Biography- Who Is/ Who Was... series

I love the Who Is/ Who Was... series for our 4th/5th grade students because the information provided in the books is easy to digest and set up in a visually pleasing format with illustrations and larger text that is chunked in sections with explanatory chapter titles. This is a great resource available for educators that provide activities and ideas linked to CCSS: 

http://www.whowasbookseries.com/educators-resource/all/ 

Local connection: Jeff Kinney

Jeff did not grow up in Massachusetts, but he has lived here since 1995. He and his wife live in Plainville, MA where they are raising their two sons. Students love this connection because he is a local author who also owns a bookstore An Unlikely Story which is an amazing place to visit and hope you may run into Jeff who is often there.

Who is Jeff Kinney by Patrick Kinney

The best part about this biography is that it was written by Jeff's brother, Patrick. So, the information is accurate seeing as Patrick had first hand access to all of it. From a critical view, you could argue that having a family member write one of these books would filter information through a lens incapable of showing an negative aspects of Jeff's life. However, after reading this book, I think that it was set up fairly giving a knowledgeable look. My favorite aspect of this book is the hope it gives to students in dreaming big and never giving up-- even when you face obstacles. This is such a crucial life lesson for our students to hear-- especially from people they look up to. Patrick recalls how even as a kid, his brother was thought of as very talented-- on top of being a big prankster! He wanted to be a comic strip author, but he faced a lot of rejections and challenges. Despite this, he persevered and pushed himself to think outside the box by trying a new medium of writing from the perspective of a child as if he were writing a journal with doodles and illustrations galore. It was a hit and he now has twelve published books using the same premise in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series.

Contemporary Fiction

Week 11 Contemporary Fiction

Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin

Themes: Animals, Autism Spectrum, Separation, Friendship, Family Relationships, Bravery, Hope

Rain Reign is told from the perspective of Rose Howard, a 5th grade student who is obsessed with homonyms. As the story unfolds, Rose talks about her autism diagnosis and how she understands that she is different from her peers. She lives with her father-- who is a gruff character who struggles with understanding his daughter. Luckily, she has an uncle who cares for her and is a bright light in her world. The one other relationship Rose has that is a comfort is her dog, Rain. However, a storm hits their small town causing damage and floods, and Rain goes missing. The story follows Rose on her hunt for Rain while she learns a lot more about herself and the strength inside of her. Rain, Reign is a beautiful story that captures the essence of life with autism-- all while providing inspiration for building empathy and hope.

Martin, A. M. (2014). Rain reign. New York, NY: Feiwal and Friends.

Another great source for knowing what to expect from this book...

COMMON SENSE MEDIA

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/rain-reign#

Traditional Literature

Recommendations for Traditional Literature
4th/5th Grade Students

"Theories on the origin of traditional literature abound with little agreement other than that it is the literature of the human imagination.  The stories entertain, kindle the imagination, add to our language, and lay the groundwork for understanding all literature." 

FAIRY TALES

The Rough-Face Girl
Interest Level: 3-5
Grade level equivalent: 5.5
Lexile Measure: AD504L, DRA: 40, Guided Reading: S

From Algonquin Indian folklore comes one of the most haunting, powerful versions of the Cinderella tale ever told.
In a village by the shores of Lake Ontario lived an invisible being. All the young women wanted to marry him because he was rich, powerful, and supposedly very handsome. But to marry the invisible being the women had to prove to his sister that they had seen him. And none had been able to get past the sister's stern, all-knowing gaze.
Then came the Rough-Face girl, scarred from working by the fire. Could she succeed where her beautiful, cruel sisters had failed? (Amazon)

Rapunzel's Revenge
Lexile Framework: 500L
Grade Level Equivalent: 2.7
Guided Reading Level: U

Age: 11-13
Rapunzel escapes her tower-prison all on her own, only to discover a world beyond what she'd ever known before. Determined to rescue her real mother and to seek revenge on her kidnapper would-be mother, Rapunzel and her very long braids team up with Jack (of Beanstalk fame) and together they perform daring deeds and rescues all over the western landscape, eventually winning the justice they so well deserve. This is one of my all time favorite graphic novels because it takes the fairy tale of Rapunzel and turns it into an amazing story for helping to empower girls. 

