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Sign Of The Chrysanthemum By Katherine Paterson
Paterson, Katherine. THE SIGN OF THE CHRYSANTHEMUM New York : Harper, 1988 IL 5-8, RL 5.6 ISBN 0064402320 Set in 12th century Japan, the story centers on 14 year old Muna. Living in a small village, Muna longs to find the father he has never known. His mother has told him tales of a great warrior who came to the village years ago. He was a fierce samurai with a tattoo of a chrysanthemum on his shoulder. When she passes away, Muna stows away on a ship bound for the city in search of his father. He is discovered and a likable ronin named Takanobu takes him under his wing. Muna soon realizes that Takanobu is a bit of a scoundrel, but he has been kind to Muna and deserves loyalty. One night, a fire breaks out in a bar where Takanobu has been drinking. Muna tries to save him, but suffers smoke inhalation and is not successful. Fukuji, a master swordsmith, takes Muna in and helps him heal. After, Muna stays with Fukuji doing chores around the house to earn his keep. Muna is happy with his life and hopes that one day Fukuji will take him on as an apprentice. But fate has other plans for Muna.
Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Book of the day 12/30/2014
Monday, December 29, 2014
Book of the day 12/29/2014
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While You Were Napping By Jenny Offill
Offill, Jenny. WHILE YOU WERE NAPPING New York : Schwartz and Wade, 2014 IL K-3, RL 2.5 ISBN 0375865721 Have you ever fought taking a nap because you thought you might miss something? The little boy in this story sure does. But his sister tells him she will let him know if anything good happens. And what a story she tells when he wakes up. It is all about pirates and fireworks and trips to outer space. She really makes her brother regret falling asleep.
Sunday, December 28, 2014
Book of the day 12/28/2014
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How To Steal A Dog By Barbara O'Connor
Georgina has not always lived this way. She used to have both a mother and father and they lived in an apartment. Until her father walked out and left them with very little money. Now, Georgina, her brother and her mother are homeless and living in their car. It is very hard at school as the other kids are starting to make comments about her wrinkled clothes and dirty hair. She isn’t doing her homework so her grades are falling. Everything is going wrong. But when she sees a poster about a lost dog, Georgina comes up with a plan – steal a dog and collect the reward. Then they will have enough money to move into a real place and not have to live like this. Georgina and her brother scout out different areas looking for the right dog. It has to be a friendly dog owned by a rich person who can pay the reward. When they find the right dog, they put their plan into action. What they don’t count on is that the owner doesn’t have any money for a reward. Georgina and her brother stash the dog at an empty house in the woods. Is this really going to work? Will they be able to pull this off?
Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.
Saturday, December 27, 2014
Book of the day 12/27/2014
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Journey To Jo'burg By Beverly Naidoo
Naidoo, Beverly. JOURNEY TO JO'BURG New York : Harper, 1988 IL 3-6, RL 5.1 ISBN 0064402371 The book takes place in South Africa during the time of Apartheid. Naledi is afraid when her young sister becomes very ill. Although her grandmother is doing her best, Dineo needs medical help. There is no money for doctors or hospitals. Naledi’s mother works in Johannesburg, 300 kilometers away. There is no way to get word to her about Dineo. Naledi and her younger brother,Tiro, decide to walk to Jo’burg to get their mother. They really have no idea how far it is. As the two journey, they learn about the harshness of apartheid and the kindness of strangers who help them on their journey. They also learn about the people who have risked everything to fight for the rights of blacks in South Africa.
Friday, December 26, 2014
Book of the day 12/26/2014
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Sophie's Squash By Pat Zietlow Miller
Miller, Pat Zietlow. SOPHIE'S SQUASH New York : Schwartz & Wade Books, 2013 IL K-3, RL 2,7 ISBN 0307978966 Sophie picked out a squash at the farmer's market. Mother thought it would be nice to have for supper. But Sophie drew a face on the squash and named it Bernice. She took it everywhere. No one could convince her that it was getting a bit squishy and should be eaten before it rotted. When Sophie asked the man at the farmer's market how to make Bernice better, will she take his advice?
