literary surprises

Sometimes I'm surprised when books that are hailed as being great actually are good reads. Right now I'm reading The Color Purple and am really into it! I'm also reading The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and like it too. Actually, Huck is a little harder to read because the dialect switches. And for some reason I was under the impression that Huck was black for a good 50 pages until someone told me he wasn't. I obviously never read Tom Sawyer but I thought part of the story of their friendship was that they were different colors back in those days. Goes to show ya what I know.

New Goal

In addition to reading books my students are reading so that I can recommend books to them and bond with them on reading, I also want to read as many books from this list as I possibly can.

Banned Books List

It's so interesting. On Wikipedia's list of banned books, this line stuck out to me immediately:

Black Beauty

Anna Sewell

Was banned in South Africa in 1955 because of the use of the word 'black' in the title

And I was reading about a kid who spear headed a campaign to ban To Kill a Mockingbird because of the racial slurs. He even wore a t shirt to school with those words written all over it and was told to cover up the offensive terms. I can't remember if the school ended up banning the book but I think they at least considered it.

That doesn't make sense to me at all. The book is a snippet of history. I think it's good he read it and was offended. We should always remind ourselves of where we came from as a society in order to continue on the better path.

anyway...

*edit* I've just noticed that both of these goals force me to read Harry Potter next.

Books

I started reading Holes this weekend and it is such a good little book! So much better than the Twilight series.

I grabbed Holes on my way to the gym. I've never tried reading and working out at the same time. As long as I'm on a stationary bike it works quite well! I went longer on that dang bike than I ever have all while reading. Very enjoyable work out.

let down

I read Jurassic Park when I was about 13. I remember how tense and scared I was as I read it in my upstairs bedroom on the farm. A couple years later, I read The Vampire Chronicles at the house in town. Again, the suspense made my heart beat fast and my chest tighten.

I haven't experienced that kind of immersion in years. What happened? If I read those same books today would I find them as vapid as the other things I'm reading? Was it just my youth?

I am so tired of authors making characters so dumb! If your protagonist isn't supposed to get something, I sure wish you would write it so the reader doesn't get it either.

sigh, I'll go back to reading Eclipse now.

The Sisters Grimm

Wow! I'm only about halfway through this book and I love it so far!
This one was recommended to me by one of my students. I've since noticed that a few of them are or have read it. Scholastic rates it at 5th year 9th month! (5.9) *High five* My Students!

I also bought Twilight. So far, so good.
Although it's only rated 5.6. ; )

books

I just got back from the used bookstore down the street. I love that it is located in the old Ballard library building.

A few weeks ago I asked my students to give me the title of their favorite book because I know nothing of children's literature these days. Today, I bought three titles: The Sisters Grimm, The Report Card, and yes, I caved and bought the first Harry Potter. Sigh. The sacrifices I make for these kids!

Last week a student asked me to help her find a book. She wanted either a drama or a comedy. I offered her Julie of the Wolves and Sideways Stories from Wayside School. Thankfully she accepted the latter. I was really at a loss as to what to suggest! Thus, I have made a pledge to myself and my future students to keep my finger on the pulse of what they are reading in order to make good suggestions.

Here are two books I just read for the first time: (these two were recommended by my host teacher, not students)



Island of the Blue Dolphins is based on a true story. If you don't already know, I LOVE historical fiction. Karana and her people live on an island in the Pacific. She finds herself alone on the island and lives there for 18 years with only the animals to keep her company. It's an amazing story of triumph and survival.
Bridge to Terabithia is a beautiful story about two friends. If it doesn't at least make you well up in the eyes, you are souless. ; )

what? no school?

What do you do when you don't have class or homework? You go to the library! I finished a book I borrowed from my boss, read a new novel and started another one all in one weekend.

I also sewed a pencil pouch, for my cool new pens for the coming year, on my new sewing machine! It even has an embroidered 'N' on it! fancy!

Next week is the first day of school for my student teaching....yikes!