Power Play

Title: Power Play: A Graphic Guide Adventure

Author: Liam O'Donnell

Illustrator: Mike Deas

Publisher: Orca Book Publishers

Publication Date: April, 2011

Genre/Format: Realistic Fiction-Mystery/Graphic Novel

Goodreads Summary: Devin and Nadia team up with Bounce, Pema and Marcus as they all travel to Northern Ontario to watch their parents present to the Summit of World Leaders. A swarm of politicians, lobbyists, corporate bosses and protestors have all converged on the summit to get their messages heard. A tragic accident just hours before their parents' presentation plunges the kids into their biggest mystery yet and sets them on the trail of a murderer bent on stopping their parents' controversial message from being heard. 

     It's a fight against the planet's power players as the kids dive into the world of politics, uncovering how government works, the history of democracy, the influence of lobbyists and corporations on politicians and the potential of civil society to change it all. 
What I Think: Power Play takes place during the Summit of World Leaders where the biggest issue is about clean water for all. The main characters are a group of kids which are smack dab in the middle of the controversy- big companies vs. the little guys who want clean water- and the conflict is turning up. Soon someone is dead and only the kids are interested in finding out the truth behind what is going on.

     Through the narrative, the story not only entertains but teaches as well. It discusses and introduces many different aspects of politics including how the government works, summits, democracy, protests & civil disobedience, lobbyists, and the different levels of government. And the book does such a good job at weaving the information into the story. It would be such a wonderful asset in a social studies or civics classroom. 

     What I loved most about the book is how seamlessly the authors switched intbetween teaching and entertaining. Very rarely did the informational parts of the story not seem to fit within the actual narrative. Though the informational aspects are shown almost as diagrams, less like a comic, the inclusion of the info doesn't seem forced. This book, I believe, could really assist social studies teachers as they work to incorporate more literacy into their classrooms as Common Core rolls out. 

     Though I haven't read the other books in the Graphic Guide Adventure series yet, I did notice that this particular book includes the information aspect of the graphic novels differently than the others. In Power Play, the information is more of a sidebar or graphic aid added into the story while in the other books, if a certain piece of information is needed for that panel, a information box is put at the top of the panel explaining what you need to know. I look forward to reading the others in the series. 

Read Together: Grades 5 to 10

Read Alone: Grades 5 to 8

Read With: The rest of the Graphic Guide Adventure series, Nonfiction books about government and water quality

Mentor Text for: Predicting, Asking questions, This text is less a mentor text than a graphic novel that can be used across curricula to connect literacy and civics

Writing Prompts: Approximately 1.1 billion people do not have access to clean, safe drinking water. What can you do to help these people or help the crisis that affects this many world citizens? 

Topics Covered: Government, Politics, World Summits, Water, Controversy, Democracy, Protests, Civil Disobedience, Lobbyists

I *heart* It:

Marvelous Maisy Mouse!

I can never get enough of wonderful series books! I was excited to get Maisy at the Beach: A Maisy Sticker Books by Lucy Cousins from Candlewick Press to review. I realized I couldn't just talk about this singular book because all the Maisy books are fun!

Lucy Cousins' Maisy series is full of colorful picture books about Maisy Mouse and her friends. They go to the library, on vacation, camping, and even the beach - and that's just getting started! I love how kids can learn about Maisy's everyday-adventures through these books.

Cousins has over 21 million book in print and Maisy even stars in her own TV show. It's hard not to smile when you see the vibrant illustrations and Maisy's smiling face. The Maisy books are perfect for preschool- and kindergarten-age students. The text narrates a play-by-play of Maisy's experiences for readers to join in on Maisy's fun. Because the books span so many different topics, they are perfect to read before or after kids get to partake in their own Maisy-like adventure. This makes these books ideal for ELLs or students with hearing loss like my students. The language is clear and matches the pictures which makes them wonderful for kids to act out. The My Friend Maisy website shares activities and ideas for more activities. Kids can also join the Maisy Fun Club where you can read books online, print coloring pages, play interactive online games and even find recipes and crafts.

