Your Students Need A Reading Champion | Giving Yourself Permission To Read

A great post by my reading friend Jennifer LaGarde #2jennsbookclub-----Join us and participate in reading great books and chatting about them! "I've been thinking a lot lately about my own life as a reader. We didn't have a lot of books in my home growing up and those we did have were lost in a fire when I was pretty young. My mother, a single parent, worked all of the time. And I imagine making sure we had food to eat was often a greater priority than making sure we had access to regular reading material. Still, for reasons I've already recounted in this space, I managed to become a reader. A reader who has devoted her life to creating other readers. Which is why I'm more than a little haunted by the years I spent as a classroom teacher. Years that I've openly referred to as my "lost years" as a reader, because apart from the novels, short stories, poems etc., that I assigned my students during that time (and the mountain of papers they wrote in response), I rarely, if ever, read anything else. While I cherish that time in my life, and am so grateful for the privilege of working with some of the most amazing young people I could imagine, if I could go back and do it all over again, I'd change some stuff. LOTS of stuff. But most importantly, I'd read more. Why? •Because I'd have been better at connecting my students with the right book at the right time. •Because I'd have been better at understanding their journeys. •Because I'd have had more and better conversation starters. •Because I'd have been that much smarter and, probably, a little happier. •Because students need reading role models. •Because stories connect us. The list goes on and on. These days, when I feel compelled to prioritize "real work" over reading, I create reasons to read. I give myself permission to read for pleasure, because doing so is also reading for purpose. That's one of the reasons I created #2jennsbookclub with my friend Jennifer Northrup... and it's also part of why I've been heartened to see so many classroom teachers (in addition to school librarians) take part.

So... if you're waiting for someone to give you permission to read (or just read more) for pleasure. Here it is: The top 5 reasons (in no particular order) why you should stop what you're doing and join #2jennsbookclub. 1.Your coolness factor will go way up. Yeah. I said it. There's never been a time when being a nerd has been cooler. And there's no cooler nerd than a book nerd. 2.You'll be better at your job. CS Lewis famously said that we read to know that we are not alone. Adolescence can be a time of trauma and isolation, as a reader, you'll know just the right books to help your students know that they are not alone. 3.Free books! At the end of each of our twitter chats, I give away copies of the books we're reading! 4.You'll gain (or add to) your very own "reading posse." The people who participate in #2jennsbookclub are smart, thoughtful, and generous. During the course of our conversations they share teaching strategies, ideas for connecting kids with books and their passion for growing readers. They are truly the best part of our virtual bookclub experience. 5.Reading is awesome. Enough said. Join us! OR join my friend Tavia Clark's #yearofya bookclub OR the incredibly awesome #sharpschu bookclub (started by John Schumacher and Colby Sharp) OR the ever popular #nerdybookclub (started and maintained by, among others, Donalyn Miller and Colby Sharp)! Whatever you do, don't let being a grown up keep you from reading. Because reading is the real work of all learners. Because reading is not something extra. It's something essential. And because your students need you to. Posted by Jennifer LaGarde at 3:52 PM Labels: #2jennsbookclub, Colby Sharp, donalyn miller, jennifer northrup, John Schumacher, reading, tavia clark

Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt

Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Children’s Book Group and Clarion Books for the ARC, Orbiting Jupiter by Gary D. Schmidt. Gary D. Schmidt’s books never disappoint and this book will stay with the reader, tugging at heartstrings, probing the depths of love and loss, teaching that life matters above all. Even though this book is geared toward junior high (middle school); teen readers and adults (teachers, school nurses, guidance counselors) need to read this book too. Jack is a sixth grade student and Joseph is in eighth grade but the life lessons will speak to a very wide audience. As I read this book, I was reminded of Bobby and Feather’s story, First Part Last by Angela Johnson. Students love urban fiction because it is diverse and speaks to them about what really goes on in their world. Orbiting Jupiter is similar (even though the characters are white farmers) with ripped from today’s headlines gritty social problems kids will identify with and discuss. When Jack and his parents agree to foster Joseph, they have no idea how much he will need them, nor do they have any idea how critically their lives will be affected by Joseph’s life before and after he comes to live with them. This slim book (179 pages) has spare, taut, but effective vocabulary (and short powerful sentences) that will keep readers turning the pages as this gripping novel deals with thirteen year old, Joseph, who becomes a father and desperately wants to care for his adored baby daughter, Jupiter, against a system that conspires to thwart him at every turn. What will happen when Jack and his parents support Joseph’s love for Jupiter? A compelling, aching book EVERYONE MUST READ!!! Highly recommended.

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Rook by Sharon Cameron

Rook by Sharon Cameron
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Finished this dazzling drama just hours before the #2jennsbookclub twitter chat! Sharon Cameron's characters (The Bellamy family and The Hasard family) were oh so good. Sophia Bellamy and Rene Hasard are engaged to be married and oh do they have secrets aplenty!!! Sophie is trying to save her family's heritage, home, and business. It is Rene Hasard, very good looking, loud, and very annoying (to Sophie) who is going to pay the money that will save the Bellamy name. But an even juicier plot is the do-gooder (known as the Red Rook, who frees the masses and leaves a red rook feather)who is helping save the unjustly accused and stay one step ahead of the government and their favorite tool, the guillotine. As Sharon Cameron wove this mesmerizing story of revolution, the insidious Allemande and LeBlanc, killing all in their path; I could not stop turning the pages as daring Sophia, close brother, Tom, childhood friend, Spear, staunch maid, Orla all stealthily worked as ONE to right the wrongs of the ruthless government injustices. All the while, Rene and his family have mysteries aplenty in their past and present. Will the Red Rook triumph or will the hands of Fate keep their date with death? I highly recommend Rook if you love a spell binding epic with spies, heroes, and daring drama!

