It's Monday!... and I'm on an Island!

It's Monday What are You Reading?  Thank you to Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers for hosting.

It is the middle of winter and so I unintentionally let my reading take me away to two islands this week.  It turned out that the two books could make for an entire post in contrasts.  I learned about Scar Island on social media and I quickly requested it from the library without much thought.  When I looked at the cover and saw that the book was written by Dan Gemeinhart author of The Honest Truth and Some Kind of Courage, it quickly rose to the top of my TBR pile.  While Scar Island is different from his first two books I couldn't put it down. I think middle grade readers will recognize the inner struggles that these characters face as the characters do their time, for varying degrees of crimes, in a very dark, damp and unhealthy and unstable atmosphere. 

I was so thankful when I was handed an ARC of Orphan Island by Laurel Snyder.  The contrast in settings was welcomed as I closed Scar Island and opened Orphan Island - an island that the characters describe as a place where nothing goes wrong.  Again, even though these two books are completely different, Orphan Island too brings the reader to inner conflicts of the characters.  The book has me thinking about parenting, teaching, childhood, struggles and unknowns as we grow up.  I had some of the same feelings about the writing as when I read Bigger Than a Breadbox also by Laurel Snyder.  She has such a gift for writing blend of fantasy with reality - for me the lines blur as I read and it didn't matter that there was some fantasy.   The story is that good and I was totally taken into the life of the children on Orphan Island. 




Well, it's back to winter - I'm off both islands and onto other titles on my TBR stack!

It's Monday What are You Reading? Learning about Authors We Love

It's Monday What are You Reading?  Thank you to Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee and Ricki at Unleashing Readers for hosting.
My recent reading and my reflection from #NCTE16 has confirmed my passion for authors.  
Did I need this reminder of how important books and authors are to me?  I didn’t think so, since I share my passion for books, for story each day with children, with colleagues, with friends and family some who suffer through my enthusiasm and others who will add my finds to their pile of TBR and I will add their recommendations to my stack.  In our teaching we are always trying to connect students to authors and illustrators.  The following two books make learning about two remarkable writers of children's books an extraordinary journey.

I was about half way through A Poem for Peter by Andrea Davis Pinkney when the tears started streaming.  Why?  I had no idea how deeply I love the work of Ezra Jack Keats and how much it meant to me growing up.  I didn’t realize that A Snowy Day was published in 1962 – I just knew it was woven in the fabric of my being – woven so deeply and rooted in memories both childhood and in sharing with students as an adult.  It was on my shelf as a child.  My mother bought it for me.  She read it to me.  It is a perfect picture book – simple, beautiful heartwarming by being blanketing in snow.  I never questioned before why this book doesn’t make you feel cold, with all that snow – now more than 50 years later, I finally know why – because it is warm and loving and heartfelt, little did I know revolutionary as well.  I didn’t think about the brown of the “brown-sugar boy” as Andrea Davis Pinkney writes, I just saw him as Peter.  The same Peter who taught me to make snow angels. Yet Peter and his creator turn out to be angels for so many as we think about mirrors and windows.  I took this for granted.  I am almost ashamed to say, when I read about Peter and his friends to children, I wasn’t thinking about windows or mirrors.  I was simply sharing the magic of the words and illustrations of Ezra Jack Keats. 

When I finished Some Writer! I sat and hugged the book.  I knew I had to own it.  Melissa Sweet brings E.B. White to us in such a gorgeous format and clarity of words. You want to learn more about the life of E.B. White and you turn each page with eagerness and receive a visual gift as well.

Two greats have been brought to the fore for us. Both of these writers were asked to write for children.  Thank goodness for those who encouraged them and served as mentors to them.  The world is a better place because of these writers.   The world is a better place because of writers.  Thank you to Andrea Davis Pinkney and Melissa Sweet for their exquisite gift in bringing the story behind these stories to each of us, for giving us a better understanding of two writers we have loved for a very long time. 

After NerdCamp...

After Nerdy...

The magic that happens at NerdCamp #nErDcampMI in Parma, MI  is almost indescribable, which is ironic considering that while there you are completely surrounded by readers and writers who spread the literacy enthusiasm with full energy and generosity. There is a spirit of sharing, thinking together, laughing.  There are also those moments of tearing up as speakers hit your heartstrings and it doesn't matter who is sitting next to you but you glance at one another and just know that you both feel that deep commitment and love and compassion and determination for kids, for humanity. 

