{"id":24,"date":"2013-03-01T14:52:10","date_gmt":"2013-03-01T22:52:10","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.somethingworthreading.ca\/?page_id=24"},"modified":"2014-08-10T22:05:42","modified_gmt":"2014-08-11T05:05:42","slug":"the-summer-book-a-day-challenge","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"http:\/\/www.somethingworthreading.ca\/?page_id=24","title":{"rendered":"Summer Book Challenge"},"content":{"rendered":"

2014<\/strong><\/p>\n

Sometimes I think I’m crazy, but I’m doing the book a day summer reading challenge again. Please follow me on goodreads<\/a> to learn what books have been added to my “already read” list.<\/p>\n

2013<\/strong><\/p>\n

Please keep visiting my goodreads<\/a> account to learn what books I have been able to pick up and finish throughout this year.<\/p>\n

2012<\/strong><\/p>\n

I am attempting the summer “book a day” reading challenge again this summer.\u00c2\u00a0 However, I am not going to list all of my books here, but will instead be updating my goodreads<\/a> account throughout the summer.<\/p>\n

2011<\/strong><\/p>\n

July 1st<\/strong>: Four Pictures by Emily Carr<\/em>, by Nicolas Debon
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 This is a graphic novel describing four periods of famous Canadian painter Emily Carr\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s life.\u00c2\u00a0 I appreciate Debon\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s efforts to make these time periods more relatable and emotional to the reader.\u00c2\u00a0 However, perhaps because I have read Carr\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s autobiography and have loved her paintings and writings since I was a teenager, I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t help but think of how much he simplified these life events in order to create the cartoons.<\/p>\n

July 2nd<\/strong>: The Warlock (The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel, #5)<\/em>, by Michael Scott
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 This is the fifth in a series of six novels, with the sixth novel coming out in 2012.\u00c2\u00a0 Twins Sophie and Josh Newman are given a prophecy, and battle gods from several different mythologies in order to succeed or fail in achieving their destinies.\u00c2\u00a0 The plot can be convoluted at times, but the way Scott ends his chapters and books with suspense keeps dragging me back into the series.<\/p>\n

July 3rd<\/strong>: My Story: Pyramid of Secrets: Nebka, Giza, Egypt 2517 BC<\/em>, by Jim Eldridge
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m teaching Ancient Civilizations in Grade 7 Social Studies next year, and bought this book because I thought it might be a good cross-curricular novel.\u00c2\u00a0 While I found the plot to be fairly predictable, it did an admirable job of explaining how the pyramids were built and how the farmers created life out of the desert.\u00c2\u00a0 The story is narrated through the eyes of Nebka, a 12-year old farmer who goes to build Khafre\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s pyramid during the Nile flooding.<\/p>\n

July 4th<\/strong>: The Throne of Fire (The Kane Chronicles #2)<\/em>, by Rick Riordan
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 I do find the mythology in this series difficult to follow at times, but I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve decided that might be because it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hard to tie together Egyptian mythology into one comprehensive story when the mythology itself is so fragmented.\u00c2\u00a0 However, Riordan continues to do a great job in creating interesting characters that I feel for.\u00c2\u00a0 He is quickly becoming my favourite author.<\/p>\n

July 5th<\/strong>: Kitchen<\/em>, by Banana Yoshimoto
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 This book really appealed to me because of its sweet and upbeat nature in the face of the character\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s adversities.\u00c2\u00a0 The characters in both of the stories in the novel face deaths of loved ones, but use these unfortunate circumstances to learn more about themselves.\u00c2\u00a0 I loved the metaphors in the stories, and felt a connection to the characters as they found peace in their own lives.<\/p>\n

July 6th<\/strong>: Trailing Clouds of Glory, poems by William Wordsworth<\/em>
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 I forgot how much I liked reading Wordsworth\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s poems.\u00c2\u00a0 There is more than enough detail for an in-depth analysis, but his poetry is also pleasurable if I just want to relax and experience nature through the eyes of this romantic poet.\u00c2\u00a0 The way he writes some of his poems in non-rhyming prose, which I believe was revolutionary at the time, adds to the simple charm.<\/p>\n

July 7th<\/strong>: The Future of the Earth: An Introduction to Sustainable Development for Young Readers<\/em>, by Yann Arthus-Bertrand
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 This would be a good book to introduce into a middle school classroom.\u00c2\u00a0 The environmental concerns and issues are discussed with clear yet sophisticated language that would make sense to middle school students, and the ideas are supplemented by Arthus-Bertrand\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s unique and intriguing photographs.\u00c2\u00a0 I especially liked how some solutions towards more sustainable living are introduced, so the reader does not feel completely hopeless after reading the book.<\/p>\n

