Half a Chance by Cynthia Lord

On of the things I like best about reading is the opportunity to be transported to faraway places. Through books I have been able to travel the world while forgetting the stresses of everyday life that too often bog us down and threaten to dull the imagination.

Half a Chance provides the unique experience of being able to travel to a small New Hampshire town, a vacation community nestled among majestic mountains on the edge of a pristine lake. Lucy and her family have recently relocated to this community in an effort to escape the rat race of big city life in Boston.  Unfortunately for Lucy, this just feels like another one of her family’s many moves due mostly to her dad’s career as a photographer.  Instead of being excited about the move and new possibilities, Lucy is more afraid of being the new girl yet again.  As if that wasn’t stressful enough, her dad is scheduled to leave just days after they arrive at the new house. He’ll be gone most of the summer on a photography shoot, adding to Lucy’s feeling of loneliness.

However, Lucy quickly makes friends with the family in the cabin next door and learns something about fresh starts:

“That’s the thing with new beginnings – sometimes, they’re more than just starting over again.  Sometimes they change things.”

Through her friendship with Nate and grandma Lilah, Lucy learns her photography has the ability to record moments, tell stories and most importantly help others.

There are so many important messages in this book: family, friendship, change, and memories.  Cynthia Lord does an incredible job of weaving together the plight of the loons and grandma Lilah’s uncertain future.  As I think back to the story I’m also seeing connections between Lucy’s feelings during her father’s absence and her fear over losing Nate’s friendship.

“It’s hard to think of anything being gone forever.  Most things that go come back again, even if they’re a little different when they return.  But not always, and when something has gone forever, it can hurt so much you start wondering if it would’ve been easier if you’d never had it at all.”

This is truly a book that needs to be read and discussed. 

Mock Newbery Meeting!

Today our Mock Newbery club held one of its bimonthly meetings for December.  I didn’t have to ask twice when I told the kids it’s alright to bring their lunches to my classroom.  Seventeen happy, excited students brought their bag lunches, hot lunches, milk, snacks, and most importantly, their 2014 Newbery contender books to my classroom so they could eat and discuss the great stories they been reading for the past two weeks.  This has got to be the highlight to my week, listening to my students eagerly discuss the books that made them laugh, cry and shudder in fear, all the while ensuring their classmates that, “this is a book you have to read!”  What truly made this moment memorable was that I have been reading the books right along with the students.  I was able to share in their excitement.  I fell in love with the Beedle in A Snicker of Magic. (“Can we please start our own Beedle club?”)  I cried at the gym when I read A Million Ways Home, and I got fighting mad during the eagle scene in Half a Chance.  Some of us have decided to try writing verse after reading Brown Girl Dreaming and The Crossover, while we all fell in love with Jackson Greene and his band of conspirators in The Great Greene Heist.  Finally The Fourteen Goldfish has captured many hearts and has students looking at their grandparents in a whole new light.

Mock Newbery Review: What the Moon Said by Gayle Rosengren

It's Lola's turn to interview Emily about the Newbery contender What the Moon Said by Gayle Rosengren.

Jordan's Book Chat: Rules by Cynthia Lord

Jordan, interviewed by Mayse, shares her thoughts on the novel Rules.

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander

Just finished reading The Crossover by Kwame Alexander for our Mock Newbery Club.  What an incredible book!  Within pages I was completely pulled into this story of two brothers, their love of basketball, family and the challenges of growing up.  Of course, as with most verse novels, once I finished reading I felt the need to write my review in verse:

What is it about this book

That called to me

Pulled me to pick it up

Dared me to read its story

When I’m supposed to be grading

Yet another test?

There’s a basketball player

On the cover

Not my typical inspiration

But peek inside

See the verse?

The poet’s Josh Bell

(Filthy McNasty to friends and family)

He has a way with words

That can make basketball

Sound like ballet.

Josh and his twin, JB

Love basketball

It’s their life, their passion

Until Miss Sweet Tea

Steals a heart.

How does Josh feel

Angry? Jealous? Hurt?

What is it about this book

That captures your heart

Fills you with despair

Yet leaves you hopeful

For the strength of family

In the end

To conquer

All.

The Fourteenth Goldfish with Lola and Emily!

Lola and Emily put their spin on a book chat for The Fourteenth Goldfish!

Cody reviews Rules by Cynthia Lord

Cody shares his favorite moments in Rules, a must read for all!

