Top Ten Tuesday – Page 22 – Unleashing Readers

Top Ten Tuesday: Goals/Resolutions For 2014

December 30, 2014December 30, 2014 by Ricki

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 Goals/Resolutions for 2014

And of course, our list is filled with bookish goals!

Ricki

1. To create a “Best of” list.

Kellee and I have been working on a “Best of” page for some time. It requires us each to read a lot of books, so we will hopefully have this available soon!

2. To go back to reading more YAL.

I love YAL, and I usually read over 100 YA books per year. Last year, I read much more widely, and I missed a lot of books that I wish I had read. This year, I am going to try to straddle both worlds!

3. To review most of the books I got at NCTE/ALAN

This is my most daunting goal. There are a lot of books! But I want to make a serious dent in the stacks (and donate the rest, of course).

4. To listen only to audiobooks in the car. No more radio.

I often get a bit lazy and wait a few weeks to go to the library to get a new audiobook. At times where it is just me (or Henry and me), we will no longer listen to the radio.

5. To go up to bed a half hour earlier to read.

I spend a lot of time on my computer doing schoolwork, and I miss a lot of reading time. I resolve that I will put the work down and get upstairs to read.

Kellee

1. To create a “Best Of” list

I have to have this one too because it is something Ricki and I need to work on. We want to make a list of exemplar texts for different levels. We have a mock list, but we need to work on it more. Hopefully coming in 2015.

2. Read more YAL books

I know, I know, I am just copying Ricki, but it is so true. I read A LOT of titles this year, but probably 90% of them were picture books (my book count on Goodreads was the highest ever, but my page numbers were one of the lowest). I want to keep the amount of picture books I am reading, but also add more young adult and middle grade novels back into my totals.

3. To catch up on my “I promise to review” list

I have books that I have promised to review with an open-ended review date. I need to read and review them.

4. Book talk more to my students

I am teaching an advanced reading class this year, and for some reason, I have not been book talking as much as I did when I taught intensive reading. I need to remedy that.

5. Find time daily to read for me

I will sometimes go five days without reading for me. I need to make it so that I set aside time for my reading daily.

Which bookish goals do you have?

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Top Ten Tuesday: Books We Wouldn’t Mind Santa Bringing Henry and Trent

February 14, 2021December 23, 2014 by Ricki

Today’s Topic: Top Ten Books We Wouldn’t Mind Santa Bringing Henry and Trent

Please, Santa, bring these books for us our boys.

Ricki

1. Last Stop on Market Street by by Matt de la Peña

It comes out on January 8. Does Santa do pre-orders?

2. Freedom Summer by Deborah Wiles

I took this out of the library, and I fell in love with it. I’d love to own a copy, so Henry and I can read it again and again!

3. Crossing Bok Chitto: A Choctaw Tale of Friendship and Freedom by Tim Tingle

I am trying to expose Henry to native tribes other than his own. I’ve heard this book is excellent.

4. Noodle by Munro Leaf

Henry and I loved this story, but we only borrowed a library copy.

5. The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner

As a child, I loved these books. Go big or go home, right? Santa, Henry is requesting the complete set for when he is old enough to understand them.

Kellee

These are books that Santa actually is bringing Trent this year. This is only a handful of the literal box of books he is getting.
There are hundreds of other books I hope Trent gets at one point or another, but I thought I’d share some of the books he IS getting this year.
P.S. I very much want Matt de la Pena’s picture book too!

1. The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt

This book is one of my favorite recently published picture books, and it was Ricki’s gift recommendation, so I listened to her and got it for Trent.

2. Each Kindness by Jacqueline Woodson

I love this book, and I am very excited to have it to share with my son and my students. It is a special book.

3. How Do Dinosaurs Say I Love You by Jane Yolen

I was SO lucky to meet Jane Yolen at NCTE, and I knew I had to get a Dinosaur book signed me her. This is the one that Anderson’s had, so I picked it up. I cannot wait to read it to him.

4. Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker (Sound Book)

I remember that Jen Vincent’s son loved this book, so when I saw the sound book of it at our Scholastic Warehouse Sale, I knew I had to pick it up.

5. Bob Dylan Picture Books

Every time I see a Bob Dylan picture book, I know I need to get it for our collection. Bob Dylan was a huge part of my childhood, and I want him to be part of Trent’s as well. We already have Blowin’ in the Wind, so we had to add these two.

Which books should Santa bring our boys?

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Need a Last-Minute Holiday Gift? Ricki and Kellee’s Top Picks

July 20, 2018December 18, 2014 by Ricki

Need to buy a gift, but do not know what to get?! Well, you can’t go wrong with the gift of books! Here are our recommendations for the best book gifts.

