Sunday, July 17, 2016

Monday Reading-Giveaway Winner



           Every Monday, it's a pleasure to link up with a group that reviews books they want to share with others. Come discover new books!
          Visit Jen at Teach MentorTexts and Kellee and Ricki at UnleashingReaders to see what they've been reading, along with everyone else who link up.   
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It's time to announce the giveaway posted last week for a prize pack of Journey and Quest by Aaron Becker, thanks to Candlewick Press. 

THE WINNER CHOSEN BY RAFFLECOPTER IS RICKI GINSBERG
Ricki, I'll contact you to get your address so the books can be mailed.
Congratulations!

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This is the third time I've mentioned this book below, but I had to share one more time. It's so good!
          There are sad books for middle grades, and I've read and loved many of them, sympathized with the hurt of children, wishing they could grow a little more before facing loss. But this book teaches! It shows teachers why they must listen and watch their students so carefully, knowing that hiding true things is what they do, just like Ms. Bixby knows. And it shows friends-Steve, Brand and Topher-uncommonly loyal, something to remember to be, something to learn to be! I was teary through quite a lot of the story. John Anderson tells a story that satisfies, surprises, and makes me want to shout out to the world: READ THIS BOOK! So I am!


           Pairing this new book by Kobi Yamada with his earlier What Do You Do With An Idea? will create a wealth of ideas for a classroom community, books as part of the group experience learning how to approach both ideas and problems. One can refer to the thoughts and reasoning again and again. A young boy fears being swallowed up by a problem, so bad that it is shown by Mae Besom's illustrations as a terrible storm. The detail in the illustrations, including many of the boy's belongings, is amazing, swirling around the boy, personal parts of his life. And then there's the problem, which he soon realizes that he must face. He thinks: "Maybe I was making the problem bigger and scarier than it actually was. After all, my problem hadn't really swallowed me up or attacked me." The resolution makes sense, something even adults can embrace. It's a terrific book. 
          I haven't been reviewing many books for the very youngest children, but I found this at the library and it looked so cute. Little Madison, like other little ones, just needs one more hug, and drink, and blanket. The colorful illustrations are simple as is the text, just right for young children who will understand about this mouse's bedtime, so like their own. There is a funny surprise at the end.
        Others have mentioned this book, and I managed to find it at my library. I assume it's considered fiction because it begins with a boy in a wheelchair who, on a beach, wishes he could fly. He's watching a flock of godwits arriving. The sub heading of the title says "In its lifetime a godwits will usually fly farther than the distance from the earth to the moon."
          Jeannie Baker, an author/illustrator from Australia, tells the story of this amazing traveler, living in Australia and New Zealand in the warmer times, but traveling more than 7,000 miles to their northern home in Alaska. In wonderful collaged paintings, Baker takes us with the godwits on its journey, following the curve of the earth, sometimes finding no place to stop to feed because of new development. Each one returns in Alaska to its one special spot, to a courtship and a raising of the young. Soon the journey begins again toward the south. There is an author's note and a world map at the back, with a list of other migrating creatures added to the illustrations throughout. I enjoyed the beauty of the pages, but would have liked added information, even about those extra creatures. 
       From Colombian illustrator José Sanabria, a thoughtful story in three parts that shows change and the way people in need can come together to make a community. The endpapers and the illustrations are special to see. 

Now Reading: Still A Work in Progress by Jo Knowles, will be out August 2nd!

Up Next: The World From Up Here by Cecilia Gallant

22 comments:

  1. The older I get the more important I see inclusivity to be, so now I really want to read As Time Went By. The cover is pretty gorgeous too! I'm also looking forward to reading about Ms. Bixby. I've read nothing but good stuff about it. I've been conflicted about a lot of informational picture books. Even though they can be very good, I'm often left wanting more both in substance and format.

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  2. As Time Went By is so interesting, would love to have a discussion group about it! I understand about the info books, and Circle, while gorgeous, didn't tell me enough, and I wasn't sure why this boy was there, either. It is considered fiction, but had mostly info about the godwits. Thanks, Cheriee, hope you have a great week ahead!

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  3. Love this weekly peek into your world of books! The cover of One More Hug for Madison is delightful. Off to request these titles now. Hoping the library didn't mess up the endpapers of As Time Went By (if so, I'll have to stop by the bookstore). Ms. Bixby's Last Day is ready and waiting for me on the holds shelf!

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    1. Enjoy them all, Ramona. We need to live down the street from each other so we can share! Have a wonderful week!

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  4. Ms. Bixby is definitely a "shout-it-out-to-the-world" book! The books I feel that strongly about are far and few between. I loved the writing. I liked how it made me wonder things like, What is Brand going to tell her? Why did they get her french fries? etc. A marvelous story!

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    1. Yes, agreed! John Anderson gave us layer by layer so well, and I was so happy to hear more about each part. Thanks, Lisa.

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  5. I've been seeing Ms. Bixby on blogs just everywhere, I'm stuck on a waiting list for it at the library, which is frustrating but also really great, because it means a lot of other readers are going to experience the story as well!

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    1. I was lucky to ask for it before too much excitement was out, I think. No matter, you'll enjoy it whenever you get it. Thanks, Jane.

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  6. Circle is so beautifully written and illustrated! Love it! I still need to get a hold of What Do You Do With a Problem; I've heard so many good things about it! Have a wonderful week!

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    1. Thanks, Jana, there are so many books to love. Hope you have a great reading week!

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  7. I'm hoping my library will get Ms Bixby soon--I'm so eager to read it!

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  8. AH! I am so thrilled to win the giveaway! Thank you!!! I try to only enter giveaways that really mean a lot, and I am so, so happy to win this one for my newest little one. Thank you so much, Linda!

    Also, I am glad you also loved What Do You Do with a Problem? I thought it was fantastic, too!

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    1. I know you and Henry will find lots of joy through the years with those books, Ricki. Yes, What Do You Do With A Problem? is terrific, will add to many kinds of discussions and learning. Thanks, Ricki.

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  9. Oh, Linda. You have some good reading ahead of you. I enjoyed both your current read and your next one. Have a great week!

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    1. Thanks, Melissa. I finished Still A Work In Progress today, so poignant, but needed.

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  10. As Time Went By looks like a really interesting picture book. I went to put it on my TBR list on Goodreads and discovered it was already on it. :)

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    1. I think I found the title from a Monday blogger, but can't remember who. It is lovely to look at, and an interesting premise, Beth.

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  11. I have Ms. Bixby coming up in my stacks very soon! I hope you love The World From Up Here! So good! I have A Work in Progress to read too.

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    1. The World From Up Here has started well, Michele. I like the idea of the plot.

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  12. Thanks for introducing me to these important books!

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    1. You're welcome, Jane, hope you find some to love!

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