For my second in the series Top Ten Book Read Guest Post by #summerthrowdown participants, I’m welcoming Jessica Walsh, a 7th grade language arts teacher who blogs at Stories Told in Stick Figures. Jessica is visiting to share her top books she read this summer.
Top 10ish #summerthrowdown 2012 List
10. Ish by Peter H. Reynolds
What better way to start an “ish” list than with a book that tells you
it’s okay to think “ishly”? I’m so glad I picked up this picture book recommendation
as a companion to Wonder by R.J. Palacio from a Nerdy Book Club post. What
student (or adult) doesn’t freak out at the thought of standing out? The idea of thinking “ishly” lets us see that
putting our own unique spin on life makes everything way more interesting!
it’s okay to think “ishly”? I’m so glad I picked up this picture book recommendation
as a companion to Wonder by R.J. Palacio from a Nerdy Book Club post. What
student (or adult) doesn’t freak out at the thought of standing out? The idea of thinking “ishly” lets us see that
putting our own unique spin on life makes everything way more interesting!
9. Temple Grandin: How the Girl Who Loved Cows Embraced Autism and
Changed the World by Sy Montgomery
Changed the World by Sy Montgomery
You know you’re on to something when a book keeps you from taking a dip
in Lake Michigan on a 90 degree June day. This book is a fascinating mix of
informative and narrative written for young readers (and 30ish sunbathers). The
chapters alternate between facts about autism and stories of Temple dealing
with society’s misconceptions about her. Get to know Temple and the impact she
has made on our world.
in Lake Michigan on a 90 degree June day. This book is a fascinating mix of
informative and narrative written for young readers (and 30ish sunbathers). The
chapters alternate between facts about autism and stories of Temple dealing
with society’s misconceptions about her. Get to know Temple and the impact she
has made on our world.
8. The Secret of the Fortune Wookie by Tom Angleberger
I love The Strange Case of Origami Yoda series and its blend of hijinks
and hilarious sketches. This newest installment is definitely one of the first
book talks I’m doing this year. I know my kiddos from last year will be excited
to get their hands on it after waiting all summer since Darth Paper Strikes
Back came out. In the spirit of Origami Yoda: A copy you must find!
and hilarious sketches. This newest installment is definitely one of the first
book talks I’m doing this year. I know my kiddos from last year will be excited
to get their hands on it after waiting all summer since Darth Paper Strikes
Back came out. In the spirit of Origami Yoda: A copy you must find!
7. Smile by Raina Telgemeier
Is it crazy of me to say that when I was younger I WISHED I had braces?
Seriously. I actually envied the girls who commiserated over getting their
braces tightened and complained about busted rubber bands. Regardless of being
Team Braces or not, this graphic novel is for everyone! Smile is about
the author’s years of dental surgery and growing pains that many young people
experience, told in a painfully hilarious way. I loved Telgemeier’s references to
90s pop culture, making the setting true to her experience, reminding you that
yes, these things happen to real people, and yes, you will survive. You may
even become a successful graphic novelist! I can’t wait to do this as a read
aloud this year (with Elmo assistance!)
Seriously. I actually envied the girls who commiserated over getting their
braces tightened and complained about busted rubber bands. Regardless of being
Team Braces or not, this graphic novel is for everyone! Smile is about
the author’s years of dental surgery and growing pains that many young people
experience, told in a painfully hilarious way. I loved Telgemeier’s references to
90s pop culture, making the setting true to her experience, reminding you that
yes, these things happen to real people, and yes, you will survive. You may
even become a successful graphic novelist! I can’t wait to do this as a read
aloud this year (with Elmo assistance!)
6. Fever by Lauren DeStefano
Dystopian YA is my go-to genre. Plus, could this cover be any more
beautiful? The sequel to Wither takes Rhine out of the mansion and into
the crazy world. This is a completely ethereal and enthralling read for upper
grades. The final book in the trilogy, Sever can’t get here soon enough
beautiful? The sequel to Wither takes Rhine out of the mansion and into
the crazy world. This is a completely ethereal and enthralling read for upper
grades. The final book in the trilogy, Sever can’t get here soon enough
5. Legend by Marie Lu
Looking for something to read now that you’re done with The Hunger
Games and waiting for the next installment in the Divergent series?
Pick up a copy of Legend and satisfy that action/dystopia craving.
Games and waiting for the next installment in the Divergent series?
Pick up a copy of Legend and satisfy that action/dystopia craving.
4. 13 Little Blue Envelopes & The Last Little BlueEnvelope by Maureen Johnson If you don’t follow @maureenjohnson on Twitter, you are missing out on
some hilarity. I knew TwitterMaureen before I knew AuthorMaureen, and I adore
them both equally. 13 Little Blue Envelopes and its sequel share a spot
on this list for taking me on my only international trip this summer. No
passport necessary.
3. The Junkyard Wonders by Patricia Polacco
Patricia Polacco and Kleenex go hand in hand with me, and The
Junkyard Wonders definitely requires a handful. My words can’t even do
justice to the power behind this book. All I can say is, if you are looking for
a book to remind you what a difference you can make in the life of a child,
this is it.
Junkyard Wonders definitely requires a handful. My words can’t even do
justice to the power behind this book. All I can say is, if you are looking for
a book to remind you what a difference you can make in the life of a child,
this is it.
2. Divergent & Insurgent by Veronica Roth
This series is the new “it” series in YA. They were at the top of my
TBR pile the day after school got out simply because it was the first time they
were back in my possession since book-talking them with my kids! Let’s just say
I went all Golem from Lord of the Rings with these until I finished
them. My apologies to my husband.
TBR pile the day after school got out simply because it was the first time they
were back in my possession since book-talking them with my kids! Let’s just say
I went all Golem from Lord of the Rings with these until I finished
them. My apologies to my husband.
1. The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
There is only one spot I could have possibly placed this book on my Top
10ish list. If you haven’t heard of this book, let me tell you: The One and
Only Ivan is not an independent reader book. It’s not a MG book. It’s not a
YA book. It’s an E book, to borrow a rating from video games. In other words,
an Everyone book. I definitely joined the bandwagon on loving this book, and
boy, I’m glad I did. My life is better for having read this book.
10ish list. If you haven’t heard of this book, let me tell you: The One and
Only Ivan is not an independent reader book. It’s not a MG book. It’s not a
YA book. It’s an E book, to borrow a rating from video games. In other words,
an Everyone book. I definitely joined the bandwagon on loving this book, and
boy, I’m glad I did. My life is better for having read this book.
Thanks so much for visiting, Jessica!
Don’t forget to check out the entire series of #summerthrowdown guest posts on all four blogs.
I re-read Divergent before Insurgent and disappeared too! I love when family members allow you time to read – even if that means days!
What a great list! I've never heard of ISH, but it sounds really cute. I've only read one Maureen Johnson book (THE NAME OF THE STAR), which I really liked, so I'll have to try these books too.