Another beauty of NerdCamp is that the experience sticks with you, so today I'm reflecting on the After Nerdy and here is what I witnessed  and what I feel so far:

I witnessed a newly graduated teacher ready to start her career writing in her notebook on the four-hour drive home.

I witnessed a "car PD"  we debriefed each session we attended and the highlights and our thinking moving forward.  

I feel reaffirmed.

I feel the power of friendships renewed and strengthened and friendships newly made. 

I feel thankful...

Thankful that my career is one that I love and that I am surrounded by all of you.

Thankful to Colby Sharp @colbysharp and Alaina Sharp @sharpgalore for all of their incredible giving work to make this happen for so many.  To you and your entire team I feel gratitude. (I truly hope you are resting today!)  Knowing that after we left NerdCamp many students entered and basked in a magical literacy camp, just makes me beyond thankful.  Thank you to the entire original Nerd Team - for building communities of learners and bring us together through books and words.

Finally, I feel hopeful by all the advocates for children in our world.  I feel hopeful for the new teachers and those of us who have been fortunate to teach for many years and all of us in-between!  It is so important in our world that we have these strong communities for learning and thinking together.  Thank you to all at  #nErDcampMI for giving this spirit of hopefulness that our actions and the words we share make a difference.  

My Wish...

I just finished two books - both have the element of making a wish.  Both main characters are nicknamed Charlie.  While the storyline in both are not to be compared, the feeling of family strength, love and support as well as community and friendship, are in both.  



Wish By Barbara O'Connor



The Seventh Wish by Kate Messner
This book has recently sparked a censorship discussion. I am reminded that we never truly know what someone else is going through.  How could we deny this book that has been beautifully, thoughtfully, and carefully crafted from anyone?  


So many times, especially through the hardest times in my life including losing my mother to cancer or dealing with my father's Alzheimer's, it has been an outstanding middle grade book that has brought me comfort while through the tears of reading.  

My wish is for every reader to have the choice in his or her reading, the choice that brings that reader just what he or she needs at the right moment.  

Thinking about community... Summer School here we come!

Summer school starts tomorrow.  If you  had asked me a week ago if I was excited to start summer school I would have giggled, meaning... is this question for real?  But then something magical happened and it is called planning for readers and writers. I started thinking about that group of 4^th and 5^th graders who would be walking in on Monday morning.  Those students would probably groan rather than giggle if you asked them if they were excited to be at school on the first Monday of summer break!  All the more reason for careful planning and community building!

Planning means books!  I started talking to friends about read aloud and book discussions.  I headed to the library on Saturday and that is where the magic happened.  In that library I found books that formed mini themes.  Books to help launch discussions.  Books to use for quick book talks.  Books filled with poetry and wordless books! Books jumped off the shelf and I was suddenly energized by the thought of sharing great books with a community of learners! 

Just thinking about being a part of a learning community has me really excited.  I have been a reading support teacher for a few years now, so the idea of a class of kids to identify with really means something special to me.  Recently a group of former students graduated from high school.  Reconnecting with them as they celebrate their accomplishments reminds me of the importance  of a learning community, building the ties to students that last in our hearts and minds.

Today I gathered with a group of teachers who I adore.  We met to talk about books.  An adult social/learning community.  Again, a community built around words.

Last night I gathered with friends and family for dinner and laughter, celebrating another year of living - my built-in, loving community for which I am unbelievably thankful. 

Community – we all need it, I crave it, and I am so grateful for the many different communities I am graced by each day. 

So, here’s to tomorrow when I enthusiastically meet my newest community that will enrich my summer and to the books that we will share!

It's Monday!

What a fabulous start to the week!  I just finished two incredible books.  The first book seems to be getting a lot of attention and there is good reason, for sure.  Absolutely Almost is such a memorable book and it will stay with me for a very long time.  I am already thinking about the students I can share this book with.  It would be absolutely engaging read aloud.  I would love to hear the conversations and reflections as children listen and read this book.  Linda Graff beautifully tells how kids and adults can feel inadequate and self-doubting and how our relationships can help us to see the world and ourselves differently.  Albie, the main character, is completely endearing.  

I loved how the author of West of the Moon, Margi Preus, craftily wove traditional stories into this story of two sisters trying to find their father in America.  The folk stories intertwined are magical and help the main character  find her way through difficult times, survival and a start to self awareness.

Two very different stories but so happy that I was invited into both books!

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If not for Franki!

