Doggone Good Books

It seems like every year, I'm looking for the dog books for several of my students. Dog lovers (or dog wanters) -- kids love books about furry best friends. I must admit, I'm a sucker for a great dog book. Just keep away the "dead dog books" and I know you know what which books I'm talking about! So, I've been trying to keep up with the latest and greatest dog books for my lovers of Love that Dog and Because of Winn Dixie.

If you also have students looking for dog books, here are a few great reads:

What is your favorite dog book? Any dog books on your #TBR list?
Share your suggestions below! 

Making Time for Reading

I get asked, how do you read so much? Or I'll hear colleagues comment that they don't time to read. We're all busy. I get it. But, if you're committed to literacy, you make time for reading whether it be related to school or for personal reading. Kids benefit from teachers that read. I whole-heartedly believe this. Teachers that are current on books and authors can help match kids with books, share in authentic book conversations, and model the importance of a reading life.

To help make time for reading, I've been listening to at least one audiobook while reading novels. I try and finish an audio within two weeks or abandon if I'm not feeling it. This has greatly helped to increase my book count and tackle books that are longer than my weekly stamina. I've been using the Overdrive app. Overdrive is a free app that allows you to link your library card to available audiobooks and e-books. There are also other apps like Audible and Hoopla as well.

Here's a few of my recent favorite audiobooks:

Reading Resolutions & March Book Madness

I decided to spend some time our first day back celebrating all our reading this year! I also know that many students were having some trouble deciding what to read next as our Mock Newbery Book Club is coming to an end. I thought, it was time to start talking up March Book Madness so that they can read the books in this year's bracket. I learned about March Book Madness at Nerd Camp Michigan this summer and I knew I wanted to participate! Visit the official Weebly {here} for all the details on the Middle Grade bracket. There are also brackets for picture books and YA. This year's theme is "New Classics."

If you'd like to save a copy of my Google Slides Presentation you can grab it {here}. Just make a copy to edit! I also did slide at the end for some goal setting in 2017. Gave my students some tips on setting goals and I also included my reading goals for 2017!

Hope it can help you out!

#SixtyBooks in 2016!

I set a goal back this time last year to read just 60 books in 2016. I was in a reading slump and wanted to recharge my reading life. I've always loved reading and I knew I had to dedicate some time for things that I hold dear. So I jumped on board with the #SixtyBooks challenge on Twitter.

Turns out, I blew past my goal of sixty books well before year's end! I found my love of reading renewed thanks my dearest #BookJourney crew and "Nerdy" friends and authors. Even my students and their participation and excitement over Mock Newbery kept me reading throughout the early part of the school year. I didn't quite double my goal as planned, but I'm hoping shooting for 120 in 2017. But I did read 112 books in 2017!

Here are a few of my favorites!
Many were published in 2016 but some were older books, I had never picked up.

If I was giving out the Newbery here would be my top three picks!

Hour of the Bees was my 2017 favorite book of the year & my top pick for Newbery!

What were some of your favorite reads in 2016?

Mock Newbery Book Talks: Part 2

Although, I had some grand ideas about having about 4 books out a month, that had to get scrapped as more students than expected signed up to be part of our team's book club. Initially we had 85 students sign up - we're down to about 60 at this point but holding strong. So, we've released books in two parts to have enough copies for all readers that were ready for books and to allow for some books to be released. Students are reading and reading A LOT this year. I've always had readers in my room due to our strong reading community, time to read, and book clubs but this year is far beyond any expectations.

Here's the second part of our book talks...
{Click the image} to download the entire book talk with book trailer/book talk links.

 I'm not sure if it's a front runner on the Newbery Committee but this book is a front runner in my eyes. I loved the idea of a story within a story and the fantasy and folklore that was expertly blended with realistic fiction. This story reminded me so much of my grandparents and had be crying like a baby at the end. Loved this book. Couldn't put it down. And I've read lots of great books so far this year.

 We're going to Skype with debut author about Molly & Finding Perfect. This book struck a personal cord with me and I felt like this was a book I needed to share with my students. As a teacher in a high achieving and very competitive school, I've seen numerous students struggle with anxiety and OCD. Molly is a great mirror and instantly many students connected with the story and couldn't wait to pick up a copy! Click the image above for an amazing audio teaser!

 Another personal favorite. I laughed and cried so hard as I read through Maxi's Secrets. This was another top favorite of the year. It's far more than a "dog" book and Maxi can teach us all some very valuable lessons.

I also thought it was important to add in some other titles that I didn't feature but could be contenders for the 2017 Newbery. This just helps my readers access other books and see that there are differing opinions on great reads. Click the images below for teasers for The Inquisitors Tale & Some Kind of Courage.

Which book(s) have your vote for the 2017 Newbery so far?