Reading Teacher Writes

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Tag Archives: summer reading


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IMWAYR: Nothing New, Just the Last Week of School!

IMWAYR is a weekly blog hop with kid lit co-hosts Jennifer from Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki from Unleashing Readers. The original IMWAYR, with an adult literature focus, was started by Sheila at Book Journeys and is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. It’s a great way to share what you’re reading and get recommendations from others. We encourage you to write your own post sharing what you’re reading, link up, leave a comment, and support other IMWAYR bloggers by visiting and commenting on at least three of the other linked blogs each week.

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It’s the last week of school! Happy Summer! I have nothing new to report this week. I AM reading some maps so that I can travel…maybe…soon! Also, I’m checking out the summer reading lists. Cheers to all the authors with summer titles being published. I cannot wait to read and share with students in the fall. Fall? No! Not yet!

LOL! It’s Monday! What are YOU reading?

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IMWAYR: Time For Some Fun!

IMWAYR is a weekly blog hop with kid lit co-hosts Jennifer from Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki from Unleashing Readers. The original IMWAYR, with an adult literature focus, was started by Sheila at Book Journeys and is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. It’s a great way to share what you’re reading and get recommendations from others. We encourage you to write your own post sharing what you’re reading, link up, leave a comment, and support other IMWAYR bloggers by visiting and commenting on at least three of the other linked blogs each week.

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It’s Time For Some Fun! I am finally starting to read an adult title: Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus. Now that students are choosing their own summer reads, it’s my turn, too. Oh, but wait! THIS post talks about kid lit, so let me highlight some FUN reads for you.

NetGalley: Would You Rather? Summer Edition, by Lindsey Daly (Z Kids, New York, 2023) asks some crazy questions about road trips, summer camp, rainy-day fun, and it is a hoot! Play “Would You Rather?” with family and friends. You won’t be able to stop laughing! (For more “Would You Rather…” ideas for the writing workshop, look for a back-to-school lesson that will start students with success in writing this fall. Coming soon!) I read this book on NetGalley recently, but it’s already available.

Libro.fm: I STILL need to finish Harvest House! Hopefully I will have some downtime this week without others in the room so I can listen. Such a good one!

Physical Book: The Many Assassinations of Samir, The Seller of Dreams by Daniel Nayeri is a book I’ve been waiting for. I loved Everything Sad is Untrue, and after reading some author interviews, I’m looking forward to this next read. I already have ideas about “first lines” lessons and/or “first chapter” lessons for the fall.

It’s Monday! What are YOU reading?


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IMWAYR: Playing Catch Up/Summer Reading Time

IMWAYR is a weekly blog hop with kid lit co-hosts Jennifer from Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki from Unleashing Readers. The original IMWAYR, with an adult literature focus, was started by Sheila at Book Journeys and is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. It’s a great way to share what you’re reading and get recommendations from others. We encourage you to write your own post sharing what you’re reading, link up, leave a comment, and support other IMWAYR bloggers by visiting and commenting on at least three of the other linked blogs each week.

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IMWAYR

It’s Summertime! I’m so happy about being out of school before Memorial Day! That’s never happened to me in my 26 years of teaching, and it probably won’t ever happen again, so I’m celebrating. I hope you’re able to reflect on your school year with sweet memories and reflective thoughts. Don’t even think of planning for next year until you’ve had at least two full days off, okay? Now, it’s time to read.

Libro.fm: I’m playing catch-up this week — I need to finish See You Yesterday by Rachel Lynn Solomon. When I opened the book, I found that it has smaller print than other titles I’ve read lately and it’s over 400 pages, so I also downloaded it on my Libro.fm account. I can listen and turn pages at the same time. That will help me focus on the story, I’m sure. It’s really good so far.

See You Yesterday (Simon & Schuster, 2022)

I finally opened The Joy of Reading after purchasing the audio (read by Donalyn Miller) because I love my friend’s voice as she reads to me. I’ll probably sit out on the deck in the morning to read this one and I probably won’t stop until the end of the book, so if anyone is expecting me to do anything tomorrow, good luck. (LOL!)

