tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35427856051835557422024-03-23T05:17:22.125-05:00The Story SpectatorStories are magical, for both the young and old. Here you can find book reviews for specific age groups, topics, or learning experiences. There are also booklists and lesson ideas for educators, librarians, and families.Fallon Farokhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15474670381186847150noreply@blogger.comBlogger136125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3542785605183555742.post-38723229549658370422024-02-04T14:10:00.001-06:002024-02-04T14:10:23.157-06:00Less toxic masculinity, more community support <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhboxVlb4E4U_aSz2taHaF3VF4eYhHyG-p-lwZi3y3fZv4Zb8svN6Rzj6g8HUDwsC3sHuDe-QFxUiw_9yOMzjmlsZdnIEzFZHIcu7znusotipI1qUeblBXRWAMPSU2iQck2XqLV_CD8WjxpCcwbVQ5uPYUEeIKl8hDvJsFKa1fA4LiW10bGknyj8OL3Juve/s700/ultraviolet.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="700" data-original-width="499" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhboxVlb4E4U_aSz2taHaF3VF4eYhHyG-p-lwZi3y3fZv4Zb8svN6Rzj6g8HUDwsC3sHuDe-QFxUiw_9yOMzjmlsZdnIEzFZHIcu7znusotipI1qUeblBXRWAMPSU2iQck2XqLV_CD8WjxpCcwbVQ5uPYUEeIKl8hDvJsFKa1fA4LiW10bGknyj8OL3Juve/w285-h400/ultraviolet.jpeg" width="285" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://www.publishersweekly.com/9781338775655" target="_blank">Ultraviolet</a> by <a href="http://www.aidasalazar.com/" target="_blank">Aida Salazar </a>is already one of my favorite books of 2024. When I was entering middle school, I read a lot of <a href="https://judyblume.com/" target="_blank">Judy Blume</a> and <a href="https://annmmartin.com/" target="_blank">Ann M. Martin </a>books because they wrote about real growing pains that my friends and I were experiencing. Now I can add Ultraviolet to that group of stories that encapsulates what it's like to be 13, developing first crushes, heartbreak, and learning how to navigate your emotions without hurting others. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">In this novel in verse, Salazar follows Elio, a Mexican-American boy who has a core group of friends and looks to his dad to teach him what it means to "be a man." According to his dad, it's not allowing yourself to feel any negative emotions and to embrace a macho attitude. Thankfully, Elio's mother steps in and gently guides him to fully embrace the changes he's going through and to allow himself the time and space to heal from being hurt. Elio's two younger sisters, who typically get on his nerves, turn up for him when he is at his lowest point. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My favorite part of this book is how Salazar writes authentically from the perspective of teenagers. Their dialogue is completely believable, even using the <a href="https://www.ef.edu/blog/language/english-slang-2023/" target="_blank">most up-to-date slang</a> of our current times: "no cap" and "rizz" make their way into the conversations throughout the story. She also weaves in the power of social media, group chats, and consent into the tale as Elio faces big decisions over how to deal with his ex-girlfriend's new boyfriend who is taunting him. Elio's problems are realistic so readers can possibly work through similar issues they are having through the story. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As a teacher, parent, and school librarian, I would highly recommend this book to upper middle grade readers (6th grade and up). The story's open and honest conversations about bodies and hormones between the grownups and teenagers can show readers how to respectfully have these important conversations by using accurate language and some humor, at times. I also appreciate Salazar showcasing a broad range of side characters who are also dealing with similar coming-of-age feelings. The last part that I especially enjoyed is how much Spanish is used in the story. Being an immigrant myself, I can attest that hearing your ancestral language is powerful, using it yourself is even more moving, and finally seeing it printed in a published book is beyond feeling seen. It signifies your experience as a person with a another language and cultural background that is just as a part of your identity as any other part. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Be sure to checkout this novel as it is released in April of 2024 and <a href="http://www.aidasalazar.com/" target="_blank">Salazar's other books</a>. She is a master storyteller who will have you laughing at one point and reaching for the tissues at another. For a read-alike to this book, I suggest the young adult book by Lamar Giles, <a href="https://thestoryspectator.blogspot.com/2021/01/not-so-pure-and-simple-rom-com-for-ages.html" target="_blank">Not So Pure and Simple</a>:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOAivzypxhcPxA0AcspnZ5X4xjtEqkiVTKiQ5FE-UIn-G_-vZSA7PFvpR4AXqRtb59ZmSaDcS1jHYSzEHcTHmwd0V-dR29vHzXd2TP51vD214YISZYuVlMBgKKrgmHQJTJFwAgnab9E4MdN0nlb6JBS3rZOLeh0gwjEAIuRhKKZTZDtx1WBqnJdjbFc4mv/s350/not%20so%20pure.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="232" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOAivzypxhcPxA0AcspnZ5X4xjtEqkiVTKiQ5FE-UIn-G_-vZSA7PFvpR4AXqRtb59ZmSaDcS1jHYSzEHcTHmwd0V-dR29vHzXd2TP51vD214YISZYuVlMBgKKrgmHQJTJFwAgnab9E4MdN0nlb6JBS3rZOLeh0gwjEAIuRhKKZTZDtx1WBqnJdjbFc4mv/w265-h400/not%20so%20pure.jpeg" width="265" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thanks to <a href="https://www.netgalley.com/" target="_blank">Net Galley</a> for providing an Advanced Reader's Copy of this book. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><br /> <p></p>Fallon Farokhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15474670381186847150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3542785605183555742.post-16907462230731789202024-01-13T15:10:00.001-06:002024-01-13T15:10:45.961-06:00This Book is Banned -- a basics on censorship for children<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUiJUT1Rm5jGkXilkEnSbXSLiSaQRJi4q_DsEz4bjXX7KXwDYqAC5O6t60BtX6JJNXtxVdIU4ogWOVp2MrL-08Q2LltyFC3cPQQBMuTW6TaCopBIOyKs7JPdn2RCdQhnHScEauBukTkGHM5T-cHiLMBX2eyGis2jFS5EDjz6oKO-70q7ySZxNOYwiMRQaX" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1237" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgUiJUT1Rm5jGkXilkEnSbXSLiSaQRJi4q_DsEz4bjXX7KXwDYqAC5O6t60BtX6JJNXtxVdIU4ogWOVp2MrL-08Q2LltyFC3cPQQBMuTW6TaCopBIOyKs7JPdn2RCdQhnHScEauBukTkGHM5T-cHiLMBX2eyGis2jFS5EDjz6oKO-70q7ySZxNOYwiMRQaX=w330-h400" width="330" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><a href="https://bannedbooksweek.org/" target="_blank">Banned Books Week</a> is held every September, yet in these past few years, it has become even more important to educate the public about. Celebrating the <a href="https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/freedomreadstatement" target="_blank">freedom to read </a>is a cornerstone of a <a href="https://www.ftrf.org/" target="_blank">free community</a>. When others dictate what is or isn’t available to read based on biased opinions, it is dangerous. I teach my older elementary school students about the history of banning books and they are continually shocked by how it starts small, but then grows to epic proportions.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> Student lessons on this even reach our present-day times when book bans and challenges are at the<a href="https://apnews.com/article/books-bans-american-library-association-42b34a284a6363439de20bbb65bb43b4" target="_blank"> highest levels</a> on record. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: start;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: start;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgos3ubCq9pN0YOmwAMTNX6i-bUzQQteuvnhB4nTVPaJ_Ly3pQroGk7J94eo_FTP4S8XZgERddlJb_23tr34hdcFXb30MuKf-HmMRtyuESQ2hdTnwKJ0sd3xPSBgKwz3CjJqLh2FDNfeP8wZWzdgeATN348Z9rV_IQlPDHp_tX5oj22SaUc5AD1tNXd8LDm" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="916" data-original-width="1500" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgos3ubCq9pN0YOmwAMTNX6i-bUzQQteuvnhB4nTVPaJ_Ly3pQroGk7J94eo_FTP4S8XZgERddlJb_23tr34hdcFXb30MuKf-HmMRtyuESQ2hdTnwKJ0sd3xPSBgKwz3CjJqLh2FDNfeP8wZWzdgeATN348Z9rV_IQlPDHp_tX5oj22SaUc5AD1tNXd8LDm=w640-h390" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;">As an educator and librarian I am trained on how to select the best books for my school’s library collection. A book that I will definitely be adding and reading with students is the humorous, yet informative picture book, <a href="https://read.sourcebooks.com/for-children/9781728276564-this-book-is-banned-hc-pic-bk.html" target="_blank">This Book is Banned.</a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKLDo_oqNyZfUc_fOde8Xg3InnuC9BDiG37MbFbn-5dVljWoA8UZlMFoVvHixaz61nnYdWk2envjI32gs0FwUcMwMpcXitA9GyGKXg6WgPGezkmNvQKy48bU4w-v_rwyHE6H6mtDf8JH6nETOXS4Fs6yv0YrpagvZGBhi4vsW6dEO8oFf1hLwIeoW9iXzm" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="916" data-original-width="1500" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKLDo_oqNyZfUc_fOde8Xg3InnuC9BDiG37MbFbn-5dVljWoA8UZlMFoVvHixaz61nnYdWk2envjI32gs0FwUcMwMpcXitA9GyGKXg6WgPGezkmNvQKy48bU4w-v_rwyHE6H6mtDf8JH6nETOXS4Fs6yv0YrpagvZGBhi4vsW6dEO8oFf1hLwIeoW9iXzm=w640-h390" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;">From the start of the story the narrator is speaking directly to the reader, warning them that they will never make it to the end of the book because an arbitrary decision to ban the book’s topics will keep them from reaching its conclusion. Through humor, the writer demonstrates how book bans affect people’s ability to choose for themselves.</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvgFRrVsycG__I879ZHe0t0Gy0GzEmxK9qRJKO5A1VQCupKn7H4zhDGrw8KFVOZkAiRSjW8wW6aN1U_P6zVYiUiZJVOGfPXyh4fSulWQt5dF1q0eEiMZbaWH5PlmEs0b2qd5pXtKFbLs9aATLh8bdukYcPYCSKhs41t37sekf1BWhITwvQYej4wg5YWXtd" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="916" data-original-width="1500" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgvgFRrVsycG__I879ZHe0t0Gy0GzEmxK9qRJKO5A1VQCupKn7H4zhDGrw8KFVOZkAiRSjW8wW6aN1U_P6zVYiUiZJVOGfPXyh4fSulWQt5dF1q0eEiMZbaWH5PlmEs0b2qd5pXtKFbLs9aATLh8bdukYcPYCSKhs41t37sekf1BWhITwvQYej4wg5YWXtd=w640-h390" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;">The hand-drawn illustrations by the artist, <a href="https://www.painted-words.com/portfolio/julia-patton/" target="_blank">Julia Patton</a>, are detailed and they help the information get through to the reader in a funny way. Readers will want to go back and look at the images again and discuss what they see.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAgX94hyrhA2FjGcyirC4cwH91JZNau1U41e0dxKACQ7pGArpmjNSkckc_atqg15gezf3g8MF4SyQzVz4p1oDe7YgdFvOVIcUtlpEEAypKHIYWxesQ19OG30Bjdq2DHDRDVfvkDIANDzpBKRToEXejcMua70u_iS0yd-wfSyhqQXNF-vdAtKiMjs00qsWf" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="916" data-original-width="1500" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhAgX94hyrhA2FjGcyirC4cwH91JZNau1U41e0dxKACQ7pGArpmjNSkckc_atqg15gezf3g8MF4SyQzVz4p1oDe7YgdFvOVIcUtlpEEAypKHIYWxesQ19OG30Bjdq2DHDRDVfvkDIANDzpBKRToEXejcMua70u_iS0yd-wfSyhqQXNF-vdAtKiMjs00qsWf=w640-h390" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: start;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;">I highly recommend this book for elementary students and the larger community. It sends an important message while entertaining the reader about this topic. Very rarely do picture books do this well. It would benefit the reader to supplement this book with further research into the current situation in which books are being banned, especially books by people whose perspectives are not widely shared.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><br /></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6UAR9uO2M8EhL7trjP65i7yRVT0IaPNZraugABgbddivi_B2bRuwT2fNyfdklvXOVH6OdIS9NWV-V9g4BsxDtQQd82x-EnrxWxnR2t8nx_Pw3VbtDXK-YNJmU7womFKjt6KEmdTuiEB2XVZuRccrbKPCZLGngVCwWqBZx_F_7hFH3kuc1z_krhr7X8g9I" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="916" data-original-width="1500" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj6UAR9uO2M8EhL7trjP65i7yRVT0IaPNZraugABgbddivi_B2bRuwT2fNyfdklvXOVH6OdIS9NWV-V9g4BsxDtQQd82x-EnrxWxnR2t8nx_Pw3VbtDXK-YNJmU7womFKjt6KEmdTuiEB2XVZuRccrbKPCZLGngVCwWqBZx_F_7hFH3kuc1z_krhr7X8g9I=w640-h390" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p class="p2" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 15px; text-align: start;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;">Thanks to NetGalley for sharing an ARC of this book with me.</p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEim7ENyd1kERzmNgQVlixf82Ga_b7JJPHTTJ5KxNXO6VgREJR1JkWMMis5Fj5tMVX5orpsnlWvp0Fzdh37Nm6Go3OG1yy8sQKp1cXrSfiIZ997d3-IkgQeeEBsjX6af8Bjn6IIoR7duqZaiq0_fcKax5c6BAWtwqN2_1c3JLJ5h0tAddkMGIOX0iPwcrdaB" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="916" data-original-width="1500" height="390" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEim7ENyd1kERzmNgQVlixf82Ga_b7JJPHTTJ5KxNXO6VgREJR1JkWMMis5Fj5tMVX5orpsnlWvp0Fzdh37Nm6Go3OG1yy8sQKp1cXrSfiIZ997d3-IkgQeeEBsjX6af8Bjn6IIoR7duqZaiq0_fcKax5c6BAWtwqN2_1c3JLJ5h0tAddkMGIOX0iPwcrdaB=w640-h390" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;"><br /></p><p class="p1" style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; text-align: start;">Here is an <a href="https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-authors/article/92327-children-s-institute-2023-pw-talks-with-raj-haldar.html" target="_blank">interview </a>of the author, Raj Haldar, as he discusses what brought him to write about this topic and a <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kie9LCptQdY" target="_blank">video</a> of him reading aloud the book:</p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Kie9LCptQdY" width="320" youtube-src-id="Kie9LCptQdY"></iframe></div><br /><p>Listen to and/or read NPR's All Things Considered <a href="https://www.npr.org/2023/10/06/1203867879/raj-haldar-this-book-is-banned-introduces-kids-to-book-banning" target="_blank">news broadcast </a>about This Book is Banned.</p><p>Middle grade readers can continue their study of this topic by reading the following chapter books:</p><p><a href="https://www.alangratz.com/writing/ban-this-book/" target="_blank"> Ban This Book</a>, by Alan Gratz </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEit2lkPraaCGy-GWc_zwi0Fo02PHgVJFfXZtmnP525A23W6XoEIcW3MH-Zxun5PbSRB1cXvbt3yxPjnRCWKX50saz4-IH-7PrjIoYW-C863uFYgmLrG1cGYiAC8OKM33ORjQkp_CltcS5DxlxYt9MBTg-KnR4FGvCtcYpkNQZ71iQ-F4OMf6ngSHYXcZnnf" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="595" data-original-width="388" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEit2lkPraaCGy-GWc_zwi0Fo02PHgVJFfXZtmnP525A23W6XoEIcW3MH-Zxun5PbSRB1cXvbt3yxPjnRCWKX50saz4-IH-7PrjIoYW-C863uFYgmLrG1cGYiAC8OKM33ORjQkp_CltcS5DxlxYt9MBTg-KnR4FGvCtcYpkNQZ71iQ-F4OMf6ngSHYXcZnnf" width="157" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><a href="https://www.as-king.com/middlegrade" target="_blank">Attack of the Black Rectangles</a>, by A.S. King</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg52_9iF_hr2bfIzysEiTJ1kEPExW7ghZGdwO9Kvt-dmpfrQ7Y0nht33EwdCDn6JVemY7RQcvhZCbV9LEDGPc2zzF105nRYEO9GUeoLw1l9LOOb6Zv5piDwqq08cl0sD7o7xoi-q2y-_1Aup7d9ykDd5v99B41txZbVsOvCDvs0LyzpByjx4ajKCof1LezJ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="880" data-original-width="586" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg52_9iF_hr2bfIzysEiTJ1kEPExW7ghZGdwO9Kvt-dmpfrQ7Y0nht33EwdCDn6JVemY7RQcvhZCbV9LEDGPc2zzF105nRYEO9GUeoLw1l9LOOb6Zv5piDwqq08cl0sD7o7xoi-q2y-_1Aup7d9ykDd5v99B41txZbVsOvCDvs0LyzpByjx4ajKCof1LezJ" width="160" /></a></div><br />What are more books that deal with censorship that you'd like to share in the comments?<p></p><p><br /></p>Fallon Farokhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15474670381186847150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3542785605183555742.post-63739837423281798702024-01-02T01:22:00.002-06:002024-01-02T01:22:29.391-06:00My Top Reads of 2023<p> </p><p><b><br /></b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRYtN6W_CR3KjWABGR92m3ZSSOumMvAqFXdZj_EjFWEPOgmUtGVpHXZNppICi-iT87o9CKYqEkvBzIBC7-6pOd56rmIJ9fTQTIF-ca8vg-kbPBzRED5JAcx905bQYdZMtvadhGYriiv0g45KrkV1ARMBFuh6vWKiMcEGbNUEh9_YOfm2-nfrMrgJS-OkJv/s1080/my%20top%20books%20of%202023.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRYtN6W_CR3KjWABGR92m3ZSSOumMvAqFXdZj_EjFWEPOgmUtGVpHXZNppICi-iT87o9CKYqEkvBzIBC7-6pOd56rmIJ9fTQTIF-ca8vg-kbPBzRED5JAcx905bQYdZMtvadhGYriiv0g45KrkV1ARMBFuh6vWKiMcEGbNUEh9_YOfm2-nfrMrgJS-OkJv/w640-h640/my%20top%20books%20of%202023.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>"How do you decide to what to read next?" This is a common question I get asked by my students, colleagues, even friends and family members want to know. One of my responsiblities as a school librarian is to be on-top of publishing trends, award nominees, and participate in global professional learning networks centered around literacy for young people. </p><p>Below, you will find my top reads of the year for young adults and middle grade readers. These are all books that I personally read as print books, e-books or audio books. Some were from my public and school library, some I purchased from used bookstores, garage sales and independent bookstores. In my work I get to pre-read books prior to publishing so some of these titles were read as Advanced Reader Copies (ARCs) through <a href="https://www.netgalley.com/" target="_blank">NetGalley</a>. I'm also in a book review group with fellow educators and school librarians from across the U.S., #BookExcursion. We receive books from publishers and authors with the intention of getting the word out about upcoming titles. Finally, in addition to these professional groups that I am a part of, I am personally a reader in over 4 book clubs. </p><p>I hope that this list below helps people who are looking for powerful books to read themselves, read with children, for a book club, read aloud for a class lesson, use with small groups, order for their children, for school libraries or even to gift to others. </p><p>Check out <a href="https://thestoryspectator.blogspot.com/2023/01/2022-year-of-book-picks.htmlhttps://thestoryspectator.blogspot.com/2023/01/2022-year-of-book-picks.html" target="_blank">my list from 2022 HERE</a> for more book ideas to use with children and young adults. </p><div><b>Young Adult </b></div><div><ul><li><a href="https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250766588/warriorgirlunearthed" target="_blank">Warrior Girl Unearthed</a></li><li><a href="https://harperstacks.com/products/mondays-not-coming" target="_blank">Monday's Not Coming</a></li><li><a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/like-a-love-story-abdi-nazemian?variant=32116410744866" target="_blank">Like a Love Story</a></li><li><a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/punching-the-air-ibi-zoboiyusef-salaam?variant=39278402175010" target="_blank">Punching the Air</a></li><li><a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/only-this-beautiful-moment-abdi-nazemian?variant=40998910722082" target="_blank">Only This Beautiful Moment </a></li><li><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/695554/invisible-son-by-kim-johnson/" target="_blank">Invisible Son</a></li><li><a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Rana-Joon-and-the-One-and-Only-Now/Shideh-Etaat/9781665917629" target="_blank">Rana Joon and the One and Only Now</a></li><li><a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/allegedly-tiffany-d-jackson?variant=40841500098594" target="_blank">Allegedly</a></li></ul><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHMQUV4kSIPKD8_HrG455n5HOE66T1oq3CrBRYnU99e4-RQN4_AVW8bxwKD8FulTirKqizIgLuwa5A0YH3LD6g8ZzLmKo1pGkR9_WLiHCKffVYbzeHLlJfFbwnuDsJ0axU4v7fh7c5Rkk0wFF6Y9Iil91XyIVWvYwTyiRr3rSDAUtZOmv-WPyN60Vo-S8P/s1080/my%20top%20books%20of%202023%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHMQUV4kSIPKD8_HrG455n5HOE66T1oq3CrBRYnU99e4-RQN4_AVW8bxwKD8FulTirKqizIgLuwa5A0YH3LD6g8ZzLmKo1pGkR9_WLiHCKffVYbzeHLlJfFbwnuDsJ0axU4v7fh7c5Rkk0wFF6Y9Iil91XyIVWvYwTyiRr3rSDAUtZOmv-WPyN60Vo-S8P/w640-h640/my%20top%20books%20of%202023%20(1).png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><div><b>Nonfiction Middle Grade</b></div><div><ul><li><a href="https://www.ibizoboi.net/star-child" target="_blank">Star Child: A Biographical Constellation of Octavia Estella Butler </a></li><li><a href="https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781627795319/dreamsfrommanyrivers" target="_blank">Dreams from Many Rivers </a></li><li><a href="https://houseofanansi.com/products/the-prisoner-and-the-writer" target="_blank">The Prisoner and the Writer</a></li><li><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/714730/the-mona-lisa-vanishes-by-nicholas-day-illustrated-by-brett-helquist/" target="_blank">The Mona Lisa Vanishes</a></li><li><a href="https://www.colleenpaeff.com/books/the-great-stink/" target="_blank">The Great Stink</a></li><li><a href="https://lernerbooks.com/shop/show/20776" target="_blank">Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre</a></li><li><a href="https://tombguard.org/general/twenty-one-steps" target="_blank">Twenty-One Steps: Guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier</a></li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpgbwMDyP_OffEmneAbQlvRohAKzCFr6LHspoL1mqtuIUMMq6qLNiPuuuScQ6aUEDOqVUq6UieZQiGuuVZo68fjKj8wpvKaCg_ZR7BqYqD8s3Sj-H0fBniNhQ0ICTmCDjYEkVYedFQ64F6E_QpUm0kQJDeCbmK1gl3UgDzaJaWKrBsahPhG1FH6HiK51gV/s1080/my%20top%20books%20of%202023%20(2).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpgbwMDyP_OffEmneAbQlvRohAKzCFr6LHspoL1mqtuIUMMq6qLNiPuuuScQ6aUEDOqVUq6UieZQiGuuVZo68fjKj8wpvKaCg_ZR7BqYqD8s3Sj-H0fBniNhQ0ICTmCDjYEkVYedFQ64F6E_QpUm0kQJDeCbmK1gl3UgDzaJaWKrBsahPhG1FH6HiK51gV/w640-h640/my%20top%20books%20of%202023%20(2).png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div></div></div><div><b>Middle Grade Chapter Books</b></div><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Lily-and-the-Night-Creatures/Nick-Lake/9781534494626" target="_blank">Lily and the Night Creatures </a></li><li><a href="https://frontdeskthebook.com/key-player/" target="_blank">Key Player (Front Desk series #4)</a></li><li><a href="https://www.christinaharrington.com/" target="_blank">Wildoak </a></li><li><a href="https://andreabeatrizarango.com/" target="_blank">Iveliz Explains it All</a></li><li><a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/on-air-with-zoe-washington-janae-marks?variant=40440858279970" target="_blank">On Air with Zoe Washington </a></li><li><a href="https://bigtreethebook.com/" target="_blank">Big Tree </a></li><li><a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-one-and-only-ruby-katherine-applegate?variant=40745474523170" target="_blank">The One and Only Ruby</a></li><li><a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/cece-rios-and-the-desert-of-souls-kaela-rivera?variant=39885746307106" target="_blank">Cece Rios and the Desert of Souls</a> </li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Kxh9xoerRzZ3eJL0T6qDom1VFNEXC8vy55Gs6onhHlxdILsOUHqde3ZP8jH-bCiMFT0-vrTbSIMNP8vjasOpE7jclbvmW4SiV0ZMh0tapXuUEMICbcPSXufxFPyn8sn5GIkq4BUoPiwERkVh1hyr_Mul3IJmzgtIjfkydOQXNWd7khyphenhyphen-GZCGBm4dRWis/s1080/my%20top%20books%20of%202023%20(3).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3Kxh9xoerRzZ3eJL0T6qDom1VFNEXC8vy55Gs6onhHlxdILsOUHqde3ZP8jH-bCiMFT0-vrTbSIMNP8vjasOpE7jclbvmW4SiV0ZMh0tapXuUEMICbcPSXufxFPyn8sn5GIkq4BUoPiwERkVh1hyr_Mul3IJmzgtIjfkydOQXNWd7khyphenhyphen-GZCGBm4dRWis/w640-h640/my%20top%20books%20of%202023%20(3).png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><b>Middle Grade Chapter Books</b></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://soontornvat.com/books/legends-of-lotus-island-1/" target="_blank">Legends of Lotus Island: The Guardian Test</a></li><li><a href="https://www.dustibowling.com/copy-of-across-the-desert" target="_blank">Dust </a></li><li><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/688093/skyriders-by-polly-holyoke/" target="_blank">Skyriders </a></li><li><a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/you-are-here-connecting-flights-ellen-oh?variant=40515010658338" target="_blank">You are Here: Connecting Flights </a></li><li><a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/OCDaniel/Wesley-King/9781481455329" target="_blank">OCDaniel</a></li><li><a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Time-to-Roll/Jamie-Sumner/Roll-with-It/9781665918596" target="_blank">Time to Roll</a></li><li><a href="https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/lotus-bloom-and-the-afro-revolution-9781547608461/" target="_blank">Lotus Bloom and the Afro Revolution</a> </li><li><a href="https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250144010/forgetmenot" target="_blank">Forget Me Not </a></li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjypdJpvT2DQImZkHspEa3P_agNK83FBSrKp_6r51OJEKZwFyhwv9-3Z-8rknbt3BoolzV9-CqFycdFYHACxhYgjaZtnB4rN-E7C90bh2zZe9Ac8oW_sGiUqznmBxk4gZ11Kqh8sOl4oH4RG0uuJdCjyke8-TBuJ6hLPeh49G7OTX7OCFDuriKRx8886DX/s1080/my%20top%20books%20of%202023%20(4).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjypdJpvT2DQImZkHspEa3P_agNK83FBSrKp_6r51OJEKZwFyhwv9-3Z-8rknbt3BoolzV9-CqFycdFYHACxhYgjaZtnB4rN-E7C90bh2zZe9Ac8oW_sGiUqznmBxk4gZ11Kqh8sOl4oH4RG0uuJdCjyke8-TBuJ6hLPeh49G7OTX7OCFDuriKRx8886DX/w640-h640/my%20top%20books%20of%202023%20(4).png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><b>Middle Grade Chapter Books</b></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.megedenbooks.com/selahs-guide-to-normal" target="_blank">Good Different </a></li><li><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/677665/eb-and-flow-by-kelly-j-baptist/" target="_blank">Eb & Flow </a></li><li><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/622439/what-about-will-by-ellen-hopkins/" target="_blank">What About Will</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/622438/closer-to-nowhere-by-ellen-hopkins/" target="_blank">Closer to Nowhere</a></li><li><a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/City-Spies/James-Ponti/City-Spies/9781534414921" target="_blank">City Spies </a></li><li><a href="https://www.alangratz.com/writing/ground-zero/" target="_blank">Ground Zero </a></li><li><a href="https://www.abramsbooks.com/product/lost-kites-and-other-treasures_9781419767999/" target="_blank">Lost Kites and Other Treasures </a></li><li><a href="https://gordonkorman.com/mixed-up" target="_blank">Mixed Up </a></li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEaLWeTfV08OlVDo5QPZ5_XWMXDAvNV1NCrE5AnERbiNlLYWybqHK2_Xagi3gnsAC1Ss_XWxR-3w9iLY0pPgPiq6xJUY4j5WI8GL90YmX0FLQ6H2aiepL7xTFUyOpAUmfALX5yo2gAYESrVsFSWsUyU_M8RrUGxsbpvhYKIFI-f2SIep8vEHQgy7ytfRI1/s1080/my%20top%20books%20of%202023%20(5).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEaLWeTfV08OlVDo5QPZ5_XWMXDAvNV1NCrE5AnERbiNlLYWybqHK2_Xagi3gnsAC1Ss_XWxR-3w9iLY0pPgPiq6xJUY4j5WI8GL90YmX0FLQ6H2aiepL7xTFUyOpAUmfALX5yo2gAYESrVsFSWsUyU_M8RrUGxsbpvhYKIFI-f2SIep8vEHQgy7ytfRI1/w640-h640/my%20top%20books%20of%202023%20(5).png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><b>Middle Grade Chapter Books</b></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="http://www.alexgino.com/books/green/" target="_blank">Green</a></li><li><a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/A-Work-in-Progress/Jarrett-Lerner/9781665905152" target="_blank">A Work in Progress</a></li><li><a href="http://jawhitebooks.com/writing/nightbooks/" target="_blank">Nightbooks</a></li><li><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/707749/the-order-of-things-by-kaija-langley/" target="_blank">The Order of Things</a></li><li><a href="https://www.levinequerido.com/the-last-cuentista" target="_blank">The Last Cuentista </a></li><li><a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Finally-Seen/Kelly-Yang/9781534488335" target="_blank">Finally Seen</a></li><li><a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Stuntboy-In-Between-Time/Jason-Reynolds/Stuntboy/9781534418226" target="_blank">Stuntboy: In Between Time </a></li><li><a href="https://frontdeskthebook.com/top-story/" target="_blank">Top Story (Front Desk series #5)</a></li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHMWxi-OKYVWNtplmEUUP_Ufiew6MCdulzc-MmbH4ysvfqQBvokiV2F53b27ljMrB0oFWCUKgXX9SPQaKmgkH6VXbclIJt8dQ0PVY_Ssi4SpkWWo-rWjhTqlUA43UipGlgVkglSswP16EKGqwkhEVV9gEorO1fivfwNasBRCqb1YDQmOIuO_mdLtJaKvbl/s1080/my%20top%20books%20of%202023%20(11).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHMWxi-OKYVWNtplmEUUP_Ufiew6MCdulzc-MmbH4ysvfqQBvokiV2F53b27ljMrB0oFWCUKgXX9SPQaKmgkH6VXbclIJt8dQ0PVY_Ssi4SpkWWo-rWjhTqlUA43UipGlgVkglSswP16EKGqwkhEVV9gEorO1fivfwNasBRCqb1YDQmOIuO_mdLtJaKvbl/w640-h640/my%20top%20books%20of%202023%20(11).png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><b>Middle Grade Chapter Books</b></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.leeandlow.com/books/strong-as-fire-fierce-as-flame" target="_blank">Strong as Fire, Fierce as Flame</a></li><li><a href="https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374390433/theghostsofranchoespanto" target="_blank">The Ghosts of Rancho Espanto</a></li><li><a href="https://shop.scholastic.com/parent-ecommerce/books/attack-of-the-black-rectangles-9781338680522.html" target="_blank">Attack of the Black Rectangles </a></li><li><a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-labors-of-hercules-beal-gary-d-schmidt?variant=40745049686050" target="_blank">The Labors of Hercules Beale</a></li><li><a href="https://www.abramsbooks.com/product/grounded_9781419761751/" target="_blank">Grounded </a></li><li><a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-fire-the-water-and-maudie-mcginn-sally-j-pla?variant=40991991365666" target="_blank">The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn</a></li><li><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/669818/rez-dogs-by-joseph-bruchac/" target="_blank">Rez Dogs</a></li><li><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/610902/the-lion-of-mars-by-jennifer-l-holm/" target="_blank">The Lion of Mars</a></li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvrIRGIYpSzwcQq7qli0-7uhSn2uFVR62-kOGtVlqdB5SYnwE6fna5gTfqGcG9lg0m2ijhBYvJHpqNdKyM3dJEovxm9SL3Q9ZwOLJcHkZ6ike2og-oANjb27Jx_zrEmB-h_YNc-6O2rFNH_SGmeihKL2P_HzsajmZcJ1EUo_QjbsFrQJ9-nUwXSl586PXP/s1080/my%20top%20books%20of%202023%20(6).