Ivy and Bean by Annie Barrows

Here is a great new book for fans of Junie B., Amber Brown and Judy Moody. Large font and lots of humorous black and white illustrations will appeal to students wanting to move from easy readers to chapter books. Ivy and Bean are seven year old neighbors who dislike each other even though they have never spoken. When they finally do meet, they team up to cast a "witches spell" which sends Bean's bossy older sister into a wormy mud hole and makes them friends forever. This is a fun book to read which also reinforces the lesson that you shouldn't prejudge others.

Use with grades 1-3.

Jazz by Walter Dean Myers

Great jazz poetry along with a history of jazz. The beat of the poems mimic jazz music and different instruments are highlighted by having their own poems. The introduction gives a history of jazz and a timeline of jazz does the same but in a more kid friendly format. There is also a glossary of jazz terms. The vivid illustrations are perfectly matched to the poetry.

I just finished Bud, Not Buddy with my fourth grade reading group and I can't wait to share these poems with them. One of the reading skills we are to focus on this month is inference and poetry is a great way to teach that skill in an interesting way.

I can see using this with grades 3-8.