It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 08/20/12

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? From Picture Books to YA! 

It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journeys. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It's also a great chance to see what others are reading right now…who knows, you might discover that next “must read” book!

After doing the meme for a couple of weeks, we realized this would be a fun meme to start up with a kidlit focus - anyone reading and reviewing books in children's literature - it can be picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, you name it in the world of kidlit and it's in! We have loved being a part of this meme and we hope you do too!  We encourage everyone participating to go and visit the other kidlit book bloggers that link up and to comment on as many posts as you can. We love talking books and believe in sharing and discussing what we're reading. We hope you join us!

Last Week's Book Adventures:

Jen Says: I don't know what to make of last week! I drove to and from work everyday except for Thursday so I got lots of listening in. I am in the middle of both Stupid Fast and Hattie Big Sky and am enjoying them both. Because I was going back and forth, I didn't finish either. I'm sure I'll finish them this week - especially knowing I'm officially back to school on Monday and will be driving back and forth all week. I have read more of Real Revision and a book called Coaching Conversations. Again, just lots of reading spread across too many books! I did start Ruby Redfort Look Into My Eyes and will be reading more of it this week. I mean to reread The One and Only Ivan but forgot it at work until Friday. I have it in my bag now and will be toting it around and getting ready for my cute little book club on the 27th. 

Kellee Says: Back to school time. I love my job so much, but as any of you that are teachers know, once school starts, reading really moves to the back seat and the beginning of the year is the worse. This year was no exception and it seemed to be even worse because I had some changes in my department (new teachers and I am now department head), so although this week was supposed to be my professional reading week filled with many different professional books; however, that was a bust. 
     I did finish Nancie Atwell's The Reading Zone and started Kelly Gallagher's Deeper Reading, but that was it. Atwell is a genius when it comes to reading workshop, so I am glad that I read The Reading Zone since it had been almost 10 years since I read In the Middle and I was reminded of some really great strategies and resources that can help my class run even more efficiently. I am also really enjoying Deeper Reading and I know it will be a great resource for all teachers, but especially those of us switching to CCSS. 

Reviewed Last Week:

Just click on any picture above to go read the review

Upcoming Book Adventures: 

Jen Says: My reading this week will basically be a continuation of last week! I'll keep on listening and keep on reading! I did make it to the bookstore to buy The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee so I'm hoping to get to that soon, too! We'll see how busy and tired this week ends up being!

Kellee Says: I want to continue reading Deeper Reading though it will be more sporadic. I'm also going to keep on listening to Oppel's Half Brother (which I LOVE so much!). Next to those, I have some novels I'd like to get to if I have time, but we'll have to see how the first week with students goes. I'll update you next week. 

This Week's Reviews:

   Check back throughout the week to hear about these books. 

So, what are you reading this week? 

Please link up below and don't forget to check out other blogs to see what they are reading!

and

How Does Sleep Come?

First off, today is Sunday and Sunday has been for my Teachers Write posts all summer...it feels weird to not be talking about my writing! Well, I just talked about writing but this isn't technically a Teachers Write post. I am still writing though and if you want to chime in about your writing, feel free!

Even though this isn't a Teachers Write post, I thought I would still talk about writing. Recently, I received How Does Sleep Come? by Jeanne C. Blackmore. It was sent to me from Sourcebooks and will be published on September 1st, 2012. It is a sweet book about a mother telling her son about everything that happens that helps him fall asleep. 

Reading this book reminded me of my favorite bedtime stories that I read with my kiddos. I love the books that just exude a mood of calmness. I can't help but slow down as the pages go on and my voice gets quieter and quieter, as well.

Good Night, Gorilla is a huge favorite in our house. Both of my kids adored this book. This is a wordless picture book about a mischievous gorilla. It gets a bit exciting in the middle but by the end everyone is quiet and snuggled up.

When my oldest son was one, we did the summer program at our library and after he went in all the times that he needed to go in, he got Won't You Be My Hugaroo? by Joanne Ryder as a reward. This is a sweet book about all the different kinds of hugs you would give and get for different situations. It's super sweet.

A Book of Sleep is one of my favorite picture books. There are some books I wish I could just curl up and cuddle inside of its pages and A Book of Sleep by Il Sung Na is definitely one of them. It's a sweet story about animals sleeping at night - except for the owl, of course - and the illustrations are wonderful.  If you haven't read this book, please go look for it. It's the perfect book for a baby shower and it is even available as a board book!

