#IMWAYR November 30, 2015

Some weeks are so crazy, there is hardly time to take a breath between groups of students. Last week was one of those. It's been so intense my brain started shutting down and forgetting words. Ok, that probably might have something to do with the fact that I am not so young as I was, but still, it isn't a comfortable place to be. To top the week off, on Friday, the Scholastic Book Fair arrived. And don't let me get started on my weekend....

Although I love my job, weeks like these affirm for me that it is indeed time to retire. 

In the meantime, #IMWAYR time has come again. Thank you Jen at Mentor Texts and Kelle and Rickie at Unleashing Readers for hosting this weekly event. No matter how crazy the rest of my life is, I'm always ready to make time to sit down and read everyone's blogs. 


PICTURE BOOKS


4 stars
Tadpole's Promise by by Jeanne Willis, Tony Ross (Illustrations)

This book is dark and twisted and I love it! A teacher brought it in for me to read. It's the love story between a tadpole and a caterpillar. They promise each other they will never change, but of course they do. Eventually the caterpillar leaves the tadpole. After it has finished its metamorphosis it comes back to tell the frog how sorry it is. There isn't a happy ending. I laughed and laughed.


4 stars
One Word From Sophia by Jim Averbeck, Yasmeen Ismail (Illustrations)

I'm utterly charmed by this book. I must get it for our library since I can see so many ways to use this book as a mentor for teaching persuasive writing. I also adore Yasmeen Ismail's colourful illustrations!

4 stars

Where Are My Books? by Debbie Ridpath Ohi

When Spencer's books go missing one by one, he sets up a trap to find out who is taking them. He is very surprised to find out who the culprits are, and ends up coming up with a plan to make them all happy. You have to pay attention to the images to realize that whoever is taking Spencer's gift, is leaving him something in return. 

INFORMATION


5 stars
Winnie: The True Story of the Bear Who Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh by Sally M. Walker, Jonathan D. Voss (Illustrator)

The photographs at the beginning and end of this book are a large chunk of why it works for me. Don't get me wrong, Sally Walker's narrative and Jonathan Voss' illustrations flesh the story out and make for compelling reading. For me, it's just these old black and white photographs say, this is real. I got this from our public library and have added a copy to my shopping cart so we have our own copy at school.

NOVELS


4 stars
Don't Even Think About It by Sarah Mlynowski (book club book)

In this book a group of teens get contaminated flu shots. As a result, they develop telepathy and can hear each other's thoughts. Mlynowski tells this story from multiple perspectives so we get to understand what this means for different characters. For some of these students it is a good thing, and for others it means disaster. What it means for the reader, is that we get to understand all of them more deeply. This book offers up a bit of romance, a bit of heartbreak, and a lot of angst. 

5 stars
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

This book is everything everyone has crowed about. It is still sinking in for me since I just finished it late Sunday afternoon, but WOW, that was some listen! Doerr's language is so lyrical and beautiful that if I hadn't been listening to it, I'm sure my book would be marked all over with phrases and sections that left me in awe. I'm planning on reading this with my eyes so I can savour the writing more fully. 


CURRENTLY & UP NEXT 


Rabbit Ears by Maggie de Vries, the book club book I'm into now, is a challenging story subject matter wise, but so far, well worth the read. I've got a whole mess of books out from the VPL, so I'll probably read The Rule of Three by Eric Walters. That will be two more book club books finished. I'm thinking I might start The Penderwicks in Spring as my next audiobook. but I've also got Jasper Fforde's The Last DragonSlayer waiting for me. 
Choices choices choices!


20 comments:

  1. I haven't had a book fair for the past two years, and it has been delightful. I may never have one again, and then I don't HAVE to retire! Hang in there.

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    1. Oh Karen - If only I didn't have to have them. Funding for libraries is so sparse that without a book fair, I wouldn't be able to purchase the resources I want for the library. I've actually come to a place where I'm looking forward to retiring. Knowing this will be my last year is very liberating!

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  2. The found the true story of Winnie the Pooh interesting. I had no idea there was a back story. I'm glad someone decided to share it.

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    1. I agree Lisa. I knew a bit about it, but this book is a lovely way to share the history.

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  3. I thoroughly enjoyed the new Penderwicks title--maybe even best of all of them. I would imagine it would make a fine audio too. I loved the photos in the Winnie book too. I still need to read the other Winnie book as well. It's showing up on some Mock Caldecott lists.

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    1. I have been thinking that with the craziness I can expect from this year, I think I will got for The Penderwicks as a treat for myself. I'm looking forward to the other book too and have a hold on it at the library.

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  4. I enjoyed both of the Winnie books. It's interesting that they arrived the same year. And I too loved All The Light You Cannot See, will be a re-read for sure. Hope this week is a more settled week, Cheriee!

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    1. It really is interesting Linda. You gotta wonder how that came to be.

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  5. My big plan between Christmas and New Year's is to read All the Light We Cannot See. So glad to hear you also liiked it. I loved Winnie and will be looking for Where Are My Books at the library. I used to love book fairs when I was in school, so did my Kiddo, but I guess it can be a harrowing affair for teachers and librarians.

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    1. It will be delightful treat for you Alex. I might ask for a hard copy for a gift. and yes, everyone loves book fairs, but they are a lot of work!

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  6. All the light we cannot see is amazing - I read it over the summer,and the story is still with me.

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    1. It sure is Tara. It's the kind of book I want to reread!

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  7. Nice assortment of books. Why do I think I know the ending of Tadpole's Promise? I'll have to find a copy to see if I am right. This is what I read last week. Happy reading!

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    1. You probably do know it Kathy. It's a pretty warped and twisted look at love - but eerily true...

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  8. You have written about some of our favorite books - One Word from Sophia and The True Story of Winnie are incredible picture books. We also loved All the Light We Cannot See. Your description of Tadpole's Promise makes it sound very enticing. We are ordering a copy from the library ASAP

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  9. I need to read Winnie soon! Everyone loves it. I also haven't read any Penderwick titles--are the audiobooks good?

    Happy reading this week! :)

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  10. Rabbit Ears and The Rule of 3 are both up for Stellar Awards this year (B.C.'s teen book choice award), I hope you like them! http://stellaraward.bclibraries.ca/

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    1. Jane that is why I am reading them. They are part of our grade 7 book club books. So far I've enjoyed everything I've read.

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  11. I can't wait to find time to delve into All the Light We Cannot See. It's been sitting on my bookshelf waiting...
    I liked Winnie a lot and have been wanting to read Where Are My Books?

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