All through the school year, we see kids coming in to find nonfiction books for school projects – from a biography of a NASA scientist to information about a Mill Valley landmark. Though some kids also read nonfiction for pleasure, many never venture from our fiction shelves when they’re looking for leisure reading. So I [...]
Citizen Scientists: Be Part of a Scientific Discovery from Your Own Backyard (2012) by Loree Griffin Burns; photographs by Ellen Harasimowicz What is citizen science? It’s where everyday people (including lots of kids) collect data for professional scientists. It’s been around for a long time – the first Christmas Bird Count happened in 1900! – [...]
In the Garden by Elizabeth Spurr, illustrated by Manelle Oliphant Under the sky and the sun and the tree and the shade, a little boy picks up a shovel and digs. This sweetly illustrated board book introduces the most basic — and important — words for a blossoming gardener. And, really, what child isn’t an [...]
Still wondering what a PeRL is? As of today we’ve finished 61 PeRLs since May 1, so I thought this would be a perfect time to share two sample PeRLs. I’ve chosen these because they reflect some tricky, yet common challenges . . . .Let me know what you think! Girl, 5th Grade Likes realistic fiction, [...]
Hello fellow readers! Looking for something a little heavier than your average “beach read” for this summer? A number of highly respectable sources have been compiling lists of the “greatest” literature in history. Take, for example, the Library of Congress’ newest list: Books that Shaped America. While the LOC’s librarian emphasizes that this list is [...]
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