These Look Good!

I've been looking around to see what books are out there that I haven't seen or heard of yet.  These are some that I've found that look good!

House of Secrets

 by Ned Vizzini

The Walker kids had it all: loving parents, a big house in San Francisco, all the latest video games . . . but everything changed when their father lost his job as a result of an inexplicable transgression. Now the family is moving into Kristoff House, a mysterious place built nearly a century earlier by Denver Kristoff, a troubled writer with a penchant for the occult.

Suddenly the siblings find themselves launched on an epic journey into a mash-up world born of Kristoff’s dangerous imagination, to retrieve a dark book of untold power, uncover the Walker family’s secret history and save their parents . . . and maybe even the world.

The Haven

by Carol Lynch Williams

For the teens at The Haven, the outside world, just beyond the towering stone wall that surrounds the premises, is a dangerous unknown. It has always been this way, ever since the hospital was established in the year 2020. But The Haven is more than just a hospital; it is their home. It is all they know. Everything is strictly monitored: education, exercise, food, and rest. The rules must be followed to keep the children healthy, to help control the Disease that has cast them as Terminals, the Disease that claims limbs and lungs—and memories. 

But Shiloh is different; she remembers everything. Gideon is different, too. He dreams of a cure, of rebellion against the status quo. What if everything they’ve been told is a lie? What if The Haven is not the safe place it claims to be? And what will happen if Shiloh starts asking dangerous questions?

Period 8

by Chris Crutcher

In this full-length novel from Chris Crutcher, his first since the best-selling Deadline, the ultimate bully and the ultimate good guy tangle during Period 8.

Paul "the Bomb" Baum tells the truth. No matter what. It was something he learned at Sunday School. But telling the truth can cause problems, and not minor ones. And as Paulie discovers, finding the truth can be even more problematic. Period 8 is supposed to be that one period in high school where the truth can shine, a safe haven. Only what Paulie and Hannah (his ex-girlfriend, unfortunately) and his other classmates don't know is that the ultimate bully, the ultimate liar, is in their midst. 

The Winter of Robots

by Kurtis Scaletta

Jim is tired of being the sidekick to his scientific genius, robot-obsessed, best friend Oliver. So this winter, when it comes time to choose partners for the science fair, Jim dumps Oliver and teams up with a girl instead. Rocky has spotted wild otters down by the river, and her idea is to study them. 

But what they discover is bigger—and much more menacing—than fuzzy otters: a hidden junkyard on abandoned Half Street. And as desolate as it may seem, there's something living in the junkyard. Something that won't be contained for long by the rusty fences and mounds of snow. Can Jim and Rocky—along with Oliver and his new science-fair partner—put aside their rivalry and unite their robot-building skills? Whatever is lurking on Half Street is about to meet its match. 

17 & Gone

by Nova Ren Suma

Seventeen-year-old Lauren is having visions of girls who have gone missing. And all these girls have just one thing in common—they are 17 and gone without a trace. As Lauren struggles to shake these waking nightmares, impossible questions demand urgent answers: Why are the girls speaking to Lauren? How can she help them? And . . . is she next? As Lauren searches for clues, everything begins to unravel, and when a brush with death lands her in the hospital, a shocking truth emerges, changing everything.

What have you seen lately that looks good???

A Wrinkle In Time 50th Anniversary Celebration: Sharing the Book

This year marks the 50th Anniversary of the Newbery Awarding winning book A Wrinkle in Time.  Macmillan is celebrating in part by having 50 blogs talk about this book. 

 I was honored to be asked to participate! 

 I get the pleasure of writing about sharing this book.  

But first let me tell you about the amazing 50th Anniversary Commemorative Edition.  

Isn't it pretty looking? I love it, and it's even prettier in person!

The 50^th Anniversary Commemorative edition features:

•       Frontispiece photo*†

•       Photo scrapbook with approximately 10 photos*†

•       Manuscript pages*†

•       Letter from 1963 Caldecott winner, Ezra Jack Keats*†

•       New introduction by Katherine Paterson, US National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature  †

•       New afterword by Madeleine L’Engle’s granddaughter Charlotte Voiklis including six never-before-seen photos †

•       Murry-O’Keefe family tree with new artwork †

•       Madeleine L’Engle’s Newbery acceptance speech

* Unique to this edition                † never previously published

I have to say the manuscript pages that show her actual revision is the coolest thing ever, and I will be showing it to my students.  They need to see that even award winners revise!!!

Check out more about the celebration at the A Wrinkle in Time Facebook page. 

Now for my thoughts on sharing this book with middle schoolers.

I have to admit it - I had never read A Wrinkle in Time before a week ago.  Yup I was that reader, that teacher, that person! But I am so glad that I did read it finally! And really I'm glad I read it now, because I can relate to people who aren't sure they want to read it.  When I share it now I'm not sharing it from a memory of when I was 11 and read it.  I'm sharing from the hear and now.  And I can understand what might be holding them back and combat it head on! Reading it now gives me a way better understanding of how and where to share this story.  And believe me I will be sharing it a lot.