I'm positive this is a book most people know and cherish. I remember my parents reading Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown to me when I was little and I love reading it to my own kids. They love especially saying "Hush" for the little old lady when we get to her pages. For me, this is the ultimate bedtime book and the perfect example of mood in a picture book.

These books are all excellent books but I have never read them with students and they wouldn't have been books I would have been likely to read with students...until I received How Does Sleep Come? and I realized how all of these books together would make for a great showing of how books carry a tone or mood. I love how the word choice and the topics and the illustrations all come together to make these such soothing stories to share before bedtime. It would actually be fun to read these with students and discuss how the author and illustrator made them so calming.

What other books would you add to my relaxing bedtime list? 

Is one of these here a favorite of yours?

Or what is your favorite mentor text for mood and tone?

Squid and Octopus Friends For Always

Title: Squid and Octopus Friends For Always     
Author: Tao Nyeu   
Illustrator: Tao Nyeu  
Publisher: Dial Books for Young Readers 
Publication Date: June 2012 
Genre/Format: Fiction/Picture Book 
GoodReads Summary: A friend for always is someone who... knows how to cheer you up when you're feeling droopy, usually sees things your way, and never lets a quarrel get out of hand. As you'll see in these endearing, silly stories, a friend for always is the very best thing in the deep blue sea. 
What I Think: I enjoy stories of friendship and Tao Nyeu has definitely added Squid and Octopus to the ranks of great book friends. First of all, I have to start by telling you how absolutely whimsical and wonderful the illustrations are in this book. They are beautiful. I love that the pages aren't stark white and then the hues of blues, greens, yellows and oranges are a mix of bold and subdued that are perfect. It's hard not to look at this duo and smile. They're full of adorable-ness.
     That said, this book is made up of four sweet mini-stories about Octopus and Squid and their friendship. They are friends who sometimes disagree and who can share their hopes and dreams and be honest about their fears. No matter what, in the end, they are the best of friends!
     I do have to say that I reread this book a few times to get the right feel for it. It's a cute collection from the beginning but the dialogue didn't flow well for me at first. I kind of felt like the dialogue for Squid and Octopus was the same, it was hard to recognize a difference in voice between the two characters. When I think of a book like Bink and Gollie, it's easy to tell who is talking based on the dialogue. For this book, the dialogue sounded like the same voice for both characters. I would pull this book out to study dialogue and voice and have kids decide how they author did. What a perfect book to match with Bink and Gollie or Elephant and Piggie to really study the author's work. I say give it a few tries, it's more endearing with every read!
Read Together: Grades K - 3 
Read Alone: Grades 2 - 3 
Read With: Bink and Gollie (series) by Kate DiCamillo, Scaredy Squirrel (series) by Melanie Watt, Elephant and Piggie series and Hooray for Amanda & Her Alligator by Mo Willems 
Snatch of Text:

"Squid studied Octopus's mittens.

'Your mittens are nice, ' he finally admitted.

'those are great socks,' said Octopus.

'Should we...share?' asked Squid.

A splendid exchange of socks and mittens followed.

'Silly turtle,' said Octopus. 'Who ever heard of wearing scarves and earmuffs? Obviously, what we really need is a hot pot of tea.'

'And cake,' added Squid.

Octopus and Squid cozied up in their socks and mittens.

They sipped hot tea. They munched on cake. They were warm."

Reading Strategies to Practice: Activating Background Knowledge, Making Connections, Making Inferences 
Writing Strategies to Practice: Personal Narrative, Short Stories, Dialogue, Voice, Characterization 
Writing Prompts: Write about a time when you and a friend had a disagreement. How did you handle the situation? Would you solve the problem the same way next time or try to solve it differently the next time? 
Topics Covered: Friendship, Fun, Disagreements, Hopes and Dreams, Fears, Integration - Math - Knitting, Arts and Crafts, Sea Life

I *heart* It:

 

Athena's Son

Title: Athena's Son

Author: Jeryl Schoenbeck

Publisher: Papyrus Publishing

Publication Date: December, 2011

Genre/Format: Historical fiction/Novel

Goodreads Summary: In 276 BC, Egyptians are terrified when a series of murders are linked to Anubis, god of the dead. The evidence is inexplicable. The victims' bodies have no wounds and the killer's tracks are enormous animal prints. Egyptians believe the jackal-headed god doesn't want the new lighthouse build. The pharaoh needs someone special to solve the crimes, someone with the skills and intellect to track down a vengeful god. 

