Update #3 — Year End Wrap Up: My Must Read Books in 2015

Hello, fellow #MustReadin2015 readers! It’s time for my second check in of the year for what I’ve been reading from my list. In a nutshell, not a whole lot of reading checked off on this list but progress is progress! You can see what else I’ve been reading and enjoying here.

Thanks to encouragement from Carrie, at There’s a Book for That, I created a list of books I really want to read during 2015. My list below does not include any 2015 published works, just 2014 or before. These of course won’t be the only books I read this year. There will be plenty of detours along the way and certainly lots of stopping to check out much praised books of 2015, but it’s a great place to start! To see what I’ve read so far this year, look for titles that have been crossed out–blue means I finished those prior to our first check-in and red means I’ve read those since our last check-in. If I really enjoyed the book, I added an asterisk after the title. So far in 2015, I’ve read some gems!

We’d love to have you join us! Happy reading! Follow along on Twitter with the hashtag #mustreadin2015 .

My Must Read Books in 2015

Books read to date: 9/25 

Books for Adults

  

• The Orchardist by Amanda Coplin – finished in August:  I liked this, but it won’t be for everyone. It felt very Steinbeck-like for me with a plot driven by flawed characters, set in Washington State.
• The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown ** – finished in January

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Middle Grade Titles

• Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff** – finished in January
• A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban** — finished in September
• Death by Toilet Paper by Donna Gephart** – finished in February

• Dory Fantasmagroy by Abby Hanlon** – finished in February
• The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly
• Glory Be by Augusta Scattergood — finished in December; I liked this, but I probably prefer Revolution by Deborah Wiles for stories of a similar theme.

• Gone-Away Lake by Elizabeth Enright
• Guys Read: Other Worlds edited by Jon Scieszka — finished in December
• Mathilda by Roald Dahl** – finished in February

• The Meaning of Maggie by Megan Jean Sovern** – finished in March
• Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea** – finished in March on audio
• Nest by Esther Ehrlich 

 

• One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia
• Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin
• Secret Hum of Daisy by Tracy Holczer

  

• Titanic: Voices from the Disaster by Deborah Hopkinson
• Under the Egg by Laura Mars Fitzgerald
• West of the Moon by Margi Preus

---

Graphic Novel

• Amulet: The Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibuishi

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Young Adult Titles

• Aristotle and Dante by Benjamin Alire Saenz – finished in July: I loved this touching, often heart-breaking coming of age story.
• If I Stay by Gayle Forman – finished in November

• Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein — finished in December
• The Summer of Letting Go by Gae Polisner — finished in September

 

 

 

Update #2: My Must Read Books in 2015

Hello, fellow #MustReadin2015 readers! It’s time for my second check in of the year for what I’ve been reading from my list. In a nutshell, not a whole lot of reading checked off on this list but progress is progress! You can see what else I’ve been reading and enjoying here.

Thanks to encouragement from Carrie, at There’s a Book for That, I created a list of books I really want to read during 2015. My list below does not include any 2015 published works, just 2014 or before. These of course won’t be the only books I read this year. There will be plenty of detours along the way and certainly lots of stopping to check out much praised books of 2015, but it’s a great place to start! To see what I’ve read so far this year, look for titles that have been crossed out–blue means I finished those prior to our first check-in and red means I’ve read those since our last check-in. If I really enjoyed the book, I added an asterisk after the title. So far in 2015, I’ve read some gems!

We’d love to have you join us! Happy reading! Follow along on Twitter with the hashtag #mustreadin2015 .

My Must Read Books in 2015

Books read to date: 9/25 

Books for Adults

  

• The Orchardist by Amanda Coplin – finished in August:  I liked this, but it won’t be for everyone. It felt very Steinbeck-like for me with a plot driven by flawed characters, set in Washington State.
• The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown ** – finished in January

---

Middle Grade Titles

• Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff** – finished in January
• A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban — currently listening to this on audio
• Death by Toilet Paper by Donna Gephart** – finished in February

• Dory Fantasmagroy by Abby Hanlon** – finished in February
• The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly
• Glory Be by Augusta Scattergood — currently listening to this title

• Gone-Away Lake by Elizabeth Enright
• Guys Read: Other Worlds edited by Jon Scieszka
• Mathilda by Roald Dahl** – finished in February