But can I tell you something about sharing this book - something even I fought in myself - be ready to fight a huge misconception!  Here's what happened when I told my 12 year old daughter (an avid reader) she should read it.

Me: Hey have you ever read A Wrinkle in Time?

Her: (nose wrinkled) No.

Me: Why not?

Her: I don't know.  It's old.  I don't like old books.

Me: But it doesn't seem old!

Her: But it is.

Me: But it doesn't seem like it was written 50 years ago!

Her: (rolling her eyes) I'll read it later.

Me: No read it now.

And at that point the conversation ended because I, mom, had pushed it too much.  But what I wanted you to see was what could happen when sharing this book with middle schoolers. They see it as "old". It'll be dated.  It'll sound silly because it was written so long ago. They all want the popular "now" book.  They don't think they want an old book - You've got to make them rethink that! You've got to! To help you I've come up with a list. 

So here's my "Top Ten Ways to Change Their Minds".

10.  It never says the year! So it could be RIGHT NOW!

  9.  What? 50 years? No, no, no. 50 TEARS! It brought tears to my eyes.  You'll love it too!

  8.  Time travel and sci fi are becoming popular now! This is soooooo that AND MORE!

  7.  It has none of that annoying slang that dates it! Nothing is "groovy".  There are no "dudes". And "rad" is nowhere to be found!

  6.  Although Madeleine L'Engle calls them companion books - it's part of a series and you finally get to see what happens to the characters when they grow up! Tell me the last book series that happened in!  

  5.  THE POWER OF LOVE. Does that EVER go out of style????

  4.  Ever feel like you don't fit in? Have I got the girl for you! Meg is amazing.

  3.  Ok so yes it's 50 years old but how can something that has been around that long be wrong???

  2. Think of how impressed your parents and teachers will be when they hear you've read it!

  1. Aw just skip all that and READ IT ALOUD TO THEM!

Ok all the joking aside.  You will have to fight some bias against "old" books when recommending this one but fight tooth and nail to get them to pick it up. I haven't EVER read a book written that long ago and been blown away by the timelessness of it.  It could've been published just this year.  How was Madeleine L'Engle able to write something that timeless??? Ah.Maze.Ing. Then there's Meg! What a great role model for girls.  How did she know that girls would continue to need strong role models in their reading?  Meg is full of faults, but they don't hold her back and she does what needs to be done in the face of all fear! You go girl!

Now I also have to comment on sharing this book with adults

I asked many many teachers I work with if they had read this book.  Many said no.  And here is my theory as to why.  You know those books we're suppose to read? Like Of Mice and Men or To Kill a Mockingbird (both FANTASTIC books)  - the ones we're "suppose" to read.  They are classics.  They are to make us think.  They are to be taken seriously. Those books - well, we shy away from that sometimes.  Like the kids we want fun!

Tell an adult this:  Yes you'll think. Read it.  Yes it's different than anything else you've read.  Read it! Do you have a family you love?  Read it! Do you like to see good win? Read it.  Do want a story that shows you hope? Read it!!!! With adults you can be more direct :)

So that's how I'd share this book that I'm thankful to have finally read.  It will be in my hands a lot as I'm handing it to a new generation of students that need to go with Meg, Calvin and Charles Wallace.  That need to see Meg's strength and make her their hero. Some won't get it.  But some will - and it's those kids who probably need this story the most.  So because I know those kids are out there, it will a book I'll share over and over.  (but I'm sure I'll need my top 10 list!)

Happy Halloween! Books that Scare Me

Happy Halloween to all that celebrate! 

 I thought today I'd share a few books that scared me.  I will say that books really don't scare me that much.  Movies! Movies scare me, but not books.  I think it's because I can control what I see in my mind while reading, but I can't do that with movies. But there are a few books that scared me some.  

The Shining by Stephen King

I have a love/hate relationship with Stephen King.  Some of his books I just love (The Stand) and others not so much (The Tommyknockers)  The Shining is one I loved.  I read it several years ago after I found out that the movie  with Jack Nicholson did NOT follow the book very well.  At the time a TV version came out that did.  That movie made me read the book.  I loved it! It was so much more creepy than "jump out at you" scary.  I think I like psychological thrillers better because they get into my brain better.

The Devouring Series by Simon Holt

For this one I have to say the series as a whole because honestly I didn't find the first one that scary or creepy. BUT as the series went along the story got creepier.  The idea of the fearscape (being stuck in your worst fears amplified) just creeped me out!  And it just seemed like the Vours got worse and worse as the series went along.  Definitely worth the read.


Anything by John Saul!