The Joy of Reading (Heinemann, 2022)

Physical Books: This is a great week to celebrate favorite authors, and I’m on a little “Dan Santat” roll right now. He’s been busy publishing books lately. Thanks for the fun, Dan! The Aquanaut (I’ve read twice already) and The Blur (which I recommended for a graduation gift) are fabulous. I’m going to have to re-read a LOT to see what happens with the new choose-your-own-adventure book by Laurel Snyder and Dan Santat called Endlessly Ever After. I love this! “To slip on your coziest (faux) fur coat, turn to page 20. To grab your favorite red cape, turn to page 6.” I cannot wait for our students to see this and create their own twisted fairy tale adventures!

“Santat books”

I won a copy of Worser by Jennifer Ziegler from the publisher and I’m grateful for the gift. This is another must-read middle school novel and I will be needing extra copies of this one for the library. Thank you so much, Holiday House Publishing and Jennifer!

Worser (Holiday House, 2022)

It’s Monday! What are YOU reading?


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IMWAYR: One More Week of “Independent Reading”

This is my last week of true “independent reading” time, so I’m making the most of my minutes. I’ve been thinking about what “independent reading” means to me — stay tuned on www.readingteacherwrites.org for more writing about this topic as we head into the school year.

NetGalley: I’m trying. Really! I have several titles to read before school starts. The Ghoul of Windydown Vale by Jake Burt is going to be a HIT with my middle schoolers! Compare to R.L. Stine’s Goosebumps series books. I loved the plot twists here. It’s creepy, and students love creepy!

Libro.fm: I’m so glad I went back to listen to The Barren Grounds on audio. Brefny Caribou-Curtin narrates David A. Robertson’s first book in The Misewa Saga with such VOICE — I fell in love with the main characters, Morgan and Eli, all over again.

Physical Books: I finished It Doesn’t Take a Genius (finally) by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich and I loved how Emmett and Luke’s summer ended up. What a great summer camp story! I also read the funny and light (is murder light?) Dial A For Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto. I will start The Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley tonight. The book’s thickness is intimidating, I have to say, but I think that’s just my middle school brain talking. I must begin!

“It’s Monday! What are you reading?” is a weekly blog hop with kid lit co-hosts Jennifer from Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki from Unleashing Readers. The original IMWAYR, with an adult literature focus, was started by Sheila at Book Journeys and is now hosted by Kathryn at The Book Date. It’s a great way to share what you’re reading and get recommendations from others. We encourage you to write your own post sharing what you’re reading, link up, leave a comment, and support other IMWAYR bloggers by visiting and commenting on at least three of the other linked blogs each week.


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IMWAYR: Summer Reading Begins!

It’s FINALLY summertime, and while I only have a little time off, I’m ready to read and write much more. Here are the two best reads of my first week of summer:

The Bridge Home, by Padma Venkatraman – Viji and her little sister, Rukku, live a hard-knock life (literally) in India. Appa drinks and gets angry, and takes out his frustrations on Amma and the girls. Viji knows it’s time to run — to start a new and better life — and takes Rukku with her. Little does she know, life outside of home is not much better. The girls need to constantly find work and food, and with the help of two homeless boys, Muthi and Arul, they are able to find shelter under an abandoned bridge. They even find a trusty canine friend to help them out.

To survive, the companions form a family. They take care of each other and work at the trash dump, scavenging enough to buy food and some basic supplies to make a home. They become quite successful…for a while. But being your own boss tends to have its own challenges, as the youngsters soon find out. They must maintain, and then change, to survive the harsh realities of Chennai’s rainy season. Viji discovers that she may need more help than she can give…is it too late to invite adults back into her life?

Padma Venkatraman wrote a beautiful novel with relatable characters and a heartbreaking look at life as a homeless child in India. The reader cheers for the children all through their journey to find out what family means, and to find home.

The Past and Other Things That Should Stay Buried, by Shaun David Hutchinson – I love Shaun David Hutchinson’s work — The Past and Other Things That Should Stay Buried got me again. Dead or not, July Cooper is a riveting character. Dino, her once-best-friend, is left to deal with her untimely demise…is that right? Not to mention a new relationship with Rafi and all the other things that Dino has to confront in his life. Nothing is as it seems in this YA read. You’ll love it!