• The Meaning of Maggie by Megan Jean Sovern** – finished in March
• Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea** – finished in March on audio
• Nest by Esther Ehrlich 

 

• One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia
• Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin
• Secret Hum of Daisy by Tracy Holczer

  

• Titanic: Voices from the Disaster by Deborah Hopkinson
• Under the Egg by Laura Mars Fitzgerald
• West of the Moon by Margi Preus

---

Graphic Novel

• Amulet: The Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibuishi

---

Young Adult Titles

• Aristotle and Dante by Benjamin Alire Saenz – finished in July: I loved this touching, often heart-breaking coming of age story.
• If I Stay by Gayle Forman

• Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein
• The Summer of Letting Go by Gae Polisner

 

 

 

Update #1: My Must Read Books in 2015

Happy Spring, fellow readers! I don’t know about you, but I’m looking forward to warmer, sunnier days that might even permit some outside reading time! Thanks to encouragement from Carrie, at There’s a Book for That, I created a list of books I really want to read during 2015. My list below does not include any 2015 published works, just 2014 or before. These of course won’t be the only books I read this year. There will be plenty of detours along the way and certainly lots of stopping to check out much praised books of 2015, but it’s a great place to start! To see what I’ve read so far this year, look for titles that have been crossed out and are now in red. If I really enjoyed the book, I added an asterisk after the title. So far in 2015, I’ve read some gems!

We’d love to have you join us! Happy reading! Follow along on Twitter with the hashtag #mustreadin2015 .

My Must Read Books in 2015

Books read to date: 7/25 

Books for Adults

  

• The Orchardist by Amanda Coplin
• The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown **

---

Middle Grade Titles

• Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff**
• A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban
• Death by Toilet Paper by Donna Gephart**

• Dory Fantasmagroy by Abby Hanlon**
• The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly
• Glory Be by Augusta Scattergood (currently listening to this title)

• Gone-Away Lake by Elizabeth Enright
• Guys Read: Other Worlds edited by Jon Scieszka
• Mathilda by Roald Dahl**

• The Meaning of Maggie by Megan Jean Sovern**
• Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea**
• Nest by Esther Ehrlich 

 

• One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia
• Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin
• Secret Hum of Daisy by Tracy Holczer

  

• Titanic: Voices from the Disaster by Deborah Hopkinson
• Under the Egg by Laura Mars Fitzgerald
• West of the Moon by Margi Preus

---

Graphic Novel

• Amulet: The Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibuishi

---

Young Adult Titles

• Aristotle and Dante by Benjamin Alire Saenz
• If I Stay by Gayle Forman

• Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein
• The Summer of Letting Go by Gae Polisner

 

 

 

Auntie Book Fairy — Rescue on the Oregon Trail by Kate Messner

Today, I am visiting my nephews’ classrooms as Auntie Book Fairy. I visit T’s fourth grade classroom to share Capture the Flag and A’s third grade classroom to share Ranger in Time: Rescue on the Oregon Trail, both by Kate Messner. I will book talk each title and leave copies of each to be a part of their classroom libraries.

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 Ranger in Time: Rescue on the Oregon Trail

Kate Messner

Scholastic Press, 2015

You can watch a brief trailer on the book here.

A little bit about the story from the publisher:

Meet Ranger! He’s a time-traveling golden retriever who has a nose for trouble . . . and always saves the day!

Ranger has been trained as a search-and-rescue dog, but can’t officially pass the test because he’s always getting distracted by squirrels during exercises. One day, he finds a mysterious first aid kit in the garden and is transported to the year 1850, where he meets a young boy named Sam Abbott. Sam’s family is migrating west on the Oregon Trail, and soon after Ranger arrives he helps the boy save his little sister. Ranger thinks his job is done, but the Oregon Trail can be dangerous, and the Abbotts need Ranger’s help more than they realize!

Why I like it:

• It has a wee bit of magic with the time-traveling dog, but it is also packed full of adventure and interesting stuff about history.
• Kate Messner makes really exciting books that make me want to keep reading as one chapter ends.
• I like books where I learn new stuff as I go, but it is still really entertaining.
• It’s a series! Danger in Ancient Rome is set to come out this June.

