Written by Nina LaCour & Illustrated by Kaylani Juanita "Have you have ever missed someone or something? Have you have ever missed someone or something and it almost felt like a physical ache? Have you have ever missed someone or something so much that when you were reunited the feelings of missing crashed into the… Continue reading Mama and Mommy and Me in the Middle
Tag: Realistic Fiction
DINNER ON DOMINGOS
DINNER ON DOMINGOS by Alexandra Katona with illustrations by Claudia Navarro is a gorgeous story of family tradition that subtly explores the challenges faced by our narrator, Alejandra, as she hopes to connect with her beloved Abuelita. This story lovingly immerses the reader in Abuelita's casa for a weekly family meal. The energy of this… Continue reading DINNER ON DOMINGOS
Apple and Magnolia by Laura Gehl
The last couple of years have been hard on the world and it has taken a toll on all of us in different ways, especially educators and their students. As we move away from masking and social distancing toward the end of this pandemic, I find myself having a bit of difficulty in adjusting. Masking… Continue reading Apple and Magnolia by Laura Gehl
Magic Like That
A young Black girl wonders what kind of magical hairstyle her mother will create in Magic Like That by Samara Doyon Cole. Page by page, the reader is invited along as Doyon weaves themes of identity and self-confidence with her own magic of rhythmic poetic text. Geneva Bowers’ bold and engaging illustrations bring this magic… Continue reading Magic Like That
Amira’s Picture Day
This week I had the pleasure of sharing an amazing story, Amira’s Picture Day by Reem Faruqi, with a family of 6 from my school. The students range in ages from 2-12 years old. Each child enjoyed the book and interacted in their own way. I was reminded of the importance of sharing books with… Continue reading Amira’s Picture Day
Clean Getaway by Nic Stone
Clean Getaway, acclaimed Dear Martin author Nic Stone's debut middle grade novel, is sure to be a hit in schools this year. William "Scoob" Lamar embarks on an adventure of a lifetime with his Grandma, G'ma. As he leaves his single dad behind, Scoob has no idea what will be in store. His traveling adventures… Continue reading Clean Getaway by Nic Stone
Going Up by Sherry Lee
Going Up by Sherry Lee reviewed by Susan Kennedy As we are going back to school in whatever form that is taking, hopefully we are returning to writing. I love writing with students and hearing them storytell their narrative plans. Returning to school this fall, I hope we'll start with some narratives: small moments, memoirs,… Continue reading Going Up by Sherry Lee
The Star Outside My Window by Onjali Q. Rauf
As soon as one of my sixth grade book clubs finished The Boy in the Back of the Class by Onjali Q Rauf, they immediately took to the internet to find other books by the same author. When they found The Star Outside My Window, they begged me to order it right away! Student Thoughts:… Continue reading The Star Outside My Window by Onjali Q. Rauf
Eventown by Corey Ann Haydu
*I would like to use this post to thank all the authors and publishers who have stepped up and allowed teachers to read their books online during this unprecedented time...We appreciate you! Teacher's Story: I leave school on a Friday, having started the first few chapters of Eventown, by Corey Ann Haydu. On Saturday, I discover that… Continue reading Eventown by Corey Ann Haydu
Some Places More Than Others by Renée Watson
Some Places More Than Others by Renée Watson An advance copy of this book made it into my hands from our local independent bookstore last spring. I immediately loved it! Always on the lookout for a book that fits the complexity we hope for our upper elementary readers without being too mature for them, Some… Continue reading Some Places More Than Others by Renée Watson
The Season of Styx Malone by Kekla Magoon
Styx came to us like magic—the really, really powerful kind. There was no grand puff of smoke or anything, but he appeared as if from nowhere, right in our very own woods. The Season of Styx Malone begins with brothers Caleb and Bobby Gene inadvertently trading their baby sister for a bag of fireworks which… Continue reading The Season of Styx Malone by Kekla Magoon
Camp by Kayla Miller
Graphic Novels ~ As teachers we hear so much about them. Many parents (and some educators) feel that graphic novels “don’t count” as reading. I couldn’t disagree more. There are many, many benefits to reading this type of book. Some benefits that I have found are: Inferring - this is perhaps the biggest benefit to… Continue reading Camp by Kayla Miller
