2. Blogging

Book Discussion and Blogging

Our blog is now fully functional. I have put a post for each of the 40 titles, separated by the Forest of Reading Section.  The titles can be found under one of the four following sections:

2016/2017 Blue Spruce
2016/2017 Silver Birch Express
2016/2017 Silver Birch Fiction
2016/2017 Silver Birch Non-Fiction

The Blue Spruce books are geared for students from Kindergarten to grade 2.  The Silver Birch books are generally geared to grades 3-6.

If you want to comment then all you need to do is click on the section in the right hand side of the home page and then choose your title and then you are all set to go. It really is very easy. Once you have done it a couple of times you should have no trouble at all. I will be there to help you if you run into problems.

Things to REMEMBER When Blogging

Make sure you say why you do, or do not like, the book.
Try to make the comments interesting for others to read.
There are lots of reasons to like a book.
Maybe one of the characters or situations reminds you of something you have done.
Maybe you like the story.
Maybe you like the author's writing style

You must put your name on your comment.
We need to know who thinks what!!

The best way to do this is to click on the Name button below the comment box and then type in your name. You do not need to add any thing else.
If you prefer to use Anonymous then you must put your name at the end of the comment.

Please try to make your comments relevant.
Remember this is a form of publication and you want to look your best. These comments can be read by teachers, parents, Mr. Carroll and other students. You want to be proud of what you write.

I can't wait to read your comments!

1. Welcome to Fenside Forest 2016/2017

Welcome to another year in the Forest of Reading with fabulous Blue Spruce and Silver Birch books!


We will meet at lunch time on Day 5 each week. This will be the time to exchange your books and to participate with your feedback in the blog by writing about your books.

Please remember that you do not have to come to every meeting, you just have to read and enjoy the books.

This year, there are Four sections:  Blue Spruce, Silver Birch Express, Silver Birch Fiction and Silver Birch Non Fiction.

When you want to add a comment on the blog, you can find the links to the books by clicking on the section title for 2016/2017 at the right hand side.

Looking forward to hearing about what you have been reading and don't forget to fill in your Passports and get them stamped!

There are extra lines in each section of your Passport.  These lines are for you to fill in books that you have not read from other years of the Silver Birch Program.

We will be voting for the Fenside Favourites in April. You must read at least 5 books in one section to vote in that section of the program.

Since I will be delivering Blue Spruce books to the primary division, this blog is also open to teachers from kindergarten to grade 2 to comment on those titles.  The primary classrooms will also vote in late April on their favourites.

Silver Birch Non-Fiction - Worms for Breakfast: How to Feed a Zoo

	Worms for Breakfast: How to Feed a Zoo Written by Helaine Becker, Illustrated by Kathy Boake

Feeding time is one of the most popular events at zoos. It also prompts a smorgasbord of questions: what do different animals eat? How much food do they need to stay healthy? Where do zookeepers get all that chow? And what constitutes a special treat?

Worms for Breakfast: How to Feed a Zoo answers all these questions and more in a cookbook-style primer packed with facts from experts at zoos and aquariums. Covering everything from regular animal nutrition to feeding babies to mimicking how animals hunt and eat in the wild, this book explores the eating habits of carnivores, omnivores, herbivores, and insectivores. Inside, you’ll also find real-life recipes from zoos around the world for meals like eucalyptus-leaf pesto, kelp tank goulash, and mealworm mush. Beware! You probably don’t want to eat any of it yourself.

Written in a plucky, conversational tone with delightfully wacky illustrations, a glossary, and tips for zoo animal care, this book is bound to appeal to picky readers.

Silver Birch Non-Fiction - Water Wow!: an Infographic Exploration

	Water Wow!: an Infographic Exploration Written by Antonia Banyard and Paula Ayer, Illustrated by Belle Wuthrich
A colourful infographic look at the many surprising and fascinating facts about water. Where did water come from—before it got to Earth? Why is the water you drink the same stuff that was around when dinosaurs were alive? If water can't be created or destroyed, how can we run out? Find out the answers to these and many more intriguing questions in this vibrant book, designed to appeal to visual learners. Dive in and discover: Why water is so important to different religious faiths; Amazing extreme lakes and rivers around the world; The surprising connection between water access and girls’ education worldwide; How climate change affects water, and vice versa—and what you can do about it; …and more. Filled to the brim with colourful illustrations and diagrams, easy-to-understand infographics, and illuminating photos, Water Wow is a dazzling and fun introduction to the importance of water in our lives.

