Sunday, March 2, 2014

3 of 31 Slicing Plus It's Monday!


Cross-Posting Again-


Happy Reading everyone! Day Three of the Slice of Life Challenge at Two Writing Teachers
           Tweet at #SOL14  AND-so exciting, another of my colleagues has joined the slicing & I didn't know, the last slice on Day One.  Please welcome her: Susan of Under Construction!


 It's Monday! What are you Reading? is hosted by Jen at TEACH.MENTOR.TEXTS, and shared with Ricki and Kellee at UNLEASHING READERS.   
         And, also visit Sheila at BOOK JOURNEYS for more reviews.  Great books are being shared!
 Tweet! at #IMWAYR


           Go Here to read what I reviewed for Non-fiction Wednesday!


 picture books
You Are The Best Medicine – written by Julie Aigner Clark and illustrated by Jana Christy
        If you, or a friend, is a parent with cancer, this book might be a way to talk to your children about it, may help their anxiety. It focuses on the good memories that happen even during the challenges that occur, like one’s hair falling out. Even when someone is very sick, hugs and time with kids helps, and the story shows that beautifully, in words and in softly colored illustrations. Julie is a former parent, who has fought and won two bouts with breast cancer.


Blackie, The Horse That Stood Still - written by Christopher Cerf and illustrated by Paige Peterson
           I loved this true story written in verse about a wonder of a horse, who was quiet and had the knack, and love, of standing still. This isn’t the usual positive attribute of a horse, so you’ll need to read all the ways that “worked” positively only because Blackie stood still. He was so beloved that a memorial can be found where his final days were spent, a memorial to the horse that was always there, the friendly greeter to hundreds who saw and visited him.      

George Flies South - written and illustrated by Simon James
          It’s a story of adventure when George, a young bird still in his nest, likes it well enough that he doesn’t want to learn to fly, to leave for the south with his mother when winter begins its icy chill. His mother encourages, but until a sudden wind takes George for his first, sometimes “feather-raising” adventure, he stays and stays. It’s the sweetest story with line drawings filled with soft watercolors, and also a metaphor for growing up, something some children resist. It will be a great book for discussion with younger students and one’s own children.

Round Is A Tortilla – written by Roseanne Greenfield Thong and illustrated by John Parra
          Written in simple rhymed text, the book takes a young child on a shape journey. Through little towns and big ones, shapes are searched out: tortillas are round as a pot of Abuela’s Stew, rectangles are carts with bells that chime.”  John Parra, a pura Belpre illustrator honor winner, draws in a folkart style with enough realism to make the story interesting.
 verse novel
Carver, a life in poems – written by Marilyn Nelson
            It’s a challenge to review this wonderful book. It is a beautiful biography and equally lovely verse novel?  For poetry, which sometimes seems slim, Marilyn Nelson manages to include not only the facts of this scientist, but his consistent passion for learning, for his God and his people, and for the arts. Even in school I learned of his tireless and genius work in the use of peanuts, but I did not know he drove miles on country roads, teaching poor sharecroppers how to make the best of their crops, and how to store them, and use the weeds available as food. I did not know of his generosity in sharing every one of his discoveries, asking no more than the cost of a postage stamp in order to mail the explanation.  There is a line that fits his history to me: “They know that history/is a jetsam of stardust.”  It’s an inspiring story with small moments of Carver’s life included with the large ones. There are some few photographs included that are good to see.

Still reading – Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell-wonderful and fascinating-love it!

Next – Could be any one of about 20 books that are crying out to be read. I have a stack of picture books too.

36 comments:

  1. It's so amazing that you read and review the wonderful books. I hope someday that my life changes a little to allow for more reading time. Thanks for sharing the books with us and I'm picking the one I really want to check out-You are the Best Medicine.

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    1. Thanks Amy. The book is very sweet and tackles this hard topic with such care.

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  2. You are the Best Medicine is the one that I will need to remember. I think I might need to even purchase that one. Thanks you for reading and sharing your reviews with us.

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    1. As I wrote to Amy, the book is worth having, and lovely the way it shows the relationship between the mother and the children. Thanks Jaana!

