Must Read in 2014-Summer Update

Wow! I can't believe it is already time to do the summer update for my Must Read in 2014 list. I'm just in shock that it is already July! June went by so fast!

Well in January I started my list with 18 books and at the update in April I had read 9 of the books off of that list. In the April update I also added another 12, to bring my total up to 30.  Looking back over the whole list, I'm feeling pretty good because I have read 15 of the books!

Below are a few of the highlights of the 15 that I've read.

I just loved Duke by Kirby Larson. Click here for a summary on Goodreads. In fact, I haven't found a Kirby Larson book that I haven't fallen in love with. This is going to be a great book to add to my library next year. 

Another great book from my list was The Pigeon Needs a Bath by Mo Willems. Click here for a summary on Goodreads. I never get tired of the pigeon books. I love each and every one! And I love sharing them with the kids. I made sure to have multiple copies of this book for the kids next year.

I really enjoyed Peanut Butter and Jellyfish by Jarrett J. Krosoczka. Click here for a summary on Goodreads. I fell in love with this book while showing the book trailer to my Kindergarten and First Grade students. 

 

A book that wasn't on my Must Read in 2014 list, but is a wonderful read, is This Journal Belongs to Ratchet by Nancy J. Cavanaugh. Click here for a summary on Goodreads. This book just wowed me! Once I started reading it, I couldn't stop until I finished. I could really identify with the main character Ratchet (Rachel). Like her, I always felt (and sometimes still do) like I was on the outside looking in when it came to friends and fitting in. If you haven't read this one, I highly suggest that you pick it up.

Happy Reading!! 

How have you been doing on your Must Read in 2014 list?

Stacey (@libraryjo92)

Book Smiles!

It is time once again for another book that made me smile! If you didn't check out  Daydream Reader's post and King and Kids post last week make sure you check them out. They choose some really good books! I can't wait to see what they pick this week! Brief Thief by Michael Escoffier on King and Kids blog got me some strange looks in the bookstore as I was laughing out loud as I was reading it.

My book this week is It's An Orange Aardvark by Michael Hall. Click here for a summary on Goodreads. I am a huge Michael Hall fan and this one didn't disappoint me. My book smiles actually started before I even read the book. I had so much fun showing the book trailer to my kindergarten and first grade students. They were so excited about the book. I can't wait to share with them next year because it's a definite purchase for my library.

 

What book or books made you smile this week? Make sure you share, we all need more book that make us smile!

Happy Reading!!!

Stacey (@libraryjo92)

Summer Plans

Every year at the start of summer I make plans. I'm only a week and three days into summer and already my plans of going out the window. Had a few more things to finish up at school last week which I did happily. Then just other little things of gotten the way like appointments that I needed to go to. And then this past weekend I got the flu. I couldn't believe that I waited until summer to get sick. I hadn't been sick all school year, but I waited until summer. The only silver lining was I didn't have to write lesson plans. I could just be sick.

Since I'm not going on a big trip this year, I have lots of plans. I hope that I'm going to be able to follow through. First and foremost I'm going to be reading. I've got the #Summerthrowdown coming up in July and I've got a lot of reading to do for Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Award nominees. There some great books on that list of nominees and I'm excited to read them. Click here to see the list of nominees. Once to this page, click on the drop down menu for the Black-Eyed Susan Awards. Then you can pick picture books, 4-6, 6-9, high school, and graphic novel.

I've got a lot to do around my house. There are always closets to go through, drawers to go through and not to mention the work outside. I also have some school work to do as well. Once again I am a demonstration teacher for our new Media Specialists in the county and I'm also a mentor to the new Media Specialists as well. So I have lesson plans but I need to update and I'm trying to put together a handbook of helpful hints and tips for our new Media people. I love being a demonstration teacher and mentor because I am so enthusiastic about my job I want everyone to love it as much as I do.

What are your plans for the summer?

Happy Reading!!

Stacey (@libraryjo92)