Ricki – Page 85 – Unleashing Readers

Top Ten Tuesday: Favorite Blog Posts Written by Each Other

May 19, 2015 by Ricki

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. The feature was created because The Broke and Bookish are particularly fond of lists (as are we!). Each week a new Top Ten list topic is given and bloggers can participate.

Today’s Topic: Top Ten Favorite Blog Posts Written by Each Other

Ricki

I can only pick five? I am pretty excited to highlight some of Kellee’s posts. I am focusing on her non-review posts to help me limit the list to just five. This is going to be tough!

1. What Being Married to a Non-Reader has Taught Me

As an avid reader, I sometimes (unintentionally) get frustrated when adults tell me they don’t read. This post is insightful and thought-provoking.

2. How Being a Mom Has Changed My Identity

Yes, yes, and yes. This post hit my soul.

3. Novels with Science Content and Novels with Math Content and Top Books for Struggling/Reluctant Middle School Readers

Teachers, you will love these posts. They are great collections of books. Kellee outdid herself on these posts.

4. A First Year Full of Books: Trent’s Journey through Books

I loved this and wish I’d done it! On this page, you can also see all of our previous posts about her favorite books she’s read with Trent.

5. Kellee’s Favorite Reads in 2013 and 2014

I trust Kellee’s judgment in books, so I always look forward to this list each year! Do not click these links if you don’t want to add books to your TBR lists! 🙂

Kellee

I love reading Ricki’s posts! Today I also focused on my favorite non-review posts that I really think are Ricki’s best.

1. On the Road to a Dissertation!

Ricki shows real insight into the journey that is her doctorate. This post shows us all what a rock star is that she is so active on the blog, a mom, a doctorate student, and the editor of The ALAN Review. Phew!

2. Ricki and Henry’s Favorite Books Birth-6 months & 6-12 months AND Ricki’s Favorite Books 2013 & 2014

Ricki and I have similar taste in books, so I love reading her favorites lists.

3. Balance, Where Are You?

Amen! Ricki writes what all of us feel.

4. A Response (Ahem…Rant) Regarding E. D. Hirsch Jr.’s Cultural Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know

I loved Ricki’s response to this text.

5. 20 Moments I Will Miss With My Readers

I wish I could have been in Mrs. Ginsberg’s classroom!

Post some of your own favorite blog posts for us to read!

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Top Ten Tuesday: Authors We’d Love to Meet

May 12, 2015 by Ricki

Today’s Topic: Top Ten Authors We’d Love to Meet

[beyond those we’ve already met]

We are very fortunate to have met some of our favorite authors at the NCTE convention and the ALAN Workshop. The ALAN Cocktail Reception allows members to sip wine as they chat with the authors! But these lists include authors we haven’t had the chance to meet personally.

Ricki

1. Kevin Brooks

This man’s work is incredible. Every year, I cross my fingers that he will be at the ALAN Workshop. I suspect this is because he lives in a different country.

2. Harper Lee

This is an obvious choice. She is one of the most intriguing authors in history (IMO).

3. Jennifer Niven

After reading her book (following the last ALAN Workshop), I am hoping to meet her! I am crossing my fingers she is at the next ALAN Workshop.

4. Elizabeth Wein

She must be a genius. Her work is so complex, I would be nervous to talk to her!

5. Geneva Gay

I greatly respect her work about culturally responsive teaching. She is a professional role model for me.

Kellee

I have been so lucky to meet most of the people on my “author bucket list,” but here are some authors I still cannot wait to meet!

1. Patrick Ness

After reading the Chaos Walking series and A Monster Calls, I have been fascinated with Ness’s work and would love to meet him.

2. Rick Riordan

Um, he wrote Percy Jackson!!

3. Doug TenNapel

Doug TenNapel’s graphic novels are some of my favorite because of how unique they are. I would love to meet the man who made them.

4. Neil Gaiman

I don’t think I have to explain this one. He is a genius.

5. Mo Willems

I love Mo Willems’s picture books, and would love to have him sign my Elephant & Piggie books!

Which authors would you love to meet?