Posted from Diigo. The rest of my favorite links are here.
Thursday, December 25, 2014
Book of the day 12/25/2014
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Skylark By Patricia MacLachlan
MacLachlan, Patricia. SKYLARK New York : HarperCollins, 1994 IL 3-6, RL 3.3 ISBN 0060233281 In this sequel to Sarah, Plain and Tall, we pick up the story after the marriage of Sarah and Jacob. The family is doing well and are happy living on the prairie. Things are about to change, though. There has been very little rain. The crops are drying up and some families are leaving. Papa refuses to even think about that possibility. He says that they were born there and that their names are written in the land. But the drought is getting worse every day. When they lose the barn to a fire, Papa knows that he needs to make a drastic decision.
Wednesday, December 24, 2014
Book of the day 12/24/2014
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Lena's Sleep Sheep By Anita Lobel
Lobel, Anita. LENA'S SLEEP SHEEP New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 2013 IL K-3, RL 1.9 ISBN 0449810267 Lena is all tucked into bed and ready to start counting her sheep. There's a full moon out and Lena asks her parents to keep the curtains open so she can look at the beautiful moon. Little does she know that her sheep are really scared of the moon. They think it is a horrible beast. How can Lena convince the sheep that the moon is friendly and that it is ok to come out?
Monday, December 22, 2014
Book of the day 12/22/2014
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Klise, Kate. LETTERS FROM CAMP New York : Harper, 2000 IL 5-8, RL 6.4 ISBN 0380793482 Told in a series of letters, memos, receipts, and ledger pages. Three sets of siblings are off to Camp Happy Harmony. Brisket Roast whose father says is as lazy as a slug and his sister, Barbie Q. who is as spirited as a mustang. Charlie and Charlotte Lee who are described as wonderful kids who are liked by everyone except each other. Ivan and Mimi Gems who have no social skills and won’t go to bed but stay in their rooms for hours. The counselors are also siblings and used to appear in the singing group The Harmonys. They have advertised their camp as specializing in sibling relationships. For the next four weeks, the children will learn to get along. Sounds perfect. Things are not what they seem.
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Kehret, Peg. TERROR AT THE ZOONew York : Puffin, 2001IL 5-8, RL 4.6ISBN 0142300284Ellen was just given the best birthday present ever. Well, she has to share it with her little brother but that is fine. Together with their grandparents, they are going to camp out at the zoo for the night! They both love the zoo and have spent lots of time there. But never at night. They will be staying with their grandparents anyway since their parents will be away. This is going to be just about perfect. But then there is a change of plans. Grandmother has broken her leg and can’t go camping. But it will fine since their parents have changed their plans and now will be home to share the camping trip. When the time arrives, their parents aren’t home. The plane has been delayed. The grandparents have gone to the hospital to have grandma’s leg reset. Fearing they will have to miss the camping trip, Ellen and Corey decide to take a taxi to the zoo and wait for their parents there. They leave a note so their parents will know to meet them at the zoo. When they get to the zoo, their parents aren’t there and the coordinator is anxious to leave since her daughter is having a baby. Corey lies and says his parents have just pulled up. Now everyone is gone and Ellen and Corey are alone in the zoo.
Saturday, December 20, 2014
Book of the day 12/20/2014
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A Hidden Enemy By Erin Hunter — Adobe Voice
Hunter, Erin. A HIDDEN ENEMY New York : Harper, 2013 IL 5-8, RL 5.5 ISBN 0062102605 Lucky has rejoined the pack of Leashed Dogs in the start of the second book of the Survivors series. Lucky still wants to be a Lone Dog but he knows that the Leashed Dogs need him and they may not survive without his help. His litter mate Bella is doing her best to lead the dogs but there are dangers out there that she has never encountered. She is a smart dog and has a plan that involves Lucky. She wants him to join the Wild Pack and find out what they are up to. If they are willing to share the water and the hunting, there is plenty for both groups to live in the valley. What Lucky finds is a brutal pack system. The Alpha dog is actually part wolf and he rules with an iron paw. His partner is Beta who is actually Sweet who Lucky knew in the city. Lucky is able to join the pack and finds out what time they are at the water and when they hunt. He returns to his Leashed Pack and tells Bella what he has learned. She is happy with the news but tells Lucky to remain with the Wild Pack. Lucky is reluctant but does what Bella asks. Just what is going on here?
