Books I Didn't Get To...

There are lots of books I didn't get to in 2013. These are the books I hope to get to in early 2014 before I get started on upcoming 2014 titles--these seem too good to miss! (A few of these are older than 2013 but I am still hoping to get to them soon!)

Professional Books

The Literacy Teacher's Playbook, Grades 3-6: Four Steps for Turning Assessment Data into Goal-Directed Instruction

Middle Grade Novels

The False Prince: Book 1 of the Ascendance Trilogy

Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin

The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp

Young Adult

The Raven Boys

Jumping Off Swings

Living with Jackie Chan

Legend

Adult Fiction

Flight Behavior: A Novel (I just started this one!)
  Life After Life: A Novel
and another with the same title...

Life After Life: A Novel

The Goldfinch

The Husband's Secret

Adult Nonfiction

The Smartest Kids in the World: And How They Got That Way (I'm listening to this one so it might take a while. I'm about 1/4 of the way through.)

David and Goliath: Underdogs, Misfits, and the Art of Battling Giants

The Reason I Jump: The Inner Voice of a Thirteen-Year-Old Boy with Autism

Sunshine Awards!

On November 30, the wonderful Suzanne Gibbs of the blog Finding Fourth Grade awarded me with a Sunshine Award. I was so excited an honored. It took me a while to pull together the answers to the questions, etc. but here they are--a month late.  

Here's a little info on the Sunshine Award:

This is a way for bloggers to get to know each other and one of the cool things about it is that there are limitless "winners"! The Sunshine award gives others an opportunity to learn more about me as a blogger and then, in turn, I will send sunshine the way of 11 other amazing bloggers for you to get to know! Here are the "official" rules:

1. Acknowledge the nominating blogger.
2. Share 11 random facts about yourself.
3. Answer the 11 questions the nominating blogger has created for you.
4. List 11 bloggers. They should be bloggers you believe deserve some recognition and a little blogging love!
5. Post 11 questions for the bloggers you nominate to answer and let all the bloggers know they have been nominated. (You cannot nominate the blogger who nominated you.

So, here goes!

11 Random Facts About Me

        1 -I cannot sing.  At all. In our 5th grade program, the teacher asked me to
 mouth the words and by 6th grade they gave me a
“special part” as head angel which took me out of the choir.

2- I used to love roller coasters until
I married my husband who hates them.

3- I was married in the same church
as my mother and my grandmother.

4-My favorite kind of ice cream is grape from Handel’s.

5- My husband met my extended family on Thanksgiving Day
 a long time ago. After dinner at both grandmothers’ houses,
he thought I would grow up to cook like them. He was wrong.

6-I have attempted to find hobbies for years with no luck.

7-In 2nd grade, I threw up on my shoes
at the end of the school day so the teacher sent me home
 with a box in case I threw up again.  (I walked home.)

8- My favorite holidays are those that involve presents.

9-When I was in elementary school,
I ran a big carnival in my backyard to raise
money for a children’s home in our city.

10- I have not read the Harry Potter books

  11-Michael J. Fox, Joan Jett and I
have a movie credit in the same movie. I was an on-set tutor
for one day during the production of Light of Day which earned me a credit.

The Answers to Suzanne's Questions to Me:

1  Why did you start blogging?

Mary Lee suggested it and I trust her.

Do you prefer warm or cold weather? Any reason for that?

Warm because I want to cry when I am outside in the cold! Honestly, I prefer being indoors no matter what the weather. (Is indoor a kind of weather?)

Have you (and/or your family) decorated for the holidays yet? Why or why not?

Yes, every year while I am at NCTE, my husband decorates for the holidays.  Not sure how this tradition started but we like to enjoy the tree for a while before Christmas and then we take it down right after. 

Whom would you say is the ONE person in history you admire the most and why? 

I am inspired by all of the women in history who did things outside of what was expected/allowed at the time.

What's your favorite beverage?

Venti Awake Hot Tea from Starbucks

If you could recommend only one book to someone to read, what would it be?

Glass Castle

What is one thing on your "bucket list" not many people - or maybe no one - knows about?

 To live in a big city.

What's the most relaxing vacation you've been on?

Disney World

Who brings you the most joy in your life?

My family

If you could give a lot of money to one organization, which one would it be and why?

Ronald McDonald House

What's your favorite color?

 Yellow-it’s bright and happy

11 bloggers Who Deserve the Sunshine Award 

(And if you are too busy this time of year to post about this, that's fine--just wanted to give you a shout out!)

1-Stephanie Shouldis at Books, Interventions and More!

