What I'm Reading Now - Pseudonymous Bosch

I just finished Write This Book, by Pseudonymous Bosch, author of the Secret Series.  While this was a fun book to read and write with my own kids, I don't know if it would be as much fun it you hadn't already read the Secret Series.   As I was reading it though, I kept thinking it would also make a great classroom tool.  So great in fact, that I am going to use excerpts of it to teach my students about literary elements in the fall.  Because the point of this interactive book is to involve young readers in the writing process, the author clearly and succinctly explains the elements of a good story.  Of course, he does this with his signature wit.  (If you haven't read the Secret Series yet, buy it today.  You'll see what I mean.)

Happy reading and writing,
Christine
Literacy Connections blog

Books for Boys: Keep Boys Reading - Part 2

Yesterday, I posted this about a publisher launching an imprint aimed at boys ages 9-14.  I also shared this info on an  educational website, School Leadership 2.0, where I received an interesting comment and follow-up email.  Both of which got me thinking about the kinds of books I recommend to reluctant readers who are boys, or to my girlfriends for their sons to read.

Starting with the most obvious series, for boys who think they hate reading but love sports, I recommend Mike Lupica books, as long as the child is reading at about a 5th or 6th grade level.  If the little sports fan is reading at a lower level, I recommend Matt Christopher books.

Got a future legal eagle on your hands?  I recommend the Theodore Boone, Kid Lawyer books, by John Grisham.

Books and series that may be less obvious to parents, but usually enjoyed by my male students include:

Shredderman series, by Wendelin VanDraanen.
With a low readability, and an anti-bullying theme, this will make your reader feel like a hero.

Nate the Great,  by Marjorie W. Sharmat
Noir mysteries for very young readers.

The Time Warp Trio, by Jon Sciezka
Combine history and the sci-fi element of time travel to grab your boy's attention.

Bobby vs. Girls (Accidentally), by Lisa Yee
What do you do when your former best bud, a girl who liked to do all the same things you like, suddenly befriends a girly-girl and starts doing crazy things like shopping, and worrying about hair?  This middle grade book looks at friendship, boys, girls and families.

For pure fun and easy reading with very little text and hysterical illustrations, I of course recommend the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, by Jeff Kinney.  I know some sticklers out there are thinking that isn't "real reading," to which I say, any reading is good reading, especially if it hooks young readers.  When students finish this series, I often recommend the Big Nate series, by Lincoln Peirce, but in my opinion, it is not as enjoyable as the Diary books.  Sorry.

Does your boy get wry humor and enjoy suspense?  I'd recommend A Series of Unfortunate Events, by Lemony Snicket, or The Secret Series, by Pseudonymous Bosch.

For the fantasy fan, I'd recommend the Percy Jackson series, by Rick Riordan.  If you've read my blog before, you know that fantasy usually isn't my thing, but all the action in this series keeps me turning pages.

Finally, for some foreign intrigue, action and adventure, I'd recommend the 39 Clues series, by various authors. 

If your boy is still not sure what to read, why not start with Guys Write for Guys Read, a collection of short stories, essays and cartoons written by today's most popular male authors?

Happy reading,
Christine
Literacy Connections Blog

Keep Boys Reading

September 1, Enslow Publishing will launch a new imprint aimed at boys ages 9-14.  Read all about it here.

Happy reading,
Christine
Literacy Connections Blog

Happy Moon Day!

July 20th is Moon Day in honor of the Apollo 11 mission that landed man on the moon.  Nearly everyone has some connection to that story.  Perhaps you have a relative  who worked on the lunar landing module, or perhaps you or a relative know exactly where you were at the time of the landing.
A few summers ago, my kids and I were visiting a friend's summer rental on Fire Island, and a neighbor told us that when he was a kid he watched the landing in the very house my friend was renting.  My friend joked that she believed him because it looked like the house hadn't been touched  since 1969.  Wood paneling and linoleum floors aside, the achievement of landing a man on the moon is a classic, feel-good story that most Americans know. 
What you may not know, is that in 1961, 13 women were tested to see if they had what it takes to become astronauts.  Read their stories in Almost Astronauts, by Tanya Lee Stone.

Happy reading,
Christine
Literacy Connections Blog

Be in My Next Article

Do you read aloud to your own children or students?  If so, I'd love to hear from you.  I'm currently researching read alouds for an upcoming article and your story could appear in a national magazine.  I'm especially interested in teachers or parents who continue the read aloud into upper elementary and middle school grades.  If you have a story you'd like to share, leave a comment here, or email me at
bookgirlblogger(at)gmail(dot)com.

Happy reading,
Christine
Literacy Connections Blog

What I'm Reading Now: Rick Riordan

In preparation for teaching the new 6th grade module next year, I am reading The Lightning Thief, by Rick Riordan.  Fantasy usually isn't my thing, but this book is great, and ties in perfectly with the sixth-grade social studies curriculum here in New York. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series, and I can't wait to see the movie Sea of Monsters, sequel to The Lightning Thief, when it comes out in August.
Yesterday's New York Times Book Review contained this piece on Rick Riordan's newest work, the short story, The Son of Sobek.  Available as an e-book, this story unites the characters from the Percy Jackson series and the Kane Chronicles series.  Greek mythology together with Egyptian mythology ... sounds perfect for sixth grade!
More on this module as I attempt to implement it in the fall...

Happy reading,
Christine
Literacy Connections Blog

Bastille Day, Book and Boeuf Borguignon!

Ooh la la.  Today is Bastille Day, or the French National Day.  If you're looking for a quick summer read that will evoke the city of light, why not try French Lessons, by Ellen Sussman?  Ms. Sussman lived in Paris for five years, and her novel about three tutors and their American students in a French language immersion program will put you in the mood for all things French.  For a little French Chef nostalgia, enjoy the video of Julia Child's famous Boeuf Bourguignon recipe below:

Happy reading and "Bon Appetit!"
Christine
Literacy Connections Blog