Trailer Thursday #128 (The Honest Truth by Dan Gemeinhart)

The Honest Truth by Dan Gemeinhart (Middle-Grade Novel)

*Dan's second novel, Some Kind of Courage, is out now and just as great as this first story.

Life Lesson #20 (Be a HERO)...

"Be a Hero"

*It is Thursday and that means it is time for another "Life Lesson" video clip.

*Kid President is always a sure winner with my students and I want them to know they are heroes!

*This one fits that bill perfectly.

*I'm always trying to find ways to help my students reach their full potential.  

*Each Thursday I feature a different video with a "life lesson" in it.  

*After viewing the video once or twice, we chat a bit about it as a group.

*I then have the writers record their thoughts in their writer's notebooks.

*They can write their thoughts, reactions, connections, wonderings, learnings, or whatever is on their mind regarding the video.

*Encouragement is also given to reflect on the "message" of the clip.

*After about 5-10 minutes of writing, we listen to a few of the students share what they wrote.

*It is my hope that through these "life lessons", my students can become the best young people they can be.

Life Lessons (2015-2016)...

Lesson #1 - Be Courageous 

Lesson #2 - Be Kind
Lesson #3 - Be Courageous (part two)
Lesson #4 - Be Motivated
Lesson #5 - Be a Buddy, Not a Bully
Lesson #6 - Be Inspired
Lesson #7 - Be Spooky (Halloween Edition)
Lesson #8:  Be Kind (Kindness Retreat)
Lesson #9:  Be Shoutful
Lesson #10:  Be Happy
Lesson #11:  Be a Reader
Lesson #12:  Be Powerful
Lesson #13:  Be Merry
Lesson #14:  Be a Team
Lesson #15:  Be Giving
Lesson #16:  Be Brave (part two)
Lesson #17:  Be Positive
Lesson #18:  Be Dance Like
Lesson #19:  You Can Do It

Wonder Wednesday #128 (Book Give Away by Lynda Mullaly Hunt)...

 Wonder Wednesday:  Book Give Away

*My "wonder" post seem to fall into my lap just at the right time.

*As of Monday morning I wasn't sure what type of post I would do this week.

*While browsing Twitter, I came across a really cool Tweet.  Actually I came across many tweets all mentioning and retweeting some great news from one of my favorite middle-grade authors.


*I've had the chance to Skype twice with Lynda.  If you don't know her or haven't had the honor of meeting her, she is absolutely awesome.

*She is a talented writer and an author that supports teachers 100%.

*This past November at NCTE15 I had the privilege of finally meeting her face to face.  She did not disappoint and I so enjoyed chatting with her.

*Lynda Mullaly Hunt is "running" a really cool book give away.

*As I read her blog post, I just kept smiling at all the information she was sharing and all the book titles that are included in her book give away.  It is absolutely incredible!

*All you have to do to enter, is post a comment on her blog and "retweet" the information.  Easy!

*Before I began my conferences on Monday morning, I shared my "post" on her site and of course sent out a retweet of the contest.

*I'm sharing the link to her blog so you can read about this WONDERful give away and enter yourself.

*It is authors like Lynda that make my teaching career so incredibly rewarding!

Click Here for Lynda Mullaly Hunt's Give Away

Picture Wednesday #22 (Water Sir?)

"Water Sir?"

*One of my favorite aspects of teaching is to get my students to really think.  Think deeply!

*Photographs that don't have an exact answer are my favorite type of picture.  

*I want to encourage my students to write about topics that lead to a real life discussion.  

*The last few Wednesdays, we have had some fun and "light" images.

*This week we are going with a more serious subject matter.  

*Each Wednesday we write in our writer's notebooks about a particular image.

*They can record their thoughts, reactions, connections, likes/dislikes, reminders, noticings, or anything else they would like.  

*Some of the writers choose to write a fiction story based on the picture.

*We write between five and ten minutes and then do a quick share at the end.  

*The photos always lead to lots of conversation and the sharing of ideas.  I try to get them to write first and then we can share what we wrote and what we were thinking.

*The writers are really enjoying writing and talking about these photographs.

A History of Loneliness by John Boyne...

How I Heard About It:  It was time to select a new audio book and while browsing the shelves at the public library I came across this title.  I thought the cover was interesting, the title was intriguing, and the summary grabbed my attention.  I thought I would give it a try.  

What It Is About:  Odran Yates is a priest.  He didn't necessarily choose this occupation on his own, but circumstances when he was a young boy sent him on this course.  He grew up in Ireland and settled here to do what he believes is the right thing.  He first begins his career at a private Catholic school where is is quite happy living the simple life.  After some scandals within the church he is asked to fill in at a church where his life-long best friend was the priest.  Odran has a simple view on the church and how the world should be, but after being put into this new occupation, he begins to learn everything isn't as it seems.  When he learns that his nephew has secrets that he has kept since childhood and Odran was involved in a round about way, Odran is put to the test of protecting his friend and doing the right thing for his family.    

