Six Kids and a Stuffed Cat

Six Kids and a Stuffed Cat written by Gary Paulsen is a short story or play that takes part in a junior high bathroom.  There is an extreme weather warning and everyone at the middle school needs to take shelter until the storm cell passes.  The time was about an hour after school let out and all six of the students were there at the middle school after hours for various reasons.

The six students knew of each other but were not friends.  While sitting in the restroom waiting out the storm, they began to talk and share with one another.  Friendships were made over the time spent in the bathroom during the storm and they discovered new things about one another.  Avery carried around a stuffed cat, Jordan got bloody noses because he was anxious, Taylor pretended to be stupid so  he could hangout with and become friends with Mason, Mason is always on the look out for contacts (not friends), and Regan is always trying to get people to join a group of some kind.

In the end, they all become friends and discover very humanistic things about one another.  Rather than judging one another, they accept each other and become friends.

MY TWO CENTS WORTH:
This was one of Gary Paulsen's short stories.  It was an easy read and I finished it in a short amount off time.  The thing I  like about Gary Paulsen's stories is that they tend to be believable.  Living back east during my junior high years, I can easily relate to this story.  Although I never sat in the bathroom with five other guys during a sever storm, I have hung out at my friends house in the garage during a huge thunder and lightening storm.  We all stayed in the garage, talked, watched the storm, and waited out the storm.  As a middle schooler, your conversations go in all kinds of directions and tend to create a bond with those involved in the conversations.

At the end of the short story, Gary Paulsen wrote the  story in a play.  It is all mapped out so that a group of students could easily act out the story.  If I were a literature teacher and taught the  sixth or seventh grade, I would give this book and play a shot.  It would be fun to do as well as watch.

AR Quiz: 90%

MTH: Christmas in Camelot

The adventures of Jack and Annie continue in the book Christmas in Camelot.  It thought it would be fun to read this particular book over the Christmas holiday.  Jack and Annie go to Camelot by invitation but when they get there they discover that no one there sent them an invitation to come.  King Author has banned all magic in Camelot and Camelot has been placed under a spell of sorrow and unhappiness.  If they don't go to the Other World and get some of the magic water, then Camelot will remain unhappy forever and Jack and Annie will never be able to visit again.  On their adventure they have to get four gifts:  a cloak, a cup, a compass, and a key.  They get the cloak from the Christmas Knight, the cup from Sir Galahad, the compass from Sir Percival, and the key from Sir Lancelot.  Jack and Annie run into a white stag and ride it to and from the Other World.  While in the Other World, Jack and Annie save the three missing knights and bring back a cup of the magic water.  As Jack tries to walk over to all of the frozen Camelot people (King Author, Morgan le Fay, and the knights at the round table) he trips and spills all of the water in the cup.  As it seeps into the ground a gold cloud of smoke rises and then everyone is unfrozen and laughing and singing.  Jack and Annie saved Camelot from being forever unhappy.

MY TWO CENTS WORTH:
This was a pleasant and fun read over the Christmas holiday.  I really enjoy the simple structure of the MTH books.  They are an easy read, predictable, and informative.  I think this series of books are good for children just getting into chapter books and for students who are struggling readers.  Their predictability makes it easy for the reader to follow and even guess what comes next.  I own almost every MTH book and have a goal to read everyone.  I have to look back at my list of MTH books that I have read so that I can systematically read every one.  Another thing I like about the MTH series is that the books are intended to be read in fours because of the mystery or puzzle Jack and Annie are trying to solve.  However, each book is filled with a separate adventure and can be read as a standalone book.  I recommend reading them in order so that you stay connected with the progression of the overall story line.  Mary Pope Osborne has done an excellent job with this children's literature series.


AR Quiz:  100%

MTH: China - Land of the Emperor's Great Wall by Mary Pope Osborne

This particular book written by Mary Pope Osborne and her sister, Natalie Pope Boyce, is a non-fiction book about China.  In a nutshell, it an easy to read book that states facts about China.  The book covered bits and pieces of the Great Wall of China, the first emperor, the Terra-Cotta Soldiers, many of China's great inventions, the daily life in China, and the many things they celebrate.