When I was in high school (and I think also middle school) I read almost every book by John Saul - Comes the Blind Fury, Suffer the Children, Nathaniel, When the Wind Blows.  I loved them all! Now John Saul is the bloody yucky kind of scary and I soooooo loved them all! I'm actually surprised my mom let me read them!  Maybe they had something to do with me never wanting to be home alone growing up! If you want something creepy, odd, bloody and scary give him a try!

With that have a great Halloween! If you like to read books that scare you share them! I'd love to give them a try!  My students are always suggestion anything by Mary Downing Hahn :)

In Celebration of My Son's 10th Birthday

Today is my son's 10th birthday.  He has now reached double digits! On his birthday list is the following:

• Train set - I believe it's an O scale one
• Legos
• Several Micro Machine Star Wars sets - from like the 80's! He's into retro stuff

Did you see what is missing??? Yup that's right - no books. None.  Not that I excepted to see any.  My son is not a reader.  I am an English teacher.  I run a book review blog.  Do I struggle with this?  Yes and no. Yes because I'm passionate about reading, and I think everyone should read books! No because every time I say he is not a reader I remember something - he does read.  Quit a bit actually.  Just not the reading I do. So today I thought I'd share the best reading for a nonreader in terms of my son.

My Son's Top Ten Reading Recommendations for Those Who Don't Read

1. Anything Calvin and Hobbes - the books are falling apart because he reads them too much!
2. Diary of a Wimpy Kid - all of them.
3. Large nonfiction books with pictures along with the text about such topics as space, trains and Star Wars.
4. Comic books - he's recently discovered them.
5. Any children's encyclopedias - my mom gave him a two book set and he has read them to death.  He knows so much because of them.
6. Anything on the Internet about how to set up a train set including digging through an internet site to find the cost of shipping
7. The Lego Magazine - how else do you learn what to build???
8. Snoopy books
9. Any book from the library about the topic he's currently obsessed er, interested in
10. Novels - GRAPHIC NOVELS.  You see it needs to be a novel with illustrations and NO long chapters

My son has taught me, a lover of books, something that I never truly got - that reading is not just novels.  That reading comes in all shapes and sizes, and we all approach it differently.  He has taught me how to work better with those students in my classroom that are just like him. He has taught me that I can't call someone a nonreader just because they don't read novels. Readers read - end of story.  Duh right?  Yup, but it took him to grind that into me.   I owe him a world of debt (don't tell him or he'll start listing all the things I can buy him to pay him back!)

Happy birthday big guy!!! I<3 you!

New Poll: Should I Use Book Ratings?

When I first started blogging I "graded" books.  Since I was a teacher I thought I'd use letter grades, so I'd give a book an A, B, C etc.  I only did this a little while until I stopped.  I just didn't like the system.  Lately tho, I've been thinking about using some sort of ratings - like the 5 Stars system.  Of course I'd like to link it to owls :)

The question is - do you like when reviewers rate the book?  Weirdly even though I don't use them, I do look at them.  Sometimes that's the first thing I'll look for, and that decides if I'll really read the review closely.  If their rating is different from what I would've given it, or from other reviews I've seen I really want to read and find out why.  I also like that it gives me a quick snap shot of their thoughts. 

One reason why I don't use them - I review for my students and I don't want them to not read a book because I gave it a 3 out 5 stars or something. But I'm open to using them if a lot of my followers would like to see them.

Please take the poll on the right and/or comment on this post.  Thanks!!!!!

Take a Quick Poll on My Blog Design

I changed to a plain yellow background.  Thoughts?????

Hey all!! I've been toying with getting a new blog design.  The owls would stay OF COURSE, but I've had this one for almost two years, so I'm thinking of an update.  I kinda want to simplify it a little.  Sometimes I feel it's a bit much on the screen.

Could you help me out by taking the very quick poll on the right?

If you vote:

YUP: you think I should look into something completely new

NO!: You like the design just as it is!

KEEP MOST: you think I should keep most but maybe trim down some or just get like rating owls

Feel free to comment on this post if you have ideas or thoughts :)

Thanks!!!!!

Why I Love Audio Books

Lately I've really really gotten into audio books.  It started about a year ago with the book The Dead and the Gone.  I had read Life as We Knew It and wanted the second book.  For Christmas I had gotten an iPod dock for my car, so it played through the speakers.  I thought I'd try out an audio book, and The Dead and the Gone was available from the library (which BTW is an awesome way to get audio books!).  I down loaded it and started listening to and from school with my kids. It was great!

We didn't really listen to another one until later.  Then the library in our town open in a new fantastic location.  My daughter wanted to check it out, so off we went.  While we were there I wandered over to the audio books and found Dandelion Fire.  It was a book I had been kind've wanting to read, so I convinced my daughter we should listen to it.  It worked great! You can read my review HERE. 

We then listened to The Red Pyramid on my daughter's insistence.  Again we loved it! You can read my review HERE.  After that we listened to The Book of Elsewhere #1 The Shadows.  It was after that one that I really realized why I like audio books. 