     Twelve-year-old Archimedes is that person. He is blessed by Athena, goddess of wisdom and war, with extensive knowledge of science, mechanics, and medicine. He has to tread carefully when he applies the cold logic of Greek science in a sultry, mystical world of Egyptian culture. But when an ancient scroll puts him on the path of the killer, it also brings another god back from the dead. Now Archimedes is going to need Athena's war skills.

What I Think: Oh my goodness! So much is going on in this novel and all of it is good. 

     First, suspense. The book starts off right away with a murder. It is very Alex Rider-esque because it isn't until a bit later that you figure out how this murder fits into the story. However, by beginning that way, the author sucks you into the story and already gives you a reason to want to keep reading. Then as you read through the story and Archimedes gets himself farther and farther into the murder-mystery at the center of the story, the suspense builds and at a certain point I just could not stop reading. 

     Second, history. There is so much history in this book! First, it is taking place in 2nd century BC Egypt when the Ptolemy family is ruling thus a tumultuous time because Greeks and Egyptians are both trying to live peacefully together. The Romans are also becoming part of the mix. Our characters are from all three nations. Second, part of the story is about Alexander the Great and has us look back at his reign. Although the book begins with an historical background index and maps, I found myself on Wikipedia many times throughout the reading because I wanted to know more about the fascinating things that were being shared with me. 

     Third, science. Archimedes is known for being a leading scientist in classical antiquity and this book shares with us some of the principles, inventions and theories he had. I was worried at first that the science aspect was going to seem forced, but I found that it fit perfectly within the story and just added to it. Also, the author made sure that all of the items discussed are actually findings of Archimedes thus are historically accurate as well. 

     Fourth, mythology. I love mythology. And this book has the best of both worlds as it discusses Greek and Egyptian mythology. 

     And there are other reasons as well: action, mystery, and culture. See, as I promised- a lot of stuff going on and all good. This book is very much worth a read and will find some readers in fans of Rick Riordan. 

Read Together: Grades 6 to 8

Read Alone: Grades 6 to 10

Read With: Rick Riordan books, Who Was King Tut? by Roberta Edwards, Aphrodite the Diva by Joan Holub, Athena by George O'Connor, Cleopatra's Moon by Vicky Alvear Shecter

Snatch of Text: "The solution became clear when Ptahhotep laughed at him and told him not to drop the crown in the water. "By completely immersing the wreath in this bowl of water, an amount of water equal to the total volume of the crown will be expelled. This large plate," he pointed to the alabaster plate underneath the bowl, "will collect the water that spills." ...

     "The water that spills onto the plate will be poured into this glass beaker, which will measure the volume of the water, and at the same time, the volume of the gold wreath." Archimedes' hand moved to the measuring scales. They were the same bronze scales the men were using to weigh gold when he and Berenike first entered the palace." (p. 89-90)

Mentor Text for: Suspense, Attention grabbers, Plot development, Historical fiction

Writing Prompts: At the time that this book takes place, 276BC, Herophilos, the physician, had already passed away. Why do you think that the author chose to have Herophilos be a character in the book? Why wouldn't he have made it 4 years earlier when he was alive? How would the book have been different without him?; What do you think was more important to Archimedes: religion or science? Find examples from the novel to support your opinion.

Topics Covered: Astronomy, Physics, Medical examination, Egyptian and Greek Mythology, Egyptian and Greek history, Heiroglyphics and Demotic language, Ptolemy family, School and Library of Alexandria

I *heart* It:

 
**Thank you to Jeryl Schoenbeck for providing a copy of Athena's Son for review**

And Now...We Return To Your Regularly Scheduled School Year

If you haven't already heard this a hundred times this month, I'll say it again just for fun:  

Where did the summer go!?!

It's hard to believe it's already the middle of August. The summer always goes fast but this was one of the best summers for me. I actually feel like I got a lot accomplished. Most of that sense of accomplishment comes from having participated in Teachers Write. I am already missing it!

School starts for teachers in my district officially on August 20th but I have already been in to school a lot this month. It was very exciting to greet new teachers to our district this week at new teacher orientation. This school year I am not going to be teaching my deaf and hard of hearing students. I am thrilled to have accepted a position as a teacher leader in my district. As a teacher leader, I get to work with some amazing and talented individuals who make up the Teacher Effectiveness Initiatives department in my school district. I will be working primarily with beginning and experienced new teachers. This is an exciting time for me because I went through the mentor program, have mentored before, and have served on the Oversight committee for the mentor program. My heart has always been with the teacher mentor program but now my heart gets to actually live there.