You might like it if . . .

• You like adventure books like The Magic Tree House series.
• You like dogs.
• You like learning about history.

Visit the author’s website when you have permission from your teacher or parent!

Other books you might like. . .

     

    

 

 

Auntie Book Fairy — Capture the Flag by Kate Messner

Today, I am visiting my nephews’ classrooms as Auntie Book Fairy. I visit T’s fourth grade classroom to share Capture the Flag and A’s third grade classroom to share Ranger in Time: Rescue on the Oregon Trail, both by Kate Messner. I will book talk each title and leave copies of each to be a part of their classroom libraries.

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 Capture the Flag

Kate Messner

Scholastic Press, 2012

You can even read two chapters from the book right here! How cool is that?

Why I like it:

• It is super exciting! Almost every chapter ends in a cliff hanger that has you itching to read the next chapter.

• The characters, Anna, Jose, and Henry are kids, but they’re smart and resourceful when dealing with some pretty bad guys.

• I love the setting of Washington, DC, The Smithsonian, and the innards of the airport.

• It’s a series! Hide and Seek (2013) and Manhunt (2014) are just as exciting, but this time the stories take place in Costa Rica and Paris, France.

You might like it if . . .

• You like mystery books, including Nancy Drew, Sammy Keyes, or John Grisham’s Thedore Boone: Kid Detective series
• If you like thrilling books with great chase scenes!

Extra! Extra! Want more?

Authors really do use writing planners and organizers! Check out these notes, timelines, and story maps that Kate used while writing Capture the Flag. She even explains what each paper is here.

Or be sure to stop by her the author’s website when you have permission from your teacher or parent!

Other books you might like. . .

   

  

My Must Read Books in 2015

Happy New Year! I found last year it was quite helpful to have a plan, a guide, if you will, to my reading intentions for the year. With a to-be-read list of over 1,000 books, choosing what to read next can be rather overwhelming. Thanks to encouragement from Carrie, at There’s a Book for That, I created a list of books I really wanted to get to during 2014. Those of us sharing our progress used the hashtag #MustReadin2014.  I finished 29/38 books from my list last year. I’m doing it again here and you can check out Carrie’s post with links to others who have posted their #MustReadin2015 lists. Unlike last year, there are no books published in the current year, just 2014 or before. These of course won’t be the only books I read this year. There will be plenty of detours along the way and certainly lots of stopping to check out much praised books of 2015, but it’s a great place to start. We’d love to have you join us! Happy reading!

Books for Adults

  

• The Orchardist by Amanda Coplin
• The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown

---

Middle Grade Titles

• Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff
• A Crooked Kind of Perfect by Linda Urban
• Death by Toilet Paper by Dnna Gephart

• Dory Fantasmagroy by Abby Hanlon
• The Evolution of Calpurnia Tate by Jacqueline Kelly
• Glory Be by Augusta Scattergood

• Gone-Away Lake by Elizabeth Enright
• Guys Read: Other Worlds edited by Jon Scieszka
• Mathilda by Roald Dahl

• The Meaning of Maggie by Megan Jean Sovern
• Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea
• Nest by Esther Ehrlich 

 

• One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia
• Rain Reign by Ann M. Martin
• Secret Hum of Daisy by Tracy Holczer

  

• Titanic: Voices from the Disaster by Deborah Hopkinson
• Under the Egg by Laura Mars Fitzgerald
• West of the Moon by Margi Preus

---

Graphic Novel

• Amulet: The Stonekeeper by Kazu Kibuishi

---

Young Adult Titles

• Aristotle and Dante by Benjamin Alire Saenz
• If I Stay by Gayle Forman

• Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein
• The Summer of Letting Go by Gae Polisner

 

 

 

Must Read in 2014 – Final Update

As 2014 draws to a close, it’s time for me to do my final wrap up on my 2014 reading challenge, known as the Must Read in 2014 (#mustreadin2014), over on Twitter. Many thanks to Carrie who got us all organized with this challenge and is graciously hosting our updates, so be sure to head over to her blog for the official link up. Below is the list of books I initially posted about in January that I wanted to read during 2014. It is mix of older titles, 2013 titles, and new 2014 titles. I’ve crossed out the books I have read to date. 

