#IMWAYR August 11th

Like most teachers in East Tennessee, I'm back to school full time. My reading time has decreased over the last week, but I managed to finish a few. This list includes what I've read for the last two weeks. I didn't get my post written last week. Check out other reads with Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Rickie & Kellie at Unleashing Readers to see what others have read for It's Monday! - What are You Reading?

This past week I started reading The Chronicles of Prydain by Alexander Lloyd. I finished The Book of Three, The Black Cauldron, and The Castle of Llyr. I'm almost finished with Taran Wanderer. (Should finish it tonight.) Hopefully I'll finish the series off with The High King later in the week.

I will admit I had not read them. Really until Harry Potter, fantasy had been a hit or miss with me. I'm such a mystery girl! Fantasy books are started to grow on me. I felt my literacy knowledge was lacking without reading a little Lloyd. I can't recommend books to my students if I haven't' read them.

Also finished reading the Dreamhouse Kings by Robert Liparulo. I had read Book 2 and Book 3 earlier. Book One stayed checked out.

My older students love these. They're just creepy enough to be perfect for my upper middle grade students. In case you haven't heard of this series, the King family moves from LA to an old house in a small town. Things quickly become horrifying when mom is snatched by a time traveler. Come to find out, Dad lived in the same house when he was a small boy. The Kings must save the future by fixing the past. This one is full of historical tidbits. There are elements of horror that will keep the older students on the edge to their seats.

Can't wait to see what makes it to my stack this week.

Keep Reading!

#IMWAYR July 14

It's time for "It's Monday - What are you Reading?" Link up with Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellie and Rickie at Unleashing Readers. It's a great place to find books to add to your Must Read Stacks!

This past week I read some golden oldies. For whatever reason, (grad school, life....) I never got around to reading them.

Gathering Blue and The Messenger by Lois Lowry

 

Not sure why I never read these. The Giver is one of my all time favorite books. EVER!!! Like top 5 favorite books. Neither was as good as the Giver, but definitely worth the time if you are a Lowry fan.  I'm going to have to book talk them this fall. My utopia society kids will enjoy them. Ms. Lowry answers the question about what happens to Jonas from the Giver in The Messenger, if you ever wondered.

The Lightening Thief by Rick Riordan

After reading the Kane Chronicles, I have the sudden desire to read the Olympian Stories. My sixteen year old couldn't believe I hadn't read them. 5 Stars!!! I'm probably the only person in East Tennessee who hasn't seen the whole movie. I normally avoid the movie version (except for the Harry Potter's and Tolkein stories). I hate being disappointed. Really enjoyed the book. Movie - not so much. Which would explain why I haven't seen it's entirety.


My Amazon book arrived this week with a couple books I'd been wanting to read. I finished Tomb of Shadows by Peter Lerangis, book 3 of the Seven Wonders series.

He's not quite a Rick Riordan, but my students will enjoy it. This one took a spin I wasn't expecting which I guess is a good thing. I'll have to finish the series.

Keep Reading!!!  Champion by Marie Lu was in my Amazon book. I'll have to read it this week.

#IMWAYR July 7

It's time for "It's Monday - What are you Reading?" Link up with Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellie and Rickie at Unleashing Readers to find other great summer reads.

With bible school, in-services and the holiday, I didn't make last weeks post. These are the titles I've read for the last two weeks.

Out of my mind by Sharon Draper

Loved it so much, I devoted an entire post to it! 5 Stars

Serpent's Shadow by Rick Riordan

I finally finished the Kane Chronicles - Serpent's Shadow by Rick Riordan. Loved it. Another homerun for Riordan.


Colossus Rises by Peter Lerangis
Lost in Babylon by Peter Lerangis

At the request of one of my students, I ordered the first 2 books of Peter Lerangis's series Seven Wonders. Colossus Rises and Lost in Babylon were both good reads. I really think my Rick Riordan fans will enjoy this new series. I'm really looking forward to book 3. It was published last May.  Might have to sneak that one in my cart at Amazon or Barnes and Noble. I don't know if I can wait till fall to order it.

