tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21470010592301224862024-03-13T09:59:50.221-07:00Chocolate Air"Reading is like breathing chocolate air!"D.A. Tyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593207484505434607noreply@blogger.comBlogger123125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147001059230122486.post-91801487660642847282016-03-02T12:42:00.000-08:002016-03-02T12:42:00.069-08:00World Read Aloud Day 2016 - Part One<div>
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<a href="http://www.litworld.org/wrad/" target="_blank">World Read Aloud Day</a> is one of my favorite days of the year. To spread the joy of World Read Aloud Day this year, each of my eighth grade classes paired with younger readers to share reading experiences.</div>
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My first class of thirty eighth grade students paired with two first grade classes. We read aloud to Mrs. White and Mrs. Porter's students. We talked about our reading. We made new friends! A group of eighth graders gave a presentation about author <a href="http://www.ericaperl.com/" target="_blank">ERICA PERL</a>. The students were very interested to learn more about the author. The first graders had been reading her books in class! Did you know that ERICA loves all kinds of animals? Except worms! Did you know that ERICA loves burnt popcorn and stale red licorice? Ewww! The first graders were mesmerized.</div>
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As if sharing reading wasn't fun enough, the eighth graders invited their first grade reading buddies back to their classroom on World Read Aloud Day to Skype with ERICA PERL. Oh, the fun! </div>
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We read <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4904163-chicken-butt?from_search=true&search_version=service" target="_blank">Chicken Butt</a>! together. We watched Chicken dance at the end of the book! So. Much. Fun.</div>
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ERICA was delightful, energetic, and supportive. If any school is looking for an author who will engage their students, look no further than ERICA PERL!</div>
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Watch this video, and you will see for yourself what a wonderful World Read Aloud Day we had!</div>
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My second class of eighteen students paired with a second grade class. We also met with Mrs. Albers' class and read aloud to each other. The eighth graders read <a href="http://www.lauramurraybooks.com/" target="_blank">LAURA MURRAY</a>'S Gingerbread Man books aloud to the second graders. The second graders brought along their reading bags and read aloud to the eighth graders. We learned about LAURA MURRAY, too! Did you know LAURA grew up in Nashville, Tennessee? Did you know LAURA has been sailing, rock climbing, and scuba diving? </div>
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Sharing reading was fun, and the second graders came back on World Read Aloud Day to Skype with LAURA MURRAY. How exciting!</div>
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We listened as LAURA shared her books with us. We were in suspense as she revealed her next Gingerbread Man book, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28008105-the-gingerbread-man-loose-at-the-zoo?from_search=true&search_version=service" target="_blank">The Gingerbread Man Loose at the Zoo</a>.</div>
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LAURA was engaging, enthusiastic, and informative. If any school is looking for an author who will engage their students, look no further than LAURA MURRAY!</div>
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Watch this video, and you will see for yourself what a wonderful World Read Aloud Day we had!</div>
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<b>THANK YOU to ERICA PERL and LAURA MURRAY</b> for supporting young (and young-at-heart) readers. You made our World Read Aloud Day one that we will never forget.</div>
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Happy Reading!</div>
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Mrs. T</div>
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P.S. Reading is like breathing chocolate air!</div>
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D.A. Tyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593207484505434607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147001059230122486.post-10882767058557885352016-01-01T06:50:00.000-08:002016-01-01T06:54:36.713-08:002015 Nerdies - Middle Grade Ficition<div style="text-align: center;">
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Happy New Year!</div>
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The 2015 Nerdies in Middle Grade Fiction have been announced. Follow the link to read more!</div>
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<a href="https://nerdybookclub.wordpress.com/2016/01/01/the-2015-nerdies-middle-grade-fiction-announced-by-colby-sharp/" target="_blank">https://nerdybookclub.wordpress.com/2016/01/01/the-2015-nerdies-middle-grade-fiction-announced-by-colby-sharp/</a></div>
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Happy Reading!</div>
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D.A. Tyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593207484505434607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147001059230122486.post-43982912396237155402015-03-18T11:13:00.002-07:002015-03-18T11:14:20.873-07:00Dear Hank Williams by Kimberly Willis Holt<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">March 17, 2015<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dear Tate P. Ellerbee,<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I just now
finished reading your story. I’m a sucker for stories like yours. I think if we
would ever meet someday that we would become great friends.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">You love
your momma like I love mine. And even though our mommas are in different
places, we miss them the same. You can’t wait to see your momma when she comes
home, and I can’t wait to see mine when I go home.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Your love
for dogs and other creatures match mine. It breaks my heart to see an animal
without a home or being treated poorly. Someone has to be in a pretty low spot
to be mean to a furry creature. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tate, please
tell your Uncle Jolly and Aunt Patty Cake that I said hello. What great people
you have in your life. They remind me of my Uncle Bill and Aunt Jewel, although
they were married to each other unlike your Uncle Jolly and Aunt Patty Cake.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">Before I
end this letter, please say hi to Frog the next time you see him. He sounds
like the best little brother ever. It was real nice of him to sit and listen to
you practice your singing for the talent show. I’m gonna hold on to your Frog
stories for a long time.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">If you
ever have a spare moment, Tate, I’d love to get a letter from you. I know you
are busy with your amazing family. Take care and keep singing!<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Your
new friend,<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%;">D.
Tyo<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">P.S. I’m going to tell everyone I know about you.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">P.P.S. Maybe you’ll become as famous as Mr. Hank
Williams.</span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">**Thank you to Worch Library for the ARC of </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22544766-dear-hank-williams" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dear Hank Williams</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> by </span><a href="http://www.kimberlywillisholt.com/dear-hank-williams/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kimberly Willis Holt</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></span><br />
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<span style="line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">**Check out Kimberly Willis Holt's other great reads. Click </span><a href="http://www.kimberlywillisholt.com/all-books/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">HERE</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> for a list. Click </span><a href="http://chocolateair.blogspot.com/2010/07/water-seeker.html" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;">HERE</span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;"> to read my thoughts on <em>The Water Seeker</em>.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%;">**Reading is like breathing chocolate air!</span>D.A. Tyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593207484505434607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147001059230122486.post-76234812659669243542014-10-25T06:45:00.000-07:002014-10-25T06:45:49.657-07:00Literary Pumpkins<br />
The Worch Library announced their annual Pumpkin Decorating Contest recently. Hearing that the seventh and eighth grade category was severely lacking pumpkin entries last year, I decided to issue a challenge to my eighth grade students. It was simple. Create, on your own time, a pumpkin to enter in the contest. If my first class created at least ten pumpkins and my second class created at least seven pumpkins, we would walk our pumpkins over to the library during class time on Thursday. The catch? I challenged them to create literary pumpkins.<br />
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Happy Halloween!<br />
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Happy Reading!</div>
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Mrs. T.</div>
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P.S. Reading is like breathing chocolate air!</div>
D.A. Tyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593207484505434607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147001059230122486.post-88091619161625277482014-10-19T09:44:00.000-07:002014-10-19T09:44:42.420-07:00My Brother's Shadow by Tom Avery<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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"When writing a novel a writer should create living people; people not characters. A character is a caricature." --Ernest Hemingway</div>
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Characters. Some have a way of needling through to my heart and becoming more than just characters; they become a living person in my mind. These 'characters' are ones I want to know personally, ones I want to talk to, and ones I want to help through difficult times. Perhaps it's Benjamin in Donna Gephart's humorous book <em>Death by Toilet Paper</em>. Maybe it's Kaia in <a href="http://tomaveryauthor.com/" target="_blank">Tom Avery's</a> gut-wrenching <em><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19523450-my-brother-s-shadow?from_search=true" target="_blank">My Brother's Shadow</a></em>.</div>
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In <em>My Brother's Shadow</em>, Avery tells the story of Kaia, a year 6 student in a London school. She has felt frozen since the tragic death of her older brother. Kaia's mother is oblivious to her daughter's struggles as she is living within bottles of liquor and seems more of a child than Kaia. Kaia also struggles at school with her classmates. They say she's a freak and ostracize her without trying to sympathize. The only saving grace is a new boy who shows up at school. He does not speak but becomes a friend with whom Kaia can talk and one with whom she can begin to share her feelings.</div>
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I empathized with Kaia. I wanted to reach out to her in the pages of this book to let her know I was there. I was listening. I wanted to let her know I was hurting along with her. She was a real person to me.</div>
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Sprinkled throughout <em>My Brother's Shadow</em> are Rules for Life, significant stepping stone lessons for Kaia. They also offer opportunities for readers to stop, think, and connect Kaia's lessons with their own lives. </div>
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This is a perfect book to recommend to my eighth graders. A very accessible book for these readers, it is one with a mature theme and dark tones. In ways, this story is almost as mysterious, dark and heart-wrenching as <em>A Monster Calls</em>. </div>
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For me, the ending is satisfying. Although some readers may prefer to have all their questions answered at the end of a book, I like for questions to remain. I like filling in some of Kaia's story myself. But one thing is certain. In the ending of this book, there is hope. And as Tom Avery writes on <a href="http://tomaveryauthor.com/about-tom/4581662393" target="_blank">his web site</a>, "Hope is crucial in a children’s book."</div>
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Pair this book with <em>Wenny Has Wings </em>for a book talk, and young readers will be sure to stay a while with Kaia. The time I spent with her was valuable, and I think my students will feel the same way.</div>
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Happy Reading!</div>
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Mrs. T</div>
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P.S. Reading is like breathing chocolate air!</div>
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P.P.S. After writing my thoughts above, I kept going back to this story and uncovering deeper questions and meanings. I handed this book to my ninth grade daughter and after she finished reading, we had a lengthy discussion about the boy Kaia befriends. Wow. This book deserves close reading and thinking and discussion. It very well could be my next read aloud in the classroom.</div>
