Just My Luck by Cammie McGovern

How I Heard About It:   During a recent shopping visit to the local book store, I came across this title on the shelf.  I was drawn to the title and the cover.  After reading the book blurb and checking out some reviews on GoodReads, I decided to purchase the book.  Am I glad I did!  

What It Is About:  Bad luck seems to be following fourth grader Benny.  His best buddy has moved away.  He can't seem to get the hang of regular things fourth graders should be able to do, like riding a bicycle, and he isn't impressed with Mr. Norris, his fourth grade teacher, who is supposed to be quite a teacher.  After Benny's father has an accident that he blames himself for, Benny feels like the world is out to get him.  Nothing is going right at either home and/or school. His biggest encourager is his mother and she promises him that things will get better.  He just needs to take life one step at a time.  Benny makes it his mission to earn as many "footprints" at school for good deeds and to find out why Mr. Norris isn't measuring up to his reputation.  

What I Thought Of It:   When I find a novel that I don't know anything about, give it a try, and love it; that makes me quite happy.  That is exactly what happened with this book.  The character of Benny had me right from the get-go and kept me by his side the entire story.  The writing in this book was incredible and spot-on depicting middle-grade characters.  The supporting cast both at Benny's home and school, were strong and added greatly to the plot.  The story was tender, heart-warming, suspenseful, and thought-provoking.  I found myself reading it quickly because I was so interested in finding out what was going to happen.  Anytime a male teacher is featured as a character I'm extremely pleased.  This will definitely be a story I'll be sharing with my fourth grade class next fall.  

Who Should Read It:  Just My Luck is the perfect novel for students in grades four, five, and six.  The  length isn't too long and the arrangement of the writing will be pleasing to these readers.  Even though I wouldn't say there was a lot of "action" in the story, I think it will totally keep a reader's interest throughout the whole book.  I also think the novel would make for an excellent read aloud in these same grades.  Adults who enjoy middle-grade fiction definitely need to get a copy of this book and experience the magic of Benny and his quest for luck!  Happy Reading…

Rating:  5 STARS out of 5 Stars

Friend Friday #140 (The Wild Robot by Peter Brown)

Hi!  I'm Jessy and I read the book called The Wild Robot written by Peter Brown.


I think this book was awesome because it's very heartwarming and is a page turner.  



My favorite part in the story is when the robot came to life because that's where all the action began.  




The character that I liked best was Roz because she is very nice, kind and also understandable.  


I think the author wrote this book because he wants people to have fun with reading the story.  


I would recommend this book to my friends because it's fun, awesome, and full of action.  


Reading to me is amazing and enjoyable because a lot of books are amazing and enjoyable like The Wild Robot.  


*With thirteen days of school left, I'm trying to get as many new releases into the hands of my readers.
*This was one such book.
*I absolutely loved this story and couldn't wait to share it with my class.
*I gave it to Jessy first and she was done within days.
*Her thoughts here are spot-on!  
*If you haven't read this book yet, you MUST…

Life Lesson #32 (Achieve Your Goals)

"Achieve Your Goals"

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

*I totally agree with this video and the message it is giving.

*Many of my own fears have gotten in the way of achieving my own goals.

*My hope is that all of my students achieve both their short-term and long-term goals.

*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
Lesson #20:  Be a Hero
Lesson #21:  Be a Friend
Lesson #22:  Be Kind (Part Three)
Lesson #23:  Be Brave and Courageous
Lesson #24:  Be Fearless
Lesson #25:  Be a Sportsman/Sportswoman
Lesson #26:  Be Different
Lesson #27:  Thinking Outside the Box
Lesson #28:  Live Your Dream and Share Your Passion
Lesson #29:  You've Always Had the Power
Lesson #30:  Pay It Forward
Lesson #31:  Give a Compliment

Trailer Thursday #140 (Fredrik Backman Novels)

*Fredrik Backman is one of my favorite adult authors.

*I've read both A Man Called Ove and My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry.

*Both were top-notch stories.

*I'm currently reading his new novel, Britt-Marie Was Here.  

