Sunday, June 2, 2013

It's Monday, What Are You Reading? June 3, 2013

Please visit the amazing blog: Teach Mentor Texts 
who host this terrific meme each week. 

Since I did not read that much this week, I will turn my post into a What Am I Reading?/Mini Review post of what I finished this week.


I rate this book 4 out of 5 stars.

I did not know anything about this book before choosing to read it.  Imagine my surprise when what seemed to be a realistic fiction novel morphed into a fairytale/fantasy.  I enjoyed reading about Hazel's journey to into the unknown world of the White Witch (yes, like the witch from Narnia) to save her best friend, Jack who has disappeared. Although presented with dangerous and difficult obstacles, Hazel never turned back or gave up....nice example of "girl power".  The book contains 320 pages. I think students in grades 4 through 7 would like Breadcrumbs best.

See what others think about Breadcrumbs.  

Here is a book trailer.





 I rate this audiobook 4 out of 5 stars.

I finished listening to Splendor's and Glooms by Laura Amy Schlitz.  I wanted to read this book after watching the Newbery Award presentation and seeing all the recognition it earned.  It is also on the 2013-2014 Maine Student Book Award list.  I tried to read it months ago, but abandoned it because I thought it was pretty creepy. After several people recommended the audio version, I decided to give it another try.  Splendors and Glooms is an incredible, intricately woven story.  Laura Amy Schlitz is masterful with her use of vivid, descriptive language.  The tale is full of mystery, suspense, and yes.....dark creepiness.  The book is 400 pages long and is listed for ages 9 and up by the publisher. Although the superior writing and incredible storyline(s) cannot be denied, I find it hard to imagine that many 9-10 years olds would enjoy reading it. Having said that, I do have a copy available in my 4th grade classroom for any student who wants to give it a try.

See what others think about Splendors and Glooms
Common Sense Media
The Book Smugglers
New York Times

I am currently reading...




What Are You Reading My Friends?

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18 comments:

  1. KristenJune 3, 2013 at 4:11 AM

    I loved Breadcrumbs. I've heard of your two other books, but haven't read them myself yet. I'm still working on my audiobook of Fearless by Cornelia Funke.

    The Monster Report

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  2. LiteracyDocentJune 3, 2013 at 4:23 AM

    I love all three of the books you highlighted this week. Have you read Juniper Berry? It's also published by Walden Pond Press and kids love it! I really like anything Walden Pond Press puts out actually...the Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom is hilarious!

    I'm plan on reading Zebra Forest and Destiny, Rewritten this week. Both have received some great "chatter".

    Happy Reading!

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    1. HannahlilyJune 3, 2013 at 12:16 PM

      I LOVE Juniper Berry! One of my favorite newish MG novels.

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    2. Gigi McAllisterJune 3, 2013 at 3:58 PM

      I have not read it, but I have 2 girls who have read it and LOVED it. I am trying to work through 2013-14 MSBA's now.

      Delete
  3. Im Lovin LitJune 3, 2013 at 5:25 AM

    I'll be sure to come back next week as I'm very interested to see what you think of Capture the Flag. I've got it on my middle school bookshelf but I haven't really promoted it since I haven't read it and don't know much about it.
    :) Erin
    I'm Lovin Lit

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    1. Gigi McAllisterJune 3, 2013 at 3:52 PM

      Thanks for following my blog! I am enjoying Capture the flag so far. Please check back!

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  4. Maestra AmandaJune 3, 2013 at 6:54 AM

    Breadcrumbs was really good, I enjoyed it. I have Capture the Flag on hold at the library, so I hope it comes in soon! I really like Kate Messner!
    Amanda

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    1. Gigi McAllisterJune 3, 2013 at 3:54 PM

      I like her work also. I met her a few months ago at an event here in Maine and pretty much made a fool of myself because I could barely talk in complete sentences.

      Delete
  5. Tara @ A Teaching LifeJune 3, 2013 at 8:15 AM

    Loved Breadcrumbs, and my students loved Capture the Flag. Splendors and Glooms looks interesting, too...so many books, so little time!

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  6. AnonymousJune 3, 2013 at 9:32 AM

    I'm not much of fantasy reader, but I too was pleasantly surprise by Breadcrumbs, and I think the realistic fiction elements did it for me. I so agree on your description of Splendor and Gloom . . . so well written, but I'm just not convinced of its appeal to younger readers. On the flip side, I can think of many adults who'd like it! Capture the Flag (and it's sequel) were huge hits in my daughter's 4th5th grade classroom where I shared both books.

    --Lorna

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    1. Gigi McAllisterJune 3, 2013 at 3:56 PM

      How nice of you to share books with your daughter's class. I have a student who said Capture the Flag and Hide and Seek were his favorite books ever. I has please to learn that Kate is working on a 3rd called Manhunt, but he sagged when I told him to will be out NEXT May.

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    2. AnonymousJune 3, 2013 at 6:14 PM

      Cool! I hadn't heard the title for the third book--that's awesome. I was a rock star when I sent in Hide and Seek before it was published, as I had an arc from ALA Midwinter. I can't wait to tell one student when the next one will arrive--she too described them as some of her favorite titles ever. I've been a Book Fairy to both my 3rd and 5th grade daughter's classes . . . it's been a blast. I book talk, share book trailers, interviews, and then leave the book with them after I whip them into a frenzy.

      Here's the 3rd Grade site: http://feldsherbookfairy.wordpress.com/
      5th grade: http://hubbardbookfairy.wordpress.com/

      I've loved it as much as them!

      Delete
  7. HannahlilyJune 3, 2013 at 12:18 PM

    I read Breadcrumbs right when it came out, and I remember liking it quite a bit (except maybe the ending? I'm a bit foggy). I admire Splendors and Glooms much more than I love it. Although I suspect I might have been one of those weird kids who really liked reading it as a child. Who know, though.

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  8. Gigi McAllisterJune 3, 2013 at 3:57 PM

    I like that phrase, admire it more than I liked it. That is perfect!

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  9. Nicole L.June 3, 2013 at 5:49 PM

    My class loved Capture the Flag, it was one of our recent read alouds. As an adult I found it far fetched, so I certainly had to suspend reality as I went along on that crazy little adventure! The kids are dying to get the second one added to the classroom library though! I'm loving all your MSBA involvement :) Are you going to the September NERA author/illustrator event? If so, be sure to stop by MSBA's table to grab a poster for this year's titles!

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  10. Carrie GelsonJune 3, 2013 at 8:03 PM

    Breadcrumbs was such an engaging story. I read it aloud to my children over a winter holiday and so we had lots of uninterrupted reading time. They were both captivated. Loved the links to fairytale elements. I want to read her newest book - just out!

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  11. Linda BJune 3, 2013 at 9:07 PM

    I loved both of the books you've read, but especially Breadcrumbs-just a great mix of the feelings of young people when families are in crisis, plus the fantasy. I have it, but still need to read Capture The Flag. Thanks, Gigi!

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