Library Home >
Bluebonnet Book Blog
The Year of the Book
 This is a great book about friendship and the Chinese culture. Check out the sites below for more information on The Year of the Book. Readers Theater Script – Year of the Book (PDF) Author Andrea Cheng’s website: NPR audio interview with Andrea Cheng (9:26): The Year of the Book Back Story (courtesy of Andrea Cheng) The Year of the Book Book Blog about “Readwalking” (courtesy of Andrea Cheng) Illustrator Abigail Halpin’s website: Book trailer for The Year of the Book: A short article on Chinese schools in non-Chinese speaking countries: Includes links to the Chinese zodiac, Chinese food, Chinese festivals,, Chinese writing and more: |
Spy Camp
|
Rump
 I am so excited to finally be able to blog about Rump. This was my absolute favorite book from this year's Bluebonnet list. It gives a new perspective to the old fairy tale Rumpelstiltskin. It tells the story from Rump's perspective and readers will discover that perhaps Rumpelstiltskin is not as bad as the fairy tales make him out to be. If you enjoy the fantasy genre and fairy tales, you will love this book. It is a great read for both boys and girls. For more information about this book, check out the web resources below. Readers Theater Script – Rump (PDF)Book Trailer by Random House: http://www.randomhousekids.com/videos/mpqaop3udq8-rump-the-true-story-of-rumpelstiltskin-book-trailer#.UmvxY74o4b0The author’s website: An interview with the author: Another interview with the author: Behind the name, the etymology and history of first names: Fun Fairy Tales: Spoonerisms at Reference.com: Rindercella, a Spoonerism retelling of the Cinderella story Hee Haw performance of Rindercella: Magic: Easy magic video lessons and demonstrations to help you learn magic tricks and illusions: http://www.neok12.com/Learn-Magic-Tricks.htm Goodtricks.net–learn free magic tricks: http://www.goodtricks.net/coinmagic.html http://www.goodtricks.net/optical-illusions-optical-magic.html Easy beginning magic tricks by Wayne Kawamoto: |
Rebel McKenzie
 Read Rebel McKenzie to find out what happens when a seemingly nerdy child paleontologist enters a beauty pageant to raise money for summer camp. Rebel finds out a lot about herself and encounters some adversity along the way. For more information about this book, please check out the web resources below: Readers Theater Script – Rebel McKenzie (PDF)Publisher’s website: Author’s website: Paleontology: American Museum of Natural History–Paleontology: The Big Dig: http://www.amnh.org/explore/ology/paleontology National Park Service Kid’s Stuff–This page is designed especially for kids. This is the place to find games, activities, books, and other fun ways to learn about paleontology: http://nature.nps.gov/geology/nationalfossilday/kids.cfm National Park Service–National Fossil Day is October 15, 2014http://nature.nps.gov/geology/nationalfossilday/activities.cfm#jrranger Bullying: Disney Friends for Change “Bullying Prevention Action Kit”: http://a.dolimg.com/friendsforchange/interim/pdfs/FFC13-BullyPrevention-ActionKit-FINAL-WEB-093013.pdf Nickelodeon Anti-bullying page: http://www.nick.com/thebighelp/anti-bullying/ PACER – Anti-bullying educational activities: Stopbullying.gov: |
Pickle: The (Formerly) Anonymous Prank Club of Fountain Point Middle School
 Pickle by Kim Baker is a great choice for both boys and girls to read. It is a short novel and keeps the reader's interest until the end. A middle school student, Ben, pulls such a successful prank that he is encouraged by his peers to start a club that pulls pranks on the school at random times. Not only is this book about pranks, it is also about making new friends and learning the value of true friends. I really enjoyed this book and think that you will too. For more information on Pickle, check out the web resources below. Readers Theater Script – Pickle (PDF) Book Trailer (1:14): http://youtube/u9gE1dD7IWY About the author, including contact email: A Power Point presentation introducing debate for elementary students Debate practical joking–a guideline for beginning elementary debate Lebonsky Eggs: Step-by-Step pickling process with pictures: http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-pickle-eggs/?ALLSTEPS Ideas for pickled egg experiences Puzzles, Jokes, and FUN: Join the Pickle Makers Club–Word Search What’s for Lunch – logic puzzle Prank ideas for April Fools’ Day or anytime Pickle Jokes Galore: |
