Our summer reading blog draws to an end with this week’s final three book recomendations. We have enjoyed sharing our favorite books with you over the past seven weeks and hope you had the opportunity to read a few of them. If not, perhaps you will add these to your reading list and pick one up in the near future. Have a wonderful school year and continue to read as way of learning about the world and enriching your life.
Lorena’s Pick for ELEMENTARY School Students
Every time I read In November by Cynthia Rylant, I drift into a world of beautiful sights and smells. Cynthia Rylant uses vivid language that invites readers to visualize the scenes in her story. Children of all ages enjoy trying to imitate Cynthia Rylant as they describe a particular month. I love using Cynthia Rylant’s books as read alouds and as spring boards to writing. What Cynthia Rylant books have you read?
Pam’s Pick for MIDDLE School Students
The March by E.L. Doctorow is an historical fiction book that depicts life during the Civil War. It follows the famous march of Union General William Sherman, after he burned Atlanta. The march went from Atlanta to Savannah and then to the Carolinas. The viewpoints, feelings, and experiences of Southerners, slaves, free blacks, and Confederate and Union officers are depicted.
Jennifer’s Pick for HIGH School Students
Following a routine physical, 18-year-old Ben discovers that he has leukemia, and the prognosis is that he will have only one year to live. Ben immediately decides that he will not seek treatment, and he threatens his doctors with a lawsuit if they should tell anyone, including his family, about his condition. Instead, Ben is determined to live out his last year the way he wants to: doing the impossible. Though he is only 123 pounds, Ben goes out for football so that he can play alongside his star quarterback brother. Though he has previously only watched her from afar, he is determined to start a relationship with the intriguing and talented Dallas Suzuki. Though no one else pays attention, he is committed to saving the town drunk. And though everyone else is afraid of their narrow-minded government teacher, Ben decides to stand up to him. Despite the heavy content of this novel, Chris Crutcher’s Deadline is entertaining, poignant, uplifting, and inspiring. What do you think of Ben’s decision to keep this massive secret and the conflicts he faces as a result?
Have you read any of this week’s books? What are you reading this week? Do you have a book to recommend?
Posted in Back to School August 16, 2010
Lorena’s Pick for ELEMENTARY School Students
Borden is very upset because his father, Leon, has lost his job as a logger due to the preservation of the endangered spotted-owl and the old growth forest. One day, Borden goes to the forest to get revenge against the spotted-owl. When he is there, something happens that changes his plan. Instead of getting revenge, he saves an owlet. Read this story to see how Borden, Leon, and the rest of the family change and grow as a result of having this owlet in their home. There’s an Owl in the Shower by Jean Craighead George is a wonderful book that reveals different perspectives regarding one environmental concern in an entertaining and enjoyable way.
Pam’s Pick for MIDDLE School Students
Set in World War II Germany, The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne tells the story of a young boy whose father is an up-and-coming German officer who is put in charge of a concentration camp. This means that the family must move from their nice house, close to their grandparents, in Berlin to a remote farmhouse. The house is protected by a wall from which the family can see the farm or camp. It is a very lonely existence for this young man until he makes a friend on the other side of the fence. You need to read the book to find out what happens to their friendship. Follow it up, by watching the DVD or movie.
Jennifer’s Pick for HIGH School students
When Grace was a child, she was dragged from her yard by a pack of wolves and would have been killed were it not for the wolf with yellow eyes, which seemingly protected and saved her. This same wolf returns each winter to watch her from the edge of the woods, and Grace, now 17, is fascinated by him and thinks of him as her wolf. One night, Grace finds the yellow-eyed Sam on her back porch and knows this is her wolf in human form. It’s true; Sam is a werewolf, and his ability to revert to his human form during the summer months is dwindling. In the tradition of the Twilight series, Maggie Stiefvater’s Shiver is the story of two star-crossed lovers who must conquer seemingly insurmountable obstacles in order to be together. Which story do you like better: Bella’s and Edward’s, or Grace’s and Sam’s?
Have you read any of this week’s books? What are you reading this week? Do you have a book to recommend?
