It's Monday. What Are You Reading?

It's Monday and time to share books read the past week Jen at "Teach Mentor Texts hosts this great meme.

The following are books I have read the past 2 weeks:

Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli

Stargirl is a  unique character and one that the narrator is intrigued by. A good read.

No More Magic by Avi
Is there a warlock on the loose? Who stole his bike???

Silverwing by Kenneth Oppel

I found this quote a good read - Oppel gets right into the character of the bat.  It is a book full of adventure and danger -  a great read for boys.There are several more books in the series as well and I hope to read them as well.

The Great Unexpected  by Sharon Creech

A good read but not a great one for me. Too many diverse elements and a bit of confusion at times. It begins with Finn falling out of a tree and ends in Ireland.

The Pull of Gravity  by Gae Polisner

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I am sure young people will as well. Nick joins Jaycee on the search for their friend Scoot's father. Friendship, loyalty and even redempttion are all central to this book.

The one picture book I read this week was :

When I Get Older by K'Naan
It is the story behind "Waving Flag" and it is a wonderful story to read. Loved the story and the artwork - they work well together. Love the song as well!

It's Monday! What are You Reading?

 

 





It's Monday and time to share what I have been reading. I haven't participated in a while as I really had not been reading much (sadly!)  But the past week I have read a few books and thoroughly enjoyed them.

Be sure to check our Jen and Kellee's blog "Teach Mentor Texts" for great reads. Sheila at Book Journeys hosts a similar meme.

 

 

 

My favourite was "Run" by Eric Walters

 

 

This was a novel about the Terry Fox run and was excellent. Although I know Terry's story well, it was fascinating to see how Wilson incorporated the actual Marathon of Hope run into a YA novel.

 

 

I also read 'Ghost Messages" by Jacqueline Guest.

 

 

Guest's YA novel looks at the actual laying of the trans Atlantic cable. Another fascinating read!

 

 

The last book was "Different Dragons" by Jean Little.

 

 

 

I have always enjoyed her books and this YA was a good read. A young boy learns to face several fears and gain confidence as well.

 

 

All three authors are actually Canadian and well respected.

 

 

I started a couple of adult books as well and plan to finish these over the next week or so - in between writing report cards!

 

"The End of Your Life Book Club" by Will Schwalbe

 

 

I am so enjoying this book about a son and his dying mother's book club.  I am already making a list of books I want to read based on their book club.

 

"The Creative Habit " by Twyla Tharp.

 

 

Tharp may be a choreographer and dancer but she explores all forms of creativity and how to develop the habit. An interesting read. 

 

 

 

It's Monday! What are you Reading?

It has been a long while since I have participated in Monday's book sharing. School seems to have overriden many things - even reading. Looking back over the past few months, I found that I hadn't read as much as I would have liked.
The book challenges I took part in for 2012 were partly met - they did push me to read more and to keep a better record of my reading.
I have set new goals for my reading and taken on 4 challenges. Check them out here.

I decided as this was the last day of 2013, that I would list my favourite reads of 2012:

Top 10 Favourite Adult Fiction Books

Jan.  Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay
Mar.  The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Mar. Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier
May  The Island  by Elin Hilderbrand
Jul.  The Wednesday Letters by Jason F. Wright
Aug.  When God was a Rabbit  by Sarah Winman
Sept. The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce
Sept.  The Beautiful Mystery by Louise Penny
Oct. Georgia's Kitchen by Jenny Nelson
Dec. A Week of Winter by Maeve Binchy

Top 10 Favourite YA Fiction

Feb.  The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (read all 3 but the ist was my fav.)
Apr.  WONDER  by R. J. Palacio
May  Bifocal  by Deborah Ellis and Eric Walters
Jun.  The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
Jul.  Divergent and Insurgent   by Veronica Roth
Jul. The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
Aug. One for the Murphy's by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
Aug. The Mighty Miss Malone by Christopher Paul Curtis
Aug. See You at Harry's by Jo Knowles
Aug. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

As  I looked over my books read,  I realized that I had not read many non-fiction will have to change that in 2013!. Here are my top 5 choices:

Non-Fiction
Jan. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks
Apr. Zeitoun by Eggers
Jun. Bite of the Mango byMariatu Kamara with Susan McClelland
Jul. Fatty Legs byChristy Jordan Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton
Aug. 32 Third Graders and 1 Class Bunny by Philip Done

I read many picture books through the year with my class and reread several chapter books to them as well. My favourites:
The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo
Charlotte's Web by E. B. White
many books by Patricia Polaccco


There are so many books to read. My lists and my piles to be read keep growing. I am still "hold a book in my hand" reader - I need to feel the pages and be able to highlight and write in it if needed. E-readers just don't get me excited at all. But I do read on-line previews from Stenhouse and did read a number of those last year. I hope to do more this year.

Wishing everyone a  Happy New Year!  May 2013 bring more  awesome books to be read
I

It's Monday! What are You reading?

It's been a couple of weeks since I participated. The last 2 weeks have been busy with school, so not as much reading as I did over the summer.

