June Carnival of Children's Literature

And yet another carnival I failed to complete... It's a good one though, Fathers in Children's Books was the theme and it takes place at Susan Writes.
Check it out!

The Fabled Fourth Graders of Aesop Elementary School by Candace Fleming

All the way through The Fabled Fourth Graders of Aesop Elementary School by Candace Fleming I kept thinking about what a great book it would be to read aloud! It is just what I look for in a book... short, engaging, and it had some great morals to learn.
What I loved, loved, loved about this book were the characters. Not only did they have cute names (librarian Ms. Paige Turner, Missy Place a student who loses everything) but I could see my students feeling a kinship with them. Although, I think they were meant to be "bad seeds" at their school, to me they seemed just like every fourth or fifth grader I have ever met.
The book reads like several short fables each containing a moral every student should hear. However, there is another story going on as well. The story of the student's fourth grade year at Aesop Elementary.
The morals are the "tried and true" variety, but the stories are updated and perfect for the classroom in 2008. One of my favorite stories titled "March Madness" begins:

March was testing time at Aesop Elementary School.

And the moral:

Time is often wasted on things of little consequence.

Now you figure out the fable ;)

Other Reviews:

Destined to Become a Classic
Becky's Book Reviews

The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey by Trenton Lee Stewart

The newest installment of The Mysterious Benedict Society is here and it is GREAT! The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey by Trenton Lee Stewart is the sequel to The Mysterious Benedict Society. It lived up to all my expectations.
It has been a year and the foursome, nicknamed The Mysterious Benedict Society, is back together. They have planned a reunion and think that they will all be meeting at their faithful adviser Mr. Nicholas Benedict's home. Little do they know when they arrive they will be met with a great adventure! It is part planned adventure arranged by Mr. Benedict himself and part an unexpected adventure due to Mr. Benedict's twin brother Ledroptha Curtain. Mr. Curtain and his old crew, now renamed "Ten Men," are up to their old ways and no one is safe.
Perilous Journey is an understatement. This book had more twists and turns than Lombard Street in San Fransisco. I was literally on the edge of my seat the entire book. As with the first book, it is quite long. It took me, well let's just say awhile to finish. I can't say enough good things about the plot of this book! It is just so engaging and fun! I love the puzzles the children are trying to solve and find myself trying to solve the puzzles before the kids. I never succeed.
I must admit, I can never give these books a full 5 stars. There is NO WAY on God's green Earth my fifth grade students could hang with the vocabulary in these books. I often found myself looking up certain words. I am all about trying to encourage students to extend their vocabulary, but there is no need use words even the teacher needs to look up. (And I am not just talking about one or two words) There is nothing in a the world that will turn off a kid to a story faster than vocabulary they do not understand. I bet listening to these stories on recordings would be great to solve this problem. Again, this book, as was the first book, too long to read aloud to a class.
All this being said, I recommend this sequel to all adults who enjoy a little puzzle and a lot of adventure!
Oh, I almost forgot... the ending was left wide open for a third installment! YEAH!
Other Reviews:
bookshelves of doom
Jen Robinson's Book Page
Biblio File
The Curiosity Chronicle (A Mysterious Benedict Society website)

Summer Reading Tips

I know you may have seen this other places, but for those of you who have not here is a clip of some great summer reading tips: (For all levels)


For other materials by these authors, check out these sites:

MAC's Creative tips for summer reading:
http://MACismy.name

Anna Smudge Cover
http://www.whoismrwho.com/pressdl/Anna_Smudge_cover_Horn_400.jpg

Anna Smudge Press brochure
http://www.whoismrwho.com/pressdl/Anna_Smudge_Press_Brochure.pdf

Anna Smudge website
http://www.WhoisMrWho.com

Fancy Nancy cover
http://cdn.harpercollins.com/harperimages/isbn/large/7/9780061235887.jpg

Fancy Nancy website
http://www.fancynancybooks.com

Extras cover (Uglies- Book 4)
http://www.simonsays.com/assets/isbn/1416951172/BC_1416951172.jpg

