Pond Life in the Front Yard March 31, 2010

I stepped outside this morning expecting to see ducks.  Really.  It’s happened before, but although there is a new ecosystem in the front yard, the ducks have yet to discover it.  Like many of our neighbors, our front yard is now a pond.  According to the guy on the radio, the last time we had this much rain during the month of March was in 1952.  I heard school closings being announced, and it  occurred to me that this is the first time I’ve heard of school’s closing because of too much rain.

There are now ponds in all sorts of new places –  in basements, in the middle of the street, and in front yards.  All of this brought to mind Denise Fleming’s colorful and lively book, In the Small, Small Pond. I’m going to read it to our youngest students today since they can now observe tadpoles and other pond life from the comfort of their own homes.

The only good thing that happened yesterday was that the University of Dayton won their game against Ole’ Miss – and are now in the finals of the NIT.  They play UNC on Thursday night.  Stay tuned…

A Fulfilling Tangerine March 30, 2010

It’s spring, and that means Tangerine. Each year (for the past seven) I read Edward Bloor’s novel, Tangerine, with a group of 6th grade students. Without fail, it is their favorite book of the year, and also without fail, I am astounded at this book’s power over twelve-year-old kids.

Of course, on day one, we eat tangerines.  And then we plunge in.  Bloor’s thirteen-year-old novel is  so full of discussion topics that I can feel my heart racing at the end of class because I want the kids to be able to “see” it all – just like the book’s legally blind, but very observant, protagonist – Paul Fisher.

Paul’s family lives in a former tangerine field in Florida.  It is now a housing development called Lake Windsor Downs in which the streets are all named for British royal families.  The destruction of the fields that were necessary for such development results in anonymous uniformity, but of course, nature wreaks havoc with the best plans of the residents.

What I love about teaching this book is that it revolves around the issue of appearance versus reality.  For many twelve-year-olds, it is the first time they have considered the price we pay for keeping up appearances.  There is a lot more to say about this book.  Paul’s brother, Erik, is a mean kid and the high school football star.  Their mother can more clearly see the wrong paint color on a neighbor’s mailbox than what is happening in her own family.  And their  father is so obsessed with Erik’s football possibilities that he can’t (or won’t) look at the disasters everywhere around him.

Many of the students share this book with their parents, and I imagine it leads to some good discussions. Those are the best kind of teaching experiences – when the discussion continues after the class is over.

In Defense of Summer Reading Lists March 27, 2010

The thermometer reads 32 degrees, but to me it feels like it’s in the high eighties.  I’m thinking about sitting on the beach or the deck with a good book and a cold drink.  For the past few days, I’ve been working on Inly’s summer reading list so I’m imagining our students selecting a few of these books to tuck into their beach bags.  As anyone who has compiled one of these lists knows, it is tricky business. And these days may even raise a few questions.  Over the past couple of years, I’ve read many articles questioning the need for summer reading lists.  Some of the articles claim that the lists kill the joy of reading and that some of the books are too challenging for students to read (successfully) without teacher support.  

I understand the concerns, but each year as I compile the list, my belief in their worth is strengthened.  Of course, books should not be included that are too complex for students to read independently.  There should be many genres from which to choose so that every student finds books that interest them.  And I feel strongly that the books on the list should be inspiring and enjoyable. 

The reason I believe in the summer reading list is that with so much competing for children’s time and attention, many of them define their interests quite narrowly at a very early age.  I talk with kids who have decided what they like (and don’t like) by the age of eight, and since there is so much available on-line, they aren’t too motivated to explore new topics.  This is especially sad when they are at such a receptive age.  It is so important for kids to leave the self directed world of the internet and to enter another person’s imgaination and view.  There is nothing more rewarding than when a student reads something new and says, “I would never have read this book if it wasn’t on the list, and I loved it.” 

Summer is a time for both physical and mental escape, and kids, like adults, deserve time to imagine and explore.  I think of that as I add books to the list – hopeful that a student will read poetry or learn about sea turtles or follow the adventures of the Penderwicks.

Four Books in Honor of the Final Four! March 25, 2010

I walked into the library this morning and lots of books were jumping up and down – having already self-selected and leaped off the shelves to grab my attention.  The one thing they all had in common was that they were written by Ohio authors, and they clearly understood that today was a day for celebration!  Yes, the University of Dayton men’s basketball team reached the Final Four of the NIT – beating Illinois last night, 77-71.  Next Tuesday, they play Mississippi at Madison Square Garden.

So, in honor of the Flyers, I will highlight four books written by Ohio authors.

Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbit (Babbit was born in Dayton)

The People Could Fly: American Black Folktales told by Virginia Hamilton (Hamilton, the author of many wonderful books for young people, lived in Yellow Springs.  She died in 2002.)

Blueberries for Sal by Robert McCloskey (McCloskey was born in Hamilton, Ohio – not too far from Dayton. He lived in Ohio between 1914 and 1932.)

Black is Brown is Tan by Arnold Adoff (An Ohioan by marriage. Adoff was married to Virginia Hamilton and continues to live in Yellow Springs.  Black is Brown is Tan, published in 1973, was the first children’s book to feature an interracial family.)