July 8th<\/strong>: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo<\/em>, by Stieg Larsson
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Maybe it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s because I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ve been reading too many young adult novels, but I felt that this book dragged on a bit too much.\u00c2\u00a0 I did like the mystery of the disappearing heiress, but the subplot surrounding financial corruption and business was given too much time in the book, and it seemed to be there to only give more background into the main character, which wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t really necessary.\u00c2\u00a0 I felt like the entire story could have been told brilliantly without the approximately 200 pages dedicated to all the character\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s motivations.\u00c2\u00a0 Overall, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m thinking that I will stick to more young adult mysteries for the time being, where more often the plot is the primary focus of the writing.<\/p>\n

July 9th<\/strong>: DK Eyewitness Books: Shakespeare<\/em>, by Peter Chrisp
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 I have always appreciated the Eyewitness series.\u00c2\u00a0 They provide pieces of information in short sections that can be easily read, and there are several pictures to illustrate the information.\u00c2\u00a0 The Shakespeare Eyewitness book continues in the same way, with the reader learning a great deal about the life of Shakespeare and the Elizabethan period.\u00c2\u00a0 I learned some facts that I had never known before, which also made the reading beneficial.<\/p>\n

July 10th<\/strong>: Earth from Above for Young Readers<\/em>, by Yann Arthus-Bertrand
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Another book by Arthus-Bertrand, Earth from Above<\/em> gave some background information about how this photographer chooses his landscapes and all the challenges he goes through to take his pictures.\u00c2\u00a0 The explanations of the pictures themselves also discuss changing geography and the environment, and could be a supplementary resource to any earth science lesson.<\/p>\n

July 11th<\/strong>: Ever<\/em>, by Gail Carson Levine
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Loving Levine\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s book Fairest<\/em> was the reason I bought this book, and it does not disappoint.\u00c2\u00a0 The setting of the story is ancient Mesopotamia, where Olus, the god of the winds, falls in love with Kezi, a spirited carpet maker.\u00c2\u00a0 However, both have to prove to others and themselves that they are worthy to have a happy ending.\u00c2\u00a0 I like how the story moves back and forth between the two characters\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 perspectives, so the reader can see the development of their thoughts and emotions.<\/p>\n

July 12th<\/strong>: Shattered<\/em>, by Eric Walters
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 This is a good novel to introduce in an upper intermediate classroom.\u00c2\u00a0 Ian must volunteer in a soup kitchen in order to receive credits to pass Social Studies.\u00c2\u00a0 Through this, he meets several unique and courageous people, including \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Sarge\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, a homeless person who previously served in the armed forces and whose last tour of duty was as a peacekeeper in Rwanda.\u00c2\u00a0 The themes throughout this book are serious, but the ending of the story provides hope for change in how we treat others.<\/p>\n

July 13th<\/strong>: White Jade Tiger<\/em>, by Julie Lawson
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 I liked reading this novel because of its connection to British Columbia history.\u00c2\u00a0 After the death of her mother, Jasmine is not happy with staying in Victoria while her father goes to China for work.\u00c2\u00a0 However, while on a field trip to Chinatown, she discovers that while passing through a doorway in Fan Tan Alley she can travel back to the 1880\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s.\u00c2\u00a0 Befriending Keung, a boy working on the railroad while looking for his lost father, Jasmine learns about the lives of the Chinese working in Canada at the turn of the century and about her own Canadian heritage.\u00c2\u00a0 While I thought the historical perspective was a little one sided, I did like the careful research that went into the story.<\/p>\n

July 14th<\/strong>: North by Night<\/em>, Katherine Ayres
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 This novel was written as journal entries.\u00c2\u00a0 While this style of writing usually can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t keep my attention, I did like the main character in the story.\u00c2\u00a0 Lucy\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s family is part of the Underground Railroad in Ohio, and they work together to help slaves escape to Canada.\u00c2\u00a0 She is eager to start an adventure of her own, and when she is asked to help Aurelia Mercer secretly care for nine slaves she jumps at the chance.\u00c2\u00a0 However, through her talks with the unconventional Ms. Mercer and the slave Cass, Lucy learns that maybe the life she had always planned for herself isn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t necessarily the one she wants.<\/p>\n

July 15th<\/strong>: Broken Song<\/em>, by Kathryn Lasky
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 This book is a genuinely emotional look at the persecution of Jews in Russian in 1897.\u00c2\u00a0 After witnessing a terrible act of violence on his family, Reuven Bloom escapes his village with his baby sister Rachel.\u00c2\u00a0 He makes difficult life decisions that guide his journey to Poland and then onto America.\u00c2\u00a0 I did get confused at the end of the story, where the impression is that Reuven was directly related to the author.\u00c2\u00a0 However, in the historical note it is mentioned that Reuven and Rachel are fictional characters.\u00c2\u00a0 I am glad that this confusion did not really interfere with the themes of the story.<\/p>\n

