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Sunday, June 1, 2014

It's Monday - Fabulous Reads!

Thanks to Jen at Teach.Mentor.Texts and Ricki and Kellee at Unleashing Readers for hosting our
Monday Reading community. Come see what everyone shares! 
          Tweet at #IMWAYR



          It's taken a while in this busy final weeks of school, but what a wonderful time I had reading this recent, poignant book by Gae Poliser. I loved meeting Francesca Schnell (known as Franki), her friend Lisette, Lisette's boyfriend Bradley, and four year old Franki Sky. Yes, all of them play a part in the puzzle of who Franki Schnell is, discovering hope in her life after the tragedy of her little brother drowning in the ocean (which she blamed herself for). Life is not easy, it is complicated, and as Franki keeps figuring out the truths of her life, and using them to get better, I found myself hurrying in the book, wanting to discover what important thing she would discover next. I'm not a teen any more, but really the life lessons shared in this book apply to all of us! I know many of the mature middle school students in my school will love the voice in this book, and connect to those mixed up feelings so aptly shown.
(This book meets the challenge of the Gathering Books blog found here, named CORL: 2014 (Check Off Reading List and Carrie Gelson's #MustReadIn2014 here)



All The World - written by Liz Garton Scanlon and illustrated by Marla Frazee
               Wow, what a beautiful book, with lovely small poems to tell the story of “us”. Taking a tour of the world, from the geography to food to travel, then weather and on to “All the World”, it’s the sweetest story of who we are.  One couplet: “Spreading shadows, setting sun/Crickets, curtains, day is done.”  Every illustrated page is a delight, and Marla Frazee shows the details of our lives with joy, whether in nature or in a happy family evening.

Three Bears In A Boat – written and illustrated by David Soman
               Such expressive three bears, trying to do the right thing after breaking their mama’s beautiful blue shell, so they take their boat off on an adventure to find a new one. I can see taking lots of time looking over these lovely pages, finding the details of all the other bears met, and the experiences in their search. It’s a delightful story, with a few surprises, too!






NEXT: The new e-story by R.J. Palacio, The Julian Chapter. And then We Were Liars, by E. Lockhart

On a side note, my daughter & family are spending the next week or more with me while doing some renovations at their house. I have been busy, and having fun! This includes a dog and two cats! But reading picture books of course is also the MO, so thought you'd enjoy a short list of reading so far:
        Three Bears In A Boat & All The World - see above
        The Summer Noisy Book - Margaret Wise Brown
         Rooster's Off To See The World - Eric Carle
         Mr. Gumpy's Outing - John Burninham
         Millions of Cats - Wanda Gag
         more than one Elephant and Piggie book - after these, Ingrid (5) began to write a story titled "Elephant and Piggie Play Dress-Up" in which Piggie dresses up as a girl. And then Ingrid would fall off the chair laughing. Mo Willems's books are such a treat. Ingrid also added the pigeon at the end, knowing that Willems always allows the pigeon to appear.  Aren't books for kids wonderful!




23 comments:

  1. Ingrid's story sounds wonderful, lol! And "expressive" is definitely how the word I use a lot for Soman's illustrations. Still have to read that book!

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    1. Thanks Earl, exactly right in the expressions. Hope you read it soon. And glad you had a smile for Ingrid's story. Those books by Mo Willems are so funny that one just wants more, & if there isn't more, guess it's 'write your own'!

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  2. I just started the audiobook of The Summer of Letting Go this morning. Glad to see you enjoyed it.

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    1. I hope you enjoy it, and will be interested in how listening to the story will be.

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  3. Good to read your opinion about The Summer of Letting Go, just loved it. Picture books are so fun... love the idea of creating another Elephant and Piggie book, very cute! Especially the important point of adding Pigeon somewhere in there! :)

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    1. Thanks Debbie, happy to hear you enjoyed The Summer of Letting Go, too. I loved each character!

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  4. I was a little frustrated when my students wanted to read The Julian Chapter, and I had no way to get it for them because it was e book only! I wonder if future editions of Winder will include it?

