#MustReadin2019 Year-End Update

Happy New Year, Readers! 📚
I'm a little late with my year-end update. This was my original list. Since my last post, I only had Grenade and Children of Virtue and Vengeance (published on December 3) still to read. 

#MustReadin2019

Finished reading November 12, 2019

In the grand tradition of Alan Gratz titles, Grenade gutted me. The book begins on April 1, 1945. Hideki, a member of the Blood and Iron Student Corps (middle school students forced to fight for their country), is handed two grenades at graduation. One is to throw at the “American monsters”. “Then, after you have killed as many Americans as you can…you are to use the other grenade to kill yourself” (9). Ray Majors is an American Marine from Nebraska. To distract himself during the nauseating boat ride, he goes through his supplies. “Flashlight, pistol, canteen, first aid kit, extra cartridges for his M-1 rifle…And then there were the grenades. Two of them” (12). The book alternates between these two characters’ experiences. While I listed several favorite quotes in my reading journal, I don’t want to include any spoilers. Prepare yourself for several punches to the gut (I gasped aloud several times), and some heart-pounding situations, and DO NOT SKIP the author’s note! 

Finished reading November 26, 2019

This unexpected gem came to me by way of a Twitter giveaway from the author, Suzanne Nelson. I absolutely adored A Tale Magnolious! An orphan named Nitty Luce saves an elephant, The Great Magnolious (“Mag”), from her execution. They end up at the home of Windle Homes in a town called Fortune’s Bluff. It turns out the mayor of the town, Neezer Snollygost, doesn’t really have the townspeople’s best interests in mind. With some new friends, Nitty tries to help everyone she meets and save the day. BUT, there are SO MANY obstacles in their way…not the least of which are the catastrophic dust storms that threaten the entire town. The friendship between Nitty and Mag is heartwarming and kept me reading and sharing parts of the book with my students. This was my first book by Suzanne Nelson, and I look forward to reading more!

Takeaway quote: “Trying isn’t a small thing. Especially when everybody around you is giving up” (58). 

Finished reading December 19, 2019

I had heard wonderful things about Song For A Whale by Lynne Kelly on social media, so I purchased a copy for my classroom library, and it was my last MG book of 2019. This is a story about Iris, the only deaf girl in her school. One day in science class she learns about a whale named Blue 55. Iris feels a connection with him because 55 is unable to communicate with other whales. So, she works with Mr. Russell, the music teacher, and the band students to develop music that is in 55’s frequency. “We had the song that would tell 55 someone was out there” (87). The problem? Now Iris has to figure out how to play her song so that the whale can hear it. I especially enjoyed Iris's relationship with her grandmother, who is also deaf.

Takeaway quote: “Sound can move anything if it’s strong enough” (269).

Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi was SUPPOSED to be my last book of the #MustReadin2019 challenge. I bought it the day it was published, but unfortunately was unable to read it before the year ended. Also, I’ve decided that I need to reread Children of Blood and Bone before diving into this one. 

So, sadly, I didn’t complete my challenge for 2019. However, with my adult book club choices, Project LIT Book Club titles, and the books I read just for me, it was definitely another fantastic year of reading!

#MustReadin2019 Fall Update

Hello, Readers! 📚

So, just to review, here is my original list:

#MustReadin2019

Finished reading May 18, 2019

I should start off by saying how much I enjoyed Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson, and I love Monday's Not Coming even more! This is the story of best friends Claudia and Monday. They do everything together, have plans for the future, and help each other get through school (and the rumors, drama, and bullies that go with it). After visiting her grandmother for the summer, Claudia is so excited to get back to school and see Monday. But Monday is a no-show on the first day. And the next. And the next. Claudia can't figure out how Monday could just up and leave her without a word, and spends the rest of this brilliant novel trying to piece together what is really going on. This book is masterfully written, and will keep you on the very edge of your seat!

Finished reading July 7, 2019

There is NO way you can lose when you have Becky Albertalli and Adam Silvera writing a book together! What If It's Us is AMAZING! Arthur is staying in New York for the summer. He meets Ben who is on his way to the post office to send back a box of his ex-boyfriend's belongings. It's a pretty cute first meeting, and it seems like the two have a connection. But then the first date doesn't go so well (or the second first date for that matter). The sense of humor in this book is so great...I found myself stopping to reread conversations that made me laugh out loud! I was really rooting for both of these characters (and their friends were pretty cool, too). 

