At home resources #57

Book Suggestions

Read aloud about a haircut

Lots of us have been waiting and waiting to get our hair cut! Here's a story about a trip to a barbershop and how the main character feels when he walks out with his new cut! 

Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry

https://www.readbrightly.com/brightly-storytime-hair-love/

In this read aloud Zuri's dad helps her to style her hair for a special occasion. 

Younger Readers

Heartwood Hotel: A True Home by Kallie George

When Mona the Mouse stumbles across the wondrous world of the Heartwood Hotel in the middle of a storm, she desperately hopes they'll let her stay. As it turns out, Mona is precisely the maid they need at the grandest hotel in Fernwood Forest, where animals come from far and wide for safety, luxury, and comfort. But the Heartwood Hotel is not all acorn soufflé and soft moss-lined beds. Danger lurks, and as it approaches, Mona finds that this hotel is more than a warm place to spend the night. It might also be a home. Available as an ebook on OverDrive. 

Middle grade readers

The Last Kids on Earth: Zombie Parade by Max Brailler

The zombies are disappearing. This might seem like a good thing, since zombies eat your brains, but normal human kid Jack Sullivan is suspicious. He keeps hearing an eerie shrieking noise that seems to be almost summoning the zombies—but to where, and for what (probably) foul purpose?

Jack, his three best friends (maybe the only people left on Earth), and their pet monster Rover need to get to the bottom of this. The books in this series are available as ebooks on OverDrive. 

Upper grade readers

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black

Jude was seven years old when her parents were murdered and she and her two sisters were stolen away to live in the treacherous High Court of Faerie. Ten years later, Jude wants nothing more than to belong there, despite her mortality. But many of the fey despise humans. Especially Prince Cardan, the youngest and wickedest son of the High King. To win a place at the Court, she must defy him—and face the consequences. Available as an ebook and audiobook on OverDrive. 

Take a virtual visit to a national park

While most of us won't be traveling too far this summer, you can still visit our national parks virtually. 

At home resources #56

Book suggestions

Younger readers

Iggy Peck and the Mysterious Mansion by Andrea Beaty

Iggy Peck is an architect at his very core: When he's not making houses out of food, his head is up in the clouds, dreaming of design. So he's totally blown away when Ada Twist's Aunt Bernice inherits an old house from ice-cream mogul Herbert Sherbert that is filled with countless rooms from all his favorite architectural periods. But something's not quite right . . . Everyone says the house is haunted, and it seems that a number of priceless antiques—which were supposed to help Aunt Bernice pay for the house's upkeep—have gone missing. An extension of the Iggy Peck picture books, these early chapter books explore STEAM topics. Available as an ebook on OverDrive. 

Middle grade readers

Forget Me Not by Ellie Terry

Astronomy-loving Calliope June has Tourette syndrome, so she sometimes makes faces or noises that she doesn't mean to make. When she and her mother move yet again, she tries to hide her TS. But it isn't long before the kids at her new school realize she's different. Only Calliope's neighbor, who is also the popular student body president, sees her as she truly is—an interesting person and a good friend. But is he brave enough to take their friendship public? Available as an ebook on OverDrive. 

Upper grade readers

Bone Gap by Laura Ruby

Everyone knows Bone Gap is full of gaps. So when young, beautiful Roza went missing, the people of Bone Gap weren't surprised. But Finn knows what really happened to Roza. He knows she was kidnapped by a dangerous man whose face he cannot remember. The genre of this book is a hybrid--magical realism-- so be ready to suspend disbelief, but it's beautifully written. Available as an ebook on OverDrive. 

Brookline Schools' Summer Reading Lists

All summer reading information can be found here on the summer reading webpage. 

Boston Public Library summer reading program:

https://www.bpl.org/imagine-your-story/

Brookline Public Library summer reading program: 

https://www.brooklinelibrary.org/summer-reading-2020/

Becoming anti-racist -- book suggestions

Booklist put this list of titles together for children and young adults

We Are Kid Lit

Summer reading list from We Are KidLit Collective, an organization that promotes titles by and about Indigenous and people of color. 

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Book suggestions

Younger readers

Piper Green and the Fairy Tree by Ellen Potter

Life on an island in Maine is always interesting. But when a new teacher starts at Piper's school—and doesn't appreciate the special, um, accessory that Piper has decided to wear—there may be trouble on the horizon. Then Piper discovers the Fairy Tree in her front yard. Is the Fairy Tree really magic? And can it fix Piper's problems? Available as an ebook on OverDrive. 

Middle grade readers

We Dream of Space by Erin Entrada Kelly

The Thomas children exist in their own orbits, circling a tense and unpredictable household, with little in common except an enthusiastic science teacher named Ms. Salonga. As the launch of the Challenger approaches, Ms. Salonga gives her students a project—they are separated into spacecraft crews and must create and complete a mission. When the fated day finally arrives, it changes all of their lives and brings them together in unexpected ways. Available as an ebook on OverDrive. Brand-new from award-winning author, Erin Entrada Kelly. 

Upper grade readers

Piecing Me Together by Renee Watson

Jade believes she must get out of her poor neighborhood if she's ever going to succeed. Her mother tells her to take advantage of every opportunity that comes her way. And Jade has: every day she rides the bus away from her friends and to the private school where she feels like an outsider, but where she has plenty of opportunities. But some opportunities she doesn't really welcome, like an invitation to join Women to Women, a mentorship program for "at-risk" girls. Just because her mentor is black and graduated from the same high school doesn't mean she understands where Jade is coming from. She's tired of being singled out as someone who needs help, someone people want to fix. Jade wants to speak, to create, to express her joys and sorrows, her pain and her hope. Read this book and watch Jade's transformation as she finds her voice. Available as an ebook on OverDrive. 

