(Thanks to Jen and Kellee at TEACH MENTOR TEXTS for creating this great tradition and for rounding up the week's reading!)
It was a good reading week. I started #bookaday and am excited about having a little more time to catch up on reading. I finished GRACELING by Kristin Cashore which I loved. I love a good fairy tale/fantasy and will probably read the next two in the series too. Definitely as good as Jen and Kellee told me it was when they convinced me to read it!
My #bookaday choices have been mostly short books as the days are already busy. But I created a stack of quick reads for this purpose. This week I read two graphic novels. FANGBONE by Michael Rex is one I heard about on a few Twitter chats. It is a fun story of a Barbarian who travels forward in time to a school in order to protect an important treasure. It was a fun read and one that middle graders will love. I also had the chance to read the new SQUISH (The Power of the Parasite). This might be my favorite of the three. I like that I can come to expect certain things from these books and the humor has a sophistication that I love.
I also finished my first professional read of the summer: PUBLIC TEACHING: ONE KID AT A TIME by Penny Kittle. This was one that I just recently discovered. I am a huge fan of Penny Kittle and her work and had somehow missed this book. It was the PERFECT book for summer and one to re- energize teachers. Even though it was written in 2003, it is very timely. It is really a reminder of who we are and why we teach. Penny shares story after story of students --the stories are genuine and honest. It is a book of both reflection and celebration and one that helped reground me.
Next up:
CAPTURE THE FLAG by Kate Messner
KEEPING SAFE THE STARS by Sheila O'Connor
The book Squish looks like a good addition to science books. & I keep hearing about Graceling, so will keep it on the list. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteGraceling is so good. The characters are all so well-drawn, and I think Leck is one of the most despicable villians in all of YA literature!
ReplyDeleteGraceling in on the list that I like to call "I can't believe I haven't read this yet and I promise to do so...someday"
ReplyDeletePenny Kittle is one of those people who dispenses timeless advice. She's a master teacher and a true literacy leader! Will have to check that book out... I haven't read it yet.
ReplyDeleteShe has another similar book called The Greatest Catch. I first heard about the books at the Boothbay Literacy retreat. Penny read aloud the one that is called something like Of frog legs and ... It was amazing!
DeleteOur school is still in session but summer vacation is coming soon! Thanks for the reading recommendations. I recently read, Inside Out & Back Again, by Thanhha Lai. I loved it and blogged about it here: http://speakwellreadwell.blogspot.com/2012/05/lovable-laughable-language-look-at-book.html
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you loved Graceling. It's great. When you finish the series and want another great fantasy, I definitely recommend Finnikin of the Rock (The Lumatere series), I just started the second. I would like to read through all the Babymouse, all the Squish, and all the Lunch Lady GN next week. That might be a lofty plan while also wanting to write...but we'll see how it goes. I'm so excited for summer reading!
ReplyDeleteI loved Graceling! You should check out the Battle for Angletonia also if you like reading about female power and definetly check out Outlander by Diana Gabaldon.
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