Books about history, science, customs, cultures, peoples of all types – the famous and the not-so – are just a few of the many nonfiction topics available for kids in bookstores and libraries today.
This month, ReaderKidZ focuses on a handful of these for K-5 readers searching for facts, figures, information, and answers.
We’re pleased to welcome Lola Schaefer as our Author-In-Residence the first half of March. Lola’s written many nonfiction books for the educational and trade market, including, most recently, her picture book, JUST ONE BITE and a brand-new teacher resource, WRITING LESSONS FOR THE INTERACTIVE WHITEBOARD.
One of the wonderful things about books in a series is that there is, really and truly, something for everyone – from fantasy to historical fiction, serious to humorous, hefty tomes of over five hundred pages to short, realistic fiction chapter books for the newly transitioning reader.
This week’s Book Room is a small sampling of that variety. What are some of your favorites?
In book one, Nathaniel Fludd, age ten, finds himself orphaned and somewhat reluctantly placed into the care of his father’s long-lost cousin, Philomena Fludd. Aunt Phil, it seems, is the world’s last remaining beastologist – someone who studies beasts. Unusual, rare, exotic beasts. It’s a world, up to this point, completely unfamiliar to young Nate – so dangerous and full of adventure that Nate sometimes wonders if he’ll survive.
In this latest book, Nate, Aunt Phil, and Nate’s pet, a gremlin named Greasle, are off to northern Wales. Cornelius, Aunt Phil’s dodo bird, has sent word that the wyverns, one of the last surviving breeds of dragons, are on the rampage. Someone has been trespassing into wyvern territory and the delicate covenant, agreed upon by the countrymen and the wyverns over a thousand years prior, is in jeopardy. Will Nate and Aunt Phil remove the intruder and discover the one treasure that will satisfy Old Nudd, the cranky, ancient wyvern?
It’s November 1941 and the times, by most people’s standards, are uncertain. But to 13 year-old Piper Davis, the trouble brewing in Europe and Indochina is about as far away and dangerous as the moon is from her comfortable home in Seattle, Washington. After all, Piper cares about the things all girls her age are interested in. School, the hit parade, and the dreamy guy, Bud, she’s had a crush on since fifth grade.
But the war isn’t as far away as Piper once believed, and when the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor, it seems Piper and her father, who pastors at a Japanese Baptist Church, find themselves in the middle of larger dilemma.
When her neighbors and friends are suddenly singled out and hauled away to internment camps, Piper begins to see things with new eyes. Over time, her friendship with Betty Sato deepens and when her father decides that Piper and he must follow his congregation to the Minidoka War Relocation Camp in Eden, Idaho, Piper begins to understand the meaning of true friendship.
THE FENCES BETWEEN US is the first in the revived DEAR AMERICA series. Learn more about the world, as Piper Davis knew it, here: The Scrapbook of Piper Davis
THE LOST HERO is the first book of Rick Riordan’s – author of the very popular PERCY JACKSON AND THE OLYMPIANS – newest series: THE HEROES OF OLYMPUS. It begins several months after the THE LAST OLYMPIAN and introduces three new characters, demi-gods Jason, Piper, and Leo. As the story unfolds, these heroes begin to put together the pieces that they’ll need in order to set off on a quest of their own to rescue Hera and prevent Gaea from raising Porphyrion, king of the giants, from the depths of the earth.
Of course, this is just the beginning for Jason and his friends, and by story’s end, readers will be anxious to follow the three heroes on the next leg of their journey.
Lucy is a beagle who loves to run. Unlike Bobby, her owner, Lucy makes friends easily. Of course, being as squirmy and inquisitive as Lucy is, it’s not hard to imagine how easy it is for Lucy to disappear. Especially when Bobby’s friend’s little brother, Ben, takes Lucy off her leash.
This series is perfect for young readers transitioning to chapter books.
Frannie is an original, one of a kind girl who wants a job. Of course, she doesn’t mean to find herself in the midst of trouble, but somehow, that’s exactly what happens every time she thinks she’s being helpful.
In this, the first of the series, Frannie fills in when the local radio host suddenly disappears. How was she supposed to know that all the people banging on the radio control booth window and signaling her were trying to get her off the air!
Frannie is energetic and spunky with a voice that seems modeled after Clementine’s. Even so, Frannie is definitely her own unique person.
