#46: Speak

YOU should read this book...as in, everyone should read Laurie Halse Anderson's novel Speak, written in such a voice that everyone can hear what the main character Melinda is saying, shouting...in such a silent way.

About a young girl raped at a party, this novel pulls at your emotional strings, with relief from not coming until the very last page...just like I like! As much as I like to mentally conclude a novel before the last page, I also appreciate an author who can keep me hooked, especially with unexpected twists.

I assigned this novel to my 11th grade English students while we were studying The Bullying Mentality unit. While this may seem like a novel for girls, the message is strong for any reader...male or female.

This is one of those novels when asked if you liked it...you have to pause before saying, "Yes," for the message between the lines of the story reminds us all to be more conscious of those who need to "speak."

Please read this novel.

#45: "Y" City

A friend loaned me this novel. Before reading half of it, I purchased my own copy. "Y" City, set in the real town of Y City, Arkansas, is written by author Wade Rivers, also from Arkansas. I just have this thing about supporting Arkansas authors, some sort of kinship there, maybe? But I digress...

Based on a character who has been accused of killing his employer (hint: relationship actually took a romantic turn), the novel, while only spanning a time period of about 24 hours, takes its reader on an emotional journey into the mind of several characters, in particular Harley (the accused) and Hollis (the one sworn to protect the innocent).

A native of Arkansas and one who lived in Hot Springs for two years (a mere 68 miles from Y City...and, no, I had never heard of Y City before reading this novel!), I was quick to note locations and names of note, just part of the appeal to me as a reader. Had many opportunities for text-to-me connections!

I appreciated this author's writing style, highlighting various passages as I read to share with my students as I present models of what "good" writing might look. Just another reason I purchased my own copy of this novel....so I could really make it mine as I annotated within the book.

A NOTE: good editors are a grand thing! Did note a few misspellings and puntuations errors. This seems to happen in first editions of first books...maybe in the race to publish, one gets anxious? (By the way that is the voice of experience commenting on that last sentence!) Another teachable moment for the classroom, though.

If you are one who enjoys a good "who did it," then this is a good read for you.

#43-44: James Patterson Duo

It had been a while, so I just had to read some James Patterson!

1. Cross Country: This one continues the saga of Alex Cross.
2. Swimsuit: A good one to read on Halloween! Scary!

And, yes, I recommend these novels!

#42: Catching Fire

RIP Challenge Novel #4

Suzanne Collins' much-awaited sequel to The Hunger Games...Catching Fire...was a good read.

Katniss and friends must once again participate in the Hunger Games, a cruel and ultimate example of bullying. Throughout this novel, we witness Katniss's growth as a leader and increased compassion for others, while living a facade that both protects her people and increases the rebellion within the districts.

With that said, I do have a problem with all the death, although I know that this is part of Collins' message: that with oppression comes suppression, suppression through death. Or maybe the message is that survival's instinct remains to that very moment of death?

Is this a message that is appropriate for our young adults? While I know they are enamored with Collins' tale, I suppose the optimist in me wants to have to deal with less oppression, suppression, and depression. Maybe?

Let's see what one of these young adults have to say about Catching Fire. Here is Crist's review of this novel that he wrote for a book review for my class.

#41: The Dante Club

RIP Challenge Novel #3

Matthew Pearl's The Dante Club takes his readers on a journey into the historical land of the poets and Dante Club members and Harvard professors Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, Dr. Oliver Wendell Holmes, James Russell Lowell, and publisher J. T. Fields, who all become criminal investigators as various murders begin to take place that mimic Dante's Inferno.

What I appreciate the most about this piece of historical fiction is that I really learned something! Really.

Stylistically, this novel is written on a more advanced level than the young adult fiction of current times. While definitely not impossible for my students to read, this novel does take time to absorb, but it is time-well spent.

Pearl is the author The Poe Shadow (this will be my next read by him) and The Last Dickens...maybe a read for Christmas?

#40: Hunted (House of Night #5)

RIP Challenge Novel #2



This novel...well, I am still reading the series because my young adult students are reading them. While I really enjoyed the first two or three novels in The House of Night Series, I quickly began doubting the "validity" of such a fantasy...so much happens...it just cannot be real.



Oh, that's right! This is fantasy! But still...I wish the authors PC Cast and Kristen Cast would allow the characters to rest, to allow some time to pass between the major battles these young heroines and heroes are winning.

Zoey Redbird and her friends bite into (yes, that pun was intended) another adventure as the continue their year of schooling at the House of Night.

Please click here to read or listen to chapter one of this novel...enjoy!

#39: The Thirteenth Tale

RIP Challenge Novel #1



Twisted! I loved this novel! Diane Setterfield's debut novel The Thirteenth Tale was a great one to read to begin the RIP Challenge as it takes the reader on a journey over a span of time into the lives of Ms. Winter, who has commissioned Margaret Lea to write her life story.

I like to pride myself on determining a novel's end about midway through...but not this one. Needless, to say I was hooked!

Don't wait for the next RIP Challenge to read this...read it now! A great story!

Book Glutton: An Online Read

#38: A Whole New Mind

Draft...in progress!

This book offered a new perspective, a scary perspective. Because of this book, I fear for my children's future careers. That is...unless they want to move to India. Every mother should fear the term outsourcing.

Daniel Pink writes a thought-provoking book, one that I read with peers as a part of our 21 CLC team this summer. This study concluded with a Skyped Q & A with Daniel Pink, himself, who, by the way, writes in a very normal-looking room within his house. (Funny how we think such people might just live in houses of gold and have an abundance of staff taking care of their every little need, including sharpening their pencils...wait, that example is pre-digital world!)

Back to the topic...

#35-37: House of Night Books 2-4

The vampire saga continues...just wish I had number 5.


This week (between working on lesson plans, attending workshops, visiting with family, working at church, and, oh, yes, recuperating), I have read the next three books in this series (thanks to their arrival from half.com!)

Teenagers, especially females, will like this series, set in a high school scene. Full of action...well, actually, non-stop action, the reader is never bored as Zoey Redbird leads her team through many adventures as they either protect themselves or others in their first few months in the House of Night.

While some content may be a bit risque and some language could have been changed or even left out, I am not so prudish as to think our young adults are not exposed to such topics; just wish it were not so (okay, that was the mother in me that wrote those previous two lines!).

For a fun read, an interesting escape from the world of normalcy, spend some time with Zoey and her friends.

#34: The Last Lecture

Draft...in progress

Awesome! Inspiring! Role-model for us all.

Randy's Pausch's The Last Lecture contains his last thoughts on many topics through last few months of life.

Tear-Cherker Alert: I am not a cryer; I do not cry at movies nor when I read sappy parts within novels, but this one brought me to tears.

Feeling unhappy with life, with your life, with other people's lives? Read this little book for a life-changing perspective.

#33: Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts...

DRAFT...work in progress!

Written by Will Richardson, a leading tech-tool user, Blogs, Wikis, Podcasts, and Other Powerful Web Tools for Classrooms is a book full of tips and tricks, a book I would have appreciated even more had I read it a year and a half ago as I began my Web 2.0 journey.

As with any good literature, though, one can always glean even more nuggets, and that is what I did. I reviewed blogs, wikis, RSS, and Flickr and learned even more, especially about RSS and Flickr, both of which I have, neither of which I utilize to their fullest.

Podcasts...that one I learned a lot about, that one I hope to really utilize within my 1:1 laptop classroom.

#32: The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane

Probably the best book I have read this summer. PLEASE read this book. All English 11 teachers should read this one. Definitely.

Katherine Howe tells the story of Connie Goodwin, a Harvard doctoral student, who spends a summer in her grandmother's primitive house (in hopes of getting it ready to sell); instead, she becomes involved in research that takes her on a journey into the lives of those accused of witchcraft during Salem witch trials.

This insight into the accused is quiet interesting and eye-opening....oh, the cruelty that lasted for months.

Howe is a grand writer...just go ahead and plan a day for reading or plan to stay up late finishing this one! Her characters are real (really...shhhhh! even the witches...or physicks as they may be called), her setting is alive, and she showed me through this novel one of the best reasons for always writing. Interested in hearing more about this? Then please visit my blog here.

Besides an awesome use of vocabulary (I really like that for our upper level readers), she illustrated through this novel her avid knowledge as a researcher and portrayed this in such a great narrative format.

I wish I could recommend another novel by this author, but this one is her first. And a very good first one, it is!

You may follow Katherine Howe on Twitter by clicking here.

#31: The Hunger Games

An awesome novel. The first in a series. CAN NOT WAIT for the next installment!

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins is a great young-adult read. Collins is also the author of the Underland Chronicles, which began with Gregor the Overlander. I received a free copy of this novel (Thanks, Scholastic!), lent it to a student who loved it, have seen various reviews of this novel listed on other readers’ book lists, and, must say, that I enjoyed this novel...very much. Well, if you are supposed to enjoy a novel about kids killing kids…


Each year two kids are chosen to fight until death in what is call the Hunger Games. Main character Katniss Everdeen steps and volunteers to take the place of her sister after her sister's name is drawn. This begins a surreal journey...one that reminds me of short story that used to be in my 10th grade literature books entitled "The Most Dangerous Game," except I like this novel even better!

A novel that could definitely be included in my anti-bullying unit, a novel that kids are going to truly enjoy...maybe even more than some other popular series? Read in someone's comments on a blog post (sorry...cannot remember whose blog) that most of the respondents there feel this series will surpass The Twilight series. I agree.


Lots of good info here at Scholastic that students would love as they read this novel. This series continues with Catching Fire, being released September 1. Need to get that one pre-ordered!

#30: Marked

I like Zoey Redbird...even better than Bella. Zoey, too, is a vampire, one who has just been marked and must now go through the change.

Authors P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast (mom and daughter duo - interesting!)begins thier House of Night series with Marked (followed by Betrayed...which is in the mail to me as I write this post).

Why will I complete this series quicker than I did The Twilight series?

NOT because of the too adult-like, yes, sometimes inappropriate content. (Why do young adult authors feel they must put in this content? While I do know such things occur, an author almost seems to promote such activities by displaying such actions in words.) But I digress...

MAYBE it's because I like these characters more? Not sure. Still a lot of fantastical events going
on. MAYBE because Zoey takes a stand for what she believes and affirms her faith by making a difference? Maybe.

