Are readers losers?

The Losers Club by Andrew Clements

This new book from Andrew Clements (author of Frindle) celebrates kids who read (and those who don't....yet)! Alec is beginning his 6th grade year and is already in the "Hot Seat" at the principal's office.  Alec has a problem--he loves to read and he has been to the principal's office many times because he is reading instead of paying attention in class.  This year, the principal is cutting him no slack and so he has to find a way to read that will keep him out of trouble.

Alec starts the "Losers Club" so he can have time to read. Not only does he discover things about himself, but also things about other people that he has never really taken the time to think about because he was too busy immersing himself in books.

What are some great things about this book? Clements consistently weaves in a variety of book titles (and sometimes details) that will pique the interest of students who read and those who don't. In addition, the reader gets to watch Alec work through some typical problems that sixth grade students may encounter. And, of course, the main character is a guy who reads!

Once I began reading, I couldn't put it down. This would make a great read-aloud for the upper elementary classroom.

Another slice of life or is it a slice of me?

Voicemail:husband: Hey, hon, did you get the taxes ready so I can run them to the CPA?

In person:my dad: Now, don't think you have to come take care of us--you have your own life--but we love it when you come.

Text:daughter: Mom, can you send me the addresses for our family so I can get the wedding invitations done?

Email:colleague: Did you review that conference proposal? It would be great if you could revise it. I want to send it out next week.

Planning center:church: Would you play the offertory Sunday?

FaceTime:granddaughter: Grandmother, I love you.

In the car:me: I love you more than you can ever know.

My slice of life

"Hey, hey, #5!  Hit it hard."

Aluminum bleachers feel cool as I sit watching my eight-year-old granddaughter as she walks up to the plate, holding tight to her bat, with her blond braid hanging out from under her helmet.  She steps to the plate, lanky legs bent a little, wiggling her behind, (I wonder where she saw that?) and the coach pitches the ball.  She stands there, looking at the ball as it passes her by.   Four more chances -- is she going to swing?  Another pitch goes by, hitting the dirt.   I yell again, "Hey, #5. You can do it!"

On the next pitch, she swings and hits the ball hard past the pitcher and toward short.  I stand and scream as she takes off for first base. "Run, Addi!" Those long legs churn toward first base, getting her there before the throw -- she's safe!

I'm currently listening to The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley.  I am loving this book.  The story is told from the perspective of a young girl in England during World War II. Ada has lived a life in the city in a one-room apartment and only seen life from her window. After evacuating to the country, Ada begins to experience many different things.

Ada's vocabulary is very limited and Bradley helps us picture how frustrating it is for someone with a limited background knowledge to try to understand.  This would be an excellent read for teachers of English-language learners because it would help them understand a little better how it feels to be surrounded by words and conversation that you don't understand.

A balancing act

My students have chosen their words for the semester and/or year and as I've read their posts, I've been delighted, amused, pensive, and awe-struck!  These teachers are a group of deep thinkers.

So, I must write about my word.  Shouldn't we do the things we are asking our students to do?  Can we instill a love for reading or writing or being literate people if we do not do those things ourselves? I think not.

So, my word for this semester and year is "balance."  As I explained to my class that first night we met, I need balance in my life.  Merriam-Webster defines it as -- "the state of having your weight spread equally so that you do not fall."  As I'm writing this, the picture in my mind is the seal balancing the ball on his nose.  Not that I could do that, but that is what my life feels like right now. So, I'm choosing balance to remind me that I'm not a seal!  I'm a real person who needs to remember that the "weight" of my life needs to be equal to the time I have each day.

When I think about balance, I think that I must learn to make time for the important things and let the rest go.  So what is important to me right now?

• My dad has been ill and in and out of the hospital and has also been diagnosed with a form of Alzheimer's.  I want to help with his care and be around him as much as possible.  I don't want to have regrets later.

• My grandchildren are growing quickly and I want to be part of their lives. Trying to get to their activities and just be around them as they grow and change is a priority.

• And, I don't want to neglect my husband.  He has been my support through so many things through the years.

• My church is important to me and I have responsibilities there.  Contributing to the worship service by playing the piano and singing is fulfilling and brings me joy.

• The classes I teach at the university take time, but I love doing that.

All of those things come together and form the core of who I am as a person.  I want to balance my time better so that I can give to each one of these and still feel like a person rather than a seal. Perhaps having my word in front of me and on my mind will help me keep things in perspective, keep the priorities straight, and help me to stand instead of falling.

A new semester...new books to read...new things to do

I'm teaching a literacy class for secondary school teachers/reading specialists this semester and am excited to be back in the world of YA.  I read The Serpent King by Zentner last week and am still thinking about parts of that book.  Maybe this one really stuck with me because I grew up in a small town. No matter where you grow up, high school is full of students trying to figure out who they are and who they can become.  This may be on my read-it-again list.

I also found Carrie Gelson's blog, There's A Book for That (new to me) and she has a #mustreadin2017 list going.  As others send their lists, she posts a link to them.  This is a great place to look for a new-to-you book to read.  I pulled a few from her list.  I had already planned to pick up Snow White by Phelan--I've seen it around the blogosphere.

Also, Inprint Houston's Cool Brains! series is bringing Tim Green to Houston on January 29.  He'll be talking about his book, Left Out. The Cool Brains! events I've attended have been worth the afternoon.  Since Houston is hosting the Super Bowl, this is timely--Green is a former NFL player.

Other books on my #mustreadin2017 list include Blooming at the Texas Sunrise Motel by Holt, Brown Girl Dreaming by Woodson, Piecing Me Together by Watson, and The Sun is also a Star by Yoon.

I'm heading to the bookstore tomorrow.