It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 1-30-17
Thanks to our dynamic hosts: Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kelle at Unleashing Readers. Head to either blog to find reviews as well as dozens of links to other blogs filled with reviews and recommendations!
As Boy #1 gets older, the fun grows and grows and grows. Bedtime stories are full-on serious business now. For the first year and a half it felt like it was mostly for me... Now the books are piled on the bed with gusto by the boy, and the request for repeat readings is never a surprise.
What's he into this week?:
Every time I read this one I think of Ame, so reading it twice a night is ok ;)
This cracks him up nightly.
He finds this hilarious!
I can't even explain what's going on with this selection. We read this every night 2-4 times. Seriously. And long before bedtime he reminds me that we will be reading it that night!
Books I Read this Week:
Cloud and Wallfish by Anne Nesbet
Candlewick Press, 2016
Historical Fiction
385 pages
Recommended for grades 6-8
This story takes off the moment it begins. You know those books that you think about constantly when you're not reading them? You wonder what lies on the next page, and you think about what you would do in so-and-so's shoes? This is one of those books for me. Maybe it was because I was as unsure of what was really going on as Noah/Jonah/Wallfish was! Curiosity and the thirst for learning about history was a driving force as I read this story. I loved it.
The recommended age is a tough one this time. The main character is finishing up 5th grade, but the typical 5th grader is unlikely to reach for this on their own. Even with a glorious book talk this one might be a hard sell to a reader that young. As you expand the readership upwards, you run the risk of middle schoolers not wanting to read a book about a 5th grade character (even if he and his family are awesome).
Science Comics
Volcanoes : Fire and Life by Jon Chad
First Second, 2016
Graphic Novel/Nonfiction/Science Fiction
122 pages
Recommended for grades 3-6
I LOVE this series! The blend of fictional elements with nonfiction elements, complete with in your face artwork is a win.
In this installment I was less impressed than with the others, but I don't think that will be the case with young readers. I found the science fiction side of this story to be beyond far fetched, and felt like it was a forced side storyline. I also found some of the non-paneled pages to be hectic.
Even with that less than rave review, I am still excited to get this into the hands of kids, as I don't thin they will mind what bothered me.
Science Comics
Coral Reefs: Cities of the Ocean by Maris Wicks
First Second, 2016
Graphic Novel/Nonfiction/Fish Narrator ;)
120 pages
Recommended for grades 3-6
This one hit it right out of the park again (I loved Science Comics: Dinosaurs). I find the style of this graphic novel to be more reader friendly. Maris Wicks collaborated with Jim Ottaviani on Primates. (Which a student borrowed and never returned and noI'mnotbitter)
Coral Reefs is full of relevant information for kids that want to be conscious of their impact on the environment. It (of course) explores the types, stages and functions of coral reefs, but also goes into detail explaining the various creatures that call the reef home.
This series belongs in classrooms where kids can get their eager little mitts on it at any time!
I'm Currently Reading:
Thanks for stopping by!
I'll have to try to get Cloud and Wallfish checked out this week-- it's been languishing on the shelf. Loved Ghosts and Primates, although it's hard to get Primates checked out! My students complain that the print is too tiny, but it's pretty standard for a graphic novel.
ReplyDeleteI think you'll like Cloud and Wallfish, and I'd be interested to hear your take on readership!
DeleteI haven't read any of the Science Comics. My students love graphic novels and many love nonfiction, as well so I'm thinking they would find this series interesting. I still have to read Ghost. I checked it out from the library a few weeks ago, but haven't picked it up yet. I don't know what I'm waiting for!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite Science Comics (so far) is the dinosaur one! So interesting, and shows how our understanding of the world around us is always changing. There is a cool note in the back about "facts" changing as they were writing the book. I've yet to read the newest one on Bats. There will be one on dogs soon as well-sure to be a hit!
DeleteCloud and Wallfish seems to be everywhere! I really have to remind myself to check it out!
ReplyDeleteI learn so much about world history through novels. Every new story and perspective stretches my mind in a new way!
DeleteI just love watching families come into the library and check out stacks of picture books. We have a 50-book limit, and I used to wonder who on Earth could ever want to check out that many books. And then I met parents with small children who devour books like popcorn, and I totally get it! :-)
ReplyDeleteHa! Our library has that limit too, though I don't think I want to be in charge of that many books! I also have this problem with wanting to *own* all the books ;) It's a lovely problem.
DeleteIsn't it so funny what books kid gravitate to and need to hear on repeat? My son rarely wants to hear a title twice, but he makes an exception for Mercy Watson--all of which we've read multiple times. Thanks for sharing the Science Comics--I'll be ordering one or two of these titles for my lending library.
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure at sharing the Science Comics love! The publisher, First Second, is one to watch for outstanding graphic novels.
DeleteI used to think reading the same title on repeat would bore me to death, but there is something so special to reading to someone you love, no matter how much you would rather read something, anything, else ;) I am looking forward to reading the Mercy Watson series at home!
I enjoyed reading about your reading experiences with your kid. I remember those days of reading and rereading. I agree that Cloud and Wallfish is a fabulous read and that the age of the character might be a problem.
ReplyDeleteI am so curious about the process of writing and editing a novel (particularly children's lit). It seems that when a book is SO close to being spot on, but misses in one major way, that someone should have spotted that issue early on.
DeleteI guess what I'm saying is: can my side job be reading and advising on children's lit?! Dream....
I've been meaning to read Ghost for quite awhile now - and Cloud and Wallfish does sound very very intriguing - I hope it's available in our public libraries. - Myra from GatheringBooks
ReplyDeleteGhost sucks you right in from page 1! Sort of like Cloud and Wallfish did, though they couldn't be more different. Let me know if you can't get your hands on it! I could always mail you my copy :)
DeleteEnjoy Ghost! I loved this one. Love hearing about what your son loves to read! I want to read Cloud and Wallfish but it isn't in my library.
ReplyDeleteI am loving Ghost! If you can't get your hands on Cloud and Wallfish I could mail you mine (I have offered it to Myra first, but if she CAN get it, I will send it your way).
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