November 2014 – Page 2 – Booktalking #kidlit

Learn to Program with Scratch: A Visual Introduction to Programming with Games, Art, Science, and Math

Learn to Program with Scratch: A Visual Introduction to Programming with Games, Art, Science, and Math
by Majed Marji (Author)

Booktalk: Rather than type countless lines of code in a cryptic programming language, why not use colorful command blocks and cartoon sprites to create powerful scripts? Scratch is a fun, free, beginner-friendly programming environment where you connect blocks of code to build programs. While most famously used to introduce kids to programming, Scratch can make computer science approachable for people of any age. Hands-on projects will challenge you to create an Ohm’s law simulator, draw intricate patterns, program sprites to mimic line-following robots, create arcade-style games, and more!

Snippet: In Scratch, you won’t type any complicated commands. Instead, you’ll connect graphical blocks together to create programs.

This book covers Scratch 2, which was released in May 2013. This version allows you to create projects directly in your web browser so you don’t have to install any software in your computer…

To start Scratch, go to the Scratch website and click the TRY IT OUT link.

It’s STEM Friday! (STEM is Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics)

Share
by Sally Anne Garland (Author, Illustrator)

Booktalk: When Bunny’s little cousin visits, her mother tells her over and over that she must share. But her cousin wants to do everything Bunny does.

Snippet:
As soon as he came, he wanted my bear.
Mom said, “Remember, please let him share!”

This week’s Poetry Friday Round-up is hosted by Random Noodling.

Stronger Than You Know

Stronger Than You Know
by Jolene Perry (Author)

Booktalk: After police intervention, fifteen-year-old Joy has finally escaped the trailer where she once lived with her mother and survived years of confinement and abuse. Now living with her aunt, uncle, and cousins in a comfortable house, she’s sure she’ll never belong. Wracked by panic attacks, afraid to talk to anyone at her new school, Joy’s got a whole list of reasons why she’s crazy.

Snippet: I reach for the front door to start my walk to school. I’m not going in the car because after yesterday and last night I’d rather not ride with Trent.

“Joy, wait. Trent wants to talk to you,” Aunt Nicole says from the kitchen.

In my limited experience, if Trent wanted to talk to me, Trent would be the one talking right now, not his mom.

It’s Okay to Make Mistakes

It’s Okay to Make Mistakes
by Todd Parr (Author, Illustrator)

Booktalk: It’s okay to make mistakes–that’s how you learn!

Snippet:
It’s okay if you spill your milk.
UH-OH
You can always clean it up.

Hear the author read the book.

Today’s U.S. Army

Today’s U.S. Army
by Don Nardo (Author)

Booktalk: The soldiers of the U.S. Army stand ready to defend their country. To become a soldier, recruits train hard to get into tip-top shape. They learn to use weapons of all kinds. Some head to war zones. Others undergo training to become special ops fighters. They are super-soldiers who perform top-secret, dangerous missions around the world.

Snippet: After finishing basic training, the recruits are full-fledged soldiers. Their initial rank is private. Over time some may be promoted to corporal or sergeant.

Nonfiction Monday

It’s Nonfiction Monday!