That's my exciting news...but I have a different reason for sharing my story other than to simply share my story! As part of our teacher mentor program we share the Phases of New Teacher Growth from A Guide to Prepare Support Providers for Work with Beginning New Teachers developed by Ellen Moir. 

It's time to go and read the few pages on these phases - or at least go look at the visual. I'm serious, go now, click the link above. It'll just take a few minutes. I'll wait.

What do you think? Were you able to identify with some of the attitudes new teachers develop throughout the school year? I really think the phases apply to any teacher, not only new teachers. Beyond that, I think it's even possible to go through these phases over the course of a day, too. And I can see how it applied to my feelings while I have been working on my book through Teachers Write this summer.

Right now is the calm before the storm. The excitement and anticipation of a new school year. If you are at all like me, you've been to your favorite school supply store (mine are Staples and Target) and you've loaded up on shiny new pens whose caps haven't been lost yet and lovely smelling pencils just waiting to be sharpened to that pointy-ness that breaks the second you try to write with them. Your sticky note pads are all fresh and stacked neatly. Maybe your classroom library is all organized and ready to go. Or maybe you haven't gone in to set up your room yet but you have it all planned out in your head.

That state of my itinerant "classroom" library!

Even though I won't be working directly with students, I'm eager to impact students through working with new teachers and their mentors. It's exciting either way, right? Don't you just want to rub your hands together and get to work?

If you look back at the phases, it starts with this excitement and anticipation...and then the students actually come. All of a sudden everything goes whirlwind crazy and you feel like your head is going to explode just trying to think about all the things you have to do. That's survival mode all the way. After a couple of months in survival mode, you stop and realize how busy and intense you have been and you feel utterly overwhelmed. That is disillusionment.

The good thing is that winter break rolls around and you get a chance to rest and get ready for the rest of the school year. You feel rejuvenated and feel like you can do it. You have the energy to plug along until you start to think back and reflect over the school year and then to anticipate the following year after a long restful yet busy, relaxing yet exciting summer.

There is strength in knowing that others - and most others, too - are going through what we might be going through, whether you are a new teacher or a veteran teacher. I am excited to know that as I head into this different kind of school year for me, I am not alone in the ups and downs of what lies ahead. That with support and some so-important me time along the way, I'll get through it. What are you most looking forward to and anticipating as this new school year is beginning? I would love to hear your hopes and dreams for this school year and also any tips or advice you have for new or experienced teachers going into the new school year!

 

Sojourner Truth's Step-Stomp Stride

Title: Sojourner Truth's Step-Stomp Stride

Author: Andrea Davis Pinkney

Illustrator: Brian Pinkney

Publisher: Jump at the Sun

Publication Date: November, 2009

Genre/Format: Biography/Non-fiction

Goodreads Summary: Born into slavery, Belle had to endure the cruelty of several masters before she escaped to freedom. But she knew she wouldn't really be free unless she was helping to end injustice. That's when she changed her name to Sojourner and began traveling across the country, demanding equal rights for black people and for women. Many people weren't ready for her message, but Sojourner was brave, and her truth was powerful. And slowly, but surely as Sojourner's step-stomp stride, America began to change.

What I Think: Andrea Davis Pinkney knows how to put together a powerful picture book. It helps that her story is about a strong, amazing woman and is accompanied by beautiful illustrations. I really felt that the pastel, sketch-like illustrations complimented the text well and brought Andrea's words to focus. This book would be a great read aloud not just for the wonderful writing or the beautiful illustrations, but for how they work together. 

     This picture book is not just a biography of Sojourner Truth, but a story of history of slavery and women's rights. It was also interesting to find out the history behind The Narrative of Sojourner Truth: A Northern Slave. This book would be a wonderful introduction to this time in history and would cause a great deal of discussion. It would be a good jumping off point before reading larger expository texts about the same topics. What I loved the most about it is that no only is it informing, but it is glorifying Sojourner and not only who she was and how she looked, but all of the amazing things, big and small, that she did to make a big change a little bit at a time. 

Read Together: Grades K-8

Read Alone: Grades 2-5

Read With: The Narrative of Sojourner Truth by Sojourner Truth, Sojourner Truth- Ain't I a Woman? by Patricia C. McKissak, Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans by Kadir Nelson, Henry's Freedom Box by Ellen Levine 

Snatch of Text: "Well, that was enough for Sojourner! She stood up. 