Maisy at the Beach is a sticker book that is perfect for helping kids follow directions and think closely about directional phrases. Being able to follow directions is an important skill! The book comes with directions that ask parents to tear out the sticker pages and put them next to the open pages of the book so kids can look at both at the same time. We have other sticker books in our house, but this book is definitely about kids interacting with the text and listening to what the text is saying.

If you aren't familiar with the Maisy books, I definitely recommend them for young children and especially for kids in special education or English Language Learners. And if you know kids who love Maisy, don't forget another beloved mouse - Miss Babymouse - for when those Maisy fans get a bit older!

 
**Thank you to Candlewick Press for providing a copy of his novel for review**

Attack on Pearl Harbor

Title: Attack on Pearl Harbor

Author: Shelley Tanaka

Illustrator: David Craig

Publisher: Hyperion Books

Publication Date: April, 2001

Genre/Format: Nonfiction/Informational text

Scholastic's Summary: As thirteen-year-old Peter Nottage stood in the yard, watching in disbelief, a group of Japanese fighter planes swooped down, spraying machine-gun fire across thee water. Then the first bomb dropped - and in minutes, Kaneohe Bay was a sea of smoke and flames. To the south, at Pearl Harbor, the huge ships of the American feet were ablaze. This was no drill. This was war!

     Through vivid eyewitness accounts, Attack on Pearl Harbor re-creates the dramatic moments of the unforgettable day that America entered World War II. 

What I Think: Shelley Tanaka does an amazing job of transporting the reader into the terror (for Americans) and excitement (for Japanese) of December 7, 1941 and the Pearl Harbor attack. Told from 4 different point of views, 2 American and 2 Japanese, the reader gets to see how all different types of people planned, dealt with and reacted to the attack. The perspectives range from an 11-year-old Hawaiian to the commander of the Japanese air attack. The book does a great job of not only being sequential, but alternating between the different points of view within the account. I love that a large amount of the story is from primary sources. 

     In addition to the text, the book has photographs, paintings, maps, and diagrams. The three additions to the text that I adored the most were two sidebars with primary accounts of the effects of Pearl Harbor on a Hawaiian girl and a Hawaiian of Japanese descent as well as a photograph of the first page of President Roosevent's speech with editing and revising completed on it. I also am glad that the author included an epilogue with "where are they now" as well as information about the Pearl Harbor memorial. Overall, a perfect book to learn about or extend knowledge on the Pearl Harbor attack.

Read Together: Grades 3 to 8

Read Alone: Grades 4 to 8

Read With: Nonfiction books on Pearl Harbor, Historical fiction books that include the attack on Pearl Harbor including the Adam Pelko series by Harry Mazer

Snatch of Text: "Wow, he thought. This was great. The Navy was holding maneuvers right before his eyes. Must be the resd team's planes against the blue team...

     One of the planes dropped a bomb right on the ramp of the seaplane hangar, setting it on fire. Metal, concrete, and glass exploded from the ground. 

     Peter started. Had one of the Navy pilots gone crazy? Somebody was really going to get it for that. 

     And then one of the seaplanes anchored in the bay was hit, and it blew up in a burst of fire. 

     Kaneohe was suddenly a sea of smoke and flames. All the seaplanes seemed to be burning. Thick black smoke began to pour from one of the buildings. Alarms grayed... 

     Peter's mother flung open the door behind them. 'It's on the radio. It's war!' she shouted. 'Those are the Japanese! We're under attack!' And she grabbed Peter's arm and yanked him into the house." (p. 32, Peter Nottage's point of view)

Mentor Text for: Problem/Solution, Fact/Opinion, Text features, Point of view, Editing/Revising, Primary vs. Secondary sources, Prediction, Making connections, Background knowledge

Writing Prompts: The author chose to inform us about the Pearl Harbor attack from four different point of views. Please determine the point of views and analyze why you believe the author made the decision to pick these individuals to tell the story. 