Finished reading August 1, 2019

I was hooked on Born a Crime by Trevor Noah from the very first page. This memoir shows different moments from Trevor's life as a young child through adulthood. You would think that a book written by a person who was literally born a crime under apartheid (his mother is Xhosa and his father is Swiss) could not possibly be funny, but you would be so wrong. I laughed out loud in places! But the stories and experiences described in the book are also eye-opening and very powerful. If you haven't read this yet, I highly recommend it!

Finished reading August 12, 2019

I became a fan of Jeff Zentner because of The Serpent King, which is one of my favorite books of all time. So, if I see Mr. Zentner's name on something, I will absolutely read it. This is the story of Josie and Delia, and their public access show that airs Friday nights. These best friends in their senior year of high school are beginning to grapple with the next phases of their lives. One thing I want to point out about Rayne and Delilah's Midnite Matinee is that if you find yourself in need of fantastic examples of dialogue, I would definitely mark some pages in here (in fact, I did). Some of Delia and Josie's conversations made me laugh so hard that tears were streaming (the two guys they encounter at the fights immediately come to mind). But (*spoiler alert*) there were also sad tears as well. I really enjoyed this one!

Finished reading August 25, 2019

Mysteries are probably my favorite genre, and what I love most about Karen McManus is that she kept me guessing the ENTIRE time. In Two Can Keep a Secret, twins Ellery and Ezra are forced to move in with their grandmother in the small town where their mom grew up. Ellery's aunt disappeared from there at age 17, and five years ago the Homecoming queen was killed in the town's Halloween-themed amusement park. Just after Ellery and Ezra's arrival, someone begins targeting the Homecoming court again. And the twins can't seem to get any straight answers from their mom or grandma, either, so mostly what they have to go on is the small-town gossip (and some firmly held grudges). I sincerely enjoyed every twist and turn!

Finished reading September 14, 2019

Genesis Begins Again will be placed in the "Ms. Green's Favorites" bin in our classroom library. I simply could not love this book more! It starts out with Genesis walking home from school with friends to find all of her furniture arranged neatly on the front lawn. Once again, her dad's gambling and drinking have gotten them evicted. Genesis starts a new school, deals with family issues, self-loathing, and having friends (real ones) for pretty much the first time. This book made me hopeful that I can be a Mrs. Hill to somebody someday. Oh, and definitely stop reading (you'll know when) to listen to some of the music that Mrs. Hill recommends. What I will remember most is, "I just want to look in the mirror and be okay with myself, that's all." And what a fantastic reminder that adults don't always have their stuff together, either. Every one of us is a work in progress. This one is going to stay with me for a very long time. Bravo, Ms. Williams!

My Journey With The Project LIT Community

It started with an article:

“Where Books Are All But Nonexistent”. 

After reading about the prevalence of book deserts, Dr. Jarred Amato and his students decided to do something about it. They created Project LIT (Literacy In The) Community (@ProjectLITComm). Their group created Little Free Libraries to spread the love of reading in their community. They wrapped up books during the holidays to share with elementary students. They wrote beautiful reflections on the books they were reading. I participated in literacy chats with Jarred, and followed the community’s work on Twitter, and when they decided to expand to other states, I applied to become a chapter leader.

I was so excited to introduce new titles to our students and staff, and was told it was fine as long as it “did not interfere with instructional time.” I believe that reading, reflecting on, and discussing diverse books IS instructional…but I digress. Not knowing how much interest there would be, we started small our first year, committing to read just two of the titles. A Long Walk To Water by Linda Sue Park and Refugee by Alan Gratz became our first official books. I was able to purchase them because of a Donors Choose grant. We continued to meet monthly, supplementing our reading with books from our school’s novel list.

This year I decided to incorporate more Project LIT titles, and was able to do so because of the Book Love Foundation grant that I received. Our students participated in a book tasting at our informational meeting, and after making their choices, we read and discussed the following books:

Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes

The Stars Beneath Our Feet by David Barclay Moore

Wishtree by Katherine Applegate

Ghost, Patina, Sunny, Lu (The Track series) by Jason Reynolds

I Am Alfonso Jones by Tony Medina

The First Rule of Punk by Celia C. Perez

I do make sure to have at least one copy of each Project LIT title in my classroom for the students who wish to borrow them. One of our 7^th graders took the lead this year, creating questions and leading our discussions. Our last meeting in May was a Summer Reading Preview, where we each booktalked some of our favorite titles and created TBR lists. I presented a session about Project LIT for our local reading council, and have invited our public library to join our meetings starting in the fall (we meant to start this year, but scheduling conflicts prevented it). 

