Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Bookaday Challenge

(I thought I had lost this post! It was typed several days ago and then disappeared. I was too devastated to redo it at the time. Now...here it is!)

As many of you know, I am participating in a book-a-day challenge with other teachers and book-loving people at Twitter-land. I've been having a lot of fun reading and staying in touch with others who are reading over the holiday break.

To update you on my progress...with seven days expired so far, I have read:

Amulet 3: The Cloud Searchers by Kazu Kibuishi

"In the third installment of the thrilling Amulet series, Emily, Navin, and their crew of resistance fighters charter an airship and set off in search of Cielis, a mythical city believed to be located on an island high above the clouds. The mysterious Leon Redbeard is their guide, and there's a surprising new addition to the crew: the Elf King's son, Trellis. But is he ally or enemy? And will Emily ever be able to trust the voice of the Amulet?"

I LOVE this series as do my students. The graphics are so crisp and colorful! I love the style. While reading this book, I was reminded of snippets from the plot of Star Wars. The author does say that the story is heavily influenced by the original Star Wars trilogy.

Click HERE to read more about the characters in the series.

Click HERE to watch a book trailer for the first book in the Amulet series.



In the second book of the Amulet series, "Emily and Navin's mother is still in a coma from the arachnopod's poison, and there's only one place to find help: Kanalis, the bustling, beautiful city of waterfalls. But when Em, her brother, and Miskit and the rest of the robotic crew aboard the walking house reach the city, they quickly realize that seeking help is looking for trouble, dangerous trouble."

Click HERE to read about the first Amulet book on my blog.


Zeus: King of the Gods by George O'Connor

George O'Connor combines his knowledge of Greek mythology and his love of classic superhero comics to create the Olympians series. Planned for twelve books, this one about Zeus is the first. Athena: Grey-Eyed Goddess was released this year as well. In July of 2011, look for Hera: The Goddess and her Glory.

Click HERE to visit the Olympians webpage. You can learn about the series as well as the author.


The Trouble With Chickens by Doreen Cronin

Here is a book I will definitely buy when it hits the bookstores on March 1, 2011. The Trouble With Chickens is a fantastically funny book with many laugh-out-loud moments. I even snorted once!

I read this as an egalley on my Nook. It is a quick read with lots of chicken humor! Great illustrations by Kevin Cornell.

I will posting a more detailed review on this book closer to the release date.



This book is a sweet, sweet read. As one of our books on the Mock Newbery list, I knew I wanted to read this one over the holiday break. I borrowed this book as an ebook and read it on my new Nook.

In 1935, eleven-year-old Turtle is sent to her relatives in Key West, Florida, while her mom is working as a housekeeper for a lady who does not like children. Turtle meets her cousins who run the local Diaper Gang. She also spends time with a sponge fisherman and goes on an unexpected treasure hunt.

I loved this book even though I was secretly hoping for a resolution between two characters at the end of the book--can't tell you who without spoiling it for you! Perhaps the author will revisit Key West and Turtle's new life with a companion book one of these days!



"An amazing secret has tumbled off a freight train into Carter, Georgia, and Owen Jester is the only person who knows about it. If he can simply manage to evade his grandfather’s snappish housekeeper, organize his two best friends, and keep his nosy neighbor, Viola, at bay, he just might be in for the summer of a lifetime."

First of all, I LOVE LOVE LOVE the cover. I knew I had to buy this book just as soon as I could visit a bookstore--which I did! I know my students will love reading this book. It is a good story, a quick read, and quite frankly, who wouldn't want to discover an amazing secret like Owen does and take it for the journey of a lifetime!

I love Barbara O'Connor's stories. Click HERE for the link to my post about How to Steal a Dog. Also check out some of her other books by clicking HERE to go to her website.


A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz

"In this mischievous and utterly original debut, Hansel and Gretel walk out of their own story and into eight other classic Grimm-inspired tales. As readers follow the siblings through a forest brimming with menacing foes, they learn the true story behind (and beyond) the bread crumbs, edible houses, and outwitted witches.

"Fairy tales have never been more irreverent or subversive as Hansel and Gretel learn to take charge of their destinies and become the clever architects of their own happily ever after."

Bloody. Gory. Scary. Heads getting chopped off. READ IT!

And be sure to click on the author's name above. He has a very cool website and reading through his website is just about as much fun as reading his book--though much less horrifying!

Happy Reading!
Mrs. T. :)

P.S. Reading is like breathing chocolate air!