Well, it's been a busy month, but here are the books I've read recently:
Inside of a Dog: What Dogs See, Smell, and Know by Alexandra Horowitz - I loved this non-fiction book about what scientists have learned about life from a dog's viewpoint.
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate - So many students have told me how much they enjoyed this book that I have been wanting to read it for a while. Now I understand why! Based on a real gorilla that was kept in a department store as an attraction for customers to enjoy, Ivan is written from the gorilla's perspective. The story is very well-written and touching, especially for animal lovers.
The Smartest Kids in the World and How They Got that Way by Amanda Ripley - I found this book extremely interesting, because I always want to learn about education in other countries. This non-fiction text examines what school is like in Finland, South Korea, and Poland, three countries who have recently scored very well in international tests of critical thinking. She follows three American students who study abroad in high schools, so we are able to understand first hand how these schools from American schools.
I also read some new picture books, which I am not going to summarize as I will probably read them to students this year!
What Do You Do With An Idea? by Kobi Yamada, Illustrated by Mae Besom
The Most Magnificent Thing by Ashley Spires
Ice Cream Summer by Peter Sis
When The Beat Was Born: DJ Kool Herc and the Creation of Hip Hop by Laban Carrick Hill, Illustrated by Theodore Taylor III
Only about 3 more weeks until school starts! Keep reading!
