Category: Top 10: Book Lists

Top 10: Best Children’s Books Featuring Life-Changing Teachers (ages 4-12)

As we ease into the summer and reflect on the our children’s past school year, it is the teacher who makes the difference between a great year and a mediocre or worse year.  I am sure that I am not alone in sending up prayers to get particular teachers for my kids next year.  This list is a homage to the exceptional teachers everywhere who dedicate their lives to making a difference.  And they absolutely do!  One day, one of their students may even write about their exception teacher as in the case for a few of the books selected below.

To purchase any of these books, please click on the image of the book

or buy at the Pragmatic Mom store on the right hand column.  Thank You!

ps  Special thanks to the exceptional teachers I and my children have had.  You know who you are!

10.  The Year of Miss Agnes by Kirkpatrick Hill

Based on the true story of Agnes Sutterfield who came to the a remote village in Alaska in 1948 to teach in a one-room school house.  Her students could survive in the wilderness but most didn’t know how to read or write.  Her ability to connect with her students and create curriculum that they could relate to makes her a life-changing teacher!  In real life, one of her students becomes the firs Alaskan native to be accepted to Medical School in England.  [chapter book, ages 8-12]

9.  My Face to the Wind: The Diary of Sarah Jane Price, A Prairie Teacher by Jim Murphy [chapter book, ages 8-12]

This novel is set in the 1800′s in Broken Bow, Nebraska which is part of the wild, wild west.  Fourteen-year-old Sarah Jean Price must take over the one-room school house where her father was hired to teach but dies unexpectedly. Written in a diary format, we read about Sarah’s challenges and her ultimate success as she develops into an exceptional teacher.  [chapter book, ages 8-12]

8.  Yoko by Rosemary Wells

Mrs. Jenkins, Yoko’s teacher, is featured in many of the books in the Yoko and Friends series.  She is a wonderful teacher as shown in this book, where she must figure out a way to keep Yoko’s classmates from teasing her about her Japanese lunch.  Mrs. Jenkins is up to the task though it keeps her up late at night fretting until she thinks of a solution.  [picture book, ages 4-8]

7. The Secret School by Avi

14-year-old Ida fills in secretly when the teacher in their one-room school house suddenly leaves and threatens closure of the school.  Ida has always wanted to be a teacher and she’s completely up to the arduous task.  This is one of my fourth grader’s favorite books of all time!  [chapter book, ages 8-12]

6.  Miss Nelson is Missing by Harry Allard

When Miss Nelson is missing and the class is way behind in their work, a scary substitute teacher turns up to whip things into shape.  Children will love the surprise ending.  [picture book, ages 4-8]

5.  Don’t Say Ain’t by Irene Smalls

New York public schools were first integrated in 1957 and this picture book portrays the difficulty for exceptionally talented African American children to bridge the two worlds of their advanced, integrated school with their colloquial inner city home.  Dana, the little girl in the story, is assisted in learning this precarious balancing act  from her teacher.  [picture book, ages 6-10]

4.  Lily’s Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes

Mr. Slinger is such a wonderful teacher that everyone in his class wants to be a teacher when he or she grows up.  Especially Lily.  But when Lily brings in her new purple plastic purse and can’t follow the rules, she gets in trouble and is furious with Mr. Slinger.  The way Mr. Slinger handles this makes every parent want a “Mr. Slinger” to be our child’s teacher!  [picture book, ages 4-8]

3.  A Nickel,  A Trolley, A Treasure House by Sharon Reiss Baker

This is a true story about a young boy who is shown  a world of possibilities by his kind teacher. And to think opening up a world of possibilities takes only a nickel, a trolley and a treasure house.  And an exception teacher!  Don’t forget that part!  [picture book, ages 6-10]

2. Ida B.  … And Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster and Possibly Save the World by Katherine Hannigan

Sometimes teachers can change lives in quiet ways such as by being exceptional listeners to their students as is the case with Ida B. who is reeling from her mother’s cancer, the abrupt change from being homeschooled to being back at public school, and the loss of some beloved trees. [chapter book, ages 8-10]

1. Thank You Mr. Falker by Patricia Polacco

This book is a homage to Polacco’s teacher who discovered her dyslexia and helped her to overcome it.  And this book would be the perfect gift to any amazing, life-changing teacher that we are fortunate to have in our lives.  [picture book, ages 6-12]

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Sep 06, 2010 | 1 comment View Post

Top 10 Children’s Books: From ChristinaReads (for Middle School Girls)

I do love a good Top 10 List and this chapter book children’s book list for ages 10-14 (middle-school-girl-ish-give-or-take-a-year-or-two) from ChristinaReads is a really good one of her childhood favorites!  I have only read half her list, but the books that I’ve read are such winners that it makes me want to read the rest of her list.  Clearly the woman has great taste!  This is a list worth having your daughter work her way through.  Let me know what you think?  And please check out ChristinaReads excellent blog!

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What with my dearth of book news recently, I’ve decided to share another top 10 list! This time, it’s the top 10 books I loved as a child (in no particular order):The Witch of Blackbird Pond (Yearling Newbery)

1. Elizabeth George Speare, The Witch of Blackbird Pond. This is my all-time favorite book from childhood, and I still love it. It’s about a girl named Kit who moves from a carefree life in Barbados to the restrictive, Puritanical society of colonial New England. The book depicts this society wonderfully, making that period of American history come alive. The historical information about the Salem Witch Trials and the colonists’ growing discontent with British rule blends beautifully with Kit’s personal journey towards adulthood. The various characters are also wonderful, and even those who appear unsympathetic have some redeeming qualities. I honestly can’t praise this book enough; I’d recommend it to anyone, children and adults alike!

