Divergent

Both Mrs. Kozuch and Mrs. Savini told me that I had to read this book. They were right.  I loved it.  The writing was excellent.  This book was thought-provoking, suspenseful, and filled with action.  Also, it is dystopian, my 100% favorite genre right now.

Here's an overview from the Barnes and Nobles website:

In Beatrice Prior’s dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue—Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is—she can’t have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are—and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, she also learns that her secret might help her save those she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

Debut author Veronica Roth bursts onto the YA scene with the first book in the Divergent series—dystopian thrillers filled with electrifying decisions, heartbreaking betrayals, stunning consequences, and unexpected romance.

Get your copy today from the GSMS library.  You might have to get on the waiting list once word of this book comes out!
http://www.thedivergenttrilogy.com/
Author's Blog: http://veronicarothbooks.blogspot.com/

The Eleventh Plague

After a great debate at our first book club meeting, we abandoned Frankenstein and choose a new book.  The book we chose is The Eleventh Plague by Jeff Hirst.  I am thrilled at the awesome turn out we had. 

I went to Barnes and Nobles on Saturday.  I bought the last two copies of the book there.  (I tried to see if there were more copies but I was with my four month old nephew.  He doesn't wait when he wants to leave so I couldn't wait in line.)The book was about $17 so it might be a good idea to share.  I will lend out my two copies. Plus, I downloaded another copy on our classroom Nook and on Kindle on my iPhone. Big thanks to J. G. who is also lending out his copy.  I know that the library has all copies out but we can check those out as they come back in.

 Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, November 14.  Same time, same place.  I was thinking we could set a finish the book deadline by November 29, which is the day after Thanksgiving break. 

A. G. has typed up the invitations for our next meet.  I hope everyone gets a copy of the book and gets to start reading!  See me or leave me a message here with any questions. 

Bruiser

I LOVED Bruiser by Neil Shusterman!!!!  (What English teacher wouldn't?  He named every chapter by a ten cent SAT word....) http://www.teenreads.com/reviews/9780061134081.asp

 Here is a trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r3nVUuJcf\A

Check out this great book talk video:
http://naomibates.blogspot.com/2010/09/booktalk-intro-video.html

Do You Shelfari?

https://www.shelfari.com/ShelfariLogin

I really like how fun and easy it is to use Shelfari?  I would use it more if I had an app for it.  However, I also like GoodReads.com.  This is a great way to find awesome books besides using Destiny on the library website.

Do you know of any other great "book" websites? If so, let me know.

Birthmarked

Birthmarked by Caragh O'Brien is another book that I couldn't resist from our Scholastic Book Fair.  (BTW, Great job, Mrs. K.!)  In this futuristic novel, a girl named Gaia, is following in her mother's footsteps to becoming a midwife.  The setting of the book is pretty grim.  It is about 300 years into the future, the sun is harsh, and the Great Lakes are now "unlakes." Gaia lives in the outskirt of a city that is walled in.  The only time she enters the gate is to deliver babies who fulfil the "Enclaves" quota of the first three babies a month.  Then, Gaia's parents are arrested and she is interrogated.  This is the first book of a trilogy.  I can't wait to read the second book. I'm not the only one who loved this book. See below!
Readers who enjoy adventures with a strong heroine standing up to authority against the odds will enjoy this compelling tale.”—School Library Journal

“A wonderful addition to the dystopian genre.”—TeensReadToo.com

“Reminiscent of both 1984 and a Brave New World, this gripping page-turner is a perfect intro to futuristic, dystopian fiction. . . . Readers accompany the novel’s inspiring heroine on an undertaking brimming with danger, intrigue, and romance.”—Education.com

“O’Brien’s . . . impulsive and spirited heroine . . . is the kind readers adore.”—Booklist

“This science fiction adventure is a brisk and sometimes provocative read, thanks to solid pacing, a resourceful heroine, and a few surprise twists.”—Publishers Weekly

“Well-written and fast-paced.”—VOYA

“In grand dystopic tradition.”—Kirkus Reviews

“It was a very good book that made me think.”—Abby, age 12

“I love dystopian futures. Birthmarked is great dystopian future.”—Sam, age 16

Exciting New Updates!

"CAT FIGHT- about the only good thing that can happen the first day of school."

 So begins Janet Nichols Lynch's Messed Up.  I may not have liked the questionable language and borderline "school inappropriateness" but I could not stop reading this book! At the start of the book, the protaganist, R.D. gets suspended for helping break up a fight.  Not fair, you say? Well, nothing in R.D.'s life is fair.  He has never met his father, his mom is in jail, and he is repeating the 8th grade again.  R.D. is living with his grandmother's boyfriend who is not in the best of health. Will R.D. make it?  Read this very realistic novel today to find out.

