Savvy

Why did I wait so long to read Savvy?
I am in love with this book! On their thirteenth birthday, children discover their Savvy, and for Mississippi (Mibs) Beaumont, this birthday is like no other. Saying more would ruin the story, just trust me, you have to check out this book!

I had a hard time falling for...

....Falling In by Frances O'Roark Dowell!

It is a rare occasion when I purchase a hardcover book. Falling In looked magical when I saw it a few months ago at the Scholastic Book Fair and I decided I had to have it! Little red boots on the cover, an Alice in Wonderland appeal, and magical swirls caught my eye. Yet, it goes to prove, looks are decieving. Not until I reached chapter 32 (or so), did I find myself truly engaged in my reading. The adventure, or lack thereof, moves along slowly. The references to Alice in Wonderland and Hansel and Gretel are vague and do not offer much to support the story. Falling In did not have the instant hook I needed to fall in love as I have so many other times. This is not to say, however, there is not an audience for the story. Fantasy lovers, especially those enchanted by fairy tales, may find Falling In to be the perfect summer read. Let me know!

Inspiration

While reading for a graduate class assignment I stumbled upon a few quotes. One in particular caught my attention:

"It is not enough to simply teach children to read; we have to give them something worth reading. Something that will stretch their imaginations - something that will help them make sense of their own lives and encourage them to reach out toward people whose lives are quite different from their own"
~Katherine Paterson, 1995

Happy Summer!

After an incredible school year, summer has finally arrived! It was great year for books in Room 121. My students made a petition to have me arrested for purchasing too many books for the classroom. As a result, I had to buy even more!
Here are a few I plan to start first....
Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Savy by Ingrid Law
Flipped by Wendelin VanDraanen
When You Reach Me (this year's newbury) by Rebecca Stead (In progress)
Falling In by Francis O'Roarke Dowell (In progress)

Plus... I haven't even hit up the library yet!

Happy Reading!