D.A. Tyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593207484505434607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147001059230122486.post-21255819066835511352014-10-16T09:40:00.000-07:002014-10-16T09:40:12.285-07:00Death by Toilet Paper by Donna Gephart<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It is sometimes quite hard to leave characters in their stories once I close the covers of a book. I feel invested in their lives; I have celebrated their successes and have sympathized with their struggles. This feeling of warmth for believable, real characters is exactly what I feel for Benjamin, the protagonist in <a href="http://www.donnagephart.com/" target="_blank">Donna Gephart's</a> newest novel, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18782850-death-by-toilet-paper?from_search=true" target="_blank">Death by Toilet Paper</a>.<br />
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I became engaged in the life of twelve year-old Benjamin. I didn't want him to worry about the rent his mom couldn't pay. I wanted to run to my bank, make a withdrawal, and send an anonymous envelope to the Epsteins that could solve their dilemma.<br />
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I didn't want Benjamin to worry about the fact that his mom wasn't making enough money working at Piggy's Pancake House. I wanted to let my school know where they could hire a dependable, hard-working mother as a classroom or library aide. <br />
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I didn't want Benjamin to fret about his grandfather's forgetfulness. I wanted to comfort Ben and tell him of my own grandmother's struggle with a similar absent-mindedness to put him at ease.<br />
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That's what incredible books have. Authentic characters. Benjamin is an honest-to-goodness, down-to-earth, amazing-amazing-amazing kid. And I'll bet that every reader knows a kid just like Benjamin. That's why <em>Death by Toilet Paper</em> makes an excellent read.<br />
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I can't wait to book talk Benjamin's story to my eighth graders. In addition to the realistic protagonist and the exciting plot, this book is humorous. There are many snort-worthy sections. I know the exact pages I will read to begin my book talk ... pages 81-83. If these pages can be read silently or aloud without a single chortle, perhaps the reader should check his/her pulse.<br />
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The toilet paper facts at the beginning of each chapter only add to the enjoyment of reading this book. I have already shared several of the facts with my students. It's hard to resist! <br />
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I am happy to say that Benjamin has secured a forever home on the classroom bookshelf right next to Olivia and David and Vanessa. <br />
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Happy Reading!<br />
Mrs. T<br />
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P.S. Reading is like breathing chocolate air!D.A. Tyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593207484505434607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147001059230122486.post-69927394273924616242014-07-05T06:47:00.003-07:002014-07-05T06:47:44.377-07:00Reading Quote<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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*Thanks to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/ascattergood" target="_blank">Augusta Scattergood</a> for sharing this quote from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RaisingReadersMaine" target="_blank">Raising Readers</a> on her Facebook page. </div>
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Happy Reading!</div>
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Mrs. T</div>
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P.S. Reading is like breathing chocolate air!</div>
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<br />D.A. Tyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593207484505434607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147001059230122486.post-75007373599010967192014-06-24T07:24:00.000-07:002014-06-24T07:25:55.206-07:00Summer 2014 Bookaday<br />
It's here! Summer! Reading! Bookaday!<br />
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Here's a quick look at some books I have read so far this summer! Remember, you can get updates on Goodreads and Twitter as well.<br />
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My first read this summer was<i> <a href="http://soldierdog.net/" target="_blank">Soldier Dog</a></i> by Sam Angus. I had to take this one slowly due to my pitiful lack of background knowledge about World War I. However, Soldier, Bones, and Pistol (the war dogs) kept me engaged and reading until the very end which did NOT disappoint.<br />
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I will gladly hand this novel to my eighth graders in the fall. The vocabulary is challenging; I don't think I would have handed <i>Soldier Dog</i> to one of my sixth graders last year without support.<br />
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This is definitely a Kleenex book--you will want to keep the tissues handy while reading this one.<br />
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I have read many many many picture books already. These were just pure fun!<br />
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<i><a href="http://asplashofredbook.com/" target="_blank">A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin</a></i> by Jen Bryant<br />
<i>Nino Wrestles the World</i> by Yuyi Morales (Click <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPmmh_h2c9U" target="_blank">HERE</a> to watch and listen as Yuyi reads her book.)<br />
<i>Little Red Writing</i> by Joan Holub (Click <a href="http://nerdybookclub.wordpress.com/2013/12/04/little-red-writing-by-joan-holub-illustrated-by-melissa-sweet-reviewed-by-wendy-lucy/" target="_blank">HERE</a> to read a review on the Nerdy Book Club site.)<br />
<i><a href="http://www.aaron-reynolds.com/carnivores.html" target="_blank">Carnivores</a></i> by Aaron Reynolds<br />
<i><a href="http://www.trudyludwig.com/mybook_invisible.html" target="_blank">The Invisible Boy</a></i> by Trudy Ludwig<br />
<i><a href="http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/book/america-beautiful-together-we-stand#cart/cleanup" target="_blank">America the Beautiful: Together We Stand</a></i> by Katharine Lee Bates<br />
<i>Battle Bunny</i> by Jon Scieszka (Click <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzWbWFlfM9g" target="_blank">HERE</a> to watch the book trailer.)<br />
<i><a href="http://www.jesseklausmeier.com/#!books/ccld" target="_blank">Open This Little Book</a></i> by Jesse Klausmeier<br />
<i>Warning: Do Not Open This Book</i> by Adam Lehrhaupt (Click<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stMSQUdxXQ8" target="_blank"> HERE</a> to watch the book trailer.)<br />
<i><a href="http://www.pamelamtuck.com/" target="_blank">As Fast As Words Could Fly</a></i> by Pamela M. Tuck<br />
<i>Tea Rex</i> by Molly Idle (Click <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wOKEKV9Sec" target="_blank">HERE</a> to watch the book trailer.)<br />
<i>Ike's Incredible Ink</i> by <a href="http://briannefarley.com/Ike-s-Incredible-Ink-1" target="_blank">Brianne Farley</a><br />
<i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17245740-the-tree-lady" target="_blank">The Tree Lady: The True Story of How One Tree-Loving Woman Changed a City Forever</a></i> by H. Joseph Hopkins<br />
<i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15781175-look-up-the-story-of-the-first-woman-astronomer" target="_blank">Look Up! The Story of the First Woman Astronomer</a> </i>by Robert Burleigh<br />
<i>Ann and Nan are Anagrams: A Mixed-Up Word Dilemma</i> by Mark Shulman (Read a review on Jen Robinson's Book Page<a href="http://jkrbooks.typepad.com/blog/2013/11/ann-and-nan-are-anagrams-mark-shulman-adam-mccauley.html" target="_blank"> HERE</a>.)<br />
<i>Xander's Panda Party</i> by Linda Sue Park (Watch the book trailer <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2t3Ta3J-TFs" target="_blank">HERE</a>.)<br />
<i><a href="http://www.oliverjeffers.com/picture-books/hueys-it-wasnt-me" target="_blank">The Hueys in...It Wasn't Me</a></i> by Oliver Jeffers<br />
<i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16650265-moonday" target="_blank">Moonday</a></i> by Adam Rex<br />
<i><a href="http://www.drawger.com/neubecker/?article_id=14349" target="_blank">Linus the Vegetarian T-Rex</a></i> by Robert Neubecker<br />
<i>The Great Lollipop Caper</i> by Dan Krall (Click<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vFpioKVPnQc" target="_blank"> HERE</a> to watch the book trailer.)<br />
<i><a href="http://www.secretpizzaparty.com/" target="_blank">Secret Pizza Party</a></i> by Adam Rubin<br />
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<i><a href="http://www.thescop.com/peter-nimble/" target="_blank">The Night Gardener</a></i> by Jonathan Auxier was just the right kind of creepy read! I can't wait to share this book with students in the fall. It reminded me of <i>Juniper Berry</i> by M.P. Kozlowsky. Click <a href="http://www.thescop.com/2014/06/a-night-gardener-soundtrack/" target="_blank">HERE </a>to visit the author's blog where he shares a list of songs that helped him finish writing <i>The Night Gardener</i>. Fantastic!<br />
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<i>Bluffton</i> has been on my TBR list for a while. This was an enjoyable read by <a href="http://www.mattphelan.com/" target="_blank">Matt Phelan</a>. <i>Bluffton</i> is a historical fiction graphic novel that I will definitely have my eighth graders put on their own TBR lists.<br />
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Looking for a good sports read? <i>Swagger </i>by <a href="http://members.authorsguild.net/carldeuker/" target="_blank">Carl Deuker</a> is a fantastic story with powerful messages. Short chapters will allow readers to slide into the story and travel with Jonas to his new town and new school. Readers will be drawn into Jonas's story and will have a hard time putting this one down. <i>Swagger </i>will absolutely be one of the first books I book talk to my eighth graders.<br />
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Yes, I FINALLY read John Green's <i>The Fault in Our Stars</i>. I read this one so that I could talk with my students in the fall about Hazel and Gus. I can see why teens have latched onto this story. Click<a href="http://johngreenbooks.com/questions-about-the-fault-in-our-stars-spoilers/" target="_blank"> HERE</a> to read John Green's answers to questions about this book. Spoilers are included, so don't read unless you have finished the book.<br />
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<i><a href="http://www.sarahcrossan.com/books" target="_blank">The Weight of Water</a></i> by Sarah Crossan was a powerful story about family, bullying, and first love. This novel in verse will be a good mentor text for poetry writing and writing notebook entries for my students.<br />
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As you can see...summer is for reading! What books have you read lately?<br />
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Happy Reading!<br />
Mrs. T<br />
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P.S. Reading is like breathing chocolate air!D.A. Tyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593207484505434607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147001059230122486.post-47393356741241894782014-05-09T08:28:00.000-07:002014-05-09T09:35:51.334-07:00The Candymakers<div style="text-align: center;">
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<u><strong>The following book talk has been submitted by sixth grader Lydia G.</strong></u></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcSIlTPVbYmLasE4aPDvcB2IEh0wOMnqo-80hyphenhyphenXdSmBDdd1edB61STHTqX9cpGF2j2_xeuvL9xAelN4Or7nV-Gxc805DrXY7BbIv5QCh8pVlc8cRNi314sLdJPy8EEFJ_ftU2NMr5nQlc7/s1600/candy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcSIlTPVbYmLasE4aPDvcB2IEh0wOMnqo-80hyphenhyphenXdSmBDdd1edB61STHTqX9cpGF2j2_xeuvL9xAelN4Or7nV-Gxc805DrXY7BbIv5QCh8pVlc8cRNi314sLdJPy8EEFJ_ftU2NMr5nQlc7/s1600/candy.png" height="200" width="136" /></a></div>
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<em><a href="http://www.candymakersbook.com/" target="_blank">The Candymakers</a></em> by Wendy Mass is a book about four kids: Logan Sweet, the candymaker's son; Miles O'Leary, a boy allergic to rowboats and the color pink; Daisy Carpenter, a cheerful, sweet girl (or so people think); and Philip Ransford III, a boy who wears a suit and tie for everything. These kids do not know anything about each other and that's good for some of them. <br />
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The kids are invited to the <strong>Life is Sweet</strong> candy factory to compete in a challenge of who can make the best candy. The winner is given a prize and more. <br />
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<em>The Candymakers</em> is divided into five parts; each character tells one part with the exception of Logan who tells the first and last part of the book. This book is part mystery and part friendship. <br />
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When I first saw this book in the library, I thought it was a huge book (over 400 pages)! But I was up for the challenge, so I started the book. It was amazing! Each day as I put the book down, it looked like it was getting smaller and smaller. I didn't mind the length at all!<br />
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Wendy Mass did an excellent job writing this book. I liked the division of each character's perspective because I could hear the thoughts of all of the characters. <br />
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So give it a try, and see if you like it.<br />
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View Wendy Mass's website <a href="http://wendymass.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a>. <br />
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Thank you, Lydia, for sharing this book!<br />
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Happy Reading!<br />
Mrs. T<br />
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P.S. Reading is like breathing chocolate air!D.A. Tyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593207484505434607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147001059230122486.post-46669965189213152892014-04-28T10:47:00.000-07:002014-04-28T10:58:12.801-07:00Legend<br />
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<strong><u>The following book talk has been submitted by sixth grader Jaden P.</u></strong></div>