Here is why:

1.  I get to "read" more books.  My life is busy. I work full time.  I have 3 kids.  I blog.  I write.  Sometimes reading doesn't fit.  But hour to and from school with daycare drop off is perfect for listening.  Books I've wanted to get to are now more possible!

2.  It's exposing my 9 year old to more books.  He reads, but not like me or his sister.  He LOVES Calvin and Hobbes, and I credit Calvin and Hobbes with helping building his vocabulary and reading skills.  But he's not a novel reader.  If it has chapters, he doesn't want it.  I've found that even though he doesn't act like it, he's listening and enjoying the story as well.  My hope is that eventually he'll want to read them for himself.  Fingers crossed!!!

3.  It's bringing my kids and I together.  Instead of being in our own worlds during the morning drive, we laugh over the story, discuss what happened and what we think will happen.  We have "inside jokes" because of the stories we have listened to. I honestly believe that when they get older they'll really remember listening to these books.

4.  I stick with books I would give up on if I was reading it.  Dandelion Fire is the perfect example.  My daughter and I weren't thrilled.  We say "let's give it one more day".  After that day we say "just one more".  By the end we were completely into the story.  If I had been reading it traditionally, I would've given up half way through. 

5.  Lastly, it's helping see how audio books can help my struggling and reluctant readers.  I tell all my kids now that aren't really into reading that they should look into audio books.  I know some people would disagree with me, but if I can't at least get them reading that way..... who knows.  It's funny because I'll tell them they can put them on their Ipod and listen.  AND that no one would have to know.  They can just dance around now and again, and people will think they are listening to music! Usually they laugh at me when I say that, but I do see that they give it a thought!  I'll do just about anything to get a kid reading, and if selling them audio books is the way to do it - then that's what I'll do.

So anyways, those are my thoughts on audio books.  There are a few things I don't like, but in they end the positives waaaaaaay out-weight the negatives.

How about you?  Do you like audio books? 

PS - If you haven't check out Audible.com do it! I just joined, and it's way more than I thought!

PPS!!!!
Books I've wanted to get to are now more possible! I read up on reviews about the best audiobook services at NextAdvisor.com to learn more about the options out there.

How I Get Cheap Bookmarks for My Students

I have to share this because I know I have teachers and librarians that read the blog. So here goes - I'm a dork.  I completely admit that!  And here is just one example. 

My students are always asking for bookmarks.  I can't afford to buy the official bookmarks they sell in packs of like 25.  Well one year I was standing in the Valentine's aisle looking at the stuff on clearance.  I looked at the boxes of Valentines on 75% off and had a light bulb moment.  They would make perfect (and cheap) bookmarks.  I snatched up several boxes and put them out the next day.  My students loved them.  Now they could have a Spiderman or Harry Potter bookmark.  You should see them dig through the box they are in looking for one they like. 

So now every Valentine's Day I snatch up several boxes.  This year I bought 15!  But I did the math and I got 500 book marks for like $6!  Here's a pic of most of the ones I bought.

Call me crazy but it works :)

`

Holiday Gift Suggestions

Since the offical start to the holiday shopping season is today I thought I'd share my suggestions for some great books to buy for people on your list. I'm not going to go crazy and give you a huge list, instead I'll just give you my top choice(s) for a few catigories.

Best For MG Boys
The Scorch Trials - needed for all the boys who read The Maze Runner.  And if they haven't read The Maze Runner give both!
Conspiracy 365 January - action packed book that has 12 books out in the series!

Best for MG Girls
It's Raining Cupcakes - my daughter (age 11) read it, loved it and bakes tons of cupcakes now
Sister's Grimm The Fairytale Detectives-fantastic series full of adventure and fun

Best for YA Girls
Shiver and Linger - so many of my girls love this series
Gallagher Girl Series - So many of my girls tear through this series.  Fun, action, some romance. 

Best of YA Boys
Thirteen Days to Midnight - what would you do if you knew you couldn't be be hurt?
Lockdown by Walter Dean Myers - well anything by Walter Dean Myers

Best Series for Those Who Liked to be Spooked
The Devouring and Soustice! I found the second book better (scarier) than the first.  I need to read Fearscape yet.

Best for Zombie Lovers
The Forest of Hands Teeth along with The Dead Tossed Waves.  Love love love this series and again I liked the second book better.

Best for Readers Who Like to Laugh
The Strange Case of Origami Yoda - cute, funny but also a great message

Best YA for Adult Readers
Before I Fall.  I cannot say how much I loved this book!

Best MG for Adult Readers
When You Reach Me -  I adored it beyond reason :)

So those are just some suggestions I have.  Hope you maybe found something for the reader on your list.

Survey on Reviews

Hey all I've got 10 reviews to write (YIKES!), and I'd like a little feedback before I get the bulk of them done.  If you could help out and fill out this suvey I'd love it.  I'm not looking for feedback on MY reviews.  I'm looking for feedback on REVIEWS IN GENERAL.

