The BookWorm

Caldecott Winners

2009-08-10T15:53:00.002-05:00

I've decided to begin collecting a copy of each Caldecott winner for my children and future grandchildren. When I looked at the list, I discovered I already had a few. Some were gifts, others were found in tiny book stores. I don't care about hardback copies; paperback works just as well. Many of these are not considered "popular" but have timeless characteristics that carry them through generations. Read what the Caldecott Medal is all about here.

Here's the list: 1938-present

Well, I thought I could copy and paste the list, but I couldn't so go to the link to see the complete list. I have Where the Wild Things Are, Lon Po-Po, Officer Buckle and Gloria, and Fables.

I can't wait to start ebaying and thrift store searching for other titles! If you know any cheap resources, let me know. I'm not sure if any are out of print...must check Amazon.

Where Does It Go?

2009-07-28T15:34:00.004-05:00

Time- it gets away from me before I even know it's happening!

I have recently read Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert. Enjoyable story about a woman's quest to "find herself" through Italy, India, and Indonesia. Many parts were entertaining and educational; others were a strain to filter through the cultural references. Visit her site to read many other reviews.

I just began a book found on the bargain table at Waldenbooks. It claims to be an international bestseller and the title is familiar but I can't place where I've heard it. Interred With Their Bones by Jennifer Lee Carrell Since I teach a unit of Shakespeare to my students, I think I'll enjoy the references.

Finally, I have to read the most recent book in the young adult series by James Patterson, Max

Any recommendations from my readers?

Making a Dent

2009-07-06T20:50:00.003-05:00

I've read quite a few books since my last post. As noted, I received books from interlibrary loan. That was a good experience. I requested 3 and got all 3 within a couple weeks. The downside to it was the cost- $2.60 per book. I guess it's better than buying in the store.

On vacation, I read The Senator's Wife by Sue Miller. I heard about it here.

Then, I started Deadline by Chris Crutcher. This book is on the 2010 high school Sequoyah masterlist. I read all the middle school and high school Sequoyah nominees so I can make recommendations to students. Wow, this book is thought provoking! Well, anything by Chris Crutcher will make you stop and think. Basic plot is an 18 year old senior finds out he has a deadly form of cancer and refuses treatment. He also decides not to tell his family. His family doctor is not legally allowed to tell the family, either. The story that unfolds is about how this kid, who knows his life is short, makes the most of his senior year. It's a tear jerker like none other. But, I think our older teenagers could really pick up on the lessons here. What really makes life important, making decisions, etc.

I then moved to The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan. This book is seriously weird! I really didn't care for it but it is freaky in a way that junior kids will love it. No vampires, just people called the Unconsecrated.

Wintergirls is my latest read. It is by Laurie Halse Anderson, one of my favorite authors. In true Anderson fashion, the book is loaded with figurative language and imagery. I am writing down quotes to use for teaching next year. The subject matter is scary and emotionally wrenching. It deals with anorexia and cutting, two habits common among our teenage girls (and some boys). I really liked the writing style despite the disturbing material. It will be VERY popular in my junior high when our library gets a copy!

So, the summer reading list is getting shorter. Has anyone read a good book lately?

Reading Update

2009-06-16T11:26:00.003-05:00

Update: I finished the books from my last post. Multiple Blessings was a quick read- 2 days tops. I waded through the Danielle Steel book. It had a different twist than her other books but still had that adult book feel. I am so used to young adult books that I have a hard time with adult books with complex plot and descriptive detail.

I used interlibrary loan for some of the titles on my summer reading list. I haven't done that since college when I needed articles for a research paper. We'll see how it goes. I only requested 3 since I was afraid I'd get them all at once and have to speed read.

We're leaving on vacation next week so I'll be scouring our public library to find a few for the road. I love road trip reading!

What I'm Reading Now

2009-06-08T12:20:00.005-05:00

Just finished My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult

RUN, don't walk, to your nearest book store or Wal-Mart and get this book! I haven't been this moved by a book in a long time. There is no way the movie will be better; read the book!