What I Thought Of It:  The narrator was a plus to begin with.  He was Irish and was so enjoyable to listen to on my commute to and from work.  The story started a bit slow, but after the first CD or so, I found myself interested and enjoying the story.  I liked how the author took me back and forth in time to describe the different life events in Odran's life.  The sequence didn't always go chronologically and this worked really well for the story.  Being told from first person brought me into this man's life and I often could relate and feel his "lonely" pain.  By the end of the narrative, I was engrossed and invested in the book.  

Who Should Read It:  I would think if you are Catholic, you would be fascinated by the story.  If you are Irish, you would be able to relate to many aspects of the story.  Lovers of well-written fiction will also be greatly satisfied with the novel.  The story is definitely a character study.  There isn't a lot of "action" or "surprises" throughout the story, but there is an element that brings the reader/listener to the very center of the plot.  Happy Reading!  

Rating:  4 STARS out of 5 Stars

Some Kind of Courage by Dan Gemeinhart...

How I Heard About It:  One of my favorite middle-grade novels is The Honest Truth by Dan Gemeinhart.  I think I read it in one sitting and it tore me apart (in a good way).  I was thrilled to pick up an ARC of Dan's second novel at NCTE15.  I finally got around to reading it and this is another sure winner!  

What It Is About:  The author has switched gears this time and created a beautiful historical fiction story about Joseph and a journey that will change his life forever.  Joseph has lost everyone he has loved.  His mother and sister have died due to illness and now his father has been killed in an accident.  It is just Joseph and his prized horse Sarah.  After Sarah is taken from Joe, he ventures out into the wild to bring her back to where she belongs.  When his journey begins he comes across Cheng, a young Chinese boy.  They can't communicate via words, but they learn how to "talk" in other ways.  The two boys venture into the woods where they come across dangerous animals and even more dangerous men.  Many times they come close to getting Sarah back only to be stopped by the elements of nature and humans.  Even with many hardships, they continue on with strength and never ending perseverance.  Joseph has only one goal in his mind and heart and will stop at nothing to be reunited with his beloved Sarah.  He has to decide at what cost this "reunion" will come at.  

What I Thought Of It:  Loved it, loved it, loved it.  When I first began the book I was surprised that this time the setting was in the past and not realistic fiction like Dan's first novel.  When authors can completely switch gears in the types of stories they write, I'm always in awe.  The character of Joseph was one of a kind and I found myself side by side this young man on this journey of a lifetime.  When he was successful I felt successful.  When he had setbacks, I felt those in my heart.  I'm not sure I have ever rooted for a character so much as I did with Joseph.  All characters that he met along the way added greatly to the story with each and every one of them necessary to the plot.  The pacing of the story was excellent and kept me on the edge of my "reading chair".  There were lots of "OMG" moments and times when I was truly nervous for Joe and his situation.  

Who Should Read It:  When I closed the book I knew I was going to share it with my fourth grade students THIS year.  I'm actually going to pick it as a Breakfast with Books book club selection for later this spring.  I so want my students to experience this incredible story.  The book is perfect for readers in grades four and above.  If you are looking for a strong cliffhanger type story to read aloud to your class, this is the book.  Adult readers you also need to experience this story.  Happy Reading!  

Rating:  5+ STARS out of 5 Stars

Treat Tuesday #128 (Book Release Tuesday)...

Treat Tuesday:  Brownie Bowls

*Sunday was Valentine's Day of course.

*My wife made this delicious treats.


*She said they were really easy and they were so tasty.

*The recipe came from a friend via Facebook.

*You can find the original recipe at the following link…

Recipe Site

Ingredients...

– Your Favorite Brownie Mix
– 2 muffin tins

Directions...

– Whip up a batch of your favorite brownie mix. Follow the baking instructions for heat and time on the box.
– Spray a muffin tin
– Fill the cups up half way
– Grab another muffin tin and spray the bottom
– Put the empty muffin tin over the one with the brownie mix and squeeze down until there is a half inch gap.

Don’t worry if brownie mix spills over the side a bit, it happens. They don’t always come out of the tin looking amazing. You might need to trim away some of the excess brownie that spills over the top. But after cooling they hold the ice cream really well and are fun to eat at the end.

Treat Tuesday:  Middle-Grade Novel

Treat Tuesday:  Young-Adult Novel










Treat Tuesday:  Adult Novel