Fourth Grade Journey

A Fourth Grade Teacher's Journey Through the World of Books

Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Wonder Wednesday #255 (Breakfast with Books)

Wonder Wednesday - Saving Marty by Paul Griffin

 *We had our fifth "Breakfast with Books" book club on Friday, February 22, 2019.

*We were lucky that author Paul Griffin agreed to join us via Skype.  My class resides in the Twin Cities while Paul lives in New York.

*His novel Saving Marty, is one of my favorite middle-grade stories.  I was excited to announce it to my students and have them experience the magic of Paul's writing.


*The readers came together before school to enjoy some breakfast treats, chat about the story, and share their comments/questions with author Paul Griffin.

*The hour was delightful and Paul was completely engaging.  The readers not only loved his novel, but the time he spent with us.

*Here is a peek inside our book club discussion...

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Monday, February 25, 2019

An Inside Look #79 (Author INTERVIEW)

Inside Look with Jeff Zentner
(Author of Rayne & Delilah's Midnite Matinee)

*During the summer of 2016, I added this feature to the blog which was called "Season #ONE".  This first season ran from June of 2016 to March of 2017.  

*I started up the interviews again in June of 2017.  It was great to get back to Season #TWO.  This season ran throughout the summer.  

*Season #THREE ran during the school year of 2017/2018.  


*The next season (season #FOUR) of interviews took place during the summer and fall of 2018.  With each interview I became more and more impressed with the authors I was having interactions with.  

*It has been such an honor to connect with authors and "chat" about their novel, characters, and thoughts about the story.

*This is the EIGHTH interview of what I'm calling Season #FIVE.

*Thank you to Jeff Zentner for being the Seventy-Ninth author that I've had the pleasure of interviewing.  I truly appreciate it.  

*Here are links to the first Seventy-Eight interviews…

SEASON #ONE

























SEASON #FOUR

Interview #53 with Preston Norton (Author of Neanderthal Opens the Door to the Universe)

Interview #54 with Jonathan Auxier (Author of Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster)

Interview #55 with Sharon Creech (Author of Saving Winslow)

Interview #56 with Stacy McAnulty (Author of The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl)

Interview #57 with Kelly Yang (Author of Front Desk)

Interview #58 with Jennifer A. Nielsen (Author of Resistance)

Interview 59 with Christina Collins (Author of After Zero)

Interview #60 with Eric Walters (Author of Elephant Secrets)

Interview #61 with Phil Bildner (Author of The Rip and Red Series)

Interview #62 with Erin Soderberg (Author of Milla in Charge)

Interview #63 with Laura Shovan (Author of Take Down)

Interview #64 with Donna Gephart (Author of In Your Shoes)

Interview #65 with Alan Gratz (Author of Grenade)

Interview #66 with Barbara O'Connor (Author of Wonderland)

Interview #67 with Lindsey Stoddard (Author of Just Like Jackie)

Interview #68 with Katherine Marsh (Author of Nowhere Boy)

Interview #69 with Dusti Bowling (Author of 24 Hours in Nowhere)

Interview #70 with Christina Uss (Author of The Adventures of a Girl Called Bicycle)

Interview #71 with Adam P. Schmitt (Author of Speechless)



SEASON #FIVE

Interview #72 with Dan Gemeinhart (Author of The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise)

Interview #73 with Abby Cooper (Author of Sticks and Stones)

Interview #74 with Abby Cooper (Author of Bubbles)

Interview #75 with Abby Cooper (Author of Friend or Fiction)

Interview #76 with Padma Venkatraman (Author of The Bridge Home)

Interview #77 with Anne Ursu (Author of The Lost Girl)

Interview #78 with Corey Ann Haydu (Author of Eventown)


*I absolutely adore Jeff Zentner novels.  When I read The Serpent King I was blown away.  I didn't think it could get much better than that story.  Then Jeff wrote The Goodbye Days and he ruined me emotionally.  Those are two novels that I tell everyone to read.  I was thrilled when I found out Jeff had written a third novel.  He was awesome and sent me an ARC of the book to share with my #bookexpedition group.

*After finishing the new story, I reached out to Jeff to ask if he would be willing to do another interview with me.  He was kind enough and did two previous interviews with me about the first two novels.  I think Jeff is the first author that I've featured three times on the blog.   