Sweeping Up The Heart
It is a rare opportunity when you get to share a novel with just one student, and that is just the opportunity I had with my niece while reading Sweeping Up The Heart by Kevin Henkes last summer. Maria and I had been on the hunt for a book to share together when we walked… Continue reading Sweeping Up The Heart
Give and Take by Elly Swartz
You don't want to lose the things or people that leave imprints on your heart.--Elly Swartz Maggie: A twelve-year-old girl who describes herself as someone who cannot love in small doses. She has been missing Nana since Forgot-Me Day, hoping to adopt Izzie as her little sister for keeps, and longs for her trap-shooting team… Continue reading Give and Take by Elly Swartz
Caterpillar Summer by Gillian McDunn
On a good day, Chicken liked to wander. On a bad day, Chicken would bolt. But no matter what, Cat loved him as wide as the Golden Gate Bridge, as deep as the sea floor, and as fierce as a shark bite. Sixth Grade Book Club Members Think... Caterpillar Summer is a wonderful, figurative language… Continue reading Caterpillar Summer by Gillian McDunn
Carmela Full of Wishes
She stared down at the dandelion in her hand.It seemed so much more importantnow that she knew it was a place to put her wishes. What if she made the wrong choice? Carmela is excited to accompany her older brother into town for the first time. Although her big brother isn't happy to have her,… Continue reading Carmela Full of Wishes
The Field
The Field by Baptiste Paul, illustrated beautifully by Jacqueline Alcantara A winner of many awards in 2018, The Field shows and tells the story of a girl, her brother and some friends as they pick up a soccer game in rural St. Lucia, the author's home of origin. Through stunning illustrations full of movement… Continue reading The Field
Stella Diaz Has Something to Say by Angela Dominguez
Teacher Thoughts: When I got my copy of Stella Diaz Has Something to Say, I included it at the last minute to our read aloud vote versus Amina’s Voice by Hena Khan and Esperanza Rising by Pam Munoz Ryan. To my surprise, it won. The themes of having a best friend end up in a… Continue reading Stella Diaz Has Something to Say by Angela Dominguez
Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga
Every once in a while a book lands in your hands at the exact right moment and you thank the book universe for its delivery. Other Words for Home, Jasmine Warga's first novel for middle grade readers, does just that. Written in verse, this story is a tale of a young girl, Jude, leaving her… Continue reading Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga
The Many Colors of Harpreet Singh by Supriya Kelkar, Illustrated by Alea Marley
The Many Colors of Harpreet Singh has been a favorite read aloud as I’ve visited K-2 classrooms this fall. Harpreet is a school-aged boy who wears a small turban, called a patka, in the tradition of the Sikh religion. Harpreet changes the colors of his patka based on his mood - pink for celebrating, red… Continue reading The Many Colors of Harpreet Singh by Supriya Kelkar, Illustrated by Alea Marley
Brave
by Svetlana Chmakova Teacher Thoughts… This graphic novel is a perfect way to teach older students about the challenges of middle school. Readers learn how being brave and using their voice can help change a negative school culture. Your students will love how Svetlana Chmakova compares middle school to a video game, mean kids to… Continue reading Brave
Mae’s First Day of School by Kate Berube
There’s a quiet to Kate Berube’s books that holds young listeners in a state of wonder. Mae is not going to school today, no matter what her mother, father, or other parents on the playground say to persuade her. But when she scurries into a tree to hide from the opening bell, she learns that… Continue reading Mae’s First Day of School by Kate Berube
Saving Winslow by Sharon Creech
Teacher Thoughts… You will fall in love with Louie and his family and friends as they come together to save Winslow, a sick, newborn donkey. Winslow connects all of the characters and caring for him helps them to work through difficult situations in their own lives. Once again, Sharon Creech creates vivid characters. Her descriptions… Continue reading Saving Winslow by Sharon Creech
Short
by Holly Goldberg Sloan I teach in a town where community theater is part of its fabric, so reading Short by Holly Goldberg Sloan as a read aloud seemed like the natural thing to do. My fifth graders loved everything about Julia Marks! At the beginning of the book Julia is on summer vacation feeling… Continue reading Short