If Rain Reign by Ann Martin is not on your TBR or ABR (already been read) pile, then it should be. Melanie Swider reviewed it before it was published here--it was one of those books that I've been meaning to read for a while. I miss Rose, the main character. I miss her rule-bound way of seeing the world and her obsession with homonyms. I have even found myself looking for words that sound the same and thinking about the lists I could make. Ann Martin weaves social issues, ethical dilemmas, and natural disasters to create a book that leaves readers debating the decisions that many of the characters make. There are complex issues with complex background stories that would lend themselves to an amazing read-aloud for an upper elementary class.
Quest by Aaron Becker is a wordless picture book that inspires lots of conversation and story telling. I love using wordless picture books to spark children's imagination and inspire them to study art. My twelve year-old and I had a wonderful time examining the pictures and formulating the story line. It would be fun to contrast the stories that younger children would concoct to the stories that older children would develop around the beautiful pictures.
Odd Duck by Cecil Castellucci was front and center on one of our library shelves, so I picked it up. Right from the first page, I enjoyed several chuckles. Theodora is a rigid duck who meets Chad, a duck prototype of a hippie. Through humor, speech bubbles, subtle pictures, and understatement, readers watch the two ducks become friends but struggle with misinterpretations and miscommunications. This is a wonderful book to begin conversations about perceptions and realities, acceptance and forgiveness, and self-awareness and empathy. It's funny, but full of important messages about life.
Seeds of Freedom by Hester Bass covers some of the events in the Civil Rights movement. Even though it's a long picture book, it will inspire a lot of wondering and researchable questions. Because of the references to segregation, school integration, and peaceful protests, this book could also be a springboard to conversations about empathy, dignity, civic responsibility, and individual power.
Happy Reading!
I agree with you about Rain Reign! I loved it and was happy to see it win the Charlotte Huck Award last week! Excellent choice! Maybe we'll hear it called today during the Youth Media Awards? I haven't seen Seeds of Freedom, which looks intriguing. Adding it to my TBR List.
ReplyDeleteHappy Reading!
I am currently reading Rain Reign. You are so right about Rose's voice, very authentic and endearing character.
ReplyDeleteLoved Rain Reign & hoping it will be in the big list today, very soon to be announced. I don't know those last too, will look for them, Melanie. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteRain Reign is on my list of books to read. I think I might have to bring it home from the library to read soon. Odd duck sounds very charming. I've added it to my shopping list.
ReplyDeleteI need to get Seeds of Freedom. Rain Reign is on my #mustreadin2015 list, so hopefully I will get to it at some point--especially now that it just won a Schneider! I loved Odd Duck--I'm crazy about a couple of Cecil Castellucci's YA novels and a graphic novel she did. So glad to see her writing for younger readers. Quest made the shortlist in my Children's Lit class Mock Caldecott. Glad my students appreciate it!
ReplyDeleteRain Reign has been on my TBR list for weeks, as has Quest. Seeds of Freedom sounds like a book we need to have in our library. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAnother vote for Rain Reign - it's being circulated wildly in my classroom, and I am thrilled.
ReplyDeleteWhat a perfect day to write about Rain Reign - It won the Schneider Family Book Award today. We absolutely loved it
ReplyDeleteHi Melanie, I've been meaning to read Rain Reign for quite awhile now, I am glad to read your review here. Reminded me that I should get to it soonest.
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