Book Room

“From adventure, to mystery, to funny poems”

Our friend Gabe, age 10, lives in Connecticut and is a big reader. So is his brother Nate. Here are their great reading suggestions for this summer. Gabe first: Born to Fly by Michael Ferrari – “This book was a very exciting adventure, told in historical fiction, that tells the story of a Japanese boy… Read more »

NEVILLE and a Chocolate Factory

Summers in Vermont might be a bit short, but afternoons are a perfect time to climb a tree, get comfortable, and spend a few hours reading. Zane, age 8, from Vermont offers two of his favorite books to include on your summer reading list: Title: NEVILLE!  Author:  Norton Juster Illustrator:  G. Brian Karas Who might enjoy this book? Boys… Read more »

Genre Connections: POETRY

Like her previously published, Comprehension Connections (Heinemann, 2007), Genre Connections: Lessons to Launch Literary and Nonfiction Texts by Tanny McGregor (Heinemann, 2013) is a great go-to resource for teachers looking for concrete, hands-on lessons that introduce students to “Big Idea” concepts. I particularly love Tanny’s idea of launching a unit of study on poetry by asking, “How is a poem like a… Read more »

SNOOK ALONE by Marilyn Nelson, poet and story-teller

If you haven’t explored Marilyn Nelson’s poetry and narratives, you are in for a literary feast.  Her new picture book reads soft and soothing – with surprises and delights with phrasing that is part poetry, part narrative.  SNOOK ALONE tells the story of a faithful little rat-terrier dog, Snook, who dutifully catches the mice and… Read more »

The Poetry of Animals

PUG AND OTHER ANIMAL POEMS by Valerie Worth, pictures by Steve Jenkins (Margaret Ferguson Books, 2013) Fans of Valerie Worth’s all the small poems and fourteen more will enjoy her second posthumous collection. I have many favorites, each with Worth’s striking observations. Here’s a snippet –  from “Toads”: Wells around the Cellar windows… Holding a clutter… Read more »

New and Notable: Concept Books

Enjoy this peek at three new concept books, recently out from Chronicle. INSIDE OUTSIDE by Lizi Boyd (Chronicle 2013) Inside his cozy home, a boy works at a desk, a dog hides, two mice play together on the floor. Through the window (a die-cut), the reader watches two snowmen. What are they doing? Turn the page…outside,… Read more »