All my Friends!

Look at this!!!! Look at all my friends! I am so excited for all of you who are listed. If you check out my sidebar, you will find MANY of these blogs listed as the Best 100 Book Blogs for Kids. I think it is WONDERFUL!
(I tried to tag all my cyber buds, but there were too many!)

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

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

2008 Dublin Literacy Conference

Saturday was one of the most enjoyable and thought provoking days I have had all school year. (Possibly longer) It was the 2008 Dublin Literacy Conference in Dublin, OH. Not only were there so many cool famous authors there, my blogging friends were too!
The neat thing about living so close to Columbus or CBUS as the cool kids call it, are all the AWESOME literacy giants who reside there. You would not believe all the literacy advocates who have come out of the Columbus area! So for the past I believe they said 17 years, the school district of Dublin has sponsored a Literacy Conference. This year the keynote speakers were Sharon Taberski and Pam Munoz Ryan. The other famous main attractions were: Jennifer Holm, Jennifer Roy, Melanie Watt, Jen Allen, Aimee Buckner (A fellow UD grad!), and Terry Thompson. (Thank you for the links, Mary Lee)
As if that was not enough, I went to three great sessions. I listened to Jennifer Holm talk about where she comes up with the ideas for many of her novels. So interesting. One of the most interesting things I learned was that it took 7 years for Middle School is Worse Than Meatloaf to come to publication. 7 YEARS! I heard Max Brand talk about his book Word Savvy and his spelling program. I have the book, but I needed to hear about it in person. Seems doable. We'll see what we can do on that next year. Last but not least, I FINALLY met Mary Lee Hahn in person! So surreal! She spoke on the topic of Blogging the Kidlitosphere and specifically spoke of her blog she co-authors with Franki Sibberson A Year of Reading.
Many of you may know, Mary Lee was instrumental in helping me begin my blog. She took me under her wing, sight unseen. I emailed her with my questions and she willingly answered. She didn't even know me for gosh sake! May she live in Sainthood.
On that note, I will pay it forward and introduce another new blog which came about with help from Mary Lee. On Saturday I was introduced to Karen who co-authors the blog Literate Lives with her friend Bill. It is a super new blog and very quickly growing and becoming well known. Check it out!

One Million Things to Look At

Okay, not one million, but I had to lure you in, right?

First I want to say- Happy New Year to Everyone!
I appreciate every one's friendship here online. I am so happy to be part of something as fun as the Kidlitosphere!

Okay, for all your viewing pleasure, please check out the following:
A Year of Reading Second Birthday Party! Mary Lee and Franki have put together an entire week worth of partying for their Second Birthday. I am so excited to be included in the very first day and I would like to personally thank Mary Lee for helping me IMMENSELY when I first began blogging. She was truly my mentor.
The Golden Fuse Awards by Fuse #8. Hilarious list and starts off right with How to Steal A Dog by Barbara O'Connor as best cover! I totally agree.
My Favorite Children's Books of 2007 by Fuse #8. Do you see a trend here. Yes, I admit it. I am in love with this blog! Elizabeth Bird, You ROCK!
Last, but not least... The Short Lists for Cybils 2007. There were books I read, books I reviewed, and books I've never even seen before. All in all, I would say a pretty nice list.

Funny Stuff!

Okay, I don't mean to be demanding, but GET OVER THERE NOW! Where you say? A Year Of Reading. You won't be disappointed.

Author Interview on A Year of Reading

Yes, I am jealous, and yes, I have let her know this fact, but Franki at A Year of Reading has recently posted an interview with Peggy Gifford writer of Moxy Maxwell Does Not Love Stuart Little.
This is a must check out blog interview. And after you check that out, you can check out where the author commented on my blog after I reviewed the book. Okay, not as cool as an interview, but very special none the less.