I Have A Dream Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Illustrated by Kadir Nelson

Book Courtesy of Random House.

Recently Random House asked if I would participate in a book tour of Kadir Nelson’s beautifully illustrated new book on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s  I Have A Dream speech.  I quickly responded that I would love to.  I mean how hard could it be to be involved with blogging about a wonderful book?  I had seen the book, I knew the speech, and spent many years teaching about Dr. King’s dream.  Well, it has turned out to be quite challenging. 

Fifty years later Race is still a tough topic to broach.  As a white male teacher I try to make my classroom as culturally responsive as possible, but I know that it isn’t always the way I want it to be.  There are times when different cultures and races do clash.  For example black youths are still targeted for walking down the street, and college students spew racist hatred on reality TV shows.

So, as I am writing this and looking at Mr. Nelson’s paintings and listen to Dr. King’s words I know there has been great changes in the past 50 years.  We have an African-American president, but at the same only 10% of children’s picture books have main characters of color.

As I share this book with my students I hope that we can continue the conversation and wonder if they will make the changes that will make Dr. King’s words ring true?

Picking the First Read Aloud of the Year!

In the past I have written about the importance of the read aloud in the classroom, so I’m not going to repeat the reasons why it must be mandatory in school.  Instead I’m going to focus on picking the first read aloud of the year.  The beginning of the year is filled with setting up rituals and routines, and community building.  It should go without saying that without these students cannot learn.  The first read aloud is the keystone to the success of the school year.

There are many teachers that read the same book at the beginning of each year.  Over the years they have found a book that they love and they stick with it.  I don’t have a problem with this, but I try to find a book that is new to me and to the kids.  Sounds easy?  There are hundreds of books published each year. It is far from easy. Wonder, Twerp, and TheTerrible Thing That Happened to Barnaby Brocket are a few I would read aloud to older middle grades; yet I have really struggled the last two years to find that perfect read aloud for third grade.   Last year I read Golden and Grey by Louise Arnold, for a second, which is a wonderful story to have community discussions about being new, an outsider, and bullying. 

Why is it so hard?  At The Year of Reading Franki eloquently writes about picking a book that will help the students grow. Talk about pressure.  In this horrid era of high stakes testing, education, as a whole, has lost its way through the forest.  Finding that perfect data tree has taken away from the beauty of the forest.  This past Sunday there was an essay in the NewYork Times Book Review by Terry Eicher entitled One Book In… A 20-year search for a beloved children’s story.  “The best part of sixth grade at Grady Elementary School in Houston, in 1960, was after lunch when Mrs. Wise stood in front of the classroom and opened a red book and read a few pages aloud.”  Dr. Eicher goes on to write about how he spent 20 years looking for a copy of one of the books Mrs. Wise read to her class.  He eventually found a copy at a used bookstore in New Haven Ct. When he took it to the desk to buy it he was worried the owner would “smell his eagerness”.  Dr. Eicher writes “I told him that I had been searching for this book for more than 20 years (most of my life, then!), he looked chagrined.  I reassured him: No value, really.  My own quirk.  A teacher read it to me a long time ago.”  “A teacher read it to me a long time ago. “ The power in this short sentence.   Talk about a perfect example of a book that helps a student grow.

As I prepare to start a new school year, at a new school, I have narrowed down the list to four or five books for the honor of being the first read aloud.  I still have a couple more weeks, so something different may make it to the top.   I am confident that when I open the cover of that book, and begin reading that I will plant the seeds that will help our community grow.

The Adventures of Arnie the Doughnut Bowling Alley Bandit by Laurie Keller

I adore Arnie the Doughnut, but most importantly my students LOVE Arnie the Doughnut.  For the last couple of years students do a book trailer on a picture book they love.  Every year at least two pick Arnie the Doughnut.  One year one student went the extra mile and brought in a chocolate sprinkle covered doughnut to film.

When I found out the Laurie Keller was going to share more of her humorous writing with us I was thrilled.  As most of us know reading teachers are notoriously non-thorough readers.  I say this because I originally went into The Bookies to buy it only to discover that it hadn’t been released.  I ordered and it came in and then sat on my TBR stack.  I took my niece to a swim meet last Friday, so I took The Adventures of Arnie the Doughnut Bowling Alley Bandit with me to read while I waited.  My parents and nephew arrived as the meet began.  Levi found the copy and that was that. 

