Hello,
Last week I sent a list of read aloud books to you. I had a request for some ideas for read aloud books that are Christian, rather than secular, so this week I will focus on some titles that will fit that criteria.
Deborah by Margaret Heppenstall. One of my favorite read aloud books is Deborah by Heppenstall. This is REALLY old. I read it as a child and it was a real eye-opener to me that someone could and would write a whole book about a Bible character. (Now, we have dozens of them sold by our local ABC store and I have read many of them. They are all good, too, and while most of them are written for adults, they also might make good read alouds. You will need to decide that.) Back to Deborah. This is the story of the Little Captive Maid who was sold into Naaman’s household. Very little is known about her, but Ms. Heppenstall has written a wonderful story. Kids really like it and after I have read it, they want to check it out again. Make sure you have a copy or two in your library.
Voyager by Charles Mills. Charles Mills wrote a great story called Voyager years ago. It was published by the Review and Herald and soon was out of print. I just did a quick check on Amazon and see that there are nearly 30 copies for sale and a few of them are only $0.01 each. The story line is about a preteen boy whose parents have just adopted a young Asian girl. He wants his new sister to be happy and he builds a time machine. He and his sister go back in time to Bible times and view the new world immediately after it was created and many other places. They learn about the Bible and learn to love Jesus. I know. You might be worried about the time machine part, but trust me. It is really a great story. If you like this one, there is a sequel called Voyager ll: Back in a Flash where the story continues. He wrote a third book in this series called Truth Trackers, but I wasn’t quite as impressed with that one. The first one is good and the second one is almost as good. There was something about the third one that didn’t feel the same to me.
Speaking of Charles Mills; he also co-wrote a series with Ruth Redding Brand that I really like. A few friends find a hidden mansion back in the woods and they sneak around trying to see inside. An old man surprises them. He turns out to be the grandfather of one of the children. She is embarrassed by him at first, but the man – Professor Appleby – shows them some of his treasures sent by his sister who is traveling in the Holy Land. She also sends tapes for him to listen to and the children love the Bible stories. They return again and again to hear more Bible stories.
Ruth Redding Brand wrote the Bible stories and they are completely wonderful. Charles Mills wrote the connecting modern story parts. There are six books in the set and I think you really need to read them in order since the modern parts tend to build on one another. The first book sets up the whole series, and the second book builds on that information. My guess is that you have a few of these in your library already. If not, likely someone in your church has a copy you can borrow or you can go to the ABC or Amazon.
Book 1 – Mysterious Stories from the Bible
Book 2 - Amazing Stories from the Bible
Book 3 - Love Stories from the Bible
Book 4 - Adventure Stories from the Bible
Book 5 - Miracle Stories from the Bible
Book 6 - Heroic Stories from the Bible
Do not forget all the old mission stories. Here are a few of my favorites.
Clever Queen by Eric B. Hare
Jungle Thorn by Norma Youngberg
Dookie, Sookie, and Big Mo by Underhill
Dr. Rabbit by Eric B. Hare
There are many more. Also, check out Josephine Cunnington Edwards, the SDA quintessential storyteller. Swift Arrow is a fabulous story and I don’t know of anyone who does not like that story. George is captured by Indians and lives with them as the son of the chief for a number of years until he finally escapes and returns home. It is very exciting.
I hope you have a great week. Enjoy yourself.
Audrey
Currently reading:
A Life Inspired: C. S. Lewis biography by Christopher Gordon
Secret Lives of the First Ladies (audio book) by Cormac O’Brien
The Complete Works of P. G. Wodehouse (I’m 29% through on my Kindle)
Rogue Lawyer by John Grisham
Monday, October 26, 2015
Monday, October 19, 2015
Read Alouds
Hello!
I had a request for ideas for books to read aloud. I began to make a quick list, but it turned into a much longer list than I had expected. I will star my favorites. Some of these are out of print, but you can get them through any online bookstore.
Books for Any Age
*The Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder. You probably know about these and have them in your library. The TV show is loosely based on the books which are much better.
*The Secret Garden by Burnett. I never got to read this aloud to my third graders because they had already heard it in second grade. (Right, Dorice?!) Don’t be intimidated if the children say they saw the movie. None of the movies live up to the book.
*Ramona the Pest by Cleary. Actually, ANY book by Beverly Cleary. There are many to choose from. If you don’t have any of them in your library, don’t let me know about it!
*Frindle by Andrew Clements. Any of his school stories are terrific.
*Snow Treasure by McSwigan. Excitement, adventure, gold, Nazis, and a true story. You can’t go wrong with this one.
The Hundred Dresses by Estes. Story of bullying and regret. Powerful and simple. Great discussion starter.
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Coerr. True story of a Japanese girl who contracts leukemia as a result of the atom bomb. Very touching and sad. Teach children to make an origami paper crane, then let them fold cranes while you read this book.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever – Robinson. Hilarious escapades of the Herdmans. Be ready for great big belly laughs.
The Courage of Sarah Noble by Dagliesh. Pioneer story of a young girl.
*Herbie Jones series by Kline. Very funny and realistic. The author is/was a teacher so she knows all about kids like Herbie. One of my favorites is the one in the bathroom.
*Owls in the Family by Mowat. True story of a young boy in Saskatchewan in the 40s or 50s who raises two owls as pets. Hilarious.
