Picture Book

Scaredy Squirrel

By Melanie Watt
This little find is a true treasure for teachers and students looking for inspiration on procedural writing. Scaredy Squirrel makes lists, creates charts, organizes an emergency kit, keeps a calendar and schedule and a variety of other writing tasks. It’s funny, smart, and even has a sequel: Scaredy Squirrel Makes a Friend. My thanks to the teacher in Toronto, who is as addicted to picture books as I am, and who scoured the exhibit hall floor to find this book and give it to me. So sweet – and so very much appreciated.

Young Adult Graphic Novel

American Born Chinese

By Gene Luan Yang

When I wrote to Jim Blasingame and asked him for the titles of some young adult texts that just couldn’t be missed, I was not surprised to find a graphic novel in the group. I’ve been slow to pick up on this genre, exited about the promise of what it could bring to the classroom, but unsure of my own reaction to the texts themselves. I learned to read from comics myself, Archie, Walt Disney, and the traditional comic books that fascinated me when I was little and yearning to put the words into my mind, along with the pictures. But graphic novels? For older kids? Well, now I get it. There’s so much in this book that I found myself reading it and rereading it, just to make sure I wasn’t missing anything. I called several friends and insisted they get a copy right away so we could talk about it and now I’m tapping my toes, waiting for their excited return phone calls. Not to be missed by kids and teachers alike, the hype on this book hardly does it justice. It confronts Asian stereotypes in such an “in your face” manner it makes you cringe. Who among us hasn’t heard a terrible and degrading imitation of a native Asian speaker uttered by a careless and inconsiderate friend? But this book is so much more than that. So much more. Are you reading yet? You should be. Then drop me a line. I can’t wait to hear what you think.

Adult Reading for Pleasure and Edification

The Audacity of Hope

By Barack Obama
The title alone was enough to draw me to this finely written text, but once I began reading, I found a collection of deeply intelligently presented ideas, words, and images that haunt me long after I finished the last page. Part historical, part personal, part political, Obama filled in some blanks for me I’m embarrassed that I had. I learned the historical origins of the terms liberal and conservative, democrat and republican. And I learned a lot about the constitution – what it says, and what it doesn’t. I learned a lot about this man who is driven to run for the highest office in the country – his vision, his hopes, his believe that it’s not to late to find common ground and turn this country back into a place we can all be proud to call our own. I’m inspired by the story of this remarkable American. Audacity – indeed. Many will find his run for the Presidency just that. I say, bring it on.

Professional Books and Teaching Materials

Trait Crates for Grades 3, 4, and 5

With this shameless and self-serving selection, I give you Trait Crates: Grades 3, 4, and 5 . You don’t really care or want to know about the long and torturous journey these crates took on their way to birth, but suffice to say, it’s good to have them out and in the hands of the people for whom they were written – teachers and kids. Now we’re on to the primary crates and then the middle school ones. Do check these out and tell us what you like and what you don’t. It’s how we learn, you know. I hope you find them as delightful as we do now that they are done. They’re smart, multi-dimensional, diverse, colorful, and fun, even if I do say so myself!