This Monday is my first
#IMWAYR post as a retired person. I don't really feel any different, except for
wondering who I'm going to become in this next phase of my life. Will I still
read children's books? What a ridiculous question. Of course I will, so long as
the rest of you keep feeding me exciting new titles. Thanks to everyone but
especially Jen at Teach Mentor Text and Ricki and Kellee at Unleashing Readers, for hosting this event.
I
have been away - both physically and metaphorically. My brother (also a
teacher) and I went on our annual 'recover from the end of the school year'
high mountain camping trip. My partner comes along also since he doesn't trust
me to pull our tent trailer with our car over all those dirt roads. And he
cooks for us too.
The weather was miserable. Seriously, it was so cold I wore long underwear for the entire week. We had all kinds of weather, but not nearly enough sunshine. There was fresh snow on the ski resort about 10 kilometers to the west of us.
Of
course we had a great time. I wrote something every day. I tried to become a
character I have had in my head for some time. I revelled in the beauty
of that green world.
I
read a book a day. Well except for the weekend when friends came up to
join us.
Everything
I read was good but you don't need to read a bunch of words from me carrying on about all of them anyway. I'm limiting myself to one sentence for those I feel the need to pontificate about! Clicking on the links will take you to where you can read more of my thoughts on these titles.
All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cook by
Leslie Connor was filled with truly exceptional characters.
I
adored The Wild Robot by Peter Brown. After
finishing it, I did my best to observe the world as closely as possible.
In The Footsteps of Crazy Horse by
Joseph Marshall filled me with despair and hope.
While
I enjoyed Lily and Dunkin by Donna Gephart, that was a lot of pathos for one book.
Navigating Early by Clare Vanderpool was one of those books
that enthralled me, but it wasn't till I reached the end that I realized how
much I loved it.
Adelaide Herrmann: Queen of Magic, was an amazing woman I am happy to have learned more about.
A Place for Frogs by Melissa Stewart reminded me how important these creatures are.
I'm looking forward to getting into Everybody Sees the Ants by A.S. King
Happy Retirement! I loved Everybody Sees the Ants. Enjoy it!
ReplyDeleteI'm looking forward to it!
DeleteI haven't read any of these. A few are titles I have had on my list. The picture book about Adelaine Herrrman is one I'm not familiar. It sounds like a great biography.
ReplyDeleteShe was quite the individual and an amazing role model for girls! Perry T Cook is a character who you will hang onto for quite a while. If only I could write that well.
DeleteDespite the old, the camping trip "away" sounds lovely, Cheriee. You read some great books, too. I need to read The Wild Robot & that one about Perry Cook. Many have praised those two. As for retirement, I'm still reading kids' books, & others, too! Enjoy your time to choose!
ReplyDeleteI meant "cold", but guess you figured that out!
DeleteI did! I'm looking forward to reading more adult titles, but believe that there is nothing better than a really good middle grade novel. All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cook is one of those.
DeleteGlad you enjoyed your trip! That cold weather sounds delicious to me--just too many days over 100 here in SD and more to come! I've added several of your titles to be TBR pile of course!
ReplyDeleteThat is why we go high in the mountains Elisabeth - to get away from the heat (and the people) IOt is usually cold at night, but this year it was cold all the time. If you haven't read All Rise for the Honorable Perry T. Cook, put it to the top of your list!
DeleteYou were very busy! I want to read In The Footsteps of Crazy Horse. Thanks for sharing about it!
ReplyDeleteIt is an important book that I think will educate and entertain at the same time.
DeleteThink about using all of your extra time and apply to be on a Cybils Awards committee! When one of our 6th grade language arts teachers retired, he did, and really enjoyed it. He said it was a nice transition.
ReplyDelete