Reflections from NCTE... part 1

I haven't a clue where to start with this trip. It was a once in a lifetime trip that I will always remember and I definitely plan on going next year to Chicago! I went with the hint that great things were going to come from it, but I had no clue what all that would entail. I have tons of things to say about the things that I learned and will have one whole blog post on Heather Brewer, Andrea Cremer and Melissa de la Cruz's session on "Why YA Books Relate to Today's Teens." That session blew me away.

I have to tell this story because it was a fan favorite at the conference and when I called home. When my husband dropped me off at the air port there was a lady in front of me checking in with a smaller bag. I thought it looked like the bag that Jessica Simpson carried her dog in but didn't think anything of it. I didn't know that you could take a dog on a plane... I was sure they would have to be crated! Oh no... there was a little white dog in her bag. I looked at my husband and said, "Great! She is going to be in the seat with me and the dog is going to yap the whole way." Well when I got on the plane, she walked right by me and I was so glad! Somehow, I lucked out and didn't have a seat partner on the plane. As we made it to cruising altitude I noticed that the lady beside me was pulling up her bag and didn't think much of it. A little while later I looked over and saw this...


Yes... you are seeing that right! Another dog, only this one was OUT OF THE BAG! The lady had it out and was petting it. My eyes just about popped out of my head and the only thought I had was... "What is this? Noah's ark?" The flight attendant saw my face and made her way back to me and I couldn't help but cut my eyes at the lady across the aisle. Needless to say she was told to put up the dog and made a big fuss about how she had to put it back up. Good lord. I couldn't help but laugh. At that point, I knew it was going to be an interesting trip!


I made it to Orlando and found my way through the Orlando International Airport in great time. I made it to the Coronado Springs Resort and met up with Kellee and Paul for dinner at the House of Blues that night and it was great to listen to stories and share laughs before the wonderful madness of the conference. To say I was overwhelmed when I was able to see what all this conference entailed would be the understatement of the century. The exhibition hall didn't open until late in my mind, but I am glad that I was able to have a bit to look around and get my bearings on what I wanted to do. There were so many amazing sessions to go to and I had to decide which ones to attend. Overall, I think I made the right decisions in each and every one of them. I have lots to say about those as well and that will come later too!

For now, here are some highlights of the conferences:

- I met some amazing YA authors including Andrea Cremer, Maggie Steifvater, Ellen Hopkins, Heather Brewer, Melissa de la Cruz, Gary Paulsen, Adam Rex,

** This is my favorite part... right here.... read it!! Be jealous!!
When I was waiting in line to chat with Ellen, I had my books in hand and was getting pretty excited. I walked up to her (with millions of little butterflies in my tummy) and then she spots me! She looks right at me and says... "You're Jennie Smith!" and I just about DIED!! Ellen Hopkins knew me! It was surreal and it made my day :) Thanks Ellen for being amazing!

- I met some great professional authors and fellow teachers like Ruth Ayres, Stacey Schubitz, Penny Kittle, Donalyn Miller and Linda Rief

- I got to hear Linda Reif drop the "F-bomb" in the most hilarious story I have ever heard... and will share with others because it is too funny.

- I came out of that conference with so much knowledge and so many wonderful ideas to take back to my school that it is taking me this long break to process. I can't wait to implement the ideas and incorporate the things that I have learned into my classroom!

- I have some amazing books to read and my ARC pile is overflowing with the love from the book companies and publishers. I can't wait to read them all!!

- And last but not least, I was able to spend time with my family and got to play Battleship with my sweet cousin Eli. I also got some great books from my Uncle Jim to read also and can't wait to dig into them.

I will definitely have more to post on all of this later but right now I am still trying to catch up on sleep and I am not feeling too well! I have some reviews that need to be typed up too... gotta stop being so dang lazy! Have a great night everyone!

In My Mailbox (37)

Thanks as always to Kristi at The Story Siren for hosting this MME. Make sure to let me know what you got this week too. I am looking forward to a great week for many reasons but the main one is that I will be attending the NCTE Conference this week in Orlando, FL. There are going to be many great authors there including Ellen Hopkins, Andrea Cremer, Melissa de la Cruz, Carrie Ryan, Holly Black, Becca Fitzpatrick, Heather Brewer, and so many more! I absolutely cannot wait. If any of my other teacher/blogger pals are going let me know so that we can meet up! I will be posting this week to let you know what great things I learn and who I run into. Make sure to follow me on twitter too for instant updates! (@jenniesmith)! Now... on with the mailbox goodies!




Books mentioned:

Afterlife (Evernight #4) by Claudia Gray
Andy Shane and A Very Bossy Delores Starbuckle by Jennifer Richard Jacobson
Goal by Mina Javaherbin
Say Hello by Jack and Michael Foreman
You Are Not Here by Samantha Schutz
Nightshade by Andrea Cremer
Choosing to See by Mary Beth Chapman
Day by Day: Refining Writing Workshop Through 180 Days of Reflective Practice by Ruth Ayres and Stacy Schubitz

Halo by Alexandra Adornetto

Halo

Alexandra Adornetto

Reading Level: Young Adult

# of Pages: Hardback 496 pages

Publisher: Feiwel and Friends (August 31, 2010)

Nothing much happens in the sleepy town of Venus Cove. But everything changes when three angels are sent from heaven to protect the town against the gathering forces of darkness: Gabriel, the warrior; Ivy, the healer; and Bethany, a teenage girl who is the least experienced of the trio. They work hard to conceal their true identity and, most of all, their wings.

But the mission is threatened when the youngest angel, Bethany, is sent to high school and falls in love with the handsome school captain, Xavier Woods. Will she defy the laws of Heaven by loving him? Things come to a head when the angels realize they are not the only supernatural power in Venus Cove. There′s a new kid in town and he′s charming, seductive and deadly. Worst of all, he′s after Beth.

My students will tell you that I am in LOVE with this cover. I talk about it all the time. Sometimes we, as readers, are left wondering what it has to do with the book… but that is not the case with this one. The cover is what makes us want to pick a book up and this one has done its job. I even have some of my students who went to buy it because they loved the cover too!

I was amazed and intrigued throughout this book with the concept of angels coming to earth to do their part in ridding it of evil even in the smallest ways. The story was beautifully written and kept me on my toes throughout the read. Beth and Xavier’s love is pure and not a product of society. I love that. There is no pressure from them to be the couple that everyone wants and expects them to be because they have found love in the purest form and refuse to conform to society. The introduction of evil causes great problems in their peaceful existence, but they overcome it in the best possible way.

I went into this book knowing a few things… it was about and angel, it was written by a 17 year old and it was part of a series. I came away from this book loving the story, being amazed and inspired by this 17 year old, and beyond ready for the next one. I think that Alexandra wins for making me drool for the next one more than any book I have read recently!! This one is going strait onto my classroom shelf and I guarantee it will not be on there long. Great read!!

Here is a great interview with Alexandra that lets us know more about her and her writing... check it out!

Happy Realease Day Ruth and Stacey!!

Today is a very special day for two people whom I have grown to admire and appreciate more and more as this school year progresses. If it weren't for these two ladies, my classroom wouldn't be the same. They have helped me work through trying to set up my classroom and know what to teach when and Ruth has been my sound board for many things (and it's just November!!). I am BEYOND excited that I will be meeting and hearing them speak in a matter of weeks at NCTE in Orlando, FL.

These amazing ladies have written a book that is going to revolutionize the Writer's Workshop as we know it. For those of us who spend hours on end (and no I am not exaggerating here people) on their blog looking through ideas and advice... we now have it in one place. Their first book, Day by Day, is being released today and hopefully mine will be here shortly!

Here is a little bit about the book:

Have you ever wanted your own personal writing coach to help improve your teaching of writing? How about two personal writing coaches? In Day by Day, Stacey Shubitz and Ruth Ayres, creators of the popular blog Two Writing Teachers, guide you through the trials and tribulations of a whole year of writing workshop.

Day by Day is organized around six fundamental components of writing workshop -- routines, mini-lessons, choice, mentors, conferring, and assessment. Each component is broken down into ten-day sections. Each section includes a detailed discussion, a challenge that teachers can apply immediately, and questions to help teachers assess the process to see what went right, what went wrong, and, most importantly, why.

Ruth and Stacey also provide daily encouragement, support, practical strategies, tips, advice, and everything you need to run an effective writing workshop that meets the needs of all the different writers in your classroom.

If you are like me and can't wait to get your hands on it, you can preview the book online HERE until you do! Congrats you lovely ladies on a job well done! See you in a few weeks!

And the winner is...

Thanks to all who entered my Clockwork Angel giveaway. I had a great number of entries for this one and using random.org our winner is the lovely

Susan is the author of Life, Liberty, and Pursuit which is her debut YA novel and you can visit her great site Ink Spells here!!

Susan... check your email!! Keep your eyes and ears ready for some great things to come ladies and gents! Have a great week!