Up Next: Brave Face, by Shaun David Hutchinson – I saw this one on Facebook after I finished The Past and Other Things...so I stopped by the public library and picked it up for tonight’s entertainment, as it is raining. (Again.)

 

It’s Monday! What are you reading?

It’s Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Kathryn at Book Date. It is a great way to recap what you read and/or reviewed the previous week and to plan out your reading and reviews for the upcoming week. It’s also a great chance to see what others are reading right now…you just might discover your next “must-read” book!

Kellee Moye, of Unleashing Readers, and I decided to give It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? a kidlit focus. If you read and review books in children’s literature – picture books, chapter books, middle grade novels, young adult novels, anything in the world of kidlit – join us! We love this meme and think you will, too. We encourage everyone who participates to visit at least three of the other kidlit book bloggers that link up and leave comments for them.


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IMWAYR: Breakout by Kate Messner

I’m so lucky to have met many awesome authors in the last few years, and Kate Messner is one author I’ve followed closely. Her newest book, Breakout, released on June 5th, and I finally got my pre-ordered book in the mail today. I haven’t finished yet, but I wanted to share this post immediately so you can add this book to your “To Be Read” list.

Breakout is written as a collection of newspaper clippings, letters from the characters (mainly Nora Tucker, a middle school student journalist and Elidee, a new student at the school), poems, text messages, and other documents. This design choice is the main reason I think middle school students through adults are going to love this unusual story. The setting is summer vacation in the mountain town of Wolf Creek, and Nora wants to enjoy her break. But two inmates from the town’s prison break out (hence, the title) and the town and its residents are forever changed.

One of the main reasons I love this book so far is that I can see myself using it in my middle school — the story starts with a writing assignment for the students at Wolf Creek Middle School — and beyond. “How I See My Community” is the premise that is already changing as the story unfolds in the letters, texts, and transcripts of “recorded conversations.” I believe (as Kate Messner does) that all humans have stories to tell, and the author certainly weaves these characters’ stories together in an interesting way.

I have to get back to reading now (I won’t put this book down, I’m sure, until the last page). By the way, the end of the book provides book lists for further “thinking” texts, separated into age-appropriate categories for readers. Thank you, Kate! That’s a nice idea! If you want to read more about how Kate Messner created this book and her writing process, please visit her website. The Breakout section of her blog is interesting, informative, and inspiring for teachers, students, writers, and everyone else. Check it out here.

It’s Monday! What are YOU reading?

 


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IMWAYR: York

It’s Monday! What are you reading? 

I started York: Book One – The Shadow Cipher, by Laura Ruby and I’m hooked. I must say, I picked up the book after several recommendations and my continued fascination with New York City’s history. The introduction — New Year’s Eve, 1855 — set up just one of several stories of New York’s shining skyscrapers and compelling citizens. Theresa and Theodore Morningstarr, twins who had disappeared into the labyrinth of the Morningstarr Tower, left a puzzle for the people of New York before they disappeared. No one knew what happened to them. They just disappeared.

(Move forward in time)

In present day New York, Tess and Theo Biedermann spend time with their family and friends in one of the Morningstarr apartment buildings, constantly surrounded by the hum of tourists who each think he can solve the mystery of the Old York Cipher of long ago. The puzzle had never been solved.

When a real estate developer buys the building, the Biedermann’s must try to save their home, and find the answer to the puzzle. Is the Old York Cipher a true story?

You’ll have to read along with me.

I loved the opening lines of this tale! “The true story of any city is never a single tale; it’s a vast collection of stories with many heroes…” This lead made me think of our writing institute. Our theme was “We are Story.” I carried that theme, and that mission, with me this past year of teaching and living my own life. We ALL have stories to tell. I can’t wait to jump back into this — ah, these! — stories.

Happy Reading!