She STEPPED from the back of that church to the front. 
She STORMED past the stupidity of the men who had just spoken. 
Sojourner put one big-black-beautiful foot in front of the other and she STOMPED on the floorboards of ignorance that were underneath. To hear, the arguments made by the men were the beetles from her past. She couldn't wait to STOMP-STOMP-STOMP all over them." (p. 30)

Mentor Text for: Onomatopoeia, Voice, Mood, Alliteration

Writing Prompts: What freedoms do you have that you would fight for if they were taken away from you?; Do you think that Sojourner Truth would have had the same impact on abolitionism and civil rights as she did if she had chosen not to travel and give speeches? Explain. 

Topics Covered: Slavery, Religion, Freedom, Women's Suffrage, Abolitionism, Civil Rights, Prejudice

I *heart* It:

 

Ellie McDoodle: New Kid In School

Title: Ellie McDoodle: New Kid In School 
Author: Ruth McNally Barshaw 
Illustrator: Ruth McNally Barshaw 
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA 
Publication Date: June 2008 
Genre/Format: Realistic Fiction/Novel  
Summary: When Ellie’s family moves to a new town, she’s sure she won’t fit in. Nobody else likes to read as much as she does, and even the teachers can’t get her name right. But when the students need someone to help them rally against unfair lunch lines, it’s Ellie to the rescue—and if shorter lines and better food prevail, can friendship be far behind? 
What I Think: It seems like a book like Ellie McDoodle falls into the "Wimpy Kid" genre of books. I'm not sure exactly what to call these types of books - they are kind of like a hybrid. I consider Frankie Pickle to be a definite graphic novel-chapter book hybrid because the illustrations look very much like how a graphic novel is set up. Ellie McDoodle has illustrations to match the text. The drawings are supposed to be Ellie's as she has started a new journal when her family moves.
      I love Ellie's family. She has hysterical siblings that play all sorts of fun pranks on each other. I love it. It reminds me of my friend Laura from when I was in middle school and high school. She had two brothers and two sisters and she was right in the middle. There was never a dull moment in her household. It was fun to read about Ellie's family and remember my friend and her family.
     In this book, Ellie is the new girl in school. I never moved to a new school so I never had the chance to be a new student. I think it would be fun but my husband has told me he would never wish having to be the new kid at a school on anyone. I felt bad to hear about Ellie's no-fun experience being a new kid but she does make a name for herself in this book. Ellie reminded me of Marty McGuire in a way because she does end up getting things done. She if very resourceful and a great girl role model!
     I found out about the Ellie McDoodle series when I was following the Teachers Write activities this summer on Kate's blog. Ruth McNally Barshaw shared how she uses sketches to get to know her characters better. It was a great activity. AND THEN, when  I was in Michigan in July for Kids Read Comics, I met Ruth! She's so friendly and kind and was excited to meet me. It was pretty awesome. She was working on her final edits (if I remember correctly...) to send in while she was signing autographs and she took a few minutes to chat with me and take this lovely picture!

Ruth McNally Barshaw and Jen

Read Together: Grade 2 - 6 
Read Alone: Grades 3 -  6
Read With: Just Grace (series) by Charise Mericle Harper, Like Pickle Juice On a Cooke by Julie Sternberg, Nake Mole Rat Letters by Mary Amato, Marty McGuire (series) by Kate Messner, Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh, Fig Pudding by Ralph Fletcher
Snatch of Text:  

The End

"Seriously. This is the end. I'm doing this new 

journal to keep track of my family's move to a 

new house (new city, new schools, new everything). 

There won't be much to keep track of, 

though, because this is the END 

of everything good." 

p. 1 **notice that this is page 1!**

Mentor Text For: Characterization, Making Connections, Drawing, Attention Grabbers
Writing Prompts: Write about a time in your life when you had to try something new. 
Topics Covered: Friendship, Family, Moving, School, Identity, Courage, Fear, Ingenuity,

I *heart* It:

 

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 08/13/12

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? From Picture Books to YA! 

It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journeys. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It's also a great chance to see what others are reading right now…who knows, you might discover that next “must read” book!

After doing the meme for a couple of weeks, we realized this would be a fun meme to start up with a kidlit focus - anyone reading and reviewing books in children's literature - it can be picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, you name it in the world of kidlit and it's in! We have loved being a part of this meme and we hope you do too!  We encourage everyone participating to go and visit the other kidlit book bloggers that link up and to comment on as many posts as you can. We love talking books and believe in sharing and discussing what we're reading. We hope you join us!