Here are some thoughts from members who have moved on to high school:

“I really enjoyed how we all met and talked about the book. More specifically, the questions we discuss made us all think about the book in a different way and in a different point of view, which is always nice. Also, I really liked how every meeting, people were included in the conversation, and how we all got to share our opinions and ideas about the books.”

“I just liked talking about the books and being able to relate my thoughts about the book with other people who have read it and understand my connections and stuff. 🌞”

The students currently in our local Project LIT Book Club identify as…

Black

Asian

White
Latina

Gay

Straight

Questioning

Male

Female

Nonbinary

I believe that our classroom libraries need to be inclusive of all of our students. For one thing, students need to be able to see themselves represented in the books that we add to our shelves. But also, students need to read about and understand those who are not like them. If you are not yet familiar with the work of Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop, you can start here: Windows, Mirrors, and Sliding Glass Doors   

Here are the Project LIT Book Club choices for 2019-2020. 

I continue to be blessed by the students, teachers, and authors who are a part of this community, and anticipate many more great discussions in the future!  📚 💗

With Gratitude to the Book Love Foundation

At the end of the 2018 school year I was notified that I had been selected as a Book Love Foundation Grant recipient. To say that I was excited would be a HUGE understatement. There is not much that I love more than adding new books to our classroom library. You might be familiar with this quote from Erasmus, “When I get a little money, I buy books. If any is left, I buy food and clothes.” That’s pretty much me.

In our reading intervention classroom, I challenge students to read 40 books each year in a variety of genres (many thanks to the Book Whisperer, Donalyn Miller). This allows them to figure out what they like and who they are as readers. I’m deeply saddened by the number of middle school students we have who don’t yet know themselves as readers (or worse...in so many cases, identify themselves as NONreaders). The Book Love Foundation grant allowed me to purchase multiple copies of students’ favorite graphic novels, series books, novels in verse, and nonfiction titles. I also chose picture books to use as read alouds. Other recommendations came from my Twitter and Goodreads reading communities.

I have never been more sure that we need to include Social Emotional Learning in our classrooms. Whether it’s hearing that students have disrespected a substitute teacher of a different race, bullied another student who doesn’t look or act like they do, or said repeatedly that something “is gay”, it is clear that we have some major work to do. While students are in our care, we need to model and inspire within them empathy and compassion. I believe that outside of our own actions, the best place to start building that empathy is in the reading of fiction. Fiction allows students to grapple with difficult issues within the safety of the pages of books. Students need opportunities to think about, write about, and have conversations about people and places that are different from themselves. Because if we’ve “met” people who are not like us in books, it’s not such a big deal when we encounter them in person. It is critical for teachers to have large, inclusive classroom libraries, and that students are given time each day to read books that they choose.

In 2017, having been inspired by Jarred Amato, I began a Project LIT Community chapter in our building. The Book Love Foundation grant allowed me to purchase multiple copies of several of the Project LIT Book Club choices. (I’ve included the photo so that you can check out the community, and take a look at the outstanding books that are being read and discussed by students, teachers, and community members in 48 states!). I am so proud of the conversations that our students have around these books, and continue to be amazed by the authors who create these important stories and support our students in so many ways.

I can’t tell you how much the Book Love Foundation has improved my classroom library for our students and book-loving staff members!

So how can you get involved? You can check out the Book Love Summer Book Club here.

This will be my second summer participating. Here’s how it works:
     1. We read and discuss four different titles with teachers all over the world.
     2. The money donated provides the grants that are used to spread the book
         love to classroom libraries.
     3. Everybody wins!

Many thanks to Penny Kittle for writing Book Love and starting the Book Love Foundation. And thanks to all of the participants who help fund the grants that impact so many students and classrooms! Please know that you are making a difference!

For the Teachers

Teaching is the profession that makes all other professions possible. Our job as educators is to make a difference in the lives of our young people. We have the responsibility of shaping what our communities, and by extension our nation, will look like in the future. Teachers understand that ALL kids are OUR kids. Starting on Day 1, we learn about them. We talk with them. We listen to them. We let them get to know us. We find out which teams they are on and go to their games/matches. We chaperone dances, we help out during tryouts, and we sponsor clubs and activities. And this doesn’t stop just because they are no longer in our classrooms. Once they move on to the next grade, they are still OUR kids. Because at the end of the day, we’re not teaching a set of objectives, a unit, or even a curriculum. We are investing in our collective future.        