The View from Saturday2. E. L. Konigsburg, The View from Saturday. You might recognize Konigsburg’s name from the more famous From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, but personally I’ve always preferred The View from Saturday. This book is told from the perspectives of four sixth-grade children whose lives unexpectedly converge when they become teammates for an interscholastic academic competition. All four children are extremely intelligent, and they each have a unique way of seeing the world. I loved this book because I felt like I could identify with all the main characters, particularly Nadia, the only girl on the team. I also learned a lot of random interesting facts, because the narrative frequently flashed back to the competition and described some of the questions and answers. I think that, in real life, many smart or “gifted” children are misfits socially, and this book does a wonderful job of depicting that innocence and awkwardness.

Ella Enchanted3. Gail Carson Levine, Ella Enchanted. I didn’t read this book until my late teens, so I can’t call it a childhood favorite, but I very much enjoyed this clever retelling of the Cinderella story. The problem with traditional Cinderella stories is that it’s hard to root for a heroine who would allow herself to be bullied by her wicked stepmother and stepsisters. Levine adds a wonderful twist to the story: Ella is obedient because she has to be — she’s under a curse. In this version of the tale, Ella must find the fairy godmother who gave her the “gift” of obedience and convince the fairy to undo her spell. Otherwise, she might be compelled to do something horrible, such as murder the kindhearted prince Charmont whom she’s grown to love. This is a creative and charming twist on the Cinderella story, and it has a good lesson for young girls about determination and inner strength.

Anne of the Island (Anne of Green Gables, Book 3)4. L. M. Montgomery, Anne of the Island. I loved all the “Anne” books as a child, but this one was always my favorite. It’s the third book in the series, where Anne finally has the chance to go to Redmond College. There she reconnects with old friends and makes several new ones, including the frivolous yet quite intelligent Philippa Gordon. I really liked reading about Anne’s adventures at college, and I think she matures a lot during the course of this novel. I must admit, I also loved this book the most because it’s the one where Anne finally realizes her true love for…well, you know who. :)  These books are so sweet and uplifting, and the little anecdotes about the eccentric people Anne meets are always charming. Revisiting these books just makes me happy, and I know I can always turn to them for a nostalgic, comforting read.

Number the Stars5. Lois Lowry, Number the Stars. This book will always stand out in my mind as the first book I ever read about the Holocaust, and I still think it’s one of the best, at least of those written for children. It’s the story of a Christian girl living in Denmark and her Jewish best friend, and it takes place during the German occupation of Denmark. When the Germans start passing laws that discriminate against Jews, Christian Annemarie and her family decide to hide her best friend Ellen from the soldiers. This book does not directly address the horror of the Holocaust, but it depicts the fear felt by 10-year-old Annemarie very well. It also shows the heroism of ordinary people who did their best to rescue Jews in defiance of the laws, as well as the difficulties they faced. The book’s ending is a hopeful one, focusing on the triumphs that some brave individuals managed to achieve. I definitely think all young children should read this book.

Catherine, Called Birdy (rpkg) (Trophy Newbery)6. Karen Cushman, Catherine, Called Birdy. Looking back, I’m pretty sure that this book sparked my fascination with the Middle Ages. It’s the story of 14-year-old Catherine, the daughter of a moderately well-off gentleman who wants to marry her off to an even richer gentleman. The book is composed of her diary entries, where she muses about her lot in life and observes the strange behavior of the adults around her. Initially, Catherine is immature and full of complaints, but she definitely grows and matures throughout the novel. I remember being completely fascinated by her depiction of medieval life and how different it was from my own. I also thought her voice was hysterically funny — her unique approach to swearing remains one of the most memorable aspects of the book to me (“God’s thumbs!”). Oh, and the various tricks she played on the suitors who tried to court her — hilarious! This is another book that’s stayed with me since childhood — and, like most of the others on this list, it’s still on my shelves.

A Girl of the Limberlost7. Gene Stratton-Porter, A Girl of the Limberlost. This sweet book follows the lovely and independent Elnora Comstock, who is fascinated by nature and whose passion is collecting rare moths. In the first half of the book, she struggles with snobbery at the local high school and with a mother who (for reasons that become clear later in the book) hates her. In the second half, she falls in love for the first time, but the experience is bittersweet because the man in question is engaged to somebody else. Like Rose in Bloom (see #8), this is a sweet, wholesome story that just lifts my spirits.

Rose in Bloom8. Louisa May Alcott, Rose in Bloom. This sequel to Eight Cousins revisits the Campbell family when Rose and all her cousins have grown up. Now Rose must navigate the confusing world of high society; and, as a wealthy and beautiful young woman, she must choose between her many suitors, some of whom are just after her fortune. Alcott’s books — at least the ones written for children — are refreshingly wholesome, and sometimes it’s just nice to read a book where the biggest “sins” are things like flirting and (funnily enough) reading inappropriate novels. :) There are some wonderfully romantic moments in the book, and Rose must ponder difficult questions about her place in the world. Reading this book transports me to a simpler time, and it’s often a welcome relief from the stress of modern life.

