48 Hour Book Challenge: Check-In Post #2

I couldn't keep my eyes open long enough last night to read quite as much as I wanted, so in the past 16 hours, I've only read for about four more. My total time now is 10 hours, 10 minutes. Reaching 18 hours is seeming less and less likely, but I will certainly make it to at least 12 and maybe a bit beyond that.

Since last night's update, I have once again read four books (all ARCs from NetGalley and Edelweiss) and started on a fifth. Full-length reviews won't be up for a while, but brief reviews are below:

• The Sister Solution by Trudy Trueit
  This book has an odd premise - a genius little sister is promoted two grades mid-way through the year, joining her sister as an eighth grader and immediately complicating her social life. The characters were fairly well-developed otherwise, but the far-fetched situation made the overall story feel like it didn't quite hang together cohesively. 
• Secret Coders by Gene Luen Yang
  This is another strange - but quick - read. Unfortunately, I didn't know it wasn't a stand-alone and it ends on a cliffhanger, so I was somewhat dissatisfied. I did like all the coding lessons within the story, though. There aren't any other books like this one. 
• Ava and Taco Cat by Carol Weston
  I really liked Ava and Pip, but the sequel is really just more of the same and it isn't as well done. There was also too much cliched cat stuff for me to really connect with it, and though some of the wordplay and jokes are funny, it felt like too much. 
• A Handful of Stars by Cynthia Lord
  This is not Lord's strongest work. A solid three-star book, but not especially memorable. The main character wants to make enough money for a surgery to save the eyesight of her beloved dog, while her friend, a girl from a migrant family, wants to win a pageant to earn money for college. The story moves very quickly, which interferes with the reader's ability to connect on an emotional level. It will definitely win points with readers seeking more diversity - but I enjoyed last year's Half a Chance more.

Even after being charged all night, my Nook battery is super-low again from this morning's marathon reading session, so my next two books are not ARCs, but library books: Drive Me Crazy by Terra Elan McVoy, which I have just barely started and Boy with a Pack by Stephen W. Meader, the 1940 Newbery Honor book my husband has been bugging me to read for at least a week. (I am heading outside to read that one while he stays in and supervises toddler nap time. It will be a nice change of pace, as the other books I've read this morning involve lots of girl drama!)

And... with the 20 minutes it took to write this post, I am now at a solid 10.5 hours. Time to get back to it!

48 Hour Book Challenge: Check-In Post #1

I am just over twelve hours into my 48 hour book challenge, which I started this morning. I have spent roughly half my time reading so far - 6 hours and 15 minutes - and I have completed four books and started a fifth. Full-length reviews of these books aren't due to post to my blog until the Fall, but here are some quick thoughts:

• Bandit’s Moon by Sid Fleischman
  This is the 37th book in my Reading Through History Project, and I selected it to represent the 1840s and the Gold Rush. It's a fast-paced story about a young girl who falls in with a band of thieves in order to escape a horrible woman holding her captive. I gave it a solid three stars, as it was fun but didn't have a lot of depth, even though it was based in fact. 
• Bull Run by Paul Fleischman
  And this is book 38 on my Reading Through History list. Many different voices relate the events of the Battle of Bull Run. I was just in Manassas last weekend, so reading this seemed very timely. I read the book in about 45 minutes this morning while pushing my daughter in the stroller, and somehow I think reading it outside in the heat of summer made me appreciate more what it might have been like. I also love the suggestion from the author to use the book for reader's theater. My full review will have a lot to say about this book! 
• Saving Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea
  This entire series is something I probably could have skipped. It's obnoxiously inspirational with characters who sound nothing like real kids. This was the least believable of the three titles. I only gave it one star. 
• Fuzzy Mud by Louis Sachar
  This was short, sweet, and very different. It's not funny in the way of some of Sachar's other titles, but it's a really interesting science fiction story about the impact some strange "fuzzy" mud has first on three kids, and then on an entire community. Definitely compelling. 

The next book I'm working through is The Sister Solution by Trudy Trueit - I'm about halfway through. I'm hoping to get in another solid 2 hours or more tonight, now that Miss Muffet is in bed, so hopefully I'll finish this book and squeeze in one more. Counting the 15 minutes I spent writing this post, my total is now 6.5 hours. Now I'm going back to reading. 