Picked up these today at the library:

Multiple Blessings- by Jon and Kate Gosselin
Despite their recent strife, I'm still fascinated with their lives.

Matters of the Heart- by Danielle Steel
I read EVERYTHING by her!

Summer Reading List

2009-06-01T15:06:00.003-05:00

Now that the glorious season is here, my reading gear will go up a notch. I love reading a good book with my kids splashing in the pool around me!

I'm just starting my summer reading list and I need help from all of you!

Here is what I have so far:
1. The Senator's Wife- Sue Miller
2. The Wintergirls- Laurie Halse Anderson
3. My Sister's Keeper- Jodi Picoult --Just bought it at Wal-Mart today!
4. City of Ashes and City of Glass (book 2&3 in a series)- Cassandra Clare
5. Graceling- Kristin Cashore
6.?
................

Leave me a comment with your suggestions for summer reading. I need to broaden my horizons so it's okay to suggest something other than vampires :)

Mortal Instruments: Book One

2009-05-31T15:00:00.004-05:00

I've grown bored of books with only vampires and have moved on to a combination of vampires, werewolves, faeries, and other fantasy sort of creatures. This led me to the first book in a new series called The Mortal Instruments. At the pleading of 3 8th graders, I read City of Bones in one weekend. I enjoyed it more from a curiosity standpoint than anything. I wanted to know what had propelled these 3 to beg me to read it. It certainly was intriguing with a combination of magic, fantasy, romance, and all kinds of mythical creatures. Thankfully, the 2nd and 3rd books are already released so I can move on to the next one without the months of wait time that usually prevail. The author, Cassandra Clare, has a website dedicated to all of her stuff but this series has it's own site here.

The Help

2009-05-17T18:42:00.002-05:00

Kathryn Stockett has written a powerful first novel about the racial division between whites and blacks. My curiosity propelled me to read this 451 pg. book with fervor as I learned about a world so different from 2009. The setting is Jackson, Mississippi, around 1962. Ms. Skeeter is the cotton plantation owner's daughter with a college degree but no prospects for marriage. She moves back home to find her beloved maid, Constantine, gone with no one telling anything about her disappearance. Aibileen is a black maid, raising her 17th white child. She lost her own son to a foolish act of a white person and knows her heart is broken. Minny, Aibileen's best friend has the biggest mouth this side of the Mississippi and has lost plenty of jobs because of it.

These 3 women embark on an adventure destined to open the door to the many stories black maids have to tell about their white families. I was intrigued with the many details of a lifestyle such as this. It is different than a slave/master relationship because the help received a wage but segration was still there with separate bathrooms in white people houses.

The Help is addictively, compulsively readable. I couldn’t put it down. Stockett’s debut is well-written, and it is clear that she really understands Southern life and has made great efforts to understand what life was like for black women who served white families. She presents sad stories that leave a great glimmer of hope, and though she examines our differences and our mistakes, she highlights our humanity to wonderful effect. And while this is a serious book, it also has wonderfully lighthearted moments, humorous moments, and strikingly funny insights into women and their behavior.

I took this review from here.

The Last Lecture

2009-05-13T20:48:00.002-05:00

The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

You've probably heard the story...

Randy Pausch, a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon, discovered he was dying of terminal cancer. He was asked to give a "Last Lecture" before most people knew of his condition. He used that opportunity to focus on achieving your childhood dreams, no matter the obstacles. He wanted to leave something of himself for his children who would never really know their father.

The story is short but poignant. It will make you cry and smile through the tears. It will make you hug your loved ones and thank God for another day.

Quotes I love from this book:
"Time is all you have. And you may find one day that you have less than you think."

"We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand."

Sunrise Over Fallujah

2009-04-25T11:51:00.003-05:00

A book that will make you rethink your thoughts of war.

House of Night #5 and Down The Rabbit Hole

2009-04-19T20:32:00.004-05:00

I wrapped up the 5th House of Night novel last week. It was as good as the other 4 but the first book, Marked, is still my favorite. Rumor has it that there will be a 6th and, based on how Hunted ended, I can see why. Check out the House of Night series for racy vampires!

