Welcome to day 5 of the Texas Bluebonnet Award & 2x2 reading list showcase!  If you need a copy of either reading list for your summer reading, please follow the links! Happy reading! :)

Texas Bluebonnet Award (Grades 3-5): Click here!

2x2 (Preschool - 2nd Grade): Click here!

Hero 

by Mike Lupica

Fourteen-year-old Zach learns he has the same special abilities as his father, who was the president's globe-trotting troubleshooter until "the Bads" killed him, and now Zach must decide whether to use his powers in the same way at the risk of his own life.

Want to know more about author Mike Lupica? Click here!

Want to know more about Hero? Click here!

Check this awesome book trailer out! 

Benjamin Franklinstein Lives!

by Matthew McElligott & Larry Tuxbury

While working on a science fair project, a Philadelphia school boy discovers both a secret laboratory in his basement and Benjamin Franklin, who comes to life after receiving a jolt of electricity. Want to know more about author Matthew McElligott & Larry Tuxbury? Click here and here! Want to know more about Benjamin Franklinstein Lives!? Click here! Check out this awesome book trailer for the second book in the Benjamin Franklinstein series!

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Perfect Square

Michael Hall

A perfect square that is perfectly happy is torn into pieces, punched with holes, crumpled, and otherwise changed but finds in each transformation that it can be something new, and just as happy.

Want to learn more about author Michael Hall? Click here!

Want to learn more about Perfect Square? Click here!

The Woods

by Paul Hoppe

When a boy can't find his favorite stuffed bunny, he heads into the woods to find it.

Want to know more about author Paul Hoppe? Click here!

Want to know more about The Woods? Click here!

Welcome to day 4 of the Texas Bluebonnet Award & 2x2 reading list showcase!  If you need a copy of either reading list for your summer reading, please follow the links! Happy reading! :)

Texas Bluebonnet Award (Grades 3-5): Click here!

2x2 (Preschool - 2nd Grade): Click here!

Hamster Magic

by Lynne Jonell

When the Willows move into a new house, Celia, the youngest of four children, traps an enchanted hamster, who reluctantly agrees to grant the children one wish in exchange for his freedom.

Want to learn more about author Lynne Jonell? Click here!

Want to learn more about Hamster Magic? Click here! 

Misty Gordon and the Mystery of the Ghost Pirates

by Kim Kennedy

While assisting her father, an estate and antiques dealer, teenaged Misty discovers a journal and pair of glasses that allow her to see ghosts, including those of pirates who founded her New England town and who are seeking a golden statue with mystical powers.

Want to learn more about Misty Gordon? Click here!

Check out this cool book trailer for Misty Gordon! 

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RRRalph 

by Lois Elhert

The narrator describes discovering how Ralph the dog can talk, appropriately saying words such as "roof," "rough," "bark," and "wolf."

 Want to learn more about Lois Ehlert? Click here!

Want to learn more about RRRalph? Click here!

Dog in Boots

by Greg Gormley

After reading "Puss in Boots," an adventurous dog sets out to find the perfect pair of shoes to suit his every need.

Want to learn more about author Greg Gormley? Click here!

Want to learn more about Dog in Boots? Click here! 

Welcome to day 3 of the Texas Bluebonnet Award & 2x2 reading list showcase!  If you need a copy of either reading list for your summer reading, please follow the links! Happy reading! :)

Texas Bluebonnet Award (Grades 3-5): Click here!

2x2 (Preschool - 2nd Grade): Click here! 

Clever Jack Takes the Cake

by Candace Fleming

A poor boy named Jack struggles to deliver a birthday present worthy of the princess. 

Want to know more about author Candace Fleming? Click here!

Want to learn more about Clever Jack? Click here! 

Check out this cool Clever Jack book trailer! 

Zita the Spacegirl

by Ben Hatke

Zita rushes to the rescue after her best friend is abducted by an alien doomsday cult, and, before long, finds herself hailed as an intergalactic hero.

Want to know more about author/illustrator Ben Hatke? Click here!

Want to know more about Zita the Spacegirl? Click here!

