I loved how easy this book was to understand and learn the basics of volleyball. I used to play volleybGenre: Contemporary Realistic Grade Level: K-2nd
I loved how easy this book was to understand and learn the basics of volleyball. I used to play volleyball and still play for fun whenever I can. Valmik hitting his knees was relatable, as I am someone who dives for the ball at all costs. Not a nice reminder of how painful it can be! I really enjoyed reading through this and having different ways to relate to the book at the end. Honestly though, I feel like balloon volleyball would just be less painful and a little harder to hit, balloons go everywhere when you smack them!
Merged review:
Genre: Contemporary Realistic Grade Level: K-2nd
I loved how easy this book was to understand and learn the basics of volleyball. I used to play volleyball and still play for fun whenever I can. Valmik hitting his knees was relatable, as I am someone who dives for the ball at all costs. Not a nice reminder of how painful it can be! I really enjoyed reading through this and having different ways to relate to the book at the end. Honestly though, I feel like balloon volleyball would just be less painful and a little harder to hit, balloons go everywhere when you smack them!...more
AHHHH! I loved this book. The poetry makes it a really good read-aloud. The way the turkeys wereGenre: Poetry/Contemporary Realistic Grade Level: K-3rd
AHHHH! I loved this book. The poetry makes it a really good read-aloud. The way the turkeys were called like the reindeers in the Christmas version of this story made me giggle. This would be a great book to read around Thanksgiving, of course as long as students don't take the idea of stealing turkeys away! Great read, it made me laugh quite a bit....more
I loved how action packed this book was! I was only one year old when the Hurricane Katrina happened, so Genre: Historical Fiction Grade Level: 3rd-5th
I loved how action packed this book was! I was only one year old when the Hurricane Katrina happened, so it was interesting to learn about it myself. It seems really tough, I'm surprised I haven't hear more about this storm. Barry was a very brave boy, especially with the way he tried to move on after everything that happened. I think he should be a lifeguard as he gets older! Really great books, there's history as well as character traits students can learn from....more
I loved how this book contained so many facts, but in basic sentence form. My roommate's favorite animal is an oGenre: Informational Grade Level: K-3rd
I loved how this book contained so many facts, but in basic sentence form. My roommate's favorite animal is an otter, so I liked being able to know a little about them. The pictures were my favorite part, I didn't know sea otters could have that comical of expressions. This would be a great book for younger grades projects on animals, or just to read for fun!...more
When looking for children's books, it was hard to find history books that were factual rather than historical Genre: Informational Grade Level: 2nd-4th
When looking for children's books, it was hard to find history books that were factual rather than historical fiction. This was full of facts, and completely true! I liked how older photos from Ellis Island were incorporated, it helped me to understand what it actually looks like, then and now. This would be a great supplement to a history project, or more reading if we talked about immigration. I would not want anything to do with the buttonhooks!...more
*Newbery Winner* I love how history was written from a bystander in World War II in this book. Normally tGenre: Historical Fiction Grade Level: 4th-6th
*Newbery Winner* I love how history was written from a bystander in World War II in this book. Normally the history we read is from the Jewish people or the Germans, not someone who saw their friends being taken away. Though this is a fiction book, it was interesting to read from that perspective. Lois Lowry was my Noted Author's presentation, so I enjoyed reading this book to learn more about her writing....more
I remember the first time I read this book I went on a mission to create my own new word to be addedGenre: Contemporary Realistic Grade Level: 4th-6th
I remember the first time I read this book I went on a mission to create my own new word to be added to the dictionary. Reading it for the twentieth something time, I still feel inspired to start some kind of change. Andrew Clements is a fantastic writer like that! I love how Mrs. Granger pushed Nick to be better, even though on the outside it seemed like she didn't care. There's nothing like opposing authority that makes a kid more motivated!...more
This book was so sweet. A little girl with birthday wishes and a big brother who really does care. I Genre: Contemporary Realistic Grade Level: 3rd-5th
This book was so sweet. A little girl with birthday wishes and a big brother who really does care. I loved the illustrations in this book, just because they added both culture and deeper insight into the story. Carmela was so selfless though she was young, teaching readers that it is important to think of others before yourself. The amount of thought she put into her wish was amazing!...more
I loved this! Bluebonnets are gorgeous flowers, so it was cool to hear the folklore behind how they weGenre: Traditional Literature Grade Level:1st-3rd
I loved this! Bluebonnets are gorgeous flowers, so it was cool to hear the folklore behind how they were supposedly spread all over. I liked how the main character is a girl with many impressive traits for being so young. It can teach students that even if they feel like they are alone and no one notices them that people do notice them and they can do great things! I also liked the illustrations used to convey the thoughts behind sacrificing what is important to you most....more
I found this book when trying to expand my Goodreads bookshelf to have more diversity in it. What was fantastic abGenre: Biography Grade Level: 3rd-5th
I found this book when trying to expand my Goodreads bookshelf to have more diversity in it. What was fantastic about this find was that each page has both English and Spanish. This would allow any students in the future who speak Spanish as their native language would have a chance to read the book in their language with the English translation right next to it. For students with the native language of English, it would allow them to look into another language. ...more