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvrIRGIYpSzwcQq7qli0-7uhSn2uFVR62-kOGtVlqdB5SYnwE6fna5gTfqGcG9lg0m2ijhBYvJHpqNdKyM3dJEovxm9SL3Q9ZwOLJcHkZ6ike2og-oANjb27Jx_zrEmB-h_YNc-6O2rFNH_SGmeihKL2P_HzsajmZcJ1EUo_QjbsFrQJ9-nUwXSl586PXP/w640-h640/my%20top%20books%20of%202023%20(6).png" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Middle Grade Chapter Books</b></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://gordonkorman.com/linked" target="_blank">Linked</a></li><li><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/634498/different-kinds-of-fruit-by-kyle-lukoff/" target="_blank">Different Kinds of Fruit </a></li><li><a href="https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250814319/mihieverafter" target="_blank">Mihi Ever After </a></li><li><a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/nic-blake-and-the-remarkables-the-manifestor-prophecy-angie-thomas?variant=40745251405858" target="_blank">Nic Blake and the Remarkables: The Manifestor Prophecy</a></li><li><a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Out-of-My-Heart/Sharon-M-Draper/The-Out-of-My-Mind-Series/9781665902168" target="_blank">Out of My Heart</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/amina-luqman-dawson/freewater-newbery-coretta-scott-king-award-winner/9780316056618/?lens=little-brown-books-for-young-readers" target="_blank">Freewater </a></li><li><a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-windeby-puzzle-lois-lowry?variant=40440861261858" target="_blank">The Windeby Puzzle</a></li><li><a href="https://www.hollygoldbergsloan.com/counting-by-7s/" target="_blank">Counting by 7s</a></li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwqi6BxCAPH7dNjvPXndRhFRtLmWqnpf6GQIqNBbUcVKr9zX6h2hq-XRGFTRxZD-fdEND6QyaSAZCjtxhPj67TwpsOgV36iBrh1zKtcRouOjx28679qlwHJyL5wC5kXc9rZ2Lg2aNrWfX4B5jLc4HegEVqDomFkt1ksPD9XB8dw9-XoAc5EEUcaQ4fXaA6/s1080/my%20top%20books%20of%202023%20(8).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwqi6BxCAPH7dNjvPXndRhFRtLmWqnpf6GQIqNBbUcVKr9zX6h2hq-XRGFTRxZD-fdEND6QyaSAZCjtxhPj67TwpsOgV36iBrh1zKtcRouOjx28679qlwHJyL5wC5kXc9rZ2Lg2aNrWfX4B5jLc4HegEVqDomFkt1ksPD9XB8dw9-XoAc5EEUcaQ4fXaA6/w640-h640/my%20top%20books%20of%202023%20(8).png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b>Middle Grade Chapter Books</b></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.adamrex.com/the-story-of-gumluck-the-wizard/" target="_blank">The Story of Gumluck the Wizard</a></li><li><a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-very-unfortunate-wish-of-melony-yoshimura-waka-t-brown?variant=40952100585506" target="_blank">The Very Unfortunate Wish of Melony Yoshimura</a></li><li><a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/coyote-queen-jessica-vitalis?variant=41004668583970">Coyote Queen </a></li><li><a href="https://philstamper.com/eli-over-easy/" target="_blank">Eli Over Easy</a></li><li><a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/not-quite-a-ghost-anne-ursu?variant=41049402015778" target="_blank">Not Quite a Ghost</a></li><li><a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/between-monsters-and-marvels-alysa-wishingrad?variant=41003847057442" target="_blank">Between Monsters and Marvels</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/tree-table-book-lois-lowry?variant=41085916086306" target="_blank">Tree. Table. Book. </a></li><li><a href="https://www.levinequerido.com/the-many-assassinations-of-samir-the-seller-of-dreams" target="_blank">The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams</a> </li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX4ysfAN1Wx7_aDt0A4IkiVMrJ0cVlLWYcL5ADveo2F9ckfxVqMOqxxyRX5ehgkXg9WNc_-g5_G6PzXy4ZwYrkyAlMBsmbkgC3FtlkLMX9vFFmGYwFjv2KVN974wo56o2WwlZA2g-uw1jWj4gNzUcAVdjcN13aqSpnIbN_wYtFWthICqm5GyLhCIevz1Jo/s1080/my%20top%20books%20of%202023%20(9).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX4ysfAN1Wx7_aDt0A4IkiVMrJ0cVlLWYcL5ADveo2F9ckfxVqMOqxxyRX5ehgkXg9WNc_-g5_G6PzXy4ZwYrkyAlMBsmbkgC3FtlkLMX9vFFmGYwFjv2KVN974wo56o2WwlZA2g-uw1jWj4gNzUcAVdjcN13aqSpnIbN_wYtFWthICqm5GyLhCIevz1Jo/w640-h640/my%20top%20books%20of%202023%20(9).png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div></div><div><b>Graphic Novels</b></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://christinagonzalez.com/services/invisible/" target="_blank">Invisible</a></li><li><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/606195/my-aunt-is-a-monster-by-reimena-yee/" target="_blank">My Aunt is a Monster</a></li><li><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/580086/white-bird-a-wonder-story-a-graphic-novel-by-r-j-palacio/" target="_blank">White Bird </a></li><li><a href="https://jerrycraft.com/books/school-trip/" target="_blank">School Trip </a></li><li><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/691514/mexikid-by-pedro-martin/" target="_blank">Mexikid</a></li><li><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/700581/escape-from-mr-lemoncellos-library-the-graphic-novel-by-chris-grabenstein-illustrated-by-douglas-holgate/" target="_blank">Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library</a> </li><li><a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/two-tribes-emily-bowen-cohen?variant=40976765583394" target="_blank">Two Tribes</a></li><li><a href="https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781626724150/afirsttimeforeverything" target="_blank">A First Time for Anything </a></li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEH5a-Gh0y00plc-zn8OQ66eLH5bEMXS4K6Ym5JOE5ZxVyLQahVekum3_26PaKNhsJvEpVpRtfgWrik0XGQwHYMTIKbdgIsxTdYSJJ2PfFhVaOiH8SnjTH0zgv_1gJ80WliabJ74h1jfhNM9_PoQiLTQWXmRJ9eLP6d0FdmR9_MDakIYj0la0s8F6pQzmr/s1080/my%20top%20books%20of%202023%20(10).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEH5a-Gh0y00plc-zn8OQ66eLH5bEMXS4K6Ym5JOE5ZxVyLQahVekum3_26PaKNhsJvEpVpRtfgWrik0XGQwHYMTIKbdgIsxTdYSJJ2PfFhVaOiH8SnjTH0zgv_1gJ80WliabJ74h1jfhNM9_PoQiLTQWXmRJ9eLP6d0FdmR9_MDakIYj0la0s8F6pQzmr/w640-h640/my%20top%20books%20of%202023%20(10).png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>See any books that you enjoyed? Let me know in the comments. What should I read for 2024?</div></div><div><br /></div><div>One positive effect of a comprehensive booklist like this is that I am able to see what types of books are missing from my reading life. In the year ahead, I plan to read more nonfiction books, as well as graphic novels. <b>There are some excellent reading challenges for 2024:</b></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/kidsandteens/winterreading" target="_blank">Winter Reading Challenge</a></div><div><a href="https://candidcover.net/2024-reading-challenges-list/" target="_blank"><br /></a></div><div><a href="https://candidcover.net/2024-reading-challenges-list/" target="_blank">The Candid Cover's list for all ages</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.the52book.club/2024-reading-challenge/" target="_blank">The 52 Book Club</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://bibliolifestyle.com/the-2024-reading-challenge/" target="_blank">BiblioLifestyle Reading Challenge</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.shelfreflection.com/blog/shelf-reflections-2024-reading-challenge" target="_blank">ShelfReflection</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://readerhaven.com/2024-reading-challenge/" target="_blank">ReaderHaven</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Feel free to pick one to help you stay motivated to read and share what you like with others. The best way to find out what to read next is by word of mouth!</div><div><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Fallon Farokhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15474670381186847150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3542785605183555742.post-55665921032249939262023-05-30T14:50:00.000-05:002023-05-30T14:50:34.026-05:00Creative ways to end the school year<div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjj4wEEhZOHoPFPjeur4SzA19a_NL3gKWM_-VXOObQ7luNf603JTdPA7ZjPSN4pRyThedE2nIVU3ST3R4R5-LHI_7C_3wrKsFSB9CZirqmvjHgSrga74KpQ3NU5jr3ydPXbuE13yVAUNHN35_SZT9viY3izcmeW6Uv8SaINJQczqmL1l_r4aqZarK8nuA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjj4wEEhZOHoPFPjeur4SzA19a_NL3gKWM_-VXOObQ7luNf603JTdPA7ZjPSN4pRyThedE2nIVU3ST3R4R5-LHI_7C_3wrKsFSB9CZirqmvjHgSrga74KpQ3NU5jr3ydPXbuE13yVAUNHN35_SZT9viY3izcmeW6Uv8SaINJQczqmL1l_r4aqZarK8nuA=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /></div>The end of the school year marks a unique opportunity for educators to create lasting memories with students. If you aren't able to try any of these activities out this year, keep them in mind as beginning of the school year rolls around or use them at the close of next year.<div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">STEAM challenges</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Students choose a book, either a new one or a past read that they enjoyed.</li></ul></div><div><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>They must create an object that goes with the book. Then they share the story and what they chose to create with their classmates. These can go on display or be taken home, depending on the materials used with the books. </div><div><br /></div><div>Pictured here are my students using LEGO blocks:</div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLOpOUbVd1TnFKBicnqZZc06Ttms7_jtvj2iZr1-cFE9_8GJ4ZpPDZ6E28Xt-8OBa4MSj5PPHzzsRT4WROdidvHzbJWRslS-FSFrn0NcnGiYebLKU7p4hekXfyA68UheygAeAHfFa9RLVbXpBsuqwdlVGzoLcY6fzu4XrQfilxxiXL6YL0iSuVIb0ZkQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiLOpOUbVd1TnFKBicnqZZc06Ttms7_jtvj2iZr1-cFE9_8GJ4ZpPDZ6E28Xt-8OBa4MSj5PPHzzsRT4WROdidvHzbJWRslS-FSFrn0NcnGiYebLKU7p4hekXfyA68UheygAeAHfFa9RLVbXpBsuqwdlVGzoLcY6fzu4XrQfilxxiXL6YL0iSuVIb0ZkQ=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDy_0N460whCFko6kX9tYvtWHwjrJSaF8o9ymB5PQAM2hNYmymIeZYKnik0f-PWNdDytLp7jkdx8FreMPsIrBhmfomyz2iSLV6Ope38Wdjo1Jb1j6540ybSNmOV8bWcyOQVGIkdHhaSCgU6flbpcvriz3pCKo_N64n01j1MgDL4nz4T5sm4n1yoFei-g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDy_0N460whCFko6kX9tYvtWHwjrJSaF8o9ymB5PQAM2hNYmymIeZYKnik0f-PWNdDytLp7jkdx8FreMPsIrBhmfomyz2iSLV6Ope38Wdjo1Jb1j6540ybSNmOV8bWcyOQVGIkdHhaSCgU6flbpcvriz3pCKo_N64n01j1MgDL4nz4T5sm4n1yoFei-g=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjijqXGlDkZIN7r3-_aonpuTxTXHUKPbkYek74qUY9BmK11nL-cVHvzVpDw2RgF-NSM_VtKfWPpyKPhqCHLKukR5EOE6X5ptb_pCLusm_HS_Qc-Dl3MMNU6sUDjWmmg1m8-DBxAaulUGccJXFywTfS5BSHZHDC8r38lMmfQhXS2YNRVhajAUA_91nkz6A" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjijqXGlDkZIN7r3-_aonpuTxTXHUKPbkYek74qUY9BmK11nL-cVHvzVpDw2RgF-NSM_VtKfWPpyKPhqCHLKukR5EOE6X5ptb_pCLusm_HS_Qc-Dl3MMNU6sUDjWmmg1m8-DBxAaulUGccJXFywTfS5BSHZHDC8r38lMmfQhXS2YNRVhajAUA_91nkz6A=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7zh9gQDJUt8DDCt22TJzkvnQhO8jQ6DDGGQSh5p_6tLdzmhCUJl_j-ENL5cmq_h3yyXl5QLYSqGJ8PDsS1kzM4PxL_GiVt6M0WT8OVYE7pef1jS4JtSONW8dopy_xN1OYGKasUlJus9RPzwXTTD1ZbWLxseIe-x1N2xDDFVOpNoXTFRZRXCLDI8N4Mg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi7zh9gQDJUt8DDCt22TJzkvnQhO8jQ6DDGGQSh5p_6tLdzmhCUJl_j-ENL5cmq_h3yyXl5QLYSqGJ8PDsS1kzM4PxL_GiVt6M0WT8OVYE7pef1jS4JtSONW8dopy_xN1OYGKasUlJus9RPzwXTTD1ZbWLxseIe-x1N2xDDFVOpNoXTFRZRXCLDI8N4Mg=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWOmTylGmx0gy3fbyHJAZrpT5SAVF7FmFefeewfqqvfcqDRgkrhTEnlHesPzdGObn7xiRBauX_FCK8syEK3rtOCLonULubiS4p1UGMsdAtSuDOlz5xjKjsNyViynYHJgFIsXRTV4BSlSgvFtqXwJ3xMGnpAVKYgVpTjLSSQKIg87CfVWJOV8py8Qu1Hg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWOmTylGmx0gy3fbyHJAZrpT5SAVF7FmFefeewfqqvfcqDRgkrhTEnlHesPzdGObn7xiRBauX_FCK8syEK3rtOCLonULubiS4p1UGMsdAtSuDOlz5xjKjsNyViynYHJgFIsXRTV4BSlSgvFtqXwJ3xMGnpAVKYgVpTjLSSQKIg87CfVWJOV8py8Qu1Hg=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhK1yACEsVPZoLalmV8djryOVV_i___CUajY7ENHcpb_Kv3IIWj7_lBXFvzx10FG09x6YS8bLK-t0rwvXX_myiXRbFRB_bIUOkyVWqvpcWtwXcDM0rcgYr1ge3tNa-Vj1a4G_hP4jfKYCktCg98ScZjiUXHULFwFkaaEwX276VIHk5quVDAmVx0vvoq7g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhK1yACEsVPZoLalmV8djryOVV_i___CUajY7ENHcpb_Kv3IIWj7_lBXFvzx10FG09x6YS8bLK-t0rwvXX_myiXRbFRB_bIUOkyVWqvpcWtwXcDM0rcgYr1ge3tNa-Vj1a4G_hP4jfKYCktCg98ScZjiUXHULFwFkaaEwX276VIHk5quVDAmVx0vvoq7g=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgeCd-JcEPMk4VObbeL90wQ1o_g_ofMTdVqm-lzGxDsoXGHOzIjVjBxFFbp6leLRf6tCN2yIpJuwkud-zQWL5tD4XQt2P3fuGA8-8yH4st0M0rzk6sv_BtT57mBK2DSn3rqLbKBKzF1k5jVguu2SOF1fBN--UokAYfE8saqSFBl0W5xJU4gb4O2P3XtKg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgeCd-JcEPMk4VObbeL90wQ1o_g_ofMTdVqm-lzGxDsoXGHOzIjVjBxFFbp6leLRf6tCN2yIpJuwkud-zQWL5tD4XQt2P3fuGA8-8yH4st0M0rzk6sv_BtT57mBK2DSn3rqLbKBKzF1k5jVguu2SOF1fBN--UokAYfE8saqSFBl0W5xJU4gb4O2P3XtKg=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Use a picture book to challenge students to construct an object from the story, for example, we read the new version of <a href="https://www.macbarnett.com/new-gallery-14" target="_blank">The Three Billy Goats Gruff</a> by <a href="https://www.macbarnett.com/" target="_blank">Mac Barnett</a> and <a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/blogs/authors/jon-klassen-20151125488517" target="_blank">Jon Klassen</a>:</li></ul></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/pjT5oBdeFww" width="320" youtube-src-id="pjT5oBdeFww"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>Students were challenged to build a troll bridge out of LEGO blocks. I gave them a piece of blue paper as the water and the only stipulation I made was that it had to be elevated, not touching the water. As the students worked they found that they wanted to continue the challenge with more requirements, like the ones that are the sturdiest, tallest, etc. </div><div><br /></div><div>The best part was listening to them share their strategies for building and helping each other when they got stuck. It also inspired some to want to perform a reader's theater of the story! </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/69OHI-JLKHo" width="320" youtube-src-id="69OHI-JLKHo"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3UmcmYC7_b6yraioJZE7hu-9SNOWN7gA9jJjHQaNnPEsbIUqDzZL2fiw3OTQLPpV4skhOyifLYUc8ARFi21k2HYlVVzQIxx-O0_vnqE1gMORD2fnMDO9MoVcgmRPpVegfuepOe4zV7nunFHdCTImJnpTgwMvUu2zCV1QzHpHZbLEsJ0q7ILVpFWWmEQ/s4032/IMG_6539.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3UmcmYC7_b6yraioJZE7hu-9SNOWN7gA9jJjHQaNnPEsbIUqDzZL2fiw3OTQLPpV4skhOyifLYUc8ARFi21k2HYlVVzQIxx-O0_vnqE1gMORD2fnMDO9MoVcgmRPpVegfuepOe4zV7nunFHdCTImJnpTgwMvUu2zCV1QzHpHZbLEsJ0q7ILVpFWWmEQ/w300-h400/IMG_6539.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZw9olJjKzTr5-8PbEFkEasoQNY9gFNr55i8YxFE-fLTG2NUcvm1923U5k3STc__yjyrbNWzkWG0-3BXOVOPsslHFz0fUFtd2TzQkCwrWA81ftkwXVzmYVkv-NZC4Pz8wAeseK2seAZ-dHBUtSvD9Jd0XAqm4RqCmSg5JSx9sMNZJdhx9sNy5YTPFjOw/s4032/IMG_6546.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZw9olJjKzTr5-8PbEFkEasoQNY9gFNr55i8YxFE-fLTG2NUcvm1923U5k3STc__yjyrbNWzkWG0-3BXOVOPsslHFz0fUFtd2TzQkCwrWA81ftkwXVzmYVkv-NZC4Pz8wAeseK2seAZ-dHBUtSvD9Jd0XAqm4RqCmSg5JSx9sMNZJdhx9sNy5YTPFjOw/w300-h400/IMG_6546.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXrJWIMjCb9hocEWazlIhZ4hoLxvtTq_LswJktdLAtUnptZ_gWuKi_7aBpj2dpURnGHPK0Br-noLBj0P9KatbawcMvoZL8EcnrtxOl-8Nlp8cnELZFfE0OKLBzdcAptj_IlRdgqiSz06aUINlHAPwR4KyDAOCmohWyyFAV1z8rPB7Ayz7B3SZSoenvEQ/s4032/IMG_6548.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXrJWIMjCb9hocEWazlIhZ4hoLxvtTq_LswJktdLAtUnptZ_gWuKi_7aBpj2dpURnGHPK0Br-noLBj0P9KatbawcMvoZL8EcnrtxOl-8Nlp8cnELZFfE0OKLBzdcAptj_IlRdgqiSz06aUINlHAPwR4KyDAOCmohWyyFAV1z8rPB7Ayz7B3SZSoenvEQ/w300-h400/IMG_6548.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Put up a big Spot the Difference to complete as a class. Then challenge students to make their own and trade with one another. They can use old magazines to cut out pictures and words or use Google Slides or another digital format to make their pictures. </li></ul><div>The one shown in this video is from the <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/608055/someone-builds-the-dream-by-lisa-wheeler-illustrated-by-loren-long/" target="_blank">publisher's website</a> for the book, Someone Builds the Dream by <a href="https://www.lisawheelerbooks.com/" target="_blank">Lisa Wheeler</a> and <a href="https://lorenlong.com/" target="_blank">Loren Long</a>. </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZijOVYMoyMA" width="320" youtube-src-id="ZijOVYMoyMA"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Challenge students to create a <a href="https://mymodernmet.com/librairie-mollat-book-face-challenge/" target="_blank">BookFace</a> photo. They will need access to a camera and book covers You can do this with book covers that are already separated from books or from the books themselves. In small groups, 3 people is usually good, students select a book cover that they can finish with their own bodies, faces, or other objects. Then students pose in a way that aligns with the book's cover art and another student takes the picture. Pictures can be edited and cropped so that only the BookFace remains. Here are some of our favorites from this past year:</li></ul><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgObdwvtzy1Is_74a660zgayjIc6A3LixktUOeSRQkEyTTFcj8skwv0Tvos880q_uppwUS1kBFogd3MfjIcehsqIKeBEF1mmeWTN2PReH4eF2Dg8m7XbxE2DYNvwlZYePiACf08rYWiPDjdkIYdc-sxU_yDP0N3juRvvj96sIwlLKuktb20L_ht18gz9g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgObdwvtzy1Is_74a660zgayjIc6A3LixktUOeSRQkEyTTFcj8skwv0Tvos880q_uppwUS1kBFogd3MfjIcehsqIKeBEF1mmeWTN2PReH4eF2Dg8m7XbxE2DYNvwlZYePiACf08rYWiPDjdkIYdc-sxU_yDP0N3juRvvj96sIwlLKuktb20L_ht18gz9g" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBgNjd57E0CNn8J7cEZr-Axpa7dI-2wH-GwHhRlrCz8SoBZ0ZRLXU-wl6T3pZjfqsdAelcnAnziuS_-2LLSbO3ekeounj5bnWQBxOdzEhz9M-iGp-rHsyn5LM3_pbFubMIMM08NzoSxNMwUKLBJy64bQYI0pnuUd1K_2mZd8TkmiuXURVogdGWxcH8gg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBgNjd57E0CNn8J7cEZr-Axpa7dI-2wH-GwHhRlrCz8SoBZ0ZRLXU-wl6T3pZjfqsdAelcnAnziuS_-2LLSbO3ekeounj5bnWQBxOdzEhz9M-iGp-rHsyn5LM3_pbFubMIMM08NzoSxNMwUKLBJy64bQYI0pnuUd1K_2mZd8TkmiuXURVogdGWxcH8gg=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div></div></div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Blast From the Past</span></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This is a fun way to look back on the school year and reflect on those moments of growth, humor, and classmates who have come and gone. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Show photos and ask students to recall those lessons. I also record or have them write down what they are interested in at the start of the school year. At the end, I share with them what they said and ask if anything has changed since then. It is so neat to hear how their interests and lives change.</li></ul></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Roll videos produced by students, for example, stop motion films, book trailers, etc. After looking at some, students asked to make more next year and for specific events, like, Talk Like a Pirate Day. We even made several of our own as a class on our last library day!</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/lWEE1tpBwxw" width="320" youtube-src-id="lWEE1tpBwxw"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mdbY0yT0KQI" width="320" youtube-src-id="mdbY0yT0KQI"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Have students rank their top reads of the year. Our library management system allows them to see their circulation history, so students were able to rank their favorite books they checked out. </li></ul></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFTzFNPw01XvjpyzhSR6HhbzlKzYiHnsnPx2t1GK-k66zmCUN3W-fWfdYLh0JigP1ONW76LVaGntDAs_Oh0v4Gl7fnseuWQame8NTu1V3x3OmrO2U3MfKtmjYUGpu67iE0nqTRtzTk5pvHuomUVAN58UZlh9NepHcU1Uq5N6QVGtS4aBDASCMjKP9Wg/s4032/IMG_6437.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOFTzFNPw01XvjpyzhSR6HhbzlKzYiHnsnPx2t1GK-k66zmCUN3W-fWfdYLh0JigP1ONW76LVaGntDAs_Oh0v4Gl7fnseuWQame8NTu1V3x3OmrO2U3MfKtmjYUGpu67iE0nqTRtzTk5pvHuomUVAN58UZlh9NepHcU1Uq5N6QVGtS4aBDASCMjKP9Wg/w300-h400/IMG_6437.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh31lVLzC6I2wtZeHV3DgbiDYTdm4C8fYc6eXyTo8fXOCLt69I1rgQAUR_INcFx1cyTPf1ij-GNjHJ_N5yTu5urZHnZoaqTIXZq2Eo6K818ysp1WE26qJFaYe_nOqmLlyTXXAF-xmJMfpQn7e9KOlN_5HMtyEp-Rar8gU4ZNlqd5dsZ5Ucjzq7sSfyDMg/s4032/IMG_6438.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh31lVLzC6I2wtZeHV3DgbiDYTdm4C8fYc6eXyTo8fXOCLt69I1rgQAUR_INcFx1cyTPf1ij-GNjHJ_N5yTu5urZHnZoaqTIXZq2Eo6K818ysp1WE26qJFaYe_nOqmLlyTXXAF-xmJMfpQn7e9KOlN_5HMtyEp-Rar8gU4ZNlqd5dsZ5Ucjzq7sSfyDMg/w300-h400/IMG_6438.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEm_vQNtyNxAQMHsKYOkje0tQL5W2uMEEYci5skFdorkYTdWkBn3HK8UqXCOIXHKxDHHEgzt1cef-YFJetjWivixJZn5Z4qQY5SHZ_fs5VHyIoOdnIdmaZLki1Ur-g065dlIX8Ak0Qrhl5YDtcGQLYLpndC5WYF-JT1_Q_mcI0m7lXCMTgyNUKAesEsQ/s4032/IMG_6439.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEm_vQNtyNxAQMHsKYOkje0tQL5W2uMEEYci5skFdorkYTdWkBn3HK8UqXCOIXHKxDHHEgzt1cef-YFJetjWivixJZn5Z4qQY5SHZ_fs5VHyIoOdnIdmaZLki1Ur-g065dlIX8Ak0Qrhl5YDtcGQLYLpndC5WYF-JT1_Q_mcI0m7lXCMTgyNUKAesEsQ/w300-h400/IMG_6439.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Looking ahead</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcmi_Jrd4g8blMdPz-9hs4OFy5TsowC7nSG1KnlgRdF1DBpaSsA3iKIi8_vnkHfR59pQ5NswYfEfaCvMkMx6H9kHP7CiXSrEkDnh_EGYcN69dvFmMIqE4BXjh7wFhIwhzxSb0q-2atNRaa1joDuR_RiFZvIqV9O5Oo_2yqaHzfmX7vxIsBWdW4hhOrHw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhcmi_Jrd4g8blMdPz-9hs4OFy5TsowC7nSG1KnlgRdF1DBpaSsA3iKIi8_vnkHfR59pQ5NswYfEfaCvMkMx6H9kHP7CiXSrEkDnh_EGYcN69dvFmMIqE4BXjh7wFhIwhzxSb0q-2atNRaa1joDuR_RiFZvIqV9O5Oo_2yqaHzfmX7vxIsBWdW4hhOrHw" width="320" /></a></div><br /></b></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Share with students special days, holidays, or hide them in plastic eggs around the room. (I got the list from LM_NET and had to cut some out due to the age of my students.) Students select one to learn more about and then share with their classmates what they learned. You can have them write it on a sticky note, make a poster, or a digital copy.</li></ul><div>This poster displayed here is from my <a href="https://www.capstonepub.com/" target="_blank">Capstone Publisher </a>representative:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw-knkbpMLv7A0lauSsoDrQfQZ1DFMIGuxNweh547STl14prKYGDs3ySMngU4tWiLNlL63jolDqyx01DEtdfkvp9Gywk8_ntrHG4v2Kt6oyARXmG8-Nsu9qkxgmW2YsRVKwxzlcP_DAPQLfs4zIfRliPGNnI3ZVBlsIYMuwaMhpxobZfVroqEle2ySfg/s4032/IMG_6476.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw-knkbpMLv7A0lauSsoDrQfQZ1DFMIGuxNweh547STl14prKYGDs3ySMngU4tWiLNlL63jolDqyx01DEtdfkvp9Gywk8_ntrHG4v2Kt6oyARXmG8-Nsu9qkxgmW2YsRVKwxzlcP_DAPQLfs4zIfRliPGNnI3ZVBlsIYMuwaMhpxobZfVroqEle2ySfg/w300-h400/IMG_6476.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmU_7NIqsQdWraAYSRpcnAEH2rYiKbkMYt_ryfO498oa9ItzCR8uaOz3uQhvKyDwe8QI1JUyKeCpNsYuFMWE3Litf1BWhXgcMuNpU-DiiF9-UmqZfQAyOndgJ4GR9AME3wEDlQCmnYmy7y1GQ3U5dzhIOw1qCMvfJoEpOcyAv2CyIa-fleGbfPevmjVQ/s4032/IMG_6478.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmU_7NIqsQdWraAYSRpcnAEH2rYiKbkMYt_ryfO498oa9ItzCR8uaOz3uQhvKyDwe8QI1JUyKeCpNsYuFMWE3Litf1BWhXgcMuNpU-DiiF9-UmqZfQAyOndgJ4GR9AME3wEDlQCmnYmy7y1GQ3U5dzhIOw1qCMvfJoEpOcyAv2CyIa-fleGbfPevmjVQ/w300-h400/IMG_6478.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6FlnHNGe29gi3_9ijCn_XRVCGp77oAZARPfZeConsHupW5l1mT-meJNgxDDPcGKq2kF74sY-C41_T4SAdU-GZLUr9L-Y_gPpVOUyJMOrshsK5jmD46wWl2kB2spm2yDknAPEgLjFx8EpWfI3IaEIm6Xa5ZEkaBbsL2qb4fRTS_IiVsiD7k2b5NMAJw/s4032/IMG_6479.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6FlnHNGe29gi3_9ijCn_XRVCGp77oAZARPfZeConsHupW5l1mT-meJNgxDDPcGKq2kF74sY-C41_T4SAdU-GZLUr9L-Y_gPpVOUyJMOrshsK5jmD46wWl2kB2spm2yDknAPEgLjFx8EpWfI3IaEIm6Xa5ZEkaBbsL2qb4fRTS_IiVsiD7k2b5NMAJw/w300-h400/IMG_6479.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Survey students about their opinions about the library program or your classroom. I've had students use devices to fill out Google Forms and I've had them write their ideas on paper posted around the room. This helps to shape the next year and gives students a voice:</li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/L5uCETzh_5A" width="320" youtube-src-id="L5uCETzh_5A"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div></div><br /><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Play unplugged games</span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Peep Knock-out: you take turns with a partner trying to knock a Peep off of the side of a table using only a plastic egg that you roll. I heard about this game from a librarian colleague of mine and was waiting to play it on a special occasion. My 1st graders played the game and then we came together to critique it and adjust the rules for playing it again in the future. </li></ul><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/4BWzDU6yTWk" width="320" youtube-src-id="4BWzDU6yTWk"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDMEM4ajFN82xYrZxmWzsLFWWjQE26v2tstXKvrc5JUaEqRrKSFpa9lskuaabNOiK_1-EhGb046SykbsxAZ12zDJzmdqCVJztSm2QqA17d-JBIzYPmPFOPC19hZmKuek0RfHi4XogAZrHL7gqPdDQ_qJ12sq1wyUQGz8ehmpSOSXHShUaXzouIYJB03w/s4032/IMG_6889.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDMEM4ajFN82xYrZxmWzsLFWWjQE26v2tstXKvrc5JUaEqRrKSFpa9lskuaabNOiK_1-EhGb046SykbsxAZ12zDJzmdqCVJztSm2QqA17d-JBIzYPmPFOPC19hZmKuek0RfHi4XogAZrHL7gqPdDQ_qJ12sq1wyUQGz8ehmpSOSXHShUaXzouIYJB03w/w300-h400/IMG_6889.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>"Water Balloon Battle" or "________ Battle": You take turns launching a balloon on paper towards your opponents figures, also drawn on paper. Your eyes are closed when launching and if you hit the figure then you succeed. I first saw this on a fellow librarian's <a href="https://twitter.com/ExLibrisMrHunt/status/1256022754450501632" target="_blank">Twitter account</a> and had my students play it, they loved it! They also had fantastic ideas for adjustments. </li><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-5wFKDpX_mxZ5ZWUewbdCn9lf6DUyjMgUCoPtgKCwFsJGXtgYNFV4uPwJyvIICCf5blgY6ffdY6MRvShUlClxBFJuHK_7QS2QMGiFepBmfM-97cHxuiiLKwauICqNJNUq-ZPBGplDdRInmGMaS8C-mroW3LgFpxNMybiQK5eACB3i80t60oGiZPRKg/s4032/IMG_6893.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju-5wFKDpX_mxZ5ZWUewbdCn9lf6DUyjMgUCoPtgKCwFsJGXtgYNFV4uPwJyvIICCf5blgY6ffdY6MRvShUlClxBFJuHK_7QS2QMGiFepBmfM-97cHxuiiLKwauICqNJNUq-ZPBGplDdRInmGMaS8C-mroW3LgFpxNMybiQK5eACB3i80t60oGiZPRKg/w300-h400/IMG_6893.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwq7Ac7BGjvzaegD6Js7U-0-C6itvKGDhYI7-tKNj1je0M66RRSVthaRtKxAjkS-7Y6wbmudYs9yyYIsJdCHCz-AuOgL83X7H5F2G51TsZ4Gk753IDkdV0hJgrebAjk-k7ls0U3uxrRhqfg55HmpRV61TIT5MMEyUUtV4L0pn9IcdM6Fi-9H17oF8AAA/s4032/IMG_6895.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwq7Ac7BGjvzaegD6Js7U-0-C6itvKGDhYI7-tKNj1je0M66RRSVthaRtKxAjkS-7Y6wbmudYs9yyYIsJdCHCz-AuOgL83X7H5F2G51TsZ4Gk753IDkdV0hJgrebAjk-k7ls0U3uxrRhqfg55HmpRV61TIT5MMEyUUtV4L0pn9IcdM6Fi-9H17oF8AAA/w480-h640/IMG_6895.jpg" width="480" /></a></div></li><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEDB3BHXL-6RKD2FoAYRX4zq0HtUbznaW9BAum6XPeHr8f0_hq2FsF0vJGvDn7GN0scESoS5bGrtzqZq6jqYLZAsKnoTWyCPyFhg0wrgQxiI1x-t4tgNfRJy8dPCflNKY8x5OHgj_scCMWLaxF38SFleo5lyc0qsjCdIx8PZVNtYBFv0Oe22b7YuAbGg/s4032/IMG_6894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEDB3BHXL-6RKD2FoAYRX4zq0HtUbznaW9BAum6XPeHr8f0_hq2FsF0vJGvDn7GN0scESoS5bGrtzqZq6jqYLZAsKnoTWyCPyFhg0wrgQxiI1x-t4tgNfRJy8dPCflNKY8x5OHgj_scCMWLaxF38SFleo5lyc0qsjCdIx8PZVNtYBFv0Oe22b7YuAbGg/w300-h400/IMG_6894.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></li></ul><ul style="text-align: left;"><ul><li><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhE5uk2krxXzn_WNppXfm5kbBlRLkvCdTFTJDTW-b7XPcODgznsiv5a85TJyM4pn38V7_V32j6e_zeWLPvqZwSdtwqZfDE_5u01ZSS8iF9u21iv8yAtVM_7SqigVrZa-8lDDjNevWwZmQLV3voLeJQAgo_7bZ_ygxpymWP1GdszkJdpWFDTghfym-Psg/s4032/IMG_6896.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhE5uk2krxXzn_WNppXfm5kbBlRLkvCdTFTJDTW-b7XPcODgznsiv5a85TJyM4pn38V7_V32j6e_zeWLPvqZwSdtwqZfDE_5u01ZSS8iF9u21iv8yAtVM_7SqigVrZa-8lDDjNevWwZmQLV3voLeJQAgo_7bZ_ygxpymWP1GdszkJdpWFDTghfym-Psg/w300-h400/IMG_6896.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></div>Follow the directions below for the rules to the tabletop game: <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/R2BkIt9hKRU" width="320" youtube-src-id="R2BkIt9hKRU"></iframe></div></li></ul></ul></div></div><div>Of course there are so many fun ways to end the school year or engage with learners to build community, please leave your favorite activities in the comments or if you have specific questions, send them my way.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Fallon Farokhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15474670381186847150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3542785605183555742.post-12244193966963421702023-05-07T08:33:00.000-05:002023-05-07T08:33:03.468-05:00Who protects nature? Legends of Lotus Island, a new middle grade series<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvgyRrLvaSTVW0atSSiEQiQUDDcPoid8oFPID0eZemPTzQF283c2UIn-jtLCPYvDfUvss5Jcze9QsdCSGlBvemtixAAbby4hdWKr3DtOKA5mJ-ux3Sh1jKsYW6e_j0KVqftnerXcbB4DP69eARR1FxLwfnWtV9Nt8KnGD0wUi3jEP6TlJPuPLBaCzaiQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhvgyRrLvaSTVW0atSSiEQiQUDDcPoid8oFPID0eZemPTzQF283c2UIn-jtLCPYvDfUvss5Jcze9QsdCSGlBvemtixAAbby4hdWKr3DtOKA5mJ-ux3Sh1jKsYW6e_j0KVqftnerXcbB4DP69eARR1FxLwfnWtV9Nt8KnGD0wUi3jEP6TlJPuPLBaCzaiQ=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><i>"I'd never known my parents. I was just a baby when a storm capsized their boat on the open sea." - Plum</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The new middle grade fantasy series,<a href="https://clubs.scholastic.com/legends-of-lotus-island%3A-the-guardian-test/9781338892604-rco-us.html?cgid=W_6" target="_blank"> Legends of Lotus Island: The Guardian Test</a>, by award-winning author, <a href="https://soontornvat.com/" target="_blank">Christina Soontornvat,</a> is the ideal story to share with children. She writes of an orphaned farm girl, Plum, who is raised by her grandparents since she was a baby. She knows nothing of the rest of the country and is shocked when she is invited to join the elite school so that she may become a Guardian, a protector of the natural world. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Hx8jjuqKPBs" width="320" youtube-src-id="Hx8jjuqKPBs"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It is difficult for Plum to leave the security of her grandparents' home where she is comfortable taking care of the crops and livestock. As she learns about the other cities in her country and meets children from those places, her eyes are open to how important Guardians are in this society. Readers can connect to this as they, too, are learning about the vast world and their place in it. As Fred Rogers famously said, "Look for the helpers." This is perfectly applied to this story. The natural resources are being depleted and it is up to the Guardians to save what is left for everyone's well-being, even if they are vilified for it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/R29UaLCDcvU" width="320" youtube-src-id="R29UaLCDcvU"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Readers who enjoy magical school stories, like Harry Potter and Amari and the Night Brothers may also like this series. It is significantly shorter than both of those series at under 150 pages, so it is not as intimidating to pick it up. The teachers and cast of students are all unique and bring a sense of humor and danger to the story. After a month of lessons, students are given a Guardian test in which they must transform into their creature form that will allow them to protect the natural world. Plum has had difficulty with this and is on the verge of quitting. Will she find what is inside of her to allow her to transform?