Welcome to my "Books We Love To Share" blog!

Over the summer, I read several books in hopes of finding some new read alouds for my classroom. Along with a book review, I've included the categories of what Common Core Standard would apply, grade level recommendation, and, to my knowledge, any awards given.

Following my classroom picks, I will begin to share my personal favorites. I love to read as a way to relax! My favorite author is Adriana Trigiani. I just finished reading her novel, The Queen of the Big Time before Thanksgiving. I can't wait to share my reading experience!

Here we go!

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Hepler, Heather,The Cupcake Queen.c2009, 256 pages

Description:

Realistic Fiction

Review: When Penny and her mother move from the city to a small town to open up a cupcake bakery, her life is turned upside down. Leaving her dad behind in the city and unsure about what will happen with their family, Penny longs for normalcy. The classmates she encounters are less than welcoming such as Charity, the girl who tries to make Penny’s life unbearable by playing mean pranks almost daily. However, there are also good things in Hog's Hollow. Penny is befriended by a girl named Tally, an expert in Rock Paper Scissors, and Marcus, the boy who is always running on the beach. Just as Penny is beginning to adjust to her new small town life, her parents have made a life altering decision and she has to make a choice that will turn everything upside down again. A poignant novel about love, creativity, and trying to be accepted when one is accepting life's unexpected turns.

Curriculum Connections: Along with the endearing story of family and friends, the author has mixed in some astronomy. It would make a nice choice as a higher level literature circle read.

NYS Common Core Standards: English Language Arts Standards » Reading: Literature » Grade 5

RL.5.2. Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including how characters in a story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic; summarize the text. RL.5.3. Compare and contrast two or more characters, settings, or events in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., how characters interact).RL.5.6. Describe how a narrator’s or speaker’s point of view influences how events are described

Awards: No awards given to date.

Recommended Grade Level: Grade 5 and above (high level readers)

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Book #2 - I teach a science unit on rocks and minerals. This book stood out to me because of the science connection. It was also featured by Al Roker of the Today show a few years ago as his pick for his kids book club.

Frazier, Sundee. Brendan Buckley’s Universe and Everything in it.

c. 2007; pages 197

Description:

Realistic Fiction

Description:
 
Brendan Buckley is an inquisitive ten year old boy who loves to keep a question notebook. In the front of the notebook he writes what he wonders, and in the back section he writes about what he finds out. Brendan is very scientific and is interested in rocks and minerals. He is an only child of bi-racial parents. Growing up, Brendan only came to know his paternal grandparents as his mother’s parents did not approve of her marriage. In a strange turn of events, Brendan goes to the mall with his grandmother, Gladys, and finds a “Mineral and Gemstone Exhibit and Sale” that is sponsored by the Washington Agate and Mineral Society. While at the exhibit and meeting Ed the club president, Brendan is surprised at the reaction Gladys gives to Ed. It was as if she’d seen a ghost. Unbeknownst to Brendan his most important questions would soon surface and the answers may be the hardest he has ever had to find.

Sundee Frazier has written a warm, funny, and poignant story of family, friendship, and the healing power of love. Blending science throughout the story, the main character of Brendan is relatable to fifth grade students. The rock and mineral information is a bonus to fifth graders as rocks and minerals are part of the science curriculum.

Curriculum Connections: This book was a wonderful read aloud and it worked well to enhance our class study of rocks and minerals. The story also lends itself to students writing and sharing family stories.

NYS Common Core StandardsEnglish Language Arts Standards » Reading: Literature » Grade 5 RL.5.2. Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including how characters in a story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic; summarize the text. RL.5.3. Compare and contrast two or more characters, settings, or events in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., how characters interact).RL.5.6. Describe how a narrator’s or speaker’s point of view influences how events are described

Awards:
2008 Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent award, given by the American Librarian Association. Al Roker's Kids' Book Club selection for July 2008, NBC's TODAY Show. An OPRAH'S Book Club Kids Reading List selection.

Recommended Grade Level Grade 5 and above (high level readers)

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Personal Pick:

 Anything written by Adriana Trigiani!

 However, let me begin with one of the most recent books I've read...

 

THE QUEEN OF THE BIG TIME 

Adriana Trigiani

This book spans three generations of the Castelluca family, who live near Roseto, Pennsylvania. The novel centers on Nella Castelluca, her parents and her sisters, as they grow up on a farm outside of Roseto. The reader follows Nella through loss and love. She meets and falls in love with the most popular boy in town, Renato Lanzara. Renato and Nella share a love of good literature and poetry, which leads the reader to believe they will fall in love and live happily ever after. But this is not the case. Without warning, Renato leaves Nella and disappears, leaving Nella broken hearted and with many unanswered questions. It is only after four years and a newfound love for Nella, that Renato returns.

Trigiani's novel brought thoughts of my own ancestors who came to New York from Poland and Ireland  They settled in upstate New York in the early 1900's. Reading about how hard Nella's father worked their farm, reminded me of the stories of my own great-grandfather, who came from Poland, working with his hands in the iron factories, and my grandmother, who traveled from Ireland as a teenager, and worked as a maid, both willing to do whatever it took in order to provide for their families. What really warmed my heart was the determination to keep customs of their faith and homeland alive. In the book, the town's biggest annual celebration is the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, otherwise known as "The Big Time" held in July.  

My favorite part about reading anything written by Adriana Trigiani is her warm and authentic writing style. It is clear that she gets her characters and setting from her own family and family history. In The Queen of the Big Time, I loved that Ms. Trigiani included a few authentic recipes. The recipes added that personal touch to the magic of the story.

If you've read and enjoyed Ms. Trigiani's Big Stone Gap  trilogy, you will love The Queen of the Big Time.  If you've never read a book by this author, you are in for a treat! Grab a nice cup of tea, curl up in your favorite chair, and open up the book The Queen of the Big Time. Make sure you have plenty of time to relax and enjoy the book. I promise you will not want to put the book down!

Here is the link to Adriana Trigiani's webpage: http://www.adrianatrigiani.com/
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Who is your favorite author?