I loved reading this, as books about strong, independent woman with diversity are hard to find. Sonia's story fromGenre: Biography Grade Level: 2nd-4th
I loved reading this, as books about strong, independent woman with diversity are hard to find. Sonia's story from Puerto Rico to an Ivy League school was inspiring. It's incredible how books can help people escape the troubles of their world, whether it be grief, bullying, etc. It's funny how words on a page can do that, I related to Sonia because books have helped me get through tough times in my life....more
This was an interesting book, as I never knew who David Bowie was. I knew the name sounded familiar, however, I diGenre: Biography Grade Level: 2nd-4th
This was an interesting book, as I never knew who David Bowie was. I knew the name sounded familiar, however, I did not know the impact he had. I liked how free he was to be himself, no matter what anyone thought. The character of Ziggy seemed so creative! I'm sure David Bowie had a huge impact on many people just because he proved you could be yourself, no matter what anyone said....more
This book always stood out to me as kid, though I didn't remember what the book was actually about: the illusGenre: Modern Fantasy Grade Level: 1st-3rd
This book always stood out to me as kid, though I didn't remember what the book was actually about: the illustrations were just funny to look at! Now re-reading it, I can see the deep themes that run within. It is so important for students to understand that the need to be themselves before the entire world dictates what they can do and who they can be. This would be a great book to introduce that topic, as elementary kids can be mean....more
I loved this book when I was younger! There's something cool of seeing the inside of nature and how animals worGenre: Modern Fantasy Grade Level: K-2nd
I loved this book when I was younger! There's something cool of seeing the inside of nature and how animals work. It was also educating to see how humans can affect how wildlife acts and where they choose to stay. Although I don't agree with feeding wild animals, the police officer was very supportive of the ducklings making their way and exploring in a line behind their mother. I love the illustrations; they made the ducklings 10x cuter!...more
Truly a heartwarming book that shows the love between parents and children! No matter what, your parentGenre: Contemporary Realistic Grade Level: K-2nd
Truly a heartwarming book that shows the love between parents and children! No matter what, your parents should be there to love you forever. Each scene showcased that no matter what, the love of family will outweigh any accidents or bad decisions. This was one of my favorite books as it was a constant reminder that my mom will always love me. My favorite part is how the book circles back to the son taking care of the mother, truly touching and shows that what you give will come back to you!...more
This book contained a lot of information! Because Plato lived so long ago, it can be hard to figure out exactly whGenre: Biography Grade Level: 3rd-5th
This book contained a lot of information! Because Plato lived so long ago, it can be hard to figure out exactly what his life was life outside of his writings. I know of Plato from reading Plato's Republic in Philosophy class this semester. It was nice to have a connect between two classes, as philosophy is often disregarded. However, it wasn't the most interesting book so it took me a little to get through it....more
I loved how this version of the three little pigs and their houses was told in the original format withGenre: Traditional Literature Grade Level: K-2nd
I loved how this version of the three little pigs and their houses was told in the original format with sides that simplified the storylines for younger readers. I relate most to the third pig, as I consider myself very determined and don't allow any huffing or puffing to knock me down! I feel bad the first two pigs had to lose their houses, but at least their third pig friend was prepared!...more
Amelia Bedelia never fails to crack me up. Her name is so much to say and she's such a unique charactGenre: Contemporary Realistic Grade Level: 2nd-3rd
Amelia Bedelia never fails to crack me up. Her name is so much to say and she's such a unique character. I love how many giggles I can get out reading about her mishaps and misinterpretations of the list. Lucky the strawberry tarts save her from the wrath of the baby's mother! Despite how all over the place Amelia is, she's a relatable character that never fails to put a smile on my face. I still cannot believe she made the baby watch her play with her toys! ...more
So inspiring! Jeanne Power is another revolutionary woman scientist who didn't let men defy her. Despite many setbGenre: Biography Grade Level: 2nd-5th
So inspiring! Jeanne Power is another revolutionary woman scientist who didn't let men defy her. Despite many setbacks, Jeanne never failed to stand her ground or repeat her work to prove herself. Her love of nature and all things living is amazing, she's a good person to look up to. Even though she lived in the 1800s, she helped prove that woman can make discoveries like men can, no matter how many setbacks there are. I thought it was cool that she created one of the first scientific aquariums: and even patented it! ...more
A talking bus telling Rosa Parks' story? That grabbed my attention! I knew what Rosa Parks did to furtherGenre: Historical Fiction Grade Level: 3rd-5th
A talking bus telling Rosa Parks' story? That grabbed my attention! I knew what Rosa Parks did to further the civil rights movement, however, I did not know much about her past. It was interesting to hear a bus tell all! It's encouraging how Rosa Parks stood up for what she believed in when she was wrong. I am saddened that these events had to happen in our country's past, but it's a strong lesson we can learn to not discriminate against others. I also loved the illustrations in this book, as though it mainly contained information, you could see the illustrations of how people felt in each scene. So cool how they organized the bus boycott and actually made progress on their rights!...more