Bea is for Blended ⚽

 

Thank you to Lindsey Stoddard and Harper Collins for this advanced readers edition of Bea is for Blended, to be released 4 May 2021.

Bea and her mom have always been a team. It's always been just the two of them, with lots of love and support from her Grandma Bea and Aunt Tam. But on the first page of this story, Mom is marrying Wendell, who comes with 3 sons and 3 pets, and they are expecting a baby of their own. They have to leave their cozy just-the-girls condo and move into the big, noisy all-boys house.

Bea and his youngest son, Bryce, have been in the same class since 2nd grade and they don't get along. Bryce hangs with the bullies in their class and has become what Bea calls a bully-follower. 

As you might suspect from the title, this story focuses on Bea's family and Bryce's family becoming one, big family. But there is so much more to this contemporary middle grade novel. In addition to the struggles of a newly blended family, Stoddard has woven in 5th grade characters who are dealing with a variety of  tough issues: OCD, divorce, a big move, the death of a parent, and bullying. Mix in a chauvinistic principal, and two incredibly cool 5th grade teachers, and the stage is set for fun and growth.

Bea and the other soccer-loving girls at her school have always been told there isn't enough interest to form a girls' soccer team, but they are welcome to play on the boys' team. On the boys' team, however, they don't get much playing time. When a new girl moves in who loves soccer as much as Bea, they decide it's time to force the issue, so they find 11 girls to play. The principal insists they must also have a sub and a manager, so they find those as well, and the girls' team is born. Never one to make things easy on the girls, the principal insists on being their coach. 

He clearly doesn't think the girls are as good as the boys, and he creates resentment towards the girls when he reduces the boys' practices to 3 days a week so that he can coach the girls 2 days a week. 

That's not good enough for these girls - they are talented soccer players and want to get even better. They decide to practice without him, but he insists they can't practice without a staff member there to supervise them. Enter the very cool 5th grade teachers.

Ms. Blaise and Ms. Kravitz have been busy masterfully creating a cohesive, bully-free classroom, introducing their class to ASL to welcome a new student who is deaf (and moves in just in time to be the 11th girl on the soccer team!), creating a love of reading among their students, and are now supervising the girls' extra soccer practices while they grade papers and plan lessons. 

This is a great story! I appreciate the way Stoddard keeps the adults as an active part of the children's day-to-day activities, but allows the children to handle the tough situations, knowing that their parents are right there to support them.

Bea grows so much through her experiences. It is clear that she is mature in many ways, having lived in an adult world most of her life. She is observant, responsible, and internalizes the things her adults teach her. The way she supports and protects her best friend, Maximilian, is so sweet. 

But it is also clear that she has some things to overcome. What makes Bea so endearing is that she knows she has things to work on and she embraces the opportunities for growth as they come along, even if she has to grump about it a bit first. I love the way she sees right through the principal and holds his feet to the fire! 

I won't spoil the ending, but it's perfect - without being a perfect ending.

Author Lindsey Stoddard's website

Interview with Lindsey Stoddard

The Popularity Pact: Camp Clique

Thanks to @runningpressbooks and @eileenmoskowitzpalma for sharing a copy of The Popularity Pact: Camp Clique with @kidlitexchange - to be released 4/14/2020

Bea and Maisy have been best friends forever, but the summer before their last year of elementary school, confident Bea finds herself ghosted and spends the school year utterly alone as anxiety-ridden Maisy joins the biggest clique on campus, the M&Ms.

Unfortunately for both girls, they end up in the same cabin at summer camp, and Maisy gets a taste of how Bea felt for the past year.

To survive the summer, Maisy proposes a pact - if Bea will help Maisy become popular at camp, Maisy will help Bea become popular with the M&Ms.

As the girls each figure out how to hold up their end of the bargain, the author gradually reveals clues as to why Maisy disappeared from Bea’s life.

While acknowledging the social fears of tweens, the author also shows young women grappling with divorce, parental addictions, parental pressure to perform in sports and academics, parents finding a new partner, being invisible to a parent who has started over with a new family... 

Bea keeps her part of the pact, and the book leaves us with a cliffhanger that makes us wonder if Maisy will be able to fulfill her end of their agreement.

The author doesn't appear to have a website, but you can follow her on Facebook, Instagram,  and Twitter.

