This one is for those ready to DO something about their grading. It doesn’t take time to explain the reasons WHY at the beginning - it just delves rigThis one is for those ready to DO something about their grading. It doesn’t take time to explain the reasons WHY at the beginning - it just delves right in to help you figure what to do NEXT....more
Wow. I usually don't read the second book in a series, but I'd re-read SCYTHE this year, and had to jump into this one and finish it before winter breWow. I usually don't read the second book in a series, but I'd re-read SCYTHE this year, and had to jump into this one and finish it before winter break so I could loan it out. Just read SCYTHE. Then you'll have to pick this one up. It is a bit slow at the start, as a new character or two are introduced, but it picks up quickly after that!...more
Woah. A student of mine read this and said it was “deep.” These poems explore grief, self-abandonment, roots, love, and empowering oneself. There areWoah. A student of mine read this and said it was “deep.” These poems explore grief, self-abandonment, roots, love, and empowering oneself. There are explicit pages and others where the reader can infer. A bit much for me, although I found some pages worth sharing. (179, 182, 186, 200, & 207)...more
I learned a lot from this one. I learned a simple analogy for explaining white privilege. I learned that the state of Alabama put the words "moral turI learned a lot from this one. I learned a simple analogy for explaining white privilege. I learned that the state of Alabama put the words "moral turpitude" BACK into their constitution in 1996 after the law "to establish white supremacy in this state" was deemed unconstitutional in 1985. I learned that the laws may be easier on heroin addicts than cocaine addicts because heroin use is more widespread in white, affluent communities. I still, however, have not read much about what I can do. I can bring more diverse books into my classroom (that is predominantly white), and I can facilitate discussions about various cultures. I can recognize my own biases and work against them. I need MORE....more
3.5 stars. The first few chapters bored me. Yes, I get it - the house is “creepy.” Yes, I get it - her room is terribly pink. After Sunshine’s awesome3.5 stars. The first few chapters bored me. Yes, I get it - the house is “creepy.” Yes, I get it - her room is terribly pink. After Sunshine’s awesome sister-like mom became possessed by the demon, however, I couldn’t stop reading it! (Of course, it was a snow day and I was kind of snowed in…)...more
I liked this collection of short stories - something for everyone! I’d like to remember to share with students “How to Make S’mores” by Hena Khan befoI liked this collection of short stories - something for everyone! I’d like to remember to share with students “How to Make S’mores” by Hena Khan before we head out for our outdoor education class. (I only wish they were memoirs so we could use them in a memoir unit…)...more
This one took me for a trip. I was confused at first, but then realized that each story teller was going to tell the next part of the story, and it woThis one took me for a trip. I was confused at first, but then realized that each story teller was going to tell the next part of the story, and it would all come together at some point. A bit outrageous, I can see how readers who like humor and medieval times would enjoy this one. I simply enjoyed that it was told as a tall tale, and by many different storytellers "at the inn" in 1242. It also helped to listen to parts of it in the car....more
I felt like I had to hurry and finish this one once I started. There were glimmers of hope throughout, but most of it was devastating. Jack Gruener isI felt like I had to hurry and finish this one once I started. There were glimmers of hope throughout, but most of it was devastating. Jack Gruener is "unbroken" - it was so difficult to imagine all he went through during six years as he was becoming an adult. I've read other Holocaust books, but in this one, the punches never stopped....more
I'm not sure what I think... I'll have to ask a student to read it to get their perspective. Started out strong, then I got aggravated with the main cI'm not sure what I think... I'll have to ask a student to read it to get their perspective. Started out strong, then I got aggravated with the main character Will. He just didn't seem to get it. It had a good "evil" character, and a good message, and I learned a ton about wrestling and insects. Lots of gross parts. And puking. A lot of the "puke" word. Seventh grade boys will probably love it - and start bringing insects to eat....more
For all those shy children. For all those who feel as if they just can't do anything right. For all those who think they are losing friends... this onFor all those shy children. For all those who feel as if they just can't do anything right. For all those who think they are losing friends... this one's for you. Amina, Soojin, Emily, and Amina's family will be some students' windows, and some students' mirrors, for sure. I learned a lot, and will research some more, thanks to this book!...more
I want to give it 3.5 stars. I have to digest this one still. I loved the girls' relationship (the narrator ___, Neeka, and D), I love Neeka's familyI want to give it 3.5 stars. I have to digest this one still. I loved the girls' relationship (the narrator ___, Neeka, and D), I love Neeka's family (Miss Irene, Tash, Jay-jones, the twin boys and twin girls), and I guess I'm just left kind of sad. I'm probably supposed to feel this way. There's a lot that's unanswered (like the narrator's name - I didn't even know I didn't know it until NOW), but that's life, too. I learned a bit about Tupac and big families....more
Charming. I loved the first few chapters, especially. Getting to know Livy and her getting to know Bob (again) was half the beauty in this story. I waCharming. I loved the first few chapters, especially. Getting to know Livy and her getting to know Bob (again) was half the beauty in this story. I was surprised at the ending - maybe it's based on some Australian folk tale? Great for younger middle-grade readers....more
