2010 Reading Challenge

I read on one of my favorite librarian blogs, TLC, about the 100+ Reading Challenge hosted by J.Kaye I've always kept lists of classroom reading, and I've encouraged the kids to keep reading logs, but I've never been organized enough to keep a record of my own reading. This is the year...I'm itching to get started today on this goal of reading 100 books by December 31, 2010. I'll keep the list on the sidebar of this blog and also on Library Thing. I hope that some of you will join me on this reading adventure!

Those Shoes

Holiday time might be the perfect time to read Those Shoes by Maribeth Boelts with the second grade. It's a great story to kick off a discussion about the difference between needs and wants. Jeremy wants a pair of black high tops that "everyone" at school is wearing. His grandmother can afford only necessities. The story results in Jeremy learning a lot about generosity and friendship. One second grade boy said that this is a great book for Christmas because it shows "the joy in your heart that you feel when you give." What could be better?

Katie Loves the Kittens

Pet lovers were clamoring to check out Katie Loves the Kittens by John Himmelman even before it was cataloged and on the shelf. It's the story of a sweet dog who is beside herself with excitement when her owner brings home three baby kittens. Katie works hard (through many failed attempts) to find a way to make the friendship work.

Ruby Lu, Brave and True

I finally read Lenore Look's Ruby Lu, Brave and True. Ruby is a girl who I know that I would love as a friend or as a student. She loves her baby brother, her grandparents, doing magic tricks, her neighborhood, her teacher, and just about everything. The book would be great for second graders when they're studying immigration. I'm going to order Ruby Lu, Empress of Everything right now!

Thanksgiving

A parent volunteer recommended Thanks for Thanksgiving, a book that she says is a traditional read at their house in November. We used some of Julie Markes's fun rhyming text on our bulletin board in the library and paired it with student photography that illustrated some of the things that we all are thankful for. Don't miss this one. It might become a yearly read at your house, too.

If you liked Harry Potter...

After eyeing it on the shelf for over a year, I finally read Midnight for Charlie Bone by Jenny Nimmo. Fans of Harry Potter are sure to like this one. Charlie is a ten year old boy who discovers that he has the ability to hear the voices of people in photographs. Charlie and his friends try to find a girl who has been missing for years. The book is full of mystery, suspense, and magic. If you read it, be sure to let me know your thoughts. Would you like to read more of this series?

Elephants Cannot Dance

I am such a fan of Mo Willems. There is so much fun inside all of his books! He says that his books are not just for reading, but for playing. He really created a playground in his book, Elephants Cannot Dance! Some of the second graders read the book for the Pre-K. I don't know who had more fun! Be sure to check the Early Reader shelf for the Elephant and Piggie books. Play them with your child!

The Adventures of Max and Pinky

Max and Pinky have arrived on our shelves. You can get to know these loveable characters in The Adventures of Max and Pinky: Best Budsand The Adventures of Max and Pinky: Superheroesby Maxwell Eaton III.

Fox and His Friends

Edward Marshall and James Marshall's Fox series is a perfect fit for many first graders. These early readers are really clever and fun to read. I think that they'll be flying off the shelf!

Just Grace

What a fantastic book for second grade girls! Grace's dad told her that she has a superhero power called "empathy." This funny book is about how she uses that power to understand how other people feel and to help them feel better. I can't wait to read more about Grace. We have two new books about her in our library. If you have read any of the Just Grace series, please leave a comment here.

Dragon of Doom

Dragon of Doom is the first book in Bruce Coville's fun-to-read Moongobble and Me series. Moongobble is a magician who has big trouble with his spells. Edward is the neighbor boy who works as his apprentice. Together, they face the fearsome Dragon of Doom. This series has the feel of Harry Potter, but it is written for younger readers. I'm a big fan, and I think there will be many others who love this series as word spreads.

Guys Read!

Jon Scieszka's Guys Read, is a fantastic web-based literacy program for boys. I love the Reading Lists By Some Guys and For Other Guys. Take a look!

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs written by Judi Barrett and illustrated by Ron Barrett is one of those books that makes everyone smile. Who wouldn't love the idea of a hamburger blowing in from the west or a pancake, heavy with syrup, totally blanketing the school? Several first and second graders were proud to say that they had the book at home that had belonged to their mom or dad. It's a tall tale that spins like a tomato tornado and spans generations.

ABC3D

There are hundreds of different kinds of alphabet books, and our library has some of the best. My new favorite is ABC3D by Marion Bataille. It's a pop-up book, and pop-ups are always a hit! This one is just so clever. Take a look at this trailer for the book.
Check our library’s great collection of alphabet books to find one that is just right for you.

Roxie and the Hooligans

I’m sure that Roxie and the Hooligans by Newbery Medal winner, Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, will be a favorite in our second grade this year. The unlikely hero of the story, Roxie Warbler, has read and memorized her famous uncle’s book about survival techniques, and she puts those survival tips to use when she’s stranded on a desert island with two dangerous criminals and a gang of bullies. In the midst of all of her ENORMOUS troubles, Roxie realizes how lucky and how strong she really is. I loved this book!

Bats at the Library

I was hoping that Bats at the Library by Brian Lies would be a hit with first and second graders, and it was! They loved discovering some of their favorite illustrations from other books that had been made “batty.” Brian Lies is an incredible illustrator, and the rhyming rhythm of his story makes reading it so much fun. If you loved Bats at the Library, be sure to check out Bats at the Beach!”

Library Mouse

Last year, I gave a copy of The Library Mouse by Daniel Kirk to all of the first and second grade classes because the message(you have a story to tell and others might like to read your books) fit so perfectly with writer’s workshop in the classroom and my vision of the library as, not just a place for children to visit, but a place to claim as their own. This year, as Kindergarten begins writer’s workshop, Sam, the library mouse and his book joined their classrooms. I’m sure hoping to discover books from some brand new young authors in the library this year!