Book Fair!

The Book Fair will be here next week!  Click on the graphic above to learn more about the fair!

Turkey Time: Gobble Up A Good Book!

Thanksgiving is coming up, and for my family, that means eating turkey, watching football, and spending time curled up on the couch with a good book!  If you're looking for something to feed your mind this time of year, here are some great Thanksgiving themed books:

When calamity stalks every step of the preparations for the Tappletons' Thanksgiving dinner, they realize that there is more to Thanksgiving than turkey and trimmings.

 Jack and Annie travel in their magic treehouse to the year 1621, where they celebrate the first Thanksgiving with the Pilgrims and Wampanoag Indians in the New Plymouth Colony.

 Trouble ensues when Papa gets Miguel a turkey to fatten up for Thanksgiving and Miguel develops an attachment to it.

 Relates how Sarah Hale, a magazine editor and author, persuaded President Lincoln to transform Thanksgiving Day into a national holiday.

School children on a field trip to Mack Nugget's farm save the lives of eight turkeys in this poem based on "The Night Before Christmas."







And that's only the first course!  To find lots more Thanksgiving, fall, or family-themed books, search our library catalog:

Still hungry?  How about a little dessert?  Here are some fun Thanksgiving bookmarks as a special treat:

This Week in the Library...

Since our country will be electing our next president this week, we'll be reading So You Want to Be President by Judith St. George.  This Caldecott winner contains lots of interesting facts about past presidents, as well as some humorous and entertaining illustrations.  Check out the video below for a sample!



 

Video of the Week

Here's a fun story about a little dog who wants to find a SPOOKY costume for Halloween!  Happy Halloween, everyone!

Book Talk Tuesday

In just one week, our country will elect our next president.  Here are a few books to help you understand how the voting process works!

America Votes by Linda Granfield walks you through the entire voting process, including concepts like primaries, party conventions, and campaigns.  This book answers any question you might have about elections and also includes some interesting stories from campaigns and elections in our country's past.

In My Teacher for President by Kay Winters, Oliver is learning about the president's job, and the more he learns, the more he thinks that his teacher would be perfect for the job!  This book is funny and a great way to learn about what the president does every day.

Vote! by Eileen Christelow tells the story of a town's mayoral election, but it's a great source of information on all types of elections.  The two dogs who comment on the story help explain how voting works and what can happen during a campaign.

This Week in the Library...

This week in the library, we'll be getting ready for the up-coming presidential election by reading Vote for Me! by Ben Clanton.

Video of the Week: Read it Maybe!

Eeeeek!  I LOVE this!  (Feel free to dance along as you watch!)

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

Every Monday, the awesome duo at Teach Mentor Texts hosts their What Are You Reading? meme so that anyone who loves children's literature can share the titles they've recently enjoyed as well as their reading plans for the week!  Thanks, Jen and Kellee!
 
Be sure to head over to the Teach Mentor Texts blog to find out what everyone else is reading!

Early last week, I finished The Five Lives of Our Cat Zook by Joanne Rocklin, which, to be honest, didn't grab me right away.  I loved the main character, Oona, and the way she took care of her family and cat, but (and maybe it's because I'm not really a cat person), I felt like there were parts of the story that were unconnected.  I'm glad I stuck with it, though, because in the end, all of those seemingly unconnected threads ended up being woven together beautifully.  I recently read A Dog Called Homeless, another pet story about a character who has recently lost a parent, but Zook didn't tug at my heart strings in the same way.  Cally was the type of character who I wanted to comfort and hug, whereas Oona was the type of character I wanted to shake some sense in to.  What I love about both characters is the way they grow and learn to communicate with the adults in their lives so that they can come to terms with what it means to lose someone you love.

Last weekend I finished On the Day I Died by Candace Fleming, which is a collection of stories about a section of a Chicago cemetery reserved for people who died while in their teens.  Each story takes place in a different time period, and recounts the tale of how its narrator lost his or her life.  What I liked best about this collection of stories is that each is different and scary in a different way.  Some are spooky ghost tales, one is a science fiction horror story, another is a modern interpretation of W.W. Jacobs' The Monkey's Paw.  I picked this one up in hopes that it would have some stories that might be appropriate to share with my fifth graders, but it's definitely more of a middle school book than an elementary one.  Nonetheless, I'm glad I picked it up, as it helped get me into the Halloween spirit.



This week, I'm going to start Kate Morton's The Secret Keeper, which is the newest release from one of my favorite adult authors.  I've read every one of Morton's other books, and I'm looking forward to her unique combination of historical fiction and mystery!

Happy reading, everyone!

This Week in the Library...