Thanks!!!

Indie Bookstores Vs. Big Name Bookstores

When I first started blogging I saw a lot of references to Indie Bound and indie book sellers.  I had no clue what people were talking about! I had an idea, but I wasn't sure I was right.  I decided it was time I learned.

I went to Indie Bound and learned. For those of you that don't know what Indie Bound is, here is the description from their website:

What is IndieBound?



IndieBound is a community-oriented movement begun by the independent bookseller members of the American Booksellers Association. It brings together booksellers, readers, indie retailers, local business alliances, and anyone else with a passionate belief that healthy local economies help communities thrive. Supporting local, indie businesses means that dollars, jobs, diversity, choice, and taxes stay local, creating strong, unique communities and happy citizens.
 
Ok so maybe I'm lame, but it took me really looking at Indie Bound to really get what "indie" was.  It's those fantastic bookstores that aren't the size of a warehouse.  The ones that are owned by individual people not just a corperation.  The ones that struggle when a Barnes and Noble comes in.  The ones that can be hard to find. How could have I not gotten that right away?
 
Now I wanted to visit my local indie bookstore. On Indie Bound you can search for the nearest Indie bookstore near you.  Want to know how many I have close by?  One.  That's it. And that one is over 20 minutes away.   There are others, but they would be a drive.  Now you need to know I live in a suburb of a large(er) city.  When I really thought about it, I couldn't think of one bookstore near me that wasn't a Borders or Barnes and Noble.  Not one! Isn't that kinda sad? Are we losing these small bookstores?

Beyond just learning about indie bookstores, I also learned how shopping at local indie bookstores is a more green way to shop, and it helps my local economy.  Indie Bound has a great explanation of how shopping indie does this.  Go here to read it. 
 
Now don't get me wrong, this post isn't about the evils of big box bookstores.  I love my BN and Borders!  I'm there a lot. This post is more about my new awareness of the benifits of shopping indie and the lack of independent bookstores near me. I'd love to have a small bookstore nearby that might remember me when I come in.  One that, when I shopped at it, I would be helping my community grow. It makes me pretty sad that I don't have that chance near me. If there is one near you, I encourage you to visit it.  I doubt you'll regret it.
 
If you want to know more about Indie Bound and how indie bookstores help the community check out Indie Bound FAQ.  Then make sure to check out the rest of the site. They have a really cool Indie Next List that gives you some great books to look at.

Back to School

So in two days I head back to school - well teacher workhops.  I thought you all might like to see the number of bags I have to take back to school.  Most of the bags are, yes, books for my classroom library.  Now I didn't buy ALL those books.  I came about them in several ways.  Some I brought home from my classroom library to read, some are ones from my daughters bedroom library that she didn't want, some people gave to me, some I won and of course some I bought. 

Here's all the bags!

Here's all the NEW books I'll be adding to my library.

And I wasn't just getting books this summer, I was getting owls too.  Here is all the new owl stuff I'll be adding to my room! My family just shakes their head!

Meme of Reading Questions

I thought I'd do something a little different this Friday and let you all learn a bit more about it.  I found this fun meme on reading questions over at Book Through Thursday. 

Here we go!
1. Favorite childhood book?
    Little House on the Prairie

2. What are you reading right now?
     Soulstice (The Devouring #2)

3. What books do you have on request at the library?
     None.  I don't use the library :(

4. Bad book habit?
    Judging a book by its cover

5. What do you currently have checked out at the library?
     None

6. Do you have an e-reader?
    A Nook

7. Do you prefer to read one book at a time, or several at once?
    One or I get confused

8. Have your reading habits changed since starting a blog?
    Yes - I don't base my next pick on what really interests me as much but I am trying to change that back!

9. Least favorite book you read this year (so far?)
    I really don't know! None are jumping out at me!  Maybe This World We Live In. I was disappointed by it.

10. Favorite book you’ve read this year?
       Before I Fall - LOVED IT!

11. How often do you read out of your comfort zone?
      Hardly ever.

12. What is your reading comfort zone?
       YA urban fantasy.  MG realistic fiction

13. Can you read on the bus?
      Yes.  I use to read on the subway all the time when I lived in Boston.

14. Favorite place to read?
      My couch :)

15. What is your policy on book lending?
      I have a huge classroom library, so I've really had to let go of worry about books I lend.  If they are very special to me tho - I won't lend them. 

16. Do you ever dog-ear books?
      NEVER!

17. Do you ever write in the margins of your books?
      Only if it's a book I'm teaching.

18. Not even with text books?
      Of course then.

19. What is your favorite language to read in?
       Since I only know English it would have to be that one.

20. What makes you love a book?
      When it makes me think and when it moves me emotionally some way - even if that through laughter

21. What will inspire you to recommend a book?
       Just the simple fact of getting someone reading! I got my sister, the nonreader, to read by talking about books to her a lot.  Finally she took my recommendations and read :)  This is why I recommend books - as a 7th grade English teacher I really feel I need to keep these kids reading.  If they stop now I've probably lost them.  If I've lost them as readers they've put themselves a step behind.  I can't let that happen!

