Kelly Starling

K-Gr 2–A long-reigning master of fiction for emerging readers, Rylant nails it again with this sweet new series about a bakery owned by a family of mice. In this installment, the mice are tasked with creating the perfect confection for owl parents who have been getting no sleep thanks to their three newly hatched owlets. The mice sift, roll, and knead until they have baked “three perfect Pillow Tarts” on which the owlets finally fall asleep.

PreS-Gr 1–A game of basketball is tied with only five minutes to go. Short, simple sentences describe the action as the visiting team scores a few baskets, the home team responds, and the crowd cheers enthusiastically. With only 10 seconds remaining, the home team shoots and scores, leading to a victory. Filled with sight words, a variation of short and long vowels, and repetition, this title is an excellent choice for new and emerging readers.

In the spirit of “National Young Readers Week” (Nov 15-19) and in my own personal mission of “each one, reach one,” I rounded up a shortlist of books for both youngster’s and their parents alike, written by Black Author’s for the occasion – and beyond. Originated by Pizza Hut in ’89 to challenge younger people to read more, the pizza chain included an incentive of a free personal-sized pizza for meeting the reading goals challenge, in partnership with many schools.