Scott Westerfeld’s website
http://www.scottwesterfeld.com/

The Penderwicks on Gardam Street

It took me awhile to get to The Penderwicks on Gardam Street by Jeanne Birdsall, but I am glad I did. I kept seeing it but passing it up, I think because I was afraid it would not impress me as much as The Penderwicks.
I must say that it impressed me MORE! I really liked the flow of this book better than the first. Although it still had that feel like a book along the lines of Little Women or Laura Ingalls Wilder, but I felt like the characters were a little more modern. I like how there aren't many references to the time period in which the story takes place. It makes me feel like the book can withstand the test of time.
In this second book, Mr. Penderwick is urged to look for a date. The whole story does not however, hinge on Mr. Penderwicks dating life. Each daughter kind of has her own story going on this time. I like to see how each daughter is growing. The book doesn't assume nothing has changed since last we read. New characters are brought into the mix and old characters are revisited. I am very anxious to see how these new characters and old characters may or may not come together in following books.
One piece I was a little disappointed with was the ending. It left nothing to my imagination. I felt as though, although I would never want this to happen, the series could have ended right with this book.
This book again satisfied my need to read a good book that takes me back to listening to my grandma read Little Women to us. I think I would be taking a risk assuming EVERYONE in my class would enjoy this book as a read aloud, but I know I could recommend it without worrying one bit that they wouldn't enjoy the story.
Other Reviews:
Jen Robinson's Book Page
Bookshelves of Doom
Miss Erin
Booktopia
Link to Jeanne Birdsall's Website:
Jeanne Birdsall Website

Summer Goals Meme

I always DREAD talking about "Goals." I know, I know. I'm a teacher, I should be all about goals. I am, but I am also a perfectionist so I am always I afraid I won't achieve the goals and "someone" will be disappointed. Again, I know, I know... "No one will be disappointed, you'll only disappoint yourself." Well, isn't that enough? I don't particularly like the feeling of disappointment.
That being said, I have been tagged for a Summer Goals Meme by A Year of Reading. I am taking up this challenge not because I love goals, but because I love pleasing others. Does this follow my personality? :)

My Goals for the 2008 Summer:
1. Go on vacation.
2. Learn to cook the types of food that will help my husband.
3. Read at least 1 book a week. (Considerably less than last year, but my priorities are a bit different this year.)
4. Spend time with family.
5. Help my husband feel comfortable to the best of my abilities.

Are those goals? Well, they are for me. I am almost positive I can do them all, except the reading one. I know I can do it, but I am not sure if I will.
I am tagging the following people in the hopes that they feel comfortable to say "No" as I can completely understand:
Jen at A Teacher's Life
Jen at Jen Robinson's Book Page
Barbara O'Connor at Greetings From Nowhere
Stacy and Ruth at Two Writing Teachers

Little Things Amuse Me

When I should be writing about the book I recently finished, I am instead messing with the settings on my blog. Please note my new "Noteworthy Blogs" section. I had this before, but Blogger just came out with a way to make a Blog Roll that not only shows the name of blogs, but also the last entry title and last updated date and time. It also shows an icon for the type of blog they are using, and there is an option to put a snippet of the last entry, although I didn't choose to use this feature. All I had to do was import from my Google Reader which blogs I wanted listed. Blogger does the rest! LOVIN' IT!
PS- Now I feel like a liar. I just looked and my blog was doing none of the things I claimed it could do??? I did decide to let go of the "Last entry title" because it was taking up too much space, but now I am not seeing anything? I will work on this, but I swear it was there and it was cool looking.

May Carnival of Children's Literature

I am disappointed in myself that I missed the May Carnival of Children's Literature at The Bonny Glen, but I must say it came together pretty well for last minute notice. Check it out if you have the time.
On a more personal note...

School's Out, School's Out! Teacher Let the Monkey Out!! Or should I say The monkey let the teacher out!

So needless to say, I will have plenty of time to blog and read!
For those of you following my saga, my husband is now home and resting comfortably. By no means "well" but doing the best we can. I appreciate everyone's encouragement and support!

Fun, Interesting, and Amazing News

I really enjoy Esme Raji Codell. Always have since I first saw her reading her book Educating Esme on some CSPAN channel long ago. So thus, I follow her blog. Although she doesn't update a lot, when she does it is always a doozie! Today I came across this post and noticed something interesting she was talking about so I took a closer look.
She mentions an online auction that she taking part in, so I had to check it out. In the meantime, I found myself a new website.
The new website: The Reading Reptile
The auction explanation: Debt Depletion Day Auction
The awesome items and their bids: eBid Store

Meme

This is one of the first things I have had time to do in awhile and I have been meaning to say something about that. My husband is in the hospital and is very sick. I am going through a really rough time and I really have NO time to read or review books right now and for that I am extremely disappointed. I sincerely apologize to all the people who have recently sent me ARCS and I have not reviewed them. That being said...

