Happy Summer!
Welcome to KidLit Book Club.
You are going to choose what to read. Please select texts of approx. 100 pages. For instance, you may read 4 picture books, 2 early chapter books, or a longer novel. They should be things that are new-to-you. You may read them in any format--audio, ebook, or print.
Here on the blog, please post what you've chosen to read so that others in the course can see and share. Please login to blogger so your comments are labeled or put "This is Michele" in the text of your book announcements and reviews. You are encouraged to read the blog comments and add your own to anyone else's... that's the "club" part of the course. However, peer comments, aside from your summary, are not required.
When you finish, post your review. It should include:
a one sentence gist that mentions the main character and main plot thrust,
a one sentence opinion as a reader-perhaps a favorite part,
and a one sentence opinion as a teacher-perhaps with a comment about teach points or the type of reader you'd rec the book to.
If you read 4 picture books, yes you do this for every book.
If you read 2 short early-reader chapter books, you'll submit 2 reviews.
Ex Book Report: Little Red Riding Hood by Perrault. A little girl encounters a trickster wolf in a historical fairy tale. I really enjoyed the way the suspense builds, but was surprised by the abrupt ending with the odd way the wolf dies. I would not choose to read this out loud but would recommend it to kids who want edgier, spookier reads (that really aren't all that bad).
My Real Book Report:
Making Mistakes on Purpose was absolutely hilarious and bizarre in the tradition of classic British madcap adventures. The lighthouse-boarding-school houses the unflappable Ms. Rapscott, her 2 assistant corgis, and 5 female charges, each of which has an arc. They often cross paths with their compatriots in the boys school on the mountain as they journey To the Top through many other funny community characters. Because of this intense cast, I find this book best as a read aloud for grades 3-5. The characters are 9, but the amount of peril and independence they face makes them feel more like 12. The book has a slow start and I wasn't a fan of the slow writing at the end, but OH! the adventure in between... It's a LITERAL take on metaphors so would be great to reinforce them, and the characterization of each different strong-willed girl was superb. What keeps me from rec'ing this book as a Must Read is the length... it's super long. Took me days to read and I'm like lightning. However, it's full of life lessons like how to make friends, recover from hurt feelings, and take matters into your own hands... it has gobs of discussion material great for the fall.
The book I'll be reading for this course is Primavera's Making Mistakes on Purpose. It's book 2 to a book I haven't read, but that title is amazing... https://www.amazon.com/Making-Mistakes-Purpose-Rapscotts-Girls/dp/0147517680/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1529887368&sr=8-1&keywords=making+mistakes+on+purpose
ReplyDeleteI’ll be reading Foster’s War by Carolyn Reader. I selected it because it looks at WWII from the homefront perspective. We teach about this in social studies. Also in English, students participate in WWII book groups, but most focus on the actual war or the Holocaust. I’m reading this to see if it’s a good fit for our students and can then be another option that gives a different perspective.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, this period of history is fascinating. FYI, Both starts of these homefront series won the Newbery: dePaola's 26 Fairmont Ave series is for lower readers, and Giff's Lily's Crossing is middle grade.
DeleteI might have to add those to the list as well!
DeleteI'll probably end up reading a few primary-level chapter books for this. The first one is Key Hunters #1: The Mysterious Moonstone by Eric Luper. Kind of a slightly more challenging Magic Tree House. It follows two kids (Cleo and Evan) who travel through a book looking to find their missing librarian. Turns into a mystery where they need to find out who stole a gem. I liked that it had several plausible suspects - a little meatier than many mysteries at this level. I may put it into my rotation as a read aloud - at 111 small-ish pages, it could be done in a week or so. I think the series is up to 7 books, so it would be good for those kids who have "graduated" from Magic Tree House.
ReplyDeleteThanks Josh. Course Complete. I have this series in the library! I liked it too. You can read and share as much as you want in these comments. I can talk about books allll day.
