Friday5: El Deafo by Cece Bell

#Friday5 for January 31th:
My Favorite #fivespotting of ALA Midwinter

Many of you know that I like to see the number 5 out in the world. 

My favorite #fivespotting of ALA midwinter is the 5 above that appears in El Deafo, a Graphic Novel coming out this September by the fabulous Cece Bell. 

El Deafo tells the story of a young rabbit named Cece who experiences severe hearing loss at age 4 after a brief illness.

Ok… so, yes, I have only read the sampler (the first 50 pages), but reading the first 50 pages caused me to break into a run just to go tell someone how amazing it was.

Put this one on your radar and set an alarm for September.
It's gonna be awesome!

El Deafo info

The Bud totally absorbed by the El Deafo sampler. 

Friday5: 5 of my favorite books from 2013

#Friday5 for January 24th:

5 of my favorite books of 2013

Mr. Tiger Goes Wild 
by Peter Brown

Locomotive
by Brian Floca

Doll Bones
by Holly Black

Read chapter on on author Holly Black's site.

Building Our House
by Jonathan Bean

Battle Bunny
by Jon Scieszka and Mac Barnett
Pictures by Matthew Myers

It is Monday... January 20

Visit Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers to find out more about It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? and link to other participating blogs

This graphic novel tells the stories of three brave dogs (and their soldiers) during three different wars - WWI, WWII and the Vietnam War. 

Visit author Sheila Keenan's Blog for a peek inside the book.

The 5sters and I read this one together. We have enjoyed many of the books in this Princess Tales series of short fairy tales, and we loved twist of Cinderella being a boy named Cinderellis.

More about this series on Gail Carson Levine's Website

The Bud liked the audio book of the Doll People so much, we continued the adventure with the audio book of The Meanest Doll in the World this week.

There is an Auntie Sara in our lives, just like in the books, and the 5sters get a particular pleasure out of saying her name like the doll character Tiffany does in the audio version… much to my sister's dismay.

I have been busy re-reading this stack. 

I am looking forward to discussing these titles with folks at ALA Midwinter!

Friday5: 5 Fabulous 2013 Middle Grade Books by Minnesota Authors

#Friday5 for January 17th:

5 Fabulous 2013 Middle Grade Books by Minnesota Authors

Flora and Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures
by Kate DiCamillo
illustrated by K.G. Campbell

 

The Real Boy 

by Anne Ursu

Anne signing my book last fall!

Ghoulish Song
by William Alexander



(psst... I am in the crowd in the early views around the room. Do you see me?)

The Strangers
Book # 4 in the Books of Elsewhere Series
by Jacqueline West

Moose Tracks 
by Mary Casanova

Ok... so technically not a 2013 book, but I am excited that as of 2013 it is back in print - thanks to University of MN Press.

It is Monday... January 13

Visit Teach Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers to find out more about It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? and link to other participating blogs.

More about Zebra Forest on the Author's Website

Activity and discussion guide

It's the Tell Tale Heart for the early reader set, only no gore and a much happier ending.

The Bud and I are both huge Zita fans and were so excited to read a digital ARC of the Return of Zita the Spacegirl last week.
Zita fans everywhere are going to love this action packed end to the Zita trilogy.
Look for Return of Zita the Spacegirl at your local bookstore this May.


Zita the Spacegirl Book 1:



Zita the Spacegirl Book 2 - Legends of Zita the Spacegirl:

Any other Avatar: The Last Airbender fans out there?