1964-ish - Such a sweet story about a girl, her older sister, and growing up in Hanging Moss, Mississippi during turbulent times. Glory has her heart1964-ish - Such a sweet story about a girl, her older sister, and growing up in Hanging Moss, Mississippi during turbulent times. Glory has her heart in the right place, and I’m glad she was brave and strong. My favorite part was her letter to the editor and how her preacher father reacted. (Glory turns 12 during this summer.)...more
Woah. I’m glad I finally read this beast, but I’m more confused than ever. At first, I was struck by how much “Doublethink” refers to what Trump mustWoah. I’m glad I finally read this beast, but I’m more confused than ever. At first, I was struck by how much “Doublethink” refers to what Trump must be doing with himself - making what he says the truth - even if he knows it is not. Then I thought about our societies and how we always will, probably, have a high, middle, and lower class. The cyclical nature of how he wrote about this made sense to me - and realizing this, made me at once upset and relieved. (Yup - doublethink all the way, man.) I don’t like how it ended at all, and am still wrapping my head around what it all means. I’m sure I will be for awhile......more
Not the best book I’ve read about the day we all remember - 9/11 - but this one, about this fearless young man named Welles Crowther, made me wonder mNot the best book I’ve read about the day we all remember - 9/11 - but this one, about this fearless young man named Welles Crowther, made me wonder many more things I’ve never thought of (sheltered in IL as I am). The timeline of those in the South tower compared to the North tower - their reactions and perhaps delay to escape. The months of recovering bodies to help bring families peace. The burns - inside and out of survivors. Those wondering about who helped them survive. Those reading anything and everything they could get their hands on to find out where their loved one was. We're thankful for heroes like Welles who thought of others before himself....more
This was a fast cute read. Humorous in spots, and a mirror for me in spots, as well. Trying to fit in can suck. I loved how when they were speaking inThis was a fast cute read. Humorous in spots, and a mirror for me in spots, as well. Trying to fit in can suck. I loved how when they were speaking in Russian, the author would use . Coloring was all green, white, and shadows....more
At the start of this book, Matthew, the main character, really irked me. (Was it because I was listening to it on Hoopla??) By the end of the book, thAt the start of this book, Matthew, the main character, really irked me. (Was it because I was listening to it on Hoopla??) By the end of the book, the reader finds out just why Matthew is the way he is - hiding in his room, cleaning everything in it every second, eating seal-tight wrapped meals, and not going to therapy. When little Teddy disappears, Matthew develops a bit more personality, and it was easier for me to read. Ch 37 - with Teddy's hopes - was my favorite....more
I’m not sure what I think about this one. It was quick, easy, and the pictures did contribute to the story, like a good graphic novel should. So the pI’m not sure what I think about this one. It was quick, easy, and the pictures did contribute to the story, like a good graphic novel should. So the prince liked to dress like a girl. That’s basically it. And maybe that’s the point? To show that it’s fine? No LGBTQ - he just wanted to dress up sometimes. SPOILER: Happy ending....more
I loved this terrible, wonderful, horrific, humorous book. So many lines I shared with colleagues in the two days it took me to devour it. Too matureI loved this terrible, wonderful, horrific, humorous book. So many lines I shared with colleagues in the two days it took me to devour it. Too mature for most (all?) of my 7th graders, but a winner for me. I won't soon forget Annie Boots, Marvin, Frankie, and both of the families....more
Sweet, sweet story. This one is perfect for 7th graders. “Lightning Girl” Lucy’s nana makes her go back to school - middle school, no less! She hasn’tSweet, sweet story. This one is perfect for 7th graders. “Lightning Girl” Lucy’s nana makes her go back to school - middle school, no less! She hasn’t been to school since just after she was struck by lightning and became a numbers savant. You’ve got your mean girl(s), your caring-about-the-world girl, your misunderstood boy, dogs, sweet and not-so-sweet teachers, humor, tears, photography, TONS of math, and the hope of a better future…...more
The author assumes a lot about the reader, and I was confused for s bit and looking for answers. Many were found the further I read, but some are leftThe author assumes a lot about the reader, and I was confused for s bit and looking for answers. Many were found the further I read, but some are left unanswered. I WILL be using many of the ideas shared....more
**spoiler alert** I finally read this one - a student of mine a few years ago - one who HATED to read - read this and LOVED it. I enjoyed it, too. Spo**spoiler alert** I finally read this one - a student of mine a few years ago - one who HATED to read - read this and LOVED it. I enjoyed it, too. Sports is my “gap” genre, but I did like Deuker’s Gym Candy. This was written simply, and I always thought, “Something’s wrong. Something’s going to happen…” I’ll be recommending this one to many 7th graders! SPOILER: I really like how it was written as a way for Seth to deal with his pain....more
Once I realized this book was a metaphor, I liked it better. At first, I didn’t like how Aster didn’t listen to anyone, but I get that he had to go agOnce I realized this book was a metaphor, I liked it better. At first, I didn’t like how Aster didn’t listen to anyone, but I get that he had to go against the grain to get his point across....more
I think I'd started this one in the past... went back to it because of a peer recommendation. Not my favorite, but it got me thinking. I've taught stuI think I'd started this one in the past... went back to it because of a peer recommendation. Not my favorite, but it got me thinking. I've taught students with special needs - for 7 years as an itinerant and also those mainstreamed in my classes. I've had students like Christopher (who is 15) who can go to extremes when something doesn't fit quite right in his life. This book can help teachers get a feel for what some of our students might be going through. Some of the math bit was a bit much for me, but again - that's what some of our students might be focused on. Mature audiences....more
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