Teaching is challenging for innumerable reasons that people outside the profession just cannot understand (even if they claim that they do).

There is ALWAYS a new initiative.

There is ALWAYS another meeting.

There is ALWAYS another deadline.

There is always, ALWAYS testing. 

SO. 
MUCH. 
TESTING. 

(They should really tell our preservice teachers how much time they will spend watching students look at computer screens.)

And while we love the kids (because we wouldn’t be here otherwise), they’re KIDS. They act accordingly.

Picture it...

I’ve had to stop keeping hand sanitizer in plain sight because they have figured out ways to weaponize it. I spend my own money on classroom library books, bins, and labels, and the students love nothing more than peeling off those labels and/or defacing the books. Picture the sheer panic when our community volunteer comes in to read with 6^th graders, and I’m trying to hide the books with the anatomically inaccurate drawings in them. They sit on wooden bookshelves and break them. They hide each other’s chromebooks. They steal candy (and pens, pencils, and books). And quite often, they do the exact opposite of what I’ve just asked them to do.

But, you know what else?

They see me in the stands at the track meet and come over for a hug or high-five. They seek me out in the hallway in the morning to tell me about the books that they’re reading. They trust me with things that are going on in their lives at school and at home. And on very rare occasions, they write me amazing letters from high school telling me that I had a positive impact on their lives; that something that I did or said mattered to them.  

We know that teachers don’t go into this profession for the money, or for the “summers off”. Teaching is a calling. We do it because we believe in our students and we truly hope that what we do makes a difference. As Pernille Ripp stated in her book, Passionate Readers, "Teaching would be so much easier if we could see the influence that the learning may have on a child, but most of the time we do not. We can only plant the seeds that hopefully will grow into something bigger than even we could imagine.”   

For ALL the teachers...

I see you. 

I value what you do each and every day. 

I believe that you make a difference.

Thank you. 🍎

A Few Recent Favorite MG Books

Finished reading February 24, 2019

I loved New Kid by Jerry Craft SO much! Jordan Banks is a gifted artist (and we are blessed to see his art throughout the book). He REALLY wants to go to art school, but his parents REALLY want him to go to a private school known for academics. You can probably guess who wins! J  My middle school students enjoy this book because it’s a gorgeous graphic novel about what it is like to be in middle school. For me, it was all of that plus a “Where’s Waldo?” of the microaggressions that happen in schools (and in life) on a daily basis. Some of the scenes stood out to me specifically...like the teacher wishing “Coach” luck this season, and the Secret Santa project. This book is super important to all of the "Ms. Rawles" in the world. I have added this title to my “Must Read for All of Humanity” list. Please read it!

Finished reading March 29, 2019

In the beautiful book, The Bridge Home by Padma Venkatraman, Viji and her sister Rukku run away from home because their father is abusive. A short time after taking a bus into the city, they meet Muthu and Arul, two homeless boys living under a bridge. The boys help them find work and get things that they need to survive. Learning these characters’ stories helped me understand how quickly some children are forced to grow up. Also, this story made me wonder how often we really see other people around us. At one point, Viji explained, "We were in plain sight. But we were invisible" (41). On a personal note, I don’t think I’ve ever had a favorite CHAPTER in a book before, but I have a very special place in my heart for Chapter 19. I’ve begun to look at the books I read through the lens of Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop’s work. This is a spectacular "window" book to look into another country and see how other children experience the world. I’m so excited that this will be a Global Read Aloud choice in the fall! 🌎📖

Finished reading April 8, 2019

First line: “I first realized I was crazy on a Tuesday.”

In OCDaniel by Wesley King, Daniel refers to himself as a 13-year-old “social oddity”. After a couple of mysterious emails, a girl named Sara (who the kids at school refer to as “Psycho Sara”) asks Daniel to help her investigate a mystery. Daniel helps her solve the mystery, and Sara helps Daniel to understand that he has a condition called Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Daniel explains, “It’s funny to be a prisoner of yourself. Like you’re being bullied by your own mind and you’re afraid of it, but it’s also you and it’s extremely confusing” (228). This fantastic book shows what people dealing with mental illness experience, and how other people react to them. I highly recommend this title!

#MustReadin2019 Spring Update

Hello, Readers! 📚

This is just a quick progress update on my #MustReadin2019 list. 

