First Books of the School Year
Since school started, I’ve been reading like crazy. Here are a few titles that are must buys for the year.
Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson is fabulous. Isabel is a rare character, a slave from the North. Her story brings so much life to the time period, so much depth to the sketch of history students at this age receive - how many of your students do you think realize there were so many slaves in NYC, or even that the city was occupied by the British during the war? Because of the popularity of Speak, I already have readers lining up for this book, which may not have been the case with another author. I’m sure this book will land in the hands of students who don’t usually read historical fiction, and I hope they surprise themselves by how much they enjoy it. With the promise of a sequel to come, this might be just the gateway book I’m looking for! (I posted this review on The Picnic Basket.)
Toy Dance Party by Emily Jenkins
I haven’t even finished this sequel to my favorite book in the whole wide world, but I love it already. LOL funny. Truly, I’m buying a case for the birthdays!
Chester by Melanie Watt
Ha ha ha ha. This book is already a big hit with my primary students. I drive a carpool of them, and listened to one read it to the others on the way home the other day, they just love it. With Scaredy Squirrel & Chester, Melanie Watt is a power house for these kids, best thing to happen to picture books since Mo Willems.
Owly by Andy Runton
The Owly books are a blockbuster. I have kids in every grade lining up for them. I keep all my graphic novels in baskets now because they circulate so often. Owly doesn’t even have its own basket - they are never in the library long enough. Completely wordless & way cute, these are the best thing to happen for early & reluctant readers in a while. I can’t believe how much the kids love these.
Other huge hits that my library couldn’t do without right now are Bone, Ivy & Bean and Amelia Rules.