Nicolas Sparks-The Best of Me

I'm looking forward to my next read-the ultimate romantic author: Nicolas Sparks.

Fractured Fairy Tales

The Gingerbread Girl

I love this book!  It has great illustrations and follows the traditional story of the Gingerbread Boy very closely.  This would be a great choice when studying fairy tale literature and comparing and contrasting traditional literature.

Kate and the Beanstalk

What a cute twist to the traditional fairy tale Jack and the Beanstalk!  I thought this book was cleverly written and very appealing to children of all ages.  It’s written pretty closely to the traditional tale, only the main character is a girl, Kate instead of Jack, and a few minor twists such as a when Kate ran into a woman at the top of the giant beanstalk and she informed Kate about how a giant took over the castle and about the three, golden magical eggs.  There are a couple of other twists from the traditional tale that would be great to use while teaching students to compare and contrast stories.

The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig

I love the concept of this fractured fairy tale.  I used this book to complete my book review.  I think this story is a great starter for having students study the elements of traditional fairy tales as well as fractured fairy tales.  This would also be great for students to create their own fractured fairy tale.

The Quickie

James Patterson is one of my favorite authors.  This is the newest book I am indulging in: The Quickie. This thriller is about a character named Lauren who is certain her husband is being unfaithful.  She decides to beat him at his own game when she discovers a fight between her co-worker and her husband.  This book has be on the edge of my seat.  I cannot put it down!  It is action packed and cleverly written.  I hope the thrills continue throughout the book!  

My Hippo Has the Hiccups

This book is so cute!  It includes numerous funny, good ol’ poetry pieces that will leave your students belly laughing!  There are many great writing lessons you can use from this book.  For example, small quick writes on “tiny topics” to teach the ideas trait and of course choosing topics for poetry while studying the various topics modeled in this book! I loved it and look forward to using this again in the classroom.

The Circuit

Wow!  This is a great read and I really couldn’t put it down.  As I was reading, I was thinking about the appropriateness of age-level for my students.  I would like for my students to read firsthand about the hard times people went through to make minimal money.  I think this would evoke many emotions from my students and they would feel feelings of empathy and gratefulness.  I think this book would fit well with grade levels 5-up.  I think it may be too difficult for my third graders to read on their own in a literature circle, but would be a great read aloud!  This book made me sad and depressed but that is what is fabulous about wonderful books; the ability to evoke emotions!!

There's Cake in my Future

http://anovelmenagerie.com/2011/05/31/book-review-theres-cake-in-my-future-by-kim-gruenenfelder/

Now You See Her

If you are looking for a thrilling book: Now You See Her by James Patterson is one of my favorites that I've recently read. I couldn't put this thriller down! It kept me on the edge of my seat wanting to know more (I love that feeling!)  Anyway, it's about a woman named Nina Bloom who is a successful attorney and lives in NYC.  She receives a very interesting case and discovers that in order to prove this man's innocence she will have to put herself, her family, and her safety in jeopardy and uncover a secret she has kept hidden for two decades!  Check it out!

Sarah Plain and Tall

What a pleasant book!  I liked this story but did expect a bit more “drama.”  I thought it was well written and did enjoy reading the book and feel younger intermediate-aged students would like the story.  I feel students who have faced the trauma of losing a mother or parent will relate to the sadness this book portrayed in the beginning when the father is sad and no longer sings with his children.  The children get to experience their father coming to life after meeting Sarah and forming a bond with her.  Although I liked this story, I’m surprised it won the Newberry award as I expected more of a cliffhanger but suitable for a young audience.

Hunger Games

This summer I was preparing for my Adolescent Literature class at FGCU and read The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. Wow! What an intriguing read! I was hooked and couldn't put the book down.  The Hunger Games takes place in a Capitol city with twelve surrounding districts in rundown North America.  Each year, every district chooses one boy and one girl ages 12-18 to compete in the annual Hunger Games where they must fight for survival on live television.  This book follows a 16-year old Katniss Everdeen who lives with her mother and younger sister as she represents her district in the Games.

This book is book #1 of a trilogy which I haven't started but plan to read the other two books in the trilogy.  It is 384 pages and is for a more mature young adult audience as it does include some violence.  I certainly won't be reading this book with my third graders but would recommend this book to male and female students in grades 8 and up to check it out!  

Sunshine State Booklist

Now that I teach third grade, we will be reading many of these selections in class and I plan to read them as read alouds.

