My daughter found the list of Nutmeg Books nominated for 2014.  The Candymakers by Wendy Mass is one of the nominees (http://blog.thehappyreaders.com/the-candymakers/).  She loved The Candymakers so much that she wants it to win.  She came home one day and told me that she wants to read all the nominees so she can vote for The Candymakers.  And, so, we have begun reading.  Some of the books she would never pick to read,   but, she said she would do it. First, she decided to get last year’s winner, Because of Mr. Terupt by Rob Buyea.  She read it over one weekend.  It is a wonderful story about a 5th…

We are starting with 100 days and see how we do!  I am excited and so are the kids!  I’m currently reading The Wizard of Oz with my daughter.  My son is all about factual books – these days he’s into hawks and eagles.  Imagine how much we will learn!  I’ll keep you posted! GENERATION B <nyt_headline version=”1.0″ type=” “>A Father-Daughter Bond, Page by Page Ryan Collerd for The New York Times <nyt_byline> By MICHAEL WINERIP Published: March 18, 2010 RECOMMEND TWITTER LINKEDIN E-MAIL PRINT <nyt_reprints_form> REPRINTS SHARE <nyt_text><nyt_correction_top>MILLVILLE, N.J. WHEN Jim Brozina’s older daughter, Kathy, was in fourth grade, he was reading Beverly Cleary’s “Dear Mr. Henshaw” to her at…

My daughter and I are always looking for books to read aloud.  I am dreading the day when she doesn’t want me to read to her anymore.  Maybe we’ll be like this father-daughter http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/21/fashion/21GenB.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0.  What an inspiration – and, I bet if I showed this article to my daughter, she would be willing to do it!  I digress. The latest book that we have finished is A Cricket in Times Square by George Selden, drawings by Garth Williams.  I used to read this to my first grade class when I was teaching in NYC – I thought it was appropriate given that we all lived in NYC.  I think what my…

Out of my Mind by Sharon Draper is simply amazing.  Melody is 5th grader with cerebral palsy, she cant walk, she can’t talk; but she can certainly think and make herself heard.  I couldn’t stop reading!  Early on, she struggles to communicate with others (although she is communicating with the reader).  Some people, like her parents, are aware that she is trying.  But, others, including doctors and special education teachers, simply think that she is a vegetable.  She finally is able to get a computer that can speak for her.  WOW – what an impression she makes!  Smart, funny, someone that just wants to be normal.  This book is not…

I have always heard that an artist’s work becomes much more popular and valuable after the artist has died.  Is that true of writers as well?  E. L. Konigsburg passed away last month.  I had read, probably, one of her books as a child, From the Mixed up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler; my daughter and I read it this year as well (note to self, add to blog).  I had also read The View from Saturday as an adult and again with my daughter (http://blog.thehappyreaders.com/the-view-from-saturday/).  So, when I read her obituary, I realized there were many more books that I had to read. I picked up The Outcasts…

Ralph Fletcher was the visiting author at my daughter’s school this year.  She really enjoyed him and his books.  Her teacher read her class Fig Pudding, which my daughter suggested we read aloud with my son.  But, since it was early in the school year and there were no pictures in the book, he quickly said no.  A few months ago, she suggested we read Marshfield Dreams aloud.  We needed a break from Harry Potter, and this was perfect.  It is about Mr. Fletcher growing up in Marshfield, MA, his family – that seemed to be forever growing, his friends.  How easy it was to play outside for hours back…

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead.  I got this book suggestion from Hooray for Books (that wonderful bookstore and blog in Alexandria, VA http://www.hooray4books.com/).  It intrigued me.  I try to get my daughter to read books about other children who live in different places.  We live in the country, sort of; definitely different from NYC.  I think its interesting  to read about children going through similar and different situations, even though they may live in very different places. Sal and Miranda are best friends.  But, all that changes.  Sal stops wanting to hang out with Miranda, she begins getting notes about things that will happen in the future, her mom…

I have seen Wonder by R.J. Palacio all over the place this school year.  I had it on hold at our local library, but was in the middle of another book, so I passed.  I was able to get it for the next go-round.  I am kicking myself for not reading it sooner.  If you haven’t read it, I insist that you put your name on the waitlist at your library! Auggie is born with a facial deformity.  He has his family, and his friends that he has no since he was a baby.  Now, his parents have decided that it is time he starts “real school” in 5th grade.…

I think about this ALL the time! http://kristincashore.blogspot.com/2013/04/keeping-my-center-in-era-of-interwebs.html Here are a few questions I ask myself before I hit “publish” on any blog post: Is it too personal? Will it make me feel exposed in some way? Why? Does it compromise my self-respect? How? To the best of my ability to judge, does it respect others? How recently have I blogged and how much have I been blogging recently? Why? Why do I want to blog this thing?  —–> No self-deception or delusion allowed here. Whatever the real reason is, am I okay with it? What if I didn’t blog this thing? What if I kept it to myself, or emailed…