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Another aspect of this story that readers will find interesting is the role of <a href="https://www.greenchildmagazine.com/free-meditation-guided-relaxation-scripts-kids/" target="_blank">meditation</a> in it. One of the lessons that the students learn each day is to sit and focus and on their breathing. In this era of constant noise and entertainment, this is an important practice that will bring much-needed calmness to many young people. As an educator I have witnessed the effects of my students being unable to control their emotions. Daily practice of focusing on their breath helps to center them when they feel their emotions start to get out of hand. Soontornvat also wrote about this meditation practice in her nonfiction account of the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7dYteQk-N0" target="_blank">Thai Boys' Soccer Team</a> rescue in the caves in her award-winning book, <a href="https://soontornvat.com/books/all-thirteen/" target="_blank">All Thirteen</a>. The boys said that their coach taught them to meditate and that is one reason that they were able to stay calm and get through the many days of being trapped in the caves before they were able to be rescued. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoFhYEdWtabOQ5uWoDe_qZivNb6N6G4wBrT9lwMo28uUYDimJxYk4IGFTETZMhw1kdo-ftmvi-_wiAlwDflrx3GTMmyBLBySz4IArJotSGjmpWECIm9-tLo8lMn0SW4pnLGKZV6vVlen19O-liiVehwhATtOoznpraEuQZdciGQewxh7ha4DnOP8JbxA/s1024/all%20thirteen.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="770" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoFhYEdWtabOQ5uWoDe_qZivNb6N6G4wBrT9lwMo28uUYDimJxYk4IGFTETZMhw1kdo-ftmvi-_wiAlwDflrx3GTMmyBLBySz4IArJotSGjmpWECIm9-tLo8lMn0SW4pnLGKZV6vVlen19O-liiVehwhATtOoznpraEuQZdciGQewxh7ha4DnOP8JbxA/w301-h400/all%20thirteen.jpeg" width="301" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The last part of the story that drew me in the most is the mystery surrounding Plum and her mother. In the opening chapters the readers learn, along with Plum, that her mother was from the big island to which she didn't want to return. When Plum sees this place up close and meets people from there she wonders how her mother would've been there. As the series continues, I hope that Plum uncovers her mother's past and why Plum has a set of powers that nobody else exhibits. Soontornvat's books are all ones that I recommend and this one is no different. It belongs on all bookshelves and in readers' hands. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">(Thank you to the book's publisher, <a href="https://www.scholastic.com/home" target="_blank">Scholastic</a>, for sending an ARC to my book review group, #BookExcursion!)</div> <p></p>Fallon Farokhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15474670381186847150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3542785605183555742.post-5682479828799814902023-04-17T19:59:00.003-05:002023-04-17T19:59:55.739-05:00Understanding the misunderstood worm<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkAZ5uakEuVO3werX9FvJ3MSnQpCTr6RztngOVSbwuYKV8QklEadHSuOFap92ZvrLg8uF8BtMnfeCDVAU5DRJ_nNY8aGjKsCsZP9eytjISZSmyPChZqF7dbnxy8PHKfd8i0UELXriFoSefsLTNsFpv3WzMmYo1JFsqba4FtZ4IQ4yFusgJaI1zJ6twcw/s955/Boyd,%20Marie_JUST%20A%20WORM%20cover.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="955" data-original-width="861" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkAZ5uakEuVO3werX9FvJ3MSnQpCTr6RztngOVSbwuYKV8QklEadHSuOFap92ZvrLg8uF8BtMnfeCDVAU5DRJ_nNY8aGjKsCsZP9eytjISZSmyPChZqF7dbnxy8PHKfd8i0UELXriFoSefsLTNsFpv3WzMmYo1JFsqba4FtZ4IQ4yFusgJaI1zJ6twcw/w361-h400/Boyd,%20Marie_JUST%20A%20WORM%20cover.PNG" width="361" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Spring is in full force and as people tend to their gardens, one animal that inevitably pops up is the worm. Love them or hate them, they are here to help the earth in many ways. As a teacher, parent and librarian, I seek out picture books to help young people understand the why behind creatures in nature so Marie Boyd's debut story, Just a Worm, does exactly that! Other than the sweet story of a worm, Boyd also has illustrated the book with an artistic paper cut technique called, quilling. You can learn more about her craft on her website where she has a <a href="http://www.marieboyd.com/tutorials." target="_blank">tutorial </a>on how to make a snail! I am excited to share this with my students and daughter. </p><p>I had some questions for Marie Boyd regarding her book, its topic, her inspiration and other topics. Here are her responses: </p><blockquote style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;" type="cite"><div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_quote"><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0px 0px 0px 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;"><div dir="ltr"><div dir="ltr"><div><span class="im" style="color: #500050;"><p style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><b><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />1.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Why did you decide to write about a worm of all creatures?</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Hi Fallon, Thanks so much for having me on The Story Spectator! I’m excited to be here. I decided to write about a worm because when my son was younger, I often told him “It’s just a worm” when he saw worms on the sidewalk. One day I started thinking about how a worm might respond if it could understand my words. That question led to my debut picture book <i>Just a Worm</i>.<b></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrFd__81R8m9ioocisZLq2fv7L-M9RDjeHr-gkl9uMe0C01l82ZH1ATfSOiL3-r_n9PsyOeoDYaZc62betKOi23_kgQy_fmrc9_CItW-bkXDKMawq1SzVGlLdEKtg8eOkG_beXAHXxfpZEpbFQUPo8CCcxKGOK8RByKpAB1CMM5cxmKV3xXMvOGK8ktQ/s1728/Just%20A%20Worm%20interior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1728" height="357" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrFd__81R8m9ioocisZLq2fv7L-M9RDjeHr-gkl9uMe0C01l82ZH1ATfSOiL3-r_n9PsyOeoDYaZc62betKOi23_kgQy_fmrc9_CItW-bkXDKMawq1SzVGlLdEKtg8eOkG_beXAHXxfpZEpbFQUPo8CCcxKGOK8RByKpAB1CMM5cxmKV3xXMvOGK8ktQ/w640-h357/Just%20A%20Worm%20interior.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in;"></p><p style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><b>2.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>What do you hope readers will gain after reading your book?</b></span></p><p style="border: none; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> </span></b></p><p style="border: none; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">In <i>Just a Worm, </i>after being called “just a worm” by two children, Worm embarks on a journey through the garden to prove them wrong. Along the way, Worm encounters several insects and other creatures, each of which has important qualities. But what can Worm do? I wrote <i>Just a Worm</i> for everyone who has ever compared themselves to others and felt that they have fallen short. I hope that <i>Just a Worm</i> will encourage readers to consider the special ways that they contribute to their families and communities.<b></b></span></p><p style="border: none; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Bddv8iRxHT_lC7PB_i2In9pik8EQ1GNaVHBCdlPdXnucFl-nacvPFUZzUmnSTLbkZRC8-zLgI9cvIZmjwo2CY10bPyHxoQEhm_D1usWPMX4yHPMBnO7VUJdL_OlRadL8tzBKgRDhEzPi_H0TjtGrutAV15kuZ6qckJQiczIGLuQgO6urdV_PXQv0Dw/s1728/Just%20A%20Worm%20interior3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1728" height="357" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Bddv8iRxHT_lC7PB_i2In9pik8EQ1GNaVHBCdlPdXnucFl-nacvPFUZzUmnSTLbkZRC8-zLgI9cvIZmjwo2CY10bPyHxoQEhm_D1usWPMX4yHPMBnO7VUJdL_OlRadL8tzBKgRDhEzPi_H0TjtGrutAV15kuZ6qckJQiczIGLuQgO6urdV_PXQv0Dw/w640-h357/Just%20A%20Worm%20interior3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><p style="border: none; line-height: normal; margin: 0in;"></p><p style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><b>3.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>How did you get into quilling?</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">I learned about quilling by chance. I was at a craft store buying fabric when I came across some quilling supplies. I didn’t know what quilling was, so I looked it up on my phone. I was intrigued by what I saw and bought the supplies. I started quilling cards for my family and friends and quickly fell in love with quilling. I had a lot of paper that I had collected over the years for various craft projects so eventually I began cutting my own quilling strips. That opened so many new creative possibilities, and eventually led to me using quilled paper to illustrate </span><i><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Just a Worm</span></i><span style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">.</span><b></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p><p style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><b>4.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>What came first, the words or the illustrations?</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">The story started with the phrase, “it’s just a worm,” but when I thought about what Worm’s garden would look like I imagined it quilled.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p><p style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in 0in 0in 0.5in;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><b>5.<span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span>Do you have a special experience or memory with gardens?</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">I have so many special memories with gardens and the illustrations in <i>Just a Worm </i>draw on some of those memories. As a child, I often helped my parents in the yard and many of the plants in <i>Just a Worm</i> are inspired by plants from their garden. I love gardens so much that I got married in a garden.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"><b>6. What advice do you have for people who think worms are gross?</b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Worms play an important role as decomposers and it is possible to appreciate worms and what they do from a distance.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><b><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in;"><span style="font-family: arial, sans-serif;">Thanks again for hosting me and allowing me to share a bit about <i>Just a Worm</i>. If your readers are interested in learning more about how I illustrated <i>Just a Worm</i>, I share quilled crafts and more on my website at<a href="https://www.marieboyd.com/" target="_blank"> <span style="color: #0563c1;">www.marieboyd.com</span>. </a>Happy reading! </span></p></span></div><div><br /></div></div></div></blockquote></div></div></blockquote><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCEn3OEsSJnmNs-tJ7lriaAOOA2V0lF-OEEcZJTmKS3Muz_gCnTI74J3TucODECQXifsHrrcO2Vh-trXK0Yb0hlLuci23Ea9bOG9EbHZxJiruqrSu6psGg5ECt8hvebFDNimUQaOd4RuyK8ZAOCN8mgr8luUgUp7WilFfxrLpfztfCnTOCMMiz8NWnBw/s2373/Marie%20Boyd%20Garden%20Photo.JPEG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2373" data-original-width="2202" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCEn3OEsSJnmNs-tJ7lriaAOOA2V0lF-OEEcZJTmKS3Muz_gCnTI74J3TucODECQXifsHrrcO2Vh-trXK0Yb0hlLuci23Ea9bOG9EbHZxJiruqrSu6psGg5ECt8hvebFDNimUQaOd4RuyK8ZAOCN8mgr8luUgUp7WilFfxrLpfztfCnTOCMMiz8NWnBw/w371-h400/Marie%20Boyd%20Garden%20Photo.JPEG" width="371" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>The book, Just a Worm, is released by Greenwillow, an imprint of HarperCollins, on March 14, 2023, so you can get it now! A big thanks to author Marie Boyd for taking the time to speak with me about her first picture book. I hope to see many more of her works in the future. <br /> <p></p>Fallon Farokhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15474670381186847150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3542785605183555742.post-48622574863556306322023-02-20T08:10:00.004-06:002023-03-26T18:32:25.812-05:00Flamer: "I want this book to be a lifeline."<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAepk5tGDo2PfvK_VMiFvJAEpAtRglgeK2QyB2m0TAppYB5w_L78bbetEU9iPBrrDgq0cazsYuvQsXxjwps8bYd_AqWBBRW38nXxTQubKq3fWfRVQru6VTy_q6Nk8LIrEqUthgmu58C4mrXWvPd2kF0YFZ-5BjTdaoqs08n7WG7EUw6H5m66bMSdH9hg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgAepk5tGDo2PfvK_VMiFvJAEpAtRglgeK2QyB2m0TAppYB5w_L78bbetEU9iPBrrDgq0cazsYuvQsXxjwps8bYd_AqWBBRW38nXxTQubKq3fWfRVQru6VTy_q6Nk8LIrEqUthgmu58C4mrXWvPd2kF0YFZ-5BjTdaoqs08n7WG7EUw6H5m66bMSdH9hg=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781627796415/flamer" target="_blank">Flamer</a>, a semi-autobiographical graphic novel by <a href="https://www.mikecurato.com/" target="_blank">Mike Curato,</a> is an emotional story of Aiden, a Filipino American boy who is spending his last week of summer break at his favorite place, his scout camp. The year is 1995 so the times reflect an era of homophobia, bullying, and lack of resources that could help a teenager who is questioning his identity. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/iku5xPfa4BQ" width="320" youtube-src-id="iku5xPfa4BQ"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzHlfQI9NZND0pFT7pAbGOfRdmn_nejgSnilPuABiOSVsHOJQSuRCIbQbtVvSJUib2tW8XTnPdI_get3A1JB6raEVihV2YXkXKiAlNVVotTzHKAaSTdvT77n4_5FLIHixIioXFgk3pV_S2tNOQsEVwZh3MzFCzKKa6C__zhscBCL8f1Uk85sHuHriX_Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhzHlfQI9NZND0pFT7pAbGOfRdmn_nejgSnilPuABiOSVsHOJQSuRCIbQbtVvSJUib2tW8XTnPdI_get3A1JB6raEVihV2YXkXKiAlNVVotTzHKAaSTdvT77n4_5FLIHixIioXFgk3pV_S2tNOQsEVwZh3MzFCzKKa6C__zhscBCL8f1Uk85sHuHriX_Q=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /> I was surprised to learn that <a href="https://thebannedbookshelf.com/flamer-by-mike-curato/" target="_blank">Flamer </a>has been <a href="https://gaymingmag.com/2022/08/woman-calls-police-over-gay-ya-graphic-novel-flamer-in-texas-school-library/" target="_blank">challenged </a>and even <a href="https://adventuresincensorship.com/blog/2021/12/13/challenging-flamer-or-no-gay-kids-allowed" target="_blank">banned</a> in school libraries across the country, despite winning a <a href="https://seattlegayscene.com/2021/06/mike-curato-wins-lammy-award-for-flamer/" target="_blank">book award.</a> The audience for the book are young adults who are the same age as the main character. Readers will be able to empathize with Aiden's apprehension for starting high school, his insecurities about his body image, and his surprising attraction to his friend. Although the book climaxes with a suicide scene, Aiden does not go through with it and it ends on a hopeful note. The author's note states that these were actual instances that he experienced so I believe it will help others, either as a friend or family member of a person exhibiting Aiden's characteristics or for people thinking similar thoughts as Aiden. </div><br /> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEid3xx96ECJQKuI8P9JJ6vAjg_AwVYEXFxLVKAm5JqXTjQ5v1BwU3dI3sYTH83PpXtOSB1A3D4xVGo3g5BX3vjU8t8AxerUcHicP-aoxkufoMoE6s_xT4Aa-aJQ1c0pMI-p0AoU3LG0D3omjmt6GrDJeDpJaAYo82OFQu_0P8G64iwTLUZfuTpiX99yrg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEid3xx96ECJQKuI8P9JJ6vAjg_AwVYEXFxLVKAm5JqXTjQ5v1BwU3dI3sYTH83PpXtOSB1A3D4xVGo3g5BX3vjU8t8AxerUcHicP-aoxkufoMoE6s_xT4Aa-aJQ1c0pMI-p0AoU3LG0D3omjmt6GrDJeDpJaAYo82OFQu_0P8G64iwTLUZfuTpiX99yrg=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What I liked about this book was the honesty with which Aiden's voice permeates the entire story. I have yet to read a book that explores a boy's insecurities about his body with as much care as Curato write's Aiden's feelings. Many readers will be able to relate to Aiden and his reluctance to draw attention to his body as he constantly compares it to others in his camp. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhX9PEQlgW3PF8LU8yiwLqMJNAnJbmm1-f91eRIhJe6aurz6QoV8TvpC8kKzbBxhR-kZHRZdWsPn1YMwQ9Ep3ZtL6B9C_Qy_LlVhf27usIP6sAxm8pzCpT4Xtp6Ufw1Rw9jV35Z9vUuZFn_GQkAhPQXhJ6dVgbheYTVtsxQ6imROMK28Zx6NjytQM-YeA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhX9PEQlgW3PF8LU8yiwLqMJNAnJbmm1-f91eRIhJe6aurz6QoV8TvpC8kKzbBxhR-kZHRZdWsPn1YMwQ9Ep3ZtL6B9C_Qy_LlVhf27usIP6sAxm8pzCpT4Xtp6Ufw1Rw9jV35Z9vUuZFn_GQkAhPQXhJ6dVgbheYTVtsxQ6imROMK28Zx6NjytQM-YeA=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><br />Another aspect of the book that stood out to me was the setting. Aiden finds so much peace in being outside in nature that it becomes his happy place. I think that other readers may also find solace in going outdoors when they are feeling stressed or need room to think. It also may encourage others to seek out ways to spend time outdoors with friends to increase endorphins and relieve them of social anxiety. The camp also lends itself to a sense of community that readers may look to join in order to feel as a part of a group.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihDFwZwnR2JmWyhRwOu6Mj90vqO-lx4jc9MW_IgJJoS9b1PRxk8oLwhRD0_pqvGzf6TTv_NMRdrKO5GAzY0tmEeG7ssru4WxcxpS8o5jjZkUxB_E9VxvpbRVbgGrvlz1183q3O6VUQ8B_P2ze85JCeS2fptvjYRiCEpr90rctA0zM6-CQZ2o-4cqA06g" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEihDFwZwnR2JmWyhRwOu6Mj90vqO-lx4jc9MW_IgJJoS9b1PRxk8oLwhRD0_pqvGzf6TTv_NMRdrKO5GAzY0tmEeG7ssru4WxcxpS8o5jjZkUxB_E9VxvpbRVbgGrvlz1183q3O6VUQ8B_P2ze85JCeS2fptvjYRiCEpr90rctA0zM6-CQZ2o-4cqA06g=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">As a junior high teacher and librarian, I can attest that the moments of bullying and teasing are 100% authentic. In Flamer, the reader experiences what Aiden does as he tries to navigate his place in an ever-increasing environment that tells him he needs to be an "alpha-male" while he doesn't have those inclinations. He also has racist remarks thrown at him for being <a href="https://stopaapihate.org/" target="_blank">Asian</a>. At one point, a well-intentioned friend, tries to tell Aiden to draw less attention to himself and Aiden questions how he can do that. This is a very real dilemma that teens go through and Curato writes this delicate scene with such care, it's incredible. Readers can discuss what their experiences have been with racism towards Asian people and what they can do to stand up against that hate. </div><br /><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbumM1aPyiYWP-cQjjrQXx3IBc0cV44we96hcI4fjsx0QQ9ouN_AXoifrhZjIGhlsXa-oiPsTXSh05-ZCnf5nwH1geSp6BN6MljhRfwZ_GulrFqZEsEQpYhWpiyhNJ_hgRSFPgg6nJi5_BwW6393wNxLMaNULJj572MIsqPVzTv21cGxWYnu5zz0k-NQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgbumM1aPyiYWP-cQjjrQXx3IBc0cV44we96hcI4fjsx0QQ9ouN_AXoifrhZjIGhlsXa-oiPsTXSh05-ZCnf5nwH1geSp6BN6MljhRfwZ_GulrFqZEsEQpYhWpiyhNJ_hgRSFPgg6nJi5_BwW6393wNxLMaNULJj572MIsqPVzTv21cGxWYnu5zz0k-NQ=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Finally, the part that I really enjoyed was Aiden's relationship with his only friend who allows him to be his true self. His pen pal, Violet, is a trusted ally whom Aiden confides his thoughts. This is a beautiful model of how even having one person who is on one's side makes a big difference in a person's life. <a href="https://guidetoallyship.com/" target="_blank">Allyship</a> is a topic that young people can discuss throughout this story and into their own lives. Aiden has some people who seem to be on his side but then change their mind once they realize that others call him out about being gay. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlT7jxG1eX5aH5sBTYiyJjDa9zwbeoNv5dEeFAUfpWzckjtLOf5z5RHO8h5MRDNvJ-CXDQ66OXgxK7WnllJUBo3aHBuCdRjIhdHXMbUjsolLY1n_Z-mEXblFKZqaIz4aBKTsrHNwGPAcY5LB06XlOhFyG1KPYmwEicu3RJ8tw44laY39qeeE6YoMkzGw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhlT7jxG1eX5aH5sBTYiyJjDa9zwbeoNv5dEeFAUfpWzckjtLOf5z5RHO8h5MRDNvJ-CXDQ66OXgxK7WnllJUBo3aHBuCdRjIhdHXMbUjsolLY1n_Z-mEXblFKZqaIz4aBKTsrHNwGPAcY5LB06XlOhFyG1KPYmwEicu3RJ8tw44laY39qeeE6YoMkzGw=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Aiden's coming-of-age realization about his sexuality is something that others may be able to relate. His religion has taught him that homosexuality was wrong so Aiden denied being gay when his classmates bullied him about it. Only after his dreams started showing his true feelings was when he started to come around to possibly accepting this aspect about himself. Some of his trusted scout leaders tried to help him through being himself but they ended up being outed and ultimately fired from the scout camp. This is another <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/video/gay-scout-leader-fired-others-quit-in-protest-44433475585" target="_blank">reflection of the times</a> and even some discrimination against the LGBTQ community in today's world. Readers can discuss the factors that are at play and what they can do when they see this happening in their communities. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Overall, <a href="https://www.slj.com/review/flamer" target="_blank">Flamer </a>is a book that embodies a number of adolescent emotions and should be available to <a href="https://www.bookbrowse.com/bb_briefs/detail/index.cfm/ezine_preview_number/15380/flamer" target="_blank">young adult readers </a>who want to read it. It would also benefit <a href="https://www.npr.org/2020/10/22/926285834/flamer-offers-real-hope-not-just-rainbows-to-queer-kids" target="_blank">educators, counselors, social workers, families and care givers</a> to read it in order to broaden their understanding of a young person's needs during this critical time of their development. It may very well save a life. </div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3LEepFnev44" width="320" youtube-src-id="3LEepFnev44"></iframe></div><br />Fallon Farokhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15474670381186847150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3542785605183555742.post-16105994476147712952023-02-12T08:19:00.001-06:002023-02-12T08:28:11.422-06:00Snoozefest: The Surprising Science of Sleep<p> </p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJtYun5qz6tGKZOkqeRw5FGsFdtdeaVgbLh5GHFPoeLcKTa1hFDrrbSBYtt5xRI7kv6n4cpVnFzTOSO1zTkJkGvmeNh8ksA3HLkjQt6SxQgJ9SL9zwQa0td4zX-q_d6S_hcFGOUa41NxYA5hCvwPUn58_N_pWx0VhKlEpsEUsL2FXgPZqlF3Nsubi4w/s1080/snoozefest.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNJtYun5qz6tGKZOkqeRw5FGsFdtdeaVgbLh5GHFPoeLcKTa1hFDrrbSBYtt5xRI7kv6n4cpVnFzTOSO1zTkJkGvmeNh8ksA3HLkjQt6SxQgJ9SL9zwQa0td4zX-q_d6S_hcFGOUa41NxYA5hCvwPUn58_N_pWx0VhKlEpsEUsL2FXgPZqlF3Nsubi4w/w640-h640/snoozefest.png" width="640" /></a><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.kidscanpress.com/product/snoozefest/" target="_blank">Snoozefest: The Surprising Science of Sleep</a> by<a href="https://www.tanyalloydkyi.com/" target="_blank"> Tanya Lloyd Kyi</a> and <a href="https://www.valerydesignwrks.ca/" target="_blank">Valéry Goulet</a> is a nonfiction, middle grade book that explores the topic of sleep through multiple lenses. Readers will be intrigued by how sleep science has changed over time. The topics are posed as questions, like, can a human survive on little to no sleep? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ29VukuVfD9US6cj2zzrCh_EFCEfRmwYnYGx1xR48KFSCaiIJnIRr9Po4bNyJEkFEqhozqmLdNkJfUh8nlk1TXs6FOuYgFl84_FJBtTsekOlCJ7LHEAPTjB3xCoHrpA9EstNCc5yNxhJet4Vh9J8jhG2o9E918o2fiUDEZnx_-h8o56PKFmp05jBoJw/s4032/IMG_4512.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJ29VukuVfD9US6cj2zzrCh_EFCEfRmwYnYGx1xR48KFSCaiIJnIRr9Po4bNyJEkFEqhozqmLdNkJfUh8nlk1TXs6FOuYgFl84_FJBtTsekOlCJ7LHEAPTjB3xCoHrpA9EstNCc5yNxhJet4Vh9J8jhG2o9E918o2fiUDEZnx_-h8o56PKFmp05jBoJw/w300-h400/IMG_4512.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilNtl3QQGJL74Yran1prkVBysTMfO73b7jku3jEkuf-jxs8IoCCoaDo-oNTO9SL4Iw0UcHTabSqPKb6M9qaQmAMD28VzXM4faRPUYkMVYvrFIPj2CF26wUYrcTEfFaWVMTvlv3eW1f5BpY9GFwUAapN66eCJQ_K0nPSP4HFYOrNpWGPHQQkHfXpyptmg/s4032/IMG_4513.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilNtl3QQGJL74Yran1prkVBysTMfO73b7jku3jEkuf-jxs8IoCCoaDo-oNTO9SL4Iw0UcHTabSqPKb6M9qaQmAMD28VzXM4faRPUYkMVYvrFIPj2CF26wUYrcTEfFaWVMTvlv3eW1f5BpY9GFwUAapN66eCJQ_K0nPSP4HFYOrNpWGPHQQkHfXpyptmg/w300-h400/IMG_4513.jpg" width="300" /></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Every chapter's readability is what stands out the most for me. Getting middle grade readers to read nonfiction can be a struggle, but I don't see that happening with this book. With extra information in the sidebars and beautiful illustrations, this book reads like a dream! Pun intended.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipVqYy_Bf8pIqh7l8Pz-Z6FZ1BUeiqU5xNggWFyr1LBglEwCUB-kPGjug6vXbayNsIrGY24PLujgy69WwiwR50B21SRQmypXDMtNz8mF7FbLuEqUS1xvdfhJNGwIJ59IJ4lQ6JrKfXAlgri2ap7zLpl7Cr4irH-bSB1dANOrgVWpmM_8AbOk1hBy3w5w/s4032/IMG_4519.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipVqYy_Bf8pIqh7l8Pz-Z6FZ1BUeiqU5xNggWFyr1LBglEwCUB-kPGjug6vXbayNsIrGY24PLujgy69WwiwR50B21SRQmypXDMtNz8mF7FbLuEqUS1xvdfhJNGwIJ59IJ4lQ6JrKfXAlgri2ap7zLpl7Cr4irH-bSB1dANOrgVWpmM_8AbOk1hBy3w5w/w300-h400/IMG_4519.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Another part that I think will be of importance to young readers is the section dedicated towards age and sleep. Teenagers' sleep patterns and needs are different in that stage of their life so the impacts upon having school start times be moved to a later time, for example, are discussed. The authors also discuss the physiological reasons behind these needs leading to readers better understanding their bodily development. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipSrwgiRTMUpyvAPQdiFu_g23sHFaodFVNZ3C97v6uPJJ0zNfGvcy8MRhUTO828NyylP-kHXvqKmlYyh75Or0JxkTNBVI1WWzsmVBS0rrPUyNovQme87r5OnfCF2nAcooK3Q5a3X6dJgEuMvuskmptywRIGin9U9WXp4wjVYIQhsmWsWduDZjvjJpuhw/s4032/IMG_4520.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipSrwgiRTMUpyvAPQdiFu_g23sHFaodFVNZ3C97v6uPJJ0zNfGvcy8MRhUTO828NyylP-kHXvqKmlYyh75Or0JxkTNBVI1WWzsmVBS0rrPUyNovQme87r5OnfCF2nAcooK3Q5a3X6dJgEuMvuskmptywRIGin9U9WXp4wjVYIQhsmWsWduDZjvjJpuhw/w300-h400/IMG_4520.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Athletes' need for sleep and rest is also addressed. Many readers may be surprised to learn about the world-famous athletes who dedicate so much of their training towards rest. Coaches, health teachers and physical education instructors can use this part of the book to supplement their lessons they use with students and athletes. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQuyVaYU8K5TbSP_U6BgACn59CpDB_IWkOxaRU_E9r3w52jychMTv8cGU97AwVwsbvFysIgJV0XzcbrowW1k4vXg3-ycFSFMXOliiEy1ohK-pgjhURMt44EZvr_h6F9dLKWfPPXUewajMqn-sFbo1mnJutli-mf1RU92edlxGY--WD7Mz_cFcSSE2fng/s4032/IMG_4518.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQuyVaYU8K5TbSP_U6BgACn59CpDB_IWkOxaRU_E9r3w52jychMTv8cGU97AwVwsbvFysIgJV0XzcbrowW1k4vXg3-ycFSFMXOliiEy1ohK-pgjhURMt44EZvr_h6F9dLKWfPPXUewajMqn-sFbo1mnJutli-mf1RU92edlxGY--WD7Mz_cFcSSE2fng/w300-h400/IMG_4518.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Animal lovers will be happy to see their favorite creatures featured. How do different animals' sleeping habits and needs differ? What are the reasons behind those differences? Readers will be able to learn a great deal from the information in these sections. </div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJuoyMzMhpWrLAjw7USCLNGWJGCIJUAW7ofnoMqXimxcZZQPJ-Ff6tojV3BafUz5FxdCOp23vnNuJ3hFsn215CWq_L2ZWerjw9uT5t1LLdsXvCTFLXlWBjqoSrnHyPtf_0S9H7slws7ELtFkWoVg_S4TwzVYYXFgj72_fvzTLtwjBaVAsegH5ImLqFqg/s4032/IMG_4517.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJuoyMzMhpWrLAjw7USCLNGWJGCIJUAW7ofnoMqXimxcZZQPJ-Ff6tojV3BafUz5FxdCOp23vnNuJ3hFsn215CWq_L2ZWerjw9uT5t1LLdsXvCTFLXlWBjqoSrnHyPtf_0S9H7slws7ELtFkWoVg_S4TwzVYYXFgj72_fvzTLtwjBaVAsegH5ImLqFqg/w300-h400/IMG_4517.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I have a lot of students who are interested in the science behind dreams. This book looks at the origins of dream science and describes it in an understandable way. What do our dreams mean?</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3p6plyyBuqU7SmSKKtqD4iAnJWI4q9idWToBxIaQrDueP-BOA7EPGL8gA5ctJmVGydRdYz0I6v5yF9ArV3Hcy9lHvsH_LGh_834NJHsSjvpAxhyDFhZSBC4SXXEHc0dw5_DeI01w_VPjkHvmXQnitTq_Ma0yeSokfF58g2npbl8zHHGnERC5rb9dGQ/s4032/IMG_4516.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI3p6plyyBuqU7SmSKKtqD4iAnJWI4q9idWToBxIaQrDueP-BOA7EPGL8gA5ctJmVGydRdYz0I6v5yF9ArV3Hcy9lHvsH_LGh_834NJHsSjvpAxhyDFhZSBC4SXXEHc0dw5_DeI01w_VPjkHvmXQnitTq_Ma0yeSokfF58g2npbl8zHHGnERC5rb9dGQ/w300-h400/IMG_4516.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsAKzkMhO-_5dgoKJ3sx2uk5WOimaruAdDMjXVMwdk6SRaJYzou91eMWhMBPyavWhjL6JLzCLmBMu8qqVp_PfrPeiKR_n7TW1gA1UEBRSaRScqyusTYMuAEV4Q4ba_JcMTX5L0YTYEDNo3FFWZwTAQUsounqtNaVBDlTuVC6b-j-0EmsHDuzx787YfXA/s4032/IMG_4515.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsAKzkMhO-_5dgoKJ3sx2uk5WOimaruAdDMjXVMwdk6SRaJYzou91eMWhMBPyavWhjL6JLzCLmBMu8qqVp_PfrPeiKR_n7TW1gA1UEBRSaRScqyusTYMuAEV4Q4ba_JcMTX5L0YTYEDNo3FFWZwTAQUsounqtNaVBDlTuVC6b-j-0EmsHDuzx787YfXA/w300-h400/IMG_4515.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiR2OKa-Tdn7PKB3mW2tNGfGaloF-zrBhLOrUbpgaYKiSuCNisy2ERWdhZ7_0yNHNPNYiiiUbDn08FHLV-qvhwvHKRUFyj0SCAZRu1gqZm8YuxLTFfjRIo76Wdz24xLfSE6aI4Ij5VJakVOWB7sYwmZOxkctKl5luVKd1pjqo23DiVc9Rol8tCYSC-UA/s4032/IMG_4514.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiR2OKa-Tdn7PKB3mW2tNGfGaloF-zrBhLOrUbpgaYKiSuCNisy2ERWdhZ7_0yNHNPNYiiiUbDn08FHLV-qvhwvHKRUFyj0SCAZRu1gqZm8YuxLTFfjRIo76Wdz24xLfSE6aI4Ij5VJakVOWB7sYwmZOxkctKl5luVKd1pjqo23DiVc9Rol8tCYSC-UA/w300-h400/IMG_4514.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div>Overall, I would recommend this book to any middle grade reader, teen and adult for that matter. The topics Snoozefest are well-suited for book clubs, discussions and inquiry projects. Do you have other titles that address the science behind sleep? If so, please share them in the comments and a big thank you to publisher, <a href="https://www.kidscanpress.com/" target="_blank">Kids Can Press</a>, for sharing a copy with my book review group, #BookExcursion. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />Fallon Farokhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15474670381186847150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3542785605183555742.post-23742947229130367092023-01-22T20:44:00.004-06:002023-01-22T20:44:31.634-06:00The Ogress and the Orphans-trust, power & love<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieG_8aXZ-KG94aT4EzPhknGXARUSMngasqfZIpR3jjFYHMzcNnyTLMrIEZv0yosG3AH2LklH-Q29TxuEODN0sy-SV7h-edOdRCh2863zH9TqujdOofYV2FPaAmybF1hs7tqoCkokqv5MwCT8FDygSLTpslCCmCU1khQJjJ61UDtQmb-7iPALp1FDYc6g/s276/ogress.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="276" data-original-width="183" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieG_8aXZ-KG94aT4EzPhknGXARUSMngasqfZIpR3jjFYHMzcNnyTLMrIEZv0yosG3AH2LklH-Q29TxuEODN0sy-SV7h-edOdRCh2863zH9TqujdOofYV2FPaAmybF1hs7tqoCkokqv5MwCT8FDygSLTpslCCmCU1khQJjJ61UDtQmb-7iPALp1FDYc6g/w265-h400/ogress.jpeg" width="265" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8geWr1HOwMwebdxt2sZoluXyyq5P5anlP7YUJzsGRIHxpVXOxMp9mn5daT4eCUSFjBJKwNcWWC5RuCS4OOtbH-9oAMlNR29pp4Mp2Ni7Zbqc4bXXqwSSBN6mXFdnTRS92vFwFNO_Nzv6mr5CUr71aD4TlPStkztlT8iuT9jJYUJhMG9W0U6KCjewkbA/s500/ogress.