It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 9-16-13
Books I Read this Week:
Hoop Genius: How a Desperate Teacher and a Rowdy Class Invented Basketball by John Coy, Illustrated by Joe Morse
Caroirhoda Books, 2013
Nonfiction
32 pages
Recommended for grades 2-5
A simple yet engaging account of how James Naismith took over a rowdy gym class that had already driven away two teachers that year. Naismith wanted to come up with something that the boys would enjoy playing, that wasn't too dangerous. The end result is of course, basketball!
The illustrations are an interesting choice for a book for younger audiences. The boys look a bit like 30 year old men, in part due to the time period. I am interested to see how students react when I read it aloud today.
The Boy on the Porch by Sharon Creech
Joanna Cotler Books, 2013
Realistic Fiction
160 pages
Recommended for grades 3-6
A simple country couple wake one morning to find a young boy curled up fast asleep in a chair on their porch. Getting to know the boy and figuring out where he has come from prove difficult since the boy won't speak. Through patience and a willingness to love, the couple find the boy has strengths with art. The problem remains though that the boy is not theirs and will ultimately need to leave them. While I loved the story, I am hesitant to say kids will enjoy its tenderness as much as an adult will. I'd love to hear if you have spoken with a student reader about this story!
The Eagles are Back by Jean Craighead George, illustrated by Wendell Minor
Dial Books, 2013
Nonfiction
32 pages
Recommended for grades 2-5
Story of how a young boy played a role in preserving the fragile existence of the bald eagle. The book has background information on the history of the eagle in our country on a very basic level. Would make a nice read aloud. Beautiful paintings illustrate the story.
I'm Currently Reading:
On Deck:
I finished The Boy on the Porch this weekend and handed it to a student this morning with the same hesitancy as you were feeling. She handed it back to me on her way out this afternoon, having already finished it and announced, "I absolutely loved it!" Yay!
ReplyDeleteYour comment is so funny because I had a similar experience! After book talking it to my readers I had half the class wanting to read it...Tuesday morning I noticed that the boy who borrowed the book was almost finished with the story! He was loving it and was so intrigued by the mysterious boy. I love it when I totally misjudge how much the kids will love a book that I loved!! Plus, a good book talk never hurts ;)
DeleteI love Creech but haven't read Boy on the Porch yet. Got to get that one. I can't wait to see what you think about Stitch Head.
ReplyDeleteMrs. Brown Loves Bookworms
Hello there Nicole, The Boy on the Porch is receiving a lot of love lately. I have to look out for that title. Stitch Head sounds like something I'd enjoy. Both my 11 year old daughter and husband are huge fans of basketball - will have to look for the first book for the two of them. :)
ReplyDelete