August Carnival of Children's Literature

Opps, I missed this one! The Carnival of Children's Literature is up at Chicken Spaghetti.

Teacher Swap

Here's something fun going on at The Reading Zone. A Teacher Swap. It is a super good idea and I am trying to spread the word to help it become a reality. You can get all the info here. And the best part is, you don't HAVE to be teacher to participate, but it would be good if you are into the Kidlitosphere blogging arena because you would probably understand better.

Big Brother Update take 2

Again, not Children's Literature related, but why not keep with my trend. TheRealDeal has another great montage on BB10Dish. I am trying to keep with their wishes not to repost the video, so here is a link if you are interested. And again, watch until after the credits.
Weekly Recap

Summer Reading Goals Revisited

At the beginning of the summer A Year of Reading proposed a Summer Goals Meme. To revisited my own goals, I will post them here:

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.

I will just make it short and say, I have accomplished and continue to work on all my goals. EXCEPT for the reading one book a week. I am PHYSICALLY READING one book a week, but it is never finished at the end of the week. I have gotten into a bad habit of starting 2 and three books at a time. Then it takes me forever to finish each book.
Husband Update: My husband is doing very well. Yesterday he jogged to the end of the street and back. Of course I followed him with the dog just in case. We also got the paperwork from our insurance will cover his liver transplant. We haven't however, gotten any information on the ACTUAL transplant, but at least we know someone has our information somewhere. What a WONDERFUL SUMMER!

TOTALLY NOT LITERATURE RELATED!

This is totally not literature related WHAT SO EVER and may be deemed inappropriate for some viewers, but it is my blog and I will do what I want!
I just found this new or not new, but new to me, site for my favorite show Big Brother! Not only did they present the show in its entirety last night when it was preempted for most of the US, they also have posted this great video montage for the week. The site is called BB10Dish! for anyone interested in the show. And I will provide a LINK ONLY to the video for those interested in viewing it. I don't want to annoy people who aren't interested. If you are a real fan, be sure to watch until the very end (after the credits) for the most PATHETIC rendition of "Happy Birthday" that I have ever heard!
Weekly Recap Video for Week 4 by RealDeal.

An Easy Way to Give

This is such an easy way to give! Now through September you can donate $3 at Macy's toward RIF (Reading is Fundamental) and receive $10 off a purchase of $50 or more. The best part is 100% of the proceeds go towards RIF. So basically it is worth it even if you weren't getting the $10 off... I think anyway. Read more about it Here: Book a Brighter Future.

Arte y Pico

I am very honored to be given the Arte y Pico Award from Literate Lives! I have seen it all over the web and I feel special to be a part of it. Many blogs have already been honored, but I am sure they won't mind seeing their name again. I am copying this straight from Karen and Bill's blog, so I hope I am not missing anything, but here are the rules:

Essentially this award is like a Meme. There are rules for paying it forward after your blog gets recognized.

They are as follows:

1) Select 5 blogs that you consider deserving of this award, based on creativity, design, interesting material, and contribution to the blogger community. The blogs can be in any language.
2) Post a link to each blog so that others can visit.
3) Each award-winner has to show the award and link to the blogger that awarded it.

4) The award-winner and the one who has given the prize have to show a link to http://arteypico.blogspot.com/

1) A Year of Reading. My mentor blog. Mary Lee and Franki have been going all out this summer. I see them post once and sometimes twice a day. I have learned SO much from them both. Everyone needs a mentor like these two ladies!

2) Help Readers Love Reading. A new blog I started reading this summer. I really like that the author is a male who teaches the same age as me. It gives me an entirely different perspective on books for my students. Here's to you, Brian!

3) A Teacher's Life. Jen is great! We have never met in person, but I know if did, we would be best of friends. She always has such kind words and thoughtful posts.

4) Jen Robinson's Book Page. Besides having THE BEST posts in the universe, Jen always keeps up with other's blogs. She regularly comments on my rambling boring blogs and has something nice to say. And she does my Memes even though she hates them.

5) Greetings From Nowhere. Barbara O'Connor is my best author friend. No matter that she is my ONLY author friend. But seriously... her posts are funny and informational. She has tons of great posts about writing like her Writing Tips Tuesday. She also has great information for author visits that I also enjoy hearing about.

Take a Look

Want something to do today? The July Carnival of Children's Literature is up at Read. Imagine. Talk.
I found lots of new blogs to read. (Wait... is that a good thing or a bad thing?)

I Am...

