Once upon a time, the rumpus room was a space rarely vacuumed and usually filled with furniture past its use-by date. Today, it's a stylish haven
A lot of times when I get a custom order, I'll end up making a pattern that I only use once. It sometimes feels like a waste to spend days (occasionally weeks) working on a single pattern to never use it again, but I really enjoy the process of creating a new design. Plus I always end up
Kate Messner, Beginning Readers, Children's Literature, Kid Lit, teaching
Explore Ernie Uszniewicz's 929 photos on Flickr!
It's hard to believe it's been over a decade since we first featured the works by Roby Dwi Antono! And while we did keep a close eye on his career we...
Ellis Nadler's "Cards of Wu" is a hopefully never-ending series of woodcuts in the form of divination cards. Thank you Ellis for sharing your work here --
An exclusive look at the cover of Oscar Hokeah’s forthcoming novel, CALLING FOR A BLANKET DANCE.
While New York Gallery Week was last weekend, which for the most part means that galleries were open on Sunday, the galleries in Chelsea, SoHo and the
The graphic artist MILK keeps a low profile. I first found her art over at DesignLlama while looking for something interesting, and that was the end of my
What makes a good book for teen boys? How do you get a reluctant reader invested in a story? Which factors will entice the most challenging reading student to pick up a book? With Goblins!: An UnderEarth Adventure, author Royce Buckingham has answered some of these dilemmas. He begins with an action-filled opener – a goblin has escaped the UnderEarth. He features identifiable protagonists - twelve-year-old Sam on the brink of juvenile delinquency and seventeen-year-old PJ, stuck in a nowhere small-town while he visits his policeman father. These two form an unlikely, but appreciable, dynamic duo as they follow the Guardians of UnderEarth on a battle to keep the goblins from finding the tunnel that leads to our world. Additionally, author Buckingham, propels the reader from one battle scene to the next. Goblins! action not only begins fast, it is spooned out in small doses. Chapters are kept short and descriptive language is limited. There are bloody battle scenes, bravery and death. Still, before the story ever gets a chance to venture into a weighty realm, the author throws in a few laughs. And though the telling might flow easily and prove enticing to even the most reluctant of readers, Goblins! hides some decent themes within it. PJ and Sam demonstrate fortitude and make the right choices when making the right choices count most. Goblins!: An UnderEarth Adventure, aimed toward the middle-grade male – even though the cover art appears to be too juvenile for that crowd, is a story many reluctant and action-adventure story enthusiasts will devour. -------------------- Resources -------------------- Genre: Fantasy. Age: 9-12. Pages: 240. Themes: Hero Quest, Action-Adventure, Making Decisions Thanks to Jessica at Planned Television Arts. Publisher: Putnam Juvenile. Date: September 2008. ISBN-10: 0399250026 - ISBN-13: 978-0399250026 Buy Goblins!: An UnderEarth Adventure Here Royce Buckingham is also the author of the popular Demonkeeper novel. He is available for school and library visits. You can read more on his website. Here's the book trailer for good measure: ____________________________________________________________ © 2007-2009 Cheryl Vanatti for www.ReadingRumpus.com Review also posted as National Reading Examiner.
There is no greater act of love than to hold someone accountable for their mistakes.
The main centerpiece of our party. A significant element in the story, it represented Max's travels into and out of his imaginative world....
The Road to Revolution! is the first in series of graphic novels, titled The Cartoon Chronicles of America, featuring fictional characters interacting within the specifics of American history. Nick is a street-smart orphan-boy. Penny’s the indefatigable daughter of a Boston tavern owner. The British are everywhere, exerting their power over the colonists. Very quickly Nick and Penny are thrown into the heat of the action building up to the start of the Revolutionary War. The Old North Church lanterns, the midnight ride, the Battle at Bunker Hill as well as numerous American revolutionaries stumble through the fast-paced story. As Nick and Penny witness the revolution unfold, readers learn key information about this time in American history without the didactic feel of a textbook or even a nonfiction account. The Road to Revolution! is an excellent addition for both classroom and elementary libraries serving students in grades 3-6 and is especially beneficial for reluctant readers or for use during units of study involving the American Revolution. -------------------- Resources -------------------- Genre: Historical Fiction. Age: 9-12. Pages:128. Themes: Cooperation, Courage Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Date: July 2009. ISBN-10: 1599903717 / ISBN-13: 978-1599903712. Thanks to Media Masters Publicity for my copy. Order The Road to Revolution! Here This title will be released on July 21, 2009. You can read more about author Stan Mack on his website Publisher Website: Bloomsbury USA Author quote from Publisher’s Weekly: “…These stories will be straight, juicy adventure stories. The history will be solid but young readers won’t need to know the history to enjoy the books.” … And while all the books in the series will feature a young boy and girl, Mack emphasized that the girl will have an equal role in the narrative….” ____________________________________________________________ © 2007-2009 Cheryl Vanatti for www.ReadingRumpus.com Review also posted as National Reading Examiner.