Friday, December 19, 2014
Book of the day 12/19/2014
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Hunter, Erin. THE EMPTY CITY New York : Harper, 2012 IL 5-8, RL 5.2 ISBN 0062102575 Book 1 in the Survivors series introduces us to Lucky. Lucky is a Lone Dog. He has been caught and is in a kennel when a major earthquake hits. The story is told from Lucky’s point of view and he uses his words to describe his environment. Humans are longpaws and the earthquake is the Big Growl. Only one other dog survived in the kennel. Lucky is a Lone Dog but he takes Sweet into the city in search of food. What they find is total destruction. The buildings have collapsed and the longpaws have run away. Sweet decides she needs to find other dogs but Lucky wants to go it alone. When he is attacked by a group of foxes in a mall, a small group of dogs comes to his rescue. What will Lucky do now?
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The Secrets Of Coral Reefs By Dwight Holing
Holing, Dwight. THE SECRETS OF CORAL REEFS New York : London Town Press, 2005 IL 3-6, RL 7.3 ISBN 0976613433 Coral reefs are found in many different oceans. They are known for their beauty and diversity of inhabitants. This expository text explains how the reefs are created and introduces the reader to some of the inhabitants. Many creatures call the coral reefs home. This book is filled with facts and photographs of the coral reefs and the animals who live there. There is information about how to save this ecosystem included.
Wednesday, December 17, 2014
Book of the day 12/17/2014
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Grey, Mini. HERMELIN THE DETECTIVE MOUSE New York : Alfred A. Knopf, 2013 IL K-3, RL 3.6 ISBN 0385754337 Hermelin is a little mouse living in the attic at 33 Offley Street. He was walking down the street one day and saw a message board filled with notices for lost items. He realized that he could find these items easily. Using his handy typewriter, he sent notes to the victims explaining where to find their lost items. Everyone was so delighted and curious about just who Hermelin really is. What will they do when they find out he is a mouse?
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Book of the day 12/16/2014
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The Midnight Horse By Sid Fleischman
Fleischman, Sid. THE MIDNIGHT HORSE New York : Harper, 2004 IL 3-6, RL 4.4 ISBN 0060722169 Touch is a young boy who is riding in a coach on his way to Cricklewood, New Hampshire. There are three passengers on the coach - Touch, Mr. Hobbs, the blacksmith, and the mysterious Otis Cratt. Touch is an orphan and is off to meet his uncle. On the way, Touch hears the tale of The Great Chaffalo who was a great magician who could turn straw into a horse. But Chaffalo passed away long ago and is now a ghost that some have seen. When the coach arrives in Cricklewood, Mr. Hobbs invites Touch to join him for breakfast at the inn. There he meets the innkeeper, Sally. There are no guests at the inn. It is said to be haunted by the ghost of a guest who checked in but disappeared. When Touch meets his uncle, he is not impressed. The judge tries to cheat Touch out of his inheritance, but Touch runs away. And he sees Otis Cratt leaving the judge's house. Touch must keep hidden as his uncle has threatened to send him to the orphan's home. When Touch asks Sally if he can hide at the inn, Sally tells him that the judge is also pressuring Sally to sell him the inn. Sally feels she has no choice since there are no guests and the bills need to be paid. Can Touch find a way to help them both?
