Milkweed by Jerry Spinelli

Milkweed, a historical fiction book by Jerry Spinelli, is set back in Nazi Germany during World War II. It tells the story of a young orphan boy trying to survive in Warsaw, a poverty-stricken town controlled by Nazis.  The young boy, Misha, is faced with new challenges of survival each day.  Some days he doesn't know where he is going to sleep at night.  Other days, he sleeps in abandoned buildings, old barns, or underneath rubble.  Everyday he must find new ways to steal food for himself and the others.  He meets a young girl along the way, whose family is taken from their beautiful home to the ghettos.  Misha makes it his responsibility to take care of the family because unlike him, they are not used to living on the streets with no possessions and no food. Throughout the book, the Nazi soldiers torture, starve, and ridicule the Jewish population in Warsaw.  Many do not survive.  Does Misha? What about the the girl and her family?

I thought this book shared an interesting perspective of life during these unthinkable times in Germany.  Many accounts do not share the true details of life for Jews who lived in the streets.  Often we hear of stories of concentration camps, but not as much about life before the camps. Misha is a strong character who fights against so much adversity throughout the book that I felt myself rooting for him along the way. Jerry Spinelli is a remarkable young adult author, and I would recommend this book and his others to many middle school students.

Beautiful Lies by Lisa Unger

Every now and then I like to read suspenseful, thrillers like Beautiful Lies by Lisa Unger. This story is page-turning and has so many twists and turns along the way that keep you reading to find out what will happen next.  The main character, Ridley, wakes up one morning and her life is changed forever. She cannot go back to the way things used to be and is instead forced to investigate her own life to find out the truth.  She falls in love with a man along the way that has more ties to her than she realizes.  After many ups and downs, together  they pursue the truth and find out that what they thought they knew about their own lives was not necessarily accurate.  Find out what they discover and how they deal with it! The odds are against them, but somehow they keep going.

Wonder by R.J. Palacio

Wow! This is a must read! R.J. Palacio's NY Time's Bestseller, Wonder, is a tremendous read for anyone, but especially suited for teenagers! The story is full of emotion as it is told from various perspectives.  The book is split into different sections, each one told by a different main character, so the reader really gets a feel for the story that is taking place and how it affects everyone involved.  The main character, August, has been living with a facial abnormality his entire life and has undergone scrutiny from just about everybody. His mother has home schooled him up until this point, but the family decides to send him to a private school when he is in the 5th grade. The story highlights the good in some people, while revealing the bad in too many.  How does August deal with all that comes his way? Who supports him in his situation? What makes a good friend? Pick up a copy of Wonder and find out for yourself.  You might learn a little bit about yourself along the way.  I thought this story was very powerful, and one I'd like to see many people check out!

Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper

Sharon Draper's new book, Out of My Mind, is one of the choices for the 2013 Global Read Aloud that I plan to partake in with my students once again.  This story teaches so many great lessons on diversity, acceptance, differences, disabilities, bullying, perseverance, and much more so I am excited to introduce this book to my students. The story is told by the main character, Melody, who lives her life in a wheel chair with cerebral palsy. She shares her struggles and reveals what is going on in her mind that she cannot get out to the rest of the world.  After trying several methods of communication, Melody finally finds one that works for her and the world is astonished by all that she has to say. This is a remarkable story of a young teenage girl who finds a way to succeed against all the adversity that surrounds her.  It really teaches the reader something about dedication and hard work, while opening one's eyes to the hardships that exist for some people in our society. I highly recommend this inspirational read!

Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Every now and then we stumble across books that aren't our favorites, and The Great Gatsby by Fitzgerald, is one of those books for me.  A lot of people remember the book as one they had to read in high school or college, but I was lucky enough to escape that! When the movie came out this spring, I thought the previews looked interesting so I set out to read the book before seeing the movie (something I always try to do!) The story itself is interesting, but I found the book rather difficult to read and I cannot imagine being in high school and trying to follow all that was going on. Basically, the story follows a young, wealthy man known as Gatsby.  He throws exuberant parties that become the talk of the town.  His close neighbor tells most of the story from his perspective as he encounters Gatsby and his friends.  The group goes out together frequently and they run into some criminal activities.  I had to put this book down several times and come back to it, because I just found myself wanting to read something else.  So I would read a chapter here and then between other books I was reading.  I'd still like to see the movie, because I think it might bring greater clarification to what was all happening in the book.  It might also help me understand the characters a little more thoroughly.

