January 29, 2012

World Read Aloud Day on 3/7 - "Change the World, Story by Story"

 Celebrate World Read Aloud Day on 3/7 -- "Change the World, Story by Story"

WRADlogo World Read Aloud Day is back and bigger than ever

793 million adults worldwide lack basic reading and writing skills. This World Read Aloud Day, the globe will connect like never before. Let us together read and share to advocate for the power of words and stories.

Change the World, Story by Story


This amazing day is sponsored by LitWorld, whose mission is, "to use the power of story to cultivate literacy skills in the world's most vulnerable children through Education, Advocacy and Innovation."
  
* Books of Wonder in New York City!: We are excited to announce that Books of Wonder will host LitWorld’s signature World Read Aloud Day event. Stay tuned for the official schedule with details about our special guest authors and exciting workshops all day long.

* Join a LitWorld Video Chat: If you would like to take part in a video chat on World Read Aloud Day as a LitWorld classroom or special guest reader, please sign up at litworld.org.
Let’s rally for Global Literacy, together.
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[Twitter Hashtag: #readaloud]

January 20, 2012

Bigger Than a Breadbox

Bigger Than A Breadbox

Getting what you want when you want it- Wow! This may be everyone's wish. But, even when we are quite young, we find out this isn't reality...but.. what if it really was possible with a few exceptions- the wish made needs to be able to fit in a breadbox.

Bigger than a Breadbox is about a magical antique bread box that grants wishes to a young girl who's life has been turned upside down by her parents' divorce/separation. Rebecca finds this wish maker after being whisked away to her grandma's house after her parents can't seem to figure out how to stay together.

The only positive thing about this separation for Rebecca is the breadbox. After granting her a book in the attic to help her overcome loneliness, many wishes find their into the box: snack cakes, lip gloss, candy and even a cell phone. When the bread box is empty after wishing for what she wants most- her family back together- Rebecca finds her thoughts moving from the material to the emotional list of wishes.

The magic of the breadbox has its limits and consequences just like Rebecca finds that her life has. This book is thought- provoking and brings one to think of their own magic and how one's wishes may or may not be possible or even wise.

A MUST READ for all ages because we all have wishes even if we don't have a breadbox.

January 12, 2012

The Nerdy Book Club

I did it! I joined a club!
 I haven't "officially" joined a "club" since college and I am excited!
So what did I have to do to gain membership? 
Was there a secret handshake I had to learn? 
Did it cost a lot of money in membership dues? 
Do I have to wear a silly uniform or perform tricks?
Well...sorta...
Here was the membership questioned asked of me:

Do you love to read?  Is talking about books something that you can’t live without?
If you answered yes to those questions, congratulations, you are a member of the Nerdy Book Club. 
YES, was my answer!
I'll tell you about the handshake, $$, and tricks later, but I can show you what will be on my silly uniform:

Join me by joining the Nerdy Book Club and read about the other members at http://nerdybookclub.wordpress.com

January 2, 2012

The 4th Stall Part II

The Fourth Stall Part II  by: Chris Rylander
Waldon Pond Press

Mac and Vince's business is overflowing!
(Which could be messy in a boys bathroom)
All the normal problems of surviving school and starting 6th grade are being handled by Mac and his guys. They even have a new teacher/baseball coach that likes the Cubs as much as they do.
Then things start going wrong: school lunches that would add calories and fat that even our fast-food restaurants couldn't serve, gym class easy enough for newborns, animal droppings showing up in lockers, and a strange new 8th grade girl, Trixie, that puts everyone in a tizzy. 
Can't get worse? Wrong!
Dr. George is brought in to FIX the problems and to administer the state standardized test that could close down the school not to mention Max's business. 
Can Max figure out how to save the school? 
Will he and Vince make the baseball team? 
Are girls really more dangerous than shotguns? 
Can anyone pass the SMART test?
Read The Forth Stall Part II and enjoy the middle school mystery!


January 1, 2012

New Year- New Books!


