Our Battle of the Books is still in full swing at East Side Library.

 

Students are enjoying this Battle of the Books and can't wait to see who the winner will be. In round two DAVID GETS IN TROUBLE went up against CAT SECRETS, CREEPY CARROTS against DIARY OF A WIMPY KID LONG HAUL, DORK DIARIES ICE PRINCESS against I SURVIVED THE NAZI INVASION, and GIANTS BEWARE against BAD KITTY MEETS THE BABY. Who do you think will win?

To celebrate School Library Month this April, the students and teachers of East Side will be enjoying a battle of the books. Mrs. Odom, the school librarian, selected 16 popular books for this battle. The bracket was hung outside the library so students, staff, and parents could see which books were in the winning lead. The voting will consist of 4 rounds and the 2015 BOOK OF THE YEAR for East Side Elementary will be announced on April 29th.

 

Who do you think is the front runner?

 

Who will win it all?

 

Students voted by visiting a form located at Survey Monkey.

 

 

Even though I have not been blogging my book reviews lately, I have been reading. I have read numerous books but cannot seem to find the time to add my review to the blog.

May latest read was BUNNICULA by Deborah and James Howe. This book was recommend to my by a student and I just had to read it.

BUNNICULA is about a bunny that a family found while visiting the movie theatre. Harold (the dog) and Chester (the cat) are the family pets and cannot believe that a new creature has been brought home. Chester is not your normal cat. Chester is every educated and loves to read when the family is away. The family names the bunny Bunnicula because he is a bunny and they found him at the Dracula movie. Of course Harold and Chester are jealous of the bunny and begin having suspensions when they find a white tomato. They also learn that Bunnicula can escape from his cage at night.

This book is a great read for elementary students who enjoy a great mystery. The book was published in 1979 but is still a great read. Some of the best books were published 20 or more years ago. Enjoy!!

3/23/2015

This week at ES Elementary Library, students in grades pre-k to second grade explored books about Easter. We read a non-fiction and fictional book about Easter. Students were able to see how the two books are different and alike. Second grade students were able to take their knowledge of non-fiction texts and discuss why the non-fiction book was classified as non-fiction.

Third and fourth grade students participated in a scavenger hunt using the Online Public Access Catalog for the library. Students were working on how to search by the author, title, and keyword. We were also learning about series titles while participating in the scavenger hunt. Many students were able to locate a book they were interested in using the call number found in the OPAC. Can you locate a book using a call number in your library?

I hope that each and every one of you have enjoyed my 12 days of Christmas book reviews. I have definitely enjoyed writing them. Here is the final book review for this Christmas season. With many students asking for electronics this Christmas, I thought this book was quite fitting. Enjoy and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

12 Days of Christmas Book Review:

Day Twelve

THE BERENSTAIN BEARS' COMPUTER TROUBLE

by Jan & Mike Berenstain

Image Credit: www.amazon.com

COMPUTER TROUBLE is a great story to help students understand that screen time is not always best for them or their family. Papa brings home a computer one day to help with his business and pretty soon the whole family has a computer. After much time is spent on the computers each and every day, Papa decides that it is time for some computer rules. A time limit is set on the internet each day and the cubs learn that many fun things can be accomplished when they are not in front of the screen. 

This story is a wonderful read for students in today's technology age. The story points out that playing outside is still fun and the internet is not everything. This story stresses the importance of family time without screen time. Many students will enjoy this new Berenstain Bears' book for the 21st Century. I would recommend this book to any student who enjoys Berenstain Bears' and computers.

Merry Christmas!

12 Days of Christmas Book Review

Day Eleven:

 

WALLS WITHIN WALLS

by Maureen Sherry

 

Image Credit: www.barnesandnoble.com

 

WALLS WITHIN WALLS is a mystery written for upper elementary students. The Smithfork family move into a Brooklyn neighbor apartment building. The Smithfork children begin discovering several abnormal things about their apartment. The kids find words written on the crown modeling, hidden panels in closets, and library book that was due in 1937. After further investigation the children learn that the apartment was once owned by a multimillionaire, Mr. Post. The family inheritance was never found because Mr. Post used these clues to lead his children to his will. Eighty years later and the will has yet to be discovered. Can the Smithfork children solve the mysteries? American history is tied into the clues because the children have to visit many historical places in New York including Grant's Tomb built by Langston Hughes, the Statue of Liberty, and Central Park.

 

The book is a little lengthy with over 300 pages. Some students will enjoy this story especially if they like a good mystery. This book is on the Texas Bluebonnet List. I would recommend this book to older elementary students who enjoy a good mystery and don't mind a lengthy book. 

12 Days of Christmas Book Review

Day Ten:

 

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE ANIMAL?

by Eric Carle and Friends

Image Credit: www.amazon.com

 

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE ANIMAL by Eric Carle and Friends is a nonfiction book about fourteen authors and illustrators who share their favorite animal with the readers. This book is considered nonfiction due to the collection of illustrations from various people. Each famous author or illustrator shares personal stories of why that specific animal is their favorite. These friends include Nick Bruel, Steven Kellogg, Mo Willems, and Rosemary Wells to name a few.

 

Each page spread presents an animal and a sentence or short paragraph of why the person chose this animal. The illustrations are different for each page and represent the author/illustrator's style. The end of the book includes short biographies along with pictures of each person that was featured in the book. Information about the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art is included as well.

 

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys art and perhaps has a famous author/illustrator. This book would be perfect for doing an author study.