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Mrs. Nault 07/13/2016 8:30 PM |
Dear Reading Buddies,
I hope you all enjoyed the Fourth of July. I traveled back home to the U.P. visiting family, hiking to waterfalls, and enjoying the beach. I also went kayaking. What did you all do?
As I usually do, I packed a book, actually I packed two, just in case. We were quite busy so I just finished it the other night. I read Ms. Bixby's Last Day by John David Anderson. What captured my attention was that it was about a teacher. Ms. Bixby is not just any teacher though. She is one of a kind and she holds a special place in the hearts of three boys in her class. Unfortunately, Ms. Bixby announces that she has cancer and won't be able to finish the rest of the school year. When she can't even attend the planned last day, the three friends come up with a plan to share their last day with Ms. Bixby. As they attempt to execute the plan, you learn why Ms. Bixby is so special to each of the boys.
Their plan has its ups and downs for sure. What I found interesting is that nearly the whole book takes place over the course of that one day with flashbacks in the boys' memories. The story is written from all three of the boys' perspectives.
I could connect with Ms. Bixby throughout the book because of the things she believes in and does as a teacher. The way Ms. Bixby values reading and writing come shining through in this story. She also uses all kinds of quotes in her teaching which reminded me of our Morning Meeting quotes. I could definitely connect with that! She seems like an awesome teacher. Unfortunately, the book is a bit sad because cancer is not a happy topic.
I'm anxious to hear about the books you've all been reading. The book I am currently reading is not a children's book. I am reading a very interesting book about brain plasticity and how children learn. It's from my yoga teacher. I do have a TBR pile of more children's books though. TBR means "To Be Read" in case you're wondering.
Have a great weekend everybody, Hope you find some time to read.
Mrs. Nault
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Mrs. Nault 06/26/2016 11:39 AM |
Dear Reading Buddies,
I hope everyone is surviving this heat! I spent an afternoon out of the heat in the cool air conditioning of Barnes & Noble while sipping a delicious iced coffee. I camped out in the children's section and searched for my next book, or two or three, to read. Unfortuntately, there was an ill-behaved little girl spoiling the atmosphere with her temper tantrum! Ugh! Funny thing is, she looked old enough to know how to behave while others are reading. All because the book she wanted didn't have stickers in it. Geez!
Well, anyway, I did find a new book called Ms. Bixby's Last Day by John David Anderson. I read the first chapter in the bookstore and decided it was a keeper. I'm not too far into it yet, but I like what I've read so far. I think I will finish it before I write you all about it because I have to tell you about The Wild Robot by Peter Brown. YOU MUST READ THIS BOOK! I had it sitting in my TBR (To Be Read) pile for quite a while and I kept putting it off because it just didnt' seem like a good fit for me. Boy! Was I wrong!
The Wild Robot is about a robot who gets shipwrecked on an island and has to learn how to survive. In the process, he learns from all the animals on the island and has to adapt (there's a science word for you girls). The robot becomes great friends with all the animals and even becomes mother to an orphaned goose. It's such a lovely story of friendhip and survival and not at all what I thought it would be about.
The thing I love about the writing is the way the author writes in shorter, simpler sentences and I think it's be a comfortable book for you to read with ease. The way he describes things like thunderstorms is very powerful. I'd lift a line to share with you, but I've already loaned the book out to Carly. I enjoyed the perspective of the robot who has to learn what we take for granted and the protective nature of her actions once she becomes "Mom" to the gosling. As I said, I think you would enjoy this book, so let me know if you want to read it next.
Another book that was a quick read and also a surprise was Crenshaw by Katherine Applegate, the author of The One and Only Ivan. Who doesn't love THAT book?!? Again, the front cover made me hesitate to see a boy sitting next to a lifesize cat on a park bench. I assemed it was total fantasy. I thought I wouldn't enjoy it, but I gave it a try. Remember, I'm always pushing myself to try different genres and go out of my comfort zone of realistic fiction and historical fiction. Crenshaw, the cat, is the imaginary friend of a boy named Jackson who is struggling with his family's situation of being homeless. This book was also a big surprise to me. Jackson thinks it's strange that a 12 year old boy still has an imaginary friend, but Crenshaw ends up helping Jackson deal with his unfortunate situation. It made me realize that not all children are lucky enough to have the comfort of always knowing they have a roof over their head and enough food to eat. It's a great book I think you would like. I got it at Half Priced Books for a deal!