Posted in Back to School August 9, 2010
Lorena’s Pick for ELEMENTARY School Students
Edward Tulane is a special china rabbit who was owned and loved by a little girl named Abilene. Edward knows that he is wonderful and feels that he deserves all of the privileges he receives. However, everything changes for Edward when he is separated from Abilene and lost at the bottom of the ocean. His life drastically changes. Edward’s journey takes him from his beautiful home on Egypt Street to the bottom of the ocean and into several unique experiences. Edward learns valuable lessons along the way. The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo is an absolutely wonderful story! You must read it to see where his extraordinary journey takes him.
Pam’s Pick for MIDDLE School Students
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows is an historical fiction book, written in an exchange of letters, depicts life on the island of Guernsey off the coast of England during World War II. After the island is taken over by German soldiers, the islanders form a book club named the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. You will have to read the book to find out why the book club was called that and to find out its dual purpose.
Jennifer’s Pick for HIGH School students
Fifteen-year-old Vidya’s future is full of possibilities as she grows up in British-occupied India. Though her classmates are all planning for their upcoming arranged marriages, the influence of Vidya’s progressive father has contributed to her belief that she could go to college to pursue dreams other than serving a husband and having babies. All of her plans are shattered, however, when Vidya’s father is severely injured by the British police during a nonviolent protest, and she and her family are forced to live with his traditional and oppressive relatives. Vidya finds her only solace in escaping upstairs to her grandfather’s library. There, she meets a fellow intellectual: Raman, a young man who further complicates her life. Climbing the Stairs by Padma Venkatraman is a coming of age novel with a historically and culturally rich backdrop. If you enjoy learning about other eras or cultures, or if you like stories of hope and love in the face of difficult circumstances, this one’s for you. I’d love to hear your reaction to the circumstances to which Vidya has to adapt throughout the novel.
Have you read any of this week’s books? What are you reading this week? Do you have a book to recommend?
Posted in Back to School August 2, 2010
Lorena’s Pick for ELEMENTARY School Students
Have you been to Scranimal Island? It is a special place where the RADISHARK, RHINOCEROSE, BROCCOLIONS, and more hilarious fictitious characters live. Scranimals by Jack Prelutsky is a collection of funny poems that I love to read with children. He combines animals with fruits and vegetables to create humorous poems. Children love to create and write about their own scranimals after hearing a few poems.
Pam’s Pick for MIDDLE School Students
Have some sibling rivalry in your family? Interested in medicine and the science of DNA? If so, you will enjoy reading My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult. This interesting story of a sister who was conceived to save the older daughter who is dying of cancer. Does the younger sister have the right to say no? She has to hire a lawyer, who has an interesting medical problem himself, to represent her rights against her family’s wishes. However, the ending will leave you in a state of shock.
Jennifer’s Pick for HIGH School students
Lady Katsa of Kristen Cashore’s Graceling has one green and one blue eye, but that’s not the most unusual thing about her. Katsa is graced; she has the ability to fight (and kill, if she wants to) better than anyone, anywhere in the seven kingdoms. This capability is more than a talent to Katsa, though; it is her burden, since she is forced to work as her king’s enforcer. Through her work with a secret council dedicated to justice and righting the wrongs imposed by the corrupt kings, she meets Prince Po, another Graceling. Together they embark on a quest, through which they uncover secrets, discover romance, and realize the depths of their powers. This fantasy novel is chock full of well-developed characters and a detailed plot. If you like this book, try the sequel: Fire.
Have you read any of this week’s books? What are you reading this week? Do you have a book to recommend?
Posted in Back to School July 26, 2010
Lorena’s Pick for ELEMENTARY School Students
There is something special about the first dusk you notice fireflies fluttering around. Fireflies by Julie Brinckloe will take you back to those special evenings. It is one of my favorite stories. In the story, a young boy notices fireflies outside. He goes outside to capture some fireflies and keep them in a jar. Later that night, he notices the bright light the fireflies were creating begins to dim. He realizes that he has to let them go in order to keep them alive. It is a wonderful story to share with children of all ages.
