Sunday, March 30, 2014

31/31 It's Monday, It's the final SOLC, It's Chalkabration - We move on!


(special note: some font sizes seem stuck-cannot reduce it unless it's too small-sorry for the crazy size!)   The Last Day, #31 of the Slice of Life Challenge at Two Writing Teachers! Tweet at #SOL14  for It's Monday, What Are You Reading: Jen at TeachMentorTexts, Ricki and Kellee at Unleashing Readers. Tweet at #IMWAYR
Here are reviews for Non-fiction Picture Book Wed. at Alyson Beecher's Kid Lit Frenzy.
     


                   


Betsy Hubbard of Teaching Young Writers and Two Writing Teachers has been hosting a Chalk-a-bration where we share poems chalked on the last day of the month. Here's mine, for all the slicers who wrote through the month. Congratulations! 

And, congratulations to my three colleagues who also sliced every day: Suparna at Me and My Soliloquy, Max at Teaching From Behind, and Susan at UnderConstructionMax's class posted all month, too!



Darn sun, peeking through. Could NOT get rid of it!
Chalk-a-bration
Celebration
Folks who slice
Are oh so nice
Now we’re done
Twas lots of fun
Thank you all
It was a ball
April’s next
Poets’ text
words in play
on future days


   Linda Baie © All Rights Reserved




         Reading! 
         Two books brought to me by a friend, wondering what I thought of these, the first and the sequel. Both are by Pam Conrad, illus. by Richard Egielski

The Tub People 
      Cute little toys to play with in the bathtub have more than one adventure, including a disastrous one where the youngest, a boy, slips down the drain. It all turn out okay because of a plumber, thank goodness. I’m not sure what I think of this story. It seems a little scary to read to a young child, but on the other hand, maybe it’s just fun, imaginative play. You’ll have to read it to see what you think. 
The Tub Grandfather
      This one takes the toys to a different level, more action possibilities because they’re now out of the tub, and in a bedroom. Grandfather is found under the radiator during a ball game. He takes some time waking up, finally joining the group because of some music. Through imagination, it reminds me of the stories I used to see my children playing with the old Fisher-Price little people. They, those little round-headed people, seemed quite real in the play. Interesting book.

Open Very Carefully A Book With Bite – Nick Bromley, illus. by Nicola O’Byrne
           This is a wonderful, exciting, can’t-wait-to-turn-the-page book for younger children. Starting out to tell a story of some young ducklings, something unexpected happens, a crocodile enters the story too! That’s not right, he shouldn’t be there! You’ll need to read the book to see how the problem is solved, at least it seems like it’s solved… The illustrations are bright and bold with small details added in occasionally.


      For MustReadin2014 & Gathering Books Challenge - CORL
The Little Bookstore of Big Stone Gap – Wendy Welch
           It took me a few weeks to read this book, and possibly because I had other things to do, but also because I was savoring the way Wendy Welch allows the reader into her husband’s and her lives starting a used bookstore in a little known area of the coal fields of Virginia. That store is the Tales of The Lonesome Pine bookstore in Big Stone Gap, Virginia, a town of about 5,000. We learn why they were searching for a place, coming from jobs gone down paths they didn’t wish to travel. We learn that it was happenstance that they landed in this place. They saw an old house; they ate salsa and chips, and decided to go for it. They had no money, but they had skills and knowledge, and a willingness to work hard. They did, and it became a joy and their real home during the five years Wendy shares in this story. I have my own favorite used bookstore, and many of the attributes of it are those of this Lonesome Pine store: the people are friendly, helpful, know the thousands of books in stock, and are willing to talk about books. If you love books, and small Indies, you will love this book.

Celebrating WritersFrom Possibilities Through Publication – Ruth Ayres with Christi Overman
        This is a tough book to review. It is so rich, with new ideas incorporated into the ones we already know about writing with students. Is it enough to say I’m re-reading it so that I can now take notes in order to help those teachers with whom I work? Is it enough to say that it is comprehensive enough that it shares ideas for work in writers workshop as well as how to use social networks in writing instruction and celebrations? And is it enough that it completes the journey by sharing forty, yes, forty “formal celebration journeys?”  Hope so. You need to purchase the book for yourself!