                                                                     FOLKTALES

Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters
Reading Level: 5.2
Grade level equivalent: K-2
Guided Reading: N, Lexile Framework: 720L

This is the tale of Mufaro's two daughters, two beautiful girls who react in different ways to the king's search for a wife - one is aggressive and selfish, the other kind and dignified. The king takes on disguises to learn the true nature of both girls and of course chooses Nyasha, the kind and generous daughter, to be his queen. (Amazon)

Anansi the Spider
Lexile Framework: 290L, Guided Reading: L
Grade Level Equivalent: 3.2
One of the great folk heroes of the world... He is a rogue, a mischief maker, and a wise, lovable creature who triumphs over larger foes.

In this traditional Ashanti tale, Anansi sets out on a long, difficult journey. Threatened by Fish and Falcon, he is saved from terrible fates by his sons. But which of his sons should Anansi reward? Calling upon Nyame, the God of All Things, Anansi solves his predicament in a touching and highly resourceful fashion.

In adapting this popular folktale, Gerald McDermott merges the old with the new, combining bold, rich color with traditional African design motifs and authentic Ashanti language rhythms.

Anansi the Spider is a 1973 Caldecott Honor Book. (Amazon)

Tar Beach

Grade Level Equivalent: 2.9

Lexile Measure: AD790L, DRA: 38, Guided Reading: P

"Ringgold recounts the dream adventure of eight-year-old Cassie Louise Lightfoot, who flies above her apartment-building rooftop, the 'tar beach' of the title, looking down on 1939 Harlem. Part autobiographical, part fictional, this allegorical tale sparkles with symbolic and historical references central to African-American culture. The spectacular artwork resonates with color and texture. Children will delight in the universal dream of mastering one's world by flying over it. A practical and stunningly beautiful book." (Goodreads)

Abiyoyo
Grade Level: 3.2
Lexile: 610L, DRA: 34, Guided Reading: O

No one wants to hear the little boy play his ukelele anymore...Clink, clunk, clonk. And no one wants to watch his father make things disappear...Zoop! Zoop! 
Until the day the fearsome giant Abiyoyo suddenly appears in town, and all the townspeople run for their lives and the lives of their children! Nothing can stop the terrible giant Abiyoyo, nothing, that is, except the enchanting sound of the ukelele and the mysterious power of the magic wand. (Amazon)

LEGENDS

The Mitten String

Grade level Equivalent: 3.2

Lexile^® Measure: 800L

DRA: 24

Guided Reading: M

An original Jewish folktale about a girl who knits, a deaf woman, and a piece of blue yarn.
        When her family invites a deaf woman and her baby to stay, Ruthie, a talented knitter of mittens, wonders how the mother will know if her child wakes in the night. The surprising answer inspires Ruthie to knit a special gift that offers great comfort to mother and baby—and to Ruthie herself.
        With language and imagery reminiscent of stories told long ago, this modern Jewish folktale will resonate with those who love crafts, anyone who’s encountered someone with physical differences—and with everyone who has ever lost a mitten in the depths of winter.

Other Traditional Literature Favorite...

Alia's Mission
Interest level: grades 3-5
Reading Level 3.9
Lexile Measure: 850L
The inspiring story of an Iraqi librarian's courageous fight to save books from the Basra Central Library before it was destroyed in the war.
It is 2003 and Alia Muhammad Baker, the chief librarian of the Central Library in Basra, Iraq, has grown worried given the increased likelihood of war in her country. Determined to preserve the irreplacable records of the culture and history of the land on which she lives from the destruction of the war, Alia undertakes a courageous and extremely dangerous task of spiriting away 30,000 books from the library to a safe place.
Told in dramatic graphic-novel panels by acclaimed cartoonist Mark Alan Stamaty, Alia's Mission celebrates the importance of books and the freedom to read, while examining the impact of war on a country and its people. (Goodreads)

Picture Books~ This Is Not My Hat CCSS/ AASL aligned discussion guide

This Is Not My Hat

Jon Klassen

written & illustrated by: Jon Klassen 

Interest level grades K-3

Reading Level:

Grade level Equivalent: 2, Lexile^® Measure:AD340L, DRA: 16, Guided Reading: J

Type of Book: Read-Aloud Book

Themes: Conflict resolution and problem-solving.