What an honor to write about YOU Franki!

Oh, how exciting you make our lives!  Your high speed energy, your ability to get momentum going for almost anything, and your quick thinking enrich my life!

If not for you Franki, I would never have had the beginning I did in Dublin.  A district filled with young energized, innovative teachers - where you took a lead and encouraged so many of us.

If not for you Franki, I would not have had all these of years of learning and growing at the Dublin Literacy Conference.  What a gift you have given to all of us.  From being on the committee with you many, many years ago, to simply attending, the conference never disappoints.  

If not for you Franki and Mary Lee I would never have tried a blog.

If not for you Franki, inviting me to a tech gathering, I would never have tried Twitter and connected with so many incredible teachers.

If not for Franki, I may have never stayed connected to so many of our dear friends.  You have a beautiful and gifted way of bringing people together and helping us to stay connected.


If not for you, I wouldn't have tried running (Go Team Pumpkin!) or remembered the joy of yoga.

There is so much more that I love about you.  Franki, I love that we have discovered that little village in Italy that holds roots for both of us!  Love your family and have enjoyed every minute of us talking about our girls as they have grown over the years.  A conversation with you stays with me and inspires me. Simply thank you for all you do and for all you are to so many. Much love to you Frances!  (Or is it Francis?)

It's Monday! What Are Your Reading? Catching Up!

Here is my attempt to catch up on what I have been reading since school started - several weeks worth!  

One of the biggest gifts that I have received this school year so far, is the gift of working with Kindergarten students once again.  It has been four years since I have had this opportunity.  Sometimes  there is a flip side to good news - for me the flip is that, at this time, I won't be working with 4th and 5th grade readers.  I am a middle-grade book lover.  For sure I'd rather read a young YA book than an adult novel, so I won't give up my attempt to read as many of these novels as I possibly can. 

With this gift of reading with K kids, I am more determined to learn about the picture books I have been missing.  Here are just a few that I have read in the last few weeks...

Do Cows Meow?  and Do Crocs Kiss?  both by Salina Yoon.  These flap books are perfect for pre-k kids and many of the Ks I work with are learning to expand their English, so the simplicity of this text along with the excitement of the flaps should be a hit!

Oopsy, Teacher!  by Stephanie Calmenson - have loved Late for School, so I was thrilled to find this gem!  The message that teachers too make mistakes even though they can be trying their best is one that we need to continue to communicate with our students.  And who wouldn't love a book that features a creative teacher who turns a tough day into a party day? 

The Jungle Run by Tony Mitton - The bright cover pulled me to this book in the new book section of the library.  The clever and determined smallest animal perseveres even when all the other animals tell her she is too little.  Another great message for young listeners.

Laugh-Out -Loud Baby by Tony Johnston - Loved learning that there is a tradition in the Navajo culture to celebrate a baby's first laugh.  There is so much joy in this book.

I picked up The Great Unexpected by Sharon Creech and could not put it down until I finished it.  Sharon Creech never disappoints.  Truly.  I simply love her books.  I think readers will enjoy trying to solve the mystery of how all the characters will come together.  Great story of connectedness and definition of family.  While definition of family is a common theme it is one that I never grow tired of and Creech brings an ever twisting turning storyline as she speaks to this theme.  I also loved the fanciful traditional tales interwoven throughout the story.

I finished the last disc of Liar and Spy by Rebecca Stead.  I'll just say that driving isn't nearly as fulfilling as it was when those 4 discs were playing!  Another great read with themes of personal struggles and bullying, as well as family struggles.  Great look at how we meet adversity and deal in our own way.  The contrast of the two families the reader gets to know is intriguing.

I continue to try to keep up with at least a few adult fiction books which is always a challenge for me during the school year.  This week I finished Lace Reader by Brunonia Barry.  Our school book club chose this book and I had never read it.  I think what I loved the most about this book was that I didn't have it all figured out and that there were surprises for me.  I guess it felt good not to predict and solve the entire book before the last chapters.  This would be an important thought to keep with me as I conference with young readers.  I think sharing the joy of not being right in my predictions or not having it all figured out would make for interesting discussions.

Happy reading wishes to everyone!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

It has been a fabulous summer of reading so far.  Part of the joy is passing on books or titles to others and receiving titles from, thanks to technology, my ever widening reading community.  Recently Stella at My World-Mi Mundo posted about her experience as she finished See You at Harry's .  After hearing her and others talk about this book I knew I had to read it!  I read it in one day and immediately passed the book to a friend.  Last night I received a message from this friend saying, "Thanks for making me cry a ton today."  If you know me at all, then you know I went into paranoid mode!  Ah, finally, I realized I had not hurt her, rather the book had touched her.  A touching, deep read - many different layers of real  issues -  just get the tissues ready.