Next: It's spring break, now starting Paperboy by Vince Vawter, and I have a couple of books on CD from the library.


48 comments:

  1. I loved Paperboy!! I think you'll enjoy it too. Happy Spring Break!! Mine is still 2 weeks away. I can't WAIT!!

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    1. Thanks Michelle, Paperboy has started well!

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  2. I passed Paperboy to one of my reluctant readers, and a friend reported that he read in her class for the first time this past week! If he finishes before break, I may take it on mine. Requested The Little Bookstore of Big Stone Gap when you included it in an earlier post. I've read the prologue & can already tell that this is a book that I will savor for a slow read! Thanks! Have you read The Yellow Lighted Bookshop? It was a past book club read, perfect for bibliophiles.

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    1. Oh, happy you've started The Little Bookstore... It was a delight, & thanks for this new title. I don't know it, & will certainly look for it. Maybe a page of these kinds of books would be good? Have a great week, Ramona!

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    2. I like that idea Let's think about it after school is out & I'm retired.

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  3. So excited you are going to read Paperboy. I really enjoyed this title. Enjoy your Spring Break. Mine just finished but I really enjoyed the chance to read more over the break. The novel The Little Bookstore . . . looks like a really interesting read. I;m putting it on my TBR list.

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    1. Thanks Carrie, hope you have a good week back!

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  4. Really liked the idea of Chalk-a-bration... :) The Little Bookstore of Big Stone Gap sounds lovely. Added to my Must-read TBR.

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    1. The Little Bookstore... Was delightful Debbie! Hope you enjoy it too! And join the chalking in April!

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  5. I think Celebrating Writers is one you have to go back to again and again AND own. Some of the best professional books are like that. You need to hear things again and again. I just got the Paperboy so glad to see so many liked it. Reluctant readers too, sounds like a find.

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    1. Yes, Celebrating Writers is a book I might push to have everyone at school have, so much to takeaway from it. Next I'm reading Thrive-might be a good companion? So far, Paperboy is terrific, draws one in fast! Thanks Julieanne!

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  6. Your chalk-a-bration poem was fun to read. I need to go and buy chalks now. It's about time for me to try chalk-a-bration. As for reading, I am reading Goldfinch. I wish my spring break would start sooner than two weeks and I could spend my days reading.

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    1. My daughter loved Goldfinch so much, she re-read it immediately! Happy reading, Terje, and hope you do join our "chalk-a-bration', with students, too!

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  7. Spring Break and a wonderful book, Linda - that's the way! It will be interesting to hear your reactions to Paper Boy, too - an unusual book, beautifully written.

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    1. I "hope" I can read even more than this one, but it's a good start! Thanks, Tara!

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  8. Enjoy your break! I read The Tub People books to my kids but I have no memory of them at all! Will have to check them out again from the library. I love the art--definitely reminds me of my favorite toys when I was little! I haven't read Paperboy yet--it's on the ever-growing list, of course.

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    1. Yes, I guess I should have mentioned the art. It is good, but the stories were just odd, at least to me. Thanks Elisabeth, hope you can get to Paperboy soon. It took me a while, too!

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  9. We had snow last night. As a result, the pavement is wet and I cannot chalk. (I even set aside time this afternoon to do it with Isabelle. Hmph!)

    Thanks for bringing new slicers into the fold and for being such an avid commenter. You're wonderful Linda!

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    1. Snow, again! Oh, I hope this is the last for you all Stacey. What a winter! And you're welcome for my help in the SOLC-it was fun to have colleagues here, & to read so many wonderful posts! Thanks, Stacey!

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  10. You have so many great things in this post! I love the chalk poem. :-) Great books, too. I loved Paperboy. It definitely deserved the Newbery Honor. I loved reading your slices this month, and thank you for all your commenting. :-)

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    1. You're welcome, Holly & thank you too! I need to catch up with some of your memory writing. I've missed some recently. Hope your week back is good!

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  11. I feel like it's the end of the year and now we are starting on a new year tomorrow. What a great month it's been. I hope you will keep updating your weaving project. Love Ruth's book! It is one to revisit and apply in many places. Cute poem!