2-Ruth Ayres at Discover, Play Build

3-Stella at My World, Mi Mundo

4-Betsy at Teaching Young Writers

5-Karen Terlecky at Literate Lives

6-Carol Wilcox at Carol's Corner

7-Tony Keefer at Atychiphobia 2.0

8-Maria Caplin at Teaching in the 21st Century

9-Dylan Teut at Mile High Reading

10-Mandy Robek of Enjoy and Embrace Learning

11-Cathy Mere of Reflect and Refine

11 Questions for the Bloggers

1     1- What is the best thing that happened to you this week?

2     2- What is your favorite book of 2013?

3     3-Which TV shows do you watch regularly?

4     4-What is the thing you are most excited about for 2014?

5     5-Do you have any pets?

6     6-Is your favorite meal breakfast, lunch or dinner? Why?

7     7-What’s was a favorite childhood book?

8     8- Do you make New Year’s Resolutions?

9     9-What’s a favorite movie?

1     10- What’s one thing you love to do when you have free time?

1     11- Who is an author you’d love to meet?

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

I didn't go into #bookaday thinking I'd actually read a book a day but I'm actually close to having read a book a day and they are longer books that I've been hoping to read for a while. Here is this week's reading. It has been so nice to catch up. I think I'll end 2013 totally behind in my reading life, but at least I got back to it over break.

So glad that Jen and Kellee created this great Monday blog tradition. Visit their blogs for the link-ups!

Fangirl is definitely one of my favorite books of the year.  For days after I finished, I kept thinking about the characters and wishing I wasn't finished.  I read it in 2 sittings (night before bed and early, early morning.)  A great read. I read Eleanor and Park earlier this year and loved it.  This one is just as wonderful in a very different way  Rainbow Rowell is my new author hero.  So glad to have discovered her in 2013!

Africa Is My Home: A Child of the Amistad by Monica Edinger was another highlight of my reading week.    I have to admit that I knew very little about the Amistad but Monica Edinger made me care deeply about this event in history and the children who were involved. A fascinating story that I am so glad to have read.  It is probably one I will reread as it is amazingly brilliant.

I met author Erin Soderberg at #ncte13. Because I've been so far behind on my reading, her new book The Quirks: Welcome to Normal has been on my stack.  I ended up reading it as one of my #bookaday books and loved it. It is a fun new series about a family with unique "quirks".  They move to a very normal town and try to fit in. This book had everything in it that I loved about stories when I was younger.  That whole idea that something magical could be happening. The Littles, The Borrowers, Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle, I Dream of Jeanie, Escape to Witch Mountain and Bewitched were some of my favorite. I got that same feeling when I read this--loving the idea that someone I know may have magical powers! This is a new series and the 2nd is due out in February.  I think it is perfect for grades 3 and 4. I can't wait to share this one with my students!

Cold Spell (Fairy Tale Retelling) by Jackson Pearce --I love fairy tales, especially Snow Queen books since I read Breadcrumbs.  This is a fun YA version of the Snow Queen and it was a fun, quick read!  I'll definitely read more by this author.

And right now, I am in the middle of Winger . Amazing read. I wasn't able to read it in a day but I am loving it and so glad I fit it in over break!

Celebrate This Week!

Thanks to Ruth Ayres for this wonderful Saturday tradition!   Visit her blog for this week's link up!

Lots to celebrate this week!

#1  Christmas! It was a relaxing day with family. The girls are both older but it was a different kind of fun working together in the kitchen to get things ready, to clean up, etc.

#2 I made a few cookie boxes. I didn't bake as much as I usually do at Christmastime but I did make a few boxes of cookies. I discovered this box-decorating craft during my concussion-craft months and it is the only one I've continued to enjoy.  Little boxes of cookies = happy!

#3  I seem to have my reading life back. Thanks to Donalyn for her #bookaday challenge. I didn't really think I could do it but I have read 7 pretty amazing (and not so short) books.  I won't meet my Goodreads Challenge this year, but have LOVED catching up on my reading.  And I have loved the books I've read so far.  I'm so far behind in 2013 reading but it is nice to read books I've had on my TBR list.  Life is never as good when I'm not in the middle of a book.  So glad to be back to reading after a long rut.

#4  Having two dogs in quite a challenge.  Especially two dogs that don't like each other at all. But, our puppy does look cute in dorky outfits. Arnie has such a different personality than our older dog, Chloe.  It seems fitting to dress him up, take him to see Santa and buy him new toys.  My daughter thinks he will need his own closet soon.

#5  I love being home. I love days to just hang out at home. That is pretty much what we are doing for most of this winter break.

#6  I did not meet any of my 2013 goals, but I am okay with that.  I took a #nerdlution vacation and  needed it. I have tried for my whole life to not live my life in cycles but I love cycles.  I love working hard and resting hard. I need winters where I sit on the couch and read and winters where I get myself in shape.  I've learned that not meeting a goal or changing a goal doesn't mean I've failed and I've learned that taking a break doesn't mean I've quit.  Realizing this is a big celebration for me:-)

Enjoy your Saturday!!

