The Emerald Atlas - an oldie but a goodie

 

If you’re looking for an adventure , then this book might be right up your alley !  Siblings Kate, Michael, and Emma have been in one orphanage after another for the last ten years, passed along like lost baggage. 

  
Yet these unwanted children are more remarkable than they could possibly imagine. Ripped from their parents as babies, they are being protected from a horrible evil of devastating power, an evil they know nothing about. 
  
Until now. 
  
Before long, Kate, Michael, and Emma are on a journey through time to dangerous and secret corners of the world . . . a journey of allies and enemies, of magic and mayhem. And—if an ancient prophesy is true—what they do can change history, and it's up to them to set things right. 

 

This is what I have been reading , what have you been reading?

Look at the books below ! I am so excited to get these wonderful books in our library! If you can't wait , your local library will have some of them! Some are not published just yet, but will be in  the fall!

Grover reading There is a Monster At The End of The Book

I love to hear Grover read!!

Click here to see the Grover read aloud

Read and Learn with Simon Kids!

Subscribe to this awesome Simon and Schuster Kids Youtube channel for read alouds, science lessons, history lessons, crafts and more!!

Click here : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTjLHi6qZaLcm6ZrWW3JLiA

More library renovation pictures!

These pictures were taken on 6/24! Look how the library has changed! I love the blue walls!

Rita and Ralph's Rotten Day

Rita and Ralph's Rotten Day shows the ups and downs of a true friendship. Rita and Ralph are neighbors ( they each live on a neighboring hill) and do everything together. One day, a game goes wrong and each of them goes home angry. They each try to say sorry in their own way which doesnt work. But the next day is a new day, they meet in the middle to apologize and get their friendship back on track. A must for elementary readers! We have all been through something like this! Download it at the Frisco Public Library or your local library!

Alistair Grim's Odditorium

If you are looking for a fantasy chapter book, then this book might be for you! It had several starred reviews and has a sequel, so I checked it out from the Frisco Public Library as an ebook! I am so glad I did. Grubb is a twelve year living the miserable existence as a chimney sweep. He was abandoned as a baby and lives with his cruel master. One day as he is cleaning an inn, he stows away in a horse driven coach owned by a mysterious guest and once he emerges from Alistair Grim's trunk, he encounters the wonderful world of Odditorium, a place with all kinds of enchanted objects. Grubb then helps Grim and his colleagues fight evil from overtaking the Odditorium. Twists and turns and a great adventure!

The Undefeated

The Undefeated is the Caldecott Medal and Newbery Honor Winning poetry book of 2020! Earning both honors is rare. Watercolor illustrations by Kadir Nelson and poetry written by Kwame Alexander ( both of which have won numerous awards) makes this picture book a page turner. The poetry is like a love letter to black life in the United States and highlights the trauma of slavery and the civil rights movement. It depicts the perseverance of some of some of the world's greatest heroes. There are also references to Martin Luther King, Jr., Langston Hughes, Gwendolyn Brooks and others. This book will be available in our library in the fall and it is available from your local library as an ebook!

The One and Only Bob

   

The One and Only Bob is the sequel to The One and Only Ivan, the best selling Newbery Medal  Award  winning novel by Katherine Applegate. The One and Only Ivan is a fiction based story on the real life gorilla , Ivan, who lived in a shopping mall with other animals for 27 years. The story is about how his life is shaped by best friends Stella and Bob. The One and Only Bob picks up a little bit later after where the The One and Only Ivan ends, and  in the newest installment, we find Bob living life well in his new home and visiting his friends Ivan and Ruby as they face a hurricane that has the potential of ruining their sanctuary. Wonderful story with a great ending!! The first several pages are included in the First Chapter Friday section of this blog and this book can be downloaded from your local library as an ebook!

The Stepmom Shakeup by Niki Lenz

                                                

                                                

The Stepmom Shakeup is Niki Lenz's 2nd book. Her first book is the belly laughing Texas Bluebonnet nominee, Bernice Buttman, Model Citizen. This book did not disappoint either. I needed a good laugh after the last few days' events and this book hit the spot! Grace Martin learns that her dad is ready to date again 3 years after her mother's death, and Grace just isn't ready for him to date. She and her friend Bea pull all kinds of pranks trying to sabotage his dates. Until she finally recognizes the woman who is right for her dad and then she devises all kinds of shenanigans  trying to get them together. I loved Bernice Buttman and loved this story,  too. Niki Lenz's books reminded me of The Terrible Two series so anyone that  needs some humor in their life will like this book! This book drops around June 20th. We will for sure have it in our library in the fall.  Look for it at your local public library this summer.

