November Challenge - Texas 2x2 Tuesday

November 25 - Texas 2x2 Reading List

My plan was to spotlight another great book from the Texas 2x2 Reading List for today's blog post. Then I realized this is my last for Texas 2x2 Tuesday for this 2014 November Challenge. I started to get very sad until I realized the power I have to share ALL of the titles (300 to date) ever named to the Texas 2x2 Reading List. Now, don't get all anxious. I am NOT going to review every one of the titles. I am merely going to provide you with a way to quickly obtain a list of all of the titles, authors, illustrators, and the year the book was named to the list. This is actually a document I began working on about seven years ago. I wanted to quickly be able to locate the authors and illustrators of the 2x2 books and be able to find out how many times a specific author or illustrator had been named to the list. There was no such document, so I (being the CDO person I am - yes, it is CDO - it MUST be in alphabetical order) created one.

All you have to do is scan this QR code in order to go directly to the Google shared document. If you cannot scan the code, that is fine. Here is the URL - bit.ly/Texas2x2ReadingList.

When you first scan the QR code, you will
be directed to an advertisement, just wait a few
seconds and you will be directed to the document.

If you have a young child in your life and you are looking for the very best books to read to them, or purchase as a gift, I suggest checking out the titles, authors, and illustrators on this list. It is interesting to note, a number of the books named to the Texas 2x2 Reading List in early January of each year by the Texas 2x2 Reading List Committee (a project of the Children's Round Table, a unit of the Texas Library Association), have also been honored with distinctions from the Association of Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association. Some of these include - the Caldecott Medal and Honor, Geisel Award, and Notable Children's Books.

You can also view all of the Texas 2x2 Reading List titles on Shelfari.

November Challenge - Texas 2x2 Tuesday

November 18th - Texas 2x2 Tuesday - Nugget & Fang: Friends Forever--or Snack Time? 

Nugget & Fang: Friends Forever--or Snack Time?written by Tammi Sauer and illustrated by Michael Slack 

Nugget (a fish) and Fang (a shark) are the very best of friends, until Nugget goes off to school. It doesn't matter what the subject Nugget is learning, it seems everything points to the fact that sharks and fish cannot be friends! 

This is a great story to use with young children when talking about diversity.  No matter our differences, we can make adjustments and be friends, regardless of what anyone else says. During the time we were reading the Nugget & Fang our students were learning about choices. We talked about the choices Fang and Nugget made throughout the story and if they were good or bad choices and why. The children laughed at Fang's Food Chain at the end of the story, so we made sure to include it with our costumes.

Nugget & Fang was named one of the 20 books for the 2014 Texas 2x2 Reading List. At my school, we love this book so very much, my clerk and I dressed as Nugget and Fang for our Fall Literacy Night. 

Mrs. Betts as Nugget and Mrs. Wilson as Fang

November Challenge - Texas 2x2 Tuesday

November 11th - Texas 2x2 Tuesday - Pip & Squeak by Ian Schoenherr

Pip & Squeak
by Ian Schoenherr

I guess you could say it is arctic wind that has blown down on us in the past twelve hours that has started me thinking about two of my favorite little mice, Pip & Squeak. They are running late to their friend Gus's birthday. Squeak reminds Pip to get the gift. For those diligent observers, you will see the gift is a wedge of cheese. The rest of the story is the adventure Pip and Squeak go on as they make their way through the snow. When they are well on their way to see Gus, Squeak realizes they forgot the gift. Now what will they take to the birthday boy? 

Young and old readers alike will enjoy not only the characters and storyline (especially the humorous interactions between Pip and Squeak), but also the wonderful illustrations created by Ian Schoenherr. This is one of my favorite stories to read to my students when the weather turns cold. I love to hear their predictions and their surprise when they find out the ending to this fun tale.

November Challenge - Thankful for Books

In the past I've joined others posting a particular thanksgiving for each day of November. This year I am going to do something a little different. I am going to share something for which I am particularly thankful for...books.

Books are an extremely important part of my life. Not only because I am a librarian, but because I am a reader. I'm not afraid to say it! In fact, I will say it again, I AM A READER! My "To Read" list gets longer and longer every day. I will never be able to read all of the books I want to read. My idea of Heaven is an ever growing library.

So with that being said, I will be posting the title of a book each day in the following six (seven) categories...

#MysteryMondays
#Texas2x2Tuesdays
#WhateverWednesdays
#ThrillingThursdays
#FantasyFridays
#SexySaturdays
#Surplus Sundays (these are a true bonus)

If you want to join me in this adventure, feel free. You can post your books on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, your blog, or even below in the comments section. I think it is going to be a fun challenge for me, especially choosing the perfect title for each category. Will your To Read list grow?

Let the reading begin.

Now, to play a little catchup...

November 1 - Sexy Saturday - The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon - There is no better way to start this challenge than to talk about the wonderfully intoxicating romance between Jamie and Claire. These books are not your typical romance novels (sometimes referred to as "Chick Lit"). They can fit into a number of different genres, and have been by many people (according to Ms. Gabaldon herself). These include, but are not limited to, the following: romance, historical fiction, thriller, science fiction, history, and adventure. There is something for every reader in this series because Ms. Gabaldon tears down the genre walls and lets her characters create their own destiny.

This series has recently become even more popular because of the television series on Starz. The first half of the season (eight episodes) began in August and ran through September. The second half of the first season is not scheduled to air until April 2015. 

The Outlander series
by Diana Gabaldon

November 2 - Surplus Sunday

Playing for Pizza by John Grisham

Playing for Pizza
by John Grisham

Since this book is representing Sunday, it only seems fitting that it should be related to football! Playing for Pizza is a book about self discovery. When the third-string quarterback of the Cleveland Browns is cut from the team following a horrible performance, he is unable to find work for another team. The only team that will take him is the Mighty Panthers of Parma, Italy. Not knowing the country, culture, or language, Rick has a great deal to learn, but more than anything else, he has a lot to discovery about himself.

November 3 - Mysterious Monday 

The Cradle will Fall by Mary Higgins Clark

The Cradle will Fall
by Mary Higgins Clark

I don't actually remember when I read this, my first of Mary Higgins Clark's, book. I believe I might have been in high school. This book set me on my path of mystery novels. I loved the suspense and anxiety I felt for the main character, Katie DeMaio because I, as the reader, knew information she did not. The medical aspect of this book was also intriguing. I know not all doctors are like the one depicted in the book, but it does make one suspicious.

November 4 - Texas 2x2 Tuesday (I like this a lot better than my initial "Tot Tuesday") 

Move Over Rover by Karen Beaumont and Jane Dyer

Move Over Rover
written by Karen Beaumont and illustrated by Jane Dyer

Move Over Rover was named to the Texas 2x2 Reading List in 2007. I love to read the book aloud to young children to see if they scrutinize the illustrations. Do they look closely enough to see each animal to crawl into Rover's doghouse to get out of the rain? If you pick up this wonderful book, be sure to read the story and look at the pictures very carefully. Can you predict what is going to happen at the end of the book? When sharing it with young children see if they have the same hypothesis.