book reviews

just 1 book: author Ann Malaspina (& signed book giveaway!)

May 9, 2011

This guest post, by author Ann Malaspina is one of my absolute faves because I found a kindred spirit–another person who loves and was moved by Sandra Cisneros’ The House on Mango Street.  One of my absolute favorite units to teach when I was teaching high school, Cisneros’ work moved my students like no other [...]

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making connections with nonfiction texts (and our new turtle friend)

April 28, 2011

Between the insane weather we’ve been experiencing over here (tornadoes! wind gusts! rain, rain, and more rain–and then the next second–sun!?), we’ve had some really cool outside learning going on lately.  And it’s been the kind of really awesome natural, in-the-moment kind of discovery that couldn’t unfold the way it does even with the best [...]

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just 1 book: illustrator ken min (& signed book giveaway!)

April 25, 2011

I’m so excited about this just 1 book post by illustrator Ken Min! Ken is fabulously talented and has his first book, written by F. Zia and published by Lee & Low Books, Hot, Hot Roti for Dada-ji is going to be released in just a few weeks.  But Ken Min and  Lee & Low [...]

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just 1 book: animator/ author mr. warburton (& signed book giveaway!)

March 14, 2011

Are up for a Monday morning riddle?  If you’re a lover of books and appreciate the kind of illustrations that stick with you–the ones that make you think, help you to dream, and inspire you to do great things. . .then this one’s for you. Read on and see our most backward, totally wacky, incredibly [...]

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the gift of reading: finding the ‘gifts’ in any book

March 8, 2011

So many times as busy, rushed parents, we zip through reading books with our kids without really taking a minute to stop and chat about the gifts that the author or illustrator has given us. Sure, we’re tired. We’ve got lots on our plates.  And especially at bedtime, sometimes it’s all we can do to [...]

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celebrate Read Across America Day (with a free book from Readeo!)

March 2, 2011

Happy Read Across America Day! Hopefully you’ll take some time out of the day to share a book (or two) with a loved one, but why not step out of your comfort zone a little this week and try something new? Take your family’s reading up a notch? Try something a little different as far [...]

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just 1 book: authors, actors, athletes and more! (& scholastic book pack giveaway!)

February 28, 2011

Do you know what books  most influenced author Mo Willems’ life? Hillary Clinton, Eli Manning, or Katie Couric’s life? How about the Jonas Brothers? Bill Gates and Oprah Winfrey share the 5 books that most influenced their lives, along with authors Tomy de Paola, Philipa Gregory, and Judy Blume.  Okay, not here. But read on [...]

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just 1 book: Carol Greenwald, WGBH Senior Executive Producer

February 21, 2011

I’m sure you’ve seen Curious George, Arthur, or Martha Speaks on PBS Kids? I mean, who hasn’t?! Well, Carol Greenwald is the Senior Executive Producer for those incredible shows–and she’s here today guest posting! As parents and teachers, we often take for granted the worthwhile, smart programming available for our children today.  But it’s people [...]

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quick, sneaky questioning to improve reading comprehension

February 17, 2011

It seems that Maddy’s leveled out a bit with her reading this year. She’s doing great with her spelling, she’s made huge strides with decoding, but she’s stuck on one particular level and needs to stretch her brain a bit as far as reading comprehension is concerned in order to move upward and onward. I’m [...]

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lunchbox notes: valentine’s day knock-knock jokes

February 2, 2011

Yikes! Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and although we’ve been busy over here planning our Valentine’s Day cards, I’ve been sneaking around making more lunchbox notes. Our family’s still on a knock-knock joke kick, so I ran with that again for our Valentine’s Day-themed notes. Really, I’m of the notion that any way [...]

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just 1 book: author guest post–dawn little (and giveaway!)

January 31, 2011

This ‘just 1 book‘ guest post is long overdue, and I’m so looking forward to sharing.  Dawn Little is a fellow Marylander, a teacher and literacy expert, an author and blogger.  Our paths have crossed many times online, and although we’re only a stone’s throw from each other here in the suburbs of DC, we [...]

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