Logan's Book Chat: Pinballs by Betsy Byars

Logan shares his review of a good "old-fashioned" book, Pinballs!

First Mock Newbery Video Book Chat!

Share the excitement of our very first video book chat this year! Emily interviews Lola about The Meaning of Maggie by Megan Jean Sovern.  This is Lola's first book for the Mock Newbery Club.

The Switcharound by Lois Lowry

Caroline and JP have their summer all planned out.  Caroline will be spending hers in the Museum of Natural History, while JP dreams of a summer tinkering with his electronics in their NYC apartment.  Unfortunately things are not working out as planned. Their father, who hasn’t been part of their lives for several years, suddenly wants them for the summer, in Des Moines, Iowa.  Once there, Caroline and JP quickly discover dad and his new wife, Lillian, have summer jobs, already lined up for them!  Caroline and JP face a summer of babysitting and coaching a baseball team of six year olds. Both are miserable.  The siblings each hatch plans to get their revenge.  Revenge more terrible than they've ever done before. Revenge that can never be undone, because dad and Lillian deserve it, or do they?

I discovered this “oldie but goodie” recently when planning a genre book club for realistic fiction.  An avid fan of Lois Lowry, I had never heard of this title before.   The students and I enjoyed analyzing the character throughout the story and predicting their decisions.   The many unexpected twists and turns as the plot develops and will keep the readers guessing!

The Terrible Two by Mac Barnett and Jory John

Meet Miles Murphy, prankster extraordinaire, or at least he was until he moved to Yawnee Valley and had to leave his friends and old school behind.  His mom sees this as an opportunity for Miles to have a fresh start and a chance to move from a small cramped apartment to a more spacious house.  But Miles is not happy about the move.  At least, he thinks, he should have no problem quickly becoming the top prankster at his new school.  That is until he discovers the school already has a master prankster. A prankster that pulls off a masterful prank that Miles gets blamed for!  Suddenly Miles is faced with a choice: joins forces with the prankster or else!

This book was an unexpected delight!  I loved the theme of friendship and the powerful message of how things are not always as they seem. The illustrations are priceless.  The detailed plans of pranks may even inspire some students to get creative!

The Titanic Locket (The Haunted Museum #1) by Suzanne Weyn

Over the years, many people have been, and continue to be, fascinated with the Titanic and the terrible fate of the passengers that sailed on the ship’s maiden voyage in 1912.  But have you ever stopped to wonder what it would be like to take a cruise on an exact replica of the Titanic?  Or, if presented with the opportunity, would you dare to sail on such a ship?  Sisters, Jessica and Samantha, have arrived in England to do just that – set sail on a cruise ship that is an exact replica of the Titanic.  Like the Titanic, this is the ship’s maiden voyage, but of course this ship has been equipped with all the latest modern day conveniences, or has it?  Right from the start, strange things start happening to the sisters.  Are the people on the ship really actors in old-fashioned clothes? Then their room number keeps changing from 266 to 299. There’s also strange scratching noises inside the wall that no one else seems to be able to hear. And then there’s that locket from the Haunted Museum.  Why does it keep appearing on the ship, who or what wants it and will do anything to get it back?

This book is a nonstop read!  In the beginning it piqued my interest about the Titanic, but then the spookiness took over.  I hadn’t expected it to get so scary so fast.  Once that happened I just couldn’t stop reading, I had to find out if the sisters survived! 

The Selection Series: Book One and Book Two

I have to admit it took me awhile to start reading this series. I had seen the books in the bookstore, but the covers just didn’t immediately speak to me.  A girl in a fancy ball gown?  Just wasn’t my usually type of book.  Then I did what I always encourage my students to do, read the back cover.  It sounded a lot like the TV show, The Bachelor.  An hour of mindless television once a week is one thing, but did I really want to read a book based on the same idea?  Then I read a few pages and that’s what finally got me.  There is something about Kiera Cass’s writing, or maybe it’s her storytelling, but I was immediately pulled into this royal world, a palace filled with unimaginable luxury especially for some like America Singer one of 35 girls chosen for the Selection.  America is a Five, one of the lower castes in the country.  She’s knows what it’s like to be hungry and not to have heat or electricity in the cold winter months.  Yet suddenly she’s been chosen to compete for the heart of Prince Maxon, only she can’t decide if she really wants it or not.  Can she ever forget her first love, Aspen?

