Nonfiction Graphic Novels: Jay-Z, Sharks and Dinosaurs

Over the last couple of weeks, I have read a couple of non-fiction graphic novels and I was so excited to find them. Today I wanted to share 3 of them with you. They will be a great addition to classroom libraries. 

Title: Jay-Z: Hip Hop Icon

Author: Jessica Gunderson

Illustrator: Jessica Junderson

Publisher: Capstone Press
Publication Date: January, 2012

Genre/Format: Nonfiction/Graphic Novel

Goodreads Summary: In 2003 Jay-Z retired from making music. He had made award-winning albums, founded a record label, and had his won line of clothing. He walked away, but he couldn't stop writing songs. Three years later, he was back on the charts with a hit album and the title of Greatest MC of All Time. 

     Track this hip-hop hero as he makes it in the music world and become one of the best-known rappers in the world.

What I Think: I am so glad that I picked this book up at my school's book fair. 

     Jay-Z's life definitely fits the rags to riches saying and this book highlights his life as he transcended from being poor in Brooklyn to being one of the most famous rappers of all time. I like how the book was set up as an interview making it a bit more than just a timeline of his life. I also loved that the author made sure to throw in his rhymes throughout the book to add to the narrative. I think this book is pretty well done and will be a big hit in the classroom.

Read Together: Grades 6 to 8

Read Alone: Grades 6 and up

Title: Discovery Channel's Top 10 Deadliest Sharks

Author: Joe Brusha, Andy Dehart

Illustrator: Shawn Van Briesen

Publisher: Zenescope Entertainment

Publication Date: December, 2010

Genre/Format: Nonfiction/Graphic Novel

Goodreads Summary: Sharks are one of the world's oldest and most ferocious predators. For as long as man has entered the sea, sharks have struck fear in their hearts. This groundbreaking graphic novel from Discovery Channel and Silver Dragon Books examines the world's deadliest sharks and sheds light on their true nature, refuting the notion that they are mindless killing machines, but in reality are among the most amazing and well adapted creatures on earth.

What I Think: I am so glad that Discovery Channel is making nonfiction graphic novels- there is definitely a market out there and it is smart to jump on it. 

     I am pretty fascinated with sharks and am always looking for new books for me and my students- this one will definitely be added to my classroom.
     I enjoy how the book is set up- it is a graphic novel that is filled with diagrams, scientific facts, narrative nonfiction, traditional literature and geography. And it makes sure to emphasize how important sharks are to the ecosystem and that we are a bigger threat to them then they are to us.

Read Together: Grades 3 to 6

Read Alone: Grades 4 to 7

Title: Discovery Channel's Dinosaurs and Prehistoric Predators

Editor: Robert Greenberger

Authors and Illustrators: Joe Brusha, Neo Edmund, Paul Kupperberg, Aaron Rosenberg, Jim Spivey

Publisher: Zenescope Entertainment

Publication Date: April, 2011

Genre/Format: Nonfiction/Graphic Novel

Goodreads Summary: Zenescope's second book in its new, all-ages imprint, Silver Dragon Books, takes you on an adventure back in time with Discovery Channel's Dinosaurs & Prehistoric Predators. Nothing captures the imagination of kids likethe prehistoric world of Dinosaurs, and this book features all their favorites Velicoraptors, Triceratops, and T-Rex all come to life in this exciting andgroundbreaking new graphic novel.

What I Think: Once again, I am impressed by this nonfiction graphic novel that Discovery Channel has put out. They have really jumped on something that had an open market and by starting with sharks and dinosaurs, they'll probably have a lot of quick fans. And once again, I really enjoyed how the book was set up including diagrams, blurbs, history, timelines, reenactments, etc. 

     Also, I love when I find new information to me in a book. I am a pretty big dinosaur fan, but I didn't know pterodactyls could fold their wings and walk on land and I was very happy to finally learn why we don't call apatosauruses brontasaurus anymore.

Read Together: Grades 3 to 6

Read Alone: Grades 4 to 7

I *heart* Them All

Some other nonfiction graphic novels I know of are: 

        

What do you call this format since graphic novel doesn't seem quite right? 

Are there any other non-fiction graphic novels you know of? 