Sunday, December 14, 2014
Book of the day 12/14/2014
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Staake, Bob. MY PET BOOK New York : Random House, 2014 IL K-3, RL 1.8 ISBN 0385373120 Do you have a pet? Some people like cats and dogs for pets. Some like something more exotic. But the boy in this book wanted a pet that was truly unique. He wanted a book. Books don't need to be fed, they don't drink from the toilet, they don't have fleas, and they don't run away. They are the perfect pet. So the family went to the local book store and found the perfect book. The boy loved his pet book and wheras very careful with it. When he got home from school one day, the book was gone!! Where could it have gone with no feet?
Saturday, December 13, 2014
Book of the day 12/13/2014
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Shepherd, Jessica. GRANDMA New York : Child's Play, 2014 IL K-3 ISBN 9781846436024 Oscar loves his grandmother and they have of fun together. But something is changing. She is acting funny. She doesn't seem to remember things like before. His parents tell him that Grandma can't take care of herself anymore and that she is going to live in a place where people can take care of her. Oscar doesn't understand what is happening to his beloved Grandma and it scares him.
Thursday, December 11, 2014
Book of the day 12/11/2014
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Sheehan, Monica. LOVE IS YOU AND ME
Sheehan, Monica. LOVE IS YOU AND ME New York : Little Simon, 2013 IL K-3, RL 1.5 ISBN 1442436077 What do you think when you hear the word love? A hug? A day at the beach? Spending time with someone you love? In this book, a dog and his mouse friend let us know what they think of when the hear the word love.
Friday, December 5, 2014
Book of the day 12/05/2014
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Rosenthal, Amy Krouse. UNI THE UNICORN
Rosenthal, Amy Krouse. UNI THE UNICORN New York : Random House, 2014 IL K-3, RL 3.6 ISBN 0385375557 Uni is a regular unicorn but a bit more special. Everything about her is just a bit better than the other unicorns. Even her imagination. The other unicorns make fun of her for that. You see, Uni believes in little girls. Everyone knows there is no such thing as little girls. Or is there?
Thursday, December 4, 2014
Book of the day 12/04/2014
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http://www.nancykeane.com/booktalks/mp3/rodkey_deadweather.mp3
Rodkey, Geoff. DEADWEATHER AND SUNRISE New York : Putnam's Sons, 2012 IL 5-8, RL 5.5 ISBN 0399257853 Thirteen year old Egbert has one of the worst families you can imagine. He is constantly abused by his brothers and his father usually takes their side. They live on an island and work farming ugly fruit. Egbert knows little about the outside world except what he reads in books. He lives a life of hard work and pirates. When his father suddenly announces the family is going to the island of Sunrise, Egbert is thrilled. He will get to see a life beyond his drab existence. When they get to Sunrise, they are taken in by a rich businessman and Egbert does get to see another way of living. One of nice clothes, enough food to eat and people who are nice to him. But things may not be all they appear to be. Join Egbert on an adventure with pirates, hidden treasures and swashbuckling fun.
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Book of the day 12/03/2014
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Rosenstock, Barb. THE NOISY PAINT BOX : THE COLORS AND SOUNDS OF KANDINSKY'S ABSTRACT ART
Rosenstock, Barb. THE NOISY PAINT BOX : THE COLORS AND SOUNDS OF KANDINSKY'S ABSTRACT ART New York : Knopf, 2014 IL K-3, RL 3.6 ISBN 0307978486 When Vasily Kandinsky was given his first paint box, he had an experience that most of us cannot understand. The colors swirled together in his mind and he could hear music playing. He tried to understand the world as others saw it but he just couldn't. He suffered from a condition that made him hear colors and see sounds. Try as he might to learn to paint the way others did, he couldn't. And he became one of the first abstract painters of his time.
Monday, December 1, 2014
Book of the day 12/01/2014
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Reed, Aimee. MAMA'S DAY WITH LITTLE GRAY
Reed, Aimee. MAMA'S DAY WITH LITTLE GRAY New York : Random House, 2014 IL K-3, RL 1.8 ISBN 0449810836 Little Gray wondered when he grows up, will Mama grow down? Mama assures him that she may look smaller to him but she will always be his mother. Then Little Gray thinks about lots of things he and his mother can do together when he is grown. What do you think he wants to do?