Library Book Sale Haul 2017 Part #4: Middle Grade Books

• Part One: Picture Books, Part One
• Part Two: Picture Books, Part Two
• Part Three: Early Chapter Books

For the past few weeks, I’ve talked about my biggest book haul ever (over 200 books!) at my local library’s book sale. This week, I’ll be talking about middle grade books that I scored at the sale. I definitely have a soft spot for middle grade and I was lucky to find some great reads at this year’s sale! Here are the middle grade books that I purchased and my thoughts on them:

• Confessions of a Bitter Secret Santa by Lara Bergen

This is a part of the Candy Apple Collection which is a collection of middle grade books targeted towards girls which I absolutely adored when I was younger and now! To see my current ranking of Candy Apple Books, check out my Final Countdown Friday!

• Heroes of America: Martin Luther King Jr. by Herb Boyd
• Heroes of America: Benjamin Franklin by Jack Kelly
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules by Jeff Kinney
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Ugly Truth by Jeff Kinney

I’m always on the lookout for Diary of a Wimpy Kid books to add to my collection. I know these will be popular books in my classroom library one day!

• The Amazing Days of Abby Hayes: The Best is Yet to Come by Anne Mazer
• The Ultra Violets by Sophie Bell
• Fish in a Tree by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

This is a book that I was extremely excited to find at the book sale. This is a newer book and the copy I found was in excellent condition. I didn’t see this on the first day of the sale, so I’m glad that I snagged it on the $5 bag day.

• Johnny Swanson by Eleanor Updale
• Six Innings by James Preller
• The Adventures of Robin Hood by Howard Pyle
• The Meanest Doll in the World by Ann M. Martin and Laura Godwin
• The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi
• The School for Cool by P.G. Kain
• White Fang by Jack London
• The Call of the Wild by Jack London
• 4 Kids in 5E and 1 Crazy Year by Virginia Frances Schwartz
• The Secret Language of Girls by Frances O’Roark Dowell

I’ve seen this book everywhere and remember friends reading it when I was younger. I’m glad that I finally picked it up and can read it for myself!

• The Roald Dahl Quiz Book by Richard Maher and Sylvia Bond
• Maniac Magee by Jerry Spinelli
• Lunch-Box Dream by Tony Abbott
• Saving Zasha by Randi Barrow
• Socks by Beverly Cleary
• Old Yeller by Fred Gipson 
• The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis
• The Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis

I really want to read The Chronicles of Narnia series, so I’m happy that I found two of the books at the library book sale.

• The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt
• Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech

I read both The Wednesday Wars and Walk Two Moons for a course in college and absolutely loved both of them. I’m very happy to add these two books to my collection!

• The Last Holiday Concert by Andrew Clements
• Amber Brown Wants Extra Credit by Paula Danziger
• Time Warp Trio: It’s All Greek to Me by Jon Scieska

 

What book deals have you found recently? 

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Library Book Sale Haul 2017 #3: Early Chapter Books

• Part One: Picture Books, Part One
• Part Two: Picture Books, Part Two

For the past two weeks, I talked about picture books that I discovered at my local library’s annual book sale. This week, I’ll discuss the early chapter books/early middle grade books that I found! Early chapter books/middle grade are some of my favorite books to read and I wasn’t disappointed with the selection at this year’s library sale. Here are the books that I purchased and my thoughts on them!

• Nancy Clancy: Super Sleuth by Jane O’Connor
• Nancy Clancy: Secret Admirer by Jane O’Connor

I read Super Sleuth and thought it was an okay read, but I can see how younger readers would really enjoy it! I think these are great early chapter books for fans of Fancy Nancy.