So, what is your New Year Resolution? 

Here is my reading goal for 2012:
  • I will read at least 212 books this year. These will be from a variety of genres and mediums. 
  • My favorite way to "read" is using the old-fashioned/low tech "book" but I will also use audio books and e-books. 
  • I will track my reading on Goodreads.com and on this blog
  • Since I read over 111 books last year, I hope that 212 books is attainable yet leaves a bit of a challenge. 
Make your reading goal attainable, measurable and challenge yourself just a bit : HAPPY READING!

December 31, 2011

Book Challenge 2011 List

2011 Book Challenge List: Books Read That I Remembered to Type... Some will Be lost Until I Read Them Again...

99. Heaven is for Real (audio)98. Birdland - T. Mack (audio)97. Inkblot96. First Garden- R. Gourley95. Lives of the Presidents- K. Krull and K, Hewitt94. Africans Thought of It- B. Opini and R. Lee93. Billions of Yeasrs of Amazing Changes- L. Pringle92. In Search of Sasquatch- KM Halls91. Pie S. Weeks90. THe 4th Stall #2 - C. Rylander89. The Death Cure- J. Dashner88. Peter Nimble J. Auxier87. The Right and the Real- J. Anthony86. Torn- M.P. Haddix85. Unwind- N. Shusterman84. The Magician's Elephant- K. DiCamillo83. True- K. Hannigan82. NOAHZARC- D. Robert Pease81. Junonia- K. Henkes80. Sidekicks- D. Santat79. Ivy + Bean Big Idea- A. Borrows / S. Blackall78. The Latte Rebellion- S. J. Stevenso 77. Sprinkles and Secrets- L. Schroeder76. Breadcrumbs- A. Ursa75. Restoring Harmony- J. Anthony74. Bigger Than a Breadbox- L. Snyder73. Guys Read- J. Scieszka72. Ashes- I. Bick71. Ashfall- M. Mullin70. War Games- A and C Couloumbis69. The Familiars #2- A and A Jacobson68. The Underwear Dare- Nardini Sisters67. The Pony Whisperer: Secret Pony Society- J. Rising66. Horrible Henry Rocks- F. Simmon65. Elliot and the Pixie Plot- J. Nielsen64. Elliot and the Goblin War- J. Nielsen63. Vordak the Incomprehensible #2- Vordak62. The Ultimate Top Secret Guide- K. Nesbitt61. Who Was King Tut?- R. Edwards60. Vordak the Incomprehensible #1- Vordak59. Go Baby Go! M. Janovitz58. Hailey Twitch:Campground Itch- L. Barnholdt57. The Warrior Sheep Go West- C Russell56. The Bully- P. Langan55. Freak the Mighty- R. Philbrick54. The Fourth Stall- C. Rylander53. The A.A. of Fan Boy and Goth Girl- B. Lyga (audio)52. Blink & Caution- T. Wynne-Jones (audio)51. Cloaked- A. Finn50. Fairest- G.C. Levine (audio)49. If I Stay - G. Forman (audio)48. The Lost Hero- R. Riorden47. Mister Monday- G. Nix (audio)46. The Necromancer- M. Scott (audio)45. Witch Child C. Rees (audio)44. The Accidental Adventure #2- C.A. London43.The Accidental Adventure #1- C.A. London42. How to Get a Job-S.LJones S. Heap41. Stupid Fast- G. Herbach40. Who What Wear- O. Bennett39. The Undertakers- T. Drago38. LionBoy- Zizou Corder37. May-Bird 2: Amoung the Stars- J. Anderson36. Shadow- J. Moss35. Rocket Town- B. Logan34. The World is a Gift For You- L. Duksta33. Beautilful Blue Eyes- M. Richmond32. Dream Big Little Pig- K. Yamaguchi31. My Name is Not Alexander- J. Foseberry30. The Water Wars- C. Stracher29. The Clockwork Three- M. Kirby28. Beastly- A. Flinn27. The Healing Spell- K. G. Little26. Haunted- J. Preble25. Instructions For A Broken Heart:- K. Culbertson24. 15 Minutes Outside- R. Cohen23. Radiance- A. Noel (audio)22.The Soreceres- M. Scott21. A Step From Heaven- A. Na20. Stork- W. Deisol 19. You- C. Benolt18. Witch- N. Holder17. The Red Pyramid- R. Riordan (audio)16. Reckless-C. Funke (audio)15. Pretty Little Liars- S. Shepard (audio)14. A Tale of Dark & Grimm- A. Gidwitz13. The Water Wars- C. Stracher12. The Mysterious Benedict Society- T. Stewart11. The Quest of the Warrior Sheep- C. Russell10. Wicked- N. Holder (audio)9. Sapphique- C. Fisher (audio)8. Jane and the Raven King- S. Chambers7. The Fairview Felines- M Corriel6. Maybird- J Anderson5. The Rendering- J. Naftali 4. The Merrybegot- J. Hearn (audio) 3. Matilda Bone- K. Cushman (audio) 2. Scorch Trials: J. Dashner1. Incarceron- C. Fisher

