Upcoming New and Newish Books A-Z

Yes, I was nervous. I don't like getting up in front of adults. Give me a gymnasium filled with 400+ 5-10 year olds and I'm fine but a room full of colleagues and peers, I'll pass.  Then make it the day after I have 32 people squeezed in my home for a seder and I feel like toast.  Haha.  That's pretty funny.  Get it? Toast. Seder. Ok...moving on...

In any case, I was honored and pleased today to present new books for the K-5 set today at Capital Region BOCES, followed by the most amazing Alicia Abdul, who spoke about YA books. You need to check out Alicia's blog and website.  She is sugar sweet candy to me.  She recommends books that sound SOOOO good that I go out and read them when I should be completely engaged in the Middle Grade that I love so much (which I really do).

I prefaced my whole workshop with the fact that my collection, although it certainly is a reflection of my students, is definitely influenced by my likes and dislikes and the authors that I have come to love and befriend.  As long as I admit that, isn't that ok?  And as much as I can promote these authors and books, I will. No collection is perfect and mine is no exception.  I just strive to make my students (and faculty) as happy as can be.

At the bottom, I've attached the list I handed out to participants.  Some of the books I talked about aren't on there and others that are I didn't get to.  But it's a starting point for anyone.  My brain isn't thinking Newbery, Sibert, Geisel or any other award but certainly  many of these books are contenders. I also did a triple threat shout out for local author/illustrators, James Preller, Nancy Castaldo and Elizabeth Zunon.  I like to think I might have drummed up some business for them. Happy Reading and please let me know your favorites.

Sample Slides

  

 

The Making of America: Alexander Hamilton

Don’t throw away your shot at reading this new biography

on one of our favorite, and now very popular, founding fathers.

I read Teri Kanefield's new biography, The Making of America: Alexander Hamilton,  in a book group with four fifth grade girls and we all loved it!  We learned so much! A couple of us were already Hamilton fans but now the whole group is.  I'm off to TLA in a couple of weeks and can't wait to meet Teri in person.

Here's what they had to say about the book:

“I like how it was written.  I like how it started with the duel and then ended with the death and then rewound and said Hamilton’s life story from beginning to end.”-Eva, 10

“This book is amazing.  I had a hard time not reading ahead.  My favorite character was Burr because he was a challenge to Hamilton.  I like challenges.”-Kerrigan, 10

“The part where Alexander Hamilton and his wife, Elizabeth, survived yellow fever surprised me so much because if you get yellow fever you usually die.  This book is so amazing.”-Maia, 10

“I could not believe that Hamilton and Burr were such good friends and then they ended up to be arch enemies.”-Abby, 11

We all had to keep reminding ourselves that this book was nonfiction.  It read like a novel.  “This is SUCH a good book,” Abby exclaimed.  "Add it to your library today. "

“Your kids will be happy that it’s there!” added Eva.

Mr. Lemoncello's Great Library Race

If I wasn't 100 percent positive that Chris Grabenstein's manuscript for his third Mr. Lemoncello book was submitted way before the term "fake news" surfaced in the media, I would have bet money that he based the book on it.  But, since I know he did, I can only think that maybe he's just a tad clairvoyant?

One of the biggest champions of libraries and librarians, Chris Grabenstein has done it again.  Truth be told (although it not always is in this book) kids and adults alike are going to fall for this INCREDIBLETASTIC, AMAZERRIFIC, WONDERMOUS third installment in the Mr. Lemoncello series.

First scavenger hunts, then Olympics and now the "Fact-Finding Frenzy...to see who can solve clues, unravel puzzles, pass through roadblocks, and overcome any and all obstacles to find the fascinating fact [Mr. Lemoncello is] looking for!...The facts...will be linked to the five new interactive Nonfictionator displays...revealed...to the public at a grand gala..." Did he just say gala?!  I wonder who he got the idea from?  Check out this link!

But, as you know, nothing is ever simple or easy with Mr. Lemoncello. Amidst finding fascinating autobiographical facts directly from holographic versions of Abraham Lincoln, Michael Jordan, Emily Dickinson, the Wright brothers and Thomas Edison, Kyle and his friends feel that something isn't quite right. "Nothing stops a lie faster than cold hard facts." The kids work hard and fast to uncover the truth, even if it means leaving Alexandriaville.  Fortunately, they have the banana jet to aid them in transporting them across state lines.

As with the other two books, there is also a puzzle at the end for your solving pleasure.  I also love all the book references, subtle and forthright.  I started to jot them all down and then noticed there is a list at the back of the book.  Even our friend, Kwame, is mentioned!

