Barbara’s Book Buzz……I am going to keep adding my newest books at the top, but scroll down to see what I have added…problem is remembering to add the books I read!
Well I have read The Protector of the Small Quartet by Tamora Pierce. She is an excellent writer of strong female heroines who defy the stereotype of women in their time and persevere to make a difference in their world. Books include the following:
First Test: Where young lady Keladry of Mendelson(?) becomes of age to begin the process of knighthood. It has been 10 years since Lady Alanna has become a knight and King Jonathan had decreed that girls could choose that route. No one had until Keladry. She has an uphill battle, but is determined to stay true to her calling
Page: Kel has made it through her first year, probationary because she is a girl. She now faces the same bullies, but bigger issues await her inside herself. Her fear of heights. She acquires a maid, helps many people, and meets new friends. Certianly a satisfying middle book to this series.
Squire: Despite worst intentions of some of her classmates and the kidnapping from the previous book. Kel passes her squire test and is looking to see who will accept her. One of the last to be chose, Kel becomes squire to the Lord Raoul, the head of the King’s own force. Though she is disappointed about being not being Lady Alanna, she soon realizes that she has much to learn from Lord Raoul. She acquires a griffon, becomes a pretty good jouster, and prepares for War and the Chamber.
Lady Knight: The last book of the series. Kel, given a special task by the Chamber to deal with the maker of the metal killing machines, is frustrated by her first task as a knight. To take command of the refugee camp. She learns so many things in her route to becoming the Knight she hopes to be, but how will she complete the task given to her that haunts her dreams?
Fame and Glory in Freedom, Georgia by Barbara O’Connor…Being a Georgia peach myself, just had to read it! Delightful story of Bird, who has no friends, wanting to make friends! It is realistic and heartwarming. I really liked the ending..though not what I wanted to happen of course!
Truce by Jim Murphy…About the Christmas Truce during WWI on the Western Front. Easy to read and interlaced with actual letters from many soldiers from both sides. A good example of showing both sides of the situation! See Shelfari…barbarab
The Emperor of Nihon Ja by John Flanagan…#10 in the Ranger’s Apprentice series. Fast paced adventures books for ages 9+ (Boys really like this series)
Yet another satisfying adventure of Will, Horace, and Halt. As with the other books in this series, we are entertained with the innocent humor of the hulking Skandians. Halt, the terse senior ranger, and Will, quick-witted and positive-spirited young ranger, again show their keen sense of military strategy as they search for Horace who has gone missing in the Nihon-Ja Kingdom for some months. Unbeknownst to Will and Halt, Horace, the ever honorable knight, has chosen to defend his new friend, the Emperor, from a coup attempt by the Senshi warriors. As important as all this is, Alyss and Evalyn (Princess Cassandra) steal most of the action in this book. They must find a race of shaggy giants from across the big lake, fight a night terror, and bring an army to save the Nihon-Ja Emperor and their friends. Beyond all the outside threats, the most serious battle these young women face is how not to kill each other! They must become friends to overcome the challenges that will take their friends’ life!
Love Aubrey by Suzanne M. LaFleur Ages 10+ (A good read aloud)
A story of grieving and the long road to recovery. Aubrey is abandoned by her mother after the mother “loses it” from mourning the loss of the husband and youngest daughter death in a car accident. Aubrey, grieving and alone, shuts herself away and becomes “independent” until her grandmother arrives to provide a solid support for her. She moves to live with her grandmother in Vermont. Aubrey’s mother is finally found, but recovering takes a long time…sometimes a lifetime. Wonderfully written!
We Can’t All Be Rattlesnakes by Patrick Jennings Ages 8+ (Something for all ages-Good read aloud) (Boys will like this book)
I picked up this book because of the title. Clever titles do make a difference. This is a great book about what it is like to be kept prisoner against your will and whether it is right to keep wild animals for pets…all written from the point of view from the animals kept in prison. I really liked it when the snake bit the boy’s friend! My favorite statement is from the snake of course “Raising one’s offspring is definitely for birds and mammals!” Funny, action-packed, and with some deep philosophical views; something for everyone!
You Wouldn’t Want To Salariya Book series now published by Franklin Watts and Scholastic Press. Ages 8 +
This nonfiction series displays the not so glorious side of life while participating in some of history’s most famous events.
Titles in this series include:
You Wouldn’t Want to be in the First Submarine! An Undersea Expedition You’d Rather Avoid by Ian Graham
You Wouldn’t Want to be a Greek Athlete!: Races You’d Rather Not Run by Michael Ford
You Wouldn’t Want to Be Tutankhamen! A Mummy Who Really Got Meddled With by David Stewart
You Wouldn’t Want to Travel With Captain Cook! A Voyage You’d Rather Not Make by Mark Bergin
For more information about this series, visit http://www.salariya.com/wouldnt/pages/wouldnt.html to see what else you wouldn’t want to do.
