Monday, January 31, 2011
Saturday, January 29, 2011
And the Winner Is...
Nan!
The random number generator chose comment number 4 as the winner!
The random number generator chose comment number 4 as the winner!
Congratulations!
E-mail me or leave a comment letting me know which book from my list of the top 10 books of 2010 you would like to receive.
E-mail me or leave a comment letting me know which book from my list of the top 10 books of 2010 you would like to receive.
Happy reading!
Friday, January 28, 2011
January Brunch Bunch
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Quote of the Day
I overheard a teacher reading with a group of students in my office. The students were working on improving their accuracy as they read. After listening to the students read a passage, this was the advice the teacher gave them:
"It's really important that we don't skip words, and that we don't mispronounciate words."
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Jack is Nine Months!
Jack is getting to be such a big boy!
He's currently army-crawling his way into every nook and cranny in the house. He's especially curious about our library (which is currently serving as a storage room/Nathan's work office) with all its interesting loose papers, receipts, and envelopes scattered around just waiting to be tasted. When mom excitedly warns, "I'm going to get you!" Jack can really book it across the room putting one arm in front of the other, pausing every few feet to turn and check to see just how close mom is to "getting" him.
Jack's favorite toys are remote controls, cell phones, plastic hangers, glasses (especially if they are on your face), and spoons. However, he will happily knock down every block tower you build him!
Jack's favorite food (like his dad) is definitely bread. He wants it so badly that I finally decided to make some homemade loaves so we know exactly what he's putting into his system when he eats it. He will also eat sweet potatoes, apples, garden vegetables, green beans, and carrots, but only when he's in the mood. He won't have anything to do with mixed vegetables or rice cereal. He still loves his bottle.
Since the end of December, Jack has been an active participant in Peek-a-Boo games, lifting the blanket to hide his face and pulling it down himself when he's ready for the big reveal! There are a few other things that can make Jack laugh every time they are done- tickling (under his arms, his toes, and his knees are the best!), hearing mom say the words "Just Say It!", and watching Nathan open mail with his pocket knife. Pretty funny stuff!
While reading with mom or dad, Jack will turn the pages and, when asked, he can point to the moon on any page with a picture of it. We're pretty sure he's brilliant! :)
Jack has been spotted giving some open-mouthed kisses to his mom. She happily welcomes every one!
The total number of Jack's teeth = 0.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Top 10 Books of 2010: GIVEAWAY!
In an attempt to frantically catch up on all my book review writing for 2010, I have posted a lot of book reviews lately. I have been so anxious to do my Top 10 of 2010 & GIVEAWAY post and finally.... here it is!
I read a grand total of 34 books this year- less this year than in years past. When I think back over the year, there were definitely some really fabulous books (The Help might be one of the best books I've ever read!), but for the most part, the books I read just were not (overall) as good this year. In fact, many were downright bad!
Also, this year's list is unique in that it contains a great number of children's chapter books. I spent a portion of 2010 reading books for the Battle of the Books competition coming up in April. As a judge this year, I have to have read all 40 books on the list, so I will continue to focus my reading on these books through April and then hope to get back to some books in the adult genres.
All in all, the year was not as good (in reading terms) as usual, which made this list of top 10 easy to flesh out. Without further ado, here are the....
10 Best Books I Read in 2010
(click on the title for the full review)
(click on the title for the full review)
Curtis expertly incorporates a small, but significant, event in our country's history at the climax of this novel about a young boy and his hilarious family. I love books that bring history to life the way Christopher Paul Curtis does. This would be a great read aloud!
The captivating premise of a world without light, the likable characters of Lina and Doon, and an unpredictable plot propel this book to an awe-inspiring ending. Lots of spiritual undertones.
Like nibbling on peppermint candy, Levine has written a Cinderella story that is refreshingly sweet and slightly indulgent. The well-developed characters are so engaging, especially Ella with her defiant sauciness! Perfect for adolescent girls (or grown women, for that matter)!
This story of Katniss Everdeen, living in a future America, was completely compelling, and the fast-paced plot sucked me right in and plummeted me to the stunning conclusion! There aren't many books that have kept me on the edge of my seat the way this one did.
This collection of eight short stories by Jhumpa Lahiri explores the lives of Bengali families living in the United States. Each story, while very different in plot and circumstance, seems to center around an emotionally complex event shrouded in mysterious awkwardness that explores the cultural norms of Bengali individuals. Lahiri is absolutely one of the best writers I have read!
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Beautifully written and perfectly paced, this book sucked me in, and the story of these women absolutely won my heart. I was completely enamored by the characters, 100% invested in their lives, and totally empowered by their courage!
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Beautifully written and perfectly paced, this book sucked me in, and the story of these women absolutely won my heart. I was completely enamored by the characters, 100% invested in their lives, and totally empowered by their courage!
One of the best books.
Ever.
This is such a wonderful book about a fascinating and little-known (to me) time in history. When 7-year-old Rachel Kalama begins to show signs of leprosy, her family is forced to send her to the island of Moloka'i where she is to remain, confined, with other lepers. A lovely, sad story that is interspersed with historical references that add validity and a ring of truth to the novel. Fabulous book!
Listening is an Act of Love is a compilation of stories told by real people for the StoryCorps Project that is featured on National Public Radio every week. This is a book that will make you appreciate the beauty of a life well-lived. It will touch your heart.
This book was one of the best I have read in the education genre. The writing was simple, clear, and concise which made the book so easy and fast to read. The logic and practicality of the Daily Five seemed to lend itself to easy application. This is a great book that I would recommend to all teachers!
A beautiful story spanning the lifetimes of the two Hartford sisters and their housemaid, The House at Riverton is a story with a grand scope, dark family secrets, and a compelling, haunting flavor.
Now, the giveaway information....
Leave a comment on this post letting me know what book(s) was/were your favorite in 2010 and you could win a copy of one of my favorites from 2010! Next Saturday (January 29) I will use a random number generator to select one of the comments, and that commenter will get a brand new copy of one of the books (his/her choice) from my list of 2010 faves above! Happy reading!
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
2010 Books
The complete list of the books I read in 2010...
Children's Chapter Books:
-Me and My Little Brain by John D. Fitzgerald (December, 2010)
-The Watsons Go to Birmingham by Christpoher Paul Curtis (December, 2010)
-The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin (December, 2010)
-Jennifer Murdley's Toad by Bruce Coville (November, 2010)
-The Midnight Fox by Betsy Byars (November, 2010)
-Night of the Twisters by Ivy Ruckman (November, 2010)
-In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson by Bette Bao Lord (November, 2010)
-The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau (October, 2010)
-Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine (October, 2010)
-The 13th Floor: A Ghost Story by Sid Fleischman (September, 2010)
-The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (May, 2010)
-The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke (March, 2010)
-Brady by Jean Fritz (January, 2010)
Adult Fiction:
-The Book of Tomorrow by Cecilia Ahern (December, 2010)
-Who Loves You Best by Tess Stimson (October, 2010)
-Watermelon by Marian Keyes (August, 2010)
-The Breakdown Lane by Jacquelyn Mitchard (July, 2010)
-Traveling Light by Katrina Kittle (June, 2010)
-The Tall Pine Polka by Lorna Landvik (June, 2010)
-House Rules by Jodi Picoult (June, 2010)
-The Probable Future by Alice Hoffman (May, 2010)
-The Weight of Silence by Heather Gudenkauf (April, 2010)
-Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese (February, 2010)
-The Drowning Tree by Carol Goodman (January, 2010)
Short Story Collections:
-Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri (February, 2010)
Historical Fiction:
-The House at Riverton by Kate Morton (December, 2010)
-My Enemy's Cradle by Sara Young (July, 2010)
-The Help by Kathryn Stockett (April, 2010)
-Resistance by Anita Shreve (March, 2010)
-Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford (March, 2010)
-Half Broke Horses: A True-Life Novel by Jeannette Walls (January, 2010)
-Moloka'i by Alan Brennert (January, 2010)
Nonfiction:
-The Daily Five: Fostering Literacy Independence in the Elementary Grades by Gail Boushey & Joan Moser (February, 2010)
Books Nathan and I Read Together:
-Listening is an Act of Love: A Celebration of American Life from the StoryCorps Project by Dave Isay (March, 2010)
Me and My Little Brain by John D. Fitzgerald
This book was a wonderful, light read. It's such a cute story filled with amusing scenarios, and the sibling rivalry theme is one that transcends the ages. Despite the fact that this book takes place in the late 1800s, it would be easily relate-able for all kids trying to live up to an older sibling's notoriety! I think the message emphasizing the importance of being your own person is a terrific one for elementary kids to hear. Definitely a great book to share with your kids!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
The Book of Tomorrow by Cecelia Ahern
I won this book in a giveaway on goodreads.com so I thought least I could do was give Cecilia Ahern another shot. I had not particularly enjoyed her most popular novel, P.S. I Love You when I read it in November, 2008. Tamara was not a likable character in the beginning of the book, but she grew on me a little by the end. Her exploits as a spoiled teenager might be a bit too graphic for some readers and quite a few of the events that occurred once Tamara was living at her uncle's were unnecessary and random. Yet, somehow, by the end I found myself almost anxious to pick up the book, if nothing else than to find out how it was going to end. Marie Claire UK claims that this book is a "life-affirming" tale. I'm not sure I would take it that far and I don't think I will recommend it to many people, but it was somewhat entertaining.
