Top Ten Tuesday: Last Ten Books We Bought for Our Boys

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top ten tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because The Broke and Bookish are particularly fond of lists (as are we!). Each week a new Top Ten list topic is given and bloggers can participate.

 Today’s Topic: Last Ten Books We Bought for Our Boys

We read a lot of picture books, and in order to keep up with diapers, we can only buy the books that are truly special. Here are the last ten that we bought. For those of you who are new to the blog, Ricki’s son is 19 months old, and Kellee’s son is 16 months old.

Ricki

1. Freedom Summer by Deborah Wiles

freedom summer

Readers of this blog know that I am head over heels for this book. I am going to read it to him very often when he is older.

2. Henry’s Freedom Box by Ellen Levine

Henry's Freedom Box

I purchased this book because I saw many positive reviews. It is based on a true story. I read it to Henry, and he enjoyed listening, but I may wait a bit longer until he is at an appropriate age that I can begin to discuss the serious matters of the book. I look forward to reading it to him often.

3. Playtown: Airport by Roger Priddy

Playtown Airport

My son is madly in love with the Playtown series. He owns the first book of the series and a few more installments are coming out within the next year or two. There is a chance we have to take a six-hour plane ride next month, so I bought this and hid it. I can’t WAIT to show it to him. He is going to be so excited.

4. What Do You Do with an Idea? by Kobi Yamada

idea

I read this book in the bookstore and was blown away. I immediately bought a copy for Henry and a copy for my sister (who is a dreamer and constantly thinking of inventions). It is a beautiful book.

5. That’s Not My Train by Fiona Watt

That's Not My Train

This book is quite short and nothing too exciting, but my son loves it. I wouldn’t call it literary, but he always asks me to read it at night.

Kellee

I actually was quite lucky to have worked the Scholastic Warehouse Sale not that long ago, and when you work the sale, you get paid in books! This is perfect timing to get picture books for Trent, and these 5 books are the ones I am most excited about reading with Trent (I haven’t debuted them with Trent yet; we are still reading primarily board books). One of the reasons I’m highlighting these particular books that I got (out of 19) is because of the illustrators. Young, Brown, Santat, and Reynolds are by far on my favorites list of illustrators.

1. Nighttime Ninja by Barbara DaCost, Illustrated by Ed Young

nighttime ninja

I read this book when it first came out, and I knew that I would need to get it to read it to my son. It is so funny!

2. Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds, Illustrated by Peter Brown

creepy carrot

I have wanted to read this book since it came out and even more once it received a Caldecott Honor. So excited to get my hands on it!

3. The Three Ninja Pigs by Corey Rosen Schwartz, Illustrated by Dan Santat

three ninja pigs

This was one of the books that Scholastic put on the posters all around the sale, and it cracked me up every time I walked by. I knew I had to have it.

4. Going Places by Peter and Paul Reynolds

going places

This is one of those books that promotes friendship, imagination, and creativity. I cannot wait to read it to Trent.

5. Sesame Street Bus

sesame street bus

This is the only one not purchased at Scholastic, but it is the most recent book we bought. Trent is in love with Elmo right now. I am not sure how he learned who Elmo is, but now everything is about Elmo. He saw this book in Target when we were shopping for a birthday present, and I had to get it for him. He loves pressing the Elmo button.

Which books do you recommend for our toddlers? 

RickiSig and Signature

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Dystopian Books We’ve Ever Read

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Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because The Broke and Bookish are particularly fond of lists (as are we!). Each week a new Top Ten list topic is given and bloggers can participate.

 Today’s Topic: Top Ten Dystopian Books We’ve Ever Read

So many dystopian books have come out over the last few years, but these are our favorites.

Ricki

Kellee listed The Hunger Games and Divergent series, and I am relieved. There were too many books on my list, and I couldn’t narrow them down! Please know that those two series are obvious favorites for me, but here are five others I loved just as much.

1. 1984 by George Orwell

1984

I loved teaching this book. My students always fell in love with it. It takes a bit of time to get into it, but it is so foundational as a dystopian text. Every time I read it, I remember all of the reasons I love it.

2. The Legend series by Marie Lu

legend series

I found this series to be more engaging than most of the other dystopian series. There is an excellent balance of plot and characterization.

3. The Maze Runner series by James Dashner

maze runner series

This series creates readers. Because of these books, my most reluctant readers fell in love with reading.

4. Unwind series by Neal Shusterman

unwind series

Admittedly, I haven’t read the third (or fourth) book in this series, but I enjoyed it very much. I need to get my hands on a copy of them!

