tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-46467455695120622792024-03-05T05:54:30.378-05:00Eclectic ReaderI read in all sorts of areas. They include: English teaching, adult fiction and non-fiction, young adult fiction, parenting books, and spirituality.Jen W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810349328826110407noreply@blogger.comBlogger149125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646745569512062279.post-79451883746194633272012-09-06T15:14:00.002-04:002012-09-06T15:15:19.825-04:00Back to SchoolBack to school....back to school. Sometimes I get that tune from Billy Madison in my head and I can't get it out. Too funny.<br />
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Today, my kids wrote 6 word reading memoirs and I just had to share. They are awesome and show that reading is still alive in middle school! Yah! I can't wait to book talk some good books tomorrow and get some of these tomes off the shelf and into the hands of kiddos!<br />
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A good read always helps you.</div>
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I love reading past my bedtime.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Middle School.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not enough reading time.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Pleasure reading seems like forever ago</div>
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<br /></div>
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Reading always helps me relax everyday.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Good books do not like me.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Reading and me don’t get along</div>
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<br /></div>
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Don’t like textbooks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Boring and big.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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Reading is life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Get With It.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Reading all the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Not stopping</div>
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<br /></div>
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Haven’t found a really good book.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Reading is like being an adventurer.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Reading is an escape of stress.</div>
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.</div>
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Books are better the second time.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Imagine myself inside of a book.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I could read all summer long</div>
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<br /></div>
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I flip for a good book.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Opened<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a
book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Fell in love.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I always read a good book.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Takes me to a different world.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Reading a book.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Leave me alone.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not my favorite, but it’s okay.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You’ll
never be bored again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I love reading all the time.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Reading since young.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Still loving it.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Love to read.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Book by book.</div>
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<br /></div>
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Reading is like being an adventurer.</div>
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<br /></div>
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I'd love to hear if you do this in your classroom or not. The activity is taken from <i>I Can't Keep My Own Secrets</i>. </div>
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<br /></div>
Jen W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810349328826110407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646745569512062279.post-1905817473019012842012-07-08T10:30:00.000-04:002012-07-08T10:30:52.837-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ZjkH_7_rQGaUQr9Ne5bgZ4bWg0EJR0ue_9JJetcWqs1pgXDri8WP7gq1wAaiJiui_PeHe9Zck0o8hKWpmbX6UrsG-QXp4FDPC2gP1iO_zz2Fgw8iMPMVkheIvCJJh1bEMWYW1Frhs1cp/s1600/images-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7ZjkH_7_rQGaUQr9Ne5bgZ4bWg0EJR0ue_9JJetcWqs1pgXDri8WP7gq1wAaiJiui_PeHe9Zck0o8hKWpmbX6UrsG-QXp4FDPC2gP1iO_zz2Fgw8iMPMVkheIvCJJh1bEMWYW1Frhs1cp/s1600/images-7.jpg" /></a></div>
I am truly loving the audiobooks that Penguin is so graciously sending me for review. And, I am a huge Theodore Boone fan. Plus, there seems to be a cavernous hole in YA where mystery stories are concerned. Not sure why- or, am I missing something? This time*, Theo is under suspicion and about to be arrested for a theft that occurred at a local electronics store. Thus, the young Boone is found in a new place in his life, trying to defend himself. As usual, his "de-barred" uncle comes to the rescue to help Theo find a way out of his mess. The beauty of this audio is Richard Thomas' narration. I dare you to listen and not want to shout, "Good Night, John Boy!" The pacing and voices Thomas adds to the narrative are soothing to the ears and portray the characters' personalities through voice quite well. I have listened to the last two Theo Boone novels and have been thoroughly satisfied.<br />
