I was hooked from the introduction. I love how he wrote, I wrote down a ton of quotes to reflect back on, I put one quote up in the classroom… Great fI was hooked from the introduction. I love how he wrote, I wrote down a ton of quotes to reflect back on, I put one quote up in the classroom… Great fast-paced read chock full of lessons for young and old....more
VERY fantastical. I didn't think this was my type of book. I had to re-read so much of it at the start. If it hadn't been recommended by my 14-year-olVERY fantastical. I didn't think this was my type of book. I had to re-read so much of it at the start. If it hadn't been recommended by my 14-year-old nephew, I might have never started it, much less kept reading it. I did get sucked in eventually, and I'm glad I kept reading to the end....more
I'm humbled that my work was asked for - and actually used - in this collection of "ungrading" stories from high school and university instructors. MyI'm humbled that my work was asked for - and actually used - in this collection of "ungrading" stories from high school and university instructors. My beliefs are even stronger now, and it's good to know so many educators are fighting to be more fair in how students are assessed....more
Middle school. Sooo middle school. My seventh graders will devour this book, which addresses clothing, comfort, confidence, cowardice, and caring. WhaMiddle school. Sooo middle school. My seventh graders will devour this book, which addresses clothing, comfort, confidence, cowardice, and caring. What’s the best way to get kids excited about middle school? Well, it’s NOT the dean of students they call Fingertip or the principal of Molly’s middle school. The stories shared are personal and really get to the point the girls always try to make. Carrie Firestone helps them find their words. (Also includes a high school brother who vapes.)...more
The way I wanted to soak up learning about the NCAA and NFL from a man I’d never heard of before astounds me. He roped me in from the very beginning, The way I wanted to soak up learning about the NCAA and NFL from a man I’d never heard of before astounds me. He roped me in from the very beginning, and I trust the heck out of him. I took notes, and I’m adding it to my classroom library....more
Fantasy mixed with history mixed with strong messages mixed with more history in the back = solid story for my seventh graders! Great quote: "If you mFantasy mixed with history mixed with strong messages mixed with more history in the back = solid story for my seventh graders! Great quote: "If you might be able to help another person, you ought to at least try." ~The immigrant from Krypton......more
What an unexpected gem! There were parts at the beginning that were really embarrassing. Then I got to thinking - no duh. This is what society has donWhat an unexpected gem! There were parts at the beginning that were really embarrassing. Then I got to thinking - no duh. This is what society has done! We need a book like this to help our young menstruators feel somewhat NORMAL! Very quick read - and great friendship talks. Some nonfiction was included. I created a spot in the classroom for my students to go to should they need feminine hygiene products. ...more
I think this one is too mature for my 7th graders, but what do I know anymore at this age?! There were parts in it I wanted to look away and not read I think this one is too mature for my 7th graders, but what do I know anymore at this age?! There were parts in it I wanted to look away and not read anymore - such crude comments and actions. I’ve never been a scout or a "closeted" 14-year-old either, so I can’t judge this book. On the cover is a quote from another graphic novelist, and it says, “This book will save lives.” If anyone is going through what this author went through, I’ll bet that’s correct....more
I soaked this one up on a cold Saturday in January. I loved the way Yang organized it - part of his own story melded with the story of his high schoolI soaked this one up on a cold Saturday in January. I loved the way Yang organized it - part of his own story melded with the story of his high school's basketball team, melded with history of basketball (men's, women's, the NBA, the CBA, and Oakland's own), and add in personal stories from the teammates and coaches. A documentary, for sure, and such a great way to portray it....more
I feel terrible for finishing such works of art in one sitting... but I enjoyed it thoroughly! Seeing America and Korea through Robin Ha's eyes was eyI feel terrible for finishing such works of art in one sitting... but I enjoyed it thoroughly! Seeing America and Korea through Robin Ha's eyes was eye-opening. I never could imagine being in culture shock and not knowing the language where I live, and I think she and her mom were very brave and resourceful....more
