Real life.

Notes From the Dog, by Gary Paulsen

Wow. What a book. 

Although the characters are incredibly quirky, this book delves into subjects with which many kids can identify: being an introvert, broken families, cancer. 

14 year-old Finn plans to spend his summer avoiding people and reading his stack of library books. Then he meets Johanna, a 24 year-old breast cancer survivor who is house-sitting next door. Johanna has a plan for Finn for the summer, and he learns much about himself, growing immensely in that summer. 

Although a quick read, it may be best for mature readers, so that they can pick up on the mature themes and subtleties within. 

Abrupt ending.

The River, by Gary Paulsen

So the theme for the month of June has to be Paulsen or survival-related. I just can't get enough. This is another Brian book, where a military training group asks Brian to return to the wild with very few supplies in order to walk them through how to survive in the wild. Most of them have never been in true survival situations, so it is completely a learning experience. 

As with all of the Brian books, it just can't be an easy trip in the woods. Armed this time with only a knife, Brian must survive. Not only survive, but ensure the safety/survival of Derek, the military psychologist who got hit by lightning on the first night and is in a coma. 

A crazy twist in the middle keeps you drawn to Brian, but the story has quite the abrupt ending. I must admit, though, nearly all of the Brian books have abrupt endings. This makes sense, given the life or death aspect of survival stories.  

This book really should be read before Brian's Hunt. It's obviously not necessary, but you see Brian's natural growth throughout The River, which helps to shape the Brian that we see in Brian's Hunt. Either way, The River is a great continuation of Brian Robeson's story. 

Bits and bobs of wisdom

The Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook: Middle School, by David Borgenicht, Ben H. Winters, and Robin Epstein. 

We've all probably seen some version of a Worse Case Scenario Survival book. I love the quirky way that they're written, with this underlying humor to each entry. They are so informative and typically include quality information. 

The same goes for the Middle School version. Even though I teach fifth grade, which in our district is still elementary school, so many of the topics are GREAT for fifth graders to read. Especially the sections on dealing with bullies, cliques, laughing off uncomfortable situations, etc. For example, one of the sections on making friends with groups essentially tea he's kids how to use sarcasm for their benefit. Now I know that teachers aren't supposed to use sarcasm (whoops!), but it can be such a powerful tool to ward off bullies or bad mojo. Here's a little excerpt of advice that I thought was particularly helpful to kids: 

Kids need to know that sarcasm, regardless of how/why it's used, is quite prevalent in society. They need to be able to recognize it and use it when appropriate. This probably doesn't sit well with many teacher friends :-/

Anyway, the "just for boys" and the "just for girls" sections are short and sweet, but tackle real issues that happen to middle school kids. 

My only critique is that it is written using so much slang. Slang is a great way to get through and to be relatable to this age group; however, much of the slang is outdated. Even though it was only written in 2009, slang changes incredibly quickly, so this book may be a little dated. If the authors can figure out how to be relatable without using dated slang, then they'll truly have a winner. 

If you know of a middle schooler, pick this up for them.  I'm actually already thinking of ways to use this book next school year. Think: jigsaws and DIY :)

 

Back to my first love

No Passengers Beyond This Point, by Gennifer Choldenko 

Remember when you were a kid, and you read your first Judy Blume or Beverly Cleary book? You read the first book, and then another, and then another? You just couldn't get enough of the books that this author released? This is how I felt about Gennifer Choldenko, after reading Al Capone Does My Shirts, when I was in a Children's Lit class in college. I consumed that book, and whole-heartedly excited about the others that she released during that time. 

Fast forward 8 years or so at a Half-Price Books clearance sale. There I am, tossing $1 and $2 books in my basket like a crazed woman. To be fair, it was the first week of summer break and I'm a Language Arts teacher. I go nuts any time there's a book sale. 

I didn't even read the book blurb when I saw Choldenko's name on the cover - it went immediately in the basket. 

It's been a long time since I've been genuinely enthralled with the action and events in a book like I was while reading No Passengers Beyond This Point. Immediately I loved the characters, empathizing with them. The twists and turns of the novel kept me thinking and trying to connect the dots to make sense of what I was reading. This is what I love about fantasy - the dots. 