WINNER OF THE 2013 CALDECOTT MEDAL!

From the creator of the #1 New York Times best-selling and award-winning I Want My Hat Back comes a second wry tale.

Summary & Mrs. Cowell's endorsement:
When a tiny fish swims onto the page wearing a hat that happens to fit him perfectly, trouble could be following close behind. So it’s a good thing that enormous fish won’t wake up. And even if he does, it’s not like he’ll ever know what happened. . . . Visual humor swims to the fore as the best-selling Jon Klassen follows his breakout debut with another deadpan-funny tale.
I loved reading this book because there is so much to think about based on the illustrations alone including many tie ins with Dale Street School's character education program. Children of all ages will get a thrill out of the little fish's boldness and the big fish's silent retaliation. There are many ways to incorporate this book into our 4th/5th grade classrooms. Here are a few to get you started: 

Aligned to CCSS & AASL:
CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.1 Read closely to determine what the text says explicitly and to make logical inferences from it; cite specific textual evidence when writing or speaking to support conclusions drawn from the text. 
 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.6 Assess how point of view or purpose shapes the content and style of a text. 
 CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.R.7 Integrate and evaluate content presented in diverse media and formats, including visually and quantitatively, as well as in words.
CC.4.R.L.6 Craft and Structure: Compare and contrast the point of view from which different stories are narrated, including the difference between first- and third-person narrations.
AASL.4.1.1 Read, view, and listen for pleasure and personal growth. 
AASL.4.1.2 Read widely and fluently to make connections with own self, the world, and previous reading. 
AASL 1.1.6 Read, view, and listen for information presented in any format (e.g., textual, visual, media, digital) in order to make inferences and gather meaning.

OBJECTIVES 
• Students will make inferences and predictions using the text and illustrations. 
• Students will analyze point of view. 
• Students will use shared writing to discover how the story might change from a different point of view.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
• Why did the little fish steal the hat? How did the big fish feel about it? 
• Throughout the book, did the little fish know what was going on? What makes you think that? 
• What events happened in the book that the little fish didn’t know about? Why didn’t he know? 
• What do you see in the picture that the words do not talk about? (The crab told the big fish where the little fish went.) 
• What can we guess, or predict, has will happen next? Did we use textual clues or pictures clues to help us with our prediction? Then, read or play the part when the big fish comes out of the tall plants.  
• What do you think happened to the little fish? What in the pictures make you think that?
• What is stealing?
• Why is stealing wrong?
• How does someone feel if something is stolen from him/her? Why do you think they feel that way?
• What are some reasons that people might steal?
• What are some consequences for stealing?

ACTIVITIES:

• The book is written in the first person. Can you rewrite it in the third person?
• Create speech bubbles using the world language you study.
• Check out the Caldecott Medal requirements and list of winners... Caldecott criteria why do YOU think this book won in 2013?
• Create a set of captions / speech bubbles / thought bubbles for the illustrations in the book
• Use art software/ iPad/ paper/ etc... to design a new hat for the fish & share it with your classmates explaining why you created it the way you did
• Look at the illustrations. How do the images convey movement / expressions?
• Make a list of reasons why it is wrong to steal things from others. How does it make the people involved feel?
• Think of things that the small fish could do if he was ever tempted to steal again. How could he stop himself?

Young Adult Fiction- week 6

Fiction... Young Adult style

Oh boy! This will be tough as I am a very big fan of the young adult genre! 

