Night

I first heard about Elie Wiesel while watching the Oprah Winfrey Show.  I had seen an advertisement that she would be visiting Auschwitz with one of the Holocaust Survivors and I knew I wanted to know more.  So I tuned in.  It was interesting and I could feel the grief and pain fresh on the man's face.  Could almost feel it through the television.  And then many years passed and I thought about other things...

Working in the book storage closet, I discovered a classroom set of Night by Wiesel.  Unmarked and unused.  I had a few requests from teachers on and off who wished to read the book for personal or professional reasons, but never to use with a class.  I figured it was too graphic for middle school students and I let them collect dust.  A few months ago, while choosing Book Breakfast titles, I dusted them off and stacked them on the counter.  If a student wished to learn more about the Holocaust, I would let them.  And then in May, we'd discuss what we'd learned.  It's a powerful read.  Not one to be read quickly.  It's an experience to ponder.  To let absorb into your soul.  Sure, the content is graphic, but it's truth.  The language is tame compared to other popular young adult reads.  I always preface checkout with a statement about abandoning and how it's okay to put down a book that bothers you.  But they usually won't put down Night without finishing.  They have a craving, a desire, a need to read and empathetically  connect with characters, to connect with the survivor.  I can't wait to sit and listen as my students share their feelings about Elie's story.  I will share with them a copy of the book, Six Million Paperclips and am in the process of ordering a copy of the documentary, which I loved watching on HBO.  My students devour everything I have on WWII and the Holocaust.  I believe it has something to do with their emotional state, their maturity level.  They are grasping to find out who they are and although they know they'll not have much in common with the characters, they read to experience how the characters deal with their issues.  Immature readers model that behavior.  Mature readers can adapt and learn from the experience...the character made a good choice and reaped benefits OR the character made a bad choice and had to accept the consequences.  I'm finding that more and more, it's easier for me to gauge whether or not a student will be able to discern a character's choices.  There are quite a few times when Wiesel himself questions his own choices and thoughts.  I found that one of the more profound parts of the book. 

I've spent part of the morning looking at images of Dr. Mengele, Auschwitz prisoners and black and white photos of Jewish children, who the SS used for target practice.  If the child could be tossed into the air, they were used as target practice.  If they were too old, they were thrown into the furnace to be burned alive.  That's fact.  Reality.  It happened.  And it's going to be forgotten if we don't make an effort to remember.

Sometimes the reading isn't happy...
RC

Studio Ghibli Films

Studio Ghibli, a division of Disney, produces some of the best anime films.  Fortunately for me, their films are based on young adult literature and I can expose my middle school students to the talents of Hayao Miyazaki, Tashio Suzuki as well as the fantastical novels of Diana Wynne Jones and Mary Norton.  Usually, I can't get my students to read Jones or Norton...their stories were published prior to 2000 and thus deemed "old" to most students.  I've been successful purchasing fresh copies of the books and fooling my students into thinking their

new...I never lie, I just don't answer when they ask, "Is this a new book?"  But I cannot get them to pick up a copy of Howl's Moving Castle (Jones) or The Borrowers (Norton) even with newer versions.  Anime to the rescue!!!  Now, I have the upper hand with these conversations.  This is how one of my recent book consultations went...

Student: "Will you help me find a good book?"
Me:  "Sure!  Do you enjoy fantasy?"
Student: "Yes."
Me:  "Why don't you try this?' (As I hold up a copy of either book.)

Student:  "No, that's ok."
Me:  "Do you like anime?"
Student: "Yes"
Me:  "Have you heard of 'Spirited Away'?"
Student: "Yes, I love that movie."
Me:  "The same director created an anime film for this book.  If you'll read it, I'll let you check out the DVD."
Student: "Awesome!"

I couldn't be more pleased to finally have a method for circulating these titles.  I mean, c'mon...look at the covers we own.  Would you want to check these out?  :)  Students who have never found a hidden treasure in the library don't know that feeling...the euphoria you feel when you realize you've discovered a story worth reading again and again.  Despite the horrific cover or lack thereof! 

Happy Reading!
RC

March Book Breakfast!

This month's book breakfast was a trip back to May 1910, the year Halley's Comet made it's way close to earth once again.  In Selling Hope, we met Hope McDaniels a 13 year old who travels the vaudeville circuit performing magic with her father, Nick.  Along her travels, she meets many characters including Buster Keaton as a boy.  So this morning, we used YouTube to watch some old vaudeville routines and "Seven Chances" starring the real-life Buster Keaton.  The girls were so enthusiastic and receptive.  The discussion was mature, as always, and we had moments of joy and heartache as we discussed Hope's metamorphosis and life-altering decisions.  How this book did not score a Newbery medal of honor, I'll never know.  It would be fabulous to use in a US History classroom.  And Hope is just so enjoyable a character to spend some time with.  It's a fairly short read if you're looking to learn something about our nation's past!

As soon as I can this evening, I'm going to start the final book in The Ascendants Trilogy by Jennifer Nielsen.  I was pleasantly surprised by The False Prince and then impressed with The Runaway King, because an author finally kept my attention throughout a sequel.  Dare I say book 2 was better than book 1?  Maybe...

