Book Buzz!

Library Day is always highly anticipated! Even going back to when I was in school, I can remember wandering the rows, pondering the possibilities of what book I might find. And once I had that book, I couldn't wait to read it and show everyone around me what I'd found. It's the same for my 4th graders.

Last year, we'd come back from the library with the expectation that kids would put their library books away so we could move on. Yes, I made the mistake of thinking my fourth graders didn't have that same excitement I'd experienced as a kid. The buzz in the classroom was contagious, and we quickly adapted the routine. We'd return from our designated library time and take about 5 minutes to huddle up with a friend or two to share what we'd checked out.

A few weeks later, we were on our way back from the library, heading back to our classroom to share what we'd all found. One of my boys was walking next to me and asked if we'd have time for "Book Buzz." And so you have it. Book Buzz was born.

Book Buzz has become a tradition in our classroom that has carried over to my new 4th graders this year. As we return from the library, we all wander around the room, chatting about which books we checked out, what new titles we discovered, and who found the next book in a series they've been reading. We finish up by stealing a few extra minutes of reading time before we put our books away.

Something as simple as Book Buzz has succeeded in stirring up so much excitement about books and reading. It's definitely a routine that we'll keep! 

#PB10for10 - 2013

I'm so happy to participate in Mandy and Cathy's #PB10for10 event again this year! I think I'm even more excited this year to share books my first graders loved and to also get some ideas for books to share with my 4th graders.

My 2012 #pb10for10 post

My 2011 #pb10for10 post

When I started thinking about this post, I decided it would be easier on my brain if I focused on books that were new (or just new to me) this year. So my list is comprised of the new-ish books that my first graders and I just adored last year!

Favorites from the 2012-2013 school year

Memoirs of a Hamster by Devin Scillian and Tim Bowers

They're back! The awesome duo that brought us Memoirs of a Goldfish has done a phenomenal job again in their hamster book. I have to admit... I might have loved this one even more than the goldfish one!

Red Hat by Lita Judge

My kids and I were big fans of the wordless Red Sled, so I knew we'd have to read this one, too! It didn't disappoint! I loved watching kids' faces as we took in the story.

Penguin and Pinecone by Salina Yoon

A simple yet wonderful story of friendship! This one made a few of us tear up. (You'll also want to share Penguin on Vacation!)

Exclamation Mark by Amy Krouse Rosenthal and Tom Lichtenheld

Before I even finished reading this one aloud, my little friends were begging to read it again. So many possibilities with this book!

Big Mean Mike by Michelle Knudsen and Scott Magoon

The bunnies quickly found their way into our hearts, but so did Big Mean Mike! We read this one several times.

The Three Ninja Pigs by Corey Rosen Schwartz and Dan Santat

These three little pigs had my first graders hi-ya-ing for days! We were able to connect with Corey on Twitter, and she was absolutely wonderful. She answered our questions, gave us lots of insight into the book, and sent us bookmarks!

The Reader by Amy Hest and Lauren Castillo

This book found its way into my heart quickly. I can totally imagine me living out the pages of this story when I was a little girl!

Creepy Carrots by Aaron Reynolds and Peter Brown

We squealed with delight when someone would bring in carrots for snack time after we read this book!

Grandfather's Wrinkles by Kathryn England and Richard McFarland

One of my little boys brought this one in after meeting local illustrator Richard McFarland. It's the story of a girl and her grandfather, explaining why he has so many wrinkles. Heartwarming and sweet! (I needed Kleenex for this one.)

I'm Bored by Michael Ian Black and Debbie Ridpath Ohi

I lost track of how many times we reread this book. The phrase "I'm Bored" continued to seep into our conversations throughout the year, just to get us giggling!


Honorable Mentions
Ok, so I'm kind of cheating... but I couldn't leave these out! We enjoyed them just as much as the ones listed above.

Mustache Baby by Bridget Heos and Joy Ang

I bought this one right at the end of the school year, but it was one of those giggle-out-loud books that first graders just love. They also thought the ending was hysterical!

Boy + Bot by Ame Dyckman and Dan Yaccarino

I've written about this book a few times already (HERE and HERE,) but it is definitely one of my favorite, favorite books that I've read in recent years.

Jangles by David Shannon

Being a fisherwoman (fisherman? Whatever... I love to fish), this book reminded me of the magic of fishing and the elusive fish we all come to know. My family's "Jangles" is a smallmouth bass in the waters of Manitowish Waters, Wisconsin, that we named Scarback. While I don't think my first graders had those deep connections, many of them loved to fish and really enjoyed this book.


I could keep going and going and going... but I think I've already pushed the limits of my list of ten(ish) favorite picture books this year! I can hardly wait to see what other bloggers have chosen...

4th Grade Reading Recommendations

One of the many book stacks
I've built to bring with me to 4th grade!

Every time I see my former students, we always seem to get into a conversation about what we're reading. We've built that reading relationship through our year together, and it follows us when we meet again. I'm fortunate to still be in touch with many of the families I've worked with over the years. Those families have all been so helpful and supportive as I get myself ready for 4th grade!

Just the other day, I asked one special family to chat with their daughter about books she thinks I MUST have in my 4th grade library. K was in my 1st grade class and will be going into 4th grade this year. The two of us grew together as readers and still enjoy recommending books to each other. These are the books she has read this summer that MUST be in my classroom, according to K...

Mockingbird by Katherine Erskine

The Last Newspaper Boy in America by Sue Corbett

The Secret Series books by Pseudonymous Bosch

100 Cupboards series by N.D. Wilson

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate (which she read because I recommended it to her!)

Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper (also recommended by me!)

Theodore Boone series by John Grisham

The Kane Chronicles and The Heroes of Olympus series by Rick Riordan

Swindle and Zoobreak by Gordon Korman

The Kingdom Keepers series by Ridley Pearson

The Burning Questions of Bingo Brown by Betsy Byars

Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes by Jonathan Auxier

I immediately thanked her and returned the favor by recommending both Rump by Liesl Shurtliff and The Wig in the Window by Kristen Kittscher. I know I have a few of K's "best books" already in my inventory, but you can bet that I'll be adding the rest! What books would your students recommend as "must haves?" I'd love to hear from you!