An Inside Look #14 (I Am Drums by Mike Grosso)

An Inside Look - With Mike Grosso

Author of I Am Drums

*Another Monday, means another "inside look" with an author.

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

*I have had such fun connecting with authors and "picking" their brains.

*Here are the links to my first TWELVE interviews…

Interview #1 with Elly Swartz (Author of Finding Perfect)

Interview #2 with Jeff Zentner (Author of The Serpent King)

Interview #3 with Nora Raleigh Baskin (Author of Nine, Ten, A September 11 Story)

Interview #4 with Cammie McGovern (Author of Just My Luck)

Interview #5 with Kate Messner (Author of The Seventh Wish)

Interview #6 with Paul Griffin (Author of When Friendship Followed Me Home)

Interview #7 with K.A. Holt (Author of House Arrest)

Interview #8 with Abby Cooper (Author of Sticks and Stones)

Interview #9 with Melanie Conklin (Author of Counting Thyme)

Interview #10 with Claire Legrand (Author of Some Kind of Happiness)

Interview #11 with Lynn Plourde (Author of Maxi's Secrets)

Interview #12 with Shaun David Hutchinson (Author of The Five Stages of Andrew Brawley)

*One of my favorite things about Twitter is finding out about new authors and their novels.

*This summer there was lots of Twitter chat online about this book.

*I got in on the conversation (like I tend to do) and got to know Mike.

*He was gracious enough to send me an ARC.  I read it in one afternoon and absolutely loved it.

*After reaching out to Mike to share my thoughts about the book, I asked if he would be willing to share his "inside" thoughts about the story.

I Am Drums by Mike Grosso (Released September 6, 2016)

How did you come to know Sam?

I came to know her the same as most characters I create. I start with a picture of them in my head or a single moment in their life and write from there. My best work happens when I jump into the story and see what happens.

What do you think is Sam's most admirable quality? 

Her determination! She thinks anything is possible, but recognizes that some things are really hard and take a lot of work.

Is there anything you wish Sam would have changed or done differently in her story? 

This is a hard one because I'm a bit torn. I wish Sam had been more honest with the adults in her life, but I understand why it was so hard for her. I've always been fascinated by stories where a character does the wrong thing and still keeps the reader on their side. That's not to say Sam's choices are excusable, but it's a lot easier to make bad decisions when you can't properly communicate what's important to you.

What do you think Sam can offer to other children that are experiencing similar situations to what she went through?   

I would like to think she offers a sense of hope. With all the negative news bombarding kids right now I'd like to think Sam shows that hard work, determination, and simple kindness pays off in the end.

How did you “research” Sam and the circumstances she found himself in? 

I come from a musical family and have a background in music, so the technical stuff didn't require a lot of additional research. Of more importance was talking to kids about drum technique and seeing what got their attention. I wanted the scenes where Sam learned about drums to feel less like instructional text and more like action scenes.

Do you and Sam share any similarities?   

She's not autobiographical, but I was also a kid who couldn't sit still. I hear drums in everyday sounds and objects like she does, and have a tendency to tap on everything within reach.

What was the hardest scene to write about Sam?

Chapter twenty-three is a single scene that I was really afraid to screw up. It's a conversation between Sam and her teacher where Sam says something really important. It plays out the same in the final book as it did in the first draft, but I was constantly refining the dialogue to make it feel real and not come off as preachy.

Who do you think was Sam's biggest supporter and why? 

I actually think it was her brother. He can be annoying at times and a lot of his support is misdirected, but he always has her back, even if Sam doesn't always notice. Then again, I'm the youngest of three brothers so I may be a bit biased. :)

Why do you think some children have such a passion for one thing (drums) and will go to any lengths to achieve their goals and/or get what they desire?  

There are a ton of reasons, but for a kid like Sam, it's about finding something that makes you feel good about yourself. Everyone has strengths and weaknesses, but a kid who's bombarded with experiences that play to their weaknesses will believe that weaknesses are all they have. When they discover something they have a passion for, it's like finding out they're not a mistake. They have value after all.

What do you think Sam is doing as the present time?  

I'll bet she's looking for band mates. Somewhere out there are the perfect guitarist and bassist for her first band.

Mike Grosso Website

My Book Review

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (9/5/16)

Thanks to Jen and Kellee for hosting this idea on their site.  Here is a link to their site...

