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Harry Potter it is! Harry beat Katniss 53-47%. Well played, Harry, well played. Congratulations to Ms. Malone for the best teacher bracket, and a big thank you to all of the advisories and teachers who voted to cheer on their favorite books.
Students nominated book titles. Students fill out tourney brackets. Students vote on which books should advance. Stay tuned to see who this year's champion is!
Hello there. It's been awhile. Allow me to make up for lost time. I've been thinking a lot lately on recommending titles with diverse perspectives to my students, teachers, and librarians (and now the blog-world). I've come across some titles I'd like to share. And, being Black History Month, the last book on this list is a must-have read right now. George By Alex Gino “George identifies as a girl; if only the rest of the world would too. With the help of best friend Kelly, George takes the first steps to becoming Melissa, her true self.” I fell in love with this book and just could not put it down. It is simply written (probably grade 4 reading level), yet powerful in its innocence and bravery. It would make a fantastic read aloud for teachers and parents. And a quick read for middle grade students. Even though the main character, George/Melissa, is in 4th grade, the conversations that will arise are pure middle school. Full Cicada Moon By Marilyn Hilton “Set against the backdrop of the first lunar landing, this free verse novel features Mimi Oliver, a half Japanese, half African American girl who learns about fitting in and standing up for what’s right.” This book is just hands-down gorgeous in every way! Such a compelling story -- I read it in two sittings. We follow the protagonist Mimi through 7th and 8th grade. It's a beautifully written story of family, friendships, and identity, not to mention a good dose of girl-power. You won't be disappointed. If I were in charge, it would win all of the awards. All of them. Shooting Kabul N.H. Senzai. "Fadi’s family flees to California from Taliban-ruled Afghanistan just prior to the September 11th attacks in New York City. Fadi must adapt to his new home and find a way to return to Afghanistan and find his sister. But can one photo really bring Mariam home? Based in part on the Ms. Senzai’s husband’s own experience fleeing his home in Soviet controlled Afghanistan in the 1970s, Shooting Kabul is a powerful story of hope, love, and perseverance." This book came out in 2011, but its themes and story still clearly resonate. Fadi's story was inspired by the author's husband's own experience fleeing Afghanistan as a child. Its heart-wrenching opening chapters hook you in. Fadi's family's story is a moving and hopeful one. Accessible and appealing for middle grade readers. 28 Days: Moments in Black History that Changed the World by Charles R. Smith Jr. (Author), Shane W. Evans (Illustrator) "Each day features a different influential figure in African-American history, from Crispus Attucks, the first man shot in the Boston Massacre, sparking the Revolutionary War, to Madame C. J. Walker, who after years of adversity became the wealthiest black woman in the country, as well as one of the wealthiest black Americans, to Barack Obama, the country's first African-American president." Go do yourself a favor and get this book now. It's powerful and illuminating. I started reading it to my 8th graders today, and they are hooked. Attention Holiday Shoppers. Or students looking for their next good read. I finished a handful of books lately that I would like to share with you. I'm going to lead with my favorite, Some Kind of Happiness by Claire Legrand. I am a huge fan of the middle grade novel. It's an accessible read with an enticing story. The main character, Finley, is being sent to spend the summer with her grandparents and cousins. None of whom she has ever met. Never met. Not one. Strange, no? It gets better. It's a bit fantasy, a bit romance, a lot family, and a lot of Finley having to deal with her demons. It is so good. You will not be disappointed. I'd recommend at 5th up. Take more of a look on Amazon here. I don't know why I haven't read this author sooner, but she is definitely one I've become interested in. Check out Ruta Sepetys' Salt to the Sea. It's historical fiction, set in the time of World War II, and tells several teenagers' stories from distinct points of view. Their stories overlap and converge in compelling ways. And, super bonus time, I learned something, too. The sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff is apparently the largest maritime disaster on record, with close to 10,000 who perished, about 5,000 of them children. It is a graphic, haunting story that I'd recommend at 8th grade up. Oh what fun this was to read! Man, this author is having a good time, and he brings you along for the ride. The narrator/author consistently addresses the reader with his snarky, sarcastic sense of humor. It's elements of classic fairy tales mashed together slightly beyond recognition. Surprising and fun. Oh, and lots of blood, vomit, and other gore that the author obviously enjoys startling his reader with. Good times. I'd recommend at 5th and up. In A Glass Grimmly by Adam Gidwitz (don't need to read the other one first) Hello Parents! If you're struggling with a "non-reader" at home, this article is worth your time.
