The Boy Who Was Raised by Librarians by Carla Morris

Summary from the publisher:

Melvin lived in the Livingston Public Library.  Well...he didn't really live there.  He just spent lots and lots of time there.  Everything has its place in the library and Melvin likes it that way.  His favorite people- Marge, Betty, and Leeola-are always in their places behind the reference desk.
When something interests Melvin, the librarians help him find the very best information on the subject.  When he collects creepy bugs in a jar, they help him identify, classify, and catalog them.  When he is cast as the Enormous Eggplant in the school play, they help him find his motivation.
Melvin can always find the answers to his questions- and a lot of fun-in the library.  Then one day he goes off to college to learn new things and read new books.  Will he leave the library and his friends behind forever?


In this adorable book by first time author, Carla Morris, readers fall in love with Melvin, the book loving little boy who they watch grow over the years.  He gets to experience so many things in the library and develops a family like relationship with the librarians who work behind the desk.  They help him to see all that the library has to offer and what the librarians can help him to learn, find and discover.  The illustrations are lovely and show wonderful expression in each of the characters.
This would be a wonderful book to be read by a librarian, but also by a teacher.  Teachers are just like the librarians in this story, helping their students to learn, find and discover as well.

The Straight Line Wonder by Mem Fox

Summary from the publisher:

Three straight lines are the best of friends.  But when one of them gets tired of standing straight all the time, anything can happen.









Although the characters in this story are simple lines, readers will quickly identify with the relationships being portrayed in this story because of the friendship that they hold.  Although they are the best of friends, when one of the lines tries to be different, his friends are very cruel and not understanding of what he is trying to do.  This is a great story for the beginning of the school year as classrooms are trying to set up the social dimension of the classroom.  A great classroom conversation and partner conversations can happen around what Mem Fox is trying to teach readers as they find out what happens to the line who tries to be a little bit different from the crowd.

The Best Book to Read by Debbie Bertram & Susan Bloom

Summary from the publisher:

How does a book-loving boy choose what to read?  Picture books, chapter books, books that pop-up, nonfiction, and fairy tales too- books on any topic that tickles his fancy await him at his friendly neighborhood library!  No matter what he chooses, surely it will be the best book to read!




This rhyming book by Bertram and Bloom is a great introduction to various genres that students can explore as they begin to find their own reading identity.  The librarian in this story helps the children find various genres and share all that they have to offer to them.  This book is also great for introducing a classroom library or even the workshop in order to help students understand that readers all like different types of books and will be reading different books throughout the year.  This is shown on one of the last pages when the illustrator has shown all the students holding different books.  It's a great picture of what the workshop looks like in action.

City Dog, Country Frog by Mo Willems

Summary from the publisher:

In spring, when City Dog runs free in the country for the first time, he spots Country Frog sitting on a roch, waiting for a friend.  "You'll do," Frog says, and together they play Country Frog games.  In summer, they meet again and play City Dog games.  Through the seasons, whenever City Dog visits the country he run straight for Country Frog's rock.  In winter, things change for City Dog and Country Frog.  Come spring, friendship blooms again, a little different this time.

Smoky Night by Eve Bunting

Summary from the publisher:

During a night of rioting in Los Angeles, fires and looting force neightbors--who have always avoided one another-- to come together.  This is a story about cats -- and people-- who couldn't get along until a smoky and fearful night brings them together.





This is a must share book in any upper elementary class or even a middle or high school class.  There are so many lessons to be learned in this story that it usually fits well within a social studies lesson.  I often times shared this story when talking about core democratic values because of the issues of racism that are discussed, but not explicitly.  But I have also used this during a reading lesson because there are many wonderful writing techniques used that can assist young readers really get into the story and have deep conversations around the story.
I also love the pictures used in this story.  It's no wonder that David Diaz won the Caldecott Award for this story.  The acrylic painting along with the collage techniques makes for wonderful illustrations to go along with the story that really bring out the dramatics of the events that are happening throughout this story.