MY TWO CENTS WORTH:
A few years back I visited China as one of the requirements for my doctorate degree.  It was a fascinating trip and very  educational.  Many of the things the book covered, I was fortunate enough to see or hear about while I was there.  However, we did not have enough time to visit the Terra-Cotta Soldiers.  I heard it was fascinating to  see.  As I read the chapter on inventions, I was impressed to learn that paper, the compass, and gunpowder were invented in China.  China is definitely an old civilization and have contributed a lot to what we take for granted today.  I do want to take a trip back to China with my wife.  I would like to visit the Great Wall and the Red Square once again.  In addition, I would take some time to visit the Terra-Cotta Soldiers.

If you like reading the MTH fiction series, then these books (the Fast Tracker series) are well worth the read because they bring you behind the senses of the fiction books.  They help you see what the author saw when she began writing the story.  In addition, these books are filled with fun facts that can lead you in a discovery direction on other topics.

AR Quiz: 90%

Field Trip by Gary Paulsen and Jim Paulsen

Field Trip is written by my favorite youth author, Gary Paulsen, and his son, Jim Paulsen.  Field Trip is the companion book Road Trip.  This book can be read after Road Trip but can also be read independently.  The only characters that move through both books are the two collies (Atticus and Conor), the dad, and the boy (Ben).  The readers are introduced to several new characters in this book.  The reader is introduced to the twins, Brig, and a new puppy.  The setting for this story is the road.  The dad decides to help Ben and two of his classmates, Jacob and Charlotte, catch up to the school field trip bus.  This adventure takes place in the new work truck that dad purchased.  This new truck is a used ice cream truck.  As they drive down the road to catch up to the school bus, Ben's dad gets side tracked by a flea market and hold house.  Charlotte arranges to buy the old house for $1 and they give it to charity.  Jacob gets a news crew out to cover the great story of fixing up an old house and giving it to a family in need.  On their way to the meet the bus, Jacob noticed a movies set out on the road.  Jacob always wanted to be in a movie so he convenced everyone to pull over and give it their best shot to be an extra in the movie.  It all worked out and everyone had a part and even Jacob got a speaking part.  After the movie adventure was over, Ben was able to swindle his way over to the hockey try-outs and trys-out even though his dad did not want him to try-out.  Try-outs went well and they liked Ben.  After the try-outs things were pretty quite in the truck as they drove on.  As they were driving by a animal shelter, Atticus began to bark.  They stopped there to pick up Ben's new puppy.  The new puppy's name is Puck.  As they drive home, Ben discovers that his mom had bought a new house for them to move into, a hockey rink is only a block away from their new house, there will be a 10-week hockey camp with real NFL hockey players coaching, and Ben gets a girlfriend (Charlotte).  Although they never caught up to the school bus and the school field trip, all things seemed to work out.

MY TWO CENTS WORTH:
I like how this book and the other book, Road Trip, was written by both authors.  It started out as an interest story sent by Jim to his dad, Gary.  Gary responded by writing the next chapter.  This went on until the book was finished.  This style of writing a story is interesting and keeps the ideas fresh but builds upon one another.  I definitely liked the way they were able complement each other throughout the story.  It did not give the reader the impression that there were two different trains of thought.  I also enjoyed the way they included the dog's perspective.  It was always nice to "get into" the minds of the dogs and know what they were thinking as things transpired.  If you are a Gary Paulsen fan, this is a must.  If you like taking semi-planned or unplanned road trips, this book is for you.  If you like dogs and family dynamics, this book is for you.