Topics Covered: Cross curricular- Pearl Harbor, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Japanese military, Hawaiian bases, Internment camps

I *heart* It:

 

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Flies Again!

Title: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Flies Again 
Author: Frank Cottrell Boyce 
Illustrator: Joe Berger 
Publisher: Candlewick Press 
Publication Date: March 2012 
Genre/Format: Fantasy/Novel 
Summary: When the Tooting family finds an old engine and fits it to their camper van, they have no idea what kind of adventure lies ahead. The engine used to belong to an extraordinary car . . . and it wants its bodywork back! But as the Tootings hurtle across the world rebuilding the original Chitty, a sinister baddie is on their trail -- one who will stop at nothing to get the magnificent car for himself.

Fueled by wry humor, this much-anticipated sequel to the children’s classic by Ian Fleming, creator of James Bond -- featuring a contemporary family and a camper van with a mind of its own -- is driven by best-selling, award-winning author Frank Cottrell Boyce and revved up by Joe Berger’s black-and-white illustrations. 
What I Think: I love reading books that were made into movies I remember from when I was a kiddo. As an adult I read Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll, Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren, Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers. When I watched the movies I didn't know they were based off of books. It was interesting to read the books and see how they were different from the movies.
When I got Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Flies Again to review, I realized I had never read the original! I listened to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang on audio. It was a quick listen and a fun adventure of a book. I love how Frank Cottrell Boyce captured the spirit of the first book in this current story about Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. I'm not sure kids today know the Chitty Chitty Bang Bang movie or the book, and they really don't need to to read this book. It definitely can stand alone but I have to say I was a little more excited knowing the first story as I read this one. I could feel the connection and the history with the car.
In Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Flies Again, Frank Cottrell Boyce introduces readers to a new family: the Tootings. The Tooting family has three kids, a mom, and a recently unemployed father. It's so funny to see how the three kids relate to their parents and each other. They definitely act their age but it's also still evident that they care for each other and their parents. I love it! This text makes for a good study of characterization and dialogue for young writers. On their adventure they learn about each other, about Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, and about recognizing who they can trust. It's a fun adventure!
Read Together: Grades 3 - 5 
Read Alone: Grades 3 - 5 
Read With: Chitty Chitty Bang Bang by Ian Fleming, A Whole Nother Story by Cuthbert Soup, Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket, We Are Not Eaten By Yaks (Accidental Adventure series) by C.A. London 
Snatch of Text: 
"'What do you call her?'
'What?'
'Your camper van. A motor like that should have a name. It's not like it's some run-of-the-mill four-wheel drive with satnav and a super de-icer. That's a vehicle with heart; that's one you're going to need to talk to - to coax around corners and swear at when she won't start.'" p. 42

"'Listen to that!' yelled Dad. 'That is a beautiful sound. That is music.'
It sounded more like an earthquake. It also felt like one. The branches of the tree shook. Squirrels scattered. Birds fled. A storm of leaves and acorns whirled around Jem's head. 'Stop! Dad! Turn it off!'" p. 48
Mentor Text For: Activating Background Knowledge, Making Connections, Visualizing, Making Inferences, Characterization, Description, Personal Narrative, Dialogue
Writing Prompts: Write about a time when you worked on a project or task with a parent, and adult or any other family member. Describe how you felt while you were working together and when you were finished. 
Topics Covered: Family, Siblings, Dreams, Friendship, Listening, Trust, Loyalty, Adventure

I *heart* It:

 
**Thank you to Candlewick Press for providing a copy of his novel for review**

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 07/30/12

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? From Picture Books to YA! 

It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journeys. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It's also a great chance to see what others are reading right now…who knows, you might discover that next “must read” book!

After doing the meme for a couple of weeks, we realized this would be a fun meme to start up with a kidlit focus - anyone reading and reviewing books in children's literature - it can be picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, you name it in the world of kidlit and it's in! We have loved being a part of this meme and we hope you do too!  We encourage everyone participating to go and visit the other kidlit book bloggers that link up and to comment on as many posts as you can. We love talking books and believe in sharing and discussing what we're reading. We hope you join us!

