June 3-6, 2017
As mentioned in my previous post, this summer I have challenged myself to read a book each day (on average...see previous post). Part of the challenge is to share what you read with others. Since I'm often asked for book suggestions, I figured this blog will be a great way to share awesome books! Approximately twice per week, I will share a short book talk about each of the books that I've read. Feel free to add your email address (to the right) in order to get updates when I post (I promise not to post every day!!). I'll add curricular connections and read aloud suggestions when appropriate. Enjoy!
Save Me a Seat by Sarah Weeks (realistic fiction, grades 3-6)
How far would you go to try to stop the school bully? Ravi is new to America and wants desperately to fit in at his new school. At his old school, Ravi was smart and Mr. Popular. When Dillon smiles and winks at him, he thinks he might have found a friend. What Ravi doesn’t know is that Dillon is the school bully and that he’d better watch out. Joe struggles in school and until now, has always been the victim of Dillon’s mean pranks. Joe and Ravi couldn’t be more different in terms of personality and backgrounds. However, they soon find themselves on an alliance to try to stop Dillon once and for all! This book would make a great read aloud for the beginning of the school year!
A Blind Guide to Stinkville by Beth Vrabel (realistic fiction, grades 4-7)
Imagine what it’s like to barely see things even in front of your own face? Imagine moving into a new town where you look different from everyone else and must always explain why? Alice and her family have just moved into a new town and things aren’t going so well. Mom hardly gets out of bed, dad is working all of the time, and her big brother just wants to go off by himself. That leaves nobody to help Alice, who is mostly blind, to get around town. Alice has never had to explain her blindness, or her albinism, to anyone before but now that she is the new girl, that all changes. Alice decides to take matters into her own hands and learn how to get around and do things by herself. She soon makes a friend and possibly an enemy. After she meets old Mr. Hamlin, Alice gets an idea for a topic for the town essay contest, but will it be good enough to win? And after always attending a regular, public school all her life, why are her parents now trying to make her attend a special school for the blind? Great story about disabilities, differences, acceptance, and overcoming challenges!
Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt (realistic fiction, grades 7 and up)
Things are not always as they seem! Joseph has almost killed a teacher, he is a dad, and he is in foster care. He is only 13 years old. When he moves in with Jack’s family, most of people in the town think Joseph is bad news. They tell Jack to keep his distance so he doesn’t get himself in trouble. However, Jack and his family see a different side of Joseph and they soon learn the sad details of Joseph’s past. They realize that all Joseph really wants is to see, and love, his baby girl. Will Joseph find his daughter? Will his real dad ruin any chances he has? Can Jack and his parents keep Joseph safe? Keep the tissues close for this one!! Gary Schmidt (author of The Wednesday Wars and Okay for Now) does not disappoint with this one!
Drowned City: Hurricane Katrina & New Orleans by Don Brown (nonfiction, grades 5-8)
How prepared is our country for a big disaster? Drowned City is a graphic novel that tells what happened during and after Hurricane Katrina. This book talks about all of the horrible missteps, miscommunication (or lack of communication), and lack of preparation surrounding the aftermath of the hurricane. There are also highlights of heroic people and the missions to save others. The author does not sugarcoat what happened. What have we learned from this disaster? Are we as a nation more prepared now for disasters? This quick graphic novel will open your eyes to what really happened and make you question how prepared we are now.