So, how did I do? Of my 38 titles listed, I finished 29 titles and sadly abandoned one additional title. Books I’ve finished since the last update in mid-October are marked in red; previously completed titles are noted in blue. Ones that I especially adored and recommend are marked with double asterisks, **.

Newbery Challenge goals–I wanted to read 12 books. I read 9 titles.

Caldecott Challenge g0als–I pretty much went nowhere with that one.

Did I bite off more than I can chew for my 2014 goals? Probably. I find I’m to easily distracted by all the shiny new books that everyone is talking about, but I’m glad I had this as a rough guide to encourage me not to forget these other titles. 

If you’ve done an update for this challenge, please share the link in the comments. I’d love to come check out what you’ve enjoyed, too! Happy Reading!

 

Must Read Books in 2014

Read 29/38

Abandoned to date 1/38

Not Read 8/38

Books for Adults

Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri Read October 2014**

In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson Read April 2014

Delancey by Molly Wizenberg Read in June 2014**

 

Middle Grade Novels

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Runaway King (Ascendance Trilogy #2) by Jennifer Nielsen (2013)

Hold Fast by Blue Balliett (2013) 

Better Nate Than Ever by Tim Federle (2013) Read January 2014 **

The Year of Shadows by Claire LeGrand (2013)

The Apprentices (The Apothecary #2) by Maile Meloy (2013) ABANDONED November 2014 (I found it very disorganized and jumpy)

Beholding Bee by Kimberly Newton (2013) Read October 2014

Rump by Liesl Shurtliff (2013) | Read January 2014 **

Zebra Forest by Adina Rishe Gewirtz (2013) Read January 2014

May B. by Caroline Starr Rose (2012) Read in May 2014**

Titanic: Voices from the Disaster by Deborah Hopkinson (2012)

Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai (2011) Read in May 2014**

 

A Dog Called Homeless by Sarah Lean (2012) Read in August 2014**

Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper (2010) Read in November 2014**

The 13-Story Treehouse by Andy Griffiths (2011) Read January 2014

 

Al Capone Shines My Shoes by Gennifer Choldenko (2009) Read in August 2014**

Al Capone Does My Homework  by Gennifer Choldenko (2013) Read in September 2014**

Temple Grandin by Sy Montgomery (2012)

 

Young Adult Titles

Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein (2013)

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell (2013) Read January 2014 **

The Living by Matt de la Pena (2013) Read January 2014 **

 

The Pull of Gravity by Gae Polisner (2011)  Read in August 2014**

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie (2007) Read in May 2014**

Aristotle and Dante by Benjamin Alire Saenz (2012)

Me Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews Read in July 2014**

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Jumping Off Swings by Jo Knowles Read in August 2014**

Graphic Novels

Drama by Raina Telgemeier (2012) Read in May 2014**

The Great American Dust Bowl by Dan Brown (2013) Read January 2014 **

2014 Titles I’m most looking forward to reading:

Princess Labelmaker to the Rescue by Tom Angleberger Read in May 2014**

The Spy Catchers of Maple Hill by Megan Frazer Blakemore Read in June 2014**

Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy by Karen Foxlee Read in February 2014 **

Five, Six, Seven, Nate! by Tim Federle Read in February 2014 **

The 26-Story Tree House by Andy Griffiths Read in April 2014 **

Marty McGuire Has Too Many Pets!by Kate Messner Read in March 2014 **

The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer L. Holm Read in October 2014**

_____________________

Newbery Challenge Goal

Read to date: 9/12

King of the Wind by Marguerite Henry, Newbery Medal 1949 Read in February 2014

The Door in the Wall by Marguerite de Angeli, Newbery Medal 1950 Read in March 2014

Amos Fortune, Free Man by Elizabeth Yates, Newbery Medal 1951 Read in May 2014

Ginger Pye by Eleanor Estes, Newbery Medal 1952 Read in May 2014

Secret of the Andes by Ann Nolan Clark, Newbery Medal 1953 Read in June 2014

And Now Miguel . . . by Joseph Crumhold, Newbery Medal 1954 Read in August 2014

Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary, Newbery Medal 1984 Read in August 2014**

Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech, Newbery Medal 1995 Read in August 2014**

Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George, Newbery Medal Read in October 2014

My goal was 12 books, or an average of one per month. I’m grateful to have fellow blogger, Elisabeth, from The Dirigible Plum along for the ride as we slowly plug through the challenging middle years of the Newbery Challenge.