Poetry Friday -- the roundup is here!

It's the last Poetry Friday of the year, and I celebrate our community! What a blessing to spend the 52nd Friday of the year with YOU, and with POETRY!

Leave your link in the comments, and I'll round you up into the post in between cooking for Mom so that she has leftovers in the freezer for the months to come (and making a pan of Browned Butter and Sea Salt Rice Crispy Treats in spite of all of the other holiday goodies that beg to be nibbled), playing hours-long games of Sequence at the kitchen table while chatting about nothing in particular, long walks in the ol' hometown while listening to my current audiobook, The Goldfinch, and other assorted thises and thats Mom finds for me to do.

But first, let's give thanks for a three-hour plane trip home. (Translation: time to read!)

After the River the Sun
by Dia Calhoun
illustrated by Kate Slater
Atheneum Books for Young Readers, July 2013

review copy provided by the author

Last summer, Eva of the Farm (also by Dia Calhoun) made a brief Poetry Friday appearance with a whole group of other verse novels. I love the spunky character of Eva, who saves her family's farm -- an apple orchard in north central Washington -- with her art and poetry.

In this companion verse novel, Eva helps Eckhart Lyon to heal his heart. Eckhart's parents were killed in a white water rafting accident and he has come to live with his curmudgeonly Uncle Albert whose orchards are next to Eva's family's. Eckhart's passion for the story of King Arthur frames his quest for a permanent home and redemption for his parents' deaths, and helps to forge a connection between him and Eva. In a satisfying conclusion, even Uncle Albert finds a much-needed peace.

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

Without further ado, here's the roundup:

Keri, at Keri Recommends, is in first with the villanelle that Robyn wrote for her for the Winter Poem Swap...

...and Robyn shares the Winter Poem Swap Keri wrote for her at Life on the Deckle Edge.

Jone has a poetry pairing at Check it Out.

Myra, at Gathering Books, shares a poem to fill a hungry soul.

Charles, at Father Goose, has his eye on snowflakes.

Diane has another winter poem swap poem to share at Random Noodling -- the one Margaret wrote for her.

Kurious Kitty shares a Denise Levertov poem for the new year.

At KK's Kwotes, there's a quote from Douglas Kornfeld.

At Today's Little Ditty, Michelle has a Five for Friday Celebration for the new year.

Dia Calhoun, author of the verse novel After the River the Sun (reviewed above), shares an excerpt to further tempt you to read this fabulous book!

Julie, at The Drift Record, has images by the Finnish painter, Elin Kleopatra Danielson-Gambogi, and a poem by Jane Kenyon.

At The Opposite of Indifference, Tabatha shares two poems by Emily Dickinson.

Margaret is sharing one of the poems from her "10 Poems Over Break" personal challenge at Reflections on the Teche.

At The Drawer, MM Socks has a poem about crows.

Donna give Spiny Pine his own poem over at Mainely Write.

Betsy has some "little bits" for us today at I Think in Poems.

Lori is flying high with her haiku at On Point.

It was a quiet roundup this week. If you've got something to add tomorrow or Sunday, the roundup offer does not expire.

Later this weekend, I'll update the roundup calendar. Stay tuned.

To inspire your next poems, I'll leave you with this:

It's Monday! What Are You Reading

Love this Monday tradition hosted by Teach Mentor Texts. Visit their blog to see what others are reading this week!

I'm only kind of doing Holiday #bookaday this year. I am hopeful, but the way 2013 has gone with meeting goals, I am realistic that it might not happen.  16 days off would mean 16 books. We'll see.   Some I am dying to read are very long (like Goldfinch) so I may give up on #bookaday just to read books I love. But I started out with #bookaday because I love it and we'll see where it take me. Here is how it's gone so far:

Odette's Secrets is a great novel in verse. A great addition to any collection of Holocaust books for children. This one is based on a true story and is accessible for upper elementary/middle grade students.

Ivy in the Shadows seems to be a good story for middle school kids. Ivy is going through a hard time as her father just left and her mother has to find a full-time job. Lots of real life middle school issues in this one but nothing too big.

Wolf and Dog (Gecko Press Titles) is a novel in verse about two friends. This book--the story, the friendship and the voice--reminded me a bit of Frog and Toad.

The Smartest Kids in the World: And How They Got That Way is one I am listening to, so it may take me a while. But this is a fascinating read in that it is told in a kind of narrative--in a way that helps us see the differences between US's educational system and others.  It follows three American exchange students and we learn different things from each one.  So glad I discovered this one.

Celebrate This Week!

This is week 10 of the habit of keeping an eye out all week long for what we'll celebrate with Ruth and the others who link up at ruth ayres writes.

There was no question in my mind what I would celebrate this week. I emailed Franki immediately and claimed the Celebration Post for this week.

