In honor of this year's Newbery winner, CRISS CROSS, I decided to read last year's two-word-title, come-from-nowhere winner, KIRA KIRA. I have just one word to say about KIRA KIRA: yuck. Hopefully I will like CRISS CROSS better. It won't be hard.
For our 2006 edition of the I Have Read The Newbery book club, I am only going to read books that have two words in the title and to which no one is paying a bit of attention.
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Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
January Reading
I just finished two great books. A friend recommended THE GLASS CASTLE by Jeannette Walls. What an amazing story. It is the memoir of reporter Jeannette Walls who grew up in extreme poverty and sometimes neglect. But there is this amazing thread of love throughout the book. You come to love all of the people that she writes about. It is a great read! Everyone that I know who has read it, has loved it.
I also read TRUTH AND BEAUTY by Ann Patchett. I am a huge Ann Patchett fan (BEL CANTO is one of my all-time favorite books.) I had purchased Truth and beauty a while back and, for some reason, picked it up to read last week. It is the story of Ann's friendship with Lucy Grealy. A very complex friendship--a hard one to understand. It was another really great book. As a matter of fact, Patchett mentions a few friends throughout the book--other great authors. So, I have picked up a few of their books. You end up finishing the book wanting to be part of this circle of amazing friends, wanting to read their work, etc.
I also just started a children's book called SO B. IT by Sarah Weeks. It is not a new book but one that I have been wanting to read. A group of my 5th graders started a book club to discuss it and I decided to join. They decided to read to page 99 before Friday and I am dying to read more. But, I guess I have to follow the rules of the club since they were nice enough to include me! I'll keep you posted when I finish. I must say that I like talking about books more at the end. I can't imagine where the conversation will go when I am really just dying to read more. I am sure, as always, they'll surprise me with insights I totally missed. A huge reason why I love my work!
Mary Lee and I are going to our very favorite children's bookstore--Cover to Cover--on Saturday. I want to pick up a few of the award winning books I haven't read. Soon, it will be time to start reading the 2006 children's books. There are some good ones coming soon.
I also read TRUTH AND BEAUTY by Ann Patchett. I am a huge Ann Patchett fan (BEL CANTO is one of my all-time favorite books.) I had purchased Truth and beauty a while back and, for some reason, picked it up to read last week. It is the story of Ann's friendship with Lucy Grealy. A very complex friendship--a hard one to understand. It was another really great book. As a matter of fact, Patchett mentions a few friends throughout the book--other great authors. So, I have picked up a few of their books. You end up finishing the book wanting to be part of this circle of amazing friends, wanting to read their work, etc.
I also just started a children's book called SO B. IT by Sarah Weeks. It is not a new book but one that I have been wanting to read. A group of my 5th graders started a book club to discuss it and I decided to join. They decided to read to page 99 before Friday and I am dying to read more. But, I guess I have to follow the rules of the club since they were nice enough to include me! I'll keep you posted when I finish. I must say that I like talking about books more at the end. I can't imagine where the conversation will go when I am really just dying to read more. I am sure, as always, they'll surprise me with insights I totally missed. A huge reason why I love my work!
Mary Lee and I are going to our very favorite children's bookstore--Cover to Cover--on Saturday. I want to pick up a few of the award winning books I haven't read. Soon, it will be time to start reading the 2006 children's books. There are some good ones coming soon.
Sunday, January 22, 2006
Paralinguistic
"of or having to do with factors connected with but not essentially part of language, such as tone of voice, tempo of speech, gestures, and facial expressions." (World Book Dictionary)
Whodathunk that all those little gestures and movements that I add as I read aloud to my students actually have a NAME and their own field of study (paralinguistics)?!?
Even more astounding is the fact that I had never considered the place of read-aloud in the whole scope of human literacy. If storytelling is at the beginning, and reading text silently in one's head is at what we think is the other end (but probably isn't), then read-aloud is a bridge between the completely oral/aural experience and the completely textual experience.
Hmm. Food for thought.
Thank you, St. Charles Parish, LA teachers for stretching MY thinking during our day together yesterday!
Whodathunk that all those little gestures and movements that I add as I read aloud to my students actually have a NAME and their own field of study (paralinguistics)?!?
Even more astounding is the fact that I had never considered the place of read-aloud in the whole scope of human literacy. If storytelling is at the beginning, and reading text silently in one's head is at what we think is the other end (but probably isn't), then read-aloud is a bridge between the completely oral/aural experience and the completely textual experience.