Just remember, it's perfectly fine to put a book down and find a new one! I try to come back to those books and finish them, but that doesn't always happen either! The point of reading for me is to lose myself in the story, and if I am having a hard time doing that, I know it's time for a different book!

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne

The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, by John Boyne, is one of those stories I always heard about but just never knew.  So after Keagan donated this great book to our classroom library, I thought it was the perfect opportunity for me to find out what the story was all about.  I am sure glad I did! This story is a heart-wrenching historical fiction account of a young boy's experience with the Holocaust.  As the son of a Nazi commander, Bruno is rather naive of the reality of the war even though his backyard is essentially a prison work camp.  While exploring, the young boy meets another young boy, but he is on the other side of a fence and always wears striped pajamas.  Bruno finds this rather curious and befriends the boy.  For several months, the boys meet at the same spot along the fence and have many conversations about life.  Bruno never truly understands the fence or the other boy's situation until that last day, when the cold, hard truth is revealed. Find out what happens to Bruno and his friend by picking up this quick and easy read!

Son by Lois Lowry

If you have read Lois Lowry's book, The Giver, then you may have finished with questions lingering in your mind.  If that is the case, you need to read the companion book entitled Son. This novel is divided into three books: Before, Between, and Beyond. Thus far I have read "Before."  The setting of this section actually travels back in time and takes place at the same time as The Giver; however, this story is from a different character's perspective.  The Giver revolves around the main character, Jonas, while Son: Before tells the story of a different main character, Claire. 

At the end of The Giver, Jonas has escaped the utopian community with a young baby named Gabe.  Jonas was selected as the community's next Receiver of Memory, and during his training he experienced so many emotions and memories that changed him forever.  He felt that he had to save Gabe from release, so in the middle of the night he takes Gabe and leaves the community, heading for the forbidden Elsewhere.

Claire was assigned the position of Birthmother; however, after giving birth to a product she is decertified due to delivery complications.  When they tell her she has been decertified, she asks about the product and finds out he is #36 and is doing fine.  Claire is then reassigned to work in the fish hatchery.  Not long after she is reassigned, she begins to have feelings for this product she gave birth to.  No one else in the community experiences true feelings, and if they do they certainly do not discuss it. 

Claire decides to act on these feelings and heads to the Nurturing Center to see if she can find her "son."  After a little investigating, Claire finds #36.  She begins to volunteer in his room and develops a deeper attachment to the baby boy. The baby is restless and therefore cannot be assigned a family unit. Claire meets Jonas's father, as he is the primary caregiver for # 36. After almost a year of volunteering at the Nurturing Center, it is time for another ceremony and this time the baby should be assigned to a family.  Unfortunately, he is still not ready and will be released from the community. Claire discovers that Jonas has taken the baby from the community to save him and then finds herself aboard a cargo ship, leaving the community.

Claire finds herself in a new village where the people accept her and teach her the ways of the world beyond the Giver community.  Claire is overwhelmed by all that exists that her senses were never allowed to pursue.  After some time passes, Claire is determined to continue her journey in search for Gabe.  She is faced with unthinkable obstacles along the way.  Meanwhile, Gabe is living in another community with Jonas and the two have also discovered happiness, love, and reality that was hidden from them in the previous life.  Will Claire ever find Gabe? What will happen if she does?

The Giver

The Giver, written by Lois Lowry, is a classic novel that everyone should read at least once in his/her lifetime.  I decided to reread this book this year, after reading it 15 years ago when I was in middle school! The story took on a whole new meaning this time around, and I think I enjoyed it more this time.  This is a story that really makes you think and wonder.  It tells the life of a young teenage boy as he grows up in a utopian society where very few decisions are left for the individual. Your career, your spouse, your children, and your way of living are decided for you.  Memories from the past are hidden from the community and kept secret by one person alone, the Receiver.  Learn how the new receiver handles these memories from the giver and follow his story. Will things continue as usual in this utopian world, or will one boy's decisions change everyone's fate?