Last week, our library updated to a new automation system, which is going to be a great thing for our students, but which, unfortunately, also meant that the library had to be closed for a few days!  (Scary!)

This week, though, the library is back to normal, and I'm looking forward to sharing some creepy books with you to help us get in the Halloween spirit!

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3rd Grade will be listening to Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds.  Watch the video below to see the illustrator, Peter Brown, discuss this book:

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4th Grade will be listening to a parody of an old classic, Madeline.  This version isn't about twelve little girls, though!  It's about twelve little monsters, so, of course, it's titled Frankenstein!  Watch the book trailer below for a little preview:

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5th Grade will be listening to selections from one of my favorite October reads, Beware!, which is actually a collection of scary stories by different authors.  The stories were selected by R.L. Stine, author of the Goosebumps series and master of horror!  Click on the book cover to browse the book!

Thought of the Day

Book Club Information

Our Breakfast Book Club has been in full swing for six weeks this year, but many of you still have questions about how Book Club works, where it meets, and how you can be a part of it.

That's why I've added a new page to my blog that's all about Book Club!  Click on the tab at the top of the page to learn more about Breakfast Book Club!

Decision 2012

Tuesday, November 6th is an important day for our country!  It's the day the people of the United States will select their new president by voting in this year's election.

For the students of Smithville Elementary, it's also election day!  We'll be casting our votes for our favorite candidate:  Babymouse or Bad Kitty.

Keep an eye out for campaign posters and ads around school as the election draws nearer, and be sure to research your candidates thoroughly before November 6th!  Voters' Registration begins October 29th.  We'll see you at the polls!

Click on a candidate to learn more about her!

Grab Bag Thursday: Halloween Bookmarks

Halloween is less than two weeks away!  Get into the Halloween spirit with these free Halloween bookmarks!

Video of the Week

I love this video about one of my favorite picture books, Jon Klassen's I Want My Hat Back!

Book Talk Tuesday: The Ghost-Eye Tree

It's mid-October and fall is officially here, which means that it's the perfect time to share some spooky autumn stories.

One of my favorite books to read aloud and to share with students during this time of the year is The Ghost-Eye Tree by Bill Martin Jr. and John Archambault.  When a brother and sister are sent on a late-night errand by their mother one blustery fall evening, they realize that they'll have to pass by the Ghost-Eye Tree to reach their destination.  They may think they're tough, but what will happen when they have to face the tree in the dark of night?









Here's a trailer for a short film that was based on the book; it catches the fun and spookiness of the book perfectly:

Thought of the Day...

I came across this on Pinterest, and I know I'm not the only one who occasionally comes to school a little bleary-eyed because "just one more chapter" turned into "oh, I'll go ahead and finish it..."

Source: cafepress.com via Krystel on Pinterest

Grab Bag Thursday: Free Bookmarks!

Many of you have stopped by the library to pick up one of our free bookmarks.  Today's Grab Bag is a freebie of those bookmarks that you can print for yourself!

You can either print the document below and get one of each, or you can click on your favorite one, which will take you to a single page with five of the same bookmarks.



Enjoy, and keep reading!

Video of the Week

This week's video shows just how fun picture books can be!  Take a look as these two book fanatics tell a story using the titles of some of their favorite picture books!

Book Talk Tuesday: Queen of the Falls

Today's book is a biography that I'm sharing with the 4th Grader classes who visit the library this week. Queen of the Falls, by Chris VanAllsburg, tells the story of Annie Edson Taylor, the first daredevil to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel! Here's a slideshow of some pictures of Annie and her famous barrel:

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If you'd like to know more about Niagara Falls, Annie Edson Taylor, or other famous Niagara daredevils, click on her picture below:

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Here's a video of one of the daredevils who followed Annie's lead and went over the falls in a barrel. Can you imagine what it must have felt like on the inside of this barrel?


And finally, here's a video of the author/illustrator, Chris Van Allsburg, talking about his book, Queen of the Falls:

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It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

Every Monday, the awesome duo at Teach Mentor Texts hosts their What Are You Reading? meme so that anyone who loves children's literature can share the titles they've recently enjoyed as well as their reading plans for the week!  Thanks, Jen and Kellee!
 
Be sure to head over to the Teach Mentor Texts blog to find out what everyone else is reading!

Last week I finally finished Libba Bray's The Diviners, and I am MAD!  I probably should have realized this before I started reading it, but this is the first in a series, so, although there was some resolution at the novel's end, there were so many questions left unanswered!  Now I'll have to pine away for the next one in the series!  I hope Libba Bray is writing as quickly as she possibly can!