Hmm. Food for thought.
Thank you, St. Charles Parish, LA teachers for stretching MY thinking during our day together yesterday!
Thursday, January 19, 2006
Any Predictions Out There?
With the Newbery Award being announced this coming Monday, does anyone else have any predictions? We'd love to hear them.
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Newbery Predictions
Every year, Mary Lee and I attempt to predict which book will win the Newbery Award. I have to admit that Mary Lee is always closer in her predictions than I am. So, I am happy to see that some of my top choices are also on her list:-) I must be learning something from talking to her about books for all of these years!
A WREATH FOR EMMETT TILL by Marilyn Nelson
This one is brilliantly written and has so many layers that I can't imagine it won't win. It is on several Mock Newbery lists. One list thinks that it may be for older children and not as appropriate for the Newbery Medal. But, I think it is a probability.
PRINCESS ACADEMY by Shannon Hill
When I first read this book, I didn't think it could win. Has a fairy tale ever won the Newbery Medal? But, the story, characters, and issues have stayed with me over several months. It is one of my favorite books of the year and I would love to see it win the award.
EACH LITTLE BIRD THAT SINGS by Deborah Wiles
This was one of my very favorites, but since it won a National Book Award honor, I am not sure it will also win the Newbery. I would love if it did.
CHICKEN BOY by Frances O'Roark Dowell
Loved the story and the characters. I already like this author. I'd love for this one to win. I read it aloud to my 5th graders and they loved it.
We've had fun keeping up with new titles during 2005. We've also kept an eye on several Mock Newbery sites--checking to see what they are reading (Tempe Arizona, Allen County, and Anderson's Bookshop). I am anxious to find out which book will win the medal on January 23. The announcement always sparks interesting conversations!
A WREATH FOR EMMETT TILL by Marilyn Nelson
This one is brilliantly written and has so many layers that I can't imagine it won't win. It is on several Mock Newbery lists. One list thinks that it may be for older children and not as appropriate for the Newbery Medal. But, I think it is a probability.
PRINCESS ACADEMY by Shannon Hill
When I first read this book, I didn't think it could win. Has a fairy tale ever won the Newbery Medal? But, the story, characters, and issues have stayed with me over several months. It is one of my favorite books of the year and I would love to see it win the award.
EACH LITTLE BIRD THAT SINGS by Deborah Wiles
This was one of my very favorites, but since it won a National Book Award honor, I am not sure it will also win the Newbery. I would love if it did.
CHICKEN BOY by Frances O'Roark Dowell
Loved the story and the characters. I already like this author. I'd love for this one to win. I read it aloud to my 5th graders and they loved it.
We've had fun keeping up with new titles during 2005. We've also kept an eye on several Mock Newbery sites--checking to see what they are reading (Tempe Arizona, Allen County, and Anderson's Bookshop). I am anxious to find out which book will win the medal on January 23. The announcement always sparks interesting conversations!
Saturday, January 07, 2006
What Makes it a Good Book?
What are the requirements for a book to be considered "good"? Does it need to have an important theme? Unique characters? A trendy structure? A complicated plot?
If a book has none of these, but it initiates interesting conversation, can it still be called a good book?
I was going to nominate BABYMOUSE: QUEEN OF THE WORLD and BABYMOUSE: OUR HERO as the Worst Books of 2006. (It's a little early, I know, but I definitely thought they'd qualify.) To make my case for the Worst Book nomination, I brought them to a group of boys in my classroom that was comparing and contrasting two different graphic novels: the CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS books and the BONE books. After listening to what they had to say about CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS and BONE, I put out the BABYMOUSE books, sort of flipped through them to show what they look like inside, and waited for the boys to recoil in horror from the splash of pink and hearts and the obvious girl main character.
It didn't happen.
A couple of the guys really wanted to read BABYMOUSE next. They all agreed BABYMOUSE fits in the category with CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS and BONE -- more like BONE because there's no text like there is in CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS, but more like CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS in the style of the comics. One guy did very politely admit that he would never in all the world pick up such a "girl" book to read, no matter if it had comics in it or not, but he was willing to take it home and read it just to see if it was as bad as he thought it would be. (It wasn't.)
