Summer Reading

Research shows kids need to keep reading throughout the summer in order to remain at their current reading level. Jim Trelease explains how to help prevent this perfectly on his website... http://www.trelease-on-reading.com/

Looking for ideas? Check out my summer reading list (so far)

Fifth Grade Books

Tim Green's Football Hero
Tim Green's latest- Football Champ (sequel to Football Genius)
The Percy Jackson series (attempting this for the second time!)
George's Secret Key to the Universe
Chasing Spirit Bear
Love, Aubrey
Twilight
Shredderman
Any of Steve Jenkins non-fiction titles
Betsy Byars new mysteries ( the titles are escaping me right now)

Not So Fifth Grade Books

Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian

Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime

Something Borrowed (series of books)

Confessions of A Shopaholic (we'll see about this one)

Three Cups of Tea (I really need to force myself through this- I may buy the 5th grade version)

Dewey The Small-Town Library Cat Who Touched the World

Janet Evanovich's Fearless Fourteen and Finger Lickin' Fifteen

I've got some pretty ambitious goals... I am really hoping to post more often!! Be sure to check back for more soon!

What's Up With Twilight!?

I finally caved. I officially own a copy of the book causing a vampire loving craze across the nation...... TWILIGHT.

What am I thinking? Well.... let me explain.
1. I hate scary books and scary movies. Why am I reading this?
2. I don't particularly enjoy romance.
3. Edward scares me. A lot.
4. Is Bella INSANE? (ummm yes)
5. My fifth graders loved this. I need to know why!!

SO, let the adventure begin. I'll be back in a few weeks to let you know if I feel the need to run out and buy an "I LOVE EDWARD" shirt or maybe just head to the library to pick up a copy of "New Moon." Stay tuned!

The Shadow Children Series

Margaret Peterson Haddix promises to keep you on the edge of your seat with the Shadow Children Series. Among the Hidden, the first book in the series, has been an exciting first read-aloud for our classroom. Stay tuned for upcoming reviews from our avid classroom listeners!

VOTE! June and Moon!

The Kid Who Ran for President is the perfect book for our community read aloud. I'm so excited this book was chosen. It is the perfect way to discuss the upcoming election and Dan Gutman really knows how to make me laugh!! Whether it is 12 year old Judson Moon, first babe Chelsea Daniels, campaign manager Lane Brainard or running mate June Syers, the characterization in this book is spectacular! Every middle-schooler can probably relate to someone in this book. Will the Lemonade Party make it to the White House!? Stay tuned to find out!!!

Lois Lowry

I am truly fascinated by Ms. Lowry. Number the Stars, The Giver, Gathering Blue, The Messenger, Gossamer, and her most recent, The Willoughbys are brilliant stories with thick plots, intense characters and vivid descriptions. Powerful messages lie within these novels... Lowry's purpose can be argued endlessly. What is she trying to tell us? Give it a try.... I'd like to hear what you think.

see more at http://www.loislowry.com/

Three Cheers for Jeff Kinney!!

Jeff Kinney is an absolute genius. 7th grader and self-proclaimed Wimpy Kid, Greg shares his middle school trials and tribulations in this hilarious graphic novel. His stick figure comics and unique voice had me laughing out loud on more than one occasion.

I first read Diary of a Wimpy Kid way back in December. I bought two copies. One for me and one for my cousin, who will be entering 5th grade this year. This cousin, an allstar baseball player, is an awesome kid. He is fun to be with and always makes me laugh. Just one thing about this cousin... he doesn't like to read. When I read Wimpy Kid, I knew I had to try to get him to read it. I sent it home with his Dad as a Christmas gift. Not 3 days later, I got a phone call that went something like this:

Cousin: About that book you got me...

Miss D: Uh oh.... what about that book?

Cousin: Well first of all, let me tell you. I don't like to read. I hate to read actually.

Miss D: Is that so?

Cousin: Yup. And guess how many pages I read yesterday?

Miss D: 20?

Cousin:90. And I just finished the book tonight. I couldn't stop laughing.

Miss D: What was your favorite part?

Cousin: Where he thinks he is secretly listening to his brother's music at night, but doesn't realize he didn't plug the headphones in and he has it up really loud and his dad comes down to yell at him!

This conversation lasted for about 15 more minutes and ended with a promise that I would purchase each Wimpy Kid book for Cousin for his birthday, Christmas or whenever (I can spoil him... I stood in as his Godmother).

Point being.... EVERYONE (young, old, readers, non-readers) will enjoy the hysterical antics of Greg Heffley's journal in Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules. (and soon to be released Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw....January 09!)

Want more?

Check out: http://www.teachervision.fen.com/authors/artists/38386.html for an interview with Jeff Kinney!

The Sisters Grimm

In a fantastic series of books, Sabrina and Daphne Grimm encounter a giant, a jaberwocky, Cinderella, Rumplestiltskin, and more! The Sisters, along with Granny Grimm, Puck, and the occasional team of pixies, uncover mysteries entwined with twisted fairytales. I love the way Michael Buckley's fairytale characters all come together. Who would have thought the three little pigs are responsible for keeping crime under control in Ferryport Landing, New York? Or that Mayor Charming, now bound to the restrictions of his small town, was a former prince? An adventure awaits and promises to entertain!!