The fair dinkum war by David Cox

A Fair Dinkum War by David Cox is another of the books provided by publishers Allen and Unwin for me to review. It is such a timely gift. At present my class is studying the Stage 3 HSIE unit Identity and Culture. I have programmed to explore significant Australian events in the next week, and this is a fantastic book to share with students leading up to ANZAC day. David Cox begins to reminisce his childhood as World War 2 commences. There are many moments which strike me, the retelling of when war hit Australian shores and the impact this had on the way of life for Australian families. The first hand account of having air raid drills at school and his detailed illustrations will bring this significant historical period to life for my students. He continues to recount about a time long ago. I was transported into this time period by David Cox's detailed descriptions. This book amplifies the Australian spirit, and I look forward to exploring this theme with my students.

Remembering Lionsville by Bronwyn Bancroft

I was so excited to get a package of books to review from publishers Allen and Unwin. Amongst the 4 recent releases was Bronwyn Bancroft's recently released picture book. Remembering Lionsville. I have used Big Rain Coming successfully in my K-2 classroom. One of appealling features of Bronwyn Bancroft's books are her vibrant  illustrations.  This book doesn't disappoint. I particularly loved how Bronwyn weaves photographs of her past into the colorful drawings. I made a real connection with the author as she recounted her childhood memories. Her poetic words painted lasting images in my mind and  will give readers an insight into family life in the past. Upon finishing her story, I immediately felt driven to take up Bronwyn's poignant message and interview my elderly grandparents about their life and record it for future generations. 

I can see this book used in classrooms K-6. The rich vibrant illustrations would engage the younger audience in shared reading. Teachers could use this book as a stimulus for many HSIE topics focusing on change and sharing perspectives of Aboriginal life. 

I am Susannah by Libby Gleeson

This novel was an honor book in the 1988 Australian children's book council awards. Libby Gleeson is an Australian author, one of my favorites, last year my junior class did a visual literacy unit and studied her picture book Just an Ordinay day. I have also read Amy and Louis many times to K-2, as well as Clancy, Millie and the fine house.

I am Susannah is for older readers, it is about a girl called Suzie for most of the book.  Her best friend moves to Melbourne and Suzie is desperately lonely.  Suzie's life changes, she takes her misey out on everyone including her divorced mother. Along the way she finds herself as she develops new friendships and life experiences including going to her first ever girl, boy party.

The book is set in Newtown, and I would love to take a walk around there one day so I can picture the places Gleeson was describing. I bet I could see the house she was describing from the park and old cemetery. This book will be a perfect read for grades 5-6 and is on the Nsw Premiers reading challenge. You won't find copies of this at your favorite bookshop, you'll have to go visit your local school or public library if you want to read it. A great read!

Precious and the Monkeys by Alexander McCall-Smith

A few years ago I got right into the 44 Scotland street series by  Alexander McCall-Smith. I haven't read any of the more recent series for adults and have been wanting to start the Ladies No.1 Detective agency series for along time. The main character in that series is Precious Ramotswe and this short chapter book for children details the how and why she became a detective.
This book is a quick read with illustrations to support the reader. It is on the NSW Premier's reading list for grades 3-4.

Pookie Aleera is not my boyfriend by Steven Herrick

 This book was released last year, in not currently on the Nsw Premier's Reading list but it will be a great read for my 5-6 class this year. It is set in a country town and different children from class 6A recount events in a verse style. I think this wonderful literary work will be great novel to open up the world of poetry, and discuss the themes of friendship and belonging. I think my class will be able to make connections to the characters and hopefully be imprinted with a good message from this book. Another highly recommended read! 

The Gizmo by Paul Jennings

I discovered Paul Jennings nearly 20 years ago when I first started uni, he was a highly engaging author that kids loved. I remember reading The Paw Thing to my first class, as well as short stories collections like Unreal, Uncanny, and Unbelievable.  So when I saw The Gizmo on the NSW Premier's reading list for grades 5-6, I knew I had to read it.

 It is a quick read, seriously no more than 30 minutes for me to read this book, but it has a good message. It's about a boy who is pressured into stealing the "gizmo". The book takes the reader on a quirky journey illustrating the consequences of bad choices. I know a few reluctant readers in my class this year will love this and it will open them up to the zany world of Paul Jennings.

Little Manfred by Michael Morpugo

This book is written by the author of War Horse and since reading Little Manfred I think I am going to source all Michael Morpugo's books to read. He really does capture the reader as he weaves historical facts into his fiction.