I also really liked the way that the book was written, each chapter from the point of view of one of the three main characters. In this way, the reader really is able to understand how the character thinks and operates. 

This was a great book, with some wild twists and genuine concern for the characters' well-being. Highly recommended. Don't think about it. Just do it. 

Freedom is coming, oh yes I know

Harriet Tubman: The Road to Freedom, by Rae Bains and Joanne Mattern 

I first bought this book as a 6-book set for Guided Reading groups. It's a great nonfiction trade book for teaching text features. I've found that kids tend to really like reading biographies. Especially after they have an experience that leads them to certain biographies. For example, we participated in a Living History day during a Fifth Grade Camp trip a few years ago, and I saw a huge increase in the number of books about slavery and the Underground Railroad that the kids chose to read. 

Anyway, this little book is a quick read for grown-ups, but it well-written and has some black/white illustrations on every couple of pages. Its facts are accurate, and covers basic information about our favorite Underground Railroad conductor, Harriet Tubman. What I liked the most about it was that it gave a very real depiction of what slavery was like, not only for slaves generally, but for the slaves on the plantation where Harriet loved. It showed just why Harriet felt that it was important for her to escape and to being others to freedom. 

Show me a smile!

Smile, by Raina Telgemeir

Smile is a great and well-loved graphic novel. It's been on my shelf for a couple of years, and a topic of conversation in more than a couple of Twitter #titletalk chats. 

The story is autobiographical, chronicling the experiences that the author/main character Raina went through with her teeth. Many kids can relate to tooth injuries, and even more can relate to having to wear braces, which is what makes this such a great story. Reading it, there were times when I really laughed out loud, remembering the feeling of having a mold taken of your mouth to fit you for a retainer; the mouth breathing technique and the feeling that you're going to DIE.

More importantly than being able to relate to the braces aspect of the story, kids (and especially girls) can relate to how Raina must make tough decisions about her friends and choices as she travels through middle and high school. 

If you know a young girl who may be going through these experiences, definitely get Smile into her hands. Or, if you're a girl who grew up in the 90's and are looking for a blast from the past, do the same :) 

My FAVORITE part: 

I always love a good bit of historical fiction

Dangerous Waters: An Adventure on the Titanic, by Gregory Mone

As a history nerd, I've always loved works of historical fiction. This one is no different. The book centers on young Patrick, who tricked his way into working   aboard the Titanic, and passenger Harry Widener, a rare book collector. Quite the scandal erupts regarding a certain book in Harry's possession, all at the time when the Titanic is sinking. Knowing full well what happened to the Titanic, there is still this thrill and desire to find out what happens. I guess that's how it is with historical fiction; you ultimately know how things turn out, but what desperately o see the resolution for this new character. 

The book is extremely accurate in terms on the Titanic. The author did much research. Additionally, there was actually a passenger on the ship who carried Harry's name and was a book collector. I love this blend of imagination for his part of the Titanic story. 

ps-I know that I've been behind on Book A Day. I hope to catch up, but I'm playing mommy to a few kiddos this weekend so it might be a while!! Please be forgiving :) 

Honest Abe

Abe Lincoln: The boy who loved books, by Kay Winters and Nancy Carpenter

This is a great little picture book which outlines the childhood of Abraham Lincoln. It has the ability to really show kids how its okay that they might not "fit" in the way that their parents or family might expect them to. During Lincoln's childhood, he and his family went through a lot of change, loss, and hard work, and he turned it into something incredibly successful as an adult. 

I love the way that the book is written. Words are arranged in a poetry format, but do not rhyme like standard poetry. The illustrations are beautiful and really help students to increase their comprehension of the text. 

I feel like I really know him

Brian's Hunt, by Gary Paulsen

Have you ever read a book and felt as if you were actually friends? That is becoming, more and more often, true with Brian Robeson, of the Gary Paulsen Brian books. 

