Reading is Fundamental and Macy's Fund Raiser

Just keeping you informed...

Jemma Hartman Camper Extrodinare

Jemma Hartman, Camper Extraordinaire by Brenda A. Ferber


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This a great book for fifth graders and probably sixth grade as well. It really shows the trials and tribulations of growing older, growing apart from friends and having to share someone you see as your BFF. It has a great lesson to be learned. I would say mostly girls only would find something to relate to in the story, so I doubt I would read it aloud, but I would recommend it to any girl in my class. I REALLY liked this story and the character, Jemma. It took me back to junior high and even brought a tear to my eye. (In kind of a sad/happy way) Do we think this is going to be a series??? What is your opinion?

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Mudshark by Gary Paulsen

Mudshark by Gary Paulsen


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I love Gary Paulsen. This book didn't do it for me. I didn't even really get most of it. The high point of the book is the morning announcements that come from the principal at the beginning of each chapter. Other than that, eh. I am still a Paulsen fan, true but I will be excited to see how students react to this book. (I won't even tell them that I didn't get it) :)


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Also Known as Harper Lee by Ann Haywood Leal

Also Known As Harper by Ann Haywood Leal


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is the book I have been waiting for this year! It is CLEAR that Leal used her background as teacher to craft this novel. From start to finish I could put names to the faces of the characters. Not the names that they are given in the novel, but the names of students I have encountered in my classroom over the last 11 years. It made me think more of those students and their lives. I smiled, laughed, and cried.

This book would be great for a literature circle or a situation where you could really sit and talk about it.


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Leepike Ridge by N.D. Wilson

Leepike Ridge by N.D. Wilson

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book had plenty of adventure, mystery, twists, turns, cliffhangers (A personal favorite) and some history. I think my students could listen to this as a read aloud. I also know that it would be perfect for my more savvy fifth grade reader. My personal favorite aspect of the book is the way the author used suspense with cliffhanger chapter endings. I don't know what took me so long to get this book, but I am ever pleased I took the time.


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Blog Anniversary!

Now this is how out of it I am... I didn't even realize it is my blog anniversary! Someone had to comment and tell me and I even have a count down thingy to remind me. In honor of the anniversary, I will redirect you to the first review I wrote.
Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass.

Barbara O'Connor's Newest Book Trailer

After returning from vacation and finding 422! posts in my Google Reader, I sifted through and picked out some of my favorite blogs to read. I hope I am not too late to present to you a book trailer for Barbara O'Connor's new book, The Small Adventure of Popeye and Elvis. Humor me and watch it again if you have seen it already, if not... What are you waiting for???


Now who is with me? Get on over there to Amazon and pre-order your copy. Ya know ya want to!

May Carnival of Children's Literature

You may now view the May Carnival of Children's Literature at Into the Wardrobe. I wanted to submit THIS so just pretend I did.
Also of note, I really love the blog Cake Wrecks. I mean LURVE!!! ( A very special kind of love) I never miss a post. So imagine my surprise when I found that they have raided my childhood bookshelf to bring you THESE wonderfully done children's literature cakes. (Sunday is for pretty cakes, not wrecks)

Mother Reader's 48 Hour Book Challenge

If you are in to reading, which I am assuming you are, please take a moment to consider entering into a challenge. It is the Mother Reader's 48 Hour Book Challenge. You can read all about it by clicking on that fancy little button to the side.
Meanwhile, I should let you know that the Kidlitosphere Bloggers of Central Ohio will be getting together the morning of June 6th to enjoy a breakfast together and a visit to the wonderful book store Cover to Cover. (This has become a little tradition for celebrating all kinds of book related events) Since part of the 48 Hour Book Challenge this year challenges you to make a donation to something you feel strongly about, the Central Ohio peeps have decided to donate to Mary Lee of A Year of Reading. She is participating in a Fish-a-thon to rasise money for a nonprofit organizaiton that offers no-cost retreats for breast cancer survivors. Long story short, I don't think I can make the trek up to Columbus that morning so I am pledging $1 for every book taken out of Cover to Cover by ALL the Kidlit Bloggers of Central Ohio. So tally up your books, gang, and send me a bill!

March Carnival of Children's Literature

The March Carnival of Children's Literature is up at Jenny's Wonderland of Books. Check it out!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

May the luck of the Irish be with you today and all days!
Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Read Alike Lists

Have you ever been in a situation where someone asks you what to read next, but you are hard pressed for an idea? Today, The Reading Zone has a post with great Read Alike lists! As in, if you liked this, you might like... It was just what I needed right now to keep my kiddos on their feet and reading when they would rather play in the beautiful warm weather. Check it out!

Spammer

I don't know where else to post this, so I am going to say it here. There is a spammer out there who has gotten a hold of several blogs. The comment is written in Chinese. I had one in my comments today, but I had comment moderation on, so it didn't affect me. Just a heads up that if you don't use Comment Moderation, you may be surprised at what is ending up in your comment section. (I did a little translation, it wasn't pretty)

February Carnival of Children's Literature

The February Carnival of Children's Literature is up at Imaginary Blog. Check it out when you get a chance.

Share a Story- Shape a Future

Please take moment to visit this new site and find out more about the event Share a Story- Shape a Future which begins on March 9th!

The Life and Crimes of Bernetta Wallflower by Lisa Graff

The Life and Crimes of Bernetta Wallflower by Lisa Graff

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
There was a lot I liked about this book and some that scared me as a teacher. I loved the eventual lesson of the story, but the ease to which the characters committed such serious crimes worried me slightly. I think a discriminating boy or girl could find the lesson in this book. However, I think some kids might not. Of course I am thinking of my age student, a fifth grader. I don't know if I am saying this in a way that makes sense. I would be more than willing to read another book about Bernetta Wallflower and I hope that some day I will get the chance to do so. Hint Hint Ms. Graff.


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Cybils Awards 2009

In case you have been living under a rock or only read my blog and no other (and I am wishing the latter) the CYBILS FINALISTS ARE ANNOUNCED TODAY! Please go HERE! and check it out for yourself. I was quite impressed with the amount of books that are currently in my school library from the list.
Oh and Happy Valentine's Day... if you celebrate that sort of thing.

January Carnvial of Children's Literature

I am writing to point out the January Carnival of Children's Literature is up at Under The Covers. But I also adding that I love Lisa Chellman's blog and I am adding it to my Google Reader. You might want to as well.

We Really Will

Make this your issue!

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One Great Interview

Want to know who the Mystery Author #1 is at BestbooksIhavenotread? It was revealed today and it is a pretty awesome interview with a VERY popular author. What are you waiting for?