Summer Reading 2014 Style!

Yes, Memorial Day Weekend has passed.  Yes, we're still in school.  Yes, the weather is beautiful.  No, we're not happy about it.  LOL  However, we teachers and students are making the best of it!  State testing ends today and next week we have lots of activities planned.  But it's an interesting time to be working in a public school.  Teachers remain professional and upbeat, as hard as it may be.  We are trying to make the most of our extended time with these kiddos.  Taking time to do those activities with them that weren't part of the "common core" and having those conversations with them that help them succeed in life, not just school.  I work with an outstanding group of people who care about kids and each other.  That's how we're making it...that's how we'll endure school in June! 

I've been weeding the collection and have provided students with lots of reading material for this summer.  I've enjoyed booktalking classics like White Fang and Treasure Island with them.  Some of the covers are "old" and "ugly", according to my middle school students.  You should see their faces when they realize how old these stories are.  But when I talk about a book without referring to the actual copy...only sharing the story...their eyes light up and they're hooked!  Then I hand them the "yucky" book and they're slightly embarrassed that they brought judgement upon it before previewing it.
(Just a little trick reading professionals like to use on unsuspecting teenagers!)  And for me, this is the ONLY time the phrase, "I told ya so!" is appropriate.  In fact, I need a tee shirt that says that!  I have learned that when kids realize you know what you're talking about, they'll admit it.  When they do, it sounds something like this, "Wow!  Mrs. Coombs that WAS an awesome book!  You were right!"  And then I say with a huge smile and a few happy claps, "TOLD YA SO!"  It's not sarcasm, it's truth.  :)  Most of the time I get it right when I match a book with a reader.  I haven't always been successful.  I'm willing to admit that.  :)

On a personal note, I will be engaged in summer reading, of course.  Last summer, I decided to only read adult novels that had been loaned to me by my reading pals.  This summer, I vow to read only those books in my stack.  You know, that huge stack in the corner of my bedroom that beckons to me constantly?  I'm going to read through that.  At one time, I was excited about each and every purchase and then somehow other books nudged their way into my hands and stole my attention.  So, I'm going to return to what I love...lots of Henry VIII, Jane Austen, Phillipa Gregory, etc...

Looking forward to starting summer AND summertime reading!
Happy Reading!
RC

The Great Trouble

An awesome addition to the 2014-2015 Kentucky Bluegrass Nominee List is this piece of historical fiction by Deborah Hopkinson.  And as usual, I've become more interested in the subject matter that I'm reading about.  Not only the time period or historical figures, but the actual villain of the story...cholera.  

As the title suggests, cholera gave London lots of trouble in the 1850s.  It's a humiliating way to die.  Not only is it a painful death, but a person literally dehydrates before dying.  The diarrhea and vomiting are uncontrollable and their dry lips turn a blue color, hence the name, "Blue Death".  Unlike the characters, I know that cholera is caused by contaminated food or water.  And unfortunately, cholera is something third world countries still battle today. (see map below)

 Due to the work of Dr. John Snow, the source of the trouble in London was soon discovered and eliminated.  To learn more about Dr. Snow, like I did, visit this website.  He is credited with discovering that the sickness was affecting the alimentary canal (the mouth from rectal path).  Once he was able to convince the authorities that he was right, they went through the proper channels of containing the filth.  Cholera broke out four times in just a few years in the same neighborhood of London.  Thankfully, Dr. Snow discovered the source.  

Over 500 people died in the summer of 1854, which is when this story takes place.  Eel, the main character, is a mudlark and is hiding a secret...he's running from his stepfather who is a brutal man.  The reader follows Eel as he leads Dr. Snow through the infested streets of London and helps to bring about an end to this horrible epidemic.  

Enjoyed this concise, well-written snapshot from history.  Happy to be able to offer this entertaining story with such a likeable character to my students, who will be learning more about history than they will realize.  :)

Happy Reading!
RC

Watership Down

One of our school's most avid readers asked if I'd read Watership Down by Richard Adams.  When he learned that I had only read excerpts from it in college, he was shocked.  "That's very unlike you, Mrs. Coombs, to not finish every book you start!"  And he's right!  So he went with me to the shelf and we pulled our only copy of the book, copyright 1972.  I am serious about high expectations and I know kids will work to meet them...I want them to know I expect the same from myself.  