November 30, 2011

Time To Read NOAHZARC!

Published by Walking Stick Books

In this amazing space-age story, we are introduced to Noah Zarc, a twelve-year-old boy living in the future-- and the past. Noah and his family travel through the ages, bringing pairs of animals from the past to their specialized spaceship in preparation for re-inhabiting a post-apocalyptic Earth.  

 It doesn’t take long for the reader to put 1 and 1 together and compare the story to Noah and his family collecting animals 2 by 2 from the Bible.

Noah doesn’t stray away from adventure and excitement and finds himself looking into the face of danger more than once. Noah is a paraplegic but has the futuristic advancements making it possible for him to be a fantastic spaceship pilot and animal handler. We learn quickly that Noah’s disability will not deter him from his duties. His family doesn’t give him a chance to dwell on his disability- it is his abilities that are needed to save the animals and his parents when they are kidnapped, putting the animal mission at risk.

With his mom trapped in thirty-first century Mars and Dad trapped in the Ice Age, Noah and his siblings go into warp speed to save the future (and the past) of Earth. Noah finds an unexpected ally from the Ice Age- a girl that uses her primitive knowledge to track down the kidnapper and win over Noah’s heart.

Noah Zarc is a story that can be read over and over again! The sci-fi aspects will thrill even the most reluctant readers by introducing futuristic adventures that one can only dream about now. Destroying attack robots and testing thermal space suits during solo time travel while being a part of the ARC (Animal Rescue Cruiser) project puts this adventure story at the top of many “to be read” piles in my classroom.  The paradoxes of time travel theory are sidestepped, as the spaceship simply jumps from time period to time period. The pull to read this futuristic story is as powerful as gravity on Earth.

The environmental issues discussed are concerns students face today. The extinction of animals and the destruction of Earth will register as a future possibility by the way humans are choosing to live presently. Animal lovers and earth-wise readers will connect immediately to the ARC mission.

Action, adventure, suspense, mischief and love makes this 
a must read for all ages and interests. 
This is a book I need to buy 2 by 2: I can’t keep the single copy on my shelf! 
 VIEW THIS TRAILER TO GET YOUR FIRST LOOK AT  NOAHZARC
OMS Students: Submit an original book trailer on this book for your book study assignment 
and earn a free personal copy!

November 8, 2011

Junonia by Kevin Henkes


"A junonia shell is a rare and exceptional find- and this novel for young middle grade readers delivers an equally exquisite thrill of discovery."


 Alice Rice is looking forward to her annual family vacation on Sanibel Island, Florida - it will be her 10th birthday and her 10th trip to this beach full of memories. Her first double digit birthday promises to be filled with family, friends and sunshine. That is until her friends, family and even the sunshine leave her feeling alone and sad on her birthday. Change can be both good and bad? Will these unexpected adventures bring the luck that Alice has been wishing for and put the rare junonia shell in her hand?
The beautiful island setting and the waves of a young girl's emotions makes this a must read.
 Kevin shares Junonia in this video

November 1, 2011

NaNoWriMo Means What?


