I love to read and spend much of my free time reading, talking about books, shopping for books, and writing about books! Non-fiction picture books are one of my many favorite types of books to read. As an adult reader, I try to think about the book from a child reader's perspective. I often think, if I had books like the ones I read now, when I was a child - if teachers and librarians had introduced or taught various content areas with picture books, I think I would have not only learned more about the topic, but I would have also enjoyed my learning a lot more. Alyson at Kid Lit Frenzy, has created the Non-Fiction Picture Book Challenge - #nfpb2016. Click on the link to her blog to read about why she decided to start the challenge. I decided to join in the challenge to help me organize my reading and thinking. Alyson has suggested the following steps to consider when joining the challenge . . .
1. Set a goal as to how many
nonfiction picture books (or nonfiction MG or YA books) you would like
to read over the course of 2016. Maybe you want to read one a month or
one a week. Will they all be from 2016 or will you be reading ones
previously published? Do you have a gap with a particular area of
nonfiction? The important part is to set a goal that will be fun and not
stressful.
My goal is to read the non-fiction books (picture, middle grade, and YA) that are being considered for the NYSRA Charlotte Book Award
2. My nonfiction book reviews and posts will be on
Wednesdays but I may start posting on a second day in order to fit
everything in. There will be a link if you want to connect up one of
your reviews or progress towards your goal. If you post on Mondays
(Nonfiction Mondays) or Fridays (STEM Fridays), please feel free to link
up on Wednesdays with us, we would love to get to know more bloggers
talking about nonfiction.
I plan to select some of the titles that I read and share my reviews, reflections, and kid reader reactions to the books.
Jen and Kellee, of Teach Mentor Textshost a weekly meme called "It's Monday, What Are You Reading? From Picture Books to YA." It encourages you to share what you read during the previous week and what you are going to read/review during the current week. Thank you, Kelly and Jen, for hosting this meme and encouraging book love! "Cheers to the books we'll read in 2016!" This is a favorite message that was written on a Christmas card that I received this holiday season. I always spend much of my free time reading but there is something extra special about having extended periods of free time to read during a school holiday break. Whether it was propped up in my bed or cuddled on the couch with my pugs, by my Christmas tree and a cozy fire, I loved every minute of my reading time! Here are just a few of the books I read to finish out 2015 and ring in 2016 . . .
What I've Been Reading . . .
What I'm Planning to Read . . . I never read just one book. At any given time, I have at least 3 books going at once (not including picture books). So, I can switch books, depending on my mood, interest, or time I have to spend reading. So . . . I'll continue to read Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by J.K. Rowling.
I'll return to the Newbery Challenge by reading, Tales from Silver Lands by Charles Finger
As a huge fan of Mother Goose, I am always on the lookout for any new MG related titles. So, imagine my delight when I discovered this while dong my weekly browsing at a local bookstore!
And the much anticipated new book by Salina Yoon!
And of course, many other treasures that catch my fancy!
The start of a new year is obviously a natural time to set goals and make plans. I am always setting goals for myself, especially as a reader and learner. I've been mulling over my writing habits and goals that I've wanted to set for myself, for several months. I have come to some conclusions and made some decisions. One of my writing aspirations is in regards to my blog writing. I originally began Mrs. Merrill's Book Break as a way to share my love of reading. I've realized that I do still have the desire to document and share that love. Although I've continued to write and record my thoughts on what I read, blog writing will be a way to collectively gather all of my random reflections.
Here are some of the posts that I look forward to writing . . .
Author & Illustrator Interviews (I've got a few lined up and am very excited about them!) My GoodReads Book Reviews
Bookish Adventures (literacy-related adventures that I take)
And anything else that strikes my literary fancy!
Monday, November 9, 2015
Here is the link to my "Mrs. Merrill's Book Break! Taking Time to Share Great Books" presentation for the New York State Reading Association, on November 10, 2015 in Saratoga Springs, NY. NYSRA Presentation 11/10/15
Although I'm glad that I read the first ever, Newbery Medal winning book, I know for a fact that I will not be recommending it to other readers. Reading this book felt like I was reading a history text book, not a children's book. I'm so very happy that today there are so many wonderful children's books that I can read and recommend to young readers.
Here's a quote that from the book that I found quite interesting:
"Why should we ever read fairy stories when the the truth of history is so much more interesting and entertaining?" ~ Hendrik Willems Van Loon If you're interested, you can read the book for free at Project Gutenberg. Check out what Katie Burke has to say about her experience reading The Story of Mankind, at Reader Writer Librarian.
I first learned about the Newbery Medal Challenge on Mr. Schu's blog, Watch Connect Read.
For a couple of years I followed the progress of Mr. Schu, Mr. Sharp, and others,via blog posts and other social media. I thought about joining the challenge, but was in the process of finishing my library school program and pursuing a position as a school librarian. I also didn't have a friend or colleague that was interested in taking the challenge with me.
Fast forward a few years and here i am, beginning my third year as an elementary school librarian and my sixteenth year as a reading specialist (both positions are half time, blending and blurring, uniquely in my Pre-K - 5th grade building).
My interest in pursuing the Newbery Medal Reading Challenge has continued and so, I decided to ask my friend and colleague, Katie Burke of, Reader Writer Librarian, to join me in taking the reading challenge. Knowing that Katie and I both share a love of books, reading, and libraries, I decided to invite her to take the challenge with me. Being that she is a fellow book nerd, she agreed! So, here we go!
After lots of text messaging and conversations, we've decided to begin at the beginning, read the first ever Newbery Medal winning book, and work our way to the present. Here are some other "rules" for our reading challenge:
1. We'll attempt to read one book per week. Knowing that we are busy, both personally and professionally, if a book a week doesn't always work out, that's ok.
2. We'll post some sort of response to the books we read, either through a blog post, review, or video.
3. We plan to share our reading challenge with our students.
Here is a list of the Newberry Medal Winning books beginning in 1922 and leading up to the present.