Silver Birch Non-Fiction - Safety Stars: Players Who Fought to Make the Hard-Hitting Game of Professional Hockey Safer

	Safety Stars: Players Who Fought to Make the Hard-Hitting Game of Professional Hockey Safer Written by Sue Irwin
Professional hockey is a fast game, and a dangerous one. Skates slice like razors; a hard-shot puck can take out an eye; and the ice surface is as hard as rock, especially when skulls are slammed against it. Innovations in equipment make the game faster and more exciting -- and have to be countered by measures that keep it safe for players. From hockey heroes like Jacques Plante, Mario Lemieux, and Sidney Crosby, to an avid 11-year-old player on a mission, there have been players who have campaigned to make hockey a safer game. They have done this often in the face of denials and opposition from league managers, sports writers, fans, and sometimes other players, too. But they've persisted and made the game safer for players of all ages. This book tells the story of hockey's safety stars, the opposition they faced, and how they persisted and ultimately succeeded in their campaigns.

Silver Birch Non-Fiction - Professor Astro Cat's Atomic Adventure: A Journey Through Physics

	Professor Astro Cat's Atomic Adventure: A Journey Through Physics Written by Dr. Dominic Walliman and Ben Newmanand, Illustrated by Ben Newman

Class is in session, and the subject is physics. Your teacher? Why, he’s the smartest cat in the galaxy!

In this brilliant follow up to Professor Astro Cat’s Frontiers of Space, our trusty feline returns to take you on a journey through the incredible world of physics. Learn about energy, power and the building blocks of you, me and the universe in this all new ATOMIC ADVENTURE!

Ben Newman is an award-winning illustrator and Dr. Dominic Walliman has a PhD in Quantum Device Physics. This is their second book together.

Silver Birch Non-Fiction - National Geographic Kids Everything Space

	National Geographic Kids Everything Space Written by Helaine Becker and Brendan Mullan
Get ready to blast off into space to explore planets, stars, and beyond! This fun book will pull you in like gravity, full of fun facts, reports from explorers, maps and infographics, and more than 100 pictures.

Silver Birch Non-Fiction - Haunted Canada 6: More Terrifying True Stories

	Haunted Canada 6: More Terrifying True Stories Written by Joel A. Sutherland 2017 WINNER!

For his brand-new story collection, author Joel A. Sutherland has scoured the country for more creepy and chilling tales. Get underneath the covers, because between these book covers are stories that include the one about:

A supernatural sea hag that haunts Dobbin's Gardens marsh on Bell Island, Newfoundland and Labrador; a used book from a Barrie, Ontario book shop that conjures up a ghostly figure that accompanies the buyer home; and a little girl, who died on the playground, and continues to haunt St. Ignatius School in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

With moody black-and-white illustrations, and archival photos throughout, this collection is perfect for those who like a frightfully good read!

Silver Birch Non-Fiction - Half-Truths & Brazen Lies: An Honest Look at Lying

	Half-Truths & Brazen Lies: An Honest Look at Lying Written by Kira Vermond, Illustrated by Clayton Hanmer
Do you believe in telling the truth? Sure you do. But even that’s a lie — because we all lie. Whether to protect a friend, to make someone feel better, or to avoid telling even bigger lies later, lying is actually central to human nature. Usually we’re taught that lying is bad, and that’s that. But in reality, it’s rarely so black and white. Kira Vermond’s latest book answers questions like: Why do we lie? What types of lies are there? What are the consequences of lying? What methods are used to detect lies? And when is it okay or even good to lie? From forgeries and hoaxes to plagiarism and placebos, Half-Truths and Brazen Lies offers historical anecdotes, scientific studies, and sociocultural analyses to help unpack the complex world of untruths. Told in a witty, conversational tone with an index and full-colour illustrations, the book takes a thorough, nuanced approach to a fascinating aspect of human behaviour.

Silver Birch Non-Fiction - Friend or Foe: The Whole Truth about Animals That People Love to Hate

	Friend or Foe: The Whole Truth about Animals That People Love to Hate Written by Etta Kaner, Illustrated by David Anderson
Rats, mosquitoes, bats, cockroaches, leeches, vultures — it’s easy to fear and despise them. But are they all bad? You probably know that rats destroy food supplies and can cause house fires when they gnaw on electrical wires, but did you know their supersensitive noses can help detect tuberculosis or even land mines? Are these conventionally icky critters really public enemies, or do they have merits worth appreciating? Friend or Foe takes a close look at what we dislike about each of 10 unpopular animals, and then presents the flip side: these very same animals are often smart, helpful to humans and the environment, or inspiring to scientists. After each pair of polarizing spreads, readers are asked to decide for themselves if the animal is friend or foe. Fascinating research and anecdotes, fun design inspired by propaganda posters, and playful use of persuasive language and point of view make Friend or Foe an engaging read that will leave readers reconsidering common perceptions.

