Excitement in the Book World Today!

Today is one of the most exciting days, because it was the day that the Newbery Award, Caldecott Award and many other awards are handed out.  I am so pleased with so many of the decisions that the committees made this year.  For this post I'm just going to talk about the winners of the Newbery Award and Caldecott Award.  I'll follow up soon with a post about some of the other awards and the Newbery and Caldecott Honor Awards.


To say that I am pleased with the winner of the Newbery Award, is an understatement!  I am over the moon with the award going to The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate.  If you or your child haven't read this book I highly recommend it.  Click here to see a summary of the book.  I recommend this book for 3rd, 4th, and 5th Grade students.  With 3rd grade students it might be a good idea for you to read it with your child or before just so you have an understanding of the story.  See the book trailer below to see a bit about the story.

The Caldecott Award was given to This is Not by Hat by Jon Klassen.  I love this book as well.  Click here to see a summary of the book. Th illustrations in this book are incredible!  The story which was written by Jon Klassen, really added to the illustrations.  There is a moral to this story.  It is a great one that both kids will like, and parents will enjoy.  This is a companion book to his earlier book I Want My Hat Back, which in 2012 was a Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Award winner.  See below for the book trailer for This Is Not My Hat.

Hope you enjoy these books as much as I have.  If you read them, please post a comment and let me know what you thought of the books.

Happy Reading!!

Miss Hazuda

Have I Got A Book For You: Smile

This review was completed by Jaliyah in Fourth Grade.

Title of Book:  Smile

Author:  Raina Telgemeier

Summary:  It's about a girl who messes up her front teeth racing her friend and she goes through the troubles of pain, drama, boys and friends. She has to deal with it for years.

Reasons I Liked the Book:  It's funny, interesting and the pictures are great.

I would give this book 1000 stars!!

We have many copies of Smile in our school library.  If Jaliyah's review makes you want to read Smile, come in and see if we have it.  If all copies are checked out, you can always put it on hold!

Happy Reading!!

Miss Hazuda

Have I Got A Book For You: The Sisters Grimm series

This review was completed by Kate in Fourth Grade.

Title of Book:  The Sisters Grimm series

Author:  Michael Buckley

Summary:  Two orphans, Sabrina and Daphne's parents  disappeared.  They went to many crazy foster families and always escaped.  They were sent to live the their "grandmother" and have a magical journey with fairy tale characters.

Reasons I Liked the Book:  I love fairy tales.  They take me so many places.  The first book is a little boring, but when you get past it, it is the best book ever! I think you should read The Sisters Grimm series.

I would give this book 5 stars!!

We have almost in entire Sisters Grimm series in our library at school.  Take Kate's recommendation and check out the series if you haven't tried it!

Happy Reading!!

Miss Hazuda

Have I Got A Book For You!

At the beginning of January I read to all Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grade students the book Have I Got a Book For You! by Melanie Watt.  In this book the salesman, Mr. Al Foxword, is trying to his book.  If you haven’t read the book, it is a must read!  I picked this book, because I wanted students to try and “sell” books to their classmates.  I have found that many students are more likely to read books suggested by their classmates.  All students have to do is fill out the form and submit it to me.  Click here for the form, on the HES website.  

Once the form is read and checked for spelling errors, I will take a picture of the student and the book.  It will be displayed in the hallway for about a week.  Then it will be placed in a binder for students to look through.  Also with parent permission the book review or book review and picture will be placed on the HES Media Center Blog.  Students can do more than one and it can either be a fiction or nonfiction book.

Right now I am only have Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grade students participate.  In the near future I will be starting it with First and Second Grade.

I've already had three forms turned in!  They are on display in the hallway by the Media Center.  I will be posting two of them on the blog soon.

Happy Reading!!

Miss Hazuda

Henry Cole Visit to Hollywood Elementary School

On February 28th we will be hosting author and illustrator Henry Cole!  He will be speaking to our students and walking them through the mystery of writing and illustrating books.  He will be sharing with them his own experiences and showing them how he draws many of the characters in the books.  We have five books that we will be pre-selling.  Click here for the order form.  It is on our HES website.  Due to no school for students on Friday January 18th, the last day to turn in an order form is Tuesday January 22nd.  Click here to visit Henry Cole's website.  

I'm so excited for Henry Cole to visit!  We have been reading lots of books that Henry Cole has written and illustrated.  It will be an exciting day.  Check back for pictures of this great event!

Happy Reading!!

Miss Hazuda

Overdue Books

Hope everyone has had an enjoyable Winter Break!  In December I passed out overdue notices to the students.  This year the students have been doing a great job of returning their library books.  There are still some books that have been out since the beginning of the school year.  Any students who have any books out since September, October, or November will not be allowed to check out until the book is either returned or paid for.  If you pay for the book and you find it later, we will refund your money.  

I will be sending out overdue notices in the next few weeks.

Miss Hazuda