It's Monday, January 13th What Are You Reading?

 

It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme began by Sheila at Book Journeys as a way to share what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and what is in store for the upcoming week. It's also a great chance to see what others are reading. I first learned about it at Teach Mentor Texts. 

It's Early Bird Reader time again. This is a program I wholeheartedly support as it involves putting books into the hands of young children not yet in school. We want to make sure they are exposed to books as soon as possible. The goal is for siblings to bring home books to read to little brothers, sisters, cousins, or close friends. The books are given to the "baby birds" to help build up home libraries. It is not an easy thing to read to little brothers and sisters so I have to provide a bit of good humored training. I pretend to be the little sibling and let the big brother or sister attempt to read to me. Just like a two year old, I snatch the book out of their hands or try to take over the reading or even walk away mid sentence. Students are always shocked but better it be with me during practice then experience frustration at home. I give students tips and tricks for reading to little one to make the experience enjoyable for all.

Here are some of the books I have been reading this week:

THe Year of Billy Miller is the first book we will be reading for our

#virtualbookclub chat at 9 p.m. EST 1/20/14! 

Scarlatti's Cat by Nathaniel Lachenmeyer

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


Italian composer Domenico Scarlatti composed a beautiful sonata known as "Cat's Fugue" which was supposedly inspired by his pampered cat, Pulcinella scampering across the keys of his harpsichord one day in pursuit of a mouse. In concern for the future of his profession and that of other great composers, he decids it best to give poor Pulcinella away lest she steal their limelight.

Clara's Crazy Curls by Helen Poole

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Clara loves her tall head of massive curls but would love it even better if her hair were as tall as the sky. She applies a little hair cream and viola! Clara should have been careful for what she wished for because although her curls are great fun at first, trouble soon follows. Colorful, fun, and crazy curls! I like that Clara also learns that honesty is an important virtue.


The Only Alex Addleston in All These Mountains by James Solheim
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Alex Addleston and Alex Addleston met each other on the first day of Kindergarten and became instant best friends. They remained best friends until the day Alex's family moved to Kenya to build schools. Years went by and they lost touch until one firefly filled, night when the Alex's  met again.

I haven't done a lot of reading recently as I have been spending most of my time coughing but I seem to be on the mend and plan to get back in the groove of things.


Happy reading to you all.