Freedom to Read by Lesa Cline-Ransome illustrated by James E. Ransome

The Story of Teacher Mary Peake and One Mighty Oak Tree

Ms. Cline-Ransome combines two stories by alternating pages about each one-Mary Peake and an oak tree. The last word/words from the previous page transition(s) into the following page as its starting word/words. Mary Peake teaches Blacks how to read in secret until she is asked to teach during the Civil War under the oak tree. Eventually Hampton University was founded and built near the oak tree where Mary had taught.

Very interesting! The author's note provides more information about Mary, Virginia's laws,the tree, and the college. I like how she included a photo of Mary, of the tree, and of her grandfather, who attended Hampton University.

-Borrowed from the library.

Fox Has a Problem by Corey R. Tabor*

Shared Reading-My First  I Can Read! 

2024 Winner of the Theodor Geisel Award

I love Mr. Tabor's book Mel Fell. Apparently he has written quite a few other books, including at least six books about Fox.

Fox tries to fix his problem but progressively makes it worse. Teamwork solves the problem.

A perfect book for beginning readers-the story consists of sight words with a few harder words that can be determined via pictures or a parent teaching the word before hand or as they read. The more difficult words are repeated numerous times. As a result, by the end of the book, the reader will have learned a couple of challenging words. In this book the difficult words are: problem, idea, new, & very.

Humor makes this story so enjoyable!

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Reading with Purpose by Nancy Wilson*

 Applying the Christian Worldview to American Literature 

For the past three years Betsy, on the Redeemed Reader blog, has been sharing her high school homeschool literature plan. In her American Lit. unit she recommended this booklet. 

This quick read discusses why and how Christians should read literature. Most of the book focuses on the different literary movements, their tendencies/traits, and how a Christian should interact with these works. I found it interesting to observe the decline in man's worldview via the themes in literature. In her Appendix she includes a nifty chart that about the changes in worldview over time.   

I plan to have my sixteen-year-old son utilize this booklet this coming school year as he reads American literature.

*Highly recommend. 

She has a strong opinion about a popular Christian series!! I found it amusing and mostly agree with her. Some people may take offense, though! 

-I own this book.

Overcoming Dyslexia by Sally Shaywitz, M.D., Codirector, Yale Center for Dysleixa & Creativity and Jonathan Shaywitz, M.D.*

 2nd edition (revised and update)-2020

To refresh and to improve my knowledge about dyslexia, I am reading a couple of books about it. Although I did not read this entire book, I learned a lot! Since I will be assessing an elementary student's reading capabilities soon, I wanted to be aware of the signs of dyslexia. As a result, I focused my reading on diagnosing and how to help them learn to read. The authors make the information accessible.

*Highly recommend.

-Borrowed from the library.

Unlimited Squirrels in Who is the Mystery Reader? by Mo Willems*

Mo Willems's latest book!
A group of squirrels is trying to figure out what a stop sign says.  One of the squirrels excuses himself.  Suddenly a squirrel wearing a mask and underpants appears and suggests, "Why not read it?"!  It is the Mystery Reader!  He proceeds to help them read the word. 
Humor abounds in this book.  Multiple stories and many "Acorn-y Jokes" are included.  Mr. Willems has even drawn "emote-acorns" on the bottom of some pages to reveal the big feelings squirrels are having on that particular page!
The only section beginning or struggling readers may have difficulty reading is the one where the history of writing is explained.  The adult will probably have to read that section aloud.  But by that time in the book, the reader may need a break.
*Highly recommend (My fourth grader even enjoyed reading this book.  I think I spied my seventh grader reading it too!).
Perfect for beginning readers or struggling readers.
-Borrowed from the library.

Thelonius Monster's Sky-High Fly Pie by Judy Sierra illustrated by Edward Koren

Thelonius Monster decides to make a huge fly pie to share.  After consulting a spider for advice, he concocts a sugary mixture to entice them.   He then forms a huge pie and invites all of his monster family and friends to partake in the delicious creation.  One problem . . . he forgot to bake it.  A  fun ending!
Great word choice that will help expand vocabulary.
The entire poem is in rhyme. 
Great to use when studying long i with young readers (ie, y).
-Borrowed from the library.

Jabberwocky by Lewis Carroll illustrated by Graeme Base

from Through the Looking Glass
Mr. Base interprets Lewis' famous Jabberwocky poem through imaginative illustrations.
I read this aloud to my sons to discuss how context clues can help them figure out challenging words.
-Borrowed from the library.

The Read Aloud Family by Sarah Mackenzie**

Making Meaningful and Lasting Connections with Your Kids
I love Sarah Mackenzie's podcast, Read Aloud Revival, and was thrilled to hear that she had a new book being published.  Then I wondered if it would contain anything new since I faithfully listen to her podcast each week. 
As she shared aspects of the book before it was published, I knew it would be a book I would purchase.  I have read so many books about reading and reading aloud, but her book contained some new ideas:  How to quickly determine if a book is good enough to read and compelling questions!
This is a book I will be utilizing for many years to come.  I wished I had read this book while I was teaching in public school!
Her book lists range from baby through teen years. 
**Highly, highly recommend.