July 16th<\/strong>: Meet the Group of Seven<\/em>, by David Wistow
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 This book explores the careers of the Group of Seven, who are Canadian painters who revolutionized how people viewed the northern Canadian landscape.\u00c2\u00a0 As with the Eyewitness books, I appreciate how this book gives facts in small paragraphs and provides plenty of illustrations.\u00c2\u00a0 I also appreciated how the book gave lessons in appreciating and interpreting art along with explaining the Groups of Seven\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s biographies.\u00c2\u00a0 Overall, I enjoyed gathering information about these important people in Canada\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s cultural history.<\/p>\n

July 17th<\/strong>: Lucy Maud and the Cavendish Cat<\/em>, by Lynn Manuel
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 This children\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s book tells part of L.M.. Montgomery\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s history from the perspective of Daffy, her grey cat.\u00c2\u00a0 I liked how most of the story, including some of the phrases used and the speaker\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s tone, was actually taken from Montgomery\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s journals.\u00c2\u00a0 This is a great introduction to L.M.. Montgomery\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s biography, as well as to her inspiration behind the setting of Anne of Green Gables.<\/p>\n

July 18th<\/strong>: Grim Hill: Forest of Secrets<\/em>, by Linda DeMeulemeester
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Linda DeMeulemeester has written another intriguing book about Cat and Sookie Peters.\u00c2\u00a0 After escaping from a kidnapper with a secret agenda, Cat, her friends, and her sister Sookie find themselves lost in the mysterious Headless Valley, and Cat must decide if she can get her friends out safely or if she should use Sookie\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s mysterious power, even if it could mean losing her sister to the Otherworld.\u00c2\u00a0 Admittedly, I had a little bit more difficulty getting into this particular story.\u00c2\u00a0 I felt that the reason the characters were in the valley, namely the kidnappers, was a little contrived.\u00c2\u00a0 However, I was still drawn into the story through Cat\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s difficult decision of using her wits or letting Sookie help through her magic.\u00c2\u00a0 This was also the first time the story ended with a cliffhanger, which was a very good strategy being I am now anxiously awaiting the sixth book in the series.<\/p>\n

July 19th<\/strong>: My Story: Battle of Britain: Harry Woods, England 1939-1941<\/em>, by Chris Priestley
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 This book looks at the experiences of a British fighter pilot during the Battle of Britain in World War II.\u00c2\u00a0 The book was written in a journal format, and I think it did an admirable job of explaining the events during this significant time in Britain\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s history.\u00c2\u00a0 The types of planes and their mechanics, the feelings of pilots as they are engaged in air battles, and the emotions of the public during the Dunkirk evacuation and the Blitz are examined.\u00c2\u00a0 Overall, this was a good piece of historical fiction for students who are interested in studying World War II.<\/p>\n

July 20th<\/strong>: Never Work Harder than Your Students & Other Principles of Great Teaching<\/em>, by Robyn R. Jackson
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Author Robyn Jackson claims that by remembering seven principles teachers can dramatically change their practice for the better.\u00c2\u00a0 Key concepts include making sure the evaluation, and not the lessons, become the main focus, and creating policies in the classroom that give students more responsibility but still providing supports.\u00c2\u00a0 If someone wants to find quick and easy strategies to improve the classroom environment, this is not the right book for them.\u00c2\u00a0 Jackson\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s seven principles require a lot of set-up and reflection on behalf of the teacher, but she also provides great examples of her principles in practice and planning sheets for achieving these principles in the classroom.\u00c2\u00a0 This makes the hard work seem doable, and I know I will be trying to follow the planning pages as I set up my curriculum for the coming year.<\/p>\n

July 21st<\/strong>: Ida B … and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster, and (Possibly) Save the World<\/em>, by Katherine Hannigan
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Ida B seemingly has the perfect life, being homeschooled and having free reign of her parents\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 apple orchard.\u00c2\u00a0 However, when there is a family crisis, Ida B must return to school and deal with her parents selling off part of the farm.\u00c2\u00a0 The plot is something that I have seen in other chapter books, but the character of Ida B herself is what makes this book worth reading.\u00c2\u00a0 Ida B is a spirited and intelligent character, and her growth throughout the book leads to a satisfying ending.<\/p>\n

July 22nd<\/strong>: Conspiracy 365: Book Two: February<\/em>, by Gabrielle Lord
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 This is the second book in a series of twelve.\u00c2\u00a0 After the death of his father, Callum Ormond is told that his dad was murdered, and that if he doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t hide out for the next 365 days he will experience the same fate.\u00c2\u00a0 This information results in a series of traumatic events, where Cal is kidnapped and cheats death several times.\u00c2\u00a0 Maybe it is because I didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t read the first book before I picked up the second in the series, but I had difficulty getting into the simplistic plot.\u00c2\u00a0 I suppose, however, that because of all the action in the story it would be a good book suggestion for reluctant or struggling readers.<\/p>\n

