Snow Treasure

I like Historical Fiction and I am pretty sure that our students would too. But when does their lack of background knowledge make it extremely difficult to read a book. Snow Treasure by Marie McSwigan was written in 1942 and tells the story of how the children of Norway smuggled thousands of pounds of gold bullion down a mountain, using their sleds. The children did this right under the Nazi guard's watch. Under the watchful eye of the Nazis the children sled down the mountain carrying the gold bullion. http://www.warsailors.com/singleships/bomma.html

It is a great story and based on events that happened in Norway in 1940. As I read this book, I wondered if we could possibly use it in our classrooms and what kind of supports our kids would need to meet the challenges the book holds. The challenges I see: story being set in Norway, the time period, the children's funny names. the whole idea of sledding and snow, and some of the vocabulary. As a classroom teacher, I would use this book for upper elementary but would really think about those supports our students would need to use it successfully in the classroom.

Every Cloud Has a Silver Lining

I read another book tonight to be used for next school year, but I don't think I can use it. It was a great book and I loved it... Every Cloud has a Silver Lining by Anne Mazer tells the story of fifth grader, Abby Hayes. Abby lives with a perfect family, everyone is great at something but Abby. Abby decided to become a soccer star and she eats, sleeps and dreams soccer. Abby gets lots of support from her close friends, Jessica and Natalie who encourage her and recognizes her slow improvement.

I love the way this book was written.Interspersed between the story, we read Abby's journal written with her favorite purple pen. Abby has yet to realize that she is a very talented writer.

This was a great book and I loved the story, yet it is too old for my young students and I am not for sure if it is something that older boys would be interested in...But I really enjoyed reading it and would highly recommend it for junior high and students reading above a fifth grade level.

Dinosaurs Before Dark

I am looking for a book. Several teachers have asked us to expand our book club to also have a selection for younger readers, so I need to find some books.Someone suggested that I take a look at the Magic Tree House books. I really don't know much about them and don't know if our kids would enjoy them.

Well, I just finished my first and still haven't made up my mind. The book, Dinosaurs Before Dark by Mary Pope Osborne was an okay book about a brother, Jack and his younger sister Annie. They find an old tree house that is filled with books and immediately open a book that is about dinosaurs. They next thing you know they are in a land of dinosaurs and exploring the dinosaurs.

I liked the book especially because of the young characters. Also there is a non fiction piece that goes along with most of the books. I like the tie in with books taking you to new and different places. But I am concerned about the vocabulary and wonder if the books are too popular and our kids won't be excited about them. Also it looks like every four books is in a different category; the first four are The Mystery of the Tree House and the second four are Mystery of the Magic Spell. Oh no, what if the kids get into them and then some parent complains about magic spells??? I think I need to read some more the figure out what we might be getting into.

How My Private, Personal Journal became a Bestseller

Wouldn't you die if something you wrote for your personal journal was read and published for every one's reading pleasure. Particularly embarrassing since the evil character in you journal, is your very worst enemy and you are scared she will find out..This is exactly what happens to Jamie Bartlett in HOW MY PRIVATE, PERSONAL JOURNAL BECAME A BESTSELLER by Julia DeVillers. Jamie accidentally turns in a private story from her journal instead of an English assignment and becomes a best selling author almost over night. Then the true fun begins. Every one wants piece of Jamie's time , her new agent, her new publist, new new media coach Jamie spend lots of her time getting facial, manicures, and hair makeovers. With all of the media events to begin shortly after. Jamie starts to panic and wonders when she will be able to meet all these deadlines that others are placing on her.

I would suggest using this book in Junior High and High school. As I teacher I might look at the similarities and differences between Jamie and IS, Sawyer Spencer and Myrna, and Marco Vaga and Connor Griffin. Using a Venn Diagram would give the teacher a great lesson in people's characters. There is nothing in the book that I would rate and R or X rating. Our kids will love this book.