Stone Fox by Gardiner. Sled dogs, racing, prize money. This may be a lit set for some of you, so if it is, disregard for a read aloud.
**The Story of Holly and Ivy by Godden. My favorite Christmas story to read aloud to 3rd and 4th graders. I have a display case just outside my library and I turn the display case into a toy shop window when I read this book. I’m so happy that this is the year to read it. One of our volunteer aides collects dolls and is very involved in helping me with this display. We’ve been working on parts of it for nearly two years now. I’ll show pictures and tell you about it when I put it up. Meanwhile, buy this book if you don’t have it and read it. Get the edition that has the Barbara Cooney illustrations. That is the window that I copy.
*Safe Return by Dexter. I am currently reading this to fifth and sixth grades. They are studying countries in the world, so I chose to read this which is based on an event that happened years ago on the island just off Sweden named Gotland.
Caddie Woodlawn by Brink. The story of Brink’s grandmother in the mid 1800s. Won the Newbery medal so you know it is a good story. The story of the Woodlawn family continues in the book Magical Melons. There is one story in Magical Melons that the older boy tells to the younger ones that is absolutely hilarious, but I would recommend you read it first to see if it is something you want to read aloud. If not, the story can be skipped and none the wiser.
Homer Price by Robert McCloskey. Robert McCloskey is most famous for his picture books, most notably Make Way for Duckings, but his chapter books are great fun. My favorite story is the one about the doughnuts. I seem to remember Captain Kangaroo reading the story when I was a child. Now I have just dated myself!
The Great Brain series by Fitzgerald. I haven’t actually read this series, but one of our teachers read the books each year to her classroom and the students loved it. I’ve heard others wax rhapsodic about them, too, so I include them in this list for you.
Ida Early Comes Over the Mountain by Burch. Ida Early is described as an Appalachian ‘Mary Poppins’. She comes to be the housekeeper for a family.
My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George. You likely read this one when young, and know the story of the boy who runs away and practices survival skills. If you like this one, you might consider the sequels On the Far Side of the Mountain, then Frightful’s Mountain. And, if you do go this far with the series, you might as well add the resource book with survival skills to your library– Pocket Guide to the Outdoors: Based on My Side of the Mountain.
**Toliver’s Secret by Brady. This story is based on an incident during the Revolutionary Way. A young girl must carry a message baked inside a loaf of bread to another town across the river. It is easy enough. Get on her grandfather’s friend’s fishing boat which will take her to the town. Go to the tavern and deliver the loaf of bread to the owner, then he will make sure she gets home. She dresses up like a boy, but nothing goes the way Grandfather expected it would go. I LOVE this story.
**Understood Betsy by Fisher. The story of a young girl who is sent to relatives when illness prevents her aunt from taking care of her. Elizabeth Ann finds her courage and independence and grows into a strong happy girl. As Elizabeth Ann begins to become independent and learn to do things for herself, her name in the book goes from Elizabeth Ann to Betsy. I watch for this each time I reread this.
So, there is a list of read alouds that I like. I am positive that I left lots of books off this list, but that’s how things go. I might do another list again sometime and include some of your favorites.
Have a great week.
Audrey
Currently Reading:
The Edge by Roland Smith
Carney’s House Party by Maud Hart Lovelace
A Life Inspired: C. S. Lewis biography by Christopher Gordon
Secret Lives of the First Ladies (audio book) by Cormac O’Brien
The Complete Works of P. G. Wodehouse (I’m 29% through on my Kindle)
I had a request for ideas for books to read aloud. I began to make a quick list, but it turned into a much longer list than I had expected. I will star my favorites. Some of these are out of print, but you can get them through any online bookstore.
Books for Any Age
*The Little House series by Laura Ingalls Wilder. You probably know about these and have them in your library. The TV show is loosely based on the books which are much better.
*The Secret Garden by Burnett. I never got to read this aloud to my third graders because they had already heard it in second grade. (Right, Dorice?!) Don’t be intimidated if the children say they saw the movie. None of the movies live up to the book.
*Ramona the Pest by Cleary. Actually, ANY book by Beverly Cleary. There are many to choose from. If you don’t have any of them in your library, don’t let me know about it!
*Frindle by Andrew Clements. Any of his school stories are terrific.
*Snow Treasure by McSwigan. Excitement, adventure, gold, Nazis, and a true story. You can’t go wrong with this one.
The Hundred Dresses by Estes. Story of bullying and regret. Powerful and simple. Great discussion starter.
Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes by Coerr. True story of a Japanese girl who contracts leukemia as a result of the atom bomb. Very touching and sad. Teach children to make an origami paper crane, then let them fold cranes while you read this book.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever – Robinson. Hilarious escapades of the Herdmans. Be ready for great big belly laughs.
The Courage of Sarah Noble by Dagliesh. Pioneer story of a young girl.
*Herbie Jones series by Kline. Very funny and realistic. The author is/was a teacher so she knows all about kids like Herbie. One of my favorites is the one in the bathroom.
*Owls in the Family by Mowat. True story of a young boy in Saskatchewan in the 40s or 50s who raises two owls as pets. Hilarious.
Stone Fox by Gardiner. Sled dogs, racing, prize money. This may be a lit set for some of you, so if it is, disregard for a read aloud.