 


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Slice of Life Tuesdays: Currently…

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Currently…

Watching “Royal Pains” season premiere, because after reading George (by Alex Gino), I became more intrigued by some differences between other humans and myself. Then, after listening to the incessant jabbering about Bruce/Caitlyn Jenner, it seems the media is obsessed  with the topic of transgenders. I just wanted to see how USA Network was using this media storm to gain viewers this summer.

Reading my syllabus/requirements for the EDU 517 Elective Workshop credits after attending the AWESOME All Write Institute last week in Warsaw. I will be blogging about the All Write sessions the rest of this week on my blog here at http://www.readingteacherwrites.com. Check in daily to share in my enthusiasm for continued learning about reading and writing!

Listening to my daughter laugh in the next room. She is so adorable! Even as a teenager, I feel that when she is happy, I can be happy, too.

Making dinner in the microwave. I did not stop today!

Planning to get some work done in this SHORT summer we have! Today I babysat my granddaughter (who is a pleasure), and I will see her again Thursday. Tonight I mowed the long grass. Tomorrow I will take the dog to be groomed — a long-past-needed chore! After that, we need to complete some odd/handyman jobs at home, and I HAVE to find time (when it’s not raining) to have a garage sale. I will take some more time for professional leaning at the ILA Conference in St. Louis next month. I cannot wait! Then it’s back to work (so soon?).

Loving that I do have some time off this summer to do these other tasks and activities, as well as get some rest.


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Summer Reading: Where Should I Start?

Summer Reading: Where Should I Start?

In the last week, I have read no less than 14 (that’s where I stopped counting) book lists and recommendations for summer reading. I am overwhelmed at the sheer number of LISTS out there, and I wonder how I will ever be able to choose, start, and finish all the books on all the lists! Which list is best? Should I read a series? Should I stick with a certain genre or author? Will I be more satisfied with adult books, or should I stay with the YA bunch and prepare for the next year of teaching middle school? Maybe I could read all the picture books with my granddaughter and decide with her which ones stand out.

So many lists! So many questions! Then, it hit me. It’s summer, right? I should heed the call to read my choice of books! So simple! Then I panicked again. Where should I start?

Like a Mack Truck…smack! A friend’s blog post not only mirrored my thinking (thank you, Tara Smith), her words cemented my decision. I will start at the top of my own pile and read whatever I want, all summer long! That’s what we recommend to our students; that’s what the research says: Summer reading should be choice reading. Summer reading should be enjoyable. Just do it! So I am…reading what I find intriguing and loving every minute of it. And you should read, too. Whatever you want. Whenever you have time.

Just do it!

My students talked about these titles quite a bit. Maybe you’ll want to check these out:

Wonder (Palacio), Out of My Mind (Draper), Crossover (Alexander), The Impossible Knife of Memory (Anderson), Number the Stars (Lowry) , Divergent (series)(Roth), Percy Jackson (series) (Riordan), The Tiger Rising (DiCamillo), Big Nate (series) (Peirce), Michael Vey (series) (Evans), Diary of a Wimpy Kid (series)(Kinney), and El Deafo (Bell).

My YA favorites this year (in addition to the books above): Brown Girl Dreaming (Woodson), The One and Only Ivan (Applegate), The Fault in Our Stars (Green), When You Reach Me (Stead), Home of the Brave (Applegate), Fish in a Tree (Hunt), Counting by 7s (Sloan). There are so many others  – you don’t want to read my list…read the books!

My Starting Line Up of Summer Picks (Adult titles, not for school): Every Day I Fight (Scott), All the Light We Cannot See (Doerr), Summer Rental (Andrews), Zeitoun (Eggers), Gray Mountain (Grisham).

Picture Books we shared and loved: Sam and Dave Dig a Hole (Barnett), Blackout (Rocco), Fossil (Thomson), It’s a Book (Smith), Flotsam (Wiesner), I Don’t Want to be a Frog (Petty).

Professional Development titles (that already won me over!): The Unstoppable Writing Teacher (Cruz), Reading Workshop 2.0: Supporting Readers in the Digital Age (Serafini), The Reading Strategies Book (Serravallo), and Notice and Note: Strategies for Close Reading (Beers/Probst) (which I used all year and have marked up well).

Summer Reading: Where will you start? Now…go find your happy place and read!