#IMWAYR March 10

Yes, I know it's Tuesday. Yesterday, I got the dreaded phone call from the high school. The youngest had the stomach bug. If you've had it, I'm sorry. If you haven't, you don't want it! I'm posting a day late and probably a dollar short....

Check Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki from Unleashing Readers to see what others are reading.

We were out a day last week for weather so I finished a few.

Divergent by Veronica Roth

I finally got a copy! My students have already created a waiting list. Have another one on order. The students will love it. Plenty of rebellion and violence in this one. I didn't like it as well as The Hunger Games, but very well written. I'll read Insurgent when it arrives. Think I'll pass on the movie. If they put just half of the plot from the book, it will be too much for me. My boys will love it. They can go with Dad. Frozen was more my speed. 4 stars

Finished The Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan.

I've been trying to finish this one for a month. This is book two of the Kane Chronicles. The Kane kids have to find the Book of Ra and awake the god. Of course they have near misses with death and have to fight a few evil magicians on the way. Love Riordan. 5 stars

I hit the picture books to work on my 300 book challenge. (My fifth graders "bet" me I couldn't read 300 books this school year. Only two conditions: 1- had to be books in our library - so they could read them too and 2- could not have previously read them.) I'm trying to mix up chapter books, nonfiction and picture books. Have to admit it's helping me really know my collection.

Dot by Patricia Intriago

Happy dots, sad dots, all about dots.  It was cute. Going to have to use this one with my Kindergarteners. Maybe the art teacher and I can collaborate on a project. hmmmm  It probably hasn't been circulated a lot since it's not an AR book. Have to talk it up a bit. 5 stars Don't be confused by Peter Reynold's book The Dot. I have it also.

One of Each by Mary Ann Hoberman, illustrated by Marjorie Priceman

Oliver lives alone and has one of everything. Though the story he discovers it better to have two so you can share with your friends. Cute story. Adorable illustrations. 5 stars

Henry Hikes to Fitchburg by D. B. Johnson

Beautiful story about how two friends travel to Fitchburg. Henry walks and interacts with nature while his friend works for money to purchase a train ticket.  Cute story and gorgeous illustrations. Footnotes about Henry David Thoreau. 5 stars

The Incredible Book Eating Boy by Oliver Jeffers

Henry loves books, loves to eat books. Then he discovers the joys/benefits of reading them.
Cute Cute Cute Pictures of Henry reminded me of David Shannon's David character. 4 stars

Found three Deborah Hopkinson books. Not sure how I skipped these. They were all very good. Recommend them all.

Saving Strawberry Farm sweet story set in the Great Depression. The illustrations by Rachel Isadora were perfect for the book.5 stars
Under the Quilt of Night, illustrated by  James E. Ransome  If you are looking for a title to correlate with the Underground Railroad this one would be perfect. 5 stars
Stagecoach Sal illustrated by Carson Ellis This one was loosely based on the story of Delia Haskett Rawson a stagecoach mail carrier in the later half of the nineteenth century. Cute story which incorporates American folk music into historical fiction. 4 stars

Also read:

 Aunt Flossie's Hats (and Crab Cakes Later) by Elizabeth Howard, illustrations by James Ransome
Lily and the Mixed-Up Letters by Deborah Hodge, illustrated by France Brassard
Two Mrs. Gibsons by Toyomi Igus, illustrated by Daryl Wells
I Wish I were a Butterfly by James Howe, illustrated by Ed Young

Happy Reading!!!