Barbara B on http://www.shelfari.com
My personal goal this year is to read 100 books and comment on them…I am trying.. ..
You can also view my readings on Shelfari, www.shelfari.com and request my friendship, BarbaraB.
August 2010
13. Eidi by Bodil Bredsdorff. Historical Fiction set in Ancient Denmark. Part of the Children of the Crow Cove Series. An interesting story of trying to find one’e place in an expanding family. Easy to read, but it would have helped to have read the Crow-Girl. Well translated.
12. Born to Fly by Michael Ferrari. Historical Fiction set in WWII in which a young girl wants to become a pilot. Her dad is killed during the war and she also uncovers a spy ring. Added to this drama is a Japanese boy and his uncle are thrown into the mix. Lots of thread that are neatly woven together!
11. Wild Thing: by Clay Carmichael. A beautiful story of an independent girl, who has been disappointed by every adult in her life, learning to trust in being loved. Highly recommend! *****
10. Home of the Brave by Katherine Applegate-I have really become a fan of Ms. Applegate. Home of the Brave is a great story for ESL, migration, and learning to be adaptable. Perfect for 5th Grade.
1. The Loathsome Dragon-read to my 2nd-3rd grade book club Friday’s group. They really enjoyed it, but I felt that it was similiar to other fairy tales.
2. Mouth Frog-There are so many different versions of this book, but the first graders liked it, especially when I made my mouth small!
3. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie- was fun to do with 1st graders and then try to make up our own..”If you give a 1st grader a bookbag…somehow we ended up with an alligator snapping off their heads…go figure!”
4. Zorgamazoo- New fiction/fantasy book that is written entirely in rhyme! I think the author must be a genius and has quite a unique writing style. I will say that reading that much rhyme is not easy, I think it would be a fun READ ALOUD! Better to do a class discussion.
5. Wild Girl-Great book for horse lovers and transitioning into new culture and new language. Sad scene on wetting pants because she couldn’t explain to the teacher that she had to go to the bathroom.
6. Chicken Cheeks-funny book on the way we describe our sitting part.
7. Popeye and Elvis-funny book on living in the deep south and 2 boys finding each other. Overcoming boredom…not sure that international students would have a lot to relate except being kept in and totally board over summers…Hmmmm
8. We Can’t All Be Rattlesnakes-Great book on understanding captivity and keeping wild animals…Simple book, deep thoughts. Great for parenting as well!
9. Mockingjay-Was a fantastic ending to a great trilogy. The Hunger Games trilogy is definitely for mature readeres, but there is so much one can learn about being true to oneself and making hard decisions. Grades 5 and up.
Starting on January 1st, 2009, I will try to read 2009 books. I am doing this for several reasons. #1 It will help me to become more familiar with my collection in the library. #2 It will help me to build in daily reading time or I won’t reach my goal. #3 I want to encourage others to set reading goals and hopefully be an example to them. My children, Hannah and Will, have also agreed to take on the challenge…they get prizes and penalities. See their reading contract page.
January 1, 2009
1. Slugs by David Greenberg-gross but definitely a kids sense of humor..both of my children loved it…We have a family joke about slugs getting you!
2. Players in Pigtails by Shana Corey-Historical Fiction about women’s baseball league during WWII.
3. 123 Yippie by Lisa Jahn-Clough
4. The Tie Man’s Miracle by Steven Shnur-good Chanuakah tale
5. My Mama had a Dancing Heart by Libba Moore Gray-nice poem about mom
6. The Eyes of Gray Wolf by Jonathan London-great winter book
7. Why Cowboys Sleep With Their Boots On by Laurie Lazzaro Knowlton-children will like who is taking the clothes
8. Why Cowboys Need a Brand by Laurie Lazzaro Knowlton
9. The Night Eater by Ana Juan-strange book about how night and day change!
10. Marven of the Great North Woods by Kathryn Lasky- Historical Fiction
11. Why Cowboys Need A Pardner by Laurie Lazzaro Knowlton
12 King Bidgood’s in the Bathtub by Audrey Wood-little kids love the bathtub pictures
13. Annie Was Warned by Jarrett J. Krosoczka-Halloween Birthday
14. Jafta by Hugh Lewin-cute for prek/kind acting out animal movements
15. Dragon Feet by Marjorie Jackson-Chinese New Year, quick read.not that interesting
16. Mrs. Goodstory by Joy Cowley-Great for teaching Writing!
17. The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski-long story, but great
18. Luka’s Quilt by Georgia Guback-great story about how a grandaughter and grandmother work out their differences on how they like things…Need to read this with my own mom!
