Tired of your standard teen vampire romance? Good, because this is not it.
Peeps is however, freaky as all get out. Basically vampirism is caused by a really freaky parasite (and you learn plenty about other parasites in the book). The main character vampire is a "good" vampire and he works for a secret agency to keep the wild vampires under control.
Listen, I can't adequately explain this book without giving it all away, but it did freak me out. If you're squeamish, don't read it. If you're sensitive to any talk of sex, don't read it (it's not explicit or anything, they just talk about sex as a method for transferring the parasite). If you want a different take on all of this crappy vampire romance that's around these days, give it a try. I read it in a day and it was pretty good. I didn't love the ending and it wasn't perfect, but it was enjoyable.
I feel like I have not blogged in awhile so I thought I would give an update on the books I am reading. It seems that I keep starting them, getting half way through, and then something comes up and I do not finish. Over break, I started 1776 and The Book Thief and am almost done with at least one of them. I got the book recommendation from Ginger for The Book Thief and she is right, it is really good. The opening hooks you right away, and although there are some parts that are a little slow, there is enough changes in the plot that keeps you interested. I really like it so far.
As I was working scrubbing for cleaning checks and then when I was on the plane home I listened to The Curious Incident of the Dog in Night Time. It was a good book that I enjoyed (not for kids or anything), but I'm wondering what the general opinion is about audiobooks? Does it count as reading? Do you ever listen to them?
I started this book last night and I finished it last night. I'd read another of this author's book over the summer (The Chosen One) which was extremely creepy and dramatic. Same with this one.
This is a dark book. It's one of those ones written in poem style. I think the writing was pretty good, but I had the plot figured out not far in. It was interesting still to read along as the main character figured out what was happening. Glimpse was emotional, but not so much that I was pulled in and cried or anything like that. I want to re-emphasize how dark this plot is because it's not appropriate in the elementary school classroom, even upper elementary. Without telling you much of the plot (because I don't want to spoil it), the book starts with the older sister holding a gun to her head and contemplating suicide. Yeah...wait until later middle school or high school for this one, but it's a good read for a teacher.
On November 20th, I was able to attend the Provo Library book sale. If you are a Friend of the Library, members get in at 9am instead of 10am, so of course I signed up. As I walked over to the event at 9am, I saw crowds of people rush through the doors to get to the book sale in the basement. Naturally, I started to run with them. When I got in, I saw hundreds of books organized by fiction, nonfiction, movies, young adult books, pictures books, etc. I went straight for the young adult chapter books because I hope to teach the older grades. All of these books were $.50 each in really good condition. There were some very popular titles like Artemis Fowl, The Lightening Thief, Inkheart, Eragon, Shannon Hale books, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Magic Tree House, Harry Potter, Twilight, Newberry books, and many more. By the end of it all, I dragged my box full of 66 books and check out only spending $33 for these hard copy books. I highly recommend this book sale to anyone looking for a good read at a cheap prince. The most expensive items were $1.50. The next event will be February 19th, 2011. Recommendation- Bring a big bag to carry your books in if you are like me and buy a lot.
At the beginning of our Teaching Reading & Language Arts class this semester, our teacher told us about a book that would be coming out that was supposedly hailed as the "next Hunger Games." My interest was, of course, piqued and so I wrote a note in my planner about it on the day that it would be released. That book was Matched by Ally Condie.
The book was released yesterday (November 30), and I immediately went to Borders to buy it. I was desperate for something new to read and I figured if it was the next Hunger Games, it would probably be something right up my alley. I am not ashamed to admit that I read it all in one day.
Overall, the book was good. It's well-written, descriptive but not overwhelmingly so. It's a pretty easy and quick read, so its good for just curling up on your couch and reading when you have a couple minutes to spare.
It is very Hunger Games-esque. Futuristic society where the government controls pretty much everything. The main character, Cassia (Cassia...Katniss...Cassia...Katniss...hmmmm), lives her life by the rules of the Society and doesn't think too much about it. After her 17th birthday, she is called to her Matching ceremony where she will be shown the picture of the person she has been Matched with by the Society. The Society Matches people for genetics, to create a strong, healthy race of people.
