Brief reviews and thoughts about children's and young adult books by Minnesota authors (or illustrators), or about Minnesota. If I get the urge, it may also include ideas for using the books in the classroom. The emphasis is on books published since 1995, but don't be surprised if an oldie-but-goodie slips in occasionally.
Friday, August 30, 2013
Minnesota in the Civil War
Labels:
high school,
junior high,
middle school,
social studies
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Hoop Genius; How a Desperate Teacher and a Rowdy Gym Class Invented Basketball
It's hard to imagine how a new gym teacher with a rowdy class of boys could invent a game of international popularity--yet that is exactly what happened to James Naismith in 1891 at a school in Springfield, Massachusetts. Written by John Coy, illustrated by Joe Morse, this picture book vividly shows how the first game was played, and how the sports world changed as a result. A copy of the first draft of rules is printed on the endpapers, adding a primary resource to the story. This could be the starting point for students to do historical research on their favorite game.
Labels:
intermediate,
physical education,
primary,
social studies
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Happy Birthday, Hamster
We first met this engaging hamster in Hot Rod Hamster. He's back, and looking forward to his birthday party. His friend, Dog, is busy shopping for things (but they don't seem to be birthday things). Poor Hamster thinks everyone forgot about his birthday, and gets a big surprise in the end. With rollicking rhyming text by Cynthia Lord, and colorful illustrations by Minnesotan Derek Anderson, this will be a good read-aloud to share with young children or early readers (might even be good for a birthday party selection).
Monday, August 12, 2013
BookSpeak! Poems About Books
Saturday, August 10, 2013
T is for Twin Cities; A Minneapolis/St. Paul Alphabet
This is not your average alphabet book. Written by Nancy Carlson and Helen Wilbur, with illustrations by David Geister; this book brings together information about historic landmarks, famous Minnesotans, and natural beauty to introduce young readers to what makes the Twin Cities a wonderful place to live. James J. Hill, Garrison Keilor, and Elizabeth Quinlan, Minnehaha Falls, The Chain of Lakes, and the Mississippi River join the Minneapolis Sculpture Garden, Guthrie Theatre, and the Minnesota Orchestra among the featured people and places in this introduction to the Twin Cities. In addition to a brief poem, each page includes two or three paragraphs telling readers more about what is featured there. The illustrations also capture the spirit of each topic. This could be a classroom resource for upper elementary social studies and Minnesota history classes.
Friday, August 2, 2013
When Stravinsky Met Nijinsky
Thursday, August 1, 2013
It's Milking Time
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