Sunshine State Young Reader’s Award Program Grades 3-5

 Barrett, Tracy The 100-year-old Secret Henry Holt 2008
HB ISBN 978-0-8050-8340-8 PB ISBN 978-0-312-60212-3

Barrows, Annie The Magic Half Bloomsbury Children's Books 2008
HB ISBN 978-1-59990-132-9 PB ISBN 978-1-59990-358-3

Buckley, Michael NERDS: National Espionage, Rescue, and Defense Society Amulet Books 2009
HB ISBN 978-0-8109-4324-7 PB ISBN 978-0-8109-8985-6

Clements, Andrew Extra Credit Atheneum Books for Young Readers 2009
HB ISBN 978-1-41694-929-9 PB ISBN 978-1-41694-931-2

Draper, Sharon M. Out of My Mind Atheneum Books for Young Readers 2010
HB ISBN 978-1-41697-170-2

Graff, Lisa Umbrella Summer Laura Geringer Books 2009
HB ISBN 978-0-06-143187-6 PB ISBN 978-0-06-143189-0

Jonell, Lynne The Secret of Zoom Henry Holt & Co. 2009
HB ISBN 978-0-8050-8856-4 PB ISBN 978-0-312-65933-2

Klise, Kate Dying to Meet You Harcourt Children's Books 2009
HB ISBN 978-0-15-205727-5 PB ISBN 978-0-547-39848-8

LaFevers, R.L. Flight of the Phoenix Houghton Mifflin Books for Children 2009
HB ISBN 978-0-547-23865-4 PB ISBN 978-0-547-40845-3

Lin, Grace Where the Mountain Meets the Moon Little, Brown Books for Young Readers 2009
HB ISBN 978-0-316-11427-1 PB ISBN 978-0-316-03863-8

Look, Lenore Alvin Ho: Allergic to Girls, School, and Other Scary Things Schwartz & Wade 2008
HB ISBN 978-0-375-83914-6 PB ISBN 978-0-375-84930-5 (Sept)

Mills, Claudia How Oliver Olson Changed the World Farrar, Staus & Giroux 2009
HB ISBN 978-0-374-33487-1 PB ISBN 978-0-312-67282-9

Pitchford, Dean Captain Nobody Putnam 2009
HB ISBN 978-0-399-25034-7 PB ISBN 978-0-14-241667-9

Thomson, Sarah L. Dragon's Egg Greenwillow Books 2007
HB ISBN 978-0-06-128848-7

Yee, Lisa Bobby vs. Girls (Accidentally) Arthur A. Levine Books 2009
HB ISBN 978-0-545-05592-5 PB ISBN 978-0-545-05593-2

Number the Stars

I had never read this book growing up but just recently read it for my FGCU course, Literature and the Learner.  

This book takes place in 1943 and is an intriguing read about a 10 year old girl, Annemarie and her family when they take in her best friend Ellen and conceal her as part of their family to protect her from German soldiers who are invading Denmark.  This is a touching tale that includes a part of history that will strike your heart forever!  This is a good candidate for the Newbery Award and to teach younger students about the Holocaust through the eyes of a young child like themselves.  It is 137 pages and appropriate for grades 3 and up.

Because of Mr.Terupt

This was one of my summer reads.  It was recommended to me by a friend and colleague of mine.  She teaches 4th grade and she read this book with her class as well as wrote the author a letter and received a letter back from Rob Buyea.  She is also in the works of scheduling a visit from Mr. Buyea to our school this year so I wanted to be prepared and read the book.  The book is about a new 5th grade teacher at Snow Hill School and follows the perspective of 7 students through their trials, tribulations, and triumphs of their home lives and school experiences.  It is very sweet and heartfelt and as a reader you begin to love Mr. Terupts patience, love, and resilient character.  The book is 288 pages and appropriate for intermediate grade students. 

It Looked Like Spilt Milk

Wordle

Prezi

Kindle 3G

This Christmas I got the new Kindle 3G gadget.  I have to admit that I really like it!  I am a cover person, unfortunately and wasn't sure I would get used to not seeing a cover of a book- not to mention the smell and feel of turning those pages.  However, now that I have one, it is so neat! I love how it can hold so many books and the way it fits in my purse.  Also, it is so easy to read in the sunlight! I take it to the beach for a nice read and I feel like I can actually see the words easier than those printed in a book-I know it seems strange.  I suggest you check it out if you are a reader-I think it is really neat and worth it!

Nicolas Sparks

Nicolas Sparks is one of my favorite adult authors.  His books are amazing love stories and I never get tired of reading them.  The following books are my favorite of his and suggested reads if you like reading love stories.

Nicolas Sparks returns with a tale about the greatest commitment of all: loving someone forever. When a near-fatal car crash brings Taylor McAden together with Denise Holden, a new resident of Edenton, North Carolina, he must look into his past to see if it's not too late to take a chance on the future.


Nicholas Sparks tells the unforgettable story of a man whose brushes with death lead him to the love of his life.  After U.S. Marine Logan Thibault finds a photograph of a smiling young woman buried in the dirt during his tour of duty in Iraq, he experiences a sudden streak of luck, winning poker games and even surviving deadly combat. 


Back home in Colorado, Thibault can't seem to get the woman in the photograph out of his mind and he sets out on a journey across the country to find her. But Thibault is caught off guard by the strong attraction he feels for the woman he encounters in North Carolina, Elizabeth, a divorced mother, and he keeps the story of the photo, and his luck, a secret. As he and Elizabeth embark upon a passionate love affair, his secret soon threatens to tear them apart, destroying not only their love, but also their lives.