So many lessons learned in one fun book--Persevere.  Don't be afraid to search for the truth. Failure is ok. "I failed over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed," said the Michael Jordan character.  However, this book is the complete opposite of failure for Chris Grabenstein. It's his love letter to librarians, "search engines with a heart" and kids who are not afraid to dig for the truth. A success!

"All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; 

the point is to discover them."

-Chris Grabenstein

ps-Don't go rushing to the store just yet! The book will be released on October 10, 2017.

Clayton Byrd Goes Underground by Rita Williams-Garcia

If you don't know what a blues harp is make sure to read this book to find out!
When you're feeling the blues, tappin' the blues or just playin' the blues,
pick up this book in between the measures.

So...clear your calendar for May 9, 2017 to jump into blues with Clayton Byrd, Cool Papa and the Beat Boys. 

A couple of months ago, I was lucky enough to get a galley copy of Clayton Byrd Goes Underground by Rita Williams-Garcia, just in time for our winter book groups to start.  I asked another book store if they had one and "Voila!" I said to myself, "I'm going to do a book group with it!  I know I can make it work!" And we did!  Six boys and I shared the books between us and managed with very little stress to read it within a few weeks.  We all loved it and you will, too!  I can't wait to get my hands on the hardcover, get it processed and in the hands of all my readers.  Check out what they had to say about the book:

"Every librarian should get more than one copy of this book for their library because if you only have one, it will always be checked out." A, 11

"Boom Box is my favorite character because he is the nicest one among the Beat Boys and he can make beat box sounds with his mouth.  Impressive!"-Luca, 10

"My favorite character is Cool Papa Byrd because he speaks funny and weird. He is enthusiastic, chill, amazing, and not the usual lazy grandpa you see a lot." - Aidan (10) and Zach (11)

"Cool Papa is my favorite character because he rocks his blues story and I can hear in my head Wah-Wah Nita's cry."-Nate, 10

"This book was so good I couldn't hear anything else around me except what the characters said in the book. Every kid should read this book because it's full of action, adventure and cliffhangers."-A, 11

"My favorite part was when Clayton and the Beat Boys were getting chased by the cops on the train. My heart was racing!"-Luca, 10

"My favorite character is Cool Papa because he inspired Clayton to love the blues.  And if there was no Cool Papa, there would not be a story."-Jay, 11

So on May 9, grab this book, put on your porkpie hat and play the midnight jam!  We hope you love it as much as we did!

The Sweetest Sound

Break out your Mariah Carey albums, a comfie spot and get ready for a musical ride to Harmony, Pennsylvania.  You won't regret the time you spend with Cadence, Junior, Dad, Faith, Zara, Mei-Mei, Sophine, Sophie, Jones, the Trinity Sisters, Mr. Bassie, Aunt Fannie, Miss Stravinski, Miss Clayton and MORE while reading Sherri Winston's newest book, The Sweetest Sound!

I read this book with a great group of fifth grade girls and this is what they had to say upon finishing. Note: There might be some possible spoiler alerts.

"What surprised me was when Faith said that she was "Gospel Girl" and Cadence came out with the truth!"-Emma, 10

"My favorite character is Cadence because she knew it was wrong the way Faith was treating her.  She actually went on stage and sang with Aunt Fannie. The ending also surprised me."-Violet, 11

"My favorite part was when Faith and Cadence got into a fight because it got scary at first and then got better.  My heart was beating so fast! I recommend this book because it shows how hard it could be if your mom or dad leaves.  It was sad at some points but was full of hope."-Brynn, 10

"My favorite part was when Cadence sang in front of the church because she wasn't really used to it but she did her best.  She kind of grew out of her shell and I can sort of relate to that."-Deyanna, 11

"I liked Cadence because she was brave enough to sing on stage even though she was scared. That was my favorite part. I was suprised at the ending even though it reminded me of Raymie Nightingale."-Alyssa, 10

Stay tuned for the puppet show these girls are going write and perform about the book.  I wonder if they will sing?  Or at least play a little Mariah...

Love, Ish

Happy Book Birthday, Love, Ish

I have to admit, I love brussel sprouts.  Roasted with salt and pepper.  Last weekend, I even had brussel sprout chips at a restaurant.  Imagine the work involved in peeling those things? For now, I think I will continue to enjoy them definitely as I see them through different eyes after reading Love, Ish by Karen Rivers. What am I referring to? You have to read this savory book to find out!

"I guess I love you."  What does that mean?  As adults we don't really know, so imagine getting that in an email at 13.  Mischa "Ish" Love's best and only friend, Tig, moved away and she has been waiting for an email from him for months.  In fact it's been so long that she refers to him as DTM, Dead to Me. Then when an email finally does ping in her inbox, that sentence is included. What a way to get a young girl to wonder.