Pam’s Pick for MIDDLE School Students
The Adventures of Vin Fiz adult novelist, Clive Cussler spins a tale of magic and adventure just for kids that is similar to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Twins Lacey and Casey with their basset hound, Floppy, fly in a Wright Brothers biplane from California to New York City. The biplane is named Vin Fiz after his favorite grape soda. It was also the real name of one of the Wright Brothers’planes. After many adventures and lots of magic flying across the Mississippi River and Niagara Falls, the kids arrive safely after their transcontinental flight.
Jennifer’s Pick for HIGH School students
In John Green’s Paper Towns, high school senior Quentin has been in love from afar with his wild and popular neighbor Margo for as long as he can remember. Quentin is amazed when, one night, Margo appears at his window and commands him to assist her in her carefully planned revenge pranks. The two spend an exhilarating night traveling around their central Florida town, but the mood is broken for Quentin when Margo disappears the next day. At first, it seems that Margo has simply run away (again), until Quentin and his friends discover that Margo has left clues, seemingly for him. Through these clues, Quentin discovers that nothing is what it seems, including Margo, and himself. Will Quentin find Margo, and if so, will he be happy that he did? Read Paper Towns to find out!
What are you reading this week? Do you have a book to recommend? Have you read any of these books?
Posted in Back to School July 19, 2010
Lorena’s Pick for ELEMENTARY School Students
During long hot summers, I like to read books that make me think about cold winter nights. Owl Moon by Jane Yolen is a unique story about a little girl who goes owling with her father late one winter night. The wonderfully descriptive language Jane Yolen uses in this story helps the reader feel like he or she is standing in the forest owling with the characters even if it is 90 degrees outside. You should read this book if you need to cool down this summer.
Pam’s Pick for MIDDLE School Students
Unwind by Neal Shusterman is the story of America in the future. The second Civil War has been fought over reproductive rights – pro-life vs. pro-choice. To end the war and satisfy both sides, The Bill of Life was signed into law. It states that no child can be aborted from the start of conception. However, between the ages of 13-18, a child who has no potential or causes trouble can be unwound. The Bill of Law states that in the unwound state the child is still alive only in separated parts. The “parts” are used as transplant parts for those who have been in accidents, disfigured, or dying and need transplants. Three teens are running for their lives so that they will not be unwound. If they can survive until age 18, then they can no longer be legally unwound. You will meet Connor, a troubled teen whose parents opted to have him unwound; Risa, a talented piano player yet a ward of the state who is being unwound to free up a bed; and Lev, the tenth child in his family and has been raised by his parents as a human tithe. Their story is gripping, fast-paced, and intriguing. It will keep you engaged to the very end.
Jennifer’s Pick for HIGH School students
What would happen if the moon were hit by a meteor with such force that it was moved closer to the Earth? In Susan Beth Pfeffer’s Last Survivors series, Miranda and Alex discover the far-reaching consequences of this natural disaster. The newest book of the series, This World We Live In, takes place in Pennsylvania one year after the catastrophe, when life as people knew it no longer exists. Miranda’s friends are dead, there is little food, and everyone is struggling against the cold. The arrival of Miranda’s father and stepfamily and love interest Alex complicate things even further, and when a devastating tornado hits the town, Miranda is forced to make a choice that will change their lives forever. Although this installment is the third of the series and includes characters introduced in the first two books, This World We Live In can be read as a stand-alone novel. But I guarantee that you’ll want to read the first two once you’ve read this one! What do you think of the ending?
What are you reading this week? Do you have a book to recommend? Have you read any of these books?
Posted in Back to School July 12, 2010
“To read a book for the first time is to make an acquaintance with a new friend; to read it for a second time is to meet an old one.” ~ Chinese Saying
Virginia Beach City Public Schools would like to make reading fun for parents and students during the summer months. To help you get started, three instructional staff from the school division, who all share of love for reading, will provide you with weekly suggestions about their favorite books. Each week, through August 13, our three bloggers – Lorena Kelly, Jennifer Kelly, and Pam Lawrence – will recommend a book for students enrolled in elementary, middle, or high school.
Of course, if you have a favorite book, please feel free to share it with our readers. We would also like to hear feedback about a book you are reading or have completed. You can also share with us the number of books you have read this summer or ask a question about reading to Lorena, Jennifer, or Pamela.
