Kellee – Page 262 – Unleashing Readers

The Mary Celeste: An Unsolved Mystery from History by Jane Yolen and Heidi Elisabet Yolen Stemple

October 9, 2013October 9, 2013 by Kellee

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday is hosted by Kid Lit Frenzy and was started to help promote the reading of nonfiction texts. Most Wednesdays, we will be participating and will review a nonfiction text (though it may not always be a picture book).
Be sure to visit Kid Lit Frenzy and see what other nonfiction books are shared this week!

The Mary Celeste: An Unsolved Mystery from History
Author: Jane Yolen and Heidi Elisabet Yolen Stemple
Illustrator: Roger Roth
Published July 1st, 2002 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Goodreads Summary: The Mary Celeste was discovered adrift on the open sea by another ship in 1872 — with no sign of captain or crew. What happened? Did the crew mutiny? Were they attacked by pirates? Caught in a storm? No one ever found out.

Inside this book are the clues that were left behind and the theories of what people think happened aboard that ship. Become a detective, study the clues, and see if you can help solve this chilling mystery from history.

My Review: This is the final book in the Unsolved Mystery from History series and I think it may be my favorite yet. Like The Wolf Girls, I had not heard about the Mary Celeste before this book, but this mystery was just so enthralling! A crew that just disappears?!?! How?!?! After reading the book, I spent hours online reading about the Mary Celeste and it is so interesting. There are so many websites and opinions and theories—all which would be so much fun to share with students.

Teacher’s Tools for Navigation: Like the other books in this series, I would love to see these books used in classrooms (history or language arts/reading). These books promote studying history, asking questions, inquiry, and vocabulary. Each book begins with an introduction about a young girl who enjoys unsolved mysteries from history and then the books are set up like her case notebook. Each page of the case notebook includes a narrative nonfiction section, an informational nonfiction section where facts about the story are explained even more in detail, and then there are vocabulary words from the two sections defined for the reader. Finally, in the back of the books the different theories about what could be the answer to the unsolved mystery are shared and briefly discussed. The set up of this book leads to infinite possibilities of being used in the classroom. Students could debate, write research papers, could do their very own case notebook about a different mystery, etc. Another option is to get all of the Unsolved Mystery from History books and have students get into lit circle groups and have each group read a different mystery then research and share. The other books in the series are about the Salem Witch Trials, the Wolf Girls, and Roanoke.

Discussion Questions: Which of the theories do you think happened?; Do you trust Captain Morehouse? Why or why not?; One theory mentions a kraken. Do you think sea monsters exist?; Study the weather of the Pacific during the time period the ship disappeared. Is weather an option for the crew’s disappearance?

We Flagged: Narrative Nonfiction “The last place the men looked was in the ship’s hold where her cargo- 1,700 barrels of raw alcohol- was well stowed. Not a single barrel had been opened. All in all, Deveau and Wright looked around the Mary Celeste for over half an hour. They found no sign of anyone on board, no signs of struggle.”

Informative Nonfiction “The cargo was alcohol stored in red oak barrels. Red oak is a porous wood that lets alcohol fumes escape. When the barrels were examined, some of the alcohol was found to be gone, but that was entirely due to evaporation. According to reports, the barrels were “in good order” and not “in any way injury.” Besides, the alcohol was was raw alcohol which was to be used for fortifying Italian wines. Anyone drinking it unprocessed would not become drunk, but would rather lapse into a coma or die. Only one hatch was found open, but there was no sign of smoke damage or an explosion in the unventilated hold.”

Vocabulary “Hold: the area inside the ship where cargo is stored; Cargo: the goods being transported by the ship” (p. 20-21)

Read This If You Loved: The other Unsolved Mystery from History books

Recommended For:

I’m so sad that I am done reviewing the Unsolved Mystery from History series, but I hope you have enjoyed learning about them as I enjoyed reading them.

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? 10/7/13

July 27, 2015October 7, 2013 by Kellee

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? From Picture Books to YA!

It’s Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journeys. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It’s also a great chance to see what others are reading right now…you just might discover the next “must-read” book!

Jen Vincent, of Teach Mentor Texts, and Kellee decided to give It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children’s literature – picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, anything in the world of kidlit – join us! We love this meme and think you will, too.

We encourage everyone who participates to support the blogging community by visiting at least three of the other book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

Last Week’s Posts

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Our Cheryl Rainfield “Be your own hero” wristband giveaway winners are:

LINDA B.
BERNICE H.