Here are some standouts that no library that services young adults should be without...

Anything by Raina Telegeimer

Raina's website

Raina Telgemeier's #1 New York Times bestselling, Eisner Award-winning graphic memoir based on her childhood!

Raina just wants to be a normal sixth grader. But one night after Girl Scouts she trips and falls, severely injuring her two front teeth. What follows is a long and frustrating journey with on-again, off-again braces, surgery, embarrassing headgear, and even a retainer with fake teeth attached. And on top of all that, there's still more to deal with: a major earthquake, boy confusion, and friends who turn out to be not so friendly. (Amazon)

Orbiting Jupiter

The two-time Newbery Honor winner Gary D. Schmidt delivers the shattering story of Joseph, a father at thirteen, who has never seen his daughter, Jupiter. After spending time in a juvenile facility, he’s placed with a foster family on a farm in rural Maine. Here Joseph, damaged and withdrawn, meets twelve-year-old Jack, who narrates the account of the troubled, passionate teen who wants to find his baby at any cost. In this riveting novel, two boys discover the true meaning of family and the sacrifices it requires. (Amazon)

This stunning debut novel about grief and wonder was an instant New York Times bestseller and captured widespread critical acclaim, including selection as a 2015 National Book Award finalist!

After her best friend dies in a drowning accident, Suzy is convinced that the true cause of the tragedy must have been a rare jellyfish sting-things don't just happen for no reason. Retreating into a silent world of imagination, she crafts a plan to prove her theory--even if it means traveling the globe, alone. Suzy's achingly heartfelt journey explores life, death, the astonishing wonder of the universe...and the potential for love and hope right next door. (Amazon)

A New York Times bestseller
A 2015 Caldecott Honor Book
A 2015 Michael L. Printz Honor Book

Every summer, Rose goes with her mom and dad to a lake house in Awago Beach. It's their getaway, their refuge. Rosie's friend Windy is always there, too, like the little sister she never had. But this summer is different. Rose's mom and dad won't stop fighting, and when Rose and Windy seek a distraction from the drama, they find themselves with a whole new set of problems. One of the local teens - just a couple of years older than Rose and Windy - is caught up in something bad... Something life threatening.

It's a summer of secrets, and sorrow, and growing up, and it's a good thing Rose and Windy have each other.

This One Summer is a tremendously exciting new teen graphic novel from two creators with true literary clout. Cousins Mariko and Jillian Tamaki, the team behind Skim, have collaborated on this gorgeous, heartbreaking, and ultimately hopeful story about a girl on the cusp of childhood - a story of renewal and revelation.

Scary Book Week

Scary Books~ Week 5!

Bibliotherapy Genre

As Karen Gavigan states, "In today's increasingly diverse society, it is critical to provide children and young adults with quality literature that can help them develop empathy and acceptance of individual differences."

These are books that I could not live without as a child who experienced adversity in many ways:

Flowers in the Attic

From Amazon:

At the top of the stairs there are four secrets hidden. Blond, beautiful, innocent, and struggling to stay alive…
They were a perfect family, golden and carefree—until a heartbreaking tragedy shattered their happiness. Now, for the sake of an inheritance that will ensure their future, the children must be hidden away out of sight, as if they never existed. Kept on the top floor of their grandmother’s vast mansion, their loving mother assures them it will be just for a little while. But as brutal days swell into agonizing months and years, Cathy, Chris, and twins Cory and Carrie realize their survival is at the mercy of their cruel and superstitious grandmother…and this cramped and helpless world may be the only one they ever know. 
Book One of the Dollanganger series, followed by Petals in the Wind, If There be Thorns, Seeds of Yesterday, and Garden of Shadows.

Even looking at the cover horrifies me... how could I have read these books so voraciously?? It may be that my mother was so sick with bipolar and I (still!) have horrific feelings of resentment towards her. The grandmother in this book made me realize that I didn't have it so bad-- I guess!?

