an update on the reads
Summer is for reading, yes?
Or at least....it tends to be when you're 8 months pregnant, and it's fry-an-egg-on-the-sidewalk-hot.
#1 - One Step at a Time by Josh Bleill - it's the book I last mentioned that I'd be reading. The book that I had to take in small doses, even though I really wanted to blaze right through it. The book that means so much more if you've met Josh Bleill, sat by him, shook his hand, heard him speak. The book that makes you cry if you're husband's also a Marine.
Nonfiction isn't typically my preference. Especially autobiographies. But this one....exception. Told from a typical Marine's perspective, Josh lays out his entire journey from the streets of Fallujah to Walter Reed. He openly shares his struggles, his fears, and very slowly, all the blessings that God so graciously gave him, promising Josh a hope and a future. In my opinion, it's a must-read. I'd let you borrow my autographed copy...for a small loaner's fee :)
#2 - Heartbeat by Sharon Creech - I could say that I read a ton of young adult fiction cause it keeps me young....but then I'd be lying. The teacher side of me demands I read books geared toward a much younger audience. Sometimes it's cause I need to teach the book; others I read out of curiosity, to be able to recommend a good book to a 7th grader, or because my students insist I have to read this book.
For this one, it was to teach.
One of my proudest discoveries in books is the novel in verse. Simpler, yet deeper. Typically a quick read, yet one that keeps your wheels turning long after the last page has been scoured.
Such was the case here with Heartbeat. Annie is the average teenager (if one can say that there is such thing as an average teenager). Yet like so many others her age, nothing in her life seems to be predictable or make any ounce of sense. She's been an only child forever, and now her parents tell her that a baby is on the way. Her grandpa now lives with them, because his mind seems to be slowly slipping away. Art is her favorite subject, yet her teacher assigns her a frustrating and seemingly-impossible project. And to top it all off, her best friend since toddler-hood, Max, is acting just plain weird lately. Sharon Creech beautifully weaves all these threads together by the end--no doubt a good ending for Annie.
#3 - All the Broken Pieces - by Ann E. Burg - This one probably wins my fictitious award for the Best Novel in Verse read by me in 2012....so far, anyways. This is the story of Matt Pin, son of an American solider fighting in Vietnam and a Vietnamese woman, but adopted in the U.S. by an American family with a huge heart. Like any good read, this is a book full of Matt's struggles....with joining the baseball team, being heckled and bullied (even though I try to avoid that buzz word) by classmates who blame their own brothers' or fathers' deaths in Vietnam on Matt, and ultimately with figuring out who he really is.
I quite literally had to stop the boys in my classroom from reading ahead on this one. I don't think there was a one of them who didn't love this book, no matter what kind of a reader they were. Great for young adults, and eye-opening for adults to read as well.
#4 - A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park - Okay, act surprised here.....cause it's time for a novel in verse! I warned you it's a recent favorite, didn't I?
I first saw this one at our school's spring book fair. It's cover did just what it was intended to do....sucked me in. It quietly announces that it's a novel in verse (shocker there) and about a favorite topic of mine: Africa. That's all I needed to open the cover and begin.
Even though it's short, it's masterfully written. The stories of Salva and Nya, two young African children living in poverty, need, and during a time of war, are interwoven, although during two separate time periods. I love it when an author can surprise you, when the events you read about make your jaw drop, because you honestly didn't see it coming. Linda Sue Park does precisely that in this one. The climax of the book is powerful, unexpected, and fulfilling.
What's next? There's a small shelf of haven't-read-yet's-but-want-to that were saved from a cardboard box, packing tape, and the storage unit. But today's also the day for our weekly library trip (summer reading program for the kiddos....need I say more?), so the next one just might come from there. I can't promise it won't be in verse. I can promise that I'll tell you what I think about it, though.
McKinley is sitting next to me, chomping on dry Lucky Charms and watching Wow, Wow, Wubzy. She peered over my shoulder, looking at this post, and proclaimed, "Mom! Those are all books you've read!"
Yes, dear, you're right.
"You've read a lot of books lately, Mom. And I know why--it's cause you sure aren't helping Daddy work on anything at the new house!"
Correct. I'm now officially an 8-month pregnant slacker. Just growing another human being here. So be quiet and let me read :)
Or at least....it tends to be when you're 8 months pregnant, and it's fry-an-egg-on-the-sidewalk-hot.