The House at Riverton by Kate Morton
Grace, an aging archaeologist living in a nursing home, is approached by a movie director at the start of this novel. The director is making a film about the mysterious suicide of a famous poet at Riverton Manor, the home of the wealthy Hartford family, and she wants to know about Grace's time spent working there as a young maid. While reliving her time at Riverton with the Hartford sisters, Hannah and Emmeline, Grace begins to have vivid flashbacks and is forced to confront her own unwitting involvement in the young poet's untimely death.
The house at Riverton is the setting for a complex, tragic, and thrilling historical novel. A beautiful story spanning the lifetimes of the two Hartford sisters and their housemaid, The House at Riverton is a story with a grand scope, dark family secrets, and a compelling, haunting flavor, reminiscent of The Thirteenth Tale. The surprising twist at the end- while I anticipated something like it- was still a complete surprise! This book is so deliciously written that it was perfectly formulated in my mind's eye. For that reason, I know this book will someday make a terrific movie!
This is a wonderful read, worthy of all those hours you will spend curled up on your couch with a cup of hot tea and a warm blanket!
The house at Riverton is the setting for a complex, tragic, and thrilling historical novel. A beautiful story spanning the lifetimes of the two Hartford sisters and their housemaid, The House at Riverton is a story with a grand scope, dark family secrets, and a compelling, haunting flavor, reminiscent of The Thirteenth Tale. The surprising twist at the end- while I anticipated something like it- was still a complete surprise! This book is so deliciously written that it was perfectly formulated in my mind's eye. For that reason, I know this book will someday make a terrific movie!
This is a wonderful read, worthy of all those hours you will spend curled up on your couch with a cup of hot tea and a warm blanket!
Monday, January 17, 2011
The Watsons Go To Birmingham-1963 by Christopher Paul Curtis
Kenny Watson is growing up in Flint, Michigan with his delinquent brother, Byron, and his little sister, Joetta. Kenny and Byron's hilarious antics often lead them into sticky situations, but when Byron's capers begin to get him into serious trouble, Kenny's parents decide they need to get him out of town and away from bad influences. They take their family on a trip to Grandma's house in Birmingham.
The Watsons Go To Birmingham is a fabulous children's book by an author I have loved in the past. It starts off lighthearted and funny but slowly turns serious and deep. Kenny and his family are wonderful characters- so likeable and endearing. Curtis expertly incorporates a small, but significant, event in our country's history at the climax of this novel. I love books that bring history to life the way Christopher Paul Curtis does. This one is a must read!!
The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
In this Newbery-award-winning mystery, Sam Westing has left a will bequeathing a fortune to only one of 16 possible heirs- the one who can solve his murder. The catch is that one of these possible heirs is also his murderer. All 16 of Westing's heirs live in Sunset Towers, his apartment building located just down the hill from his own mansion. Sam Westing gives each character a single clue and the characters are paired with one another to solve the murder. As they put together the mysterious clues and search for answers, the unlikely duos begin to realize that there may be more to Westing's murder than meets the eye.
This book has been part of my classroom library for years and I have always been excited to read it so you can imagine my disappointment when I found the book to be a bit tedious to read and slightly confusing to understand. The Westing Game has too many characters and I found Ellen Raskin's writing to be choppy and hard to follow. There are plenty of twists and turns that I may have appreciated in other murder mystery novels, but just made the plot more confusing to me in this one. I didn't understand the clues and how they were helping the characters figure out who the murderer was. Thus far, this has been my least favorite of the Battle of the Books books.
I don't particularly recommend this book, although it might be a good one for teachers who are teaching about setting to higher performing elementary school students.
Jennifer Murdley's Toad by Bruce Coville
Jennifer Murdley is not a pretty girl, but she is smart and likeable. In this children's chapter book, Jennifer stumbles upon a traveling magic shop and leaves with her very own talking toad! This toad winds up getting Jennifer, and her friends, into one uncomfortable pickle after another.
Jennifer Murdley's Toad, with its elements of the supernatural and its whimsical feel, is a terrifically fun book! Coville has a knack for ending chapters with an interest-grabbing hook that makes the reader so eager to find out what's going to happen next. This drew me in so well that I often found myself reading long after I'd intended to stop.
This book has a great message about beauty and would be a wonderful read aloud. Since it's the beginning of a series, Jennifer Murdley's Toad would be a good choice for reluctant readers. It's quite an engaging read!
