A few pages that I'll scan in and keep, but on the whole, this book falls flat. Part of the issue is that it's over a decade old, so a lot of the bookA few pages that I'll scan in and keep, but on the whole, this book falls flat. Part of the issue is that it's over a decade old, so a lot of the book is concerned with using these new-fangled "graphic novels" in classrooms. A bunch of essays from different people, so there's a range of opinion and practice represented, for better or worse. Skimmed, really, but ultimately I'm glad I got it from the library....more
Plot's a little this and the characters poorly developed. This is actually a really great textbook for the basics of research and evaluative skills. I Plot's a little this and the characters poorly developed. This is actually a really great textbook for the basics of research and evaluative skills. I got a copy to teach an undergrad class, but I'm also adapting parts to use with my middle schoolers. It has an easy, accessible way of breaking down research into specific and manageable parts ("chunking," in the pedagogical lingo), making it a reasonable guide to the research process. The organization of the book makes good sense, though I jumped around a little in teaching my research skills class, partly due to my desire to break up the assignments....more
A useful approach to storytimes, but--contrary to the premise--certainly not the only way. It's a way of running storytime as an interactive discussioA useful approach to storytimes, but--contrary to the premise--certainly not the only way. It's a way of running storytime as an interactive discussion of art and books (which is great and valuable) rather than as a performance (which is also valuable in different ways).
Good information and technique for presenting picture books, complete with the proper lingo to discuss it, but wrapped in a slightly off-putting This Is The True Way package. Thinking on some of the ideas for an upcoming class, though....more
Already ordered my own copy of this. Short and short-ish pieces (a mix of fiction, memoir, nonfiction, speeches, poetry, etc) , along with suggestionsAlready ordered my own copy of this. Short and short-ish pieces (a mix of fiction, memoir, nonfiction, speeches, poetry, etc) , along with suggestions for teaching each of the pieces in a reading class: elements to focus on, vocabulary exercises, writing and discussion prompts, extension activities. I'm planning to start my year with some of these passages, until I figure out what novels are available and being used during the school year....more
I'm only a little terrified about the reading class I'll have this year in addition to my regular library classes, given that I'm not a reading teacheI'm only a little terrified about the reading class I'll have this year in addition to my regular library classes, given that I'm not a reading teacher and have zero training in teaching reading. This book codifies a lot of what I kinda-sorta knew about it, and breaks it down into specific strategies. I'll be referring back to this often throughout the year, I think, and try to swim instead of sink.
I have the early edition, from 2000, so I'll have to modify the approaches from the suggested "copy this on transparencies for the overhead projector." Ahahahaha. Document cameras forever....more
Accidentally read all of this standing next to a shelf, trying to decide if it would make a good read-aloud for a class of third-graders. (A: maybe? AAccidentally read all of this standing next to a shelf, trying to decide if it would make a good read-aloud for a class of third-graders. (A: maybe? A lot of fun, but I'd rather something more episodic for a once-a-week visit.)
Clementine is impulsive, but good-hearted: Joey Pigza meets Ramona Quimby. She's a kid, doing kid-things for kid-reasons.
I'll probably read more of the series, but on purpose this time....more
For four years now, Bud (NOT Buddy) has been on his own. Since his mom died, Bud has shuffled between the orphanage and foster homes, until one home gFor four years now, Bud (NOT Buddy) has been on his own. Since his mom died, Bud has shuffled between the orphanage and foster homes, until one home gets to be too much. With only the sketchiest of clues to work from, Bud sets out in search of his father: a jazz musician in Grand Rapids. The meeting, however, is not at all what Bud envisioned, and Bud is learning that his place in the world is not always going to be where he thinks it is.
read for a school event. I think sixth graders will enjoy it well enough, though I don't imagine they'll exactly clamor for it. It'll lend itself to good discussion, and teaching the book in conjunction with the Great Depression will be helpful to students....more
Parvana and her family have been living under Taliban rule for a few years now. Her mom and two sisters are not allowed out of the house (being women)Parvana and her family have been living under Taliban rule for a few years now. Her mom and two sisters are not allowed out of the house (being women); Parvana only gets out because she's only 11 and helps her disabled father get to the market to sell items. When her father is arrested, though, Parvana has no choice: in order to earn money for food for her family, she must disguise herself as a boy and take over her father's market.
Parvana is scared: scared she'll be found out, scared she'll lose her family, scared her father will not come back. But she still does what she need to, even when it's terrifying, to keep her family afloat. She has no choice.
