Thursday, May 30, 2013

Kensuke's Kingdom

Hey there, Readers!  I was so excited to see several of you commenting that I decided that I needed to write a new post!  It sounds like you've gotten a good start on your summer reading on your first official day off!  While I was cleaning out the classroom today, I came across several books that I didn't share with you during the school year, so I thought I'd recommend them here. 

                                                            
Kensuke's Kingdom by Michael Morpurgo is a book that I have previously read aloud several times.  Elyse reminded me of it on the last day of school when she pulled it off the shelf.  Kensuke's Kingdom is about Michael, a boy who goes sailing around the world with his parents and his dog, Stella.  Can you imagine taking off and sailing AROUND THE WORLD??  That would be amazing!  Anyway, Michael and his parents get about halfway along on their journey when Stella goes overboard during a storm.  In an attempt to grab her, Michael goes overboard as well.  After a long night, they both wash up on the shore of a "deserted" island.  Michael struggles to find food and water to survive.  Then, one morning, he wakes up to find food and water waiting for him.  The so-called deserted island is actually inhabited by a man named Kensuke.  It's a story of finding friendship in unexpected places and survival against all odds.  It is definitely a must read!

Thursday, May 23, 2013

5th Grade Must-Reads

During this school year, we read and discussed SO MANY awesome books...from The One And Only Ivan (my all-time fave) to Wonder to Breadcrumbs to Liar and Spy. Besides read alouds, our class read HUNDREDS of books. Here are some you may have missed, recommended by your classmates! Go check them out at the library...Go on, go now! And if you don't have a library card...get one ASAP! You're going to need it!

Turtle in Paradise by Jennifer Holm
One for the Murphy's by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
Splendors and Glooms by Laura Amy Schlitz
The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan
The Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine
The Secret Tree by Natalie Standiford
The Unwanteds by Lisa McMann
Bigger Than a Breadbox by Laurel Snyder
Mal and Chad by Stephen McCranie
The Sisters Grimm Series by Michael Buckley
Ghost of Graylock by Dan Poblocki
The Sister's Club by Megan McDonald
The Reptile Room by Lemony Snicket
Pokemon Adventures by Hidenori Kusaka
Prisoner B-3087 by Alan Gratz
Elijah of Buxton by Christopher Paul Curtis
Magyk by Angie Sage
The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles by Julie Andrews Edwards
Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli

Whew! What a list! Please comment and let me know what you are reading!