The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein
From Goodreads:
"Once there was a tree...and she loved a little boy."
So begins a story of unforgettable perception, beautifully written and illustrated by the gifted and versatile Shel Silverstein.
Every day the boy would come to the tree to eat her apples, swing from her branches, or slide down her trunk...and the tree was happy. But as the boy grew older he began to want more from the tree, and the tree gave and gave and gave.
This is a tender story, touched with sadness, aglow with consolation. Shel Silverstein has created a moving parable for readers of all ages that offers an affecting interpretation of the gift of giving and a serene acceptance of another's capacity to love in return.

I have a love/hate relationship with this book. However, I love that it illustrates how love can be complicated and can help open up discussions about healthy relationships.

The Velveteen Rabbit

From Goodreads:

Nursery magic is very strange and wonderful, and only those playthings that are old and wise and experienced like the Skin Horse understand all about it.

Like the Skin Horse, Margery Williams understood how toys--and people--become real through the wisdom and experience of love. This reissue of a favorite classic, with the original story and illustrations as they first appeared in 1922, will work its magic for all who read it.

I loved this book as a child so much that my husband and I chose an excerpt for our wedding. I love the notion of unconditional love and this is something that I want my own children to understand and feel from us.

Notable mention:

The Berenstain Bears taught me everything from how to go the dentist to how to avoid strangers. Each title taught something to me (and now my own children) and I would count these books as an early literacy version of Bibliotherapy.

THRILLER (Scary)

R.L. Stine

I read every title I could get my hands on as a youth, and I am shocked by that now because I always hated thriller. Yet, this author kept me coming back for me and I see the same with my students still.

Geeky Books!

What teens like – Geeky Books!

To give me a better sense of my own likes/ dislikes, I liked this line up: NPR Top 100

The Night Circus

My father recommended this book to me, and we both loved it so much we still bring it up in conversation! We are very similar readers and do not gravitate towards the sci fi or fantasy genres. However, this novel captured both of our hearts!

from Amazon:

The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night. 

But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway: a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them both, this is a game in which only one can be left standing. Despite the high stakes, Celia and Marco soon tumble headfirst into love, setting off a domino effect of dangerous consequences, and leaving the lives of everyone, from the performers to the patrons, hanging in the balance.

Amulet series

This series has been like crack cocaine in my classroom (I have to be careful who I say this to!), so I needed to check it out for myself. My son and I devoured it together for read aloud... we could not wait for #2. My five year old daughter (who tends to be exposed to more than she should be/ more than our son was at her age-- oops!), son, and I dove into the 2nd book and could not put it down. Currently we are reading the 3rd and I am amazed at everything these two are picking up on as we read. Graphic novels are amazing!! (I detest that it is a genre that always needs justification!)

from Amazon:

Graphic novel star Kazu Kibuishi creates a world of terrible, man-eating demons, a mechanical rabbit, a talking fox, a giant robot---and two ordinary children on a mission.

After the tragic death of their father, Emily and Navin move with their mother to the home of her deceased great-grandfather, but the strange house proves to be dangerous. Before long, a sinister creature lures the kids' mom through a door in the basement. Em and Navin, desperate not to lose her, follow her into an underground world inhabited by demons, robots, and talking animals.
Eventually, they enlist the help of a small mechanical rabbit named Miskit. Together with Miskit, they face the most terrifying monster of all, and Em finally has the chance to save someone she loves.

Penny Dora and the Wishing Box

Michael Stock  (Author), Tamra Bonvillain (Artist), Sina Grace (Artist)

This was the first graphic novel that I stumbled upon with a realistic girl character as the lead. Penny Dora captured my heart and I brought her into my classroom last year. Every girl in my class last year and this year read this book and loved it. Many of the boys picked it up too. It's a great story with very relate-able issues that young adults can relate to-- even among the fantastical adventures!

from Amazon:

Once upon a time (on the day before Christmas) a young girl named Penny Dora found a mysterious box on her front doorstep — a magic box with the power to grant wishes! Which sounded great...until Penny Dora found herself face-to-face with a horde of fire-breathing dragons, oodles of monsters, and at least seven dwarves...all thanks to the girl she used to call best friend, now known as Princess Elizabeth.