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

My Grandmother Asked Me To Tell You She's Sorry 

by Fredrik Backman

Britt-Marie was Here by Fredrik Backman

Wonder Wednesday #140 (Class Read Aloud Number Five)

Wonder Wednesday - Class Read Aloud Number Five

*One of our language arts units is "historical fiction".

*I try to tie in our class read aloud with the unit we are covering.

*After reading this novel on my own, I knew it would be perfect to share with my class during our historical fiction unit.

*My fourth graders loved it and were more than ready to share their thoughts.

*Here are a few thoughts that my listeners had...

I thought this book was…

*Fun to listen to because there was a lot that happened in the story and kept my interest.  

*Awesome because I like historical fiction books and really enjoyed the story.

*Really good because it was a great story and had lots of cliff hangers.  

I liked it when…

*Ada jumped over the wall because it was a cool and happy part of the story.  

*Susan took care of the kids because their Mam was so mean to them.
*The kids went to Susan's house because they got treated so much better.  

My favorite character was…

*Ada because she was very determined and I like that.  
*Ada because she was the main character and she goes through a lot in the story.   

*Butter because I love animals and especially like horses.

My favorite part in the story was…

*When the kids found out they got to go live with Susan because their life changed.  
*When they got away from Mam because she was such a bad person.
*When Ada jumped the wall with Butter because that was such an important thing for Ada to do.  

It was interesting when…

*Mam showed up because I didn't think she would.  
*Their was a war right by them because I've never read a story like that.  
*The bombs were falling right where Ada and her family lived because it was pretty scary.  

I was frustrated when…

*Susan let Mam take the kids because it was a sad moment.
*Mam made Ada use the bucket because it was so mean of her.  

*Mam hit Ada because Ada didn't do anything wrong.  

I give this book _____ stars!  

5 STARS =  15 Students
4 STARS =  5 Students
3 STARS =  2 Students
2 STARS =  1 Student
1 STAR =  0 Students 

Picture Wednesday #34 (Sun Basketball)

 "Sun Basketball"

*Many of my fourth graders are really into basketball right now.

*I've even had to bring some basketballs from home so there are more to share.

*While searching basketballs online, I came across these pictures and thought they were amazing.

*Normally I just pick one image for them to write about, but I couldn't narrow them down.  So this week they are writing about all three pictures.  

*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.

Treat Tuesday #140 (Book Release Day)

Treat Tuesday:  Baked Spaghetti & Meatballs

*We had my dad over for Sunday dinner.  We recently had to admit my mom to a memory care center for Alzheimer's.  

*My son also returned home after finishing his freshman year at KU.

*We tried to come up with something new for these two men in our lives.  

*This recipe was found on our FaceBook pages and we gave it a try.  One word:  Delish!  

*You would think it wasn't a meal for mid May, but we aren't that warm so it was perfect.

INGREDIENTS

• 
  
• -Meatballs (I used about 1½ doz homemade meatballs) **Meatballs were fully cooked
• -24 oz jar marinara sauce (I used San Marzano Sauce)
• -½ yellow onion (diced)
• -3 cloves garlic (crushed)
• -1 tsp Italian seasoning
• -2 TBSP olive oil
• -¾ # spaghetti noodles
• -1-2 cups grated cheese (I used half colby-jack, half mozzarella)
• -½ cup grated parmesan

DIRECTIONS

1. In large cast iron skillet, sauté onions in olive oil over med/low heat. Add in garlic and continue sautéing until onions are tender.
2. Add cooked meatballs.
3. Add marinara sauce and tsp Italian seasoning.
4. Heat over med/low heat for about 20-30 minutes.
5. In separate large pot, cook spaghetti noodles according to package directions (under cook by 2 minutes).
6. With large slotted spoon, scoop meatballs from sauce and set aside.
7. Scoop cooked spaghetti (with large slotted spoon) into marinara sauce. Add in about ½ cup pasta cooking water. Gently stir until pasta is fully coated with sauce.
8. Add cooked meatballs to top of spaghetti.
9. Top with grated cheese & parmesan cheese.
10. Bake at 350* for approx 20-30 minutes or until hot and bubbly and cheese is melted.

Recipe Site

Treat Tuesday:  Middle-Grade Novel

Treat Tuesday:  Young-Adult Novel

Treat Tuesday:  Adult Novel