The Queen Bee and Me

Thanks to @bloomsburypublishing and @gillianmcdunn for providing @kidlitexchange with an advanced copy of The Queen Bee and Me, due to be released on 3 March 2020.

This middle grade novel is delightful!

Meg is a quiet, anxious preteen who has been swept along in her best-friend-since-kindergarten’s wake. She found comfort and safety in their friendship throughout elementary school, but as they entered the angst-ridden middle school years, Meg finds herself becoming increasingly uncomfortable with the mean Queen Bee tendencies that Beatrix is exhibiting.

When Hazel moves to their small town of Willow Pond, Meg reluctantly realizes that her friendship with Beatrix is no longer what she believes it to be. 

McDunn helps the reader see the parallels between a beehive and the social systems of a typical middle school. As Meg and Hazel’s science project about honey bees unfolds, Meg begins to recognize those connections. She struggles to figure out what role she wants to play in the middle school hive, and in life.

Watching Meg’s evolution is reason enough to read this book, but the other primary characters are also well-developed, and any female who has lived through middle school will recognize the character types, perhaps recognize themselves, and thank heaven that those days are gone 😂

Add this to your must-read list or gift it to your favorite middle-schooler. I’m looking forward to reading more from this author! #kidlitexchange

Gillian McDunn website

The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise

This middle grade novel by Dan Gemeinhart, was wonderful. Read it. That is all.

Just kidding, you know I can't stop there. This compelling story chronicles the 5 year physical and emotional journey of 12 year-old Coyote Sunrise and her father Rodeo.

Coyote shares their story with the reader and it is immediately apparent that she is independent, intelligent, and street smart. She reveals herself to us slowly, peeling away the layers of street tough and pain, and as she does, we begin to understand how she and Rodeo came to live in a renovated school bus, driving from place to place on their wims.

Coyote and her grandmother, who lives in Washington, speak on the phone every Sunday, and it is during one of those calls that Coyote discovers that the neighborhood park she loved as a little girl is being bulldozed to become a parking lot. This news catapults Coyote into action and we soon learn that 5 years ago, she, her mother, and her two sisters buried a time capsule of sorts in that park and Coyote, who is, at the moment, in Florida, is determined to get back to Washington and retrieve the box before it disappears forever.

But, there is a considerable obstacle - Rodeo. He refuses to return to their hometown, or even speak of it. So how will Coyote convince him to take her back to Washington and save the time capsule in less than a week? No spoilers here.

As the will-they-get-there tension rises, Coyote begins to confront her past and, in turn, forces Rodeo to do the same. A cast of characters joins them as they cross the United States and each one adds depth to the story and introduces the reader to some of the tough topics and difficult choices we must make in life. One of the key events toward the resolution seemed a bit far-fetched to me, but it did make for an exciting chapter.

I love the way Gemeinhart resolved their story. With no shortage of events on both the rising and falling action sides of the story arc spectrum, it could have ended up in numerous ways, but his ending is satisfying and will help middle grade readers feel closure.

His books deal with tough subjects and this one is no different - mental health, death, parentification, breaking up with someone you love, coming out, dishonesty, and domestic abuse are all touched on in this novel. The difference between Gemeinhart and many other MG authors is that while he does not sugar coat things, he isn't graphic or offensive in the way he addresses the topics. If you'd like to hear him explain this, see the interview link below.

Researching Gemeinhart led me to the fact that he also lives in Washington, in the small town of Cashmere. He used to work as a teacher librarian, which gave him the opportunity to not only read tons of children's and teen literature, but gave him an inside look at what they like, what they are curious about, and the books that meet those needs.

Whether you choose a regular book, an e-book, or an audiobook, please read this story.

Dan Gemeinhart website
Interview with Dan Gemeinhart (scroll down for interview)
Interview with Dan Gemeinhart about his book Good Dog - it's a 27 minute segment, and worth watching, but if you want to hear his take on writing for middle graders, start at 9:26 and go to about 13:10.

Property of the Rebel Librarian

June loves her school library, it's her happy place at Dogwood Middle School. Miss Bradshaw, the librarian, is the perfect librarian for her middle school - she knows what kids like to read, keeps the shelves well-stocked with their favorites, she remembers their tastes and recommends just-right books.