This blogging about books is great. Thanks again Mrs. Twedt! Can't wait to hear about the books you all are reading. I am definitely gettting the first Sophie Mouse book. Isn't it amazing how authors can make characters like robots and mice seem so real? |
Chloe 06/16/2016 2:48 PM |
Dear all of you,
Mrs Twedlt I have read because of win dixie. I think you will love it I am starting the Sophie mouse book 1 I only had 2-3 so Ayla was so nice to give me the first book of Sophie mouse thank you Ayla. I am so read to start it I am have in a great summer. It good that all of you are have a good summer see you soon .??
Your friends,
Chloe |
Ms Twedt 06/12/2016 1:47 PM |
Hi Reading Friends:
I am having an exciting start to summer. I drove down to Texas on Tuesday and Wednesday, June 7-8 with Mark and LULU! I've been so busy preparing for a wedding shower, and have had very little time to read.
One book I've started is Because of Winn Dixie. I think all 3 of you have read that book! I'm really loving it so far, but I haven't had a lot of time to read just yet. I'm always wondering where great writers get their ideas for books. I would love to sit down with Kate di Camillo sometime and ask her about her writing. She's written so many books, and each one is unique and different fromt he next. Wow, she's amazing.
Ayla and Chloe how are you liking some of the books you've started? Which one is your favorite so far?
Write to me about the main character of one of your books. What is he or she like? What do you know about them from reading? |
Ayla 06/10/2016 2:03 PM |
Sophie is kind of getting over her fear of snakes
sophie thinks that if she let Owen play she will make a new friend
i am going camping July 6th to Sunday
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Ayla 06/08/2016 7:18 PM |
I am almost done
well in the book sopie had her first day of school with her brother.
threre is a new kide named owen he is a snack and sopie has a fear of snacks
so thats all i know . |
Mrs. Nault 06/08/2016 3:47 PM |
Hello Mrs. Twedt, Cloe, and Ayla,
I am having a great start to summer vacation and I hope you all are too. The first cold day was a bummer, but then I decided to make a cup of coffee, snuggle up in my favorite reading chair, and finish reading The Hour of the Bees by Lindsay Eagar. I loved it! But then again, I always seem to love books that have grandparents in them and the importance of them in our lives. I have so many special memories of my grandparents that I really connected with this book even though it's really about a girl named Carolina and her struggle with growing up while forced to spend an entire summer on her grandfather's ranch in the middle of the desert because he is suffering from dementia and can no longer stay on the ranch alone. My own grandmother suffered from dementia and it was another reason why I was able to connect with this book. Here is a link to a much more thorough description of The Hour of the Bees https://Www.goodreads.com/books/show/22453777-hour-of-the-bees. It is a middle level book that would be great to listen to or read along with your Mom if you like that.
Next, let me tell you about Ivy & Bean by Annie Barrows. I finally read it. I heard about it from Mrs. Gannon's daughter, Peyton, who heard about it from Mrs. Twedt a long time ago. Mrs. Twedt, you sure do know how to match books up with readers! I am definitely going to add to my collection of the Ivy & Bean series for our class library. They are two great friends who never expected to be friends. I can tell they will get into of mischief in each story. The first book basically tells how the two girls became friends. I know you'd love this book.
Due the the fact that I am a Reading Machine ?? I also discovered another awesome series about four fabulous friends who call themselves The Critter Club because they love taking care of animals. You know who else would love the series from our class? Bella and Carly. They are pet lovers too. Anyway, a third grader named Tariyanna loaned me her book. I was doing door duty and saw her with her nose buried in a book as she walked into school one morning. All it took was, "Hey! Whatcha reading?" And I had discovered another new series. Isn't it great when friends recommend new books?
Well, that's what I've been reading so far. How about you girls? I have to take Tim to basketball practice, but I look forward to checking back later.
Love,
Mrs. Nault |
Chloe 06/01/2016 4:19 PM |
Hi am going to start Stella Night sprites I been waiting To read this book a long time know I finally get to read it I am so excited to blog with you gets |
ayla 06/01/2016 3:48 PM |
i'm going to start reading Sophie Mouse - A New Friend. I can't wait to tell you all about it.
Ayla |
Mrs. Nault 05/31/2016 2:00 PM |
I can't wait! Thank you for setting this up Mrs. Twedt. I am already reading a book called The Hour of the Bees and I will let you know how it is. I will be hunting down a new series of books that a friend in 3rd grade told me about and then let me borrow her book. It's called the Critter Club series and I enjoyed the main characters who are all friends and each book tells about one of the main characters. Luckily, I have a coupon for Barnes & Noble so that I can buy one of the The Critter Club books. I know Ayla and Chloe would love them. Hey girls! If you read one, please let me know.
Happy reading,
Mrs. Nault |
Ms Twedt 05/31/2016 9:35 AM |
Hi Ayla, Chloe and Mrs. Nault! I'm looking forward to reading and talking about reading with you this summer! |
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