This would be a good book for me to talk to students about why we abandon books. And then I could discuss why SOMETIMES we need to just give a book a little more time. The first 40 pages of this book I was literally rolling my eyes. It seemed very much like another trilogy that I had read about 5 years ago. See if you can guess which one I'm talking about...
-A female protagonist
-Setting - some sort of distopian/post war society
-Citizens are unfairly divided into a caste system read: districts
-A contest is announced and our protagonist finds herself as a favourite
-Her true love is in a lower caste who is worse off than her family
-Adorable sister whom our protagonist loves dearly
-Unnecessary opulence at the very top
-All the 'nation' watches the contest unfold
Puhlese! I couldn't take it. I had decided to bring this trilogy home this summer because a student recommended it to me. She often doesn't go for the fluff, so I was intrigued. After my 40 pages, I put it down and honestly thought about abandoning it and blogging about my reasons. I went a whole day in my summer reading marathon without reading! This morning I had some time to myself and decided to give it another 40 pages. Now? I have to find out what happens! America is a strong character who stays true to herself and Prince Maxon is an interesting character too. The 2 have a connection and right now she is his inside source. She is going to give him information and Maxon will let her remain so that her family will be taken care of at home. I predict that he likes her already and is just waiting for her to fall too. We'll have to see.
I do allow kids to abandon books and tell them to do so if they have given a book a chance. I will definitely use this experience as an example. I will tell students that sometimes you just need to give a book another chance before you REALLY decide whether you are going to stick it out or not!
Thursday, July 21, 2016
Wednesday, July 20, 2016
Guest Blog By Parker - Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Parker - Age 10
Me: So Parker, you have read all the 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' books this summer, correct?
P: Correct
Me: Was this the first time you read them all?
P: Yes
Me: But not the first time for some of them, right?
P: Yep
Me: Why do you like these books so much?
P: Cuz I like how there's pictures and words
Me: There are lots of other books around that have pictures and words. Why do you think you (and lots of other kids) always go back to read these books?
P: Because the person in the book, Greg, is about the same age as me
Me: That's interesting?
P: Uh huh, he does stuff that I would do.
Me: Like what? What type of things would you do or think is interesting?
P: Ummm, that's a hard one. He's always going over to his friends Rowley's house. I like how he has a big brother and I like to read what he does.
Me: The big brother is a bit of a goof, right?
P: Ya
Me: Do you think you are ever going to try another book?
P: Yes
Me: When?
P: Well, I've already tried the villager book.
Me: Like, you've really tried?
P: Ummmm well, I read 20 pages, so ya, I guess
Me: Why don't you try 20 more pages and get back to me?
P: OK, later
Me: <<<<sigh>>>
Me: So Parker, you have read all the 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' books this summer, correct?
P: Correct
Me: Was this the first time you read them all?
P: Yes
Me: But not the first time for some of them, right?
P: Yep
Me: Why do you like these books so much?
P: Cuz I like how there's pictures and words
Me: There are lots of other books around that have pictures and words. Why do you think you (and lots of other kids) always go back to read these books?
P: Because the person in the book, Greg, is about the same age as me
Me: That's interesting?
P: Uh huh, he does stuff that I would do.
Me: Like what? What type of things would you do or think is interesting?
P: Ummm, that's a hard one. He's always going over to his friends Rowley's house. I like how he has a big brother and I like to read what he does.
Me: The big brother is a bit of a goof, right?
P: Ya
Me: Do you think you are ever going to try another book?
P: Yes
Me: When?
P: Well, I've already tried the villager book.
Me: Like, you've really tried?
P: Ummmm well, I read 20 pages, so ya, I guess
Me: Why don't you try 20 more pages and get back to me?
P: OK, later
Me: <<<<sigh>>>
Hurry, Freedom - Canadian Flyer Adventures - Frieda Wishinsky
Guest Blogger - Abby (Age 7, turning 8 next month)
Did you like this book?
Yes
Why?