Then one day, June's parents notice a book she has brought home from the library and decide it is inappropriate. Soon, Miss Bradshaw is suspended, the upcoming author visit is cancelled, books are being removed from the library faster than you can say, "censorship," and every non-textbook brought on campus must get administrative approval.

 A voracious reader, June cannot let this stand! As she is walking home from school one day, she sees a Little Free Library and gets a brilliant idea - she starts her own library in an unoccupied locker at school, filling it with banned books. Word spreads and soon, students are checking out books, and trying to keep them safe from prying eyes.

The question is - how long will she be able to keep it up?

 Allison Varnes, former English teacher, knocked it out of the park with her debut novel. This book has the potential to inspire a new generation of activists - it shows very clearly that one person can make a difference. This note is found at the end of Rebel Librarian:

   

As you read, you will be surprised at the titles that have been challenged over the years. 

Years ago, I was teaching 3rd grade, and chose Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone for our after-lunch read aloud. Not one, not two, but THREE parents refused to allow their children to listen to the story because it involved witchcraft. 

So their children selected books of their own to read at a picnic table just outside our classroom while the rest of us enjoyed the first HP novel.

I still shake my head whenever I think of this. 

One of those parents had the audacity to give me a copy of Harry Potter and the Bible as a Christmas "gift" to show me the error of my ways. I exchanged it.

Allison Varnes website

Article by Allison Varnes - "Why Kids Need the Freedom to Choose the Books They Read"

Interview with Allison Varnes (scroll down for interview)

I'm a Big Sister

     This week, I'm visiting grandbabies. Miss Betty and I have been busy reading and rereading all her favorite books. At this point in her cute little life, her collection mainly consists of board books, but thanks in large part to Grandma's Book of the Month Club, she's got plenty 😉

     Like most little ones, she likes to read the same books over and over again. Grandma doesn't mind. I finish a book and say, "Would like to choose another one for Grandma to read?" Most of the time, she replies, "We gonna read it again." I happily oblige. There's nothing I would rather do.

     We've read this big sister book several times a day since I've been here. With new brother, Baby Bobby,  having arrived, she enjoys the pictures about all the things she likes to help Mama and Daddy do. It's wonderful reinforcement of her newfound big sister skills, and the illustrations are adorable.

     I love to watch her beautiful face while we read. Her eyes are bright, she smiles, and giggles, and snuggles up. On many pages, she has a favorite word or phrase or part of the picture that she wants to show me and they are the same every time we read that story. It is a joy to watch her developing as a reader.

The Hula-Hoopin' Queen

This vividly illustrated picture book from 2017 is a fun story about a young girl who wants to be the hula-hooping queen of her neighborhood. So far, she hasn't been able to beat the reigning champion.

The opportunity to compete again almost ruins the birthday celebration of her beloved elderly neighbor. In a very cool twist, the girls find out who the real hula-hoopin' queen is.

This delightful reading at Storyline Online is by Oprah Winfrey, hula hoop aficionado, who gives it some extra sauce.

Author Thelma Lynne Godin tells this story in a way that tells readers she is familiar with the way preteen girls interact with one another and the feelings they experience as they try to figure out how to navigate between their family life and their social life. Visit her website to see her list of favorite characters in children's lit.

Award-winning illustrator Vanessa Brantley-Newton is known for representing diversity well in her work. She has a great website that includes video clips of her reading aloud Grandma's Purse, a book she authored and illustrated.

This is a woman who knows how to use her influence for good. Take a look at some of the interviews and presentations she has done:

• Here is her TEDX talk on the diversity and adversity.  
• Her YouTube video interview on KidLit TV.
• Her tutorial on making a collage.
• Her New York Times video on illustrating The Youngest Marcher.

El Dia del Los Muertos

If you're celebrating Day of the Dead tomorrow, this book is a must-have. Here's the link to my review.
 

The Tiger Rising

Kate diCamillo is one of today's most popular junior fiction writers - great plots, engaging characters, challenging vocabulary, and abundant opportunities for inference and text connections.

Her best-known book is likely Because of Winn-Dixie, but she's also authored Flora and Ulysses, The Magician's Elephant, The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, Raymie Nightengale, The Tale of Despereaux, as well as her Mercy Watson and Bink & Gollie series'.

I had the opportunity to hear her speak when she was touring to promote Flora and Ulysses, and she is thoroughly delightful. The audience was filled with all ages and she was engaging to every age and interest level. I've included link to interviews below and this article by her about why children's book SHOULD be a little bit sad is well worth your time.

