It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 6-17-13

Thanks to Jen & Kelle for hosting our weekly book sharing!  Since I've started participating in this weekly post I have been introduced to countless new picture books, enjoyed comparing my opinions with others' on middle grade novels, and had the pleasure of "meeting" so many wonderfully bookish people that I might otherwise never had the opportunity to cross paths with!  So join the fun!  Visit Teach Mentor Texts for all the inspiration you need.

I've been in a bit of a reading lull.  I place the blame partly on school's final crazy week.  See what I was up to here as I take you on a little video tour of our third graders' final projects of the year.

The second thing I place blame on is being so darn busy!  

I'm certainly not without books to read.  The problem isn't finding a book, but rather, deciding between too many appealing choices.  I should probably focus next on my library books though, otherwise I'll have angry librarians after me!

So forgive this measly reading week, but check out the treat at the end!

Books I Read this Week:

Seven Wonders Book 1: The Colossus Rises by Peter Lerangis

HarperCollins, 2013

Science Fiction/Fantasy

368 pages

Recommended for grades 5+

(amazon recommends ages 8+...I don't think a second/third grader would fare well with this story!)

I listened to the audio version of this book, and it is one you can't miss!  If you like and have the time for an audio book, this one is read wonderfully.  Performer Johnathan McClain brings life and personality to all the characters.

The premise of the book is that Jack, along with some other 13 year olds, are taken to a remote and mysterious island, snatched right out of their lives and families.  On the island Jack meets professor Bhegad, who is planning to use the chosen children to help him find Atlantis.

As much as I loved the reader, the story wasn't one that I was overly in love with.  If you loved the Percy Jackson series...go read that again.

Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers' Strike of 1909 by Micelle Markel, illustrated by Melissa Sweet

Balzer + Bray, 2013

Historical Fiction Picture Book

32 pages

Recommended for grades 3-5

I love sharing picture books with my third and fourth grade students.  This was enjoyed by all students, many having lots to say about this story, the history, immigrant experiences, etc.  Without one small young woman taking a stand, who knows how long others would have had to suffer until job laws changed.  

B.U.G. (Big Ugly Guy) by Jane Yolen and Adam Stemple

Dutton Children's Books, 2013

Realistic Fiction with a splash of Fantasy/Folklore

Recommended for grades 4-8

344 pages

Sammy is bullied.  Badly.  The fact that he always has a snarky comment on his lips doesn't sit well with the lead bully, James Lee.  After one too many dunks in the toilet, Sammy would do anything to not be James Lee and the Boyz' target.  One evening at Hebrew lessons Sammy notices a book on the Rabbi's shelf.  The book is about golems.  Sammy knows a golem is made of clay and protects the creator.  Stealing the book, Sammy decides to make his own golem.

The relationships between Sammy and the friends he makes, the golem he creates, and the bullies he fears, feel very natural, despite the fact that one of the above is made from clay.

I love the words Sammy uses.  As he uses a good word, either spoken or in thought, he often thinks to himself how cool the word is, usually defining it, giving young readers lots of exposure to high level vocabulary throughout the story-and not in a preachy way!

I loved this story!

I'm Currently Reading:

On Deck:

and also

and hopefully...

And the treat I promised:

Contest will run through June 20th at midnight!  Good Luck!