Jen and Kellee at TeachMentorTexts.com host a weekly meme entitled “It’s Monday! What are you Reading?” This is a chance for people to share the books that they have been reading throughout the week, especially focused on kid lit and YA lit.
This week I spent a lot of time in meetings and trainings so it didn’t quite feel like summer vacation yet. I managed to get quite a lot of reading in but not so much writing for the Teachers Write camp. I am hoping to turn that around this week while still making the time for reading.
Books Finished this week:
Brody’s Ghost byMark Crilley–a graphic novel that was okay. I had a student begging me to find the sequel earlier this school year so I know that some 8th graders will like it.
Weetzie Bat by Francesca Lia Block–I am not sure I know why people seem to like this book so much. I know that there will be some students who will enjoy the unconventional style of the book. I need to read more of the books before really passing judgement…perhaps Weetzie will grow on me.
The Voyages of Doctor Doolittle by Hugh Lofting–I just began with the Newbery challenge so I am woefully behind anyone who started in January but I will plug away at these books. I went through the list this week and realized I have already read quite a few in the last ten years or so. I am planning to reread the books I read as a child and don’t really remember but may not reread books that I have read more recently…especially ones that I have used for teaching and have read multiple times in the last five years. This book was pleasantly surprising and entertaining after suffering through some of the last one.
Babymouse: Burns Rubber, Babymouse: Cupcake Tycoon, Babymouse: The Musical, Babymouse: Dragonslayer by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm–I am almost embarrassed to say that I had never read any of these graphic novels before. I really enjoyed the quick and easy reads and was astonished at all of the literary references. I loved that the musical one referred to so many musicals also. I could see using one of these fun scenes as a lesson about allusions for my 8th graders. I am definitely going to try to get some copies of this series for my class library.
Lessons From a Dead Girl by Jo Knowles–Participating in Teachers Write has given me so many great ideas for my writing, but it has also exposed me to a number of excellent authors. This book was riveting and I stayed up way too late reading it and didn’t do anything the next morning until it was finished.
Forever by Maggie Stiefvater–I have been waiting to read this book for a long time now. I finally ordered it from Scholastic this Spring and opened the box while my students were in the room…long story short, I had to wait until summer to read it as it circulated the room to my Shiver series readers. I like this conclusion to the trilogy and felt satisfied by the way everything was resolved.
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green–This book is heart-wrenching and I spent the last 50 pages or so sobbing. However, I would never have wished back the time that I spent reading and loving those characters. The voice of the main character is so candid and I truly wished throughout the whole book for a miracle cure for everyone.
See You at Harry’s by Jo Knowles–I connected with this book on a very deep level. I lost my father when I was thirteen and I remember the moments in the ER when we found out. I felt exactly the way Fern describes feeling. Her grief in this book reminded me of my own grief at that age and I spent yet another morning crying through a book. (My husband thinks I am nuts at this point I am sure) I will be ordering multiple copies of this one for my class library.
50 Shades of Grey by E.L. James–This one is most definitively NOT a book for young adults. I was curious about it and knew it was trashy but wanted to indulge in a little guilty pleasure. Holy naughtiness, Batman! Enough said.
Books I am Reading:
The Glass Maker’s Daughter by V. Briceland–So far it is entertaining. I have not gotten very far in the book.
Last Train to Paradise by Les Standiford–I am slowly but surely plugging along in this non-fiction book. It is interesting but slower going than my usual choice of novels.
The CAFE Book–I love the ideas that the two sisters have about literacy instruction. Although I teach 8th grade, I am enjoying reading about this assessment system and imagining how to alter it for my grade level.
Books to Read this week:
One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia–this one is calling to me from the tbr shelf
I will be picking up holds from the library tomorrow: The Dark Frigate and Tales from Silver Lands. I will try to get through at least one of these if not both
I am also planning to read a few picture books from my pile of potential mentor texts and will probably pick up and start another professional book.
Lastly, I have to say that I love the book a day challenge. I have been doing this challenge for 12 days and have read 17 books already. It makes it easy to give myself permission to sit and read because I am accomplishing a goal 🙂
Happy Reading!