Tiger Rising has a lot of sad, and it's ok. Rob's mother passed away a year ago. His dad is so grief-stricken that he won't talk about her and doesn't want anyone else to mention her either, including Rob. But their hometown full of people who love them and his mother insists on wrapping their arms around them, so his father decides they have to move.

Rob has an image in his mind of a suitcase, and he puts all of his feelings, thoughts, and memories of his mother into that suitcase and keeps the lid shut tight. He refers back to the suitcase anytime he is tempted to cry or even talk to anyone about his mother.

They end up living in a hotel where his father works as a handyman. Rob is bullied at school, on the bus, everywhere he goes, and adults turn a blind eye. He has a rash on his legs, that to any adult would signal emotional distress, but to other children represents another opportunity to mock and tease him. He adds his feelings about being treated this way to his suitcase.

And then Sistine moves to town. Sistine's parents recently divorced and she is sure her father is coming any day to take her to live with him, so she has no intention of making friends or caring about this place. Rob is drawn to her immediately.

Sistine immediately becomes a target for the other children, but she, unlike Rob, fights back, leaving school each day with dirty, torn clothes, as well as scrapes and bruises. Before she and Rob can get to know each other very well, his principal sends him home until the rash on his legs clears up because some of the other parents are afraid it is contagious. Rob is thrilled!

Sistine brings him the schoolwork he has missed each day and they develop an uneasy friendship that is cemented when he shares that he has found a tiger in a cage in the woods, a tiger that sits squarely on top of his suitcase, holding it closed.

As the mystery of the tiger unfolds, Rob and Sistine come to terms with the truths in their lives - Sistine's father is not coming to get her and Rob must learn to talk about his feelings if he is going to be healthy.

This is a great read-aloud with older children. I recommend reading to together because of some of the intense topics and feelings that are woven into this wonderful story. It opens the door to opportunities to talk about divorce, death, compassion, kindness, mental health, friendship, decision-making, etc...

The ending is satisfying, but leaves enough room for the reader to imagine what the future holds for Rob and his friend Sistine.

Tiger Rising and Kate diCamillo's other works are available on Amazon.



Reading Rockets interview with diCamillo
Candlewick Press interview with diCamillo

The Nevers

Recess Woes

Who doesn't have a memory of being bullied on the playground? Recess is a break from class time, from sitting, from processing, but it's also a time when tempers flare, and bullies have opportunities to inflict pain.

These two gems show children some ways to handle bullies on the playground.

Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon introduces us to first grader Molly, who is the shortest girl in her class. She also has buck teeth and a voice like a bullfrog. On top of all that, she is clumsy. But her grandma gives her encouragement and great advice such as, "Walk as proudly as you can and the world will look up to you." Molly follows all of Grandma's advice and has become a self-confident young lady. And then...

Her family moves to a new town and she has to leave behind all her friends and her beloved grandmother. Starting at a new school is probably the hardest part of moving for most kids, and poor Molly Lou begins getting teased right away. The schoolyard bully, Ronald Durkin, calls her "shrimpo" while they are playing football in gym class, and she runs under Ronald's legs, scores a touchdown, and the Ronald feels foolish.

But that doesn't stop him from teasing Molly Lou and the next day he calls her "bucky-tooth beaver," so she faces the sky and, with a giant smile on her face, stacks ten pennies on top of her teeth. And Ronald feels foolish, but like most bullies, Ronald still hasn't learned his lesson, so on the third day of school, he tells her she sounds like a sick duck and mocks her voice.

Molly Lou sings out, "Quack!" so long and strong that Ronald falls over, hits his head and has to go to the nurse. Of course, all the other students are thrilled to have a recess without Ronald, and he again feels foolish.

But sometimes bullies are stubborn, and Ronald tries again. Again Molly keeps and positive attitude and proves him wrong, and on the fifth day he finally stops - cue the "Hallelujah Chorus."

David Catrow's illustrations exaggerate the facial features of the characters, 

Interview about Stand Tall, Molly Lou Melon with author Patty Lovell

 Sequel: Have Fun, Molly Lou Melon

You can purchase Stall Tall, Molly Lou Melon through Amazon.