Before we begin this week, We wanted to share with you the importance of today. 

Exactly 1 year ago, I (Kellee) was lucky enough to become part of Teach Mentor Texts!!! Jen and I met on Twitter approximately 18 months ago (because we both love Baby-sitter's Club!). Then we met FTF about 14 months ago and we had the idea of me joining and within 6 weeks, I was being introduced. Since then it has all been up hill. I have loved every minute of collaboration with my fabulous blog partner and today I wanted to share with you some of my favorite posts over the last year: 

Our first dual review: Breadcrumbs

My first solo review: Forge

Picture Book Month

Jen's challenge: Picture Book Mini Reviews (1, 2, & 3)

Jen and my adventures at NCTE/ALAN

John Green Week and Defending Intellectual Freedom

Starting the Monday Meme

My first series: Dystopian vs. Post-Apocalyptic

National Reading Day

Participating in Jen's A-Okay to Reread in April Series

Blogiversary: Kick off, Ginny Rorby Interview, Jo Knowles Interview, Jack Ferraiolo Interview, Ellen Potter Interview, and the Two-Year Blogiversary with Reading Is... Video

Jen's Amazing Wonder Post

Book Blogger Cookbook

Science Fiction Book List

Last Week's Book Adventures:

Jen Says: Honestly, I think every week this summer has been a busy week! We were in Nashville for a few days but I got some reading down on the drive down and a little bit at night. I was able to finish Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Flies Again. It's really fun and I'm excited to share more about it in my review tomorrow! I'm going to be reading Girl Parts this week to review on Saturday. I also finished Jeff Anderson's 10 Things Every Writer Needs to Know. It was great. I also finished the third Penderwicks book. I loved it! A little bit different from the other two, but still so great. I love the writing. 

Kellee Says: I had a phenomenal time visiting my parents in Chattanooga and though I find that vacations are some of the hardest time to read, I think I did pretty well. I finished From What I Remember on the car ride and I adored the book. I now see why Jen loved it and I am now on the bandwagon. I was able to finish  Insurgent (Divergent #2) and I was not disappointed. I know that the 2nd book of trilogies are always very full of info but I feel that it is a great set up for the finale. The other novel I read was Liar and Spy, Rebecca Stead's newest novel, and I cannot wait to review it with Jen in a couple of weeks. 
     I've been trying to bulk up on nonfiction in preparation for CCSS, so this week I read three biography picture books: Sojourner Truth's Step-Stomp Stride by Andrea Davis Pinkney (which I will definitely review because I loved it!), A Wizard from the Start: The Incredible Boyhood and Amazing Inventions of Thomas Edison & Odd Boy Out: Young Albert Einstein by Don Brown. 
     Lastly, I read some wonderful illustrated and graphic novels: Frankie Pickle and the Closet of Doom by Eric Wight, Franny K. Stein: Lunch Walks Among Us by Jim Benton, Fangbone! Third-Grade Barbarian & Fangbone! The Egg of Misery by Michael Rex, Mal and Chad: The Biggest, Bestest Time Ever! & Mal and Chad: Food Fight! by Stephen McCranie and finally Middle School is Worse than Meatloaf by Jennifer L. Holm. I truly enjoyed all of them though I loved the Mal & Chad books, Frankie Pickle and Middle School. 

Reviewed Last Week:

   

  

Just click on any picture above to go read the review

Upcoming Book Adventures: 

Jen Says: I have a professional book on coaching to read this week because this year I will be working with the Teacher Mentor Program at my district. I'm also going to start Real Revision. I know I have Rapture by Lauren Kate to listen to on audio - it's the last in the series! But I'm not sure if I have something else to listen to. It'll be a whim of a reading week!

Kellee Says: I started Bitterblue and I cannot wait to curl up with it and get-a-reading. I also hope to read Capture the Flag by Kate Messner, Athena's Son by Jeryl Schoenbeck as well as a couple of Rick Riordan books (Kane #3 & Olympians #2).  Finally, I have a bunch of nonfiction books I hope to read. I cannot wait for this week (Only 2 more weeks before I go back to school!!!!!!!!). 