Because I learned lots of new things and it was very nice. It is a real story and people got to freedom.
What was your favourite part?
When they were getting to Canada off the raft
Tell me about the setting of the book
I thought about a house with no windows or doors at first but then one window with a lantern in it. Around it would be forest and a horse and wagon. But all around would be forest. Then you would go farther into the woods (about 10 meters???). You turn to your left and a cave would be there. In front of you is a bridge and water all around the bridge. After there is land and forest and a beach.
Why is this an adventure?
Because you have to get across the water without people catching you. And they were all around you at night. And you were trying to get there.
What did you learn about the Underground Railroad?
I learned that slave catchers would try and catch black people. There was a nice man and lady that were trying to help everyone who was slaves. The slave catchers try to catch them. They try to catch them to get money. They get money because the slave owners set out people to catch them. Emily and Matt are trying to help.
The Underground Railroad is how the slaves can get released to freedom.
Slaves run away from slave owners that make them work.
Nice people volunteer to help them get to Canada because Canada is a safe place
Thanks, Abby! Keep up the summer reading!
Did you like this book?
Yes
Why?
Because I learned lots of new things and it was very nice. It is a real story and people got to freedom.
What was your favourite part?
When they were getting to Canada off the raft
Tell me about the setting of the book
I thought about a house with no windows or doors at first but then one window with a lantern in it. Around it would be forest and a horse and wagon. But all around would be forest. Then you would go farther into the woods (about 10 meters???). You turn to your left and a cave would be there. In front of you is a bridge and water all around the bridge. After there is land and forest and a beach.
Why is this an adventure?
Because you have to get across the water without people catching you. And they were all around you at night. And you were trying to get there.
What did you learn about the Underground Railroad?
I learned that slave catchers would try and catch black people. There was a nice man and lady that were trying to help everyone who was slaves. The slave catchers try to catch them. They try to catch them to get money. They get money because the slave owners set out people to catch them. Emily and Matt are trying to help.
The Underground Railroad is how the slaves can get released to freedom.
Slaves run away from slave owners that make them work.
Nice people volunteer to help them get to Canada because Canada is a safe place
Thanks, Abby! Keep up the summer reading!
Tuesday, July 12, 2016
The Boy in the Striped Pajamas - John Boyne
Adele's song, 'Set Fire to the Rain' was the song that randomly came on as I sat down to write this post immediately after finishing this book. Bruno definitely set fire to the rain as he found himself inside the concentration camp that was run by his father. I did not cry. Instead, I was wishing that Bruno's father would find out what happened to his son. And how many other sons died under his role as Commandant?
In 2016 it is hard to imagine, but Boyne ominously writes at the end,
'Of course all this happened a long time ago and nothing like that could ever happen again.'
Right?
I've often felt that it's odd that I have a fascination with the stories of the Holocaust. Reading Boyne's Author's Note has given me license to continue my exploration of this genre and to celebrate my fascination. It is important to tell and retell these stories. I love Bruno - his innocence and his honesty. His childlike naivete is so refreshing with such a bleak backdrop that is the setting. Bruno has no idea why he is at 'Out-With' and if he did know, he would not understand. What he understands is that people should always be treated with respect and kindness. Yes he is an innocent, naive nine year old and he is full of misunderstandings and misperceptions, but he knows what's right. He knows the treatment of Maria, Pavel, Shmuel is wrong. He knows that Kotler is an evil bully. That's simple. What Bruno doesn't understand finds hims on the wrong side of the fence. If he ever does figure it out, it's too late.
The idea for the story came to Boyne through an image of two boys sitting on either side of a fence, having a conversation. Fences and walls are a topic that could take you through an entire year of read alouds and reader's workshop. The fence in this book could be seen as another character. Again from Boyne's Author's Note,
'Fences such as this one...still exist; it is unlikely that they will ever fully disappear. But whatever reaction you have to this story, I hope that the voices of Bruno and Shmuel will continue to resonate with you as they have with me. Their lost voices must continue to be heard; their untold stories must continue to be recounted; For they represent the ones who didn't live to tell their stories themselves.'