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<em>Legend</em> by <a href="http://www.marielu.org/" target="_blank">Marie Lu</a> is a dystopian book like <em>The Hunger Games</em> and <em>Divergent</em>. This book takes place in the future where everything is different. The Colonies and Republic are at war while a raging plague is all over the area. The characters are June Iparis, a Republic prodigy, and Day Wing, a criminal legend. June is trying to find Day to take revenge for her brother's death, but a twist happens sending them on their journey.<br />
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For me, this book is amazing! I think the book was written well and had great details. I love that the book is set in the future so I can see the things that have changed. The characters are strong and powerful in this book, and that's another reason I like it. I am recommending this book because it is a great read. The reader gets to see into the minds of two people. It's very interesting to see two completely different lives intertwine to make the story.<br />
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Readers can find the <em>Legend</em> series website <a href="http://www.legendtheseries.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a>. <br />
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Be sure to watch the <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xut1RhDYcEA" target="_blank"><em>Legend</em> book trailer</a>. The book trailer for the second book in the series, <em>Prodigy</em>, can be watched <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azxrq4uFpgU" target="_blank">HERE</a>. The third book, <em>Champion</em>, also has a book trailer which can be found <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzZCf6xhDSM" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br />
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Thank you, Jaden, for sharing this book! This series is going on my summer TBR list!<br />
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Happy Reading!<br />
Mrs. Tyo<br />
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P.S. Reading is like breathing chocolate air!D.A. Tyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593207484505434607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147001059230122486.post-13646985082856840302014-04-22T10:05:00.000-07:002014-04-22T10:05:17.140-07:00The Vanishing Coin<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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New drawings by Eric Wight? Yes, please!</div>
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The illustrator of the popular <a href="http://authors.simonandschuster.com/eric-wight/46849303" target="_blank">Frankie Pickle</a> series makes a return in a new series authored by Kate Egan and Magician Mike Lane. The <a href="http://us.macmillan.com/series/MagicShopSeries" target="_blank">Magic Shop</a> series looks to be a promising one for budding magicians and readers alike.</div>
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In <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17454738-the-vanishing-coin-the-magic-shop-book-1" target="_blank">The Vanishing Coin (Book One),</a> fourth grader Mike is having no luck in school. He finds himself in the office continuously because he cannot sit still in class. It's so bad that his parents won't let Mike play soccer. Fourth grade is not looking so great.</div>
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Mike and Nora, a neighbor, stumble upon a quaint shop called the White Rabbit. Part magic store, Mike meets Mr. Zerlin and is in for a magical transformation.</div>
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Not only will readers enjoy Mike's story, they will also learn some secrets to magic tricks included in the book. My students had a fun time with "Can you cut a hole in this paper big enough to walk through?"</div>
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Happy Reading!</div>
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Mrs. T</div>
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P.S. Reading is like breathing chocolate air!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY1dJYM7V1EVenQieni1Uto-1L7YzIgOIMIShMqF6Rmq46Abn7KURDUWZeOWnKwM8B4vbtWjr7NwGRTclHXg1kJNmLIaOrN1aXOuoKlcB389xD-q5Nb58PoIUQnxnw3tFpBNM9juPCKDKS/s1600/coin.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">f</a></div>
D.A. Tyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593207484505434607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147001059230122486.post-29092639130650217642014-04-14T12:27:00.000-07:002014-04-14T15:53:24.451-07:00Friday Reading Squiggles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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What fun! </div>
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Last Friday, each sixth grader received a paper with a squiggle. A squiggle is nothing more than a random scribble that the students then turned into a picture or symbol about the book they were currently reading. (I use a resource book called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Squiggles-Much-Writing-Fun-Creativity/dp/0972291857/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1397500611&sr=8-1&keywords=9780972291859" target="_blank">Squiggles: So Much Writing, So Much Fun, So Much Creativity</a> by Patricia Pavelka. Honestly, though, a simple scribble on a blank sheet of paper would work just as well.) </div>
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The squiggle that the students used on Friday can be seen in most of the pictures below as two bold lines. After the students finished their illustration, each reader had a chance to share it with the class giving a quick book commercial at the same time. Not only did we see amazing creativity, we put some new books on our TBR lists as well! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTos-YwHEEeQp-4y0mhlpV_UcgUxv2WShpe1Ut7tf2r4niSA9RUaBH1z8IQ4weDB4Hol-UCn6L1yHz2_wRZW6XqFxErgM4nfVZ4MtHdUojyCDbFGEe_P90L5yBFgJJUyaIKB25B0BnBQqg/s1600/IMG_20140404_134340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTos-YwHEEeQp-4y0mhlpV_UcgUxv2WShpe1Ut7tf2r4niSA9RUaBH1z8IQ4weDB4Hol-UCn6L1yHz2_wRZW6XqFxErgM4nfVZ4MtHdUojyCDbFGEe_P90L5yBFgJJUyaIKB25B0BnBQqg/s1600/IMG_20140404_134340.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
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Old Joe Bush from <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6401375-ghost-in-the-machine?from_search=true" target="_blank">Ghost in the Machine by Patrick Carman</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF00Qr_VPwCJs7vQLfOqRNkyTyI4-2xKLu2LHdNdM5y4CAA8eFqeoEYqP-WKYOj02zzr_l-maQErFO4MQX938IB-RgYAOhXjVPuDpz7Ha1x6hP5kqCaFSOMfhVl_y20gEt1Jli16UnQctF/s1600/IMG_20140404_134411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF00Qr_VPwCJs7vQLfOqRNkyTyI4-2xKLu2LHdNdM5y4CAA8eFqeoEYqP-WKYOj02zzr_l-maQErFO4MQX938IB-RgYAOhXjVPuDpz7Ha1x6hP5kqCaFSOMfhVl_y20gEt1Jli16UnQctF/s1600/IMG_20140404_134411.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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Forest and stars from "Coyote and the Pebbles" (<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7743662-trickster" target="_blank">Trickster: Native American Tales: A Graphic Collection by Matt Dembicki</a>)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggk2inbUhUbHq-2JzlDZdteiDGq7_hgBA4j0jbpRXte_ePr9fi2SrLQAKvWSXdbdYF6wJUKC92yRfrjnJUhdQDE0R3Lc4J6Mq3znkBbb8mJFUaxH3lzsI263b3O4-xpwWUtgu7X-frm4rZ/s1600/IMG_20140404_134205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggk2inbUhUbHq-2JzlDZdteiDGq7_hgBA4j0jbpRXte_ePr9fi2SrLQAKvWSXdbdYF6wJUKC92yRfrjnJUhdQDE0R3Lc4J6Mq3znkBbb8mJFUaxH3lzsI263b3O4-xpwWUtgu7X-frm4rZ/s1600/IMG_20140404_134205.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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This reader has been enjoying <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18053082-from-texas-with-love?from_search=true" target="_blank">The Genius Files: From Texas with Love by Dan Gutman.</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXldPIr9GOzeNKaLHOU6JJ-vv5CgQhT7wWUGdfvTo4dORZhTIumQb7L5QPibrNppw0dgRbX9dHkrsVDjZ7MfK3j9Iszc-un9ZzHQ9pVReVUjBXSMZJC3C8vY76QlQFBoNv8a7BhO8phD4u/s1600/IMG_20140404_133701.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXldPIr9GOzeNKaLHOU6JJ-vv5CgQhT7wWUGdfvTo4dORZhTIumQb7L5QPibrNppw0dgRbX9dHkrsVDjZ7MfK3j9Iszc-un9ZzHQ9pVReVUjBXSMZJC3C8vY76QlQFBoNv8a7BhO8phD4u/s1600/IMG_20140404_133701.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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Here is an important scene on the island of Chuuk in <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15843286-when-the-butterflies-came?from_search=true" target="_blank">When the Butterflies Came by Kimberley Griffiths Little.</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7dGT2djt47v_2XSKm3QcHOyrMGDtatsOzuUJ9kV5Cdtyt2QMkMWQmBujpYY4Q5v7FFG9qbQ4JRT_qjdXk6qwYAZQ3ms_Mn7UUlT46KSRxdwJAGAuJgLsotxispkKl_UHSg_Z8uj39kGOf/s1600/IMG_20140404_134000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7dGT2djt47v_2XSKm3QcHOyrMGDtatsOzuUJ9kV5Cdtyt2QMkMWQmBujpYY4Q5v7FFG9qbQ4JRT_qjdXk6qwYAZQ3ms_Mn7UUlT46KSRxdwJAGAuJgLsotxispkKl_UHSg_Z8uj39kGOf/s1600/IMG_20140404_134000.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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Tommy from <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6661022-how-to-survive-middle-school?from_search=true" target="_blank">How to Survive Middle School by Donna Gephart</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOE_ckdmngq18d6yjsmCS4Dw2vnwxMhhNb8zvPo7LdA3UfFRhcthiqi_eV6PpV1L7jpjRl4oSENVE5PZKpxKDsWJ31oqN_x4ArVEAKy__caeEQj2gHgNJL4oGm6O2qxeJqO7ORxeOUT0U5/s1600/IMG_20140404_133754.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOE_ckdmngq18d6yjsmCS4Dw2vnwxMhhNb8zvPo7LdA3UfFRhcthiqi_eV6PpV1L7jpjRl4oSENVE5PZKpxKDsWJ31oqN_x4ArVEAKy__caeEQj2gHgNJL4oGm6O2qxeJqO7ORxeOUT0U5/s1600/IMG_20140404_133754.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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Philip, Daisey, and Logan stand outside of the candy factory and talk before going inside and learning how to make candy. (<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8112318-the-candymakers?from_search=true" target="_blank">The Candymakers by Wendy Mass</a>)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8l_DpNh5IW5mTCZ5fzVd7EQbtVu_11l844fpnVFX07Q1D_Ic3DqpdmRN6XrM2pf8bep_zS2NoIEiXnSqp2i_gB1nHyeu2uawj5YNaLb37ioqYbjRjmfwhJbJzSGVwW4qLvH871aw4uLXp/s1600/IMG_20140404_133828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8l_DpNh5IW5mTCZ5fzVd7EQbtVu_11l844fpnVFX07Q1D_Ic3DqpdmRN6XrM2pf8bep_zS2NoIEiXnSqp2i_gB1nHyeu2uawj5YNaLb37ioqYbjRjmfwhJbJzSGVwW4qLvH871aw4uLXp/s1600/IMG_20140404_133828.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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Fisher is on a mission to find the Western Ark. (<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9580832-the-boy-at-the-end-of-the-world?from_search=true" target="_blank">The Boy at the End of the World by Greg van Eeekhout</a>)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDqw6MpfOEQyydkiiu1oygDrZtKefpzka2HTCdFosTvodH2cJ1wFmu2SENpRUmBIS2gxQOeeRn3bBPByZI4CL4M96CPPhV92kRLE9lqJeA52-4yeRhjTJ6EwPXxDjYZXTihgzNetm9b06/s1600/IMG_20140404_134032.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPDqw6MpfOEQyydkiiu1oygDrZtKefpzka2HTCdFosTvodH2cJ1wFmu2SENpRUmBIS2gxQOeeRn3bBPByZI4CL4M96CPPhV92kRLE9lqJeA52-4yeRhjTJ6EwPXxDjYZXTihgzNetm9b06/s1600/IMG_20140404_134032.jpg" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
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This boat plays a significant role in <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7293597-the-healing-spell?from_search=true" target="_blank">The Healing Spell by Kimberley Griffiths Little</a>.</div>
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Happy Reading!</div>
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Mrs. T</div>
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P.S. Reading is like breathing chocolate air!</div>
D.A. Tyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593207484505434607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147001059230122486.post-89358172180608770452014-03-26T11:01:00.002-07:002014-03-26T11:58:44.386-07:00World Read Aloud Day 2014<br />
It has been exactly three weeks since World Read Aloud Day 2014. It's time to recap the wonderful visits that took place on the first Wednesday in March of this year.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzB1DzJyNN9_tJ-X6f0JaZx8oCsb1BAxWHyQXhDXBwpQabNepgcRnrv-BYIjQFmI1opECz43apnQf9ywwWENdE_9J_E9mXiFbaOgXgxDtqcuMVisMJ51UKxOe_AiNQ6BnBIbJYJFn59Vpp/s1600/nan2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzB1DzJyNN9_tJ-X6f0JaZx8oCsb1BAxWHyQXhDXBwpQabNepgcRnrv-BYIjQFmI1opECz43apnQf9ywwWENdE_9J_E9mXiFbaOgXgxDtqcuMVisMJ51UKxOe_AiNQ6BnBIbJYJFn59Vpp/s1600/nan2.png" height="200" width="133" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iBeHNZf1TOVxInuLh4HO94b3HivNbJM46AjK9MTLl4b0OwzoygyPoRg2Lmv9AHC3OY0vfuVdF0YTSB7dlMIr0gEZDmpxpHZB5ltNIdHV36xnv6Hksb4eowV9x3lSXeMCEN0Hzuy2-dFH/s1600/nan.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iBeHNZf1TOVxInuLh4HO94b3HivNbJM46AjK9MTLl4b0OwzoygyPoRg2Lmv9AHC3OY0vfuVdF0YTSB7dlMIr0gEZDmpxpHZB5ltNIdHV36xnv6Hksb4eowV9x3lSXeMCEN0Hzuy2-dFH/s1600/nan.png" height="200" width="141" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2iBeHNZf1TOVxInuLh4HO94b3HivNbJM46AjK9MTLl4b0OwzoygyPoRg2Lmv9AHC3OY0vfuVdF0YTSB7dlMIr0gEZDmpxpHZB5ltNIdHV36xnv6Hksb4eowV9x3lSXeMCEN0Hzuy2-dFH/s1600/nan.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Nan Marino</span></h2>
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At 8:30 in the morning, the sixth graders had the opportunity to Skype with <a href="http://www.nanmarino.com/" target="_blank">Nan Marino</a>, author of <a href="http://chocolateair.blogspot.com/2011/02/neil-armstrong-is-my-uncle-other-lies.html" target="_blank">Neil Armstrong is My Uncle & Other Lies Muscle Man McGinty Told Me</a> and <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15792865-hiding-out-at-the-pancake-palace?from_search=true" target="_blank">Hiding Out at the Pancake Palace</a>. Nan talked about one of her earliest memories of being read aloud to. She gushed with fond thoughts of her fourth grade teacher reading <u>Charlotte's Web</u>. This book holds many memories in its pages for Nan.
