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Sunday, July 1, 2012

Squeezing out a few minutes for the books!



COME VISIT TEACH.MENTOR.TEXTS, WITH JEN AND KELLEE WHO ARE HOSTS OF THIS KIDLIT MEME, FROM PRIMARY TO YA.  CHECK OUT THE LINKS TO SEE WHAT SO MANY ARE READING!

        It's Monday! What are you Reading? is another meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journeys, a variety of reviews to find even more books for your TBR list. 

        So, this week, I bought some new books, I checked out others, and I read many blog posts.  I read the newspaper each day, I read some articles on the web, but I only finished one book, one that I listened to in the car, on my way back and forth to numerous places.  Lots happening this past week instead of reading!

                 I love Chris Crutcher, and his book, Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes is (was) my favorite of his books.  Yes, I’ve just added another of his books to my favorite pile.  Whale Talk has a strong voice of T.J. Jones, a likable, but complex protagonist who definitely marches to the beat of a different drummer, but makes one want to be in his band every time he makes a decision.  He is thoughtful, kind, helps those who rarely receive help, and rejects those who are only out for the win and the glory at any expense.  For example, he absolutely refuses to go out for football, and is accused of a huge lack of school spirit by not doing do.  I suggest that you read the book not only to discover why it's titled Whale Talk, but also to meet the memorable characters and experience the heart-stopping plot that Crutcher has created.  It's good! 


NEXT:

Finish Hound Dog True.  Continue reading Write Beside Them by Penny Kittle.  I’m reading this with a group of bloggers in a Google Group we formed-very fun!  And I hit the jackpot this week at the library.  There, all alone on the shelf was Insurgent.  I’m excited to read it, after Hound Dog!  I also found some interesting looking picture books.  Happy reading, Everyone!

And-please check last Thursday’s post if you have time.  It’s about an important book newly out, and a giveaway!  The publisher is promising to send a free copy to the winner which will be chosen randomly from the commenters this coming Thursday. 

30 comments:

  1. You are going to love Insurgent!

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    1. My daughter-in-law, with whom I read The Hunger Games trilogy, called me to say she had read both in the same week, couldn't stop, so I know I will like it. Love those adventurous dystopian books! Thanks Deb!

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  2. I'm a big Chris Crutcher fan too. :)

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    1. So glad to hear. His books are terrific, & have such clearly good characters with integrity! Thanks Ruth!

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  3. I also have Insurgent to read one of these days. Everyone says it is so good.

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    1. I'm looking forward to it-loved the first one! Thanks Alex!

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  4. I can't believe Insurgent was actually in... the line for that series is a mile long at our library!

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    1. I know, I looked twice because I couldn't believe it was there! Lucky time to go to the library!

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  5. Have not heard of Whale Talk, so on my list it goes! Lucky that you found Insurgent! I'm still waiting for it...and getting more and more impatient..can't wait to read your review, Linda.

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    1. I just looked up Whale Talk, which has won many awards & also been challenged quite a lot because of language, but it is really such a poignant story whose characters are so real that I imagine we know a few just like them, and either are glad or are upset to know them. And yes, I was lucky to find Insurgent! Thanks Tara.

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  6. I'm embarrassed that I haven't read Chris Crutcher . . . yet. I know that Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes is in our school library - in fact, I held it in my hands on the last day of school but didn't end up bringing it home. From your review, I can tell it was a mistake. I'll pick it up the next time I'm there. I really liked Insurgent. If it's your next book, you'd better strap yourself in for a wild ride.

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    1. His books are lovely, poignant & so realistic about what teens really do experience. I loved Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes, whose characters are similar to those in Wonder. Thanks Mardie!

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  7. Thanks for the heads-up about Whale Talk :-)

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  8. Reading a book with a Google Group is great. It's essentially a book club, right? I'd love to learn more about this Linda.

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    1. As a few of us who know each other as bloggers saw we had the same professional book on our TBR list, we got together & formed a Google Group, & are taking turns giving assignments with the book & responding to our reads. It's easy to set up & has been wonderful to hear from others about the reading. Yes, it's like a book club, except we're writing to each other instead of talking, & it will continue for a while. Thanks for asking Stacey!

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    2. Fun! Kathy and I (the Brain Lair) do something similar. We choose a book and chat about it, then post it to our blogs each Friday.

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  9. Thank you for the link back to your post about The Letter Q. I will definitely seek out that book to have in my 8th grade classroom. You will love Insurgent!

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    1. If you comment, you can be entered into the drawing! Thanks Andrea. When you get the book, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

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  10. It looks like I need to add some Chris Crutcher books to the TBR list!

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    1. They're really good, & appropriate for adolescents!

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  11. Linda
    I have added the Chris Crucher book to my to read pile. I love finding a book I want to read sitting on the library shelf with my my name on it! Hope you love it. I did. Reminds me must seek Hound Dog True out before too much more time passes.
    Happy reading
    Kathryn

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    1. Thanks Kathryn. I need to finish Hound Dog True, then into Insurgent fast!

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  12. I have not read Hound Dog, but it's on my list. Interested to hear what you think, it's gotten lots of buzz!

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    1. So far, it's very sweet, but I feel such tension that I know something is going to happen that I won't like at all! Thanks!

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  13. Hound Dog True is a quiet, special book- I hope you are enjoying it.
    I, too, cannot wait to read Insurgent- I cannot wait to hear what you think of it.

    Happy reading this week! :)

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    1. Thanks Kellee. I am enjoying Mattie in Hound Dog True. I'm finding it quite mysterious & am about half-way through, so am nervous, wondering what is going to happen. The writer is brilliant, & I've marked a lot of lines!

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  14. Whale Talk is definitely my favorite Chris Crutcher book. So powerful and TJ is such a loveable character. Chris's writing is always controversial, but there's so much more to his writing than the controversy. He writes with an amazing amount of heart and emotion too.

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    1. I think you're the first to say you've read this one! Isn't it great! I'm sorry I've missed it all these years. It is controversial; I looked on Crutcher's site, but so little really is said that might be offensive to some, & certainly nothing that students hear all day long. Thanks for telling me!

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  15. All these titles are unfamiliar to me, Linda, so I am glad that you're sharing them with us. I shall check out a few of the books you have shared here when I go back to Singapore. I managed to do a fair amount of book hunting here in Las Vegas too! Will be posting about it next Sunday and the next. :)

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