The Ickabog-JK Rowling's new read aloud... read aloud here!

I've been hearing about JK Rowling's new story. Lots of librarians are really liking it. I am going to try to start reading it this weekend! This book is not like Harry Potter and there isn't any magic in it. It is for ages 7 and up. Several chapters are posted every few days until around July 10th. The book publishes in November!! I've seen several comparisons to Roald Dahl's The BFG.

                                            

                                                      https://www.theickabog.com/home/

A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat

I checked this ebook out of the Frisco Public Library because I had heard such great things about the story. The author,  Christina Soontornvat, is an Austin based author that attended Frisco Librarypalooza last year. She has some earlier chapter reads that I have heard are good, Diary of an Ice Princess series and the The Changelings duology. Kirkus Reviews also gives this book a great review. I have never seen Les Miserables or read it, but this book is an almost complete retelling with a Thai flair. Pong escapes a Thai prison because he was born there, not because of anything he has done. Nok, a daughter of the prison warden, goes on a mission to find him and return him to the prison to restore her father's good name. This book has some twists and turns and some great realizations for both Pong and Nok. It's also an engaging adventure!

Lift by Minh Le and Dan Santat

Illustrator Dan Santat has another winning story under his belt. This time , Ming Le is the author and Dan Santat is the illustrator. This new picture book is told in a large graphic novel format of a young girl who loves to push the elevator buttons in her apartment building when she and her family use the elevator. One day, her younger brother beats her to it, and she can't get over her disappointment because that was her job. Then one day she finds an elevator repairman working on the elevator and notices  a discarded elevator button panel in the trash.  She takes it and places it on wall next to her closed and you have to see what happens next! Love the girl's imagination in this story!! A definite must read! 

2 great Bluebonnets I just finished....

I just finished these two bluebonnets that I really enjoyed. You can  never go wrong with a book by Margaret Peterson Haddix. I  have loved everything I have read from her, and this new story didnt disappoint. All I will say is that she is the queen of time travel/other dimension stories and if those stories are for you, this book is an ebook on Sora and The Frisco Public Library. I really enjoyed it. The sequel was published last month.

 A Wolf Called Wander is a heartwarming story of Wander who gets separated from his wolf family and struggles to survive on his own. More than anything , he would like to belong to another wolf pack. This reminded me of another book that I dearly love , Pax (by Sara Pennypacker). I really enjoyed this book, too. It is also available on Sora and The Frisco Public Library. Since both books are on the Texas Bluebonnet list, I would think all local libraries will have them as a book or ebook. Or even as an audiobook if you would like to listen to it!

Ogilvy

Ogilvy is a book on the new Texas 2x2 list. Ogilvy moves to a new town and is excited to head to the park to meet the new bunnies. Everything is going well until the bunnies ask him what he is wearing. Is it a sweater or a dress? Does it matter he asks? Yes , they say. If you are wearing a sweater you can do art and climb rocks, but if you are wearing a dress, you can knit and play ball. So, what does Ogilvy do? You have to read to find out! This book has a great message , and I just might read it to several grade levels when school starts back in the fall! Another favorite!!

New Pictures from the library renovation taken on May 8th.

1. Panoramic view of the library from outside of the library door.




2. View towards the entrance to the library from the middle of the library. The entrance to the library is the opening to the left along with 2 niches you can see on the right.

Planet Omar - Accidental Trouble Magnet

Planet Omar is a wonderful diverse story for early readers. Omar moves with his family to another part of London and is nervous starting a new school. Omar makes a friend right away but also catches the attention of a bully right away. All of this while getting used to a new house and a nosy, prejudiced neighbor next door. The illustrations give the story a Diary of A Wimpy Kid feel along with all of Omar's thoughts and actions which makes the story fun to read!

The Oldest Student by Rita Lorraine Hubbard , illustrated by Oge Mora ( Caldecott Honor winning artist)

In 1848, Mary Walker was born into slavery. When she turned 15, she was freed. At 20, she married and had her first child. At 68, she was still working and raising money for her church. At 114, she was the last remaining member of her family. At 116, she learned to read! This story proves that you are never too old to learn. Caldecott Honor winning illustrator Oge Mora partners with new author Rita Lorraine Hubbard to tell the story of our nation's oldest student!

