Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen

I had read Flipped before, but I wanted to reread it since it had been a while and I wanted to be prepared for the Lunch Bunch discussion about this book on Thursday. :)
I liked it just as much as the first I read it! :)

From Barnes and Noble:
"In alternating chapters, two teenagers describe how their feelings about themselves, each other, and their families have changed over the years."

Happy reading! If you read Flipped, comment on this post and let me know how you liked it. :)

Boot Camp by Todd Strasser

Todd Strasser is an author who isn't afraid to write about tough subjects. His current book examines a disciplinary boot camp where troubled teens are sent.
This is not a fun, light read ...but I quickly became absorbed in this fast-paced novel, wondering what would happen to the teens at Harmony Lake.

Question of the Week

The Question of the Week is: How do you find good books to read?

I find good books to read by talking to students, reading reviews, and talking to other teachers and librarians!

Please cast your vote in the poll located in the right hand column of the blog. :)

Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two by Joseph Bruchac

Code Talker is on the Rebecca Caudill 2008 list. The book tells the story of Ned, a 16 year old Navajo boy, who becomes a code talker. This work of historical fiction was fascinating and I liked that the author provided more information about the actual code talkers at the end of the book.

from Amazon:
"Six-year-old Ned Begay leaves his Navajo home for boarding school, where he learns the English language and American ways. At 16, he enlists in the U.S. Marines during World War II and is trained as a code talker, using his native language to radio battlefield information and commands in a code that was kept secret until 1969. Rooted in his Navajo consciousness and traditions even in dealing with fear, loneliness, and the horrors of the battlefield, Ned tells of his experiences in Hawaii, Guadalcanal, Bougainville, Guam, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. The book, addressed to Ned's grandchildren, ends with an author's note about the code talkers as well as lengthy acknowledgments and a bibliography."

Happy reading! If you read Code Talker: A Novel About the Navajo Marines of World War Two, comment on this post and let me know how you liked it. :)

Question of the Week

The Question of the Week is: What is your favorite season?

I thought this was a good question because Fall is coming soon.

Summer is my favorite season because I love warm weather... but Fall is my 2nd favorite season because I love all the leaves changing colors. :)

Please cast your vote in the poll located in the right hand column of the blog. :)

Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell out of a Tree by Lauren Tarshis

I immediately fell in love with Emma-Jean, a quirky, caring, oddball 7th grader, who tries to solve the problems of her classmates.

from Amazon:
"Emma-Jean Lazarus is a lovable oddball who thinks she can use logic to solve the “messy” everyday problems of her seventh-grade peers. It’s easy—she just follows the example of her late father, a brilliant mathematician. Of course, the more Emma-Jean gets involved, the messier her own life gets. Suddenly she’s no longer the person standing on the outside of all social interactions. But perhaps that’s a good thing?"

Happy reading! If you read Emma-Jean Lazarus Fell out of a Tree, comment on this post and let me know how you liked it. :)

Question of the Week

The Question of the Week is: What is your favorite kind of ice cream?

Please cast your vote in the poll located in the right hand column of the blog. :)

I included butter pecan ... because that is my favorite kind of ice cream!

Is your favorite ice cream not listed? Choose "other" and then comment on this blog post and tell me what it is. :)

The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo

This book is a good example of why sometimes you might want to give a book a second chance. I tried reading this book last year and I just couldn't seem to enjoy reading it. I had heard from students that they really enjoyed it...so this past week I decided to give it a second chance. I am so glad that I did! It was a quick read, but such a touching story and the beautiful illustrations just made the novel more special.

from Barnes and Noble:
"It all starts simply: A china rabbit, a house, and a girl. And then one day, the rabbit, who is named Edward Tulane, disappears and begins a miraculous journey. Newbery medalist Kate diCamillo and artist Bagram Ibatoulline have created a piercingly beautiful story about love, loss, and the power to love again."

Happy reading! If you read The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, comment on this post and let me know how you liked it. :)

Lunch Bunch Book Club

Just a reminder about the Lunch Bunch Book Club...
Any interested students (that means you!) are invited to join the club. Stop by the LMC to let me (Mrs. Kirsch) know that you would like to be part of the club and also to pick up a copy of the book.

6th grade - We will be reading Flipped by Wendelin Van Draanen
7th grade - We will be reading Surviving the Applewhites by Stephanie Tolan
8th grade - We will be reading Shadow Spinner by Susan Fletcher

Meetings will be held the first Thursday of each month. Our first meeting will be Thursday, October 4th during your lunch period. Plan on bringing your lunch...we will eat lunch together while we discuss the book.

Please see me with any questions! :)

Question of the week

The Question of the Week is: What is your favorite genre?

Please cast your vote in the poll located in the right hand column of the blog. :)

Eclipse

I have gotten a few comments on the post about Eclipse and I have enjoyed talking with many of you about this book during this past week at school!

Like many of you, I want the next book to be out NOW. :) But...the next book in the Twilight series, Breaking Dawn, will not be released until Fall 2008. Stephenie Meyer has also started to write Midnight Sun, which is Edward's version of Twilight. You can read the first chapter of Midnight Sun on Stephenie Meyer's website.