The Mozart Season9. Virginia Euwer Wolff, The Mozart Season. This is another book whose main character I really identified with. Twelve-year-old Allegra is something of a violin prodigy, and she enters a music competition where she must learn to play a Mozart concerto better than everyone else. (No, I wasn’t a prodigy, but I did play the piano for several years and was involved in annual competitions). As she prepares for the competition, she also matures into adolescence and begins to perceive the world around her in a new way. I appreciated the musical descriptions in this novel, and there’s a very memorable storyline with a confused, homeless man who desperately wants to remember a particular song he heard long ago. The book is somewhat melancholy, but in a very good way, and it’s yet another childhood favorite of mine.

Here's to You, Rachel Robinson10. Judy Blume, Here’s to You, Rachel Robinson. What girl didn’t read a ton of Judy Blume in her pre-teen years? This particular book was my favorite of hers, even though I didn’t initially realize that it was the second in a series. It must have stood alone fairly well! Rachel is another protagonist who’s something of a misfit because of her intelligence. She also feels some pressure to be the “perfect” child because of her older brother Charles, who is constantly getting into trouble and annoying her parents. This is a quintessential coming-of-age novel complete with first crushes, changing friendships, and a new perspective on the world. It’s funny in some places, sad in others, and I just remember really loving it. This is the only book on the list that I don’t currently own — but I definitely checked it out of the library several times! I’ll have to find a copy of my own now.

These are my childhood favorites, and they’ve really stayed with me through the years. What books did you love as a child?

Sep 05, 2010 | 0 comments View Post

Top 10 Starting School Books: Kindergarten & Preschool

A reader asked me to help her round out her list of books for incoming Preschoolers.  I searched, and there are not tons of them.  I decided to combine this with entering Kindergarten because in September, my youngest child will start Kindergarten. I feel that you can use the books somewhat interchangeably and that books that your child enjoys will be more important than whether the book aligns exactly with his or her school entry point.

With regard to my youngest entering Kindergarten, I’m not that sad about that.   I’m sadder that he is elongating and losing his baby chubbiness in his face and legs.  I made the mistake of my middle child thinking that she’s been to elementary school so much as a tag-along that she’s an old hat.  But a transition to a new grade or school, not matter how small, is still difficult for children.  It’s helpful to visit the new school as often as possible.  Play with kids that will be at the same school if you can.  And read, read, read to your child books about starting school.  The familiarity of routines and activities of the new school will take a lot of the anxiety away.  So, while my youngest has been visiting his elementary school for 5 years so far, we’ll take it one step at a time and read these books over and over to ensure a smooth landing in September.  And a few play dates with new friends is also on the books!

To purchase any of these books, please click on image of book

or buy at The Pragmatic Mom store to the right hand column.

10. Mama Don’t Go by Rosemary Wells

Yoko has trouble separating from her mother the first week of school, but her new friend Timothy helps her to understand that mother’s “just keep coming back!”

9. Welcome to Kindergarten by Anne Rockwell

At first, everything seems so big and overwhelming, but after going over the routines of Kindergarten it feels just right to the little boy in the story.  A sweet and gentle depiction of the routines of Kindergarten.

8. Look Out Kindergarten, Here I Come by Nancy Carlson

Henry the mouse is so excited about starting kindergarten…that is, until he walks through the door to class.  But as he recognizes all the things he talked about and made a new friend, he realizes that Kindergarten is going to be fun!

7. My First Day at School by Ruth Wickens

My kids liked this book because it’s a pop-up books and it talks about the first day of preschool with a little boy learning about all the wonderful options of fun things to do at preschool as well as the routines.  My kids liked to read this book while well into preschool just to compare what is the same and what is different about their preschool.

6.  Miss Bindergarten Gets Ready for Kindergarten by Ashley Wolff

A glimpse about what the teacher does to get her classroom ready for the kids in her class!

5 Sumi’s First Day of School Everby Soyung Pak.

Sumi doesn’t speak English and today is her very first day of school ever.  Will it go well?

4. D.W.’s Guide to Preschool by Marc Brown

D.W. is an old-hand at preschool and is reassuring about how much fun it is!

3. Wemberly Worried by Kevin Henkes

Wemberly is a worrywart and is especially worried about starting school but her teacher is so nice and she makes a new friend who reminds her of herself!

2. I AmToo  Absolutely Small for School by Lauren Child

Lola thinks she is “too absolutely small for school” because she is a little nervous about starting school.  Or is it Soren Lorenson, her invisible friend, who is nervous?  But all is well when she makes a new friend the first day.  Lola is her usual delightful and funny self!

1. The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn

The sweetest story ever about the magic of kisses to help with separation anxiety!

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Aug 11, 2010 | 3 comments View Post

Top 10: Boy AND Girl Characters in Books (Adult and Children’s)

I found this pair of posts on some great blogs and the dicotomy of boys versus girls made me want to post them both.  I have not read all these books, but these lists make me want to!  For the full post on boys (thank you Must Love Books), click here.  For the full post on girls (thank you Consumed by Books), click here.

Girls first …

10.) Tibby from The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series by Ann Brashares

All of the characters in this series go through a hardship of some sort at some point. It would be unrealistic if they didn’t. I think Tibby is one of the first characters to endure this, and even though she’s not the best with communication, I love how she ultimately deals with her pain. I think it’s both healthy and inspirational.