%20paperback.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="324" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8geWr1HOwMwebdxt2sZoluXyyq5P5anlP7YUJzsGRIHxpVXOxMp9mn5daT4eCUSFjBJKwNcWWC5RuCS4OOtbH-9oAMlNR29pp4Mp2Ni7Zbqc4bXXqwSSBN6mXFdnTRS92vFwFNO_Nzv6mr5CUr71aD4TlPStkztlT8iuT9jJYUJhMG9W0U6KCjewkbA/w259-h400/ogress.%20paperback.jpg" width="259" /></a></div><p><a href="https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/external/title/9781643750743/" target="_blank">The Ogress and the Orphans</a>, a middle grade chapter book by <a href="https://kellybarnhill.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Kelly Barnhill,</a> reads like a fairy tale: a town dominated by an evil, glowing, greedy man, an orphanage full of sweet children who only hope of a better life ahead, and an outsider, the Ogress, who lurks nearby and leaves the community members gifts in order to alleviate their suffering. It is no surprise that this book was a <a href="https://www.nationalbook.org/books/the-ogress-and-the-orphans/" target="_blank">National Book Award Finalist.</a></p><p>From the first page the reader knows that all of the characters will come to a head at one point and the journey to that climax is well worth the wait. I loved how skillfully Barnhill describes the relationships of the children towards one another and their caregivers. The mystery of the community's fire lingers over the whole story as they are told to hate the Ogress by their greedy, orange leader. The Ogress is my favorite character of the entire story. She has a gentleness that many can envision in a friend and the way she is treated is just heart-breaking. Children who read this will root for her and there will be discussions of the choices the characters make that drive the story forward. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyxtDeaV19TyVPagAA_xugvi2qerl8I4dwWrGw8qDrdNWfKz5PWL512YdmDyyy6WcOJpPDNJxXFPNpM062KnRjqx-XanGqFBAvl3xxQz31aKTxnVNYURgKeHVQENIinXGWKegSxlfbhevGpS8SJMGsIzpGVyG_H8wZAXkI8_Xv5WnuWkm8dBfJwVOtjg/s500/the%20girl%20who%20drank%20the%20moon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="329" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyxtDeaV19TyVPagAA_xugvi2qerl8I4dwWrGw8qDrdNWfKz5PWL512YdmDyyy6WcOJpPDNJxXFPNpM062KnRjqx-XanGqFBAvl3xxQz31aKTxnVNYURgKeHVQENIinXGWKegSxlfbhevGpS8SJMGsIzpGVyG_H8wZAXkI8_Xv5WnuWkm8dBfJwVOtjg/w264-h400/the%20girl%20who%20drank%20the%20moon.jpg" width="264" /></a></div><p>This book is similar to Barnhill's other fantasy novel, <a href="https://bookriot.com/the-girl-who-drank-the-moon/" target="_blank">The Girl Who Drank the Moon</a>, a <a href="https://www.ala.org/awardsgrants/girl-who-drank-moon" target="_blank">Newbery Medal</a> winner. They both feature a misunderstood magical creature who is portrayed as the villain by power-hungry forces. Readers will delight in both of these stories as the action-packed scenes, humor, and heart over-ride any reminder that they are indeed, fantasy stories. Both of these lend themselves well to read-aloud books for teachers, parents, and caregivers. Every reader will want to discuss these rich stories that are sure to be classics. </p>Fallon Farokhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15474670381186847150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3542785605183555742.post-33570939347414523342023-01-12T20:22:00.003-06:002023-01-12T20:22:18.205-06:00Black History Month: celebrating excellence<p> Black History should be recognized year round, however, since 1915, what started out as a single week to honor the contributions and trials and tribulations of Black people has turned into a month in February to do so. There is a yearly theme on which to focus and this year's theme is on <a href="https://asalh.org/2022-black-history-theme-products-now-available/" target="_blank">"Black Resistance.</a>" There are a number of books that feature Black heroes who pushed against society's repression. We have also have stories of the joy and pride in Black people's lives that should be celebrated and shared with young people. </p><p>I hope that these ideas below spark an idea that works with these stories or the books in your class, home or library collection:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ERj8d5Ezy2fmRE1KQIBqihVJXP2SBcGV8PXG-yLMB0MpbxtLadC-BVNic8sNDe5S4Lqm8jgx94_fi_hUkIJwArcQA5YMcOEPcSed6-x7mL7GtDwj3yO5xaA6dOxblB2_POzp4rTNrBbnvPaNvCFzCJcy_RbMW6HXF-V6x22BCPGph0NMZYxdCAc4ZA/s1080/Black%20History%20Month%20books%20(4).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ERj8d5Ezy2fmRE1KQIBqihVJXP2SBcGV8PXG-yLMB0MpbxtLadC-BVNic8sNDe5S4Lqm8jgx94_fi_hUkIJwArcQA5YMcOEPcSed6-x7mL7GtDwj3yO5xaA6dOxblB2_POzp4rTNrBbnvPaNvCFzCJcy_RbMW6HXF-V6x22BCPGph0NMZYxdCAc4ZA/w400-h400/Black%20History%20Month%20books%20(4).png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><b>Music:</b> <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/567912/sing-a-song-by-kelly-starling-lyons-illustrated-by-keith-mallett/" target="_blank">Sing a Song</a> (Lift Every Voice and Sing--the Black National Anthem written in honor of President Lincoln's birthday in 1900)</p><p> <a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Roots-of-Rap/Carole-Boston-Weatherford/9781499812046" target="_blank">The Roots of Rap</a></p><p> <a href="https://socialjusticebooks.org/when-the-beat-was-born-dj-kool-herc-and-the-creation-of-hip-hop/" target="_blank">How the Beat was Born</a></p><p> <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/212116/harlems-little-blackbird-by-renee-watson-illustrated--by-christian-robinson/" target="_blank">Harlem's Little Blackbird</a></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezE_1GoSmQCP-WbMzj0ZcUD1os7voPPL7ya74brwuV_BtZ-8Sx6zgYQHVDcjqzrgSl1oxuKXPkyd5vncU1ITFnjBGHD82jRSzLRfeXD7ix1vB-MPMe0KY2o6ZRdi_97b9nTPIAyHPSFjFnHz3c-Zecs0j-pUCgTfJsyPrWqybu88s6B1byy-WtRIUCg/s1080/Black%20History%20Month%20books%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezE_1GoSmQCP-WbMzj0ZcUD1os7voPPL7ya74brwuV_BtZ-8Sx6zgYQHVDcjqzrgSl1oxuKXPkyd5vncU1ITFnjBGHD82jRSzLRfeXD7ix1vB-MPMe0KY2o6ZRdi_97b9nTPIAyHPSFjFnHz3c-Zecs0j-pUCgTfJsyPrWqybu88s6B1byy-WtRIUCg/w400-h400/Black%20History%20Month%20books%20(1).png" width="400" /></a></div><p><b>Writing: </b><a href="https://littlepeoplebigdreams.com/book/maya-angelou/" target="_blank">Maya Angelou</a> (Little People, Big World) </p><p> <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/634480/change-sings-by-amanda-gorman-illustrated-by-loren-long/" target="_blank">Change Sings</a> </p><p> <a href="https://www.leeandlow.com/books/deshawn-days/teachers_guide" target="_blank">DeShawn Days </a></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiDA6kgcpp4gf5E-qwEPa0ea7uTgS5Ec472Ziqt5nPN4iRx7Xdl9cdGwOuIb9nJu63UaiWEVqwblr2UifUgW1QvxHqjMTCvMB2fJmyLfavc_IJRl9-00VtSMsb8Dxakns0CCgfMsyyvKXRMFXfEfZKO_HaSVMHxITiSvPQfCWn4HiEQKql994nwDItWA/s1080/Black%20History%20Month%20books%20(2).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiDA6kgcpp4gf5E-qwEPa0ea7uTgS5Ec472Ziqt5nPN4iRx7Xdl9cdGwOuIb9nJu63UaiWEVqwblr2UifUgW1QvxHqjMTCvMB2fJmyLfavc_IJRl9-00VtSMsb8Dxakns0CCgfMsyyvKXRMFXfEfZKO_HaSVMHxITiSvPQfCWn4HiEQKql994nwDItWA/w400-h400/Black%20History%20Month%20books%20(2).png" width="400" /></a></div><p><b>Dance: </b><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/314568/firebird-by-misty-copeland-illustrated-by-christopher-myers/" target="_blank">Firebird</a> </p><p> <a href="https://thestoryspectator.blogspot.com/2021/01/bunheads-story-within-story.html" target="_blank">Bunheads </a></p><p> <a href="https://www.chroniclebooks.com/products/josephine" target="_blank">Josephine</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcuxEUdRhlnp7cQZ8Q5yn0qG4ZymU6T3glLyr13xPGlV2oqpU0d-9-p6JvdAF1PDo3Gy1K-i6y6sU3FJPtdKneYFhSav4YzI37IrUFvxQTCt9zLIHiEzvaXKU7raSPsm2HFizUfeXwlWwX9jXOoOqyn1GnrLLG-6SL5JZ0R5xc4kPy6qxby0M5nMw2A/s1080/Black%20History%20Month%20books%20(3).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTcuxEUdRhlnp7cQZ8Q5yn0qG4ZymU6T3glLyr13xPGlV2oqpU0d-9-p6JvdAF1PDo3Gy1K-i6y6sU3FJPtdKneYFhSav4YzI37IrUFvxQTCt9zLIHiEzvaXKU7raSPsm2HFizUfeXwlWwX9jXOoOqyn1GnrLLG-6SL5JZ0R5xc4kPy6qxby0M5nMw2A/w400-h400/Black%20History%20Month%20books%20(3).png" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><b>Artists</b>: <a href="https://sandraneilwallace.com/book/between-the-lines" target="_blank">Between the Lines: How Ernie Barnes Went from the Football Field to the Art Gallery</a></p><p> <a href="https://socialjusticebooks.org/radiant-child-story-young-artist-jean-michel-basquiat/" target="_blank">Radiant Child</a></p><p><a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/ablaze-with-color-a-story-of-painter-alma-thomas-jeanne-walker-harvey?variant=39344421797922" target="_blank"> Ablaze with Color</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgifJJWkPQrHBGJLu6LhmF1gshDdviQoH3QYBMAVpNteLObRjo_ppmQXY6kfJVH_eNsEAndU7UIXknS9OPWLnKHe3B50SXCQcdchOGUqA1tUOpcBH6pUHjCMuFf5Votl34oOLejy3Dr4uAnxQcN2qE3utIz4Z_fDSpjXujY9WPQbz-SbR9u65tlw1yEnQ/s1080/Black%20History%20Month%20books%20(5).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgifJJWkPQrHBGJLu6LhmF1gshDdviQoH3QYBMAVpNteLObRjo_ppmQXY6kfJVH_eNsEAndU7UIXknS9OPWLnKHe3B50SXCQcdchOGUqA1tUOpcBH6pUHjCMuFf5Votl34oOLejy3Dr4uAnxQcN2qE3utIz4Z_fDSpjXujY9WPQbz-SbR9u65tlw1yEnQ/w400-h400/Black%20History%20Month%20books%20(5).png" width="400" /></a></div><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>Scientists: </b><a href="https://www.quartoknows.com/public/dynamic/files/product_file/Mae-Jemison-Teachers-Guide-97807112451504074.pdf" target="_blank">Blast Off into Space Like Mae Jemison</a></p><p><a href="https://thestoryspectator.blogspot.com/2021/01/how-we-got-to-moon-3-2-1liftoff.html" target="_blank">How We Got to the Moon</a></p><p><a href="https://www.vashtiharrison.com/little-leaders" target="_blank">Little Leaders Bold Women in Black History</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQPZWN6Gpnx8cxMmH22DWJOEFwiwTORr_IrGpG2X5RaSvN1hU3UgVJi9baAhmGTlkyOlk9e1JMvfGpG6vk6OknVFzT0_AAhgmP9WiaiQiY2AZcVZpnKMPjpXnykOplKv-boMJV6w40-SE_oy19BY4PXY1UypSgHnKFV8h31Ot4O--uZ39eFro6DHePg/s1080/Black%20History%20Month%20books%20(7).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSQPZWN6Gpnx8cxMmH22DWJOEFwiwTORr_IrGpG2X5RaSvN1hU3UgVJi9baAhmGTlkyOlk9e1JMvfGpG6vk6OknVFzT0_AAhgmP9WiaiQiY2AZcVZpnKMPjpXnykOplKv-boMJV6w40-SE_oy19BY4PXY1UypSgHnKFV8h31Ot4O--uZ39eFro6DHePg/w400-h400/Black%20History%20Month%20books%20(7).png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><b>Black Joy:</b><a href="https://thestoryspectator.blogspot.com/2021/05/i-am-every-good-thing-introspection-for.html" target="_blank"> I Am Every Good Thing</a></p><p><a href="https://www.shareemiller.com/new-page-3" target="_blank">Princess Hair</a></p><p><a href="https://www.scholastic.com/site/acorn/princess-truly.html" target="_blank">Princess Truly</a> </p><p><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/585658/hair-love-by-matthew-a-cherry-illustrated-by-vashti-harrison/" target="_blank">Hair Love</a></p><p><a href="https://clubs.scholastic.com/crown%3A-an-ode-to-the-fresh-cut/9781338619706-rco-us.html?cgid=6_1" target="_blank">Crown: Ode to the Fresh Cut</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExcpSEdoEl88huyBlS5rP4iPeLP9NCu48hsZJZ99qZO1bX1MRrcc3qnuuvOgQ9pKdIAaVrAtstyWFV17mt9OPhqzAsC1V3yKIcWi4_WkguQN17SXlKB38uUXWWY9Stz8tbawOiIc6926QbLzApMQEubyKpLajlYSQK99vOkz1DVO-Ol0WRuOhP6SoKw/s1080/Black%20History%20Month%20books%20(8).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExcpSEdoEl88huyBlS5rP4iPeLP9NCu48hsZJZ99qZO1bX1MRrcc3qnuuvOgQ9pKdIAaVrAtstyWFV17mt9OPhqzAsC1V3yKIcWi4_WkguQN17SXlKB38uUXWWY9Stz8tbawOiIc6926QbLzApMQEubyKpLajlYSQK99vOkz1DVO-Ol0WRuOhP6SoKw/w400-h400/Black%20History%20Month%20books%20(8).png" width="400" /></a></div><p><b>Black Joy: </b><a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Sulwe/Lupita-Nyongo/9781534425361" target="_blank">Sulwe</a></p><p><a href="https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250115829/honeysmoke" target="_blank">Honeysmoke</a></p><p><a href="https://www.tilburyhouse.com/product-page/magnificent-homespun-brown" target="_blank">Magnificent Homespun Brown</a></p><p><a href="https://www.leeandlow.com/books/magic-like-that" target="_blank">Magic Like That</a></p><p><a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Parker-Looks-Up/Parker-Curry/A-Parker-Curry-Book/9781534451865" target="_blank">Parker Looks Up</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipTwpvd5rOKJycEJxOrx96vEAepx6l0rINXrPLsxtbrPSplhuirQyqBmAqCN_r2MmHA9fRIIxX2SbbTD7TQVIEdAh-o3jyXnvv5dx0TyxQ97Bby5QSOBFZXofYBeys8nqUGhP7d2vw-ZrP_6bB3X78CUNWQFDJAYPGg_EErF-VJnh0lgQO6oBkMuJJA/s1080/Black%20History%20Month%20books%20(10).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipTwpvd5rOKJycEJxOrx96vEAepx6l0rINXrPLsxtbrPSplhuirQyqBmAqCN_r2MmHA9fRIIxX2SbbTD7TQVIEdAh-o3jyXnvv5dx0TyxQ97Bby5QSOBFZXofYBeys8nqUGhP7d2vw-ZrP_6bB3X78CUNWQFDJAYPGg_EErF-VJnh0lgQO6oBkMuJJA/w400-h400/Black%20History%20Month%20books%20(10).png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><b>Black Joy</b>: <a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/not-quite-snow-white-ashley-franklin?variant=33007818113058" target="_blank">Not Quite Snow White</a></p><p><a href="https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781626723627/poesythemonsterslayer" target="_blank">Posey Monster Slayer</a></p><p><a href="https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/vashti-harrison/dream-big-little-one/9780316475099/" target="_blank">Dream Big, Little One</a></p><p><a href="https://jerrycraft.com/books/new-kid/" target="_blank">New Kid</a></p><p><a href="https://thestoryspectator.blogspot.com/2021/01/twins-family-friends-rivalry.html" target="_blank">Twins</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfuSJniEhQjkGPw8Pmiw_LTIwBUKXw97O7hdDITv6N-NJLTnTFBtadlVQped5ZwAd2dgmkvTG7WT6d1K8b501EMT2Y0Xc9-EavbiNH-w3U7YYb4ENfVr3Plq8VN0G0D7GRV-hy4RuxG4mM6GKqDEGFoMt-PXmnNaxoWFWOTrPESGBle4u--Ie62QYNjQ/s1080/Black%20History%20Month%20books%20(11).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfuSJniEhQjkGPw8Pmiw_LTIwBUKXw97O7hdDITv6N-NJLTnTFBtadlVQped5ZwAd2dgmkvTG7WT6d1K8b501EMT2Y0Xc9-EavbiNH-w3U7YYb4ENfVr3Plq8VN0G0D7GRV-hy4RuxG4mM6GKqDEGFoMt-PXmnNaxoWFWOTrPESGBle4u--Ie62QYNjQ/w400-h400/Black%20History%20Month%20books%20(11).png" width="400" /></a></div><p><b>Black Joy:</b> <a href="https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250171122/snapdragon" target="_blank">SnapDragon</a></p><p><a href="https://www.ygbchildrensbooks.com/books/p/all-because-you-matter-hardcover-picture-book" target="_blank">All Because You Matter</a></p><p><a href="https://www.phenomenalgirl.com/ambitiousgirl" target="_blank">Ambitious Girl</a></p><p><a href="https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781626726314/blackisarainbowcolor" target="_blank">Black is a Rainbow Color </a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95IaNBpwWfYTNJlmNl7X33WFZNT2VzQzLxqEPZ26gsJGvjHUDZcFroEPdDuRWhYT6sTUjl8QHKs6yUEcF_uFhRrHVz9tzwPyH8i26EDcZ-3WgywA-KJFO13VaHmv4XDDVeIGEt4PTL-hQbHW1_ps3pFD14snVKVWG190La2Iz8qpmqqJF_vCHmkgd2A/s1080/Black%20History%20Month%20books%20(12).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95IaNBpwWfYTNJlmNl7X33WFZNT2VzQzLxqEPZ26gsJGvjHUDZcFroEPdDuRWhYT6sTUjl8QHKs6yUEcF_uFhRrHVz9tzwPyH8i26EDcZ-3WgywA-KJFO13VaHmv4XDDVeIGEt4PTL-hQbHW1_ps3pFD14snVKVWG190La2Iz8qpmqqJF_vCHmkgd2A/w400-h400/Black%20History%20Month%20books%20(12).png" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><b>Community: </b><a href="https://www.lbyr.com/titles/oge-mora/thank-you-omu/9780316431231/" target="_blank">Thank You, Omu</a></p><p><a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/kamala-and-mayas-big-idea-meena-harris?variant=33007874900002" target="_blank">Kamala and Maya's Big Idea</a></p><p><a href="https://thestoryspectator.blogspot.com/2021/10/loretta-little-looks-back-three-voices.html" target="_blank">Loretta Little Looks Back</a></p><p><a href="https://www.leeandlow.com/books/step-right-up" target="_blank">Step Right Up</a></p><p><a href="https://www.rif.org/literacy-central/book/child-dream-memoir-1963" target="_blank">Child of the Dream</a></p><p><a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/shaking-things-up-14-young-women-who-changed-the-world-susan-hood?variant=39307353751586" target="_blank">Shaking Things Up</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPZtKK9I3D3Zd6NPFptDHmw7jESKEyDDDEQReqX4hMnvqSdk7teSd_xAnpFI23q1_ZWVOTik5PL3uBJT7aQ2Tx4pkeQQMwH3d4-d9igWUED60VzbrhjSEoQRuoAALKKeBVDXB420tleKSzSxJ4uQV5AnmafnJOzpx4shESfmO8v5HFKPOlEldjfsDqQQ/s1080/Black%20History%20Month%20books%20(13).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPZtKK9I3D3Zd6NPFptDHmw7jESKEyDDDEQReqX4hMnvqSdk7teSd_xAnpFI23q1_ZWVOTik5PL3uBJT7aQ2Tx4pkeQQMwH3d4-d9igWUED60VzbrhjSEoQRuoAALKKeBVDXB420tleKSzSxJ4uQV5AnmafnJOzpx4shESfmO8v5HFKPOlEldjfsDqQQ/w400-h400/Black%20History%20Month%20books%20(13).png" width="400" /></a></div><p><b>Community: </b><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/591154/before-she-was-harriet-by-by-lesa-cline-ransome-illustrated-by-james-e-ransome/" target="_blank">Before She Was Harriet</a></p><p><a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/a-good-kind-of-trouble-lisa-moore-ramee?variant=32116627832866" target="_blank">A Good Kind of Trouble</a></p><p><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/224662/no-small-potatoes-junius-g-groves-and-his-kingdom-in-kansas-by-tonya-bolden-illustrated-by-don-tate/" target="_blank">No Small Potatoes</a></p><p><a href="https://thestoryspectator.blogspot.com/2021/12/genesis-begins-again-middle-grade-novel.html" target="_blank">Genesis Begins Again</a></p><p><a href="https://thestoryspectator.blogspot.com/2021/03/from-desk-of-zoe-washington-broken.html" target="_blank">From the Desk of Zoe Washington</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiIT6u876T1pgu4RWYms7OH_jtosmvByheKBGzmeVROrcMpyXVFG7xEKVlwvAHV_I5vHQbKqqFROhzRWXe1jSrvmuRBEmjSKjKNS0daPKnj2jdqfln9rSkAHjCLiOz3bTQ07qc_flRrSKHAQ5Liq6azT1ojIRBTf_bKRVG-YBo6y2OvMrIYLuiz2zevQ/s1080/Black%20History%20Month%20books%20(14).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiIT6u876T1pgu4RWYms7OH_jtosmvByheKBGzmeVROrcMpyXVFG7xEKVlwvAHV_I5vHQbKqqFROhzRWXe1jSrvmuRBEmjSKjKNS0daPKnj2jdqfln9rSkAHjCLiOz3bTQ07qc_flRrSKHAQ5Liq6azT1ojIRBTf_bKRVG-YBo6y2OvMrIYLuiz2zevQ/w400-h400/Black%20History%20Month%20books%20(14).png" width="400" /></a></div><p><b>Community:</b> <a href="https://thestoryspectator.blogspot.com/2021/01/when-stars-are-scattered-no-one-chooses.html" target="_blank">When Stars are Scattered</a></p><p><a href="https://megmedina.com/books/evelyn-del-rey-is-moving-away/" target="_blank">Evelyn Del Ray is Moving Away</a></p><p><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/570076/nana-akua-goes-to-school-by-tricia-elam-walker-illustrated-by-april-harrison/" target="_blank">Nana Akua Goes to School</a></p><p><a href="https://phyllisnaylor.com/book/emilys-fortune/" target="_blank">Emily's Fortune</a></p><p><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/599659/enough-20-protesters-who-changed-america-by-emily-easton-illustrated-by-ziyue-chen/" target="_blank">Enough!</a></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBFH0hTU2YgBc1Gp_bQsjzkB8wSSdiiYP2eYQR8WM9Xt9-SpwmTe2uKLPg-qCKTEdZDooAb5zbolgUdhoZkOSV2aCIaWJooTZxngkhVrDV7DWR_WGAPJd7z3nix57mnKyWPZmoBJmTspNUrcAhDzERpxamXsJiXKejbMczvlWoZcAA3QTFGoLRxvAb6A/s1080/Black%20History%20Month%20books%20(15).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBFH0hTU2YgBc1Gp_bQsjzkB8wSSdiiYP2eYQR8WM9Xt9-SpwmTe2uKLPg-qCKTEdZDooAb5zbolgUdhoZkOSV2aCIaWJooTZxngkhVrDV7DWR_WGAPJd7z3nix57mnKyWPZmoBJmTspNUrcAhDzERpxamXsJiXKejbMczvlWoZcAA3QTFGoLRxvAb6A/w400-h400/Black%20History%20Month%20books%20(15).png" width="400" /></a></div><p><b>Athletes:</b> <a href="https://thestoryspectator.blogspot.com/2021/03/before-ever-after-cost-of-glory-in.html" target="_blank">Before the Ever After</a></p><p><a href="https://www.jimmypatterson.org/titles/james-patterson/becoming-muhammad-ali/9780316498166/" target="_blank">Becoming Muhammad Ali</a></p><p><a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/mone-davis-remember-my-name-mone-davis?variant=32116852064290" target="_blank">Mo'Ne Davis: Remember My Name</a></p><p><a href="https://www.toon-books.com/black-heroes-of-the-wild-west.html" target="_blank">Black Heroes of the Wild West</a></p><p><a href="https://www.albertwhitman.com/book/fearless-mary/" target="_blank">Fearless Mary: Mary Fields, American Stagecoach Driver</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiucRQW7Qz9n5nGFYqrbiuVIwLIwbT4aSiGNglxfY2vj9t9G1GwbNM1EPy8lwK-XX8PkZi-zbVdnr7VO1KzhvsWyXaTdxTiGJvS0KUUiWrUZ1t99QWeagNezLzpmyiq1jlt2L0s2PQP_A2WkNHPhRvikFjNAc_RqHGa0SVH9-RtE1kT5-Oytt9PZ2KQA/s1080/Black%20History%20Month%20books%20(16).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiucRQW7Qz9n5nGFYqrbiuVIwLIwbT4aSiGNglxfY2vj9t9G1GwbNM1EPy8lwK-XX8PkZi-zbVdnr7VO1KzhvsWyXaTdxTiGJvS0KUUiWrUZ1t99QWeagNezLzpmyiq1jlt2L0s2PQP_A2WkNHPhRvikFjNAc_RqHGa0SVH9-RtE1kT5-Oytt9PZ2KQA/w400-h400/Black%20History%20Month%20books%20(16).png" width="400" /></a></div><p><b>Athletes</b>: <a href="https://lernerbooks.com/shop/show/17542" target="_blank">Let'Er Buck!</a></p><p><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/15628/the-champ-the-story-of-muhammad-ali-by-tonya-bolden-illustrated-by-r-gregory-christie/" target="_blank">The Champ: The Story of Muhammad Ali</a></p><p><a href="https://mattdelapena.com/books/a-nations-hope/" target="_blank">A Nation's Hope</a></p><p><a href="https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250205667/flyinghigh" target="_blank">Flying High</a></p><p><a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Game-Changers/Lesa-Cline-Ransome/9781481476843" target="_blank">Game Changers </a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggEl_teeXvENeh1PncMIwlif-LefvYB1IcPCXkcL34hhRBhTGobiATwnOg9aWQ060a9EoI1Ji51IwrDTItS3ptZ7Q-Q8K6ixFAhca5VnHbdUNlRUTpPU7c0jcr8novp-XhpzNElUSw35tVHG1sB5I-aM-iLI6dcYLGW-mUD60T1xxMCnZLeEIcviRdA/s1080/Black%20History%20Month%20books%20(17).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjggEl_teeXvENeh1PncMIwlif-LefvYB1IcPCXkcL34hhRBhTGobiATwnOg9aWQ060a9EoI1Ji51IwrDTItS3ptZ7Q-Q8K6ixFAhca5VnHbdUNlRUTpPU7c0jcr8novp-XhpzNElUSw35tVHG1sB5I-aM-iLI6dcYLGW-mUD60T1xxMCnZLeEIcviRdA/w400-h400/Black%20History%20Month%20books%20(17).png" width="400" /></a></div><p><b>Folktales:</b> <a href="https://thestoryspectator.blogspot.com/2021/02/tristan-strong-punches-hole-in-sky.html" target="_blank">Tristan Strong series</a></p><p><a href="https://traceybaptiste.com/the-jumbies-series" target="_blank">The Jumbies Trilogy</a> </p><p><a href="https://thestoryspectator.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-year-i-flew-away-haitian-voices-of.html" target="_blank">The Year I Flew Away</a></p><p><br /></p><p><b>Black Author/Illustrator studies:</b> Jason Reynolds, Derrick C. Barnes, Kwame Alexander, Vashti Harrison, Carole Boston Weatherford</p><p><b>Book Awards:</b> <a href="https://thestoryspectator.blogspot.com/2022/01/coretta-scott-king-life-legacy.html" target="_blank">Coretta Scott King Award </a></p><p><b>Teaching ideas:</b> Choose a Black person from history, research them to find out how they are a CHANGE maker and design a slide, collage, video, song, acrostic poem or artifact that represents them and their accomplishments.</p><p>Pick a Black person from history whom you admire. What qualities did they have and how did that help them and the world?</p><p><br /></p><p>For more ideas and resources, I like to use the <a href="https://www.ala.org/aasl/advocacy/promo/black-history-month" target="_blank">American Association of School Librarian's Resource Guide to Black History Month. </a></p><p>What do you like to use to share the importance of Black History Month? Share in the comments!</p><p><br /></p>Fallon Farokhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15474670381186847150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3542785605183555742.post-21288930220976886142023-01-10T23:22:00.002-06:002023-01-12T20:26:02.683-06:00New Year, New Plans<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTvUnW0hWWB4AsTpj0lcoky5PFoB4vI6RFPV0VzMWFnJR4uhJ06DkUoON7JOoJR4mLfAso5nHsXsanxmh_ZRjFG4JjfoRYNz-gJ9YtulPgQKuB5jxA1XdvEsSvJcQN3f_MAVABLEOdpgTaMGn4TAFSwpJ1Fe4reil-ENZPlx0L_GCa5-wE-KXvP0ce1Q/s1080/New%20Year,.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTvUnW0hWWB4AsTpj0lcoky5PFoB4vI6RFPV0VzMWFnJR4uhJ06DkUoON7JOoJR4mLfAso5nHsXsanxmh_ZRjFG4JjfoRYNz-gJ9YtulPgQKuB5jxA1XdvEsSvJcQN3f_MAVABLEOdpgTaMGn4TAFSwpJ1Fe4reil-ENZPlx0L_GCa5-wE-KXvP0ce1Q/w400-h400/New%20Year,.png" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p>As the first month of the new year begins, I am reminded of how quickly time passes. Planning ahead is one of my major efforts to better capture special observances and opportunities for community partnerships for the last half of the school year. Here are the events and dates on my radar as I plan for library units, lessons, speakers, etc. </p><p>What are you looking forward to celebrating and what do you do? Comment below!</p><p><b>January</b></p><p><a href="https://thestoryspectator.blogspot.com/2021/01/dr-martin-luther-king-jrs-legacy.html" target="_blank">MLK, Jr. Day</a> - January 16</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2SVc_eCwb3WfxCat7-lN691IeRvsEwUhdXy2tohxmmzrZUU7InuPEypp1cJ5h-Pjy5DrtTgAE5JWI2Ph56SGTpVbHSj7Njy8y1Cvay5gG-Jc-ECMyRiFQ7tQVSQnBNYSN4A7ai5oh1Fchf-pJ70bGNhdmBUbj9ATKBEHP2_UfdWaQXoU-9gdDKJYsNg/s1080/MLK%20books.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2SVc_eCwb3WfxCat7-lN691IeRvsEwUhdXy2tohxmmzrZUU7InuPEypp1cJ5h-Pjy5DrtTgAE5JWI2Ph56SGTpVbHSj7Njy8y1Cvay5gG-Jc-ECMyRiFQ7tQVSQnBNYSN4A7ai5oh1Fchf-pJ70bGNhdmBUbj9ATKBEHP2_UfdWaQXoU-9gdDKJYsNg/w400-h400/MLK%20books.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://thestoryspectator.blogspot.com/2021/05/accidental-lessons-in-gender-inequity.html" target="_blank">Lunar New Year </a>- January 22</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjb2OhwQnptjFNVp-9evplGL41vLnTWGKffUn-NbOLJe4Q1IhQQ_cOhedULqbQvnF2_N2xK2AicdMC4_3gMV5qkuOKNTub9_Ffxqchor5MZViSD77kXJu8NQ3IO7B_uTw2QwLumtFbXzxoDapUOQF6yjXrIVeCk-oGj4407sEl7b2xlWk_2m4H6zdTA/s1080/Untitled%20design.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXjb2OhwQnptjFNVp-9evplGL41vLnTWGKffUn-NbOLJe4Q1IhQQ_cOhedULqbQvnF2_N2xK2AicdMC4_3gMV5qkuOKNTub9_Ffxqchor5MZViSD77kXJu8NQ3IO7B_uTw2QwLumtFbXzxoDapUOQF6yjXrIVeCk-oGj4407sEl7b2xlWk_2m4H6zdTA/s320/Untitled%20design.png" width="320" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.ala.org/aasl/advocacy/promo/crayola-creativity-week" target="_blank">Crayola Creativity Week</a> - January 23-29</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlyC4ApWRToqR7F4I7w8JUO7SZqukoOK2rEBUZvaWLnGhKUzAGiFXwFr-h_83cmAID6hJ5cwb34aRrEbyYq-jsavXUVqf8NKFNzo-EtoUeQ8AG4_J50RsRqmuyHWjYwKzPokaH-YyijiEI6qguQoGbJOh5XN2TtXIh9LTKB_EaFQl1ueYzzgXQpXxFwA/s1200/creative%20week.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1200" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlyC4ApWRToqR7F4I7w8JUO7SZqukoOK2rEBUZvaWLnGhKUzAGiFXwFr-h_83cmAID6hJ5cwb34aRrEbyYq-jsavXUVqf8NKFNzo-EtoUeQ8AG4_J50RsRqmuyHWjYwKzPokaH-YyijiEI6qguQoGbJOh5XN2TtXIh9LTKB_EaFQl1ueYzzgXQpXxFwA/w400-h210/creative%20week.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.ala.org/news/mediapresscenter/presskits/youthmediaawards/alayouthmediaawards" target="_blank">ALA Youth Media Awards</a> - January 30</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgszVi7rdNgaeHhZmdQ-aWiJQL7GJTURcwf1dShGf-U4A41ZlxGRVqC2yMzblezsfXjVruFfBj2NP9Ki0ezXo_vKRm3HECqMbJH8VY71CZOE2tPEgwm5U7JprCD50pCSU594y8FZDB5vCcwaw3Xbv9gDPDvfelrtDSjz8duK1YY4Ex3iug7dS-KL8yLZg/s300/ala%20youth%20media%20.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="168" data-original-width="300" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgszVi7rdNgaeHhZmdQ-aWiJQL7GJTURcwf1dShGf-U4A41ZlxGRVqC2yMzblezsfXjVruFfBj2NP9Ki0ezXo_vKRm3HECqMbJH8VY71CZOE2tPEgwm5U7JprCD50pCSU594y8FZDB5vCcwaw3Xbv9gDPDvfelrtDSjz8duK1YY4Ex3iug7dS-KL8yLZg/w400-h224/ala%20youth%20media%20.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><b>February</b></p><p><a href="https://www.litworld.org/worldreadaloudday" target="_blank">World Read Aloud Day</a> - February 2</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKwN4H1nKGbRlh50cMLSprO16HRLYEfUif2gPtpUs6sZRmOe_dN0NfHmWsnhTAxcWkncbu_IgtZybJY2OiKVd7J3TwXQyeUlOdvtZ0lrIok8rU5ZEIhH6BbYL_WwzJ5oliLFjKQ98WYQ3yCCHMnV5staZ4kZQCVbwVEwyOsVyHDNhySKJbQ_TqH-rQTA/s750/WRAD%20why%20read%20aloud.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="750" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKwN4H1nKGbRlh50cMLSprO16HRLYEfUif2gPtpUs6sZRmOe_dN0NfHmWsnhTAxcWkncbu_IgtZybJY2OiKVd7J3TwXQyeUlOdvtZ0lrIok8rU5ZEIhH6BbYL_WwzJ5oliLFjKQ98WYQ3yCCHMnV5staZ4kZQCVbwVEwyOsVyHDNhySKJbQ_TqH-rQTA/w400-h400/WRAD%20why%20read%20aloud.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.ala.org/aasl/advocacy/promo/black-history-month" target="_blank">Black History Month</a> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLll0svVbqujS2aEKe3rlgPc-FC4NpUxoasM-b0GhnmQSm7aFvklOm8UTHdHywbygC9jxXZ1y9zHcG7Qsn9u1lICMimgsrMjxLMVpJpyB1r4OnGG11ojhDI4hML3crlQtLxJuWjCFmrFbBRVJ1pe3KoxEKaf8N93IBKfRM-OQBDqjWsmJKY-KCHK4YjQ/s1080/Coretta%20Scott%20King%20Book%20Award%20(1)%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLll0svVbqujS2aEKe3rlgPc-FC4NpUxoasM-b0GhnmQSm7aFvklOm8UTHdHywbygC9jxXZ1y9zHcG7Qsn9u1lICMimgsrMjxLMVpJpyB1r4OnGG11ojhDI4hML3crlQtLxJuWjCFmrFbBRVJ1pe3KoxEKaf8N93IBKfRM-OQBDqjWsmJKY-KCHK4YjQ/w400-h400/Coretta%20Scott%20King%20Book%20Award%20(1)%20(1).png" width="400" /></a></div><a href="https://thestoryspectator.blogspot.com/2022/01/coretta-scott-king-life-legacy.html" target="_blank">(Coretta Scott King Literature Connections)</a><div><br /><p><a href="https://thestoryspectator.blogspot.com/2022/02/106-kindness-books-activities-for.html" target="_blank">Kindness / Friendship Day (Valentine's Day)</a> - February 14</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJmW9jayu06f7aT7hNGqkytfzSmE0qHGaHqG4ld4HgMNHuIXn0arAJnJWn30sMfh-4ZQ0E35Nf2ZisC161YcKRng11yEuELmv3AdJDap4hmPMvNgUF9NjaBlZ_CcccrfAyEwkErfmMfF0KB5HVzIHiEuTdjb69aEjf93UaOS_NbZI080-8H7OeNYF3A/s400/Kindness%20Books%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJmW9jayu06f7aT7hNGqkytfzSmE0qHGaHqG4ld4HgMNHuIXn0arAJnJWn30sMfh-4ZQ0E35Nf2ZisC161YcKRng11yEuELmv3AdJDap4hmPMvNgUF9NjaBlZ_CcccrfAyEwkErfmMfF0KB5HVzIHiEuTdjb69aEjf93UaOS_NbZI080-8H7OeNYF3A/w400-h400/Kindness%20Books%20(1).png" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><b>March</b></p><p><a href="https://marchbookmadness.weebly.com/" target="_blank">March Madness Book Tournament </a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUi7NNpq4yj1d3U_oa510GjObEJ2SS0pKbCWlfi05HPGWQ-2MKc_Wy7USvH2FvE571WgXSVFeKFmDYdUgVGbsuwGLXTrpWoKyT3YOcCThTfNGko8bWIM0BPefYM58fGWia4kx29ZyLCIiUGwtf_6quNHCGZI9lHhaHvKY1t-oJZ6emZy_M-uUadGlmg/s1080/march%20madness.