Divergent series - written by Balisha January

A girl is different than other people or so she thinks. The story continues in the second and third books.
I definitely think this is for more mature readers . There is some mature language. I thought the books were very exciting. I loved to just read and read and read. In the books they were always moving. I think people who like adventure would like this series.

Wonder

I just finished this book seconds ago and I'm bursting with emotions! I feel warm. I feel like I just read a life changing story. I'm excited to share this book with EVERYONE!

This is a tale of a young boy who is starting the 5th grade. Up until this point of his life he has been homeschooled so he is beyond nervous! On top of that he was born with severe facial deformities. Middle school is difficult for all kids but to see it through August's eyes is just so eye-opening. He is the most endearing, honest, and heart warming character I've ever encountered in a piece of literature. He is written in such a realistic way.

There are several chapters in the book that are from the points of view of other characters, August's sister, his friends, and other people he encounters. They are so relatable and HUMAN! They are imperfect but they all have one thing in common: they love August! And I do too!

I think that everyone from the third grade and up will love him as well!

One for the Murphys

It's been awhile since my last blog! With school beginning it's been a hectic time and I haven't had as much time to read. However, I am so glad that I made the time to read One for the Murphys. This a story about a little girl about 13 years old named Carly who is taken away from her parents after she has been beaten by her stepdad. She goes into foster care while her mother recovers in the hospital. The things that Carly goes through are so real and authentic. Having never been in foster care I do not know how it feels, but through reading this book I feel like I got a little glimpse into what it might be like. There are times where Carly is sad, happy, angry, and confused. She is constantly pulling herself in opposite directions. One moment she loves the Murphy family and the next moment she feels like she is betraying her mother by having these feelings. It is a raw look at what many children go through every single day.

I would recommend this book to 5th grade and up, especially to those who are in the foster care system, have been in the system, or know someone who is.This book is inspirational and unconventional. One for the Murphys is a good read!

The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

This book is special. That is the best way to describe it. It is simple and beautiful and touching and heart warming.

The characters are developed slowly and carefully. You get to know them at the pace you would get to someone in real life. You develop feelings and affection for each and every character. The story is slow-going but if you stick it out, it will be worth it! The story is just beautiful.

This book is clearly, concisely, and thoughtfully written. It is inspired by (but not based on) true events. It is appropriate for readers 4th grade and up. It can be enjoyed by people of all ages!

The Fault in Our Stars

I just finished The Fault in Our Stars. It was not as good as I thought it would be. I think this is the trouble with popular books. There is so much hype, excitement and buzz that we think, "This must be the best book ever written, a masterpiece." We are fooled into the belief that if many people like something, then we will like it too. We forget that everyone is different and we all have different tastes. I think that the tomato is the number one delicacy of the garden. My husband wants to puke at the thought if eating a raw tomato. Such is life. We are different people.With all that being said, however, The Fault in Our Stars is a good book...it simply isn't the work of artistic genius that I expected. 

The book is unique in many ways. The most obvious way is that it is a book about cancer, love, and dying, yet I shed no tears. Some may be of the opinion that I am emotionless but that's not the case. I felt that the sob-inducing portion of the book was well planned, and as a reader, I was prepared for what was happening. It wasn't a shock. Yes, it was sad, tragic even, but it wasn't sensationalized; it was written in a very realistic manner. I have seen people die of cancer and I feel that John Green described this affliction in a way that does the victims justice. It was written beautifully while at the same time ugly which is the reality of this disease.

 Another way that this book was unique was the character portrayal. The characters are my favorite part of this story. They are teenagers yet they are clever, intelligent, and flat out funny. So often we read books about teens and young adults and they are portrayed as love-sick, intellectually stunted, immature individuals. I'm so glad that these characters have broken that mold. Young people can be smart too! I enjoyed reading the dialogue more than any other part of the book. 

I also like that even though this is a book written about teenagers, you get a taste of what the parents of cancer patients go through and how they feel. The Fault in Our Stars was a good book with a good story line and GREAT characters. I recommend this book to people in the 9th grade and up. The vocabulary and jokes are way too advanced for anyone younger than 9th grade. And if we are being honest, it's probably too advanced for most high school students, but they could figure it out. Also, the content is just too mature for junior high or upper elementary students. If you are young and this book appeals to you, I encourage you to add it to your reading wish list, wait it out, and enjoy it fully when you are older. 

Inspired!

Hello to anyone who might be reading this blog! I just returned from an amazing workshop all about reading and am truly inspired. I want to make several positive changes in my classroom to aide my students in their quest for knowledge. I want them to develop a thirst for books and devour them eagerly. I want to help them do that.

My mission this summer is to read as much as possible and blog about it! I have chosen several books that may or may not appeal to the age group that I teach. (3rd through 5th grade) However, this blog is not just for them. My hope would be that students in junior high and high school here at Cherokee would read my blog and be inspired to read as well. In my reviews I will give a short synopsis. I will give my opinions on the book as well as what age group I think would enjoy the book most. Later in the school year, I will allow students to write blogs on the books they are reading too. I am so excited about this endeavor and hope that this blog can be enjoyed by students, teachers, and parents alike!

My first book is The Fault in our Stars by John Greene. I have just begun reading it so it will be a few days before I get my review up. Stay tuned....