Top 5-o-rama, Day 5

For today's FINAL Top 5 we feature:

Top 5 Book-Related Audio Experiences for 2006

Mary Lee:
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman (audio book)
I listened to this during my "time travel phase" this year, and it was more satisfying, creepy, eerie, and possible...maybe than the others. First audio book I've listened to that has sound effects.

March by Geraldine Brooks (audio book)
This was from my "Little Women phase" this year. It was fascinating to get this rich back history on one of the most invisible characters in Little Women.

The Writer's Almanac, Garrison Keillor (podcast)
My daily dose of poetry and literary history.

PoetryFoundation.org (podcast)
My weekly dose of indepth poetry. This is how I found Kay Ryan, one of my new favorite poets!

The Princeton Review Vocab Minute (podcast)
These are brilliant nuggets that teach vocabulary in a funfunfun way!


Franki:

Blink by Malcolm Gladwell (audiobook)
A fascinating look at decision making and thinking.


Author Conversation: Peter Johnston
A great interview with the author of CHOICE WORDS about teachers and decision-making.

The First Annual CYBILS by Kelly and Anne
So exciting to be part of this!


Every Day: The Guatemala Song by Anna Huckabee Tull
A great song about a child born in Guatemala and adopted by parents far away. I've shared this one with many of our friends in the adoption community.

The Mermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd
(Okay so I listened to this one in 2005, but the audiobook was sooo good that I had to include it!)

100 Cool Teachers in Children's Literature

On July 23, 2006, the idea to try to list 100 Cool Teachers in Children's Literature was born. Franki wrote,

"We're looking for thoughtful teachers who understand kids and learning and are active, intelligent people who love their work."

Here they are, in alphabetical order by author's last name. Most all of them were nominated by our readers, which you should take as a disclaimer that we haven't read all of these books, and we acknowledge that there may be (a very few, unintentional) errors in this list. If you see something that doesn't look quite right, be sure to let us know!

And by all means, as you encounter a teacher we don't have on our list, nominate him/her -- we'd love to collect MORE than 100 Cool Teachers!!!

1. Jo March in Little Men, Jo's Boys by Louisa May Alcott
Professor Bhaer in Little Men, by Louisa May Alcott
John Brooke in Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Mr. P in The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
Miss Nelson in Miss Nelson is Missing by Harry Allard
Ms. Bixby in Ms. Bixby's Last Day by John David Anderson
Ida Bidson in The Secret School by Avi
Ms. Isabel Hussey in Chasing Vermeer and The Wright Three by Blue Balliett
Mrs. Thurston in the thing about jellyfish by Ali Benjamin
Mrs. Kempezinski in Good Luck, Mrs. K by Louise Borden
Mrs. Morrow in The Day Eddie Met the Author by Louise Borden
the teacher in The A+ Custodian by Louise Borden
Mrs. Mallory in The Last Day of School by Louise Borden
Ms. Shepherd in Evolution, Me & Other Freaks of Nature by Robin Brande

Miss Hawthorn in Willow by Denise Brennan-Nelson and Rosemarie Brennan
Miss Parker in Caddie Woodlawn by Carol Ryrie Brink
Miss Perry in I Remember Miss Perry by Pat Brissom
Miss Temple in Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
Mr. Ratburn in the Arthur books by Marc Brown
Mr. Carter in the Jennings books by Anthony Buckeridge
Mr. Terupt in Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea
Mr. Magro in The SOS File by Betsy Byars, Laurie Myers, and Betsy Duffey
the P.E. teacher in The Tequila Worm by Viola Canales
Mr. Champion in Did You Carry the Flag Today, Charley? by Rebecca Caudill

25. Miss Binney in Ramona the Pest by Beverly Cleary
Mr. Maxwell in A Week in the Woods by Andrew Clements
Mrs. Granger in Frindle by Andrew Clements
Ms. Clayton in School Story by Andrew Clements
Ted's teacher in Room One by Andrew Clements
Miss Pointy in Sahara Special by Esme Codell
Miss Frizzle in the Magic School Bus books by Joanna Cole
Miss Rumphius in Miss Rumphius by Barbara Cooney
Miss Stretchberry in Love That Dog by Sharon Creech
Mr. Birkway in Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech
Miss Hendrickson in I Know Here by Laurel Croza
Iqbal in Iqbal by Francesco D'Admo
Miss Honey in Matilda by Roald Dahl
Mrs. Hartwell in the First Day and First Year books by Julie Danneberg
Ms. Finey in The Cat Ate My Gym Suit by Paula Danziger
the teacher of "Law for Children and Young People" in Can You Sue Your Parents For Malpractice? by Paula Danziger
Mr. Foster in Kat & Mouse by Alex deCampi
Mrs. Bowers in The Art Lesson by Tomie dePaola
Nicholas Nickleby in Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens
Mrs. McBloom in Mrs. McBloom, Clean Up Your Classroom by Kelly DiPucchio
Mrs. Howdy Doody in Dessert First by Hallie Durand
Madge Bettany in the Chalet School series (UK) by Elinor Brent Dyer
Miss Annersley in the Chalet School series (UK) by Elinor Brent Dyer
Ms. Sarah Melton in Mail Order Ninja by Joshua Elder