The Last River Rat

The Last River Rat is an inspiring story that just makes you want to be outdoors! I have read and reread this book MANY times, and each time I take away new tips and ideas for outdoor activities.  Kenny Salwey is one of the last of the old time river rats, and he pairs up with Scott Bestul to share his story and adventures.  From trout fishing and deer hunting, to trapping and cat-fishing, to morel hunting, berry picking, and ginseng digging, this story contains a wealth of information for those avid outdoorsmen and women. This is the first of 4 novels of the last river rat; and all take on a different perspective and focus on different times in Kenny's life.  The story tells us of simpler times and reminds us to step back and enjoy nature whenever we have a chance. I love reading this with my students because it gives us a break from all the technology and hustle and bustle of our everyday lives and connects us with the natural world.  It is especially fitting for us in Northeast Iowa since we live on the Mississippi River and have many of these experiences at our fingertips.  This is my all-time favorite non-fiction novel!

The Fault in Our Stars

The Fault in Our Stars is an amazing young adult fiction read by John Green.  The book was named number one on the New York Times Best Seller List, and I would definitely support that recognition.  The book follows the story of two young teenagers who are each fighting their own battle with cancer. After becoming friends, the two support one another through the tough days and have fun together on the good days.  Watch a young romance unfold as the two friends become closer and fall in love.  The story is heartwarming, and tugs at the emotions of the reader.  Once again, it is another page turner as the reader wants to find out how each of their battles turns out.  Will they win their fights? The story makes the reader think about what is important in life, and reminds us all of the appreciation we must show each day.

Defending Jacob

Defending Jacob is a thrilling murder mystery novel written by William Landay.  The suspense of the story keeps the reader turning the pages to find out whether or not the murder is solved.  A prestigious attorney begins a murder investigation after a young teenage boy is found dead along a bike path in a community park.  Much to his surprise, his son becomes the lead suspect in the murder case.  As a father, he is caught between finding the truth and defending his son.  Legally, he cannot represent his own son in the case, nor can he continue working on the investigation so he is forced to walk a fine line.  Read this thriller to find out what a tragedy can do to a family and a community.  Is Jacob guilty, or do they have the wrong guy? It's up to you to figure it out!

13 Reasons Why

Thirteen reasons why is a powerful novel written by Jay Asher about a young, high school girl who struggles with her purpose in life.  The story revolves around the thirteen reasons why she felt like her life was just too much to handle and why she wanted it to end. Before she committed suicide, Hannah recorded audiotapes explaining the 13 reasons that lead up to her decision.  She pinpoints one person for every reason and puts them on a mailing list.  She sends the tapes to the first person on the list and gives directions on how the tapes must be passed on until they reach all 13 people.  The author tells the story from two different perspectives; one from Hannah's perspective and the other from the ninth boy on the list. Readers see inside Hannah's life and understand how she came to her tragic decision, while also understanding Clay's perspective as a person on the list.  Clay does not feel like he should be on the list and struggles with his emotions as he listens to the tapes leading up to his own. This book really pulls at your emotions and makes you think about life and the impact you have on others.  The storyline is rather deep and may not be suitable for all teen readers; however, the author shares many valuable lessons that can be taken away.

Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker by Jennifer Chiaverini

Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker is a historical fiction novel written by Jennifer Chiaverini.  The book just released at the beginning of this year! The story follows the life of a young African American woman through the Civil War.  After saving enough money to buy her and her son's freedom, after 40 years in slavery, Elizabeth moves to Washington D.C. where she starts her own dressmaking business.  She is very talented at her craft and soon acquires rather prestigious patrons.  Eventually, word spreads to the White House and Mrs. Mary Todd Lincoln hires her to make a dress for a special event.  Mrs. Lincoln fell in love with her work and hired her to make all of her dresses thereafter.  Elizabeth becomes more than a dressmaker to Mrs. Lincoln, as she confides in her like a trusted friend.  Elizabeth finds herself consoling and supporting Mrs. Lincoln through several tragedies including the deaths of her son and husband.  This novel gives an interesting perspective of life in the White House, President Lincoln, free African Americans, and slaves during the Civil War Era.

