We All Fall Down

We All Fall Down

Red Maple Award Winner

Manitoba Young Readers Choice Award

Genre: Historical Fiction--novel

Suggested age:  12+

Author: Eric Walters

ISBN: 9780385661928

Publisher:  Doubleday Canada

September 11, 2001.  New York City.  Will Fuller accompanies his father to work in the World Trade Center, South tower.  Within hours his whole world changes when terrorists crash planes into the buildings where his father and thousands others work. 

This event not only changed the course of American history, countries world-wide felt the ripple.  Bound together by the horror and violence of this event people of all ages were glued to their television sets to seek understanding of the what, how, and most importantly, why of the attacks.  Walters weaves fiction seamlessly into a historical event to shed light on a survivor’s experience of the day.  This book has been described by others as, “dramatic, gripping, and moving”, and I couldn’t agree more.  This book has an equally moving sequel, United We Stand.  

The Napping House

The Napping House

Genre: Picture Book

Suggested age:  2-8 years

Author: Audrey Wood

ISBN: 9780152026325

Publisher:  Thomas Allen & Son

There was a cozy bed, a snoring granny, a dreaming child, a snoozing cat among other sleeping critters until a wakeful flea disturbs their peaceful nap one rainy afternoon.

This book was given to me at the birth of my daughter with the following advice inscribed in the front cover, “sleep when the baby sleeps”.  Since then I have enjoyed the beautiful illustrations and the lulling prose with my daughter countless times at nap time!  The repetitive phrasing is ideal for new readers and the language has such a lovely cadence that it will hold even my toddler’s attention right up until the last page.

Activities

Chester

Chester

Genre: Picture Book

Suggested age:  4-8 years

Author: Melanie Watt & Chester the cat

ISBN: 9781554534609

Publisher:  Kids Can Press 2009

British Columbia Achievement Foundation Award for EarlyLiteracy 2009 Winner

Characters in books often come alive for readers, in this case, Chester the cat comes to life to battle author Melanie Watt for control of her book!  Throughout this book Melanie Watt attempts to tell a lovely story about a mouse living in the country.  Chester the cat has other plans.  Page after page gets high-jacked by Chester and lead to a hilariously funny narrative between Chester and Melanie.

This book is ideal for read alouds and provides many in-text clues so that children can tell who has current control of the writing.  I personally love Chester’s naughty disposition and would be willing to co-author a book with him any day!

Dewey, the true story of a world famous library cat

Dewey, the true story of a world famous library cat

Genre: Non-fiction

Suggested age: 8-12 but versions are available for younger and older audiences as well.

Author: Vicky Myron and Brett Witter

ISBN: 9781849835930

Publisher:  Simon and Schuster 2010

Iowa librarian, Vicki Myron did not know what treasure was waiting to be found one bitterly cold morning in the library’s book return bin.  A tiny kitten, half frozen and suffering from frostbite had been abandoned.  Dewey Readmore Books cuddled, pounced, and nudged his way into the hearts of not just the local library staff but of the entire town and made worldwide news.

I always have mixed feelings when reading animal biographies.  This was a heart-warming, well-told story, but, as most animal biographies, has a bitter-sweet ending.  

www.deweyreadmorebooks.com

Beginning a New Chapter!

Hello again!
It's been a while since you've heard from the likes of me!  Busy, busy times has left me little time for blogging, until now. Since my last post, I have taken a Leave of Absence from my district, moved 1000km's north and am officially unemployed.  Unemployed does not equal bored or lazy though!  Currently I am taking two courses through the TLDL program from the University of Alberta and staying at home to raise my daughter and support my husband in his new career (which precipitated the move!).  I'll be using this blog this term to log and review my exploration of children's and young adult media.  I hope you enjoy!