Picture Book of the Day
The Goodbye Cancer Garden
by Janna Matthies (Author) and Kristi Valiant (Illustrator)
Booktalk: After Mom and Dad tell Janie and Jeffrey that Mom has cancer, the whole family goes to the doctor to ask questions. “Is Mom better yet?” Jeffrey asked. “Not yet,” she said. “But we’re working very hard to make her better-probably by pumpkin time.” That gave Janie an idea…the family plants a vegetable garden. As the garden grows, Mom’s treatment progresses…surgery, chemo, head-shaving and other side effects, radiation…and when it’s all done, there are healthy pumpkins and a healthy Mom!
Snippet: One sunny Saturday in March, Dad and Jeffery dug the vegetable bed while Mom and I drew a map.
“Everybody choose two vegetables,” I said.
I already knew mine–cucumbers and tomatoes.
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Chapter Book of the Day
Juniper Berry
by M. P. Kozlowsky (Author) and Erwin Madrid (Illustrator)
240 pages
Booktalk: Juniper Berry’s parents are the most beloved actor and actress in the world—but Juniper can’t help but feel they haven’t been quite right lately. And she and her friend Giles are determined to find out why.
On a cold and rainy night, Juniper follows her parents as they sneak out of the house and enter the woods. What she discovers is an underworld filled with contradictions: one that is terrifying and enticing, lorded over by a creature both sinister and seductive, who can sell you all the world’s secrets bound in a balloon. For the first time, Juniper and Giles have a choice to make. And it will be up to them to confront their own fears in order to save the ones who couldn’t.
Snippet: One night, when they thought I was asleep, they left the house and walked into the woods. I followed them. I didn’t want to be caught so I kept far back. They walked for a long time, almost in a daze.
BONUS! See the video!
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGBlysm1JCY]
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5 Great Basketball Books
It’s almost time for March madness!
Basketball’s Greatest Players
by Sydelle Kramer (Author)
Uncover basketball history in this Level 5 easy reader biography.
Cool Basketball Facts
by Abby Czeskleba (Author)
Learn cool basketball facts to share with your friends. Easy reader
Fair Game
By Trisha Speed Shaskan (Author) and Erik Christenson (Illustrator)
The new kid doesn’t play fair…what will the others do? Easy reader
Let’s Talk Basketball
by Amanda Miller (Author)
See how the game is played in this easy reader illustrated with photographs.
Michael Jordan
by Lisa Wade McCormick (Author)
Find out about one of basketball’s greats in an easy reader biography.
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Literary Links
Ready to write your children’s book? Mar 7-Apr 25 (online) writing workshops begin today!
Short Genres, Big Messages: writing workshops for 3rd-4th grades (via @ChoiceLiteracy)
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My NEW chapter book is Just So, Brianna (All-Star Cheerleaders)
Copyright © 2012 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.
All the books look terrific this time. I know that those basketball books will be just the thing for some students I know! I’ll keep an eye out for Juniper Berry. I have a friend whose daughter’s name is Juniper. She’ll love it! Thanks Anastasia!