Love week!

Finding Love in the Teen Book World...

I was and continue to be a total sucker for a great romance. 
These books have captured my heart in many ways and serve as benchmarks for all other books...

My first loves...
I can remember my mom reading these when I was young, so obviously I didn't want anything to do with them... until I grew up and realized they just can't make them like this any more!

The Thorn Birds

from Goodreads:

Powered by the dreams and struggles of three generations, THE THORN BIRDS is the epic saga of a family rooted in the Australian sheep country. At the story's heart is the love of Meggie Cleary, who can never possess the man she desperately adores, and Ralph de Bricassart, who rises from parish priest to the inner circles of the Vatican...but whose passion for Meggie will follow him all the days of his life. 

Gone with the Wind

from Goodreads:

Margaret Mitchell's epic novel of love and war won the Pulitzer Prize and one of the most popular and celebrated movies of all time. 

Many novels have been written about the Civil War and its aftermath. None take us into the burning fields and cities of the American South as Gone With the Wind does, creating haunting scenes and thrilling portraits of characters so vivid that we remember their words and feel their fear and hunger for the rest of our lives. 

In the two main characters, the white-shouldered, irresistible Scarlett and the flashy, contemptuous Rhett, Margaret Mitchell not only conveyed a timeless story of survival under the harshest of circumstances, she also created two of the most famous lovers in the English-speaking world since Romeo and Juliet.

Recent loves of mine...

The Fault in Our Stars

from Goodreads:

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.

Insightful, bold, irreverent, and raw, The Fault in Our Stars is award-winning author John Green's most ambitious and heartbreaking work yet, brilliantly exploring the funny, thrilling, and tragic business of being alive and in love.



Eleanor & Park

from Goodreads:
Two misfits.
One extraordinary love.

Eleanor... Red hair, wrong clothes. Standing behind him until he turns his head. Lying beside him until he wakes up. Making everyone else seem drabber and flatter and never good enough...Eleanor.
Park... He knows she'll love a song before he plays it for her. He laughs at her jokes before she ever gets to the punch line. There's a place on his chest, just below his throat, that makes her want to keep promises...Park.
Set over the course of one school year, this is the story of two star-crossed sixteen-year-olds—smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try.

Week 2- Funny Books

WEEK 2 
What Teens Like- FUNNY BOOKS

Finding humor in books is so a subjective, so I struggled with this week as I love anything that makes me laugh. However, I could see why my picks may not be for everyone.

My graphic novel obsession continues... I especially love graphic novels that use humor to help guide readers through more difficult subjects...

American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang

“It's easy to become anything you wish . . . so long as you're willing to forfeit your soul.”

Yang uses humor based on stereotypes as a way to hook readers into this fascinating book. This helps readers face tough themes like identity, culture, and acceptance-- on deeper levels. I loved how the three separate plots eventually came together to illustrate the importance in understanding our own stereotypes and biases in order to genuinely overcome them.

I would highly recommend this book to students 13 years and up... I checked with my "go to" source- Common Sense Media which suggests 13+ (https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/american-born-chinese). This site also advises:

Parents need to know that Gene Luen Yang's American Born Chinese is the first graphic novel to be nominated for a National Book Award and the first to win the American Library Association's Michael L. Printz Award, in addition to several other literary awards and honors. It's easy to see why: The art, clever story lines, and thoughtful messages about tolerance and acceptance mark it as a winner. There's some sexual innuendo, potty humor, fighting, and a fairly graphic scene in which a monk is impaled on a spear and put on a spit over a fire, though he's rescued. An intentionally over-the-top stereotypical Chinese character -- and every protagonist's search for acceptance -- make this a better fit for teen readers who have the sophistication to understand the author's intent.  