This Week's Reviews:

       

Check back throughout the week to hear about these books. 

So, what are you reading this week? 

Please link up below and don't forget to check out other blogs to see what they are reading!

 and

TMT Summer Writing Group - Week Nine

I owe (what I consider) my success with writing this summer to Teachers Write! Teachers Write motivated me to focus and get into the mode of writing. I feel accountable to everyone going through Teachers Write in the sense that I want to be able to share my own writing experiences and I also want to be there for others as they write.

About a month ago, I realized Brian Wyzlic and I were talking a lot on Twitter about my writing and his writing and writing in general. His comments on Friday Feedback were also really helpful to me. One time they spurred a whole discussion about my WIP that helped me brainstorm some ideas and think about where my story could go. I’ve been able to read some of Brian’s writing, too and I know he has been willing to share and accept constructive criticism.
Then I had an epiphany and realized I wanted to ask him to work together as mini-critique-writing-support-group partners. And he said yes! What Brian and I have set up is a very focused and specific version of Teachers Write. It has made my life as a writer and my writing so much better. I’ve invited Brian to chat with me about how we’re supporting each other and why we think having a writing partner really works.  

Hi Brian!

Hi, Jen!

When you asked me about being a mini-critique-writing-support-group partner (MCQSG, pronounced “ma-QUIZ-gah” [I just made that up; I hope you’re okay with that]), I was flattered, and then excited. And then I realized that meant I had to do things.

You see, Teachers Write has been helpful, but it’s been very much a cafeteria-style thing for me. I take what I want, I leave what I don’t, and on some days, I don’t stop by at all. Before long, I was starving, not writing at all. You asking me to be your MCQSG partner was like dragging me back to the cafeteria and forcing me to eat. You’re making sure I’m writing.

This is something I personally needed. Having someone there to do something as simple as ask “Hey, did you write today?” has taken me from writing every now and then to writing nearly every day. Beyond that, the advice and encouragement you have given me has been big. Sometimes, as I’m responding to something you’ve said or written, I’m realizing things about my own WIP, so it’s kind of like I’ve been helping myself even when I’m helping you. It turns out that saying yes to being your MCQSG partner has been the most selfish thing I could do to help my own writing.

First of all, MCQSG is just one reason I knew we would be able to work well together...I come up with something ridiculous and you find a way to make it even more ridiculous! I’ve already forgotten what those letters even stand for because all I hear in my head is maquizga.

If I could give any advice to other Teachers Write participants about finding their own maquizga, it would be to take time to find someone who you get along with, who understands what you are doing (and is kind of in the same place), but most of all, who is going to be straight with you. A maquizga should be someone who can be brutally honest but who also makes you feel hopeful and ready to write on after dispensing that sometimes hard-to-hear feedback.

Secondly, it really makes me feel so great to know that I have been helpful to you. We talked the other day about how, while we have both written different amounts, we still have each written more than what we had at the beginning of the summer. I really believe that even when you aren’t writing you are still writing. Just being part of Teachers Write has changed my whole outlook on life...I see a story everywhere I look. Sometimes I’m not able to write everyday, but checking in with you and talking about what we’ve been doing and knowing that I’m going back to my writing at some point, helps me feel like I am really truly in this for good. I feel so much more serious and committed by having Teachers Write, first of all, but even moreso from having a maquizga.

Now, Jen, if you don’t mind, I’m going to take a moment to address our readers.

Something that we’ve found really works well for us (and helps to keep the ideas organized and flowing in other collaborative efforts I have [yes, Jillian Heise, that’s a shout-out to you]) is using Google Docs. Jen began a doc one day, and it has become a place for us to share any frustrations we’re having, or quotes and advice that help us out. Our schedules are very different: Jen writes in the morning in her laundry room while I write in the afternoon in my. . .well, I don’t know what room it is (someone: quick, come up with a name for a room with a dinner table, wine and liquor cabinets, bookshelves, and camping supplies).