The Line

"What lies on the other side of the line? There's only one way to find out..." I recently finished Terri Hall's The Line.  I had some trouble with this one. It was my favorite genre of post-apocalypse dytopian society yet there just weren't enough details to make the horrors of the society seem real. I guess that sometimes not knowing can be worse than knowing but in this case, I wasn't feeling it!  I liked the plot, I felt like something was missing.  Maybe I couldn't connect to the characters or feel the suspense?  Anyway, I would suggest this book to those who liked Compound. 

Maybe others will like this book more than I did?  If there is a sequel, I would read it.

Beastly

I just finished Beastly by Alex Flinn.  This book was based on the classic tale "Beauty and the Beast."  However, I really liked the modern twists and turns in the novel.  Now, I want to see the movie.

I just started the Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson.  I don't know why I am on this books made into movie kick.

Scholastic Book Fair

I finished I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore last night.  I loved it.  I know the movie is out and I certainly want to see it soon.  I am passing on my copy to Mrs. S. but they might be selling copies at the book fair.  Remember, we are going to the book fair for half the class on Tuesday. 


The genre is science fiction.  I really don't want to give away much in the plot.  Here's a link to the movie trailer:
http://www.findnumberfour.com/
http://iamnumberfourfans.com/pittacus-lore/

I downloaded You Don't Know Me by David Klause onto the Nook Color. 

http://www.teenreads.com/reviews/0374387060.asp

I really think we should read this INSTEAD of the Ron Clark book in period 2.  However, I will not disregard "the vote." Technically, the R.C. book was #2 after the recently ditched Graveyard Book. (Sorry, J.G.! You're sick one day and we veto the book...)  What do you think?

New Study: The Flu Increases Reading!

So I made up the title!  I don't know if most people read more when they are sick but I certainly do.  Since Friday, I've read: 

Holly's run away before, but this time she actually gets away...

Runaway by Wendelin Van Draanen
Stuck in Neutral by Terry Trueman

My name is Shawn McDaniel.  I'm 14 years old.
  I think my father is planning to kill me.

Nobody expected the end to come this fast!

Empty by Suzanne Weyn 

and


How will an anorexic seventeen-year-old girl fare as on of the Four Horseman of the Apocalypse?



Hunger by Jackie Morse Kessler.  I'll post comments on them on my Shelfari (on right).  However, I think that Runaway was my favorite.  Stuck in Neutral was an amazing, quick read.  Empty was scaring. (It's not if, it's when...) Hunger was really disturbing. 

Now, I'm reading I Am Number Four.  So far, it is really good. 

Persuasion

Today, we are in the computer lab using the Holt Online Essay Scoring. This is a part of our online Holt textbook where students can write an essay and the computer will "score" it for them.  This gives students instant feedback so they can improve their writing.  Is it worth the time and effort?  We shall see! So far, we have had a few issues.  One essay disappeared. Another essay froze and could not be thawed out.  Yet another essay was written in all caps and could not be scored. 

Students have been using the online graphic organizer.  We just figured out that you can copy and paste from the graphic organizer into the text box.  So far, I like the Holt Online Essay Scoring.  What do YOU think?

P.S. Make sure you print, write your name on your essay, and then read the model essay.  What could you improve on next time?

Class Novels: What We Are Reading Now....

Every single day, students are given at least five to ten minutes to read independently at the start of our language arts class.  During this time, folders are passed out, paper distributed, and students may take AR tests or podcast.  At the end of class, we try to read as folders are collected and we have done our wrap up activity.

Period 1 is reading Touching Spirit Bear by Ben Mikaelson.

Period 2 has voted to read Neil Gaiman's Graveyard Book. However, so far, they still prefer to read their independent novels.

Period 3 is reading The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan.
Period 4 has taken on the challenge of reading Michael Grant's Gone.  It is a long book but this class is committed to finishing it in record time!
Period 6 is finishing up Haddix's Don't You Dare Read This, Mrs. Dunphrey.

Although we try, we don't always have time to read every single day.  However, we aim to read at least five minutes at the close of every class.  Some students still decide to read their own independent novels.

"You have to read this book!"

Big thanks to S.F. and M.P. in 6th period for putting up this awesome bulletin board!  This is where students can fill out a ticket and put it in the appropriate genre pocket.  When students are looking for a book in the genre, he or she can check that pocket and take the ticket.  New books and author of the week books will be placed on the top shelf.  Feel free to put a great book you just finished on the top shelf. 