I thought the author was going to go somewhere with the dad's concussion, but... I wondered what the name of the book stood for, and why there was a rI thought the author was going to go somewhere with the dad's concussion, but... I wondered what the name of the book stood for, and why there was a raccoon on the cover... it wasn't a page-turner, but I am glad I stuck it out to the end. I loved the way things came together at the end, and I really loved Winnie (the original owner of the recipe). I loved seeing Tris/Jax mature, as well. Not for everybody, but bakers will eat this one up!...more
Friend Brian Durst uses this in his high school English classes, so I decided to try it. I love the message. I love the calm that came from me seekingFriend Brian Durst uses this in his high school English classes, so I decided to try it. I love the message. I love the calm that came from me seeking what Siddhartha wanted to learn - what is the way? I love the calm that came over me in the last few chapters. I saved many quotes to look back on later, such as, “...his deeds and life are more important to me than his talk, the gesture of his hand is more important to me than his opinions.”...more
Best book I've read this year. When I've had quiet time to myself, the lessons from this book circulate in my head. I'm hoping this book will help me Best book I've read this year. When I've had quiet time to myself, the lessons from this book circulate in my head. I'm hoping this book will help me with all relationships moving forward. (Thanks for the rec, Scott Hazeu!)...more
New York, 1960s. Sooo many vivid characters! I’m thankful to the parent that suggested this challenging (for me) book! I wanted to share every other pNew York, 1960s. Sooo many vivid characters! I’m thankful to the parent that suggested this challenging (for me) book! I wanted to share every other page with someone who could appreciate the way James McBride composed his sentences. I didn’t know what I was getting into, and I had no idea the plot would be so convoluted, and I still don’t know why Sportcoat (the Deacon) shot Deems in the first place, but I’m glad I read this. It brought me hours of entertainment!...more
I rooted for Nora the whole way (on her birthday!) - and I appreciated the way the author didn’t make this survival story fake. When Nora’s PTSD ragedI rooted for Nora the whole way (on her birthday!) - and I appreciated the way the author didn’t make this survival story fake. When Nora’s PTSD raged, she let it rage. She was also then able to use strategies to recover enough to move forward to try to find her dad in the canyon. Yes, life is full of sorrows AND joys. I loved seeing Nora’s will to live help her stay strong....more
Little Man (ZJ) is ten, and his dad has to stop playing football for awhile… or longer. This book was full of love, heartbreak, hope, and memories, anLittle Man (ZJ) is ten, and his dad has to stop playing football for awhile… or longer. This book was full of love, heartbreak, hope, and memories, and all the while his true friends and family stood by while his father, Zachariah 44, suffers terribly as a result of his myriad concussions. (Circa 1999) Gotta love Jacqueline Woodson....more
I almost filed this under “fantasy,” due to the stories within this cleverly-woven story. I missed Gram, due to all of Emma’s stories about her. I wanI almost filed this under “fantasy,” due to the stories within this cleverly-woven story. I missed Gram, due to all of Emma’s stories about her. I wanted to see the Goldengrove for myself and hear Gram’s stories firsthand. I wanted to stand next to Emma as she held her ground and didn’t give in to the bullies when it came to her newly-acquired vitiligo....more
I knew this would be a tough one - because so much of it is real. I loved that the protagonist, 17-year-old Tracy Beaumont, had spent almost seven yeaI knew this would be a tough one - because so much of it is real. I loved that the protagonist, 17-year-old Tracy Beaumont, had spent almost seven years writing to an organization (based on Equal Justice Initiative) to try to get her daddy out of prison - and home again before his death sentence. When her brother Jamal gets is ALSO suspected of murder, I felt a part of the weight she must bear. I cannot imagine living in fear of those who are supposed to protect me. The added character of her friend becoming a police officer was an interesting dynamic....more
I'm not going to rate this one with stars. I kept cringing throughout, thinking of the seventh grader who said she was reading this. I consider this rI'm not going to rate this one with stars. I kept cringing throughout, thinking of the seventh grader who said she was reading this. I consider this romance too mature, but maybe some of it goes over her head (I hope). If so, then it's a solid book about friendship, honesty, and self-discovery. The blackmail at the beginning sucked me in right away. In reviews, I see that readers loved Simon, while I thought he was a bit too "me me me," and I hope he learns to observe and listen more. (Listened to half while making 2020 ornaments.)...more
