Wishing for Tomorrow by Hilary McKay

As a young reader that loved both romantic adventure and plucky heroines in stories, I was enraptured with A Little Princess and The Secret Garden, both by Frances Hodgson Burnett.  What a wonderful treat it was to discover Wishing for Tomorrow, and crafted by one of my favorite contemporary "girl-book" authors, Hilary McKay (purveyor of stories chronicling the lovable and laughable Casson Family).

With much joy in my reader's heart I recommend this breath of fresh air and window into another time to any adult who also loved Burnett's books, or just loves a good "girl" read.  As for my students? Any of you that enjoy books about friendships, families, a little mystery, excitement and having your story come together beautifully at the end, this book is for you.

Historical Fiction of the Civil War sort

I've recently read two historical fiction novels relating to the Civil War that I enjoyed very much. Here are two quick recommendations for the 4th to 8th grade set.

The first, Ghost Soldier, by Elaine Marie Alphin, offers a peak into the past through the experience of our young protagonist who meets a ghost while visiting an area full of Civil War era battle sites. The ghost has unfinished business and, with some persistent hanging about, convinces the living to help out. Alexander, the adolescent who can see the ghost, has his own problems keeping him busy; his mother left three years ago and his father is ready to move on and remarry. Alex isn't so keen on the idea and gets overwhelmed with all the changes he's facing, plus a ghost pestering him to be his hands in the living world isn't helping much, either!






The second, Iron Thunder, by Avi, takes place in the throes of the Civil War. Readers see the construction of a new kind of ship, an ironclad, through the eyes of a thirteen year old boy who has taken a job on its construction site after his father dies in battle, fighting for the Union. Tom takes the job reluctantly, knowing his family needs the money but also harboring some resentment toward the Union because of his father's death. His uncertain loyalty is tested by a stranger claiming to want to help Tom out, but really wanting information for the Confederacy. Tom ends up having a very important role in the implementation of the ironclad's mission, and learns where his loyalty is, too. This book has excellent illustrations and photographs throughout. Avi also does a great job explaining which parts are fiction and which are history, too.

Picture Books for Young and Old

Here are a few of my new favorites...

How Rocket Learned to Read by Tad Hills is a read-it-every-night sort of story.  A plucky bird claims a reluctant young dog as her student.  Wooing him with an appealing story (obviously chosen for his interests) she gets him excited about reading.  My Kinders loved this story - yours will, too. :)






It's A Book by Lane Smith is a slightly saucy sass that extols the virtues of plain old print.  Even though I LOVE my Kindle and would be LOST without my iPad, I still cherish a good old fashioned paper-bound BOOK.  Lane, apparently, does too.
Language alert: this book has a jackass for a character...and he's called by his name (though it is tastefully done, in a sort of sarcastic way).

So Long Overdue! Oh, the irony!

School has been buzzing and readers have been reading full steam ahead at my school for almost two months now, and I've neglected to post any new reading recommendations. Shame on me!

Sorry for the delay - I hope you enjoy these recommendations.

My favorite fiction read this summer was Crunch, by Leslie Connor.
This book follows a talented and charismatic family of five children as they manage without their parents for a week during a nationwide fuel "crunch".  Mom and Dad didn't abandon them - they got caught in the "crunch".  While the folks are away the kids do all sorts of play, of the productive, life-learning, creative sort.  Running a bike shop, the two middle children (teen boys) learn a lot about competence and hard work.  Acting as parent is their 18 year old sister, who learns that she does have limits and that is OK.  Rounding out the family are the young twins, who learn that things work out in the end with patience, perseverance, and the assistance of good neighbors.

 

My favorite nonfiction read this summer was The Mystery of the Lost Colony by Lee Miller.  There have been a lot of wonderful books written about the lost colony at Roanoke; this one offers evidence of an answer to the questions, "What happened to the colony?  Why did it fail?".  Miller offers an evidenced based narrative that hooked me and kept me turning the pages.  I've had a few students take my recommendation and read this book already - they loved it!  

Folkore Recommended by 4th Graders

My 4th graders are learning about folklore.

Here are some of the books they think everyone should read.

Bruh Rabbit and the Tar Baby Girl, a folktale retold by Virginia Hamilton and illustrated by James Ransome

Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal a fairytale retold by Paul Fleishman, illustrated by Julie Paschkis

The Elves and the Shoemaker, a fairytale retold and illustrated by Jim LaMarche 

Between Earth and Sky, a legend retold by Joseph Bruchac and illustrated by Thomas Locker

Racoon's Last Race, a folktale retold by Joseph Bruchac and James Bruchac, illustrated by Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey

Turtle's Race With Beaver, a folktale retold by Joseph Bruchac and James Bruchac, illustrated by Jose Aruego and Ariane Dewey

Library Lil, a tall tale by Susan Williams, illustrated by Steven Kellogg

The First Strawberries, a legend retold by Joseph Bruchac, illustrated by Anna Vojtech

Paul Bunyan, a tall tale retold and illustrated by Steven Kellogg

Young Guinevere, a legend retold by Robert D. San Souci and illustrated by Jamicheal Henterly

The Lion and the Mouse, a wordless retelling of an Aesop fable by Jerry Pinkney. This book was the 2010 Caldecott winner.

Stone Soup,  a folktale retold and illustrated by John J. Muth

The Dog and the Wolf, and The Boy Who Cried Wolf,  both retellings of Aesop's fable by Eric Bair and illustrated by Dianne Silvermann

Little Red Riding Hood, a fairy tale retold and illustrated by Jerry Pinkney

Henny Penny, a folktale retold and illustrated by Jane Wattenburg

Clever Beatrice, a tall tale by Margaret Willey

Pandora, a  myth retold by Robert Burleigh

Rapunzel, a fairy tale retold and illustrated by Rachel Isadora