22. Favorite genre?
      Urban fantasy mostly.

23. Genre you rarely read (but wish you did?)
      Historical fiction.

24. Favorite biography?
      I honestly don't read them.

25. Have you ever read a self-help book?
      Yes I've read several.  They all helped to some degree.

26. Favorite cookbook?
      I like cookbooks that churches put out because you know they are recipes REAL people use!

27. Most inspirational book you’ve read this year (fiction or non-fiction)?
      Before I Fall

28. Favorite reading snack?
      I eat a lot of saltines.  I always have even as a kid.  But I also like to have coffee.

29. Name a case in which hype ruined your reading experience.
      Twilight.  I loved loved loved the book when I first read it.  Now I can't even stand to see the movies.  It's sad because I did so love it and then all the hype took it away.

30. How often do you agree with critics about a book?
      Really about 50/50.  But in a weird way.  Negative reviews don't affect me that much, but when a book gets tons of great reviews I'm usually let thrilled with them.  I think this is because I've set the bar so high for the book that anything would be a let down.

31. How do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews?
      I may say what I didn't really like, but I won't give out and out bad reviews.  Mainly because I share my reviews with my students.  I know that if I don't like a book it will turn a lot of kids off.  Now I won't lie and say it's fantastic if it's not! But I always try to focus on what type of reader may like the book. 

32. If you could read in a foreign language, which language would you chose?
      French.  I just love the sound of it.

33. Most intimidating book you’ve ever read?
      Canterbury Tales.  I had to read it in college.  The professor was really tough and it scared me!!!!

34. Most intimidating book you’re too nervous to begin?
      The Bible.  I don't think I could read it cover to cover

35. Favorite Poet?
       Walt Whitman and Robert Frost.  I named my old dog after Walt Whitman.

36. How many books do you usually have checked out of the library at any given time?
      zero

37. How often have you returned book to the library unread?
      none since I don't check them out

38. Favorite fictional character?
      Ponyboy from The Outsiders - Johnny too

39. Favorite fictional villain?
      I'm like Quiten in Soulstice

40. Books I’m most likely to bring on vacation?
      Quick simple "nonthinking" books.  I read Once Dead Twice Shy on my last vacation and that was perfect for vacation.

41. The longest I’ve gone without reading.
       After my daughter (now 11) was born then my son I stopped reading for a while.  I didn't have time or energy.

42. Name a book that you could/would not finish.
      Artemis Fowl  I've tried it three times!

43. What distracts you easily when you’re reading?
      My 3 year old :)

44. Favorite film adaptation of a novel?
      Because of Winn Dixie.  Loved the book.  Loved the movie.

45. Most disappointing film adaptation?
     City of Ember! Yuck yuck yuck

46. The most money I’ve ever spent in the bookstore at one time?
      $100

47. How often do you skim a book before reading it?
     A lot.  I'll start reading a book and then skim it, reading the last page (ok that should be my bad book habit!).  Then I read.  It keeps me reading.

48. What would cause you to stop reading a book half-way through?
      It goes nowhere.  The action stops.  The characters don't change.  It just stops.

49. Do you like to keep your books organized?
      In my classroom they are alphabetically by title.  At home the only arrangement is that all my signed copies are together.

50. Do you prefer to keep books or give them away once you’ve read them?
      Most of the books I read go on my classroom library.  If I can't put them there, then I Bookmooch them or give them away.  A few I will keep.

51. Are there any books you’ve been avoiding?
      I had been avoiding Catching Fire just because I knew it would be quite a ride, but I finally read and loved it.

52. Name a book that made you angry.
      A Child Called It.

53. A book you didn’t expect to like but did?
      I didn't think I'd hate it by any means, but I liked it way more than I thought I would - The Pack by L.M. Preston.

54. A book that you expected to like but didn’t?
      This World We Live In.  I was so disappointed in it.

55. Favorite guilt-free, pleasure reading?
      The House of the Night Series.  My very guilty pleasure :)

Me at The Race for the Cure

I'm a 6 year breast cancer survivor. There will be a small giveaway for this later :)
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Thinking on Thursday

On Thursdays I take time to step back and just share my thoughts on things related to reading. Sometimes these may be my personal thoughts or thoughts I've gotten from my students. It depends on the Thursday. It depends on the topic. It depends on the week!