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*For those unfamiliar with this series, Theodore Boone is the son of Marcella and Woods Boone, who are both lawyers. Each novel provides another mystery to be solved, but they are all very close to the main character (i.e. he doesn't find mysterious dead people, etc).Jen W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810349328826110407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646745569512062279.post-83117969954877224012012-02-23T14:14:00.005-05:002012-02-23T14:32:39.592-05:00Holy Moly- No Wonder It Won Two Top Awards! Where Things Come Back by John Corey Whaley<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5PtV4M7Nu6_twzhL62zV62yr8iR0yTagdj5czRBpwkdEC2N3Ul3ZtC5zGftlPmwvXyDqvrk6xNHILd_c_74xPSi37UBS6Qq0F4ndcoaK-cuLw1nJUnTWGhyEds4S485-n5mKEy5DxGKI5/s1600/images-2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 132px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5PtV4M7Nu6_twzhL62zV62yr8iR0yTagdj5czRBpwkdEC2N3Ul3ZtC5zGftlPmwvXyDqvrk6xNHILd_c_74xPSi37UBS6Qq0F4ndcoaK-cuLw1nJUnTWGhyEds4S485-n5mKEy5DxGKI5/s200/images-2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712411894556956210" /></a><br /><br />Despite the fact that the picture of the author looks like he could have been my student a few years ago...this was an incredible read. I need to go back and reread it immediately. I knew it would be all over our Book Awards talk next year, so I had to read the novel that won BOTH the Printz and the Morris Award this year. <br /><br />The layers, oh the layers! I love layers in a novel. First, we have the religious aspect, which I found fascinating. The Gabriels and the Lazaruses (Lazari???:), and the Book of Enoch- which I'd never even heard of before? Not to sound like a religious scholar, but I guess I'm not up on my Gnostic Gospels and other sundry books left out of the Christian bible. I loved the threads of redemption, resurrection (of things and people) and obsession where Cabot and Benton were concerned.<br /><br />I'm having difficulty doing this in a linear fashion because I want to talk about the layers. The other layer I loved was all of the different forms of love in the novel: friendship love, family love, brotherly love, romantic love and neighborly love. The ties between Cullen, Gabriel and Lucas really tugged at my heartstrings, hoping beyond hope that Gabriel would be found/rescued before the end of the novel.<br /><br />Additionally, the whole idea of "things coming back" both physically and spiritually really hit home with me. So many of the characters tried so desperately to get out of Lily, Arkansas, only to be brought back by a variety of circumstances, like an endless boomerang being flung from the town's limits. But, I guess I am still wondering at the end if Gabriel really made it back or it was part of Cullen's 3rd person narration at work in his own mind. The book's website made me think it was a real return, but that kind of spoils the discussion I would want to have with students. There is evidence for both sides.<br /><br />So much more here, but I will keep it at that. This will fly off of the shelves. Can't wait to book talk it on Monday.Jen W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810349328826110407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646745569512062279.post-57599743791985093922012-02-23T10:03:00.004-05:002012-02-27T12:57:14.821-05:00Bitterblue by Kristin Cashore<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_KesAZEk4VLxkh7QGyCLXzD5mbuH-zYqXMg1OQk6QZu5TwiWkqO0I0gBq4ZNcCyrhcxvyKQ_Efbg-EW3vG5ObJCQeS0Q50gNsRyZHw1O1iJypKAa0RGEqFJYKVYc7OuGI00NOy-EQXZaH/s1600/images-1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_KesAZEk4VLxkh7QGyCLXzD5mbuH-zYqXMg1OQk6QZu5TwiWkqO0I0gBq4ZNcCyrhcxvyKQ_Efbg-EW3vG5ObJCQeS0Q50gNsRyZHw1O1iJypKAa0RGEqFJYKVYc7OuGI00NOy-EQXZaH/s200/images-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5712347240493479954" /></a><br /><br />I am certain I can't tell you why it took me so long to get this done. Aside from the daily busyness of life, I think I just wanted to savor this book. And, the reading of it did just that. Like a long and meandering river,<span style="font-style:italic;"> Bitterblue</span> took me on a winding journey that wasn't full of swashbuckling action and wars, but rather a slow and deliberate look at a young queen trying to make sense of her past and, thus, her present. <br /><br />This novel is actually referred to as the sequel to <span style="font-style:italic;">Graceling</span> and <span style="font-style:italic;">Fire</span> as the companion novel. It starts six years after <span style="font-style:italic;">Graceling</span> ends, when Bitterblue (Leck and Ashen's daughter, who Katsa rescued in the first novel) is now 18 and ruling the kingdom of Monsea. She is still surrounded by advisors who "tended" to Leck and is trying to make sense of why her kingdom is so illiterate. Her innocent attempt at an answer leads her into an entire novel's worth of intrigue, culminating in a wonderful climax of trust and betrayal. <br /><br />As always, Cashore creates a beautifully drawn, strong female character who learns about herself and the cruel hard truth of the world around her. The change, however, in Bitterblue as compared to Katsa is almost incomparable, for Bitterblue starts with much more innocence than Katsa ever did. Therefore, with each discovery of truth about her evil father and her kingdom, Bitterblue transforms even more into the gracious and powerful queen we know she can become. Without spoiling anything, the way Cashore has woven the characters from her past novels into this one is uplifting beyond belief. <br /><br />And, now, I will throw this ARC to the wolves. That means...as soon as students saw me reading this ARC, they started their own instantaneous list of who would receive it next based on how much they loved <span style="font-style:italic;">Graceling</span>. I shall "grace" my shelves with many copies of this hardcover. No pun intended.Jen W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810349328826110407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646745569512062279.post-81332745096213831082012-01-09T01:06:00.000-05:002012-01-09T01:06:01.245-05:00Drummer Girl by Karen Bass<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgg1kFO2N0e8eP4qaBh7q3ZdTiwFGsgpLqO1BmkiE19rON89VqJtSDisl9Z1asfreqK_un-XpNCwUX7VLkoFd4x2sNdE6q32Ry8MT1vRenF9P7SE0AEhnv6oIc4fHcRF56cu_hocCaf9l_/s1600/images-7.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgg1kFO2N0e8eP4qaBh7q3ZdTiwFGsgpLqO1BmkiE19rON89VqJtSDisl9Z1asfreqK_un-XpNCwUX7VLkoFd4x2sNdE6q32Ry8MT1vRenF9P7SE0AEhnv6oIc4fHcRF56cu_hocCaf9l_/s200/images-7.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694767697632948658" /></a><br /><br />Sid (short for Sidney) just wants to be a drummer. And, from what everyone says, she's pretty good. When she finally lands a try out with the cool "jock" band at school, The Fourth Down, she knows she's done much better than her competition and class jerk, Wesley. However, the band can't really handle a "female drummer" with a tomboy look, so Sid asks her cousin, Heather, to remake her into a more girly girl. Unfortunately, this brings up another entire crop of issues. Apparently, now she is too attractive and becomes fodder for rumors and sexual advances. <br /><br />Sid learns who she really is throughout this novel and I am very proud of who she becomes by the end. But, this is about so much more than just a girl making herself over. It's about self acceptance, questioning sexuality and preferences, knowing who to trust,abandonment and turning a single father into less of a workaholic and more of a dad. From the first page readers will root for Sid, but question many of her choices later. She has a short temper and has been raised mostly by men (her older brother and dad), so she can hold her own against the boys. Sid will hang out in your head long after the last page.Jen W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810349328826110407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646745569512062279.post-14963409464155618212012-01-08T08:00:00.000-05:002012-01-08T08:00:07.365-05:00Fishtailing by Wendy Phillips<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv9Zk3LsN1gbTbJRvB2Y3q-06jq0djyIZbJE0Bfd9BlqHH5tSqHCqYiG-_fzSkLC9btWRhfojv3-2ZrWqHb9pD5TQwN7448KQXh2n4Gy23cA5I4CU1ChKmrGE-gz9qllItCHNyACQN2HFj/s1600/images-6.