The requirements we set for ourselves were: a) books published within the last year or two, and b) books that would be appreciated of all ages, regardless of the category they are listed in.

Children’s Literature/Picture Books

Ricki’s Pick: The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt

My husband and I giggled as we read this one when it first came out. It is sure to delight!

Kellee’s Pick: Ivan: The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla by Katherine Applegate

An important story told in the perfect way.

Upper Elementary/Middle Grade Literature

Ricki’s Pick: Wonder by R.J. Palacio

This book made me want to be a better person. Henry will be reading this book when he is old enough to understand it.

Kellee’s Pick: Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin

Beautiful story. Rose’s voice will stick with you long after you finish reading.
(I almost picked brown girl dreaming, but I figured that it’d be on most lists. I decided to spread the love.)

Young Adult Literature

Ricki’s Pick: Dr. Bird’s Advice for Sad Poets by Evan Roskos

I think every high schooler should have access to this book.

Kellee’s Pick: Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass by Meg Medina

This book will make you feel. All teens should read it.
(The AEWA2014 books are great choices too, but I wanted to switch things up.)

Adult Literature

Ricki’s Pick: The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

It’s a book about life, and it is beautifully written.

Kellee’s Pick: Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman

Gaiman has a way with words and a way to suck you into a story. His most recent is no different. Bonus: The audiobook is phenomenal too.

Which books would you recommend as holiday purchases?

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Top Ten Tuesday: Books Ricki Read in 2014

January 3, 2015December 16, 2014 by Ricki

Today’s Topic: Top Ten Books Ricki Read in 2014

Kellee donated this day to me! Yippee! I can pick ten books. Wait, only ten? Ah!

Kellee will be doing her post on January 2. If she limits her list to ten, I might just fall off of my chair. 🙂 Love you, Kel!

I’ve divided the books into categories, but I hate categories. If you are human, you will like these books, regardless of your age. This year, out of all of my reading years, I read widely in each category, so I am proud of this book list. Many of the texts are popular choices, but they are so good, that I’d be remiss if I didn’t include them as my favorites this year. Also, not all of these books came out in 2014, but most are very recent.

And check out Kellee’s Favorites, too!

Children’s Literature/Picture Books

1. This is Not My Hat by Jon Klassen

This book is quirky, weird, and oh-so-good.

2. The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt (Illustrated by Oliver Jeffers)

Technically, I read this at the end of 2013, after my Top Ten List came out. My husband I loved this book. It was so much fun to read with our son, and we have read it many times since.

Upper Elementary/Middle Grade Literature

3. brown girl dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson

You know when you hear a song that is so perfectly in tune, and you get the shivers? That is this book for me.

4. A Snicker of Magic by Natalie Lloyd

This book made me, as an adult, believe in magic.

Young Adult Literature

5. Dr. Bird’s Advice for Sad Poets by Evan Roskos

I think every high schooler should read this book.

6. We Were Liars by e. lockhart

Exceeds the hype. e. lockhart is a genius.

Adult Literature

7. The Storied Life of A.J. Fikry by Gabrielle Zevin

This is a reader’s book. In other words, if you like to read, you will like this book.

8. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

This isn’t an extremely literary book, but it had me hooked. If you want to get lost in a book, I highly recommend it. I am still thinking about the ethical side of the book, months later.

Professional Development Texts

9. Culturally Responsive Teaching by Geneva Gay

I would love to see this book as required reading for all pre-service teachers, in my opinion. I used a whole highlighter on this book.

10. Literature as Exploration by Louise M. Rosenblatt

She just gets it. This book stands for everything I believe in—as a teacher and as a reader.

Which were your favorites in 2014? I’d love to read them in 2015!

Top Ten Tuesday: New-To-Us Authors We Read In 2014

December 14, 2014December 9, 2014 by Ricki

Today’s Topic: Top Ten New-To-Us Authors We Read In 2014

These are the authors we read and loved this year that were new to us.

Ricki

I knew about several of these authors, but I finally dove into their books this year!

1. Marcus Sedgwick

I enjoyed both Revolver and Midwinterblood this year. Sedgwick is an incredibly clever, unique author, and I am glad I discovered how great his writing is. It is a shame I didn’t get started on his books sooner! I plan to read many of his other books this year.

2. Deborah Wiles

I just discovered Freedom Summer, and I can’t wait to dive into her YA books this year. I’ve heard wonderful things about Revolution.

3. Oliver Jeffers

I read and enjoyed three books by Oliver Jeffers this year. This picture book author/illustrator is a genius. By the time Henry is five, I suspect I will have read every book he has written.

