LM_NET: Library Media Networking
author is Mary James
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Just another ducky message to quack you up.
Shirly H. Banner sbanner@esu3.esu3.k12.ne.us
Parkview Heights Elem. Papillion-La Vista Schools
La Vista, NE 68128
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On Tue, 2 Apr 1996, Julia Hedden Denton wrote:
> Dear LM_NET Members,
>
> Recently I posted a request for school librarians to send me their
> personal favorites for reading aloud. The purpose was to compile a list
> of "librarian-tested" but less known titles. I received over twenty
> responses and there are some great ideas here.
>
> While there was some duplication of suggestions, I decided to simply
> compile all the answers. I wanted to include the helpful comments that
> went along with the titles.
>
> Thanks to all who responded! Hope this list is as helpful to some of you
> as it will be to me.
>
> Mahalo,
>
> Julia Denton
> LIS student, University of Hawaii
>
>
> ********************
> _Shoebag_ is one my school loves in grades 3 & 4. I believe the author is
> Johnson, but I could be wrong.
>
> It's the story of a young cockroach that is turned into a boy, & the
> adventures following. Kind of like Kafka in reverse.
>
> Sorry I can't remember the author--I know just where on the shelf it is!
> But this is my Spring Break so I won't be able to look it up until next
> week. If you still want the info then--e-mail me back & I'll send it to you.
>
>
> * Debbie Collier Orange Grove Elementary *
> * Librarian & Houston, Texas *
> * "Resourceress" COLLIE@TENET.EDU *
>
> ********************
> Julia, I forget the author, but Shoebag is a great read aloud for
> 1st-3rd grade. Shoebag is a cockroch (sp?) who is called Shoebag
> because that is where he was born. His mother is Toaster, I think.
> WRitten from the perspective of a coakroach and very funny.
>
> Mary Buitendorp
> Grand Haven Christian School
> Grand Haven MI
> mbuitend@remc7.k12.mi.us
>
> **********************
> One of my favorites to read to 3rd and 4th is Rafe Martin's *Rough Face
> Girl.*
>
> My 5th graders really enjoy Robert D. San Souci's *Sukey and the
> Mermaid,*
> which has marvelous illustrations to use with a group. I am hoping his
> *Faithful Friend,* also illustrated by Brian Pinkney, will have the same
> reception when I read it to 6th grade in a few weeks.
>
> *Rude Giants* is great for 1st, and *The Tickleoctopus* for 2nd: both are
> by Audrey Wood.
>
> Thank you for compiling this list!
>
> Marcia Garman Zorn Hurst-Euless-Bedford ISD
> Librarian 1400 Cavender Drive
> Shady Oaks Elementary School Hurst, Texas 76053
> marciaz@tenet.edu 817-285-3240
>
>
> ********************
> I've recently read The True Adventure of Daniel Hall by Diane Stanley to six
> classes of fifth graders. This is a true story (I've seen it catalogued both
> as a biography and in the 900s) of a fourteen year old boy who sought the
> adventure of a whaling ship. He encounters many hardships along the way; the
> kids find it particularly fascinating since the character is just a few
> years older than they are. I highly recommend it.
> Please post a hit of other ideas. TIA.
>
> Judy Shaughnessy
> Stratford Avenue School
> Garden City, NY
> Bry195@aol.com
>
> ********************
> I'm not sure if the following titles are considered "lesser known", but they
> are some of the most successful read-alouds I have discovered for 4th and
> 5th grade students. I will be interested in your final list.
>
> Lafcadio: The Lion Who Shot Back (Silverstein)
> Flight: The Journey of Charles Lindbergh (Burleigh)
> The Magic Finger (Dahl)
> Stories by Richard Kennedy, particularly "The Porcelain Man" and "The
> Dark Princess"
>
> Massalama!
> Carolyn Hackworth
> American Community School
> Abu Dhabi
> United Arab Emirates
> American Community School of Abu Dhabi
> Email: amcomsch@emirates.net.ae
> P.O. Box 4005 Tel: 971-2-661-461
> Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. Fax: 971-2-653-234
>
>
> ********************
> The Perfectly Orderly House (I can't remember the author) is a fun read aloud
> and a great lead in to Dewey. I have used it for grades 3-5.
>
> Hope this helps.
> Marjorie Schor
> mjschor@aol.com
>
> ********************
> Please excuse the lack of details about the following titles. I'm at home
> and the books aren't. Also, some I have lost over the years, but still
> remember the audience response.