Ish is ready to move to Mars, literally.  Life here on Earth isn't so great for her and she thinks she would be the perfect candidate for the Mars Now project.  Yes, she has applied 47 times and can recite as many facts as you can imagine about Mars, Martians and outer space.  The name of her parrot is even appropriately named: Buzz Aldrin.  Ish is so ready for Mars that she has already created lists of "Things I Will Miss" (TIWM) and "Things I Will Not Miss" (TIWNM) when she is chosen for her mission.  Some things on the TIWM list are:  TV, ice cream, Buzz Aldrin. Things on the TIWNM: mosquitoes, wasps, shopping malls, plastic water bottles and school.

Yes, school.  Without Tig around, Ish has no one. The very first day of seventh grade doesn't start out well at all.  "Move it, nerd!" "Loser" and later in the day, "She's wet her pants" from Fish-boy, the new student.

After finding out she has a brain tumor, Ish dreams more of Mars, hanging out with Tig and her family.

"In my dream, I'm crying because I'm dead and I'm on Mars, 

I made it to Mars and I did something dumb and I died, 

once again before I was finished, 

before I had done what I meant to do."

-Ish

Does Ish accomplish what she is meant to do? Find a new friend? Reconcile with her sisters?  Accept the realities of the Mars Now?  Simply survive?  I read this book in one day with my teeth clenched and my eyes glued to the pages.  I'm not an astronomy fan and yet I thoroughly enjoyed the book. Part The Thing about Jellyfish and a pre-The Fault in Our Stars, anyone who understands Mars, has dreams like Ish to be on this list of greats (Valentina Tereshkova, Samantha Cristoforetti, Liu Yang, Ellen Ochoa, Mae Jamison, Sally Ride...) will truly get even more out of it than this I-guess-I-love-you NASA fan.

ps-I can't put my finger on it, well maybe I can, but I really wanted to get to know Gavriel "Gav" better.  Sometimes authors take a minor character and build their next book around him or her.  I'm already craving a book about Gav.

Holly Goldberg Sloan's Short

Reading Short by the pool

Short by Holly Goldberg Sloan

I have been waiting years for Holly Goldberg Sloan to write another middle grade novel.  The last one, Counting by 7s, was a huge hit with my fifth graders at the time.  That was over three years ago. I still remember that Skype.  It was dead of the winter here (Newbery project time) and beautiful in Holly's Southern California.  We could see sun, blue sky and her bright smile.  She told the kids that they could be making a movie out of Counting by 7s and we pinky promised that we'd all go see it together.

January 16, 2014

OMG! I probably shouldn't admit this but I just wore that sweater yesterday!

Now she has a new book out, Short, that will have you singing tunes from The Wizard of Oz way after you turn the last page.  Pre-fans of Tim Federle, here you go!

It's summer vacation and Julia, who is short for her age, got cast as a Munchkin in the local university's summer theatre production of The Wizard of Oz, only after her Mom insist that she audition. 

"One thing I decided is that life is one big, long struggle to find applause."

Wow.  Ain't that the truth!

Shawn Barr, the visiting eccentric director, takes a liking to Julia, or "Baby" as he lovingly refers to her. Julia's young innocence (we never actually find out her age) and sweetness comes out often.  For instance, the time she visited Shawn Barr's motel room and saw his piles of books.  "I'm glad Shawn Barr is a reader, because Grandma Mittens says that you can tell an interesting person by their covers. And she doesn't mean blankets." Or the time Julia went to cheer up her neighbor, Mrs. Chang, and whispered, "Life is a cabaret...It works, because she smiles. I'm guessing a cabaret is a kind of wine. I hope she'll have a tall glass."

When Julia gets harnessed in to try out to be a flying monkey, she's a natural.  "Baby was born to fly," Shawn Barr says.

"I'm learning a big lesson right now, which is that the same thing 

can be rotten one day and then amazing the next."

After weeks of rehearsals, Julia has grown up and learned many life lessons in one summer so much so that she says on the way over to the performance (and it's at this point my tears started flowing), "Thanks, Mom. Thanks for making me try out for this play." 

I will probably always remember where I finished, Short. I was at the beauty shop waiting for my "old-enough-to-know-better" year old grandmother to get her hair done.  I don't think they had ever seen anything like this before--a grown woman with snot and tears running down her cheeks.  But I just couldn't help it.  Julia and her cast just touched a nerve, a good one, but touching nonetheless. When that closing curtain came down, I'm glad the final applause was loud so no one could hear my sniffling and nose blowing.  The piece de resistance?  My grandmother's hairdresser, Louis, is Shawn Barr's twin.