Silver Birch Non-Fiction - Deep Roots: How Trees Sustain Our Planet

	Deep Roots: How Trees Sustain Our Planet Written by Nikki Tate
Most of us see trees every day, and too often we take them for granted. Trees provide us with everything from food, fuel and shelter to oxygen and filtered water. Deep Roots celebrates the central role trees play in our lives, no matter where we live. Each chapter in Deep Roots focuses on a basic element—water, air, fire and earth—and explores the many ways in which we need trees to keep our planet healthy and livable. From making rain to producing fruit to feeding fish, trees play an integral role in maintaining vibrant ecosystems all over the world. Facts about trees and hands-on activities throughout help readers discover ways to get to know our giant neighbours better.

Silver Birch Non-Fiction - Animal Hospital: Rescuing Urban Wildlife

	Animal Hospital: Rescuing Urban Wildlife Written by Julia Coey

Our cities are already filled with a huge variety of wildlife. As urban areas expand, they impinge on the natural habitats of animals that would not otherwise find themselves in an urban setting, including birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians, as well as rare, threatened and even endangered wildlife.

Animal Hospital describes how injured and orphaned wild animals are rehabilitated and cared for after being rescued from perilous situations. It follows the activities of an urban animal rescue facility and the efforts of the trained professionals that rescue, treat, rehabilitate and release the animals.

Kids will learn about the amazing wild animals that they may encounter in their neighborhoods, even the most recognizable have fascinating traits. They will get tips on how to protect and support urban wildlife, and learn what to do if they encounter an animal that needs help.

There are exciting real-life stories about rescued animals with photographs that give readers an up-close look. While including animals in North America, Animal Hospital also describes international efforts that encourage conservation and awareness. This is a valuable title in the classroom and an exciting and inspiring choice for any youngster.

Silver Birch Fiction - Seven Dead Pirates

	Seven Dead Pirates Written by Linda Bailey
Lewis Dearborn is a lonely, anxious, "terminally shy" boy of eleven when his great-grandfather passes away and leaves Lewis's family with his decaying seaside mansion. Lewis is initially delighted with his new bedroom, a secluded tower in a remote part of the house. Then he discovers that it's already occupied -- by the ghosts of seven dead pirates. Worse, the ghosts expect him to help them re-take their ship, now restored and on display in a local museum, so they can make their way to Libertalia, a legendary pirate utopia. The only problem is that this motley crew hasn't left the house in almost two hundred years and is terrified of going outside. As Lewis warily sets out to assist his new roommates -- a raucous, unruly bunch who exhibit a strange delight in thrift-store fashions and a thirst for storybooks -- he begins to open himself to the possibilities of friendship, passion and joie de vivre and finds the courage to speak up.

Silver Birch Fiction - A Pocket Full of Murder

	A Pocket Full of Murder Written by R. J. Anderson
A determined young girl joins forces with an adventure-loving street boy to save her father’s life in this “thoroughly entertaining” (Kirkus Reviews) magical murder mystery. In the spell-powered city of Tarreton, the wealthy have all the magic they desire while the working class can barely afford a simple spell to heat their homes. Twelve-year-old Isaveth is poor, but she’s also brave, loyal, and zealous in the pursuit of justice—which is lucky, because her father has just been wrongfully arrested for murder. Isaveth is determined to prove his innocence. Quiz, the eccentric, eyepatch-wearing street boy who befriends her, swears he can’t resist a good mystery. Together they set out to solve the magical murder of one of Tarreton’s most influential citizens and save Isaveth’s beloved Papa from execution. But is Quiz truly helping Isaveth out of friendship, or does he have hidden motives of his own?

Silver Birch Fiction - OCDaniel

	OCDaniel Written by Wesley King 2017 WINNER!
From the author of Incredible Space Raiders from Space! comes a brand-new coming-of-age story about a boy whose life revolves around hiding his obsessive compulsive disorder—until he gets a mysterious note that changes everything. Daniel is the back-up punter for the Erie Hills Elephants. Which really means he’s the water boy. He spends football practice perfectly arranging water cups—and hoping no one notices. Actually, he spends most of his time hoping no one notices his strange habits—he calls them Zaps: avoiding writing the number four, for example, or flipping a light switch on and off dozens of times over. He hopes no one notices that he’s crazy, especially his best friend Max, and Raya, the prettiest girl in school. His life gets weirder when another girl at school, who is unkindly nicknamed Psycho Sara, notices him for the first time. She doesn’t just notice him: she seems to peer through him. Then Daniel gets a note: “I need your help,” it says, signed, Fellow Star child—whatever that means. And suddenly Daniel, a total no one at school, is swept up in a mystery that might change everything for him. With great voice and grand adventure, this book is about feeling different and finding those who understand.