Last Week’s Journeys

Kellee: This week I was so excited to read Anubis Speaks! A Guide to the Afterlife by the Egyptian God of Death by Vicky Alvear Scheter. I am blessed to have some amazing friends who know I love mythology and made my acquisition of this book possible before its release—I am a very lucky girl! I cannot wait to share this book with you all.

I’ll tell you what, many people talk about how when they are sick, they spend time reading books, but when I am sick, I just veg in front of the TV and sleep which really hurts my reading. This is the second time this school year (ALREADY!) that I’ve been sick and it is getting old; hopefully it is all uphill from here! [Also, being sick makes me miss audiobooks because I would have at least gotten some listening done, but carpooling is worth missing out on them. Kind of.]

Ricki: This week, I finished listening to Annexed by Sharon Dogar. It was a great book and very interesting, but I wish I had read it. It was quite depressing, and it made driving to and from school a sad experience (for two weeks). I learned a lot about Anne Frank from this different perspective (while it is considered a historical fiction, I know it is grounded in a lot of research).

I read The Spectacular Now by Tim Tharp in preparation for my viewing of the movie. It was very good, and I found it to be quite similar to The Catcher in the Rye. I also read Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick. This is a very, very good book. If you aren’t aware, it is about a boy who plans to shoot his ex-best-friend and then himself. I found it to be a very important text that should be available in all classrooms.

This Week’s Expeditions

Kellee: I have a to-read list and next up is Doll Bones by Holly Black. I am really looking forward to finally reading it! I also need to do some research because NCTE is getting really close and I need to work on my presentations. Next weekend, we are also going to go visit my grandfather and family who is visiting him. This will take away from my reading time, but I hope to have enough time to make a dent in my to-read list.

Ricki: My husband and I are listening to The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks in the car together. We have listened to two (out of ten) CDs, but I am thinking we won’t be finished for a very long time. This is his first audiobook.

I just started Man Made Boy by Jon Skovron. I am hoping to finish it for a post this Thursday. I know–I am cutting it close! But it is great so far, so I think I can do it! I am reading a lot of neat articles about the purposes of educating teachers for my doctoral program. This is intended to prepare me to write a philosophy of teacher education. It is interesting because it is forcing me to examine what is most important to me, in regards to the education of teachers.

Guess who got the new Kindle Paperwhite for her birthday? I am a very lucky woman. I love my husband.

Upcoming Week’s Posts

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So, what are you reading?

Link up below, and go check out what everyone else is reading. Please support other bloggers by viewing and commenting on at least 3 other blogs. If you tweet about your Monday post, tag the tweet with #IMWAYR!

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1.	Michelle Glatt @ I Push Books	15.	The Book Monsters	29.	Maria @Once Upon A Story
2.	Myra @ GatheringBooks	16.	Andrea @ Mrs Payan Reads	30.	Elisabeth @ The Dirigible Plume
3.	Earl	17.	Natalie @Biblio Links	31.	Colby
4.	Debbie - Styling Librarian	18.	Deb Nance at Readerbuzz	32.	Amanda @ Maestra Amanda's Bookshelf
5.	Crystal @ Reading Through Life	19.	LisaILJ @ I'll Tumble for YA	33.	Angie aka Ms. O
6.	Julee Murphy @ Book Egg	20.	Beth Shaum	34.	Jennifer Reed
7.	Carrie Gelson @There's a Book for That	21.	Page (One Book At A Time)	35.	Mindi Rench
8.	Ms. Yingling	22.	Linda - TeacherDance	36.	Beth @ Seeking Six
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11.	Gigi McAllister	25.	Cindy @ Paper Two Ways	39.	Maine Reading Association
12.	Tara @ A Teaching Life	26.	Jeanne @ True Tales & A Cherry On Top	40.	Felt Like Reading!
13.	Holly @ Reading, Teaching, Learning	27.	Lorna @ Not For Lunch
14.	Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy)	28.	CraftyQuackery-Amanda

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Ol’ Mama Squirrel by David Ezra Stein

October 13, 2013October 6, 2013 by Kellee

Ol’ Mama Squirrel
Author and Illustrator: David Ezra Stein
Published March 21st, 2013 by Nancy Paulsen Books

Goodreads Summary: Caldecott Honor winner David Ezra Stein’s lively tale is a fantastic read-aloud, and feisty Mama Squirrel will have fierce mamas everywhere applauding!