Mean Jean rules the playground at her school. She was The Recess Queen and everyone followed her rules. Nobody swings, kicks, or bounces until Mean Jean swings, kick,s or bounces, and if some poor kid messes up, they get smooshed.

Then a new kid moves in and doesn't know about Mean Jean's reign of terror. Katie Sue is a teeny tiny recess-loving kid and when that recess bell rings, she zips outside and PLAYS! Mean Jean gets right up in Katie Sue's face and lets Katie Sue know the rules. Here is my favorite part: Katie Sue just says, "How DID you get so bossy?" and goes off to play again.

This doesn't go over well with Mean Jean and she thunders along behind Katie Sue, ready to smoosh her. Then Katie Sue pulls a jump rope out of her backpack and says, "Hey, Jeanie Beanie, let's try this jump rope out!"

Mean Jean doesn't know what to say, no one has ever asked her to play, so she just stares and Katie Sue jumps and sings her jump rope rhyme, and then the other kids start yelling, "Go, Jean, go!" Jean jumps in and from that day on, she is too busy having fun with her friends at recess to bother with bullying the other kids.

The illustrations in this book are so fun and bright, Laura Huliska-Beith captures Katie Sue's exuberance and Mean Jean's domineering spirit so well.

Author Alexis O'Neill tells the story of Mean Jean with vivid descriptions and fun nonsense words like bouncity, kickity, swingity, and kajammered. Kids will love to listen to them and enjoy saying the refrain right along with you.

The Recess Queen is available on Amazon.

• Bringing Fun Home read aloud of The Recess Queen

The Struggle is Real - Managing Behavior

Like it or not, managing behavior is as much a part of what teachers do as teaching reading, writing, and 'rithmetic. I have a lot of theories about why this is the case, but discussing that is stressful and I might have a rage stroke. On the other hand, discussing books makes me happy, so let's do that instead.

Just look at this cover! It makes me giggle just to see Kirby's mischievous face. Kirby has an active imagination. When his teacher, Mrs. Frost, gives a spelling test, he visualizes each sentence she uses in the most ridiculous ways and gets a fit of giggles. She tires of his laughter and marches him down to the principal's office for not-laughing lessons. The adults’ names are so fitting!

Mr. Gloomsmith runs him through some very depressing scenarios, which affect Kirby to the point that he asks, "Mr. Gloomsmith, don't you ever think of anything happy? Don't you ever laugh?" Mr. Gloomsmith replies, "Young man, I haven't laughed in twenty-nine years. I don't even remember how." And that's when Kirby Kelvin turns the tables on his dour principal.

The illustrations are the best part of this story. Every once in a while, I find a picture book that shows the illustrator "gets" the author's message and Judy Love really understood Ivon Cecil's vision for her story. Seeing what's happening in Kirby's head being brought to life on the page, gives me the giggles, Kirby Kelvin giggles.

We've all known a child who knows 101 ways to sit in a chair. Patrick is that guy. Everywhere he goes, people tell him to sit still. Finally, his teacher asks his mom to take him to the doctor, who is not helpful.

So Mom decides she is going to help Patrick and his life changes - they begin walking to school, building things, bowling, doing yard work, singing in the church choir, helping the crossing guard, basically all the adults in his life help him find ways to use his abundant energy for good.

If you have a Patrick in your life, read this book together and use it as a springboard to come up with ways to redirect all that physical energy.

Sit Still can be purchased through Amazon.

Author Nancy Carlson has written and/or illustrated 60 or so children's books.

MN Original interview with Nancy Carlson

Zoe's Jungle

One of my FOL book sale finds, Zoe's Jungle is all about a child's imagination. Author and illustrator Bethanie Deeney Murguia shows us how Zoe and her sister, Addie, imagine themselves chasing through the jungle, periodically interrupted by their mother reminding them they have 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, and then 0 minutes left to play. "Is there no respect for the explorer and her quest?" Zoe laments.

She and Addie race against the clock to finish their chase through the jungle, and the time impositions add an element of excitement and intensity to their game of chase.

The pen, ink, and watercolor illustrations are sweet and simple. I enjoyed the use of the pattern from Addie's dress being used on the coat of the wild Addiebeast. Someone cleverly created Mom's countdown in a very large font, to show how intrusive it feels to the girls, while the rest of the story is told in normal font.