**The Story of Holly and Ivy by Godden. My favorite Christmas story to read aloud to 3rd and 4th graders. I have a display case just outside my library and I turn the display case into a toy shop window when I read this book. I’m so happy that this is the year to read it. One of our volunteer aides collects dolls and is very involved in helping me with this display. We’ve been working on parts of it for nearly two years now. I’ll show pictures and tell you about it when I put it up. Meanwhile, buy this book if you don’t have it and read it. Get the edition that has the Barbara Cooney illustrations. That is the window that I copy.
*Safe Return by Dexter. I am currently reading this to fifth and sixth grades. They are studying countries in the world, so I chose to read this which is based on an event that happened years ago on the island just off Sweden named Gotland.
Caddie Woodlawn by Brink. The story of Brink’s grandmother in the mid 1800s. Won the Newbery medal so you know it is a good story. The story of the Woodlawn family continues in the book Magical Melons. There is one story in Magical Melons that the older boy tells to the younger ones that is absolutely hilarious, but I would recommend you read it first to see if it is something you want to read aloud. If not, the story can be skipped and none the wiser.
Homer Price by Robert McCloskey. Robert McCloskey is most famous for his picture books, most notably Make Way for Duckings, but his chapter books are great fun. My favorite story is the one about the doughnuts. I seem to remember Captain Kangaroo reading the story when I was a child. Now I have just dated myself!
The Great Brain series by Fitzgerald. I haven’t actually read this series, but one of our teachers read the books each year to her classroom and the students loved it. I’ve heard others wax rhapsodic about them, too, so I include them in this list for you.
Ida Early Comes Over the Mountain by Burch. Ida Early is described as an Appalachian ‘Mary Poppins’. She comes to be the housekeeper for a family.
My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George. You likely read this one when young, and know the story of the boy who runs away and practices survival skills. If you like this one, you might consider the sequels On the Far Side of the Mountain, then Frightful’s Mountain. And, if you do go this far with the series, you might as well add the resource book with survival skills to your library– Pocket Guide to the Outdoors: Based on My Side of the Mountain.
**Toliver’s Secret by Brady. This story is based on an incident during the Revolutionary Way. A young girl must carry a message baked inside a loaf of bread to another town across the river. It is easy enough. Get on her grandfather’s friend’s fishing boat which will take her to the town. Go to the tavern and deliver the loaf of bread to the owner, then he will make sure she gets home. She dresses up like a boy, but nothing goes the way Grandfather expected it would go. I LOVE this story.
**Understood Betsy by Fisher. The story of a young girl who is sent to relatives when illness prevents her aunt from taking care of her. Elizabeth Ann finds her courage and independence and grows into a strong happy girl. As Elizabeth Ann begins to become independent and learn to do things for herself, her name in the book goes from Elizabeth Ann to Betsy. I watch for this each time I reread this.
So, there is a list of read alouds that I like. I am positive that I left lots of books off this list, but that’s how things go. I might do another list again sometime and include some of your favorites.
Have a great week.
Audrey
Currently Reading:
The Edge by Roland Smith
Carney’s House Party by Maud Hart Lovelace
A Life Inspired: C. S. Lewis biography by Christopher Gordon
Secret Lives of the First Ladies (audio book) by Cormac O’Brien
The Complete Works of P. G. Wodehouse (I’m 29% through on my Kindle)
Monday, October 5, 2015
Sunflower Award for 2014 and 2015
Hello!
I will culminate my Sunflower Award posts this week with a list of books previously read for our Sunflower Award. I’ll try to refrain from too many comments and instead just give you the titles of the books.
In 2014 the list included:
Almost Home by Joan Bauer – foster home, Joan Bauer is a favorite author
Same Sun Here by Silas House
A Black Hole is Not a Hole by Carolyn Cinami Dechristofano – nonfiction, science
Chickadee by Louise Erdich
One for the Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt – foster home, great author
The Race to Build – and Steal – the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon by Steve Sheinkin - nonfiction
Twelve Kinds of Ice by Ellen Bryan Obed
Titanic: Voices from the Disaster by Deborah Hopkinson – anything by this author is going to be good
Jake and Lily by Jerry Spinelli
Kindred Souls by Patricia MacLachlan
Above Average by Andrew Clements
Summer of the Gypsy Moths by Sara Pennypacker
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate – Winner for 2014
Dumpling Days by Grace Lin – Asian family and culture
In 2015 the list included:
Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin – Winner for 2015 – I have read books by Ann Martin and chose the book because of the Asperger’s which I thought would help readers learn more about what it is like to have this, but in reading it we found that there is a place where the father (who is not too supportive of the daughter) takes the Lord’s name in vain. However, the story was so powerful, we decided to choose it for our favorite and I put a disclaimer in the front of the book. We hesitated and discussed this a lot, but finally came to this conclusion that works for our school.
All Four Stars by Tara Dairman – a girl loves to cook and becomes a food critic, slightly unbelievable, but fun
Taking Flight by Michaela DePrince – true story of a Somalian refugee who becomes a ballerina
Half a World Away by Cynthis Kadohata – story of adoption/ dealing with being adopted
Under the Egg by Laura Marx Fitzgerald – Art mystery, great story, was a contender for the award
Zane and the Hurricane by Rodman Philbrick – story about surviving Hurricane Katrina
Half a Chance by Cynthia Lord – girl moves to a beach town, befriends the neighbors, enters a photography contest, one neighbor has Alzheimer’s
Skink – No Surrender by Carl Hiaasen – Bought this because of the author, but it isn’t appropriate after all. We have others by this author, so I assumed it would be OK. Wrong assumption.