• Clementine by Sarah Pennypacker
• How to Lose Your Cookie Money by Valerie Wilson Wesley
• Lawn Boy Returns by Gary Paulsen
• Martin Luther King Jr. by Kitson Jazynka 
• Fluffy Meets the Tooth Fairy by Kate McMullan

• Magic Tree House: Polar Bears Past Bedtime by Mary Pope Osborne
• Magic Tree House: Afternoon on the Amazon by Mary Pope Osborne
• Magic Tree House: The Knight at the Dawn by Mary Pope Osborne

I’m always glad to expand my Magic Tree House Collection! I was especially excited to find The Knight at the Dawn because I already own its nonfiction companion!

• The Big, Big Pumpkin by Joan M. Lexau
• Hide and Seek Turkeys by Judith Ross Enderly and Stephanie Jacob Gordon
• I Wonder What A Rainforest Is by Annabelle Donati
• Oddball Eyeballs by the editors of Klutz
• Frog and Toad Together by Arnold Lobe

• Junie B., First Grader, Toothless Wonder by Barbara Park
• American Girl: Addy’s Collection by Connie Porter

This book is so beautiful! It’s hard back with a great illustration of Addy on the cover. Addy is a classic and well-loved American Girl, so I’m glad that I have all the main stories from her collection.

• Storms by Miriam Busch Goin
• Eloise at the Wedding by Kay Thompson
• Eloise at the Ballgame by Kay Thompson
• Pirate Pete by Kim Kennedy
• Without You by Sarah Weeks
• Bye-Bye, Bully! by J.S. Jackson

• Judy Moody Saves the World by Megan McDonald
• Judy Moody Predicts the Future by Megan McDonald

Judy Moody is one of my favorite series, so I’m glad to find a few more to add to my collection!

• The Peanuts Movie novelization by Tracey West
• Ten Ways to Make my Sister Disappear by Norma Fox Mazer
• Lulu and the Duck in the Park by Hilary McKay

This is a book that is always recommended to me on Goodreads, so I can’t wait to finally read it!

• Stuart Little by E.B. White
• Grace: An American Girl by Mary Casanova 
• Meet Rebecca by Jacqueline Dembar Greene
• Saige: An American Girl by Jessie Haas

I was glad to find some of the newer American Girl books, all in such great condition!

• The Secret Garden by Frances Hodges Barnett
• The Little Penguin by A.J. Wood
• A House is a House for Me by Mary Ann Hoberman
• Rose Faces the Music by L.E. Williams
• Rose’s Magic Touch by Nina Alexander
• Speed Racer: The Great Plan by Chase Wheeler

Library Book Sale Haul 2017 #2: Picture Books, Part Two

• Picture Books, Part One

Last Sunday, I kicked off my annual series on my largest book haul of the year (and maybe ever!). During this series, I’m going to link the previous posts in order at the beginning of each post. Today, I’m will round off the picture books I hauled with part two! Here’s the second half of my picture book haul:

• Lunch with Alex by the first grade students at Hollis Hand Elementary School

I think it is so awesome that this book was created by students at an elementary school! This could be a great book to use if I was doing a similar project in my own classroom.

• The Planets in Our Solar System by Franklyn M. Branley
• Casey at Bat by Keith Bendis
• Who’s in the Jungle? by Judy Nayer
• Corduroy by Don Freeman
• How Do Dinosaurs Learn Their Colors?/How Do Dinosaurs Play with their Friends? by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague

I have another Dinosaurs book, but I thought this one was super unique because there’s two in one! Once you finish reading one side of the book, you flip it over and have a new story!

• The Night Before Thanksgiving by Natasha Wing
• Olive, The Other Reindeer by J. Otto Seibold and Vivian Walsh

I remember watching this movie when I was younger and loving it! I’m so glad that I found the book!

• There was an Old Lady who Swallowed Some Books by Lucille Colandro
• There was an Old Lady who Swallowed a Rose by Lucille Colandro

Just when I think I’m done finding Old Lady books, I keep finding new ones to add to my collection!

• Sir Cumference and the Great Knight of Angleland by Cindy Neuschwander
• Wemberely Worried by Kevin Henkes

I remember seeing this book in a lot of classrooms that I have visited. I’m so glad that I found a copy for myself. This is such a great book, especially for students starting school for the first time.