Zoe's Jungle is one of a trio of Zoe books by Murguia, so if it is to your liking, be sure to head for the library and check out Zoe's Room and Zoe Gets Ready.

This link takes you to the the About page on the author's website. She has included a wonderful little picture bio for young readers.

This link takes you to Amazon to purchase Zoe's Jungle.

I'm excited to add this to my classroom library - FOL for the win!

The Big Orange Splot

It's been more than two decades since I first read this story and it still makes me smile whenever I see the neighborhood at the end of the story.

Mr. Plumbean lives in a "neat" neighborhood - not neat as in cool or awesome, but neat as in strictly regulated by a HOA. Every single house in the neighborhood looks EXACTLY the same.

Then one day, a seagull flies over the neighborhood with a can or orange paint in his beak (?!?) and spills some of it right on Mr. Plumbean's roof, leaving a big, orange splot.

The neighbors want him to get that mess cleaned up right away, but Mr. Plumbean takes a while to get it done. One night, he starts painting and when the neighbors wake up, they see:

You can imagine how they react and the word about the neighborhood is that Plumbean has "popped his cork, flipped his wig, blown his stack, and dropped his stopper." But he pays no attention and over the next few nights, he adds a clock tower, foliage (including two palm trees), a hammock (hence the palm trees), and an alligator.

Day after day, Mr. Plumbean lays in his hammock and drinks lemonade. Night after night, each neighbor takes a turn visiting him to plead with him to return his house to normal, so their street can once again be "neat." To each person, Mr. Plumbean calmly replies, "My house is me and I am it. My house is where I like to be and it looks like all my dreams."

Day by day, the neighbors awake to find one more home that looks like the owner's dreams until the entire neighborhood is filled with unique homes and happy owners who have all adopted Mr. Pumbean's mantra.

"Our street is us and we are it. Our street is where we like to be, and it looks like all our dreams."

Not only will children enjoy the humor, but this story is a great springboard for conversations about learning to be okay with your uniqueness, and of course, you've got to let each child draw their own dream house - they come up with amazing designs!

Take time to let them drink in the illustrations, you may need to explain a couple of them, and I would definitely discuss what each neighbor's dreams might look like based on the house they designed. This will result in a much richer product when the students design their own dream house.

Pinkwater illustrated the story himself using markers, which make it bright, child-friendly, and fun.

This link will take you to Amazon to purchase The Big Orange Splot.

Jennifer Veneracion reading aloud The Big Orange Splot

Nana Upstairs, Nana Downstairs

When you hear the name Tomie dePaola, chances are you think of Strega Nona, or one of his many holidays stories, but dePaola has written and/or illustrated 269 books (as of 4/3/2018), including a number of autobiographical stories about his life in a large, loving Irish-Italian family.

Nana Upstairs, Nana Downstairs is the sweet story of 4-year old Tomie and his relationships with his grandmother who lives downstairs, and his 94-year old great-grandmother, who lives upstairs.

dePaola shows us the tender care given to great-grandma by grandma and the entire family - brushing and braiding her hair each day, helping her to sit in her chair to visit with Tommy each day, feeding her, visiting with her, taking family photos, showing her the love and respect that aging parents need and deserve.

When Nana Upstairs passes away, Tommy struggles to understand what that means. dePaola takes readers through this delicate territory in a gentle, simple manner. It's no wonder that children are drawn to him and his stories.

Tomie dePaola's illustrations are distinctive and appear to be simple. In Tomie dePaola: His Art and Stories, Trina Schart Hyman tells about her attempt to duplicate a "Tomie drawing", thinking it would take 10-20 minutes tops. Six hours and 38 ruined pieces of paper later, she realized, "That seemingly formulaic style, with its simple line, its folksy composition, and its childlike color, was a lot more complex and sophisticated than I bargained for - and almost impossible to duplicate in spirit." 

Nana Upstairs, Nana Downstairs is available through Amazon.

Reading Rockets interview with Tomie dePaola
Tomie dePaola on why reading is important
Jim Henson Company video  - Strega Nona tells Tomie dePaola a story
Meet Tomie dePaola

Author Birthday: Gary Paulsen

I'm noticing a pattern.

