Happy Monday! I've been away for the last two weekends at my son's baseball tournaments, so it's been a couple of weeks since my last post--but I have been reading--in between innings and games. And, well, yes, even sometimes during the games. I am currently training for a week-long bike trip right when school gets out, and will have to keep this short and sweet so I can get a ride in before dark.
My reading from the last couple of weeks:
My reading from the last couple of weeks:
Where Are My Books? by Debbie Ridpath Ohi
(Picture book great for all ages.) Debbie's adorable illustrations tell the story of Spencer and his missing books, and the mysterious thief! I love these illustrations so much, I bought the book bag featuring the cover.
(Picture book great for all ages.) Debbie's adorable illustrations tell the story of Spencer and his missing books, and the mysterious thief! I love these illustrations so much, I bought the book bag featuring the cover.
Okay, Andy! and Andy Also! by Maxwell Eaton III
(Grades K-2) This series is described as "Jump-Into-Chapters". It's great for beginning readers with it's minimal text, and the graphic novel format appeals to my first and second graders also.
(Grades K-2) This series is described as "Jump-Into-Chapters". It's great for beginning readers with it's minimal text, and the graphic novel format appeals to my first and second graders also.
Ling and Ting Share a Birthday by Grace Lin
(Grades K-2) The Ling and Ting series is a big hit with my first graders. We recently read Ling and Ting Share a Birthday. The latest one just came out: Ling and Ting: Twice as Silly.
(Grades K-2) The Ling and Ting series is a big hit with my first graders. We recently read Ling and Ting Share a Birthday. The latest one just came out: Ling and Ting: Twice as Silly.
Shelter Pet Squad by Cynthia Lord
(Grades 1-3) Second-grader Suzannah desperately wants a pet of her own, but her apartment building doesn't allow pets. She joins the Shelter Pet Squad at her local animal shelter and helps solve a problem with a guinea pig. I read this the other night and learned a couple of neat ways the kids made treats and toys to entertain the dogs in the shelter. I tried both ideas with my own dog and she loved them! See--you can learn all kinds of things from books! I love the author Cynthia Lord, and look forward to more books in this new series for the younger grades.
(Grades 1-3) Second-grader Suzannah desperately wants a pet of her own, but her apartment building doesn't allow pets. She joins the Shelter Pet Squad at her local animal shelter and helps solve a problem with a guinea pig. I read this the other night and learned a couple of neat ways the kids made treats and toys to entertain the dogs in the shelter. I tried both ideas with my own dog and she loved them! See--you can learn all kinds of things from books! I love the author Cynthia Lord, and look forward to more books in this new series for the younger grades.
Cody and the Fountain of Happiness by Tricia Springstubb
(Grades 3-5) I have recommended this book to several students who have all given it a thumbs up. Set at the beginning of summer, this is a great book to kick off summer reading! After summer camp gets canceled, Cody has to figure out how to keep herself busy while her mom is at work and her older brother Wyatt is at a "doctor" camp. From communing with ants, to hypnotizing Mew-Mew the neighbor's cat, Cody inevitably turns her not-so-good vacation into an adventure.
(Grades 3-5) I have recommended this book to several students who have all given it a thumbs up. Set at the beginning of summer, this is a great book to kick off summer reading! After summer camp gets canceled, Cody has to figure out how to keep herself busy while her mom is at work and her older brother Wyatt is at a "doctor" camp. From communing with ants, to hypnotizing Mew-Mew the neighbor's cat, Cody inevitably turns her not-so-good vacation into an adventure.
Lost Island Smugglers: A Sam Cooper Adventure by Max Elliot Anderson
(Grades 4-7) I just ordered this series because how could I not --with my son's name being Sam Cooper. He is in 8th grade and may be slightly too old for this series, but I had to check it out. Lost Island Smugglers is described as a scary, scuba, ocean, island adventure. Sounds like a perfect pick to kick off summer reading!
(Grades 4-7) I just ordered this series because how could I not --with my son's name being Sam Cooper. He is in 8th grade and may be slightly too old for this series, but I had to check it out. Lost Island Smugglers is described as a scary, scuba, ocean, island adventure. Sounds like a perfect pick to kick off summer reading!
Platypus Police Squad Series by Jarrett J. Krosoczka
(Grades 4-7) This is an action-packed middle grade mystery series by the author of the Lunch Lady books.
(Grades 4-7) This is an action-packed middle grade mystery series by the author of the Lunch Lady books.
Lost in the Sun by Lisa Graff
(Grades 5 and up) I am a big fan of Lisa Graff (Absolutely Almost and A Tangle of Knots) so I was excited to get my hands on this one. Although it was not my favorite, I was still invested in the story and characters until the end.
(Grades 5 and up) I am a big fan of Lisa Graff (Absolutely Almost and A Tangle of Knots) so I was excited to get my hands on this one. Although it was not my favorite, I was still invested in the story and characters until the end.
The Game of Love and Death by Martha Brockenbrough
(Grades 9 to adult) Set in Seattle in the 1930's, by a local Seattle author. If I give any details of this book, it would ruin the experience. All I can say is...read it.
I'm anxious to see what everyone has been reading this week. Happy June!
(Grades 9 to adult) Set in Seattle in the 1930's, by a local Seattle author. If I give any details of this book, it would ruin the experience. All I can say is...read it.
I'm anxious to see what everyone has been reading this week. Happy June!