Ol’ Mama Squirrel has raised lots of babies, and she knows just how to protect them. Whenever trouble comes nosing around, she springs into action with a determined “Chook, chook, chook!” and scares trouble away. Her bravery is put to the test, however, when a really big threat wanders into town and onto her tree. But no matter what, Mama’s not about to back down!

My Review: I loved Mama Squirrel. She does anything to save her babies. Anything. This book had me laughing and I know children everywhere will love it.

Teacher’s Tools For Navigation: First and foremost, this book needs to be read aloud. With voices. Kids will love it! This is primarily how this book should be used: as a read aloud. Though, it could lead to discussions about a couple of different things: cause and effect (very basic, would be a good introduction), protective vs. overprotective, team work, family, and (if with older kids and really want to push it) laws about protecting property like “Stand your Ground”.

Discussion Questions: Do you think Mama Squirrel goes to far sometimes? When?; What does Mama do that causes the intruders to leave? When this didn’t work, how did she get the bear to leave?

We Flagged:

Read This If You Loved: Scaredy Squirrel (series) by Melanie Watt, Crankee Doodle by Tom Angleberger, Interrupting Chicken by David Ezra Stein

Recommended For:

Journey by Aaron Becker

October 5, 2013 by Kellee

Journey
Author and Illustrator: Aaron Becker
Published August 6th, 2013 by Candlewick Press

Goodreads Summary: Follow a girl on an elaborate flight of fancy in a wondrously illustrated, wordless picture book about self-determination — and unexpected friendship.

A lonely girl draws a magic door on her bedroom wall and through it escapes into a world where wonder, adventure, and danger abound. Red marker in hand, she creates a boat, a balloon, and a flying carpet that carry her on a spectacular journey toward an uncertain destiny. When she is captured by a sinister emperor, only an act of tremendous courage and kindness can set her free. Can it also lead her home and to her heart’s desire? With supple line, luminous color, and nimble flights of fancy, author-illustrator Aaron Becker launches an ordinary child on an extraordinary journey toward her greatest and most exciting adventure of all.

My Review: This book is very hard to explain the magic of it. Lorna (@notforlunch) described it the best, I think: “a wonderful mashup of a David Wiesner book and Harold and the Purple Crayon.” I think this is perfect. It has the illustration beauty and magic of a wordless David Wiesner picture book and it is about creativity (and a crayon) like Harold. The beauty of the castle she visted also reminded me of Cathedral by David Macaulay. This book is just full of amazing! (You know it is good if it is a topic of #SharpSchu book club!)

Teacher’s Tools For Navigation: This was a bit hard for me. I can envision how this book would be used in the middle grades, but I was blanking on ideas for primary. I know this book needs to be shared, but how?

In my classroom, the first thing I would do is project the book and just have the students read it with me. No talking; just looking. Then we’d go back and discuss what is going on in the book, talk about some of the smaller parts of the illustrations, relive the journey. If I wanted to include a writing activity, we could add words to the book (although, I think this book’s illustrations stand alone). We could also discuss what we’d do if we had a magic crayon. I think this book would be a great addition to Dot Day and discussing creativity. Finally, I think a discussion of observing your surroundings would be appropriate as what the girl wanted the most was right in front of her at the beginning of the book.

Discussion Questions: What would you do with a magic crayon?; What was your favorite part of the journey?; Two parts remind me of Where the Wild Things Are, can you figure out which parts?; What do you think the girl’s name is?; Aaron Becker grew up in many different parts of the world including Japan. Can you find influences of Japan in this story? What about some of the other places he lived?

We Flagged:

Read This If You Loved: Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson, Blackout by John Rocco, David Weisner wordless picture books, Cathedral by David Macaulay, Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak, Henri Mouse by George Mendoza, Chalk by Bill Thomson, Art & Max by David Weisner, Weslandia by Paul Fleishman, Narnia (series) by C.S. Lewis

Recommended For:

I put “Read Aloud” although this book is wordless; however, I know it needs to be shared with students. How would you share this book with your students in a read aloud fashion?

Grumbles from the Forest: Fairy-Tale Voices with a Twist by Jane Yolen and Rebecca Kai Dotlich

October 4, 2013 by Kellee

Grumbles from the Forest: Fairy-Tale Voices with a Twist
Authors: Jane Yolen and Rebecca Kai Dotlich
Illustrator: Matt Mahurin
Published March 1st, 2013 by Wordsong

Goodreads Summary: What were all those fairy-tale characters thinking? Jane Yolen and Rebecca Kai Dotlich answer this question in paired poems, with sometimes startling results. The Princess claims all those mattresses kept her awake–“not” a silly pea–while the poor pea complains that the princess snores. One Snow White begs the witch to settle by the bay and throw that mirror away. Another boldly tells the mirror she “won’t be guided by a glass that’s so one-sided.” Grumbles from the Forest is a bewitching brew of voices–grumbling, pleading, bragging, reminiscing, confiding–that bubbles with magic and wonder. The spectacular paintings that tie the poems together are full of surprise and intrigue. This stunning collection includes end notes that briefly describe the tales and their history and an introduction that invites readers to imagine their own poems from unusual perspectives.