Ancient History Readers' Theater by Robert W. Smith*

Grades 5-8th
Bringing the past to life!
These twelve Readers' Theaters really bring the "past to life".  Each one has a brief historical overview before it and also offers extensions.
Which people/events are featured: Hammurabi, Hatsheput, Queen Esther, Socrates, Alexander the Great, Archimedes, Eratosthenes, Qin Shi Huangdi, Julius Caesar, Antony and Cleopatra, Pompeii, and Hypatia
-Borrowed from the library.
*Highly recommend.
Warning: The scripts do not shy away from the reality of the times.  In Hammurabi's Readers' Theater, women/men chasing/adultery, drinking and gambling are mentioned.

Let's Read and Find Out Stage 2 Archaeologists Dig for Clues by Kate Duke*

A group of children spend a day with Sophie, an archaeologist, digging up area in a corn field where Archaic people once lived.
A wonderfully detailed book about how an archaeologist spends a day, not only at the dig site, but also in the laboratory categorizing finds.
Humor is woven into the characters', dog's and cat's speech bubbles.
*Highly recommend.
Tons of vocabulary and information!
My seven year old and I took turns reading aloud this book together for school.
Teaching strategy: nonfiction text features; scan and plan (how to plan and read nonfiction)

May B. by Caroline Starr Rose* (cover illustration by Christopher Silas Neal)

To help the family earn extra money, May's father drops her off fifteen miles away from their Kansas soddy to the Oblinger homestead to help a newly married woman adjust to the prairie life.  May lives out her days, away from her family, doing the chores Mrs. Oblinger is suppose to do.   Then she flees back to Ohio with Mr. Oblinger pursuing her, leaving May to fend for herself.
Two struggles occur within this story-the main plot plus May's acceptance of herself and her struggles with reading.
*Highly recommend.
*Borrowed from the library.
A novel in verse.
The author has also written Blue Birds (published in March 2015) which looks interesting (1587 in Roanoke Virginia).

Wolf by Becky Bloom illustrated by Pascal Biet

Wolf is starving and finds a farm with delicious choices- a cow, a pig, and duck. These animals, however, are reading and are not impressed with his big and dangerous persona!  They send him off to be educated.
Reading Specialist/teachers and classroom teachers could read this book aloud in the beginning  of the year to encourage their students to continue to make strives to improve their reading ability.
This book portrays "the reading journey".
Borrowed from the library.

My Very First-I Can Read Box Set #2 by Dr. Julie M. Wood*

I bought this set for my current kindergartner.
The illustrations are adorable and the story lines are engaging and humorous.
A pure delight!
*Highly recommend for the very beginning reader.
Guided Reading Levels: C, D, E
Parent's Corner at the end offers suggestions for "rereading the book together", "fun with words", and "more learning".
*We own this set.

The Reading Strategies Book by Jennifer Serravallo*

"Your Everything Guide to Developing Skilled Readers"
Another professional book I wish I could give to every teacher who teaches reading!
By reading through a chart on one page, a teacher will be to determine how to teach a specific strategy, learn a teaching tip and have prompts ready to use.  The page also shares which level readers can "handle" this strategy and genre it best suited.  She also references other professional books so if a teacher  is wanting additional professional reading, you have a plethora your fingertips!
Example charts with each strategy.
**Highly, highly recommend.
This book can be used no matter what reading approach you use (reading workshop, Daily 5/CAFE, Guided Reading, Balanced Literacy, Core Reading Programs).

In Defense of Read Aloud by Steven L. Layne**

"Sustaining Best Practice"
Daily CAFE recommended this book in their weekly email letter.  "The Sisters" love Dr. Layne!
I could have read this professional book in one sitting!
Dr. Layne's writing style is conversational.  He is motivating -sometimes in your face!  He is humorous.  Most importantly he is not afraid to speak the truth in an articulate manner.
All of his points are backed by solid research.
This book will not only motivate a teacher (and parent) to read aloud to their students/children but it also gives vital suggestions on how to read aloud well and provides a long list of great books to share.
**Highly, highly recommend.
If I could , I would give a copy of this book to every teacher I know!

My Nose is a Hose by Kent Salisbury*

"Pop into Phonics"
An interactive book that allows the reader to see word families.
*Highly recommend.

We're Going on a Book Hunt by Pat Miller illustrated by Nadine Bernard Westcott

Three bears and their teacher visit the library and try to pick the "just right" book.
Perfect for the beginning of the year when sharing how to pick a "good fit" book, how to act in the library, how to page through the book etc.

The Best Place to Read by Debbie Bertram and Susan Bloom illustrated by Michael Garland

A young boy tries to find a comfortable place to read.  Sweet ending!

The Best Time to Read by Debbie Bertram and Susan Bloom illustrated by Michael Garland

A young boy tries to find someone to listen to him read aloud.  No one, however, has time.

Too Big, Too Small, Just Right by Frances Minters illustrated by Janie Bynum

A pair of rabbits try to find the perfect fit while riding bike, dancing, seesawing etc.
Recommend to read aloud when talking about "good fit books".
Daily 5/CAFE