This one had it all - perfect for my seventh graders. It had chuckles, tears, anger, nods, and quotes that sounded JUST like they'd come from my studeThis one had it all - perfect for my seventh graders. It had chuckles, tears, anger, nods, and quotes that sounded JUST like they'd come from my students. I love the messages, and I love that they weren't shoved down my throat. The feelings evoked by Ross were real and raw....more
The only reason I'm not rating this one higher is because I think my kids will blow past all the references they're supposed to get... I even blew pasThe only reason I'm not rating this one higher is because I think my kids will blow past all the references they're supposed to get... I even blew past a few. I loved learning about Drew's second year at RAD, and I loved Jordan "maturing." Next time I read this, I'll be reading NEW KID right before it, so I get even more out of it....more
How did I not know from the cover where this book would end? I devoured this one with its lovely short chapters of alternating narrators. Florian, theHow did I not know from the cover where this book would end? I devoured this one with its lovely short chapters of alternating narrators. Florian, the Prussian who was hiding a precious object, Joana, the medic who tried to take care of every survivor she met on the journey, 15-year-old Emilia, who didn't speak the language and was just trying to bring another into this world, and even delusional Alfred, the unlikely helper. These characters (along with the shoe poet and the boy wanderer!) were woven so well together to help me learn more about the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff, where it's estimated that 9,000 refugees perished....more
Took me a long time to get through. A mix of many cultures and histories (which I think was the point), but I didn’t really grow to love one characterTook me a long time to get through. A mix of many cultures and histories (which I think was the point), but I didn’t really grow to love one character or another. 2015. Ahmed fled from Syria, losing his family along the way. Max (American in Belgium) decides he can keep Ahmed hidden in his cellar. It just seemed way to easy for Max to get Ahmed into school, and then too easy (again) for him to reunite with family. The refugee crisis was alluded to many times, but the reader was only able to glimpse at some of the conditions in which they lived....more
I don’t know who suggested this book, but I got into it quickly. The metaphors and myriad ways I could relate it to our 2020 life kept me reading. WriI don’t know who suggested this book, but I got into it quickly. The metaphors and myriad ways I could relate it to our 2020 life kept me reading. Written in 1993, I can’t believe how spot on some ideas were. Interesting read....more
#WeNeedDiverseRomance got me into this one. The Strong men (literally - that’s their last name, thanks to MamaJoy adopting them) seemed hot enough to #WeNeedDiverseRomance got me into this one. The Strong men (literally - that’s their last name, thanks to MamaJoy adopting them) seemed hot enough to me, so why not keep reading? ...more
These five short nonfiction stories make me think of Refugee by Alan Gratz and 90 Miles to Havana by Flores-Galbis. What amazed me was the fear they mThese five short nonfiction stories make me think of Refugee by Alan Gratz and 90 Miles to Havana by Flores-Galbis. What amazed me was the fear they must have had to risk their lives like this - so many cultures from so many places around the world. What a history of people seeking asylum....more
Student suggestion - was a fast read, just not my style right now. Violet's bravery after being suckered by the 13th god (Nybbas) was perfect for beinStudent suggestion - was a fast read, just not my style right now. Violet's bravery after being suckered by the 13th god (Nybbas) was perfect for being able to befriend the dragon and save her kingdom....more
SOOO much like Mary Downing Hahn's books. Student suggestion. Creepy dolls, and children doing the three things Grandma specifically told them (again SOOO much like Mary Downing Hahn's books. Student suggestion. Creepy dolls, and children doing the three things Grandma specifically told them (again and again) NOT to do. Student recommendation, and she was happy that I read it and shared it with the class....more
If descriptions of people being stung, snapped at, and bitten by all manner of wildlife, including... Mosquitoes, alligators, bats, snakes, turtles, aIf descriptions of people being stung, snapped at, and bitten by all manner of wildlife, including... Mosquitoes, alligators, bats, snakes, turtles, and vampires (sort of) is your thing, this book is for you. I actually groaned out loud at the silliness of how the author put this story together - from the names of the characters (Wahoo and Tuna) and places to the detailed descriptions. The “survivalist” was a joke - and it was fun to laugh at his idiocy....more
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