Last Week's Book Adventures:

Jen Says: I had a great reading week! Monday my youngest son went back to daycare so that gave me more time to concentrate on reading. Tuesday, I was home allll alone and got to read and write as much as I wanted! It was glorious! For an awesome, quick, back-to-school read, I definitely recommend F In Exams by Richard Benson. It is hysterical. I can't even explain how awesome it is. I have two teacher friends in my neighborhood (plus my husband) and we all had a blast reading through it. I read two graphic novels, Luz Sees the Light and Ellie McDoodle: New Kid in School. Both were fun! I'm reviewing Ellie McDoodle this week and will also review Luz soon. I finished Rapture by Lauren Kate. It's always hard for me to say good bye to a series but it makes me happy when it was worth the time I invested in reading a whole series. The ending did not disappoint! I've been reading Real Revision by Kate Messner and finished Girl Parts by John Cusick. I also listened to The Mixed Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler. I loved the characters and can't believe I waited so long to read it!

Kellee Says: This week I tried to read as much as I could during my last week before school starts. I finished my audiobook, Black Heart by Holly Black, and adored it. I am always so happy when a series ends in the perfect way (though I'd love to get more Cassel Sharp in the future). If you haven't read these books, check out the audio- Jesse Eisenberg narrates them and they are great! I read three nonfiction books, Who Was King Tut? by Roberta Edwards, The 9/11 Report by Sid Jacobson and One Dead Spy by Nathan Hale, which are nonfiction books that will definitely get some readers. They were very well done and were kid friendly though 9/11 Report was more YA than juvenile fic/MG.  The 9/11 Report will definitely be a book I'll review for you later because it is a great resource for teachers. I was lucky enough to read Star Challengers: Moonbase Crisis by Rebecca Moesta and Kevin J. Anderson which is a sci-fi book endorsed by The Challenger Center, an educational center from NASA. My realistic fiction book for the week was Remembering Mrs. Rossi by Amy Hest which was a touching story of a young girl whose mother, a teacher, passed away.  I also read two Netgalley e-books of graphic novels I am so excited about- Poseidon by George O'Connor and Hereville: How Mirka Met a Meteorite by Barry Deutsch.  They both were great additions to their series and I cannot wait to buy the books when they come out.  Lastly, I read the final book in Rick Riordan's Kane Chronicles series, The Serpent's Shadow, and it is just as good as the rest of the series and was a pretty solid ending (though it did leave some questions unanswered). 

Reviewed Last Week:

  

   

   

Just click on any picture above to go read the review

Upcoming Book Adventures: 

Jen Says: I'll keep reading Real Revision. I have Stupid Fast to listen to thanks to Gae Polisner's recommendation and I have The Secret of the Fortune Wookiee waiting for me at a local bookstore that I am soooo excited for. I'm also reading Hattie Big Sky for my I-94 book club with Colby and will be rereading The One and Only Ivan in preparation for a book club with students when school starts again. For anyone back to school this week already, I send you my best wishes for a wonderful year!

Kellee Says: This week is going to be a professional reading week for me. It is preplanning so I am going to be working on my curriculum for the upcoming year. I look forward to reading some professional books I have been waiting to read. The only non-professional book I will be reading is my audio book Half Brother by Kenneth Oppel.

This Week's Reviews:

   

Check back throughout the week to hear about these books. 

So, what are you reading this week? 

Please link up below and don't forget to check out other blogs to see what they are reading!

 and

TMT Summer Writing Group - The End?

Believe it or not. Accept it or stay in denial and stick your fingers in your ears and sing la-la-la-la. Either way, it's true and I'm going to say it: summer has come to an end.

I know! I'm sorry, I'm sorry, but it had to be said. It's been ten amazing summer weeks of the awesomeness of Teachers Write! I have to say thank you again to the fabulous Kate Messner and the wonderful Gae Polisner for making this super secret plan as insanely super to the millionth degree.

Kate's Teachers Write quick-write post on Thursday asked us to write a letter to ourselves 10 weeks ago. I love thinking back to where I was, who I was, and how I felt about writing a mere 10 weeks ago. How excited were you to read that the Teachers Write fun has not come to an end?!?!? I know that when Kate talked to me about the need to continue Teachers Write, I was ecstatic and relieved. I don't know how it would be possible to say good-bye or really truly say, "The End."

What exactly does "Not The End" look like for Teachers Write here at TMT? My plan is to continue to share thoughts and ideas about writing and specifically how my experiences or your experiences can influence how we teach students and support them with their writing. Teachers Write posts won't be every Sunday, but they'll be once or twice a month. I hope you all stop by and share your continued progress!