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 139px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv9Zk3LsN1gbTbJRvB2Y3q-06jq0djyIZbJE0Bfd9BlqHH5tSqHCqYiG-_fzSkLC9btWRhfojv3-2ZrWqHb9pD5TQwN7448KQXh2n4Gy23cA5I4CU1ChKmrGE-gz9qllItCHNyACQN2HFj/s200/images-6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694765613847248738" /></a><br /><br />This is the second time I've read this novel and I love it more with each read. Told in verse, Phillips gives us four students', a teacher and a counselor's perspective of what is going on in their lives. Kyle, Miguel, Tricia and Natalie are all students of Mrs. Farr. The students pair up and begin "dating" while Natalie, a new and "hardened" student, turns Tricia (a sweet girl) over to the "dark" side. As Tricia creates her new image, Natalie encourages her to do things Tricia doesn't always feel comfortable with. The novel reaches a climax with a life changing for all four of the students.<br /><br />If you imagine a fishtail braid, then you can see how the novel got its title. After dividing the hair into two pieces, one small piece from each side gets moved to the other side until all of the hair is beautifully intertwined. The lives of Kyle, Miguel, Tricia and Natalie do just that. Mrs. Farr, the teacher, and the counselor are the bookends to these students. I wanted to wring the neck of Mrs. Farr for her distant and seemingly aloof attitude about what was going on with her students. She didn't talk to them about their real lives and it was a constant irritation as I read. But, not a bad one. She was a hard edge in this gritty and incredibly realistic plot.Jen W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810349328826110407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646745569512062279.post-76111645665916567872012-01-07T08:00:00.000-05:002012-01-07T08:00:04.601-05:00LOOKIE! LOOKIE! I'M SO EXCITED!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQqQ0utYtuTXB4mFbfMSZNSn-goZLa0qLk2QmS6q5WfDLjDPpo4XOu7rr8pPeeYMScsR8IaSmr6mGCeSd3_mbGHfQvnjCcRmFVq0DdJ0a3bxajG5j02DRaQhnNqD0zsLBf4PzX77dO9-V2/s1600/images-8.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQqQ0utYtuTXB4mFbfMSZNSn-goZLa0qLk2QmS6q5WfDLjDPpo4XOu7rr8pPeeYMScsR8IaSmr6mGCeSd3_mbGHfQvnjCcRmFVq0DdJ0a3bxajG5j02DRaQhnNqD0zsLBf4PzX77dO9-V2/s200/images-8.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694770684473015906" /></a><br /><br /><br />This came in the mail yesterday! I have been waiting for this for sooo long and am only saddened that I didn't get it earlier during break. But,....that's OK! I am already engrossed in the pages. A HUGE THANK YOU to the folks at Penguin for sending me a triple boxed set! Graceling, Fire and the Bitterblue ARC! Look for the novel in stores in May, and look for my review VERY SOON!Jen W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810349328826110407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646745569512062279.post-68028979857260794122012-01-07T00:43:00.005-05:002012-01-07T00:55:51.505-05:00This Dark Endeavor by Kenneth Oppel<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIcmg9o31trkQtOd8KHAEbLTUZSnkV3FTyHb-MaL60O_SXdm-crVDeyvmgKVMs9JVsCbR8zzkLPbQ9r_48hyphenhyphenITzImvYEX5siwUVrma8RESMrvOjXXGmOLRMT8qVPNnx2AtAWTHVykYqPW/s1600/images-5.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzIcmg9o31trkQtOd8KHAEbLTUZSnkV3FTyHb-MaL60O_SXdm-crVDeyvmgKVMs9JVsCbR8zzkLPbQ9r_48hyphenhyphenITzImvYEX5siwUVrma8RESMrvOjXXGmOLRMT8qVPNnx2AtAWTHVykYqPW/s200/images-5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694761855996893314" /></a><br /><br /> It seems to be a bit late for the review, but I LOVED this book! It kept me entranced the entire train ride back from NCTE in Chicago and I finished the last page as the train pulled into the A2 station. <br /><br /> For those who love classics, this book will not disappoint. Young Victor Frankenstein and his twin brother, Konrad, are playing around in their mansion's library with their cousin, Elizabeth, when they stumble upon a secret passageway. Further investigation leads them to a secret library and workshop where they later learn their ancestors used to illegally practice alchemy. The elder Mr. Frankenstein warns against their ever returning to the "dungeon". However, Konrad becomes ill and Victor is desperate to do anything to save him. As Konrad languishes in his bed day after day, Victor and Elizabeth struggle to seek out help from an invalid alchemist in their town in Switzerland. A search, alchemy and romance ensues as the two try to find the three ingredients needed for Konrad's life saving "elixir of life." <br /> This novel is a true gothic read for young adults, something we don't come across very often. As a lover of historical fiction and classic fiction, I loved this book and am so very glad there will be more. I am anxious to see young Victor turn into the scientist of Mary Shelley's. The characters are wonderfully round and there is a plot twist at the end that made me gasp out loud on the train. Get a copy of this and share it with your students! Mine are fighting over it.<br /><br /> By the way, if you have been struggling over how to pronounce this author's last name (like I have for many years- pronunciation is very important to me), the correct way Mr. Oppel says it is: "Opal" Straight from the horse's mouth, ladies and gentleman.Jen W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810349328826110407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646745569512062279.post-28260195420175451792011-11-20T12:02:00.002-05:002011-11-20T12:05:28.476-05:00NCTE 2011So many great sessions and so many new books to read. Our session this morning went well with about 50-55 people for an AM Sunday session. Not bad. I finally got to meet my Amelia Walden friend, Lois, which was exciting for me. We had an email friendship during the award year last year and it was nice to put a face with a name. I am now off in search of some food so I can get back for my yearly fix of Linda Rief.Jen W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810349328826110407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646745569512062279.post-44370536011860016092011-11-16T21:19:00.008-05:002011-11-16T21:30:46.977-05:00Time is Flying....NCTE already?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5j2j191UUOCn5SZnOoLXNCO3vbnx-UekdFGOb7nB86bAS-dAtff2wdX1pVthvAhbwDRDVP-1TpjMGYxaBAR2b9UfEcHjYl0K6jNC7sBlwca1jSaLkwq26yaFU3S_upNBQ94fQ7mxGjA6L/s1600/images-6.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 139px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5j2j191UUOCn5SZnOoLXNCO3vbnx-UekdFGOb7nB86bAS-dAtff2wdX1pVthvAhbwDRDVP-1TpjMGYxaBAR2b9UfEcHjYl0K6jNC7sBlwca1jSaLkwq26yaFU3S_upNBQ94fQ7mxGjA6L/s200/images-6.