*Jeff Zentner was kind, gracious, and giving with his answers to the questions.  It is an honor to post his responses here on the blog.  

*Thank you Jeff for writing this book...

Rayne & Delilah's Midnite Matinee
by Jeff Zentner (February 26, 2019)


How did you come to know Delia and Josie?
One Saturday night, I came home and flipped on the TV and started channel surfing. I ended up on my local public access station, which was showing a show called Midnite Mausoleum, in which two young women hosted a horror movie.  It was so homemade and utterly delightful. The two girls looked like they were having a ball doing it. They were from rural Iowa, and here I was watching their labor of love.  I wanted to get to know the kind of people who make a show like that, and the way I get to know people who fascinate me is to write about them.  That’s how Delia and Josie were born.


What do you think are Delia and Josie's most admirable qualities?
I think it has to be their unconditional love for one another.  They’re going to be best friends for life, through thick and thin.
Is there anything you wish they would have changed or done differently in their story?
Anyone who seen how many tattoos I have knows that I’m not big on entertaining regrets. So no, I don’t think there’s anything I would’ve done differently or had them do differently. That’s not to say that I think it’s a perfect book; it’s just the best that I could do.
What do you think the two girls can offer to other young adults that are experiencing similar situations to what they went through?
You have to live your life for yourself. You can’t live it for anyone else. If you’re shining your light for someone else, you’re always going to be unhappy. That means that you have to pursue your destiny, even if it means going separate directions from a dear friend.
How did you research the girls and the circumstances they found themselves in?
One of the reasons I write about what I write about is that it doesn’t require a ton of research. I have a day job keeps me very busy, so don’t have a lot of time for research. I did, however, do some research into the world of public access television, by interviewing a friend who directed a public access show.
Do you and the girls share any similarities?  
Both of the girls are intensely loyal to each other. I’m intensely loyal to my friends. Delia has abandonment issues; I have abandonment issues. Josie believes she’s destined to reach people; I always believe that about myself.


What was the hardest scene to write about them?
The two girls don’t fight much, but it was always painful to write the few times that they did fight. I love them both and I know how much it hurts them to fight. 
Who do you think was their biggest supporter and why?
I think Delia’s mom is the girls’ biggest supporter.  Josie has a good support network, so she doesn’t need quite as much help as Delia. Delia’s mother is really all she has.
Why do you think some young adults can remain true friends no matter what happens to either of them, while other friends drift apart for “minuscule” reasons and can’t seem to find their way back to each other?
I think the young adults who stay friends for the long term are the ones who really work on their relationship.  They talk about real issues of importance to them and develop a real emotional intimacy that survives the distance that normally drives a wedge between friendships.
What do you think Delia and Josie are doing as the present time?
Without offering too many spoilers, I think they’re shining their lights and pursuing their dreams. 
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It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (2/25/19)



Thanks to Jen and Kellee for hosting this idea on their site.  Here is a link to the site...
                
Books I Read this Past Week…



 Atomic Habits by James Clear

*Professional read (Teacher Book Club on FaceBook)

*4 Stars out of 5 Stars!





The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides

*Novel Published for Adults (BBC - Boy's Book Club Selection)

*5 Stars out of 5 Stars!






Finding Esme by Suzanne Crowley

*Middle-Grade Novel

*4 Stars out of 5 Stars!






Books I Will (continue to) Read this Week…


The Current by Tim Johnston

*My novel published for adults (audio)









Momentous Events in the Life of a Cactus by Dusti Bowling

*My middle-grade novel



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Wednesday, February 20, 2019

Searching for Lottie by Susan Ross

How I Heard About It:  This book came to me via my Twitter #bookexpedition group.  The other readers had given positive reviews so I was excited read this new middle-grade novel.  


What It Is About - FIVE Things You Need to Know:  

1.  *The story begins with Lottie, a young talented violin player, living during the Holocaust.  Her sister and mother are able to escape to make their way to America, but Lottie disappears.  

 2.  *The second story is about Lottie's grand niece Charlie.  Charlie has a school project and decides to research the disappearance of Lottie.  She also is a violin player and trying to make her mark on the world.  

 3.  *Charlie reaches out to her Nana Rose, Lottie's sister, to gather information from her.  Nana Rose is more than happy to share her memories of Lottie and a journal that Lottie kept.  