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Nan told the sixth graders that reading (and writing) is like a muscle; we get rusty if we don't read and write. Nan also described the work that goes into writing a book. She is always revising her stories. She said that writers take chances, and writers always make mistakes. In addition, she told the students about the hours of research she completed to define what sound a Slinky makes when writing her first book. In the end, she decided the sound was, "Shink. Shink. Shink."<br />
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Nan reminded the students that, "Stories are amazingly powerful." Before the Skype was over, Nan recommended <em><a href="http://www.chocolateair.blogspot.com/2014/03/a-snicker-of-magic_23.html" target="_blank">A Snicker of Magic</a></em> by Natalie Lloyd and <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17334271-rooftoppers" target="_blank">Rooftoppers</a> by Katherine Rundell to the sixth graders as fantastic stories that were put on their TBR lists.<br />
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**We thank <strong>NAN MARINO</strong> so much for the time she took out of her busy day as a librarian and writer to meet with us and share her stories.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbuZFEdwfeJ7dyN_ShOuaaMiXZC87cXAfDQvZwYlohWIrU9fXFnssW5Us1cXBXDe6lnikzsqPrkxaN2wPMoZbf-UN30tYXSUL_3uPLaCW5OOvGqG_p6NHQPvX-xB1pdOP97f5XV3TyL3d/s1600/poop2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbuZFEdwfeJ7dyN_ShOuaaMiXZC87cXAfDQvZwYlohWIrU9fXFnssW5Us1cXBXDe6lnikzsqPrkxaN2wPMoZbf-UN30tYXSUL_3uPLaCW5OOvGqG_p6NHQPvX-xB1pdOP97f5XV3TyL3d/s1600/poop2.png" height="200" width="160" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig6xzHv__l146gUdvW1aYGekPwvvmH9Wjk3ypvrt82ly6Pgkpd5H1HzXBG3Qcvtb7o5kX5VSj3kKzvlopkTShv6E8ENJXdgQEp1dGfVnlA_U-Gi_A4sTR4cXxdGPvKLKPyN7tRZ1lnoxVi/s1600/poop.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig6xzHv__l146gUdvW1aYGekPwvvmH9Wjk3ypvrt82ly6Pgkpd5H1HzXBG3Qcvtb7o5kX5VSj3kKzvlopkTShv6E8ENJXdgQEp1dGfVnlA_U-Gi_A4sTR4cXxdGPvKLKPyN7tRZ1lnoxVi/s1600/poop.png" height="200" width="160" /></a><br />
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Sarah Albee</h2>
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At 9:15 in the morning, we were very fortunate to Skype with <a href="http://www.sarahalbeebooks.com/" target="_blank">Sarah Albee</a>. Sarah had a previous Skype visit scheduled that had to be postponed. We snatched up the extra time, and the sixth graders were so glad we did! Sixth graders think poop and bugs are two of the coolest and acceptably nastiest topics about which to read. <br />
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Sarah kept the students entertained by reading about Ancient Egyptian poop. The sixth graders had already studied the Ancient Egyptians and were pleased to add to their knowledge with facts from <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7703661-poop-happened?from_search=true" target="_blank">Poop Happened!: A History of the World From the Bottom Up</a>. <br />
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Sarah shared her early reading memories and talked about her parents' love of reading. They were big storytellers. Sarah writes every day and often does so on her treadmill desk! The students decided they want one of these for the classroom!<br />
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Sarah loves research. She spoke to the students about calling up experts and going to the library. The students remained wide-eyed through the Skype and were amazed at the connections they had with her. When Sarah recommended <a href="http://chocolateair.blogspot.com/2012/10/wonder.html" target="_blank">Wonder</a> by R.J. Palacio and <a href="http://chocolateair.blogspot.com/2012/01/one-and-only-ivan.html" target="_blank">The One and Only Ivan</a> by Katherine Applegate, they were thrilled to have read both of these books, too. Sarah also recommended <a href="http://chocolateair.blogspot.com/2011/06/how-they-coraked-awful-ends-of-awfully.html" target="_blank">How They Croaked: The Awful Ends of the Awfully Famous</a>.<br />
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**We thank <strong>SARAH ALBEE</strong> for fitting us into her World Read Aloud Day schedule. We cannot wait to read about the history of crazy fashion and look at the pictures in her soon-to-be book.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvNiFraGm8Qrj0arUhBTTeiNfR4Hnos8yHzSeG01fLGi6KWUA0iZhmlK8uxBlqlhP55FtBxAi9AH3weO4OE0X_QDaSnixHTLWa0FFyo_9z1plF78ReNuHuVj4mFLGma2i2EHaWE4fd4nQw/s1600/k4.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvNiFraGm8Qrj0arUhBTTeiNfR4Hnos8yHzSeG01fLGi6KWUA0iZhmlK8uxBlqlhP55FtBxAi9AH3weO4OE0X_QDaSnixHTLWa0FFyo_9z1plF78ReNuHuVj4mFLGma2i2EHaWE4fd4nQw/s1600/k4.png" height="200" width="126" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6IKYEJU14qBnjqHanIb6lAZWJnhsGM6MgIe7MuFt4s9oddR_K8Sf8jrHKjfzQIP5UYpmCr96Q9dgUXgnoo1OQY_MCnVmEQdbFiRRzFqovwumkFx2Df59uXYU8UlCWovtToJLKrKl5aL8d/s1600/k.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6IKYEJU14qBnjqHanIb6lAZWJnhsGM6MgIe7MuFt4s9oddR_K8Sf8jrHKjfzQIP5UYpmCr96Q9dgUXgnoo1OQY_MCnVmEQdbFiRRzFqovwumkFx2Df59uXYU8UlCWovtToJLKrKl5aL8d/s1600/k.png" height="200" width="132" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong>Kimberley </strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong>Griffiths </strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong>Little</strong></span></div>
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The morning continued to fly by. At 10:20, <a href="http://www.kimberleygriffithslittle.com/" target="_blank">Kimberley Griffiths Little</a> joined us in the classroom via Skype. Kimberley is the author of several books. Since our Skype, the sixth graders have been devouring <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10563347-the-healing-spell" target="_blank">The Healing Spell</a>, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10626634-circle-of-secrets?from_search=true" target="_blank">Circle of Secrets</a>, and <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15843286-when-the-butterflies-came?from_search=true" target="_blank">When the Butterflies Came</a>. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18889246-the-time-of-the-fireflies?from_search=true" target="_blank">The Time of the Fireflies</a> will be a popular one when it is released in July.<br />
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Kimberley proved that WRAD was turning out to be "a long glorious day" when she read the first chapter of her newest book, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18889246-the-time-of-the-fireflies?from_search=true" target="_blank">The Time of the Fireflies</a>, to the sixth graders. She told them they were the first to ever hear the beginning chapter of the book read aloud!<br />
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She showed the students pictures of beautiful butterflies from her research of <u>When the Butterflies Came</u>. Students saw the red lacewing, small blue, and the piano key butterflies. Kimberley talked to the students about writing being a lot of thinking and a lot of questions. She uses a notebook for ideas and discussed her 3x5 card plotting.<br />
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**We thank <strong>KIMBERLEY GRIFFITHS LITTLE</strong> for Skyping with us on World Read Aloud Day. The sixth graders are voraciously reading her books and enjoying them. The students also thank her for sending gorgeous bookmarks and book club cards!<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL9UW9iG8PY48KZElwaqpdOkmNWh6mdQIpWv5e32ZXtV1rv-n6trFjSxu-H6Csk5J7hPUBGt2fb_Dppv1rgKkqmuAsy_uWK3UX8AYkTTrjuBvPZi9BhGTntxzyeKWOlXO26bM83hv9Cx8-/s1600/d2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL9UW9iG8PY48KZElwaqpdOkmNWh6mdQIpWv5e32ZXtV1rv-n6trFjSxu-H6Csk5J7hPUBGt2fb_Dppv1rgKkqmuAsy_uWK3UX8AYkTTrjuBvPZi9BhGTntxzyeKWOlXO26bM83hv9Cx8-/s1600/d2.png" height="200" width="131" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4QKSbndjFoQTDZ7OdhW1Pna83qoHuLaBlBTYrSeLAXueUXuDtU0_DeuUu4N9a3iYfCsb4NYDV1cvyxQgCOhR64KIhVHmQNyxmWvqCi7pvM-kohFuEWJZ51O0DHWYyPQBIRIY-AEcktGon/s1600/d3.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4QKSbndjFoQTDZ7OdhW1Pna83qoHuLaBlBTYrSeLAXueUXuDtU0_DeuUu4N9a3iYfCsb4NYDV1cvyxQgCOhR64KIhVHmQNyxmWvqCi7pvM-kohFuEWJZ51O0DHWYyPQBIRIY-AEcktGon/s1600/d3.png" height="200" width="132" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Donna Gephart</span> </h2>
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World Read Aloud Day would not be complete without a Skype visit from <a href="http://www.donnagephart.com/" target="_blank">the ever-fantastic, super-hysterical, greatly-loved Donna Gephart</a>. We Skyped at 11:00 in the morning which was apparently the perfect time for the Internet to go haywire! Alas!</div>
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Even though our connection was not perfect, the sixth graders clearly understood why Donna remains a favorite in our classroom. Through her witty and entertaining story of her sister and The Price is Right to the exclamation of "You will never ever be a writer!" she had the students laughing and learning the entire visit. Is it surprising that Donna is teaching a creative writing class this year?<br />
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Oh the fun we had! Donna had the perfect book recommendations of <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/38709.Holes?from_search=true" target="_blank">Holes</a> by Louis Sachar and <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1535111.A_Crooked_Kind_of_Perfect?from_search=true" target="_blank">A Crooked Kind of Perfect</a> by Linda Urban. She also mentioned a *personal* favorite (of this teacher) when she named <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8953.Freak_the_Mighty?from_search=true" target="_blank">Freak the Mighty</a> by Rodman Philbrick.<br />
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**We thank <strong>DONNA GEPHART</strong> for taking time to Skype with us. The sixth graders absolutely, hands-down, 100% definitely, positively, no-bones-about-it, CANNOT WAIT for <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18782850-death-by-toilet-paper?from_search=true" target="_blank">Death by Toilet Paper</a> to get delivered to our bookstores this summer. You rock, Donna! You rock!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4fKgEd2fP4H9WZvODQxIPhBb9Q31v3eKjStQz9QrNUMjLjWSeETIas9YQ-nqjTARAO2W_ZeH1sHD755gJsGSlmWW90loLsfJCDb0rFbwjfYcyOb6ktoRdTpDLGfQad7J9eJWhBo13Bylg/s1600/g2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4fKgEd2fP4H9WZvODQxIPhBb9Q31v3eKjStQz9QrNUMjLjWSeETIas9YQ-nqjTARAO2W_ZeH1sHD755gJsGSlmWW90loLsfJCDb0rFbwjfYcyOb6ktoRdTpDLGfQad7J9eJWhBo13Bylg/s1600/g2.png" height="200" width="132" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGdn9nIsK9V1yVN-2jUWkcc8Wg8mOlQRTktilWX2_vgToT5EVti6KSBiuJxOVvyFo4yQOqknMimhjDUxIyGaSGbdHE9TOIfdS6rOCdmJRa5q2xbugres_WQYHPz1LirO8zbYCcU-wP-cJB/s1600/g1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGdn9nIsK9V1yVN-2jUWkcc8Wg8mOlQRTktilWX2_vgToT5EVti6KSBiuJxOVvyFo4yQOqknMimhjDUxIyGaSGbdHE9TOIfdS6rOCdmJRa5q2xbugres_WQYHPz1LirO8zbYCcU-wP-cJB/s1600/g1.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></a><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">Greg van Eekhout</span></strong> </div>
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World Read Aloud Day continued into the afternoon. At 12:30 we were joined by <a href="http://writingandsnacks.com/" target="_blank">Greg van Eekhout</a>, author of <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7198234-kid-vs-squid?from_search=true" target="_blank">Kid vs. Squid</a> and <a href="http://chocolateair.blogspot.com/2011/05/boy-at-end-of-world.html" target="_blank">The Boy at the End of the World</a>. Greg graciously read aloud to us from <u>The Boy at the End of the World</u>. Many readers were hooked on Fisher's story that day and multiple copies of the book had to be requested from the local library.<br />
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Greg had very wise words for the sixth graders. He told us that writers have to write "a million words of junk before you do good writing." He said that "not writing" is "a big failure for writers" and that one has to "write a bad book before a good book." <br />
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The most poignant of all advice from Greg was the quote "Fill your life with words." <br />
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Before we said good-bye, Greg recommended <u>The One and Only Ivan</u> by Katherine Applegate to us. The students loved hearing that this author had a special place in his heart for a book they loved as well. Greg told the students that Ivan was actually an inspiration for his work in progress, a "robot book."<br />