On to a new book called Down The Rabbit Hole by Peter Abrahams. This is a new author for me. I did some research on google (is that real research?!?!) and found lots of interesting details. For the young reader who enjoys mystery and suspense, this is a fun and safe book. It doesn't have the allure of horror but maintains a healthy sense of whodunit.

Welcome to Echo Falls. Home of a thousand secrets, where Ingrid Levin-Hill, super sleuth, never knows what will happen next.
Ingrid is in the wrong place at the wrong time. Or at least her shoes are. Getting them back means getting involved in a murder investigation rivaling those solved by her idol, Sherlock Holmes, and Ingrid has enough on her plate with club soccer, school, and the plum role of Alice in the Echo Falls production of Alice in Wonderland. But much as in Alice's adventures down the rabbit hole, things in Ingrid's small town keep getting curiouser and curiouser. Her favorite director has a serious accident onstage (but is it an accident?), and the police chief is on Ingrid's tail, grilling her about everything from bike-helmet law to the color of her cleats. Echo Falls has turned into a nightmare, and Ingrid is determined to wake up. Edgar Award–nominated novelist Peter Abrahams builds suspense as a smart young girl finds that her small town isn't nearly as safe as it seems.

Chris Crutcher

2009-04-01T06:15:00.003-05:00

I been reading all things Chris lately. He is a border-line young adult author, meaning the characters are teenagers but the content is very mature, making the books more like adult books.

I teach one of his novels, Staying Fat for Sarah Brynes. Remember, I do anythinng I can to push the envelope when it comes to reading literature. I believe if kids are exposed to it in print, they won't be as tempted to try it in "real life." That's just my theory and you certainly don't have to agree with me.

Anywho, back to Chris Crutcher. Recently, I read Sledding Hill and Whale Talk; both were totally different than his other books and from each other. I didn't care for Sledding Hill because of the take on religion. Whale Talk, on the other hand, was aout of this world! This was a book I was reading while cooking supper, giving baths, and other household chores. I would cry and be angry at the same time; I wanted the good guy to win. He does, but not in the way you'd expect.

Visit his website at www.chriscrutcher.com to find out more.

Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson

2009-03-06T18:12:00.002-06:00

This book was my latest obsession. I couldn't put it down. I love this author, especially her book, Speak. I am terrible about writing my own reviews, so check out the one I "stole" from Amazon.

Socially inept Tyler Miller thinks his senior year of high school is going to be a year like no other. After being sentenced to a summer of character building physical labor following a graffiti prank, his reputation at school receives a boost, as do his muscles. Enter super-popular Bethany Milbury, sister of his tormentor, Chip, and daughter of his father's boss. Tyler's newfound physique has attracted her interest and infuriated Chip, leading to ongoing conflicts at school. Likewise, Tyler's inability to meet his volatile father's demands to be an asset, not a liability adds increasing tension. All too quickly, Tyler's life spirals out of control. In the wake of an incident at a wild party that Bethany has invited him to attend, he is left feeling completely isolated at school and alienated at home, a victim of twisted perception. Tyler must tackle the complex issues of integrity, personal responsibility, and identity on his own as he struggles to understand what it means to be a man. His once humorous voice now only conveys naked vulnerability. With gripping scenes and a rousing ending, Anderson authentically portrays Tyler's emotional instability as he contemplates darker and darker solutions to his situation. Readers will rejoice in Tyler's proclamation, I'm not the problem here…I'm tired of feeling like I am. Teenage concerns with sex, alcohol, grades, and family are all tackled with honesty and candor. Once again, Anderson's taut, confident writing will cause this story to linger long after the book is set down.–Erin Schirota, Bronxville Public Library, NY

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs

2009-02-13T20:00:00.004-06:00

My sister-in-law, Sarah, introduced me to this delightful book. I hadn't heard of the title, but she fondly remembered it from childhood. She was thoughtful enough to send Lillian and Lucas a copy for Valentine's Day. Lillian and I read it twice the night we got it. Lillian loved the silly story and I enjoyed the illustrations. It is about a town called Chewsandswallow where the townspeople get their breakfast, lunch, and dinner from the sky. Life is simple until the fickle weather starts sending hurricanes of rolls, giant pancakes that flatten the school, and meatballs big enough to crush houses. The people must find away to stop the "weather" or leave their town forever. Fun, fun story!