We don’t have a lot of real-time conversations (though they certainly do happen). Most of our conversations are through the Google Doc, e-mail, or Twitter (often DMs). In fact, this very post was written over the course of over a week and a half, back and forth on a Google Doc. It works for us. It helps us help each other. Find something that works for you. Maybe it’s a phone call. Maybe it’s grabbing lunch once a week. Or maybe it’s a Google Doc. But find your maquizga, and find a way to make it work for you.

Don’t just take our word for it! I recently read about people making big life changes in Pathways to the Common Core by Lucy Calkins, Mary Ehrenworth and Chris Lehman. They explain that states adopting the Common Core Standards are engaging in major school reform. What they share about how to be successful with this change can also apply to those of us tackling Teachers Write:

“Dr. Ed Miller from Johns Hopkins says, ‘If you look at people after coronary-artery bypass grafting two years later, ninety percent of them have not changed their lifestyle’ (Deutschman 2007, 4). Deutschman points out that the only situation under which health patients improved was when the call for them to change their habits was accompanied by weekly support groups. ‘If the threat of death does not motivate people who are ill [to change], what on earth is going to motivate teachers to change?’ Fullan asks. He answers, ‘deep engagement with other colleagues and with mentors in exploring, refining, and improving their practice as well as setting up an environment in which this not only can happen, but is encouraged, rewarded, and pressed to happen’ (65)." p. 181

The authors encourage teachers to work together, talk together, share, ideas and support each other to move towards achieving the Common Core Standards. Having a continuing support group is what works for health patients, it can work for teachers as we go forward with Common Core, Brian and I have found that having a maquizga has proved that it also works for writers.

Teachers Write has brought so many of us together in this large online community. (Thank you, Kate! Thank you, Gae!) Now, Brian and I encourage you to seek out a maquizga or a small group (maquizgai?) to support you and your writing as well.

This is where we huddle up, put our hands in, and cheer gooooooooo maquizga!

My rules for the TMT Summer Writing Group:

1. We respect each other and the types of writing we do.

2. We only criticize each other constructively.

3. We are positive and encourage each other at all times.

4. We recognize and maintain this as a safe environment.

**I reserve every right to put the smackdown

on anyone who messes with our positive energy.**

Today, in the comments section:
Do you have a maquizga or small group you work with?
How does working with them look like for you?

How did you do this week? Did you meet your weekly goal(s)?

What was the pit of your week? (The hardest part, the not-fun part?)

What was the peak of your week? (The bet part, the most-fun part?)

What are you looking forward to and planning for the week ahead?

Thanks for stopping by and have a great week of writing!

 

