Book Bag Blog

News in Children’s Books for January 2008

Brisingr, third in the series by Christopher Paolini will be published September 2008.  Be on the look out for this next book in the Dragon Series. Have you read either Eragon or Eldest?  Word has it that there will midnight parties and book celebrations on Saturday, September 20, 2008 to celebrate Brisingr’s arrival.  Paolini has also decided that this will not end as a trilogy - a fourth book is already in the plans. 

Other great news this week is ALA’s announcement of the award winners for this year. 

 Caldecott 2008 Winner  The Invention of Hugo Cabret: A Novel in Words and Pictures by Brian Selznick

When 12-year-old Hugo, an orphan living and repairing clocks within the walls of a Paris train station in 1931, meets a mysterious toyseller and his goddaughter, his undercover life and his biggest secret are jeopardized. 

Newbery 2008 Winner 

Good Masters! Sweet Ladies! Voices From a Medieval Village by Laura Amy Schlitz

A collection of short one-person plays featuring characters, between 10 and 15 years old, who live in or near a 13th-century English manor. 

Coretta Scott King  2008 Winner 

Elijah of Buxton  by Christopher Paul Curtis

Eleven-year-old Elijah Freeman, the first free-born child in Buxton, Canada, which is a haven for slaves fleeing the American South in 1859, uses his wits and skills to try to bring to justice the lying preacher who has stolen money that was to be used to buy a family’s freedom.

Read this blog … post a comment and let me know what you think of this year’s award winners by Friday for a free book.

Cocoa Cafe News

Things are really hopping with our Cocoa Cafe.  I think everyone is enjoying the cocoa, the cookies and the quiet, comfy atmosphere.  If you haven’t had a chance to visit, you’re really missing out.  I’m offering a free cocoa buck to every student that responds to this email and shares at least one book that they have read lately and why “I” need to read it!

Happy New Year!

Well, we’re here - back at school, 2008!  I’m thinking about all those plans I had to read over the holiday and I didn’t get through half of the list.  At least, I got started!! 

We’ve had two students come in for Cocoa Bucks and I really do like to read those journal entries.  I really hope that you are not letting this be an extra assignment - just keep me posted on what you are reading and how you are doing with the activitites on the reading calendar.  Speaking of reading calendars:  the January calendar will go home soon but I’m attaching a link in case you want to print your own.  January Reading Calendar

 Just a couple of reminders:  Eagle Readers Book Club will meet Thursday, January 10.  Lunch Bunch Book Clubs will meet on January 17. 

Cocoa Cafe

Cocoa Cafe will open the week of January 14, 2008.  Here are a few of the ways to earn Cocoa Bucks.

•  Participate in the reading calendar activities and write in your journal about each activity that you do – 1 pt for each entry and 1 Cocoa Buck for five (5) points.  January Calendar attached to newsletter.
• Read at least 5 of the Children’s Book Award nominees – or have them read to you – must be checked off on your “Ready, Set, Read” reading log.
• Participate in one of our Lunch Bunch activities.
• Script and record a podcast booktalk for the library’s Book Bag Blog. http://brendab.edublogs.org/
• Create a shoebox float from one of the books you’ve read.
• Participate in my Winter Reading Challenge to “snuggle up with a good book.”  Details at: http://brendab.edublogs.org/
• Create a Character Trading Card: turn in planning sheet and go online to create card and then print. (URL: www.readwritethink.org/materials/trading_cards/)

Cocoa Cafe Podcasts

I promised “Cocoa Bucks” to those that scripted and recorded a podcast booktalk.  I am just posting our first podcast from Sara in the 5th Grade.

Forever, Amber Brown by Brenna

Warriors: Into The Wild by Erin Hunter

Warriors: by Erin Hunter

Wringer by Jerry Spinelli