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**We thank <strong>GREG VAN EEKHOUT</strong> and <strong>DOZER</strong> for taking time to Skype with us. The sixth graders appreciate the fact that he was willing to read aloud to us. The students thought Greg was quite funny and sincere and hope that we get to read another book from him very soon!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2bxx3Heu6ZAUJSvzk-I0kOoU237RP10Nc3mmMEhPavR5DYBJXoEEzSgDFRNV-8GuLPggHue9yE3HuSYhMmakSY6OPwmmhXzq05YgUDJb9q0ItH6mWYVL651gqCvPAT6gx5AHht-cEu9X5/s1600/c1.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2bxx3Heu6ZAUJSvzk-I0kOoU237RP10Nc3mmMEhPavR5DYBJXoEEzSgDFRNV-8GuLPggHue9yE3HuSYhMmakSY6OPwmmhXzq05YgUDJb9q0ItH6mWYVL651gqCvPAT6gx5AHht-cEu9X5/s1600/c1.png" height="200" width="136" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdsGd1LH7AFFihF87n1CYMrftsHYjLdp9RaXcqEaLfgpphc3DPzY5PIF5cIiYKVMmgs3X3SL-jiQ3FojzGFho3l-4d9tJyIuwrJs9qL6CQ7aDaBzg-ujMsgA0CDTWuyNn6tSu8_j3NYBlX/s1600/c2.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdsGd1LH7AFFihF87n1CYMrftsHYjLdp9RaXcqEaLfgpphc3DPzY5PIF5cIiYKVMmgs3X3SL-jiQ3FojzGFho3l-4d9tJyIuwrJs9qL6CQ7aDaBzg-ujMsgA0CDTWuyNn6tSu8_j3NYBlX/s1600/c2.png" height="200" width="139" /></a><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Chris Grabenstein</strong></div>
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World Read Aloud Day couldn't end any better than with our 1:00 Skype with <a href="http://www.chrisgrabenstein.com/kids/" target="_blank">Chris Grabenstein</a>. Even though this visit (at first) had no audio, Chris was the ultimate puzzle solver. Hmmm....a little bit like Kyle in <a href="http://chocolateair.blogspot.com/2013/08/escape-from-mr-lemoncellos-library.html" target="_blank">Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library</a>?! We made a phone call, and by holding a microphone next to a cell phone, we were able to hear Chris perfectly and talk books and writing! </div>
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Chris shared the question spotlight with his famous dog Fred for a minute during the Skype visit. However, the students were eager to hear from Chris and learn more about his writing life. He talked about collaborating with James Patterson on <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14781201-i-funny?from_search=true" target="_blank">I Funny</a> and <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17269359-treasure-hunters?from_search=true" target="_blank">Treasure Hunters</a>. He talked about his newest book, <u>Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library</u>.<br />
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All of Chris's books have been checked out since our visit, and some students are on the third and fourth book in <a href="http://chocolateair.blogspot.com/2013/08/escape-from-mr-lemoncellos-library.html" target="_blank">The Crossroads</a> series. Students are also enjoying solving puzzles along with Kyle in Luigi's library.<br />
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**We thank <strong>CHRIS GRABENSTEIN</strong> and <strong>FRED</strong> and <strong>PHOEBE SQUEAK</strong> and <strong>TIGER LILLY</strong> and <strong>PARKER</strong> for taking time to Skype with us and sending pictures to us after our visit. We know how busy he must be and very much appreciate the extra effort he went to in order to make our visit happen on WRAD.<br />
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THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to all the authors! You are our ROCK STARS!<br />
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Happy Reading!<br />
Mrs. T<br />
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P.S. Reading is like breathing chocolate air!<br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-contextual-alternates: yes; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It<strong>’s</strong> about words<strong>.</strong><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s about ice cream. It’s about magic. It’s about family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNj6ztOfjszypVofCN-7agMPq7BOCwSKaIb-_0Pwq0iJMlEaev_1ms4f_gx6GruyZBpGYWAbo9snm5yUZnAjX28u184xN4olbGLpsj6_sa2e83-rN1iqkjovvdOTlCOhBFvVgMG-mnwzoB/s1600/magic.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><strong><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNj6ztOfjszypVofCN-7agMPq7BOCwSKaIb-_0Pwq0iJMlEaev_1ms4f_gx6GruyZBpGYWAbo9snm5yUZnAjX28u184xN4olbGLpsj6_sa2e83-rN1iqkjovvdOTlCOhBFvVgMG-mnwzoB/s1600/magic.png" /></strong></span></a></span></div>
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<span style="mso-contextual-alternates: yes; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It’s about Felicity Juniper Pickle and Jonah Pickett.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s about Frannie Jo and Mama. It’s about Miss Lawson. It’s about the Brothers Threadbare. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s about Day Grissom, Aunt Cleo, Oliver and Charlie Sue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s about Boone and Florentine and Jewell and Rosie and Elvis Phillips. It’s about Midnight Gulch and everything that happens after the Pickled Jalapeno pulls into town.</span></span><br />
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<span style="mso-contextual-alternates: yes; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This story is comparable to making a big ‘ole ice cream sundae. Take your favorite kind of ice cream and start drizzling a variety of toppings over it…In <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18222556-a-snicker-of-magic?from_search=true" target="_blank"><span style="color: #473624;">A Snicker of Magic</span></a></i> by Natalie Lloyd, take Felicity, Frannie Jo, and Mama then start drizzling other characters into their lives—Jonah, Cleo, and the rest of the residents of Midnight Gulch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the end, there is one delicious taste and satisfying ending.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="mso-contextual-alternates: yes; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;"><o:p>Here's just a taste of <em>A Snicker of Magic</em>...</o:p></span><span style="mso-contextual-alternates: yes; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;">“Believe. The letters were made of melted sunshine. They dripped down the window glass, warm and tingly against our faces. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Believe </i>is a powerful word to see and to say.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But that morning, I felt it. And feeling it was the best of all. I knew something wonderful was about to happen to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I didn’t know what, or why, or how. But I believed.”<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-contextual-alternates: yes; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Patch it<o:p></o:p></span></span>
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<span style="mso-contextual-alternates: yes; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Mend it<o:p></o:p></span></span><br /><span style="mso-contextual-alternates: yes; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Stitch it back together<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="mso-contextual-alternates: yes; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Want another bite? “I bet there’s a snicker of magic on every street, in every old building, every broken heart, every word of a story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe it’s hidden away and you need to look harder for it. Or maybe the magic is right there, right in front of you, and all you have to do is believe.”</span></span><br />
<span style="mso-contextual-alternates: yes; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><o:p></o:p></span></span> </div>
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<span style="mso-contextual-alternates: yes; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Yes, Yes Yes!</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; mso-contextual-alternates: yes; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;">Factofabulous</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; mso-contextual-alternates: yes; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-contextual-alternates: yes; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;">Spindiddly</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-contextual-alternates: yes; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-contextual-alternates: yes; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;"></span><br /><span style="line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-contextual-alternates: yes; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Be sure to visit the author's blog </span><a href="http://natalielloyd.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="color: #473624;">HERE</span></span></a><span style="font-family: inherit;">.</span></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-contextual-alternates: yes; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-contextual-alternates: yes; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;">Happy Reading!</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-contextual-alternates: yes; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;">Mrs. T</span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-contextual-alternates: yes; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-contextual-alternates: yes; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-font-kerning: 14.0pt;">P.S. Reading is like breathing chocolate air!</span> </span><br />D.A. Tyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593207484505434607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147001059230122486.post-89817562532398386282014-03-15T07:14:00.000-07:002014-03-15T07:15:50.024-07:00Flora and Ulysses<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: right;">
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cynic malfeasance tentative inadvertently obliged mundane smug heinous eradicate deplete literal envision treacherous vanquish stout capacious foreboding immensely perpetually retract inept relevant pervasive strewn inexplicable ... <br />
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Words have flying around the classroom like superheroes during our most recent read aloud, <em><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16052012-flora-and-ulysses?from_search=true" target="_blank">Flora and Ulysses</a></em>. The 2014 Newbery Medal Winner about a girl and a rescued squirrel held the sixth graders' attention from beginning to end. I think we are still seeing Kate DiCamillo's captivating language in comic-strip bubbles over our heads!<br />
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We ate donuts with sprinkles and wrote letters and poetry. We cheered for Ulysses. We rooted for Flora. We empathized with William Spiver. We shook our heads at Phyllis Buckman. We adored Mr. Buckman. "How do you do?" <br />
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You haven't read <em>Flora and Ulysses</em>? Such a malfeasance! Get to your library or local bookstore to pick up this delightful story. (And don't forget to swing by your grocery store and grab a bag of cheese puffs to go along with it.)<br />
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Happy Reading!<br />
Mrs. T<br />
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P.S. Reading is like breathing chocolate air!<br />
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D.A. Tyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593207484505434607noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147001059230122486.post-46573007940343699742014-01-01T07:40:00.000-08:002014-01-01T07:40:39.059-08:00Happy New Year...of Reading!<br />
What better way to come back to the blog than to share the good Nerdy news...the 2014 Middle Grade Nerdies Announcement!<br />