Look at what is happening to the library!!

I have been taking some pictures of the library as it is being remodeled-take a look!!!

1. April 15th- the workers are starting on the library!


2. April 22nd- I took this picture laying on my stomach under the drape were the library doors used to be. You can see that the smaller two classrooms and the circulation desk are gone!


3. April 24th - this picture was taken as a panoramic from the outside library door. You can start to see the library office being framed. The big black drape is where the library doors were.


4. April 30th- the picture was taken from the outside library door. The front entrance to the library will not have doors and is to the right of the blue machine.  The two smaller rooms you see behind the worker will be two glassed in green screen rooms! The front of the library where the doors were are just to the left of those rooms.

Don't forget to check the library activities page on the right of your screen!

Read When Sue Found Sue on Epic and then follow along with a
directed drawing of a T. Rex!

From a very young age, Sue Hendrickson was meant to find things:
lost coins, perfume bottles, even hidden treasure. Find out when
Sue Hendrickson found a T. Rex! Read When Sue Found Sue here on Epic: 

https://www.getepic.com/app/read/66083

Then Watch The Book Wrangler show you how to draw a T. Rex here:

https://safeshare.tv/x/ss5e9f2bd241396#

Did you know that Epic has fun monthly reading calendars?

Epic has monthly calendars with reading activities. See May’s calendar here: Epic May Calendar

More reading activities here: www.bit.ly/FISDreadingneverstops

I Wonder

In KA Holt's picture book debut, she wonders about all kinds of neat things. This is a picture book that speaks to all ages as we ask  questions about all kinds of things. Even things that you have never thought of. This book is perfect for those that have a healthy curiosity but more importantly for those that have been discouraged from asking why, or who were afraid of asking in the first place. The illustrations are whimsy surrounding each question. This story can easily fuel and sustain the love and value of personal learning. KA Holt usually writes chapter books for upper elementary and middle school. She writes House Arrest and Knockout which have been positively reviewed. Knockout is in the Christie library, and I hope to read both during the summer!!

Efren Divided

This book came recommended several times on Twitter, and I am so glad I ordered a copy. Efren is a middle school student that is loving life with his mom and dad, younger twin siblings and his best friend from school. Until , one day his mom is mom gets deported back to Mexico. He and his siblings were born in the United States and his parents were born in Mexico and came to the United States illegally, but with very good reasons. As Efren and his dad try to find a way to bring his mother back from Mexico, Efren's dad takes on a 2nd job and Efren has to take care of his twin brother and sister while holding up his grades in school. The plot twists and turns  a little bit and you never expect what happens towards the end.

I Am Enough

This book is a book that everyone needs in their life at times. A wonderful collection of life affirmations. Some great discussions could come from this book on positive self talk, acceptance of self and others, inclusion and diversity. An adoring read for everyone at any age!  Excited to add this book to our library collection!

Some great reads!

I just finished these two great reads. Prairie Lotus is Linda Sue Park's newest novel that depicts a girl who is half Asian living with her father in 1880 Dakota. Hanna is determined to fit in by getting an education in an all white school in town, becoming a dressmaker in her father's shop, and making at least one friend. In A Good Kind of Trouble , Shayla navigates middle school and learns how to stand up for herself and what is right even when others try to bring her down. These are two great reads for 4th and 5th graders!

Important reads for classrooms and libraries!

Both books above are important for classroom and school libraries. Each author does an amazing job showing readers the bullying and prejudices that African Americans face. Everyday! Things that you really don't think about- stares, seemingly innocent comments, glares, and body language all factor in. Our school library will have both of these books in the fall. These books are on the shorter side which I liked as well. What Lane is only 144 pages!

The Aaron Reynolds Stay at Home Show on Youtube!

