Reading+Promotion

__Book Reviews/Book Talks__
The intended audience for this book talk is K-5 elementary students. I plan to use this book talk on my (imaginary) librarian blog. __Mrs. Cooney Is Looney!__ written by Dan Gutman, illustrated by Jim Palliot is the 7th book in the //My Weird School// series. This wacky series contains twenty-one books which follow the antics of a 2nd grade boy named A.J. who dislikes school and his nemesis Andrea Young, who loves anything A.J. hates and school. This book and the others in the series are excellent choices for beginning chapter books especially for reluctant readers who may feel the same way A.J. does about school. The stories are fun, fast moving and told from a 2nd grade perspective.
 * Early Chapter Book Review:**

A.J. attends //Ella Mentry School// where all the adults are quite strange. In __Mrs. Cooney Is Looney!__ readers are introduced to the school nurse, Mrs. Cooney. A.J. thinks Mrs. Cooney is the most beautiful woman he has ever seen and he has a secret crush on her! He decides to pretend he is sick so he can be sent to the nurse’s office. A. J. discovers that Mrs. Cooney has very non-traditional methods for curing ill patients.
 * Book Talk**

//“A.J., I have a cure for your headache,” Mrs. Cooney said, ‘’Take this yardstick. I want you to balance it on your nose.” “Huh? Why would that help my headache?” I asked. “A.J. I’m a trained nurse,” Mrs. Cooney said. “I know what I’m doing.” I took the yardstick and balanced it on my nose. “Like this?” I asked. “Very good,” Mrs. Cooney said. “Now I want you to get up and hop on one foot while you keep balancing the yardstick.” “What will that do?” I asked. “I’m a trained nurse!” Mrs. Cooney said. “Just do it.”…// Based on A.J.’s revelations about his treatment, some of his classmates get the idea that maybe Mrs. Cooney isn’t a nurse at all, they believe she is a spy! The students let their over-active imaginations get the best of them and make a plan to spy on Mrs. Cooney. Read __Mrs. Cooney Is Looney!__ to find out what happens//! If you like this story there are 20 other books in the series you can read.//

__Big Bug Surprise__ is written and illustrated by Julia Gran. This wonderful picture book is recommended for ages 4-8. The book is filled with vivid illustrations which are quite amusing and help to tell the story of Prunella and her big bug surprise. Prunella is a bright, young girl with a great knowledge of and love for spiders and insects. However, all of the adults in her life never seem to have time to listen to Prunella. On show-and –tell day at her school Prunella’s expertise really comes in handy and suddenly, everyone is willing to listen to her. The story offers a gentle reminder that adults do need to listen to children more often; sometimes they know more than we do! This picture book is a mix of fiction and non-fiction. Julia Gran includes a page called //Big Bug Facts// detailing further factual information about insects, dragonflies, honeybees, dung beetles, and spiders.
 * Picture Book Review:**

Have you ever tried to tell your parents or other adults some interesting facts and they did not listen to you? Have you ever had a hard time deciding what to bring to show-and-tell? If you answered yes to either of these questions then you might like to read a story called, __Big Bug Surprise__ written and illustrated by Julia Gran. Prunella is the main character of the story. Prunella absolutely loves spiders and bugs! She has many different types of insects as pets and has a hard time deciding which one to bring for show-and-tell. Prunella also likes to share her knowledge about her pets but is often told, “Not now, Prunella.” However, on show-and-tell day at school, something happens and Prunella’s love for insects really comes in handy. Suddenly, everyone is willing to listen to her. At the end of the book, the author includes a page of extra //Big Bug// //Facts// so you can learn even more about the bugs mentioned in the book.
 * Library Book Talk**


 * Book Chat:** **Grade Level:** 4-7 **Genre:** Free Verse Poetry/Fiction


 * Title:** __Diamond Willow__ **Author:** Helen Frost **Publication Date:** 2008


 * Publisher:** Farrar, Straus, & Giroux **ISBN:** 978-0374317768


 * Hook:** Before students arrive, project images of Diamond Willow sticks/trees on the screen. Ask students to study the photographs. What do they see? How are they different from sticks or limbs of trees in Illinois? Does anyone know where these types of trees can be found?


 * Notes:**
 * Diamond willow** is [|willow] with wood that is deformed into diamond-shaped segments with alternating colors. This is most likely the result of attack by a [|fungus] ([|//Valsa sordida//]//,// and possibly others), which causes [|cankers] to form in the wood in response to the infection.[|[1]] Diamond willow is prized by [|wood carvers] and [|furniture] makers for its strong contrasting colors (red and white) and its sculptural irregularity of shape. (Source //Wikipedia//).

//There is more to me than most people see. I would rather blend in than stick out. I worry I don’t have any real friends except Kaylie and Roxy, our best sled dog. I worry that Kaylie will ditch me when she gets a boyfriend. I attend middle school where my dad is a teacher. I live in a remote part of Alaska that is only accessible by plane or boat and we travel by mushing sled dogs. I want my parents to give me some independence. I want to mush the sled dogs by myself to my grandparents’ house. I finally get the chance to travel solo, along the way I am under the watchful eye of my ancestors when tragedy strikes. Will I be able to save Roxy? Myself? Learn secrets my family has kept from me for years? Do we all have cankers or scars? Read my story, __Diamond Willow__ to find out the answer to these questions and more…//

Rebecca Caudill 2011 Nominee. This story is told in free verse. Each poem is in the shape of a diamond and contains hidden, bold-faced words which tell a deeper message of the story. //(Share image of a page from the story with students)//


 * Other Books by Author:**

[|KEESHA'S HOUSE (Young Adult: 12 and up)] [|SPINNING THROUGH THE UNIVERSE (ages 8 and up; ideal for upper elementary)] [|**THE BRAID**][| (Young Adult: 12 and up)] [|MONARCH AND MILKWEED (Picture Book / lyrical nonfiction)] [|CROSSING STONES (Young Adult: 12 and up)] [|HIDDEN]  **Non-fiction for Children:** [|Coming to America Series (German and Russian Immigrants)]
 * Fiction/Poetry for Children and Young Adults: **

**Book Chat:** Book Talk for Students **Grade Level:** 6-10 **Genre:** Realistic Fiction **Title:** __The Great Wide Sea__ **Author:** M.H. Herlong **Publication Date:** 2008 **Publisher:** Puffin **ISBN:** 978-0142416709

**Hook:** Before students enter the class, turn their desks facing the opposite direction from how they are normally placed. When students enter the room, have them put all their belongings against the wall. Tell them they can choose one item from their belongings that is most important to them and bring it to their desk. Ask the students to think about why they chose their particular belonging. Is it practical/useful? Do they use it every day? Is it something they love and cannot be without? What people or persons could they not live without? **Notes:** Show class Animoto Book Chat Video
 * @http://animoto.com/play/QODwjlmePVBb13kwTCf61g
 * Rebecca Caudill Nominee 2011
 * ALA Best Book for Young Adults 2010
 * Debut Novel