Mrs. D’s Reads

I don’t know about you, but one of the best parts about the holidays is getting cozy by a warm fire with a good book.

Nasty Stinky Sneakers
Eve Bunting
Grades 3-6

This is a hilarious read that is part comedy, part mystery, and totally preposterous. Eve Bunting, who has done so many tender, touching books, puts her talents to work on a comedy this time.

A Single Shard (Newbery Medal Book)
by Linda Sue Park
Grades 4-7
I loved this book about a poor young man who is taken in a trained by a very gifted potter in rural China. When they come up with a new technique for firing the glaze, the boy has to take the pottery to see if the emporer will accept it. A rich coming of age story full of wonderful moments and great lessons.

Too Many Tamales
Gary Soto
Grades K-3

This is a fun holiday story about family traditions, taking ownership, and being together in ways that really matter. I love this glimpse into another culture, and also the commonality of a child messing up and not knowing how to tell a parent.

Ophie Out of Oz
by Kathleen O’Dell
Grades 3-6

This is a funny, smart story about what it feels like to be the new kid. Ophie is a wonderful character with no shortage of self-esteem until the kids at her new school make her wonder if she’s as special as she once believed. This would make a fun read-aloud, or a good recommendation, especially for fourth or fifth grade.

Violet’s Music
by Angela Johnson
Grades K-3

This is a vibrant book full of rich language and exciting noises. Kids will come alive when you read all the wonderful noises Violet makes. Violet’s journey to find others like her gives the story more depth, as well.

I know, I have been a slacker lately, but here are a few titles we pulled from bookfair that you might want to check out for your classroom use…

Ark Angel: An Alex Rider Adventure
Anthony Horowitz
Grades 5-9

I resisted this series for a long time, but it is wildly popular with kids. This is the sixth in the series, and I was pleasantly surprised by how engaging it was. This is a solid spy novel for the younger set, and a great series to draw in reluctant readers. The first in the series is Stormbreaker, and we have them all in the Colbert library.

Rosa
Nikki Giovanni
Grades 2-6

This is one of the best accounts of this important piece of American History that I have read. Giovanni makes Rosa Parks seem like a real person, a person that you would want to meet, and that kids can connect to. The illustrations are stunning (it was a Caldecott Honor book last year), and I think one of the best things to come out on this subject.

Winter Is The Warmest Season
Lauren Stringer
Grades K-4

This is a simple but effective book, full of rich language and images. Winter is the warmest season because of warm foods, and fires, and clothes, and cats on laps, and all the other evidence the narrator gives for his statement. Besides being a wonderful story, this would also be a great example for kids about giving ample and detailed support for their writing. Perfect for this time of year!

Half Moon Investigations
Eoin Colfer

This is a fun detective novel with a great underdog hero. Fletcher Moon solves does most of the detective work at his school (he’s only twelve), but when he’s accused of a crime, he has to put his skills to work to save himself. Colfer is responsible for the Artemis Fowl series, which I love, and this new book is true to form.

Amazing Grace
Mary Hoffman

I know this one is old, but it is so good, and I rarely see it getting checked out at either of my schools. Grace is a wonderful heroine, and our kids should read about her! Don’t forget the sequel, Boundless Grace, as well, and there are even some Grace chapter books for younger readers.