Ugh

I'm a day behind....I'll catch up tomorrow :O(

The Pout-Pout Fish by Deborah Diesen

Summary from the publisher:

Deep in the water,
Mr. Fish swims about
With his fish face stuck
In a permanent pout.

Can his pals cheer him up?
Will his pout ever end?
Is there something he can learn
From an unexpected friend?

Swim along with the pout-pout fish as he discovers that being glum and spreading "dreary wearied" isn't really his destiny.  Bright ocean colors and playful rhyme come together in this fun fish story that's sure to turn even the poutiest of frowns upside down.


My sons' school shared this book with our family last year.  It was part of their library time and they both loved it right away.  This is a great tale of the unexpected learning of a down and out fish who does nothing but pout and mope about all day long.  I love the rhyme that continues throughout the story and the bright illustrations that accompany this adorable tale of what happens when the pout-pout fish learns a lesson from a beautiful friend in the sea.
This is a great story to share poetry with young readers and writers.  The predictable rhyme and repetition in this story assist young readers with "reading along."

The Wonderful Book by Leonid Gore

Summary from the publisher:

Deep in the woods, a rabbit finds a mysterious object.  "What is this?" he asks.  "It looks like a wonderful house for me."  And he wriggles inside for a nap.  Later he hops away and a bear lumbers by.
"What is this?" the bear asks.  "It looks like a wonderful hat for me."  And he puts it on his head.  One by one different animals find the object and transform it into whatever they need it to be.  But it's not until the little boy comes along and know exactly what it is.  It's a wonderful book!  And all the animals gather around to share the truly wonderful story that's inside.



This simple book, by Soviet Union born Leonid Gore, is the perfect book for young readers and listeners.  This is a short story that has pages filled with illustrations to match the text perfectly which helps young readers understand the text which has some complex word choices.  As each creature tries to use the book, it's not until the boy reads the story inside that they fully appreciate all that the story holds.  The Wonderful Book would make a great beginning of the year story.

Clink by Kelly DiPucchio and Matthew Myers

Summary from the publisher:

Clink was a state-of-the-art robot with the dazzling ability to make toast and play music at the same time.  But that was many years ago.  Now kids want snazzier robots who do things like play baseball and bake cookies.  So day after day, Clink sits on a shelf and sadly watched as his friends leave with the new owners.  He almost gives up on ever finding a home- unit the day Clink spies a boy who just might be able to be the right one for him...



This is yet another great tale from Michigan author, Kelly DiPucchio.  I picked this up to add to my DiPucchio collection to share with the students and staff at my school before she visits us in March.  I read online that this story is very similar to the children's classic, Corduroy.  I would have to agree.  It's very heartwarming to watch, as this story progresses, the sadness that Clink experiences and then ends up having a change in emotions as he may have found the boy for him.
This story teaches more about character and determination than I could see it being used in reading or writing, but I'm sure that there are plenty more lessons in this story as well.

Miss Alaineus: A Vocabulary Disaster by Debra Frasier

Summary from the publisher:

Sage has misheard and misunderstood one of Mrs. Page's weekly vocabulary words.  Her error leads to a humbling catastrophe: a momentous tragedy, in front of the entire class.  Can Sage turn her vocabulary disaster: an event bringing great misfortune, into a triumph: a true success?





I love using this story in my classroom!  There are so many different uses and lessons that can be used in throughout this story especially when teaching writing. I absolutely love the play on words and my students always get a chuckle out of the mistakes that she makes when she misunderstands the words.  There is also another lesson in the alphabet sentences that are around the edges of the story.  It's a great vocabulary story that can help writers increase their potential word choice in any story that they may write.

The Big Test by Julie Danneberg

Summary from the publisher:

Mrs. Hartwell is preparing her class to take the Big Test. Knowing they have studied and are well-prepared, she helps the students practice how to sit quietly, fill in the bubbles, and follow the directions. She even instructs them on proper morning-of-the-test nutrition. As her students grow increasingly anxious about the Big Test, Mrs. Hartwell realizes she has to teach the most valuable test-taking skill of all: learning to relax!