Brian's Hunt is a quick read. Many students read it this year, after Hatchet, and I heard many complaints of a slow beginning. I can see where a 10-year old might think that. Brian is two years older, and since his time in the woods, has become increasingly reflective, observing, and nearly unable to function in typical society. Students have a hard time empathizing with this, it seems. So again, it makes sense why they would struggle. 

Many students abandoned Brian's Hunt this year. Oh how I wish they would've stuck with it. In the future, I'll be able to coach students through their reading experiences with Brian so that they can see the book to its completion. 

Freedom isn't free

Profiles: Freedom Heroines, by Frieda Wishinsky

This great non-fiction read outlines the early life, struggles, and tireless efforts in the fight for equality of six women who were all integral to the success of the Women's Suffrage Movement and the Civil Rights Movement. The following strong women are highlighted in the book: 

Susan B. Anthony

Elizabeth Cady Stanton

Jane Addams 

Ida B. Wells

Alice Paul 

Rosa Parks 

Like most, I was familiar with Anthony, Stanton, Wells, and Parks. It was the bios of Addams and Paul that I was unfamiliar with. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the women who, without their tireless fight, made voting and equal rights possible for women today. 

The author clearly shared the struggles of each woman, but I'm not entirely convinced that this would be a book that I could use for the majority of my students, as she frequently used expressions and idioms that would be difficult for kids to understand. The Introduction would be especially challenging; however, the bios would be manageable. 

I could see splitting the class into six groups, focusing one on each bio, highlighting big ideas, and comparing/contrasting what has been learned. Since I'm integrating Language Arts and Social Studies this year, this could be especially beneficial.  

Hate that cat? Not for long

Hate That Cat, by Sharon Creech 

If you've ever struggled with poetry - reading it, writing it, teaching it - I give you Hate That Cat.  Miss Stretchberry has moved up a grade with her students, who are reading/writing through another poetry unit (Love That Dog is another Creech MUST read! And is the first book written from Jack's point of view). Jack's poems focus on his hatred of cats, more specifically, the mean neighborhood cat. 

Jack is a clever student who has an incredibly supportive teacher, encouraging him to write poems however he would like.... They don't have to rhyme! Woo hoo! That's been my biggest struggle with teaching poetry - getting kids to see/understand that poetry doesn't have to rhyme. 

At all.  

       At all. 

              At all. 

ps- students in my class can expect to read a lot of the poems that Miss Stretchberry used - they're perfect choices! 

Taking time to read before Derecho

The Adventures of Molly Whuppie and Other Appalachian Folktales, by Anne Shelby 

I first discovered Molly Whuppie at the Book Fair a few years ago, looking for a text to teach folk tales. I used an excerpt  last school year as an example text for our genre study. The kids loved the stories that we read. Maybe they loved the stories, maybe they loved the funny way that their teacher was reading aloud to them. ☺Either way, I'll take it. 

Until today, I haven't sat down and read the remaining stories. The Adventures of Molly Whuppie has several stories about Molly Whuppie, the youngest of three girls who is a brave and clever giant-fighter. Interspersed are other Appalachian folk takes which tend to follow similar themes. 

It's tricky reading a book like this in public. I'm sure the folks at Starbucks think I'm crazy, laughing aloud to myself on Derecho night. 

I'm famous - Hahaha

Miss Smith: Under the Ocean, by Michael Garland 

During Book Fair week, a student in my class bought this book for me - it's so fitting! If you haven't seen one of the Miss Smith books, it reminds me a lot of Ms. Frizzle books, where a teacher and her class go on exciting adventures. However, the reading teacher in me loves this book because it is Miss Smith's Incredible Storybook which transports them directly into whatever story they are reading. 

This is a great way to get students interested in classic literature. I can't wait to read it to my class next year, as these classic stories come ALIVE in Miss Smith: Under  the Ocean. 

Dreaming and imagination

Replay, by Sharon Creech

I may have found a new favorite author for children's literature. I know that so many Twitter teachers love Creech, but this is the first novel of hers that I've read.  

Replay focuses on Leonardo, Leo for short, and his big Italian family. I guess that it's this which I can identify with. In this family, you have a nickname, and if you mess up, no one lets you forget it. Replay is written in third person, but for nearly every "real life" scene, Leo replays  it happening perfectly in his mind, makin it better. I love Leo's imagination and his compassion. 