 

 

_____________________

Caldecott Challenge Goal

Progress to date : Meh

I’m aiming to get through all Caldecott Medal and Honor winners through 1979. I found I really got weighed down in the 1950s, but I’m hoping to get back some steam for the Caldecott Challenge.

No real progress made here . . .

 

_____________________

Cheers and may your 2014 be filled with many wonderful reading memories!

October Book Fairy Visit!

As The Book Fairy, I recently made a visit to my youngest daughter’s 5th grade classroom to share Jonathan Auxier’s spooky and delightful The Night Gardeners, a tale set in Victorian England. Auxier has crafted a story that quickly draws you in and entertains you to the very end, all the while creating detailed scenes and memorable characters. I know spooky books aren’t for all, but this is one even adult readers will enjoy, as well as strong readers 4th grade and up. Click here to head to my Book Fairy website to learn more about the story. It’s a perfect read for a stormy week!

Must Read in 2014 – Update #3

It is mid-way through October and we are now more than three-fourths the way through 2014. How am I doing on my reading goals for the year? This is part of my 2014 reading challenge, known fondly on Twitter as the #MustReadIn2014 Challenge. Carrie got us all organized to do this, so be sure to head over to her blog for the official link up. My pace of reading titles from this list have slowed a bit, but I’m steadily chipping away at it. Below is the list of books I initially posted about in January that I wanted to read during 2014. It is mix of older titles, 2013 titles, and new 2014 titles. I’ve crossed out the books I have read to date. I’m still reading plenty of other books too, but this is a sort of check list to books I am hoping to get to by year’s end. Books I’ve finished in the last three months or am currently reading are marked in red; previously completed titles are denoted in blue. Ones that I especially adored and recommend are marked with double asterisks, **. That Caldecott Challenge? Hmm . . . not so good on that one. Maybe next year? And as for the thirteen remaining titles on my list, plus my goal of four more Newbery titles by December 31 means only one thing. Must. Read. Faster.

If you’ve done an update for this challenge, please share the link in the comments. I’d love to come check out what you’ve enjoyed, too! Happy Reading and happy summer reading!

 

Must Read Books in 2014

Read to date 25/38

Books for Adults

Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri Currently Reading

In the Garden of Beasts by Erik Larson Read April 2014

Delancey by Molly Wizenberg Read in June 2014**

 

Middle Grade Novels

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Runaway King (Ascendance Trilogy #2) by Jennifer Nielsen (2013)

Hold Fast by Blue Balliett (2013) 

Better Nate Than Ever by Tim Federle (2013) Read January 2014 **

The Year of Shadows by Claire LeGrand (2013)

The Apprentices (The Apothecary #2) by Maile Meloy (2013)

Beholding Bee by Kimberly Newton (2013) Currently “reading with my ears”

Rump by Liesl Shurtliff (2013) | Read January 2014 **

Zebra Forest by Adina Rishe Gewirtz (2013) Read January 2014

May B. by Caroline Starr Rose (2012) Read in May 2014**

Titanic: Voices from the Disaster by Deborah Hopkinson (2012)

Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai (2011) Read in May 2014**

 

A Dog Called Homeless by Sarah Lean (2012) Read in August 2014**

Out of My Mind by Sharon M. Draper (2010)

The 13-Story Treehouse by Andy Griffiths (2011) Read January 2014

 

Al Capone Shines My Shoes by Gennifer Choldenko (2009) Read in August 2014**

Al Capone Does My Homework  by Gennifer Choldenko (2013) Read in September 2014**

Temple Grandin by Sy Montgomery (2012)

 

Young Adult Titles

Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein (2013)

Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell (2013) Read January 2014 **

The Living by Matt de la Pena (2013) Read January 2014 **

 

The Pull of Gravity by Gae Polisner (2011)  Read in August 2014**

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie (2007) Read in May 2014**

Aristotle and Dante by Benjamin Alire Saenz (2012)

Me Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews Read in July 2014**

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Jumping Off Swings by Jo Knowles Read in August 2014**