Saturday, January 15, 2011
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
The Midnight Fox by Betsy Byars
The Midnight Fox is a lovely and simple story about nine-year-old Tom whose parents have decided to go on a biking tour of Europe. Much to Tom's dismay, they decide to send him to his aunt and uncle's farm for their two month vacation. While at the farm, Tom stumbles upon a black fox who lives nearby, and spends the summer observing the animal.
For a child used to exciting video games and the flashy images on a television screen, this story may be a bit slow-paced; but it is beautifully written! Byars, author of well-known children's books like Summer of the Swans and The Cybil War, peels back layers of depth as she explores Tom's unexpected feelings about an unusual fox, while subtly revealing the character of Tom to be a sensitive and intelligent young man. (For all you teacher friends out there- this book would be fabulous for teaching character development!) Byars' unexpected bits of pre-teen humor (the doll's head that Tom and his friend silently hide in one another's rooms) add the perfect flavor of amusement to an otherwise melancholic story. The culmination of Tom's summer is a tense, edge-of-your-seat turning point for his character that builds almost introspectively as you read.
Interestingly, this is Betsy Byars favorite of her own novels and I can tell why.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Saturday, January 8, 2011
Beer Cheese Soup
I found this recipe online and have tried it twice now. It's been a big hit both times!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon margarine
- 1/2 cup chopped onion
- 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 (12 fluid ounce) can or bottle light beer
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken broth
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 2 cups half-and-half
- 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
- bacon bits
Directions
- Melt the butter or margarine in a 4 1/2 quart soup pot over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic and Worcestershire sauce and stir well. Add the beer and raise the heat to high and boil for 3 minutes to evaporate the alcohol. Add the chicken broth and bring the soup back to a boil. Lower the heat to medium-low and simmer.
- Combine the cornstarch with 3 tablespoons water and stir until smooth. Set aside.
- Add the half-and-half and shredded cheese to the soup. Stir constantly until the cheese melts. Then stir in the cornstarch mixture. Stir constantly until the soup is thick, about 2 minutes. Serve garnished with bacon bits.
Friday, January 7, 2011
Sorting the Mail
There was so much junk mail when we returned to Colorado Springs, it was overwhelming. So, we decided to let Jack sort through it all.
Night of the Twisters by Ivy Ruckman
This edge-of-your-seat chapter book tells the story of Dan Hatch, his friend Arthur, and his baby brother, Ryan, as they struggle to survive a harrowing "night of twisters".
This book is 150 pages of fun! The characters of Dan and Arthur are easy for kids to relate to and, as a reader, I enjoyed watching as Dan becomes fiercely protective of the little brother who he found bothersome at the beginning of the book. Ivy Ruckman superbly incorporates wonderful examples of foreshadowing and perfect snippets of humor that keep the reader excited about the story. Night of Twisters is fast-paced with a simple, yet exciting, plot. The book is relatively short and easy to read. In other words, it's the perfect read aloud book for keeping students engaged and would be an excellent choice to introduce to a reluctant male reader. If you have a couple of hours to spare and a boy to bond with... pick this up!
Thursday, January 6, 2011
In the Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson by Bette Bao Lord
This is the story of Shirley Temple Wong and the first year she spends adjusting to live in America after moving with her parents from China. Each chapter tells about one month as Shirley bravely navigates life in a new country- facing language barriers while dealing with bullies, grudgingly attending piano lessons, and missing her large extended family back home. Shirley adjusts to a different culture and even discovers something "American" that she's good at- baseball!
This sweet story is a great addition to the Battle of the Books list this year. It's perfect for teaching students about sensitivity to cultural differences. It elicits compassion for naive Shirley as she wins over the school bully (my favorite part!) and bravely learns a new and difficult language. If you are like me, you will find yourself rooting for this sweet baseball-loving Chinese firecracker!
Wednesday, January 5, 2011
A Quick Stop in Evanston
On our trip back to Colorado, we made a quick dinner stop in Evanston to see Jon and Meagan and baby Brady. You might remember them from last summer when they visited shortly after the boys were born. That was on Nathan and Jon's first Father's Day. It was fun to compare the babies and gush over how cute they are and how much they've grown!
Meagan (to Jon): "You have to hold him (Jack). It's like a light breeze!"
"Hey, I remember you!"
(For awhile I thought Nathan and Jon might take home the wrong babies!)
big, beautiful brown eyes!
Still checking each other out!Saturday, January 1, 2011
Walking in the Light
My parent's neighbors sure know how to do up their Christmas lights. Their display gets bigger and better every year!
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