The Aaron Reynold’s Stay at Home Show on Youtube

Watch author Aaron Reynolds on his Youtube channel.
New episodes arrive several times a week.
There are read alouds, prizes, and all kinds of fun!
He is scheduled to be at Librarypalooza next year, 2021! 
You can search The Aaron Reynold’s Stay at Home show on Youtube.
Here is the link to his Youtube page:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJXbii5VBWmxETyaVs2Bqaw

Get A Grip Vivy Cohen! by Sarah Kapit

Vivy Cohen is an autistic middle schooler who lives for baseball! As she tries out for pitcher for an all boys baseball team, she starts writing her baseball hero. After several letters, he writes her back, and the story is told in letters between her and her baseball hero. Readers will get an idea of what it is like to be autistic and being a team player, having overprotective parents, how Vivy handles being bullied by the team's star, and advice that VJ (her hero) gives her ( which Vivy doesn't always listen to). A different spin on a baseball story with an autistic female as the main character and how her Jewish heritage plays a little bit in the plot!

So excited that was I was able to read Echo Mountain by Lauren Wolk

Echo Mountain is Lauren Wolk's third masterpiece. Her first two books, Wolf Hollow  and Beyond the Bright Sea, are some of my favorites in the library. Wolf Hollow, her debut novel, won the Newbery Honor in 2017. She wrote those first two books pretty close together so I have had to wait 3 years for Echo Mountain.  It's been a long wait. Ellie lives with her family on the mountain during the Great Depression. Her parents lose good jobs in town so they have to move to the mountain to live, building their own log cabin. Life is hard, but they scrap by until her dad is injured and goes into a coma. Ellie, her sister and brother, help the family makes ends meet. Ellie will do anything for her dad to help him heal... maybe even seeing the mountain witch who everyone stays away from to see if she can help...I loved this story almost as much as Wolk's first two books .This would be a great read aloud/book club study around the Great Depression.

Give Me Back My Bones

This clever picture book on the new Texas 2x2 list will want people of all ages learning about their different bones! One night,  a skull sitting on the bottom of the ocean floor decides he wants all of his bones back! As he scours the ocean, he finds his bones here and there. The author uses sing song rhyme blended with poetry in describing each of the bones and then telling what they are on each page. The last page is a poster with the skeleton all together and all of his bones labeled! A really engaging learning adventure for all. 

The List of Things That Will Not Change by Rebecca Stead

I have been a big fan of Rebecca Stead since I read her Newbery winning book When You Reach Me. When You Reach Me is one of the most amazingly, crafted books I have ever read. If you haven't read it, you must!! Stead does not disappoint in her latest novel that was released last week. I read this on Netgalley. Only child Bea is navigating her parents divorce just fine. Her parents split amicably, which means they are still friends and everything is great. Even when her dad decides to marry, Jesse, another man. The book's main plot is the wedding planning and Bea meeting Jesse's daughter , Sonia, for the first time.  This book is so well written, but it might not be for everyone. I really liked how her parents were friends after divorcing, even though the reason why they divorced had to be painful. Jesse's brother, who was in in favor of the marriage, attends the wedding, and not without incident. This book is for 5th grades and up. 

Fergal and the Bad Temper

This new Texas 2x2 book has Fergal the dragon getting upset about everything! He cant handle being told what to do, losing video games, and being asked to be the goalkeeper on the soccer team. He resorts to using his fiery breath to show is displeasure. Until his friends really don't want to hang out with him anymore. His mom shows him how she calms down by counting to 10. His friends then show him how they calm down as well! Some great ideas in this book on ways to help keep our feelings in check!!

My next reads....

These are my next reads! I have heard good things about them so I will write about them when I am done! I would write about more picture books but so many are on the waitlist through Frisco ISD and the Frisco Public Library. These are available as ebooks at the Frisco Public Library and Frisco residents can get a digital library card !  I will return these right away after reading!

Mananaland by Pam Munoz Ryan

Very powerful storyline  about 11 year old Max who wants to learn more about his family secrets, do the right thing, and helping others. Max is grappling with his father's decision of  not letting  him join his friends for the summer soccer team clinics, his father and grandfather not answering his questions about why his mother left. Max then sets on an unforgetable adventure learning more about himself and his family in the process. Loved this book!! It is available through the Frisco Public Library as an ebook and can be downloaded through the Libby app or the Overdrive app.

Ruby Finds a Worry

Ruby is a happy and curious girl until one day she finds a worry. At first, the worry is very small, but every day it gets bigger and bigger until one day it gets way bigger than her. What is Ruby supposed to do? As her worry is so big, she encounters a boy on a park bench and she notices something beside him. Is that his worry? Ruby learns from talking with the boy that their worries shrink as they talked about them. She finds that everyone has worries, not just her, and how talking about them makes them much smaller!