Chloe, Instead

Title: Chloe, Instead 
Author: Micah Player 
Illustrator: Micah Player 
Publisher: Chronicle Books 
Publication Date: April 2012 
Genre/Format: Realistic Fiction/Picture book
GoodReads Summary: Molly always dreamed of having a sister who is just like her. But she got Chloe, instead. These two sisters are nothing alike: Molly loves to color with crayons. Chloe prefers the taste of wax. Molly loves to read. Chloe prefers to nibble a book s spine. Molly is frustrated! But then she realizes that maybe sisters aren t the ones next to you on the piano bench, they re the ones dancing to the music you play! This humorous, perceptive snapshot of sibling love is perfect for those who may need a bit of convincing what fun little siblings can be!
What I Think: I love books about siblings! I have a younger sister and now I have two kids who are brothers (obviously...). This book was so perfect for my own experiences on both accounts. It's so interesting to be a parent and to witness firsthand and all the time how siblings interact. I have to say, my younger son is very different from my older son. He really is a tornado and reminds me of Chloe from this book. The idea of having a baby brother or sister is so exciting but when they are first born all they really do is sleep. It's not like you have a built-in friend right from the beginning. It just takes time for the baby to grow up a bit and to be able to be a friend. My youngest is two now and he is able to play more with his older brother. 
     What I'm really saying is that this book was perfect for our family because it so accurately captured how an older sibling might feel about a younger sibling. I think any family with multiple kids would be able to relate to this book. We have two boys in our family and the book has two girls, but we easily made connections with everything from the book. It also helped us start a discussion about how Little Bean really is the baby and how he does need time to grow up and learn how to share and take turns.  As a mom, I love books like this because it makes having that kind of discussion seem natural and not forced or like it's coming out of nowhere.
     As a teacher, I can see how talking about siblings can generate some great ideas for young writers. Family stories are fun stories. Kids can think about a funny or embarrassing family story or they can interview their family to ask about some of their memories. My nephews were just visiting last week and my husband told them something about each of them when they were little. It was so interesting to hear the curiosity in their voices, they really wanted to hear more. I think having kids interview family members to learn about family stories they may not know is so much fun. 
Read Together: Grades Pre-K - 5 
Read Alone: Grades 1 - 5 
Read With: My Name is Elizabeth by Annika Dunklee, Emma Dilemma by Kristine O'Connell George, Take Two! A Celebration of Twins by J. Patrick Lewis and Jane Yolen, Al Capone Does My Shirts by Gennifer Choldenko, The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall, See You At Harry's by Jo Knowles, Drums, Girls, and Dangerous Pie by Jordan Sonnenblick
Snatch of Text:  

"I was hoping for 

a little sister who was 

just like me.

But I got Chloe, instead."

Reading Strategies to Practice: Activating Background Knowledge, Making Connections 
Writing Strategies to Practice: Narrative, Personal Narrative, Interview, Expository, Characterization 
Writing Prompts: Write about your favorite family story. Interview a member of your family or a neighbor and ask him or her to tell about a fun family story. 
Topics Covered: Siblings, Family, Sharing

I *heart* It:

Captain Underpants

Title: Captain Underpants series 

Author: Dav Pilkey

Illustrator: Dav Pilkey

Publisher: Scholastic Children's Books

Publication Date: 1997 to 2012

Genre/Format: Fantasy-Humor/Illustrated Novel

Goodreads Summary of Adventure of Captain Underpants (#1): Pilkey plays with words and pictures, providing great entertainment. The story is immediately engaging - two fourth-grade boys who write comic books and who love to pull pranks find themselves in big trouble. Mean Mr. Krupp, their principal, videotapes George and Harold setting up their stunts and threatens to expose them. The boys' luck changes when they send for a 3-D Hypno-Ring and hypnotize Krupp, turning him into Captain Underpants, their own superhero creation. Later, Pilkey includes several pages of flip-o-ramas that animate the action. The simple black-and-white illustrations on every page furnish comic-strip appeal. The cover features Captain Underpants, resplendent in white briefs, on top of a tall building.

What I Think: Ever since I started teaching I have had Captain Underpants fans in my classroom. Readers (especially boys) love these books. This last year, when I taught intensive reading, my students loved that I read so much but were astonished that I had never read a Captain Underpants book, so I promised them this summer that I would read the entire series.  And suprsingly, I am happy I did. I enjoyed the books so much and I found many different ways that I could use in the series in classroom. As I read I not only enjoyed the stories (well most of them, the booger one was quite gross) but kept notes on different ways each book could be a mentor text.  I know that students already love the books so I would love to be able to use them in the classroom. 
     Some of my favorite things that are addressed in the series are spelling, grammar and vocabulary. The spelling is not directly addressed; however, Harold and George misspell a lot of words and it would be good to use to talk about phonics and spelling.  Also, each book begins with an anagram which is great word play.  The grammar is sporadic only showing up in some books, but the vocabulary is in all of them.  Some vocabulary I found was billowing, narratively convenient, fizzled, improbability, jubilant, mock, scurried, and merciless and that is just in book 3! Each book also has some great alliteration- each title alone has alliteration in them. There are also allusions, puns (mostly in the flip-o-ramas) and onomatopoeias. 
     Lastly, I love the set up of the novels. They are a great mix of novel, graphic novel, comics, and picture books. It is a great transition between picture books and Diary of a Wimpy Kid. I especially like the flip-o-ramas. They are unique to the Captain Underpants books and I think it puts a great interactive and kinesthetic feel to the books. 
     One thing I do not understand is why these books are challenged. Yes, they have some potty humor. Yes, the adults aren't the best representation of teachers. Yes, it is silly. But they are harmless and actually have some really great qualities to them. 