I have to admit that this series is one I could have easily steered clear of. Hot pink cover. A title with the word “dumb.” It didn’t sound like a book I’d want to put on my shelves. But then a new student joined our class mid-year and when asked what she liked to read, DEAR DUMB DIARY was her number one choice! She gushed over these books, so I absolutely had to check them out.
Slightly wacky, slightly irreverent (in a completely elementary school way), I found the story-line a bit hard to follow, but even so, there are many funny moments throughout and I can see why these books are such a hit.
In this latest book, Jamie believes she must have super-powers. Why else would she be doing the crazy things she’s been doing (like actually kicking her good friend in the face?!?) and suddenly making some sense out of “boy speak”?
This series may not be for everyone, but it’s nice to have on a classroom or library shelf, as the humor will appeal to many.
Have you ever wondered what a beastologist does? This and other provocative points are pondered in a down-loadable Nathaniel Fludd: Beastologist Teacher Activity guide accessible by clicking HERE.
Along with insightful discussion questions, this guide is filled with social studies, science, and reading comprehension activities.
Best of all, it includes instructions for making your very own compass – a must-have for every red-blooded American beastologist!
Kids from age 6 to 8 will enjoy activities such as resumé writing, letter writing, and a Bingo game in down-loadable Teacher Activity Guide accessible by clicking HERE. It is filled with insightful questions for discussion suitable for 1st through 3rd graders and the grown up in-between.
Mirroring Frannie’s preciously precocious voice the guide states that “…scientific fact that Frankly Frannie is a magnificent series for classrooms.”
Historical fiction may sound stuffy, but THE AMERICAN GIRL series is anything but. This series, as well as the DEAR AMERICA books, have brought both history and diversity to a new level of authenticity, and plain good story-telling to readers plunging into “long” chapter books.
Take a look at the adventures of ADDY from the Civil War era or JOSEFINA, who brings to the pages the hopes, dreams, and adventures of a young Mexican girl living on a rancho in 1824 Santa Fe. My own granddaughter has read and re-read the books about FELICITY and in doing so has learned about Colonial America – the clothing, food, and restrictions put on women, as well as the political questions of the era. The series presents the best of the times but also the issues faced by all girls of every time. At the end of each book are “Look Back” pages that give “A Peek into the Past.” Historical information plus a variety of images – photos, art, posters, even postcards – show an interesting, in-depth view of the historical period. The publishers, Pleasant Company, offer almost every type of activity and “accessory” imaginable.
The SASSY series by Sharon M. Draper is full of strong, delightful, and believable characters, especially Sassy. School Library Journal’s words of praise include “…Draper hits her middle grade target…Filled with energy and opinion, Sassy more than lives up to her name.”
SASSY is a perfect choice for readers comfortable with early chapter books and ready for longer challenges.
In THE DAZZLE DISASTER DINNER PARTY, Sassy wants to cook a fancy meal and, of course, it turns out to be a disaster. The apron is pink and perfect but nothing else is. Sassy’s cooking is a mess – who will eat it? At least the dog eats the cake. But Sassy’s overstuffed backpack is the “dish of the evening.” Who knew stuff in a pack could save a party! With Sassy Simone Sanford, her sparkle and ingenuity “take the cake.”
Simple and perhaps disaster-proof recipes are described in the back of the book. Readers are encouraged to put on an apron and whip up a Sassy dish!
Readers can start with Sassy’s dinner party disaster or the first book of the series, LITTLE SISTER IS NOT MY NAME.
Sharon M. Draper is the author of many award-winning books, including recent ones for older readers: OUT OF MY MIND, COPPER SUN, and WE BEAT THE STREET. Draper has not only been honored with several prestigious awards (Coretta Scott King), but was also the 1997 National Teacher of the Year.
ReaderKidZ is pleased to welcome Tony Abbott, author of the wildly popular and long-running (11 year!) Droon series. THE FINAL QUEST, the most recent and last book in THE SECRETS OF DROON, brings Eric, Keaah, Neal, and Julie together in a final standoff to defeat Gethwing and save the Kingdom of Droon.
These books have gained a following in every age range, kids to adults, and were voted by the American Booksellers Association among the “Top Ten List of Books to Read While Waiting for the Next Harry Potter.” Can there be a greater compliment to the power of series and the epic nature of this *particular* series than this?