DeleteJust finished Foster’s War.... Foster Simmons is a young boy living in San Diego during WWII who tries to help the war effort while dealing with family issues as well. I like how the characters in the book are really relatable to young readers, and the author does a great job of explaining what the characters are feeling and why. I would introduce this book as a possible choice for our WWII book groups. I like that it focuses on the home front and discusses things like victory gardens and war bonds- things the students also have to know about for social studies clas.
ReplyDeleteThank you Kristina. Course Complete. Would you mind sharing what range of grades you think this book would work for?
Delete8th grade because that is the grade that studies WWII, but for struggling readers because it was a pretty easy read. I’d say grades 5-6 would be good too if the reader is interested in the topic.
DeleteThanks!
DeleteI just finished reading Lost In The Sun by Lisa Graff. Wow! What a great book :) It is about a 12 year old boy named Trent that is trying to deal with a traumatic experience. When he was in 5th grade, he was playing hockey...hit the puck....which accidentally hits a boy in the chest and kills him. Trent is trying to deal with his guilt and grief, as well as all the ups and downs of being a 6th grader. His friendship with a student named Fallon may be exactly what he needs. (Sorry, way more than one sentence!) As a reader, I was thinking this was such a dark, heavy topic...however Lisa Graff really teaches you about empathy, different perspectives on a situation, anger, grief and friendship. There are so many levels to this book. I would definitely recommend this book to more mature students who enjoy any of the above themes. I have had many kids read this book in my 6th grade class the last couple of years.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds good. Adding to my list :)
DeleteOne of my 3rd grade teachers, Nancy, turned me on to Graff. She writes things that are on the edge for 3rd gr but I read one of hers in my adv book club and they loved it. Def an author who's into "issues" and writes well.
DeleteI just finished reading Lost in the Sun and loved it. Glad you told me about it. It was interesting to see what caused Trent to have so many hardships in school and with other students. It makes me want to dig deeper when I am having problems with a student- looking to find the root of the problem. This was a unique perspective!
DeleteI read Third Grade Angels by Jerry Spinelli (the prequel, I believe, to Fourth Grade Rats - I'll have to read that next.) - Guided Reading Level 'P', 134 pages. It reads easier and faster than I'd picture a 134 page Level P text. A well-written realistic fiction book about the beginning of the third grade year. The teacher offers one "halo" per month for the best behaved kid. Our main character, Suds, wants to be the first to get it. Lots of attempting to be good, and the struggle of being good when no one is watching and being good for the right reasons. Interesting characters, humor - an overall good read. My only "problem" was the main character had a crush on a girl, which with my class last year, would have hit a little too close to home. I'm sure I'm just being an old fuddy-duddy... Possible beginning of the year read aloud to either replace or pair with How to be Cool in the Third Grade.
ReplyDeleteWow, I'm not a fan of crushes in 3rd gr characters either... fuddy duddies unite. Thanks for the review Josh. Heads up, save any more kid read reviews for Aug and get credit again!
DeleteJust finished The Honest Truth by Dan Gemeinhart. WOW! I had a ton of kids this last year read the book and I finally got a chance to read it myself. It's about a boy who has cancer and runs away from home with his dog, Beau. His dream is to climb Mt. Rainier. Perspectives change throughout the book - his perspective to his best friend at home. Amazing book - probably one of my all time favs. Dan Gemeinhart is definitely one of my new favorite authors. Like I said above, I had a ton of kids read this book, even my reluctant 6th grade boy readers, who said it was the best book they read all year. It is a great mix of adventure and empathy and you won't be able to put it down!
ReplyDelete-Sorry the "Unknown" posts are from me - Lisa Pallifrone
So you read the Graff book too Lisa?
DeleteThis is high praise! Thanks for the review, course complete.
I LOVE Dan Gemeinhart!!! Scar Island, The Honest Truth, Some Kind of Courage (read this in June...amazing hist fict!) and I just ordered Good Dog! He's great for 5th-8th.
DeleteThat unknown was me (above) sorry!
