Reached by Ally Condie

Reached by Ally Condie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I love a good series and the Matched trilogy did not disappoint. I kept wanting to manipulate the characters to a different path in their lives but that is not my prerogative. The message I liked best about this series is that creativity is important and that hand writing is a simple art form. Yes, yes all that stuff about the Society repressing and lying to its citizens is a bad thing to do but really, don't we see that in our own lives already? Books like this are wonderful because it sends a message to young people that they have value to a community and they can make a difference for the good of all.

Now if you are like me, you aren't just satisfied with a great read, you need to know more about the author, illustrator, and those delicious back stories that inspire the tale.
Here are a couple of links to set you on your path:
The Matched Department/Quotes
The Matched Wiki   LOVE it! All the info you need.

I encourage all readers interested in YA Fiction to read the entire Matched Series. It will be such a treat now that the series is complete and you won't have to wait in agony for the next release date. What are you waiting for? Reserve it now from your local library or run to your nearest bookseller.


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This is What Book Love Looks Like

Student created projects based on books nominated for the 2012-2013 Texas Bluebonnet Award

This is what Book Love looks like

It's January and that means time is running out for students to complete reading at least five of the twenty books nominated for the Texas Bluebonnet Award. My students are also encouraged to create original works reflecting their understanding of their favorite books. Bluebonnet Projects can be anything a student can dream up-a poster, song, rap, poem, sculpture, game, quiz, performance or digital work. I will not turn down any project as long as it shows how the student connects to their reading. Encouraging my elementary and middle school students to express themselves creatively based on their book choices has been such a positive experience and has been a great way to replace the Accelerated Reader Program that our school district discontinued funding this year. I am amazed at the level of research that students have contributed towards their projects and have learned quite a bit myself from them. Having students create Bluebonnet Book Projects began as a simple way for me to determine if students were truly reading their books and comprehending the literature. Soon, kids were asking if they could make projects for other books as their need to express themselves grew. I just hope my poster board and supplies hold out. A bonus has been that I have been able to introduce students to many technology and mechanical skills. As you can see in the picture, the die cut machine presses have been very popular for creating letters for signs. My favorite part has been observing students working in small teams conferencing with each other and dividing up tasks. They read aloud to each other and discuss passages from the story. How beautiful is that? Keep in mind, this is all voluntary work. They are discovering the secret to loving books.

Visit our Bluebonnet Book Club wiki to see how we are connecting to the Texas Bluebonnet Books.

Learn more about the Texas Bluebonnet Award