>
> _Dragon in a clock box_ by Craig
> _Rum pum pum_ (folktale from India)
> _Grumpet under the rug_ by Jackson
> _Mr. Willoughby's Christmas tree_
>
> Sue Sheil
> Franklin Elementary School
> Manitowoc, WI 54220
> smsheil@netnet.net
>
> ********************
> Run out right now and find copies of *Books Kids will sit Still for* and
> *More Books Kids Will sit Still for*, both by Judy Freeman and both published
> by Bowker, for over 2000 titles that have already been kid0-tested, and
> proven successful. Judy includes curriculum suggestions, all kinds of
> response activities, etc., etc., etc. If you Library School doesn't own
> these basic resources, why not?
> BTW: Judy will be the keynote presenter for the AASL President's program
> at ALA in NYC this summer. She also does program through BERES. If you
> can ever get to one of her programs, it is worth every penny.
> Alice H. Yucht
> YUCHT@zodiac.rutgers.edu>
>
> ********************
> The Library by Sarah Stewart and The Library Dragon by Carmen Agra Deedy
> are great. Even middle schoolers like them.
>
> From: chms@southwind.net (Chisholm Middle School)
>
> ********************
> Julie---try "Rosie, A Visiting Dog" by Stephanie Calmenson. It's a 94 or 95
> copyright, I think; nonfiction picturebook about a dog who is trained to
> visit hospitals and old folks' homes to provide comfort and cheer to
> patients. It's a SUPER readaloud. I had to buy extra copies for my
> students grades 1-3 to whom I read the book. Great discussion starter. It
> brought out the best in these children---compassion, sensitivity, and humor.
>
> --
> Kathy O'Neal
> koneal@llohio.wviz.org
> K-4 Librarian, Shaker Heights, Ohio City Schools
> (216) 751-0749
>
> **********************
> Dear Julia,
> I read a book (or part of a book) by Roald Dahl to each grade
> level K-5 and they LOVE him. I cannot keep those books on the shelves.
> The titles I read were:
> K - The Enormous Crocodile
> 1 - The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me
> 2 - The Twits
> I finished the above and read part of the following:
> 3 - The BFG
> 4 - Matilda
> 5 - The Witches
>
> I hope you will post a hit on this as I am always looking for
> great read alouds. Good luck.
>
> Anne LeBoy
> aleboy@tenet.edu
>
> ********************
>
> My kids like "THE NAPPINGHOUSE by Audrey and Don Wood. They also adore
> one called SOAP, SOAP DON'T FORGET THE SOAP. Don't have the author on
> that one, it's at work , I'm at home and it's Spring Break!
> Do post a hit please, if you can.
>
> Guusje Moore
> Librarian, Housman Elementary School
> Houston, Texas
> guusje@tenet.edu
>
> ********************
>
> 5th grade: Weasel by Cynthia DeFelice- great drama/pioneer-type story
> of a
> young boy who has to outwit a man they call Weasel because he's so evil and
> will kill at night for no reason.
>
> 6th grade: They Cage the Animals at Night by Burch- autobiography of young
> boy shunted through foster system- in many cases mistreated- NYC
>
> 4th grade: Harry's Mad by King-Smith - fun story to read with parrot
> voice- set in England- parrot can speak and understand everything-lives with
> family- gets kidnapped in London-
>
> I've read the above out loud over period of several months and students and
> I don't lose interest. I've read Weasel at least 3 years and am planning
> on it again this year.
>
> Tamara Hervey
> Todd School
> Briarcliff Manor, NY
> thervey@computer.net
>
> ********************
>
> The Half-Moon Inn by Sid Fleishman
>
> Casma Huie (chuie@umd5.umd.edu)
> Media Specialist Jackson Road Elementary
> Maryland
>
> ********************
> I've had a great time with Richard Kennedy's Inside My Feet. I wanted to
> quote the first line to you so you could guess how it grabs the kids and
> keeps them, but I've loaned my copy out.
>
> I was delighted to find that the kids begged for more when I read Sandburg's
> Rootabaga Stories to them -- I just told them to relax, feel the flow of the
> words, and realize that this was poetry like music. I read them to 3-5th
> grade classes in the late winter when everything gets tense and we all need
> some wonderful release. (I rarely read anything to students which I havn't
> practiced reading aloud first -- after all, 25-30 captive bodies deserve that
> degree of respect, but give this one a couple of extra trial runs befor
> performance.)
>
> The Talking Eggs is always received well -- and is a great vehicle for
> expanding into talk about the motifs of folk stories, or for building
> from a
> discussion of the nature of folklore.
>
> Don't bother with the biography of E.B. White -- it's title is the best
> written part of it, but read selections from E.B. White's letters. Such good
> writing, and the idea of letters which really communicate is becoming
> such a forgotten one.
>
> Will be looking forward to your list!