 4.  *The more Charlie looks into the disappearance of Lottie, the more she thinks that Lottie may not have died at the hands of the Nazi's.  She enlists the help of her friends and their family members.

 5.  *When she finds a long-lost relative of her Nana Rose and Lottie, Charlie believes she is on the right track to finding out what truly happened to Lottie all those years ago.  


What I Thought Of It - FIVE Observations/Reflections:

1.  *The beginning of the novel was top-notch.  I was drawn in as soon as I began reading.  

 2.  *I was fascinated by Lottie's story and what may, or may not, have happened to her during the Nazi invasion.  

 3.  *When Charlie first started to investigate what happened with her great aunt, I was curious, interesting, and had lots of questions and wonderings.  As I read, some of these feelings faded a bit.  

 4.  *I enjoyed the connection between Charlie and Lottie.  They had many similarities as well as some differences.  These connections added greatly to the overall story.  

 5.  *The mystery of Lottie lead me to read quite quickly and I found myself turning the pages very quickly.  I could see young readers getting absorbed in the plot.  


Who Should Read It:   The book would be perfect for readers in grades four, five, and six.  I think it would be wonderful as a class read aloud, but of course could also be put in the hands of middle-grade readers.  The length of the novel is short, as are the chapters; which makes for an attainable read for many young children.  Happy Reading!  (The novel will be in the world on February 26)


Rating:   4 STARS out of 5 Stars!
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Wonder Wednesday #254 (Picture Book March Madness)

Wonder Wednesday - Gearing Up

*We are getting ready for one of my favorite times of the school year.

*Several years ago, I joined the bandwagon and had my students participate in "Picture Book March Madness."  I know some educators use chapter books/novels, but I have found it easier/attainable to use picture books instead of longer books.  

*It is always a fun process, and sometimes frustrating to narrow it down, to pick just the "right" 32 picture books to begin the voting.  

*At the end of February, I will begin to share the books with my fourth graders.  We will read two books a day.  After I read them, we vote on our favorite.  I use Survey Monkey to collect the results.  

*I'm always so excited to see which picture book will end up in the Championship spot at the end of the reading and voting.  

*Happy Picture Book March Madness...





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Monday, February 18, 2019

An Inside Look #78 (Author INTERVIEW)

Inside Look with Corey Ann Haydu
(Author of Eventown)

*During the summer of 2016, I added this feature to the blog which was called "Season #ONE".  This first season ran from June of 2016 to March of 2017.  

*I started up the interviews again in June of 2017.  It was great to get back to Season #TWO.  This season ran throughout the summer.  

*Season #THREE ran during the school year of 2017/2018.  


*The next season (season #FOUR) of interviews took place during the summer and fall of 2018.  With each interview I became more and more impressed with the authors I was having interactions with.  

*It has been such an honor to connect with authors and "chat" about their novel, characters, and thoughts about the story.

*This is the SEVENTH interview of what I'm calling Season #FIVE.

*Thank you to Corey Ann Haydu for being the Seventy-Eighth author that I've had the pleasure of interviewing.  I truly appreciate it.  

*Here are links to the first Seventy-Seven interviews…

SEASON #ONE

























SEASON #FOUR

Interview #53 with Preston Norton (Author of Neanderthal Opens the Door to the Universe)

Interview #54 with Jonathan Auxier (Author of Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster)

Interview #55 with Sharon Creech (Author of Saving Winslow)

Interview #56 with Stacy McAnulty (Author of The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl)

Interview #57 with Kelly Yang (Author of Front Desk)

Interview #58 with Jennifer A. Nielsen (Author of Resistance)

Interview 59 with Christina Collins (Author of After Zero)

Interview #60 with Eric Walters (Author of Elephant Secrets)

Interview #61 with Phil Bildner (Author of The Rip and Red Series)

Interview #62 with Erin Soderberg (Author of Milla in Charge)

Interview #63 with Laura Shovan (Author of Take Down)

Interview #64 with Donna Gephart (Author of In Your Shoes)

Interview #65 with Alan Gratz (Author of Grenade)

Interview #66 with Barbara O'Connor (Author of Wonderland)

Interview #67 with Lindsey Stoddard (Author of Just Like Jackie)