9.) Astrid Llewelyn from Rampant by Diana Peterfreund
If I needed to kick unicorn butt, I’d call Astrid, if she was real. This girl is awesome on the battlefield. However, she’s also really realistic because she’s human. She thinks carefully about what she wants before flinging herself too passionately into one activity.

8.) Alanna from the Song of the Lioness Quartet by Tamora Pierce
Another totally kick butt character. I don’t think I could ever be as brave as Alanna is, but then again, last time I checked, it’s not possible to get a master’s degree in knighthood.

7.) Katniss from The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins
If I were thrown into the arena, I would probably run slowly, then cry, then get killed by another tribute or die a slow and painful death by dehydration. Thank goodness we don’t live in Panem. I love Katniss because she stays strong even in the face of adversity, but I also love that she periodically admits to having a more emotional side.
6.) Mia Thermopolis from The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot
Mia will have most teenaged girls laughing out loud and those of us who are supposedly grown up laughing and reminiscent about the awkwardness of high school and puberty. However, this certainly isn’t her only endearing quality. Mia’s a vegetarian, along with supporting many other causes. I love a character who’s passionate and will fight for what she believes in.

5.) Hermione Granger from the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
I love a bookish, shy character, and I think that’s how Hermione starts off the Harry Potter series. I also crack up at her tendency to correct others and argue with Harry and Ron.

4.) Mattie Gokey from A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly
Yet another bookish character. I think some authors tend to make such characters rather oblivious to their surroundings, and I think Mattie is the total opposite. She’s actual aware of the world around her, considering her circumstance.

3.) Matilda from Matilda by Roald Dahl
Matilda may also be bookish, but she manages to channel other powers. I don’t want to ruin the story, but for those of you who’ve read the story, I will simply say that I attempted to channel such powers.

2.) Elinor Dashwood from Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
Elinor is an easy character to feel sympathetic towards. If I had a sister like Marianne, I would be quick to go crazy, yet she often remains composed. I think she handles it all wonderfully.

1.) Elizabeth Bennet from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
I can definitely see why some people might not be so found of Elizabeth Bennet, or rule my choice out as cliched. Or predictable, if you’ve read my blog. Elizabeth is opinionated, which is wonderful. What I love most about her is the fact that even though she has her opinion, she’s willing to question them.

Boys next:

1. Jace Wayland from the Mortal Instruments:
Jace is so full of himself that you really can’t help but to love him. He’s beautiful, he’s deadly, and he lives for the girl he loves. He’s so in love with his girl that he was willing to hurt everyone around him to be with her. Talk about crazy. How can you not love him? Oh, and he rides a motorcycle. That’s just hott!

2. Pierce from The Hollows series:
Rachel’s character tends to go for bad boys in this series. Kisten, Nick, and so on. Then there is Pierce. Yes he’s a bad boy who uses way too much dark magic, but it’s always for good. He has a funny accent, uses dark magic, and came back from the dead to be with Rachel. He takes a lot of crap from her and never gives up. Love it. I think I will cry if Kim kills him off or gets rid of him.

3. Peeta from the Hunger Games:
This one might be a little confusing cause I have a little button thingy saying I’m team Gale. It’s true, I’m team Gale when it comes for people for Katniss. For me, I’d pick Peeta. He’s a painter like I am, and I also love to bake. This makes him the perfect boy for me. haha.

4. Graves from the Strange Angels series:
This is a guy who’s not embarrased to walk around in whitey tighties in front of a girl he’s just met. Granted, he didn’t have much of a choice but for some reason it made me love his character. Plus everyone knows you don’t mess with his girl. Awww

5. Ash from the Iron Fey series:
You may notice there is a similar trend to the boys I like. Tall, skinny, mysterious, dark haired boys. Yup, I have a thing for that and Ash fits all of those. The main reason I love him is something that happens in Iron Daughter so I won’t post it so I won’t be the ass hat who gives it away.

6. Jay from Body Finder:
He’s the best best friend a girl could ask for. He’s always there, knows you inside and out, and probably better than you know yourself. He’s the perfect boy next door as well.

7. Shane from Morganville Vampires:
Shane cracks me up. He’s always so quick to want to fight, can only cook a few things (and cooks them all the time), he brings in all the comedy to the books, and that kiss the hand thing he does in book 8? That about made me melt.

8. Quince from Forgive My Fins:
This guy is willing to go live underwater, sit in a bathroom stall with you and let you cry all over him, and then go through stupid tests just to prove he loves you. Oh plus once again he rides a motorcycle and has the bad boy look but has the boy next door attitude. Apparently I also have a thing for motorcycles.

9.Alexander from The Bronze Horseman series:
This guy constantly risks his life to save Tatianna. He survives German POW camps, being in the front line of many wars, walks all the way across Russia, and all of it just to see his girl one last time. Whoa. He puts up with a lot of crap cause he’s not willing to give up.

10. Percy Jackson from the PJ series:
I had to think about this one. I had so many boys left to pick but Percy won. He’s powerful, hott, sweet, caring, and yeah. Just plain awesome. His whole “kiss before going to battle” comment in The Last Olympian cracks me up. He can make giant air bubbles underwater so you can make-out and not get wet all while underwater. That just sounds like fun. haha.