Also, great job to A.K. in 3rd for completing the 40 Book Challenge!!! Wow, A., you even beat me by reading 41 books so far this year in a variety of genres.  For her efforts, Anna received the bookmark timer from our DC donors.  Amazing job!  Please remember to keep filling in your "40 Book Challenge" genre chart every Monday.  (I admit that I forget sometimes but try to keep it up.)

Favorite Reading Quotes

"No entertainment is so cheap as reading, nor any pleasure so lasting. She will not want new fashions nor regret the loss of expensive diversions or variety of company if she can be amused with an author in her closet."
— Lady Montagu, providing advice on raising her granddaughter, 1752

I like quotes. I was wondering if other people had a favorite quote about reading. I just found the quote above. However, I don't know if I could pick a favorite. This would be the closest: "Words are the only things that last forever."
-William Hazelitt

Also, I wanted to see if I could copy a picture on this blog using the iPad. It didn't work:(

BTW: Bad Grammar Isn't Always Bad...and a Mr. Clark Update!

I just finished a book called Teens, Technology, and Literacy; or, Why Bad Grammar Isn't Always Bad by Linda W. Braun.  In this non-fiction book, the author begins a chapter on text messaging with the following quote, "Most linguists believe that after 10,000 years no traces of a language remain in its descendants...Languages are perpetuated by the children who learn them.  When linguists see a language spoken only by adults they know it is doomed." (Pinker 2000, 262)


What do you think?  Can students switch back and forth from informal texting to formal writing?  Do people who text, post on Facebook, and email constantly actually read and write more than those who don't? 

What do YOU think?

I'll bring the book in on Tuesday. Some of you might like it as much as that Ron Clark book! LOL  (sry!!)
http://k6educators.about.com/cs/classroommanageme3/a/essential55.htm
http://www.ronclarkacademy.com/shop/  (Wow, Mr. Clark has his own virtual store!)

  Mr. Clark with Oprah and his new book!

The Lifetime movie

Donor's Choose

Check out our new projects on Donor's Choose!  http://www.donorschoose.org/lizzeglin
Post any ideas for future projects here.  Some people have mentioned that they would like to get another iPad.  Let me know why you think we need #3 if you think that is a good idea.  Maybe you have a new suggestion that no one has mentioned?  Post it below.

Also, I will need some volunteers to help write thank you letters for a couple proposals.  Please let me know if you are interested!  It would be nice to get those letters out this week.  Why wait?

Thank you!

Book Talk Podcasts

Ever since I heard about podcasting I have wanted to try it.  Students have jumped right into it with their book talks.  Students had a choice of writing a book critique or writing a podcasting book talk.  Everyone decided to write the script!  Many students in our language arts classes were able to practice recording their voices on our class iPods and iPads.  We quickly realized that podcasting is not easy!  You really have to practice your script over and over again.  Plus, it seems like less is more in terms of time.

To share our book talks and "podcast" our favorite books with the world, Mr. Nymick has suggested that we put our podcasts on the school's public drive. (Yes, you can still practice on the ipods and ipads but the final recording needs to be done on the laptop.) We can actually do this using a laptop and that cool microphone that Madame L. gave us. (Merci beaucoup!) Mr. Nymick has suggested that we get our time down to about 15 seconds.  I realize that some students may need to go over a little.  However, let's consider our audience.  We want to help other students and teachers find books they may actually want to read.  Let's help them quickly! 

Let me know what you think! 

Now Reading...

Watcher in the Woods. This is the second book in the House of Dark Shadows series by Robert Liparulo.  I like the plot and characters a lot. Mrs. Savini recommended the series to me. It is about a family that moves into a house that is not quite what it seems.  I really don't want to give anything away but if you like suspenseful, scary stories, you might like this series.

What are you reading now?

Nook Color-Coming Soon!!!

I wonder if our Nook will be the same size...

I just found out last night that our classroom is getting a Nook Color.  I am so excited.  I watched a YouTube video on the features of this e-reader and it looks really cool.  One thing I loved is that books are interactive.  While reading, you can access the Internet for more information and word definitions. 
I was thinking that we could use this Nook in class to read magazines and newspapers.  We can also download sample chapters of books we want to read before getting them.  Another thing I was thinking, it that we could download our class novels on them.  This would be a great solution when we want to read something but it unavailable.  For example, period 2 wanted to start reading Gone by Michael Grant but we didn't have a copy. 

Please let me know what your other ideas are.  The sky is the limit. 

     “Reading is thinking with someone else's head instead of one's own”

 Arthur Schopenhauer quotes (German Philosopher, 1788-1860)