AR Quiz: 90%

Family Ties by Gary Paulsen

Family Ties is one of five books in this series written by my favorite author, Gary Paulsen.  The other books in this series written by Gary Paulsen were:  Vote, Crush, Flat Broke, and Liar, Liar.  All five books have Kevin Spencer as the main character and he is about middle school age.  He lives in a family of five - a mom, a dad, a brother, and a sister.  He is the youngest of the three children and plays the part of the glue that keeps the family together.  Each book is about a specific family/friend adventure.  Keven is hopelessly in love with a girl by the name of Tina.

In Gary Paulsen's book Family Ties, Kevin has been struck with the idea of reconnecting his dad with his brother Will.  Will and dad had a falling out in the past and has not been restored.  Kevin emails his Uncle Will and he agrees to come over to the house.  Will brings his new wife and the adventure begins.  Kevin recommends that his Uncle and new Aunt get remarried and Kevin begins the planning.  It turns out that their Aunt who lives above the garage has considered getting married also.  Kevin goes into high gear to organize the two weddings.  There are new characters introduced into the Spencer family and bring about some interesting, and funny, dynamics.  In the end, Uncle Will and his wife have to take their dog to the veterinarian because it was going to have puppies.  Kevin's Aunt who lives above the garage gets married and the Spencer family is there as the witness.

MY TWO CENTS WORTH:
If you like Gary Paulsen and his many youthful books you will enjoy this book.  In fact, I would recommend the series because the build upon one another.  Each book brings you into the life of Kevin and his desire to solve family problems.  You are left chuckling and laughing out loud because of some of the situations Kevin gets himself in.  I have read all five of the books in the series and enjoyed each one.

AR Quiz: 90%

Books I Hope to Read in January/February of 2018

I typically have two to four books in the hopper (in the process of reading). These four books always fall in one of the following five categories: children's literature, personal (self-help type books), religious, professional development, and other. Although this journey can be a bit cumbersome, I enjoy reading and the adventure that follows.  It is my hope that I can keep this going like I did year's back.  My life has begun to settle and my doctorate program has concluded.  Now I can read for fun, enjoyment, and self-fulfillment.  The reason I want to blog the books I read is so that I hold myself accountable as well as create a log of the books that I have read.  Then I can go back to the log entries and job my memory about the book I once read.

January/February books are:

*  Six Kids and a Stuffed Cat by Gary Paulsen
*  Family Ties by Gary Paulsen
*  Field Trip by Gary Paulsen
*  Wonder by R. J. Palacio
*  More Than a Bucket List by Toni Birdsong
*  What if God Wrote Your Bucket List? by Jay Payleitner
*  Magic Tree House - Christmas in Camelot by Mary Pope Osborne
*  Magic Tree House - China:  Land of the Emperor's Great Wall by Mary Pope Osborne

*  The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne
*  The End by Mark Hitchcock

All of these books were either recommended by a friend, picked because I have a goal of reading the whole series, goal of reading every book by a specific author, selected due to an Amazon search, mentioned in a book I am currently reading, or a specific genre I am currently interested in.

Brian's Winter

Brian's Winter is one of several "Brian" books written by Gary Paulsen. Brian's Winter is the alternate ending to the well-known Hatchet book. In Hatchet, Brain was rescued from the woods near the end of the summer months; however, in Brian's Winter he lives through the winter and then returns to "civilization". In Brian's Winter, Gary Paulsen takes you through those cold months in the Canadian bush. Brian learns to weather seal his shelter, make arrows from stone, create clothing for warmth and how to hunt. In the end, Brian meets a trapping family, the Smallhorns, who hunt the area in the winter for food. The Smallhorns welcome Brain into their way of life. When the supply plan flies in to drop off supplies for the family, Brian reluctantly climbs aboard and flies back to civilization.

MY TWO CENTS WORTH:
It's no secret, Gary Paulsen is one of my favorite authors. In fact, the Brian Robeson series is one of my favorite series. I felt that Brian's Winter was a much better ending to Hatchet. In Hatchet, the end came abruptly and I felt as if I was abandoned. Brian's Winter continued as if Brian did not get rescued by the plane in Hatchet.

