I am a former fifth grade teacher with a passion for reading and books. Especially kids' books! After leaving education in 2019, I have found my way to the non-profit sector and am enjoying my new career helping folks in my community. As with my career, this blog is getting a new life as a way to decompress, to record thoughts about life, books and hobbies. INSIDE THIS BOOK is the continued result of my new endeavor.
After changing my blog design earlier today, I am motivated to get back into blogging! Summer's approaching and I'll have more time to share more about the huge challenge my new job has been - in both bad and {mostly} good ways!
But for today I'll join in with a new linky party I've found: Super Six Sundays, hosted by bewitched bookworms. And even though it's Saturday, and they'll be starting a new linky tomorrow, I loved the topic they chose for this week and can't help but join in the fun!
This week's prompt: List Six Books You Couldn't Stop Thinking About.
Zoo by James Patterson
I have to admit, I'm not a huge fan of James Patterson, and usually when I finish one of his books, I can't remember it for more than a couple of hours. That's what makes Zoo so different! I read it months ago and I keep talking about it to anyone who happens to bring up books, reading, animals, or almost anything else!
I spent all of last summer looking for a new great book that could measure up to the previous summer's offerings - to no avail. Read my review for Ivan here.
The same summer that gave me Ivan also introduced me to Doug Swieteck. I have still not recovered from my angst for Doug. Read my original review here.
Madame Tussaud by Michelle Moran Historical fiction at its best. Meticulously researched and brilliantly executed, I felt like I was in the midst of the French Revolution, and Marie's struggle to survive! The Book Whisperer & Reading in the Wild by Donnalyn Miller The best professional books ever! Each one confirmed for me what I already knew and justified my teaching style to anyone who doubted me! Click each title to see the book on Barnes and Noble.
Once again I have been inspired by a fellow blogger!
Heather over at the Meek Moose recently wrote about a tech class she's taking and mentioned Animoto. Now I tried Animoto years ago when it was new and hated it! But she made it seem so easy and fun, I've given it another chance. And she's right!
I love it!
So I made this quick video. This 30 second book report took me about 30 minutes. The most time consuming part is searching through the internet and the site itself choosing pictures. Not good for a perfectionist like me. I can imagine that kids could throw together a quality video in just a few minutes. How cool would it be to assess their videos; they would love it!
There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroomis one of my all time favorite of Louis Sachar's books! If you haven't read it yet, please do! I read it out loud to my class every year, and everyone loves it - even the boys! It's funny and sweet and silly and touching. I cry at the end every year! (I warn my kids ahead of time...)
Bradley is boy whom everyone - even the teachers - hate. He lies, he growls, he doesn't know how to make friends. His only friends are his animal figurines. When a new counselor is hired at his school, Bradley learns, through Carla, what friendship is.
Here's a fact I should have shared in my "7 Random Facts" post. I can't get enough of books. I buy books waaayyy too often. I take at least 3 books out of the library every week. I stop strangers and ask them what they are reading. I download books onto both my Nook and iPad weekly. And I listen to books in my car instead of music. (Which is kind of a shame because I also love music. But that's another post.)
I want to share two audio books I have recently finished that were really, really good! In fact both, I think, are better in audio than they would have been in print. Anyone else ever have that experience? Oh, and they're both YA books.
The first book I want to share is When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead. It was great. Puzzling at times, but definitely worth hanging in there. Here's the synopsis from Shelfari:
By sixth grade, Miranda and her best friend, Sal, know how to navigate
their New York City neighborhood. They know where it’s safe to go, like
the local grocery store, and they know whom to avoid, like the crazy guy
on the corner. But things start to unravel. Sal gets punched by a new
kid for what seems like no reason, and he shuts Miranda out of his life.