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675786451540567378" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5gIXxvRZG4vM3uTnrb3GbxlalVzVo1s5SVFKhH_c3DfkFNwoYBcyUfu8vTWXnkrCbF8CzZ1JMwxIc83F9mNS9wz3Og0mtbCvq7bta-M2eWiz9dACWTiwzxIuw-dFmDFCWlSOVwRyyiJ5Y/s1600/images-5.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5gIXxvRZG4vM3uTnrb3GbxlalVzVo1s5SVFKhH_c3DfkFNwoYBcyUfu8vTWXnkrCbF8CzZ1JMwxIc83F9mNS9wz3Og0mtbCvq7bta-M2eWiz9dACWTiwzxIuw-dFmDFCWlSOVwRyyiJ5Y/s200/images-5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675786020723700578" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDJ37wWBPNcpodryEUZbBDb1KduqsWVueJlgKwndzKOBtpsCHrhN4u62swTve3ncXSIycCfG7ZjyPUwSAxH-Vg4lhUcNdmqWI_xRDTa-lHLxK4ZZDTJpz-t9lT1LSQzPlCrbe9kXtAj7Ic/s1600/images-4.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 147px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDJ37wWBPNcpodryEUZbBDb1KduqsWVueJlgKwndzKOBtpsCHrhN4u62swTve3ncXSIycCfG7ZjyPUwSAxH-Vg4lhUcNdmqWI_xRDTa-lHLxK4ZZDTJpz-t9lT1LSQzPlCrbe9kXtAj7Ic/s200/images-4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675785662915610418" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDW1MojKk4kpeDOSxARWFU-vPYXSJQRSyQkrytTfW5d6DlK1lAjxSHUyFJ3DG0nX8cNYQ_kLMKrYeFocTLO87fFIunURuQO9vP9M4wUZH5GdhCnqH_Mdw7XVw-RUIGswdz7qab-aASAdFc/s1600/images-1.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 135px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDW1MojKk4kpeDOSxARWFU-vPYXSJQRSyQkrytTfW5d6DlK1lAjxSHUyFJ3DG0nX8cNYQ_kLMKrYeFocTLO87fFIunURuQO9vP9M4wUZH5GdhCnqH_Mdw7XVw-RUIGswdz7qab-aASAdFc/s200/images-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675785303203909154" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEYhjJznqyeoCslH0f8Ax2BqNc2efZoQcg92wau9gZBk0dMGIZhEpe7UaUnVuzjKSArrcRlvvuYSkDHj2jtbJBoQRfSJFmaUZ_DjCcOMiD9G3iKnfxZYUXmLQdWlQRFL7VBPr6x-C19-kZ/s1600/images-2.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 130px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEYhjJznqyeoCslH0f8Ax2BqNc2efZoQcg92wau9gZBk0dMGIZhEpe7UaUnVuzjKSArrcRlvvuYSkDHj2jtbJBoQRfSJFmaUZ_DjCcOMiD9G3iKnfxZYUXmLQdWlQRFL7VBPr6x-C19-kZ/s200/images-2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5675785238647883122" /></a><br />Fall has truly gotten away from me. With a full time workload, soccer momming, and trying to grade five classes of papers as well as cook and keep a house straight, I'm just about losing my mind. Hence, the lack'a-posts! :) So, my resolution after NCTE is to try to get back to blogging semi-regularly. <br /><br />I leave tomorrow for NCTE and our annual YA BOOK AWARDS talk will take place at 8:30 a.m. on Sunday. Here are the books I am booktalking, but there are MANY more between the three of us.Jen W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810349328826110407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646745569512062279.post-46439342018134516602011-08-26T07:37:00.004-04:002011-08-26T07:47:23.420-04:00A Time To Plant: Life Lessons in Work, Prayer, and Dirt<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXmcklNPj5cgTJq00UPnR15MK4gpmrpYe9whWanFn8_5DuShAowQT3RB1Y-XftbVoLSryZUiIiIFSmbThH-JX2pGt2WSk4l2XQ5A1XuO8Q1FKjrK21kjSW-CvHqHIccWkuXb3ATxQ7AUj/s1600/images-2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 129px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGXmcklNPj5cgTJq00UPnR15MK4gpmrpYe9whWanFn8_5DuShAowQT3RB1Y-XftbVoLSryZUiIiIFSmbThH-JX2pGt2WSk4l2XQ5A1XuO8Q1FKjrK21kjSW-CvHqHIccWkuXb3ATxQ7AUj/s200/images-2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5645127627703862978" /></a>
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<br />A TIME TO PLANT: LIFE LESSONS IN WORK, PRAYER AND DIRT by Kyle Kramer isn't a book I would normally pick up. However, when I was on a 5-day retreat over July 4th weekend, Kyle was one of the speakers. He was eloquent, intelligent and funny. He works at St. Meinrad Abbey in southern Indiana as a teacher, and he and his family run an organic farm about 15 miles away. A TIME TO PLANT is the story of how he acquired his land, learned how to farm, built his house and started his family. All of this is couched in the main principles and importance of Benedictine spirituality in his life and work. The Abbey is one of those incredibly peaceful places on earth where I could imagine staying for many fulfilling days and weeks on end. Kramer also has twins, as I do, but they didn't know until his wife was giving birth! When you read the circumstances under which they brought their twins home, you will cringe and then applaud when you realize how hard they both worked to get their house and farm in working order. This book was a slow and satisfying read. Not slow in a boring sense, but slow in the sense that you wanted to savor every word and give yourself the time to go back and re-read certain sentences because they are so chocked full of meaning and insight. This book was incredibly well-written as well. While I was at the Abbey, my friend and I took and 90 minute walk one evening and we were both anxious to see if we could find Kramer's land (not knowing it was 15 miles away) because the way he described his land as a real, living entity made us want to see it for ourselves. I guess you could call this an eco-tree-hugger book, but it made me smile and want to go and stick my hands in the dirt!Jen W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810349328826110407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646745569512062279.post-85043865647771793482011-08-24T10:34:00.008-04:002011-08-26T07:57:09.252-04:00ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhXemObwb9JO01relC6ZRSNG3CGlktbYcUR7uLpNeIK11ssSq60FndanvYbi5r8mkHmzSesSBpDwNon2Co76tza7MjnveLY1366KPKAowj2J27TJZuPyy7U0wR3g3OSvm4sHzBCpwVu23V/s1600/images-1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 133px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhXemObwb9JO01relC6ZRSNG3CGlktbYcUR7uLpNeIK11ssSq60FndanvYbi5r8mkHmzSesSBpDwNon2Co76tza7MjnveLY1366KPKAowj2J27TJZuPyy7U0wR3g3OSvm4sHzBCpwVu23V/s200/images-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5644430829770927810" /></a>
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<br />I can't believe I never read ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS by Stephanie Perkins. However, when the ARC of LOLA AND THE BOY NEXT DOOR (also by Perkins) arrived yesterday, I felt obliged to read the first one. Honestly, I HAVE had the first one on my to-read list for a while, but it continually got usurped by something more pressing.
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<br />Girls will LOVE this novel! Anna is an American girl from Georgia whose novelist father decides she would be better off at an American School in Paris, France for her senior year. She leaves behind a best friend and a "new-ish" love interest.
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<br />Within days, Anna meets Etienne St. Clair, a senior who is American but has a French father, and grew up in London (hence his British accent). Through a series of mishaps and bizarre circumstances, Anna makes her way through her senior year with plenty of surprises in store for the reader.