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwUi7NNpq4yj1d3U_oa510GjObEJ2SS0pKbCWlfi05HPGWQ-2MKc_Wy7USvH2FvE571WgXSVFeKFmDYdUgVGbsuwGLXTrpWoKyT3YOcCThTfNGko8bWIM0BPefYM58fGWia4kx29ZyLCIiUGwtf_6quNHCGZI9lHhaHvKY1t-oJZ6emZy_M-uUadGlmg/w400-h400/march%20madness.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://thestoryspectator.blogspot.com/2021/03/womens-history-month-sharing-picture.html">Women's History Month</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh69VkUFLGioXVMEbFEU6RYqYKGSDONaeoEhbbYei387vkJBKfRAzIM3bHTOxBhHl3X7DtCFJfXXadQS4o9iYN0XSTkXQRRI33TAQl_J_xttU55MiswXvwuYJHsW5_PUb-vsMkw4LLsmrwhd_OqNBsF16f-yGN_JSdVRC00I01fmuYtUOXIdXxgv_9q1w/s1080/women's%20history%20month.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh69VkUFLGioXVMEbFEU6RYqYKGSDONaeoEhbbYei387vkJBKfRAzIM3bHTOxBhHl3X7DtCFJfXXadQS4o9iYN0XSTkXQRRI33TAQl_J_xttU55MiswXvwuYJHsW5_PUb-vsMkw4LLsmrwhd_OqNBsF16f-yGN_JSdVRC00I01fmuYtUOXIdXxgv_9q1w/w400-h400/women's%20history%20month.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><a href="https://nafme.org/programs/miosm/" target="_blank">Music in Our Schools Month</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2xYUK5W32yl9NBXnIwgO0hkbsv2_kBrCPu1pG0-XqgPEzqLxbqdrc5WtvCyryAdcNO0FcY6cAKLIlxewpOsq6cZUwM_dfMYfbmo4OxdL7Chkj5nw5krX8Y1bs32tzw2WzMhWeBgRfhBmZhpMEcwfT12zv7f1jOELTotmBwn5s_gkNF5NFavXvzEsZZQ/s1080/music.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2xYUK5W32yl9NBXnIwgO0hkbsv2_kBrCPu1pG0-XqgPEzqLxbqdrc5WtvCyryAdcNO0FcY6cAKLIlxewpOsq6cZUwM_dfMYfbmo4OxdL7Chkj5nw5krX8Y1bs32tzw2WzMhWeBgRfhBmZhpMEcwfT12zv7f1jOELTotmBwn5s_gkNF5NFavXvzEsZZQ/w400-h400/music.png" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><b>April</b></p><p><a href="https://thestoryspectator.blogspot.com/2023/01/poetry-art-of-language.html" target="_blank">Poetry Month</a></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUotYDCi14ppOZihLuMHkgwh-st3kx8Z7tu0-M7aO8m818tbfU30i6fsFTspzgPhuqRj32K3cxgrbAO44xUUKRH5gSrd4na3bFo20qXJW9wlM-YjdjfTL7Oobm4AIidsiP1W8XMi3juS9AbBaClYqIiPI_iLBM5ppLa9Ag7OcLvkjPW1yEBq2noUAP7w/s1080/The%20Story%20Spectator.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUotYDCi14ppOZihLuMHkgwh-st3kx8Z7tu0-M7aO8m818tbfU30i6fsFTspzgPhuqRj32K3cxgrbAO44xUUKRH5gSrd4na3bFo20qXJW9wlM-YjdjfTL7Oobm4AIidsiP1W8XMi3juS9AbBaClYqIiPI_iLBM5ppLa9Ag7OcLvkjPW1yEBq2noUAP7w/w400-h400/The%20Story%20Spectator.png" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.ibby.org/awards-activities/activities/international-childrens-book-day" target="_blank">Children's Book Day</a> - April 2</p><p>School Librarian Day - April 4</p><p><a href="https://www.earthday.org/earth-day-2023/" target="_blank">Earth Day</a> - April 22</p><p><a href="https://www.ala.org/conferencesevents/celebrationweeks/natlibraryweek#:~:text=National%20Library%20Week%202023%2C%20April,There's%20More%20to%20the%20Story.%22" target="_blank">Library Week</a> - April 23-29</p><p>State Book Award Voting (varies by state)</p><p><br /></p><p><b>May</b></p><p><a href="https://asianpacificheritage.gov/" target="_blank">Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month</a></p><p><b>June</b></p><p><a href="https://www.hrc.org/campaigns/celebrate-pride-with-us" target="_blank">Pride Month</a></p></div>Fallon Farokhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15474670381186847150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3542785605183555742.post-9807499272729134762023-01-10T23:08:00.006-06:002023-01-10T23:08:49.312-06:00Poetry: the art of language<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhoPT217dJOxF49KcJWkQI-QIHI-riGomk1hURuI7BdLn-ryZ6OEIXJSdmSTZEbSQMfL7PigFObTelrfQ-42gESh85KxExWLYyK28R6sBafZbZ0gfFXkv8coHAAGwxueOvy_8xQ9agwJBtQjPGMfsNKdbHk6QNDpyVUxOqhmb7oM06gZ8KUywlmv7ylQ/s1080/The%20Story%20Spectator.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhoPT217dJOxF49KcJWkQI-QIHI-riGomk1hURuI7BdLn-ryZ6OEIXJSdmSTZEbSQMfL7PigFObTelrfQ-42gESh85KxExWLYyK28R6sBafZbZ0gfFXkv8coHAAGwxueOvy_8xQ9agwJBtQjPGMfsNKdbHk6QNDpyVUxOqhmb7oM06gZ8KUywlmv7ylQ/w400-h400/The%20Story%20Spectator.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>April is <a href="https://poets.org/national-poetry-month" target="_blank">National Poetry Month</a>, but the art of language is to be celebrated all year long. When my students first hear that we are going to study poetry, many groan, unsure of what is to follow. Thankfully, after these engaging and creative ideas, they change their perspective to one that celebrates the various forms and topics that one can express through the art of language. </p><p><b>Shape or Concrete Poems</b>: a poem that takes the shape of its subject matter. Some books that help illustrate this are:</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQ60nNlBtLS4Gh6D7XbLidcsXoah3ONEBciFK75RQ-E94GlG-iC2X7c5IelolFZB1c6wU6uGpoWBFm6424ZuIwV8J0epEkHVp-FKBipwCAp2VegjT0Lmya_mDYes7y0GmXqo8LpZjVwP3uxUsrUyGGzl1CYlCwy7Rce_d9b__8V0rV-JjfdjeRZapY3Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1200" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQ60nNlBtLS4Gh6D7XbLidcsXoah3ONEBciFK75RQ-E94GlG-iC2X7c5IelolFZB1c6wU6uGpoWBFm6424ZuIwV8J0epEkHVp-FKBipwCAp2VegjT0Lmya_mDYes7y0GmXqo8LpZjVwP3uxUsrUyGGzl1CYlCwy7Rce_d9b__8V0rV-JjfdjeRZapY3Q=w640-h336" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNWPqBGCp9LpNNZNRY8bQVD7kQyOwJHRQhKCZUfCOTpOKQKeXRVSHl74zqCASg5oOX9HfileKquhDs7smlYt22M6E_1-dfBPajBDVoEZf2A9f-Z8benXj1cvbDN5Nb4uunMQBu1QGa4dTs-JAbOvYWGXQcfh68ltYJ1ZLDLrIJ7pjPW_OFCkP_9Zp5aQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1799" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgNWPqBGCp9LpNNZNRY8bQVD7kQyOwJHRQhKCZUfCOTpOKQKeXRVSHl74zqCASg5oOX9HfileKquhDs7smlYt22M6E_1-dfBPajBDVoEZf2A9f-Z8benXj1cvbDN5Nb4uunMQBu1QGa4dTs-JAbOvYWGXQcfh68ltYJ1ZLDLrIJ7pjPW_OFCkP_9Zp5aQ=w282-h400" width="282" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidwjp9NzhiYRAtvInO_AXZS_1P6AaBRgB2gOJs-UwiDozHnSnbq6C0xGGp47plNDcb_Q0cjdEu64ezI__1gY7Sgfm9FLSmsXdSA09pyfTe6w4OkRVo0difzRk_PjEC8_iCqXIpyNdEO8LG0rGgTI8-kbLkCHeCEasYAgI2BQum9YvLbFHm3TZjKuvsMw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="316" data-original-width="318" height="397" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEidwjp9NzhiYRAtvInO_AXZS_1P6AaBRgB2gOJs-UwiDozHnSnbq6C0xGGp47plNDcb_Q0cjdEu64ezI__1gY7Sgfm9FLSmsXdSA09pyfTe6w4OkRVo0difzRk_PjEC8_iCqXIpyNdEO8LG0rGgTI8-kbLkCHeCEasYAgI2BQum9YvLbFHm3TZjKuvsMw=w400-h397" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj436h_aYlXGRaJJWFBxoiFKPsbnbSVs8l_cDkLLrCFnParwwesyRCTj1Vl60QNl9MmN9s7u9035AHrDscsZc9JHg9MvAHfWIcztdJJGttDzCaFEHlPGmEtnbpNcYt_mALEGNn2B8eHI2uaWTH2h23G7PR9oYKNTODedNfrsyoLnveLe_a6kOIoBewXCg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1920" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj436h_aYlXGRaJJWFBxoiFKPsbnbSVs8l_cDkLLrCFnParwwesyRCTj1Vl60QNl9MmN9s7u9035AHrDscsZc9JHg9MvAHfWIcztdJJGttDzCaFEHlPGmEtnbpNcYt_mALEGNn2B8eHI2uaWTH2h23G7PR9oYKNTODedNfrsyoLnveLe_a6kOIoBewXCg=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">First, we read several concrete poems and students form the definition for a concrete poem. Then I take them through a group writing experience where we brainstorm a list of items they generate. Then we take one and I loosely sketch an image that is associated with that. Then we come up with descriptive words, feelings, similes, metaphors, and analogies to write our ideas in the borders of the shape. Students who are able can try this out on their own, or for those who need scaffolds you can provide the outline of various shapes along with vocabulary for students to cut out and glue to form their concrete poem. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Blackout Poetry:</b> this is when writing that has already been published is used as inspiration for carving out a poem from those words already printed. The poet can circle those words they wish to use and black out the rest of the words through patterns, other colors, or by blacking them out.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Rather than use books for this I like to use images from Google to show examples of blackout poetry and ask students to tell me what they notice about the poems. </div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i>Note: I used to use newspapers for this, however, I had to be careful about the subject matter, vocabulary and layout of the articles in comparison to the advertisements, so ever since those experiences I have turned to using pages of discarded or weeded books to give to students for this type of writing.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Homophones, homonyms, idioms, puns: </b>poetry doesn't have to be lyrical or rhyme. Poetry can be the juxtaposition of words with multiple meanings and clever sayings explained in literal terms. My students enjoy exploring this aspect of language because it is in small bites rather than long poems to analyze or just rhyming poems meant to entertain. Some books that we study during this topic are:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh19FYLuXrlonuGqgqiZ7_M3K8JsDCrH7DKu-GjsHVDNvc4Cyu2iaR58VxxYn9oXCQTLxMSeWnpk0LDXxGdQtzs2D93lT4eJl5aEpimjEOorRkPpb9hOSpOrZAl91kfFW4oOhpeEAGwN4R-skRXEfkDHgK4IpjJARVsZg2zD3TX2vz2Kme8EiRBVaFMGg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1791" height="357" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh19FYLuXrlonuGqgqiZ7_M3K8JsDCrH7DKu-GjsHVDNvc4Cyu2iaR58VxxYn9oXCQTLxMSeWnpk0LDXxGdQtzs2D93lT4eJl5aEpimjEOorRkPpb9hOSpOrZAl91kfFW4oOhpeEAGwN4R-skRXEfkDHgK4IpjJARVsZg2zD3TX2vz2Kme8EiRBVaFMGg=w400-h357" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4ew2bgNejfzm-VhSCnYpeAzvxTsVIOC4X4_rFju7USKsCbfqRbkQJxVvtjQbss-Ryi0FYc22tTnKcG8W4TqHQms9E94U8q4ahM9YVT2Uhh32Umipp6AbWGcWEFcZ9TRK5qJV4KYF4GHz80erU1itG6Z0srl7QphkfS4JXmD7lgOAqxOOadCxHgrgkBQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="248" data-original-width="203" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi4ew2bgNejfzm-VhSCnYpeAzvxTsVIOC4X4_rFju7USKsCbfqRbkQJxVvtjQbss-Ryi0FYc22tTnKcG8W4TqHQms9E94U8q4ahM9YVT2Uhh32Umipp6AbWGcWEFcZ9TRK5qJV4KYF4GHz80erU1itG6Z0srl7QphkfS4JXmD7lgOAqxOOadCxHgrgkBQ=w327-h400" width="327" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEim_I-a0yN-rSFe_LrB7vgW-yJ4EB99t7rViH6A0-qcJ4UvTKaYA5e1jhtSUnsjBG03AqfEvFSaGKoz55Lq0mKwGpLJb1e_CkEQ5zhNNY21S6mafAZmhstcbKHUPtApHh2SUgtoXHfIF9wAkBHM0iH_lYROkFi82FICFXVlmt0vB5GnofWcCowZOg8jUQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="316" data-original-width="230" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEim_I-a0yN-rSFe_LrB7vgW-yJ4EB99t7rViH6A0-qcJ4UvTKaYA5e1jhtSUnsjBG03AqfEvFSaGKoz55Lq0mKwGpLJb1e_CkEQ5zhNNY21S6mafAZmhstcbKHUPtApHh2SUgtoXHfIF9wAkBHM0iH_lYROkFi82FICFXVlmt0vB5GnofWcCowZOg8jUQ=w292-h400" width="292" /></a></div><br />A video that my students like to watch and sing along with is below:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><a href="https://poetryteatime.com/blog/how-to-throw-a-poetry-slam" target="_blank">Poetry Slam</a>:</b> lyrics of songs and poems are meant to be heard aloud, therefore, I invite students to read or recite poetry or songs aloud in front of an audience or if they'd rather, record and edit a video of their poem or song on a video production application, like Apple CLIPS or iMovie. Students should be given time to find a poem or song with which they connect and choose to share it with others. For the Poetry Slam experience, I hang twinkle lights up, spread out picnic blankets and a variety of flexible seating options around as the lights dim and we can enjoy one another's love of language. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b>Book Spine Poetry:</b> this is one of my favorite types of poetry to share with students. First we look at a variety of examples and students form a definition for what is included in a book spine poem. Then students are sent in partners or small groups to a certain part of the library to create their own book spine poem. I ask students to take a photo of their poem on their device so that I may project it for the class, but they also like to display their book spine poems for others to read. The best part of this experience is that students always find books that they want to read that they may have never even chosen if not for this opportunity to look for interesting book titles. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">An extension of this is to add music or other effects to the mood of their poems using a collage of photos or a technology application, like iMovie, FlipGrid, Seesaw, or Apple CLIPS.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Although some librarians hesitate to use book spine poetry with students due to the large amount of shelving that will follow the experience,<a href="https://thebookwrangler.com/national-poetry-month/" target="_blank"> Mike Rawls, a.k.a. The Book Wrangler</a>, suggests using paper spines with book titles already on them or you can photocopy. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><b><a href="https://thestoryspectator.blogspot.com/2021/04/poetry-month-25-middle-grade-novels-in.html" target="_blank">Novels-in-Verse</a>: </b>a story written in verse is one of my favorite formats to share with students. Much like a chapter book or graphic novel or picture book format, a novel-in-verse is another way that writers tell a story, but in lyrical form. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Do you have a favorite way to share poetry? Please leave a comment below!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p>Fallon Farokhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15474670381186847150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3542785605183555742.post-78027794681322245232023-01-08T14:40:00.000-06:002023-01-08T14:40:12.635-06:002022 - A Year of Book Picks<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh23oEzPsC77dtGms-EbypBX6fALR0IPXVs1VeeuRTlx6u5VXESZqYZyl1kzvlsciEoGOclrtMxdgJeo55kvGzoc-8QTs_fOwb9A7YjBdRmTUmS3j7bQnNoyHkmyty8MDpYl2BmWCdckRnmGIXW8kCAHOehHLdpnvdHkHxQ546zopQ29F3L_y4-tAPVKw/s1080/2022%20book%20picks.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh23oEzPsC77dtGms-EbypBX6fALR0IPXVs1VeeuRTlx6u5VXESZqYZyl1kzvlsciEoGOclrtMxdgJeo55kvGzoc-8QTs_fOwb9A7YjBdRmTUmS3j7bQnNoyHkmyty8MDpYl2BmWCdckRnmGIXW8kCAHOehHLdpnvdHkHxQ546zopQ29F3L_y4-tAPVKw/w640-h640/2022%20book%20picks.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>2022 was quite the year in publishing. We are so lucky to have more inclusive and broader range of perspectives represented in literature. Thinking back to my year in reading, here are my highest rated <b>chapter books </b>that I recommend for children, teens and adults: </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiPYWA2MeEBb37wAZG5Q76XuQp7q82FpwbdFNGj1aioygRtLsWLE-_Hdrx1dgxPJkb9EJiXqpMZW-fsX4Lu7PHTi_vMlGKErigezhs9yQQsw_u9hmIH2FCubiFf5rwTt1t_k5zPfpzCpCEDzZrJD8f5IxkWAZ2BfORy-qhKFp2Vw6vOOy1anV6mi-DlsQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiPYWA2MeEBb37wAZG5Q76XuQp7q82FpwbdFNGj1aioygRtLsWLE-_Hdrx1dgxPJkb9EJiXqpMZW-fsX4Lu7PHTi_vMlGKErigezhs9yQQsw_u9hmIH2FCubiFf5rwTt1t_k5zPfpzCpCEDzZrJD8f5IxkWAZ2BfORy-qhKFp2Vw6vOOy1anV6mi-DlsQ=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b>Early Readers (ages 5-9)</b><p></p><p><a href="https://thestoryspectator.blogspot.com/2022/04/slug-days-day-in-life-of-girl-with.html" target="_blank">Slug Days</a> - realistic fiction, autism, school, friendship</p><p><a href="http://www.erinentradakelly.com/book/maybe-maybe-marisol-rainey/" target="_blank">Maybe Maybe Marisol Rainey</a> - realistic fiction, overcoming fears, friendship, family</p><p><a href="http://www.erinentradakelly.com/book/surely-surely-marisol-rainey-ages-7-9/" target="_blank">Surely Surely Marisol Rainey</a> - realistic fiction, school, self-confidence, friendship</p><p><a href="https://us.owlkids.com/products/the-weird-sisters-a-note-a-goat-and-a-casserole?variant=42467683795166" target="_blank">The Weird Sisters: A Note, a Goat and a Casserole</a> - fantasy, mystery, humor, sisters</p><p><a href="https://shop.owlkids.com/products/bee-flea-and-the-compost-caper?variant=42410382033114" target="_blank">Bee & Flea and the Compost Caper</a> - science, biology, humor</p><p><a href="https://www.abramsbooks.com/product/ada-twist-and-the-perilous-pants_9781419734229/" target="_blank">Ada Twist and the Perilous Plants</a> - science, inquiry</p><p><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/706300/pet-that-cat-by-nigel-kidd-and-rachel-braunigan/" target="_blank">Pet That Cat!</a> - nonfiction, cat care, cat behavior</p><p><b>Middle Grade (ages 9-14)</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRHEd3wX8QODXdYzEV1yJgd-272Mm8oMvvRyAuf1J33XTvP0E-iTA27_-ZQj2tW4dbcs2xONGIkLI6TesxxRU_gIuposPJtDi_UA7zETYQ7tNfs82qA2XLwNlrEKdAulHZ-cwosKxSl5uw1m8t-ALSG6uXsT6iuizPhc5JQJgKRKNlrCQBrglMRc3Yhw/s1080/MG%20Fantasy%202022%20book%20picks.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRHEd3wX8QODXdYzEV1yJgd-272Mm8oMvvRyAuf1J33XTvP0E-iTA27_-ZQj2tW4dbcs2xONGIkLI6TesxxRU_gIuposPJtDi_UA7zETYQ7tNfs82qA2XLwNlrEKdAulHZ-cwosKxSl5uw1m8t-ALSG6uXsT6iuizPhc5JQJgKRKNlrCQBrglMRc3Yhw/w640-h640/MG%20Fantasy%202022%20book%20picks.png" width="640" /></a></div><b>Fantasy </b><p></p><p><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/706375/cress-watercress-by-gregory-maguire-illustrated-by-david-litchfield/" target="_blank">Cress Watercress</a> - fantasy, animals, grief, humor, adventure, community </p><p><a href="https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374313623/thetotaleclipseofnestorlopez" target="_blank">The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez</a> - fantasy, military families, bullying, mystery, Cuban folklore</p><p><a href="https://www.nationalbook.org/books/the-ogress-and-the-orphans/" target="_blank">The Ogress and the Orphans</a> - fantasy, community, family, social commentary </p><p><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/634497/too-bright-to-see-by-kyle-lukoff/" target="_blank">Too Bright to See</a> - paranormal, mystery, grief, ghosts, identity, LGBTQ, family, friendship</p><p><a href="https://soontornvat.com/books/the-last-mapmaker/" target="_blank">The Last Mapmaker </a>- fantasy, family, mystery, adventure, humor, dragons</p><p><a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/lalani-of-the-distant-sea-erin-entrada-kelly?variant=32116527038498" target="_blank">Lalani of the Distant Sea</a> - fantasy, Filipino folklore, adventure, monsters</p><p><a href="https://thestoryspectator.blogspot.com/2022/06/loteria-free-will-or-fate.html" target="_blank">Lotería </a>- magical realism, Mexico, mortality, fate</p><p><a href="https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250181459/scarystoriesforyoungfoxesthecity" target="_blank">Scary Stories for Young Foxes: The City</a> - fantasy, suspense, scary, animal adventure, sequel to <a href="https://thestoryspectator.blogspot.com/2021/01/scary-stories-for-young-foxes-family.html" target="_blank">Scary Stories for Young Foxes</a></p><p><a href="https://levgrossman.com/books/the-silver-arrow/" target="_blank">The Silver Arrow</a> - fantasy, train travel, family, friendship, mystery, humor</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBIdci0iguPVZeFBJoPkrqNRDFVKf2IvlrvSemmAVk_2JBvQjPlx0d91D-sPrWZNXgT65UaN5NfVIJCEAX7VJOZFaAy0-o_kZYHjY3BRAW0sX9d8eMnWfRsulEo8urB8nlEuXOOd3HY1eXaPUHzBxk6h_6561tAeTTfStXv3D276GuTqTN0-a7PvNGfA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBIdci0iguPVZeFBJoPkrqNRDFVKf2IvlrvSemmAVk_2JBvQjPlx0d91D-sPrWZNXgT65UaN5NfVIJCEAX7VJOZFaAy0-o_kZYHjY3BRAW0sX9d8eMnWfRsulEo8urB8nlEuXOOd3HY1eXaPUHzBxk6h_6561tAeTTfStXv3D276GuTqTN0-a7PvNGfA=w640-h640" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><a href="https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250174956/themarvellers" target="_blank">The Marvellers</a> - fantasy, action, family secrets, magic school</p><p><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/241402/pony-by-r-j-palacio/" target="_blank">Pony</a> - supernatural, historical fiction, 1860s, U.S., horses, grief, sons, fathers, horses, bandits</p><p><a href="https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250171122/snapdragon" target="_blank">Snapdragon </a>- fantasy, graphic novel, friendship, LGBTQ, mystery</p><p><a href="https://www.dc.com/graphic-novels/zatanna-and-the-house-of-secrets" target="_blank">Zatanna and the House of Secrets</a> - fantasy, magic, graphic novel, family secrets, mystery</p><p><a href="https://www.publishersweekly.com/9781728209722" target="_blank">Scritch Scratch</a> - paranormal, Chicago, tragedies, family, friendship</p><p><a href="https://thestoryspectator.blogspot.com/2022/02/the-year-i-flew-away-haitian-voices-of.html" target="_blank">The Year I Flew Away </a>- fantasy, historical fiction, 1980s New York City, Haitian folklore, immigrants in the U.S.</p><p><a href="https://www.brandonsanderson.com/alcatraz-vs-the-evil-librarians-series/" target="_blank">Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians, Book 1</a> - fantasy, humor, adventure, grandfathers, magic, clumsiness</p><p><a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/frances-and-the-monster-refe-tuma?variant=39874659221538" target="_blank">Frances and the Monster</a> - fantasy, adventure, humor</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjI-OsLS0u7LSlXAOjMdoo63tO7SIqVX4542EClz9sIdFkt_L4okagsc5NX-GhfZjPCYxj8u61MNSToGhZ3C4hW-2eu0lkhNL1uS2dyFDBz1Sz3fIS8XudPdFz5FoarQRoto68vvFyswD_ZjkrJu-9eRoM9TxrvZMnptUcfGnOXq73SawwxFqh2-5Ng/s1080/MG%20HF%202022%20book%20picks.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjI-OsLS0u7LSlXAOjMdoo63tO7SIqVX4542EClz9sIdFkt_L4okagsc5NX-GhfZjPCYxj8u61MNSToGhZ3C4hW-2eu0lkhNL1uS2dyFDBz1Sz3fIS8XudPdFz5FoarQRoto68vvFyswD_ZjkrJu-9eRoM9TxrvZMnptUcfGnOXq73SawwxFqh2-5Ng/w640-h640/MG%20HF%202022%20book%20picks.png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><b>Historical Fiction</b></p><p><a href="https://www.aldapdobbs.com/the-other-side-of-the-river" target="_blank">The Other Side of the River </a>- historical fiction, Mexican revolution, immigrants in the U.S., identity, sequel to <a href="https://thestoryspectator.blogspot.com/2021/05/barefoot-dreams-of-petra-luna-true-cost.html" target="_blank">The Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna</a></p><p><a href="https://clubs.scholastic.com/the-door-of-no-return/9780316441865-rco-us.html?cgid=T_3" target="_blank">The Door of No Return </a>- historical fiction, Africa, slavery, family</p><p><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/607764/the-blackbird-girls-by-anne-blankman/" target="_blank">The Blackbird Girls</a> - historical fiction, 1980s Chernobyl Explosion, Russia, family, friendship, religion</p><p><a href="https://www.rajanilarocca.com/novels/red-white-and-whole/" target="_blank">Red, White and Whole </a>- historical fiction, 1980s, Indian, immigrants the U.S., ill parent, family, identity</p><p><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/597628/my-own-lightning-by-lauren-wolk/" target="_blank">My Own Lightning</a> - historical fiction, 1940s Pennsylvania, mystery, sequel to <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/531665/wolf-hollow-by-lauren-wolk/" target="_blank">Wolf Hollow</a></p><p><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/647980/long-road-to-the-circus-by-betsy-bird-illustrated-by-david-small/" target="_blank">Long Road to the Circus</a> - historical fiction, 1900s, U.S. farms, gender roles, family</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRGYuA2W8iuXM-dsGY9Hyk5Wqq0Zmkw-jwXhe80oxmcCTXPk7zXm_4Tf_ECrDRg80IwHGMYacmoAaC4tV5Vd0Zq4mAHrX_xoqisotpjP11AeYYGkdkQgCeI5g7kORavcy53ow_NI9xyNkaiCfM3xUl1bEzrzvgHmii8J65zgFodB8Dtp_ge7Kj1ypl8Q/s1080/MG%20HF%202022%20book%20picks%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRGYuA2W8iuXM-dsGY9Hyk5Wqq0Zmkw-jwXhe80oxmcCTXPk7zXm_4Tf_ECrDRg80IwHGMYacmoAaC4tV5Vd0Zq4mAHrX_xoqisotpjP11AeYYGkdkQgCeI5g7kORavcy53ow_NI9xyNkaiCfM3xUl1bEzrzvgHmii8J65zgFodB8Dtp_ge7Kj1ypl8Q/w640-h640/MG%20HF%202022%20book%20picks%20(1).png" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/612749/starting-from-seneca-falls-by-karen-schwabach/" target="_blank">Starting from Seneca Falls</a> - historical fiction, 1800s, U.S., women's rights, child abuse</p><p><a href="https://www.zettaelliott.com/book/moonwalking/" target="_blank">Moonwalking</a> - historical fiction, 1980s New York City, novel in verse, art, autism, friendship, ill parent, bullying, race</p><p><a href="https://www.jennilwalsh.com/fireflies.html" target="_blank">By the Light of the Fireflies</a> - historical fiction, American Revolution, child hero, family</p><p><a href="https://holidayhouse.com/book/being-clem/" target="_blank">Being Clem</a> - historical fiction, 1940s Chicago, grief, race, family, friendship, class</p><p><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/601780/the-legend-of-auntie-po-by-shing-yin-khor/" target="_blank">The Legend of Auntie Po </a>- historical fiction, graphic novel, 1880s NW U.S., LGBTQ, Chinese voices, logging history</p><p><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/648150/a-place-to-hang-the-moon-by-by-kate-albus/" target="_blank">A Place to Hang the Moon</a> - historical fiction, WWII, England, siblings, orphans, community </p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjXNi_Do3-xvkvcpM03Aj56uvP4Sc5hdrc3mC1P_AgdnQW6fukiiZoWfuP1QyWT4HkaB4Iwe2kvdFvAfWhVWUlIvBgOaC-_odq_2oC1CnrnUVyM3OqIPAZx8Ck9YGbxYV_alo3OryP061ToOGDSBoGN0Qc7L4_NgAEsfHuiosHW4uBII3VgMEcBhgTlg/s1080/MG%20NF%20SS%202022%20book%20picks.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjXNi_Do3-xvkvcpM03Aj56uvP4Sc5hdrc3mC1P_AgdnQW6fukiiZoWfuP1QyWT4HkaB4Iwe2kvdFvAfWhVWUlIvBgOaC-_odq_2oC1CnrnUVyM3OqIPAZx8Ck9YGbxYV_alo3OryP061ToOGDSBoGN0Qc7L4_NgAEsfHuiosHW4uBII3VgMEcBhgTlg/w640-h640/MG%20NF%20SS%202022%20book%20picks.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><b>Nonfiction</b></p><p><a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/alias-anna-susan-hoodgreg-dawson?variant=39386890338338" target="_blank">Alias Anna</a> - biography, WWII, novel in verse, music, family</p><p><a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/while-i-was-away-waka-t-brown?variant=39299460399138" target="_blank">While I Was Away</a> - memoir, immigrants in the U.S., Japanese, friendship, family, grandparents</p><p><b>Short Stories</b></p><p><a href="https://www.fantasticfiction.com/w/sarah-webb/beyond-the-stars.htm" target="_blank">Beyond the Stars</a> - short stories, Irish authors, emotional</p><p><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/678866/hope-wins-by-dr-rose-brock/" target="_blank">Hope Wins </a>- short stories, inspiring, overcoming challenges</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM4QBf5eeFJVKt1qQF8SKlAgdiqDMTeR0qwkMUnVBY1Qnc2vFy2sVXBF7fwKIM0mX-z-siB8vHJq9EWG7yWjEofW7dlziN3pYFsi7Ai17_AEEkbFHd3omMZIkRctZtyAk4HzLN_AjauRiCIIEvBs-XCMMP3FKT3fbsSWFuYByTyokkAETHwJ-_SdwhVw/s1080/MG%20RF%202022%20book%20picks.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM4QBf5eeFJVKt1qQF8SKlAgdiqDMTeR0qwkMUnVBY1Qnc2vFy2sVXBF7fwKIM0mX-z-siB8vHJq9EWG7yWjEofW7dlziN3pYFsi7Ai17_AEEkbFHd3omMZIkRctZtyAk4HzLN_AjauRiCIIEvBs-XCMMP3FKT3fbsSWFuYByTyokkAETHwJ-_SdwhVw/w640-h640/MG%20RF%202022%20book%20picks.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><b>Realistic Fiction</b></p><p><a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Stuntboy-in-the-Meantime/Jason-Reynolds/9781534418165" target="_blank">Stuntboy, in the Meantime</a> - realistic fiction, graphic novel, anxiety, bullying, community, family</p><p><a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Out-of-My-Heart/Sharon-M-Draper/9781665902168" target="_blank">Out of My Heart</a> - realistic fiction, disability POV, friendship, sequel to <a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Out-of-My-Mind/Sharon-M-Draper/9781416971719" target="_blank">Out of My Mind</a></p><p><a href="https://diversebooks.org/qa-with-lin-thompson-the-best-liars-in-riverview/" target="_blank">The Best Liars in Riverview</a> - realistic fiction, mystery, LGBTQ, friendship, bullying </p><p><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/598280/maizy-chens-last-chance-by-lisa-yee/" target="_blank">Maizy Chen's Last Chance </a>- realistic fiction, identity, racism, immigrants in the U.S., Asian, family, community</p><p><a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/efren-divided-ernesto-cisneros?variant=40827187691554" target="_blank">Efrén Divided</a> - realistic fiction, immigrants in the U.S., Mexico, deportation, friendship, family</p><p><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/688945/worser-by-by-jennifer-ziegler/" target="_blank">Worser</a> - realistic fiction, school, friendship, family, ill parent, autism, bullying, community activism</p><p><a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/golden-girl-reem-faruqi?variant=39356518367266" target="_blank">Golden Girl </a>- realistic fiction, novel in verse, Pakistani immigrants in the U.S., family, kleptomaniac</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgznQtkMER0lD3O-qFLWoIR-WwxkAskvf_yN054TTZTzaEpicz9hJt4I3IRvajbeZ0KybbA7tJvbtDXUQWN16D0VS4rR9U5unys-k6elZ5bp9Dg0APnt1lM_lbqlXgpbQHvYz7cABbno7XNuZEY8j6Lko5gz7Vxz2Jina64fZOMF_gNw3UUOL7GL_08pg/s1080/MG%20RF%202022%20book%20picks%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgznQtkMER0lD3O-qFLWoIR-WwxkAskvf_yN054TTZTzaEpicz9hJt4I3IRvajbeZ0KybbA7tJvbtDXUQWN16D0VS4rR9U5unys-k6elZ5bp9Dg0APnt1lM_lbqlXgpbQHvYz7cABbno7XNuZEY8j6Lko5gz7Vxz2Jina64fZOMF_gNw3UUOL7GL_08pg/w640-h640/MG%20RF%202022%20book%20picks%20(1).png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Sir-Fig-Newton-and-the-Science-of-Persistence/Sonja-Thomas/9781534484924" target="_blank">Sir Fig Newton and the Science of Persistence</a> - realistic fiction, friendship, pets, inspiring </p><p><a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/New-from-Here/Kelly-Yang/9781534488304" target="_blank">New From Here</a> - realistic fiction, COVID lockdown, Asian, racism, community, family, ADHD</p><p><a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Tune-It-Out/Jamie-Sumner/9781534457010" target="_blank">Tune it Out</a> - realistic fiction, homelessness, sensory processing disorder, family, friendship</p><p><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/610884/turtle-boy-by-m-evan-wolkenstein/" target="_blank">Turtle Boy</a> - realistic fiction, identity, friendship, grief, religion, death</p><p><a href="https://www.lindseystoddard.com/blt" target="_blank">Brave Like That</a> - realistic fiction, adoption, identity, friendship</p><p><a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/five-things-about-ava-andrews-margaret-dilloway?variant=39342109098018https://www.harpercollins.com/products/five-things-about-ava-andrews-margaret-dilloway?variant=39342109098018" target="_blank">Five Things About Ava Andrew</a>s - realistic fiction, friendship, social anxiety, community activism</p><p><a href="https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250192295/96miles" target="_blank">96 Miles</a> - realistic fiction, family, survival, friendship, mystery, suspense</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnCi_m3GSM1kH7-3tqB59ups07U3K2rVytWClCe29a9LyCFF8jp4Gq_jJaJMVUC0rezsmh_HXXaqYH5EU4ZWFJjxIZKdNXrK1xwypeEOXSotFc_HIEZ99PI6x2ci5EG7g9dK8qS7jTHGL-270KfPZS9DeEpMrCLBdhylWmKgOEfq8gv8zljYlJV86Pvw/s1080/MG%20RF%202022%20book%20picks%20(2).