There are so many things I want to discuss about Skeleton Creek, a unique concept book by Patrick Carman, that I don’t know where to begin. Do I discuss the possibilities for reluctant readers, the importance of 21st Century Literacies, the research buzz about male readers or do I just review the story itself? Mr. Carman & Scholastic have done a great job promoting this tile, but I’ll start by giving you the premise: The town of Skeleton Creek is hiding a secret. Teenage writer Ryan lets us into his journal just as he’s released from a two-week stay in the hospital. Something sinister has happened to Ryan and his parents have decided the best way to keep him out of trouble is to keep him away from his best friend, Sarah, a film aficionado. But you know that’s not going to happen. They’re teens! Sarah & Ryan communicate through email and a secret password-protected website. Every twenty-five pages or so, the reader heads off to the computer to access one of Sarah’s viral-style videos, building clues to solve the mystery of Skeleton Creek right along with Ryan and Sarah. 21st Century Literacies: Some have called it interactive reading or cross-platform storytelling or split media, but really, the NCTE probably coined the best phrase: 21st Century Literacies. Educators, Librarians and Reading Specialists have been buzzing about 21st Century Literacies for quite some time. Finding best practices to utilize our new technologies and competing with the multimedia-driven society are nothing new. However, Skeleton Creek is a first. 39 Clues (another Scholastic title and also touched by author Carman’s hand) has a fantastic gamer-interactive slant to it, but I believe Skeleton Creek is the first to make use of the YouTube, viral, conspiracy, Easter egg hunting craze. For this alone, I am impressed. Reluctant & Male Readers: But impressing little old me isn’t important. I’m a strong reader, one of those sorts who LIVE inside a story; I wouldn’t have picked reading as a profession otherwise. I think stopping to go watch a video is a massive buzz kill, but I’m not the sort of person this story is aimed towards. The reluctant reader, the youth of daily YouTube perusals, the boys who never go near a book are going to be enthralled by this. That’s my educated opinion. I saw a few reviews criticizing certain aspects of Skeleton Creek. Each time, I kept thinking, “But you’re a book reviewer! You love to read. You’re missing the potential” As a reading teacher who’s seen her share of struggling readers, I can really get behind this format. The short bursts of text; the climactic plot, and the multimedia format all add essential support for a struggling reader. Read a few pages, boom, you get to go watch a supporting video that not only further enhances the experience, but amplifies the plot. Story & Videos: The bottom line is that an entertainment experience is only as good as the story. I can dissect certain elements of being in real time with the journal writer, of telling a non-linear story to reluctant readers, but Skeleton Creek is one of those along-for-the-ride stories. And those are the ones that seduce a reader. You’re in on a secret, the foreshadowing hints abound, and the plot – not descriptive brilliance or character worship – drives the tale. And, I was scared. I read this at night and was afraid to leave my bedroom to get my laptop! As for the videos, I could play Roger Ebert discussing acting plausibility and sound effect oddities, but the videos are meant to be viral. Think Blair Witch or Cloverfield without the nose hair shots or queasy camera shaking. Conclusions: My only real concern involves accessibility. I’m a Mac geek; I’m never unplugged (see that Twitter button over there →). But, I wonder if the story would wait until I could get to a computer, especially if I lacked Internet access excepting at school or a library. Yet, we wait months for Lost, filling our hunger with Internet theory sites until the plot continues. So, I’m hopeful Skeleton Creek could do the same (see crazy theory site below – Ha!). Teachers would be well served to explore Skeleton Creek because this is going to start a trend. Mark my words (and just remember when we thought YouTube book trailers were the bomb). -------------------- Resources -------------------- Genre: Mystery. Age: 9-12, but I also vote high school reluctant reader. Pages: 144. Themes: Spooky, Cooperation, Determination A Special Thank You to Mr. Carman for allowing an advanced peek. I'm a fan for life! Publisher: Scholastic. Date: February 2009. ISBN-10: 0545075661 / ISBN-13: 978-0545075664 Buy Skeleton Creek Here Great Patrick Carman Quote in Publisher's Weekly: “No sounds, no lights, no gaming strategy, no beat to dance to, no person on the other line to talk with. And yet all the studies show the same thing: reading is king when it comes to educating kids. It’s not about bridging the gap between technology and books—it’s about erasing it.” Author Interview at Publishers Weekly Scholastic Site Media Kit Info About Dredges A Crazy Theory Site? or Something More Sinister? HERE & HERE Skeleton Creek is available February 10, 2009. The sequel, Ghost in the Machine, releases in September 2009. (What a cool name! Perhaps it hints at the theme?) Additional book reviews can be found at Kristina’s Favorites, Maw Books, Abby the Librarian, Book-a-Rama, YA Fabulous, What Vanessa Reads, A Year of Reading, MariReads, YA Reads, Sharon Loves Book & Cats, Books and other thoughts, 100 Scope Notes, Just Blinded Book Reviews and Book Reviews & More. Book Trailer: Patrick Carmen became a writer after making up bedtime stories for his young daughters. That story eventually grew into the popular Land of Elyon series. In his spare time, Mr. Carmen counsels troubled youth and volunteers his time assisting impoverished countries. You can read more about him on his website. ____________________________________________________________ © 2007-2009 Cheryl Vanatti for www.ReadingRumpus.com
"Are we going to try to restore our country to the condition it was in before, or we going to try to imagine something better?"