Graphic Novels

Drama by Raina Telgemeier (2012) Read in May 2014**

The Great American Dust Bowl by Dan Brown (2013) Read January 2014 **

2014 Titles I’m most looking forward to reading:

Princess Labelmaker to the Rescue by Tom Angleberger Read in May 2014**

The Spy Catchers of Maple Hill by Megan Frazer Blakemore Read in June 2014**

Ophelia and the Marvelous Boy by Karen Foxlee Read in February 2014 **

Five, Six, Seven, Nate! by Tim Federle Read in February 2014 **

The 26-Story Tree House by Andy Griffiths Read in April 2014 **

Marty McGuire Has Too Many Pets!by Kate Messner Read in March 2014 **

The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer L. Holm

_____________________

Newbery Challenge Goal

Read to date: 8/12

King of the Wind by Marguerite Henry, Newbery Medal 1949 Read in February 2014

The Door in the Wall by Marguerite de Angeli, Newbery Medal 1950 Read in March 2014

Amos Fortune, Free Man by Elizabeth Yates, Newbery Medal 1951 Read in May 2014

Ginger Pye by Eleanor Estes, Newbery Medal 1952 Read in May 2014

Secret of the Andes by Ann Nolan Clark, Newbery Medal 1953 Read in June 2014

And Now Miguel . . . by Joseph Crumhold, Newbery Medal 1954 Read in August 2014

Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary, Newbery Medal 1984 Read in August 2014**

Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech, Newbery Medal 1995 Read in August 2014**

Julie of the Wolves by Jean Craighead George, Newbery Medal Currently Reading

I’m shooting for 12 books, or an average of one per month. I’m grateful to have fellow blogger, Elisabeth, from The Dirigible Plum along for the ride as we slowly plug through the challenging middle years of the Newbery Challenge.

 

 

_____________________

Caldecott Challenge Goal

Progress to date : Meh

I’m aiming to get through all Caldecott Medal and Honor winners through 1979. I found I really got weighed down in the 1950s, but I’m hoping to get back some steam for the Caldecott Challenge.

 

_____________________

Cheers and may your 2014 be filled with many wonderful reading memories!

So what is this #BookFairy thing?

You’re a what? A Book Fairy?

No, I don’t actually wear wings, but I do make special deliveries! Some of my local friends may be aware of my role as the Book Fairy at our elementary school, but I realize that not all of you are know about the best volunteer gig I’ve got going. I realize that it’s hard for many teachers and school libraries to keep up with all the new titles and buzz around the books which kids are eagerly reading. Time is tight. Money and budgets are even tighter. And then how do you find the really great books among the sea of titles published each year. In other words, it is hard to keep up. Fortunately, a few years ago I wandered into the Twitter community that is the Nerdy Book Club where educators, librarians, and even parents, like myself, share titles that are really connecting with young readers. I was already someone who was ready and willing to give reading recommendations to anyone who’d listen, and yes, even random strangers at the bookstore or library, so I thought I’d pair my penchant for sharing with my Nerdy Book Club resources and bring them into the school. Two years ago, I approached my kids’ teachers, in third grade and fifth grade, about the possibility of coming in once a month to share new-to-the classroom books. Lucky for me, they said “But, of course!” And so it began.

What’s a visit like?

During a Book Fairy visit I typically share one, maybe two books, giving a plot synopsis and using book trailers and author interviews when they’re available. Sometimes I might read a short passage. My favorite part of my presentations is my quick book talks on other books that kids might like to read if they’ve enjoyed my shared titles, or maybe are awaiting their turn to read the copy I shared. At the end, I leave my feature book to become part of the classroom library. I try to bring a variety of books over the course of the year that will include different genres, reading levels and even formats (I adore graphic novels!!). Hearing reports from my kids about which titles are be handed from one eager reader to the next is so satisfying to this big book nerd. I have so much fun sharing these books and I hope the kids get a little reading inspiration from my visits, too!

Here’s a snapshot of the books I’ve shared to date. Three Four classrooms, 38 books.

 

Today, I am making my first visit of the school year and I suspect I will meet some eager students when I share these two sure-hit favorites. Head here to be taken to the website I’m using this 2014-15 school year.

  

And here are links for my past sharing sites:

2012-13 Third Grade

2013-14 Fourth Grade

2012-13 Fifth Grade