Monday, January 26, 2015

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 1/26/15


It's Monday! What are you reading? was started by Sheila at Book Journey and was adapted for children's books from picture books through YA by Jen of Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee of Unleashing Readers. You can visit either site for a round up of blogs sharing their weekly readings and thoughts or search Twitter for #IMWAYR.


Last Week's Posts

  • Summoning the Phoenix: Review - this collection of poetry and nonfiction information features unique Chinese musical instruments. The review includes videos and suggestions for making your own instruments.
  • Twenty-Two Cents: Review - introduce your child to the world of microfinance and the man behind Grameen Bank. This review also includes recommended books to pair with this one to encourage kids to think about how to make a difference and improve the lives of others.

Picture Books


Sky Dancers (2004) by Connie Ann Kirk and illustrated by Christy Hale. Sky Dancers tells about the Mohawk contributions to steel-working through the eyes of a young boy whose father is gone during the week in New York, building the Empire State Building. I thought it was interesting that this group is not represented or mentioned in the more generally-focused Sky Boys book that it also about the construction of the Empire State Building. (H/T Elisabeth at The Dirigble Plum.)


Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns: a Muslim Book of Colors (2012) by Hena Khan and illustrated by Mehrdokht Amini. This lovely, simply rhyming book introduces readers to some of the major aspects of Islamic religion and traditions through color. This would be a great mentor text for having students write similar poems about their own favorite or significant colors, as well as a way to introduce some basics about Muslim culture.


A Letter for Leo (2014) by Sergio Ruzzier. I read this one aloud this week to my third graders. They enjoyed the goofiness of Leo's friend, Cheep, but did not find much to keep their interest in this story, ostensibly for younger children. I felt like that book was a little confused about what the main story was to be and that other "odd couple" books this year (like The Farmer and the Clown and Rain) did this story line better. Even good old Frog & Toad have a more engaging 'waiting for a letter' plot.


Blizzard (2014) by John Rocco. Disappointed by our dusting of snow that was forecast to be three inches, I had to content myself by reading Blizzard, which is an engaging take on the author's experience during the New England blizzard of 1978. I really liked the joyful, kid-centric approach of this story, though I imagine most adults would read between the lines and see the totally different story written on the faces of the background adults. The illustrations are detailed and lovely, and I could see this being a sleeper for a possible Caldecott Honor. (H/T Elisabeth at The Dirigble Plum.)


Last Stop on Market Street (2015) by Matt de la Peña and illustrated by Christian Robinson. My first 2015 book! This is a powerful and important story told through the eyes of our young male narrator, who is finding a lot to complain about on this rainy Sunday. As the story progresses, however, his Nana wins him over and keeps showing him the beauty of the world around him, which culminates naturally into a lovely act of service. This is a great book for celebrating diversity and action in so many different ways! (H/T Lots of places!)

Nonfiction


Port Chicago 50: disaster, mutiny, and the fight for Civil Rights (2014) by Steve Sheinkin. Port Chicago 50 tells the mostly-unknown story of the "mutiny" and trial of 50 African-American naval recruits who refused to keep loading ammunition with minimal training and in unsafe conditions. This book is easily-accessible to readers due to Sheinkin's straight-forward prose and the inclusion of many original photographs and scanned documents. I think this is a really important book for bringing attention to this once historical footnote and for giving readers another perspective on history.

Award-Winning Books Reading Challenge update: 0 so far (maybe some after the Caldecott announcement is made!)

Dive into Diversity Challenge update: 15 books, 6 dedicated posts (this week: Cinderella2King for a Day, Summoning the Phoenix, and Twenty-Two Cents)


Multicultural Children's Book Day is TOMORROW! I hope you'll join me and many others in sharing and celebrating books that honor multicultural characters, themes, and ideas. Check out their blog for more information, including daily author interviews for the month of January.

Happy Reading!

14 comments:

  1. I need to find Last Stop On Market Street-many are talking about it. It's taking a while to read Port Chicago 50 since I'm only reading it at school, but I'm enjoying it as I do all the Sheinkin books. Thanks, Katie.

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    1. Thanks, Linda! I think you will definitely find something to love and appreciate in Last Stop.

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  2. I've just ordered Last Stop on Market Street. Decided I couldn't wait til the library gets it. I agree with you about Blizzard as a possible Caldecott Honor. Very distinguished work. I find Sergio Ruzzier's artwork so charming that I'm not sure I even notice shortcomings in storytelling. I read that one aloud to my son, though, and he didn't care for it at all. Thanks for the heads-up about Multicultural Children's Book day--I'll definitely do something with that tomorrow in my Children's Lit class.

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    1. Cool! I had all my kiddos post for a pic today with a favorite multicultural book, so expect cuteness tomorrow. I just brought Blizzard into the classroom today, so I'm curious as to how the kids will take to it. I'll keep you posted.

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  3. Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns: a Muslim Book of Colors is such a beautiful book. I'm going to try to find a copy of Sky Dancers to read. Have you seen the NFB film High Steel about the Mohawk working on the sky rises? It's great! https://www.nfb.ca/film/high_steel

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    1. No, I have not, Cheriee. Thanks so much for the link!

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  4. Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns looks really interesting. Have to get that!

    Lisa
    LisaTeachR'sClassroom

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    1. Definitely! It's a lovely and well-done book.

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  5. These all sound great, and I'm ordering Last Stop on Market Street tonight. I have The Port of Chicago 50, but haven't gotten to it yet. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Great! I found Port Chicago 50 a really quick read - lots of images and artifacts.

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  6. is it weird that i dont know any of these books?

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    1. I don't think so. Most of these came out last year (or even this year), which is why I was just reading them for the first time this week too!

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  7. I just read Blizzard - found it beautiful. I am a daughter of the sun, tropical child through and through - so it's lovely seeing all that white spread on the page. Sky Dancers and Last Stop on Market Street I must find. :) I featured Golden Domes and Silver Lanterns last year, I think, and yes, I agree with you, it's a beautiful concept book. :)

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    1. Thanks, Myra. I found it a bit funny that the day after I finished "Blizzard" was when all the dire predictions were coming out about the new New England blizzard, whoops!

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