• Lily’s Purple Plastic Purse by Kevin Henkes
• The Very First Thanksgiving Day by Rhonda Gowler Greene
• Curious George by H.A. Rey
• Berlioz the Bear by Jan Brett
• Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes by Eric Litwin

I’ve been Pete the Cat books at every thrift store, but I never found one… until the library book sale! this Pete the Cat book is especially sentimental to me because I remember reading it over and over to students at the preschool where I spent a semester!

• Bear Feels Sick by Karma Wilson
• Bear’s Loose Tooth by Karma Wilson
• Bear’s New Friend by Karma Wilson
• Bear Stays Up for Christmas by Karma Wilson

I think the Bear books are so cute, so I’m glad so I could find a few of them in such great condition at the book sale.

• A Color of His Own by Leo Lionni
• The True Story of the Three Little Pigs by A. Wolf

This is such a great find to add to my collection! Not only is this a popular picture books, but it’s one that I could read over and over again!

• Paul Revere’s Ride by Ted Rand
• Giraffes Can’t Dance by Giles Andrae
• Dinosaurumpus! by Tony Mitton
• Manatee Winter by Kathleen Weidney Zoehfield
• Snow White and the Seven Dwarves translated by Randall Jarrell
• Here Comes T. Rex Cottontail! by Lois G. Grambling
• A Splendid Friend, Indeed by Suzanne Bloom
• Maps and Globes by Harriett Barton
• Fin M’Coul by Tomie de Paola

I have started my collection of Tomie de Paola books, so I’m happy to find another to add to my collection. This book would also be great to read around St. Patrick’s Day!

• How Much is a Million? by David M. Schwartz
• The Biggest, Best Snowman! by Margery Cuyler
• The Owl and the Pussycat by Edward Lear and Jan Brett
• Why Do I Always Have to Say Please? by Wendy Rosen and Jackie End
• The Christmas Candle by Richard Paul Evans
• Lift, Look, and Learn: Pirate Ship by Jim Pipe

This looked like a fun and interactive book that a lot of student would enjoy, so I’m glad that I picked it up!

• A Charlie Brown Christmas by Charles M. Schultz

This is one of my favorite movies to watch during the holidays, so I’m glad that I can now cherish it in book form!

• Aesop’s Fables illustrated by Charles Santore

 

Stay tuned next week for my early chapter book finds!

Library Book Sale Haul 2017 #1: Picture Books, Part One

Last year, I did a four part series on a major haul that I accumulated from my library’s annual book sale (see parts one, two, three, and four). This year, I went a little crazy and bought 223 books for around $65! Since I bought so many books this year, I decided to split up the books into different categories. This year, my library book sale will have nine parts and each part will be posted on Sunday.

While 223 books may seem excessive and $65 may seem excessive to spend on secondhand books, most of these books are not necessarily for me. At the library book sale, I try to find a variety of books from picture books, early chapter books, and middle grade books to supply my future classroom and reach a variety of readers. At the end of the series, I’m going to review my library sale and experience and calculate how much I saved. Last year, I purchased a retail value of $630.00 and saved 98%. It’s nice to know when I finally have my own classroom that I will have so many books for my students to choose from without spending enormous amounts of money out of pocket.

Today, I will be sharing half of the picture books that I purchased from the sale. At my library, there are a few different days of the sale. On the first day, each book is a set amount. On the second and third days, you pay $5 for as many books you can fit into a plastic bag. On the first day, I usually select books that I’ve been wanting to buy or that I am afraid won’t be around for the $5 bag day. On the $5 bag day, I pick up any book that I was hesitant about or seems like a good addition for my future classroom. I probably stuffed the majority of my picture books into one bag for the $5 bag day! Here are half of the picture books that I found at the sale:

• This Is My Family by Gina and Mercer Mayer
• Jingle Bells by Kathleen N. Daly
• The Poky Little Puppy by Jannette Sebring Lowrey
• The Night Before Christmas by Clement Moore
• Paddington Bear by Michael Bond and Fred Banbery

Padding Bear seems so cute and I’m regretting not buying the Paddington plush from Kohl’s last year. This will be a great addition to my collection!

