Texas Bluebonnet Books

Above is the padlet I created about the books nominated for the Texas Bluebonnet Award. Leave a note about the books you have read. I would love your feedback!

I am Amelia Earhart

New to the Library!

 I am Amelia Earhart by Brad Meltzer

Meltzer, B. (2014). I am Amelia Earhart. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers.

I am Amelia Earhart is part of Brad Meltzer’s Ordinary People Change the World series. This is a short biography the highlights Earhart’s accomplishments rather than focusing on her disappearance. The narrative of her young life is refreshing and encouraging to children, especially girls. The illustrations are done in a more comic book style that will catch young reader’s attention. I liked how the illustration of Amelia did not age, that she always appeared to be a young girl.

This book and others in the series, would be a great addition to any biography section of the library. The simpler text along with the pictures would ensure readers of various levels would be able to understand the contributions Earhart made to aviation.

Other books in the series located in the library:

I am Abraham Lincoln

I am Albert Einstein

I am Jackie Robinson

Interesting Websites:

Brad Meltzer on why he wrote the series:

http://bradmeltzer.com/TV-Kids-and-More/I-Am-Amelia-Earhart

Brad Meltzer reading the story and explaining his work

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWprmvr5rzM

(He does this with several of his works-quite entertaining!)

If You Were a Kid During the American Revolution

New to the Library!

If You Were a Kid During the American Revolution by Wil Mara

Mara, W. (2017). If you were a kid during the American Revolution. New York: Children’s Press.

If You Were a Kid During the American Revolution is a short nonfiction book that gives a glimpse into the lives of two children (a boy and a girl) during the early years of the Revolution. The author takes one night and is able to explain some of the reasons of the revolution in language that is easy enough for young elementary students to understand. Added to the text are picture inserts that include actual revolutionary era toys, lanterns, and quills to add extra meaning to the text. Included in the book is a simple timeline, glossary and index. Not only would this be a wonderful introduction to the American Revolution, it would also be great to use while teaching elements such as nonfiction text features.

This is part of a series available in the library right now. Titles include:

If You Were a Kid During the Civil War

If You Were a Kid in the Thirteen Colonies

If You Were a Kid on the Oregon Trail

Ada Twist, Scientist

New to the Library!

Ada Twist, Scientist by Andrea Beaty

Beaty, A. (2016). Ada Twist, scientist. New York: Abrams Books for Young Readers.

Ada Twist, Scientist is a wonderful rhyming book that introduces students to what great scientists do. Scientist ask questions like why, when, how and what to help them discover how the world works. The book encourages students to explore and find out the answers to their questions. Ada’s parents are frequently frustrated by the mess and constant stream of questions, but they eventually realize that their young daughter will not stop being inquisitive.

Ada Twist, Scientist portrays a young African-American girl who is fascinated with science and asking questions. This book would be great as an introduction for the inquiry process, forming a hypothesis and STEM activities. The pictures will engage the students along with the catching rhyme and flow of the story.

Interesting website:

By the author with teaching ideas:

http://abramsbooks.com/adatwist/