There was not a lot of reading happening in my house this week. My taxes came first. I had to get them done, because I was meeting with my tax person.
I finally finished The Notorious Benedict Arnold by Steve Sheinkin. I loved this book. I'm all about learning new things and really learned a lot as I was reading this book. I've now read two books by Sheinkin, with each book my appreciation of his attention to detail grows. He really throws himself into fully researching each topic. I'm so impressed with his ability to turn a nonfiction book into one that reads like a fiction story. Now just waiting for my public library to get his newest, Lincoln's Grave Robbers.
I also got a chance to read I'm Looking for a Monster! by Timothy Young. I just loved this book. It is a pop-up book. Click here for a summary on Goodreads. It has some great examples of monsters. This book fits perfectly with the mini monster unit with first grade. I read a monster book and then have them create, using PIXIE, a monster. Then they have to write a sentence or more, depending on their level, describing their monster. I've been looking for a different monster book because the one that I usually use, damaged beyond repair this year. I was so excited that I have another book to takes it place. Now I need to get his newest book I Hate Picture Books! Click here for a summary on Goodreads. If you are on Twitter, so is Timothy Young (@TimSYoung), check him out.
Up next for me is catching up on a few graphic novels that I have missed. Matthew Winner (@MatthewWinner) and some other teacher librarians in Maryland have created a graphic novel category for the Black-Eyed Susan Awards, our state book awards. Click here for a link to his blog post about the new category. Matthew gives a lot of great resources for the books. Also if you haven't seen his blog, it is a really great resource! I think this is wonderful because graphic novels have become an important genre. There are five graphic novels on the list that I haven't read yet. First up for me is Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales: One Ded Spy by Nathan Hale. Click here for a summary on Goodreads. I'm also reading In A Glass Grimmly by Adam Gidwitz. I'm not sure yet what I think about this book so far. I enjoyed his first one, A Tale Dark & Grimm, but I found my mind wandering as I was reading. I'm putting it aside for now, and I pick it back up in a little while.
Happy Reading!!
Stacey (@libraryjo92)
I really liked the Benedict Arnold book, but my students have struggled with it because there is SO much information. Luckily, it reads more like a novel, so they've managed to get through it.
ReplyDeleteI struggled through it too. There was so much information, sometimes my brain went on overload. I think that is why it took me so long to read it.
ReplyDeleteHey Stacey!
ReplyDeleteYou might want to add Sophia's War by Avi to your reading list if you haven't read it. While I haven't read The Notorious Benedict Arnold, it sounds like Sophia's War would be a great HF pairing.
I'm Looking for a Monster sounds cute. I'm adding it my list. Have you seen Frank Was a Monster Who Wanted to Dance? My public librarian shared it with me back in February. Really fun! Would make a great read aloud!
Have a great week!