These are memes started by Teach Mentor Texts and Book Journey, and I'm excited to participate, along with many other bloggers, in reviewing books I read the previous week. I'll be reviewing picture books through adult books.
Books I read this week (this was a light week- lots of Christmas activities):
Last year, I did a Nerdy Book Club guest post on the tradition we have of giving Christmas books and pajamas to my daughters every Christmas Eve and featured my top ten. David Etkin mentioned The Sparkle Box, and I hadn't read it yet. I remembered that recommendation this year, so I bought it for Katie. I LOVE it! What a powerful message of giving and the real meaning of Christmas.
This opener to Krosoczka's new middle grade series will definitely be a hit in my classroom! It would be great for reluctant readers because of the illustrations, action, and humor. Middle graders will have fun trying to guess who dunnit and will love the animal characters. Great vocabulary!
I CAN'T WAIT for Divergent to come out in the big theater!!
Wow. I'm stunned. I finished Champion last week, and now finished this series. I don't really know how to react or review without spoiling the ending, but both Lu and Roth made some tough choices on how to end these two amazing series! That's all I'm going to say, but you need to read both series. They were awesome!
CURRENTLY READING
CURRENTLY LISTENING TO
ON DECK
This is the last #IMWAYR of 2013! Thank you so much for reading my Monday updates! See you in 2014 for the next one!
I may have mentioned this already. I've visited so many blogs these past few days. But every time someone mentions Anne of Green Gables, they're like kindred spirits to me, lol. Be sure to check out the wonderful TV movies starring Meagan Follows.
It's a favorite of one of my best friend's daughter, who also happens to be a former student of mine. She's talked so much about it, I'm finally getting to it! It's delightful! :-)
Holly - Thank you for this list and all your amazing posts this year. It's been a pleasure reading your blog regularly and feel as if I have got to know you through your regular posts. You are very inspiring! The Sparkle Box is going to be a definite book for my next year's Christmas collection! My son and I are so excited about both the Divergent movie and the new book! Happy reading and blogging to you in 2014!
Hi Holly, This is a light week? I too was not able to get to most of the reading I would have liked to. With family visits, and activities for the kids, we were very busy. I love your Christmas tradition and The Sparkle Box looks wonderful. Definitely need to find a copy. Have a great week!
Well, yeah - I was hoping to read more since it's a holiday, but you're right - lots of busy-ness with family, which is wonderful, too! Enjoy The Sparkle Box!!
Anne of Green Gables is my all time favorite book! I even got an Anne of Green Gables tea cup from one of my students this year for Christmas. I guess I talk about it a lot since he knew exactly what my favorite book is! Will you watch the movie afterwards? I very much enjoy both movie and book. My goal is to finish the book series this year.
You are always reading the best books about reading. Thank you so much for sharing these. I love to read about reading but I rarely get good recommendations about good books. Wish I knew other people who love to read about reading.
Isn't it so sad when a beloved series is over? I thought that Champion was so well done. A few years ago I got up enough courage to talk to Veronica Roth at a signing (no line... so you know it was a while ago!!) and told her that Divergent had sold me into being a reader for life. It will always, always be one of my favorites.
I should finish Roth's series and start Lu's. I have the needed books on my TBR mountain but they are hidden behind stacks of review books. Come see my Monday Report here. Happy reading and happy new year!
I totally want The Sparkle Box. Maddie is at the age (nearly 4) where we are trying to differentiate between 'want' and 'need'. This book would take it a step further. :) Allegient? I still need to read Divergent - it's on my book stack...I've heard great things about the series. Happy New Year!!!!
The Sparkle Box sounds wonderful, Holly. Thanks much for sharing it along. I'm about to finish Allegiant-will be sad I know. Thanks for all the great reviews this year. Mondays certainly add to my list! Cheers for a terrific new year!
I loved Champion, but Allegiant didn't work for me. Still excited about the Divergent movie! One of my teens loves the Michael Vey series, maybe I will get around to it someday! Happy New Year! ~Megan http://wp.me/pzUn5-1N0
My daughter and I are slowly reading Gathering Blue, the sequel to The Giver. Hopefully we finish that within the next two weeks before school term begins again for her. :) The Sparkle Box looks beautiful. Have a happy new year!
I am on a long list for Allegiant from the library. Am excited to read this last in the series. At your recommendation, I got out the entire Legend trilogy and plan to read it in early January. Happy New Year! And happy reading for 2014!
Allegiant! I am soooo behind! :)
ReplyDeleteMake sure you read them! They're awesome! :-)
DeleteI may have mentioned this already. I've visited so many blogs these past few days. But every time someone mentions Anne of Green Gables, they're like kindred spirits to me, lol. Be sure to check out the wonderful TV movies starring Meagan Follows.