With school though, I have read all the books that I described here. These books were enjoyed by all the children (and myself!)

What I did read though was excellent:

"When God was a Rabbit" by Sarah Winman

I was surprised by this but did enjoy it.



"The Castaways" by Elin Hilderbrand

I finally finished this. I enjoy her books  - more of a light read, but it did take me most of the summer to finish - too many other good books to read.

By far, the best book in a while was:
"The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry" by Rachel Joyce

I admit I had tears at times but I LOVED it. A gentle but powerful book. Read it!


I have just started "The Beautiful Mystery" by Louise Penny

This is the newest book in the Inspector Gamache series and I am thoroughly enjoying it.( Even read til 12:30 last night as I could not sleep.)

I have so many books started but interrupted by books bought or recommended - will eventually get back to them.  Not sure what I will read after this one.

Be sure to check here and here for some great reads.

It's Monday! What are you Reading?

(I am not able to upload any pictures - don't know what's wrong with Blogger. Ugh!! This is not the first time this has happened.  I want to publish this now - will add pictures later I hope)

Over the past couple of weeks I was on holidays and did not read as much as I hoped. But I did get to read "The Book Thief".


 It was an amazing read. I have read a number of books relating to the Second World War this year yet this was by far the most memorable.

I also read:

Inside Out and Back Again by Thanhha Lai
I enjoyed it. Some reviewers did not like the story told in verse, but I rather liked it, as it made the impact of all she underwent more stark.

Hurry, Freedom by Frieda Wishinsky - a Canadian Flyer Adventure about the Underground Railway.
I have a few books in the series and had not read any so thought I'd see what it was like. An interesting twist on time travel and the two children learn about the Underground Railway by being part of an escape. An easy chapter book read.

More Stories Julian Tells by Ann Cameron
Julian is quite the story teller and I enjoyed this as much as the first one. Can see using these books for writer's workshop.

Neville by Norton Juster
I won this through a teacher blog and I so enjoyed it. Fun illustrations as well.

The Very Lonely Firefly by Eric Carle
I collect his books but had not read this or had one for my class library. I found this at Goodwill and loved the illustrations and simple storyline.

Christopher Changes His Name by Itah Sadu
I think all children wish for a different name at sometime and this is a fun look at what happens when Christopher changes his name.


I am still reading:
 "Guided Math" by Laney Simmons (which I will be using to improve my math programme)

Daily Five and Cafe by the 2 Sisters

I just started "Number Sense Routines" by Jessica F. Shumway which is going to help build numerical literacy in my class this year.

After reading "The Book Thief" , I am not sure what to read next. This summer has been filled with such powerful YA reads. Any suggestions??

Be sure to check here and here for some great book choices.

It's Monday! What are You Reading?

It's that time of the week where we share our reading. I had started "The Book Thief" last week but a call from the library changed the course of my reading.
3 books i had reserved were in and that is what I ended up reading (I didn't want to rack up fines was my excuse). So, I read:

The Mighty Miss Malone by Christopher Paul

I loved Deza and how she handled all of the challenges in her life. It was a great description of the Depression era.

See You at Harry's by Jo Knowles

Another strong character in Fern. I got so caught up in the dynamics of the family, I stayed up reading til 3 a.m. one day last week. I had to see how it was resolved. Excellent writing, excellent story telling.

32 Third Graders and One Class Bunny by Philip Done

Since I teach grade 3, I have been wanting to read this for awhile. I don't think I laughed so much. So many of his stories I have experienced and know so well. What a fun read!

I will read "The Book Thief" this week as well as continue with my professional reading. Only 3 weeks til school begins, so have to squeeze in as much reading as possible!

Be sure to check here and here for some great reading choices.

It's Monday! What are You Reading?

I would have call my reading this summer - the "Summer of  YA". There have been so many excellent YA novels and I want to read them all!

This past week I read:

One for the Murphys by Lynda Mullaly Hunt.

What an amazing book - loved it and Carley.


The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne

I have a number of books relating to WWII this year- this was quite a powerful book. Sure packs a punch at the end.

Notebook Know -How: Strategies for the Writer's Notebook by Aimee Buckner
I already use a reader's notebook, but want to expand my writing programme. This was a very informative book and gave lots of good tools for using a writer's notebook.

I have 3 new books on the go right now. I have so many stacked, several started but then some new book will call to me so they get put aside for now! Between the library, Chapters and Costco, I have been chipping away at my long list of books to be read!

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

The Mighty Miss Malone by Christopher Paul Curtis

The Castaways by Elin Hiderbrand ( a guilty pleasure - just picked up this book yesterday for $5 and a quarter into it)

I am slowly working my way through Guided Math, Guiding Readers, Daily 5 and Cafe.

Be sure to check out the great reads here and here.

It's Monday, What are you Reading?

Although I have been reading, much of my reading this past week has been on education books for book clubs. A few chapters here and there but not yet finished these books. I am enjoying the sharing of thoughts on these books though and so am spending a bit more time online.

