Great Interview

Okay, I am starting to forget my whole purpose for blogging, but there is so much out there to look at. Thank you Miss Erin for pointing out this interesting interview with the lovely Lisa Yee. I think she is so fun! This interview is no exception.
Lisa Yee presented by Inkygirl: Daily Diversions for Writers.

Just a Funny!

For your viewing pleasure brought to you by Jen Barney at A Teacher's Life. Please take a look by clicking on the blog name above! (No, it is not the clip art I have included here. I am not putting it up myself because I want you to visit her site. It is just as fun as mine ) :)
P.S.- I did not forget, I am still going to review a book, but it will have to wait until tomorrow.

Horn Book Awards

Didn't go to the Horn Book Awards? Neither did I... booo! But I felt like I did when I watched this here video footage from the Boston Globe. Enjoy.
http://www.hbook.com/bghb/video07.asp

P.S.- I am going to review a book, tonight maybe. Tomorrow for sure.

Teen Reading Week

I know I am not exactly a "Teen" teacher but I can't get enough of the young adult books, so I went to check out what ALA is putting out for "Teen Reading Week." I wanted to share it with you because there is so much fun stuff to look at. So check it out for yourself...

http://www.ala.org/ala/yalsa/teenreading/teenreading.cfm

Check out this review.

Please check out this review by Fuse #8 of I am Not Joey Pigza by Jack Gantos. Please note the reference to Read, Read, Read at the bottom. :D (If you don't brag about yourself, no one else will do it for you.)

Fame and Glory in Freedom, Georgia by Barbara O'Connor

Since I am now a fan of Barbara O'Connor, I had to run out and get all her books to read. I am starting with Fame and Glory in Freedom, Georgia.
The plot of the book follows the main character, "Bird" Weaver, who is somewhat of a social misfit. A new boy, Bird's age, moves into town and Bird is determined to make him her friend before the others "get to him" and ruin her chances. Her chance comes along when she finds out she must have a partner for the spelling bee. Come to find out Harlem Tate, the new boy, is somewhat of a social misfit as well.
First before I say anything else, I am always drawn to books about spelling bees because I am forever in charge of our school's spelling bee. (I enjoy the position, but I don't think I will ever get out of "being in charge") It is fun to find a book to help me promote the spelling bee. I thought the way they conducted the spelling bee was interesting. I wonder if that is something O'Connor made up or if there are actual spelling bees conducted in this manner.
The characters of this book make it! They are believable, lovable, and honest. Bird is an excellent judge of character, even when no one but her neighbor, Miss Delphine, is judging her correctly. I was rooting for both Bird and Harlem all the way through. But I couldn't help but to be rooting for everyone else as well. (Especially Harlem's father... oooo, great story there, but you'll have to read the book to find out his part in the plot.)
The novel is just the right length for a recommendation because it will not overwhelm the reader. -- Just 112 pages. I think the setting is fun too. I love books set in the south and I know a lot of the cities mentioned as we used to visit that area of Georgia each summer. I am going to say this right here and hope no one is offended, but... I was totally attracted to the cover, I loved the art. But I can't for the life of me figure out how it represents the story? Sure the girl looks like maybe what I expect, but the whole rest of the picture matches nothing in the book? Strange, I think. Maybe it is just me.
The message of the novel is perfect for fifth grade/sixth grade age students. It is important for me to teach children to see the worth in everyone around them, friends, family, or mere acquaintances.

Me and the Pumpkin Queen by Marlane Kennedy

Deliciously wonderful! I don't know what made me remember the book Me and the Pumpkin Queen by Marlane Kennedy, but something told me... "Yes! Pick it up!" So I did, and my mind was right, it was a great idea.) Who am I kidding, it wasn't my idea, I got the idea from Franki at A Year of Reading, and I knew that all along.)
One of the main reasons I liked this book is because it is about something that I have heard of before, but never attended. Now I feel like I have actually been to the Circleville, OH Pumpkin Festival. (Really, check out the website, amazing!) The Pumpkin Festival in Pickaway County is not that far from where I live and I have heard so much about it. This book is set in that county and has to do with the festival. How exciting is that? (I even know someone who's mother was a Pumpkin Queen long, long ago)
This book is perfect for my students. It is fast paced, and innocent just like I think of my students. The main character is in the fifth grade and acts just like a typical fifth grade girl, except for the fact that she is obsessed with growing the perfect giant pumpkin. She is unlike some fifth grade girls because she is not obsessed with clothes or boys, which I personally feel is a great thing, but her Aunt does not.
Ever since Mildred, the main character's, mother passed away when she was 6, all Mildred could remember was how her mother loved the giant pumpkins at the Circleville Pumpkin Show. As a tribute to her mother Mildred would love nothing less than growing a giant pumpkin. It is hard work but Mildred is dedicated to the cause.
I thought it was awesome that this book was quite scientific. There are very specific directions for growing giant pumpkins intertwined through the book. I would love to recommend it to my students. Especially because their science teacher gave them pumpkin seeds at the end of last year to grow and journal about over the summer. This will be a perfect ending to that project. The ending of the book brought a little tear to my eye. I wasn't bawling or anything, and that is exactly how I like an ending. This book comes as perfect timing as well because the Pumpkin Festival is next weekend!