                

 http://www.teachmentortexts.com/

Books I Read this Past Week…

My Heart and Other Black Holes by Jasmine Warga

*Young-Adult Novel (5 STARS out of 5 Stars!)

My Book Review

The Skeleton Tree by Iain Lawrence

*Middle-Grade Novel (5 STARS out of 5 Stars!)

My Book Review

The Misadventures of Max Crumbly (Locker Hero)

by Rachel Renee Russell

*Middle-Grade Novel (5 STARS out of 5 Stars!)

My Book Review

Moo by Sharon Creech

*Middle-Grade Novel (5 STARS out of 5 Stars!)

My Book Review

Books I Will (continue to) Read this Week…    

It Ain't So Awful Falafel by Firoozeh Dumrs

*My Middle-Grade Novel

A Whole Nother Story by Dr. Cuthbert Soup

*My Middle-Grade Novel (Audio)

A Mindset for Learning by Kristine Mraz and Christine Hertz

*My Professional Reading

The Nix by Nathn Hill

*My Adult Novel (For BBC - Boy's Book Club)

My Heart and Other Black Holes by Jasmine Warga

How I Heard About It:  During a search for a YA novel on my 3M Cloud Library App, I came across this title.  I remember seeing this title being written up in a few publications so thought I would download it and give it a shot.  

What It Is About:  Aysel is sixteen years old and full of pain.  She has a father that is in prison and a mother that has remarried with two children in her new marriage  Aysel feels she just doesn't fit in at home, school, or anywhere else.  While on a suicide website, she comes across a section where you can find a "partner" to help achieve your goal.  Even though she knows she wants to end her life, Aysel isn't sure she can do it alone.  Through the site she finds Roman and the two of them make an online connection.  After some online "chat, the two teenagers decide to meet and make their plans together.  Aysel isn't sure she wants to bring her online "life" and real life together, but feels she has no other option.  Slowly, Aysel and Roman get to know each other, share their stories, and decide how they will end their lives together.  They begin a countdown and each have "bucket list" items they want to complete.  

What I Thought Of It:  I know this may seem like a really heavy theme to read about, but for some reason it wasn't too dark of a story.  It actually had many aspects of hope.  I enjoyed getting to know each of these characters and learning about their back stories.  Both Aysel and Roman were realistic and portrayed what young people can face and endure in their young life.  The author did a beautiful job of showing their relationship grow bit by bit and how each of them opened up more and more to the other person.  They both truly needed a friend or person they could count on.  There were several surprised along the way and kept me guessing until the very end of the story.  

Who Should Read It:  This is definitely a mature-themed young adult novel.  In my opinion, the reader should be in high school and above.  Suicide is an important theme and the author handled it with grace, dignity, and thought.  Readers will take so much from this story.  I'm also thinking this makes for an excellent read for adults that enjoy young-adult novels.  Happy Reading!  

Rating:  5 STARS out of 5 Stars

The Misadventures of Max Crumbly (Locker Hero) by Rachel Renee Russell

How I Heard About It:  This was one of those books that just kept popping up in different areas of my life.  I would see a post or two on Twitter.  I would see the book sitting on a  book shelf in the book store.  I would see a review of it written up in different publications.  During an Amazon order I added this title and was excited to read this new "hybrid" novel.  I actually got a hard cover from Amazon and also checked out the audio from the library.  While the hard cover is on the shelf in my classroom, I just recently finished the audio version.  

What It Is About:  Max has been home-schooled and has finally talked his parents into letting him attend public school for his eighth grade year in middle-school.  He knows it is going to be difficult but he is up for the challenge.  Max soon realizes life in middle-school is tougher than he thought.  It doesn't help that he becomes the target of the school bully named Doug or "Thug" as the kids call him.  Thug's favorite pastime is to put Max into his locker and shut it.  Max can't believe that it happens twice in one day.  The first time he is rescued by Erin who Max hopes will become his first real friend.  But soon Max is back in his locker and everyone has left the school building for a three-day weekend.  He runs out of options for rescue and ends up saving himself as he finds his way out of the locker via the "back" of it.  Max thinks his luck has finally changed as he encounters freedom, but soon realizes he isn't free yet and has many obstacles in front of him to truly find "freedom" from the school.  