Fences like are found all over the world and is the main reason Boyne never names Auschwitz outright. He wants us to think about other issues where fences have been used to keep people out or in.
There is one question you can ask a class during a discussion of the Holocaust. It is the question that Boyne is asked most often,
Do you think a child raised in Nazi Germany could be as naive as Bruno is in the novel?
It's impossible to answer given that we have the benefit of hindsight, but it is a fascinating discussion. Are we in 2016 as complacent as people seemed during this time? Would we have stood up and done something? Would you? This is the question to ask.
In 2016 it is hard to imagine, but Boyne ominously writes at the end,
'Of course all this happened a long time ago and nothing like that could ever happen again.'
Right?
I've often felt that it's odd that I have a fascination with the stories of the Holocaust. Reading Boyne's Author's Note has given me license to continue my exploration of this genre and to celebrate my fascination. It is important to tell and retell these stories. I love Bruno - his innocence and his honesty. His childlike naivete is so refreshing with such a bleak backdrop that is the setting. Bruno has no idea why he is at 'Out-With' and if he did know, he would not understand. What he understands is that people should always be treated with respect and kindness. Yes he is an innocent, naive nine year old and he is full of misunderstandings and misperceptions, but he knows what's right. He knows the treatment of Maria, Pavel, Shmuel is wrong. He knows that Kotler is an evil bully. That's simple. What Bruno doesn't understand finds hims on the wrong side of the fence. If he ever does figure it out, it's too late.
The idea for the story came to Boyne through an image of two boys sitting on either side of a fence, having a conversation. Fences and walls are a topic that could take you through an entire year of read alouds and reader's workshop. The fence in this book could be seen as another character. Again from Boyne's Author's Note,
'Fences such as this one...still exist; it is unlikely that they will ever fully disappear. But whatever reaction you have to this story, I hope that the voices of Bruno and Shmuel will continue to resonate with you as they have with me. Their lost voices must continue to be heard; their untold stories must continue to be recounted; For they represent the ones who didn't live to tell their stories themselves.'
Fences like are found all over the world and is the main reason Boyne never names Auschwitz outright. He wants us to think about other issues where fences have been used to keep people out or in.
There is one question you can ask a class during a discussion of the Holocaust. It is the question that Boyne is asked most often,
Do you think a child raised in Nazi Germany could be as naive as Bruno is in the novel?
It's impossible to answer given that we have the benefit of hindsight, but it is a fascinating discussion. Are we in 2016 as complacent as people seemed during this time? Would we have stood up and done something? Would you? This is the question to ask.
Friday, July 8, 2016
Todd Parr
As a librarian I inherited a few Todd Parr books and I have used them endlessly with young students. Often topics like Remembrance Day are too complex for little people to understand. So books like 'The Peace Book', can explain what we really need in this world - to love each other and realize that we are different.
I love that Parr ends each of his books with a letter to the reader. It makes the message very personal and in my experience, kids love to hear the voice of the author.
Another Parr book, 'It's OK to Make Mistakes', is great to read at the beginning of the year so that students know that you expect them to make mistakes. The message is that through mistakes we truly learn. Even big people!
'The Family Book' is one that I have just ordered, but feel it is necessary as we see so many different types of family in our schools.
My new favourite Todd Parr book is 'The Goodbye Book', how touching! Todd writes at the back that this was the hardest book to write because it is hard to say goodbye. This would be a great book to keep on hand for when your students experience loss.
Bravo, Todd Parr!
I love that Parr ends each of his books with a letter to the reader. It makes the message very personal and in my experience, kids love to hear the voice of the author.
Another Parr book, 'It's OK to Make Mistakes', is great to read at the beginning of the year so that students know that you expect them to make mistakes. The message is that through mistakes we truly learn. Even big people!