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Young Jane Austen: Becoming a Writer by Lisa Pliscou

July 27, 2015May 7, 2015 by Ricki

Young Jane Austen: Becoming a Writer
Author: Lisa Pliscou
Illustrator: Massimo Mongiardo
Published: April 20, 2015 by Wyatt-MacKenzie Publishing

GoodReads Summary: What was Jane Austen like as a child? What were her formative influences and experiences, her challenges and obstacles, that together set her on the path toward becoming a writer?

Drawing upon a wide array of sources, including Austen’s own books and correspondence, Lisa Pliscou has created a “speculative biography” that, along with 20 charming black-and-white illustrations, offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of young Jane Austen. Also included is a richly detailed, annotated version of the narrative and an overview of Austen’s life, legacy, and the era in which she lived, as well as a timeline of her key childhood events.

Young Jane Austen is sure to intrigue anyone interested in Jane Austen, in writing and the creative process, and in the triumph of the artistic spirit.

Review: I enjoy the way this book is formatted. The first half (or so) tells the story of Jane Austen as she grows up—before she became a writer. It gives a strong historical background of the expectations (or lack of expectations) for women at the time. While much isn’t known about Jane’s early life, the author does an excellent job creatively interpreting events with what we do know. The next section is an annotated version that reveals the author’s decisions for the text, and the last portion discusses Jane Austen’s later life as a writer. Readers will be inspired to take on some of Austen’s novels after reading this book. The beautiful paper and illustrations of this book made me wish that more books were creatively printed. I felt as if I was reading a text from the time period of Austen’s life, which made me feel warm and fuzzy.

Please note: I tagged this book as historical nonfiction and narrative nonfiction because it bridges both genres. It is a creative nonfiction, and the later portions of the book are more informational. These kinds of books make genre-sorting seem a bit silly.

Teachers’ Tools for Navigation: This text begs for readers to conduct research. They could delve into Jane’s novels to connect her life details with her works. They might also research more about the time period or another favorite author’s early life. The annotated section is particularly interesting to me. I would love to have my students annotate a text looking for the author’s purpose.

Discussion Questions: How was your life different from Jane Austen’s life? How do the expectations for females impact Jane?; What adjectives would you use to describe Jane? Why?; How does the format of the book enhance your reading? Do you know any other books like this?

We Flagged:

I couldn’t help but share how beautiful the inside of this book is. Image taken from: www.goodreads.com.

Recommended For:

Top Ten Tuesday: Books We Will Probably Never Read

May 5, 2015 by Ricki

Today’s Topic: Top Ten Books We Will Probably Never Read

Other books will probably always come first. This post is somewhat similar to a previous TTT topic: “Books We’re Not Sure We Want to Read.”

Ricki

1. Mein Kampf by Adolf Hitler

This is the only repeat from my other list. I simply don’t think I could ever read this lunatic’s words–particularly when I know it was used as propaganda. It is the only book I immediately thought of with this TTT topic.

2. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Anne Shaffer

I have started this book at least five times and can’t get past the first fifty pages. All of my friends love it, but I couldn’t get into it. I really want to like it.

3. Moby Dick by Herman Melville

Let’s just be honest with each other. This isn’t going to happen. I’ve read portions, and I don’t think I would read this for any other reason than to say I read it. Life’s too short.

4. Ulysses by James Joyce

For a similar reason, I don’t think I’ll ever read this book. Although, I would do much better on Jeopardy if I read it. They always include this book!

5. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

My husband would be sad to see this on the list. I just can’t do it. I’m sorry! You can judge me, but I’ll always find a book that I think will be better than these. I’ve seen pieces of the movies, and I am simply not interested. (And yes, I understand the movies are never as good as the books. But I am pretty sure I won’t like these.) You can also add Game of Thrones to this list.

Kellee

1. The Selection (series) by Kiera Class

This series premise just sounds so much like Princess Academy, and I have a very hard time with books that seem to rip off a premise. I also just haven’t heard very good things about them (though my students bug me all the time to read them). We’ll see. These are probably the ones on this list that I could maybe be convinced to read.

2. The rest of the Mortal Instruments (series) by Cassandra Clare

I listened to the first book of the series (which may have been the problem), and I just found it to be not what I wanted it to be. I wasn’t sucked into the world like I wanted to be. Also, the ending just really bothered me.

