Fablehaven

Are you a fan of fantasy? Magic? Stories with good vs. evil? Then get to know the Fablehaven series by Brandon Mull. In Fablehaven, a whole new world awaits you!

Book 1: Fablehaven
by Brandon Mull

CATEGORY: Fantasy
TYPE: Novel

Kendra and Seth spend the summer with their grandparents (caretakers of a preserve called Fablehaven) and soon discover that Fablehaven is not what it seems. The creatures dwelling in this preserve are creatures of light and dark (fairies, satyrs, witches, etc.) and it is the laws of magic that keep the magical world and the human world of Fablehaven in balance. When these laws are broken, the resulting consequences could very well destroy the structure on which Fablehaven is founded. It's up to Kendra and Seth to discover how they can make things right to return balance to Fablehaven and save their family.

ONLINE CONNECTIONS:
Fablehaven website = http://www.fablehaven.com/
Author blog = http://www.brandonmull.com/blog/

KEYWORDS: magic, family, rules, grandparents, siblings


OTHER FABLEHAVEN BOOKS:

Book 2: Rise of the Evening Star

Book 3: Grip of the Shadow Plague

and coming in April 2009... Book 4: Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary

April means POETRY!

Poetry is fabulous!
Poetry is fun!
Poetry is meant to be
enjoyed by EVERYONE!

Celebrating poetry can and should happen all year long, April just happens to be national poetry month, so this genre gets a bit more attention.

The Poetry Cafe is always serving up great poetry!

A few fantastic and faboulous poetry books...

• Giant Children by Brod Bagert
• The Dragons are Singing Tonight by Jack Prelutsky
• Bow Wow Meow Meow by Douglas Florian
• If You're Not Here, Please Raise Your Hand by Kalli Dakos

Check out these great poetry sites:

http://www.geocities.com/murphyseaglets/index.html

http://www.websterschools.org/classrooms/state_library/poetry.html

http://www.gigglepoetry.com/

Love the Library!

Many things are celebrated in the month of February, but one celebration that is really close to my heart this month is the focus to "Love the Library." So, here are a couple of library-related Royal Reads to check out:

The Legend of Spud Murphy
by Eoin Colfer

CATEGORY: Realistic Fiction
TYPE: Novel

Will and Marty are carted off to spend the summer in the library - home of Spud Murphy, the legendary librarian who uses a spud gun on misbehaving children. But as Will and Marty soon discover, books aren't as bad as they had originally thought (and neither is Spud Murphy)!

ONLINE CONNECTIONS:
Eoin (pronounced "Owen") Colfer shares his thoughts on this Royal Read:
http://www.meettheauthor.com/bookbites/222.html

Author website

http://www.eoincolfer.com/about/

KEYWORDS: library, reading, brothers, summer, legends

The Library Dragon
by Carmen Agra Deedy

CATEGORY: Fantasy
TYPE: Picture Book

Miss Lotta Scales, a fire-breathing, smoke-blowing dragon, believes it is her job to protect the school's library books from the children and their grubby hands. Things change when a young student, Molly Brickmeyer, helps her realize that books are meant to be read, turning Miss Lotta Scales from overprotective library dragon into Miss Lotty, friendly librarian and storyteller.

ONLINE CONNECTIONS
Listen and read along
http://www.booksprogram.com/readalong/library_dragon.htm

Author website:
http://www.carmendeedy.com/news.html

KEYWORDS: librarian, reading, school, dragons

Gone to the Dogs!

It seems that life got a bit busy and my blog has gone to the dogs! I am trying to get back on track with sharing the great Royal Reads I have enjoyed, and to embrace the "gone to the dogs" theme, share some fun doogie-themed reads!


Today's Royal Read # 1: Poor Puppy by Nick Bruel

In this alphabet book, Nick Bruel returns with a playmate for Bad Kitty, but Kitty doesn't want to play. Poor puppy! Puppy wears himself out finding things to play with and after a nice nap, wakes up to find Kitty, who looks like he is ready to play! Or is he?

Nick Bruel has again created an enjoyable and playful read, intertwining counting and alliteration with the alphabet. The illustrations showcase the text, bringing to life Puppy and Kitty and offering extra insight into their relationship.

KEYWORDS: alphabet, counting, alliteration, pets, friendship

Today's Royal Read # 2: Move Over Rover by Karen Beaumont

illustrated by Jane Dyer

"Rover's in the doghouse..." all alone enjoying his bone on a nice day when suddenly the weather changes, bringing in an unexpected thunderstorm and some unexpected house guests. One by one, other animals show up looking for a place to get out of the storm. As the doghouse becomes more and more crowded, the last animal to show up causes everyone else to scatter into the storm!

Filled with rhyme and repetition, this cumulative tale is great for reading aloud. The repeated refrain of "Move over, Rover!" is one that invites audience participation. The storyline is reminiscent of the folktale The Mitten, beautifully illustrated by Jan Brett, in which one animal after another snuggles into a child's lost mitten to stay warm during the winter.

The Mitten and Move Over, Rover! would be great companion books for sharing and comparing.

KEYWORDS: rhyming, weather, animals, cumulative tales

Today's Royal Read #3: Dogku by Andrew Clements

illustrated by Tim Bowers

Through the use of haiku, Andrew Clements explores how a wandering, homeless dog becomes the newest addition to a family. Through haiku, the dog narrates his adventure in being accepted into this family, and while mom and the kids are eager to keep him, dad is not so sure. Has "Mooch" found his home or will he have to say goodbye?

In the author's note at the back, Clements explains that choosing haiku to tell this story helped him to "pick the perfect words and arrange them just right." He also explains that he choose the picture book format for this story for the same reason he chose haiku: "a picture book is a small container - not many pages, not many words. Adorable dog + haiku = Dogku. Simple."

The illustrations created by Tim Bowers are fantastic works of art, depicting "Mooch" with all the personality he has and providing a visual backdrop for the words of Clements' haiku story.

Clements and Bowers
have created a story
that makes me smile.

KEYWORDS: poetry, haiku, pets, dogs

ONLINE CONNECTIONS

Links to author Nick Bruel:
http://www.teachingbooks.net/pronounce.cgi?name=Bruel%2C%20Nick
http://www.nickbruel.com/

Links to author Andrew Clements:
http://www.andrewclements.com/

How Much is That Doggie in the Window?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-zXsqrA-9s