Looking forward to revisiting Jaron and pals as they brace themselves for war.  Love reading fantasy!  Here's a blurb from the goodreads.com just in case you're interested in the trilogy. 

"War has come to Carthya. It knocks at every door and window in the land. And when Jaron learns that King Vargan of Avenia has kidnapped Imogen in a plot to bring Carthya to its knees, Jaron knows it is up to him to embark on a daring rescue mission. But everything that can go wrong does. His friends are flung far and wide across Carthya and its neighbouring lands. In a last-ditch effort to stave off what looks to be a devastating loss for the kingdom, Jaron undertakes what may be his last journey to save everything and everyone he loves. But even with his lightning-quick wit, Jaron cannot forestall the terrible danger that descends on him and his country. Along the way, will he lose what matters most? And in the end, who will sit on Carthya's throne?"
  
Happy Reading!
RC 

KBA Panel 2014

It's my honor and privilege to serve once again this year on the Kentucky Bluegrass Award

Panel for Middle Grades.  Throughout the year, the other panel members and I read, read, read and then get together via email to nominate our favorite books of the year.  We narrow the list down throughout the school year, removing and even adding to the list to ensure we have the strongest representation of 6-8 literature available.  We prefer the copyright date not be older than 2 years to keep the list "fresh".  We never choose a sequel.  However, with that being said, we have chosen in the past to put Small Steps by Louis Sachar on the list because of it's ability to stand alone even though it's a companion book, and some even argue sequel, to Holes.  Because the list is due in April, we meet in person twice during the school year to discuss the books.  I always attend the Lexington meeting in March for a couple of reasons... first, I love attending the last meeting where the list is finalized.  Second, I have fallen in love with the Bronte Bistro and their amazing cup of chai.  Now that next year's list is finalized, I'll be asking my students to vote for their favorite Bluegrass book from the 13-14 school year.  Cannot wait to find out which book is the North Middle favorite!  

Happy Reading!
RC

Winter Book Frenzy 2014

 Oh...just a few pictures from the highly successful Winter Book Frenzy!  This was the sixth event I've coordinated and it only gets better with each one!  Nineteen tables, authors/books, 22 adults.  80+ kids.  Unbelievable discussion.  Fun food and door prizes.  A blast for readers!  We even had a visitor from the public library...young adult programmer, Susan King!  And, our assistant superintendent, Matt Perkins, hosted a table this year!  Can't wait for October to do this again! 

 Top:  THE MOST POPULAR door prizes are the ginormous bottles of cheese balls.  I mean, c'mon...who doesn't like a snack while they read?!  Seriously, the students love choosing between the $400 worth of door prizes provided by our principal.  They love getting their hands on the newest books, large pillows and movies based on books. 

 Above:  Seventh grade science teacher, Pam Millay, is shown with one of her sixth grade readers.  The sixth graders must wait their turn to attend their first event.  Looks like Angel came prepared.  No doubt she read the book all the way through and marked memorable passages.  She looks happy to be sharing this experience with an adult who she may never have the pleasure of having in class...but she's made another adult contact within our school.  Someone she feels comfortable with. 

Left:  Sixth grader Jacob has reached his limit with Homer P. Figg! Eighth grade social studies teacher, Robert Vincent led this table discussion.

Right:  Sixth grader Gus demonstrates that an artifact doesn't make sense until you read the book!  Apparently, from conversation I overheard from this table, tuna is a very important tool in the characters' chances for survival.   Sixth grade social studies teacher, Ladonna Barnes, led this table.

 Left:  Family and Consumer Science teacher, Melanie Wester led the table discussion for The Fault in Our Stars, one of the more popular books in our school library.  Shown with her are lucky gals...each won a door prize!  They would probably agree that the biggest reward was getting chosen for this book...it's an emotional roller coaster!  One student called it a "five tissue book".

 Right:  Music teacher, Jill Page led the discussion for Red Kayak.  Shown are students who look very happy to be having a snack!!  Students at our school love to read...they are provided with lots of opportunities to read a variety of authors and genres.  Also, all of the teachers buy into the belief that reading for pleasure is an important life-long activity and they model it well. 

 Left:  Sixth grade reading teacher, Lori Tatum, had an enthusiastic group of readers to discuss Counting by 7s with.  Mrs. Tatum has already named this her "book of the year"!  I'm sure the students would agree that it's a must-read!  They spent their time discussing the book and working on artwork that depicted the character's love for gardening.  Mrs. Tatum presented each with a little pot and seedling of their very own.

Right:  Seventh grade reading teacher, Amy Luttrell and her group asked to be put back together after meeting in October.  They read Shelter by Harlan Coben and loved the book and discussing it with each other so much that they wanted to read the sequel together.  Mrs. Luttrell ordered pizza and they discussed the book while creating a physical display for our library which is full of symbolism.

As long as I am the lms here at MNMS, I'll continue to create frenzy events because of the lasting benefit I've seen them have on students and teachers alike.

Happy Reading!  And find someone to talk about books with!

RC