NaNoWriMo stands for National Novel Writing Month. This will be the first year I have OMS 6th graders participate. I plan on giving the students every opportunity to create a story that they can be proud to share with others. This means that during the WHOLE month of November,  ALL that we will be doing during English class will be writing and sharing about writing. We will have a few published authors Skype in and talk about their writing process and of course, continue learning new words through our spelling/vocabulary study. If you have ever experienced NaNoWriMo please let me know about your writing. If you are one of my students this year, blog about your experience- if you can find the time…

October 20, 2011

Get Ready to be Blown Away!

Windblowne Review
By Emily D.--- 7th Grade

            Windblowne, an amazing story by Stephen Messer is an exciting, fast paced book about a boy named Oliver who just can’t seem to get a kite to do what he wants. It all takes place in just three or four days in (sort-of) a town named Windblowne and the surrounding areas. It all starts when Oliver’s dad mentions that Oliver’s mom has a crazy expert kite maker for a great-uncle just one day before the annual kite flying contest that Oliver has always hopelessly dreamed about winning. So, Oliver seeks out his great-uncle, only to lose him the same day. Oliver is pulled into an adventure involving alternate worlds and evil twins. Will he be able to survive it all? Read Windblowne, by Stephen Messer to find out.

September 18, 2011

The Familiars: Three Are Choosen

The Familiars by: Adam Epstein and Andrew Jacobson
www.harpercollinschildrens.com

Secrets of the Crown is book 2 in The Familiars series by Epstein and Jacobson. This amazing fantasy/adventure book continues the quest for three very unlikely heroes to follow as the travel far and beyond to save their world and all those who live in it- animal and human.

Book 2
Book 1
Familiars, animals with special powers, have been partners and companions with their human friends for countless years. Our three prophesied heroes- a telekinetic cat, a spell binding bluejay and a water viewing tree frog have to leave their loyal humans behind while they search for the Crown of the Snow Leopard. Securing the Crown is their only hope in stopping Paksahara, an evil familiar, from destroying all that is dear to them.

Secrets of the Crown takes the reader to new, exciting and dangerous lands, introduces creatures never spoke of before and binds loyalty, friendship and family into an unstoppable force. Readers, be ready for a journey that leaves you with so many unfamiliar tales you can't stop turning pages.

Books one and two have set the stage for an epic clash of two very determined and opposing forces! Book three is sure to provide familiars and human companions a quest to end all evil encounters... or will it be just the beginning of yet another unforgettable adventure?

***Book three is in my Anticipated Book Box where I will wait impatiently for it to materialize.

-Note to readers: The Familiars is going to become an animated film- read it BEFORE you see it!

September 10, 2011

The Underwear Dare

The Underwear Dare: 5th Grade Couldn't get any Worse!
Sorelle Publishing Inc.

Imagine starting school and finding that you will be in the same class as the bully that has tormented you all through elementary school. Think life couldn't get worse? Think again...your dad has decided to marry his mom, making you roommates both in and out of school!
Eddie and Josh must find a way to survive during this unpleasant turn of events. Creating a series of dares that only boys could come up, the  reader is entertained with a series of embarrassing and gross events.

The Nardini Sisiters have shared a book that is so realistic, you can well, smell the tension. As problems are encountered resolutions are found leaving the reader with a realistic and fun to read story about life's adventures in today's pre-teen world.
       
Guest review by Mrs. Simpson-
This is a book that you should read! It is about normal kids finding themselves in not the best situations. It is interesting to see how they get themselves into and out of the mishaps. This book exceeds the gross factor scale of all books read!
The back cover has a warning label:
"Read only if you can handle being grossed-out by
popping vomit, silent but deadly farts, vibrating burps
and other dares not for the faint of heart!"