corntigaja: Book Lists

Showing posts with label Book Lists. Show all posts

Monday, March 28, 2011

Here & There: March 28, 2011

QUESTION: Is anyone else having trouble with Blogger lately? I originally typed the following links in a list--but when I published the post, everything was all squished up together. I've had to add HTML line breaks. I've also been having a problem uploading pictures.

Women’s History Book Resources (The Horn Book)

Notes from the Horn Book (March 2011 Issue)

Includes a link to the following:

- Five questions for Lee Bennett Hopkins

- Passing the poetry

- New books for young readers

Fall Children’s Books Sneak Previews(Publishers Weekly)

About Children’s Illustrator Sophie Blackall (Publishers Weekly)

ALSC & YALSA 2011 Book Picks (School Library Journal)

Top 10 Graphic Novels for Youth: 2011 (Booklist)

Everyday Poetry: Poetry Tag (Booklist)

Classroom Connections: Discovering the Magic of Books—through Books (Booklist)

Books and Authors: Talking with Norton Juster and Jules Feiffer (Booklist)

Chris Van Allsburg: Stories enlightened by ‘Higglety Pigglety Pop!’ (The Boston Globe)

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Here & There: March 2, 2011

Some Notable Books Lists
2011 Notable Children’s Books (Association for Library Science for Children)

2011 Best Fiction for Young Adults (Young Adult Library Services Association)

2011 NCTE Notable Children’s Books in the Language Arts (A Year of Reading)

Amelia Bloomer Project Top 10 for 2011 Representing the best of the best from our annual booklist of appealing feminist books for young readers, ages birth through 18 (Amelia Bloomer Project)

Here & There
Have You Heard the Word?: National Poetry Month is a great time to share the joy of poetry with children (School Library Journal)

The Civil War: Beyond the Battlefield (School Library Journal)

Sing a Song of Science: Scientists in the Field by Erica Zappy (The Horn Book)

New Knowledge by Marc Aronson (The Horn Book)

What Makes a Good Picture Book Biography? by Viki Ash and Thom Barthelmess (The Horn Book)

Starred Books: March/April 2011 (The Horn Book)

Books and Authors: Talking with Linda Sue Park by Monika Schroder (Booklist)

Fall 2011 Sneak Preview of Children’s Books (Publishers Weekly)

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Best Children's Books of 2010

Association for Library Service to Children: 2011 ALSC Award Winners

ALSC: 2011 Notable Children’s Books

Booklist Editor’s Choice: Books for Youth, 2010

The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books: 2010 Blue Ribbons

Kirkus Reviews: 2010 Best Books for Children

Kirkus Reviews: 2010 Best Books for Teens

Horn Book Fanfare: Best Books of 2010

New York Public Library: Children’s Books 2010—100 Titles for Reading and Sharing

New York Times: Notable Children’s Books of 2010

Publishers Weekly: Best Children’s Books 2010

School Library Journal: Best Picture Books 2010

School Library Journal: Best Nonfiction Books 2010

School Library Journal: Best Fiction Books 2010

Book Links: Lasting Connections of 2010

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Here & There: December 15, 2010

New York Times Notable Children’s Books of 2010

Congratulations to my good friend Grace Lin.

Her book Ling and Ting: Not Exactly the Same! is one of the notable books!

The Quiet Book, one of my favorite picture books of 2010, is also on the The New Times Notable Children's Books list.

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From Anita Silvey (Boston Globe, 12/5/20100): For Kids, 10 glittering stars of the year.

I was happy to see that Silvey included a poetry book on her list of stars. It was Joyce Sidman’s Ubiquitous: Celebrating Nature’s Survivors.

Click here to read my review of Ubiquitous.

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2010 Horn Book Fanfare

Two exceptional poetry books made the Fanfare list: Joyce Sidman's Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night and Marilyn Singers Mirror, Mirror: A Book of Reversible Verse.

Click here to read my review of Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night.

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From Publishers Weekly: PW’s Best Children’s Books 2010

Thursday, December 2, 2010

2010 Holiday Book Recommendations for Children

Buy children books for the holidays!

