This is the story of eight-year-old Kirstie, who lives in Scotland in 1930. When the egg hatches into an unusual sea creature, Kirstie and her family must decide what to do with Crusoe. This take on the origins of the Loch Ness monster is an easy-to-read story that kids will love. It’s a great read aloud, and with the movie coming out on Christmas day, it is sure to be a hit with our students.
Cindy’s Two-Cents Worth:
My mom gave Corey this book when he was in first grade, and he just loved it. It is a very accessible chapter book for kids who seem to be intimidated by anything that is not a picture book. Because our students seem to be so fascinated by monsters such as Big Foot and the Loch Ness Monster (these books are always checked out of the library), I think they will really enjoy this story. It doesn’t hurt that there is a movie adaptation on its way. Even though the reading level says 5.4, I think it is much easier than that.
Since I seem to have a holiday theme going today, I thought I’d share another item. For those of us who grew up in the 80s and loved “Africa” by Toto, you’ll get a kick out of this video. It is a safe one to share with others, even your students, but I don’t think they are old enough to get the humor. Enjoy!
Since we have the new Mark Twain Award nominees, we might as well take a look at next year’s Show Me Reader Award nominees as well. Remember, this award is given to a picture book, and is geared toward kids in grades 1-3. I usually read all ten nominees to the kids throughout the year during library class so they all get a chance to be voters. Here is next year’s list:
Melissa Parkington’s Beautiful, Beautiful Hair by Pat Brisson Last Day Blues by Julie Danneberg One Potato, Two Potato by Cynthia DeFelice Miss Malarkey Leaves No Reader Behind by Judy Finchler Can I Bring My Pterodactyl to School, Ms. Johnson? by Lois G. Grambling Lilly’s Big Day by Keven Henkes Gold Miner’s Daughter: A Melodramatic Fairy Tale by Jackie Mims Hopkins Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen Jake’s 100th Day of School by Lester Laminack Hero Cat by Eileen Spinelli
Can you believe that it’s already time to be thinking about next year’s Mark Twain Award nominees? It seems like we just got started with this year’s list! Well, the nominees for next year have been announced, so I thought you might like to see the list. That way, you can begin looking for those titles on your book order lists and at the February book fair. Remember, 2008-2009 is the first year of the new book award system. The Mark Twain Award is now geared for students in grades 3-5, and the new Truman Award will be geared for students in grades 6-8. I think this will be a great thing for our students.
So, without further ado, here are the 2008-2009 Mark Twain Award Nominees:
Wright 3by Blue Balliett Cornelia and the Audacious Escapades of the Somerset Sisters by Lesley Blume Uncharted Waters by Leslie Bulion Million Dollar Puttby Dan Gutman Rules by Cynthia Lord Small White Scarby K. A. Nuzum Archer’s Quest by Linda Sue Park Moon Shadow by Chris Platt Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan Fairies of Nutfolk Woodby Barb Bentler Ullman Finest Kind by Lea Wait Counting on Graceby Elizabeth Winthrop
I’ve already started reading them, so look for my reviews and resources coming soon! Enjoy!
Patricia Reilly Giff’s novel, Picture of Hollis Woods (a Mark Twain Award nominee two years ago), has been made into a TV movie that will air tonight on CBS at 8:00 p.m. central time. The book was a great story, and I am hopeful that the movie will be good. It is a Hallmark Hall of Fame movie, and those are usually very well done. I know this is kind of last minute, but hopefully some of you will be able to catch the show. There are some teacher resources on the Hallmark Hall of Fame website. If you get to watch it, let me know what you think.