While researching online, I discovered that a computer animated video version will be released in Sept. 2009. Also, there are lesson plans for teaching weather.

Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs by Judi Barrett

original copyright: 1978

sequel: Pickles for/to Pittsburgh

Modern Day Fairy Tale

2009-02-08T14:44:00.002-06:00

Beastly by Alex Flinn is a modern day Beauty and the Beast from the point of view of Beast, aka Kyle Kingsbury. Kyle is a snooty rich kid who attends a prep school in NYC. He and his friends would never think of spending time with someone who was "ugly." At a school dance, Kyle gives an imperfect rose to the plain girl taking tickets at the door and his life changes forever. Later that night, a witch named Kendra visits him and turns him into a beast. Kyle has 2 years to find someone to love him as he is or he will remain a beast forever.

If you like fairy tales, you will like this book. I am a bigger fan of Alex Flinn's other books. In fact, I teach Breathing Underwater in 8th grade English. Each of her books deals with a pertinent social issue facing teens today. Some books have mild language but nothing more than the average teen hears on a daily basis. Pull off your prude panties to read Breathing Underwater!

Books I've Read Lately

2009-02-01T13:58:00.003-06:00

As always, I'm knee deep in young adult literture. 2 of my recent favorites are from Catherine Gilbert Murdock. The voice of the main character, D.J., is strong and true. In Dairy Queen, D.J. is the only girl in a family of athletic boys. While she is no wimp, she has been the "responsible" one able to take over the family dairy farm after her dad had hip surgery. D.J. has to struggle with her love of the farm, her resentment towards her father, and an annoying boy named Brian who happens to be from a rival town. When a close family friend sends Brian to the Schwenk Farm for some lessons in hard work and responsibility, D.J. is the one stuck with the teaching. What unfolds is way more than you'd expect. To continue the life of D.J. and her family, check out the sequel, Off Season.

By the way, all pictures are courtesy of Amazon. Head over there and check out the reviews before you decide to buy or rent.

I did venture out to adult books *gasp* with the reading of To My Dearest Friends by Patricia Volk. This was a spontaneous grab at the library and it proved enjoyable.

Review“To My Dearest Friends has an irresistible premise: Two weeks after Roberta ‘Bobbi’ Bloom dies, her lawyer calls her two best friends, Alice Vogel and Nanny Wunderlich, to his office. Why? Because Bobbi has given them keys to a safety deposit box. And now the lawyer has a letter for them from Bobbi. Alice and Nanny–who have nothing in common but their friendship with the deceased–go to the bank. In the box, they find another letter. A love letter. To Bobbi. Undated. With no further instructions. . . . Obviously, Alice and Nanny can’t agree what to do next. But in the course of not agreeing they have reasons to get together. And we get two treats along the way: wonderfully sharp dialogue and observations, and a quick but deep look into the lives of two New York women. . . . I hoovered this book in an evening. . . . How does it turn out? With a fantastic surprise. . . . To My Dearest Friends is an addictive urban adventure story. Nancy Drew for the post-menopausal. Chick-lit for grown-up chicks. And, just maybe, the first novel about New York women to ring a bell for readers in the ‘burbs since The Devil Wore Prada. You don’t have to be 50-plus to enjoy To My Dearest Friends. Or even a woman. You just have to like ‘smart.’”–Jesse Kornbluth, HeadButler.com

My family thanks me for finishing this next book because most of them were ignored while I was reading it. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins was gripping, disturbing, and too close to reality. However, the story was impossible to put down and I devoured the pages, determined to know the ending. As I turned the last few pages, I started to realize there was no way the book could end this simply and, of course, it couldn't. I understand this is to be a trilogy. The 2nd book is available for pre-order on Amazon.

