Our favorite books this September feature some lovable animals and some courageous young adults. These stories about friendship and making good choices will make you laugh, cry and learn life lessons in the process.
Read on to see what books had us hooked this September!
For PreK-K (Ages 3-6):
The Bear Ate Your Sandwich by Julia Sarcone-Roach
Bear meets sandwich, adventure ensues. The wonderfully told story, spectacular illustrations, and surprise ending make this Julia Sarcone-Roach’s best book to date. You’ll want to share it with your friends (and keep a close eye on your lunch). A sly classic-in-the-making for fans of Jon Klassen, Peter Brown, and Mo Willems.
For 1st & 2nd Grade (Ages 6-8):
My Friend Maggie by Hannah E. Harrison
Paula and Maggie have been friends forever. Paula thinks Maggie is the best—until mean girl Veronica says otherwise. Suddenly, Paula starts to notice that Maggie is big and clumsy, and her clothes are sort of snuggish. Rather than sticking up for Maggie, Paula ignores her old friend and plays with Veronica instead. Luckily, when Veronica turns on Paula, Maggie’s true colors shine through.
For 3rd & 4th grade (Ages 8-10):
Hereville: How Mirka Got Her Sword by Barry Deutsch
Welcome to Hereville, home of the first-ever wisecracking, adventure-loving, sword-wielding Orthodox Jewish heroine. A delightful mix of fantasy, adventure, cultural traditions, and preteen commotion, this fun, quirky graphic novel series will captivate middle-school readers with its exciting visuals and entertaining new heroine.
For 5th & 6th grade (Ages 10-12):
Booked by Kwame Alexander
In this follow-up to the Newbery-winning novel THE CROSSOVER, soccer, family, love, and friendship, take center stage as twelve-year-old Nick learns the power of words as he wrestles with problems at home, stands up to a bully, and tries to impress the girl of his dreams. Helping him along are his best friend and sometimes teammate Coby, and The Mac, a rapping librarian who gives Nick inspiring books to read.
Grades 7 & up (Ages 13+):
Will Grayson, Will Grayson by John Green and David Levithan
One cold night, in a most unlikely corner of Chicago, Will Grayson crosses paths with . . . Will Grayson. Two teens with the same name, running in two very different circles, suddenly find their lives going in new and unexpected directions, and culminating in epic turns-of-heart and the most fabulous musical ever to grace the high school stage. Told in alternating voices from two YA superstars, this collaborative novel features a double helping of the heart and humor that have won them both legions of fans.
The post Monthly Book List: Our Five Favorite Books for September appeared first on First Book Blog.
Woo-hoo! It's Friday!
Doesn't Friday just automatically make you happy?
I think Fridays are just a little bit magic and have an advantage over the other days of the week :)
My plan for this weekend includes baking birthday cake for my step-daughter and babysitting for my granddaughters so she and her husband can have a little much-deserved-no-kids-couple-time. Lucky me - I totally win out! I see acorn and stick collecting, painting, play-doh, sidewalk chalk, tea parties, hide-and-seek, and being a pony in my weekend :)
And I'm thinking I will share this book - my PPBF pick for this week - because it is so cute and sweet!
Title: Extraordinary Jane
Written & Illustrated By: Hannah E. Harrison
Dial, February 2014, Fiction
Suitable For Ages: 3-8
Themes/Topics: being yourself
Opening: "
Jane was ordinary in a world that was extraordinary."
Brief Synopsis: Jane is a little dog who lives at the circus. She's not graceful like her mother, mighty like her father, daring like her brothers, or fearless like her sisters. She's just Jane. But you don't have to be graceful or mighty or daring or fearless to be special.
Links To Resources: together with your child or class, make a list of things you think everyone would agree are extraordinary, like being brave or strong. Do you have any of those qualities? Does your child or the members of your class? Talk about what extraordinary really means. Make a new list of things that could be considered extraordinary, like helping an elderly neighbor take out the recycling, or being kind to the new kid in class. Who has these qualities? Talk about what makes you like people - probably things like they're nice, or they make you laugh. Can those things be considered special? What can you do today to make the world a better place just by being you? Would pair nicely with
Ordinary Mary's Extraordinary Deed by Emily Pearson.
Why I Like This Book: This is one of those delightfully simple and sweet books that I just love! Let's face it - lots of us feel ordinary. So many kids can relate to the idea of worrying that they might not measure up in today's world of high expectations. This sweet story reminds us - kids, parents, and teachers alike - that we are all extraordinary in our own way, and that we are all special to somebody. The art is bright and colorful. Some of the spreads are humorous (in particular the balancing ball incident and the page after it :)) and the last one is guaranteed to make you say "Aww!" :)
For the complete list of books with resources, please visit
Perfect Picture Books.
So what are you all planning for this weekend (besides a trip to the library to read all the great books that are sure to show up on this week's PPBF list)?
PPBF bloggers, please leave your post-specific links on the list below so we can all come visit and make our library lists :)
Have a great weekend, everyone!!! :)
