Part 3 - Summer Reading Recommendations - 25 Pleasing Picture Books

Hello Readers!

This week I am offering up a helping of 25 picture books that are perfect for young, intermediate, and middle grade readers. These books run the gamut from heartwarming and funny to thought-provoking and informative. And all of the books on the list contain beautiful, inspiring illustrations that enrich (or completely tell) the story. I encourage you to explore the list of picture book recommendations and choose a few books to share with your child this summer. The recommendations are organized into two sections:

• Picture Books for Younger Readers - geared toward readers in grades K-3 depending on interest and comprehension level.
• Picture Books for Intermediate to Middle Grade Readers - geared toward readers in grade 3-8 depending on interest and comprehension level.

For many children, exposure to picture books ends as soon as they begin reading chapter books. However, picture books hold a value for all readers regardless of age or reading ability. Author of the blog Literacy, Families, and Learning, Trevor Cairney, published a post entitled, "Why Older Readers Should Read Picture Books" in which he addresses and aims to dispel the following four myths:

• Myth 1 - Picture books are easier than chapter books.
• Myth 2 - Illustrations make it easy for children to read and reduce the demands on the reader.
• Myth 3 - Getting children reading longer texts earlier will maximize their reading growth.
• Myth 4 - Picture books are just for children.

Be sure to check out my previous posts, Part 1 - Fabulous Fiction and Part 2 - Incredible Informational Text, for more summer reading recommendations. Next week, I'll have recommendations for great summer Poetry reads.

Happy reading!

Part 2 - Summer Reading Recommendations - Incredible Informational Text

Hello Readers!

Happy summer break to those of you who have already gotten out of school for the year! Some of us still have another month to go. Either way, you can definitely dive into this list of recommendations for Informational Text to read in the near future. These books tell the stories of amazing people, places, animals, inventions, recipes, events, languages, phenomena, ... phew! They are full of engaging illustrations, interesting facts, and all-around amazing ideas addressing a wide range of topics and interests.

Are you ready to look for some informational text to read? If so, click here. This list of Informational Text Recommendations is organized into two categories, with 15 books in each category:

• Informational Books for Young to Intermediate Readers - geared toward students in grades K-5 depending on interest and comprehension level
• Informational Books for Intermediate to Middle Grade Readers - geared toward students in grades 3-8 depending on interest and comprehension level

Just because summer is fast approaching, it doesn't mean that learning has to stop. Reading informational text is one of the most exciting and enjoyable ways to learn. Kids love to sit with a parent and share a book together, and using informational text can essentially feel like learning in disguise. Visit your local library or bookstore to grab one (or all) of these books, and enrich your minds today!

Did you miss Part 1 - Fabulous Fiction Summer Reading Recommendations? No worries; click here. Check back next week when I'll be featuring Picture Books, and finally, Poetry. Happy reading!

Part 1 - Summer Reading Recommendations - Phenomenal Fiction

Hello Readers!

It is hard to believe that the end of the school year is upon us and the summer break is fast approaching. How many of you have begun to start making a summer reading list? If you are looking for some ideas, I have a list of suggestions for you here.

To begin, I am sharing fiction titles that fit into one of these categories (all three categories are in the same document):

• Early Chapter Books - geared toward students in grades 1-4 depending on interest and comprehension level
• Intermediate Chapter Books - geared toward students in grades 3-6 depending on interest and comprehension level
• Middle Grade Chapter Books - geared toward students in grades 5-8 depending on interest and comprehension level

As always, a book can be enjoyed a variety of ways such as a child reading independently, an adult and a child taking turns reading different parts of a book to each other, or an adult reading aloud to a child. The key is to enjoy the story and talk about what is happening to ensure and enrich understanding of the text.

Next week, I will share a list of Informational Texts as well as Picture Books to add to our Summer Reading repertoire. Until then, have fun perusing these fiction suggestions and getting a start on your summer reading list.

Do you have any recommendations for me to put on my summer reading list? Let me know.

Happy reading!

Friendship, Family, and Searching for the Truth During Depression-Era Historical Fiction

Hello Readers!

This week 5th grade book club members are discussing Moon Over Manifest by Clare Vanderpool. This work of historical fiction takes place during the Great Depression in the small town of Manifest, Kansas. Through our book discussion, we will explore the ideas of friendship, belonging, community, hope, and loneliness.

12-year-old Abilene Tucker, the daughter of a drifter, feels abandoned when her father puts her on a train and sends her to live with Shady Howard, part-time preacher and saloon operator, in the small town of Manifest, Kansas. Armed with her most prized possession, a broken compass that belonged to her father, Abilene sets out to discover her father’s connection to this worn-out town. What she learns is that Manifest is a town with a history of colorful and eccentric characters, and very deep secrets. As stories are told, and secrets revealed, Abilene starts to understand the meaning of community, the power of friendship, and most importantly, she begins to weave her own story.

To preview discussion questions, click here. Visit the Grade 5 page for more information related to author Clare Vanderpool, the Great Depression, and orphan trains. Happy reading!

Fourth Graders Take on a Double Dog Dare

Hello Readers!

This week fourth grade book club members are discussing Double Dog Dare by Lisa Graff.

What would you do to win a dare war?

Would you lick a lizard?

Wear a tutu to school?

Dye your hair green?

At his old school, Kansas Bloom was the King of Dares. So when, during his first week at Auden Elementary, he's thrust into a dare war to see who will be the future news anchor of the fourth-grade Media Club, Kansas thinks winning will be a piece of cake.

Francine Halata has been dying for that news anchor job forever. So even if it means making a fool of herself in front of the entire school, she vows to take Kansas, dare for dare.

In a battle of wits and willpower, Francine and Kansas become fast enemies ... until they discover that they have something surprising in common. And somehow, that one little fact changes everything.

To preview our discussion questions, click here. Please visit the Grade 4 page for more links to Lisa Graff's web site and information on how to make a Rube Goldberg machine.

Happy reading!