September Carnival of Children's Literature and CYBILS Nominations

Two exciting things to add to my day...
The September issue of The Carnival of Children's Literature is up at Susan Taylor Brown's Blog.
AND...
You can now begin nominating books for the CYBILS Award. Go to this site to nominate or find out more about the contest. I am pretty sure you can click on the button I have in my sidebar as well, but not positive.

Bobby vs. Girls (Accidentally) by Lisa Yee

Bobby vs. Girls by Lisa Yee


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book may appeal to my fifth grade students for the mere fact that it is a story where the boys go up against the girls, which always seems to be popular. But the fact that Bobby, the main character, and his friends are only in the fourth grade may turn off some of my fifth grade students who seem to think they are so far away from fourth grade. (Even though they are not.) The story itself though is perfect for a third or fourth grade student.

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August Carnival of Children's Literature

The August Carnival of Children's Literature is up at In Need Of Chocolate! I am pleased to say I remembered the deadline and submitted something this time. It has a "Back to School" theme, so you know I am loving that. But more importantly, there are many good things to read. Check it out!

Umbrella Summer by Lisa Graff

Umbrella Summer by Lisa Graff


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Someone told me that their daughter thought this book was "a LITTLE sad." Umm, try uncontrollable crying. Maybe it was just me feeling sentimental, but I thought this book was so sad. But sad like you feel for the characters, not like a tragedy happens during the story. You already know the tragedy before the story starts. It is the healing process that made me so weepy. Definitely a book I will recommend to my students. Don't think I could get through reading it aloud. I know the cover will totally turn off any boy fifth grade readers, but I would still try.

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It Was September When We Ran Away For the First Time by D. James Smith

It Was September When We Ran Away the First Time by D. James Smith


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This trilogy (So far) really intrigues me! I stumbled upon one of D. James Smith's books way back when I started my blog. I accidently read the second book before the first, but it didn't matter. Now there is a third story about Paolo and his Italian-American family.
I love the voice of Paolo. He has some great lines in this book. (I returned it to the library, so I can't quote any...) His family life is so interesting to me. I love the big family he has.
Another point of interest to me is the historical aspects of the series. This book is no exception. The story is set in 1951 and it brings up many great topics for that time period.
I think this is a time period that would be foreign for most students in fifth grade, so I would use it in a read aloud setting. I think sixth or seventh grade students would like it as well.

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Rissa Bartholomew's Declaration of Independence by Lydna Brill Comerford

Rissa Bartholomew's Declaration Of Independence by Lynda Brill Comerford


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I liked this book because it is something I can recommend to some girl readers. Especially those going into middle school like my fifth grade girls. It was a fun read, but it wasn't life changing or anything. It showed the dynamic of change lots of people experience in middle school. I also like how it showed a girl trying something new and different. One thing I didn't like was how over the top Rissa often was in her relationships.

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Summer Carnival of Children's Literature

The Summer Edition of the Carnival of Children's Literature is up at Here in the Bonny Glen. It encompasses both the months of June and July. It is very easy to read and separated into categories of posts. Thank you, Melissa Wiley for a great Carnival. I am sorry to say I missed the submission date. Next month's Carnival is listed at In Need of Chocolate.

Reading is Fundamental and Macy's Fund Raiser

Just keeping you informed...

Jemma Hartman Camper Extrodinare

Jemma Hartman, Camper Extraordinaire by Brenda A. Ferber


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This a great book for fifth graders and probably sixth grade as well. It really shows the trials and tribulations of growing older, growing apart from friends and having to share someone you see as your BFF. It has a great lesson to be learned. I would say mostly girls only would find something to relate to in the story, so I doubt I would read it aloud, but I would recommend it to any girl in my class. I REALLY liked this story and the character, Jemma. It took me back to junior high and even brought a tear to my eye. (In kind of a sad/happy way) Do we think this is going to be a series??? What is your opinion?