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnCi_m3GSM1kH7-3tqB59ups07U3K2rVytWClCe29a9LyCFF8jp4Gq_jJaJMVUC0rezsmh_HXXaqYH5EU4ZWFJjxIZKdNXrK1xwypeEOXSotFc_HIEZ99PI6x2ci5EG7g9dK8qS7jTHGL-270KfPZS9DeEpMrCLBdhylWmKgOEfq8gv8zljYlJV86Pvw/w640-h640/MG%20RF%202022%20book%20picks%20(2).png" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><a href="https://lernerbooks.com/shop/show/21569" target="_blank">This Last Adventure</a> - realistic fiction, grandparents, Alzheimers, friendship</p><p><a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Amelia-Six/Kristin-L-Gray/9781534418868" target="_blank">The Amelia Six</a> - realistic fiction, friendship, mystery, gender, humor</p><p><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/667263/jennifer-chan-is-not-alone-by-tae-keller/" target="_blank">Jennifer Chan is Not Alone</a> - realistic fiction, friendship, mystery, identity, bullying, Asian, aliens</p><p><a href="https://thestoryspectator.blogspot.com/2022/01/stuck-solving-for-m-where-do-children.html" target="_blank">Solving for M</a> - realistic fiction, ill parent, friendship, family</p><p><a href="https://thestoryspectator.blogspot.com/2022/01/stuck-solving-for-m-where-do-children.html" target="_blank">Stuck</a> - realistic fiction, learning disabilities, friendship, school, family</p><p><a href="https://thestoryspectator.blogspot.com/2022/02/lemon-drop-falls-brave-sour-to-taste.html" target="_blank">Lemon Drop Falls </a>- realistic fiction, grief, OCD, anxiety, family, friendship</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVF9Cel4U0nLlYqGN8O6HpDpNn9B8Z2cWF1hPAeRNybpaV3stqKEqy-7ZecuaFl5zOqVjBUut8_HHZxtG9WnP-zQwz9yfQFQBEUKL3mT0hf9ikMFlsHQgXTot0o4ceE8bf5lFFZ0pbTLovSBmMaAZyiPYvE9tSJh5DB6kV8lO1H-0XFOxmnPAu6yma6A/s1080/MG%20RF%202022%20book%20picks%20(3).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVF9Cel4U0nLlYqGN8O6HpDpNn9B8Z2cWF1hPAeRNybpaV3stqKEqy-7ZecuaFl5zOqVjBUut8_HHZxtG9WnP-zQwz9yfQFQBEUKL3mT0hf9ikMFlsHQgXTot0o4ceE8bf5lFFZ0pbTLovSBmMaAZyiPYvE9tSJh5DB6kV8lO1H-0XFOxmnPAu6yma6A/w640-h640/MG%20RF%202022%20book%20picks%20(3).png" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/611658/samira-surfs-by-rukhsanna-guidroz-illustrated-by-fahmida-azim/" target="_blank">Samira Surfs</a> - realistic fiction, novel in verse, Rohingya refugees, gender roles, identity, Bangladesh, surfing</p><p><a href="https://www.sharoncreech.com/books/9780062570741/one-time" target="_blank">One Time</a> - realistic fiction, school, imagination, friendship, identity</p><p><a href="https://thestoryspectator.blogspot.com/2022/02/how-to-become-planet-removing-stigma-of.html" target="_blank">How to Become a Planet</a> - realistic fiction, LGBTQ, anxiety, depression, family, friendship</p><p><a href="https://thestoryspectator.blogspot.com/2022/02/violets-are-blue-middle-grade-story-of.html" target="_blank">Violets are Blue</a> - realistic fiction, opioids, divorce, friendship, special FX makeup </p><p><a href="https://www.varshabajaj.com/books/count-me-in/" target="_blank">Count Me In</a> - realistic fiction, Indian, immigrants in the U.S., racism, community activism, friendship</p><p><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/715332/the-girl-who-stole-an-elephant-by-by-nizrana-farook/" target="_blank">The Girl Who Stole an Elephant</a> - realistic fiction, adventure, Sri Lanka, friendship, class</p><p><br /></p><p><b>Young Adult (ages 14 +)</b></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmoiBbtGpX6pZcw7rlqKd42z9qxEGrL6ZQbmTswKm-4tyK5qyg3HJiShuTpGCvcnEYvqixuM-nXNqyQNQGuRbO4jOxwJpltGUnueDaE6tJwX3ejf9I6c5dheoZZIQVlpGMtxYqfRosXw14BTiU3j84ot84QvYxOZrl4buXTp_-gApGucyg2D1UayAiIg/s1080/YA%20%20NF%202022%20book%20picks.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmoiBbtGpX6pZcw7rlqKd42z9qxEGrL6ZQbmTswKm-4tyK5qyg3HJiShuTpGCvcnEYvqixuM-nXNqyQNQGuRbO4jOxwJpltGUnueDaE6tJwX3ejf9I6c5dheoZZIQVlpGMtxYqfRosXw14BTiU3j84ot84QvYxOZrl4buXTp_-gApGucyg2D1UayAiIg/w640-h640/YA%20%20NF%202022%20book%20picks.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><b><br /></b><p></p><p><b>Nonfiction</b></p><p><a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/black-birds-in-the-sky-brandy-colbert?variant=40001562705954" target="_blank">Black Birds in the Sky</a> - nonfiction, Tulsa Race Massacre, racism, American history, Oklahoma</p><p><a href="https://thestoryspectator.blogspot.com/2022/02/from-whisper-to-rallying-cry-asian.html" target="_blank">From a Whisper to a Rallying Cry</a> - nonfiction, true crime, Asian, justice, American history </p><p><a href="http://stevesheinkin.com/books/fallout/" target="_blank">Fallout</a> - nonfiction, Cold War, espionage, nuclear war, Soviet Union, United States, communism</p><p><a href="https://thestoryspectator.blogspot.com/2022/01/revolution-in-our-time-black-panthers.html" target="_blank">Revolution in Our Time</a> - nonfiction, Black Panthers, history, politics</p><p><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/618253/the-woman-all-spies-fear-by-amy-butler-greenfield/" target="_blank">The Woman All Spies Fear</a> - nonfiction, biography, code breaker, heroism</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72kMqi7z8jbQGxGTGpEQPsHaSG3IQEayMZ_OchXMTpPl_zX09Sa9FuXyYKBQ5DbDNjEjuqEHzPVc1nd6T7ZW1gHNaMSwD8LeoO4a4i-5GdIarscndWL_VzuLvKCDf1otbGwDikGYdOfnHwvHKkVvKuXtXiVvD9EUqxReK350PmvhFds1vcvhA2JoQSQ/s1080/YA%20%202022%20book%20picks.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi72kMqi7z8jbQGxGTGpEQPsHaSG3IQEayMZ_OchXMTpPl_zX09Sa9FuXyYKBQ5DbDNjEjuqEHzPVc1nd6T7ZW1gHNaMSwD8LeoO4a4i-5GdIarscndWL_VzuLvKCDf1otbGwDikGYdOfnHwvHKkVvKuXtXiVvD9EUqxReK350PmvhFds1vcvhA2JoQSQ/w640-h640/YA%20%202022%20book%20picks.png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><b>Historical Fiction</b></p><p><a href="https://thestoryspectator.blogspot.com/2021/11/last-night-at-telegraph-club-young.html" target="_blank">Last Night at the Telegraph Club</a> - historical fiction, 1950s San Fransisco, LGTBQ, Chinese immigrants, gender, identity</p><p><a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/a-sitting-in-st-james-rita-williams-garcia?variant=39715540500514" target="_blank">A Sitting in St. James</a> - historical fiction, 1860s Louisiana, enslaved generation, plantation life, identity, racism, class </p><p><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/602715/i-must-betray-you-by-ruta-sepetys/" target="_blank">I Must Betray You</a> - historical fiction, Romania, Communism, spies, romance, family </p><p><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/315655/under-a-painted-sky-by-stacey-lee/" target="_blank">Under a Painted Sky</a> - historical fiction, 1849 Oregon Trail, romance, friendship, gender roles</p><p></p><p><a href="https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250193537/displacement" target="_blank">Displacement</a> - historical fiction, graphic novel, Japanese-American Internment Camps, WWII, Asian</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHg-HfYqrxi7WD2OavLXcx5ALRF_TNH3R6dxQem3b1JAXajsTEA2bvzhIFdfbiFN7jLfRmQtNmNF7n8zLsbLJ4JXnJrFtaBLEDfiKUX1gdXTsO-oqcB1gsXgdFvK0QYX_m3F3ia_hkeB2_wtDE5zoXgrZzXdSwjoHaNTJMT8IM2ZhMDDZrKyGdpmya0A/s1080/YA%20%202022%20book%20picks%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHg-HfYqrxi7WD2OavLXcx5ALRF_TNH3R6dxQem3b1JAXajsTEA2bvzhIFdfbiFN7jLfRmQtNmNF7n8zLsbLJ4JXnJrFtaBLEDfiKUX1gdXTsO-oqcB1gsXgdFvK0QYX_m3F3ia_hkeB2_wtDE5zoXgrZzXdSwjoHaNTJMT8IM2ZhMDDZrKyGdpmya0A/w640-h640/YA%20%202022%20book%20picks%20(1).png" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><b>Realistic Fiction</b></p><p><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/625057/all-my-rage-by-sabaa-tahir/" target="_blank">All My Rage</a> - realistic fiction, immigrants in the U.S., romance, ill parent, abuse, identity, trauma, Middle Eastern</p><p><a href="https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250766571/firekeepersdaughter" target="_blank">Firekeeper's Daughter </a>- realistic fiction, Ojibwe, identity, mystery, thriller, family</p><p><a href="https://shop.scholastic.com/parent-ecommerce/books/you-should-see-me-in-a-crown-9781338503265.html" target="_blank">You Should See Me in a Crown</a> - realistic fiction, LGBTQ, high school, friendship, social pressure</p><p><a href="https://thestoryspectator.blogspot.com/2022/06/jagged-little-pill-novel-how-music.html" target="_blank">Jagged Little Pill </a>- realistic fiction, sexual assault, multiple narrators, community, friendship</p><p><a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Aint-Burned-All-the-Bright/Jason-Reynolds/9781534439467" target="_blank">Ain't Burned All the Bright </a>- poetry, COVID, Black voices, social commentary</p><p><a href="https://thestoryspectator.blogspot.com/2022/06/blackout-nyc-modern-day-romance.html" target="_blank">Blackout </a>- short stories (intertwined), realistic fiction, identity, LGBTQ, relationships, romance</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFGcAIWbrg3Z6nyDoNxoHSoZSVPK4ZNWYmmhA7L_v9XLIeu_o3NPBV51-gRjh-jaml9h_Clyhqxw36EoYCYbXgcSP-QHw7SOBOXqkxiuDvZSVNrW7Y2_tMhpqHsrc4f_ioRAUyEbmb5kQbvalBf221ejlDY--BYsZ3xt9eo-Mlt6fNSW9gzRmEB8xFpA/s1080/YA%20%202022%20book%20picks%20(3).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFGcAIWbrg3Z6nyDoNxoHSoZSVPK4ZNWYmmhA7L_v9XLIeu_o3NPBV51-gRjh-jaml9h_Clyhqxw36EoYCYbXgcSP-QHw7SOBOXqkxiuDvZSVNrW7Y2_tMhpqHsrc4f_ioRAUyEbmb5kQbvalBf221ejlDY--BYsZ3xt9eo-Mlt6fNSW9gzRmEB8xFpA/w640-h640/YA%20%202022%20book%20picks%20(3).png" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><b>Fantasy</b></p><p><a href="https://www.levinequerido.com/a-snake-falls-to-earth" target="_blank">A Snake Falls to Earth </a>- fantasy, Indigenous futurism, family, community, Lipan Apache, supernatural</p><p><a href="https://thestoryspectator.blogspot.com/2022/02/me-moth-journey-of-grounding.html" target="_blank">Me (Moth)</a> - supernatural, romance, grief, identity, spiritualism, Navajo</p><p><a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Gleanings/Neal-Shusterman/Arc-of-a-Scythe/9781534499973" target="_blank">Gleanings</a> - short stories, dystopian, death, power, part of the <a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Arc-of-a-Scythe-Paperback-Trilogy-(Boxed-Set)/Neal-Shusterman/Arc-of-a-Scythe/9781534461543" target="_blank">Arc of a Scythe</a> trilogy</p><p><a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/poster-girl-veronica-roth?variant=40001625784354" target="_blank">Poster Girl</a> - dystopian, mystery, power, family</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCFI-Z_fHykpD_CeDgOXi9HHjmFexIt7fBYUOwr3HavijreSBZ1D4zp3AHmycwOVb69WTU_PXzJ5KxT2OJwENK890_V2NZelDgi9y4VVh-02jDyaBhg6loIvnaUtOMVx9iE0UEblmbWaDP9sZYvDWa2CLKEgIGCaYFCD2-gpfsEbaGkTpW_ATdP9xalw/s1080/Adult%202022%20book%20picks.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCFI-Z_fHykpD_CeDgOXi9HHjmFexIt7fBYUOwr3HavijreSBZ1D4zp3AHmycwOVb69WTU_PXzJ5KxT2OJwENK890_V2NZelDgi9y4VVh-02jDyaBhg6loIvnaUtOMVx9iE0UEblmbWaDP9sZYvDWa2CLKEgIGCaYFCD2-gpfsEbaGkTpW_ATdP9xalw/w640-h640/Adult%202022%20book%20picks.png" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><b>Adult</b></p><p><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/695825/when-women-were-dragons-by-kelly-barnhill/" target="_blank">When Women Were Dragons </a>- fantasy, gender roles, family, mystery, social commentary</p><p><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/669672/nightcrawling-by-leila-mottley/" target="_blank">Nightcrawling </a>- poverty, crime, realistic fiction, law enforcement</p><p><a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/wrong-place-wrong-time-gillian-mcallister?variant=39971613179938" target="_blank">Wrong Place, Wrong Time</a> - organized crime, time travel, family, betrayal </p><p><a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-It-Girl/Ruth-Ware/9781982155261" target="_blank">The It Girl</a> - mystery, suspense, murder, Oxford, friendship, romance </p><p><a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/670293/book-lovers-by-emily-henry/" target="_blank">Book Lovers </a>- romance, family, book publishing industry</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXEmhRHjjA-SafVNdgDYCeZ-4ykQMCar3ycb_Nhcsz0sSZCY92DCt2ph_gF8rKLYXQ2NNw2rXJ56VnobC-9oAaqD3l6xswfFQXJUpst_bhcW7KYyY3N0H9TsdTXmq6aTu7QDWS2C-ozL2PY9jgAKCvpSveTLDu3FPnDsl_HR7a6Lu5oFKsvOjU2ogF7g/s1080/Adult%202022%20book%20picks%20(1).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXEmhRHjjA-SafVNdgDYCeZ-4ykQMCar3ycb_Nhcsz0sSZCY92DCt2ph_gF8rKLYXQ2NNw2rXJ56VnobC-9oAaqD3l6xswfFQXJUpst_bhcW7KYyY3N0H9TsdTXmq6aTu7QDWS2C-ozL2PY9jgAKCvpSveTLDu3FPnDsl_HR7a6Lu5oFKsvOjU2ogF7g/w640-h640/Adult%202022%20book%20picks%20(1).png" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><a href="http://tomperrotta.net/tracy-flick-cant-win/" target="_blank">Tracy Flick Can't Win</a> - realistic fiction, dark humor, community, high school, sequel to <a href="http://tomperrotta.net/books/election/" target="_blank">Election</a></p><p><a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/One-Italian-Summer/Rebecca-Serle/9781982166793" target="_blank">One Italian Summer </a>- realistic fiction, grief, marriage, mothers, romance</p><p><a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/She-Come-By-It-Natural/Sarah-Smarsh/9781982157296" target="_blank">She Come By it Natural</a> - nonfiction, culture, music, feminism </p><p><a href="https://williamkentkrueger.com/standalone/this-tender-land/" target="_blank">This Tender Land</a> - historical fiction, 1930s ,Great Depression, midwest U.S., epic quest</p><p><br /></p><p>Compiling this list reflects the genres I gravitate towards and what I need to seek out more. The upcoming year provides the perfect time to read more books that will leave their mark in my psyche. If you have any suggestions for me, please leave them in the comments. 90% of these books I read come from others' recommendations!</p><p> I'm incredibly grateful to be a part of book clubs, review groups and other professional learning networks that allow me to discuss the best books. The American Library Association's <a href="https://www.ala.org/news/mediapresscenter/presskits/youthmediaawards/alayouthmediaawards" target="_blank">Youth Media Awards</a> are also a source of my selected books to read in the coming year. The nominees and winning books are announced on January 30, 2023 from 8 a.m. - 9:45 a.m. CENTRAL time. I can't wait!</p>Fallon Farokhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15474670381186847150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3542785605183555742.post-59528282381332296202022-08-18T20:39:00.007-05:002024-01-10T16:28:11.803-06:00Teaching idea: "Today is..."<p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTMGpTVaduQh_Gl4JrRcVKC2WKh4BdI_0kUoHhBnOjRa7nYkoy5wWqccwamEViEjmk4pSMVCPtOknjHSTj9E1zaLAKFJUgL9Clw3bESyRWqLDFnmYQnfMnBhnrSEoAGbqkJgVR63naDu1-r1BjsEpRk5ylVNQWFykt_2pAT38I02eADF5e-_TWGkOlg/s1080/Teaching%20Tip.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhTMGpTVaduQh_Gl4JrRcVKC2WKh4BdI_0kUoHhBnOjRa7nYkoy5wWqccwamEViEjmk4pSMVCPtOknjHSTj9E1zaLAKFJUgL9Clw3bESyRWqLDFnmYQnfMnBhnrSEoAGbqkJgVR63naDu1-r1BjsEpRk5ylVNQWFykt_2pAT38I02eADF5e-_TWGkOlg/w400-h400/Teaching%20Tip.png" width="400" /></a></div><p>Today is "National Pizza Day!" These five words will cause students to begin thinking, talking and asking questions about the topic. These special days, which occur every day, are ideal topics for students to practice inquiry-based questions, make connections with one another, serve as writing prompts and go perfectly with library resources and standards. </p><p>Here are some ways that I have used them:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>Share a joke, fact, or quote about the topic</li><li>Find a <a href="https://giphy.com/" target="_blank">GIF</a> to help illustrate the special day, or show the GIF first and ask students to try to guess the special day</li><li>Direct students to a database to find out more about a topic</li><li>Guide students to write open-ended questions about the topic</li><li>Connect the topic to a current event </li><li>Challenge students to create a survey about the topic</li><li>Collect books, both fiction and nonfiction, from your library collection and invite students to check them out (<a href="https://twitter.com/ffarokhi/status/1448339835450757125" target="_blank">Twitter post example</a>)</li><li>Put out realia that goes with the topic and allow students to handle the items</li><li>Play a song, game or listen to a poem or speech about the topic, like in Dean Koontz's book, <a href="https://www.publishersweekly.com/9780060085841" target="_blank">Every Day's a Holiday:</a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicyxKrFc26dwtitopt6uLKSLHOWg9stvfF7x4WRzpCLE_40L3FtCD3oFFwNNAUH8Jj80cZEfL9EXiT_Z_Q4VMHBzx0ufWxmTVnrGrzMN8Hzw7_bdg8F_PSb-7jZoU9J6_Y3EiLiR507wwUtknv97RWbKNaCq2LVV2G9Eya5IpEMN9JTFK-iN_RSm0xnXhp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="726" data-original-width="750" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicyxKrFc26dwtitopt6uLKSLHOWg9stvfF7x4WRzpCLE_40L3FtCD3oFFwNNAUH8Jj80cZEfL9EXiT_Z_Q4VMHBzx0ufWxmTVnrGrzMN8Hzw7_bdg8F_PSb-7jZoU9J6_Y3EiLiR507wwUtknv97RWbKNaCq2LVV2G9Eya5IpEMN9JTFK-iN_RSm0xnXhp" width="248" /></a></div><br /></li><li>Make an iMovie, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CTAzrT5HVvL/" target="_blank">TikTok </a>or Instagram Reel of your display</li><li>Use the topic to ask students to choose between "This or That" options </li></ul><div>Here is my <a href="https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1dEA07ez1pkv-0NqKPBrpNRcl9MZC0LtLVKSxrgsfSck/edit?usp=sharing" target="_blank">SLIDESHOW </a>of days I have used with students, in person and during distance learning. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjthTbwcfWqH45hnNcRumnKfHtCoQD5rfdvBLfvtzHkw54lMgtLvAHL7vLPe2dtCbWEAiuccmxZ2lD3HxEMAtkPLLmDZ_fWmqgx1r1NevzlFf-7a1vpuAp0EZf5R-Y3V9Kk_oohYdL1KwTpFvhSSGGtH0L1TC1iuTuSqfJMu4GumaWNmCobOQPa_k_DWhNy" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="1280" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjthTbwcfWqH45hnNcRumnKfHtCoQD5rfdvBLfvtzHkw54lMgtLvAHL7vLPe2dtCbWEAiuccmxZ2lD3HxEMAtkPLLmDZ_fWmqgx1r1NevzlFf-7a1vpuAp0EZf5R-Y3V9Kk_oohYdL1KwTpFvhSSGGtH0L1TC1iuTuSqfJMu4GumaWNmCobOQPa_k_DWhNy=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Some questions you may have about this approach:</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Q: Where do you find what special day it is?</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>A: Type "TODAY IS" in an Internet browser window and click on the search results. Or bookmark: <a href="https://nationaltoday.com/what-is-today/" target="_blank">National Today</a> , <a href="https://nationaldaycalendar.com/what-day-is-it/" target="_blank">National Day Calendar</a> , <a href="https://www.daysoftheyear.com/" target="_blank">Days of the Year</a></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Q. How do you choose what to feature?</b></div><div><br /></div><div><b>A. You know your student development levels and what is appropriate as an educator. Think about how you would expect to use the topic: discussion only or a full lesson? </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Q. What if you have students who don't celebrate holidays?</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>A. You can focus on historical events and famous people's contributions.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Q. Do you check every day or can you look ahead of time to plan?</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>A. I like to check on a daily basis but if I know a certain observance is coming up, I will pencil it in my plans ahead of time. </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Q. Can you go beyond special days, like special months or weeks?</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>A. Yes! There is a librarian on<a href="http://www.lm-net.info/" target="_blank"> LM_NET</a> who posts each month with the title: January is..., February is..., March is..., etc. You can search the archives for those threads.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Q. What if I don't have time to make a slideshow or display? </b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>A. No problem! You can just tell the students without any visuals and ask them to describe their experience with the topic.</b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">UPDATE:</span> since I first published this on 8/18/2022, I have done more with this teaching idea: </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.shannonmcclintockmiller.com/" target="_blank">Shannon McClintock-Miller</a> created a School Librarian Plan Book and it is full of special days that are school-appropriate! You can purchase it on the <a href="https://www.demco.com/demco-reg-upstart-reg-school-library-planner" target="_blank">DEMCO website.</a> </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIMe_7JBV0TyILM4cxVLpIwlZJOwzKgCWaXDM44eKWuRc6q5_szKTzfWMk3E9ouRzcSp_8ypVQIDZOctZ7CvshIsYz98KBBM1RlGo7XOLmC9VkxQtX7HBA2QLNuOAH_YN1BvcW867SpbLE8yEeVTnbQSNjZRK037jbOFlW-NDjPSlT6ZD9CgYtbUZfB-SE" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIMe_7JBV0TyILM4cxVLpIwlZJOwzKgCWaXDM44eKWuRc6q5_szKTzfWMk3E9ouRzcSp_8ypVQIDZOctZ7CvshIsYz98KBBM1RlGo7XOLmC9VkxQtX7HBA2QLNuOAH_YN1BvcW867SpbLE8yEeVTnbQSNjZRK037jbOFlW-NDjPSlT6ZD9CgYtbUZfB-SE=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.capstonepub.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">Capstone Publishing</span> </a> has a yearlong calendar that is in a single poster format that includes special days. Contact your representative to request one to be sent to you. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgcoX6Pc4ltkwZLp5EObq1Q8TdwyhAYuA81FBpfLKAirN5odnUKT2g8er5XY93kEwqwjr1EXu7PPvgGnQ3tkSebEs7qUvciPMs_j85Xy7WPYF9k2yn0JwXVNmLAlIT6gWlBDaFjLllD0hW23pvVOhd9OySIllFFpvEy04mpfGuBfS33rhAuAsALCgaGEX32" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgcoX6Pc4ltkwZLp5EObq1Q8TdwyhAYuA81FBpfLKAirN5odnUKT2g8er5XY93kEwqwjr1EXu7PPvgGnQ3tkSebEs7qUvciPMs_j85Xy7WPYF9k2yn0JwXVNmLAlIT6gWlBDaFjLllD0hW23pvVOhd9OySIllFFpvEy04mpfGuBfS33rhAuAsALCgaGEX32=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><b><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></b></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Calendars: </b>You can also find wall calendars on this this topic! Here's one I found at a supermarket:</span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmpYOmr6fMU9e2Zxazi1XEI4RovGFB2l7Wrqf2nQ8ZjfdzsOTBm-u7rQ0PgADeL2MY5_bDGKSVuJU9Z0thJbqoNztXOcahg08g-cK25n0CkGtm0XanNp_y6HXdppBREkiguGig-E8lw7_LpTVR_twg6KaMTLibvEIeijzegfcqo_0BBCnnlN4hoeeCm3hn" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhmpYOmr6fMU9e2Zxazi1XEI4RovGFB2l7Wrqf2nQ8ZjfdzsOTBm-u7rQ0PgADeL2MY5_bDGKSVuJU9Z0thJbqoNztXOcahg08g-cK25n0CkGtm0XanNp_y6HXdppBREkiguGig-E8lw7_LpTVR_twg6KaMTLibvEIeijzegfcqo_0BBCnnlN4hoeeCm3hn=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicZaLx19PxNfEAp5tVg39na3QbWvZ_7xtdmYqYM0svlMcNCKTi4EjV_4r_Kzq0C6_wbWGI3rLiJM770i49_wZA60Cqob8NdLId5m4x4YD-Vl0A17t1LEOKJ_Gi4Qk8GRqB5hKBSiyJIVC85nAqiJJnRmoa53JvNxO4K_UzNqcnCVKhfYx5LvbVlUVjRybA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicZaLx19PxNfEAp5tVg39na3QbWvZ_7xtdmYqYM0svlMcNCKTi4EjV_4r_Kzq0C6_wbWGI3rLiJM770i49_wZA60Cqob8NdLId5m4x4YD-Vl0A17t1LEOKJ_Gi4Qk8GRqB5hKBSiyJIVC85nAqiJJnRmoa53JvNxO4K_UzNqcnCVKhfYx5LvbVlUVjRybA=w480-h640" width="480" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGb_hxSfS8s0DZjKKH1vUUdBcmi9N3utAx2Ahxi1LJ5cneNsndICKnQRvs5H1joNg4kd-d4eVYTblc5IyYJH0jeW5HpwM6-Ti9J-eO4g6pfvQVQorJInQtDnwt-qmw8WpU2E7862a2Pc8QcdQrdyfymAQOqsWjhEGOIcGj9gstqLjpC-AKhKmlDe3fY6KA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGb_hxSfS8s0DZjKKH1vUUdBcmi9N3utAx2Ahxi1LJ5cneNsndICKnQRvs5H1joNg4kd-d4eVYTblc5IyYJH0jeW5HpwM6-Ti9J-eO4g6pfvQVQorJInQtDnwt-qmw8WpU2E7862a2Pc8QcdQrdyfymAQOqsWjhEGOIcGj9gstqLjpC-AKhKmlDe3fY6KA=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div></div><br /><br /></span></div><div><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Egg Hunt for a topic:</span></b> I printed a list of the "May is..." list from LM_NET and cut apart the days to put into plastic eggs. I hid the eggs around the library and told the students that they were to pick an egg and then read over the special days that are on inside of that egg. From that list they are to choose one to find out more about. They can find a book that goes with the topic or they can make a visual about the special day to share with others. Here are some photos from that lesson: </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCJCXLbVw5fPXj2TaZBTipqJHQUWFN9W3tMI6pzc0vtitr1CXlmrXKOudUxBUbk5Q6RJgajZZw-OulYRF59D0556ZM5-XlOTH3sfePV_BPS_NOv42RuSi_6P8ssIL1FRZtObIItuxDG0Zxqejv_bbuMFaFS0NQKFiftFjTk8a4cK6HHaU99MwmbWmLSUJp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCJCXLbVw5fPXj2TaZBTipqJHQUWFN9W3tMI6pzc0vtitr1CXlmrXKOudUxBUbk5Q6RJgajZZw-OulYRF59D0556ZM5-XlOTH3sfePV_BPS_NOv42RuSi_6P8ssIL1FRZtObIItuxDG0Zxqejv_bbuMFaFS0NQKFiftFjTk8a4cK6HHaU99MwmbWmLSUJp=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnBQ6Pxo4gQrpg_NcxhSkIBBJ0wRRfoS6OvOfqhfejnDOf-CrIVA2wfp0nZI3_A1Sj7zdCO0EjWl6HWyRYoN9XMo6l69PClANMVGS89rwFZr1YDXpu-U5uLyDJJHLkBe0I7wNEAHBG8c3Z30AUPsLRnATX7beLxst5RDE6Fc5PoFGkvatiBW5Y-c6qhC1h" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgnBQ6Pxo4gQrpg_NcxhSkIBBJ0wRRfoS6OvOfqhfejnDOf-CrIVA2wfp0nZI3_A1Sj7zdCO0EjWl6HWyRYoN9XMo6l69PClANMVGS89rwFZr1YDXpu-U5uLyDJJHLkBe0I7wNEAHBG8c3Z30AUPsLRnATX7beLxst5RDE6Fc5PoFGkvatiBW5Y-c6qhC1h=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGveK2Ljsr-yL4ZRjaye7-FKZYcdM35nbW51n8B11lZo8DdOxWIdhcnjXiVlAsFQgeco8sKScz3XpIG4-B2lsxHVmShm8LIQe-my_UlO-J5QGvXH-kayAKvisyzdHWbb7X6WpffmLmtIXLkv6d9nDxaopv36giIi75xQJJ6a9-Z7EvmhwxwITIZb-uXizl" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjGveK2Ljsr-yL4ZRjaye7-FKZYcdM35nbW51n8B11lZo8DdOxWIdhcnjXiVlAsFQgeco8sKScz3XpIG4-B2lsxHVmShm8LIQe-my_UlO-J5QGvXH-kayAKvisyzdHWbb7X6WpffmLmtIXLkv6d9nDxaopv36giIi75xQJJ6a9-Z7EvmhwxwITIZb-uXizl=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Student presentations</b></span>: allow students the time and space to share what they learned by teaching others and even planning a lesson around it. Here are my 4th-6th graders presenting on May the 4th:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgs2YyA9omZQbt7EMudVxr8zUp18QzvqM86nLh_8FaO-TCAjwy_d2o-0XZQPNLn_xPU8kl8kcb9BXP0tgcvuM6WM4B6MICMHj2qz8xbWh9lD5061Bcq3PoWWAWDJb4Kz7xye8g4sx03pFFCpWY8mvmsUPFvBdmE3kJyePT-elDijS4_VzQIz7N3E522NDV8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgs2YyA9omZQbt7EMudVxr8zUp18QzvqM86nLh_8FaO-TCAjwy_d2o-0XZQPNLn_xPU8kl8kcb9BXP0tgcvuM6WM4B6MICMHj2qz8xbWh9lD5061Bcq3PoWWAWDJb4Kz7xye8g4sx03pFFCpWY8mvmsUPFvBdmE3kJyePT-elDijS4_VzQIz7N3E522NDV8=w480-h640" width="480" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgs2YyA9omZQbt7EMudVxr8zUp18QzvqM86nLh_8FaO-TCAjwy_d2o-0XZQPNLn_xPU8kl8kcb9BXP0tgcvuM6WM4B6MICMHj2qz8xbWh9lD5061Bcq3PoWWAWDJb4Kz7xye8g4sx03pFFCpWY8mvmsUPFvBdmE3kJyePT-elDijS4_VzQIz7N3E522NDV8" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_vE2MYrTIEIh-jB82hewO5lNkE-QPsiO13Mmok2ekPxd2vjhr3UtsuZgLRVFG8ZQK75b4hBvf5B-0aOAj25vnItg9914KINLVoqViZ2moaqE4HPofx92fWXaxOnZKlyu5d7TrSImjrP5P8ny49803Qudz-qYavTBdRIn3PdsoadqKPC1Ksol985N56hLp" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_vE2MYrTIEIh-jB82hewO5lNkE-QPsiO13Mmok2ekPxd2vjhr3UtsuZgLRVFG8ZQK75b4hBvf5B-0aOAj25vnItg9914KINLVoqViZ2moaqE4HPofx92fWXaxOnZKlyu5d7TrSImjrP5P8ny49803Qudz-qYavTBdRIn3PdsoadqKPC1Ksol985N56hLp" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBJRhqiJmXYHFe92WrtQtC_jNvyn-E5MYnxb_eCYaG64x-HBVRS5ZX7SH9y3I0MWbtZ-rlyYeQsLovL6EYpFNaN6XEWC0qbxnBLmCLtYpKJfzO43ymfQVwXG7Q9LyMe6QnOJNSLECp2VIPGbeFjlbIn7tf1uY16JlEh0qftBEwgp_eL2pc2jcuXw1chO-X" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjBJRhqiJmXYHFe92WrtQtC_jNvyn-E5MYnxb_eCYaG64x-HBVRS5ZX7SH9y3I0MWbtZ-rlyYeQsLovL6EYpFNaN6XEWC0qbxnBLmCLtYpKJfzO43ymfQVwXG7Q9LyMe6QnOJNSLECp2VIPGbeFjlbIn7tf1uY16JlEh0qftBEwgp_eL2pc2jcuXw1chO-X=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDuv7hhcVUMhT1puP9-rKMYLKkCFx3lsHFszLFTW87P6PIMshnCtEeToDZtpoFbOTJWIPei-_5ylZWxzcI63JQhmvd_v6VhtyNSVBYMVlNUCpXuyoFp81M_B0cHHlZchUE25WP6-4VZuOmsxm3-9bIJWcW4-Ja4W9gZM0GwCSNUBU7giG-uNtCGK-iPA2i" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgDuv7hhcVUMhT1puP9-rKMYLKkCFx3lsHFszLFTW87P6PIMshnCtEeToDZtpoFbOTJWIPei-_5ylZWxzcI63JQhmvd_v6VhtyNSVBYMVlNUCpXuyoFp81M_B0cHHlZchUE25WP6-4VZuOmsxm3-9bIJWcW4-Ja4W9gZM0GwCSNUBU7giG-uNtCGK-iPA2i=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixoVVhoAOW3JzQBX5HV32H82ftz0GXlvmwgYH2KeO9GOGOVpjJc7bkGdxI16dBONhT15aGehu2kantmO4t3YMIvoeDKJ-dsTnX9Eaa9F9i8b6IML7JSJLEvDW-SlTydUnvvHhweXDDv_pad34hJEF8x87l_pnm4KCZ0K_R2305s6HjrtxrOAyIaKrhc3FY" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEixoVVhoAOW3JzQBX5HV32H82ftz0GXlvmwgYH2KeO9GOGOVpjJc7bkGdxI16dBONhT15aGehu2kantmO4t3YMIvoeDKJ-dsTnX9Eaa9F9i8b6IML7JSJLEvDW-SlTydUnvvHhweXDDv_pad34hJEF8x87l_pnm4KCZ0K_R2305s6HjrtxrOAyIaKrhc3FY=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVK265x6J8buVZbUwNcd27XZ6TJ9yC20zmuje4nJ1W1tJ9WkQGE48gmTKVS3X0vnFtKzr2yAzBFmnhX3rkhslbjfCutJHHklzD2p3tPWBNxYSDzXNQm3WJCAAU2sAh8vScUwdqOeWg9oKXV6lzVyX-i-y2wTJOsxNjzOxkytw8lV9hJM90BcZ7U4gSoIFH" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiVK265x6J8buVZbUwNcd27XZ6TJ9yC20zmuje4nJ1W1tJ9WkQGE48gmTKVS3X0vnFtKzr2yAzBFmnhX3rkhslbjfCutJHHklzD2p3tPWBNxYSDzXNQm3WJCAAU2sAh8vScUwdqOeWg9oKXV6lzVyX-i-y2wTJOsxNjzOxkytw8lV9hJM90BcZ7U4gSoIFH=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOsnCnVZhLunX5veaGbYO4JT2ZAGizFNbaqjsEbPLNJsXrayf01zXlSoNsuVzTfM2dtG6qhijh2CVxrGgPEPOPqA6sv-x4sywLZiXkcazOjyzRi8sNreR3tOK35hkFzFCpq09Lidy0QZEDpBhopZU3fVZLCNIz5486YpMEb4Cg-7664ktIpoVLexDdMZUU" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgOsnCnVZhLunX5veaGbYO4JT2ZAGizFNbaqjsEbPLNJsXrayf01zXlSoNsuVzTfM2dtG6qhijh2CVxrGgPEPOPqA6sv-x4sywLZiXkcazOjyzRi8sNreR3tOK35hkFzFCpq09Lidy0QZEDpBhopZU3fVZLCNIz5486YpMEb4Cg-7664ktIpoVLexDdMZUU=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0gvCZ5-83WYuvqTF8lkDXC0ABMX5zA-5EmN2PZwyL2vy57LHFZu3-HKVxfOsOh6nB0QbTCJ-GkyKJxXxx_aT2TRKTapFUT5AKlg1K78tf2iamUHFpc3yutkYOhbWMp7_hKRRc8CTy1l4iDUK_-Tk-crUht8sSqvTw3CGGrLvS2XF1iVuZ3uQejAoe9Z_u" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg0gvCZ5-83WYuvqTF8lkDXC0ABMX5zA-5EmN2PZwyL2vy57LHFZu3-HKVxfOsOh6nB0QbTCJ-GkyKJxXxx_aT2TRKTapFUT5AKlg1K78tf2iamUHFpc3yutkYOhbWMp7_hKRRc8CTy1l4iDUK_-Tk-crUht8sSqvTw3CGGrLvS2XF1iVuZ3uQejAoe9Z_u=w640-h480" width="640" /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></a></div><br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Publish a Whole Class Book on a Topic</b></span>: My 6th graders used their special day and used it to go through an entire inquiry cycle. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKsdYqRPJ9kLITQYfGU8fcg0W96RQ6qlwhFAWQWukN_mdDcI-bu_f_KW3X6BmcYZ892arJonjwGTPHIyqn9QFKmLvUIRkSd2s3GcSfr8V2yxhmjIxF0t1TvcUJ01_wA63qqFltZyTtFIRmUOCDYWPokinfZo_Ao9IP2pH1Ciegqg_vh23fNXWRvtXckFGD" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhKsdYqRPJ9kLITQYfGU8fcg0W96RQ6qlwhFAWQWukN_mdDcI-bu_f_KW3X6BmcYZ892arJonjwGTPHIyqn9QFKmLvUIRkSd2s3GcSfr8V2yxhmjIxF0t1TvcUJ01_wA63qqFltZyTtFIRmUOCDYWPokinfZo_Ao9IP2pH1Ciegqg_vh23fNXWRvtXckFGD=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5Juv4j_FK5IvV0SHI3Pkr7qfZM7b4BpxgZw3957Z7hi5yr0J9Og-01K-ih0pmKPRngmCwfb0ZK6aSyUmZHN3QvIMzz2uTLZKSV-dil9e_otk-zcgXPLlf6zKlE2CeRYswzVnvzBrqP3BNEwR4BWA6iC9gar913bWlR5u9Qk8gmPhUgnTAL39iNhDhBJds" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj5Juv4j_FK5IvV0SHI3Pkr7qfZM7b4BpxgZw3957Z7hi5yr0J9Og-01K-ih0pmKPRngmCwfb0ZK6aSyUmZHN3QvIMzz2uTLZKSV-dil9e_otk-zcgXPLlf6zKlE2CeRYswzVnvzBrqP3BNEwR4BWA6iC9gar913bWlR5u9Qk8gmPhUgnTAL39iNhDhBJds=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1B88L3qoYJHCw_C9sT3tjg2CzrpL1sy5o3ndCFtuLiqPsPyFLjxOB05tomBxH5zHThDyzoE_jNzENbo0uSiI_lVuBOcmcBNHvM5WxVyU3J9Ahxgv4YjbQXVUI1Acam_r8eKaaWfg5umKSWay9FEw6egBSDDi_zuEd5UocFMWM_6j4-E8AAoYCSdxcj57W" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1B88L3qoYJHCw_C9sT3tjg2CzrpL1sy5o3ndCFtuLiqPsPyFLjxOB05tomBxH5zHThDyzoE_jNzENbo0uSiI_lVuBOcmcBNHvM5WxVyU3J9Ahxgv4YjbQXVUI1Acam_r8eKaaWfg5umKSWay9FEw6egBSDDi_zuEd5UocFMWM_6j4-E8AAoYCSdxcj57W=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div>They developed questions about the topic, chose one on which to focus, set out to research their question and took notes over what they found. </div><div><br /></div><div>We used Google Jamboard to brainstorm and sign up for questions. You can also partner students up or use Padlet. </div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhva5t5Y2b2SG6A3Z_6keiD5Y6qyMeiYBrCXPc4zAF1XExb3l9CQQ1vtqTNesQ2LcFI7dXadUfXYkjzRn41hJptW7-RIEV0sSspQGjGUBFWnwHLhvjZkwAg4eeR63KwmFO2JWPWw-krTzf0apwzMCj8p15lvPCLlFFwtB6Te1sLtBshfONsotqggiIi5FvU" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhva5t5Y2b2SG6A3Z_6keiD5Y6qyMeiYBrCXPc4zAF1XExb3l9CQQ1vtqTNesQ2LcFI7dXadUfXYkjzRn41hJptW7-RIEV0sSspQGjGUBFWnwHLhvjZkwAg4eeR63KwmFO2JWPWw-krTzf0apwzMCj8p15lvPCLlFFwtB6Te1sLtBshfONsotqggiIi5FvU=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBvchgGWGNRHlT1Dawm6xCpdEItchmXfmlzJZrJuqI2fOLHf9xkz2SWvHzPPLKn6y-pBiQH57qDM2Guo8mY5gGVv9wH7OsqrACZ--mGN2-yd8J67NsMplElAD64HdSHKigJ0Ff9OSSjZrSlAMfyz_a9SrCyTisHVildoHS_NegeO5HUURpOJ_z7_DQ-pDO" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiBvchgGWGNRHlT1Dawm6xCpdEItchmXfmlzJZrJuqI2fOLHf9xkz2SWvHzPPLKn6y-pBiQH57qDM2Guo8mY5gGVv9wH7OsqrACZ--mGN2-yd8J67NsMplElAD64HdSHKigJ0Ff9OSSjZrSlAMfyz_a9SrCyTisHVildoHS_NegeO5HUURpOJ_z7_DQ-pDO=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjd1L9s1Dy0SYkhHuzr8Vw2KTXMr1JuVRKNBfBO4RJwJ28zxxB89SLELZrxNkkHKGZu0HcL5Fw687_pv5jvsnEFiJrgpEh2wgCS_W3fINck_T27GReuPnrqC3la1w-d3tW8Ga0Gm8JliIvkueTh1n60b8iJjJKGlcL3PCjzkPtGwz0LEe0FjgmEBYiQy0mZ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1422" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjd1L9s1Dy0SYkhHuzr8Vw2KTXMr1JuVRKNBfBO4RJwJ28zxxB89SLELZrxNkkHKGZu0HcL5Fw687_pv5jvsnEFiJrgpEh2wgCS_W3fINck_T27GReuPnrqC3la1w-d3tW8Ga0Gm8JliIvkueTh1n60b8iJjJKGlcL3PCjzkPtGwz0LEe0FjgmEBYiQy0mZ=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>During the research process students monitored their learning and adjusted their question based on what they found out. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQPlNbVpG-O3h70vYd-1nMi-ZYZD3aM7M9LrGPSFAPeTVJNv97pxSrRWjpSgPRtnnw1sZ2w9XKkBXVJ636Q8r9YCQ6uoDwU-2bporhckUZBq8nUe9edXJhQ3PPN3AtPOF-P6M6CF0O1fgzDojm5NwiJXmMHNQeoH9HoaKGTxDGH_Bg_ubPTjMGP_4G5aXx" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgQPlNbVpG-O3h70vYd-1nMi-ZYZD3aM7M9LrGPSFAPeTVJNv97pxSrRWjpSgPRtnnw1sZ2w9XKkBXVJ636Q8r9YCQ6uoDwU-2bporhckUZBq8nUe9edXJhQ3PPN3AtPOF-P6M6CF0O1fgzDojm5NwiJXmMHNQeoH9HoaKGTxDGH_Bg_ubPTjMGP_4G5aXx=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div> Finally, they each designed a page in a whole class book about the topic that would be available for reading in our school library. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIkXRTkoVmQiDpDO2_FxAiB9Yihv2ZRPzBpuz0lWNSfNlYNh6hikORVt2rSReh3a7KMxQKU0T2YHFLJFI0ln1n0-9eCtXYU7VzttG7r9IYogc6P3GUXbfUprDKrjiE1ERP6VqH6wTcZ1-gxzkMtR0DgpzWESTx1HpBBjVDhF3gZVdtNtIbJ0bSNNSufy3H" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1920" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIkXRTkoVmQiDpDO2_FxAiB9Yihv2ZRPzBpuz0lWNSfNlYNh6hikORVt2rSReh3a7KMxQKU0T2YHFLJFI0ln1n0-9eCtXYU7VzttG7r9IYogc6P3GUXbfUprDKrjiE1ERP6VqH6wTcZ1-gxzkMtR0DgpzWESTx1HpBBjVDhF3gZVdtNtIbJ0bSNNSufy3H=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><br /></div><div>They added their resources to their individual pages or compiled them at the end of their book. As a class they brainstormed titles for their class book, critiqued each other's pages, and chose a book cover design for their published book created by one of their classmates. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWtifItcg4Oarwsiex5fY259qSyzLkzhz_59t2q9rMm38JBTp8i3AuQCJ2QZZY5YB_iK1ati-SAsesGKD0m-uDEi2VssYTuTWkefSUADHgUKh6D8Zk6b2v3YFtO3h0ic0uRQROk0phDY1Ye59xnlSekSmLyKLVvqgZFp8mEanpSMYvkA30Iu20HZHPrgVr" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjWtifItcg4Oarwsiex5fY259qSyzLkzhz_59t2q9rMm38JBTp8i3AuQCJ2QZZY5YB_iK1ati-SAsesGKD0m-uDEi2VssYTuTWkefSUADHgUKh6D8Zk6b2v3YFtO3h0ic0uRQROk0phDY1Ye59xnlSekSmLyKLVvqgZFp8mEanpSMYvkA30Iu20HZHPrgVr=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>To print their final books, I used Wal-Mart's photo center, however, because of the template restrictions some of the pages didn't come out completely. In the future I will use the BookCreator APP or get more funds to print the book on a larger scale. </div><div><br /></div><div>At the end of the process we had a book publishing party where students read all of the class books and reflected on what should change for the next time I do this with a class. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMJ0BFT0uxmCagKhXbYjh7IbSFiByfel0kxSENt97AqB1ZZR8AfED_mzpJa-CezFIY4aVb-SvmGMCWyGNgEC4WJE4J6Aq61kEdta8hBMVjZmY86hhteGbwk2aqVpu5lc-SyykutE8g8xTghT7ZmzNPdstjHwfr5B4YTSsTtDlmNn3CDSjR2x_RDl-CH6Yy" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgMJ0BFT0uxmCagKhXbYjh7IbSFiByfel0kxSENt97AqB1ZZR8AfED_mzpJa-CezFIY4aVb-SvmGMCWyGNgEC4WJE4J6Aq61kEdta8hBMVjZmY86hhteGbwk2aqVpu5lc-SyykutE8g8xTghT7ZmzNPdstjHwfr5B4YTSsTtDlmNn3CDSjR2x_RDl-CH6Yy=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJnfJeHXiq9H1B4lj1jyAzcAjb8E6E8_tQ9zNgAN_AvRDrCUzNUqWbG5rqS-YAF0hVSR3zm84T-gjXzmsHPG1-iI1F4eWSL7fWjtewC63TvirR8uf4UYu0TIJf_AUP2EkDcCzI10QnMRCbr9FpWfdyk3SibfdUlkdcQ1Xmdev998N_1N8R4TxQjxWM4-dA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiJnfJeHXiq9H1B4lj1jyAzcAjb8E6E8_tQ9zNgAN_AvRDrCUzNUqWbG5rqS-YAF0hVSR3zm84T-gjXzmsHPG1-iI1F4eWSL7fWjtewC63TvirR8uf4UYu0TIJf_AUP2EkDcCzI10QnMRCbr9FpWfdyk3SibfdUlkdcQ1Xmdev998N_1N8R4TxQjxWM4-dA=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div>Student reflections:</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjOu2dGtY8CVqJt3_aVXNZdiZu4ia2VM20fgKdQeyO5qCaJ6OWH6OEq0QB7YhYU7cGAvaJWnNBBZHd2pDF8k5ij6b63x_Kg4WkVDqU7EPD-oH90i2qW5tS2WeGL6HzVBlGvDz5yMkMa99FBD2Lr4TZv0cj7kp72AP_RrJupV3Ca5l_NMgLUzredP3uBIy8b" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="1422" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjOu2dGtY8CVqJt3_aVXNZdiZu4ia2VM20fgKdQeyO5qCaJ6OWH6OEq0QB7YhYU7cGAvaJWnNBBZHd2pDF8k5ij6b63x_Kg4WkVDqU7EPD-oH90i2qW5tS2WeGL6HzVBlGvDz5yMkMa99FBD2Lr4TZv0cj7kp72AP_RrJupV3Ca5l_NMgLUzredP3uBIy8b=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><span style="font-size: medium;"><b>Read <a href="https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/stef-wade/every-days-a-holiday/9780762478187/" target="_blank">Every Day's a Holiday </a>and ask students to create their own special day: </b></span></div><div><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnHrUC9VkFu-ngL8bzWL1GDU_0fEddLfAMsF4v9VSU6p67RHaNJ9WRS4HuiCPPZ4rEz53QdkBCAcRZMTXP2VV8vptsT9OUKinZQbXjWFG-wq60_oFFHUFJf4vcZ7kdCf9j9C77lGYoc44FhAPbhqp_xF6XX-PLNPv3jReHgm-hfv531m36bm4O8mnQhd1m" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1114" data-original-width="998" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjnHrUC9VkFu-ngL8bzWL1GDU_0fEddLfAMsF4v9VSU6p67RHaNJ9WRS4HuiCPPZ4rEz53QdkBCAcRZMTXP2VV8vptsT9OUKinZQbXjWFG-wq60_oFFHUFJf4vcZ7kdCf9j9C77lGYoc44FhAPbhqp_xF6XX-PLNPv3jReHgm-hfv531m36bm4O8mnQhd1m=w358-h400" width="358" /></a></div><br /><br /></b></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtF9cuzjqih1bmeL8UXWuaHp8YaqMhbC_9X6Snhce5Jkq0Ds5hMR62KcEbnTJpu6w0YpZsvxaOT1oSqoRqOasgDW8QRgxHIkbdjpWCK8XxmkwsoSvn5u1eiLySpWLAAAoPaqz_UqgD5cVDpVjN93oSeytblyI4PO0bKkXD1UkIjSuwS0C4FX6cDoRIQ8Jl" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1688" data-original-width="1534" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjtF9cuzjqih1bmeL8UXWuaHp8YaqMhbC_9X6Snhce5Jkq0Ds5hMR62KcEbnTJpu6w0YpZsvxaOT1oSqoRqOasgDW8QRgxHIkbdjpWCK8XxmkwsoSvn5u1eiLySpWLAAAoPaqz_UqgD5cVDpVjN93oSeytblyI4PO0bKkXD1UkIjSuwS0C4FX6cDoRIQ8Jl=w363-h400" width="363" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://menderist.com/paths-to-being-seen/" target="_blank"><br /></a></div><div><a href="https://menderist.com/paths-to-being-seen/" target="_blank">The Menderist Blog</a> published my experience with one instance of this approach in which one of my students felt seen. </div><div><br /></div><div>Check my <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thestoryspectator/" target="_blank">Instagram (@thestoryspectator)</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/ffarokhi" target="_blank">Twitter (@ffarokhi) </a>for my past displays of special days.</div><div><br /></div><div>Do you currently use or have you used these in the past with students? Please share your experiences and tips in the comments below! </div><br /></div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b><br /></b></div><p></p>Fallon Farokhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15474670381186847150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3542785605183555742.post-61056567060828921332022-06-26T15:54:00.005-05:002022-06-26T15:55:56.617-05:00Blackout: NYC modern-day romance<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKcOkM4aptBwEjxr98XDD5q_ETMVhjne25bc3MNCvk599BcIxPa9Wyczypqrm-d--DJMxOHuQKOdq8XJ0O7dejlja9Mqu6pC991s97jnj_sgVz89X4aet6amCjpkZDXqZOPUZrzMzxxZoWCVniaZ68k5LF-U9HcO4ytcAlMPI8vHTTTCGRimCwPxGIw/s4032/IMG_0737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKcOkM4aptBwEjxr98XDD5q_ETMVhjne25bc3MNCvk599BcIxPa9Wyczypqrm-d--DJMxOHuQKOdq8XJ0O7dejlja9Mqu6pC991s97jnj_sgVz89X4aet6amCjpkZDXqZOPUZrzMzxxZoWCVniaZ68k5LF-U9HcO4ytcAlMPI8vHTTTCGRimCwPxGIw/w480-h640/IMG_0737.jpg" width="480" /></a></div></div><p>There are some authors whose books I will read no matter what. Now imagine my delight when six of these writers collaborated on one book! <a href="https://www.dhonielleclayton.com/books/blackout/" target="_blank"> Blackout </a>the anthology of short stories by the best writers of today: <a href="https://www.dhonielleclayton.com/" target="_blank">Dhonielle Clayton</a>, <a href="https://www.writeinbk.com/" target="_blank">Tiffany D. Jackson,</a> <a href="http://www.nicstone.info/" target="_blank">Nic Stone,</a> <a href="https://angiethomas.com/" target="_blank">Angie Thomas</a>, <a href="http://www.ashleywoodfolk.com/" target="_blank">Ashley Woodfolk</a>, and <a href="https://www.nicolayoon.com/" target="_blank">Nicola Yoon</a>, is a must-have in any high school library collection. The setting is exactly the same for all of the writers' tales: in NYC a massive blackout takes over the city and from there the stories take form. From exes competing for the same summer internship to new crushes developing at a home for the elderly, there is a range of love stories for everyone to get into. There are even LGBTQIA relationships that develop with such care that no reader will be unaffected by them. This is the perfect example of <a href="https://www.dictionary.com/e/historical-current-events/black-joy/" target="_blank">Black joy</a> for young adult readers on up. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ZhdQMwSkJSI" width="320" youtube-src-id="ZhdQMwSkJSI"></iframe></div><p>What stood out to me about these stories is that they continued in the form of snapshots throughout the whole book. It reminded me of a film or play taking place at the same time with fadeaway shots dimming at the close of a chapter and then picking up at the start of another one as the next part of the story unfolds for the characters there. One might think this would be hard to keep track of all of the storylines, but this is where the writers truly shine in their depth of developing each character and their motivations. One suggestion I have is to help those who have never been to NYC understand the layout of the boroughs, is to include a map to help with the movement of the storylines. The cover is also beautifully designed, by <a href="https://efitzdesign.com/#/149437/" target="_blank">Erin Fitzsimmons,</a> and has a surprise underneath the book jacket! I cannot decide how to display it in my bookshelf...</p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLSrZ66wQmf5lnqj47W1r7fDmAUuP8wsW6miEio7nYG947wrZieXQXdE0S8dME2ThPSXXNmYWl8pe4FJ1XtUYtIf1CkdDmV9hu_yU5dK9pwtVP_6W_WMoM2VnCGf0xNLzpBaz5e_uAAIGJGOWe1GNr1P2y3yqtN5uOAp5Bo8Fuyk8-mhV9lvKvf7AN6Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgLSrZ66wQmf5lnqj47W1r7fDmAUuP8wsW6miEio7nYG947wrZieXQXdE0S8dME2ThPSXXNmYWl8pe4FJ1XtUYtIf1CkdDmV9hu_yU5dK9pwtVP_6W_WMoM2VnCGf0xNLzpBaz5e_uAAIGJGOWe1GNr1P2y3yqtN5uOAp5Bo8Fuyk8-mhV9lvKvf7AN6Q=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wSHz4aMkcrc" width="320" youtube-src-id="wSHz4aMkcrc"></iframe></div><p> Other anthologies that Blackout reminded me of are <a href="https://thestoryspectator.blogspot.com/2021/09/black-boy-joy-middle-grades-anthology.html" target="_blank">Black Boy Joy </a>and <a href="https://thestoryspectator.blogspot.com/2021/07/ancestor-approved-native-voices.html" target="_blank">Ancestor Approved</a>. These are more for middle grade readers while Blackout is more for high school aged readers. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBTjyX7xqvrfdpdD05tYUuLU9RJrAWud1692SpUDbAjR1zQdZQwhre2_Cijk61ekEuzQXrZyY0-g3D13tjrQXGdGzYRFXJs5AozvJxqnlkd4mayN2Q4Dg99AHI_0nj3D31EJcXXS86CfGrJ_d_EkYrBVq0ZlwIm9fUS4TmPOzaiODDwz0ZsxoMc8cANQ/s400/Ancestor%20Approved.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBTjyX7xqvrfdpdD05tYUuLU9RJrAWud1692SpUDbAjR1zQdZQwhre2_Cijk61ekEuzQXrZyY0-g3D13tjrQXGdGzYRFXJs5AozvJxqnlkd4mayN2Q4Dg99AHI_0nj3D31EJcXXS86CfGrJ_d_EkYrBVq0ZlwIm9fUS4TmPOzaiODDwz0ZsxoMc8cANQ/s400/Ancestor%20Approved.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4oTB3XnSR6aaGeWrrq6AMjtXLRNGeS9kDbY1CCgPgTF_FcjCuXHZGNWlBw02AQHt4biAtD0qpjjz-bkeLMXsWE_A9p1Co66PalFH1vASFbhfcrxapCel541BFyNb-9gK2TlepRrb0kv35fgQnl-xwNMI9HJ0FzmIfqsWB3L2HbITwJ6mY6QIcjDKZvg/s400/BlackBoyJoy.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="265" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4oTB3XnSR6aaGeWrrq6AMjtXLRNGeS9kDbY1CCgPgTF_FcjCuXHZGNWlBw02AQHt4biAtD0qpjjz-bkeLMXsWE_A9p1Co66PalFH1vASFbhfcrxapCel541BFyNb-9gK2TlepRrb0kv35fgQnl-xwNMI9HJ0FzmIfqsWB3L2HbITwJ6mY6QIcjDKZvg/s320/BlackBoyJoy.jpeg" width="212" /></a><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="265" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBTjyX7xqvrfdpdD05tYUuLU9RJrAWud1692SpUDbAjR1zQdZQwhre2_Cijk61ekEuzQXrZyY0-g3D13tjrQXGdGzYRFXJs5AozvJxqnlkd4mayN2Q4Dg99AHI_0nj3D31EJcXXS86CfGrJ_d_EkYrBVq0ZlwIm9fUS4TmPOzaiODDwz0ZsxoMc8cANQ/s320/Ancestor%20Approved.jpeg" width="212" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><br /><br /><p><br /></p>Fallon Farokhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15474670381186847150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3542785605183555742.post-26485055827107746562022-06-25T11:41:00.001-05:002022-06-25T11:41:17.836-05:00Jagged Little Pill: The Novel, how music inspires a story<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsUzMpyFlweY6x54xTPvZlCno3zroQsd_i8XZIz61FhoG9F4bq_AQ7BrRutEHIUR_lrQLGmjNzDB7Ckvx3TNgwVwlRs_nyo1Q9cnrpEn2H8zVP_CJ3bGC56HS6GHlmR83-tPzmVrt5wRCy49SWmJotr53yH-jWCsdlrz0CAeYZH8a3JhK-1qS2Rv40aA/s4032/IMG_0734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsUzMpyFlweY6x54xTPvZlCno3zroQsd_i8XZIz61FhoG9F4bq_AQ7BrRutEHIUR_lrQLGmjNzDB7Ckvx3TNgwVwlRs_nyo1Q9cnrpEn2H8zVP_CJ3bGC56HS6GHlmR83-tPzmVrt5wRCy49SWmJotr53yH-jWCsdlrz0CAeYZH8a3JhK-1qS2Rv40aA/w480-h640/IMG_0734.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://genius.com/albums/Alanis-morissette/Jagged-little-pill" target="_blank">Jagged Little Pill</a> was one of the first albums I bought and when I listened to the music of <a href="https://alanis.com/" target="_blank">Alanis Morisette</a>, as a 13 year old, I could feel the emotion behind her lyrics. In high school I won front row tickets to her concert when <a href="https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/alanis-morissette/1999/kemper-arena-kansas-city-mo-43c6cf83.html" target="_blank">she toured with Garbage</a> and even got to meet her backstage! She was every bit of lovely and kind as I imagined. It continues to be one of the best moments of my adolescence. Here I am, 27 years later, reading the <a href="https://www.abramsbooks.com/product/jagged-little-pill-the-novel_9781647004774/" target="_blank">young adult novel</a> of the same name based on the <a href="https://jaggedlittlepill.com/" target="_blank">Tony and Grammy Award-winning musical </a>by <a href="https://www.ericsmithrocks.com/" target="_blank">Eric Smith</a>, <a href="https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1959505/" target="_blank">Diablo Cody</a> and <a href="https://www.mswritersandmusicians.com/mississippi-musicians/glen-ballard" target="_blank">Glen Ballard</a>. This is the first novelization of a musical that I have read and it didn't disappoint! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXH5pJK_Qupx3F1ekaMurjODwAy9p3shtOC3QHzArf57a9u9pTvPiEbOJ8hvlYPNBj0VWaJaTf51vuNQxLGsDxaz-tvo2G6PbaB-1Fa2R4px6emE1LxR1Od6WiYslvIuofJDFSBGPy-qeq4jqKLs6dVWEYW36_eYrG6Leo9X9PRxlnoChKrieeN72Odw" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="490" data-original-width="500" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXH5pJK_Qupx3F1ekaMurjODwAy9p3shtOC3QHzArf57a9u9pTvPiEbOJ8hvlYPNBj0VWaJaTf51vuNQxLGsDxaz-tvo2G6PbaB-1Fa2R4px6emE1LxR1Od6WiYslvIuofJDFSBGPy-qeq4jqKLs6dVWEYW36_eYrG6Leo9X9PRxlnoChKrieeN72Odw" width="245" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>The story is told from alternating points of view of five teenagers: Frankie, Jo, Nick, Phoenix and Bella. It's the middle of the school year in a Connecticut suburb and nothing will be the same after a party that gets out of hand when Bella gets violated and the evidence is spread across social media. Everyone's expectations of how they should respond in the wake of this incident drives the story:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>How will Nick, Bella's love interest who was supposed to look out for her act when his mother insists that he do nothing to jeopardize his college plans? </li><li>How will Frankie, Nick's adoptive sister, and her best-friend-with-benefits, Jo, support Bella along with their social activist club to make sure justice is served? </li><li>What can the new student, Phoenix, do to help as he falls for Frankie while taking care of his mom and hospitalized sister?</li></ul><div>Using the musical and album, it's a journey for each character to get introspective as they risk losing the people they love in order to be true to themselves. The adults in the story have as many problems, if not more than the teens as they apply social pressure to everyone around them, including themselves. This is a dynamic story where every character's choices have much to be debated. Readers can think about how much race fits into their expectations of people's sexuality along with the #MeToo movement. Who gets believed and why? How do you communicate with someone with whom you've crossed the line of friendship? What do you do when you suspect your parent of having an addiction?</div><div><br /></div><div>This book also stands out to me and will resonate with young adult readers because the authors interweave texting and chat conversations between the characters. This is a more realistic way of storytelling as today's young people communicate in this way and will more likely read a book that includes this component of dialog. </div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQ6tm9lhrpYAjMYFStr9b4htnGwNAtc8rYYWEQXSWYesJzNjxJdWcvVSnWqgg00oZ98VmgPLKcuAIHjDnPahZSq3qP4JUWQvJmC2VWZ66JG9C9ruIFLJM5foYh2x6F3PKAgdHQn4nzOoIVRUkKdl6Hitvlh8No0LpMKaVSAOjaKlqnubTW34SOp-qbg/s4032/IMG_0731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZQ6tm9lhrpYAjMYFStr9b4htnGwNAtc8rYYWEQXSWYesJzNjxJdWcvVSnWqgg00oZ98VmgPLKcuAIHjDnPahZSq3qP4JUWQvJmC2VWZ66JG9C9ruIFLJM5foYh2x6F3PKAgdHQn4nzOoIVRUkKdl6Hitvlh8No0LpMKaVSAOjaKlqnubTW34SOp-qbg/w480-h640/IMG_0731.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpgfLTVfxNfU5mdXixSGm6yrM4P3a5A7MLDD3cGExLOSdN1DTX2mEYXMGM-35XkVlfou_Ru55dDDyuEiFnfU3Tsv9MpabEcRlFN_MpMPVfsePUAovyemUFWsk1smSEo6AB2hMrRllTB35ytMFiqlevYdxac0ZXQhPPfj8W1Wu0mbVdVZoQNuI7EZrIQQ/s4032/IMG_0733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpgfLTVfxNfU5mdXixSGm6yrM4P3a5A7MLDD3cGExLOSdN1DTX2mEYXMGM-35XkVlfou_Ru55dDDyuEiFnfU3Tsv9MpabEcRlFN_MpMPVfsePUAovyemUFWsk1smSEo6AB2hMrRllTB35ytMFiqlevYdxac0ZXQhPPfj8W1Wu0mbVdVZoQNuI7EZrIQQ/w480-h640/IMG_0733.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Teens can also choose an album or song that speaks to them and write a story idea inspired by the lyrics. This type of writing prompt can help adolescents find the beauty in storytelling and even match other books with songs that would go along well with them! As a fan of movie soundtracks, I love it when books name songs being played so I can play them and the story comes alive in a different way. <b>Literacy is about so much more than the words the page.</b> It's a complete sensory experience if you allow yourself to engage in it. Smith includes a link to the <a href="https://genius.com/albums/Original-broadway-cast-of-jagged-little-pill/Jagged-little-pill-original-broadway-cast-recording" target="_blank">cast recording </a>so readers can listen to it for themselves:</div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWVDYeuKA2GwmcwSzeNGqxiwbCNJ_0DAUYhB0mnxLnzCZK8yUvglmHh7_GM4k3JMCjQxyTMfmF6Cn0qQr212OQtAandnJCGRqGzln0szTpLwUUM9Tb8Ty9iLyu_s6wx4XH-ZonaiWu419NZiFCgdZ-EXGJryinlkQ3jJxXXYw_5VatprWkf4TDNdarFQ/s4032/IMG_0730%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWVDYeuKA2GwmcwSzeNGqxiwbCNJ_0DAUYhB0mnxLnzCZK8yUvglmHh7_GM4k3JMCjQxyTMfmF6Cn0qQr212OQtAandnJCGRqGzln0szTpLwUUM9Tb8Ty9iLyu_s6wx4XH-ZonaiWu419NZiFCgdZ-EXGJryinlkQ3jJxXXYw_5VatprWkf4TDNdarFQ/w480-h640/IMG_0730%20(1).jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Now that I have read the novel I am ready to watch the musical! </div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/m809y5X0PTM" width="320" youtube-src-id="m809y5X0PTM"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div><p></p>Fallon Farokhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15474670381186847150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3542785605183555742.post-37737118585189363702022-06-22T10:13:00.000-05:002022-06-22T10:13:52.571-05:00Lotería: free will or fate?<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9IN03WeLUrWII6DZ_lpjIV1EQ_rzPs6sOPSV0kCwd2Q6MOhM357jufFv-iQYGfRzXGEhC3Y3HkD523mhqbHYG4NVwFargkJ9r1U0T7bCI0mG2gxky8hwakS9scWfX7P6-uGGC3XOZh2tLMGQYrbWbnFa7CPsBV_zl9bkFe6BJ9kDxMoqPcWUvfhPy-g/s4032/IMG_0620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9IN03WeLUrWII6DZ_lpjIV1EQ_rzPs6sOPSV0kCwd2Q6MOhM357jufFv-iQYGfRzXGEhC3Y3HkD523mhqbHYG4NVwFargkJ9r1U0T7bCI0mG2gxky8hwakS9scWfX7P6-uGGC3XOZh2tLMGQYrbWbnFa7CPsBV_zl9bkFe6BJ9kDxMoqPcWUvfhPy-g/w480-h640/IMG_0620.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>I have always been fascinated by the <a href="https://lolomercadito.com/blogs/news/how-to-play-loteria" target="_blank">Lotería</a> cards and their images, but have never learned about them. When I heard about <a href="https://karlavalenti.com/" target="_blank">Karla Arenas Valenti </a>and <a href="https://thebrightagency.com/us/childrens-illustration/artists/dana-sanmar" target="_blank">Dana Sanmar's </a>middle grade chapter book, <a href="https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/625693/loteria-by-karla-arenas-valenti-illustrated-by-dana-sanmar/" target="_blank">Lotería</a>, I knew I had to read it. Not only did I learn more about the cards and the game itself, but the story taught me about Mexican mythology, folklore, traditions, and beliefs. This book will intrigue middle grade readers who like stories about family and high stakes adventures.<p></p><p>In Mexico, a young girl named Clara has no idea that she's the center of a Lotería game between the ultimate players, Life and Death. As they shuffle the cards and begin to play, Clara's life continues with the integration of the symbols from the cards, except they have life-altering consequences for her. When her cousin Estaban goes missing, she must go after him and against all odds, do everything she can to send him back home safely. This story is full of powerful questions about fate, free will, and human determination. Sanmar's illustrations enhance the story and bring the events to life in the eyes of the reader. For example, at one point a character's hair turns silver and I couldn't believe it! The illustration helped reinforce this shocking twist in the story. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0S1HQiYTsHUMpwdrdrvT_FpA-sK02xeonRDxQ_57_iQagQFxfeJFZZPCuQ5XxF3iv8suqrNCoIKYlrhwTajtIFD8CvGzhLWoZbGATkg4UFzjj6LHcCqnHqNkhbrm3htT5hLY59ISNPcmQqnXq0wm20VVHDf26nCzsP4Ypbb8Ye2u9ItPTIuezv4gaLQ/s4032/IMG_0623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0S1HQiYTsHUMpwdrdrvT_FpA-sK02xeonRDxQ_57_iQagQFxfeJFZZPCuQ5XxF3iv8suqrNCoIKYlrhwTajtIFD8CvGzhLWoZbGATkg4UFzjj6LHcCqnHqNkhbrm3htT5hLY59ISNPcmQqnXq0wm20VVHDf26nCzsP4Ypbb8Ye2u9ItPTIuezv4gaLQ/w480-h640/IMG_0623.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><br /> Clara's choices will make readers think about deep philosophical questions long after they have finished the story. <p></p><p>After reading the book, I found a dual-language picture book called, <a href="https://www.mommymaestra.com/2019/12/playing-loteria-interview.html" target="_blank">Playing Lotería </a>(El juego de la Lotería) by <a href="http://renecolatolainez.com/" target="_blank">René Colato Laínez</a> and <a href="https://filamenttheatre.org/board-of-directors/jill-arena/" target="_blank">Jill Arena</a>. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqsPIpUCbyPfrePLR-IRwC8j6cY3Z62_VH3kFEXSiSqIe8tapDxtteaIoCyISzHmSZjvXlTiA9XoCeCGATuZPNwNxYqLY6Pfg7ww0kPOpAOsZjvaHUNvM0S3UgwZif9hDX04uHrD85rIM1RsodwnT7tVFKHT1hPBMSiBq7d3Ml3pEQsSNAZ-LqNWpBeQ/s4032/IMG_0621.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqsPIpUCbyPfrePLR-IRwC8j6cY3Z62_VH3kFEXSiSqIe8tapDxtteaIoCyISzHmSZjvXlTiA9XoCeCGATuZPNwNxYqLY6Pfg7ww0kPOpAOsZjvaHUNvM0S3UgwZif9hDX04uHrD85rIM1RsodwnT7tVFKHT1hPBMSiBq7d3Ml3pEQsSNAZ-LqNWpBeQ/w480-h640/IMG_0621.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p>The story is about a young boy who doesn't want to stay with his grandmother because his Spanish language skills are weak. When he arrives she whisks him away to a fair in the plaza where she leads a game of Lotería. He is mesmerized by the phrases she uses that match the images on the cards. This inspires him to learn them and later when they are in her home she teaches him and he even teaches her English. The rules for the game are included in the end of the book. </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjycpwfPRU1WWVHXmRT6Myw7-5XmN9niPATfJ6X5D8bDdcPMEivl60jQgyyfT5TcvmsAc4ZZ0lx-Qw0Q9a-iqPbUn-OzL8QQm_eo6y5a2a8dgSw1zkvtgS6t5ZBOHbJE5BPNtQSr7OnSBFu6xxJXeyTuygr8EvyIqsW6xGZi2lPjDnHMeAQ3v1yzSvhWA/s4032/IMG_0622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjycpwfPRU1WWVHXmRT6Myw7-5XmN9niPATfJ6X5D8bDdcPMEivl60jQgyyfT5TcvmsAc4ZZ0lx-Qw0Q9a-iqPbUn-OzL8QQm_eo6y5a2a8dgSw1zkvtgS6t5ZBOHbJE5BPNtQSr7OnSBFu6xxJXeyTuygr8EvyIqsW6xGZi2lPjDnHMeAQ3v1yzSvhWA/w480-h640/IMG_0622.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p>I would use both of these books with my students and daughter. Children can <a href="https://www.loteriadecomida.com/" target="_blank">explore the images</a>, phrases and even make their own. They can also <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loter%C3%ADa" target="_blank">play the game</a> which is a lot of fun, too. Even the <a href="https://www.google.com/doodles/celebrating-loteria" target="_blank">Google Doodle</a> was dedicated to the game one time! This game works for anyone because it's a visual game, the language component isn't as necessary. The act of playing the came together in a community is what is most important. </p>Fallon Farokhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15474670381186847150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3542785605183555742.post-7579158616399327952022-04-06T18:22:00.000-05:002022-04-06T18:22:05.265-05:00Slug Days: a day in the life of a girl with Autistic Spectrum Disorder<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeLPojSTAiHju3m9hbAonLV7YQSzbeJOhQIk856VcXSeQvYFFyw6gYxUAZKAGuIvT_JBK5dVCphCmo6eH2kVDXWqafEvXC4w__-vbgos1tvti37ht6ZARmjE8ogDrtW7rM0HgNsSWi5QT0h9KvhaeO2fuUTeGp5L4VpuDf3hG5oEAaeNtLMpQvyvC1CA/s3264/IMG_1269.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeLPojSTAiHju3m9hbAonLV7YQSzbeJOhQIk856VcXSeQvYFFyw6gYxUAZKAGuIvT_JBK5dVCphCmo6eH2kVDXWqafEvXC4w__-vbgos1tvti37ht6ZARmjE8ogDrtW7rM0HgNsSWi5QT0h9KvhaeO2fuUTeGp5L4VpuDf3hG5oEAaeNtLMpQvyvC1CA/w640-h480/IMG_1269.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><a href="https://pajamapress.ca/book/slug_days/" target="_blank">Slug Days</a> by <a href="https://www.saraleach.com/slug-days" target="_blank">Sara Leach </a>and illustrated by <a href="https://rebeccabender.com/" target="_blank">Rebecca Bender</a>, is a slim read at just 116 pages, however, Leach leaves much to be considered after the story is through. The main character, Lauren, is in elementary school, and she has <a href="https://www.autism-society.org" target="_blank">Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)</a> which includes Asperger's Syndrome. Her brain works differently than others, a term known as <a href="https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/what-is-neurodiversity-202111232645" target="_blank">neurodiverse,</a> therefore, she has to work extra hard at remembering rules for how to behave at school and at home. Lauren's range of emotions guide this story, as it is told from Lauren's point-of-view. Her relationship with her classmates, teachers, bus driver, parents, and sibling are all on display as Lauren navigates her daily schedule. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZ-aLJFh_ku2CR1z_1eXdAa6jUmR3tfCgHCAVBWJlOf6VKW5Mj8KzdKCVz2MTJ3j3qSlpK2RNAelERMkPIhyOUATw_o059moAW1rZB_IJdl32B6MTY-dfLBF9aOwesOjYexzUe9_YkeeL0o45nv7IZXthCdSYF2hBEWCnLW5iPLVO-LMkNpLvINbCjTA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZ-aLJFh_ku2CR1z_1eXdAa6jUmR3tfCgHCAVBWJlOf6VKW5Mj8KzdKCVz2MTJ3j3qSlpK2RNAelERMkPIhyOUATw_o059moAW1rZB_IJdl32B6MTY-dfLBF9aOwesOjYexzUe9_YkeeL0o45nv7IZXthCdSYF2hBEWCnLW5iPLVO-LMkNpLvINbCjTA=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p>As a parent and educator, this is a story I recommend to others in order to consider how a person with ASD may be interpreting the world. The author, Leach, is a former educator who writes from experience of having students with ASD and I, too, can say that the story's portrayal of Lauren is authentic. This is also a great story for elementary-age and middle-grade readers to read, listen to, and discuss in order to build empathy. When they are in their daily lives, are they mindful of others' neurodiversity? How would they respond if they were in Lauren's class? The story leaves much to be discussed and readers can note how others they know who have ASD are similar or different from Lauren. </p><p>Another part that drew me to this story were Bender's detailed illustrations. They help tell Lauren's story, especially her feelings of anticipation, joy, frustration, fear, etc. The book would not be the same without them. I can see my students wanting to draw Lauren and her "slug and butterfly days" to show what makes her feel uplifted or down. </p><p>In honor of <a href="https://www.autism-society.org/get-involved/national-autism-awareness-month/" target="_blank">Autism Awareness Month</a> in April I decided to read this book that I had added to my school's library collection earlier this year. It should really be a whole-staff read in all schools so that more educators can have a better understanding of ASD. I was happy to learn that Leach & Bender continued Lauren's story with two follow-up books in this series:</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYRdbei85nb_T2P6Qg0pgJpWlIa4uXX47vzp1lKZbj_XWEHCWDHi-G2FFhwOhytUleCVOazcgYPMwwZ_ZU6fZkpL3OzV312t5L_D7alju8-WPl-bCRW25WXKsmNEfQ6AYt07CbgrdI6OA9e1AZI17BvytmTLDKPAAKZrrjmwhbtTDlr23zcGYxKJgL0A/s499/penguin%20days.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="499" data-original-width="367" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYRdbei85nb_T2P6Qg0pgJpWlIa4uXX47vzp1lKZbj_XWEHCWDHi-G2FFhwOhytUleCVOazcgYPMwwZ_ZU6fZkpL3OzV312t5L_D7alju8-WPl-bCRW25WXKsmNEfQ6AYt07CbgrdI6OA9e1AZI17BvytmTLDKPAAKZrrjmwhbtTDlr23zcGYxKJgL0A/w294-h400/penguin%20days.jpg" width="294" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvynkejDOsoiKhV01a2JcqSMPgl5lck2s2c03hGVZ4tEvLw1tXGhNOipR-4e9IIvitQitPS8BElq2pr3z7nQcqonu4_51WWxeFUfm18BPGVULjDDdwbAlT6hMxeyKSVHBOf99f5jMANL4aJE_FUJdoF5R3vdYsGKT0JromQcTdIO4q2LLBtL2-2IvB-A/s2000/duck%20days%202.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2000" data-original-width="1500" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvynkejDOsoiKhV01a2JcqSMPgl5lck2s2c03hGVZ4tEvLw1tXGhNOipR-4e9IIvitQitPS8BElq2pr3z7nQcqonu4_51WWxeFUfm18BPGVULjDDdwbAlT6hMxeyKSVHBOf99f5jMANL4aJE_FUJdoF5R3vdYsGKT0JromQcTdIO4q2LLBtL2-2IvB-A/w300-h400/duck%20days%202.jpeg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Here are more books featuring characters with ASD:<p></p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><a href="https://www.autismspectrum.org.au/blog/6-childrens-books-about-autism#:~:text=All%20My%20Stripes%3A%20A%20Story,Peete%20and%20Ryan%20Elizabeth%20Peete" target="_blank">Autism Spectrum Australia</a></li><li><a href="https://sfpl.bibliocommons.com/list/share/380247022/520016187" target="_blank">San Francisco Public Library</a></li><li><a href="https://www.readingrockets.org/booklists/picture-books-featuring-characters-autism-or-asperger-s" target="_blank">Reading Rockets</a></li></ul>If you have more to share please leave the titles in the comments below! <p></p>Fallon Farokhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15474670381186847150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3542785605183555742.post-76559828294019767822022-04-03T08:44:00.000-05:002022-04-03T08:44:27.355-05:00Anisa's International Day: cultural pride<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14snJmyfGUwIPJodY5Lx3yF860RkvivCeEDaNqJ5aOkLoDJm6KCFC_qPXqeMfkCLPZLDalY6pEsmTWd-YYUNTRkSss6O-CgtXxVgXMZtYOdx03FhdJYK4IoQQYG8GVy9jP8urMlS1cpGmn5US-FUuXSmp9Wzd43ziHDzNNu1s7sXrJwIDFFtkHv9jrA/s1440/Anisa's%20International%20Day.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1084" data-original-width="1440" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14snJmyfGUwIPJodY5Lx3yF860RkvivCeEDaNqJ5aOkLoDJm6KCFC_qPXqeMfkCLPZLDalY6pEsmTWd-YYUNTRkSss6O-CgtXxVgXMZtYOdx03FhdJYK4IoQQYG8GVy9jP8urMlS1cpGmn5US-FUuXSmp9Wzd43ziHDzNNu1s7sXrJwIDFFtkHv9jrA/w640-h482/Anisa's%20International%20Day.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 13px;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: times;"><a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/anisas-international-day-reem-faruqi?variant=39948073762850" target="_blank">Anisa’s<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></a><a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/products/anisas-international-day-reem-faruqi?variant=39948073762850" target="_blank">International Day</a> by <a href="https://reemfaruqi.com/" target="_blank">Reem Faruqi</a> is an early chapter book story about a 3rd grader named Anisa who is Pakistani-American. She is a positive role model for young people as she is proud of her heritage and is eager to share it with her classmates. It even inspires her teacher to create a project around it for her whole class: an International Day!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: times;">As an immigrant myself, I enjoy this story because of how Faruqi seamlessly weaves in cultural information into the story and supports it with recipes, directions for the crafts and a glossary at the end of the book! As a parent and teacher, I like how Faruqi shows how Anisa uses her doodling to help with her anxious feelings and how Anisa’s teacher helps her when there is a misunderstanding with her best friend. Conflict resolution is an important topic for social-emotional lessons for children and this story is a perfect example to use.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><p></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="Apple-converted-space"><span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span></span></p><p class="p1" style="font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span style="font-family: times;">A huge thank you to Reem Faruqi for sharing an ARC of this book with my Book Excursion book review group. I cannot wait to share this with my students!</span></p>Fallon Farokhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15474670381186847150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3542785605183555742.post-83180539778641920912022-02-20T19:16:00.000-06:002022-02-20T19:16:31.827-06:00The Year I Flew Away: Haitian voices of magical realism<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXfL3sbgtxC6g2FOYuXsfcPdFJ3psTQjZHSSOuriKLY9v5gZZEMobUN1A_ANpFV8M-qfaCdwrDQPu_c9nrcwQsm3Zz5u83SPvjMGcFsEHHOScw4S-bgfFLBzn2J1nvOPchdx64qEwnaDfXAqMHGjrGzDtX-hQcwRySbZJSD-Szx_oLsf3nGDzUjuVaIw=s1200" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="800" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhXfL3sbgtxC6g2FOYuXsfcPdFJ3psTQjZHSSOuriKLY9v5gZZEMobUN1A_ANpFV8M-qfaCdwrDQPu_c9nrcwQsm3Zz5u83SPvjMGcFsEHHOScw4S-bgfFLBzn2J1nvOPchdx64qEwnaDfXAqMHGjrGzDtX-hQcwRySbZJSD-Szx_oLsf3nGDzUjuVaIw=w266-h400" width="266" /></a></div><br /><a href="https://www.hmhbooks.com/shop/books/the-year-i-flew-away/9780358273271" target="_blank"> The Year I Flew Away </a>is a middle grade historical fiction novel by<a href="https://aalbc.com/authors/author.php?author_name=Marie+Arnold" target="_blank"> Marie Arnold.</a> In it the reader meets 10 year old Gabrielle who lives in Haiti with her family but she is sent to Brooklyn to start a new life with her uncle's family until hers can join them in the U.S. Life is hard for Gabrielle in New York. She faces bullying for not speaking English.When a witch offers her a deal to make her fit in, Gabrielle's desperation wins. The witch's agreement has a cost and before she takes everything from Gabrielle, a team of people and even a rat, need to put that witch in her place! A story of identity, racism, family, friendship and new beginnings. <p></p><p>I enjoyed this story because it is unique to the Haitian culture and experience immigrating to the U.S. The folklore of the witch and the talking animals, like the rat, are reminiscent of authentic stories from the author's upbringing. It is also a relatable story to so many readers because they have either been the new kid or have had new kids in their classes at school. This can help readers empathize with how those students may be feeling and be better equipped with ways to welcome them into school and the community. Teachers and families who want to use this book with their middle grade readers can use the vast amount of resources offered on the <a href="https://www.teachingbooks.net/tb.cgi?tid=71362" target="_blank"> Teaching Books website.</a> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AYEiNuSbhmw" width="320" youtube-src-id="AYEiNuSbhmw"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p>Fallon Farokhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15474670381186847150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3542785605183555742.post-17418157079901183702022-02-18T12:07:00.004-06:002022-02-18T12:07:46.665-06:00How to Become a Planet: removing the stigma of mental illness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEimTFUqJ28DkSHWYQxDtbuJV1zt59yZ2sr3aqnpw8XPBYBEpxFn2hayeeCg_rjWBD6JSInBC1rBuGdKSvdMwzY3rPM_oSHGtC3cKqEKnPgt1uV13z5AjpAbs4j69UFLpHe46qRicZ4HJ3_4LIA81OfmW_GvJI8Z4nxLKHbHjDQqb4PMzmFc2NUoRopW_A=s500" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="391" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEimTFUqJ28DkSHWYQxDtbuJV1zt59yZ2sr3aqnpw8XPBYBEpxFn2hayeeCg_rjWBD6JSInBC1rBuGdKSvdMwzY3rPM_oSHGtC3cKqEKnPgt1uV13z5AjpAbs4j69UFLpHe46qRicZ4HJ3_4LIA81OfmW_GvJI8Z4nxLKHbHjDQqb4PMzmFc2NUoRopW_A=w313-h400" width="313" /></a></div><p><a href="https://www.workman.com/products/how-to-become-a-planet/hardback#:~:text=%E2%80%94The%20Bulletin%20of%20the%20Center,self%2Dstigma%20often%20engenders.%E2%80%9D" target="_blank">How I Became a Planet</a> is a middle grade, realistic fiction novel by <a href="https://www.nicolemelleby.com/" target="_blank">Nicole Melleby</a>. The main character is Pluto, a 7th grader, who is on the verge of being sent away from her home on the Jersey Shore to live with her Dad in the city. The only way she can stay is if she shows progress from her diagnosed anxiety and depression by:</p><p></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li>completing summer school</li><li>reconnecting with her ex-BFF</li><li>doing what her mom asks</li></ul><div>Only when Pluto meets Fallon, another person with her own to-do list, does Pluto get the support she needs to come to terms with her new normal. </div><div><br /></div><div>This is a heavy topic, much like <a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Out-of-My-Mind/Sharon-M-Draper/9781416971719" target="_blank">Sharon M. Draper's Out of My Mind</a>, where the neurodiverse internal dialog takes center stage. I would add this book to my school library collection and have it for my home library for my middle grade daughter because Melleby's portrayal of Pluto and Fallon's relationship is a positive one for young people to see. Their romantic relationship organically grows out of their friendship with a supportive community to foster their identities. I hope that more middle grade writers incorporate characters who have complex mental illness needs, as well as more characters who have non-cis-gendered identities. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here is an <a href="https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-authors/article/86311-q-a-with-nicole-melleby.html" target="_blank">interview with Melleby</a> to learn more about this book. Melleby has also written many other <a href="https://www.nicolemelleby.com/books" target="_blank">middle grade books</a>, see below:</div><div><br /></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjcqVeim-JRaF6yKfQ-ChWMn5V_Sbbcp7tqThRNRMKpLlyEXvUCHCTehF97CiLKXSjzUdAnVMuzHw0Za84g7mU2l1Dmza-OQEeJcqrbsKFh2Y3Pl-NensI00EqC20nP5lwdA-tmKJS5o1w0UPxZH9nrZUtOArKFkNDG9WlCrZ8bqW7LhApk7yaGlaafOQ" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="608" data-original-width="946" height="413" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjcqVeim-JRaF6yKfQ-ChWMn5V_Sbbcp7tqThRNRMKpLlyEXvUCHCTehF97CiLKXSjzUdAnVMuzHw0Za84g7mU2l1Dmza-OQEeJcqrbsKFh2Y3Pl-NensI00EqC20nP5lwdA-tmKJS5o1w0UPxZH9nrZUtOArKFkNDG9WlCrZ8bqW7LhApk7yaGlaafOQ=w640-h413" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><p></p>Fallon Farokhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15474670381186847150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3542785605183555742.post-52302989891974028792022-02-18T10:15:00.000-06:002022-02-18T10:15:18.913-06:00From a Whisper to a Rallying Cry: Asian-American activism begins<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgemCyB65bKQI0zWoIeRH6GE4Du0LlSQTgSOuKxLbrFBtXOOkjW9S25sgwiRm4HUPv-emHDRU2LrROrrsV5tr0mamSKPWYpcCyFPH48smlpdVJpPj4aN6-M2kKKtQww_llotA1OGks0pZrmiAAUlNn3sJAptoDyDNdsgmNrcwECJKvsnrbaL5mWrhYPiQ=s3264" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgemCyB65bKQI0zWoIeRH6GE4Du0LlSQTgSOuKxLbrFBtXOOkjW9S25sgwiRm4HUPv-emHDRU2LrROrrsV5tr0mamSKPWYpcCyFPH48smlpdVJpPj4aN6-M2kKKtQww_llotA1OGks0pZrmiAAUlNn3sJAptoDyDNdsgmNrcwECJKvsnrbaL5mWrhYPiQ=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><a href="https://www.nationalbook.org/books/from-a-whisper-to-a-rallying-cry-the-killing-of-vincent-chin-and-the-trial-that-galvanized-the-asian-american-movement/" target="_blank">From a Whisper to a Rallying Cry: The Killing of Vincent Chin and the Trial that Galvanized the Asian American Movement </a>by <a href="https://paulayoo.com/" target="_blank">Paula Yoo </a>is an <a href="https://wwnorton.com/books/9781324002871" target="_blank">award-winning</a> non-fiction, young adult book that looks deeply at the people and circumstances that launched activism for Asian-Americans. Yoo uses primary sources and interviews from the 1980s to the present-day hate crimes against Asian-Americans due to the Coronavirus pandemic to put the whole plight of Asian-Americans in context. This is a valuable book for U.S. History classes, social justice and law classes, as well as for teens and adults who want to learn more about other civil rights movements aside from the ones for Black people and perhaps the LGBTQIA+ communities. </p><p>Detroit in 1982 was full of tension. Tension between Asian-Americans and those in the automobile industry. When a Chinese-American man, Vincent Chin, was brutally killed by two white men and the sentence was only probation and a $3000 fine, the Asian-American community organized to protest against this injustice. Chin's wrongful death was the first case brought against someone's civil rights being violated. The prosecutors retried the defendants claiming that their crime was racially motivated and that violated Chin's civil rights that were protected under the law. What ensued was a years-long battle in and out of the courts with multiple law enforcement, attorneys, witnesses, and national figures for justice being pulled back in to find closure on the case. </p><p>What stood out to me was how ordinary, everyday people got involved in the movement. For example, Mable Lim, an elderly woman who drove around Detroit with press releases shared that when she was younger she never stood up to the racism she encountered. "I accepted it, you're used to being excluded and treated differently." Many readers may relate to Lim and her perspective, even to this day. Marginalized groups benefit from learning about the past where coming together for a common cause brings strength to the community as a whole.</p><p>Another part of this story that was especially informative was how all-encompassing the movement became. At first it was Chinese-American activists that then grew to Japanese-Americans, then the NAACP and Pacific Islander groups joined. During a march an elderly Filipino man was asked why he joined and his reply encapsulated the feeling for justice, "If we don't stand together, we'll always be divided." This book teaches the origins of the term Asian American and Pacific Islander. Readers can better understand how these modern-day terms came about and how they are used today.</p><p>Finally, the true-crime aspect of the story is also a reason why I recommend it to young adults and adult readers. Yoo writes in a narrative style similar to true crime podcast scripts that provide details to the reader about the background of each person involved in the case. The courtroom scenes and judicial procedures are also notable because they were the cause of laws actually changing to ensure equitable sentencing procedures for future cases. Readers are also not lectured at in this book. For example, Yoo doesn't state her opinions about the motivation behind the killing. She lays out the evidence from both sides and that is what is also good to read. How she handles the effects on the defendants' lives brought a more balanced approach to this story.</p><p>After reading this book readers will undoubtedly want to do their own research on the case and the people involved. Yoo provides numerous sources for further reading, including the film, <a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0096440/" target="_blank">Who Killed Vincent Chin?</a> Here is an <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdUoU4_SP2A" target="_blank">interview</a> from the Glendale Library that was done with Yoo:</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vdUoU4_SP2A" width="320" youtube-src-id="vdUoU4_SP2A"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Fallon Farokhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15474670381186847150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3542785605183555742.post-41578123485602293102022-02-17T09:23:00.000-06:002022-02-17T09:23:55.930-06:00Violets are Blue: a middle grade story of family secrets<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3rSNo_QX1GQfeAkFaTvcN3tz05wnxGRyKW3QazdqoEvUP-cJLOsk0ShWFFX_Uajfr1r0-1OTGr8Ig5RFYbYKlc_BvKzbqlZOo0fvWzoS-i_4Quq2NyoQ5N0XC45avZ-b1mjBog0qJT4TL4VzfPXu43ZfMBxoMiOwe2mCbJQaF6dzm9Cw6dtrQOOUBXQ=s1024" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="896" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi3rSNo_QX1GQfeAkFaTvcN3tz05wnxGRyKW3QazdqoEvUP-cJLOsk0ShWFFX_Uajfr1r0-1OTGr8Ig5RFYbYKlc_BvKzbqlZOo0fvWzoS-i_4Quq2NyoQ5N0XC45avZ-b1mjBog0qJT4TL4VzfPXu43ZfMBxoMiOwe2mCbJQaF6dzm9Cw6dtrQOOUBXQ=w350-h400" width="350" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Violets-Are-Blue/Barbara-Dee/9781534469181" target="_blank">Violets are Blue</a> by <a href="https://barbaradeebooks.com/" target="_blank">Barbara Dee</a> is a poignant look at how one middle schooler, Wren, tries to deal with her family drama by escaping into her passion for special effects makeup. This is a book that brings up important issues that young people deal with or may see in their friends' lives. It offers a chance for readers to discuss issues such as divorce, being the new kid in school, addiction and having half-siblings in a safe way. Dee realistically writes the characters and situations so the reader roots for them to make better decisions in order to bring relief to their ailing hearts.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wren experiences a traumatic family event when her father leaves her mother for another woman, moves away to New York City and has twins with her. Stuck in the middle of her parents, Wren just wants everyone to be happy so she avoids telling them about the other one's lives. Her escape from this tension is into the CatFX YouTube channel where Cat teaches her viewers how to transform faces with makeup. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> Wren is pushed out of her comfort zone when her mom decides to move them to a new town where Wren is to start 7th grade. Her mother's actions keep getting more alarming and when Wren tries to handle it on her own, it becomes so big that it's out of her hands. Wren reaches a breaking point, will she be able to come out of it unscathed?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/9BX-KWqjpIY" width="320" youtube-src-id="9BX-KWqjpIY"></iframe></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I highly recommend this book for middle grade readers and adults who want the perspective of a tween who is doing her best in a tough situation. Dee is a seasoned writer whose other books also touch on young people who are challenged by life. Check out more of <a href="https://barbaradeebooks.com/books/" target="_blank">Dee's books</a> below:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6ycc3UzAeYrMziq3DM-5za_b_weomyq-F1ox3SMHWtSIvXRg6xD3kDyzYiyll4VD4euheAlfJTL8MbfvI3PKNgVrv6s1kO4edn7mQMjfwG58fOidZE9WcPJTRZnyYGjmd5FsRi3R2rZ1FkKz-EXPcV29wXgE3lJM75FhDm8HwfCmPrRAcN_JS0IcY1Q" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1650" data-original-width="2146" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh6ycc3UzAeYrMziq3DM-5za_b_weomyq-F1ox3SMHWtSIvXRg6xD3kDyzYiyll4VD4euheAlfJTL8MbfvI3PKNgVrv6s1kO4edn7mQMjfwG58fOidZE9WcPJTRZnyYGjmd5FsRi3R2rZ1FkKz-EXPcV29wXgE3lJM75FhDm8HwfCmPrRAcN_JS0IcY1Q=w640-h492" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p><br /></p>Fallon Farokhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15474670381186847150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3542785605183555742.post-22500019867200518872022-02-15T13:54:00.003-06:002023-01-08T15:35:27.598-06:00Lemon Drop Falls: "Brave the Sour to Taste the Sweet"<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0nf67bwqXSxVV_msgJukBE1DAQa4HuUNw-YHKA7oT9V4dxlKaOGgmUQ7VrLeMIJCxjA5xqvZ9gsu5339bluvEsTTRL-GTqDU444wRZHgSznu4CFUW_zTQqka9dMOcjgFZxPQPg6CA6GqdsA-i5UE-pGj1TlyXVCMXD4xg7OV5YSX6mG_ZsvX4E2mKcg/s475/lemon%20drop%20falls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="475" data-original-width="312" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0nf67bwqXSxVV_msgJukBE1DAQa4HuUNw-YHKA7oT9V4dxlKaOGgmUQ7VrLeMIJCxjA5xqvZ9gsu5339bluvEsTTRL-GTqDU444wRZHgSznu4CFUW_zTQqka9dMOcjgFZxPQPg6CA6GqdsA-i5UE-pGj1TlyXVCMXD4xg7OV5YSX6mG_ZsvX4E2mKcg/w263-h400/lemon%20drop%20falls.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p><a href="https://northstareditions.com/product/lemon-drop-falls/" target="_blank">Lemon Drop Falls</a> is a middle grades chapter book by debut author, <a href="https://www.heatherclarkbooks.com/" target="_blank">Heather Clark</a>. Morgan's mom always had a plan for everything. Except when she passes away unexpectedly she tells Morgan to make sure her younger siblings are looked after and are happy. In this way she transfers the pressures she faced to her 12 year old daughter. Morgan does everything in her power to take care of her younger siblings, who are quite a handful. Whenever she gets in a bind, she thinks back to what her mom would do in that situation. For example, when someone in the family had a tough problem, her mom would pull out the jar of lemon drops and they'd talk about it or just be together through the rough patch. </p><p>Only now, there is no mom and Morgan feels like she's drowning. Her father has always been used to her mom taking care of everything down to the last detail so he has no clue how to run their household. It's up to Morgan to go without her plans for the summer soccer team and unsure of how to mend her fragile friendships before the new school year begins in a new middle school. Each chapter of the story is either a flashback to before her mom passed away or the present where Morgan is trying her hardest to keep everything on track. When her dad suggests that they take a camping trip, Morgan's anxiety and stress overflow to where she is in danger. </p><p>This important story is good for young people and teachers and parents to read to understand how OCD and anxiety can get worse if not treated. I wish this book had been around when I was younger so I could better cope with changing friendships, puberty, and even grief. We had Heather Clark join a 4th grade class at my school for an author visit and she was phenomenal with the students. She encouraged them to write what they know and what they're interested in. I highly recommend this book for upper elementary students and middle school libraries.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiu8PiJ00rUNDOzX_7-Z9INSmeHkkcfv_5O2IxS8Bl-GSTR98gAd7R2WyW3OOfKraalKvEqMuln85eQOHybvCLPSMsM-4DN5TjF2d_i_cc3YHH9P3P5nM2r2s29vg6LkEjLFoDkmpypmt7ppxYXNo1WUxUFOc7eQD0ZETdgWWEORYIjI_Smxe3eWhcxPA=s1080" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiu8PiJ00rUNDOzX_7-Z9INSmeHkkcfv_5O2IxS8Bl-GSTR98gAd7R2WyW3OOfKraalKvEqMuln85eQOHybvCLPSMsM-4DN5TjF2d_i_cc3YHH9P3P5nM2r2s29vg6LkEjLFoDkmpypmt7ppxYXNo1WUxUFOc7eQD0ZETdgWWEORYIjI_Smxe3eWhcxPA=s320" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjeKbldA89YqL7g9-HgYRVPHJqfLlDDldjUC8YJh5on5zQmOAfNMrei-R2yXUV7-xEvwa9ekXgy45cpGN_fxHWAeNKcevwg6FeORwqUwBnPG7f0X1lEMgdQus3-vkCju59APSNARshLJ90s-kTUdCHAUbntpk9SPBHyZRLp1hTRBX-AnND9GP_5xiPKbg=s3264" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjeKbldA89YqL7g9-HgYRVPHJqfLlDDldjUC8YJh5on5zQmOAfNMrei-R2yXUV7-xEvwa9ekXgy45cpGN_fxHWAeNKcevwg6FeORwqUwBnPG7f0X1lEMgdQus3-vkCju59APSNARshLJ90s-kTUdCHAUbntpk9SPBHyZRLp1hTRBX-AnND9GP_5xiPKbg=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3542785605183555742.post-53666861195634476282022-02-14T10:37:00.002-06:002022-02-14T11:46:37.164-06:00Me (Moth): a journey of grounding effervescence<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5kAjehqtChJpxORWI22St3ebmVlWeqaLOPQNNfiAfftxEdJ-Sid0m4VW-P_w39T2bl2Fd2L4qcuaEdi-ePKt96oh9PZjla1DU2l6gIL0uNCkdGjosGa-9pY_2XpjqEQ-esQPHz1O0F4K1upypKlTujI51fceCTA-8EWtE2ZFEowffYl-bB_UBbm1D1A=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh5kAjehqtChJpxORWI22St3ebmVlWeqaLOPQNNfiAfftxEdJ-Sid0m4VW-P_w39T2bl2Fd2L4qcuaEdi-ePKt96oh9PZjla1DU2l6gIL0uNCkdGjosGa-9pY_2XpjqEQ-esQPHz1O0F4K1upypKlTujI51fceCTA-8EWtE2ZFEowffYl-bB_UBbm1D1A=s320" width="240" /></a></div><p><a href="https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250780362/memoth" target="_blank"> Me (Moth)</a> a young adult debut by <a href="https://amber-mcbride.com/" target="_blank">Amber McBride</a> is a haunting story told in verse about two teens, Moth and Sina. Moth loses her entire family in a car accident that spares only her and she lives with survivor's guilt. Although what she does is not considered living. Moth cocoons herself against any enjoyment, even in her aunt's home. Her grief drives Aunt Jack to abandon her. The only voice that Moth clings to is the advice her Gray-Bearded Grandfather gave her about their Hoodoo spiritual roots. She is surprised to be drawn to the new student, Sina, a member of the Navajo Nation, who has his own emotional struggles. Although Moth is determined to stay invisible, Sina sees her and invites her to join him on a road trip back to New Mexico.</p><p></p><p>On this journey, Moth and Sina stop at various landmarks from Virginia to the Four Corners. As a former social studies teacher and librarian, it stood out to me how these characters take in each place through their own unique lens. For example, while in Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's home, they visit the quarters for the enslaved people and leave offerings for their courageous legacies. It's refreshing to have a point of view that is seeped in spirituality and a recognition for marginalized groups.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9dqgpbh7E5gKM_cwkvftB7kBPcAxg59GFD8BI8ImRP9CxjJhtN8_jtUv70wsE2tA7sOXXuSUz1bGX-adp_Yu_X-dssBYBWswT_ST3uq1WSbUuvCncg5erKh9n_3AYSN2dTxWsSRCbnAwnelbTneT9VH5Z3H2YwfgDVFl6iCUmMwWtCd2Pv21e0PfnpQ=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9dqgpbh7E5gKM_cwkvftB7kBPcAxg59GFD8BI8ImRP9CxjJhtN8_jtUv70wsE2tA7sOXXuSUz1bGX-adp_Yu_X-dssBYBWswT_ST3uq1WSbUuvCncg5erKh9n_3AYSN2dTxWsSRCbnAwnelbTneT9VH5Z3H2YwfgDVFl6iCUmMwWtCd2Pv21e0PfnpQ=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2nGjUyVjg4WJZhyqEQeo9hhb7XydG-GO8adT1rYeZjOHG8-ZsrGzCEF7YARMuvexCEFIZpSKaVKhjzdXjJa_az2lHBLkBxKxclZ32GwSRXvPh0Obzv1zmml1sWh8sZxVPRH6COt6NeIGrGopJG8bwbziQVs3IiuOazf3d6G7AnudqZr3aUpmRWC6kTQ=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi2nGjUyVjg4WJZhyqEQeo9hhb7XydG-GO8adT1rYeZjOHG8-ZsrGzCEF7YARMuvexCEFIZpSKaVKhjzdXjJa_az2lHBLkBxKxclZ32GwSRXvPh0Obzv1zmml1sWh8sZxVPRH6COt6NeIGrGopJG8bwbziQVs3IiuOazf3d6G7AnudqZr3aUpmRWC6kTQ=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><p></p><p>I highly recommend this book for young adult readers and adult readers because of the topics of identity, supporting one another and for learning about non-Western beliefs. The characters show strength through their struggles in a mystical, dreamy way. McBride writes as if the reader is floating above the story, yet feeling as if their feet are planted firmly in the Earth. <i><b>I don't want to spoil the story </b></i>but it ended in a way that made me go back and reread it knowing how it ended; it was like an entirely different story! Only a master storyteller can accomplish something that beautiful.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">Congratulations to McBride for being a finalist for the </span><a href="https://www.nationalbook.org/books/me-moth/" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">National Book Award 2021 </a><span style="text-align: left;">in the Literature for Youth category. Here is </span><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRgrZ_DTL8Q" style="text-align: left;" target="_blank">McBride reading</a><span style="text-align: left;"> an excerpt from Me (Moth): </span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JRgrZ_DTL8Q" width="320" youtube-src-id="JRgrZ_DTL8Q"></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjR2PH02XIhyp2-Delw3kTIwL-7_JMwkjqi7tFDzlvF92xAuqflneXOKH5F43ILgjOX8snS3XkJU0v7FjpMgM8MolZY4XUicfERi0jSmMXMpuXv-a5VBfVcBWBt1b864d8c_CLbPgpkZEKy5QsAUApS7iuflQQKw6Ciqp00WTB9CwQLqDmgfdAATEeBw=s4032" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgjR2PH02XIhyp2-Delw3kTIwL-7_JMwkjqi7tFDzlvF92xAuqflneXOKH5F43ILgjOX8snS3XkJU0v7FjpMgM8MolZY4XUicfERi0jSmMXMpuXv-a5VBfVcBWBt1b864d8c_CLbPgpkZEKy5QsAUApS7iuflQQKw6Ciqp00WTB9CwQLqDmgfdAATEeBw=w480-h640" width="480" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/YoceVmsx_MY" width="320" youtube-src-id="YoceVmsx_MY"></iframe></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Fallon Farokhihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15474670381186847150noreply@blogger.com0