HOLIDAY BOOKS FOR CHILDREN

2010 Holiday High Notes (The Horn Book)
2009 Holiday High Notes (The Horn Book)
2008 Holiday High Notes (The Horn Book)
2010 December Holiday Books (School Library Journal)
2010 Holiday Roundup (Kids Reads)
2009 Holiday Roundup (Kids Reads)
2008 Holiday Roundup (Kids Reads)
Kids’ Christmas Books, 2010: For the Naughty & Nice (The Children’s Book Review)
Christmas Picture Books (Through the Looking Glass Children’s Book Reviews)
Hanukkah: The Festival of Lights (KidsReads)

HOLIDAY BOOK REVIEWS FROM WILD ROSE READER AND BLUE ROSE GIRLS
Winter Trees, Christmas Trees (WRR, December 2008)
Poetry Book Reviews: Under the Kisseltoe & Hanukkah Haiku (WRR, December 2008)
Poetry for Christmas (WRR, December 2007)
Picture Book Review: The Best Christmas Ever (WRR, December 2007)
Christmas Books in Verse (WRR, December 2007)
Picture Book Review: Christmas Magic (WRR, December 2007)
More Poetry for Christmas from Wild Rose Reader (WRR, December 2007)
Magic & Monsters: Picture Books for Hanukkah (WRR, November 2007)
Poetry for Hanukkah (WRR, November 2007)
Hanukkah Lights, Hanukkah Books (WRR, November 2007)
Winter Lights & Christmas Trees (BRG, December 2006)
Christmas Stories in Verse (BRG, December 2006)
A Hanukkah Story to Share: The Borrowed Hanukkah Latkes (BRG, December 2006)

MORE BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

Best Books 2010: Picture Books (School Library Journal)
Best Books 2010: Nonfiction (School Library Journal)
Best Books 2010: Fiction (School Library Journal)
2010 Best Children's Books: The Complete List (Kirkus Reviews)
2010 Guide Book to Gift Books: An Annotated List of Books for Youth 2010 (Bulletin of the center for Children’s Books)
Best Illustrated Children’s Books of 2010 (New York Times)
Horn Book Fanfare: Best Books of 2009 (The Horn Book)
2010 Notable Children’s Books (Association for Library Service to Children)
2010 Notable Children’s Books in the English Language Arts (Children’s Literature Assembly of NCTE)

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

Back to School Books & Resources (2010 Post)

Recommended Back-to-School Books

School Library Journal (8/04/2009): Back-to-School Bonanza: Books for Reading Aloud

New York Public Library: Back to School

The Horn Book Monthly Special (August 2007): Back to School

Bank Street College of Education: Back to School Books

Reading Is Fundamental: Back-to-School Books

Scholastic: Favorite Books for Back-to-School

Kidsreads.com: Back to School Books

Parents’ Choice: Back to School Books

Education.com: Back to School Books

PBS Booklights (8/20/2009): Thursday Three: Back to School

WTNH.com (8/16/2009): Back to School Books

PittsburghLive (8/2/2009): Back to School Books Teach Kids about Learning

New York Kids (Time Out): Favorite Back-to-School Books

ParentsConnect: Great Books for Back to School

Monroe County Public Library (Indiana): Starting School Stories

Allen County Public Library (Indiana): School Booklist

Boston Public Library: Countdown to Kindergarten

From About.com: Top Children's Books About Starting School

From Wild Rose Reader

Book Bunch: School Stories

Poetry Friday: Going Back to School...with Poetry

Things to Do If You Are a Stapler & Other Back to School Poems

Other Resources

From Scholastic: Back-to-School Planning Guide

From Scholastic: Get Off to a Smart Start

From Scholastic: Wemberly Worried Lesson Plan

From Reading Is Fundamental: Back to School Resources

From Enchanted Learning: Back-to-School Activities and Crafts

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Children's Books for Summer Reading 2010

Books for Summer Reading

From Reading Rockets
2010 Big Summer Read
Recommended Books for 6-9 Year Olds
Recommended Books for 3-6 Year Olds
Recommended Books for 0-3 Year Olds
Audio Books
Books for the Beach
It’s Summer Vacation
Summer Stuff
Welcome Summer

From Wild Rose Reader
PICTURE BOOKS
Rattletrap Car: A Great Summer Read-Aloud
A Perfect Pair: Olvina Swims...and So Does Baby Duck!
The Sounds of Summer
Picture Book Review: Apple Pie 4th of July

NONFICTION BOOKS
Over in the Ocean
Book Bunch: A SEAsonal Selection

POETRY
Toasting Marshmallows: Camping Poems
Poetry Friday: Summersaults and Lemonade Sun
Into the Sea Once More (A Review of Hotel Deep: Light Verse from Dark Water)