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Before I list the winners and link to the Nerdy Book Club website, I'd like to acknowledge the other nominees. When taking a look at this list, you'll wonder how readers were able to vote in the first place.<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13414183-better-nate-than-ever?from_search=true" target="_blank">Better Nate Than Ever</a> by Tim Federle - This book is on my TBR list, and I will be getting to it as soon as possible. Looks good!<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15944406-doll-bones?from_search=true" target="_blank">Doll Bones</a> by Holly Black - Read it. Book talked it. Students are reading it. What more can I say?<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15752337-every-day-after?from_search=true" target="_blank">Every Day After</a> by Laura Golden - This is another book on my TBR list. It sounds wonderful, and I've only read the first line of the book, "I learned a lot from my daddy, but the number one most important thing is this: never, ever, under any circumstances, let something get the best of you." <br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15815410-hold-fast?from_search=true" target="_blank">Hold Fast</a> by Blue Balliett - I actually had this checked out from the library but didn't have a chance to read it. It's a new year, though, which means more time for reading!<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16240734-p-s-be-eleven?from_search=true" target="_blank">P.S. Be Eleven</a> by Rita Williams-Garcia - I'm feeling terrible here! No, I haven't read this one, even though it is in my classroom. I must rectify this soon! I did read <em>One Crazy Summer</em> and loved it. I'm sure to like this sequel.<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17332435-the-boy-on-the-porch?from_search=true" target="_blank">The Boy on the Porch</a> by Sharon Creech - What a great story and wonderful testament to foster families! I have this book in the classroom and have encouraged all my students to pick it up and devour it.<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15814452-the-center-of-everything?from_search=true" target="_blank">The Center of Everything</a> by Linda Urban - This is a book I would love to go back to and reread sometime. I will be book talking this in the new year to my sixth graders. What reader wouldn't be intrigued by a story that takes place in the course of a single parade route?<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15703770-the-runaway-king?from_search=true" target="_blank">The Runaway King</a> by Jennifer Nielsen - I love Jaron's story that began in <em>The False Prince</em> and continues in this book. I cannot wait for the next book <em>The Shadow Throne</em> coming out February 25.<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16074339-the-true-blue-scouts-of-sugar-man-swamp?from_search=true" target="_blank">The True Blue Scouts of Sugar Man Swamp</a> by Kathi Appelt - Don't miss out on reading this fun story! I thoroughly enjoyed it. I just may pick up the audio version of this book and 'read' it with my students. I have heard that the audio version is amazing with Lyle Lovett as the reader.<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14289259-the-water-castle?from_search=true" target="_blank">The Water Castle</a> by Megan Frazer Blakemore - It's on the TBR list. I think the cover has been keeping me from reading it. I should trust my Nerdy friends, though, and pick this one up soon. <br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17286690-wake-up-missing?from_search=true" target="_blank">Wake Up Missing</a> by Kate Messner - I've read just about every Kate Messner book, but this, too, is on the TBR list. I'm sure I won't be disappointed when I finally grab this one.<br />
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SO THERE! Do you see how hard the vote must have been? Nearly impossible. <br />
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The WINNERS of the 2014 MIDDLE GRADE NERDIES are...and I have read every single one...<br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15766776-rump?from_search=true" target="_blank">RUMP: THE TRUE STORY OF RUMPELSTILTSKIN</a> by Liesl Shurtliff</div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17349055-the-real-boy?from_search=true" target="_blank">THE REAL BOY</a> by Anne Ursu</div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15937108-counting-by-7s?from_search=true" target="_blank">COUNTING BY 7S</a> by Holly Goldberg Sloan</div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16054808-escape-from-mr-lemoncello-s-library?from_search=true" target="_blank">ESCAPE FROM MR. LEMONCELLO'S LIBRARY</a> by Chris Grabenstein</div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16052012-flora-and-ulysses?from_search=true" target="_blank">FLORA & ULYSSES</a> by Kate DiCamillo</div>
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Travel over to <a href="http://nerdybookclub.wordpress.com/2014/01/01/2014-middle-grade-fiction-nerdies/" target="_blank">The Nerdy Book Club's site</a> to read more about these finalists. Which ones can you not wait to read?</div>
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Happy Reading!</div>
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Mrs. T</div>
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P.S. Reading is like breathing chocolate air!</div>
D.A. Tyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593207484505434607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147001059230122486.post-21296740039914923652013-08-01T07:20:00.000-07:002013-08-01T07:23:22.860-07:00Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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Wait a second. <i>The Crossroads</i>? Why is this post titled "Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library" yet <i>The Crossroads</i> cover is here?</div>
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I loved reading <i>The Crossroads</i> by Chris Grabenstein. What a spooky story! I recommend it every year to all my sixth grade readers (and other readers I happen to see in the library). </div>
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<i>Zack, his dad, and new stepmother have just moved back to his father's hometown in Connecticut, not knowing that their new house has dark history. Fifty years ago, a crazed killer caused an accident at the nearby crossroads that took forty innocent lives. He died when his car hit a tree in a fiery crash, and his malevolent spirit has inhabited the tree ever since. During a huge storm, lightning hits the tree, releasing the spirit, who decides his evil spree isn't over, and Zack is directly in his sights. </i>-from<a href="http://www.chrisgrabenstein.com/kids/crossroads.php" target="_blank"> the website of Chris Grabenstein</a></div>
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Sounds awesome, right?</div>
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So when I saw that the author had a new book, <i>Escape From Mr. Lemoncello's Library</i>, what else could I do but pick it up and read it?</div>
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<i>Can twelve 12-year-olds escape from the most ridiculously brilliant library ever created?</i></div>
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<i>Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library plunks a dozen sixth-graders into the middle of a futuristic library for a night of nonstop fun and adventure.</i></div>
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<i>In a nod to Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, this fast-paced new novel features an eccentric billionaire who welcomes a group of children into a fantasy setting full of weird, wondrous touches.</i></div>
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<i>Kyle is a game fan--board games, word games, and especially video games! Kyle's hero, the famous gamemaker Luigi Lemoncello, is the genius behind the design of the town's new public library, which contains not only books, but an IMAX theater, an electronic learning center, instructional holograms, interactive dioramas and electromagnetic hover ladders that float patrons up to the books they want.</i></div>
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<i>Lucky Kyle wins a spot as one of the first twelve kids invited to a gala, overnight library lock-in filled with fun and games. But the next morning, when the lock-in is supposed to be over, the doors remain locked. Kyle and the others must follow book-related clues and unravel all sorts of secret puzzles to find the hidden escape route if they want to win Mr. Lemoncello's most fabulous prize ever. </i>-from <a href="http://www.chrisgrabenstein.com/kids/escape-from-mr-lemoncellos-library.php" target="_blank">the website of Chris Grabenstein</a></div>
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This book is great fun! I enjoyed playing the game with Kyle. Alas, I am a horrible game player and Kyle had it figured out before I did. (I did better at<i> The Westing Game</i>!) Which makes me even sadder to say that there is another game afoot! In the ending pages of the book, the author lets readers know there is one puzzle that is in the book but not in the story. Readers who can find and solve the bonus riddle will have a chance to win an exciting prize. </div>
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Will I really be sharing this new book with my students? Yo! Yes!<i> </i>But for now I will simply go for a quiet walk in my secret garden to look for snozzcumbers and contemplate what book I should start next. Great Scott! Gadzooks! One half of my life is reading books!</div>
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Click <a href="http://www.chrisgrabenstein.com/kids/escape-from-mr-lemoncellos-library.php#trailer" target="_blank">HERE</a> to view the BOOK TRAILER for <i>Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library</i>.</div>
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Happy Reading!</div>
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Mrs. T</div>
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P.S. Reading is like breathing chocolate air!</div>
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P.P.S. Did you catch what I did there at the end? Those allusions? That's another reason why you'll love reading about Mr. Lemoncello's library. See how many you can find in this book!</div>
<br />D.A. Tyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593207484505434607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147001059230122486.post-86450730037812354022013-07-03T11:47:00.000-07:002013-07-03T12:25:59.906-07:00Ghetto Cowboy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: #fff3db; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.5pt;">"You never know what someone will do with his life once he finds himself."</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #fff3db; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.5pt;">From G. Neri's website:</span><br />
<i><span style="background: #FFF3DB; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.5pt;">"When Cole's mom dumps him in mean streets of Philly
to live with the dad he's never met, the last thing Cole expects to see is a
horse--let alone a stable full of them. He may not know much about cowboys, but
what he knows for sure is that cowboys ain't black and they don't live in the
inner city! But on </span></i><st1:street><st1:address><i><span style="background: #FFF3DB; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.5pt;">Chester
Avenue</span></i></st1:address></st1:street><i><span style="background: #FFF3DB; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.5pt;">, horses are a way of life, and soon
Cole's days of goofing off and skipping school in </span></i><st1:city><st1:place><i><span style="background: #FFF3DB; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.5pt;">Detroit</span></i></st1:place></st1:city><i><span style="background: #FFF3DB; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.5pt;"> have been
replaced by shoveling muck and trying not to get stomped on.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="background: #FFF3DB; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.5pt;">“Crazy as it may seem, the lifestyle grows on Cole, and he
starts to think that maybe life as a ghetto cowboy isn’t so bad. But when the
City threatens to shut down the stables—and take away the horse that Cole has
come to think of as his own—he knows that he has to fight back.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="background: #FFF3DB; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.5pt;">“Inspired by the real-life inner-city horsemen of </span></i><st1:city><st1:place><i><span style="background: #FFF3DB; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.5pt;">Philadelphia</span></i></st1:place></st1:city><i><span style="background: #FFF3DB; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.5pt;"> and </span></i><st1:place><i><span style="background: #FFF3DB; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.5pt;">Brooklyn</span></i></st1:place><i><span style="background: #FFF3DB; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.5pt;">, Ghetto Cowboy
is a timeless urban western about learning to stand up for what’s right—the </span></i><st1:street><st1:address><i><span style="background: #FFF3DB; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.5pt;">Cowboy Way</span></i></st1:address></st1:street><i><span style="background: #FFF3DB; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.5pt;">.”<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fff3db; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.5pt;">Hold your horses and stampede to your local library or bookstore! Wrangle yourself a copy of <i>Ghetto Cowboy</i> and giddy-up reading.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fff3db; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.5pt;">Stop. Hold the horse puns. This is <b>not</b> your typical horse story. In fact, I cannot wait to give this book to some of my "traditional horse story readers" in class. They will be amazed at the inner-city horse world that opens up in front of them.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fff3db; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.5pt;">I found this story interesting from the beginning and believable until the very end. I was rooting for Cole and Harper, Jamaica Bob and Tex, and even Smush and Snapper. Kids will love entering this cowboy world and learning the Cowboy Way. </span><br />
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Visit G. Teri's website<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://gregneri.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext;">HERE</span></a>.
