The Curse of Einstein's Pencil (Bea Garcia)

The Curse of Einstein's Pencil (Bea Garcia)

This book is ADORABLE. Author Deborah Zemke has written more than forty children's books. She is amazing at what she does and I am so excited to have found another author (and series!!) for my future classroom library. I have read just over half of The Curse of Eistein's Pencil (Bea Garcia). Side note: This book is aimed for grades 1-3. I had to stop reading so I could write this blog post because I think I might know how the book is going to end. I am not ready to find out if I am correct or not, so I wanted to pop in write about what has happened so far. 

Chapter 1 is titled My Magic Pencil. In this chapter, Bea shares that she is an artist. Her teacher, Mrs. Grogan, said that Bea's pencil was magical. Not magical as in abracadabra, but magic as in it helped her be able to draw anything! At the end of chapter 1, we meet Judith Einstein. Supposedly, she is the smartest girl in school. She always has her hand in the air ready to answer questions. Judith picks Bea as her partner for the geography competition! Bea is so nervous to compete with her, but so thankful she was chosen by the smartest girl in school. Judith begins to order Bea to study. Bea is challenged to learn 257 geography facts in less than one day. She tries her best but doesn't perform well on the quiz the next day. Bea decides to take one of Judith's pencils so she too will know all of the answers. I mean her pencil does allow her to draw well, so if she gave Judith her pencil and she took Judith's, they will switch strengths. Obviously, right? That is right where I stopped reading. Since I am a good reader, I am thinking about what might happen next. I think that Bea is going to rely on Judith's magic pencil instead of studying for the test and make a fool out of herself and Judith. 

I would love to have this series in my future classroom library. It is an easy read with many illustrations. This is a wonderful suggestion for a student who is just starting to read chapter books. I am excited to read the rest of the book to see if I am correct or not! If Bea doesn't do well at the competition, Judith is going to be so embarrassed and upset. Stay tuned to my blog and I will give an update!!

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor

When picking out books for the 20 book challenge, I try my best to look for new content. I don't mean new as in it was recent released. New as in I have never read that genre, never heard of the author, or never heard of the book. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry is new to me. Because I plan to teach upper elementary, I make sure to grab books that are both above and below grade level when I am at the library. This book is definitely above grade level. I would love to use this text to teach a reading unit to a 6th or 7th grade class when discussing The Great Depression. 

I was shocked when reading the first few chapters because of how real it felt. It honestly feels like you are in Mississippi in the 1930's during The Great Depression. Mildred Taylor does an excellent job taking you to that place. I suggest using this text as a whole class unit because of how advanced it is. Students would benefit greatly from breaking this text down and analyzing it together, potentially in small groups. Scholastic provides a fantastic reading guide for this book. If I were to actually use this reading guide in my classroom, I would only use a few of the activities. After reading The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller, I know whole class novel units are no longer the most effective approach to teaching reading or language arts. Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry might be my one exception from the personal vow to not use whole class novel units. 

I have only read the first few chapters of this book, but I plan to finish it by tomorrow. I suggest this text for upper elementary for multiple reasons. First, I am impressed with the vocabulary used throughout the chapters. Words such as emblazoned, monotonous, and plaguing are frequently used. Most elementary students would not know these words. That is another reason I love this text. There is so much opportunity to grow as a reader from breaking the chapters down individually and analyzing them. And secondly, the concept of racial segregation can be a tough subject to teach. I think this book is such a raw depiction of The Great Depression.

I also wanted to mention that the Indiana Department of Education has amazing resources regarding civil rights and ethnic education. 

The Fault in Our Stars

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

The Fault in Our Stars is my favorite movie in the whole wide world. I can recite the movie from beginning to end. I watched my sisters copy of the DVD so many times, it stopped working. I know this movie like I know the back of my hand. But, I have a confession to make.. I have never read the book. *gasp* I know. I'm one of those people. I made it my goal this semester to read TFIOS so I no longer have to be one of those people.

If you have yet to hear about this incredible piece of art, let me give you a brief overview. Hazel Grace Lancaster is forced to attend a support group for cancer patients. (Literally, in the heart of Jesus). At this support group, Hazel meets Augustus Waters. Hazel originally was diagnosed with thyroid cancer, but it spread to her lungs. Hazel uses an oxygen tank 24/7 because of this. Augustus had osteosarcoma. He is now cancer free due to having his leg amputated. The two exchange book recommendations after hanging out one afternoon (outside of support group!). Hazel is to read The Price of Dawn and Augustus is to read An Imperial Affliction. An Imperial Affliction is to Hazel as The Fault in Our Stars is to me. Augustus reads her recommendation and he too falls in love with the book. Augustus decided to use his wish (similar to Make A Wish) to take Hazel and himself to Amsterdam to meet Peter Van Houten, the author of An Imperial Affliction. Turns out, this man is NOT who they thought it would be. He is a mean drunk who refuses to answer any of their questions. While the two were in Amsterdam, Augustus breaks the news to Hazel that his cancer is back and it has spread to just about every part of his body. When they return from their trip, Augustus organizes his own funeral. He asked his best friend, Isaac, and Hazel to give a eulogy at his prefuneral. When Augustus passes (I'm so sorry I spoiled the book for you, but I have to give an honest review!) Van Houten attends the funeral. He finally answers the questions Hazel asked him while in Amsterdam. Before Augustus died, he sent Van Houten his sequel to An Imperial Affliction. At the funeral, Van Houten gives the papers to Hazel. The book AND movie end with a quote from Gus' sequel that says, “You don't get to choose if you get hurt in this world...but you do have some say in who hurts you. I like my choices.”

I can't decide whether I like the movie or book more. Surprisingly, I didn't cry with either one. This story means the world to me. Teenage love is so pure. Throwing scary words like "cancer" and "death" into the mix is terrifying. I couldn't imagine having a diagnosis as such at seventeen. I couldn't imagine losing the love of my life at seventeen either. I recommend this book (and movie) to literally everyone. John Green is an incredible author. TFIOS is based in Indiana, which makes the story feel close to home. If you get a chance, look into this story! You will not be disappointed, I promise.