I guess it is unnecessary to say I am on a Blog break. It is pretty obvious by the lack of well, blogging. I am reading for myself. I am reading for my husband. I am reading for my sister. None of which is blog worthy in the sense of my CHILDREN'S Literature blog. I know it is not necessary to tell everyone what I am doing all the time, but I want everyone to know my heart IS still in it. And I read the blogs everyday. (All 65 kidlitosphere blogs in my reader) I will post here and there when I see something interesting. Until then, here's hoping something slows down around here so I can have more ME time. ;)

I've Been Busy

I have been very busy becoming an aunt today!

2 Videos For Tuesday

I saw two videos I liked today. I will share them with you.

From 100 Scope Notes. A book trailer:



From Read Roger. It is worth watching all the way until the end:

Waiting for Normal by Leslie Connor

Waiting For Normal by Leslie Connor is just one of those books that makes me say "Whoa!" As soon as I finished reading it, which by the way was very quickly, I thought to myself, "She GETS IT." The "she" being Leslie Connor. The "it" being the lives of so many children in the world. But Connor also must have done so much research, either that or I have lost the fact that she was once an elementary school teacher. She had so many of the little nuances of school life correct. As a teacher, you just know when someone has done good research on school because they get things right down to the little details.
The story is of Addie and her dysfunctional life living in Schenectady. And when I say dysfunctional, I mean it. There is a little bit of everything in Addie's life. Some of the most stable parts of Addie's life are slipping further and further away. The story shows how Addie attempts in her own childish way to hold it all together.
Some people may think this character is trying to overcome way too much for one book. It may seem like Addie's battle is too complicated for one person. I might think that too, had I not seen it for my own self in the lives of students in my classroom each year. I am always surprised how resilient children can be. I have seen this EXACT student in my classroom. Boy does it tear your heart out! What I like about the story is that Connor doesn't go the convenient way and have a teacher try to save Addie's life. Although I would have enjoyed this, I think it may be too cliche. Being honest, sometimes situations like Addie's can fly under the radar. Especially when the student is moving from school to school.
I would recommend this book to GIRLS in my class. I would love to say I would read it aloud or recommend it to everyone, but that is not possible in this case. Although it is one of the best books I have read this year for my age group students, it has far too much girlie talk to recommend to a boy. (Sorry, but I am NOT talking about "Periods" in the classroom in front of fifth grade boys) One other point I was not fond of was the way Addie called her mom "Mommers." Yuck! Don't love that. I am not a fan of weird names in books. I would love to hear other Teachers opinions of this book. Read it! I promise you'll love it.

Other Reviews:
Literate Lives
Abby (the) Librarian
Fuse #8

Shooting the Moon by Frances O'Roark Dowell

When I was on vacation I devoured Shooting the Moon by Frances O'Roark Dowell. At first I felt like I wasn't sure it was the book for me, but as I read on, I really Loved It!
The story is short at 150 some pages. It is historical in nature, the setting being during the Vietnam War. (And of course you know I love that) But what is HUGE about the book is the message about changing perspectives.
Jamie, the main character is an "Army Brat" whose brother has recently joined the army and will soon be sent to Vietnam. Jamie lived her whole young life believing there was no better place to be than fighting for your country in war. That is until she actually comes face to face with the realities of war. Her brother's first letter home to Jamie is less of letter than she would like to receive. Instead it was a roll of film he would like developed. Not just developed by a store, but actually developed by Jamie herself. As the story goes on the pictures become more and more truthful with the realities of war.
This isn't the only plot line going on in the story either. Jamie has a summer job working in the rec hall where she becomes friends with some men in the army. And there is also the story of how Jamie's Colonel father deals with her brother's deployment.
I think students in my class could really get behind this book. Not only is our town situated very near to an Air Force Base, placing many military children in our district, but there is a war currently happening. This book would really be a great starting board for talking about some of the harsh realities behind war. Frances O'Roark Dowell is very careful not to be too preachy about war or even too supportive of war. The novel had the perfect balance for me.
Take a small portion out of a day and sit down with this special novel. You won't be disappointed.

Other Reviews:
A Fuse #8 Production
Kiss the Book
Brenda Ferber's Blog
a wrung sponge

Happy Happy!

I guess I missed my Blogoversary... or however you want to say that! It has been one year since I started this blog. This post will make 156 posts. There have been ups... meeting authors (here and there), making friends, having fun. And there have been downs. But I would not trade this experience for anything. I have learned so much, and continue to make many new friends!
Here's to 156 more posts,
CHEERS!

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