• There is a Bird on Your Head! by Mo Willems
• My Friend is Sad by Mo Willems
• I Love My New Toy! by Mo Willems

I’m a huge fan of Mo Willems Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus. I’m happy that I could find a few more books by Mo Willems to add to my collection!

• In the Days of Dinosaurs by Roy Chapman Andrews
• The Three Snow Bears by Jan Brett

I’ve accumulated a lot of Jan Brett books from past book sales, so I’m glad to find one that I don’t already have in my collection. I love the illustrations in Jan Brett’s books and they are great books to use in lessons.

• Duck for President by Doreen Cronin
• Pinkalicious by Victoria Kann and Elizabeth Kann
• Aqualicious by Victoria Kann

I’ve been looking everywhere for Pinkalicious! This is a book that I read numerous times when I worked in my college’s preschool and I love it! I’m glad that I could also find a copy of Aqualicious in perfect condition.

• The Elf on the Shelf by Carol V. Aeborsold and Chanda A. Bell

I’ve always been slightly creeped out by Elf on a Shelf, but I know a lot of teachers utilize it in their classrooms. Now that I have my own copy, it’s a possibility for me too!

• If You Take a Mouse to School by Laura Numeroff
• Fancy Nancy’s Fancy Words by Jane O’Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser

I LOVE Fancy Nancy, and even though I’ve never been able to find the original book, I’m glad that I found this one! Nancy has such a big personality and I love the illustrations in her books.

• The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams
• Alexander, Who’s Not (Do you hear me? I mean it!) Going to Move by Judith Viorst
• The Stinky Cheese and Other Fairly Stupid Tales by Jon Scieska and Lane Smith
• The Night Before Easter by Natasha Wing
• The Night Before Halloween by Natasha Wing

I’m pretty sure I own the majority of The Night Before books by Natasha Wing. I love adding fun holiday books to my collection!

• My Book of Birds by Tibor Gergely
• Watch Your Step, Mr. Rabbit! by Richard Scarry
• I’m so Embarrassed! by Robert Munsch
• Franklin Goes to School by Paulette Bourgeois
• Max’s Easter Surprise
• Max and Ruby: Happy Halloween!
• Pig Kahuna by Jennifer Sattler
• Pig Kahuna Pirates! by Jennifer Sattler

I’ve never heard of Pig Kahuna before, but the pig on the cover was so cute, I had to pick these books up!

• The Luckiest St. Patrick’s Day Ever! by Teddy slater
• A Visit to Kenya by Mary Packard
• A Visit to France by Kirsten Hall
• Pinocchio by Carlo Collidi
• Me With You by Kristy Dempsey and Christopher Denise
• This School Year will be the Best! by Kay Winters

This seems like such a cute book for the first week of school. I can’t wait to use this book in my own classroom!

 

What book deals have you scored recently?

Thrift Store Book Haul #5

Recently, I went to a local thrift store, Goodwill, Dollar Tree, and Half Price Books to find some books at a great cost. Here’s what I found:

• The Night Before The Night Before Christmas by Natasha Wing

I love the book in this series, so I’m glad that I found another to add to my collection!

• Biscuit’s Day at the Farm by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
• The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats

This is such a classic, so I’m glad that I found a copy for my collection.

• Sloppy Firsts by Megan McCafferty 
• The Adventures of Rainbow Fish (based on the best-selling books by Marcus Pfister)
• Al Capone Does my Homework by Gennifer Choldenko
• The Amazing Days of Abby Hayes #1: Every Cloud has a Silver Lining by Anne Mazer

I remember LOVING this series when I was younger. I hope that I can find more of these books so my future students can enjoy them too.