Make sure to watch the book trailer <a href="http://vimeo.com/26771823" target="_blank"><span style="color: windowtext;">HERE</span></a>.</span><br />
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Happy Reading! </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia; font-size: 10.5pt;"><br />
<span style="background: #FFF3DB;">Mrs. T</span><br />
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P.S. Reading is like breathing chocolate air! </span></span></div>
D.A. Tyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593207484505434607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147001059230122486.post-85874150127981428772013-07-02T11:44:00.002-07:002013-07-02T11:44:52.384-07:00The Runaway King<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It is appropriate that I should come back to my very neglected blog with Jennifer Nielsen's <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780545284158/jennifer-nielsen/runaway-king" target="_blank">The Runaway King</a>. The last book I posted about back in January *hanging head in shame* was <i>The False Prince</i>, the first book in The Ascendance Trilogy. Jaron is back in <i>The Runaway King</i>, and I couldn't be happier.<br />
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The second installment in Nielsen's series is just as engrossing as the first. Jaron will take you along on his adventure to keep the crown...by fleeing the throne!<br />
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<i>"Just weeks after Jaron has taken the throne, an assassination attempt forces him into a deadly situation. Rumors of a coming war are winding their way between the castle walls, and Jaron feels the pressure quietly mounting within Carthya. Soon, it becomes clear that deserting the kingdom may be his only hope of saving it.</i><br />
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<i>"As his adventures lead him into dangerous new territory, Jaron must learn to tell his friends from his enemies and decide who he can trust--if he can trust anyone at all. But the further Jaron is forced to run from his identity, the more he wonders if it is possible to go too far. Will he ever be able to return home again? Or will he have to sacrifice his own life to save his kingdom?"</i><br />
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To my former students: I have introduced you to <i>The False Prince</i>. You must read this first book if you haven't yet and quickly go check out<i> The Runaway King</i> so as not to miss these books!<br />
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To my future students: I cannot wait to tell you all about Jaron and Carthya. This will be one series you'll want to put on your TBR list.<br />
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Check out Jennifer Nielsen's website <a href="http://www.jennielsen.com/" target="_blank">HERE</a>. Get a sneak peek at the third book in The Ascendance Trilogy (<i>The Shadow Throne</i>) <a href="http://www.jennielsen.com/archives/835" target="_blank">HERE</a>.<br />
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Happy Reading!<br />
Mrs. T<br />
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P.S. Reading is like breathing chocolate air!D.A. Tyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593207484505434607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147001059230122486.post-86573100970046094132013-01-21T12:32:00.002-08:002013-01-21T12:32:49.522-08:00The False Prince<br />
I first "met" <a href="http://www.jennielsen.com/">Jennifer Nielsen</a> when she graciously created a video for our middle school promoting our book fair and <em><a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780545284141">The False Prince</a></em>.<br />
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"<em>The False Prince</em> is the thrilling first book in a brand-new trilogy filled with danger and deceit and hidden identities that will have readers rushing breathlessly to the end. In a discontent kingdom, civil war is brewing. To unify the divided people, Conner, a nobleman of the court, devises a cunning plan to find an impersonator of the king’s long-lost son and install him as a puppet prince. Four orphans are recruited to compete for the role, including a defiant boy named Sage. Sage knows that Conner’s motives are more than questionable, yet his life balances on a sword’s point — he must be chosen to play the prince or he will certainly be killed. But Sage’s rivals have their own agendas as well. As Sage moves from a rundown orphanage to Conner’s sumptuous palace, layer upon layer of treachery and deceit unfold, until finally, a truth is revealed that, in the end, may very well prove more dangerous than all of the lies taken together.<br />
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"An extraordinary adventure filled with danger and action, lies and deadly truths that will have readers clinging to the edge of their seats."<br />
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It took me ONE day over Christmas break to read this book, and I told my students about Sage's story immediately upon returning to the classroom. There are now two copies of <em>The False Prince</em> circulating in the classroom, and several students have read the book and are recommending it to their friends. We are anxiously awaiting the second book in the series. Some of us just can't wait. So here is some incredible "can't wait" news...<br />
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#1 - Jennifer Nielsen is holding a giveaway of THE RUNAWAY KING on her blog. Click <a href="http://www.jennielsen.com/archives/607">HERE</a> to enter.<br />
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#2 - Sorry to further tempt you, but a MOVIE is in the works. Click <a href="http://www.jennielsen.com/archives/446">HERE</a> to read the exciting news.<br />
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This is a MUST read book that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Just when you think you have this story figured out, twists and turns will make you gasp in wonder!<br />
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Read this one. Seriously.<br />
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Happy Reading!<br />
Mrs. T<br />
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P.S. Reading is like breathing chocolate air!D.A. Tyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593207484505434607noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147001059230122486.post-79624680694927927032013-01-06T07:44:00.000-08:002013-01-06T07:48:48.595-08:00Book Tree 2012<br />
Last year I showed my students a picture of a book tree I had seen on the Internet. It didn't take long before we had our own book tree built in our classroom. We did the same this year.<br />
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Each holiday season our awesome local library has businesses and organizations decorate themed Christmas trees for patrons to enjoy. Christmas trees dot the floor of the library decked out with ornamental splendor. What better contribution to themed Christmas trees in a library than a <b>book </b>Christmas tree!<br />
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Worch Library was very welcoming of the idea, so on our December visit to the library, my students not only treated themselves to checking out their monthly cache of books, they also built a book tree. The students thought they were privileged individuals when they were escorted into the basement and given free reign in the discarded book stacks to choose and bring up to the main floor the texts they would need. Here is what resulted from their efforts...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_OfAx0vOGwW8BlfZ3yg9FdzboNBQ7Ylhcqq1FXDt9YSI-muk_Sz7yX6iWerdw82b4qXvWlpvpOSl_Xfz0_sX2RwP5bOBB1pB-2stmy_pyFkI4jDmyIkm49m6C1SZHo7TT-LDz74Ub6Gw/s1600/mrstyoworchtree2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_OfAx0vOGwW8BlfZ3yg9FdzboNBQ7Ylhcqq1FXDt9YSI-muk_Sz7yX6iWerdw82b4qXvWlpvpOSl_Xfz0_sX2RwP5bOBB1pB-2stmy_pyFkI4jDmyIkm49m6C1SZHo7TT-LDz74Ub6Gw/s320/mrstyoworchtree2.JPG" width="212" /></a></div>
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Fantastic, right? What made this tree even more special? My students made bookmark ornaments for the tree. Listed on each bookmark was their favorite book or a book recommendation.<br />
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<img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDoGiBD8_3pjts4qLfn9B9lpq1HEA04aO20xG0uLTtE_8OPhAPXzyhfSVuL_72OR8nDiv7pvtPFZezU72svs2idSdxBLEit4Nkkf3CQnB6bzwbs7_Q_5biLj9uxHTfQFDUBYQjFa1SADLk/s200/mrstyoamuletbookmark.JPG" width="132" /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIdMAJgrWSWgCIZpV2LauX008jbXA5dglhXkjg4uoAy5rDdYztzIMQ4olkOSzfI9PgQmhQT81ym6v7GMVA8RDGd5O_Jd6he66ZT88nxuwgS0IPtpWWySAmXXU1nbJXV9aoMkNdyv26fAM/s1600/mrstyofootballhero.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguIdMAJgrWSWgCIZpV2LauX008jbXA5dglhXkjg4uoAy5rDdYztzIMQ4olkOSzfI9PgQmhQT81ym6v7GMVA8RDGd5O_Jd6he66ZT88nxuwgS0IPtpWWySAmXXU1nbJXV9aoMkNdyv26fAM/s200/mrstyofootballhero.JPG" width="132" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiesgglotTirbJK59eFoYihpjuQczdTNBSHpZuM2sJiOGFiYziAhH015cUDNovj0VQ0OTGGUYVjWAEJo1GylyzWfWuVpEnBX9g6C0VDhDlyIdoQ0RKIOAUqNoaQs8fkA0X57Ikntjm8VEpU/s1600/mrstyowonder.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiesgglotTirbJK59eFoYihpjuQczdTNBSHpZuM2sJiOGFiYziAhH015cUDNovj0VQ0OTGGUYVjWAEJo1GylyzWfWuVpEnBX9g6C0VDhDlyIdoQ0RKIOAUqNoaQs8fkA0X57Ikntjm8VEpU/s200/mrstyowonder.JPG" width="132" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJiK-RZTramdOk8b1mDi7wCaTO__HImOGhbAeHHUhIv_Fd5Bo1qZHos4ooNujySWvD-k98t12nFIMuf6eTzzA11Tve1BKaMmuZBrI7gB2SSJw1-Fnrd0QmJ0qSkk3pkil65dXf74UqQQd/s1600/mrstyomaybbookmark.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqJiK-RZTramdOk8b1mDi7wCaTO__HImOGhbAeHHUhIv_Fd5Bo1qZHos4ooNujySWvD-k98t12nFIMuf6eTzzA11Tve1BKaMmuZBrI7gB2SSJw1-Fnrd0QmJ0qSkk3pkil65dXf74UqQQd/s200/mrstyomaybbookmark.JPG" width="132" /></a></div>
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And just when we thought this book tree couldn't get any better, the wonderful librarians placed these signs on top of the book tree...<br />
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Worch Library held a contest to see if patrons could guess how many books were in the book tree! Great idea! How fun! How many books did it take to build this tree? We don't know until we take it down on Wednesday this week! We'll have to count the books then! (Leave a comment if you'd like to guess, and I'll let you know the number later this week.)<br />
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Happy Holidays! Happy Reading!<br />
Mrs. T :)<br />
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P.S. Reading is like breathing chocolate air!D.A. Tyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593207484505434607noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147001059230122486.post-19046599747881198152013-01-05T09:31:00.002-08:002013-01-05T09:32:06.322-08:00Stephen McCranie Skype Visit<br />
My students have gobbled up the first and second books in the <a href="http://malandchad.com/">Mal and Chad</a> series by Stephen McCranie. We are awaiting the third book, <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780399256585">Belly Flop</a>, as I type. We should get the newest book in the series next week, so what better way to continue the BESTEST excitement ever than to relive our Skype visit with the author.<br />
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<span style="color: black;">Stephen illustrated using his Screen Share program. We loved this!</span><br />
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Look at our sixth graders! They were mesmerized! (It was their first Skype with a graphic novelist.)<br />
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WOW!<br />
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He also demonstrated how drawings begin with simple shapes...a circle, a square, and a triangle. Some very familiar characters appeared on the screen.</div>
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Stephen connected with students when he presented ideas on how to create a story...Who is your character? What does your character want? What is preventing your character from getting what he or she wants? (Hmm...where have my students heard this before?) :)<br />
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Stephen even led the students through a brainstorming session which resulted in this one-of-a-kind drawing! Amazing!<br />
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THANK YOU, Stephen McCranie, for taking time to meet with us and show us your amazing talent. We cannot wait to see what other works you create for us.<br />
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Happy Reading!<br />
Mrs. T :)<br />
