Justice League Classic: I Am the Flash

Justice League Classic: I Am the Flash
by John Sazaklis (Author), Steven E. Gordon (Illustrator), and Eric A. Gordon (Illustrator)

Booktalk: Central City is overrun with super-villains after Ultra-Humanite organizes a jailbreak. The Flash zips into action. With some help from his friends in the Justice League, can the Scarlet Speedster give these criminals a speedy trip back where they belong? (I Can Read Book 2)

Snippet:
Barry is working
when he sees a breaking
news report on the television.
All of the super-villains
have broken out of jail!

“It’s time to speed things up,”
Barry says.
In the blink of an eye,
Barry become the Flash!

Copyright © 2014 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.
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The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend

The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend
by Dan Santat (Author, Illustrator)

Booktalk: On an island far away, an imaginary friend is born. He patiently waits his turn to be chosen by a real child, but when he is overlooked time and again, he sets off on an incredible journey…

Snippet:
He sailed though unknown waters
and faced many scary things.

Preview the book in the 2:36 The Adventures of Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend book trailer.

Copyright © 2014 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.
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Secrets of the Apple Tree

Secrets of the Apple Tree
by Carron Brown (Author) and Alyssa Nassner (Illustrator)

Booktalk: Explore a tree up close and you will find a world filled with great surprises! When you shine a light behind the page, you will see hidden wonders!

Snippet:
A fly whirs up
the tree trunk.

Something is
hiding on the
bark. Can you
see what is it?

See how to shine a light on the book in the 1:00 Secrets of the Apple Tree book trailer.

Nonfiction Monday

It’s Nonfiction Monday!

Copyright © 2014 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.
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Teaching STEM: Man on the Moon

How have astronauts and space travel changed since the early space program? Help K-5 students answer this essential question (and meet the Common Core State Standards) with the Teaching STEM lesson plans for this mentor text: Man on the Moon by Anastasia Suen (ATOS 2.2 / NC860L)

Man on the moon

Unit Summary: Students will examine the essential question, “How have astronauts and space travel changed since the early space program?” As they listen to the book, students will notice what equipment and items astronauts use and think about how images in a book contribute to a better understanding of the text. They will view images from the current space program and compare the changes they see in them to the space program in its early days. Using a picture from the text, students will describe the sensations that might result from a splash down and then discuss the changes they have learned taking place in the space program by writing about them or comparing them in a discussion.

TeachingSTEM.medThe Library Activity begins on page 92. The Collaborative Teacher Activity is on page 96.

Extension Activities (sample)

1. Choose an astronaut listed on the NASA website Have the students read about an astronaut and report on that person.

2. Teach a lesson on phases of the moon.

3. After reading the book, have the students write a short description of the main idea of the book. Use the phrase, “I am a technology specialist.. I know that _________.”

You can find more Teaching STEM lesson plans on the Teaching STEM blog

Copyright © 2014 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.
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Jasmine and Maddie

Jasmine and Maddie
by Christine Pakkala (Author)

Booktalk: To grieving Jasmine, Maddie’s a rich kid with no problems. To lonely Maddie, Jasmine is all cavalier-cool in their tame Connecticut town. True friends they are not. Yet each hopes the other might save her. Can Maddie give Jasmine what she needs? Could Jasmine rescue Maddie from the outskirts of the crowd? When Jasmine steals Maddie’s heirloom ring, just how far will she go to keep it? In alternating chapters, Maddie and Jasmine take turns weaving their story about friendship and coming of age.

Snippet: Mr. Carty talks a bit about Emily Dickinson’s life. I hear: Amherst, Massachusetts; recluse; wore white; wrote 1,800 poems. Mr. Carty reads us one of her poems about wild nights. Sounds like it was wishful thinking on her part.

Copyright © 2014 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.
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Hank Finds an Egg

Hank Finds an Egg
by Rebecca Dudley (Author, Illustrator)

Booktalk: While walking through the woods, Hank finds an egg all alone on the forest floor. Spotting its home high up in a tree, Hank diligently tries to return the egg to its nest, but is met with failure each time. After keeping the egg warm overnight, he returns to the scene the next morning. To his surprise, he is met by another forest creature. Will they find a way together to see the egg safely home?

Snippet:

See inside this wordless gem in the 1:17 Hank Finds an Egg book trailer.

Copyright © 2014 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.
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On the Move: Mass Migrations

On the Move: Mass Migrations
by Scotti Cohn (Author) and Susan Detwiler (Illustrator)

Booktalk: Imagine seeing hundreds of the same type of animal gathered at the same place at the same time! Right here in North America, many animals gather in huge numbers at predictable times and locations. Not all migrations are tied to seasonal food changes, some are tied to life cycles. Certain birds, reptiles, mammals, amphibians, fish, and even insects migrate during spring, summer, fall, or winter. Travel along with them as you learn about what puts these animals On the Move.

Snippet: Spring swoops onto the prairie on a brisk, bold breeze. A warbling, trumpeting, chirping noise gets louder and louder. Soon hundreds of thousands of sandhill cranes fill the sky. They’re on the move!

Nonfiction Monday

It’s Nonfiction Monday!

Copyright © 2014 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.
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Can You See Me?

Can You See Me?
by Ted Lewin (Author, Illustrator)

Booktalk: With simple text and lush watercolor illustrations, Caldecott Honor winner Ted Lewin invites readers to explore animal camouflage in the rain forest in this beginning reader.

Snippet:
I’m a bird.
Can you see me?

On the last page of the book, the bird appears in a small circle with the label, TOUCAN.

Copyright © 2014 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.
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Little White Rabbit

Little White Rabbit (Board Book)
by Kevin Henkes (Author, Illustrator)

Booktalk: Little white rabbit hops along, exploring and wondering. What would it be like to be as tall as a tree? Or as still as a rock? Or green, like the bright spring world around him? It’s wonderful to wonder about many things and exciting to explore the world—but true happiness is knowing where you belong and who loves you best of all.

Snippet: When he hopped through the high grass,
he wondered what it would be like to be green.

Copyright © 2014 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.
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