Last week I picked up the book El Asedio by Arturo Perez-Reverte and made a whole-hearted attempt to get into the book. My mind was elsewhere and the dense Spanish filled with technical terms just wasn’t sinking in. I decided to abandon that book for now and try again when I have less other business to attend to. I did read Eona last week. That was a great book and series that I will recommend to my 8th graders next year. I also read This Lullaby by Sarah Dessen which went much faster for me than I thought it would. This weekend I read If a Tree Falls at Lunch Period by Gennifer Choldenko. I have read Al Capone Does my Shirts multiple times…the last time as a read aloud that my class really enjoyed. I really like Choldenko’s style. She is able to write about things that are really difficult things for any kid to handle and she does it with humor. I like the really short chapters in this book and I can definitely see using it as a read aloud. I also read The Robe of Skulls by Vivian French. It was a cute story and would make a quick read for a student who enjoyed Tim Burton’s movies, but I am not a huge fan. Finally, I read two graphic novels that I have for my class library. Bad Island is a weird story but I enjoyed it and Nightschool was also entertaining. I am sure I will be able to find just the right students to recommend these books to next year.
This week I have not completely decided what’s on deck. I have a bunch of books on hold at the library ready to pick up so I am sure my reading will include those books. I am currently reading Fallen by Lauren Kate and The Story of Humankind since I decided to do the Newbery challenge. I also might pick up Cutting for Stone which has been on my to read shelf since last summer. Thursday is the first day of my #bookaday challenge and I can’t wait to be done for the school year.
