Sputnik's Guide to Life on Earth Giveaway

One of the titles that has been on my book radar recently is Sputnik's Guide To Life on Earth by Frank Cottrell Boyce. This book is published by Walden Pond Press, which has also published a few of my favorite middle grade reads of the last few months. After reading a few reviews of Sputnik's Guide to Life on Earth, I put the book on my to-be-read list. I look forward to reading it in June when it is published. 

Synopsis

Award-winning author Frank Cottrell Boyce returns with another one-of-a-kind story of heart, humor, and finding one’s place in the universe.

Prez knows that the best way to keep track of things is to make a list. That's important when you have a grandfather who is constantly forgetting. And it's even more important when your grandfather can't care for you anymore and you have to go live with a foster family out in the country.

Prez is still learning to fit in at his new home when he answers the door to meet Sputnik—a kid who is more than a little strange. First, he can hear what Prez is thinking. Second, he looks like a dog to everyone except Prez. Third, he can manipulate the laws of space and time. Sputnik, it turns out is an alien, and he's got a mission that requires Prez's help: the Earth has been marked for destruction, and the only way they can stop it is to come up with ten reasons why the planet should be saved.

Thus begins one of the most fun and eventful summers of Prez's life, as he and Sputnik set out on a journey to compile the most important list Prez has ever made—and discover just what makes our world so remarkable.

About The Author

Frank Cottrell Boyce is the author of Sputnik's Guide to Life on Earth, The Astounding Broccoli Boy, Cosmic, Framed, and Millions, the last of which was a New York Times bestseller and was made into a movie by Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle. His books have won or been nominated for numerous awards, including the Carnegie Medal, the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize, and the Whitbread Children's Book Award. Frank is also a screenwriter, having penned the scripts for a number of feature films as well as the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics. He lives in Liverpool with his family.

WEBSITE: https://www.harpercollins.com/cr-101722/frank-cottrell-boyce
TWITTER: @frankcottrell_b
GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/128040.Frank_Cottrell_Boyce

Giveaway

Seven winners will receive a copy of Sputnik's Guide to Life on Earth. 

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My Summer Professional Reading Plan

The time of year when I start talking to my students about making a summer reading plan is fast approaching. I encourage my students to make summer reading lists of book titles they would like to read. It only makes sense for me to have my own list of titles I would like to read. Part of my summer reading always includes at least a few professional books. I find, in the summer months, I have more time to reflect on what I am reading and I feel energized to make plans about how to implement new strategies and ideas into the upcoming school year.

Last year, I participated in #cyberpd for the first time. The #cyberpd community is a group of educators who read and discuss one professional book during the month of July. You can find out more about #cyberpd here and here. Before a book is chosen, educators are encouraged to share the professional must-reads in their summer reading stack. There are a few professional books in my summer reading "stack."

Creating Cultures of Thinking: The Eight Forces We Must Master To Truly Transform Our Schools by Ron Ritchhart

This book is first on my list because it was the one book in my summer reading stack from last year that I did not get around to reading. I don't know why I have put it off for so long because it sounds like it has some powerful ideas about how to enhance students' thinking and understanding.

Joy Write: Cultivating High-Impact, Low Stakes Writing by Ralph Fletcher

This book is on my list because I love everything that Ralph Fletcher writes and agree wholeheartedly with everything I've ever heard him say about writing instruction. I don't know how this book could be anything short of inspiring.

What Do I Teach Readers Tomorrow? Fiction, Grades 3-8: Your Moment-to-Moment Decision-Making Guide by Gravity Goldberg and Renee Houser

I recently read the nonfiction version of What Do I Teach Readers Tomorrow? and found it insightful. The authors give practical advice and lesson ideas, but also provide insight into their decision-making process in order to empower educators to effectively plan next steps for instruction.

Teaching Talk: A Practical Guide to Fostering Student Thinking and Conversation by Kara Pranikoff

I am always looking for advice and ideas about how to support students during discussions so they build on their literacy learning. If there is a book on the subject of student conversation, I am sure to read it because I believe students' talk plays a huge role in learning.

Currently Reading...

Disrupting Thinking: Why How We Read Matters by Kylene Beers and Robert Probst

In addition to the professional books on my must-read list, I am currently reading and will be rereading Disrupting Thinking. There will be a book club discussion of this book starting in June. Anyone interested can join the Facebook group page here. This is an amazing and important book that will hopefully lead to shifts in how literacy educators perceive the task of reading.

