Review: Extraordinary Warren: A Super Chicken

Today’s review of Easy Reader finalist Extraordinary Warren: A Super Chicken, by Sarah Dillard comes from panelist Kimberley at Books First in Maine. She writes: The illustrations in this book are picture book-like and the book also has chapters which are appropriately short enough for a young reader. There was so much to look at and think about as I …

Review: The Chicken Squad

You’ve missed the reviews, haven’t you? Well, for the next few weeks, we’ll be highlighting books from the finalists. Today’s review of  Easy Reader/Beginning Chapter Book finalist The Chicken Squad: The First Misadventure, by Doreen Cronin and Kevin Cornell comes from panelist Maggi, who has blogged at Mama Librarian.  She writes: This early chapter book has perfect tone for a mystery, …

Review: Dory Fantasmagory

Today’s review of the day comes from Easy Reader/Early Chapter book round one panelist Melissa, who blogs at Imagination Soup. She did a round up of some pretty great books, one of which was nominee Dory Fantastmagory, by Abby Hanlon. Melissa writes: Dory’s brother and sister invent a baby-stealing robber named Mrs. Gobble Gracker to try to scare Dory only …

Review: Fly Away

Today’s review comes from first-round panelist Kimberley, who blogs at Books First in Maine. A teacher, parent, and avid reader, Kimberly recently read Easy Reader/Beginning chapter book nominee, Fly Away, by Patricia MacLachlan. She wrote:  Patricia MacLachlan has the ability to really move me. She does it so subtly, you almost feel duped. “Hey!” you think, “Why am I crying?” Then …

Review: Eerie Elementary #1: The School Is Alive!

Today’s featured review of Eerie Elementary #1: The School is Alive! by Jack Chabert comes from round one panelist, Katie Fitzgerald. A former children’s librarian in Washington D. C., Katie now blogs at Story Time Secrets.  Of the Easy Reader/Chapter Book nominee, Katie writes: Kids who like scary adventures will feel that they have hit the jackpot with this new series. These plot-driven tales are …

Easy Reader/Short Chapter Books – Category Description

This category is all about books for beginning readers, covering an age range from preschool to grade 3. There are two subcategories: Easy readers use short sentences, large print and a controlled vocabulary to give brand-new readers opportunities to practice decoding and comprehending text. These books are usually illustrated in full color, with pictures on every page, and they are …

2014 Easy Reader/Early Chapter Book Judges

 First Round Katie Fitzgerald Story Time Secrets @mrskatiefitz Caroline Flory Under God’s Mighty Hand @Keep_Tha_Faith Maggi Idzikowski Mama Librarian @mama_librarian Mike Lewis No High 5 News @145lewis Kimberley Moran Books First in Maine @kagmoran Debbie Nance Readerbuzz @debnance Melissa Taylor Imagination Soup @imaginationsoup   Round Two Narineh Ferderer Ready, Set, Read @TheNovelWorld Amanda Furman Maestra Amanda’s World @maestra_amanda Catherine Nichols …

Meet the Organizers Katie Fitzgerald, Easy Readers/Beginning Chapter books

Children’s librarian turned stay-at-home mom Katie Fitzgerald has been blogging at Story Time Secrets since 2011 and contributing to The Library Adventure since 2013. She served on the Cybils panel for Easy Readers and Short Chapter Books in 2011 and 2012, and she is thrilled to be the organizer for that category this year. Katie lives in the Maryland suburbs …