The apartment key that Miranda’s mom keeps hidden for emergencies is
stolen. And then Miranda finds a mysterious note scrawled on a tiny slip
of paper: I am coming to save your friend’s life, and my own. I
must ask two favors. First, you must write me a letter. The notes keep
coming, and Miranda slowly realizes that whoever is leaving them knows
all about her, including things that have not even happened yet. Each
message brings her closer to believing that only she can prevent a
tragic death. Until the final note makes her think she’s too late.
So I was listening to this in my car, and I kept referring back to the teaser on the case. I couldn't for the life of me figure out where this was going. Which, of course, is what made it so great! One of the best parts (that I am willing to give away) is that Miranda's mom is trying out for The $25,000 Pyramid. Remember that show? (I'm old; I remember.) I was thinking that it would be fun to create a Pyramid game on the ActivBoard for the kids to play as review.
In case you have no idea what I'm talking about, here's a clip.
I don't see many of my 5th graders as sticking with this long enough to get into it. (5th graders are a fickle bunch.) For that reason I would recommend When You Reach Me as a read aloud in 5th grade. Older students would love this on their own.
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The second novel I've been listening to is Skullduggery Pleasant. This is the first in a series from Derek Landy. From Shelfari:
Meet Skulduggery Pleasant: ace detective, snappy dresser, razor-tongued
wit, crackerjack sorcerer and walking, talking, fire-throwing skeleton -
as well as protector and mentor of Stephanie Edgley, a very unusual and
darkly talented twelve-year-old. These two alone must defeat an
all-consuming ancient evil. The end of the world? Over his dead body.
The best thing about this book: the narrator! Rupert Degas does an AHHH-MAZing job of differentiating between characters. His voices go from creepy to silly and everything in between. The story itself reminds me a lot of (text-to-text) Gerald's story in The Billionaire's Curse which I reviewed {here}. This would be great in a Listen to Reading station for Daily 5 or as a read aloud for the whole class. It's very fun!
I know this is a really long post, but I have one more thing to add. Have you entered this amazing giveaway yet? She is giving away a TON of stuff! Plus, she's a Musical Theater Dork - just like me! (Her word is Nerd - I prefer Dork.)
After blog hopping this summer, I felt like I needed to update my blog. What do you think of the new design? I {puffy} heart it! Especially the girl reading on her bed; that is sooo me!
What else did I do today? Well, I went to the dentist (yay!), had lunch with some teacher friends (love you guys!) and read a book.
The One and Only Ivan is based on the true story of Ivan, a silverback gorilla who was kept in a cage in a mall for over 27 years. The real Ivan lived in a Tacoma, WA area mall and never went outside until he was rescued and transported to the Atlanta Zoo. I researched Zoo Atlanta; Ivan is still living there - at almost 50! You can read a bit about Ivan here.
The One and Only Ivan is a fictionalized account of Ivan's story told from Ivan's point of view. In it, Ivan has friends to talk with, to dream with: an elephant named Stella, a stray dog called Bob, and a young girl, Julia, who visits while her dad is cleaning the mall. This is a beautiful book. The language is simple and precise. Gorillas, after all, don't waste words the way humans do. Everything about the book lends to that simplicity - from the language to the layout to the illustrations by Patricia Castelao. Katherine Applegate has done a masterful job of telling Ivan's story.
This book would be an excellent read aloud; I already suggested to the friends I had lunch with that they read it to their 1st and 2nd graders. And I'm adding it to my read aloud list. Which is huge, because I don't add or delete from that list lightly!
If you read no other book I ever suggest, please read this book! I started this book about a week ago, but never really sat down for any length of time with it until yesterday. But once I started yesterday, I just could not stop. Like riding a roller coaster, I found myself laughing out loud, turning the page and then sobbing. I was exhausted after reading Okay for Now. It's one of those stories that stays with you long after you've finished.
When Doug Swieteck moves with his family to Upstate New York, they don't leave all their problems behind. Doug's father is abusive and drinks too much. His oldest brother is serving in Vietnam, and his other brother is prone to mischief and has been accused of burglery. Trying to find his way in his new school and town is difficult to say the least.
