Sunday, October 13, 2013

It's Monday - blog tour links!



Monday Reading  

It's Monday! What are you Reading? is hosted by Jen at TEACH.MENTOR.TEXTS.  And shared with Ricki and Kellee at UNLEASHING READERS.   
         And, also visit Sheila at BOOK JOURNEYS for more reviews. 
 Tweet! at #IMWAYR


         Here is information about the first days of the Jacqueline Wilson blog tour, and HERE is the website where you can learn more about this popular British writer, and register to win a new IPad Mini.  As you can see, I'll be posting about my book(s) later in the tour.  So far, terrific reads, but I'll share more later.  In the meantime, check out Karen Yingling's week of reviews and more!  


Tour Schedule

      I read two good books this week, in addition to the Jacqueline Wilson books I'll review later.

      Like the bees that flew in from the east and settled on our flowers is one of the ways Helen Frost showed the feelings of the Native Americans about a different kind of people, changes across our land. Those different kinds of people were the colonists, in this book about the early strife among the people in what eventually became the War of 1812. The setting is the area almost directly south of the Great Lakes. It is a heart-breaking book, about displacement, distrust, and misunderstandings, all ending in the loss of homes, generations of friendships, and eventually lives. It is a marvelous and heartbreaking story, told in two voices, young boys who have been friends, one a Native American, the other a trader’s son. Wise words are throughout in Helen Frost’s straight-talking boys, first having fun, then pushed into hurt, and finally sorrow. The Native American Grandma says: Grief gathered kindling. Fear struck the flint. Anger fans the flames. There is additional informational about the poetic forms chosen for the two boys who told the story and the Native names and language that were included in the story. I imagine this to be a wonderful read aloud that would support interesting and serious conversation about our past, how misunderstanding leads to conflict, and perhaps, how we might resolve them. I enjoyed the book very much.


             This is a re-read of course, but I wanted to remind myself of the good lessons in this book, for all ages, even the US Congress! I have used the stories to start conversations about accepting differences and how to come to some kind of compromise when having conflicts. Those Sneetches get into such a snit, and by trying to be just the people who are the “best” group, they end up spending all their money. In The Zax, two Zaxes (Is that the correct plural?) will absolutely not budge off their path, going south or going north (sound familiar?) And then there is Mrs. McCave, naming all her 23 sons Dave. To be different is not only the goal, but makes everything in this household easier. Finally, in What Was I Scared Of?, Dr. Seuss offers one more good lesson, that we may think someone else is a little weird, but forget they might think the same of us! I am reminded of Robert Burns: “O wad some Power the giftie gie us. To see oursels as ithers see us!”

Next:  More Jacqueline Wilson reading, poetry and picture books.  I am teaching the book Hatchet to a second group, reading three different professional books with three different groups of teachers:  Opening Minds by Peter H. Johnston, Book Love by Penny Kittle, and Finding the Heart of Non-Fiction by Georgia Heard.  I've read the first two before, but this is a chance to read and discuss with colleagues-much fun!

16 comments:

  1. Ah, Dr. Seuss. Always surprisingly and scarily relevant. I hope the professional reads will provide lots of insightful discussions!

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    1. I agree, Dr. Seuss was wise long before any of the rest of us! Thank you!

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  2. The Sneetches is a personal favourite, that and "The Places You'll Go." Dr Seuss is simply something else isn't he. Nice blogtour! Helen Frost is a personal favourite, I'd be sure to check out SALT. :)

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    1. Thanks Myra-the blog tour will be fun & the books are all new to me & am enjoying them. Do read Salt-very good!

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  3. Love Dr. Seuss! Always worth a re-read. Looks like you will be busy with the blog tour. I will be checking back. Have a great week!

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    1. Thanks Gigi-hope you'll come discover these new books! And yes, Dr. Seuss is always good to have around!

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  4. Hmmm. I have Salt on my bookshelf at school but have never picked it up. I will tomorrow! LOVE Georgia Heards book about nonfiction.

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    1. Hope you enjoy Salt and thanks for your opinion on the Heard book. I've read the beginning chapters & thought them very good! Thanks Melanie!

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  5. Salt will have to be my next read - I teach that period in history, too, so it will give our unit extra depth and interest. Thanks, Linda - and good for you that you are participating in the Wilson blog tour. I had intended to, but....

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    1. Yes, I think you've been a bit busy in other ways, right? I keep thinking things will slow down. We need to coordinate our class choices! Hope you like Salt! Thanks!

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  6. Enjoy these professional conversations - always so enriching when we can discuss books like this with our colleagues. I keep seeing Salt on different lists. Thinking it would be a title for me to read with my son.

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    1. It will be good to have the time with teachers about the books! Salt is not a long read because it's poetry, but it will be rich in conversation I suspect. Thanks Carrie!

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  7. Finding the Heart of Nonfiction was waiting for me in my mailbox Friday afternoon, but I didn't get to it this weekend. I love Georgia Heard, so I'm anxious to read it. Many people have spoken highly of Salt, but I keep forgetting to add it to my list. Thanks for the reminder!

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    1. I am really looking forward to reading Georgia Heard's book with this group-we'll love it I know! Hope you enjoy Salt sometime, Catherine! I know there are so many books to read! Thanks!

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  8. I loved Book Love by Penny Kittle! I haven't had the chance to meet her or hear her speak, I'll have to make sure I do that at NCTE! Can't wait!

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    1. Hi Jen, I'm going to NCTE too-hope we can meet there. Penny Kittle is delightful to see, and meet. Hope you will have that chance. Yes, that book is fabulous! Thanks!

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