I have been tagged for a Meme by Stacy at Two Writing Teachers.

1. The rules of the game get posted at the beginning.
2. Each player answers the questions about themselves.
3. At the end of the post, the player then tags 5-6 people and posts their names, then goes to their blogs and leaves them a comment, letting them know they’ve been tagged and asking them to read the player’s blog.
4. Let the person who tagged you know when you’ve posted your answer.

Okay, now the “juicy” stuff:

What were you doing ten years ago?
I was chilling in Daytona Beach Florida after recently graduating from the University of Dayton. Little did I know that my life was soon to change drastically! Less than a month later my grandpa passed away and I met my husband all in the same week.

What are five things on your to-do list for today (not in any particular order):
1. Get up...
2. Take my dog to my parents
3. Copy off test retakes for my cherubs
4. Call some doctors
5. Pay some bills

What are some snacks you enjoy?

• Cookies
  
• Cakes
  
• Chips
  
• Dips (Preferably with the chips)
  
• Candy Bars
• Licorice
  

What would you do if you were a billionaire?
1. Pay off all my bills.
2. Donate money to various places.
3. Retire.
4. Start over on my house.
5. Take a long vacation.
6. Pay someone else to do my laundry and cook my food.
7. Give money to friends.
8. Buy my sister everything she needs for her twins to come.

What are three of your bad habits?
1. Eating poorly.
2. Never exercise.
3. I worry too much.

What are five places where you have lived?
1. Market St. (Xenia, OH)
2. Stuart Hall (University of Dayton)
3. Garden Apartments (University of Dayton)
4. Lowes St. (University of Dayton)
5. Firwood Dr. (Very near the University of Dayton)
I am very worldly, huh?

What are five jobs you have had?
1. Teacher
2. Babysitter (Nanny)
3. Pool store girl... don't ask
4. Pondergrossa
5. Cleaning for my grandma at her apartments

What six people do you want to tag?
Jen Robinson
Barbara O'Connor
Amy S.
Mother Reader
Jen Barney
katied

Future Dating

W00T W00T! Future Dating for Blogger! If you don't know what that means, check it out!

New April Carnival of Children's Literature

There is a new Carnival of Children's Literature up for April at Ellsworth's Journal. It is a really fun one! Lots of work went into it.
By the way, I am having another little bout where I am finding it impossible to post. Bear with me. I know this part is kind of tacky, but I just want to you to be patient. I WILL return. And when I do, be prepared!

VoiceThread

VoiceThread? What is it anyway? That is the same question I had. So I checked it out. Then I found out via Barbara O'Connor that this was on there: VoiceThread from Sara Holmes.
So try it for yourself and then try not to get absorbed in watching everything you can find... I DARE YOU!
OH-- And Now I think I learned how to embed it!

Larger Than Life Lara by Dandi Daley Mackall

Ever since I read this review of Larger Than Life Lara by Dandi Daley Mackall at A Year of Reading, I have been scouring the library for a copy of the book. Unfortunately, someone loved the book as much as I did and held on to it for themselves. All I can hope was that the someone was a preteen learning more about themselves and the students around them.
It is well known that teenagers can be cruel. But did you know that preteens, say those aged 4th to 6th grade, can be just as cruel and often don't even originally know what they are doing is bullying? I see this scenario day in and day out. Fifth grade boys and girls who are so wrapped up in their own world, that they do not even stop for a moment to think the thoughts they are thinking and or saying may be considered cruel and unusual punishment to others around them.
In an unconventional way, Mackall uses her main character, Laney Grafton, as a first person narrator who not only tells us the heart wrenching story of the new classmate Lara Phelps but also explains the elements of writing a good story at the same time. As the story begins, Lara has arrived at the school and the students are stunned because she is so different from them. So different as in weighing 300 or so pounds. The story follows the relentless teasing of the classmates on Lara. (Dubbed Larger than Life Lara) It continues through the whole story to the point where you think there will be no ending.
The story shows the true nature of the preteen with all its warts, but also all its heart as well. I wept uncontrollably because I have seen this scenario play out so many times in so many different ways. I do not have children of my own, but if I ever do, I hope I can raise them with enough tolerance and dignity to realize everyone is a shining star in some way. We all just need to decide how we are going to help one another let that star shine.

Another Review:
My Breakfast Platter

I knew It All Along!