But Doug finds escape when he visits the local library and sees the plates of John James Audubon's Birds of America. Each plate speaks to Doug, and he relates each to people in his life. Set during the late 60's, the excitement of the moon landing, the uncertainty of the Vietnam War, and the thrill of baseball create a lush background for the characters who, through Mr. Schmidt amazing prose, look to the future and become better than they were.
I read this book because one of my students read it at the end of the year and told me numerous times how good it was. And I'm sure my kids would love it. Having said that, I don't think I will share it with my kids. First of all, I couldn't get through it without crying like the wuss I am. More than that though, I'm not sure 5th graders have enough prior knowledge to appreciate more than the basic story line. I do plan on using parts of Okay for Now when I teach voice, "I'm not lying!"
Excerpt:
"I should tell you that I was revealing this terrible secret to Lil while Miss Cowper was trying to teach us the Wonders of the Adverb and that when she asked if Lil and I had anything we'd like to share with the whole class, we stopped, quickly understanding was watching us angrily and would beat us mercilessly if we did not cease immediately. And I'm giving you that last sentence just to show that you can too talk and learn at the same time." (p. 190)
Is that great for teaching voice, or what?! I read it, and then read it out loud, and giggled like my 3 year old niece!
What I think I will do with this book is offer it to the 8th graders for a book club selection. Of course, we don't have an 8th grade book club. Yet. I will just have to start one just so I can share this book with students who will love it as much as I do!
Last week I read this post by Jordon over at Life is Better Messy (one of my favorites), and I promptly added it to my TBR list. Well, yesterday, I went to the library and there it was! Like it was just waiting for me! Then I was stuck in there while a storm raged outside (Yay for rain!), so I sat and read the whole thing. That's right - the entire book in one sitting. OK it's only 160 pages long, but really, I couldn't stop! (OK, I know that's a lot of !!s, but really, that's how it really sounds in my head!)
Here's what I didn't know:
1. You MUST check out all three books in the series at the same time! Trust me you will want to keep reading; this is more like a serial novel (a la Dickens) than a series.
2 (and way worse). The library DIDN'T HAVE THE SECOND ONE! Of course, I didn't know I needed it before I started...
Anyway... Storm Runners is excellent! I had seen it in the book orders this year and suggested it to the boys especially. I knew it would be good because I've read Jaguar by the same author and loved it. But let me tell you, this is even better!
Summary from Barnes & Noble: "Chase Masters and his father are "storm runners," racing across the
country in pursuit of hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods. Anywhere bad
weather strikes, they are not far behind. Chase is learning more on the
road than he ever would just sitting in a classroom. But when the
hurricane of the century hits, he will be tested in ways he never could
have imagined."
I cannot wait to read this to my class; I know they will get hooked just like I did. I have a policy to never read a sequel, but I may have to in this case. On the other hand, it's a good policy - I don't know yet.
"Addie's stepfather, Dwight, has always been the responsible one in the
family. But after he and her mother divorce, and he gets custody of
Addie's two younger half-sisters, it's up to Addie, a sixth-grader, to
keep order in the tiny trailer that Dwight has found for Addie and her
mother. While her mother disappears for days at a time with her new
boyfriend, Addie cultivates friendships with people she meets at a
neighboring convenience store."
Through all of her mother's absences and surviving on her own, Addie remains optimistic, honest, and kindhearted. She is resilient and resourceful. Ms. Connor has created one of the most heartwarming heroines I have read. This poignant novel examines the often unnoticed plight of children who are neglected by their caregivers. Simply told, and with touching moments that are not easily forgotten, Waiting for Normal is unlike most children's literature in its realistic, not always sunshiny tone.
I loved this book! I finished it a couple of days ago, and I can't stop thinking about Addie. Unfortunately for me, I don't think it's for most 5th graders. But the middle school girls at my school would love this, and would be fascinated I'm sure by Addie and her mom. I will definitely recommend it to them when the new school year starts.