How can I explain the plot? I guess I will say picture a North America in the distant future. It 's hard to tell how far because, and this is the the disturbing part, it could be closer than we think. In this new North America, there are 13 Districts controlled by 1 capital.

(from Entertainment Weekly)
As negative Utopias go, Suzanne Collins has created a dilly. The United States is gone. North America has become Panem, a TV-dominated dictatorship run from a city called the Capitol. The rest of Panem is divided into 12 Districts (the former 13th had the bad judgment to revolt and no longer exists). The yearly highlight in this nightmare world is the Hunger Games, a bloodthirsty reality TV show in which 24 teenagers chosen by lottery two from each District fight each other in a desolate environment called the ''arena.'' The winner gets a life of ease; the losers get death. The only ''unspoken rule'' is that you can't eat the dead contestants. Let's see the makers of the movie version try to get a PG-13 on this baby.

I have only muddied the waters as to what this book is about but I will say it is worth your read even if the plot does have striking similarity to other books (1984, Animal Farm, "The Lottery")

Holiday Reading

2008-11-30T21:47:00.003-06:00

I like to read books specific to the holiday that is approaching so my children have a greater appreciation of what it all means. Christmas is the holiday with the most in our collection so far. I have Halloween books, Easter books, and 1 Thanksgiving book. I also found that by seperating them from the rest of the books it makes them special since they only appear for a short time then are put away. Lillian has a drawer in her desk that we use to store the holiday books. I pulled the Christmas books out tonight with the hope of reading 1 every night this month. Some are chunky board books for little hands and others are the classics like A Charlie Brown Christmas. One particular favorite is Bear Stays Up For Christmas by Karma Wilson. We also have 2 books about Dora celebrating the holiday and one with The Little Engine Who Could.

I'm hoping to expand our collection over the next few years so let's dedicate this post to finding out great holiday classics that your family enjoys. It can go beyond Christmas. I'd like to hear some great ones about St. Patrick's Day and 4th of July.

Kids and The Library

2008-11-19T21:46:00.003-06:00

As most households, we have a plethora of books for our children to enjoy. There is a special bookcase in our house built just for these books!

Despite the many choices at home, nothing is better than a trip to the library for "new" books. There is something about the library that has confused Lillian in the way of buying and bartering. She has seen me use my library card at the library then use my debit card at Wal-mart. I can just imagine her thought process- "mom uses a similar card at both places but at one place, she is eager to take me and whip out the card. at the other, she relunctantly visits and limits what I can put in the cart. why is that?"

Now that she is 5, I think she understands the concept of "checking out books" or "renting." Her brain has made a distinction between this and "buying" at the store. When you think about it, it really is a confusing issue but I think we have finally conquered it. Visits to the library are enjoyed because we can get whatever we want FOR FREE!

Now that is something I can live with!

How I Choose Books

2008-10-24T20:38:00.002-05:00

When I hear of a good book or someone recommends a book to me, the first thing I do is go to amazon.com and search for the title. Then, I read the reviews and the summary. If it sounds interesting, I write the title and author on my book wish list. I price the book on ebay and Amazon before making a purchase. Sometimes, the public library will have it. Even though I have an obsession with books, I don't like them cluttering up my home. I would rather borrow than buy.

Sometimes I choose a book because of it's cover. Does anyone else do that?

Comments

2008-10-21T21:47:00.001-05:00

Readers have posted great recommendations in the comment section of my last post. Be sure to click on "comments" to hear about books others are reading!

I Can't Believe It!

2008-10-19T20:27:00.003-05:00

Has it really been weeks since I've posted?!?! Yes, it has and I feel terrible!

I have been reading tons of young adult literature so I can recommend books to my students. I read Catalyst by Laurie Halse Anderson. I teach Speak by the same author and many students want to know what else she has written when we finish it.

Teenage guys are loving a series by Rick Riordan. The first book is called The Lightning Thief. It has to do with Greek gods and goddesses with constant action and heart pounding excitement. I think younger kids would enjoy this, too.