I can't stop my fingers from going on ahead and writing this flashback letter so I have to just do that now. Thanks again to everyone! I appreciate each and every one of you and I hope you experience was as positive as mine!

Dear Jen,

In November, you signed up for NaNoWriMo. It didn't work out. You've been trying here and there to add to what you started for NaNoWriMo. That hasn't worked out either. Face it, you need to get real about writing and you need help to make it work. You want this. It's time to reassess what you are doing and find something that works for you. The time is now.

Here's what you need to do for yourself:

You need to make writing a priority. 

Find a time to write and find a place to write - away from distractions.

You need to set some goals and get to it.

When you really do make the time and stick with your writing and give it the energy it needs - you are going to make huge progress on your writing. You have 15,000 words written but by the end of the summer you'll be so proud of the work you have put in and how far you have come. (I won't tell you how far you'll get - that'll have to be a surprise. Just trust me, you'll be so overjoyed that you'll give yourself two big thumbs up.)

Here's the next thing to do - you need to find support:

You don't have to do it all alone!!!

Tell all your family and friends you are writing a book.

Send an e-mail to Kate and Gae - authors who want to help.

With Kate and Gae's help, you will never feel alone.

Do what you can to bring other teachers who want to write along with you!

Keep your eyes open for friends on Twitter and in the blogosphere who have something to share.

Be a cheerleader and you'll find others to cheer you on.

Don't be afraid to take risks and reach out to others - you need them!

By the end of the summer you'll not only be amazed at what you have written, you will be full to the hilt with amazement at the support you have received. Kate and Gae and all the other authors who join in will overwhelm you with their generosity and positive energy. You'll strengthen relationships with friends and find totally new friends who all share a passion and excitement for writing and learning. You'll find a maquizga - no one even knows what that is yet, but by the end of the summer you will look back and recognize that having a maquizga made a huge difference in your life as a writer.

It's time. You can do it. Believe in yourself. Don't give up. Stay strong!

You are a writer.

Now write.

Lots of love,

 

Fallen, Torment, Passion, Rapture

Title: Fallen, Torment, Passion, Rapture (Fallen series) 
Author: Lauren Kate 
Publisher: Delacorte Press 
Publication Dates: December 2009, September 2010, June 2011, June 2012 
Genre/Format: Paranormal Romance/Novel
GoodReads Summary: Fallen - There’s something achingly familiar about Daniel Grigori.
     Mysterious and aloof, he captures Luce Price’s attention from the moment she sees him on her first day at the Sword & Cross boarding school in sultry Savannah. He’s the one bright spot in a place where cell phones are forbidden, the other students are all screw-ups, and security cameras watch every move.  
     Even Daniel wants nothing to do with Luce – he goes out of his way to make that very clear. But she can’t let it go. Drawn to him like a moth to a flame, Luce has to find out what Daniel is so desperate to keep secret...even if it kills her.     Dangerously exciting and darkly romantic, FALLEN is a page-turning thriller and the ultimate love story. 
Click to read the GoodReads summaries for the other books in the series: Torment, Passion, Rapture.
What I Think: I really enjoyed this series! I realize that sometimes I hesitate to review a book that is part of a series either because I haven't reviewed a previous book in the series or I don't officially know how the series ends. I just finished the last in this series though and realized I would share my thoughts on the series as a whole.
     I listened to all of these books on audio and I really enjoyed the narrator. It helped me to listen to the books and keep all the characters straight. The whole concept of fallen angels was intriguing to me. What also really drew me into this series was the relationship Luce has with Daniel. I've read so many books and watched so many movies where the main characters just fall in love and don't question their love. Love is such a complicated and unique thing and sometimes I feel like books and movies oversimplify it. I love that Luce is drawn to Daniel but at the same time that she questions their relationship to an extent. Throughout the entire series, Kate addresses this idea of recognizing what love means and understanding her relationship with Daniel instead of assuming they are just together because they are together. I love the message this sends and shares with teen girls especially.
     After the first book, I was hooked and ravenous to read the other books in the series. I love to read books in a series but it's rare that I start a series towards the end of all the books being published. It was a rare treat to be able to zip through these books without having to wait and wait and wait for the next book to be published. It made me realize that it's important to share books with students that might be part of a series that is already all published. It's exciting to be reading the most current and right-now series, but there's also something fun about reading a series that you don't have to wait for.
Read Together: Grades 7 - 12
Read Alone: Grades 8 - 12
Read With: Twilight (series) by Stephenie Meyer, Firelight (series) by Sophie Jordan, Wings (series) by Aprilynne Pike 
Snatch of Text: 
"He stood and turned, the sketches left behind on the leather chair. And there she was, pressed against the ruby velvet curtain in her plain white dressing gown. Her black hair had fallen from its braid. The look on her face was the same as the one he'd sketched so many times. There was the fire rising in her cheeks. Was she angry? Embarrassed? He longed to know, but could not allow himself to ask." -Fallen, p. 3 
Mentor Text For: Activating Background Knowledge, Making Connections, Making Inferences, Narrative, Personal Narrative, Characterization, Dialogue 
Writing Prompts: Write about a time in your life when in order to make a decision you had to see or experience or research something for yourself. A time when you couldn't take someone else's word for it.  What was the decision and what did you learn in order to be able make your decision. 
Topics Covered: Love, Family, Friendship, Loyalty, War, Angels, Time Travel, Good Vs. Evil, Trust,

