Monday, June 4, 2012

Summer time

I think this summer is going to be all about how many garden beds can I make in a few short months. I used to wake up in the middle of the night worried about a class project now I wake up thinking about where to put plants or garden beds. Thank god my kids are old enough to be left in the house without killing each other.

We will have a visitor this summer our nephew Connor. Rob's brother has guard stuff this summer so we he Connor. I hope he likes to water flowers. He loves to play with Sam and Adam, he will have fun.

How cute is Adam at pioneer day. He rocked the Virginia Reel. Next Catanzaro shin dig fun.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Stupid fast

Loved this book. I don't read lots of sports books but this one hooked me from the start.

After being called Squirrel Nut since fifth grade the main character is about to turn 16 and he realizes that he is not just fast but he is stupid fast. His talent is recognized by the football team and coach. The problem is that he can't believe them because his home life is so screwed up.

Sam read this one and he liked it. That's high praise. Definitely teen as it contains some bad language and sexual references. Although the language is what I would expect from teens hanging out with friends.

Monday, May 28, 2012

Hole in My LifeHole in My Life by Jack Gantos

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I highly recommend listening to this book as gantos reads it. It's amazing how he turned his life around by making conscious choices to change. Lots of drug references so not a quick pick for most tweens. Would I let my kids listen to it--yes. What a great invitation to talk about important choices. My kids did listen while in the car going about town. The rapes are vividly written.



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Wednesday, May 16, 2012

School library

So what does a school library look like? Well it is not Mrs. Sample smoking cigarettes and hiding them in her desk drawer. I still remember heading down to the basement library of St. Raphael and smelling cigarette smoke The 70's are gone Here Iid what one looks like today It is active with students completing different tasks.

I have third graders making a Dewey chart. First graders are running through a readers theatre. And fifth graders are finding quotes from Brainy Quotes that they can hang in their middle school lockers to inspire them and keep their spirits high through the first year of middle school.

Fifty shades of Gray

I hope it gets better because the writing is terrible.

The flight of Gemma Hardy

Never skip to the end of a book. Sometimes that ruins the book-surprise. This is a clean adult book although an older teen would enjoy it. After thinking about it I realized that it is new adaptation of Jane Eyre. My mom would love it.

So poor Gemma has lost both of her parents and her loving uncle has died. Now she is left with horrible cousins and a brutally mean aunt. It follow Jane Eyre from the beginning to the end updated all along. Even though you know what will happen it is a light easy read. Not nearly as dramatic as Bronte's Eyre.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

My Life in Pink and Green by Lisa Greenwd

First I have to say how awesome it is that I can post from my phone. Great news for my three loyal readers.

How many times has Maddy told me to read this book? About a gazillion! But last week was Children's Book Week so I got to spend time with students actually reading quietly in the school library. So weird. It's usually a pretty hoppin place.

Anyway the main character at the age of 12 is kind, considerate and sweet. Lucy wants to help her family save their pharmacy. Since they got rid of the fishing area there might be a chance. Now she can make over all the high school girls who color their hair green-oops. Can Lucy save her family?

Clean read for girl tween.