Here's what ultimately made me decide not to go ahead with the Worst Book nomination: BABYMOUSE has started a whole-class on-going conversation on the inaccuracies of gender stereotypes of all kinds. Good conversation is worth as much to me as a Newbery sticker on a book cover.
Which again begs the question of, "What good are the awards?" and "How can a committee pick a BEST out of all the varied books that were published in 2005?" Apples and oranges.
That said, I'll still stick my neck out and list my favorites for the 2005 Newbery. (Unlike Franki, I think I'm done trying to finish reading one or two more before the announcement.)
In no particular order:
EACH LITTLE BIRD THAT SINGS by Deborah Wiles
PRINCESS ACADEMY by Shannon Hale
PROJECT MULBERRY by Linda Sue Park
A WREATH FOR EMMETT TILL by Marilyn Nelson
If a book has none of these, but it initiates interesting conversation, can it still be called a good book?
I was going to nominate BABYMOUSE: QUEEN OF THE WORLD and BABYMOUSE: OUR HERO as the Worst Books of 2006. (It's a little early, I know, but I definitely thought they'd qualify.) To make my case for the Worst Book nomination, I brought them to a group of boys in my classroom that was comparing and contrasting two different graphic novels: the CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS books and the BONE books. After listening to what they had to say about CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS and BONE, I put out the BABYMOUSE books, sort of flipped through them to show what they look like inside, and waited for the boys to recoil in horror from the splash of pink and hearts and the obvious girl main character.
It didn't happen.
A couple of the guys really wanted to read BABYMOUSE next. They all agreed BABYMOUSE fits in the category with CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS and BONE -- more like BONE because there's no text like there is in CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS, but more like CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS in the style of the comics. One guy did very politely admit that he would never in all the world pick up such a "girl" book to read, no matter if it had comics in it or not, but he was willing to take it home and read it just to see if it was as bad as he thought it would be. (It wasn't.)
Here's what ultimately made me decide not to go ahead with the Worst Book nomination: BABYMOUSE has started a whole-class on-going conversation on the inaccuracies of gender stereotypes of all kinds. Good conversation is worth as much to me as a Newbery sticker on a book cover.
Which again begs the question of, "What good are the awards?" and "How can a committee pick a BEST out of all the varied books that were published in 2005?" Apples and oranges.
That said, I'll still stick my neck out and list my favorites for the 2005 Newbery. (Unlike Franki, I think I'm done trying to finish reading one or two more before the announcement.)
In no particular order:
EACH LITTLE BIRD THAT SINGS by Deborah Wiles
PRINCESS ACADEMY by Shannon Hale
PROJECT MULBERRY by Linda Sue Park
A WREATH FOR EMMETT TILL by Marilyn Nelson
Wednesday, January 04, 2006
More 2005 Children's Books
Well, I am trying to read a few of the last 2005 books before the Newbery Award is announced on January 23. This week, I finished A WREATH FOR EMMETT TILL by Marilyn Nelson. Mary Lee had recommended it and it is AMAZING. Such a powerful book. I can't imagine that it won't win a big award. It is a book that I want to read again (and again). So many layers.
I also finished THE KING OF MULBERRY STREET by Donna Jo Napoli. Beth at Cover to Cover recommended it to me. I really liked it. One of my favorites of the year. It is a great piece of historical fiction. I wouldn't have picked it up without Beth's recommendation and I really, really liked it. I am anxious to share it with my class. Wonder if any of them will read it.
I brought several of the 2005 books that I read over vacation into school today. They love new books! A DOG'S LIFE by Ann M. Martin seemed to be the one that they were most excited to get their hands on.
I am hoping to get 2-3 more read before the announcement. One of them is HARRY SUE by Sue Stauffacher. It looks good and has been on several lists.
Mary Lee, are we going to try to figure out which book we think/hope will win again this year? We are never right, but it is always fun to give it a shot!
I also finished THE KING OF MULBERRY STREET by Donna Jo Napoli. Beth at Cover to Cover recommended it to me. I really liked it. One of my favorites of the year. It is a great piece of historical fiction. I wouldn't have picked it up without Beth's recommendation and I really, really liked it. I am anxious to share it with my class. Wonder if any of them will read it.
I brought several of the 2005 books that I read over vacation into school today. They love new books! A DOG'S LIFE by Ann M. Martin seemed to be the one that they were most excited to get their hands on.
I am hoping to get 2-3 more read before the announcement. One of them is HARRY SUE by Sue Stauffacher. It looks good and has been on several lists.