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<br />I engulfed this book in one night. Not really a boy read.Jen W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810349328826110407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646745569512062279.post-50714954396027973202011-08-20T18:08:00.003-04:002011-08-20T18:17:50.998-04:00The Future of Us<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNeh_SuRhDY2dxq-2kZrpinexqVg8q56yGjTRNPAH231Ua0tiUgHlWT3aihzcUuEbdoYFY36rneZ2xG98r06AdV5xnjOWNFBB49lfah8fMAgEcv2FRwEaI3vLdavGI7J5CQG-29W3W5-v/s1600/images-3.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 130px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRNeh_SuRhDY2dxq-2kZrpinexqVg8q56yGjTRNPAH231Ua0tiUgHlWT3aihzcUuEbdoYFY36rneZ2xG98r06AdV5xnjOWNFBB49lfah8fMAgEcv2FRwEaI3vLdavGI7J5CQG-29W3W5-v/s200/images-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5643065901358976178" /></a>
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<br />THE FUTURE OF US, by Jay Asher and Carolyn Mackler, will be a sure hit with the kids this fall. Josh and Emma are high schoolers who used to be best friends, but have drifted apart in the past few years. The year is 1996 and everyone is getting the AOL cd-rom in the mail with a "free 100 hours" (remember those?). Josh brings Emma the cd he has so she can set up her new email and AOL account. However, the next time Emma logs on, she sees a "facebook" link under her "favorites" page. She clicks on it, but has no idea what it means. She sees status alerts written by her in the future. Unfortunately, Emma's life doesn't seem to be what she dreams it will be in the future. Josh gets called in since he must know something about what she downloaded from his own disk. Josh "finds" himself on Facebook and finds he is married to the current most popular girl in their high school. As the novel progresses, Josh and Emma find that whatever encounters they have at school that day change the future through Facebook. Josh, however, likes his sunny outlook in the years ahead. As the two try to negotiate a social networking site they know nothing about (and hasn't even been invented yet), they discover things about themselves and their own relationship to each other. The novel is told in alternating perspectives and overlaps just a bit in time so the reader can see how the two have different perceptions of what is going on with them. The magical realism really drives the plot and makes for a fantastic read. To start with the question- "what if..." in this case, really works for both of these well received authors.Jen W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810349328826110407noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646745569512062279.post-22992516959335806662011-08-20T01:23:00.005-04:002011-08-20T01:32:05.087-04:00Glimpse<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQZBIWxscFw8yf9zhT6MYzp4OrW7scoSEJNG89Kv2CkXCJZwybHz2qUqmv581WLdvAeO1KHs037-SKsIoxpsihdVpE-3z3PrTyfoazfF3iPTTQ6yjKsEhUfLem2-8_IE2QZt0I4qEsr87/s1600/images-2.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 189px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimQZBIWxscFw8yf9zhT6MYzp4OrW7scoSEJNG89Kv2CkXCJZwybHz2qUqmv581WLdvAeO1KHs037-SKsIoxpsihdVpE-3z3PrTyfoazfF3iPTTQ6yjKsEhUfLem2-8_IE2QZt0I4qEsr87/s320/images-2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642806190441431154" /></a>
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<br />GLIMPSE by Carol Lynch Williams was a fast and astounding read. Told in verse, this is the story of two sisters and their mother, all of whom are dealing with the death of their father. Mom decides to take the very low road and become a prostitute; Hope, the narrator, is trying to find herself as well as friends and adults she can trust; and Lizzie, Hope's one-year-older sister, tries to commit suicide and is hospitalized in the psych ward at the local hospital. The poetry is sparse and stunning, a great accompaniment to the suspenseful plot and slow realization on the part of the reader and the narrator as to what is actually wrong with Lizzie. Hope cannot understand why her sister would attempt to kill herself and she is on a quest to figure it out. What she discovers will alter her life forever, as well as question the adults who surround her.
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<br />More soon...I just received a box of picture books and non-fiction from Chronicle Books. Thanks! Jen W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810349328826110407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646745569512062279.post-73667481637653101232011-08-20T01:09:00.004-04:002011-08-20T01:30:45.859-04:00More Summer Titles<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1mi6WDb6xng3f7dSu20m0ET-aUC33t9HJ8hxzkceESXzbv9NR6UwasIz7auTrdmFQ099OzzB2O2raI5gTaevryNzzHRyPopf_NRLLVfRnhIF7Y757xyMmW-J47vOZH15PmEGI0vTA_EZV/s1600/images-1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 182px; height: 276px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1mi6WDb6xng3f7dSu20m0ET-aUC33t9HJ8hxzkceESXzbv9NR6UwasIz7auTrdmFQ099OzzB2O2raI5gTaevryNzzHRyPopf_NRLLVfRnhIF7Y757xyMmW-J47vOZH15PmEGI0vTA_EZV/s320/images-1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642802497632264626" /></a>
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<br />Still trying to catch up with blogging after the summer of being "Mom Taxi".
<br />WHERE SHE WENT is the follow up novel to my favorite of last year, IF I STAY by Gayle Forman. This one also doesn't disappoint. While the plot isn't nearly as riveting as the first novel, this one unravels all of the questions one has about the three years that has passed since the end of IF I STAY. Mia is now a concert cellist after attending Julliard and Adam's band has struck it Rock Star Famous. As the two meet and tease out the intricacies of why they are no longer together, the reader remembers what an amazing chemistry they had between them. Forman, again, writes her own "rock star" novel. Jen W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810349328826110407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646745569512062279.post-70483327284232783812011-07-25T13:39:00.007-04:002011-08-20T01:09:40.298-04:00Musings/Wonderstruck<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLeaQWB-ps99HRuNkLQNOsl5rHg7q95SAYjcndo1IUMqcN1Pgt6dw5MYNvp3wLbJA5280WkudP1kAZw9QVHhw8RaCXcTzqRuf2IpR48ak7Nz7eL_ENgVXznn6HcUacft6gF2GGVLyvv7E/s1600/wonderstruck.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 212px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLeaQWB-ps99HRuNkLQNOsl5rHg7q95SAYjcndo1IUMqcN1Pgt6dw5MYNvp3wLbJA5280WkudP1kAZw9QVHhw8RaCXcTzqRuf2IpR48ak7Nz7eL_ENgVXznn6HcUacft6gF2GGVLyvv7E/s320/wonderstruck.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642800916552850162" /></a>
<br />I guess I am WONDERSTRUCK when I start to think about how fast the summer is going. I am busy, busy, busy this year with being a taxi! My kids are now at the age when they have more activities to "get to" than I have hours in the day. However, since the Walden Award has ended- WINNER: THE LAST SUMMER OF THE DEATH WARRIOR BY FRANCISCO STORK
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<br />This is a beautifully written narrative of a young man trying to negotiate his sister's death as well as his friendship with a boy struggling with cancer and treatments. It is a poignant look at how a young man grows up and incorporates his learning about life, death, right and wrong. Stork's gorgeous prose brings the readers directly into the plot, living the events with the characters.