Check out this nifty Zita the Spacegirl book trailer!

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Mine!

by Shutta Crum

Two young children and a dog learn about the troubles and triumph of sharing.

Want to learn more about author Shutta Crum? Click here!

Want to learn more about Mine!? Click here!

Cat Secrets

by Jef Czekaj

Important secrets about how best to live a cat's life will be revealed only to those who can prove that they are genuine cats.

Want to learn more about Cat Secrets? Click here!

Welcome to day 2 of the Texas Bluebonnet Award & 2x2 reading list showcase!  If you need a copy of either reading list for your summer reading, please follow the links! Happy reading! :)

Texas Bluebonnet Award (Grades 3-5): Click here!

2x2 (Preschool - 2nd Grade): Click here! 

The Cheshire Cheese Cat: A Dickens of a Tale

by Carmen Agra Deedy & Randall Wright

A community of mice and a cheese-loving cat form an unlikely alliance at London's Cheshire Cheese, an inn where Charles Dickens finds inspiration and Queen Victoria makes an unexpected appearance.

Want to learn more about the authors? Click here!

Want to learn more about The Cheshire Cheese Cat? Click here for the official website! Or, click here to find a great book talk! 

Under the Mambo Moon

by Julia Durango

Contains poems about the different people who stop by Marisol's father's music store on a hot summer night, looking for just the right songs to make their hearts fly home.

Want to learn more about author Julia Durango? Click here! 

Do you want to learn more about Under the Mambo Moon? Click here! 

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The Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man

by Michael Chabon

A young superhero describes his awesome powers, which he then demonstrates as various foes arrive on the scene. Want to know more about The Astonishing Secret of Awesome Man? Click here! Check out this neat book trailer!

Wiener Wolf

by Jeff Crosby 

Weiner Dog's life of leisure has lost its bite, so when he hears the call of the wild one day, he answers and Weiner Dog becomes Weiner Wolf, joining a pack of wild wolves on a grand adventure.

Want to know more about Jeff Crosby? Click here!

Want to know more about Wiener Wolf? Click here! 

Welcome to the 2nd annual Sonntag library Texas Bluebonnet Award & 2x2 reading list showcase! Each day for the next 10 days, 2 books from each reading list will be featured on the blog. I hope you enjoy these books as much as I have. Happy reading! :)

If you need a list of the Bluebonnet or 2x2 lists for your summer reading, please follow the links!

Texas Bluebonnet Award (Grades 3-5): Click here!

2x2 (Preschool - 2nd Grade): Click here! 

Thunder Birds: Nature's Flying Predators

by Jim Arnosky

Presents information about different types birds and the features that make them unique, and contains color photographs of these birds.

Want to learn more about Thunder Birds? Click here!

Want to learn more about author Jim Arnosky? Click here!

Just Being Audrey

by Margaret Cardillo

Illustrations and text describe the life of Audrey Hepburn, beginning with her childhood, and describing her life in Nazi-occupied Holland, her dreams of becoming a prima ballerina, her success as an actress, and her efforts to help the world's children through UNICEF. Want to learn more about Just Being Audrey? Click here! Want to learn more about Audrey Hepburn? Click here! Want to learn more about author Margaret Cardillo? Click here! Check out this Just Being Audrey book trailer!

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No Dogs Allowed!

by Linda Ashman

Alberto refuses to allow any pets into his restaurant, so his customers decide to find more fur-friendly dining options and Alberto must find a way to win them back.

Want to learn more about No Dogs Allowed!? Click here!

Want to learn more about author Linda Ashman? Click here!

No Sleep for the Sheep!

by Karen Beaumont

A sheep wants nothing but to go to sleep in the big red barn on the farm, but each time he closes his eyes, another animal moos or neighs or peeps to come in.

Want to learn more about No Sleep for the Sheep!? Click here!

Want to learn more about author Karen Beaumont? Click here! 