July 23rd<\/strong>: A Single Shard<\/em>, by Linda Sue Park
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Tree-Ear, an orphan boy living in twelfth-century Korea, is fascinated with pottery.\u00c2\u00a0 When he gets an opportunity to work with Min, a master potter, he learns not only the delicate process in making pottery but how to cope as he embarks on a life-changing journey to help his master.\u00c2\u00a0 This book is a slower read, as great attention to detail is provided.\u00c2\u00a0 However, the story succeeds in giving the reader a good examination of the central character, his motivations, and his decision making.\u00c2\u00a0 Overall, this is a good read.<\/p>\n

July 24th<\/strong>: Teaching and Learning Outside the Box: Inspiring Imagination Across the Curriculum<\/em>, by Kieran Egan et. al.
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Many people state that there must be imagination in learning and education, but this book strives to actually break down how we can make that happen.\u00c2\u00a0 Each chapter is written by a different author, as they all attempt to define what imagination is and how it can be used in the classroom.\u00c2\u00a0 This is abstract academic reading, and teachers will not find many specific and easy strategies for how to implement imagination education in the classroom.\u00c2\u00a0 However, this book does provide a basis for some serious thought about how imagination is more than just a general way of allowing children to \u00e2\u20ac\u0153explore their creativity\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, and how we could potentially use these more complicated definitions to activate student learning.<\/p>\n

July 25th<\/strong>: Parvana\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Journey<\/em>, by Deborah Ellis
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 This book is the sequel to The Breadwinner<\/em>.\u00c2\u00a0 After the death of her father, Parvana continues in her quest to locate her mother and siblings by traveling through war-torn Afghanistan.\u00c2\u00a0 Along the way she meets other children who need her assistance, and they work to have their basic needs met without putting themselves in harm\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s way.\u00c2\u00a0 This novel very clearly explains the trauma that occurs to people, and especially children, when their country is at war.\u00c2\u00a0 I respect Parvana\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s pragmatic attitude as she deals with all these problems, while at the same time lamenting the fact that she has to face these issues in the first place.\u00c2\u00a0 Overall, this is a great novel for middle school students to read.<\/p>\n

July 26th<\/strong>: Mud City<\/em>, by Deborah Ellis
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Shauzia hates living in the refugee camp in Pakistan, and chooses to run away from the camp so she can earn money and eventually get to France.\u00c2\u00a0 However, living on the streets and dealing with the people is not all what she envisioned, and she eventually returns to the camp to learn a few more life lessons.\u00c2\u00a0 I had more difficulty relating to Shauzia\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s personality, as she is more brash and willful.\u00c2\u00a0 However, I do feel that the novel did a nice job of explaining the trials and hardships that these children experience in the camps and on the streets.\u00c2\u00a0 I am looking forward to eventually reading The Breadwinner<\/em> so I can complete this trilogy.<\/p>\n

July 27th<\/strong>: An Imaginative Approach to Teaching<\/em>, by Kieran Egan
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Often I hear people say that we need to foster the imagination in children, but their ideas of how to do this usually result in the general \u00e2\u20ac\u0153let children explore the world around them through play and come to their own conclusions, which we will then tell them are right or wrong\u00e2\u20ac\u009d.\u00c2\u00a0 The reason I appreciate Egan\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s book is that he breaks down how children of different ages use cognitive tools to view the world around them and enhance their imagination, and how these tools can be used to create thoughtful classroom learning.\u00c2\u00a0 Egan starts each chapter with an up-front look at the tools children at each age use to discover the world around them.\u00c2\u00a0 He then explains these tools using examples and anecdotes, and provides lengthy examples of how these tools can be incorporated into lessons and units.\u00c2\u00a0 The result is a thought-provoking look at how teachers can engage students beyond the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153hook\u00e2\u20ac\u009d at the beginning of the lesson, and I enjoyed Egan\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s straight-forward, comprehensive, and realistic look at how we can bring imagination into the classroom in a meaningful way.<\/p>\n

July 28th<\/strong>: Looking for X<\/em>, by Deborah Ellis
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Khyber is an eleven-year old girl living with her single mother and two autistic brothers in a poor Toronto neighbourhood.\u00c2\u00a0 Khyber enjoys her family, and can mostly deal with the other people in her life who are rude to her.\u00c2\u00a0 She cultivates friendships with unlikely people, including \u00e2\u20ac\u0153X\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, a homeless woman in the area.\u00c2\u00a0 However, soon her secure world seems to be falling apart, and Khyber believes that locating X will be the only way to solve her problem and bring her family back together.\u00c2\u00a0 The plot is kind of simplistic, but the driving force in this novel is the raw emotion that the reader experiences.\u00c2\u00a0 I genuinely felt for Khyber as she had to deal with her struggles, and found myself wishing that something nasty would happen to her enemies.\u00c2\u00a0 Even though the subject matter of this book would be for middle school students, the independent reading level is approximately Grade four, so I think this would also be a great book for some struggling readers.<\/p>\n