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 Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers.

This is What I've Been Reading...

7 Ate 9: The Untold Story by Tara Lazar

Private I has a mystery to solve when 6 comes into his detective agency and claims that 7 is coming to get him after eating 9. Private I investigates, questioning other numbers around town, until he finally puts two and two together to reveal the truth. The illustrations of the numbers with faces and tiny arms and legs are amusing. The book is also filled with number-related puns. This is a fun book that would be a great read for anyone who loves numbers or just enjoys a clever story.

The Great Treehouse War by Lisa Graff

Winnie and nine of her friends go to war against their parents. They all decide to live in Winnie's treehouse and refuse to come down until their parents meet their demands. This book, with its outlandish plot is humorous and entertaining. But, there's actually more to the story than just a silly plot line. Winnie finds a way to deal with her parents who, after their recent divorce, are at war with one another. Winnie also proves a remarkable friend to her nine treehouse roommates. The book also has some different types of texts interspersed throughout such as maps and instructions. Definitely a fun read. 

Posted by John David Anderson

Reading this book brought me right back to my middle school years. Even though it was many years ago, it's hard to forget how it felt to be that age. Middle school is full of awkwardness and confusion, especially related to fitting in and the desire to make real friends and to find a group to belong. John David Anderson seems to get all of that. He has written a book that I think all middle-schoolers should read. The book addresses friendship, bullying, and the pain of not feeling like one fits in. The message about the power of words and the impact of those words when we let them out into the world is an important one. This is a book middle school students will be able to relate to and learn from. I thank Melissa Guerrette, of Educate-Empower-Inspire-Teach, and Walden Pond Press for my signed copy of this book.

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 Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers.

What I've Been Reading...

Give Bees a Chance by Bethany Barton

This picture book is the perfect blend of information and humor. The narrator is trying to convince her friend Edgar to love bees, in a similar comic style of the author's previous book I'm Trying to Love Spiders. Barton's style is a fun and engaging way to present an informational book. The information about bees will fascinate readers and, hopefully, also help them to see the importance of bees.

The Unlucky Lottery Winners of Classroom 13 by Honest Lee and Matthew J. Gilbert

Ms. Linda wins the lottery and agrees to share it with all the students in her class. Each chapter is about a student (or in one case a hamster) and tells what that student did with the winnings. Each chapter is quite funny, showing that winning the lottery isn't always lucky. This is a fun and silly book of stories about a class of children, which reminded me of Louis Sachar's Sideways Stories from Wayside School. Because the stories are short, interesting, and funny, I think this book will appeal to my reluctant readers and those transitioning to chapter books. This book publishes in June.

Beyond the Bright Sea by Lauren Wolk

Crow, now twelve years old, has been living on a small island where she washed ashore when she was just a few hours old. Crow is curious about her past and convinces her adoptive father and neighbor to investigate her past and the island where she believes she could have been born. This is a story about family and finding one's place, but it also contains a mystery as Crow tries to put together pieces of her past and the present to figure out her past. I enjoyed the setting of this book since I live in Massachusetts and the book is set on islands off the coast of Massachusetts. I also thought the writing was beautiful and there is something to learn about history, as the book is set in the 1920's. 

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 Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers.

What I've Been Reading...

On Duck Pond by Jane Yolen

This is the story of one very small moment in time, but it is a beautiful story. Ducks descend upon a pond, disturbing the other creatures, but then they simply move on and all is well again. The language of this book is lovely and poetic, capturing the life and beauty that exists in nature. The realistic illustrations will entice young readers to learn more about ponds or even go explore one on their own. For curious readers, there is also some factual information at the end telling about the creatures within the book. 

Lucky Broken Girl by Ruth Behar

Ruthie's family has recently moved to Queens, New York from Cuba. Ruthie's family gets into a car accident and Ruthie suffers an injury that causes her to be confined to her bed for many months while she heals. This is a story of coping, courage, and hope. Ruthie's story shows how family and friends take care of each other and help each other to heal. This is also a story of a family adjusting to their new life in America. I think this book will appeal to middle grade readers because it shows how a young girl deals with the bumps and unexpected turns of life. This book is really well written and the characters and situation are realistic. I loved the story and the message. I found it interesting to read the author's note at the end and learn the story was based on her own childhood experience. I hope to see more children's books from Ruth Behar in the future.

