Shawmut Hills is LOVING The Twits by Roald Dahl!

Dirty beards, ugly faces, glass eyeballs, awful pranks.... this book really keeps the attention of the 2nd through 5th graders at Shawmut.

Mr. and Mrs. Twit are horrid people, and while the students have laughed aloud at how extremely mean the Twits are to one another, the book also sneaks in valuable lessons like the following. 

It really is interesting to see the kids start thinking about this concept, and to hear their thoughts on kindness, and how people should treat each other. They all get it so well!

The Twits is a short chapter book (76 pages), and I anticipate finishing it with each group within 4 weeks. 

If you're a Shawmut parent reading this blog, I encourage you to ask your 2nd-5th grader about what we read in library this week! 

~ Mrs. Eitzen

First day Jitters by Julie Danneberg
  
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Jitters-excitement- butterflies: a jumble of feelings that go through a child's head as the new school year begins. Starting a new school can add  to all these feelings as well. Sarah Jane Heartwell is trying to build up courage as she embraces her new school. 
                             We can all sympathize with  with Sarah's feelings and laugh out loud when they read the surprise  ending!!  ~ Mary Jo /  Sibley

KNUFFLE BUNNY by Mo Willems

         KNUFFLE BUNNY

Trixie, Daddy, and Knuffle Bunny take a trip to the neighborhood Laundromat. But the exciting adventure takes a dramatic turn when Trixie realizes somebunny was left behind, Little Trixie (too young to "even speak words") does her best to get Daddy to understand. Daddy is clueless until Mommy greets them at home with the obvious question: "Where's Knuffle Bunny?" Using a combination of muted black-and-white photographs and expressive illustrations, this stunning book tells a brilliantly true-to-life tale about what happens when Daddy's in charge and things go terribly, hilariously wrong.

All for Pie, Pie for All   

by David Martin

The students at Stocking have found the story about family and sharing very light and entertaining. Read along to see who all enjoys the pie Grandma Cat has baked.

~ Deb

First Book of the New School Year

a girl and her gator

by sean bryan

illustrations by tom murphy

This is the story of a girl named Clair who has a gator in her hair.  Naturally, she was a little concerned about this, but with some convincing, she realized that's it not always bad to be a bit different.

This is a quick read,perfect for limited time for a library class.  It also offers an opportunity to discuss being different, gossiping, and worrying about what others think.  

It's a rhyming book which the kids really enjoyed. I would recommend this book for kids K-3.

Niño Wrestles the World, by Yuyi Morales

In honor and celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, last week at Congress Elementary we read a fun book called Niño Wrestles the World by Yuyi Morales.  This award winning book has lovely color and illustrations as well as an array of Hispanic themed characters such as el momia de Guanajuato, la Llorona, la Cabeza Olmeca, el Chamuco and el Extraterrestre.  Like in the U.S., wrestling has a long history and is hugely popular in Mexico and in Latin America.   Read and enjoy as the stupendous el Niño takes on these contenders and a surprise duo...

         

~Georgine

Summer Book Pick: Fun Dog, Sun Dog

Fun Dog, Sun Dog by Deborah Heilglman is a beloved book in our house!  This is a fantastic rhyming book that is fun to read aloud.  My four year old daughter loves to repeat the funny rhyming phrases when we read this together.  Perfect book for preschoolers and Kindergarten students who are working towards mastering rhyming, which is a very important skill in spelling, writing, and reading fluency.

Shiloh, by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Shiloh, by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, is a Newberry Award winning classic novel about a boy and his dog. Marty Travers lives in rural West Virginia with his parents and two sisters. The family is close-knit, but struggle financially. Marty longs for a dog of his own, but his parents won't allow it, due to the cost involved. Shiloh is a hunting dog owned by cruel Judd Travers, who has a pack of dogs that he treats very poorly. Marty and Shiloh find each other, and Marty becomes committed to protecting Shiloh from Judd Travers, even if it means deceiving those he loves and respects most: his family and friends.

Shiloh raises a lot of great talking points with students regarding honesty, poverty, family relationships, and bravery. The book is rich with the opportunity to discuss setting, plot, vocabulary, metaphors, and characterization, and is laid out in a way that is very accessible to both teachers creating a lesson plan and to students. There are plenty of great "cliff-hangers" at the end of each chapter, which will keep your students excited about coming back for more. I highly recommend this book for your 3rd and 4th grade students. Many of them will be able to read it on their own, but they will get much benefit from reading and discussing as a class. Lesson plans can be found here. The book is also available to students at RIF. 

Summer Book Pick: My Side of the Mountain

One of my favorite books as a Fifth Grader was My Side of the Mountain by Jean Craighead George. Although it was published in 1959, it remains a timeless adventure.  This book is also a Newbery Medal Honor book.

Sam lives in a crowded New York City apartment with his eight brothers and sisters.  Sick of cramped living quarters, he decides to run away to his Grandfather's cabin in a remote forest area in the Catskill Mountains.  He becomes very self sufficient, learning to find food and shelter and training a falcon to help him hunt.  He realizes over many months, that although he loves living off the land, he also misses the companionship of his family and friends.

Wonder: My Top Summer Book Pick

Wonder, by R.J. Palacio is my top book pick for this summer.  

August Pullman was born with a facial difference that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face.

 I highly recommend reading this book with your child!  It has amazing life lessons of kindness and courage.  I will be reading this book with my own incoming fifth grader because I think the discussions we will have about August and his classmates will be invaluable to my son.  I think he will gain more from reading this book if he has a chance to talk about it rather than just reading it on his own.