You NEED to Read These Books

 

 School is back in session. I've been meeting with readers, and it's exciting to see the books they are choosing to read.  I want to share the titles of some of the books I've read recently.

You should read Crossover by Kwame Alexander. You should read it because it was awarded the 2015 Newbery Medal. Mostly you should read it because of the amazing way Kwame Alexander is able to use words to share a story with feeling and power. I didn't think I'd ever cry while reading a book about a kid who plays basketball. Alexander's follow up book, Booked, is another you don't want to miss.

Kate Messner's The Seventh Wish is another book you should read.  The charming setting and characters draw in the reader while addressing the difficult problem of drug addiction. This book isn't preachy or scary, but it shows a world of addiction that touches the lives of many kids.

The Honest Truth by Dan Gemeinhart is a heartbreaking story about a boy who runs away from home and his remarkable journey. I gasped out loud three time while reading this book.  It’s one of those books that I wanted to keep reading, but I also didn’t want to read it because I was afraid of what would happen to the main character. (See the dog on the cover? That's a hint for some of the peril that lies ahead.)

   

Donalyn Miller's Visit (Part 1)

July 12th was a very normal summer day.  I was at my parent's house when I saw that I had a Twitter notification. I opened the notification and was amazed to see that I had won a giveaway sponsored by Scholastic.

This was not just any normal giveaway. I had won a school visit by Donalyn Miller!!! Yes, you read that correctly. Author and speaker, Donalyn Miller, is going to visit my little world of Lincoln Elementary School.  I quickly contacted Scholastic with my information, and then I tried to explain to my parents why I was so excited. They really didn't understand that Donalyn Miller is the author of The Book Whisper and Reading in the Wild. They didn't understand that I heard her speak at two sessions last year at the National ILA Conference. They didn't understand that after reading Donalyn's book, Reading in the Wild, I changed how I work with reluctant readers. (I guess they don't remember my blog posts Thank you, Donalyn Miller , Trusting the Reader, Book Buzz Lottery, Teachers Who Read, That Darn Captain Underpants, Let the Data Speak for Itself,)

Do you see that Donalyn Miller replied to my Tweet?!!!!

Fast forward to this past week. I received an email from Donalyn asking for some possible dates for her visit. She wanted to know how she can best support our school. We still don't have a date scheduled yet, but this thing is gong to happen!  Stay tuned...