This has been a wonderful book week! I've been getting my first of the year book stack ready for my first read alouds, while trying desperately trying to finish my summer book stack, and time is running out. August days are more valuable than June days - I am more protective of them.

Manfish A Story of Jacques Cousteau by Jennifer Berne. I received this lovely copy at the Choice Literacy Conference in Ypsilanti last week. What a great mentor text for non-fiction writing!  I was drawn in by the poetic language, as well as the beautiful artwork by Eric Puybaret. I hope kids will see what a difference one person can make.

Now & Ben the Modern Inventions of Benjamin Franklin by author/illustrator Gene Barretta. I love that a biography doesn't have to start with..."Benjamin Franklin was born in..." I think this text is a great model for narrowing the focus. The story is set up with "Now we have..." & "Ben was the person who made this possible..." It covers his most well-known inventions, as well as some lesser-known ones like the rocking chair with a fan on top and one that churned butter. Who knew?

Three Times Lucky by Shelia Turnage. This might possibly be my first 6th grade read aloud! (Wonder will be my 7th.) If the wonderful language doesn't make you fall for this book, the amazing characters will. The protagonist, Moses LoBeau, is a rising sixth grader and lives with the Colonel and Miss Lana. She was washed up in a basket after a hurricane as a baby (that's how she got her name) and has no idea who her parents are. Her life is about to get exciting when a community member is found dead. Together, with her best friend Dale, they are trying to find the murderer. Thank you Mandy for recommending this!