Guys Read: The Sports Pages Giveaway

Authors: Jon Scieszka, Dan Gutman, Tim Green, Anne Ursu, Dustin Brown, Jacquelin Woodson, Chris Crutcher, James Brown, Joseph Bruchac, Gordon Korman, Chris Rylander
Illustrator: Dan Santat
Publisher: Walden Pond Press (July 10, 2012)
Pages: 272
Audience: Grades 4 to 8
Source: Copy from the Publisher
Sports * Fiction * 

Description from Publisher:
A lineman with something to prove
A vendetta against a baseball legend
The rise of a real-life NHL all-star
The luckiest grapefruit in sports history

Open up The Sports Pages, the third volume in the Guys Read Library of Great Reading, and you're in for all of this and more. From fiction to nonfiction, from baseball to mixed martial arts and everything in between, these are ten stories about the rush of victory and the crush of defeat on and off the field. Compiled by kid-lit all-star Jon Scieszka, Guys Read: The Sports Pages is a thrilling collection of brand-new short stories from some of your favorite authors and athletes.

Check out the official book trailer for Guys Read: Funny Business:

 

My thoughts on the book/series:
Jon Sciezska, former National Ambassador of Young People's Literature, founded Guys Read to "help boys become self-motivated, life-long readers".  One of the ways that Sciezska is working to make this mission a reality is by developing a series of books containing a collection of short stories that appeal specifically to boys.  Sciezska has pulled together an all-star list of Middle Grade and Young Adult authors to develop stories around a theme.  The current book is Guys Read: The Sports Pages.  Each of the 10 stories in this collection celebrate or highlight some aspect of sports.  I particularly enjoyed Dan Gutman's recollection of the 1986 World Series between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Mets in the story "How I Won the World Series".  Probably because I remember watching those exact games.  Though I enjoyed many of the stories in this volume, as with the other volumes, there are definitely stories that I have to remind myself that I am not the targeted audience.  Some stories will be appreciated way more by a 10 or 12 year old boy than by me, and that is a good thing.  

What I have come to love about this series is that I can easily read one of the stories to a group of students as part of book talking the book and know that I will quickly have students (boys and girls) raising their hands to be the first to read a copy of the book.  Another aspect of the Guys Read Books is that many boys I know complain about sitting long enough to complete a book.  There is a lot competing for their time.  However, with a collection of short stories, readers can chose a story that appeals to them.  It doesn't have to be the first story either.  You can read the stories in order listed or jump around.  Additionally, one story can be read easily during a silent reading time at school providing the reader with a sense of accomplishment.   

Don't forget to check out the Guys Read Library of Great Reading Website.  There are lots of great resources and book recommendations on this site.   

Guys Read: The Giveaway:
To celebrate the release of Guys Read: The Sports Pages, Walden Pond Press will send out a set of all three (3) books in the Guys Read series.  This is a great way to increase your classroom or school library with a set of books that are sure to attract readers.

1. Though comments are very much appreciated, please do not enter any personal information in the comments section (including your email, website, etc.). If you do enter personal information, your comment will not be posted.
2. You must complete the entry form to official enter the giveaway.
3. The Contest runs from July 3, 2012 to 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on July 10th.
4. You must be 13 years or older to participate.
5. If you are selected as the winner, you will be notified by email. If you do not respond within 48 hours, I will select a new winner.
6. US participants only.
 

It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA (29)

It's Monday! What are you reading? is hosted by Sheila of Book Journey. Jen & Kellee from Teach Mentor Texts have adapted this to focus on Picture Books to Young Adult Books.

I realized that I have been reading though a lot of advanced copies of books recently.  As a result, I have put release dates near all of the books so that if anything interests you then you can mark your calendars.

Here are my favorites from my the past week's reading adventures:

Drama by Raina Telgemeier (Scholastic, September 1, 2012) - Fans of Telgemeier's first graphic novel - Smile - will be eager to read her newest graphic novel to be released at the beginning of September.  I can't wait to see the final version in all color.

Guys Read: The Sports Pages edited by Jon Scieszka (Walden Pond Press, July 10, 2012) - The newest Guys Read will be out next week.  Stop by the blog tomorrow for a chance to win all 3 Guys Reads. 

Lulu Walks the Dogs by Judith Viorst, Illustrated by Lane Smith (Simon & Schuster, September 4, 2012) - Yipee!  There is a new Lulu book coming out.  It made me so happy to get an ARC of this one.  I think I love this book even better than I loved Lulu & the Brontosaurus (which I didn't think was possible).  I want to read it to every first and second grade class.