Read Together: Grades 2 to 7

Read Alone: Grades 3 to 6

Read With: Diary of a Wimpy Kid series by Jeff Kinney, Big Nate series by Lincoln Peirce, Charlie Joe Jackson's Guide to Not Reading by Tommy Greenwald, The Adventures of Ook & Gluk by Dav Pilkey, The Adventures of Super Diaper Baby by Dav Pilkey, Lunch Lady series by Jarrett Krosoczka, Frankie Pickle series by Eric Wight

Snatch of Text: "Warden Schmorden was known far and wide for his cruelty and strictness. He once sentenced a prisoner to a year of solitary confinement for ending a sentence with a preposition." (#9, p. 36) 


"'I've heard a lot about you two, said the rabbi, 'and I don't want you boys playing any of your tricks today.'
     'Silly Rabbi,' said George, 'tricks are for kids!'" (#5, p. 55) 


"[H]e had his won personal drinking fountain, because . . . well, would you use a drinking fountain after a Bionic Booger Boy had globbered all over it?" (#6, p. 98)

Also, check out some flip-o-ramas by going to Scholastic's click-o-rama site. The puns are hilarious. 

Mentor Text for: Allusions, Onomatopoeia, Grammar, Paradox, Rhyming, Alliteration, Spelling, Vocabulary Development, Anagram, Comics/Paneling, Puns

Writing Prompts: In the first Captain Underpants, Harold and George brainstorm a superhero including his name and then create a comic based on their superhero. With a partner, brainstorm a name for a superhero and then complete a story to go along with your superhero. To expand it even more, complete a comic for your superhero. 

Topics Covered: Comics, Humor, School, Science, Math

I *heart* Adventures of Captain Underpants and most of the series including the newest Captain Underpants and the Terrifying Return of Tippy Tinkletrousers:

 

The 2012 Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award

The Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award (AEWA) is an award given to young adult books by the Assembly on Literature for Adolescents (ALAN). The AEWA was established in 2008 and has been awarded since 2009.  The criteria of the award is that the book must have widespread teen appeal, literary merit and a positive approach to life. I love that it does not only focus on the writing, but what is within the story. 

Its winners so far have been Steven Kluger's My Most Excellent Year: A Novel of Love, Mary Poppins and Fenway Park, Kristin Cashore's Fire and Francisco X. Stork's The Last Summer of the Death Warriors and its honors have included books by Jordan Sonnenblick, Matt de la Pena, Rick Yancey, Jaqueline Woodson, Neil Gaiman, Matthew Quick, Kristen Chandler, Justina Chen Headley, Jenny Valentine and Jill S. Alexander, all amazing authors. I was honored to be present at the ceremony for the 2010 and 2011 awards where I got to see many of these authors share the stories behind the books. I could definitely tell why the chosen authors were honored. 

Last summer when I was told that the ALAN was looking for new members to join the AEWA committee, I was so excited to even have the opportunity to apply. When I was accepted to be part of the committee, I was ecstatic and so honored. I didn't think that something like an award committee was something that I would ever be able to be part of, but here I was suddenly part of one! 

Over the last year, the committee considered nearly 300 young adult titles throughout the process. The committee consists of 11 members including librarians, universities and K-12 schools. Through the process, we narrowed it down to 4 finalists and 1 winner. I am happy to share them with you today. I have reviewed all of them in the past, so if you would like to learn more about them please click on the book covers. 

WINNER

FINALISTS

          

          

Congratulations to all of the award winners 

and I truly recommend you read all of these books if you haven't yet,