I love the mountains, enjoy camping, and am at peace when in the outdoors. I have often fantasized about what it would be like to run off and live off the land in some wilderness far away from civilization. Although this is not practical and I probably wouldn't make it past the first week, I have been able to vicariously experience this through Brain Robeson's fictional life. Gary Paulsen has the unique ability to paint detailed pictures with the words he uses to tell his stories. The words become pictures, these vivid pictures become moving pictures in your mind, and soon you are there with Brian, the bear, the moose or even the wolf. He is an amazing writer who pulls you along in his stories. I highly recommend this series for those who love the outdoors, especially hiking and camping.

Read Hatchet before you read this book. Once you complete Brian's Winter you need to read The River, Brian's Return, and Brian's Hunt (in that order).

AR Quiz: 100%
AR Vocabulary Quiz: 100%

The Brian Robeson series

Dunc's Doll

Dunc's Doll is one of many titles within the Culpepper Adventures series written by Gary Paulsen. In a nutshell, the Culpepper Adventures series is about two boys, Dunc and Amos, who seek out and solve mysteries both by calculated and accidental methods. Dunc and Amos visit a traveling antique doll show learn about a doll Charles Dicken's daughter owned. The adventure begins when the doll was stolen. Dunc and Amos set out to uncover the thief and return the doll. The boys develop a plan which includes dressing up like a girl and distracting a guard dog. Dunc's Doll will guide you through their hilarious adventure of solving the crime surrounding the stolen doll formally owned by Charles Dicken's daughter.

MY TWO CENTS WORTH:
As one of my favorite authors, I eat up anything he writes and publishes. The Culpepper Adventure series has to be one of my favorite series to read. They are short adventure packed books riddled with funny and identifiable moments. Dunc and Amos, the main characters throughout the Culpepper Adventure series, lead you through many engaging and hilarious adventures. Although Dunc's Doll is a book about a collector's doll, it is a book in which boys of all ages will enjoy reading. In fact, I am confident many readers will seek out other books within the Culpepper Adventure series so they can discover what Amos and Dunc are up to.

AR Quiz: 100%

Mr. Peabody's Apples

Mr. Peabody's Apples is a story about how words have tremendous power and influence. In this children's story written by Madonna, Tommy sees Mr. Peabody take the shinniest apple for the store without paying for it. Tommy immediately assumes that Mr. Peabody is a theif and tells all who would listen. Soon the boys who usually play baseball on Saturday don't come and play because they don't want to play with a theif. Another boy, Billy, talks with Mr. Peabody and discovers that Mr. Peabody pays for the apple and milk early every Saturday morning but picks the apple up on his way home from the baseball game. Tommy is sad he spread a rumor. Tommy appologizes, yet he doesn't quite get it. Mr. Peabody has Tommy meet him at the baseball field with his feather-filled pillow. They cut open the pillow and spread the feathers. Mr. Peabody then tells Tommy that each feather represents someone in the town who heard the rumor he spread. Tommy then realized how words can spread fast and influence other people.

MY TWO CENTS:
The story or fable is simple, yet powerful. I enjoyed its simplicity. The artwork is also fantastic.

100% on the AR quiz. ")

Three Names

The author of Sarah, Plain and Tall wrote a lovely children's book called Three Names. Three Names is a simple book about the days when children on the prairie road a wagon, a horse, a pony or walked to a one room school house. In this enjoyable story, a boy and three names (the boy's dog) loved to go to school and they missed it when school was out for the summer.

MY TWO CENTS:
The story transports me back to the days when children did attend a one room school house. I spent a moment or two reflecting on what it would be like to have a multiage classroom and try to meet the academic and social needs of the students in the class. I have to hand it to the early school house teachers, they had their work cut out for them.

Criss Cross

Lynne Rae Perkins was the 2005 Newberry Award recipient for her book Criss Cross. This is a becoming of age story that takes place during the summer months. Each chapter reveals the thoughts and youthful actions of three main boys and two main girls. They live in a small town named Seldem. Many of the five are bored with their small town and all the plain people. As the summer months pass, they begin to discover new things about the town, the people and each other. In the end, they begin to discover that the happiness many of us are searching for is right in front of you.

MY TWO CENTS:
Cute book about discovering and noticing new things about old things. I enjoyed how Lynne Rae Perkins introduced the main characters and intertwinded their lifes throughout the chapters of the book. This was a pleasant read, especially after recently finising The Sorrows of Young Werther by Goethe.

The title Criss Cross came from the radio show the five characters listened to in Leon's truck while parked in the driveway. The radio show was one of the many times these five characters paths criss crossed throughout their life.

I received 100% on my AR quiz.

Big Chickens

Big Chickens written by Leslie Helakoski is a delightful book about four chickens who were frightened away from their chicken coop due to the presence of a wolf. Their flight took them through the woods, into a ditch, to a lake, into a cow patch and then inside a cave. All along these four chickens were scared and frightened. In the end, they discovered they were filled with guts, brains and power and didn't need to be afraid.

MY TWO CENTS
Some of the simplest stories turn out to be little favorites. Big Chickens was a gift from one of my students who purchased the book during our Back-2-School Night book fair. In many ways, I related to these four chickens as they ventured out beyond the comfort and safety of their chicken coop. They were afraid of every new place and run by the thoughts that filled their minds. Although they didn't take the time to process the new information they functioned on a preconceived notion that the situation (i.e. cow patty, lake, wolf) was nothing but doomsday. It wasn't until they were corned in the cave and reluctantly faced the big bad wolf only to realize that they have strength in numbers and strength in doing something. All too often we allow fear to consume us and control our actions (or lack there of). When we face our fear, willingly or unwillingly, and deal with it head on, often times we concur the fear and realize the only thing we feared was fear itself.

Accelerated Reader Quiz: 100% ;)

Junie B., First Grader Toothless Wonder

Ms. Parks does it again. Her well known and well loved first grader, Junie B. Jones, has delighted our hearts and minds with a simple event we have all encountered at least once in our life.

Junie has been wiggling her tooth for days and it is on the verge of coming out. The first tooth is always the hardest. Its the unknown and fear can consume one's mind. Junie talks with her teacher, whom offers little comfort but praises her for being the first 1st grader to loose her tooth in his class. Junie's nemesis is jealous and makes a number of attempts to discredit this experience.

With the help of Junie's grandfather, the tooth comes out. She is scared, yet intrigued. This begins many questions and discussions about the tooth fairy, where to teeth go and why would a tooth fairy take your tooth and leave you money.

In the end, Junie puts the tooth under her pillow, gets some money and then discovers what the tooth fairy really does with a child's tooth. Sorry, I'm not telling. You'll have to read the book to find out. :)

MY TWO CENTS
This series is delightful and fun to read. The main character, Junie B. Jones, is your typical first grade girl who has a fun outgoing personality. The things she experiences and shares in her adventures are real experiences our first and some second graders face. I took the AR quiz and only got 80% correct. I need to keep working on my reading comprehension. As of this blogging, there is not a vocabulary quiz for this book.

Frankenstein

Mary Shelley was the original author of Frankenstein. As a kid growing up, I saw a variety of movies with Frankenstein but I never picked up the book to read. It wasn't until my son-in-law were having one of our many intriguing conversations about what we were reading or have read when our discussion turned to Frankenstein. Somewhere in our discussion, I told him I wouldn't be interested in the book because its about a monster that was created by a mad-scientist who then kills people. Based upon the Frankenstein movies I watched as a young lad, I had little interest to read the book Frankenstein. My son-in-law assured me that the plot of the book was no where near that of any Frankenstein movie and that the characters in the book had more depth. A week later, Sean bought the book and gave it to me as a gift and assured me I would like the book.

The book sat for some time before I picked it up and cracked the spine. The first few chapters dragged but as the characters developed and the plot thickened the chapters quickly flew by. I found that the "old" language of the 1700 - 1800's slowed me down quite a bit as I read.

As I eluded to earlier, the book was nowhere near any of the movies or built-up impressions I had about Frankenstein. As I read the book, I discovered that the individual who created the living creature from body parts of dead people was actually Mr. Frankenstein. The creature that was brought to life looked hideous mainly because he was created from body parts from a large number of dead or decaying bodies. I also discovered that Mr. Frankenstein was a man who enjoyed learning. I'd say he was borderline obsessive when it came to learning something. Once he set his mind on learning something, he devoted every waking moment uncovering its secret. One of those things he wanted to learn about was what made life. This is what lead him to discover how to create life from death.

Once the monster came to life, Mr. Frankenstein was so offended by its hideousness, he ran away. As time passed, this created creature sought out his creator seeking his acceptance. The creature was rejected by humans and rejected by his creator. The creature then sought out revenge upon his maker to entice him to create a mate who would care for him for who he was. Mr. Frankenstein, the creature's creator, would not concede. Therefore on Mr. Frankenstein's wedding night, the creature killed his wife. Mr. Frankenstein then sought out and hunted the creature in hopes to remove it from the human race.

The last chapters of the book recall the chase. Mr. Frankenstein goes to all ends of the earth (or at least near the northern end of the earth) seeking the monster. Frankenstein dies on a ship up in the Northern Hemisphere. However, before he dies he shares his life story with the captain of the ship. When all is said and done, the story you actually are reading is the life of Mr. Frankenstein as told by the ship's captain.

I really enjoyed this book and will read other classic novels because of this reading experience. Reading this book made me realize how much movies have influenced the way I perceive as well as believe something should be. Lastly, Mr. Frankenstein as well as the creature referred to three books throughout the novel. These three books apparently had a profound effect on the way both Mr. Frankenstein and the creature viewed their world. Those three books were: 1) Paradise Lost, 2) The Sorrows of Young Werther, and 3) Parallel Lives. Incidentally Mary Shelley read these three books prior to writing Frankenstein, thus influencing the development of the characters as well as the plot. In the near future, I plan to read these three books and see how they connect with Frankenstein. In fact, my son-in-law and I will be reading Paradise Lost together over the Christmas break. I'm sure we will have some lively and intriguing conversations. Here's to the journey!

The Dog Who Cried Wolf

The Dog Who Cried Wolf was written by Keiko Kasza. This delightful book does have an Accelerated Reader quiz. It is only worth .5 points. The Dog Who Cried Wolf takes place in the comfortable home of his owner Michelle. Moka, the dog, sits with Michelle reading a book about wolves. Moka begins to dream about living the life of a wolf. He leaves his comfortable home to become a wolf. He trys to catch dinner but it either gets away or makes fun of him. Lastly he howls at the moon and a family of wolves answer his call. Moka hightails it back home and runs into the arms of Michelle.

MY TWO CENTS WORTH:
This is a delightful book about a dog who wants to discover his roots. There have been those times in my life when I thought about my life and wanted to run in the other direction. Like Moka, one thinks life would be better on top of the mountain with the wolves; however, the reality is life is pretty good right where you are. Life isn't always greener on the other side of the mountain, its just a different kind of grass.

AR QUIZ: 100% :)

The Amazing Life of Birds (The Twenty-Day Puberty Journal of Duane Homer Leech)

The Amazing Life of Birds (The Twenty-Day Puberty Journal of Duane Homer Leech) was published in 2006 and written by Gary Paulsen. This book is a twenty day journal of a boy in intermediate school whose name is Duane Homer Leech. During those twenty days he journaled, Duane compared his days of puberty with that of a young bird born on the ledge of his window. During those twenty days, Duane's voice began to crack, he saw the roster on the cereal box turn into an elbow, he spilled cafeteria food on the girl he really likes, he knocks over the bookshelves in the library, and it was believed he started a ringworm epidemic at his school. If it something could go wrong, it would go wrong for Duane Homer Leech. Fortunately, like the young bird, Duane will jump out of the nest of puberty and into young adulthood.