Another Day as Emily by Eileen Spinelli
Upside Down in the Middle of Nowhere by Julie T. Lamina - story about surviving Hurricane Katrina
Hope is a Ferris Wheel by Robin Herrera
Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff
I kept all the titles in so you could see that I have made a few mistakes in choosing books for the library. I have decided to buy them ahead of time now and read them or have a trusted parent read for me to assess them BEFORE I put them on the Sunflower list. I won’t make those mistakes again.
I have also tried to find books that are interesting to read, and have some kind of lesson to learn or information to learn from the book.
If you read something that you would recommend, please let me know and I will promote it here on this blog.
Have a great week and happy reading.
Audrey
Currently reading:
Tangled Vines by Kay Bratt (Book 2 of The Scavenger’s Daughters)
Cloudy Jewel by Grace Livingston Hill
Adventist Spirituality for Thinkers and Seekers (the Faith I Highly Recommend) by John Thomas McLarty
The Haystacks Church by Andy Nash
Understood Betsy by Dorothy Canfield Fisher
I will culminate my Sunflower Award posts this week with a list of books previously read for our Sunflower Award. I’ll try to refrain from too many comments and instead just give you the titles of the books.
In 2014 the list included:
Almost Home by Joan Bauer – foster home, Joan Bauer is a favorite author
Same Sun Here by Silas House
A Black Hole is Not a Hole by Carolyn Cinami Dechristofano – nonfiction, science
Chickadee by Louise Erdich
One for the Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt – foster home, great author
The Race to Build – and Steal – the World’s Most Dangerous Weapon by Steve Sheinkin - nonfiction
Twelve Kinds of Ice by Ellen Bryan Obed
Titanic: Voices from the Disaster by Deborah Hopkinson – anything by this author is going to be good
Jake and Lily by Jerry Spinelli
Kindred Souls by Patricia MacLachlan
Above Average by Andrew Clements
Summer of the Gypsy Moths by Sara Pennypacker
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate – Winner for 2014
Dumpling Days by Grace Lin – Asian family and culture
In 2015 the list included:
Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin – Winner for 2015 – I have read books by Ann Martin and chose the book because of the Asperger’s which I thought would help readers learn more about what it is like to have this, but in reading it we found that there is a place where the father (who is not too supportive of the daughter) takes the Lord’s name in vain. However, the story was so powerful, we decided to choose it for our favorite and I put a disclaimer in the front of the book. We hesitated and discussed this a lot, but finally came to this conclusion that works for our school.
All Four Stars by Tara Dairman – a girl loves to cook and becomes a food critic, slightly unbelievable, but fun
Taking Flight by Michaela DePrince – true story of a Somalian refugee who becomes a ballerina
Half a World Away by Cynthis Kadohata – story of adoption/ dealing with being adopted
Under the Egg by Laura Marx Fitzgerald – Art mystery, great story, was a contender for the award
Zane and the Hurricane by Rodman Philbrick – story about surviving Hurricane Katrina
Half a Chance by Cynthia Lord – girl moves to a beach town, befriends the neighbors, enters a photography contest, one neighbor has Alzheimer’s
Skink – No Surrender by Carl Hiaasen – Bought this because of the author, but it isn’t appropriate after all. We have others by this author, so I assumed it would be OK. Wrong assumption.
Another Day as Emily by Eileen Spinelli
Upside Down in the Middle of Nowhere by Julie T. Lamina - story about surviving Hurricane Katrina
Hope is a Ferris Wheel by Robin Herrera
Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff
I kept all the titles in so you could see that I have made a few mistakes in choosing books for the library. I have decided to buy them ahead of time now and read them or have a trusted parent read for me to assess them BEFORE I put them on the Sunflower list. I won’t make those mistakes again.
I have also tried to find books that are interesting to read, and have some kind of lesson to learn or information to learn from the book.
If you read something that you would recommend, please let me know and I will promote it here on this blog.
Have a great week and happy reading.
Audrey
Currently reading:
Tangled Vines by Kay Bratt (Book 2 of The Scavenger’s Daughters)
Cloudy Jewel by Grace Livingston Hill
Adventist Spirituality for Thinkers and Seekers (the Faith I Highly Recommend) by John Thomas McLarty
The Haystacks Church by Andy Nash
Understood Betsy by Dorothy Canfield Fisher
Monday, September 28, 2015
New Books, part 2
Hello!
Today I am continuing the post I started last week about new books. These are also books I will be using for our Sunflower Award this year. I believe I neglected to mention that these books are appropriate for readers in grades 5 – 8, or above. There isn’t anything inappropriate in them for the younger ones, but they (and the Newbery Award in general) are written for middle grades and upper elementary. Don’t worry, I’ll get to the younger children soon.
Fort by Cynthia DeFelice. (2015)
Two boys decide to build a fort in the woods one summer. Okay, it was near the edge of the woods, but it was in the woods. Sounds pretty perfect, right? Unfortunately, two bullies happen to find their fort and start to make trouble for Wyatt and Augie. Wyatt and Augie don’t want to fight, but they decide to stand up for themselves and the other boy, Gerard, that is being bullied because he is ‘retarded’ (the word used in the book.) They come up with a way to get even that even the adults approve of or at least, don’t disapprove. Adventure, comedy, and summer fun make this a great story for kids, and boys in particular.