Reviewer and librarian, Betsy Bird, describes Abbot’s work this way: “Maybe that’s Abbott’s super-power. It doesn’t matter if he’s writing about three kids and a staircase of rainbows (THE SECRETS OF DROON) or a tale of a boy and a girl at a Catholic school (FIREGIRL). Whatever he writes is infinitely readable. And that’s a power more than one author would kill to get their hands on.”
From Tony Abbott:
Dear Reader . . .
It’s a funny thing. I didn’t read a lot of fantasy books when I was young. I loved stories like Peter Pan and The Wind in the Willows and Treasure Island, but I didn’t find the stories of wizards and magic all that interesting. Until . . . in high school when I was thirteen, fourteen years old, I discovered the stories of The Thousand and One Arabian Nights. These are the stories about Sinbad the Sailor and Aladdin and the Magic Lamp, and Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, where the enchanted cave of riches opens when you say, “Open, Sesame!” In those stories I fell in love with deserts and caravans, with flying carpets and cities of gold, and with that strange, mysterious sort of magic of genies. This stayed with me from then on. Then, about fifteen years ago, I was asked to think about writing a fantasy series. And all the great stories of the Arabian Nights came back to me. At this time also the word “Droon” spoke itself to me. And I knew instantly that this was the name of a huge world of enchanted cities and deserts and seas. That’s really how Droon was born. I went into my workshop, got out lots of sheets of blank paper, and began to sketch out ideas for characters and places and magic and . . . trouble. Droon was to be a world in trouble. Out of all these thoughts came the first book, The Hidden Stairs and the Magic Carpet — which tells of Eric, Julie, and Neal finding the stairway to the magical world of Droon.
Coming Soon…Tony’s Newest Series:
My new series is called UNDERWORLDS, and the first volume, “The Battle Begins,” will appear from Scholastic in its book fairs and book clubs this September, and in bookstores in the spring of 2012. It’s about four friends — Owen, Jon, Dana, and Sydney (the last two are girls), and it begins with one of them vanishing at school. The others discover that maybe the ancient Underworlds of gods and monsters and heroes and magic are behind the vanishing. They band together to find their friend, and discover that there is something going very wrong in the ancient places. There is unrest in the Underworlds — all the different ones, Greek, Norse, Egyptian, Indian. And a battle is beginning that will spill up to our world. It’s exciting to be at the very beginning of a series like this. There are so many stories from the ancient myths and legends to draw from, but it is happening now, which changes things quite a bit. And the kids are just like us. The first story starts out like any typical morning at any typical school. Then . . . things change quickly, and the adventure begins. I am having a lot of fun crafting these first few stories. I hope my loyal Droon readers find these new stories fun and exciting, too!
To begin with, I was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in a small house on a hill (everyone else had small houses, too). I’ve just written about those early days in a new book for older readers to come out later this year, but one of the most important things I carry with me from those years, is the Bookmobile that used to come to my neighborhood, park down the street, and open its doors to my brother and me. That was my first real introduction to books of my own (well, my own until they were due!). Before that, I had seen lots of books, in our house, because both of my parents were teachers. My mother began reading stories to me at a very early age and, though I was not a very quick or early reader, I guess I learned to love stories. The kind I loved best were adventure stories. My favorite of all was a book called The Wind in the Willows, about four characters: Rat, Mole, Badger, and Toad. I always talk about this story when I visit schools, because it was so important for me. Because I loved that book so much, I was tempted to try to write my own stories. First, I started out writing stories with the same four characters from that book, but most of all Ratty and Moley, who I thought were the best of friends and would be nice friends of mine. After a while, I started writing little things about new characters, ones I made up myself. I drew pictures, too, but I was never very good at that. My father could actually draw pretty well, but I don’t think I picked up anything of his talent. When I was eight years old, we moved from Ohio to Connecticut. I have lived in the same part of Connecticut, in three different towns, since then. In fact, I own my mother’s house now, and one of my daughters lives there now. But that’s another story.
What kind of student were you?
Thanks to my mom, who saved everything, I have some of my old report cards. I was not especially good in reading, though I was all right in spelling. I liked history (maybe because my father was a history teacher). I was just an okay student. I’m sure no one would remember me. I was pretty shy and didn’t make myself known too much.
What were your favorite things to do when you were young?
I liked to bike around and play baseball. I was a slow reader, but my mom alwayshelped me find things to read, so I did that, too. When I was about ten, I started playing guitar, and that was a good thing. It turned into a life-long interest of mine, and I now have four guitars and a ukulele that I strum from time to time.