Finally, I'm previewing a memoir by Elie Wiesel called Night to possibly teach in pre-AP this year. It is his personal experience in surviving the Holocaust. It has several parts that are graphic and stomach wrenching. Do I really want to tackle this in 8th grade? Probably the most disturbing is the truthfulness of his account.

Finally, finally, I am starting the 3rd House of Night book. Back to vampires!

Anyone reading anything new and exciting? I often get stuck in a rut with certain authors or genres and hearing your recommendations really help.

On Deck

2008-09-03T20:59:00.002-05:00

Hello, my loyal readers (even if there are only 2 of you)! Starting the school year has taken a toll on my blog updates. I've barely had time to keep up with my personal blog, let alone this one. However, I have been reading! I'm in the 2nd House of Night book called Betrayed. This is another vampire series, folks, and it's a good one! Oklahoma authors and lots of references to the Tulsa area make this one our teens will love!

The Scholastic Book Fair has been at my school this week and oh, how I drooled! I had a stack of choices a mile high before checking the pocketbook and did the responsible thing. I narrowed my choices based on the amount of cash I had and came away with 2 books. The first is an adult bestseller by Lori Lansens called The Girls. It's a story about 2 sisters who happen to be twins and who happen to be conjoined. The story is about their life. I can't wait to start it! My second purchase is a young adult novel that flew off the book fair shelves into the clamoring hands of eager junior high students wanting something cutting edge. I think they've found it. It's The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod- Eighth Grade Bytes by Heather Brewer. Critics called it "gruesome, heartwarming, spellbinding." My type of adjectives!

I did a booktalk over a book in my Top Ten- Silent to the Bone- to my classes last week. All 5 copies in the library were checked out by the end of the day and the waiting list multiplied. How I love the power of suggestion!

Students: It's Back to School Time!

2008-08-17T15:57:00.004-05:00

If you are visiting for the first time, I welcome you! I finally added my Top 10 list on the right side of the blog. This is a changing list that I update once a year after I have had a summer of reading great young adult literature. I'll be blogging about each one of the Top 10 over the next few weeks so stay tuned. I have another HUGE list of books that used to be on my Top 10 or just missed the cut but are still fantastic reading. That list will be available soon.

Anyone read a good book lately? Leave a comment and tell me the title and author. I'm always looking for new books!

It's Here!

2008-08-06T16:41:00.002-05:00

Today's the day! My advance purchase copy of Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyers finally arrived from Amazon. Tonight will be a long night as I delve into the fascinating conclusion to this 4 book series. Truly an epic romance!

Book Sharing

2008-08-06T16:32:00.003-05:00

Many of my loyal readers have indicated that they are interested in reading books that I have detailed on this blog. I am a reader who doesn't spend $ on books but rather uses the local library and the generosity of friends to feed my addiction. So... if there is a book that I have mentioned that you want to borrow, please let me know in the comment section and I will gladly loan it to you. Likewise, if you have a book you think I or my children might enjoy, please share with us.

*My secret dream: to be a librarian- because I would be surrounded by the smell, feeling, and sight of books every day!*

Off The Bookshelf

2008-08-02T21:35:00.005-05:00

I picked up this book at a library discard table and it has become one of Lillian's favorites.

Some of my other posts have centered around books appropriate for girls only. This one might just fascinate boys more than girls. Check out these lines from the book:

"If one million kids climbed onto one another's shoulders, they would be taller than the tallest buildings, higher than the highest mountains, and farthur up than airplanes can fly. If you wanted to count from one to one million, it would take you about 23 days."

The book continues with billion and then trillion. At the end, the author gives a detailed description of how he came up with the measurements and numbers. I thought that part was fascinating!

What I've Been Reading

2008-08-02T21:31:00.002-05:00

I've sadly neglected this blog but that probably won't change since school is on the horizon. I promise to make 1 post a week but the content will be predominately young adult literature since that has to do with my job. 8th graders need as much encouragement as possible!