48 Hour Book Challenge: Starting Line

This morning begins the tenth annual 48 Hour Book Challenge hosted by Mother Reader. I have never participated before, but decided to give it a try this year, as my to-read pile is out of control and I'm trying to get ahead on reviews so I can schedule them before the new baby comes this Fall. My challenge begins now, at approximately 8:15 a.m. on Friday, so it will end on Sunday morning at 8:15. While I think it would be wonderful to get in 24 hours of reading during this time period, I think that is going to be a stretch with a toddler, so I'm probably looking at a more realistic goal of 18 hours. We'll see how it goes. I don't have any playdates or anything else scheduled today or tomorrow, so perhaps I will read more than I think is possible right now.

I'll be checking in periodically today and tomorrow to report on my progress. Now I'm off to start my first book of the day!

10 Early Literacy Resources at Your Public Library (Besides Books)

The journey toward literacy starts at birth, as a child begins to collect information about language through his everyday experiences. The knowledge base surrounding reading and writing that the child develops in these early years is commonly known as early literacy. In addition to books, which are a key component in acquiring early literacy skills, your local public library provides many more resources to support your early literacy efforts. Ten of these are described below.

Children’s Magazines

Most libraries subscribe to at least a few magazines for children. For pre-readers, check out Babybug, Ladybug, Highlights Hello, and Highlights High Five for developmentally appropriate stories, rhymes, songs, and activities which incorporate early literacy practices.

Educator Magazines

At my local public library, there is a section of the children’s area designated for parents and educators. In addition to lots of wonderful non-fiction books about everything from sleep training to fingerpainting, there is also a selection of magazines for early childhood educators. If your library has such a section, look for titles such as The Mailbox and Young Children, which provide wonderful ideas for educational play from early childhood experts.

Brochures

It is likely that somewhere in your library there is a table, shelf, or desk on which are spread various printed materials for patrons to pick up. Though it can be easy to overlook this area, you might be missing out on some great information. Take a moment to scan through the brochures and flyers and pick up anything referring to reading with young children or promoting early literacy.

Book Lists

Often, among the printed material left out for library users to take is a collection of book lists. These are commonly sorted by grade level, but many libraries also take the time to create lists of suggested books for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. These book lists are also nice because they often tell you where the items can be found on the shelves at your specific library.

Workshops

Not all libraries provide workshops for parents and caregivers, but it’s worth keeping an eye on the calendar for opportunities that might pop up, such as a class on creating flannel boards, or a training about the Every Child Ready to Read campaign. Many libraries also provide outreach services and might be willing to provide a workshop to your moms group or other local organization.

Bookflix

Scholastic periodically puts out video adaptations of classic picture books. These are available on DVD, but if your library subscribes to Bookflix, you can also stream them online from home with your library card. Each video of a fictional story is accompanied by a related non-fiction title to help your child explore a given topic in further detail. The books on Bookflix also have a read-along option, where subtitles can be turned on so your child can follow the words as they are read.

Tumblebooks

Similar to Bookflix, Tumblebooks also provides web-based video versions of picture books. You and your kids can create playlists of your favorites, and the site also provides accelerated reader and Lexile level information for its titles. (Note: Tumblebooks are more like e-books, whereas the Bookflix videos are often fully animated.)

Databases

Libraries subscribe to online databases on myriad topics, depending on the needs and interests of their communities. I have used library databases to locate children’s poems and short stories, to find suggested reading material based on things I and my daughter have enjoyed, and even to research early literacy information. Ask your local librarian for detailed information on what is available from your library.

Story Times

Story time is the ultimate early literacy experience! Join in on a session to learn about books, songs, and rhymes you can share at home, and to get helpful hints for reading aloud at home.

Children’s Librarians

While children’s librarians are not reading teachers or experts on child development, many of them have been trained in early literacy skills and practices and can suggest developmentally appropriate activities to do with your child. The children’s librarian is also the go-to source for all the resources mentioned above, as well as every other library resource available for kids. (Read more about the awesomeness of children’s librarians in this post!)