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Mudshark by Gary Paulsen

Mudshark by Gary Paulsen


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I love Gary Paulsen. This book didn't do it for me. I didn't even really get most of it. The high point of the book is the morning announcements that come from the principal at the beginning of each chapter. Other than that, eh. I am still a Paulsen fan, true but I will be excited to see how students react to this book. (I won't even tell them that I didn't get it) :)


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Also Known as Harper Lee by Ann Haywood Leal

Also Known As Harper by Ann Haywood Leal


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the book I have been waiting for this year! It is CLEAR that Leal used her background as teacher to craft this novel. From start to finish I could put names to the faces of the characters. Not the names that they are given in the novel, but the names of students I have encountered in my classroom over the last 11 years. It made me think more of those students and their lives. I smiled, laughed, and cried.

This book would be great for a literature circle or a situation where you could really sit and talk about it.


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Leepike Ridge by N.D. Wilson

Leepike Ridge by N.D. Wilson

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book had plenty of adventure, mystery, twists, turns, cliffhangers (A personal favorite) and some history. I think my students could listen to this as a read aloud. I also know that it would be perfect for my more savvy fifth grade reader. My personal favorite aspect of the book is the way the author used suspense with cliffhanger chapter endings. I don't know what took me so long to get this book, but I am ever pleased I took the time.


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Blog Anniversary!

Now this is how out of it I am... I didn't even realize it is my blog anniversary! Someone had to comment and tell me and I even have a count down thingy to remind me. In honor of the anniversary, I will redirect you to the first review I wrote.
Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass.

Barbara O'Connor's Newest Book Trailer

After returning from vacation and finding 422! posts in my Google Reader, I sifted through and picked out some of my favorite blogs to read. I hope I am not too late to present to you a book trailer for Barbara O'Connor's new book, The Small Adventure of Popeye and Elvis. Humor me and watch it again if you have seen it already, if not... What are you waiting for???


Now who is with me? Get on over there to Amazon and pre-order your copy. Ya know ya want to!

May Carnival of Children's Literature

You may now view the May Carnival of Children's Literature at Into the Wardrobe. I wanted to submit THIS so just pretend I did.
Also of note, I really love the blog Cake Wrecks. I mean LURVE!!! ( A very special kind of love) I never miss a post. So imagine my surprise when I found that they have raided my childhood bookshelf to bring you THESE wonderfully done children's literature cakes. (Sunday is for pretty cakes, not wrecks)

Mother Reader's 48 Hour Book Challenge

If you are in to reading, which I am assuming you are, please take a moment to consider entering into a challenge. It is the Mother Reader's 48 Hour Book Challenge. You can read all about it by clicking on that fancy little button to the side.
Meanwhile, I should let you know that the Kidlitosphere Bloggers of Central Ohio will be getting together the morning of June 6th to enjoy a breakfast together and a visit to the wonderful book store Cover to Cover. (This has become a little tradition for celebrating all kinds of book related events) Since part of the 48 Hour Book Challenge this year challenges you to make a donation to something you feel strongly about, the Central Ohio peeps have decided to donate to Mary Lee of A Year of Reading. She is participating in a Fish-a-thon to rasise money for a nonprofit organizaiton that offers no-cost retreats for breast cancer survivors. Long story short, I don't think I can make the trek up to Columbus that morning so I am pledging $1 for every book taken out of Cover to Cover by ALL the Kidlit Bloggers of Central Ohio. So tally up your books, gang, and send me a bill!

March Carnival of Children's Literature

The March Carnival of Children's Literature is up at Jenny's Wonderland of Books. Check it out!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

May the luck of the Irish be with you today and all days!
Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Read Alike Lists

Have you ever been in a situation where someone asks you what to read next, but you are hard pressed for an idea? Today, The Reading Zone has a post with great Read Alike lists! As in, if you liked this, you might like... It was just what I needed right now to keep my kiddos on their feet and reading when they would rather play in the beautiful warm weather. Check it out!

Spammer

I don't know where else to post this, so I am going to say it here. There is a spammer out there who has gotten a hold of several blogs. The comment is written in Chinese. I had one in my comments today, but I had comment moderation on, so it didn't affect me. Just a heads up that if you don't use Comment Moderation, you may be surprised at what is ending up in your comment section. (I did a little translation, it wasn't pretty)