We were on vacation last week. We didn’t do much, some college visits for my daughter, but mostly we have been enjoying our ‘staycation’. The best part about it is sleeping late in our own beds. My son and I finished The Giver over vacation. I read it on my own a few years ago and enjoyed it. And, it is one of the finalists in my son’s Final Four reading class (any books in the brackets that he hasn’t read, he wants to read!). And, Lois Lowry never disappoints. The Giver is the story of Jonas and his perfect life. He lives in a community where everything is planned. …
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My Sister, The Serial Killer
I debated about putting this book on the blog. While the title may seem ominous, the story and theme is not. My sister told me about this book. She and I are very different in our book choices. She tends to read romantic novels, I lean more towards realistic fiction. She thought I might like this book. She also suggested that the books I choose might be the reason for my panic attacks. So, I decided to read this just to spite her. It was a quick read and very enjoyable, as far as serial killings go😉. Korede, a nurse, and the less attractive of the two sisters, is bitter…
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A Frog in the Bog
I’ve told you this before, my daughter started a club at her HS called Read to Me, she and several other students go to the elementary school every week and read to the Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade. She loves it, and the teachers do too. They are also working on getting to the Senior Center to read to them. This girl! 😊 One of the books she read to the Kindergarten class yesterday was A Frog in the Bog by Karma Wilson, illustrated by Joan Rankin. Karma Wilson is the author of Bear Snores On – we have every single one of those books, they are still very loved…
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Educated
Educated by Tara Westover “Education is a process of self-discovery. It is developing a sense of yourself and what you think.” – Tara Westover in a talk with Bill Gates I am not a big fan of non-fiction, and memoirs least of all. My husband has tried buying me some memoirs before. I start them and then for whatever reason (insert numerous inane reasons here) I must stop. So, when he gave me Educated for Christmas, I wasn’t thrilled. Turns out, I was wrong. I couldn’t put it down. I absolutely loved it. Ms. Westover has a beautiful mind and this is portrayed throughout the book. It is the story…
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Happy Monday 🌼
Did you read to your kids this weekend? We had a bit of a crazy Friday afternoon, so that threw off our reading for both Friday and Saturday. Friday, we didn’t get home from the kids checkup until 5:30, our son had to be dropped at school to work the Audio/Visual at one of the events, hubby and I had dinner plans with friends, and our daughter hung out here with one of her friends. Usually, if we have plans, I will read the kids their chapter books before going out, but we didn’t have time – I guess its good to have a social life! 😊 When I got…
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Happy Spring!🌼🌺
Annie and the Wild Animals Written and Illustrated by Jan Brett My daughter started a club at her HS last year called Read to Me. High school students go to the Elementary School and read to the Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade classes. Most of the teachers they visit are the ones they had as young children. How great is that? Today, my daughter went to her brother’s former Kindergarten teacher, as she does every week. She read the Annie and the Wild Animals by Jan Brett. We are big Jan Brett fans in this house. Annie is one of our favorites, we even have it signed by Jan Brett.…
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Happy St. Patrick’s Day
In honor of St. Patrick’s Day we have chosen three Tomie dePaolo books for you. Fin M’Coul: The Giant of Knockmany Hill, Jamie O’Rourke and the Pooka and Jamie O’Rourke and the Big Potato. Fin M’Coul has always been one of my favorites since reading it to my 1st grade class over 20 years ago. Fin and his wife Oonagh (both giants) live on Knockmany Hill, one day Cucillin the Giant comes to find Fin, as he is the only giant that he hasn’t been able to beat. Oonagh helps Fin and they are able to outsmart Cucullin. It’s a wonderful tale of love, mischief and adventure in Ireland. Jamie…
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The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom
TMy son and I just finished reading The Five People You Meet In Heaven by Mitch Albom. My daughter and I read it a few years ago and loved it. Eddie, a maintenance worker at an amusement park, dies trying to save a little girl. When he gets to heaven be meets the five people that affected his life. There are five people for everyone. Some he knew, others he had just seen in passing in his time on Earth. But each one affected him in different ways making his life what it was. It is a very thought provoking read. My son has been going through all the drama…
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The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce
My daughter and I just finished reading The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce. I read it a few years ago after a friend recommended it. I enjoyed it, I don’t think I expected to. I usually give the kids several book choices, I was surprised that Anastasia chose this one. Rereading this book, I remembered how much I enjoyed it. Harold, recently retired and seemingly very bored in his life and marriage, receives a letter from a former work colleague/friend, Queenie Hennessy, who is dying of cancer. Instead of simply writing her back, he decides to bring the letter to her himself. And so begins the “unlikely…
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The Good Side of Quiet
The Good Side of Quiet – By Anastasia Rogozinski “They do not participate, therefore, they are not smart.” Imagine your teacher thinking this when giving you a grade. This may be an exaggeration, but many students may feel as though their teacher sees them this way. Many classes grade participation. If some students perform poorly on assessments, a participation grade can give them a boost. However, students who perform well on assessments, yet refrain from participating, can watch their grade plummet. With a grade hovering over them, the pressure of engaging grows. For introverted students, sharing on-the-spot creates stress. The fast-paced nature of many discussions gives little to no time…
