Sunday, October 17, 2010
Portfolio worthy!
This blog has been chosen as a portfolio piece because completing these book talks was very trying for me. Assessing the stories is my head was far easier than explaining that on video as if before a curious audience. Perhaps that's because as much as I love sharing stories with others, I HATE speaking to groups!
Sunday, December 13, 2009
Sunday, December 6, 2009
A Northern Light
Mattie is restless and raring to join the world around her. At 16, she longs to attend college ad eventually teach kids. Instead, she helps her dad with farm work and raising her younger siblings.
Life changes and Mattie's anxiousness takes a hopeful turn when she begin working at a hotel in the Adirondacks. She and her friend, weaver, the first free-born child in his family, dream in spite of their bleak circumstances. Weaver dreams of law and Mattie of teaching and changing the world one young woman at a time. Jennifer Donnelly skillfully addresses the themes of race, education and gender oles all while maintaining the backdrop of the early 1900's in an Adirondacks hotel. The characters soon find their way into your memory.
Life changes and Mattie's anxiousness takes a hopeful turn when she begin working at a hotel in the Adirondacks. She and her friend, weaver, the first free-born child in his family, dream in spite of their bleak circumstances. Weaver dreams of law and Mattie of teaching and changing the world one young woman at a time. Jennifer Donnelly skillfully addresses the themes of race, education and gender oles all while maintaining the backdrop of the early 1900's in an Adirondacks hotel. The characters soon find their way into your memory.
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Teach Us, Amelia Bedelia!
The wacky, literal world of Amelia Bedelia gets even funnier when Mrs. Rogers asks Amelia to get a message to the school that she will be late coming to teach. Unfortunately, Mr Crandle thinks she is the teacher!
Kids who love the nonsensical world of Amelia Bedelia will laugh at this story. Mrs Rogers is going to be late driving from the airport to the school, so she sends Amelia Bedelia to the school with a message for the principal. Amelia realizes that she must try to teach the kids until Mrs Rogers arrives! This book is a great edition to the easy-reader genre because it helps kids ages 5-9 build vocabulary and read simple chapter books. Lynn Sweat's illustrations bring Amelia Bedelia to life on every page.
Kids who love the nonsensical world of Amelia Bedelia will laugh at this story. Mrs Rogers is going to be late driving from the airport to the school, so she sends Amelia Bedelia to the school with a message for the principal. Amelia realizes that she must try to teach the kids until Mrs Rogers arrives! This book is a great edition to the easy-reader genre because it helps kids ages 5-9 build vocabulary and read simple chapter books. Lynn Sweat's illustrations bring Amelia Bedelia to life on every page.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Writing all about Al Capone Does My Shirts
ANNOTATION
Moose Flannigan lives on Alcatraz Island within walking distance of Al Capone! His sister, Natalie goes to a different school. Moose just wants to play baseball and be liked.
CRITICAL REVIEW
Gennifer Choldenko has written a gem! She portrays the abilities of Moose's sister in a realistic, caring light. Matthew "Moose" Flannigan and his family move to Alcatraz so his dad can work at the prison while Natalie attends a cutting-edge school. Moose has also moved to a new school, in the middle of the year. He just wants the kids to like him so he can play baseball on Mondays.
The humor of inventive kids and the notoriety of Alcatraz Prison in 1935 gradually introduces a family affected by disability. Moose loves Natalie, even though her behaviors sometimes upset him and he wishes she could be like any other sister. It's an honest look at life on Alcatraz voiced by Moose. Sometimes it is funny, and sometimes it is sad. This book is a great story for kids who love baseball and stories of gangsters; clearly an insightful glimpse into the world of special needs for kids of all ages, particularly 5th grade +.
Moose Flannigan lives on Alcatraz Island within walking distance of Al Capone! His sister, Natalie goes to a different school. Moose just wants to play baseball and be liked.
CRITICAL REVIEW
Gennifer Choldenko has written a gem! She portrays the abilities of Moose's sister in a realistic, caring light. Matthew "Moose" Flannigan and his family move to Alcatraz so his dad can work at the prison while Natalie attends a cutting-edge school. Moose has also moved to a new school, in the middle of the year. He just wants the kids to like him so he can play baseball on Mondays.
The humor of inventive kids and the notoriety of Alcatraz Prison in 1935 gradually introduces a family affected by disability. Moose loves Natalie, even though her behaviors sometimes upset him and he wishes she could be like any other sister. It's an honest look at life on Alcatraz voiced by Moose. Sometimes it is funny, and sometimes it is sad. This book is a great story for kids who love baseball and stories of gangsters; clearly an insightful glimpse into the world of special needs for kids of all ages, particularly 5th grade +.
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