 

 In Michigan, our standardized testing comes very early in the year.  It makes our teachers think about test prep from the very first day of the year.  That's why I immediately picked this up off the back to school shelf at the book store this week. 

In this story about preparing for a big test, the teacher teaches the students how to show what they know by teaching them about all the "unfun" parts of test taking.  She shows them how to fill in bubbles, how to sit properly, how to be quiet, and on and on and on.  It makes the students very nervous as the big day approaches.  As the tension mounts, the story concludes with a surprise ending that is sure to make students and teachers smile.  This is a great book to share with students as this time approaches and to learn the real lesson in this story which is to just relax. 

Miss Brooks Loves Books (and I don't) by Barbara Bottner

Summary from the publisher:

With the help of Miss Brooks, Missy’s classmates all find books they love in the library—books about fairies and dogs and trains and cowboys. But Missy dismisses them all—“Too flowery, too furry, too clickety, too yippity.”  Still, Miss Brooks remains undaunted. Book Week is here and Missy will find a book to love if they have to empty the entire library. What story will finally win over this beastly, er, discriminating child? William Steig’s Shrek!—the tale of a repulsive green ogre in search of a revolting bride—of course!

Barbara Bottner and Michael Emberley pay playful homage to the diverse tastes of child readers and the valiant librarians who are determined to put just the right book in each child’s hands.

What a sweet book for both avid and reluctant readers!  Maybe I'm partial to this story because I want to be like Miss Brooks.  I want to help kids find their story that helps them to get addicted to reading.  But I think that even young readers would love listening to the story and seeing the illustrations of Miss Brooks dressed up in her silly costumes to get kids loving stories.  This would be a great story for the beginning of the year and introducing a teacher to their class.  Librarians woudl even be able to use this story as well for introducing themselves to their patrons or students.  I love the illustrations and simple captions that accompany some of the pictures.  I hope to be like Miss Brooks this year when helping my at risk readers and will be using this book.

Savvy by Ingrid Law

Summary from the publisher:

For generations, the Beaumont family has harbored a magical secret. They each possess a "savvy" -a special supernatural power that strikes when they turn thirteen. Grandpa Bomba moves mountains, her older brothers create hurricanes and spark electricity . . . and now it's the eve of Mibs's big day.

As if waiting weren't hard enough, the family gets scary news two days before Mibs's birthday: Poppa has been in a terrible accident. Mibs develops the singular mission to get to the hospital and prove that her new power can save her dad. So she sneaks onto a salesman's bus . . . only to find the bus heading in the opposite direction. Suddenly Mibs finds herself on an unforgettable odyssey that will force her to make sense of growing up -and of other people, who might also have a few secrets hidden just beneath the skin.

I'll be honest, I haven't finished this book yet.  I'm getting through it pretty quickly and am almost finished so I thought I would share another chapter book today.  This Newberry Honor winner is a wonderful fantasy tale of a young girl and her family who each receive a savvy on their thirteenth birthday.  When Mibs turns thirteen, she too receives her savvy but in an unexpected way.  The strong female character in this story has drawn me in and gotten me hooked to her tale of adventure that she ends up going through on her birthday in order to see her father who has been in an accident.  I'm not a big fan of fantasy stories, but this one has me wondering what will happen and what twists will be coming next.  This is another great mentor text for a fantasy unit for intermediate and middle school readers.

The Night I Followed the Dog by Nina Laden

Summary from the publisher:

"I have a dog. Nothing exotic or special, just an ordinary dog. In fact, I always thought he was a boring dog. What I mean is, he can fetch, roll over, and shake hands, but mostly he sleeps and eats."
Or so the little boy in this story thinks, until one morning when he opens the door a little early and sees his dog jump out of a limousine. That night he decides to follow his dog, and that's when the fun starts.
Before he knows it, he has entered the little known world of doggy glamour. His dog, distinctly reminiscent of Humphrey Bogart, treats him to a nighttime adventure where he learns where dogs go to relax and sees what they do while their masters are fast asleep. A terrific read aloud, Nina Laden's story will have everyone captivated by the coolest dog around.