19. Who Took the Farmer’s Hat? by Joan L. Nodset-good for beginning readers, controlled vocab
20. Meet Mr and Mrs. Green by Keith Baker- cute alligator story that reminds of George and Martha…though don’t like the overeating story.
21. Jafta’s Mother by Hugh Lewin- Good for teaching writing..great descriptors of the mom
22. The Blizzard by Betty Ren Wright-Historical Fiction of an impromptu birthday party
23. How do Dinosaurs Go to School? by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague- good to help come up with classroom rules at the beginning of the school year.
24. Loose Tooth by Steven Kroll- signed by him. Didn’t like that the brother was reward for stealing the tooth just because he was ignored for a day.
Now I am getting ahead!
25. Starring Lucille by Kathryn Lasky-cute birthday story
26. Show and Tell Bunnies by Kathryn Lasky- cute for baby spiders being born
27. All the Colors of the Earth by Sheila Hamanaka-good for a multicutlural unit..possibly 1st grade tie in at SAS
28. Arthur’s Tractor by Pippa Goodhart-cute fractured fairytale with good onimontapeia
29. Happy to be Nappy by Bell Hooks-the poem did not flow and was not easy to read…remembering it to be controversial about the curly hair calling it nappy
30. Cooperation by Lucia Raatma-great for teaching cooperation for 1st grade theme
31. Cooperation by Janet Riechecky-ditto above
32. Honey…Honey…Lion! by Jan Brett-fun story to go with cooperation or lack there of
33. Cornrows by Camille Yarbrough-how hair shares the history of the African American
34. An Octopus Followed Me Home by Dan Yaccarino- Whimsicaly story about a little girl and her pets. Young children will love the ending
35. first Day on a Strange New Planet by Dan Yaccarino- Fun story about a student exchange program between an earthling and an alien. Good example of accepting people who are different.
36. Hilda Hen’s Scary Night by Mary Wormell- reminds me of the petunia books…things are not quite what they seem
37. Sugaring by Jessie Haas-realistic/historical fiction about gathering sap to make maple syrup…bring on the pancakes!
38. Alicia’s Best Friends by Lisa Jahn-Clough
39. Hilda Hen’s Happy Birthday by Mary Wormell- great example of how Hilda believes the world revolves around her..might even be good for MS
40. Toot & Puddle by Holly Hobbie-Two of my favorite pigs.one the traveler and one the homebody. Great for how friends can be different and still be friends.
41. Grandpa Never Lies by Ralph Fletcher-heartwarming poems between a grandchild and grandaughter.
42. Moving Day by Ralph Fletcher- great present for someone leaving!
43. A writing Kind of Day by Ralph Fletcher-great for teaching writing!
44. Twilight Comes Twice-Great descriptors for writing and the pictures are lovely.
45. Circus Surprise by Ralph Fletcher-Cute story about being lost at the circus.
46. Hellow Harvest Moon by Ralph Fletcher-Beutiful poems to read in the fall.
50. You Never Sausage Love by Brian P. Cleary- Great book for a play on words though the story doesn’t quite hold together.
51. The Great Graph Contest by Loreen Leedy-Excellent math book. Story about a contest to make graphs. Explanation of graphs in the back. ***** 5 star book
52. Purple Hair? I Don’t Care by Dianne Young-K and 1st graders will love the rhyme as they figure out pretty early who the mother is of the predicted baby with purple hair, yellow eyes..etc.
53. Golden Bear by Ruth Young, ill. rachel isadora-prek book about a toddler and his bear. short!
54. Chili-Chili-Chin-Chin by Belle Yang- I like the bright illustrations. Has a Chinese overtone to it.
55. Umbrella by Taro Yashima- Classic child’s book about a 3 year old getting rain gear and having to wait until it rains to use then has a grand time.
56. Harry the Dirty Dog by Gene Zion- Fun beginning reader story about a dog that gets really dirty and his family does not recognize him.
57. Harry and the Lady Next Door by Gene Zion-I can read book-cute story about opera singing that reminds of children in church..Harry is not different.
58. No Roses for Harry! by Gene Zion-Harry gets a sweater from Grandma that he doesn’t like and finally a bird unravels for surprise ending.
As you can tell…I am already falling behind…I know that I should already be at 127…and I am not even half way there…but I will keep trying!
59. Your Dog Might Be a Werewolf, Your Toes Could All Explode-silly story, but fun for boys.
60. Ulysses Moore: The Long Lost Map by UM-Great adventure series!
61. Sometimes by Keith Baker-PRe K story
62. Visiting Day by Jacqueline Woodson-About preparing and visiting a father in prison…author’s note helps explain…not sure its place in an international school.