#1 - One Step at a Time by Josh Bleill - it's the book I last mentioned that I'd be reading. The book that I had to take in small doses, even though I really wanted to blaze right through it. The book that means so much more if you've met Josh Bleill, sat by him, shook his hand, heard him speak. The book that makes you cry if you're husband's also a Marine.
Nonfiction isn't typically my preference. Especially autobiographies. But this one....exception. Told from a typical Marine's perspective, Josh lays out his entire journey from the streets of Fallujah to Walter Reed. He openly shares his struggles, his fears, and very slowly, all the blessings that God so graciously gave him, promising Josh a hope and a future. In my opinion, it's a must-read. I'd let you borrow my autographed copy...for a small loaner's fee :)
#2 - Heartbeat by Sharon Creech - I could say that I read a ton of young adult fiction cause it keeps me young....but then I'd be lying. The teacher side of me demands I read books geared toward a much younger audience. Sometimes it's cause I need to teach the book; others I read out of curiosity, to be able to recommend a good book to a 7th grader, or because my students insist I have to read this book.
For this one, it was to teach.
One of my proudest discoveries in books is the novel in verse. Simpler, yet deeper. Typically a quick read, yet one that keeps your wheels turning long after the last page has been scoured.
Such was the case here with Heartbeat. Annie is the average teenager (if one can say that there is such thing as an average teenager). Yet like so many others her age, nothing in her life seems to be predictable or make any ounce of sense. She's been an only child forever, and now her parents tell her that a baby is on the way. Her grandpa now lives with them, because his mind seems to be slowly slipping away. Art is her favorite subject, yet her teacher assigns her a frustrating and seemingly-impossible project. And to top it all off, her best friend since toddler-hood, Max, is acting just plain weird lately. Sharon Creech beautifully weaves all these threads together by the end--no doubt a good ending for Annie.
#3 - All the Broken Pieces - by Ann E. Burg - This one probably wins my fictitious award for the Best Novel in Verse read by me in 2012....so far, anyways. This is the story of Matt Pin, son of an American solider fighting in Vietnam and a Vietnamese woman, but adopted in the U.S. by an American family with a huge heart. Like any good read, this is a book full of Matt's struggles....with joining the baseball team, being heckled and bullied (even though I try to avoid that buzz word) by classmates who blame their own brothers' or fathers' deaths in Vietnam on Matt, and ultimately with figuring out who he really is.
I quite literally had to stop the boys in my classroom from reading ahead on this one. I don't think there was a one of them who didn't love this book, no matter what kind of a reader they were. Great for young adults, and eye-opening for adults to read as well.
#4 - A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park - Okay, act surprised here.....cause it's time for a novel in verse! I warned you it's a recent favorite, didn't I?
I first saw this one at our school's spring book fair. It's cover did just what it was intended to do....sucked me in. It quietly announces that it's a novel in verse (shocker there) and about a favorite topic of mine: Africa. That's all I needed to open the cover and begin.
Even though it's short, it's masterfully written. The stories of Salva and Nya, two young African children living in poverty, need, and during a time of war, are interwoven, although during two separate time periods. I love it when an author can surprise you, when the events you read about make your jaw drop, because you honestly didn't see it coming. Linda Sue Park does precisely that in this one. The climax of the book is powerful, unexpected, and fulfilling.
What's next? There's a small shelf of haven't-read-yet's-but-want-to that were saved from a cardboard box, packing tape, and the storage unit. But today's also the day for our weekly library trip (summer reading program for the kiddos....need I say more?), so the next one just might come from there. I can't promise it won't be in verse. I can promise that I'll tell you what I think about it, though.
McKinley is sitting next to me, chomping on dry Lucky Charms and watching Wow, Wow, Wubzy. She peered over my shoulder, looking at this post, and proclaimed, "Mom! Those are all books you've read!"
Yes, dear, you're right.
"You've read a lot of books lately, Mom. And I know why--it's cause you sure aren't helping Daddy work on anything at the new house!"
Correct. I'm now officially an 8-month pregnant slacker. Just growing another human being here. So be quiet and let me read :)
Enjoy the time Heidi because I am sure you remember how hard it is to find one minute to read after baby is here!
ReplyDeleteAnd you aren't slacking, you are doing one of the hardest and greatest jobs we can ever do!
Love and Prayers,
Jennifer