'The Family Book' is one that I have just ordered, but feel it is necessary as we see so many different types of family in our schools.
My new favourite Todd Parr book is 'The Goodbye Book', how touching! Todd writes at the back that this was the hardest book to write because it is hard to say goodbye. This would be a great book to keep on hand for when your students experience loss.
Bravo, Todd Parr!
Vote for Me! - Ben Clanton
Being politically minded, I thought this was a great book. I find it hugely American with the reference to donkeys and elephants, so I struggle to think of ways that I could use it for Canadian Government. It would be a great resource for an American History course.
You could definitely talk about how not to run a campaign for sure. This election is getting ugly very quickly. 'Vote for Me!' could also be used to discuss persuasive texts. How do you convince people that you are right? For one thing, you don't act like the characters act in this text!
It's a fun text that is reminds me of 'Elephant and Piggie' books, purely for fun.
You could definitely talk about how not to run a campaign for sure. This election is getting ugly very quickly. 'Vote for Me!' could also be used to discuss persuasive texts. How do you convince people that you are right? For one thing, you don't act like the characters act in this text!
It's a fun text that is reminds me of 'Elephant and Piggie' books, purely for fun.
Ten Birds - Cybele Young
Ten Birds starts off simply. Or so it seems. Birds are trying to cross a bridge. One by one, they come up with method of crossing.
The solution seems obvious.
Or does it?
This can be a simple counting book, but I bet even little people will wonder why those silly birds just don't FLY.
I took to some good old research for this one. I was thinking perhaps I wasn't smart enough to GET it
Simple counting book? Sure. A way of explaining creative thinking? There's more than one answer! No one way is the right way?
I believe the author used birds for a very specific purpose. We are left wondering. If they are birds, first off, who says they HAVE to fly? These birds don't want to fly. They are not going to relegated to a certain role because they are birds. Here's something that I found that sums up what I am horribly trying to explain: "A most unusual book for readers of all ages, one that brilliantly illustrates the inadequacies of labels and the idea that the best solution to a problem is often the simplest one." Perfect. That's exactly what I was trying to say.
Of course, reading is thinking, so now I'm making a connection. My son was recently diagnosed as LD in language. He knows this and now we often have the discussion that even though he has difficulty with writing, he is smart in so many ways. He is going to struggle, but I want him to see that just because writing is hard for him, he has strengths in so many other areas.
So while readers will go insane with these 'challenged' birds, wondering why they don't just spread their wings and fly, we are left to realize that perhaps there is another way. This is a great questioning opportunity, a great way to recap a STEAM project or a math problem. There is more than one way to approach a problem. Bravo to those students (and especially TEACHERS) who see this as well!
The solution seems obvious.
Or does it?
This can be a simple counting book, but I bet even little people will wonder why those silly birds just don't FLY.
I took to some good old research for this one. I was thinking perhaps I wasn't smart enough to GET it
Simple counting book? Sure. A way of explaining creative thinking? There's more than one answer! No one way is the right way?
I believe the author used birds for a very specific purpose. We are left wondering. If they are birds, first off, who says they HAVE to fly? These birds don't want to fly. They are not going to relegated to a certain role because they are birds. Here's something that I found that sums up what I am horribly trying to explain: "A most unusual book for readers of all ages, one that brilliantly illustrates the inadequacies of labels and the idea that the best solution to a problem is often the simplest one." Perfect. That's exactly what I was trying to say.
Of course, reading is thinking, so now I'm making a connection. My son was recently diagnosed as LD in language. He knows this and now we often have the discussion that even though he has difficulty with writing, he is smart in so many ways. He is going to struggle, but I want him to see that just because writing is hard for him, he has strengths in so many other areas.
So while readers will go insane with these 'challenged' birds, wondering why they don't just spread their wings and fly, we are left to realize that perhaps there is another way. This is a great questioning opportunity, a great way to recap a STEAM project or a math problem. There is more than one way to approach a problem. Bravo to those students (and especially TEACHERS) who see this as well!
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