The Best of Iggy by Annie Barrows

 

4 Stars | The Best of Iggy | Annie Barrows | 2020 | Grades 3-5 | 144 pages

Iggy is a fourth-grader with lots of energy and is famous for getting into trouble. In this book, we learn of three events where Iggy gets into trouble. In the first two, he is not sorry, but in the last one, he is very sorry because someone gets hurt. Even though Iggy is a rascal, he does know how to make amends and has empathy.

This book is the first of at least three in a series and it is funny! I can't remember the last time I laughed out loud so much. It is short and also has illustrations. The right teacher with a sense of humor could make this a wonderful read-aloud. I am thinking of a few teachers that would do this book right!  I will be collecting this series in the library. 

#9 Library Lesson: Grades K-2 Star of the North Books

 Every year 10 picture books are chosen for kids to read in Minnesota.  After kids read all of the books, they can vote on their favorite book.  Next spring we will find out which book has won!

This is the list of books we will be reading!

Did you know today, November 13th is World Kindness Day? Let's read our first Star of the North Book which is about kindness!

Here is a vocabulary word for you to watch for in the story: 

Vocabulary:

Patient is waiting without getting upset

Click on the video below: 

After you listen to the story you can think of ways to be kind. 

Draw a picture or write what you can do to be kind this week.  Please attach your work to Google Classroom. I love to see what you create!

 

#9 Library Lesson Grades 3-5 Maud Hart Lovelace Books

 

Finally, it is time to talk about the Maud Hart Lovelace Books for this year! Every year we have 10 books that we will read all year long.  In the spring we will vote for our favorite one. 

You can vote if you have read at least 3 or more. Click here for the Book List for 2020-2021

Watch the video below to learn about each book!  

You can get all of these books at our school library and public library. Many are available as audiobooks and ebooks from the public library. 

When you turn in your assignment today.  Let me know you would like to read!  You will earn 10 points. 😊📕📗📘

I Can Make This Promise by Christine Day

 

4 Stars | I Can Make This Promise | Christine Day | Grade 3-7 | 272 pages

The setting is the Seattle area and twelve-year-old Edie finds a box in the attic of their home which gives details about her Native American mother's adoption. Edie's friends convince her to keep this discovery a secret. But, not having an open conversation with her parents causes her to question many things in her life.

Eventually, through some pre-teen drama, Edie finds out the truth about her mother's past and her own too. She learns more about her Native American heritage and her family's history. 

The pacing of this plot put the best part of the story in the last quarter.  Up until that point, there was a lot of questioning and worry about family, friendships, braces, and secrets.  Finally, when the secrets were uncovered, I was thoroughly interested again.  

I had no idea that Native American children were so easily taken away from their families for their own best interests as determined by social workers and police officers. So many families ripped apart until the Indian Child Welfare Act of 1978 was passed into legislation that helped keep Native families and communities intact.  

I think this book would be a terrific book for adults from the perspective of Grandmother Edith. There are so many details in the story that would be worth exploring. 

The ending made this book a 4-star book for me, otherwise, it was just OK at the beginning. 

Christmas at Rosie Hopkins' Sweetshop

 

4 Stars | Christmas at Rosie Hopkins' Sweetshop | Jenny Colgan |  2015

Rosie left her London job as an Emergency Room nurse to help her elderly Aunt out with her candy shop in a little village. She ended up falling in love with the shop, the town, and Stephen. This Christmas rom com brings us back to the quirky and lovable characters of Lipton. A terrible accident, a family visit, and lots of holiday food, town events, a mystery, and hilarity make this book a cozy Christmas read.

This book was just right for escaping and enjoying some early holiday. An English setting is fun for Christmas. 

Read Rosie Hopkins' Sweetshop of Dreams first to learn the initial story. This books picks up the story at Christmas. I am planning on reading The Christmas Surprise next and to find out  what Rosie is up to.