Since I've begun posting tributes on authors' birthdays, both here and, more frequently, on Instagram, I have noticed that most of my favorite authors are well into their 70's and 80's. Go ahead and say it - I'm old. But as far as I'm concerned, my age is a gift. Because I was born when I was, my childhood was filled with the works of Beverly Cleary, Laura Ingalls Wilder, Catherine Woolley, and E.L. Konigsburg.

My children's generation can claim that their shelves were filled with J.K. Rowling, Lynne Reid Banks, Roald Dahl, Judy Blume, and...Gary Paulsen.

Celebrating his 79th birthday today, Gary Paulsen is every bit as tough and rugged as the men he writes. He prefers solitude to cities, and nature to the general public, he has strong opinions on modern society, is a true adventurer and a gifted storyteller.

Gary Paulsen writes for kids, to make an impression, to foster new ideas within them. In an interview with the New York Times (August 2006), Paulsen states, "Adults are locked into car payments and divorces and work. They haven't got time to think fresh. Name the book that made the biggest impression on you. I bet you read it before you hit puberty. In the time I've got left, I intend to write artistic books - for kids - because they're still open to new ideas."

Paulsen is the author of more than 170 books and doesn't appear to be slowing down any time soon. He is also a three-time Newbery award winner, but if you take the time to read a bit about him, or listen to him speak, it will become clear to you that he writes because he is driven to write, not because he is seeking accolades. 

He loves writing and he knows first-hand the impact the right books can have on a child. Paulsen had a difficult childhood, a gross understatement to be sure, and credits his local librarian with changing the course of his life.

If you know a reluctant reader, especially a boy, put a Gary Paulsen book in his hands, and you will soon see a changed reader.

Start with Hatchet. You won't regret it.

Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge

This beautifully illustrated story is another old favorite that I shared with my class today. I have several students with great-grandparents who are starting to lose their memories, something that often frightens children and/or causes them to question whether or not that grandparent still loves them if they can't remember them.

Wilfrid lives next door to a nursing home and befriends Miss Nancy, a 96-year old resident who is losing her memory. Wilfred wonders what that means and begins asking all his trusted adults, "What is a memory?" They give him a variety of answers, and he reflects on his own life to come up with a collection of items that represent his own memories. In the heartwarming conclusion, he shares his collection of memories with Miss Nancy since she has lost her own.

A great follow up to this story is this activity, a freebie for all you teachers out there - Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!

You can put them in pairs or small groups to share their memories, or use your fair sticks to call 2-3 students up to share for each category.

Australian author, Mem Fox, has a way of creating the sweetest stories that stay with you forever, and Julie Vivas, who has illustrated 4 of Fox's books, does a wonderful job of creating the colorful, folksy, family feel of the story. Fox's first book, Possum Magic, also illustrated by Vivas, was published in 1983 and became a bestseller. Her most recent book, I'm Australian Too, was published in 2017.

Fun Fact: Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge is her father's name.

Storyline Online is a great resource - is your voice tired, do you need a few minutes to regroup, are they getting tired of hearing your voice? Try Storyline Online, a site which streams videos featuring celebrated actors reading children’s books. Readers include Viola Davis, Chris Pine, Lily Tomlin, Kevin Costner, Annette Bening, James Earl Jones, Betty White and dozens more.

Here's Wilfrid Gordon McDonald Partridge read by Bradley Whitford

Mem Fox talks to kids

Smelly Socks

Once a week during our Morning Meeting, the school counselor comes in a presents an Open Circle lesson. Today, the discussion was about honesty. The students had some very interesting things to say about when it is difficult for them to be honest.

Most of them, of course, hesitate to tell the truth when they are afraid of getting in trouble. But a rather large number of them admitted to lying to their parents about whether or not they had a) bathed, or b) brushed their teeth.

This was unsurprising to me because I've raised 4 children and survived those stinky tween years, when, for some inconceivable reason, they don't want to be bothered to clean themselves and don't mind walking around smelling like a wet dog with rotten egg breath.

So...when they returned from specialist this morning, this was the read aloud I shared with them :)

Robert Munsch, a favorite with children and adults, partially because of his slightly gross sense of humor, takes on the topic of stinky tweens and my class thought it was HILARIOUS! Tina goes to great lengths to get her fabulous new socks and she is so happy about them, that she refuses to take them off. People and animals complain about the stench, but still she refuses. Finally, her classmates take matters into their own hands and drag her down to the river and scrub them while they are on her feet. The last two pages might be the best part of the whole story.