Liar & Spy

Title: Liar & Spy
Author: Rebecca Stead
Publisher: Random House Children's Books
Publication Date: August 7th, 2012
Genre/Format: Realistic Fiction/Novel

Goodreads Summary: When seventh grader Georges (the S is silent) moves into a Brooklyn apartment building, he meets Safer, a twelve-year-old coffee-drinking loner and self-appointed spy. Georges becomes Safer's first spy recruit. His assignment? Tracking the mysterious Mr. X, who lives in the apartment upstairs. But as Safer becomes more demanding, Georges starts to wonder: how far is too far to go for your only friend?

     Liar & Spy is an inspired, often-funny story about destiny, goofy brilliance, and courage. Like Stead's Newbery Medal-winning When You Reach Me, it will keep readers guessing until the end.  

What Jen Thinks: I love Rebecca Stead's writing. I enjoyed it in When You Reach Me and have read First Light, as well. I just recommended First Light as a contemporary science fiction actually. I just love how lyrical her writing is. When she writes about the characters and the places they go, she seems to have a perfect blend and mix of how she describes them. It's hard to describe...I just know I love it. 
     Similarly to When You Reach Me, Stead takes readers on an unknown adventure with Liar and Spy. Having read When You Reach Me, I kept thinking and wondering and trying my hardest to figure out how she was going to surprise readers at the end...or if she was even going to! I think it's easy to get caught up in the wonderful characters and how they interact and their problems and to put aside the idea of something larger looming in the future of the story. That might be the brilliance of Rebecca Stead. Sure, we know somehow there is something not quite right, but at the same time, there is so much going on between George and school and his relationship with his dad and his new friend, Safer, that there isn't much time to spend dwelling on what part of the story we aren't being told. It just makes me want to smile and shake my head that she is able to pull this off. To me, it's a feat of an awesome author. Bravo!
What Kellee Thinks: Georges doesn't really enjoy school, because even his ex-best friend doesn't really associate with him. On top of that, his family has had to sell their home and move to an apartment because his architecture dad lost his job meaning his mother is always at the hospital working doubles. All Georges wants right now is something good to happen (and maybe a distraction) and Safer is exactly what the doctor ordered. Safer, a 12 year old home schooled boy who lives in his new apartment complex, is the founder of the Spy Club and it is now up to Georges and Safer to find out what is really going on in the apartment. The reader will also want to find out what happens to Georges at school where the bullying is just getting out of control. 
     This book is a great book of friendship, family and a proclamation that being different doesn't mean you have to be alone. 
     Rebecca Stead is a master at telling stories that are not what they seem at the beginning. Just like When You Reach Me, Liar & Spy is a mystery where clues are revealed slowly throughout the book. 
     Also, I love when art is integrated in a book and Rebecca Stead does it beautifully in this one. Georges was named after George Seurat because his mother loves Seurat's "Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte" (they even have a print of it hung up in their living room). She says that we are all just dots of a bigger, beautiful picture just liked Seurat's artwork. The Seaurat print (or Sir Ott as Georges says) becomes a character in itself when it becomes a confidant of Georges on nights when he is home alone.
     Oh, and I truly love this character- Bob English Who Draws- in the book. He is Georges's science partner and is quite the character. His spelling ideas are very interesting...
Read Together: Grades 4 - 7
Read Alone: Grades 4 - 8
Read With: When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead, Lemonade War (series) by Jacqueline Davies, See You At Harry's by Jo Knowles, Pie by Sarah Weeks, Capture the Flag by Kate Messner, Chase Against Time by Steve Reifman, A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
Snatch of Text:  "I think of all those thousands of dots Seurat used to paint the picture. I think about how if you stand back from the painting, you can see the people, the green grass and the cute monkey on a leash, but if you get closer, the monkey kind of dissolves right in front of your eyes. Like Mom says, life is a million different dots making one gigantic picture. And maybe the big picture is nice, maybe it's amazing, but if you're standing with your face pressed up against a bunch of black dots, it's really hard to tell." (Read on Kindle, page numbers unavailable)
Mentor Text For: Dialogue, Predicting, Characterization
Writing Prompts: Write about a time in your life when you felt all alone - maybe when you felt like no one could understand how you were feeling or you felt like you couldn't talk to anyone about how you were feeling. How did you deal with the situation? Did you finally confide in someone? 
Topics Covered:  Art, Bullying, Friendship, Spelling, Family, Fitting in, Economy, Love, Denial, Adversity, Self-Confidence, Courage

Jen  and Kellee*heart* It:

and

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 08/06/12

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!