July 29th<\/strong>: Eggs<\/em>, by Jerry Spinelli
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 David\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s life is turned upside-down when his mother dies in a tragic accident.\u00c2\u00a0 Primrose has an absent father, and an unstable mother.\u00c2\u00a0 David and Primrose form an unlikely friendship, and learn how to deal with both each other and their circumstances.\u00c2\u00a0 I enjoyed the plot of other Spinelli books better, such as Stargirl<\/em> and Loser<\/em>.\u00c2\u00a0 However, I completely enjoyed all the creative and unique metaphors in the book, and how they were used to describe setting and character emotions.\u00c2\u00a0 I also appreciate how this book, like most of Spinelli\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s novels, has simpler vocabulary for lower readers yet contains plots that appeal to upper intermediate students.\u00c2\u00a0 His books therefore can be a good choice for struggling readers.<\/p>\n

July 30th<\/strong>: Birdland<\/em>, by Tracy Mack
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Jed has been given a class project to complete over winter vacation where he creates an artistic representation of his neighbourhood.\u00c2\u00a0 He and his family are also dealing with the sudden loss of his older brother.\u00c2\u00a0 Video camera in hand, Jed films images of his New York City community, and gets introduced to a homeless girl who he feels might hold a clue to rediscovering his brother.\u00c2\u00a0 The emotions of the story drew me in throughout the entire book.\u00c2\u00a0 I felt there were no simplistic main characters, as each person seemed to be exploring some type of pain or discovery of life.\u00c2\u00a0 As well, the poetry of the older brother that was interwoven into the narrative, and the dialogue in Jed\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s film at the end of the book, ties the novel together and gives a true sense of New York City to someone who has never been there.\u00c2\u00a0 Overall, a satisfying read for middle school students.<\/p>\n

July 31st<\/strong>: The Breadwinner<\/em>, by Deborah Ellis
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 In this first book from The Breadwinner<\/em> trilogy, Parvana works with her father to bring in money for her family until her western-educated father is thrown in jail.\u00c2\u00a0 Parvana then must pretend to be a boy so she can continue to earn money for her mother, sisters, and brother.\u00c2\u00a0 The book very clearly showed the extreme struggles of children in Afghanistan, and I was sincerely moved as I read about what Kabul was like before all of the bombings.\u00c2\u00a0 I think reading the two sequels first changed my perspective for this book, as I knew what would eventually happen to some of the characters and I could therefore not connect with them because I knew that they would meet with tragedy later in the trilogy.\u00c2\u00a0 However, I certainly recommend this book for a student-accessible look at the tragedy in Afghanistan.<\/p>\n

August 1st<\/strong>: Report to the Principal\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Office<\/em>, by Jerry Spinelli
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 In this book, four students start their first day at a newly built middle school, and connect with each other through amusing or disastrous circumstances.\u00c2\u00a0 I found the students\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 characters themselves to be only mildly amusing, but I loved the descriptions of the principal, band teacher, and secretary in this book.\u00c2\u00a0 In particular, the principal who tries unorthodox methods to reach the students and is shocked by the results reminded me of the thought process many educators go through.\u00c2\u00a0 I would recommend this book to read, if only for the adult characters.<\/p>\n

August 2nd<\/strong>: Blabber Mouth<\/em>, by Morris Gleitzman
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Rowena Batts cannot speak, and she is about to start a new school.\u00c2\u00a0 Adding to her difficulties is her father, because while she knows he loves her she is constantly embarrassed by him, and is trying to figure out a way to let him know this without hurting his feelings.\u00c2\u00a0 Sometimes I was confused by the characters\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 motivations, as they would sometimes complete actions that I felt didn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t match with their personalities.\u00c2\u00a0 However, this would be a humourous read for students who liked Gleitzman\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Toad Rage<\/em>.<\/p>\n

August 3rd<\/strong>: Ella Enchanted<\/em>, by Gail Carson Levine
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 In this re-telling of Cinderella, Ella has been given a \u00e2\u20ac\u0153gift\u00e2\u20ac\u009d by a foolish fairy, where she must obey any direct order she is given.\u00c2\u00a0 This leads her in a search for this fairy so the gift of obedience can be taken back and she can live a normal life.\u00c2\u00a0 I appreciated all of the thought that obviously went into this story.\u00c2\u00a0 Levine clearly explained how the gift of obedience worked, and every time I thought I found a discrepancy in the rules she logically explained it in the next few sentences.\u00c2\u00a0 I also made an emotional connection to Ella and Areida, and liked how Levine connected this story to Areida\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s story in Fairest<\/em>.\u00c2\u00a0 Overall, this book made me want to read more of Levine\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s books.<\/p>\n

August 4th<\/strong>: Web 2.0 How-To For Educators<\/em>, by Gwen Solomon and Lynne Schrum
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 This book provides a wealth of information on how to use technology in the classroom.\u00c2\u00a0 The first section of the book discusses why it is so important to use technology in lessons, and the remainder of the book looks at the variety of websites and Internet resources that can be used to teach lessons and shape classroom activities and units.\u00c2\u00a0 I appreciated that each chapter gave examples of how teachers used features such as voki, skype, and flikr in real classroom environments.\u00c2\u00a0 I did find it a little discouraging that a lot of the examples came from high school classrooms, and a few of the cool websites have age restrictions that would prevent my middle school students from using them.\u00c2\u00a0 However, there are still plenty of technology tools in this book that would inspire fun and useful lessons.<\/p>\n

August 5th<\/strong>: Haunted Teachers: True Ghost Stories<\/em>, by Allan Zullo
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 This book gives a series of ghost stories from North America that revolve around schools and teachers.\u00c2\u00a0 Stories include \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The Phantom Rider\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, where a young schoolteacher who was killed during the Civil War is doomed to wander around the town asking whether her students are safe from Union soldiers.\u00c2\u00a0 The introduction says that the stories were \u00e2\u20ac\u0153inspired, in part, by real-life cases\u00e2\u20ac\u009d.\u00c2\u00a0 I am not sure how much of this is true, but the ghost stories are appropriately spooky for a middle school audience, and I enjoyed reading them.<\/p>\n

August 6th<\/strong>: The Two Princesses of Bamarre<\/em>, by Gail Carson Levine
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Meryl was always the brave sister who wanted to leave on an adventure as soon as possible, while Addie was the timid princess who simply loved her sister.\u00c2\u00a0 However, when Meryl is struck by the Grey Death and her life is threatened, it is Addie who must face ogres, spectres, and dragons to find the cure and save her sister.\u00c2\u00a0 Like with Levine\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s other books, I like how she takes the basics of a traditional fairy tale and twists the plot so a strong female character plays an active role in the story\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s conclusion.\u00c2\u00a0 I would recommend this book for middle school students as an alternative to the fairy tales that they are used to hearing.<\/p>\n

August 7th<\/strong>: A Child in Prison Camp<\/em>, by Shizuye Takashima
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 This is a fictionalized account that is based on true events.\u00c2\u00a0 Shichan is only eleven when her brother and father are sent from Vancouver to the Japanese internment camps, and eventually her mother, sister, and herself are forced to the camps near New Denver, British Columbia.\u00c2\u00a0 Shichan works to adjust to this new world, and reveals the hardships, trials, and small joys that she experiences.\u00c2\u00a0 I liked how the book discusses the difficulties of the camps that I had not heard too much about, such as the in-fighting as Japanese-Canadians decide how to best support their families and whether to stay in Canada after World War II.\u00c2\u00a0 Overall, this account is a very helpful resource for understanding this event in Canadian history.<\/p>\n

August 8th<\/strong>: Emily Carr: An Introduction to her Life and Art<\/em>, by Anne Newlands
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 In this book Emily Carr\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s life is discussed using her pictures as a reference.\u00c2\u00a0 I appreciated how Anne Newlands used Emily\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s paintings to illustrate and emphasize her life, and I liked how Emily\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s art lessons and painting experiments influenced her art and showed a progression in her professional career.\u00c2\u00a0 This is a useful book for learning more about the life of this famous British Columbia artist.<\/p>\n

August 9th<\/strong>: The Wright 3<\/em>, by Blue Balliett
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Calder and Petra, along with Calder\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s old friend Tommy, are trying to save David Lloyd Wright\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s The Robie House from demolition.\u00c2\u00a0 However, this attempt soon turns into a mystery as strange noises and lights are seen at the house.\u00c2\u00a0 Using Petra\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s literary skills, Calder\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s pentominoes, and Tommy\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s uncanny ability to locate objects, the three children begin to find the solution to this mystery.\u00c2\u00a0 I enjoyed Baillett\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s previous book Chasing Vermeer<\/em>, and I feel that this book is a worthy sequel.\u00c2\u00a0 The unorthodox clues in the story force me to slow down and read so I don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t miss any important information.\u00c2\u00a0 There are also clues and symbols hidden in the pictures, which, for me, alternate between intriguing and frustrating as I try to find the symbols and figure out what they could mean.\u00c2\u00a0 Overall, this is a good book for any students who might enjoy intelligent mystery novels.<\/p>\n

August 10th<\/strong>: Astronomy: Out of this World<\/em>, by Basher (Illustrator) and Dan Green
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Cute, anime-style characters supplement all the information about astronomy that is given in this book.\u00c2\u00a0 The text explaining the planets and other celestial bodies provides interesting information, and I found myself learning much more than I had anticipated.\u00c2\u00a0 As well, it was neat to see how the illustrator of this book used the facts to create cartoon characters that represented the object being described.\u00c2\u00a0 I think books like this would be welcomed by those students who love absorbing new scientific information.<\/p>\n

August 11th<\/strong>: Inkspell<\/em>, by Cornelia Funke
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 In this sequel to Inkheart<\/em>, Meggie finally has her mother back, and she, Resa, and Mo are living with Eleanor and her books.\u00c2\u00a0 However, Meggie wants to see the storybook world of Inkheart for herself, and when Farid shows up without Dustfinger she uses this opportunity to read her and Farid into the story.\u00c2\u00a0 Soon after Meggie\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s disappearance Basta and Mortola arrive at Eleanor\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s home, and Mo and Resa become entangled in the fantasy world again.\u00c2\u00a0 While reading the book I sometimes wished that the characters\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 feelings were given more explanation.\u00c2\u00a0 However, the plot is terrific, and the suspense regarding what will happen to Dustfinger and Mo keeps me going through the story.\u00c2\u00a0 I am looking forward to getting my hands on Inkdeath<\/em> so I can finish the trilogy.<\/p>\n

August 12th – 19th<\/strong>: A Pooh and Piglet Book Series, #1-8<\/em>, by A.A. Milne
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 This children\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s series is essentially different chapters about Winnie-the-Pooh by A.A. Milne.\u00c2\u00a0 Winnie-the-Pooh\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s adventures include when the Hundred Acre Wood was introduced to Tigger and when Piglet was rescued during the terrible flood.\u00c2\u00a0 Although this was written for children, A.A. Milne\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s style of writing brings a smile to my face, and reminds me of why these characters are so timeless.\u00c2\u00a0 Reading A.A. Milne\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s stories, even as an adult, is worthwhile.<\/p>\n

August 20th<\/strong>: Winnie-the-Pooh on Success<\/em>, by Roger E. Allen and Stephen D. Allen
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 This book tries to teach the reader how to set goals, make plans, and achieve success through stories about Winnie-the-Pooh and the other characters from the Hundred Acre Wood.\u00c2\u00a0 Perhaps it was because I am a fan of Benjamin Bond\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s well-crafted The Tao of Pooh<\/em> and The Te of Piglet<\/em>, but I had difficulty making a real connection with this book.\u00c2\u00a0 At times the new character explaining these concepts, called \u00e2\u20ac\u0153The Stranger\u00e2\u20ac\u009d, seemed to be stretching the stories in order to make a point and as a result any real connection that I might have had with the success strategies and the stories was lost.\u00c2\u00a0 I did like how the success strategies were presented through straightforward language and acronyms, but I feel like I could have got that information from another source without the Winnie-the-Pooh gimmick.<\/p>\n

August 21st<\/strong>: George\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Marvellous Medicine<\/em>, by Roald Dahl
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 George\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s grandmother treats him terribly, so one day he decides to substitute her medicine with his own concoction to help improve her behaviour.\u00c2\u00a0 The result is a very funny story about how not even matriarchs of the family should be mean to their grandchildren.\u00c2\u00a0 I liked how even though the story is for younger readers it gave me a couple of twists that I was not expecting.\u00c2\u00a0 As always, I appreciate Roald Dahl\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s silly humour.<\/p>\n

August 22nd<\/strong>: The Magic Finger<\/em>, by Roald Dahl
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 The Gregg family loves hunting, which angers a little girl so much that she uses her power, called the magic finger, to punish them by making the entire family become birds.\u00c2\u00a0 This story was a little bit more predictable for me, but obviously children would find it enjoyable.\u00c2\u00a0 The idea of being able to take revenge on those who you feel are wrong would be a powerful plot for children.\u00c2\u00a0 This book would be great for those students who are just getting into chapter books.<\/p>\n

August 23rd<\/strong>: The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me<\/em>, by Roald Dahl
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Billy meets a giraffe, a pelican (called \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Pelly\u00e2\u20ac\u009d), and a monkey, who run their own window washing business.\u00c2\u00a0 When the animals are asked to wash the windows of the wealthiest resident in the town, surprises await them, Billy, and the owner of the house.\u00c2\u00a0 I particularly enjoyed the songs in this story, which could possibly be used in a poetry unit.\u00c2\u00a0 Again, Roald Dahl\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s humour in the most unexpected places made this book an enjoyable read.<\/p>\n

August 24th<\/strong>: The Dragonslayer (Bone, #4)<\/em>, by Jeff Smith
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2I had seen so many students reading this series that I thought I would give it a try, and this graphic novel did meet my expectations.\u00c2\u00a0 Although I was reading the fourth book in the series, I was able to understand the plot and pick out the characters\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 personalities.\u00c2\u00a0 I genuinely felt sorry for Thorn, a girl who has a great destiny to fulfil that even she does not know the full extent of yet.\u00c2\u00a0 I also liked how there are certain twists to traditional fantasy characters, such as the idea that dragons are not the evil villains.\u00c2\u00a0 If given the opportunity, I would read more of this series.<\/p>\n