After reading this blog post, I knew I had to read this book. So when I saw it at the library today, I snapped it up, and rushed home to read it! It didn't disappoint; this is perhaps the most touching, realistic middle grades book, and I am recommending it to everyone who teaches, goes to school or at some time has felt like an outcast.
August Pullman is starting 5th grade in a new school. A difficult transition for any kid. But for Auggie the addition of two extraordinary factors make it even more stressful. 1. He's been homeschooled his whole life and 2. He was born with an extremely rare birth defect: as he puts it, "I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse." WONDER follows Auggie through his first year at his new school - the ups and downs that every new kid faces magnified by about a million. Cleverly told from several points of view, R.J. Palacio does a remarkable job at conveying emotions and feelings of the characters.
I can't wait to share this book with my 5th graders next year. Themes of family ties, growing up, acceptance, bullying, and growth and change make this a great book that I feel will lead to wonderful discussions. I'm already planning some great anchor charts for character development!
I could really go on forever about this book: just read it. I promise you'll love it! I leave you with the book trailer from you tube:
Fifteen-year-old Scotty Dawn has spent most of her life traveling from movie set to movie set with her food stylist mother, Charley. Growing up independently has made Scotty a resourceful, inquisitive and introspective young woman. She even documents her life on her blog, "Hollywood Nobody." Scotty is determined to find her place in the world - even if it means uncovering long buried secrets. But finding her way in the world isn't easy with a mother who seems to be keeping secrets and friendships that last only as long as the latest filming schedule.
HOLLYWOOD NOBODY is the first in a series about life on the road, finding yourself, and discovering the flaws that make up everyone. I love, love, loved this book! Its intended audience is teens, which I haven't been for {really} long time, but I can't wait to read the rest of the series. It's written as a diary with Scotty's blog posts thrown in. I love Scotty's quirky style and her realistic view of Hollywood ups and downs. Her blog is a fun but in no way snarky look at Hollywood stars, both real and fictionalized stars. Highly recommend!
When Alice's Aunt Polly, Pie Queen of Ipswitch, Pennsylvania, passes away, Alice is shocked to find out her inheritance: Lardo, Aunt Polly's beloved cat. Even more shocking is that Aunt Polly has left her prize winning pie crust recipe to Lardo! Suddenly, mysterious things start to happen: Polly's pie shop is broken into, and Lardo disappears. Alice must discover what is going on and save her aunt's precious cat.
One of my favorite children's authors has done it again. Pie is a charming story about loss and friendship, family and, naturally, pie. With a recipe at the start of each chapter, I wanted to try my hand at pie making. And, yes, the end made me cry! Don't you just love a book that makes you cry?
Mudshark is cool. He doesn't mean to be cool; he just is. Lightning quick reflexes and a photographic memory have made Mudshark a legend in his own time. His fellow students know he is the go to guy for missing items - Mudshark always knows where they are! When the school's supply of erasers start to go missing, the principal is desperate and, naturally, turns to Mudshark for help with this school wide mystery. With help from his friends and a strange new addition to the school library, Mudshark works diligently to put things to right again.
Laugh out loud funny, Mudshark should be on everyone's must read list! Slightly too hard for most of my fifth graders to read alone, I read it aloud and they love, love, loved it! The language is perfect for a read aloud - lots of sarcasm that would be lost on most children if they didn't hear it out loud. I have taught this book as a small group novel, but it really worked better as a read aloud.
Zoo by James Patterson
Henry's Sisters by Cathy Lamb
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
Okay for Now by Gary Schmidt 
Madame Tussaud by Michelle Moran
The Book Whisperer & Reading in the Wild by Donnalyn Miller
The best professional books ever! Each one confirmed for me what I already knew and justified my teaching style to anyone who doubted me!