What were you afraid of?
In Cleveland, I shared a bedroom with my brother. It had narrow windows high in the wall that you could only see out of if you stood on a bed and looked out. I was always afraid of giant toads coming into my room from those high windows. I don’t know why it was toads, but that’s what frightened me most. Also, getting lost. I still fear getting lost.
Did you ever get into trouble at home or school?
Yes. My brother and I were never supposed to make noise while my father was working, but sometimes we did. Also, I wrote in a library book. This was a bad thing.
What books were favorites as a child?
The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame. Oh, I loved that book, and I still do.
Did you have a nickname and if so what is it? Is there a story behind your nickname?
My grandmother called me Bobchicka. It’s a Hungarian nickname, I think.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
A fireman or a farmer. This was because of very nice plastic trucks that I had, a firetruck and a farmer’s pickup truck with a chicken coop on the back. Fireman. Farmer. I was working through the Fs, I think.
If you weren’t a writer, what would you like to be?
Maybe an archaeologist. The idea of brushing the sand away from a legendary artifact is very cool. It goes back to the Arabian Nights, I think. Plus Indiana Jones. Also, I would like the job of professional reader. Just read all day long.
What advice do you have for aspiring young readers and writers?
Read everything you can get your hands on. Do everything, all different kinds of things (but nothing risky, of course), because readers like to be told a story from someone who knows a thing or two. Ask questions of everyone. Listen to everyone. Walk by yourself. Find a place that is very quiet, so you can think alone there. You will have ideas that you want to write down. And your reading will show you how the best writers have done that.
Where do you get your ideas?
Everywhere. I read a lot: newspapers, magazines, books. Ideas come to me from all of these places, but they need to collide, one idea joining with another and another, before I begin to see a story that might work. It takes time. Often ideas for characters and stories come from voices. I either hear a voice in real life or imagine one in my mind, and the look and feel and shape of the character forms in my imagination, and I begin to sketch out a story. It grows from there.
Do you write everyday? If so, for how long?
Oh, yes. Most of my days are long, from 8am to about 5pm. Other days, like on weekends, I don’t have as much time to spend. But whenever I have a free moment, I am in my room (where I am right now), and all my work is here, so there is always something to push ahead on.
Do you listen to music while you write, or do you like silence?
Absolute silence. I cannot listen to anything while I write. I do find much inspiration in music, but then I have to shut it off to be able to form my thoughts and words.
What’s the hardest part about writing a book?
The ending. At the beginning, it is a very free time for me. I envision the story as being enormous with all kinds of ideas working through it. By the end, I am not as free, for everything about the story has to make sense. And I have, obviously, to find the absolutely correct words and phrases to tell me story. So this is where the hard mind work comes in. It’s wonderful to finish a story, a kind of relief. But before that is the very hardest part of writing . . . for me.
How many times do you have to revise? Do you love revision or hate it?
I love revision. All of my best work comes out when I revise, and I revise many, many times. For my Droon stories, there are at least five or six drafts before the story goes to the editor. After there, there are another three or four. Again, the idea is that you end up with the best book you can possibly write, so revisions are very important for me. I don’t — I never — write a good story the first time through.
What your favorite book you wrote?
One of the novels, I think. Firegirl. Or The Postcard. I also like the one that’s coming out later this year, called Lunch-Box Dream. That’s the story about the road trip when I was young.
Do you have any children or pets and have you ever used them in a book?
I have two daughters and used to have two dogs, one of whom, Comet, became the character called Batamogi in the Droon stories. But he passed away, and we have one dog left. His name is Kip.
Quick Picks:
Favorite stationary item?Varsity fountain pens. They are lovely and disposable ink pens. I sign all my books with these pens now.
Soup or salad? Salad.
P & J or Mac and Cheese? I grew up on Peanut Butter, but now . . . macaroni and cheese.
Dog, Cat, Bird, or Fish? Dog
Favorite or least favorite vegetable? Favorite: carrot
Favorite or most hated subject? Favorite: literature
Sourdough, whole wheat, white or rye?Rye
Love revision or hate it? LOVE!
Longhand or computer? I start with longhand, always. Then go to a computer, then revised longhand on the printouts.
resource, WRITING LESSONS FOR THE INTERACTIVE WHITEBOARD.