August 25th<\/strong>: The Secret Life of Bees<\/em>, by Sue Monk Kidd
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Lily Owen only has one memory of her mother, and it is of the day her mother died.\u00c2\u00a0 When her black caregiver, Rosaleen, insults the three biggest racists in town, Lily decides to free Rosaleen from the police and run away from her abusive father.\u00c2\u00a0 She decides to go to Tiburon, South Carolina, in order to find out more about her mother\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s past.\u00c2\u00a0 Certain descriptions in the book, such as August Boatwright\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s beekeeping operation, did drag on and I found myself skimming these parts to get to the real plot.\u00c2\u00a0 However, I did like Lily\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s character, and I appreciated the symbolism of the \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Lady in Chains\u00e2\u20ac\u009d and the idea of feminine power.\u00c2\u00a0 Overall, I think this book is a good summer read.<\/p>\n

August 26th<\/strong>: Naomi\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Road<\/em>, by Joy Kogawa
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 As a five-year old, Naomi doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t exactly know why she needs to leave her old house and go live in the forest.\u00c2\u00a0 However, the experiences she does remember help the reader to understand the Japanese-Canadian internment experience through the eyes of a child.\u00c2\u00a0 Written by the same person who wrote Obasan<\/em>, this book is an easily accessible look at this time in Canadian history, and it would be a good entry point for younger readers to examine historical fiction.<\/p>\n

August 27th<\/strong>: The Myth of Ability<\/em>, by John Meighton
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 John Meighton explains that mathematical ability is not a genetic trait, and that with enough practice and teaching almost anyone can gain a great deal of mathematical skills.\u00c2\u00a0 I liked that a lot of this book was diagrams and lessons that explained the steps that students must take before they can understand concepts such as fractions, ratios, and problem solving.\u00c2\u00a0 This book also served as a reminder that Math is a process, and that students need to have a good foundation before they can be expected to solve more complicated problems.\u00c2\u00a0 I would recommend this book to teachers who are trying to create new Math lessons that will reach more students.<\/p>\n

August 28th<\/strong>: Horrible Histories: The Awesome Egyptians<\/em>, by Terry Deary and Peter Hepplewhite
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 This book takes several interesting facts about the Egyptians and creates lists of information that would appeal to adolescents interested in this ancient civilization.\u00c2\u00a0 I sometimes found the information to be sensationalized for the purpose of its intended reading audience, but I also know that this is how the history series attracts its readers.\u00c2\u00a0 As well, I did learn interesting facts about Egypt that I can share while I am teaching my unit.<\/p>\n

August 29th<\/strong>: Here\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s to You, Rachel Robinson<\/em>, by Judy Blume
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Many people would think that Rachel leads a great life because she is considered gifted and has loving parents and an understanding sister.\u00c2\u00a0 However, her tormenting older brother has just come back to live with them after being expelled from his private school, and she is constantly stressed about any tension in her life.\u00c2\u00a0 This novel was a great read because I think students can connect with the pressure to be perfect and the trouble with family.\u00c2\u00a0 I would recommend this book to any student who enjoys realistic fiction.<\/p>\n

August 30th<\/strong>: Days of Toil and Tears: The Child Labour Diary of Flora Rutherford<\/em>, by Sarah Ellis
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 Flora Rutherford has been living in an orphanage after her parents died.\u00c2\u00a0 However, she receives a letter from her Aunt Janet, asking her to come live with her and work at the Alamonte textile mill.\u00c2\u00a0 Flora becomes a doffer girl, and writes about her life and experiences in Ontario.\u00c2\u00a0 This book, from the Dear Canada<\/em> series, is written as a diary, and it examines the life of a working child in the late nineteenth century.\u00c2\u00a0 I did enjoy the research that must have gone into writing this book, and I appreciated that while the novel gave a lot of description there was still a plot and an explanation of the character\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s motivations.\u00c2\u00a0 I think this novel would be another good example of historical fiction to introduce to students.<\/p>\n

August 31st<\/strong>: Crispin: The Cross of Lead<\/em>, by Avi
\n\u00e2\u20ac\u00a2 After his mother\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s death, the boy who has only been known as Asta\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s son now finds out that he was baptized with the name Crispin.\u00c2\u00a0 He needs to flee his 14th century village after being accused of a crime that he did not commit, and finds help on the road from a wandering performer known as Bear.\u00c2\u00a0 Through his travels, Crispin learns the truth about who he really is, and he also learns to be assertive and an independent thinker.\u00c2\u00a0 I enjoyed learning about the middle ages through this novel.\u00c2\u00a0 I also felt for Crispin, as he is trying to figure out who he is and how he can survive once he is forced to leave his village.\u00c2\u00a0 I think this would be a good novel to read if someone is interested in historical fiction.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

2014 Sometimes I think I’m crazy, but I’m doing the book a day summer reading challenge again. Please follow me on goodreads to learn what books have been added to my “already read” list. 2013 Please keep visiting my goodreads account to learn what books I have been able to pick up and finish throughout…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","template":"","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-24","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/P5yfMi-o","_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.somethingworthreading.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/24","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.somethingworthreading.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.somethingworthreading.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.somethingworthreading.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.somethingworthreading.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=24"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"http:\/\/www.somethingworthreading.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/24\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.somethingworthreading.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=24"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}