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From Guys Read—Guys’ Summer Reads

From Booklist Online—Top 10 SF/Fantasy for Youth: 2010

From The Horn Book—Summer Reading

From the American Booksellers Association—The Summer 2010 Children’s Indie Next List

From Through the Looking Glass Book Reviews—Summer Days

From Scholastic—Fun in the Sun Books

From Choice Literacy—Books to Get us Ready for Summer Vacation by Franki Sibberson

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More Summer Reading Resources

From Scholastic—Teaching Plan to Encourage Summer Reading by Risa Young

From PBS Kids—Raising Readers: Stories & Reading Activities, Reading Activity Calendar

From A Fuse #8 Production—Nontraditional Review of the Day: Pop!: The Invention of Bubble Gum by Meghan McCarthy (May 24, 2010)

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Here & There: March 17, 2010

From Booklist
Top Ten Graphic Novels for Youth: 2010
Read-alikes: New Narnias
Story behind the Story: Mo Willems’ City Dog, Country Frog.

From School Library Journal
Hooray for Spring! Stories to Read Aloud
Get Your Students to Vote for their Favorite Author, Illustrator
‘Charles and Emma’ Wins SLJ’s Battle of the Books, Round 1, Match 1
LA Unified School District to Eliminate All Certified Librarians
What Are They Reading for Fun?

From Kidsreads.com
Baseball Books Are a Hit
Cool New Books
Hippity, Hoppity Easter's on Its Way!
Show Us Your Green Thumbs!

From Reading Rockets
A Poetic Spring
The Exquisite Prompt: A Writing Challenge for K-12 Students (The March prompts entry deadline is March 31, 2010)

From Booklights (PBS Parents)
Share a Story - Shape a Future 2010: A Blog Tour for Literacy posted by Jen Robinson

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Thinking Spring: Children's Books & Poetry for the Season

We've had a spell of lovely sunny weather here lately. It got me to thinking about spring. I thought I'd get a jump-start on the season with this post. It has links to lists of books and some of my original spring poems that I posted previously at Wild Rose Reader.

From Reading Rockets
Ten Books for Spring

From InfoSoup
Spring Books and Media

From The Miss Rumphius Effect
Seeds and Growing Things
Springing to Life

From Wild Rose Reader

Two Puddle Poems & Some Poetry for Spring
Acrostic Poems for Spring
Welcoming Spring...with Poetry
POETRY FRIDAY: Spring Is...

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

Here & There: March 9, 2010

From School Library Journal (March 2010)
Bustling Biomes: Desserts and Grasslands by Kathy Piehl
ALSCA & YALSA Book Picks 2010

From The Horn Book (March/April 2010)
An Interview with Katherine Paterson by Roger Sutton
Sharing the Love: A salute to the incoming Ambassador--Editorial by Martha V. Parravano

From A Year of Reading
2010 NCTE Notable Children’s Books in the Language Arts—posted by Mary Lee Hahn

From the National Science Teachers Association
Outstanding Science Trade Books for Students K–12: 2010 (Books published in 2009)

From Reading Tub
Booklists by Theme

Thursday, March 4, 2010

2010 CCBC Choices Announced

CCBC CHOICES 2010
Selected by Kathleen T. Horning, Merri V. Lindgren and Megan Schliesman with Tessa Michaelson

Note from the CCBC: CCBC Choices is the annual best-of-the-year list of the Cooperative Children’s Book Center. The complete CCBC Choices 2010 publication featuring books published in 2009 will include annotations and recommended ages for all of the books included, as well as an author/title/subject index, and a commentary on the publishing year. CCBC Choices 2010 will be available at the CCBC after March 6, 2010.

Click here to see the extensive list of 2010 CCBC Choices.

I was happy to see that my friend Grace Lin's book Where the Mountain Meets the Moon and Jarrett Krosoczka's "Lunch Lady" books made the list!

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Some of the 2010 CCBC Choices:

Fiction for Children

Lin, Grace. Where the Mountain Meets the Moon. Little, Brown, 2009.
Krosoczka, Jarrett J. Lunch Lady and the Author Visit Vendetta. Alfred A. Knopf, 2009.
Krosoczka, Jarrett J. Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute. Alfred A. Knopf, 2009.
Krosoczka, Jarrett J. Lunch Lady and the League of Librarians. Alfred A. Knopf, 2009.

