It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 8-5-13

Thanks for Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee at Unleashing Readers for hosting this weekly posting of book sharing!

I'm sitting here, making my Sunday night post a priority (as I missed last week), realizing that I might need to take a small blogging break.  The big wedding day is quickly approaching, and I'm buried in "to do" lists.  It's tough for me to step back from my routines, but I think this little break will be ok.  I am going to do my best to join Cathy at Reflect and Refine and Mandy at Enjoy and Embrace Learning create a Picture Book 10 for 10 post, which was one of my first blog posts ever last year :)

Books I Read this Week:

(Details below come from my ARC)

The Wig in the Window by Kristen Kittscher

Harper, 2013

Mystery

368 pages

Recommended for grades 4-7

I enjoyed this middle grade mystery where readers follow best friends Sophie and Grace as they work to reveal a possible murderer.  Suspect: a school guidance counselor!  The friendship between the two girls is tested and questioned, something that almost all middle school girls can relate to.  But as Sophie and Grace demonstrate, the friendships that matter most will withstand trials.  

A Place for Turtles by Melissa Stewart, illustrated by Higgins Bond

Peachtree, 2013

Nonfiction

32 pages

Recommended for grades 2-4

Lovely nonfiction picture book combining stunning visual work with factual information on human impact on turtles and their habitats.  Simple text across the top of each two page spread highlighting a key idea that is focused on more in-depth in the text box along the side of the pages.  Historical and current statuses are shared.  Part of the A Place for series.

Henry and the Cannons: An Extraordinary True Story of the American Revolution by Don Brown

Roaring Brook Press, 2013

Historical Fiction, 2013

32 pages

Recommended for grades 3-5

An awesome bit of history that demonstrates the impact of an ordinary American citizen with extraordinary drive and vision.  I remember reading about Henry Knox and his journey with the cannons in a book last year, it might have been one of the Nathan Hale graphic novels.  Either way, I was impressed by learning this then, and I find it just as impressive now!  

Simple, stark illustrations set an appropriate mood for the story.

The CIA: The Missions by Sean McCollum

Capstone Press, 2013

Nonfiction

48 pages

Recommended for grades 4-6

I'm a huge Capstone Press fan.  I love what they do with formats and with their choice of topics, writing books at 3rd/4th grade reading levels that have appeal for older students, giving many older students access to books that are "cool" and interesting.  This book speaks for itself really...it's about the CIA!  The book has a nice mixture of text features that make it easy to read in chunks.  I didn't find it overwhelming or cumbersome like some nonfiction can be.

Starring Jules (As Herself) by Beth Ain

Scholastic, 2013

Realistic Fiction

145 pages

Recommended for grades 2-4

Cute friendship story, perfect for readers that are enjoying Clementine and Judy Moody.  Jules will be getting a series of her own, so this is one to watch for as you stock your classroom libraries.  

I'm Currently Reading:

On Deck: