Half A Chance by Cynthia Lord

Hardcover, 218 pages

Published February 25th 2014 by Scholastic Press 

 

A moving new middle-grade novel from the Newbery Honor author of RULES.

When Lucy's family moves to an old house on a lake, Lucy tries to see her new home through her camera's lens, as her father has taught her -- he's a famous photographer, away on a shoot. Will her photos ever meet his high standards? When she discovers that he's judging a photo contest, Lucy decides to enter anonymously. She wants to find out if her eye for photography is really special -- or only good enough.

As she seeks out subjects for her photos, Lucy gets to know Nate, the boy next door. But slowly the camera reveals what Nate doesn't want to see: his grandmother's memory is slipping away, and with it much of what he cherishes about his summers on the lake. This summer, Nate will learn about the power of art to show truth. And Lucy will learn how beauty can change lives . . . including her own.

 

Cyntia Lord has done it again. I love when I read a book and it is just honest. The characters are real, the emotions are real, and you just feel like you are living in the story. That is how I feel about this amazing novel. There was such an emotional connection to this book and the more I read it, the more I could picture certain students of mine reading it (their names are on a sticky inside so that I can give it to them when we get back to school). Words cannot express the emotional connection that comes with the book. Maybe part of that deals with having life experiences, but I truly think that it is just that good of a book. I will say, that I had to have tissues for the last bit of the book, but I had warning from my friend Donalyn's review so I am warning you too! 

Run, don't walk, and get this book (or just go to Amazon and click "Buy it now" here!!)

Happy reading!

The Prince (The Seleciton 0.5) by Kiera Cass

ebook, 64 pages

Published March 5th 2013 by HarperTeen

Before thirty-five girls were chosen to compete in the Selection...

Before Aspen broke America's heart...

There was another girl in Prince Maxon's life...

This little gem is just what I love to read. I loved getting to see Prince Maxon's point of view of The Selection. Getting a little insight into how he views what is going on and getting a little back story is great. It will definitely give insight to what is going on and help you see how he will be as a leader!!

What is Disciplinary Literacy?

“As we move beyond earlier notions of “reading and writing,” the boundaries between literacy processes blur, and responsibility for supporting literacy learners expands to include educators across all disciplines.” – Kent Williams

When we go on a road trip, we use a navigation system. It used to be big, paper maps. I can remember spending the few days before we went on our cross country trip at the dining room table with my dad mapping out where we were going to go with a yellow highlighter. We poured over that map, talked about what we were going to stop and see, looked up the places in books (since Google wasn’t an option yet), and prepared as best we could. Now, of course, we just plug it in the GPS and Google places along the way. Just as navigating our trips has changed, teaching must change as well. Knowing how to read within the context of the material in each class is an essential key to success in each class, and aiding  students in navigating across multiple disciplines will help our students build knowledge and continuity. Our students will learn to adapt, take responsibility, and have ownership of their learning across disciplines through the incorporation of literacy in all classes. When our students have a great hold on each discipline and grasp how the knowledge is produced within that discipline, they are much more adept to making connections across disciplines.

The languages particular to each discipline's text and the practices used to teach them are necessary tools for our students to navigate in each of our classrooms. Each classroom whether it be math, history, English, or PE uses literature of all types to teach students material every day. But each classroom teaches it differently because they have different material to cover as well as the task of ensuring that students comprehend all of the material. As teachers, we must engage our students in developmentally appropriate activities that support their disciplinary thinking. I truly believe that school has pushed our student’s natural curiosity off to the side because we push so hard for the standards to be covered and lose site of so many things. Not that we have meant to, by any means though. This has caused our students to ask fewer and fewer questions. They see school as the "Skill and Drill" place... a place to learn facts and move on to the next topic. Who needs to make connections? Those tests are just going to be multiple choice and I won't have to know it again for... well, ever! 

We need to regain that curiosity and wonder within our students and help them learn how to refine and investigate their questions. When was the last time you posed a question to your students and let the discussion that went with it take over your class? You didn't stop the students because you had a certain standard to cover that day and no time to waste did you? I know I have done that before and then thought how great it would have been if we could have kept talking. Maybe Friday, right? We can help our students navigate through disciplinary literacy in our classrooms and regain that love of learning through curiosity. I have a passion for helping other teachers in this area and I hope that I can help more than just the teachers who visit my classrooms, meet with me after school, or email me at 10 pm for help! I will be posting ideas that I have created, research that I have come across, and much more here! Let me know if there is anything I can help you with as well because I am sure that someone else will benefit from it as well! 

~Jennie

The Selection by Kiera Cass

Hardcover, 336 pages

Published April 24th 2012 by HarperTeen 

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself—and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

I have a dedicated group of girls who have been after me to read this series, and I don't know why I have been putting it off.  There is no good excuse. First of all, this is from the mind of a local gal and I love supporting my local authors. Secondly, I have no secondly.... I am just sorry I waited this long to start them. But at the same time, if it was during school I wouldn't have been able to read them so fast. 

America Singer is a girl that most can relate to. She is happy where she is even though she knows that life could be much better if she was in a different situation. She loves Aspen and is happy to be where she is despite the negative things that seem to get in her way. Her seemingly content life totally changes though with the announcement of The Selection. Now she faces a whole new struggle that isn't so private because she is on camera fighting for Prince Maxon's affection- if she really wants it or not is another issue. 

This book is the start to an amazing series. I was hooked from the beginning and didn't stop for the next two days... seriously.... I read the whole series in two days!! To say that I liked it would be an understatement. One good thing about not reading them when they came out is that I didn't have to wait until the next book came out. I just had to either run to my shelf (because I had them in my classroom library.. I know, shameful) or hit "download" from Amazon... which I totally did! This is another great series to add to my list of recommendations!

Summer Reading and #bookaday

I don't know about you but I have been waiting for summer to get here and am so happy that it has arrived. Between Vacation Bible School, basketball camp, our family cruise, a planned trip to the zoo, and teaching a few weeks of summer school... it is going to be a busy one! But definitely a fun one full of reading. 

If you are like me, your summer reading pile is a mile high and I am wondering how I will get through it all. But I have a plan! Since 2009, my friend Donalyn Miller (a.k.a. The Book Whisperer and co-founder of The Nerdy Book Club) has put out the challenge to read a book in a day. When we tweet or post on Facebook about it we use the hashtag #bookaday. There are those who are dedicated and do this year round without fail, but I am not that good. I do try though. This summer, however, I am going to do it. I am going to read a book EVERY DAY this summer! Sometimes it may be a novel, sometimes it may be a picture book. Books will be read daily though! I am also reading to fill out my summer reading for school which I am in charge of and it has me reading more non-fiction and other types of reading (brochures, maps, posters, and much more). Needless to say, this summer is going to be full of reading! 

So if I am doing that much reading, I will be doing that much posting too! HOLY COW! This is going to be a blast! I am also playing with the idea of posting more about my teaching, education matters, and things of that nature. So you might see a lot of stuff coming through, but don't worry! I will keep those reviews coming!!

Follow me on Twitter (@jenniesmith) or Instagram (@jennie_smith) to keep up with my reading. I can't wait to see what you are reading too!

Happy reading!!