Mrs. Brook in Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine

50. Miss Malarkey in Miss Malarkey Leaves No Reader Behind by Judy Finchler
Mr. Fabiano in Flying Solo by Ralph Fletcher
Juniper in Juniper and Wise Child by Monica Furlong
Rosalyn in The Wonder of Charlie Anne by Kimberly Newton Fusco
Miss Lupescu in The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Miss Smith in Miss Smith's Incredible Storybook by Michael Garland
Mr. Kowsz in Happy Kid by Gail Gauthier
Mr. Felix in Thursday's Children by Rumer Godden
Mrs. Jones in Ban This Book by Alan Gratz
Miss Tizzy from Miss Tizzy by Libba Moore Gray
Mrs. Coleman-Levin in the Zack Files series by Dan Greenburg
Mrs. Dunphrey in Don't You Dare Read This Mrs. Dunphrey by Margaret Peterson Haddix
Olana in Princess Academy by Shannon Hale
Miri in Princess Academy by Shannon Hale
Ms. Washington in Ida B. by Katherine Hannigan
Miss Grey in the Betsy Brooks books by Carolyn Haywood
Mrs. Delphinium Twinkle in Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes
Mr. Slinger in Lily's Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes
Mr. Carey in Naked Bunyip Dancing by Steven Herrick
Miss Meadows and Mrs. Rossi in Remembering Mrs. Rossi by Amy Hest
Miss Agnes in The Year of Miss Agnes by Kirkpatrick Hill

Mr. Beggs in Mountain Whippoorwill by Suellen Holland

Miss Loupe in Operation YES by Sara Lewis Holmes
Ms. Snickle in The Secrets of Ms. Snickle's Class by Laurie Miller Hornik
Great Aunt Arizona in My Great Aunt Arizona by Gloria Houston

75. Madame Lucille in Brontorina by James Howe
Mr. Blueberry in Dear Mr. Blueberry by Simon James
Mr. Lema in The Circuit by Francisco Jimenez
Anna in Amber on the Mountain by Tony Johnston
Mr. Meyer in Greetings from Planet Earth by Barbara Kerley
Ms. G in Me and Marvin Gardins by Amy Sarig King
Erica's teacher in Hating Alison Ashley by Robin Klein
Guy Francis in the "Regarding the..." series by Kate and Sarah Klise
Mr. Sam in the "Regarding the..." series by Kate and Sarah Klise
Mrs. Olinski in The View From Saturday by E.L. Konigsburg
Mr. Theotocopolous in The Young Unicorns by Madeline L'Engle
Mr. Thompson in Trevor's Wiggly-Wobbly Tooth by Lester Laminack
Miss Fowler in the Betsy-Tacy books by Maud Hart Lovelace
Mrs. Pidgeon in the Gooney Bird books by Lois Lowry
Mr. Franka in Sleeping Freshmen Never Lie by David Lubar
Mr. Rover and Mrs. Katz in Mr. Rover Takes Over by Grace Maccarone
Ms. Crowley in The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler
Ms. Minifred in Baby by Patricia MacLachlan

Ms. Mirabel in Word After Word After Word by Patricia MacLachlan

Sister Mary Louise in Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr
Mr. Todd in the Judy Moody books by Megan McDonald
Miss Farley in Caddy Ever After by Hilary McKay
Mr. Gee in Once Upon an Ordinary School Day by Colin McNaughton

Miss O'Grady in Busing Brewster by Richard Michelson
Mr. Ali in My Name is Bilal by Asma Mobin-Uddin

100. Miss Stacey in the Anne books by L.M. Montgomery
Anne Shirley in Anne of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery
Mr. Carpenter in the Emily books by L.M. Montgomery
Monsieur Noel in A Book of Coupons by Susie Mogenstern
Mrs. Willis in Ways to Live Forever by Sally Nicholls