This week I'm thinking about:

Why I Might Change My Overall Focus on the Blog

Lately I've been thinking a lot about middle grade vs. young adult lit.  I haven't been thinking that one is the better than the other.  Instead I've been thinking about where my heart is.  Is it in YA or is it in MG?  I've come to the conclusion that my true passion is for middle grade lit.  I've read some fantastic YA books (Hunger Games, Before I Fall, The Line etc), but when I really think about what books make me excited to promote - it's middle grade books.  Then I looked around the blogophere and I was kind've saddened to see the lack of promotion for these great middle grade books I read.  There are so many great YA blogs that do an awesome job getting the word out on all the wonderful amazing YA books being published.  I want that for middle grade books as well! I mean here are some great books I can't wait to share:

Owl Keeper
The Red Pyramid
Powerless (well ok I reviewed this one but I want to do more!)
Kid & Squid
The Reinvention of Edison Thomas
A Whole Nother Story
The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z
Mamba Point

And many, many more! I want people see these as more than just "kids' books" or "childrens' books".  They are wonderful stories.

So what does that mean for the blog? Over the next few months I will be converting over to about 90% middle grade books.  Yes I'll still read YA (I love the stuff!), and I'll be sharing the YA that can easily appeal to, and is appropriate for, middle schoolers.  But the main focus will be on book specifically geared towards kids "In the Middle"!  I mean after all this is The O.W.L. Outrageously Wonderful Literature From the Middle Grades!

My one fear:  I'll lose followers.  BUT that said I completely understand if people leave. They followed under one idea, and I'm changing that idea.  I just hope you'll stick around because I promise to share with you some fantastic books.

Blog Changes and Contest Reminder

Lately blogging has become work, and I don't like that! For that reason I'm making a few changes :)

1.  I'll no longer do In My Mail Box - in honesty what does it matter what I got in the mail :) Besides I always did it Saturday morning, and that meant I didn't get to relax and just drink my coffee.

2.  I'm not going to do What Are You Reading Mondays.  You'll know what I'm reading by what I review.  And besides, what I always put down for what I planned to read changed! I probably won't post anything on Mondays - a day off!

3.  I'll take two days off from posting - Mondays and Saturdays (this Saturday excluded of course!)

4.  On Wednesday I'll still participate in WoW, but I'm going to promote books that are lesser known.  It's not worth my time to promote one that everyone else is doing as well.

5.  I'll keep Sunday Shelves.  People seem to like this one even if they don't add comments :) BTW if you want to be a guest blogger for Sunday Shelves fill out the form here.  To see the explanation of Sunday Shelves click HERE.

6.  I'll keep Tween Tuesday and Friday's for the Guys because - hey I teach tweens and guys!

7.  Adding 7's UP.  The reasons I started blogging was for my students.  I've gotten away from that.  7's UP is a post that has to do with my 7th graders or 7th graders in general.  This will be random when I see it fits.

8.  Lastly I'm going to be very picky about what books I take for review.  I'm hating that "review" books are getting in the way of me just reading what I want to read, when I want to read it! I'll still take some, but very limited.

Thanks everyone for supporting my blog! I'm in awe of the fact anyone really cares to read what I write!

Now remember my 200 Followers Contest.  It ends Sunday!

Book happiness after going to Borders and using my Teacher Appreciation discount :)

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Thinking on Thursday

On Thursdays I take time to step back and just share my thoughts on things related to reading. Sometimes these may be my thoughts or thoughts I've gotten from my students. It depends on the Thursday. It depends on the topic. It depends on the week!

This Week I'm Thinking About:

Why I Stink at Reading

Ok I'm an English teacher, so many people believe I should be this perfect reader that never gets it wrong. The truth is - there are many ways I stink at reading and do things that "good" readers don't do.  Here's just a few.

1. I skip parts or skim.  Some people think you have to read every single word.  I don't.  If I hit a part I find boring, instead of quitting the book all together - I skim til my interests perks up again.

2.  Be ready to gasp! I read the ending of the book first.  Well ok not first, but by a fourth of the way through the book I usually jump to the end and read the last page.  It's always ONLY the last page regardless how long or short it is.  The only book I wouldn't let myself do this for was the last Harry Potter book.  I wanted it to be a suprise. 

3.  I can't read two or more books at once.  If I try this I get the stories and characters confused.  If I start a second book I always have to stop one until the other is finished.

4.  If I don't know the meaning of a word or how to pronounce it I keep reading and skip it.  I don't have time to leave the story to stop and check it out!

5.  I don't remember names of characters.  Really! I just finished I Am the Messenger, and I had to stop and really think about what the main character's name was (for the record it was Ed Kennedy).  The sad part - his name was said over and over! For some reason they just don't stick with me. 

6.  Classics?  What classics?  There are so many "classics" I haven't read! Pride and Prejudice, Little Women, Wuthering Heights, East of Eden - the list goes on and on and on. 

So there ya have it.  I stink at reading! But here's the deal.  I do one thing that over-rules all the ways I stink.  I KEEP reading.  I read and read and read.  And to my 7th graders - that's what I try to get them to understand.  They need to just keep reading.  Reading will help them succeed.  All those other myths about being a good reader go out the window when you just keep reading. It's when you stop reading that you really begin to stink at it :) 

Now how about you - how do you stink at reading?

