#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. 

A big thank you to @urwalder who Skyped with my Mock Newbery club today and talked about her Jinx books and writing! @CarrieGelson
— Kim Campbell (@kacwrites) January 16, 2014

..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. 

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.