Mary Lee, are we going to try to figure out which book we think/hope will win again this year? We are never right, but it is always fun to give it a shot!
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Top 10 Revisited
Today while I was swimming, it occurred to me that there's one more of my 2005 books that deserves recognition. I'll give it an award outside the Top 10. It is the book that had the Greatest Lasting Effect on me.
TOTAL IMMERSION by Terry Laughlin re-taught me how to swim.
Last summer I did my first open water swim and immediately knew I wanted to do it again and do it better. That's when I found TOTAL IMMERSION. I spent last fall re-learning to swim. I'm sure the other people at the pool thought I was nuts, because I followed Laughlin's plan to the letter, took my stroke apart and then put it back together again. But it has really paid off. I wanted to trim 5 minutes off my time from last summer, which would mean swimming a mile in less than 30 minutes. I'm almost there, and I'm doing it at a pace that feels like a "swim forever" pace. It's intoxicating. My swims are no longer grueling workouts, they are Zen experiences. I literally practice swimming. I swim mindfully. I count my strokes and keep them consistent. I think about my breathing. I keep myself long, like a well-designed boat. I try to swim with the strength of my core and not flail with my arms.
The power of reading is at work in the pool every time I swim.
TOTAL IMMERSION by Terry Laughlin re-taught me how to swim.
Last summer I did my first open water swim and immediately knew I wanted to do it again and do it better. That's when I found TOTAL IMMERSION. I spent last fall re-learning to swim. I'm sure the other people at the pool thought I was nuts, because I followed Laughlin's plan to the letter, took my stroke apart and then put it back together again. But it has really paid off. I wanted to trim 5 minutes off my time from last summer, which would mean swimming a mile in less than 30 minutes. I'm almost there, and I'm doing it at a pace that feels like a "swim forever" pace. It's intoxicating. My swims are no longer grueling workouts, they are Zen experiences. I literally practice swimming. I swim mindfully. I count my strokes and keep them consistent. I think about my breathing. I keep myself long, like a well-designed boat. I try to swim with the strength of my core and not flail with my arms.
The power of reading is at work in the pool every time I swim.
My Next-Read Stack for 2006
I always have a stack--a HUGE stack--of books that I am waiting to read. I already have a huge stack waiting for me this year. And, if they aren't on the stack, I have titles in my head. Here are the books I'm hoping to read sometime soon:
THE CONSTANT PRINCESS by Philippa Gregory--After reading THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL, she became my current favorite author, so I want to read more of her books.
MY FRIEND, LEONARD by James Frey--I was totally hooked on A MILLION LITTLE PIECES and want to know what happens next.
A friend recommended THE GLASS CASTLE by Wells.
ANNA KARENINA--this has been on my stack for years. I need to get to it.
RESTORATION by Tremain--recommended by Tracy Chevalier on her website. I get lots of titles from her list. She reads great stuff! And she is one of my absolute favorite authors. So I trust her recommendations.
Books that are coming this year by some of my favorite authors:
RISE AND SHINE by Anna Quindlen
Jeanne DuPrau has a prequel coming out to CITY OF EMBER
EL Konigsburg has a new book coming in February.
I have a few more 2005 children's books to read before the Newbery is announced this month.
I'll keep you posted as I read them.
I'm also hoping to keep up with new children's books again this year. It has been fun to keep up with the books and buzz around them. And, of course there are several professional books that I'm looking forward to reading.
This plan could change (it usually does!) but it is my stack for now:-)
THE CONSTANT PRINCESS by Philippa Gregory--After reading THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL, she became my current favorite author, so I want to read more of her books.
MY FRIEND, LEONARD by James Frey--I was totally hooked on A MILLION LITTLE PIECES and want to know what happens next.
A friend recommended THE GLASS CASTLE by Wells.
ANNA KARENINA--this has been on my stack for years. I need to get to it.
RESTORATION by Tremain--recommended by Tracy Chevalier on her website. I get lots of titles from her list. She reads great stuff! And she is one of my absolute favorite authors. So I trust her recommendations.
Books that are coming this year by some of my favorite authors:
RISE AND SHINE by Anna Quindlen
Jeanne DuPrau has a prequel coming out to CITY OF EMBER
EL Konigsburg has a new book coming in February.
I have a few more 2005 children's books to read before the Newbery is announced this month.
I'll keep you posted as I read them.
