Hi everyone!

I’m attending BEA this week and blogging it for you all…the book lovers!  BEA stands for Book Expo America and is basically a big event where the publishers push all their new titles for the Fall to booksellers and librarians.  It’s overwhelming, but amazingly good fun.

I’m a nerd of the first order and so I just love to be around book lovers.  It makes me very happy.  When I received a press release that Green Press Initiative would be hosting panels on the book industry and climate change I was really interested in seeing what would be said.  Let’s face it, I probably have a few dozen trees shaped like books in my house and always feel a bit guilty about the paper that makes books.

I have to admit I was incredibly impressed by the measures some of the publishing companies are taking to combat global warming.  I don’t think they are really doing anything where I work, so  perhaps I’m easily impressed!

What they names as being the major problem was inertia.  Isn’t that always the problem?

New World Publishing spoke first on what they are doing and I thought there were some really cool things.  For example, they use solar power, encourage their employees to use public transportation, carpool, or bike and they always print on both sides of the paper in the office.  It’s such a simple thing, but I think it helps the environment incredibly!  Furthermore, they actually have an employee who started composting for them!  One of their future goals is to put up window awnings to help reduce the use of air conditioners.  I just think it’s so interesting how we can do all these little things help our planet.

Random House spoke next and I have to admit I found a lot of wisdom in what they said about  how first you need to know what impact you are currently having.  I think it helps to view things in light of a big picture and know what changes you can make.  It was encouraging to me that their environmental program has been really popular amongst their employees and they are seeing some financial benefit as well.

One thing the panel discussed is that if China and India don’t get on board with working to avert climate change, there is no point in all of our efforts.  (someone brought up this question)   The rep from Powell’s bookstore said, if nothing else, we need to serve as a moral model.  Good word!

For more information on this issue, you can visit Green Press Initiative.

More tomorrow!

From the Back Cover:
When Jeri McKane is blamed by her best friend Rosa for using a secret against her, Jeri’s world is turned upside down. Unless the real blackmailer is found, Rosa could be expelled from Landmark School and her starring role in Cinderella given to a snobbish seventh grader. Worse still, Jeri could lose her best friends trust just when things with her own absentee father are heating up. Why does everything have to be so complicatedand where is God when you need him? Middle schoolers will identify with Jeri and her friends as they solve this mystery and learn valuable lessons about truth-telling, faith, hope, and love.

My Review:  I thought this was a very good read for girls ages 9-13.  The book was very engaging and I liked the variety in the main characters - some girls were missionary kids, some were girls at a private boarding school, some had money and some didn’t have much money at all and had to keep up a scholarship in order to stay.  The girls were from different parts of the world, but they each had common issues to deal with. Jeri dealt with forgiveness issues with her father which are common to today’s culture.  Rosa had to deal with being born before her mother was married.  Another girl dealt with losing a father to death. 

The mystery part kept me guessing until the very end - I like surprises!  Christianity is present, but it was ”not in your face.”  A nonbeliever could read this book and understand it.  I’d like to read more in the series! 

Courtesy of the publisher, we have a copy of The Girl Who Stopped Swimming by Joshilyn Jackson to give away!

Here’s how to enter!

1) Agree to participate in the Group Discussion if you win the third week of June and leave a comment. (one entry)

2) Blog about the Group Discussion and invite your readers to join in with a link back to this giveaway! (two entries)

By the way, I’m reading it now and it’s unputdownable. Thanks everyone! I’ll leave this open for a week.

One of the problems my students have with writing is that they were taught “invented spelling” in kindergarten and first grade.  One way to help them move away from invented spelling and move toward conventional spelling (or book spelling) is to make them a copy of their own spelling book.  Whether we like it or not, spelling is important in writing.  Even though we have spell check and mostly use computers, it is still important to know how to spell words correctly.  A personal spelling book can help develop this habit.  Staple several sheets of paper together to make a 26-page booklet.  Help your child write a letter of the alphabet (in order) at the top of each page.  You could add some commonly used words to the spelling book right away.  When your child writes, encourage him/her to open their own spelling book to the page with the first letter of the word they want to spell.  Write each word on its corresponding page, and have your child repeatedly refer to these words throughout the writing session.  Encourage your child to grow as a writer by using his/her own spelling book whenever he/she writes.  This lifelong skill teaches independence as well as spelling correctly!  Independence means that they have the skills to find words they cannot spell without depending on us!  Happy writing!

 I mean, really, doesn’t the title just grab your attention right away?  And what a stunning cover!  Winner of the 2008 Caldecott medal, Brian Selznick’s novel does not disappoint.  One of the things that I loved right away about this book is that it is neither a chapter book nor a picture book, but the two combined.  There are many illustrations, mostly drawings, that help tell the story.  They are not additions to the story, they are actually telling the story.  And Selznick does a great job of making the pictures add suspense to the story.  We see Hugo, then we see a close up of Hugo’s eye or what Hugo is looking at, and we wonder - what’s going to happen?  Is he ok? 

    Another thing I loved about this story is it’s unique plot and setting.  It takes place in the train station in Paris, France.  Hugo lives within the station’s walls maintaining the station’s clocks and surviving any way he can after being abandoned by both father and uncle.  The plot also involves automata (mechanical wind-up toys), a fire, a friend, a notebook, and a grumpy old man.  All the makings of a great story!

This book is recommended for children 9 - 12.   There is a bit of a scary scene at the beginning so use caution with younger children.  