Runner ups:
Jacob from Twilight
Dimitri from Vampire Academy
Harry Potter
Will from Ghost and the Goth
Malcolm from Coffeehouse Angel
Cabel from Wake/Fade/Gone
Sam from Shiver

Aug 10, 2010 | 0 comments View Post

Top 10: Best Interior Design Books (From CasaCullen & DesignTrackMind)

DesignTrackMind calls these beautiful interior design coffee table books “design porn.”  I found this great list on Casa Cullen’s wonderful blog and added a few from DesignTrackMind to get the Top 10 …  interestingly, they like some of the same books!  Even if you are not in the throes of redecorating, these are fun reads.

I had a successful shopping trip with Capability:Mom to Brimfield Antique Fair a few weeks ago which is a giant outdoor affair lasting several days and I’m still trying to figure out how to create a “tableaux” on my dresser using a $1 silver plated serving platter though my biggest score was a structured handbag from the fifties that turned out to be real crocodile that I got for $15.

I’m not sure why I’m having such trouble creating a “tableaux.”  The instructions from professionals are pretty simple:  use objects you love, with different heights, and with breathing space.  I guess that why there are professional designers out there.  If you don’t one of them at your disposal, these books are almost as good!

10.  My Prescription for Anti-Depressive Living by Jonathan Adler

I’ve been reading and hearing a lot about Mr. Adler lately and the opinions are the same:  his stuff makes you happy! I went to his store for the first time a few months ago and it’s true; his store is so colorful, upbeat and fun that it just puts you in a good mood!

The Jonathan Adler Book

9. David Hicks:  A Life in Design by Ashley Hicks

He’s such a guru of design that I’ve even heard of him!  His style is relaxed, eclectic and livable.  Not to mention gorgeous.

8.  Small and Chic:  High Style for Small Spaces by Bridget Vranckx

Small and Chic

7. Modern Glamour:  The Art of Unexpected Style by Kelly Wearstler

She definitely has glamorous style and taste.  I am not the right person to ask as I am probably too conservative to appreciate her rule-breaking style.  I wish I could do it but it’s just not me.

6.  Rooms to Inspire in the Country:  The Infinite Possibilities of American House Design by Annie Kelly

DesignTrackMind likes this book.

5.  New Classic Interiors by Alessandra Branca

4.  Domino:  The Book of Decorating:  A Room-by-Room Guide to Creating a Home That Makes You Happy by Deborah Needleman

The Domino Book of Decorating (Hardcover)

3.  Downtown Chic:  Designing Your Dream House:  From Wrecking to Ravishing by Robert Novogratz

Downtown Chic (Hardcover)

2.  Style and Substance:  The Best of Elle Decor

The ladies at work all love Elle Decor.

Style and Substance: The Best of ELLE DECOR (Hardcover)

1.  Hue by Kelly Wearstler

This got the #1 spot because both DesignTrackMind and Casa Cullen like it.

Hue

Honorable Mentions

Christian Liaigre

French Chic (Hardcover)

Downsizing Your Home with Style

To examine any book more closely at Amazon, just click on the image of the book.

Aug 01, 2010 | 1 comment View Post

Top 10: Baseball Chapter Books (ages 7-16) UPDATED2

These books are from a Mom Blogger friend at CoffeeShopBloggers whose daughter is a sports fanatic and these were her favorite baseball books.  These books are all appropriate for grades 3-5th.   The “…and Me” novels, also known as, the Baseball Card Adventures are fun because the child in the story travels back in time to meet a baseball legend.  I suspect that any little leaguer who might not love to read otherwise will enjoy these books!

Honorable Mentions

We Are The Ship:  The Story of the Negro League Baseball by Kadir Nelson

Technically, this is an advanced picture book beautifully illustrated and written by Kadir Nelso.  For anyone who loves the game of baseball, this is a must read about the unsung heroes of the Negro League Baseball who paved the way for all people of color.  [advanced picture book, ages 8-14]

Mudville by Kurtis Scaletta

First of all, let me say that I am not a big fan of baseball.  I have never played the game and I don’t understand the fine points.  While I root for the Red Sox, I am really there for the food.  So, when my mom friend told me that everyone in the fourth grade boys’ bookclub LOVED this book, I asked to borrow it.  And I found that I could not put it down, it was just that good.  It reminds of a little of Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli that won a Newbery.  It’s really that good.  So here are the elements:  freaky weather conditions liked to an old Native American curse, two towns obsessed with a baseball rivalry, a foster child that turns up on Roy’s couch when he returns form baseball camp,  a baseball game that changes history (at least between the two towns) and defining life moments for father and son.  Whew!  [chapter book, ages 9-16]

10. Honus and Me by Dan Gutman

9. Shoeless Joe and Me by Dan Gutman

8. Babe and Me by Dan Gutman

7. Jackie and Me by Dan Gutman

6. Ray and Me by Dan Gutman

5.  Heat by Mike Lupica

4.  Jim and Me by Dan Gutman

3. Mickey and Me by Dan Gutman

2.  The Prince of Fenway Park by Julianna Baggott

1.  One-Handed Catch by M.J.  Auch

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Jul 20, 2010 | 1 comment View Post

Top 10: Children’s Books for Budding Artists (ages 2-18)

My oldest is also a budding artist amd while I have failed to support this interest as an extra curricular activity, I have finally seen the light and enrolled her in a week of real art camp.  Not the arts and crafts variety.  She draws daily such that I tend to push activities that are opposite to art to round her out:  math, reading, music, languages, and sports.

