Shelf Challenge 2014

I've had a bit of a slow start to the Shelf Challenge this year. The first week of the challenge I was having the Book Fair at my school, so that took my attention. But I started today, reading a few from my "W" section of the Everybody section. Last year I read the "A" section and I found quite a few gems that I'm making sure get checked out this year. I also found many that I had never seen before, and a few that I thought "Why is this still on my shelf?" I'm hoping to find some great ones this year.

My "W" section starts on the bottom left shelf in the picture and all the way to the top shelf on the right side. The baskets on top are not part of the Everybody section. I'm excited to read this section because there are four of my favorite authors in this Melanie Watt, Rosemary Wells, Mo Willems, and Karma Wilson. I can't wait to reread all the books by these authors. I'm also looking forward to finding some other great books.


I only got time to read a few books from the "W" section, but I found two favorites in the first ten books that I read. The first one that I came across was a favorite from my childhood, The House on East 88th Street by Bernard Waber. This is the book that introduced us to Lyle, Lyle Crocodile! I have wonderful memories of my parents reading this and all of the Lyle Crocodile books aloud to me as I was younger. The other book that I found was Frankenstein by Rick Walton. I just loved Madeline stories when I was growing up. This is a great parody of it. I had to buy a copy for myself. It doesn't get checked out as much as I would have hoped, but many students do not know the story of Madeline. 

I can't wait to read more on the "W" shelf. Is anyone else out there doing the Shelf Challenge? If you are, please share some of your finds.

Happy Reading!!

Stacey (@libraryjo92)

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

This meme was started by Sheila at Book Journey. The kid's version was started by Jen at Teach Mentor Text and Kellee at Unleashing Readers.

I didn't get to read a lot this week because it was Book Fair. I was always reading the same books over and over, but I did came across I gem or two. But I did manage to slip in a few books in the evening to read.

The one that I really loved from the Book Fair was Superworm by Julia Donaldson. Click here for a summary on Goodreads. This book was so much fun to read with the kids. They really got into cheering for Superworm! It was one that many asked me to read again as soon as I finished. It was a rhyming story, but not one that hit you over the head with the rhymes. The illustrations by Axel Scheffler just add to the greatness of the book. If you haven't seen this one, it is a must read!

This weekend I raided my public library's new book shelf and came across 123 versus ABC by Mike Boldt. Click here for a summary on Goodreads. This was a hoot to read! I can see it being used to teach point of view in the classroom. It is one that I'm going to be ordering soon for my library. If you think you are getting a simple alphabet/counting book, you are in for a pleasent surprise. 


I'm in the process of reading Ungifted by Gordon Korman. It is a Black-Eyed Susan nominated book in Maryland. I wasn't sure about it when I first started reading it, but the story has grown on me and I'm interested in seeing how it ends.

I will also be reading quite a bit more in the next few week because I'm participating the the Shelf Challenge. The Shelf Challenge is hosted by Matthew Winner. You can read his post about the challenge here. This year I am reading my "W" books in the Everybody section. If you go back to April 2013, you can read all about my challenge last year. I was reading the "A" books. I came across a few really great books, but some that I couldn't believe were still on my shelves. Stay tuned for some updates.

Happy Reading!

Stacey (@libraryjo92)

Must Reads in 2014

Back in January Carrie Gelson from There's a Book for That, Linda Baie from Teacher Dance and Maria Selke from Maria's Melange created the Must Read in 2014 Challenge. Click here for my original post.

I orignally started with 18 books. As the past few months passed I had the list in the back of my mind, but I wasn't actively reading that list. I've added ones that seemed interesting or a few of the new award winners. Out of the original 18 books I've read 9 of them. 

I've had a few favorites, A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd, The Ghosts of Tupelo Landing by Sheila Turnage, and The Shadow Throne by Jennifer Nielsen. I was surprised that my favorites were all chapter books. I written about all of these in some previous posts.

So I still have 9 more books to go from my original 18 books. But I'm adding the ones pictured below to my list.

              

                   

                     

                                           

I know that there will be others that get added during this next part of the year. I can't wait until summer when I can read and read and read! 

If you haven't joined Must Reads in 2014, it is never to late to start.

Happy Reading!!

Stacey (@libraryjo92)