Shadow Children Series # 7: Among the Free

Among the Free is the final book, number 7, of the Shadow Children Series by Margaret Peterson Haddix. This story takes readers on many twists and turns as the story takes on new paths after many surprises.  If you enjoyed any of the Shadow Children Books, this is a must read.  It finally brings the story of Luke to a close and readers can see how much Luke has changed over the course of the year from when he first came out of hiding until now.  The story makes readers question population concerns and laws.  Why did the population police make the two-child policy initially? How did the people of that society respond? Is a population law necessary? How can a country ensure it's people have enough food? These are all questions up for debate, and my students held a heated debate after beginning the Shadow Children Series with Among the Hidden.  I would highly recommend this series to other educators, as many of my students continued reading the series with me and we had great discussions about what we were reading on our own. I am looking forward to reading her next series: Missing.

Shadow Children Series: Among the Enemy # 6

Among the Enemy is the sixth book in the Shadow Children Series written by Margaret Peterson Haddix.  Among the Enemy starts with the story of yet another third child, Matthias, and his close friends Percy and Alia.  The three friends believe they are finally safe at Niedler School, when the Population Police arrives and changes everything.  They are forced to think quickly on their feet if they want to avoid going to the work camp, where they will likely die.  Matthias makes a life-threatening decision to escape and is faced with many challenges thereafter.  Will they survive out in the wilderness where the Population Police is hiding everywhere, just waiting for them to walk by?  Will they find allies to help their cause? Where will they find food and shelter? Some of the third children have decided to join the Population Police and fight for their cause from the inside out.  Will that work?  Should Matthias try this to save his friends and himself? What would you do?

Shadow Children Series: Among the Brave # 5

Among the Brave is the fifth book in the Shadow Children Series by Margaret Peterson Haddix. This book follows the story of another third child, Trey.  Trey is separated from the rest of his friends and must survive alone out in a world ruled by the Population Police.  He encounters many challenges along the way that test his courage and bravery.  He also teams up with Luke's brother, Mark, for part of his journey.  Both boys face death and must strategize to save themselves and their friends before the Population Police takes action. Mr. Hendrick's becomes an ever-important ally and mentor once again, as do Mr. & Mrs. Talbot.  Together this team of rebels makes decisions to stand up for third children and save as many as they can.  Will they be successful? You'll have to read to find out! This story is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Shadow Children Series: Among the Barons # 4

Among the Barons is the fourth book in the Shadow Children Series written by Margaret Peterson Haddix. This book throws readers for a loop when someone comes to visit Luke, "Lee," at Hendricks School for Boys. This individual is a Baron and demands extensive catering from the school officials.  Luke must learn to deal with this new student, who happens to be someone closer to him than you may realize. After drastic events take place, Luke is forced to leave school and live among other Barons in a mansion that has everything.  They throw a twist in and Luke must think fast. You'll have to read the book to find out where Luke has to go and what he experiences while he's there. You won't believe what happens!

Shadow Children Series: Among the Betrayed # 3

Among the Betrayed is the third book in the Shadow Children Series written by Margaret Peterson Haddix. Luke's role in this book is minimal as we instead hear the story of Nina, a character introduced to us in Among the Impostors.  Nina finds herself imprisoned by the Population Police, and she is faced with a challenge that will require her to make a decision between betraying other third children to save her own life or put her own life in jeopardy. What will Nina decide? Will she stay loyal to other third children, put herself first, or come up with a completely different plan? Nina has been betrayed before, does she remember what that feels like? Luke makes an appearance at the end of the story, that is exciting yet cliff hanging!

I have really enjoyed reading this series and find myself picking up the books whenever I have a free moment.  The books are page turners and therefore are really fast reads!