This is a cute little tale of what dogs do after dark.  The narrator tells the tale of why he loves his dog more than any other dog, but that wasn't always the case.  It's not until the night he follows his dog around town that he discovers what really happens after dark.  This would be a great mentor text for a fantasy unit.  With talking dogs and human features that only come out at night, readers have to use their imagination to follow the storyline in this silly story that young and older readers will both enjoy.

Dad, Are You The Tooth Fairy? By Jason Alexander

Summary from the publisher:

When Gaby overhears some older kids on the playground saying that the tooth fairy is just make-believe, he goes straight to his father to find out the truth. The enchanting tale his dad tells him of a time long ago when mysterious and magical creatures lived on the earth will delight and entertain children and adults alike. For any child who has ever wondered about the existence of the tooth fairy, this original and reassuring story will satisfy their curiosity and give them the power to believe magical things can happen!

I came across this story as I was looking on Storylineonline.net.  This story is written by the actor, Jason Alexander.  This is the story that he told his son Gaby as he was questioning the truth behind the tooth fairy.  Listening to this story on the computer by the author makes this a story a little more heartwarming.  However, it is a little long and very "wordy."  But if parents are looking for a way to explain the truth behind the tooth fairy, this story would do the trick.  It is an honest answer to the question that so many parents dread, but at the same time, he keeps the magic alive throughout his explaination.  It should however come with a warning (it does com with a warning in the online version) that this is going to give away the truth behind the question.  I love the animated and playful pictures that help to tell this whimsical tale. 

The Wednesday Surprise by Eve Bunting

Summary from the publisher:

Anna and Grandma are planning a surprise for Dad's birthday. Dad thinks he has received all his presents, but Grandma stands up and gives him the best one of all: she reads aloud the stories that Anna has taught her.

Okay, I'll admit it.  I'm cheating a little bit today (and most likely this whole week while my family is on vacation).  This isn't a new book to me.  I've read it dozens of times.  But it's one of my favorites and if teachers aren't familiar with it, they need to be.  So, I'm bringing it to you.  This is a sweet story of the joy young and older generations can share with each other.  But it also brings the joy of literacy and lesson about it in the story as well.  Eve Bunting books always tug at my heart and can usually bring a tear to my eye the first few times I read them.  This one did just that as you get to the end of the story and realize what has happened.  This is such a sweet story that I love to share with my students at the beginning of the year  or at the start of book clubs to talk about the importance of sharing stories together.  A must read and a must have for every classroom library.

Muncha Muncha Muncha by Candance Fleming

Summary from the publisher:

After years of dreaming of planting a garden, Mr. McGreely finally takes hoe and watering can in hand and makes his dream come true. Unfortunately for him (but luckily for readers), this is not the happily-ever-after part of the story. Late one night, three hungry bunnies appear: "Tippy-tippy-tippy, Pat! Muncha! Muncha! Muncha!" The next morning finds our farmer gnashing his teeth over the gnawed sprouts. So he builds a small wire fence. That night... "Muncha! Muncha! Muncha!" So Mr. McGreely builds a tall wooden wall. You get the idea. Young readers will hang on every word until they find out, once and for all, who will win the battle of the broccoli.

This cute story for young readers (or listeners) has another great use...teaching onomatopoeia.  Throughout the story, the author uses many different phrases (crash, dash, munch, tippey) to help the readers understand what it would sound like.  This story will also keep kids engaged as they try to figure out what the famer will do next and if the rabbits will be able to create a way to overcome his attempts.  A great story for young listeners but it would also fit in well as a mentor text for a fiction writing unit.