Next Picture Book Carnival

Please consider contributing to the next Picture Book Carnival. It is a carnival of Nonfiction picture books which lift your students as nonfiction writers. Please see Mentor Text, Read Aloud, and More for the details. Happy Blogging.

New Blog to Check Out!

As I was going through my blog reading I stumbled upon this from In the Pages. It was of interest to me, so I thought I would share it with you...



Click on the button to procede to the site. I found it very comprehensive. And if you don't see your site and want it added, you can email the owner of the blog.

Picture Book Carnival

Mentor Text, Read Aloud, and More presents a Mentor Text Picture Book Carnival! Stop by and visit!

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

I am so glad I finally got around to reading The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick. I think I was protesting because I didn't want to carry a book that big to the pool, but pool season is over so I had no excuse. And it is never too late to read a wonderful book!
This is a beautiful book! Not a true picture book, or graphic novel it is so much more. It is all of these things. The story is so rich. I never expected what I saw when I opened the book and began reading.
As the story follows the life of 12 year old Hugo Cabret whose life consists of hiding out in a train station, keeping the clocks running, the author douses the story with the beautiful pencil drawings and cinematic stills! The book is fast paced (finished in 2 hour long settings) and easy to follow. The vocabulary is just right for my students. The author did not feel it necessary to a have foul mouth main character. (Unlike other books I have recently reviewed) The novel has just the right amount of mystery, intrigue, and suspense to keep most fifth graders reading. Surprisingly the author also seamlessly intertwines some cinematic history into the novel. I think this just brings about a whole new genre of books made just for my 5th grade readers, graphic novel!
Check out the Amazon page for this book for great information from the author and perfect reviews.
There is so much to say about this book and many people have done it better than me, so check out what they have to say:
Fuse #8
Interview with Brian Selznick from Scholastic
Librarian's Choice
Best Books 2007
Shelf Life
Heck, just Google it... there are plenty!

S-P-E-L-L-D-O-W-N by Karen Luddy

Officially titled Spelldown: The Big-Time Dreams of a Small-Town Word Whiz by Karen Luddy, this book is going to be a tough one to review. I loved it, I really did, but I am not sure I would recommend it to anyone I know in particular. This is the first novel for Luddy and I feel like she will really have a place in young adult literature. It is just that.... Grrrr.... I am not a prude, but come on with the language! I think I got tricked a little because my library had this book in the juvenile section and it is clearly NOT. I just really can't get past the way the main character used curse so much??? I swear to you I am no angel. I do not believe in judging a book on the language it uses. I am known for reading books with cuss words in them aloud to my class. (And of course politely changing the words to keep my lady-like image and explaining why an author would chose to use those particular words.) But with this book I couldn't even come up with a good reason. Then of course there was the topic of puberty and puppy love that comes in most any young adult book. Even that may have gone a little too far in this book. But... saying all that, I still can't say I didn't love it!
In the story the main character, Karlene, is a thirteen year old spelling whiz, growing up in the 1960's, who is mostly trying to hold together a dysfunctional family. I can so appreciate Karlene's life, not as a child living in a dysfunctional world, but as an adult. The ups and downs Karlene goes through are truly something no child should ever live through. By spelling her way to D.C. with the help of a generous and mentoring teacher, Karlene manages to hold some parts of her life together.
I think Karen Luddy did a beautiful job developing characters who really stand out. She sets the scene and develops the plot with a satisfying resolution. I really would only recommend this book to adults. I am sure a teen in the range of 13-15 could take a lot from the book, but I would never recommend it to anyone under that age. See for yourself, don't take my word for it.
Other reviews:
Semicolon
Emily Reads (Cool Haiku review)
Franklin Park Teens and Tweens

Here is an interesting idea...

