Jaime > Recent Status Updates

A little formulaic, but worth reading :) Will definitely finish it!

Almost done with this book! If you have the ability to empathize with this main character, you will not be able to put this book down.

Finally, finally making the real connections between Caden's real life and his imagined one. Shusterman does such an amazing job of putting me into the mind of someone with mental illness. Caden's story is even starting to make me think about people with mental illness. I no longer think I should react to them with fear -- rather, I think understanding and sympathy is in order!

Starting to make some connections between what's "real" and "imagined" in Caden's life. The details of his real life and life on the ship are coming together in bits and pieces, but I'm still wishing I could see more of the real Caden to understand how and why his illness is happening. Is there a reason?

Starting to notice that Caden does have a "normal" life, at least on the outside. He has friends, and his family has no idea about the anxiety he's feeling. Someone will have to start to realize something is wrong!

I know I'm only 17 pages in, but so far this is pretty strange. I know the main character has a mental illness, so I'm guessing I need to feel his confusion in order to understand the illness. But, I'm hoping a discernible plot catches on here soon . . .

I'd never heard of the Port Chicago 50 before reading this book, and I'm still not sure who the "50" are, but I can see where this is going. I sense a disaster coming, and a lot of injustice for African Americans that goes along with it.

This is my second read from the author Steve Sheinkin. I love how he starts his books with an intense scene demonstrating the theme of his book -- in this case it's the discrimination of African American military in WWII (and before). As with Bomb, I am astonished by the details of our history I never learned in school!

They've dropped the bomb. Some quotes that stood out to me as I read:
"We have discovered the most terrible bomb in the history of the world," Truman wrote in his diary.
Robert Lewis picked up his pencil and made a note in his logbook: "My God, what have we done?"

It took me a while to get used to the structure of this book because I don't usually read nonfiction. But now that I see that the author speaks to the reader from all different angles of the creation of the atomic bomb (from Russia, from spies, from Los Alamos, from the president, etc.) it creates a tangled web that, when looked at from a distance, is atrociously beautiful in its coincidental creation.

Well, Germany has finally been deprived of their heavy water! It sure took a lot of work: first bombing the factory and then sinking the ferry. These scenes feel like they are out of a movie! And to think they're real! I feel very naive about what governments do that civilians have no idea. 300,000 people working in secret to create the atomic bomb? Is that the best use of our government and money?

I'm amazed by the amount of patriotism represented in this book. People like Knut Haukelid, who are willing, without question, to put their lives in danger for their country.Even scientists in America, people not normally thought of as "brave" like a soldier is, lead top secret missions for the good of their country.Obviously I know which country made the atomic bomb first, but what would have happened if we didn't?

I never realized how corrupt governments around the world are.

I can't believe how much I'm learning from this book! I wish I had something like this when I was in school. There are so many spies and crazy things the govt does to beat other countries. Greed!!!

I've decided to broaden my reading horizons! Nonfiction! Thanks to Mrs. Stiles for helping me with this nonfiction journey. So far, what a great read! Who knew that this was where the creation of the atomic bomb began? Oppenheimer, Gold, Einstein . . . all names I know associated with this topic, but never quite knew the details.

Keep going back to the idea that I shouldn't be coming up with the questions about a book . . . students should. It's difficult to not impose my understanding and thinking on students and let them create their own! I need to get over myself!

Wow. I'm not a huge reader of nonfiction, but I can't put this down. I love the advice King offers and especially his honesty about his own crafting beliefs and process. Reading this makes me read fiction with a fresh perspective! Fav quote: "If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot."

I never expected some of the advice King offers, and he makes me feel like I could be a writer. A fav: "...if you're just starting out as a writer, you could do worse than strip your TV's plug, wrap a spike around it, then stick it back in the wall. See what blows, and how far. Just an idea."

Now rereading this book! Thinking about how my readers' notebooks will look different this year.

Found a great blog post on BuzzFeed! 17 Books to Read If You Liked "The Fault in Our Stars" http://www.buzzfeed.com/ariellecalder...

I love how this book partners with Falling in Love w/ Close Reading. Just now to finding patterns in the details.

Finding I have to reread a lot because of the wealth of info! Biggest idea: details THEN big ideas.

Blah. Found another book. I'm sure I'll go back to this at some point!

Starting to see this group of boys on the island as a mini "society." Golding (author) brings in every stereotype to suggest what society does to leaders (Jack? Ralph?) and brains (Piggy?). Although, there are no females there -- would that change how this "society" functions?

As these boys stay on the island longer, I'm noticing creepy personalities coming forward. Jack is obsessed with killing boar for food. The boy on the beach hints he knows there will be no repercussions for hurting a younger child. Freaky.

The chaos is beginning! These are just kids, and boys at that. Of COURSE they are going to act without thinking first! Still trying to figure out Piggy's role in this "society."

Already remembering how quickly the "roles" of society are filled on this island! Also reminding me of the TV show "Lost."

Well, found out the truth of Prentisstown. Kind of figured the truth out, but it's horrible! Also noticing that Todd is starting to look at Viola in a new way :)

Well what I feared has happened . . . Poor Manchee! Ugh, it's ruined my whole day.