Prodigy by Marie Lu

This is the second book in her Legend series. It moved along better than Legend. I'm giving it  4 stars. My upper grade students will enjoy this one. Not for the lower grades...

Flora & Ulysses by Kate DiCamillo

FUNNY!!! My thoughts - Scaredy Squirrel meets middle school. Totally enjoyed this one. Perfect for my middle grade students who enjoy humorous stories. 3rd grade and up

Mouseheart by Lisa Fiedler

This one will be perfect for my students who enjoy animal fantasy. Maybe a cross between Erin Hunter's Warrior series and Brian Jacques' Redwall. I liked this one much better than the Warrior series. Looking forward to book 2 next March. Thanks, Ms. Yingling!

Finally I finished Belly Up by Stuart Gibbs

This one was interesting. Funny but slightly gross. The scene about the hippo guts will have my 4th graders laughing their heads off. Great mystery for the middle grades.

Keep Reading! I'm off to school to see what I want to read next. I can't wait until my latest Amazon box arrives....

The Best Book of the Summer - So Far....

I just read the BEST BOOK EVER!!!! It was such a powerful read. Laughed. Cried. Whole nine yards. The book....

Out of my mind by Sharon M. Draper

It deserves 5 stars!!! It's hard for me to give a book a perfect rating, but this one deserves it.

Melody is an extremely intelligent eleven year old, but few are aware of this including her teachers. It all changes when she receives a "Medi-Talker" which allows her to talk for the first time. (When she looks at her mom and tells her she loves her, I cried. No, I boohooed. Like mega tissue time!) The interaction between Melody and her classmates is so realistic. Any student reading this one is going to be convinced this is a true story. Oh, by the way, Melody has cerebral palsy and her hero is Stephen Hawking.

As a teacher/librarian, this story really touched my heart. Unfortunately students are at times identified with labels - whether it be educational, emotional, or physical. For example I know I'm tough on my own two children because of their intelligence. I expect a lot out of them and had to learn not to "freak out" if they make below an "A". (They take after their dad! LOL) It really bothers me when someone makes a negative comment about one of my students. Yes, their mom might have a small drug problem, they don't always wear clean clothes to school, can't afford new school supplies but for a few hours every day they are my kids! They deserve the best I/everyone can give them.

If you are looking for a great summer anytime read, check out "out of my mind" by Sharon Draper.
I'm recommending this one to my 4th graders and up. (AR reading level of 4.3)

Keep Reading! I'm off to discover more GREAT books.

#IMWAYR June 9th

Week 2 of summer vacation has passed. I found a little time to read. Here's my It's Monday! What Are You Reading? Link up with Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellie and Rickie at Unleashing Readers.

 Scarlet  and Cress by Marissa Meyer

 

 

Scarlet is book two of the Lunar Chronicles. The first book Cinder set the stage for the introduction of Scarlet and Wolf. So far I've not been overly enthrawded with 2nd books in a trilogy. Loved this one! Cress was equally addicting. I started reading on evening about 11 thinking "I'll read a couple chapters before I go to sleep." Oh no, I finished the book about 3 AM! I couldn't set it down. Now I've go to wait till next spring to read Winter. On to the next series.... (AR reading levels of 5.8 and 6.0)

Allegiant by Veronica Roth

I thought Book 2 of the Divergent series was a little slow, and honestly started to get bored with Book 3, Allegiant. After a few chapters the action quickly picks up. The last third was hands down better than the first third. The ending totally got me. Maybe I should have seen it coming, but that's what I get for reading at the doctor's office. (My 15 year old  has been really sick... was finally diagnosed with mono.) Recommend this one for the uppers. I don't think my 5th graders are emotionally ready for this one.  (AR reading level 5.7)

Babymouse: Monster Mash by Jennifer L. and Matthew Holm

I just don't like Babymouse. My students love her. They will appreciate it a lot more than I did. Doesn't help that I read it after Allegiant. This one will be a big hit with the lower grades.  (AR reading level of 1.9)

Geronimo Stilton: I'm Not Supermouse! by Geronimo Stilton

My third grades really enjoy this series. This makes about the 3 book in the series that I have read. Don't know if I'll read another one. I liked the Magic Tree House or Nate the Great books better. (AR reading level of 3.8)

Keep Reading!!!

