World Read Aloud Blogging Challenge

I've been quite busy lately and blogging once again has not been something that has taken a high priority. I'm taking the World Read Aloud Blogging Challenge as a way to get myself motivated again. I first read about the challenge on Matthew Winner's blog, The Busy Librarian. You can read more about World Read Aloud Day on LitWorld website.

The first question in the blogging challenge is:

What is your earliest or fondest memory in which someone read aloud to you?

I don't remember a time where I was reading or someone wasn't reading to me. There were always books in my house, that's what happens when you have two educators as parents. As I was growing up I struggled with reading due to dyslexia. But I never let that stop me from reading. In fact, my tutor said that it was my overwhelming desire to read that didn't let the dyslexia hold me back. My mom was the one who read to me the most. My father has never really been a book reader. He encouraged me, and always said that if I could read I would be successful.

I don't have one specific memory that sticks out in my mind growing up. I remember teachers reading aloud and finding myself hanging on every word. Some were better than others at reading aloud. After reading about Matthew Winner's experience as an undergrad reminded me about an experience I had in college. I was just entering my classes for education at Frostburg State University. We had to take a reading appreciation class.  I LOVED this class, but was totally surprised at some of my fellow students.  Many of them who were elementary majors hadn't read any picture/chapter books for that age since they were that age.  I was always reading "kids" books.  I remember the first class, our instructor, Mrs. Ornstein (she is now Dr. Ornstein) read aloud the book Earrings by Juidth Viorst. She used so much expression and feeling as she read. I didn't even need to look at the illustrations, because she was painting pictures in my mind. I remember thinking that if I could put one tenth of that expression and feeling when I read aloud I would capture my students like she captured us.

Another part of this post is suppose to be about what we are planning to do for World Read Aloud Day. Since this is the first one that I'm celebrating, my answer is I'm not sure yet. Of course, I'll be reading aloud. But I not sure what else I will be doing. I'll share as soon as I figure it out. Suggestions are welcome!

Happy Reading!

Stacey (@libraryjo92)

It's Monday! What Are You Reading?

This meme was started by Sheila at Book Journey. The kid's version was started by Jen at Teach Mentor Text and Kellee at Unleashing Readers.

This was quite a great reading week for me.  After my last week of very emotional draining nonfiction books, I took a break from reality. I got through the first three Harry Potter's and about halfway through the fourth book. It was great to revisit these characters. I think the first four books are my favorites because there is still my innocesnce and Rowling hadn't started killing of major characters!

I also managed to read four other books this week. Out of the four books, three were on my Must Read in 2014 list.  (See my post here for more info.) The first book that I read was Mustache Baby by Bridget Heos. Click here for a summary on Goodreads. This was just a fun read.  Mustaches have been the "in" thing for quite a while. As I read this book, I was remembering a display that I saw sometime on the Internet. The library had put fake mustaches on many books and had a cute saying that went along with it.

The second book from my Must Read in 2014 list was Scaredy Squirrel Prepares for Halloween by Melanie Watt. Click here for a summary on Goodreads. I just love Scaredy Squirrel!  I can identify with him over a lot of his fears! I have a hard time keeping any Scaredy Squirrel book on the shelf. The best part was when three of the para educators at my school dressed up as three different Scaredy Squirrel's for Book Character Day! The only problem was they kept throwing nuts at people!

The last book from my Must Read in 2014 list happened to be a Newbery Honor Book for 2014, The Year of Billy Miller by Kevin Henkes. Click here for a summary on Goodreads. I really enjoyed this book! I can see after reading it, why it won a Newbery Honor. I loved how Billy Miller's problems were such second grade problems. There was no added drama that made it older than second grade. I'm going to be recommending this book to all of my second grade teachers for a read aloud.

The last book that I got to read this week was an ARC of Mouseheart by Lisa Fiedler. Click here for a summary on Goodreads. This book was sent to me from Simon and Schuster. Look at the post below to see the fun way that they packaged the book! I really liked this book. I was a little confused at the ending, but then I looked at the spine of the book and saw that it said Volume 1, so much confusion hopefully will be cleared up in the next book. This book reminded me a lot of Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh by Robert C. O'Brian. I'm not a huge fan of books with animals as main characters. But every so often, there are a few that I really love. The two more that come to mind are The One and Only Ivan and Flora and Ulysses. But growing up I fell in love with Mrs. Frisby and this book made me feel like I was discovering it all over again. Can't wait to hear what others think once they have read it.

Happy Reading!

Stacey (@libraryjo92)

Celebrate

Every week, Ruth Ayres over at Discover. Play. Build. invites people to share celebrations from their week. Please visit and consider linking up your own celebration.

I'm a little late posting today, because I'm not really sure where my Saturday went today.  I had grand plans, but other things got in the way today.

I was so thrilled this week to finally see my 3rd Graders on Friday!  Due to weather and one professional day, I have not seen them since December 20th. I had to look at what I had taught the other classes and prioritize what I need to teach them.  I'm hoping that we are not going to miss anymore Fridays because of weather.

This week I was so excited to come home and find this box on my front porch. The outside of the box made me wonder what book was inside. Once I opened the box I found an ARC of Mouseheart by Lisa Fiedler.  Click here for a summary on Goodreads. The summary sound so exciting.  I can't wait to dive in!  This will be my next read!


What are you celebrating?

Stacey (@libraryjo92)