Poetry Books

Sidman, Joyce. Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors. Illustrated by Pamela Zagarenski. Houghton Mifflin/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2009.
Argueta, Jorge. Sopa de frijoles: un poema para cocinar = Bean Soup: A Cooking Poem. Illustrated by Rafael Yockteng. Groundwood Books/Libros Tigrillo/House of Anansi Press, 2009.
Florian, Douglas. Dinothesaurus: Prehistoric Poems and Paintings. Atheneum, 2009.
Harley, Avis. African Acrostics: A Word in Edgewise. Photographs by Deborah Noyes. Candlewick Press, 2009.
Hopkins, Lee Bennett, selector. Sky Magic. Illustrated by Mariusz Stawarski. Dutton, 2009.
Hughes, Langston. My People. Photographs by Charles R. Smith Jr. Ginee Seo Books/Atheneum, 2009.
Hughes, Langston. The Negro Speaks of Rivers. Illustrated by E. B. Lewis. Jump at the Sun Books / Disney, 2009.
Janeczko, Paul B., selector. A Foot in the Mouth: Poems to Speak, Sing, and Shout. Illustrated by Chris Raschka. Candlewick Press, 2009.
Rosen, Michael J. The Cuckoo’s Haiku and Other Birding Poems. Illustrated by Stan Fellows. Candlewick Press, 2009.
Ruddell, Deborah. A Whiff of Pine, a Hint of Skunk: A Forest of Poems. Illustrated by Joan Rankin. Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2009.
Shange, Ntozake. We Troubled the Waters. Illustrated by Rod Brown. Amistad/Collins/HarperCollins, 2009.
Smith, Hope Anita. Mother Poems. Christy Ottaviano Books/Henry Holt, 2009.
Soto, Gary. Partly Cloudy: Poems of Love and Longing. Harcourt/Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2009.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

Women's History Month 2010: Book Lists and Resources

Books Lists

Other Resources

From Scholastic: Women Who Changed History
From Scholastic: Important Dates in U. S. Women’s History
National Women’s History Project Biography Center From Smithsonian Education: Women’s History Teaching Resources
From the Library of Congress: Women’s History Month
From the National Women’s History Museum: Women’s History Links
From Reading is Fundamental: Women’s History Month Links
From Education World: March into Women’s History Month
From whitehouse.gov: Our First Ladies
From TeacherVision: Women’s History—Teacher Resources
Songs of the Suffragettes (Lyrics)
From Middle Tennessee State University: Discovering Women’s History Online This database provides access to digital collections of primary sources (photos, letters, diaries, artifacts, etc.) that document the history of women in the United States. These diverse collections range from Ancestral Pueblo pottery to Katrina Thomas's photographs of ethnic weddings from the late 20th century.
From History.com: Women’s History Month
From Time for Kids: Women’s History Month

From Wild Rose Reader

Poetry for Women's History Month
More Poetry for Women's History Month
What To Do About Alice? (Book Review)
Patience Wright: America's First Sculptor and Revolutionary Spy (Book Review)
Julia Morgan Built a Castle (Book Review)

Two Books I Recommend for Women’s History Month

The Sky’s the Limit: Stories of Discovery by Women and Girls
Written by Catherine Thimmesh
Illustrated by Melissa Sweet
Houghton Mifflin, 2002

Women written about in this book include:
Vera Rubin—Dark Matter
Denise Schmandt-Besserat—Origins of Writing & Counting
Donna Shirley— Manager of Mars Exploration Team that Built Sojourner Rover
Jane Goodall—Ethologist & Chimpanzee Expert
Mary Anning—Fossil Hunter & Dinosaur Expert
Sue Hendrickson—Fossil Hunter
Anna Sofaer—Discovered the Sun Dagger site in Chaco Canyon & Founder of The Solstice Project
Mary Leakey--Paleoanthropolgist

Chapter Three provides brief glimpses of inquisitive young girls who thought outside the box. The back matter of The Sky’s the Limit includes a Selected Timeline of Discoveries by Women from the 1300s to 2000 and Web site resources.

Look Inside the Book ...

