The Interrupting Chicken

David Ezra Stein's Interrupting Chicken is a wonderful picture book. I think I enjoyed this book even more than some of the other picture books I have blogged about because I enjoyed it on READEO. If you aren't familiar with www.readeo.com, you need to check it out. Readeo lets you skype with a friend and read books together. My son and I read Interrupting Chicken numerous times because it is the March free book of the month. This book is perfect for reading aloud and so much fun for kids to share read. I give this book 5 stars.

Me Frida

Me Frida
By: Amy Novesky

Frida Kahlo has always fascinated me. This wonderfully illustrated picture book will make you love her even more. Novesky brings Frida to life with her adventures in San Francisco. I feel compelled to mention the illustrator, David Diaz, who brings Frida and Diego alive before your eyes. I encourage you to use this book as a read aloud with your students; they will appreciate the artistic ability of the author and illustrator.

Olivia Goes to Venice

Olivia Goes to Venice
By: Ian Falconer

What is not to love about Olivia? She is one of my favorite book characters, look at this voice thread and see why.....

They Called Themselves the K.K.K.: The Birth of an American Terrorist Group

They Called Themselves the K.K.K.: The Birth of an American Terrorist Group
By: Susan Campbell Bartoletti

For those of you who loved award winning, Hitler Youth: Growing Up in Hitler's Shadow, you will love, They Called Themselves the K.K.K.: The Birth of an American Terrorist Group, as well. This non-fiction book captures you from the beginning. The pictures, the diaries, and the history are profoundly moving. I give this book 5 stars! Watch my book trailer...

Grandma's Gift

Grandma's Gift
by: Eric Velasquez

This is such a lovely story. Mr. Velasquez tells a childhood adventure he had with his beloved grandmother. His vivid memories and special advocate detail a visit to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Velasquez's Puerto Rican culture is evident in this book and such a treasure for children. I give this book 5 stars.

Mirror Mirror - A Book of Reversible Verse

I love this book! Cinderella's Double Life, The Sleeping Beauty and the Wide-Awake Prince, Rapunzel's Locks and so much more. The verse is entertaining and clever. I give this book four stars. Check out my book trailer...

Out of My Mind

Out of My Mind
By: Sharon Draper

Melody has cerebral palsy. She has spent her life looking at other children speak and move around. She doesn't have the luxury of speech or movement, but Melody is intelligent. Melody shows strength and character as she people get to know her. This is a great book that can be used in many different capacities in the classroom. I give this book 5 stars. Watch my book trailer....

The Hate List

I give this book 5 stars. I LOVE THIS BOOK. Jennifer Brown was able to give depth to her characters. Nick Levil loves Shakespeare, loves Val, but hates the injustice of high school bullying. Valerie is in love with Nick. He is thoughtful and understanding of the torment she endures. Together they write a Hate List. The list documents the people who they don't like for one reason or another. Valerie has no idea that Nick will use the list as targets for a school shooting. The tragedy leaves many dead, including Nick. Valerie survives the ordeal physically, but emotionally she must pick up the pieces. This is a great novel for high school students.

The Witch's Guide to Cooking with Children

The Witch's Guide to Cooking with Children
By: Keith McGowan
Illustrations by: Yoko Tanaka

Imagine a family distantly related to Hansel and Gretel. A stepmother and father who were going to lose out on an inheritance if they had children. In fact, the inheritance would go to the children if children existed. Solomon and Constance had no idea that their parents didn't want them anymore. Mr. and Mrs. Blink wanted their children to meet up with the dreadful Witch Fay Holaderry. Witch Holaderry gladly took unwanted children and cooked recipes with them. Students will love this novel and enjoy it's characters. I give this novel 4 stars.

Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave

Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave
Written by: Laban Carrick Hill
Illustrated By: Bryan Collier


This is another beautiful read about a skilled potter who happened to be a slave. Set in South Carolina this thought provoking story relates the story of Dave. The watercolor pictures leave you awestruck and the story leaves you thinking. Wonderful stories like Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, and Slave, make you question and discuss history. Dave was never a free man, but he expressed himself through pottery and poems, a gift he was able to share.

Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night

Dark Emperor and Other Poems of the Night
By: Joyce Sidman
Illustrated by: Rick Allen

I don't know what is more beautiful about this book, the poems or the illustrations. Children will flip through the pages and feel the movement of the words as they read them. The imagery used makes you feel like you are there. Every poem is beautiful and informative. In Welcome to the Night, a tribute to all who crawl and creep, you can practically smell yourself in the forest. In Cricket Speaks, you feel the anticipation as the cricket rests throughout the day, waiting for nightfall where the sounds begin to dance. This would be a wonderful read aloud to school age children. I give this book 5 stars.

A Sick Day for Amos McGee

A Sick Day for Amos McGee
Written by: Philip C. Stead
Illustrated by: Erin E. Stead

I loved everything about this book. This CALDECOTT winner has wonderful descriptive pictures to match the wonderful sweet characters. Zookeeper Amos faithfully spends time with his animal friends. The care that he gives him daily bonds them. When Amos stays home sick one day, the group decides they will visit him. The delight Amos feels as his friends take care of him exemplifies the friendship they share.

I give this book 5 stars.

Will Grayson Will Grayson

Will Grayson Will Grayson is witty, brash, and unique. The story revolves around two different teens named Will Grayson. Both characters have a connection of sorts with Tiny Cooper. The Grayson characters are opposites in every way except for their name. They lead two totally different lives until one day their paths intersect. Their complex lives keep you rooting for them. You can't help but love both Will Graysons, but it is Tiny Cooper who steals your heart. Tiny is an obsessive flamboyant gay, who has been inseparable with the first Will Grayson since grade school. The fact that two wonderful authors like John Green and David Levithan wrote this book should make you run out to get a copy and read it now.

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars.

Incarceron

I loved Incarceron and couldn't wait to get my hands on Sapphique. Finn's existence in a prison that he can't escape leaves him wanting answers. He can't remember how he got in Incarceron, but he knows that he will surely die in it. Incarceron has never had anyone escape it, although legends tell of one man named Sapphique who did. Finn finds hope when he finds that he can communicate with a girl named Claudia. Claudia doesn't live in Incarceron, she lives in a different world, a world he is determined to find. Young adults will enjoy this book, no doubt about it.

Please note: I used a portion of a Penguin Books book trailer. I looked under permissions and verified that it would be okay to use their video. It states, "Our video player features hundreds of videos that can be accessed this way. You can also share any of the videos with others on Facebook, Digg and Delicious or send an email." http://us.penguingroup.com/static/pages/multimedia/index.html#vmix_media_id=58342011.

Num8ers is exciting and fast paced. Jem was orphaned when she was eleven. Born with the ability to see numbers in people's eyes, she realizes that those numbers predict the date of their death. Jem isolates herself so that she doesn't have to see everyone's date of doom. But then, she meets Spider. He is odd and a misfit, just like her. This book will keep you turning the pages and wondering if fate can be altered.

Num8ers is on the 2011 Tayshas Reading List and has won the following awards:

* Angus Book Award
* Oxfordshire Book Award
* Stockport Schools Book Award, Key Stage 4
* Hounslow Book Award
* Wandsworth Fabulous Book Award 2010