I remember going to a literary conference a few years ago and watching this tall older man in a cowboy hat being lead down the hall by a group of librarians. I didn't know at the time that he was the author Richard Peck. I have since read and love his books.  I have no problem recommending his books to my 4th and 5th grade students.  I recently read his 2009 book,  A Season of Gifts.  It's a perfect book for the season as you read about a family and their eccentric neighbor, Grandma Dowdel, in the fall of 1958. They experience life in a small town as the new family. It is full of pranks, blunders, and a whole lot of love.

Other titles by Richard Peck include:
Here Lies the Librarian
A Year Down Yonder (Newbery Medal)
A Long Way From Chicago
Fair Weather

        What fun it was for my first grade classes to retell the story

The Scarecrow's Hatby Ken Brown.  I gave my "actors," props to represent each character in the story.  As I narrated, they spoke the lines of the characters as best they could.  What a wonderful way to enrich a story in the memory of these young readers. 

I just finished reading Son by Lois Lowry.  I feel a sense of closure and sadness at leaving this powerful novel. I remember reading her first novel in the series, The Giver, more than 12 years ago.  It is a thought-provoking piece of fiction that evokes discussion about the rules of society.  The community that the characters live in are so far fetched that we can hardly believe that they could ever be true.  A good book that helps us think is a treasure to be shared.  

I just finished reading Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai.  It is the 2012 Newbery Honor winner.   She describes coming to America from Vietnam in the early 1970's. I was moved by the emotional transition as she becomes accustomed to a new culture.  She helps the reader understand the frustration and pain of loss as she and her family create a new life.  In the book, she is teased and bullied for being different. It is important for all of us to remember when we encounter people or events that are different from our own that kindness and understanding go a long way in welcoming someone new into our school.

I love to read and recommend books to my students, but even I have
to rely on outside resources to help me review books.  I found Anita
Silvey's Children's Book-a-Day Almanac on a recent search.  She ties the book that she reviews to that particular calendar day. How interesting!

I found it to be a valuable site for students, teachers and parents. Anita Silvey is the author of 100 Best Books for Children and indeed an expert, as she estimates that she has read about 125,000 children's books in the past 40 years. Her site includes summaries, histories of books, and an archive list of books by age group, book type, subject, and more.

I'll be sure to keep her site on my favorites list!

  

http://childrensbookalmanac.com/

 Video with Anita Silvey:   

Anita Silvey talks about Book-a-Day

I talked to the 4th and 5th graders this week about the Battle of the Books.  It told them that it's a competition and you need to remember what you read to answer questions about books.   While the Battle of the Books may be competitive, reading is not.  Any time you pick up a book and enjoy what you are reading, you are a winner.   So be a winner today and read! 

Welcome to my blog!  I look forward to sharing posts on books and technology.  Let's start reading.