Check back every Monday to see the latest post. Happy summer reading!
Lorena’s Pick for ELEMENTARY School Students
Have you read Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes? This is one of my favorite books. At the beginning of the story, Chrysanthemum is very excited about starting school. But when Chrysanthemum actually goes to school, things happen to make her feelings change. You should read this book to see what happens to Chrysanthemum. Do you think she will like school by the end of the book?
Pam’s Pick for MIDDLE School Students
Do you like excitement and suspense? If so, you will enjoy the first in this series of books The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins. It is also on the 2010-2011 Virginia Young Reader’s Choice for High School.
Every year the U.S. Capitol holds a game in which the players are made up of two children, one boy and one girl, from each district. The game is a deadly battle to the death with only one winner. When Katniss’ younger sister’s name is randomly chosen, Katniss does the only thing she knows to do. She volunteers to take her place. Katniss is an excellent shot when it comes to hunting with a bow and arrow. Using this skill, as well as her basic survival knowledge, Katniss begins her terrifying battle to stay alive. The realization of the game hits Katniss when she befriends one of the youngest players only to see her dead hours later. Within the heart- racing pages of this book you, will also find a bit of romance.
If you like this book, check out the sequel, Catching Fire, at the same time because you won’t want to wait to start the next one. Coming out August 24 is the third and final in the series, Mockinjay.
If you enjoyed this series, also try the Underland Chronicles Books 1-5. The first in the series is Gregor: The Underland Chronicles by Suzanne Collins.
Jennifer’s Pick for HIGH School students
In the blink of an eye, everything can change. That’s what happens in If I Stay by Gayle Forman when seventeen-year-old Mia is in a car accident that kills her whole family and leaves Mia in a coma. In an out-of-body experience, Mia is forced to watch as the events following the tragedy unravel; she sees the medical personnel working tirelessly on her body and the grief of her extended family and friends. Mia reminisces about her life before the accident, including significant moments involving her musical career, her relationships, and her boyfriend. And Mia must make a choice: will she give up and move on to be with her family, or will she fight to stay alive for an future filled with grief but also hope? This novel will stay with you long after you’ve read the final page. I wouild love to read your opinion about Mia’s decision.
Do you have any comments or questions about any of this week’s book recommendations? Tell us about a book you are currently reading or a favorite book of yours you would like to recommend! Should you make a book recommendation, please include your age.
Posted in Back to School July 1, 2010
Anne Johnson and her son William
Planning for high school was so much different than middle school. In middle school, the focus for William was trying to determine what will work best for his needs. Whereas, in high school, William now had the opportunity to find out what he would like to do! He now had the opportunity to enroll in a variety of exciting classes such as Japanese, art, and/or computers. At the start of his freshman year, we planned that William would pursue the Standard Diploma option rather than a Certificate of Completion. Kellam High, here we come!
Presently, William is nearing the end of his sophomore year at Kellam High. Since William’s first day of high school, his experience has been superb! As the “proud mother”, I would like to boast about his accomplishments so far. I am thrilled to shared with you that William is one of just 90 students at Kellam High to be in the 600 Club his freshman year. To be eligible for the 600 Club, a student must have a perfect score on one of their SOL tests. William scored a 600 in history! And, throughout his high school career, William has maintained his Honor Roll status.
William was on track for an Advanced Diploma, having taken three years of Japanese. However, this changed and I’ll explain why. William and I attended the Advanced Technology Center (ATC) open house during his freshman year. As a result of this visit to the ATC, William fell in love with the school and enthusiastically said to me, “I want to go there Mom!” I wasn’t sure how to make that happen. Once again, William taught me a lesson! He had in his possession an ATC application just before the winter holiday break. He filled it out, on his own, and handed it in on his first day back to school. After talking with some folks, I realized we needed to do more in order to apply to the ATC. This “more” included writing an essay. Yep, I was thinking, I better step in and help.
My son diligently worked on the essay requirement for admission to the ATC. The day I submitted his ATC application to his guidance counselor, I received an e-mail message notifying me that William had been accepted early decision into the ATC’s Modeling and Simulation program!!! Now, he had to choose: drop Japanese and lose the Advanced Diploma option, or take classes over the summer. Since he is interested in volunteering at an animal shelter over the summer, William opted to drop Japanese and the Advanced Diploma option.