Jen *hearts* Them All:

 

Middle School is Worse than Meatloaf

Title: Middle School is Worse than Meatloaf

Author: Jennifer L. Holm

Illustrator: Elicia Castaldi

Publisher: Ginee Seo Books

Publication Date: July, 2007

Genre/Format: Realistic Fiction/Collage

Goodreads Summary: Ginny has ten items on her big to-do list for seventh grade. None of them, however, include accidentally turning her hair pink. Or getting sent to detention for throwing frogs in class. Or losing the lead role in the ballet recital to her ex-best friend. Or the thousand other things that can go wrong between September and June. But it looks like it's shaping up to be that kind of a year! Here's the story of one girl's worst school year ever -- told completely through her stuff.

What I Think: Middle School is Worse than Meatloaf: A Year Told Through Stuff begins as Ginny starts 7th grade and her life was a mix of ups and downs. Her father passed away when she was younger; however, Ginny's wish has come true and her mom has a new, nice boyfriend. Her brother who used to be her hero and friend is getting into trouble left and right. And her best friend is no longer her friend because Ginny got a lead part in a ballet they were in. Seventh grade can only be better, right?

     Jennifer Holm keeps surprising me. Every time I read something by her, I see how amazingly talented she is- if you compare Babymouse, May Amelia and Middle School you would assume they are by different authors; however, all are the work of Jennifer and all are so well done. 

     I love the format of this book. The story is told in a mixture of things- report cards, newspaper clippings, essays, poems, post-it notes, receipts, comics, notes, IMs, etc. It is amazing how an entire story can be told without there actually being a narrative. I, being an English teacher, loved the poetry and essays because it was the parts that really showed Ginny's emotions and the poems especially would be great exemplar texts to use to show students poetry that they could connect with. I also would love to have students "write" a personal narrative in much the same way- I think they would enjoy it and would be a great way to discuss narrative elements and prose in general.

     This book really touched my heart. One of the reasons I am a middle school teacher is because I hope that I can be a shining moment in the students' tough years. I love Ginny and I love that a teacher is important to her and I hope I make an impact like Ginny's teacher did for her. 

Read Together: Grades 4 to 7

Read Alone: Grades 5 to 8

Snatch of Text: "4_Police Blotter

Gnomes Suspiciously Vanish On Pine Street

Woodland Glen, PA- The theft of several garden gnomes from the yard of Mr. and Mrs Noorski has left the neighborhood puzzled. The gnomes, five in all, had been brought over from Norway on a family vacation, and had been a source of pride for many years."

"I don't want to make a lot of fuss, 

but I'll never sit at the back of the bus. 
All the cool kids are sitting there, 
you can tell just by looking at their hair. 
I hear the seats are nicer in the back
not like the ones up here all cracked. 
Just take a look at the window panes. 
They don't even steam up when it rains." 

"Three Meatloaf Haikus

Oh yucky meatloaf
sitting under the hot lights
so gray and gristly. 

Nothing tastes worse than
you, not cauliflower or
even lima beans. 

And what is that weird
thing sticking out-- a whisker?
hair? a rubber band?"

(Page numbers not provided as book is not numbered)

Mentor Text for: Poetry, Collage, Inferring, Personal Narrative

Writing Prompts: Like Ginny, collect items to put together to share a personal story. You can include essays, poems, photos, receipts, text messages, etc. Make sure that the items give enough information for your reader to be able to infer and understand your story.

Topics Covered: Death, Friendship, Family, School

I *heart* It: