Saturday, May 14, 2011
Monday, February 21, 2011
Three for the Adults



A Handful of Books...plus one






Friday, December 31, 2010
Three Picture Books Worth Checking Out
Often times parents will ask us to steer their kids away from the picture book section thinking they are too easy as their child becomes a better reader. As politely as possible I try and let the parents know picture books have the power to spur and engage wonderful conversations. With that in mind I would recommend the following three non-fiction picture books for that very reason



Three More (it's been a good week)
Justly or unjustly I often judge a book on whether or not I would like to be friends with the characters. Are they likable? Interesting? Can they laugh at themselves? Jake by Audrey Couloumbs is a simple Christmas story of family, immediate and extended. Jake himself is delightful as are all of the characters you meet. I would definitely hang out with Jake. Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett is an engaging mystery that's been around for a while (in fact, there are a couple of follow-ups). Sixth graders Calder and Petra are deep thinkers who find themselves in the midst of an art heist. They too are likable. I could see myself helping them solve future mysteries. Sophie Simon Solves Them All by Lisa Graff stars - Sophie Simon, a brilliant third grade loner who has no interest in making friends. She is at first glance, not particularly likable. But thanks to classmates who you would want to be friends with, who take the time to find the likable in Sophie, I changed my mind as the story finished up.
Monday, December 27, 2010
And for the Adults....



Good Reads for Kids



Monday, November 29, 2010
Bink and Gollie - Kate DiCamillo does it again!

Sunday, November 28, 2010
Justin Case School, Drool, and Other Disasters

Two for the Adults

Friday, November 26, 2010
Books, Books, Books
It's taken me two months to get back to the blog but I'm excited about some of the books I've read recently. It's heavy on the kid stuff for now but adult reviews will follow in the next day or two.
Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell was written fifty years ago. I'm sure I read it when I was in elementary school but decided to revisit it for old times sake and I'm glad I did. It is as much a story of survival as it is a story of a girl coming into her own on her own. The details of how Karana, who is stranded on an island off of the California coast deals with being alone for eighteen years (foraging, hunting, etc) can be a bit monotonous but my goodness it is an empowering story based in history. Well worth a read.
I finally spent some quality time with The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart. My nephew mentioned it first and then 5th grader Ava told me in no uncertain terms I needed to read it. I'm glad I did. Thrown together by circumstance (all are orphans of various ages who are gifted), the four members of The Mysterious Benedict Society learn the value of thinking differently, listening well and working together. It is because of their willingness to accept their fate they agree to work with Mr. Benedict to help save the world. Plenty of twists and turns await the reader. Don't be put off by the number of pages - it's worth the investment of your time.
When a student says, "Ms. Coupe, you have to read this book. I've read it 14 times and I never get tired of the children's heads being cut off," what choice does one have? A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz is quite simply, a great read. Mr. Gidwitz takes Hansel and Gretel on a tour of seven other Grimm fairly tales and weaves a story that is so thoroughly engaging you lose sight of the horror (despite the author's numerous warnings). Really good stuff - no wonder A Tale Dark and Grimm is on a number of "best of" lists.
Ratfink by Marcia Thorton Jones is a story of Logan, misunderstood fifth grader. He sets out to be a different kid when school starts but his reputation precedes him and he is never given the benefit of the doubt, even by his parents. Throw in an aging grandfather who has moved in with Logan and his folks, a new girl who acclimates very quickly and has some bullying tendencies and you have a book that you want to both yell at and embrace.
Tricia Springstudd has written a delightful book about community. What Happened on Fox Street chronicles the ups and downs of 11 year old Mo Wren. Her mom has died and her father works long hours to support Mo and her little sister. Fox Street might not have any foxes but it does have the woods where Mo often escapes and every summer, Mo's best friend, Mercedes, visits her grandmother, a long time resident of Fox Street. Fox Street is also a treasure chest of memories from when Mo's mom was alive so when things start to shift in the neighborhood, Mo struggles to keep her balance. Fox Street is a story about love and change and acceptance. Hard stuff for a lot of people but Ms. Springstudd handles the story with grace and kindness. (As an aside, Ms. Springstudd was college roommates with Mrs. Serellier, our ESL teacher here at North Mianus.)
The same student who recommended A Tale Dark and Grimm stopped by the Media Center on Wednesday and said, "Ms. Coupe, I read this book last night. It's from Perrot and I have it for two weeks. I think you should bring it home and read it." So I did. And I enjoyed it immensely. Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea chronicles a teacher's first year from the perspective of seven students: the class clown, the genius, the bully, the angry one, the fat girl, the "bad influence" girl, and the new girl. Told with sensitivity, Mr. Terupt is a story of mistakes (by both students and teacher) and forgiveness; acceptance and understanding. As an added bonus - one of the math challenges Mr. Terupt has the kids do in the book is one my dad used to love. Nothing better than the dollar word game.





Sunday, September 26, 2010
Three books for a Sunday
I knew I hadn't posted in a while (the whole neck thing has definitely slowed me down) but didn't realize it's been as long as it has. That's not to say I haven't been reading, I have. Just not as much as usual. Here are three books I've made my way through recently...with more to come.
Mentor A Memoir by Tom Grimes is the third best book I've read about the writing process (Stephen King's On Writing and Ann LaMott's Bird by Bird are a bit better, in my opinion). In Mentor, Grimes chronicles his friendship with writer Frank Conroy, his personal struggles as a writer and his battle with anxiety. It is an incredibly honest book and Grimes chooses each word carefully (as Conroy taught him). I found it dragging a bit toward the end. And slightly depressing.
Dirty Sexy Politics by Meghan McCain was an interesting read. John McCain's daughter, a graduate of Columbia University, is no dope. She speaks frankly about her experiences on the campaign trail, how she was treated and how the republican party needs desperately to change in order to be more appealing to her generation. It is a memoir as much as it is a plea for tolerance and acceptance - two things republicans, as a whole, aren't particularly good at.
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins, the third and final book in The Hunger Games Trilogy, was as head shaking as the first two. I will not attempt to recap the story as I cannot do it justice. To say it is about survival of the fittest isn't fair. Collins has weaved intricate and dynamic relationships in a world where fear is foremost in everyone's mind. Unlike Gregor which is a great elementary series, Hunger Games is most definitely a middle school and beyond book (I heard about the series from an adult who said, "It's the best worst book I've ever read,").



Thursday, August 12, 2010
Powerless by Matthew Cody

Ladder of Years...Ann Tyler

Friday, August 6, 2010
The Greatest Catch A Life in Teaching...Penny Kittle
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