3. Anything Nicholas Sparks

I have never been interested in books that revolve around romance.

4. Little House (series) by Laura Ingalls Wilder

I tried to read the first one when I was younger, but very early on the dad goes on a hunt and the kill is described. Grossed me out and made me cry. This just left a bad taste in my mouth, and I will probably not ever try again.

5. All those vampire books I bought in 2007-2009

Man, I bought so many vampire books for my classroom library!!! Some of them were loved, but many of them were never touched because by the time I got them, the fad was over. Maybe they’ll get some love one day.

Which books are on your list?

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Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Parental Figures in Books

April 28, 2015April 28, 2015 by Ricki

Today’s Topic: Top Ten Parental Figures in Books

As moms, we are happy to share this list!

Ricki

When I created this list, I was saddened that there seem to be so many more negative examples of mothers and fathers in literature than positive examples of mothers and fathers. We need to change this!

1. Atticus Finch in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

I strive to be as good of a parent as this man. He is easily my favorite parent in any book I’ve read because he is wise and treats his kids with respect.

2. The unnamed mother in Love You Forever by Robert Munsch

I completely understand that many people find this mother’s devotion to her son to be a bit creepy. I get it. But I don’t find it creepy at all. The backstory of the book is here.

3. The two penguins in And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson

These two penguins are very devoted to little Tango. They show a love and affection that is admirable. I still laugh that this book is censored.

4. The bee-keeping sisters in The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

For me, this book was about motherhood. It taught me that mothers aren’t perfect, but they are often simply doing their best. These bee-keeping sisters are some of the best written characters I’ve read.

5. The women of A Thousand Splendid Sons by Khaled Hosseini

I am going to admit that I may be wrong here. My memory of this book is of hard-working mothers who are devoted to their families. I think about this book often (even though I read it over five years ago), and I envy the strength of these women.

Kellee

Like Ricki said, too often parents are the antagonist in books–just another bad guy to overcome OR they are nonexistent OR they die and aren’t part of the protagonist’s life at all. We wanted to highlight parents that were present and wonderful in books. I, too, wanted to choose Atticus Finch because he is the best dad in literature ever, but no doubling up!, so here are my 5 top parents from books.

1. Willow’s parents and then Pattie from Counting by 7s by Holly Goldberg Sloan

Willow is very lucky to always have an adult looking out for her, and even after her parents’ death, Pattie stepped up and ensured that Willow was well taken care of. Even if it was a bit unconventional.

2. Mr. Mendez from Separate is Never Equal by Duncan Tonatiuh

He did everything in his power to ensure that his children received a good education. To make matters even better, this is a true story.

3. Doris from When I Was the Greatest by Jason Reynolds

Doris is real. She is a real mom that has to work hard to support her kids.

4. Rafe’s parents from Openly Straight by Bill Konigsberg

Although they may annoy him a bit (a lot), I love how supportive and loving they are.

5. Most of the parents in The Baby-Sitters Club by Ann M. Martin

One of the things I loved about BSC is the different types of families that were represented, and no matter how different they were, the parent(s) were always supportive and trying to do their best.

Which parents stick out in your mind? Share them with us!

Happy upcoming Mother’s Day and Father’s Day to all of our parent readers out there!

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Win a Free Classroom Set of Ruta Sepetys’ Books!

April 23, 2015 by Ricki

I have had the honor of serving on the Editorial Team for The ALAN Review for the past year with my dear friends and colleagues, Wendy Glenn and Dani King. We are very excited about the giveaway that Ruta Sepetys is offering—a free classroom set of her books (either Between Shades of Gray or Out of the Easy), and I wanted to share it here. Both are phenomenal books.

When I was a high school teacher, I loved teaching Between Shades of Gray (Out of the Easy is also excellent, but it came out in the last year that I was teaching, so I didn’t have time to order multiple copies). Between Shades of Gray was remarkable in that it touched the lives of so many of my students. That book inspired two of my sophomore boys (who swore they hated reading) to walk over to my bookshelves (together…because it is scary) to look for other books “just like that one.” One boy’s mother called me to thank me for getting her son to read. I highly recommend both books for classroom instruction. They make history very accessible!

