Frozen Fire

I recently started reading Frozen Fire by Tim Bowler - after I borrowed it from my 6th grader.  This book has affirmed a current theory I've been considering.  The term, or rather the entire genre, MYSTERY seems to have taken on a new, more diverse meaning.  My current understanding is that mystery is now synonymous with "I'm not going to tell you anything."  Let me explain...

Recently I read The Maze Runner trilogy.  While I enjoyed the books, I was often confused - not incredibly confused, but rather I couldn't visualize what was occurring.  I appreciate a book that doesn't spell everything out for me, but sometimes I was so in the dark that I don't think I was connecting with the book.  My confusion didn't keep me from reading, but I will say my enjoyment was negatively impacted.  Because many points were confusing, I do not think I connected with scenes or characters as I should have.

Now to clear up my genre associations.  I mentioned the genre mystery while The Maze Runner trilogies and Frozen Fire are not mysteries.  Instead these books fall under the genre of science fiction and.... supernatural?

"The Listeners" Walter de la Mare

While poetry is not my favorite genre, I love this poem.  It has an eerie, mysterious feel - and I'm left wondering where the owners of the house went.  With the numerous vampire and other supernatural stories around, I feel this poem fits the mood of many current stories.

"The Listeners"

Poetry Blogging

For our upcoming poetry units, I am going to encourage students to create blogs to share their poetry.  Websites, such as Poetry Foundation and Poetry Out Loud, are prompting me to digitally connect students and poetry.  Poetry is often quite hard for middle school students - and some simply state it is boring.  Therefore, to inspire enjoyment, participation, and learning, I'll use technology to hopefully gain interest, and dare I say.... excitement?

Starting Up Again

It has been ages since I updated my blog.  But - that's all about to change.  I'm going to blog about our current school year, and hopefully come up with some ideas for helping students create blogs.  I think student blogs would be a great way to practice various types of writing.  This blog is being re-vamped, and my focus has returned (I think?).

The Disappeared by Gloria Whelan

I picked up this book in the young adult section of the library. It was super short - 136 pages. I knew it would be a quick read and hopefully a good one. While it was a short read, it lacked excitement. The idea behind the book was good - a corrupt government in Argentina, but the book fell flat. The writing style was of interest as each chapter was intended to be a letter between siblings. More than anything, I think I realized that while a book might have conflict, without action, the conflict doesn't go far.

Catching Lincoln's Killer by James Swanson

I recently started this book with some students. It is non-fiction and quite good. Considering that non-fiction is not normally a genre I read, I'm excited to try something different. The story is well written and fast paced. I also enjoy the fact that I'm learning something with this book.

I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak

Last week I finished another Zusak book, I am the Messenger. Zusak's book The Book Thief is one of my all time favorites. I was excited to read yet another book by this author. While the book is interesting and complex (in true Zusak form), I cannot recommend this book without reservation. The plot, theme, and characters are intriguing, but unfortunately the language and sexual references keep me from recommending this book to middle school students. However, I must say, it is an intriguing and complex read and I appreciate Zusak's unique writing style. But for now, students, stick with The Book Thief.

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

I'm now about half-way through the second book in The Hunger Games trilogy - Catching Fire. It is fantastic - just like the first. And I can certainly recommend these books to students. Katniss, the main character, is still interesting, strong, and intelligent. I look forward to how she, Peeta, and Gale (Katniss is a female protagonist with Peeta and Gale - and sometimes others - playing the antagonists) resolve this difficult life or death conflict. One element I REALLY appreciate about the book is how it makes me speculate how situations (as previously mentioned - life or death situations) will be resolved as the outlook appears so bleek. Furthermore, Suzanne Collins, the author is an expert at character development. I greatly enjoy the characters and can vividly picture most.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

WOW! It has been a long time since my last post; however, I've been reading a great deal! Don't worry! My most recent read was The Hunger Games. This book is the first in a trilogy. I highly recommend the first book; it combines gladiator-like themes with advanced technology. The movie of The Hunger Games will be released this summer, as well as the third novel. The movie is going to appeal to a wide audience, not only young adults. The content is appropriate and absolutely thought provoking.

I am anxiously awaiting the second novel - which I purchased last week and apparently it is in the mail.

Jane Eyre

I am now reading this book again.... I find it amazing how many new ideas and pieces of information we can discover when reading something again and again. I recently read the book The Thirteenth Tale. It was incredibly good, not sure if I'd recommend it to all middle schoolers, but it contained numerous Gothic similarities to Jane Eyre. Therefore - my desire to read Jane Eyre again resurfaced after reading The Thirteenth Tale. I HIGHLY recommend Jane Eyre; it is a classic, Gothic, horror story which will interest many. And.... not as difficult to read as Shakespeare!

The Graveyard by Neil Gaiman

I can't believe it, but it took me over a month to finish this book! It was enjoyable, but slow at points. I found the ending to be the most entertaining and exciting part of the book. Only in the very beginning and the ending of the book did I find compassion for the main character. The story is interesting and quite creative; however, I wonder if my focus on the new school year kept me from enjoying the book more.

The information below is from a previous post where I mentioned what I was currently reading.....
This book received the 2008 Newbery Award - which is bestowed for most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. If you recall the name of the book, it might be because I included an excerpt for this particular book in your summer reading list. Furthermore if the author sounds familiar, it is because he is the author of Coraline, which just came out at the movies. I'm only on chapter two, but I'm loving it so far. Also, his website, http://www.neilgaiman.com/, is pretty interesting.

Back to School

I can't believe how fast the summer flies. Tomorrow teachers start back to school; we're preparing our classrooms and creating lesson plans. I've had a great summer and feel rested and ready to go. Not sure about you guys, but we'll make it! I'm still reading The Graveyard Book and hope to finish next week. Hope you had a great summer, full of reading and vacation..... see you soon!

In the Woods by Tana French

At the end of July, I finished In the Woods. This suspense-filled thriller is a good read; however, not a book I would recommend to middle school students. And with that - here is the end of this post! I'd much rather post about books we can read together :)

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Yesterday evening I finally finished The Book Thief. This is one of the most intriguing books I have read in a very, very long time. The perspective, the characters, the setting, and the writing style were extraordinary. This book truly offers the reader a learning experience, not only about Germany during World War II, but more specifically it educates the reader on the beauty of writing. The author's writing style is unique and students would be wise to mimic a piece or two of his genius. That being said, I highly recommend this book - especially for my middle schoolers as we study point of view, exposition, characterization, personification, and figurative language. This book utilizes numerous literary elements all while telling a compelling and beautiful story.

Has anyone read Zusak's book I am the Messenger?

Latin Phrases

7th grade Latin phrases: bona fide - in good faith; made with earnest intent; sincere.

From the movie Grease.... "That's a bona fide offer," Danny says to Sandy.

Importance in English: We study Latin phrases in 7th grade language arts as these phrases are frequently used in the English language. Furthermore, they are used in literature and movies!

Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson

This summer I read two books before finding Chains. This book is classified as historical fiction, my favorite, and is absolutely a smooth and exciting read. Isabel, aka Sal, is sold back into slavery after being freed, albeit briefly, by her previous owner. The setting is the northeast in the 1770s - the Revolutionary War. The book is quite ironic as it details the horrors of slavery in America all while America is fighting for their freedom from England. This is a great read as we follow Isabel through her difficult life. Forge, the sequel, will soon follow.

Importance in English (yes, I'm always trying to remind you why it is important!): irony, history, the acronym aka, and characterization.