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Sunday, September 15, 2013

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?


By  Posted on Monday, September 09, 2013 11:42 PM
It's Monday! What are you Reading? is a meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journeys. Be sure to visit Jen at Teach Mentor Texts and Kellee Moye, of Unleashing Readers 
They decided to give It's Monday! What Are You Reading? a kidlit focus. 
Back to school sort of snuck up on with the subtle of a freight train. It seems like it was just August and we were finishing our move and then BAMB! week 1 of school is in the books. August did not afford me the time to read that I would have liked, and now that school has started with my 4 different English classes and 1 American Government class, my reading life has changed quite a bit. I'll focus today on a few books that I did manage to get in during August and some that I am trying to get to now.

 
I was at my local library browsing the YA Graphic Novels section and saw Matt Phalen's name. That was all I needed. I absolutely adored The Storm in the Barn and Around the World and knew that I would enjoy this no matter the story! Matt's work is simply beautiful. It was a delight to discover that this was a story about Buster Keaton. 

There are certain authors that you know will never disappoint. Doug TenNapel's books are all a bit quirky, but they are fun to read, have a great theme, and have appeal to multiple ages. Besides, who wouldn't want a Tyrannosaurus Rex as a pet?



I kept hearing so much hype about this book on Twitter, but my copy disappeared from my classroom before I had a chance to read it. Last year at got a new copy at the Scholastic Warehouse Sale and kept it at home until I had a chance to read it, which wasn't until the middle of August. I couldn't put it down! I sort of feel ashamed to admit that I still have not gotten the second book, The Runaway King, but I do have every intention of getting it and reading it. The book really did live up to the hype. I really enjoyed the mystery and intrigue. 

I have been reading this all summer. There is so much valuable information to absorb. I read the 3rd Edition several years ago, but Jim has completely rewritten the book. So much of the English classroom has changed in the last few years and I believe will continue to change. I appreciate that Jim is a current classroom teacher. He writes out of his experiences. He shares what is working for him and gives valuable resources for developing your curriculum. I have used so much of his material and have become a stronger teacher. I still have a few sections to get through and am determined to keep chipping away at it.
Now to the books that I am hoping to get to! I have a little stack sitting on my dining room table. I have a really hard time walking out of a library or bookstore with out books in hand, even if I don't have time to read. These caught my eye recently.

This series has been popular with my students and I have enjoyed them myself. I've read books 1 & 2, but this is the first time I've gotten my hands on book 3. It is a zombie series, but it isn't really about the zombies. 






William Shakespeare and Star Wars. Really what more needs to be said?








This is another that I have been hearing a lot about. I think it's going to become a popular one in my class. 







And still another that I keep hearing about. 







cross-posted at my blog Ars Longa- Vita Brevis
About the Author:Natalee Stotz is Head of the High School at Windham Christian Academy in Windham. In addition to teaching English and Government, she assists teachers in literacy instruction and curriculum design. You can find her on Twitter: @nataleestotz, on her blog: nataleestotz.blogspot.com, or email nataleestotz@gmail.com

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