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READING STYLE GUIDE

Innovative Storytelling

7/26/2015

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Storytelling is as old as language, spanning all cultures and appealing to all audiences. I wondered "What could be new with this ancient art?" Then I discovered How to Tell a Story by Daniel Nayeri and Spot by David Wiesner, two intriguing new approaches to exploring the art of storytelling. Young readers and writers will appreciate these visual tools which stimulate thinking and offer innovative approaches to learning the art of storytelling.

How to Tell a Story by Daniel Nayeri

How to Tell a Story consists of a full-color 144-page book paired with a collection of 20 six-sided, illustrated storytelling cubes. The blocks are coded by color, each loosely associated with a part of speech. An accompanying guide book presents activities to introduce the storytelling principles of characters, conflict, climax, dialogue, motivation and theme.  For example, an activity might direct an individual to roll the blocks and find one red block (person or animal) “who wanted nothing more in this world than to” one green block (action).
These brightly colored cubes bring a “hands on” approach and an open-ended aspect to creative writing and storytelling.  This can serve as a great addition to classrooms, creative writing workshops, and storytelling programs for youth groups. The possibilities are endless.

Spot by David Wiesner

Taking full advantage of the iPad capabilities, SPOT leads users through wondrous worlds which encourage exploration and story-telling.
This immersive and wordless interactive storybook app launches the reader into five incredibly detailed and imaginatively realized worlds. Follow the trail interconnecting the worlds to see how a world so big can become one so close and accessible. It is up to each viewer to decide the direction they wish to take. The animations revealed with each "pinch" and "zoom" invite further exploration.  The app’s non-linear format promotes exploration, and learning through experimentation. 
A downloadable iBook includes an extensive guide for using SPOT. It’s easy to get lost for hours and hours in this astounding "world within a world within a world".

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Up on the Roof

7/19/2015

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Picture
Rooftoppers by Katherine Rundell,  Nameless City by Faith Erin Hicks,The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman. Three books. Three different settings. Three extraordinary young girls. Three unique adventures. 
What do they have in common? All have a storyline that reaches beyond the confines of walls and ceilings and takes readers "up where the air is fresh and sweet". 
These are rich stories, expansive as the limitless sky and filled with all the wonder and magic of life above the city. Each one leaves me breathless.
I agree with The Drifters:  this is the summer to be  "Up on the Roof".


The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman

Picture
Meet: Lyra Belacqua, age 12.  Cared for by Lord Asriel.
Rooftop companion: Roger Parslow, kitchen boy
Setting: Jordan College, Oxford, London
Rooftop exploits: Lyra heads to the roof when she knows that she must rescue Roger.
Quotes:
“Men and women are moved by tides much fiercer than you can imagine, and they sweep us all up into the current.” 
“So Lyra and her daemon turned away from the world they were born in, and looked toward the sun, and walked into the sky.” 
Bonus:
Carnegie Medal and Guardian Children's Fiction Prize. The full cast audio version narrated by the author is a treat. Skip the movie. That is a disappointment.

Rooftoppers by Katherine Rundell

Picture
Meet: Sophie, age 11. Ward of guardian Charles Maxim.
Rooftop companion: Matteo
Setting: Secret rooftop world of Paris
Rooftop exploits: A tightrope walk 50 feet off the ground and scaling the bell tower of Notre Dame.
Quotes:
“Never ignore a possible”
“It is difficult to believe extraordinary things.”
Bonus:
Winner of the Blue Peter Book Award and the Waterstones Children's Book Prize. Shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal.

The Nameless City by Faith Erin Hicks

Picture
Meet: Rat, orphan Skral. Lives with monks.
Rooftop companion: Kai
Setting: Fantasy city inspired by 13th Centurty China
Rooftop exploits: A race across the rooftop tiles, chasing after a stolen knife and a daring leap across a river.
Quotes:
"I'm not lost. I just don't know how to get home."
"You definitely won't make it if you stop every time."
Bonus:
Faith is an Eisner Award-winning author. This graphic novel will be available spring 2016. Put this on your "must read" list for 2016.

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Shared Reading

7/12/2015

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"Shared Reading is an interactive reading experience that occurs when students join in or share the reading of a book or other text while guided and supported by a teacher." Reading Rockets
Some of the best shared reading happens when children share books with each other. The joy of reading and the joy of sharing reading is evident in these candid images of young children in the library. All you need is friend and a good book to share.  The results: reading magic.
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    Barbara Moon

    I like talking about books and  interesting ideas. I like thinking about how books affect my life. Not particularly interested in giving out stars or in rating books. 

    Audio Publishers Association
    2013, - present  Audies judge 
    American Library Association Book Awards and Lists 
    ​2017 YALSA Award Nominating Committee
    2016 Excellence in Nonfiction 
    2014 Margaret Edwards Award
    2012 Odyssey Awards.  
    2009, 2010, 2011 Great Graphic Novels for Teens.

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