More about Diary of a Wimpy Kids here => http://bit.ly/pQhd3F
The Throne of Fire
by Rick Riordan
Carter Kane and his younger sister Sadie will once again match wits and magical powers with the gods of ancient Egypt in the second book in Rick Riordan's The Kane Chronicles series, Book Two: The Throne of Fire. The book won't be released until released May 3, but here's an exclusive look at the opening chapter.
Because of Winn-Dixie
by Kate DiCamillo
Kate DiCamillo's debut novel wins a 2001 Newbery Honor and is a NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW Bestseller!
The summer Opal and her father, the preacher, move to Naomi, Florida, Opal goes into the Winn-Dixie supermarket--and comes out with a dog. A big, ugly, suffering dog with a sterling sense of humor. A dog she dubs Winn-Dixie. Because of Winn-Dixie, the preacher tells Opal ten things about her absent mother, one for each year Opal has been alive. Winn-Dixie is better at making friends than anyone Opal has ever known, and together they meet the local librarian, Miss Franny Block, who once fought off a bear with a copy of WAR AND PEACE. They meet Gloria Dump, who is nearly blind but sees with her heart, and Otis, an ex-con who sets the animals in his pet shop loose after hours, then lulls them with his guitar.
Opal spends all that sweet summer collecting stories about her new friends and thinking about her mother. But because of Winn-Dixie or perhaps because she has grown, Opal learns to let go, just a little, and that friendship--and forgiveness--can sneak up on you like a sudden summer storm.
Recalling the fiction of Harper Lee and Carson McCullers, here is a funny, poignant, and utterly genuine first novel from a major new talent.
An unforgettable first novel about coming of age one sweet summer--and learning to love what you have.
Book Club Discussion Questions
Webquest for Because of Winn-Dixie
Create printable tests and worksheets from Because of Winn-Dixie questions
Writing encouragement for students
Activity Guide from Walden Media
Information on topics related to the book
Character Education Lesson plan
Review and Discussion Questions
Buy the Book
(Publisher's Price is $15.99)
from Amazon for $5.99
or from me (for $6.05 - your choice will depend on your shipping price from Amazon probably) by clicking this button ...
Movie Trailer
The Polar Express
by Chris Van Alsburg
One couldn't select a more delightful and exciting premise for a children's book than the tale of a young boy lying awake on Christmas Eve only to have Santa Claus sweep by and take him on a trip with other children to the North Pole. And one couldn't ask for a more talented artist and writer to tell the story than Chris Van Allsburg. Allsburg, a sculptor who entered the genre nonchalantly when he created a children's book as a diversion from his sculpting, won the 1986 Caldecott Medal for this book, one of several award winners he's produced. The Polar Express rings with vitality and wonder.
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Ideas, lessons, printables, games, party fun, and much more
Lessons, resources and integrated units
Scholastic Lesson plan
The Little Drummer Boy
by Bruce Whatley
Annie's grandfather carves the Little Drummer Boy from the leg of an old oak table as a Christmas gift for his small granddaughter. And throughout her life, Annie's favourite decoration travels the world with her and always hangs on the Christmas tree at her house, close to the top. Seasons and fashions come and go and Annie has children and grandchildren of her own - but the pair remain together, although as they age they both start to fade. But they put that down to being well loved.
Trailer produced by Sangeeta Garg
Newbery Medalist Kate DiCamillo--author of The Tale of Despereaux and The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane-- has crafted another exquisite novel for young readers. The Magician's Elephant tells the tale of Peter Augustus Duchene, a ten-year-old orphan who receives an unbelievable piece of information from the local fortuneteller. Peter learns that his fate is tied to an elephant that has inexplicably fallen from the sky when a magician's trick goes terribly wrong. Why did it happen? And, how can an elephant possibly change the course of Peter's life? This darkly atmospheric, yet hopeful tale, demonstrates that when the answers to life’s big questions are opaque or unforthcoming, all is not lost. DiCamillo's rhythmic writing, combined with Yoko Tanaka's mysterious black-and-white illustrations, enchants and calls out to our sincerest wishes and dreams
Twelve-year-old Australian actress Jordana Beatty has snagged the title role in family movie Judy Moody and the Not Bummer Summer based on the popular children's book series. Read more ...
Fantastic Mr. Fox
~ Roald Dahl
Illustrated by Quentin Blake
Format: Paperback 96 pages
ISBN-13: 978-0142410349
Released: August 16 2007
Publisher: Puffin
Ages: 9-12
Themes: animals
Price: $7.50
In the tradition of The Adventures of Peter Rabbit, this is a "garden tale" of farmer versus vermin, or vice versa. The farmers in this case are a vaguely criminal team of three stooges: "Boggis and Bunce and Bean / One fat, one short, one lean. / These horrible crooks / So different in looks / Were nonetheless equally mean." Whatever their prowess as poultry farmers, within these pages their sole objective is the extermination of our hero--the noble, the clever, the Fantastic Mr. Fox.
Our loyalties are defined from the start; after all, how could you cheer for a man named Bunce who eats his doughnuts stuffed with mashed goose livers? As one might expect, the farmers in this story come out smelling like ... well, what farmers occasionally do smell like.
This early Roald Dahl adventure is great for reading aloud to three- to seven-year-olds, who will be delighted to hear that Mr. Fox keeps his family one step ahead of the obsessed farmers.
When they try to dig him out, he digs faster; when they lay siege to his den, he tunnels to where the farmers least expect him--their own larders! In the end, Mr. Fox not only survives, but also helps the whole community of burrowing creatures live happily ever after. With his usual flourish, Dahl evokes a magical animal world that, as children, we always knew existed, had we only known where or how to look for it.
Fiction Activities
Vocabulary List for Fantastic Mr. Fox
Lesson Plans for Fantastic Mr.Fox
Fantastic Mr. Fox A matching game to reinforce characters in
this popular Roald Dahl novel. http://www.quia.com/custom/2198main.html
Reading Quiz http://www.puiching.edu.hk/~pc-ckc/fox.htm
Novel Study http://www.tlt.ab.ca/projects/Div1/Grade3/fantasticfox/foxy.html
Vocabulary PowerPoint FantasticMr. Fox
EThemes http://www.emints.org/ethemes/resources/S00000553.shtml
Rainbow Journey Two http://www.e-magine.education.tas.gov.au/n-touch/surftherainbow/projecttwo/fox.htm
Lesson Plans http://www.mce.k12tn.net/reading48/lesson_plans_for_fantastic_mr.htm
Vocabulary Exercises Activity1 http://www.shorncliss.qld.edu.au/000884.asp
& Activity 2 http://www.shorncliss.qld.edu.au/000885.asp
Fantastic Mr. Fox NovelStudy http://www.tlt.ab.ca/projects/Div1/Grade3/fantasticfox/foxy.html
Novel Study http://www.lgsd.k12.nf.ca/imc/PrimaryNovels.asp
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In this slamming cousin to Poetry Speaks to Children (2005), editor Giovanni states, “Poetry with a beat. That’s hip hop in a flash,” and she goes on to link hip-hop to grand opera and present a capsule history of African American vernacular music. This features a wide-ranging selection of 51 entries, plus a CD with new or previously released recorded versions of 29, some with music.