#IMWAYR May 26th

It's Monday and time to link to "It's Monday! What Are You Reading? sponsored by Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki from Unleashing Readers. 





Other than the two hours I still need to work sometime tomorrow, my school year is finished. I'll need to go in and print grade cards for 3-8th grades. I was waiting on the TCAP quick scores. In Tennessee we are required by law to average the state test score into the student's second semester average. As the school's techie, one of my jobs is to run the report cards.. Hopefully I can do that first thing in the morning.

I was excited to start my summer reading this past weekend. Finished 5! Ok some of them were really short.

Finished Insurgent by Veronica Roth.

Some of Tris's decisions in book two of the Divergent series bothered me. Seemed like every character was full of secrets. Was definitely engaging. Couldn't put it down! My upper grade students will love it.

For my lower grade students, I finished:

Judy Moody and Stink: The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Treasure Hunt by Megan McDonald

 

I have several Judy Moody books in my stack for the summer. This one was a quick read. Perfect for my 2-4 graders. The Moody family takes a vacation to Ocracoke Island, NC. While they are there, they go on a treasure hunt and learn a little about NC's famous pirate history.

Dragonbreath: Nightmare of the Iguana by Ursula Vernon

Danny has to solve the problem of Wendell's nightmare. I just started picking up the Dragonbreath books last fall. I didn't think I would like them, but they are surprising good! Due to the vocabulary my second graders would struggle with these. I'm going to recommend these for my middle grade students (3rd-6th).

I Broke My Trunk! by Mo Willems

What can I say? I laughed myself silly. The expressions on Piggie's face are priceless. Gerald's recount of the broken truck sounds just like a story my Kindergarteners would tell! PERFECT!!!  Mo Willems is a genius. My lower grade students will love this one. I might have to do an author study on him with my Kindergarteners.


Fly High, Fly Guy! by Tedd Arnold

I love Fly Guy and so do my students. Buzz and his parents take a trip and of course Fly Guy has to save the day. A great story for my K-2 students.

Hopefully I can get grade cards finished in the morning and free up my afternoons for reading. What a way to spend my summer!

Keep Reading!!!

#IMWAYR May 19th

Yes, It's Monday. Time to link to "It's Monday! What Are You Reading? sponsored by Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki from Unleashing Readers. 

No I didn't fall off the end of the Earth, just covered up with life.... (state testing, spring break/spring cleaning, the baseball season that felt like the never-ending story.) Yes, I have been reading. During the past month, I read my all the Easy books in T, U, and V. There were only about 65 of them, didn't take long. Standouts included:


Mississippi Morning by Ruth Vander Zee

In case you don't have this one, a young boy in rural Mississippi learns of his father's connection to the KKK. Powerful Read!

Duck Soup by Jackie Urbanovic

Cute story about a duck making soup and his friends are afraid he's in the soup.

The Red Blanket by Eliza Thomas

A mother recalls of the arrival of her new baby from China.

The War Between the Vowels and the Consonants by Priscilla Turner

Great little read about relationships. Could be used for a friendship lesson.

A Isn't for Fox - An Isn't Alphabet by Wendy Ulmer

Laura Knorr does an excellent job with the illustrations in this one. Loved the rhyme and rhythm.

As for chapter reads, I did manage to finish The Princess Academy by Shannon Hale. Somehow I missed reading this Newberry Honor book. Definitely not your average princess/fairy tale. Mira, along with all the other girls in her village, are forced to attend the princess academy. There one will be chosen as the young prince's new bride. Loved the surprise ending.

My last day of school is Friday. I'm so behind on reading for the last month. The first thing I'm going to do (after laundry!) is curl up on the porch on work on my stack of books. I didn't make the reading challenge of 300 books for the school year. April craziness took care of that. Now it's on to summer. I'm just curious to see how many I can read!!!

Keep Reading! I plan to start again Saturday! Hello, summer!

#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!!!