In the Stacks with NW Kid Chaser

Not all who wander...

8/1/2013

Constantly trying to read ahead of my eleven year-old son, I have found one more book to add to my pile of recommendations:
The Wanderer by Sharon Creech.

This Newbery Honor Book will appeal to both boys and girls in upper middle school and beyond. Artfully crafted to unveil the ‘truth’ of each character, the story explores belonging, purpose, personal history, and family entanglements while vividly describing the adventure of a girl, two boys, and three uncles on a sailing trip across the Atlantic Ocean.

This book is a great mentor text to demonstrate how an author can take one episode and write it from two perspectives.

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Judy Blume does it Again...

8/8/2012

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My family has long known the amazing work of Judy Blume. We think ‘Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing” should be required reading for anyone in 4th grade. We also think that the only thing better than “Freckle Juice” is “Superfudge.”

On our recent road trip, we discovered another Blume book series: “The Pain and the Great One!”

While listening to the first CD, the two characters of little brother (Age 6) and big sister (Age 8) completely captured my seven year-old’s heart. My boy could relate to the little brother because of the status of second-born child, as well as their shared second grade humor. It’s as if Judy Blume crawled inside my son’s head and deciphered every phrase that could cause him to snort milk out his nose. (Warning: do not allow little boys to enjoy these books while snacking).

     Each chapter of the books in this series is told from an alternating sibling’s perspective. Sometimes these narrations overlap and you understand the different perspectives; sometimes they tell independent stories. The raw innocence captured in the writing makes the characters instantly accessible. You know what they are thinking to themselves, as well as what they chose to say to those around them. For both my sons, I think “Jake” asked some of the questions that they themselves have wondered, but were afraid to ask.

     Added bonus: In every book of the series, the last chapter is told by the pet cat, Fluzzy. In the audio version, these chapters are read by Judy Blume herself and provide both humor and warmth that makes you want to immediately start the next book. We checked out the rest of the series as soon as we returned home from our trip.

    Looking over Judy’s website, I found that she had an entire section dedicated to discussing the work of being a writer. Perfect for homeschoolers and classroom teachers – Judy’s words encourage writer’s of every age to keep a writer’s notebook, use a personal writing process, and understand that rewriting can be the best part of it all!

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The Good and the Not So Good...

3/28/2011

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When Joshua’s family leaves Missouri in hopes of finding a new home in the Oregon territory, his grandfather gives him a journal so that the young boy can record “the good and the not-so-good.”

Thus begins the My America series by Author Patricia Hermes which illustrates the joys and tragedies of travel along the Oregon Trail.

My eight year-old first found these books, but I too have enjoyed reading the first-person, journal-entry formats. The themes of life and death, growing-up, caring for others, and greed are explored through Joshua’s young eyes with a wonderful innocence. After several losses among the wagon train, the boy begins to understand a glimmer of the worry his mother must feel for him and his young sister. As an admittedly overprotective-mother, I was touched by the story that unfolds over the trail, in Oregon City, and as the family builds their new home.

After reading all three books in this series, my son and I talked about the relationships in the books and how they are similar and different than our own. In books (and life) I have great respect for any boy’s journey to becoming a man.

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Fabulous Flat Stanley...

7/23/2010

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Have you heard of Flat Stanley?

He’s the role model for all those
determined to turn lemons into lemonade!

Stanley was peacefully dreaming in bed one night when
the bulletin board above him fell – and flattened him.
Just as in the very best mystery novels, this tragic act is not revealed in any great detail. It happened… don’t dwell… let’s move on to solve the mystery/problem.
(I love fiction.)

Stanley (now flat as a pancake) goes on to have all sorts of adventures. Drop you keys through a street grate? No worries; Stanley can just slide thorough and grab them for you. Inter-continental airfare to high? Never fear; Stanley can just be sent through the mail in an envelope. There are no frequent flier miles, but there are also no security lines.
(Lemonade, I tell you; Lemonade!!)

Teachers have been using this book in the classroom for years. For more that a decade the Official Flat Stanley Project has been on the web and continues today to document just how much Stanley is loved. He travels the globe and rubs elbows with some of the most famous people in the world. Look closely, that’s Stanley with President Obama.
(And dressed appropriately too!)

There are six Flat Stanley Books in the series. Author Jeff Brown died in 2003, but Flat Stanley lives on. The boy even has a theme song!
(That’s hitting the big time!)

Go Stanley!

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Push play...

3/9/2010

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My oldest nephew was the first family member to have an Ipod – now all the teenage nieces and nephews have them. My five year old loves using his very own version of this digital wonder by checking out the new digital story players available through our local library. Easy to use with little hands these items are available for check-out on the second floor (near the children's music tapes and CDs) for no additional charge.

Just one more way to 'read' a book while on the go.

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Capital Mysteries...

11/13/2009

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Wandering the public library, I happened to discover a new chapter book series for my voracious reader.

Author Ron Roy writes simple mysteries set in Washington D.C. that cleverly keep fourth grade characters KC and Marshall busily following the clues and keeping our nation’s capital safe.

These books are cute, quick reads that would be absolutely ideal for a family soon traveling to D.C. Even if you’re not headed back east - Reserve your copy today!

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NW Kid Chaser

Not all who wander...

Judy Blume does it Again...

The Good and the Not So Good...

Fabulous Flat Stanley...

Push play...

Capital Mysteries...

In the Stacks

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