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…

I have been getting a lot of book suggestions from the blog (http://hooray4books.wordpress.com/) at Hooray for Books in Alexandria, VA (http://www.hooray4books.com/).  If you are lucky enough to live in the area – be sure to visit them, the staff is very knowledgeable and they have GREAT stuff!  Whenever we visit the DC area – we always stop in for some recommendations.  They introduced us to The Penderwicks and my daughter and I will be forever grateful! Okay – back to Okay for Now by Gary D. Schmidt.  I read about this on their blog.  It was in the teen section in our library.  I got it anyway, even though I…

It doesn’t matter what nationality you are.  And, I know that so many of us are pressed for time while raising our children.  Put down your phone, don’t go on the computer.  Sit down, and read with your children.  You have no idea what 20 minutes a day will do for your them!!!  You can thank me later! http://nbclatino.com/2013/03/20/opinion-prescribing-love-of-reading-to-young-families-should-be-mandatory/ Opinion: Prescribing love of reading to young families should be mandatory by Esther J. Cepeda 9:19 pm on 03/20/2013 CHICAGO — A few weeks ago, I approached an apocalyptic-sounding essay in The New York Times titled “The Country That Stopped Reading.” Finally, I thought, another pessimist to join me in bemoaning the awful state of reading in America. The…

So I liked The Candymakers so much, I figured I would try more of Wendy Mass’ books.  Good choice.  Over the past couple of months I have started books, but never loved them enough to keep reading.  That changed with Jeremy Fink. Jeremy receives a box about a month before his 13th birthday.  It was from his father, who passed away several years ago.  A friend of his dad’s had held it for safekeeping.  On the box is engraved “The Meaning of Life: For Jeremy Fink to open on his 13th Birthday”  However, the friend who sent it lost the keys to open it.  So brings us to the adventure of finding…

The Candymakers by Wendy Mass I saw this book at my daughters book fair back in November.  She said she wasn’t interested, but I was intrigued.  So, I bought it for myself, and in the hopes that she would be interested at some point.  She is a chocoholic, like her dad, so I thought I, at least, had that going for me.  I loved it!  And, now it is on her list of books to read. At the Life is Sweet candy factory four twelve year olds are about to compete in the national candymaking competitition.  Logan, Miles, Daisy and Philip all have different reasons for wanting to win, and…

I am always looking for chapter books to read to my son.  He is picky.  Although, its like everything with him – tell him he has to take a shower and he whines and whines, then he gets in the shower and never wants to get out.   Once we start to read, he loves it. My mom got him Shark Attack by Abby Klein, illustrated by John McKinley, for Christmas.  He is on a shark expedition lately, so she thought this was a good choice.  Freddy is a 1st grader who loves sharks – he has a shark tooth for good luck, he has sharks on his clothes.  In…