2013 Summer Reading Suggestions

     People have asked me if I would do a summer reading recommendation post.  Of course, everyone has his or her own thoughts on what it should look like.  I am no different.  I have decided this post needs to have variety, not only in reading material but it should include some helpful tips. 

    I teach reading.  During my most recent encounters with my student’s parental units, I noticed two view points.  View point A wanted to know what they could do over the summer to keep their kids sharp and engaged so that they would not loose any knowledge they gained over the school year. View point B told me to “bug off” my kid needs a break. My students are independent enough to make their own decisions.
     When I handed my students their individual summer packets filled with materials to help them maintain the neuro-pathways and information gained over the school year, I reminded them of how awesome they are and it was up to them to decide if they were worth the effort.  I knew they were but they had to believe it too.  
      All children have to feel valued and also value themselves.  They need success even when it is measured in the smallest increments.  It takes 40 to 100 repetitions of a new concept to anchor the information in the brain.  It doesn't have to be rote memorization. Repetition is best if it’s multi-sensory, experienced through a variety of different sensory experiences.   Keep this in mind as you and your child choose and read your summer books!

Suggestions for your summer child, tween or adolescent:

•Balance activities with rest and relaxation. (electronic games, TV, computers,phones, and other technology emit frequencies that stimulate the brain) Unplug daily.

•Balance exercise, activity, diet with a healthy doses of sleep.  It is when the brain works integrating the experiences of the day.

•Read daily whether children are the readers or they are being read to.  Set a time.  Be a role model.  By the way, there is a high correlation with cognitive growth when children are read to even in upper grades, beyond elementary school

•If you are traveling, research where you are going.  Find local authors to tap into for learning about the area.  Libraries are a great place to start.  Combine fun and entertainment with local history and science/biology/geology.

•If your not traveling, plan a vacation to somewhere you have never visited by bringing it home. Get materials from your local library to help you plan and learn about a new area. 

    The Book Wisdom summer suggestions are listed by age.   What is best for your child, will vary based on their exposure to the world and their reading ability.

I have included a variety of books including Book Wisdom books.
  You can refer to the Book Wisdom post for further information. They're archived.  There are also ratings on Goodreads. * means the author or illustrator is from Colorado.  

    Books are loosely organized by reader ages and one other category including some non fiction picks and activity books.  If you need more, suggestions, there are links at the end of the blog post.                                   HAPPY READING!

Ages 3-5   Readying to Read

• Goodnight Moon, Margaret Wise Brown

• Harold and the Purple Crayon, Crockett Johnson

• One Pup’s Up, Marsha Wilson Chall

• Counting Coconuts, Wendi Silvano*
  

• Up All Night Counting, Robin Koontz

• One Duck Stuck, Phyllis Root

• The Thankful Book, Todd Parr 
  

• Manana Iguana,  Ann Whitford Paul

• Good People Everywhere, Lynea Gillen
  

• The Lion and the Mouse, Jerry Pinkney

• My Friend Rabbit, Eric Rohmann

• OH, NO!, Candyce Fleming 
  

• How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night?, Jane Yolen

• Cindy Moo, Lori Mortensen
  

• Abuela, Arthur Dorros & Elisa Kleven

• A Ball for Daisy, Chris Raschka
  

• Red, White, and Boom!, Lee Wardlaw
  

Ages 5-9  Reading with Support or Launching on Their Own

• Flotsam, David Wiesner

• I Stink, Kate McMullan

• Stellaluna, Janell Cannon

• Chester’s Way, Kevin Henkes

• I’m Bored!, Michael Ian Black
  

• Princess in Training, Tami Sauer
  

• Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch, Eileen Spinelli

• Cowpoke Clyde and Dirty Dawg, Lori Mortensen
  

• Uncle Lester’s Hat, Howie Schneider

• I Want A Pet, Cathy Morrison

• My Family Plays Music, Judy Cox

• The Magic Fish, Freya Littledale

• A Frog Prince, Alix, Berenzy

• The True Story of the Three Little Pigs, Jon Scieszka

• Colors of the Day, Ruth Gembicki Bragg

• Frog and Toad Are Friends, Arnold Lobel (series)