ReplyDeleteIt's a favorite of one of my best friend's daughter, who also happens to be a former student of mine. She's talked so much about it, I'm finally getting to it! It's delightful! :-)
DeleteI adore ANNE OF GREEN GABLE and watched the Megan Follows movie before I read the book. Just fantastic! :)
DeleteHolly - Thank you for this list and all your amazing posts this year. It's been a pleasure reading your blog regularly and feel as if I have got to know you through your regular posts. You are very inspiring! The Sparkle Box is going to be a definite book for my next year's Christmas collection! My son and I are so excited about both the Divergent movie and the new book! Happy reading and blogging to you in 2014!
ReplyDeleteThank you SO much for reading my blog and commenting! I'm glad you find it inspiring. :-)
DeleteHi Holly, This is a light week? I too was not able to get to most of the reading I would have liked to. With family visits, and activities for the kids, we were very busy. I love your Christmas tradition and The Sparkle Box looks wonderful. Definitely need to find a copy. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteWell, yeah - I was hoping to read more since it's a holiday, but you're right - lots of busy-ness with family, which is wonderful, too! Enjoy The Sparkle Box!!
DeleteAnne of Green Gables is my all time favorite book! I even got an Anne of Green Gables tea cup from one of my students this year for Christmas. I guess I talk about it a lot since he knew exactly what my favorite book is! Will you watch the movie afterwards? I very much enjoy both movie and book. My goal is to finish the book series this year.
ReplyDeleteI will definitely watch the movie!!
DeleteI love Anne of Green Gables. Oy, I hope Champion didn't end exactly like Allegiant. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteBrace yourself for Champion, too. Not exactly the same ending, but still a tough choice to end it that way. Happy New Year to you, too!
DeleteYou are always reading the best books about reading. Thank you so much for sharing these. I love to read about reading but I rarely get good recommendations about good books. Wish I knew other people who love to read about reading.
ReplyDeleteHere's my It's Monday!
I highly recommend Falling in Love with Close Reading. Not done yet, but I love Lehman and Roberts's tone and teachings!
DeleteIsn't it so sad when a beloved series is over? I thought that Champion was so well done. A few years ago I got up enough courage to talk to Veronica Roth at a signing (no line... so you know it was a while ago!!) and told her that Divergent had sold me into being a reader for life. It will always, always be one of my favorites.
ReplyDeleteYes! It IS sad! How exciting that you met Veronica Roth!!!
DeleteI should finish Roth's series and start Lu's. I have the needed books on my TBR mountain but they are hidden behind stacks of review books. Come see my Monday Report here. Happy reading and happy new year!
ReplyDeleteI highly recommend both series. They're SO good! Pull them out from behind that mountain. ;-) Happy New Year to you, too!
DeleteAhhh! A new Platypus Police Squad!! :) Happy reading week to you, thanks for all the sharing, always enjoy your posts...
ReplyDeleteThe new one is fun, too. The kids will love it! :-)
DeleteI totally want The Sparkle Box. Maddie is at the age (nearly 4) where we are trying to differentiate between 'want' and 'need'. This book would take it a step further. :) Allegient? I still need to read Divergent - it's on my book stack...I've heard great things about the series.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year!!!!
Oh, Maddie would learn a lot from The Sparkle Box! Be sure to read the Divergent series! It's a great one! Happy New Year to you, too!
DeleteThe Sparkle Box sounds wonderful, Holly. Thanks much for sharing it along. I'm about to finish Allegiant-will be sad I know. Thanks for all the great reviews this year. Mondays certainly add to my list! Cheers for a terrific new year!
ReplyDeleteYou'll love The Sparkle Box and brace yourself for the end of Allegiant! Happy New Year!
DeleteI loved Champion, but Allegiant didn't work for me. Still excited about the Divergent movie! One of my teens loves the Michael Vey series, maybe I will get around to it someday! Happy New Year! ~Megan
ReplyDeletehttp://wp.me/pzUn5-1N0
I'm looking forward to Michael Vey - a student gave it to me for Christmas. :-)
DeleteMy daughter and I are slowly reading Gathering Blue, the sequel to The Giver. Hopefully we finish that within the next two weeks before school term begins again for her. :) The Sparkle Box looks beautiful. Have a happy new year!
ReplyDeleteI've never read the whole series, but I'd like to. How wonderful that you and your daughter are sharing it together! Happy New Year!
DeleteI am on a long list for Allegiant from the library. Am excited to read this last in the series. At your recommendation, I got out the entire Legend trilogy and plan to read it in early January. Happy New Year! And happy reading for 2014!
ReplyDeleteYay!! I think you'll LOVE the Legend series! Happy New Year and reading to you, too!
Delete