It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 1/15/24

 

Thank you to Unleashing Readers for continuing to promote reading and great book titles and especially for letting us wayward readers find our way back here.

What I Read Last Week

Coyote Lost and Found by Dan Gemeinhart is the sequel to The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise. I don't often say this, but as much I loved the first book, I liked the second one much better.

I know my love for this book is based on my current life experiences. In the first book Coyote and her father take a cross-country road trip to run away from accepting the death of Coyote's mother and sisters. In this second book, Coyote is finally ready to say goodbye after finding her mother's ashes in a hidden box. Another road trip to scatter her ashes leads Coyote, and me, to discover some hidden truths about the way we let go of those we love and an appreciation for the life we have.

This book is due out in Early March, and I highly recommend it...along with a box of tissues!

I am slow reading All It Takes Is a Goal for a Teach Write book club. We have read and discussed the first section, which is about making a Best Moments List. Acuff states that instead of looking forward to plotting our future such as vision boards, we need to look back at the best moments of our life. A best moment is when our vision and our reality overlap; it's "when you hoped life could be actually matches how life is" (p. 54).

This list becomes a snapshot of who we really are, and four categories emerge from studying the list:  experiences, accomplishments, relationships, and objects. He states that when we understand these categories, "your list transforms from a task about the past into a tool for the future. It's like finally seeing the individual ingredients for your favorite meal and realizing you can cook it again and again" (p. 48). 

I am not sure where he is going with the list as we move into the next part, but I did learn a lot about myself from doing this activity. It brought gratitude to the forefront and made me look at what is really important to me. I find myself keeping a running list of my best moments in my notebook. Even if you don't read this book, creating your own list just might surprise you about what you find in your own categories.

Currently Reading

I am vicariously participating in the "In Case You Missed It Book Challenge." In this challenge, I choose a book that I missed reading the year it was published, starting with 2012 and ending with 2023. I chose A Man Called Ove, which I know was a favorite among many of reading friends, BUT I missed reading it.

After being named Indiana Rural Teacher of the Year for 2023, I am trying to be more cognizant of rurality in my reading life and in my classroom, so I hope to finish this collection of voices from rural America.

Reading more in '24!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 1/8/24

 

Thank you to Unleashing Readers for continuing to promote reading and great book titles and especially for letting us wayward readers find our way back here.

One of my goals this year is to "read more in "24." I know technically, this is not a goal because it is not measurable, but I like the way it sounds!

This week I completed one book and started several others.

Running Out of Time by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Running Out of Time was first published 30 years ago but now has a new cover! I grabbed it because of its cover appeal and because it takes place in Indiana, my home state. It is a dystopian story about a group of people who have chosen to live in a history museum. The children think it is 1840, but it is really 1996. When diphtheria makes its way into the compound, Jessie is sent out to the future to bring back a modern vaccine, but she is running out of time. It is what we would expect from Margaret Peterson Haddix. If your students read and enjoyed Among the Hidden by her or Masterminds by Gordon Korman, then they would love this one!

Currently Reading

I am reading All It Takes Is a Goal for a Teach Write book club.

I can't wait to continue Coyote's adventure.

Reading more in '24!

2023: The Year of the Reading Slump #IMWAYR

Thank you to Unleashing Readers for continuing to promote reading and great book titles and especially for letting us wayward readers find our way back here.

The year 2023 has been my year of the reading slump. I did not meet my Goodreads goal:  49/60. For whatever reason, I could not find a rhythm to my reading life. This not only affected my personal life but also my teaching life. 

I feel my students have also not been reading as much as they have in the past. Upon reflection, I feel my reading life, of a lack thereof, has bled into theirs. I know when I bless a book, the likelihood of my students picking it up and reading it increases. When I am excited about a book, they become excited about a book.

I know how this works!

But that just hasn't happened this year. Which is why I am posting here today. I am hoping that being a regular part of this community will help to motivate me and reignite my passion for middle grade books.

I have included my top 10 reads for 2023 and what I have learned from reading them.

When Stars Are Scattered was my last book read in 2023 and made me realize how lucky I am to have the freedoms that I do.

Wand had just enough fantasy to keep me going and left me appreciating the fact that "The more people you love, the bigger your heart gets."

Slacker taught me that even gamers have big hearts, and that when we open them, we never know what we might get in return.

The One and Only Ruby showed me that family, no matter what it looks like, is important.

A Work in Progress...well, we all really are a work in progress.

The Do More Club opened my eyes to what it is like to be Jewish in our country and we should all strive do "more good" in our world.

Dust shows the importance of when you see something, say something.

Finding Perfect shows that people may not always be what they seem on the outside and taught me even more about people with anxiety. 

Rivals reinforces my belief that there is more to being athlete than winning and losing.

City Spies is an espionage/thriller series that lets me get wrapped up in great adventures and helps me appreciate that it is ok to lean on others to help us work through our problems.

        

      

  

Looking forward to reading more in 2024!

#IMWAYR ~ 2/1

In 2021 I'm trying to return to communities that support me as a reader, a writer, and a teacher. Not sure how regular I will be, but I am here today. 