Note: these are preteen boys and there are a couple of instances that one boy ogles the breasts of the other boy’s aunt. Example: “Her giant bosoms were poking out over the top of her V-neck shirt, right in front of my eyes. They looked like two soft pillows nestled in there.” Use your own judgment regarding this. For me, it was basically a one-liner, so I have opted to put the book in the library. I also really liked that Wyatt and Augie befriended Gerard, the boy who was mentally challenged and did not make fun of him, but included him in their activities.
Dear Hank Williams by Kimberly Willis Holt. (2015)
Tate Ellerbee needs a pen pal and chooses to write to Hank Williams, the country western singer since she listens to him on the radio every Saturday night with her great-aunt and great-uncle who are her guardians. Through her letters we learn about her family and the challenges she faces. There are some happy times and some poignant times, but for the most part Tate is an optimistic young girl just doing the best she can.
Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt. (2015)
Ally is smart. In fact, she is so smart, she has been able to hide from everyone including her teachers, the fact that she is unable to read. When she is in danger of being caught, she creates some kind of distraction, so has been branded a trouble-maker. But this new teacher happens to be smarter than Ally and he helps her shine by focusing on her gifts. He also helps her to be diagnosed with dyslexia and then encourages her to keep trying to read. This is a great story for children who have a learning disability to know that they aren’t alone and they CAN learn.
Counting by 7’s by Holly Goldberg Sloan. (2014)
Willow Chance is a genius. She is strange and weird and she knows it. She doesn’t care. Early in the book, Willow’s adopted parents are killed in a car accident. She ends up staying temporarily at a classmate’s home until things get sorted out. Willow is a catalyst for change in the lives of both the classmate’s family situation and the school counselor’s life. So much is going on in the book, that it is really quite difficult to write a short review of this. Grab a copy and read it for yourself.
The War that Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley. (2015)
Ada was born with a club foot. Her mother is ashamed of her twisted foot and does not let Ada out of the apartment, so for ten years, Ada has been stuck there. War comes and the British children are being sent to the country to be safe. Ada’s younger brother Jamie is to go to the train station. Ada knows that her life is bad enough now with a mother who treats her cruelly, and without her brother, it will be worse, so she sneaks out and joins him. They are placed with Susan who does not seem to want them, but she does her duty to feed and clothe them and take care of them. Ada sees a pony in the pasture and learns to ride, so finally she is able to move like the wind rather than crawl around. Over time the children and Susan bond and learn to love each other.
Parts of this story are difficult to read since the children’s mother is really very cruel to Ada. Ada’s resourcefulness and grit help her get through it and the story ends well for the children.
I got a request from one of my readers to let you know which books win. Next week I will give you the titles we have used for the last two years and let you know which ones won our award.
I hope you have a great week.
Audrey
Currently reading:
Tangled Vines by Kay Bratt (Book 2 of The Scavenger’s Daughters)
Cloudy Jewel by Grace Livingston Hill
Adventist Spirituality for Thinkers and Seekers (the Faith I Highly Recommend) by John Thomas McLarty
The Haystacks Church by Andy Nash
Understood Betsy by Dorothy Canfield Fisher
Today I am continuing the post I started last week about new books. These are also books I will be using for our Sunflower Award this year. I believe I neglected to mention that these books are appropriate for readers in grades 5 – 8, or above. There isn’t anything inappropriate in them for the younger ones, but they (and the Newbery Award in general) are written for middle grades and upper elementary. Don’t worry, I’ll get to the younger children soon.
Fort by Cynthia DeFelice. (2015)
Two boys decide to build a fort in the woods one summer. Okay, it was near the edge of the woods, but it was in the woods. Sounds pretty perfect, right? Unfortunately, two bullies happen to find their fort and start to make trouble for Wyatt and Augie. Wyatt and Augie don’t want to fight, but they decide to stand up for themselves and the other boy, Gerard, that is being bullied because he is ‘retarded’ (the word used in the book.) They come up with a way to get even that even the adults approve of or at least, don’t disapprove. Adventure, comedy, and summer fun make this a great story for kids, and boys in particular.
Note: these are preteen boys and there are a couple of instances that one boy ogles the breasts of the other boy’s aunt. Example: “Her giant bosoms were poking out over the top of her V-neck shirt, right in front of my eyes. They looked like two soft pillows nestled in there.” Use your own judgment regarding this. For me, it was basically a one-liner, so I have opted to put the book in the library. I also really liked that Wyatt and Augie befriended Gerard, the boy who was mentally challenged and did not make fun of him, but included him in their activities.
Dear Hank Williams by Kimberly Willis Holt. (2015)
Tate Ellerbee needs a pen pal and chooses to write to Hank Williams, the country western singer since she listens to him on the radio every Saturday night with her great-aunt and great-uncle who are her guardians. Through her letters we learn about her family and the challenges she faces. There are some happy times and some poignant times, but for the most part Tate is an optimistic young girl just doing the best she can.
Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt. (2015)
Ally is smart. In fact, she is so smart, she has been able to hide from everyone including her teachers, the fact that she is unable to read. When she is in danger of being caught, she creates some kind of distraction, so has been branded a trouble-maker. But this new teacher happens to be smarter than Ally and he helps her shine by focusing on her gifts. He also helps her to be diagnosed with dyslexia and then encourages her to keep trying to read. This is a great story for children who have a learning disability to know that they aren’t alone and they CAN learn.
Counting by 7’s by Holly Goldberg Sloan. (2014)
Willow Chance is a genius. She is strange and weird and she knows it. She doesn’t care. Early in the book, Willow’s adopted parents are killed in a car accident. She ends up staying temporarily at a classmate’s home until things get sorted out. Willow is a catalyst for change in the lives of both the classmate’s family situation and the school counselor’s life. So much is going on in the book, that it is really quite difficult to write a short review of this. Grab a copy and read it for yourself.
The War that Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley. (2015)
Ada was born with a club foot. Her mother is ashamed of her twisted foot and does not let Ada out of the apartment, so for ten years, Ada has been stuck there. War comes and the British children are being sent to the country to be safe. Ada’s younger brother Jamie is to go to the train station. Ada knows that her life is bad enough now with a mother who treats her cruelly, and without her brother, it will be worse, so she sneaks out and joins him. They are placed with Susan who does not seem to want them, but she does her duty to feed and clothe them and take care of them. Ada sees a pony in the pasture and learns to ride, so finally she is able to move like the wind rather than crawl around. Over time the children and Susan bond and learn to love each other.
Parts of this story are difficult to read since the children’s mother is really very cruel to Ada. Ada’s resourcefulness and grit help her get through it and the story ends well for the children.
I got a request from one of my readers to let you know which books win. Next week I will give you the titles we have used for the last two years and let you know which ones won our award.
I hope you have a great week.
Audrey
Currently reading:
Tangled Vines by Kay Bratt (Book 2 of The Scavenger’s Daughters)
Cloudy Jewel by Grace Livingston Hill
Adventist Spirituality for Thinkers and Seekers (the Faith I Highly Recommend) by John Thomas McLarty
The Haystacks Church by Andy Nash
Understood Betsy by Dorothy Canfield Fisher
Monday, September 21, 2015
New Books Part 1
Hello,
I have some wonderful new books to tell you about. Three years ago I started a program at my school that is similar to the Newbery Award that is given out each year to the best story written in that year.
Note: The Newbery is awarded by a group of adults who read all the published books in the year and discuss (read this to mean ‘argue’ at times) over which books will make the short list. Then the short list is discussed over a handful of meetings until one book is chosen and possibly a few are honor books. Out of about 1000 books, that is a LOT of reading for these people.
Many public libraries and middle school libraries conduct ‘Mock Newbery’ programs where students who want to read can read the books they can and their groups also discuss and choose the one they think or hope will actually win the Newbery.
I thought about doing something like this, but have shied away from it because so many of the new books aren’t appropriate for our schools and I often don’t purchase the winner each year because of this. One day about three years ago, I thought about doing something similar, but choosing 12 – 15 titles that were newer books and having students who are interested in reading be a part of this. We call our award the “Sunflower Award” because the sunflower has historical meaning for Rogers. I don’t have a lot of readers, but this is the third year for our award.
Here are some of the books that are on my list for this year. I will add more next week. If you have any students who are avid readers, these are titles that they might enjoy reading. If you don’t get them for your library, they might find them in the public library.
Blue Birds by Caroline Starr Rose (2015)
This is a historical novel in free verse about the Roanoke people and the English people. The story is written as journal entries from two girl’s point of view. Alis is English and Kimi is a Native American. The mystery of Roanoke Island is not solved, but we do learn more about each culture through the eyes of these two young women.
May B by Caroline Starr Rose (2012)
May’s father has volunteered for her to go and help out on a neighbor’s homestead until Christmas. May does not want to be there, but neither does the young wife. A terrible turn of events leaves May all alone and she must try to find food and fuel to make it through until Christmas. With winter upon her, and the walls of the sod house seeming to close in on her, she is stranded. This novel is also written in free verse.
A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park (2010)
The country is Sudan. Two young people facing problems. Two different time periods. In 1985 Salva’s village is attacked and he must join a mass of people traveling to escape the war. Salva is a survivor and travels across Africa to Ethiopia, and then to Kenya before getting a new home in the United States. In 2008 Nya walks eight hours a day to fetch water for her family. Her day is filled with the search for water until one blessed day when men with iron giraffes come and begin to dig near her village. The two stories mingle, first one, then another until they come together at the end.
Paper Things by Jennifer Richard Jacobson (2015)
I have never been homeless, so I don’t know what it is like having to find a place to stay night after night. This story is about a young preteen girl and her older brother who are on their own and trying to find a place for themselves. Her brother has a few friends that open their apartments to the siblings, but it is difficult for Ari to keep up with her schoolwork when she is going from place to place. She is embarrassed and doesn’t tell her best friend, so that creates a distance between them. Eventually, new friends help Ari deal with her life and she is able to stand up for herself.
Listen, Slowly by Thanhha Lai (2015)
Culture clash comes when Mai is forced to go to Vietnam with her beloved grandmother for the summer. Mai is a Southern California girl ready for sunning, beaches, and being near her friends and possibly making friends with one special boy. But when she is sent to Vietnam, things are so different and strange, that Mai cannot wait to go back home. Mai does not speak the language and she does not know the customs of the country. Little by little she begins to adapt and accept her family and her heritage.