Interview #68 with Katherine Marsh (Author of Nowhere Boy)

Interview #69 with Dusti Bowling (Author of 24 Hours in Nowhere)

Interview #70 with Christina Uss (Author of The Adventures of a Girl Called Bicycle)

Interview #71 with Adam P. Schmitt (Author of Speechless)



SEASON #FIVE

Interview #72 with Dan Gemeinhart (Author of The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise)

Interview #73 with Abby Cooper (Author of Sticks and Stones)

Interview #74 with Abby Cooper (Author of Bubbles)

Interview #75 with Abby Cooper (Author of Friend or Fiction)

Interview #76 with Padma Venkatraman (Author of The Bridge Home)

Interview #77 with Anne Ursu (Author of The Lost Girl)


*This was a novel that I picked up as an ARC during #NCTE18.  The publishing representative spoke very highly of it and I was excited to read it.  The story was fresh, unique, and quite special.  I found myself thinking about the story and what was truly going on within the pages.

*I reached out to Corey Ann Haydu after I finished and asked if I could "pick her brain" on the story, the characters, and her writing.  As with most authors, she gave me a very generous yes.  

*Corey Ann Haydu was kind, gracious, and giving with her answers to the questions.  It is an honor to post her responses here on the blog.  

*Thank you for writing this book...



Eventown
by Corey Ann Haydu (February 12, 2019)


How did you come to know Elodee?  
The first thing I knew about Elodee was that she had a twin sister. And the second thing I knew about her was that she loved cooking and baking. So much of the story's themes and plot points came from those two little decisions! Who she was inside took longer for me to figure out. But I knew that she would be a curious character.
What do you think is Elodee's most admirable quality?
A few reviews have identified Elodee as a brave character, and I really love viewing her that way. I think that's probably her most admirable quality. She's very brave, and she's also really willing to be vulnerability. Which I think is sort of the same thing. Vulnerability takes a lot of bravery, and Elodee knows that more than anyone.
What do you think Elodee can offer to other children that are experiencing similar situations to what she went through?
I hope that Elodee shows kids that every story they have, every part of their life, is meaningful and worthy and can be told.That there's never anything they have to hide away, never anything in their life to be ashamed of. As I said above, I think Elodee is proof that vulnerability, openness, honesty, messiness are things to be embraced, are connected to strength and bravery. I want kids to know that they don't have to be perfect to survive. They don't have to do things easily or prettily.
Do you and Elodee share any similarities?
I like to think so! I think Elodee and I are both get lonely when we don't feel that we fit in. I think we both try to be ourselves, even when it's really hard to do so. I think we both want to understand the people around us, even when they do things we don't understand. We both try really hard and get sad when what we try for doesn't work out. And we both love food and making food for our families and friends.
What was the hardest scene to write about Elodee?
Honestly, figuring out how to start the book was a challenge. I wanted to show Elodee in a tough moment, and I decided that I needed to starts with her being angry. I don't think we see a lot of young girls getting to be angry in literature.  So figuring out how to make Elodee angry and relatable and in that moment without giving away any of the book was a challenge, but one that was really important to me.
Who do you think was Elodee's biggest supporter and why?
I think Veena is one of Elodee's biggest supporters. Veena's ready to meet someone new, to have her mind opened. I think Veena needs Elodee and Elodee needs Veena. They both are looking for something new, in a world where most people want everything to just stay the same. So Veena's able to be Elodee's supporter because she's open-minded and inspired by her new friend.
Why do you think some people “run” from or try to avoid the painful events from their lives and others “stay-put” and face the hardship head on?
Such a tough question! I think however people work through the tough stuff in their lives is valid. There's not one way to survive, not one way to get through, not one way to be. But in my life, it's been better to face thing, to be open about things, and to not try to shy away from the hard parts of stuff. I've found wonderful connections with friends, with art, with the world through owning the painful parts of my life. And it took me time to get there. Hiding away the painful parts didn't work for me. It made me feel lonely and scared and confused. For me, sharing myself, owning my stories, being open is what works. That's what makes me feel fully present in the world and what allows people to support me. But I would never want to say there's only one way to manage hardship. But I would never want anyone to feel lonely in their hardship.
What do you think Elodee is doing at the present time?
Hopefully baking something delicious! 
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