• Magic Tree House Research Guide #21: Leprechauns and Irish Folklore by Mary and Natalie Pope Osborne

I really love this research guides and think that they are great non-fiction tie-ins. I am really excited to find books like these for my future classroom library.

• Judy Moody #5: Judy Moody M.D.: The Doctor is In! by Megan McDonald

I love Judy Moody books, so I always love finding a book in the series that I don’t own!

• Flat Stanley #5: Stanley’s Christmas Adventure by Jeff Brown
• Biscuit Meets the Class Pet by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
• Crazy Love by Francis Chan
• Just Like Jesus Devotional by Max Lucado
• Redefining Beautiful by Jenna Lucado
• The Ransomed Heart by John Elderedge

I’ve been wanting to find some Christian books and devotionals and all of these books look really interesting! Since I’m my sorority’s chaplain, I also like having a shelf of books in my room that anyone can borrow.

 

What books have you purchased recently?

Thrift Store Book Haul #2

Recently, I went to two Goodwills, a local thrift store, Dollar Tree, and Target’s dollar section to find some cheap books and other literary finds!

From Goodwill #1:

• The 100th Day of School by Angela Shelf Medearis

I was excited to find this book because it will be the perfect book to read on the 100th day of school whenever I am a teacher!

• Amelia Bedelia, Bookworm by Herman Parish

• Commotion in the Ocean by Giles Andreae and David Wojtowycz

• Rhinoceros Tap by Adam Bryant and Sandra Boynton

I think this will be a great book to help me incorporate music into the classroom, especially because the CD was still in the book. There’s also music for one of my favorite Sandra Boynton books, Barnyard Dance.

• Fancy Nancy: Halloween… or Bust! based on the creation of Jane O’Connor and Robin Preiss Glasser

• Frindle by Andrew Clements

I taught a unit plan on this book, so it will always hold a special place in my heart.

• Happy Halloween, Biscuit! by Alyssa Satin Capucilli

Biscuit is one of my favorites, so I always pick up a Biscuit book when I see it!

• Pledge of Allegiance (Special Commemorative Classroom Edition)

A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket

• The Bad Beginning (Book One)
• The Reptile Room (Book Two)
• The Wide Window (Book Three)
• The Slippery Slope (Book Ten)

Since the Netflix series will be coming out at the end of the summer, I wanted to reread some of the books before it came out. It made me excited to find these books for so cheap at the thrift store!

From Goodwill #2:

Judy Moody series by Megan McDonald

• Judy Moody was in a Mood (Book One)
• Judy Moody Gets Famous! (Book Two)
• Judy Moody and the NOT Bummer Summer (Book Ten)
• Judy Moody’s Mini-Mysteries and Other Sneaky Stuff for Super Sleuths

I love Judy Moody books, so I was glad to find some more! I realized I actually hauled one of these in my previous haul, but that just means I’ll have two copies for my classroom. 

A Series of Unfortunate Events

• The Miserable Mill (Book Four)
• The Austere Academy (Book Five)
• The Ersatz Elevator (Book Six)

Since I found the first three books at the other Goodwill I went to, it made me so happy to find the next three books in the series at another Goodwill!

From a local thrift store:

• Midnight on the Moon by Mary Pope Osborne

I used to have A TON of Magic Tree House books, but I ended up selling them all once I got older (what was I thinking?). Since I’m going to be an elementary teacher someday, I decided to stock up again!

 

From Dollar Tree:

• Jessica Darling’s It List by Megan McCafferty

I haven’t read the Jessica Darling series (yet), but I’m hoping this prequel will be a good introduction to the series. 

• Clara Lee and the Apple Pie Dream by Jenny Han

I picked up this book after my sister told me how much she loved Jenny Han’s writing. I’ve never heard of this book, but it looks really cute!

 

Target’s Dollar Section:

4 Dr. Seuss posters (see below)

I love Dr. Seuss and I hope that I can incorporate these posters into my future classroom!

What are some books that you’ve thrifted lately?