Awards and Honors
2003 Minnesota Book Award for Children's Nonfiction
Smithsonian Notable Book 2002
Outstanding Science and Social Studies Trade Book for Children 2002

Girls Think of Everything: Stories of Ingenious Inventions by Women
Written by Catherine Thimmesh
Illustrated by Melissa Sweet
Houghton Mifflin, 2000

Here’s a list of the women that Thimmesh writes about in this book:
Ruth Wakefield—Chocolate Chip Cookies
Mary Anderson—Windshield Wipers
Stephanie Kwolek—Kevlar
Patsy O. Sherman—Scotchgard
Grace Murray Hopper—Computer Compiler
Bette Nesmith Graham—Liquid Paper
Ann Moore—Snugli
Margaret E. Knight—Paper Bags
Jeanne Lee Crews—Space Bumper
Valerie L. Thomas—Illusion Transmitter

The sections about the women inventors are concise and filled with interesting information about their inventions—some of which came about by accident…like chocolate chip cookies and Scotchgard.

The book ends with the section called Girls (Even the Young Ones) Think of Everything. In this section, you can read about Becky Schroeder, a ten-year-old girl who “created a tool that enabled people to write in the dark.” The tool is called the Glo-sheet. You’ll also find out about the no-spill feeding bowl invented by eleven-year-old Alexia Abernathy.

Look Inside the Book ...

Awards and Honors
2001 IRA Children's Book Award
Children's Book of the Month Club Best Nonfiction Book 2000
Minnesota Book Award finalist
Outstanding Science Trade Book for Children 2001
Smithsonian Notable Book 2000

Thursday, January 21, 2010

2010 ALSC Notable Children's Books Announced

From the Association for Library Service to Children:

2010 Notable Children’s Books

Three of my favorite books of 2009 that are also Cybils finalists made the list.

Younger Readers

All the World

By Liz Garton Scanlon

Illus. by Marla Frazee

Beach Lane

The myriad joys of the world are reflected with warmth and affection in this look at a day in a small community near the ocean.

(A 2010 Caldecott Honor Book)

Red Sings from Treetops: A Year in Colors.

By Joyce Sidman

Illus. by Pamela Zagarenski

Houghton

Evocative poems celebrate color and enliven the senses as readers follow a woman and her dog surrounded by myriad intricately costumed and stylized figures through the seasons.

(A 2010 Caldecott Honor Book)

Middle Readers

Where the Mountain Meets the Moon

By Grace Lin

Illus. by Grace Lin

Little, Brown

A young Chinese girl, long a believer in her father’s fantastic stories, goes on a quest to find the legendary Old Man of the Moon in the hope of bringing life to Fruitless Mountain.

(A 2010 Newbery Honor Book)

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Click here for a Cybils printable flier.

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Some Recommended Children's Books

Last week, I posted links to a number of lists of Best Children's Books of 2009.

Here are links to more lists of recommended children’s books:

From Book Links—Lasting Connections of 2009
From Book Links—Lasting Connections of 2008
From Chicken Spaghetti—Best Children’s Books of 2009: The Big List of Lists
From A Fuse #8 Production—Top 100 Picture Books Poll Results (#1-101)
From The Huffington Post—The Best Children’s Picture Books of 2009
From ScrippsNews—Corner-books: The Best Children’s Books of 2009
From Poetry for Children (Sylvia Vardell)—Favorite Poetry Books of 2009

2009 Cybils Finalists

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Black History Month: Book Lists & Other Resources

I thought I'd post my list of resources for Black History Month early this year.

Book Lists

From NYPL: Celebrate African-American History Month
From PBS Parents: Books that Bring the Black Experience to Life
2010 Black History Month Recommended Reading List from the Florida Department of Education. Divided into sub-lists for different grade levels: PreK-3, 4-5, 6-8, 9-12
Celebrate Black History Month: Spotlight On…February 2008 from the Metropolitan System of Oklahoma County
Black History Month 2005 Picture Books from metrolibrary.org
From Through The Looking Glass Children’s Book Review: Black History Month. Click on book titles to read the reviews.
African American Books from The Horn Book
From BookPage: Understanding the Past (Reviews by Deborah Hopkinson)
From the Kids’ Corner of the Henrietta Public Library of Monroe County in New York: 2008 Black History Month (2008)
From Reading Rockets: Favorite Books for Black History Month
From KidsReads. Celebrating Black History Month (2009)
From KidsReads: Celebrating Black History Month (2007)
From KidsReads: Celebrating Black History Month (2006)
From Scholastic: Books About Great African Americans for Grades PreK-4 and Up
Read Jules’s reviews of some great new books at 7-Imp in her post Good picture book biographies start here. She’s included images of some fabulous illustrations along with her reviews, too! (2008)
Booklist’s Black History Preview: 2009 (12/15/2009)
From Meridian Magazine: Black History Month through Books by Holly E. Newton
From MotherReader: Books for Black History Month (February 2008)
From Bright Horizons: Good Children’s Books for African American History Month