Michael Martchenko, who illustrates many of Munsch's books, sticks with his trademark bright, joyful pictures of spunky, sassy children. His pictures double the pleasure of reading Munsch's books.

Interview with Robert Munsch

Interview with Michael Martchenko

Madeline Finn and the Library Dog

One of my struggling readers walked up to me and, looking at me with his big blue eyes, earnestly requested, "Would you read this to us today? I just love this book."

Can't say no to that and now I love it too!

Madeline Finn is struggling to learn to read. She is discouraged, grumpy, and is now pronouncing to anyone who will listen that she doesn't like to read.

Her parents and teacher keep encouraging her, but as much as she wants one of those coveted gold stars from her teacher, things still aren't clicking. Then (insert appropriate superhero sound here) Super Librarian to the rescue! She introduces Madeline to Bonnie, a library dog who visits the library each week to listen to children read.

I'm sure you can guess how this heartwarming story ends, but every moment of it is enjoyable.

Lisa Papp looks right into the heart of a frustrated emerging reader and let us follow her as she becomes a confident, I-Can reader. The illustration are beautiful - muted, comforting colors that make you feel right at home.

On her webpage, Papp explains how this book came to be: "This story comes straight from the heart. I discovered the Read-to-Dogs program at my local library and immediately fell in love. Seeing these incredible dogs working with the children, and watching the magic unfold, was a blessing. I knew I wanted to share this story. Many of the dogs featured in the book are former shelter dogs now living a new life helping children. I have come to know and love these dogs, as well as they’re dedicated handlers, and I’m honored to share their story."

Madeline Finn and the Library Dog has won quite a few awards, but the two that tell me it's time to visit the library and get a copy are the Parents' Choice and the Children's Choice awards.

Therapeutic Fiction

I've started a new hashtag on Instagram - #therapeuticfiction .

It's that time of year again, the time when we remember what the phrase "teacher tired" means. Students are antsy and sassy and exhausting. Those who have put in their best effort all year are tired, those who have spent the year piddling their own time, their classmates' time, and their teacher's time with constant disruptions are kicking it up a notch. It's EXHAUSTING.

I have to remind myself every year that they are feeling anxious about the coming changes. For some of them, school is their safe place and summer means instability and uncertainty. Some are worried because they are moving across town or even across the country, or will be far from home with a non-custodial parent for a month or two. Others, like my 4th graders, are anxious about moving to a new school.

We've been reading lots of picture books about strong emotions and new situations, something I do at the beginning of the school year as well. These books are WONDERFUL springboards for conversations about what is bothering children. In the past few days, I have learned so much about these children I thought I already knew so well!

• "That happened to me," 
• "I feel that way, too," 
• "His parents are NEVER getting back together," 
• "My parents got divorced without even asking me," 
• "My brother doesn't even talk to me anymore. All he does is play video games," 
• "I'm scared of that, too,"

Julia Cook is a former school counselor and teacher who writes about tough topics for kids - deployment, foster care, cancer, autism, executive function, and much more. She's written more than 60 books and they are teacher favorites! The two books pictured above are written by her and were our read alouds earlier this week. 

Wilma Jean the Worry Machine is about a girl who worries about EVERYTHING - this girl is a world class worrier, and nothing goes unnoticed or is too small for her to obsess over. Her mom finally snaps, consults every professional she can find and comes up with a plan to help Wilma figure out some strategies for tackling the things that are keeping her from living her life to the fullest.

Thanks for the Feedback...I Think was hilarious! R.J has no skills for handling either compliments or criticism. He also has trouble reading body language and sensing tone. When he is rude to his teacher during a parent-teacher conference, his parents take action and teach him some strategies for responding to others.

My class was keenly interested in the feedback story, which allowed us to have a interesting conversation about what feedback is and some appropriate ways to respond to it. 

I've taught a number of RJs over the years, and sadly, there are more of them in each class as the years roll by. Because they have no strategies for handling feedback, they immediately become defensive, argumentative and disrespectful. Thankfully, teachers have access to books like these to help children identify with characters and process solutions in a non-threatening way.

So...I'm going to keep posting my favorite titles for helping children learn to identify and handle strong emotions and new situations with the hashtag #therapeuticfiction. Join me and soon we'll have a tremendous list of teacher-tested and approved books on Instagram!