5. The 5th Wave series by Rick Yancey

5th wave series 2

Oh, Rick Yancey, you are such a wonderful writer. I have only read the first book in this series so far, but it was fantastic. (As you can tell, I don’t like to read entire series!)

Kellee

I am going to put these in order of when I read the first of the series. Although some of these may be a big cliche, these are some of the best dystopian books (series) out there.

1. The Giver series by Lois Lowry

the giver quartet

If you follow the blog, you know that The Giver is my favorite book of all time, so it is no surprise that it would end up on this list. I feel like The Giver is so powerful without being over the top. It truly makes you think and see your world differently.

2. Among the Hidden series by Margaret Peterson Haddix

shadow children books

I read the Shadow Children series with my brother because he read the first one and insisted I read it too (he is a third child, so I am sure it affected him in an intense way). Unlike The GiverAmong the Hidden is so suspenseful and lays a foundation for an action-packed series.

3. The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins

hunger games trilogy

I read The Hunger Games right when it came out, and I was blown away by the basis of the plot and the strong characters. I couldn’t put it down and waited impatiently for each of the books in the trilogy. Although it has become uber popular, I think it is deserving of all of the hype.

4. The Chaos Walking series by Patrick Ness

chaos walking

Chaos Walking is a perfect title for this series because so much craziness happens in these three books! When I read The Knife of Never Letting Go, I was blown away by Ness’s craft. It is such a unique series, unlike any other book I’ve read, and probably one of the best books/series I’ve ever read.

5. Divergent series by Veronica Roth

divergent trilogy

I love this series. I don’t know why it just grabbed me, but it did. Maybe it is that it takes place in Chicago. Maybe it seems realistic to me with unintentional segregation that still exists today. Maybe it is because it reminded me of The Giver and Hunger Games mixed together. Maybe it is because Tris and Four are just such complex and kick butt characters. Whatever the reason is, I devoured these books and was so impressed which all three of them.

Which dystopian titles are your favorite? 

RickiSig and Signature

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books We’ve Read So Far In 2015

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top ten tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because The Broke and Bookish are particularly fond of lists (as are we!). Each week a new Top Ten list topic is given and bloggers can participate.

 Today’s Topic: Top Ten Books We’ve Read So Far In 2015

These are the best books we’ve read so far this year.

Ricki

You can blame me for making Kellee limit her list to five books. I told her we have to limit ourselves or people will be overwhelmed. Of course, now I regret that decision because I have to limit myself to five. 😉

1. Picture Book: What Do You Do with an Idea? by Kobi Yamada

idea

This book left me mesmerized. I immediately ordered a copy and sent it to my sister, who is always drumming up ideas of inventions. This book will inspire children to have confidence in their imagination.

2. Picture Book: Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña

last stop on market street

I read everything by this incredible author. This book seems to have led to a movement. So many parents are taking their children on public transportation to allow them to explore the world. My son asks me to read this book over and over again.

3. Upper Elementary/Middle Grade Book: Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley

circus mirandus

From the first chapter, I was hooked in the splendor of Circus Mirandus. I just finished this book, so I am excited to write a full review. If you like Roald Dahl or can get lost in a magical book, try this one. You won’t be disappointed.

4. Young Adult Literature: X by Ilyasah Shabazz and Kekla Magoon

x

I can’t stop blogging about this book! I debated listing other great young adult texts I read this year, but I wanted this book to stand out. It is a book that will force kids to think. Malcolm Little (Malcolm X) is not always a likable character, and that will allow for great classroom conversations.

5. Classic Literature: East of Eden by John Steinbeck

east of eden

I’ve been saying I would read this book for a long time. Finally, I got my hands on the 23 audio discs of this epic text, and I went for it. I had many car rides that were full of the this winding, interwoven tale, and I loved it.

Kellee

These lists are always the hardest for me. If you have ever looked at my “Best of…” lists at the end of the year, you know I am not a minimalist about sharing. I really think that if a book was one of the best and one I truly enjoyed, it deserves to be shared. However, I am going to keep this list to only 5 to stick with a total of 10. I just want to make sure you know that I had a list of  15 titles that I wanted to share (I’ll just wait until my end-of-the-year list!).

This list is in no particular order and does not include picture books.

1. Best YA: Gabi, A Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero

gabit

Gabi is a girl that goes through so much. This novel takes you through a very tough year in her life, but the reader also gets to experience her strength, the changes she wants to make, and the hopes of her future.

