Why I Bought It Wednesday {The Late Edition}

Like, the really late edition.

Like, it's totes Friday.

Thank you to my great colleague twitter.com/maggle for keeping me on task!

So without further ado...  Here is the final Why I Bought It Wednesday of my summer vaca. {SOBS!}

::  Beautiful Oops by Barney Satlzberg

Why I Bought It:  Okay, so I'm a little slow on the uptake.  I realize this book is not new, but it's new to me!  It's a perfect book for the start of the year because it encourages students to take risks and not worry about making mistakes.  This book is rather delicate, so I will probably not circulate it, but allow for much touching, ooing and ahhing over it in the Library.  I foresee many an "oops" project in the Library as well.

:: The Matchbox Diary by Paul Fleischman

Why I Bought It:  I'm actually at a loss for words {in an entirely positive way} as to the "usefulness" of this book.  Of course, it will make a wonderful read aloud all on its own but there are so many other ways that this book fits beautifully into the curriculum.  To help us navigate, Candlewick has created a teacher/librarian guide.  I plan on suggesting this book as a companion to so many other tried and true picture books by authors such as Eve Bunting and Pat Brisson.  Books about the immigrant experience, small moments, memories, past and present...the list goes on and on.  Enjoy.

:: Arnie the Donut and the Bowling Alley Bandit by Laurie Keller

Why I Bought It:  Oh come on.  How could you NOT buy this book?  It's Laurie Keller for heaven's sake!  This is the first book in a new chapter book series feature our good friend, Arnie and his ... um ... owner (?) Mr. Bing.  I will be doing a Laurie Keller author study this year with my multiage classes (mixed first and second) but it will be a bit more than just an author study.  The entire year will be themed around Laurie Keller's books, including Scrambled States of America {lots of opportunities for learning about states and the atlas}.  

:: P.S. Be Eleven by Rita Williams-Garcia

Why I Bought It:  Now here is a situation where I bought a book totally because my students enjoyed One Crazy Summer...and I did not.  And here is also an example of  how I am often very candid with my students but challenge them to come to their own conclusions and form their own opinions.  In other words, I do not just booktalk/recommend books I like.  I am looking forward to reading P.S. Be Eleven, though.  It just sounds so good...I hope it's as good as it sounds!

:: Robert Griffin III by Jon M. Fishman

Why I Bought It:  I rarely buy books on individual sports figures.  It just seems that as soon as they arrive the player has been traded or retired or is...er...in jail or de-medaled for steroids or something.  But I do purchase books about local team members, including this recent (and already slightly outdated) bio on RGIII.  Now if only they'd change that terrible team name...  What books do you very hesitantly purchase for your collection?

So there you have it!  See you next Wednesday!