My Review: Jane Yolen just doesn’t make bad books. Every time I read one of her books, I know I am reading a piece of great literature. This book is no different. Grumbles from the Forest takes 15 different fairy tales and then has a poem from two different perspectives for each fairy tale. Some are two different characters: Cinderella and her stepsisters, the frog and the princess, the wicked fairy and Sleeping Beauty, etc. including some characters who didn’t have a voice in the original fairy tale like the pea from The Princess and the Pea. Some are from one character, but two points of view: Snow White talking to the witch and with the magic mirror. I was fascinated with all of the poems they came up with!

Teacher’s Tools For Navigation: This book was built for being used in the classroom. First, each fairy tale section could start its own discussion about what the poem is saying vs. the original fairy tale. Second, the poetry itself stands alone. Look for figurative language and other poetic elements and there is even a haiku and cinquain. Third, we are always trying to get students to see things from different points of view and this is a perfect way. The introduction of the book even invites readers to: “Why not try writing a fairy-tale poem yourself? Pick a character or an object—maybe the bridge in Three Billy Goats Gruff, or Beauty’s father or the chair that Goldilocks broke. Imagine. Enchant. Write a poem that rewrites the tale. Make a little magic.”

Discussion Questions: Why do you think the authors chose to write from ____’s point of view? Do you agree with the point of view they gave the character/object? What would you have had them say instead? Who/what would you have written about instead?

We Flagged: Thumbelina

“Thumbelina: A Cinquain”
Being
small has its down-
side, but what, pray tell, is
the choice of a little missy
at birth?

“Little Big: A Haiku”
I am just a bit
Of a proper young lady,
Still I got my prince.

(p. 34-35)

Read This If You Loved: The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by Jon Scieszka, Revolting Rhymes by Roald Dahl, and other fractured fairy tales; Stories told from different points of view like The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt and Who Stole Mona Lisa? by Ruthie Knapp

Recommended For:

Roanoke, The Lost Colony: An Unsolved Mystery from History by Jane Yolen and Heidi Elisabet Yolen Stemple

October 13, 2013October 2, 2013 by Kellee

Nonfiction Picture Book Wednesday

Roanoke, The Lost Colony: An Unsolved Mystery from History
Author: Jane Yolen and Heidi Elisabeth Yolen Stemple
Illustrator: Roger Roth
Published July 1st, 2003 by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers

Goodreads Summary: In 1587 John White was chosen by Sir Walter Raleigh to lead a new colony at Roanoke off the Atlantic coast. After bringing many men, women, and children to the new land, White went back to England to gather supplies for the long winter. But when he finally returned to the fort almost three years later, he found that all of the colonists had vanished. The only signs of life left were the letters CRO carved into a tree and the word CROATOAN carved into one of the fort’s posts. Some people think that the Spanish army captured the colonists; some people think that the local native people murdered them; others think that the colonists went off to live with the native people and start a new life. Still others think that the colonists tried to sail home to England and were lost at sea. No one knows for sure. Become a detective as you read this true story, study the clues, and try to figure out the fate of the lost colony of Roanoke. The Unsolved Mystery from History series is written by acclaimed author Jane Yolen and former private investigator Heidi Elisabet Yolen Stemple. Read carefully and check your clues. You might be the first to solve a puzzle that has baffled people for years.

My Review: Just like all of the others in this series, I found this story fascinating. Unlike, The Wolf Girls, this is a mystery from history that I wanted to learn more about. I had heard of Roanoke, but I didn’t know anything except that it is the lost colony where everyone disappeared. I was never taught about Roanoke, so this was my initial introduction to the colony and man, it is all so fascinating!

Teacher’s Tools For Navigation: I am going to sound like a broken record here, but this, like the other parts of the series, can be used in such amazing ways in the classroom! Check out my Salem Witch Trials and The Wolf Girls reviews to read about how I envision these books being used in the classroom.

Discussion Questions: What do you think happened to everyone? Do you agree with any of the theories given at the end or do you have one of your own?