This is a sweet book that has whet my appetite for Creech's writing. 

Poetry.... For boys?

The D- Poems of Jeremy Bloom, by Gordan Korman and Bernice Korman 

For much of my adult life, I've had a soft spot for poetry. Not standard fancy pants poetry, but humorous poetry written for kids. I identify most with this type of poetry simply because it bucks the system. It rhymes, but not using language that is challenging To understand. It's relatable and real. My mission as an English teacher is partially to open up students to a world of poetry that is entertaining, that they don't have to tear apart and analyze. Because if we're honest, as adults, if we had to tear apart and analyze every piece of "literature" that we read, we would never read for pleasure! (And many of our choices wouldn't pass the quality test). 

Anyway, if you're looking for some entertaining poetry about school, homework, and life as a prankster 6th grader, check out Jeremy Bloom as he battles for his grade in poetry class.   

Dorks and wimpy kids

Dork Diaries: Tales from a Not-So-Popular Party Girl, by Rachel Renée Russell. 

Okay, so this series has been circulating amongst the girls in my classes for a couple of years. Maybe I have a skewed perception of it, but it seems to have grown in popularity in tandem with the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. Which makes sense, as it's written in a very similar fashion as DoaWK (when you write it enough in reading conferences with kids, you have to abbreviate). 

I borrowed the first Dork Diaries book from a student in my class and couldn't help but literally laugh out loud. Which is fitting since main character and narrator Nikki uses the LOL acronym fairly often. Let's be honest here - it's a diary written from the point of view of a middle school girl. There's a certain amount of "LOL" and "OMG" to be expected. 

Nikki is such a lovable, quirky, and clever character. And as a reader, you truly come to despise Nikki's popular, lip-gloss addict and bully archenemy, Mackenzie. 

As a former middle school girl, I absolutely love this series. It lands so close to my heart. 

If you're looking for a fun afternoon read, with comics and illustrations on every page, check out any title from the Dork Diaries series. 

It's a sequel summer

Brian's Winter, by Gary Paulsen. 

As I've come to realize over the past few years, I've relied largely on others' recommendations of books rather than my own experience. Such is the case with the remaining "Brian" books that follow Brian Robeson, central character of Hatchet and several sequels. 

 

So this is my summer of catching up with all of the "Brian" books that I've been recommending to students the past five years. I know they're good, so it's a good recommendation, but now I have the experience. 

SPOILER: In Hatchet, Brian is rescued at the end of summer (if you're a teacher and haven't read this book, I don't feel bad about this spoiler - get on it!). Brian's Winter explores the idea that had been posed by many readers: what if Brian hasn't been rescued? What if he had to go through hard winter in Northern Canada? 

A short read, but great sequel. Brian learns much about survival, and his knowledge base increased incredibly. Over the years, I've grown quite fond of Brian, feeling pride in his successes and fear when he's in danger. 

As always, Paulsen doesn't disappoint and I will continue to recommend with confidence :) 

 

Lucky rabbit's foot? How about the whole rabbit.

Orwell's Luck, by Richard Jennings. 

I picked up this little beauty at a warehouse sale, and after taking the time to finally read it, I am so glad that I did. 

Written in first person, from the point of view of a twelve-year old child, Orwell's Luck centers on the narrator and an injured rabbit, Orwell, whom she takes in, cares for, nurses back to health, and makes a family pet. 

If this wasn't sweet enough already, Orwell isn't an ordinary rabbit. He loves words and sends words to the unnamed narrator throughout the book. Therein lies the mystery. 

The cover is deceiving; at first glance, the page numbers and illustrations lead you to think that it's a children's chapter book. But not so. The level of humor, idioms, and general cleverness with which Orwell's Luck is written make it more appropriate for older audiences. Not necessarily adults, but probably junior high students. 