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<br />I just finished WONDERSTRUCK by Brian Selznick which is due out in Nov. 2011. This giant book is, as HUGO CABRET, a combination of graphic novel and narrative. However,in this particular book, the story of Ben is told in prose and the story of Rose is told completely in graphic form. Rose's story begins much earlier than Ben's although his story comes first. They are each on a quest and their stories intertwine in a beautiful way. I don't want to give away anymore for fear I will ruin it. This is definitely not to be missed. Also teaches time sequence, flashback and irony. Jen W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810349328826110407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646745569512062279.post-31127463133004449352011-06-05T07:02:00.006-04:002011-06-05T07:20:16.449-04:00I'm Back!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIWLfE-7_wkNN42Rx10HvvzxHj30e248Hwok77iXbN6fT0eYI5t6d1WFboDB5him7IKs4uX8-8Ght1wzYoHLQ_azImU7JS_yMg7Dp0wn2B0KnXtzqKm5Nq7Xxnrlq09hSBPBTVMwZs_6VN/s1600/images-4.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 71px; height: 108px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIWLfE-7_wkNN42Rx10HvvzxHj30e248Hwok77iXbN6fT0eYI5t6d1WFboDB5him7IKs4uX8-8Ght1wzYoHLQ_azImU7JS_yMg7Dp0wn2B0KnXtzqKm5Nq7Xxnrlq09hSBPBTVMwZs_6VN/s320/images-4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5614693482837040914" /></a><br />Whew. It's been almost a year. A crazy and hectic, overscheduled school year. I am coming up for air in a few weeks. As ironic as it sounds, I haven't posted in so long because I've been a member of the Amelia Walden Book Award Committee. Because the reading load was so intense (and because I had a horrid year in my school, among other issues), I haven't had time to post. But, I promise that this summer I will definitely be posting and blogging about what I read, cook and do. <br /><br />My favorite at this time is <span style="font-style:italic;">The Sky is Everywhere</span> by Jandy Nelson. With her very first novel, the double MFA graduate has astounded. Lennie (John Lennon) is floating in grief over her teenage sister, Bailey's, death. Because her mother left when she was a toddler, Lennie and her sister, Bailey, lives with their eccentric artist grandmother and their giant, pot-smoking uncle, Big. Lennie is consumed by her sister's death and writes poetry to try to deal with her grief. Toby, Bailey's boyfriend, and we find out- fiance, latches on to Lennie to deal with his grief. Meanwhile, Lennie is beginning a relationship with newcomer to town, Joe Fontaine. Oddly enough, Lennie has found a sexual awakening at her sister's funeral, of all places, where her teenage body is buzzing with attraction for all things teenage and male. Lennie must now come to grips with her intense grief, the grief of her family members and her friendships and relationships with others.<br /><br />Teens will find this incredibly and beautifully written novel completely consuming. Lennie is a beautiful character and the supporting characters are ones readers can truly know and cheer for. The poetry- OH! the poetry- is gorgeous. My guess is that Nelson's two MFAs are in creative writing and poetry. Lennie writes this beautiful poetry as an outlet for her grief and then leaves it all over town: under rocks, in trees, on to go cups rolling around town. As the end of the novel winds down, readers will be extremely satisfied. This is a book teens will read again and again.Jen W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810349328826110407noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646745569512062279.post-87841559922285218432010-09-14T22:46:00.003-04:002010-09-14T23:01:50.758-04:00The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8HlsDtBkzl0ICoYLA09WCrAkPuB6VY6QJwCUNTbHFljp_5M2VjOkmG2CMJlRyJUuqfLEQfj3E94HqPxgABRCnUPAlDiLGS3U0SK6j3ItzYRRxmUNUN5ZHxjMCIQbMryR4qH9iS9opxCjD/s1600/images.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 183px; height: 276px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8HlsDtBkzl0ICoYLA09WCrAkPuB6VY6QJwCUNTbHFljp_5M2VjOkmG2CMJlRyJUuqfLEQfj3E94HqPxgABRCnUPAlDiLGS3U0SK6j3ItzYRRxmUNUN5ZHxjMCIQbMryR4qH9iS9opxCjD/s320/images.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5516969801531340674" /></a><br />I have to confess. I don't usually shy away from novels because of their length, but this one I did. So, I got it on audio and the kids and I listened to it throughout the week. Well, I love puzzles and critical thinking, so this one was great! Plus, I think it gave my own children a new way to look at problems from a different angle.<br /><br />Reynie, Sticky, Kate and Constance are alone in the world for various different reasons. When eccentric Mr. Benedict has them go through a variety of intelligence and integrity tests, these are the children who come through with flying colors. They are ensconced in Benedict's mansion filled with thousands of books (yum)and he tells them his ultimate plan. He needs the children to save the world from ultimate disaster/takeover at the hands of the evil Mr. Curtain, creator and director of the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened or LIVE- which backwards spells EVIL. The puzzles presented here are wonderful for keeping brains sharp. A great book for kids to read over summer where it seems our district reading test is good at identifying summer "non-readers".<br /><br />And, Happy Birthday to my little "Benedicts"- Are you both really 6 already?Jen W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810349328826110407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646745569512062279.post-61822898822690016432010-09-08T19:00:00.003-04:002010-09-08T19:09:41.405-04:00Schooling, Audio and More...After a few days/weeks of total chaos, school has finally begun for everyone in my household. The private school likes to mess things up and start one day after the public, therefore messing up my babysitting schedule. Anyway,....this year I am: a yoga student, a teacher, a mom, a wife, a Daisy leader, a department chair,a book reader and reviewer, a person vying for a position on a book award committee, a tennis player,a small business owner, an oblate, a soccer mom, a critic teacher and many, many others. So, things have been a bit crazy around here.<br /><br />I did get time to finish the 7th 39 Clues Book: <span style="font-style:italic;"> The Viper's Nest.