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    1. I guess the only way now to get the Julian Chapter for the kids is to download & share an IPad, or Kindle, Karen. If they read fast, they can pass it around. It is too bad that's the only way!

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  5. I just checked yesterday at our library for The Summer of Letting Go and we don't have it. I may have to request it because I have heard so many great things about it. Sounds like a true pool book! I am writing a post about books I am embarrassed to admit I haven't read and Mo Willems is one of them! I may be banned from the book blogosphere for that one! :)

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    1. Perhaps you will be able to get a copy if you request it, & then others will have it, too! Mo Willems is so great, many laughs in each & every book! Don't be embarrassed, I know I've missed quite a few, too!

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  6. Linda - enjoy all of that picture book reading! Such fun! I love how Elephant and Piggie delights readers of so many ages! All the World is one of my all time favourite titles. Reading it just makes me smile every time. It is the perfect book to share between generations in my opinion. Look forward to hearing about more picture books you discover this week. Happy reading and reading aloud!

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    1. I have so many older books here at home that I imagine we'll find more to enjoy like Millions of Cats, Carrie. And I believe I have you to thank for recommending All The World. It is new to me, & am so glad to have found it. It is gorgeous to see! Thank you!

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  7. I'm glad you reviewed The Summer of Letting Go. So you recommend it for 4th-6th graders? Like Leigh Anne, I think the blogosphere is way ahead of my small town library. I filled out a request slip for 3 books I am looking for. I've got to try not to spend any more on Amazon. It's a true obsession. I have a box arriving today!
    One day I will have grandchildren to read to. I read Mo Williams with my nephew a few years ago. Absolutely hilarious and delightful.

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    1. Maybe The Summer of Letting Go for mature 6th graders, Margaret. It has some romantic scenes that may not be for the younger ones. It's definitely YA, at least early or older adolescent. Yes, someday I bet you will have those grandchildren, much fun! My library is awesome, but still have been buying lots of books too. Teachers are crazy like that, aren't they?

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  8. I love that Ingrid started writing her own Elephant & Piggie story--and it sounds like a very good one! Those titles are pure delight, and literally every age of reader I share them with loves them. Mo Willems is amazing. I keep meaning to buy Summer of Letting Go. It's one I'd really like to read. It's been so long since I read Wonder, I'm worried I would need to reread before I could appreciate The Julian Chapter. Will be looking forward to your thoughts. Enjoy your full house this week!

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    1. Yes, the Elephant & Piggie saga continues-I'll need to check out more from the library, although I think we read most last year.The ones we're reading now I own. I've started The Julian chapter & the story is coming back, Elisabeth, although I probably should read Wonder again-it's been since it came out! Thank you!

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  9. I love hearing the story about your granddaughter! I think it's magical when a child is inspired by a story. Thanks for sharing it! So many of your books are on my summer goal TBR pile! I'm excited to know I have some great reading ahead of me! I've been reading Wonder with my daughter. It's taken us a long time, but we're getting there. She made me promise to wait and read The Julian Chapter with her :)

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    1. It's terrific you're reading together, Michele. When I read it, I wished I could have a book group with it. Maybe next year! Have a good week!

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  10. I can't tell you how excited I am that you are reading WE WERE LIARS. I can't wait to hear what you think! The book is beautifully written. I hope you enjoy it! :)

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    1. I'm trying to read the Julian Chapter first then will start. I'm excited too! There's been so much good talk about it! Thanks, Ricki.

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  11. I love that you share with us how your grandchildren enjoy the books that you read for them, and Ingrid sounds quite like the writer. You do know that we have GatheringWriters in GatheringBooks - maybe we can feature one or two of her stories on our site, that would be awesome. I've seeing a lot about Gae Polisner's book and I am definitely intrigued. all the world is an absolute favorite - marla frazee is a genius.

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  12. Wow-thanks Myra. Ingrid writes (with our help) little stories, but I'm not quite sure she's ready to publish. Thanks for the suggestion. I didn't know about Gathering Writers-will remember for the next school year!

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  13. Yes, children's books are wonderful and beyond! :)

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