2. Best Novel-in-Verse & Middle Grade 1: The Crossover by Kwame Alexander

the crossover

It is so obvious why this book won the Newbery Medal. It is a rhythmic piece of literature filled with heart and soul, and Josh is a character that is so easy to connect with–he is real and you love him.

3. Best Audiobook 1 & Middle Grade 2: The Very Nearly Honorable League of Pirates (series) by Caroline Carlson

verynearly1 verynearly2

These books were so much fun! I love that Hilary is everything that society doesn’t want her to be and that she rocks at it. Girl power! Also, the gargoyle is one of the funniest characters!

4. Best Audiobook 2 & Middle Grade 3: Better Nate Than Ever (series) by Tim Federle

betternate fivesixeseven

Oh Nate, Nate, Nate, Nate, Nate! Love him! He makes these books. He is funny, naive, talented, and just so brave. I wish I could jump in these books and be his friend!

5. Best Nonfiction & Graphic Novel: The Underground Abductor by Nathan Hale

undergroundabductor

Nathan Hale’s graphic novels about different historical times are brilliant, and I think this one is my favorite.  Harriet Tubman was one amazing woman, and I loved learning more about her.

Which books have you enjoyed this year? 

RickiSig and Signature

Happy 5th Anniversary to the Top Ten Tuesday Meme!: Our Favorite TTT Posts

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top ten tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because The Broke and Bookish are particularly fond of lists (as are we!). Each week a new Top Ten list topic is given and bloggers can participate.

 Today’s Topic: Our Favorite TTT Posts

We love Tuesdays! Happy anniversary to the Top Ten Tuesday meme! In honor of the anniversary, we are linking our favorite TTT posts.

Ricki

1. Our Favorite Pairings of YA Books and Classics

Our readers have responded really well to this one, and we are very proud of it because it represents who we are as teachers!

2. Top Ten Books for Readers Who Like Nonfiction

Nonfiction has a bad reputation, so I was excited to create this list.

3. Top Ten Professional Books

I try to read at least ten professional books per year, and I remember it was very difficult for me to pick books for this list because there are so many great ones!

4. Top Ten Books We’d Give to Readers Who Have Never Read Historical Fiction

I love historical fiction, so this was a very fun (but difficult) list to create. There were so many great choices!

5. Top Ten Books Ricki Read in 2013 and 2014 

It is so hard to narrow this list down to 10 books per year, so I am very proud of these titles. I recommend them all very highly.

Kellee

1. Characters We Wish Had Their Own Books and Characters We’d Like to Check In With

We just really love these characters and need more!

2. Books the Feature Characters Who Show Resilience Despite Disabilities

I loved highlighting books that show that there is strength in all sorts of people.

3. Topics We’d Like to See More in Picture Books

These are important topics we’d like to see more of.

4. Book Characters Who Would Be Sitting At Our Lunch Table

I really love the more unique topics that make me push my thinking. This one was fun!

5. Characters We Would Want with us on a Deserted Island

Ricki’s choice of Snatchabook really made this post (though I am proud of mine as well!).

Share some of your favorite TTT lists from your blog! Let’s celebrate!

RickiSig and Signature

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books On Our TBR Lists For Summer 2015

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top ten tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because The Broke and Bookish are particularly fond of lists (as are we!). Each week a new Top Ten list topic is given and bloggers can participate.

 Today’s Topic: Top Ten Books On Our TBR Lists For Summer 2015

Here are some of the books we plan to (hopefully) read this summer.

Ricki

1. Saint Anything by Sarah Dessen

saint anything

I read everything by Sarah Dessen, so I am thrilled to have this book!

2. The Sacred Lies of Minnow Bly by Stephanie Oakes

the sacred lies of minnow bly

Doesn’t this cover just suck you in?

3. Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley

circus mirandus

Everyone is raving about this one. I will absolutely be reading it.

4. The Boys Who Challenged Hitler by Phillip Hoose

the boys who challenged hitler

This true story of seven Danish teens is definitely on my list.

5. Dear Hank Williams by Kimberly Willis Holt

dear hank williams

The synopsis of this book includes the phrase: “gradually unfolds a story of overcoming tragedy, of family love, of small-town gossip, and of a young girl learning to find her voice.” I can’t wait to read it!

Kellee

1. Ivy and Bean: What’s the Big Idea?  by Annie Barrows

ivy and bean

I promised myself and Carrie Gelson that I’d read some early chapter books this summer, so when I saw this one at the Scholastic Warehouse sale, I scooped it up!

2. Honor Girl: A Graphic Memoir by Maggie Thrash

honor girl

Looks like an important book about sexuality and identity. And I love graphic memoirs!