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    1. Oh Elsie, you're right, it does feel like an end, & with me, it's my spring break too & time for new goals starting next week at school, & for April & poetry tomorrow. See you tomorrow, too!

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  12. Lots of books and such a great chalky poem to end the SOLC. I am still so amazed by the reading you do. I also loved Celebrating Writers and want to re-read it to glean more ideas. This has been a wonderful year of writing with my students, but I want to keep the elements that worked for next year. This book reminds me of the good work we do when writing is at the center.

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    1. Glad to hear you loved Celebrating Writers, too, Margaret. It is a gem! And it's fun to create the chalk poems isn't it? Betsy has started something terrific!

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  13. Linda, I also loved CELEBRATING WRITERS. It gave me a different approach to writing that I thought was so important. I loved the back of the book the best---with all of those ideas. I hope you enjoy your week!

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    1. Thanks Ricki, happy to hear that you liked it too! I'm sure I'll enjoy the week, with some work, but also some hanging out doing something new.

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  14. Have a great Spring Break, Linda! Can't wait to see what you read :)
    I think you may have convinced me to get Ruth Ayers' book!

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    1. I found that the book gave me some new ways to think about workshop, Michele. Some others seem to be replaying Atwell & Calkins, so might as well re-read those, which are still wonderful.Thanks for the wishes.

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  15. Two things in common this week, I too am re-reading Celebrating Writers this week and I chalked of course! Thanks for always being a loyal chalker. Glad you got out the real stuff even if the sun was being a bit of a show stealer.

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    1. I even moved flower pots around to get rid of it-no luck! Thanks Betsy! My chalking surface is very rough this time, don't know if I can do much that's fancy anymore. So fun you're re-reading Celebrating Writers, too. It's very good!

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  16. You'll really like Paperboy--it is a special book.
    Happy reading this week! :)

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    1. Thanks, Kellee, so far it's great. Hope your week is good, too!

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  17. These books sound terrific, Linda, and I love your poem. Thank you so much for all your kind comments throughout the month and always. Enjoy your vacation!

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    1. Thanks Catherine, you're so welcome, & thank you for yours too. Here we go again!

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  18. I am going to have to do the Chalk Celebration next year. We had PD day today so no kids. And is the Tub Grandfather by the same author as the Tub People? I remember reading that so long ago.

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    1. Yes, both by the same people, Aly. I hope you do the chalking with everyone in April. It's fun, & now you're writing poetry!

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  19. Always fun to stop by your blog! I always enjoy learning about new books that you review! Thank you.

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    1. You're welcome, Jaana. I hope you find some you will enjoy. Happy slicing!

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  20. What a great way to end - with a poem and sharing of books! have loved stopping by. I love books about bookstores - will definitely look this one up.

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    1. It's a great book, Bev. I bet you will love it. Thank you for stopping by so often. See you Tuesdays!

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  21. Wow, Linda. Is it enough to say thank you for lovely review. It means much to me.
    Ruth

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    1. You're so welcome, Ruth. Meant every word! Have a great rest of the week!

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  22. I learned about Richard Egielski through Leonard Marcus, but I haven't had a chance to read any picturebooks that he illustrated, so thank you for sharing the tub people. The book covers seem very interesting. Glad to hear about Ruth's book, seems like a very useful one with practical advice. The Little Bookstore sounds like a real interesting read too, now I have a craving for nachos and salsa! :)

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    1. Hard to say no to some interesting books, isn't it? Hope you'll be able to find The Tub People. I'd like to know what you think, Myra. Thanks!

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  23. Nice chalk poem! I need to tackle The Little Bookstore of Big Stone Gap. I do love books about books and bookstores! And I enjoy how some books we enjoy by turning pages furiously and some we enjoy by savoring every page.

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    1. Thanks Earl. I hope you'll like this book. I sure did!

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  24. What a great round up review! I love your chalk poem! I did the Slice of Life challenge last March and it was fun but definitely a challenge. I think your poem sums it all up! I adored Celebrating Writers! You are right that there are just so many gems in that book. So much to think about and so hard to celebrate all that's in there!

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