You Are An Exclamation Point

You are a bundle of... well, something. You're often a bundle of joy, passion, or drama. You're loud, brash, and outgoing. If you think it, you say it. Definitely not the quiet type, you really don't keep a lot to yourself. You're lively and inspiring. People love to be around your energy. (But they do secretly worry that you'll spill their secrets without even realizing it.) You excel in: Public speaking You get along best with: the Dash

What Punctuation Mark Are You?

Thanks to Miss Rumphius Effect and all others for the link.

Sara Pennypacker Q & A

There is a new Kids Q & A at Powells and it is Sara Pennypacker! How fun! Only part I didn't love was the question "If you could pick anyone to illustrate one of your books, who would it be and why?" Love her answer, but I really think Marla Frazee is the perfect illustrator for ANY AND ALL Clementine books. JMO

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

So I might be the last reader in the Kidlitosphere to read The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart, but I did and that is all that matters. Right?
I need to say right here, this is not going to be a summary of the story. You can get that anywhere. In fact, I almost liked not having any idea what I was getting into with this book. I left a lot of the suspense just that, suspense.
As I was reading, I found myself constantly thinking of Harry Potter. I know people hate being compared to Harry Potter, but that is what I thought as I read. I kept seeing the themes of sticking together, friends helping friends, and feelings of belonging to a bigger purpose. I really liked that about the story. What I also liked was the feeling I got as I was reading. That feeling that if I put the book down, I would miss something important. There was so much suspense! A good suspense, though. Not a suspense that something bad would happen, but more of "How will they figure this one out?" Because for whatever reason, I always thought every situation would have a silver lining. Although they did not always solve everything with a silver lining, each end was always tied up neatly.
I am REALLY not sure this is a fifth grade book. I hate to say that because I know it could be, but I also know my fifth grade students. Much of the vocabulary and references are going to go right over their head. I think it has potential to be a great read aloud. In fact it recently won the E.B. White Read aloud Award. However, you would have to have a LARGE CHUNK of time each day for read aloud. Having only 20 minutes four days a week myself, I don't see that happening for me.
Am I ready for a sequel? Bring it on! But what could possibly happen next?
Check out the Curiosity Chronicles (Great fun!)
Other Reviews:
Becky's Book Reviews
Fuse #8 Production (Part One) (Part Two)
PlanetEsme
Semicolon

D.E.A.R. Day April 12

I forgot I had written about this earlier, but take a little time for National D.E.A.R Day today. Also celebrate by taking about 17 minutes to watch and listen to a video of Beverly Cleary answering questions submitted from all around the United States. It took me back to the days I read endlessly Ramona, Ralph S. Mouse, and Dear Mr. Henshaw.
Mrs. Beverly Cleary Interview

Clementine's Letter by Sara Pennypacker

It all started way back when, reading this post by Mary Lee at A Year of Reading. I was so new to blogs, I don't even know how I stumbled upon this one. I believe I searched Google for the words "Fifth Grade Read Aloud" and a whole new world opened up for me. Not only the world of blogs, but the world of Clementine!
The third book in the Clementine series is Clementine's Letter by Sara Pennypacker and illustrated by Marla Frazee. This might possibly be my favorite of the three books.
The plot is that Clementine's teacher has been nominated for a award which will afford him the privilege to work outside the classroom on a project. (Lucky him) But Clementine feels very betrayed by his leaving. Clementine is also again trying desperately to please her mother and father which turns into a very cute subplot.
The reason I love this book so much, or even dare I say, more than the other two, is the fact that so much of it centers on Clementine and her relationship with her teacher. I hope everyday that I mean that much to one of my students. If just one student would feel betrayed by me not being at school, I would be thrilled! I also really like the way she talks about the substitute teacher. My favorite line (not quoting because someone has already snagged my book) is where Clementine talks about how she didn't know the substitute teacher's rules before hand. (That is before she had done wrong.) And haven't we all felt like that at some point?
I could probably go on and on about this book, but my suggestion is, just read it! It will only take you a very small slice of time and you will feel so happy you did!
Other Reviews:
Literate Lives
A Year of Reading

Two New Picture Books We Enjoyed

I recently read aloud two new picture books with my class, just for something fun. They weren't meant to make us think real hard about a specific topic, they weren't for test prep, they weren't even meant for my age student. But they didn't care. In fact, they loved going back in time for a minute and just laughing for the pure joy of laughing. Or at least that is how I perceived the moment. If you teach middle grade kids, you'll enjoy hearing the laughter in your room from the following picture books:
Doctor Ted by Andrea Beaty (ARC from the author available next week)
The Pigeon Wants a Puppy by Mo Willems