What I'm Reading Monday - Ok, it's really Tuesday...

I'm one day late on posting this. Blame not having students yesterday. When Monday is a no student day, I get thrown off and forget to do things (like post this list or update my Wiki...). This week I decided I was going to get books finished that I had started a while ago. I've got two at home that I've been reading forever; one I finally finished. The other one is still gathering dust (literally); I'm not sure if I'll ever finish that one.

Home

The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon - This takes place in the future in London and is in an alternate reality. There was an event during Victorian England (end of the 19th century) that veered what we know as history off its real course. Paige is the main character and is a clairvoyant (she can walk through people's dreams). Everything is tightly monitored by the Scion (the government), but Paige is captured, arrested, and whisked off to Oxford - which has been in quarantine or off-limits for almost two centuries. That's as far as I've gotten in it.

Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkein - I need to reread these, and I decided that I'd start them today. I don't know how long I'll stick with it, though.

School

The Eye of Minds by James Dashner (the guy who wrote the Maze Runner series) - I've just started this book, so I don't have much of an opinion on it. It takes place in a future where almost everyone is in a virtual reality game. From what I can tell, there's a guy who is trying to control people inside of it, and there's a government agency trying to fight it.

Finished

Fire & Ash by Jonathan Maberry - This was a good ending to the Rot & Ruin series (I've got all of them if you're interested). There were some points that were confusing, and I didn't think everything was well explained. But, I still enjoyed reading the series.

I, Q #4: The Alamo by Roland Smith - I started this series this spring and was immediately hooked. I had to read them back to back because each one left off with a cliffhanger. However, I wasn't as sucked into this one. I think it had just been too long, and I had forgotten some of the things that had happened to Q and Angela after they had been sucked into a plot to help capture terrorists. It was nice because there was a refresher on the characters and the plot up until now. I still like this series, but I think I may wait to read the next one until the entire series is finished.

Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult - I started this one a long time ago. It's one of the Iowa High School book award nominees, but I'm not going to book talk it nor will I put it on my shelves. Now, I know this seems somewhat hypocritical because you know my feelings on banning books. But, I really don't feel comfortable having this one in my classroom. I'm not telling you that you can't read it, but I also don't think it is quite age appropriate for 14 to 15 year olds. This wasn't one of my favorites of hers, either. I'm not going to go into details about it - if you want to know more, check it out on Amazon.

Oh, Hannah

I would never say that any of these things that have happened to Hannah aren't horrible - especially when you add them together. But, I don't think she went about trying to solve them or get over them in the right way. Actually, I don't think she even tried to solve them at all. Instead, she chose to just let them fester inside of her, which made everything worse.

I really don't think she did a good job of advocating for herself or trying to get help. Yes, she went to Mr. Porter, but was he the best choice? Why didn't she try other teachers? The one from peer communications probably would have been a much better choice. She really seemed like she wanted to help her students. I don't think Mr. Porter felt the same way.

She also shouldn't have given up after only talking to her parents once. It is understandable that they were caught up in their own problems. But she was their only child. She needed to make them see that she really needed them. It's like I tell you guys all the time - I'm not a mind reader; I can't help you if you don't make it clear you need help. Sometimes, you have to really "scream" to be heard - and I'm not convinced Hannah did that.

I'm not fully blaming Hannah. It's obvious she was struggling with some serious issues, and that can cloud your thinking and judgment. But, I don't think she also truly tried to get help.

Like Dumbledore said: Help is always there for those who ask. (OK, that's paraphrased, but you get my gist). And, I'm not so convinced Hannah really asked.

2nd Quarter Goals

Overall, I'm happy with what I did first quarter. I always think I have room to improve, but I didn't have major concerns.

Here are my goals for next quarter, though:

1. Write more often with you guys.
         I did a good job of this last year, but this year I haven't done as well. I need to step it up.
2. Post on the blog more.
   This basically goes along with No. 1. The more I write, the more I will post. Logically, anyway.
3. Keep up with at least three book talks per week.
   Not as worried about this because this is pretty much a habit.
4. Give better comments on your writing.
   I never feel like I do a good enough job of this. But I'll keep working on it.

What I'm Reading Monday - Quick turnaround

Not much has changed since my last post since it was only three days ago, but I do want to get back on track with posting what I'm reading on Monday - so I didn't want to skip again.

School

Still working through Fire & Ash, but it is a long one so that's not too surprising. I think my next book will be the new series from James Dashner - who wrote The Maze Runner. 

Home

I finally started Covet by Tracey Garvis Graves. Tracey is a good friend of mine, so I've heard about this book for ages - long before it was even going to be published. This is written as a multiple narrative between a wife, husband and a police officer the wife becomes interested in. The husband, Chris, has had a rough year; he loses his job, which results in him becoming depressed. This ends up with the wife, Claire, feeling lonely once he does get a job that requires him to travel almost all week. Because of this, she starts a flirtation with Daniel, a police officer who showed interest in her after he pulled her over. 

Next up at home: The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon. This one was recommended to me by my husband's youngest cousin and LewElla R. Although, this might change because Christopher Rice's book, which comes out tomorrow, looks really good, too.

Finished

I finally finished The Silence of Boneventure Arrow by Rita Leganski. I can't say I was that excited about it. It was interesting, but I thought it had a lot of holes in the plot and a lot of unanswered questions. 

