Me and Marvin Gardens

Sarig King, A. (2017). Me and Marvin Gardens. New York: Arthur A, Levine Books.

Overview: Obe is a country kid who is being dragged
into suburban America if he likes it or not. His family owned
the land being developed 100 years ago. He is very tied
to the history and loyalty to the land. The Devlin Creek is
where he spends a lot of his time. He picks the litter out
of the creek so it does not go into the Pacific Ocean.
Throughout the book he struggles with relationships
with friends and family. He is a good moral character. He
wants to help keep the world clean. One day he discovers
a new type of animal that eats plastic. Will it be the answer
to the pollution problems or cause more problems for the
environment? A great book that focuses on environmental
concerns and friendship at the middle grades. I think this
book would be a great read aloud in April during Earth Month.
Students could also try to draw what they think Marvin looks
like as an activity. Lots of different inquiry research could stem
from this book.

Level: Middle Grades 
Genre - Science Fiction / Fantasy

Resources:
2018-2019 Texas Bluebonnet Nominated Book

Author’s Website

Book Details from the Publisher

Sergeant Reckless: The True Story of the Little Horse Who Become A Hero

McCormick, P. (2017). Sergeant Reckless: The true story of the little horse who
became a hero. New York: Balzer + Bray.

Overview: The narrative in the book is neatly displayed with in the illustrations
throughout the book. The story is about a horse that is found during the
Korean War. The Marines take the horse into their camp and he becomes one
of them. He is trained to carry ammunition to the battlefield. In return he is
feed and cared for. Reckless is the only animal to officially a hold military rank.  
A great piece of history that kids will like to read about. The illustrations are
fantastic in this book by Iacopo Bruno.

Level: Middle Grades

Written on reading level - Lexile

Genre - Nonfiction

Resources:

2018-2019 Texas Bluebonnet Nominated Book

Educator’s Guide

Author’s Website

Keith Haring: The Boy Who Just Kept Drawing

Haring, K. (2017). Keith Haring: The boy who just kept drawing. New York: Dial
Books of Young Readers.

Overview: Keith Haring loved to draw and share his art with everybody. He
had a passion for everyone to be able to experience art. He became popular
after moving to New York and drawing his art in subway stations. His
artwork is included throughout the book. At the back of the book is a section
that goes into more detail about each piece included in the book. The
author’s notes are very helpful in learning more about who Keith was as a
person. Unfortunately, Keith died at a fairly early age, but he lives on through
his art.

Level: Middle Grades

Genre - Nonfiction - Biography

Resources:

2018-2019 Texas Bluebonnet Nominated Book

Author’s Website and book trailer

Keith Haring’s Website of artwork

Lesson Plans and Resources for Parents and Teachers

Grand Canyon

Chin, J. (2017). Grand Canyon. New York: Roaring Brook Press.

Overview: Magnificent nonfiction book. I learned so much from reading this quick engaging book. Lots of nonfiction reading features throughout the book - diagrams, pictures, timelines, content area at the end of the book. This book would be great in studying ecosystems, rocks, habitats and animals, plants in a region, erosion and changes over time. I could see this book being an opener to an inquiry unit. Students could develop questions about information in the book they want to learn more about. Then the class could come back together to share the additional information they researched. For a very short book it jam packed with quality information.

Level: Middle Grades

Written on a  grade reading level - Lexile 1000

Genre - Nonfiction - Geography, Reference and Rock/Fossils

Resources:

2018-2019 Texas Bluebonnet Nominated Book

Classroom Bookshelf Teaching Resource

Author’s Website

The Bad Seed

John, J. (2017). The bad seed. New York: Harper.

Overview: The bad seed was not always so bad. He had a nice family and a humble
beginning. Until it all went wrong and his home fell apart. He was almost eaten. He
gave up and decided to give up and not care. Then he decided to make some
changes and try to be happy. He admits to not being good all the time, but trying
is what matters. A great book to incorporate into social/emotional lessons.

Level: Pre-K to 2nd Grade

Resources:

Texas 2018 2X2 Book

Book Trailer and lesson ideas

Author’s Website

Counselor Activities

After the Fall: How Humpty Dumpty Got Back Up Again

Santat, D. (2017). After the fall: How Humpty Dumpty got back up again. New York:
Roaring Brook Press.

Overview: A great book to read after studying the traditional Humpty Dumpty nursery rhyme. Students could create their own what comes next for Humpty as a writing exploration. This book is also a great supplement to STEM learning units. Teaching perseverance and overcoming fears of failure. In the story Humpty Dumpty has his great fall, after the fall he is scared of heights. He misses watching the birds from his favorite place on the wall. He tries to overcome his fear with trying different things. The end has a great twist, I like how his egg hatches and he flies off.

Level: Pre-K to 2nd Grade

Resources:

Texas 2018 2X2 Book

Author’s Website

Book Trailer

The Classroom Bookshelf activity ideas

STEAM Read activity ideas for after reading

Lesson Planning ideas

Niko Draws a Feeling

Raczka, B. (2017). Niko draws a feeling. Minneapolis: Carolrhoda Books.

Overview: Niko loves to draw pictures. His drawings look like scribbles and are hard for others to see what he has drawn. He felt great when he was drawing. He would get sad when people would ask, “What is it?” Then he meet Iris who finally understood his drawings. She talks about the way the drawing feels and Niko is so happy that his drawings are understood. When working with young children always ask them to tell you about their drawing, so they can verbally share what they have drawn. Give feedback, without telling them how they should have made their drawing. Encourage their creativity. There is not only one way to create a masterpiece. This book would be great to read at the beginning of the year when teaching students how to share their projects with others. Encouraging them to support their peers and give constructive feedback and how to have a conversation about one's work.

Level: Pre-K to 2nd Grade

Resources:

Texas 2018 2X2 Book

Activity Guide

Organized Chaos Music Lesson Idea

Author’s Website