Even though I found myself getting frustrated with the indecisive nature of America, I couldn’t put either of the books down.  After I finished The Selection, I was anxious to start The Elite to find out what girl would be sent home next from the Selection and why. Often when I read science fiction I find myself trying to predict what will happen next based on the chain of events in the story.  So far it has been almost impossible to this with this series.  Just when I think I have the characters figured out, something else happens and I’m left to start guessing again.  After reading the first two books in the series, I still have absolutely no idea who America will chose in the end.  I don’t even know what I hope for, but I do know that based on the books so far, it will be a surprise!

The Fourteenth Goldfish by Jennifer L. Holm

“Scientists never give up. They keep trying because they believe in the possible.”

Jenni Holm has done it again.  The Fourteenth Goldfish starts out easily enough as a story about changes.  Ellie has never really liked changes. Now she has to not only deal with transitioning to middle school and a best friend that may not be a friend anymore, but also a long lost relative, that just happens to be a crabby teenage boy, moves in with her and her mom. Very quickly however this book becomes so much more complex. Ellie’s cousin introduces her to the world of science and the realm of possibility. Ellie learns to observe her world in a whole new way. Soon Ellie’s quiet little orderly world is shaken up as she learns to redefine herself, her friends, and even her family.

I absolutely loved this story! Not only did I quickly become caught up in Ellie’s life, I enjoyed the references to science and found myself questioning new ideas right along with Ellie.  The ethical questions brought up in the book with make for interesting classroom discussions!

“Most of all, believe in the possible.”

Absolutely Almost by Lisa Graff

School has always been a struggle for Albie.  He’s never been the “best” at anything. He struggles both academically and socially. Albie not only has to deal with bullies at school, he has pressure from his parents to do better at school. Fortunately, Albie encounters some wonderful people that help him uncover his hidden talents.  His new babysitter, Calista, helps him believe in himself and find what he is good at. The teachers at his new (public) school help him discover that learning does not have to be difficult. Albie even has an opportunity to be part of the “cool” crowd and learns some important life lessons.

There has been much positive buzz about Absolutely Almost on Twitter lately.  I was excited to the read the book and was not disappointed.  Albie is such a kind, insightful, caring character; it was easy to fall in love with him.  I especially enjoyed his friendship with Betsy, a girl at his new school that has difficulty with stuttering.

I didn’t mind that Betsy didn’t talk too much.  Because it can be hard sometimes, saying what you mean.  And I thought maybe I understood her most of the time anyway.

Without meaning to, Albie teaches others how to be better people. I hope to meet many “Albies” at school next year!

Zane and the Hurricane by Rodman Philbrick

“My name is Zane Dupree.  I need to warn you right now, there’s some really gross stuff in this book, and I’m not talking about make-believe gross like plastic poop and vomit, but stuff so awful it made a dog hide his nose….”

Zane and the Hurricane.  This book was so good it terrified me. I thought I knew all about Hurricane Katrina and the devastation it had caused.  Like many others, I had watched the news reports and read the stories about the aftermath of the hurricane and flood.  But never could I have imagined the utter despair, fear and courage the survivors, those that remained in New Orleans, had to go through in their quest to find help.

Zane is a 12 year old from New Hampshire.  He and his dog, Bandit (or Bandy for short) were on vacation in New Orleans, meeting his deceased father’s grandmother for the first time.  Then Katrina hit.  Then the flood came. In Zane’s effort to survive he is helped by the kindness of strangers willing to share what little they had managed to save from the flood. Unfortunately Zane also witnesses the truly ugly side of human nature, actions brought about by fear, racism, and ignorance.

I cannot wait to share this book with my students.  Zane’s story will prompt many questions.  Questions that will not have easy answers, maybe no real answers.  But truly, aren’t those the best books? Books that make us question?  Books that make us think?  Books that make us decide that maybe it’s time we do something to make the world a better, more accepting, place for all.

Zane’s story will be with me for a long, long time. 

Plum Lake Library

Like anybody, I love going on vacation.  What may not be so normal is that I also love visiting the local libraries when I’m traveling.  I think it’s something about the smell of the books as you walk through the door.  It’s so comforting.  It’s like a little part of home when you’re on the road. I always feel so safe and welcome when I’m in a library.  Maybe it’s because I love to read.  I admit, I’m a book person.  So this summer I’m doing something I’ve always wanted to do.  I’m stopping at every library I encounter, exploring it, and taking pictures.  I realize that may not sound exciting to some people, but for those of us who love to read and enjoy libraries, it’s fun!