Mr. Boldova in the Charlie Bone series by Jenny Nimmo

Mr. Scary in the Junie B. Jones books by Barbara Park
"Mrs." in the Junie B. Jones books by Barbara Park
Master Min in The Royal Bee by Francis and Ginger Park

Miss Edmunds in Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
Mr. Clayton in Flip Flop Girl by Katherine Paterson

Miss Barbara Harris in The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson
Miss Dove in Good Morning, Miss Dove by Frances Gray Patton
Mrs. Spitzer in Mrs. Spitzer's Garden by Edith Pattou
Mr. Collins in All of the Above by Shelley Pearsall
Miss Tansy Culver in A Teacher's Funeral by Richard Peck
Mr. D'Matz in the Clementine books by Sara Pennypacker
Ms. Raymond in Dotty by Erica S. Perl
Mr. Faulker in Thank You Mr. Faulker by Patricia Polacco

Mrs. Peterson in The Junkyard Wonders by Patricia Polacco

Mr. Tripp in Justin Fisher Declares War by James Preller

Ms. Lilly in Noonie's Masterpiece by Lisa Railsback
the teacher in My Name is Yoon by Helen Recorvits
the art teacher in The Dot by Peter Reynolds
Mr. Brunner/Chiron in The Lightning Thief by Rick Riorden

125. Miss Plumberry in Totally Wonderful Miss Plumberry by Michael Rosen
Dumbledore in the Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling
Professor Lupin in The Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling
Professor McGonagall in the Harry Potter books by J.K. Rowling

Mr. Hon in Tofu Quilt by Ching Yeung Russell

Mr. Lee in Tofu Quilt by Ching Yeung Russell

Miss Jewls in the Sideways books by Louis Sachar
Mrs. Baker in The Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt
Ms. Hill in 4 Kids in 5E and 1 Crazy Year by Virginia Frances Schwartz

Mrs. Fibonnaci in Math Curse by Jon Scieszka

Mr. Newton in Science Curse by Jon Scieszka

Miss Bonkers in Hooray for Diffendoofer Day by Dr. Seuss

Miss Bindergarten in Miss Bindergarten Goes to Kindergarten by Joseph Slate

Miss Palma in After Ever After by Jordan Sonnenblick
Kit Tyler and Mercy Wood in The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare
Mr. Duncan in White in the Moon by Gretchen Sprague

Mrs. Appletree in Mr. President Goes to School by Rick Walton
Miss Cribbage in My Kindergarten by Rosemary Wells
Stuart Little in Stuart Little by E.B. White
Merlin in The Sword in the Stone by T.H. White
Laura Ingalls in the Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Eliza Jane Wilder in the Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Oliver's teacher in My Teacher for President by Kay Winters
Miss Lesley in Counting on Grace by Elizabeth Winthrop

(Miss) Alina in Peace, Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson

150. Mr. Isobe in Crow Boy by Taro Yashima

CYBILS ANNOUNCED IN 2 DAYS!

I know we are all anxiously awaiting the announcements of the CYBILS finalists! On January 1st, the lists will be posted in all 8 categories on the CYBILS website! I can't wait:-)

I had a great time participating on the picture book committee. What a great group of people to work with. We had great conversations and I made new blogger friends! It was definitely a great experience! Thanks to
Jules,
Andrea,
Emily, and
Anne H.! I had a great time working with all of you talking about the great picture books of 2006!

And, of course, thanks to Kelly Herold and Anne Levy for pulling it all together!
Looking forward to seeing the lists on Monday!

Top 5-o-rama, Day 4

For today's Top 5 we feature:

Top 5 Favorite New-to-Us Blogs of 2006

Franki's
punditmom
librarianne
whimsy books
pixie stix kids pix
reading moms

Mary Lee's:

MangaBlog
Comics Worth Reading
Slightly Biased Manga
LibraryThing Blog
Visual Thesaurus Blog Du Jour

Newbery Readiness

As we start gearing up to think about the titles we hope and/or predict will win the Newbery Award in a few weeks, Nina at Nina's Newbery has a great post about how reading for the Newbery criteria is different than other kinds of reading. Lots to think about. Her Mock Nominations have been great too. Lots to think about as we get ready for the Newbery announcement in late January.