As I've said before, there is so much stress in committing to a list and then realizing how many awesome titles were overlooked. So this year I've decided to also include books that I absolutely ADORED, but were not in my original post. 

I have not always been one of those people who could read more than one book at a time, but usually now I find myself with a "school" book and a "home" book, with professional titles sprinkled in. I'm going to write a bit after finishing each one, mainly so I don't freak out when it's time to post the updates! 😊

Finished reading January 16, 2019

Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster by Jonathan Auxier is now one of my absolute favorites!!! Sweep is the story of Nan, a 12 year old girl in Victorian London. Left behind on a rooftop nearly five years ago, Nan has been working with other chimney sweeps in deplorable conditions. After a near tragedy, a little ball of char that Nan keeps in her pocket comes to life, and then continues to grow. This incredibly moving and beautiful story reminds us, "We save ourselves by saving others." It also forces us to ask ourselves who the REAL monsters are. 

Finished reading January 19, 2019

Where, oh where, was Pride by Ibi Zoboi when I was younger??? 💘 As someone who fake-read Pride and Prejudice in high school, but for-real read it later as an adult, I can say that this remix is so much more accessible to young readers for myriad reasons. First line: "It's a truth universally acknowledged that when rich people move into the hood, where it's a little bit broken and a little bit forgotten, the first thing they want to do is clean it up." The story follows Zuri Benitez and her family as the wealthy Darcy family moves in to the recently renovated "mini-mansion" across the street. Zuri takes an immediate dislike to hot, but standoffish Darius Darcy. And he appears to have zero interest in Zuri or her sisters. But as they spend more time together, they start to second-guess their original impressions of each other. 

Finished reading February 1, 2019

The wonderful line from John Green, "Frankly, I'd read your grocery lists," is the perfect summation of my love for Nic Stone's writing. Because I had read Dear Martin, I was confident that Odd One Out would be a winner, and I was not disappointed! Courtney Cooper, Jupiter Sanchez and Rae Chin each narrate a part of the story. "Coop" and "Jupes" have been best friends forever, but Coop is struggling with the fact that he wants them to be more than friends. The problem? Jupiter likes girls. When Rae Chin moves to town, it seems like the three of them make the "perfect couple"! I loved the main characters, the closeness of their families, and Coop's teammates are hilarious! This is a book that everyone needs to read. Well done, Nic! 💓

Finished reading February 6, 2019

When I finished reading Watch Us Rise by Renee Watson and Ellen Hagan, I told everyone who would listen, "I've added this book to my 'Required Reading For All of Humanity List.'" This is a story of a group of high school friends on a mission: "...we want to use our art to disrupt society and push against what's happening in the world." 

Here are just a few of my favorite things: 

1) The challenge from Jasmine's dad-"Get out, go see the places that present poetry, visual art, and theater made by people of color." 

2) All students in this school are required to join a social justice club.💖

3) "The only way to change things is from the inside out."

4) "Don't let idiots change your perception of you."

Many thanks to Bloomsbury Kids for sending me an ARC of this amazing title!

Finished reading February 13, 2019

I have never read a Dan Gemeinhart book that I didn't like. The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise is a new favorite! Coyote and her dad, Rodeo, live in an old yellow school bus named Yager. They travel wherever they feel led, and when people can use a bit of help, they are invited along...after answering three questions:

1) What is your favorite book?*

2) What is your favorite place on planet Earth?

3) What is your favorite sandwich?

*Coyote believes, "There's nothing like a good book for bringing folks together." (Be still, my book-nerd heart!)

I found room in my heart for all of the characters, and was rooting for each and every one of them. 

I wrote this in my reading journal: "At the end of the day, if you give them half a chance, people want to help other people. Most of 'em, anyway. They do" (308). 

I NEED TO BELIEVE THIS!!!

My takeaway quote: "Always kindness." 

Finished reading March 17, 2019

First line: "I might have to kill somebody tonight." That alone probably makes you want to read On The Come Up by Angie Thomas, am I right? I'm not going to pretend that I know ANYTHING about hip-hop, but I adored this book. Though from the same neighborhood as Starr (The Hate U Give), Bri is a completely different (equally strong) character. This book covers so many different issues...drug addiction, poverty, family, micro-aggressions, and people's perceptions. My personal favorite quotes were Bri's comments on "church people", which I wrote down to read again and again. Angie Thomas develops some rich, amazing characters and I continue to be enthralled by her writing. 

And did y'all see that this one's going to be a movie, too???