Jen Vincent at Teach Mentor Texts and Kelle and Ricki at Unleashing Readers co-host It's Monday! What Are You Reading? Stop by and see what others are reading this week.

I have been taking a break from social media, and I am loving the reading time it is affording me. I've reacquainted myself with Netgalley again, and our library just made Hoopla available, so I am loving my reading life right now.

Here's what I read last week:

In the Wild Light by Jeff Zentner (ARC by Netgalley)

I loved The Serpent King and Goodbye Days from Zentner, and this one is just as amazing. I loved how Cash uses poetry to help him get through his grief and learn about what is important in life. The writing is absolutely beautiful. You will want to put this on your list for August.

Hooper by Geoff Herbach

Adam needed basketball. It saved him, and he knew it. Each year, I have students who need basketball maybe more than basketball needs them. It's books like this that teach kids being part of a team is more than just playing the game. Although this is written for young adults, I would have no problem handing it to my middle school students.

Hunter's Choice by Trent Reedy (ARC by Netgalley)

Hunter's Choice by Trent Reedy is a much-needed book in my classroom library. I have many boys who are outdoorsmen, and I do not have books to fill this need. Plus the female characters add even more appeal. The exploration of human life and our role in wildlife is appropriately done for this age group. It has just enough suspense to keep the reader's attention and keep them turning the page. I can't wait to purchase this one for my classroom library.

On my reading radar for this week:

I am struggling with Everything Sad is Untrue. I want to abandon it but giving it a little more time. If you have read it, please let me know if it's worth plugging away.

Thank you for always welcoming back the prodigal reader!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR

Jen Vincent at Teach Mentor Texts and Kelle and Ricki at Unleashing Readers co-host It's Monday! What Are You Reading? Be sure to stop by and see what others are reading and recommending this week.

My one little word for 2020 is commit. I have made "10 Commitments" and one of them includes participating, supporting and engaging with my social media communities. #IMWAYR is one I have participated in, yet not very consisently. I hope to be more committed to not only my reading life but to also sharing it!

Here is what I read the last two weeks:

Allies by Alan Gratz

I have loved everything that Alan Gratz has written, and Allies was no different. He has this knack of creating several characters and intersecting their stories. I wish he would now write the story about the two girls at the end of the book. They deserve they own title!

The Toll by Neal Shusterman

The much-anticipated conclusion to the Scythe series was quite the read! The first 200 pages were frustrating for me as I was trying to remember things that had happened in the previous books. But after that, the story was the perfect ending to a must-read trilogy.

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander

The Crossover as a graphic novel added a nice touch to a beautiful story about the importance of family. I did feel that the poems lost some of their effect in this format, but the addition of the illustrations was perfect. 

On my reading radar this week:

Happy Reading!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 1-21-19

Jen Vincent at Teach Mentor Texts and Kelle and Ricki at Unleashing Readers co-host It's Monday! What Are You Reading? Be sure to stop by and see what others are reading and recommending this week.

It was a slow reading week, but the snow day today helped me finish this one!

The Boy Who Dared by Susan Campbell Bartoletti

I recently posted about how my boys felt that my classroom library lacked "boy books." While I don't believe in boy/girl books, I do feel that a gap exists. This was a book that I had in my TBR pile and moved it to the top so that my boys could read it. I don't think they will be disappointed. 

The Boy Who Dared, based on a true story, is about a how a young boy resists the Nazis by using the power of words. Though in the end, people called him a fool because a 16 year old boy could not change the government. But I think he believed and knew that there is power in words and even more power in the truth. 

That is what I want for my students, and I hope that by reading this book, it will help them to understand Helmuth's story and courage, but to also understand the power they each have in them.

Books (still) On Deck

Happy Reading!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? #IMWAYR 1-14-19

Jen Vincent at Teach Mentor Texts and Kelle and Ricki at Unleashing Readers co-host It's Monday! What Are You Reading? Be sure to stop by and see what others are reading and recommending this week.

It has been awhile since I have participated in #IMWAYR because I have been working on my Master's degree. That work took a huge chunk of my reading time, and I am excited to get my reading life back and to share with other readers.

Here is what I read last week:

Front Desk by Kelly Yang

I have heard a lot of Newbery talk about Front Desk, and I can certainly see it as a contender. One of the things I like most about reading middle grade books, are the lessons I learn not only as a reader, but also as a teacher.  This book had several (the spelling notebook and the choosing of the monopoly pieces), and I will be writing about those in another post.

Mia's family are Chinese immigrants, and this story confronts injustices of immigrants, racism, and poverty, all social issues that are important for students to read about. 

Mia is spunky, and I like spunk. She sets out to fight the discrimination against her and her friends who stay in the motel her family runs. The very last paragraph of the author's notes is a lesson we can all learn.

"Often during tough times, the first instinct is to exclude. But this book is about what happens when you include, when, despite all your suffering and your heartache, you still wake up every morning and look out at the world with fresh, curious eyes."

Dry by Neal Shusterman

Neal Shusterman is quickly becoming a favorite author of mine. Although I typically do not like to read dystopian or science fiction books, I have devoured everything I have read of his.  And Dry was no exception.