The Word Eater by Mary Amato (Holiday House,  2004) - Okay, this is an older book that I checked out of the library.  Great for 2nd to 4th graders and good for discussions about bullying.

Alex the Parrot: No Ordinary Bird: A True Story by Stephanie Spinner; Illustrated by Meilo So (Random House, October 9, 2012) - Though this is a picture book, it is a little more like a novella.  Definitely geared for independent reading levels of 3rd grade to 5th, but would work as a read aloud in 2nd grade.  I loved this story of Alex and the research on language and learning. 

Seed by Seed by Esme Raji Codell; Illustrated by Lynne Rae Perkins (Greenwillow Books, August 21, 2012) -  Most of the time I think of Johnny Appleseed as some kind of folktale/legend. Codell focuses more on the life of John Chapman and what kind of legacy he left behind. Though the book will be released in time for Johnny Appleseed's birthday on September 26th, I found that this one is also relevant for earth day celebrations.

So, what are you reading this week?

I am on vacation for the next several weeks.  I am going to read to my hearts content and don't have any definite plans of what I will read and when.  How are you doing on your summer reading?  Any fun surprises?  Books that you found that must be used as a class read aloud?  Love to hear what you have discovered.

It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA (28)

It's Monday! What are you reading? is hosted by Sheila of Book Journey. Jen & Kellee from Teach Mentor Texts have adapted this to focus on Picture Books to Young Adult Books.

The last few days I have been at ALA with friends.  It has been a fantastic experience.  I have been reading a lot of F & G's (folded & gathered) for new picture books and though they have been wonderful to read, I hate to list so many books that won't be out for 4 months in this week's post.  However, I have to mention at least a few. 

Here are some favorites from this past week:

Midsummer's Eve Giveaway Hop

This is the 2nd Annual Midsummer's Eve Giveaway Hop and it will take place from June 20th to 26th! Thanks to I am a Reader, Not a Writer and  Uniquely Moi Books for co-hosting.  Don't forget to check out the links to see all of the different giveaways!

Since I will be attending my first ALA annual conference, I am doing a surprise giveaway.  I am not sure which Advanced Readers Copies - otherwise known as ARC's (Middle Grade and Young Adult) - I will be able to snag, but from my ALA Midwinter experience, I know that it will be good.  So I am planning to giveaway 2 yet to be named ARC's.  I will post a picture of as soon as I know.

The Rules:

1. Though comments are very much appreciated, please do not enter any personal information in the comments section (including your email, website, etc.). If you do enter personal information, your comment will not be posted.
2. You must complete the entry form to official enter the giveaway.
3. The Contest runs from 12:00 a.m. Pacific Time on June 20th to 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on June 26th.
4. You must be 13 years or older to participate.
5. If you are selected as the winner, you will be notified by email. If you do not respond within 48 hours, I will select a new winner.
6. US participants only.

  

It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA (27)

It's Monday! What are you reading? is hosted by Sheila of Book Journey. Jen & Kellee from Teach Mentor Texts have adapted this to focus on Picture Books to Young Adult Books.

I have to admit that with school out it is much easier to get reading time in.  This past week, I actually managed to get in some decent reading.  Don't forget to check out my Hot Off the Press! post from yesterday for several additional books and also stop by on Wednesday for several others.  I divided up my reading between the three posts.

Here are some favorites from this past week:

Off to Class: Incredible and Unusual Schools Around the World by Susan Hughes
An around the world look at a variety of schools in all kinds of settings and environments.  The pages are a bit crowded and the text can be a little "text-booky", but I can see this one being good for discussing diversity and also expanding children's views of what school looks like.

Small Bunny's Blue Blanket by Tatyana Feeney
This one is for all those kids who are attached to a blanket (and even adults who remember their blanket) - it captures the emotional attachment to a blanket perfectly...I loved it when the mother said it "would only be 1 minute while the blanket washed and it was really 107 minutes" - This would be a good read aloud too.

The Year of the Book by Andrea Cheng; Illustrated by Abigail Halpin
As I read this one, I kept thinking of students that I thought would like it or relate to the characters. It is one of those books that I can't wait to share with students in the fall.  I might even email a few of them to share sooner.  