(April Edition) 

Wow! Where did April go? The library had a very busy month. The Sonntag students were so eager to check out their next great reads. The books that I feature each week at GMS fly off the shelf. In addition to the GMS books, the 3rd, 4th, & 5th grade students LOVE our budding collection of playaways. The library cannot keep them on the shelves! It is unbelievable that the year is coming to a close because it has been a wonderful second year of Sonntag Elementary! 

Check out the statistics for the month of April! 

Number of Whole Class Visits: 

82

Number of Total Items Circulated (Checkouts & Checkins)

5,885

Number of Items in Collection

11,769

Library Instruction/Programs/Community Outreach

Collaborated with 1st & 2nd grade teams for their author and fairy tale studies 

Hosted the 2nd annual Librarian-a-la-Cart for students before STAAR testing

Promoted the 2011-2012 Texas Bluebonnet Award Program with 3-5 grades

Facilitated the Six Flags Read to Succeed reading program

Promoted the 2011-2012 2x2 Reading Program with Preschool-2nd grades

Presented a weekly Good Morning Sonntag Book Bits update

Maintained student writer & new items displays to promote reading interests 

Updated a daily Fact of the Day by Mrs. Mattei fact

Open checkout every day for all Sonntag students, parents, and staff

Weekly preschool storytimes with future Sonntag students and families 

Hosted 4th grade students as library helpers 

Hosted parent library volunteers

Facilitated staff book club meetings

Administrative Activities

Participated in creating an opening day collection for the 3 new elementary schools

Checked in new library materials

Maintained the mobile app for the Sonntag Library

Facilitated the Six Flags Read to Succeed reading program

Served as a STAAR testing monitor 

Maintained a forum for staff to discuss book club books

Attended PTA Board meeting

Adjusted the library schedule to accommodate classes before and after STAAR testing

Collaborated with a 4th grade teacher to create leveled book browsing boxes for their classrooms

Contributed to Specials weekly newsletter

Purchased new library books and materials (using Book Fair profits)

Processed new library books acquired during Scholastic Book Fair

Updated library blog and Twitter account weekly

Planned weekly library lessons

Opened new parent accounts

Hosted new and returning library volunteers

Professional Development Activities 

Attended campus professional development

Registered for professional development at Region 10 

Read and kept up with new professional library journals 

On the Horizon...

Tickets for students who participated in the Six Flags Read to Succeed will arrive any time now

All parent & student books are due on Friday, May 18th

Sonntag Celebrates Children's Book Week will be from May 21-24

Bookmark Contest entries are due Monday, May 14

April is an amazing month for many reasons. One reason why I love April is because it's Poetry Month! The library has a great display of some of the best poetry books in our collection. 

In honor of the end of Poetry Month, I dedicate this amazing series of books to the students of Sonntag. Check out these You Read to Me, I'll Read to You poetry books that allow you to read great poetry with a friend or loved one! Happy reading!

You Read to Me, I'll Read to You: Very Short Fables to Read Together

Adapted by Mary Ann Hoberman

A collection of short retellings of Aesop's fables, each told in two voices designed especially for young children and adults to read together.

You Read to me, I'll Read to You: Very Short Stories to Read Together

by Mary Ann Hoberman

A book of children's poetry which encourages young children to read with an adult.

You Read to Me, I'll Read to You: Very Short Scary Tales to Read Together

by Mary Ann Hoberman

Contains poems that tell tales about ghouls, ogres, zombies, and phantoms, presented in two voices for young children and adults to read together.

You Read to Me, I'll Read to You: Very Short Mother Goose Tales to Read Together

by Mary Ann Hoberman

Humpty dumpty -- Jack, be nimble -- Jack and Jill -- Jack Sprat -- Little Jack Horner and Little Tommy Tucker -- Little Boy Blue and Little Bo Peep -- Little Miss Muffet -- Old King Cole and the cat and the fiddle -- Old Mother Hubbard -- Peter, Peter, pumpkin eater -- Pussycat, pussycat, where have you been? -- Simple Simon -- Baa baa black sheep. - Links to Love -  Want to learn more about Mary Ann Hoberman? Click here!

Want to play with poetry? Check out Poetry4Kids.com or GigglePoetry.com!