MY TWO CENTS WORTH:
I am not a fan of journal type literature and this was no acception. Although I really enjoy Gary Paulsen as an author, this book didn't grab me like many of his other books. I'm not sure what it was. My lack of interest or enthusiam could have been due to the topic of puberty or the journal-type writing. This book was not a hit with me. However, it is one I will keep on my book shelf because Gary Paulsen, in my opinon, is a remarkable author for young readers.

The Higher Power of Lucky

The Higher Power of Lucky was written by Susan Patron and earned the John Newberry Medal in 2007. The setting takes place out in the desert in the small town named Hard Pan with the population of 43. The main character, Lucky, is a young girl around the age of 10 and cleans up after many of the town "AA" meetings. Lucky's mother died two years earlier, she never met her biological father, and now is in the care of a guardian named Bridgitt. She desperately wants to belong, belong to someone. Lucky's mother died, her biolgical father does not want her, and her guardian has a heart for France. The people who attend the "AA" meetings all talk about finding their Higher Power and springing out from rock bottom. Lucky hits rock bottom and then finds her higher power. Lucky's journey from rock bottom upward is worth the read. You meet many characters that warm your heart and bring you into their world of a town of 43 people.

MY TWO CENTS:
My journey over the last six months to read all of the John Newberry Medal winners before June 2008 has been intersting. I have enjoyed each book for different reasons. Each book has a moving story-line that brings the reader into their literature world. This story about a young girl whose mother died, father does not want her, and a guardian who misses France makes the reader have a tender place in their heart for her. You admire Lucky because she sees what others have and strives to attain it. She has no idea what the "higher power" is but through deduction she figures out that she must hit rock bottom before the "higher power" is discovered. Lucky's view of the world is so innocent and pure. You find yourself rooting for her after each page you turn. I enjoyed this story and would recommend it to others. There are a few sections within the story that didn't really add anything to it and would not have harmed the overall storyline if it was ommitted. As a parent, after your child reads this book at the tender age of 9-12 you might have a discussion about some body parts.

AR Quiz: 100%
AR Literature Assessment: 100%

The Little Engine That Could

The Little Engine That Could was written by Watty Piper and first published in 1971. This is a story about a train that carrys toys and food for all the good little boys and girls on the other side of the mountain. The train that typically brings the toys and food items to the good little boys and girls on the other side of the mountain breaks down. The toys and animals are sad and desperately try to get help. The ask a pompous passenger engine, a studly steam engine, and an exhausted elderly engine. All three of these engines had excuses as to why they could not help the broken down train. Then the toy clown flagged down a little blue engine. This little blue engine had never been on the other side of the mountain. In fact, the little blue engine had never left the train yard. Although small and insignificant, the little blue engine offered his help. With postive thoughts, energy, and pure determination, the little blue engine pulls the train over the mountain to the town with all the good little boys and girls. His montra, "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can".

The story took place in the rolling hills. There were several standout characters: a clown, the passenger engine, the steam engine, the old engine, and the little blue engine. The main message of the story is to never give up and always try.

MY TWO CENTS WORTH
One of my ultimate favorites. I have read this to students in grades 2-7th, my staff, and to adults in my university classes. The Little Engine That Could can be used for so many reasons: inspiration, determination, writing, plot, leadership, etc... Over the years as a student, as a teacher, as an administrator, and as a parent, I have found myself referencing this story again and again. When the mountain seemed too high or the shore to far away, I recall the sound of the little engine that could, "I think I can, I think I can, I think I can". As odd as it sounds, those four simple words said over and over have gotten me over many mountains.