I wanted to celebrate the last day before Holiday Break. No, not because it was the last day before break (...okay, maybe a little), but because of what we did and the feeling we left with.

About a month ago, the Tech Support Teacher (TST) with whom I've been working sent an email suggesting we try Common Craft Videos. Here's a video that explains what they are and how to make them:





After break, our fifth graders are going to be doing persuasive presentations on the topic of their choice. My students have worked with Keynote, so I wanted them to have another tool from which to choose for the way they would present their argument. Common Craft videos seem like they'd work.

But before jumping in and doing it with their persuasive topic, I knew they would need to experience the process themselves.

I decided we would make a Common Craft music video on the morning of the last day before break.

Crazy, right?
Wrong.

They were motivated and focused. They worked really hard. They collaborated without arguing. I got to do that thing where you get them started and then step back and watch them take over and make it happen. Leaders emerged. Followers willingly followed. Not that my heart was Grinchily small to start with, but I did have a "heart growing two sizes and breaking the frame" moment as I watched them work, and when we celebrated our success at the end of 2 hours.

Yup. Two hours, start to finish:
1. watch the Common Craft video
2. listen to the song (just visualize possible images)
3. listen to the song with lyrics in front of you (sketch possible images)

4. take volunteers to make each image

5. draw, color, cut

6. practice, problem-solve, practice, teacher messes up, practice, success!

getting the images in order to slide under the camera

iPad is ready to record, iPhone is ready to play music,
images are ready to slide through the recording space,
team is ready with script to catch the images that need to
come back for the chorus

7. students and teacher spend the morning singing this song together:

Poetry Friday -- Poets Laureate -- And a GIVEAWAY!

Flickr Creative Commons Photo from the Boston Public Library

WE'RE BUILDING THE SHIP
AS WE SAIL IT

The first fear
being drowning, the
ship's first shape
was a raft, which
was hard to unflatten
after that didn't
happen. It's awkward
to have to do one's
planning in extremis
in the early years--
so hard to hide later:
sleekening the hull,
making things
more gracious.

©Kay Ryan, 2010
in The Best of It: New and Selected Poems



(I think this is perhaps the story of my year...)


Kay Ryan is one of the three US Poets Laureate I've met in person (also Ted Kooser and Billy Collins). These are the "live" autographs in my collection of books signed by Poets Laureate. This week, my birthday package from my brother arrived, and three more autographs have been added to my collection: Daniel Hoffman (1973-74, totally new to me), W.S. Merwin (2010-11, a book of his short stories from SW France), and...

Kay Ryan's newest collection, The Best of It: New and Selected Poems, First Edition, hardback.

So here's where we get to the give-away. I already own Kay Ryan's new collection...in paperback. Since I have a signed (first edition) hardback, I think YOU should have the paperback edition! Sunday night, I'll randomly choose from the commenters and I'll send it to YOU!

Updated: Sunday, 9:17 PM. The random number generator at random.org picked #8, which is Violet Nesdoly! You are the winner of the Kay Ryan book!

Buffy has the Poetry Friday Roundup this week at Buffy's Blog.

Two dates are One date is left on Check out the roundup calendar for the next 6 months!! Now that the calendar is complete, I'll put the html code in the files on the Kidlitosphere Yahoo group and into the calendar there, and send the dates to the Kidlitosphere web page webmistress. Shoot me an email if you want me to send you the code for your blog's sidebar.

Thank You, T.A. Barron!

Recently, we got the nicest email through the blog. It was from author T.A. Barron, thanking us for our work with children and all we do on our blog to get great books into the hands of teachers and kids.

Then, nicer still, he sent each of us a big box of books and posters, ranging from his picture book about the day the giant stone heads on Easter Island walked...

The Day the Stones Walked

...to the first five books in his acclaimed Merlin series...

The Lost Years: Book 1 (Merlin)

...to two that feature strong girls (Tree Girl and The Ancient One (Kate Gordon) ), plus his newest

Atlantis Rising

Philomel, September 2013

But the thing that most caught my eye in this big box of goodies was the flier for the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes.

This prize, named for Barron's mother, honors twenty-five young people every year for the work they've done to make our world a better place. 

The heroism of a character in a book of fantasy might seem like just a story, but T.A. Barron shows us that heroism is alive and well and embodied in young people from every corner of the country and every walk of life. His book The Hero's Trail also provides true stories of every day heroism.



What if each of us instituted a prize in our school or community to recognize the brave and important things that the young ones we work with make happen? I'm thinking of the fifth grader in my class who has single-handedly started a student council in our building. Or the third graders that raised money for diabetes when their classmate was diagnosed. We need to hold these kids up, publicly recognize them, and thank them for their vision and passion.

Thank you, T.A. Barron for your books, and for reminding us to celebrate our young heroes!