My reading from the week:
The Case For Loving by Selina Alko (Grades 1-5)
This is the story of Mildred and Richard Loving who met and fell in love in the late 1950's when interracial marriage was still illegal in some states. It wasn't until 1967 that Americans were allowed to marry a person of a race different than their own. That was the year that the Supreme Court issued its decision in Loving v. Virginia. A story of courage in the name of love.
This is the story of Mildred and Richard Loving who met and fell in love in the late 1950's when interracial marriage was still illegal in some states. It wasn't until 1967 that Americans were allowed to marry a person of a race different than their own. That was the year that the Supreme Court issued its decision in Loving v. Virginia. A story of courage in the name of love.
Tricky Vic by Greg Pizzoli (Grades 3-6)
I love Greg Pizzoli's books so when I saw this one at the library last week, I grabbed it off the shelf. This picture book takes a look at Robert Miller, a successful con man who managed to trick many, and by posing as a government official was even able to "sell" the Eiffel Tower to scrap metal dealers, before being caught and imprisoned. A fun and interesting read.
I love Greg Pizzoli's books so when I saw this one at the library last week, I grabbed it off the shelf. This picture book takes a look at Robert Miller, a successful con man who managed to trick many, and by posing as a government official was even able to "sell" the Eiffel Tower to scrap metal dealers, before being caught and imprisoned. A fun and interesting read.
John Muir Wrestles a Waterfall by Julie Danneberg (Grades 3-5)
This beautiful picture book retells John Muir's climb up a steep trail behind a waterfall along Yosemite Falls in April 1871. There are two parallel texts at the beginning--one that works for reading aloud and another, that provides more explanation and background. At the end, it becomes one exciting story as the falling water shifts and pins Muir against the granite wall. Great to use for units on environmental studies, geography, and biography.
This beautiful picture book retells John Muir's climb up a steep trail behind a waterfall along Yosemite Falls in April 1871. There are two parallel texts at the beginning--one that works for reading aloud and another, that provides more explanation and background. At the end, it becomes one exciting story as the falling water shifts and pins Muir against the granite wall. Great to use for units on environmental studies, geography, and biography.
The Case of the Missing Carrot Cake by Robin Newman (Grades K-2)
Readers ready for chapter books will solve the crime and then be surprised by the twist at the end. Early chapter books are hard to find--put this cute one on your list.
Readers ready for chapter books will solve the crime and then be surprised by the twist at the end. Early chapter books are hard to find--put this cute one on your list.
Goodbye Stranger by Rebecca Stead (Grades 5-8)
Another great book by Rebecca Stead due to hit the shelves this August. It's a story of four seventh grade characters navigating friendship, love, and change. I couldn't put it down.
Another great book by Rebecca Stead due to hit the shelves this August. It's a story of four seventh grade characters navigating friendship, love, and change. I couldn't put it down.
The War that Saved my Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley (Grades 4-7)
A must read! Ada's voice is honest and heartbreaking as she tenaciously struggles for survival both physically and emotionally in London at the start of WWII. I didn't want this one to end.
A must read! Ada's voice is honest and heartbreaking as she tenaciously struggles for survival both physically and emotionally in London at the start of WWII. I didn't want this one to end.
The Whisper by Arron Starmer (Grades 4-8)
Oh boy--this trilogy is definitely pushing me as a reader. I normally don't read much fantasy, but The Whisper, the second book in The Riverman trilogy, had enough flashbacks into the real world to keep me invested until the end. While I would label the first book as a bit creepy, with twists and turns that kept me cautious about which characters to trust, The Whisper spends a lot of time explaining the workings of the other world--Aquavania. The reader is left still wondering what is real and what's not. I will be reading the third and final book when it comes out next year, hoping to end the trilogy with more answers than questions.
Oh boy--this trilogy is definitely pushing me as a reader. I normally don't read much fantasy, but The Whisper, the second book in The Riverman trilogy, had enough flashbacks into the real world to keep me invested until the end. While I would label the first book as a bit creepy, with twists and turns that kept me cautious about which characters to trust, The Whisper spends a lot of time explaining the workings of the other world--Aquavania. The reader is left still wondering what is real and what's not. I will be reading the third and final book when it comes out next year, hoping to end the trilogy with more answers than questions.
We Were Here by Matt de la Pena (Grades 8 and up)
I am slowly working my way through all of Matt's books, and I have to say this one is my favorite so far! Miguel, Rondell, and Mong are characters that will not leave you. Miguel's story is told through his journal entries as he first deals with time spent in juvie and then faces a sentence in a group home. Matt shows the power of books and writing as a way to cope with and heal from life's atrocities. Sounds heavy, but this story is so so good!!
Up next: I HAVE to read The Bone Gap--so many people are talking about it.
I hope a great book finds you this week!!
I am slowly working my way through all of Matt's books, and I have to say this one is my favorite so far! Miguel, Rondell, and Mong are characters that will not leave you. Miguel's story is told through his journal entries as he first deals with time spent in juvie and then faces a sentence in a group home. Matt shows the power of books and writing as a way to cope with and heal from life's atrocities. Sounds heavy, but this story is so so good!!
Up next: I HAVE to read The Bone Gap--so many people are talking about it.
I hope a great book finds you this week!!