• Henry and Mudge, Cynthia Rylant & Sucie Stevenson (series)

• Cork & Fuzz, Dori Chaconas (series)
  

• Front Porch Tales & North Country Whoppers, Tomie DePaola

• Stuart Little, E.B. White (read aloud)

• Charlotte’s Web, E.B.White (read aloud)
  

Ages 9-12  Middle Grade Readers

• The Slate Stephen's Mystery Series, Sneed B Collard III
  

• Earthling, Mark Fearing, graphic novel
  

• A Wrinkle in Time, Madeleine L'Engle

• Destiny Rewritten, Kathryn Fitzmaurice
  

• Matilda, Roald Dahl

• Inside Out & Back Again, Thanha Lai
  

• Secret Keeper, Matali Perkins

• Wind in the Willows, Kenneth Grahame

• The Voice of Thunder, Mirka M.G. Breen
  

• The Tale of Despereaux, Kate DiCamillo

• Chicken Feathers, Joy Cowley 
  

• Calling Him Dad, Virginia Kamhi
  

• The Invention do Hugo Cabret, Brian Selznick

• Holes, Louis Sachar

• The Golden Compass, Philip Pullman

• Herby's Secret Formula, Sue C Hughey *
  

• Letters to Juniper, Peggy Tibbits *
  

• The Lunch Thief, Anne C Bromley
  

Ages 13 & Beyond

• Because of Winn Dixie, Kate DiCamillo

• Dead End in Norvett, Jack Gantos

• White Fang, Jack London

• Looking For Alaska, John Green

• The Queen of Water, Laura Reseau *
  

• Island of the Blue Dolphin, Scott O'Dell

• Artemis Fowl Series, Eoin Colfer

• The Book Thief, Markus Zusak

• The Hobbit, J.R.R.Tolkien

• The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R.Tolkien

• The Princess Bride, William Golding

• Flowers For Algernon, Daniel Keyes

• Disc world, Terry Pratchett

• Stargirl, Jerry Spinelli

Non Fiction

• Me ....Jane, Patrick McDonnell, The story of Jane Goodall,
  

•  Camping with the President, Ginger Wadsworth

• Cowboy Up! Ride the Navajo Rodeo, Nancy Bo Flood *
  

• It's Big Sky, Pat Mora

• Animalology, Marianne Bates

• Animal Dads, Sneed B Collard III

• Frogs, Nic Bishop

• Eleanor, Quiet No More, Doreen Rappaport (Eleanor Roosevelt)

• For The Birds, Peggy Thomas (Roger Tory Peterson)

• John Muir, My Life with Nature, Joseph Cornell

• Stickeen, John Muir and the Brave Little Dog, Donneell Rubay

• What to Do About Alice?, Barbara Kerley (Alice Roosevelt)

  

  Activity Books Kindergarten through Third Grade

• Animology, Marianne Berkes

• Coin Clues, Evelyn Christensen
  

• Lizard Lunch, Alina Niemi

• The Hawaii Doodle Book, Alina Niemi

• Bit, Bat, Bee:Rime with Me! and ABC Follow Me! Phonic Rhymes and Crafts, Linda Armstrong*
  

LINKS FOR MORE SUGGESTIONS

Scholastic Summer Recommendations

The Horn Book Summer Recommendations

May 30th, DESTINY, REWRITTEN BY Kathryn Fitzmaurice

     One of the ways I reach my middle grade students and some beyond those years is to talk story.  I tell them you are writing the story of your life.   I find it gives them distance from pain and confusion and empowers them to make decisions on their character’s behalf.  Kathryn Fitzmaurice brings this concept to life in her latest middle grade novel.

