The Savage by David Almond

A short 80 page read, but full of emotion. Blue is a young boy who is bullied and uses writing as his outlet. Blue shows the inner emotions of someone going through bullying and how painful it is as well as having to work through the loss of his father. Blue explores his feelings toward his bully by creating a character called "The Savage." This book is touching and leaves much to discuss in a middle school classroom. 

What's New in Nonfiction

Selecting this link will show recent additions in nonfiction.  This list is constantly being updated!

What's New in Nonfiction!

The Selection by Kiera Cass

These books are fun and flirty!  If you are a fan of The Bachelor, you MUST read this series.  I flew through these books and am so excited for the final one!

The Selection - Book 1

The Elite - Book 2

The One - Book 3

The Heir - Book 4

If you like Lord of the Rings...

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/11g-jxOoRvt0Gjk1kX87SAh3MG4ltxyDOcYONt518UNc/edit#slide=id.p

If you like Harry Potter...

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1tjctMQr6t045xoPWrwTI2dF0lajiQUMh3TLOzgL5ARo/edit#slide=id.g65f2a4e75_0_0

Three Times Lucky by Sheila Turnage (Rebecca Caudill 2015 nominee)

Mo LoBeau is an orphan who is 3 times lucky and has a mystery to solve.  This book is fun and witty.  Mo is a clever and likable character who is wise beyond her years.  Her best friend, Dale, is lovable and fun.  This book has everything you are looking for:  murder, mystery and fun!  It is on the longer side (300 pages) for our junior high students, but I promise you will enjoy it.  There is also a companion if you are looking to follow Mo on another adventure!

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

I just finished A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness and LOVED this book.  It's dark, witty and sucks you in right away.  I'm really hoping one of the ELA teachers at Lakeview will decide to teach this book that is currently on the 2016 Rebecca Caudill list.  There are many discussions that can develop from this book including:  grief, cancer, bullies and monsters.  This book leaves a lot to the imagination while reading letting students wonder what the nightmare is and why is this yew tree involved in his life.

What makes this book even more special is that it was the last book idea from Siobhan Dowd and all proceeds go to her foundation http://www.siobhandowdtrust.com/

Cinder - Book Trailer

Cinder by Marissa Meyer is right now my favorite Rebecca Caudil 2016 nominee!  I wasn't excited to read it therefore chose the audio version, but I instantly was engrossed in this book!  Cinder is a very strong female character and doesn't feel sorry for herself even though she is part cyborg.  I mechanical hand and foot leaves her with challenges, but when you are the best mechanic in your land at least you can fix yourself up when needed!  This first book in the Lunar Chronicles will not disappoint! #rebeccacaudil2016

Lucky Ducklings - a true story!

This week I read Lucky Ducks by Eva Moore.  This story is based on the true story of little ducklings who fell down a sewer grate.  Below is video footage of a rescue similar to what we read about.  If you scroll further down I have also included a read aloud of the story I found online if you would like to hear the book in its entirety.







https://youtu.be/jcfjCCtkG8Q

And the Winner is...

You read them, and you voted for one...the school winner for the Monarch Book Award is The Day the Crayons Quit!  See the results yourself from our bulletin board.

1.  The Day the Crayons Quit
2.  If I Built a House
3.  Creepy Carrots

Monarch Voting

Student Voting for Monarch Awards

Me...Jane Read Aloud

Me...Jane - Read Aloud

2015 Monarch Award

I just finished creating my Monarch Award Nominee bulletin board.  The students were very excited to see the large monarch butterfly along with all of the GREAT books we have been reading together during library time.  Students have also been checking them out to read at home as well as sitting with a reading buddy on the bean bags in order to get as many books read before we vote the first week of March.  My second bulletin board will be posted at the conclusion of voting.  Students will be voting during IMC time using a Google Form I created which helps track all of our votes quickly!

The other bulletin board will be for students to visually see which books are getting the most books in our school, and eventually which one is our school wide winner.  Later in March/early April the state winner will be announced.  I will use the board to also communicate the state award winner as well.

As a bonus this weekend, I am attending the Anderson's Bookstore Children's Literature Breakfast.  Can't wait to meet AWESOME authors and illustrators as well as get some copies signed for the library.  Check back next week to see who I met and what I bought!

Stay warm this weekend.  I can't think of anything better than to curl up with a great book!

Kindergarten Chromebook roll-out!

Mrs. Foellmer and I introduced the chromebooks to kindergarten students!  These kids were excited and eager to learn.  The entire school has now been introduced, using and implementing chromebooks into everyday activities in a variety of different classrooms!  What an exciting time to be a teacher!

Welcome Heidi Heckelbeck to the IMC!

A brand new series has been added to the chapter book collection - Heidi Heckelbeck.  This fun loving 8 year old girl is just like anyone else except shhhhhhh...she's got a secret, she a witch in disguise.  Follow Heidi on her fun adventures as she gets herself in and out of trouble.  These chapter books are great because students will be able to read them fast and enjoy the illustrations that accompany the pages.

Let's Take a Trip!

Let's travel to places far away with Bella & Harry a new series added to our IMC!  Bella & Harry is a picture book series that showcase a brother & sister pup team who are traveling the world with their family.  Even though this series is fiction, the books are informative and interactive which is a great way to introduce you to different countries, customs and of course popular landmarks!  There are 14 new titles to choose from!  I hope you will enjoy them as much as I have!

Look what's new in the IMC

2 new series have been added to our chapter book collection.  Calvin Coconut & Puppy Place.  Remember, chapter books have green stickers on the spine.

3 new books about Rosa Park, Albert Einstein and Abraham Lincoln have been added to non-fiction as well.  These books are told from the child perspective and students will definitely be able to relate to these important people from history.

All of these books are on the bookshelf by the entrance/exit of the IMC.

First Grade Books Available in the IMC

Congratulations to the first grade classes who all published classroom books!  The first grade teachers each donated a copy of their class book which is available to look at in the IMC.  Once books are processed, students will be able to check out the books for check-out.  Each book features a drawing and picture completed by each student in the class!

Creepy Carrots

The Day the Crayons Quit Read Aloud

Internet Safety Kindergarten & Grade 1

Happy New Year!  I'm kicking off 2015 with Internet Safety lessons with kindergartners and grade 1.  With students I discussed how they stay safe and how that applies to being safe when going online.  Common Sense Media is a great website I use to teach students about Internet Safety!  Parents you can use this website as well for some great tips on how to be safe at home.

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/

Students will also be exploring the San Diego Zoo being able to take a virtual field trip to lean about different animals.