It's Monday! What Are You Reading? 3-24-14
Thanks to our dynamic hosts: Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kelle at Unleashing Readers
An entire month has flown by since my last post! What has gone on in my reading life since then?...So much! The time between the January and March meetings for the Maine Student Book Award Committee are packed with reading. In January the committee created a "short list" of 118 titles- what we thought were the best of the best in middle grade literature published in 2013. When we regrouped in the middle of March it was time to discuss and cull that list of amazing titles down to about 40 titles. The work is extensive, exciting, and rewarding. I love my work as a committee member, and take it very seriously. Blog posts might have slowed down this past month, but my reading did anything but!
Some seriously happy Bookworms!
(Not all books are pictured)
Head here to check out my reviews for books found on the Maine Student Book Award list for 2014-2015. Please be aware of a couple of big things: First, these are my opinions, not the committee's opinions. Second, the grade level recommendations are based on my experiences with young readers, also my own opinions.
Books I Read this week:
The Planet Thieves by Dan Krokos
Starscape, 2013
Science Fiction
256 pages
Recommended for grades 4-7
What's my least favorite genre? Sci-fi! Looking back through my past posts will reveal a lack of science fiction titles. That being said though, I know that no genre is full of identical books, and here I am, saying that this sci-fi title wasn't so bad!
Set far in the future, humans are well versed in space travel, and have found a distant Earth-like planet which they want to inhabit. But humans are not the only ones in the universe after this planet-enemy race the Tremist are also after this new planet, and might steal Earth in the process of getting hold of what they want.
When the adults on board the spaceship are taken hostage, it is up to a group of students to put their training to the test to save Earth from the Tremist.
I'm Currently Reading:
A happy reading week for you! Thanks for stopping by!
I love seeing what other states' lists look like. I'm from Illinois and it's always interesting to compare and see the similarities and differences. Maine has always put together a great reading list!
ReplyDeleteI have both the Messner and Larson book in my pile. It's just a really big pile right now! Will hopefully get to them soon.
Thanks for sharing!
Hi Michelle,
DeleteIs your Illonois list all 2013 books? I know some states put together a list that is a combination of publication years. I'd love to see what is on your state list too! Thanks for stopping by!
Illinois is a compilation, although most are current years. We have 3 - Monarch (K-3), Bluestem (3-5) and Caudill (6-8).
DeleteSometimes I wish out list wasn't 4-8, that is a such a wide range of readers...I like that you have a separate 6-8 list!
DeleteI saw and read the list of your state reading awards. Some really wonderful titles. How are you feeling? Hope all is well - from the picture, you are looking great! I want to read Wake up Missing - planning to borrow it from my son - it is currently on his shelf. I love Kirby Larson and have yet to read this title. I adored both Hattie books and I just adore Kirby as a person. I think she shares so much with the reading/teaching community!
ReplyDeleteHi Carrie,
DeleteI'm doing well, really nothing to complain about...except for swinging back into the feeling tired phase! I am going to sit down with some tea after school some night to catch up on all your posts! I think Larson's newest book is a sweet historical fiction. I've already been moved to tears a couple of times, and I am anxious to see how this story ends. I'm a big fan of hers also. Have a great week!
Love the Maine list! I've really loved several of the titles on it that I've already read, so now will have to explore some of the other books. Great variety, too, for all kinds of different readers. I'll be sharing the list with my Children's Lit and Adolescent Lit students this week. I'm sure it's a tremendous amount of work to put together, so thank you!
ReplyDeleteAwe, that's awesome that you will be sharing the list! It is a ton of work, a ton of awesome work! Thanks so much for your feedback!
DeleteHi there Nicole, your work does sound so amazing and infinitely rewarding. Glad to know how much reading you've been doing. Last year, as part of the Hedwig Anuar committee of judges here in Singapore, I needed to read a box-filled with books, that was pretty awesome too. The Planet Thieves sounds like an interesting read. I enjoy science fiction, although like you, it's not really my go-to genre.
ReplyDeleteHi Myra,
DeleteI do consider myself to be a very lucky lady to be a part of this amazing book committee. Was your box full of books a grab bag of titles, or geared towards a certain theme/age? Either way, that sounds like a fun undertaking!