The story goes on and develops a love triangle, which is where it really starts to sound like the Hunger Games. One of the boys is blonde with blue eyes, the other has dark hair, dark skin, and darker eyes. One of the boys loves to be in the forest, the other, not as much. Its an interesting storyline and plot and does make for a very good read. Katniss--I mean, Cassia, eventually gets tied up in a bit of rebellion against the Society not by her doing, and must make a choice if she will follow the rules of the Society and choose to be with her Match, or if she will go against them and choose the other man. I won't tell you which one she picks, but we'll just say it wasn't the one I was rooting for--which, in all fairness, may have tainted my opinion of the book.
I would recommend it to others (not as highly as the Hunger Games) if they're looking for something that has followed the trend of young adult fiction these days. Like I said, its well-written and has a good storyline (and its going to be a trilogy, did I mention that?).
Remember a little bit ago I blogged about wanting to re-read The Sign of the Beaver? Well, I did. I finished most of it while waiting in line for the midnight premier of Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows: Part 1. I loved the book just as much if not more this time. It's a great story of growing up and crossing cultures and gaining perspective. The wrap-up is a little fast for me, but I still loved it. Someone informed me that it's not technically historical fiction because it's not based on a specific historical event. I don't even know if that's true. In any case, it's a fantastic book and one I recommend for anybody.
The practicum is coming to an end, and so I decided to get book recommendations from my fourth grade students. This helps me learn of books that are popular among the elementary school aged students and see if some of these books would help motivate other kids to read. I reflected what really got me into reading (my fifth grade teacher reading Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone during class as a read aloud) and what it means to find a book that you REALLY cannot put down. After discussing this, here are the favorite books my students told me that have helped motivate their reading:
The BFG (votes: 2)
Princess Academy
Diary of a Wimpy Kid (votes: 5)
The Farthest Away Mountain
The Iceberg Hermit
Fablehaven 1-5 (votes: 12)
Holes (votes: 5
Percy Jackson Series (votes: 5)
Boxcar Children
Harry Potter Series (votes: 3)
Series of Unfortunate Events (votes: 4)
The Lost Hero
The Keys to the Kingdom
Red Pyramid (votes: 2)
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing (votes: 2)
Magic Tree house
Peter and the Starcatchers
These are just some of the book recommendations they gave me. The votes are the number of kids who considered that book one of their favorites. Most of the girls loved fantasy books and the boys liked fantasy and nonfiction books because it fascinated them with the facts. If you are having trouble motivating a child to read, try some of these books and see if it sparks an interest. I definitely need to read Fablehaven. I heard that the first one is a little slow to begin with but by the end and the remaining books in the series, it is hard to put the book down.
I was working with one of my students the other day and she was so excited about the new Diary of a Wimpy Kid book. She told me that I absolutely must read at least one of the books. I respect my students and particularly this one enough to give it a try.
That being said, I didn't love this book. It's a quick read and the pictures make it easy. This is the second or third of the series and it was easy enough to follow without having read the others, but I didn't love the story. The narrator, Greg, is kind of selfish and quite manipulative of his best friend. He teases other kids (but also gets his fair share of teasing too) and doesn't bother to work hard in school.
That being said, this book could be a great book to help motivate reluctant readers. As I already mentioned, it's quite easy and fast to read, even the font itself invites the young reader in. It's a "real chapter book" but has a lot of pictures that help tell the story. The popularity (and the fact that there's a movie) will probably help more kids to get into this book. Not a great read for the teacher, but a good resource for the classroom.
Sarah recommended this book to me and loaned it to me. It took me awhile to read it, not because it's difficult, but because I have been insanely busy with the practicum. Now, a quick review.
I don't always love historical fiction. It's just not my favorite genre, but it's ok. This book is about a slave girl named Isabel around the time of the Revolutionary War. Something I really like about this book was that Isabel wasn't a southern plantation slave. Those stories are important and valuable and I enjoy them. However, it seems like sometimes those are the only stories we get. Anyway, back to the point, Isabel spends most of her time in New York in this book. The story talks about family loyalty and devotion and having spirit. She is torn by the Loyalists and the Patriots and how their words don't match their actions on either side. She does a little spying and is immensely brave when it matters. My only major frustration with the book is that it doesn't end; meaning there is a sequel. I like sequels sometimes, but almost every book these days seems unable to stand alone and this is no exception. Anyway, if you like historical fiction or just need something to read, this is a good book. Much better than the last I read.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Now that I started my month long practicum, I am finding just how hard it is to find time to read for fun while teaching. However, I manage to get some reading in and can definitely see the benefits it has with my students. As they see the book I pull out getting ready for SSR, they rush over asking me questions about how it is, what it is about, or some who have read it and love it. I feel so connected with my students when I am sharing with them the exciting book I am reading. Currently, I am reading Brandon Mull's The Candy Shop Wars which has started with a strong introduction. Recently, I read The Goose Girl, Fortunata's Folly, and The Graveyard Book. All of these books had a great introduction, forcing me to keep reading. My favorite of the three was probably The Goose Girl because as I continued to read, the story became more intriguing. The Graveyard Book had a dramatic first chapter, making it almost impossible for me to put it down. As I read, I had a harder time of focusing as I went several days between reads, but the ending was very satisfying. Fortunaata's Folly had a great idea with it, but it did not seem to meet my expectations.
I was able to attend the Provo Library's Teen Literature Convention and hear from Scott Westerfeld. I was very pleased to hear him explain how he got the idea for his book Uglies. If you have not read that, I highly recommend that. I was able to read it right after The Hunger Games, and I was very pleased with how the storyline progressed. The ending left me chasing down its sequel, immediately beginning it once I had a copy. If you have any recommedations, please let me know! Keep reading!
I've been reading this book for awhile. To be fair, it's a sizeable book, but I had some trouble getting into it. I kept reading, though. I've read other books by Libba Bray and enjoyed them (the A Great and Terrible Beauty series) so I thought I'd probably like this one. It's about this boy named Cameron that gets mad cow disease then breaks out of the hospital to go on a mission to save the planet (he's sent by a punk-rock angel named Dulcie). He takes the dwarf named Gonzo that shares his room at the hospital and runs into some other crazy characters (including a lawn gnome named Balder) along the way. The book is weird. The whole time you kind of have an idea that he might be hallucinating everything (because it is so trippy), but you never can be sure. Then in the end there is no clear explanation. It's understandable enough what's going on, but the ending is not satisfying. I probably wouldn't recommend this book to anyone - it's not awful but there are more interesting and better things out there to read.
Content note: There is a lot of swearing and some sexual activity (not too explicit) in this book.
"The Teen Book Fest @ PCL seeks to celebrate the literature written for young adults and those who read, write, and enjoy it! With the smashing success of the Provo Children's Book Festival, the Library wanted to develop a dynamic, innovative book event for teens. With a cadre of national and local authors in attendance, the Fest includes author signings and panels, games and giveaways, a book character costume contest, live music, a collaborative wall graphic novel, and more!" as found on Provo Library website.
Pick up tickets to hear Scott Westerfeld speak Friday, October 15 at the Provo Library. It is free!
Authors at the event:
Scott Westerfeld- Uglies, Pretties, Specials, Extras
Ann Cannon- The Loser's Guide to Life and Love
Laura Card/Dene Low's- Petronella Saves Nearly Everyone
Kristen Chandler- Wolves, Boys, and Other Things That Might Kill Me
Ally Condie- Matched, Freshman for President, Being Sixteen, Yearbook, First Day, Reunion
Chris Crowe- Mississippi Trail, 1955, Getting Away With Murder, Thurgood Marshall, Two Roads
Bree Despain- The Lost Saint, The Dark Divine
Ann Dee Ellis'- This is What I Did, Everything is Fine
Jessica Day George- Dragon Slippers, Dragon Flight, Dragon Spear, Princess of the Midnight Ball
Nathan Hale- Animal House, The Twelve Bots of Christmas, Rapunzel's Revenge, The Devil You KnowLisa Mangum- The Hourglass Door, The Golden Spiral
Brandon Mull- The Candy Shop War, Fablehaven Series, Beyonders: A World Without Heroes
Sheila Nielson- Forbidden Sea
Sydney Salter- My Big Nose and Other Natural Disasters, Swoon at Your own Risk, Jungle Crossing
Brandon Sanderson- Elantris, Mistborn, The Well of Ascension, The Hero of Ages, Warbreaker
J. Scott Savage- Farworld: Water Keep, Farworld: Land Keep, The Fourth Nephite
Wendy Toliver- The Secret Life of a Teenage Siren, Miss Match, Lifted
Carol Lynch Williams- The Choosen One, Glimpse
Sara Zarr- Story of a Girl, Sweethearts, Once Was Lost
If any of you have read the Book Whisperer, Donalyn Miller has a website with recommendations for books to read in specific genres. Website
She has read many books and has some great recommendations if you are looking for a good read!
Today in our Literacy class, we were asked to give a book talk to our peers. A book talk basically is presenting a book you have read and convincing your audience to read it by providing a summary, reading a short passage from it, and prompting questions about what may happen at the end. The class was split into two groups, and I wrote down a list of the books from my group that were recommended:
Hey folks. Over the summer I kept a log of everything I read and I ended up doing three rather lengthy posts with short reviews of the books. Almost all of the books are YA fiction. You can see the reviews here , here, and here. I hope you enjoy and maybe find something you like.
The Diary of Pelly D by L. J. Adlington: When Toni V, a construction worker on a futuristic colony, finds the diary of a teenage girl whose life has been turned upside-down by holocaust-like events, he begins to question his own beliefs.
Candor by Pam Bachorz: For a fee, "model teen" Oscar Banks has been secretly- and selectively- sabotaging the subliminal messages that progrm the behavior of the residents of Candor, Florida, until his attraction to a rebellious new girl threatens to expose his subterfuge.
Taken by Edward Bloor: In 2036 kidnapping rich children has become an industry, but when thirteen-year-old Charity Meyers is taken and held for ransomm she soon discovers that this particular kidnapping is not what it seems.
The Compound by S.A. Bodeen: After his parents, two sisters, and he have spent six years in a vast underground compound buildt by his wealthy father to protect them from a nuclear holocaust, fifteen-year-old Eli, whose twin brother and grandmother were left behind, discovers that his father has perpetrated a monstrous hoax on them all.
The Destiny of Linus Hoppe by Anne-Laure Bondoux: In a utopian world, fourteen-year-old Linus is approaching the test to determine which Realm he will live in. But Linus opts to reject the accepted way of life and ventures to change his destiny.
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card: A veteran of years of simulated war games, Ender believes he is engaged in one more computer war game when in truth he is commanding the last fleet of Earth against an alien race seeking the complete destruction of Earth.
Graceling by Kristin Cashore: In a world where some people are born with extreme and often-feared skills called Graces, Katsa struggles for redemption from her own horrifying Grace, the Grace of killing, and teams up with another young fighter to save their land from a corrupt king.
The White Mountains by John Christopher: Will Parker and his companions make a perilous journey toward an outpost of freedom where they hope to escape from the rulling Tripods, who capture mature human beings and make them docile servants.
The Maze Runner by James Dashner: Sixteen-year-old Thomas wakes up with no memory in the middle of a maze and realizes he must work with the community in which he finds himself if he is to escape.
Little Brother by Cory Doctorow: After being interrogated for days by the Department of Homeland Security in the aftermath of a major terrorist attack on San Francisco, seventeen-year-old Marcus, released into what is now a police state, uses his expertise in computer hacking to set things right.
Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix: Luke is one of the shadow children, a third child forbidden by the Population Polic. He's lived his entire life in hiding. Then luke meets another shadow child. Jen is willing to risk everything to come out of the shadows- does Luke dare to become involved in her dangerous plan?
Unwind by Neal Shusterman: In a future world where those between the ages of thirteen and eighteen can have their lives "unwound" and their body parts harvested for use by others, three teens go to extreme lengths to uphold their beliefs-and, perhaps, save their own lives.
Uglies by Scott Westerfield: Just before their sixteenth birthdays, when they will will be transformed into beauties whose only job is to have a great time. Tally's best friend runs away and Tally must find her and turn her in, or never become pretty at all.
This blog is for everyone, but especially for us teachers. Anyone can suggest cheap places to purchase books, upcoming literacy events, and write reviews on their favorite books that would be great for the classroom. If you have any suggestions, please let me know, and I hope this will be helpful as we prepare to be teachers!