Today I’m posting pictures of one of my most favorite vacation libraries, the Plum Lake Library in Sayner, Wisconsin.  Every year my family vacations on Plum Lake and this is the library we head to for not only books but also a great Wifi connection.  In fact, on a rainy day the library can be full to bursting with vacationers.  True, the free Wifi might lure them in, but I like to think that once they’re there they check out all the great books.  And the library cards are free!

Fat Boy vs. the Cheerleaders by Geoff Herbach

Fat Boy vs. the Cheerleaders is the perfect summer read for not only middle and high school students, but also for those whose high school experience may not have been with the popular clique.  Gabe, aka “Chunk”, and his friends decide that they’ve had enough when their band camp is taken away from them so that the cheerleaders can have a dance team and a fancy new coach.  Gabe in particular has had enough.  For the past few years it seems like everything that was important to him has either left or been taken away.  His mom left, his dad has checked out, his best friend left to be part of the popular crowd, band camp is no more, and now his beloved band teacher is on a downward spiral.  Gabe has decided to take back his life.  He’s tried of letting people make fun of him and being the class clown.  He taps into his leadership bone and with help from some new friends, and grandpa, Gabe organizes an offbeat protest to take back the band.

I absolutely loved this book!  Gabe and his friends are the kind of kids that are so easy to cheer for.  They call themselves “geeks” in the book, but they’re the kids that care enough about each other and their school to really get things done.  They’re the movers and shakers of the future!  Let’s hear it for the nerds! 

Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief by Wendelin Van Draanen

Sometimes it’s fun to go back and “rediscover” books you’ve heard about but just never had an opportunity to read.  Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief has been just that kind of book for me.  I first heard of the Sammy Keyes books when my own boys were in elementary school.  I knew they were mysteries and were written by an author I was familiar with, Wendelin Van Draanen, but I just never got the chance to actually sit down and read one.  Well, that all changed this past month when my class launched its mystery round of book clubs.  I had carefully selected a wide range of mysteries for my students to choose from.  Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief was one of the few that I had not read yet myself, so I decided it would be my mystery book for book club.  After just finishing The Ghosts of Tupelo Landing (and getting to meet Sheila Turnage!) I was worried the book wouldn’t measure up.  So glad I was wrong!

Sammy Keyes is the urban equivalent of Mo LoBeau (aka Three Times Lucky and The Ghosts of Tupelo Landing).  Sammy’s had a somewhat rough start in life but has good people that love her and stand by her.  She’s quirky and tough; you just can’t help rooting for her and her friends.  Sammy’s mom abandoned her, or rather left her to live with her grandmother, while she went in search of her “big break”.  While Sammy’s not exactly thrilled about living secretly in a senor-housing complex, she loves her Gram and has found ways to occupy her time when she’s not at school or with her friend Marissa. One of her favorite activities is to people watch with Gram’s binoculars.  That is until she accidently views a robbery in progress at the hotel across the street, and then impulsively waves at the crook!  Now Sammy must solve the mystery of the hotel thief before he finds her.  The only problem is the police, specifically Officer Borsch, doesn’t’ believe her.

After listening in on a few student groups discussing this book, I knew I had to read it.  They were having lively discussions about possible clues, red herrings, and suspects.  Their conversations were so animated I knew the book had captivated them.  When I didn’t “assign” any reading over spring break, the students were actually asking if they could please finish the book early.   Once I started reading the book, I could not put it down.  Now that I’ve finished the book, I just don’t want to say good –bye to Sammy! Thank goodness there are more books in the series. I have a feeling they will be very popular in our class!

Stay Where You Are and Then Leave by John Boyne

Set in London, in the early 1900s, fans of Downton Abbey will be drawn to this book.  Although written for 9-12 year olds, this is a book that will mesmerize all ages. Alfie is only 5 when WWI starts.  He's too young to understand why his mum is upset when his dad Georgie feels he must do his duty and enlist.  But all too soon  Alfie is forced to grow up and do his "bit" as the war changes his life and the lives of everyone around him.  Then his father stops writing.  Alfie fears the worst despite his mother's claims that there's nothing to worry about, his father's on a "secret mission". Accidentally, Alfie discovers the truth, but is it too late? Is it too terrible for him to bear?  A powerful story, this novel starts out quietly enough but soon grabs at your heart and won't let go  until the last page.  The reader will be left with the most important message of all, we do what we do for love.  "It's the best reason in the world."