Isn’t this what every parent wants? A child, now a young adult, who has choices to make and the ability to make the ones that work best for them? It has been a long, fascinating, trying, scary, joyful road so far. And, when I look back, I am amazed at how far we both have traveled. I have gone from a hovering, worried, “watch out for that one” mom, to a “let’s talk about it and see where you can go from here” one. O.K., I have to admit, I still hover sometimes. William has gone from a scared, overwhelmed, crying 3-year-old, to a radiant, happy — just watch him skip down the halls — successful young man who I am proud to call “My William.”
Thank you for allowing me to share with you my journey with William and Virginia Beach City Public Schools! This blog and my journey have been an absolute labor of love.
Annie Johnson, guidance counselor Princess Anne Elementary and William’s mother
Posted in Special Education/Autism April 16, 2010
Oh, the stress of leaving wonderful Strawbridge Elementary years behind and moving into the scary world of middle school. William and I spent six years at a school where all the staff, from principal to supportive staff, nurtured, supported, and worked hard to get William where he was thriving, learning, and growing. From my personal experiences, I know most parents and students feel some trepidation during this time of their child’s life. Like other parents, I was in full panic mode.
With entry into middle school, William would have to learn how to navigate the hallways in a much larger building, adjust to seven teachers as opposed to the two he had in elementary school, and anticipate the jostling and teasing by a “new set” of students. Oh my! My blood pressure goes up just thinking about it now! We did all we could to prepare our son for this new “world”. We went to his school’s open house, and studied the school map so William would feel comfortable moving around the building. I either met with teachers or at least made e-mail contact to start the all-important line of communication. I tried to be sure he understood how each class would be and how to best go through his day. Then, I prayed a lot!
Rather than go into all the minutia of the middle school years, I will have to say that some of my fears were realized. Most of all, William excelled and learned so much more than academics. He also taught me more! My worst fear, inherent during these years — the terrible teasing and bullying by students — was ever-present.
William did have kids pick on and at him, especially in the lunch room. But, guess what? I learned an important lesson I had been teaching William for years: how to deal with the teasing inflicted by others. What I learned was that William truly listened to my lessons. I am proud to share with you that I made William bully proof! Here’s a lesson that illustrates how William learned to respond to unkindness. One day in school, a kid squirted ketchup down the back of William’s pants. I was livid. William just smiled and said, “Mom, it was kind of funny so I just laughed.” When I learned someone had been stealing his lunch, (Note: DO not mess with William and his food.) he told me he hadn’t said anything because it was a friend. I’m thinking to myself, is this really a “friend”? William explained to me that it was his way of playing. “Ferocious mom” needed to calm down and realize William had found his own and very successful way of navigating these terrible waters.
Academically, William entered Princess Anne Middle a strong but a very supported learner. He was in inclusion classes for all his academic subjects (a classroom with two teachers) and mainstreamed for all electives. By 8th grade, William was in inclusion for math and English only, and passed his SOLs! His intellect was really starting to show, and he was proud of his honor roll status among all his fellow 8th graders. What I was even more proud of was the fact that William was beginning to feel like he fit in. He had some friends who shared his interest and he could tell me all about his day and what went on. We all know that is quite a feat in the reticent middle school years!
Annie Johnson, guidance counselor Princess Anne Elementary and William’s mother
Tomorrow’s blog: William Thrives in High School
Posted in Special Education/Autism April 15, 2010
By third grade, William had mastered the basics of the school day: arrive at school, go through the pattern of each class, and pack up and go home. I know you’re saying to yourself, “it’s just not that simple!” This assumption is correct, it was not that simple.
First of all, William did not ride the bus. Although he was eligible for a special education bus, I felt it was a huge waste. Since we lived ½ mile from school, we walked on nice days or I drove William to school in the morning and picked him up in the afternoon. I had tried to let him ride the regular bus, but had to stop after an incident that occurred one afternoon. As the bus pulled into the neighborhood, I could see he was literally smashed up against the window in his seat. His face showed such distress! When he got off the bus, he could not tell me what happened: he just cried and held me tight. I wanted so bad to believe that William was probably just squished. However, this was not the case. It was unfair to put William in a situation that he perceived as not “feeling” safe or able to control what was happening to him.