Several weeks ago I went out of my reading norm with Divergent.   While on a different level of intensity, I followed reading Divergent with a postapocalyptic YA The Prince Who Fell from the Sky.  It did feel good to move out of the comfort zone with both of these book and I loved them.  I think middle school and high school readers probably already know Divergent and are waiting for the 3rd book of this series!  I look forward to recommending The Prince Who Fell from the Sky to intermediate grade readers.

I am a huge fan of Deborah Wiles, her books just delight and reach me.  I have to say as I was reading Three Times Lucky, I was reminded of some of the Deborah Wiles characters who are unforgettable.  While the characters are uniquely each author's own, I just fell in love with the characters in Three Times Lucky easily as well.  I can't wait to share this book with 4th and 5th graders!  Sheila Turnage has created a book that makes you laugh, presents a mystery, offers memorable characters and reminds us how family is defined by our hearts.

Just a fun teacher note... the last time I blogged about Jake and Lily and mentioned that I knew just the twins who needed to read this book.  Funny thing, now every time I see these two the brother tells me how slow his sister reads and that it will be the end of the summer before he gets the book!  Yes, confirmed... the perfect twins for this twin/sibling book!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

This week I realize how dependent I am on the twitter, blogs and the Goodreads community especially Mock Newbery 2013.

 These networks have helped me to read some fantastic books that I would never have found on my own.   We can really celebrate how technology brings our teaching community together - glad to finally be joining in on a more participatory way!

My last post talked about how many YA books have parents who are missing in the young characters lives.  I felt like a was still on this theme a bit lately.  

Since that post, I finished  As Small as an Elephant.  This boy gets abandoned by his mother while they are on a camping trip.  For the most part the child remains sympathetic and understanding about his mother's condition.  What I loved about this story was that it reopens our eyes to the idea that things are not always as we think they are.  You witness this theme unfold with the main character's ah-ha moments, his moments of clarity.  


Fitting in the foster child theme I absolutely loved    One for the Murphys.  This book is beautifully written and warmed my heart.  I don't want to ruin the story for anyone but I have to share this quote from page 12: "The tone, the look on her face and the look on his, a gentle brush of his hair. A kiss on top of the head.  I struggle to decipher a foreign language.  She's looking at him like she's seeing the best thing ever. Even though he's done something wrong."  This is how I hope my face reads with my students every day - whether when giving a simple hello in the hall to instructional times.  This quote just struck a chord.  Kids know.


 After reading   Jake and Lily, I knew the perfect two people to share this book with - a set of twins in our 5th grade, boy/girl twins just like in the book.  I have read with these two in after school club and the brother is always trying to slam his sister.  I think he would truly love this book.  And possibly admit, if only to himself, his love for his twin sister.  This is a great story about growing up with the message of finding yourself rather than depending on others for your happiness. While the main characters are twins, many readers will be able to relate and grow from reading this book. There is a great side character in the book too, a self-admitted hippy grandfather who is very wise and quirky and adds a humorous dimension to the book. 


I just started Inside Out and Back Again.  I look forward to blogging next Monday about this book and any other reading I can squeeze in during our last week of school.  Until then... happy reading to all of you as you wrap up another school year.  

Here's to the Moms in Story and in Life

Thanks to Donalyn Miller at Nerdybookclub for calling for favorite book moms.  This call started me thinking about the moms in the books that I have most recently read and the role of the mom character in YA books.  My first reaction to her question was "Are there moms in the books I read?"  I giggled to myself as I posed that question because when our girls were growing up and we shared books I always teased them about how the mom was missing in the story.  I know you have noticed this pattern, the mom is either missing, unable to care for the young adult, or has passed away.  Our running joke was, 'and yet another mom killed off.'  My insightful friend explained to me that by leaving the mom out of the story the characters were free to adventure off into learning and experiencing, finding their own way - the story could take flight.  That makes sense to me.  I just finished reading The Summer of the Gypsy Moths, beautifully written and features two foster children - one mom died in an accident and the other is finding her way.  Meanwhile these two twelve year olds find their way without any adults.
I am just at the beginning of Small as an Elephant, but clearly this mom is missing.

