I stumbled upon a linky party for what are you reading?! (Click on this to be redirected to the linky party for other awesome teachers and their recommendations: Teach Mentor Texts) This is an awesome one that I plan on participating in each week. I don't know about you but it is always this time of year that I find myself longing to read for pleasure not just professional books/articles.
Some of my favorite books include young adult fiction, realistic fiction, and some good romance novels. This summer I would like to read some more nonfiction and biographies. My list is already starting!
So.....what am I reading? And what are my students reading?? Here is just a snippet below:
My pick: Wonder by: R.J.Palacio (Here is the link to grab it at Amazon):
*This is an AMAZING and INSPIRING book. Here is the summary that is also found on Amazon: "August Pullman was born with a facial deformity that, up until now, has prevented him from going to a mainstream school. Starting 5th grade at Beecher Prep, he wants nothing more than to be treated as an ordinary kid—but his new classmates can’t get past Auggie’s extraordinary face. WONDER, now a #1 New York Times bestseller and included on the Texas Bluebonnet Award master list, begins from Auggie’s point of view, but soon switches to include his classmates, his sister, her boyfriend, and others. These perspectives converge in a portrait of one community’s struggle with empathy, compassion, and acceptance."
My personal response: It has been a long time since I have found such an inspiring book that has struck me emotionally and as a teacher. I can't wait to read this outloud to my students. August is brave, bold, and so endearing. I want him to be my friend. This is a book about acceptance, friendship, and bullying. I think kids will fall in love with this!
My friend Alyssa in my class suggests this book:
This is what she said: "This is a dog book. Who doesn't love a dog story? And it is funny, not sure if it is sad, and is just a really good book."
Here is the Amazon information for it along with a summary:
Eleven-year-old Dessa Dean lives with her father, a hunter and trapper,
in a remote wilderness area. So traumatized by witnessing her mother’s
death that she cannot bear to leave the cabin even to use the outhouse,
she is plagued by nightmares and tormented by waking “daymares.” She
lives a lonely life until a lame, half-starved dog comes to the door. In
reaching out to befriend the skittish dog, she begins to think beyond
her limitations and takes the first step toward healing. In a convincing
first-person narrative, Dessa tells of her frustration with her
troubles, her hopes when the dog appears, her determination to bring him
into her life, and her slow progress toward that end. Though the plot’s
outcome is predictable, readers who enjoy animal stories will no doubt
find plenty to like here.
Glad you joined in the fun! This is my favorite blogging day of the week, and keeps me right on track with my reading and reviewing. I also find so many great new book recommendations this way! Glad you're a part of it! And, I hear you on the coffee...we just finished April vacation. Let me tell you, coffee was a must this morning.
ReplyDeleteWe had all sorts of flooding here in Illinois as well, and it was insane! I'm surprised I could still get to work, although a good amount of our teachers could not.
ReplyDeleteI really need to read Wonder, sounds like a fantastic book.
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