Friday Reads - A bit delayed from Monday

Since I was home sick Monday, I didn't get to do my normal what I was reading post. I had every intention of writing one from home that day, and then I felt so crappy, I just didn't have the energy to do anything but sit like a lump. So, I just moved it to a Friday Reads post instead. And here's my list (and finally, it's a bit smaller).

Home

The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow by  Rita Leganski: I'm still not sure about this one. Bonaventure is now 6 and dealing with issues at school because he doesn't talk. But, he is also the only one who can see his father, who was murdered before he was born. It's different, but I'm not sure I like it still.

School

Fire & Ash by Jonathan Mayberry: This is the last in the Rot & Ruin series. Even though these books are thick, they are a quick read. It's going to be interesting to see what happens with the Reapers, especially when the last chapter I read ended with them finding a way to kill everyone.

Finished

For the Win by Cory Doctorow - Doing a book talk on, so you can hear about it in class.

Juliet by Anne Fortier - I started this because I went to go see Romeo and Juliet on Broadway (and got some good ideas on new ways to talk to you guys about it because of how they staged it and the information they provided at the play) because I thought it was fitting. It's kinda like  a Dan Brown book. Guiletta finds out she is a desendant of THE Juliet. The book weaves in  a mystery of how she has to stop the curse and tells the original story of Romeo and Juliet (yes, there are historical characters that the play was based off). I'll actually book talk this one while we're reading the play in February. 

My Best Race. 

It's Monday, What Are You Reading - The slacker edition

Just go back to last Monday's post. Nothing has changed. I didn't finish any books last week, and  I didn't start any new ones. This is VERY odd for me.

Next week I promise to have different books.

Why I Cannot Be Replaced

• Who would harass the freshmen?
• My friends would miss out on book recommendations.
• No one would get my chocolate chip cookies or sugar cookies anymore (and I've been told both are some of the best).
• My husband goes a little nutty without me for a few days - I'd hate to see what would happen if I was never coming back.
• The world would lose a little humor from my airheadedness, stubbornness, and general cluelessness.

What I'm Reading - A Slightly Smaller List

At school:

I'm just getting ready to start For The Win by Cory Doctrow. I haven't even opened it yet, so I can't give any info about it.

At home:
Same list as last week - and I haven't touched any of those three except for the race book. Tomorrow, I'll start Covet by my friend, Tracey Garvis-Graves.

So, I guess the title is a bit of a lie because I'll actually be reading more books by the end of the day tomorrow.

What I finished last week:

All of these I'll be doing book talks on, so I'm not going to give much info on here about them.
Escape from Camp 14
Across the Universe by Beth Revis
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

Students' Voices

It isn't easy to hand over the reins to other people. Especially when we, as adults, don't think that teens/kids know what they're talking about. How could they? They don't have life experiences or general life wisdom.

But, they aren't complete idiots. They know what works for them, which is why I think students should have some say in their education.

I'm not saying they should sit down and tell teachers what they need to do or write the curriculum on their own, but it doesn't hurt to hear what they have to add. Sometimes, it could be more helpful than a bunch of "oldsters" hanging out for a day determining the next 180 days for 14-year-olds.

At the end of every unit, my students do a reflection on their writing. One of the questions I include on this is "What could I have done differently as your teacher to help you be more successful in this unit?" (And saying "Not make me do it" is clearly stated as not being an option for an answer.). This simple question has helped me frequently since I've added it in. Being an "expert" or having done the unit so often, there are things I overlook. Things that I take for granted because they are obvious to me or done so often, I don't think it needs to be taught. That question and answers clue me in to what I've missed. I've also been given ideas on teaching techniques that could help some kids that are different from my normal style. This feedback is a great gauge for me to determine what I'm doing is effective.

So, while some of the suggestions may be off the wall, some of them are helpful. And, I'll continue asking for your input.

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? - Too much right now!

I've got several books going right now. I'm having a hard time getting excited about anything right now.

At school:

Escape from Camp 14 by Blaine Harden: This is about a man who was born in a North Korean political prisoner camp and managed to escape. He's the only person to have done this successfully. The book details his accounts of the horrors that go on in these camps (even though North Korea denies they even exist). I've just started this one, so I don't have much to say about it yet.


At home:
Sing You Home by Jodi Picoult: Zoe and her husband have tried for years to have a baby, but they've been unsuccessful. After another miscarriage, Zoe is ready to try in vitro again, but her husband refuses and ends up asking for a divorce. I followed the story up to this point, and then it gets a little different. I stopped reading it because it just wasn't holding my interest. I'll end up finishing it, though.

The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow  by Rita Leganski: Just started this one, so I don't have much about it yet. I got it on my Kindle because it was an Amazon daily deal - a book for only $3! Bonaventure is a mute child - so he doesn't speak at all. But, he has amazing hearing abilities. Right now, he's still in the womb, but it follows him and discusses what he can hear and how he reacts to it.

My Best Race: 50 Runners and the Finish Line They'll Never Forget by Chris Cooper: Even though is a collection about runners and their races, this has more to do with overcoming any challenge. This one I'm just reading when I have a few minutes because it is easy to pick up and read one race.