Read for the middle school book discussion next week. It's a good introduction to issues in places like Afghanistan for young,relatively sheltered, privileged middle schoolers--I'm curious to see what they think of it....more
Fast-paced and engrossing story, and reads almost like fiction--which makes it appealing for a middle-school audience. A bunch of primary-source documFast-paced and engrossing story, and reads almost like fiction--which makes it appealing for a middle-school audience. A bunch of primary-source documents reproduced within remind the reader that this is a true story, but there are no other citations provided. Where is Swanson getting his information, anyway? There's a note in the front that all quoted material comes from specific documents (letters, manuals, trial transcripts, etc), but it doesn't give any sense of where the rest comes from.
It's a little hard to keep track of who all the players are (that happens, when it's a book about conspiracy) and what each is doing. It might all make more sense in the adult version of this book, but this is another case where the adult book is just adapted into a "young readers' edition," for better or worse.
Middle school book club tomorrow, so at least I'm ready for it....more
The next time someone asks for my Statement of Teaching Philosophy, I'm just going to hand them this book. It's everything I've been struggling to artThe next time someone asks for my Statement of Teaching Philosophy, I'm just going to hand them this book. It's everything I've been struggling to articulate in interviews and conversations. Progressive Education makes intuitive sense to me--kids learn by having the opportunities to learn, by following their interests and building on concepts organically, rather than studying each piece in a vacuum and never connecting them.
All schools should be run this way. I'm lucky in that, as the school Librarian, I'm not tied to standardized tests and I can run my classes with these progressive, hands-on principles in mind.
Worth a read even if you're not in a position to implement a lot of it. There's plenty of room for improvement in public schools. Read it. Think about it. This is what education can be, and should be....more
Loved this. LOVED it. It may not have the emotional beauty or the staying power of the classics, but good lord does this bring the charms. Start with Loved this. LOVED it. It may not have the emotional beauty or the staying power of the classics, but good lord does this bring the charms. Start with The Westing Game and then put Willy Wonka in change of it, and you've got a good idea of where this book is at. I'd say it's like it was tailor-written for me, but I suspect a good majority of youth librarians feel that way.
Kyle blew off his extra-credit essay until the last possible minute, in part because who cares about getting early access to the new library? So he hands in a hastily-scribbled sentence, only to learn that the world's leading game designer--board games, video games, puzzles--will be judging the contest, and had more than a hand in the design of the building. Kyle's second attempt at the essay is much better, even if his teacher won't accept it, but Kyle knows that he hasn't lost until someone else has actually won.
Fast-paced, relateable characters, and a message reminding readers that cheaters may get ahead in the short term, but choosing kindness is a better path....more
Lots of good information on classroom management and procedures to keep things running smoothly. Could use some tightening (it's repetitive) and thereLots of good information on classroom management and procedures to keep things running smoothly. Could use some tightening (it's repetitive) and there were plenty of things that I don't need to worry about (getting kids on/off the school bus, etc) but it's useful to have a lot of these ideas in my head anyway....more
Okay, this book was really helpful, practical, and reassuring, and I totally should have read it sooner than the night before school starts.
That said:Okay, this book was really helpful, practical, and reassuring, and I totally should have read it sooner than the night before school starts.
That said: down-to-earth advice with tips for implementation, whether you're completely new or you've been teaching a while. Without being cheerleadery, it manages to be calming and convince you that you really CAN do this, even if last year was a train wreck and you're approaching your second year with a mix of optimism and dread.
Miles has been living with his dad in New Orleans, but knows that he's always going to come second to his dad's jazz career. Still, Miles has no otherMiles has been living with his dad in New Orleans, but knows that he's always going to come second to his dad's jazz career. Still, Miles has no other choices but to stick with him when Katrina approaches, and car trouble prevents them from getting out of town. They find refuge at the Superdome, but it's not the salvation they expected: gangs roam without consequence, bathrooms overflow, food is strictly rationed (and often stolen), and even the police and military officials meant to keep order turn a blind eye to the lawlessness and unrest. This isn't a story of how Miles saves his family, or brings about revolution: it's purely about surviving.
The story is accurate to all reports of what happened in the Superdome, and accurate to a high-schooler beginning to see his dad for the flawed person he is and accepting him anyway. It's a great conversation book--weather, storms, governmental response, racism. What it lacks is feeling--that visceral terror of the storm destroying your only shelter, the palpable stuffiness and grossness inside the dome.
Still, could be useful for the summer reading list, but probably more entering-10th grade in my town, due to language. Would also hand this to fans of Walter Dean Myers....more
Caitlin is having a hard time: her brother, the person who understood Caitlin better than anyone, died recently, and her Asperger's makes it difficultCaitlin is having a hard time: her brother, the person who understood Caitlin better than anyone, died recently, and her Asperger's makes it difficult for her to empathize with her dad (or anyone else). The school counselor is eager for Caitlin to stretch herself and Make Friends; Caitlin mostly doesn't care and just wants to find Closure for herself and her dad. She's learning, and grieving, and helping others more than she realizes.
