Denis Ever After by Tony Abbott

How I Heard About It:  After reading The Summer of Owen Todd, Tony Abbott was definitely on my reading radar.  When I heard he had written a new story that was going to be released in July of 2018, I was quite excited.  It was a pleasure to receive an ARC and I got to reading right away.  Once I started, I could NOT put the book down.  

What It Is About:   Denis is twelve years old.  Matt is twelve years old.  They are twins.  Five years ago Denis disappeared from an amusement park and was found dead several days later.  Denis is now is a peaceful place where he spends his days with others that have passed from their Earthly life to their new existence.  Denis realizes his brother Matt is holding him back from truly living his new life to the fullest.  You see, Matt refused to let go of his brother until he finds out what actually happened to him five years earlier.  Denis takes a risk and travels back to Earth through the "RAZOR".  This is a painful process, but Denis knows it is necessary.  When the two brothers are reunited, they venture out together to solve the mystery of Denis' death.  Little did they know they would also uncover several other family secrets.  

What I Thought Of It:  As I mentioned earlier, I could not put this book down.  At first I was so curious as to how the story was going to unfold.  Then I started to get a little unsettled due to Denis' situation and wondering what had happened to him.  I kept wondering how young readers would react to the story.  Finally, I was surprised by the climax and conclusion of the story.  There was so much packed into these pages; that I know I will go back to reread in order to take it all in.  The writing was brilliant, the character development was strong, and of course the plot was like no other I've ever read.  

Who Should Read It:  I'm a bit stumped on this one.  I'm not sure which audience this story is best suited for.  There are parts of the story that would be fine for fourth, fifth, and sixth grade readers.  There are other moments, when I think the reader should be in sixth grade or higher.  When I finished the book, I went back to my original thought and would be alright with fourth grade readers and above.  I've already given the book to a colleague because I want to see what she thinks and who she would give the book to.  I would also tell middle-school readers they definitely need to read the novel along with adult readers.  Happy Reading!  

Rating:  5 STARS out of 5 Stars

Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison

How I Heard About It:  After reading several positive reviews, I picked this novel for my BBC (Boy's Book Club).  This is a small group of male teachers that I work with.  We read about a book a month.  I downloaded the title via the Hoopla app which works with my local library.  

What It Is About:   Mike Munoz is a young man from Chicago living in the state of Washington.  He is in his early 20's, still living with his mother, and takes care of his younger brother who is overweight and Downs.  Mike's mother does everything she can to make ends meet, but it isn't easy.  Mike has found a passion, and talent, for caring for yards.  After he gets fired from his lawn job, Mike wanders from job to job.  He wants to make the most of his life, but finds this a difficult task.  While he searches for the perfect occupation, he struggles with family issues and personal relationships.  Mike wants to believe the best in people and the world; but his luck or lack of it, makes this difficult.  

What I Thought Of It:  I enjoyed this audio novel.  It was completely enjoyable and an easy listen.  The narrator was wonderful.  There were quite a few "laugh out loud" moments.  The character of Mike was real, authentic, and likable.  I also found him to be realistic.  Overall, there wasn't a lot of action, but the author did throw in a few surprises here and there.  I am looking forward to my next book club when I can see what the other readers thought of the story.  

Who Should Read It:  This is the perfect story for both the female and male adult reader.  I can't see why anyone would not enjoy this story.  It is well written, has strong characters, and an engaging plot.  Happy Reading!  

Rating:  5 STARS out of 5 Stars

Music Monday #29 - Hall of Fame by The Script and will.i.am

"Hall of Fame" by The Script and will.i.am

*Music Monday is HERE and I'm excited to share a year's worth of musical selections with you.

*I know it is going to be a GREAT year of music, writing, thinking, and sharing.

*This is one of my favorite songs and one I have used with my students for several years.  Everyone always connects to it, enjoys it, and learns from it.  I've been saving it all year to use now.  I'm so excited to share this piece of music with my students.  

*Today is our TWENTY-NINTH Monday together and that means it is time for our musical selection.

*I truly believe Mondays are my favorite day for our writer's notebooks.  

*Each Monday I present a piece of music to my fourth graders.  I usually present the song via a video so they are hearing and "seeing" the music.  

*After I share the video, we discuss the song/video for a few minutes as a class.  It is always a joy to hear what my young listeners have to say about the song.  

*They then get busy writing in their notebooks.  We start off at the beginning of the year writing for about five minutes.  This will gradually increase as the year progresses.  

*Here are some ideas I give the writers to think about during their writing time...

*Their opinions of the song.

*Their likes and dislikes of the song.

*What the song reminds them of.

*Any connections they may have to the music.

*What they think the message in the piece may be.

*What listeners can learn from the song.

*A fictional story about the music/video.

*These are just some ideas I give to the writers.  They are really free to write anything they would like as long as it connects to the song.