Miles's life seemed to end the day his wife was killed in a hit-and-run accident. He still rises each morning to take care of his young son and carries out his duties as deputy sheriff of New Bern, North Carolina, but it's all in a numb and hopeless haze.  Until he meets Sarah.

Writing Essentials-updated

I chose to read the book Writing Essentials by Regie Routman.  I was hoping to find some enlightening way on how to improve my writing instruction.  I found the book to be very inspirational for primary and intermediate grade level teachers.  I will be able to put several of the lessons and teaching ideas into practice in my first grade classroom.  However, I found it difficult to extend ideas for high school students and possibly students above seventh grade. This book was written chiefly for elementary educators.  With that in mind, I found it difficult to create a presentation towards teachers in grades sixth-twelfth.  Therefore, I tried to modify the examples Routman used in her book for an older audience.  Please check out my presentation of the highlights of the book on my Google site under Book Presentation.  https://sites.google.com/site/acaveoftreasuresforreaders/innovations/writing-essentials-newsletter

New Gadgets!

I have just learned how to add gadgets to my Blog site!  I am excited about them and still have not searched all 1,173 of them, but eventually I will :)

The Skin I'm In by Sharon G. Flake is an excellent read for adolescent/middle school aged children.  The story is about a seventh grade African American student named Maleeka.  She is dealing with pressures from peers to fit in during the trials of adolescent years, being raised by her mother, she is scrutinized daily for wearing clothes her mother sews for her.  Maleeka knows she deserves to be treated better but doesn’t know how to require respect from her peers. Until, a new teacher at her school Miss Saunders tries to get Maleeka to see what a beautiful person she is inside and out. Maleeka is resistant to Miss Saunders efforts and feels she is intruding on her personal life. This book follows Maleeka Madison through very tough times in developing self worth through many hardships as she learns to see herself in a new way.  I feel middle school is such a difficult transitional age for children and students would be able to relate to this book.  You should check it out and recommend it for your class.  

Good Reads?

Good Reads is a free website for book lovers. Imagine it as a large library that you can wander through and see everyone's bookshelves, their reviews, and their ratings. You can also post your own reviews and catalog what you have read, are currently reading, and plan to read in the future. You have your book shelf of books you are currently reading, want to read, or have read.  You can join a discussion group, start a book club, contact an author, and even post your own writing.  This site is new to me as I am still learning how to navigate my way around.  I am still learning the features of this site and how to navigate it.  Check it out for some recommended reads and to discuss books! It is free!

Writing Essentials

I have just added a new book to my bookshelf Writing Essentials by Regie Routman.  I have just started reading and so far have been inspired to try new creative ideas on how to spark young authors and am eager to share information I learn.  Stay tuned.. 

Creativity *Sparks* Writing

Yesterday, I attended a painting class.  As I was painting, I feel inspired to add "the arts" as inspiration to spark writing ideas in my students.  I plan to add mediums like watercolors to help my students come up with writing ideas.  It felt so creative and hopefully my students will come up with some different ideas!  Stay tuned to see how it goes...  :)

What Am I Reading Now?

Currently, I am reading Wedding Etiquette by Peggy Postfor fun since I am in the mist of planning my wedding.  This book answers questions from old traditions to new ones and provides a comprehensive guide when planning your wedding.  It has been very informative. 

Educationally, I am reading Writing Essentials by Regie Routman to learn new best practices and gain innovative ideas to improve my student's writing ability and my writing instruction.








I am also reading Educational Measurement by W. James Popham which I have to admit has been very tricky!  I have already learned to analyze an FCAT practice assessment and check for validity.  It has definitely been a challenging read but an enlightening one that I can put into practice in my classroom.

Kevin Henkes

Kevin Henkes is one of my favorite authors.  My students love his books and most of his characters are mice.  Kevin Henkes uses childhood plots that young children can relate to.  My students reflect in their journals many times after reading his books.  His books allow young children connect to a time that they have been in a similar dilemma or have learned a similar lesson.  Below are some of my favorite titles for read alouds!

Owen-Owen has attachment issues with his blanket.  When school begins, he cannot take it with him.  Will Owen decide to leave his blanket behind?  Or will there be a clever way to keep his blanket close to him everyday? 

 

Chrysanthemum-Chrysanthemum is a long name for a little girl.  She begins school and everyone makes fun of her name.  Will she change her name for good, or begin to see is as a special trait?  This is a great beginning of the year book to read to students.

Shelia Rae, The Brave-Shelia Rae is not afraid of anything and demonstrates her bravery daily.  That is until one day she decides to take a new way home from school.  She discovers she may not be entirely brave after all.

Lily's Big Day-Lily is so delighted when her teacher announces she will be getting married!  She takes it upon herself to decide that her dreams have been answered and decides that she will be the flower girl in her teacher's wedding.  However, there is a problem.  Her teacher hasn't asked her to be the flower girl in her wedding.  Will Lily's dream come true or will she be terrible disappointed?