Home made cakes, delightful lunches, exquisite afternoon teas, and sumptuous candle-lit suppers with local wines, ales and ciders.
Time. Moving... fast or slow, noticed or unnoticed, cherished or overlooked. That is the theme of this lovely book. Many times when I am trying to get through a stack of books, especially picture books that can be read quickly, I note possible educational value, artistic prowess, plot or character development, blah, blah, blah.... education stuff (my thing). But every once in awhile a picture book will force me to stop and take notice. It will slow time. Forever or a Day is a beautiful look at how time can be both fast (when we are younger or in a hurry) or slow (when we want to get somewhere or when we are older). It's told in a simple manner, light on words, heavy on meaning. My favorite kind of writing. For teaching purposes, it is quite complex. This is a book best read to a small group or individual child. I would find reading this book to an entire class a bit difficult. Developmentally some students would need more discussion and time and some students would want more discussion and time. It could be used as part of a unit on family, but I rather think I'd like to use it for teaching character perspective. Although the narrator is omniscient, according to how they perceive time, various characters are perceiving it differently. This is especially interesting because time is referred to as "it." I would want to discuss the concept of time as a character. (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.3 Analyze how and why individuals, events, or ideas develop and interact over the course of a text) That being said, it would also make an excellent picture book starter for older students when teaching not only character perspective and/or plot cadence. (CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.3.B Use dialogue and description to develop experiences and events or show the responses of characters to situations / CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.4.3.A Orient the reader by establishing a situation and introducing a narrator and/or characters; organize an event sequence that unfolds naturally) I'm sure there's additionally something in there for the math teacher who wants to move past just teaching students how to tell time, but to comprehend the concept of time. ----------------------------------------------- Genre: Realistic Fiction (with a poetic narrative) Age: The publisher lists this book as for 2-5 year old children. I'd argue with that.... closer to 3-6, not many 2 year olds will get this and some 8 & 9 year olds could really benefit from thinking about the concept of time in both their reading and writing skill. Pages: 40 Themes: The passage of time, the importance of moments, family Character Development: Interesting to examine how each of the characters view time (parents, child, grands, rushing workers, etc...), especially the "character" of it. Plot Engagement: Time is the plot and a character, what a treat for a writing teacher! Originality: Unique in both concept and beauty Awards: I'm sure they are coming. I don't put that *Highest Recommendation tag on many, folks. I am always at a loss to discuss beautiful artwork (other than to know enough to say that it is comparatively a stand-out amongst artists). I guess my one undergrad class in art history wasn't enough. I'm betting that the Caldecott folks know this one is a stand-out in lingo I lack. Thank You to Chronicle Books & publicist Lara Starr who continue to send me lovely things to share with children and teachers! Release Date: March 2018 ISBN: 978-1452164632 Buy Forever or a Day HERE You can download some pretty posters and get a perpetual calendar at the publisher's site HERE You can read more about the author/illustrator, Sarah Jacoby, HERE -------------------- That's all folks! -------------------- © 2007-2018 Dr. Cheryl Vanatti, education & reading specialist writing at www.ReadingRumpus.com
It's hard to believe it's been over a decade since we first featured the works by Roby Dwi Antono! And while we did keep a close eye on his career we...
Explore anniesannuals' 5862 photos on Flickr!
Newly signed to MGM Records in 1951, clarinetist Buddy DeFranco formed a powerhouse big band featuring Bernie Glow, Don Joseph, Dickie Mills and Dale Pierce (tp); Frank "Ace" Lane, Al Robertson and Fr
To Austin For all the reasons you forgot From those who remember This is the dedication at the front of Ryan Dalton’s beautiful new middle grade novel, THIS LAST ADVENTURE. It is a tribute to his o…
The late artist and author Maurice Sendak is responsible for bringing us some of the most beloved, iconic childhood stories, and his distinctive style and fantastical beasts defined classics like In the Night Kitchen, Outside Over There, and of course, the ever-popular Where the Wild Things Are. Opening this fall at the Columbus Museum of Art, an expansive retrospective surveys Sendak’s unparalleled contributions to both children’s literature and the discipline, more broadly. More