El Deafo by Cece Bell

According to Amazon- "A 2015 Newbery Honor Book Going to school and making new friends can be tough. But going to school and making new friends while wearing a bulky hearing aid strapped to your chest? That requires superpowers! In this funny, poignant graphic novel memoir, author/illustrator Cece Bell chronicles her hearing loss at a young age and her subsequent experiences with the Phonic Ear, a very powerful—and very awkward—hearing aid."

I know that I have suggested this before, but I feel strongly that it ties in this week as well... the humor is accessible from ages 8+ through adults. This book is the perfect example of exposing students to important themes and getting them to buy in even more thanks to the humor!

Sunny Side Up by Jennifer & Matt Holm

Sunny Lewin has been packed off to Florida to live with her grandfather for the summer. At first she thought Florida might be fun -- it is the home of Disney World, after all. But the place where Gramps lives is no amusement park. It’s full of . . . old people. Really old people (Goodreads)

My 5th grade students and I read this as a read aloud. It was very funny and surprisingly touching. There was a lot of build up and suspense that led to great conversations and predictions. The characters were easy to relate to and the relationships and family dynamics were realistic and very natural. The humor is very benign... lots of poking fun at the seniors who live in the gated community. 

awkward by Svetlana Chmakova

Amazon- "Cardinal rule #1 for surviving school: Don't get noticed by the mean kids.

Cardinal rule #2 for surviving school: Seek out groups with similar interests and join them.

On her first day at her new school, Penelope--Peppi--Torres reminds herself of these basics. But when she trips into a quiet boy in the hall, Jaime Thompson, she's already broken the first rule, and the mean kids start calling her the "nerder girlfriend." How does she handle this crisis? By shoving poor Jaime and running away!

Falling back on rule two and surrounding herself with new friends in the art club, Peppi still can't help feeling ashamed about the way she treated Jaime. Things are already awkward enough between the two, but to make matters worse, he's a member of her own club's archrivals--the science club! And when the two clubs go to war, Peppi realizes that sometimes you have to break the rules to survive middle school!"

Middle school is tough enough, which is why I love finding a great book that helps shine a light on all of the awkwardness. This book is the perfect way for middle school students to know that they are not alone-- and that they will survive!

In my quest for humorous titles, I found this great website that breaks down different genres of funny with a very helpful infographic... http://www.lawrence.lib.ks.us/2013/04/find-the-ya-novel-that-will-make-you-laugh-out-loud/

Hunting the Elusive YA Book

Where do we find it? How can we tell if it’s any good? And what the heck do we do with it once we have got it?

This feels like an impossible task for me... to choose three young adult books! I could write pages on the genre alone. I am sure that I will want to change these choices after our course, but who knows!?

1. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
My all time favorite book of all time. This book stuck with me when I first read it in high school. I know this is shocking to hear from a teacher and librarian, BUT I hate re-reading books. I am constantly feeling behind in my own personal to-read list (never mind behind with courses and books that I should preview before students do...). A couple of years ago my once reluctant reader husband decided to take a stab at reading this classic and wanted to watch the movie after. I was so touched by the emotions that he experienced while reading this book that I wanted to re-create the feeling for myself. I fell in love harder the second time. We also both loved the book more, but definitely enjoyed every second of the movie. Gregory Peck... ahhh!

2. Wonder by R.J. Palacio

I truly belive that every human should read this book-- no matter your age. I love the messages, relate-able story line , humor, and characters. My fifth grade students are never the same before and after reading this amazing story. For a first time author, R. J. Palacio is simply amazing.

3. The Book Thief
I am an avid reader of any book related to WWII young adult and adult. Perhaps it is because I played Anne Frank in a play, or perhaps it is the fact that I have read hundreds from this time period across all genres, and I am always struck-- no matter what. The Book Thief absolutely stole my heart. I break out in goosebumps just thinking about the feelings I had when I read it. It is surely a book to stick with you and I will always cherish it. 

This was a great source for so many other great titles...

http://time.com/100-best-young-adult-books/