Sister to Sister

My eleven-year old sister is too much like me. This is the text message she sent me at 10pm. “Don’t tell mom cause I’m supposed to be in bed right now, but do u know where they sell cheap book lights? Flashlights are too hard 2 hold & read at the same time so I [...]

Some Great Hi-Lo Books for Middle School

One area that my classroom library is lacking in is high interest books for some of my developing readers.  No one in 6th grade wants to look like they are reading a “baby” book, but I hate watching them struggle with books that are above their level.  Needless to say, I was thrilled when I [...]

Staying Positive

For those of you who don’t know, I teach in NJ.  The state budget is in dire straits and education is taking the hardest hit under our new governor.  As a result of the awful budget situation, I received my RIF letter on Friday.  I’m staying positive and hoping that I am brought back after [...]

They Never Came Back by Caroline B. Cooney

Caroline B. Cooney is a go-to author for me.  Whether I am looking for the perfect book to hook a reluctant reader or a fantastic mystery that will keep my readers on their edge of their seat; Cooney is the answer.  She writes fast, suspenseful, non-stop action thrillers that leave you thinking that maybe the [...]

The Clearing by Heather Davis

My students just began our Holocaust study so I am on the lookout for most historical fiction centered around WWII.  We normally have a common read aloud focused on the Holocaust while guided reading groups/lit circle hybrids read a variety of books focused on different aspects of life during WWII.  I am always on the [...]

NJ School Budget Elections

Tomorrow, April 20th, is the NJ school budget elections.  Please get out and vote if you are registered in NJ.

Birthmarked by Caragh M. O’Brien

I have been on a dystopian kick lately, so I was very happy when I cleaned out a bookshelf and found a forgotten ARC for this novel. Birthmarked is Caragh M. O’Brien’s first novel for young adults and she has hit it out of the park. I read a lot of dystopian, and I’ve read [...]

April is Poetry Month….

….and I have cried no less than 3 times since my students started writing their poems.  Three students in particular are gifted poets and their poems honestly made me cry (which the rest of the class found amazing).  Does anyone have any ideas for publication?  I don’t have a lot of resources for places that [...]

Epitaph Road by David Patneaude

In 2067, a virus struck the earth.  Killing 97% of the male population meant women were forced to take over the world.  Thirty years later, Kellen is a teenage boy in a world full of women.  The supervirus, Elisha’s Bear, has periodically reared its ugly head again and again over the past 30 years killing [...]

Which of the Top 100 Have You Read?

Thanks to Teacherninja for this great meme! So which of Betsy Bird’s Top 100 Children’s Novels have you read? Bold the titles of any books you have read. 100. The Egypt Game – Snyder (1967) 99. The Indian in the Cupboard – Banks (1980) 98. Children of Green Knowe – Boston (1954) 97. The Miraculous Journey of [...]