How to Help Students Develop a Love of Reading, by Holly Korbey Do you enjoy creepy stories? No so much the thrilling-I'm-scared-stiff stories, but the this-is-really-strange-and-dark-and-I-can't-stop-reading-it stories? Then Neil Gaiman is the author for you. I dare you to read the first chapter of The Graveyard Book and not cringe and gasp out loud. Get lost within in your own house and be very grateful for your eyeballs while reading Coraline (Curious? Read it). He has picture books and adult novels as well. I just love his style. His books are dark, haunting, bizarre, and compelling. Check him out, you won't be disappointed! I'm a Bookopolis fan. Its mission is to spread the love of reading through a safe, kid-friendly, on-line platform where readers can share book recommendations and get ideas. Its target age is 7-12, but I'm a huge fan of the "middle grade" novel versus the "young adult" genre for compelling stories that are easier to read. You don't have to join or sign up in order to get book recommendations. Dive in and take a look! The picture should link you to the website, if the technology gods are smiling down on me this evening...
"I don't have time." "I don't like it." "It's boring." "Reading for fun? It's not that important."
Puh-lease. If you don't consistently read for pleasure and don't believe that it's important, stop reading this immediately and read The Reading Bill of Rights . All set? Convinced now? Good; let's get started. Step One- Admit That You Have a Problem Repeat after me: I don't read consistently for my own enjoyment and that's a problem. It's OK. You're not alone. And, you are about to change that. Independent, outside reading is a habit that can be learned like any skill. You need to approach it with purpose, and know that it will take some work and time, but it'll be worth it. Step Two- Create Your Reading Space You need to create a comfortable, QUIET reading space for yourself. Free from distractions. No music. No devices. And no annoying little brothers and sisters allowed. Maybe a little table next to your bed with a lamp? Maybe a comfy bean bag chair in a QUIET corner with good lighting? Maybe the closet under the stairs? Well, maybe not the closet under the stairs. Unless it's a QUIET, comfy, well-lit, free-from-distraction closet under the stairs. You get the picture. Step Three- Find the Time I know. I know. Homework takes awhile. You have to practice violin. You have soccer practice. You're too tired and want to just go to bed. Wait, that last one is me. It's true, though, we're all busy. But reading is important. Your brain needs food. Every day. For at least 20 minutes. 20 minutes in a row. Find the time. Take a look at how often you're on your phone or computer for fun. Can you carve out 20 minutes someplace? Maybe it's right before you go to bed, or right when you get home from school, or *gasp* the first thing you do in the morning before you start your day? Experiment with different times and see if you can find something consistent that works for you and your schedule. Step Four- Choose a Book THIS IS THE BEST PART!! Anything goes, at first. You can experiment and challenge yourself later. Find something that interests you and that does not feel too challenging; it's OK to read easier texts -- you want this to be enjoyable, don't you? In the beginning, as you're trying to create this habit for yourself, try magazines, graphic novels, shorter books that feel on the easy (but interesting) side to you. Get recommendations from friends, teachers, librarians. Pick out a couple of things to have at the ready, in case you feel you've made a poor choice and want to switch. Step Five- Set a Goal Give yourself two to three weeks to commit to this wholeheartedly and really try to see it through. The first weeks will be the toughest. The longer you work at it, the more of a habit independently reading for fun will become, and you just might end up surprising yourself. Your future self will thank you. Good luck! And if you ever feel like giving up, revisit the Reading Bill of Rights to remind yourself just how important reading for pleasure is. Happy Reading! Did you hear, did you hear?!? Empire of Storms, the 5th book in the Throne of Glass Series by Sarah J. Maas, was released this week. I started reading this series a year ago and could not put it down. Could. Not. Put. It. Down. Seriously, I ignored my family for weeks. The series centers around kick-butt hero-assassin Celaena Sardothien. I mean just look at the book cover; she's super-scary awesome. Her story is told in a world of kings and castles, with banished magic, impending evil, and sizzling romances (gotta have those, right?). I tried to check it out of the library, but there are already too many requests on it. Guess I'm going to have to go out and buy this one, too! Mature content- I'd recommend the series at 8th grade and up. |
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