Other Resources for Black History Month

From the Library of Congress: African American History Month
From East Central Georgia Regional Library: Black History Month Sites
From TeacherVision: Black History Month—Teacher Resources
From National Geographic: The Underground Railroad
From Scholastic: Celebrate African American Heritage
From Scholastic: Culture & Change—Black History in America
From Scholastic: The Underground Railroad—Escape from Slavery
From Scholastic: Books About Great African Americans for Grades PreK-4 and Up
From Scholastic: The Top Ten African-American Inventors The Black Inventor On-Line Museum
From Reading Rockets: Black History Month
From Time for Kids: Black History Month
From The History Channel: Black History
PBS Kids GO!: Jazz Greats
Check out Tricia’s post Teaching Resources—African History Month at The Miss Rumphius Effect. (2008)
Here’s a link to Andrea Davis Pinkney’s Celebration Time: Black History Month is here and there's a party goin' on, which appeared in the February 2008 issue of School Library Journal.
From Time for Kids: A Then to Now timeline of Black History
Here’s a link to a post at the ESSL Children’s Literature Blog that presents selected books by notable African American authors: African American Children’s Writers.
From East Central Georgia Regional Library: Black History Month Sites
From Arlington, Virginia, Libraries: Black History Month Guide for Kids

From Wild Rose Reader
Following are links to some of my previous posts at Wild Rose Reader that include recommendations and reviews of poetry books and picture book biographies for Black History Month:

Edited to add: More Books & Resources for Black History Month 2010 (Wild Rose Reader)

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Here is a cento I wrote in the voice of Harriet Tubman for Black History Month in 2008. In the cento, I used only the titles of books written by African American authors or books about the African American experience…with one exception—Come with Me, a book of poems that was written by Naomi Shihab Nye. (I’ve printed the book titles in italics in my poem.)

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A Cento for Harriet Tubman

by Elaine Magliaro

Hush,

My Brown Angels,

Listen to The Distant Talking Drum.

Hear it Spin a Soft Black Song

Under the Quilt of Night.

I’m Only Passing Through,

Goin’ Someplace Special…

To The Other Side

Where there’s A Sweet Smell of Roses

And Freedom Like Sunlight.

I’ve Seen the Promised Land—

A place for All the Colors of the Race.

Now Is Your Time

To be Freedom Walkers.

Follow me on The Road North

To Liberty Street.

Come with Me

To The Other Side

Where we will Make a Joyful Sound.

We will Lift Every Voice and Sing…

Sing to the Sun.

Sing Free at Last!

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THE BOOKS

Hush by Jacqueline Woodson

Brown Angels by Walter Dean Myers

The Distant Talking Drum by Isaac Olaleye

Spin a Soft Black Song by Nikki Giovanni

Under the Quilt of Night by Deborah Hopkinson

Only Passing Through by Anne Rockwell

Goin’ Someplace Special by Patricia C. Mckissack

The Other Side by Angela Johnson

A Sweet Smell of Roses by Angela Johnson

Freedom Like Sunlight by J. Patrick Lewis

I’ve Seen the Promised Land by Walter Dean Myers

All the Colors of the Race by Arnold Adoff

Now Is Your Time! by Walter Dean Myers

Freedom Walkers by Russell Freedman

The Road North by Bettye Stroud

Liberty Street by Candice F. Ransom

Come with Me by Naomi Shihab Nye

The Other Side by Jacqueline Woodson

Make a Joyful Sound: Poems for Children by African-American Poets edited by Deborah Slier

