Hate That Cat by Sharon Creech

Hate That Cat

By:Sharon Creech

             Hate That Cat  by Sharon Creech is the sequel to Love That Dog. I don't really have to read the first one, but it would be wise to understand Jack the main character in the story. Sharon writes the two books in verse. It is an easy read for students who are trying to find a book to read. 

              The book is about a young boy name Jack who is trying to find his poet voice. He has lost his dog and now has no pets. However, he knows he hates cats. The black cat that scratched him at the bus stop is to thank for that. Unknown to him that every poet he hears about writes about cats. He is baffled by this. He can't understand their love when he literally hates cats. He communicates through this book with his teacher about his poems and trying to be a poet. We also find out about his mom. 

              I would recommend this book if you like verse. I think it was a fairly good book. I wouldn't say the best, but it kept my interest enough to finish it. I would definitely give this to a struggling reader to read. The book is a quick read and the reader will learn about poetry throughout the story.

I Survived Series

I Survived Series

By: Lauren Tarshis

            This has to be one of my all time favorite series of books. Lauren Tarshis does a great job of hooking readers into reading her books. These short little novels are about major events in history, but coming from the eyes of characters who could of possibly been there, but weren't. Historical fiction as reader teachers call it.

    

          Tarshis has a book for the following events: Titanic, Chicago Fire, The Great Shark Attack, Pearl Harbor, Nazi Invasion, Sept 11, Japanese Tsunami, The Battle of Gettysburg, Pompeii, Hurricane Katrina, and San Francisco Earthquake. The events of the story are true to fact, but the characters are people readers can possibly relate to. The stories are quick reads and very interesting. If you are interested in history than this is the series for you. You find yourself going to find a new book in the series. I can say that this year I had more students read these books than ever before. I was very excited.

          I would highly recommend these books to all readers. I hope Lauren Tarshis comes up with more books about events in history in this format. I hope you enjoy the book trailer for I Survived the Attack of Pearl Harbor, 1941.

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El Deafo by Cece Bell

 El Deafo

By:Cece Bell

               Another graphic novel review, El Deafo by Cece Bell. El Deafo is a Newberry Honor Book.  I am not a big fan of graphic novels, but am learning to enjoy them more and more. I am also understanding how pictures would be beneficial for struggling readers. I think a great aid for ESL students.

             El Deafo is a novel that reminded me of my childhood. The author Cece Bell who is also the main character mentions things like: Little House on the Prarie, John Boy from The Waltons, Hostess Cherry Pies, etc. Cece is a girl who loses her hearing from sickness. She tries to transition to the hearing world and creates El Deafo aka her Superperson. She journals her adventures of trying to fit in a world of hearing and dealing with looking odd with wires going to her ear due to her Phonic Ear amplifier.

            The story deals with many things that kids can relate to. For example looking different than others is something Cece tries to figure out. Another is moving to a new neighborhood and school. Many kids go through this and this could possibly hook students to read this. The graphics are good, and Cece does a great job of telling her story.

            I would definitely recommend this to other students and teachers. My only fear is that it is lengthy. El Deafo might be a book you build up to a class and show the book trailer that I have added to the blog. Enjoy and let me know what you think.

Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai

                                                       Inside Out & Back Again
                                                       By: Thanhha Lai


             The story authored by Thanhha Lai is a wonderfully written story in verse. The story is about a young Vietnamese girl name Ha and her family. She is living in the war torn country of Vietnam. The war has taken her father and hopefully not the rest of her family. Ha is learning that she may not like hat is going on, but must obey what her mother ask. She is learning that war is a horrible thing, and must flee to America with her family on a boat during a Communist strike. The boat she is on is finally rescued by Americans. The family is taken to Tent City in Florida. There her family hopes to find a sponsor so they can get to live the American life. The American Cowboy sponsors the family, and life for the family becomes on of transition and change. Ha must learn that things are not always happy and great. She learns that she hates everything and hopes things will change. Luckily for Ha she is introduce to a few friends Steven, Pam, and her English tutor Miss Washington. Will Ha learn to love America and take advantage of everything that is offer. Will Ha make it through life in America?