Platypus Police Squad: The Frog Who Croaked
 Readers Theater Script – Platypus Police Squad (PDF) RELATED ACTIVITIES & RESOURCESBook Trailer by Walden Media (1:13): Following an introductory trailer, the author talks about writing the book (19:40): Platypus Police Squad fan video by Castelton Elementary (2:29): How Krosoczka Got Idea for Platypus Police Squad (2:58): Drawing Detectives Rick Zengo and Corey O’Malley from Platypus Police Squad (0:51): Have you ever seen a real platypus?: http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/animals/creaturefeature/platypus/ http://video.nationalgeographic.com/video/kids/animals-pets-kids/mammals-kids/platypus-kids/ Visit Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane, Australia, Rated one of the “Top 10 Zoos in the World” by AOL: Take a virtual field trip to the Hamilton Police Central Station in Hamilton, Ontario (4:10): http://highered.mcgrawhill.com/sites/0070696950/student_view0/____police_station.html |
Odette's Secrets
 Odette's Secrets is a very good book. If you are interested in learning more about the Holocaust, this would be a great book to read. It is different from other Holocaust novels because it is written in verse (poetry) form. It is based on a true story and has a lot of interesting notes/stories in the back of the book. For more information about this book please check out the web resources below: Readers Theater Script – Odette’s Secrets (PDF) RELATED ACTIVITIES & RESOURCESOfficial Book Trailer: The author’s website: Author’s notebook, an interview with the author of Odette’s Secrets: http://thewholemegillah.wordpress.com/2013/03/19/authors-notebook-maryann-macdonald-odettes-secrets/ Hidden Children in the Holocaust: Background information for the teacher: Photo “Jews are not welcome here”: The Psychological Aftermath, Bloeme Evers-Emden: Life in Shadows: Hidden Children in the Holocaust: United States Holocaust Memorial Museum (virtual tour – study guide available): Hidden in Plain Sight – Anagrams: And now the news…: References from the book: Rodin’s Thinker: Recipe and instructions for homemade playdough:
The legend of St. Christopher, the patron saint of travelers: The legend of St. George, the patron saint of soldiers: The legend of St. Michael, the Archangel: http://www.saintmichaelusa.org/smstory.php Star of David suncatcher: |
The Neptune Project
Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales: One Dead Spy
Monsieur Marceau
 Monsieur Marceau is one of the picture books from this year's list. This would be a great Bluebonnet selection if you are looking for a shorter book to read. It tells the story of one of the most famous mimes of all time: Marcel Marceau. To learn more about this book and mimes, check out all of the cool websites below. Readers Theater Script – Monsieur Marceau (PDF) Leda Schubert website: http://www.ledaschubert.com/ Leda Schubert blog: Book trailer from author website: Marcel Marceau performing (6:30): Interview with Marcel Marceau about WWII and mime (7:23): Interview with Marcel Marceau about religion and mime (6:22): Interview with Marcel Marceau about great artists (1:45): Interview with Marcel Marceau on education of mime (2:54): Interview with Marcel Marceau on WWII and being part of the resistance (1: 23): Interview with Marcel Marceau on good and evil (:56): Interview with Marcel Marceau on the conventions of character (6:56): Interview with Marcel Marceau on Bip and the butterfly (4:12): Interview with Marcel Marceau on Charlie Chaplin (3:52): Interview with Marcel Marceau having a bit of fun (:44): Interview with Marcel Marceau on what is funny (2:33): Interview with Marcel Marceau on what is the future of mime (1:31): Charlie Chaplin homepage (click on arrow to see him perform): http://www.charliechaplin.com/ Biography of Marcel Marceau: Marx brothers’ mirror scene (2:51): Lucille Ball and Harpo Marx and the Mirror scene (3:46): Emmett Kelly sweeping up the light (2:19): Red Skelton slow motion tennis mime (1:45): Actor remembers Red Skelton putting on a girdle (2:28): Red Skelton pantomime the old man playing golf (3:26): |
1-10 of 20