Cool boys like to read.

Now I know that my familiar bloggers are girls, but I know of a few boys who check in too. So, this post is for you!

Hurry up and check out this site: http://guysread.com

It's a super cool site and it is a super reliable resource. Made especially for boys, but great for girls too.

Log on. Report back. Especially if you find a gem of a book.

Talk soon,
Keep reading!
Stenson

TB Day is here.

Tomorrow is a big day for OGMS 8th graders. It's going to be a very memorable experience. I'm excited for you all to experience it.

I'm also excited to relax and enjoy the weekend after such a big day. I'm going to catch up on some reading. I've only been reading a little bit with so much TB stuff to do. It will be nice to relax, reflect on how the day goes, and enjoy some good writing. I've got a stack of magazines by my bed now IN ADDITION to the pile of books I listed in my last post....sigh.

It's the end of the school year. Can you believe we've got less than one month left? Mrs. Hruby's baby is here...she was barely pregnant when we started this journey together. Where does time go?

Thinking about the end of the year...
Thinking about Mrs. Hruby's baby...

1. What are your reading goals for the last 3 weeks of school?
2. What was your favorite book when you were a baby? I know you might not remember, but maybe you still have a copy of your treasured stories. Ask your parents!

Looking forward to hearing from you!
-Stenson

The pile on my nightstand.

Have you ever been tempted to fake sick and stay in bed and read? Those of you who are reading during math class, science class, health class...I know you know that feeling! Don't worry, Mr. Knoss, I'd never do that, but it sure would help with that pile of books on my nightstand!

On the list of books Stenson is looking forward to reading soon:

1. Orphelia by ?? Maddy M gave it to me, it's based on Shakespeare's Hamlet, and it looks like a book to get lost inside of.

2. What Would Martin Say by Clarence Jones (non-fiction about Martin Luther King Jr. written by close friend and personal lawyer)

3. Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard (I ran into one of my favorite college professors, and she's the one who first introduced me to Ms. Dillard. This is not a book I would recommend to most 8th graders because there isn't really a plot. It's a narrative created with brilliant language, written, I think, to call careful attention to how glorious Nature is.

4. Dog Years by Mark Doty (Everyone knows my best friend--besides Ms. Sbrocco--is my loyal, lovely black lab Puckett. I can't pass up a book about dogs and the gifts they bring this planet).

5. There are also three poetry books in my stack of books. I don't really understand poetry very well....but much like I preach to my student...reading (poetry too) is like anything else; you have to practice it.


6. Playing for Pizza by John Grisham (those of you who love a suspense or mystery would love Grisham's books. However, this novel of his isn't a mystery or thriller, but I've always been a fan of his, so I'd like to read this one too).

Anyway, tell me what you are reading or what is on your list of "Books to Read Soon".

Can't wait to hear the titles. Can't wait to jump back into that pile on my nightstand.

Here's to those never-ending lists of books we can't wait to get our hands on!
Stenson

Flipping Burgers

Hey all! This is my first March blog. Sorry about the delay.

Have you checked out this Bookburger website yet? Oh my little apples, talk about a FUN website. It's perfect for us!   I have found some great leads on fun books. You can browse it and log off feeling really excited about books and reading. In fact, I am going to keep this blog short because I just logged off the website and I have the urge to grab my book and lose myself in good words, suspenseful story lines, and crazy characters!

Here it is: Bookburger

Have a Burger Book Day!

Stenson

I, too, Sing America!

If you haven't heard this poem, I suggest checking out the book of poetry by the same name. This line, I, Too, Sing America, is a poem by Langston Hughes. The poem is an emotional poem about the African-American experience. But the book by the same name is a collection of poems written by some of the greatest African-American poets and authors of our country's time. It's a book of poems you would have fun reading aloud to yourself. The rhythms and the colors and the emotions will send shivers down your spine. So will the illustrations that accompany the poems.

It's important to honor Black History Month in our classrooms, and one of the best ways I know how is to showcase books written by and about the African American experience.

Here is the link to I, Too, Sing America

Authors who Inspire Me (especially during Black History Month)

Sharon Draper (author of Cooper Sun, Forged by Fire, November Blues, and many more!)

Maya Angelou (author of I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings)


Christopher Paul Curtis (author of Bud Not Buddy)

Walter Dean Myers (author of Monster)

Tupac Shakur (especially The Rose that Grew from Concrete--our custodian Claude told me about this book...it's really powerful)

Read one or two or all of these authors soon. You'll be a different person at the end of some of these books; they are that gripping, and they are robust.

So, during Black History month...here's to all the mighty African-American writers who have deserve to be celebrated and read in every classroom, it every school, by every teacher, child, and parent.

Share your thoughts!
And keep reading!
Stenson


P.S. While finding websites to link to this page (you can click on the authors names to find more information), I found this Sharon Draper quote from Copper Sun: "Freedom is a delicate idea--like a pretty leaf in the air--it's hard to catch, and may not be what you thought when you get it." That's poetry.

Oops.

Wow! It's been close to a month since I've posted a new question. I'm sorry to neglect the Reading Blog! I'm back.

The reason I haven't been blogging has a lot to do with Oct. 18, 2008. The day I get to marry the Tall Guy! Admittedly, I've been distracted...but it's been a fun few weeks celebrating our wedding plans.

Anyway, with love on my mind and Valentine's Day around the corner, what do you say we blog about love and books?!?!

Love shows up in books in all sorts of ways. I think To Kill a Mockingbird is a a story about a love affair. Farewell to Arms is one of the most romantic books I've read. When in the mood to read about love and all its glorious power, I often turn to poetry. One of the best "love stories" I've ever read is Maddy and Me-- a story of a man, his family, and their very naughty puppy. In the past year, I've read The Abundance of Katherines--a funny, wonderful story of friendship and love. The Book Thief, a mighty book about heart-break, changed my life and my heart.

It's hard to pinpoint the best love story ever told. Love is hard to pin down, but what is the best love story you've ever read? Or what love story are you excited to read? Tell me your thoughts and ideas.

For the love of reading, and for love alone-
Stenson

How do you spell fun?

B-O-O-K T-A-L-K-S!

Man, in my ten years of teaching, few days have been as fun as the past few. 8th graders on Team 8-2 have been talking about books, book talking, sharing stories, recommending their favorites, and I can only hope the discussion continues. Those book talk days went beyond my expectations...it's how we are going to spend a handful more of our days together.

Was it me, or did 8th graders use some of the most persuasive, creative, and descriptive language you've heard? It was awesome. I can't wait to get them on the iPods...and Ms. Lang thinks we might be able to get them on the school website even! With their author's permission, of course...

Anyway, here's a shout out to all of the kids who gave books talks (all but 5 kids on Team 8-2 at this point). Some of you had only finished one book, some of you weren't excited about sharing it in front of the class, some of you forgot to write as many drafts as I requested, but YOU DID IT!

I love a book talk. Thanks for 140+ of them!

KEEP THE CONVERSATION GOING (good work, Burky, Hannah, Lizzie...and the others too).
Kindly,
Stenson