I did read these books though:

Hound Dog True by Linda Urban

I finally read this book that has had such wonderful reviews. I enjoyed it immensely. Such a sensitive story and well written.

Willow Run by Patricia Reilly Giff

I enjoyed this story and main character Meggie, whose life is upturned when her family must move to Willow Run  in 1944.

Sourpuss and Sweetie Pie by Norton Jester Cillus and Chris Roschka

I saw this in a bargain bin and bought it because of Chris Roschka. I did enjoy the story about a little girl's two sides. Interesting illustrations a s well.

A Page out of Life by Kathleen Reid

A book for me,  about scrapbooking friends and how they support each other. A bit farfetched at times, but it was an enjoyable light read.


Still reading - a number of teaching books and art books.

Next I will be reading The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. I had resolved not to buy any more books, but saw this and remembered the reviews and knew I had to read it.
I still have 5 or 6 other books started but not finished! I have to be in a certain frame of mind to read books and some books just call to be read. The Book Thief was one of them.
I also finally made it back to the library last week and picked up a number of YA books. The Mighty Miss Malone by Christopher Paul Curtis and Inside Out and Back Again by Thannhha Lai  will be next on my list to read.

Be sure to check out the reviews here and here.

It's Monday! What are You Reading?

It's Monday! What are You Reading?

I have tried to read a variety of books this past week, from picture books to YA to fun reads for me.

This past week I read:

Blood Red Road by Moira Young

It had been billed as the next Hunger Games. I had lent it to a former student to read and get her opinion. She actually enjoyed it. So did I.  There is a sequel - to be out in a few months.

The Courage of Sarah Noble by Alice Dagliesh
One of my favourite units in our grade 3 social studies curriculum is a look at early Native people. I had picked up this book at a yard sale and wanted to see if it was suitable. But the term "Indian" used throughout and some of the negative expressions made me uneasy. So it won't be used in my classroom.
The Stories Julian Tell by Ann Cameron

I picked this up as well and enjoyed the stories by Julian - especially on catalogue cats!

The Beach Club by Elin Hilderbrand

A fun read for me. Interesting characters and how they interact.

The Wednesday Letters by Jason F. Wright

Just finished this yesterday and really enjoyed it. It details the long marriage of Jack and Laurel Cooper and the weekly letters Jack wrote to his wife during their 40 years together, through the eyes of their children, quite a motley crew. There is even a website to upload your own Wednesday Letter.


I am still working on several teacher book clubs and these books take up some of time for reading:
Guiding Readers, The Daily Five, Guided Math, and now, Opening Minds. They have all been worthwhile reading.I will be continuing these books over the next few weeks.

Currently I am reading:

Notebook Know-How; Strategies for the Writer's Notebook by Aimee Buckner

Take Joy; A Writer's Guide to Loving the Craft by Jane Yolen

The Breadwinner Tril0gy by Deborah Ellis

Alice I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin

Hotel on the corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford



Be sure to check out the great reads here and here.

It's Monday! What are You Reading?

It's Monday! What are You Reading?

With the reading challenges I took up in January, I have tried to increase my reading this year in many different genres. Last week, I was able to finally do a bit more reading. But my lists have grown so long, and my piles to read seem to be growing, I really need to stop everything else and read!

This past week I  read:

Fatty Legs by Christy Jordan-Fenton and Margaret Pokiak-Fenton (YA)

I did enjoy this look at the residential schools in the Arctic. Having been to a number of places mentioned (Aklavik, Tuktoyaktuk, Inuvik), made it that much more enjoyable.


I read a number of picture books this week, some I brought from school to check out:

The Bee Tree by Patricia Polacco

I heard Patricia speak a year ago and was mesmerized by her story telling. I did enjoy this book and I am going to use it at the beginning of the school year as a start to a discussion of why we read.


The Way to Start the Day by Byrd Baylor

I can't believe I haven't read this book, even tho I have had it in my classroom library for years. Enjoyed it.


Wild Bog Tea by Annette LeBox

I picked up this book on sale and finally read it. It was a delightful story of generations and environmental issues.

The Story of the Kind Wolf by Peter Nickl

A surprise twist to the usual wolf stereotype.

Heckedy Peg by Audrey Wood

Interesting story on following directions and knowing your children!

Greyfriar's Bobby by Ruth Brown

I knew the story having seen the old movie, but this was a lovely tale of the wee dog.

Angela and the Baby Jesus by Frank McCourt
I found this at the hospital giftstore last week for $1.99 and couldn't resist. It even had a CD! A lovely story for Christmas.

I am still working on several teacher  book clubs and these books take up some of time for reading:
Guiding Readers, The Daily Five, Guided Math, Take Joy and now, Opening Minds. They have all been worthwhile reading.I will be continuing these books over the next few weeks.

Currently I am reading:
The Breadwinner Tril0gy by Deborah Ellis

The Beach Club by Elin Hildebrand ( for fun reading)

Alice I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin

Hotel on the corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford



Be sure to check out the great reads here and here.