Lift Every Voice and Sing by James Weldon Johnson

Sing to the Sun by Ashley Bryan

Free at Last! By Doreen Rappaport

Thursday, January 7, 2010

Best Children's Books of 2009

Looking Back at Some of the Best Children's Books of 2009
School Library Journal’s Best Children’s Books of 2009
The Best Children’s Books of 2009 (Kirkus Reviews)
Best Illustrated Books of 2009 (New York Times)
Notable Children’s Books of 2009 (New York Times)
Best Children’s Books of 2009 (Publishers Weekly)
The Best Children’s Books of 2009 (Kirkus Reviews)
Best Children’s Books in 2009 (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
The Best Kids’ Books of the Year (Washington Post)
The Best Children’s Books of 2009 (The Seattle Times)
Children’s Books 2009—100 Titles for Reading and Sharing (New York Public Library)
Booklist Editors’ Choice: Books for Youth, 2009 (1/1/2010)
Top of the List (Booklist Editors’ Choice: 2009)
2009 Starred Books Wrap-up by Elizabeth Bluemle (Publishers Weekly, 12/10/2009)

A Few Extras
Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards: Videos of the 2009 Ceremony
Black History Preview: 2009 by Joanne Wilkinson (Booklist, 12/15/2009)
The Booklist Interview: Matt Phelan by Ian Chipman & Gillian Enberg (1/1/2010)

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Here & There--December 12, 2009

Some news...some book lists...some book reviews. Maybe you'll find some children's books you'd like to give as gifts for the holidays.

From School Library Journal
School Library Journal’s Best Children’s Books of 2009
It’s Caldecott Time: Some of this year’s graphic novels should be serious contenders by Ernie Cox
‘Kirkus Reviews’ Shuts Down by Rocco Staino

From Booklist
Top 10 Books for Youth: Sci-Tech (2009)
Top Ten Books for Youth: Science Fiction & Fantasy (2009)
Top Ten Books for Youth: The Arts (2009)

From Publishers Weekly
Best Children’s Books of 2009
Children’s Book Reviews: 12/7/2009
Shelftalker: 2009 Starred Books Wrap-up

From Kirkus Reviews
The Best Children’s Books of 2009

From NCTE
2009 Orbis Pictus Award Winner, Honor Books, and Recommended Books

From The New York Times
Notable Children’s Books of 2009
Best Illustrated Children’s Books of 2009

From Sylvia Vardell at Poetry for Children
Favorite Poetry Books of 2009 for Young People

From Wild Rose Reader—Poetry Book Reviews 2009
Red Sings from Treetops: A Book Review & An Invitation (4/17/09)
Presenting Anna Alter & What Can You Do with an Old Red Shoe? (4/21/09)
Poetry Friday: Animal Haiku (4/24/09) This post includes a brief review of Michael J. Rosen’s The Cuckoo’s Haiku.
The Frogs and Toads All Sang: A Book of Poems by Arnold Lobel (6/05/09)
Book Review: Sky Magic Compiled by Lee Bennett Hopkins (6/12/09)
Poetry Book Review: Incredible Inventions Compiled by Lee Bennett Hopkins (6/19/09)
Poetry about City Life (7/24/09) This post includes a review of Lee Bennett Hopkins’s City I Love.
Countdown to Summer: A Poetry Book Review (8/28/09)
Stampede!: Poems to Celebrate the Wild Side of School (9/04/09)
Button Up! Wrinkled Rhymes by Alice Schertle (10/2/2009)
The Tree That Time Built: A Celebration of Nature, Science, and Imagination (11/6/2009)

Monday, November 16, 2009

THANKSGIVING: Book Lists, Book Reviews, Resources, & Crafts

Thanksgiving Book Lists

From the New York Public Library: Thanksgiving Books
From Kaboose.com: Thanksgiving Books
From Apples 4 the Teacher: Thanksgiving Books for Kids
From Oyate: Recommended Books about Thanksgiving and "Books to Avoid"
From ESSL (Education & Social Science Library) Children’s Literature Blog: ThanksgivingBooks for Children
From The Holiday Zone: Recommended Books for Thanksgiving
From Reading Rockets: Ten Books for Thanksgiving
From Reading Rockets: Let’s Give Thanks
From Scholastic: Thanksgiving Recommended Books
From Through the Magic Door: Thanksgiving Picture Books & Books for Independent Readers (2008)
From Children’s Literature: Celebrate Thanksgiving (2009)
From Children’s Literature: Celebrate Thanksgiving (2008)
Through the Looking Glass Children’s Book Review: Thanksgiving
From Infosoup.org: Thanksgiving Books for Children (2007)

Reviews of Thanksgiving Books from Wild Rose Reader

Thanksgiving Books, Part I: Reviews of Jonathan London’s Giving Thanks, Diane Goode’s Thanksgiving Is Here!, and Debby Atwell’s The Thanksgiving Door.
Thanksgiving Books, Part II: Review of Lisa Wheeler Turk and Runt, a hilarious picture book about two turkey siblings.
Thanksgiving Poetry: Review of Nancy White Carlstrom’s poetry book Thanksgiving Day at Our House.
In November: What Do You Do with a Book Like This?: Includes a review of Cynthia Rylant’s book In November and a suggestion for writing a collaborative prose poem with elementary students.