>
> Helen Seagraves Hcgraves@aol. Hood River, OR
>
> ********************
> Me and Caleb by Meyer (Very funny story about 2 brothers in the 50's)
> not exactly unknown by Bunnicula by James Howe is surefire.
> On My Honor Marian Bauer
> All about Sam Lois Lowry
> Shadow on the Snow and Snot Stew by Bill Wallace
> The Not Just Anybody Family by Betsy Byars
>
> Paula Neale || Ingels Elementary School
> Library Media Specialist || 11600 Food Lane
> hickman3@TV19.KCPT.ORG || Kansas City, MO 64134
> (816) 761-4343
>
> ********************
> From: Lesterfrog@aol.com
>
> Iceberg Hermit by Roth! Excellent survival story.
>
> ********************
> Julia: Don't know how popular this one is, but The Stories Julian
> Tells and More Stories Julian Tells are two of my favorites from my
> public library days. I think they're by Ann Cameron. She has
> continued the series with other books about Julian for Stepping Stone
> series (I think) and I'm not familiar with the newer ones; don't know
> if they're as wonderful as these first two. The language is magical,
> the imagery is marvelous, and the characters are loving and lovable.
> They read aloud really well. I'm remembering how joyful I felt
> reading them to a group of kiddos--the words felt so good on my
> tongue!
>
> Oh--I'd say they're good for kids up to grade 3 or 4.
>
> Melissa A. Malcolm
> Mt. Abraham Union High School
> 7 Airport Drive "I have no special gift. I
> Bristol, Vermont 05443 am only passionately curious."
> 802-453-2333 --Albert Einstein
>
> ********************
> Dear Julia--I had to wait a couple of days to answer because I had
> to climb up into the attic to look at my child lit collection as I
> couldn't remember a title! (I left elem 10 yrs ago for hi school and
> one does forget...)Anyway...I really like the church mice series
> from England, wonderful illustrations and literate humor, *The
> Church Mouse goes to the Moon*, etc. The one I couldn't remember
> was *Do Not Open* by Turlock and was on the nominated group of Ca
> Young Reader some years ago. I found that those were always popular
> because they are voted on by the age group for which they're
> written--a sure bet in interest. I found several awards listed on
> the net including CYRA but not for the K-3 level which this was...Of
> course, the Stephen Kellog ones are always a hit, especially the one
> about the tadpole. good reading and thanks for dredging up
> memories! :)
>
> Lois Roberts Bishop O'Dowd HS Library, Oakland, Ca
> lrobert@odowd.pvt.k12.ca.us
>
> ********************
> What a tough question! There are so many! But here are a few of my favorites:
>
> The Twenty and Ten (Bishop) for upper elem.
> Russell Rides Again (Hurwitz) and other "Russell" books
> Every Living Thing (Rylant) for upper elem
> Teammates (??)
> Tales Julian Tells (Cameron)
> Nate the Great (Sharmat)
>
> Well, I'll stop there. I think most of these will qualify as "lesser
> known", but they are all still in print. Good luck.
>
> Jeanne Clark
> Library Media Specialist
> Houston, TX
> jeannel@tenet.edu
>
> ********************
> One of my favorites is The Houdini Box by Brian Selznick. It won the
> Bluebonnet Award (Texas' children's choice) a few years ago. It is
> short enough to read in one session and CHARMING. Lots of magic words
> throughout. good luck!
>
> Anne Swan Johns Elementary, Arlington, TX aswan@tenet.edu
>
> *********************
>
> My favorite read aloud book is "A Dog Called Kitty" by Bill Wallace. I would
> appreciate you sharing the responses you get. Thanks.
>
> crife416@aol.com
>
> Cheryl Rife
> Inman Elementary
> Inman, KS 67546
>
> **********************
> Good short stories for upper elementary ....
>
> "Slower than the rest" by Cynthia Rylant in _Every Living Thing_
> (About a young boy who has trouble learning and a turtle he finds)
> "Bad road for cats" by Cynthia Rylant in _Every Living Thing_
> (About a woman searching for her lost cat on a road busy with trucks)
> "The girl who got a fairy in her eye" by Barbara Sleigh in _Stirabout
> Stories_
> (Perfect for St. Patrick's Day, complete with the brogue and a
> belligent leprechuan)
> ""Nothing to worry about" by Jim Bishop in Jim Trelease's _Read All About it_
> "The groundhog war" and "The cherry tree buck" by Robin Moore in _The
> Cherry Tree Buck and other stories_
> (Both are farfetched, but fun stories about a boy and his
> grandfather)
>
> Sue Sheil
> Franklin Elementary School
> Manitowoc, WI 54220
> smsheil@netnet.net
>
> ********************
>
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