My Thoughts:
This past weekend, I attended the Illinois Reading Conference in Springfield, Illinois. While I was there, I bought a truckload of books, including I am Abraham Lincoln by Brad Meltzer. This book is a mini-biography about Abraham Lincoln in a graphic novel format. Brad Meltzer, the book's author, won an Eisner award for his comic book, Justice League of America. Besdies I am Abraham Lincoln, Meltzer has written other books in his "Ordinary People Change the World" series: I am Amelia Earhart, I am Rosa Parks, I am Albert Einstein, and others.
Meltzer's book follows Abraham Lincoln from childhood through his presidency. His love for animals, people, and justice are highlighted in this text. Some minor artistic liberties are taken once in a while to add humor, but for the most part, this book stays very true to Lincoln's life.
My students were very engaged when I read this book to them. They enjoyed that it depicts Lincoln's life in a graphic novel format. I give this book five stars out of five. This book will be one I use year after year when I teach about Abraham Lincoln!
Pixie's Thoughts:
Woof! I love that this book promotes kindness to all people and animals! I give this book 5 stars for its great message!
Here I am (in the blue sweatshirt) with a teacher friend at
the Illinois Reading Conference.
I've decided to keep this blog going, even though I have completed my Reluctant Reader project. I love children's books, and I want to keep sharing the good ones that I find! I have also decided to branch off to include other formats and genres beside the graphic novel format. Pixie has decided to continue blogging with me, too! So then...on we go!
Hmm! I've never actually ended a blog. The Reluctant Reader project has been an interesting experience that leaves me with a strong sense of accomplishment. Here are some things I feel I've accomplished from participating in this project:
I can name several titles of graphic novels now. Before this project, I couldn't name even one.
I know the names of several authors of graphic novels, which I was also unable to do before this project.
I am now aware that there are several different genres represented within the graphic novel format. Biography, fairy tale, picture book, and historic fiction are some examples of some of the genres that can be found in graphic novel format.
I also realize now that graphic novels appeal to a diverse population, from first graders to adults.
If one of my students would like to find a graphic novel to read, I feel I can suggest some titles that would be appropriate for him based on his interests and level.
In the midst of this project, I told my professor that I would rate my enjoyment level of graphic novels at a 5 or 6 out of 10. At the end of the project, I would rate my enjoyment of graphic novels at a 9 out of 10. I was pleased by the variety of genres within this format.
Below is a ranking of the books I read for the project based on my level of enjoyment. The books I enjoyed most are at the top of the list and the ones I enjoyed least are at the bottom of the list:
The Whole World's Crazy: Amelia Rules
Knights of the Lunch Table: Dodge Ball Chronicles
To Dance
Pete the Cat Saves Christmas
Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott
Binky the Space Cat
The Boxcar Children
Let's Go for a Drive
The Gingerbread Man Loose in the School
Dolley Madison, Salva La Historia
Happy Birthday Bad Kitty
Owly: The Way Home and the Bittersweet Summer
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Sybil, the Backpack Fairy # 1: Nina
So long, Reluctant Reader project! I learned a lot from you, and I am looking forward to seeing more graphic novel titles at a bookstore, Amazon, or a school near me very soon!
Mary's Thoughts: Mo Willems' Elephant and Piggie books are some of the top favorite books among my second and third graders. Even though these books are very easy reading for most of my students, they want to return to them again and again because of the humor, smiles and laughs they engender. I even love to read these books! My favorite from this series is We are in a Book, but I was delighted to receive a copy of Willem's newest book, Let's Go for a Drive.
In Let's Go for a Drive, Elephant (Gerald) and Piggie gather everything they need for a drive, but then they realize they do not have a car. Oh no! What will they do? You will have to read to find out!
Of course an Elephant and Piggie book couldn't be an Elephant and Piggie book without Gerald blowing his top a couple of times! Piggie's adorable refrains, such as, "Drive! Drive! Drivey-drive-drive," make me and my students want to chime in with him. In Let's Go for a Drive, Willems once again delivers all that we hope for in the adventures of Elephant and Piggie.
This book is appropriate for struggling readers, because it is simple and easy to read, but at the same time, it is very popular among all the students. Struggling readers are not singled out; they just beam as they read it!
By the way, I just ordered We are in the Book on Amazon.com. I couldn't resist after reviewing Willem's newest book. Now it will join Let's Go for a Drive in my classroom library!
Pixie's Thoughts:
Yip! Yap! Yippy-yap-yap! This book was just right for my recreational reading and I laughed so hard, as I read it, that I started to go into one of my reverse sneeze spells. Love! Love! Lovey-love-love this waggish book! Five paws...thumbs down!
Classroom Applications:
1) This book deserves a spot in any K-3 classroom library. Even proficient, at-grade level readers want to relax, take it easy, and read this book just for the fun of it.
2) Let's Go for a Ride would make a good companion text with a more difficult graphic novel. Students could learn strategies or skills with the more difficult book during guided reading, then they could apply their new learning to reading Let's Go for a Walk during independent reading time.
Mary's Thoughts: Binky is living the life of a normal house cat when gets the letter he's been waiting for in the mail. The letter is from F.U.R.S.T. (Felines of the Universe Ready for Space Travel) and it gives him the exciting news that he is now Space Cat qualified. Binky begins the preparations to build a space craft. When his rocket is finished, Binky can't wait to take off. The rocket is fired up, with Binky and his toy mouse inside. The countdown begins. Just as the rocket is about to launch, Binky realizes he has forgotten something that is very important - his humans! What will Binky do?
This book, written at a 740 Lexile level, won the 2011 Silver Birch Express Award and the 2011 Hackmatack Award.
Challenging vocabulary is scattered throughout the text, but the illustrations lend very good support to understanding the story. I can envision my second and third grade students enjoying this book. Pixie's Thoughts:
I found this book very informative and entertaining. Like Binky, I have seen space aliens in the vicinity of my own home. I wonder if here is an organization that would give me a badge indicating I am "Space Dog" certified. Shhh! Don't tell my mom.
I enjoyed the story and would like to read more books about Binky, even if he is a cat. I am expanding my horizons! Classroom Applications:
This book would be a good fiction read aloud during a unit about space. It could be used to introduce academic vocabulary such as gravity, oxygen, perimeter, and astronaut in an entertaining way.
Use the activities on the following site to study the graphic novel genre: Kids Can Press .