It's definitely a great little read. There is one thing that irked me a bit - I didn't know that the narrator was a girl until about a third of the way through the book. This shouldn't bother me, but it does. I suppose what it shows is the author's fantastic ability to break down gender stereotypes. This is something that is commendable, so I'll let it slide ;) 

Book sequels > movie sequels

The Scorch Trials, by James Dashner

A month or so again, a very passionate group of boys in my class recommended that I read The Maze Runner, also by Dashner. It is the first book in The Maze Runner Trilogy. No jokes - I could not get enough. I hadn't been that glued to a book since The Hunger Games. Apparently in my adult life, I'm very much a fan of post-apocalyptic fiction. 

So back to The Scorch Trials, second book in the trilogy. This book continued to feature my favorite characters from the first book. Nothing that Dashner thought up could surprise me anymore - the world he has created is so outrageously powerful and seemingly twisted. 

Even knowing that there are three books in the series, The Maze Runner ended with me truly feeling shocked at its ending twist. I did not have the same feeling with The Scorch Trials. Every page and chapter kept my interest - and my intrigue at this world - but I was not shocked at the ending of this third of the trilogy. 

Overall, this book was a wonderful part two, further solidifying my belief in sequels for books, NOT for movies (did you ever see The Sandlot 2??? Please). If you are riding the apocalyptic fiction bandwagon as I have been, you will LOVE this series. 

And you don't even have to be an eleven-year old boy. 

ps- this book took me two days to read. But be fair - the last two books were read in the same day. I'm still on target :) 

Read this you shall

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda, by Tom Angleberger 

This is one of those books that has been in the hands of my students, but that I was never *quite* sure about. I mean, come on, it's a Yoda made out of origami. 

But the premise of the book is actually pretty cool. Social outcast Dwight makes an origami Yoda finger puppet. The other 6th graders ask Yoda for wisdom, and he almost always gives great advice. The entire book is a "case file" of stories from kids who have gleaned wisdom from Yoda, in order to figure out if he is really wise, or if Dwight is behind all of it. 

I see why this has been so popular with my fifth graders. It is written in such a way that kids can relate, with a good amount of humor on every page. Well done with such a strange idea  :) 

Reliving the "guts"

Guts, by Gary Paulsen. 

Okay, so I've been teaching Hatchet, by Mr. Gary Paulsen, famed young adult author and survivalist, for several years. I had always heard about his autobiographical book, but had never taken the time to dig into it. 

Then along came the Common Core. The Common Core, as you may know, is asking our students to really dig into texts, to find deeper meaning, to compare the aspects of the text to other texts or parts of the same text. So I had this stroke of "genius." Well, it probably wasn't genius so much as a desire to change up the way that I've been doing things. My students always love reading Hatchet, year after year, and I love reading it over and over, so we're always in a good place together. They love hearing about the fact that Paulsen got so many of his ideas for the book from his own life and his own survival experiences. 

I'm so thankful for the Book A Day challenge, which enabled me to get right into Guts today. Sounds pretty disgusting, doesn't it? 

This book is written much in the way that Paulsen writes Hatchet, and you feel as if you're sitting right there with him around a campfire, listening to stories about his life. If you've ever taught Hatchet, you know that it is written in a "stream of consciousness" style of writing. The kids love it, because it mirrors the way that they think, the way that they speak. It is the same in Guts. Paulsen may begin telling one story, jump ship to a similar story or explanation, and then circle back around to the original story. I love it. 

I highly recommend Guts. If you're an addict of the Brian series, you will absolutely eat it up. Not unlike the guts that Paulsen tells of eating. 

                                         

Taking the Challenge

Sleeping in. Enjoying the Today Show with a cup of coffee and nowhere to go for a while. Today is the first day of summer, and with the first day of summer comes the Book-a-Day Challenge!

Over the past couple of years, I've seen the Twitter education community sort of blowing up my timeline with #bookaday tweets. I've never taken part, but this summer makes me feel like the time is right :)

Children's lit guru Donalyn Miller started the challenge, and you can keep up with those participating via twitter. Just search for the hashtag #bookaday to see what folks are reading. I'm going to try and post a mini-review of each book I read here on this site. Stay tuned and thanks for the encouragement on this adventure!!