Gertie's Leap to Greatness

Although she lives in the same town, Gertie's mom decided when Gertie was a baby to leave her in the care of her dad and aunt and pursue her own life without Gertie.  Filled with spunk and determination, Gertie decides she will prove to her mom that she is worthy to be recognized by her by becoming the "greatest fifth grader" at everything.  And so the adventure for greatness begins.  Published in 2016, author Kate Beasley and illustrator Jillian Tamaki help us turn sorrow into smiles as Gertie realizes the true meaning of "greatness."  Powerful themes include what it means to be a family, how we handle loss/abandonment, disappointment, and friendship.  

Teach 5th Grade Poetry with a Relevant New Verse Novel

Don't teach poetry this year to grades 4 - 8 without using Laura Shovan's new verse novel about a 5th grade class that tries to save their school from closing.  Separated into four school quarters, with poems in various style formats, each student shares their voice about their school and 5th grade.  4 stars for identifying what many 5th grade students may be thinking as they consider entering middle school, and 4 stars for creativity.  A quick read, and a good discussion book about speaking up for what we believe.  I received an advance readers' copy....will be published in 2016.

Applause for Echo

A very special harmonica unites multiple stories to teach lessons of hope, friendship, family, and perseverance through war and hardship.  I recommend Echo as a read-aloud for grades 4 or 5 or a self-read for grades 5 and up, but it certainly will appeal to students (and adults) of all ages who love a good mystery.  4 stars because as one story ended on an unexpected note, I was literally bellowing out loud, "No, what happened?"  But it all ended well.  Great history lessons, too, that are captured in mystery and even a bit of fantasy.  (Guided Reading Level Y)

A Book that Belongs in Every American Classroom

Containing full color portraits and period illustrations, two-time Caldecott Honor illustrator Brian Pinkney and author Andrea Davis Pinkney received the 2013 Coretta Scott King Book Award for these artful stories of ten men from different eras in American history.  Organized chronologically, you will be absorbed in a literary walk from slavery to the present day. The biographical stories are engaging illustrated narratives describing the mens' childhood influences, their accomplishments and motivations, and the legacies they left for future generations. Every classroom, and every American home, should have a copy of Hand in Hand. The ten black men highlighted include Benjamin Banneker, Frederick Douglass, Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. DuBois, A. Philip Randolph, Thurgood Marshall, Jackie Robinson, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Jr, and Barack H. Obama II.  Click here to listen to the author describe her inspiration for this important book.

Be One of the First People to Read the New Joan Bauer Novel

This past fall I had the privilege of listening to Joan Bauer read the opening chapter of her unpublished new novel, Tell Me.   Joan, a Newbery Honor Medalist and author of 11 other young adult novels, always writes characters who make you smile, cry, ask life questions, and find hope for the future.  This opening chapter kept me on the edge of my seat and wanting to hear more.  Read the book's summary and pre-order your book by clicking here.  I anticipate Tell Me will be read by many middle-school girls this coming school year and, based on the opening chapter, I anticipate giving it a high star rating.  Until then…can't wait for its formal release on Sept. 16.

A Timeless Story! Welcome to a Classic.

  

My new sixth grade friend Hannah recently told me that her favorite book is this classic 1800's title from the Elsie Dinsmore series.  I can't say I have read this one yet, but it's now at the top of my list, because I'll take Hannah's word for it.  Elsie is an eight-yer-old who lives on a Southern plantation.  Her mother is dead, and she has never known her father.  She often feels rejected, unloved and misunderstood, but she longs to one day know her real father.  These sound like emotions we can all identify with at some point in our growing up years.  Thanks, Hannah, for spiking my interest in the classics.  Click here to watch a trailer of this book.  5 stars for a sixth grader who is recommending books! 

A Great Novel for a Summer Book Club

This month's top enjoyable summer read for mainly girl readers is Switched at Birthday.  If your girls liked the movie "Freaky Friday" (and what middle school girl doesn't) then they will enjoy this delightfully fun story based on understanding one's identity and building relationship.  Scarlet and Lavender are middle school girls who are totally opposite in personality but share the same birthday.  The morning after their birthday, they wake up in one another's body, and the adventure begins.  This is a great read for a summer book club.  Students could do a comparison/contrast discussion of the novel's main themes with the movie as well.  Recommended for grades 5+.