Monday, March 05, 2012

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?



I feel like I am back into reading a bit more these days! I loved Teri Lesesne's post on the Stenhouse blog on Reigniting the Passion.  I especially appreciated her point about taking a break from reading.  Sometimes I have so much to do that I can't give myself time to read and I feel guilty either way. Giving myself permission to take a break sometimes helps!  I had a great reading week. This week I finished
SEE YOU AT HARRY'S by Jo Knowles. This is an amazing book but a devastating read.  It is one of the hardest books I've ever read and I have not stopped thinking about it. I won't say much but the story is one of family, love and loss.  And it is told so well. The book is being marketed to ages 10+ but I am thinking it is more 12+. Not sure though so I'd love to hear what others think. Really, an amazing book and one I would highly recommend--a must read. But just be ready for a hard read.

I read lots of picture books. My favorite of the week was Z IS FOR MOOSE by Kelly Bingham.  What a fun alphabet book! I am so happy to add this to my ABC book collection. This is such fun. Mary Lee talked me into this one with her review!

I picked up CRAFTY CHLOE by Kelly DiPucchio at Cover to Cover this weekend.  I love Kelly DiPucchio so was happy to see a new one from her.  This book is about Chloe, who loves to make things. I love it for lots of reasons--I loved the character. I loved the value the story places on making things and creativity. I am going to be working with 1st graders on how-to writing so this book will be a perfect conversation starter. There is a website that goes along with this book that will hopefully build to include lots of crafts for readers to try!

I am so excited that Kevin Henkes added a new mouse to his characters. I loved PENNY AND HER SONG and will be reading it to classes this week or next.  I love the quiet story, the short chapters and this addition to the Henkes books.

I had not had time to read THESE HANDS by Margaret Mason and kept meaning to. So glad I read it this week. A very powerful book.

Right now, I am reading a few things.  I am reading THE HUMMING ROOM by Ellen Potter. I love Potter's writing and since this book is closely related to THE SECRET GARDEN, I am excited about it. I am about 1/3 of the way through and I love the character.  Looking forward to finishing this.

I am also reading PROJECT BASED LEARNING IN THE ELEMENTARY GRADES. I registered for a workshop on the topic in June and thought I'd read a bit first.

And, I did finally finish HEALTH AT EVERY SIZE by Linda Bacon. I am glad I read it. It made sense to me--the philosophy of health over weight loss goals seems like a smart way to live.

There are several books on my To-Be-Read Stack:
We have an ARC of THE FALSE PRINCE by Jennifer Nielsen and one of my 5th graders read it.  When I found it back on my table, there was a post it on top of the book that said, "One of the best books I've read in a long time." So, it has made its way to the top end of my stack!

Beth at Cover to Cover shared CITIZEN SCIENTISTS by Loree Griffin Burns with me and it looks like a great nonfiction read.  I think it will be a great one to share with upper elementary students to connect with their science work.

I keep hearing about CROW by Barbara Wright and want to read that one soon.  And I want to read NERD CAMP since I'd heard about it from CYBILS.

Finally, I have a copy of Ellin Keene's newest book called TALK ABOUT UNDERSTANDING:  RETHINKING CLASSROOM TALK TO ENHANCE COMPREHENSION and it looks amazing. I think talk is the key to great learning and I can't wait to hear what Ellin has to say about this topic.

See what others are reading today at TEACH MENTOR TEXTS:-)

7 comments:

  1. Aw, man, See You At Harry's was a tough one but I loved it. It has made the rounds in my classroom through the hands of at least five fifth grade girls who all adore it and just pass it on to the next student.

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  2. Glad to see about some new books I don't know about, like See You At Harry's and Crafty Chloe. I'll certainly look them up. Others you mention sound good, too, like the Kevin Henkes book. FYI-Franki, your link at Two Mentor Texts is not this one.

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  3. I read See You at Harry's over February Break and I agree with you on the age recommendation of 12+. I loved it and can't wait to share it with several of my former students who are now in middle school.

    Loved Nerd Camp when I read it last spring and was thrilled to see it get some Cybils love. Humming Room in my pile...hoping to get to it next week.

    I had missed Teri's post on the Stenhouse blog so thank you for the link. I needed the reminder that "reading breaks" are not a bad thing!

    Have a great week among the pages!

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  4. "The False Prince" is on my TBR stack too! I don't know when I will get to it though. I just got "Pandemonium" and that moved right to the top of my list...I loved "Delerium" so this one takes over. I went to amazon.com to look for "See You At Harry's" but it said it doesn't come out till May 8th? Any ideas how I can get a copy - you made me want to read it! Happy Reading

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  5. I always love coming to see what you are reading! I have started writing about 1 book every monday to join in on the fun!

    Mrs Poland
    Think, Wonder, & Teach

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  6. My Slice of Life today was about being crafty! I'm definitely going to check out Crafty Chloe. I am already read to read Humming Room after I finish Hero's Guide and then I have See You At Harry's and Lions of LIttle Rock to Read. Falce Prince sounds great! Lots of great recs this week!

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  7. I forgot to comment on taking a break from reading! I am working on a button and a post to declare April a month to stop and reread favorite books. I seem to always want to read new books that I never allow myself to stop and reread my favorites. Finally, I'm doing it! I'm giving myself a break and telling myself it's okay to chill and reread books I love. I'll share more when I get it ready!

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