We Flagged: Narrative nonfiction “The colonists left Portsmouth on April 26, 1587. They planned to meet with the soldiers, then go to Chesapeake Bay, north of Roanoke, where the land was more fertile and the harbor was safer. They sailed in three boats: a flyboat; a pinnace; and the flagship, Lyon. After a month and a haft at sea they reached the Americas at last, stopping first on several islands. At Santa Cruz several colonists ate green fruit. Their lips and tongues swelled badly. A number of people drank from a pond that had ‘water so evil’ they fell dreadfully ill. Some who washed their faces in the water had swollen eyes for five or six days after. They captured five huge tortoises for meat—so large, sixteen men become exhausted hauling them back to the ship.”

Informational nonfiction “For long ocean journeys several types of ships were generally used, including: Flagship- the fleet’s largest, best, or safest ship, on which the commander sailed; Flyboat- a large boat with one or two masts, generally square rigged; Pinnace- a smaller, faster, more maneuverable boat that sometimes carried oars.”

Vocabulary “Fertile: capable of supporting a plentiful crop; Tortoise: land turtle of the warm climates, a good food source because the meat doesn’t spoil quickly” (p. 10-11)

Read This If You Loved: Any of the Unsolved Mysteries from History, Nonfiction books about Roanoke

Recommended For:

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? 9/30/13

July 27, 2015September 30, 2013 by Kellee

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? From Picture Books to YA!

We encourage everyone who participates to support the blogging community by visiting at least three of the other book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.

Last Week’s Posts

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Last Week’s Journeys

Kellee: This last week, I had the pleasure of reading The Real Boy by Anne Ursu. I can see now why everyone is raving about the book; it deserves all of the recognition it is getting. Although it was a single book week, it was a wonderful single book!

Ricki: This week, I listened to the I Am the Messenger audiobook. I love Markus Zusak, and I really thought I would love this one. I found the storyline to be very sweet and the book’s message to be good, but it felt a bit slow to me. Ed’s adventures became a bit repetitive for me, and perhaps I would have enjoyed the book more if I wasn’t listening to it.

This Week’s Expeditions

Kellee: This week I plan on reading Jedi Academy by Jeffrey Brown. I actually saw a student reading this at school and began talking to her about Jeffrey Brown books. When she found out I hadn’t read this one, she brought it to me when she finished so I could borrow it. I look forward to talking to her about it.

I also have a pile of picture books we are going to review soon that I want to read and I cannot wait! The pile includes Penguin on Vacation and Bogart and Vinnie—both picture books I have been waiting to read.

Ricki: I am reading several books at once. I have about 50 pages left of The Spectacular Now by Tim Tharp, which is very fun. It reminds me very much of The Catcher in the Rye. I am still listening to Annexed by Sharon Dogar on my rides to and from work. I am slowly pounding my way through the 2014 Printz list on GoodReads’ Listopia. I want to be prepared! Anyone have any predictions?

Upcoming Week’s Posts

So, what are you reading?

Link up below and go check out what everyone else is reading. Please support other bloggers by viewing and commenting on at least 3 other blogs. If you tweet about your Monday post, tag the tweet with #IMWAYR!

and

Click "Add your link" to link up:

1.	Beth Shaum	12.	Beth @ Seeking Six	23.	Chelsea
2.	Michelle Glatt @ I Push Books	13.	Ms. Yingling	24.	Elizabeth @ Children's Book Bin
3.	earl- the chronicles of a children's book writer	14.	Melanie Meehan	25.	Great Books for Kids and Teens
4.	Myra @ GatheringBooks	15.	The Book Monsters	26.	~ linda @ The Reader and the Book
5.	Crystal @ Reading Through Life	16.	Colby	27.	Lorna @ Not For Lunch
6.	Carrie Gelson @There's a Book for That	17.	Mindi Rench	28.	Elisabeth @ The Dirigible Plum
7.	Julee Murphy @ Book Egg	18.	Natalie @Biblio Links	29.	Megan@YA? Why Not?
8.	Debbie -Styling Librarian	19.	Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy)	30.	Cindy @ Paper Two Ways
9.	Maine Reading Association	20.	Andrea @ Mrs Payan Reads	31.	Angie aka Ms. O
10.	Laura @ Bibliothecary Prescriptions	21.	Hannahlily @ My 100 Adventures	32.	Page (One Book At A Time)
11.	Nicole Levesque @ Bluestocking Thinking	22.	Jennifer \| Book Den	33.	Sherry aka LibraryFanatic

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