*After our silent reading, we spend a few more minutes sharing out what we wrote.  

*I keep a collection of the videos on our Schoology Site so that my students can always go back and rematch them anytime they wish.

Our Musical Selections for 2017/2018... 

Week #1:  "What I Am" by will.i.am                                                  Click Here for Week One MUSIC

Week #2:  "Hopeful" by Bars and Melody                                         Click Here for Week Two MUSIC

Week #3:  "Somebody" by Lemonade Mouth                                  Click Here for Week Three MUSIC

Week #4:  "Dream Big" by Ryan Shupe                                            Click Here for Week Four MUSIC

Week #5:  "Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield                                 Click Here for Week Five MUSIC

Week #6:  "The World's Greatest" by R. Kelly                                    Click Here for Week Six MUSIC
Week #7:  "Candyman" by Zedd, Aloe Blacc                                   Click Here of Week Seven MUSIC
Week #8:  "Thriller" by Michael Jackson                                         Click Here for Week Eight MUSIC
Week #9:  "Clay" by Grace Vanderwaal                                           Click Here for Week Nine MUSIC
Week #10:  "I Don't Know My Name" by Grace Vanderwaal           Click Here for Week Ten MUSIC 
Week #11:  "Brand New Eyes" by Bea Miller                               Click Here for Week Eleven MUSIC
Week #12:  "You Will Be Found" from Dear Evan Hansen         Click Here for Week Twelve MUSIC
Week #13:  "Pure Imagination" from Willy Wonka                    Click Here for Week Thirteen MUSIC
Week #14:  "Rise Up" by Andra Day                                          Click Here for Week Fourteen MUSIC
Week #15:  "Carol of the Bells" by The Piano Guys                     Click Here for Week Fifteen MUSIC
Week #16:  "This is Me" from The Greatest Showman                Click Here for Week Sixteen MUSIC
Week #17:  "A Million Dreams" The Greatest Showman        Click Here for Week Seventeen MUSIC
Week #18:  "I'll Be Your Water" by Keb Mo                              Click Here for Week Eighteen MUSIC
Week #19:  "The Champion" by Carrie Underwood                  Click Here for Week Nineteen MUSIC
Week #20:  "Can't Stop the Feeling" by Justin Timberlake             Click Here for Week Twenty Music
Week #21:  "Legends" by Sleeping with Sirens                    Click Here for Week Twenty-One MUSIC
Week #22:  "Geronimo" by Sheppard                                   Click Here for Week Twenty-Two MUSIC

Week #23:  "Fresh Eyes" by Andy Grammer                     Click Here for Week Twenty-Three MUSIC
Week #24:  "One Shining Moment" by Luther Vandross     Click Here for Week Twenty-Four MUSIC
Week #25:  "Happy People" by Little Big Town                  Click Here for Week Twenty-Five MUSIC
Week #26:  "The World is Ours" by David Correy                 Click Here for Week Twenty-Six MUSIC
Week #27:  "Wavin' Flag" by K'Naan                                Click Here for Week Twenty-Seven MUSIC
Week #28:  "We Know the Way" from Moana                    Click Here for Week Twenty-Eight MUSIC

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? (5/7/18)

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

                

 http://www.teachmentortexts.com/

Books I Read this Past Week…

The Truth About Martians by Melissa Savage

*4 STARS out of 5 Stars!

Books I Will (continue to) Read this Week…

Lawn Boy by Jonathan Evison

*Novel Published for Adults (Audio)

Denis Ever After by Tony Abbott

*My Middle-Grade Novel

The Truth about Martians by Melissa Savage

How I Heard About It:  One of my favorite middle-grade novels from last year was Lemons by Melissa Savage.  It was one of my "Breakfast with Books" book club selections this past fall.  Being that Melissa and I are both from the Twin Cities, we were lucky to have her join our book club.  It was a highlight of the year.  She was kind enough to send me an ARC of her upcoming novel The Truth About Martians.  She talked about it a bit during our book club so I was extremely excited to read it.  

What It Is About:   When a flying saucer crash lands in Roswell, Mexico; Mylo's life will change in more ways than expected.  Mylo never believed in space ships and Martians, but his best buddy Dibs certainly did.  As the two boys hang out and spread time together, they "hear" and learn about something crashing in an empty field near their homes.  Soon everyone in the town is curious and wondering what has landed in their area.  Everyone has their own guess as to what it truly is.  When Mylo is alone is begins to hear a voice and he believes this voice is asking for help.  He begins to "investigate" this voice and is quite surprised as to what he finds.  Milo enlists the help of his best friend Dibs and a girl he likes named Gracie, to investigate the crash site, find any Martians, and help the one that needs it the most.  