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 Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers.

What I've Been Reading...

The Case of the Stinky Stench (Lady Pancake & Sir French Toast) by Josh Funk

First grade students at my school have been awaiting the sequel to the first Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast book since they skyped with author Josh Funk in the fall. Last week was a vacation week, so I haven't gotten to share the book with them yet, but I am sure they will like The Case of the Stinky Stench just as much, if not more, than the first. Similar to the first book, the setting is a refrigerator stocked with food. Lady Pancake, Sir French Toast, and Inspector Croissant journey through the depths of the fridge, which includes places such as Salsa Ravine and Corn Chowder Lake, searching for the source of a horrible odor. As they work to solve the mystery, the sleuthing food items show teamwork and persistence. Young readers will probably want to read this again and again since the detailed illustrations are fun, as is the rhyme and vocabulary. 

Niko Draws a Feeling by Bob Raczka

Niko is inpsired by the world around him so he draws things like the warmth of the sun and the hard work of a mother robin as she builds a nest. Because no one understands his drawings, he hangs them up where no one can see them. When a girl moves next door, Niko takes a chance and draws a picture to share with her. This is a story of friendship, but also one that shows the power of creativity and art. 

Bug Girl by Benjamin Harper and Sarah Hines Stephens 

Amanda discovers that she has bug-like superhero powers. The town of Oyster Cove, where she lives has been invaded and her mother and her mother's friend have been captured. Amanda must use her powers to rescue them, but she also has to work alongside a schoolmate who she doesn't get along with. This book is filled with action and excitement and will be appreciated by those readers who like stories about heroes and evil villains.

Flashback Four #2: The Titanic Mission by Dan Gutman

Luke, Isabel, David, and Julia are time-traveling so they can get a picture of the sinking of the Titanic to bring back to Miss Z, a billionaire who has developed the device to send them through time. The four kids find themselves trying to survive as they become a part of this historical event and in the fade of difficulties with the time-traveling device that will get them back to the present. Historical facts about the time period and the sinking of the Titanic are woven into this imaginary tale. I think this will be a popular read with my students since they are intrigued by the true story of the Titanic.

Jake the Fake Keeps it Real by Craig Robinson

Jake faked his way into the Music and Art Academy, but he must show he has a talent. Jake struggle with fitting in at his new school and being in the shadow of his near perfect sister. There is a lot of humor in the story and will appeal to those who enjoy the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. I loved the ending in which Jake finds his true self. There are many illustrations in the book, which will make it attractive to some of my more reluctant readers. 

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 Mentor Texts and Unleashing Readers.

This is What I've Been Reading...

Escargot by Dashka Slater

Escargot, a French snail, tries to convince readers that he is their favorite animal. He brings the reader along with him as he travels to the salad at the end of the book. With his beret and some French words, Escargot is quite charming and adorable. The book also contains a message about trying new foods. This is an amusing story with wonderful illustrations that would be fun to read aloud.

The Ethan I Was Before by Ali Standish

Ethan lost his close friend in a tragic accident and blames himself. When his family moves in order to give him a new start, he meets Coralee, who seems unique and interesting, and they soon form a friendship. As Ethan deals with the loss of his friend and adjusting to a new school, he and Coralee discover a mystery to be solved. This was an engaging read because I wanted to figure out the mystery and see how the pieces of both Ethan and Coralee's story came together. 

King of the Bench: No Fear! by Steve Moore

Steve, a middle schooler, spends more time sitting on the bench than playing baseball. To make matters worse he develops bean-o-phobia, a fear of getting hit with a baseball. Steve is funny, but he also shows that it takes courage to overcome ones fears. I'll share this book with readers who like sports, want to read a book that gives them a laugh, or are fans of books, such as Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Timmy Failure.

Clayton Byrd Goes Underground by Rita Williams-Garcia

This is a story of a boy and the close relationship he has with his grandfather. Clayton loves and admires his grandfather. He enjoys playing the blues harp along with him and the other blues musicians although his mother doesn't approve. When his grandfather suddenly passes away in his sleep, Clayton is overcome with loss and runs away. Clayton's journey is interesting and heartbreaking, but his story ends with hope.