Top 5-o-rama, Day 3, Poetry Friday Edition

For today's Top 5 (in our countdown to the ultimate day of Top 5s, January 1, when the top 5s in every category of the Cybils will be announced) we feature:

Top 5 in Poetry for 2006

Mary Lee: Top 5 Year of Reading Poetry Friday Poems

In first place, with three comments: A Merry Literary Christmas by Alice Low

In a three-way tie for second place, with two comments each:
Turtle by Kay Ryan
Confessions of a Reader by Carol Wilcox
The Night Before Christmas by Clement C. Moore

Six poems tied for third with one comment each. Here is the first Poetry Friday entry to receive a comment:
Moving Day by Ralph Fletcher

Franki: Top 3 Children's Poetry Books of 2006

Moving Day by Ralph Fletcher
Busy in the Garden by George Shannon
Tour America by Diane Siebert

...and 2 poems in picture book form:

Welcome, Precious by Nikki Grimes
My Mother's Voice by Joanne Ryder

Resolutions

Instead of a bunch on December 31, how about "One tip every day to help you let go of all that crap in your way." Tonight is Open That Bottle Night.

Top 5-o-rama, Day 2

For today's Top 5 we feature:

5 Favorite Children's Books for 2006

(look for other favorites when the Cybils short lists are announced on January 1, 2007, and when we nail down our picks for the Newbery)

Franki (mine are 5 must-have books for classroom teachers):

The Last Day of School by Louise Borden
Nothing captures the feelings of the classroom and school like Louise Borden's do. This book is one that came out in the spring that captures that feeling of closing out the school year and starting summer. Just as the other books in this series (A+ Custodian, Good Luck, Mrs. K, and The Day Eddie Met the Author), the relationships are key to the story.

Babymouse (all of them!) by Jennifer Holm
I have never been a comic book reader, so graphic novels are hard for me. But, this series is a great "in" to the world of graphic novels! My students love it too. It has been a great series to invite readers into this new and popular genre that I used to avoid. The humor is quite clever!

A Coach's Letter to His Son by Mel Allen
It isn't often that you find an essay in picture book form--one that would be meaningful to children and adults. Mel Allen takes on the topic of organized sports and the way it has changed the way he plays with his son over the years. A great one for booktalk or as a great example of essay writing.

Eats, Shoots, and Leaves: Why Commas Really Do Make a Difference
by Lynne Truss
How could punctuation be so interesting? This book shows us all the difference a comma can make in a sentence. A fun way to look at this part of writing!

Ivy and Bean by Annie Barrows and Sophie Blackall
I am always on the lookout for great new series books for transitional readers. I read the first Ivy and Bean book this summer and am so glad I added it to my classroom library. My kids are LOVING both books in this series. Someone is ALWAYS reading the copies we have in the room. It seems to be a book that lots of kids can relate to. Very fun and a good size. Best new series since Judy Moody in my opinion! You can read praise for Ivy and Bean here.


Mary Lee:

The Book of Story Beginnings by Kristin Kladstrup

Corydon and the Island of Monsters by Tobias Druitt

Counting on Grace by Elizabeth Winthrop

The End by Lemony Snicket

Blue Jasmine by Kashmira Sheth

So Much Has Changed in One Year

Last year about this time, on the way to Cover to Cover to buy the last few books for 2005, Franki and I had a conversation that went something like this:

ML: I'm thinking about starting a blog.

F: What's a blog?

ML: Kind of an online journal. We could have our conversations about books we think might win the Newbery there.

F: Just set it up and tell me what to do!

This year we met over tea at Scottie's and I won't even try to transcribe our 2 hour coversation. We talked about Google Analytics vs. Site Meter, our work on our Cybils committees (ML-graphic novels, F-picture books), other favorite blogs in the kidlitosphere that are the same approximate age as A Year of Reading, our ages compared to the ages of other bloggers in the kidlitosphere (we're feeling pretty old, and VERY proud to be blogging when others our age have no idea what a blog even is...umm...kind of like us one year ago...), and our plans for year TWO of A Year of Reading (stay tuned, we're pretty pumped about 2007!).

Top 5-o-rama

With just 5 days to go before the ultimate Day of Top 5s (the announcement of the short lists in all the categories of the Cybils), A Year of Reading unveils...

Five Days of Top 5s

We begin today with our TOP 5 ADULT BOOKS OF 2006

Mary Lee's:
Oak: The Frame of Civilization by William Bryant Logan
1776 by David McCullough
The Whistling Season by Ivan Doig
A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry
La Perdida by Jessica Abel

Franki's:
The Glass Castle: A Memoir by Jeannette Walls
Rise and Shine by Anna Quindlen
Digging to America by Anne Tyler
Price of Privilege by Madeline Levine
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro