Sunday, January 10, 2010
Confused much?
okay so I fell asleep on the sofa this evening and it was quite and dark when I woke except for the sound of my mothers voice. now mom gets up early for work so I knew it was morning. So I rolled off the sofa and crawled into my own bed Suzie just looked at me with surprise like hey where have you been. then she walked all over me till she decided a spot was Good enough for her.I was exhausted and began to worry that if work called me in early that i wouldn't make it through a whole day. I had also missed watching the movie Bolt with my family and was really disappointed . so then I started to worry and with worry came a Small doubt . it nagged at my soul finally I rolled out of bed trudged down stairs and said mom I need to know is it morning or night. "night its only six you just had a short nap."
this of course explains why I was still exhausted . "and I didn't miss bolt "
"no" mom said "dad will be home from his meeting soon and we can watch it."
yes!
this of course explains why I was still exhausted . "and I didn't miss bolt "
"no" mom said "dad will be home from his meeting soon and we can watch it."
yes!
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
books updated!
1. Great little Madison
Jean fritz
Non fiction
Biography of James Madison from birth until death includes detailed descriptions of early life, politics, revolution, the writing of the constitution, home life, and married life. See Madison as a person and as a politician as a husband and as a president.
I thought this was pretty dull but things started to speed up when he got married to Dolly because she was such an interesting person. It is a good reference book and well researched nonfiction piece. None of the dialog is fiction it is all taken directly from documents or personal letters.
I did not notice any controversial elements in the Great Little Madison. The book is approximately fifth grade reading level.
2. Ruby Bridges
Non fiction
Summary
Ruby Bridges is a nonfiction story of young girl in New Orleans. The court ruled that Ruby should be able to go to the same school as white children, but when Ruby went to school none of the white children came. Because none of the white parents would let their children go to school with Ruby, Ruby was the only child at her school. A mob stood outside the school and Ruby was escorted through the mod by Federal US Marshalls. Ruby never spoke to the mob but one day Ruby’s teacher saw her saying something to them. Her teacher asked what she had said. She said she was not speaking to the mob but was praying. Ruby told her teacher that everyday she prayed for the mob and that day she had forgotten until half way there.
I really liked this book. I thought the illustrations were beautiful. I loved the way Ruby grew in each illustration. I think this is a beautiful book that should be read in every classroom to teach about the struggle of desegregation. The controversial elements of this book are the discussion of racism and ruby’s prayer.
3. New Kid on the Block
Jack Prelutsky
Poetry
Illustrated by James Stevenson
Scholastic 1984
Fun and enjoyable poetry collection. Full of different type of poetry formats. This book is full of poems children will love. My personal favorite is Forty Performing Bananas .
I think this book is a must have when teaching about poetry in the class room, because it shows that poems can be fun.
4. Kiki’s delivery service
Eiko Kadono
This is a wonderful story of a young witch who according to family tradition sets out on her own at age 13.
5. Rangers’ apprentice
Modern fantasy
Will has always wanted to be a knight but is instead apprenticed to the mysterious ranger Holt. Will learns that the rangers are a special unit of law enforcers and spies who report directly to the king. Will and Holt are sent on a dangerous mission and suddenly Holt’s life is in danger and only Will can get help.
6. Bronze bow
Historical fiction
George Elizabeth Speare
Daniel is a Jewish zealot who wants to destroy the Romans. He fights with a band of freedom fighters hiding in the mountains lead by a man named Rolf. When Daniel has to leave the mountains to care for his sister after his grandmother’s death he meets the rabbi Jesus who tells him he must give up the anger and hatred in his heart.
7. Kenny and the dragon
Modern fantasy
Tony DiTerlizzi
Simon &Schuster 2008
Summary: Kenney is a young rabbit who likes to read and doesn’t have very many friends except George the bookseller in town. One day his father comes back from working on the farm and says he saw a dragon by the creek. Kenny sets off to slay the dragon but instead finds out the dragon likes to read books too. The dragon says his name is Grahame and soon they become best friends . When the village discovers a dragon George the bookseller comes out of knighthood retirement to slay Grahame. The whole village wants to kill Grahame and is coming to watch George do the deed. Can Kenny keep his two best friends from fighting? Can Kenny save his friends and maybe make some new ones along the way? Read and find out .
I thought this was an adorable book; perfect for 3rd or fourth grade. There are lovely black and white pictures throughout and the story is very engaging. What really made this book was the funny details that gave depth to the characters like Grahame’s fondness for Crème Brule.
A wonderful intermediate book great for both girls and boys
8. Number the stars
Lois Lowry
Historical fiction
Ellen and Annemarie are best friends living in Denmark during the nazi occupation. Ellen is Jewish and when the Nazis come looking for her she and Annemarie pretend to be sisters. Then they go to the sea to visit Annemarie’s uncle and smuggle Ellen and her family to Switzerland in her uncles fishing boat. Along the way Annemarie learns what it means to be brave and the burden of knowing the truth.
I loved this book it had a very real quality about it. Annemarie and Ellen are not brave story book heroes but real people with fears. The message of friendship and the story of the Danish people is one that should be heard in every classroom. Controversial elements in the book are the horrible reality of the holocaust and the different religious beliefs discussed.
9. The Willoughby’s
Modern fantasy
Lois Lowry
A silly story about a good old fashioned group of siblings who decided they should be orphans at the same time their parents decide they should be rid of them. The story is full of such remarkable preposterous character that make it an incredible fantasy. The book is a great laugh out loud read. It is very controversial considering that the parents are trying to get rid off their children and the children want their parents to die. I loved it.
10. The princess and the goblin
George Macdonald
Modern fantasy
The goblins are trying to steal the Princess Irene for the goblin prince’s bride. Fortunately the brave and smart miner’s son Curide saves the day and gets a kiss from the princess.
I liked the plot and the idea a lot but the writing style itself was old fashioned and strange. There is an allegory throughout the story about faith that I didn’t think was done very well. I wouldn’t recommend this book because it was okay but not very great.
11. Never trust a dead man
Vivian Vande Velde
Modern fantasy
Accused of murder and condemned to die, the Only one who can clear Selwyn’s name is Farold, the man who was killed. Striking a deal with a witch Selwyn brings Farold’s spirit back to this world to tell him the real killer . However Farold doesn’t know who killed him or who would want to.
12. Amelia Bedelia and the baby
By Peggy Parish pictures by Lynn Sweat.
Avon, 1982
Picture book
Summary: Amelia goes to baby sit even though she doesn’t know anything about babies. She follows the instructions on the list all quite literally. She makes a lot of mistakes
13. Magic tree house Merlin missions Night of the New Magicians
by Mary Pope Osborne; illustrated by Sal Murdocca
Summary: Merlin sends Jack and Annie on a mission to prove they are worthy of magic. They must find four magicians before an evil sorcerer does. Jack and Annie explore the Paris worlds fair trying to find the new magicians and save them from the sorcerer. Along the way they have some strange help could it be their friends Teddy and Kathryn? Jack and Annie learn that the four magicians are all really great inventors of the industrial age. Who have all been invited by a strange man in a cloak to a party at the Eiffel tower, but who is this evil sorcerer and how will jack and Annie get there in time.
I think magic tree house is a good book series for kids both boys and girls . the thing that bothers me is that since there are so many books in the series some children try to read all of them and end up reading nothing but magic tree house.
14. Junie B Jones and the dumb bunny
Realistic fiction
Barbara Park illustrated by Denise Brunkus.
Random House, c2007
Junie b is invited to an Easter egg hunt at Lucile’s and wins a prize. She gets to wear a bunny costume and be a celebrity . The prize every one really wants is the golden egg so when junie B. trips on her bunny costume and see the golden egg on the ground in front of her why does she give it Sheldon .
15. Archers quest
Linda sue park
Yearling 2008
Modern fantasy
Summary Kevin is an ordinary Korean American kid. When suddenly a king from ancient history appears in his bedroom and starts shooting arrows. Kevin cant remember the kings full name Koh Chu-mong so he calls him Archer because he is really good at archery. Kevin and the Archer go looking for a way for Archer to get home . They figure out that it is a Chinese zodiac tiger year in both Kevin’s and archer’s time but today is the last day of the tiger year and they have to find a way for archer to get home.
I really liked this book especially because the magic wasn’t overly complicated or explained why it worked or came from it just happened. At the end of the book it tells how Archer really existed there are records of a Koh Chu-mong a Chinese prince who became a king in ancient Korea. It lists a few facts and a few legends about Koh Chu mong which are very interesting to the reader. This is a great book for both boys and girls but is leaning more towards being a guy book. Controversial elements I would say it is a bit weird that Kevin goes all over town with a guy who has been through time travel and is armed but the audience should understand that it is fiction and just go with the flo.
16. Wind in the willows
By Kenneth Grahame; abridged and illustrated by Inga Moore.
Candlewick Press, 2003
The adventures of the folk of the river bank and their friends . Mole, Water Rat ,Badger and Mister Toad all have adventures together and when toad gets into trouble with the law and loses his house his friends are there to help him out. A classic this edition is beautifully illuastrated and even though long and a little old
17. Forest born
Shannon hale
Modern fantasy
Bloomsbury USA, 2009
Fourth in the books of Brayen series Rin struggles inside her self to find who she really is and how to control her powers. Rin feels there is a darkness in side her and that she must be a bad person. She calls herself a shadow and always tries to act like those around her but doesn’t know who she is by herself. When Rin meets her brothers friend the queen and her friends who all have special powers she hopes that the fire sisters can heal her or that she can become good like the queen. Rin follows the queen to the kingdom of Kel where they meet an old adversary Selia who is trying to start a war between kel and brayen. Selia has the power of people speaking and rin realizes that she does too. Rin is afraid that being a people speaker will make her evil like Selia. Her friends help her realize that she is her own person and isn’t crazy like Selia. Rin finds a balance between the gifts of people speaking and tree speaking.
Not hales best the self hatred and depression aren’t the best reading time spent. The dialogue also seems some how forced or fake. An okay read if your bored but certainly not a must buy. Controversial topics suicide and manipulative relationships.
18. Piggins
Picture book
Jane Yolen & Jane Dyer
Harcourt books 1987
Great picture book a family of high society London foxes have a dinner party where all the plans are over seen by Piggins the butler. When the hostess diamond necklace is stolen in the middle of dinner it is Piggins who solves the mystery. Wonderful illustrations of the humanoid animal characters and visual clues of the mystery make this a fun read.
19. east of the sun and west of the moon and other tales collected by P.C. Abjornsen and Jorgen E Moe ,Macmillan Company 1966
East of the sun west of the moon the most famous of these fairy tales A story of a girl and a magical white bear. One girl’s incredible journey to save her true love. Elements of the story remind me of cupid and psyche and beauty and the beast.
The lad who went to the north wind a story of a boy who went to the powerful north wind for help and is given magical gifts only to have them stolen by his landlord. The landlord loses control over the magical objects because he doesn’t know the password and the boy and his mother get back their gifts and live in comfort the rest of their lives.
The princess and the glass hill is a sort of male Cinderella story except instead of dancing in three balls he completes a three knightly challenges and wins the hand of the princess.
P.C. Abjornsen and Jorgen E Moe have an interesting sense of humor that I found hilarious.
20. Louise The adventures of a chicken
Kate DiCamillo & harry bliss
Joanna Coulter books 2008
Picture book
Louise feels the need for excitement in her life and sails across oceans performs in circus meets pirates and rides a camel. Each time she comes back to the hen house she dreams the dreams of a true adventurer. When Louise tells her fellow chickens all about her adventures they become true adventurers too.
An absolutely adorable book with great illustrations and tone in the writing style I laughed out loud. An excellent bedtime story to read to any child.
21. The princess and the pizza
By Mary Jane and Herm Arch
Holiday house 2002
Picture book
A Great story of a princess who wants to be in the spotlight. She enters a competition to marry a prince by passing a series of tests. When her invention of the pizza wins her the hand of the prince she says no thanks and opens her own pizza parlor. The way this book alludes to other fairy tales is hilarious. The art and story is inventive fresh and fun a great read for early readers.
22. Front and Center
Catherine Murdock
Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2009
The third book in the dairy queen series about a teenage athlete who struggles with confidence and relationships. After a season of playing on the boys football team D.J. is happy to fade into the background and play some girls basket ball. But she cant seem to stop thinking about her ex brain even though she’s dating Beaner now.
This book was not a personal favorite but an okay read. Controversial elements include references to sex, suicide, underage drinking and homosexuality. More of a high school level read about a junior trying to decided where to go to college and what to do about boys.
23. Constance A Story of Early Plymouth
Patricia Clapp
Peter Smith Publisher Inc 1993
Historical fiction
A diary of a young woman on the mayflower and the beginnings of the Plymouth colony
24. Scarlett pimpernel
Baroness Orczy
25. Tales of Grimm and Andersen
The modern library 1952
The twelve dancing princesses
The goose girl
The three children of fortune
26. Jacobs More English Fairy tales
Dover publications 1967
27. The Andrew Lang fairy tale treasury
Crown publishers
29. knights and castles Seymour Simon
See more readers 2006
30. Abraham Lincoln lets read biography
Houghton Mifflin 1997
31. the story of Monticello Norman
Richards children’s press 1970
33. At Her Majesties Request
An Africa princess in Victorian England
Walter Dean Myers
Scholastic press 1999
34. The sisters Grimm
Amulet 2007
Michael Buckley
Sabrina and Daphne have been in foster care since their parents disappeared a year ago until the day social services find their grandmother Grimm. Grandmother Grimm tells them that the Grimm fairy tales are real and that Grimm’s solve mysteries about everafters fairy tale creatures. Sabrina thinks she’s crazy and tries to run away . when she sees a giant kidnap her grandmother she realizes she was wrong. is it too late have Sabrina and Daphne lost the only family they have left? With the help of the trickster puck and jack the giant killer Daphne and Sabrina hatch a plan to rescue their grandmother.
Jean fritz
Non fiction
Biography of James Madison from birth until death includes detailed descriptions of early life, politics, revolution, the writing of the constitution, home life, and married life. See Madison as a person and as a politician as a husband and as a president.
I thought this was pretty dull but things started to speed up when he got married to Dolly because she was such an interesting person. It is a good reference book and well researched nonfiction piece. None of the dialog is fiction it is all taken directly from documents or personal letters.
I did not notice any controversial elements in the Great Little Madison. The book is approximately fifth grade reading level.
2. Ruby Bridges
Non fiction
Summary
Ruby Bridges is a nonfiction story of young girl in New Orleans. The court ruled that Ruby should be able to go to the same school as white children, but when Ruby went to school none of the white children came. Because none of the white parents would let their children go to school with Ruby, Ruby was the only child at her school. A mob stood outside the school and Ruby was escorted through the mod by Federal US Marshalls. Ruby never spoke to the mob but one day Ruby’s teacher saw her saying something to them. Her teacher asked what she had said. She said she was not speaking to the mob but was praying. Ruby told her teacher that everyday she prayed for the mob and that day she had forgotten until half way there.
I really liked this book. I thought the illustrations were beautiful. I loved the way Ruby grew in each illustration. I think this is a beautiful book that should be read in every classroom to teach about the struggle of desegregation. The controversial elements of this book are the discussion of racism and ruby’s prayer.
3. New Kid on the Block
Jack Prelutsky
Poetry
Illustrated by James Stevenson
Scholastic 1984
Fun and enjoyable poetry collection. Full of different type of poetry formats. This book is full of poems children will love. My personal favorite is Forty Performing Bananas .
I think this book is a must have when teaching about poetry in the class room, because it shows that poems can be fun.
4. Kiki’s delivery service
Eiko Kadono
This is a wonderful story of a young witch who according to family tradition sets out on her own at age 13.
5. Rangers’ apprentice
Modern fantasy
Will has always wanted to be a knight but is instead apprenticed to the mysterious ranger Holt. Will learns that the rangers are a special unit of law enforcers and spies who report directly to the king. Will and Holt are sent on a dangerous mission and suddenly Holt’s life is in danger and only Will can get help.
6. Bronze bow
Historical fiction
George Elizabeth Speare
Daniel is a Jewish zealot who wants to destroy the Romans. He fights with a band of freedom fighters hiding in the mountains lead by a man named Rolf. When Daniel has to leave the mountains to care for his sister after his grandmother’s death he meets the rabbi Jesus who tells him he must give up the anger and hatred in his heart.
7. Kenny and the dragon
Modern fantasy
Tony DiTerlizzi
Simon &Schuster 2008
Summary: Kenney is a young rabbit who likes to read and doesn’t have very many friends except George the bookseller in town. One day his father comes back from working on the farm and says he saw a dragon by the creek. Kenny sets off to slay the dragon but instead finds out the dragon likes to read books too. The dragon says his name is Grahame and soon they become best friends . When the village discovers a dragon George the bookseller comes out of knighthood retirement to slay Grahame. The whole village wants to kill Grahame and is coming to watch George do the deed. Can Kenny keep his two best friends from fighting? Can Kenny save his friends and maybe make some new ones along the way? Read and find out .
I thought this was an adorable book; perfect for 3rd or fourth grade. There are lovely black and white pictures throughout and the story is very engaging. What really made this book was the funny details that gave depth to the characters like Grahame’s fondness for Crème Brule.
A wonderful intermediate book great for both girls and boys
8. Number the stars
Lois Lowry
Historical fiction
Ellen and Annemarie are best friends living in Denmark during the nazi occupation. Ellen is Jewish and when the Nazis come looking for her she and Annemarie pretend to be sisters. Then they go to the sea to visit Annemarie’s uncle and smuggle Ellen and her family to Switzerland in her uncles fishing boat. Along the way Annemarie learns what it means to be brave and the burden of knowing the truth.
I loved this book it had a very real quality about it. Annemarie and Ellen are not brave story book heroes but real people with fears. The message of friendship and the story of the Danish people is one that should be heard in every classroom. Controversial elements in the book are the horrible reality of the holocaust and the different religious beliefs discussed.
9. The Willoughby’s
Modern fantasy
Lois Lowry
A silly story about a good old fashioned group of siblings who decided they should be orphans at the same time their parents decide they should be rid of them. The story is full of such remarkable preposterous character that make it an incredible fantasy. The book is a great laugh out loud read. It is very controversial considering that the parents are trying to get rid off their children and the children want their parents to die. I loved it.
10. The princess and the goblin
George Macdonald
Modern fantasy
The goblins are trying to steal the Princess Irene for the goblin prince’s bride. Fortunately the brave and smart miner’s son Curide saves the day and gets a kiss from the princess.
I liked the plot and the idea a lot but the writing style itself was old fashioned and strange. There is an allegory throughout the story about faith that I didn’t think was done very well. I wouldn’t recommend this book because it was okay but not very great.
11. Never trust a dead man
Vivian Vande Velde
Modern fantasy
Accused of murder and condemned to die, the Only one who can clear Selwyn’s name is Farold, the man who was killed. Striking a deal with a witch Selwyn brings Farold’s spirit back to this world to tell him the real killer . However Farold doesn’t know who killed him or who would want to.
12. Amelia Bedelia and the baby
By Peggy Parish pictures by Lynn Sweat.
Avon, 1982
Picture book
Summary: Amelia goes to baby sit even though she doesn’t know anything about babies. She follows the instructions on the list all quite literally. She makes a lot of mistakes
13. Magic tree house Merlin missions Night of the New Magicians
by Mary Pope Osborne; illustrated by Sal Murdocca
Summary: Merlin sends Jack and Annie on a mission to prove they are worthy of magic. They must find four magicians before an evil sorcerer does. Jack and Annie explore the Paris worlds fair trying to find the new magicians and save them from the sorcerer. Along the way they have some strange help could it be their friends Teddy and Kathryn? Jack and Annie learn that the four magicians are all really great inventors of the industrial age. Who have all been invited by a strange man in a cloak to a party at the Eiffel tower, but who is this evil sorcerer and how will jack and Annie get there in time.
I think magic tree house is a good book series for kids both boys and girls . the thing that bothers me is that since there are so many books in the series some children try to read all of them and end up reading nothing but magic tree house.
14. Junie B Jones and the dumb bunny
Realistic fiction
Barbara Park illustrated by Denise Brunkus.
Random House, c2007
Junie b is invited to an Easter egg hunt at Lucile’s and wins a prize. She gets to wear a bunny costume and be a celebrity . The prize every one really wants is the golden egg so when junie B. trips on her bunny costume and see the golden egg on the ground in front of her why does she give it Sheldon .
15. Archers quest
Linda sue park
Yearling 2008
Modern fantasy
Summary Kevin is an ordinary Korean American kid. When suddenly a king from ancient history appears in his bedroom and starts shooting arrows. Kevin cant remember the kings full name Koh Chu-mong so he calls him Archer because he is really good at archery. Kevin and the Archer go looking for a way for Archer to get home . They figure out that it is a Chinese zodiac tiger year in both Kevin’s and archer’s time but today is the last day of the tiger year and they have to find a way for archer to get home.
I really liked this book especially because the magic wasn’t overly complicated or explained why it worked or came from it just happened. At the end of the book it tells how Archer really existed there are records of a Koh Chu-mong a Chinese prince who became a king in ancient Korea. It lists a few facts and a few legends about Koh Chu mong which are very interesting to the reader. This is a great book for both boys and girls but is leaning more towards being a guy book. Controversial elements I would say it is a bit weird that Kevin goes all over town with a guy who has been through time travel and is armed but the audience should understand that it is fiction and just go with the flo.
16. Wind in the willows
By Kenneth Grahame; abridged and illustrated by Inga Moore.
Candlewick Press, 2003
The adventures of the folk of the river bank and their friends . Mole, Water Rat ,Badger and Mister Toad all have adventures together and when toad gets into trouble with the law and loses his house his friends are there to help him out. A classic this edition is beautifully illuastrated and even though long and a little old
17. Forest born
Shannon hale
Modern fantasy
Bloomsbury USA, 2009
Fourth in the books of Brayen series Rin struggles inside her self to find who she really is and how to control her powers. Rin feels there is a darkness in side her and that she must be a bad person. She calls herself a shadow and always tries to act like those around her but doesn’t know who she is by herself. When Rin meets her brothers friend the queen and her friends who all have special powers she hopes that the fire sisters can heal her or that she can become good like the queen. Rin follows the queen to the kingdom of Kel where they meet an old adversary Selia who is trying to start a war between kel and brayen. Selia has the power of people speaking and rin realizes that she does too. Rin is afraid that being a people speaker will make her evil like Selia. Her friends help her realize that she is her own person and isn’t crazy like Selia. Rin finds a balance between the gifts of people speaking and tree speaking.
Not hales best the self hatred and depression aren’t the best reading time spent. The dialogue also seems some how forced or fake. An okay read if your bored but certainly not a must buy. Controversial topics suicide and manipulative relationships.
18. Piggins
Picture book
Jane Yolen & Jane Dyer
Harcourt books 1987
Great picture book a family of high society London foxes have a dinner party where all the plans are over seen by Piggins the butler. When the hostess diamond necklace is stolen in the middle of dinner it is Piggins who solves the mystery. Wonderful illustrations of the humanoid animal characters and visual clues of the mystery make this a fun read.
19. east of the sun and west of the moon and other tales collected by P.C. Abjornsen and Jorgen E Moe ,Macmillan Company 1966
East of the sun west of the moon the most famous of these fairy tales A story of a girl and a magical white bear. One girl’s incredible journey to save her true love. Elements of the story remind me of cupid and psyche and beauty and the beast.
The lad who went to the north wind a story of a boy who went to the powerful north wind for help and is given magical gifts only to have them stolen by his landlord. The landlord loses control over the magical objects because he doesn’t know the password and the boy and his mother get back their gifts and live in comfort the rest of their lives.
The princess and the glass hill is a sort of male Cinderella story except instead of dancing in three balls he completes a three knightly challenges and wins the hand of the princess.
P.C. Abjornsen and Jorgen E Moe have an interesting sense of humor that I found hilarious.
20. Louise The adventures of a chicken
Kate DiCamillo & harry bliss
Joanna Coulter books 2008
Picture book
Louise feels the need for excitement in her life and sails across oceans performs in circus meets pirates and rides a camel. Each time she comes back to the hen house she dreams the dreams of a true adventurer. When Louise tells her fellow chickens all about her adventures they become true adventurers too.
An absolutely adorable book with great illustrations and tone in the writing style I laughed out loud. An excellent bedtime story to read to any child.
21. The princess and the pizza
By Mary Jane and Herm Arch
Holiday house 2002
Picture book
A Great story of a princess who wants to be in the spotlight. She enters a competition to marry a prince by passing a series of tests. When her invention of the pizza wins her the hand of the prince she says no thanks and opens her own pizza parlor. The way this book alludes to other fairy tales is hilarious. The art and story is inventive fresh and fun a great read for early readers.
22. Front and Center
Catherine Murdock
Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, 2009
The third book in the dairy queen series about a teenage athlete who struggles with confidence and relationships. After a season of playing on the boys football team D.J. is happy to fade into the background and play some girls basket ball. But she cant seem to stop thinking about her ex brain even though she’s dating Beaner now.
This book was not a personal favorite but an okay read. Controversial elements include references to sex, suicide, underage drinking and homosexuality. More of a high school level read about a junior trying to decided where to go to college and what to do about boys.
23. Constance A Story of Early Plymouth
Patricia Clapp
Peter Smith Publisher Inc 1993
Historical fiction
A diary of a young woman on the mayflower and the beginnings of the Plymouth colony
24. Scarlett pimpernel
Baroness Orczy
25. Tales of Grimm and Andersen
The modern library 1952
The twelve dancing princesses
The goose girl
The three children of fortune
26. Jacobs More English Fairy tales
Dover publications 1967
27. The Andrew Lang fairy tale treasury
Crown publishers
29. knights and castles Seymour Simon
See more readers 2006
30. Abraham Lincoln lets read biography
Houghton Mifflin 1997
31. the story of Monticello Norman
Richards children’s press 1970
33. At Her Majesties Request
An Africa princess in Victorian England
Walter Dean Myers
Scholastic press 1999
34. The sisters Grimm
Amulet 2007
Michael Buckley
Sabrina and Daphne have been in foster care since their parents disappeared a year ago until the day social services find their grandmother Grimm. Grandmother Grimm tells them that the Grimm fairy tales are real and that Grimm’s solve mysteries about everafters fairy tale creatures. Sabrina thinks she’s crazy and tries to run away . when she sees a giant kidnap her grandmother she realizes she was wrong. is it too late have Sabrina and Daphne lost the only family they have left? With the help of the trickster puck and jack the giant killer Daphne and Sabrina hatch a plan to rescue their grandmother.
I have a dog! This isn't new he is about 8 years old. He is a wonderfully personality brimming with life pet he is also more photogenic than I am and is an excellent subject for any art form. He is currently immortalized in pastels paintings and statues . Mac E. Mouse walker O'Gracious is a Westie puppy who was born on Halloween. He usually spends his birthday in an outfit he hates and being taken on a long walk in the rain wear no one takes the time to smell the bushes let alone the roses.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Taught lesson today didn't reaally go as planed feeling bummmed. today was our last day at burton elementry sad isnt it.
problem is what I wrote in the lesson plan isnt what I ended up doing. so that was insane.
Lesson plan below
Materials: textbooks, overhead &board
Behavioral objectives: Students will be able to identify & classify vocabulary words and meanings by identifying the proper choice of word in context to the sentence or story on the assignment. Students will be able to do this by practicing their fluency by reading the story aloud the vocabulary will be understood in context which will help transfer the understanding of the words in daily life.
Anticipatory set : gain attention by dividing students in assigned groups to the kiva tell students to bring text books count backwards from ten any one still unprepared by the number one can write their name on the board this isn’t a practice that I think I would have in my own class but it is a firmly established and well know procedure in Mrs. Rooney’s room . when all the students are ready at the Kiva I will say gratis
Accesses prior learning discussing what we read on Monday and Italian words and accents ask if they remember any Italian words. The Italian was a big hit on Monday and the students enjoyed practicing their Italian accents.
Input and modeling : students chosen by popsicle sticks each read part of the story for fluency practice the rest follow with their fingers and so do I to help model . Any disturbances will be addressed simply with the instruction to ”make a better choice”. I will correct any mistakes in reading or of words and help those struggling . everyone who reads will be given the time they need.
Over head is assignment is to evaluate how much of the words from the story are remembered and understood. We will classify and disuse what category the words fall into.
Guided practice work book page 224 .
Ask students I they feel they know the vocabulary use thumbs ups thumbs down strategy
Independent practice page 223
problem is what I wrote in the lesson plan isnt what I ended up doing. so that was insane.
Lesson plan below
Materials: textbooks, overhead &board
Behavioral objectives: Students will be able to identify & classify vocabulary words and meanings by identifying the proper choice of word in context to the sentence or story on the assignment. Students will be able to do this by practicing their fluency by reading the story aloud the vocabulary will be understood in context which will help transfer the understanding of the words in daily life.
Anticipatory set : gain attention by dividing students in assigned groups to the kiva tell students to bring text books count backwards from ten any one still unprepared by the number one can write their name on the board this isn’t a practice that I think I would have in my own class but it is a firmly established and well know procedure in Mrs. Rooney’s room . when all the students are ready at the Kiva I will say gratis
Accesses prior learning discussing what we read on Monday and Italian words and accents ask if they remember any Italian words. The Italian was a big hit on Monday and the students enjoyed practicing their Italian accents.
Input and modeling : students chosen by popsicle sticks each read part of the story for fluency practice the rest follow with their fingers and so do I to help model . Any disturbances will be addressed simply with the instruction to ”make a better choice”. I will correct any mistakes in reading or of words and help those struggling . everyone who reads will be given the time they need.
Over head is assignment is to evaluate how much of the words from the story are remembered and understood. We will classify and disuse what category the words fall into.
Guided practice work book page 224 .
Ask students I they feel they know the vocabulary use thumbs ups thumbs down strategy
Independent practice page 223
I read all these books for children's lit some reviews are better than others I will admit
Rapunzel's Revenge
Written by Shannon Hale &Dean Hale. Illustrated by Nathan Hale
Bloomsbury, 2008
Summary: This graphic novel written by husband and wife team Shannon and Dean Hale is of no relation to the illustrator Nathan Hale. This retold fairy tale takes the princess Rapunzel who is normally viewed as useless and makes her a western action hero. The story combines of elements other myths as well, including dwarf’s urban legends and jack in the bean stalk. Rapunzel escapes from her own prison tower and sets off on a quest to find her real mother and save the land from the witch Mother Gothel.
Modern Fantasy
Mild Violence witch craft
I loved this book it has a sweet romance and a great female lead. The illustrations told a large part of the story and did a great job showing emotions through body language.
39 Clues Maze of Bones book one
Rick Riordan
Scholastic, 2008
Summary: The Cahill’s embark on a quest for the39 clues to lead them to a family secret that will make them the most powerful people in the world.
Realistic Fiction
Mild violence and lots of lying
Cute quick read can be read and loved by both boys and girls. One thing that kind of bugged me was that the whole series is obviously designed to make money not be the best books possible. It works though I want to read all the books in the series.
Adventurers Wanted, Book 1: Slathbog's Gold
M. L. Forman
Shadow Mountain, 2009
Summary: Alex sees a sign in a shop advertising for adventure so he goes in to ask about it. What he doesn’t know is that it is one of those shops. So Alex ends up going through a magic shop into another world full of adventure on a quest for a dragons hoard. Alex learns and changes along the way as he finds out what it means to be an adventurer.
Modern Fantasy
Violence, death, and witchcraft.
I enjoyed this book it had an interesting sense of humor that poked fun at a fantasy world I knew very well. I think it had a few original ideas of its own and managed not to take itself too seriously. The writing style and quality could have used a little work but overall it has a lot of potential to be a great book series.
Jake Ransom and the Skull King's Shadow
By James Rollins
Harper Collins, 2009
Summary: jakes parents disappeared 3 years ago and are presumed dead. When Jake and his sister stumble into a strange land outside of time where cultures from all over the world live together in peace. Jake finds clues that his parents might still be alive but a more urgent threat approaching is the horrible skull king and the mysterious power of the blood stones.
Modern Fantasy
Some violence
I liked this book a 5th grade read this is a great book mainly for boys but could easily be read by girls as well. A little too much of the book was a telling rather than showing style. So it wasn’t much of a ponder and think over story. It is more of a wait till we tell you what happens next book.
The Extra-Ordinary Princess
Carolyn Ebbitt
Bloomsbury, 2009
Summary: Amelia considers herself to be an ordinary princess without the talents or grace of her older sisters. After her parents death Amelia must realize that not only is she a princess she is a white queen and she must fight to save the kingdom of Gossling. She and her best friend Henry must fulfill an impossible prophecy with the help of the white queens can Amelia defeat Count Raven and become more than ordinary.
Modern Fantasy
Magic
A cute book that explores the relationships between four sisters their love for their kingdom and their friends. As they discover their power as white queens. I thought it was a really fun cheerful read that concluded by its self but could still have as squeal.
Sector 7 (Caldecott Honor Book)
David Wiesner
Clarion Books, 1999
Picture book where a boy makes friends with a cloud and shows him how to make new shapes. This frustrates the workers of sector seven who tell the clouds what to do.
I loved this book it was beautiful and the
E fantastical ideas were painted in a realistic style.
Flotsam
David Wiesner
Picture book boy finds underwater camera and when the film develops discover it is full of fantastic impossible under sea life I loved this book and recommend it is great to read with kids because there are no words.
Publisher: Clarion Books, 2006
Strega Nona's Magic Lessons
Tomie dePaolaa
Sandpiper, 1984
Adorable story about clever witch. Another great book in a series about strega nona.
A fun read and great fun.
Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover (Gallagher Girls)
by Ally Carter
Hyperion Book, 2009
Realistic fiction /girl book
Camie is a girl who’s training to be a spy at an exclusive girls academy. But when her best friend is attacked while her dads running for vice president. Camie and her friends realize that they aren’t just in training any more the danger of espionage is now real. Third book in the series I absolutely loved it adorably cheesy book for 7th grade girls. Realistic fiction because who knows where spies train.
Lily Quench and the Dragon of Ashby
Natalie Prior
Puffin books, 2004
Modern Fantasy
Lilly is the last of the quenches famous dragon fighters of Ashby but lily is only half quench and all her other half wants is peace. So lily makes friends with the dragon and sets off a chain of events that will change her whole country.
Cute book perfect for fourth grade or even third well written and interesting it has more depth than most books at its reading level.
The graveyard book
Neil Gaiman
Harper Collins, 2008
Amazing modern fantasy horror this book is filled with the surreal creepy style of Neil which I love. This book totally deserves its Newbery award. The book tells the story of nobody called bod a boy who is raised in the graveyard and is granted the freedom of it. Bod must learn the secrets of the graveyard and his own past.
The Merlin Conspiracy
Diana Wynne Jones
Green willow books, 2004
Modern fantasy
Companion novel to Deep Secret this book takes place in the magid universe and tells about nick and rhoddy two teens from different worlds literally nick and rhoddy walk between the worlds in order to restore the magic balance of the country of blest and the rest of the infinite worlds.
The Princess Knight
Cornelia Funke
Picture book
A Modern fantasy Fairy tale tells the story of a princess who found her own way to be a knight and made her own decisions. Beautiful funny and a great empowering book for little girls .
Cinder Eyed Cats
Eric Rohman
Picture book
Picture book beautiful and lyrical I loved its fantasy and impossible ness with dancing fish and cats that move like shadows.
Time Flies
Eric Rohman
Picture book
No words in this picture book and it doesn’t need any the paintings shows a bird as it flies threw dinosaur bones and real dinosaurs through time.
Kitten Tale
Eric Rohman
Picture
Tells about four kittens and how one kitten is brave. The kittens are timid where the others are afraid this kitten can’t wait for snow.
Great Gilly Hopkins
Harper Collins ,1987
Katherine Patterson
Realistic fiction
This is an Emotional well written book with some language. Galadriel Hopkins better know as Gilly is a foster child who has mastered the art of annoying everyone in social services. Gilly is a character with strength and determination but is she so focused on being strong that she won’t let anyone into her heart. Gilly thinks you need to know to things to survive how to read and fight for yourself but Gilly is wrong there is a third thing.
I had mixed feelings about the ending but I still think it was a worthwhile read.
Beauty
Robin McKinley
Harper Trophy 1978
Girl book
Beautiful fairy tale retelling this book especially appeals to girls because of its romance and general girl mind. I like how beauty and her sisters change and developed throughout the story from city girls to capable hardworking country women. I love how beauty interacts with the Beast .
The Lorax
Dr Seuss
Random House , 1971
Controversial book
This picture book speaks for the trees and address controversial issues such as pollution and clear cutting. I love personally love Seuss his style and his art never cease to make me smile. I have always wanted to see a Truffula Tree
Holes
Louis Sachar
Bloomsbury, 2000
Modern fantasy
Awesome book about the story of green lake and Stanley Yelnats whose name is the same spelled backwards.
Hans Christian Anderson
Fairy Tales
Light
What to do about Alice
by Barbara Kerley
non Fiction
picture book about Alice Roosevelt and her rambunctious attitude throughtout her life. This book is an Interesting way to learn about the famous Roosevelt princess of the white house.
A chair for my mother
Vera b Williams
Picture book tells about how since the fire they haven’t had a comfy chair. So they save all their change in a big jar until they can go as a family and pick out the perfect chair. I love the artist style in this book Something about the bright simplicity.
Can’t You Make Them Behave king George?
By jean Fritz
Putman Juvenile, 1996
Non fiction
Tells how King George tried to be what he thought a king should be. A father to the people and couldn’t understand why the Americans were so mad.
Jabberwocky
Lewis Carroll
Graeme base
Picture Book implied violence an illustrated version of the poem jabberwocky. Bright colors and crazy looking monsters make book this a fun way of seeing the epic nonsense peom for young children.
Good Queen Bess the story of Elizabeth the first of England
Peter Vennema
Non Fiction
Rapunzel's Revenge
Written by Shannon Hale &Dean Hale. Illustrated by Nathan Hale
Bloomsbury, 2008
Summary: This graphic novel written by husband and wife team Shannon and Dean Hale is of no relation to the illustrator Nathan Hale. This retold fairy tale takes the princess Rapunzel who is normally viewed as useless and makes her a western action hero. The story combines of elements other myths as well, including dwarf’s urban legends and jack in the bean stalk. Rapunzel escapes from her own prison tower and sets off on a quest to find her real mother and save the land from the witch Mother Gothel.
Modern Fantasy
Mild Violence witch craft
I loved this book it has a sweet romance and a great female lead. The illustrations told a large part of the story and did a great job showing emotions through body language.
39 Clues Maze of Bones book one
Rick Riordan
Scholastic, 2008
Summary: The Cahill’s embark on a quest for the39 clues to lead them to a family secret that will make them the most powerful people in the world.
Realistic Fiction
Mild violence and lots of lying
Cute quick read can be read and loved by both boys and girls. One thing that kind of bugged me was that the whole series is obviously designed to make money not be the best books possible. It works though I want to read all the books in the series.
Adventurers Wanted, Book 1: Slathbog's Gold
M. L. Forman
Shadow Mountain, 2009
Summary: Alex sees a sign in a shop advertising for adventure so he goes in to ask about it. What he doesn’t know is that it is one of those shops. So Alex ends up going through a magic shop into another world full of adventure on a quest for a dragons hoard. Alex learns and changes along the way as he finds out what it means to be an adventurer.
Modern Fantasy
Violence, death, and witchcraft.
I enjoyed this book it had an interesting sense of humor that poked fun at a fantasy world I knew very well. I think it had a few original ideas of its own and managed not to take itself too seriously. The writing style and quality could have used a little work but overall it has a lot of potential to be a great book series.
Jake Ransom and the Skull King's Shadow
By James Rollins
Harper Collins, 2009
Summary: jakes parents disappeared 3 years ago and are presumed dead. When Jake and his sister stumble into a strange land outside of time where cultures from all over the world live together in peace. Jake finds clues that his parents might still be alive but a more urgent threat approaching is the horrible skull king and the mysterious power of the blood stones.
Modern Fantasy
Some violence
I liked this book a 5th grade read this is a great book mainly for boys but could easily be read by girls as well. A little too much of the book was a telling rather than showing style. So it wasn’t much of a ponder and think over story. It is more of a wait till we tell you what happens next book.
The Extra-Ordinary Princess
Carolyn Ebbitt
Bloomsbury, 2009
Summary: Amelia considers herself to be an ordinary princess without the talents or grace of her older sisters. After her parents death Amelia must realize that not only is she a princess she is a white queen and she must fight to save the kingdom of Gossling. She and her best friend Henry must fulfill an impossible prophecy with the help of the white queens can Amelia defeat Count Raven and become more than ordinary.
Modern Fantasy
Magic
A cute book that explores the relationships between four sisters their love for their kingdom and their friends. As they discover their power as white queens. I thought it was a really fun cheerful read that concluded by its self but could still have as squeal.
Sector 7 (Caldecott Honor Book)
David Wiesner
Clarion Books, 1999
Picture book where a boy makes friends with a cloud and shows him how to make new shapes. This frustrates the workers of sector seven who tell the clouds what to do.
I loved this book it was beautiful and the
E fantastical ideas were painted in a realistic style.
Flotsam
David Wiesner
Picture book boy finds underwater camera and when the film develops discover it is full of fantastic impossible under sea life I loved this book and recommend it is great to read with kids because there are no words.
Publisher: Clarion Books, 2006
Strega Nona's Magic Lessons
Tomie dePaolaa
Sandpiper, 1984
Adorable story about clever witch. Another great book in a series about strega nona.
A fun read and great fun.
Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover (Gallagher Girls)
by Ally Carter
Hyperion Book, 2009
Realistic fiction /girl book
Camie is a girl who’s training to be a spy at an exclusive girls academy. But when her best friend is attacked while her dads running for vice president. Camie and her friends realize that they aren’t just in training any more the danger of espionage is now real. Third book in the series I absolutely loved it adorably cheesy book for 7th grade girls. Realistic fiction because who knows where spies train.
Lily Quench and the Dragon of Ashby
Natalie Prior
Puffin books, 2004
Modern Fantasy
Lilly is the last of the quenches famous dragon fighters of Ashby but lily is only half quench and all her other half wants is peace. So lily makes friends with the dragon and sets off a chain of events that will change her whole country.
Cute book perfect for fourth grade or even third well written and interesting it has more depth than most books at its reading level.
The graveyard book
Neil Gaiman
Harper Collins, 2008
Amazing modern fantasy horror this book is filled with the surreal creepy style of Neil which I love. This book totally deserves its Newbery award. The book tells the story of nobody called bod a boy who is raised in the graveyard and is granted the freedom of it. Bod must learn the secrets of the graveyard and his own past.
The Merlin Conspiracy
Diana Wynne Jones
Green willow books, 2004
Modern fantasy
Companion novel to Deep Secret this book takes place in the magid universe and tells about nick and rhoddy two teens from different worlds literally nick and rhoddy walk between the worlds in order to restore the magic balance of the country of blest and the rest of the infinite worlds.
The Princess Knight
Cornelia Funke
Picture book
A Modern fantasy Fairy tale tells the story of a princess who found her own way to be a knight and made her own decisions. Beautiful funny and a great empowering book for little girls .
Cinder Eyed Cats
Eric Rohman
Picture book
Picture book beautiful and lyrical I loved its fantasy and impossible ness with dancing fish and cats that move like shadows.
Time Flies
Eric Rohman
Picture book
No words in this picture book and it doesn’t need any the paintings shows a bird as it flies threw dinosaur bones and real dinosaurs through time.
Kitten Tale
Eric Rohman
Picture
Tells about four kittens and how one kitten is brave. The kittens are timid where the others are afraid this kitten can’t wait for snow.
Great Gilly Hopkins
Harper Collins ,1987
Katherine Patterson
Realistic fiction
This is an Emotional well written book with some language. Galadriel Hopkins better know as Gilly is a foster child who has mastered the art of annoying everyone in social services. Gilly is a character with strength and determination but is she so focused on being strong that she won’t let anyone into her heart. Gilly thinks you need to know to things to survive how to read and fight for yourself but Gilly is wrong there is a third thing.
I had mixed feelings about the ending but I still think it was a worthwhile read.
Beauty
Robin McKinley
Harper Trophy 1978
Girl book
Beautiful fairy tale retelling this book especially appeals to girls because of its romance and general girl mind. I like how beauty and her sisters change and developed throughout the story from city girls to capable hardworking country women. I love how beauty interacts with the Beast .
The Lorax
Dr Seuss
Random House , 1971
Controversial book
This picture book speaks for the trees and address controversial issues such as pollution and clear cutting. I love personally love Seuss his style and his art never cease to make me smile. I have always wanted to see a Truffula Tree
Holes
Louis Sachar
Bloomsbury, 2000
Modern fantasy
Awesome book about the story of green lake and Stanley Yelnats whose name is the same spelled backwards.
Hans Christian Anderson
Fairy Tales
Light
What to do about Alice
by Barbara Kerley
non Fiction
picture book about Alice Roosevelt and her rambunctious attitude throughtout her life. This book is an Interesting way to learn about the famous Roosevelt princess of the white house.
A chair for my mother
Vera b Williams
Picture book tells about how since the fire they haven’t had a comfy chair. So they save all their change in a big jar until they can go as a family and pick out the perfect chair. I love the artist style in this book Something about the bright simplicity.
Can’t You Make Them Behave king George?
By jean Fritz
Putman Juvenile, 1996
Non fiction
Tells how King George tried to be what he thought a king should be. A father to the people and couldn’t understand why the Americans were so mad.
Jabberwocky
Lewis Carroll
Graeme base
Picture Book implied violence an illustrated version of the poem jabberwocky. Bright colors and crazy looking monsters make book this a fun way of seeing the epic nonsense peom for young children.
Good Queen Bess the story of Elizabeth the first of England
Peter Vennema
Non Fiction
Hello am sitting at the Spori art gallery falling madly in love with Erin Taylor's book Alice's wonderful adventures in Africa. lots of wonderful art here though I just am in love with this Cheshire cat he is absolutely splendid. with great fangs and big ears best interpertation of the cat I have ever seen .
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