Here’s the second week of our homeschool bookshelf compilation. As I mentioned in the first bookshelf post, we are not using a packaged reading curriculum for our homeschool classroom. Instead, the girls have the freedom to choose the books they want to read. My only requirement is that they read and hour a day. We started the homeschool year with 30 minutes of reading, then we gradually built-up to an hour. Surprisingly, most days they read more than an hour and I never interrupt them. This week I decided to include the Lexile Measure for each book (when available) for those of us who like to know at what level our kids are actually reading, as opposed to guessing. If your child has taken any standardized test, his/her Lexile Meaure should be included with the test results. This is a great indication of which books (both fiction and non-fiction) your child can read alone or with assistance.
NOTE: All book descriptions are those provided by author/publisher because I like pretty much every children’s book I read so….
Diego Rivera: Artist of Mexico by Lila & Rick Guzman
Description: Grade 3–4—The facts in these basic biographies are suitable for reports. Information is presented in easy-to-understand sentences and short paragraphs. Rivera concentrates on the artist’s murals, while Kahlo presents the personal importance of painting in the woman’s life. The glossaries include not just art terms, but also other words used in the text, such as “factory,” “miserable,” “ambulance,” and “divorce.” Time lines are useful, but not complete. Rivera’s omits his divorce and second marriage, although these events are mentioned in the text. The colorful illustrations are plentiful and include photographs and reproductions of the artists’ works. All are captioned and well placed throughout the texts. Libraries looking for short biographies for younger or reluctant readers will want to consider these titles.—Carolyn Janssen, Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County, OH
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Tortilla Sun by Jennifer Cervantes
Description: When twelve-year-old Izzy discovers a beat-up baseball marked with the words “Becausemagic” while unpacking in yet another new apartment, she is determined to figure out what it means. What secrets does this old ball have to tell? Her mom certainly isn’t sharing anything, especially when it comes to Izzy’s father, who died before Izzy was born. But when she spends the summer in her Nana’s remote New Mexico village, Izzy discovers long-buried secrets that come alive in an enchanted landscape of watermelon mountains, whispering winds, and tortilla suns. Infused with the flavor of the southwest and sprinkled with just a pinch of magic, this heartfelt middle grade debut is as rich and satisfying as Nana’s homemade enchiladas.
The Navajo by Kevin Cunningham & Peter Benoit
Georgia’s First People
Sonia Sotomayor: la juez que crecio en el Bronx by Jonah Winter and illustrated by Edel Rodriguez
Description: Before Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor took her seat in our nation’s highest court, she was just a little girl in the South Bronx. Justice Sotomayor didn’t have a lot growing up, but she had what she needed — her mother’s love, a will to learn, and her own determination. With bravery she became the person she wanted to be. With hard work she succeeded. With little sunlight and only a modest plot from which to grow, Justice Sotomayor bloomed for the whole world to see.
Antes de que la magistrada de la Corte Suprema Sonia Sotomayor llegara al máximo tribunal de nuestra nación, no era más que una niñita en el South Bronx. La magistrada Sotomayor no tuvo mucho durante sus primeros años, pero sí tuvo lo que contaba — el amor de su madre, la voluntad de aprender y su propia determinación. Con valentía se hizo la persona que quería ser. Con trabajo arduo triunfó. Con un poquito de sol en un solarcito donde crecer, la magistrada Sotomayor floreció para que todo el mundo la vea.
Oye, Celia! A Song for Celia Cruz by Katie Sciurba
Description: A celebration of Celia Cruz, the legendary Queen of Salsa
Where Do Presidents Come From? And Other Presidential Stuff of Super Great Importance by Michael Townsend
Description: So You Want to Be President meets The Far Side!
Just in time for the 2012 election, Michael Townsend presents his comic book guide to everything you ever wanted to know (and maybe a few things you didn’t!) about the President of the United States. It’s full of insanely weird facts about our leaders (Did you know that President Coolidge had a pet pygmy hippo named Billy?), as well as the history and powers of the presidency, day-to-day life, and pros and cons of the job. Even the most mundane of facts become hilarious in this brilliantly cheeky guide to our nation’s MVP.
Ten (The Winnie Years) by Lauren Myracle
Description: New York Times bestseller Lauren Myracle’s long-awaited prequel to Eleven!
Winnie Perry is turning ten and ten is BIG. It means double digits, more responsibility, and being an almost-middle-schooler. Ten means that Winnie can handle anything, even a three-year-old baby brother and a practically teenage (and acting like it) older sister. And with her best friend, Amanda, by her side, Winnie plans on enjoying every last second of her last year in grade school.
Lexile Measure: 620-640 L. This specific title was not rated so I am assuming that it would be in the same range as the other titles in this series.
Eleven (The Winnie Years) by Lauren Myracle
Description: Winnie knows that change isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, especially when it means her best friend, Amanda, might be dropping her for someone else. Throw in a grumpy teenage sister, a cat who gets trapped in the wall, and a crush who has pinkeye, and you’ve got one big mess—one that Winnie’s not going to clean up! Winnie’s decided that she’s going to remain exactly the same, no matter what the rest of the world does. But every month brings crazy adventures. A lot can change in a year . . .maybe even Winnie.
Lexile Measure: 620-640 L. This specific title was not rated so I am assuming that it would be in the same range as the other titles in this series.
Compartamiento con libros de la biblioteca: Manners with a Library Book by Amanda Doering Tourville
*Description: Teaches kids how to be responsible with library books. Written in both English and Spanish.
Lexile Measure: 580L
Compartamiento y modales en la escuela: Manners at School by Carrie Finn
Description: Find out how good manners make your school a nicer place. Book is written in English and Spanish.
Lexile Measure: 520L
Rainbow Magic Series by Daisy Meadows (Scholastic)
The Ocean Fairies: Ally the Dolphin Fairy Daisy Meadows
Description: The Ocean Fairies keep all the sea creatures safe and happy — until their magic goes missing! This is our eleventh group of Rainbow Magic fairies.
The Ocean Fairies keep all the sea creatures safe and happy! But when the goblins shatter their enchanted conch shell, seven magical sea creatures leave to search for the pieces. The Ocean Fairies must find the shells . . . and their animal friends!
Ally’s dolphin friend, Echo, is guarding a shell near the aquarium. Can Rachel and Kirsty help track him down?
Find the missing creature in each book and help save the ocean magic!
The Magical Animal Fairies: Rihanna the Seahorse Fairy
Description: The Ocean Fairies: StephanRachel and Kirsty are off on another exciting adventure – with the Magical Animal Fairies!
Rachel and Kirsty are heading to outdoor adventure camp — and another fairy adventure is just around the corner! The Magical Animal Fairies’ seven animals are missing. The animals each look after a special kind of magic. If Rachel and Kirsty can’t find them fast, nothing will be the same!
Bubbles the magic seahorse is somewhere in the lake at camp — but where? Rihanna the Seahorse Fairy is going to take the girls on an underwater adventure to find him. . . .
Find the missing magical animal in each book and help save the fairy magic!
The Ocean Fairies: Stephanie the Starfish
Description: The Ocean Fairies keep all the sea creatures safe and happy — until their magic goes missing! This is our eleventh group of Rainbow Magic fairies.
The Ocean Fairies keep all the sea creatures safe and happy! But when the goblins shatter their enchanted conch shell, seven magical sea creatures leave to search for the pieces. The Ocean Fairies must find the shells . . . and their animal friends!
Kirsty, Rachel, and Stephanie the Starfish Fairy need to find Spike the starfish. But before they do, Stephanie is trapped — by the goblins! Can the girls help?
Find the missing creature in each book and help save the ocean magic!
