In the Stacks with NW Kid Chaser - NW Kid Chaser

Oregon Author Roland Smith...

3/4/2014

My middle school son and I have just discovered
Oregon author Roland Smith.

With multiple adventure series, Smith's book have been in our library bag all winter long. One after another, I keep bringing them home and we keep reading them. I would describe his genre as action adventure, with a sprinkle of mystery, a pinch of nature/animals, and a full dose of pre-teen hero. They make a great read for the 5th-7th grade set. Bonus: Many of the characters jump across the novel series, which means (as a reader) you often feel like you've been reacquainted with an old friend while reading a new book.

With Roland Smith continuing his writing, we'll continuing our reading. His website speaks of school visits, which has me thinking... maybe he'll come to our neck of the woods.

Exclamations for Everyone!

11/27/2013

Amy Krouse Rosenthal's Exclamation Mark tells the inside story of the most exciting punctuation mark around.

Read this to your kids and it will be the most
pain-free lesson on conventions they'll ever have!

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.

You're doing it right...

5/9/2013

Working with young writers, I often hear myself encouraging students to break free from perfection. After all, the books on the shelves look so perfect--The spelling is correct; The pictures wonderfully drawn; The details and word choice so carefully polished. It's easy to imagine these books were written by an authors without struggles, without errors, without angst.

In this recent find, Helen Lester tells her story of the road to author-hood: It was bumpy - it was long- it was frustrating - and it certainly wasn't easy.

So, be sure to tell your young writers: If your paper is sometimes messy and often you aren't sure just what to say.. you are doing it right. Keep writing. You are doing it right!

The Power of Punctuation...

12/12/2012

This past summer my favorite read was all about Punctuation!

I know... that sounds a bit nerdy - even for me. But wait... no judging until you yourself have skimmed the pages of Lynne Truss' hilarious history of the power of punctuation. Half reference book, half commentary on language and culture - Lynne made me see punctuation in interesting new ways. She also helps young readers see how punctuation matters (and not in the old-school-diagramming-sentence-kind-of-way) in her series of children's books:

First there is Eats, Shoots and Leaves: Why Commas Make a Difference! Oh, and they do. They do!

Then there is The Girls' Like Spaghetti: Why You Can't Manage Without Apostrophes! The only book known to man that seamlessly integrates the subject of punctuation with second grade humor.

And lastly, the marvelous Twenty Odd Ducks: Why Every Punctuation Mark Counts! Because honestly: "Let's eat, Grandma." and "Let's eat Grandma!" are two entirely different circumstances.

Klise Sister Magic...

8/17/2012

When a fellow educator told me about the 43 Old Cemetery Road series, I wondered why I would ever consider giving such a book to a child. The story involves a young boy abandoned by his greedy parents, a 109 year old ghost who haunts the house where the boy lives, and a grumpy old man who doesn’t like children, telephones, or much of anything else. Needless to say,I had doubts about such writing.

    But... just as I enjoy books where little bears walk on two feet and make friends with little girls, and meatballs rain from the sky, and spiders save pigs, I decided to dive into the pages and see where the story would take me. It turns out, that teacher who introduced me to the book “Dying to Meet You” was right. Kate and Sarah Klise have created a fabulous story, with fabulous writing, for fabulous readers.

Here’s why I recommend these books to boys and girls age 10+:

1) Strong characters in unusual circumstances.
            Yes, the main character is a ghost. But, that ghost has some fabulous advice. Olive is a strong matriarch with a strong voice and comments on modern-day life in a way that is only possible if you’ve been dead for a century or more. The social commentary is ripe for the pickin’ and the play on words is endless. Part mystery, part comedy, and a tad bit of drama, both my oldest son and I devoured the whole series in one weekend once we were hooked.

2) Storytelling through documents
            Each of the books in these series is not told in old fashioned narrative, but instead through a collection of written artifacts. Letters, newspaper articles, sticky notes, invoices, television scripts, radio transcripts, and even text-messages lead readers through all the action and even signal who is “talking” based on font style. This type of writing is creative, funny, and truly accessible for a wide range of reading abilities. I imagine this series being a hit with reluctant middle-school readers. (Attention teachers: Rich mentor texts in a wide range of formats!)

But wait...
I found more Klise sister magic. The talented author and illustrator also used this style of storytelling in another young adult series beginning with 'Regarding the Fountain'. This series of books also includes storytelling through various documents, but focuses on life at Dry Creek Middle School. The written word of students, teachers, principal, and community members alike, weave together to offer a unique view (and subtle commentary) of schooling in modern day America. The five book series is a delight to both young and old readers with twist & turns and surprises offered by each end-of-the-story reveal of the fountain, sink, trees, bathroom, and bees.

Judy Blume does it Again...

8/8/2012

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!

Welcome to the World of Ish...

8/14/2011

I recently discovered the whimsy and wisdom of Author and Illustrator Peter Reynolds. Here are three books that are worth sharing with young readers:

THE DOT
When Vashti becomes discouraged with her drawing skills, a gifted teacher encourages her, inspires her and ultimately teaches her to pass on the lesson to others.

ISH
Not perfect? No problem. Draw beautifulish pictures. Write wonderfulish poems. Dance magicalish movments.
A gloryfulish life awaits you!

GUYKU
This is a year of haiku for boys and it captures the fun, adventure, and discovery that awaits anyone with an ear for beauty and a heart for nature.

Dear Readers...

9/26/2010

This past summer, I gave a presentation on the many wonders of letter writing. Whether at school or home, letter writing is a great way to connect young writers with a real audience. Here are a few books that feature letters and may serve as inspiration for your readers/writers:

Picture Books...

Dear Daddy by Philippe Dupasquier: Daddy’s little girl writes a letter to him while he’s gone at sea. Detailed illustrations both writer and reader hard at work and play.

Corduroy Writes a Letter by Alison Inches: Corduroy shows Lisa that writing letters to express your opinion can make a difference.

The Secret Friend by Joyce Dunbar: Panda feels a little hurt after helping his best friend Gander write a letter to Gander's secret friend.

Dear Bunny by Micheala Morgan: In this bunny love story, Tino and Teeny leave letters for one another in a hollow log.

K-8 Novels...

Edwina Victorious by Susan Bonners: Edwina follows in the footsteps of her namesake great-aunt when she begins to write letters to the mayor about community problems and poses as Edwina the elder.

Dear Napoleon, I Know You're Dead, But by Elvira Woodruff: When he discovers a secret courier service that can deliver letters to people in other times and places exists at the nursing home where his grandfather lives, Marty begins to exchange letters with Napoleon,Van Gogh, Edison, and Lincoln.

A Letter to Mrs. Roosevelt by C. Coco De Young: Based on actual events, this story tells how eleven-year-old Maggie Bandini writes a letter to Eleanor asking for help to save her family's home during the Great Depression.

Novels for Teens and Adults...

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows: While researching a new book, author Juliet Ashton discovers friends and life through letters. This book is one of personal favorites!

Posterity: Letters of Great Americans to Their Children by Dorie McCullough Lawson: Mom and Dad had something to say - and now we can read it too!

Fabulous Flat Stanley...

7/23/2010

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!