California is experiencing a Tap-out and find themselves with no water.  Desperation is at an all-time high as families and neighborhoods turn against one another in their effort to find water. Alyssa, Garrett, Kelton, Jacqui, and Henry all have to work together, but how can you do that when you can hardly trust each other?

Dry is one of those books that makes you think and makes you wonder, what if...?

Books on Deck:

It's Monday! What are You Reading? 1-2-17

Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee at Unleashing Readers cohost It's Monday! What Are You Reading?  Be sure and stop by to participate or see what others are reading and recommending this week.

With a new year upon us, it is my goal to write a #IMWAYR post on a regular basis, even if it is every other week.  My reading life in 2016 became a little stagnant, and I missed reading and sharing books with others.

What I have read lately.

Yard War by Talyor Kitchings

I am always looking for titles to add to our Civil Rights because this is a period we must never forget.  This book takes place in Jackson, Mississippi in 1964.  Trip Westbrook invites the family maid's son to play football, which causes quite a stir in his white neighborhood.  Trip learns about how racism can divide neighborhoods, friends, and even families.

The football plot in this story will certainly add interest for the boys in the my classroom.  Although this book takes place in 1964, I never felt like I was placed in the time period.  Something just didn't connect the setting for me, but I am sure many of students will enjoy reading this book.

Code of Honor by Alan Gratz

Kamran Smith plans to go to West Point, just like his brother, Darius.  His plans change and his world turns upside-down when his brother is accused of being a terrorist.  Kamran sets out to clear his brother's name after watching videos of Darius making terrorist threats against the United States.  Kamran believes that Darius sent him clues in the videos to prove his innocence, and Kamran knows Darius would never break their code of honor. This book is action-packed and certainly makes the reader think about the times in which we currently live.

This is my second book written by Alan Gratz, and certainly will not be my last.

Goodbye Days by Jeff Zentner

I participate in a group of teachers who read books, share on social media and pass them on to the next #bookrelays team member.  We were blessed to be given the opportunity to read an ARC of Goodbye Days.  This book is written by Jeff Zentner whose debut novel in 2016, The Serpent King, is receiving rave reviews.  His second book leaves no doubt that he is a brilliant writer.

This book is about four boys, Carver, Eli, Blake, and Mars, who attend an arts school in Nashville.  Three of the boys are killed after the Carver sends them a text.  Carver is asked by Blake's grandmother to have a goodbye day with her to share their favorite moments and memories of Blake, and to say goodbye.  As Carver tries to forgive himself and overcome his guilt, he faces severe anxiety and panic attacks.  Unfortunately for Carver, the other two families are not as forgiving as Blake's grandma, and his goodbye days with them are heart wrenching.  

Carver's story is one that will make you laugh out loud, will pull on your heartstrings, yet will also help you find hope in moving on.

Reading this book as a parent with of young adults gave me a different perspective.  The boys reminded me of own son and his three friends. (Yes, one is even named Eli!)  Several times I wanted to go hug my kids while reading about the lives of these four boys.  

Circle March on your calendar because this is a book you will NOT want to miss.

Happy Reading!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers cohost It's Monday! What Are You Reading?  Be sure and stop by to participate or see what others are reading and recommending this week.

What I Have Read Lately

The Last Best Days of Summer by Valerie Hobbs

This is a book about growing up, growing old, and growing different. I have to admit I was a little skeptical about how the author could bring together a middle school girl who wants to be popular, a grandmother with the beginning stages of Alzheimer's, and a boy with Downs Syndrome. But Hobbs creates a beautiful story connecting the lives of these three characters through a lesson about centering - that place to go to when you want to do the right thing.

Masterminds by Gordon Korman

This book was amazing.  It will probably end up being my favorite read of the summer and maybe even the year - it was that good.  It is classic Korman in that it is a page-turning adventure.  But his twist in the plot is what makes it "masterful!"  I cannot tell you about it because it would ruin the surprise - so you will just have to read it for yourself!

How to Outswim a Shark without a Snorkel by Jess Keating

This is the second book in the series, My Life is a Zoo.  I love the main character, Ana, for her spunk and her curiosity about growing up.  I see so many of my students in her.  I read this book after I heard Kate Roberts speak at All Write.  This was the first book in which I used some of Kate's ideas about writing about reading.  I found it very interesting that I was able to write long about something deep from a fun book.  This will be an excellent lesson for me when we return to school.

Fort by Cynthia DeFelice

Fort is a coming-of-age story about two friends who...build a fort...for the summer.  But at the same time, they get revenge on bullies who make fun of a boy with Autism and find an unexpected friend.  This is a perfect read for those students who think they do not like to read, especially boys.

Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate

I was one of the lucky people who received an ARC from nErDcamp in Michigan last week.  This book was everything people said it would be.  It is a story of a boy who has an imaginary friend, Crenshaw, who seems to appear when Jackson needs him most.  This book is due out in September and is one you and your students will want to read.

Currently Reading

The writing in this book is beautiful.  So many lines I wanted to highlight and return to read again.

On Deck