I loved One for the Murphys

I enjoyed reading One for the Murphys! It was a short easy read and I finished the novel in a couple of hours – all the stars were aligned on that Sunday and everything fell into place. The ending wasn't typical at all and made me cry. Also, books about foster kids have a tendency to follow the same story line and this book did not necessarily do that. I would recommend this book for a teen girl who is looking for a weekend read. Carly Conners is the main character of this novel and she will provide a reader with a couple of laughs and a couple of tears. I ended this novel rooting for Carly and hopeful that she would overcome her experiences and stigma of being a “foster kid”.

An unexpected family reading night!

What a great Sunday! Miraculously my entire family read at the same time for 2 hours. It literally rain the entire day and after running errands all morning, everyone was exhausted. The baby went straight to sleep which gave me the opportunity to catch up on my summer reading. I believe the reason why I had such great success is that I did not attempt to schedule this.
For the most part, I try to provide a print rich environment for my family. Therefore, someone is always reading something. Once everyone settled in, I became aware that everyone was reading. Instead of vegging out on my mindless Bravo shows, I turned off the tv and grabbed my novel. Had I scheduled this moment, it would not have been a natural progression. And, I like the fact that this just happened. I am a happy Mom.

Tuna, Wahoo, Chomp Oh My

Carl Hiaasen does a great job of mixing humor and serious topics in a nonthreatening way. The novel, Chomp, does not stray away from this format. Filled with round characters like Wahoo and Tuna, this novel will take you on a wild ride through the Florida Everglades. This is a refreshing read and I actually was able to chuckle several times while reading. Child abuse and alcoholism is mentioned and even explored throughout the novel. This isn’t off-putting and the issue is approached in a way that is appropriate for kids.

Wonder left me wondering

My mom always told me when reading a book that I wasn’t excited about to read the book anyways to find out specifically why I didn’t like it. This is what I had to do with the novel Wonder. This was not my favorite read. The novel was about a boy with a deformity and the relationship he had with his peers and family. The first couple of chapters were spent describing the boy, August. The reader is provided a descriptive image that would make the Beast look like a beauty. There was an unnecessary build up and hype surrounded by the deformity and I think it did a disservice to the novel. This is the first year that August is going to school where he experienced good relationships and negative relationships. And of course at the end, August gained friends and was accepted by all.

The reason why this novel was not my favorite probably has nothing to do with the novel. Honestly, I can’t wait for the moment when there are all types of children represented in novels and their “issue” whether it’s skin color, health issue, socioeconomic status, whatever the “it” is just exists. August is a boy. He has a deformity. He needs to interact with others and overcome a “difficult issue”. This is something that all can relate to. We have all been there. The fact that he is grotesque and his appearance was shocking did not add to the plot of the story.

What I love the most was the theme of family. I love how the parents were represented in this novel and how there were examples of genuine love between the parents and children.

Not my favorite novel, but it gave a voice to children with disabilities and it is a great discussion starter for a middle school setting. The speech the principal gives to the student body at the end of the novel was great and provided a great wrap up to the novel.

Summer Reading Has Begun

 

What a great way to begin my summer reading. I loved this hilarious novel, Free Thaddeus. I have a tendency to think like a 6^th grader, so I thought the jokes and a student’s perspective on in school suspension was very funny. I think Thaddeus’ is a relatable character and I would recommend this novel for boys and girls from 4^th – 6^th grade. While the novel is pleasurable, there is a hint of seriousness as the reader slowly discovers that Thaddeus’ father passed away. This somewhat explains Thaddeus’ need to “fix” and “help” everyone around him. I like a little love in my books and while this book does not have any romance, Thaddeus has a great friend in Alison who finds time to write him and give him the scoop on class as Thaddeus sits in ISS. This is the second book in a series and there was not a need to read the first book before reading this book.

 

Easter Fun

How was your Easter? Did you put books in your Easter basket? In addition to making smaller baskets this year, my daughter and I decided to make baked goods. It was tons of fun.

Summer Reading

I am trying to "jazz up" the 6th grade summer reading list at my school. We will have one novel that will serve as a main novel and we will have one main novel that will jump start our year. Below are some titles we've discussed but fill free to add more!
Esperanza Rising
By: Ryan, Pam Munoz
Esperanza and her mother are forced to leave their life of wealth and privilege in Mexico to go work in the labor camps of Southern California, where they must adapt to the harsh circumstances facing Mexican farm workers on the eve of the Great Depression.
Lexile: 750
Peak (May 2007)
By: Smith, Roland, 1951-
A fourteen-year-old boy attempts to be the youngest person to reach the top of Mount Everest.
Lexile: 780 [view chart]
Smile (Feb 2010)
By: Telgemeier, Raina
An autobiography in graphic novel format describes how the author lost two of her front teeth in an accident when she was twelve, and her subsequent struggles with various corrective dental techniques throughout adolescence.
Lexile: 410
Sixth-grade: Glommers, Norks, and Me (Jan 2005)
By: Papademetriou, Lisa
As she starts middle school, soccer-playing sixth-grader Allie Kimball worries about losing her best friend and being considered a "nerd," but ultimately makes important decisions about how to treat others and remain true to herself.
Lexile: 650
The Big Field (Mar 2008)
By: Lupica, Mike
When fourteen-year-old baseball player Hutch feels threatened by the arrival of a new teammate named Darryl, he tries to work through his insecurities about both Darryl and his remote and silent father, who was once a great ballplayer too.
Lexile: 970
Scat (Jan 2009)
By: Hiaasen, Carl
Nick and his friend Marta decide to investigate when a mysterious fire starts near a Florida wildlife preserve and an unpopular teacher goes missing.
Lexile: 810
Bud, not Buddy (Oct 1999)
By: Curtis, Christopher Paul
Ten-year-old Bud, a motherless boy living in Flint, Michigan, during the Great Depression, escapes a bad foster home and sets out in search of the man he believes to be his father--the renowned bandleader, H.E. Calloway of Grand Rapids.
Lexile: 950