Expressive language was still such a struggle for William. He could tell you everything you wanted to know about dinosaurs, from genius to paleontology, to prehistoric ages and theories about their demise. Yes, he used those exact words! However, he could not ask for help or tell you how he felt. At school, he could answer specific questions about facts he learned in science or social studies, and was on grade level in these subjects.
When it came to languages arts and math, this was another story! William was reading books at or above grade level, but could not summarize a paragraph or the book he had just read. Then, there was writing, yes, writing. What a struggle! First of all, William didn’t hold the pencil the right way, so we worked to fix this. We finally gave up altogether on letter formation (in 5th grade), as the emphasis on formation was completely blocking any progress on creating while writing. To this day, William always capitalizes the letter “A”. Poor William had inherited his mother’s mathematical skills, or should I say lack thereof? Using manipulative objects such as blocks helped but as William now puts it: “It’s not just my best subject.”
Of course, third grade means SOL’s. We decided to let him try the science and social studies tests. When it came to the math and English tests, William took the adapted versions. Academically, by 5th grade, I felt William was hitting his stride. He had such fabulous teachers, most notably Mr. Gooch in 5th grade, who “got” William and worked hard find ways to help him succeed.
Socially, teachers always said that William was well liked by his peers. He does have such a sweet disposition. Luckily, his frustrations manifested in either flapping or droning, which although distracting could be controlled by a gentle verbal or physical reminder. So unlike some children with Autism, William’s outbursts from frustrations were minimal and very controllable. I believe this helped him socially. Although, he still could not easily join in on a conversation at the lunch table or on the playground — key social times.
I often joined William for lunch and observed that although his peers were kind, they did not seek him out. Once they did start conversing with William, he did not know how to join in. I tried to help him feel that he was a part of the lunchroom “buzz” by teaching him how to say things like, “oh I like that tv show, video game, or the like.” However, any further conversation was stilted. Not joining in, with an ongoing conversation, was not limited to the educational environment. I had to stay close by at parks, playgrounds, and other such places.
At the Marine Science Center (his very favorite place), William’s flapping and droning — a low hum he made — typically caused stares, often followed by questions. Sometimes kids and parents just moved away. As a parent, this is heartbreaking. It warmed my heart when a child would ask, “Why does he do that?” I would answer, “he does that when he is happy.” These inquisitive children would pause and think for a minute (or even try to flap) and say “ok .”
Annie Johnson, guidance counselor Princess Anne Elementary and William’s mother
Tomorrow’s blog: The Middle School Years — Ugh to Yeah!
Posted in Special Education/Autism April 14, 2010
Previous Posts
Every time I read In November by Cynthia Rylant, I drift into a world of beautiful sights and smells. Cynthia Rylant uses vivid language that invites readers to visualize the scenes in her story. Children of all ages enjoy trying to imitate Cynthia Rylant as they describe a particular month. I love using Cynthia Rylant’s books as read alouds and as spring boards to writing. What Cynthia Rylant books have you read?
Following a routine physical, 18-year-old Ben discovers that he has leukemia, and the prognosis is that he will have only one year to live. Ben immediately decides that he will not seek treatment, and he threatens his doctors with a lawsuit if they should tell anyone, including his family, about his condition. Instead, Ben is determined to live out his last year the way he wants to: doing the impossible. Though he is only 123 pounds, Ben goes out for football so that he can play alongside his star quarterback brother. Though he has previously only watched her from afar, he is determined to start a relationship with the intriguing and talented Dallas Suzuki. Though no one else pays attention, he is committed to saving the town drunk. And though everyone else is afraid of their narrow-minded government teacher, Ben decides to stand up to him. Despite the heavy content of this novel, Chris Crutcher’s Deadline is entertaining, poignant, uplifting, and inspiring. What do you think of Ben’s decision to keep this massive secret and the conflicts he faces as a result?