Here's a blurb from the book:

 A phenomenal worldwide bestseller for more than forty years, Richard Adams's Watership Down is a timeless classic and one of the most beloved novels of all time. Set in England's Downs, a once idyllic rural landscape, this stirring tale of adventure, courage, and survival follows a band of very special creatures on their flight from the intrusion of man and the certain destruction of their home. Led by a stouthearted pair of brothers, they journey forth from their native Sandleford Warren through the harrowing trials posed by predators and adversaries, to a mysterious promised land and a more perfect society.

Apparently, every English speaking human should read it!?

Happy Reading!
RC

A Break with Charity

After reading about the Salem Witch Trials in Petry's book, Tituba, I was intrigued to see how famed historical fiction queen Ann Rinaldi would handle this hysterical period of our history.  With charm and grace, of course!  I am loving it so far!  I am finding interesting parallels between both authors' works and reveling in the depth of character development Rinaldi is known for.  And I'm learning so much about the true story behind the Salem Witch Trials. 

Here's my favorite quote so far... "What had our way of life done to us, that to escape it some would resort to feigning possession by the dark consorts of eternity?  While others would rush to believe them?  And still others would rush to join them for their own advantage?" 

Think about it.  Let that sink in.  Have we changed all that much?  Is our study of history truly preventing us from repeating it?

Happy Reading,
RC

The Fault in Our Stars

Finally found time to read the most popular book in the world right now, John Green's The Fault in Our Stars.   And may I say that although I cried like it was personal, this was not my most favorite book of the year.  I completely understand why my teenage readers adore this book... it contains everything they're looking for!  I won't ruin the story by commenting on which parts brought about the most wailing for me, but I will say that I haven't had an emotional reaction to a book in this manner since Albus Dumbledore's funeral.  

Since the movie's being released in just a few weeks, I do encourage my students to get it read quickly, but there are some parental advisories I have to make them aware of.  First of all, language.  It's continuous and unnecessary.  With that being said, it's almost understandable since both teens are dying of cancer and angry.  Second, there are sexual scenes.  They are not descriptive, but the characters do engage in premarital sex.  Again, the reader is asked to excuse this behavior because the characters have cancer.  The author says as much through his characters.  It's quite ingenious, actually.  Finally, immature tweens may not be able to handle the anguish caused by some of the more brutally realistic death scenes.  I'm a 42 year old woman and had trouble forgetting these characters were not real and this was not happening to people I knew!  

I'm interested to see how the story plays out on the big screen.  I'm secretly hoping for more of the best friend, Kaitlin.  She was to this story what Ridley was to Beautiful Creatures.  :)

Happy (or sad) Reading!

RC

The Silver Donkey

A few years ago, one of our reading teachers suggested I read The Silver Donkey by Sonya Hartnett.  I can't remember which teacher or her exact words, but I remember making a mental note to add it to my stack.  Then, as usual, I was distracted and completely forgot about this little treasure sitting dusty on our shelves.  Although published in 2006, this book has not received the attention it deserves.  I'm about 3/4 of the way through and after sharing it with a sixth grade class, already have a reserve list for it.  Here's what I know so far...

It's a fable.  Like The Boy in the Striped Pajamas is a fable.  The students aren't used to fables being published to look like novels.  So, it takes some convincing.  Once they hear a little about it, they're sold.  The cover unfortunately does not help.  The students think it looks plain and looks old-fashioned.  I think it looks like a book someone would want to keep forever.  It even comes with it's own ribbon bookmark.  And the story itself is precious and worth sharing.

The plot:  The story takes place during WWI.  While fighting, a lieutenant walks away from the war.  He becomes blind and yearns to see his ailing brother and his home once again.  He loses his way and finds himself lost in the deep forests of France.  Two young French girls find him and begin to take care of him.  They devise a plan to help him return home.  While talking with the children, he tells them three stories about a donkey.  The first story details the donkey that carried a pregnant woman to Bethlehem to have a baby.  The baby is born in a stable.  Sound familiar? (Right away, my students wanted to know more.)  Somehow, the stories are connected.  As of right now, I'm not sure how.  Telling you would spoil it anyway!

So glad I happened upon this title again.  So glad to be able to share it with my students. 

Happy Reading!
RC