Next week I will tell you about a few more.
Have a great week.
Audrey
Currently reading: The Scavenger’s Daughters (Book One in The Tales of The Scavenger’s Daughters) by Kay Bratt
Currently Re-reading: The Haystacks Church by Andy Nash, At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon
I have some wonderful new books to tell you about. Three years ago I started a program at my school that is similar to the Newbery Award that is given out each year to the best story written in that year.
Note: The Newbery is awarded by a group of adults who read all the published books in the year and discuss (read this to mean ‘argue’ at times) over which books will make the short list. Then the short list is discussed over a handful of meetings until one book is chosen and possibly a few are honor books. Out of about 1000 books, that is a LOT of reading for these people.
Many public libraries and middle school libraries conduct ‘Mock Newbery’ programs where students who want to read can read the books they can and their groups also discuss and choose the one they think or hope will actually win the Newbery.
I thought about doing something like this, but have shied away from it because so many of the new books aren’t appropriate for our schools and I often don’t purchase the winner each year because of this. One day about three years ago, I thought about doing something similar, but choosing 12 – 15 titles that were newer books and having students who are interested in reading be a part of this. We call our award the “Sunflower Award” because the sunflower has historical meaning for Rogers. I don’t have a lot of readers, but this is the third year for our award.
Here are some of the books that are on my list for this year. I will add more next week. If you have any students who are avid readers, these are titles that they might enjoy reading. If you don’t get them for your library, they might find them in the public library.
Blue Birds by Caroline Starr Rose (2015)
This is a historical novel in free verse about the Roanoke people and the English people. The story is written as journal entries from two girl’s point of view. Alis is English and Kimi is a Native American. The mystery of Roanoke Island is not solved, but we do learn more about each culture through the eyes of these two young women.
May B by Caroline Starr Rose (2012)
May’s father has volunteered for her to go and help out on a neighbor’s homestead until Christmas. May does not want to be there, but neither does the young wife. A terrible turn of events leaves May all alone and she must try to find food and fuel to make it through until Christmas. With winter upon her, and the walls of the sod house seeming to close in on her, she is stranded. This novel is also written in free verse.
A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park (2010)
The country is Sudan. Two young people facing problems. Two different time periods. In 1985 Salva’s village is attacked and he must join a mass of people traveling to escape the war. Salva is a survivor and travels across Africa to Ethiopia, and then to Kenya before getting a new home in the United States. In 2008 Nya walks eight hours a day to fetch water for her family. Her day is filled with the search for water until one blessed day when men with iron giraffes come and begin to dig near her village. The two stories mingle, first one, then another until they come together at the end.
Paper Things by Jennifer Richard Jacobson (2015)
I have never been homeless, so I don’t know what it is like having to find a place to stay night after night. This story is about a young preteen girl and her older brother who are on their own and trying to find a place for themselves. Her brother has a few friends that open their apartments to the siblings, but it is difficult for Ari to keep up with her schoolwork when she is going from place to place. She is embarrassed and doesn’t tell her best friend, so that creates a distance between them. Eventually, new friends help Ari deal with her life and she is able to stand up for herself.
Listen, Slowly by Thanhha Lai (2015)
Culture clash comes when Mai is forced to go to Vietnam with her beloved grandmother for the summer. Mai is a Southern California girl ready for sunning, beaches, and being near her friends and possibly making friends with one special boy. But when she is sent to Vietnam, things are so different and strange, that Mai cannot wait to go back home. Mai does not speak the language and she does not know the customs of the country. Little by little she begins to adapt and accept her family and her heritage.
Next week I will tell you about a few more.
Have a great week.
Audrey
Currently reading: The Scavenger’s Daughters (Book One in The Tales of The Scavenger’s Daughters) by Kay Bratt
Currently Re-reading: The Haystacks Church by Andy Nash, At Home in Mitford by Jan Karon
Monday, September 14, 2015
What are You Reading?
Greetings!
As I was sitting here musing about what to write to you today and wondering if there was anything new I could say, I got a flash of brilliance. At least, I HOPE it was brilliance. In any case, these flashes don’t come along that often so I need to jump on them when they do come.
I was wondering what you all are reading? (If you aren’t reading anything, shame on you.) Anyway, I thought it would be a great school year project/bulletin board for your class. A bulletin board could be titled “What Are You Reading?” or something even more creative. Put your name up along with a strip of paper that has the title of the book you are currently reading. Each student’s name can be up with blank strips. Let them write the titles of the books they are currently reading and as you/they complete a book, put a new strip up. If you put the new title strip over the old one, by the end of the year, they will have a list of all the books they read over the school year. The students will be very interested in what you are reading. If you read some of the juvenile titles in your school library, they will check them out when you are done.
I taught third grade for years and I would go to the library and check out some chapter books that were about their reading level. During our silent reading period, I would be reading and would deliberately giggle quietly, then hush myself. After the silent period, students would ask what I was reading that was so funny. I told them and when I returned the book, someone would grab it. It was sneaky, but it worked. Even now, years later, I have some of those parents telling me that their children love to read because of me.
The only thing I did was to have a daily silent reading period and read great stories to the children. I promoted reading and let them know how much fun it could be.
