The Comeback Season - a contest!

I received the following email from Jennifer Smith, the author of The Comeback Season. As you know I really enjoyed the book- so this contest sounds like lots of fun. :)
Feel free to pass along the contest information to anyone who might be interested!

In honor of the recent publication of The Comeback Season,

and the amazing season the Cubs are having this year, we're having....

The Comeback Season

CONTEST!

1^st Prize: 2 tickets to the Cubs vs. Astros game on 9/3/08 at 7:05 at Wrigley Field

2^nd Prize: A marked-up copy of The Comeback Season, with notes from the author

3^rd Prize: A signed copy of The Comeback Season

There are three ways to win!

1. Let me know that you told at least 10 people about the contest via blog or email

2. Send a photo of you reading the book

3. Send a receipt showing that you bought the book

Send all entries to: thecomebackseason@gmail [dot] com

Winners will be chosen on August 12^th, 2008 by random drawing

(* If you win 1^st prize, but don't live in Chicago, you can opt for the Cubs tickets to go to the next person, and you'll get a marked up copy of the book instead, plus another YA book of your choice!)

Good luck, and go Cubs!

Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen

I find that most of Sarah Dessen's novels are predicable - but that doesn't stop me from reading them. :) I feel that this was one of her better novels - there was a bit more substance to the storyline.

from Barnes and Noble:

Ruby knows that the game is up. For the past few months, she's been on her own in the yellow house, managing somehow, knowing that her mother will probably never return.

That's how she comes to live with Cora, the sister she hasn't seen in ten years, and Cora's husband Jamie. A luxurious house, fancy private school, a new wardrobe, the promise of college and a future-it's a dream come true. So why is Ruby such a reluctant Cinderella, wary and defensive? And why is Nate, the genial boy next door with some secrets of his own, unable to accept the help that Ruby is just learning to give?

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

what a conference!

Last week I was very lucky to attend the NECC (National Educational Computing Conference). It was held in San Antonio, TX - which was a city I had not visited before. Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Schuetz, Mrs. Carney, and Mr. Beese also were at the conference ... it was fun for us to learn together.

The theme of the conference was: convene connect transform

It was so interesting to convene (meet) with other teachers from around the country and learn about how technology can be used in our classrooms. It was exciting to connect with other teachers who had similar interests and gave me ideas to use at our school. The conference gave me much to think about and tranformed my thinking of technology in many ways.
I wanted to share about this conference with you because teachers also like to learn... and it is really neat to have Ah-ha! moments ... just like you do when you learn something exciting in the classroom! :)

A Small White Scar by K.A. Nuzum

It took me a little while to get into this book, but I am glad I gave it a chance. I loved how the author developed the relationship between the main character, Will, and his twin brother, Denny.

from Barnes and Noble:
Will can see his future stretch out before him. It's as clear as the plains that lead to La Junta and the first-place prize at the rodeo. He will become a man, a cowboy with a life of his own. But his twin brother, Denny, follows, bringing with him the memory of that small white scar. Ahead lies adventure; behind, responsibility. And on the road between, Will and Denny will travel together -- brothers united by blood.

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