</span> Yes, I'm a bit behind, but I have the rest waiting in a stack. We're half way through Book 8, eagerly awaiting 9 and 10. When are the movies going to begin? If there was ever a series written to be made into films, this one is it! Sometimes I get bogged down with all of the information in this series, but I do have a prediction as to what Amy and Dan are looking for. This is a must read-aloud for building predicting skills with kids. I read Book 1- <span style="font-style:italic;">The Maze of Bones</span> to struggling readers last year and they loved it. The action makes the series incredibly appealing. Additionally, I am really enjoying the audio versions on my walks around the neighborhood. The narration is well-paced and the voices are wonderful considering all of the characters in the series.Jen W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810349328826110407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646745569512062279.post-43371063872851459762010-09-01T22:16:00.005-04:002010-09-01T22:27:51.525-04:00The Ghost of Crutchfield Hall by Mary Downing Hahn<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrigDAn23YUP-KW2hTTPirjKN9FUsqEbqJjocXbpzv9MPqjQLsloOvEwFJ2DHXk4Nt9JYzKL3UUtefx9_1nCrKs0pfVGed7vuwP5MRmVPAlgzih3alrO2Tr_u3hYsS0o6sBBU8KT5ttD8N/s1600/images.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrigDAn23YUP-KW2hTTPirjKN9FUsqEbqJjocXbpzv9MPqjQLsloOvEwFJ2DHXk4Nt9JYzKL3UUtefx9_1nCrKs0pfVGed7vuwP5MRmVPAlgzih3alrO2Tr_u3hYsS0o6sBBU8KT5ttD8N/s320/images.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5512136866614341682" /></a><br /><br />This is the latest installment from the author I seem to have craved since the spring. I think she is definitely an undiscovered treat for my students, as not many of them have read her books over the years. What a treasure trove for horror/mystery/ghost story fans. <span style="font-style:italic;">The Ghost of Crutchfield Hall</span> doesn't disappoint and delighted me with a Bronte-esque feel to it. <br /><br />In 19th century London, Florence is suddenly whisked away to the mansion of her wealthy Great-Uncle who has been looking for the orphan for years. Florence finds another distant and sickly cousin (think young Linton)living in the house along with an ill-tempered Great-Aunt (sister of the Uncle). Soon Florence finds out that James' sister, Sophie, died the year before from a fall and is haunting Florence for unknown reasons. In one of her most haunting novels yet, Hahn has captured both fear, illness and mystery in a most gothic tradition. Middle grade readers will be happy with the ending and my 6 year-olds were fascinated that there was "blood on the cover, Mommy." (part of the picture)Jen W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810349328826110407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646745569512062279.post-30420644750417834382010-09-01T22:11:00.003-04:002010-09-01T22:16:43.484-04:00MockingjayOkay. Just about everyone has weighed in on this long awaited finale, so I'll keep this short and sweet.<br /><br />I LOVE SUZANNE COLLINS. okay- that's enough.<br /><br /><br />No, really....this book definitely portrayed a slightly different mood than the others, but it should have. I loved the interplay between characters but found the ending leaving me with a desire to re-read the novel and digest it a bit more. After all, I ate it in GULPS! Couldn't seem to get through it fast enough. <br /><br />As a school novel, I think Collins offers teachers a plethora of thematic topics to discuss: war, imperialism, bravery, choices, death- whether it's justified or not, survival. The whole trilogy is rich in themes that either affect students now or will in the future. I'm so curious to see what the students think, but I won't be able to ask them until next week!Jen W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810349328826110407noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646745569512062279.post-32689970462273084922010-08-17T08:44:00.004-04:002010-08-17T08:59:29.330-04:00Reading Ladders by Teri Lesesne<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeRoAm-xiLdJxqdLaxOC3DPyHrbQVi4xqa0Z5XbX-zDCXTudnC3qMGcqPlmSkXDLDkMXWhEBmUhnA8__S1CTOH9p30nSxLgNRhnrWhl4RxG9C6A4VQEMqOPwMyPuWeDaWgJsZVK4h0yCUU/s1600/9780325017266.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 178px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeRoAm-xiLdJxqdLaxOC3DPyHrbQVi4xqa0Z5XbX-zDCXTudnC3qMGcqPlmSkXDLDkMXWhEBmUhnA8__S1CTOH9p30nSxLgNRhnrWhl4RxG9C6A4VQEMqOPwMyPuWeDaWgJsZVK4h0yCUU/s320/9780325017266.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506362634371007458" /></a><br />I first met Teri at the very first Middle Mosaic in Nashville, first time. She was presenting at a round table and had an impressive list of YA books that would appeal to struggling readers. She is now the blog I read religiously (aka DAILY) and her books are no different. Her newest book is <span style="font-style:italic;">Reading Ladders: Leading Students From Where They Are to Where We'd Like Them To Be</span>, (Heinemann, 2010). I have to confess, I've already read it twice and not just because she is gracious enough to chair our sessions at NCTE when we bumble through our own booktalks, not nearly as eloquently as she does. And, not because she was generous enough to put up her own money to get us the LCD player we had ordered but never showed up (Philly, 2009). And, not just because she is the <a href="http://professornana.livejournal.com/">Goddess of YA Literature</a>. Teri is an amazing woman as well as professor and reader. So, without further ado: Reading Ladders.<br /><br />Lesesne rightly begins her book with REASONS for giving students time to read in class as well as ways to build lifelong readers. I love how she later connects Laurie Halse Anderson's WFMAD to her suggestion of RFMAD- Reading Fifteen Minutes A Day in order to get ourselves familiar with YA lit. Of course, if you've read recent entries, I seem to stay up into the wee hours if I want to finish the YA book I'm reading. <br /><br />Reading Ladders are ways to scaffold reading experiences for students that build up to the "classics" that some high schools are requiring in our age of never ending testing. In the <span style="font-style:italic;">book's forward, Jim Blasingame rightly notes that if a student is required to read Lord of the Flies</span> in 9th grade, but the last book he/she read is <span style="font-style:italic;">Harry Potter</span>, the gap is large and the student may have a difficult time bringing the needed reading skills to the table. These ladders are a genius way to help students build the reading skills necessary for the higher level tasks later in schooling. <br /><br />My favorite part of the book is that Lesesne incorporates so many different genres of books in her ladders. She uses picture books as well as graphic novels and audiobooks (one of my favorites!) I will be suggesting this book to colleagues when I present on blogging, Google Reader set-up and YA lit in a few weeks. I am excited because two people have already emailed me telling me how excited they are that this is part of PD this year!Jen W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810349328826110407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646745569512062279.post-50079223260462027492010-08-17T00:26:00.004-04:002010-08-17T00:30:15.798-04:00How Many Copies Do You Have Pre-Ordered?