Holiday Blog Experiment

At the end of the year I like to try something different with my blogs. This year I’m going to post very short “teaser” book reviews on Twitter, 2 books a day until the last day of school.

I have some great new nonfiction reference books for kids and the 2009 Cybils Easy Reader and Short Chapter Book Award Nominees.

If you’re already on Twitter, I’m @asuen1 (For a daily email, sign up here.)

Happy Holidays!

Copyright © 2009 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.

Free Throw (basketball novel)

Free Throw by Anastasia Suen (writing as Jake Maddox)
A basketball novel

Reading level: Ages 9-12

Library Binding / Paperback: 72 pages

Publisher: Stone Arch Books

Since Derek is the tallest kid on his basetball team, his coach decides to let him play center instead of Jason. Derek thinks this is a lucky break, until Jason stops passing him the ball out on the court. As Jason takes his revenge on him, Derek begins to lose confidence. He’s not sure he’ll ever be able to make a successful free throw with Jason breathing down his neck.

Activities:

See the latest basketball news and videos at NBA.com.

Take a video tour of the Basketball Hall of Fame.

Can you find all of the words in this Basketball Word Search Puzzle?

Make your own Basketball Word Scramble.

Discover the secret message in these Basketball Math Puzzles.

Literacy Links
Copyright © 2009 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.

Make A Turkey (easy reader)

Make A Turkey by Anastasia Suen
A Bebop Easy Reader

Reading level: Guided Reading: D Intervention: 6 DRA: 4

Library Binding: 8 pages

Publisher: Bebop Books

A Japanese American boy demonstrates a fun classroom project – making a picture of a turkey from a handprint.

Also available in Spanish as Hacer un pavo.

Activities:

After you follow the directions in the book and make a turkey, use these lesson plans with your children:

Science: Have children make fingerprints.

Math: Show children how to use a handspan to measure.

Social Studies: Go for a walk and observe how different people use their hands. Make a list of what was seen.

Writing: Talk about what it means to “lend someone a hand.”

Literacy Links
Copyright © 2009 Anastasia Suen All Rights Reserved.