I must begin by saying that my week is always complete when I get to read Jen Robinson's Sunday Afternoon Visits. They are so insightful and bring me to new information each week. This week something she wrote about caught my eye, for whatever reason, and I thought it was kind of interesting. So, I am sharing it with you as well.
The site is called Kidderlit. It is a twitter. What is a twitter you say? I say that as well. I still plan to look up exactly what a twitter means, and maybe I will post it here when I do, or maybe you already know or don't really care. The important thing to know is that this site plans to post the first line of a children's or young adult book each day. The trick is, there is no title or author listed in the post. You must click on the link to Amazon to find out who wrote the book and what the book is called. INTERESTING.... It looks like it just started, so I guess we will see.
On another note, I plan to review a book tomorrow. WhoHOO! I know it has been awhile, but I have so much less time to read now that school started. Come back tomorrow to see what my book will be. :D

September Carnival of Children's Literature!

The September Carnival of Children's Literature is up at Charlotte's Library!
Everyone, Jump On Board!

How to Steal a Dog by Barbara O'Connor

Some of you may have recently read the post I had about the author, Barbara O'Connor, who wrote about reading my blog on her own blog. Oddly enough I had just checked out her book How to Steal a Dog from my local library. I waited the entire summer to get my hands on that book! It was ordered in June, but did not surface until about a week ago.
Now, I promise I am not saying this just because Ms. O'Connor may read this blog, but the book was perfect! I am always looking for books that are just right for a fifth grader and this is one of them. The moral of this story can be summed up in this line from book, "I guess bad times can make a person do bad things, huh?" To give you an idea of what those bad things are, listen to this perfect grabber lead "The day I decided to steal a dog was the same day my best friend, Luanne Godfrey, found out I lived in a car.
The story has wonderful messages about morality and it takes a daring look at homelessness, a topic not often talked about in children's literature. I just know there is a kid out there, in your room, in your life, in your mind, who has felt hopeless and helpless and possibly done something out of the ordinary to deal with this pain. The story also has the main character, Georgina, writing in a notebook as well. HOW AWESOME?!
The book is a quick read with an easy to follow, but not overly predictable plot. The vocabulary is not over-done for a read aloud for the fourth and fifth grade crowd. Even though the idea of stealing a dog isn't exactly moral, I would say any fifth grade student could see through that to the real point of the story.
I will be asking my school librarian to get this book on our bookshelves in a hurry. I just know as soon as I show to my students, they are going to be racing to the shelves!

Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt

I finished this book a couple of days ago, but I needed time to think about it and let it sink in my brain and heart. Whenever I read a great book, I feel a huge sense of dread and insecurity that my blog won't do it justice. With that being said, I will do my best to review the book Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt.
Again, I am so bad about saying I love books, but I just LOVED IT! The concept of the plot is the main character, Holling Hoodhood, (yes, that is his name...) believes his teacher hates him. And, sadly enough, she just may. Not that teachers ever think in terms of hate, but what she felt for the student in the beginning certainly could not be considered love. The book is set in 1967, in the suburbs of Long Island. Every Wednesday afternoon at the school, the seventh grade students either leave to go to the Jewish synagogue or the Catholic church for Hebrew School or Catechism. Every student that is except for the lone Presbyterian, Holling. Thus leaving the teacher with one student in her charge. Now teachers, think for a moment... A chance for a free period ruined by one poor Presbyterian. The teacher is now forced to come up with something to do with that one student.
She begins by having Holling do the menial job of eraser clapping. This job ends in a hilarious incident of chalk dust spread all over some cream puffs which are soon to be consumed by unwitting Wives of Vietnam Soldiers. When Mrs. Baker, the teacher, figures out this is not the way to go, she then turns to Shakespeare. She introduces Holling to the works of Shakespeare which also seems to be a mistake at first.
The story goes on to follow the relationship of teacher and student. This relationship goes further than one could ever expect. It goes from a student "knowing" the teacher "hates" him to the student in the end realizing he has no better "coach" in his corner. The plot also follows the relationship between the main character and his father, his sister, and of course what would a YA book be without a relationship with a girl.
I am now and always will be a fan of Gary D. Schmidt. I love his character development, plot twists and turns, and his humor. This book will have you laughing, crying, cringing, and pulling for everyone you meet in the course of the story. Not to be missed is the intertwining of history throughout. For a time period I know little about, The Vietnam War, I grew to really appreciate the hardships of everyone involved.
This book is best made for students in 7th grade or higher. It is remarkable at best. THE ONLY criticism I have is a criticism I have had in all Schmidt's books... WHAT IS UP WITH THE NAMES? I hate the choice for character names. I do not like getting caught up on how I should pronounce some character's name. I kind of just rename them in my head so I can focus on the story at hand. I know there is some reason for his choices, but come on... Holling Hoodhood? Who would have that name?
Run to your bookstore, flee to the library, merrily move your fingers to Amazon and check this book out!