What I Thought Of It:  I thought this story was pure fun.  I'm so glad that I listened to the audio version because it was complete entertainment.  Realizing I missed the "illustrations" of this hybrid novel, I still completely enjoyed it.  The voice of Max was fresh and lively.  I literally laughed out loud in my car several times during the story.  The plot had everything:  action, adventure, friendship, bullies, robbers, and lots of humor.  As I listened, I kept thinking how much my fourth graders were going to enjoy the first edition in this new series.  The cliffhanger left me wanting more and I can't wait for book number two to be released.  

Who Should Read It:  There are so many of my past students that I know would enjoy this book.  It is perfect for readers in grades three, four, and five.  I'm sure some middle-school readers would also enjoy it just as much.  It needs to be in the hands of the reader because of the illustrations, but the audio is great.  If you have a reader that needs support, you could put the book in their hands and let them listen as they follow along.  Happy Reading!  

Rating:  5 STARS out of 5 Stars

Moo by Sharon Creech

How I Heard About It:  Several months ago I saw on Twitter that one of my favorite middle-grade authors was coming out with a new book at the end of August.  I was thrilled to read about this upcoming novel.  I was intrigued by the title and cover.  After having tried to get an ARC, I just sat back and waited patiently for the actual book to hit the shelves.  

What It Is About:  Reena and her family decide to make a major change in their lives.  They move from the city and start a new life in rural Maine.  Reena and her brother Luke aren't sure what to expect in Maine, but are ready for an adventure.  As they settle into this quiet life, they meet an eccentric old lady named Mrs. Falala.  Reena is surprised to learn that her parents have volunteered both herself and her brother to help this old lady at and around her home.  The more time they spend with Mrs. Falala they get to know the other "residents" that live with her.  There is a pig, a cat, a snake, and a very stubborn cow named Zora.  Not only do Reena and Luck befriend these animals, they also become "pals" with two local children that help them fit in and learn about life in this rural area.  Reena learns many life lessons about friendship, responsibility, and the bonds that humans can have with animals.  

What I Thought Of It:  The first surprise for me was that the story was written in a formal of poetry and prose.  It had been a long time since I had read works of Creech in this format.  This was a beautiful story of the human and animal connection.  I sat down with the book yesterday afternoon and didn't get up until I had finished it.  The plot may seem simple at first, but there were many underlying complexities that unfolded along the way.  I adored Reena and her brother Luke.  At the center of this touching story was Mrs. Falala who brought such joy, mystery, and life to the entire reading experience.  Sharon's words were spot on, beautiful, and not wasted.  An incredible reading experience and I know I will read this again because I know there were elements that I missed during the first reading.  

Who Should Read It:  This is a must-read for all Sharon Creech fans.  They will not be disappointed.  Adult readers will find the writing to be exquisite and heart-warming.  I believe this would make for an excellent read aloud in grades four, five, or six.  Readers who take the story on their own should be in grades five and/or six to truly appreciate the story.  Of course middle-school readers will also be fascinated by the story of Reena, Luke, and Zora.  Happy Reading!   

Rating:  5 STARS out of 5 Stars

Friend Friday #155 (Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt)

Hi!  I'm Stacy and I read the book called Orbiting Jupiter written by Gary D. Schmidt.


I thought this book was powerful because it is a poignant reminder that one never knows what another person has gone through.  


My favorite part in the story was when the teachers got to know Joseph better because they start to see all that he is capable of.  



The character that I liked best was Jack's father /Joseph's foster father because he stands up for the boys, is kind and knows how to form a relationship with Joseph despite his demons.  


I think the author wrote this book because he wanted to show that people are often misunderstood.  


I would recommend this book to my friends because it has great discussion potential for their preteen/teenaged children. 


Reading to me is a means to learning something new whether it's a way to look at people we encounter in a new light, or to learn information on a new topic.  


*Stacy has been a true reading friend this summer as she contributed THREE posts.

*It has been such a joy to share book titles, reading stories, and experiences over the years.
*This was a favorite of mine and I'm glad it was also a favorite of hers.  

Trailer Thursday #155 (Student Trailer #13)

Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate

Book Trailer Created by Jordan (Fourth Grade Student)

*Jordan was a Katherine Applegate FAN.  Here she celebrates two of her best novels!

*Each student in my class created book trailers (using iTrailer).

*They could pick a book they read, I read to class, or a "Breakfast with Books" selection.

*This was their first attempt at creating book trailers.

**Here are some other trailers we found to promote this book…