 DESTINEY, REWRITTEN by Kathryn Fitzmaurice is the perfect middle grade novel that captures coming of age through the eyes of a young want-to-be romance writer whose given destiny is to become a poet.   Emily Elizabeth Davis is destined to be a poet, or so she is told.  When little cousin Mortie turns the page of her life to an unexpected chapter, Emily begins to allow herself to rewrite her story to be her own.   

Destiny can be a difficult topic to write about but Fitzmaurice does a remarkable job making it look simple while creating such believable and loveable characters.  Crossing two developmental stages, DESTINY, REWRITTEN moves Emily from the stage that spans late elementary school solidly into early adolescence in which the themes, plot, and characters seamlessly match.  Fitzmaurice thoughtfully brings to life identity through several themes including the Emily’s search for the father she does not know.  DESTINY, REWRITTEN invites, holds, and satisfies the reader, chapter by chapter.

This is a five apple book, cream of the crop. Excellent characterization coupled with a unique plot which clarifies writing one’s own destiny to kids who are developing independence and identity makes this 335 page, middle grade novel a wonderful read for kids ages 8-12. I also recommend this book as a classroom or family read aloud.  It offers up great points to ponder and discuss and includes several mysteries to solve. It is a high interest book for girls and will also appeal to some boys.

     The themes in this book are destiny, independence, mystery, identity, family, change, and friendship.

     DESTINY, REWRITTEN is published by the Katherine Tegen imprint of HarperCollins Publishers and was edited by Molly O’Neill.  It is available on Kindle and in hardcover and can be found at bookstores and online.  You can find out more information about this book and Kathryn at Kathryn’s Website.  
   DESTINY, REWRITTEN is being given away this month to a lucky winner who posts a comment on this blog or signs up as a follower or likes the Book Wisdom by Diane Facebook page.  If you sign up as a follower please let me know you did, I do not have access to your name or use your information as I value your privacy. Drawing happens June 7th.

Author, Mirka M.G. Breen, November 16th Reviews

     Thanksgiving is next week.  I am very grateful to be blogging about two wonderful books from an author who is part of my writing family.   These books are by Mirka M.G. Breen.  One book is a middle grade novel and the other a Thanksgiving holiday, picture story book.  Both books have the qualities that I look for and reflect the personality, skill and creative style of Mirka, who lives by and speaks her mind with authority, in a way that I truly admire.  Her creativity, skill, and style make for strong, clear, consistent voice.  It's the reason I chose to put them together. 

THE VOICE OF THUNDER by Mirka M. G. Breen

      Author, Mirka M. G. Breen's debut middle grade novel, THE VOICE OF THUNDER is nothing short of outstanding. THE VOICE OF THUNDER is set in 1967 Jerusalem during the Six-Day War, a lesser known, very important, historical event.  The reader is taken on a journey through the heart and soul of ten-year-old Mira Levi.  Mirka's voice breathes life into the innocence, fear, and struggle of Mira juxtaposed with her best friend, Gili Moser.  Using her own personal experience as a fifth grader living in Jerusalem during this war, Mirka has created authentic and memorable characters that leave the reader yearning to know what will happen next. I found this book insightful and entertaining.   

I rate this book, a 5 apple book, outstanding, cream of the crop.  Mirka's uses her writing skills, ability to create real and accurate characters, and her first hand knowledge of Jewish history to create a book that is award winning caliber.

    THE VOICE OF THUNDER is a 114 page, middle grade novel for both genders, ages 9 through 14. It masterfully captures the innocence and struggle of moving from childhood into adolescence. 

    The themes in this book are growing up, family, friendship, war and Judaism. 

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THERE'S A TURKEY AT THE DOOR by Mirka M.G.Breen

     THERE'S A TURKEY AT THE DOOR by author Mirka M.G. Breen is another debut book, in story book format.  Published in 2011 and illustrated by Sonya Hallett, this holiday book takes place at Thanksgiving with a family that is vegetarian.  Tired of writing about Thanksgiving without turkey, third grade Niles gets a surprise visit from Henrietta. This charming book approaches Thanksgiving from a unique angle.  Full of humor, it will delight young and old, vegetarians and carnivores too.  