4. Bob Shea

Speaking of great picture book authors/illustrators, I was blown away by the fun that exists between the pages of Bob Shea’s works. After reading two of his stories, I can’t wait to read more by him.

5. Deborah Appleman

I was very impressed by her book which inspired a post about Teaching Critical Theory to ALL Students. Months after reading her book, I am still thinking about it.

Kellee

1. Oliver Jeffers

Like Ricki, I think Jeffers is a pure genius. Everything he writes is so unique and well done. The first one I read was Lost and Found when Trent was 14 days old, and I was sucked in.

2. Matt Tavares

I read Tavares’s 4 baseball biographies this year, and I was blown away with them. I loved how he lyrically tells the human and baseball story of each man.

3. Birgitta Sif

Like Jeffers, Sif is a picture book author who is like no other. Her illustrations are so soft yet impactful, and I love the protagonists of her stories.

4. Mem Fox

Although I did read one of her books in 2009, she truly made an impact this year. So many of our readers recommended her to me when Trent was born, and I can see why. She has a way with words.

5. Walden Finalists Sylvia Whitman, Patrick Flores-Scott, and Bill Konigsberg

And I cannot wait to read more!
(And yes, I did cheat a bit, but oh well!)

Which authors were new to you this year?

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Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Books On Our Winter TBR

November 25, 2014 by Ricki

Today’s Topic: Top Ten Books On Our Winter TBR

We are back at school, and we can’t wait to dine with these characters!

Ricki

1. Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith

Really…this time I am reading it. Kellee, thanks for reminding me by including it in your top five. Dual review, perhaps?

2. Glory O’Brien’s History of the Future by A.S. King

And another I stole from Kellee. Seriously, though, I pre-ordered this book, so I should read it NOW.

3. Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

I am tired of the critics screaming at me because I haven’t read this one. Josh Funk, did I just hear your cheers across twitterverse? I am officially reading this book within the next few months. Hopefully, it doesn’t put me to sleep like the movie did. ::wink::

4. Just One Year by Gayle Forman

This has been on my nightstand for far too long. Now that I heard it is going to be a movie, I better get my act together!

5. Atlantia by Ally Condie

I love Ally Condie. This semester was crazy, so I got behind and didn’t read this book, and I am excited to get to it.

Kellee

I think some of these books were on my fall TBR–OOPS!

1. Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith

2. The Alex Crow by Andrew Smith
(and 100 Sideways Miles, but I figured Andrew should only get 2 slots.)

3. The Paper Cowboy by Kristin Levine
(and I really need to read The Lions of Little Rock too!)

4. Read Between the Lines by Jo Knowles

5. Glory O’Brien’s History of the Future by A.S. King

Which books are you looking forward to reading?

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Top Ten Tuesday: Topics We’d Like to See More in Picture Books

November 18, 2014November 18, 2014 by Ricki

Today’s Topic: Top Ten Topics We’d Like to See More in Picture Books

Sorry—we went rogue on today’s top ten topic. We would love to read more about these topics, particularly as moms.

Ricki

1. Race/Ethnicity

I believe children should learn to appreciate different races and ethnicities at an early age. #weneeddiversebooks

2. Bullying

I don’t think we can have enough books about bullying. I would particularly like to read more books that discuss the bystanders of bullying.

3. Grief

There are some phenomenal books about grief, but I know parents and teachers would appreciate more books to guide children through difficult times.

4. Varied Types of Families

Too many picture books portray traditional families. I am always excited to read books like And Tango Makes Three that show the various, loving families that exist.

5. Books that Promote Reading

I tend to fall in love with any book that shows how cool and fun reading can be.

Kellee

Ah! Ricki stole all mine! That’s what I get for writing the post after her…

1. Penguins living in the South Pole not with polar bears or Santa AND apes being called apes, not monkeys

These are two pet peeves, and I would love if they would stop happening.

2. A variety of animals, not just the same ones over and over

Some of my favorite animal picture books I’ve read are favorites because they discuss a variety of animals, not just the same ones as Old McDonald has on his farm over and over.

3. School and learning

I would love to see school be portrayed as a positive place and learning as a the amazing thing it is.

4. Imagination

I love books like The Most Magnificent Thing and The Dot because of how much they promote imagination. Too often kids are losing that imagination time because of technology, so I would love to see more books talk about the importance of imagination.

5. Empathy

I know that this is very similar to Ricki’s bullying, but it is wider and deeper than just bullying. I want to discuss with kids how to be empathetic, how to not judge, how to want to help, how to be a good person, etc.

Which topics would you like to read more about in picture books?

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