The week started of strangely as we began processing last Friday’s lockdown. Returning to the routine of the school day was remarkably helpful.
The Biggest Poutine in the World by André Poulin
Whatshisface by Gordon Korman
You Don’t know Everything, Jilly P! by Alex Gino
A Possibility of Whales by Karen Rivers
No school Monday for Labor day. It was really nice to have a long weekend after the first week.
The Valiant by Lesley Livingston
I missed my book talk today, but did two on Friday to make up for it.
My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece by Annabel Pitcher
Becoming Kareem by Kareem Abdul-Jabar and Fred Korematsu Speaks Up by Laura Atkins and Stan Yogi
I chose spooky books for Halloween week!
Monday, I shared Thornhill by Pam Smy
Tuesday, Halloween, I went witchy, with The Apprentice Witch by James Nicol.
Wednesday, I talked about Neil Gaiman’s eerie The Ocean at the End of the Lane.
Friday is the end of the quarter, and a day without students so we can write progress reports. That meant that my last book talk was on Thursday, when I talked about How to Catch a Bogle by Catherine Jinks.
Monday, September 11
Nine, Ten by Nora Raleigh Baskin
Tuesday, September 12
My Sister Lives on the Mantelpiece by Annabel Pitcher
Wednesday, September 13
I meant to talk about Booked, but when I learned most kids hadn’t read Kwame Alexander’s Crossover, I booktalked both.
Thursday, September 14
Lucy and Andy Neanderthal by Jeffrey Brown
Friday, September 15
Better Nate Than Ever by Tim Federle, provided a little humor for the end of the week.
After the summer break, I am back to book talks.
Last year, I ran into a little problem. As the end of the year approached, I couldn’t remember which books I had already book-talked. At the beginning of the year, I wrote them in my planner, but somewhere along the way, less than a month into school, I stopped. This year, I plan on writing the date of the booktalk in the back of the book. It violates many of my personal rules, but it will be helpful – if I can keep it up.
Wednesday, I introduced our first read aloud: Posted by John David Anderson. This is a great read aloud…I had their attention. Even the kid who was reading his book under the table closed his book to listen!
Wednesday, I booktalked Wishtree by Katherine Applegate. By their reactions, it is clear that some of my students also consider The One and Only Ivan a heart book.
Today’s book will be Refugee by Alan Gratz. I haven’t written about this one yet, but will soon.
I was only at school for three days, but managed to squeeze in eight books. I am crafty that way.
First, I shared the DC Comics I got last Friday night.
I spent much of Friday getting these ready to add to my classroom library (while the kids worked on their Ancient Sumer test) because several students were chomping at the bit to read them.
Thursday, I talked about a book I’d hoped would be on the Newbery list.
Friday, I book talked a 2017 Sibert Honor Book.
Next week, I get to teach my first full five-day week since November!
booksandbassets 