Shadow Children Series: Among the Impostors # 2

Among the Impostors is the second book in the Shadow Children Series by Margaret Peterson Haddix. This is another science fiction story that picks up where Among the Hidden left off. Luke has made the important decision to come out of hiding and try a real life with a fake identity.  He assumes the identity of a young man who tragically died in an accident, Lee Grant.  Mr. Talbot, a Baron neighbor, helps Luke by enrolling him in Hendricks School for Boys. At first Luke has a difficult time "blending in." Prior to this experience, Luke had never left his home or his family so he faced many new challenges.  He didn't know how to get around, what classes he was supposed to go to, or what any of his teachers were talking about.  Luke did not only struggle in the classroom but he also struggled with the other boys who seemed to be picking on him.  The only other boys he had ever interacted with were his older brothers, so this was a scary thing for him.  Eventually, Luke takes risks that pay off and his experience at Hendricks turns positive.  An old friend returns to help Luke and Luke is forced to make yet again, another life-changing decision.

If you enjoyed Among the Hidden, I highly encourage you to continue the series because the storyline gets even more interesting.  I cannot wait to start Among the Betrayed next!

Shadow Children Series: Among the Hidden # 1

Prior to the holiday break, our classes read the novel Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix. Among the Hidden is the first book in the Shadow Children Series. The story is science-fiction and discusses several themes including population trends and policies, natural and manmade resources, supply and demand, government power, friendship, family relations, etc.  The story takes place in a society that is dictated by the government and enforces a strict two-child policy.  Many families in the society exceed the two-child limit and are forced to hide their additional children.  The lives of the third children are heartbreaking, as they are forced to hide and are not able to participate in society like everyone else.  These children cannot leave their homes, go to school, or even play outside because the danger of being caught as an illegal third child is high.  Death is the traditional consequence for any third children who are caught by the government.

The main character of this story, Luke, is a young teenage boy who knows what it's like to hide. He has two older brothers that he must watch go to school, play out in the yard, and experience the rest of the world while he hides in their attic.  As the days pass, his parents enforce even stricter hiding rules for Luke and eventually his life in the attic becomes so depressing that he risks everything to make a change.  You'll need to read the story to find out what Luke decides and whether or not it pays off.

My 6th grade students really enjoyed this book and many of them are continuing the series to really find out what happens with Luke. While reading the book, we had a lot of great discussions together and the students participated in a debate over the One Child Policy in China that really turned out amazing. I would highly recommend this book to any adolescent reader.

The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott 1/18/13

The Dressmaker is a historical fiction novel written by Kate Alcott, and was released in 2012.  The story takes place in 1912, the year of the tragic sinking of the Titanic.  A young woman, Tess Collins, experiences the Titanic sinking and survives to tell her story afterwards.  The aftermath for some of the survivors wasn't as glamorous as one might expect. Questions started floating around..."Why did so many wealthy passengers survive? Why were some of the lifeboats only partially full? Why didn't they go back to pick up people from the icy waters? Tess must choose what story to believe, while trying to start a new life in America as a dressmaker and juggling her love life.  Follow Tess on her exciting journey and find out how she makes it.  This is a great read for those who enjoy history, feminism, love stories, and page turning drama!

Introduction 1-16-13

Hi, my name is Mrs. Jones and I teach middle school Language Arts and Literature. My students and I are starting a new journey this semester where we will be doing most of our writing on our own personal blogs. Each student has chosen a topic of interest to blog about and will post to his/her blog 2-3 times each week.  Students may include text, images, pictures, scans, podcasts, etc. when posting to their blogs. They will be graded each week on their spelling, capitalization/punctuation, grammar, and the writing traits.  Each student has an online rubric in their Google Drives that they may access to continuously watch how their blogs are being evaluated. These blogs are intended to encourage personal expression through writing and give students an opportunity to practice their writing skills.

I will be posting to my own blog as well during this journey, and I have chosen to write a blog on reading and books.  I will provide reviews on books my students and I are reading as well as information on books in the media! I may include new releases from the Barnes & Noble website and other reading recommendation lists!

www.CartoonStock.com.