Currently reading
I Kissed Dating Goodbye: A New Attitude Toward Relationships and Romance
Invisible (An Ivy Malone Mystery Book, #1)
Revisiting The Reading Workshop: Management, Mini-Lessons, & Strategies
Look Again
Dog Whisperer: The Ghost
Living and Dying in the Hamptons
Murder and Mischief in the Hamptons
A Guide to Writing of Children's Books: Proceedings of the Writers' Workshop on Children's Books
Sword Bearer (Return of the Dragons, #1)
I like reading new YA fiction because you usually find some lovely gems. However, gem this story was not. I kept hoping the story would take off but I felt like I was treading water. I did not feel any real angst for Anders, the pimply-faced teen who just seems to flounder. While the story started off slowly it really did not give me enough information for me to bond with him as a main character. In fact, I could not bond with any of the characters. I felt no loss at the deaths, I felt no relief when Anders and his friends made their way to safety. Nothing. The story did not draw me in. The worst part of the story was the abrupt ending. Actually, it did not "end" at all. The story just stopped in a weird place. The inserted first chapter of book two felt more like the ending of book one. It also felt as though the author really has no clue as to how modern teens speak or think. Jacobs tried too hard to be a sixteen year old boy. Too many references to pimples and the characters were too flat and unbelievable. I would not suggest reading this book until it has had a couple go-rounds with an editor and serious re-writing to flesh out the characters and storyline.
Island of the Blue Dolphins
Karana, fictitious name by O'Dell for the Lost Woman of San Nicolas Island, aka Juana Maria, is left behind on San Nicolas Island and lives for approximately twenty years without human contact. Not much is known of her as she was the last of her kind, spoke an unknown language, and died before learning English. Scott O'Dell did a wonderful job of creating a diary of what it may have been like for the young girl left on an island all by herself for nearly twenty years. He did not spend a lot of time and effort on being overly dramatic. It is more like a diary. Since there is not a lot known of this person all that can be written is speculation.
Old Yeller
This story still chokes me up. Not because of the dog but because of the boy. It is an old-timey story of what it was like when America was new in Texas. Men had a job to do to provide for their families. That job took them far and wide away from their families. This is the story of how a family had to make changes and make do without their protector and provider. It is the story of how a boy became a man and how his perspective of family changed as a result.Love it!
The Case of the Mummy Mystery (Jigsaw Jones Series #6)
I read this book at the request of my school principal because a parent found it objectionable. The principal could not remember why, "perhaps a word" she said. Well, I have the entire set in the library for my elementary students to read and I have never been challenged over a Jigsaw Jones Mystery book before so I said "sure, I'll read it on the ferry ride home" as I have about twenty minutes. Let me be very clear, THERE IS NOTHING INAPPROPRIATE FOR A STUDENT TO READ IN THIS BOOK. No swear words, nothing grotesque, nothing anti-religion, NOTHING. Jigsaw is "hired" by another student to keep from being cheated in a bet. The student agrees to eat a worm for a buck. Yucky? You bet, but it lasts about five words. What does that have to do with a mummy you may ask? Well, Jigsaw's older brothers tell him a bit of lore about a mummy that only appears on Halloween and eats neighborhood cats. That is as gross as the story gets. No mummy appears, no cats disappear. Nada! The actual mummy that does appear is the costumed worm swallower. So unless the principal can produce the concerned parent with a real complaint, the book stays without any issues.
Fancy Nancy and the Mean Girl (I Can Read Book 1 Series)
Great introduction to bullying and how to stand up for yourself. Nancy loves using fancy words but find it necessary to use plain words to speak up for herself. She gains a new friend and learns it is okay not to win as long as you try and give it your best shot!
Fancy Nancy and the Delectable Cupcakes (I Can Read Book 1 Series)
Doubly good as Nancy introduces new fancy words and learns a lesson in being a good listener.
Fancy Nancy and the Boy from Paris (I Can Read Book 1 Series)
Very cute! I love the way in which Nancy uses (an introduces) "fancy" words! Great way to help children expand their vocabulary!
Sneak (Swipe, #2)
When I began reading I felt rather lost, you see, I hadn't read the first book in the series, Swipe. So I stopped Sneak and read Swipe. So, the premise is that the USA began to slide down further into a pit of crime, famine, and war. Two leaders arose from the wars and forged an alliance, The Dome. Part of the alliance was a mark being placed on all citizens, which allowed them to live, work, and play within the tightly controlled boundaries of the new law. Religion and patriotism are done away with and everyone is expected to "worship" the new leaders who saved them. At the end of book one, Swipe, Logan's sister had gone to receive her mark as she had reached the age; however, there was a mishap and Lily was never seen again and Logan's family was told she died during the procedure. Life was never the same. A new girl moves into town and befriends Logan. Erin is the daughter of a Dome official and she is unhappy about the transfer. She will do anything to get her father transferred back so she can resume her normal life in Beacon City with her family intact.Enter, The Dust. The Dust are a group of markless kids who live and play outside the law. They live in an old grocery store, eating what is found on the shelves, and looking after each other in a disfunctional familial way. They want Logan. They watch Logan. They try to capture Logan. At the end of Swipe, Logan, who had begun feeling like he was living under a microscope but did n eliminate. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. A bit dark for elementary aged children but middle to high school aged should be able to understand and even enjoy the books.
Hank Zipzer #3: Day of the Iguana
The book was pretty good but I was interested enough in the series to continue reading. I think some of my boys would really like the books but they are put off by reading chapter books. I may have to read it to them to get them hooked.
Theodosia and the Last Pharaoh
Interested in Egyptian history and mythology? This is a great series of books for a lover of all things Egyptian. Theodosia is a special little girl who can see ancient curses and feel the mysticism around her. Sounds like fun, right? Poor Theo spends her days in her parents ancient Egyptian museum where her mother, the Egyptologist, and her curator father work, and at times, live. She has dedicated her life to nullifying those curse before they can harm her family and friends. Sometimes this is quite humorous, other times, not so much. She has a group of crazed fans who think she is the reincarnation of a goddess, a secret society watching her every move, a street urchin pick=pocket friend, and an irksome bother of a little brother who comes home from boarding school at the wrong times. Interesting facts, the author did the footwork, and fun watching Theo get out of her predicaments, especially with her very proper English grandmother.
Skippyjon Jones in Mummy Trouble
Another great book about the great Skippito! My students love the voices and singing and clapping. They get a big kick out of Skippyjon thinking he is a chihuahua!
I'm Big!
A great book for students about responsibilities, being self aware, and sure of one's self. Also wonderful it you just like dinosaurs.
Beep and Bah
So very silly. I read it to students at literacy nigh and they got a kick out of it! Who'd have thought a sock could inspire a whole book.
The Mark of Athena (Heroes of Olympus)
As usual, Rick Riordan does it again. Another great kids book that is smart and entertaining.
Mummies in the Morning (Magic Tree House Series #3)
Book three down. Fun with information about Egypt.
The Knight at Dawn (Magic Tree House Series #2)
Book two down. Takes about 20-30 minutes to read. Very simply written and great for new chapter book readers.