Camp PBS Kids

Activities for the whole summer posted here on PBS Kids. 

Reading resources, space or dinosaur exploration, and activities to promote kindness are posted here for the summer months. They have a printable summer reading chart and a summer activity checklist. What are your summer plans? Check out this site to see what PBS has planned for you. 

Barnes and Noble Summer Reading --  Grades 1 -6 Earn a FREE book by reading! 

Go to the Barnes and Noble website to find their printable summer reading list. Record eight titles of books you read this summer, bring it to a Barnes and Noble store and they will give you a book for free. All details can be found here. 

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Reading suggestions

Younger readers

Daniel Finds a Poem by Micha Archer

What is poetry? Is it glistening morning dew? Spider thinks so. Is it crisp leaves crunching? That's what Squirrel says. Could it be a cool pond, sun-warmed sand, or moonlight on the grass? Maybe poetry is all of these things, as it is something special for everyone—you just have to take the time to really look and listen. The magical thing is that poetry is in everyone, and Daniel is on his way to discovering a poem of his own after spending time with his animal friends. Beautiful collage illustrations. Available as an ebook on OverDrive. 

Middle grade readers

The Misadventures of the Family Fletcher by Dana Alison Levy

The start of the school year is not going as the Fletcher brothers hoped. Each boy finds his plans for success veering off in unexpected and sometimes diastrous directions. And at home, their miserable new neighbor complains about everything. As the year continues, the boys learn the hard and often hilarious lesson that sometimes what you least expect is what you come to care about the most. Four brothers, two dads, hilarious and poignant realistic fiction adventures. Available as an ebook and audiobook on OverDrive. 

Upper grade readers

Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes

Twelve-year-old Jerome is shot by a police officer who mistakes his toy gun for a real threat. As a ghost, he observes the devastation that's been unleashed on his family and community in the wake of what they see as an unjust and brutal killing.

Soon Jerome meets another ghost: Emmett Till, a boy from a very different time but similar circumstances. Emmett helps Jerome process what has happened, on a journey towards recognizing how historical racism may have led to the events that ended his life. Jerome also meets Sarah, the daughter of the police officer, who grapples with her father's actions. A very timely portrayal of a tragic event from all points of view. Available as an ebook and audiobook on OverDrive. 

KidLit4BlackLivesRally: 

This event was live the other night, but it's now available on YouTube. Here's the link. 

Jason Reynolds, Jacqueline Woodson, Kwame Alexander, Derrick Barnes and many others were the inspiring speakers. It's worth the time to view and think about the important issues discussed. 

June in Bloom at the MFA: 

All through the month of June the Museum of Fine Arts will highlight works of art that include flowers. So just like the natural world coming to life, the museum will come to life with flowers (online, of course). 

https://mfa.org/programs/june-in-bloom

At home resources #53

Happy Monday! 

Brookline's Summer Reading Lists are available! 

Brookline school librarians develop these lists each year starting in the winter--around December/ January-- to provide you with the best of the best for summer reading. These titles are optional, of course, but we think these lists would be a great place to start. Our website includes lists for Prek - 8 readers and (on the resources page) gives instructions on logging in to the various sites that provide free ebooks and audiobooks. Happy reading! 

I'll be coming around to some classes to talk up the titles, but if I don't get to your class, feel free to reach out to me and I can answer your summer reading questions! kathleen_moriarty@psbma.org

Book Suggestions

Younger readers

Penny and Her Doll by Kevin Henkes

When Penny receives a surprise box in the mail from Gram, she is thrilled. The surprise is a doll, and she is absolutely perfect, from her head to her toes. Penny loves her immediately. She introduces her new doll to Mama and to the babies and to Papa. But then Papa asks what the doll's name is, and Penny realizes that she doesn't know. What should Penny call her? Available on OverDrive as an ebook. 

Middle grade readers

The 47 People You'll Meet in Middle School by Kristin Mahoney

You've been asking and asking about what middle school is like, but I just thought they were annoying-younger-sister questions. Even though I am almost done with my first year, I can still remember when I thought middle school was a mystery, so I'll try to give you a leg up. I know middle school is a lot to figure out. But since I still haven't worked it all out yet, I'm happy to help as much as I can. That's what big sisters are for. Available as an ebook on OverDrive and Sora. 

Upper grade readers

A High Five for Glenn Burke by Phil Bildner

When sixth grader Silas Wade does a school presentation on former Major Leaguer Glenn Burke, it's more than just a report about the irrepressible inventor of the high five. Burke was a gay baseball player in the 1970s—and for Silas, the presentation is his own first baby step toward revealing a truth about himself he's tired of hiding. Soon he tells his best friend, Zoey, but the longer he keeps his secret from his baseball teammates, the more he suspects they know something's up—especially when he stages one big cover-up with terrible consequences. Excellent realistic and humorous fiction. Available on Sora as an ebook. 

School Library Journal Summer Reads

School library journal will be posting some great ideas of things to read all summer long. The first week's lists are out-- find them here. 

The Ickabog

Don't forget about JK Rowling's new book! She's publishing it online chapter by chapter here!