Indiana Reading Journal Volume 44 Issue 1 | Page 22

2015 Indiana Science Trade book Annual Reading List (IN-STAR): Making Reading Come Alive

by Joyce Gulley, Kristen Rearden, Amy Broemmel & Jeff Thomas

Kindergarten

A BABY ELEPHANT IN THE WILD. 2014. Caitlin O’Connell. Photographs by Caitlin O’Connell and Timothy Rodwell. HMH Books for Young Readers. 40 pp. ISBN-10: 0544149440.

Engaging photographs support the interesting descriptions of a baby elephant in Namibia. Standard 3.

HAVE YOU HEARD THE NESTING BIRD? 2014. Rita Gray. Illustrated by Kenard Pak. HMH Books for Young Readers. 32 pp. ISBN-10: 054410580X. Bird songs woven into the repetitive text makes this a perfect read-aloud for young children. Standard 3.

First Grade

ABOUT HABITATS: FORESTS. 2014. Cathryn Sill. Illustrated by John Sill. Peachtree Publishers. 48 pp. ISBN-10: 1561457345. A variety of forests are portrayed with full-page illustrations and limited, precise text. Standard 3.

FEATHERS: NOT JUST FOR FLYING. 2014. Melissa Stewart. Illustrated by Sarah S. Brannen. Charlesbridge. 32 pp. ISBN-10: 1580894305. Watercolor illustrations support the simple yet informative text describing the surprising functions of birds’ feathers. Standard 3.

Second Grade

MYTERIOUS PATTERNS. 2014. Sarah C. Campbell. Photographs by Richard C. Campbell. Boyds Mill Press. 32 pp. ISBN-10: 1620916274. The topic of fractals may seem too complex for young children, but Sarah Campbell has again shown her knack for showcasing natural phenomena by highlighting the mathematical underpinnings. Standard 2.

BEHOLD THE BEAUTIFUL DUNG BEETLE. 2014. Cheryl Bardoe. Illustrated by Alan Marks. Charlesbridge. 32 pp. ISBN-10: 1580895549. The unique role of this often-forgotten species is highlighted in both captivating watercolor paintings and factual but entertaining descriptions. Standard 3.

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