Silver Birch Fiction - The Nest

	The Nest Written by Kenneth Oppel, Illustrated Jon Klassen
Kenneth Oppel’s most haunting story yet . . . She was very blurry, not at all human looking. There were huge dark eyes, and a kind of mane made of light, and when she spoke, I couldn't see a mouth moving, but I felt her words, like a breeze against my face, and I understood her completely. "We've come because of the baby," she said. "We've come to help." In this beautiful, menacing novel, perfect for fans of Neil Gaiman’s Coraline, an anxious boy becomes convinced that angels will save his sick baby brother. But these are creatures of a very different kind, and their plan for the baby has a twist. Layer by layer, he unravels the truth about his new friends as the time remaining to save his brother ticks down.

Silver Birch Fiction - The Nameless City

	The Nameless City Written and Illustrated by Faith Erin Hicks
Every nation that invades the City gives it a new name. But before long, new invaders arrive and the City changes hands once again. The natives don't let themselves get caught up in the unending wars. To them, their home is the Nameless City, and those who try to name it are forever outsiders. Kaidu is one such outsider. He's a Dao born and bred--a member of the latest occupying nation. Rat is a native of the Nameless City. At first, she hates Kai for everything he stands for, but his love of his new home may be the one thing that can bring these two unlikely friends together. Let's hope so, because the fate of the Nameless City rests in their hands.

Silver Birch Fiction - Howard Wallace, P.I.

	Howard Wallace, P.I. Written by Casey Lyall
“What’s with the get-up? Is that the company uniform or something?” “This? All P.I.s wear a trench coat.” “Dude, that’s a brown bathrobe.” I shrugged and straightened out my sleeves. “First rule of private investigation, Ivy: work with what you’ve got.” Twelve-year-old Howard Wallace lives by his list of rules of private investigation. He knows more than anyone how to work with what he’s got: a bathrobe for a trench coat, a makeshift office behind the school equipment shed, and not much else—least of all, friends. So when a hot case of blackmail lands on his desk, he’s ready to take it on himself . . . until the new kid, Ivy Mason, convinces him to take her on as a junior partner. As they banter through stakeouts and narrow down their list of suspects, Howard starts to wonder if having Ivy as a sidekick—and a friend—is such a bad thing after all.

Silver Birch Fiction - Heart of a Champion

	Heart of a Champion Written by Ellen Schwartz
Ten-year-old Kenny (Kenji in Japanese) worships his older brother, Mickey (Mitsuo), a baseball hero whose outstanding performance on the Asahi baseball team has given him fame and popularity. Despite Kenny's suspected heart condition, he is determined to practice secretly with Mickey so he, too, can one day try out for the Asahi. But world events soon overtake life in this quiet community. When Japan attacks Pearl Harbor in 1941, everything for Kenny and his family spirals out of control: schools are closed, businesses are confiscated, fathers are arrested and sent to work camps in the BC interior and mothers and children are relocated to internment camps. When Mickey is arrested for a small act of violence, Kenny manages to keep his family's spirits up, despite the deplorable conditions in camp. Coming across a "vacant" field covered with scrap wood, broken shakes and torn tar paper, Kenny gets permission to clear it and convert it into a baseball field. One by one, the boys in the camp pitch in, and the work gives purpose to their long days. Kenny's persistence, hard work and big dreams shape the teen he is to become in this story of happiness found despite all odds.

Silver Birch Fiction - Everyday Hero

	Everyday Hero Written by Kathleen Cherry
Alice doesn't like noise, smells or strangers. She does like rules. Lots of rules. Nobody at her new school knows she has Asperger's, so it doesn't take long for her odd behavior to get her into trouble. When she meets Megan in detention, she doesn't know what to make of her. Megan doesn't smell, she's not terribly noisy, and she's not exactly a stranger, but is she a friend? Megan seems fearless to Alice—but also angry or maybe sad. Alice isn't sure which. When Megan decides to run away, Alice resolves to help her friend, no matter how many rules she has to break or how bad it makes her feel.

Silver Birch Fiction - The Blackthorn Key

	The Blackthorn Key Written by Kevin Sands

“Tell no one what I’ve given you.”