Oh Yeah, Baby...

Yes, I am again in awe that someone would come and look at my little blog, but they did and here I am. And on the blog of a famous writer to boot! (Barbara O'Connor) How cool am I today? Don't answer that aloud, I already know the answer you are looking for... VERY COOL!

Lovin' It

I saw this book mark on The Longstockings and I decided to look into it further. It is so... what is the tween word of the week? I'll go with "cool." It is not exactly for my age student but how stellar would it be to receive a bookmark like this from your 6th or 7th grade teacher? You can find it here at the ALA Store.
I am going to start thinking up a "Top 10" for a little younger, 4th or 5th grade. Any ideas...?

Harry Sue by Sue Stauffacher

Harry Sue by Sue Stauffacher is certainly one interesting book. From the title, to the prison lingo (Joint Jive) glossary, to the concept of the plot. I must say I thoroughly enjoyed the book. In the past I have read two other books by Stauffacher, both about a main character named Franklin Delano Donuthead, so I was not surprised by Stauffacher naming her main character Harry Sue, but none the less it was hard to get use to reading about a sweet main character named who was named Harry Sue.
Harry Sue is such a layered novel. The characters are all so unbelievable they are believable... especially if you are a teacher and have seen any dysfunction. Which of course we all have. I would recommend the story to an older reader because I feel the significance would be greater and the message would carry more weight with someone in 7th or 8th grade.
Harry Sue is the daughter of two convicts and is "doing her own time in life" living with a horribly cruel grandmother who scams unwitting parents into leaving their innocent children in her care at a crummy daycare. Harry Sue wants nothing more than to meet up with her long lost mother in the "clink." She has learned lots of "Joint Jive" and speaks to the reader using phrases such as "con" (male convict), "conette" (female convict), "fish" (new convict), and my very favorite "J-cat" (someone in the "ding-wing" aka: a nut) I am definitely going to start using that one.
Another layer to the story is Harry Sue's friend Christopher aka Homer. Homer was in a serious accident leaving him with a C4 spinal injury or quadriplegic. He is doing "his own time" as well, but in an entirely different hell. (Excuse that term, but I can't think of a better one.)
I often got lost in the layers and lingo, thus the reason for recommending it to upper grade. There is so much more to the story than what I am including here. There are other characters, other problems, other joys, and other sadness, but I think you may do better reading and finding them on your own. ("Joy" you are saying... I don't see any "joy" here. Read the book!)
Oh yeah...One more neat factor is the way Stauffacher sprinkles the book with quotes from Harry Sue's favorite book The Wizard of Oz.

An Inspiration Party!

When Jen Barney from A Teacher's Life mentioned having her students write words of inspiration in their writer's notebook in this entry titled My Wonderful Room, I had to find out more! Especially since the first day we sat down to write I had a cute little red head boy in tears because there was "no way in the world he could write that much!"-- His words, not mine.
So Jen came over here to Read, Read, Read and told me exactly how to inspire. The very next day I sat down with the students and gave it a shot.
The most important part of this process was the picture book used to make the point. The book I used was The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds. The Dot is the perfect story of inspiration! It is a small picture book in which a young girl is sure she is unable to express herself artistically. Her teacher quickly inspires her showing that she CAN be an artist and in fact IS an artist. In turn, Vashti, the young girl, inspires a young boy who also feels he CAN'T draw.
After reading this book, we talked about inspiration and how we can use words to inspire one another. We started a small list of inspirational phrases you could say to someone. Some of the phrases we wrote were "You can do it," "Never give up," "Do your best," and my personal favorite "May the pen be with you." (A boy in my homeroom gave that one and we all thought it was funny) We all went back to our seats, opened to the back of our Writer's Notebooks, and titled a page "Inspiration." Students then let each person at their table write a line of inspiration in their WN. The lines needed to be original, no repeats, and they needed to write their name beside the entry. Later we switched around until everyone in the class had written in each WN.
It was amazing! The kids loved the inspiring thoughts. They shared their favorites aloud and I think they could have gone on writing inspiration for the rest of the year. The next time we got out our Writer's Notebooks, their were no more tears.
Here is a website specifically dedicated to The Dot. I especially like the "Questions and Answers" section which does a little slide show presenting The Dot in the many different languages in which it is translated.