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%

More Than a Bucket List by Toni Birdsong

More Than a Bucket List by Toni Birdsong is an interesting book.  It focus' on establishing dreams, your passions, and building your faith.   It is filled with short stories, positive thoughts, and quotes that center around various themes.  After a few paragraphs of stories or thoughts, the author lists some dreams, adventures, passions, or ways to build your faith.  These lists are not meant as a check off list, but rather a list of suggestions.  The suggestions are broad and deep.

MY TWO CENTS WORTH:
This is not a sit down are read through book.  It is a book intended to be picked up, read for a little bit, and then set back down.  My wife and I thought this this would be a good bathroom book for those who tend to spend a lot of time in there.  I like the fact that this bucket list book was more well rounded than the others I have read or skimmed.  This one was more focused on the individual rather than things that can be done as a couple.  However, I will say that as I skimmed the many lists on dreams, adventures, passions, and building faith, I found myself writing them down in our Bucket List journal.  This book is definitely worth the look over because it has a lot of unique ideas and suggestions.

AR Quiz:  No AR quiz.

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.

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%

July 2008 Books

It has been over eight to nine months since I have posted anything on this blog. My hiatus was due to a string of events that simply prevented me from reviewing and writing about the books I have read. Some of those events and/or variables were, but not limited to, were: a new school assignment, mentorship, a new college course assignment, my lap top was stolen, and my daughter got married. All of these events have enriched my life beyond belief but I had to slow down a little to process and given attention to these new chapters in my life.

As for the books I plan to start, complete and/or purchase this month, I have listed them below. They are not in any particular order (i.e. of interest, alphabetical by author, alphabetical by title, ect...). The list books that I am in the progress of reading, wanting to start and/or plan to purchase for future reading have been categorized in one of five categories. Those five categories are: children's literature, personal (self-helpish type books), religious, professional development, and Miss Alainius.


July books should be:

* Joy in the Journey by Guy Doud - R.
* A Man Named Dave by Dave Pelzer - P/M (biography).
* Nine Best Practices That Make the Difference by Brian Pete and Robin Fogarty - PD.
* The 4:8 Principal by Tommy Newberry - R.
* The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch w/Jeffrey Zaslow - P.
* Victory Secrets of Attila the Hun by Wess Robersts, PhD - PD.
* Frankenstein by Mary Shelley - CL.
* Princess Annie and the Magical Pendant by H.L. Klun - CL.
* The World Is Flat by Thomas L. Friedman - P.
* The Sisters Grimm: Once Upon A Crime by Micael Buckley - CL.

Books, intellectual conversations, and casual conversations all have an influence on one's thinking, actions, discussions. I look forward to the journey that lays ahead. Here's to the journey!

February Books I Hope To Read - 2008

The books I plan to start, complete, and/or purchase in the month of November have been listed below. The books that I am in the process of reading, wanting to start, and plan to purchase for future reading have been rightly notated on the list below with corresponding italicized words. Additionally, I typically have 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-helpish type books), religious, professional development, and Miss Alainius. Although this journey may be a bit tiresome, I enjoy the adventure of learning.

February books are:

* The Control Freak by Les Parrott III, Ph.D. (P & PD)
* Improving Your Memory for Dummies by John B. Arden, Ph.D.
* Anxiety and Depression Workbook for Dummies by Charles H. Elliot, Ph.D. and Laura L. Smith, Ph.D. (P & PD)
* Tales From Solver Lands by Charles J. Finger (CL & Newberry Award)
* The man Who Was Thursday by G.K. Chesterton (MA)
* High-Maintenance Relationships by Les Parrott III, Ph.D. (PD & P)
* The Leadership Challenge by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner (completed several times but just need to post) - PD.
* The Book of John (in progress) - R.
* What's Worth Fighting for in Your School? by Michael Fullan and Andy Hargreaves(would like to start) - PD.
* Leadership and the One Minute Manager by Kenneth Blanchard (would like to start) -PD


Books, intellectual conversations, and casual conversations all have an influence one one's thinking, actions, discussions. I look forward to the journey that lays ahead. Here's to the journey!

December Books

The books I plan to start, complete, and/or purchase in the month of December have been listed below. The books that I am in the process of reading, wanting to start, and plan to purchase for future reading have been rightly notated on the list below with corresponding italicized words. Additionally, I typically have 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-helpish type books), religious, professional development, and Miss Alainius. Although this journey may be a bit tiresome, I enjoy the adventure of learning.

December books are:

* The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron. It was awarded the Newberry award for the year 2007. - R
* The Gingerbread Boy edited by Nova Nestrick - R
* The Final Act written by Chuck Smith. - R
* The Leadership Challenge by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. E.Posner (completed several times but just need to post) - PD.
* Improving Student Learning: One Teacher at a Time by Jane E. Pollock - PD
* 50 One-Minute Tips To Better Communication by Phillip E. Bozek, Ph.D. -PD
* Quite Strength by Rosa Parks (and Gregory J. Reed) - R
* The Book of John (in progress) - R.
* Joy in the Journey by Guy Doud (would like to start) - R.
* What's Worth Fighting for in Your School? by Michael Fullan and Andy Hargreaves(would like to start) - PD.
* Leadership and the One Minute Manager by Kenneth Blanchard (would like to start) -PD
*The One Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard (read but must post) - PD.
*The Big Book of How to Say It Best by Jack Griffin and Robbie Miller-Kaplan (in progress) - PD.

Books, intellectual conversations, and casual conversations all have an influence one one's thinking, actions, discussions. I look forward to the journey that lays ahead. Here's to the journey!

November books I hope to read - 2007

The books I plan to start, complete, and/or purchase in the month of November have been listed below. The books that I am in the process of reading, wanting to start, and plan to purchase for future reading have been rightly notated on the list below with corresponding italicized words. Additionally, I typically have 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-helpish type books), religious, professional development, and Miss Alainius. Although this journey may be a bit tiresome, I enjoy the adventure of learning.

November books are:

* King of the Wind by Marguerite Henery. This book was awarded the Newberry Award in 1948. - CL
* Character under Attack and What You Can Do About It was written by Carl Sommer. Printed in 2005. - P
* The Final Chapter written by Chuck Smith. - R
* Outlearning the Wolves written by David Hutchens. The second edition printed in 1998. - PD
* The Leadership Challenge by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner (completed several times but just need to post) - PD.
* The Book of John (in progress) - R.
* A Day's Journey by Jon Courson (in progress-1 year) - R.
* How Full is Your Bucket? by Tom Rath and Donald O. Clifton, Ph.D. (completed but just need to post) - SH.
* Joy in the Journey by Guy Doud (would like to start) - R.
* What's Worth Fighting for in Your School? by Michael Fullan and Andy Hargreaves(would like to start) - PD.
* Leadership and the One Minute Manager by Kenneth Blanchard (would like to start) -PD
*The One Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard (read but must post) - PD.
*The Big Book of How to Say It Best by Jack Griffin and Robbie Miller-Kaplan (in progress) - PD.


Books, intellectual conversations, and casual conversations all have an influence one one's thinking, actions, discussions. I look forward to the journey that lays ahead. Here's to the journey!