 I rate this book, a 4 apple book, a very good book. Mirka does a wonderful creating the characters of Niles and Henrietta and developing their relationship.

     THERE'S A TURKEY AT THE DOOR is a 24 page picture story book for both genders, ages 4 -9.    The age portrayal of Niles is carried out well while Henrietta remains an bird without any anthropomorphism.  This is a picture story book which means it has more text than a typical picture book.

     The themes in the book are Thanksgiving, vegetarianism, acceptance, and friendship.

    If you would like to learn more about Mirka and her books, you can check out:  Mirka's Website.  THE VOICE OF THUNDER is available through your local independent book seller, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and the publihser: WiDo.  THERE IS A TURKEY AT THE DOOR can be purchased through Amazon or by contacting Mirka through her website.  The publisher of this book is unfortunately out of business.  There are a limited amount of these wonderful books available.


     There is not a book giveaway with this post.

August 9th, KKCO News 11, Today, Summer Reads, Mysteries

 TO ENTER MY BOOK GIVE AWAY, PLEASE CHECK THE BOX ON THE RIGHT WITH THE INFORMATION ON HOW TO ENTER AND GOOD LUCK.  BOTH BOOKS WILL BE GIVEN AWAY ON AUGUST 24TH.

If you have not seen this list of teen novels put out by NPR, check it out, after you read this blog.  There are some great book suggestions on it.  

 NPRs Best 100 Teen Novels/Listener Favorites

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     Welcome to my August 9th post.  Is it really August?   Some schools are back in session.  Most of the Grand Valley schools start in seven days.  Where did the summer go?  It's a mystery.  As cliche as it is, I want to know why summer flies by when other parts of the year just seem to drag on.  I am thinking of calling on Slate Stephens for some help.

  
Today on KKCO, News11 Today, I shared two, fun mysteries in a series for kids ages 8 - 12, the tweens.  Why are mysteries important for kids to read?  Why are there so many fans of mysteries?  What does it take to write a very good mystery for children?  I could write a whole blog on that but I won't do that here.  What I can say is that a good mystery is about solving a problem in a clever way that keeps the reader engaged.  It also engages the reader in thinking about how to solve the mystery. It brings what educators work hard when they teach kids to read, making inferences and deducing. What might happen next?  How is this going to be solved?  A well written mystery does this naturally without the reader even knowing it.

      Sneed B. Collard III has brought his award winning, writing experience and his sense of humor into his newest fiction work, The Slate Stephens Mysteries, THE GOVENOR'S DOG IS MISSING! and HANGMAN'S GOLD.   He also brings his knowledge of child development into his characters.  Sneeds characters are very believable.  The humor, innocence, natural exploration balanced with doing the right thing captures this age group that Slate and his companion Daphne belong to. It's a perfect match for tween readers.  What else makes this series stand out?  Sneed is very good at all aspects of writing, and he carries it off with his great storytelling.  If you think you need zombies, vampires, dragons, or pirates to entertain your children, you will be pleasantly surprised because Sneed's writing will provide more than that and includes some Western history, biology, and geology. This is fun stuff and never a dull moment writing.

I rate both of these books, a 5 apple book, outstanding, cream of the crop.  Sneed uses his writing skills, ability to create believable characters, fun plots, and researched historical history to make the reader want more.

    The Slate Stephens Mysteries, THE GOVENOR'S DOG IS MISSING! and HANGMAN'S GOLD are for tween children ages 8 -12, both genders who can read chapter books. 

    The themes in this book are mystery, history of the West, friendship, and solving problems.

    You can learn more about Sneed and his award winning books and where to buy them at: Sneed's Website.

     You can find this book through the publisher, Bucking Horse Books.  Your local book store can order this book for you.  On the West Slope of Colorado, our local independent seller is Grand Valley Books. In addition it can be found online at Mountain Press and Amazon.