But this is not always the case in YA and I'm glad for the exceptions, especially right now as I am reflecting on the mom characters and what that means to me as a mom.  I have been on a YA quest recently and some of these books have featured incredibly strong mothers.  The kind of mom that you hope you'd be under the same circumstances.  Here is a quick recap of just a few that have stood out:

The Mighty Miss Malone - This mom shows us that no matter what our circumstances, no matter how devastating, we should not compromise our values and we should not lose our faith.  I absolutely loved the lessons these parents instilled throughout the book.

In How to Save a Life the mom is grieving yet she puts her daughter first and listens to her daughter. Together they find a way to put their family back together.  

In Bystander, this single mom works hard to keep her family together and is in touch with her son's feelings and well being.  

The following two moms have to be on my favorite list.  I read Wonder and Out of My Mind as a comparing set- while different, there were strong similarities in these mothers.  They both teach us the truth of being who we are meant to be and to believe in our gifts and purpose.  As a mom, these mothers make me remember to rejoice in the gifts we each have and bring to our family.  I can only hope I would be as strong as they both are.

Thank goodness that not all the moms are missing in YA. There are beautiful moms.  Some quiet to the story, some central strength.  Many remind us to keep teaching and to keep believing.  Some remind us to give our kids some space, a lesson I need from time to time!

And stories remind us that we don't have to be a mom to be a mom! In my life I have been blessed to know that not all moms are "moms" some are aunts, friends, neighbors, teachers etc. who are superb at mothering.  We all know people like this.

So here is to the "moms" those in the stories we read and those in our lives.  These are the ladies who teach us, guide us, support us and remind us to find our way.

Last Day Reflection

Sometimes live gives you just the nudge you need.  Several months ago I was sitting at the kitchen table with my parents.  My father has been showing true signs of memory loss and yet with such clarity he looks right at me, rather through me, and says, "I've been thinking, why aren't you writing anymore?"  As that was playing and replaying in my mind I discover the Slice of Life March Challenge.  I am sure I didn't really understand it at all, however it meant writing each day, just what my father ordered!

I was ready to jump in but I did not have a blog, I had no idea how to set-up a blog. But I dug in with the help of dedicated friends. Not only did these friends help me set-up, they also checked in and left encouraging comments along the way.  Thank you dear friends.

Through this I have learned a lot about myself as a writer. I remembered writing isn’t easy. I have discovered that narrative is kind of tricky for me. I feel all telly and preachy, not storyteller like at all. Also, writing takes time; I learned this lesson long ago, when I took a class with the now late Virginia Hamilton  author of so many eloquent novels for children. She once wrote on one of my rushed papers – “give your writing the time it deserves.” Those words both stung and encouraged. They stung because they were so true – I had indeed rushed the piece. (I rushed plenty of pieces this month too.  Some lessons are hard to learn!)  But her words also encouraged as I realized that my writing did indeed deserve time. Everyone’s writing does. I think that those participating in this challenge are thinking just that as they interact with kids.  Kids deserve the time to write and all the nourishing of writing that goes with that time. I have now asked myself, why if I think that all kids deserve the time to write and I believe that we all do, then why had I let my writing go? Many believe that if you do something for 21 days it becomes a habit. I think the habit is not as important as the need and the desire. I am counting on my need and desire to push me forward to continue writing.

I have learned to love falling asleep with my laptop!

I learned that I should have listened to my friend when she said write several slices during the early part of the month so that you are ready on the hard writing days…

There is real joy of spending time reading others' slices.
As one friend said the community holds you up and gives you the strength to write again. I feel like I have made new friends just from the glimpses into their life.
Like so many have said, participating in this makes you so aware of stories everywhere. You are keenly listening and looking. I think I’ll be better at capturing lists of ideas and thoughts because of this month. Just as in conversations, one story slice leads to another, whether it is a story from another participant or from one of my own.

I have a need to say thank you to Ruth and Stacey for their time in hosting this event. Only teachers with such passion for writing would do this for so many of us. Sincerely, thank you. Also, thank you to all of you for writing. I have loved reading your slices, getting a glimpse into your live, your classroom. Thank you SOL for bringing me even closer to people I already adore. Thank you to my friends who held my hand and gently taught and retaught me. 

Finally, I think these words from Little Bee describe the story telling we have experienced this month:

...I had started my story it wanted to be finished

We cannot choose where to start and stop. Our stories are the tellers of us.