<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwqCwmo2tbBlKxmPNmp5F5pUM_1-vJzy7vEZ4a8NIsGzR2un4KA5LCoS136zqpWn1qAPNNIY17oxnQhlkDkbiIlooFva9hSq7XM_OHl17MWihdzW6J68I1MSd5IXmGHv9iZS3QRKOu_Nq/s1600/images-5.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 182px; height: 276px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLwqCwmo2tbBlKxmPNmp5F5pUM_1-vJzy7vEZ4a8NIsGzR2un4KA5LCoS136zqpWn1qAPNNIY17oxnQhlkDkbiIlooFva9hSq7XM_OHl17MWihdzW6J68I1MSd5IXmGHv9iZS3QRKOu_Nq/s320/images-5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506230669808868882" /></a><br /><br /><br />My oldest and I absolutely CAN'T WAIT for the release of Mockingjay next week. I have to clear time to just read and read. Twins will be @ camp and oldest and I will have time. I have two copies pre-ordered on Amazon (won't arrive until 8/26) and oldest has a Border's gift card ready and waiting. I'm pretty sure there will be another copy in there somewhere, as I will not be able to wait two days to begin and will definitely not win Mother of the Year Award if I steal the one the 10 yr-old bought with her own money. Besides, it will be the most checked out book in the fall. Can't have too many copies!<br />AUGUST 24, 2010! NOT FAR NOW....Jen W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810349328826110407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646745569512062279.post-70736202570447783772010-08-17T00:19:00.003-04:002010-08-17T00:23:32.228-04:00August Nightmares<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhis8VhAX5JpVNPUBbmOEazyBHJgkbSUXsu0ZVSULHkgr_etbT7Kny6SGOEyH5vHQr2WWtphX0sTw3Ms6qpJO1Jrw6zXlRdH1rQnlpW-Rqk7sBkWcFGJ716sv0NpcGl1tfl5pjpsVlm-1Dt/s1600/images-4.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 225px; height: 225px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhis8VhAX5JpVNPUBbmOEazyBHJgkbSUXsu0ZVSULHkgr_etbT7Kny6SGOEyH5vHQr2WWtphX0sTw3Ms6qpJO1Jrw6zXlRdH1rQnlpW-Rqk7sBkWcFGJ716sv0NpcGl1tfl5pjpsVlm-1Dt/s400/images-4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506229464251904034" /></a><br />And, here they are again, boys and girls...those ugly August nightmares. However, after 21 years in the BIZ, they are now interspersed with dreams of delightful classes where all are learning and amazingly quiet and cooperative. Hmmmm....<br /><br />I am trying desperately to finish projects in my house these last few weeks and get my own children through their never ending lists of school supplies. I know that many districts around the country have already started, but here in Michigan we have a law that says we must wait until after Labor Day due to tourism. Next week begins my bulletin board brigade and the emptying of the boxes I feel like I just packed.Jen W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810349328826110407noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4646745569512062279.post-86062895060546752122010-08-17T00:02:00.005-04:002010-08-17T00:12:11.670-04:00Post NYC<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmOvpfz6NfR3VKr3iKUC8oHdp2Axj4IgV5NWPpH6lw6ga1H6U3GkbKghkuPDYNoUaIkIqnKgSMQAvnp9kz1jXcjlktVAG-A8kgZzDYkI9lZ5u9eCsdd9SttwOMJaVSdpuvRKbU7duj97O8/s1600/images-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 183px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmOvpfz6NfR3VKr3iKUC8oHdp2Axj4IgV5NWPpH6lw6ga1H6U3GkbKghkuPDYNoUaIkIqnKgSMQAvnp9kz1jXcjlktVAG-A8kgZzDYkI9lZ5u9eCsdd9SttwOMJaVSdpuvRKbU7duj97O8/s400/images-2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506225653733143218" /></a><br /><br />After a week in New York visiting my sister and taking my friend around the city, I am back to blogging. I just finished (because I couldn't stop reading it) SORTA LIKE A ROCK STAR by Matthew Quick. I love, love, LOVE Amber Appleton and think kids could learn so much from her. In a world where everyone seems to be out for themselves, Amber offers kindness, generosity and hope despite her setbacks. Amber lives in "Hello Yellow", the school bus her mother drives, with said alcoholic mother. Hence, no $ for an apt. Despite the conditions of her life, Amber spreads love and joy all around her- and she brightens the days of everyone she meets. Her spunk and energy are contagious! Mid-novel Amber falls into a deep depression after a serious blow in her life. Yet, her friends come to her rescue in a conclusion that I dare you to keep a dry eye for. I couldn't see the page through the tears. What a fabulous, quirky character, in actions as well as speech! This one was sort of off my radar, but my friend Jennifer told me it was a "must read." Was she ever right!<br /><br />Also listened to a classic Nancy Drew (<span style="font-style:italic;">The Bungalow Mystery</span>) on the way to Indiana for a funeral. I love these books even though they are a bit corny at times. That Nancy sure is a good dresser! I'd forgotten how great Keene was at describing Nancy's outfits. And, there is no peer to Carolyn Keene's "grabber" scenes at the beginning. There is always adventure to keep the reader interested.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqipvw7oymfvPaKpY43V6U1UopX5u1UCvCkL6WG-WKOhsluJNCGZ-jZvSf07oIfzNejwyHXIeWW4RBrkQUukUYHkMIWLt_NVrpfyGba3ijL1j9o17ULVoIsT_fpq2UdgiScGBe0nCHvHbZ/s1600/images-3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 174px; height: 289px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqipvw7oymfvPaKpY43V6U1UopX5u1UCvCkL6WG-WKOhsluJNCGZ-jZvSf07oIfzNejwyHXIeWW4RBrkQUukUYHkMIWLt_NVrpfyGba3ijL1j9o17ULVoIsT_fpq2UdgiScGBe0nCHvHbZ/s400/images-3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5506226526744947666" /></a>Jen W.http://www.blogger.com/profile/05810349328826110407noreply@blogger.com0