Until he got that cryptic warning, Christopher Rowe was happy, learning how to solve complex codes and puzzles and creating powerful medicines, potions, and weapons as an apprentice to Master Benedict Blackthorn—with maybe an explosion or two along the way.

But when a mysterious cult begins to prey on London’s apothecaries, the trail of murders grows closer and closer to Blackthorn’s shop. With time running out, Christopher must use every skill he’s learned to discover the key to a terrible secret with the power to tear the world apart.

In his stunning debut novel, Kevin Sands brings readers on a heart-stopping adventure rich with suspense, mystery, and unforgettable characters.

Silver Birch Fiction - Awkward

	Awkward Written and Illustrated by Svetlana Chmakova
Cardinal rule #1 for surviving school: Don't get noticed by the mean kids. Cardinal rule #2 for surviving school: Seek out groups with similar interests and join them. On her first day at her new school, Penelope--Peppi--Torres reminds herself of these basics. But when she trips into a quiet boy in the hall, Jaime Thompson, she's already broken the first rule, and the mean kids start calling her the "nerder girlfriend." How does she handle this crisis? By shoving poor Jaime and running away! Falling back on rule two and surrounding herself with new friends in the art club, Peppi still can't help feeling ashamed about the way she treated Jaime. Things are already awkward enough between the two, but to make matters worse, he's a member of her own club's archrivals--the science club! And when the two clubs go to war, Peppi realizes that sometimes you have to break the rules to survive middle school!

Silver Birch Express - Wild Eggs: A Tale of Arctic Egg Hunting

	Wild Eggs: A Tale of Arctic Egg Hunting Written by Suzie Napayok-Short, Illustrated by Jonathan Wright
Akuluk is not very excited about visiting Nunavut for her vacation. She would rather head south for summer vacation, somewhere with roller coasters and cotton candy. But as soon as she steps off the plane and sees all the exciting animals that the tundra has to offer, Akuluk forgets all about her dreams of going south. On her first full day in Nunavut, she can’t wait to travel out on the land with her grandparents to hunt for wild eggs. As she learns about the different types of eggs, how to collect them properly, and the delicious ways that they can be prepared, Akuluk knows that this is just the beginning of the exciting things she’ll learn!

Silver Birch Express - West Coast Wild: A Nature Alphabet

	West Coast Wild: A Nature Alphabet Written by Deborah Hodge, Illustrated by Karen Reczuch
This stunning nature alphabet book explores the fascinating ecosystem of the Pacific west coast — a magnificent area that combines an ancient rainforest, a rugged beach and a vast, open ocean, and where whales, bears, wolves, eagles and a rich variety of marine species thrive in an interconnected web of life. Author Deborah Hodge has spent more than forty years on the west coast, frequently visiting the Pacific Rim region, and she knows it intimately. From A to Z she describes in vivid language the rainforest, ocean and beach, and a great variety of animals that a child might see walking along the shore — from tiny sea jellies to inquisitive sandpipers to leaping orcas. Illustrator Karen Reczuch brings her remarkable talent to the book, and has created image after image that is simply breathtaking. The text and art have been carefully checked for scientific accuracy. Includes a note about the Pacific west coast and suggestions for exploring the region and further reading.

Silver Birch Express - Tank & Fizz: The Case of the Battling Bots

	Tank & Fizz: The Case of the Battling Bots Written by Liam O'Donnell, Illustrated by Mike Deas

For monster sleuths Tank and Fizz, proving fourth-grade bully Rizzo Rawlins is planning to cheat in the upcoming Battle Bot Cup should be a piece of cake. But cake crumbles fast, and the case soon leads the detectives to a mysterious hacker known only as the Codex, who threatens all of Rockfall Mountain with a very dark fate. With the help of their wizard-in-training partner, Aleetha, Tank and Fizz leap into action, dodging deadly battle bots and sinister spellbooks in a race to stop the return of a very angry ancient demon.

Fans of the first book, Tank & Fizz: The Case of the Slime Stampede, will blow their circuits with this gadget- and magic-filled robot mystery.

Silver Birch Express - Pink is for Blobfish: Discovering the World's Perfectly Pink Animals

	Pink is for Blobfish: Discovering the World's Perfectly Pink Animals Written and Jess Keating, Illustrated by David DeGrand

Some people think pink is a pretty colour. A fluffy, sparkly, princess-y colour. But it's so much more.

Sure, pink is the colour of princesses and bubblegum, but it's also the colour of monster slugs and poisonous insects. Not to mention ultra-intelligent dolphins, naked mole rats and bizarre, bloated blobfish.

Isn't it about time to rethink pink?