It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey as a way to share what you have read and/or reviewed in the past week. It's also a terrific way to find out what other people are reading.
Jen Vincent, of Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee Moye of Unleashing Readers have given this meme a children's literature focus: picture books, middle grade novels, etc. They "encourage everyone who participates to support the blogging community by visiting the other bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.
Hopefully everyone had a relaxing and fun Thanksgiving. We had a nice time visiting with family and eating way too much, of course. The cold weather has settled in, and if we weren't watching football, I was curled up with a book. The holidays are upon us, and I have gotten out some of my favorite Christmas books to share with children. Here's what I've been reading the last few days:
Middle Grade Fiction
I had the opportunity to read a review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a review. This middle grade illustrated novel is one that will be attractive to the target audience of upper elementary kids. Sam Wu had unfortunate accident during a school field trip and now he feels compelled to prove to the whole school that he is not a "scaredy cat". Kids will definitely be able to relate to his embarrassment and will enjoy reading about Sam's attempt to get a ferocious sidekick pet, show his friends that he is not afraid of it, and eradicate a ghost that he believes is haunting his home. Because of Sam's Chinese heritage, readers also have the opportunity to learn a little about some of the foods his family enjoys. This is a fun book that will be a popular one on a middle grade book shelf.
Horrible Harry and the Holidaze (Horrible Harry #16) by Suzy Kline, Frank Remkiewicz (Illustrations)
I remember being very fond of the Addie Mills' stories when I was in fourth grade. My fourth grade teacher read them aloud to us. So I was pretty pleased when I found a copy of this Thanksgiving edition at a library book sale recently. Addie Mills is an outspoken, sassy sixth grader growing up in Nebraska in the late 1940s. She lives with her father and her grandmother and her best friend, Carla Mae, lives next door. This book tells the story of the Thanksgiving of 1947 and Addie's strong desire to live up to the meaning of Thanksgiving by becoming friends with Mr. Rehnquist. Mr. Rehnquist and Addie's father have strong animosity towards each other following a business dispute from many years prior. Young readers would be able to relate to the way Addie interacts with her father, grandmother, and best friend. There are several dramatic moments as Addie finds herself very close to getting into trouble. And there are several heartwarming moments as Addie learns about building relationship with those who are lonely and marginalized from society. This is one that would be a good addition to middle grade book collections.
Picture Books
This clever picture book shares the Nativity story with young readers using rhyming text that follows the rhythmic pattern of the famous Christmas poem "Twas the Night Before Christmas". The illustration are very detailed and beautifully colored to bring the Christmas story to life. Because of the familiar rhyming pattern, this would be an engaging, fun read aloud for church groups.
Brightly colored illustrations showcasing a New York neighborhood along with a heartwarming (and mouthwatering) story of friendship, generosity, and the spirit of Christmas make this a terrific book to share with young readers during the holiday season. Jose's family's roast is too big for his mami to cook in their small apartment oven, so Jose's father arranges to cook it in the neighborhood pizzeria's oven. While they're taking the roast out of the building, they encounter the neighbors who each seem to be unhappy about one thing or another. But as they return home with the cooked roast wafting its delicious scent everywhere, suddenly their friends are full of holiday cheer. This story really celebrates the abundance and happiness that surrounds those that are ready to let go of their negativity and be in community with friends, family and neighbors. This book could definitely become a holiday favorite to have on the bookshelf.
This sweet picture book is a retelling of the nativity story using lyrical rhyming text and warmly colored illustrations. From the brown and dusty stable to the star shining brightly above, this cumulative poem would be a nice read aloud to share as a bedtime story or with a Sunday School group as a read aloud during the holiday season.
Young readers that are too excited about the upcoming holidays to focus on schoolwork will definitely be able to relate to this fun picture book. Gilbert has a homework assignment over the weekend to draw the main character of his favorite book. But the weekend is filled with holiday activities and winter fun. Monday arrives and he's forgotten all about doing his homework! This would be a good way to discuss how to balance the fun of the holiday season with schoolwork responsibilities.
This well illustrated early reader chapter book draws young readers into a cozy kitchen with a young boy and his grandpa making cookies. Mouths will water as kids read descriptions of rolling out dough and eating the scraps, baking, and decorating yummy cookies. But when all the kind neighbors start bringing plates of cookies, Grandpa doesn’t have the heart to tell them he’s just baked his own six dozen. When the two find a way to share, young readers will come away with a terrific message about sharing. This is definitely a great book to have on an elementary bookshelf during the holiday season.
This picture book is a nice way to introduce young readers to the celebration of Kwanzaa and the underlying principles that make up the special time of year. Easy to understand text and vibrant illustrations make this a terrific book to have as part of a holiday collection in classrooms and at home.
The Pig family is getting ready for the holidays and young readers will definitely enjoy sharing the fun with Oliver and Amanda as they write letters to Santa, pick out the family tree, make cookies and open presents. Easy to read text and lovely illustrations make this a good book to have as part of a holiday collection on the elementary bookshelf.
This sweet picture books tells young readers how the farm animals all prepared to welcome their special guests - Mary and Joseph and the night of the first Christmas. Lovely illustrations and simple, rhyming text will help young readers realize just how special the birth of Jesus was, making this a nice read aloud for bedtime or to share with church groups during the holidays.
Most kids are familiar with Rudolph from the famous song and the TV show. So this is a fun follow-up story that shares the message that one never shines so bright as when you're helping others. The other reindeer still make fun of Rudolph, and he begins to feel sorry for himself. His nose isn't glowing anymore either, so he runs away. He's not gone for long before he runs into trouble and has to step up to rescue some baby rabbits from some nasty wolves. His brave adventure makes him forget about his own troubles and that's when he realizes just how important he is to everyone's Christmas. This would be fun to share with kids during the days leading up to Christmas.
Beautifully painted illustrations complement this sweet story of the animals welcoming Baby Jesus when he was born in the stable. All of the animals are so happy to welcome the child, but Donkey is worried. Everyone else's welcome sounds so gentle and lovely, but Donkey's voice is so loud and harsh - "Hee-aw!" But as the shy animal comes forward, it is the Christ child that welcomes him with a smile and laughter. This could be a terrific book to share in Sunday school with the message that Jesus loves each of us and we all sound beautiful to Him when we are welcoming and praising him.