Thanksgiving Resources for Teachers and Parents

From Scholastic: The First Thanksgiving
From Scholastic: Thanksgiving Web Quest
From Enchanted Learning: Thanksgiving K-3 Theme Page
From Enchanted Learning: Thanksgiving Printable Books
From My Craft Book: Thanksgiving Crafts for Kids
From DLTK: Fall Leaf Turkey
From DLTK: Online Thanksgiving Jigsaw Puzzle
From Kidzone: Online Horn of Plenty Jigsaw Puzzle
From Kaboose.com: Craft Stick Turkey Greeter
From Kaboose.com: Framed Handprint Turkey
From Amazing Moms: Harvest Necklace

One More Resource

From Rethinking Schools Online (Autumn, 2009)—Rethinking Thanksgiving: Myths and Misgivings

Squanto’s Journey: The Story of the First Thanksgiving

Written by Joseph Bruchac

Illustrated by Greg Shed

Silver Whistle/Harcourt, 2000

This historical fiction picture book is excellent for reading aloud in the elementary grades. Bruchac narrates the story in the voice of Squanto (Tisquantum), a Patuxet Indian. The book opens with Squanto telling about his capture by Captain Thomas Hunt who took him and other Patuxets to Spain to be sold as slaves in 1614, how Spanish friars set Squanto free and helped him to get to England, and Squanto’s return to America in 1619 when he found that his people had been devastated by a disease. In the rest of the book, we learn about Squanto’s building a friendship with the Pokanokets and Nemaskets; Samoset, a Pemaquid Indian; the arrival of the Pilgrims on the Mayflower; and the relationship between Squanto and the English that helped the settlers at Plimoth make it through their first year in the New World. The book includes an author’s note and a glossary.

Milly and the Macy’s Parade
Written by Shana Corey
Illustrated by Brett Helquist
Scholastic, 2002

This is a tale about a young girl named Milly whose family has immigrated to the United States from Poland. Milly’s father works at Macy’s Department Store. He—along with other immigrants who work there—miss their families and the holiday celebrations they had back in their homelands. Milly listen to them talking and gets a grand idea.

Meanwhile, Mr. Macy is concerned because his salesclerks are frowning instead of acting festive before the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays. He thinks the salesclerks are depressing the customers. He’s trying to figure out a solution to this problem. That’s when Milly approaches Mr. Macy and explains her idea. She tells him how she thinks “Macy’s could bring a little bit of everyone’s home to America.” Mr. Macy is receptive to Milly’s suggestion that the store sponsor a celebration that will remind the homesick employees of their holidays back home. The following day the store posts a sign advertising its Christmas parade. Word spreads quickly.

On Thanksgiving Day, Milly, her father, and all the other Macy’s workers dress up in costumes and march in the holiday parade. They all enjoy singing and strolling down the street—just as they had done in the old country.

This is a highly fictionalized account of the origin of the famous Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade--but it's an entertaining story. Shana Corey includes an Author’s Note with background information on the parade—including the fact that it missed only three holidays. It was canceled from 1942-1944 because of World War II.

Click here to view some of the interior illustrations from the book.

From Scholastic—Teacher Activity Guide: Milly and the Macy’s Parade

From Scholastic: Milly and the Macy’s Parade PDF Guide

A Little Poetry for Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving
Traditional

The year has turned its circle,

The seasons come and go.

The harvest is all gathered in

And chilly north winds blow.

Orchards have shared their treasures,

The fields, their yellow grain.

So open wide the doorway-

Thanksgiving comes again!

Thanksgiving Magic
by Rowena Bastin Bennett

Thanksgiving Day I like to see
Our cook perform her witchery.
She turns a pumpkin into pie
As easily as you or I
Can wave a hand or wink an eye.
She takes leftover bread and muffin
And changes them to turkey stuffin’.

You can read the rest of the poem here.

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!!!