DeleteI'm reading The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora by Pablo Cartaya. I'm probably 3/4 of the way through and it's fantastic! I love the use of Spanish throughout, the community that is described, and the characters. I think 6th-8th would find this book easy to relate to and interesting...not sure how it is going to end, I'm excited though! Stay tuned!
ReplyDeleteThanks Katie! Is it realistic?
DeleteYes!
DeleteThe Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora is about Arturo and his family's attempt to save La Cocina de la Isla, the restaurant started by his beloved Abuela 20 years ago. I love all of the characters and the different stories woven throughout this book. Arturo has 2 best friends (one who happens to be a Pitbull wannabe and talks like him throughout the book), a friend/love interest from his early childhood, an intense mother who is also the head chef at the restaurant, his quiet, but insightful father, aunts, uncles, and cousins, but most importantly, his Abuela. Early in the book, she gifts Arturo a box of letters from his grandfather. The stories from the box provide insight for Arturo throughout the book. A wealthy businessman is trying to get the tight-knit community to develop the land La Cocina is on to build a high rise building. With the help of his family, friends, the advice of his Abuela, and guidance of his Abuelo's letters, Arturo learns many important lessons about life, friendship, and girls :)
I think mature 5th graders could handle this book, but our 6th-8th graders would really enjoy it. There's great use of language ("love is a giant pretzel. Twisty. Salty. It leaves you dry and thirsty.") and the characterization is fantastic. I highly recommend The Epic Fail of Arturo Zamora!
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ReplyDeleteI just finished reading Dragon Masters Rise of the Earth Dragon by Tracey West. (90 pages). The main character is Drake, who is an 8 year old peasant farmer boy in the Kingdom of Bracken. He is unexpectedly whisked away by one of the king's soldiers because he was chosen by the king's wizard to provide service to the kingdom. Once at the castle, he learns that he is one of 4 children who have special connections with dragons that are secretly kept in the castle, and he is learning to become a dragon master. I read this book because 4th grade teachers are going to have Fantasy book clubs as part of our ELA curriculum this year. This was a fast read and should hold the attention of 4th graders. This is the first book in the series, and hopefully students who read this book will want to read more books in the series since the book alludes to more adventures and danger to come. It is easy enough and engaging enough that it should be accessible to many of the 4th graders.
Thanks Beth! this was one of the most popular series in our library last year.
DeleteJubilee by Patricia Reilly Giff was suggested to me by a 5th grade teacher and her class after they did it as a read aloud. Jubilee, really named Judith, lives on an island with her aunt and dog. She relies on cartoons (included in the book) to help her communicate. There is a lot of internal thinking throughout the book to help the reader understand her silent struggles. The teacher in the book is portrayed in a positive light and she tries to help Jubilee as she struggles. Aunt Cora and Gideon are part of Jubilee's circle of trust- they support her and guide her throughout the book. I love the descriptions of the settings throughout the book- an abandoned house, the docks by the water, the animals swimming about at the water's edge. This book would be great for 4th or 5th graders who loved Touchblue or A Handful of Stars, Mockingbird, or Fish in a Tree.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Katie. Giff continues to be a thoughtful author for children. She's a gift!
DeleteHello! Not my forte to do a book report, um review, but I'll give it a shot. Having not read any of the popular series Judy Moody, I read #11, The Bad Luck Charm. Judy makes a (souvenir) penny and just so happens to experience "good luck" multiple times. That ends up changing and changing back again until she loses the penny and realizes good things can happen without the penny. Kids will relate to the banter she has with her brother, Stink, and especially like the part when the penny falls in a toilet. Although not a book that might be considered great literature, any series that can hook kids into building stamina to read is a good series. I think even boys might give it a try after reading the Stink series, since Stink has a major presence in the book as well.
ReplyDeleteFYI, I didn't publish the above at 6:32 am. Its 9:33. It's summer and I'm not awake at 6:30 if I don't have to be.
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