Monday, December 30, 2013

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

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):
 
PICTURE BOOK
 
The Sparkle Box: A Gift with the Power to Change Christmas
 
 

 
 
 
 
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.
 
MIDDLE GRADE
 
Platypus Police Squad: The Frog Who Croaked
 
 
 
 
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!
                 

YOUNG ADULT
 
Allegiant (Divergent, #3)
 
 

 
 
 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

Platypus Police Squad: The Ostrich Conspiracy Falling in Love with Close Reading: Lessons for Analyzing Texts--and Life

CURRENTLY LISTENING TO

The Giver (The Giver Quartet, #1) Anne of Green Gables (Anne of Green Gables, #1)

ON DECK

The Prisoner of Cell 25 (Michael Vey, #1)

This is the last #IMWAYR of 2013!  Thank you so much for reading my Monday updates!  See you in 2014 for the next one!
 
 
 


31 comments:

  1. 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.

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    1. 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! :-)

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    2. I adore ANNE OF GREEN GABLE and watched the Megan Follows movie before I read the book. Just fantastic! :)

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  2. 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!

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    1. Thank you SO much for reading my blog and commenting! I'm glad you find it inspiring. :-)

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  3. 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!

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    1. 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!!

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  4. 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.

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  5. I love Anne of Green Gables. Oy, I hope Champion didn't end exactly like Allegiant. Happy New Year!

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    1. Brace 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!

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  6. 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.

    Here's my It's Monday!

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    1. I highly recommend Falling in Love with Close Reading. Not done yet, but I love Lehman and Roberts's tone and teachings!

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  7. 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.

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    1. Yes! It IS sad! How exciting that you met Veronica Roth!!!

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  8. 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!

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    1. I highly recommend both series. They're SO good! Pull them out from behind that mountain. ;-) Happy New Year to you, too!

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  9. Ahhh! A new Platypus Police Squad!! :) Happy reading week to you, thanks for all the sharing, always enjoy your posts...

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    1. The new one is fun, too. The kids will love it! :-)

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  10. 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!!!!

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    1. 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!

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  11. 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!

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    1. You'll love The Sparkle Box and brace yourself for the end of Allegiant! Happy New Year!

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  12. 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

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    1. I'm looking forward to Michael Vey - a student gave it to me for Christmas. :-)

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  13. 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!

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    1. I'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!

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  14. 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!

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    1. Yay!! I think you'll LOVE the Legend series! Happy New Year and reading to you, too!

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