Notes From the Dog by Gary Paulsen
A quick Middle Grade/Upper Middle Grade read and good for those kids who don't want something long and drawn out. Finn wants to just spend the summer holed up reading books, but when he meets Johanna - a twenty-something young woman battling cancer - life changes. 

So, what will you be reading this week?

I will be heading off to ALA later in the week and not exactly sure what I will be reading.  However, I expect to find some great stuff. 

Hot Off the Press! (20)

Hot Off the Press is a weekly feature of picture books that are recent releases.  I usually base the post on my weekly visits to Vroman's Bookstore but this week's visit features books from Mrs. Nelson's Bookstore in LaVerne. 

Happy Like Soccer
Author: Maribeth Boelts
Illustrator: Lauren Castillo
Publisher: Candlewick (May 8, 2012)
Audience: Ages 4 to 7

Often times, we forget that Saturday soccer games may be difficult for some parents or guardians to attend given work schedules.  In this book, Sierra loves soccer, but she would love for someone to be there to shout out her name.  However, Sierra's aunt works in a restaurant and isn't able to get away on a busy Saturday.  When the one game that Sierra's aunt is able to attend is rained out, Sierra comes up with a possible solution.  I really liked the message in this story. It presents the challenges that a working single guardian faces in order to attend the Saturday soccer games of her niece. Not preachy and not negative...loved the final resolution.

Squid and Octopus: Friends for Always
Author/Illustrator: Tao Nyeu
Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers (June 28, 2012)
Audience: Ages 4 to 7

Squid and Octopus join the ranks of Mouse & Mole, Frog & Toad, Elephant & Piggie as friends that children will want to read about. Part picture book and part early reader, Tao Nyeu infuses the story with fabulous illustrations and just the right amount of humor  I love the hat, and scarves, mittens and socks worn by our two friends.   The story is fun but the little side notes are almost funnier. For example, on the side, two little fish are watching an underwater sea cruiser. Fish One: X-ray vision! Now wouldn't that be grand? Fish Two: Grand Indeed.  And yes, Squid and Octopus are "grand indeed".

Oh No! Not Again! (Or How I Built a Time Machine to Save History) (Or At Least My History Grade)
Author: Mac Barnett
Illustrator: Dan Santat
Publisher: Hyperion (June 5, 2012)
Audience: Ages 5 to 8

Our protagonist from Oh No! is back.  This time in an effort to improve her History grade she creates a time machine to go back into history to change the facts so that her answers will be correct.  Of course, nothing is ever that easy. As with the first book, Santat's illustrations take Barnett's illustrations to a new level.   

Check out the official book trailer here:

I Have the Right to be a Child
Author: Alain Serres
Translator:  Helen Mixter
Illustrator: Aurelia Fronty
Publisher: Groundwood Books (June 12, 2012)
Audience: Ages 4 to 7

In 1989, the UN General Assembly adopted the Convention on the Rights of a Child.  Ratified by 193 countries, the United States and Somolia have still not adopted it.  This is the second book that I have seen which seeks to share what the rights are in a child friendly format.  The text is simple and clear and the illustrations are bright, and fun. 

It's Monday! What are you reading? From Picture Books to YA (26)

It's Monday! What are you reading? is hosted by Sheila of Book Journey. Jen & Kellee from Teach Mentor Texts have adapted this to focus on Picture Books to Young Adult Books.

Last week, I missed posting on Monday!  With Fifth Grade promotion happening and a bunch of other things, blogging just wasn't happening. Now that school is out, I am hoping to get back into a regular posting schedule and reading schedule.   

Here are some favorites from the last two weeks:

Darth Vader and Son by Jeffrey Brown - This is a fun one for Star Wars fans and dads.

Walking on Earth and Touching the Sky: Poetry and Prose by Lakota Youth at Red Cloud Indian School by Timothy P. McLaughlin (editor) - Why didn't I find this one during National Poetry Month? The illustrations are beautiful and the poems touching.

It's a Tiger by David LaRochelle - This isn't out yet, but I really like this one for a read aloud.  Review coming soon.

The Hueys in the New Sweater by Oliver Jeffers - I think I love everything Jeffers does.

North: The Amazing Story of Artic Migration by Nick Dowson; Illustrated by Patrick Benson - Beautifully illustrated and informative.

A Home for Bird by Philip C. Stead - I loved when I came to the end of this one.  Just fun!

So, what are you reading this week?

Show Me a Story! Why Picture Books Matter: Conversations with 21 of the World's Most Celebrated Illustrators by Leonard S. Marcus (editor)