I'm also hoping to keep up with new children's books again this year. It has been fun to keep up with the books and buzz around them. And, of course there are several professional books that I'm looking forward to reading.
This plan could change (it usually does!) but it is my stack for now:-)
My Top Ten Books for 2005
These are in no particular order of favorite-ness. As I look over my choices, I am pleased to see that they are split about in half adult/kid. Three of them (*) were not read for either of my book clubs. (I do more than my "assigned" reading! The teacher in me loves that!) Three of them are by Shannon Hale. I'm not usually able to give a favorite author (either adult or kid) but right now, Shannon Hale is my favorite kids' book author.
CLOUD ATLAS by David Mitchell
A WREATH FOR EMMETT TILL by Marilyn Nelson
PROJECT MULBERRY by Linda Sue Park
THE PASSIONATE LEARNER by Robert Fried*
GOOSE GIRL by Shannon Hale
ENNA BURNING by Shannon Hale*
PRINCESS ACADEMY by Shannon Hale
CHILDREN PLAYING BEFORE A STATUE OF HERCULES ed. David Sedaris*
EACH LITTLE BIRD THAT SINGS by Deborah Wiles
THE MASTER BUTCHER'S SINGING CLUB by Louise Erdrich
CLOUD ATLAS by David Mitchell
A WREATH FOR EMMETT TILL by Marilyn Nelson
PROJECT MULBERRY by Linda Sue Park
THE PASSIONATE LEARNER by Robert Fried*
GOOSE GIRL by Shannon Hale
ENNA BURNING by Shannon Hale*
PRINCESS ACADEMY by Shannon Hale
CHILDREN PLAYING BEFORE A STATUE OF HERCULES ed. David Sedaris*
EACH LITTLE BIRD THAT SINGS by Deborah Wiles
THE MASTER BUTCHER'S SINGING CLUB by Louise Erdrich
Monday, January 02, 2006
Favorite Books of 2005
Well, I read 54 books in 2005. A good year of reading for me. I tried to pick my TOP TEN. I couldn't narrow it down to 10 so below are my top 13 books for 2005. I feel like I read some really good books. Here they are in no particular order. I love them all and they stay with me for different reasons.
KEEPING KATHERINE BY SUSAN ZIMMERMAN
EACH LITTLE BIRD THAT SINGS BY DEBORAH WILES
A MAZE ME BY NAOMI SHIHAB NYE
THE PASSIONATE LEARNER BY ROBERT FRIED
THE MERMAID CHAIR BY SUE MONK KIDD
TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE BY AUDREY NIFFENEGGER
PRINCESS ACADEMY BY SHANNON HALE
MARSHFIELD DREAMS BY RALPH FLETCHER
LIVING ORGANIZED BY SANDRA FELTON
THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL BY PHILIPPA GREGORY
INEXCUSABLE BY CHRIS LYNCH
A MILLION LITTLE PIECES BY JAMES FREY
CLEMENCY POGUE: FAIRY KILLER BY JT PETTY
KEEPING KATHERINE BY SUSAN ZIMMERMAN
EACH LITTLE BIRD THAT SINGS BY DEBORAH WILES
A MAZE ME BY NAOMI SHIHAB NYE
THE PASSIONATE LEARNER BY ROBERT FRIED
THE MERMAID CHAIR BY SUE MONK KIDD
TIME TRAVELER'S WIFE BY AUDREY NIFFENEGGER
PRINCESS ACADEMY BY SHANNON HALE
MARSHFIELD DREAMS BY RALPH FLETCHER
LIVING ORGANIZED BY SANDRA FELTON
THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL BY PHILIPPA GREGORY
INEXCUSABLE BY CHRIS LYNCH
A MILLION LITTLE PIECES BY JAMES FREY
CLEMENCY POGUE: FAIRY KILLER BY JT PETTY
Why We're Doing This
Franki and I have taught in the same school district (but never in the same building) for about 20 years.
Our conversations about books started as very casual chat, but have grown into semi-regular meetings, extensive emails, and an informal Mock Newbery Club.
This year, we decided to take our conversations out into the world via a blog, to see what other folks are thinking about books and reading.
Our conversations about books started as very casual chat, but have grown into semi-regular meetings, extensive emails, and an informal Mock Newbery Club.
This year, we decided to take our conversations out into the world via a blog, to see what other folks are thinking about books and reading.