Levi opting out of swim meet.

He sat reading it to himself and aloud to my dad.  As a new first grader he will have NO problems with fluency.  He was so excited to learn what a whoopee cushion is.  I’m sure his teacher will be thrilled.

The new Arnie book is an illustrated chapter book.  What is important about Laurie’s books is her use of multi-level texts.  There is the direct text that is easy for the reader to follow. Then, the reader has to notice everything else on the page because the tiny bubble speech might be crucial to the story, or there is a whole page comparing the weight of the doughnut to a bowling ball with Albert Einstein looking on saying “Impossible!”.

As with the Lunch Lady series I foresee begging, “borrowing”, and long lines of students waiting to read this book.  I can’t wait for the next one.

TWERP by Mark Goldblatt

I’ve written about bullying in the past.  I shared how it impacted me and how it still damages kids today.  A few years ago a school psychologist did an anti-bullying program with my class, and it was one of the most effective ones.  He talked about how there are multiple types of bullies.  There is “the bully”, the one that actually does the deed or thinks it up.  There is “the posse”, the ones that help or follow; and finally, the spectators.  We all know them they are the ones that just watch and do nothing. The posse and the spectators give the bully power!

Recently Random House sent me a copy of Twerp by Mark Goldblatt.  It is a story about Julian Twerski.  He is the sixth grade and was suspended for a week for an action he doesn’t want to think about.  Twerp is set in 1969.  Julian’s English teacher tells him he can get out of a Shakespeare assignment is he writes a journal of his life.  He eventually fills over 10 composition books.  While we read his entries we learn a lot about this young man.  Julian is gifted, and that doesn’t sit well with his best friend.  We, also, find out that, his best friend, Lonnie is the true bully.

I am not going spoil the ending, but as time goes on it is easy to tell that Julian is a major part of the posse.  His misguided sense of loyalty to Lonnie gets him into more trouble than he deserves.  During my time with Julian I got very angry with him, and almost gave up on him; but I knew there was something in him that made him special.  I am my no means defending his actions, but I believe that his empathy will guide him away from Lonnie.

Here’s the deal.  This will be a powerful read aloud for 5^th grade and 6^th grade classes.  It will allow for discussion on making right choices even if it goes against the wishes of friends. I would put in a fourth grade library, and share with mature third graders.

Otis Dooda Strange but True by Ellen Potter

I love Manhattan.  It is a magical city.  We went earlier in the month for a mini vacation filled with shopping and eating.  Waiting in line for a burger from the Shake Shack is so worth it!!! Walking through the neighborhoods I am still blown away by the density of people and everything that comes with that. 

Me in front of the Lego Store at Rockefeller Center

I love Lego.  It is a magical invention.  I played with it when I was a kid, and am amazed on all the choices today.  I really want the Death Star kit!!! In my classroom is large tub of the remaining Lego of my youth.  At the beginning of each year I explain that there aren’t figures etc., and each year students create the same type of things I did as a kid.  Kids use imagination regardless.

Anyhow, combine Manhattan and Lego into one book and you have me.  Otis Dooda Strange but True by Ellen Potter does just that.  Otis and his family have to move to New York because his dad has a new job.  At the start we are introduced to Otis’ family.  His brother refers to him as “Lego Nerd”.  Funny that reading that it is easy to figure out kids that fit that name!  Moving to New York means living in an apartment. 

Middle grade books that take place in apartment building are great because in a small space there are so many different types of characters.  This is true in Otis Dooda.  There is Julius the doorman (he is in control), the Plant Guy (more on him in a bit), Perry (soon to be best friend, and Cat (short for Cat Girl).  In one short week Otis makes friends, and experiences some strange situations.  I mean getting shot in to marshmallow fluff sound like fun!  The one thing that bothers everyone in the building is the Plant Guy. Someone is hiding behind the large plant in the lobby and expects payment to get by.  The three new friends decide they are going to figure out whom it is.  They plan and plan, and well you have to read the book to find out.

I enjoyed reading Otis Dooda.  I plan on getting a few copies to use in a guided group.  It is a fatter book then most books at a low third grade level.  This is good because kids will feel successful finishing a bigger book.  It will also be useful for discussing setting.

I want to thank Ellen Potter for sending me a copy.  I am sorry I couldn’t get it together to participate with your book tour.  Packing up to move schools was more emotional than I anticipated.