Library Ties » YHBA

YHBA: The Rest of the List

Carl Harvey — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 23:51:22 +0000

Ok, the summer got away from me and while I’ve not finished all twenty nominees, yet, but I will! I don’t have time unfortnately to write a summary for the ones I have left, but rest assured this year’s list is a good one! I can hardly wait to see what the kids think of the books! We’re going to set-up a Moodle with another school for them to share and discuss, so this should be fun!

I’ve read:

The SOS Files by Betsy Byars, Laurie Myers, and Betsy Duffey
Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue by Anna Celenza
Rome One by Andrew Clements
Water Street by Patricia Reilly Giff
The Homework Machine by Dan Gutman
Defiance by Valerie Hobb
The Ghost Grave by Peg Kehret

Books I still need to read:

The Hero Revealed by William Boniface
Freedom Walkers by Russell FreedmanI
Into the Firestorm by Deborah Hopkins
Journey to the Bottomless Pit by Elizabeth Mitchell

It is going to be a great YHBA year!

YHBA: The Legend of Hong Kil Dong by Anne O’Brien

Carl Harvey — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 10:56:50 +0000

Taking the rich culture and customs of ancient Korea, the author has created her version on an old Korean tale that is much like that of Robin Hood. Written and illustrated as a graphic novel, the format will appeal to kids. The speech bubbles and action illustrations will help students understand as they read through the story. The tale is the classic person who rises above all the wrong-doing and corruption, to protect and defend the poor. The author includes at the end how she came to find the story and decide to tell it in this picture book format.

YHBA: My Librarian is a Camel by Margriet Ruurs

Carl Harvey — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 10:51:33 +0000

Ever wonder how kids in other countries got their library books? This book answers the question by providing details about how library materials are delivered to their patrons all over the world. From a camel to a book mobile to boat to elephants, all of these modes of transportation connect readers with books. What an exciting way to show students that there are multiple ways to complete the same job and that people all over the world value the importance of reading so much they go to great lengths to get those resources.

YHBA: Tour American by Diane Siebert

Carl Harvey — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 10:49:16 +0000

Tour America: a Journey Through Poems and Arts is a wonderful collection of poems with beautiful illustrations highlighting some of the best scenic areas of the United States. Written by Diane Siebert and illustrated by Stephen T. Johnson, the book contains not only the poem and pictures, but also fact boxes giving the students even more detail. A great way to take a break and go on a cross-country adventure without even leaving your classroom.

YHBA: Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs by Betty G. Birney

Carl Harvey — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 02:11:21 +0000

This was a wonderful book is the adventures of Eben as he searches his small town in Missouri trying to find seven wonders. If he reaches his goal, he will earn a trip on the train to Colorado to see the mountains. He is just certain this will be an impossible task; there can’t possibly be seven wonders in Sassafras Springs, but during his week talking to everyone in town you learn that there are lots of wonders right in front of our own eyes, that the people around us are full of unique and interesting stories, and if we just take the time to talk to one another we can learn amazing things.

YHBA: The Sloppy Copy Slipup by DyAnne DiSalvo

Carl Harvey — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 16:19:25 +0000

In The Sloppy Copy Slipup, Brian is sure he is in trouble for one again not getting his rough draft done over the weekend. Over the course of the day, he shares the entire story with the teacher and finds out that while he thinks he has nothing to write about, he quickly figures out that the eventful story of his weekend was more than enough for an interesting and compelling story. This book screams to be read to students who think they have nothing to write about. I can see a lot of my teachers clamoring over a chance to get to it first this next year. Brian’s amazing well to tell a story can easily be a pattern for teachers to use with students — storytelling is a great way to help students become great writers, too!

YHBA: Winnie at Her Best by Jennifer Richard Jacobson

Carl Harvey — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 16:13:30 +0000

Jacobson’s book was a wonderful short novel that helps kids figure out what they are best at doing. Sometimes it isn’t the most obvious thing or something that we work hard at, but everyone has something the do that makes them the best — for Winnie she hopes it is drawing. But, as the story progresses we figure out that while she is a great artist, she is a better friend! A great story for talking about friendship and doing your best, Winnie at Her Best is a great book to share with students of all ages.

YHBA: Rules by Cynthia Lord

Carl Harvey — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 16:09:39 +0000

Every summer I read the 20 books nominated for the Young Hoosier Book Award in both ther Intermediate and Picture Book level. It gives me a chance to be ready to discuss these books with our students, plan our Read N Feed incentives, and this next year we’re planning to set-up a Moodle between my building and another in the district where the students can talk to each other about the various books! So far it looks like the 08-09 list looks to be very promising for some great reads! As I read them, I’ll try to post a little blurb up here on the blog. Below is the first book I finished on the list.

Rules by Cynthia Lord was a Newbery Honor Medal winner as well as a Scheider Family Book Award winner. This amazing story tells of a young girl, Catherine, trying to deal with her brother’s autism. Throughout the book she learns that sometimes you can’t protect people, it is ok to be willing to be different, and that the best things in life are making friends and taking a leap to do something new. I started this book late one night and couldn’t put it down. As we help our students adjust and be aware of the autistic students in our building, I’m sure my teachers will be able to use this novel as a way to talk with kids about autism.