63. The Boy in the Attic-Interesting ghost story of an immigrant boy making friends with a ghost in order to cope.
64. Kiwi and Scorpion by Tina Cartwright-Cute story of courage and friendship…don’t understand how a scorpion got to New Zealand…
65. The Dove’s Letter by Keith Baker-Great idea of how a letter of love can touch so many.
66. Peek! A Thai Hide and Seek by Minfong Ho -Primary book that shows Thai culture.
67. Family Tree by Pierre Coran-Good book about adoption.
68. The Giving Book byEllen Sabin-More of a workbook to get children empowered to give and help…Ok book.
69. Coming on Home Soon by Jacqueline Woodson-Great Historical Fiction about a mother going away to work during WWII and a young child staying with her grandmother waiting on her mother.
That’s all for now Jan 21! Yikes!
So I am really Pathetic….It is January 31st and I have not posted anything and only read a few..though they were my favorites…
70. Out of Canaan by Jan Karon(adult)….Absolutely wonderful about a Episcopalian Preist who gets married at 63 and adopts a boy. What impresses me most are the wonderful characters of everyday life and his prayer life. I wonder what stories all the people around me have to tell.
71. A New Song by Jan Karon (adult)….the story continues with Father Timothy and Cynthia moving to the outbanks for an interim pastorate. I love these stories.
Ok…Gotta get caught up! April 2nd…read lots…recorded little.!
72. The Shack by WP Young(Adult)…awesome soul searching book! Highly recommend!
73. Light from Heaven by Jan Karon (adult)…listening to it on the bus ride home. Love the stories.
74. In this Mountain by Jan Karon (adult)…listening…Highly recommend the Mitford series.
75. It’s aBoy by Michael Thompson(parenting)…every parent of a boy should read!
76. Little Red Riding Hood by James Marshall-great pictures
77. Lon Po Po by Ed Young? Great Chinese version of Red Riding Hood.
78. All Alone in the Universe by Lynne Rae Perkins- Ok, but the conversation is not true to teenagers.
79. The Secret Order of the Gumm Street Girls by Elise Primavera-cute story with allusions to Wizard of Oz.
80. The True Diary of a Part-time Indian by ????. Definitely not an elementary or lower MS, but a good story about the life of a reservation and leaving it for a better life.
81. Goldilocks Returns by Campbell Ernst.- cute retelling.
82. Goldilocks and the Three Bears by James Marshall
83. Goldie by???? Cute modern retelling about liking things your way
84. Seven Chinese Sisters by???? Terribly written…good example of bad writing, but good illustrations.
85. Seven Chinese Brothers by Mahy. The Great Wall version…different from the next one.
86. Five Chinese Brothers by???
87. Lon Po Po by ??? Chinese Red Riding Hood Tale
88. Little Red Riding Hood by James Marshall
89. Little Red by???
90. Little Red Rodzinka by ??? cute Aftrican American RRH tale. Obviously I am doing a Fairytale unit in 1st Grade.
May…already…read so many that I have not recorded, but will try to get up to speed…Maybe I can get 209 recorded this year…though I have already read that many!
91. The Great Turkey Walk by Kathleen Karr….doing a booktalk for 5th Grade. Funny book! Love turkeys!
92. Water for Elephants by Sarah????…Parent Book Club talk…excellent story and well written. Adult book and well worth the time!
Ok…I am pathetic in keeping up with all the books I read this summer and now…. I guess I should go back to a notebook and then transfer…
93. The Guernsey Literary and Potatoe Peel Pie Soceity…Fantastic. Adult Fiction
94. The Alchemist by Michael Scott-Great Upper Elementary/MS Fantasy
95. The Magician by Michael Scott-ditto
96. The Sorceress by Michael Scott…can’t wait for the Necromancer to come out in May 010.
97. Operation Red Jericho by Joshua Mowll…Interesting fiction that takes place in China…fantasy UE/MS
98. Operation Typhoon Shore by Joshua Mowll….Sequel…pretty good..makes you think you are reading real adventure with real pictures and drawings of ships.
99. Twilight by Stephanie Meyer….Didn’t think I would like it….Love it and can’t wait to read again!
100. New Moon by Stephanie Meyer.
101. Eclipse
102. Breaking Dawn…not my favorite, but enjoyed the ending. Not sure I will read host?????
103. A whole new mind by Daniel Pink. Professional Book…excellent implications for the right brainers of the future!
104. The Amaranth Enchantment by Julie Berry…Good example of an author’s inability to bring all the threads together. Would be great to do a comparison of what the author could have done to create a better ending.