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A Handful of Stars by Cynthia Lord

A Handful of Stars by Cynthia Lord
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

What a wonderful book!!! I loved everything and everyone in this book, especially Lucky! Cynthia Lord's characters, setting, and oh those blueberries make for such a great read. Lily and her blind dog, Lucky live in Maine and meet Salma, a migrant worker. Salma becomes a very special friend to Lily and helps her as she tries new things. I loved growing close to Lily, Lucky, and her family and her intense wish to help Lucky regain his sight. I also enjoyed learning about the hardship of being a migrant worker, but Salma's love of art, family, and wishing for a better life were just a few things I wanted for Salma. I highly recommend this book to dog lovers, too; it will be a great read aloud to a class and also a great book to curl up with too!

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I Crawl Through It by A.S. King

I Crawl Through It by A.S. King
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Little, Brown Books for Young Readers for the ARC, I Crawl Through It by A.S. King. I love A.S. King as a YA author; I have read all of her books and wow, I Crawl Through It is very different, very intense, but what teens will relate to and be talking about!!! In a very different surrealistic bent, teens cope with issues like standardized testing (and so much more) in very bizarre and unique ways, but it is all good. The reader will grow with the characters Stanzi, Gustav, Lansdale and China as they crawl through trying to make sense of their lives. Just settle in, soak it all in and you will be treated to a really different, weird story but one that only the genius that is A.S. King can write!!!

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The Hunted by Matt de la Pena

The Hunted by Matt de la Pena
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the 2nd book in The Living series and I was not disappointed. Matt de la Pena knows how to grab the reader with many issues (survival, deceit, adventure)and genuine fully fleshed teens and adults in a world that has been totally destroyed by a tsunami and an evil company that creates and spreads a deadly virus, Romero virus. Shy comes through as a reluctant hero (dragged by Shoeshine, their guide) and continues to grow in bravery and anger as he and his friends are hunted everywhere they go. Will Shy be able to deliver the duffel bag to the proper authorities? Hang on to your seat for his wild ride- a real nail biter! I can't wait for the 3rd book!!!

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Reader Response: Amazing Audiobooks

2015 August 24

tags: 2015 hub reading challenge reader response, amazing audiobooks for young adults, audiobooks, Ava Dellaira, deborah wiles, emma pass, julie anne peters, Sally Green

by Guest Blogger

   

 

The following is a reader response from BJ Neary, who participated in and finished the 2015 Hub Reading Challenge.
This is my second year participating and completing The Hub Reading Challenge.  I am an avid reader of all things YA- enjoying all genres in YA especially nonfiction, novels in verse, and series books.  This year I discovered I had read many books on the list.  So I decided to push myself and delve into audiobooks in the Challenge.  Below are just a few of the award winning titles I listened to and RECOMMEND in the Amazing Audiobook section of the 2015 Hub Reading Challenge.
Love Letters to the Dead  by Ava Dellaira was awesome. Laurel is still reeling from the death and loss of her older sister, May.  Laurel has transferred to a new school. In English her first assignment is to write a letter to a dead person. This assignment begins a year- long letter writing campaign from Laurel to Kurt Cobain, Judy Garland, River Phoenix, Amelia Earhart, Amy Winehouse, poets and many more…What I liked about these letters is that Laurel researches each subject and the reader learns about the lives of these dead people and we see parallels to May, Laurel, and her family. As Laurel struggles with her guilt, her silence, her own self- image, and her idealization of May…who will she become? As a reader, I savored the New Mexico setting, the flawed (but real) characters, the letters, and Laurel’s journey.  Teens will relate to Laurel, Sky, Natalie, and Hannah in their daily lives and interpersonal relationships in high school.
Acid by Emma Pass – I couldn’t stop listening as Jenna Strong is imprisoned by the police (the most barbaric force known as ACID) for murdering her parents when she was 15 years old. But all is not as it seems; if you love action, suspense, and thrillers; you will not soon forget Jenna’s world of lies, espionage, and sinister brutality—what will she do to remember her life as it was and as it is now? This audiobook has riveting plots, characters (nasty and nice) and a dystopian world you won’t forget! 
Revolution by Deborah Wiles – What I enjoyed most was the factual speeches from the 1960s and news stories  interspersed with white Sunny’s story of civil rights workers coming to her town in Mississippi and getting blacks out to vote. Sunny’s teen viewpoint was key- she did not know about racism and segregation other than what she hears (“they are invaders”) from her family and others in charge.  Sunny learns so much more that summer as events unfold, friendships are made and broken, and families are mended.
Define Normal by Julie Ann Peters – LOVED it. Both girls are fantastic protagonists, although the story is told solely from Antonia’s point of view.  Antonia is peer counseling Jazz Luther who is her total opposite. As I listened to this compelling audiobook I realized why I love Julie Ann Peters’ books- she gets teens. This book is no different- both Jazz and Antonia have “stuff” going on and teens will be riveted reading or listening to this book; can seeming “opposites” get along, trust each other, and become friends?
Half Bad by Sally Green is an amazing psychological thriller audiobook! I loved Carl Prekopp’s narration; he was gripping and mesmerizing as Nathan. In a future England, Nathan is half white witch and half black witch and it is being the son of notorious black witch, Marcus, that brands him an outsider—even his own sister, Jessica, hates him. Thankfully Nathan has a wonderful and sympathetic brother, Aaron.  Aaron is sweet, trusting, and very protective of Nathan. But Aaron is not bullied, beaten up, or branded “BAD” like Nathan. Will Nathan be able to elude the hunters and survive until his 17th birthday and receive his three important powers of magic? Will he be able to survive in a world that does not want him or his father?
-BJ Neary