That's a really crappy booktalk that will not sell this to middle-schoolers, but it's a good choice for them regardless. Not only does it press the Triumph Over Tragedy buttons, it also has the Disability element. This is all but guaranteed to appear on a summer reading list.
It's a little heartwarmy for me, but whether that's because my heart really is a chunk of stone OR because I've been reading too many Heartwarming Triumph books is uncertain....more
Ellie's world is changing: her mother keeps hoping Ellie will find her passion in theater; her bff is spending most of her time with new volleyball frEllie's world is changing: her mother keeps hoping Ellie will find her passion in theater; her bff is spending most of her time with new volleyball friends; her grandfather has moved into their house. That last one is really weird, because her grandfather is now a middle-schooler, after his scientific discoveries on reversing aging. As Ellie gets to know her grandfather as a peer, she also gets to know herself, and finds her passion in science and curiosity.
Sci-fi-ish, but in a subtle way-- more requiring a suspension of disbelief than an interest in science. This is more about growing into self-discovery than action-adventure, and would be a good choice for the sixth-grade reading list....more
Ida learned to fly from her father, and she never wants to be anywhere but in the sky. When her brother finds an ad recruiting women pilots, Ida makesIda learned to fly from her father, and she never wants to be anywhere but in the sky. When her brother finds an ad recruiting women pilots, Ida makes up her mind to apply. The WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots) program will change Ida's life--because it gives her purpose, because it gives her a way to help her brother (currently MIA in the South Pacific), because she has to pretend to be white. Ida has grown up as a light-skinned black in 1930s/1940s Louisiana, and now has the chance to pursue her dream of flying, though passing means denying her darker-skinned family.
It's a good story about a little-known footnote to WWII, and about racism, and about the ever-popular topic of Overcoming Adversity. In that regard it's an excellent choice for Summer Reading. But it does get a little History Lecture sometimes, dry and over-explain-y in the history, and slow moving, and that's going to turn kids off. (Also many historically-appropriate uses of the n-word will make it a challenge to get past parents.)...more
Ugh, I had my whole review here last night and GoodReads ate it. Last night's was far better written than this one. Sigh.
Willow has been seeing the scUgh, I had my whole review here last night and GoodReads ate it. Last night's was far better written than this one. Sigh.
Willow has been seeing the school's ineffectual behavioral counselor because she is accused of cheating on a standardized test. (She got a perfect score, but it was due to her genius, not cheating.) She is out with said counselor and a new friend when her parents are killed in a car accident, and with no other family, her friend's mom takes her in (temporarily) until Social Services can find her a permanent placement. As "temporary" stretches into weeks, and then months, Willow finds herself belonging in a way she never has before--and she's beginning to bring out the best in the people around her as well.
This is a little Magical Fairy Tale for my tastes, but as a Triumph-Over-Adversity summer-reading type book, it's excellent. The reader is reminded of Willow's grief from time to time, but mostly she seems to be okay, like her parents are on an extended vacation and she barely gives a thought to her old life (except that she misses the garden behind her old house). Naturally she brings out people's willingness to help, and makes them better people, because that's what kind of book this is.
It does have a multicultural cast (Willow is mixed-race but adopted, so we don't know her background; her friend's mom is Vietnamese and their father was Mexican; the taxi driver is Latino), which gives it points in the Summer Reading column. This is the kind of book that adults will wet themselves over and middle-schoolers will pick up because they have to, though they'll probably enjoy it once they do....more
What used to be the United States has been at war (East vs West) for 75 years. Through it all, there have been advances in safety--pilots flying droneWhat used to be the United States has been at war (East vs West) for 75 years. Through it all, there have been advances in safety--pilots flying drones remotely over enemy strongholds; the whole war has become an air-war with no soldiers on the ground. Young pilot Gideon is about to receive a medal for his courage, joining only eleven other soldiers before him, but as he stands on the stage, he can't go through with it: he knows he is not a hero; he has killed over a thousand civilians, many of them children and babies. As he bolts from the ceremony, Tessa follows him--and gets mixed up in an adventure on a stolen plane that lands behind enemy lines, revealing secrets about the war that no one could have anticipated.
Action-packed and briskly-paced, this book will hook middle-schoolers of both genders. A particularly strong choice for a summer read, given its timely subject matter (the effects of war on soldiers; the never-ending nature of war; the utter pointlessness of it). As usual Haddix broadcasts her Twist right from the beginning, but my usual disclaimer (that I am 20+ years older, with more literary experience, than the target audience) applies....more
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