AR QUIZ: 100%

The Door In The Wall

The Door In The Wall is the 1949 Newberrry award winning book. Marguerite DeAngeli is the writer of this fictional story about a young boy who lives in the times of knights, friars, kings, queens, and people with names like Alan-at-Gate or John-go-in-the-Wynd. The majority of the story takes place on the grounds of the St. Mark parish outside of London. Robin is the son of a knight who has gone off to fight in the Scottish wars and his mother has been called to serve the Queen during her time of extreme illness. The plague has settled in the city of London and people are either fleeing or have perished. Brother Luke, a member of the St. Mark parish has heard that Robin was abandoned by his caregivers. Due to Robin's illness and/or disability, he is immobile. Brother Luke carries him from Robin's house in London to the parish. At the parish, Brother Luke and many of the other menof God teach Robin about the many doors of opportunity that lay before every one. Robin learned that through patience and persistance doors will be opened and he can walk through them. Although Robin was clearly physically handicaped, he was the only one who could save the castle. Robin could swim, he has built up physical endurance, he could easily pass as a peasant, and he knew where to go so Sir Peter would receive the necessary assistance to overcome the Welch. In the end, Robin is given a color of jewels for his bravery and for saving the castle. His dad is one of the men who returned to the castle to fight off the Welch and his mother has completed her service to the Queen. In the end, they all are reunited and return to London. Brother Luke comes to live with the family and becomes Robin's tutor.

TWO CENTS WORTH:
Once I got past all the old English-type language I began to enjoy this story. I have to admit that the language style in which this story was written hindered my reading fluency throughout the story. Other than that, I enjoyed the perspective the author took when facing barriers, both physical and emotional, in one's life. Marguerite DeAngeli used Robin's physical barriers and emotional barriers as "doors of opportunity". As in the alleys of London or in the walls of a castle, there are many doors that lead to somewhere. One must simply find or create the key to unlock the door, push the door open, and then boldly walk through the door. Of all the characters in this story, Brother Luke is the one who sticks out the most. Brother Luke is devoted to God, his church, and his calling in life. He does not skirt his religious responsibilities nor his committment to God dispite the realities of the world that surrounds him. Brother Luke looks at every situation as a door that may or may not be opened. He is patient and kind like that of the stereotypical saint. I was touched by his mentoring of this young helpless boy named Robin. During this time of the plague and of war, Brother Luke was a major influence in Robin's life. Robin grew from a young helpless boy into a strong, determined, and talented young man.

AR QUIZ: 90%

Rosa Parks

Rosa Parks: From the Back of the Bus to the Front of a Movement is a biography written by Camilla Wilson for Scholastic Incorporated. This biography was written for students who read at the fouth grade level. Ms. Wilson did a fantastic job researching the life of Rosa Parks and sharing it with her young readers. The bulk of the 73 pages were spent on Rosa Parks earlier days in Montgomery. Early in her life, Rosa was involved with equal rights. This biography takes the reader through her yearly days and reveals the strong, determined woman behind the Montgomery bus boycott.

MY TWO CENTS:
I enjoyed this book thoroughly. This was a journey into the life of Rosa Parks in the years before the Montgomery bus boycott. I enjoy these types of biographies because they tend to give the reader a picture of the individual's life before they became well known. Rosa Parks did not live a simple and easy life. Her life was filled with pain, suffering, and fear. However, her life was also filled with determination, focus, and compassion. The one thing that struck me the most as I read this biography was Rosa Parks' work ethic. Rosa Parks worked a full-time job as a seamstress, answered phones on her hour lunch break, and participated in a number of politically related organizations after work (i.e. she would type, take notes, contact people, organize the meetings, etc...). When the day was done, she would go home and start all over again. In addition to her work as a seamstress and her volunteer work, she also had to take care of her husband and her parents. I practically buckle thinking about all the responsibilities Rosa Parks had on her shoulders, yet, she carried on. I am thankful she did not give up. I am thankful she did not get out of her seat on the bus. I am thankful she found the energy to carry on. Rosa Parks is a person to be admired and emulated in many ways. All people should be treated equally and there is no one race more superior than another. We all need to eat, we all need to sleep, we all bleed, we all breath, we all love, we all want a better life for our children. Although Rosa Parks took a seat, she stood for all.