On my vacation last week I read Stephanie Meyer's book The Host. It is not part of the Twilight series but is just as good. It is certainly a book written in the distant future but still with the hint of romance that Meyer does so well. 700 pgs. later, I moved on to a book that was on my "on deck" list from a previous post.

Road Trip Reading

2008-07-21T09:44:00.003-05:00

On a long road trip this past weekend, I bypassed my "on deck" books and read a new young adult novel. The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie is a funny, sad, and real story all in one. Check out this summary from the author's website:

In his first book for young adults, bestselling author Sherman Alexie tells the story of Junior, a budding cartoonist who leaves his school on the Spokane Indian Reservation to attend an all-white high school. This heartbreaking, funny, and beautifully written tale, coupled with poignant drawings that reflect the character’s art, is based on the author’s own experiences and chronicles the contemporary adolescence of one Native American boy as he attempts to break away from the life he seems destined to live.

I have been hearing about this book for a while and kept seeing it on must-read book lists. I loved it! Trickled throughout the story are cartoons drawn by the main character, Junior.

Fancy Nancy

2008-07-16T22:10:00.003-05:00

These are Lillian's favorite books! I think they're pretty cool, too. The illustrations are beautiful and it teaches mature vocabulary like ecstatic and ensemble. Lillian has been known to use iridescent in a sentence. Wow!

On Deck

2008-07-16T22:05:00.002-05:00

I've been on a hiatus from reading the past couple of days. I don't know why; I guess I saturated my brain with other people's lives and needed a break. The last book I finished was Honeymoon by James Patterson. If you've ever read anything by him, you know it was intense.

Here's what I have on deck:
A Prayer For Owen Meany by John Irving
Seasons of Passions by Danielle Steel
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

Karen Kingsbury

2008-07-13T13:14:00.002-05:00

Today's post is about my introduction to Christian fiction. My mom had read a couple of Karen Kingsbury's books and recommended them to me. I wasn't so sure because I doubted they would have the racy plots that I enjoy. Then, Mom bought me 2 books for my birthday and I decided to give one a whirl. I read A Time To Dance first and am currently reading Above the Clouds. I immediately noticed the strong spiritual connections and the emphasis on prayer. A Time To Dance is a story of reconciliation between a man and wife who have had a fairytale marriage but time, children, and jobs have wedged between the 2 and now they are facing a divorce. The story sounds just like the life of someone I might know and it is comforting to read about how the power of prayer can save a marriage.

Review of Carl Hiassen

2008-07-12T15:53:00.002-05:00

Don't be turned off by the title! Strip Tease by Carl Hiassen didn't live up to my expectation of "hilarious" like the back cover advertised. As a result, I didn't finish the book. That is a common practice for me if the plot just isn't my thing. I feel like I shouldn't waste valuable reading time on a book I don't really like. Like I said, don't let the title turn you away. It refers to the occupation of the main character, Erin, who is morally stuck between a rock and a hard place when it comes to making money and getting her daughter back from her loser/thief/druggie ex-husband. I think I'll try one of his young adult books like Flush or Hoot next.

Hidden Treasure

2008-07-11T09:02:00.003-05:00

While the kiddos were gone, I had the chance to visit a used bookstore that I have wanted to see for ages. I think it's called Cash for Books and , if you live in the area, it's on 2nd street in Edmond. They have over 40,000 used books and half the store has books for $1. Heaven! When I walked in, the helpful owner told me that in the $1 section you get more free books the more you buy. If you buy 5 books, you get 6; if you buy 10 books, you get 15, etc. I looked for 2 hours and barely made a dent but I did come home with some great choices. I found a vintage book by Margaret Wise Brown that was printed in 1939. I also picked up more paperbacks to add to my growing stack of "must-reads." All in all, it is now my favorite used book store. For any teachers out there: On Saturdays from 10-12, you can get 10 free books by showing some kind of school ID. I may have to hit that really soon!