My mom friends were more on top of things.  One mom friend suggested that excellent art book from the Eric Carle museum as a birthday present.  Hey, I did buy her the book (and it’s excellent).  And I took her to the musuem.  But now I am trying to be more supportive.  We bought a family pass to the Museum of Fine Arts to increase our trips from annual to quarterly.  I put her in camps that have more interesting and in depth art offerings.  And I keep these books around the house.  Most of them at least.

To buy any book, please click on the image of the book

or buy at The Pragmatic Mom store.  Thank You!

10. Grandfather Tang’s Story by Ann Tompert

Tangrams, an ancient game originating in China, are the basis for a story that creatively tweaks the tangrams into an animal transformation tale.  Copy and cut out the tangram in the back to make your own shapes, stories and games. [picture book, ages 6-10]

9. I Spy:  An Alphabet in Art by Lucy Micklethwait

It’s an I Spy game.  It’s a art book.  It’s an alphabet book.  It’s fun for kids of all ages.  And it forces to you to closely examine art masterpieces.  What’s not to love about that? [picture book, ages 4-9]

8.  The Second Mrs. Gioconda by E. L. Konigsberg

Masterful and Newbery award winning author Konigsberg brings the enigma of the Mona Lisa to life in a story about Leonardo da Vinci, his assistant and the Duke of Milan’s plain, young wife.  The Mona Lisa, it turns out, is an enigma on many levels.  [young adult, ages 12-18]

7.  Artist to Artist:  23 Major Illustrators Talk to Children About Their Art Eric Carle Museum

A real gem of a book that feels like 23 major illustrators, including many Caldecott winning picture book illustrators, talking directly to children as if they were in the same room with them about how they came to be professional illustrators.  Their studios are included and are the range from a simple tiny wooden desk to a full blown decked out studio is reason alone to get this book.  [non-fiction, ages 8-adult]

6.  The Shape Game by Anthony Browne

A trip to the museum morphs into a fun doodle game.  I play this game with my kids to get them to do supplemental math problems.  (Every correct answer gets a doodle!)  This book won a ton of awards including The Boston Globe-Horn Book Award.  [picture book, ages 4-8]

5. Ish by Peter Reynolds

This is a book that every budding artist should read particularly those who are perfectionists or those who are easily discouraged — hey! artists can be sensitive!  When Ramon’s brother makes fun of his drawing because it isn’t representational, he learns that art can be “ish-like” and still elicit a response.  [picture book, ages 4-9]

4.  Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett

Called the Da Vinci Code for kids, Balliet combines an art quest mystery centering around Dutch master artist Vermeer.  [chapter book, ages 9-12]

3. Not a Box by Antoinette Portis

A cardboard box can be magical with the help of your imagination.  [picture book, ages 2-5]

2.  The Art Book for Children, Book Two from the Editors of Phaidon Press

A wonderful reference book for kids on 500 artists (painters and sculptors) starting from the Renaissance period up to modern times.  It’s just fun to look at and your child will say, “Hey, I can do that!”  And it will be true!   [non-fiction, ages 6-adult]

1.  A Nickel, A Trolley, A Treasure House by Sharon Reiss Baker

Sharon Reiss Baker shares a family memory about Lionel, who as a boy at the turn of the century in Lower East Side Manhattan, drew on any scrap of paper he could find.  One lucky day, Lionel finds a nickel that he spends on precious paper from the stationer’s shop.  He shows his teacher his drawings and she takes him on a trip to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  The trip is magical for Lionel.  Never has he been inside this world and it changes his life such that he decides to become an artist against his family’s wishes.  And he succeeds.  [picture book, ages 6-10]

Honorable Mention

I, Juan de Pareja by Elizabeth Borton de Trevino

In this historical fiction novel, Juan de Pareja, an  educated Negro slave during the seventeenth century, ends up as the property and personal assistant of the  great master painter for the Spanish court, Velazquez.  Life in the court of King Philip IV of  Spain comes alive as seen through the eyes of Juan.  [chapter book, ages 9-12]

From the Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E. L. Konigsburg

Kids who voluntarily seek out the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art.  Ok, they are actually running away from home, hide out at the museum for days, and solve a great art mystery.  Great for budding artists who also like museums.  I think the trick to this book is to read the first chapter with your child as it’s a bit confusing.  [chapter book, ages 10-14]

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Jul 15, 2010 | 0 comments View Post

Top 10: Best Beginning Chapter Book Series (ages 6-9)

Dragons and aliens and dinosaurs, oh my!  And for girls, there are interesting slightly mischievous girls to meet as well as cousins who are really sweet.

This is a category of books, beginning chapter book — more advanced than Henry and Mudge but not ready for Newbery Award winners — that is sorely lacking in quality series.  I sought out a bunch of new series to try to find new options and I’m happy to say that there are some more new good ones!  I also “test drove” out my recommendations on my own kids and their play dates … and the verdict was positive.  Ivy and Bean was a hit – twice over.  Cobble Street Cousins were a hit in my 2nd grader’s entire class, and Clementine is slightly more advanced but well worth the effort.  Read on for the rest!