Bookmark Day!

Monica over at The Bibliophilic Book Blog is doing something really fun.  She's dedicating a whole day, Monday March 15th, to bookmarks! Isn't that awesome?  To promote her bookmark day I thought I'd share with you my thoughts on bookmarks.

 First tho some links to her blog posts about Bookmark Day. 

Her first post on it can be found here.

And her follow up post laying out more details can be found here.

Make sure to head over there on the 15th for lots of fun and prizes!

Ok now my thoughts on bookmarks:

When I was younger I had a HUGE bookmark collection.  I don't remember exact numbers or anything, but I know it wasn't two or three.  I just loved having different bookmarks.  When we'd go to the mall on the weekend I'd always go to the bookstore (B. Daltons) or Hallmark and check out their supply.  And often times - I'd buy one.  Of course as a young girl ones with kitties or puppies were top on my list, but any cute or pretty picture would work.  Some days I wish I still had that collection.

Fast forward a good 20 years, and I once again find myself in love with bookmarks - but now I like many different kinds. First here are some things I've used as a bookmark lately:

• 
  
  a receipt
• 
  
  pictures of my kids
• 
  
  an owl notecard
• 
  
  cute magnetic owls
• 
  
  valentine's card
• 
  
  post-it note
• 
  
  notecard

I have to explain the Valentine's Day card. 

As an English teacher my students are always asking for something to use as a bookmark.  I can't afford to buy "real" bookmarks - even the large packs of them.  One year I was at Target right after Valentine's Day.  I had a lightbulb moment! At 75% off I could get packs of 32 "bookmarks" for pennie's a piece.  Ever since then I buy several boxes.  The kids love them.  You should see them dig for one they want - picking from Barbie, Toy Story, Incrediable Hulk, Spiderman, Dora and puppies or kitties.  They work wonders, and I highly recommend them to other teachers needing bookmarks!

I'm loving the magnetic ones.  I want these owl ones from Amazon.

I really like how the magnets work and they don't fall out.  I have found that I need to be careful tho to not rip the pages when I take them off. 

And of course Etsy has tons of great bookmarks!  Here's a few.  I've linked the Etsy store that sells them.

Ladybug ones at Cute N Creative

Books at Fallen Peach

Paperclip ones - LOVE theses at Pure Vintage Gold

So - share your favorite bookmarks AND go to The Bibliophilic Book Blog to join in bookmark day on the 15th (psssst - that's tomorrow)

Thinking on Thursday - 3 Mini Reviews

On Thursdays I take time to step back and just share my thoughts on things related to reading. Sometimes these may be my thoughts or thoughts I've gotten from my students. It depends on the Thursday. It depends on the topic. It depends on the week!

This week I'm thinking about MINI REVIEWS!

Over Christmas break I read a ton, but with all the holiday madness I didn't get around to reviewing a few of them.  I've seen other bloggers do a quick mini review, and allthough I feel bad for not giving them more time, that's what I'm going to do.

To find out more about the book, click the title to be taken to the Goodreads page.

Title: The Forest of Hands and Teeth

Author: Carrie Ryan

I LOVED this book.  The whole concept just worked for me.  The thought of the village surrounded by, well zombies, that constantly moaned really created a strong setting that I was pulled into.  I could almost hear their moaning throughout the whole book.  Over and over I found myself asking what I'd do in Mary's position.  Many times I agreed with what she did, and other times I wanted to scream at her to stop being selfish!  In the end tho, I think it was her selfishness - or unwillingness to give up - that helped her survive.  I was a little disappointed at the end because I wanted to know more of what happened to her.  Although the companion book The Dead Tossed Waves is not a true sequel I do hope it gives some answers. 

Title: The Line

Author: Teri Hall

Great dystopic novel that was well plotted.  At first I didn't get what the big deal would be.  I mean I knew something would happen with Rachel and the Line she lives near, but the way the whole plot built up to why and how she would be forced to do what she never thought she would was very well done. All the pieces fell together beautifully.  I liked Rachel - and for me to really enjoy a book I need to like the characters.  She was a smart, strong girl that even when she was afraid, refused to turn back.  I can't wait to see where her strength takes her.  After I finished the novel I tweeted to the author to ask how long I had to wait for the sequel.  You this was in December when The Line hadn't even been released yet!

Title: The Devouring

Author: Simon Holt

I had been hearing a lot about this book on different blogs and how scary it was.  I liked it, but I'd hope for more tension and suspense.  Yes it had some scary parts, and there's a scene in the basement that is quit tense but I had really wanted more.  I think I might have enjoyed it better if I hadn't heard over and over how good it was.  The hype made me expect more than I should have.  That said tho - I do want to read the sequel Soulstice and probably the third book Fearscape due out in October, because I want to know how it all works in the end.  I'll just know not to expect so much :)  I love the premise - and it's one that many people would find very freaky so I can't lose with that!