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  3. The Carver book sounds like one to read for sure - I love books like this Linda, set up in verse. We can do so much with texts like this as a basis for learning. Thanks for sharing today!

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    1. Thanks Tara. Yes, I thought of all the social studies work you do when I read it. It was really special!

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  4. I love hearing about books! Thank you! Adding to my list!

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  5. Every one of these books is new to me! Thank you for connecting me to these; I appreciate your reflections about them. I love the title of the first "You are the best medicine."

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    1. It's very good, Maureen. Save George Flies South for the fall, but it's so cute. I imagine your little ones will love Round Is A Tortilla. Thanks!

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  6. ohhh no I can feel my Amazon cart loading up, you have too many I just have to read! "thanks" Linda!

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    1. And especially inviting because you have a snow day today, right? Hope you do enjoy some of them, Tammy!

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  7. Thanks Linda, these reviews, from a person I trust, come in handy when I'm making my book selection for the class in April...mostly a primary audience. Have you read This is the Rope by Woodson...I'm considering.

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    1. This Is The Rope has been well reviewed by others, but no, haven't seen it yet! If you want some other good choices, look at my non-fiction link above. Those books are recent and awesome!

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  8. Ohhh, I want to read Blackie. I have a feeling he has a special story! As always, thank you Linda for filling my head with great books!

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    1. You're welcome, Melanie. A friend loaned me that book & it is such fun, and true!

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  9. I probably should've condensed my posts today too, but I wrote my slice this morning and am getting ready to write my IMWAYR post now. Don't you love Fangirl? I just love Rainbow Rowell's writing!

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    1. Yes, I really love Fangirl, Holly, just not finding much time to read the longer books. I'm impressed you did two posts-Just thought others would enjoy the books too.

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  10. I do love Carver and I must admit, Rainbow Rowell is my new favorite. We love Fangirl in Portable 29. Thank you for giving me permission to cross post and double dip... or whatever the right term is here. I will have to remember to write up some reads next week. I'm afraid I like reading more than I like writing about what I 'm reading so I get behind with that post myself. I do love gathering titles though!

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    1. Yes, my list grows ever longer. As for cross-posting, that's the time I have & I did it last year too, I even write poems about reading on Mondays during April! You're welcome to do it, or not. I'm struggling enough with commenting on both! Thanks Lee Ann!

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  11. Fangirl just arrived at the library for me. I can't wait to read it. I always get so many good ideas from you Linda. Have a wonderful week.

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    1. Oh, Hope you enjoy it a bunch, Julie. I've found it fascinating. Thanks!

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  12. Thank you Linda for alerting me to these books. As life long readers we are constantly spreading the word about 'great reads.'
    Your investment in this crucial work is admirable.

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    1. You're so welcome Alan. Always love sharing. There are so many wonderful books available to us. We are fortunate!

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  13. These all sound wonderful, Linda. George Flies South looks adorable, and Carver sounds fascinating. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. You're welcome, Catherine. George Flies South is terrific for those younger kids. It's anticipation plus! And Carver is marvelous!

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  14. Carver! Can't wait to get my hands on it.

    Thanks for sharing, Linda!

    -Suparna

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    1. You're so welcome. It's back in the library!

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  15. Can't wait to read "George Flies South" as it reminds me of my own experience of growing up. Thank you so much for your book suggestions.

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    1. You're welcome. George Flies South is quite the adventure. Hope you love it!

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  16. You are brilliant! Why didn't I think of cross-posting? I will be borrowing this idea, thanks so much. Thank you also for the book titles -- always looking for the next great book I just can't do without! :)

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    1. Yes, Karen, but there are so many of those books! Hope you find a few today! And definitely cross-post. There is just so much time!

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  17. Thanks for sharing these reviews. I will add Carver and Blackie to my next read list. Word of mouth (or pen, or keys) is the best recommendation by far!

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    1. Happy you found some that looked good to you! I liked both of these very much. And yes, those recommendations mean a lot!

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  18. I love Carver--it's a masterpiece. And adding a couple of the others to my tbr shelf. Thanks!

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    1. Isn't it marvelous, so glad you liked it, too, Laura. Thanks!

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