If you put up a reading area similar to this idea, I’d like to know how it works for you.
Have a great week,
Audrey
As I was sitting here musing about what to write to you today and wondering if there was anything new I could say, I got a flash of brilliance. At least, I HOPE it was brilliance. In any case, these flashes don’t come along that often so I need to jump on them when they do come.
I was wondering what you all are reading? (If you aren’t reading anything, shame on you.) Anyway, I thought it would be a great school year project/bulletin board for your class. A bulletin board could be titled “What Are You Reading?” or something even more creative. Put your name up along with a strip of paper that has the title of the book you are currently reading. Each student’s name can be up with blank strips. Let them write the titles of the books they are currently reading and as you/they complete a book, put a new strip up. If you put the new title strip over the old one, by the end of the year, they will have a list of all the books they read over the school year. The students will be very interested in what you are reading. If you read some of the juvenile titles in your school library, they will check them out when you are done.
I taught third grade for years and I would go to the library and check out some chapter books that were about their reading level. During our silent reading period, I would be reading and would deliberately giggle quietly, then hush myself. After the silent period, students would ask what I was reading that was so funny. I told them and when I returned the book, someone would grab it. It was sneaky, but it worked. Even now, years later, I have some of those parents telling me that their children love to read because of me.
The only thing I did was to have a daily silent reading period and read great stories to the children. I promoted reading and let them know how much fun it could be.
If you put up a reading area similar to this idea, I’d like to know how it works for you.
Have a great week,
Audrey
Tuesday, September 8, 2015
Welcome to the New School Year!
Hello!
I apologize for not starting this sooner, but I do have excuses. I was sick last week, and just plain forgot! I got out of the habit of my weekly email, and need to get back in!
I am Audrey Campbell, the Media Center Director at Rogers Adventist School in College Place, WA. I am starting my fifteenth year at Rogers. Before coming to College Place, I was teaching third grade at Keene Adventist Elementary School in Keene, TX, and previously to that I taught grades 5 – 9 in Tallahassee, FL. Each of these schools has something to do with the man I married. He was in graduate school at Florida State University in Tallahassee when we married, then went to Southwestern Adventist University to teach physics. After seventeen years in Keene, we transitioned to Walla Walla University. You may have noticed that my early teaching experience was in a classroom. When we moved here, the job the Lord gave me was the job in the library. I have learned a LOT and it is the perfect job for me. I love books and have been preparing for this position all my life. I didn’t realize it until I got here, but it is true. If you want to know more of this story, let me know. I am not shy.
Some of you have been getting my emails for years now and others of you are brand new to this. It has been six and a half years since I started as the Resource Librarian for the NPUC. Most of you are small schools teachers with either no librarian or a volunteer helper. Most of you have little experience in library and may not feel confident. You are the reason I am here. I am your librarian. If you have any questions or comments, email me. I will help you.
Now I have a bit of ‘homework’ for you. Please do one of both of these things.
1. Go to sdalibrarian.blogspot.com. This is my blog. After I send out my weekly email full of very interesting things to you, I post it to this blog. You can see that I have been posting since January of 2009. Check out any post you like, but bookmark this so you don’t forget where it is.
2. Make a list of the things you would like to know or things you would like to see in an email from me. What are your needs? What do you wish you could do in your classroom in regard to books or libraries this year? Send me the list and I will do my best to make these wishes come true.
I hope you have a wonderful school year. I want to hear from you, so don’t be hesitant to contact me.
Audrey
I apologize for not starting this sooner, but I do have excuses. I was sick last week, and just plain forgot! I got out of the habit of my weekly email, and need to get back in!
I am Audrey Campbell, the Media Center Director at Rogers Adventist School in College Place, WA. I am starting my fifteenth year at Rogers. Before coming to College Place, I was teaching third grade at Keene Adventist Elementary School in Keene, TX, and previously to that I taught grades 5 – 9 in Tallahassee, FL. Each of these schools has something to do with the man I married. He was in graduate school at Florida State University in Tallahassee when we married, then went to Southwestern Adventist University to teach physics. After seventeen years in Keene, we transitioned to Walla Walla University. You may have noticed that my early teaching experience was in a classroom. When we moved here, the job the Lord gave me was the job in the library. I have learned a LOT and it is the perfect job for me. I love books and have been preparing for this position all my life. I didn’t realize it until I got here, but it is true. If you want to know more of this story, let me know. I am not shy.
Some of you have been getting my emails for years now and others of you are brand new to this. It has been six and a half years since I started as the Resource Librarian for the NPUC. Most of you are small schools teachers with either no librarian or a volunteer helper. Most of you have little experience in library and may not feel confident. You are the reason I am here. I am your librarian. If you have any questions or comments, email me. I will help you.
Now I have a bit of ‘homework’ for you. Please do one of both of these things.
1. Go to sdalibrarian.blogspot.com. This is my blog. After I send out my weekly email full of very interesting things to you, I post it to this blog. You can see that I have been posting since January of 2009. Check out any post you like, but bookmark this so you don’t forget where it is.
2. Make a list of the things you would like to know or things you would like to see in an email from me. What are your needs? What do you wish you could do in your classroom in regard to books or libraries this year? Send me the list and I will do my best to make these wishes come true.
I hope you have a wonderful school year. I want to hear from you, so don’t be hesitant to contact me.
Audrey
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