Two similar reads

I finished two books recently that seem like, likely candidates for my blog.  One is Little Blog on the Prairie by Bell and the other is Ten Miles Past Normal by Dowell.
Both of these books have a girls telling the story (boys it is still a good book...).
In Little Blog on the Prairie the main character is brought to Wyoming by her mother, along with the rest of her family for an authentic 1890's experience.  You quickly realize reading this book how much we take for granted.  Simply washing the dishes or not being able to order a pizza when you don't have the energy to cook.  In fact this family learns to live on beans, yes beans, for several days because that is all they have time to make.  The main character, manages to sneak a cell phone into this environment and texts her friends about her misery.  One of her friends decides this would make a good blog and decides to share her text messages with the world in a blog that she is creating for a class.
My first thought, wow, this is a good example about how texts can get out of hand quickly by going viral.  However, her friend did ask her first. 
Needless to say, a catastrophe ensues when the blog goes viral and she has to face what she has opened up about her family and the "1890's Prairies Camp". 

The second book I read first, but I loved the text to text connections I was making as I read this book.  Again the main character is a girl.  Imagine getting on the bus smelling of goat droppings!  This is what happens to this character.  It only gets worse when her high school starts calling her "goat girl" and worse. 
She also lives in the middle of nowhere or 10 miles past normal. She was the one with the great idea to have a"farm".  However, she had this idea as a fifth grader, but it isn't working well with her high school personna, that she wants.  She is trying to find a way to fit in to this new environment until she finds a "band" and begins playing bass.  Good read.

The Red Kayak by Priscilla Cummings

This book is one of the Battle of the Books picks for this year in our district.  It was not the first one I have read, but I really enjoyed reading it. Therefore, I wanted to start with this book.
This book is set on the Cheasapeake bay.  The story is told by Brady in a series of flashbacks.  As Brady tells his story, you slowly realize he is in big trouble.  His two best friends Digger and TJ are also in trouble, legal trouble.
The biggest problem is Brady needs to solve a mystery that includes his friends.  In fact, it was a flippant comment made by Brady to TJ and Digger that worries Brady.  Can he come forward and explain what happened to Ben and his mom without destroying his friendships, his family, and his reputation?

The best thing about this book is that all three boys learn (hopefully a lesson for the reader as well) that any action may have devastating consequences.

Book Clubs!!!

Sign ups have begun in the library.  Don't miss any of the great books we read this year.  We have a book club that meets twice a month for each grade level. 

Mrs. Roudman will sponsor the 6th grade book club.

Mrs. O'Neill-Goodrick is sponsoring the 7th grade book club.

Mrs. Kaplan, Mrs. Perdue, and Mr. Simonds have agreed to read books with the 8th graders.

So, get into the library to sign up.  These teachers do not want to read alone.  I will come in when I can to join in the discussions.

Usually the grade level book clubs begin with the California Young Reader Medal books.  This year we will be able to offer copies of the Middle School/Junior High books to book clubs.  The books in this category are:

Revolution is Not a Dinner Party: A Novel by Ying Chang Compestine
Waiting for Normal by Leslie Conner
Every Soul a Star by Wendy Mass

Plus, you can also sign up for the Battle of the Books (BOB) team.  Although it is not mandatory that you join the team or that you read all 8 books, BOB members are encouraged to read all of them.  Only 12 of the members will be able to compete at the BOB competition.  Get started now with the titles for this year.  They are:

Cosmic by Frank Boyce
Easty by Edith Pattou
Freak the mighty by Roderick Philbrick
The Giver by Lois Lowry
The Green Glass Sea by Ellen Klages
The Grim Legacy by Polly Shulman
The Red Kayak by Priscilla Cummings
Shipbreaker by  Paolo Bacigalupi

I hope to have time to write reviews for all of these books.  I read the California Young Reader Medal books in the Spring and just finished The Red Kayak and Cosmic.  If you are interested and can't wait for the review come talk to me about these books.  Multiple copies are on their way now for our book clubs!