Ruta Sepetys wrote a beautiful article that will be published in the next themed issue of The ALAN Review: “(Re)membering and (Re)living: Probing the Collective and Individual Past.” In honor of her article, she is offering a giveaway of a classroom set of books! (I know. We were also stunned by her generosity.) The winner will receive 30 paperback copies of Between Shades of Gray or Out of the Easy. Ruta’s article, “Historical Fiction: The Silent Soldier,” will be featured in the Summer 2015 issue of The ALAN Review. The winner will be selected on June 15, 2015 and *must be an ALAN member*. To enter the giveaway, please go to: http://goo.gl/forms/YWF7VFYfyX.

If you like young adult literature and are not an ALAN member, I highly recommend you consider joining ALAN. Check out the Facebook page or ALAN website. It is $30 to join, and you get three journals per year (filled with articles about young adult literature—these articles are written by teachers, librarians, teacher educators, and young adult authors). I love being an ALAN member. #IamALAN

Top Ten Tuesday: All-Time Favorite Authors

April 21, 2015 by Ricki

Today’s Topic: Top Ten Favorite Authors of All Time

It gives us a stomach ache to create this list. If you ask us tomorrow, these lists will shift. We absolutely could not limit ourselves to five authors each, but we are keeping with the TTT spirit and taking a plunge. These twenty authors (and some repeats between us) are our incredible. We highly recommend their books and would read anything by them.

Ricki

(In alphabetical order.)

Sherman Alexie – Ah, this man is glorious both in print and in person. He has inspired me in so many ways.
Coe Booth – I was blown away by Coe’s books. Her scenes come alive.
Kristin Cashore – I didn’t think I liked fantasy until I read Cashore’s books. She opened my world.
Matt de la Peña – Not only is Matt a great man, but his books reach so many kids. I cherish his books.
John Green – Because he made geeky oh-so-cool. Well, we always knew it was cool, but he reminded us.
A.S. King – A.S. King takes risks in her stories, and each novel is very different from the last.
Harper Lee – In my opinion, Atticus Finch is the best drawn character in any book that exists.
Eliot Schrefer – When his books come out, I hide in a closet and cannot emerge until I am done.
John Steinbeck – My favorite classic author of all time. I’ve read more books by this man than any other author.
Jacqueline Woodson – We are lucky to have Jackie Woodson. Her books have changed me.

Kellee

Anyone who knows me know how hard this was. I had a list of probably 30 authors to choose from, but I went with my gut. This list could probably change tomorrow. I wish I could do a list of favorite picture books, middle grade, graphic novels, young adult, and adult!!

(In alphabetical order)

Roald Dahl – He’s been my favorite for as long as I can remember. He is so creative, funny, and never gets old!
John Green – Like Ricki said, he was the beginning of the “let’s make smart cool” trend which I am a huge fan of. Also, he just really knows how to craft a novel!
Ernest Hemingway – I almost didn’t put Hemingway because I haven’t read any of his work in a while, but he was my favorite while I was getting my lit degree. I love his lack of fluff. He just writes how it is.
Lois Lowry – Lois Lowry is special. She writes in a way that sucks you into a novel, changes you forever, then spits you out. Her writing is so powerful.
Ann M. Martin – Baby-sitters Club was my serial reading when I was in middle school. I loved those girls. And Martin has continued to write novels that have found places in my heart.
Kenneth Oppel – I just have not read anything by him that I do not like. His premises are so unique, and he writes so well.
Ginny Rorby – Rorby knows how to pull at heart strings, and I love that her novels make you think about human and animals issues.
Eliot Schrefer – When I read Endangered I fell in love with Schrefer’s writing. Threatened deepened that love. I cannot wait to read everything he ever writes.
Raina Telgemeier – I went back and forth between Telgemeier and TenNapel because I think they both are amazing graphic artists (though very different), but Raina did something so unique with Smile and Drama.
Mo Willems – His picture books are always good. He cracks me up.

Which authors are your favorites? Who did we miss? We can each think about five others who really belong on each of our lists!

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