Carl Hiassen

2008-07-09T06:32:00.002-05:00

I have never read anything by this author, but I just picked up a book by him at the library. I am familiar with his young adult books, Flush and Hoot, and was surprised to find that he has several adult books as well. Based on his website, Carl Hiassen writes about environmental and political issues where his main character tackles a problem with great odds. With witty humor and clever plot, the story moves quickly. I think this is an author I will enjoy very much!

After searching his website, I'm curious about the book Team Rodent: How Disney Devours the World.

Off The Bookshelf

2008-07-07T22:06:00.003-05:00

Before she was 1 year old, Lillian loved this book about a dog named Carl. This is a picture book with words on the first and last page only. The watercolor-like illustrations allow for creative storytelling. Now, Lillian can tell the story in her own words. I picked it to "read" tonight and she had a big smile on her face when we finished.

We read this for the first time tonight. The story line is a little lengthy but the idea is that a young pig named Owen wants to send a hug to his Granny through the mail. Each person involved in mail delivery- the postman, airplane pilot, truck driver, etc- must pass the hug from person to person. It ends with Granny sending Owen a great big kiss right back through the mail. Cute idea!

The Giving Tree

2008-07-06T15:00:00.003-05:00

During our weekly trip to the library, Lillian chose the usual books about spiders, bugs, and other disgusting things. But, she also picked a classic children's book called The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. Anyone with children should own a copy! It begins with "Once there was a tree... and she loved a little boy." It is a sad story but one of loyalty and giving that is a lesson for any age. Lillian liked the simple black and white pictures.

Another great choice was The Twin Princes by Tedd Arnold. It has a riddle to solve, puns on every page, and the classic battle of hero vs. villian. It's a "featherbrained fairy tale" that is irresistible fun!

What I'm Reading Now

2008-07-03T07:35:00.004-05:00

I usually read more than one book at a time. I know, I know... how do I keep the plots seperate, don't I get the characters confused, etc. I've heard it all before. I really don't know why I do it. I think it might have to do with the fact that I need a break from a book but not from reading so turn to something else then go back to the original. Anywho, besides the Secrets novel by Jude Deveraux, I started the final book in a series by James Patterson. I must have a thing for books in a series! The Final Warning is supposed to be a conclusion to a somewhat sci-fi story involving a girl named Maximum Ride. She is no ordinary girl (would you be with a name like that?!) because she has the ability to fly. She and 5 other kids like her were raised as an experiment in a horrible place they call the "School." Now her life is in danger as the scientists try to eliminate the "flock." This one is about half the length of the first 3. I'm curious if the story will tie up loose ends or leave me hanging (again!). The short chapters and cliff hanger endings make this series a must read if you like young adult literature.

The Tiniest Mermaid

2008-07-01T21:39:00.003-05:00

Lillian and I read this delightful story tonight. I remember buying this book because the main character is named Lily. A mermaid named Delphi is injured in a storm and Lily finds her stranded on a beach. Through beautiful pictures, the story of an unusual friendship unfolds. When Delphi must rejoin her mermaid friends, she leaves a special sea shell for Lily to always remember her.

House of Night

2008-07-01T17:39:00.002-05:00

I hope to use this blog as a way to recommend books, find books, and discuss books. Reading is a joy in my life. I have always loved the thrill of starting a new book and the immersion into a world that is often not like my own. As I create this blog, I want to reach my students through discussion and sharing of what I love. I will blog about what I am currently reading as well as keep a running list of what I want to read. Let's get started!

I just finished the first book in the House of Night series, Marked. It certainly pushes the bounds of respectability when it comes to religion and vampires. I was intrigued by the plot because it is set in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and is written by a mother/daughter team who live in our great state. The teenager voice comes through with language that is abrasive but true to that generation. I was surprised at the sexuality of the book and thought it to be unneccessary. Despite the language and sexuality, I can't wait to get my hands on Betrayed and Chosen. If you want to start with a vampire book, I recommend Twilight by Stephanie Meyer. There is romance, blood, and vampires all wrapped up in one lovely story.

So... now you know what I'm reading. Let's here from you. Any good vampire novels out there that you want to recommend? Leave a comment and let me know

Kicking Off

2008-06-30T22:13:00.000-05:00

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