To buy any book, please click on the image.

To see more in each series, please go to the PragmaticMom store on the right hand column of my blog.

THANK YOU!


10. Julian Rodriguez series by Alexander Stadler

This is a diabolically clever series to get your reluctant reader to try.  Because the premise of the series is that Julian Rodriguez is an alien plant pretending to be a young boy in an earth family, it has really wonderful rich language as Julian communicates the bizarre goings on to his superior somewhere in outer space.  There is a cartoon/comic book quality that is really appealing but moms will love the vocabulary:  breached, unhygienic, contaminated, barbaric, sequestered, vulnerable, gluttony, sanitation, subterranean containment facility (basement), orb (ball), and  rest inducer (sleeping bag).  Fun, huh?!

9.  Go Girl! series by Thalia Kalkipsakis

My mom friend with 3 girls (and an ex-third grade teacher) told me about this series.  I got a bunch for my middle daughter and she loves them.  It’s a series that focuses on social situations that kids find themselves in:  fitting in, keeping secrets, etc.

8.  The Dragons of Wayward Crescent series by Chris D’Lacey

This is a series that would appeal to boys and girls.  The font of the books is especially large.  The mother is a sculptor and some of the dragons she creates come to life.  Her daughter Lucy is in on the gig and the dragons help to fix all kinds of crazy situations.  There is some half-page sized illustrations every three or four pages that break up the text.

7. Dinosaur Cove series by Rex Stone

At the Dinosaur Museum, there is a secret dinosaur cove where there are real dinosaurs and only Tom and Jamie know about it.  There are illustrations on almost every page and some illustrations are a full page spread.  This is a great series that is exciting but not too scary and the dinosaur facts (based on my two year crash course with my youngest) seem to be correct.  Think Jurassic Park but not nail biting.  This is especially appealing to boys who still love dinosaurs.

6. Ivy and Bean series  by Annie Barrows

I really like this series and I recommended it to my middle daughter’s friend to get her to diversify from Nate the Great.  She liked it! Ivy and Bean are great friends and get into slightly sticky situations that are not always totally their fault.  Honest!  If your child was in class with Ivy and Bean, you’d invite them over for a play date!

5.  Beast Quest series by Adam Blade

A great fantasy series that is both exciting and not too difficult.  Think Aragon but 60 pages or less.  This is an appealing series for boys who like fantasy.

4.  Cobble Street Cousins by Cynthia Rylant

I love Cynthia Rylant.  She’s one of my favorite authors.  I had a chat with a librarian and we both raved about her range: picture books, chapter books, easy readers!  This six book series is not that well known but it’s so sweet.  It’s about three cousins who spend summers with their Aunt Lucy while their parents travel with the ballet.  It’s like a Victorian series but set in contemporary times.  Could Not Be Any Sweeter!  My kids and I love this series!!!

3. My Father’s Dragon series by Ruth Stiles Gannett

Your kids might read this series at school but if they haven’t yet, you are in for a treat.  Adventures of a boy, Elmer and the dragon he rescues  in a not-quite-real fantasy world.  This is an especially well written series.

2.  How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell

It’s a book.  It’s a movie.  The movie is different from the book but both are equally excellent.  This is the dragon equivalent of Diary of a Wimpy Kid in that everyone, boys and girls,  loves this book series and it’s really, really funny!

1. Clementine by Sara Pennypacker

Think Ramona but not quite as difficult to read.  VClementine is not quite as young as Ramona but just as fun to get to know.  This is a wonderful series that has won all kinds of awards.  We are waiting impatiently for the newest release that comes out very, very soon!

Clementine:  Friend of the Week is hot off the presses July 27, 2010!

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Jul 14, 2010 | 0 comments View Post

Top 10: Books You Were Forced to Read in School

Yep, I was forced to read these books as a kid also.  Must be a rite of passage.  A few I read on my own, but many of these were assigned reading.  Check out this list from Time Magazine online by Gilbert Cruz to see if you had to read them too! And more importantly, will you make sure your kids read them too?!!  Really do check out the article; it has descriptions for all the books.

To buy any of these books, please click on image of the book.  Thank You!

10.  To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Thumbs up from me!  Love this book, love the movie!

9. Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck

Yep, this is a keeper but I am biased because my husband grew up in Monterey, California so Steinbeck is steeped in his blood.  But truly The Grapes of Wrath is his finest work.

8. A Separate Peace by John Knowles

A teacher will force your child to read this book but it’s a good one.

7. The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger

A rite of passage for every rebel without a cause (a.k.a. middle schooler).  Let your child “discover” this book on their own and prepare for rebellion.

6. Animal Farm by George Orwell

Did not love this book.  Isn’t the cold war over?  Can’t we all get along?!  Let your child get this assigned in class.

5. The Lord of the Flies by William Golding

Every middle schooler kind of knows this reality so let someone else assign it unless your kid is a bully.  Then make him or her read it.  And then really discuss it.

4. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

I liked F. Scott as much as the next person, but what was all the fuss about this book?  It’s not a bad book but I think there are better, more relevant books out there.

3. A Farewell to Arms by Ernest Hemingway

Hemingway:  you either love him or you don’t.  Men tend to love him.  Women, not so much, myself included.

2. The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

I’d let my kids’ teachers assign this one.

