I think about all of this new book art.  M.m.m.m.  Check out this link and see what you think.http://laughingsquid.com/childrens-book-cut-out-art-by-thomas-allen/

When Anju Loved Being an Elephant by Wendy Henrichs
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Beautifully illustrated book about an elephant who is finally being "released" after almost fifty years of captivity, first as a circus performer and then as the only elephant in a small zoo. The elephant sanctuary where Anju is taken is finally a happy place, with other elephant "friends." Obvious comparisons can be made to the wonderful THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN, though it is based on the life of a real captive gorilla. I enjoyed reading all of the elephant facts in the back of the book and the suggestions for ways to help elephants. (That back matter actually helped me connect more to the story.) Ethical treatment of animals would be another issue to which I would like to bring awareness among the students and teachers I work with.

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New Series from Sleeping Bear Press

Stella Batts Hair Today, Gone Tomorrow by Courtney Sheinmel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I knew I needed to try one more! I really liked this book. I am now invested in these characters and I want to read more. Will Stella's friend, Willa, really move? Will she get to do most of her wish list first? I liked her lists, her reasons, her definitions of big words, and of course the fact that Stella is a writer! Middle grade chapter book with a table of contents. Trouble seems to follow Stella. What will happen next?

View all my reviews Stella Batts Needs a New Name by Courtney Sheinmel
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A new middle grade reader series published by Sleeping Bear Press. (Don't know anything about the author, so I will do some investigating!) I actually would give it 3.5-3.8 rating, so I rounded up. I liked it. I liked the character--Stella. I like that she wants to be a writer. I like how she introduces the reader to writing concepts and terminology. I think the plot was pretty good. I need to read the next one to get a little more feel for this series. More to follow!

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Neil Gaiman - Make Good Art

Neil Gaiman addresses the University of the Arts Class of 2012 with some very inspirational advice.

Trip to Sleeping Bear Press!

5-24-12

Had a chance to read the galley of this great new Sleeping Bear Press picture book scheduled for September 2012 release. Delia's Dull Day, written and cleverly illustrated by Andy Myer, reminds me of the old favorite Nothing Ever Happens on My Block (Ellen Raskin, 1967), on a much more vibrant and visually stimulating scale. Delia recounts a seemingly dull day, but the illustrations depict a completely extraordinary day! There are some amazing things going on all around us, if we just take a moment to notice! Loved it! Can't wait to share it with students and teachers alike!

Redwoods by Jason Chin

Redwoods by Jason Chin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

5-24-12
Probably a 4.5. Read it this morning at 4AM when I couldn't get right back to sleep. Super interesting. Again, another book where I learned many new things. (What??? Redwoods sort of grow other trees???) The height of redwood trees is amazing. (Good comparisons.) I have to go there! I liked what the author/illustrator did with the "story within a story" through the illustrations. That concept is being seen more often in children's books. This would be a great book to show many picture book elements. Narrative nonfiction?

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Eye of the Storm by Kate Messner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

5-23-12
Finished reading Eye of the Storm today. Really got sucked in by the mystery, so after a bit (I think I started it two days ago...), I couldn't put it down. Seems like this would be a good dystopian novel for a little younger crowd than many of the other books that are out there--possibly as young as upper elementary. Definitely a message about our environment (and the government) in there, but the mystery was captivating. (And the storms were frightening! Just the thought of a tornado is enough to terrify anyone I know, let alone the multitude of tornadoes and manipulated storms in this novel! Yikes!) Sort of predicted part of what played out at the end, and there would be much to discuss in reading this. I am enjoying Kate Messner's work!

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Giving it a try...

I love following so many blogs, so I thought I'd give it a try. No promises or guarantees, but I will see how it goes!!!