Five Things You Should Know March 23, 2010

1.  In case you are not following the NIT because of that “other” tournament, you should know that the University of Dayton men’s basketball team won their game against the University of Cincinnati last night, 81-66.  I’ll keep you posted on what happens next…

2.  One million copies of John Grisham’s first book for young readers will be printed.  Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer will be for sale on May 25.

3. Olivia, the star of five picture books by Ian Falconer, is heading to Italy.  Olivia Goes to Venice will be published in September.

4. The children’s book world lost one of its best when the author Sid Fleischman died on March 17.  My personal favorite of Fleischman’s many books is The Ghost on Saturday Night, but he also wrote the Newbery Award-winning, The Whipping Boy, and Escape!: The Story of the Great Houdini. There is one more book in the pipeline – a biography of Charlie Chaplin which will be published in June.

5. If you want to learn more about Dayton’s most well known inventors, The Wright Brothers, check out Russell Freedman’s Newbery Honor book, The Wright Brothers: How They Invented the Airplane. Of course, it is because of the Wright Brothers that the University of Dayton team is called the Flyers…

The Perfect Book for a Budding Naturalist March 22, 2010

If you’ve ever wished Beatrix Potter had written a novel, you are in luck.  A Nest for Celeste by Henry Cole is a lovely story that brings Potter’s animal stories to mind, and it belongs on every young nature lover’s shelf.

Celeste, a mouse, lives in a New Orleans house being visited by the naturalist John James Audubon and Joseph, his young assistant.  As Celeste searches for a warm and safe home, Joseph struggles to please Audubon and to become a better artist.  And the art is what makes this book so wonderful.  While the story is very nice, the pencil sketches throughout the book are the real pleasure here.  The subtitle of the book is “A Story about Art, Inspiration, and the Meaning of Home,” and Henry Cole’s art is truly inspiring.

March Madness March 20, 2010

If your son  or daughter has become an overnight NCAA “bracketologist,” this is the perfect book for them.  All of John Feinstein’s sports-related mysteries are big hits with the 5th through 8th grade sports fans, but this one has March written all over it:

My son read it a few years ago and found it the perfect complement to his bracket obsession.   Feinstein is a best selling sports writer and a sports commentator for NPR – in other words, he knows his stuff.  He also makes the story more current by using the names of real players and commentators which makes it work for the ESPN crowd.   My team, the University of Dayton, is in the NIT tournament this year so my sights are set on Monday evening’s game against Cincinnati….Go Flyers!

Books to Share with Dad March 19, 2010

Even with all of the college basketball to watch this weekend, there’s still time to read a story.  And, perhaps, during the weekend, it is dad who reads.  If so, here are two perfect picture books for dads to share with their young children.  Both are warm stories that emphasize the bond between the father and child – one about a weekly breakfast date and the other about a flying wagon.  My son is too old for these books, but if not, I would have gone straight to the library, checked them out and left them on the kitchen table for his father and him to find tomorrow morning…

Every Friday by Dan Yaccarino

Friday My Radio Flyer Flew by Zachary Pullen

Charlie Brown and Friends March 18, 2010

We are back from California and, as always, Dorothy’s words ring true: “There’s no place like home.”  We had a wonderful time and saw some unforgettable sights, but I’m always happy to be back in my own house.  One thing I did not blog about during the trip is our visit to the Charles Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa, California.  Here it is:

The museum opened in 2002, and it is a little gem.  If you ever have a reason to be in Santa Rosa, it is definitely worth a visit.  The three of us commented on the “feel” of the museum; it is not overwhelming or fussy, but spacious and light and pleasant in a way that fits Schulz’s characters.  I had not known that Schulz was a life-long ice hockey fan, but the museum is right next to the indoor rink he had built for the citizens of Santa Rosa. 

The rink’s official name is the Redwood Empire Ice Arena, but is locally known as Snoopy’s Home Ice.  A visit to the Warm Puppy Cafe makes your visit complete.  Because today is a Thursday, I will list three of my favorite stories starring Charlie Brown and his friends:

It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown

A Charles Brown Christmas

It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown

Camping with the President by Ginger Wadsworth March 12, 2010

I can’t imagine President Obama has time to go camping with a naturalist right now, but maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad idea.  There were certainly benefits to Theodore Roosevelt when, in 1903, he spent a few days camping with world famous naturalist John Muir.  President Roosevelt came back even more committed to the the national parks and protecting the natural environment.

We’re still traveling around northern California and yesterday’s itinerary included a visit to Muir Woods. We had a perfect sunny day and had a great time craning our necks skyward to see the tops of the trees.  In the children’s section of the Muir Woods bookstore I was especially pleased to see Ginger Wadsworth’s book, Camping with the President.  I knew the book already because Carolyn Yoder, the book’s editor, is also the editor of my forthcoming biography of Hank Greenberg.  While standing in the store, I flipped through Wadsworth’s book again, and it led me to imagine the Obama camping scenario. 

It’s a wonderful book, one that I liked even better on my second read – and, of course, standing near the Redwood trees made it a perfect experience.  There was a group of students in the shop, and it occurred to me that sharing this book with them would enrich their experience of this national treasure.  I wish I could have sat down and read it with them right there.

One more thing: because I was unable to write my Three for Thursday post yesterday, here are the titles of three books about trees that I really love and use regularly at school:

Trouts are Made of Trees by April Pulley Sayre

A Tree is Nice by Janice Udry

One Small Square (Woods) by Donald Silver