DEFINITELY because I like these vampires better than the way in which Stephanie Meyer's portrays hers. Yes. Definitely.
A quick read, I fulfilled my commitment to my eighth grade girls in last semester's Lit Lab class who were devouring these books. Yes. I can see why.

#29: Escape

A true-to-life story. Horrific. Inspiring.

Carolyn Jessop, raised in an "ultra-fundamentalist American religious sect," narrates her life journey through an arranged marriage, her escape from this marriage, and her recovery (still in progress) from this marriage...yes, one arranged by her parents.

This autobiography I purchased as a side-note. If one purchases a book at half.com, then additional books bought from the same seller saves the buyee (me) money on shipping...so as I am perusing the seller of this book's store, I came across Escape. (Might check out this site; have bought several hardback novels here for $.75...yes, cheap!)

The ultimate story of survival, bullying, true-inner spirit, courage, horror, degradation, recovery....this woman endured it all and came out with a healthy mind still in tack...and a message for all females in bondage, whether physical or mental. Cults, sects...whatever name you want to give such groups (I, for one, do not like to associate the term religion with such organized bodies)...are simply bullying units. Yes, I hope you can sense the complete distaste I still feel towards the group discussed within this book!

Storylines, such as this, interest me, for I, who live a very comfortable, secure, middle-class life, literally shudder to think that such life-styles can occur within our good ol' United States of America. They do.

Thus, I salute Carolyn Jessop for telling her story, a story which eventually resulted in some being "freed" and others brought to justice. Way to go, girlfriend!

#28: The Lovely Bones

I may never let my daughter out of my sight again! The Lovely Bones reminds the reader again of the injustice that occurs even more often than it did in the '70's, the setting of this novel.

Told from the perspective of a 14-year-old, who was raped and murdered and now lives in her heaven, this narrative will stir your soul, your heart strings, and possibly even your tear glands.

While I am not sure that I agree with author Alice Sebold's view of heaven, I do agree that Heaven will be to each of us what we need it to be. For Susie, the murdered daughter, sister, friend, Heaven is her Heaven.

Caution to the reader: do not skip any words. Sebold drops clues...quietly foreshadows upcoming revelations, but if you missed the clue, your appreciation of this author will not be as great as it could be.

#27: The Good Earth

My first read by author Pearl S. Buck, The Good Earth proved to be an interesting and eager-page-turning novel. To be honest, I selected this one as one of my summer reads because it's just one of those novels I felt I needed to add to my "read" list.

I learned so much about the Chinese culture...for all social classes. It was an interesting journey that spanned the life of main character Wang: a journey that supports the theme "Life is a cycle, a circle." Buck mastered her characters, as she developed them, as we watched the grow, both in age and through the battles of life.

Buck portrayed the country in which she lived for forty years quite realistically. Thus, I cannot say that I enjoyed all that I, as the reader, experienced as I met these characters, but I did get to know them. For instance, Wang's wife Olan is a character that I liked, even more importantly, one I respected. I just wish she had talked more, for when she did she proved her leadership skills. Another reason for my respect? She birthed her babies (by herself!) and immediately went back to work plowing fields. Oh, my! What woman would not respect such a one?!

If you have not read this contemporary classic, please consider reading The Good Earth and be reminded of the reasons we should appreciate the planet upon which we live.

#26: Breaking Dawn

Just completed Stephanie Meyer's Twilight series. Too fantastic for me. Just too much.

With this said, if you have completed the first three novels, I would definitely recommend you read the forth, for you will want to see how all this unravels; just do not buy the novel; borrow it.

I know...I am a realist.

Not sure where to go with this review, for I do not want to give away too many "spoilers." Let's make a deal: when you have read the novel, let me know, for I would love to discuss your views on Bella's relationship, well, with just about everyone in Breaking Dawn.

Throughout my journey with Bella, I initially was a Jacob fan; then in New Moon, I began to appreciate Edward more. Now, I think I am a Charlie-fan. I appreciate his "need-to-know" only knowledge level...or maybe Charlie is also a realist...like myself!?

Now the realist in me does appreciate that Meyer's gives her readers their money's worth. Her novels are long! Yes, think I will read The Host!

#25: Eclipse

I am back...into Belle's world of vampires and werewolves, that is, as I picked up the third in this series Eclipse (and quickly went to our local Hastings and purchased only copy of the fourth novel New Moon).

Before you ask...and in case you have forgotten...I think (yes, I am starting to sway my viewpoint) I am now more of an Edward fan. That was very hard for me to admit! Just want Jacob to grow up! Then, I could like him so much more! Yes, I do appreciate Edward's maturity...but he is just so cold...literally!

My admiration grows for Stephanie Meyer as she continues her use of analogies to other great works of literature, including Wuthering Heights (which I will read upon finishing this series; think I will appreciate the novel even more as I make these text-to-text connections) and to the Bible, which is an on-going read for me.

I really appreciate Meyer's concern about Edward's soul. Edward seems to believe he does not have one; Bella, on the other hand, is adamant that he does have one. I just appreciate the concern by the author via her characters that having a soul is important. What do you think of this?

As I have carried this novel around with me the last few days, I must admit to embarrassment, for I must be the last person in this town to complete this series! From friends at a pool party my daughter attended to a student at Sonic...all shocked that I have not completed this series. That within itself is an excellent review of this novel.

Haven't read this series? You might consider doing so in private to save yourself such comments as...."What? Mrs. Gillmore, I can't believe you haven't read those books yet!" Just a warning: the above sample quote does not give justice to the disgust embedded in the tone of voice!

Again, I recommend....read this series and become a fan.

#24: Inkheart

Finally finished this novel; this one took me most of the school year. I suppose that means that Inkheart's plot just did not keep my attention. I initially began this novel at the recommendation of a student in my 8th Grade Literacy Lab class.

The most appealing aspect to me was the author's use of quotes at the beginning of each chapter; yes, all 59 chapters! Ah, the research, the time spent choosing just the right quote to match the content of the chapter, for each one did. Amazing! Great novel to use to illustrate those text-to-text connections!

Will I read Inkdeath, the next novel in this series? Of course! It is already sitting on my shelf to read. This one, I hope to read this summer...and much quicker!

#21-23: Patterson and Baldacci

School's out...time for a break with some intense thrillers. Glad to say I was able to help catch those horrible killers!

#20 - James Patterson's Sail

#21 - James Patterson's Judge and Jury

#22 - David Baldacci's The Whole Truth

#20: Max

Oh, yes, I am still a fan! Maximum Ride and her part-bird friends take the reader on another exciting journey in James Patterson's latest release Max.
This series rivals the Harry Potter series in maintaining my interest. Yes, it's that good.

Again, I appreciate the messages Patterson conveys about global warming and animal testing. Excellent way to teach our young adults about two important concerns.

#19: The Color Purple

Written by Alice Walker, The Color Purple was a novel I purchased as a result of a student's book review.

Interesting read. Definitely a voice for woman.

Walker introduces her complex characters through the voice of Celie as she writes letters to God and later her sister, with final letter again addressed to God.

As a Christian, I was challenged to continue reading as I personally do not condone some of the actions within the novel, yet I realized that not all are as blessed as I have been, that many do what they do to simply survive. Thus, I appreciate the person with whom Celie chooses to converse: God.

#18: Of Mice and Men

Question...how is it that in my eighteenth year of teaching that I had never read this novel?

Then when I sat down to read it, I quit after the first few pages...very offensive, I thought. No way would I ever teach this, require my students to read such language. Since my English department "expected" all English 10 students to read this novel, I finally sat down, with two weeks left of the year, and read the novel...in one setting. Could not stop.

Author John Steinbeck created a masterpiece that speaks to all readers, despite the distance in years, despite any difference anyone might mention....the novel speaks, and soon the reader realizes the offensive language is not meant to offend but to truly relate the life experiences of the characters.

#17: Last Man Standing

Review...to be written!

#16: A Memory of Water

Review...to be written!

#15: The Giver

Review...to be written!

#14: Animal Farm

Review...to be written!

#13 A Lesson Before Dying

Review...to be written!

#12 A Face to Recall

Review...to be written.

#11 A Question of Honor

Written by English teacher and blogger Dana Huff, this novel takes the reader on a journey to May Days, romance, long walks, transformations, and, yes, reformations.

Gwen, the main character, is someone with whom the reader can easily connect, despite possible differences in ages and great expanses of time and distance. As a mother, I want to mother her. As a teacher, I want to help educate her. As a friend, I want to say, "Now, Girlfriend, this is what you should do....really!"

Full of action, this novel's plot continues to develop, keeping one wondering, questioning, grasping for clues as to how the many conflicts will resolve. Will Gwen marry her one true love? Will she find family and develop healthy, lasting relationships? Will she ever develop an identity that is uniquely hers? Will the bonds of friendship survive the varied challenges each character faces?

As I read to the final pages, I found myself anxious to read the next novel in this series...except that this is not a series! Thus, my hope is that one day when Mrs. Dana has any extra time in her very busy schedule she will continue with the adventures of Dafydd, Madoc, and Richard, for each has story of his own waiting to printed on paper.

An awesome edition to my growing library...and a great read to share with friends.

#10: Night

Oh, my...what a powerful novel! Night, written by Eli Weisel, takes you to the concentration camps, the train rides, the complete brutality of the Holocaust.

As soon as I completed this novel, I began researching more about the author and discovered that Night is the first of a trilogy. Just added two more reads to my growing I-can't-wait-until-summer-gets here list! Maybe within these two novels, I will find the answers to my other questions.

1. Was his faith in God really completely destroyed?
2. What happened to him after that American airplane arrived? (I was so proud that it was an American plane!)

This novel is one that I will lead a discussion with my students following Spring Break...it is a journey that all should take, for this book should be a reminder to us all of two of the many comments made by Weisel that was so poignant...

Still, I told him that I could not believe that human beings were being burned in our times; the world would never tolerate such crimes...

What I do know is that there is "response" in responsibility. When we speak of this era of evil and darkness, so close and yet so distant, "responsibility" is the key word.

May I do just even a small part, by encouraging the reading of this novel, by encouraging still a "response" in my students in the 21st Century that such horrific crimes against humans never occur again...then I think of the women in Africa...so, yes, we still have a great responsibility.

#9: Anthem

Author Ayn Rand claims to have been an athiest.

Then why all the christian symbolism within her 1937 novel Anthem?

Please consider...

• Main character Equality 7-2521 was whipped. "..and He Himself bore our sins (not diseases) in His body on the cross, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His stripes we are healed" (1 Pet. 2:24).
• When this same character leaves the oppressed world, he takes on a new name Prometheus, who according to mythology stole fire and gave it to mankind, just as Equality 7-2521 discovered light in the tunnel and presented it to his fellow men. “give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace” (Luke 1:79).
• This is a novel about hope, faith, renewal.

Just some thoughts to ponder...the Christian in me must.

As you read, please see what insights you might gather.

#8: Call of the Wild

Jack London is a natural, a naturalist, a vivid writer. Author of Call of the Wild, White Fang, and others, his talent ensures his ability to make his readers both love and hate his main characters throughout the same novel.

Buck...poor, poor Buck.

Buck...mean, vicious Buck.

While I could see, and even relate (uh, oh!), to both sides of this dog's nature, I was surprised at my students who only wanted to see the first descriptor. Why?

No pun intended...but is it because they always go for the underdog? Because they innately want/need a hero? Maybe...just maybe...it's because London hooked them so vividly from the first sentence that, despite Buck's faults, they felt bound to cheer this dog on in all his many circumstances?

I, along with the majority of my students, read this novel for the first time. If you have not read this novelette, please do so! Take the journey of Buck, the journey all the way back to his ancestors. Connect with the kinship he feels towards those who become his family.

Along the way, enjoy the setting of the Klondike, a gold rush that made Jack London more money from writing about this rush for gold in Alaska than actually experiencing it first-hand, which he did, and therein lies the reason for such vivid writing!

Grab a cup of coffee or hot chocolate...you have a lot of ice and snow ahead of you...and prepare to get to know man's best friend...or his worst enemy.

#7: Antigone

A drama that I have taught for numerous years but one that I read again for the first time in several years, this play by Sophocles speaks again to me about commitment and brain development. Yes, I know... what a combo!

One just cannot help but be appreciative of Antigone's loyalty to her family, especially her brother. Who among you would lay down his life for his/her brother?

On a different note, though, I have to question Antigone's level of brain development, for I look at this situation and wondered why could she have not handled this in a different fashion? Why make such a rash decision? Ah, yes, the answer: she lacked brain development, for she is probably just a mere fourteen or fifteen year old youngster, a mere babe, one that could not rationalize any further, for she simply does not have the brain capablities...yet. For with ages comes brain development.

According to a study by the National Institutes of Health...

Regardless of income or sex, children appeared to improve rapidly on many tasks between ages 6 and 10, with much less dramatic cognitive growth in adolescence. This result fits with previous research suggesting that in adolescence, there is a shift toward integrating what one knows rather than learning new basic skills.

Uhmmm...yes. Maybe Antigone just could not help herself, and she had too few live adults left in her life to guide her.

Thus, maybe one should read this drama as a warning of the result of thoughts too rash?

#6: Time Is a River

WARNING: CHICK-FLICK REVIEW!

This is a novel I purchased one Friday evening during one of my stops at the local Wal-Mart to purchase what I am sure was a buggy-full-of-can't-live-without-items and when I was also in need of an escape from the land of education...then I proceeded to not read it for several weeks due to not being able to escape Educity.

Now back to the novel...Time Is a River.

This journey, written by Mary Alice Monroe, appealed to me because the main character is a breast cancer survivor. I could not remember reading one on such a close-to-the-arm topic (I once had a melanoma insitu there...oh, the dreaded "C" word...an insitu is a cancer that has not invaded below the first layer or two of skin)...nor one on fly-fishing, not that this topic appeals to be personally but is interesting from a sitting-in-my-comfy chair distance. Right?

The next selling point was the multi-genre approach the author achieved. What a great way to "hook" an English teacher! Besides the narrative format, Monroe includes a poem, several diary entries, letters, and famous quotes. Just too cool! A sly way to enter more than one character's head, more thoughts, multiple dreams.

Then the extended metaphor: the river becomes the life-sustaining need of the main character Mia Landon, with whom one cannot help but bond because of her many imperfections. Just as we each face our own reflection in the mirror and find all its many faults, Mia struggles and does overcome her many insecurities...those appointed her by this deadly disease and her adulteress ex-husband (let's see...can a male be an adulteress? Sorry, the description just fits.)

The setting: Mia escapes her reality to find reality (yes, tis true) in a cabin by a river on a mountain...a place far-removed from civilization. Her cell phone could not even get reception! To such a place she goes and faces loneliness as she never has before. Now for the irony? I read this novel during Arkansas' Ice Storm 2009. As I read/heard the many strange sounds of the night within this novel as Mia overcomes her fear of the night, I also heard the lonely pops of the limbs and trees on our land as they succumbed to the weight of the ice that had them enclosed. I heard nature's call...both through fiction and non-fiction.

As a Christian, I appreciated Monroe's affirmation of God through this character who had endured so much who concludes that she could not help but believe in Him after what she went through. Good testimony. Good enough for anyone.

Did I mention this is a ghost story? Out of all Mia's fear, ghosts are not one of them. Maybe this is because this ghost is troubled, and Mia can empathize with that. As a means of helping another hurting person...or ghost, in this case, Mia makes some heroic and very determined endeavors to help this ghost finally rest in peace.

Then I finished the novel and realized that this novel had been and could be used as a focus for a book club with the series of questions that followed. My favorite? #15. The reader is to reflect and find characteristics of a fairy tale. You can! Now who does not enjoy a good fairy tale? No matter what age you are! Thus, I encourage your reading this question before reading the novel.

Wondering if Mia finds her Prince Charming? SPOILER ALERT! She does!

#5 ~ The Dangerous Days of Daniel X

If you like overkill...and I mean literally!...this book is for you! A hunter of aliens, Daniel encounters more adventures (and some very ugly, smelly aliens they are) than one might think believable...of course, this implies that you believe in aliens...of course.

A quick read, James Patterson's novel once again takes the reader into the mind of a young adult who has almost more going against him than he has going for him. So alone that Daniel often lives in a "pretend" world where he re-creates friends and loved ones that have died...wait...haven't all of us at one time or another "pretended" we live in other situations, in more more perfect times with grand outcomes? Maybe that is part of the appeal of the novel? (Might read some book reviews on GoodReads, though, that dispute that theory. Just scroll down the page.)

As I turned the page from one smelly adventure to the next out-of-this world experience, I did find myself thinking that "kids are going to love this in movie format." Wonder who they have already cast as Daniel?

A fan of Maximum Ride, I am not convinced, having just read the first in this series, that this adventure about the hunt for those aliens that really do exist all around us (including neighoring galaxies)will gather the appeal of the mutant bird friends in the former seres.

But just in case it does? Yes, I will read the next one (for from the beginning Daniel tells the reader that this series will be the his autobiographry)...in hopes that Patterson rebuilds my faith in him as an author who has created some prior intriguing characters.

#4 ~ The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

My first novel, delivered daily in eleven installments, from DailyLit, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button was a surprising read by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

While I saw echoes of the 1920's lifestyle portrayed in The Great Gatsby, I realize that this novel's theme goes in another direction (no pun intended in regards to reversal of Button's age: he was born old and then proceeds to daily grow younger). Maybe Fitzgerald's message is that one should appreciate the cycle of life, that one should not take the "normalcy" of life for granted.

Fitzgerald also makes a statement to those who have "special" people in their lives. All of Benjamin Button's family, at one age or another, treats Button (because of his unique quality) with much disdain; thus, Button becomes the hero, overcoming a challenge life dealt him and succumbing peacefully to this cycle that we call life.

Good news! I can now go and see the movie! My students, though, have not given it the best of reviews. I'll let you now what I think.

I have now subscribed to Persuasion by Jane Austen...95 installments from now, I will let you know what I think of my next great read!

#3 ~ The City of Ember

A novel about hope, The City of Ember held my attention until the very last page. When I completed the novel (during my lunch today!), I asked several students if they had read the first in this series, and several of them had, and all said they, too, had enjoyed reading this now-being-portrayed-on-the-big-screen hit, except they had read it several years ago, when they read it on grade-level, as this is a young adult novel for grades 4-7...let me comment on this little later.

Hope Springs Eternal?
Lina and Doon, each twelve-year-old graduates (and the main characters), assume their new assigned jobs of messenger and pipeworker and begin to learn that hope exists through a bean seed and a worm. Strange places for hope to spring, but spring hope does. Through these two forms of life, Lina and Doon also realize that life begins some other place than the city of Ember; something exists within. As a Christian, I will be interested to see where author Jeanne DuPrau goes with these interesting perceptions in the following three novels in this series.

Allegorical Move?
I also wonder if DuPrau might be establishing this novel as an allegory of sorts.

• City of Ember = a country under attack
• Unannounced light outages = bombing attacks
• Mayor and the guards = oppressive forces
• Lina and Doon = Savior-figures

Published in 2003, I wonder what thoughts DuPrau might have had about the war in which our country was/is fighting. Just a thought. (Not sure that fourth to seventh graders would analyze this novel quite like I did...so maybe Amazon might include English teachers with nearly 18 years of experience within their descriptor...as part of the reading level? Maybe?)

A DuPrau Insight
As an English teacher…and sometimes writer…I appreciate the following borrowed from DuPrau’s website:

Jeanne DuPrau spends several hours of every day at her computer, thinking up sentences. She has this quote taped to her wall:

"A writer is one for whom writing is harder than for other people." ~ Thomas Mann

This gives her courage, because she finds writing very hard. So many words to choose from! So many different things that could happen in a story at any moment! Writing is one tough decision after another.

But it's also the most satisfying thing she knows how to do. So she keeps doing it. So far, she has written four novels, six books of non-fiction, and quite a few essays and stories.

Need a good dose of hope? Sit down with a cup of coffee and enjoy this quick read. Take that journey down the river with Lina and Doon and Poppy.

#2 ~ New Moon

Call me different...but I liked this novel in the Twilight Saga better than the first one. As in, I could not put the book down! Read until 1:00 AM...then finished it this morning. Now I am finally addicted! (Remember...I was the one that started Twilight three times and took nearly a semester to complete because I kept putting it down!)

Meyers has been critiqued by some as not being the best of writers. Not sure I agree with them, for their very actions belittle their accusations as these Meyer fans all quickly add that they, too, had to keep reading...all the way to the end. We also have to keep in mind the audience for which these novels were/are intended...young adults.

I also appreciate Meyer's references to the classics...this time to Romeo and Juliet and, in particular, the character Paris. Very interesting! I shall never read that play again in quite the same manner.

Shhhh...don't tell anyone, but I like Jacob better than Edward! Meyers just makes him more "real" to me than she does Edward. For one, he is warm! I just do not like being cold!

Two comments about these novels so far:

1. Religion: I will be interested to see where Meyers takes her discussion of souls and Bella's lack of "church" background. I personally think that young adulthood is an extremely important time to learn and develop this part of a person's identity. I hope she continues this line of reasoning.
2. Relationships: Meyers appreciates and respects the boundaries, the limits, the infiniteness of the ties that bind us to others. For example, Bella stands up to...or against...the love of her life to protect the friendship that she has with Jacob. That is a good thing, a mature issue that many of us cannot abide by even into adulthood.

Have you started this series? Please do!

#1 ~ Twilight: Why such titles?

I finished the first Twilight novel yesterday...first novel of 2009 for me! All the way through I wondered...why did Stephanie Meyers choose this title? Now, I know! Interesting! No spoilers here, though. Must read the novel for yourself to discover the meaning of this title!

I also questioned the apple on the cover...and noticed last night at the conclusion of the movie that the apple appeared...just as on the cover...uhmmm. I remember Meyers mentioning an apple early in the novel...I have some thoughts, though, about this one...might have to deal with temptations?

Did I like the novel? Yes...maybe a little anticlimatic since there was just so much hype regarding this novel.

Did I like the movie? Yes...a little disappointed in the Edward's character. He just seemed a little too much...too white. Too obvious.

Do I recommend the novel and movie? Absolutely! This is a fad, a trend that no one should miss. It's fun and gives one an opportunity to escape into such a different world...and another state. I agree with Penny Kettle concerning her comments about this novel at English Companion ning...Washington state is interesting with all its rain and green growth and beauty.

Up next for me: Inkheart...just have to read the novels before going to see the movies!

The Inspiration for This Blog

As I scanned my Reader, I read this post by Dana Huff at Much Madness is Divinest Sense...and was inspired.

This year...a new goal on this the first of January of the new year 2009...to catalog, to reflect, to share...my thoughts on books as I read them.

Ms. Dana read 23 books this past year...wow! Amazing, especially when you appreciate her extremely busy schedule.

Thanks, Ms. Dana, for the inspiration!

2008: Touching that inner spirit

In English 11, we have been reading Ben Mikaelsen’s Touching Spirit Bear, not a hard-read, but a definite good read. Why teach this book at this level, a book taught by so many teachers at a lower grade?

Last year, when I read this soul-stirring novel in one night, it captivated me, and I decided then that this masterpiece would be the class-read for my A Pioneer Never Quits unit. The pioneer in this novel, though, is not Cole Matthews, the main character, a punk, a bully, a young person in definite conflict with himself.

The pioneer is Garvey, a parole officer. He never quits…even when he sits down and refuses to help Cole rebuild the cabin that this rebel intentionally burnt to the ground. (Yes, cutting off his own nose to spite his face.) Sitting down, though, in this case, is the best example of not quitting. Imagine that.

Garvey pioneers by not giving up on Cole. This man, a promoter of the Circle of Justice, is the constant that Cole has never had in his life.

Does Cole like Garvey? No. An understatement. Yet from day one, a respect is there.

Sometimes…well, sometimes, that is all one needs or can expect out of such characters.

So a note to teachers out there who have Coles in your life who do not like you. That’s okay…just make sure they respect you.

Then read Touching Spirit Bear to further understand why you and Garvey truly are pioneers…pioneers that never quit.

And, by the way…thanks!

Special thanks to our educational coop and Ms. Becky for loaning us a set of these books!

Originally posted on Treasure Chest of Thoughts on September 25, 2008.

2008: Th1rteen R3asons…not 12 or 14, but 13

Thirteen reasons why everyone should read this novel:

1. This novel is written by Jay Asher at DiscoMermaids.
2. I purchased this novel because one of our school board members recommended it on his new blog…that within itself is very exciting! Here are his words: “This book should be a ‘must read’ for everyone in high school. It is a blending of Newton’s Third Law of Motion with Six Degrees of Separation. Only 288 pages, it is a quick read.”
3. This novel is told from two points of view, one of which is very unique and so memorable.
4. This novel is about bullying.
5. Probably written for young adults, this novel should be required of all high school counselors or student advisors.
6. All administrators should read this novel, especially those who care about the popular kids.
7. All teachers should read this novel.
8. Then all students should read this novel…but only after their teachers have read it. Why?
9. You just have to read it to discover why.
10. This novel will make you a better, no, a more observant parent.
11. This novel will open your ears, your eyes, your mind.
12. As you read, you will replace the main characters with persons within your own life, situations through which you have lived. Or maybe not…if you are lucky.
13. You will see through a different lens, maybe closer to 20-20. Real life.

Read this novel for a life-altering perspective. Just read it…please.

There…thirteen reasons why you…no, everyone…should read Th1irteen R3asons Why.

Originally posted on Treasure Chest of Thoughts on August 8, 2008.

2008: Ready for a personal revival?

Other than the Bible, I have never read a novel that has affected me so intensely.

Please consider purchasing this book...The Shack…do not borrow one, for this is a book that you will want to keep so that you will have your very own personal copy and also so you can re-read it again and study what the author William P. Young has to say.

Young is gifted…both in story-telling and in the craft of writing.

Here’s a descriptor from Amazon.com:

Product DescriptionMackenzie Allen Philips’ youngest daughter, Missy, has been abducted during a family vacation and evidence that she may have been brutally murdered is found in an abandoned shack deep in the Oregon wilderness. Four years later in the midst of his Great Sadness, Mack receives a suspicious note, apparently from God, inviting him back to that shack for a weekend.

Against his better judgment he arrives as the shack on a wintry afternoon and walk back into his darkest nightmare. What he finds there will change Mack’s world forever.
In a world where religion seems to grow increasingly irrelevant The Shack wrestles with the timeless question, Where is God in a world so filled with unspeakable pain? The answers Mack gets will astound you and perhaps transform you as much as it did him. You’ll want everyone you know to read this book.

The only regret I have? I cannot use this book within the classroom because of the religious emphasis.

Please check out the novel’s website to read, if nothing else, an excerpt.

By the way, this novel is fiction….it’s just so hard to keep that in mind, though, as you turn page after page and are revived once again.

Originally posted on Treasure Chest of Thoughts on July 20, 2008.

2008: James Patterson and blogging

Yesterday, I completed James Patterson’s Maximum Ride series, The Final Warning. A good read. A easy read. A must read.

James Patterson is an excellent author to use as a model for multiple-genres, point of view, style, fluency, voice…and the list goes on.

Fang, one of the characters in the series, begins a blog in book three…what a great way to show my students the use of blogs and genres, all in one interesting lesson. Throughout the third and fourth novels, several chapters are some of Fang’s blog postings.

Max, the main character, now has her own blog…yes, a “real” one. Good site to send students as they learn to navigate blogs.

I have never been a great fan of reading in the first-person point of view, but maybe my style is changing (that does happen…just stop and reflect what you have read throughout your life) or maybe, just maybe, Patterson has mastered this craft. Yes, I think that is it!

(Should my students ever read this entry, I will never hear the end of the previous sentence! Two no-no’s in one sentence! “I think” and “it” ~ sorry, readers-of-mine, I will work on that!)

I also appreciate the underlying messages that this series promotes. Before beginning this series, I had heard that one of the themes was Patterson’s stand against animal testing. Good use of foreshadowing…for I watched for this as I read, and, yes, the message is clearly there.
This fourth book’s messages was definitely about global warming…learned some scary facts about global warming. Good messages, though, for young adults to read about also…and in a captivating genre as an young adult novel!

Oh, yes, Max’s on-going mission? Of course, to save the world! Her latest blog is about the use of sunscreen!

Thanks to peer teacher Ms. Sharp for recommending this series. She works with resource students, and I can also see why this series would be a wonderful way to hook slow readers onto to reading, for Patterson’s chapters are very short; therefore, the slow reader would feel as if he/she is accomplishing/reading faster. Maybe?

Interested in this series? Patterson is giving away a class set of ten books! Before Spring Break I filled out the application and was very pleasantly surprised to find the box of books on my desk upon returning to school. Go for it!

One of the thematic units I cover with my English 11 classes is Antibullying…this set of books will definitely become a lit circle/independent reading option. Check here for curriculum resources.

Patterson has a new young adult series coming out this month…The Dangerous Days of Daniel X. Going to have to pick that one up!

Originally posted on Treasure Chest of Thoughts on July 10, 2008.

2008: The spark re-ignites

Today I felt that spark for the first time since before school ever let out. I was so burned out that I just wasn’t sure when I would feel even the hint of any academic warmth again…but it’s back!

First, I took what I am referring to as a “fiction vacation” with James Patterson’s character Alex Cross…read five of his books in a week! Need to let Mr. Cross work alone for a while! I can only take so many serial killers in one week! Good read, though, if you enjoy suspense…and I do!
My students also enjoy Patterson’s teen read featuring his part-bird character Maximum Ride…guess, I have a little kid in me…I have completed books one thru three and have book four sitting beside me now!

Now, I’m “reading for work,” as described by my husband. Penny Kittle’s book Write Beside Them is an intellectually stimulating way to begin my personal professional development for this summer with a group of teachers from all across the United States. Check out the wiki for this project at Learners4Life.

The above book seems to hit on the writing aspect of my job, so for the other areas of teaching English, I am also reading How to Read Literature Like a Professor and Understanding by Design.

Why all these professional books? I need a change. Professionally, last year was a “slump year” for me…mainly because I was on survival to just to keep myself just a half-step ahead of my next deadline!

Okay, it was not a total slump or I would not be writing in this very format right now!

Just purchased another summer read recommended by a friend and peer Ms. Margo who encountered a book review of this book while at cheer camp this week. If you are Harry Potter fan, sounds like this is a new series for we fantasy supporters! Trenton Lee Stewart…is he the next J.K. Rowling? He’s from my native state…Arkansas! Stewart’s new fantasy world in The Benedict Society does sound interesting! He’s published two and is writing his third in this series.

What are you reading?

Posted originally on my personal blog Treasure Chest of Thoughts on June 8, 2008.