One Special Day
by Lola M. Schaefer
You meet Spencer on the first page, watching his
parents drive away, with a Grandma-ish character waving goodbye.
The picture reminds me of an oil pastel drawing; happy, colorful & purposeful.
The book continues to discover all the ways that Spencer is a boy, comparing his behavior to the matching animal.
Spencer is as strong as a
By the end of the book you discover that Spencer is
also gentle, as he becomes a big brother.
This was a kind way to introduce a new sibling relationship, full
of colorful pictures throughout.
Last week, as a 100 third graders walked into a warm multi-purpose room to hear their monthly booktalks, I asked them if they were tired. They looked exhausted. The teachers looked tired. Most yelled YES, with a sparse No...and the teachers shared that the night before they had their spring musical.
Asking to any who would answer, I asked if it went well. Of course it did.
I asked if they would sing to me.
Of course they would.
As they decided to sing "Hang On Sloopy" to me, I stood in front of these amazing kids and listened with teary eyes. They instantly pepped up and I felt gratitude that they were unfearful in singing.
Of course they wanted to continue singing, but since my purpose in visiting was booktalks I had to change course and start talking books. I always ask what they are reading before I begin. I do that with every grade I visit. And they are always enthusiastic to share what they were reading before I began my discussion.
I booktalked:
Heckedy Peg by Audrey Wood
Trouble with Chickens by Doreen Cronin
April Fool's Surprise by Abby Klein
Talk, Talk, Squawk by Nicola Davies
Children's book of Mythical Beasts and Magical Monsters by DK Publishing.
The Wild Book
by Margarita Engle
Fefa has been diagnosed by the doctor with word-blindness,
or dyslexia, stating she will never be able to read or write.
Her mother though has the beautiful idea of giving her a blank
notebook, where she can spinkle her words across the pages,
likes seeds in a garden. This simple act creates a gentle confidence
and patience in Fefa's learning.
But when her father tells of bad people who are fighting and taking
children, Fefa, along with the rest of the family, worries about their safety.
Written in a loose verse form, the reader easily falls into Fefa's young thoughts,
poetically understanding her state of mind. Dyslexia not only has troubled her
past, but she worries it may trouble her future with safety concerns.
The reader learns at the end of the story that though this is fiction, the stories were
inspired by her maternal grandmother's childhood stories.
An encouraging read for struggling readers and early middle school.
Boys of Wartime Series
by Laurie Calkhoven
It's a new week and I've got some new books ready to go !
Discover the Boys of Wartime in our YA Historical Fiction area:
Daniel at the Siege of Boston 1776
12 year old Daniel watches as Redcoat soldiers march through streets,
upholding the king's law and punishing the rebels of Boston. Daniel
knows the rebels, they are the Patriots who are fighting for freedom
no matter the cost. Can Daniel survive being loyal to the Patriots
without getting caught?
Will at the Battle of Gettysburg 1863
12 year old Will had always wanted to be a drummer for the Union army,
but once war begins, Will wonders if he really is ready to fight. Wishing
the fighting would simply end, Will is entrusted with a dangerous act.
Can he accomplish what's set before him?
Michael at the Invasion of France 1943
12 year old Michael lives in Nazi-occupied Paris with his family during
World War I. Michael and his friend Jacques resist the Nazi in small ways,
but Michael wants to do more. If Michael is caught helping the Alliance
Michael and his family would be sent to the concentration camps, leaving
him to decide how much he is willing to risk to defend his country's freedom.
Juliet Immortal
by Stacey Jay
"These violent delights have violent ends
And in their triumph die, like fire and powder,
Which as they kiss consume."
—Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
Take everything you know about the tragic story of Romeo and Juliet...
and let it go. In this twist of Romeo and Juliet the reader quickly discovers
Romeo was granted eternal life by the evil Mercenaries for killing Juliet.
While Juliet, in her dying state, is offered eternal life by the light-filled Ambassadors.
The two of them are continously replaced into souls, Romeo trying to disolve soulmates, while Juliet attempts to connect soulmates.
The layers in this story keep the reader creating new connections between the characters, Shakespeare's story and the developing story. I wasn't the biggest Romeo and Juliet fan, but I enjoyed the twist on this classic tale. I was glad to see that Juliet (Ariel) found the strength to stand up to her fate and that Romeo (Dylan), though never quite trustful, had a softer side.
I would recommend this story for middle school and older. It definitely makes me want to read the sequel which will be coming out later this year.
