It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 12/24/12

Head over and meet Jen & Kellee at www.teachmentortexts.com 

for more on this awesome meme. There are many other "It's Monday" links.

Books I Read this Past Week...

This was one of those weeks where I did not read the books I had planned to. 

Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea    
(5 out of 5 stars)  

I would recommend this book. It was a fast, engaging read. I want to read the sequel Mr. Terupt Falls Again.

Struck By Lightning by Chris Colfer
(2 out of 5 stars)

I just wasn't inspired by this read. It was full of vindictive, negative characters. I much preferred Chris's children's book The Land of Stories. This one is definitely NOT for young kids. 

Books I Will *Try* To Read/Finish This Week...

Paranorman by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel

Sold by Patricia McCormick

Why I Teach Reading

It was just another typical end of the day at school. Most of the students were packed up and sitting on their desks to begin playing our "end of the day game" silent ball. Erinn, however, had chosen not to play. Instead, she wanted to keep reading the book I had recommended to her the day before - Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper.

If you've read Out of My Mind, you know the latter part of the book is moving and shocking and lovely. Erinn found herself right at that moment. She looked up at me, with tears in her eyes, and said, "Oh noooo."

This is why I teach.

Meeting Jeff Kinney

So, a funny story - I was in New York City last December with my mom. We went on a whirlwind trip just before Christmas. One morning, we decided to stop by The Today Show to see if we could end up on television. This was before they axed Ann Curry and I vowed to NEVER be a fan again. (They did you wrong, Ann!) As we arrived, I noticed that one of my favorite authors, Jeff Kinney, was being interviewed outside about donating books to charity for the holidays. I got so excited and my mom would've too, had she any idea who he was. A bit later, a producer from the Hoda/Kathie Lee Booze Hour was asking for people to go the next door studio to be part of Kathie's trivia game. Of course we jumped at the opportunity! My mom never liked Kathie Lee, but hey - she was a celebrity and we were in NYC. As we walked towards the studio where the trivia was taking place, Mr. Jeff Kinney was walking across the street. I chased after him and yelled, "Jeff please sign this for my students! They are such fans." He was so kind and signed my random sheet of paper, even though his handler was scolding him, "We've got to go! We have a flight to catch." We continued on to the trivia game, which was really fun. We sat in the audience and even got some air time, even though we were not one of the actual contestants. Mom said that Kathie Lee was "darling" (Jamie's Seal of Approval) and it became one of the best times we had on that trip.

Flash forward to November of this year and I had the pleasure of meeting Jeff Kinney again, at my local independent bookstore Joseph Beth. My good friend Laurie (a co-worker too) and I went. He was so kind by signing our books and even taking a picture with us. I didn't bring up our chance encounter on the streets of New York City, though...I didn't want to be all awkward and stuff like Greg Heffley.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (12/10/12)

Thanks to Jen and Kellee for hosting this idea on their site.  Here is a link to their site... http://www.teachmentortexts.com/

Books I Read this Past Week...

Eight Grade is Making Me Sick by Jennifer L. Holm    
(5 out of 5 stars)                       

Ghostoplis by Doug TenNapel 
(4 out of 5 stars)

The Beginner's Goodbye by Anne Tyler              
(5 out of 5 stars. An adult book, but so wonderful. Get your Kleenex. Anne Tyler's writing is so compelling.) 

Books I Will Read this Coming Week...

Paranorman by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel

Sold by Patricia McCormick

Bad Island by Doug TenNapel

Book Buys 11/19 ;-)

I bought some great books this evening. My new favorite author is Doug TenNepal. Also picked up a "staff pick" book - The Future of Us.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10959277-the-future-of-us

Hits in my Classroom - Fall 2012

Here are the biggest reading hits in my classroom so far this year:

Student Story/Philippe Petit

To follow up on our September 11th study, I wanted to share with you an amazing story that one of my students shared with us. Her birth possibly saved her father's life. She was born on 9-12-01, and he stayed longer in Cincinnati to be there for her birth. Had she not been born, he would have returned to his job at the WTC in New York City. As she has grown up, she has been referred to as her father's guardian angel. Isn't this AMAZING? Look at these!

By the way, when planning for next year's 9/11 study, might I suggest you read the Caldecott winning book, The Man Who Walked Between The Towers by Mordecai Gerstein.

Teaching about Philippe Petit's famous walk leaves my students speechless every year. Here are two links I use each year also. Footage from Petit's Walk and Actual News Report from 1974