Bette is the second book in the Women of Ivy Manor series by Lyn Cote.  Bette is Chloe’s (from the first book) daughter.  The time setting for this book is centered around World War II.  At a time when women are not accepted in certain “roles,” Bette becomes a spy for the U.S. government, suffers through a disastrous marriage, and gives birth to another little “woman of Ivy Manor.”  Even though Bette faces a troubled marriage, she has an interesting romance in her life - a man worth waiting for.

 This book is quite interesting and kept me engaged throughout.  I love the history in these books.  At times, I felt like I wish I could talk some sense into the main character - ever feel that way?  Her secret life during World War II was fascinating and even though she was very good at it, it took her way out of her comfort level.  You can easily relate to the women in these books.  I admire the women’s strength of character to do the right thing even though they face difficult circumstances.  I say go girl power!  I’m off to read Book 3 - “Leigh.”

About the Book: Single mom of three, Sierra Montgomery is desperate to find a new job to keep from having to move back home and be smothered to death by her mother’s good intentions and overbearing love. So when Sierra inherits Chance, a quirky old gelding she doesn’t have a clue what to do with, she thinks her best bet may be to sell the horse to cover another month’s rent–a decision that devastates her children.
Enter Ross Morgan, a handsome landscaper who just happens to have an empty barn and fenced pasture… perfect for an old horse to live out his days as the pet of three wounded kids. Ross develops a soft spot for eldest child Braden…and he just might have one for Braden’s mother. But what he doesn’t have is time for distractions–he’s got a landscaping business to run and nursery plants to tend.

But there’s just one problem. Sierra’s terrified of horses and–thanks to her past–wary of attractive men. Yet seeing the way her angry son idolizes Ross and adores that old horse forces Sierra to confront her fears. Will she remain distrustful and self-reliant, or will she seek help from God and those who love her?

My Review: I’ve been reading a lot of really heavy or high concept books lately and was definitely ready for something a bit lighter. This book fit the bill! This is such a lovely story with a sweet romance, lots of hope, and great characters!

First of all what kids would not want a pet horse given to them? I know my niece would love it! But the complication lies with Sierra’s painful memories of a horse related death. You can really tell that Sierra loves her kids. She constantly seems to want what is best for them, but sometimes overprotection can be a problem, too! There’s a lot of challenges facing her as well in her personal life so her plate is definitely full! She does experience a lot of growth throughout the book, though I don’t want to give much away!

This is the kind of book that you just want to dive into and devour. It’s a sweet story with really fun and likeable characters!

If this sounds like a book you would enjoy, I have a giveaway copy! To be eligible to win, just hop on over to Sherri’s blog and leave a relevant comment on one of her posts. Then, come back here and tell me where you left a comment. Be sure to use the same name so I can verify! I know it’s a little hoop jumping, but a free book is worth it, right? To sweeten the deal, I’ll throw in a five dollar Starbucks gift card so you can enjoy a coffee while you read!

Be sure to check out Sherri’s website!
Check out Leave it to Chance on Amazon!

Hi everyone!

 In June, we will be having a group discussion on the site.  We (Sally, Leah, Amy) will all be reading The Girl Who Stopped Swimming by Joshilyn Jackson and then discussing the book over three days.  We would love to have you join us!  Think of it as a virtual book club and be sure to bring some virtual snacks!

 Please note that this book probably has a PG-13ish rating.  More details to come!

Books and films both tell stories, but what we want from a book can be different from what we want from a movie. Is this true for you? If so, what’s the difference between a book and a movie?

For me one of the biggest differences is my ability to get inside a character.  With movies, the viewer is somewhat dependent on the actor´s/actress’s ability to portray emotions, thoughts, and attitudes.  In contrast, a book can tell us exactly what the character is thinking and feeling.   I’ve realized lately that many of my favorite books are my favorites because of the strength of the characters, so this is important to me.  I think movies can sometimes set a scene a bit more dramatically because they are that much more visual.  Storms for example, come to life in a movie.  Movies can take us places we’ve never been before.  Books can as well, but I have to imagine what Ireland or Rome looks like whereas a movie can show it to me.  Books can allow you to imagine certain elements the way you want to.   Movies can add sound effects and music to set the mood and add drama.  Sometimes movies can show us way more than we really wanted to see even if the story it is telling is worthwhile.  At the same time, movies can be limited in what they are able to portray (imaginary animals and locations, for example, though with computer technology movies are able to portray more and more) .  I think from both movies and books what I want is to get into the story.  To experience life or a situation through someone else’s eyes.  To be scared, or laugh, or cry, or remember what it’s like to fall in love.   To think about something different than my daily life.  I love the use of language and words in books - movie dialouge can be great too, but words are generally more of a strength in books - and that is probably why I would almost always choose reading a book to watching a movie.  What about you?

One of the most successful strategies I have used in teaching my second graders how to write a friendly letter is having a penpal class in another school. My students write to other second graders all year - not in our school but another district school - and they LOVE it! The children really get into this - and it gives them a real-life purpose for writing. What I love is when they find the mistakes - although they never seem to find the mistakes in their own writing…

I would recommend your child writing to a friend in another state, a cousin, or any family member they don’t see often. If you don’t have anyone in mind, you could google children’s penpals - you could find a penpal in the U.S. or overseas. I hesitate to recommend a website because I haven’t used one, but I know there are plenty of these sites out there in cyberspace. Maybe your child could write to a missionary’s child in another country. You could get some ideas at your church or another local church that supports missionaries.

When our daughter was in high school, she had many penpals from all over the world. I know you can also find penpals for younger children online. This is an awesome and fun way to encourage writing! Make sure they know and use the five parts of a letter: heading, greeting, body, closing, and signature.

Happy writing!!