 I think this book would be highly appealing to boys as it recounts events surrounding the World cup in 1966 and further back to the second World War. In effect, two battles between England and Germany. It tells the story of two prisoners and I learnt a lot about what the war was like for sailors in that time. The book has beautiful illustrations that would support readers and is on the NSW Premier's reading list for grades 5-6.

Surviving Sydney Cove by Goldie Alexander

This is one of the My Story series from Scholastic. Last year I read one of these books to my class and I loved how it opened up the world of books for them. It was about ancient Rome, so my students were borrowing books from the Horrible Histories series following up from my shared reading, they borrowed non fiction books to find out more facts about the Romans. I am really encouraged to read this genre to find more engaging books to share with my students. 

My Australian story: Surviving Sydney Cove - the diary of Elizabeth Harvey by Goldie Alexander is on the NSW Premier's reading list for grades 7-9. It is written in a diary format by Lizzie. A convict transported to Sydney Cove. She is overworked and starved and this fictional diary recounts the year 1790.  Although a piece of fiction, there are some historical notes at the end reporting facts about this period of time. I thought this book would be a good tie in with my classes previous knowledge of colonial Australia and autobiographies/ historical fiction.

Wonder by R.J. Palacio

This would have to be the best book read this Summer!

I ummmed and ummmed about buying this book. It isn't on the Premier's challenge list, it has only just recently come out. Would it be suitable for grade 5-6? Nobody I know has read it. 

This book will be forever imprinted in my mind. My heart strings were truly yanked when I read this author's first novel about a boy, August who was born with severe craniofacial abnormalities. He dreams of being normal, a significant event in the story is Halloween. This American holiday is the only day of the year where August gets a chance to put on a mask, get dressed up and participate fully in life. 

In some chapters, different characters write their point of view of the events. You can easily empathize with all the characters and especially August. There were a few moments that required tissues. Don't hesitate, borrow or buy this book today! You will be truly moved!

The Tiger Rising by Kate Di Camello

This book is by the same author as The Tale of Despereaux and Because of Winn- Dixie.

This book is more than just a story about two children who have lost their parents. Rob's mother recently passed away after struggling with cancer and Sistine's parents have separated. Rob discovers a tiger in the cage one day out in the woods and shares this and other thoughts with Sistine. 

On a literally level the tiger although very real and integral to the story is a metaphor about their caged up emotions towards their situations. It is a quick read, not on the premier's reading list but one that I would want to share with my class.

Roald Dahl's Boy - Tales of childhood

So what am I now thinking of starting the year studying with my class....

 I think this book will be engaging for my class as many of the students will have previously read a Roald Dahl book, and I wish to get to know my students better and thought I might explore autobiographies as a genre.

Dahl's recollections are mainly about his school days and I think my class will engage with the sense of adventure and mischievous nature of Dahl. I found this book very entertaining and hope my class does too. It is on the NSW Premier's reading challenge list for grades 7-9. 

Against the odds by Mariolijn Hof

 This multiple award winning book is on the NSW premier's reading list for grades 3-4. I read the book after reading the blurb on the back. It had an extract of the dialogue between the two main characters Kiki and her mother discussing the odds of some events and the last paragraph of the blurb  summarizes, "a powerful, sad, yet funny book about what to do when something you've always feared becomes all too real."

I was hooked on the story line and thought it would be appealing to my class, and a good choice to commence the year with. However, after reading the first few chapters I became disturbed with the main character. Hof has definitely written the character of  Kiki straight up, her ideas are not censored, and I suppose if I do decide to unpackaged this novel in the classroom, I can have a discussion about if and when you are faced with a traumatic event, people don't think rationally.

I don't feel it is for grades 3-4, and since I am teaching 5-6 this year, I am debating whether to even explore this with this age group. Grades 7-8 seem more appropriate.

Have you read this book? What are your thoughts?

Summer reading

I am well known in my circle of friends and colleagues to have read a good repertoire of children's literature. However, the last ten years or so have been in the lower end of the school. 2013 I will be teaching grades 5 and 6, so in preparation I have spent the last few weeks devouring young adult and junior fiction. I seriously have read over a dozen novels... I wish to record my thoughts in this blog of these stories and share how they were received by my class. At the moment I am busily thinking which of my reads am I going to share with the class first... Which book is going to capture my students and turn them on in the wonder of reading?