Another Great Fantasy!

This is fabulous fantasy! Incarceron is a prison. Those imprisoned cannot escape since it has been sealed for centuries. Prisoners do live in cells, in metal forests, decaying cities, and strange wildernesses. Legends say only one has ever escaped this place. Finn is convinced he is from the Outside - that unknown realm that seems to be only a dream.

Claudia is from the Outside; she is the daughter of the Warden of Incarceron. Through a strange series of events, Finn and Claudia communicate through a crystal key. Can she help Finn escape the prison? Is she really Outside? Do they have the strength, courage and conviction to accomplish this feat?


PS The sequel will be released in late December.

Adoration of Jenna Fox

Great read!

New Professional Books

This is different than my usual posts since it is exclusively for the teachers. So, here is a list and summary of new professional books available in the library for your perusal.

On Excellence in Teaching, edited by Robert Marzano. This book contains three chapters - Theories of Excellence, Systemic Excellence, Classroom Excellence - from renownded education leaders in the world. Chapters are filled with ideas and practical advice to improve instruction.

Cemeteries: Alive with Learning by Barbara Kissling. Ideas on how a cemetary can provide intersting learning experiences.

Visual Impact, Visual Teaching: Using Images to Strengthen Learning by Timothy Gangwer.Practical advice on how to stimulate students' interest and participation by using visual strategies and activites. All subject areas can benefit from this guide.

Primary Source: Teaching the Web 2.0 Way K-12 by Mary Johnson. Extensive listing of popular Web 2.0 tools, primary sources, and a guid eon how to get started.

Nonfiction Mentor Texts: Teaching Information Writing Through Children's Literature, K-8 by Lynne Dorfman and Rose Cappelli. Use this book to help your students become more effective writers of nonfiction. A helpful list is included, as well as insturction on how to select appropriate texts to use.

Good Girl Read!

Mockingjay

It seemed to be forever for this book to be released. To prepare, I reread The Hunger Games and Catching Fire to have the story and characters fresh in my mind. I am so very glad I did as I gained a new perspective and appreciation for characters and circumstances.

This book begins with Katniss visiting District 12. And...we're off.

Careful reading is required to savor every word, every action, every thought and every deed of Katniss'. I will not include any spoilers. That just ruins the whole experience. Be careful when exploring other sites because not everyone that posts comments remembers you might want to find out for yourself.

Fantastic. Fabulous. I laughed. I cried. I LOVED IT!

Probable New Series: Number Six

Teri Hall's The Line is her first book and the last page had me thinking, "OK, now that you've told me that...where is the next chapter." Sigh.

Rachel is the main character in The Line. Her mother and her live on estate with Ms. Moore. The estate is in a relatively isolated area which borders the line. The line is an invisible barrier to Away. The government created the National Border Defense System to keep invaders out; it also kept citizens out (and in) when it was activated. Many scary stories are told about what is living in Away, but Rachel doesn't quiet believe them, and when she hears a cry for help from Away - a young man's voice - she is even more curious. Now, she discovers her country's true history and the parts her parents played during the War.

Is this a grab you right away book? Nope. Is this a nail-biting, action-packed, cliff-hanger? Nope. Is it worth reading? Yes, because it makes you think about freedoms we take for granted and the dangers of being unaware, uninformed and complacent.

Four and Five: Discoveries and Decisions

Sherri L. Smith's Flygirl is the story of Ida Mae Jones. Ever since her father went to Chicago to aeronautics school and returned home with his own plane, all Ida Mae has wanted to do is fly. There are a few problems with this given it is the 1940's. First, most females don't fly airplanes. Second, Ida Mae is an African American. As far as her mother sees it, that is "two strikes against her" even if her skin color is much lighter than most. When the U.S. Army forms a group of women pilots - WASP - Women Airforce Service Pilots - Ida Mae sees an opportunity. However, to be a WASP (It seems as though the W could have stood for white too) Ida Mae pretends to be someone she isn't and along the way discovers who she really is.

Red Kayak by Priscilla Cummings takes place in Maryland, along the Chesapeake Bay. Brady, and his best friends J.T. and Digger, are in middle school and love to go fishing, crabbing, boating and swimming. The crabbing industry is suffering and times are lean for many families. But the land is valuable since the area is beautiful; rich families buy and build and move into their very exclusive homes built on the land that Brady, T.J. and Digger used to call their own. They bring their fancy cars, their motor boats, and even a kayak. However, one day tragedy strikes one family - the DiAngelos - when their kayak overturns in the bay. The tragedy is difficult for Brady to deal with, and when he discovers the truth, he must make a decision that could impact the lives of many.

Both books make you think and examine your own actions. I love when literature does that.