The Lottery Rose by Irene Hunt

I happened to stop by a classroom of 7th graders today. 

Here is what they were reading -

"Georgie Burgess has known only neglect and abuse during his seven and a half years of life. His alcoholic mother does little to prevent the bruises and scars inflicted on Georgie by her brutal boyfriend. With each blow, the little boy withdraws further into his dreams. When he winds a small rose bush in a lottery, it seems as if one of his dreams has finally come true. But after a particularly savage beating, he is taken from his mother and placed in a home for boys. Surrounded by strangers and with the rosebush as his only link to the world, both the boy and his treasured plant must learn how to grow and thrive."  Most said they liked it, but it was sad.  It is important to evoke emotion from our children when they read.  Makes the experience meaningful.  Check it out .........................from families.com   http://media.families.com/blog/the-lottery-rose-irene-hunt  Here is the trailer from the movie http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhCQHzcw7gQ

Zoom by Istvan Banyai

This is a wonderfully intriguing book.  Not at all what you would expect.  Great to share with adults as well. Check it out ..................there are some wonderful activities as well. http://wilderdom.com/games/descriptions/Zoom.html
"Open this wordless book and zoom from a farm to a ship to a city street to a desert island. But if you think you know where you are, guess again. For nothing is ever as it seems in Istvan Banyai's sleek, mysterious landscapes of pictures within pictures, which will tease and delight readers of all ages."This book has the fascinating appeal of such works of visual trickery as the Waldo and Magic Eye books". -- Kirkus Reviews"Ingenious". -- The Horn Book

There is also ReZoom, if you didn't get enough Zoom.

Why Do Why Do Leaves Change Color? by Betsy Maestro

Didn't you always wonder???????Most children have jumped into piles of leaves or helped their parents rake the yard, and everyone has wondered: Why do leaves change color? Activities that a child can do with leaves and even a list of places known for brilliant fall colors that readers can visit with their families is included. "An informative concept book.

For a more scientific explaination - http://www.sciencemadesimple.com/leaves.html

Red Leaf, Yellow Leaf by Lois Ehlert

The season of Fall starts this week.  I grew up in New England and this is one of my favorite times of the year.
Check out this beautiful book, as well as some activities to do as the days grow shorter............
Lois Ehlert uses watercolor collage and pieces of actual seeds, fabric, wire, and roots in this innovative and rich introduction to the life of a tree. A special glossary explains how roots absorb nutrients, what photosynthesis is, how sap circulates, and other facts about trees.
For an interview with the author - http://www.readingrockets.org/books/interviews/ehlert
Why leaves change colors? http://www.na.fs.fed.us/fhp/pubs/leaves/leaves.shtm
After you rake and gather your favorite leaves, here are some coloring pages http://gonewengland.about.com/cs/coloringpages/l/blfallcoloring.htm

Dinosaurs, Dinosaurs, Dinosaurs!

Where does one start with this topic?  A favorite of youngsters for generations, these books provide beginning experiences of non-fiction reading.  We even have old plastic dinos that were my husbands that the nieces and nephews played with for hours, catagorizing, lining up by color, shape and even size.  many battles occured in the bathtub with these creatures (the dinos, not the kids!).  Here are some books for your budding scientist ...................

Here is an enticing collection of dinosaurs sure to excite any child. Packed with full-color photographs of life-like models plus detailed illustrations, the book offers simple text describing interesting features. Questions encourage children to compare various dinosaurs.


 
The Dinosaur Alphabet Book by Jerry Palotta teaches all of us about some new prehistoric creatures.
 
Here is an alphabet book to practice handwriting (a lost art in this day of typing and texting .................and even some coloring pages  have some fun .....................

2010 National Book Festival - Washington DC

Check out over 70 authors of all genres - http://www.loc.gov/bookfest/

The Dance by Richard Paul Evans

This book is a wonderful story about the relationship between a daughter and her father.  First given to me from a dear friend, after my father passed away, it is an inspiring story.  It follows a father's view of his daughter throughout her stages of life. This nostalgic story will appeal more to an adult audience than a child.  The illustrations are muted and dreamlike.