Last Week's Book Adventures:

Jen Says: I've been listening to Rapture by Lauren Kate all week. I have enjoyed the series and am looking forward to finishing it and writing a review of the series! I had meant to finish and review Girl Parts but it ended up being a horrible week for real reading for me! I was at work three days and after putting in so much time there, I just wanted to come home and hang out with my family. I did start Girl Parts and I'm soooo intrigued by it already but I haven't gotten very far. (I had to postpone my review...but I'll get to it soon!) I didn't even crack open Real Revision yet either! It was so sad. This week my youngest son will be back in daycare so I'm hoping I'll find some more time to read....but I will be at work two days this week, too, so we'll see!

Kellee Says: I am trying to savor these last couple of weeks before school starts because I know my reading will diminish greatly. First, I finished Bitterblue the third book in the Graceling series and I adored it. It was different than the other two, but I think it added a nice element into the series. The other novels I finished were Capture the Flag by Kate Messner which is a great mystery book and would be a wonderful read aloud to discuss idioms and to make predictions and Athena's Son by Jeryl Schoenbeck which I definitely will be reviewing for you. 
     In addition I read a bunch of graphic novels this week. I'll be reviewing Anne Frank on the blog, but the others I mostly read for pleasure. I linked them to my Goodreads review if you'd like to see what I thought. 

• Princess at Midnight by Andi Watson
• The Storm in the Barn by Matt Phelan
• Cardboard by Dough TenNapel
• Explorer: The Mystery Boxes edited by Kazu Kibuishi
• Fist, Stick, Knife, Gun: A Personal History of Violence, a True Story in Black and White by Geoffrey Canada
• Brody's Ghost: Book 1 (Volumes 1 & 2) by Mark Crilley
• Cirque Du Freak, Vol. 1 (Manga) by Darren Shan
• Anne Frank: The Anne Frank House Authorized Graphic Biography by Sid Jacobson

     I also read some picture books this week. I was lucky enough to go to the Orlando Museum of Art where there was a John Rocco show and they had illustrations and sketches from all of his picture books and covers. While there I was able to read some of his work. I also continued to read nonfiction books. Jen and I will be reviewing Annie and Helen for you as well as have a special surprise. I also plan on reviewing Lost Boy and Muhammad Ali because they were superb. I enjoyed all of the John Rocco books but I think Moonpowder was my favorite.

• John Brown: His Fight for Freedom by John Hendrix
• Lost Boy: The Story of the Man Who Created Peter Pan by Jan Yolen
• The Legend of the Curse of the Bambino by Dan Shaughnesy
• Muhammad Ali: The People's Champion by Walter Dean Myers
• Annie and Helen by Deborah Hopkinson
• Moonpowder by John Rocco
• Wolf! Wolf! by John Rocco
• Fu Finds the Way by John Rocco

Reviewed Last Week:

  

   

Just click on any picture above to go read the review

Upcoming Book Adventures: 

Jen Says: I am trying to be super optimistic but also realistic about my reading this week! I plan to finish Rapture on audio and I have From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler to listen to next (I have never ever read it!). I am going to at least get started with Kate Messner's Real Revision as well as work on a professional text on mentoring/coaching from school. *crosses fingers*

Kellee Says: Right now I am listening to Black Heart by Holly Black, the 3rd book in The Curseworkers series, and hope to finish it this week. I started Star Challenges: Moonbase Crisis by Rebeca Moesta and Kevin J. Andserson which is a book my father gave me  which was written in conjunction with the Challenger Educational Center and Star Challengers. Many NASA people including Neil Armstrong and Sally Ride read it and loved it AND my dad got it autographed by the authors and June Scobee Rodgers, whose husband was on the Challenger. I also want to read The 9/11 Report, Who Was King Tut? and hopefully One for the Murphys, some Rick Riordan books and possibly Death Cure. We'll see!

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 Ten

If you read this blog at all, it's obvious Kellee and I do a lot of reading. There are definitely people who do read more than us, but I think we rock at reading. When I think over all the reading I have done in my life, I think of books I loved and books I hated (yes...hate is a strong word, but, really, there are books that I absolutely abhorred). Of the books I really loved, there are some that stand out to me as books I can identify with as a writer. All of them I can appreciate as a reader and a writer, but I'm talking specifically of the books I feel like the author wrote about me. There are just some books I have read and thought, "This is totally me!" This author is writing about me!