What I Thought Of It:  I usually not one for "space" and/or "martian" stories, but this one caught my attention and interest right off from the first page.  I think I enjoyed the science fiction aspect of the plot because Melissa Savage included so many realistic fiction aspects throughout the story.  I'm a reader all about the relationships and interactions between characters.  This story had such wonderful and personal connections between Mylo and Dibs, Mylo and Gracie, and of course Mylo and what might be considered a Martian.  There were great life lessons and so much learning on the part of Mylo and Dibs.  The idea of other planets,  life on other planets, flying saucers, and Martians aren't something I normally believe in and/or think about; but this new novel certainly expanded my thoughts and ideas.  

Who Should Read It:  My fourth graders absolutely loved Lemons, and I know middle grade readers will find this a fascinating read as well.  In my opinion, this book could be read by fourth, fifth, and sixth grade readers.  I also think it could be used with middle-school readers.  These readers will be able to access the novel in October of 2018.  Happy Reading!  

Rating:  4 STARS out of 5 Stars

Life Lesson #25: Be INCLUSIVE

"Be Inclusive"

*This is the TWENTY-FIFTH Thursday of our school year together and that means it is "Life Lesson" Thursday.

*One of the biggest messages I try to share with my students is to make a positive impact on the world.

*This isn't always easy, but I work very hard to spread this theme/lesson/idea each and every day.  

*I found this video, and a few other similar videos, last year.  They were a hit with my writers so I knew I had to bring them back this year.  Even though it is a short clip, there is certainly a lot to write about and discuss.  Anything that promotes including others is a must-see video in my book.   

*I set aside time during each day for us to work in our writer's notebooks. 

*We talk about what types of writing we can do in the notebook.  Here are some of the possibilities...

-What we notice in the video

-What we wonder about

-Connections we have to the video

-Thoughts, feeling, emotions about the video clip

-Reminders we have from the lesson/message

-Create a fiction story about the video

*Once the video is shared with the writers, we spend a few minutes "talking" about what we observed.

*My writers set up their HEADING in the notebook and we get busy writing.

*During the start-up of the year, I have my students write for about five minutes.  We slowly build our stamina for writing and slowly add time to the writing block. 

*At the end of the individual writing time, we call on a few volunteers to share their actual writing and/or further thoughts about the video we watched and wrote about.

*If there is time, I sometimes share the video clip with my class at the end of the writer's notebook time.  

2017/2018 Life Lessons...
Week #1:  Be a Reader                                                                      This Week's Life-Lesson
Week #2:  Be Kind to Others                                                              This Week's Life-Lesson
Week #3:  Be Safe                                                                             This Week's Life-Lesson
Week #4:  Be Responsible                                                                 This Week's Life-Lesson
Week #5:  Be Brains                                                                           This Week's Life-Lesson
Week #6:  Be a Friend                                                                        This Week's Life-Lesson
Week #7:  Be Life-Changing                                                              This Week's Life-Lesson
Week #8:  Be Spooky (Halloween Fun Edition)
Week #9:  Be a Bully - NOT!                                                              This Week's Life-Lesson
Week #10:  Be Courageous (to continue on)                                     This Week's Life-Lesson
Week #11:  Be Motivated                                                                   This Week's Life-Lesson
Week #12:  Be Inspired                                                                      This Week's Life-Lesson
Week #13:  Be Merry                                                                          This Week's Life-Lesson
Week #14:  Be a Team                                                                       This Week's Life-Lesson
Week #15:  Be Giving                                                                         This Week's Life-Lesson
Week #16:  Be SHOUTful                                                                  This Week's Life-Lesson
Week #17:  Be Happy                                                                        This Week's Life-Lesson
Week #18:  Be a Reader                                                                    This Week's Life-Lesson
Week #19:  Be POWERful                                                                 This Week's Life-Lesson
Week #20:  Be Brave                                                                         This Week's Life-Lesson
Week #21:  Be Positive                                                                      This Week's Life-Lesson
Week #22:  Be a Friend                                                                      This Week's Life-Lesson

Week #23:  Be Strong and Courageous                                             This Week's Life-Lesson
Week #24:  Be DANCE-Like                                                              This Week's Life-Lesson

Wonder Wednesday #222 (Breakfast with Books)

Wonder Wednesday - Smart Cookie by Elly Swartz

*On Friday, April 27th some of my fourth grade readers gathered before school for another "Breakfast with Books" book club.

*These are some of my favorite mornings.  I mean how you can bring together a bunch of readers, add a wonderful novel, throw in the author via Skype; and not have a GREAT time.

*It is always such a joy to talk with Elly Swartz and I love the way she can engage all readers into our discussion.


*If you haven't read Smart Cookie yet, then you HAVE to.  It is such a wonderful story with a beautiful message.  Elly certainly can WRITE!

*Here is a look at our time with Elly and the readers in ACTION...