Mrs. D’s Reads

We had high temperatures below zero a week ago, and now it’s pushing 50 degrees. Sheesh!

Ida B : . . . and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster, and (Possibly) Save the World
by Katherine Hannigan
Grades 4-6

This little girl is full of spit and vinegar, but also has a tender heart. I fell in love with her voice, her honesty, and her optimism.

Yoko
by Rosemary Wells
Grades K-3

A wonderful book about diversity, acceptance, and trying new things. I am a Rosemary Wells fan, and these Yoko books are some of her best.

Yoko’s Paper Cranes
by Rosemary Wells
Grades K-3

Another Yoko story, this time honoring her grandmother and the tradition of making paper cranes.

Oregon’s Journey
by Rascal
All ages (K-Adult)

Every time I read this simple, quiet story, I am amazed at it’s power. Another one of those books that can be understood at many levels.

Some incredible books are finding their way into my hands. Lucky me!

Lizzy Bright and the Buckminster Boy
Gary D. Schmidt
Grades 5-9
I just read this powerful story about a white minister’s son in a small town who becomes friends with a black minister’s granddaughter. Some unforgettable images of both friendship and the uglier side of human nature. It won a Newbery honor and a Printz award a couple years back.

Show Way
Jaqueline Woodson
Grades K-6
This is one of the 2006 Newbery Honor books. It is beautifully illustrated, and the language is simple. However, the little-known history behind the slave-made quilts, and their importance still today in African-American culture, makes for an intriguing book.

My Name is Yoon
Helen Recorvits
Grades K-4
One of the fastest growing populations in our district is Korean students. This touching story, told from a young immigrant girl’s perspective, focuses on her literacy, both in her native language, and in her new language of English. The beautiful way she comes to appreciate both makes for a nice teaching moment as our classrooms become more multi-lingual.

Also, I finally saw an Oscar-nominated movie for this year…

The Constant Gardener was a powerful story on so many levels: as a love story, as a political thriller, and as a portrait of the beauties and harsh realities of modern Kenya. I have not come away from a movie thinking this long and hard for a long time.