Obviously, the author is not writing about me, but so much of what we read we identify with, albeit differently depending on who we are. It's undeniable that we, as people in general, do share experiences and feelings, and that's how books can be cherished by so many people - and worldwide even, but there are a few books that completely speak to each of us. With these books in mind, that's where my current WIP started. I know what I love about books I have read and I have them in mind as I write my own. 

It seems like every Friday, when I share my writing for Friday Feedback on Gae's blog, I remind/announce/warn everyone my WIP is mega-girly. I don't mean it as an apology, but I've gotten comments from people telling me it's soooo girly...finally, I've decided to tell people ahead of time.

The point of this post is really two-fold. First, it's important that you recognize the books that speak to you as a place to start a WIP. Write what you know and what resonates with you - don't try too hard, just write what feels right. Second, when it comes time to talk to others about your writing, it's a good idea to be able to share what books or authors similar to your work.

I'm not at the stage of writing a query letter just yet (a letter to a literary agent or publisher that asks them to consider your book), but I have seen people talking about finding an agent and what exactly goes into a letter - and what absolutely does not. Part of a query letter is to give a quick synopsis of your book and tell the genre or what books it is similar to. I'm not sure if this is the case for everyone, but since I have already identified with those books that I love and jive with, I know exactly whose books I would compare mine to. If you haven't thought about this before, now is the time!

I think it would be fun to share some of my inspiration for my WIP and to hear what author(s) or book(s) you would say your work is similar to. This is just for fun, but I think it helps to have this in mind as your write and also as you get ready (hopefully sooner than later) to write a query letter or just talk to people about your book!

My current work in progress is similar to books by Meg Cabot, Sophie Kinsella, and Lauren Myracle (at least according to me...). In my opinion, all of these ladies are awesome at writing realistic fiction about strong girl characters who are managing life and love in their own charismatic and hilarious ways. Here are some of my favorites by each of these authors:

Meg Cabot

The Princess Diaries (series)

All-American Girl

Queen of Babble

Sophie Kinsella (adult)

Confessions of a Shopaholic (series)

Undomestic Goddess

I've Got Your Number

Lauren Myracle

Peace, Love, and Baby Ducks

Ten, Eleven, Twelve, Thirteen, Thirteen Plus One (Winnie Perry series)

  

If you haven't read these books but enjoy (or think you might enjoy) (or know someone who would enjoy) uber-mega-girly stories, I recommend all of them.  Just pick one and start - they are all amazing!

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:
What book(s) or author(s) are similar to you and your current work-in-progress?

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!

Search for Lost Things

Title: Author: Illustrator: Publisher: Publication Date: Genre/Format: Summary: What I Think: Read Together: Read Alone: Read With: Snatch of Text: Reading Strategies to Practice: Writing Strategies to Practice: Writing Prompts: Topics Covered: Translated to Spanish:

Penderwicks, Penderwicks, Penderwicks!