        I would definitely recommend this to students who love to read stories in verse. The story is a cute coming of age in America story. The author shares in her notes that part of it is related to her experiences, which makes this very believable.

           

Trash by Andy Mulligan

                                                              Trash by Andy Mulligan

       
     I came across this book through SSI summer school. I am teaching summer school for 6 days and this was the read aloud included in the material. Now just looking at this book, I don't think....no wait I know I would of never picked up this book. However, thankfully I started reading this out loud to the students.

     Andy Mulligan does a great job of hooking a reader into this book. As a reader I was wanting to know what was going on and what these characters were going to do. As you read the story there are some lulls but then you are wanting to know what is going on.

    The story is about three teenagers who come across a wallet full of money. Gardo, Raphael, and Rat try to figure out how the money of wallet came to the dump.  However, the wallet is not the only thing causing a stir. It seems the police are wanting something out of the trash dump. The police offer a reward for a bag. Unfortunately Gardo is leary of the police and does not fess up to finding anything in the dump except a shoe. This gets him in trouble. He takes a beaten at the police station and leaves. Gardo and Raphael enlist the help of Rat. They go on their own journey of trying to find out what is so important about this bag the police are looking for. During their trip they encounter many people some who will be helpful and others who will be out for their own reward.

   I would definitely recommend this story to others. I didn't think I would like it, but really loved the story. The boys have a heart and learn why this bag is so important. I can say at times the book can be lulling but you don't put it down because you want to know what the heck is about to happen.  Great suspense and action. A definite boy book.

  Just a FYI, there is some profanity in the book. However, it is very limited. I can count the words probably all on one hand.

Graphic Novel: Smile by Raina Telgemeier

To start this blog off, I am not a graphic novel fan, but thought I would give it a try. I bought a book at the book fair last week and it was one I have seen kids read. The graphic novel is Smile by Raina Telgemeier. The book has been sitting on my couch for the last three days. I finally broke down and read it. I am so glad I gave it a chance. I loved it. Telgemeier tells the story about herself. She is the main character. I am assuming this is a story from her life as a middle school student. The story starts off with Raina knocking her two front teeth out. The story centers around the different things that happen with these teeth. Her friends, if you want to call them that are very "mean girl." They are far from nice and Raina continues to allow them to be apart of her life. However as she goes through her teeth dilemma she starts to realize things aren't really that great for her, but she starts to see things through her experiences. I loved this story because it reminds me of what some students go through. It just makes you realize that kids really do have it rough in their mind because they don't have the skills to cope with it. Also some kids want to grow up faster than others. It is nice to see a character to find themselves and to have a voice. I would recommend this to every teacher to read. Graphic novels remind me of comic books. Comic books remind me of the Archie books I read when I was younger. This book has a purpose and a theme. Students will love this book because it is a quick read, but they could read the pictures too so they can see how the main character reacts to the different things in the story. Love it love it love it.

One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate

Katherine Applegate's book One and Only Ivan is a great book. I have seen the book many times at book fairs and finally took it upon myself to buy this. Well it helped that it was buy one book and get one free. I know you don't judge a book by the cover. I did that and so regret it. Ivan is the main character of the story. He is a gorilla who lives in an exhibit that helps his owner make money. Ivan becomes friends with Stella an elephant, Bob a homeless dog, and Julia a young girl who comes to the exhibit because her dad George works there. The story is about Ivan who has no recollection of his life as a child, but is unsure about being animal or human. He is a side show for Mack his owner. He doesn't seem to be pulling in money like he use to so Mack buys a baby elephant named Ruby. Ruby is unsure of what to think but learns to become friends with everyone and Stella takes Ruby on as family. As time goes on a tradegy happens and everyone tries to figure out how to overcome it. Ivan makes a promise and hopes to be able to keep it. Will Ivan figure out if he is more human or animal? Will Ivan be able to keep his promise? Read this and you will find out all the answers. I would definitely recommend this Newberry Medal winner. Katherine Applegate's story of these animals is very touching. If you like books about animals and how they can overcome things, this is the book for you.