Saturday, November 21, 2009

update

Okay-- so it's been quite a while since I've updated things here. So, here I am.

I finished The Shack-- finally. It's definitely a good one-- worth the time. Now on to new stuff (well, at least the last few months of new):

The Whipping Boy by Sid Fleischman
We read this one as a class. It was an interesting read as a historical fiction-- full of dialect and interesting tidbits of life "way back when." It was a good one to read aloud, with many sparks for great conversation. I was amazed at the reactions from the students-- how the thought of having a whipping boy was appalling, and then the growth of Prince Brat as a person. Many of the students could connect with at least one of the characters, while appreciating the others for what they represent. Definitely worth the time.

No Talking by Andrew Clements
This is our current "read-aloud-just-for-fun-at-the-end-of-the-day" book. One of my chatterboxes in class gave it to me as a present during our last book fair. As always, Andrew Clements has a fresh, kid perspective in his book. He shows that true competitiveness apparent with most late-elementary students. I must add that he captures the teachers and administrators that makes the book an enjoyable read for adults as well.

Little House in the Big Woods by Laura Ingalls Wilder
What a classic is this, eh? I remember reading this one when I was a little girl. My favorite conversations with the students include Pa blowing up the pig's bladder for the girls to have a toy, and the way Ma colored the butter. There was a nice connection there, since in science class, we've made butter, so the students have a little tie-in with the book.

James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
I love reading this with my group of boys. It's gross, disgusting, and wonderful-- all rolled up into one fantastic book. Anyone who hasn't experienced the world of Roald Dahl is definitely missing something. Still not finished with this go around, but did enjoy the student's attempts to write poetry comparable to the caterpillar's songs (in order to gross me out!). I loved when one of them included a pig's bladder (he was listening to the other group'd discussion!).

Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett
Oh, Blue Balliett is one of my favorites. She can weave a web of details in a mystery-adventure like no one's business! The group I have reading this now (along with myself) are having a lovely time-0f searching for clues, writing in code, looking for frogs... all the things a good book will do for you. Mystery writers are amazing-- how they can drop little details here and there, and then sweep them all up and give them meaning all at once. It's amazing to experience-- especially with a group of bright 8 year olds; Blue Balliett is a master of her craft. Wonderful nerdy characters help the dorkiest of us feel like we can fit in SOMEWHERE.

Savvy by Ingrid Law
This great little book is one of this year's Bluebonnet books; I read it on the suggestion from one of my students. Wow-- what a neat idea, I do believe that Madeline L'Engle and Natalie Babbit would be impressed and satisfied while reading Ingrid Law's new creation.

The Name of This Book is Secret by Pseudonymous Bosch
I bought this one today, having wanted to read it for some time now. I find the "author's" name quite interesting; Bosch is a Dutch painter who specialized in grotesque, fantastic creatures with human counterparts, while Pseudonymous, is obviously, well, a pseudonym. Being a big fan of Lemony Snickett, I hear that this current series is just about the next best (or worst!) thing. Horesradish, mayonaisse-- one of those condiments will either kill you or save your life, you know.

I'm sure there are more... as I think, I'll write.

Speaking of writing-- I'm off to either write some on that historical fiction I've been thinking about, or revising Pickle Summer from 2 NaNoWriMo years ago...

:)