Book 25: Dead End in Norvelt by Jack Gantos
I had been waiting to read this 2012 Newbery Award title since the announcement was made in January; however, it did not satisfy like other novels have. This historical fiction combines some parts of Gantos' real life, some parts of history post-war, and a lot of fiction, humor, and mystery. The story follows the summer of Jack being grounded and having to spend his time between helping one of the oldest living townspeople write obituaries and trying to figure out how to have a little fun with his friend whose father runs the funeral home all while trying not to shock himself and thus having his nose bleed all over the place.
I think this is a fun, entertaining read for an adult, but I don't see the appeal to some kids, especially most middle schoolers. I just don't see them picking up this novel on their own.
Monday, May 28, 2012
Sunday, May 27, 2012
100 Books in 2012: Bossypants by Tina Fey
Book 24: Bossypants by Tina Fey
A lot funny, a little crude, a little serious, this is the autobiography of Tina Fey, chronicling her introduction to theater in high school (where everyone was accepted and yes, there were gays) through her work with Saturday Night Live (Lorne Michael is a god) and 30 Rock (where they were determined to have Alec Baldwin come hell or high water!).
Since Fey is my age, I appreciated the references and could relate to her growing up in the 1980s. She relates her story with much humor, although sometimes a little crudely and with profanity. It's a quick and amusing read about an aspiring writer who does well for herself.
A lot funny, a little crude, a little serious, this is the autobiography of Tina Fey, chronicling her introduction to theater in high school (where everyone was accepted and yes, there were gays) through her work with Saturday Night Live (Lorne Michael is a god) and 30 Rock (where they were determined to have Alec Baldwin come hell or high water!).
Since Fey is my age, I appreciated the references and could relate to her growing up in the 1980s. She relates her story with much humor, although sometimes a little crudely and with profanity. It's a quick and amusing read about an aspiring writer who does well for herself.
Monday, April 30, 2012
Z is for Zero
Today is the last entry for the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. I have been blogging about items on my bucket list, things that I want to do before I die.
'Z' is for zero: I would like to be debt free, owe zero money to anyone or any place.
It would be awesome to know that the big ticket items -- house and car -- are paid for with no monthly payments, but I don't know if that will happen in the next ten to twenty years or if ever. I do know that we can at least pay off other debts, like credit cards, and have those zeros smiling at us soon!
'Z' is for zero: I would like to be debt free, owe zero money to anyone or any place.
It would be awesome to know that the big ticket items -- house and car -- are paid for with no monthly payments, but I don't know if that will happen in the next ten to twenty years or if ever. I do know that we can at least pay off other debts, like credit cards, and have those zeros smiling at us soon!
100 Books in 2012: Mockingbird by Erskine
Book 23: Mockingbird by Kathryn Erskine
After a school shooting leaves her middle school brother Devon dead, Caitlin has trouble making sense of it all. Devon was the one who helped the eleven year old understand the daily routines of life, and now she is struggling to understand even the simplest things. But then Caitlin has always struggled. As a child with Asperger's, Caitlin sees the world differently than the rest of her classmates and without Devon to help her understand the world, she is even more confused and lost. While her patient dad is dealing with his own grief, her teacher, Mrs. Brook, counsels Caitlin about finding closure with finesse.
I wonderful read: a real coming of age story told through an autistic child. Erskine was moved to write the novel after the shooting on the Virginia Tech campus.
After a school shooting leaves her middle school brother Devon dead, Caitlin has trouble making sense of it all. Devon was the one who helped the eleven year old understand the daily routines of life, and now she is struggling to understand even the simplest things. But then Caitlin has always struggled. As a child with Asperger's, Caitlin sees the world differently than the rest of her classmates and without Devon to help her understand the world, she is even more confused and lost. While her patient dad is dealing with his own grief, her teacher, Mrs. Brook, counsels Caitlin about finding closure with finesse.
I wonderful read: a real coming of age story told through an autistic child. Erskine was moved to write the novel after the shooting on the Virginia Tech campus.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Y is for Yarn
Years ago I spent more of my free time on handicrafts, including cross-stitching and needlepoint. My grandmother tried to teach me how to make Granny squares and how to crotchet, neither of which I have ever tried again in my adulthood.
I see a lot of folks learning to knit, forming knitting groups, the new social societies, perhaps. And I think, Sure, I'd like to learn how to knit sometime.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
100 Books in 2012: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Book 22: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
This was the first John Green book that I had read. Where have I been?!
This was the amazing story of Hazel Lancaster and Augustus Waters, two teenagers who meet at a cancer support group. The characters are real, honest, and likable. The story is funny, moving, and incredible. I laughed. I pondered. I wondered. I cried. I loved this book. (Thanks to a fellow teacher for recommending and sharing it with me.)
It's definitely the next book you should add to your reading list. (And I see from Mr. Green's website, that the movie rights have been optioned!)
This was the first John Green book that I had read. Where have I been?!
This was the amazing story of Hazel Lancaster and Augustus Waters, two teenagers who meet at a cancer support group. The characters are real, honest, and likable. The story is funny, moving, and incredible. I laughed. I pondered. I wondered. I cried. I loved this book. (Thanks to a fellow teacher for recommending and sharing it with me.)
It's definitely the next book you should add to your reading list. (And I see from Mr. Green's website, that the movie rights have been optioned!)
X is for Xyloses
Okay, so the letter 'X' was a really hard one in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge and it only sort of conveys a want, a need really, that I have on my bucket list.
xyloses - n. - A sugar extracted from wood or straw; used in foods for diabetics
I've never liked artificial sugars like aspartame or sucrolose. I don't really know what xyloses might even taste like. I just think a sugar free life would help my system get back to a healthy state: a normal weight, less aches and pains, and more energy.
xyloses - n. - A sugar extracted from wood or straw; used in foods for diabetics
I don't really want to use this sugar. What I really want is to be sugar free. I feel like I have such an addiction to sugar. I crave sugar. I crave white bread and potatoes and rice that are starchy that all turn into sugar in the body.
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