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Monday, August 22, 2016

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?


It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? is a community of bloggers who link up to share what they are reading.  For more information and to find out what other bloggers are reading check out the host blogs: Teach MentorTexts and Unleashing Readers.

What I Read This Week…


Excellent Ed by Stacy McNulty

All of the Ellis children are excellent at something except for Ed, the family dog. Ed tries to be excellent in various ways, but it's not until someone drops half a peanut butter sandwich on the floor that he learns what he is excellent at doing. The alliteration and the humor at the end contribute to the charm of this story. This is a great picture book that shows how we all have our own unique, excellent qualities.

The Infamous Ratsos by Kara LaRue

Louie and Ralphie Ratso are trying to prove they are tough, just like their father Big Lou. They come up with many ways to show they are tough, but everything they do turns out to be an act of kindness. Although the Ratsos are trying to be tough, there is a lesson about goodness. The story has a positive message that's presented in a humorous way. This is a short chapter book appropriate for transitional readers.

Race to the South Pole (Ranger in Time) by Kate Messner

This is the fourth book in the Ranger in Time series, but the first that I've read. The book presents an interesting snapshot into an historical event, an expedition to Antarctica at the beginning of the twentieth-century. Ranger, a golden retriever, has traveled back in time where he befriends Jack Nin, a stowaway on a ship carrying a crew trying to reach the South Pole. Ranger uses his search-and-rescue training to help Jack and other crew members survive. There is action and suspense in this book and it will both entertain and inform young readers. There is information at the end of the book about real-life characters and events that inspired the story. I don't yet have any of the books in this series in my collection, but will definitely add them. 

10 comments:

  1. I'm seeing many people talk about The Infamous Ratsos, and I'm anxious to pick it up so I can understand why!

    Your description of Excellent Ed makes me think of Hannah Harrison's Extraordinary Jane. I love sharing Extraordinary Jane with students to talk about how being ourselves is our most important talent.

    And, I'm so glad you found Ranger. This series is a favorite among students in our school, and it has been an important series for my nephew and I to share together. I'm happy that with ten contracted for the series, we will have many more read togethers to come!

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    1. I don't know Hannah Harrison's Extraordinary Jane. I'll have to check that one out. I don't know why it took me so long to read a Ranger book. How nice that there will be ten!

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  2. I haven't ever read the Ranger in Time series. I'll have to check if we have it in our elementary media center. It does sound like something the students would enjoy. Here is what I did and read last week. Happy reading!

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    1. I have many readers who enjoy historical fiction so it will be great for them.

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  3. I like the idea of the Ratsos. It sounds like a lot of fun.

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  4. Awww, I loved Excellent Ed. Such a gently reassuring book for kids wondering what their "special talent" is.

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    1. The ending was humorous, too. I think students will enjoy it.

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  5. I've enjoyed the Ranger In Time series, will have to look for this one. I see that #5 is out now, too. Thanks for sharing Excellent Ed, sounds great.

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    1. I don't know why it took me so long to read a Ranger book. I didn't know that #5 is out. I'll have to look for that one as well.

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