1.  MacBeth by William Shakespeare

Does any kid read Shakespeare on their own?  Not any kid I ever knew.

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Jul 11, 2010 | 0 comments View Post

Top 10: Best Children’s Books about Best Friend Issues (ages 2-16)

Why are best friendships between girls so complicated?  Can best friendships morph and survive as one grows up or do best friendships that have begun at a young age get stuck in a pattern of behavior that keeps the relationship in a dysfunctional time warp?  I wish I knew the answer to that.  I have polled my mom friends and some have best friendships (and lovely best friends that I have sometimes even met briefly at a kid’s birthday party) that have lasted a few decades.  Others, myself included, not so much.  One lovely mom friend who is incredible on every front (gorgeous!  funny!  nice!  intelligent!) said that she never had a best friend growing up, only a circle of very, very good friends (just like what men do!).  It blew my mind that this was a girl option!  But it makes so much sense to not have all your eggs in one basket.  Oh, if I knew then what I know now…

These children’s books have best friend issues that run the gamut from The Big Fight to adjusting to the ups and downs of life’s interruptions whether that is a tsunami to puberty.  Just like in real life.  I hope these books help to illustrate to your children who may be going through ups and downs with their friendships that healthy friendships have ebbs and flows.

To purchase any book, please click on the image of the book,

or buy at The Pragmatic Mom Store to the right hand side of this post.  THANK YOU!

10. Best, Best Friends by Margaret Chodos-Irvine

When your best friend in preschool gets a lot of attention because it’s her birthday, it’s hard not to be jealous and say something mean.  Luckily best friends understand about bad days and the friendship is easily repaired.  This book is perfect for preschool girls in the throes of  an ever changing friendship dynamic with one close friend.  Girl drama; it starts really early!  [picture book, ages 2-5]

9.  11 Birthdays by Wendy Mass

Your best friend is a boy and you’ve always celebrated your birthdays together since you were born since you have the same birthday.  But this year, it’s different.  VERY different.  You are fighting with your best friend and it’s the first separate birthday party you’ve ever had.  And it’s not even fun.  But guess what?  It’s Ground Hog day (as in the movie), and you get to relive this day over and over again, until you get it right.  [chapter book, ages 9-12]

8.  Summer Sisters by Judy Blume

Sometimes best friendships change over time.  Caitlin’s world opens up with she meets Vix who comes from a family of privilege, and they become inseparable friends one summer on Martha’s Vineyard.  Six summers go by and the girls change, as teenage girls do, and their friendship inevitably does too.  [young adult, ages 12-16]

7. You’re Not My Best Friend Anymore by Charlotte Pomerantz

Molly lives upstairs with her father and mother in a two-family.  Ben lives downstairs with his father and his aunt.  She’s Caucasian.  He’s African American.  Their birthdays are 10 days apart so they celebrate them together.  They are best friends until that bad day when fight over what kind of tent they should buy with all the allowance they’ve saved:  pup tent versus umbrella tent.  But it all works out in the end!  [picture book, ages 6-10]

6. Chester’s Way by Kevin Henkes

Two young boy mice who are best friends think that there is only way (a very precise way) to do things.  But when Lily moves in, she’s so different from them, they try to avoid her.  But when she saves them from bullies, they realize that there is more than one way to slice a sandwich and that Lily’s strange ways are rip-roaringly fun.  [picture book, ages 4-9]

5. Introducing … Sasha Abramowitz by Sue Halpern

Sasha Abramowitz has a lot on her plate.  She has to see a therapist to deal with her brother who has Tourette’s Syndrome and lives in a boarding school.   Her best friend seems more interested in hanging out with a boy than with her.  Her babysitter is the brother she wished she had.  And then everything goes upside down when, Danny, her brother abruptly moves home to their dorm.  Oh yes, did I mention she’s on a college campus with her parents? [chapter book, ages 9-12]

4. Horace and Morris but Mostly Dolores by James Howe

Three best mouse friends are inseparable until that fateful day when they have to hang out based on their gender.  Dolores is having none of  it because it’s just too boring and she misses her best friends.  They are having a rough time without her as well.  The status quo is broken finally when Dolores takes a stand and she gets unexpected back up.  [picture book, ages 3-6]

3. Best Friends for Frances by Russell Hoban

Another best friend problem when you are a girl badger and your best friend Albert is a boy badger who doesn’t seem to include you when his male friends are around.  Not to worry, Frances has a plan to fix everything.  It’s a little sneaky, but, you know Frances, it’s a good plan.  [picture book, ages 4-7]

2. Violet Raines Almost Got Struck By Lightening by Danette Haworth

Violet’s world is upside down when her best friend seems to have acquired another friend who is slightly ahead on the puberty thing.  The thing is Violet is not sure she wants to grow up that fast.  Why is everything so different and confusing all of a sudden?  Why can’t things stay the same.  And her best friend, who is caught in the middle wants to know why can’t everyone get along?!  [chapter book, ages 9-12]

1. Owen and Mzee:  The True Story of a Remarkable Friendship by Craig Hatkoff

A baby orphaned  hippopotamus befriended by a giant, ancient tortoise?  This true friendship rocks the animal world because it’s so unlikely yet so real.  An amazing and uplifting story and you have to read.  [non-fiction, ages 5-12]

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Jul 09, 2010 | 1 comment View Post
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