Bernie Buttman!

Fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid will laugh out loud at all of Bernice's pranks in this new Texas Bluebonnet title. Bully Bernice is sent to live with her aunt, who is a real live nun! As she gets used to living life in a church, Bernice realizes she was a bully before she moved so she tries to mend her ways while living with her aunt. However, she does have a few tricks up her sleeve that will make you belly laugh!

The Goose Egg

Henrietta loves her quiet life. She loves her cup of coffee and her morning swims. Everything changes when she bumps her head and gets a goose egg on her head-a real goose egg. Once the egg hatches, she tries to return the baby goose to the nest , but the flock has flown and the goose thinks she is her mother. Love this story how Henrietta make a friend she really didnt know she needed. Loved the ending too! A feel good story!!

Check out Fablehaven! An oldie but a goodie!

This fantasy book is an oldie but a goodie! I have heard for the last several years that this is an amazing series , and I finally got to read it over spring break and adored the story! Kendra and her brother Seth begrudgingly (do not want to go) go  to their grandparents estate, Fablehaven, because their parents are going out of town. Kendra and Seth have rarely visited their grandparents and do not know them well at all. As they spend the first few days learning about the grounds of Fablehaven, what they encounter  is unbelievable and they face the challenge of their lives! This is the first book in the series! Check it out on the Sora app through Frisco ISD libraries or on the Libby app through the Frisco Public Library!

Tell me on Flipgrid what you are reading!

Please send me a video of what you are reading! I would love to connect with all of you. I miss seeing all of your smiling faces !! Scan the qr code and use the password of library! You might need to log into your google account if it asks you.  You can also log on in at here and then use the password at library!

Can you Kahoot?

Play Kahoot!

Can you guess that book character or book? Play Kahoot on your own and see if you remember all the characters and books?


You might need log in via your google account.

Do you have a library card?

If you do not have a library card, you can go to this link with help from a parent to get a digital library card. See the steps to obtaining a card and the services below!

How do I get a card?

Sign up online for a card using the application below.

• If you are 18 or older, complete the form below and receive an email confirmation with your digital library card.
• If you are under 18, come to the library with a parent or guardian with a current photo ID and proof of address to pick up your card.

What do you get with a Frisco Public Library membership?

With your library card, you can:

• Checkout books and movies
• Download eBooks and eAudiobooks
• Access digital streaming content and electronic magazines
• Attend classes and events
• Create a unique item in the Makerspace
• Use public computers and access Wi-Fi
• Reserve study rooms
• Access research databases and online learning courses

Reading Never Stops!

Reading Never Stops

Click on the above link for all kinds of reading resources! Book recommendations, ebooks and audio books, author read alouds, and boredom busters!

Read with the Sora App!

Christie parents, to access FISD audio/ebooks at home, download the free Sora app or go to www.soraapp.com. Choose Frisco ISD for your library and then your student's lunch number. No password is needed. Email Mrs.Tarpley at tarpleys@friscoisd.org with any questions! Up to 3 chapter books, picture books, non fiction, and audio books can be downloaded.

Some great Spring Break reads!!

I read some great books over the break, and I hope you did too! Below are some new reads and some oldies but goodies!!! I recommend them all!

I  could not put Dead City down.  My first year in the Christie Library, this series was never on the shelf, and now I know why.  This is the first book in a 3 book trilogy. Student by day, zombie hunter by night, Molly Bigelow goes to MIST  (Metropolitan Institute of Technology and Science) where she learns her mom  was part of an elite zombie hunting group. Some great twists and turns with this book!!

In Nic Stone's first middle grade novel, Scoob finds out  some really interesting and unsettling things about his grandmother when she takes him on a last minute road trip through the South. Scoob gets a big history lesson from his grandma as they visit places his grandma and grandpa visited many years before.  Scoob learns some things about his grandparents and the green book they used that he cannot believe!! This is an educational and powerful read!

I am about done with this older Bluebonnet book and what a gem it is! Those students that love reading about the Nazi's and WWII will love this book. Odette is a young French, Jewish girl living in Paris during WWII. As the Nazi's move into Paris, her mother takes her to live in the countryside where they can hide in plain sight. She goes to school and church like everyone else. Loved this free verse poetry story of a courageous and determined young girl.