Aside from longing for a sequel, I found The Diviners to be divine.  Part historical fiction, part murder mystery, part love story, part supernatural thriller, it has something for everyone.  I love that Bray's characters, although they live in the Roaring 20s and possess mystical powers, are so real.  I couldn't help but fall in love with Evie and wish, just a little, that I had a friend like her.  Evie is witty, intelligent, and vulnerable, and she feels like someone I'd like to get to know.   

The Diviners also sent chills down my spine and kept me guessing about its outcome until the very end.  If Evie is one of the most lovable characters I've encountered, Naughty John is one of the most hideously terrifying!  I never guessed that a string of murders in 1920s New York would unravel in the way it does.  It's a great read!

My second read last week was One For the Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt.  This one is, by far, one of the best books I've read this year.  Carley is a foster child who has been placed with the Murphy family after a traumatic experience involving her mom and stepdad.  Although Carley resents the perfect family she now lives with in the beginning, she begins to view the world differently as she finds herself becoming one of the Murphys.  This novel was heart-breaking and heart-warming at the same time.  I couldn't put it down!









My plans for next week are to finish the novel I'm currently working on, The Five Lives of Our Cat Zook, and to get back in the habit of reading picture books!

Have a great week of reading, everyone!

This Week in the Library...

This six weeks, all grades will be exploring nonfiction texts, specifically biographies and autobiographies.

3rd Graders will be reading Me...Jane by Patrick McDonnell, which tells the story of Jane Goodall. You can read about Me...Jane here. Here's a video about Jane:

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4th Graders will be reading Queen of the Falls by Chris Van Allsburg, the story of Annie Edson Taylor, the first daredevil to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel!
Here's a slideshow of some pictures of Annie and her famous barrel:

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If you'd like to know more about Niagara Falls, Annie Edson Taylor, or other famous Niagara daredevils, click on her picture below:

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Here's a video of one of the daredevils who followed Annie's lead and went over the falls in a barrel. Can you imagine what it must have felt like on the inside of this barrel?

And finally, here's a video of the author/illustrator, Chris Van Allsburg, talking about his book, Queen of the Falls:

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5th Graders will be hearing excerpts from Jon Scieszka's autobiography, Knucklehead. Scieszka is a funny guy, so be sure to check out his entertaining website! And here's an interview with Scieszka...

Thought of the Day...

I came across this sign on Pinterest last week, and I couldn't agree more!  The best way to become a better reader?  Read!


10 Ways to Become a Better Reader

Grab Bag Thursday

If you're a fan of Captain Underpants, then you're probably also a fan of the Flip-o-rama sections of his books.

Here's a great video of author (and illustrator) Dav Pilkey explaining how to draw a Flip-o-rama so that you can draw one yourself!  Enjoy!

Video of the Week

This week's video, from Scholastic, is about how reading helps us lead a better life!

Book Talk Tuesday: The Luck of the Loch Ness Monster: A Tale of Picky Eating

This week's book is The Luck of the Loch Ness Monster: A Tale of Picky Eating by A.W. Flaherty.

On a boat trip to Scotland to visit her grandmother, Katerina Elizabeth is served oatmeal for breakfast every morning.  Katerina Elizabeth is no fool, though; she'd much rather have the yummy, iced cinnamon rolls that other passengers are enjoying.  So, it's "oatmeal overboard" throughout her trip.  Katerina Elizabeth's loss is a small sea-worm's gain, though, and when he happens upon the bowl of oatmeal at the bottom of the ocean, the little worm gobbles it up.  The more oatmeal Katerina Elizabeth throws overboard, the more the worm has to eat, until the little sea-worm is not so little anymore!

This entertaining story about the origin of the Loch Ness monster will have you laughing and appreciating what it's like to really detest a food that your parents think is good for you!

Be sure to check out the note from the author at the end of the book for lots of interesting information about the science of tasting!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

Every Monday, the awesome duo at Teach Mentor Texts hosts their What Are You Reading? meme so that anyone who loves children's literature can share the titles they've recently enjoyed as well as their reading plans for the week!  Thanks, Jen and Kellee!
 
Be sure to head over to the Teach Mentor Texts blog to find out what everyone else is reading!

I'm currently working my way through The Diviners by Libba Bray.  I've been reading this for about a week now, and I'm nearly half way through.  I'm actually kind of taking my time on this one one purpose, because I'm enjoying it so much!  I'm trying to savor this story!












Although I didn't finish any novels this week, I did read quite a few picture books, including some Halloween-themed new releases which were highly entertaining!

Here's what I read:

Creepy Carrots was a hilarious Halloween read that will have kids flipping through its pages again and again in search of details they missed the first time through.  Frankenstein was also a great read-aloud, and a perfect parody of Madeline.  I can't wait to read this one to my daughter, who practically has Madeline memorized!  Another favorite this week was I Will Not Read This Book, which was a silly, cumulative tale that will have kids laughing and parents rolling their eyes in recognition.

Here are my ratings (out of five stars) for this week's books:
Jack and the Beanstalk * * * *
The Luck of the Loch Ness Monster:  A Tale of Picky Eating * * * *
Liberty's Journey * * *
Saving Sweetness * * *
The Maggie B * * *
Liberty! * * * *
The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore * * * * *
Red Knit Cap Girl * * *
The Chicken Problem * * * *
Frankenstein * * * *
Trick or Treat * * *
Creepy Carrots! * * * *
Vampirina Ballerina * * * *
The Insomniacs * * *
Wild About Books * * * *
Just For One Day * * *
Happy Birthday, Princess!* *
Cinderella Step Into Reading * *
Fly High, Fly Guy * * *
Hello Kitty Show and Tell * *
There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed Fly Guy * * *
I Will Not Read This Book * * * *

This coming week, I hope to finish The Diviners and to continue to listen to Anne of Green Gables.  I'm not sure what I'll read next; it may depend on what type of mood The Diviners leaves me in!  Some books on my radar, though, include Remarkable by Lizzie K. Foley, In a Glass Grimmly by Adam Gidwitz, and The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex.

Have a great week, everyone, and happy reading to you!

I'm Bored

At this morning's Rise and Shine assembly, SES students listened to Mrs. G. and our public librarian, Mrs. Bergeron, read Michael Ian Black's I'm Bored.  If you enjoyed the story, check out this musical version of the book:



And be sure to head over to illustrator Debbie Ridpath Ohi's website for lots of great I'm Bored activities that are, actually, not all that boring.

This week in the library...

This week, third grade will be welcoming Autumn with The Stranger by Chris VanAllsburg.  When Farmer Bailey accidentally hits a strange man with his truck, he and his family welcome the stranger into their home.  As the days and weeks go by, though, the Bailey family starts to notice some peculiar things about their strange visitor...

Here's a short book trailer about The Stranger:

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Fourth grade will be learning about our poetry section through three very different poetry books.

Here's a snippet from Marilyn Singer's Mirror, Mirror:



Here's a trailer for Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night by Joyce Sidman:

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Fifth grade will be learning about novels written in verse, including May B. by Caroline Starr Rose:


Have a great week, everyone!  See you in the library!

There's an App for That!

Looking for some great FREE educational apps for your iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad?  Try one of these!

Thought of the Day...

Both of my oldest girls were sick this week, and I got to thinking about how some of my favorite reading memories happened when I was snuggled up in bed sick and my only company was a good book!  It also made me think about how a good book can always make us feel a little bit better.

Grab Bag Thursday: My Life...In Books

A couple of weeks ago,I read Andrea Cheng's excellent book, The Year of the Book, which, among other things, is about a girl who loves to read.  When Anna is asked by her teacher to create a timeline of her life, she includes her favorite books and when she read them.

That got me thinking.  What would my own timeline of books look like?  Which books have made a big enough impact in my life that I can remember when and were I read them?  Well, here's the answer to those questions!

This is an interactive timeline of my life...in books!  Here are the books that have made a big difference in my life, placed on the timeline on the year in which I read them.  I've also included a little explanation of each and why it was such an important book for me!  I'm still working on adding books, but this is definitely a start! Click on each book to learn more about why it's special to me.

My Reading Life on Dipity.

Video of the Week

Book publisher Candlewick Press has recently launched a "We Believe in Picture Books" campaign, during which they will post one video about the power of picture books each day for a year.  While browsing through these, I was thrilled to come across this one of David Ezra Stein.  He's talking about how he illustrated and wrote Interrupting Chicken, the book I'm sharing with 3rd graders this week!



Be sure to hop over to the We Believe in Picture Books page to take a look at even more great videos!

Book Talk Tuesday: Marla Frazee

This week's book is a fun read about a persnickety group of kids and the mom who puts up with all of them!

The Seven Silly Eaters by Mary Ann Hoberman, illustrated by Marla Frazee, introduces us to the seven Peters children and their very different (and very particular) tastes in food!  Poor Mrs. Peters is just about fed up with feeding each kid a different food, each prepared in its special way.  Then one day, as they attempt to give their mother a special birthday gift, the kids find a way to satisfy everyone's taste buds!

If you're looking for a funny story about families, this is your book!  I especially love the illustrations by Marla Frazee.  You'll notice lots of great details in each of the pictures, and you'll probably find that there's even more to the story in the illustrations.


If you like this one, you might also enjoy these:

And, if you like Marla Frazee's illustrations, be sure to check out this one:

Learn more about Marla Frazee at her website!