3. If You’re Reading This by Trent Reedy

ifyourereadingthis

My students put this on the list of books that they thought I should get for my classroom library, so I plan on reading it this summer.

4. Secret Coders by Gene Luen Yang and Mike Holmes

secretcoders

I love Yang’s graphic novels, so I very much look forward to reading this one that comes out in the fall.

5. Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate

crenshaw

Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!! I am so excited to read this one! Yay for being approved on Netgalley!

Which books are you planning to read this summer?

RickiSig and Signature

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Anticipated Releases for the Rest of 2015

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top ten tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because The Broke and Bookish are particularly fond of lists (as are we!). Each week a new Top Ten list topic is given and bloggers can participate.

 Today’s Topic: Top Ten Most Anticipated Releases for the Rest of 2015

Ricki and Kellee

Once we started listing our books, we realized that most of our books overlapped, so we are doing this list together.
**In no particular order!**

1. Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee

go set a watchman

How could we not have this on our list?! To Kill a Mockingbird is one of our favorites!

2. Carry On by Rainbow Rowell

carry on

A whole book of Simon and Baz from Fangirl is so exciting!

3. Stand Off by Andrew Smith

stand off

We don’t know if Andrew Smith can top Winger, but we cannot wait to see what happens to Ryan Dean during senior year.

4. Goodbye Stranger by Rebecca Stead

goodbye stranger

So many great reviews for this one from people we trust.

5. Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast by Josh Funk

lady pancake

How can we not want to read this book by the hilarious Josh Funk?! This has been on our TBR list for quite a long time!

6. Little Robot by Ben Hatke

little robot

Kellee loves Ben Hatke’s Zita series and very much looks forward to his newest.

7. George by Alex Gino

george

We’ve heard this book is a game changer (along with Gracefully Grayson).

8. House Arrest by K.A. Holt

house arrest

Teri Lesesne said she couldn’t put this one down, so we know we have to pick it up.

9. The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness

therestofus

We don’t know much about this book except that it is by Patrick Ness. Yes, please.

10. Another Day by David Levithan

another day

It is going to be so interesting to hear Every Day‘s story told from Rhiannon’s point of view.

We are very excited about these 2016 books, as well!

Untitled by Ruta Sepetys (2016)

We are both huge fans of Sepetys’s first two novels, Between Shades of Gray and Out of Easy, and we cannot wait to read her next one! We know the title, but we aren’t sure if it is public, so we can’t share it here.

Honestly Ben by Bill Konigsberg (2016)

Bill Konigsberg just announced that there is going to be a sequel to Openly Straight from Ben’s point of view—so exciting!

Which books are you looking forward to this year?

RickiSig and Signature

Top Ten Tuesday: Books We’d Love to See as Movies or TV Shows

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Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because The Broke and Bookish are particularly fond of lists (as are we!). Each week a new Top Ten list topic is given and bloggers can participate.

Tyrell, A Long Way Gone, All the Bright Places, Absolutely True Diary, Aristotle and Dante

 Today’s Topic: Top Ten Books We’d Love to See as Movies or TV Shows

Ricki

1. Tyrell by Coe Booth

tyrell

My students would faint if this book became a movie.

2. A Long Way Gone by Ishmael Beah

a long way gone

I loved teaching this book and found it to be very inspirational. I think it would be well-received by audiences.

3. All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

all the bright places

I will be surprised if Hollywood doesn’t pick up this book. It would be a really big hit.

4. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

absolutely true diary of a part-time indian

If this became a movie, I would be a very, very happy girl.

5. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

aristotleand

I am not sure how this would translate to film, but with a good, creative director, I think it could be marvelous.

Kellee

1. The Living by Matt de la Pena

living

Whoa! Would this movie be intense! It would definitely be a summer blockbuster!

2. Alex Rider by Anthony Horowitz

alex rider

The first book, Stormbreaker, has already been made into a movie, but I think the series would make a fascinating TV show following a young spy as he tries to save the world (reluctantly) from Scorpia.

3. The Dungeoneers by John David Anderson

dungeoneers -c

Fans of Harry Potter are going to love this book, and it would make an epic movie just like Rowling’s series.

4. Endangered by Eliot Schrefer

endangered

Endangered would make such a wonderful movie! Being able to journey with Sophie as she tries to save herself and Otto would be so suspenseful!

5. Princess in Black by Shannon Hale

princessinblack

I love the Princess in Hale’s books, and I think she would make such a wonderful protagonist in a princess adventure story.

Which books would you love to see brought to the big/small screen? 

RickiSig and Signature