Title: The Penderwicks, 
The Penderwicks on Gardam Street, 
The Penderwicks at Point Mouette     
Author:  Jeanne Birdsall 
Publisher: Random House Children's Book   
Publication Date: June 2005, April 2008, May 2011   
Genre/Format: Realistic Fiction/Novels 
GoodReads Summary: The Penderwicks -  In this middle-grade novel, a summer of exciting new experiences awaits the lively Penderwick sisters at a summer rental cottage on the large Berkshire estate of Mrs. Tifton, a snobby heiress. With a spacey but loving botanist father, 12-year-old Rosalind is often in charge. Her younger sister, Jane, age 11, is a writer with a dramatic flair. Skye, 10, is fond of exploration. And Batty, the littlest at four, favors Halloween-colored butterfly wings at all times. Along with the owner's musically talented son, Jeffrey, and their trusty dog, Hound, the girls undertake all manner of adventures. 
The Penderwicks on Gardam Street - The Penderwick sisters are home on Gardam Street and ready for an adventure! But the adventure they get isn’t quite what they had in mind. Mr. Penderwick’s sister has decided it’s time for him to start dating—and the girls know that can only mean one thing: disaster. Enter the Save-Daddy Plan—a plot so brilliant, so bold, so funny, that only the Penderwick girls could have come up with it. It’s high jinks, big laughs, and loads of family warmth as the Penderwicks triumphantly return.
The Penderwicks at Point Mouette - When summer comes around, it's off to the beach for Rosalind . . . and off to Maine with Aunt Claire for the rest of the Penderwick girls, as well as their old friend, Jeffrey.
     That leaves Skye as OAP (oldest available Penderwick)—a terrifying notion for all, but for Skye especially. Things look good as they settle into their cozy cottage, with a rocky shore, enthusiastic seagulls, a just-right corner store, and a charming next-door neighbor.  But can Skye hold it together long enough to figure out Rosalind's directions about not letting Batty explode?  Will Jane's Love Survey come to a tragic conclusion after she meets the alluring Dominic? Is Batty—contrary to all accepted wisdom—the only Penderwick capable of carrying a tune?  And will Jeffrey be able to keep peace between the girls . . . these girls who are his second, and most heartfelt, family?
     It's a rollicking ride as the Penderwicks continue their unforgettable adventures in a story filled with laughs and joyful tears!
What I Think:  I recently caught up on one of my favorite series for middle grade readers and knew it was time I officially talk about these books here! Jeanne Birdsall has published three books about the Penderwick sisters. I read on her website that the plan is to write five altogether. First of all, I think the covers of all of these are brilliant. They all show silhouettes of the sisters instead of actually drawings or illustrations of them. I love that you can see their energy as they race by on the covers but at the same time you can imagine them as you like from Birsdsall's description without anything getting in your imagination's way. I've always thought the kids look like they are having a great time on the cover, it makes me want to chase after them...or read the book and go along on their adventures.
     Each of these books takes place in a different setting but the sisters are constantly encountering new things and learning from their life experiences. I love how each sister is so unique but they all compliment each other at the same time. They definitely take care of each other and watch out for each other. I've read that people don't agree or dislike the fact that they get along so well and they seem too nice but I think because they don't have a mother, it has forced them to be closer. I also think that if sisters grow up spending so much time together, looking out for each other, and involved in each others lives instead of off in classses and sports and things like that, I can see how they have strong relationships like these girls. Or maybe I'm just more understanding because I love the books.
     Having read all three of these books, it's fun to see how the characters have grown. So much has changed since the first book. Really, all of the girls have matured. In the third book, Rosalind (the oldest sister) and Mr. Penderwick are off doing something different than Skye, Jane, and Batty so they aren't main characters in most of the book. I thought the book was fun without them but I do recognize how much I enjoyed Mr. Penderwick's lamentations or advice in Latin.
     As a mentor text, I think these books are great to look at in terms of characterization and also in how Jeanne Birdsall weaves the girls' stories together. She gives the reader insight into each of the character's lives but at the same time she is able to switch from telling the story from one character's point of view to another with, what seems like, ease. The characters are so different and unique and they seem to know pretty much who they are, which I think helps readers understand them. I know I have heard writing activities about knowing your characters inside and out and looking at how Birdsall introduces and then expands on our understanding of each girl would be great for young writers.
     One last thing! I did listen to all of these as audiobooks and the same narrator does all of them. She is amazing! I love listening to her voice, it's calm and soothing and seems to match the feel of the books perfectly. I might even go on the record as saying she's my female version of Jim Dale...she's just that great.
Read Together: Grades 3 - 6 
Read Alone: Grades 4 - 7 
Read With: Fig Pudding by Ralph Fletcher, The Trouble with May Amelia, Our Only May Amelia, and Turtle In Paradise by Jenni Holm, Marty McGuire (series) and The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z. by Kate Messner, Countdown by Deborah Wiles, The Wright 3 (seres) by Blue Balliett Pie by Sarah Weeks
Snatch of Text:  
“The cuter the boy, the mushier your brain.”
―The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy
“...even a tiny bit of deceit is dishonorable when it's used for selfish or cowardly reasons.

- Mr. Penderwick”
―The Penderwicks on Gardam Street
"Until now, Jane's biggest crushes had been on boys in books, especially Peter Pevensie, who became High King of Narnia. There'd been others. Tom Hammond from Leepike Ridge, Finin Tabinner from Journey to the River See, and though he was so small, Spiller, from the Borrowers books. "
-The Penderwicks at Point Mouette
(I have listened to all of the Penderwick books so I don't have page numbers. Sorry!)
Mentor Text For: Making Connections, Making Inferences, Identifying Story Elements, Personal Narrative, Characterization, Descriptive 
Writing Prompts: Write about a time in your life when a sibling or another trusty friend was there for you when you needed him or her. 
Topics Covered: Siblings - Sisters, Family, Friendship, Love, Trust, Loyalty, Imagination, Summer, Music, Writing, Authors, Latin, Drama - Theater

I *hearts* Them All:

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**