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P.S. Reading is like breathing chocolate air!D.A. Tyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593207484505434607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147001059230122486.post-46566296066490526552012-12-06T19:47:00.001-08:002012-12-06T19:52:48.159-08:00Mal and Chad<ul>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5cNE5q60i5jDhl6WIf8aP2wQBNTc2BXAREHZc9ueaFmsahqT2XGgr4zySjS2MzHjikU0_mJhrrZbJiCUTcLIHBikw-hEcFdEKWkIANXgzRNMQc6gxcOS_IQR48lGxdechHj98i-RB9XoU/s1600/mal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5cNE5q60i5jDhl6WIf8aP2wQBNTc2BXAREHZc9ueaFmsahqT2XGgr4zySjS2MzHjikU0_mJhrrZbJiCUTcLIHBikw-hEcFdEKWkIANXgzRNMQc6gxcOS_IQR48lGxdechHj98i-RB9XoU/s1600/mal.jpg" /></a></ul>
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<span style="color: black;">Meet Mal. He's the cutest boy genius ever!</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Meet Chad. He's the funniest doggy companion ever!</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Meet Stephen McCranie. He's the bestest graphic novelist ever!</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;"><a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780399252211"><em>Mal and Chad: The Biggest, Bestest Time Ever</em></a> is a graphic novel that needs to be added to your TBR pile if you have not yet read it. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Mal, cutest boy genius ever, needs to write an essay about what he wants to be when he grows up, and he has two days to complete it. </span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">Chad, funniest doggy companion ever, tries to suggest ideas to Mal.</span><br />
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<span style="color: black;">First, Chad suggests the occupation of a scuba diver. With a bit of Mal's genius and a touch of Stephen McCranie's fantastical imagination, Mal and Chad are shrunk into bitty-sized divers, just the perfect proportion to explore the depths of the kitchen sink!</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">After avoiding possible sinking down the drain, Chad suggests the occupation of an archaeologist. Into the time machine go Mal and Chad to the dinosaur age. Excitement and danger abound!</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Will Mal and Chad make it back home safely? Will Mal figure out what he wants to be when he grows up so he can complete his essay for school?</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">There are so many great things about this book...**tension between Mal and another character (Zachary)...**a smidgen of "like" between Mal and Megan...**humor that will make even the oldest reader (me!) giggle...**auto-inflating ducky boats...**Yum Sauce (makes anything taste like your favorite food)...**a perfect ending with the BESTEST message.</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">I'm sure you will find other reviews written about Mal and Chad, but I am here to say, "THIS IS ONE OF THE BESTEST GRAPHIC NOVELS FOR KIDS THAT I HAVE READ IN A WHILE!!!" I just know my students are going to eat this first book up--no Yum Sauce required! </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Luckily, there are two more Mal and Chad books I can give to readers. <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780399256578"><em>Mal and Chad: Food Fight!</em></a> and <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780399256585"><em>Mal and Chad: Belly Flop!</em></a> (<em>Belly Flop!</em> is out in bookstores TODAY.)</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">To visit the author's website, click <a href="http://malandchad.com/">HERE</a>. To view a trailer of the newest book, click <a href="http://vimeo.com/53458152">HERE</a>. </span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Tune in tomorrow for a glimpse into our classroom Skype visit with Stephen. It was the BESTEST time!</span></div>
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<span style="color: black;">Happy Reading!</span><br />
<span style="color: black;">Mrs. T :)</span><br />
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><span style="color: purple; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-size: small;">P.S. Reading is like breathing chocolate air!</span></span></span></div>
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D.A. Tyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593207484505434607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147001059230122486.post-57806377046924572032012-10-27T15:17:00.000-07:002012-10-27T15:17:36.030-07:00Happy Birthday, Auggie!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Versailles Middle School has completed reading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Wonder-R-J-Palacio/dp/0375869026/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1351375247&sr=8-1&keywords=wonder">Wonder </a>by <a href="http://rjpalacio.com/">R.J. Palacio</a>. Even though the reading is over, the lessons and discussions continue.<br />
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On October 10, sixth grade students celebrated Auggie's birthday. The students brought in cards and gifts for him. Whether it was a new puppy or a Star Wars art set, the students showed that they knew Auggie and thought about what he would like best. <br />
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Here is one of my favorite gifts for Auggie...<br />
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After sharing their gifts, students celebrated by singing to Auggie and eating cake! While I do not have any pictures of my homemade cakes (including the one with smooshed icing because my daughter's gym bag landed on top of it during our ride to school that morning), I do have this picture of AUGGIE COOKIES! Our fifth, seventh, and eighth graders ate these yummy cookies baked by <a href="http://www.facebook.com/AuntJuliesCookiesMore">Aunt Julie's Cookies and More</a>.<br />
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Stay tuned for details about our Skype visit with R.J. Palacio as well as a special standing ovation for some very WONDER-ful kids!<br />
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Happy Reading!<br />
Mrs. T :)<br />
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P.S. Reading is like breathing chocolate air!D.A. Tyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593207484505434607noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2147001059230122486.post-59644875699001467832012-10-09T02:47:00.001-07:002012-10-09T02:50:41.237-07:00Wonder<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCNvv-DLntDflrGUCVof5HyHp6Y8ujleiHx3LGJ_4VM16xJUMArJhtC_l9KMA405kv4WYu-8Tm3efx4YXGFVeCQ97W_jPK6OiSwm4a6P9-xPApTDeZFPGVD0OdQ8yj-2faV92GV3HceETC/s1600/Wonder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCNvv-DLntDflrGUCVof5HyHp6Y8ujleiHx3LGJ_4VM16xJUMArJhtC_l9KMA405kv4WYu-8Tm3efx4YXGFVeCQ97W_jPK6OiSwm4a6P9-xPApTDeZFPGVD0OdQ8yj-2faV92GV3HceETC/s320/Wonder.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
The wonder that is <em>Wonder</em> has hit Versailles Middle School in rural Ohio. All students in fifth through eighth grades have met Auggie and have heard his story.<br />
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Our experience started one day last spring as an innocent conversation over lunch. <br />
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"I've heard of schools that select one book to read. I wonder if we could do that here."<br />
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"Have you read <em>Wonder</em> by <a href="http://rjpalacio.com/">R.J. Palacio</a>?"<br />
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Here are some of our plans that have transpired since that initial lunchtime conversation...<br />
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*Middle school teachers read <em>Wonder</em> at the end of last year and over the summer and agreed that this book would be the perfect way to begin a new school year.<br />
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*Our principal ordered all of our language arts teachers a copy of <em>Wonder</em> to be read aloud to the students.<br />
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*Parents were invited to join in the reading of <em>Wonder</em>. A letter was sent out during the first week of school inviting them to read along with their child. Parents secured a copy of <em>Wonder</em> at the bookstore of their choice, at a local library, or sent in payment to their child's teacher for the book to be ordered for them. A total of 79 books were ordered and delivered to parents!<br />
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*Tomorrow, October 10 is Auggie's birthday! Students will be signing the Choose Kind pledge <a href="http://www.randomhouse.com/kids/choose-kind/pledge.php">HERE</a>. (Random House Children's Books will donate $1 to PACER'S National Bullying Prevention Center for every pledge in October.) Students will also be signing two huge "Choose Kind" signs that will hang in our hallway at school. Some classrooms have planned a birthday celebration to include cupcakes and 'gifts' for Auggie. A post will run later this week with a wrap-up of our festivities. <br />
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*Parents are invited to join a Skype visit with author R.J. Palacio on Wednesday, October 17. Our fifth through eighth grade students will meet R. J. Palacio via Skype in our theater. I will be sure to post about our meeting after it takes place.<br />
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*On October 22 at 7:00-8:00 in the evening, parents who have read <em>Wonder </em>are invited to a Grand Discussion. Parents and students will come together for an evening of discussion around Auggie's story. It is our goal to provide parents and their child with the time to share a great book and a fun evening in which to discuss it.<br />
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Our students and staff feel blessed to have shared this story together. So many valuable discussions have resulted. Following are some more ideas that our teachers have used with students in their classrooms...<br />
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**There is a weekly quote in my classroom. The students write our weekly quote in their Language Arts notebook each Monday. Attendance is taken every day with each student repeating the weekly quote. After six weeks, the students can recite all of the weekly quotes we have had since the beginning of school! <br />
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Week 1 Quote = "No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted." -Aesop<br />
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Week 2 Quote = "When given the choice between being right or being kind, choose kind." -Wonder<br />
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Week 3 Quote = "Never look down on anybody unless you're helping them up." -Jesse Jackson<br />
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Week 4 Quote = "Kindness, like a boomerang, always returns." -Author Unknown<br />
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Week 5 Quote = "Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless." -Mother Teresa<br />
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Week 6 Quote = "Wherever there is a human being, there is an opportunity for kindness." -Seneca<br />
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Week 7 Quote = "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." -Plato<br />
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**I have been sharing the <a href="http://www.ccakidsblog.org/">CCA (Children's Craniofacial Association) Kids Blog</a> with my students. They are amazed by the stories of the kids that we have read there. Most recently, Peter's story has touched us. He and Auggie share so many similarities. <br />
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**One of our seventh grade teachers had her students draw a picture of what they thought Auggie looked like as she read. She then held the pictures up in front of the class and they had a discussion about their reactions to the drawings and how those reactions would be similar or different if they met Auggie face to face. This led to a discussion on empathy and acceptance. "It was very powerful," said the teacher.<br />
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**The seventh grade teachers had their classes write letters to Julian's mother after learning how Mrs. Albans felt about Auggie being at school with her son. The letters were written in groups and contained powerful words for Julian's mother.<br />
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Versailles Middle School says, "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AUGGIE!" We will keep everyone updated on our celebrations, our Skype visit with R.J. Palacio, and our Grand Discussion coming up at the end of October.<br />
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Happy Reading!<br />
Mrs. T :)<br />
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P.S. Reading is like breathing chocolate air!<br />
<br />D.A. Tyohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03593207484505434607noreply@blogger.com0