Top Ten Tuesday: Books With Diverse Characters

Top Ten Tuesdays are hosted by The Broke and The Bookish

Following this weeks theme I've decided to feature 10 classic children's books that have diverse characters.

1. Number the Stars by Lois Lowry- This is one of those books that I've only read once but I remember everything about it. I read this when I was still in elementary school and it hit me in a big way. Taking place in Europe during WWII a young Jewish girl moves in with her best friend and pretends to be one of the family's daughters.

2. The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats- A true classic for sure. A young boy spends one snow day in the city playing in the snow. I recently read this to my son and it reminded me of the school librarian reading this book to my kindergarten class. All of our faces tilted up and staring at the pictures, imagining ourselves out playing in the snow.

3. And Tango Makes Three by Justine Richardson- I have to admit I've never read this book. But I plan on reading this to my son during banned book week. 

4. The Story about Ping by Marjorie Flack- It has been so many years since I've read this that I barely remember it. But that is about to change since I've decided to reread it. All I remember is that it takes place in China.

5. Corduroy by Don Freeman- One of my son's all time favorite books! We've read it so many times I've lost count. Who can forget that lovable bear who is finally adopted by Lisa. 

6, Iggie's House by Judy Blume- As a child I was a huge fan of Judy Blume and read as many of her books as I could get my hands on. The main character in this book is white but it tells the tale of an African American family who move into a house that used to be the MC best friend's house. I remember the MC had no problem and didn't think twice about the family being black. But others in the neighborhood were less than thrilled. Sadly this still happens today.

7.  The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie- Another book I have not read but plan on reading during banned book week. 

8. The Miracle Worker by William Gibson- I remember reading this in school and being in awe of Helen Keller. I remember being fascinated and wondering just how someone who is deaf, blind and cannot speak overcomes such an obstacle. 

9. Freedom Summer by Donna Wiles- Two best friends in the south in the 1960's one black one white. A simple tale that is great at introducing young readers to the desegregation that began in the 60's. 

10. The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling- I have not read the book but plan on it sometime soon. Of course I've seen the movie but that is really not the same thing 

Starting Summer Reading Early

Ok so today is the last full day of school for my son. Next week he has half days. I've been doing the pee pee dance to start his summer reading. His school hasn't given him any specific assignments on what to read. There are guidelines on what they would like the children to read. But being in a special education class the guidelines don't really apply to him. I decided to set up a 100+ book goal for this summer. Sounds ambitious doesn't it? But think about 3 books a day 7 days a week is 21 books a week. In 5 weeks time I'll have all 100 books read. Now then I suspect that some days will be more books and some will be less (weekends will be tough for me as I work loooong hours on the weekends).

I've thought it over and really there is no reason not to start working towards my goal. What is the worst that happens? We waay over reach our goal. Oh no! Can there be such a thing as too many books....that was sarcasm for those of you who lack humor.

So starting today when my son gets off the bus I will be reading for the summertime. Any suggestions? Keep in mind my son is 7 with multiple learning disabilities. He is unable to read on his own and books cannot be higher than basic early readers. He is not ready for chapter books though I might try an easy one or two with him this summer.

Also, I'll be doing lots of requesting of reviews to children's book authors. I've already had a handful of them so nicely send me ebooks in exchange for my review. This is my shout out to them. Thank you so much! It is a symbiotic relationship between author and reviewer and I'm so thankful that you trust me to read and review something that I know you have worked so hard on.


If you want to follow the summer reading progress you can go to this link or click on the link on the top right hand side of the page.

Follow Friday May 15, 2015

 RULES To join the fun and make new book blogger friends, just follow these simple rules:(Required) Follow the Follow My Book Blog Friday Hosts {Parajunkee & Alison Can Read} (Required) Follow our Featured Bloggers

• Put your Blog name & URL in the Linky thing. You can also grab the code if you would like to insert it into your posts.
• Grab the button up there and place it in a post, this post is for people to find a place to say “hi” in your comments and that they are now following you.
• If you are using WordPress or another CMS that doesn't have GFC (Google Friends Connect) state in your posts how you would like to be followed.
• Follow Follow Follow as many as you can, as many as you want, or just follow a few. The whole point is to make new friends and find new blogs. Also, don’t just follow, comment and say hi. Another blogger might not know you are a new follower if you don’t say “HI”
• If someone comments and says they are following you, be a dear and follow back. Spread the Love…and the followers
• If you’re new to the follow Friday hop, comment and let me know, so I can stop by and check out your blog!
  

How do you organize your books? Either at home on your bookshelves or on your reading-device, or on your bookish platform like Goodreads, Leafmarks or Booklikes.  – Unconventional Book Views

Ok so I have next to no organizational skills. Like zero...nada...zip. I use goodreads and often mark on their the books I want to read and will kinda sorta categorize books I've read on there. These days I only read ebooks. There is no rhyme or reason to how they are organized on my phone (where I do all my reading). I don't even have them all in the same folder. I often have them in 6 different places or have them on the computer waiting to be transferred over not to mention the flash drives that have books. I'm a bit of a free book whore and will scoop up free books  from EVERYWHERE. Especially, childrens picture books. I have about 150 picture books downloaded all for free that I have yet to read to my son.  Its a sickness really.