Monday, January 20, 2014

#IMWAYR January 20, 2014

It's Monday! What are you reading on your school holiday? 



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 from Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki of Unleashing Readers and have become a regular linked up blog. Thanks #PLN 

#MustReadin2014 Challenge

Carrie Gelson of There is a Book For That posted an Twitter invitation to join a reading challenge that she and Maria Selke from Maria’s Melange are hosting. I already have a never ending TBR pile so I decided to join in and set up a Goodreads shelf called #MustReadin2014. I really enjoy reading along with others-a perfect example of why I love host and take part in book clubs. They are a fun way to chat with other folks who enjoy talking about kids books. (Button created by Linda Baie from Teacher Dance).
What I am reading now: 


 Book buzz:  I am very excited to have just started reading Jinx by Sage Blackwood.  I first heard about this title from Twitter pal and teacher, Kim Campbell. She has the most interesting things to share and I value her opinions. 

..and in wonderful Twitter fashion, Sage Blackwood soon joined the conversation once again proving how valuable Twitter can be for teachers and librarians in connecting readers to books. I asked Sage to explain to me about something she refers to as the "Game of Twenty." Let me see if I can outline the details of the game.


Sage:  "When I get stuck writing, I ask myself a question, What is the protagonist hiding?"
Next: "Then I start listing answers. 1st few are obvious. Next few are crazy. I list 20 answers.. although usually #17 or #18 turns out to be the one I end up using."

Hey, that's pretty cool and a terrific writing suggestion. Sort of like working through the clues of a mystery.




Jinx Links: HarperCollins Jinx page
                   Jinx Planting Activity-I am going to do this in my library.

Jinx author's page: Sage Blackwood

Read samples of Jinx and Jinx's Magic 


Here are the other books I have read and reviewed this week:


 


The Year of Billy Miller helped me mark progress towards three of my reading challenges. My #MustReadin2014, My Goodreads challenge of 214 books, and the first book for 2014's #virtualbookclub. 


14 comments:

  1. I am finishing the last 15 pages of The Year of Billy Miller today in preparation for the #virtualbookclub. I can't wait! Such a great book, I will surely be reading it to my grade 2's next year.

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    1. I have figured out a good trick to help me remember things I want to book chat about but too lazy to write down. I snap a photo of interesting pages at da! My memory is refreshed. Look forward to chatting with you tonight.

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    2. That's a great idea! I may just steal it.

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  2. You have got some great books. I've wanted to read The Year of Billy Miller for a while, but can't seem to get it from the library. I enjoyed The Invisible Boy so much because I could relate to the story. I aslo saw so many great lessons for school. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. I am struggling with sorting out a lesson for The Invisible Boy. I strongly encourage and expect inclusion from all my students but also want them to understand that you can't let others determine your value and let them have all the power over you. You can't just accept being invisible. The smile was that source of power that changed the story. I know of a few kids that let themselves become invisible putting others in the position of ignoring them but not in a malicious way. Although I liked The Invisible Boy, it has nagged at my heart and mind.

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  3. I'm going to check out Jinx! Sounds like a book my middles would love.
    Mrs. Brown Loves Bookworms

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    1. I think middle grade books are my favorite for fun. YA for excitement and PBs for touching my heart. Hmmm, are there books I don't care for?

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  4. So glad you've caught Jinx fever! Thanks for the mention and the kind words. The feeling is definitely mutual! Looking forward to talking about Billy Miller tonight.

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    1. I am glad you mentioned Jinx. When I walked into my public library, it was featured on a display. I was meant to read it.

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  5. Hi Julie,

    The Jinx books look great. I read the description on Goodreads after seeing your post. My students who enjoy reading fairy tales would love the Jinx series because of its fairy tale feel, with the trolls and werewolves, etc.

    See you tonight in #virtualbookclub!

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    1. Thanks Monica. Tonight will be a fun Twitter nigHt with #virtualbookclub and #tlchat.

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  6. So excited to see the Jinx books highlighted here. I am such a fan of Sage Blackwood and agree, she is just delightful! I just bought Jinx's Magic to read aloud to my children. My son is just finishing up Jinx in anticipation.

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  7. The Invisible Boy and The Year of Billy Miller look great! I will have to check both out! Happy reading this week!

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  8. I still need to read Jinx and The Year of Billy Miller! Since the awards yesterday, I picked up Billy Miller at the library. :-) I need to participate in #virtualbookclub!

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